Evening Express

STOP PRESS. im- THIS gPACK IS RESERYEB FOR NEWS RD CEIVED AFTER WE HAVB GONE TO PRUI. r_- 'i II

THE € AII LIST MOVEMENT. A Beuter's telegram from Paris all Thursday Says :-The "Matin" says:—We learn from a eure source, notwithstanding all denials, that Don Carlos has entirely succeeded in his finan, cial schemes in London. Large capitalists have placed considerable sums at his disposal. The C'irlist movement will take place immediately after tne ratification of the Treaty of Peace.

THE EMBASSY OUTRAGE. A Central News telegram from New York on Thursday morning say, -Pearson, the man who threw stones at the residence of the British Ambassador at Washington, whereby Miss Pauncefot was injured, will be committed to a Government insane asylum. A notification to this effect will be forwarded to-day to Sir Juiian Pauncefote, with an expression of regret oil the part of the Government, and a promis to pay the amount of the damages caused by the maniac.

STEEL nAILS FOR RUSSIA. A Central News telegram from New York on Thursday morning says:—The steel company of Pennsylvania have completed a contract for the delivery of 80,000 tons of ste 1 rails for the Transatlantic Siberian Railway. The rails will be shipped at an early date and delivered at Vladivostock.

CRUSHED TO DEATH. As a traction engine, to which .several trucks wer attached was passing through St. Alban's late on Wednesday night, the attendant, George Summerling, lost his balance and fell to the ground, a wheel passing over him. He was taken to St. Alban's Hospital, wher he was found to have sustained shocking injuries, fie died on Thursday morning.

AMATEUR THEATRICALS AT CARDIFF. PLUCKY VENTURE OF A LOCAL SOCIETY. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL XIOHT. Those who witnessed the initial performance of the Cardiff Dramatic Society on Monday wero easily aware that excellent talent shone through the slight nervousness inseparable from a first night with such pieces as "The Fair Equestrienne" and "The Arabian Nights." Those who were privileged to see the same perfor- mance at the Theatre Royal again on Wednes- day evening were delighted at the triumphant success scored by the company now that the ice is broken and they feel as much at home as the professional upon the boards. It was apparent on Tuesday, when "The Late Mr. Costellu" was performed before an appre- ciative honse, that the society were progressing by leaps and bounds in popular favour, 'and on Wednesday night a good house greeted both the famous comedies mentioned with enthu- siasm. Curtain calls were frequent; applause was thoroughly well earned and given unatint- ingly. Miss Nance Samuel took the principal part in both comedies, and the selection proved that this little local lady can boast talent as a comedienne to vie with any provincial favourite seen in companies that have travelled Cardiff yet In "The Fair Eques- triene," which opened the programme, Miss Samuel, as "Lady Kitty," was so excellently seconded by Mr. Ernest Fane and Mr. Clement Grey that in a few minutes the house was in the best of humour, and ere the curtain fell had laughed itself into a state of delight that brought the clever trio before the curtain to receive the ovation they well merited. In "The Arabian Nights." which followed the curtain-raiser, an equal style of merit was maintained. The -comefly-one of the very best, and hence a very difficult one-went with a dash and go that left no pause and no dull moment from start to finish. Miss Nance Samuel's piquant personality as "Rosa." the gutta-percha girl, again permeated the piece with quaint conceits, and kept a constant ripple of laughter, going with those finished touches which give point and edge to the fun of such a part. In this she was admirably parfnered by Mr. W. George, as "Arthur Hum- mingtop." and Mr. George, with a deal to do, made the most out of it. Mrs. Lila Austin's "Mrs. Gillibrand" was a rous- ing success, and contained no flaw from an acting point of v.ew.■ Mr. Clement Grey, as "Joshua Gillibrand," was seen in a part which suited him almost as well as "Lord Loftus" in the curtain-raiser. Miss Agnes Francis, as "Mrs. Humming-top," was charm- ing, if only for her natural acting -a quality not too often seen in amateurs, and very often missing from professionals. Mr. Geo. Ireland as "Ralph Ormerod" was spirited and also natural- another very pleasing and not too common combination. Miss Maggie Darby as "Daisy Mait- land," Miss Nellie Woods at "Barbara," and Mr. Bertie Saxmysl.as '"Dalwon" were each dis- tinguislied for the natural qualities so pleasing in those wh( had more to do, and, on the wnole. the company are to be congratulated on the reception accorded them and on the merit by which they carnefl it. The performance is to be repeated to-night (Thursday).

( A meeting in support of the "Unsectarian 1 Eight" was held at Splott-rond Board School 1 on Wednesday evening, Mr. W. Roberts pre- Biding. The attendance was very limited. A resolution in favour of the Unsectarian party; .&8 passed. -.otl

I Officer's Libel Suit. ^D ERSHOT SCANDAL IN THE LAW COURTS. The facts of a recent military scandal at Aldershot were dealt with in some detail oil Wednesday in an action in which Lieutenant S. Reid sued Mr. May, owner and publisher of "sheldrake's Aldershot Military Gazette," for libel. In April last Lieutenant Reid was serving as quartermaster of the Army Service Corps, and held the position of president of the Count- ing Board, which counted the cash taken daily at the canteen of the Army Service Corps. On April 30, after the cash had been counted, Colonel Bunbury. Colonel Clayton, and Major Roberts entered the room. The members of the committee were asked to turn out their pockets, and upon their doing so it was dis- covered that Sergeant-major Shepherd had I upon him marked money to the extent of 5s. 6d. In Lieutenant Reid's overcoat there was a marked farthing. He had put it into his pocket with the intention of giving it to the steward, because farthings were not put into the total. He offered that explanation to Colonel Bunbury and the other officers, and they were perfectly satisfied with it. In the following iiionth the newspaper in question pub- lished an article, headed "Arrest of an Officer and N.C.O. and announcing that a quarter- master and three warrant officers in the camp were under arrest for alleged defalcations in the canteen money. A fortnight later a further article was published, running as follows: "As a result of being found with marked money in his possession belonging to the can- teen after an investigation had been made. >.ergeant-ina.jor Shepherd, A.S.C., was tried by court-martial, and his sentence was promul- gated this weak. There were three others con. nected with the arrest. One. it was stated, had money upon him, but not a single marked coin; another had no money at all; while th° quar- also impi.cated was, as an officer, c_ ff! < Lowed to give a formal and definitive denial, and .vas not subjected to the degradation of tWr' »ocke^ searched. All these were, 4.1," i t' to lle C|Uite -imocent, and the di'i v "o"' a!ready Pronounced T»ori* 1 J lle' Tt nmy be &ta*ed that all the m Rimon.e-v was "°t forthcoming." tJ, ifay' 111 his defence, denied that he in- daim. i;or]lp150 ''j, fUjUl a Terdict for lieutenant Reid The"p 'w 111 the £ 25 paid into court. \u,s judgment accordingly with costs.

