Evening Express

Telephone- National, 582. Post-office, 95. Telegrams: "Express," Cardiff.

Powder and Shot. Mme. Patti means to write her auto- biography "one of these days." Motto for the day (football Saturday): —The man who keeps his mouth shut never gets a black eye. The Sirdar was the tallest man at the cross- table yesterday, and Mr. Maclean came next to him-with an inch or two between. The Mayor of Swansea, at the Kitchener banquet, wore nothing but his gold chain. That is to say, he merely turned up in his morning dress, and left his mayoral robes behind. Ah, well! The Swansea mayoral robe is getting I shabby. »*»»••• Our household recipe:—Much of the cold cream sold in the dairies is carelessly made and not always the best materials are used. Cold cream may be easily made at home by any one of ordinary ingenuity. To make it put the cream in the refrigerator. C 4 • • • • A correspondent writes asking me to settle a question as to whether A horse's eye magnifies or no. He maintains that it does, and hence man's mastery of the animal? If he had only sent the question sooner we might have asked the Sirdar. Now we can only echo the word of Mrs. Waterbury; "Rubbitch!" The audience alternately laughed and cheered while the old-fashioned oath of being civil and obedient" to aldermen of the Cardiff borough was being administered to the Sirdar yesterday. If the Sirdar was the bigger man there is no reason why Mayor Morel should not get in a straight left if it came to the point. • »••••• Mme. Patti, like Mr. Buchanan, still believes in the Good Genius of Universal Plum Pudding. Charles Dickens," she says, "is the main inspiration of my fondness for reading." Mme. Patti adds that the human qualities she most admires are honesty in man and faith in woman. • • • • » • An Irishman, who was at the Cardiff Cole- donian banquet, has had his hair off ever since. He says that each and every one of the speaker? claimed Lord Kitchener of Khar- toum as an Englishman. We hear he is pre- pared to swear an affidavit that that is a B— lie, and that the hero of Khartoum was born in Kerry. Every effort was made to invest the presenta- tion of the Cardiff freedom with imposing solemnity, but there were all the elements of a well-balanced joke in the elaborate mummery, and the company laughed uproariously at the odd insertion of the humble term "ReyaJ Engineer" amid the other gorgeous titles of the Sirdar. The Burmese have taken to water-cycling, and have taken the idea (Heaven knows how) from the water cyclist at the Cardiff Exhibition. His cycle is well-rercembered. A Burman has created a vast amount of interest at Ran- goon lately by cycling down and across the river on a similar waters-cycle formed of two cigar-shaped metal cases, propelled by a paddie driven by a cycle gear. • *••••• Sad tales are told of the health of the Chinese Emperor. He is described as anaemic, in constant ill-health, and melancholy beyond anything that the cares of his position could account for. His father, Prince Chun, was an old man when he was born, which is supposed to account to some extent for this miserable physical condition. There's more than one Welsh Empsror of a district council (we men- tion no names, ahem!) whose cares run in a similar groove. t The Bishop of Swansea's sense of humour is illustrated by a story of a journey in a railway carriage occupied by football enthusiasts the other Saturday. The forcible language about the iniquities of the Northern poacher used by these gentlemen was not restrained by the presence of the ecclesiastic, who at length found the conversation of so sanguinary a character that he politely interposed with the remark, Gentlemen, may I beg of you. as a personal favour, to make your conversation a trifle more anaemic?" A new name has been given to the Athe- naeum Club, patronised occasionally by our Welsh bishops, and the bishops do not like it. For long it has been known as an ecclesias- tical institution, but Mr. John Ashton has discovered that the-old building, in its easly days, was known as the most notorious betting-house in London; and the designa- tion is now being revived in reference to the dignified rubbers that are still played by highly-placed Churchmen in the club card- room. The irreverent are calling the club the the Bishops' Betting House. 