Evening Express

BIRTHS. MARRIAGES, DEATHS. Notices of Births, Marriage*, and Deaths are charged la each if not exceeding SO words, and Id. for each additional word. In all case* the Notice vrnt be authenticated bv the signature and address of &e ?D{lf?- —mm

TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL. — x'KMPHRATUKI. Diri. ———— — —! Max. Mm. Mean Biisj'Aix Tuesday. 21 52 39 45-S 0*9» Wednesday 22 62 37 44"5 008 Tharadav 23 62 43 47 5 0*00 Fridav 24 52 42 47 0 0X0 Saturday 25 60 40 50 0 0'12 Sunday 26 60 40 50'0 O'OO Monday <27 60 45 50.5 O'OO TneTemuera-tui-erepreseuts extreme reading or the thermometer for 24 hours ended 9 .u: taken in tbe shade at Cwrt-y-Vil, Penaxth. TheBainfall registered at Cwrt-jYil, Penarth, for the 24 bonrsended9a.m.

releohone. National. 502; Post-office. 95. Telegrams, V'Exprese," Cardiff.

Feathers and Fluff [BY AUTOLYCUS."] The worst theatrical nudity that has ever appeajed in Cardiff is now on the hoardings. It is a representation of a statue of Cupid without trousera. Wanted, in Cardiff, a girl, about fourteen, to sleep out." Thus runs the advertisement. It can't be done. Against the police regula- tions. Girls sleeping out are always run in. Cardiff's population is going up by leaps and bounds. A month ago we were under the im- pression that it, was 166,000. Now the "Ship- ping World Year Book" steps to the front and proclaims it to be 175,000. The visit of the Prince of Wale-FI has been preceded by that of a Kins/—King Smith, the monarch of the Gipsies, the Emperor of Epping Forest. He has not come for a two hours' stay, but for six months, and- will be glad to receive at the exhibition any caskets with which the corporation may choose to present "im, making no stipulation as to w;L»- uer the council- lors shall appear in new robes or in their present medley costumes. Mr. F. Joergens hae sent me an excellent photo of 'his charming painting, representative of the "Evening Express'' "'Santa Claus" distri- bution. The work will attract much attention at the Cardiff Exhibition. If anyone should feel particularly moved. and would like to let their pity have a practical expression, they might remember that Miss Lascelles Carr has noi forgotten the waifs and strays, and that she will be very much in evidence again amongst them next Christmas. Among the prominent functions of the week is the opening of the Paxk Conservative Club, in Castle-road, on Thursday, by Mr. J. M. Maclean, M.P. The Park Club is bounding along at a rapid rate, and the membership roll totals over 300. It is a very select olufc, *nd has all the go-aheadedness which characterises Cardiff Conservatism. The club is just a day- younger than the Adamsdown Club, which Mr, Maclean opens to-morrow, but, despite the fact that it is the baby, it means to show some of the others how to move themselves. Is there a suicide microbe? Some of the doctors suspect, that there i". We now have a bacillus for almost everything, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the suicide must have bec-anve possessed of tihe infinite.^ma. intruder. If RO, where does it lurk? Whence comes it? Tho youth of fifteen who the other day tried to commit suicide all through the girls" pessibiy inhaled the microbe from the badly-printed pages of a "Deadwood Dick" novelette the much-embarrassed clerk who put the revolver to his brain probably contracted the suicide disease from his employer's till, or the pen with which he forged his master's name; the drunken sot, chock full of maudlin sorrow and despair, haunted by the d.t.'s, who in a mad moment leaps into the canal, has picked up the microbe in the pewter pot or L-*L^ «*«hjr bottla^_ IA.dafm. take much ioience to discover that these are some of the ihief sources whence suicide bacilli come. RdfeathereandfluK When the Uitlauder captures Cardiff in the year 2.8D6, and sets to work to dig up the remains of its castles and temples, he will find in one of the corner-stones of the buried remains of the Cathedral-road Jewish synagogue a copy of the classic "Pink 'Un" of to-day's date. Thus will Autolycus be immortalised, and —like the Greek poet who buried his verse on a tablet of marble (would that poets of to-day would copy his example)—his "Feathers and Fluff" will live again. To whom, then, shall I speak? Will it be to the wily Yankee, the almond-eyed Jap, the bearded, bear-like Rus- sian, the self-complacent German, the sharp- ahcoting Boer or the Wild Zulu, or the goad- old descendant of Cymru, still inhabiting his mtive land? Whoever ye may be who shall dig up this print, "Autolycus" hails thee. May thy shadow never grow less. May thy dram, never trouble thee as thed do us; may peace and plenty be thine for ever; n.ay thy fig tree flourish, and the olive branches of thy race be as the e.ands on Penarth shore for multitude. For the sake of the children! There is nu worthier society than the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The Royal Society for the Prevention, of Cruelty to Animals is u excellent one, but a hundred times more valuable is the life of a child than that of an animal, and if the efforts to protect the latter are sustained by a permanent fund it is a national disgrace if the more worthy society is left without such a fund. It is for this object that the bazaar, which opens to- day at the Park-hall, has been inaugurated. It is the last of H series held in different parts of England and Wales, and if the people of South Wales and' Monmouth hire have any- thing like the enthusiasm in the interests of the weak and suffering with which I credit them, they will do their utmost to make the bazaar one of the most successful, if not the most successful, of the whole seråes. Cardiff ought to come out nobly, if it wants to be considered a city, have a lord mayor, and be accepted as the capital of Wales. The Cardiff Temperance Club has become an established fact, and the event wae celebrated yesterday by a great drinking of tea—that deleterious poison with which the English tee. totaler vitiates his blood-and in the evening. a mighty consumption of linger ale, lime iuice, lemonade, and aerated drinks. Nobody went home drunk, though several members felt Hike inflated balloons, preserved from wandering away from mother earth only by the weight of 'boots. A Cardiff temperance club ougiht to be a success. If only the Radical hydropots can be kept from cramming their party polities down people's throats, and) will allow the club to remain what it professes to be, a club for men and women of all political and religious views, then it should have a great future. But will this satisfy that class of Liberal—only too prevalent—who prowl around temperance, social, and religious organisations, with the one miserable, small- ■mrjncHed purpn-e—vclie ^ra'hbnng [There are some Nonconformist chapels, even, in our town. from which honest, Christian, teetotal Nonconformists hav.p been driven, simply by reason of the fact that the ministers are nothing more nor less than paid .political agents, who devote tbe i r ,-errnon-? to the propaganda of Radical ,policy, spend their time, which they profess they have been "called" to devote 10 the spiritual welfare and salvation of the world, in haranguing politica'- meetings, and, in their zeal for temperance and other reforms, ally themselves wd.'th open robbers andi plunderers. I shall watch the temperance club carefully, as will many others, and) if it stands untainted by party politics at the end of twelve months, I shall look upon it as a modern miracle.

