Evening Express

Startling Statements. 0 -9- HOW TO BECOME A GLAMOR- GANSHIRE MAGISTRATE. Some Sensational Disclosures which will Probably Reach the Ears of the Lord Chancellor. On Tuesday we published a paragraph re- lating to a peculiar method of making magis- trates for the county of Glamorgan, which, it is alleged, has lately been developed in certain quarters. The allegations contained in that paragraph have been freely connected with a list of names of gentlemen, candidates for the magistracy, which we published in the Western Mail of September 30. That list, I which is given below, was received with a pood deal, of surprise at the time it was issued, for, while it contains the names of a few gentlemen. who might very well expect such honour, the others make up a very scratch team THE LIST. Alfred Stevens (C;, Penhill, Llandaff. Alderman John (L), Cowbridge. John Robert Christie tU), Baynton, Llandaff. Mr. Williams (L), high-constable, Aberdare. John T. oaiathiel (L). Bia.engarw. William Thomas (C), Hayes, Sully. Richard Evan Jones (L). Mumbles, Swansea. William Vincent Huntley (C), Welsh St. Donat's. Councillor Morgan Morgan (L), Cardiff. William Walter Nell (C), The Grange, Wenvoa. F. W. Manders, ex-high constable, Aberdare. Isaac George (L), Mountain Ash. Thomas Lewis (L), Pontycymmer. James Price (C), Royal Tudor Hotel, Cardiff. David Jenkins (L), Swansea. Edward Treharne (C), surgeon, Cadoxton. J. Griffith Jones ("Caradog"), (C), Ponty- pridd. James Mullin (L), doctor of medicine, Cardiff. John Crockett (U), Pontypridd. Evan Evans (C), Mountain Ash. Captain Hill-Male (L\ Pontypridd. Job Llewellyn (L), Llandaff. The publication of the list gave rise to much discussion in certain quarters amongst those who were privy to the negotiations which have been going on for some months, the history of which was on Tuesday investigated by a special corre- spondent of the Western Mail, who gives the following account of the affair as related to him by various gentlemen who were approached" in the matter, or whose names are otherwise associated. He writes:— It may, with moderation, be said that the paragraph in Tuesday's Western Mail re- specting the making of Glamorgan magis- trates descended like a thunderbolt in cer- tain quarters. Some suspicion had been excited by the list published in the IVestern Mail twelve days ago, but this was neces- sarily limited in extent. It was Tuesday's paragraph which concentrated attention on the matter, and brought up painful feelings in the minds of individuals who had been "had" in the race for honours. The story points a fine moral to the tale of how the House of Commons, in a Vandalic moment, threw overboard the old method of selecting magistrates, and opened the way for business of the kind which, it is alleged, has been pursued in Glamorganshire, and, there is reason for believing, not exclusively in this county. The unravelling of the story has been some- what difficult, in the first place because the plans of the magistrate-making syndicate appear to have been laid with consummate skill, while the gentlemen who snapped at the bait are naturally reluctant to expose their own weakness. One of the members of the syndicate (which consists of five or more individuals) happened to possess special knowledge of the people likely to desire such honours, and seems to have used that knowledge to advantage. An attempt was made to H boom" the thing by including certain individuals who may be supposed to represent the working classes. Negotiations were opened with a solicitor in Cardiff with a view to securing his legal aid in the matter, and the interval which has elapsed since the passing of the House of Commons reso- lution has been well occupied. The absence of names from the following Story has been already explained, but I may here state that the conductors of the Western Mail are in possession of the names of those concerned, and that at the proper moment the Weitern Mail may have some- thing to say about the circum- atances under which the list of names given above appeared in these columns on September 30. At present the whole matter has been laid before the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, and will, probably, find its way to the Lord Chancellor. HOM; LOCALITIES WERE OPERATED. The modus operandi adopted by the ring may be gathered from the following account of the proceedings of one of their number in one of the industrial centres of the county:— Dramatis persona;: (1) A well-known Con- servative politician, and (2) the leader of the ring. Period, some time in July or August last. The former, who had simply an how-d'ye- do acquaintance with the latter, was accosted in the street one day by said ring leader, who called his attention to the now famous resolution of the House of Commons relative to the appointment of magistrates, and intimated he was engaged in preparing lists of gentlemen in various parts of the county for presentation to the Lord Chancellor. These lists (it was added) would be fair to both parties, and contain the names of those qualified for and deserving of the honour of being elevated to the magisterial bench, altogether irrespec- tive of party politics. After unfolding this pleasing programme, the self-esteem of the said Conservative politician was worked upon by the suggestion that he, being well acquainted with the de- serving of his own party, could I Twenty-Pound Magistrates. A Short Cut to the Magisterial Bench. suggest suitable names for presentation to the Lord Chancellor. I distrusted him from the first," re- marked my informant after giving me this statement of how he had been approached, but I determined to temporise, in order to find out his little game." Accordingly, my informant first of all threw doubt upon the suggestion that the Lord- Chancellor would altogether ignore the Lord Lieutenant in the matter, and declared his belief that the names would come back t, Lord Windsor in the end. This was met by the positive assurance that the whole tran- saction would be carried through directly with the Lord Chancellor. Whom do you act for?" asked my in- formant, still feeling his way. Oh, influential parties," was the reply. Are you acting for ———— ? (naming a well-known Welsh M.P.) No, I am acting under instructions from head-quarters." The upshot of the conversation was that a further meeting was arranged, my informant promising to consult his friends. This meeting came off, and information was volunteered that the affair had been worked in a number of Glamorganshire towns, some of which were mentioned, a big' bundle of petitions containing the names of various gentlemen being produced in corroboration. One of these petitions was shown to me yesterday, but I am not permitted at present to use its text or the names it contained. The mode of proceeding was still further elaborated at this meeting, but no mention was made of any money payment—a fcireumstance which my informant, for obvious reasons, now regrets. Finally the names of my informant and his friend were put down for submission to the Lord Chancellor. Some time later he received a letter stating that his name had been submitted to his lordship, who had asked certain pointed questions respecting him. The information sought was subsequently furnished, and there the matter rests, the eminent Conser- vative politician, whose name, by the way, is not included in the list published in the Western Mail the other day, being still in el uncertainty as to the upshot. Several gentlemen from the same locality appear in the list published in the Western Mail-not, however, on the recommendation of my informant nor on that of his friend- and it is believed in some quarters that money has passed in the case of some of them. HOW INDIVIDUALS WERE APPROACHED." One of the gentlemen" approached" in the matter spins an interesting yarn on the subject. I was driving home from the office one evening when I was hailed from the door of a well-known hostelry by an individual whom I did not know, but who greeted me with the somewhat startling query, Why don't you go in for the magistracy ?' 