Evening Express

NORTH BORNEO REBELS. CAPTURE OF A GOVERNMENT STATION. A Reuter's telegram from Labuan on Saturday says; —An escaped convict, named Talleh, with a small following, attacked and took Limbawang, a smalt Government station on the Padas River, on the 29th ult. Mr. Fraser, the officer in charge, who had a narrow escape, is now return- ing with a force of eight police and 30 free Dvaks. It is not known whether Jalleh is work- ing under the orders of Mat Talleh. H.M.S. Plover, which is now here, is going to demon- strate along the coast.

DEATH OF GENERAL SIR GEORGE AIRY, K C B The "Globe" on Saturday afternoon an- nounces the death of General Sir George Airy, K.C.B. He was taken seriously ill on Friday night and died at his residence in Victoria- street, London, on Saturday morning.

NEW YEAR'S GIFTS. The Queen's New Year's gifts to the poor of Windsor and Clewer, consisting of beef and tickets for coals, were distributed in the riding school, Windsor, on Saturday. The total num- ber of recipients was 967, and the weight of the beef distributed was 3,695 pounds, while coal tickets represent 1.359cwt.

LOTTERY LUCK. 'ANAALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Water does not always flovr to the river. We mentioned some days ago how an < mnibus driver won a lottery prize of Pi,000. The news now times from Perpignan (says a "Daily News" tele- gram) that ticket No. 27,000 of the Spanish National Lottery has won £ 8,000. It was bought by ten poor men. They include a waiter, pork- baiter, a cobbler, a costermonger, a commercial traveller, a locksmith, two adjutants, and a sergeant in a line regiment.

MENACING MADAM M, SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Madame Sarah Bernhardt appealed a few Weeks ago to the authorities for aid and protec- tion, as she was constantly receiving threatening letters from a woman who, as she feared, might carry out her menaces while she was on her way to or from the theatre. An investigation (says the "Telegraph's" Paris correspondent) was in- stituted into the matter, and the person in ques- tion was arrested a day or two ago. She was to have been interrogated on Friday by the Juge d'Instruction, who has been entrusted with the case; but as he was of opinion that it would be well to ascertain her mental condition, she is to be examined by two medical experts. This woman is the relative of a female who had pre# riously annoyed the great actress in a similar manner, and who is now the inmate of an asylum.

BARRY TRA1)ES~C0UX\CIL. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Mr. F. Walls presided at a meeting of the Barry Trades and Labour Council on Friday evening, when a financial statement was sub- mitted by the late secretary, Mr. T. S. Thomas and approved. A suggests was made that the council co-operate in a communication to Messrs. Pethick Bros., the contractors of the Vale of Glamorgan Railway, expressing satisfac- tion that the work had been carried out by them on fair Trades Union lines, but the members pre- sent expressed themselves almost unanimously in opposition to the proposal, which was, conse- quently, allowed to drop.

BARRY LIBRARIES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. At the monthly meeting of the Barry Public Libraries Committee held on Friday evening at Barry Dock (MT. W. Thomas, J.P., in the chair), -he secretary (Mr. J. M. Davies) reported that the number of volumes issued from the lending library last month was 1,975, 82 per cent. of which were works of fiction.-Ou the motion of Mr. J. R. Llewellyn, seconded by Mr. J. Lowdon, J.P., a sub-comnilttee was appointed to report upon the desirability of erecting per- manent reading-room and branch library buiid- L iagg at Barry and Cadoxton.

The Frontier War. ■» — SHARP FIGHTING IN THE KHYBER PASS- AFBIDIS FOLLOW Up RE- TURNING FORAGING PARTIES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A Reuter's telegran from Calcutta'on Satur- day says:—The Zakka Kliels'have blocked the Ali Musjid-Lundi Kotal road, and General Hammond's messages reporting the difficulty of the Bori Pass failed to reach General Lockhart. The Oxfordshire Regiment have had some sharp fighting. While a party of them were on convay duty in the Khyber Pass the enemy fired a volley at them from a walled enclosure. Colonel ^lowdon, Lieutenant Owen, and a number of privates were wounded. The party sought cover in a ravine, but the position proved to be exposed, and the enemy renewed their fire. They inflicted further loss on the British force, who were so hampered by their woundfed that they failed to extricate themselves from the ravine until joined by another company. The two bodies then retired behind walled enclosures until further reinforcements were sent. In addition to the officers previously mentioned, Captain Parr was wounded. Of the rank and file three were killed and eleven wounded. The- enemy are following up all demolition and foraging parties. AFRIDIS SUFFERING FROM THE COLD. THE TIRAH FIELD FORCE. A Router's telegram from Calcutta on Satur- day saysReports from the Kurram Valley state that the Afridi3 are suffering severely from the cold. Their cattle are dying from exposure, and they are trying to re-build the houses. Partly owing to a heavy snowfall and partly from fear of a return of British troops a number of tribesmen have gone to Mussazai and other neighbouring places.' General Sir William Lock- bar: will return to England on a three months' leave after completing a report on which he is engaged, concerning the future Indian Frontier policy and the measures to be adopted. Dur- ing his absence Sir A. P. Palmer will act as commander of the Tirah Field Force, being suc- ceeded in his present command by General Elles. The Tirah Field Force will remain un- changed, with the exception of the headquarter staff. > ■ » General Sir Bindon Blood's staff for operations against the Bourwals is com- posed as follows: —Lieutenant Viscount Fincastle, 16th Queen's Lancers, Colonel Aitken, Royal Artillery; Colonel Masters, Colonel Peacock, Royal Engioaers; Surgeon-colonel Carmichael, Major Burney, Gordon Highlanders: Major Wharry, Indian Staff Corps; Major Blunt and Major Barton, Royal Engineers; Captains Stanton, Waciritis, and Rotse, Royal Artillery; Captains Robert- son and Sherwood, Royal Engineer's; Captain Hewitt, West Kent Regiment; Captain Tod, 7th Bengal Cavalry: Captain Belli-Bivar, 7th Bombay Lancers; Captain Lye, 23rd Bengal Pioneers; Captain Thackwell Bivitton, Indian Staff Corps; Lieutenant M'Naughtonv 16th Lancers: Lieutenant Robertson, Royai Engi- neers; Lieutenant Weston, Manchester Regi- ment; .Lieutenant Waterfield, 11th, and Lieu- tenant Fraser, 19th Bengal Lancers, and the Rev. L. Klugh. The staff of General Meiklejohn's Brigade is composed as follows:—Major Hobday, Royal Artillery; Captain Dillon, 40th Bengal Infantry, Captains Belville and Camillery, Indian Staff Corps; Lieutenant O'Dowdi, West Kent Regi- ment Lieutenant Gaunt, 4th Royal Dragoons; Lieutenant Royal, Scots Fusiliers; Lieutenant Morton, 24th Bengal Infantry; and Veterinary- lieutenant M'Dougall. The staff of General Jeffrey's Brigade"is com- posed as follows: —Major Powell, 1st Goorklias; Captain Dunsterville, East Surrey Regiment Captain Hawking, Indian Staff Corps; Captain Banbury, 25th Madras Infantry; Captain Baker, 2nd Bombay Infantry; Lieutenant Byron, Royal Artillery; lieutenant G. C. Brooke, Border Regiment; jLieutenant W. H. Trevor. East Kent Regiment; and Veterinary- lieutenant Williams.

