The South Wales Star

15ARRY RAIL WA Y.-TRAFFIC RECEIPTS. Week ending 24th September, 1892 £ 5,711. Accountant's Office, Barry Dock, 27th September. 1892. U

CADOXTON-BARRY HIBERNIA BENEFIT SOCIETY, ANNUAL DINNER. The second annual dinner of the Cadoxton- Uarry Hibernia Benefit Society was held at the Witchill Hotel, Cadoxton, on Wednesday night, Dr. O'Donnell in the chair. Among those present besides were General Lee, Alderman Carey (Car- diff), the Rev. Father Hyland, Drs. Kelly rnd Bray, Messrs. D. T. Alexander, O.* McCann and Mrs. McCann, J. C. Cleverdon, J. G. Greener, J. MaDonnell (secretary). R. J. O'Mahoney, J. Jeremiah, H. Burbidge, Gilead Brock, J. ¡ Harrison, J. Fulford and Mrs. Fulford, Mrs. and Miss McCarthy. An excellent dinner had been provided by Host and Hostess Hoddinott in his usual generous style. After the tables had been cleared and Father Hyland had returned thanks, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were duly honoured. The Rev. Father Hyland, in proposing the toast of Ii The Cadoxton-Barry Hibernia Society," said that the society should be supported on account of its usefulness. But he considered these societies not merely useful to the sick and helpful to the relatives of the dead, but they provided an educa- tion to those concerned in them. (Hear, hear.) They caused a man to look into and,provide for the future, not in a selfish way, but for the sake of those dearest to them on earth, for the wives of those who were married, and, in the case of those who were not, for the wives they hoped to have. (Hear, hear.) In this respect they presented a living imitation of Almighty God himself, one of the attributes of the Divinity being Providence. These societies also provided a real bit of practical Home Rule. (Laughter and cheers.) It was a real bit of education to keep the rules and manage the society. (Hear, hear.) After contrasting the position of working men 40 years ago with their position to-day, the rev. Father said that it was being now more generally re- cognised that the working man was worthy of a decent living and a decent house, and that when his strength was leaving him, and when manhood was verging on old age, !he was worthy of something better than the workhouse. (Loud cheers.) Working men were not dumb driven cattle, mere materials to gather up wealth for those who did not earn it themselves. (Hear, hear.) The real secret of the bettering of the condition of working man was combination and it was in combination that his future hope lay. He. therefore, wished the Hibernia Benefit Society success, he prayed it might flourish and increase till it had done its work for the benefit of the people. (Loud applause.) Mr. J. McDonnell, in responding, read a state- ment of accounts, which showed that the Society had a total balance in hand of £60 3s. 71d, that the total number of members on the books was 50 financial and 4 honorary members. There was not a member at that time on the sick list, (Hear, hear.) The banner had nearly been paid for through the generosity of friends, and through the quarterly contributions of the members. (Hear, hear.) The Juvenile Society had not realised their anticipations, but still the funds showed that they were a few pounds to the good. (Applause.) Dr. O'Donnell proposed The Visitors."—General Lee, in responding, dwelt on the excellent innovation they had started in admitting ladies to their dinner. (Hear, hear.) He was of opinion that the more women were let into the affairs of the men, the better it would be for the men. (Hear, hear.) The wise man would make his wife his perfect confidante in all money matters, and if a responsibility was thrown on a woman, she would always act up to it. Where men had failed in the past, it had been because they had not thrown sufficient responsibility on their women. (Loud applause.) Alderman Carey (Cardiff) and Mr. D. T. Alexander (Dinas Powis) also responded. Other toasts were Kindred Societies," proposed by Mr. McCann, and responded to by Dr. Buist and Mr. J. Harrison The Press," proposed in eloquent and flattering terms by Dr. Kelly, and responded to by Mr. Llewellyn and Mr. W. LI. Williams il The Host and Hostess," proposed hy Dr. O'Donnell, and responded to (in the absence of Mr. Hoddinott) by Mr J. Jeremiah and The Chairman." proposed by Mr. Alexander. At 10.30 the party adjourned to the adjoining room where dancing was indulged in till the early hours of the morning. General Lee leading off with Mrs. McCann.—Several songs were sung in the course of the evening.