STRANGEST OF PARLOUR PETS (i,"°ne.fltry morning," writes Mr. Porter, -as ami 'V h5s sala' an Indian entered in wild be?, W ti1'! \hritthe senor delighted God■' I at' llavul? by the help of 4.3 ? am! several friends, siain the tWi in'btIl,s littlB lio» the Golden Moun- I hrou-ht it there a? a mark of dollars' WCUlU 1:ke to have i€ven Mexican •1 hoTi6 T- his and deposited +j °i 1Jlt*lstlnctly striped and spotted far that manner this pumas came into the keening of his guardian, "The beast was christened Cato," ab'e h vn"16' °f coarse' a P^ei-fa! animal- b e to kill a man with ease. Some of his amuoements were rather W<>«^dling. Mr. Porter "talk his guardian at an i'ohn t'Jr -°0l lcarned that a statue of up hi« n, t 'angre Wils "ot a]ive. Vive 11 phis t agamit the Apostle. It was not P'-etenp* „r I, »oca-sized animal that the kf.h r lii'hng h:s guardian was given up ,01 us f,!llv understood that this stalking V'"as nothing but fun. Perfect311 «at° .WaI Watched his acting was ion- "allerv llkt ° far aS possible in the (-h in, room and fastened his Notion +'i"e^ UW,°n tiie Pretended victim ne»tte(i iC? f:lvour hi< «Pl>roach was neglected. The lurnuure might be differently < 11 anged. lights and shadows changed, new 'iriim'i 1' °\ constructed; but the .inimal a tactics never failed to alter in accor- dance with these arrangements. He aiwn*^ expected to be complimented and carded after darting from an ambush which had been leacned wi,h much precaution, and he reared » «»d K, h.,d iS trtad usivinj? ior praise. usivinj? for praise. Gato became dangerous when grown and occupied a room by himself, from wh eh was not removed while his guardian wal ^one After being confined a couple of d iy^ i,ic eagerness to see his friend "back b^„le S selfT°to1 i,-and watch a man take him- o-Lr, beca"si"" n,»e««w™ r '• ,1.1 1,6 spur,) behind? Havin- Prided over the strange process of takin- off t, '.U,:UU 1,lutl'18' on another, and inspected 'oil^1C| emOVetl' he was reac,y for his own a? ™ 10 "One aummpr morning a targe rabid doe dashed u,to the room from the street rushed u y the opposite door toward the pumi -who lay unaer the tree. Instant aid wafnece'sSv to- prevent the latter from bein- to fo although he would have torn the dog to pieces' t'hrep ilheady done in the case of two or S:,f1^hiS,ff0uld not have saved him the S I « llffa;r: saw the revolver, h^ uim and tne flash, heard the report.nv he dog fall, struggle and die. Teen did a leahsing sense of the potency of the revolver enter his mind. For a while it was only neces- tance Pin01 t0 Gato at a djS" Cato's taste was bad. He admired faring. lVOlrr A."aii-v-colo'lred parrot was the i'L lid' 111 hls "Pinion, he had ever seen "The manner in which Gato departed this life 1. r j;ly (°j himseif and may be taken as the last proof of his sav agery of spirit hvth thfe evfning of his death he was fastened hn,rv thn1lM" when- as said, for, un- nappi.3 the writer was absent, a strange do- -ypeared, whom he sprang at, breaking ins chain doss to the collar, and killed. After- ward he enmbed a tree, and, while the servants r,! VCi" UP in thei'- apartments, Led h.mself out on a limb and looked iswn upon the mangled remains of his victim. ,Ju-t at that time a mm rode through the sone passage that in this country serves as a iront door. t'hen the puaia came down and Sew at him woi'^iin" 10 ,lh0 cr0li" of horse and Mro.maing, though slightly, both a and its hi h; J1,\man' bClng a "ervou? Person, lost hi» head entirely, and. not satisfied with making himseif safe in lt room, must needs fire out of the window -with a carbine he found in the, apa. anent and the ball shatter^ the amm.i's body an'? 1):,ssed backward into his 'Gato had go! between two great roots of the li'Tn 7 his friend arrived, and tint saved hail from another shot. The creature was des- li,!i,ate, but too intelligent not to know that he T, fF„ a.P1,r"ac'hed had no part in what he suttered. _L- was a mortal wound, but de?.th promised to be delayed until that splendid' Jiaine was wasted by morbid processes, and his life was gasped out in agony. This was not. to be endured. The hand of affection did him the last good office, and he died instantly."

A NOD AS GOO]) AS A WINIi Messrs. W. and F. C. Bonliam, auctioneers, brought an action for damages in Westminster County-court on Wednesday against Mr. Aitkin, an art dealer in Green-street, Leicester-square, for refusing to clear a lot which plaintiffs alleged was bought by defendant at a sale. Mr. Aitkin attended, on September 15, a sale of the effects at Blanchard's Restaurant. The collection of pictures attracted several dealers. Lot 450, a pair of landscapes, was knocked down to defendant for eight and a half guineas. He did not clear, and denied making the bid. The pictures were afterwards sold for two guineas. One of the plaintiffs said he was certain he knocked the lot down in response to Mr. Aitkin's b-d. Witness: He nodded; he does not wink. His Honour: Do you knock a picture down for a wink? Witness: Oh, yes. His Honour: Do you think yon can dis- tinguish between a man nodding for a bid or to an acquaintance? Witness: OIl. yes. His Honour found for the defendant.

PREFERRED THE ARMY. Considerable excitement has been created in Leytonstone in consequence of the disappear- ance of one of the assistant masters of a local board school. He was to have been married on Boxing Day. The mystery was only partly solved on Tuesday, when his friends received information that the young man had joined the Army.

DIVORCED LIKE CLOCKWORK. A few days ago the Paris Divorce Court pro- nounced 294 divorces in four hours. It was the "in forma pauperis" day, and, the court working for nothing, there were no trouble- some counsel and little cross-examination.

SEEN IN A LOOKING-GLASS. On Wednesday afternoon Mary Ashford entered a hosier s shop in the High-road, Tot- tenham, and. while she was being served, a, policeman saw her, by means of a reflection in a looking-glass, pick up a boy's suit and put it under her cape. She was followed, and, in addition to the suit, flannel and other articles were found upon har. fihe was remanded.

New York Scandal. THEATRICAL SEPARATION OF A SOCIETY COUPLE, A great, social sensation has been occasioned in New York by the announcement of the sepa- ration of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Slcane, who are leaders of New York society. The extraordinary course has been resorted to by the husband of issuing a formal announcement to the news- papers dlat he has left his family and home and is living at a fashionable hotel, after trans- ferring to his wife his own residence as an indication of his wish "that Mrs. Sloane might maintain her status in society." Mrs. Sloane's children, he says, are living with their mother, pending a legal decision regarding them. Mrs. Sloane was Miss Jessie Robbins, a famous New York belle, who is widely remembered as a party to the bitter social war waged against Mrs. Ogden Mills, which followed the Bradley- Martin ball. She declared that New York's "Four Hundred" never existed, and that society was confined to 75. Mr. Sloane is related to the Vanderbilts, his brother having married the daughter of Mr. William Vanderbilt. This is the first time in the history of New York that a society leader has made a formal announce- ment of a home scandal and of his departure from his own domicile.

THE ELEPHANT DIED. MADRID'S GRIEF OVER A FIGHT THAT FAILED. A Madrid correspondent on Monday says:- All M„ur:d was in a btate of excitement the whole of last week in anticipation of a won- derful fi^ht between, a couple of savage thoroughbred Spanish bulls and a huge-tusker elephant, which was to have taken place tc- day. All the seats in the great bull-ring had been sold at fancy prices, innumerable bets had been made, and no thing was talked of but the forthcoming strangle. But the happi- ness of the Mauriienos did noo last long. During the ni'ht preceding the day of the encounter the poor elephant died, and the newspapers camo out with its obituary. They all said t was such a beautiful elephant. The following are the words of the 'Tmparcial" upon the sad event:—"The lovers of sport have seen their hopes dashed to the ground. The ebphant-a beautiful specimen of his race- who was to have contended with the two bulls on Sunday is no more. He arrived in Madrid in perfect health, but, alas! the life of the elephant is no less uncertain than that of man. A simple glass of water—or, rather, the or six buckets of that liquid—gave him a cold vhich achieved in a few hours what, perhaps, the noble bravery of the two bulls would not have succeeded in doing. 'the elephant's death will necessarily be sincerely mourned."

TRAMCAR ACCIDENTS AT CARDIFF On Thursday Samuel Keys, of 51, Teuby-sireet, Curdin, was riding OIl the top of a tra-mear in Bute-strset, when he overbalanced and fell on to the roadway. Police-constable Knight conveyed the injured man to Dr. Wallace's surgery. where it was found that he had re- ceived a rather serious cut on the back of the head, and after his injuries were attended to h.> was taken to his liom-3. On Thursday evening Mary Hezell, aged six years, was stepping out of a tramcar in Cow- bridge-road, accompanied by her aunt, when the child got knocked do mi by a horsfe and tran, driven by a lad narasd Hannen. Fortu- nately siio escaped without serious injury.

I 'I COMMERCIAL EDUCATION. THE SCHEME OF THE CARDIFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At a meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of C nn. merce, held at the Exchange on Wednesday, Mr. W. Lester Jones, the president, explained that a new agreement had been (irawii up between the council and the Exchange Com- pany for the occupation of the existing rooms at a rental of £ 5 per annum for seven, four- teen, or twenty one years. In future, how- ever, membership of the chamber would not carry membership of the Exchange.—The agree- ment was approved. On the consular reports being discussed, Mr. J. M. Jennings reported that there were exten- give beds of coal in the Philippine Islands which would be likely to compete with Welsh coal in the Far East in the future. The President stated that at a council meet- ing not long since it was deputed to Mr. J. Andrews, Mr Jennings, and himself to meet in an informal way and devise a course of pro- cedure in regard to the subject of commercial education. A meeting with th9 various educational bodies of the town took place a few days ago, at which the following resolution was adopted: "That this meeting is of opinion that great benefit will accrue to the system of com- mercial education in the county borough of Cardiff through co-operation between the chamber of commerce and the various educa- tional agencies of the town, and that this reso- lution be submitted to the chamber, the Uni, versity College, the intermediate education governing body, the technical instruction com- mittee, and the school board, in order that they may give further instructions to their representatives." Having reported to the chairman what they had done, he would like to hear any observations and any suggestions that might be made. The London Chamber of Commerce had suggested that Cardiff should be a special centre, that there should be exami- nations in commercial subjects, and that the students who passed should be entitled to the certificate of the London Chamber. Some of them thought that a Cardiff Chamber certifi- cate would be quite as valuable, if they could carry out the scheme, and it was also sug- gested that students who held the certificate should have preference in any appointment. A further suggestion had been made that there should be a junior and two higher certificates. ilir. J. J. p, Burt proposed that the present committee appoimad by the council be fur- j ther empowered to meet the different educa- tional agencies of Cardiff with the view of for- mulating a scherce of commercial education. Mr. J. A. Jones seconded the proposition. Mr. S. Walker thought that no scheme would be a success until they had a complete faculty of commercial education, with proper degrees. Mr Jennings said the authorities suggested that they should endeavour to explain what was required, and a commercial curriculum wouid be formed from the bottom to the top. They thought the great thing was to give the education. The certificate was not of such im- portance. The resolution was then carried. Mr. IT. E. Spenceley, the new postmaster, having been elected an honorary member of the chamber, the proceedings terminated.