0 The Mayor of Bangor was the mildest- mannered guest in the Park-hall cloak-room after the Sirdar's banquet yesterday. The way that poor man waited round in his robes and clucked mildly for his coat and hat whilst Councillor Waring and other Cardiff Kitcheners stormed over him and got thedrs first was the the most pathetic picture of the afternoon. He wasn't used to a Cardiff coat-and-hat crush. < < The Sirdar of Egypt and the ex-Sirdar of Cardiff (Alderman Ramsdale) were engaged during the greater part of yesterday's banquet in close conversation. What they were talking of no one except the waiter knows-and he declares he won't divulge any diplomatic secrets. < Talk of the football weather this season! We have never been driven to the straits in which the Harvard v. Yale spectators found themselves in the last match, according to the mails. If the pictures presented annually upon these football occasions are capable of characterisation as kaleidoscopic, the scenes defy appropriate description. Oil skins, mackin- toshes, rubber coats. table cloths, carriage boots, so'westene, in fact every kind of water- proof protection, were pressed into service and brought into relief by the limp but dashing crimson of Harvard and the same limp but I sombre black of Yale. The rubber clothing in New Haven was sold early in the day, and then a raid was made on the drygoods stores and oil cloth was purchased. Hundreds went to the field draped in oil cloth with only a single opening in the centre through which bedraggled heads appeared. The costumes of the ladies were as grotesque as those of the men and many of those who sat in the stands with absolutely no head covering presented an odd appearance when the rain had beaten down on them for two hours and matted their locks about their fair faces. But they were cheerful and even wildly enthusiastic at times in ipite of it alL 1 c

Rhymney Railway. CHAIiniAN RESIGNS AND RE- TIRES FRO31 THE nOARD. WI [ire authorised to state that Mr. John Boyle HAS resigned the chairman- ship of the Rhymney Railway Com- paay, and has also retired from the board Mr. Boyle was clected provisional chairman on the 14th of December, 1853, and chairman of the board of directors on the 6th of December. 1854, SO that he has been chairman from the inception of the company. Mr. Boyle is su^?eeded .n the chairmanship by Mr. Will. Austin, MHO was elected a director on the 19th of December, 1854, and was elected deputy- chairman on the 3rd of February, 1890. Mr. Franklen George Evans succeeds Mr. Austin in the deputy-chairmanship. Mr. Evans was elected a director on the 2nd of July. 1878. The directors have elected Mr. AVilliam Vachell, of Severn House. Sneyd Park, near Bristol. to fill the vacancy at the board caused by the retire- ment of Mr. Boyle.

"Santa Glaus." THE CYCLISTS' CARNIVAL. The chief event in Cardiff to-day, so far as "Santa Claus" is concerned, is the carnival arranged by Cardiff cyclists. The details have been fully announced, and an advertisement in another column of this paper gives latest details. It is to be hoped that the financial result will be made as heavy as possible, for the "Santa Claus" Fund for the poor children's Christmas treat is in need of a large sum as yet if last year's standard is to be maintained. Such an entertainment, with such heavy gifts in clothing, &c., as the children enjoyed last year, cannot be given without much expenditure of labour and money, and the combined effort of a host of friends, with gifts in clothing (to be made UI1 for the children), in "kind" of various descriptions, and in subscription?. The Cardiff cyclists have been true to their good traditions in all that they have done with isgard to the carnival, and if the weather is anything like favourable the carnival will prove I to be a very interesting spectacle. "Santa Claus," therefore, appeals to the generosity of the people that will be in the streets to help the collectors by throwing in their contribu- tions as liberally and as speedily as possible. RECEIVED TO-DAY. Me>s=rs. Arthur Guinness a,nd Son (Ltd.), Brewers, Dublin (per Mr. G. Connor, Cardiffi 1 0 0 Messrs. Bevm and Co. (Ltd.). Fur- nishers. Duke-street, Cardiff (oroceeds of window letting. Sirdar's visit) 0 10 0 Collected by Mr. J. Higgs amongst workmen at the Central Engineering Works, Roath Basin 0 7 4 Master Harry White, 29, Llanfair-road, Cardiff 0 10 Bowl in Vestibule Thursday, nd.; Fri- day, 6id 0 12 _.n_- £ 1 19 6

A PAIil OF 1THITE GLOYES. SYMBOL OF CARDIFF'S ORDERLI- NESS ON SIRDAR'S DAY. Friday in Cardiff was a great and a memo- rable day. The present day is no less remark- able in the police-court annuls, and in the sub- ject matter it supplies for the future historian. There were no prisoners at the police-court. The entire absence of drunkenness and dis- orderly conduct in the stress, whfn contagious hilarity contributed so much to both, are cir- sumstances that will command unbounded admiration. Not a prisJ:1er in the dock, and what a number nT magiMrates on the hench- the mayor on the judicial seat for the first time, and in his chain of ofTico, Alderman D. Jones, Alderman Jacobs, Councillor Thomas, and Mr. R. E. Spencer. This being the mayor's first appearance since his election to office. Mr. T. Belcher rose and, on behalf of the solicitors practising in the court, cordially welcomed the mayor, and congratulated him heartily upon his as d2pntY-lnaYOr of a member of the If; al proression—Mr. George David. The Head-eonstablo presented the mayor with a pair of white gloves, as the outward symbol of the town's inward good behaviour, and his worship made a suitable reply.

