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THE HABD WHEAT BEIT Professor Saunders Takes Exception to a Popular Notion. A despaitch from Ottawa says : €'ome interesting facta wer« brought out on Wednesday morn- ing at> the first meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture. Dr. Saunders, of the Experimental Farm, was on the platlform, but cow and then his opinions clashed •with the preconvinced notions of the members lof the committee. Mr. Saunders, for example, take6 no stock in the notion that the •quality of 'wheat is deteriorating And that the hard wheat bol't ia steadily moving north. In Ontario, for example, he says that exhaus- tion of the soil might reduce the •quantity, but it cannot affect the quality of the wh(!at. Mr. Se.'csmith (E. Peterboro') in- , fisted that in his riding, where the â-  jed Fife wheat waa first grown, the farmers used to raise 40 bushels ol Spring wheat and now they only raised 15 per acrto. The decrease, he said, could not be due to soil exhaustion, because the same field which now only grows 15 buahels of Spring wheat grew 40 bushels of Winter whe^^t to the acre. For thte past ten years the average yield in Ontario h.as been 17 bu'sh- els per acre and in the West 19. Comparing Ontario with the West, Dr. Saunders stated that just as good wheat can be grown in Ontario, at 0*taw» for example, as (anywhere in the Dominion, and tli'e yield per acre is little less. Last year the average yield of 'wheat per acre in Saskatohe-.van was 14 bushels, in Manitoba 17, in Alberta '29. In Ontario the average for Spring wheat was 15.8 and for Win- ter wheat 23.6 bushels. B. C. HAS SURPLUS. ' One MUlion and a Halt Dollairs to the Good. • A despatch from Victoria, B. C, ' eays : In the budget address to the . ie.gislat'ure on Wednesday night finance Minister Tatlow showed a '.surplus of a million and a liaH. • The revenue for the next fiscal .^year would reach six millions, and the expenditure five and a half 'millions, of which nearly three mil- â-  lions would be for public works, • the largest in the history of the ./province. The public debt had been reduced from $ia, 000,000 to !^9,000,000 within a year. The min- ?ister proposed still a greater de- velopment, when the A. B. C route, as the minister styled the •Alberta and British Columbia grain route would in the near fu- ture be in operation, and the Fa- .nama Canal completed. « ' DIED ON LONDON STREET. •Tragic End ot Capt. A. W. Porte, of Oakvillc. â-  A despatch from London, Ont., •says: Capt. A. W. Porte, of Oak- •ville, former managing director of â-  the Toronto Biscuit Company, .dropped dead in front of the resi- ,dence of his sister, Mrs. Georgo , Brickenden, Queen's Avenue, at 6 o'clock on Thursday evening. Mr. Porte was walking with a young lady and was apologizing for walk- ' ing slowly. "My heart is bad and it is dangerous for me to walk rapidly," he said. With these words he pitched forward dead. Capt. Porte was one of the best known citizens of London before his removal to Toronto 12 years ago. He was about 60 years of Age. « WASUnOMAN'S FORTUNE. An Estate of $42,300, the Savings of Two'ttVy Years at th^e Tub. A despatch from North Adams, Mass., says: What economy will do was illustrated here on "Thurs- day, when the inventory of the es- tate left by Mrs. Ann Collins, a washwoman, was filed in the Pro- bate Court. It is valued at $42,300. Mrs. Collins was left a widow and penniless, with six children, twenty years ago. She supported the fam- ily and saved her competence from her earnings at the washtub. THE ICE GAVE WAY. Four Rhode Island Children Drowned While Skating. A despatch from Norwood, R. I., Bays : While skating hand in hand on Sand Pond on Wednesday night four children were drowned when the ice gave way, another was bare- ly saved and several persons who attempted to rescue them narrow- ly missed being engulfed in the icy waters. The children drowned were : Ranghilda, Lillian and Amel Hanson and Joseph