Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

HOW PEGOUD DIED. I Famous Aviator Loses His Life in I Aerial Duqi. Details concerning the death of M. Pegoud show that the famous French aviator was shot by a Ger- man airman in an Aviatik at a height of 6,U00 feet. The Germans had long waited the opportunity of attacking him, and now their patience has been rewarded. Pegoud was at Belfort aviation camp on Tuesday morning. He had been flying on reccumaissance since dawn and was going off duty at ten o'clock when the ue.Vi> was telephoned that a German Avia- tik was in sight making for the town. He mounted his machine at once and set off with his usual confidence alone to face the foe. The two machines tame within fighting distance very quickly almost over the frotress of Belfcrt. The German was a large and heavy Aviatik, Pegoud's a swift Monococque. I Pegoud was the first to get to work, and having emptied his cartridge belt without effect ha retired, making a graceful half- turn so as to gain distance and time to re- load his machine gun. The Aviatik, how- ever, seized the opportunity, and before Pegoud was ready to fire had gained the higher position. The German pilot, manoeuvring skil- fully, banked sharply on his left wing, thus giving the man at the machine gun a clear .aim. Once more, the rattle of firing broke out. This time the onlookers were horrified to see Pegoud's machine suddenly quiver an 1 sway uneasily. Then it came hurtling to the ground, silding on one wing like a withered leaf from a tree. Ii smashed to pieces on the ground. The French soldiers rushed to the spot, well within the French lines. Pegoud was dead, but bore no traces of the ter- rible fall. A surgeon said he had met an instantaneous death in the air with a bullet from the German machine gun, which had severed the great artery from the heart. The body was taken back to Belfort, where the burial will take place at 9.30 on Friday morning. In the early stages of the war M. Pe- goud acted as aerial guard to General Joffre. He was a constant source of ter- ror to the army of the German Crown Prince in the Argonne and to the Ger- man forces in Alsace-Lorraine. Shortly before his death he remarked to a friend: ?The Germans have sworn to have my blood, and it wdll cost them dear." His offensive and defensive methods were successful, and lie shot down many attacking enemy machines, his "looping" and "angle gliding" coitstantly baffling his opponents. M. Pegoud was also the hero of in- numerable daring bombing feats, and in recognition of the invaluable services he has rendered to his country during the r a movement has been started in Paris in favour of naming a street after him.—Exchange.

AUG i IO^ SALES SUMMARY. IFull particuLars will be found on Page 1.) September, 8, 9 and 10.—Sale of Well-Pre-I served Antique and Modern Furniture, Rare Old China, Oil-Paintings, Water- Colours, &c., at Llanfair Grange, Llan- dovery, at 12 noon each day, by Messrs. Win. and Walter James, F.A.T. Vpt. S.-Sale of Leasehold Dwelling-house known as 4, Heolycoed, Glyncorrwg, at the Jen.kins' Arms Hotel, Glyncorrwg, at 6 p.m., by Mr. George Stephens. Bept. 24.—Sale of Sheep, Pony, &c., at the Ystradgynlais Fair Ground, at 1.39 p.m., by Messrs. D. Jenkins and Sons.