STRANDING OF THE BLUE- JACKET. BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. At Cardiff Town-hall on Saturday morning a Board of Trade inquiry was opened respecting the stranding of the steamship Blue Jacket, of Cardiff. on the Long'hins, of!' Land's End, on the 9th of November. The inquiry was conducted by the stipendiary magistrate (Mr. T. W. Lewis), and Captains Castle and Richard- son. The boat, our readers will recollect, left Plymouth on the 9th with a crew of 21 hands all told, and one passenger. On the same day, at 11.55 p.rn the weather being clear, the wind blowing a fresh BREEZE from E.S.E., with the sea smooth, and the course being N. half W., the vessel WAS under steam, making about ten knots, when she stranded on the Longships off Land's End. Mr. Robertson appeared for the Board of Trade, and Mr. Muller, of Liverpool, for the captain (Mr. James Thomas). A great deal of contradictory evidence was given, the stories of the captain and second officer being totally at variance.

RiOATH PARK CONGREGA- TIONAL CHURCH. The opening services will take place on Wed- nesday next in connection with the Roath Park Congregational Church. At 3.30 the dedication service will be held, when the Rev. Urijah Thomas and other ministers will be present. The ex-chairman of the Congregational Union will preach IN the evening.

LORD TENNYSON'S LOVE LETTERS. Mrs. Walker, of Tetford. a lady of 88, has been giving the "Horncastle News" some reminis- cences of the late Laureate. She was in the service of Mr. Selwood when Alfred Tennyson paid court to his daughter, but the suit at first was not approved by the father of the young lady. Accordingly. RMISS Selwood took Mrs. Walker (then Miss Dixon) into her confi- dence. and strategy had to be resorted to. Miss Dixon took missives sent by the unfor- tunate lover to his ladv-love, and hid them under her bed, from -whioh hiding-place they were taken by the one to "whom they were sent. Subsequently, of coarse, Tennyson mar- ried the young lady.

A DISHONEST BARMAID. On Friday, at Bow-street Police-court, Mr. Percy Wells, of the Sussex Hotel, Paddington, summoned the Commissioner of Police, who was represented by Detective-Sergeant Thomas, for the delivery of a, certain sum of money. This money was alleged to have been stolen from the till by a barmaid formerly in the employ of Mr. Wells. She was detected by means of marked money, and when her box was searched 152 sixpences, 17 shillings. 7 three- penny pieces, a four-shilling piece, A half- crown. and £1 5s. 7d. in coppers, together with some tobacco and cigars, were found in it, tied up in about twenty small packages. The girl received two months' hard labour, and Mr. Lushington ordered the money to be returned to her master.

CARDIFF TELEGRAPH BOYS. On tha evening of the visit of Lord Kitchener an interesting and appropriate ADDRESS on the life of General Gordon was given to a large assembly of the Cardiff telegraph boys in their institute room at the new General Post Office, AVestrratc-street by Mr. J. Godwin Edwwrds. Mr. Leonard Jones, chief clerk, presided, and a profitable evening was spent, I,

To-day's Racing. SANDOWN PARK MEETING. "SPORTSMAN" AUTHENTIC SIAKTING PRICES. SANDOWN PARK MEETING. Hone. J ockey. Sportsman. SELLING HANDICAP (9). Siberian (Donnelly) 3 to 1 ag LONG DITTON SELLING (10). Conway (Hon. R Ward) 4 to 1 SANDOWN STEEPLECHASE (10). Xebee (Williamson) 5 to 1 ag THREE YEAR OLD HURDLE (9). New Jersey (H Woodland) 5 to 4 on POND STEEPLECHASE (4). Sweet Charlotte (O'Brien) 4 to 1 AS LADIES' HUNT FLAT (9). Sentle Ida. (Hon. R Ward) a to 1 ag The above prices are identical with those pah. ished in the "Racing Calendar."