Johnson. All were under fifteen years of age. CANADIAN SHIPPING. Three Hundred luid Nfcioty-two Vessels ItuiU Last Year. A despatch from Ottawa says : The annual report of the Marine Department for the last fiscal year, just presented to Parliament, shows that the total number of new vessel-s built and registered in the Dominion during t.ie year was 392, measuring 38,410 tons regis- ter, with a total estimated value of $1,728,450. The total number of vessels on the register books of the Dominion at the beginning of last year was 7,528, measuring 698,088 tons. The number of steamers was 3,007, with a gross tonnage of 471,- 795 tons. In respect to total registered ton- nage Canada ranks tenth among the maritime countries of the world. The report shows 520 wireless stations now operated by the de- partment on the Atlantic and Paci- fic coasts. They sent over 65,000 messages during tlie year. * TWO-CENT RATE ON G. T. R. Privy Council Decides Agailmt the Railway. A dospatch from London says : The judgment of the Privy Coun- cil in the case brought by Mr. Robertson, of Toronto, to have it, declared that the Grand Trunk's; charter requirejj it to give a two- cent rate on third-class cars be- tween Toronto and Montreal, was given on Wednesday by Lord Lore- burn. His Lordship said the sec- tion imposing third class fares at two cents a, mile was still in force. The whola question was whether the section was inconsistent with the Railway Act of 1900. He held that it was not, and also that the Privy Council couLd not decide whether the section was left on the statutes by oesire or because overlooked. The appeal was dis- missed witii cost?. CONDENSED NEWS ITEiMS HAPPENINGS FROM ALL OVER IRE GLOME. Telegraphic nrlcfs From Our Own and Other Countries of Recent Events. CANADA. Manitoba is preparing to float a new loan in the Britisn markets. Ontario Bank assets already show an increase over the estimate of $180,000. The ship brake invented by Mr. Louis Lacoste of Montreal is to have a trial on the U.S.S. Indiana. A very large deputation waited on the Manitoba Government to ask for legislation to abolish the barroom. Quebec brewers have formed a trust which will "control practical- ly the whole output of beer of the Province. Victor J. Beaupre, the first Ser- geant-at-Arms in the Legislature of Manitoba, died at Gleichen, Al- berta. It is reported at Montreal that the C.P.R. will build the Peter- boro'-Coldwater branch during the coming summer. The Quebec Board of Tra<le cele- brated its hundredth anniversary on Saturday last with a banquet in the Chateau Frontenac. The Council of the Dominion Rifle Association is in favor of more rapid firing in the matches, to make conditions mure like actual warfare. Savings deposits in Canadian banks are increasing at a record rate, and now aggregate $413,170,- 000. Total deposits amount to $030,456,000. The Attorney-General of Quebec has ordered a prosecution of pic- ture show proprietors who have been giving Sunday exhibitions in Montreal. A number of salary increases were decided on by the Hamilton Council, and it was proposed to in- crease the tax rate from 20 to 21 mills. In the annual report ot the De- partment of Railways and Canals Mr. M. J. Butler speaks strongly on the necessity of enlarging the Welland Canal. The new Grand Trunk shops at Stratford were opened on Thurs day with a pul)hc reception. Mr C. M. Hays and staff were present, and were entertained at a banquet by the city. The Dominion Coal Company has decided to offer the Steel Company to carry out the original contract or make a new one, and to pay the loss incurred in the purchase of coal while the old contract was iu dispute. FHE WORLD'S MARKETS BEFORTS FROM THE LEADING TRADE CENTRES. Prices of Cattle, Grain, Cheese and Other Dairy Produce at Home uud Abroad. Toronto, Fob. 23.