Evening Express

1 Trades Unions Pacific I A MESSAGE OF HOPE. BY MR WILLIAM BRACE, M.P. [Vice-President of the South Wales Miners' Federation]. The Labour Gazette" in a separate publication has added to the report issued by that department upon the statistics of membership, funds, &< of British Trades Unions. At the end of 1905 the number of Trades Unions known to the Board of Trade was 1,136, with a total membership of 1^887,823, or an increase of 1.3 per cent. over 1904. But this is by no means the highest water- mark in membership experienced by British Trades Unions, for, as a matter I of fact, it is lower than was shown in the year 1901. One very pleasing feature of the 1905 recorq is the sub- stantial step taken forward by women workers to organise themselves. At the end of 1904 the total number of women Trades Unionists was 125,102, but this total was carried to 135,235 at the end of 190,3, which is an increase of 8 per cent. At the last Trades Union Con- gress, during the debate upon the ques- tion of compulsory arbitration and con- ciliation, one of the strongest arguments used in favour of the proposal was the helplessness of the women and unskilled workers, who had no organisation to assist them to secure fair conditions of employment from their employers. I held then, as I do now, that the' Trades Union Congress was, at any rate, hardly the body to devise schemes for protecting noji-Unionists; rather, indeed, the message of hope that con- gress should send to non-Unionists was that they should follow the example of the workers affiliated to that institution, and then they would possess some, if not full, power to protect their interests. Holding this view, I am exceedingly glad to find the Trades Union movement among women workers on the increase, thanks largely to that noble lady, the late Lady Dilke, who did so much in her lifetime for the working women and girls of our land, and who has left the continuation of her labours to her talented niece, Miss Gertrude Tuckwell, who is splendidly doing the work. The following summary shows the membership, income, expenditure, and accumulated funds of 100 principal Unions for each of the ten years 1896- i905. These 100 Unions include nearly two-thirds of the total membership of the 1,136 Trades Unions in the king- dom Member- Income. ship at —-————.— Yeair. end of Total. Per yflar. Member. £ s. d. 1896 937,717 h. 1,65^563 33 ? 1897 1,029,069 1,970,962 36 21 1898 1,067,689 1,902,130 35 n 1899 1,147,809 1,800,398 31 1l 1900 1,191,384 1,947,%7 32 8? 1901 1,199,023 2,043,%1 34 1' 1902 1,197,137 2,086,819 34 loi- 1903 1,184,791 2,099,772 35 54i 1904 1,177,242 2,114,441 35 11 1905 1,189,795 2,211,573 37 2 Funds Expenditure. at end of year. Year. Total. Per Total. Per Member. Member, £ s. d. £ s. (f tg36 1,212,135 24 6i 2,151,072 43 61 1897 1,891,027 34 8$. 2,231,007 40 113 1893 1,476,337 27 7j 2,656,800 49 n. 1899 1,252,011 21 9i. 3.240,187 55 5 1900 1,456,716 24 54 3,731,428 62 n 1901 1.64-.C81 27 4J 68 11 1902 1,800,234 30 1 4,420,883" „. 73 loi 1903 1,917,104 32 41 4,603,551 77 81 1904 2,055,723 34 11 4,662,264 79 24 1905 2.065,731 34 83 4.803,106 80 10 I From this table it will be seen that I both income and expenditure show an increase. By far the most significant column is the last, which gives the value of the Unions per member. From £ 2 3s. 63d. in 1896 the value has increased until last year it reached the sum of slightly over £ 4 per member. To the ordinary financier this may appear a small amount, but to those experienced in dealing with Trades Union business it is far from unsatisfactory. Few of the great historic industrial struggles were begun by the workers with anything like this amount of money per member to draw upon, and although Capital has made Labour bite the dust manv times by reason of its stronger financial resources, no body of employers can lightly go into battle with a body of workers who have E4 per head standing to their credit in the funds of their Unions. Without funds at all I have known bodies of workmen put up a tremendous contest with their employers. But, while I am stating this, I do not do so either to boast or to incite. I am simply stating a historical fact, while emphasising this increase in the money value of Trades Unions with much pleasure, for I recognise that if conflicts between Capital and Labour are to be reduced or abolished, it can only be done I under the present constitution of com- mercialism by both parties being made to realise that breaking off negotiations cannot fail to have serious and far- reaching consequences by reason of the power of the combinations involved. Given a desire for peace, with both parties in a position to undertake a lengthy struggle if a rupture takes place, I have no hesitation in saying, with some knowledge of what I am talking about to guide me, that there is no question that may crop up between employers and employed that cannot be amicably arranged by conference and conciliation. That the primary function of a Trades Union is not to fight by way of strikes and lock-outs, but to main- tain a satisfactory peace, is proved to demonstration if the detailed items of expenditure are considered. During the ten years covered by the above table a sum of £16,768,000 was expended by the 100 Unions, but of this great sum only zL2,357,000, or 14.1 per cent., was paid as dispute pay. The balance was spent on unemployed, sick, accident, I superannuation, funeral, and other benefits and expenses. With such a I record before one it is not surprising. that Parliament has had no qualms of conscience in relieving by an act of law the incubus that has been burdening and handicapping British Trades Unions during recent years, and I venture the opinion that the nation I ,stands to gain very considerably when it demands that justice should be done to these institutions of the working classes. The closer one is brought into touch with shipping affairs the more one marvels at the anomalies connected with, that business. Why road tolls and toll- gates should have been abolished on land as an unfair and out-of-date system and the system allowed to con- tinue without amendment up to the present day on sea is, indeed, difficult to understand. In my judgment, it would be wiser if the nation paid for lightinp" i our shores out of the national Exchequer and abolished light dues altogether, particularly when it is remembered how heavily vessels flying the British flag are taxed when they enter other countries' waters simply because of our method of charging light dues. Last year ship- owners paid to the Exchequer £ 500,9961 as light dues. In considering this ques- tion it should be appreciated that the! principle upon which this payment is made is the same as when a toll- ate charge was paid in the old days. T understand, further, that the parties who pay these charges have no right of representation upon the bodies respon- sible for administering the moneys they pay. Small wonder that the Shipping World" is demanding representative authorities and representative taxation in connection with the business. Per- sonally, while I am quite persuaded in favour of a reform in the payment of light dues, I could more heartily give any effort for securing amendment my co-operation could I be convinced that the sailors would be given a share of this half-million by way of an increase in wages were the light dues charge upon British and other vessels ablosihed.