EISTEDDFOD AT CARDIFF. An eisteddfod was held on Wednesday even- ing at the Cory-hall, under the auspices of the Loyal Bute' Docks Lodge of Oddfellows. The chair was occupied by his worship the mayor (Alderman T. Morel, J.P.), and the Rev. G. Nicholson Jones acted as conductor. The adju- dicators were:—Music, Messrs. J. E. Deacon and R. Rliedynog Price; essay and recitation, the conductor; while Miss Maggie Griffiths and Miss Nellie Brend acted as accompanists. The secre- tarial duties were successfully carried cut by the lodge secretary, Mr. W. Griffiths. Miss Maggie Griffiths having sang "Gwlad y Delyn," the Mayor said he took special interest in friendly societies, and took this opportunity to say that they were as much required now as ever, despite the fact that the Compensation Act had come in force. He believed that friendly societies were making rapid progress throughout the country. With regard to the eisteddfod itself, he took this as a preliminary lesson for the National Eisteddfod to be held next summer at Cardiff, which he wished to be a great success. The winners of the several competitions were as follows:- Pianoforte solo: Miss Lilian Travers, Cardiff. Solo, "Merch y Melinydd": Miss Maud Lewis, Ogmore. Essay on "Good Manners": Prize divided between Archibald Dodds, Barry, and Howard West lake, Cardiff. Recitation, "The Quality of Mercy" (Shak- speare); Miss Bessie King. Soprano solo, "The Children's Home" (Cowen): 'I Miss Lizzie Pugh, Cardiff (pupil of Miss Grif- fiths). Soprano solo, "May Time" (Josti): Miss Ethel Tenor solo, 0 na byddai'n Haf o Hyd (W. Thomas, Cardiff. Davies): Mr. W. A. Castron, Cardiff. Bass solo, "The Village Blacksmith" (Weiss): Mr. W. P. Jones, Cardiff. I Bass solo, "Lead, Kindly Light" (Pugh Evam): ..dr. W. E. Edwards, Y Groeswen. Male voice chorus, "The Little Church" (Becker): Two choirs competed—the Cambrian Glee Society (conducter, Mr. Tom Price) and Ebenezer Male Voice Party (conductor, Mr. Ebenezer Male Voice Party (conductor, Mr. Roderick Williams). The last-named was declared the better. Chief choral competition, "There Speeds from Distant Lands" (Rhedynog Price): Three choirs I liiang-Whitchnrch Music Lovers (conductor, J. Samuel); Salem Welsh Baptist Choir (con- ductor, J. Davies. A.C.); and Miskin-street Choir (conductor, Mr. W. J. Travers). The adjudi- cators, in very flattering terms, gave the prize to Miskin-street Choir, whose singing, they declared, was verging on perfection. I

On Tuesday at the meeting of the Merthyr I Chamber of Trade the President (Mr. Simons) suggested the holding of a fete such as is held annually at Pontypool, the proceeds to applied to tljp public benefit, anf' strong committee was appointed to t°lie the matter in hand. hand.

France and the Far East COMPETITION WITH GREAT BRITAIN. A lteutcr's telegram from Paris 011 Thursday I says: -11. De Lanessan, writing in the "Rappel," says: -One of the motives which decided the Chamber to vote the sums demanded for the ilndo-China Railway was the desire to make French influence penetrate into Yunnan before Great Britain has established herself in that province. This competition is so loyal and so practical that our neighbours cannot complain of it. The gigantic scheme of the British to unite the Indies with the capital of Yunnan, a scheme which their tenacity will, probably, bring to a successful issue, will hurt our in- terests considerably if we do not. take measures to extend our influence to the whole of that I province. No one can dream of making j Yunnan valuable until a railway connects the province with the Delta of Tongking: and the China Sea. The country will reap material and moral advantages therefrom, such as to com- pensate it for the mortifications which the barren and clumsy policy followed in the valley of the Upper Nile and elsewhere has made it' undergo, and our rivals in colonisation will themselves be more disposed to extend us their consideration and friendship when they see us doing a sound and useful work.

Genesis of Street Mud. CARDIFF CORPORATION EX-! P RIMENTS IN CASTLE-RD. At a meeting of the Cardiff Public Works Committee some weeks ago, the borough engi- neer objected to experimenting with various kind? of macadam in Castle-road, on the ground that he thought the first section of corporation tramways should be laid on that road. The committee, however, set that objection aside, and resolved that such experiments should be carried out ill Castle-road, a sub-committee being appointed to oversee the experiments. There the matter rested until Thursday, although people passing through Castle-road have had their curiosity aroused by the fact that portions of the road, supposed to be pre-empted, are now being ve-laid with the ordinary metalling. At the pub- lie works committee on Thursday morning, Mr. Veall asked what was being done ia tha way of experimenting with macadam in Castle. load. Borough Engineer: I have got certain -tones oil order now. Mr. Veall: What have you order <] ? I thought the sub-committee were to be called con2m together to consult as to the kinds of sones to be used. Borough Engineer: I hav ordered Cee Hill. German basalt, Pentee, Irish granite, and Penmaenmawv. Mr. Veall: Why do you limit it to those five? Borough Engineer: Do you know of any! o tilers? Mr. Veall Xo. but I cerrainly think the sub- committee should have been called together to discuss the matter and make a selection of the stones. The Chairman We are using stone which we consider the hest- Mr. Veall: That is not the point. I propose that the sub-committee be called together to consider the matter. consider the matter. The Borough Engineer: Five are as many as we Can use in Castle-road. Mr. Veall: But the committee should have been consulted. Mr. Mildon remarked that, according to the reports as to the Bute experiments the German basalt was a "binding" stone. That meant that it was not hard. Here the minute as to the sub-committee was read, and it proved to record that the borough engineer should select the stones, and the sub- committee should merely watch results. <( The Borough Engineer intimated that he had 110 objection to Guernsey stone being in- eluded in the list, and the committee took ^vantage of this permit, and included Guernsey stone.

LOCAL PARLIAMENTARY BILLS. PROPOSED BRYNMAWR AND WESTERN VALLEYS RAILWAY. PARTICULARS OF THE NEW BILL. The Brynmawr and Western Valleys Eailway Bill has been duly deposited for next session. The Bill provides for the incorporation of the company by the name of "The Brynmawr and Western Valleys Railway Company." Upon this company power is proposed to he con- ferred to construct the railway, which is described in the Bill as "A railway 1 mile 1 furlong 1.75 chains in length wholly in the parish of Aberystruth in the county of Mon- mouth commencing by a junction with the Great Western Railway (Monmouthshire section Western Valleys line; at a point 410 yards measured along that railway in a northerly direction from Nantyglo Station and termi- nating by a junction with the London and North Western Eailway (Merthyr Tredegar and Abergavenny branch) 150 yards west of Brynmawr Station on that railway." The promoters of this railway are the Marquess of W orcester, Mr. Samuel Hood, Mr. Cowper Coles, and Mr. Romer Williams, who, with "two other persons to be nominated by them" will form the first board of directors. The capital of the company is proposed to be fixed at £39,000 in 3,000 shares of JElO each. Upon this capital it is proposed to borrow a. further sum of 1-13,000, which may be raised by the creation or debenture stock. In the construction cf the railway the quantity of land which the company may take from Waun-yr-He.ygen Common i., limited to one acre. The period sought for the construction of this railway is five years from the passing of the Act, and upon its completion running powers are sought to be exercised over the Great Western Rail- way into Nantyglo Station and over the London and North Western Eail-vay into Brynmawr Station. With both these companies it is sought to enter into working and traffic agreements, and during the construction of the line it is proposed to expend £ 3,000 in the payment of interest out of capital. NORTH PEMBROKESHIRE AND FISHGUARD RAILWAY. VESTING RAILWAYS IX THE GREAT WESTERN. A Bill has been duly deposited "to provide for the abandonment of certain authorised railways of the North Pembrokeshire and Fish- guard Railway Company and for the vesting ri e undertaking of that company in the Great Western Eailway Company." By Clause tne ^undertaking of the company "shall as from the 12th of February 1898 be transferred to and vested in the Great Western Company," and all the unexercised powers of the company to raise capital are extinguished. Clause 8 provides that "As on and from the date of vesting the Great Western Company shall hold the undertaking of the Company freed and' discharged from all liabilities obligations and engagements of the Company and from all th whatsoever on the part of any of the creditors of the Company or of any other person or persons in respect of any debt ^V thf6 cornW incurred on or before the date of vesting or of the holders of any of the shares in the Company and there- upon the Company shall be dissolved except T?rn, pdrP°se °f.winding up their affairs." Ly Clauses 9 and 10 it is expressly provided that notwithstanding the vesting, the shareholders and officers shall not become shareholders and officers in the Great Western Company. By Clause 12 the Great Western Company are em- powered to apply any surplus money they may have to the purposes of this Act.

