Evening Express

THE WEST BROMWICH MYSTERY. Supposed Murder of a Welsh Girl, An Important Clue. The ".Vest Bromwich police are following up a rery important link of evidence in connection with the tragedy believed to have been enacted iight years ago in Dudley-road, West Bromwich. At present the only witness wlio will swear to the girl Evans having been at Clansey's house, In the Dudley-road, is Mrs, Waldron, of Dudley, who was residing in the house at the lame time. It now turns out that the deceased girl Evans, after the iliegal operation had been per- formed, felt that she was dying, and was anxious So let her mother know all about it and fetch her Dome. She wrote a lei ter to her mother tilling her everything, and she gave Mrs. Clansey's little girl t shilling to deliver the letter to her mother, 111 Victoria-street. The girl was then about, thirteen Tears of age. and as she was on the way with the letter she met her father, the man who is now in America. He asked her where she was going, And, learning her errand, he took the letter and the shilling from her, boxed her ears, and sent her home. Before Clansoy went to America he fcoid all this to a person who has given the informa- iton to the police, and the man states that Clansey. when tbe worso for drink, hug-hed about it, and said if this letter had reached its destination it would have blown the gaff" on the lot of tijetd, and brought everything out. The police are now searching for this girl Clansey, who was sent with the letter, and she is believed to be somewhere At service in Birmingham. If she can be found and will confirm the statement, it, will corroborate the evidence of Mrs. Waldron as to the giri Evans being at Clansey's house, and will also show that the man Clansey deliberately kept her there against her will.

A CLERGYMAN FOUND GUILTY OF DRUNKENNESS. Sentence by the Bishop of Rochester. The Press Association Chatham correspondent telegraphs The Rev. Alfred Edwarde Ormonde Harris, vicar of Stoke, who was found guilty bv the Consistory COUl t under the Clergy Discipline Act of intemperance during the discharge of his ministerial duties on divers occasions, appeared in Rochester Cathedral this afternoon to lie,ir the sentence of the Bishop of Rochester. The Bishop agreed with the finding of the court, and ordered the defendant to be deprived of Ills living and its emoluments. The Hishop stated that. when complaints were first brought before him he endeavoured bv every means in his power, in consideration of defen- dant's age and ill-health, to induce Lilli to resign his chanre. but lie absolutely declined to do so, and proceedings were then instituted. Resignation was now no longer possible. When the ministry of a priest could no longer tend to the people's good it W.18 time that power came to an end. The parishioners had a ri^lit to demand the ministrations of one who was really lit to discharge such ministrations to their souls' profit, and it was for that reason he was bound in pro- nouncing sentence to protect and maintain the public interests, whatever the result to the indi- vidual upon whom the responsibility was lnid which he could 110 longer adequatelv discharge.

MISSING WORD COMPETITION. The Action Against "Spare Moments." MAGISTERIAL HEARING- At the Mansion House this morning (before the Lord Mayor) the hearing was resumed of the summonses against Mr. Onirics William Brod- ley, 1\11'. Frederick West, and ¡'.Jr. Frederick Alfred Wishaw, charging them with publishing lottery, selling chances in a lottery, privately keer- ing a lottery, nnd permitting a lottery to be I drawn. The alleged offences lie publication of a missing word competition, which appeared in Spare Moments of January 3 last. Mr. A. O borne, who nppearcd f, r the prose.c 11- tion, said the case was adjourned upon the last, occasion for the purpose of knowing the decision of the Court of Chancei y. Of ourse, j so far as the defendants were concerned, they had done something the statute law did not, allow j them to do, but t heir answer no doubt would be! that they did it innocently and with no intei-ition of infringing any net. He therefore asked his lordship, having had that decision, and having had the assurance from Mr. Gill that, those proceedings, so far as these compe- titions were concerned, would not be repeated, to allow him to withdraw the summonses-. Mr. C. F. Giil, for Ihe defendants, expl lined that these competitions were commenced in conse- quence of a statement, made bv the counsel for tho Treasury during the hpartngof the missing word case fit Bow-street that, they drew a marked dis- tinction between a Competition where a passage j was selected from son. well-known author and where the public might he invited to ascertain, either by reference or guessing, what the missing word was. Mr. Brad lev had no desire to con! i-me those competitions. The Lord M^yor said that. the respectability of Mr. Bradley was so well known tilat lie had veri. great pleasure tiiat this course had been adopted. He allowed ihe summonses to be withdrawn.

STEAMER ASHORE OFF BAR- MOUTH. The Lifeboat OuL A Lloyd's telegram from Barmouth states that a. vessel, supposed to be a steamer, is ashore at, St. Patrick's Causeway. The lifeboat has been despatched.

A CHELTENHAM DIVORCE SUIT. Cruelly of a Husband, Mr. Justice Barnes this afternoon granted a decref1 uisi to Mrs. Charlotte Atkins, a lady of in- dependent means, of oil the ground of. adultery and cruelty of her husband, Edward Douglas Atkins. Petitioner Slid respondent had! beaten Íler across the bare ley- with a whip, and had made her play and sing to a woman with whom he committed adultery. 1

I Imperial Parliament. -■■■— ■■ j HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. The Speaker took the Chair at a quarter past twelve o'clock. The attendance was not large at the beginning of the proceedings, though it after- i waraH IInprflved. Tile benches on the Opposition II side of the were especially bare at the com- mencement of the day's debate. THE WELSH LIQUOU VETO BILL. Major JONES (G., Carmarthen) moved the second reading of the Liquor Traffic Local Veto (Wales) Bill. After enlarging on the evils of intemperance he explained that. this Bill would enable a local authority, or one-tenth of the ratepayers, to require a poll to he taken in respect to the sale of intoxicating liquors, which, by a two-third vote, may be prohibited or, otherwise, it ma.y be resolved that the number of licences be reduced or that, no new licences be granted. Mr. FRANK EDWARDS (G., e) sup ported the Bill. lie also enlarged upon the mis- chiefs of drinking, mentioned the benefits that had accrued to the working population in Wales by the Sunday closing of public-houses, and argued that there was no reason if they had Sunday closing by the will of the people why they should not have Monday closing also by the will or the people. (Cheer". ) Sir W. MARRIOTT (C., Brighton) moved that the House decline to read this Bill a second time, as no compensations were provided for those who might be deprived tinder its operation of their licences without any judicial decision as to their disqualification to continuo their lawful business- He declared that he was as much alive as anyone else to the evils of intemperance, but he believed it was only to be stopped by enabling the people to resist temptation instead of by the utterly futiie protection of removing tempta- tion out of their way. He relied upon extending education, better working- class houses, more facilities for recreating and improv- ingclaas opinion, to secure, temperance in the people's habits. The rest of his speech was occu- pied with an argument for the equity of compen- sation to persons whose lawful trade was des- troyed bv Ipgi-htion. BARON DE ROTHSCHILD (V., Bucks-, Ayles- bury) seconded the amendment. Anxious though lie was to diminish intemperance, he could not support a measure dealing with only one part of the United Kingdom, more especially as the Government iiad introduced a Bill which was to be general in its application. Sir E. J- REED (G., Cardiff) took notice of some references made to Cardiff as an example of the failure of Sunday Closing. He attributed any apparent failure to the large number of foreign seamen always in the port. The Maiquess of CARMARTHEN (C., Bixton) pointed to many failures of prohibition legislation in the United States. The advocates of this Bill to be consistent ought to bring in a Bill abolishing in Bill the use of alcohol altogethsr. After the usuai interval for lunch Mr. LLOYD GEORGE (G., Carnarvon) resumed the debate, a count having first been moved in order to bring members back into the chamber. He said it was discovered, after the. Welsh Sundae-Closing Com- mittee had reported, that.tliu statistics given about Cardiff were inaccurate. The convictions not only included prosecutions for drunkenness, but for Sunday treating, which was a new offence created by the Act. It was net, said by the promoters of the Biil that people could be made sobsr by Act of Parliament. All that was urged was that it would conduce to morality if temptation could be diminished with the assent of ttie majority of the people, The debate was continued bv Mr. It. Johnston Belfast, S.), Mr. J. H. Roberts ti. Denbighshire, T.), and Mr. He • "SH (L. TJ., Grimsby). Th.i latter said the provisions i.f rue Bill were as absurd and impracticable it, they were unjust. Mr. MATTHEWS (C., Birmingham, E) speaking of the promotion of tnis Bill in tace of the Minis- torial proposals as a revolt against, and a censure of, the Government, demanded to know whether the Government, really meditated nssent- ing to or passing such legislation without compensating whatever the legal rights of the publicans. They had moral rights arising from of l'iiriiiinictit; and tiie ,t- the past legislation of Parliament, and the general understanding and ixpectation regarding licence renewals of the pubiic and publicans alike. Sir W. 11 AllCOURT (Chancellor of the Exr-ht quer) said that while l.e could nor assent to the passing of the Welsh Bill, which differep iti imnoitatit, par- ticulars from the Governwenl's general Bill, he was willing to assent to the second reading of this Bill, receiving to the commit tee stnge the required amend ment as to the arguments for cot'1pensatinll. The Government by proposing three years' grace to the publrcall had he held showed tllem ample con- sideration more especially as the most of public- houses belonged not to the publican but to the brewer. Mr. LOXG (C., Liverpool, West Derby) argued that the only effect of closing the public-houses would tie to increase the number of ciub house?, where drinking would have no restraints. THE DIVISION. i The House divided as follows Fot the second reading 281 Againt 246 Majority for 35 The Bill was then read a second time.

.—————————- .„——— THE LOCAL VETO BILL. At, the i, P,'in, lield in St. J Lozi,,Ioii, on Tuesday to protest against the Local Veto Bill, the speakers included Councillor Gsrhnld, of Car- diff, who deiivered an excellent speech and was received with great ovation. Protest by Lessees of London Theatres and Music-halls. A meeting of the lessees and managers of Metro- politan theatres and music-halls was held this afternoon at tho offices of tSie Licensed Victuallers' Central Protection Society of London, at West- minster, to consider the Liquor Traffic Loc il Veto Bill. Mr. C. WALKKK, chairman ot the central board, presided. Mr. Gros, who represented tho Metro- politan music-hall* and who said the question was as momentous for lessees and managers of theatres and music-halls as it was for lieeused victuallers, moved a resolution emphatically con- demning the Bill, and pledging themselves to assist the central board in their efforts to defeat the measure, which they considered would militite against the prosperity of theatres and music-halls by imposing unjust restrictions and unnecessarilv interfering with the enjoyment and freedom of the people at places of amusements, Mr. BAWLING, representing the Canterbury and Paragon Music Halls, eeconded the resolutions, which was carried unanimously.