HA R D A W a Y AND T5PJINC I (R. TOPPING and W. R. SPINBLER), FLUSHING, HeLLANB. S.P. ALL RAGES DLIltIiNd THE WINTER. The and Ikost Extmsiv* Turf Ceatttissien Ageecy i. the Werld. All Letters to he adtlrewed:— FLUIRLNG, HOLLAND.

FOOTBALL. Welsh Athlete's Gossip. » J- Cliff Bowen is playing Association football. For what reason? Bryce (Aberavon) has been awarded his cap for Somersetshire. Devonport Albion's next Welsh fixture is Deeember 31—versus Llanelly. Canton footballers have the highest respect for Newport's chief-constable. The Moonlights are still leading for the cham- pionship of the Llanelly League. The Cage Bird Show at Treherbert on Thurs- day was a huge success in every respect. Devonshire officials say there is too much "taikee talkee" about Welsh footballers at present. According to the Treherbert players, the Asylum men are a smart lot, and did not deserve to lors-e on Saturday. It is to be regretted that the Glamorgan Leaigue team will not turn out on Monday as originally selected. With a little expense the Treorky ground could be made into one of the best in the valley. Mr. W. Ashton (Cardiff) handled the whistle last Monday in the Leicester and Lansdowne game at Leicester. The Weiss pressmen (says my Plymouth cor- respondent) "did" enjoy themselves in Ply- mouth. What, oh! "Where is Teddy. Lewis and the Glamorgan League Tables?" is the question often asked in the Rhondda nowadays. Penygraig and Llwynypia meet for the first time this season on Monday. Given fine weather there should be a record gate. Swansea's win at Bristol was cheered to the echo when announced from the windows of the Plymouth papers on Monday. When the Corinthians visit Aberdare in April. 1899. the Valley men have promised to enter- tain them in quite a regal style. Congratulations to Mr. W. G. Bowden, the Cardiff Cricket Club assistant secretary, on his recent marriage. Canton footballers are reminded that the second smoker of the season takes ).1lace on Monday next at the King's Castle Hotel at eight p.m. Troherbert will have all their work cut out to defeat lllitinjl, to-day, for on their own ground the Monmouthshire men are a hard nut to crack. It is said that there is to be a rnmpus in the Welsh Union rookery with reference to one or two players who have lately changed their teams. D. James (Swansea), as I mentioned on Tues- day, was so knocked about during the Devon- shire tour that he is unable to turn out in the trial match to-day. Canton play St. Peter's to-day in the Cerdiff and District League Competition, and have gone in for a thorough course of training in view of the match, which they hope to win. Mr Martin, of Worcester, one of the judges at the Treherbert Show on Thursday, highly complimented the committee on t-b-Mr Nrst attempt. There was never a finer collection of birds seen in South Wales. Mr. Price, secretary of the Neath Club, points out an error in my record list. Neath's figures up to to-day are twelve matches played, the points being 97 for and 28 against. Saturday, December 17, will be a big day in football circles in Upper RHONDA a, FOR then the "battle" royal" between Treorky and Tre- herbert will be played on ths ground of the former. Last Saturday's defence by the Barry Unionist Athletic against Aberdare (Association) was the strongest ever shown by Barry. who well deserved their victory. Association football at Barry has been for- tunate this year in securing the first three rounds of the Welsh Cup for the home ground, as well as the South Wales test match. "It is very nearly time for this Albion and Welsh dispute to be settled." my Plymouth correspondent thinks. "It is not fair to Albion, so it is generally believed in Devon." What about Torquay, though? Treorky play Bath away on Boxing Day. The Treherbert team ere also on tour at that time, so that the Upper Rhondda football enthusiasts will be compelled to go from home if they wish to quench their football thirst. An interesting fact concerning Monday's match at Penygraig is that this is the first year they have been the leaders in the League competition. Now they have to meet last season's champions, who are in rare form. Penygraig have been seriously handicapped in their late matches owing to so many of their players being on the injured list; in fact. they have not had their three-quarter line the same in two successive matches this season. D. Davies (Bridgend) enjoys locally a good reputation. Surely, however, in a game of such importance as that at Mountain Ash to-day a bit better-class man could have been found to give Nicholls and his confreres some oppor- tunities. Tom Jones, the Penygraig fall back, is play. incf better now than ever. and that is saying a great deal. when it is remembered the game he played against Yorkshire at Wortley. Leeds, v/Mch