LATE SIR HAYELOCK ALLAN STORIES AND REMINDSQENCES CON CERNING HIM. SPEC!ALU SEt FOR THE £ VENIN(L EXPRESS. The House of Commons has lost in Sir Henry Havelock-Allan one of its most familiar, most dashing, and most distinguished figures. The stern, uncompromising aspect and bearing of the Cawnpore hero in a way belied the man. Far from being forbidding, proud, or reserved, Sir. Henry was as kind and as affable to all comers, provided they handled him properly, as the bluff old Admiral Field himself, or as the "genial ruffian" of the Liberal party, whose light !s for the moment somewhat hid under a bushel. The general, though a trustworthy party mm and a favourite with the whips, was by no means a mere partisan. He could see two sides to many a political question, he had many friends and admirers among his political opponents—as, in- deed, have most men at St. Stephen's—and his splendid record of gallantry was a precious pos- session of the House of Commons, just as is Mr. Lecky's as a historian, Professor Jebb's scholarship, and Sir William Harcourt's wit. Sir Henry, however, could scarcely be de- scribed as a man of exactly even temperament, and his occasional little outbursts, by no means' against established authority-—for he was be- fore all things a believer in discipline—but against men and things not at one with his views, have long been famous. On one occasion the general was so nettled at the conduct of an irida M.P. in one of the side galleries of the House during a full-dress debate that he sat upon that M.P. in the literal and the physical sense1 of the word. The M.P. thus incon- venienced appealed. the Speaker for protection amid some uproar, and Sir Henry was induced by Mr. Peel to sit on the bench instead. Once in Durham the general rode up to a small village .post-office and called for two or three stamps. As these were not brought out to him at ones, lie dived his head, peered info the shop of the alarmed postmaster, and reiterated his demands in a terrible voice. There was no delay after that, the official IViiug lest the horseman might go the leilgth of leap- ing the very counter itself. Sir Henry was a fine and an absolutely fearless horseman, and he was never happier than when bivakin^ m a dangerous and trained animal. He had a perfect seat, and looked the dashing ca.aliy officer all over when mounted and riding in the Row. Few who witnessed Sir Henry's defiance or an angry !mob in Park-lane shortly after a Labour .demonstrat ion will forget the utter, fear- lessness of it. For a while, until unaskca-for assistance in the shape of mounted conslaMes arrive* on the scene, Sir Henry dared a crowd almost of thousands, many of whom, armed with stones and sticks, pressed upon him most menacingly. His whole bearing was as that of Lord Cardigan alone after the charge, of the Light Bagade and among a swarm of hostile troops. What it was all about nobody coold chaily tell, but the probability is that the general's stern countenance was the beginning of an ugly-looking affair. k Genera1 Sir Henry, Havelock-Allan was a silent member of the House of Commons, but spoke well and with effect more than once during the last session or two on military mat- ters. He was something of an orator of the old style, and was studiously courteous in his reference to men and their measures. Sir, Henry's physical strehtfth supported many traditions of his powers, and he was to the last sc hale that during the camp of exercise held in the North for the benefit of the Militia corps of which he was honorary colonel, Sir Henry slept under canvas, took his "tub" outside in the opau air, and brought back full circulation by receiving the reports of his orderly oflicer and transacting other regimental business, oblivious all this time that he had not donned a stitch of clothes. A member of the South Durham Light Infan- try, of which Sir Henry was colonel, tells a story of the gallant general, which is characteristic of the man. Speaking at the commencement °f ^}e ^ar> Sir Henry expressed dissatisfaction at the indecisive nature of the fighting, and ventured the remark that if something better were not done within the next fortnight, "I shall go there myself and see what they are doing." Sir Hfetiry- Haveloc«.Hlan loved fighting for fightings sake, and wherever the note of. war was sounded if h^ was not actually on the scene as a belligerent or as a non-belligerent he was manifestly and admittedly miserable. During the Russo-Turkish War he was present at the siege of Plevna in. a non-belligerent capacity, and, as a matter of fact, acted as war correspondent for a leading London morning paper. In Egypt in 1882 he was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, and on that famous Sunday when the British Army was shelled and potted at by the soldiers of Arabi Pasha, and of which in- cident Lord Wolseley telegraphed that "it was not in consonance, with the traditions of the British Army to retire before any number of Egyptians," and so the artny stood at attention throughout that Sunday under the fire of the Egypttan gunners. General Sjc William Olplierts, V.C., .K.C.B., one of the heroes of Lucknow, jmd the oldest and closest friend of the late Sir Henry Have- lock-Allan, says: —"I was his closest friend, and the fact thot I know his wonh and ability better than any maa only makss me mourn his loss the more. "His loss at the present juncture is a national calamity, and it wlIl be hard to re-plac# iiim in the councils of the country, considering his pror ftu&ic nal experience and politic-il acqitframpnts. In fact, I always thought that he would, have made an excellent Minister for Wm." t

Death of Mr. Edward Davies, Plas Dinam. SPECIALL r SET FOR. THE EVENING EXPRESS. We have received a telegram announcing the death of Mr. Edward Davies, Plus Dinam, direc- tor -of the Barry Docks and Railways Company, the Cambrian Railway Company, and other corii- panies. The sad event, which took place at 11.30 on Saturday morning, was not altogether unex- THE LATE MR. EDWARD DAVIES, J.P. pected, as the "Western Mail" on Saturday morn- ing made public the fact that Mr. Davies was lying seriously ill. He had of late suffered very much from insomnia. Only a fortnight ago he returned from Southsea, whither he went to recruit his health. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Born in 1852, the late Mr. Edward Davies was yet a boy when his father had carved out the way to fortune. He is an only son, and found life much more easy than did Mr. David Davies in his early years. He was educated locally in Montgom-. '-hire at first, and subsequently went through a successful collegiate course in the University College, London. In 1871 Mr. Edward Davies took up his residence at Treorky in ordet to obtain a thorough knowledge of the colliery business. From that time he has taken an active part in the management of the Ocean Collieries, where upwards of 6,000 men are employed, and where such a complete and thorough undertaking has been established that a. separate sliding-scale exists for the regulation of wages styart from that which cbtains through- out the major portion of the district. He has bten asscciated with the Barry Dock and Rail- ways Company from its inception, and has throughout given the work his most hearty sup- port and personal assistance. In 1886 he was appointed a director of the company to fill up the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. J. O. Riches, and since that time Mr. Davies has been indefatigable in his close attention to the pro- gress of the works. Sonic time ago a very wide circle of friends condoled with him on the lamentable death of his wife. His home was at Plasdinam, Lta-iciiiiam, Montgomeryshire, and he was a magistrate for that county and for Glamorganshire.

PUBLICAN AND CUSTOMER. .SPECIALLY SET FOR THe EVENING EXPRESS. A case of considerable importance to publicans Was 1110"11 a" in budge Police-court on Friday when Samuel Waller was charged with being disorderly, ahd refusing to quit the Willow Tree Public-house, when requested to do so by the landlord. Defendant did not appear. The land- lord having given evidence, said defendant on several occasions, and consequently he gave orders that he was not to be served again.-The Presiding Magistrate said that, according to the evidence, defendant did not misconduct himself until he was requested to leave. So long n& he beliaved himself, theJa.n<Kord had no right to refuse him, although he might have caused disturbances On previous occasions.—Dr. Cour- tenay Kenny acquiesced in this view.After a brief deliberation, Dr. Cooper announced that the magistrates were equally divided in opinion, therefore the case would be dismissed.

A MONEY-STARYED ISLAND. CURIOUS CRISIS IN A FRENCH COLONY. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. 'I. Advices from Guadeloupe, the French posses- sion in the West Indies, report the existence of a financial crisis on the island. The Bank of Guadeloupe owes so larye a sum, about 7,000,000fr., to its French correspondent, the Compfcoir d'Escompte, that its credit is nearly exhausted and it can get hardly any drafts through. The result is that the local merchants are un- able to obtain the supply of goods necessary for their trade, and unless some remedy is soon found the situation will become most serious. Gold and silver coins have practically dis- appeared, and even sous are becoming scarce. The only medium of exchange is the local bank notes, which are, however, of no value outside the island. One singulad difficulty raised by the condition of affairs is that no one can leave the island for a long' journey, owing to it being almost im- possible to raise enough money to pay the fare. The troubles is ail primarily owing to the failure of sugar prices and a disease which attacked the sugar cane. The planters are practically ruined.

