Roll of Honour

DAVIS -- July 22, 1917, at Amara, Mesopotamia, from heart exhaustion, Captain the Rev. John Davis, B.A., C.F., minister of Buittle Parish (Church of Scotland), Kirkcudbrightshire, youngest son of the late Rev. John Davis, Ballynahinch.

WRIGHT -- July 23, at No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station, France, died of wounds received in action, Gunner George Henry Wright, R.F.A., fifth son of the late Samuel Wright and Mrs. Wright, Ballyboy, Caledon, Co. Tyrone, aged 21 years. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Mother, Brother and Sisters.

Marriages

JAMESON--LYONS -- July 13, 1917, at Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church, Newry, by Rev. J. A. Lyons, B.A., Cullybackey (brother of the bride), assisted by Rev. R. Nevin Lyons, Ballenon (brother of the bride), and Rev. T. B. M'Farlane, B.A., Newry, William Jamieson, Merchants' Quay, Newry, eldest son of Mr. Samuel Jamieson, The Grove, Monaghan, to Ida Loughlin, only daughter of the late Rev. A. S. Lyons, Riverside Church, and Mrs. Lyons, Windsor Bank, Newry.

M'GEAGH--TODD -- July 26, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. Robert Hyndman, B.A., assisted by the Rev. R. S. Craig, B.A., Ballymena, the Rev. William John M'Geagh, B.A., minister of Brookside Presbyterian Church, Ahoghill, younger son of Mr. J. F. M'Geagh, J.P., Draperstown, to Minnie, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Todd, James Street, Cookstown.

Deaths

ACHESON -- July 28, 1917, at her residence, The Hill, Crewmore, Poyntzpass, Hannah Jane, youngest surviving daughter of the late William Acheson. Interred in the family burying-ground, Crewmore, on Monday.

GORDON -- August 1, 1917 (suddenly), at his late residence, Lisnalinchy, Ballyclare, Wm. John Gordon, in his 75th year. The remains of my beloved father will be removed, for interment in the family burying-place, Ballylinney, to-day (Friday), 3rd inst., at five o'clock p.m. Friends will please accept this (the only) intimation. ANDREW GORDON.

MORELAND -- August 1, 1917, at the Samaritan Hospital, Belfast, Elizabeth Jane Harper, eldest daughter of the late James Moreland, Ballyduff, Carnmoney. Funeral from above hospital, to Carnmoney Burying-ground, to-day (Friday), 3rd inst., passing Glengormley at four o'clock p.m.

ANDERSON -- July 29, at the Bend Hotel, Sydney, South Africa, Charles Milling, youngest son of Robert and M. A. Anderson, of High Street, Portadown.

ANDREWS -- July 26, at her residence, Cromkill, Ballymena, Jane, wife of Robert Andrews, aged 74 years.

BELL -- July 26, at Hillhead Cottage, Mullaghdubh, Islandmagee, Georgina (Georgie), beloved wife of Nelson Bell, Lavina House, Deerpark Road, Cliftonville Circus.

CROSS -- July 27, at Portballintrae, Henry Charles Cross, late S.O., H. M. Coastguards.

DICKSON -- July 25, 1917, at her residence, Corr and Dunavalley, Armagh Road, Charlemont, Moy, Matilda, widow of the late Thomas Dickson. Deeply regretted.

GALBRAITH -- July 31, at his residence, Brownlow Street, Comber, William, the dearly-beloved husband of Eleanor Galbraith.

GARRETT -- July 27, at her residence, Larne Harbour, Jane, relict of the late Andrew Garrett.

HUNTER -- July 28, at her residence, Bethany, Ballyholme Road, Bangor, Sarah Elizabeth, wife of James Hunter.

HUTCHISON -- August 1, at her residence, 29, Cavehill Road, Jeanie, dearly-loved wife of Francis Hutchison.

KIRKWOOD -- August 1, at his residence, Magheralave, Lisburn, Alexander Kirkwood.

LARMOR -- July 28, at his residence, Fairacre, Derriaghy, John Sloan Larmor.

LOVE -- May 24, at St. Andrew's Manse, Strathalbyn, S. Australia, Maggie Georgina, wife of the Rev. G. C. Love, M.A., B.D., Strathalbyn, and eldest daughter of the late Rev. Robert Beattie, Convoy, Ireland.

MacFADZEAN -- July 26, Sarah, eldest daughter of Elizabeth MacFadzean, Carlingford, and of the late John MacFadzean, Louth.

MAYERS -- July 31, at her residence, 197, Hillman Street, Sarah, the widow of the late Wm. John Mayers, of Seacash, Crumlin.

MONTGOMERY -- July 30 (suddenly), at his residence, Aughnahoy, Portglenone, Samuel, the beloved husband of Mary Montgomery.

MOORE -- July 31, at his late residence, 8, Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast, George Moore, aged 78.

MURDOCH -- July 28, at her sister's residence, Strawberry Hill, Lisburn, Elizabeth Murdoch.

M'CONNELL -- July 30, at 3, Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast, Frances, widow of the late John M'Connell.

M'WILLIAMS -- July 30, at Purdysburn Hospital, Lizzie, the beloved wife of Samuel M'Williams, Craigantlet House, Dundonald.

PARKER -- July 31, at Vista, Glandore Avenue, Alexander Parker.

ROBIN -- July 27, at his residence, Golf Villa, Holywood, Alexander, the dearly-beloved husband of Martha Robin.

ROLLINS -- July 28, at his residence, Mullacarton, Magheragall, Lisburn, Alfred, dearly-beloved husband of Amelia C. Rollins.

SCOTT -- July 31, at her parents' residence, 6, Ballycarry Street, May, the dearly-beloved child of Thomas and Susan Scott.

WALLACE -- June 18, at the General Hospital, Johannesburg, S.A., Selina Leslie, third daughter of the late Rev. Robert Wallace, Omagh.

WILSON -- July 26, 1917, at Kilkeeran, Knappagh, John Wilson, for many years a ruling elder in Knappagh.

Clippings

EPITOME OF GENERAL NEWS

One hundred London journalists have fallen in action.

Mr. John Burns has definitely thrown in his lot with the pacifist group in the House of Commons.

The Australian Commonwealth Parliament has passed a Bill suppressing the International Workers of the World.

Australia has received from the Imperial Government assistance which will enable it to provide storage for nearly 400,000 tons of flour.

The Secretary of the War Office announces the arrangements are now nearing completion for the formation of a Jewish Regiment of Infantry.

According to a message from Wellington the Imperial Government has offered to purchase next season's wool-clip at the same price as last season's.

The Canadian Government has requested the Premiers of the different provinces to arrange a suitable celebration of the third anniversary of the declaration of war.

On Monday a cow the property of Mr. Luke Carny, Castlefarm, Stewartstown, gave birth to three calves -- two bulls and one heifer. The three calves are living.

The Brazilian Government has intimated that her navy has undertaken the work of patrolling the American coast from the Guianas to Rio Grande do Sol.

Sir Maurice Dockrell, D.L., has resigned his membership of the Irish Unionist Alliance and of the committee appointed at the Molesworth Hall meeting of Southern Unionists.

The Ashanti War and "Sir Garnet Wolseley" seem only the other day. Now the chiefs of Ashanti have subscribed £1,500 for a third aeroplane for presentation to the Flying Corps.

General Korniloff's orders for the shooting of traitors and marauders have already been acted upon. The commander of the Grenadier Division has been removed for refusing to fire on deserters.

"The old regular army was probably the finest force that has ever taken the field since Caesar's legions," said Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Lloyd at the inspection of the Cadet Corps of the London Regiment.

Mr. A. H. Carter, for many years surveyor for Litherland Urban District Council, and a workman were found dead in a sewer which they had gone down to inspect. It is supposed they were overcome by sewer gas.

A writ for £10,000 has been issued on behalf of Lady Randolph Churchill against the Sydney newspaper "Truth" for alleged libel arising out of a letter and comment published relating to Lieutenant Barrett and War Office promotions.

"Jim" Larkin, the Irish agitator, is reported to be going to Australia via the United States. It is likely that action will be taken to prevent his landing there, the War Precautions Act endowing the military authorities with the necessary power.

In the Canadian House of Commons the Minister of Finance, introducing the Income-Tax Bill, said the measure became necessary owing to the proposal in the Conscription Bill to increase by 100,000 men the Canadian Overseas Forces.

Mr. Churchill, the new Minister of Munitions, has been re-elected for Dundee, defeating Mr. Scrymgeour by a majority of 5,266, the figures being 7,302 and 2,036. Mr. Scrymgeour stood as a Liquor Prohibitionist and Peace candidate. In 1910 he polled 1,825 votes, against Mr. Churchill.

A grant of 160 acres of land and a loan of £500 will be made by the Canadian Government to returned soldiers and sailors, whether they belong to the Canadian forces or to other Imperial services. Former residents of Canada who have served with the Allies will also be eligible, says Reuter.

Terence Magee, Bernard M'Entee, and Patrick M'Phillips were at a special Court at Ballybay, presided over by Mr. Irwin, R.M., charged with unlawful assembly, assaulting the police and using seditious language at Latton on the occasion of the taking down of a Sinn Fein flag.

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, in an interview on the subject of the meetings of Allied Socialists, says -- "We are neither Germanophile tor unpatriotic. We are far from seeking to weaken any further the cause of the Allies. We want to bring about permanent peace and not a mere patched-up peace."

The President of the Board of Trade has appointed Mr. William Adamson, M.P., to be a member of the Committee which deals with complaints in connection with the release of railwaymen for military service, in the place of Mr. F. W. Goldstone, M.P., who has been accepted for military service.

One hundred wounded soldiers, from Ballykinlar were entertained by the Royal County Down Golf Club on Wednesday. After luncheon they were conveyed by motor cars through Tollymore Park. The band of the Slieve Donard Hotel played selections at the clubhouse during the stay of the guests.

Mr. Churchill, addressing an election meeting in Dundee, was greeted with some hostility by a section of the audience, who taunted him with being responsible for the Antwerp defeat, but which he claimed really as a victory, has action having so obstructed the Germans that the latter were kept out of Calais and all other French coast towns.

The delegates attending the Irish Convention are paid at the rate of a guinea a day to cover hotel bills and travelling expenses. This allowance is made by the Treasury while the delegates are assembled and deliberating with regard to the object of the Convention, but is not made to cover periods elapsing between such adjournments as may from time to time be found necessary.

Lord Rhondda, addressing a meeting of the National Baby Week Council in London, urged that the Government should be pressed to proceed with the establishing of a Ministry of Health. It was possible to save the lives of a thousand babies a week by a Bill dealing with maternity and child welfare, yet it had been delayed by the jealousy of different departments.

Captain Francis William Eveleigh Savage, a direct descendant of the Savages of the Ards, has died at Littlewick Green, Berks, at the age of 83 years. He entered the Royal Artillery in 1852, and served in the Crimea in 1855, taking part in the battle of the Tchemaya and in the siege and fall of Sebastopol. Subsequently, at his own request, he left the artillery for the 13th Light Dragoons.

Thomas Allen, a miner, of Carcroft, charged at Doncaster on Saturday with using bad language, spitting in court, and using threats towards a woman, told the magistrates he had eight sons and eight stepsons serving in the army. They were by six different wives. Pointing to an elderly woman, defendant exclaimed, "This is my sixth wife. I have been a soldier myself." The Bench ordered the man to find sureties for good behaviour.

Several thousand residents of the Isle of Man are petitioning Parliament for the removal of the Governor, Lord Raglan, a reformed government, an immediate dissolution of the House of Keys, suitable provision for war distress, and old-age pensions. The petitioners say they have appealed in vain to the Home Secretary. They suggest that the old constitution should be suspended and the government of the island taken over by the Imperial Parliament.

Intimation of another Cork project was made at Cork Corporation, a letter being read from Mr. Woodhead offering, on behalf of the English firm of Crockford & Lea, to acquire further grounds on the Marina for the purpose of erecting a factory adjoining that taken by the Ford Co. Messrs, Crockford & Lea were prepared to pay £1,000 for the site in question, and guaranteed to expend £10,000 in the erection of buildings as soon as necessary negotiations were completed. The Council referred the matter to the Law and Finance Committee.

At Derry Petty Sessions on Thursday District-Inspector Ryan summoned Hugh Stevenson & Co., bakers, Londonderry, for selling, or exposing for sale a loaf which did not weigh 1lb. or an even number of pounds. Sergeant Shanley said that he weighed a loaf from defendants van in Buncrana, and found it was 14 drachms less than 4lbs. He found several others proportionately light, while he also found several overweight, The defence was that it was difficult to ascertain what was the approximate allowance for evaporation in connection with the war flour. The magistrates imposed a fine of 2s 6d.

At the request of the War Office, the Department of Agriculture have undertaken to carry out the arrangements for the saving of flaxseed from one-eighth of this year's crop of flax grown in Ireland, in accordance with the Flax Seed (Ireland) Order, 1917, made under the Defence of the Realm Act. To supervise this work and the special staff employed for the purpose, the services of Mr. Frank Barbour have been transferred from the Remount Depot, Balmoral, Belfast, to the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Barbour will have his headquarters at Belfast, and his office will be 54, Scottish Temperance Assurance Buildings, 16, Donegall Square South, Belfast.

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MAN WHO TOOK FORTY GERMANS.

Bravery of a Schoolboy.

At the annual distribution of prizes at the City of London School by the Lord Mayor, the Headmaster (the Rev. Dr. Chilton) stated that more than 1,500 old boys were serving in his Majesty's forces, and 182 had fallen. "Some time ago," said Dr. Chilton, "a boy who had gained the Military Cross came into my room, and I could not remember him for a moment. I asked him his name, and he said 'J. R. Johnston.' I said, 'Of course. The man who caught forty Germans?' and he replied, 'Yes, sir.' I asked him to tell me how he did It. He replied quietly, 'Bluff, sir.' and related this story -- 'I got separated from my men and came to a German dug-out, which was a sort of dark tunnel. Being alone, I hesitated whether I should go in and explore the place, and I decided that I would. After going a long way I heard voices and again hesitated for a moment, and then went on. I walked on and on, and when I got quite near the voices I turned on my electric torch and I thought I saw only half a dozen men. I demanded that they should put up their hands and come with me. After about half a dozen Germans had gone past I thought that they must be coming to the end, but still they came on and filed past me, and then I began to get uneasy, and thought of what might happen when they all got out. But they went on, and when forty men had passed an officer brought up the rear. Then I thought that I should have to surrender myself. I walked out with the officer, and was surprised to find that some of our men were outside, just as if the affair had been prearranged. I gave an order, and the Germans were at ones marched off to the rear.'"

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DEATH OF A COUNTY ARMAGH ELDER.

The sudden death of Mr. John Wilson, a ruling elder of the congregation of Knappagh, on the 26th ult., cast a gloom of sadness over the members of that congregation and the whole community. Mr. Wilson was a well-known and highly-respected farmer in the neighbourhood of Killylea, whose advice on many matters connected with cattle and crops was availed of by his neighbours. But it was by his connection with the congregation of Knappagh, with which he was connected during his whole lifetime, that the deceased gentleman will be longest remembered by many. He was a young man beginning to take an active interest in the congregation to which he belonged, and through it with Presbyterianism, when the Sustentation Fund was launched, to take the place of the Regium Donum as a means of support for the Church. He knew the struggle through which the Church passed in 1869 and 1870. Perhaps this accounted, to some degree, for the keen interest which he always took in that fund, to which he was a liberal subscriber. He was early ordained to the eldership in the congregation, and throughout his life maintained a walk and conversation worthy of one who had been chosen to that office. His religion was not of the ostentatious kind which is heard in loud professions, but of that more real kind which is seen in every act of life. If there was one place more than another where Mr. Wilson's religion shone out conspicuously it was at the Communion Table, where the solemn gladness of his soul reflected itself in, his very countenance. His minister and fellow-elders could have wished that he had been spared much longer in this world that they might have enjoyed his help and encouragement. But since God has ordered it otherwise, they would rest with a stronger faith in that Saviour to whom he so unhesitatingly trusted. The memories which he has left behind will be gratefully cherished by his widow and family, and will, doubtless, be an encouragement to them, to be faithful to the testimony which a loving friend has left them until they shall see his face again.

 

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Marriage

ALEXANDER--M'CAW -- August 2, 1917, at Third Portglenone Presbyterian Church, by Rev. W. F. Shepherd, B.A., B.D., assisted by Rev. E. F. Simpson, B.A., John Alexander, Colonial Government Service, second son of the late Mr. John Alexander and of Mrs. Alexander, Ballycloughan, Broughshane, to Annie, only daughter of the late Mr. Wm. M'Caw and of Mrs. M'Caw, Lisrodden House, Portglenone.

Deaths

HUNTER -- August 8, at his residence, Knock, Portadown, William Henry Hunter. Funeral to the family burying-ground, Seagoe, to-day (Friday), at twelve o'clock.

BAIN -- August 7, at his brother's residence, Dufferin Place, Killyleigh, Hugh Bain.

BRITTAIN -- August 8, at the Hospital, Lurgan, Thomas George, Barrack Hill, Armagh, dearly-beloved husband of Sophia Brittain.

BROWN -- August 5, 1917, at 80, Leinster Avenue, Dublin, Margaret P. Brown (Maggie), younger daughter of Samuel Brown (Cootehill).

CARLISE -- August 4, at her residence, Derryvalley, Ballybay, Jane C. Carlisle, widow of the late John Craig Carlisle.