â€" Flourâ€" On- tario wheat 90 per cent, patents, $3.90 to $4 in buyers' sacks out- side for export. Manitoba flour, first patents, $5.60 on track, To- ronto ; second patents, $5, and strong bakers', $4.90. Wheatâ€" Manitoba wheat, $1.15>^ for No. 1 Northern, and $1.12J^ for No. 2 Northern, Georgian Bay ports. No. 2 Northern, $1.17>i, all rail. Ontario Wheatâ€" No. 2 Fall, $1.- 02 to $1.03 outside. Oats â€" Ontario No. 2 white, 47 to 47)/$c on track, Toronto ; No. 2 Western Canada oats, 47c, Col- lingwood, and No. 3 at 48c, Col- lingwood. Ry& â€" No. 2 68c outside. Barleyâ€" No. 2 barley, 57 to 67%c outside ; No. 3 extra, 55 to 55}^c, and No. 3, 53c. Buckwheatâ€" 68j^ to 59c outside. Peas â€" No. 2, 88c outside. Corn â€" No. 2 American yellow, 72/<c on track, Toronto, and No. 3 yellow, 71%c, Toronto. Canadian corn, GO to 67c on track, Toronto. Branâ€" Cars, $22 to $23 in bulk outside. Shorts, $23 in bulk out- side. FIFTEEITILIMESVAIISIED Have Been Wholly or Partially Destroyed by Earthquake in Western Persia. A despatch from Teheran, Persia, says : The Governor of Burujurd, a town in southwestern Persia, has sent out agents to inves'tigate the damage wrought by the earth- quake of January 3. This was the disturbance that was registered by seismographs around the world, but the exact location of which was determined only on Wednes- day. "The meagre reports that have reached Teheran indicate that the devastation was particularly severe in the mountainous region be- tween Burujurd and Luristan pro- vince. Fifteen villages are known to have been wholly or partially destroyed, and it is estimated that the total number will undoubtedly be more than fifty. Some villages disappeared com- pletely, and no trace can bo found of the hamlets of Bahrem and Le^ ben. It appears that not a single soul belonging to these communi- ties was left alive, and only the rivers, mountains and broken val- leys remain to teli the tale of thi« fearful convulsion of nature. The fact that there were no for- eign Consuls anywhere in the neighborhood accounts for the de- lay of a month in the receipt of the news here. WAS 113 YEARS OLD. Indliun Dies Near Brantford â€" Re- tained FacuUi!;^ to Lasl^ A despatch from Brantford says: The death ha's been reported to the Indian autliorities here of John Silvf-rsraith, a resident of Tuscarora Township, in his 115th year. Deceased retained all his â- faculties un'til recently. He was a basket-maker. ROD THROUGU HIS DODY. Karl K. .Tohnas.son Killed Neai* Superior Junction. A despatch from Port .Arthur says: A dynamite explosion occur- red in construction camp No. 2, near Superior Junction, on Thurs- day by which a tamping rod was blown through the body of Karl K. Johnasson, a Swede, killing him instantly. Ho leaves a wife and five children in Sweden. WATCHE D THE fl PEBATlOI Long Island Veterinary Surgeon Saw His Own Appendix Removed. A despatch from New York says : Dr. Edward J. Bobbins, a veter- inary surgeon of Bayshore, Long Island, refused to take ether when he had his appendix removed last iweek. Ho remained quiet through- out the operation, and just four days after it he drove five miles to his home. The following day he was attending to his practice. The case is believed to be without A parallel. Dr. Robbins drove over to the sanatorium of Dr. William H. iRosR at Brentwood, five miles from ihis own Rome. Dr. Ross and Dr. «E[o*en prepared to operate, and as the nurse approaclicd the pati- ent with the ether cone he calmly waved her aside. "There's nothing the matt>er ,with your heart, old man," Dr. Ross, who is an old friend, assur- â- ed him. "I kno'w it, but I'm going to cut the ether out, because I want to see the operation," said Dr. Itobbins. "You may paint on a little co- caine if yon wish." This was done and the operation proceeded steadily, without inter- ruption from the patitent, whoso head was propped up so he could see every move of the surgoeus. GREAT BRITAIN. Two suffragette raids in London on Thursday resulted in the iirrost of a large number of women. Ten mijre suffragettes were sent to prison in London for creating a riot and resi.sting the police. Mr. Austen Chamberlain moved a formal tariff retorni amendment to the address in the British Com nions. Mr. Austin Cliamberlain's tariff reform amendment to tlie address was defeated in the British House of Commons by 276 to 107 votes. UNITED STATES. The United States Senate C.