QIAIFT FOLKLORE. On Tuesday night, at a meeting of the Folk- lore Society held at the roome, 22, Alberinarle- street, London, Mr. W. H. Eou«e read paper on "Folklore from the 'sporades." Having given a description of the various charms prescribed for the driving away of diseases, the aversion of the evil eye, &c„ he caused much amuse ment by reading ancient Greek formulas for inspiring love and rendering the acnuHt' of knowledge easy. A swain who sighed ft>r th« love of a lady snould procure a red apple cut his right thumo, and trace certain ™ signs on the apple with the blood thus oht V The lady must be induced to Vat ?h. and wondrous results would follow in th recipe was to write certain words An laid by a black fowl on a Thn,. esg express the fervent wish that thn *)* t0 might boil over for the youth who thus catered for her. youta who thus The formula for enabling a child to learn his letters and generally acquire knowledge witnout much trouble was somewhat k?°17led!?e There must be a good deal of -14, on a plate, over which Divine e ^a.hstic writing said for seven days.^ VZ1' shou]d be washed, in order to provide u W,'aS then the fortunate youth, who at f°r captive of knowledge to an ,beo £ U?le re" degree. extraordinary

Ihe 1 e-organieation managers of thp "RiHi "1 <">'« 8oati.w"SVjlw»y clm'- »'affected by v. h that from holders who deposit their bonds under the plan a syndicate will purchase for cash, at their face -T"9 *lldc^ims for interest 011 regis- .ored bonds maturing January 1 next. Parti- 'p'1Utl eij *he plan of re-organisation in ats0ever is dependent upon the January^ 1899.CU11S °n °r before the 20til of deposit of securities on or before the 20th of 1899,

SANTA CLAUS AT WORK. A THOUSAND LITTLK GIRLS ENTERTAIN!]!). GREAT ANNUAL FEAST AT CARDIFF. THE BOYS' TURN TO-DAY. [BY "MORIEX."] In the early history of Christianity in Bri- tain the Britons and the Saxons very often quarrelled. An English monk writes to the Bishop of Salisbury stating that the Briton Christians treated the Saxon Christians with great disdain. The Britons, he says, will not partake of the same bread as the Saxons at the Lord's Table, and when the Saxons happen to leave fragments of their bread the Britons will cast it to their dogs. When, he goes en, the Saxons have used certain silver vessels for the wine of the Lord's Supper the Britons will not drink out of the said vessels until they have been first scoured with sand and cleaned from what they call English pollution. On coming to Cardiff on Wednesday the story of what took place at the Park-hall on Tuesday night in the so-called interest of "Protestantism" brought to one's memory the foregoing picture of the fierce intolerance of our Cambro-Briton ancestors in England. But it must be admitted that our ancestors had been taught by horrible experiences that the Saxons were as treacherous and cruel as wolves, and like Queen Elizabeth said to the Countess of Nottingham, "God may forgive you, but I never will Now, if the gathering on Tuesday night was most it.oierantly in favour cf tolerance, we met on Wednesday afternoon in the same Park- hall doing a work that would ha,ve delighted the gentle Naza-rene, Who said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven" (that is to say, His Church on earth). Every great soul is fond of little children, for there he finds mankind without guile and 1ll pristine purity. I will not believe in original sin, more than did peiagius-(Morien) of Llantwit Major. Now, if the meeting at the Park-hall on Tuesday night left any pollntive intolerant stains in the interior of the beauti- ful building, the pollution was on Wednesday washed away with scores of buckets of tea; and the sweet voices of a thousand little girls, now singing and then screaming with laughter at the sight of the merry gambols of the players on the stage, sent all the Black Wings and bals into their native holes. I could not help believing in my soul that the scene at the Park-hall cn Wednesday afternoon was more pleasing to the Highest than a preaching Cymmanfa, with one preacher after another endeavouring to explain one dogma after another, to be refuted by another school of theology. Out with your odium theologicum, and give tea, cake, bread and butter, and pretty songs to a thousand poor little girls of the town of Cardiff. Don't forget the boys; but, somehow, delicate little girls touch. a deeper chord of sympathy in our hearts. There- fore, it was with an emotion that brought the tear to the verge of the eyelid one Oil Wednes- day afternoon liehekl a thousand little girls in the glee of intense enjoyment at the Park-hall. One of the greatest misfortunes to the world was the teaching that good works in themselves are of no other Christian value than as the fruit of the tree of knowledge. It ought to be taught that the tree is nourished by good works, and that good works bled those who give and those who take! We are on the eve of the festive season of Christmas, with its old-world, delightful associations, both Christian and Pagan. People feast on geese, turkeys, and plum puddings as heathens, and sing the songs of the Nativity as the followers of the Babe of Bethlehem. Sinner as I am, I could not for the life of me keep my thoughts from wander- ing to a certain poor little child—to all appearance, the babe of very poor parents-in a grotto-cave in the Eastern world when watching the little girls feasting at the Park- hall on Wednesday afternoon. Children are real disciples—did not the young Nazarene say so? -and one thought of the "cup of water" to "one of these little ones." It is almost time in Cardiff for a Druid to stand up between the angry Christian factions, who fall out like the Hindoos and the Mahommedans in India re- specting the sacred cow. The scene at the Park- hall on Wednesday was in connection with the annual appearance of "Santa Claus." The inte- resting affair was this year under the guidance and control of Miss Matty Lascelles Carr, Cwrt-y-Vil. Penarth. In the past the "Santa Claus" treat was successively guided and controlled by her two interes- ting sisters, who have married and gone to dwell one in London and the other in France. Miss Matty is the youngest of the "Western Mail" three graces, and Miss Matty is the last of the three, and stands, like the last in the sacred triad, representing St. Charity. I could write of the good qualities of these benevolent girls, but, as an old friend of the three. I must hold in my winged muse. Sufficient is it to say that dear little Miss Matty has entered upon her benevolent task with the same enthusiasm which distinguished her two sisters. The doors of the Park-hall were opened early in the after- noon, and in a very short time a thousand little girls of all ages up to, say, twelve, years were admitted. The great body of the hall was filled from front to back in scores of ranks. The children were all those of the poor—more poor than ever owing to the recent disastrous strike in the coal trade. Their clothes were, to say the least, threadbare. Scores of the visitors were so young as to be hardly able to toddle along holding the hands of elder sisters. Those little ones had only just arrived in this strange world, and as they toddled into "he grand hall of the Fishguard worthy they seemed to the writer to look about them with an air of great solemnity. To each of those each policeman is what a lord or a lord mayor is to other mortals, and the awe with which they seemed to regard the guardians of the pub- lic peace was highly amusing to witness. All of us have been children ourselves, and it was pleasant to be able to appreciate the feelings of the newcomers as they toddled into the hall, very often dragged sideways by their sisters. The sideway attitude was generally due to the tendency of the very little ones to keep the eye fixed on some august personality that awed by his presence. As each one entered she received a tin tankard, and the shining present was regarded as a foretaste of bhe felicity to follow. The tankard was inspected within and without, and a smile played about the little mouths—they were the pretty mouths of the future charming lasses of the Metropolis of Wales. Miss Matty did not ask the creed of the parents of the little girls. Some of those parents might be in the habit of calling the Pope Holy Father, others might swear by John Calvin 11 and others by Arniinius or Andrew Fuller, and John Wesley might be regarded by j others as a veritable Holy Father. But at the Park-hall Miss Ma.tty stood in loco ( parentis to all during the feast. The only I two tolerants left us are "Santa Claus" and the National Eisteddfod of Wales. After the thousand little girls were seated a numerous ] body of ladies filed along the sides of the hall, ] to be ready to render all required assistance j to the little ones, and, with delightful maternal instinct, their eyes were ever quick to see ( every movement along the ranks of the tankarded army. In a few minutes the great organ pealed forth its music over the audience, The sound was like peals of music coming from tha Throne of Mercy, and if the strains of the harp of the Shepherd Psalmist of Bethlehem Ephratah before Saul caused Satan to shrink away, one fancies the same result occurred now. A deep linsh fell over the congregation j of little girls, and every eye was directed to- < wards the instrument, and every ear seemed to be drinking in the splendid harmony. To many a little mind and heart the grand melody ( was like an awakening into a far higher life ] than that in which their childish days are < spent in poor homes in the crowded habila- ( tions of the back streets of the town. Who can calculate the consequence of that awaken- ing and its results? The effect upon some little ones present may be like that of touching the lips of the prophet with living coals from. 1 the altar.' So may it be.' I In a short time the fun on the stage in front commenced, and went on for two hours, to the immense delight of the little ones. Their peals of laughter in sweetest treble were most contagious, and both clergy and Nonconfor- mists present were smiling as if there were no Purgatory or any other such place to fear. The fun lasted long enough to make the chil- dren downright hungry. The Chairman (Councillor Whitel now reve- rently said. "We will now .say grace." Instantly the thousand httle children rose from their seats, and the organ spoke:- Be pr?ient at our tabic, Lord; Be here and everywhere adorid; These creatures biess. and grant thai we May feast in Paradise with Thee." If there be anything holy on the face of the earth it was the sound of the voices of a thou- sand little girls—children of the lowly and poor—singing the above grace before meat. At the close a great thrilled all present as it rolled forth in noble cadences by the little one- Now the tea. cake, and bread and butter began to be distributed by the charming "helps, and among the fair Captain Lindsay, the chief of the Glamorgan constabulary, might be seen carrying a bucket full of tea as a reserve store for the "helps" to draw there- from. During this feast I went in search of a blind little girl whom I had seen there that day twelve months. The blind! j How few can realise what that condition means! Mrs. William Daviee found her out for me, and we found the iittie giris around her, with true feminine tenderness, helping her. She could not see either cup or cake, and, with downcast face and trembling hands, she "feit" the gifts of good "Santa Claus." May God temper the wind to the shorn lamb! After tea- the departure took place. They paseed out to Park-lane in long file, each receiving three new pennies and a bag of assorted clothing. Here long lines of mothers were standing, wait- ing the exodus. How thrilling was the name "Mother!" as uttered by one little girl after the other—"O. main!" The scenes along the pri- vacy of the lane were delightful. The girls would open their respective bags or little sacks. Look there! One little girl of twelve has dis- covered a petticoat in her baz. Out it comes, and she places it along her side, with the waist- band against her waist, and looks over its side to see whether it would fit her. Another drags out a small—what is called, I think, a chemise. She places it in fronL, and linde it is too short for her, and she is heard s lying', "I" will do for little Sarah." To-day (Thursday) the boys will vis;t "Santa Claus" at the Park-hall, and all peop'e with souls in Cardiff who can afford the time will be there.