brought him a shoal of offers from Northern Union clubs. The Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League encounter will be brought off on Monday at Abercarn, and much interest is centred in the game from all quarters, and a record gate is anticipated. Glamorgan will put up at the Cwmcarn Hotel and Monmouthshire at the New Inn, Abercarn. The Great Western Railway are running a very convenient train to Blackheath next Saturday, leaving Cardiff at 6.20 a.Il}.. arriving at Padington about eleven o'clock. The return is timed for 12.20 (midnight) from Paddington, and the fare is 7s. TC-day at the Albion Ground there are likely to be fireworks. Albion are playing Barnstable — the Devonian Winter Derby"—whilst Ply- mouth are engaging the attention of the students on the same ground, be it noted. There will be fun if both Albion and students win. They ought to on form. If the Glamorgan League Committee enforce their rule with regard to the players chosen to play against Monmouthshire on Monday, it will be hard lines for Llwynypia, as they calV1?r ,yery wel1 sPare Llewellyn, Alexander, and Hellings when playing against Penygraig on the Belle Vue Grounds. Johnny Jones was badly needed by Albion on Saturday. He might have got through where Duffin, who took his place, failed. Jones assisted the veserves against Redruth instead. and led to his side rlaying a draw with the Cornish champions. Jones and Sims will again apply for their transfers, and now hope to get them. If Penygraig are defeated on Monday a great deal of the sting will be in the fact that their opponents will include three players that have learnt their football and played many seasons for Penygraig, viz.. Ben Phillips, John Boven. and Evan Jones. The latter two seasons ago was captain and a county for- ward. Conquering Welsh clubs (says Dux." in "Bat, Ball, and Wheel") have become institutions, and, therefore, it occasioned no surprise when Cardiff beat Oxford on Monday last by two goals to nothing, and this in spite of the fact that dprinar the second half of the game they had only fourteen men. On more than one occasion Oxford were very near scoring, and one of the Cardiff tries was a trifle fortunate; but, through such was the case. the Welshmen were distinctly the better team, and they played a clever and attraotive game. Of the Oxford backs, James was. perhaps, the most conspi- cuous, but the play in the three-quarter line hardly yet goe<3 with all the swing that could lie desired. The match between Cardiff and Blackheath, to be played on December 10. on the Rectory Field, will possess more interest than ever this year. NEVVIJL.LI uavci TO Llanelly next Saturday, t anl are to be treated to a fine game. Stroud have actually scored eight points in nine matches. Query, what will Newport A do with them to-day? Cardiff Reserves Hockey Club are the only team who have this season beaten the West Gloucester Reserves. The Cardiff Hockey Club have only been beaten by one Welsh Club this season, namely, Swansea. A good game is anticipated with Cardiff and West Cardiff on Decafaber 17 on the Llandaff Fieldc. Cardiff Hockey Club meet Abergavenny at Abergavenny to-day. The visitors will be without their regular goalkeeper. The Roath Football Club hold a Cinderella dance at the Queen-street-hall on December i3. Tickets one shilling each. Both sections of the London Welsh had to eat the leek a<.>Ün on Saturday. The Rugby fol- lowers succumbed to the London Hospital Club and the Soccer men found the London Caledo- nians much too strong. Llanelly will -1 e greatly weakened against Gloucester to-day by the absence of Morgan Williams AND D. J. Daniell, who are taking part in the trial match. By the way, Llanelly folk are expecting to see these two men in the Welsh team. Gloucester has now played eleven matches, won nine, and lost two, and scored 117 points against 26. W. H. Taylor has scored the largest number of tries, being credited with six, Percy Stout coming next with five. Now that Strand Jones, the Lampeter cap-1 tain, HAS thrown in his lot with the Llanelly team, it is suggested that room in the scarlet third line might be found for Alcwyn Jones, who also plays for Lampeter. Jones is a very promising centre, and is showing excellent form this season. Lewis Watkins, the Gloucester forward who was dropped by the city club several wexks ago, has now been taken up by Bristol. Naturally, work was found for him—of course, not by anyone connected with the Bristol Club-hut after a day or two he returned to Gloucester. On Tuesday morning the Minor Cricket Counties meet. and then, at noon, follows the big gati iring of secretaries, at which, in addi- tion to the county qualification and other nutters, the card for 1899 has to be arranged. On did that Prince Ranjitsinhji will form one of the proposed team of Inaian cricketers to visit this country in 1900, in preference to county cricket, and that the Mahara,¡.