OUR DIARY. TO-DAY. 1896.—April 28, Tuesday. Sun rises, 4.38; sets, 7.16. High tide:—Cardiff, 7.17—7.49. Swansea, 6.14-6.38. Newport, 7.8—7.32. Weather forecast:—South-wesierly and westerly winds, increasing; some rain at times; mild; less settled than of late. Cardiff events: — Health and Port Sanitary Committee, 11. Police-court, 11.0. National Bazaar, 2.30. Free Libraries Committee, 8.0. ? TEN TEARS AGO. 3886.—April 23, Wednesday. Death of Mr. E. C. Downing, Cardiff. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. 1871.—April 28, Friday. A locus standi granted to the petitioners against the Cardiff Improvement Bill.

HOW DISEASE; STARTS. TIPPING BEFUSE ON THE MOORS. A deputation from Messrs. Spillers Nephews, biscuit manufacturers, Cardiff, attended tbe meeting of the Cardiff Corporation Health Committee on Tuesday morning to complain of the manner in which an excavation at the end of Railway-street, Roath, m close proximity to Messrs. Spillers Nephews' factory, was being filled up. It was, in fact, calculated to cause a serious nuisance. Mr. Tregaskis, one off the directors of the company, formed the deputa- tion, and he was introduced by Mr. Vcall. A letter had been written to the com- mittee by the latter-mentioned gentleman on the natter, and he now backed this up by explaining that at the end of Railway-street there was a depression, about 300ft. across, through which a road was being constructed. The foundation of that road was, being com- posed: of freeh town refuse. He (Mr. VeaII) had inspected the spot on Monday morn- ing, and the smell which then struck his nose he characterised as "something abominable." His inspection lasted only ten minutes, but during that time three wagons arrived with refuse fresh from the streets. He (Mr. Veall) spoke to some of the wagoners about their tipping the refuse there, and they re- plied that it was "nothing to what had been done in Grangetown." He (Mr. Veall) calcu- lated that between t" o and three thousand tons of stinkiDg stuff had been put down in that exc«ivu#ion.—:Mn. Tregaskis followed .in the same strain, and at t9ie conclusion Mr. Veall, again taking up the cudgels, said that the reform they desired was that the tipping operations should at any rate be stopped until an inquiry cofuld be made iinto the whole question of using refuse for the foundations of streets.—The Chairman remarked that refuse had 'been used for the foundation of scores of streets many times before. (Mr. Veall: Shame). It was nothing ne-w, and he presumed that the deposits were made as a foundation for the street and not for burlding sites. It had beeu thsir invaritble practice in making roads.— Mr. Hughes wished to enter a strong protest against roads being made in such a manner. — Mr. Comley, who was par- ticularly interested1 in the question, as it was he who was making the road, somewhat heatedly pointed out that there had been a terri'ble stench at the end of Railway-street for three or four years past. (Mr. Veall: Shame). It was an open piece of ground, and everybody (when the policeman was not looking), went there and tipped their refuse. The place was stinking with decaying fish that had been thrown there by the inhabitants living ion the district. It was a matter that could very well be left for the representatives of that ward to deal with — Mr. Tom Andrews said he was a representative of the ward, but he was not aware of the nuisance. He proposed that a sub-oommittee should be formed to inspect the spot. After a. lirtle more desultory discussion, in whioh Mr. John Jenkins upheld Mr. Veall, a.nd Alderman Rees expressed the | opinion, that it was making a mountain out of a molehill, Mr Andrewos motion waa LcairiadL t