RECEIVED YESTERDAY. £ s. d. I Collected by Mr. Ivor Hicks 2 9 0 Collected by Miss Phillips, 50, De Burgh- t-trept. 2 0 0 Per Miss E. M. Fowler, Innisfaleen, Cathedarl-road (Collecting Book) 18 0 1 Collected by Mr. J. W. Marsh. 64. Mov- road 14 6; Dr. William Taylor. Llaudaff 110 M. 11." 100 Mrs. Hotel. 0 10 0 Mr. Viekery. Penarth 0 8 4%! "Augiicte," Llanover. Mori 0 5 0"! Mr. E. Watts, Blue Anchor Hotel 0 5 0 vVilliam Gregory, Treherbert-street ("Express" Club member. Xo. 38. 0 4 OJ j W. Coopey, Sandon-piace t" Exnres* Club, No. 1,570) 0 2 3J Mr. Waddington, Cardiff 0 2 0 Verner Newton, 5. Woodvi!le-road Express Club member. No. 68) 016 Mrs. Z. Palin 0 10 E- B-" 0 10 RECEIVED TO-DAY. Tlf n-n- £ *• Mrs. \Vuhams 0 4 0' Sale of programmes in Park-hal!. Wednesday 0 5 3 Cardiff Inanimate and Live Bird Shoot- i'vg Club, proceeds of Wednesday's Competition 3 5 4 P-owl in "Western Mail Vestibule 0 1 8 Per Mr. J. Foster 3 0 0 Cairns' 0 10 0 Master Ted James. Tydfil House, l'ortb- cawl (" Express Club member. Xo. 51 0 9 0 "A Friend" 0 5 0

CARDIFF PUBLIC WORKS At the meeting of the Cardiff Public Works Committee on Thursday uAlderman J. llams- dale presiding), it was arranged, subject to the approval of the council, to send a deputation to the Local Government Board, to urge the speedy sanctioning of the building bye-laws. sThe Chairman said they could send up the bye-laws to the Local Government Board, and follow it up with a deputation. The Waterworks Committee sent on a com- plaint as to the condition of stopcocks at Salt- mead which projected above the footpath.—The Borough Eng-ineer said there were only one or two cases where the stopcocks were above the path, and that was through sabsidence.-The Borough Engineer stated that Mr. Gleen, of the Cardiff Tramways Committee was favourably disposed towards the proposal of the corpora- tion to the company, that the company would not c;iarg*e the corporation with the value of the margins along the tram lines if the latter new LUll them with wood blocks— It was decided to have a special meeting 01 the com- mittee immediately the company replied definitely.

THE VACANT JUDGESHIP. Among the name-, mentioned a- likely to succeed to the Judgeship vacant by the resig- notion of Mr .Justice Hawkins arc Mr Jesepli Walton, Q.C., M.P.. Mr. Buckuill. Q.C.. M.P. Mr. A. T. Lawrance, Q.C., Mr. Jelf, Q.C.. and Mr H. Sutton. There is no immediate necessitv to fill up th3 appointment, as the Judges wii] not, sit ag-ain until the 11th of next month.

MAYORESS OF CARDIFF "AT HOME." We understand that the Mayoress of Cardiff (Mrs Mere!) intends giving a number of "At Hoin^s," commencing about the middle of January. A large number of invitations win be sstied to the inhabitants of Cardiff, and, as the Mansion House will not be large enough to-- ihese receptions, Messrs. James Howell and Co. nave received instructions to furnish the assembly and anti rooms at the Town-hail as drawing-rooms for the occasions.

CARDIFF SHOOTING CLUB. A SUBSCRIPTION FOR "SANTA CLAUS." A special "shoot" of the Cardiff Inanimate and Lire Bird Shooting Club, in aid of the "Evening Express" "Santa Clans" Fund, took place at the Merry Harrier, Llandough, on Wednesday afternoon. The club ground was formerly situated near the Sanatorium, but. as wild birds cannot now be Ehot within the borough, a field has been secured adjoining the Merry Harrier, Llandough. The president of the slub is Air. Lascelles Carr, the vice-president Mr. Hugh Morgan, and the treasurer and secretary Messrs. P. Dugdale and W. Chambers respec- tively. The president gave a silver cup to be shot for 011 Wednesday, and the proceeds were handed over to the "Santa Claus" Fund, the ?ood total of £ 3 5s. 4d. being realised. Amongst those present were Messrs. Hugh Morgan, H. J. A. Evans, W. Chambers, J. Hoes, E. M'Millan, J. Hankanson, W. E. P. Hughes, P. Dugdale, L. E. Conway, S. Wyatt, G. Key. T. B. Clode. W. R. Clode, J. David, and Thomas. For the cup -■ompetition there were twelve entries, and some Jscellent shooting was witnessed. The starlings were particularly strong, and afforded good sport. Mr. M'Millan won the cup, with four birds out of five, Messrs. Boss, Dugdale, H. J. A. Evans, and Key coming next with three each, several sweepstakes were afterwards shot. for. Mr. Hankanson won one with foua birds out of five. Mr. Ross won two others, and divided a third with Mr. M'Millan. Tiie club will meet every Wednesday for starling or clay bird diooting, as may be decided.

MARCHANDS RETURN. A Reuter s telegram from Paris on Wcdnes- day says:—The "Temps" says that Major Mar- rhand and his staff have left Fashoua in the -teel boat Faidbarbe, and will ascend the Sobat is far as the state of navigation permits. According to the major's own calculations, the expedition should reach Addis Absba some time 111 March. Captain Laofeaii, who was at iieshra el Rek. has joined Major Marchand in < boat. As in the present state of affairs in he Bahr-el-Ghazel he cannot go back to rfeshra el Rek, he will return with the other! officers by way or Abyssinia. All the members )f the mission are in good health except an idjutant, a sergeant, and eiffht Senegalese, who ivill return to France via the Nile and Cairo.