CURRENT COMMENTS. The situation in the Balkans continues to engage the notice of writers expcrt- and inexpert; although we cannot- say that out 'of the multiplicity of their views and counsel there cometh wisdom. On the contrary out of the columns of ex- planation the principal product seems to be confusion. What, however, does Bccur to the reader i6 that the reconstitution of tho Balkan League appears a far-away dream. Could an pgrvi be brought about, couLi J„«tes be brought into co-oper- ative action as during the first Balkan War, then there is no doubt but that the war would be appreciably shortened. Mr. Charles Wood, writing in the Fort- nightly upon the situations in the Near East, estimates that the arrival at an unàerstanding v.'ith Bulgaria and the con- sequent reconstitutiou of the League, probably means the augmentation of the Allied armies by at lesat 1,200,000 men, and that the armies composed of those men would bo in a position to act in ex- actly the areas where their* presence would be most valuable to us. 400,000 Bulgarians would advance into Turkey. The occupation of Adrianople, of Kirk Kilisse, and of Uzun Kupru would be a comparatively easy matter. This would mean not only that the Turkish land communications with Gallipoli would, he practically cut off, but it would also re- sult in the creation of a political and military situation at Constantinople which would be entirely unfavourable to a prolonged Otoruan resistance. At least 300,000 Greeks would be available to take part in some other -campaign—a campaign to be carried out either in con- junction with the Serbians or the Bul- garians in Europe or as an independent operation in Asia Minor. 5OOOO0 well- armed and well-trained Rumanians would probably cross the Aue t r o-H u/i gari an frontier. By occupying Bukovina and Transylvania, they would go a long way towards obliterating the danger of that German attack upon Serbia—an attack which is certainly possible as a result of the German victories in Poland. Dr. E. J. Dillon, in a study of Balkan ambitions, pleads that our first aim should to penalise lucrative speculation by the Neutrals on our ultimate defeat. For, he decteres, it is obvious that that is a fair description of the present behaviour or those countries which still hold back from the war and replenish the areen-.ils and commissariats of our enemies. Whether we relish it or not, the fact is that the Neutrals, especially since the in- vasion of Russia, have lost faith in our ability to carry this campaign to a su«- easeful finish. A glance at the Press of Rumania, Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, and of the German cantons of Switnariaiid will suffice to remove any doubts on that 6core. From the outlet German journal- ism, which poisons the wells of historic truth as unscrupulously as German officers poison the water-wells and the atmosphere, impressed those credulous peoples with distorted notions of our suc- cesses. reverses, and prospects. If it were not for the conviction that we have al- ready virtually lost all reasonable hope of victory, certain Balkan States would jiever haVfe dared to be have with the arrogance characteristic of the ass when the lion is dead. T^e Balkan peoples, whose mental BG-- Kanism differs widelv from ours, have a proverb which says: The foxe, life is sustained by the lion's death." In the course of his article (in the English Review") Dr. Dillon says that they arc acting on it. It is for the Allies to teach them the advisability of waiting until the lion is really dead before they set about kicking him. The Turks have a proverb which runs: He who takes a donkey upon the roof, must also take him down again." And that is precisely the task to which the Allies have now to set their hand. The one way to effect this is to supplement the military entente with an economic league which shall re- serve for its members those advantages, financial, commercial, and others, which are now like the sun's light and heat lavished upon staunch friends and bitter enemies without discrimination. Ger-1 many is working at a similar scheme to- day; Dr. Dillon says that; he has seen twn drafts of it which may have been since perfected and adopted in principle. The neutrality of the smaller States is eaid from the very first to have seriously hampered our action and directly bene- fited our enemies. Although the existence of some of those countries and the well- being of them all depend upon the victory and the goodwill of vh-e Allies, there is not one has not aided and abetted the Teut-n, i> -ie several have done this systematically. The v. orth of the advan- tages realised by Germany through con- traband winked at or authorised by neutral Governments will not be fullv r,dalised by ourselves and our friends until the war has passed into history." There is said, by New York, to be immense relief throughout the country" at what is called the clearing of the situation. The situation- has cleared apparently, because Germany has agreed to warn, visit, and search enemy mer- chantmen before attacking them, and to safeguard the lives of the passengers. There may be more than this in the Ger- man "concession" to American feeling; we hope there is. for the Allies cannot be expected to rejoice over it. A settlement upon these lines would leave merchant sailors, under the American or other flags, still exposed to the perils of piracy. The report that Admiral. Von Tirpitz being "ill from overwork," is taking an extended holiday, may possibly mean more than this. It may mean a "diplo- matic illness to cover Germany's retreat from the policy of sea frightfulness. But the evidence is too small yet to justify such an assumption. The lull in the Western theatre of war lias given time for Sir John French and his Staff to organise the new levies as they have arrived under his command, and gradually familiarise them with their future duties. Upon this head, there is a ner*• warning given by the Fort- Luview." It must not be forgot- ten that though the New Armies are com- posed of the picked manhood of the coun- try, the oldest soldiers among them have only completed one year of service., while many have not been under training for more than six months. Seeing that in Continental arjnies two years are con- sidered necessary- before a conscript can be classed as fully trained," it would ihave been inexpedient to have sent whole Brigades and Divisions conrposed of New Army recruits into the fighting line be- fore the R-egiinentrl units had been given a turn in the trenches, and acquired some antecedent experience of the novel conditions under which the present war m beixur waaed. An. inmate < If one of the Asylums has written a letter (published hy a contem- porary) concerning our suggestion that the visits of inspection to Barnsley, Cheddleton and Talgarth should be cur- 'tailed, and supports it with details Hat we would not think it desirable to print. The value of thp visits is proved (or other- wise) by facts mentioned in the last re- port presented the Guardians. Two lady guardians and a ministerial member went on tour. Their programme was a follows:— July —Talgaj'th, inspected 98 inmates. July 27—Barns!ey, inspected 20 inimltes. July 28—Cheddljeton, in,spected 42 inmates Their industry can, at least, be com- mended. Their bill was:— Railway fares amd conveyance 5 6 3 3 allowances at 15s. each 3 days and 3 nights, £ (i 15s.; 3 allow- ances at 7s. Gci. 1 day, £1 2s. 6d. 7 17 6 £1:3 3 9 On June 28th and 29th representatives of the Swansea Council were inspecting at Barnsley, at a (Iyit of S4 2s. lOd. per head. Is it really worth it? Mr. E. Roland Williams, a promising ycung writer vrihoso home is at Pontar- dulais, contributes to the new number of T]i< Welsh Outlook an interesting I: John Masefield. In the course ot iL, Im, makes reference to a curious trait of fhe poet which we noticed in these columns when "The Widow in tho Bye street'" was first published. As Mr. Williams )Serves. Mr. Masefield has a knack of gouig to Wales for some of his seamy characters: Anna -was not nateve there for she belonged Out Milford way or Swansea and Mountain Ash is fixed on as a suit- able scene for her frantic youthful career; and then there is the old Shropshire mountain and the fair Full of drunk Welshmen bringing mountain e*«:s. Mr. Williams st ato( that each of our old old Vllsh cour?y towns, Denbigh, car-I marthen, Cardigan, and many m0re, hav? still their ancient slum life, ruing back: perhape to the days of tho e mer- cenaries who garrisoned their castles and it has not yet lost its sordiduess nor its something of dr&b picturesqueness and variety. Fifty years ago these slums were even more than they are ?ow, the centre*' for the vagabond fraternity of the \ej;. n road; there were wandering ballad- mongers, crippled beggars, itinerant musicians and tramps whose viilanous, t faces and brawny forms were the terror of the housewife in many a 10l1dy farm among the mountains. And the great mecca of many of these was the hop h".1 vests of the border counties where many of them also settled, so that the border in the old days teemed with these hard- fighting, hard-ckrinking vagrants from Wales. Masefield's The Everlasting Mercy "— in essence, says the writer of the Out- look article, a tract—is redeemed from a terrible realism which goes into the depths by the lyrical beauty of the con- eluding pages—the lines wherein the poet, speaking through Saul Kane, sees in nature everywhere spiritual parables. The sunrise, the ploughed lands, the freshness of the morning; the singing of the birds, are charged to him with spirit- ual significance. To one reader at least these wonderful pages contained the greatest charm of the poem; but it is a remarkable fact that Masefield was at one time disposed to omit them, and to con- clude his work at an earlier stage. It is a curious proof of the contention that the poet, least of all men, is able accurately I to judge his work; for "The Everlasting Mercy without its lyrical ending, would I be a commonplace and depressing work. ¡, Despite war and full fares, and the almost universal prediction in early sum- mer that there would be no holidays this year, the glorious month of August brought a perceptible chanyc. People everywhere seemed to have suddenly realised that at this time above all others change of scene -is essential—also change of thinking. Sout& Wale attracted home many nati ?'. now -domici' ? in the modern Babylon. To secure a p< j'f! a comfort- able journey to Wa' uc week-end tripper must be pretty Iettinz to Paddiugton. The WelsL accent is every- where, and one is forced to realise the myriads of city dwellers which Cambria, stern and wild," produces.

