Evening Express

Glamorgan Quarter Sessions. I I • SPECIALLY SET Fort THE EVENING EXPRESS. I Thp. Epiphany Quarter Sessions for the I county of Glamorgan were continued at the ] oWH-ilcllJ, CHrdlff, on Wednesday morning (before his Honour Judge llwilym Williams, chairman). FIRST' COURT. TRAPPED BY A PAWNBROKER. >uiee men, named Flewry Crowley, 22; Patrick 23; and Jatues Donoghue, 23, Labourers, welC indicted for stealing a gold walch and chain, belonging to Mrs. Jane Mor- gan, oi Eglwysilan, on November 17. Mr. Pepyal Evans prosecuted.—The watch was stolen from Mrs. Morgan's residence, and subse- quently the three prisoners offered it for sale for 15s. at. the shop of Mr. Fishman, pawn- broker, Wood-street, Cardiff. Mr. Fishman, noticing that the watch was a valuable one, called a constable and gave the men in custody. Mr. irishman was complimented by the chair- man.—O'Brien pleaded guilty, but the other two men denied the charge, stating that they met O'Brien witlilthe watch in a hotel, and that they did not know it was stolen.—The jury found Crowley guilty, and Donoghue not guilty. Donoghue was accordingly discharged. O'Brien, against whom there was a previous conviction, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, and Crowley to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

THE SEX SECRET. REPORTED SENSATIONAL DIS- COVERY BY AN AUSTRIAN. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. The Vienna correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" says: —A most sensational scientific discovery is said to have been made by Dr. Schenk. professor of the Vienna University and president of the Embryological Institute. The professor maintains that he has succeeded in exercising cftlcient influence over animals anfl UMn, so is to fix the sex of their children. He Las been studying the question upwards of twenty years, and terminated his research on Tuesday. He will place the result of his work before tlio Vienna Academy of Science, and refuses to j'lbhsh his seeret before the scientists have given their opinion. All thatttedisctosesisthathis theory is ba;"ed on the nature of the food consumed by the female. The professor says that in the course of years he has experimented with friendly families, where, by advising the wives what food they should take, boys or girls were born, just as they desired. He began liiu researches with the lowest kind of invertebiate animals, and gradually went on tc h.'gher-class animals, and finally applied his theory to women. A mimbei of scientists have been interrogated wi the question. Many uttered sceptical opinions; many other savants in Vienna, how- ever, look upon the discovery as serious. They kay that as so iniiy other secrets of Nature have been discovered, the reason on -vVhidi depends the sex of future individuals may well be found.

BARRISTER'S MURDER. GENERAL WEYLER'S HIRED RUFFIANS RESPONSIBLE. SPECIALLY Stl fOR 1HE tVtNlhti tXHiESS. On Tuesday morning a reporter had an inter- view with Mr. Thomson, of Messrs. Merriman, White, and Thomson, solicitors, of 3, King's Bench-walk, respecting the death of Mr. Richard Greenhalgh, barrister, of the Middle Temple, who has been murdered in Barcelona. Mr. Thomson, in the course of the interview, stated that the reported circumstances of Mr. Greenhalgh's uurder had now been fully con- firmed, and the facts which were in the first instance laid before the British Consul at Barce- lona had since been placed in possesssion of the Foreign Office to take what steps they thought necessary. The first and somewhat meagre in- formation of the tragedy had now been supple- mented by the deceased gentleman's valet. From his statement it seemed that the affray took place a week or so before Christinas. There were s!x «s»ai l«.)its, and Mr. Greenhaleh was badlv kicked about the lower part of the bodv before he was stabbed in the abdomen. For some time atter the deecased was struck by the knife he vvaS unconsciot;s 0f any severe ^ju having been inflicted by any other means than r lCln l defend Kniself until he fall ind fainted fiom exhaustion, nnd it was on lus valet going i p to l,lm to assist him—the ruffians having m< anwhile made good the'r escape—that the dnugerous nature of the wound was discovered. He was conveyed at once to his hotel, and ail ended bv an English and a Spanish doctor. No hopes, however, were enter- tained of his recovery from the first, and he died on December 27, and not before Christmas Dav as first. stated. No doubt is entertained that robbery was the rnoi.'ve for the crime, although, Me. Thomson Mr. Greenhalgh s assailants were not successful in getting awav with any. thing. A grab had been made at his watch and chain, but the attempts to wrench tliem from his waistcoat proved ineffectual. According to Mr. Thomson, the crime ,s generally believed to have been committed by some of the Spanish soldiery who have been recently invalided home from Cuba. It is known that just at present there are large mimbei- (,F invalided servicemen III Baice ona and other laree Sl)ollimli towns. They are wMMivllv-if P..4~puid llv the Govem- ment, and nwnv attacks of a violent character with rooberv |),p niajn object, have bsen traced to them, Tm the present instance it is believed that \1' httle success will attend the efforts of ¡ the k..pHiiiW) police authorities in effefting an arms- Ownj to the fact that the, men were musket! i.ir V(.,ir.| it js 1>I1Ñprtfoorl. would be unable to )df"t.ify any. or them n general or the one who struck the fatal blow in particular.

GREAT BRITAIN AND SOUTH AFRICA. The "London Gazette" announces that the Queen has been pleased to provide for the a:me*ali'jii oF certain territories in South Africa. icnown as Amatongaland, to flit British posses- sion of Knluland, and also to provide for the t Annexation of the British possession of Zuiuland to the vVfu of N &i.aJ.