'I have not thought of it,' I replied. Well, you have a. splendid chance now,' was the reply. A large number of magistrates will be made shortly, and you should go in.' The individual pro- posed a meeting at a certain place and time, and I agreed. This was in August, and two days later I received a note from the indi- vidual referred to postponing the appoint- ment to another date, and adding, There is a good chance of your name being put on the list of magistrates, provided you comply with the requirements of the Lord Chancellor. What were those requirements ?" I interposed. "Was anything said about money ? Not then," was the reply. The note- paper on which that letter was written bore the name and address of Mr. Alfred Thomas, M.P., but the name was crossed out, and so was the name Bronwydd' in the address, another address in Cardiff being substituted. Later on I met the individual referred to, and, in reply to a remark of mine, he assured me it was all right, that my name had gone in to the Lord Chancellor, supported by a memorial signed by persons whom I knew, and that fetched me. When the list appeared in the Western Mail some of my friends spoke to me on the matter, and I found the suspicions I had entertained as to the genuineness of the affair con- firmed. The last I heard of it was a letter received some days ago asking for another meeting, and men- tioning that it had been arranged a deputa- tion should wait upon Lord Windsor, and another deputation upon the Lord Chan- cellor. The letter went on to say that the expenses incurred by sending these deputa- tions would be heavy, and asked me to send £ 5. I replied that I would be prepared to contri- bute towards expenses when the object sought had been attained. There the matter rests as far as I am concerned." In further conversation, I gathered that while my informant rather plumed himself upon the fact that he had not really been misled by the promises of the syndicate, he naturally felt sore that his name should have been mixed up with the affair, for (as he pointed out) it might spoil or, at any rate, defer his chances of being placed on the bench. This, in his case, is the more annoying, for he is one of the few who (as I remarked before) might justly expect such distinc- tion. After the statements made respecting the use of Mr. Alfred Thomas's name I natu- rally sought an interview with that gentle- man. Even a man of Mr. Thomas's amia- bility was, as might be expected, conside- rably annoyed at the manner in which his name has been mixed up in the affair. Your name," I said, has been men- tioned to me in several quarters in connec- tion with this operation for making new magistrates for Glamorganshire. Do you know anything about it ? Nothing whatever." There is an idea abroad that one of the members of the syndicate holds some con- nection with you in the matter," I re- marked. I know nothing at all about the matter, except what I have seen in the papers, and the statements made me by one or two gentlemen." You have not given anyone authority to use your name in the matter ? No, decidedly not, and no one has ever had my authority to act in such a matter." I have been told of a letter, sent to one of the gentlemen approached by a member of the syndicate, written on notepaper bear- ing your name and address. Your name and address were crossed out, aneJ. another address written in. Do you use notepaper printed in that way ? Yes." I gather you did not supply any note- paper for use in negotiation for magistrate- making ?" "No, certainly, I did not. I may add I distinctly disapprove of this new method of appointing magistrates on memorial." Mr. Theodore Dodd's name has been men- tioned in the matter. Do you think he knows anything of these negotiations ?" No, certainly not." This closed the interview. The allegation that money had been asked for, and, in some cases, paid over, cropped up in various quarters in the course of my investigation. The grounds upon which money was demanded are not clear, but I was informed that ostensibly it was for the purpose of engrossing the memorial and paying the expenses of the influential deputation from Wales," who, it is claimed, went to London to present them to the Lord Chancellor. Why the memorials were not 6ant by post to the gentleman who, it is alleged, "virtually acts for the Liberal party," namely, Mr. Theodore Dodd, is not apparent, and no one whom I interviewed yesterday could give me any answer to that query. It has been suggested, with reference 119 to several of the individuals whose names appear in the list of September 30, that one of the requirements of the Lord Chan- cellor might very well be an examination in handwriting and orthography. NEGOTIATIONS WITH SWANSEA GENTLEMEN. Om Swansea reporter telegraphs :-The startling rumours to which the Western Mail gave prominence yesterday in connection with whe nominations for the commission of the peace for Glamorganshire appears to be the outcome of the efforts of a couple of Cardiff gentlemen to obtain a Ittle promotion money from such of the nominated candidates as might be disposed to part. I have just had a sight of one the letters which have been forwf rded by one of the gentlemen in ques- tion to candidates, the amount which we stated yesterday as being demanded was apparently exaggerated over 100 per cent. The sum asked in the case in question was the rather remarkable one of X9 15s., an amoont probably fixed upon in the idea ther i is luck in odd numbers. It will be observed, however, that an actual seat on the bench is not offered for that sum. What the writer offers is, first, to take further steps to ensure," and, secondly, te accele- rate" the appointment. For the present the names of the parties are suppressed, but the information can be verified at any time if the parties desire it. The letter is dated Cardiff, October 4, and runs as follows :—" Dear Sir,-If you would see your name in the proposed list of new magistrates for the county of Glamorgan, I should like to see you within the next day or two, as some further steps might be taken to ensure your name being on the list of appointments. If you cannot find time to meet me in this matter will you kindly let me know by return, and I will write you at length on the whole matter, and see if we can accelerate your appointment on the com- mission of the peace, the expenses in connec- tion with the presentation of your memorial would, Mr. ————— assures me, be paid by you. This amount would be £9 15s., and I shall be glad if you will let me have your cheque for that amount if you have not already paid Mr. ————.—Yours faithfully," In at least one case a well-known gentleman was communicated with by a can- didate, who received the letter, and was asked if the writer had any connection with him, and he replied in the nega- tive, although the applicant had written on note paper containing the gentleman's printed address crossed out, and another Cardiff address substituted.