CONNELL -- August 4, at his residence, 26, Bridge Street, Lisburn, Joseph Connell, aged 83 years.

DUDGEON -- August 7, Allan Hamilton, youngest son of the late David Dudgeon (formerly of Monaghan).

EARL -- At the residence of her brother-in-law, Ashmount Cottage, Hillhall, Lisburn, Mary Jane (Minnie), beloved wife of Robert Earl, Drumderg, Keady.

FULLERTON -- Early on Sabbath morning, 5th August, at Ashfield, Culmore, Kilrea, Mary Megaw, wife of Samuel S. Fullerton, and eldest daughter of the late William Megaw, Killoon, Stewartstown. "Till the day break."

GIVEN -- August 2, at his residence, Markstown, Cullybackey, Thomas Given, aged 67 years.

GRAHAM -- August 5, at Cranbrooke, Fivemiletown, Margaret Jane, widow of David Graham.

HOEY -- August 7, at her residence, 5, Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late Henderson Hoey, Dyan House, Caledon.

KAIN -- August 8, at her residence, Ballystruder House, Islandmagee, Jenny, relict of the late William Kain.

KELLY -- August 8, at Drumhirk, Henry Kelly, beloved husband of Isabella Kelly, late of 49, Central Avenue, Bangor.

LARMOUR -- August 5, at Eden, Carrickfergus, Jane, elder daughter of the late James Larmour.

MURDOCH -- August 3, Elizabeth, daughter of the late Robert Murdoch, of Portglenone, aged 71 years.

M'ADAM -- August 1, at her residence, Muckamore, Anne Jane, beloved wife of John M'Adam.

M'KINSTRY -- August 2, at her residence, Ferry Cottage, Islandmagee, Jane Brown, the beloved wife of John M'Kinstry.

NELSON -- July 27, 1917, at 12, Castleton Avenue, Elizabeth Jane, beloved mother of the Rev. Dr. Nelson, of Canada.

NELSON -- August 1, at Tevenadara, Drumness, Martha Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Thomas W. Nelson.

PATTERSON -- August 6, at Ballyrudden, Cairncastle, John. F. Patterson, of Elgin Terrace, Belfast, eldest son of the late John Patterson.

ROSS -- August 4, at his residence, Iddesleigh, Andrew Ross, late Station and Steamboat Agent, Larne Harbour (Midland Railway).

SKILLEN -- August 4, at his residence, Coolreaghs, 20, Clifton Road, Bangor, Hugh Skillen, dearly-loved husband of Margaret Skillen.

WHITESIDE -- August 5, at the residence of her son-in-law, Robert Horner, Brookhill House, Magheragall, Susanna, widow of the late Thomas Whiteside.

WILLIAMSON -- August 4, at her residence, 8, Ulster Street, Lurgan, Annie, widow of the late William Williamson.

Clippings

EPITOME OF GENERAL NEWS

Rev. Joseph Viliesid, late Presbyterian missionary in Spain, has died, aged seventy-one, at Miramar, Bognor.

The "Figaro" (Paris) announces that it has received a second offer of 5,000 francs as a prize for the first aviator who drops a bomb on Berlin.

Mr. Bonar Law, answering Mr. King in Parliament, declined to give an assurance that no more loans would be issued in this or foreign countries during the adjournment recess.

Mr. John Magennis (Nationalist) and Mr. William Cosgrave (Sinn Feiner) have been nominated as Parliamentary candidates for Kilkenny City. Polling takes place to-day (Friday).

At Liverpool a publican was fined £10 and costs for plucking and eating pears on an allotment. The Stipendiary said in future convictions no alternative to imprisonment must be expected.

Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co., Ltd., announce the discontinuance until further notice on Government instructions, as a war measure, of their transatlantic service, east-bound and west-bound.

Anton Lang, twice the Christus of the Ober-Ammergau Passion Play, has at last found his way into the battle-line, says the "Chronicle." His wife was once the Madonna of the summer spectacle.

Rev. R. J. Newell, a native of Mourne, Co. Down, formerly a Presbyterian minister at Newtownhamilton, has been ordained a deacon of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and appointed to Grangemouth.

The death of Sir Richard M'Bride, late Premier of British Columbia, took place on Monday at his residence in London, aged forty-seven. He became Agent-General for British Columbia in London in 1915.

Sir Robert Liddell has received a cheque for £50 from Mrs. Hugh M'Neile M'Cormick, Melbourne, to name a bed in the U.V.F. Hospital in memory of the late Mr. Hugh M'Neile M'Cormick, Cultra House, County Down.

The German monks at Birmingham and in Devonshire have not been expelled because being able-bodied men, they would be very useful to the Germans, declares Mr. Brace. They are, however, kept under restrictions.

John Mullane, the oldest man in East Cork, died in Shanagarry, Midleton, aged 108 years. He was a native of Glounthane, Mallow. The death is also recorded of Patrick Hughes-shanmultagh, Ballinamuck, Longford, at the age of 102.

Private James Brightmore, of the Manchester Regiment, a conscientious objector, who was recently charged before a court-martial at Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, with refusing to obey orders, has been sentenced to two years' hard labour.

A Spanish naval officer will now accompany each French or British hospital ship. Upon this condition the German Government has promised immunity from attack. A number of officers have been detailed for the work, for which Spain has been thanked.

At the request of the British Army authorities, Sir Thomas Esmonde, M.P., has handed over to the Dames of Ypres (Benedictine Nuns), now in Enniscorthy, a silver monstrance and crozier, rescued from the Royal Abbey of Ypres, the former abode of the nuns.

Major A. J. Ross, D.S.Q., Commander of an air station in England, met his death when piloting a biplane. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Michem, of the Canadian Engineers, who was also killed. The machine fell 300 feet.

The average price per cwt., dead weight, of pigs sold in Irish markets from which returns are received by the Department of Agriculture was in the week ending July 14th, 121s 9d; in the week ending July 21st, 125s 6d; and in the week ending July 28th, 128s.

The Food Controller has fixed the price of Irish creamery butter for the fortnight ending 16th August as follows -- Packed in 561b. boxes, f.o.r., 206s per cwt.; in 28lb. boxes or casks, 207s per cwt.; in 56lb. kegs, 208s per cwt.; all less 2d in the £ discount for cash in seven days.

Mr. Baldwin informed Sir J. D. Rees in Parliament that the additional allowance to old-age pensioners of 2s 6d a week, including the allowances payable under the recent extension of the scheme, would, it was estimated, amount to between £5,500,000 and £6,000,000 a year.

As a result of the Minister of Labour's tour of the Labour Exchanges drastic alterations will be made. The Advisory Trade Committees dealing with Exchange areas will be abolished, and an Advisory Committee set up to deal with each Exchange with its scope of reference much enlarged. This alteration begins at once.

The sentence of death passed on Patrick M'Nicholl, the County Derry farmer, for the murder of his illegitimate baby daughter, has been commuted to penal servitude for life. His case came up for appeal in the Dublin Courts last week on account of the body not having been found, but the jury's verdict was confirmed.

For using motor spirit driving motor cars conveying bridegroom, bride, and party to Rathmullan seaside resort after a marriage ceremony, Messrs. W. J. M'Laughlin and Jas. Wilkinson, motor carriage owners, Letterkenny, were fined 5s and costs. The defendants pleaded they were engaged in work of national importance.

An abnormal yield of potatoes has been produced by Mr. William Ruske, Annamakiffe, Clones. From two stones planted the yield has been thirty stones. Reports from all parts of Ireland show that the prospects of good crops of all kinds are most promising. The recent rain greatly benefited certain crops which needed it, and everything now promises well.

Following heavy thunderstorms in the Upper Stort Valley, heavy floods were experienced over a wide area. A mile of railway embankment north of Bishops Stortford was washed away, and a breakdown gang was engaged for a long time clearing the line for traffic. At Bishops Stortford the loads and streets were flooded, and the surrounding country was like a sea.

The U.S.A. Government has requisitioned all merchantmen of 2,500 tons and over now being built in American shipyards. Double and triple shifts will be employed to speed-up construction. Shipyards have been ordered to enter into no fresh private contracts. As soon as they have completed their present work they will begin to build a great fleet for the Government.

A sad incident marked the united intercession service at Yarmouth Parish Church. During the chanting of one of the Psalms the Borough Coroner, Mr. Charles Barwick Diver, who occupied a pew behind the Mayor, suddenly appeared to faint, and on being carried out was found to be dead. He was forty-five years of age, and had served in a Volunteer Active Service Company during the Boer War.

Seaman J. M'Killip, R.N.R., was, at a meeting of the Coleraine Urban Council, presented with a wristlet watch to mark the occasion of his receiving the D.S.M.

The death occurred rather suddenly of Mr. A. H. Dudgeon, manager of Messrs. D. Allen & Sons' billposting department, Belfast. He was a native of Monaghan, and was in his forty-fourth year.

The body of a man, about seven feet in height, in a good state of preservation, has been found in a bog in Roscommon. The costume, of the seventeenth century, crumbled away when the body was lifted.

A telegram from Alexandria states that an express from Genoa to Milan ran off the lines in Arquata Scrivia station. Three coaches were overturned, and three others wrecked. Thirty-four persons were killed, and about 100 injured.

Dr. Macnamara, in the House of Commons, stated that, in view of the number of skilled workmen out of employment in Belfast, the question of more work for the shipbuilding yards and engineering concerns was engaging Admiralty attention.

The Australian Director of Recruiting, in an emphatic speech, declared that it was the people's duty to make young men taking part in sports get into khaki. Australia must wake up. A meeting of the Coalition party is to consider the subject of recruiting.

Sir L. Chiozza Money informed Mr. Houston in the House of Commons that the first standard vessel built on the Government account would be completed and put in service during the present month. The total deadweight carrying capacity was about 8,000 tons.

At a meeting of the Belfast War Pensions Committee, Mr. R. V. Williams (chairman) announced that he had received a letter from Mr. H. G. Stevenson resigning his post as secretary to the local Pensions Committee owing to his appointment by the Ministry of Pensions as inspector for the Ministry in Ulster.

A violent earthquake has, says a Wellington, New Zealand, telegram, occurred in the southern portion of the North Island. Great damage has been done. The Wairarata district has suffered most. Panic prevailed for a few minutes. The earthquake is described as the worst since the terrible upheaval in the fifties.

In Committee of Ways and Means in the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law moved a resolution authorising the Treasury to borrow a further 250 millions on the security of the Consolidated Fund. He explained this was a formal resolution preliminary to the introduction of a Loans Bill. The resolution was agreed to.

Following his interview last week with trade union leaders, Mr. Churchill received at the Ministry of Munitions a deputation from the Federation of British Industries, the association of Controlled Establishments atol the I British Manufacturers' Association, with whom he discussed various problems of labour and organisation.

Dr. Macnamara, replying to Mr. Snowden, in Parliament, as to Sir Edward Carson being guarded on his recent visit to Belfast by two destroyers and some aeroplanes, said the steps taken were in connection with the normal routine of the area, and had no special connection with the presence of any individual on the Channel passenger steamer.

Canon Ferrer, of the "Old Catholic" Church, giving evidence in the London S.W. Police Court that Rev. H. C. Smith was ordained last April, said that the "Old Catholic" Church had 100 members in England, four priests, and three bishops. Rev. Mr. Smith claimed exemption from conscription, but, having taken his orders since the Military Service Act, he was held to be an absentee, and fined 40s.

Before the second reading passed in the House of Commons of the Solicitors Examination Bill, the object of which is the protection of solicitors unable to present themselves for their final examination owing to the war, the question of admitting women to the profession was discussed, and Mr. Gulland regretted that the Solicitor-General was unable to give facilities for dealing with what he described as a long-standing grievance.

The Food Production Department state that there has been an outbreak of potato disease further north than has hitherto been reported, viz.; at Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Outbreaks are also reported from Frome, Somerset, and Farnham, and Byfleet, Surrey. The Harpenden outbreak is very slight, and the Department's experts state if the matter were tackled promptly by spraying in that district it might be possible to stop the disease spreading further north.

The fault of pandering to labour in Australia is now apparent. In addition to the great strike in Sydney among the railway and tramway operatives, 2,000 men on the Northern Railway in Queensland are idle. The Melbourne lumpers are getting as sympathisers the Sydney wharf labourers. The former refuse to handle foodstuffs for export until the local high prices are reduced. Mr. Hughes states that the Commonwealth Government intends to amend the industrial law.

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RANDOM READINGS

CURIOUS CUSTOMS.

Why are medals and decorations always worn on the left breast and not on the right? The knights of old placed their medals and insignia on the left breast because it was the shield side, the left being always considered to be the most honourable side owing to the position of the heart. Why does every horseman mount from the left side? The reason is that in the days of old the knights wore a sword on that side, which made it practically impossible to mount a horse from the right side. Hence what originally was a necessity has become universal in civilised life to-day, and a requirement in service. There are very many ancient customs in the Navy, some of which are "wrapt in mystery." For instance, when officers go abroad or leave their ship, it is invariably the case that the junior steps into the boat before his senior, although at the end of the journey the order is reversed, This curious custom is as old as the Navy itself. Any person coming on the quarter-deck is obliged to salute the symbol of authority. It is believed that this dates from the time when religious images were carried on board. When officers are at mess there are certain customs always observed. For instance an officer would not dream of unsheathing his sword, and should this be done accidentally he is fined for the benefit of the others. He must pay for a glass of port all round should he even mention the name of a lady, or make a wager, before the King's health has been drunk at dinner.

CHINESE KITE-FLYING.

The kite is one of the oldest toys in the world. It appears to have had its origin in China, where for thousands of years kite-flying has been the favourite amusement not only of the children, but of grown persons, too. From Japan, Burmah, the Malay Peninsula, and other Eastern lands kite-flying, has long ago made its way to all other parts of the world. Young people of the Far East would consider it very poor sport to fly kites as plain and simple as those which American boys fly. Their kites are of many shapes and sizes. Most of them represent a bird, or a fish, or a dragon, or some other curious imaginary monster. The framework is commonly made of bamboo, and the covering is coloured paper, or in case of the best ones, silk. Often the kites have tails of great length. The grown-up people have kite-flying festivals, in which all the people of the village join. On such occasions some of the kites are of great size and most elaborate design. Nor are the people content with kite-flying simply as a pastime. They have contests that rouse great interest -- contests in which one person tries to keep his kite in the air longer than his rival can, or contests in which one person tries to make his kite bring down or destroy the kite of the other. In our times the kite has become a very useful tool of science. Men use it to study the conditions that prevail in the air far above the earth; thus it helps them to forecast the weather. It also helps them in building airships, in taking pictures, in signalling, and in life-saving on the coast. The Chinese have long used kites to tow boats, and to drop their fish-hooks well out to sea while they themselves stand on the shore.

THE LEANING TOWERS OF BOLOGNA.

Italy is the lend of many leaning towers, among which the Towers of Pisa and the fallen campanile at Venice are the best known. The strangest of the leaning towers, however, are the Torre Asinelli and the Torre Garisenda in Bologna, which were erected in 1109 and 1110 A.D. The builders intended them for fortified homes, of which Bologna at one time possessed as many as two hundred. The gloomy, smooth-walled brick towers, standing side by side, make a strange impression upon the person who looks up at them from the ground. Dante, in his "inferno," compared the giant Antaeus, who was bending towards him, to the Torre Garisenda "when a cloud passes over it." The Torre Asinelli is three hundred and twenty feet high, and contains a rough staircase of four hundred and forty-seven steps. From the summit, which is four feet out of plumb with the base, you have a fine view of the city. The slant is unintentional, and was probably caused by the sinking of the foundations. Torre Garisenda is one hundred and sixty-three feet -- sixteen feet lower than the Leaning Tower of Pisa -- and it is ten feet out of plumb -- only three feet less than the Tower of Pisa. When Ottone Garisenda began to build in 1110 A.D., he apparently wanted his house to surpass his neighbour Asinelli's, in oddity; odd so he intentionally made his tower out of the perpendicular. He found it impossible, however, to complete the tower at that angle, and had to cease work on it before it attained the height of its companion.

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THE LATE MR. H. SKILLEN, BANGOR.

The funeral took place on Tuesday at the City Cemetery, Belfast, of Mr. Hugh Skillen, whose death occurred on Saturday last at his residence, Coolreaghs, Clifton Road, Bangor. The deceased was well-known in commercial circles in the city, he having been for some fifty years in the service of Messrs. Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson, & Co., with whom for a considerable period he acted as buyer in the haberdashery department. He had been in failing health for some time, but attended to his duties in the city up till about seven weeks ago. Although the funeral was announced as being of a private character, many intimate friends of the deceased were in attendance. The chief mourners were Mr. Hugh Skillen, son, and other relatives. In the house a brief but impressive service was conducted by Rev. W. A. Hill, minister of Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor, of which the deceased gentleman was a member, and at the graveside the officiating clergyman was Rev. W. A. Nisbett, assistant minister of Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Melville & Co., Ltd., Belfast and Lisburn.

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DEATH OF MR. THOMAS GIVEN, J.P., CULLYBACKEY.