\fi of Patiala willi act as captain. It is left that the trip would prove successful from more than one stand- point. By defeating Somerset last Saturday Glouces- tershire have made their posItion in the county championship fairly strong. Devon can do no more than tie. and if the two counties have to play one another again they will do 80 on a mid-week date at Gloucester, in which case the county of Graces ought to about "just get home." Mr. A. W. Wood, the well-known gentleman cross-country rider, who has appeared at various meetings in the Principality with a large amount of success, resides not far from Gloucester, and is a familiar figure at the meets of the Ledbury and neighbouring packs of hounds. Gloucester have had considerable difficulty in getting the team versus Llanelly together this week, for several members of the back divi. sion have been injured more or less in recent matches, and until Friday both halves were very doubtful, and even then only one of the usual three-quarters was certain to turn out. Stout being, as already mentioned, a doubtful starter. The members of the Barry Club, by way of protest, maintain that the Penavth Football Team rre adopting the tactics of the Northern Union ciubs. Not being satisfied with decoying G. Chick and D. T'dggs from the ranks of the Barry Seniors, they have also "nabbed" W. Smith, a promising young player, from TH6 Barry back division. The glove contest between Billy Morgans and Dan Murphy is t otake place at the Morriston Public-hall. Both men are in strict training. Morgans is looked after by W. Dallings, whilst Ted Poole, the trainer of the Swansea Associa- tion Club, is training Murphy. Mnrphy, who has been a soldier, is known as a remarkable, dexterous, and smart fighter, and it is thought he has a fairly even chance against the well- known "Billy." The meeting of Ebbw Vale and Brvnmawr at Ebbw Vale to-day win he watched "ith interest in the neighbourl'ood. There can be no doubt about the superiority of the Valians, but the feeling of rivalry that has always existed between these neighbouring towns creates keen interest. The VICTORY obtained by the Ebbw Yale Soccers at Rogcrstone in the league competition caused considerable enthusiasm at Ebbw Vale, and the home lads are confident that the performance will be repeated when Roggy pay the return visit to Ebbw Vale. Dr. W. G. Grace, speaking at an athletic clab dinner in Bristol recently, said he should con- tinue to flay for Glotnjste^ihire as 10;lg as he was good enough. When he was getting too old he should visit Bristol and play a "quiet game." but, as for first-class cricket, he should (then) give it up. I do not place on this the construction that he will not play in represen- tative matches any longer. Apparently, the Oxford v. Cambridge match will. after all. be played ;:t the Queen's Club on February 13. It was originally put down on tho) Queen's Club card for a Saturday in March, February 18 being occupied by a fix- ture between the Corinthians and Everton. The Everton match has now been removed from THO list, and Oxford v. Cambridge substituted on February 18. London Hospital had the credit last Saturday of inflicting defeat upon the London Welsh, on the latter s new enclosure at Cambrian Park. though only a. goal divided the rival scores. The visitors led by A YOAL and a try to nil on crossing over. but afterwards the Welshmen strove desperately BARD to get on terms. A try. through J. Smih, watt, however, the extent of their scoring powers. A little book has just been published which all people interested in Rugby football in general, and in Blackheath football in parti- cular, should precure. It is a careful record of the Blackheath Football Club, 'and is the result of a labour of love on the part of that once-famous football player, Mr. Aubrey Spar- ling, whose interest in the "club" has not waned with his retirement from active partici- pation in the game. The transfer of A. Grenville Morris, Swindon's Welsh international, to Notts Forest, will be a great loss to the Great Western Railway centre, for, not only was he their best forward, but was also one of the best in the South of England. He will be a decided acquisition to the Foresters. The amount of the transfer fee has not been made public, but it is bound to have been a good round sum. The League I earn J1j,ve also consented to visit Swindon on a Wednesday in April as well. It is understood that the poor support which the club is getting has been responsible for the directors taking such a step. In day gone by the London Welsh Association teim were capable of playing the London Cale- donians a very close