PLIGHT OF THE POOR I A destitute widow endeavoured to support herself a,-id three children by selling flowers in the streets. On Mor day tar eldest girl, who has beea lame from her birth, received hailf-a-crown as a Qhristmias-box, and witn ttJhùs she bought some pa-per fans which, she endeavoured to sell ait a penny each. WhecJ. she had sold two she was arrested, fined five shillings at Loxnbctih Polioe-court for pelling without a licence, and locked wp. T'he mother had no money, and the fine was pa?l by the girl's younger eister, who 'I' bad been g?ven 6vc Ephilhngs as a eh ?t.;?, box. The girl had never been cautioned or brought before a magistrate previously (says the corr espon demt of a London paper who ¡' tells the story).

HIS 107th BIRTHDAY I James Grieve, a shepherd, yesterday celebrated his 107th birthday at Whistleford, Dumbartonshire. He enjoys good health, and retains his full mental faculties. He claims to be the King's oldest subject.

CONGREGATIONAL "CALL" I The Rev. T. Bowen Harris, minister of the English. Congregational Church, Llwynypia, has received a very pressing and unanimous ¡ call to the pastorate of the Congregational I Church at Street, Somerset.

A Fine Distinction.—The Politician (epeak- j ing with some warmth): No, sir—a thou- j sand times no! I didn't sen myself. They; 1] bought me.—"Pick-me-Up.

Colonel D. R. David Dead I END OF AN ACTIVE CAREER I The death took place on Tuesday at his residence, Maesygwyn, Port Talbot, of Colonel David Roderick David, J.P., after a lingering illness. The death removes from the district one of its most genial and popular personalities, and a gentleman who had for over thirty years, both as a. public man and as a private citizen, exerted much power for good in the district. The deceased was 65 years of age. Colonel David started life as a grocer at Margam, a business which he carried on for many years, but during the palmy days of the tin-plate trade he, with the late Mr. Llewellyn Howells, who had gained his expe- rience at the Cwmfelin Works, near Swansea, erected the Taibach Tin-plate Works at Port Talbot. The partnership, which lasted for some years, was dissolved, Mr. Howell going out of the firm. Mr. D. R, David, however, carried on the works up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Margam Urban District Council from its formation, and for many years represented his parish on the Neath Board of Guardians. In 1892 he was placed on the commission of the Peace for the county of Glamorgan, and sat on the bench at Port Talbot. He also sat on the old Margam Local Board during the presidency of the late Mr. C. R. M. Talbot and of Sir Arthur P. Vivian. For some years he represented the Port Talbot district on the county council. He was an ardent Churchman, and had acted as parish warden for a number of years. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest Volunteers in the county. In the early daya of the movement he joined as a Priva-t-I the Margam Corps, organised and equipped by the late Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, then lord-lieutenant of the county. Tha.t corps afterwards became the A and B Companies of the administrative battalion known as the list Glamorgan Rifle Volun- teers, and it still holds the premier position in tihe re-formed 2nd V.B. Welsh Regiment. Colonel David took a real interest in the work, ind gradually rose to the rank of a commissioned officer. In June, 1890, he was gazetted major, and on his retirement last year was granted the rmik of lieutenant- colonel. He was certainly one of the most popular officers which the 2nd V.B. Welsh ever had. Knowing his drill thoroughly, he could on all occasions comma.nd the respect of these who were in his charge, and even under the most provocative circumstances he never lost his temper. On many occasions wbsn in camp he had to take command of companies other than his own, and all ranks were delighted to have him as their leader. Of late years he had been failing in health, but whenever possible he attended the annual camps, and was one of the best beloved members of the officers' mess. He also took in years gone by a very active interest in the Glamorgan Rifle Association. His -on, Lieutenant L. David, who has passed school and obtained a. Hythe certifi- cate as instructor of musketry, follows in his father's footsteps, and is one of the most efficient officers in the 2nd V.B. Welsh Regi- ment.