Bill Banters Budget. LOVING GHOST SOCIETY AND THE TEMPERANCE CLUB. Manifest Advantages of the New Enterprise May Lead to Revo- lution. Mrs. M'Gufhn ';ive decided upon measures 'as is wuss than eg'streme. It's sorry I am I hever mentioned it, afi the living skeleton 'aving proposed to the fat 'oman says when she perches hon 'is knee, savin' she will be 'is Birdie. "I'm goin' to the openin' 'ov the noo Tem- persnce Club in St. John's-square by special inwitation ov Mr. Sihepherd this afternoon," I says, comiri' ome in the train from Londing with the M'Guffins, Monday mornin'. M'Guffin lets the vesta- 'e were lighiin' 'is pipe with fall into 'is umbrella, and looks a4 'is old oman wery anxious. "The wery thing!" says she. "Now is the time when my old cockroach 'as 'is mind open to good hinflooences." M'Guffin nearly 'as a fit. It come upon 'im like a thunderbolt. Sorry I ham if I was too abrupt, as the man who jumped from the fifth-storey winder ov a. fire says to the bloke 'e fell on. 'Owever, with me trouble I passes it hoft. Imagine my surprise, then, when, on wisitin' the openin' at three p.m., I sees M'Guffin and 'i", missis walkin' hup the stairs, right behind Mr. Good, as though they 'ad a special ticket. And I 'ad said good-bye at one o'clock houtside the station. M'Guffin 'e wtre wery red, and givin' a jerk nt hevery other step just like a hoss do°> with the spasms. I twigged it in about a minute. 'Is old 'oman were pinchin' 'im to keep 'im from backslidin', and to get 'im lookin' hin- teiested. There was a. crowd there I was glad on, for I were afraid M'Guffin's hobserwations (sotto vocey, has the French say) would 'ave caused remark through btin' hoverheard. But every- one was gom' at 'igh pressure, try in' to be oonwivial, pretendin' they was a jolly company at the Loving Ghost bar. They looks 'ard at M'Guffin, hevidently wonderin' what reverend gentleman h:ntere.>ted in the good work 'ad come amongst bus. Is missis looks that proud ov 'im 'er back hair kept gettin' hinto the corners ov 'er smile, which was unfortunit JVDW and again. I knew well M'Guffin 'ad not bin got hup so neat in two hours without a hawful struggle. But there 'e was. 'E wore a noo low- crowned olergyman's 'at as "is missis 'ad to put straight he very second or two, through 'im tiltin' it hon one side or to the back ov 'is 'ead. She'd put some whiting hon 'is ruby, which sort ov deadened its brilliance in 'armonv with the hother pale temperance notes round 'im. She 'ad managed to squeeze 'im into noo black gloves, and give 'im a cleiical collar as kept is 'ead 'igh in the hair. He were a model for hany man; naturally lookin' glu.n and sarcastic 'as give 'im a re- fined apperients bewilderin' to notice. "Kindly step into the dining-ropm, we re just about to commence the hopenin' cere- mony," says Mr. Shepherd, wery polite. "Sorry I don't know the reverend gentle- man and 'is good lady, as looks workers in the good cause hall over, says 'e to me. "I'm blanked if I don't sweep the fowl- 'ouee out wMi you for this, Maria-r, blank your dash blanked gain's hon!" growls M'Guffin, as is Missis pinches 'im to jerk 'im hon into the sumptuous aplwtymong. But 'e were wisibly himpressed, especially when 'is heyes lit upon a beautiful bar as hoccu- pied one hend ov the chamber. "Ax for a quart ov 'Ancox, Mariar, and I'll forgive ye, blank me," 'e whispers, lookin' more cheerful. Just then the chairman, as was Dr. Edwards, gets hup and set the langwidge Edwards, gets hup and set the langwidge goin'. I loses M'Guffin in my hadmiration ov the heloquents. "Tiey won't get through this loi to-night," I thinks, seein' the galaxy ov talent represented. There was Qory, good luck to 'im, to do the hopenin', and the Vicar ov Llandaff, and Lewis Williams, and Good, and White, and Dr. Buist, and Jenkins— a whoio roomful ov 'em. But they cuts 'em short, bein 'ungry for afternoon tea, and keepin' their horatory for the unconverted, not knowin as M'Guffin were there to work upon. And pleased I was to see the temperance party comin' hon. We don't 'ear 'em to best advantage hon 'the Sunday Closin' platform. There they'owls at heveryone as ta.ke& 'is drop ov 'Ancox. "The moderate drinker, says they, 'is worst ov all," and straight they oasts 'ini hout, and calls 'im names, and curls their langwidge round 'im till 'e wonders whether 'e's heven good enough to sleep with Satan. Ow different him this appy temperanoe 'ome! Why, there wag Wm. Lewis and the whole party feel in' quite chummy with 'im. "This cluJb are hopen to the moderate drinker and 'is lady," says they: "we welcomes 'im amongst us left 'im come in ',is millions and take hour shares and 'edjp to swell hour membership. I I've joined halready. Spurgeon 'e goes heven further. "We M 'a\e no bettin' nor gamblin' in this club," 'e says, but the heditor ov the Mail' hoffered me a thousand to one the club will never hopen. I'm goin' to collect it and give it to the club," 'e 6ays. And then they laughs and cheere. It were another surprise to me, Becin' 'ow 'ard they'd bin hon bettin'. But at that time they didn't know ov Mr. Spurgeon's little snap. It is 'ard to refuse a thousand for the sake ov principle. But pleased I was to think they won't be tempted. It are temptation ruins hevery man, since Adam fust wore pants. I recoilw>ts the heditor's offer very well, but Spurcreo: knowin' nothin' ov bettin'. forgot to lay 'is men or down and take it. A pity it are I were not Spurgeon. I should 'a,ve planked my sovereign, and be 'andlin' the spondulix now. As hevery bloke who's hever laid a wager knows, e = out ov court at this time, where weepin' and wail in and gnashin' ov teeth do not avail. We'.l, sich is life. We all 'as hour craw to bear. M'Guffin were quite «g)soited at the golding hopportunity missed. Somethin' is goin' to 'appen, as the burglar whispers in the sleepin' policeman's ear, borrow- in' 'is lantern for the purposes ov buemess. I drop* into the Loving Ghost just before eleven last night to talk particular serious to the barmaid upon gettin' 'er young man to join the olub and show 'is good intentions. The bar were cleared ov all except M Guffin. "Talked 'em all out, blank me," 'e says, call- ing for a pint ov ginger wine. "1"'0 done it," 'e says. "I'm down hunon the demon drink. I've fared that well at that. there club I 'ave conclooded takin' afternoon tea there are better than imbibin' 'Ancox hat the Loving Ghost. I went there growlin', and I come hout blessin, blank me 'Ear, ear," I says. "What are the Loving Ghost?" continues M'Guffin. "Notliin' but a place of sojourn i for the damned. What are the Temperance Club? A place where hevil hinflooences iw kept houtside the door. "There is no doubt the temperance party means business this time," I hobserves. "It's bin a long time comin' says M'Guffin, but it hare now p^-arent to "'he naked eye. I sits there growlin' till the chairman arsks I us to look round. We does. It were a revela- tion—that beautiful I forgives my old 'oma.n on the spot. And they do fix the grub! It were a paradise chawin' that 'eavenly proven- der. If they kepps hup that standard I'm savin', a« a temperance man, for a square meal hevery Saturday." Seemingly, they 'as done a miracle," I says, admirin* I'm 'avin' my last drink ov liquid destroyer this very night; that ginger wine 'ave made me thirsty. Draw me a farewell quart ov 'Ancox, me dear, before I leaves the realm hof beer for hever." These were the last words ov the noo-bom temperance hadvocate. May 'e succeed and prosper in 'is noo prin- ciotau Cardiff Exhibition FAC-SIMILE OF THE FIRST SEASON TICKET ISSUED. We give above a fac-simile of the season tickets issued for admittance to the Cardiff Fine Art, Industrial, and Maritime Exhibi- tion, to be opened on Saturday' by Lord Windsor. as mayor of Cardiff. The ticket re- produced -s, it will be seen, the first issued, and all the others are like unto it. The holder of this firet ticket is Mr. Robert Forrest, the popular chairman of the executive committee, who, with the other members of the executive and the several committees, ——mmas—i■——■ has worked1 "unremittingly to make this gigantic exhibition worthy of Cardiff, as ,the centre of the Principality, and a place suffi- ciently attractive to draw visitors from every part of the country. It says much for the earnest disinterestedness of the executive, and other Ctmmiitteas that each ineiiuber thereof, from Mr. Forrest downwards, pay a guinea for his ticket, just the same as those members of the general public who .are a-vailing themselves rapidly of the privilege of becoming season ticket-holders.