THE RHONDDA ARSON CASE. Charge Dismissed. ALLEGED PERJURY BY A POLICE WITNESS. SPKCIAL TKL1CGRAM TO THE KVRNING «XPBESS."J At Pontypridd Police-court this morning (before Messrs. J. Ignatius Williams, stipendiary, and F. P. Jenkins) the man Morris Silverman, who had several times been remanded on bail oil a charge of alleged arson, surrendered to his bail. The Stipendiary stated that. he had received a i communication from the public analyst to the < ff ct that lie had fouud a considerable amount ofinflo))- oil in the articles sent for analysis, but as a precaution he had had other articles of a similar nature burnt, and he found that these, too, con- tained oil. Although a considerable amognt of evidence had been given they believed that the principal witness had a prejudice against the fi'isoner. and under the circumstances he believe 1 jury would not convict. Therefore, the Bencii would have to dismiss the case. Mr. Simons, who defended, made several com- plants against the police for intetfering, and! applied for a summons for perjury against Bessel, the first, witness for the police. The Stipendiary said he would take a note of the application and consult the clerk.

MORE SMALL POX IN THE HHONDDA, [SPKCIAL TELliGRAM TO THE EVEKIKG J;XPiŒSS." i A young man, named George Hicks, who lodged in East-road, Tylorstown, in the same house as the n:an Williams who died from small pox last weele had resided, was this morning found to be suffer- ing from the same dread complaint, and was imme- diately removed t:o the infectious diseases hospital at Y,trac1.

ACCIDENT TO A FRENCH CAPTAIN AT PORTHCAWL. j SPECIAL TISLKGBAM TO THH "EVENING ¡';XP/ŒSS.'] On Tuesday evening the captain of tin; brigan- tine Louis Pierre Marie was going on board the Basse Indra to supper when the ladder slipped and ho fell rather heavily, receiving interllfll and ex- ternal injuries. Dr. I!. T. Williams was called in, and the captain was kept on board the Basse India for the night.

LORD SALISBURY. j The Press Association says :—Lord Salisbury rose at eleven o'clock and came downstairs. His lord- ship had a good night, and is much better tins morning.

MR. GLADSTONE'S HEALTH. The Press Association learned upon inquiry at Downing-street this morniug that Mr. Gladstone passed a good nig-ht, and is still doing well.

MYSTERIOUS ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A COUNTESS. A Dalziel tblegram from Madrid says a man servant of the Count, of Gouaar fired two shots with a pistol at the countess 011 Tuesday,wounding her. and then committed suicide. The countess is not expected to survive. The motive of the crime is unknown. "J

j Alleged Frauds on a Newport Building Society <3. £2,000 DEFICIT, ARREST OF THE ACCUSED !N LONDON, MAGISTERIAL PROCEEDINGS, At Newport Police-court this morning (before the mayor, Mr T. Jones; Mr. J. R. Martyn, and Mr. T. Canning) Frederick William Locke, aged 23. described as a clerk, wa9 charged with stealing cer- tain money, amounting to £136 lIs. 10,j., belong- ing to the Newport, Pillgwenlly, and Maindee Permanent Building Society. The prosecution was taken out in the name of Mr, John Linton. Mr. G. H. Llewellyn appeared for tile prosecution. and Mr. T- Baker Jones defended. Mr. Llewellyn stated that he should apply fur a rem and. Inspector Winmill proved arresting the prisoner at the Faulkner Hotel, Villiers-atreet, Strand. On hearing the wairant read prisoner said, "I ex- pected you before." Mr. T. B-Jones, for the defence, said he had nothing to say against a remand. The bench would understand that a large amount of accounts had to bp g-one through, and I he only thing he asked for was that the prisoner might be granted bail. The Mayor: The prisoner absconded, I under- stand. The, Magistrates' Clerk: What is the remand asked f 1 T ? Mr. Llewellyn I ask for a week. Of course we must oppose bail, prisoner having absconded. That, is sufficient, to sa'. sfy your worships that bail ought not to bj granted. Mr. Kessick (magistrates' clerk) It in alleged tiiat he absconded. Has ho been away some time y Inspector Winmill: He has, three weeks at least. Mr. Keswick Mr. Jones seems to suggest, that this iq It matter of accounts. There are other sums, I suppose, besides this. Mr. Llewellyn Probably so. Mr. Kessick There is particular evidence about this sum. Mr. Llewellyn Yes. Mr.K"<sick: I hen the charge will be confined to this. Mr. Llewellyn Certainly. Mr. Kessick: Then therj will be no accounts to bi) gone into? 1\1: Llewellyn I do not know about. that, Mr. Jones: If you decide not to grant, bail, will you allow prisoner to remain in Newport so that I shall have a chance of seeing him ? Mr. Kessick: He cannot bo remanded a week in the ceils. Tile Mayor: He might be remanded until Friday and then remanded again. Mr. K-'ssick: yes, you could do that. Chief-constable Sinclair He could remain in the cells until to-morrow at twelve o'clock. The Mayor We remand this case for a week, and cannot entertain the application for bail. Prisoner will remain in the cells until twelve o'c.lock to-morrow. Prisoner looked II ,ia and somewhat haggard, hut did not appear to exhibit much interest in the proceedings be for the magistrates. For his father, Mr. W. Milton Locke, who was in court, the greatest sympathy is felt. Mr. Locke had been for many yen's tile secretary to the society, after giving up active press work, and his SOli was an assistant to him at about the ordinary salary of a junior clerk. The total defalcations are stated to be considerab y over £2,00d, and to have been accumulating for a long period. Part of the deficit will, it, is arranged, be made up by Mr. Milton Locke and the remainder bv Ille directors, who comprise Messrs. Jolin Linton (chairman), Thomas Goldsworthy (vice-chairman). Henry Allen, Theo- Fredeiiek, John Jones, D,\ Melville Brewer, D. A. Vaughan, Alfred Taylor, J. P;cl<fovd, T. Pons- ford, S. Dean, and A. M'Mahon. Tho whole of the money will, it is expected, be made up, so that the ordinary members v.ill not suffer. The piisoner had no money in his po session when he was air- sted.

THE SHOCKING AFFAIR AT ABERSYCHAN. [SPECIAL T::LEGBAM TO THH "KVEXtNG EXPRESS."] Ai Pontyoool Police-court this morning (before Mr. C. J. Parkes) Alfred Stockden, underground haulier, wns charged with feloniously killing and slaying William Lewis at Ab2r.-ych.an on the 14-th inst. Mr. L. E. Webh represented the prisoner. The proceedings wire purely forma.L-Police. sergeant Allen applied for a remand until after the iriq-icst.—Mr- Webb did not resist the application, but asked that the prisoner might be present at the illquiry.-Thi$ was agreed to.—Prisoner was then remanded until Saturday.

PROFESSOR RHYS AT CARDIFF. Lecture Upon the Ancestry of the Welsh Nation. A large aiulier.ee assembled at. the University College, Cill dilT, on Tuesday ^ening to hear Professor Khy, deliver a lecture on the ancestry of the Welsh nation. Having beer: introduced by a short speech from the chairman (Professor Powell), Profps"or RHYS began by reminding his audience that the Welsh language isabranch of the Aryan group. There was, he said, no reason to assume identity of blood between the races which speak different branches of the Arran speech. Titus the highest caste of the Hindoos may have a alight tincture of Aryan blood, but the lower c.Istes, although tliev spelk the same language, are certainly still less Aryan. The original home of the Aryan race was probably not in Asia, as used to be belli, but in Europe, perhaps in North GerHlany or in Scandinavia, tlll1 inhahitants of which are considered to preserve the purest Aryan type. The Celtic branch of the Aryan language bad two main sub-divisi"nR-t he Goidelic (Irioli, Highland Scotch, Manx) and the Brythonic (Welso, Breton, and old Cornish—ti'.e nouns and adjectives being much the, sam in Welsh and Breton. The difference bet.wee the Goidelic and the Brythonic is as distinct a between High and Low German. The origin of the difference cannot, nowheniscovered. But it is clearly maiked by the philological tact that C in the Goidelic language is replaced by P in the Brythonic (e.g., Cantyre, as compared with the Wdsh PCII TIl"). The same distinction appears as between Qu in Latin and P in the Umbro- Semnite dialects. Of the two Celtic races the Goidels were the nrat comers in Britain, arriv- ing, perhaps, about the same time chat the Romans settled in t,he Tiber. The Brvthoiis, on th« other | hand, came some time between B c. 330 (the er 1 of the traveller Pythias) and B.C. 45 (the date of Cse;'tr). Csegar relates that the inland parts of Britftin were inhabited bv '■ natives (probably Goidels), the maritime parts by Bel^oe, who must, j have come from the district within the Rhine and the Seine, the Marne, and the Mosell", which we I know to have been inhabited by Belgoe. In con- firmation of ibis, we find tllat several names of British piaces till: identical with those found in this district ')1 the continent, e.g., the AtrebaJe, (about Silchestor) with Arras in Artoise i Calleva (Haslemere?) with Cleves, the Parisii (between Tees and Humber) with Paris. Thus Brythonic tribes settled along t.he coast from the Forth to the Isle of Wight, and their language gradually penetrated inland during the whole i period of the Roman occupation—Brythonic names heing found in Staffordshire (Penbridge) and in Cumberland. What is the origin of the name I Britannia' ? Certainly not from the Welsh t'ritli (particoloured); that is impossible philologically, and it would not have served to distinguish the Britons from other tribes, since we know that even some of the Saxons painted themselves. The Brythons probably c'.me Iromtlie neighbourhood of the Somme, wiiere a ol io■■ r,:uned" Rretaigllc" is still found, liS, indeed, many names of places in the Department. of the Aisne occur also as names of places in Britain. Probably a tribe from this Bretaigne was the first of the Bel«;ic tribes to arrive in Britain. They probably settled in Kent, and at first, called themselves Brit anni then, when thai, name was applied to all Brythonic1 settlers, t hey called t hemselves Cantii," which can hardly have been originally a tribal name. The: brythonic settlers displaced the Goidels, who, however, have left their local names both to tho north and the$outh of the Brvthonic settle-! ments (Dumnoni being found both 111 Dumbarton and Devim). Dumnonni wa-, indeed, perhaps the original name of the Goidels, as we find it at Iriver Domhnann, exactly where they first landed in Ireland, the first, Celtic occupation of Ireland being approximately confined to the Diocese, of .Meath. What is to 11(\ s iid of tie Picts and Scots ? The aborigines of Britain i were mainly Picts, t e., anon-Aryan race. Their; language survived in N.E. Scoiiand til! WIIHI centuries after the first coming of the Norsemen (in the eighth century), ami there are inscriptions in Pictisb which seem to be written in an airglui tna- j tive language, like. Finnish or Basque. The Picts were probably enslaved by the Goidels. ind almost for certain their language had a considerable intluenc • on i he' Goidelic j language this process was hastened by the Brythonic invasion. The Brvihons. on the j Tfher hand, did not come directly in contact with ihe Picts, as such: hence the Pictisb, or non- Aryan, influence is much less marked on the Brythonic than on the Goidelic languages. S'ill, the influence of tiie Pictish temperament 011 Bry- thons as well as on Goidels, and again 0:1 Saxons, has been very great; tor if we could disentangle blie matter we should probably find that. the lescendants of tile aborigine^ are more numerous han Celts andTeutons put together. Without the Pictisb element, bath Welsh and English would have b"ien a very different, and a very inferior, nation. The lecture'was received with great applause, Hid much laughter wnS roused by several p issagps. A vote of thanks to the lecturer, proposed hy Pro- lessor Vaughan, and seconded by Canon Titomp- son, was passed enthusiastically. Professor Rhys responded in an amusing speech, closing by calling for a vote of thanks to Profe -sor Powel for ore- jiding.