THE TRAGEDY AT RHYMNEY. A Surmise as to the t Cause of Suicide. p. THE INQUEST, .I SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. I The suicide of Mr. William Pritchard, of Rhymney, is as great a mystery as ever. So far as our reporter could ascertain on Wednesday morning, there was no adequate reason for the rash act. The telegram which was found in his pocket, and with regard to which so much reti- cence has been shown, is not likely to throw much light on the sad affair. It was simply a message calling the deceased to London on Friday, when it was intended to resume the investigation of the company's affairs. The fact that this telegram had been received was well known at the company's shop, and the books were being made up ready to be despatched to the London office. They have been sent upon three or four previous occasions, and Mr. Pritchard has been examined upon them. Of course, it is quite possible that the examinations to which the deceased gentleman has been sub- jected at previous joint meetings of the directors a'nd investigation committee worried him, and caused him to shrink a further cate- chism in reference to the various important business under his control. This, of course, is mere surmise at present, but it is the only reason which has been advanced for what is otherwise all incomprehensible act. THE IX QUEST. The coroner's inquiry was held at the Police- station at 11.30, before Mr. Walford, Aber- gavenny. THE JURY. The following were sworn on the jury: — Messrs. John Griffiths, foreman, G. T. Jacobs, Roderick Morgan, George Evans, W. D. Thomas, Thomas Thomas, John Edwards, bootma.ker, John Edwards, diraper, James Griffiths, D. W. Evans, W. Lloyd, works, and T. N. Evans. Inspector Willmott, Tredegar, watched the inquiry on behalf of the police. Among those present were —Mr. Alexander Brundrett, son-in-law, Mr. D. F. Pritchard, nephew, Mr. Richard Abraham, brother-in-law, Mr. Broomhall, for Messrs. James Morgan aud Co., the family solicitors, Cardiff, and Mr. W. H. Trump, solicitor, Rhymney. AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY. The Coroner, before. calling evidence, said: I would like to ask you to join with me in expres- sing sinceresympathy with the family of the deceased. Khymney has lost a very prominent resident in a most sad way. He was a man who rose from small beginnings to the head of 1\ large business, and had been for many years a leading public man, and the head of a most respectable family. His death was a loss to the entire district, and the tragic way in which it had occurred made it very much more sad. The Foreman of the jury, on behalf of his colleagues, endorsed what the coroner had said. They all sympathised with the family. THE REPORT OF THE REVOLVER. Rees Jones, booking clerk at the Rhymney Railway Station, said that he heard the report of a shot between three and four minutes past eight past eight o'clock whilst in the booking-office. It seemed as if he came from close by. He paid no attention, and mentioned it to no one at the time. He did not hear it repeated. BEFORE HIS DEATH. Thomas David Evans, grocer's clerk, said he saw Pritchard leave the company's shop about twenty-five minutes to eight o'clock. lie came from the big yard, and walked about 30 yards when he parsed, and made as though for the station. This was the last he saw of him. He did not speak to him because he was too far in front. A Juryman: Had he passed the trucks where he was found ? Witness: I could not tellt as it Was too foggy. The Coroner: Are you in the company's shop? —Yes. I wa3 last in the shop that night. Had you any conversation that day with hun ? —No, sir. But you had seen him about?.Yes, sir. For the last week or two had he been back- wards and forwards in the shop?.Yes, sir. Had you noticed anything unusual about him in his demeanour or conversation, or any lowness of spirits or anything r-No, sir. I noticed nothing at all unusual. A HAULIER'S EVIDENCE. A man named Wood, a haulier, in the Rhymney Company Collieries, said he was cne of the first to find the deceased. John James, who was with witness, called his atten- tion to the body. They were going upwards tl wards th? brewery. James said, "Look here, there is somebody drunk by here." Witness and Janips went over to look, and there they could see a man. There was blood about, and thinking the man was hurt went to look for the police. AN EXTRAORDINARY ADMISSION. The Coroner: Did you look to see if the man was alive? No. Whm we saw blood we went for the police. The Coroner You will known better next time. How long were you away? About ten minutes. The Coroner: And during the time Mr. Prit- cliaid might have been alive? If you were drown- ing, and were alive for ten minutes, what would you say ? We did < ot like to interfere. A CIVILIAN'S FIRST DUTY. The Coroner: Your mat duty in such a case is to see whether the man is alive and render first aid. Jl is time enough to go for the police afterwards. Witness, continuing, said that Police-sergeant Stephens came down, and they found the man in the same position. Before he went for the police he did not see any weapon about. A CONSTABLE'S STORY. Police-ssrgeant Thomas Stephens said that at 8.55 p.m. on Monday night last he received information from, the last witness, in conseouence of which he went to the aiding. He fjund the deceased lying in ;:is left side, with his face downwards. His left arm was under him, and his right arm was out lengtnwa}«. His head was in the direction of the terrice. Close by his head was a 'arge clot of blood. He was n the four-foot between two trucks, wnich were apart about 2ft., uncoupled. He W.\O! watm about the arms and legs. though the fa jo was cold. There was a wound behind the right ear and the face was covered with olood. The.e was no mark of the bullet having left. Theie was a six-chambn- revolver close to the rigbo hantl. THE REVOLVER. The revolver was here produced and examined by the coroner, who asked if it had been emptied, to which he received an affirmative reply. Witness, continuing, said part of the de- cciwied's great-coat covered tha revolver. He put the revolver in his pocket, and took it to the police-station, where he found that three chambers had been discharged. The cartridges looked as if they had been discharged recently. The other three chambers were unloaded. There were no appearances of deceased having been injured in any way by the truck. Wit- ness seni for Dr. Redwood, and the doctor arrived before the obdy was removed. Witness did not Bee Mr. Pritchard that day himself, but had seen him on Saturday, when he was in his usual health. IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY. By a Juryman: I may say that he was in » on Sunday and took the collection. ■. "fcess, continuing his evidence, said he should l?e ^hat the deceased had been dead about hour when he saw him. He found Tiin r>n^ a and some papers upon him. i „ .°ner: Did you find any papers upon 1 No"si^111^1 any ''6^ uP°n tbe action? o 1 found business papers and a tele- gram and a letter. rrn^r, THK TELEGRAM. er: jf ylere js anything absolutely private the papers had better be disclosed. If they do not contam anything affecting the in- quiry I don t think they should be read Here is H telegram vvl. cn I think should be read. It is from •• •fishplate, Eastcheape, London," That, I suppose, is the registered telegraphic address of the Rhymney Iton Company to -Bircham, Rhynmey," the telegraphic address of deceased. The telegram is as follows-Wanted, for Friday, the sa.me books as we saw last week; also customers' ledgers from brewery. You and Cartmel to be litus." That taleurani was t despatched on November 30, 1897, at 11.10, so that he had had that telegram a month. I thought it was a telegram he received Oil the day in question. THE VERDICT. The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

The Woman Who Did. APPEARS IN A POLICE COFliT Maintains that She Is Married, Though a "Ridiculous Legal Ceremony" Was Dispensed With. SPECIALLY'SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. A case, trivial in itself, was, at Southport Police-court, developed into a local sensation in consequence of the cross-examination of the com. plainants making public circumstances and opinions of which it is due to the parties con- cerned to say that they had previously made no secret. Eliza Millard summoned Charles Lund, ten years, for a technical assault, and Edward Percy Malloghlin, M.R.C.S., summoned William Lund, grandfather of the boy defendant, for an assault, and for wilful damage to a bicycle.— Mr. Wilmot Hodge, for the complainants, said they were riding on bicyclcs in Duke-streei, Southport, on the forenoon of Christmas Day. The boy defendant, who was walking with a boy his own age and the other defendant, when only four feet from Miss Millard, threw something at her with all his force. She was harmlessly struck on the skirt with some hard missile, pro- bably a piecc of frozen earth, as the boy after- wards admitted, but the attack came so suddenly that, in the slippery state of the road, Miss Millard narrowly escaped an up- set. The boy ran off, and was chased up and down the street by the male com- plainant on his cycle, until the boy, having run himself out of -breath, stopped, the male complainant repeatedly calling out that he only wanted the lad's name and address. The elder defendant, on the capture of the boy, assaulted ths male complainant by taking hold of his arm, and causing him to fall, the injury to the bicycle resulting. After some trouble, it was found that the boy defendant lived with his faLher at No. 11, Eastbourne-road West, Birk- dale. and tnat the eHer defendant was visiting his son there for Christma.s, but, as he returned to his home at Manchester before the summons was issued, it had to be served at Manchester.— Miss Millard (who was very stylishly attired) having deposed to the trifling assault on herself, Mr. F. A. Jones cross-examined her for the defence. She said the unexpected throwing of the missile "startled and shocked" her.—Air. Jones: Are you not the lady known in South- port as "The Woman Who Did' ? (Sensation iu court.)—Mr. Hod^e objected to the question.— Mr. Jones: Are you married to the male com- plainant?—Mr. Hodge a.gam objected, but this question was allowed.—Mr. Jones: Are you the wife of the mala complainant?—Witness: In the best and truest sense I run his wife, but I am not legally married to him.— Mr. Jones: And you are not "shocked and startled" at thiit?—No, I am not: but as Dr. Malloghlin is within the precints of the court waiting to give his evidence, he is, perhaps, the fittest person to answer this ques- tion.—Re-examined: Witness had very strong and conscientious objections to the form of matrimony. Dr. she added, would give any information that was sought on the subject.—Edward P. Malloghlin (who had been out of court by request of the defence) was then called. He said he did not complain of personal injury, though his knee was cut. The damage to his bicycle would be at least 10s., and he claimed that sum. He said the female com- plainant was his wife in every sense of the term, except that she had not gone through a "ridiculous legal ceremony." They had both conscientious scruples against the form of matrimony. In course of cross-examination he added that he was perhaps a better judge of morality than many people.—The defence was that the boy defendant committed a thoughtless boyish act while the eider defendant acted as he did in order to protect the lad from chastise- ment.—After a long hearing, the Bench fined the boy 2s. 6d., including closts, and ordered the elder defendant to pay 2s. 6d., the costs, and 10s. damage.—Mr. Hodge said the conviction against the boy would not be enforced.