DETERMINED ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. On Sunday morning a woman named Mrs. Courd, living with a man named Bath, a labourer, at- tempted to commit suicide by taking a dose of insect powder. The parties live at 26, Hunter- street. Cadoxton-Barry, and, having quarrelled with her putative husband, he told her they had better separate, and the woman, in a fit of despon- dancy. attempted to put at end to her life in the manner described. Dr. Treharne was sent for, and, that gentleman having attended to her, the sufferer was reported on Monday evening to be gradually recovering.-This morning Fanny Courd was brought up at the [Barry Dock Police-court, before Mr. O. H. Jones and General Lee, for at- tempting to commit suicide.-Henry Bath said defendant lived with him. and attempted to commit suicide on Sunday morning. He didn't go to bed that night, and he went into the front room about seven o'clock, and saw her there. She was all right then. He said nothing to her, and he was in the room about an hopr before she took the poison. He did not see her take the poison, but he saw that something was wrong as she was vomiting. On the previous night he told her they had better dissolve partnership When he saw her vomiting he went for the land- lady of the house, who asked defendant what she had taken. He did not hear her answer, and sent for the doctor. He was not present when the doctor came. Defendant was living with him as his wife. She had to stay in bed for the time, she took the poison until Wednesday morning.—Dr. Treharue said he saw the prisoner about 7.30 in the morning at 26, Hunter-street, she was lying on her iside in the front room vomiting. He ex- amined her, and found her in a very weak state. He gave her an ametic. The landlady showed him a paper which had contained white precipitate. He saw some white precipitate in the vomit. In answer to Mr. Jones, Dr. Treharne said he thought the mixture was not sold under the Poisons Act Defendant admitted taking the poison, and said she did so because she had had some words with her husband. He attended defendant until the pre- vious morning, and she was out of danger now. Had he not been called in she would probably have died.—Emma Hatwell, the landlady of the house in which defendant lived and Acting- Sergeant Ben Davies gave evidence.—Defendant said she was sorry for the offence, and after consideration the Bench committed defendant for trial at the next Quarter Sessions at Swansea.

ROUND THE TOWNS. [BY MR. GAD-ABOUT.] ""f' .¡. _r. Read Darius Dare's character sketch of Mr. John Robinson. # Of the clubs, the Carlton has the heaviest box in aid of the Cottage Hospital Fund. Over 2.000 people have used the bathing machines in Whitmore Bay this season. » Inspector Leyshon looks up well. He will be glad, he informs me, when the cholera scare is over. The London Society of Compositors has made a new departure by admitting a woman as one of its members. The Southern Cross is the largest vessel that has yet come in to Barry Dock. She took in 2,5^0 tons bunker. # On Monday, at the Penarth Police Court, a witness repeatedly described the prosecutor as 41 prosecutrix." Dr. O'Donnell was the only member of the Health Committee present on Friday night, and therefore no meeting was held. All the solicitors of Barry are bachelors. They will all be present at the tennis dance on October 25th, and it's leap year. The Clerk of the School Board has been living so much lately in boyhood's joyous days that he has caught the mumps. It is looked upon as a reflection on the fair fame of the district that the clerks of our public bodies should all be bachelors. # # At the Penarth Police Court on Monday it was stated that nearly 150,000 visitors had been to Barry Island this season. I hear there are three new shops to be opened shortly in Holton-road. Who has the hardihood to say we are decaying ? » ♦ Mr. J. Rees does not speak much at the School Board meetings, but, like the parrot in the tale, he is an awful 'un to think. # What's the matter anyhow ? Three ministers at Barry have married during the last six months, and another is about to follow suit. The average attendance at the Board Schools during the last fortnight has been the best on record-over 82 per cent. Well done, Mr. Seig 1 The little black box was used by more that half the members of the Public Works Committee on Monday night. Who'll pay to have it re-filled ?" Mr. Benjamin Lewis, the ex-Sage of Palmers- town, and now of Barry-road, thinks that the Rev. J. W. Matthews would have figured well as a Q.C. The singing by children in the adjoining rooms of the Holton Reading-room was not at all relished by the many that visited it on Saturday night last. A mortuary has been erected at the slaughter- house. It sounds rather gruesome, and I hope no mistakes will be made when any dissecting takes place. One of the Trades Unionists of Barry is of opinion that falling down in the mud in running to catch a train is doing excellent work for the cause. Could not a stop be put to the playing of cards carried on to a great