I SENSATIONAL WILL SUIT- THE SUM OF L100,000 IN- I VOLVED. Mr. Harry Lewis, of Chancery-lane, has, on behalf of a military gentleman, commenced pro- ceedings in a case to dispute a will already proved in favour of a gentleman well known in West of England society. The surround- ing circumstances are of an almost unique kind, and the claim of the client, which involves in- wards of :6100,000, promises to be a cause celebre of the legal year. -?-

STABS AND KISSES. A WOMAN IN A CRITICAL C'ON- DITION. George Fuller, 38, was remanded at West- minster Police-oourt on Tuesday charged with stabbing Louise Perry, who is in a critical con- dition.—Mr. Henry H,eute, an artist, said he saw prisoner stab the young woman in the side, after which she staggered and fell. Wit- ness went to her protection, and prisoner wanted to fight him, and said he wished to kill her. Afterwards, however, he sat down by the woman, .kissed her, and said he loved her.

YACHT FELL ON HIM. SHIPBUILDER'S SON CRUSHED TO DEATH. A shocking accident occurred on Monday evening at Mr. Hilditch's yacht building yard, Csrrickfergus. It appears the proprietor's son, aged fifteen, was assisting some workmen to remove the yacht Lady Gertrude, in order to make room for launching a new boat, when the former suddenly heeled over and fell upon the youth, who was so frightfully crushed about the head and) chest that he succumbed two hours afterwards, after terrible suffering. Two two other workmen escaped with slight injuries.

PENARTH-ROAD PONDS. LETTER TO THE CARDIFF HEALTH COMMITTEE. At a meeting off the health comimittee of the Cardiff Corporation, held u'*d .t the presidencv cf Alderman, Jacobs, on Tuesday, a letter was read from Mr, E. W. M. Corbett, respecting certain ponds lying alongside P.enaitii-road, Cardiff, which would be to Lord Bute's interest to have filled up, as the land was now becoming valuable for 'building sites. After consideration the committee instructed the clerk to reply that they were of opinion it would be better to have the ptoncfe drained.

TYREOKAGE IN CHANNEL. HAS A VESSEL FOUNDERED IN COLLISION. Our Porthcawl correspondent telegraphs:—I have just fceen Captain Irwin, of the ketch Jane, of Barnstaple. He says he left Ilfra- combe on Mpnday morning. When abreast of Comlbemiartin be saw the stern part of a V9ssel having the letters "A. T. E." upon it. It was just awash with the water. The captain is of opinion that a collision must have taken place on Sunday night. He could not, how- ever, form any idea, as to the size of the vessel. Shortly after, while still very thick, a Swansea tugboat spoke him, asking if they had seen a large ship. The fog was a very heavy one, and lasted for many hours.