Welsh Ladies' Choir. Mr. Edwards writes to say that the extract we made from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in our Tuesday's issue shows that the writer of the article was a little mixed in the remarks he made about the trunks and baggage. Mr. Edwards acted as secretary for the choir, net manager, and had nothing whatever to do with any arrangements for the boxes, neither did he make use of any such expression as the writer of the article says he did. Mr. Edwards is sur- prised to see that there was trouble about the boxes at Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Burghamp- ton, towns which the choir did not go within miles of. The Prophet of the Welsh Coal Trade I Mr. D. A. THOMAS (in his speech at Aber- aman): The balance of forces point to higher prices for some time to come.

Epps's COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORT- ING. By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws rl which govern the operations of digestion and nutri- tion, and by a careful application of the fine pro- perties of well-selected COCOA, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up ulitil strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating aroundns ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortifiedwith pure blood and a properly nourished frame."—Civil Service Gazette. Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in packets, by Grocers, labelled JAKES Errs & CO. (LIMITED), Homoeopathic Chemists, London." Also makers of Epps's Cocoaine or Nib-extract Tea like. E2950—Wed.

Lucania's Smart Voyage. MAKES A NEW RECORD FOR THE ATLANTIC. She is Bunkered with Cardiff Coal and Proves its Superiority for Ocean Racers. The recent fast voyages of the new Cunard Liner, the Lucania, are exciting' much interest in the shipping world, and it is interesting to note that the vessel on her last trip, when she beat the Southampton Liner Paris by several hours, she was bunkered by the Albion Steam Coal Company (Limited), of Bute-crescent, Cardiff, and her performance once more proves the superiority of South Wales coal. ,Such a vessel as the Lucauia can have no more interest- ing part than her engine-room. The room in which are the enormous engines—the largest 1 marine engines in the world-and the mass of smaller machinery required to handle them is 1 47ft. high the size of a comfortable residence. i While the crew of the ship all told numbers < 421 men, the engines themselves require 23 < men who do nothing- but turn levers and valves, i and carry out the order- which come from the < man up on deck who is in charge of the vessel. 1 Besides this it takes a force of 168 firemen, i greasers, oilers, coal r hovellers, and coal passers s to feed the mighty furnaces. The Lucania has twelve double-ended boilers, i and two others for auxiliary purposes. The f total number of furnaces is 102. The twelve < main boilers are 18ft. in diameter and 17ft. ( loag. One of the smaller boilers, 18ft. in I diameter by lift. long, is for the auxiliary t machinery in the ship, while the smallest, 10ft. i in diameter by 10ft. long, is for donkey pur- 1: poses when the vessel is in port. All these boilers may be used in the propelling of the 1 ship if considered desirable. i There are ceal bunkers over the boiler spaces, > the floor of the bunkers curving to the sides in ( much the same way as the usual protective deck c in cruisers. The fuel is passed to the stoking 1 floor by shutes at the side fed from the main 1 coal bunkers between the boiler compartments. g The .total coal-carrying capacity ef the bun- c kers is much greater than is necessary for the s quick trip between America and England that 1 this ocean racer makes. This is so that the i vessel will, when employed as an armed cruiser, f be able to keep at sea for long periods and be c more efficient for patrol duty. All the steering: i e gear of the Lucania is below water line, a condi- I tion insisted upon by the Admiralty for vessels I which, as in the case of the Lucania., are destined t to do service in time of war. When the great a ghip is at top speed si.tf biu-us about 450 tons of coal a day. Immense ventilators have been placed in the engine-room and enormous fans are mechanically dri ven. This system of venti- lation is the only t'aing that makes life in the engine and furnace rooms bearable. As it is the men work for four hours on a stretch and are Uien off duty foe eight hours. Their whol? working day is eight hours out of the 24. The engine-room is divided into four floors, the upper three of which are used by the greasers, who ketjp the moving part of the machinery thoroughly oiled. The engines them- selves are controlled from the lowest floor. The valve which controls the entrance of the steam into the cylinders is itself broader itian a man's body, and requires a system of gearing to move it. The rudder head is turned by means of a tiller, on which i.s carried the steering engine. This tiller is of c ist steel, about 17ft. long. In a ship of such size and speed as the Lucania, it was considered that any reasonable number of hand-steering wheels would not suffice to steer the ship wien the steam-steering gear was deranged. For this reason auxiliary