It was with feelings of regret and sorrow that the inhabitants of Cullybackey, Ballymena, and neighbourhood learned of the demise of Mr. Thomas Given, J.P., Markstown, Cullybackey, who was well known and esteemed in the district. Deceased was the author of a book of poems, "The Three Brothers," edited by the late Rev. George Buick, B.D., ex-Moderator of the General Assembly. Mr. Given was a prominent Freemason, and a past provincial officer of the Province of Antrim, past officer of the District Grand Arch Chapter of Antrim, &c. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a devoted adherent of the Cuningham Memorial Church. Cullybackey. In politics he was a staunch Unionist. He leaves a widow and one son, Mr. Robert Given, to mourn his loss.

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THE ROLL OF HONOUR

Ex-Moderator Bereaved.

Captain Alfred Squire Taylor, R.A.M.C., attached Gordon Highlanders, killed in action on 31st ult., was the third son of Rev. D. A. Taylor, D.D., Mingala, Windsor Park, Belfast, an ex-Moderator of the General Assembly and a Commissioner of National Education for Ireland. Born on 6th July, 1889, Captain Taylor entered Campbell College in 1902, passing into Queen's College in 1907, and thence to Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.B. He was a brilliant athlete, and like his brother, Dr. D. R. Taylor, had the honour of gaining his Rugby cap for Ireland. Captain Taylor had been in the army practically since the outbreak of hostilities. He had seen a great deal of service, and at the time of his death was acting as medical officer of a battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. The war has claimed no finer specimen of British manhood than this handsome sunny young officer, who was a favourite with all who knew him, and whose death has brought the deepest sorrow into the family circle.

ULSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHAPLAIN WOUNDED.

Intimation has been received that Captain the Rev. Ernest J. M'Kee, LL.D., of Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal, one of the Presbyterian chaplains connected with the Ulster Division, has been wounded. From a letter sent to Mrs. M'Kee by Captain the Rev. W. J. M'Connell, a brother chaplain, it appears that both chaplains during certain operations at the front on Friday last were posted to advanced dressing stations to assist the doctors. While engaged at this work an enemy shell burst over Dr. M'Kee's aid post, completely destroying it, and also his dug-out. Dr. M'Kee was knocked over with the shock, his steel helmet and glasses were blown away, but fortunately he himself escaped with only a wound to the forehead, just above the eye, a slight wound on the hand, and a badly bruised arm. Some of the men near him were killed and others wounded. Dr. M'Kee's escape from more serious injury or even death is regarded as marvellous, and the members of his congregation and his numerous friends in Belfast, where he is well known, will be gratified to learn that the latest report indicates that he is progressing satisfactorily. Dr. M'Kee is a son-in-law of Mr. John Vint, J.P., of Fern-Royd, Kansas Avenue, Belfast.

Second-Lieutenant S. M'C. Linden, Royal Field Artillery, son of Mr. Robert Linden, Dublin, has been killed in action. Deceased who was a son-in-law of Mr. Robert Neill, Londonderry, was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and a licentiate of the Presbyterian Church. Responding when a M.Crea Magee College student to the call for men, he joined as a private, afterwards receiving a commission. He leaves a widow and one child.

Second-Lieutenant Thos. Malcomson O'Neill, Royal Flying Corps, officially reported wounded, is a son of the late Councillor Dr. Henry O'Neill, J.P., and Mrs. O'Neill, Benburb, King's Road, Knock. Twenty-one years of age, Second-Lieutenant O'Neill was educated at Campbell College, and entered the army as a cadet. On the occasion on which he was wounded his pilot was killed. He himself fell a distance of 150 feet.

Second-Lieutenant William W. Rentoul, East Lancashire Regiment, wounded, belongs to a well-known Ulster family, being a son of Rev. R. W. R. Rentoul, who was ordained at Ballywatt, Coleraine, in 1867, and who at the last Assembly obtained leave to retire from the active work of the ministry at Clonmel, where he has been minister since 1892. He was a medical student at Queen's University, Belfast, before the war.

Second-Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, Leinster Regiment, son of Rev. Dr. Denham Osborne, Dublin, is at present in a base hospital in France, suffering from gunshot wounds received in the advance on July 31st. A reassuring communication from him has been received by his family.

GALLANT ULSTERMEN.

A supplement to the "London Gazette" announces the award of the Victoria Cross to ten officers and men. Amongst the recipients is the late Second-Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville, Dragoons, of Holywood, and the following are the details of the incident in respect of which the award is made -- When in charge of a party consisting of scouts and Royal Engineers engaged in the demolition of the enemy's wire, this officer displayed great gallantry and disregard of all personal danger. In order to ensure the absolute success of the work entrusted to him, Second-Lieutenant Dunville placed himself between an N.C.O. of the Royal Engineers and the enemy's fire, and thus protected, this N.C.O. was enabled to complete a work of great importance. Second-Lieut. Dunville, although severely wounded, continued to direct his men in the wire-cutting and general operations until the raid was successfully completed, thereby setting a magnificent example of courage, determination and devotion to duty to all ranks under his command. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds.

Captain S. E. Picken, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, son of the late Dr. James Picken, Hazelbank, Randalstown, and Mrs. Picken, Richmond, Antrim Road, Belfast, has been awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. This gallant officer graduated in Queen's University of Belfast in 1914, and immediately obtained a commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He accompanied the Ulster Division to France as medical officer of battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and was through the opening of the battle of the Somme and the victorious attack on the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge. He was mentioned in despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in May last. Mr. Andrew Picken, a brother of Dr. Picken and a member of the North-East Bar, is serving in France with, the A.S.C., Mechanical Transport.

Captain H. A. Leebody, M.B., R.A.M.C. (Home Service), awarded the brevet of major for valuable services rendered in connection with the war, is a son of Professor J. R. Leebody, M.A., D.Sc., President of M'Crea Magee College, Londonderry, and a member of the Senate of Queen's University of Belfast.

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DEATH OF MRS. CARLISLE, DERRYVALLEY, BALLYBAY.

After a somewhat lengthened illness the death of this highly-esteemed lady took place on Saturday morning at her late residence. The funeral was held on Monday afternoon, and was very largely, attended, and was thoroughly representative of all creeds and classes. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. H. A. MacKenzie, B.A., minister of Ballybay, of which congregation she was an old and valued member. He referred to the many eminent traits which she possessed, her devotion to her late husband and to the members of the family, her kindness of heart and fidelity as a friend, her love for her church, and her regular attendance at the services of the church, while health and strength permitted. Now, after a long and useful life the Father had called her home. During her illness she had been nursed with skill and tenderness by her daughter, to whom she was deeply attached, and never did a daughter repay a mother's affection and care with such assiduity as in that case. To her and to the other members of the family and relatives their sincere sympathy went out in their time of bereavement and sorrow. Rev. J. M'Ilmoyle, B.A., then led in prayer. The funeral procession afterwards made its way to the Churchyard of First Ballybay, where all that was mortal of her was laid beside her late husband. Rev. Jas. Hamilton, M.A., read a suitable passage of Scripture, and Rev. H. A. MacKenzie, having committed the remains to their lest resting-place. Concluded with prayer and the benediction.

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DEATH OF MR. GEORGE SWANN, BALLYHENRY, MYROE.

On Friday evening at his residence, Ballyhenry, Myroe, George, the eldest son of the late William Swann, died rather suddenly. Deceased, whose family connection encircles the whole Roe Valley, was a most industrious farmer, a kindly and popular neighbour, quiet in his disposition, a true son of the soil, and amongst the touring public he was well known and respected. On Monday morning his remains, enclosed in a solid oaken casket, heavily brass-mounted, were interred in Magilligan Presbyterian Church Burying-ground. The funeral was largely representative of the farmers of the district, and friends in Limavady and other places. Rev. Samuel Houston conducted the service at the house, and at the graveside the venerable pastor of Magilligan Presbyterian Church, Rev. H. M. Butler, officiated. The chief mourners were -- Messrs. Samuel Swann, William J. Swann, and Robert Swann (brothers); William Kane, George Kane, and William Swann (cousins); Master Austin Swann (nephew). Other relatives included Messrs. Francis Henderson, sen. (Dungannon); Francis Henderson, jun, (London); James Carson (Lurgan), Joseph White, Jacob White, and Master Norris White (Derry).

 

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Roll of Honour

LINDEN -- Killed in action on 31st July, 1917, S. M'C. Linden, B.A., T.C.D., Second-Lieutenant R. G. Artillery -- Special Reserve.

Marriages

M'KEAN--BLACK -- August 1, 1917, at Elmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. David Purvey, D.D., Edward John, elder son of Edward M'Kean, Rosaville, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast, to Helen, youngest daughter of John Black, 15, College Gardens, Belfast.

SHAW--CARSON -- July 25, 1917, at St. Enochs Presbyterian Church, by Rev. J. Pollock, Robert B. Shaw, son of late James Shaw, Belfast, to Elizabeth M'C. Carson, only daughter of late John Carson, Frederick Street, Belfast.

Deaths

ALLAN -- August 8, 1917, at his mothers residence, 59, Bray Street, Paul, youngest and beloved son of Margaret and the late Thomas Allan, Cairncastle. Interred in family burying-ground, Cairncastle. "With Christ, which is far better." MARGARET ALLAN. American papers please copy.

KERR -- August 10, 1917 (suddenly), Robert Kerr, M.R.C.V.S., of Wellington Street, Ballymena. Interred in New Cemetery, Ballymena, on Monday, 13th, inst. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and daughters.

BASSETT -- August 12, at his brother's residence, Ballyrennan, Inch Downpatrick, Henry, eldest son of the late John W. Bassett.

BLAND -- August 12, at his residence, Soriano, Bournemouth, Robert Henry, youngest son of the late Rev. R. W. Bland, of Abbeyville, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim, in his 83rd year.

BRITTAIN -- August 8, at the Hospital, Lurgan, Thomas George, Barrack Hill, Armagh, dearly-beloved husband of Sophia Brittain.

CLARKE -- At the residence of her brother-in-law, Bangor, Catherine, eldest daughter of the late Samuel Clarke, Midhill, Co. Fermanagh, aged 76 years.

COLEMAN -- August 10, at his residence, Little Ballymena, Ballyclare, Samuel Coleman, the beloved husband of Annie Coleman.

FOREMAN -- August 9, at his residence, Black Hill, Clogher, Lisburn, James Foreman.

FRAZER -- August 9, at 340, Lisburn Road, George Frazer, late of Annvale, Keady.

GILL -- August 9, at Manchester, John Stewart Gill, late of The Clyde Shipping Co., Belfast.

HEANEY -- August 13, at North Finchley, London, Cissie, eldest daughter of Alexander Devon, Derwent House, Balmoral, Belfast.

HOUSTON -- August 9, at his residence, 1, Unity Street, Carrickfergus, David Houston, late Battery Sergeant-Major, 2nd Brigade, North Irish Division R.A.

KIDD -- August 9, at Banchory, Scotland, Leonie, second daughter of Dr. L. Kidd, Enniskillen.

KIRKPATRICK -- August 13, at her residence, 59, Castlereagh Road, Margaret Kirkpatrick.

MATCHETY -- August 11, at his residence, Robert James Matchett (late Principal Saintfield N.S.).

MILLAR -- August 13, at his residence, Killbegs, Antrim, William Millar, in his 97th year.

M'CORMICK -- August 9, at his residence, Corcreeny, Waringstown, Lurgan, Thomas John, dearly-beloved husband of Elizabeth M'Cormick.

M'DOWELL -- August 12, at his residence, Ballystockart, Comber, James M'Dowell.

NELSON -- August 12 (suddenly), at his residence, Cloughfern, Whiteabbey, Robert Nelson, the dearly-beloved husband of Martha Nelson.

PORTER -- June 6, 1917, at Oamaru, New Zealand, Rev. R. J. Porter, third son of the late Robert Porter, Linen Hill, Katesbridge, Co. Down.

STEEN -- August 10, at Balleney House, Coleraine, Sarah, beloved wife of Robert Steen.

SULLIVAN -- August 10, at her residence, Cloncore, Portadown, Hannah Margaret, youngest daughter of the late William Francis Sullivan, Cloncore.

SYMES -- August 12, at Warrenpoint, Robert Symes, late Agent Bank of Ireland, Drogheda.

THOMPSON -- August 9, at her residence, Primrose Cottage, Newry, Elizabeth Jane, widow of the late John Thompson, master-painter and decorator, Newry, and only daughter of the late James Colvin, Newry.

TYRRELL -- August 11, at 4, Windsor Avenue, Bangor, Robert Tyrrell, late of Donaghadee.

WHALEY -- August 15, at the Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh, Elizabeth, fourth daughter of the late William Whaley, Milltown House, Dromore, Tyrone.

Clippings

EPITOME OF GENERAL NEWS

It is officially confirmed that Mr, Neville Chamberlain, Director of National Service, has resigned.

Mr. John Orr, a well-known farmer residing at Antrim, suddenly expired while taking a cow to market.

Mr. Baldwin stated in Parliament that the additional allowances to old-age pensioners was limited to the war period.

The United States Department of Agriculture forecasts the potato crop at 467 million bushels, or 100 millions more than last year.

The scarcity of grain has reduced Irish poultry by 4¾ millions, or 17½ per cent, since 1914. Poultry authorities issue grave warnings.

Three soldier brothers, named Roberts, of Newport, Mon., have been declared participating heirs of £80,000 left by their uncle, an American rancher.

There is no foundation for the statement which, has gained publicity that Lord Wimborne will shortly resign from the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland.

A memorial tablet has been dedicated in Drummaul Church, Randalstown, the memory of the late Captain O. B. Webb, R.I.R., who fell in action last year.

Miss Molly Marks (twenty), till recently a student at Alexandra College, Dublin, and the daughter of Mr. George Marks, C.P.S., was drowned while bathing at Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone.

A Messrs. J. P. Morgan & Co. cheque for £1,922,222,222, the largest ever passed through New York Clearing House, was paid last week-end. It was credited to the Minister of Finance and Receiver-General of Canada.

Mrs. Dr. Henry, Antrim Road, Belfast, very pluckily rescued her little' daughter from drowning at the ladies' bathing-place, Portrush. The child had fallen into a deep gullet, and the mother entered the water fully dressed.

Captain Stanley Wilson, M.P., has returned to the House of Commons looking little the worse for his captivity in Austrian hands. He said he had been set free unconditionally simply on the ground that he had been long enough in prison.

Masters, officers, and seamen losing their effects on British merchant and fishing vessels through war risks will henceforth, be granted compensation by the Board of Trade. Information to that effect has just been received by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild.

Judge Cooke, Co. Court Judge, Donegal, gave an "At Home" at Glengollan, Fahan, on the occasion of the presentation by Colonel Stewart, Commanding 27th Recruiting District, of ninety Certificates of Honour to the fathers and wives of army volunteers from the district.

It is estimated that 40,000 Jews of military age will come under the War Office scheme for the organisation of a Jewish regiment. The regiment will carry as regimental colours the blue and white of the Jewish nation, the badge being the shield of David and the Lion of Judah.

A farmer named James Jamison, of Carnaduff, near Limavady, was journeying by rail from Carrichue station to Limavady to attend the market in that town, when he collapsed and expired almost immediately. At an inquest the jury found that death was due to cerebral hemorrhage.

Derry County Council voted a war bonus of £10 each in respect of the year ending 30th September to the assistant county surveyors. The Local Government Board wrote fixing new limits of road expenditure -- Magherafelt district, £10,000; Coleraine, £9,500; Limavady, £10,000; and Derry No. 1, £8,500.

Mr. Clynes stated in Parliament that the quantities in cwts. of Danish, Irish, and Colonial butter, respectively, imported into England were -- March, 15,545, 13,100, 132,487; April 186,930, 17,648, 203,372; May, 55,581, 35,396, 124,149; June, 75,949, 4,44l, 43,345; July, 45,833, Ireland (figures not available), 28,779.

Explaining to Mr. Lundon, in the House of Commons, why ten per cent more is paid for army horses in the North of Ireland than in the South and West, Mr. Macpherson said the horses bought in the North are mostly draught horses, and their market value is at present higher than that of cavalry troopers bought in the South.

At a general meeting of the London branch of the Institute of Journalists, the executive was requested to consider the advisability of taking steps towards the formation of a National Joint Newspaper Board, representative of all organised Press interests, and able to take action in defence of newspaper Press interests as a whole.

Irish manufacturers should be interested in the formation in Winnipeg of an Imperial Committee of the Board of Trade, (or Chamber of Commerce) in that city, and the Committee will display samples, have sales effected, the proceeds remitted, less a small commission, and answer all questions by British manufacturers on trade within the Empire.

The Irish Registrar-General's report for 1916 states that 412 deaths were registered as caused by wounds during the Easter week, 1916, rising. There were 315 deaths of civilians and 97 of military and police. The civilian casualties were 263 males and 52 females. Only four of the deaths by execution following Courts-martial were registered up to Dec. 31.

Lady Louise, daughter of the Marquis of Milford-Haven (formerly Prince Louis of Battenberg), who has been working in a French hospital, has contracted mumps and left for England, says the Paris correspondent of the London "Daily Express," who states that Lady Louise insisted on scrubbing the floors and doing her share of the ordinary rough work.

Rev. R. Duggan, rector, Culmore, preaching in Derry Protestant Cathedral at an Apprentice Boys' service on the anniversary of the Relief of the City, said that to traitors within the nation, some of whom were in Derry during the week (a reference, apparently, to the Irish Trades Union Congress), and to their enemies who wanted them to negotiate for a dishonourable peace, they shouted "No Surrender."