A SON'S DEVOTION. PATHETIC INCIDENT AT AN IN- QUEST. In London, on Saturday, a very pathetic incident occurred at tbs close of an inquest on Elizabeth Salisbury, 37, a widlow.—An only son. of the deceased, a lad of 15 or 16, said he was left without a relative or friend in the world. He earned but 2s. a day as a fireman, and the Coroner threw out the suggestion that perhaps he would like a little parish assistance to bury his mother. He flushed a little at the thought, but the next moment he exclainmed falteringlv, "No, I loved her too much to let the parish bury her." "Don't be afraid, my lad, to accept relief from the parish if you can't manage yourself," said a juror. But the lad replied with firmness, "No, sir, I'll manage it niys°lf somehow; she shall not be buried by the parish."

CAPTAIN NEARLY HIT. A VESSEL STRUCK BY A CANNON BALL. The brigant'ne Onyx report an unpleasant occurrence during the voyage. When off Dover she was struck by a cannon ball fired from the Wet Cliff. The brigantine was hit o.n the port side just abaft the main rigging, the shot-passing through the bulwarks, striking the deck, and1 then ricocheting against the capstan, which was splintered in several places. Captain Rowden, who was steering, had narrow escape, as one of the fragments struck him on the head, but he was not seriously injured. -?

PELTING BRICKS. TWO CAIRDIFF WOMEN TO PAY OR BE GAOLED. Mary Mulony and Catherine Crowley arp in their own opirion two most respectable ladies, and they gave expression in no measured ian- guage to the idea that George Gibbs had once and for all placed himself outside the ban of JoOlite society by bringing such a charge against them as he did at Cardiff Police-court on Tues- day morning. Gibte came Ibefore the sti- pendiary with his pockets laden with brick- ends and bits of crockery, which he said had been "shot" at him by the two defendants, Mrs. -Ma Ionv said it was all done of a grudge, and Mrs. Crowley said ditto, but the stipen- diary said that the charge was proved. Malonv would1 be fined 5s. and costs and Crowley 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.

Mr. Georga Smith, King of the Gipsies, whose appearance was such a success recently at the Cardiff Panopticon, will give his entertain- ment at the Cardiff Exhibit-ion throughout the summer. Mr. Smith and hie two daughters are known as the Royal Epr>in £ Forest Gipsies. They are well-known in this country and on the Continent and invariably draw thousands. They are well-known in this country and on the Continent and invariably draw thousands. J

SPANISH ELECTIONS. A LARGE MINISTERIAL MAJO- RITY. A Central News telegram from Madrid says: —The elections, to the Spanish Senate are over, but the results in seventeen distriet6 are yet unknown. Of the 163 senators who can be definitely classified 110 are Conservatives, 36 Liberals, three dissident Conservatives, two Carlists, three Republicans, and nine Indepen- dents, including the bishops. The remaining seventeen senators will not alter the balance of parties. Ministers secured a small majority among the non-elective members of the Senate. —^iwih aaa—a—

CARDIFF'S HEALTH. ONLY NINE CASES OF SMALL-POX IN THE TOWN. At the meeting of the health committee of the Cardiff Corporation, held on Tuesday morn- ing under the presidency of Alderman Jacobs, Dr. Walford, the medical officer of health, re- ported that there wero nine cases of small-pox in the hospital, but he was happy to .say there were none :n the town. With the exception of the two cases last admitted, the whole of the patients in hospital were practically out of danger. There had been no spread of small- pox at all—that was, no second case in any hci-se whence a, patient had been removed.— Cardiff s health generally was in a very satis- factory condition, the death-rate for last week being only 13 per 1,000.

CATHOLIC V. ATHEIST. A SERIOUS DISTURBANCE AT A LECTURE. A Dalziel's telegram from St. Etienne says: —A serious disturbance occurred here on Mon- day night on the1 ccca&ion of a Lecture by Sebas- tian Faure, the Anarchist. He was announced to give an atheistical address, and a large num- ber of the meimlbers of the Catholic ■League attended with the intention ■of preventing the meeting taking place. A discussion arolv, as to the choice of chairman, and one of the Catholic party who had risen to speak was felled to the ground with a bottle. The injured man was afterwards carried out in a dying condition. A free fight ensued, in the course of which all tloe furniture in the room was broken to pieces. The Catholics goa eventually the upper hand, and threw many of their opponents out of the windows, inflicting serious injuries. The fight was kept up until all the Anarchists were driven out of the room.

CREDITORS' MEETINGS. A CADOXTON HAULIER IN DIFFICULTIES. At the Official Receiver's office, Cardiff, on Tuesday afternoon a meeting was held of tha creditors of Mr. Samuel Amos, haulier, L5, Foster-street, Cadoxton. The statement of affairs discloses the following:—Gross liabili- ties, L113 3s. 3d.; expected to rank, £'78 3s. 3d.; assets, B50 6s.; leaving1 a deficiency of B47 17s. 3d. The causes attributed for the failure are "death of horses and cattle and bad debts." No resolution was passed, and' the Offioial Receiver remains as trustee. Farmer's Failure. A meeting of the oreditors of David Y >r- worth, now of the Star Inn, Wick, near Bridgend, and formerly of Clawdd-y-Mynach Farm, at the same place, took place on Tues- day morning at the Official Receiver's office, Queen-street, Cardiff. Debtor was too ill to appear. Liabilities, £ 1,337; assets, nil. The debtor assigned his position to adverse weather affecting crops. The Official Re- ceiver remains as trustee. -?-?