THROWN FROM HIS HORSE. ACCIDENT TO A NEWPORT TIMBER MERCHANT. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING FXPRESS. Whilst Mr. F. W. Dawson, the head of the firm of B. and S. Batchelor and Co.. timber merchants, Newport, was riding to his home ta Llantarnam on Tuesday evening his horse bolted at Malpas, and Mr. Dawson was thrown violently to the ground. Two bones in one of lus legs was broken, and he sustained a number of contusions and bruises. He was conveyed home, and on Wednesday was reported to be sliehtly better than the serious nature of the accident would lead one to expect.

EIPTISEH IN THE SEA. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A unique si^ht was witnessed on Sunday morning at Blackpool. Under the auspices of a Baptist Church, two men, about 30 years of age, both fully dressed, were baptised in the sea The minister wore waterproofs, and, having entered the water, took each man and dipped him as a wave came along. The weather was very, cold, and the men shivered as they ran to the shore. The incident created much curiosity amongst the promenaders.

NEVER TOO LATE TO HARRY. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. A "Standard" telegram says: —The first fashionable marriage in Greater New York was that of Professor Alexander Bell, father of the inventor of the telephone, and son of a London elocutionist of some repute, at the age of 78 yea.rs, to Mrs. Harries Guess Shibley, a Cana- dian widow, 25 years his junior, with whom he fell in love before meeting her, upon the sight of her portrait two months ago. He looned younger than his years, and declared that neither youth nor age has any meaning for the heart.

AMATEUR PROPHETS. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING tXPRESS. The manufacture of amateur prophets on a wholesale scale is the latest act of up-to-date American journalism. For this purpose about a third of a page of a New York paper has been reserved for the writing of the prophecies, which are to be sealed and sent to the editor, who will not have them opened until 1899, in ordr to verify the predictions of the prophets for the year just begun.

DOES TOBACCO DEGRADE? SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS.. The Rev. J. Halsey, in the course of a popular address at Anerley Congregational Church on "Bad Manners," made reference to the abuse of the pipe. It seemed unfortunate, he said, that an undulgence in smoking often had the effect of blunting the fine sense of what was due to others. Tobacco smoking wa9 supposed 1,0 soothe, and to bring a man as near an angel as it was possible for him to come. (Laughter.) He conuemend the reprehensible practice of persons smoking in railway cordages not set apart for the purpose. If anyone called the offender's attention to the fact that he was trans- gressing, his experience was the complainant's life was not worth living for the rest of the journey. (Laughter.) It was time that the public conscience should be better educated in the matter, and those who sought to protect the rights of travellers should meet with more sup- port.

SEQUEL TO AN ELOPEMENT. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENINQ EXPRESS. A Cape Town correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says —Certain mysterious rumours con- cerning Basutoland troubles were current of late, and gave rise to apprehensions of an outbreak. These rumcurs have now received a romantic explanation. It appears that three petty Basuto cliiefs had been harbouring two fugitives from Orange Free State justice, one a petty chief grandson of Masoepa, the other a native. Mr. Lagden, the' British Resident Commissioner, ordered Masoepa to give up the fugitives. This Masoepa refused refused to do. Then Lero- thodi, the Basuto paramount chief, supported the demand of Mr. Lagden, and a collision between Lerothodi and the recalcitrants is now imminent. The whole affair arose out of an elopement of a Basuto couple to the Orange Fret State.

OUR FOOTBALL COMPETITION AWARD OF PRIZES IN LAST WEEK'S CONTEST. CARDIFF COMPETITORS FOR ONCE CARRY OFF THE MAJORITY OF THE PHIZES. But the JE25 Is Unwon, For the Cardiff-Blackheath Match ProvelS Too Hard a Nut To Be Cracked by the Prophetic Skill Of Our Readers. Again form has played our readers who take part in the £25 Football Competition a trick. Blac-kheath managed to draw with Cardiff, but out of the thousands of coupons received just sixty bore figures representing a draw, but not one the actual points scored. The same result took place in the Neath and Trelierbert match. Of course, nearly everyone expected that Neath, who have been showing: such improved form of late, would win, but none thought that the score would read 22 points to 3. With regard to the other three matches, there was not so much difficulty, and many coupons bore the actual scores in points of these games. Although the competition has now been running for over three months, some of cur competitors seem to think that we set Association matches as well as Rugby. For instance, a Brynniawr reader sent in several coupons bearing scores of which the following is an exampleNeath, seven points; Trelierbert, one point. Of course, there is no such a score in the Rugby game as one point. No competitor forecasting more than three scores correctly on all the points, the JE25 prize still remains unwon. The coupon which we have selected as the best is that of Mr. A. MORGAN, 200, High-street, TREORCHY, to whom cheque for one guinea, the amount of the Consolation l'rize, will be forwarded. The supplementary prizes have been awarded as follows:— __1:œ i.-Mr. S. H. JAMES, 109, Alfred-street, uaruill, an Original Cartoon from the Evening Express," by Mr. J. M. Stanifortli. framed and mounttd by Mr. A. Freke, Duke-street, Cardiff. 2.—Mr. G PAYNE, 99, ynyscyno»"road' Trealaw, Rhcndda Valley, 31bs. of Tea. given by Messrs. Phillips and Co., Queen-street, Car- diff. 3.—Mr. H. FORBES, 17. Kerrycroy-street, Car- diff, Jib. Tin Archer's Goldtn Returns, given by Messrs. Archer and Co.. London. 4.—Mr. HENRY DAVIES. 18, Gordon-road, Car. diff, Slv-ikf.peare's Works. 5.—Mr. GEOHGE PARRY*. Rock House, Ferndale, Shakspeare's Works. | 6.—Mr. THOMAS EVANS, 11. Clare-street, Car- diff, Shakspeare's Works. 7.—Mr. A. BEES, 72, Shakspeare-street, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works. 8.—Mr. T. RODERICK, 26. Edward-terrace, Car- diff, Shakspeare's Works. 9.—Mr. JAMES SHORT, 5.2, Penarth-road, Car. diff, Shakspeare's Works. 10.—Mr. E. R. LEWIS, 123, Bute-street, Cardiff. "Western Mail" Music Folio. 11.—Mr. D. DUDDRIDGE, 12, Edward-street, Car- diff, Western Mail Music Folio. 12.—Mr. T. EDWARDS, 207a, Castle-road, Car- diff, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 13.—Mr. CHARLES DAVID. 96. WOOdville-road, Cardiff, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 14—Mr. J. ROBERTS, 26, Redlaver-street, Car- diff, Western Mail Music Folio. 15.—Mr. J. WILKINSON, 25, Cathays-terrace, Cardiff. Western Mail" Music Folio. 16.—Miss BISHOP. Angel Hotel, Cardiff, Two Tickets for Orchestra Stalls, Theatre Royal, Cardiff. 17.—Mr. I. R. P. JAMES. 115, Diana-street, Car- diff, Two Dress Circle Tickets ior Grand Theatre, Cardiff.