The death is announced of Mr. Robert Henry Bland, J.P., who passed away on Sabbath at his residence, Soriano. Deceased, who was in his eighty-third year, was the youngest son of the late Rev. Robert Wintringham Bland, J.P., of Abbeyville, County Antrim. Mr. Bland, who held the Commission of the Peace for the County of Antrim, was a brother of Major-General E. L. Bland, late Royal Engineers, of Woodbank, Whiteabbey.

The position of station master at the city terminus of the Belfast and County Down Railway, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. William Smith, has been filled by the appointment of Mr. Archibald Pyper, who for the past four years has been in charge of the company's station at Newcastle. Mr. Pyper has had a lengthy experience of railway work, and his present promotion is a well-merited recognition of his great ability.

Surprise has been caused in Derry by an Order closing the port for the shipment of hay, potatoes, and other army requirements. A large area of North-West Ulster is affected by the possible reaction on demand for farm produce. Derry Harbour Commissioners have appointed a committee consisting of Mr. Robt. Watson, J.P. (chairman); Mr. J. F. Cooke, D.L.; Sir J. B. Johnston, and Alderman C. O'Neill, D.L., to take steps to get the Order annulled.

A Bombay telegram says, a suggestion of the "Pioneer" for an Indian Convention on the lines of that now being held in Ireland, is deprecated by the "Bombay Chronicle" (Home Rule organ) and "The Times of India," both of which favour the submission of the whole question of Indian political reforms to a Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament, the latter organ considering that the present uneasiness is due to the mistaken policy of working out developments in camera.

The High Sheriff of Londonderry city (Mr. Horace Bryer), who is serving with the Royal Plying Corps, has forwarded to the Mayor of Derry a cheque for £150, being the amount which in ordinary circumstances' he would have spent in entertaining the Grand Jury at the recent Assizes. Of the money £100 is to be devoted to the funds of the British Red Cross Society, whilst the Mayor has allocated £25 to the Sailors' Rest in Londonderry, and £25 to the Londonderry War Hospital Supply Depot.

The County Antrim Joint Committee for Technical Instruction met in Belfast -- the chairman (Mr. Thomas Houston, J.P.) presiding. The Department's offer of the services of a lady lecturer on food economy was accepted subject to arrangements being made by local committees. The committee then proceeded to appoint a full-time commercial instructor for the county. Four selected candidates were in attendance, and after careful examination Mr. David Keogh, of Ennis, Co. Clare, was appointed, subject to the approval of the Department. Endorsing the recommendations of local committees, Mr. John Downs was appointed subject to approval of Department, to teach machine drawing at Ballyclare and Mr. S. J. Gilmour, B.A. (honours), to teach French introductory subjects at Portrush.

Rev. R. J. Porter, son of the late Mr. R. Porter, Linen Hill, Katesbridge, Co. Down, has died at Oamuru, N.Z.

Since its start until March 31 last, the Department of Imperial Government Supplies paid to New Zealand £15,800,701 for frozen meat.

It is announced that the number of lives reported as lost on British merchant vessels owing to enemy action from the commencement of the war until June 30 last is 9,743.

The American War Department has called for 100,000 young men to join the aviation forces and 20,000 physicians to serve the American forces and supplement the Allies' needs.

A young farm hand named Francis Murnane rescued John Lynch, an aged man, from drowning in a stream at Knockballymore, Clones. Lynch had been fishing and slipped from the bank.

Major P. K. Kerr-Smiley, M.P., in a Parliamentary question, draws attention to the extra pay of a franc a day given to French soldiers for trench service, and suggests a similar benefit for British soldiers.

Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mr. Clynes said the sugar shortage was no more acute in Ireland than in England, but it was hoped that under the new scheme of distribution any deficiency that existed at present would be removed.

The Bishop of Liverpool learns that his son, Capt. F. B. Chavasse, R.A.M.C., has been wounded, and that his son, Captain N. G. Chavasse, V.C., R.A.M.C., has been killed; a younger brother, Lieut. Aidan Chavasse, was wounded, and is believed to be a prisoner.

A memorial tablet to the late Captain E. H. Hewitt, King's Own, and his brothers, H. H. Hewitt and Second-Lieutenant W. A. Hewitt, sons of Mr. J. H. Hewitt, who were killed in the war, was unveiled by Right Rev. Dr. Peacocke (Bishop of Derry) in Bangor Parish Church on Sabbath.

The railway strike in Madrid has now spread to workmen, bricklayers, printers, carpenters, and other trades. The Government has proclaimed martial law throughout Spain to deal with the revolutionary tendency, and reservists are being called up. Only non-union labour newspapers are appearing in Madrid.

The Right Rev. Dr. Peacocke, Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, has issued a special form of prayer invoking the Divine blessing on the labours of the Irish Convention, and asking that its deliberations may result in peace and good-government. The prayer is to be used in the united diocese during the period of the Convention.

A meeting of The Belfast City Council in committee decided to grant the members of the Engineers' Society an increase of 3s per week, but could not see its way to concede a further advance in the case of applications from the electricity department, the Municipal Employees' Association, and the National Amalgamated Union of Labour.

Bank clerks and shop assistants have undertaken flax-pulling and other farm work to replace regular hands on strike for higher wages in East Donegal. The strikers have jeered at and threatened them. Some farmers wished to concede the strikers' demands, but the latter refuse to return until the concession is made general in the district.

Speaking on the War Loan Bill in Parliament, Mr. Bonar Law stated that the amount received by taxation had increased from £160,000.000 to £570,000,000. Nearly the whole of the increase came from direct taxation. The policy of the Government was to get as much as they could out of taxation without destroying their power of financing by loan.

No fewer than 306 Victoria Crosses have been conferred during the war. Of these at least 36 have been won by Irishtroen or men of Irish descent. The following V.C.'s were won by Irish regiments -- Inniskilling Fusiliers, 3; Leinster Regiment, 2; Royal Irish Regiment, 2; Royal Irish Fusiliers, 2; Dublin Fusiliers 1; Connaught Rangers, 1;. Munster. Fusiliers, 2.

Most Rev. Dr. Crozier, at a service in Armagh Cathedral to commemorate the fourth war anniversary, said that Great Britain could say "the war was of God." They needed to be on guard against the well-ordered campaign of feeble pacifists! They should be optimistic in the sense of men hoping for the best and prepared for the worst. There were no pessimists in the battle line.

A considerable body of American troops marched through London on Wednesday, attended by the band of the Guards. They assembled at Wellington Barracks, where they were welcomed by Lord Derby, Lieut. General Sir Francis Lloyd, and many British officers, and proceeded to Buckingham Palace, where the King took the salute. On being dismissed, they joined in the general cheering for his Majesty.

The Committee of Public Accounts point out that in the course of their examination of the appropriation accounts of all the services they met with instances of the relaxation of Treasury control. They are of opinion that the time has now arrived when estimates more approaching to those in force in normal times should be presented to Parliament, not merely for the fighting services but also where practicable for the new services now charged direct to the Vote of Credit.

Sir Edward Letchworth has resigned the position of Grand Secretary to the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England, to which he was appointed in March, 1893, by the then Grand Master, the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VII. The present Grand Master, the Duke of Connaught, has selected to succeed Sir Edward Letchworth Mr. P. Colville Smith, who since 1892 has been secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons.

The Employers' Parliamentary Council, in a memorandum just issued, submit that freedom and security for industry are impossible until all combinations of capital and labour are subjected to the ordinary rule of the land, and that the repeal of the Trade Disputes Act must be regarded as a condition precedent to the establishment of close co-operation between employers and employed. It may be assumed, the memorandum continues, that trade union rules and customs can never be restored, and if future policy can be made a matter of mutual agreement between masters' associations and the unions the outlook for British industry will be full of hope and promise.

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RANDOM READINGS.

CLAMS THAT BORE INTO SOLID ROCK.

Along the Puget Sound beaches are stones perforated with peculiar circular holes, as smoothly as though an auger had done the work. These holes are drilled in the rock by the Pholadidea, or boring clams, in many localities erroneously known as the "rock oyster." Just how the Pholadidea does its boring has been a disputed question, as it works only in places covered by the sea except extreme low tide, where its actions cannot be readily observed. Some old writers thought it secreted an acid that ate away the rock; others declared that it was by the long-continued action of its foot that the hole was gradually worn into the stone; but it is now generally conceded that the Pholadidea cuts by its sharp shell slowly revolving about the burrow, clamped to the rock by a sucker-like action of the foot. By examining the burrows carefully one can find evidence of the rasplike action of the shell. The writer has found minute Pholadidea fastened to the rock just beginning work, and, also buried fully six inches beneath the surface of the ledge. They enlarged their borrows to accommodate their growth, and obtain their subsistence from the sea water. They resemble peg tops reposing in the rock habitations which they could not leave even if they desired.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ARMY.

An office in the Canadian forces, Major Edgar, now serving in Flanders, tells the following affecting story of a dog's love and fidelity. The dog was an Irish terrier, whose home with a French family was destroyed when the Germans came. He fled from the ruined house and the dead bodies of the people he had loved, and sought refuge with one of the British regiments. Here one of the kindly Tommies adopted him, and named him Army. The kindly Tommy was killed subsequently, and the dog stationed himself, a lonely watcher, at his grave. Other soldiers who came there found and cared for him; and when they were killed or had retired, still others became his guardians. He loved them all, but he never forgot his first soldier friend and master, or failed to watch by his grave. He remained on guard all through the winter, and one morning he was found frozen to death there. After Army had died, the authorities gave permission for him to be buried beside the master to whom he had been so faithful; and there in Flanders is the big grave with the little one beside it; and the dog's name as well as that of his master is inscribed upon the cross that marks their last earthly resting place.

ORIGIN OF BANKS AND BANKNOTES.

With the almost entire use of paper currency at the present time the history of their origin may not be uninteresting. In the days of the Stuarts, merchants used to lodge their reserves of gold in the Tower; and when one day Charles I., in a thoughtless moment, annexed a large sum lodged in that way, and forgot to put it back, the merchants decided that henceforth they would put no more trust in princes, but would look to the goldsmiths. The goldsmiths thereby became the first bankers, and the first goldsmith who hit upon the novel idea of giving a note, not only to the person who deposited gold, but also to the person who came to borrow, founded modern banking with an original deposit of £5,000. The banker gave promise to pay up to, say, £25,000, and as long as there was no immediate demand on the part of the persons holding these promises to pay to have that promise converted into cash, business proceeded merrily, but necessarily there was a limit beyond which it was not safe to do this kind of business, and it was always possible that something unforeseen might happen that would bring an unusual number of notes for presentation. As a matter of fact, this did happen frequently in the early days, and finally the Government stepped in and granted the almost entire monopoly of issuing notes to the Bank of England.

MAKING STEEL HELMETS.

The steel helmets adopted by the French and British weigh trom one and a quarter to one and a half pounds each. The materials used, says the "Sphere," consist of plates of steel for the convex helmet and for the visor and neck-piece, leather and cloth for the lining, and aluminium for the waving plaquettes that form the springs between the lining and the interior surface of the steel. The rolled steel plate has to be supple enough to be worked cold, as heating would lessen its resisting qualities. That requirement compels the manufacturers to use a special steel, obtained from very pure castings that are free from phosphorus or sulphur. The helmets are coated with a dull grey similar to that used on the 75-millimetre gun, which is difficult to distinguish even at a short distance. In painting them, the manufacturers use a spraying process that has the advantage of being very rapid and of giving no inequality of surface. To add to the permanence of the paint they suspend the helmets on bars in a gas drying oven. The lining consists of a cloth cap, to which is fixed a segment of black glazed leather, cut in a particular form. One sheepskin provides about five linings, for making three million helmets about six hundred thousand skins have been used. The lining projects a little below the helmet, so that the metal in no place comes into contact with the wearer's head.

A FISH THAT LIVED OUT OF THE WATER.

A remarkable fish that can live out of water and travel five or six thousand miles coiled up in a dry clod of earth, is the latest wonder from Africa to arrive at a New York Museum. To liberate the dormant fish the museum people began at the edge of the tunnel and chiselled the hard earth away, and on reaching the bottom, by cutting with greater care, exposed the side of the capsule within which the fish was tightly coiled. The whole mass was then placed in tepid water to soften the wall of the capsule (which was formed by mucous secretion on the surface of the fish's body), and thus to allow, the fish to escape. Within a few minutes after the cocoon had been placed in water, the papery wall or shell allowed movements, but, before the fish broke its way out, a trapdoor was cut in the side of the capsule so that a photograph could be taken in water, and within a few minutes the fish emerged. This lungfish is at home, scientifically speaking, among fishes which lived millions of years ago, and whose race is almost extinct. It furnishes, in fact, an excellent instance of the survival of a race of animals from a very ancient period of time. It has further claim to our interest, for we can safely say that a lungfish pictures the kind of fish which gave rise to the earliest land-living animals, or the stock of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In fact anatomists say the present little fish and salamanders have many striking similarities. Thus in a general way, its limbs represent a stage between fins and hands, and it uses them in a fashion which suggests a salamander. So also in structures of skin, muscles, skeleton, and brain the fish is to a certain degree a connecting link between the true fishes and the four-footed animals.

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RUTLAND SQUARE CHURCH, DUBLIN.

Tribute to Second Lieut. Samuel M'C. Linden.

Second-Lieutenant, S. M'C. Linden, R.F.A., son of Mr. Robert Linden, Dublin, has been killed in action. He was a licentiate of the Presbyterian Church and a B.A. of Trinity College, Dublin. Responding to the call for men, he joined the ranks as a private, and afterwards got a commission. Fifteen months ago he married the second daughter of Mr. Robert Neill, Londonderry.

In a letter to Mrs. Linden, Lieut.-Colonel Thorp, commanding the deceased's battery, wrote -- I am more than sorry to lose your husband; he has been of the greatest assistance to me in work; he has always borne a cheery disposition, and has encouraged the men, and was beloved, by them all. We officers here can hardly realise that he is gone, we miss him terribly. He was almost the life and soul of our little gathering. He did his duty as a soldier, he met a soldier's death -- a glorious death -- sudden and instantaneous. I wish for nothing better. Please accept the sincere condolence of myself, of all the officers in the group and in the batteries of the group; they all knew him well and loved him immensely. The men, also, have especially asked me to send you their heartfelt condolences.

The services in Rutland Square Church, Dublin, are being conducted this month by the Rev. A. Gilchrist, of Newington United Free Church, Edinburgh. At the forenoon service on Sabbath last, Mr. Gilchrist read the following tribute by the Rev. Dr. Osborne to the memory of Second-Lieutenant Linden:-- The death in action of Samuel Linden has brought close to us as a congregation the infinite sorrows of the war. Brought up from infancy in this church the starring of his name on our Roll of Honour as fallen in the great crusade means a grief peculiarly keen in the bereaved home, and fellowship with that grief in all our hearts. The only child in a home specially marked by mutual devotion and a deep sense of duty, young Linden early learned to fear God and honour the King. After seeking and receiving admission to Communion, he took up work in our Sabbath-school. It was at this stage or earlier in his life that the inward call to the work of the ministry came to him. Of a naturally retiring disposition he knew that the necessary publicity of that work would involve trial to him. But implicit obedience to the inner voice was the guide of his life. A successful passage through college and preliminary work in conducting services pointed to a pastorate rich in blessing. Then came the stern call of the war. None of the brave young lives who rallied to that call felt a deeper repugnance to all the horrors war involves than our friend. But again it was duty that claimed him, and, as ever, he obeyed. Happily married to one who in his ministry would have been a constant inspiration, the call to leave her and their little child and all the risk of making his own parents childless was a stern one. But, as I have said, it was obeyed. We shall not forget the heroism of this modest young life. And you and I will pray for the only Comforter at such a time to be with these mourners. As we look at this name, Samuel Linden, on our Roll of Honour we shall recall the true words once said in mockery to our friend's Greet Commander, "He saved others. Himself He could not save." So we bid him adieu, but we know that wherever he is that earnest spirit is "still on active service."

Mr. Gilchrist also made a sympathetic reference to Second-Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, Dr. Osborne's son, recently wounded.

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VITAL STATISTICS OF IRELAND.

Decrease in Consumption.

The fifty-third detailed annual report of the Registrar-General for Ireland, giving statistics for the year 1916, shows that the number of marriages registered during the year was 22,245, being equivalent to a rate of 5.13 per 1,000 of the estimated population. This rate is 0.44 below that for the previous year, and 0.11 below the average for the ten years 1906-1915.

The number of births registered during the year 1916 amounted to 91,437 -- 47,161 boys and 44,276 girls -- the ratio to the estimated population being 21.1 per 1,000, which is 1.9 below the average rate per 1,000 for the ten years 1906-1915.

There were 71,391 deaths registered in Ireland during the year 1916, equivalent to 16.5 per 1,000 of the population estimated to the middle, of the year. The deaths of males amounted to 35,975, and those of females to 35,416, the rate for males being 16.8 per 1,000, and for females 16.1 per 1000. The death-rate (16.5) is 14 below that for the year 1915, and 0.5 below the average rate for the ten years 1906-1915.

The number of deaths from all forms of tuberculous disease registered in Ireland during the year 1916 was 9,323, being equivalent to 2.15 per 1,000 of the population. With three exceptions (the year 1912, in which the rate was also 2.15; the year 1913, in which the rate was 2.14, and, the year 1914, during which the mortality, from tuberculosis tell to 2.07 per 1,000), the rate for the year 1916 was the lowest recorded for Ireland.

The rate for tuberculous diseases in England and Wales during the year 1916, among the civil population, was 1.53 per 1,000, and for Scotland 1.59 per 1,000.