->m mittcft on Foreign Relations has favorably reported the fisher>e-= treaty. The two-cent letter rate betweot; Newfoundland and the Uni'-^xi States will go into effect on M<i'"ch Ist. The House ot Representativ(;s at Washington passed a bill adniivcmg Arizona and New Mexico to Sta'.* hood. Seven starving Chinamen, sup- posed to have come from Cana.'la were found in a car of lead ore at Port Morris, N. J. An extra session of the U;iit'^<! States Congress to undertake the revision of the tariff has boim cal]':d for March 15. GENERAL. Earthquake shocks are r,>ported from Asia Minor, Hungary and the West Indies. Bulgaria has notified the powers that she thinks the time for recog- nizing her independence has ar- rived. A bill is shortly to be intro<luccd into the Cuban Congress prohibit- ing foreigners from holding pro- perty in the island. * WORKItt.AN BADLY MANGLED. Drawn Into Maehinc in a Guclph Factory. A dospatch from Guelph say-s : Oswald Bahn, 18 years of age, was drawn into a four-spindle tapping machine in the Standard Fitting and Valve Company's factory on Thursday. He was extricated by his fellow-workmen, and found in a frightfully mangled condition. His right arm was so badly muti- lated that it had to be amputated at the shoulder, and in his left tore- arm there are two bones broken and some badly torn rausclca. Ho has a gaping wound across his chest, and a number of wounds about the head and face. His re- covery is doubtful. COUNTRY PRODUCE. Apples â€" They bring $4 to $4.50 for choice qualities, and $3.50 to $4 for cooking purposes. Beansâ€" Prime, $1.90 to $2, and hand-picked, $2.10 to $2.15 per bushel. Honeyâ€" Combs, $2.25 to $2.75 per dozen, and strained, 11 to ll/^o per pound. Hayâ€" No. 1 timothy, $10.50 to $11 per tcT on track here, and lower gradea, $0 to $10 a ton. Strawâ€" $0.50 to $7.50 on track. Potatoesâ€" Ontarios, 05o per bag. Poultryâ€" Chickens, dressed, 12 to 13c per pound ; fowl, 10 to lie ; ducks, 13 to 14c ; geese, 12 to 13c ; turkeys. 17 to 18o per pound. HOG PRODUCTS. Bacon â€" Long clear, 11% to ll/<ic per pound in case lots ; mess pork, $20 'to $20.50; short cut, $23 to $24. Hams â€" Light to medium, 13% to 14c; do., heavy, 12j<; to 13c; rolls, \0% to lie; shoulders, 10 to lOj^^c; backs, 10 to 16%c ; breakfast bacon, 15% to le'c. Lard â€" Tierces, 12%o;tubs, 12%c ; pails, I3c. BUSINESS AT MONTREAL. Montreal, Feb. 23.â€" Pea*â€" No. 2, 07% to 98c. Oatsâ€" Canadi.in West- ern No. 2, 49 to 49j'.;c; extra No. 1 feed, 48% to 49c ; No. 1 feed, 47% to 48c ; Ontario No. 2, 48 to 48%c ; Ontario No. 3, 47 t-) 47%c ; On- tario No. 4, 46 to 40%c; No. 2 bar- ley, (i3% to 65c ; Manitoba feed bar- ley, 55 to 53%c ; buckwheat, 55% to 50c. Flourâ€" Manitoba Spring wheat patents, firsts, $5.60; Mani- toba Spring whe.at patents, sec- onds, $5.10; Manitoba strong bak- ers', $4.90; Winter wheat patents, $5.40 to $5.50; straight rollers, $5 to $5.10; do., in bags, $2.35 to $2.45; extra, in bags, $1.95 to $2.05. Feedâ€" Ontario bran has ad- vanced $1 per ton, with sales of car lo-ts at $23 to $24; shorts are 50'c higher at $24.50 to $25; Mani- toba bran, $21 to $22; Manitoba shorts, $24, Ontario bran, $23 to $24; Ontario shorLS, $24.50 to $25; Ontario middlings, $25 to $25.50; pure grain niouiile, $28 to $30; mixed mouille, $25 to $27. Cheese â€"Finest western, 12% to 13c; casterua, 12,^-^ to 12%c. Butter- Fall creamery, 25c ; winter cream- erv, 23 to 24o; dairy, in tubs, 20c; rolls, 21c. Eggsâ€" New laid, 32 to 33c; selected stock, 29c; No. 1 stock, 27c. mand, but *he quality offering was poor. Choico cattle were unchang- ed ; medium quality easier; cows, steady. Lambs â€" Firm and slightly higher. Sheep â€" Unchanged. Calves Steady and unchanged. Hogs â€" Se- lect hogs, f.o.b., $6.30 to $6.40; fed and watered, $6.55. Stockers and feeders were in fair demand. THE DAIRY MARKETS. Butter â€" Pound prints, 22 to 24c; tubs and large rolls, 20 to 22c ; in- terior, 18 to 19c ; creamery rolls, 27 to 27%c, and solids, 26c. Eggs â€" Case lots of cold storage, 25c ; selects, 27c, and new laid, 23 to 29c per dozen. Cheese â€" Large cheese, 13%c per pound, and twins, 13j^c. UNITED STATES MARKETS. Buffalo, Fob. 23.