A CURE; FOR APOPLEXY. .SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS Henry Chevalier, the first patient ever tre- phined for apoplexy, has died in hospital. The operation (says the New York correspondent of the "Standard") was regarded as such a success as to wa rant its reptition hereafter in suitable cases. Within 30sec. after a clot had been re- moved from the brain, ths pulse and respiration became normal. The patient survived nearly a fortnight, but finally succumbed to a disease whose paroxysm caused the apoplexy. ■ —

LORD LONDONDERRY ON AGRICULTURE, A MORE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. Addressing the annual meeting of the Dar- lington, Durham, and North Riding Chamber of Agriculture at Darlington on Friday, Lord Londonderry adduced figures in support of his contention that agriculture Was now slowly reco- vering from the depression which had affected it so long. In his opinion, the bottom i was touched two years ago. and he declined to accept the morbid and gloomy viuws held by the mem- bers of the Royal Agricultural Commission. His lordship expressed satisfaction at the main- tained advance in the price of wheat, and alluded to the beneficial operation of the Diseases of Animals Act, but protested against the palming off of American meat as home- reared. In the eourse of the proceedings Lord Londonderry made a sympathtic allusion to the news of the death in India of Sir H. Havelock- Allan, the president of the chamber.

BUHGIIAUY AT BARRY DOCK. ARREST ON SUSPICION. Police-constable Harris received in custody on Friday afternoon a seaman named John Clarke, who was arrested the same morning at New- port, on suspicion of having committed a bur- glary at Barry Dock. The business premises of Messrs. W. A. Macdonald and Co., tailors, Holton-road, Barry Dock, were broken into on Wednesday night, and a considerable quantity of the stolen property was found on Clarke, who will b3 brought before the Barry magistrates to-day (Saturday).

LOCAKi COMMISSIONS. The "London. Gazette" of Friday night con- tained the following:— • WAR OFFICE, December 31. I,INE BATTALIONS. South Wales Borderers.—Major Arnold W. Pirch retires on retired pay; Captain Reginald Uampbell to be major, vice A. W. Birch. Dated- January 1, 1896. VOLUNTEER RIFLES. 1st Brecknockshire Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers.—The undermentioned officers are superseded for absence without leave: Lieu- tenant B. J. Jayne. surgeon; Lieutenant A.' Whyte, M.l>. Dated January 1, 1898.