A Wedding Mystery. I BRIDEGROOM'S STORY OF A TRAIN I OUTRAGE All extraordinary story of a bridegroom being assaulted and robbed in a London and North Western train passing through Buckinghamshire on the morning of his marriage is being investigated by the Bietchiey police. The unlucky bridegroom (says the London Evening News") is a signalman named John West, who lived in Brickhill, a little village near to the important railway junc- tion of Bietchiey. A month ago he was pro- moted from working on the line to be signal- man on the Bedford Branch of the London and North Western Railway. For some years he had courted a pretty young woman in the village, and the mar- riage was arranged to i .ike place on Boxing Day at Bowbriekhill Church. The bride and C? l, c h her friends drove to the church, but there was no sign of the bridegroom. As he did not appeal- the wedding party went home dis- appointed. Not until six in t,he evening did West put in an appearance. Then, in an exhausted con- dition, he crawled into his mother's house. "I am very bad," he exclaimed, and quickly he was wrapped in warm blankets and a doctor sent for. Afterwards West told a strange story. I caught the 8.16 a.m. train from Bietchiey to Leighton Buzzard," he said, "where I was to call for my wedding clothes. On entering Leighton tunnel thrN men who had been con- cealed in the corridor came forward and asked me for a light. Then they -caught hold of me, put a handkerchief to my face, drugged me, and threw me out of the train. I did not recover consciousness until two o'clock in the afternoon, when I found myself in a tunnel. Presently I was able to walk, and I made my way home through the different villages. The men took out my purse and robbed me of £46 in gold and 8s. in silver. I could reoognise them again." Superintendent Laiit, of Fenny Police- station, was communicated with, and with Police-sergeant Dibden undertook inquiries. They elicited from Weat that he wa? 6-ufferin? from pains in his back, but, curiously enough, it was found he had escaped bruises or scratches despite his alleged ill-treatment. An empty purse was found i. his posses- sion, and his assailants had, apparently, left his watcil and chain, a shilling, and a single ticket from Bietchiey to Leigh ton Buzzard. The police confe.ss themselves absolutely puzzled. West has been visited by his sweetheart, and has promised that the ma-rriage shall take place at a future date.

Midgets Marry. WEDDING AT PONTYPRIDD I Considerable interest was taken in the wed(lizi? of two dwarfs this morning at St. Catherine's Church, Pontypridd, the con- tracting parties being Carlisle Percy Harley, a native of Worthing, Kent, ajid Emily Maud Phillips, of Hereford, both of whotn travel with Messrs. Walbrook, the cinematograph entertainers. Attired in the orthodox style, all that was to be seen of the bridegroom, who was sur- rounded and hidden from view by the schoolboys of the locality, was his glistening "ceil topper" as he walked to the church, to which the bride drove in a cab. The bride- groom dispensed with the assistance of a "best" man, but the bride, who looked like a ¡ little school-girl, and who was tastefully dressed in' a grey material, with hat to match, and carrying a bouquet of spirse-a, was accompanied by two brid&maids—one a little girl of six, who, nevertheless, exceeded the bride in stature, and the other a tall young lady, who was a decided contrast to the diminutive bride. In the church, where the Rev. J. Thomas, B.A., officiated, cnly the favoured few in the front seats were able to get a glimpse of the ha-ppy pair as the ceremony was per- formed, and whilst the bride was shy and tremulous—judging by her voice- the oride- groom plighted his troth in almost sten- torian tones. Bride and bridegroom after- wards drove off in a cab to the station, amidst the cheering of the assembled crowd, the destination being Brighton, where the honeymoon will be spent. The total height of the pair is 7ft. 4in.

-LIVING WITH ANOTHER MAN" I A smart young fellow named George Ernest Giles appeared in the dock at Newport Police- court to-day, in the uniform of a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, charged with wil- fully making false answers to questions con- tained in his attestation papers on being enlisted a.t Hounslow on November 22. He admitted the offence, which consisted in his untruthfully saying that he had naver been in the Service before, and that ,h,o v;as a single man. He had been in the Royal Marine Artillery, aud was married. What made you do it? asked the court. After I left the Royal Marine Artillery (replied the prisoner) I went to sea, and when I came home I found that my wife was living with another man. So I cleared out. Two would be no good there. There was a sum- mons for me to appea,r at Worthing to-day for not supporting my wife. I was out of work, so I enlisted again in the Army. Lieutenant Orford told the bench that if the prisoner was convicted the military authorities could discharge him at once. The Bench, in the result, sent him to prison for a month without hard labour..

ABERAMAN MAN'S CURIOUS REASON I FOR ASSAULT An Aberaman. man, named Samuel Daviee (23) was brought before the Cardiff magis- trates to-day charged with assaulting Police- constable Francis Taylor in the execution of his duty. The officer merely intimated to prisoner that someone had tried to steal his watch and chain, upon which, Daviee knocked I him down. The assault Cost him fourteen days.

The Real Driving Force.—"It is love that makes the world go round, you know."— I "Perhaps; but it is money that keeps the i axle greased."—"Sketchy Bits." STEVEXS' BBEAD— DemauSea more than over. 45M

£ 1,145 Paid in Fines BY SWANSEA SUNDAY TRADERS The Sunday traders at. Swansea made their New Year bows to the bench at Swansea yesterday, and were mulcted in their usual penalty of 12s. 6d. each. During the years over which these prose- cutions have extended it would appear that some of these defendants had up to New Year's Day been lined no less than 1,835 times, and had paid in fines a total of about £ 1,145. They were as follow:— Mrs. Elizabeth Kerr, newsagent, Alexandra- road, 320 times, paid in fines C200. Mr. S. Crawcour, tobacconist, Oxford-street, 335 times, 9210. Mr. J. Powe, confectioner, College-street, 204 times, Cl27. Mr. David Martin, tobacconist, Heathfield- street, 266 times, £ 165. Mr. W. G. Comden, St. Helen's-road, 310 times, C194. Al r. Charles Hunt, of Burials-crescent, 207 times, -6130. Mr. J. B. Wyndham, Neath-road, 193 times, L120.