I LOCAL NOTES. I ABERAVON & PORT TALi OT. The committee that organ?ed the lücall Boy Scouts sports, which 1Jrovw such a success, are worthy of the highest praise. The programme provided intense delight to the many hundreds who attended. It also demonstrated what' can be achieved by the boys of the district. The pro- ceeds came to about £ 25; this will be I entirely devoted to the Scouts fund for jtieking outfits, etc., and as a nucleus for providing official headquarters. Another capital effort in support of the Aberavon Boy Scouts was a concert given at the Continental Hall, Port Talbot. The programme was arranged by the Port Tal- bot Glee Party, umder the conductorship of Mr. R. Henry. The chair was taken by Mr. C. Routledge, who delivered a spirited address. In addition to the musi- cal items, Mr. Percy Hunt and his assis- tants gave an exhibition of weight lifting and muscular development. The per- formers were pret*yuteu with a silver I' medal each. The programme was also contributed to by Miss Dolly Potts, Miss C. Macdonald, Miss M. Henry, Messrs. mHe arry Clarke, W. Daviea, Dawe. Bulter, W. R. Williams, etc. The accompanist was Mr. Tally Cule. A substantial sum was realised. Mr. E. Marchant Jenkins (honorary secretary) has issued a balance sheet of the recently held French Flag Day, which shows the total receipts to be < £ 362 16s. 7d., a satisfactory achievement. The entire expenses, including the employment of a baud, only oame. to .£6 16s. 7d.; whi,ch left a net balance of < £ 356, which has been forwarded to the ;French Relief Fund, I London. During the past week, q-uite, a number of local heroes have been home on short I leave from the frortt, and also those who shortly go over to France. They in- clude Lieutenant Guthrie Morgan, 10th Welsh Regiment; Lieutenant Fred Jen- kins, 16th Welsh; Cuptain Tom Hughes, of the Margam Fine Brigade, who has been doing excellent service with the Red Cross Society at lite Rouen Base Hospital, i All are looking remarkably fit. Private I Bert Jones, who came over with the Canadian contingent, and has been enjoy- ing a nhort furlough, !left Port Talbot on Monday, and was given a hearty send-off. There was no more popular man in the district than Mr. Geo. T. Evans, of Lfeng-i ijp'l". Margatn, who for many years held the petition of electrician to the Margam estate. The report of his death came as a great shock to his numerous friends, although he had been indisposed fo.* some time. Deceased, whose funeral took place at the Margam Abbey burial ground, on Tuesday afternoon, was a prominent member and colour-sergeant or' the old Volunteers. He had been for I many years secretary of the Glamorgan- shire Rifle Association, and it was to a large extent due to his efforts that the annual shooting meeting of the Associa- tion at Margam was kcot going. The burial ceremony was performed by the Rev. Z. P. Williamson (vicar of Margam). The friends of Mr. R. Milner will be delighted to learn thsct the Committee of the Margam Flower Show has decided to make him a present of S75 from ?e fund' of the Show as a recognition of ai-s eer- j ?vi?eo.in placing it on *s ?o'?eM' financial J basis. On Mr. Milner's advent to Mar- gam he discovered the show funds very low, but. by his organising abilities ho in- creased the status of the show, and now it is one of the finest exhibitions in South Wales. During the time he was at Pen- rice Castle, Gower, he also established the Gower Flower Show, and made it a prosperous institution. After 25 years' service under Miss Talbot, Mr. Milner severed his connection with the Margam Estate. It is pleasing to add that the general public in this district and Gower are starting a movement to make a public presentation to him. A successful religious mission has been held in the Old Moriah Chapel in the Causeway, Aberavon. The Mission has I been conducted by Mr. Stephen Jeffreys, the converted Maesteg collier, who, sup- ported by a devoted baud of workers, in- cluding Mrs. Mona Davies (Newquay), Mr. Dj.vid Jones, and Mr. Lewis Evans. On Thi-irsdav last ilie and Port Talbot shop assistants held their annual holiday. They usually organise a marine trip to Ilfraeombe or Weston. This year, however, through the war, this could not be effected. The shoppers spent I the day on their otu," going in gror.ps to various places of interest. I Lucifer.