THIS DAY'S MATCHES Rugby. Cardiff v. Blackheath. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. [BY WELSH ATHLETE ] There is, probably, no club in England upon whose fixtures Cardiffians look with such a degree of uncertainty as that of the famous Rec- tory Field organisation. The reason is not a mythical one either, for, in addition to the fact that Blackheath in football circles are situated somewhat similarly to the M.C.C. in cricket, there remains the knowledge that the Londoners have never yet failed to give the Welsh Metro- politans a great game, and have, in addition, a fair share of the wins to their credit. How close, indeed, the games between these clubs have been may be gathered from the fact that during the last half a dozen seasons of the eleven matches played-there was one abandoned through frost in 1892-CMdilf have won seven, Blackheath having the remaining four to their credit. The scoring has been pretty close, too, as may be imagined from the fact that Cardiff have put on 107 points against their opponents' 84, so that there is only in the matches, extend- ing over half a dozen seasons, 23 points between them. Writing without the means of reference at hand, I believe that December 10, 1892, was the first match Catdilf ever won at Blackheath. The Welsh Mettopolitans on that occasion, too, may be accounted somewhat lucky, for it was only owing to the fact that the new system of scoring had not extended from Wales to England that Cardiff, with two converted goals, reading ten points, gained a single point victory over the 'Heathens, who had been three times across the Cardifl; line, but had only managed to convert one of the tries. The next match at Blackheath saw a desperately hard game, in which Blackheath were victorious by fourteen points to ten, and this was followed up for the next couple of seasons, making three successive seasons in all in victories for Black- heath. One by a single point only in 1894-5, and that through a try scored in the last minute of the game, when Cardiff seemed to have victory within their grasp. At Cardiff there has been some fairly big scoring by the Welsh Metropoli- tans in their matches with the Rectory Field organisation. In 1892-3 they put on 21 points to thirteen against Blackheath, sixteen points to eight in 1896-7, whilst the biggest majority of points the blue and blacks have ever put on against the 'Heathens was in the season 1895-6, when Cardiff were victorious by eighteen points (six tries) to nil. The record of matches between the two clubs for the iast six seasons is as fol- lows: Cardiff Blaokheath score. score. U. T. P. G. T. p Season 1891-2. December 12, at Blackheath 0 0 0 1 4 13 Jan. 16, at Cardiff. -Abandoned owing to frost. Season 1892-3. December 10. at Blackheath 2 0 10 1 2 9 January 21, at Cardiff 3 2 21 3 013 Season 1893-4. December 9. at Blackheath 2 0 10 1 3 14 March 26, at Cardiff 2 0 10 0 1 3 Season 1894-5. December 8. at Blackheath. 2 0 10 1 2 11 January 19, at Cardiff 1 1 7 1 0 5 Season 1895-6. November 30, at Blackheath 0 0 0 1 1 8 February 29, at Cardiff 0 6 18 0 0 0 Season 1896-7. December 19, at Blackheath 1 0 5 0 0 0 December 28, at Cardiff 1 4 16 1 1 8 Season 1897-8. December 18, at Blackheath —Abandoned. _I 14 13 107 10 14 84 At the eleventh hour supporters of the Cardiff team heard the bad news that Gwyn Nicholls, suffering from a very severe attack of influenza, wa sunable to turn out. This necesitated the rea-arrangement of the back division. J. E. Elliott, although still suffering from that strain to his side, an dnot in a fit state to play, had to turn out to partner Huzzey on the right wing, whilst J. Heaven took hi splace at half. All three of the doubtful Rhondda forwards turned out, so at least ift this department Cardiff were particularly strong. On the Blackheath side there was one alteration, Cattell being unable to play at half, his place being taken by E. N. Carlton. Kingscote was the mysterious full- back, and, with these exceptions, the teams turned out as advertised, the men taking the field as follows:- Cardiff.—Back, W. L. Jones; three-quarter backs, V. Huzzey, J. „.nott, Jones, and Dris- coll; half-backs, S. Biggs and J. Heaven; for- wards, D. Evans, T. Dobson, G. Dobson, R. Jones, J. Alexander, G. Abbott, W. Phillips, F. oCrnish. Blackheath.—Back, J'. L. Kingscote; three- quarter backs, H. J. Walles, P. Royds, A. Latter, and E. F. Fookes; half-backs, Carlton and Unwin; forwards, F. Mitchell, W. Fal- con, F. Burnard, F. Bingham, G. M. Carey, P. C. Tarbutt, C. E. Wilson, and C. Dixon (cap- tain). Referee, Mr. A. J. Gould. With weather line, although dull, another Bank Holiday crowd put in an attendance, there being quite 12,000 spectators present when Dixon from the rivre started play for Blackheath. Biggs returned to touch just on his own twelve yards line, and here, after the line-out, the first scrimmage was fought. Blackhea,t,h secured the ball, but gained no advantage from it, the halves being stopped before getting away from the scrimmage, then in the centre. Play can- straight across the field to under the stand, where Jones brought off a brilliant save. From here the Blackheath backs started passing, and looked like scoring, had not Latter kicked down quite by accident to the Cardiff iull back, who made a fine return to touch at the centre. From here a kick by one of the Cardiff backs went to Kingscote. Tom Dobson followed up, and prevented a return, play settling right on the Blackheath line. From loose scrimmaging at this spot Cornish got over, but the try was disallowed, and a free awarded to Blackheath. They were unable to get away from their own line, however, until the Cardiff backs started passing. This allowed Blackheath to work back to their 25, but here the Cardiff, forwards wheeled a scrimmage in grand style. Evans headed the 'rush, and, picking up when close on the Cardiff line, and throwing across to Cornish, the latter got round the posts with a try, which Huzzey had no difficulty in converting. From Blackheath's re-start Cardiff made jj, poor return, and play settled just inside the Cardiff half. A bout of passing by the three-quarters looked dangerous until Driscoll got across and upset Latter in fine style. They were close to the Cardiff line, now, however, and, after Unwin had once been too good for S. Biggs, the Blackheath forwards dribbled over the line and scored a try which, from a rather difficult angle, was converted. Abbott started play for Cardiff which at once settled down at the Black- heath 25. Twice Cardiff had chances of attack, but on each occasion they kicked too hard, and Kingscote had no difficulty in returning. A third attempt had better luck, for Evans pulled down Kingscote before he could get in his return, and so a few yards was gained. They had him in trouble, too, a second, or two after this, but on this occasion, they overran the ball and allowed the Blackheath man to get his return in. When play settled down after this the Cardiff forwards heeled out in fine style. Biggs got clean away up the right wing, and transferred to Elliott, who ran to close on the full-back before he turned it over to Huzzey, the latter, in turn, sent it back to Elliott in the centre, he result being a fine try which Huzzey failed to convert. After some loose scrimmaging work from the drop-out the Cardiff backs had another chance in the centre of tlie field. Heaven go lvj ball away very cleverly, but after it had jo across to Jones Driscoll missed his pass. Jones re- covered, however, and found touch Well over the half-way line. After this Biggs ought to have set his backs in motiop, but a wretched pa«s from him to Elliott saw Royds intercept, and when he looked all over a wret a stumble spoiled his chance. Blackheath, were close on the Cardiff line now, and once or twice were dangerous in attack; on one occasion, especially if Latter had taken his pass, a score would have almost certainly resulted. The end of it was that Blackheath forced a minor. Then play went to the centre of the field, where Huzzey got in a. magnificent kick to touch that put play well inside the visiting 25. Hereabouts plaly fluctuated for the next five minutes, neither side gaining any great advantage. It was a trifle slower, too, for the hot pace set in the earlier part of the game had began to tell. For the next four- or five minutes the backs izever had a cliance, then, however, Cardiff scored well off their opponents. Fookes broke through, and came down to the Cardiff 25, here he passed out, but Jones, intercepting, and run- ning up to half-way, gave possession to Huzzey, the last-mentioned running right up to the full- back, where he threw out a long pass to Alexan- der, who took the ball in fine style, and went over close behind the posts with a try, which Huzzey had no difficulty in converting. It was a brilliant incident from the start, and fully deserved the goal which it was rewarded with. This point, somehow, seemed to take the sting out of the Blackheath attack. They were having none the best of it forward,- too, and this seemed to surprise the Blackheath men, who had expected a big pull in this direction. Once or twice the Cardiff forwards attacked hotly, but were unable to get through, and the interval arrived with the score standing: G. T. M. I Cardiff 2 1 0 Blackheath 1 0 1 From Dobson's re-start there was a bout of long kicking, which ended in Cardiff's favour, touch being found well inside the Biackheatli half. By hard gruelling work on the part of their forwards, Blackheath got inside the Cardiff half. They were driven back by a fine kick to touch by the Cardiff custodian, whilst a minute or so later than this, after Blackheath had started some jjaasing, Huzzey intercepted, and came down right to the Cardiff 25. Abbott and another forward handled at this point, but could not get through, and scrimnias'ing was again started. Elliot had one chance on the right, but timed his pass badly. Then play went straight across the field to the far 25 flag. Here the Cardiff backs uot to work, but Latter, inter- cepted, and went right up the field, with Fookes Final score:— G. T. M. Blackheath 2 1 0 Cardiff 2 1 0 After ten minntes play — G. T. M. Cardiff 1 0'1 Blackheath 0 0 0 After fifteen minutes' play:— Cardiff 1 0 1 Blackheath 1 0 0 After twenty minutes' play:— Cardiff 1 .1 1 Blackhcath 1 0 0 After thirty minutes' ptay — Cardilf 2 1 1 Blackheath 1 0 0 After fifty-five minutes' play:- Cardiff 2 1 1 Blackheath t 2 0 0 Alter fifty-eight minutes' play:- Cardiff 2 1 l Bla-ckheath 2 1 0 NEWPORT V. BRISrOLf Half-time score: — G. T. M. Newport 0 2 0 Bristol 0 0 0 LLANELLY V. PENYCiRAIG. Played at Penygraig. Teatns: -Llanetty: Back, Ivor Lloyd; three-quarter backs, Lloyd (captain). E. Jenkins, John Jones, and Morgan Williams; iialf-oacks, Dai Davie-i aud Ben Davies; forwards, \V. Morris, D. J. Daniels, Thomas Davies, J. Watts, R. Thomas, K. W. J. Thomas, j). Walters, and David Thonip^. Peny- graig: Back, T. Jones; tlwee-iiuarter L ,cks, G. Hunt, D. ltees, P. F. Bush, and L". I". Bush; half- backs, T. Granville (captain) and D. M Gregor; forwards, U. Evans, A. White, J. T. Davies, T. J. Griffiths, A. Chant, H. Jonerf. D. Thomas, and W. Lewis. Referee, Mr. Matthews, Kctdyr.

WELSH FOOTBALL UNION REFEREES' SOCIETY. The following referees have been appointed to officiate in the following matches, to be played on the grounds of the first-mentioned, on Mabon"s Day, January 3, 1898: — Abercarn v. Abertiltery—Mf- J. P. Curnow, Mountain Ash. Cwmcarn v. Blackwood.—Mr-- B. Tiley, Mountain Ash. Ebbw Vale v. Crumlin—Mr. A. J. Davies, Cardiff. Mountain Ash v. Maesteg—Mr. A. Llewellyn, Pontypridd. Llwynypia v. Penygraig—Mr. W. Douglas, Cardiff- Llanelly v. Treorky-Mr. E. Thorogood, Swansea. Skewen v. Treberbert-Mr. B. Griffiths, Neath. TYeherbert v. County PolicE-Mr. T. Prosser, Penygraig.

Association. CARDIFF SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL LEAGUE. The second halt of tb* matches.in connection with the above league commences on January 15.

In the Courts. VOTES AND NOTIONS FROM TMM SKAMY SIDE. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPHtSS CARDIFF. CAHADOG AND MAHOMET. On Saturday at Cardiff Police court (before Alderman Sanders and Mr. David Duncan) Cara- dog Davies, 28, was charged with stealing 8s. and a book of discharges ;md a comb, valued at 12s., the property of Bramin Mahomet, from the Tresil'an Coffee Tavern, between the 23rd and 24th of December. 'r'.is was :t iv.sw which was clearly proved against the priso-.ier under the fol- lowing circumstances:—'Prosecutor, a man t.f colour, who described himsalf as a fireman, of 21, Custom House-street, on the 23rd of Decem- Ler stayed for the night at the Tresillisin, snd deposited under his pillow his money and other belongings. On awaking ill '1:3 morning he found that Santa Claus of somebody had robbed him of all he had: He reported his loss to the marker, and the night porc;r (James Phillips) made investigations which resulted in the arrest of tbfr prisoner, who occupied beiroom adjoin- ing that of the prlnec-sutor.Stvi-:tl witness'-fc were called, upon whose evidence the prifoner was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment. A REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICE. A shoeless lad, who appeared in the dock with a great show of repentance, was charged with stealing a pair of boots from outside Messrs. Stead and Simpson's shop, 119, St. Mary-street. There was no positive, proof, and Alderman Sanders, from the bench, strongly deprecated the reprehensible practise of hanging goods out- side shops to tempt passers-by. A case of theft, under the stress of severe temptation, would have to be clearly proved. It had not been so proved in this case, and so the prisoner was dis- charged. The lad dried up his fountain of tears, and left carrying under his arm the boots, which had been identified on behalf of the prosecution.

