Children of John Wigham and Marian Henrietta Richardson

In the summer Marian's parents celebrated their silver wedding on the Rhine, first at Rolandseck and then at Remagen. Marian and I went over, taking Philip, then half a year old, and his nurse. We took the steamer to Hamburg, and both Marian and the nurse were very ill, so much so, that when we got into the Elbe I had to see to the washing of the baby, and in my ignorance I took him on deck and got a sailor to fetch a bucket of salt water and a mop. The babe seemed to like it, but I was severely blamed for not having used warm water. It is a great mistake to take babies with you when you travel. At every principal station I had to push my way into the kitchen of the restaurant to get hot water for the bottle, and yet with every care poor Philip suffered dreadfully from diarrhœa, which did not fairly cease until we got down to the seacoast again at Rotterdam. I think it stunted his growth.

We removed from Rye Hill in the autumn, and the first night there was a howling storm of wind, the sound of which roared down the big chimneys. Philip (born January 1854), was a little boy not two years old, and he repeated after me—"Jolly wind! Jolly wind" but both Marian and I had a sense of depression.

"Our visit to Cambridge is in one sense a failure, seeing that I found Mr. Lee-Warner [Philip's house master at Rugby] quite unwilling for Philip to leave Rugby. In fact he spoke so warmly about him that I felt quite set up. He says that Philip continually puzzles him by doing unexpected things against rule, but always atones by complete frankness.

"After my interview with the master, Philip went down to the hotel with me, but seemed to have his lessons so much on the brain that I let him off in about an hour and then  . . . I slept the clock round!

"In their club the boys have determined to give up The Times (on the score of expense) and to take in three penny papers instead. Austen Chamberlain proposed the Pall Mall, but after three-fourths of the boys had voted against and only one for, he in a very dignified way withdrew his motion, as he 'saw the sense of the meeting was against him.' Philip says this was not from any political (say Conservative) feeling, but just a mild 'plaguing' of Chamberlain, who is very well liked, and 'speaks awfully well.'"

"Philip seems to be looking forward with great pleasure to seeing you [Georgina Waterhouse] this week—it is very good of you to have asked him. If he can conveniently do it, I should like him to go and look at the watches at the Waltham Watch Company's place in Holborn Circus. His Uncle George left him some money to buy a watch with, when he should be grown up, and I am anxious that he should have a really good one."

Tied for the Queen's Prize at Wimbledon

"I had no idea that Philip was shooting for the great prize, and when General Hawkins at the Kurhaus handed me The Times, saying, 'There's somebody of your name seems to have been distinguishing himself at Wimbledon,' I went right off and telegraphed my congratulations to him at Cambridge. I felt quite a thrill!

"Now this morning I have a letter from Philip himself telling me quietly of the result, and proposing to pay me £50 as money laid out by me for him on rifle-shooting from first to last. It is truly touching, and I don't know how to express my thankful feelings for the lad's thoughtfulness."

In the High Court of Justice Probate Divorce & Admiralty Division (Divorce)

To The Right Honorable the President of the said Division

The 21^st day of October 1897

The Petition of Philip Wigham Richardson of the "Hawthorns" Half Moon Lane Herne Hill in the County of Surrey

Sheweth

1. That your Petitioner was on the 6^th day of April 1891 lawfully married to Rosa America Richardson then Rosa America Colorado Spinster at Gerona in the Kingdom of Spain and subsequently your Petitioner went through a form or ceremony of marriage on the 4^th September 1891 with the said Rosa America Richardson at the Register Office in the District of Newcastle upon Tyne in the County of Northumberland

2. That after the said marriage your Petitioner lived and cohabited with his said Wife at divers places and that your Petitioner and his said Wife had had issue of their said marriage three children to wit John Edward Colorado Richardson born 18^th February 1892 and died 28^th August 1892 William Wigham Richardson born 12^th June 1893 George Wigham Richardson born 12^th April 1895

3. That on the third and thirteenth days of September 1897 and on other occasions in September 1897 at present unknown to your Petitioner at Verchne Vralsk in the Government of Orenburg in the Empire of Russia the said Rosa America Richardson committed adultery with Serge de Antonini Advocate of Odessa in the Empire of Russia

Your Petitioner there humbly prays That your Lordship will be pleased to decree

1. That the marriage of your Petitioner with the said Rosa America Richardson may be dissolved

2. That your Petitioner have the custody of his children

3. And that your Petitioner may have such further and other relief as to your Lordship may seem meet

[signed] Philip Wigham Richardson

THE BURGLARY SEASON.—W. Lang, 47, pleaded "Guilty" to breaking and entering The Hawthorns, Half Moon-lane, Herne-hill, the dwelling house of Philip Wigham Richardson, and stealing therefrom a quantity of silver plate and other articles of the value of 130l.; and May Mack, a woman of smart appearance, was found "Guilty" of receiving some of the stolen property. [ . . . ] Mr. Richardson's house was broken into on the night of June 30, and by the evening of the next day most of the 130l. worth of stolen property had been pledged with pawnbrokers in the south of London. It was stated that 75l. worth of the goods had been recovered. The female prisoner had been four times convicted of larceny from the person, and the man 15 times sentenced for burglary and other offences, including a term of seven years' penal servitude.—Mr. Loveland-Loveland now sentenced Lang to five years' penal servitude, to be followed by three years' police supervision, and Mack to 18 months' hard labour.