POISONING MYSTERY I An inquest was held at Islington yester- day on the body of Hannah Hobbs, aged 52, who died on Saturday last. It was stated that for some time past Mrs. Hobbs, who was the wife of a farrier, had complained of pains in the head. On Satur- day her son heard her crying out, and on going to her room found her in great pain. To him she said that she had taken some- thing in mistake for castor oil. She died some hours later. The husband said that his wife had no trouble, and had never threatened to commit suicide. Medical evidence was given that death was due to the drinking of spirits of salts. A letter found in Mrs. Hobbs's room read as follows:- Dear Husband and Children,—Forgive me for this rash act I am about to take. I have been (word undecipherable) by that bad old woman upstairs, yfhe has drugged my beer with snuff. May God pour curses on her head. She has robbed me, the best woman on earth. My poor husband is not to blame. lIe has told me so many times to keep from the drink. God bless 2uy .poor children and husband. 0 God, forgive me. I can scarcely write, my head is so bad. The husband, re-called, said that his wife did not drink, but he had told her not to have anything, as she complained of her head. The coroner adjourned the case for further inquiries.

COAL GAS TRAGEDY At Harnmerswith an inquest- was held by ) Dr. Luxnioore Drew upon the body of Alfred Edward Harvey (32), a commercial traveller. The evidence showed that deceased and his wife spent Christmas Day at his mother-in- law's house, and he was then in excellent spirits. About mid-day on Boxing Day he returned to his home in Weltg-road, Ham- mersmith. in order that he might change his clothes, as he was attending a football match. He had premised to return to his mother-in-law's house later in the day, but he did not do so. His wife was not anxious, however, as to hia whereabouts, and on Thursday morning her brother went to the deceased's house, but could get no reply to his knocking. His wife then went home, and, entering the kitchen with her sister, saw her husband's clothes there. She remarked, Why. the bounder's in bed." Going into the bedroom she found there was an over- powering smell of gas and that her husband was unconscious upon the bed. He died on Saturday morning. In the bedroom was a "pull-down" chandelier, and none of the tapa were turned on. Gas was found to be issuing from the chandelier. Death was attributed to coal-gas poisoning. It was stated that deceased had no troubles of any kind. The jury returned a verdict of Death by misadventure."

SUICIDE IN PRISON An inquest was held in Northampton Gaol yesterday on the body of Frederick N. Dennis, aged 42, a clerk, of no fixed I residence, who was found dead in his cell on Monday evening. It was stated that deceased, who was undergoing a month's imprisonment for stealing boots, placed his pillow-case over his head, fastened the case to a gas bracket in his cell, and inhaled the gas till he became asphyxiated. The cell was visited by a warder half an hour before Dennis was found dead. On his slate Dennis had written the following nic-ssa-ge: Home- less, friendless, and hopeless. As regards what the future may bring forth, where is the joy of living? Better by far death than a dishonourable and dishonest life. I am atoning dearly for my only crime, into which I w?a driven by destitution, and I wish for the end to come." The Coroner said the message showed that deceased intended to end his life, and he carried out his design in a clever and crafty way. There did not seem to be anything pointing to insanity. The jury returned a verdict of "Felo de se.

THE PITY OF IT ALL! At the Hampshire Quarter Sessions yester- day Major Henry George Phillips, retired, pleaded guilty to attempting suicide by inhaling coal gas. Prisoner's wife obtained a divorce in July, previous to which, in consequence of his annoying his wife, the Divorce Court had made an order restraining him from going within a milt, of his wife's house. On December 6 he went to his wife's house, and, entering the conserva- tory secretly, he first stopped up the cracks with wool, and then turned on the gas, being found unconscious next morning. For the defence it was stated that prisoner was deeply attached to his wife. He had fought through the South African war, being four times mentioned in dispatches and being awarded the D.S.O. He was bound over in 11CO to be of good behaviour for twelve months, his brother entering into recognisances in the same sum.

ARRESTED .CARDIFF. A shop assistant named Arthur James Freeman. who was arrested at Cardiff, where his friends reside, was indicted at Devon Quarter Sessions yesterday for stealing a camera valued at X6, the property of Thomas Oann, his employer at Bovey Tracey, on November 15; and also with stealing a bicycle, the property of George Piper, at Stonehouse, on November 2,7. Prisoner pleaded guilty to both charges. Mr. P. Clarke said prisoner was absolutely at a loss to explain his action. It was his first lapse in an honest life. The articles had been recovered. Accused had been awaiting trial a month, and those con. nected with him were prepared to send him to one of the Colonies. Accused was bound over ia his own recog- nisances to come up for judgment when called upon.

EBBW VALE ASSESSMENT The appeal of the Ðbhw Vale Industrial and Provident Society against the rating of a lease at Ebbw Vale by the Bedwellty Assessment Committee was mentioned at the Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions to-day by Mr. Corner, "who said that terms had been arranged since the appeal was first adjourned, and he asked that tnis should be allowed. The assessment committee had rated the lease at L250 gross and X189 net, but was now agreed that it should be fixed at 1117 gross and £100, Mr. Mickletbwaite, for the committee, assented, and the arrangement was con- firmed.

RAILWAY CARRIAGE SCENE Frederick Theodore Herslop, a, sailor, pleaded not guilty at Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions to-day to a charge of assaulting Mary Jones on t,he 27th of November in a Great Western Railway carriage between Newport and Cardiff. The prosecutor alleged that prisoner attempted to kiss her, and also assaulted her, but after hearing the evidence the jury found prisoner guilty of a common assault only, and he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

TWO WOMEN SUFFOCATED. Helena Parks, aged about 50, and her niece, a young woman named Maud Sturgess, were found yesterday suffocated by gas in their beds at 56, Portland-rood, South North wood, a small confectionery shop. The gas had escaped during the night from a broken pipe downstairs.