steam- steering gear is fitted forward of the main steam tiller. The rudder itself is 12ft. broad and 20ft. deep, and, wf<h the assistance of the twin engines working in opposite directions, will turn the vessel in her own length. The great en;gine-room is completely divided for purposes of safety by a bulkhead running fore and aft and having small openings, whick can be closed at a moment's notice in the event of an accident. If the ship were to fill with water on one side the engine on the other side could be used to run her. The two engines, though used together, are really double and separate, and either one is capable of keepillgthe ship moving at great speed. In addition to the machinery relied upon for moving the vessel there are dynamos and steam fans, and small engines for hoisting ashes and coal and the cargo. In another part of the ves- el there is a donkey boiler with two furnitees which works the engines at the hatchways, and this can be used to run the steaui-steering appa- ratus and the pump if the othor boilers should become disabled. The whole strength of the engines is about 18,000 horse-power, the most of which is used in moving the vessel. The only ship ever built which was larger than the Lucania was the Great Eastern, but her engines were puny in comparison with those of the new Cunarder. The Lucania is 62ft. across amidships, 620ft. long, and gives four decks to the use of passen- gers alone. When such a vessel goes to sea she carries, of course, thousands of tons of coal, and as she keeps burning this she becomes lighter from day to day. Her cargo also varies in weight at different times. Naturally it frequently becomes necessary tjo take on ballast, and for this purpose an elaborate system of tanks is arranged n the hold communicating with the sea and connected with the pumps. The Lucania can, therefore, take or discharge ballast in the shage of water at any time. VIEW OF THE UPPER PART OF THE LUCANIA'S ENGINE-ROOM. I

THE CHAMBERLAIN CANARD. —— j Mr. S. T. Evans gives a Qualified Promise tD Disclose the Negotiator. The Daily Telegraph New York correspon- dent, telegraphing on Monday evening, says :— This morning. I saw Mr. Chamberlain at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, upon his return from Boston, and I communicated to him the state- ment which appeared with reference to the alleged terms of conspiracy offered to Mr. S. T. Evans by Mr. Chamberlain. I asked the right hon. gentleman if he desired to make any remark upon the foregoing, and these are his words :—" The statement as given is untrue. I do not believe that Mr. Evans has been rightly reported." Interview with Mr. S. T. Evans. A representative of the Western Mail called on Mr. S. T. Evans at Skewen on Tuesday evening. Mr. Evans had not read Mr. Cham- berlain's contradiction, but after being shown the same by our representative be said :—" Mr. Chamberlain's attention appears to have been called to a statement in general in the news- papers which said that I received a message direct from Mr. Chamberlain offering terms of conspiracy.' Mr. Chamberlain's attention does not seem, however, to have been called to the detailed statement which was made in the New Review." Do you adhere to what you said with refe- rence to the proposals made by a gentleman said to have been visiting Mr. Chamberlain ?'' I strictly adhere to it," replied Mr. Evans. Continuing, he said that no communication bad been made to him by this gentleman, who had been called the negotiator, since the publication of the articles, but, at the same time, he had no objection at all to divulge the gentlemam's name, provided the latter gave his authority. Mr. Chamberlain said that he believed that you were incorrectly reported in general." Yes, and to some extent he is right." Why not divulge the mysterious negotiator's name ?" The best thing for me to do, under tke cir- cumstances, is to say nothing. If, however, the gentleman makes a denial ef what has been pub- lished respecting our interview I shall be quite prepared to lift the curtain." Is there much behind?" Yes, a good deal."

I VALUE PLACED AT £ 12,000 More About the Supposed Real Raphael Found at Swansea. •, A Swansea contemporary saye :—Information reaches us that one of the most valuable paintings in the world is at present in the possession of Mrs. Vignolles, wife of the manager of the London and Midland Bank, being none other than The Reconciliation Philosophy, Astronomy, and Theology," which was painted by Raphael for one of the Popes..It has been viewed by the best known English art connoisseur in the trade, and by him its minimum value is placed at Cl2,000, at which figure he is prepared to treat as its reserve price. There is a history attaching to the painting, which was for a long time located in Spain, and has since been 200 years in the family from whom Mrs. Vignolles acquired it. We understand that Mr. Vignolles is willing— even anxious—to afford his fellow-townsfolk an opportunity of viewing this magnificent specimen of the great Italian master before it is removed to London, and it has been proposed that it shall be exhibited in the public library gallery but this, we believe, will not new be done, a more suitable room being required.