"It has been officially announced that Mr Philip Wigham Richardson will contest the Tyneside Parliamentary division in the Liberal Unionist interest at the next general election against Mr Robertson."

Mr. Philip Wigham Richardson has intimated to the committee of the Tyneside Unionist Association that it is not his intention, owing to the pressure of business engagements, to contest the seat in the Unionist interest at the next election. The committee had invited Mr. Richardson to be their candidate.

Major William [sic] Wigham Richardson, 54, Halfmoon-lane, Herne Hill, was summoned for driving a motor-car at a speed of 32 miles an hour at Cubbington on the 28th ult.—Defendant was unable to appear as he was captaining a team at Bisley but sent a letter pleading guilty.—P.S. Butcher said that when he spoke to defendant the latter said, "There is not a car on the road but it exceeds the speed limit; but I admit everything. There was a most dangerous cross-road near the spot and some children were playing near at the time.—There was one previous conviction, and the magistrates imposed a fine of £2 and costs (10s.)

On Friday afternoon Teresa with Violet Browne left for Grasmere: Norbert and Ursula also there—and the work of dismantling dear Heugh Folds and arranging for Philip's occupation there being looked after by them.

I confess to having won and lost at gaming establishments, and to have made a bit more than I lost, which brings home the truth of the adage, "It is better to be born lucky thank rich," and I would add, It is better to be born lucky than to have the very best "system" so far devised.

ALTHOUGH now in his 79th year, Lieut-Colonel Sir Philip Wigham Richardson continues to do useful work as chairman of the National Rifle Association.

For more than 50 years Sir Philip was a marksman of note. He won countless prizes at Bisley and elsewhere, going to the United States, Australia, Africa and other countries with international teams.

A native of Newcastle and director of the Wallsend fir with which his name is associated, Sir Philip in his early days served in the 2nd V.B.N.F., subsequently transferring to the 9th V.B.D.L.I.

In the current issue of the N.R.A. "Journal," he has an article stressing the importance of all rifle clubs being affiliated to the national body, thus encouraging and ensuring the usefulness of rifle shooting and combining the features of a duty with those of a healthy competitive sport.

NOTED TYNE YARD DIRECTOR DIES, 99

SIR Philip Wigham Richardson, who for so long has been associated with the great Tyne shipbuilding firm of Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Wallsend, died during the night at his home, Aldenholme, Weybridge, Surrey. He was 88.

Sir Philip was chairman of Swan Hunter's for four years until he relinquished the position on the eve of his 85th birthday in favour of the present chairman, Mr J.W. Elliott. He still retained a seat on the board at the time of his death.

Flags were flying at half-mast today at all the Swan Hunter departments on the Tyne.

One of the wonderful old men of modern England, Philip Wigham Richardson was born at Newcastle on January 26, 1865, the son of the founder of the Neptune Shipping and Engineering Works which are better known today as Neptune Shipbuilding Yard, Walker.

Prodigious energy

From Rugby School he went to Cambridge and then entered his father's firm, of which he became a director in 1891.

That was insufficient to keep him busy. When a young man he started his own firm of P. Wigham Richardson and Company shipowners and insurance brokers, of which he as president.

Sir Philip's energy was prodigious and his physique equal to the tremendous strain put upon it. He joined the Volunteers in 1880 and remained a member for 39 years, during which he was a conspicuous figure at Bisley in the annual shooting competitions. He tied for the Queen's Prize in 1886 and won the Albert Prize in 1927.

In 1901 he joined the National Rifle Association; in 1907 and again in 1920 he captained the team in Australia; and in 1912 he led the Olympic team at Stockholm. Sir Philip resigned the chairmanship of the National Rifle Association in 1946.

Despite his age—he was nearing 50—he offered his services when the first world war began in 1914, and became chief instructor at the School of Musketry. He also served in France.

In 1921 he was knighted and made a baronet in 1929. In 1922 he became Conservative M.P. for Chertsey and was known as the most travelled member.

There was hardly a part of the world he did not visit, mostly by plane—Siberia, China, Japan, the Americas—for business purposes and big game shooting in Africa. He started to cross the Sahara by car in 1938, but after seeing derelict cars and lorries and dead camels dotting the monotonous sand in which he was often stuck, he finished by train. In the same year he flew to India.

Only last year, at the age of 87, he travelled in Mexico.