extent, Sunday after Sunday, by gangs of youths on the Moors and other public places 1 The members of the Slaughter House Committee held a meeting at the Slaughter House on Friday. Seats were provided by placing planks on a wheel- barrow. # The examinations of the Board Schools come off next month. The examination will take three days at Cadoxton and Barry, and five days at Holton. Of the tradesmen, Messrs. Morgan Brothers have collected the most money in aid of the Cottage Hospital Fund. The collection amounted to £3 10s. 6d. s? Whilst inspecting the newly-erected slaughter house on Friday, Mr. Benjamin Lewis and Mr. J. Barstow related how they killed stock when they were young. I am glad to see the old Welsh literary competi- tive meetings kept up. One will be held at Tabernacle, Barry Dock, on Saturday night, November 12th. The Vere-street hair-dresser. Mr. Cleverdon, has collected in his box more money in aid of the Cottage Hospital than any other hair-dresser. Good old Vere-strect Four hon. members were admitted to the Hibernia Benefit Society on Wednesday night, viz., General Lee, Alderman Carey, Mr. D. T. Alexander, and Dr. Buist. The Rev. Morris Isaac was presented with a handsome timepiece on Wednesday night by his Church on the occasion of his marriage. My best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac What kind of animals are the class described as other beasts at the Slaughter House Committee meeting on Friday, and for which a charge of Is. 6d. for slaughtering has been nxed ? A cake shop in the district has of late so many attractions that teachers, auctioneers' and accountants' clerks are to be seen assembled there of an evening by the half-dozen. IF The way the railwaymen's meeting on Sunday was conducted was a credit to all concerned. I question whether any other body of men could get upisuch a thorough good meeting. f General Lee is confident that the evening classes will be a great success. About 30 attended at our little village," said the General, and most glad they were to have the chance." One of the speakers at the Young Wales Society meeting on Tuesday night hoped that a severe winter would purify the hair," and so make the re-appearance of cholera impossible. # Next Tuesday the Young Wales Society will debate the question of the acquisition of the Gas and Water Company's undertaking by the Local •Board, and a large meeting is expected. A gang of coal-trimmers at Barry Dock sets a very good example for the other coal-trimmers. The members of the gang have each given one shilling towards the Cottage Hospital Fund. Former residents of Roath, Cardiff, will be pleased to hear that Bishop Smythes, of the Central Africa Mission, late vicar of Roath, will preach at St. German's Church, Roath, on Sunday next. The railway men's meeting at Barry on Sunday was about the most fairly conducted meeting I have ever attended. The impartial conduct and the firm hand of the chairman elicited general praise. =:< I am authorised to state that the amount which my contemporary states as the present result of the collection in aid of the Hospital Fund is incor- rect. Full and correct particulars will be given in due course. I am told that Mr. Thomas de Barri missed me very much whilst tripping to the Flat Holm. Oh, that Gad-About were here." was his constant cry. Even the presence of "Little Josh" failed to satisfy him. The popular dread of the cholera has reacted seriously on the plum crop. People are afraid to eat plums just now, so there is little demand for the fruit. Most of the crop is being sold cheap for jam-making purposes. I am glad to see that the Continuation or Even- ing Classes are likely to be started. Why can't Welsh be included among the specific subjects taught ? Surely itcan't be that there are no Welsh teachers under the Board. I notice that Mr. J. Jones, undertaker and van proprietor, Holton-road, has recently added to his stock a first-class brougham. It is a good thing to know that there is at least one enterprising tradesman left in the district. I happened to be sitting next to Dewi Alaw, of Pontypridd, at ,the performance of Dr. Parry's 3aul of Tarsus at the Cardiff Festival, and to hear the old boy's criticism of the opera-oratorio was a thing to be -remembered. Ben Davies, the great tenor, fifteen years ago was a grocer's assistant at Swansea. His mother is a fine-looking old Welshwoman, very proud of her famous son, who worships her, and always addresses her in the old language. i It was pleasant to see General Lee and Mr. D. T. Alexander doing the light fantastic" at the Hibernia dance on Wednesday night, and I have it on the best authority that they both wanted to stay till the end, and not go home till morning." # In the matter of languages Barry seems to be ahead of Cardiff. It is said that, while nearly all the Barry delegates to the Dieppe conference were fluent speakers of French, not one of the Cardiff men could parlyvoo a bit.