I AMMANFORD. It is LH()d th a t, the Ammanford Company of the 4Lh WeMi Regiment have suffered 6omewha.t in the fighting around the shores of Suvla Bay in the Gallipoli Peninsula. Jbroin !k-> letters and postcards sent homo— some i. tned in tlie trenches there; ethers on board hospital ehips and in Malta-one may well gather that the local company was in the firefront of the charges made for the possession of the hill crests in.th-o hands of the Turks, and there can be no question cf the valour they displayed either, al- though it does not appear to have won the day altogether. Yet one of the wounded in a graphic letter which I say; &tated: Our boys have indomitable courage, and they are going yet to win that hill." At the time of writing intimation had been received of the following casualties, from the Record Office at Shrewsbury, but in the sh.1.I)( of communications from the boys themselves-.—Corporal Maurice Junes (killed), Private Bailey (killed), and Private Jack Jones (killed); St-i geant R. 11. Bovan (wounded), Serueaat Amor (wonnde t). Pi-iVA-te i\ Haiviil Jones (wounded), aau Private T. C. Thomas1 (wounded); while it is stated that Private Jack Scott (Llandiio) got killed while being conveyc-d on a stretcber to the dressing station. This makes sad reading, and pain- fully brings home the grim reality cf tho struggle and the costly sacrifice it entails Still we must begirdle ourselves to bear this heavy load of sorrow and pain. The first memorial service to a fallen Ammanford soldier (Sergt. W. B. Williams) was held at Ebenezer Baptist Chapel on Sunday evening, when the Rev. J. Griffiths, who preached a most effective memorial sermon, gave utterance to a truth which is in danger of being forgotten, namely, that those who are fighting for us, with very few exceptions, have taken arms under the in- stigation of the best and highest motives With an abundance evidence in the shape of extracts from letters he had received ho was able to to prove his statemeait in a satisfactory manner, and no one will deny the young men suon aa these, who have )1" t I lighliy counted the sacrifice, are actuak,1 by the purest motives. It is interesting to note that no less than sixty-one young man of the Ebenezer Church are with the colours, and the death in action of Sergt. Williams is the first gap in their ranks. And pain- staking pa<»ioi .5 the Rev. Mr. Griffiths iô he has seen to Ii, that touch is maintained between the church and these men, there being a regulai smou of correspondence carried on. There are probably few institutions which have supplied a bigger proportion of men for the Army than has the Ammanford Y.M.C.A. Here 300 young men have gone, or 25 per cent. of the members, and, live insti- tution as the Ammanford Y.M.C.A. is < nder the jv>» leadership of Mr. Sam. Jenkins, such a lo.' f members was for a time badly felt. IIowi f it :<.t03 now been made good, in a semse -It least, in the acquisition of 160 new members a.? a result of a thorough canvas? of the workmen of the Pantyffynnon C01-1 Hery, undertken with commendable z?al and energy by Messrs. D?vid Bow en and Itees Jones. The ladies of the town, with Mrs. W. X. Jones as president, Mrs. E. R. Fisher as vice- president, Mis. Dan Jones as treasurer, and Mr. W. L. Smith tws secretary, arc organising a flag day in aid of the Russian Red Cross Society, to be held on Saturday, the 11th inst., the district to extend from Penygrces to Brynamman (Cwmamman excluded). Judging by the great measure of success which has attended the undoubted suasivo powers of the ladies in this direction before this effort can fail to hand&omely attain t-h- ■object in view. The movement on behalf of the Russian Red Cross Society is national, and it has for its object to show our appre- ciation of the magnificent valour of the Ruaeian Army by doing what in us by for the alleviation of the suffering of its wounded. Awstcn.