THE CATERHAM SGANDAL. A Clergyman to be Charged with a Serious Offence. Before the Croydon justices on Monday Mr. Hood, solicitor, on behalf of the girl Alice Hockley, renewed the application he had pre- viously made for an affiliation summons against a clergyman. The Mayor said the magistrates would grant the summons on the complainant's information, relying on Mr. Hood that there would be corroborative evidence.—Alice Sarah Hockley then swore an information that the Rev. Thomas Closs was the father of her child born on the 1st of April, and the summons was granted against him.

"ADVICE TO MOTHERS."—Are you broken in your rest by a. sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at on,e to a chemist and get a bottle of MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sufferer in: mediately. It is perfectly harmless; it produces natu 7al, quiet sleep by relieving the child from. pain, and the little cherwh awakes "ItS right as a button." O- all Chemists, h. ijd.'por bottle. BZ 0 A FAIR, BEAUTIFUL UKIN.—Sulpholine Soap gives the natural tint ani peach-like bloom of a perfect complexion makes the skin smooth, supple healthy, comfortable.-bd. 1 ablets Everywhere. kitoiiltog PIANOFORTES! PIANOFO IiTES G RE A T JTJEDUCTION IN J>RICES BEVAN AND COMPANY (LIMITED), "THE CARDIFF FURNISHERS," Having made special arrangements with the Manufacturers for a Continuous Supply of the Celebrated Thirty Guinea Iron-framed, Brass Pin-plate, handsome Walnut and Gold Case Piano (ten years' warranty), are Prepared to Sell this Splendid Instrument at the Remarkably Low Price of TWENTY-FIVE GUINEAS ONLY I The Magnificent Overstrung KING OF ALL PIANOFORTES," Forty Guinea*. This Grand Instrument fully equal to those often sold at Sixty Guineas. FURNITURE FURNITURE I As the Largest Furnishers in this part of the Kingdom B. and Co. Supply Every Description of Household Furniture, Carpets, Linoleums, Itc., at Prioes far and away below those of their competitors. ILLUSTATED CATALOGUES GRATIS. DELIVERY OF GOODS FREE BEVAN AND COMPANY, CARDIFF, NEWPORT, AND TJONTTPOOL.

EXPENSES OF PUBLIC MEN Why an Alderman's Expenses are heavy. Why C ouncillor Beavan's Expenses Bills are low. The JE21 7s. 5d. for Crockery might have been saved if Councillors carried their own mugs.

Condition of Captain O'Shea. i Captain O'Shea's condition has taken a avourable turn, and he was somewhat better on Tuesday. It was feare<i that symptoms of typhoid fever had developed. Sir Wm. Broad; bent, however, is of opinion that this is not the case.

MORE MISERY PROBABLE. Fresh Trouble in Store for the Liberator I Victims. The Press Association says that the Hilary caused by the failure of the Liberator group ef companies is likely to be seriously increased by the decision of the Official Receiver to make an early call on the shareholders of the House and Land Investment Trust. Several shareholders have appealed to the Official Receiver to omit their names from the list of contributories, and various reasons have been given why they should not be called upon to pay this demand. One is that the shares were applied for through the wide circulation of lying reports and false balance-sheets, and that the shareholders ought not to be held responsible at any rate beyond the serious losses already sustained from the deficiency brought about by the financial methods adopted by Balfour and his co-workers. In reply to thesa representa- tions, the Official Receiver has issued the follow. ing circular letter — "All persons who were shareholder* at the date of the winding-up order must be included is the list of contributories, but when you receive a notice of the call, which will shortly be made on the shares, you should forward an affidavit stating exactly of what your property consists, your means and sources of income, and your inability to pay the call in full. This must be sworn before a justice of the peace or commis- sioner for oaths. You should at the same time make an offer of compromise, which will be brought before the committee of inspection for their consideration." It is presumed that this means the Official Receiver has no option but to enforce the call on all shareholders, no matter what they may have lost in this and other companies of the Balfour group. The effects of the disaster will, therefore, be more severely felt than ever.

A BUNCH OF "THORNES." t A Telegram Causes a Funny Revelation' in the Isle of Man. A curious thing happened in a Douglas Hotel a few weeks ago. A telegram addressed G. Thome was handed to Mr. Gould Thorne, of Cardiff, but he at once saw the message wasn't for him. Later in the day he was delighted to meet Mr. George Thorne, of D'Oyly Carte fame, and at onoe apologised for opening the telegram. "Well, this is really very funny" said George, "I had put it down to a, George Thorne, of Chester, who I saw about here yesterday, and now you turn up. It is very remarkable Come here, and I will tell you how it is all so strange-but. wait a minute, I must go and fetch the other George Thorne—he was outside a minute ago." Back the two Georges came, and in regular "Ko-Ko-ian" style the little great actor-the Chester George stood about six feet—addressing the Cardiff item, said —" Until some months ago, this gentleman (indicating Chester) was unknown to me, and this is the second time I have accidentally met him. The first was at Chester Races. I wae claiming some money as the result of a race. What name ?' said the man. 'George Thorne,' was the answer. Oh! no. you're not. I know George Thorne too well—he's over there.' 'Perhaps so,' said the actor, 'but I'm George Thorne too. and it is me you have to do with.' The man sent for his George Thorne, who came up, and at once recognised the Ko-Ko' from having seen him in the theatres." After some more talk the family separated, but two of them have now met at Cardiff again.