"TRILBY." A CHAT WITH MISS RUFFLES. Our Lady Correspondent spent a pleasant hajf-hcur this morning chatting over Trilby with Miss Buggies, and writes:—Mise Ruggles has a most bright, pleasant manner, and, in personnel, is fair and slight—indeed, is very much as she appears before the footlights. With her were the two Miss Rees^ very pretty girls indeed, who take the part of the dancing g:rls ard the two little "wild cals" of Gri- sette's, who squabble so deligihtfuii" for a few minutes in Act 2. Miss Ruggles told me she had bean twelve years- "1 Ihe stage. I Why, how is. that possible?" I asked. On, I went on when I was ten years old." "Ah, that explains it." From ten to seventeen yr»v,s of age Miss I Rugg-lea was never out of au engagement once, which shows that even at that early age she showed much dramatic ability. I suppose in your time you have played many parts?" | "Oh, yes; comedy, tragedv, S'ppar-\ and farce; ^but I like tragedy best of all." Trilby," Miss Rugbies agreed, was both a charming and an easy part to p'ay, and she has taken her own rendering of the character and of the "business," in which I think we sb,an all agree she has done well, for 1 am delighted with her Trilby"—it is both natu- rally and sympathetically taken. Miss Ruq-gles once oeforc visited Curd:ff in ".Alice in Won- t el (viand, but she hay hardiv ever left Iiondon, this being almost her first tour and the twenty-first, week of "Trilby." Dresses in "Trilby." Dresses in "Trilby." In the first act "Trilby" wears the now I Inmous military great-coat of grey, the wide skirts, scarlet lined, turned up to the bark, over a striped red. and Msok skirt, with scarlet epaulettes, and n. black leather belt. "Trilby" I looks equally well in the simple black dress, white apron, cuffs and collar she next wears, I and the grey dress of the interrupted wedding. It is only in the third act the play affords 15, a any opportunity of showing a good costume. tae flowing neck dress of white cashmere; the bust, crossed with gold bands, is very becoming; from the shoulders hang long stoles heavily embroidered in gold and jewels, and from t'he shoulders a long train hangs covered with gold ornaments. In the last act. she wears a simple robe of white muslin and em- broidery. Madame Vinnrd makPR the most of her two co-sliuille;the. white enp, blue binuce— and grey skirt of the concierge, and the black dress and smart cap and apron of the atten- dant at the foyer of the theatre. "Mrs. B a got'so black velvet dress, cape, and bonnet are very suitable to the character. Madame Vinard's acting is excellent and lifelike, a veritable concierge. "Svengali" is played by Mr. Laurence Irving just as we expected he would play it; the death soene is terribly realistic. "Taffy" and the "Laird" are de- lightful impersonations. The scenery is excel- lent, «,d the staging, particularly in the foyer scene. j