ANOTHER AMMAMFORD CASUALTY. Sergeant Reggie Amos, of the 4th Welsh Regimenst, whose homo is at Ammanford, has been wouiided at the: Dardanelles, but th,) extent of the wounds is not known. The only intimation 00 far is a letter from a com- rade who is also wounded. (Photo by Matthews, Am- manford)

HER WOUNDED HUSBAND. There was a touching scene on tne Great Western Railway platform at Swan- sea on Wednesday afternoon, where a number of wounded soldiers arrived for the Y.M.C.A. and Mumbles Red Cross hospitals. Tho previous day, the younr wife of a soldier travelled from Crewe to Swansea, having heard that her Wounded husband was in the town. She sought for him, but in vain. He was not here. But the hospital authorities are always eager to do what they can for the distressed rela- tives, and their inquiries revealed that the husband was likely to arrive on Wed- nesday. Accordingly, accommodation ovelnio" was found for the wife, and when the train was due 1"1;" W:1" among the privileged few on 1he platform. She sought in carriage after carriage, but without result. Meanwhile, from the very back of the train, the wounded hus- band had been helped out, and, with the aid of crutches, was struggling along the rlatform. Suddenly, he saw his wife, and p uHa-neously, with an exclamation of ueligh.t, she recognised her husband. Down went the crutches, and out went his arms. It was an affecting scene as the ying couple embraced on the plat- form. The wife's joy was increased when she four.! that the kindly authorities had arm ,,ed 'hat she should travel to the hospital k>. the motor-car that conveyed her husband, to the Y.M.C.A.

The death occurred at No. 43, Fisher- street, Swansea, on Wednesday morning, of Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews, the wife of Mr. Samuel Andrews. She had been ill for six weeks. There are three sons and a daughter left, one of the former being P.C. Charles Andrews, of the Swansea Borough Force. Certain sign that elections are "off." Nine guardians attend an important rueetrag; 42 summoned to it. The rate- payers will note the names of the nine.

The father of the Rev. John Davies, Cadle, whose unfortunate accident has aroused for him and his family much sym- pathy, was a weaver down in Trelech, Carmarthenshire. Cadle Davies" was one of five boys who left Carmarthenshire for the Rhondda, and worked underground at Treorky for a sort time before enter- ing the ministry in which he became 80 1. distinguished,.

HOUSE REFUSE. AMMANFORD CONTRACTOR GIVENI NOTSCE. A lively discussion atose at the Ammaii- ford Council on Wednesday nii-ht, Mr. J. Harries (Irlwyn) presiding, over a recom- mendation of the Health Committee that a contract for the removal of house refuse be cancelled, as the work done was not satisfactory, and that tenders be invited for carrying out the work. The Clerk read the material clauses of the agreement, and Mr. David Jones said the finance Committee had deducted cer- tain items from the contractor's last bill under those clauses. When the question. of whether the con- tractor should be summarily dismissed or given notice came to be discussed, Mr. J. Davies asked if the man had sinned so much that they must dismiss him be- fore the expiration of the twelve months' contract ? Mr. Thomas Fletcher said the recom- mendation that ho be dismissed hud already been adopted. Tho Chairman: I don't think he has committed so much of an error that he should be summarily dismissed. Mr. B. E. Evans said the matter had been left in the hands of the clerk. Mr. D. G. Davies inquired if there was any possibility of an amicable arrange- ment, whereupon Mr. Wm. Evans re- marked that the discussion had arisen too late. He did not think any surveyor would take responsibility of office if he was not allowed to control all the workmen. This man seemed to be controlling everybody. He moved that his services be terminated this week, and that the surveyor make temporary arrangements accordingly. Mr. J. Davies said the man had not been given a chance to defend himself. In a court of law he would have 11:.1 oppor- tunity of doing so, but before the Council he was not given a chance. Mr. Wm. Evans said they abided by the report of the surveyor, and also kept their eyes open. The man had not been doing his duty. The Surveyor gave his complaints, and said the contractor would not obey him at all. Mr. D. G. Morris suggested that Mr. ifoshua did not understand the agree- ment, but the clerk joined issue stating that he thought he thoroughly understood it. Letters from the contractor were read, and Mr. Evan Evans moved an amend- ment to the effect that he be given a month's notice.—Mr. J. Davies seconded. Mr. Wm. Evans put it to the Council members if any of them would employ a man at 7s. 6d. a day to do as he liked? adding, He is 'cheeking' the surveyor and calling the householders everthing. It is reflection on the Council that we?eep I such a man." Mr. Evan Evans said he was sorry to hear all these complaints, but after all lie thought it was only right that he should be given a month's notice in order to have the opportunity of getting another job. Mr. W m. Evans: It would be just as well to pay him a month's wages in advance and finish with it. -n't we agree without The Chairman: Can't we agree without dividing the house? Mr. Wm. Evans: It all depends whose interests we are here to look after.—Mr. Joshua's or the ratepayers. Mr. D. G. Davies: I take it it's both. By five votes to three it was decided that the services of the contractor be ter- minated at the end of the week.