DANGEROUS LUNATIC AT MERTHYR r Yesterday the Merthyr police arrested a man, alleged to be a dangerous lunatic, who went into the ironmonger's shop of Messrs. Thomas Brothers in High-street, and asked for a revolver. When the assistant inquired what he wanted it for he said that he had a thousand pounds in the London and Pro- vincial Bank opposite, and as the cashiers would not pay it out he wanted to shoot them. The police were sent for, and the man was conveyed to the workhouse infirmary. lIe ia said to be a collier from Tredegar.

I The Lodgers' Book. ONLY MARRIED FOLK NEED APPLY Joseph Da.vies (62) was charged at Cardiff to-day with keeping a, disorderly house at 107, Frederick-street, and Florence Stacey (24) was charged with assisting in the management on divers dates. Police-constable Pugsley said 107, Frederick- street, was a refreshment houc-e in the occupation of the male prisoner, and described what came under his observation in the various bedrooms, in one of which he saw the female prisoner standing by a bed. The male prisoner set up the defence that he let apartments, and admitted couples who represented themselves to be married, and signed their names to that effect in the book produced, which was kept for the purpose. Pugs-ley, in reply to nr. Treasure, said the same women, of known bad character, were constant visitors. Superintendent Hayward, also in answer to the doctor, said when the name of the owner had been ascertained a notice would be served upon him. The male prisoner hoped the magistrates would act leniently towards him, and he promised that nothing of the kind should again occur. The woman said the same, and made a similar promise. Davies was committed for a month with hard labour; the woman, whom he described as his managress," was fined P,5, or one month.

Sad Coincidence. A LLANBRADACH FATALITY. The inquiry by Mr. E. B. Reeoe at Caer- philly to-day into the fatal accident to I",ac Powell (aged sixteen), of Caerphilly, who was instantaneously killed at the engine-hou&e at Llanbradach on Saturday last, was re- markable in one coincidence, for about four- teen years ago the father of the lad was killed at. the explosion in the old Porsett House Coal Pit, Caerphilly. Mr. F. J. Trump, Assistant Inspector of Minœ, Mr, Samuel Gregory, manager of the Llanbradach Col- liery, and Councillor Hubert Jenkins, miners' agent, were present at the inquiry. Thomas Williams, Llanbradach, the engine- driver, described the lad as an assistant engine-cleaner, who had worked for three months only at his engine, but he had been doing the same work on other engines. Witness was engaged at the engine, and had his attention fixed, but suddenly saw blood on the iloor from his position on the plat- form. The engine was on "Stop" at the time. Witness went down the stairs, and found the lad lying outside the bedding of the engine, in front of the crank. There was a wound in his head, and he was quite dead. From the position in which he lay witness gave the opinion that the lad was sweeping out the crank in some way, and was struck by the end of the connecting rod. An ordinary floor brush with which the work of sweeping was done was lying in the crank. The sweep- ing could be done from outside without get- ting in the way of the rod. He could not say whether there were any rules in the engine-house forbidding people to go near the machinery in motion, although he had been there twelve and a half years. Pressed by the Coroner on this point, he said, "I don't think there are." Continuing, witness said the boy was a very careful and intelligent fellow. Mr. Trump: Is the fencing round the crank sufficient to prevent accidental contact?— Yes. A Juryman: Don't you think there should be a code of rules or warning in the room? Witness: Well, I don't know. What is the law on the point? (Smiles). The Coroner: Never mind the point. If I were the witness I should hesitate to answer that. Ho knows his duty, and that is all he troubles about. Mr. Trump says it is not required by law that rules should be put up. Mr. Hubert Jenkins: Was it possible for the deceased to have slipped on some grease ? Witness: Quite possible. William Stephens, of Caerphilly, wiho was in charge of the engine on the floor of the engine-house, said he had cautioned the lad about going anywhere where it was dan- gerous many times. Witness was of the opinion that the brush fell in the crank-pit, and as deceased was trying to reach it the crank came round and struck him, for the crank-pit was not brushed. The. flooring was not" slippery. The head of the brush was not fixed to the handle when found, and it is possible that it may have slipped off into tlhe crank-pit amd tihe deceased reached for it. It would be almost impossible for him to sweep out the pit if the engine was in motion. The regular time for sweeping out the pit was on Saturday after the pit stopped. The Coroner: If that is so. them it is not ]ike}y that t?he boy was cleaning out the cra\ik, It is possible that the head of the bl" fell into the pit as he was passing with his bucket, and 'he may have tried to reach it. I think the explanation of Stephens correct. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

INQUEST ON STADDEN. The inquest was opened yesterday at the Dewsbury Infirmary con-corn- ing the death of William James Wood Stadden, the ex-international Rugby football player, who committed suicide on Boxing Day after murdering his wife. The inquest on. Mrs. Stadden had been adjourned until to-morrow (Thursday) week, and the same jury as in her case was empanelled to con- sider the death of Stadden. It is a melancholy fact that several members of the jury were amongst Stadden's personal friends. Only formal evidence of identification was given, and the facts will not be gone into until Thursday week, when the adjourned inquest on both bodies will be held. The interment of Stadden's remains took place at Dewsbury Cemetery to-day. Mrs. Stadden's remains were interred at Thorn-hill Lees Church on Friday last in the grave owned by her family, and it is on account of that grave being full that the husband's remains were interred in another cemetery.