Welsh Union Committee. I I I WAYS LIKE THOSE OF THE HEATHEN CHINEE. A Correspondent Thinks We Have Had Quite Enough of the Other Countries' Spoof. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A correspondent with a remarkable aptitude for hitting the nail on the head comes tripping gaily along this morning with quite a multitude of questiions. He asks me, Will the Welsh Rugby Union settle the dispute one way or the other at their next meeting? Do I not think that some of the present members of the Welsh Rugby Union are getting a trifle fossilised? And what would be the result of it all if the Welsh Rugby Union Committee could pluck up enough spirit to tell the other countries they had quite enough of their spoofing and humbugging games, and that, so far as they (the Welsh Com- mittee) were concerned, the other countries might go and take a roll? Between you and I, that is rather a big order-a shipping order, so to spe-ak, and as such one that must be dealt with in a cautious and thoroughly business-like spirit. If my cor- respondent will excuse me, I will give the first question a miss in batùk, as it were. The Welsh Union Committee are like the heathen Chinee —"their ways are a trifle peculiar." Question No. 2 is a. less difficult one, from my way of thinking. I think it would be better for football if one or .two fossilised members of the Welsh Committee were put on the top shelf. Individualism goes occasionally—that is, in a moderate sort of fashion-but there are occasions when individualism can be asserted too strongly, and the worst of it all is that there is a good deal of the sheep about some of our football legislators— they are darned bad leaders, but they follow with all the innocence and lack of reasoning; power than one can imagine. It's a funny thing to say, perhaps, but between you and I it would be the better for Welsh football if a very promi- nent member of the committee were to retire. His logic is, as a rule, excellent, but lie gets too much of his own way, and has a knack of sup- pressing a free expression of opinion. Question No. 3 is much harder to answer. I don't really know what would happen if the Welsh Committee were to "buck up," so to speak, and tell the committees of the other countries in particular, and the international board in general, to "take a roll." One thing is pretty certain: I suppose some of our committee men after doing so desperate a thing would jssured'y faint. My correspondent need have no fear, however, for, independent of asking a straight- forward question or giving a straightforward answer being against the rule of international policy, the Welsh Committee are much too careful to shock the minds of their supporters by doing anything in a manner that couid pos- sibly lay them open to the accusation of prompt- ness. "WELSH ATHLETE."

CARDIFF PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. OPPOSITION TO PENARTH LIGH RAILWAY ORDER. A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the Town- hall on Tuesday. The mayor (Alderman Rams- dale) presided.-The committee considered the Parliamentary Bills (including the Corporation Bill) which affected the town.—With reference to the Windsor Dock Hill, it was decided that, subject to the modifications agreed to last year in the clauses being again obtained, there be no opposition to this Bill.—The Penarth and Cardiff Light Railway Order came in for con- siderable opposition. The report from the cor- poration officials showed that the railway was proposed to be constructed in five sections, mak- ing in all a length of six miles. A portion of their mileage was now upon roads in the borough of Cardiff, and if the Corporation Bill for the extension of the boundary to include Penarth was passed, the whole of the roads would be under tli3 jurisdiction of the borough. Further, that the proposed railway was only an extension of the existing town tramways, and that the cor- poiation was about to purchase those tramways and was seeking power to make additions, and that if such line to Penarth should be constructed at all it should be constructed under the pro- visions of the Traways Act. It was also objected generally that the proposed means of communication were unsuitable to the district. These points of objection were agreed to.—With reference to the Penarth Electric Lighting Provisional Order, the Town-clerk asked for powers to oppose. He had, however, not yet prepared the case.—Councillor Gerhold: We should have no locus standi, should we?—The Town-clerk: Not much.—It was agreed to invest the town-clerk with power to make such objection as was thought necessary.—The com- mittee decided to employ as counsel for the promotion of the Corporation Bill Mr. Pembroke Stephens, Q.C., end the recorder (Mr. B. Francis Williams, Q.C.), and left the engage- ment of other counsel to stand over.—Alderman Carey said that they would want expert evi- dence of an electrical engineer in dealing with the tramways question.

INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION AT CARDIFF. Alderman Sanders presided at a meeting of the Caidiff Intermediate Education Committee held on Tuesday afternoon. The only business of importance was a letter from the Charity Commissioners, who—replying to a communica- tion stating that the committee could not raise a loan at 3 per cent.—now gave power to borrow the £15,000 necessary at 3i psr cent. I

Australia v. England. #' RESULT OF THE SECOND rrJi. 8!£ MATCH. CRUSHING DEFEAT OF THE englishmen. AN INNINGS AND FIFTY RUNS [COP tRIGHT.] A Pi ess Association telegram from Melbourne on Wednesday says • —The test match between England and Australia was resumed at. the Oval this morning. The partnership between Druce and Briggs came to a speedy conclusion, the former being given out leg before wicket to a ball from Trumble when he had only added one run to nis overnight score of 43. Richardson, the last; man, was bowled by Trumble tor two, and the innings closed for ^16, Briggs carrying ou.t his hat for 25. With 204 runs in arrears, the Englishmen followed on. Mason and MacLaren again went m first. The former did ao better than in the first innings, being bowled by Trumble for three. "Ranji" then joined MacLaren, and the two were together at ths lunch interval, when the score was b2 for one wicket. MacLaren was not out 30, ind "Itanji" not ouL 18. On the resumption of play the English side was visited by a double disaster, MacLaren being caught by Trott off Trumble for 38, and "Ranji" being bowled Ly Noble for 27 within a few minutes of each other. Storer only made one before being caught by Trumbje off Noble's bowling, and at three o'clock the score was 75 for four wickets, Hayward being not out five. The next three wickets added barely 50 runs to the total. Hayward soon lost Hirst, who was out leg before wicket to a ball from Trumble, after making 3, and Druce was caughb by Macleod off Noble for 15. Hayward himself was caught by Trumble off Noble for 33. Just before four o'clock the board showed 128 runs for seven wickets. Wain- wright being not out 5. The latter was bowled by Noble for 11, and Briggs was caught by Trott off Trumble for 12. Hearne was caught by Jones off Noble without scoring, and the ir.nings closed for 150, Richaidson being not out 2. The Australians, therefore, won by an innings and 54 runs. Full Score:- AUSTRALIANS.—First innings. Macleod, b Storer 112 Darling, c Hirst, b Briggs 36 Hill, c Storer, b Hayward 58 Gregory, b Briggs 71 Iredale, c Ranjitsinbji, b Hirst. 89 Trott, c Wainwright, b Briggs 79 Noble, b Richardson 17 Trumble, c Hirst, b Mason 14 Kelly, c Richardson, b Hearne 19 Jones, run out 7 M'Kibbin, not out 2 Extras 16 Total 520 ENGLAND.—First innings. Mason, b M'Kibbin 2- A. C. MacLaren, c Trumble, b M'Kibbin 35 Wainwright, c Jones, b Noble 21 Banjitsinhji, b Trumble 71 Hayward, c Jones, b Trumble 23 Storer, c Kelly, b Trumble 51 Hirst, b Jones 0 N. F. Druce, I b w, b Trumble 44 Hearne, b Jones 1 Briggs, not out 25 Bichardson, b Trumble 2 Extras 21 Total. 316 ENGLAND.—Second innings. Mason, b Trumble 3 MacLaren, c Trott, b Trupible 38 Wainwright, b Noble n Ranjitsinhji, b Noble 27 Storer, c Trumble, b Noble 1 Havward, c Trumble, b Noble 33 Hirst, 1 b w, b Trumble 3 Druce, c Macleod, b Noble 15 Briggs, c Trott, b Trumble 12 Hearne, c Jones, b Noble 0 Richardson, not out 2 Extras 5 Total 1.50