THE MATE'S THREAT. Lively Street Scene. I I'll kill you, and I'll hunt your family for years," were words alleged against j David John Page, a second mate, who was summoned by John Williams, a master mariner, of 25, Walter-road, Swan- sea, at Swansea Police Court on Thursday for sureties of the peace and for mali- ciously damaging two panes of glass at 25. Walter-road, on August 28th, doing damage to the amount of £ ?> 18s. 6d. Mr. Henry Thompson, for the prosecu- tioll, said that on August 26th Captain Williams was away from home. It appeared that on August 9th Page, who had been second officer on Captain Wil- liams's ship, was discharged at Port Taibot, and in consequence of some dis- agreement of misunderstanding the de- fendant came up to tho captain's house whilo the latter was away, and he put a couple of stones through a valuable plate glass window in the front. A Mr. Clark: witnessed the deed, and called Sergeant Beynon. When the latter spoke to i defendant, ho found him rather proud of what had happened. A little while after- wards, Captain Williams was leaving the house of 1fr. Evan Evans, 102, Waiters- road, when he met Page, who threatened him. Captain Williams, in the box, bore out this statement, and said that when he met Page in Mr. Evans's front garden Pago asked, What are you going to eol about this thing ?" Witness replied, J Nothing." Mr. Evans then ordered Page out of the garden, and Page went to the middle of the road and shouted out, t< rll"lcill you, and I'll hunt your family for years." Page alleged that the captain fad knocked some of his teeth out in Rio Janeiro. The Bench said they wanted to do leniently with him. He would have to ¡ pay the damage done, and to ensure that he kept the peace he would be bound over I' in the sum of .£50 for twelve months.

ALLTWEN MAN'S DEATH. I I Pte. Will Gibbs, J of Derw€nt? road, Alltwen, Pontar- dawe, who has beèn! reported tp having! died from wounds i sustained in the Dardanelles. II e was in the South 1 Lanes Regiment, and was a very well known and highly popular Valleyite.

STATESMAN ARRESTED. I A Canadian Sensation. j Toronto, Wednesday.—Sir R. P. Robbin, former Premier of Manitoba, with Mr. W. H. Montague, Mr. J. H. Howden, and Mr. G. R. Cold well, all metaibers of the late Conservative Government of Mani- toba, have been arrested on a charge of conspiring to defraud, in permitting the contractors for the new Parliament buildings to draw large sums of money for work not performed, and collusion to increase the prices under contract. The arrests are only technical, as the .accused consented to appear in court without compulsion. All four were re- leased on P,10,000 bail each. Times n Telegram.

LAND VALUATION DEPARTMENT. I Large Staff Dispensed With. According to the H Daily -Express," the Government's Land Valuation Depart- ment is being dispensed with, notices ter- minating contracts, it is said, having been given to 1,700 employes on the ground of retrenchment. The Daily Express learns that the 1,700 dismissables" include the follow- ing Clerics (boys and juniors). £ 40-, £ 90 a year I Technical assIstants £90-£130 a year I Assistant valuers £ 130- £ 175 a year 1 Vftluors ^175^3«i a year I

111 I ERIN'S PROUD DUTY. HELPING TO SAVE CIVILISATION j FROM DISASTER. t The Press Association says:-It is an- nounced that Mr. John Redmond, M.P., on Wednesday paid a visit to Kynoci/s works at Arklow..county Wexford, with a party which included his son, Lieut. W. Red- mond, M.P. Mr. John Redmond inspected the process of the llalluiactllre of gun- cotton in the chemical works where the acid processes are carried out, and the works where mining-explosive and cordite are produced. I Mr. Redmond cxiiressed himself pleased at the great developments which were evident in the manifest interest shown by the workpeople in aJl directions. To individual workmen he expressed the pleasure he felt in finding an Irish factory ?l'un,clei'ta-kin, munitions work on such an extensive scale for supplying our troops at the front. There is no doubt, says the official account of the inspection, that the visit of Mr. Redmond to the factory will have the effect of encouraging the workers, who, in consequence of the war, are strain- ling their efforts to the utmost. At the close of the visit, Mr. Redmond pointed out that both the workers in the factory and .those engaged in its protec- tion, were rendering perhaps as great ser- vices to the nation as those who were lfighting at far' greater risks in the trenches. Speaking to the local director of the company, Mr. Redmond said that no one twenty years ago, could have anticipated at this date that an Arklow factory would he engaged in helping to save existing civi- lisation from German ruthlessness. The latter has been brought hrgvto to the town with great intensity by the loss of an Ark- low girl in the Arabic.