Adrift on the Deep. ? SUFFERINGS OF A DANDY'S CREW. Sails Torn to Shreds and Starvation Staring1 the Men in the Face. The airival of the Bristol-bound vessel May- flower, nearly a month overdue, has disclosed a thrilling story of the adventures of the crew in a long and perilous voyage from Portugal during which they were nearly shipwrecked in it. terrific gale, and then reduced to a pitiable state through the food and water supply giving out. The Mayflower is a sailing boat techni- cally known as ta "dandy," and is owned and commanded by Charles Clopet. She carries a crew of four men. On March 15 she sailed from Olhao, Portugal, with a cargo of locust beans for Bristol. The usual time for the voy- age is fourteen or fifteen days, and provisions for that period were shipped. Two or three days out—when near Cape St. Vincent-a, strong wind sprang up. This rapidly increased to a hurricane, and the waves rose to a great height. The vessel was terribly battered about in the furious sea, and at times it appeared as though she was doomed. The Sails Were Torn to Shreds and the rigging carried away, so that the little craft was practically uncontrollable and drifted out of her course. The storm raged for many days, and during that time the stores ran low, and starvation stared the men in tha face; and, to make matters worse, the fresh water also gave out. Two live fowls that were kept on board were eaten, and the men, had to exist as best as they could on locust baans and a quantity of wheat they had with the fowls. In order to obtain fresh water they had to condense sea water by means of an ordinary kettle, to the spout of which a piece of tube was attached and connected with a stone jar, into which the steam poured, the top of the jar being, of course, tightly covered. By this means about two pints of water a day were obtained. The crew underwent great privations, and for six days Lived on Locust Beans'. After being at eea nearly a month they were overjoyed to see three steamers in the distance, and they speedily hailed them. The first two—one a steamer belonging to Ham- burg, and the other a London boat—did not come to their assistance, and the men were beginning to despair, when the third—which proved to be the Culjoa, of the Blue Anchor Line, from Australia to London-hove to. The captain, on learning the distressed con- dition of the crew, rendere^ all the assis- tance in his power, and sent aboard a good supply of provisions and water, and also a quantity of material necessary to re- pair the rigging. After seeing that they were all right, the steamer went 00, and the Mayflower again tried to reach Bristol. Some rough sails were rigged up, andi.for a few days all went well. But the adventures of the crew were not over. Slow progress was made, the boat was much out of her course, and Provisions Once More Failed. The men had to live chiefly upon locust beans, and again became much exhausted. On April 22, when 50 miles west of the Scilly Isles, a saft was sighted. Signals of distress were flown and' the vessel approached the Mayflower. She proved to be the trawler Girl Lilian, a week out from Lowestoft. The Mayflower asked for assistance, and though the Girl Lilian was hot well stocked with provisions the crew shared what remained with the Mayflower, and en putting into Newlyn, near Penzance, on Satur- day reported the arrival of the Bristol-bound boat, this being the first intimation received that the Mayflower was safe. The Mayflower in the meantime proceeded to Bristol, arriving in the harbour on Monday afternoon after a run of 43 days. Sta-tement By the Captain, Charles Clopet, the captain, said:—"I left Olhao, Portugal, on the 15th of March, nd had nice weather until we fetched Cape St. Vincent, two days after. There we had a strong wind east by north-east, which came on in a gale and hurricane three days after, and was like that for three weeks. I was driven 100 miles to the west of Lisbon, and every sail was carried away, the main sail, fore sail, and 'the fore stay sail, as we had every sail set at the time. The weather was violent and the sea washing the decks, so that we couldn't get another eail up. We stayed drifting like this for some days, and soon w? had nothing to eat; no food and no drink left. On the 10th of April we saw three steamers slajidmg off, and we hailed them. The first one. belonging to Hamburg, would not take any notice of our signals of distress; and the second one, belonging to London, would not take any mere notice. The third one was d fferent, and came alongside. It was the Culjoa, of the Blue Anchor line, from Aus- tralia to London, with passengers. They came and (asked us what was the matter, and we told them we bad been nearly a month at sea and were in a bad condition, and they eould see for themselves we had not a sa,il up. They supplied us with drinking water and provi- sions, and also gave us canvas and twine and everything we wanted. They also brought back our boait for us, and stayed alongside till we* said we were all right, and they they then left liS. Our voyage then went on all right until four days ago, and we were then in a bad way again. This time the Girl Lilian, a fishing smack from Lowestoft, came alongside and gave us some provision', and water, and so we finished the voyage. I don't know the name of the captain of the Culjoa, but it is quite certain he saved our lives, and I should very much like to thank him."

SHEBEENING. MAUD PETERSON TO PAY TEN POUNDS. At Cardiff Police-court o.n Tuesday morning Maud Peterson was fined £ 10 and costs, or one month's imprisonment, for selling beer without a licence at No. 28, Mary Ann-street.—The charge was proved in defendant's absence by Acting-sergeant Den Davies. ?

CARDIFF CONSERVATISM. OPENING OF THEPARK CLUB ON THURSDAY. Tha formal openinar of the Park Conservative CJub, Castle-road, will be performed on Thurs- day next by Mr. J. M. Maclean, M.P. Mem- bers will assemble at 6.15 p.m. outside the cl"b premises, and Mr. Maclean will arrive at 6.30. A key will then be presented to him by the chairman (Mr. H. Gibbon), and the club for- mally opened. This will be followed by a banquet, the invitations to which have been accepted by many representatives of the party. It is requested tha.t gentlemen who have l>(,t already replied to the invitation should do so at once. The catering is placed in the hands of Messrs. George and Son, and, altogether, the function promises to be a great success. _?-

WELSH COAL TRADE. THE DISPUTE AT THE FERN- DALE PITS. A meeting of the workmen of the Tylcrs- town ard Ferndaie Collieries was held at the Tudor-hail, Ferndale, on Monday night, under the presidency of Mr. Henry Jenkins. There was a large attendance of workmen, and the Chairman and Councillor Evans explained that the meeting: was convened to consider the pay- ment for first ripping done by the colliers a.t the Tylorstown Collieries. It appears that prior to the explosion the colliers were per- mitted to rip first rippings" by means of blasting, but the men have now to do this work by hand. The same price is paid them to do it by hand as by means of blasting, and the men now argue that, as they have to rip by hand, they should receive extra remunera- tion.—A letter WM read from Mr. Fred L. Davie—who is Away in Scotland—the mana.- ging director of the company, in reply to a. communication sent him by the workmen to receive a deputation niicl discuss the matter. Mr. Davis, in his letter, said he would be able to do so after Monday next.—It Wa»s re- solved that the question be deferred until Mr. Da vis'» return. ( j —