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ROLL OF HONOUR.

Second-Lieutenant J. T. Witherow, Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action, was a son of Mr. Alexander Witherow, Kincull House, Straidarran, County Derry, and a nephew of Rev. William Witherow, minister of Westbourne Presbyterian Church, Belfast. Deceased's brother, Second-Lieutenant A. H. Witherow, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 1st July, 1916. Rev. J. J. Wright, Presbyterian chaplain, in a letter to the bereaved family, say -- "He had gone out with his company to hold ground recently taken, and was wounded in the arms and body, and died on the way to hospital in the motor ambulance. I can testify to the fine sterling qualities of your boy in his battalion. He was so cheerful and willing, and so anxious to be just in all his ways with the men under his command. His example was a stimulus to so many."

Second-Lieutenant John Crawford, Royal Irish Rifles, wounded for the second time, is a son of Mr. Robert Crawford, Ashville, Ballymena, and a nephew of Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Crawford, C.M.G., Royal Army Medical Corps. He received his earlier education in Ballymena Academy, and was a student in the M'Crea Magee college, Londonderry, when he entered the army.

Second-Lieutenant Leslie N. Ross, Royal Irish Rifles, wounded, is the second son of Rev. R. W. Ross, Burt, Londonderry. He was educated at Campbell College, and received his commission on 17th December, 1914.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant George F. Newel, Royal Irish Rifles, who has been killed in action, was the sixth son of Mr. H. A. Newel, Royal Avenue, and 262, Antrim Road, who has now lost three boys in the war -- Walter, a lance-corporal in the Black Watch, having been killed in 1915, and David, a private in a public schools battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, having been killed in 1916, while a fourth son, Thomas, also in the Royal Fusiliers, was wounded some time ago. The deceased was a brother of Mr. James F. Newel, a well-known local vocalist. He was educated at the Royal Academy, and before volunteering from the North Belfast U.V.F. was in business with his father in Royal Avenue. Deep sympathy will be felt for the family in their terrible loss. Deceased was twenty-six years of age. A handsome memorial cross of Irish granite has just been erected at the Gobbins with the inscription -- "To the memory of Lance-Corporal Walter Newel, 6th Battalion Black Watch, who fell in action in France, 10th July, 1915. Erected by his friends, with whom he spent many happy days at the Gobbins Farm."

Rev. J. W. Gibson, at the morning service in Broadway Presbyterian Church, on Sabbath announced that just before entering the pulpit he had received a letter written by an officer in France intimating that Private Harold E. Todd, who was connected with his regiment, and who belonged to Broadway, had been killed in action on 1st August. The officer wrote saying -- "He was a fine soldier, and set a noble example to his comrades by his bravery and devotion to duty." Private Todd, previous to his enlisting, held a position in the Bank Buildings, his parents residing at Lake Glen, Andersonstown. He enlisted in the Mechanical Transport, and after a time of training was transferred to the infantry. A few months ago he went out to France with his regiment, and had been in several heavy engagements. On the day on which he fell his parents received a letter in which it was stated that he had been recommended for the Military Medal.

The War Office has notified Mrs. Doran, Chapel Street, Newry, two of whose sons had been killed in action, that a third, Rifleman F. Doran, 6667, Royal Irish Rifles, died on August 7 from wounds received in action. A fourth son is on active service with the Leinster Regiment.

Lieut. R. A. N. Bullock, Royal Irish Rifles, wounded, is a son of Mr. Alexander Bullock, Eversleigh House, Malone Road, Belfast. This is not the first time he has figured as a casualty, as he was gassed last January, and wounded in 1915. Before he took a commission in the army Lieut. Bullock was employed in the firm of Bullock & Co., manufacturers, Adelaide Street, of which his father is the principal. He is now in hospital near Edinburgh suffering from wounds to the head and arm and shell shock.

Lieutenant W. D. M'Kee, Royal Irish Rifles, killed in action, was a son of the late Mr. Samuel M'Kee, Parkville, Cyprus Park, Belfast. He had been in the army since 1915, and was mentioned in despatches for services in connection with the quelling of the Dublin insurrection. He was a member of Belmont Presbyterian Church. His brother, Captain James M'Kee, of the Y.C.V.'s, was recently awarded, the D.S.O., and was also severely wounded.

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DEATH OF MR. ROBERT KERR, M.R.C.V.S., BALLYMENA.

Much regret has been occasioned throughout the Mid-Antrim district by the death of Mr. Robert Kerr, M.R.C.V.S., of Wellington Street, Ballymena, the sad event occurring suddenly while he was engaged in his professional duties in the Broughshane district. Deceased, who was upwards of seventy years of age, was a son of the late Mr. John Kerr, an extensive Ayrshire farmer, and after taking out his diploma he came to Ballymena, something over forty years ago. An exceedingly brilliant man in his profession, the deceased, ere many years had passed, had built up an extensive and remunerative practice, not only in Mid-Antrim district, but as far away as Portrush and Belfast, and had a reputation of being a thoroughly competent veterinary surgeon. Ha was very well known all over the district, and his death is very much regretted. He is survived by his wife, and two daughters, with whom much sympathy is felt in their tragic bereavement.

 

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Roll of Honour

HOUSTON -- Killed in France, William Wylie Houston, A.R.I.B.A., Second-Lieutenant Royal Engineers, son of Thomas Houston, Ashley, Carnmoney.

LEMON -- August 15, 1917, died of wounds received in action, Corporal J. F. Lemon (64420), R.E., eldest and dearly-beloved son of Sarah and the late Hugh Lemon, 53, Cheviot Avenue, Strandtown. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Mother, and a large circle of friends. (American and New Zealand papers please copy.)

Birth

BOYD -- August 18, at Anand, Bombay, the wife of Rev. R. H. Boyd, of a son. (By cable.)

Marriages

BELL--CONVERY -- August 15, 1917, at St. Mary's Church, Crumlin Road, by Rev. M. G. Gardiner, B.A., William Martin Moreland Bell, Atlantic Avenue, Belfast, to Margaret Kathleen (Kitty), elder daughter of D. H. and Mrs Convery, Cliftonpark Avenue, Belfast.

M'MASTER--KYLE -- August 21, at Fintona Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Dr. Maconaghie, of Fortwilliam Park Church, Belfast, Harry M'Master, Presbyterian Minister, Fintona, son of John M'Master, Bloomfield, Belfast, to Lillian Beatrice, daughter of R. J. Kyle, J.P., The Diamond, Fintona. At home, 17th, 18th, 19th October.

SMITH--ALEXANDER -- August 16, 1917, at Kilmore Presbyterian Church, by the father of the bride, Frank Leslie, Sergeant A.I.F., son of the late Charles George Smith, of Port Pirrie, S. Australia, to Harriette Madeline (Haddie), eldest daughter of the Rev. T. Alexander, B.A., Kilmore Manse, Crossgar, Co. Down.

WALKER--BOYD -- August 16, at First Armagh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. David Miller, B.A., Thomas James Walker, 1, Market Street, Armagh, only son of Mr. and the late Mrs. Robert Walker, Mountnorris, to Ellen Garmany Boyd (Nellie), a eldest daughter of the late Mr. W. C. and of Mrs. Boyd, Alma House, Armagh.

Deaths

MOORE -- August 20, at the residence of her nephew, Robert Craig, Mossview, Randalstown, Martha Moore, late of Caulside, Antrim. Interred in New Cemetery, Antrim, on Wednesday, 22nd inst.

M'CLENAGHAN -- August 21, 1917, at her residence, The Rocks, Ballycarrickmaddy, Magheragall, Lisburn, Elizabeth, widow of the late James M'Clenaghan. Her remains were interred in the family burying-ground, Magheragall Presbyterian Churchyard. JAMES and HUGH M'CLENAGHAN.

BAILEY -- August 20, at her late residence, 142, Seacliff Road, Bangor, Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey.

BATES -- August 19, at his residence, 56, Blenheim Gardens, Willesden Green, London, Isaac, son of the late John Bates, Solicitor, and Town Clerk of Belfast, aged 69 years.

BELL -- August 18, at her father's residence, Tardree, Elizabeth, Gawn Bell.

BRUCE -- August 21, at his residence, Grove Cottage, Dunmurry, Thomas Bruce.

COMBE -- August 20, at Donaghcloney House, Donaghcloney, Co. Down, Abram Combe, aged 65.

GIBSON -- August 20 (suddenly), at his residence, Diamond Gardens, Finaghy, Balmoral, Charles Gibson.

LARKIN -- August 15, at his late residence, Irish Quarter South, Carrickfergus, William Larkin, aged 75 years.

M'BRIDE -- August 17 (suddenly), at her residence, Myrtlefield, Dunmurry, Margaret, eldest daughter of the late James M'Bride.

M'CAUL -- August 19, 1917, at his father's residence, 27, Clarendon Street, Londonderry, James Gilmour, youngest son of Dr. G. B. M'Caul.

M'LAREN -- August 14, at Augher, in the County of Tyrone, Mary, the wife of James A. M'Laren, J.P.

M'MURRAY -- August 15, at Belle Vue, Carnalea, County Down, William M'Murray, of Brooklyn Villas, Groomsport Road, Bangor.

OLIVER -- August 21, at the residence of his son-in-law, Lislane, Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, Samuel Oliver, late of Lislane, Limavady.

ORR -- August 15, at Bangor Hospital, John Porter Orr, late of Comber.

O'NEILL -- August 18, at her residence, Portglenone House, Portglenone, Sarah, the beloved sister of Lizzie and Katie O'Neill.

PARKHILL -- August 20, at her residence, 9, Parkend Street, Martha, the beloved wife of John Parkhill.

POLLOCK -- August 18, at Donaghadee (the result of an accident), Margaret, wife of John Pollock, The Priory, Marino.

RUNNING -- August 18, at his residence, Woodview House, Armagh, George Running.

SINCLAIR -- August 15, as Castile, U.S.A., Sydney Edgar Sinclair, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.A., fourth son of the late Thomas Sinclair J.P., of Hopefield, Belfast.

SMALL -- August 18, at the residence of her son (F. B. Small, Island House, Poyntzpass), Annabella Small.

THOMPSON -- August 22, at her residence, Killultagh, Upper Ballinderry, Ellen Thompson, widow of the late Ross Thompson.

TURTLE -- August 17, Caroline Turtle, second daughter of the late John Turtle, The Villa, Aghalee.

WHALEY -- August 15, at the Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh, Elizabeth, fourth daughter of the late William Whaley, Milltown House, Dromore, County Tyrone, and late of Hanna's, Royal Avenue, Belfast.

WILSON -- August 15, at his residence, Upper Ballylagan, Thomas Wilson, in his 82nd year.

WOODSIDE -- August 16, at her residence, Carnsampson, Ballycastle, County Antrim, Frances, widow of the late Robert Woodside.

In Memoriam

MAYBEN -- In loving remembrance of my dear father, who died 25th August, 1914. A. H.

Clippings

EPITOME OF GENERAL NEWS

The Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependents' Fund now totals £123,712.

By twenty-six votes to four, Ballymoney Guardians expressed an opinion in favour of the closing of Ballymoney workhouse.

Captain Charles Bathurst, M.P., has been appointed chairman of the Royal Commission on Sugar Supply.

The Hibernian Hall, Coalisland, was broken into recently. Two drums and pictures of Emmett and Wolf Tone were taken.

A mysterious raid has been made on the Austrian Consulate at Shanghai, apparently by Hungarians, one of whom was shot dead. The murderer escaped.

A returned American named Owen Farrelly, who has been admitted to the Kells Union Hospital, is reputed to have over £1,000, and to have left large legacies to local charities.

Pork reached £7 6s per cwt. at Portadown, Cookstown, and Ballybay. At Roscommon seven young pigs were sold for £24 10s, and bonhams in some cases reached £8 per pair.

Mr. Sydney Brookfield, a member of the Victoria Legislative Assembly, has been fined £100, or, in default, six months' imprisonment, for making statements to the prejudice of recruiting.

Sir William T. White's Bill to tax the income of unmarried persons in excess of 1,500 dollars and those of other persons in excess of 3,000 dollars has passed the Canadian House of Commons.

Six brothers and sisters, the eldest ninety years of age and the youngest seventy-six, were present at a family gathering at King's Hall Road, Beckenham. Their combined ages total 479 years.

There is plenty of money still for good antique furniture. A Spanish mahogany sideboard of the eighteenth century has fetched 690 guineas at Bristol, and a Hepplewhite bookcase sold for £560.

Coloured troops serving with the French Army are in some instances polygamists. It has been decided that when a man is killed who has left four wives each shall get a quarter of the pension. Their religions allow them to have more than one wife.

"There is not, and never will be, any collusion between my supporters and Quebec Nationalists. I consider their attitude in the war is unpatriotic, and our first duty will be to defeat them." -- Sir Robert Borden in the Dominion House of Commons.

Mr. Duke told Mr. MacVeagh, in Parliament, that the object of the prohibition of the export of Irish horses was to maintain a sufficiency of horses for increased cultivation and general purposes. He did not anticipate a glut on the market, or that the Government action would penalise farmers or benefit only a few dealers.

Nursing Sister and Lieutenant Robert Catherine Adams, of the Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Alberta, Canada, who is of Ulster parentage, has been a candidate for "war service" membership of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, the election of two such members by the Alberta soldiers and nurses taking place under a special act.

At a Feis in Manorhamilton, Rev. Dr. Maguire denied that the Gaelic League was non-political, and said that a man who held that Ireland was John Bull's Island and must remain so, had no place on their platform. If, as their enemies, declared, "this new spirit is dividing the country," he held that it was "better to have a divided Ireland with the spirit of the nation in it than a peaceful English province."

On Saturday evening Mr. John Fulton, aged thirty-one, an extensive farmer, residing at Dunalis, near Coleraine, died suddenly in Mr. Samuel M'Laughlin's hair-dressing establishment, Railway Road, Coleraine. He sat down in a chair to be shaved, and while an assistant was applying the lather he observed indications of collapse on the part of his customer. Dr. J. T. Creery was summoned, and found that Mr. Fulton was dead.

The amounts contributed up to date by Donaghadee and district towards the "Our Day" Fund for 1917 reach the handsome total of £312 9s 4d.

Many inhabitants of Grays, Essex, declare that for some nights past they have seen in the heavens forms resembling angels with wings outspread. Some say they could read the word "peace" like a halo over their heads.

The wheat surplus of the United States and Canada is 400 million bushels short of the requirements of the Allies and European neutrals, who are furnishing vital supplies. Cereals are 275 million bushels in excess of Allies' requirements, and Americans are recommended to use 1lb. of cereals for 1lb. of wheat flour every week.

Colonel Gretton, M.P., presiding at the Bass, Ratcliff, & Gretton meeting, said they had during the past financial year paid to the Government £1,300,000, or 75½ per cent, of the available earnings, leaving 24½ per cent. for stock and shareholders. The profit was £482,320 (a year ago £433,933), and the dividend 14 per cent., against 12 per cent.

Major Newman, M.P., in a letter to the Bansha Fanners' Society, says it is difficult to understand why rates in Ireland should be, in some places at least, going up rapidly, while in England they are appreciably less than before the war. He thinks it only fair the ratepayers should have a chance of calling their representatives to account in the matter.

The death took place on Saturday of Mr. Stephen B. Kelleher, F.T.C.D., at his residence, Leeson Park, Dublin. He was a native of Cork. In 1904 he obtained a Fellowship after a very brilliant record at the examination. His health began to fail about a year ago. Mr. Kelleher was married to Miss Isabel M. Johnston, daughter of Sir John Johnston, of Londonderry.

The resumed International Seamen's Conference in London on Saturday passed resolutions against brutal German crimes at sea, and pledged support to any step to end them; recommended the delegates of their organisations to withdraw from the International Transport organisation, and to substitute another body from which Austro-Germans would be excluded.

At a court-martial held at Londonderry on the 10th inst. the following were charged with obstruction of the Military police while in the execution of their duty and sentenced as follows -- Andrew Orr, James Bruce, Dennis M'Intyre, Thomas Curry, James Moore -- thirty days' imprisonment with hard labour. These sentences were confirmed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

The Ministry of Pensions states that the new gratuity of £5 applies to the widows of all sailors and soldiers killed on and after July 1, 1916, and that in the case of widows who have received £3 since April 4 last, an additional £2 is being issued. The gratuity is also issuable to widows of men who have died of wounds or of disease contracted or aggravated on active service.

The King has approved the following appointments -- Mr. John Hodge, Minister of Pensions; Mr. G. H. Roberts, Minister of Labour; Mr. A. C. Geddes, Minister of National Service; and Mr. G. J. Wardle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. Mr. Roberts, who previously held the latter office, will have to seek re-election for Norwich. Mr. Wardle is Editor of the "Railway Review."

Isaac Hampton, one of the few remaining veterans of the Crimea and Indian Mutiny, died on Saturday, at his residence, Mountjoy East, Omagh. Deceased was in possession of the Crimean medal and Sebastopol clasp, the Turkish war medal, the Indian Mutiny medal, and clasp of the Relief of Lucknow. The funeral, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was attended with full military honours.

Mr. Duke informed Mr. MacVeagh, on the authority of the Irish Railway Executive, that local travelling from 1st July showed an increase in passengers as compared with 1916, and that those who go to the seaside at the time of year appear to be going there in spite of the withdrawal of facilities -- though, for the most part, nearer home. The Committee considered increased travelling facilities should not be given.