— Western Mail. The three young ladies at the Victoria Hotel have, up to the present, done better for the Cottage Hospital and Nursing Association than any other collectors. Miss Corney has collected 9s. 11-^d.; 2 Miss Jones, 9s. 11. and MissHowells, 10s. Old. 2 2 -"„* A Barry journalist complains bitterly of the re- ception he met at the hands of the general manager a few weeks ago. But then one shouldn't Beard the lion in his den The Douglas in his hall." # It is quite time that the Sehool Board should alter the name given to the Board School at Barry. It is now called the Barry Dock School," which is quite confusing to those who have been taught to look at the spot around the station as" Barry Dock." •4C Mr. Robinson, the Chairman of the Local Board, challenged Mr. Hughes, the Clerk, to take part in a game of football with him. I intend being umpire, and" Free-kick" has promised to attend and write some special notes-when the match comes off. >I< The Science and Art Classes made an excellent start on Monday night, 43 attending the mathe- matical, and 16 the chemistry class. If those pretty girls I saw there on Monday night keep on attending the classes, the number of attendants won't diminish either. « A collection was made on Saturday afternoon last by those employed under Mr. Jackson, con- tractor of the new graving deck and deep water entrance, on behalf of Charles Jones, a fellow- workmen, employed as platelayer, towards defray- ing the expenses incurred in sending him to Bath Hospital. m Mr. Rees, schoolmaster, was the first collector to give in his box when the committee met to re- ceive any boxes forthcoming. He collected wholly from the teachers 15s.; Mr. Ewbank, at the Cadoxton School, collected f.1 9s. Id.; and Mr. Higman, at the Holton Schools, collected the sum of £2 6s. 5d. My Welsh readers will be sorry to learn that Mr. E. W. Jones, whose Welsh love songs have been charming every lass that knows the Cymraeg, is about to leave the district. I trust, however. he he will continue to treat the readers of the Star with the productions of his Muse," Lwc dda, Wernogydd!" A new feature was introduced at the School Board meeting on Monday. Several mothers who were had up" before the Board brought their babies with them. To the consternation of the Clerk and one or two bachelor members, one of the babies commenced to howl, and was only mollified when General Lee made faces at it. Those representatives of the Barry Railway Company (says the Western Mail) who conducted the Dieppe deputation round the dock parleyvood the foreigners to some purpose. Here is one sen- tence from the report which the deputation pre- pared A whole town has been created at Barry in the space of three years, and where in 1888 there only existed a few farms and cottages, there are now 40,000 inhabitants." Young Wales is modest, says the Mail. At any rate, the Cadoxton-Barry Young Wales Society believes in walking ) before they fly. Their first debate of the season on Tuesday night turned upon the subject, "Is the Local Board justified or not. in enforcing the bye-law for providing all water closets in the district with flushing appa- ratus ?" It isn't that Young Wales is modest, but that it is determined to show itself to be practical, that such a subject was chosen. Mr. A. C. Trevor, who has lately been oppointed a. member of the Council of the Governor of Bombay (says the South Waln Daily New-v) comes of an old Anglesea family. His second daughter is married to Mr. Sub-commissioner J. L. Jenkins. of the Indian Civil Service, who is the son of the late County Councillor 'Jenkins, of Llan- gadock, Carmarthenshire. Mr. J. L. Jenkins is the brother of Mrs. Llewellyn Williams, Ael-y-bryn, Cadoxton. # The children attending the Cadoxton, Board Schools were recently photographed—proofs of which are now to hand. I have been priveleged by the photographer to see one, and the grimaces of some of the children are not to be easily forgotten. A picture taken of a group of adults is somewhat spoiled by a gentleman wearing his hat, whilst the remainder are minus any head- gear. The gent, who thought he would not look nice with his hat off," is, I hear, a trifle bald-headed. Still another football team for this benighted disti'ict! The riggers, trimmers, and shore-donkey men working at Barry Dock. having so little to do these times—and anticipating less—have decided to form a football clubto fill in their man y leisure hours. The colours of the club will be according to in- dividual taste, and will be adapted to the different vessels that trade at the docks. Mr. Dyer, butcher, Barry Dock. has promised to present the club with a ball, as soon as the team has been formed. I am informed that the club will include all the athletic champions that work at the dock. Dear Mr. Gad-About,—a Cadoxton friend regu- larly sends me your excellent paper every week, and upon opening it last week I discovered among its folds a withdrawal bank form, addressed to the G.P.O., which I immediately dropped into a letter- box. I think this, in a measure, is the way a good many letters go astray, and I hope the Barry Postal officials will take more care in the future. —I am, dear Mr. Gad-About. Cardiff. A CONSTANT READER.