A SPOTX-KSS COMPLEXION.—Sulpholine Lotion clears off all imperfections iu it few days. Pimples, Blemishes, Irritating Obj"Ciionable Appearances, Redness. Roughness, Tan, Uncomfortable Skin Dis- figurements, entirely fade away, leaving a beauti- ful skiu. Shilling Bottles of Sulpholine erery- bere.

I Cardiff Chamber of I Commerce. ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Preferential Rates on Perishable Gocds. The annual meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce was held at the Exchange, Mount Stuart-square, this morning. Mr. E. R. Moxey occupied tho chair, and the attendance was pro- bably the largest since the incorporation of the chamber, nearly 150 members being present. THK ANNUAL KEPOKT. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the annual report, in which reference was made to the various important questions which had been before the chamber during the past. year. The. action which h".d been taken in reference to pos'al facilities had not so far been successful, but the subject was still in the hands of a speo* d committee and several members of Parliamt r and he did not despair of bringing even her Maj --ty'.s Postmaster-Genera! to book. Speaking of railway rates, the Chairman stated that the coal trade had not been affected, the tolls charged being practically the same as before the passing of the Rail- way and Canal Traffic Act. On the matter of the Severn defences it was unnecessary that be sllould say anything. They all knew the impor- tance of the ports in the Bristol Channel being adequately protected, and the agitation which was commenced last year, and temporarily dropped on account of the general election and change of Government, wouid be revived shortly. (Applause.) Mr. L. WOOD seconded the proposition, and the report and statement of accounts were adopted without discussion. FLECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE. Mr. L. Wood was unanimously elected president of the chamber for the ensuing year, and in re- turning thanks stated that, whiie be regarded the position as an honour, he also recognised the fact tllllt, tlin duties of the office were important. He proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Moxey for the excellent services lie had rendered as president during the past, year. This was seconded by Colonel PAGE, carried amidst applause, and suitably acknowledged. For the positions of vice-presidents and council there was a biillot,, and the votes had not been counted when the meeting terminated. NO POLITICS. In a circular letter addressed to the secretary the Dublin Chamber of Commerce pointed out the disastrous consequences to trade which, in the opinion of the members, would ensue if the Home R:il'» Bin were passed. 'i'OF CHAIRMAN stated that politics had never be >n introduced into the chamber, and after con- subing with gentlemen on both sides—Liberal and Conservative—he thought it would be ill-advised to make a start now. It would be very much better to keep politics out of their discussions. (Hear, hear.) HA nEisoN asked if it was not possible to discuss the effect- of Home Ruie from a purely commercial point of view. The CHAIKMAN did not i elieve that was possible, and be would rule that tile chamber must not. discuss the question. lie bad consulted with men older than himself, and t ey agreed that, the chamber must not be turned into a political forum. (liear, heIr.) Colonel Pagk It would take a week to discuss tiie question. Ii was then agreed to take no action upon the Dunlin circular- THE TRAIN SEEVIC.W TO POIITHCAWL. The CHAIKMAN read a letter from the general manager of the Great Western Railway, in which he stated that the memorial in reference to n better train service between Cardiff and Porthcawl would receive the best attention. (Laughter.) The CHAinMAN I don't suppose anybody ex- pected more from the Great, Western Railway Com- pany, and are not, therefore, disappointed. THKTiMKOFMEETIKG. On the motion of Mr. C. V. HARRISON, seconded by Colonel GCTHKIR. it was resolved that in future the meetings of tiie chamber bo held at eleven instead of 11,30 a.m. PRKFI-RENTIAL RATES FOR PERISHABLE GOODS. Mr. J. J. NKALK brought before the chamber the question of excessive preferential rlles on perishable goods from and to Cardiff. Dealing first of ali with the wholesale frozen and chilled meat trade he said Cardiff had accommodation for the storage of 60,000 frozen sheep, and could receive and despatch their, better than Liverpool, London, or Bristol, but in consequence of preferential railway rates not, one- sixth of the meat came to the port which otherwise would. Were the rates anything like the same as from Liveipool, London, and Bristol, Cardiff would bB supplying Birmingham arid a large, part of the Midlands with meat. On various occasions Cardiff had lost cargoes of 30,000 to 40,COO sheep eaclt in consequence of preferential rato". and to illustrate what he meant, it would be necessary to give a few figures. The rate for beef from Liverpool to London, about 205 miles, was 25s. per ton the rate from Cardiff to London, 164 miles, was 35s, per ton. The Cardiff importer bad, therefore, 10 pay j 10s. per ton more for the. conveyance of the same goods 41 miles less distance. The race for beef and j mutton from Bristol to London was 20'. per 'on, j ihe distance being 118 miles. From Cardiff to I London, about 40 miles further, 'he rate was 353. per ton. From Avonmouth to Birmingham, a distance of about 100 mile-, the ra'o for the same class of goods was 25s. per ton; from Cardiff to Birmingham, a distance of 109 mile?,; it was 37s. 6 or 12s. 6 i- more than from Avon- mouth, although the distance was practically the I same. From Avonmouth to London, a distance of 125 miles, the rate for beef and mutton was 20-. per ton, but from Cardiff to London it was 35s. per ton. A low rate was granted between Liverpool and Cardiff to help the former town, be- cause it was not. thought likely that Cardiff would want to end meat to Liverpool. The rate from Cardiff to Liverpool was only 35s. per tOil, but from C u'diff to Manchester (very little further) it, was 55s. lid. per ton, a difference of over 4'1 per ton. To Sheffield the rate was 56J. 7d, Bradford 64s. lid., Leeds 62, Derby 49s. 6J„ and to Not- tingham 51c- lid. These scandalous anomalies were not caused by the new Act, anout which there had been so much complaint, but had been in existence for years. Mr. Neale then described the efforts which the traders had made to get. lower rates by com- municating with the rail way companies, Board of Trade, and Kailwav Commissioners during the past two years, but nothing whatever had been donf'. ¡ Referring to the rates for the carriage of fish, Mr. j Neale said that the Hailwav Commissioners were j written to on January 26, 1893, and their attention I directed to the following vireferential rates for fish — Milford to Liverpool, 269 miles,30s. per ton M i I ford to Manchester,282 miles,40s.per ton compared with Cardiff to Liverpool, 155 miles. 55s. per ton j Cardiff to Manchester, 168 miles, 60'. per ton. It would be thus seen that ihe Great Western Rail- would be thus seen that the Great Western Rail- way Company carried the fish 114 miles further tor 25s. per ton less in one case and 20s. per ton less. in the other case than they did from Ca'ciff. These, were only a few fair samples taken from tiie bulk. The matter was brought, before the railway commissioners with a request that they should deal with rt under Clause 3. src. 27. of the Kail way nnd Canal Traffic Act, 1883, which reads as follows The court, or commissioners shall power to direct that, no higher charge shall be made 1 o any per- son for services in rerpect, ot merchandise carried over a less distance than is made to any other person for similar services in respect, of the like description and quantity of merchandise carried over « greater distallce on the same line of railway. That, he thought, was explicit enough, and thete wore other clauses in the Act of sitniiir purport. After giving several other instances of preferential rates to the prejudice of Cardiff Mr. Neale said the traders bad done all in their power, without going to law, to get this state of things remedied, and he now moved a reso- lution lequesting the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Trade to abolish all preference rates, either by means of the Railway Commis- sioners or-otherwise, and put Cardiff on an equal footing with other competing ports. (Applause.) Mr. JOHN ANDRKVVS, in seconding the motion, read a lefer from Sir K. J. Reed, asking to be fur- nished with a report, of the discussion on this subject. Mr. L. Woon questioned whether the President, of the Board of Trade had power to abolish all preferential rates. Mr. MASSEY exprossed an opinion that all prefe- rence rates were illegal. After considerable discussion as to the best rence rates were ¡¡¡eg-aL After considerable discussion as to the best course to adopt, the following resolution, ( moved by Mi-. J. Andrews, was unanimously agreed t,1J:- That, this chamber, in view of the grossly unjust, rates 011 perishable goods applicable to Cardiff, IIrges the President of the Board of Tiadeto take such aetion as uiiiv lis neecfsirv l» remove the injustice, nnd that, (Sir E. ,t. lteed, M.V'VMr. fi-D- Bnrnie, M.P .and Mr. Alfred Thomas. M.P., be requested to see the President of the Board of Trade 011 the matter. PROPOSED VISIT IF THE NAVAL ARCUITECTS. Mr. L. WOOD read a letter from the secretary to f.!JO II}!.ti'ut", of N.¡v,¡j Architects, stating ihat if! the chamber of commerce repeated tho invitation which they gave last year to hold the summer j meeting in Cardiff it would be timsi, gladly | accepted. The best time wouid be the first half of i July. Mr. Wood moved that, the naval architects be invited to bold their next meeting at Cardiff in the early part of July, and that Mr. C. A. Haywood, who did all the work preparatory to their recep- j tion last year, be requested to take the matter up ai'ain. The CHAIRMAN seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, NEW MEMBERS. Messrs.F.H.Anniofuer.Dooa.idMactenn.J) Wynne Pugh, A. L. Hopkins, and Captain Hale were elected members of the chamber.