The two Houses of Parliament rose for the autumn recess on Tuesday, to resume on Oct. 16.

At Cardiff a green-grocer was fined £100 for selling potatoes at prices exceeding the limit fixed.

The fleet of the Mihanovitch line flying the Argentine flag has been purchased by a Franco-British syndicate.

At a dispersal sale of the valuable shorthorn herd of Mr. F. Kierans, J.P., Newbliss, prices ranged from 50 to 205 guineas.

One of a brood of chickens belonging to Mr. M. Power, Portumna, has four-legs. It only uses two of them, and is quite healthy.

General Townshend, it is stated, is treated in Turkey rather as a guest than as a prisoner. His rose-embowered cottage overlooks the sea.

There were ninety-eight entries for the Antrim Committee of Agriculture, cottage prize scheme. The silver cup went to Mrs. M. Stewart, Drains, Larne.

While a party of from ten to fifteen soldiers were bathing at a point near Scoughall, East Lothian, three of the number were drowned. Two of the bodies were recovered.

Viscount Bangor, Sir R. M. Liddell, Donacloney; Mr. E. H. S. Nugent, Portaferry; and Mr. James Heron, Killyleagh, have been appointed D.L.'s for County Down.

"The Times," in Tuesday's list of subscriptions to the fund on behalf of the British Red Cross Society, acknowledges £500 as a further contribution from the County Antrim branch of the Red Cross Society.

Mr. J. H. A. Carson, M.A., assistant, Belfast Academical Institution, has been appointed headmaster of the Newry Intermediate School in succession Mr. W. A. Stoops, B.A., resigned.

The Exchequer returns from 1st April to 18th August show that the receipts were £194,341,912 and the expenditure £1,041,770,830. For the corresponding period last year the receipts were £120,682,743 and the expenditure £683,759,440.

An Order has been issued by the Army Council in connection with the release for civilian use of a quantity of sole leather. The terms of the Order will preclude the possibility of the leather being subject to profiteering.

Mr. Harry Lauder is raising a fund of £1,000,000 for the benefit, on their return to civil life, of members of Scottish regiments and Scotsmen who have served in other units of naval and military forces -- especially those maimed and unable to earn a livelihood.

The death has taken place at Horn Head, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, of Mr. Charles Frederick Stewart, D.L., at the age of seventy-two years. One of the last remaining old Grand Jurors of the county, he always lived on his unique estate at Horn Head, and took a great interest in fishing, on which he was an expert.

The King has appointed Earl Granville to be his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the King of the Hellenes. As Earl Granville was accredited to M. Venezelos's Provisional Government at Salonica, his Majesty's Government considered it desirable that he should continue to be associated with M. Venezelos as Sir Francis Elliott's successor at Athens.

The maximum prices of jams, fixed by the Food Controller, are after August 15 10½d a lb. wholesale, and after September 1st 1s a lb. retail for apricot, cherry, black currant, strawberry and pineapple; 9½d wholesale and 11d retail for raspberry and red currant; 9d wholesale and 10½d retail for blackberry, greengage, raspberry and gooseberry, strawberry and gooseberry; 8½d wholesale and 9½d retail for apple and berry mixtures; 7½d wholesale and 9d retail for plum and apple and other descriptions of jam.

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RANDOM READINGS.

ANIMALS IN FIRE.

Most animals are afraid of fire, and will fly from it in terror. To others there is a fascination about a flame, and they will walk into it, even though tortured by the heat. A horse in a burning stable goes mad with fear, but a dog is as cool in a fire as at any time. He keeps his nose down to the floor, where the air is purest, and sets himself calmly to finding his way out. Cats in fire cry piteously. They hide their faces from the light, and crouch in corners. When their rescuer lifts them they are as a rule quite docile and subdued, never biting or scratching. Birds seem to be hypnotised by fire, and keep perfectly still; even the loquacious parrot in a fire has nothing to say. Cows, like dogs, do not show alarm. They are easy to lead forth, and often find their way out themselves.

SUPERSTITIOUS CELEBRITIES.

It is an open secret in the Balkans that King Ferdinand of Bulgaria immediately has a fainting fit every time the sound of guns reaches his ears. Perhaps this is through sheer funk, for "Foxy" Ferdinand lives in abject fear of being assassinated. Lord Roberts had a great aversion to black cats, and could not remain in the same room with one of these animals. The Kaiser's father, Frederick III., could not look at a bunch of watercress without being seized with a shivering fit. At the sound of the word "lana" (wool) the late President Diaz of Mexico became sick. A curious delusion haunted Pascal, the noted French philosopher. Although the most brilliant genius and wit of his time, he always thought he saw a yawning abyss on his left hand.

PERFUME INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN FRANCE.

The region lying on the south coast of France in the neighbourhood of Nice was always noted for the production of perfumes or flower essences, and it is reported that the war conditions have led to great efforts to increase the production of this class of material. In view of an extensive exportation to the rest of Europe as well as to America after the war, there is at present a most unusual activity in the distillation if jasmine and lavender flowers of the recent crop in Nice, Menton, Golfe Juan, and other centres in the Maritime Alps region. Other products which have already afforded a great yield this year are orange flowers, rose geranium, mint, &c. In fact this region is making great preparations to compete after the war with the synthetic products coming from Germany which were so extensively imported, and the natural products will now take a prominent place.

WHAT THE JAPANESE LIVE ON.

Dr. Takata, Japanese Minister of Education, has recently published a book concerning economic conditions in Japan. The pinch comes harder upon the middle classes than upon the lower classes, since the former must not only keep up a respectable appearance on salaries no greater than those that men who work at trades receive. For example, according to Dr. Takata, a primary school teacher earns fifteen dollars and a half a month, but his lowest budget for a family of four reaches seventeen dollars and thirty-three cents. His wife must do work at home to earn the deficit. A magazine editor and writer, who has a wife, two children, and a maid, spends thirty-two dollars and seventy-five cents monthly on household sundries. His earnings are irregular, but always below his expenses. He has been compelled to borrow money from his wife's relatives, and her trousseau is not unknown to the pawnshops. The learned author states that two-thirds of the Tokyo doctors earn no more than fifty dollars a month. Obviously, the professional classes of Japan are in the grip of conditions that are far from enviable.

WHERE WOMEN PROPOSE INSTEAD OF MEN.

In the Pacific Ocean, between Fiji, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Continent of Australia, lies the Melanessian group of islands where head hunters and cannibals abound. Although strange and gruesome are many of the customs of the tribes, there are some that are most romantic. For instance, on the Island of Tucopia the women propose marriage instead of men. Where a girl of Tucopia sees a man whom she thinks she would like to have for her husband she does not rush up to him and ask him to marry her. On the contrary, she gives the subject deep thought and often the man a most careful investigation before she "pops the question." The reason is that his answer spells life or death to her. It is a tribal law that any woman who has been refused must forthwith kill herself. Therefore, a woman asks a man's hand only when she feels sure that his answer will be the happy one. Many are the strange and, seemingly inexplicable questions with which the women of Tucopia ply the stranger, who cannot realise the personal motive back of the solicitude of the dusky belles who inquire if he is married or not, and the state of his wife's health. Romances are consequently very apt to turn out in happy marriage. But there have been innumerable instances where a poor girl, smitten by the newcomer's charms, has been compelled to kill herself because the man with whom she has fallen in love has had to refuse to marry her. Baldness with the women of Tucopia is a sign of beauty, and never until she is bald does a Tucopia woman become fully convinced that she is really lovely. But, bald or not, she takes great care whom she asks to marry her, for the tribal law has never been known to fail. If a rejected woman does not kill herself she is executed by the leaders of the tribe.

SABBATH BEST ESSENTIAL.

Scientific experiments made on Harvard students By Professor E. G. Martin, of the Harvard Medical School, show conclusively that one day of rest, in every seven is essential. In an address before the Republican Club of New York City, Professor Martin told how he arrived at his conclusion, and stated, that the efficiency of human beings drops 15 per cent, from Monday to Saturday. After the Sabbath rest, he declared, their efficiency was restored to normal. Nine medical students were taken as subjects for these experiments during a period of eight weeks, and results proved, unmistakably that the Sabbath recess gave the extra time for the recovery of efficiency which was more and more retarded in the course of the week's work. "The method," says Professor Martin, "depended on the weakest electric shock the subjects could feel. Perception of a very weak shock signified highsensitiveness, and vice versa. The underlying principle was that high sensitiveness would go in hand with a high degree of nervous efficiency. A falling off of sensitiveness would go hand in hand with a high degree of nervous efficiency. A falling off of this particular phase of the work medical students served as subjects, and determinations of sensitiveness were made daily during eight weeks. Throughout this time all the subjects were following the regular and pressing routine of the medical school; a routine that occupied them fully on the week days, and was necessarily interrupted on Sabbaths by the closing of the medical laboratories. No attempt was made to regulate the Sabbath occupation of the subjects, but wife had sufficient assurance that it was different from that of the weekdays." The results of the inquiry can be summarised briefly -- There was an unmistakable tendency for the sensitiveness to be at its height at the beginning of the week, and to sink steadily, from day to day until its end, reaching the lowest point on Saturday. With the return of Monday, following the break in the routine afforded by the Sabbath recess, the sensitiveness was back at its former high point.

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DEATH OF MR. W. IRONS, DUNGIVEN.

The death occurred on Wednesday of Mr. William Irons, of Ardnariffe, one of the oldest Residents in the Dungiven district of County Derry. Deceased had reached the age of eighty-three years, and was a well-known and successful agriculturist. He was the father of Mr. David Irons, a prominent Londonderry manufacturer; Mr, J. M. Irons, a leading North-West commercial traveller; and the late Rev. S. D. Irons, who was at one time Presbyterian pastor of Drumquin, Omagh.

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U.V.F. HOSPITAL.

Handsome Subscriptions.

Sir Robert Liddell has received, per Mr. H. Hamilton, 22, Donegal! Place, Belfast, the sum of £50 from the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Fitchie, to name a bed "The James and Mary Ritchie Diamond Jubilee Bed" in commemoration of their diamond wedding.

A sum of £400 has been received from Captain Herbert Dixon, being proceeds of the military tournament and horse show held for the benefit of the U.V.F. Limbless Hospital.

Sir Robert Liddell has also received, in aid of the U.V.F. Limbless Hospital, the sum of £100, being proceeds of an American tea and sale, per Mrs. West, Miss Wilson, Miss A. Lorimer, Miss White, and Miss Meta Lorimer, to name two beds the "Glenavy No. 1 and No. 25."

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DEATH OF MR. J. O. HORNER, J.P.

The death occurred on Sunday evening at his residence, Main Street, Limavady, of Mr. John O. Horner, J.P., after an illness of a fortnight's duration. Deceased, who was aged 84 years, had been in failing health latterly. He was one of the senior justices for the county, but in late years seldom attended the sessions. A member of the old Town Commissioners, he took a deep interest on municipal matters, and was a director of the old Gasworks Company, and a member of the local Urban School Attendance Committee.

The funeral of the deceased took place on Wednesday. The mourners included the local justices, the Guardians, and the Rural District Councillors, as well as representatives of other public bodies. The place of interment was the graveyard attached to First Limavady Presbyterian Church, with which the deceased had been connected for half a century. The only son of the deceased, Corporal Thomas L. Horner, R.E., who has been on service as a despatch rider at the front since 1914, obtained special leave, and arrived in time for the obsequies. There was a large representation of the members of the Limavady Presbytery, as well as many clergymen of other denominations.

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DEATH OF REV. G. R. WEDGWOOD.

Many will regret to learn that Rev. G. R. Wedgwood, a prominent Irish Methodist minister, passed away on Wednesday at his residence, 101, Malone Avenue, Belfast, after a lengthened illness, in his seventy-fourth year. He was born at Burslem, in the Potteries district, Staffordshire, and entered the Irish Methodist ministry in 1866, his first appointment having been Wexford. He was elected twice Vice-President of the Conference, and attended as a delegate the last Methodist (Ecumenical Conference, which met at Toronto. He was frequently sent as a delegate to the English Methodist Conference, and was called to fill on several occasions the chair of his District Synod. He also filled for several years the secretaryship of the Committee of Privileges and the tereasuership [sic] of the general education fund. He took an active part in the proceedings of the annual Conference, and he was chairman of the Methodist Unionist Committee. At the great Methodist anti-Home Rule demonstration field in Belfast a few years ago he took a foremost part acting as chairman of the Convention Committee and also as a speaker at one of the principal gatherings. On Ulster Day he was one of the chief signatories, of the Ulster Covenant. Mr. Wedgwood was not only an able preacher, but a good pastor And a loyal friend. On the completion of his fifty-first year in the ministry in June last his friends presented him with a War Loan bond for £1,000 and a cheque for £160. Two of his sons, who were officers in the Ulster Division, were killed at the Somme on the 1st July, 1916. The deceased, who was highly esteemed by all who knew him, leaves a wife, five daughters, three of whom are married, and two sons, for all of whom deep sympathy is felt.

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DEATH OF MR. FFOLLIOT T. MOSTYN, J.P.

At Ardgevina, Templeboy, Co. Sligo, there passed away on 13th inst., Mr. Ffolliot T. Mostyn, J.P. His was a striking personality. Endowed with a wealth of feeling and emotion, and with a great gift of clear and articulate speech, he was sure to arrest the attention of his fellows in any company. Especially was he at home in Revival meetings. In mid-life he professed conversion, and, after due consideration, he decided on Scripture grounds to connect himself with the Presbyterian Church at Dromore West, and remained faithful to the conviction then formed. He became one of its most prominent and active members, and one of its most regular attendants, though living more than four miles distant from the church. It was his delight to proclaim the free grace of God in Jesus Christ, and seek the personal salvation of souls, with an earnestness not unlike that of Rev. Murray M'Cheyne, his favourite, author. In temperance work, also, he was greatly interested, and was ever ready to advocate the cause. He became the first president of the local branch of the Catch-my-Pal Association. His independence of judgment, courage, and frankness in declaring his views, his hospitality and good fellowship, gained him general respect. Both as a citizen and Christian worker, he will be much missed. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. Stuart and Rev. D. S. K. Coulter. Gilnahirk.

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THE ROLL OF HONOUR.

The casualty lists in connection with last week's battles, in which the Ulster Division took such a prominent part, are now coming through, and these indicate that many well-known Ulster families have sustained bereavement. Appended we give the names of some of the more prominent Ulster officers who have either made the supreme sacrifice or have been wounded:--

Major Edmund F. B. Wilson, M.D., South African Medical Corps, killed, was the fourth son of the late Rev. David Wilson, D.D., a distinguished minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, who was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1865 and 1886, and who died on 4th Dec., 1894. Deceased, who was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, was fifty-seven years of age. He was a brother of Mr. D. M. Wilson, K.C., a well-known member of the North-East Bar. Deceased's father, a native of the Ballymena district, was for many years minister of Limerick Presbyterian Church.

Lieutenant James Matthew Stronge, Royal Irish Fusiliers, only son of Sir James H. Stronge, Bart., D.L., Tynan Abbey, County Armagh, Imperial Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution, killed, was married so recently as 10th July last to, Winifred, fourth daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. S. Alexander, of Carrickmore House, County Tyrone, the ceremony being performed by the Lord Primate of All Ireland (Most Rev. Dr. Crozier) at St. Columbkill's Church, Carrickmore. Lieutenant Stronge was a member of the Despatch Riding Corps of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and a Deputy-Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution of Ireland.

Lieutenant Herbert Rea, Royal Irish Rifles, missing, believed killed, is a son of the late Mr. John Rea (Ann Street) and Mrs. Rea, Dalzien, Annadale, Belfast. Before the war deceased was an accountant with Messrs. H. B. Brandon & Co., Belfast. He is twenty-five years of age, and was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

Second-Lieutenant William Moore, Royal Irish Fusiliers, killed, was the eldest son of Dr. A. P. B. Moore, Ashley House, Albertbridge Road, Belfast, and was twenty-four years of age. He was educated at Campbell College and at Queen's University, where he graduated with honours in 1914. His brother, Captain A. M. Moore, Royal Irish Rifles, who was twice wounded, is at present in a London hospital incapacitated from the effects of one of his wounds.

Second-Lieutenant Samuel Smiles, Royal Irish Rifles, killed, was the third son of the late Mr. W. H. Smiles, of Belfast Ropeworks, and Mrs. Smiles, Westbank, Strandtown, and a grandson of Dr. Samuel Smiles, of "Self-Help" fame. Deceased, who was thirty-six years of age, married Miss Beryl Pirrie, daughter of the late Mr. John Barbour Pirrie, of the Barn, Carrickfergus. He was a brother of Captain W. Alan Smiles, Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action in the battle of the Somme on 10th July, 1916, and of Lieutenant-Commander W. D. Smiles, D.S.O., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who has served with distinction in an Armoured Car Section in France, Belgium, Persia, Roumania, and Galicia.

Second-Lieutenant William Wylie Houston, Royal Engineers, killed, was a son of Mr. Thomas Houston, J.F., Ashley, Carnmoney, near Belfast. He was an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Captain R. Lilburn Henderson, Royal Irish Rifles, youngest son of the late Sir James Henderson, D.L., Belfast, has been admitted to a Red Cross, Hospital at La Toquet suffering from a severe wound in the back. Captain Henderson, who is twenty-two years of age, has seen a good deal of service in the trenches on the Western front since he first went overseas in May, 1915, and previously suffered from concussion caused by the explosion of a shell. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 20th November, 1915, and received his captaincy on 12th February, 1916. Captain Henderson's three brothers are in the services -- one in the Royal Navy and two in the Army.