SEAMEN'S WAGES QUESTION AT BARRY. On Monday last a guerilla war broke out at Barry and other ports in the Bristol Channel be- tween the seamen and their employers. The seamen, in several instances, refused to sign on at the wages offered by the captains. On Tuesday morning Mr. Will Sprow, thedistrict organiser, paid a visit to Barry Dock, and had an interview with the local secretary and the sailors and firemen, who are engaged in an agitation for a return to the old rates of wages. Mr. Sprow seemed satisfied with the determined movement on the part of the men, and towards noon left Barry for Newport. During Tuesday the captains of the steamers Cymbeline and Southgate shipped crews at advanced rates, varying from £ 4 5s. to £ 4 10s. per month. ihe advance in wages has also been experienced at Penarth, and, in one instance, at least, a crew was shipped at A:4 5s. and £ 4 10s. on Tuesday morning. With the view of avoiding unpleasantness at Barry, a crew of 13 men, supplied by the Cardiff Branch of the Shipping Federation, was early on Tuesd iy morning shipped from the pier-head by the tug Nelson to the steamer Hatiiersage, lying in Barry Roads. The men .were engaged for a Mediterranean passage at £ 4 and kL4 5s, for sea- men and firemen respectively. They were con- veyed direct to the vessel. There were no further developments regarding the seamen and their wages at Barry Dock on Tuesday afternoon and evening other than an expression of satisfaction on the part of officials of the Union, at the action of the owners of s.s. Cymbeline and the s.s. Southgate to grant the seamen andfiremen who signed articles at A:4 5s.and £ 4 10s. per month. Some excitement prevailed among the large number of men who had assembled during the day around the shipping office. The men seemed determined not to sign at the reduced rates. Mr. Will Sprow, the organising secretary, paid an early visit from Newport, and during a conversation which he had with a press representative, he said the whole of the eight vessels which were up for signing on the previous day had allowed their petty officers the Union rate of wages, viz., £5 10s. to £ 6 10s. He was very indignant at the report published in a contemporary that a strike would take place, and emphatically declared it was not the intention of the Union to force on a struggle of any description. He had in his possession, he said, balance sheets of about a hundred vessels belonging to ship- owners all over the United Kindgdom. During the depression in trade some time ago, and out of that number only one shipowner lost money. But its loss was not owing to depression in trade-but to accidents which the boat sustained during her voyages. Mr. Sprow is of opinion that struggles between employers and employed are things of the past, and remarked that it was time that a Conciliation or Wages Board should be established. Then, in the event of the shipowners not meeting fair demands from the men. he was in favour of a national strike, and not one promoted by a few ports. In conclusion, Mr. Sprow said the owners of the Cymbeline could very well afford to pay the proper wages, as she was chartered for twelve months, of which she had fully six months to ran, bofore she could lay claim to the rednced rates.

THE TRADES' COUNCIL AND THE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. The Trades' Council collection in aid of the funds of the Barry and Cadoxton Cottage Hospital Nursing Association has already amounted to over £ 53. We regret that pressure on our space compels us to hold over publishing the list till next week. The Council wish to thank those who have worked so energetically for the movemen-, and to state that boxes and collections will ho re- ceived. as usual, at the Victoria Lotel from four to seven p.m. on Saturday next, or at ary time by the secretary (Mr. Ret-s) at 4, Iddesleigh-street, C-doxton.

-P). TTSSIONIUETSTI S ANNOUXCEMEXTS inserted in the .J SOUTH WALES STAR, the most widely-read newspaper in South and Mid-Glamnrgan, at compara- tively low terms, for periods ranging from three to twelve mouths.