HÎ'AIN AND CUBA. GENERAL WJEYISS LETTER TO THE QUKEN REGENT. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Thursday says —The authorities refuse to transmit the letter addressed by General Weyler to the Queen Regent through the War Office, requesting her Majesty to im- press upon the Government the desirability of protesting against ■ the stricture con- tained in President irKinley's Message in regard to the warfare in Cuba as conducted under General Wevler's command. The "Nacionai Epooa," "Correo Espanol," "Sylvo Futuro," and other journals are to be prosecuted for publishing the text of General Weyler's protest. The Minis- terial journal. "Et Correo," states that the publication of the protest is prohibited on international grounds. WAR CORRESPONDENTS LEAVE. THE ISLAND. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday says —It is announced here that all the American war correspondents in Cuba will leave the island to-morrow on their return to the United States. This is taken as indicating that the question ha s lost the importance previously attached to it in -America.

BILLIARD CHAMPIONSHIP. Charles Dawson called at the "Sportsmm" Office on Thursday evening, on his way to Farnborough, and. having been shown Roberts's letter, said "Let Roberts first of all cover my £ 100 90W down in ycur hands. This will -how that he has some .dea of business. I am in- clined to favour his idea of ull three ma ches, and if he will ) ut up his .£100 and appoint a meeting at this office we can go fully into the matter. This is the only way. and. so far as I oan see, perfectly fair one, to settle the matter."

Australia v. England. OPENING OF THK SECOND TEST MATCH, THE COLONIALS BAT FIRST. A BRILLIANT START. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. [COPYRIGHT.] A Press Association telegram from Melbourne on Saturday says: —The second test match between England and Australia was begun here this morning at the Oval. Mr. Stoddart and Board were omitted from the English team. The Australians batted; first, Macleod and Darling opening the inniws. A good start was made. Darling, who did/ most of the hitting, was the 1 first to leave, being caught by Hirst at mid-off from Briggs's bowling for 36. Hill then joined Macleod, and the score was taken to 70 before the luncheon interval. Macleod was not out 19, and Hill not out 13. Macleod and Hill made a prolonged stand, and at half-post three they were still together, with 51 and 46 respectively to their credit. The Australians' total was then 140 runs for one wicket. Half an hour h,er Hill was smartly caught by Storer off Hayward for 58-two wickets for 185. Macleod (not out 73) was joined by Gregory, and with these two together the 200 went up. Macleod passed his 100, and at a quarter past five was not out 111, Gregory being not out 25, and the total 237 for two wickets. When stumps were drawn for the day the Australians had made 283 for the loss of three wickets. Maeleod only made one more run before being bowled by Storer. Gregory, who was then partnered by Iredale, continued to bitt freely, and raised his score to 54 before stumps were drawn for the day. Iredale was not out 12, and the Australian total was 283 for three wickets. The following was the full score — I AUSTRALIANS.—First innine-s. Macleod, b Storer 112 Darling, c Hirst, b Briggs 36 Hill, c Storer, b Hayward 58 Gregory, not out 54 Iredale, not out 12 Extras 11 Total for three wickets 283

THE NEW YEAR IN ROME. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING tXPRESS. The Rome correspondent of the "Pall Mall Gazette" says:—This period of the year in Italy, from a little before Christmas to New Year's Day, may be called the season of the mancie 'gratuities), which, beginning with the lowest, is carried to even the highest ranks of society. Being new to housekeeping m Italy, what was my surprise the other day to receive, as a gift, a large cake from my baker, his messenger had hardly departed when anoiher ril.g announced the boy from the wine mer- chent with a flask of wine, cmù so on from all the tradesmen. My maid came in, day after day, with iadiant face. She had received here a franc and there two fron: the different shops on which I bestow my modest custom. Of course, every sort and description of person who does anything for one expects a maucia, the newspaper boys and milkmen, postmen, messengers, and porters—in fact, all who ren- der the smallest service, with one great excep- tion, that of the washerwoman. Why this worthy and indispensable person should be left out I have been unable to discover. When I proposed to break the rule, sudden death was threatened if I put any such idea into her head. Another branch of the mancie custom is the reception of cards on which is printed, for example, "The young men of Signor Colli wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." On investigation you And that Signor Colli is your hatter, and that one of the "young men" is at the door waiting for the mancia. The send- ing of visiting cards affords vain people an oppor- tunity to show off their titles, or any special designation of which they are proud. A card reached me yesterday, on which was printed, "Signor and Signor a ——, Survivors of the Greek War." Another end-of-the-year custom, which I imagine finds no parallel in England, is that of the newspapers presenting gifts to their sub- scribers. The streets present the same aspect as at the time of the elections; every available space is filled -with manifestoes and artistic advertisements, in the brightest colours, eloquently describing the value of these gifts. A Milan paper gives a zampone, a famous sausage of Modena; another, to perhaps con- tradict the rumour that its subscribers are all illiterate, presents—an inkstand; the "Messag- gero," the popular Roman paper, provides an umbrella—it .says this article has given so much pleasure that it has not changed the form of its gift for three years; the "Tribuna" gives a ticket entitling each subscriber to have his photo- graph taken; while the "Unita Cattolica," the un- compromising clerical organ, gets a big advertise- ment out of a letter from the Papal Secretary of State.' It runs:—"His Holiness, to promote further that worthy newspaper, the 'Unita Cattolica,' is pleased to set aside, as gifts for its subscribers, copies of the 'Divina Conimedia,' with comments by Serravalle. I take this oppor- tunity of signing myself, your servant, M. Card. Rampolla."

THE KISSING TUNNEL. SPECIALLY Sir FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. M'Dowell County, in the great American world, is the proud possessor of e- magnetic kissing tunnel which may yet become more famed, some Western folk think, than the Blarney Stone of the Emerald Isle. This modern wonder is a tunnel on the Norfolk and Western Railway. It is cut through solid rock, which is highly charged with magnetism, and it is told as an actual fact that lovesick lads and lassies, old bachelors and old maids, and married folk who have become estranged, when passing through this tunnel find that they cannot resist the peculiar magnetic influence, and repeatedly participate in osculatory exercise.

ANOTHER BOY CYCLIST. SPECIALLY SET FOR Hc tVENING EXPRESS. An important race between Michael, .the Welsh professional, and Edward Taylor, is to take place at the Madison-square Garden, New York, to-day. The doings of the "Little Welsh Wonder," as he is familiarly called, are common knowledge, but of Taylor's perfor- mances comparatively nothing has been heard. It may, therefore, interest our readers to. know that Taylor is but a boy of seventeen, having been born in Paris in 1880. He made his first appearance as an amateur, and in 1896 won a road race over a distance of 225 kilometres. In the fall of last year he turned professional, and during the winter season liad a remarkable record, beating such men as Armstrong, Huret, Macgregor, Bouhours, Lartigue, Bourrotte, and Colomb, while he created a world's record on a covered track on the second day of this year. On different occasions he beat Bouhours over distances of 50, 80, and 100 kilometres, and on July 11 gained the Grand Prix de Paris, when he defeated Linton and Champion. On October 31 he defeated Bourrotte, Lartigue, St. Hubert the Belgian champion), Dgeon, and Gougoltz n a 50 kilometre'race at the Auteuil track. In appearance Taylor, strangely enough, is small and slight—in fact, almost delicate-looking, but his records speak for his energy and endurance.