GOWER AS A FRUIT MART. Swansea Markets Committee and Suggested Developments. At a meeting of tho Swansea Markets Committee on Vf*xlneeday afternoon, Ald. D. Davies presided. Tho MarKet Manager reported that the egg collection from market stallholders would have been more successful, but for the Penrice Jumble Sale and the Llaneiiy Market. But with £oj, IGs. bd. in ca-sli the collection reported 1,125 eggs. The Ma t?liet Mu:- The Market Manager reported on a meeting of a sub-committee which inter- viewed representatives of the Gower Agri- cultural Co-operative Society on 29th July, at which matters relating to the in- creased cultivation of market produce was left with the farmers for future develop- ment. The Chairman thought the meeting was a most satisfactory one.' The body of farmers was a representative one, chosen by a larger body, with a turnover, he be- lieved, of about £ 12,000 per annum. The matter was discussed thoroughly and sympathetically, and a number of mis- apprehensions, based upon their treat- ment in the market under the old sys- tem in the matter of charges, etc., were dealt with. He thought, on the whole, the interchange of views was likely to prove beneficial. The great point the sub- committee made was, of course, that ap- parently the Gower farmers had land suitable, and all the facilities for iiiten- sile cultivation of fruit and vegetables, while the motor 'busC\S provided speedy (and, he believed, by arrangement) fairly economical conveyance of produce to the market. One suggestion was that tho society should itself manage a stall or stalls in the market, but in any event the farmers could co-operate. If they had gathering points to which farmers and cottagers could bring their goods, they could be collected by the motor 'buses, and a staff might be appointed to deal with them at the market. Another suggestion was that an increased cultivation of market produce would find a demand from the wholesale dealers, who were quite prepared to send for them if there were sufficient quanti- ties. Either course would be to the advantage of the town, but, of course, the societies handling the matter directly would be to the advantage of the market. He noticed during a visit to the market on the previous Saturday evening that at 8.30 p.m., while vegetables were fairly good, there was not a single decent apple on view. There was no reason why this should be so, and the Markets Sub-Com- mittee held the view that if Gower grew first-class produce there would be a market for it. The Markets Manager suggested reach- ing the farmers and cottagers in Gower and other local districts by posting to them a circular pointing out the advan- tages to be derived from increased culti- vation of market produce. Mr. R. Buckland thought the farmers were very favourtbly impressed with the case the sub-committee made, and he' honestly believed the meeting would bear fruit. Mr. G. Hemmings thought they could venture to endeavour to get people as far as Pontardttlais interested. It was decided that the farmers and cottagers in the immediate neighbourhood should be circularised as suggested by the manager. With regard to the deferred matter of the Castle Steam Trawling Company's annual contribution in lieu of tolls on fish landed at the South Dock, it w;vs decided to write that the committee was prepared to enter into an agreement for the payment by the company of Æl00 per annum in pefpetuity in lieu of tolls.

AGRICULTURAL RETURNS. I Decrease of Area Under Crops. I Agricultural returns for England and Wales collected in June and issued on Thursday by the Board of Agriculture, show a decrease in the total area under crops and grass of 61,000 acres. Wheat shows an increase of 363,000 acres. Compared with last year, oats increased by 158,000 acres, but barley ehows a de- crease of 273,000 acres. Turnips have dc- creased. Potatoes increased by about 1,800 acres. Live stock show increases among, cattle and sheep, but decreases among horses and swine. Cows show a decrease cf 50,000. The total acreage under all crops is 27,053,360, of which 10,985,610 consisted of arable land and 16,087,720 acres of per- manent grass.

BURRYPORT AND GWENDRAETH RAILWAY CO. An interim audit of the half-yeara work- ing to June 30 last has been taken, with the result that the balance available for divi- dend, after providing for all fixed charges and crediting X7510 to engine renewal and X750 to general resrve accounts, is 14,196 lte. 6d., as against £ 4,248 2s. 7d. in the corres- ponding half of last year. The directors have accordingly deckled to declare interim dividends for the past half-year at the rate .of 5 per cent. per annum on the preference shares and at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum on the ordinary sliaree, carrying for- ward £2,608 4s. 6d. Warrants for the above dividends will be posted on or about Sep- tember 1.

SOUTH WALES MECHANICS. Employers Grant Increase of Wages. Our London correspondent writes:— Tho c-teel and tinplate mechanics in South Wfiiles have bene conceded by the employers a further advance in wages at the rate of Is. per week. Their working hours are also to be re- duced to 53 hours per week imtead of 54 hours, the men being allowed to finish work one hour earlier on Saturdays. These new conditions commence on Sep- tember Iltlu

1 TIN PLATES EMBARGO. I I SOUTH WALES DEPUTATION TO BOATHJ OF TRADE. Tin plates have been prohibited to prac- tically all European countries with the exception of Spain and Portugal, and, of course, France. Italy and certain Rus- sian ports. This, it is needless to say, is to prevent such a useful commodity reaching Germany, Austria, and Turkey. The effect of this prohibition is that American tmplates are shipped into the pxohibited areas. This nullifies the good ¡ intentions of tho British Government, because it matters little to the Hun and hi:; allies where he receives 'his supply to lcng as it comes incessantly. This has not escaped the eyes of South Wales employers and trade union loaders, and on Wednesday Mr. Pretyman, Par- liamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, received ,a deputation to discuss the condition of the tinplate industry with special regard to the embargo placed upon the exportation of tinplates hi European countries, and the fact tluv I' plates of American manufacture ar< reaching Germany. The deputation -consisted of leaders cf the Dockers' Union, the Gasworkers' Union, the Amalgamated Society of En- gineers, the Association of Sheet Mill- men and British Steel Smelters, with Mr II. Clement, of the Employers' Associa- tion. The views of those engaged in the in- dustry were put forward by Messrs. J. Hodge, M.P., Ben Tillct, Ivor Gwynne, and II. Clement, who said that great '!ü- I lay was caused in the issue of licenses for the (shipment of plates. They asked that attention should be given to this question and better facilities provided. Mr. Pretyman expresed his sympathy and promised that the difficulty should b.3 removed as far as possible in the course of a few days. o No indication was given as to the means it is proposed to adopt, but it is under- stood these will be communicated to in- terested parties during the next few days. It is to be feared if American manu- facturers will obtain a footing in these Continental countries that it will take many years to regain these customers com- pletely, and tho result in the tinplate trade of South Wales is obvious. Many markets lost during the coal strike of 1912 have not yet been regained.