Turned author

The Neptune shipyard was amalgamated with Swan and Hunter's in 1903, and in 1938 he was vice-chairman, and at the age of 80, in January, 1945, he became chairman.

Sir Philip retired from Parliament in 1931, but not from any other activity. He presided at meetings as an octogenarian and was full of interest and energy.

He was said to be the only Englishman to receive the Greek Maritime Medal, conferred in 1928 in recognition of the many years he devoted to the development of commercial relations between Britain and Greece.

Early last year, Sir Philip turned author and published his autobiography, It Happened to Me, in which he freely admitted that chance and fluke had played a major part in the success of his long and vigorous life.

On the 14^th of April, the day before Good Friday all the dear children, that is, Ruth, Evelyn, Mary, Bertha, Arnold, with Mattie went off to Grasmere. "Aunt Car" had most kindly asked them all to spend their Easter holidays & their cousins Maurice & Ernestine Richardson were to join them.

And now Christmas has come & gone—we had over 70 on Christmas Day—old & young, & a very merry happy part, "Cinderella", got up by Ruth, was charmingly acted by some of the younger ones—Mary being a sweet little Cinderella, Charles the Prince, (acted with great dignity) Ernestine the godmother, Evie & Dora the two unkind sisters, & George the Herald.

From Corinth an excursion was made on horseback up Mt. Akrocorinthos and to the famous fountain of Pirene which actually was as clear as the old legends tell; for, seeing no water, Ernestine walked right into it and got drenched.

The Christmas party passed off with the accustomed success—some of the young people acted with great spirit "Ici on parle Français" Where all were good it were invidious to particularize, but perhaps Ernestine as the young Frenchman specially distinguished herself. Her very gestures were French, & her get-up capital.

NORTH COUNTRY MARRIAGE

IN LONDON

The marriage of Miss Ernestine Richardson, elder daughter of Mr J. Wigham Richardson, of Newcastle, to the Rev Frank Bealey, eldest son of the Rev J.K. Bealey, vicar of Middlesbrough, was solemnised yesterday in London. The ceremony took place at St. Anne's Church, Dean Street, Soho, and was witnessed by a large gathering of friends and relatives. There was a full choral service. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev J. Cardwell, vicar of St. Anne's, assisted by the Rev J.K. Bealey, the bridegroom's father. The bride, who was conducted to the altar by her father, was married in a travelling costume of pale blue cloth edged with ermine and trimmed with gold applique and old lace, and she wore a white picture hat, trimmed with white ostrich feather plumes and blue velvet. She carried a bouquet of white roses, gardenias, and lilies of the valley, and wore diamond and pearl ornaments, the gift of her mother. The only bridesmaid was her sister, Miss Theodora Richardson, who wore a turquoise blue serge dress, trimmed with ermine and ornamental satin. Mr Felix Corbett supported the bridegroom as best man.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the bride's mother held the wedding reception at the Hotel Russell, and later in the afternoon the newly married couple left town for Devonshire, where they intend passing the honeymoon.

On the 14^th of April, the day before Good Friday all the dear children, that is, Ruth, Evelyn, Mary, Bertha, Arnold, with Mattie went off to Grasmere. "Aunt Car" had most kindly asked them all to spend their Easter holidays & their cousins Maurice & Ernestine Richardson were to join them.

"has a genius for accidents"

"The engagement is announced between Maurice Wigham Richardson, second son of the late John Wigham Richardson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Madelaine Perette, younger daughter of the late Edward Addison Mangin, Bishopton, Ripon, and Mrs Mangin, Willow Bank, Ripon

RIPON WEDDING.

Newcastle Bridegroom at Cathedral Ceremony.

The marriage took pace at Ripon Cathedral yesterday of Mr. Maurice Wigham Richardson, second son of the late Mr. John Wigham Richardson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Madelaine Perette, younger daughter of the late Major Edwin Addison Mangin, of Bishopton, Ripon, and Mrs. Mangin, of Willow Bank, Ripon.

The bride, who was given away by her brother, Major E.B. Mangin, M.C., 2nd Bombay Pioneers, Indian Army, wore a gown in mediæval style of satin beauté, and had an old Brussels lace veil (lent by her aunt, Miss Mangin, of Sharow). She was attended by Miss Cicely Weekes, who wore a dress of flowered ninon. Mr. C.C. Jevelund, brother-in-law of the bride, was best man.

The ceremony was performed by the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne (uncle of the bride), assisted by the Rev. R. Macpherson (Precentor of Ripon Cathedral).