Strychnine on Toast. ALLEGED ATTEMPTED M li U. DER BY A SERVANT. A remarkab"c charge of attempted poisoning came before the Halstead Petty Sessions on Tuesday. A young domestic servant, named Elizabeth Walford. was brought up 011 a charge ol attempting to administer to Mrs. Elizabeth Sophia Marlar, wife of. John Marlar, chemist and druggist. Halstead. with intent to murder. Mr. J. Malar stated that prisoner was in his employ as a domestic servant up to December lJ. At 7.30 aim. oil that day prisoner brought his wife a cup of ten and -.o:ue toast to her room. She placed them oil the washstand. and then went out It was not cusomary for prisoner to bring tea up. but they liiought she had done it out of pure goodwill. His wife took some lea and t'len some toast, but immediately took it out! of her mouth, exclaiming thut it was poisoned. Witness sprang out of bed and laid his finger oil some powder which he perceived on the toast, and, putting it to his lip-, said, This is strychnine." He went downstairs to where he knew strychnine was laid for mice, and then asked the prisoner what she had been doing, but she said nothing. Witness sealed in two boxes the toast and the poison, which he had laid oil a shelf in the pa";¡.e mixed with rice and wheat-Sour to kill mice, and handed them over to the poi'ce. Inspector Jones gave particulars of the arrest of the accused, she mude no reply when the warrant was read to her. Dr. Roberts stated that he had examined the toast, and found sprinkled 011 the fourth piece of toast a powder which he found to be strychnine. It was impossible 10 say without further investigation whe.her there was suffi- cienl powd r on the toast to cause death. He. therefore, asked that expert evidence should be obtained to ascertain positively the amount of strychnine laid on the toast, as that was beyond his provinr and he had not the ex- pensive apparatus that was necessary. The powder was spread 511 one small piece of toast and sprinkled on the top of the other. There was only one pi ce of toast that contained any serious amount of the powder, that being the piece which Mrs. Marlar had broken, and of which she had put a piece in her mouth. The Bench made an order that the powd r should be sent to an expert analyst, and re- manded the prisoner for a week.

CARDIFF BUS ROITF, PROPOSED EXTENSIONS TO UNSERVED DISTRICTS. Alderman Beavan mentioned at the Cardiff Cabs Committee meeting on Thursday the necessity of soric Of the buses which now had their to minus in A\ eilfielu-road being run up Mackintosh-place Taat street extended for nearly half a mile from Castie-road the nearest Point at which a 'bus could bs obtained, and its northern end was within a'-hart. distance of the cemetery—Mr. Good stated that a ser- vice of 'bust- from the cemetery down Cathays- trreace and Park-place to St. John's-square would also be a great convenience, especially during the suniner months. Other desirable extensiens were aencloned, and. on the moLoll of Mr. Chappell, -oconded by .Alderman Beavan, a small committee was appointed to report on the whole question.—It was resolved that the tramway company be requested to give instrue- 1 tions to the drivers of buses to pull up to the ksrb for passenger? to enter and leave the vehicles. 1 (

FOR LOVE OF A WOMAN Although resor: to the knife is common 1 enough in Rome, the Roman Press is excited over a duel with knives which has just taken place. On Wednesday two workmen, rivals in love, met by appointment at mid-day. by the Tiber side, to flglit for the hand of a woman. Silently they began their desperate encounter, liirusting and parrying with demoniac energy. At last one made a desperate blow at the other, breaking down his adversary's guard and inflicting a. fearful wound 011 the throat. The windpipe was cut through, a* was also the carotid artery. The victor fled, leaving his 1 knite in the neck of his dead rival. ) The duel is characteristic of the "Mala Vita" sect. The girl for whom this duel was fought 1 promised to marry the winner. She will have to wait some time, for the man ha- been arrested and will have to undergo a lengthy ;mpr-'sonment.

VAGARIES OF A MOTOR CAR A singular accident happened to Mr. H. c Saville-Brown, of Lothorp Villa. Kingston-vale. 0: as he was driving a phaeton-shaped motor-car I along Portsdown-roa-d, Bayswater, on Wednes- day. The steering gear suddenly refused to a act. and the motor began to travel in eccentric a style from one side of the road to the other, t Alter narrow escapes from colliding with seve- ral vehicles, the motor charged into a sub- stantially-built six-foot brick wall, and was turned over on its Side. The two occupants jumped off just in time to escape injury. After some trouble they succeeeded in stopping the working of the motor, which had to be drawn back to Kingston-vale by two horses hired from a neighbouring livery stable.

ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE, BANK BATE- The Bank rate reimins at 4 per cent. MINING (AUSTRALIAN AND INDIAN). T,r. I r i.. r. «.isc«iu iiimv. "s alio View C'ftij • Ass». G»ld W.A. 5p Seufli i: Be Southern 3sM iLea. A Gl\»e Fin.' lAd Broken Hiil Pro. 2,V -Tiwosa XL Burbanks Birthd'y 1,1 Mystrt 5 Buriua Kuby 5s <M 6 6 Central Boulder 5s 6d |Sorth Bculder 9/0 Chaffers 8s 0« ]Niin<lTdi'»Off. Champion Reef. |0*resmti Or.1. 31a, Glden HrceSboe 15 'Do. Pref. Great Boulder 2^ 3 jWeiitw'tli G»id" lOsCd Hampton Plains £ hv. Ans. Glands *1 Han nan's B. HU1. 7% 1»*. Joint JSti,- 8 6 Iraihoe 6?i i'tioTinte. 30 £ Kaiffurli 6,* iAuacenaa 5 =. Do. Nortli ,*• ^Tounl T.Tel I 254 Lady Shent«n 2. Ashanti Goldfis 10& Do. Part Faid *9& MINING (sm Tn! AFRICAN). Auyelo 6}J Knijiit 4' Ape* 35 I,a«pl»aele 4" Barimt* Consols 1-1 BerWn 2< 0d 2 0,.1 Bantjes Vi, iLoniUn & Paris ,7t Bechua 11aland. £ Luip'rds.Vlei Nw '«• Hullelsdoorn 8s Od Jlaslioral«i Arcr British 8. Africa Mar 3*? (Chartered). 3,'„ >feyer k ChVrh'ii 6:0:, City 4 Suburban 5"8 'M^derfontein 6,7f Comet 3j; New Cons'.i Gldfidssf |Nigel 2% >S. Africa I)ef 55i 'Oceana <'•nsd Crown Reef Pioneer i] '/t De Beers 27 iPotcliefstr«e». 5s0d Durban Boeder*'t 6 R^ndfontein 2i ilastRand 61- Kami Mines 34^ ^efreiru 25ft Reitf»iiteiu Geidenliuis 8js .Robinson 9 £ Do. Dfeli 10?.<f [Salisbury 2% Glencairn 1% Slieba 1! Geldfields Deep — ;Siu:mer ( Jack 5' endersonTrs* 1 S. ifri j.GoliTsi 45J Heary Nourse. 9% Spes Bona K '1 Henot "s 1 at i Concession. JurerKfeiiteiu 9-% 'Transvaal Gold.. Kj Johanesbrgr.Iiivt l,-« iVau Kvu 0% Jubilee 5-^ ,Village Maiareef 7ft Jumpers 5% Weramer 12vr K leiufontein 2 £ iWolhuter 4a Klersdorp. Ca 6d Zambesi PreiB.

DINNER OF THE BARRY MASTER BUILDERS. The second annual dinner in connection with the Barry Master Builders' Association I a's held on Wednesday evening at the Earry Hotel, Barry, when a company numbering about 50 I gentlemen attended, under the chitirmaiishi!} of Mr. Edward Phillips, the president for the year.—In submitting the toast of "The Queen." the Chairman said every subject of the British realm ought to feel proud to live under such a jjoTernrnent a? ours, which safely protected the life and property of every Britisher.—Mr. G. Rutter gave "The Army, Navy. and Eeserve 1 Forces" in an appropriate speech.—Mr. G. W. Boucher, in submitting the toast of the even- ing, that of "Success to the Barrv Master!, Builders Association, said the sadiy defective sanitary conditions of cottage properly at Salt- mead, Cardiff, could not be laid at the door of the cottage property at Barry, thanks to the careful supervision of the local authority. (Cheers.—The Chairman in responding: denounced the action of members of the local trades — masons especially — in! insisting fpon all men employed on, the building work" of the town being members of their respective trade societies. The association contended that there should be freedom of action, and he pro- tested against a su-ilte breaking ont on the part of the men without giving an oppor- tunity to both sides to resort to conciliatory measures towards settlement. (Cheers.)—Mr. Samuel Hopkins (tbe vice-chairman) and Mr. G. Rutter responded in similar terms.—Mr. J. R. Llewellyn proposed "The Town and Trade of Barry," alluding to important schemes in course of development for the further growth of the port and town.—Mr. Couzens, of Cardiff, who. with Mr. llo'lowav, represented the Car- diff Master Builders' Association, responded.— "Tlie Barry llailway Company" was submitted by Mr. G. Rutter, and acknowledged by Mr. J. D. Rees.-Other toasts, interspersed with songs, were given.