PRIVY COUNCIL. The Central News says thai the Queen holds a Privy Council at, Windsor this afternoon.

Taff Amateur Rowing Club. The annual meeting of the Taff Amateur Row. ing" < lub was held on Tuesday, at the Corporation Hotel, Canton. Mr. E. J. Cross presided over a iargon attendance. The following were elected officers for the ensuing season :—President, Lord j Windsor; vice-preridents, Mr- R. Sleep, Captain; Powley, and Mr. V. Robinson captain, W. Mat- thews; vie-captain, A. Bryant; secretary IInd treasurer, A. Kaltenbaoh, Caroline-street, Cardiff, who will supply rules, &c., to members wishing to join.

Electric Lighting of Cardiff. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD INQUIRY. The Details of the Corporation Scheme. This afternoon Colonel Charles Henry Luard, R.E., a Local Government Board inspector, held a public inquiry at the council-chamber of the Town-hall, Cardiff, into the applications of the Cardiff Corporation for sanction to borrow £32,500 for the purposes of electric lighting and £ 5 350 for works of sewerage and street improvements. To- corporation was represented by Alderman Daniel Lewis. Mr. F. C. L'ovd (deputy-town-clei k), Mr. W. H. Massey (consulting olectricu engineer), and Mr. \V. Harpur (borough engineer). Mr. flat-ptir gave oridence in support of the application for the submitted 8!atiiitic, showing that the gr .wtn of the horough of Cardiff had of late vears been verv rai>id. The population in 1861 was 32.954: ill 1371, 56.911; in 1881, 82,671: in 1891, 128,849. and now it was estimated at 137,000. The number of inhabited houses had increased since 1875 from 957 ;o about 21,000. The scheme proposed the widening of Newport-road at the extreme end to a width ot 60ft, (Lord Tredegar giving the land), sewage works in the Roath Ward, and improvements in Whitchureb-road and Allan's-bank. Mr. D. Rees Jones, a latepayer, cailed attention to the fact that some time ngo the town was put to great expense in Corp"ration-road, owing to a collapse of the sower. He hooed such a contin- gency would be provided against in curving out the schemes under the notice of the inspector. Mr. F. C. Lloyd (deputy town-clerk) next proceeded to lay before the inspector the scli-me for the electrical lighting of the town, and called Mr. W. U:,rpur (bof'o;r:h el,gineer), who, in Iilû course of his evidence, explained the reasons that bad induced the corporation to adopt a scheme fortheeiectrie lighting of the town. The works now proposed to be established formed but one-fourth of what it was contemplated might ultimately be required, and the further additions would be added as the demand for electricity in- creased. A good deal of delay in putting the order into execution had occurred in consequence of the futile attempts of the corporation to acquire a site for the works nearer the centre of the town, but, after lengthy and un- successful attempts to acquire <uch a site it wa" ultimately decided to utilise the site now pro nosed, which was the property of tiie corporation. This site was at a distance of about, one mile from the compulso<y rlrea of supoly, but bad the great, advantages of being alongside the Gre at Western Railwav, where the coni and stores, &c. could be delivered" directly into the works, anu at. a depth of 7rt. or 8'*t. below tba surface an abundant supply of water could be obt&ined for condensing purposes. The buildings now to be erected would be of buff bricks relieved by red brick bands, and would be substantial, though not too expensive in character, The chimney stack would be built to harmonise with tun engine and boiler-'louse, and would be sufficiently large fop double the number of boilers which could be placed in the buildings now proposed to be erected, and would therefore he capable of taking the smcitefrom the next por- tion of the works whenever it be necessary to extend the same. Mr. H. Massey, of Twyford R.S.O., Berkshire St. Mary's-chamber.1, Cardiff, and 25. Queen Anne's- gate. West minster, stated that he was a member of the Queen's Household, M.Inst. C.E., M.Inst. Mech. E., M.Inst. Electrical E., M.tr.st. Marine E., Officier de l'lnstruetion Puhlique, Member Fontiateur de la Socii'e Internal ionale des Electriciens, member of the Physical Society of London, mem- bers of the South Wales Institute of Eugineers (Muiing), member of the Iron and Steel Institute, & &e. He bad been actively engaged in electric lighting and electrical work generally since its introduction into this country, and during the last eleven years he investigated and reported on severil electric lighting schemes for both private and public purposes in Cardiff. He had b ten well acquainted with the town and neigh- bourhood since 1878, and although lie had for manv years, and of his own choice, not actpri for locil authorities in other district", he readily undertook the duties of consulting electrical engineer in this case, believing that Cardiff was one of the few places in the kingdom where electric lighting! might be carried on at a profit, and where the whole of the work connected with the establishment and maintenance of the neces- sary works could be placed under the control of the borough engineer and ids staff-thus avoiding the complications which have arisen in other towns where all electrical engineer bad been specially appointed to take permanent, charge ot such works. Since November, 1890, Mr. Massey baa been in constant communication with the borough engineer, and they had, while working in conjunc- tion, gone most carefully into many matters affect ills', either directly or indirectly, the question of producing electric light and power most economically. Copies of the lighting com- mittee's reports had aiready been supplied to the Local Government, Board by the, town-clerk, and from these it would be seen that a good deal of time and care had been devoted by the corporation to the consideration of the subject The following was a copy of the approximate estimate of expen- diture approved by ihn corporation: — High tension mains, boxes, pipes, and laying £3,5CO Low tensiou ditto 4,400 Transformers, underground chambers, switches, Ac £ ,'300 Arc light, mains, lamps, posts, boxes, pipes, &c. 3.100 Boilers, feed puo.ps, &c J'0 0 Kngines, st^am pipes, aitd condensers 3,500 Dynamos, switch boards, and accessorirs 5,000 D'iÍldings. chimney, travelling crane, ic 5,607 Kailwav siding, turntables, &e 500 Kite 1.354 Contingencies 1.039 Total £ 32.500 In reply to the inspector, Mr. MASSEY stated that the Board of Tride bad approved of the scheme of tho corporation. Mr. Sidney F. Walker, electrical engineer Cardiff, asked a of questions of Mr. Massey as to the detaiis of the scheme, and a dis cussion took place between Mr. Walker and Mr Masse7 as to the expediency uf utilising wate power instead of coal, and substituting incan ue«ceut for the proposed ale lamrs. Ultimately the inquiry was declared closed.

i THE ANTI-SHEBEEN CRUSADE AT CARDIFF. 465th Conviction Sines September, 1891 A Hundred Pound Fine At Cardiff Police-court this morning (before Mr. T. W. Lewis, stipendiary, and Mr. Ebenezer Beavan) a number of shebeen keepers and fre- quenters were brought up and convicted. Michael Splann was charged with selling beer Ill. 29, Stanlpy-street.—rohcp-constabtn Ben Davies deposed to seeing an unusual number of people enter and leave the bouse with jugs.—Splann is an old offender, and has been previously con- victed six times, on the two last occasions being lined £ 100 and costs.—The Renoh now fined him the maximum penalty id £ 100 and costs, or in default three months' imprisonment. Frederick Sullivan, Julia Warner, Hannah Con- way, Ebzaheth Webb 'r, and Jennie Franklin were ordered to pnv fines varying from Is. to 5s. for buying beer at 29, Stanley-street, on the 5'h of March. A warrant, was issued for the arrest, of Daniel Dew, who did not appear to answer the charge of selling beer without a licence at 23. reel-street, on the 5t h of March. Elizabeth James, Ellen Lewis, EIiz-.be!h Evanr, Sarah Coles. Mary Fttzpatrick, Annie Grimsby. Aria Coles, Bartholomew M'Cnrihy, Alice Thomp- son, and John Daley were brought, up before the bench charged with buying beer at 23, Peel-street-, on Sunday, the 5th of March.—The Bench inflicted fines varying from Is. to 5". Edward Sullivan was fined Is. and costs, or seven days, for buying beer at 18, MaryAnn-street, on Sunday, the 5'h of Mutch. ,„„„.„

CHARGE AGAINST A NEVVPORT SERVANT. At Newport borough Police-court this morning Susannah Clark, aged 18. of 4, Cannon-street. 1\1-lindee. charged with stealing a half- sovereign belonging to Mis. Howell*, of 7, Durham- road, Maindee.—For some tinw riast the girl had been employed by Mrs. Howells as a «erv-mt, On j Saturday morning shn went to Mrs. Howells in her bedroom and asked for some money to p«y • for the miilf. Mrs. Howells gave her what- she tbought was sixpence, but which she now believed to be half a soveieign, lor on Friday night she had half a sovereign in her purse, and on Saturday she missed if.— Mr. U'hite, grocer, of l.hirham-rcad. s iid at nine o'clock on Saturday morning prisoner went to his shop, and asked him to change half a sovereign, which be did.—The gitl strongly denied the charge, allll said prosecutrix g,ve tier a six- pence.— After consideration titd Mayor said the Bench were of opinion that there was not sufficient, toga-) evidence to convict prisoner, and she would be discharged. —

ACCIDENT AT BARRY DOCK. About seven o'clock this morning a tipper named Baker, belonging to Barry Dock, was at work on No. 12: Tip, and when in the act, of attempting to bitch on a rope of the capstan to the truck in order to tip the contents of the into steamer lying utiderneafh the rope failed to catch and the capstan vibrated heavily,coming into heavy contact with Baker and breaking his beg, necssi- j tat ing his temoval to the b'lirmary at Cardiff, where amputation will probably be found nec.s-j s:1ry,

CARDIFF DOG SHOW, 1893. \1' would "n,i"d 0<1:' :t""Ln; ""]:0 aI' in' nest"" in tit" Cardiff Dog Show tnat a meeting will be bold at the P.i-k-hatl (Wiud.-nr-lane ent.ranc) motro'.v (Thurs-'ay) evt-ning, :tt. eight p m., to c sider tie- atr uigemeiits in connection with tie show for 1893.