Brecon Town Council.. At the monthly meeting of the Brecon Town Council, held at the Guild-hall on Tuesday, the mayor (Mr. Lewis Williams) presiding, Dr. Andrew Whyte (medical officer of health) reported that two cases of erysipelas and one case of diphtheria had occurred during-the month. There had, however, been only one death, so that the death-rate, which had been decreasing ever since July, was now 2 per 1,000 per annual

Secret of Three Shattered Lives. -0. Mrs. Evelyn Webster will be remembered as the woman in the case of the shooting of Charles E. Goodwin two years ago by Bertram C. Webster, the young woman's husband. Before this Mrs. Webster had enjoyed a certain career on the stage, and was more or less distinguished in the Bohemian world ior her beauty and vivacity. Xot content with the successes already achieved, Mrs. Webster believes she can shine in the literary firmament, and has written a. story to prove her belief. ''The World"'prints this story, which Mrs. Webster says is true, and which is certainly, as she says, romantic, and leaves each reader to judge for himself as to .e literary success the lady will probably eventually win. Here is the story — In these days. when every one is harassed by the cry of hard times and the stringency of money, one does not care to read a romance, no matter how short it is. But here is a true story, the characters of which are still alive. Some twenty-five years ago there lived in Louisville, Ky., a. journeyman printer, who, in his way, was fairly success- ful. He was a gentleman and, being well connected, moved in good society. He was of prepossessing appearance, and after a "season" was acknowledged a favourite of the younger ladies and a rival of the gallants. Still, he was a. good fellow, and the universal voice of his popularity made him a "lion," although he was only a printer. At the end of his second season lie fell in love, des- perately in love, with one of the belles of that city. She was beautiful and rich in her own name. But her parents were op- posed to the union. Her father chided, stormed, begged, and entre? + ed, but to no purpose. They were married. The family cast her off. The handsome husband and beautiful young wife moved to Kansas City, Mo., where with her money (some 20,000 dollars) he opened a lithographic and printing establishment, and bade fair to do well, when the real estate boom was in its zenith. He invested heavily in town lots. He caught the short end of the game. however, for within eighteen months the boom had died, and he could not realise ten per cent. on I hie investments. Their life had been a golden one up to that time, and in the midst of all his business troubles a baby girl was born, which was a great solace to the brave little wife. For now his money was all gone, his printing business had to be given up. He took a position on the "Times" as a printer, and made but a poor living. Still she was happy with the husband of her heart, and their child. He realised that he had taken her from a home of luxury and refinement to atn abode of two little rooms on Sixth street, where they had barely enough to keep the wolf from the door. She had written to her parents repeatedly, for the baby's sake, but they were relentless: they had cast her off for ever. Things grew from bad to worse. The husband could not get regular employment, as the business was absolutely dead in Kansas City, and they actually suffered poverty. Still the brave little wife never complained. She would only hold her child to her breast and say: "Wait until to-morrow, dear; something must turn up. Some good news will surely come." These evidences of devotion only maddened him the more. He grew ill, and was incapable of performing any physical labour which might have brought them a living. They had to move to a small room in a tenement house, where they did their own scant cooking. For three months they suffered the full extent of sorrow and misery. Nothing did turn up after all, but still she said nothing, and day by day he saw his darling fading away, actually dying before his eyes, for want of the necessitkis of life. • The baby was six months old when the mother died. Clinging to her husband, she urged him to keep a brave heart to struggle and live to ming up their little girl, who would be a comfort to him in her place. Three days later there was a little funeral, oonsisting of a hearse and one carriage. On the side of a lonely hill in Fairview Cemetery they laid her to sleep for ever. » « « The little girl was taken in adoption by a wealthy English gentleman, sojourning at that time in Kansas City. He required full surrender, which the poor, broken-hearted husband gave. For a. time he wandered about the town half demented. He bade farewell to his little girl. He knew that everything would be done for her health and comfort. He drifted away to Denver, then to Salt Lake, and San Francisco. Ill-luck seemed to cling to him. He made but a meagre living there. Three months had gone Ly and he had a letter every week from the adopted father of his child. They had gone to New York by this time. One day while looking into a window on Market-street, San Francisco, he saw an advertisement for men to work as stokers on an Australian ship for free passage. He could do no worse. So he left the land of his birth, where he had been so happy and so miserable. For thirty-eight days he lived in the awful firing-room while on duty, and in the forecastle while off. What did he care? One half of his hearb was buried in a lonely little grave in Kansas City, and the other half was with his little girl, who was for ever taken from him. He landed at Melbourne, wandered up Victoria-street to a. sailors' boarding-house with £1 in his pocket, to begin 'a new life in a new world. He went into the bush, of course, and with energy and hard work he became fairly successful. For five years he was lost to the world. He wrote constantly to his little girl, but Australia is very far away, and he became used to an occasional letter by the long-journeyed steamer from San Fran- cisco. He contemplated a journey to America about this time. He wrote to the guardian of his child, and waited with patience for the return steamer, which brought no letter. He wrote again and again. Two more years had slipped away and no word came. He wrote the proprietor of the l'ifth Avenue Hotel, where they were living. After three months a letter came, saying that Mr. Fairchild and his little girl had left the hotel more than a year ago, and left no address. He cabled'the detec- tives and police officers of America with no encouragement. He had become a mairter of his business, and was growing rich. Nine y'ea.rs had passed since he sailed as a stoker from San Francisco. He could endure this unhappy suspense no longer. He embarked on the steamer for San Francisco, and then went directly to Kansas City, where they could tell him nothing. He went to the old home in Louisville. Her father and mother had died, and distant relatives knew nothing of his child, and cared less. To New York he went next. The result of his interview with the manager of the Fifth Avenue Hotel was that they had not heard from Mr. Fairchild since he had left. For months he wandered about New York with no tidings of his little girl.. • Ba<-k to Australia he went. His business thrived; he had all he desired of this world's gc-cds. Ten years wore slowly away. He was a young man still. And his friends would say "Why don't you marry again?" But lie would always make the same evasive answer: 'Not until I meet one like her, which can never be." The following year he was ih Paris for the season, where he met many old friends from America. It seemed for a time he had regained some of his old gaiety amidst the revels of the great capital. A close observer could see sharp lines between his brows, a compression about the month, which told his age. He remained in Paris until February of that year, when, with a party of Americans, he went to Nice. Here he really entered the social swim, and was considered a popular and charming gentleman. Among the ladies whom he met was a beautiful girl, of about twenty years, the daughter of an English baronet. Their friendship seemed to be born at once, and after a few weeks they were seen together constantly along the ivlarine parade, the sea wall, the Monarco road. Walking or driving they were inseparable. Society saw it was to be a match. The father approved, and it seemed for a time that he had forgotten his s..d past. 4 It was in London the following May that a fashionable wedding was being performed at St. Martin's Church. H.v gladly the bells seemed to ring! It was a joyous day for those happy hearts. The procession left the church. The bride and bridegroom en- tered their carriage, and were driven away. One would scarcely recognise in the hand- some, happy man the hero of the sad history of twenty years before. The first four months was a paradise to him. He had suffered so long and pat-y that his new happy life seemed almost too good to be true. They went to Scotland for the sum- mer, and the following spring they sailed for America. There was none so proud as lie of his comely little wife. They lived in New York for a year, and then there was a little babv bov borix to them. It seemed that peace and happiness had come into his life at last. Two years passed away in their sweet delight, and they determined to take a, trip to, the West. In Kansas City they visited the grave in Fairview Cemetery. He had never told her of his miserable life in the old days. It was a quiet evening they spent that night in their hotel. Both were over- come with the emotions the day had brought. After their evening prayers he was looking over a little prayer-book mat belonged to her. On the first page was written "From John to Annie. His heart stopped beating for a moment; the cold perspiration came out upon his temples. "Where did you get that book?" he asked. "Why, I nave had it all my life," was her reply. "It was left with other things by my poor mother, who died when I was only six months old; and until I married you I was never told that I was an adopted child." He could scarcely mutter the words: "Is there anything written on the next page?" "Why, yes, dear husband; let me show you; here it is." He looked; there was a pause—a smothered sob came from the man and he lay uncon- scious in his chair. The words were: "August the 8th, 1869, Louisville, Ky." He had married his own daughter. The horror of the situation at first dazed them both. Fate was certainly unkind to this wretched family, sifter the immediate legal separation she returned to England with her baby. He is now an explorer in the wilds of Mashonaland in South Africa. So ends my story of these three miserable lives.— "New York World."