â€" Wheats-Spring wheat firm; Winter nominal. Corn â€"Stronger ; No. 3 yellow, 69c ; No. I yellow, 68%c; No. 3 corn, 68 to 68%c ; No. 4 corn, 67% to 68c; No. 3 white, 70%c Oatsâ€" Stronger; No. 2 white, 57%c ; No. 3 White, 5G%c ; No. 4 white, 5a%c. Barley- Feed to malting, G7 to 72c. Minneapolis, Fob. 23.â€" Wheat â€" May, $1.11% to $1.11%; cash. No. 1 hard, $'.14; No. 1 Northern, $1.- 13; No. 2 Northern, $1.11 to $1.- 11%; No. 3 Northern, $1.07 to $1.09. Branâ€" $23 to $23.,'J0. Flour â€"First clears, $4.10 to $4.25; sec- ond clears, $3.05 to $3.15; first patents, $5.55 to $5.65 ; second pat- ents, $5.40 to .$5. .50. Milwaukee, Feb. 23.â€" Wheat â€" No. 1 Northern, $1.16; No. 2 Northern, $1.14; May, $1.14% to $1.14% bid. Ryeâ€" No. 1, 77%o. Cornâ€" May, 65% to 65%c. Barley â€"Standard, 60c; sample, 62% to 66c; No. 3, 63% to 64%c; No. 4, 62% to 630. CATTLE MARKETS . Toronto, Feb. 23 â€" .There were not many of the choice variety of export cattle offering, and these were soon cleared, while the cry was heard for more. The top price paid to-day was $5.35. Butcher cattle were in fair de- CASHIER ARRESTED. Twolvc-Hundred-RoHar Robbery at St. John, N. B. A despatch from St. John, N.B., says : One of the most sensational robberies that ever had St. John for its scene, took place on Friday at the noon hour, when, according to liis statement, W. Herbert Dow- ney, billing clerk with the C. S. Sims Company, brush manufactur- ers, was attacked while alone in the oflSce, choked into insensibil- ity, and left lying alone on the floor. Twelve hundred dollars in cash was stolen from the office, the money having been intended to pay wages. The story had an equally sensational sequel on Friday when the money was found an a box un- der Downey's des.k near where his feet would rest as he worked at the typewriter. The discovery was promptly followed by Downey's ar- rest in his boarding house. Downey when put under arrest made no statement, but during the afternoon and before the money had been found he told a most cir- cumstantial story of how he had been set upon from behind and choked. DROWNED IN OIL TANK. Sarnia Man'.s Fatal Slip at the Imperial Refinery. A despatch from Sarnia says : A well known ond popular Sarnian, William Lowrie, met a tragic death between one and two on Friday morning by drowning in one of the great underground oil tanks at the Imperial Oil Refinery. There was a depth of 12 feet in the tank, and tho young man had evidently descended to turn a windlass, when ho slipped and fell about 10 feet before being engulfed in the oil. His absence was noticed and the body was found by workmen an hour later. Dr. Hayes tried artificial respiration without suc- FASTEST OF STEAMERS. Turbine Flyer Maurctan(a Has Made New Record. A despatch from New York says : The turbine flier Mauretania of tho Cunard Lino cume abeam of the Ambrose Channel lightship at 10.35 o'clock on Thursday night, thus •completing a voyage in which sev- eral new ooean records were es- tablishe<l. The steamer not only broke her own record over the long winter course of 2,890 miles by two hours and twenty-five minutes, but she also hauled down the figures held by her sister ship, the Lusi- tania, and has set tho new record ot four days and seventeen hours and fifty minutes, which is one hour and forty-si.x minutes better than the Lusitania's best time over the course. Another achieve- ment of the voyage was a day's run of 071 knots, which breaks all re- cords for a 24-hour