DEATH OF MR. M.W. RICHARDSON.—

The death occurred on Sunday at The Annexe, Highgate, Hawkhurst, of Mr. Maurice Wigham Richardson, aged 68. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson formerly resided at Copt Hall, Hawkhurst, and previously at Walnut Tree Cottage, Sissinghurst, about eight years. While at Sissinghurst Mr. Richardson read the lessons in the church and took an active part in the affairs of the parish. He was chairman of the Sissinghurst Conservative Association, and displayed great talent in producing Shakespearean amateur theatricals. An experienced mountaineer, he had done considerable Alpine climbing in Switzerland. He often went on walking tours and had climbed the high mountains in the lake district of Westmoreland and Cumberland. In earlier life he resided at Folkestone. Mr Richardson leaves a widow and one daughter. The funeral service was conducted at Sissinghurst Church on Wednesday by the Rev. C.H. Tomkins and the mourners were the widow, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Gore, Lady Richardson, Miss Mangin, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Mangin, Captain and Mrs. Richardson, Mr. G. Richardson, Mrs. Harrisson, Mr. Minshill and Miss Startup. Floral tributes were sent by: Perette; Ena and Harry; Berty and May; Chummy and Derrick; Doris, Judy and Tod; Ross; Billy and Betsy; Charles and Ursula; Eileen; Philip and Bertha Richardson; Sybil and Violet; Mr. and Mrs. C. Mangin; Mrs. Mangin, Major E.B. Mangin and Mrs. Jervlund; Major Welsh; Colonel and Mrs. Percy De La Ernyme; Ernestine Bealey; Nurse; Mrs. Bond; Madge Day; Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs R.T. Toke; Mr. Howard Rumney and Family; Major W.P.A. Hattrsley Smith; General and Mrs. Drummond; Herbert Sullivan; Diana and Merlin Minshill; Major and Mrs. T.S. Torkington; T.G. Young; Mrs. Blakemney and Kathleen; the Watts Family and Margie; All at Merry Croft; Colonel and Mrs. Roger Wilkinson; the Rev. C.H. and Mrs. Tomkins; Irene and Oriane; Mrs. Tom Williamson; the Misses Hill; the Old Sissinghurst Shakespeare Group; Miss Ida Thompson, Miss Lilian Thompson and Miss H.C. Thompson.

In February 1885 a heavy sorry befell the Wingrove household in the death of the third son, Cecil. He had been sent in 1884 to the Royal Grammar School of Durham, but only remained there one term, as it did not suit his health. The following term he went to Uppingham. He got through the term well, but his parents were uneasy about a severe attack of earache which lasted two or three days. But he came home at Christmas apparently in good health.

The following notes were written by J.W.R. "On Wednesday (7th. Jan. '85) I had to go up to London by the night express, returning on Saturday night. All Sunday I had a severe headache, but I was told that Cecil had suffered so much from earache that Dr. Armstrong had been called in on the Wednesday, and on the Friday he repeated his visit. However, Cecil said to me during the afternoon, 'Do come and have a ride on the moor with me, Papa. It will cure your headache.' On my declining, he went out to the stables without saying anything and saddled the horses himself, and came and again invited me to ride. I went with him accordingly, and I admired his firm seat, and the bold way he went over the ditches, etc., and, as he had said, my headache was cured. . . . Monday, Jan. 12, a biting cold day. Cecil went out to ride with Ernestine, when he suddenly threw the reins on his horse's neck, put his coat collar up, and exclaimed, 'Oh my ear, my ear!'

"He came home and was put to bed and was evidently in much pain. The doctor came daily. On Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, at 5 A.M. his mother went to his room on account of his cries of pain. Fomentations were applied, but he grew worse, and meningitis supervened. The pain was most acute and agonizing to watch, but he was always in a perfectly conscious state.

 "On Thursday, Feb. 5th., his eyes became insensible to light and he exclaimed, 'Let me kiss you, mother dear,' and tried to repeat the hymn 'Gentle Jesus.' . . . Friday, Feb. 6th.—his fifteenth birthday. At 8. 15 p.m. the final struggle. It seemed as if his soul went down into Hades, and then at once flew up on high. Instantly his face changed and became peaceful; one last sound after 9 o'clock, and—all was silent for ever."

Cecil was a most lovable character, a great favourite with his schoolfellows, and devoted to his parents. He was extremely fond of poetry.

On the 7^th of February, our dear nephew Cecil Richardson, my brother John's son, died, after a very suffering illness. He was just 15 when he died, & such a fine, bright boy. It is a great grief to his parents, but they are bearing their sorrow with a noble resignation.

And now Christmas has come & gone—we had over 70 on Christmas Day—old & young, & a very merry happy part, "Cinderella", got up by Ruth, was charmingly acted by some of the younger ones—Mary being a sweet little Cinderella, Charles the Prince, (acted with great dignity) Ernestine the godmother, Evie & Dora the two unkind sisters, & George the Herald.

After dinner [at a Geonese Palazzo] a portly marchioness, ablaze with jewels, in an ill-starred moment asked Dora to guess her age. To J.W.R.'s great amusement the reply was, "I think you are thirty-one." Whereupon the noble lady, with a shriek of dismay, jumped up and called for her husband. The marquis and all the other men came to see what had happened to cause such commotion. They were all full of sympathy when the matter was explained, for the lady was only nineteen! Dora was very much confused at the time, but remarked to her parents afterwards: "I should have thought she would have been very proud of being taken for as much as thirty-one!"