MINERS DELEGATES AT CARDIFF. A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE, A meeting of the workmen's section of the sliding-scale committee was held at the Engi- neers' Institute, Cardiff, on Tuesday morning, Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., presiding, and the other members present were —Alderman D. Morgan (Aberdare), Messrs. T. D. Isaac, Thos. Richards, W. Beynon, A. Onions, J. Davies, Edward Thomas, D. Morgan (Pontardulais), John Thomas, David Thomas, and Lewis Miles (secre- tary).—The usual rortine business was gone through, and, on the Chairman's proposition, seconded by Alderman D. Morgan (Aberdare), the following resolution was passed in silence :—"That we, the workmen's representatives on the sliding-scale joint com- mittee, express our profound sympathy and con- dolence with the widow and family of the late Mr. Edward Davies, Llandinam, feeling that in his death Wales Has sustained a national loss."—A letter was read from a meeting of miners held at Pontypridd which was addressed by Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P.. and others, recom- mending that any new sliding-scale agreement that might be entered into should contkin an undertaking to adopt a minimum output scheme, The attention of the writers of the communication was directed to the agenda of the proposed con- ference to be held at Cardiff this month, and they were recommended to bring on the ques- tion at that meeting.

COEDCAE COLLIERIES. NOTICES TO ONE THOUSAND MEN. Notice to terminate existing contracls in a month have been given to the thousand work- men employed in the Bertie Colliery, Rhoiidda, belonging to the Lewis Met thyr Company.

Plays and the Players- "PROMPTER'S" WEEKLY TRIP AROUND STAGELAND. A Few Observations Upon the Christ, mas Fare Provided for Local Theatre Goers. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. This King of Misrule that is governing us just now is an uncertain sflrt of monarch. His one great inclination is to cause managers to wear a worried look, and to prove that "triteness" does not necessarily rhymne with "true- ness" at least, in the expounding of the theory that, however, little mortals may command success, they at least deserve it. I don't want to ramble night away here at the outset of some very brief— not to say judicious—comments I am expected to make, but really misrule, which another word for panklemine," resigns in so particularly great a fashion as to excuse any protests I may make against the iconoclasm and invention that mark just now what "we by age and custom term "panklemine." I suppose it is simply in the order of things, yet, in my dim and distant youth, things were different. The clown, for example, would be fmplY, and his buttering of the boards for a corpulent policeman would appeal to me with considerably more sense of humour than & man who, sitting on and failing to smash a cast iron hat, announce* in the most aggressive manner that it is someone's six-ard-ninepenny unbreakable. All this by the way, however. There is a crumpled rare leaf, as it were, on the couch of every sybarite, and in the very little I have to say I will, whilst exhorting you to be cheerful, avoid as much as possible comparison of an alleged pantomime of to-day and that of twenty years ago. As "panklemines" go nowadays, Cardiffians will probably be delighted with that produced at the Theatre Royal. In many respects, it is greater than anything the St. Mary-street house has witnessed for years and years past. The scenery, frinstans, reflects the greatest credit upon Mr. Quick, the music is really superb, and of the many undoubted successes scored by Mr. Ambrose Mabbett in this depart- ment the 1897-8 Crusoe" will assuredly rank highest. The specialities are many and charming, the dresses delightful, and the stage management perfect. Indeed, taken in all, it is a grand show—a show in which Mr. Fletcher, with a palpable desire to cater ex- tensively and success!illy for his patrons, has got together a company of artistes and a multi- tude of specialities that, as a whole, are quite sufficient to make a couple of successful Christ- mas shows. In descending to individualities one cannot, of course, neglect to mention the sterling merit cf Miss Florrie Robina. who as "Crusoe" carries upon her shapely shoulders the largest portion of the show. She is one of those charming, hard-working little ladies who even an indiffe- rent book cannot spoil—an artiste who is never so happy as when she is working, and one whose undoubted personality creeps through and on top in a quite irrespressible fashion. "Friday" is a big character in the show, so is "Topsy." in speaking of whom one may aptly mix metaphor, and say, "My laugh is my fortune, sir, she said." I hardly know whose fault it is, but the comedians in the show do not share as much as one could wish them to do in pantomime. The "book" hardly gives the opportunities, perhaps: indeed, in speaking of the lines one must inevitably come to the conclusion that there is more than a sus- picion of weakness in this respect. One could forgive its brevity, or even its slight association with the original story, did it but offer opportuni- ties to the comedians, who. after all, are the fun merchants, and, consequently, the essential portions of a pantomime. I must find room to speak of the specialities next week. Making less pretensions in their appeal to the Cardiff public as a spectacular show, the Leo- polds' representation of "Crusoe" at the Grand Tbeatre is rather more on the oid-fifhioued. rollicking style of English pantomime. From a troupe enjoying such a reputation as the Leo- polds, one would expect something of the sort. To mention the Leopolds calls to mind "Frivo- lity," and "Frivolity" is irrevocably associated with pantomime. I was wondering only the other day how long the Leopolds had been in panto. business. Since I was quite a nipper I emember them-first at Drury-lane, and since then at many provincial houses. There were a trio of them originally-William, John, and Fred. William was the eldest of the brothers. He is dead and gone now, although a worthy scion in his son, of thd same name, takes his place. John is the eldest of the family alive. He is what is commonly known as the "bullion juggler" of the crowd. He tumbled up to a few years ago; even now, indeed, he plays in "Frivolity." Harry is next, and used to be with the famous Conquests at the Grecian Theatre, London. Joe is the youngest of the original brothers. I had quite an interesting chat with John Leopold the other day as to the family history. The present family started originally, he tells me, at the famous Grecian Theatre, London, as sprites, trap artistes, &c., the troupe being then composed of William, John, and Fred. From here they went to Sanger's, then Hengler's, where they worked the bar and general acrobatic business. John was the first to introduce a double somersault over horses in Hengler's, this being in the year that Tichborne was sentenced. The troupe worked the three bars and all the usual business, and on their subsequent tour through America, Spain, India, &c., made a tremendous hit. It was rather funny, by the way, how they came to play "Frivolity." Fifteen years ago the Leopolds were with Mr. Saker at Liverpool. This manager suggested that they should get a piece fixed up for them and take it on tour, and offered them the first date. "Frivolity" was the outcome of Mr. Saker's suggestion. It was not a hit for the first year by any means, but, altered and furbished up, eventually it made the big hit that is now a matter of ancient history. It was truly the mascotte of the family, who since they started on tour W'.tli it, have never looked back. Every one knows "Frivolity," of course. It is a rollicking, screaming show, in which fun is inter- mixed with wonderful acrobatic performances. It is quite a watchword with the Leopolds is "frivolity"—a maxim, as it weie, that is held up in their pantomime—a maxim that is religiously adhered to. Fun is the predominant factor in all their productions. Still, one quite expects fun from the Leopolds—it runs in the blood, as it were, for the mother of the family was an artiste that played with Grimaldi sixty years ago at Sadler's Wells and Drury Lane. It has been a theatrical family, indeed; for an uncle, many years ajo, brought to this country the famous Leotard, and gave him his first engagement at the old Highbury Barn Gardens, London, a spot now occupied by the Alexandra Theatre. I had intended to deal with several special features in the Grand show, but I am afraid I must defer it until next week, for space will only permit me to say that the show is an exceptionally bright one, and one that is chock full of roaring fun. The Empire, Cardiff, rolls on in the old sweet way. [t ill telling an oft told, but none the less true, tale when one points out that the company is as strong, the houses as big, and the applause as enthusiastic as ever. If London and oilier provincial towns have bigger theatrps and greater pantomime productions, they cannot, at least, assert <ny superiority in music-hall matters, either in architectural beauty or the merit of the company engaged. This waek there are several big items on the bill—the Levame Trotn>e and the Keene and Reeves Combination, for example. The Royal Treorky Choir, of course, appeal "strongly to the hearts of local audiences, whilst Clarke and Glennv provide uproarious fun with their "Haunted House" sketch. 1 cannot better describe the Queen-street establishment, how- ever, than by saying it is the Empire—which is I the biggest recommendation words can give it. Right glad I am to see that Mr. Clarence Sounes is getting the reward of enterprise in I the shape of excellent business at his handsome new Newport house, the Lyceum. Last week he had to turn money away on some nights during the run of "La Poupee ^"The nights during the run of "La Poupee rh, Doll"), that clever comic opera which has been one of the big successes of the London seasoa. The company was one of the finest that ever I recollect in the provinces, and the scenes-most of them gorgeous—were splendidly mounted cm the ijreat stage of the new house. This week the boards are occupied by that scieamingly funny play, "My Friend the Prince." I hear that the re-buiiding of the Newport Empire, upon which the directors have arranged to spend £ 15,COO. will be coDunenced in the spring. The house at present is often now so densely packed that hundreds have to stand. By the way, I hear that my very good friend, Mr. James Wynes, the manager of the Uskside house, will shortly remove to Nottingham to superintend the new house there being built by Mr. btoll, p),d that Mr. Tellow, of the Cardiff Panopticon, will go to Newport to manage the Empire. I conclude this by stating that Mr. Fletcher has decided upon "Aladdin" fo.- his next year's ppntomime that Mr. Stoll is building a big house in Shaftcsbury-avenae, London, nnd that, having weighed in my little lot, one vha is desperately and hysterically ihirsty is THE PROMPTER.

