Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/453

 1899.] CHBONICLE. 29

22. The thirty-first annual congress of co-operative societies, attended by about 11,000 delegates, met at Liverpool, under the presidency of Mr. Harlem (Oldham), and before proceeding to business passed a resolution expressing good wishes for the Peace Conference.

— The annual meeting of the Independent Society of Oddfellows (numbering 944,769 members) held at Middlesbrough, and that of the National Order of Goodfellows, numbering 76,562 members, at Don- caster. The presidents of each society respectively urged their members to trust to themselves, and not to legislation, to settle the question of old-age pensions.

— The postage rates to all German colonies reduced to the same rates as those charged for inland rates — viz., 16 pfennigs for $ oz., and 20 pfennigs up to J lb.

23. A duel took place in Paris between M. Catulle Mendes, the poet, and M. Vanor, arising out of a heated discussion of the personal appear- ance of Hamlet, the latter holding him to have been thin and the former fat. M. Catulle Mendes was seriously wounded.

— At the military laboratory of Refshaleo, near Copenhagen, an explosion occurred during the loading of some shells. Eight persons were killed on the spot.

— A three days' jubilee in celebration of the return of peace began in Washington, the Spanish and American flags flying side by side in the streets.

24. The Queen's eightieth birthday celebrated with real enthusiasm throughout the United Kingdom and the colonies. In the United States, especially, the regard in which her Majesty was held was signified in various ways.

— At Windsor the Queen was serenaded by the local musical societies of the choirs of St. George's Chapel and Eton College, was present at a parade of the Scots Guards, and later attended a special thanksgiving service in St. George's Chapel.

— The International Congress on Tuberculosis met at Berlin, and its formal opening by the Secretary of State, in the presence of the German Emperor, took place in the great hall of the Reichstag.

25. St. John, New Brunswick, devastated by a fire which, originating in the Indian town district, was carried by a fierce wind into the northern trading centre. Upwards of 100 buildings, exclusive of the dwellings of the poorer classes, were destroyed.

— The Queen, before leaving Windsor for Balmoral, expressed publicly her heartfelt thanks for the testimony of loyalty and affection received by her from all parts of the world.

— The International Miners' Congress, assembled at Brussels, unanimously carried resolutions in favour of a minimum wage (which each nation should fix for itself), and of an international understanding to regulate the output of coal.

26. At the Hague Conference, Sir Julian Pauncefote proposed the formal establishment of a permanent tribunal of arbitration, and the