MARRIAGE OF MR. T.H. MINSHALL.

Croydon's Former Electrical Engineer.

A wedding which attracted a large congregation took place at St. Peter in the East Church, Oxford, last week. The contracting parties (says "The Oxford Chronicle" were Mr. Thomas Herbert Minshall, M.I.E.E., of Hampstead, and Miss Theodora Wigham Richardson, daughter of Mr. John Wigham Richardson, of Hindley Hall, Northumberland. The service was fully choral, the hymns, "New every morning is the love," "The roseate hues of early dawn," and "O perfect love," being rendered during the course of the service. As the party entered the church the "Wedding March" from "Lohengrin" was played, whilst the March from "Tannhauser" was given as the bridal party left the church. The sacred edifice had been beautifully decorated with flowers brought specially from the home of the bride in Northumberland, together with additional flowers and palms, the whole being arranged by Messrs. Bates and Son. The Rev. Canon J.R. King (Vicar) officiated, and was assisted by the Rev. Jacob Forrest, Vicar of Potter's Bar. The bride, who was given away by her father, was dressed in an ivory Oriental satin dress, with a picture ground, opened over a crepe de chene skirt, with lattice work embroidered with pearls, the gift of her mother. She had an old Limerick lace veil, and carried a shower bouquet of white orchids and lilies of the valley. She also wore an opal and ruby pendant, the gift of the bridegroom. Miss Lucy Geikie, the daughter of Sir Archibald Geikie, who acted as bridesmaid, wore a Charles II. dress of pale blue chiffon taffeta, with lace coating. Her hat was of velvet, trimmed with real azaleas, apricot coloured, whilst she carried a bunch of apricot azaleas, sent from the residence of the bridegroom. Capt. A. Pocklington undertook the duties of best man. The wedding was very quiet, owing to the indisposition of the bride's mother, and there was, therefore, no reception: neither were there any guests other than relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Minshall left later for North Italy, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling dress was of blue cloth, faced with white, with a brown hat, whilst the handsome furs she wore were the gift of her father.

The presents were handsome and numerous [ . . . listed comprehensively, at great length].

On St. Valentine's Day 1906, calm, bright, frosty, with glistening snow on the ground, his daughter Dora was married to Thomas Herbert Minshall, son of Thomas Edward Minshall of Hampstead. The ceremony was performed at the little Saxon church of St. Peter in the East at Oxford, by the vicar Canon King and the Rev. Jacob A. Forrest.

The newly married couple settled first at a house called Tarentum, close the to the quaint old village of Chobham.

BUTLER ASSAULTS HIS MASTER.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

At the Chertsey Bench on Monday, before Messrs. H.R. Otter (in the chair), H. Gosling and G. Boyce, Claud Weston Potter, a butler, was charged with assaulting Thomas Herbert Minshall, in whose employ he had been at Great Grove Farm, Ottershaw, on the previous Friday. —The prosecutor appeared with his head and right wrist in bandages, and both eyes bearing evidence of the assault.

Mrs. Theodore Minshall, wife of the prosecutor, said the prisoner and his wife were formerly in their service. They were under three months' notice to leave, but owing to Mrs. Potter disobeying orders on the previous Friday morning she was summarily dismissed. The prisoner, dressed in his best clothes, came to her and said, "This is rather hard upon me." Witness said, "I have not dismissed you," and he replied, "I am going with my wife." She pointed out that in doing so, he was forfeiting a month's wages, and she thought he would not be so foolish as to act against his own interest. Witness suggested that he should ask his wife to apologise to her, and that if she did so she (Mrs. Minshall) would say nothing more about the matter. Potter then left he room, and she presumed the wife declined, for he came back and asked if he could go to Addlestone, adding that he would be back in twenty minutes. Witness said he could not walk to Addlestone and back in that time, and said that if it were urgent he could go in the afternoon when Mr. Minshall returned. He replied, with a "furious look," "If I don't have your permission to go I go without." He then ran from the room. She followed, and told him not to act so hastily, but he used bad language and threats, and then left. His wife also going, without her luggage. Witness, being frightened, went to Mr. Alfred Gray for protection, and he came to the house. Knowing that they were addicted to drink, witness locked all the doors. Consequently she was very much surprised later on at meeting Potter near the top of the house, and found that he had entered through a window. The prisoner got down his boxes, and afterwards both he and his wife from the back garden made use of a number of threats. Both then left. About 2.30 her (witness's) husband arrived home, and naturally was told what had occurred. Subsequently she saw prisoner in the shrubbery, and believing he was in a desperate state of mind, she asked her husband to remove his revolver. Her husband then went into the garden, and her nurse came in crying. Learning from her that her husband had been attacked, she went into a small yard, and there saw Mr. Minshall lying on the ground bleeding profusely, his short torn and covered with blood, and his face all blood. Potter gave him a blow with his fist while her husband was still lying on his back. Potter was also using a number of threats. Her husband, apparently with a great effort on seeing her, said "Go away," and attempted to get on his feet, but he fell to the ground again in a faint. Potter then took hold of her husband, and said, "You didn't know what a queer fellow you had got when you had me." The prisoner was nearly drunk. Witness sent for the police and doctor.