I Football. Cardiff v. Pontypridd. The return match between these clubs was played or the Cardiff Arms Park this afternoon j before 2,000 people. On the last occasion that these teams met at Pcntvpridd on October 20 the Cardiffi ins had a hard fight for it, and could i only manage to win by the bare score j of a try to nil. The teams lined out as follow:- CardijJ: Back. E. P. Bicgs; three-quarter backs, T. W. p(-arson, J. E. Elliott, D. Fitzgerald, and N. Biggs half backs, S. Biggs and R. B- Sweet-Escott forwards, A. Lewis, A- F. Hill, W. Cope, R. Ciuinea. J. Burke, W. Davies. R. Davies, and Marshall. Pontyprmd: Back, J. E wins three-quarter backs, A. Morgan, J. Green. J. Murray, and E. Lewis; half baciis, Harry Williams and J. Lewis; forwards, F. Stead, Hetnsworth, T. Murray. J. Wilkins. Par- kin, Devereaux, T. Bryant, and Ack Llewellyn. Referee. Mr. T. C. Graham, Newport. Cardiff, for scans reason, ware playing: in white jerseys, instead of the usual biue !:nd black. Ack Llewellyn started for Pontypridd, e.nd Pee.rson missing holding the ball it went into touch on the Cardiff side of the half-way line. A scrum a few yards out saw Lewis give a fine pas« out to his quartet to,and some tine passing saw play go right down r,n to the Cardiff goal line. Afref kick to Cardiff lifted the and one of the back partly missed fielding the ball. AlulI Morgan obtained possession and punted to Norman Bisgs, who made his mark. His kick went to Ewins, who replied to touch, and then some loose kicking ended in Pearson fol- lowing up smartly and getting possession in the Pontypridd 25 he scored » fine try, which Norman Biggs failed at the place. Almost imme- diately on re-starting Norman Biggs got over on the other wing after some pretty pissing between him and Fitzgerald this try, however, wis not converted. A few minutes later, however,* Cardiff were azain pressing in the visitins: 25, where from a serum Sweet-Escott passod out and some fine passing between Selwyn Biggs ritid Fitzgerald ended in the latter getting over with the third try, which Biggs converted. A series of mid-field scrimmages were then fought out, and several good chances to the Cardiff backs were only stopped by ke°n tackling on the part of the vifitors' ba-cks Tom Murray at list dribbled away down the field, and E P. Biggs missing fielding, Pearson was obliged to kick over his own line to save. From the scrimmaging five yards out Pon- typridd made a good attempt, to score, and at last tii,, forwards went over in a body, end Ponty- pridd scored a try, which Allin Morgan failed to convert. 011 the re-st»rt piny WilS for a time in Cardiff territory until a pass out, by Sweet-Escott started a run,which ended in Pearson being forced into touch by Ewins just inside the Pontypridd 25 Good foot work b> the Pontypridd eight relieved to the Cirdiff haif, where a lallc kick t., E. P. Higg: saw the opposing forwards on him before be con id reply, and scrimmaging again took place in tiie Cardiff 25. Pearson relieved temporari'.v, but the forwards again rushed plav into the Cardiff 25, and some pretty passing resulted in AIUlJ Morgan beiug temporarily laid out. Half-time score — Cardiff 1 goal, 2 trie0, 1 minor Pontypridd 1 try Cardiff re-started the second half against a s rong wind, and A. Morgan made bis mark. His shot came :e Fitzgerald, who replied to touch at half-way. At the line out Gus Lewis starred a dribble, which Sweet-Escott, even- tually took up and dribbled right on to the visitors' line, A. Morgan saving by running back over his own line. Scrimmaging took place five vards out, A. Morgan eventually kicking- to mid-field. Fitzgerald saved, and then Bfiott and Pearson went up to the Ponty- pridd line, but Ben Lewis managed to relieve, aud ome loose scrambling work took J: lace on C irdiff 25 line. From a scrimmage the, Cardiff pack relieved to mid-field, where Lewis lucked to E. p. Biggs, the latter replying to touch ir- tho old position on the centre lille. Several tight packs were fought out, and then Sweet-Escott gave a fine chance to his backs, who came away in a line, but a forward pass spoiled their progress. Play was now slightly on the Ponty- pndd side of Ihl-J division line, and at the break up of the first scrimmage the Cardiff for- wards came awav with a loose dribble. Hill eventually picked up and some loose passing ended in Biggs being held on the line. From the scrum formed here. however, Elliott got a pass from S. Higgs and scared a try, which Normah Bi^gs barely missed converting, On re-starting- the Pontypridd forwards rushed plsy on to the Cardiff line, where some desperately hard scrimmaging took place- Cardiff wheeled a scrimmage, and Marshall dribbled to outside the 25. hut the hall went into touch. Play still continued in the Cardiff 25 until Sweet.-Escott came away with a dribble to near tiie half-way nine. After a temporary cessation through in- jury to one of the Pontypridd half backs, scrim- noages was resumed marly et mid-field. From a line-out by the Cardiff 25 the Penygraig forwards broke away and gained another five vards, where another scrimmage was formed, from which b. Biggs sot away, but was collated after naveliing ab uit ten yards. The bad was then rushed inside the Cardiff 25, where Alun Morgan picked up and rushed over tile line, but was held up by Norman Biggs, a scii:!iina»e was formed five yards out, which the Cardiff forwards broke through. For an infringe- ment Pontypridd were granted a free, Alun Morgan taking the place, hut the ball went wide. Selwyn Biggs received, and the result of some clever passing and dribbling by the homesters soon carried play right on to the visitors' 25. where a scrum was formed. Elliott got, off and passed to Pearson, who, after eluding two or three of the Pontypridd men, nearly got in. a scrimmage was formed, the result of which was a scrimmage was formed, the result of which was that Sweet-Escott got over and planted the right right behind the posts, the point being converted. Titne was then called. Result :— Cardiff 2 goiiis, 3 tries, 1 minor Pontypridd. 1 try