STEEL RAILS FOR INDIA. AMERICAN COMPETITION WITH ENGLAND. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. A line of steamers to run regularly between the United States and India has just begun opera- tions, the steamer Sahara sailing from Brooklyn for Aden. Bombay, Calcutta, and some otb<r ports. Hitherto only occasional trips by steamer have been made between India and America. The Sahara will carry a miscellaneous cargo, the most notable pan of which is a consignment of, steei rails, weighing 1,700 tons, which were taken on at Ealtimore and were shipped by the Mary- land Steel Company for Calcutta. By inquiry among representatives in this city of steel-rail manufacturing interests it is learned that the consignment on the Sahara is the first shipment of the second half of 8.000 tons of rails ordered from the Maryland Steel Company for a railroad owned by the Indian Government. When the reporter inquired how American steel raiis could be transported such a distance and sold at a profit, in competition with English rails, be was told that the answer was simply thal. an offer for bids had been made on behalf of the railroad, and that the bid of the Maryland Steel Company being more advantageous to the pur- chaser than the propositions of the British manu- facturers it has been accepted.

CHANGED THE CHILDREN. SIHAKGE STOSY FROM A FEVER HOSPITAL. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. It is a strange story which comes from the North-western 1-ever Hospital at Haverstock-hiil. As the result of a muddle one family has been plunged from hope into despair, while a-second has had occasion to rejoice over the recovery of one whom they mourned as dead. The first family 's that of Mr. Willliarh Mulquin, who is a foreman shunter at King's Cross Station, and who resides in Caledonian-road. In November lust their little boy, aged three years and a half, was attacked by scarlet fever, and 011 the 19th was removed to the hospital at. Haverslock-liill. From time to time letters were received to the effect that he Was progressing favourably, and finally on Tniuoday last the parents received an official intimation that he was in a condition to be removed. On the father and mother proceed- ing to the hosp Lai they found that the child brought to theui as little Willie Mulquin was not their own. and on investigation it was found that in some mysterious manner the identity of two children brought in on the same day had been changed, that the real Willie Mulquin had been dangerously ill, and that he had been seen in his last moments by another father and mother, who had buried him as their own a month ago. At the offices of the Metropolitan Asylums Boird Mr. T. Duncombe Mann. the clerk, said the statements which had been made concerning the case were perfectly true. It was clear that a very serious mistake had been made. but how it had occurred lie was totally aL a loss to concfve. Both children would be labelled on leaving their homes for the hospital. and how the identity became changed would be a. matter for inquiry.

A YEAR'S LABOUR. I FACTS AND FIGURES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING tXPRESS. The fourth annual report of the Labour Department of the Board of Trade, with abstra.cL of labour statistics of the United King- dom for 1896-97. has just been published. It is full of tables and important detail, from which we gather that employment on the whole during 1896 wa.s again better than in the previous year. The Trades' Unions making returns had an average of 3.4 per cent. of their membership unemployed during the year, as compared with averages of 5.8 per cent. in 1895, 6.9 per cent. in 1894, and 7.5 per cent. in 1893. It would appear that 1893 was the worst year of a period of declining employment. Since then the labour market has gradually improved. A period of seven years appears to complete a cycle of good and bad employment. The propor- tion of unemployed members of Trades Unions in the building trades was 1.8 per cent., or less than in any of the last ten years. In the engineering, shipbuilding, and metal trades there was a noticeable improvement in employment, the percentage unemployed having dropped to 4.2, as compared with 8.2 in the previous year. A larger amount of coal was produced during the year in all important districts, except West Scotland, than in 1895. The total for the United Kingdom amounted to 195,361,260 tons as compared with 189.661.362 in 1895, and 188,277,525 in 1894. The. average output per man was 282 tons in 1836, compared with 2<1 in 1895. The number or working cMys Ù';¡'¡r taken as 4.92 per week ;.1 189G ¡I,ld 4.74 per vff-k in 1895, it appears that the average output per man amounted to 1.10 torn J <-r clay .11 i>i;h years. Of coal, the Jotal mt f- portel ;n 1896 was 34,262,056 cons, :13 airai-ist 33.101.2 tons in 1895. The produ^im "f ;r.>m\ono and iron ore was also greater 111 all tl:e principal districts than in the pr:v jus v?;ir, the total amounting to 13,700,164 tons m 2 £ end 12,615,414 tons in 18S5. the net tonnage 01 vessels launched in 1896 amounted to 736,814 tons. This amount, although greater tlivi during any of the three preceding years. or than the average for the last fifteen years, falls below the figures for 1889-1892, in each of which years over 800,000 tons were launched. It should be stated that these figures, whilst including vessels of all sorts built for foreigners, do not include war vessels for her Majesty's Government. It is not surprising to learn that the prin- cipal changes during the year were in the engi- neering and shipbuilding trades, general, advances taking pj-ice in all the principal cen- tres. In all 169,850 workpeople in these trades secured an advance of wages averaging Is. lO^d. per week. In oLher branches of the metal trades 88,042 workpeople were affected by changes. Altogether, in the metal, engineer- ing, and shipbuilding group of trades, 240,777 workpeople received a net increase: 13,043 sustained a net decrease, and the wages of 4,072 workpeople, after being affected by upward and. downward movements, stood at the same level; at the end of the year as at the beginning. The net result on the wages of the total of 257,892 workpeople affected was an increase of I Is. 6|d. per week. From the miscellaneous information we gather that labour was less"disturbed by disputes in 1896 than in any of the five previous years. The trades in which the largest number of per- sons were affected by disputes were the mining, quarrying, metal, engineering, and shipbuild- ing. May was the month most prolific of trouble. In all 4,566 persons were reported as killed in 1896 as the result of industrial acci- dents. No less than 1,030 cases of lead-poison- ing were reported. Work, permanent or tem- porarv. was found by the nine labour bureaux for 15,591 persons during the year.