[ . . . Following evidence from Mr Minshall and Potter:]

The Chairman said that, but for Mr. Minshall preferring a charge of common assault only against him, the prisoner would have been committed for trial. As it was he must go to prison for six weeks with hard labour.

Theodora Wigham Minshall, wife of Col. H.T. Minshall, late of the Royal Engineers, of 9, Melbury Road, Kensington, said she was very careful to obtain competent men to do work in her garden. It was her impression that Mr. Lawson remarked to her that the poplar tree seemed unsafe, and advised her to have the top out of it. She then asked Mr. Tame to come and do the work for her on the Monday, but he replied that he was sorry but he would be unable to do that because of his business. He then suggested that he should do it at once. He was doing this when witness heard of the accident. Seven doctors were 'phoned for, but the ambulance arrived and he was taken away to the Infirmary.

The Coroner reported a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Colonel and Mrs. T.H. Minshall, of Matfield, before returning this week to their town residence, The Tower House, 9, Melbury-road, Kensington, for the winter, entertained a house party to archery, music and bridge. The guests present were His Highness the Emir Hossein Khazeimeh Alem, Sir Cyril and Lady Hurcomb, Miss Cicely Hurcomb, Sir Philip Richardson, M.P., and Lady Richardson, Sir Francis and Lady Goodenough, Lady Handley Spicer, Senorita Elena Blanch de Sanchez, Miss Olive Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lydall, Mr. G.B. Richardson and Mr. Graeme Haldane. Mrs Minshall and Miss Diana Minshall will be leaving at the end of this week for Rome

My mother never fully recovered from the strain of those war years in the Secret Service. [ . . . ] Eventually, haunted by fears that she could never share and memories she could never escape, my mother committed suicide.

And now Christmas has come & gone—we had over 70 on Christmas Day—old & young, & a very merry happy part, "Cinderella", got up by Ruth, was charmingly acted by some of the younger ones—Mary being a sweet little Cinderella, Charles the Prince, (acted with great dignity) Ernestine the godmother, Evie & Dora the two unkind sisters, & George the Herald.

Theo resigns his position at Blaydon Chemical Works—remains Director—Norbert appointed Director of Co. also George B.R.

A marriage is announced to take place, soon after Easter, between George Beigh Richardson, youngest son of Mr. John Wigham Richardson, of Hindley Hall, Stocksfield, and Isabel Margaret, younger daughter of Mr. Gerard Brown Finch, of Howes Close, Cambridge, and honorary fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge.

MARRIAGE OF MISS FINCH, AT GIRTON.

The marriage of Miss Isabel Margaret Finch, daughter of Mr. Gerard Brown Finch, of Howes Close, Cambridge, to Mr. George Beigh Richardson, son of Mr. Wigham Richardson, of Hindley Hall, Stocksfield, took place on Saturday, at St. Andrew's Church, Girton. The weather was delightful, and the whole village turned out to witness the interesting ceremony. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Frank Bealey, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, who was assisted by the Rev. Jacob Forrest, cousin of the bridegroom, and the Rev. H. Jordan Cheeseman, Rector of Girton. Mr. Chas. M. Merz accompanied the bridegroom as best man, and the bride was attended by her two cousins, Miss Constance and Miss Lily Finch, and Miss Wigham-Richardson, as bridesmaids. The bride was attired in a beautiful ivory chiffon satin dress, trimmed with point-de-Venise, and she wore a diamond necklet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were dressed in Cambridge-blue tussore picture frocks and white straw proke bonnets, in the early Victorian style, trimmed with white lilac, and carried dainty bouquets of white lilac, and wore enamel and pear necklaces, the gift of the bridegroom.

There were present at the ceremony:—Mr. and Mrs. Wigham-Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Finch, Mr and Mrs. Herbert Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy (sister of the bride), Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Heneage Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Finch, and Mr. Frederick Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Finch, Mr. Joshua King, Miss Kate King, Miss Gertrude King, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Browett, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Browett, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Shand, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bealey (sister of the bridegroom), Mr. and Mrs Maurice Richardson, Mrs. Frank Barnes, Miss Caroline Richardson, Dr. and Mrs. Merz, Mrs. Kuhlmann, and many others. After the ceremony the guests adjourned to luncheon at Howes Close.

A reception was held on the previous day at Howes Close, at which numerous guests were present; and in the evening Mr. and Mrs. Finch entertained to dinner, in the Hall of Queens' College, of which College Mr. Finch is an Honorary Fellow, a large party of relatives and friends of both families.