Charity which begins at home often finds itself too busy to go out. A Gloomy Outlook.-Bingo: "There's a big boy waiting for you outside the gate, Bobbie" and he is turning his trousers up at the bottom. What does he do that for?" Bobbie (meekly): "I guess he expects to wallow in my gore." Head Master: "You say the boy is noted for his untruthfulness. Have you tried all legitimate means to correct him ?" Under Master: "Yes. but it's no use. Fact is, it's a case of heredity. His father is an eminent lawyer and M.P." <

HOW TO GET A SEAT IN A CAR. Ingenious Ways Employed by Good- looking Women. "Don't you hate to stand in a tramway car ?" said the girl with the chiffon parasol. "I seldom do it," replied the girl with the pink shirt waist. "You see, I'm not very tall-" "Yes, but "Well, I get on the eft-r with afpleasant jsmile, look helplessly about me, and reach for the strap." "Well ?" "I just miss it; then I look about me in an embarrassed sort of way, and make another effort, smiling all the time. A man rises with an amused smile, and gives me his seat." "Oh, well, I can reach the strap easily ,enough; my play is to look at their feet." "Look at their feet?" "Yes, you know a man never quite out- grows his hobbledehoy feeling about them. Well, I just cling to my strap until one of the men seated near me looks at me. I pretend not to see it, but look at his feet, give a start, look away, and then look back again." "Then what?" "Why, lie looks anxiously at them, sees they are all right, and goes back to his paper. As he turns .e pnT he glances up, and sees tJbt I am still looking at his feet and smiling. He is sure there is something wrong, but does not look and see. He stands about five minutes, then goes out on the platform and stands, while I slide into the vacant seat." "Oh Helen says she just stands in front of a mdidle-aged man and looks at him a little coquettishly." "Why a middle-aged man?" "More susceptible to a smile, goosie. You soe, the girls no longer notice him the young fellows know plenty of nice girls and think they are all in love with them, so the? don't melt so easily." 'And does she get the seat?" "Always; unless his wife is along; then Helen moves up the aisle and tries it again." "Oh, well, Mabel—you know how pale Mabel always is—she takes hold of the strap in a languid sort of way, then suddenly totters a little and puts the other hand her eyes. "Well?" "Why, you see, they think she is going to faint, and at least two seats are offered her." "Humph Did you ever happen to ride down town with Cora?" "No why?" "She just selects ilie nicest-looking man in the car and stands in front of him by- and-bye she whispern "Isn't he handsome?" "What then?" eagerly aaked the girl with the pink shirt waiit. "The man looks up and catches her. Cora blushes, and he springs up with an air of just having discovered that she is standing, and says: "Won't you take my seat?" "Oh! I wonder if all men are vain?" "Of oourse they're not!" retorted the girl with the chiffon parasol; "any of them will tell you that. I notice, though, that when we are going to a party my brother Jack takes as long to dress as I do, and his room looks like mine does when I've been hunting all of George's presents to send them back." "Oh, well," said the girl with the pink shirt waist, "I only hope they are all a little vain; for goodness knows how we could ever manage them if they were not."— "Detroit Advertiser."