Lieutenant R. Stanley Drean, M.C., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, wounded, is the third son of Mr. R. A. Drean, 7, Rosetta Avenue, actuary of the Belfast Savings Bank. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1916 for conspicuous gallantry during a heavy bombardment covering an enemy raid. He underwent an operation before his removal to Boulogne; and is now in hospital in Manchester.

Second-Lieutenant David B. Woodburn, Royal Garrison Artillery, wounded, is a son of Rev. Professor George Woodburn, M.A., of the M'Crea Magee College, Londonderry.

Second-Lieutenant John I. Hamilton, Royal Irish Fusiliers, wounded in the right leg and left shoulder, is a son of Mr. J. W. A. Hamilton, Ulidia, Cregagh Road, Belfast. He was an officer in the 19th Company of the Boys' Brigade, which is connected with the M'Quiston Memorial Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Cregagh Recreation Club. His brother, Second-Lieutenant Edward Hamilton, is serving in the same battalion.

Second-Lieutenant F. W. Burnside, Royal Irish Rifles, wounded (gunshot wound face and head), is a son of Mr. John A. Burnside, Richmond, Holywood.

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Sad Motor Fatality.

Mrs. Pollock, of Marino, who had been on a visit to Donaghadee, met her death with tragic suddenness on Saturday forenoon. She was crossing High Street when she was accidentally knocked down by a motor car, and although prompt attention was rendered it was quite unavailing, death having been instantaneous. The lady whose life was so sadly and suddenly cut off was the wife of Mr. John Pollock, of the firm of Lytle & Pollock, and the mother-in-law of Mr. R. D. Williams, of the firm of Messrs. M'Bride & Williams, with whom and their other relatives the greatest sympathy is felt.

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DEATH OF MR. ABRAM COMBE, J.P.

By the death of Mr. Abram Combe, J.P., which occurred at his residence, Donaghcloney House, County Down, on Monday evening, a career of exemplary and varied usefulness has been brought to a close, Ulster has lost a distinguished leader in commerce and industry, and a popular figure has been removed from social circles. The deceased gentleman was a son of the late Mr. James Combe, J.P., of Ormiston, Strandtown, and a grandson of the late Mr. William Barbour, of Hilden. He was born in Belfast in the year 1852, and was a member of the celebrated firm of Messrs. Combe, Barbour, & Combe, engineers, Belfast, while for over a quarter of a century he was a director of the Belfast Rope works, Ltd. In the public life of Belfast and the province Mr. Combe took an influential part. Like most of our great captains of industry, he believed firmly in the importance of maintaining the legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland, and as a member of the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council he rendered valuable service to the cause. He represented a division on the Down County Council, and was a magistrate for the county, and was a member of the Ulster Reform Club and the Union Club. The late gentleman, who was a prominent Mason, was married to Emily Caroline, only daughter of the late Mr. Robert G. Nicholson, of Donacloney, and he is survived by that lady and two sons. His third son, Lieutenant Barry Combe, North Irish Horse, was killed in action on the 29th September, 1914. The funeral took place yesterday to Lambeg Churchyard.

 

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Roll of Honour

BENNETT -- Killed in action, 15th August, Captain W. H. D. Bennett, Royal Highlanders of Canada, eldest son of W. S. Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, Dungannon, and dearly-loved husband of Ida Kathleen Bennett, Knockmult House, Macosquin, Coleraine.

Deaths

ABERNETHY -- August 26, at her residence, Bresagh, Boardmills, Co. Down, Agnes Abernethy. Her remains were interred in the family burying-ground, First Boardmills, on 28th inst., at 4 o'clock p.m.

HENRY -- August 25, 1917, at the Institution, Dungannon, Henrietta Henry, step-daughter the Rev. Samuel Stewart, Alt, Castlefin, in her 86th year. Interred in Dungannon Cemetery on 25th August. S. H. STEWART.

ADAIR -- August 24, at Castle Espie House, Comber, John Pallant, infant son of James M. Adair.

BOYD -- August 23, at his residence, Ballyrash, William Boyd.

CLARKE -- August 26, at his residence, 17, Pottinger Street, Belfast, Alex. Clarke, sen.

CLARKE -- August 27, at his residence, Soldierstown, William Clarke.

DAVIES -- August 26, at Lagan House, Lambeg, Alice Mary Davies, third daughter of John and Emily Davies.

DONNAN -- August 29, at his residence, Ballymuldrough, Islandmagee, William Donnan, aged 83 years.

FERGUSON -- August 26, (suddenly), at her residence, Roselawn, Islandmagee, Sarah Kain, the beloved, wife of Captain Daniel Ferguson.

FYFFE -- August 27, at her residence, Kiltamnaght, Omagh, Sarah Fyffe, wife of the late William Fyffe.

GALLOWAY -- August 26, at her son's residence, Moygannon, Donacloney, Mary, relict of the late John Galloway, aged 94 years.

GRAHAM -- August 28, at 21, Movilla Street, Newtownards, Hugh Graham.

HUSTON -- August 29 (suddenly), at Blackpool, David, youngest and dearly-beloved son of Lewis and Sarah Houston, Lismore, Ormiston Drive, Knock.

JOHNSTON -- August 20, at his residence, Fallagloon, Maghera, Co. Derry, Thomas Johnston.

KIRKWOOD -- August 19, at 15, North Woodside Road, Glasgow, Thomas Kirkwood, beloved brother of Andrew and William J. Kirkwood, aged 49 years.

MARTIN -- August 25, at Killaughey, Millisle, John Martin.

MONCRIEFF -- August 25, of Shore Street, Holywood, Frances, younger daughter of the late Mr. James W. Moncrieff.

MacKAY -- August 22, at her residence, 48, Dufferin Avenue, Bangor, Co. Down, Mrs. Isabella MacKay.

M'KINNEY -- June 5, 1917, at Auckland, New Zealand, Isabella, wife of John Alexander M'Kinney, formerly of Carnmoney, Belfast.

M'DONALD -- August 24, at Woodside Cottage, Conlig, Co. Down, William M'Donald.

M'NEILL -- August 24 (suddenly), at Sallagh, Cairncastle, Martha, widow of the late W. W. M'Neill, Larne.

ORR -- August 28, at her residence, Main Street, Glenarm, Susan, beloved wife of James Orr.

ROSS -- August 25, at her residence, Ballyvernstown, Larne, Mary Barry Ross.

STAPLES -- August 26 (suddenly), at his residence, Lissan House, Cookstown, James Head Staples, D.L., J.P., B.L., aged 67 years, second son of the late Sir Nathaniel A. Staples, Bart.

TAIT -- August 29, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. W. J. Green, Portadown, Margaret Tait, of 1, Waverley Drive,. Ballyholme, Bangor, and widow of the late Wm. Tait, Gas Manager, Portadown.

TEUTON -- August 27, at her residence, Rock Lane, Aughagallon, Margaret, widow of the late Thompson Teuton, aged 87 years.

TROHEAR -- August 23, at Dundrum, Mary, widow of the late Abel Trohear, merchant, Castlewellan.

Clippings

EPITOME OF GENERAL NEWS

Eight soldiers were drowned while bathing in Blyth Bay, Northumberland.

The "Staakanzeiger," of Berlin, announces the birth of a daughter to Princess Friedrich Sigismund of Prussia.

Owing to a shortage of beer many Rochdale publicans closed their premises the whole of last week and went away for their holidays.

A large stock of flax was destroyed by fire at the premises of the Cork Spinning and Weaving Co., where 1,000 hands are employed.

German papers reiterate the statement that Alsace-Lorraine is to be converted into a federal duchy with a Catholic prince as reigning duke.

Dr. Helferrich, the Kaiser's Vice-Chancellor, says all the material and personnel for the continuance of the U boat war are ready in ample measure.

Admiral Sir R. S. Lowry, K.C.B., an Ulsterman, has been placed on retired list at his own request in order to facilitate promotion of junior officers.

Edward R,. Stettinius, of J. P. Morgan & Co., is said to be the biggest buyer in the world, his purchase of supplies for the Allies amounting to £600,000,000.

Baron Von Kuhlmann, the German Foreign Secretary, says all damage to German property and interests is being recorded and invoices will be presented to the Entente Governments.

Violent public demonstrations have been held in Bohemia protesting against export of food to Germany, and the Governor, Count von Condenhove, has gone to Rome to explain the situation.

Among the officers to be repatriated from Switzerland is Lieutenant J. W. Shannon, Inniskillings, son of Mr. J. Shannon, journalist, Coleraine, who was wounded and taken prisoner on July 1, 1916.

Under the Corn Production Act, a separate Wages Board will be established in Ireland, so that the provision as to payment of 25s a week to farm labourers employed, on time work does not apply to this country.

General von Kessel, Commandant of Berlin, has ordered all properties and moneys owned by the Chinese Government in German banks to be confiscated at once. So far the property of Chinese citizens has not been confiscated.

A Defence of the Realm Regulation gives power to the Board of Trade to authorise an increase in the charges for carrying merchandise by sea between Great Britain and Ireland by a carrier whose power of charge is limited by law.

The Minister of Munitions has appointed a committee to inquire into the discrepancy which exists between the wages paid to skilled men on munitions work and the earnings of less skilled men engaged under systems of payment results.

Rev. W. J. Gabriel Doyle, S.J., son of Mr. Hugh Doyle, for many years Registrar of the Dublin Bankruptcy Court, and brother of the Recorder of Galway, has been killed on the battlefield while attending to the spiritual needs of his men of the Dublin Fusiliers.

At Sidcup V.A.D. Hospital the doctor intimated that he required skin for grafting upon a wounded soldier's face. Three of the nurses at the institution at once volunteered to provide the necessary skin, and the grafting operation gives promise of being entirely successful.

John Henry Cooke, the veteran circus proprietor, has died at Edinburgh in his eightieth year. His family have been associated with the ring for several generations, and during his own time Queen Victoria and Napoleon III. were among the patrons of the performances.

With reference to the compulsory military service Bill now before the legislature of Hongkong, Mr. Walter Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has telegraphed to the Governor of Hongkong that the operation of this Bill should be limited to the duration of the war and for six months afterwards.

In his memoirs appearing in the "Daily Telegraph," Mr. Gerard says that "newspapers in Germany are subject to control as in any other country. While a preventive Censer -------------- pressed at will. Many large newspaper are either owned or controlled by concerns like Krupp's.

The death has taken place at Woodslee, Bromborough, Cheshire, of Mr. Wm. Johnston, sen., partner in the well known shipping firm of William Johnston & Co., Liverpool. Mr. Johnston, who was 76, founded the Johnston Line of steamers, which maintained regular services between the Mersey, Baltimore, and the Mediterranean.

Wexford police authorities have been notified that Thomas Sinnott, an old-age pensioner, who had been returned for trial on a charge of murdering his widowed sister, Anne Maloney (seventy-three), at Broadway, County Wexford, by cutting her throat with a penknife, had been certified insane and committed to Waterford Lunatic Asylum.

Thirteen men with blackened faces and carrying arms surprised the night watchman, P. Connole, at Ennistymon, West Clare line, and having made him a prisoner, smashed open and searched the goods store, but departed without removing anything. It is supposed that the raid was made in search of a box of shot cartridges, consigned to a neighbouring gentleman, but removed just before.

General Sarrail has informed the Mayor of Salonica that the French Government is transmitting a first contribution towards the aid of the sufferers by the fire of 155,000 francs, of which 100,000 francs are intended for the Jewish community. General Sarrail further informed the Mayor that he will supply the materials and tools for the purpose of removing the debris and building temporary dwellings.

At a meeting of the Portadown magistrates, Head-Constable Joseph Nevin, Kilrush, was appointed Petty Sessions Clerk in room of the late Mr. John Andrew Walker, who died recently in Mesopotamia while on active service. Head-Constable Nevin secured twelve votes against nine for Sergeant Herbert Sewell, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who was severely wounded in the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916.

At the Belfast Police Court, Mr. Nagle, R.M., said a great quantity of methylated spirits was consumed in Belfast for drinking purposes. Apparently people could get it without the slightest difficulty. In fact they were besotting themselves with methylated spirits. Mr. D. F. Spiller said people could get methylated spirits at about an eighth of the price of ordinary spirits, and a little of it went much further than whisky.

The remains of the three German airmen who came down with the burning Gotha last week were buried at Margate Cemetery. The burial was conducted by the Church of England Chaplain to the Forces. Royal Naval Air Service officers and men attended, and the military provided an escort and firing party and the gun carriages for the coffins. The usual three volleys were fired and the "Last Post" was sounded. There were only a few people present.

The German Minister at The Hague has expressed regret to the Dutch Government at the dropping of bombs in Zeeland, and the latter has renewed its protest against such action, and against further violation of territory by air flights over Friesland and Groningen. At Berlin semi-official telegram denies that bombs dropped near Ziericzee came from a German aeroplane. Inquiries on bomb-dropping have been addressed by Holland to the British, French, and Belgian Governments.

A new Defence of the Realm Act provides that no person shall "remove from or to Great Britain to or from Ireland" any arms, ammunition, or explosive substance. The burden of proving himself innocent of a contravention of the regulation is placed on a person who is found with any article which comes within the regulation in his possession or under his control. Powers of search and seizure are conferred on the competent naval or military authority, the police, and officers of Customs and Excise.

During the year ended December 3l, 1916, the Home Secretary issued 46l certificates of re-admission to British nationality, and of these 437 recipients were women. Certificates of naturalisation to aliens totalled 571, in 497 cases the country of origin being European, and 48 cases the United States of America. Included in the figures for European countries were 233 Russian and 60 Netherlanders. Certificates were also granted to one man and eight women of German origin, to two of each sex belonging to Austria-Hungary, and to one from the Ottoman Empire.

The death has occurred at his residence, Lissan, Cookstown, of Mr- James H. Staples, D.L., the second son of the late Sir Nathaniel Staples, Bart., and a barrister in Lincoln's Inn and King's Inn, Dublin. He was a magistrate for County Tyrone, and regularly attended the Petty Sessions at Cookstown. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for the county. In politics he was a staunch Unionist, and was president of the Lissan Unionist Club. He was a loyal supporter of the Church of Ireland, and frequently read the lessons incLissan Parish Church.

The new Food Control Committee's Order for the appointment of local committees does not apply to Ireland.

The "National Weekly" (London) states that Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., voyaged to America on a cruiser.

Sweden has agreed to release 600,000 bushels of wheat from American grain elevators to the Belgian Relief Committee.

The health of the King of Spain is again causing some anxiety. He is to undergo a slight operation to his knee.

Miss Adela Pankhurst, who was sentenced at Melbourne to one month's imprisonment for offensive behaviour at an outdoor demonstration, has been released pending appeal.

A Coalition Government has been formed for South Australia, the Liberal members being Mr. Peake, Premier; Mr. Butler, and Mr. Bice; and the Nationalists Messrs. Styles, Blundell, and Jackson.

Mr. G. H. Roberts, the new Minister of Labour, was on Saturday returned without opposition for Norwich. The Pacifists, in view of the strength of public feeling, were afraid to risk a contest.

Final returns of the acreage under crops this year in England and Wales give 650,000 additional acres under corn and potatoes, or the equivalent of five weeks' extra breadstuffs for the whole population.

Mr. Daniels, Secretary of the U.S. Navy, has found that the explosion at Mare Island Navy Yard last month, when five men were killed and thirty injured, was due to the deliberate act of someone unknown.

Mr. W. Thome, M.P., writing to the Premier declining to accept a Commandership of the Order of the British Empire, said personal reasons compel him to ask the King's permission to refuse the proffered decoration.

During the last week the Germans have shelled or bombed four French dressing stations and ambulance centres at Verdun, and forty-three volunteer nurses and fifty-five others were wounded, says a semi-official report.

Major the Earl of Kilmorey, serving with the Reserve Household Battalion, is at present in her Royal Highness Princess Christian's Nursing Home at Windsor, suffering from a severe attack of influenza and septic tonsilitis.

Still another case of remarrying in too great haste is that of a lady who, after the War Office had presumed her husband's death, wedded a clergyman, and who has just received a letter from her soldier husband from a prisoners' camp.

Statistics of deaths in Austria in 1916 show an alarming increase of tuberculosis there -- 11,528 cases against 5,608 ten years previously. The doctors, says, a Reuter's Zurich telegram, attribute the sudden rise to the under-feeding of the population.

Heavy rains have fallen throughout South Australia. A record season is reported for the Northern pastoral areas. The Director of Agriculture considers that an average yield is assured, but there is no likelihood of last year's figured being equalled.

The preliminary statement of the agricultural returns for England and Wales collected in June shows that the total number of cattle is now 6,227,150 -- the highest number ever recorded. Cows in milk on June 4 were less by 24,000 than a year ago.

The number of animals shipped from the port of Belfast during the week ending the 25th August, 1917, was -- 1,403 cattle, 1,907 sheep, 1 swine, 1 goat, 12 horses. For corresponding week last year -- 2,160 cattle, 1,827 sheep, 97 swine, 143 horses, 1 ass.

Detectives and military police raided the offices of the Union of Democratic Control in London under the Realm Defence Act, and seized documents. The clerks were ordered to cease work. The authorities also visited the residence of Mr. E. D. Morel, of the Union.