The presents, of which there were over 300, included many beautiful and useful articles, and they were much admired.

From there to Cambridge for George B. R's wedding. A brilliant occasion. Isabel Finch the Bride charming all.

Mother & I drove in with Father & then went to see the enormous Cunard ship Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson are building. I think it is the biggest ship that has ever been built. 30,000 gross tonnage. Will carry 3000—crew 800. 6 decks. It isn't finished, but George took us over & it was most interesting.

PASSING OF TYNE SHIPBUILDER

DIRECTOR OF MESSRS SWAN HUNTER'S

Mr George B. Richardson, of Lindum, Jesmond Park, Newcastle, fourth son of the late Mr John Wigham Richardson, of Hindley Hall, Stocksfield, the famous shipbuilder, and a brother of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Philip Wigham Richardson, died suddenly last night, at his home, aged 62.

Mr Richardson was taken ill about a week ago. He had retained an active interest in the firm of Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Ltd., of Wallsend, of which he had been a director since its establishment as a limited liability company in 1903.

Only Mr Richardson's strong will-power saved his life a few years ago when he was forced to undergo a series of operations.

Mr Richardson, who spent most of his youth at Hindley Hall, was educated at Rugby.

He followed in his father's footsteps and became a shipbuilder, eventually establishing the Neptune (Walker) shipyard.

One of his greatest interests was the Foremen's Mutual Benefit Society of which he was chairman for many years.

He is survived by a widow and three children. The eldest son is abroad.

A COLLEGE CADET SHOT.

At Malvern College last night, Felix Gabriel Richardson, 17, son of Mr. Richardson, Wingrove, Newcastle-on-Tyne, was cleaning his rifle when it went off, shattering the right side of his face and killing him instantly. The deceased was a member of the Cadet Corps, and it is supposed he put the gun away loaded and forgot the circumstance. The young gentleman was to have taken part in a shooting competition to-day, and is supposed to have been preparing his rifle, which was between his knees, when it exploded.

On the 20th. of July 1894, J.W.R. and his wife had the great sorrow of losing their youngest son, Felix Gabriel, in his seventeenth year, while at Malvern College. He was a delicate, gentle and rather shy boy, very fond of flowers and of pictures. His horsemanship was unusually good; he had an excellent seat from the age of three and a half, and not an atom of fear. By the time he was eight he was considered competent to accompany his sisters, without any groom. He had infinite patience with young horses, and as a child his ambition was to be a horse-trainer. At Malvern College, he belonged to the school corps of volunteers. There was a rule that after shooting practices all unused ammunition should be returned to the instructor. One fears that through absent-mindedness or inattention, Felix must have forgotten to give up his last round. It appears that he was cleaning his rifle in his study in the evening and it exploded in his face, and he was thus found by his poor study companion.

A MALVERN COLLEGE BOY SHOT.

The inquest on the body of Felix Gabriel Richardson, who was found shot at one of the College Boarding Houses, on Friday, was held at the Sanatorium of the College, on Monday, before Mr. W.P. Hughes, County Coroner, Mr. W. Lambert attended to watch the case on behalf of the parents. Mr. E. Nevinson (solicitor), and Dr. Pike (the doctor to the College), also attended.

Mr. JOHN WICKHAM RICHARDSON, of Winwood House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, said he was a ship builder and engineer. He was the father of the deceased, who was 17 years of age. Witness last saw him during the Easter Holidays, when he was at home and in good health and spirits, seemed perfectly happy and contented and made no complaints as regarded the school. Deceased was always fond of shooting and accustomed to the use of fire-arms. He was a member of the Artillery Cadet Corps. Recent reports of deceased's conduct at school were perfectly satisfactory. Preview reports had said he might do better, and the last one said he had done better. Witness sent the report to deceased, who was continuing at school. The rifle was presented to deceased by his brother. It was a Martini-Henry rifle. Ammunition was not sent with it when it was presented. Deceased was generally of a happy and contented disposition, and he knew nothing that had happened to affect deceased's mind any way.

Mr. RALPH EDWARD LYON, house master at the college, said: Deceased was a pupil at my house since last September, I saw him on the Thursday, and he then seemed happy and contented. His school life seemed to be a happy one, particularly with his form master, Mr. Salisbury. About ten minutes to seven on Friday, as I was returning from the College cricket ground, a pupil of the College reported that a pupil was shot. I sent for Dr. Brockatt and for the headmaster, and went to deceased's study. Robert Yates, Guy Yates, and R. Hughes occupied the same study. The matron, Ellen Aan, was in the study, supporting deceased, who was on the floor. Deceased was bleeding profusely from his head, and there was a deep channel on the right side of his face. With the aid of those in the room I got the body on to the table. Did not see the rifle in the room; it was brought to me afterwards. I knew deceased was in possession of the rifle, but did not know that he had ammunition. As a member of a shooting team he would be allowed to keep his rifle there. A certain number of boys who were members of the College Cadet Corps were allowed to keep their rifles in their studies to keep them in a clean condition. They were not allowed to have ammunition; that would be a serious breach of the rules. The rules were placed in a prominent position in the College building, and in the armoury. Ammunition was only supplied to members of the Cadet Corps at the actual time they were going to shoot, and every shot is reported. It was quite impossible for boys to get shot from the armoury. None was kept there. The armoury was kept locked, under the care of the sergt-instructor. The police searched the deceased's study, and found some cartridges in a box there. Did not know that any special steps were taken to see that pupils did not have ammunition in their studies except that the rules were enforced, and it was highly improbably that they could get any there. Deceased was keen on shooting, and was going to compete in a house competition on Saturday last as a member of my house team. It was very  natural that he should have the rifle before shooting. The rifle produced was the one he would have used, but not the ammunition.