FOUR OR THREE, Engl ish Experts on the Welsh 6 Three-Quarter System. FlWM OCR SPECIAL LOKDOK COEKESFONDENT.L 1. Do you attribute the premier position of Wales to the four three-quarter system? 2. Or do you attribute it to the individual supremacy of the players ? 3. Or, if opposed to tile system, why y These were the three questions I put to various English Rugby players on Saturday evening after the receipt of the news of Wales's great victory over Ireland. Knowing the bigoted faith of the Saxon in his own system of piay, it was with some diffi- dence, not to say caution, that I approached these athletes upon this vexed question. My caution \'0'2.°, however, quite unnecessary, as I found a keen desire on 'die part of each to thresh out the question over which there is so much controversv in the Rugby football world. The following are j the results of one of my interviews, which, as coming from prominent tepresentatives of the flower of English Rugby football, will be read with great interest by the pioneers of the coming system ENGLAND'S CAPIAIN A CONVERT. Mr. F. H. R. Alderson, who captained the | English team against Wales this season. ;s a most ardent, suppo: ter of tho Welsh system. He attri- butes the success of Wale« entirely to her four three-quartern, and not to any individual superiority of the players. He wiites as follows: —"The success of Wales is due to their playing four three-quarter back*, and to their being at l" to put ililo tile, fielti ilie,i system with e->ch other. This latter fact i* du- t their not having manv clubs to satisfy by means not liavina of giving each an international.' AN INTERNATIONAL HALF S VIEWS. Another English player, Mr. R. F. C. de Winton, who shared with Mr. Alderson in the English defeat, expound very different, views at con- siderable length. He denies that Wales owns her position at 'he head of the poll to her svstem of hack play, or that it is due to superiority in indi- vidual play. He is opposed to the system because -1 the success of t lip sysrem depends entirely OIl the eigiit forwards lioding their own against the nine; if they do not, the four three-quarter backs are And he fxpresses bis views on the system In general as follows :—' For the success of tile system you i-equi, e-(i) Nothing less than the equilitr of eight forwards with nine, which is zt least unlikely. 2. Perfect combina- tion between the four three-quarters, or else one of them is driven out of play 3. Half backs who are capable of quick and accurate passing, and are content t, iri'k" it almost, the entire feature of their game. For aittick. given all these conditions realised, the four three-quarters tire bound to bs a success, For defence, I consider the sys:em an entire failure. In tht: English match at Cardiff, when for more than half the game the English for- wards over-ran the Welsh, the im.ier's I hree- quarters were natural'v use: for altack and surprisingly useless for defence. They allowed Marshall to run absolutely through them oil two occasions. When, at tiie end of the game, their forwards were winning, their attacking I powers were strongly shown, but Jam certainly of opinion that three three-quart er# would have done equally well. A -trong objection to the system is that the play of the forwards must resolve itself into a -continued groping for and heeling out, of the ball to the four men behind them, and this heeling out is one of the least acc?pt»b!c features of the game. The succfss "f Wales this season, about which no one is more pleased than myself, is, 1 think, due mainly to their enthusiasm and willingness and determination t > keep in training and their com- bir: i,m, aud, in lesser degree, to the fact that they happen to have eighi powerful forwards ami four verr fast, three-quarters, who are excel- j lentiy kept together ami in combination by the captain, A. J. Gould. lint they won tiie English j match solely becauic they wen- in better training. Until the English forwards were exhausted there j was only nnli team in it, and that was England." Mr. lie Winton farther opines that the predomi- nance of Newport, forwards has much to do with the success of the team, and also tii t the prestige of the Newport team is no small fact' r in the j success of the Welsh team. ONE OF KNGLAND'S FOHWARDS. The opinion of yet another of the losets in the England v. Wales match oi this season—Mr. P. Maud, tile Blllckheal h forward—is that the Welsh system is the cause of Wales's success. He tiinks tfia* the Welsh three-quarters have won all 1 he r matches, club and international, that have fie. 'i won, and with regard to those he has himself seen he bafi no doubt of this. He expresses him-1 self further thus :—" Every time they get the ball wIth anything like a chance, they either score or, at Imy rate, make a Jot of ground. Thus, though their forwards have, on the whole, a good deal the worst of it, Cue few times the tinee-quart.ers do get the ball are sufficient for them to score more than the three three-quarters of the opposite side can do with three times as many chances. I consider that the four three-quarter game, as played in Wales this year, is quite different f;om that played last year and the year before." IS THIS JIS. CAF.FMAEL ? Another opinion I received by letter, but my correspondent omitted the formality of his signature. I give it. however, upon its merits, nt the same time expressing tile bejief tllat it is tltp opinion of Mr. Carpmael, the well-known forward and secretary of the Blackheath C.uh. He does not attribute the premier position of Wale« to the four three-quarter system, neither does he believe she attained it by individual superiority. He opposes the system on the ground that it ruins all forward piay, arguing that it makes the forwilrds a heeiing-out machine, and amongst the three-quarters encourages sprinters in prefe- I rence to players. He thinks that Wales didweli because tbev selected nearly all the team from one club, and rot from fifteen, as England do. THR ENGLISH RUGBY UXtOK. I had hoped to have been able to include the views of Mr. Rowland Hiil, the secretary of the Rugby Football Union, amongst th" above, but he writes mtJ Ihat, It is not his practice to give his views upon football in the papers. It is rumoured, however, in football circles that Mr. Hiil's faith in the eld system has been, in face oi recent events, somewhat shaken. At tllis stage, it will be of in- terest to my reader5õ to give an early opinion of j Messrs. Budd and Vassall, culled from an earlv football annual—'• It may b° laid down as a hard and fast rule that you must, play neither more nor less than three three-quarters. The experiment of playing four was tried last season in South Wales. Though we believe the Welshmen them- selves do not admit it, we have no hesitation in saying that it was proved to a demonstration that, under our present style of piny at all events, three is the right number. It must not be forgotten that you cannot add to the strength of your back divi- sion by an addition to their numbers without a corresponding weakening of your forwards. We have previously insisted on tile extreme impor- t'lnce of holding the scrimmage in order to trive your back., a chance of getting off. Ceteris paribus eight forwards must be beaten by nine. Tiiey are routed by superior n;obers the backs are over-run, and it is then found that. the onlv purpose the fourth three- quarter has served is to have precluded the other three from ever having a chance of getting off. That, iour thre^-quarters may succeed wonderfuilv against weak forwards we will at nm-e admit— indeed, the Cardiff team, who have brought, the four three-quarter game to wonderful perfection, have conclusively proved this—but, that the system breaks down against powHful forwards was de- monstrated as clear as crystal when the Blackheath team beat South Wales and Scotland did as they liked with the Welshmen. We shall be surprised if these two matches are not found to have soundeù the death-knell of the practice, or, at anv rate, to have given it it" quietus, until a time arrives (if it ever does) whew Py uuanimous consent a. free-trade of four three-quarters is universally established." Mr. Budd's more recent utterances, however, point to a considerable modification in the above opinions. His absence from Encland at this juncture pre-! eludes me from obtaining tile opinIon of so great an authority upon the game. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL (SOUTH WALIIS LEAGUE MEDAL COMPETITION).—Cardiff v. Mountain Ash (Final Competition) to be played next Saturday 011 the Tyn v- eoed Ground (off Albany-road). Kick-of, 5.30, A omis- sion, 6d. 1876uiS

THE FATAL FALL DOWNSTAIRS AT PENARTH. ——— INQUEST. The inquest on the bod. of tiie man Joseph Th>>inas, win died fr-m injuries caus-d by fall- ing downstairs in bis house. 18. Jamss-street, Penartli. was held this afternoon by 1111'. E. B. Reece, coroner, who announced that he bad received a note from Dr. Moynan, who had at- tended the deceased, stating tllat death was caused by fracture"' f tlie scuJ,1 tiie result of a fall Jown st-airs.-Ti¡e jury returned a verdict in aceo; dance.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES, | LLOYD'S TELEGRAMS.] The Dominion line steamer Sarnia, from Liver- pool for Halifax, was spoken on March 11 in lat. 4-2 N., long. 61 W., with shtift broken. She refused assistance. The steamer Alert, from Hull for Harlingen, re- turned to Hull in tow, with machinery disabled. The steamer Eider, reported on Tuesdav night aground in the river at Southampton, floated and proceeded for London.

A DANGEROUS DOG AT NEWPORT. A; Newport Police-court this morning George Robinson, it lodging-house keeper, was summoned for keeping a liangetous dog.—A man named Michael Collins said his son carried some water to defendant's pigs, when his dog, a retriever, sprang at him and oil. him on the lpg, Cfjusing suc" in- juries a3 to render the services of a doctor nece"- siry. It' was stated that tiie dog had bitten other boys.—Defendant said that he kept the do<; to protect his pigs from boys. He admitted that the dog had previously bitten a boy, but said^it was not dangerous except when it was chained up.— Defendant was ordered to keep the dog under proper control.

PUBLIC INQUIRY AT PENARTH. This morning Colonel Charles H. Luard. RE. conducted a public inquiry at the Public Offices Penarth, on behalf of the Local Government Board in connection with an application by the local boird to borrow £1,000 for the purposes of bridge and street improvements at Cogan and elsewhere. There were present, Messrs D. Cortiwell, D. Bevan, T. Ljwis (member of the iocil board), Mr. J. Court (-urveyor), Mr J. \V. Morris (clerk), and several other per-ons- Evidence having been taken in support of the application, several objec- tions of a technical character were raised. The commissioners and members of the board after wards inspected the proposed works, and tiie result of the inquiry will be made known in due time.

VACCINATION PROSECUTIONS AT CARDIFF. Two or three cases m which persons were sum- moned for non-compliance with tiie Compulsory Vaccination Act were heard this afternoon n't Cardiff Borough Police-court (before the Stipen- i diary Magistrate and Councillor E. Beavan)-—In one case William I). Phillips, bring in Canton, npo peared In answer to 11 Slllllmnns for neglecting to rave bis child vaccinated, the absence >f inocula- tion being proved hy Dr. Evans—The defendant did not deny t.he offence, but sought to impute ulterior motives against both the medical examiner and the vaccination oFiieer.—Tiie Stipendiary severely repriwanJed him for making tlli" aSRer- tion, and ordered him to h:¡ve the child v.¡ccinal ed within fourteen pays.

BILLIARDS. J. Robsrts V. Mitch-si! fo £200. Before n good attendance of spectators the match in which Roberts concedes a start, of 9,000 in 24.000 up was resumed at the Egyptian-hail on Tuesday afternoon. The play was rot of an interesting character, ;1.<; Roberts was again out of form. The Chief breaks were 114 and 155 by Roberts, and 153, 156, and 160 (unfinished) by Mitch di. The scores nt the interval were, — Mitchell, 10,877; Roberts, 1.967. Resuming at night Mitchell made his in- complete run into 200, and playing in consi tently good form, while Roberts was very erratic, he had the best of the proceedings. Tiie chief breaks wpre 131.103,57.63, ami 78 bv Mitchell; and 98, 113, 121, and 110 by Roberts. Present scores-Mitchell 11.501: Roberts, 2,651.

DASTARDLY ASSAULT AT ABERDARE. At Aberdare Police-court on Tuesday Evan Bevan was qmlmoned for assaulting Wtliiam Shepherd at Aberoare- Tf1f offence was (me of an agJiaviteii nature, the defendant baviny, ctrnek the complainant a severe blow on tiie beau with a stone, and the Bench imposed n. fine of £5 and costs.

Lady Helen, whose name has frequently figured amongst the quotations from tile Grand National, cut up badly on Tue-sday in the Derbyshire Steeple- chase, which fell to Marechal Niel, whose public form has b.;en, to -av the leist, contradictory, and only last week a' Gatwick he fili led to get placed in 1\ selling steeplechase.

DISTRICT NEWS. j CARDIFF. GRAND HOTEL, Westgatiet, Cirdiff, is now under the management of Mrs. :t •;key. Splendid accommodation for visiting football teams Ordinary daiiv at 1.15 sharp ^otip. j'lin: s, sweet,s, &.c.. Is. 6d. Large L'illiard-room. The choicest spirits, wines, ales, and cigars. Excellent IlCC01n- inodation for families aId commercials, and every attention given In the requirements of visitor-, Immediately opposite f'ardiff Anns Park. NOTICE TO LADlES (If AN important Realisation, is'ale.—W. Lates. 28 and 30. Koyal Areaue, Cardiff, offering the whoieof his Stock ot Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Hosiery, G-'oi Corset-. Jerseys, Skirts, and Aprons. Infants' im<i Chil-lrEii's -.liihnerv. Pel-

BLMBEKG, Pavrnl'io'^er Forfeits, Diamond Cluster Pin filet Stud, 3.1s l>iamO''d C'ustcr Ettrrities, 95s; 18ct J Plate KrySess. £ 1!; Diamond Uroocb aa.l Katrines,: 2Sp. "is79u2] WANTED, by Respectable Wi-iow. S-, Situation us1 »« Worcm: HonseEeeper to Single Gentleman or Widower; Chf1(treU not objected to; Gc-nri references: Cariliff or nettfebo^ rltoo 1 preferred G, 4 I'j twai-, -?;trec:. Cardiff, ":S^0UIS V V AN CEO, a. f;'c-.T Gooi Hammerman. —Ai>i>ly to the! t Foreman, Mcuutstasrt Dry Docks, Cardiff, {u17 j

To-day's Racing. SROIRRSMAY AMI .srouriXG LIPB AUTHENTIC; STARTING TRICKS. DERBY MEETING. HOBSK. RIOER. Sportsman. SHIPLEY HALL STEEPLECHASE. Manifesto Karanagh. 3 to 1 ag 3 to 1 ag FRIARY HUKDLK. Magellan AN ghting'll 85 to 40on 25 to 40 on DEVONSHIRE HANDICAP. Harold 1 T Adams | 8 to 1 ag j 8 to 1 ag j rVEN'ILE S TKEPLECHA.SE. Daslikoff A t. ag 4 to 1 ag MKYKELL FLAT. t Moonraker. I Capt Pease 1 9 to 4 ag ) 9 to 4 ag HARRIKGTON STEEPLECHASE. Norska. | Mr Whittou .1 5 to 4 ag 1 5 to 4 ag The above prices are identical with those officially published in the Racing Calendar.