TRA>ELLER AND TRADES- MAX. AN EXTRAORDINARY AFFAlSt IN A WORCESTERSHIRE SIIOp. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. An extraordinary affair is reported from Hartlebury, Worcestershire. Mr. Gould, travel- ler for Messrs. Harvev and Co., millers> Kidder* minster, called on Saturday afternoon on Mr. Doughty, a village -radesman, to collect an ac- ccunt. Subsequently, a telegram reached his employers to the effect that he Was lying ill at Hartlebury, and he was found there in a most serious condition, his skull being fractured and other injuries having been sustained. Mr. Doughty waS also found with some of his fingers severely bitten and with wounds on his head. Gould has stated that when he called for pay- ment of the account Doughty put some gold on the counter and told him to write a receipt while he fetched cheques for the remainder. This he procaeded to do while Doughty went away, and the next thing he remembers was receiving a terrific blow on the head, which knocked him to the ground. He picked up a poker, and de- fended himself, biting Doughty's fingers during the struggle. Doughty, on the other hand, says that he was first attacked by Gould, and that all he did was in self-defence. The shop bore traces of a desperate ttruggle, and both men are in a aeriom condition. 1

Newport Infirmary. APPOINTMENT OF DOCTOR EN SOB. THE BOARD ADHERES TO THEIR FORMER DECISION. A very full monthly meeting of the directors of the Newport and County Infirmary was held at the infirmary at Newport on Tuesday evening, at which the question of Dr. Ensor's appoint- ment as honorary opthalmic surgeon was con- -%idetsd at great length-.—After an exhaustive inquiry, and the consideration of a number of written stitemehts, the directors, by a very large majority, came to the conclusion that they should not re-open the mntter.—This decision means that the notice given to Dr. Ensor to ter- minate his engagement must stand, and he. therefore, ceases to be a member of the staff of the infirmary from the end of the month.—The statement reaches us from Newport that, though there is no disposition on the part of the infir- mary board to publish tueir statement of the case, there are many matters in that cas-a which cast an entirely different light upon the question from 1,1:(, conveyed by the statements which have already been published in the press.

POWDER AND SHOT SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Councillor Chappell, Labour member for Sploit Ward. Cardiff, is the bitterest opponent of the Splott Radical Ciub. Strange, this! < There was an old chap with a rod Went poking about o'er the sod r'or water, but some Thought it awfully rum. And cried, Oh, you're trying to cod!" » < < Water-finding and the St. Asaph row seem the the main topics of the day. As for the former, it doesn't seem at all diiucuiL to discover the liquid with which "Bill" (says lie) dilutes his whisky. One has only to open one's mouth and look up. No need of a rod or anything else. Our Council—the victims of craze- Tall: of taking a site at Cathavs For the coming Town-half: But it won't do at ail, And the burgesses feel in a blaze! » • ) Cardiff clubs continue to increase-aud multiply. Another, called the ictoria Club—downright, real palace in Tudor-road—was opened on Christmas Eve, and already there are 200 mem- j bers. The institution is ^cuducted on non- political principles, and Mr. Chapman (steward of Sploit Radical Club) has sliowu his impar- tiality by signing on as vice-president. The^ Taff they are wanting to weir. With a nice promenade and a pier;. But when all Riverside Is engulfed by the tide. These Johnnies will look rather queer! At the recent Corbett-Fitzsimnions-contest- cinematograph-exhibition there was occasional great excitement amongst the spectators. People even went out through overwrought nerves. At the close lots of folks are seen climbing into the enclosure. and the effect was so realistic that cries of "Sit down in front!" were raised by the disgusted spectators who thought the front seats were getting up to have a better view. It was a pretty compliment to the cinematograph. Miss Nellie Sheffield, the "Topsy" at the Theatre Royal Pantomime, Cardiff, is rapidly capturing hearts. On Tuesday evening she was the recipient over the footlights of a handsome lady's dressing-case, and the applause with which the presentation was greeted showed that Mess Sheffield has made herself a general favourite. Such an incident in the second week of a pantomime almost creates a record. • » • • • The good people living at Roath, To being run over were loath; To mend their conditions. They signed the petitions For fool-bridge or other, or both. The councillor sent from the Splott, Declared it was all Tommy Rot; He said the Great Western Were trying to best 'em. And sign the petition he'd not. But a householder frcm far Cathays, Observed there are several ways, Of bridging a railway, Besides the old stale way. That always the ratepayer pays. The following will affect us locally (if true), so I give it sorrowfully: --England is in for a very bad time of it. if the prophecies of the Continental almanack makers are realised. On January 30 a terrible tragedv is to occur, which will shock the whote world; in April there is to be n. political deadlock, with the possible over- throw of the Ministry; in May trouble is to arise between Canada and the United States, in July there is to be still another big strike in the North of England, and in October "Eng- land's tide will have begun to ebb for ever to the sea." All this is very poor. The terrible tragedy occurred on January 30 in 1649; as for the political deadlock, we have had political deadlock jaw for years; regarding trouble between Canada and the United States, the prophet Canada bethought himself-we hope the remark is not too cryptic; for strikes in the p North cf England, we trust the hour has not yet struck.

TO-DAT'S RACING KETFPTON PARK MEETING. 1A —The MORTLAKE STEEPLECHASE • \J of t00 SOTS, iar five year olds only; lOst 101b each: winners extra Two miles. Mr Leyland's Crystal Palace, lOst 101b Taylor 1 Mr Dawson's Irish Girl, lOst 101b Gourley 2 Mr Dobell's Rugby Cement, lOst 101b „ „ B Chaloner 3 Mr woodland's Leon at as, lOst 101b P Woodland 0 Winner trained by Hardie. Betting—6 to 5 each apt Irish Girl and Crys- tal Palace. 8 to 1 ag-st Rugby Cement, and 20, to 1 agst any other.