CARMARTHEN CHRISTMAS MARKET. The second of the Christmas markets at Car- marthen was held on Wednesday, when there was a very large supply and brisk demand, hundreds of birds being bought up for distant centres. The ruling prices were—Turkeys and geese, 9d. to 9*d. per lb.; ducks, 3-?. 6d. to 4s.; fowl.?. 2s. 6d.; and these were fully maintained to the close.

A Self-Assertive Wife. —————*—— CROSS-EXAMINES A COLM1. COURT JUDGE, At Wbiteehapel County-court on Vednesdny (before his Honour Judge Bacon' two taen, named Salthill and Cole, were sued by a money-lender for the arrears of a loan. When the case was called a woman stepped into the e' box, ind. looking towards the plaintiff, said. "Vhy did you let Cole have the loan! He ought ne^.er to have had it." His Honour: Woman, who are ycu' The Woman: I am Cole' wife. Laughter.^ His Honour: Y0:1're only his wife (Lausrh- ter.i Weil, what have you to do with itr You want t?> keen your husband at home, «o that lie will not become security. (Loud laughter. 1 Mrs. Cole: He ought net to have given him the loan, because I can't pay it..Laughter.) he His Honour: I presume you mean your hus- band ? (Laughter. I Mrs. Cole: He's got quite enonsrh to earn sufficient to keep the family sroing. I have ten children. His Honoru What, a labouring man got ten children. What doe?- lie do? Mrs. Cole: He is or.lv a cigar-maker, earning about 19s. a week Hi- Ponour: But u.e of the children work. Mrs. Cole: One ear- six shillings a week.— She had to pay nine shillings a week rent. His Honour; You want me to believe that you keep the whole family on the balance Mrs. Cole said the eldest was eighteen year-. and the second fifteen. His Honour: She does something, or are you bringing her up to do nothings Laughter.; Mro. Cole: She has to help ine. His Honour: What nonsense, you have sortie of the others to mind the baby. Mrs. Cok was asked a question about her husband, when she replied. "lie a got to keep me" His Honour: You are very imptiden;. Mr-. Cole replied in a haughty manner. "Ob., no I am not. You a;ked me these questions." His Honour: How do you keep your family? Mrs. C'jie. Why. I have to k&ep them on a piece of bread and butter. (Laughter. His Honour: You can't do it. I am sure, on the money you state. I must make th order Salthill. Now. mind, if you have Salt- hill condemned to Holloway, .Cole will have to settle it. I must see that the orders are paid. Mrs. Cole then left the court, but wa- imme- diately recalled to answer another summons. His Honour asked her why she did not men- tion the second summons when ihe was there before. Mr-. Cole: I knew nothing about it, that I am positive Is it for 10s. 9d.. or what is it? His Honour: Well, don't crosa-examine me. Laughter.) (After referring to the papers: It is for 10s. 9d.—=0 you knew something about it. You seem to have an intimate knowledge of all your husband's affairs. of all your husband's affairs.

A "NEXT-OF-KIN" AGENT | COM KITTED FOR TRIAL j At Bow-street Police-court 011 Wednesday afternoon Frederic); Turner Woodman, aged 22. "next-of-kin agent," of Putney, was charged on remand with obtaining a valuable security by fraud and false pretences from Sarah Burgess.—Mr. Charles Mathews, who prosecuted on behalf of the governors of the Bank of England, said the prisoner was charged with the perpetration of a series of frauds extending over many months. From the offices in Chan eery-lane he had advertised extensively the name of Turner and Co.. or persons alleged e to he entitled to money lying in the Bank of England, Chancery, and elsewhere. The adver- tisements were attractively headed such as Huge fortunes unclaimed. One hundred millions sterling lying buried in the Court of Chancery and elsewhere." Complaints as to his methods of carrying on business had become so numerous that the Bank of England decided to prosecute him. Prisoner had made from £ 1,000 to £ 2,000 a year by the business, which counsel contended was of a fraudulent charac- ter.—Evidence in support of the charge having been given. prisoner was committed for trial. bail being fixed at two securities of L500 and j himself at £ 1,000.

DASTARDLY OUTRAGE NEAR SWANSEA. ATTEMPT TO WRECK AS EXPRESS TRAIX- Shortly before midnight on Tuesday some cowardly miscreants placed gevwrai large stories on both rails of th? Great Weste-n line between Landore and Llansamlet. Fortunately, it was a goodg train which first met the obstacles, and with the exception of a slight injury to the line guards of the engine, no damage was done, and, perhapw, serious lew of life was averted. The Great Western Milford express due at Landore at 11.<0 had upon this evening preceded the goods train instead of following it. as it usually does, the reason being that while the express was well up to time the goods train was very late. It would appear, there- fore, that the perpetrators of the outrage were making an attempt on the express, which, how- ever. had fortunately passed before the obstacle was placed upon the line. When the I goods train subsequently came along the 1 engine dashed into the stones, which were, as ( stated, placed upon both rails, and was lifted 1 up, but not derailed. The train was brought « to a standstill, and. after the line had been 1 cleared, proceeded. The police are actively en- J gaged in searching for the person or persons who hp.Te been guilty of so cowardly and ( fiendish an attempt. 1 Mr. John Ree-. divisional superintendent at 1 r*wan;ca, says the obstacle was not a form id- able one. and the company did not attach i much importance to the matter, as they were s not sure that they were not stones which had fallen off some trucks, but. undoubtedly, the train encountered an obstruction.

COLLIEHY WARNING. Within the past 43 hours the weather condi- I torig over all our coalfields ha ve been very greatly modified. A large oceanic anti-eyelone hai caused a considerable rise in the baro-' meter. The winds have shifted into a cooler gud/rter, and the air has become decidedly drier tuan it has been for several weeks. It will be necessary, under these circumstances, for all persons employed in undergronnd work- ings to carefully note any indications of dange- from insufficiently moistened dust and from accumulations, or outbursts, of gae.

POLICEMAN MURDER. SEARCH FOR THE MURDEREIl. The Press Association Inverness correspon- dent telegraphs —Notwithstanding a dili-ent M search daring th? night, no trace has been I found of the rcachcr who on Tuesday »ho„ c Police-constable King,of the Inverness-shire Con- v stabulary at Tulloch, Xethybriuge, but further E evidence points to the murder having been of l the mo?t deliberate character. It is stated that 1 the police hnnc shortly to capture the murderer, who in hi? flight was followed by his dog. It is stated that a a.werine the rlc-spr-■- I tion of the poacher has been seen in the neigh- bourhood of the Knock of Cura, a wild district in the vicinity.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT IS AMERICA. A Beuter's telegram from New York on Wed- nesday -During fo^ an accident occurred to-day on the Pennsylvania Railroad, near Hab- way, New Jersey. All expre'; train dashed into the rear of another. Two railway ser- vants were killed, ten passengers seriously in- jured. and twenty cut and bruised,

8POUTIXG INTELLIGENCE. rpOPPING AND SPINDLER, A iRAKDAWAY AND TOPPING). S.P. ALL E YCEt- DURING THE WINTER, The "Continental Sportsman, published twic- daily during the season, containing Latest Market' Movements on all Important Events, free on receipt of address. Tlie Oldest Established aDd Most Extensive Finn of its kind in the World. All Letters to be addressed: — FLUSHING. HOLLAND. e7222

TREGARON COUNTY SCHOOL. The first annual distribution of prizes in con- nection with this school, which was opened in May, 1897. took place on Wednesday. Profes- sor Williams, ef Lampeter College, presiaed. and the prises were distributed by Mrs. D. Lloyd. Tregaron.—Tiie Headmaster reported that in the first term there were 45 pupils, second term 72 pupils, and last term 60 pupils, The successes obtained in examinations were distinctly good. In the science and art exami- nations eleven obtained certificates, and in cbemistry twelve obtained certificates. One pupil obtained 1,630 marks in the Central Wel'h Board examination, and three over 1,000 marks.