A FLORENCE MYSTERY. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS.' On the nignt of the 3rd inst. a young Swiss theological student was accosted near the cftizi Gallery, Florence, by a strange lady, deeply veiled and dressed in black, who was Jeadmg by ihe hand a little child about three y irs oi age. The lady stated that she had lost her purse, and begged the 3tudent (Herr Specher) to take care of her child for a few moments while she went to look for it. She then disap- peared in the darkness, and has never Ùfen hp-ard of since. The student took the child e e home, when he discovered in one of the pockets of its warm coat a letter addressed to the unknojvn person who should chauce to have the child consigned to him. This letter, -.vhich earnestly entreated the reader, to care for and take charge of the child indefinitely, clearly showed that the woman had meant to abandon it. The few words tlie child speaks are Gttr- man. Many people have offered to adopt ths boy, 'among others, Herr Specher's father, but ths municipal authorities here have not as yet given their consult to its adoption by anyone. Tht case has excited much interest in Italy. The punishment in Italy for child abandonment it two and a half years' inipisonment.

St. Asaph Policy. UNABATED VIGOUR OF THE AGITATION. MEMORIALISTS MEETING AT CHESTER. # REVOLT OF THE OLD AGAINST THE YOUNG. ALLEGED PALACE CLIQUE INTERVIEW WITH TH £ "ASH I STICK" RECTOR. [BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] CHESTER, Friday. An important committee meeting of memorialists has been held here to-day. The proceedings were strictly private. The object of the meeting was to frame a reply to the bishop's speechj and this reply will be published on Monday. It is understood that the reply is worded in respectful, but firm, terms, and covers the whole ground taken up by the bishop. It brings instances to show that a large number of senior and capable men, in all over eighty in number, have been overlooked in the exercise of patronage; that impor- tant and valuable preferments have been repeatedly conferred upon a few young men of comparatively little experience, the names given being Bishop Owen and the Vicars of Abergele, Ruabon, Chirk, Llan- gollen, Llandulas, and Denbigh, who share between them twenty-one promotions. Five other men are mentioned, who share between them thirty-eight promotions. Dealing with the language question, the mgjftorialists are understood to mention as iwfances of men incapable of discharging their duties in Welsh the late Vicar of Rhyl; Canon Fletcher, of Wrexham Arch- deacon Wynne Jones; the Rev. E. Fish- bourne, vicar of Gresford, and the Dean of St. Asaph. It is understood, also, that the memo- rialists give specific instances of the dis- satisfaction which exists in the diocese. A full text of the reply will appear in our columns on Monday. At ;he close of the morning sitting a resolution was passed emphatically deny- ing the statements made by Archdeacon Wynne Jones and tho Rev. J. Morris to the effect that a letter from Dean Howell had been read at a previous meeting. Before I came on here from Wrexham I sought the views of the clergy and laity, and, for the present, it is sufficient for me to say that I have already seen and heard enough to convince mo that the agitation against Bishop Edwards is as strong and persistant as ever. I have not been able to gather so far that the speech at Wrexham has im- proved the situation by one iola. The snme people are still holding out against the bishop, protesting as stoutly as ever against his policy; or, as one put it to me yesterday, his "want of policy." I wish I could give you a different account, but I.am pledged to tell the truth and to report things exactly as I find them. Knowing the Rev. Rhys James, rector of Marchwiel, by name, I went over to see him yesterday afternoon, and found him at home. To tell the truth, I approached his snug residence with a certain amount of perturbation, and trod softly on the gravel drive, for I was not without think- ing of the "pastwn onen'' which has been given such prominence, in the present con- troversy. Instead, however, of the surly and semi-barbarous personage I had imagined the rector to be. there stood before me, in the Rectory drawing-room, one of the most genial aud pleasant-look- ing men I have ever met with, even in the Church, and that is saying a great deal. Mr. James is a man of sixty, arid young at that age. In passing, I may say that the Rector of Marchwiel has received quite a heap of letters from all parts of North and South Wales in regard to the "ash stick" letter, and one admirer actually went to the extent of sending him a "pastwn onen" as a Christmas present. We were not long together before I made the discovery that- Mr. James, like myself, is a South Walian, a native of Cardiganshire, and brother to the late Archdeacon James, of Aber- gwili, the right-hand man of Bishop Basil Jones. Marchwiel is one of the best livings in the Diocese of St. Asaph, and Mr. James was promoted to it by the present bishop. Formerly he was Vicar of Llangollen, where, by all accounts, he did excellent work, and where his name is still held in honour by the parishioners. I mention these facte in order to show the status of the Rev. Rhys James in the diocese. I may also add that the present, bishop made him his rural dean. On learning these things I felt curious to find out how the fcishop and Mr. James came to be at cross purposes, and gathered that the reason is. largely a personal one, as has been already explained to some extent by Mr. James himself to the readers of the "Western Mail." "But, surely," I ventured to remark, "you don't feel justified in allowing your- self to be governed by personal feeling in matters which concern the Church?" "Certainly not," replied the rector, and he began warming up to his subject. "I object to the bishop's doings on principle; but, mind you, I don't complain, as has been stated in the press, of young men having been promoted. What I and what my co-memorialists complain of is that the same young men over and over again are promoted, at the expense of neglecting older men who have borne the heat and burden of the day. According to Mr. James, the same voun'T men (he called them "the St. Asaph little clique") have been promoted three or four times, while the bulk of the clergy have received no favour or recognition. "Of these," added the rector, with some feeling, 'the palace clique' have learnt to speak contemptuously, and when any vacancy occurs they say, 'You are not in the running, you know. "Then, you feel perfectly convinced in your own mind that the bishop's policy with regard to promotion has been one- sided and unjust r" "Perfectly," replied the rector, with emphasis, and tha. history is proof of it." On this point, doubtless, the memo- rialists' reply to the bishop's speech will contain some interesting facts not yet published. "Now, then, come: How does what you say run or. all fours with the figures pro- duced by the bishop at Wrexham?" "Ah, you are aware that the Bishop of St. Asaph is great at figures, and figures, you know. can be made to prove any- I thing." In dismissing this part of the subject, however, I could not help remembering a former remark of Mr. James with regard to promotion, namely, that the ''bulk of the clergy have been left untouched." Entering upon the second part of the protest—that which deals with the ques- tion of Welsh—I found that Mr James has made up his mind that. in spite of what the bishop said at Wrexham, his lordship has observed no consistent or jus- tifiable policy, or, as the rector pot it, he "has followed no line at all, crooked or straight." "Bishop Short's plan," Mr. James went on to say, "was to appoint to bilingual livings bilingual clergymen, and to exclu- sively English parishes monoglot English- men. and the plan worked well." "But is not that the policy adopted by Bishop Edwards?" "Not jv bit of it," hastily replied the rector. "Take the case of Wrexham, or iuv own living of Marchwiel. Wrexham is bilingual, and one would have thought that a bilingual clergyman would have been promoted to it. Bat that was not the case. The present incumbent—Canon Fletcher—is an Englishman." Mr. James, however, I may add in parenthesis, admitted that he once heard the canon pronounce the blessing in Welsh, and the rector held up his hands and opened his eyes. "\Vell. what about Marchwiel ?" I asked, thinking that a man could not speak evil of himself or of his own pro- motion. "Simply this," the rector went on to say. "Marchwiel is exclusively English, and here am i, a man with two strings to my bow, each equally efficient. My know- ledge of Welsh is of 110 earthly use to me." The rector proceeded to enume- rate severa! other cases, such as Chirk, Weston, Rhyn, etc., all of which tended to show that the bishop, so far as Welsh is concerned, does not follow ''a consis- tent plan," as the memorialists will have it. The interview covered a much wider ground than is here described, and I left Marchwiel thoroughly satisfied with regard to one thing, namely, that the Rev. Rhys James is perfectly conscientious in the part he takes. He may be wrong, and his conclusions may be based on wrong or in- sufficient data, but if he is at fault, it is his understanding and judgment, not his heart and conscience, that have gone astray. Being anxious to ascertain the feeling on the bishop's side, and finding that Archdeacon Wynne Jones rs in residence at St. Asaph, I went to see Canon Fletcher, vicar of Wrexham, and met him outside the church, just as he was going to matins at 8.30. The canon, however, is such a modest and retiring man that he shrinks from publication, and "would not be inter- viewed" on the subject. I said I was at his pleasure, and would call after service at the Vicarage. Canon Fletcher by this was disappearing through the church door. THE MEMORIALISTS AT CHESTER. A North Wales correspondent, telegraphing on Friday night, says —The memorialists who signed the petition protesting s>gainst l he disposal ot ine patronage of the Bishop of St. Asaph met at twelve o'clock to-day at the Westminster Hotel, Chester. The circular convening the meetu T was sent out by the Rey. Thomas Redfern, vicar of Holy Trinity, Oswestry, the object of it being to revise and approve of the reply to the bishop's speech at Wrexham. It was announced that a telegram had been received from Canon Hugh Roberts, the vicar of Colwvn Bay, string his inability to be present. The Rev. Bulkeley Jones Warren, of Ruthin, was voted to the chair, and the other revolters present were: —Arch- deacon Thomas, and the Revs. Stanley Davies. Rhosddu; T. Redfern Oswesiiy; E. Enoch, Rhys James, Marchwiel; Ven- ables Wiliianis, Colwyn Bay; James Jones, Rhydmwyn David Williams, LIartdymog: R. Ellis, Llansannon; T. H. Lloyd, Oswestry; J. F. Reece, Llanfwrog: J. S. Jones, Llan- tysilio; W. Davies, Llangwstenin Joan Thomas, Rhosymedre; and T. Prichard, Rhos. The Rev. T. Jones (Hope) read the reply which had been drafted, with regard to which Arch- deacon Thomas contributed a great many sug- gestions. The reply was a lengthy document, and entered into a great many personal details.