OLD SAM'S FINALS. KEMPTON PARK MEETING. 1.0—CRYSTAL PALACE. 1.30-COENRAAD. 2.0—F.BOB inap). 2.30—SWEDEN. 3.D-SAROS or BEN ROE. MC-GOLDFI8H (nap). TREBLE EVENT. CRYSTAL PALACE, EBOR, and GOLDFISH.

PADDOCK FINALS. (LATEST FROM THE COURSE). IRISH GIRL, THE CONTINENTAL, CANOBIE, and NANTUCKET.

ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS TUItj MORNING. Padishah, Leonatoa, Cronborg, Canobie, Iping. Strenua. Eyrie, Ebor. The Continental, lping, Strenua. Eyrie, Ebor. The Continental, Ciondalkin, Windlass II., Nantucket, Poll Tax, Erbin, Royal Belle, Mysore, Swanhopper. Ar- cady, Fittleworth, Bow String, and Troubler.

KEMPTON PARK MEETING. SPORTING LIFE—"AUGUB." 1.0—Irish Girl. 1.30—Canobie or Free Fight. 2.0—Ebor or The Continental. 2.30-M'Alpine or Heatberwell. 3.0—Arcadv or Lexington. 3.30-Goldfish. "MAN ON THE SPOT." I.O-Irish Girl. 1.30-Mysore. 2.0—Ebor. 2.30—Varangian. 3,O-Lexington. 3.3Ù-lToldfish. NEWMARKET CORRESPONDENT. 1.0-Rugby Cement. 2.O-Goldtish. 3.0—Liddesdale or Saros. SPORTSMAN—"VIGILANT." 1.0—nsh Girl or Crystal Palace. 1.30—Crepu or oenraad. 2.0-Ebor. 2.30-Ulterior or Heatherwell. 3.0-Saros or Windlass II. 3.30—N«w Abbey or Fittleworth.

BUSINESS ADDfcESSfiB. 1898. EW YEAIU 1898. THE GREAT "TINTER ^jLEARAXCE SALE AT JJOWELL AS D QOMFANY'S WILL COMMENCE rjpO-MOEROW, TUrRSDAY JANUARY 6th, 1898. THE WHOLE STOCK WILL BE REDUCED TO SALE PRICES (EXCEPTING CABINET GOODS). I CARRIAGE PAID OX ALL BOUGHT GOCD& a TERMS CASH OX OR BEFORE DELIVERY. Ijfow ELL AND c 0 11 P A' T.; "THE CARDIFF DRAPERS," CARDIFF. 66HB N.

In the Courts. NOTES AND NOTIONS FROM THE SEA31T SIDE. CARDIFF. AX INTERESTING PAUPER. Albert Whit*, a man of 40, was brought up at the Cardiff Police-court 011 Wediiesdav (before Messrs. E. H. Hooper and R. Con). charged with wilfully destroyinc: a hammock] value 15s.. the property of the Cai diff Guardians early the same morning.—The evidence showed that the prisoner wen, into the casual ward at the workhouse overnight, and the first thing m the morning cut the hammock i-i which he slept to pieces with his knife. He also cut ais own shoes up. The reason for this given by tiie prisoner (a labourer) was that the shoes he wore were too bad to look for work m. and so tie destroyed them to obtain a new pair.—This wttt his seventh turn in the workhouse, however, and his fourth convict ion for a similar offence. —He was sent to prison for a month. DISORDERLY CHARACTERS. Maud Jones was in trouble, together with a friend, known as Sarali Jane Ltoyd. They were charged with using obscene language in ot. Mary-street overnigiht. and Maud Jones was furilier charged with having struck the female searcher at the Central Police-station. Misa Lloyd was fined 5s. and costs, and Maud Jones was sent down for fourteen days. Kate Williams, an unfortunate, was brought up on a similar charge. It was her eighteenth appearance. She was accu&ed of having assaulted Police-constable 40 A (Evan Davies) on iier arrest by cutting 'his wrist with a hairpin.-lShe was sent to prison for a month. Agnes Thorne also retired for fourteen days for disorderly behavious in Bute-terrace.

FIVE AT A BIRTH. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. We have recently published some paragraphs about triplets and the Queen's Bounty. What is the Prussian equivalent to that Royai charity ? According to a statement in the "Statistischei Korrespondenz," there were chronicled three cases of five children at a birth during the 70 years from 1826-96 in the kingdom of Prussia- In the first case there were five" boys;- -then four bovs and one girl: the next case comprised. three boys and two girls. Four at a birth, in the same period, occurred no fewer than 106 times—twelve cases of four boyR. in twentv cases four girls, and iI1 32 cases two boys and two girls. Triplets came in the 70 years 7,733 times; and twins were chronicled 696,831 times. -7=777:717=

A PAUPER'S WINDFALL" SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING f,KHna A man named Samuel Daft.who for ihe past five years has been in receipt of relief troiu the Hora- csstle 'Lincolnshire; Union, has come uno a legacy of £ 100. The guardians have decided to • call upon-him to re-pay 4s. a v. eek given liitti during the past twelve months.

ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE* MINING (AUS'IEALIABT AND INDIAN Al»ddin Luaip •« A 88*.Uol<i W. A. 44 M ysore Goldfi'ds 14'0 Do. Southern fi North Boulder 1% BrokenHiiim- Surma Buby 9f; 6d I" d'gi'n Cousels £ Central Boulder I lOoragum Ori — 3Q- CiiMUfioaKeef.. 5^ r>o. Pr#r. 3i (ildenHrse Shoe 8^ IWentw'th «old. Great Boulder. 24 6 W'tb of Katiens 4 Hump ton Pin ins l* ;\r. Ans. 24 .„ Hauimn 8 B.Hill 7fc Do. Joint Stk In vault oe 6/f Bio Tinto. 254 Kalpurii 6jj Auaoondia 54 Late View Cou. 10g MINING (SOUTH AFRICAN). Afrikander jKleinf«ntein Anpeio 6 IKJerksdeTp &0 Apex 6' iM.mifht 4% Baruato Consels 2^ it.antfl*1* Bantjes 1, Lisboa Berlvii. 3s 6d Beckuauftland. ft 4k BufTelsdoom ^w Hi British S.Africa Ag*cy 2 (Clutrte'ed) 2g- M»* Citj ft Kuburbiui 6V Meyer 4 Charltn 4% Comet 3* |MoWerf»«tem 3ff Consd Gldfids of K>w JTimrose. 4% S. Africa Def 5* Si**1 2fc Croesus i Ooeana Cousd £ Crown Beef 12* — Pi'"Beer 10$* De Beers 291 Potch«fstro«TO S 3 Durban Boodep't ••• Baiidfonteiu 2. East Band 54 Band Mines Ferreira 34 Reitfor^ein »».•. 2% Geldenhuis ••• Robiuse* De. Deep 7 Salisbury Sir a. Glencairn 2& .Sheba 21 Geldfields Deep 10* Simmer t Jack" Graskou 3s3d is Afric.Gold Tut 54 HendersonTrsrl mV iSoaA Benrr Kourue. 91b 'Tati Concession. Heriet II to¡ Transnud Gold.. 811 .Ta^ersfostein IVan Kyu I*C( JehaBrsbrc.Inrt 2& IVIUage Maroreef Mf — Do. Water 1* Wenimer 9), Jubilee 8% WoUjutcr Junipers — iZaaibesi KxpltiL. mt J