run. TORONTO'S NEW BISHOP. .Vrehdeacon Sweeney Elected. Has Been A despatch from Toronto says : Venerable Archdeacon J. Fieldmg Sweeney, M.A., D.D., rector of St. Philip's Church, Toronto, has been elected Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto in succession to tho late Archbishop Sweatman. The election appears to give the utmost satisfaction, and when the Chan- cellor of the diocese announced the result of the ballot on Friday and added that tho Venerable Arch- deacon was clcet<!d there was sup- pressed yet audible applause, with some gentle handclaps and stamp- ing of feet. At the evening session Archdeacon Sweeney announced his acceptance of tho high oflice. DEMAND EIGKT-HOUR DAY. May l>c Strike on the Gorcrumont Railways. A despatch from Moncton, N. B., says: The Transcript says: "Tho putting of employees of the Gov- ernment railway shops here and at other points on short time with short pay is likely to lead to un- expectod results. .\t a meeting of the Trades and f^abor Council, held here last week, it was resolved to demand a continuance of the eight- hour day, but with ten hours' pay, and to enforce it if necessary by a general strike, in which eourse it is understood tho local council has the assurance of support from the trades and labor organizations throughout the country. ' WILL E.VTEND STEEL PLANT. En^gt'^h Capituiists to Make Co^a- Hidorable Additions. A despatch from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., says: Manager Franz, of the Lake Superior Corporation which was recently taken over by English capitalists, on Saturday issued a statement that the com- pany would immediately commence extensive additions to the open hearth furnaces at the Algoma Steel Plant in tho Can.Hdian "Soo." Other improvements are to follow fasit, the intention being to make it the greatest steel con- cern in Canjvtia. It ia reportoid that the company will erect new blast furnaoes and a structural steel plant. .J. MILL RAILW AYS IN MANITOBA Bill to .\nthorl7.e Great Northern Ltnes Before (he Legislature. A despatch from Winnipeg says: A bill introdyced in the Legisla- ture forciihadows the construction of another transcontinental rail- road by tho Hill interests. Tho bill is for the incorporation ot tho Great Northern liailroad in Mani- toba, and one clause asks for power to construct a lino from Winnipeg west to Brandim, thence to Elk- horn, and to the westerly bound- ary of the Province. Five years is given to commence construction and ten years for completion. It is believed that the hill means Hill i.s preparing for his invasion ol Canada on an extensive scale. . + . TO VlSl'l DYING WIFE. Belgian Workman Tramping .ioross Canada. A despatch from Winnipeg says: Charles Rover, a Belgian work- Inmn, has arrived here, on a des- perate tramp across Canada in the heart of winter, in the forlorn hope ' of working his way back to Europe to see his dying wife, who is a vic- ' tim of consumption, and is appeal- ing t'l liim to come home and sea i her before she dies. He lias no i money, but is deUirniined to comply with her wish, nevertheless, or perish in the atlempt. * KILLED A FOLIC E."*! AN, Nelson Desslcr, of Berlin, Ont., Shot Olllwr at Olcan, N. V. A despatch from Rochester, N. Y., says: Police Captain Timothy HasEOtt of Olcan was shot and in- stantly killed by Nelson Dessler, K burglar, in that city early on Sunday morning. Before Hassctt fell he sent two bullets into Dess- ler's abdomen, and on Sunday night it was believed the ni:in would die before morning. Dess- ler is from Berlin, Ont., and ha» a lengthy police record. *___- 600 JAVANESE KILLED. TUTce Villages Burled liitler 90 Feet of Earth. A despatch from The Haguo says : Si.x hundnxl Javanci-e wero killed in a landslide which buried the villages of Tjib)ebotham, War- ensgincto and Tclakbanjue, .accord- ing to a message from PendajaK>c, Java, u part of the Mo\int Kent* jana slid down on tho villages, cov« ering them under 90 feet of earth.