game. Last Saturday's encounter at Caledonian Park was all in favour of the Scots, who scored six goals to love. To some extent the Welshmen were handicapped by the absence óÎ the usual goalkeeper, Lee- Roberts, but the substitute, J. P. Evans, brought off several good saves. The Caledonians were much better forward, their shooting being far superior to that of the visitors. Howie was in excellent trim and recorded four goals, including one from a penalty kick. The 'Varsity writer in "Bat, Ball, and Wheel," speaking of the Cardiff—Oxford match, øaY8:- The Welshmen were far from gentle, but no one ou the 'varsity side wa3 injured. The match was decided on the Running Ground in a biting cold wind, which did not serve to keep off the rain. Though victory finally rested with Car- diff to the tune of two goals to nothing, the varsity had, if anything, the best of the game. Perhaps, however, a pointless draw would have been the best ending. The first try was more tha.n doubtful, and the second never ought to have been gained. Gloucester have only been able to get a fair team together tor-day to meet Llanelly, and at the best can but hope to play a, close game with the tin.platers. Last year at Gloucester, it will be remembered, the 'Cestrians, who at that time were the possessors of an unbeaten certificate, played a desperately hard game, and by making a draw succeeded in keeping their sheet clean. In to-day's match they will be considerably handicapped by the absence of Clutterbuck and Smith, both of whom are on the injured list, while Percy Stout, who is after all not going with Richmond on that club's Irish tour, is also a doubtful starter. The international three-quarter has been suffering during the last few days from neuralgia, and on Thursday went through the ordeal of haT- ing a couple of the worst offenders taken out. This is why hp did not accompany Richmond. The Ponty;ni»i.er tea-w has only; won one match this season. W. G. James, the old Newport centre, will probably assist Brynmawr against Ebbw Vale The Cardiff Athletic Company has gone T allotment. Letters were posted on Friday. As I anticipated last week, Canton held tiht St. Peter's boys A bit too cheap, suffering defeat by the narrowest of margins. Ebbw Vale and Aberdare were fined I "dollar," without costs, for not r. cinj their match at the proper time stipulated b,* the South Wales League. The assault-at-arnis which talces place at Pontypridd on Monday will be an even larger affair than WAS anticipated. Nearly the whole of the reserve seats have been taken. It is feared that the Mabon's Monday matches with Ebbw Vale and Treherbert will have to be cried off. Great efforts will be made to arrange Saturday fixtures instead. Jones, the Ebbw Vale full-back, has sustained a nasty accident to his finger, which debarred him from assisting his team on Saturday last. and it is feared he will be unable to do duty against Brynaia-wr to-day. ———— Risca folk are proud of the fact that their popular forward, J Hoag.es, who is now playing such a ste.-ling '?AME for Newport, has been selected lor the trial match to-day. They feel confident of his obtaining his cap this year. The three new men-George. Wildgoose, and Smith—who made such an improvement to the Ebbw Vale combination at llogerstone are likely to be heard of when the teams North v. South are to be selected. Barry Unionists are fairly in luck's way. A few weeks ago their match with Swansea was stoJlped owing to darkness. Now. the South Wales League has ordered the matched to be ue-played at Barry on a date to be fixed. There is sure t.) be a record gate.

TO ■ DAY'S MATCHES. R—— za Rugby. -1 International Trial Match. WHITES Y. STRIPES. (BY "WELSH ATHLETE.") There were a tri I of alterations in the origi- nally selected trial teams, Tt is trne. but, taken on the whole, as compared with previous years, when the majority -if those selected for trial honours failed to turn out, the talent repre- senting Welsh international football to-day was fairly represfntative. The notable absentees were, of course, G. LI. Lloyd (Newport), D. James (Swansea), and S. Biggs (Cardiff), the last- mentioned of whom gave notice on Friday night that he was unable to play. With these excep- tions. whose places were taken by L. A. Phillips (Newport). Davies (Bridgend), and D. Davies (Llanelly) respectively, the teams were as origi- nally selected. During the early morning a few showers fell, but every now and again the sun forced its way through. Shortly before the time set for the commencement of the match, however, the sky clouded over, and a persistent drizzling rain came on. The Moun- tain Ash ground, which had been secured for the occasion, was in fair condition, although the rain that had recently fallen had left it some- what soft, and, of