Local Sport CARDIFF AND NEWPORT CYCLING TRACKS. Two Hundred Guinea Challenge Cup to be Offered at the Next Cardiff Dog Show. Mr. Harry J. Swindley, who was one of the deputation appointed to inspect the South Wales cycle tracks, is the London editor of the Cyclist," and he refers to the selection of Newport in the following way:—"Most assuredly Newport has every right to be more than proud of its athletic grounds generally and its cycle track in particular. For a provincial earth or dirt track we have never seen a better, and, with its surrounding appointments, it can more than hold its own with anything in the kingdom. The members of the N.C.U. Cham- pionships Committee, considering that the first duty of euch a committee is to select the best ground available for the decision of the impor- tant events committed to their charge, had little choice left them after viewing the New- port track. It is, of course, regrettable that such union championships as are run in the provinces should take place at any distance from the seat of the centre handling them, but in this case it is unavoidable; and as Newport and Cardiff are but twelve miles apart, there can be but little m it. The winning straight of the Newport track is to be widened to 21ft. 6in., and the surface, which is similar to that at Coventry, gives in anything like dry weather a very speedy and safe track." } Th. opening meeting on the exhibition truck is announced to take place en Monday, May 4th. There arc a couple of events down for decision, a mile bicycle handicap and » two mile bicycle handicap. Both of these entries close to-day, although Wednesday morning's post is in time. A good deal of interest is being taken in this meeting, mainly by reta jn of the virtues ascribed to the track. It What times will be made of course iemains, to be seen, but from what the local wheelmen^ say the track is easy enough of negotiation once one has got used to it,. The first real start in the way of sports will be made tin May 23. A. programme of eight events has already; been issued, and it is sure to attract a, large entry. In all cases the entry forms are to be sent to the secretary, Mr. C. S. Arthur, Queer-street, Cardiff. ') There is oo-neldc-rafole- cHseufision in Cardiff re the chances of "Barry" Davies, who went to Leeds on Monday, returning to the Welsh Metropolis. To make the minds of his many admirers easy, I may state that Davies is just out of his apprenticeship, and has gone to the. Yorkshire town for nine months as ftn improver. He does not, however, propose to play football there, but will return to help his old club in December next. Speaking of footballers reminds me of the loss of another old Cardiff forward in the person of Jim Arman, who has gone out to the Cape. He has not taken an active part in the game for some seasons now, but has been a most useful and practical man on the seconds, committee. In his day he was an exceedingly ( scart fc.rward--a. hard worker, fast, and a v deadly tackier. He was at the same time one of the unlucky ones, and on several occasions managed to get broken bones. Annan was a. staunch supporter of the working man portion of the club. I recollect at one meeting it was proposed to lower the rate of subscription for the working men, or do away with it, or some- thing of the sort. Anyhow, Arman was on his legs in a minute, and in a most vigorous speech protested against anything of the sort. "Those working men who play football," he said, "ought to pay their subscriptions the same as any one else." He was very much impressed with the dignity of the working man, and stuck up for it, with the result that the subscrip- tion was left in its old position- I am sure all South Wales footballers will join with me in wishing Arman success and luck in his new career. Mr. Wal'brcok, the secretary ef the Weilsh Kennel Club, has done a big Weilsh Kennel Club, has done a big stroke of 'business on behalf of the forthcoming Cardiff Dog Show. As is well-known, he is a most enthusiastio fancier of St. Bernards, and has done much for this class in the district. I learn that he has pre- vailed upon the St. Bernards' Club to offer two 100-guinea challenge cups at the forth- coming show. The "special" list is already a most lavish one, but the above-mentioned additions are most welcome as adding to the championship nature of the show. What with these, the Prince of Wales accepting the presi- dentship, and a wonderful classification, there seems no doubt about the show being No. 1 of tin United Kingdom. What will be the outcome of the proposed addition to the Welsh Union Committee re- mains to be seen. In Cardiff generally the idea does does' rot meet with a large degree of approval, although one or two prominent foot- tellers seem to think more attention ought to f be paid to Rliondda football than has been the j case in the past. j My Llanelly representative writes :-1 have seen several of the most prominent football people here as to the proposal to increase the number of the Welsh Committee. I have found it difficult, however, to get any declaration of opinion. For instance, Mr. Wilkins, the j treasurer, and acting secretary of the Union, 1 declined to say anything on the matter. He j said that he 'had no,t given the matter any consideration, and was not prepared to ex- i press any opinion. There seems to be, how- ever, a feeling in the town that the Rhondda., district is not adequately represented en the committee, and, as this is now a very impor- tant part of Welsh football,it ought not to be; difficult to get 'the committes' to see the i justice of increasing the number of its mem- 1 bers. Down Neath way there seems to be a feel-1 ing that a. change in the personnel of the match. committee would be welcome. The present", I memitters (a correspondent from that district thinks) have been there too long, and a changa would be productive of much good. One prominent footballer of the above men. tioned district approves of Mr. T. Williams's suggestion, but entirely disapproves of the suggestion emanating from Messrs. Morgan and Dew&r, of Penarth. A match com- mittee of thirteen, he say.s, would be moss unwi eldly. If it would" not prove so, I fail to see what possible good could result from the proposal >|F adopted. As to the referees comely, 1the, sa.me srentleman say'—If all clubs are not compelled to apply to the society for the appointment of referees, then the sooner the society is disbanded the better, for its exis- tence ('a.n serve no useful end. Mr. D. J. Price, the secretary of the Neath Club, and others whom my representative saw. expressed practically the same opinion as is submitted above. As all were representative gentlemen, it may be inferred that all the pro- posed. alterations; with the exception of those emanating from Penarth, are approved of locally. Mr. Trice, by the way, suggests in regard to Mr. Grrbnnvs' proposal that the Mid as well as the Eastern and Western districts should be directly represented on the international board. This could lie done without altering the number of delegates by allowing the Mid to share alternately with the other districts in the honour. WELSH ATHLETE. ??-

The unveiling of the western window1 at St. Margaret's Church, Blackwood, to the memory of the late Captain E. D. Williams, J.P., of Maesruddied, took plaice on Sun- day. The services were conducted by the Rev. Tuberville Williama, M.A.. formerly. rector of Caldicott, and the Rev. W. G. Kirk- ham, M.A., cura/te 'in charge, and were attended bofoh morning and evening.