COMMUNICATION FRQM THE { BISHOP. THE INCI DENT OF THE WILD ASH STICK." To the Editor of the '"Evening Express." Sir,—The attention of tlie Bishop of St. Asaph has been drawn to the letter it the i.'t-v. E. Rhys James published in your issue of the 29th inst., and I am directed by him to say in reply that, whilst far from admitting justifica- tion for the complaint contained in Mr. 1'hvs James's letter of the 26th of May, his iordsr,ij» -was reluctantly driven to the conclusion that that letter was so unwarrantable in tone as to be deserving of a reply from him. a conclusion which was more than continued by a perusal of the further letters o vnioh Mr. Rhys James refers.—I am, Sec., J. P. LEWIS, Secretary to xhe Bishop. Dec. 30. REMARKABLE CONFLICT ON A QUESTION OF FACT. ANON HUGH ROBERTS AND DEAN HOWELL'S LETTER. To the Editor of the ''Evening Express." Sir,—The new Archdeacon of tVrexhmn in the "Liverpool Courier" of to-day wnfces, An the beginning of the meeting (of <he r^-iuo- rialiSts) Canon Hugh Roberts passed round a letter from the Very Rev. D. Howell, Dean of St. Da.vid's. This letter, he stated, was spon- taneous, and was sent to him by the dean, to whom Canon Roberts had forwarded a copy of the bishop's circular." In reply, kindly let me say that 1. I did not pass round a letter from Dean Howell. 2. Dean Howell sent no communication to me or to the meeting, or to any one of the memo- rialists as far as 1 know. I did not hear his name mentioned at any of the meetings. 3. I did not forward a copy of the bishop's circular or auvthing else to the bean of St. David's. There has been no communication between us of any sort since he has gone to South Wales. I make no comment, at present.—I am, &c., HUGH ROBERTS. The Vicarage, Colwyn Bay. Dec. 29. WHAT THE RECTOR OF LLANELIDAN SAYS. Sir>—I signed the original memorial I attended the meeting at the Westminster Hotel, Chester, on the 13th of December to consider the bishop's invitation. Before the meeting Canon Hugh Roberts, in the room, showed in his hand a letter from the Very Rev. David Hcwell, B D., Dean of St. David's. I saw the letter with my own eyes, and I saw the de-in's signature, and I have known the dean's hand- writing for twenty year. and his 1 andwriting and signature once seen cannot be forgotten. Canon Ifueh Roberts stated in my hearing that the dean's letter was spontaneous. and that he (Canon Roberts) had not asked for bis opinion. T am prepared to state on oath that I saw in that fetter, held in Canon Roberts's left hand, and in Dean Howell's own handwriting, the statement that the Bishop of St. Asaph's action was a "proof of the bishop's unfitness fcr his office." Whether the friend to whom this letter was addressed was Canon Hugh Roberts, or, let us say, the Rev. David Jones, vicar of Penmaen- urawr, Canon Roberts's brother-in-law, does not affect the matter at all. The letter was shown by Canon Roberts, and I may say, for myself, that the very pronounced opinion expressed in that letter by Dean Howell had the greatest I influence on my action. I state here what I saw and heard and I am prepared to stand by it. I will add that mv attitude to the original memorial, in so far as it was a respectful criticism of the bishop < preferments remains unchanged; but truth is truth.—I am, Atc., JOHN MORRIS, Rector of Llanclidan, Rulhin. Dec. 30.