Darby Fv'ieetin^. 1.45-The SHIPLEY HALL HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE PLATE of 150 sovs winners extra. Two miles. Mr H M Dyas's Manifesto, 5yrs. list 9ib .Kavarnigh 1 Mr Jehn Herdman's Sister of Merc* 6yrs, lOst 131b Morris 2 Mr C Thompson's Sandown, 6yrs, list 51b .Benham 3 Mr B Grood .it's Meldrum. aged, list, 91b Lathom 0 M. G C Wilson's Skedaddle. 4yrs. list Mr Milne 0 Mr C S Scwti.-ii's Ceylon, 6yrs. lOst. ilib.Williamson 0 Winner trained privately. Betting-2 to 1 asrst Skedaddle, 3 to 1 agst Manifesto, 4 to 1 agst Sister of Mercy, 7 to 1 agst Meldrum, and 10 to each astst Sandown and Cevloit. Sister of Mercy led to the h" if distance, where Mani-i festo cl- sed, and won by a length and a half a bad third. Skedaddle fell at the lasL fence and b: ought down Ceylon. 2.1t>-The FRIARY MAIDEN HURDLE RACE PLATE of 40 sovs, for four year olds and upwards weight for age penalties and adowances. Two miles, over eight hurdles. Mr H Hyam's Magellan, 4yrs, list 10!b A iyightingall 1 Mr C E Paddock's Rowington, 5yrs, list 101b Thornton 2 Mr C Clayton's Pendragon, 5yrs, list 10ib ,Benbam 3 Mr J L Bullivant's Laundress, II- rs. lOst 9!b .Owner 0 Mr F P att's Yatchsman, 4yrs. lGst 91b Lake 0 Mr G H Soutliwell's Idirinodosa, 5yrs. 12st Mr Drake 0 Winner trained by T Sherwood, Epsom. Betting—85 to 40 on Magellan, 10 [.0 1 agst Pendragon, iud 1GO to 8 agst any other. Pendragon settled down from Laundress and Minne- dosa, with Yachtsman and ilagelian next and Rowing- ton last. Seven furlongs from home Laundress a-ew to the front, followed by Magellan and Pendragon. Enter- ing the straight Magellan assumed the lead, followed by Rowington. and won in a canter by a length and a halt; a bad third. A'innedosa was fourth and Yat:hLsm,.11 last. 2.53—The DEVONSHIRE HANDICAP UTRDLK RACE of 500 sov3 winners extra. Two miles, over hurdte6. Lord Dudley's Harold, 4vrs, list 21b T Adams 1 Mr J M Hanbury's Ben Wyvis, 4yrs, list 7:0 (5'b ex) Bark<-r 2 Lord Hastings's Jessamy. 5vrs, list 91b .Mr Mawson 3 Mr T & Coppinger's Beware, 5yrs, 12st EltJ .Escott 0 Mr H M Dyas's Gillstown. 6yrs, 12st 21b .Kavanagh 0 Mr H -N Talbot's Golden Ring, 4yrs, 12,1. 111> Mr Cullen 0 Mr Jt A Ward's Shortbread, 6yrs, llst lOn, Mr Moncreiffe 0 Mr J Davis's Cannie Lad, 5yrs. list 21b A Kightin^all 0 Winner trained by Adams, Epsom. Bcttinz—5 to 2 agst Goideo Ring, li to 4 agst Ben Wyvis, 6 to 1 aifst Gibstown, 8 to i agst Harold, 10 to 1 eaoh agst Cannie Lad and Beware, and to 8 each agst Shortbread and Jessamy. Beware was followed by Giilstown to the second hurdle, where Ben Wyvis drew to the front,, but at the stand was passed by Gillstown and Jessamy, with Beware next, and Harold alld Cannie Lad the last two. When they liaa run a mile Beware drew to the front, followed tiy 6illstown and Ben Wyvis, with Jessamy fourth, and Harold fifth, Shortbread whipping in. Urware led to the straight, when Ben Wyvis drew out, followed by Golden Ring and Harold. At the last hurdles Golden Ring was beaten, and Harold over- hauling Ben Wyvis won by a length ana a Ludf; three lengths separated the second and third. Gillstown was fourth, Beware fifth, Cannie Lad next, and Shortbread last. 3.25—Tiie JUVENILE STEEPLECHASE PLATE of 300 sovs, for four year otds lOst 101 b each winners extra. Two miles. Mr H T Bar Backoff. lOst 101b .A Nightingall 1 .%I i- T Caii nor)'- Panior#St,rickc-ii, IOst 101b Mnw.-ou 2 Mr J G Elsie's Bonnie Laddie, IOst !Olb 3 Mr H Goodall's Meopham, IOst lOib .Ltthom 0 Winner trained by Collins, Winchester. Betting—7 t" 4 each agst Meopham and Panic Stricken, 4 to 1 agst Dashkoff, and 20 to 1 agst Bonnie L:iddie. Meopham settled down from Bonnie Laddie, with Dashkoff last, for a mile, when Meopham, Panic ■stricken, and Bonnie Laddie went the wrong course, and D.ishkoff. drawing out, with a long lead, stalled off Panic Stricken and won by six lengths; bad third. 3 MKYXKLL NATIOXAL HrXT FLAT RACE PLATK of 50 sovs, for four yeilrs old and upward; weight for age; penalties and allowances. Two m-les. Mr F Piatt's Moonraker, 6yrs, 12st, 41b .C ipt Pease 1 Captain Bewicke's Cameronian, aged, list 131b Owner 2 Winner trained by Hardy. Bdting-9 to 4 on Cameronian. whose rider indulged Moonraker wit h a ridiculously long lead to the straight, wiler., tie made an effort, but failed to reach Moonraker, who won a lucky race by a length and a haif. 4.15—The HAUIUNGTON STEKPLKCHASK of 4J sovs 12st 7:be:-ich; altowftucr-s. Three miles. Mr J R East wood's JNorska, 5vrs, 12st 71b Mr C Whitton 1 Mr H P Eird's Wild Annie, ag-ed, 12st 21b Owner 2 Mr C J H James's Highland Chief, aged, 12s., 21b Mr H Ford 0 Winner trained privately. Betting—6 to 5agst: Highland Chief, 5tr> 4 agst -Norska, and 8 to 1 agst Wild Annie. Highland Chief made the running until two fences from iionir, where Norska joined issue, and the tanmrito losing its rider on the fiat, immediately after jumping losing its rider on the fiat, immediately after jumping tiie last, obstacle, through breaking a stirrup leather, Norska won easily tr m Wild Annie by three lengths.

Latest Betting on the Course. j LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP. 7 to 1 agst. Miua, o 15 to 2 — Pensioner, o .5 to 2 — Wolf's Crag, o—after SCO to 102 laid 100 to B — Marciou, t 100 to 6 Gangway, t 1C0 to 8 — Tanzmeister. i&o 1000 t-> 35 — Victoi Wild, t 50 to 1 — Arise, t

—— To-day's London Betting. LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP. ,'Run Tuesday, March 2;. Distance, one mile.) lo to 2 agst Pensioner. 4"1'5, 7st 81b, t 15 to 2 — Mina, 6yrs. 7st 21b, t & o 8 to 1 — Wolf's Crag, 3yrs. 6?t, 7!b, t, i o 1610 1 Gangway. 3yrs. 6st 61b, t 16 to 1 Tanimeister, 4yrs, Sst, t 16 to 1 — Marcion, 3vrs, 6st 1 lb, it o 25 to 1 — Weymouth, lyrs. 6?t, 121b, t ••S to 1 — Macready. 4vrs, 7st 21b. t. ft o 25 to 1 — :abra. f:"Ts. 7st, 4!b. I, .t 0 35 to 1 — Victor Wild. 3vrs, 6st lib, t ft w GRAND NATIONAL. ;Run Friday, March 24. Distance, about four miles and 85S yards.) 4 to 1 agst Cloistei, aged, 12st 71b, o 6 to J The Midshipmite. aged, J23131b.t &: 0 8 to 1 — Why Not. aged. 11st 121b, t 25 t-i 1 jEiop. aged. IOst 6tb, t 33 to i Cheroot, aged, IOst, t

Red Rube and His Engagements. On the authority of the owner the Derbv officials announced to the representatives of the press last evenn.g that Red Rube would fulfil his engagements in l tfie Juvenile Steeplechase this afternoon. It transpired this morning that, Air. Stoddart.'s colt, had not left Rotting.Jean. ami, we are given to understand, will not j be seen out this week.

King James was struck out of the Dev nshire Handi- cap on Mondav morning. Bay Leaf will run in the Grand National and be ridden by W Thornton.

II Official Sc.-aichin s. The 'I''I1'[S>1I!!IL has been oflicially informed by Messrs Weatherbyof the followmir scratchings -.— Lincoln Handicap—Lauriscopc. Brocklesby stakes, Lincoln—Mistress Page and Mar- vellous. All Handicaps at Lincoln—Hatfield, Bombshell, and Tip Cat. Liverpool engagements—Knights of Roads and Panta- gruel. Nottingham Spring Handicap—Garrick. All hurdle races in Air John Gubbins's iime-Jolin Morgan. All engagements—Galeopsts (dead), filly by Tan Diemen's Land—Cream Tart. (2yrs). and Shipley.