A k ")y man be red when it is born, but it soon becomes a little yeller. People who are lost in a fog are them- selves likely to become mist in time. It is a pity that clairvoyants cannot see their own destinies a little more clearly. Fond Mamma: "I think I shall send Eunice abroad to havg her voice cultivated." Fond Papa: "Very well, my dear. As long as the cultivation is done abroad, I shan't object." At Margate.—Ethel: "I do love bathing. There's only one thing against it—it takes such a time to dry one's hair." Emily: "You should do as I do-leave it in the machine." Twelve persons will go out yachting, and each one will afterwards tell you privately that "everyone was sick but me." We begin to think that yachting has a very demoral- ising effect. Publisher: "I wish you would write us ya good sea-stojy," Great Author; "But ij

Wise and Otherwise. ha/ve never been too sea." Publisher: "I know it. I want a. sea-story that people can understand." X: "Why do€fi Drywater have such a stonv stare, I wonder ?" Y. "He drinks nothing but mineral water." A man has been found who has made some money out of the law. He borrowed from a judge and left the country. What are you going to make your boy?" "A lecturer." "Has he a taste for it?" oh, yes he inherits it from his mother Maude: "Yes, I am obliged to have my shoes made to order My left foot is larger than the right." Ethel: "Is it possible ?" Clerk: "I can't read this letter, sir. The handwriting is very bad." Mr. Flareup: "Pshaw, tiny donkey can read it. Pass it here." "There. goes Van Dabble, the artist. Is he rising in his profession?" Ob, < why, he- can borrow five or ten pounds at a time now." How did you learn to skate ?" a small boy was asked. Oh, by getting up again every time I tumbled down answered the youthful philosopher. "Now," said the physician, "you will have to 'sat plain food and not stay out late at nigiht." "Yes," replied the patient, "that is what I have been thinking ever since you sei.tt in your bill." Would-be-Purchaser: "How much for this picture?" Artist: "The price is £1,000." "Why. man alive, you expect to be paid for- your work as if you had. been dead four or five hundred years." For seven years a nervous old gentleman at. Woolwich made a circuit of half a mile twice per day rather than pass a powder nmagazine. The other day lie learned that it had been empty for eight years "Tell me, now, honestly, does it really J you pleasure to hear your wife playing the piano?" "Well, I cannot truly say that it does; but I console myself with the thought that while she is playing she can't talk." She: "it is true that Miss Richleigh has money, but she is also very exacting. If you marry her you will have to give up smoking and drinking." He: "If I dont marry her I shall have to give up eating also." "Doctor," said the sufferer, supinely, am he dropped into the dentist's chair, "my nerve is completely gone." "Oh, no, it isn't," was the cheerful reply- "Wait till I get a firm hold and you'll realise your mistake. The story of life to one who has reached advanced age seems to him like a dream. He cannot discredit the story which his own memory tells; yet he wonders and muses over the long line of events in the p&tt. Happy is the man who, when he thus dreams, finds no ocoasion to regret the un- forgotten conduct of the past. The way to lay the basis for pleasant memories is to live right in each present moment. Bobby: Daddy, wha.t is a musical* ? Fond Parent: A musicale, my son, is where a lot of people who know each other meet together, and talk in a loud tone of voice about the rest of the people they know, who are not present." Bobby And what is a conversazione, daddy ?" Fond Parent: A conversazione is where the same people sit in sad and solenm silencc, listening to a lot of dreary music." Mr. Irving tells a story of the boots" • at a country hotel where he was staying asking to be paid for going to the thea-tre. Irving, struck with the fellow's civility, gavt him an order for the play. "Come and se- the piece, Tom," said Irving. "At tbr: theatre ?" "Yes," said Irving, "here is iW order for you." The next day Irving ^saitf Well, Tom, did you like the play Ob yes," said the "boots," in a dubious kind way, "but who is to pay me for my time?" Printed and Published by the Proprietors, Messrs Daniel Owen and Co. (Limited), at the WESTRIN MAIL" Temporary Offices, Tndor-rond, Cardiff, im the County of Glamorgan. OCTOBEB 11.