course, slippery. The teams were as follow: — Whites: Back. W. J. Bancroft (Swansea); three-quarter backs. Gwyn Nicholls (Cardiff) (right centre), R. T. Skrimshire (Newport) (left centre), V. Huzzey (Cardiff) (right wing), and W. Llewellyn (Llwynypia) (left wing); half-backs. D. Davies (Bridgend) and L. A. Phillips (New- port); forwards, R. Hellings (Llwynypia), W. Parker (Swansea), A. Bryce (Aberavon). T. Serines (Swansea), J. Blake (Cardiff), W. Gibbs (Penarth). S. Davies (Neath), and the Rev. E. T. Davies (Mountain Ash). Stripes: Back. J. Davies (Neath); three-quar- ter backs. George Davies and D. Rees (Swansea) (centre). Morgan Williams (Llanelly) (right wing). and H. G. Alexander (Newport) (left wing); half- backs. C. Powell (Neath) and D. Davies (Llanelly); forwards W. H. Alexander (Llwyny- pia), J. Hodges (Newport). J. Daniell (Llanelly). T. Dobson (Cardiff). W. E. Rees (Pontypridd). J. Matthews (Bridgend). A. Sawtell (Cwmbran), and F. Cornish (Cardiff). Referee: Mr. George Bowen. Swansea. The excursion trains from the district were fairly well patronised, and there would be about a couple of thousand people present when. a quarter of an hour after the advertised time, the teams took the field. Mr. Ack Llewelyn took charge of the game, in place of Mr. Geo. Bowen. Cornish started play for the Stripes, and. the ball being called back. scrimmaging commenced at the centre. Nicholls was the next to show up with a long kick, which Joe Davies returned well. There was a bit of scrambling play in the Stripes' half, and then play came down to just inside the Whites' half, and setled down. The first bout of pas- sing came to the Stripes' back division, but only Williams and Rees handled, and then Nicholls stopped the attack. The Stripes' forwards took up a rush immediately afterwards. And got down to right on the Whites' goal-line, where Bancroft saved with a flying kick. Immediately afterwards the Stripei were penalised, and, suffering in the same manner a minute or two later. Bancroft found touch close on the Stripes' 26 with a beautiful kick. When they settled down to scrums again the Stripes' forwards were having much the best of matters, and, after Davies (Bridgend) and Powell had come away to half-way, scrimmaging was again tried. Powell was immediately conspicuous, but did not go very far. Rees made his mark after this io stop the Whites' attack, after which there was more tight scrimmaging on the half-way line. Nicholls got in one of his famous flying kicks and stopped a rush of the Stripes' forwards, and then Huzzey, with a fine kick, put the Stripes on the defensive. Joe Davies let the ball bounce off his shoulder, and Gibbs, who was palpably off side, rushed for it. Joe Davies tackled him, however, and shortly afterwards just on the line scrimmaging was again commenced. The first attack by the Whites' three-quarters was between Skrimshire and Llewellyn. The pair got very close up, but Llewellyn's pass back to the centre was missed. Shortly afterwards the Stripes came back to the centre, and, their forwards getting the best of a wheel, a trio of them looked like going away, but Willie Llewellyn checked them with a very clever tackle. A minute or so later the Llwynypia wing MA^I got in another beautiful save, but, although the side was assisted by some good kicks from Ban- croft. the Whites were never able to take up any serious attack. Just on the Whites' side of the half-way line ulay was continued for the next few minutes. Then the Stripes' three-quarter line made an effort, and got down to inside the Whites' 25. From here there was a long kick sent up to Joe Davies, and. Huzzey following up, prevented the Neath man returning. A minute or two later Huzzey was again prominent. He dodged Alexander, and then got right on to the Stripes' line, where Joe Davies held up. Davies (Neath), who followed up, was handy, however, and Huzzey, getting the ball away to him in the centre, Davies fell on it a.nd scored a try. which Bancroft, after a grand effort, just failed to convert. When they started again THE^Stripes' forwards again showed their superiority, and settled down ON the Whites' 25 line. From here the Whites' three-quarter line got a chance—the first fair chance, indeed, during the match. Davies (Bridgend) sent the ball out from the scrum, and started it on hia jcurney right across the three-quarter line. Nicholls got the ball, and, when Joe Davies was reached, he turned it over to Huzzey. who, seeing Nicholls had a man watching him, pat in a punt across to the centre, and Skrimshire, rtuhing up, scored a try, which Bancroft had no difficulty in converting. Immediately they settled down again scrimmaging was started in the Whites' half. Some passing was tried by the Stripes* three-quarters, but Huzzey intercepted, an4