_n_. TO-DAY^S BACINGr MANCHESTER MEETING. IS) A -MATCH. 50 govs aside, 25 forfeit. Two miles, over hurdles. Mr Cashmore's Eleanor Rose, 4yrs, lOst 3ib For 1 Mr Simpson's Miss Morris, 5yrs, list Jiu Owner ? Winner trained privately. Retting-J to 4 on Eleanor Rose, Won by a distance from Misfe Morris, whose ridei- was greeted with ironical cheering ou passing the post. (Race started at 12.511. 1 (-) Thp 11 STEEPLE- « V CHASE of 100 sovs; winners extra. Three miles. Mr Bet) s Little Joe, a.ged, list 131b J^Walsh 1 Mr J Widger's St George, aged, 12st 21h Yr V idger 2 Winner trained privately. Betting—5 to 5 on St. George. Eleanor Rose made all the n;mi:*ij. and won by a distance. St. George showed the way to the water the second time, where he blundered badly, and Little Joe going ou. Avon by ten lengths. (Race started at 1.7 Iqa —A selling handicap JTTRDLE ,OU RACE of 70 sovs; winner to be sold lor 50 sovs. Two miles. Mr Bleuckley's Proud Chieftain. 4yrs, list BIb Eames 1 Mr Hibbert's Golf Ball. 5yrs, list 131b R Nightingall 2 Mr Rollason's John Mullins, 6yrs. list 5!b Williamson 3 Mr Jiobdall's Enthusiasm, 5yrs, 12st olb Hadfield 9 Mr Widger's Pomade Divine, 6yrs, 12st 21b Morgan 0 Mr Walley's Fair Play, aged, list 131b Mr Wood 0 Mr Tinsiey's Bellenetti. 5yrs, list Bib R Colling 0 Mr Aston s Skimmer, 4yrs, list 21b .Kibby (J Mr Rafferty's Alvaston. 4vrs. lOst 111b ..Hogan C Winner trained by Parkes. Betting—5 to 2 agst Golf Ball, 3 to 1 agst John Tiiuliins, fi to 1 each agst Alvaston and Proud Chieftain, 100 to 12 agst Bellenetti. and 10 to 1 agst any other. Aiva-ston made play from Pomade Divine, Proud Chieftain, and G..lf Bail. with John Mul- lins and Fair Play next, and Skimmer la-t. So they ran until two hurdles from home, when Jonn Mullins drew to the front, followed by Golf Ball and Proud Chieftain. In the last hundred yards Proud Chieftain closed with John Mullins, and won by ,1 length; a head separated the second and third. Alvaston was fourth, Bellenetti fifth, Skimmei sixth, Pomade Divine next, and Fair Play last. (Race started at 1.41). O A —The JANUARY HANDICAP .•* • V' STEEPLECHASE of 150 sovs; win- ners extra. Two miles. Mr Walker's Athel Roy, 6yrs, list 61b L'athorn 1 Mr Vyner's St. Mathurin, 5yrs, lOst 101b Mr A Gnrdon 2 Mr Priauix's Grimpo. aged, list 91b Morrell 3 Mr Allerton's The Panther. 5yrs, lOst 131b Mr Wood 0 Major Orr-Ewing's Penny Hill. aged. lOst 101b Pullen 0 Mr Horton's Perth Lad. aged, lOst 71b Mr Hunt 0 Mr Hassalls' Mula. 5yrs, Ost Mr Harper 0 Winner trained by Lutham. Betting-9 to 4 agst Athel Roy, 4 to 1 agst The Panther, 9 to 2 each agst St. Mathurin and Grimpo, and 10 to 1 agst any other. Athel Roy made the running, followed by The Panther, Grimpo, and St. Mathurin, for half way, where St. Mathurin took second place. but could not reach ,4the] TIov, who won by one length; three length' between the second and third. The Panther was fourth. Perth Lad next. and Mula tailed off last. IRace started at 2.71. •) —A SELLING STEEPLECHASE of mm .')U 100 sovs, for four year oWs and up- wards- weight for age; maidens allowed E!h; winner to be sold for 80 sovs. Two lailes. Mr F reeman's Norval, aged, list 131h Mr Lord 1 Mr Clark's Hall In. aged. list 131b Needham 2 Mr Aston's Bohemia, aged, list 131b Ribby 3 Mr Goodall's Edgar, aged, list 131b La-thorn 0 Mr Jordan's Galston, aged, list 131b Watson 0 Mr Bleackley's Cric Crac, 6yrs, list 13lb Mr Bissell 0 Winner trained by Mann. Bettinsr—7 to 4 agst Norval, 3 to 1 agst Hall In, 5 to 1 each agst Bohemia nnd Cric Crac, and 10 to 1 each agst Edear and Gaiston. Ball In showed the way to Bohemia and Norval, to the last fence, where Norval drew to the front, and won by two lengths; the same distance divided the second and third. Cric Crac was fourth, and Edgar fifth Gaiston. fell on the far side, and Cric Crac broke a bloodvessel. UfStarted at 2.37). 3A -The NEW YEAR'S HANDICAP • 'J HURDLE RACE of 200 sovs; winners extra. Two miie=. Mr Bleackley's I.O.V., 6yrs. lOst 91b Eames 1 Mr Dunne's Nassac, 5vrs. list Horton 2 Mr Mann's Linhope. 6yrs, list 91b Mr Lord 3 Mr Ward's Blumenbach, 5yrs. lOst 41b t Lathom 0 Lord Cowley's Bravo, 5yrs, list* 51b Lord Cowley 0 Mr Hibbert's Sicily Queen, 5yrs, list 2th R Nightingall 0 Mr Crompton's 8 illy body, aged, list 2Jh Mr Whitton 0 Mr Kirker's Killyleagh, 5yrs. list.Mr Cullen 0 Mr Brown's Tours, aged, lOst 131b A Nightingail 0 Capt Wilson's Monos, 6yrs, lOst 11th Mr Lawson 0 Mr Maclachlan's Martha HI., 5yrs. 1 Ost lllb R Colling 0 Mr Brechin's Curable. 5yrs, lOst 71b .Hulme 0 Mr Bee's Master Munden, aged. lOst 31b Mr Hunt 0 Winner trained by Parkes. Betting-4 to 1 agst I.O.TJ.

THE, iiBINU8 CASE. On Saturday afternoon Lord Marcus Beres- ford. Lord Cowley, and Major J Orr-Ewing called upon Mr A Gordon, the rider of Albinns in the Maiden Hurdle Race on the previous even- ing. to explain his riding of that horse. After a careful enquiry, the stewards expressed them- selves very dissatisfied with the explanation tendered, and, in dismissing the case they con- • sider it surrounded with the gravest suspicion. They severely censured Mr. Gordon, and can tioned him regarding his future ridinff.

OLD SAM'S FINALS. MANCHESTER MEETIKG. 12.45—MISS MORRIS. l.C—ST. GEORGE. 1.^—BARBARIC. 2.0—ATHEL ROY (nap). 2.30—NORVAL. 3.0—TOURS or I.O.U. 3.30—INGEBRIGT.

PADDOCK FINALS. (LATEST FROM THE COURSE). -i CARLINE, POMADE DIVINE. THE PAN- THER, SICILY QUEEN.

< FALSE FIBE ALARM. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. —. The Cardiff Fire Brigade opened the new year with a rush with the hose and reel to the work- house. A few minutes before midnight someone broke the glass of Lie Cowbridge-road fire alarm, and reported through tpe telephone provided that a fire had broken out in the Union Cacual Ward. He said that it did -not appear to be large, and that perhaps the reel would be all that was required. Chief-engineer Geen and half a dozen firemen at once started for the Union, but, upon arriving there, found that everything was all right, and tad. there had Leen no.fire whatever. It is not rupposei? th.s.t the affair was a hoax, but it is thought that the person who gave the alarm had mistaken some steam escaping from the boilers for smoke

KILLED BYXTIN~TACK. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. At the Rotherhii he Coroner's-court on Frida. Mr. K N. Wood, deputy-coroner inquired jnt the circumstances attending the death of Jame Thomas Neal, aged three years, the son of dock labourer, residing rt No. 1, Ainsty-streef Rotherhithe. It appeared that up to Boxmp Night the chili enjoyed the best of health, but he was suddenly taken ill. A doctor was called, but the child died the following morning. Dr. Stewart made a post-morte\i examination, and found a small, very slurp-pointe dtin tack, which had pierced the stomach. Death was due to shock following upon this. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT NEWBRIDGE. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. A very serious accident befel Mr. T. Coombes a greengrocer, of Newbridge, on Friday evening As is the general custom in the nighbourhood he had been to Newport in the day, and Will bringing his goods home in the evening on spring- cart. When coming through Abercarn he be some means accidentally fell over the fron of the oart and the horse moving on, the ful weight, about 15cwt. passed over the upper portion of the body. Coombes was conveyed home and medically attended by Dr. W. H. Clarke. He lies in a very depressed condition, and is in a state of semi-consciousness, not recognising anyone. •?<

TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY. COB, 14.2, believed perfectly sound; Dofurtk by Fuller; Harness. l>y Bishop, botii in excellent condition, property of Captain Caonter, The Lodge, Radyr, who is ordered avkay. elOSM4 •^7" KIN G-ME N.—Police Trousers, 2s. at ,0 "lylTOIiKING-MF.N.—All Sizes Police Trousers, y 2s.. at Blaiberg's- WORKING-MEN.—)8e» Police Trousers, only 2s.; gauranteed plenty good enough for work. We stock higher prices, but you will not want bette- than the 2s. line.—Blaiberg's. BLaTBERG'S.—Cellbrated Wedding Rings. 22ct., 34dwt. 19s. lBct. Keeper, 18ct. Engage- ment Ring, to match.' at 19s. each. TDlAmEBGS 13ct. Hall-marked Sleeve Links, B 17s. 6d.; Silver Fish Knife and Fork, 46s.; Silver Cigarette Case. 17s. 6d. Rugs! Rugs! for B Traveller or Carriage, 4s. 6d.; similar priced 7s. 6d. in other shops; guaranteed under wholesale cost. e10SM1