SCHOONER ASHOREat SWAN SEA The schooner Olivebranch, of Gloucester, with a cargo of scrap iron, from London to Swansea, went ashore on the west side of the West Pier, Swansea, last night in a dangerous position. Captain Bowles states that the schooner was bound from London to Swansea with scrap iron, and had been twelve days on the passage, experiencing heavy weather through- out. When abreast 'of the Swansea pier at eight o'clock last night the schooner refused to answer her helm, and the fresh water com- ing down from the harbour entrance drove the ship on the beach. The sea swept her, and he and the three other men composing the crew got on to the pier. At midnight they went aboard again, and pumped the water out, but she filled again by this morning's tide. She is much damaged, and it is hoped that an attempt will be made to float her by the next tide. The pier is also damaged.

TAFF'S WELL COAL CASE At Glamorgan Quarter Sessions at Cardiff to-day (before Mr. R. W. Llewellyn and other magistrates) Edward Conway Watki'ns, coalman, and Thomas Howelle, coalboy, were qjiarged with stealing 5owt. of coal at Taff's Well on the 12th of November. Mr. W. O. Beasley (instructed by Messrs. Ingledew and Sons) appeared to prosecut-e on behalf of the Taff Va'lc Railway Company, and Mr. J. A. Lovat-Fraser (instructed by Messrs. Harold Lloyd and Cross) defended. It appeared that a quantity of coal had been consigned to Dr. Edwards, of Taff's Well. and Mr. Spencer Thomas was instructed to haul. Mr. Thomas took one load, and about 5cwt. of coal remained. The allegation was that prisoners took this coal away. The defence was that Mr. Thomas allowed prisoners to take this co,al in order to save him the trouble of making another journey, but this Mr. Thomas denied. The jury found Ho wells not guilty, and he was discharged. They failed to agree with regard to Wat-kins, and his case was adjourned until the next sessions, bail being accepted for his appearance.

SET FIRE TO A GRAND STAND Frederick Phillips (17), labourer, of Aber- gavenny, pleaded guilty at the Monmouth- shire Quarter Sessions to-day to a charge of setting fire to the grand sltand on the Aberga venny racecourse on the 1st of December and doing damage to the extent of £ 15, but he was discharged with a oaution.

DAMAGED SHIP AT NEWPORT The steamer Aras, of Whitby, reports at Newport to-day having been in collision with the steamer Ulcfos, of Norway, In the Man- chester Ship "Canal, on Christmas Day, as the result of which the former sustained damage to her port and starboard bows. She is now undergoing repairs at Messrs. Mordey, Car- ney, and Co.'s dry docks, Newport.

12 MONTHS FOR WINDOW SMASHER Henry Jon.es, collier, was sentenced at Mon- mouthshire Quarter Sessions to-day to twelve months' imprisonment wjth hard labour for smashing a plate-glass window at Newport, on December 25, the property of Albert Chambers, and doing damage.-to-Hxy extent at 94

I Found Guilty. EX-SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND LITTLE GIRLS. Robert Takel, 57, carriage cleaner, of Coy- trahene, near Bridgend, pleaded not guilty at the Glamorgan Quarter Sessions at Cardiff to-day to charges of assaulting three little children at Coy-trahene, namely, Lilian Floyd, aged ten, Violet May Yorwarth, aged twelve, and Gwladys Yorwarth, aged ten. The pro- ceedings were tilien at the instigation of the National Vigilance Society. Mr. St. John Franois-Williams (instructed by Messrs. T. J. Hughes and Lewis; appeared for the prosecu- tion, and Mr. Vaughan Williams defended. Mr. Williams said he would take the case of Gwladys Yorwarth first, and the allegation was that he induced her and her cousin Violet to go into a closet at the back of the house, where he committed the offence. He then gave one of the little girls a penny and the other a halfpenny. In consequence of something which had come to the knowledge of the mother of another girl prisoner was arrested, and, in reply to the charge, he said, "I don't remember znything about it. If I had known it would have come to this I would not have acted with the little girls as I did. Xo doubt, I was in a drop of drink." Prisoner elected to give evidence, and denied absolutely the statement made by May and Gwladys Yorwarth. He was never in the closet wit-h them. He had been superintendent of a Methodist Sunday school. He had. not "to his memory" done anything to May Yorwarth. Mr. St. John Francis-Williams: Do you think it possible that you have done some- thing indecent to that little girl, and that it has slipped your memory?—I don't remember having anything to do with May in my life. Are you in the habit of having too much drink?—I get a drop of whisky now and then. That is not an answer. Are you in the habit of taking too much drink?—Yes. And going home in that state?—Yes. He was sure he had not committed the offence when in that state. Re-examined, prisoner said he often gave the children coppers to fetch things from the shop for him. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with 1,Vd labour. The other cases were not proceeded with.

"Bull" Ryan, of Newport WCll ONLY STOP FOR THE ROPE Patrick Ryan, the 6ft. 2in. ne'er-do-well of Newport, who bears the familiar nick-name of "Bull" Ryan, made h is seventy-third appearance before the magistrates to-day at Newport Town-hall 011 a charge of being drunk and disorderly by using filthy and obscene language on New Year's Day, and also with assaulting Police-constableHensley. At 2.40 p.m. on Tuesday Police-constable Hensley sa.id he saw the prisoner in Dock- street, ouU-ide the police-oihc-e, in a drunken state and in a fighting attitude. He was making use of very filthy language to persons passing by, and also directing a. torrent of it towards the police-office door. He had twice been in the police-office before this, making a disturbance. It, therefore, became neceseary to lock him up. When he was being placed in the ceil he directed a radob violent kick at Hensley, which had it struck with all the force intended would undoubtedly have broken the constable's leg or his knee- cap. He, however, luckily escaped the full strength of the violence, and simply had his leg grazed. Police-constable Robinson corroborated. Prisoner aeserted that Police-consitabie Robinson kicked him in the stomach and hit him on the head with a staff. These allegations the constable denied. Ryan declared that he did not use the lan- guage, and asserted tJhat the police put any- thing they liked on the Bull," who had to bear it all. Alderman Canning: We must give you the maximum punishment. You will be sent to prison for six months for the assault on the constable, and a month for being drunk and disorderly, the sentences to run consecur lively. And, now, do let me apfpeail to you (continued the chairman) to see if there is no possibility for you to stop this career. Prisoner (loudly): No; the only time I'll step it is when I've got a rope round me. Alderman Canning: May we ask you seriously to reflect upon your career and see if you cannot do something to amend your life in this new year. Prisoner: It will be for the worse and not for the better. He then blithely went below to the cells.