ACCEPTANCES. Gatwick M.ri'ch Meeting. Pi;iMROS £ HANDICAP. St lb I s! ib i Euclid 9 o | Ammonite 7 1 Whisperer S 5 i Rosalia 6 12 Esmond 8 2 | Watch Tow»r 6 Adoration § i Kemiftgton 6 S Bach 7 10 Semnel f Lottery 7 0 Falling Star f Border Chief. 7 2 I Knight, of Snowdnun C Patrick Blue 7 2 The weights have hi en raised lib.

Liverpool Meeting. NEW GRAND STAKD PLATE. Golden Drop. Carabinier, Partisan. Lady Morgan. Grace Darling, Innisheen, Tummy Tittlemouse, Primi- tiva, C'-n Amore, Townsena. and G'UI Art. LIVERPOOL HURDLE HANDICAP. William lie Silent. Stop, Pi inee Frederick. Alcseus. Theosophisr. Kontaitiebleau, Deerstalker, Origen, '"i rangier, P -u-sin, Hinnington, Dower, Cannie Lad, Golden Link. Kuf on Con vers, and Mosstrooper. The weights bave been raised lib.

NO STABLE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT <t r A AH. A mmrnMm j s7 Ci., SMBM&ttS Jmiispmsahle in a;,v stable, bat espociaHy it. the stable ot a Master of Hounds."—H&ODtNSTO\. Master of Berwickshire Hounds. ELLIMAN'S ROYAL EMBROCATION. Sold by Chemists and Saddlers. Price, 2s., 2s. 6:1. 3s. 6d. Prepared only by KI.I.IMAN', SONS, AND FT I ws "i'.u.ji.. England. I E13b53 THE OLD KKLTABLK FIRM. L. MOORE, Turf Commission Agent, Ex et.er. Established 1S75. Starting Price Commissions executed daily also Double and Treble Events. Personally conducted. Ad- vantageous term-, Telegraphic Address Postal Address, L. MOOSE, EXETK! IMPORTANT TO BACKERS OF HORSES. SEASON 1833.—Mr. ALFRED CHOOK. Turf Com- mission Agent. Ostendc. Lincoln Handicap. Liverpool Grand National. and al other e\'e1J\.s throughout the year. The advantage in sending to Mr. Crook is you may; retv on receiving ftili market prices. Letters posted by night, mail HI rive following duv, sad are replied to by return. Address — ALFRED CROOK, Ostende. Pos- iage 2/d. DOUGLE KVENTS AND STARTIXG PRICES. Lincoln Handicap, Grand National, City and hu!.urban. For Double and Treble Kvents on above sand to Vim. LKAHV, Essendeue House, Trafalgar terrace, Swansea. Telegraphic Address—Galore, Swau j sea. ?818 I

| LOCAL SPORT. 4^ I The Internationals.—Card.ff's 100th Try I this Season.—Newport v. Cardrff. On Saturday afternoon, at Llanelly (says the James" Gazette), Wales gained her third victory id the competition for the Rugby international championship, and thus having passed through the season unbeaten Fecured undisputed possession of the lionnur of hoiding first position amongst the competing countries. Apart from the particu- larly brilliant record of the Welshmen, whose triumph is the more remarkable seeing that a year ago, depending upon practically the same team, they finished at the bottom of tfce list the most noticeable feature of the contests has been the comparative failure of England to maio- tain her high position in the competition for,since she has only gained one victory and has been twice defeated, she now takes third place, Scotland being second and Ireland last. There can be little doubt that, taking the season as a whole, the Welskmen are fully entitled to their proud position; and this may be regarded as the outcome of careful training and combination That it was their superior training which gained them their victories over Englitnd and Scotland is unquestioned; and the fact that on Saturday against Ireland she won only after a keen struggle would se-m to emphasise this belief. Altogether it can be safely said that the difference in the rea Istive merits of the four international teams is not very great." The London Welsh Rugby Football Ciub held their annual smoker" at the Swdlow-street Assembly- room, Piccadilly, on Saturday evening last. There was a very large attendance. In the absence through influenza, of Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P. the chair was taken by Dr. Griffiths, of Cricklewood, and the vice by Mr. J. C. Rokeby-Hallen. Just before the concert com- menced a telegram was read from the Cardiff footballers wishing the London Welsh every suc- cess, and asking them to drink to the health o, this year's international champions, which wat done right revallv. Amongst those who con- tributed towards making the evening a pleasant one were Messrs. Faaikland Rooke, Walter Norman, W. A. Carlton, W. Lewis, i J, J. Hughe", T. H. Foulkes, J. A. Thackrao, Algernon Newark. T. D. Jones, Arthur Pointing, Charles Miller, Gwilym Jones, EUman Davies, Frank Wilson, G. S. Pendlebury (oboe). J. Lawrence (banjoe). the Curfew Local Quartette, and numerous others. Not a little of the success was due to the energetie efforts of the hon. sec. Mr. "Jimmy Hughes, and to the manager of the room, Mr A Hutchinson ("Little Tich'') who did a lot towards subduing the more boisterous spirits of the party. A correspondent reminds me that up to the present Cardiff have scored 98 tries. This after- noon, against Pontypridd, shouid see the century made up, on which I hope the crowd that line the ropes will not forget to give them a rousing recog- nition of their prowess. In Saturday's match Newport's usual team has been selected, as follows:—Back, T. England; three-quarters, A. J. Goulu, Bert Gould. F. H. Diuncey, and F. W. C-ioper; half-backs, H. P. Phillips and F. C. Partif. forwards, T. C. Grahiiin, J. Hansen, A. W. Boucher, W. H. Watts, B. Packer. T. POJk, W. Groves, and J. Bowley. It, may be mentioned (says a New- port contemporary) that there is considerable doubt as to some members of the teum being able to play. Ali ordinary reserved seats have been taken, and in addition rows of reserved seats along each side of the field have been snapped up, with very few exceptions. If necessary—and it saems highiy probable-two rows of seats will be placed behind the goal posts at the gymnasium end of the field. The question of some of the members not play- ing refers more particularly to Arthur Gould, who OD Tuesday announced his intention of taking a rest until his shoulder is pcrfect!y well again. That cannot possibly be by Saturday, so we may be assure he will not bs seen out against Cardiff, His place at three-quarter wiii doubtless bs filled tv Coarley Thomas- One of the forwards is also mentioned as bainj; unlikely to turn out. A tiling that I was rat,her surprised tosoein the in- terviews of the Welsh football heroes that appeared in Tuesday's Western Mail was the announcement ihat the Welsh team nearly lost through thinking they had a soft thing on. This morning I see Wanderer," in the Sportsman, falls into the same error. He says: — Bravo, little Wales though that iast show at Llanelly was nothing to boast about, and had they hud their full strength and a little more luck the Hibernians might easily have pulled off n big surprise. These soft things" are the ruin of foot- ball teams and there can be no doubt that the Taffies were fairly caught napping" But might i suggest that for tiie two or three weeks previous tD the match ttie fact was abso- lutely dinned into tiie Welsh team that this match, owing ta tiie wonderful strelJgth of the pish front divisiou, would, probably, prove the toughest of the three fights? There was no thought of a "soft thing" about it at any lime. Everyone expected Wales to win, but at the same time every one knew that they would have to fight hard for the wiu. There are several rather important proposals ic suggested at the forthcoming meeting of the English Union, and iu mo-t of those of which notice is given it is easy to truee the hand d Mr, A. Budd. Take, for instance, the one relating to a. scrimmage, and winch now reads in the rules as follows •— } scvimmisge. which oan ollly t».ke place in the field of play, is when the ball is put down between pluyes who have closed round nn their respective sides. Tile proposed addition 10 tuis is the adding of the words, and v. ho toast have both feet on the ground Now, the aim of that paragraph is obvious Mr. Budd has always been averse to what ho termed the "scraping" of the bail by the front, rank of the forwards—more pa.rtic:: ¡ar! f the Welsh forwards—atid at the Ins; macting of Cardiff and Blackheath in London. Mr. Budd, aft.ei tfie match expressed to me his intention of trying to stop this ►"■.vie of play. He objects to any trick'.ness— or os we t.erm i;, skill—in the scrimmage, an would have the bail put, down and then do no ling but posh, and, consequently, the stronger P" k would inevitably get the ball. Powerful, ho o ver, as Mr Budd's opinion may be, I don't an it.pale that this rule will come into effect, at any rate in Wales, for if it did r. would simply mean thit our forwards would then be picked entirely for weight; no light man however clever he might bs, would have a. chance of getting in. It would, in fact, oe a cabe of "best" and muscle versus science. Another addition, with a similar oLiect, is rule 11. where, after tin third line (i), it is suggested to add the words :— Being in a scrimmage, lifts a foot from the "round before the bill has been put into such scrimmnge. Ju this case the referee must allow a free kick to the opposite side without any appeal. And again a similar change is proposed for Rule 3. Add (i) the words— When a player in a scrimmage lifts a foot from the ground before the bail has been put fairiy into the scrimmage. Other proposed changes are of little importance and do not materially interfere with the existine laws. Several important changes, however, are recom mended by the International Board, and it seems as if the way is to at-ain be led by Wales in the matter of scoring, as Mr. A. L. Hill, of Coventry, proposes that the scoring should be altered to read, A try equals three points," &c. Mr. Pearson, of Halifax, proposes that the scor.ng shall read as follow:— A penalty goal equals two points, a try equal* tiiree points, a goal from a try (in which case 'he try shah nO': count), five points; any other eoal equals four points. Whilst "Vr. Thornton (of Dswsburr) proposes that the Welsh scoring rules should be adopted en blot'. Looking at the matter carefully, I am of the opinion that Mr. Tearson's ideas farm an abso- lutely ideal scoring tabic. They embrace the Welsh idea thut two tries should fcore more tliMt a converted goal. giving due ciedit to a drop goai; and whilst agreeing that wrong play should be penalised do not think that the penaity should be as much as is awarded to a try, for which a iesm have to wcrk so hare. WELSH ATHLETE.