dismissal. There was not a word spoken in anger, and, as far as we could judge, not a word in ° malice. Mr. Davies' explanation was listened to with attention, and, as a rule, in silence. It was only now and then that the pent-up feelings of the hearers broke out in a cheer or in cries of shame." When an allu- sion was made to SEr. H. Osborne's message, a regular storm cf strong words broke out. Mr. Davies asserted, In so many words, that he had been dismissed for holding views on public questions which were objectionable to the General Manager or to the directors of the company. He challenged the officials to prove that he had ever been convicted of neglect of his duty that an ounce of coal had gone wrong, or one single empty sent to the wrong -destination, through his incompetence, careless- ness, or neglect. Alluding to young Hobbs' defence, Mr. Davies indignantly said, amid .the cheers of his mate, I don't want any man to -screen me. I have done my duty faithfully and honestly." Referring to the General Manager's charge that he was dissatisfied, Mr. Da-vies -said.: If I have been dissatisfied it was not with my own position, but with the lot of my mates who have not been fairly treated according to the terms of the strike agreement." There was no doubt as to the feeling of the meeting when Mr. Davies sat down. The most practised :and eloquent advocate could not have appealed more pointedly to the audience -than Mr. Davies' plain and manly statement of facts. THE OTHER VERSION OF THE MATTER. It was unfortunate, and very unpleasant, that Mr. Alfred Hobbs should have been in- duced, for some reason or another, to take the line of defence he did. Hobbs is a young lad of 17 or 18 years of -age, who has been acting as Mr. Davies' assistant. When Mr. Davies was outside the cabin talking to a mate, this lad took a telephone message order- ing 20 empties to be sent to the Naval Colliery. It was Hobbs' business to tell the foreman of -the message. Hobbs asserts that he went to the door of the cabin and told Davies. Davies does not deny this, but says that if Hobbs did so, he (Davies) did not hear him. Rossiter, the man Davies was talking to at the time, says he heard Hobbs say something indistinct about Naval empties, but nothing more. The lad Hobbs after telling Davies—without, however, making sure that Davies had heard him-placed the message he had received on the file of executed ,orders, and went home. Davies never thought of looking at the file, with which he had finished for the day, and, consequently, the order was not executed till the following day. THE PROBABLE TRUTH. Hobbs' story is not incompatible with Davies' version. From what Rossiter and Hobbs say, there is no doubt that Hobbs did come out to the door of the cabin and shout out something about the message he had just received. Rossiter, however, says that he heard, only very indistinctly, something about the empties, and Davies asserts that he heard nothing about it at all. Hobbs cannot be accused of anything worse than carelessness in the matter-a care- lessness that is quite to be expected in a lad of that age, and which should have deterred the company from placing a young boy in such a responsible position. Hobbs should have assured himself that Davies had heard what he had said, and should not have place i the message on the file of the executed orders. It was a pity that Hobbs should have been so ill-advised as to try and screen himself in the way he did. He had told Mr. Evans, the General Manager, that the had forgotten to advise Davies of the mes- sage. He did that, however, so he said on Sun- day, in order to screen his mate. It was proved, however, that he had admitted the same thing to others, when there was no need for him to do so in order to screen his mate." THE CHAIRMAN. Quite one of the most pleasing features of the meeting was the tact and impartiality displayed by the Chairman. We were surprised to see that he had been made to say in the Western Mail what he had never said, and that quite a different colour had been put on other portions of his speech. Throughout the meeting the Chairman conducted himself, and the meeting, most admirably, and there was no passage in his speech that could with truth be designated as a warm speech." We were surprised that a comparatively inexperienced man-and he a hot tempered Welshman to boot-could conduct the meeting in the spirit it was carried on. Not that Mr. Nicholas spoke with an uncertain voice. He was quite explicit in his declaration that he and the employes of the Barry Company would rather work 12 hours with freedom of speech and action than ten hours and be simply dumb-driven cattle, without ideas or will of their own. He was equally emphatic in his declaration that the company would be studying its own interest better if it employed men, and not boys, to do responsible work. THE GENERAL MANAGER'S ACTION. The great question after all is, why was Mr. Davies dismissed ? If it was because he neglected his duty, or because he was an in- efficient servant, then the public has nothing to do with the matter but, if it was because he nolds certain views on public ques- tions then, the public, has a right to f see that he suffers no such injustice at the hands of a public or private company- It cannot fairly be said, on the evidence that we have before us, that Mr. Davies was dismissed for inefficiency or for carelessness. The mistake that was made was clearly not dae to Mr. Davies, but his young assistant. It is hard, on the other hand, to think, especially after the General Manager's declaration to Mr. Morgan Nicholas on Tuesday last, that Mr. Davies was dismissed on account of his public actions. Yet that is what we are reluctantly constrained to believe. We have been waiting for some state- ment from Mr. Richard Evans, but Mr. Evans, by his silence, endorses the account which has been given by Mr. Davies of the inter- views that have taken place between the two. In one of these interviews Mr. Evans distinctly said that Mr. Davies was troublesome to the company because of his u discontented or, in other words, his Trades Union views, and was, therefore, dismissed. If Mr. Evans is com- pelled in these slack times to cashier some of the company's servants, it is most unjust that he should single out efficient and capable and necessary officials simply because they are pro- minent Trades Unionists; and it is nothing 0 short of criminal to procure a good servant's dismissal on the pretext that he has neglected his duty. We are glad to see that the lodge has taken the matter in hand, and when the lodge's decision is known we will refer to the subject again in our next issue.