TALE OF A WATCH. I William Charles Bray, labourer, was charged at Glamorgan Quarter Sessions at Cardiff to-day with stealing a watch and chain from the person of David James at Llanbradach, on the 8th of October. Mr. Pepyat Evans (instructed by Mr. R. Y. Evans) prosecuted, and Mr. Harold Stowe, with Mr. Roland Vaughan-Williams (instructed by Mr. Tom Phillips) defended. It appeared that James was in the Win- stone Hotel, Llanbradach, on the date named, He left at ten o'clock, and a quarter of an hour before he saw the watch, but on the way home he missed it. Prisoner afterwards attempted to pawn the watch, which had the prosecutor's name upon it, and was arrested. The defence was that the prisoner found the watch, a.nd prosecutor stated that he did not remember seeing him in the hotel on the night the watch was lost. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to one month. Mr. Stowe applied to the court to state a case upon the ground that a man charged with the crime of stealing from the person cannot in law be found guilty of the separate offence of larceny. The justices were advised not to state a case, but they conferred with the learned chairman (Mr. O. H. Jones), who came into the court, for consultation, and, after argu- ment, the chairman said: We will give you a case. We don't think there is much in it, however.

I POLICE-OFFICER)g CHILDREN Track a Barry Clock Thief. John O'Doanell, of no fixed abode, was charged at Penarth Police-court to-day with stealing a marble clock, value E2 10s., from the shop of Mr. Francis John Greener, jeweller, Barry Dock. About two o'clock on Monday afternoon two little girls, the daughters of Polioe-inspector D. Morris, saw O'Donnell rush from the shop with something bulky concealed beneath his coat. One of them kept her eye on the man, and the other ran to inform a constable. In the meantime Mr. Greeiner missed a marble timepiece from the counter, and he traced O'Donnell to the lane at the rear of Newland- street. On observing Mr. Greener, prisoner shouted, "Have you lost, a. clock?'' "Yes," replied the jeweller; "that's my clock under your arm." O'Doirmell remarked that he would take the clock back if the owner would not give him in charge, but before anything else was -;oid Police-constable Richard Beedles arrived on the scene and took the man into custody. On the way to the cells O'Donnell said: "I don't know what made me take such a heavy thing a.s that. I went into the shop, there was no one about [here the clock struck one, causing a titter in court], and I took the clock because there was nothing smaller lying about." There being a long list of thefts against prisoner, he was sent to gaol for two months.

I JUVENILE INGENUITY Misapplied Skill at Newport Half-a-dozen juveniles were before the New- port magistrates to-day for petty pilfering. They had been practising in Marion-street the old and familiar trick of "fishing." A pin stuck into the end of a stick was intro- duced into a hole in a shop window, and by that means chocolate, bananas, cigarettes, etc. were abstracted. This was the game carried on at the shop of Mr. J. Redman, 1, Marion-street, and also at the shop of Mr. W. Clarke, 41, Marion- street. The four little boys-Amizah Cameron, Wil- lam Griffin, Christopher Davey, and Percy Pope-were discharged on a promise that their parents would chastise them. Two I older boys-Thomas Higgins (17) and Thomas Corrigan (16)—were fined 5s. each.

KNIFED IN THE THIGH. I John Davies was brought up in custody at Mountain Ash Police-court to-day on the charge of wounding John Teague. The prisoner had been remanded by the Merthyr Bench, and to-day the police asked for a further remand for a fortnight, and produced a doctors certificate which showed that the prosecutor was unable to appear. Mr. Willie Thomas, who defended, applied for bail, and said that prisoner had lived in Penrhiwceiber for" fourteen years, and he had always found him to be a harmless and inoffensive man. He was 55 years of agre, whereas the prosecutor was only 25. More- over, the wound was in the thigh, and was not so serious as was represented. Bail was allowed, rpvisonoer in JG20 and two sureties of zElO each. The prosecutor, we understand, is recover- ing.

I BKBMALINE UUKAT)— J IH For you are born 1 a form upon that J JotuW +6.at. & C— T.

£ 12,000,000 Capital I ANOTHER SHIPPING TRUST  A telegram from Portland, Maine, i announces that Mr. C. W. Morse, the ice king, yesterday, organised the consolidated Steam- ship Line Company. The new company, which has a capital of 60,000,000 dollars, will aim at a monopoly of the coasting trade between North and South America.—Central News. ======

BLACKMAILING PATIENTS P Doctor's Statement and Apology. At an inquest held at Wimbledon yester- day on the body of a man found dead, Dr Barton, who was called in, said the cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage. He did no know deceased as a patient, but he saw no alternative to granting a certificaite of death. Ooroner (Dr. Miohael II. Taylor) said: death. Coroner (Dr. Michael H. Taylor) said he might have repoifted tho case to the police. Dr. Barton said he had done this on two previous occasions, and he had learnt th at if there was no inquest there was no fee. The result was that parties had given the I coroner's officer a fee or tip to avoid an j inquest when in his (Dr. Barton's) opinion I there was not the slightest occasion for as inquest. The Coroner: You have no right to judgf as to the necessity for an inquest or other wise; or has the coroner's officer any right. I Dr. Barton: Patients have told me tbaJ they have had to give fees to an officer ta avoid an inquest, and only the other day my partner had such a case. To a certain extent I call that blackmailing patients, and I a-sk if it is fair? The Coroner said he did not think the doctor was justified in using the word black- mail. Dr. Barton afterwards tendered an apology for using the term with regard to the coroner's officer, but the coroner refused íA." accept it.

I SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS Pontypridd Youth's Sharp Trick —— John Bowden, a, youth residing with his parents, 51, Phillips-street, Pontypridd, was { charged at the local police-co-urt to-day with. obtaining 6d. by false pretences. It appeared from the evidence that defendant had 200 tickets printed by Mr. Lewis, Mill-street, oR j the 23rd of October for a drawing. The price arranged was 2s. 6d., and when he called for them he said he had no money to pay for them. He asked for a few, and promised to return for the remainder and pay the money the following day, a promise which he failed 'I to carry out. |I Mrs. Griffith Davies stated that Bowden jj called upon her and told her she had won a gold brooch lin a drawing. As she had taken a ticket she behoved the statement. He then asked for 6d., to which he said he was entitled, and she gave it to him, expecting that the -brooch would be brought to her. In another charge of a similar nature Mrs. j Rose Haw ells, IEghmead, gave evidence that jI Bowden called upo-n her and sold a ticket for a drawing for John Bowden on the plea that • he had lost his wife and was left with eleven r children. Later he visited her, and slated that she had won a gold watch, and if she gave him 6d. the prize would be brought to her. She gave him the money, and dtid not see him again. Gertrude Williams, Taff-street, Pontypridd, was also victimised in the same way. Replying to the Stipendiary, defendant said the conceived the idea, after a strange man had visited his house, whom he had not met since. Neither his father nor any of the family had benefited by the transactions. The Stipendiary, in passing a sentence of a month's imprisonment.in the second division, disbelieved the story of the strange man," and held that it was an artful scheme which had originated nearer home,

A TOURiST THIEF George Roberts, 48, labourer, pleaded guilty at Clerkenwell Sessions yesterday to snatch- ing a purse and the sum of il 4s. from Leila Wood, in Hans-crescent, Sloane-square. Detective-sergeant Reid described the pri- soner as a travelling thief. Since 1898 he had toured the country, and convictions for theft, housebreaking, &c., were recorded against him at Dorset. Folkestone, Lewes, and Swan- sea, among other places. A sentence of fifteen months' imprisonmcni with hard la'bour was pacsed.

SIXPENCE A DAY FOR HERO In a small room in a, house in Cross-street, Chatham, with two chairs, a table, and a bed as its only furniture, there resides Thomas White, a survivor of the famous charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. The sad case of the old warrior was outlined yester- day at the meeting of the Medway Board of Guardians, when White applied for out- relief. His age is 76. In the charge he was wounded with a sword-cut from the knee to the groin, and subsequently was for some months in hospital. After twelve years' ser- vice he was invalided out of the Army with a pension of sixpence per day for eighteen months. The board granted him 3s. 6d. weekly, a.n(\, relief in kind.

TUG'S 16,000 MILES VOYAGE The tug Tartar, which started from Swansea for the record voyage of 16,000 miles, has arrived at Teneriffe in seven days' erteam covering a distance of 1,520 miles.

FARTHINGS GROW TO POUNDS In accordance with a long established custom contribution was received for the poor-box at the Westminster Police-court yesterday from a well-known firm of drapers in the district, and acknowledgment was asked for as follows" £ 22 12s. Id., found in a draper's shop in Pimlioo in 1906." It has always been understood that this annual donation is made up of the farthings and small change left by customers.

"TOO LAZY EVEN FOR A POLICEMAN" A woman who sought the advice of the Yarmouth magistrates inforrn-od them that her husband, an ex-policema-n, was lazy, and declined to work-a habit which the chairman sriggested was con- tracted while in the fcrce. Tha chief con- stable said he was "too lazy even fer a policeman."

FROM PAUPER TO MILLIONAIRE Mr. Micliaol Pette, wlio landed penniless in New York twenty years ago, and was forced to enter a poorlhollsP to avoid starvation, has just sailed for Europe to purchase art objects for his new S 25,030 house at Wood- haven, Long Island. He has become a mil- lionaire by fortunate speculations in land a-nd houses.

AN EXPENSIVE LUNATIC The Wisbech Board of Guardians has received notice of the death in Thorpe Asylum of a West Walton woman, who was 90 years old at the time of her death, and wlho had been in the asylum since January 4, 1870. She has cost tho guardians nearly £ 1,000.

TEA FOR TWELVE THOUSAND The great annual tea drinking festival in connectiou with the churches and chapela of Blackburn was celebrated yesterday, the number of the participants being estimated at 12,000

SUFFOCATED IN BEDROOM I Ellen Perks, 54, and Maud Sturgess, 26, of 36, Portland-road, South Norwood, were on Tuesday morning found suffocated from the escape of gas in their bedroom.

The Children like it Like wht ?- Why Brown & Poison's "Patent" Corn. Flour made with milk, whether as soup, or as hot Corn Flour pudding boiled or baked served either plain or with stewed apples or prunes. In this case the children like what likes them, and what is good for them,