l CARMARTHENSHIRE ROADS. A meeting of the Carmarthenshire Main Roads Committee was held on Wednesday, Mr. W. J. Williams (Brynamman) presid- ing, when a letter was received from the Welsh Parliamentary War Savings Cam- paign Committee asking that meetings should bo arranged in the- county to advocate economy. Rev. A. Fuller Mills asked if the mem- bers of Parliament had agreed on the preliminary steps of foregoing their £ 40') a year? The Clerk: They don't refer to it in this letter. (Laughter). Mr. Mervyn Peel (Danyrallt) said they might incur more expense through the campaign than the amount they would save. (Hear, hear). On the motion of Mr. Dudley Drum- mond, the matter was deferred till the County Council meeting. Complaint of Slippery Roads. Several claims for damages were re- ceived from persons residing in tha Amman Valley in respect of injuries they had received through falling owing to the slippery state of tar-macadamieed roads. Mr. Mervyn Peel said he was afraid it was the old story of the roads being very slippery after tar-spraying. Rev. A. Fuller-Mills said it was a very ac-rious question. He received complaints on. every hand about the slipperinees of th,) roads, and the Council might some day have to face a serious claim for damages. Their roads were made for motor-cars, and not for ordinary vehicular tiafiic. In regard to some of the claims, tho Council denied liability, and others were left to the Clerk and Surveyor to deal with.

THE FEEBLE-MINDED. Neath Guardians and the Drymma Scheme. At a meeting of the Neath Board of Guardians on Wednesday, a letter was read from the Pontardawe Union asking the Board to pass a resolution suspending until after the .war, any expenditure on the Drymma Estate in connection with the erection of a home for the feeble- minded. Mr. John Thomas proposed that the lotter lie on the table. It was nothing less than childish, and originated out of a little friction at the (last meeting, when the big magnates of Pontard awe found they were not represented on the sub- committee. (Laughter.) U And now," continued Mr. ThGma- -we find they went home in a bad temper and schemed to put the damper on the entire scheme." (More laughter.) Mr. W. Leyson: All Ponta-rdawe asks us to do is to stop spending money until the war is over. Mr. Thomas: We have bought the land and everything is ready. And, more than that, the Local Government Board has sanctioned the loan. The letter was ordered to lie on the table.

BIG DEAL IN SHIPPING. The Liverpool Journal of Commerce" has authority to announce that an im- I)ortant shipping deal was completed en Tuesday between Alfred Holt and Co. and 1. B. Royal and Co. The former has acquired from the latter their fleet of seven Indra liners, which run between New York and the Far Bast. The journal says:—We are not in a position to make any announcement as to the de- tails or of the amount of the purchase consideration except that we understand it was entirely cash transactions. Alfred Holt and Co. have now about 80 ships, from 6,000 to 14.000 tons, mostly engaged in Far Eastern trad.

YOUNG LADY'S TERRIBLE FALL. I Tragic Event at Snowdon. Miss Gertrude Byeford, of White Cot- tage, Spririgfield-road, Chelmsford, lost her life on Tuesday on Crib Coch, a spur of Snowdon mountain. She slipped an4 fell 200 feet. I Miss Byeford was with the Rev. H. N, Hendersonf an English Congregational minister, of Bangor, and Mr. Creake, a Llanberis climber. The party was des- cending Snowdon and Miss Byeford waa in front. The party went to the plateau overlooking Crib Goch, and Miss Byeford suddenly fell. Mr. Creake reached the spot as quickly as possible, but found Miss Byeford was dead. Four men have been killed on Snowdon since 1900.

i I SIR EDWARD GREY'S DEPUTY. ? SIR EDWARD GREY'S DEPUTY. The Marquis of Crewe, who has undor. taken charge of the Foreign Office during tho temporary absence of Sir Edward Grey, took over his new duties on Thurs- day morning. There have already been sundry diplomatic visitors to the depart- ment, including the French Ambassador, the Swiss Minister, and the Norwegian, Minister.

-=-- -=-=-=:=: On a Celtic Cross in Lawrenny Chnrcb- lyard. Pembrokeshire;—"His mortal !if4 began March 15, 1860; hia immort&L Decom. ?ber 2? 19W.I