For having read and circulated a Russian proclamation, dropped from an aeroplane, six persons in Austria, including a girl, were sentenced to death, and sentences of ninety-one years' penal servitude in all were imposed on thirty-three others, including twenty schoolboys.

The Board of Trade have taken possession of all stocks in the United Kingdom, exceeding in the aggregate 5,000 super feet, of mahogany in logs, flitches, planks, and boards, and all stocks, exceeding in the aggregate 5,000 super feet, of American walnut in logs, planks, and ------------------------

Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., speaking at Plymouth, said it had been his lot to negotiate for the largest trade union in the world for various war bonuses, and he had never hesitated to tell his men and the country that he looked upon this method as mean, vicious, and despicable.

A remarkable instance of the recovery of a returned invalid soldier's speech and hearing after he had been deaf and dumb for months from shell shock was reported in Jervis Street Hospital, Dublin. There was great rejoicing in the ward when he started conversing with his comrade wounded soldiers.

Dr. Eduard Buchner, the famous German chemist, has been killed on the Western front, where he fell as a major. He was mortally wounded near Verdun. Dr. Buchner, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1907, was born in 1860. He was one of the most distinguished of European chemists.

Of two Mourne farmers prosecuted by the Department of Agriculture at Newcastle Sessions for failing to save the seed of an eighth of their flax crop, one was fined 2s 6d and 20s costs, while the case against the other was dismissed on the ground that the Inspector had told defendant's daughter that the flax was not worth saving.

The famous Church of the Barefoot Friars in Venice has been re-opened. Its magnificent ceiling, representing the transportation of the Holy House of Loreto, was destroyed in Oct., 1915, by Austrian bombs. Out of thousands of minute pieces part of the ceiling has been re-constructed, and some of the figures and beautiful frescoes restored.

Exciting scenes were witnessed at a "peace" meeting held in the open air at Bangor, Co. Down, on Saturday. Two women attempted to address the crowd, but their efforts to point out the advantages «f the peace crusade proved a hopeless failure. Eventually, after many interruptions, the meeting was broken up by a Canadian soldier.

The gasworks at Sheffield were the scene of an explosion which resulted in one big gasometer being blown up and another fired. Adjacent property was severely shaken. About a score of workmen sustained injuries, chiefly burns, while others suffered from shock; but fortunately there were no fatalities. The cause of the accident is unknown.

An interesting "find" has been made at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where, in the course of excavations, workmen have unearthed a human skeleton and weapons which are believed to date back 1,000 years. The bones are in a good state of preservation, and their position indicates that the body was buried on its back at full length. By their side lay a long sword, a large spear, and a smaller one, all of iron.

In the Manor House grounds at Coleraine Mr. H. T. Barrie, D.L., M.P., and Mrs. Barrie gave their entertainment to some 2,000 men, women, and children, being the parents, wives, sons, and daughters of the gallant men of the district who have joined his Majesty's forces. Replying to a vote of thanks, Mr. Barrie said that by next spring they expected to have Russia again actively assisting with all her resources, and also to have the welcome help of their latest Ally -- the Americans.

A fine story is told of Chief Petty Officer MacFarlane, Belfast, who was with the British naval armoured car squadron in the recent fighting in Galicia. Under heavy enemy fire he and four other volunteers accepted the task of removing a sandbag barrier which barred the Russian advance on Brzezany. The men had just finished their heavy task, which lasted forty-five minutes under a hail of Maxim-gun bullets, when MacFarlane was hit by a shell-fragment in the neck, which killed him on the spot.

The annual demonstration in connection with the Royal Black District Chapter was held in Ballymena on Saturday afternoon. Resolutions were passed declaring the loyalty of the brethren to the Throne and Empire, and urging upon the Government the advisability of applying the Military Service Act to Ireland. Br. G. C. G. Young presided over the meeting, and delivered a stirring speech, while forceful addresses were also given by Br. G. B. Hanna, Rev. J. B. Cotter, Rev. A. Hadden, Br. Mahernahan, Br. J. Ballentine, Br. Trancey, Br. M'Killen, and Br. M. Lamont.

At the quarterly meeting of the Portadown Teachers' Association the following resolutions were passed -- "That we request the Commissioners of National Education to forward salary warrants direct, to the principal teachers;" and "That we protest against the scheme of allocation of the equivalent grant outlined by the Chief Secretary for Ireland in his speech to the House of Commons on the supplementary estimates for Irish education, and we support the demand of the Central Executive of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, that a committee on which the teachers of all classes of schools shall have adequate, representation be appointed by the Government to ensure that a fair and just method of distribution may be devised."

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DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN.

On 27th ult. there died at Ardnaglass, Skreen, Co. Sligo, one of the oldest inhabitants of the country, Mrs. M'Clean, in her 105th year. Born on the Grampians two years before the battle of Waterloo, she lived through a century of great progress, reflected in her native town, Grantham, now one of the most beautiful resorts in the Highlands of Scotland. Leaving her native land she spent her married life in various parts of this country, and finally settled in the neighbourhood Of Dromore West, and joined the Presbyterian Church there under its first minister, Rev. Matt. Kerr. Her husband and numerous family all, except one daughter, pre-deceased her. But the Scripture truths she learned in early life from a Godfearing father, who was an esteemed elder in the Church, she never forgot. Faith in the Saviour sustained her under many bereavements and sorrows throughout her long life.

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Earl Grey, a formed Administrator of Rhodesia and Governor-General of Canada, died at his residence, Howick Hall, Northumberland. Earl Grey, who had been in failing health for some time and was sixty-six years of age, spoke at a meeting in Belfast some time ago in favour of proportional representation.

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Mr. E. Hugh Archdall, secretary of the Fermanagh County Council, died at his residence, Drumcoo, Enniskillen, on Wednesday. He was a son of the late Mr. Montgomery Archdall, whom he succeeded as secretary of the Fermanagh Grand Jury in 1881 or 1882 and had been secretary of the County Council since the passing of the Local Government Act in 1898.

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MINISTERS AND THE ARMY.

At a pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery of Dumbarton of the Church of Scotland it was agreed unanimously to cite to appear at the next meeting Lieutenant A. C. Campbell, R.A.M.C., minister of Balfron, to answer to his refusal to make sufficient supply for the ordinances at Balfron, and also to answer to his deliberate neglect to reply to the communications sent to him. It appears that Mr. Campbell relies on a minute of Presbytery releasing ministers who enlisted, and when the Presbytery's committee wrote him through, his agents, asking that he contribute to the supply in his parish out of the double income he enjoys, he wrote that the correspondence must cease.

Rev. J. H. Dickie, New Kilpatrick, explained that the policy of the Presbytery was that where a minister enlisted at 1s a day of military pay they relieved him of the responsibility of his parish, but when he was given a commission as a chaplain or a doctor they asked him to provide his own supply.

In the case of the parish of Luss, it was also agreed to write the minister, who is on service at Salonica, that now he had been granted a commission he should make payment of £200 for the year, when the Presbytery would be prepared to assume responsibility.

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ULSTER BATHING TRAGEDY.

Headmaster and Governess Drowned

A most distressing bathing fatality occurred at Castlerock yesterday. About mid-day Mr. Reginald Burgess, M.A., headmaster of Portora Royal School, his wife, and a governess named Lyna Hoffer, a Swiss, went to bathe at the Strand, Castlerock. After being in the water, Mrs. Burgess came out, and expected the others to follow her. Miss Hoffer, it is surmised, got into difficulties, and Mr. Burgess went to her assistance. Both were unfortunately drowned. The body of Mr. Burgess has been recovered, but up to the present there has been no trace of the other body.

The late Mr. Burgess was appointed head master of Portora in March, 1915. For ten years preceding he had been assistant master of Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh. Mrs. Burgess is a daughter of Mr. J. C. Bretland, civil engineer, and former City Surveyor of Belfast. She was a fully qualified nurse. Previous to her marriage she held the post of school nurse in Bedford Boys' School.

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GALLANTRY REWARDED.

Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Young, Indian Army, appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, is the third son of the late Rights Honourable John Young, D.L., Galgorm Castle, Ballymena.

Lieutenant-Colonel B. Macnaghten, Lancers, awarded the Distinguished Service Order, is a member of the well-known North Antrim family. He was wounded in Mesopotamia in February last.

Major Sydney H. Beattie, Northampton Regiment, awarded the Military Cross, is a son of Mr. Andrew Beattie, D.L., Dublin, formerly of West Down.

Second-Lieutenant J. H. Glendinning, Royal Irish Rifles, youngest son of the Right Hon. R. G. Glendinning, D.L., Glengyle, Windsor Avenue, Belfast, has been awarded the Military Cross. Second-Lieutenant Glendinning was educated at Campbell College and the School of Commerce, Neuchatel, Switzerland, and was in the employment of the County Down Weaving Company till April, 1916, when he left to join Queen's University O.T.C.

Captain Charles Dundee, Royal. Army Medical Corps, who was seriously wounded on 16th inst., has been awarded the Military Cross. Captain Dundee is the younger son of Dr. Charles Dundee J.P., Ballycarry, and is a graduate of Edinburgh University and an old Instonian.

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ULSTER AND THE WAR.

Roll of Honour.

Captain Charles M'Master, M.C., Royal Irish Rifles, killed, was a son of Mr. John M'Master, Rose Lodge, Bloomfield. Captain M'Master was an enthusiastic member of the East Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. He was through the opening of the battle of the Somme on 1st July, 1916, and was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in the field in the New Year's Honours list of 1917. He was invalided home, and was married on the 26th Jan. last to Miss Maude E. Kennedy, daughter of the late Mr. James Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy, Mount Royal, Banbridge. He returned to the front early in the present summer. Captain M'Master, who enjoyed the high esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, was a member of the Masonic Order and the Loyal Orange Institution, and he was also prominently identified with the Boys' Brigade.

Major R. Workman, Royal Irish Rifles, wounded, resides at Craigdarragh, Helen's Bay. Previous to the war he was actively identified with the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Captain W. H. Stitt, M.C., Royal Irish Fusiliers, wounded, is the younger son of Mr. W. R. Stitt, Wellington Park, Belfast, chairman of the Boyne Spinning and Weaving Company, Ltd. He was awarded the Military Cross eight months ago.

Captain D. H. Morton, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, wounded and missing, is a son of Rev. D. Morton, Presbyterian minister, Newtownstewart. He is twenty-four years of age, and was educated at Campbell College, Belfast, and Trinity College, Dublin.

Second-Lieutenant T. A. Bailie, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, wounded, is the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Bailie, formerly of the Qua Iboe Mission, West Africa, now of Rosses Point, County Sligo. Second-Lieutenant Bailie was a member of the East Belfast Regiment U.V.F. He received his commission from a cadet corps in June, 1916, and was invalided from the front early in the year, and returned last June. He was educated at Eltham College, school for sons of missionaries.

Second-Lieutenant. T. Y. K. Mayrs, Royal Irish Rifles, of Belair, Windsor Park, Belfast, severely wounded, is a son of the late Mr. James C. Mayrs, J.P., Belfast, and a grandson of the late Rev. Dr. T. Y. Killen, of Duncairn Presbyterian Church. A solicitor by profession, he graduated in arts in Queen's university in 1910, proceeding to the LL.B. degree three years later. His brother, Captain E. Brice C. Mayrs, M.B., is serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Second-Lieutenant Gordon Hill L. Smyth, Royal Irish Rifles, killed, aged 21 years, was a son of the late Rev. James Smyth, B.A., Crossgar, County Down, and Mrs. Smyth, University Street, Belfast. He received his earlier education at the Royal Schools Dungannon; Foyle College, Londonderry; and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and was a second year medical student in Queen's University, where he obtained his commission in January, 1910.

Second-Lieutenant A. C. D. Hill, Royal Irish Rifles, missing, is the eldest surviving son of Mr. E. D. Hill, director of the Northern Bank, Belfast. He was in the service of the bank before he joined the 19th Royal Irish Rifles Cadet Corps, being gazetted to the Special Reserve in September, 1916, as second-lieutenant.

A cablegram from the commandant, Camp Borden, Ontario, announces the death of Mr. W. Kyle Knox, eldest son of Mr. R. Ryle Knox, ex-chairman of directors of the Northern Bank, Belfast. in a Toronto hospital.

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MEMORIAL SERVICES.

Second-Lieutenant Laurence C. Brown

On Sabbath afternoon, in Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church, in service was held in memory of Second-Lieutenant Laurence C. Brown, Royal Engineers, one of the many of Ulster's sons who have laid down their life for the cause of right. The church was crowded with friends of different denominations, and the Rev. J. Sides, rector, took part in the service, along with Rev. R. M'Clean, minister of the church.

An address was given by Captain M'Connell, C.F., his chaplain, who was home from the front on seven days' leave, and who had held a service for the men before they went into battle on the 16th. Captain M'Connell spoke of the first time he had met Laurence Brown, when he and his brother were privates in the R.A.M.C. two years ago. He had been struck by his gentle, kindly disposition, and thought how well he was suited to this branch of the service. His desire was, however, to be in the fighting ranks, and he soon obtained a commission. He could at any time have got what the soldiers call a "soft job" as an intelligence officer, owing to his thorough knowledge of French and German, but he would not ask for this. It was only when those who had this knowledge were ordered to give in their names that he entered that department. Even then he returned from headquarters the night before the attack to lead his men once more. He was sent with a small detachment to find out the situation at a critical moment, and was, as might be expected, in front of his men when he was struck by a sniper's bullet. He only took a moment to steady himself, then waved on his men, and a few seconds later had passed into the Great Beyond. So entered on his reward one of the most lovable of boys, so gentle, kind, and withal so firm. The cheery smile he always wore was a constant encouragement to all about him. Speaking of him the day before the attack, his senior officer remarked -- "A fine fellow. If he's out to find out about a bit of trench he'll do it, or he won't come back."

Rev. R. M'Clean told how Lieutenant Brown had been early brought to the Saviour, and had always taken the deepest interest in the Sabbath-school and church.

Lieutenant W. W. Houston.

At the close of Divine service in Carnmoney Presbyterian Church on Sabbath morning. Rev. Hugh Waterworth spoke in a touching manner of the great loss sustained by that church and district in the death of Lieutenant Houston, whose father occupied a prominent position in the congregation as also in the life of the community. He said, it was one of the calamities of the terrible war in which their country was engaged along with their Allies, and they had to bear it in the spirit of resignation. He was sorry to say that a number of other young men, whose names were on that church's roll of honour along with that of Lieutenant Houston, had been reported as more or less seriously wounded. With the parents of all they expressed their sincerest sympathy.

At Tuesday's meeting of the Belfast Board of Guardians the Chairman (Mr. John Wilson, J.P.) referred to the death in action of Lieut. William Wylie Houston, Royal Engineers, son of Mr. Thomas Houston, J.P., Ashley, Carnmoney, a member of the Board. The deceased's senior officer had paid an eloquent tribute to Lieut. Houston -- "He was a great favourite, a splendid helper, a brave and gallant soldier, and kind friend." This young officer had been home on leave about a month ago, when he was in the best of health; but, unfortunately, he had since made the supreme sacrifice. He (the chairman) was sure that the sympathy of the Board would be extended to Mr. and Mis. Houston and family in their great bereavement. A vote of condolence was passed in silence, the members standing.

Tablet Unveiled.

At a special memorial service held in Edenderry (Omagh) Presbyterian Church for the fallen soldiers of that district, a memorial tablet was unveiled to the memory of Andrew Johnston, of the Canadians, son of Mr. Thos. Johnston, Recarson. The preacher was the Rev. James Dysart, minister of the congregation, who referred to the young men from the district who have made the supreme sacrifice, these including Second-Lieutenant Joseph Laverty, Andrew Johnston, William Lewis, and Thomas Chambers.

The Late Captain Nevin, R.A.M.C.

Many tributes have been received from colleagues of the late Captain Alexander M'Donald Nevin, R.A.M.C., M.B., C.M., D.P.H., whose death took place a short time ago at Newcastle, where he had gone to recruit after he been been laid aside, with a severe attack of malaria, contracted while on duty at Salonica. Captain Nevin was a son of the late Rev. Robert Nevin, D.D., Londonderry.

Colonel S. F. Clark, commanding No. 36 General Hospital, writes -- "It gave us all a great shock to hear that he also had joined the ever-growing band of gallant men and women who have died for England in this great war. Your husband was one of the most popular men in the hospital among all ranks, and the bad news cast a gloom over the place, not only among ourselves, but also with Serbians who knew him." Another officer writes -- "His manliness appealed to me immensely when I had only known him for a few days. When I got to know him better I learned what a fine character he had; he was a man you could absolutely rely on and trust; one of those strong men who make weaker ones feel strong when they come into contact with them. He was very brave, too, and if he felt that a thing should be said or done he said or did it, whatever other people might say. . . . The sisters were devoted to him, the men admired and loved him, because he was always a sport. He has given his life for his country every bit as much as if he had died in action, and it will always be a proud memory with you that he need not have come out at all since he was over age." Another writes -- "In heart, word, and deed he was one of the best." The matron writes -- "Mr. Nevin was such a favourite here with everyone, indeed he always seemed to be everyone's friend, and it is with very real sorrow we mourn his loss." A Sister writes -- "He was so good to us all here, and always ready to do anything to make things as pleasant as possible. He certainly was the most popular among us. His kind manner was most appreciated by all the Sisters here. I can't tell you how much we missed him."

 

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