The rules were examined by the Coroner and it was found that they were very strict as to the possession of ammunition. Each competitor had so much ammunition given him, and they had to return unused ammunition. Witness added that the last time deceased shot at the Butts was on May 30 last. It was not necessary for those going to shoot at the Butts to have any previous practice.

Sergt.-Major HUNTER, instructor of the College Cadet Corps, said he had charge of the arms and ammunition. Arms were kept in the armoury, and ammunition in a magazine at West Malvern. He instructed the boys in shooting, and issued the ammunition to them, and was responsible for the return of that not used. On examining the cartridges found in deceased's study, he said they were of a different pattern to those now being used, and had not been used for some years. What they were using could be used both in the carbines and the rifles. The empty cases had to be collected and returned to Government. The rifle deceased [used] had a regulation pull of seven pounds and was in perfect order. Deceased was thoroughly well acquainted with the rifle. All had to shoot a number of rounds of blank cartridges before using the other.

ROBERT YATES, who occupied the same study as deceased, said Guy Yates and R. Hughes were also in the same study. This was the third term they had been there. They were all on good terms. He did not know that he had seen deceased since dinner time on Friday. He had occasion to go up into the study about 10 minutes to seven, as he came in from the cricket ground. He found the door shut, not locked. He opened the door, and immediately he did so he saw deceased lying partly over a chair on his right side with the rifle between his knees and the muzzle against his shoulder, and pointing to his head. The butt of the rifle was near his feet. Blood was pouring fast from his head. Witness at once rushed to the matron and told her what he had seen.

In reply to a Juryman, WITNESS said he heard the report of a rifle as he was going up the stairs. He never saw deceased touch his rifle while in the study, except to clean it or to show someone how it acted. Never saw him practice drill. Witness was a member of the Cadet Corps. He knew deceased had had some ammunition. He had it only this term. Did not know how much, but deceased told him he got it from where he used to shoot at home. He did not like to tell of deceased having the ammunition, although it was against the rules. Two or three days before Friday last deceased told witness that he was going to clean his rifle. Did not know whether any of the cartridges had been used. The ammunition was kept in his cleaning apparatus.

In reply to the foreman of the Jury, WITNESS said deceased never said anything about committing suicide; he seemed quite contented. The ammunition was not kept in a place where a master could see it.

ELLEN HARRYMAN, matron in Mr. Lyons's house, said the last witness informed her of the occurrence. She went there and found deceased still alive groaning fearfully and his head bleeding profusely, covering the right side of his face, which was blown away quite to the top of the head. She removed the rifle and called for assistance. Mr. Lyon and his man-servant soon came. Deceased was insensible, groaning and breathing being the only signs of life. Mr. A.O. Holbeche and Dr. Brockatt attended shortly afterwards. Deceased never recovered consciousness and died at about 8.15 p.m. Knew deceased well, and always found him happy and contented. In reply to a Juryman, she said she did not see any signs that the rifle had been cleaned.

Dr. H. BROCKATT said that when he arrived at the College, he saw at once that such injuries had been inflicted that the case was hopeless. The injuries were such as would be produced by a gunshot wound; the brain was protruding.

P.C. J. WALTERS said that there was a hole in the ceiling where the bullet went through. Found a box containing four cartridges, but no letters of any sort were found there. The cleaning apparatus was found in the car box with the cartridges, and this box was found in another larger one belonging to deceased.

Sergt.-Major HUNTER, re-called, said the rifle did not appear to have been cleaned, and in his opinion the cartridge appeared to have been in the rifle some time.

The CORONER, in addressing the Jury, pointed out that in his opinion there was nothing in the evidence to show that the boy committed suicide. He thought the practice of allowing a boy to keep a rifle in his study was to be deprecated.

The Jury, after retiring, were recalled by the Coroner to hear the evidence of Mr. Richardson, brother of the deceased, an expert with the rifle, who said that a rifle which had been foul or had got wet was liable to go off from being jarred. He gave several instance in which it had taken place.

The Jury, after retiring for a quarter of an hour, returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added that they thought every precaution had been taken by the College authorities.