No. 3, has a bad notoriety even for Gough- slreet, Cardiff. Emily Wilson, 24, was charged with keeping a disorderly house there on the 20th of December, and was fined A20 and costs, or two months. The Stipendiary in passing this sentence took a previous conviction into account. |

JEx-Councitiors Failure, I I un. 1ST FILED HIS ] PETITION THtSMOEMNG. f I Dr. Bui-t. who rece itly resigned his seats or the Cardif To-vn Council and Board of Guar- '¡ dians, filed hi- petition 'n the Cardiff Bank. ruptcy-court this morning-

Coroner and Magistrate. DIVERTING SCENE IN THE POLICE COURT. There wa- J. highly-diverting scene between Mr. Plowden. the fainou- magistrate, and Mr. j Braxton Hkk". the equally famous coroner, at the South Western Police-court on Wednesday, when James Jerome Mackay. a doctor carrying on practice 111 Wand"worth-road. Ciaphain. was charged 011 remand with committing perjury at an inquest held by Mr. Hicks. Battersea. on the body ol a child named Ernest M'Kenzie. Mr .Braxton Hicks was called a*id detailed the evidence at the inquest. The accused positively t-ated that he had made a post- mortem examination of the body, and that death was due to congestion of the brain. Witne-s then called Dr". Kempster and M ManUt. and ac 0 result of their evidence the jury actually returned a verdict of "Death from double pneumonia." That was the verdict. The Function of Coroner's Juries. Mr. Plowdeu (to witness: Why did you want the opinion of the jury? Witness: After the evidence of Dr. Mackay, and knowing' what Drs. Kempster and M Manus would say. I thought it best to put the question to the jury. Mr. Plowden: Y er. unusual, isn't Jt:¡ I thought juries were only wanted to give a verdict. Witne-s: It is not unusual. Mr. Piowden: Why did you caution Dr. Mackay? He was only a witness. Witne-ij: Because he stood in peril. I was once told by Mr. Justice HawKin; Mr. Piccden interrupting Please don't give us any confidences. This i" all very inys- terious. Witness 'to the magistrate hotly I didn't ccme here to be insulted. Reminiscences of the Savoy. Mr. PJowden: You might just as well ask the opinion oi a jury after every witness. Witness: It saved time-it saved me a good deal of sumnung up, Mr. Piowden: All. I see. we have it now. I must conlessed I am perplexed. There seems to have been two verdicts, two summings-up, and one jury. Laughter.; All the ordinary landmark4- of a court of justice were gone. I have -ecu -oiiiething like it on the Savoy stage. (Laughter. ■■ Dr. 1". C. Kempster. the pojice divisional sur- geon. gave his evidence u. to the result of the pjst-mortem examination in:,cle by himself and Dr. M'Manus. He was positive Dr. Mackay could not have examined the brains or the other organs. Witness admitted that Dr. Mackay might have made an honest mistake in his post-mortem examination. Mr. Plcwden: I should think it's rarer to find doctors agreeing than differing. (Laughter.) Witness further observed that all the organs should have been examined. Mr. Piowden: That is to say if the child died from fracture of the brain it is the duty of the doctor to inspect its toes. (Laughter.) ■Witness • Well. if we didn't examine all the organs the coroner would soon send us back to do it. Mr. Piowden: Quite frightened of the coroner! ¡L;w"hter., This e!os?ri the case for the prosecution. ifr. PI, iwden. after j'efemng to what he termed "the most eccentric proceedings at the inquest, asked what object the accused might have in making a deliberately false statement. He was quite aware of the responsibility devolv- ing o nhim. and acting- with the discretionary powers given him he should order the prisoner's discharge.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YOBK." VISIT OF THE YANKEE SUCCESS TO CARDIFF. Cardiff playgoers owe a deep debt oi gratitude to Messrs. Williamson and Mnsgrove for the visit -1ms early in Us provincial tour of 'The Belle 0" New York. The piece is booked lor the Theatre lloyal. for twelve nights and four matinees, comiaencing- ..n Boxing Day. Thi-( latest importation from the American stage, which held the boards of the Casino Theatre. New York, for a consecutive period of two years, created ftn absolute furore on its pro- duction some six months ago at the Shaftes- bury Theatre. London, by reason cf its con- stant succe -ion of lively musical members. t,, graceful dances, quaint comedy, and bevy of beautiful chorus ladies. It was instantly haiied the success of the London season, and i" still being played to enthusiastic houses nightly in the great Metropolis. One of the most emi. nent London critics refers to it as follows: — 'The Belle of New York' ravishes the eye and 1 pleasc-s the ear—:t is a dream of iair women, V i nightmare of aiaphonous robes and bewilder- ing frocks. Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove r.' not catering i. r the people who go to the theatre to be ;nst;-uct.ed. Their view of the embro.derv of life" is that we should iaugh :ad grow fat. The scenery, costumes, and sffects are an exact lac-simile of the London noduction the chorus is suggestive of grand >pera. and a special orchestra is carried, the 'onductor ol which is Mr. J. C. Shepherd, so cng associated with ihe Lyceum. The company ?nga?ed numbers nearly 70. and includes such .v-eli-known artiste* as Messrs. William Gould. Philip Leslie, W. Royaards, W. Bitter Bi'ey. fom Tind.Jl. Cecil Burt. Charles Anson, George Gregory. H. Morton, also Misses Fannie Lid- bard. Dorothy Vernon, Rachel Lowe, M. Brnn- cn. E. Gilroy. M. Maisey, R. Cecil E. Lorraine. 1). Darrington, P. Ward roper, C. Wardroper, if Lucy, and Miss May Pollard, who imperso- lates "The Belle of New York." The scenery t,nd dresseo at., an exact replica of those used u the Shaftesbury Theatre. London." lidlle. Vina Martino play- "La Belle Parisienne."

A GILDED SIXPENCE. Before Mi. T. 11. TMche» and Mr. E. J. ieawn, at Cardiff Police-cour t, on Thursday, Reginald Tracey. seventeen, was charged with eadering a gilded sixpenny- piece, representing he same to be half a sovereign, with intent o defraud, on Wednesday, at the Queen's Irrtel.—A barman ivtmed Edward John .andef" said that defendant entered the hotel "■ 33 on Wednesday afternoon, and asked for stone ginger-beer, which was served hire. Defendant tendered a coin wh.f-h had the ap- te: rancp of half a sovereign. Upon examina- ion. however, he found it to be a giided six- jence.—Prisoner said the coin was given to iim nt Newport the day before as a half- overeien.—Committed to the quarter sessions or trial.

CYCLISTS DINNER. The first anni,-il dinner of The Cardiff Ga. v >rks Cy<-liiisr Ciub was held at Red )ragon Restaurant on Wednesday evening. th" hair be.iig occupied by the captain. LettM* vere read from the president, vice-piesldent. lid others expressing their regi-et for not bein^r n-esent. A capitai dinner was provided, and he evening s enjoyment was continued with smoker. The r' jgramme consisted of !,long" «.. by the members, ably assisted by Messrs. ). S. Ib v: 1", 'l,nl1 T fimhip

Coo tatt fCar cla!5!5teratisii f i RAND UNTTEE) ORDER OF ODD1ELLOWS.-PRIZE DRAWING. Winning Numbers:—43, 133, 139 403. 410 425, /oti, 438. 5>J9, 510, 558. 672. 687, 690. 820. 822 863. 865. 882, 884, 892. 896 8S5. 302, 007, 967, 1.055, 1,053 1.064 1.121. e7368 FOB Sale. Gasoline Machine (complete;, capabl* cl producing 4- Lights: equal to new; suitable for hotel or mansion price. £ 15.—Apply -'U s. Lewis. Beer Stores, Pontycymuier. 3161z25 WrANTED, a Person, about 50, to Look After » House and Assist at the Drapery occa- sionally: only one in family; must produce gocd reference.—Ivor Griffiths, Draper, Cvmmcr, POlin. 3162z29 "l/IAEEIED Woman. Used to Business. Wanted .;J to Manage Business; references and security wanted; house free, Ac.—Richard Brinton. Pontypridd. 5163x26 WANTED. Situation as Grocrn under Coach- TT man; ride or drive; aged 18: weight. 7st. olb.—Address Groom, Black Lion Inn. Lian- dovery 5164z26 TT^ANTED. Governess for Three Girls; aged » t 7 to 14.—Apply to Mrs. Rogers. New House, Manorbier E.S.O.. Pembrokeshire. 5165z26 Fl,%o Let. Magnolia Villa. 11i, C'owbridge-road; 1 good garden.—Apply J. Stanbeid, Lion- chambers, 77. St. Mary-street. Cardiff. 3166z29 LAY Readership 11-equired. experienced; Bishop's licence; teacher ?o years; total ab-tainer 26 years.—J. Howell. Lay Reader, Monkshood, near Pontypool. Mon. 3171z26 \\TANTED. by January 3rd, a Girl, about 20. f as Kitdu:nmaid.- Apply, alter five o'clock, Penai-th House. Marine-parade. Penarth. z26 7ET A NT11D. experienced 'room-Coachman f » indoors): willing to be generally useful.— Mrs. Brewer. Highlands, near Penarth. 3168z29 I>AEFY Dock.—Shop to Let, in Thompson- f street. House to Let in Travis-street: both above have just been painted and papered throughout; splendid condition.—T. J. Morgan, Barry Dock. 3169z26 rpo Let, Three Houses in Lincoln-street, Can- X ton; close to tram-.—Apply J. Stanfield. Lion-chambers, 77, St. Mary-street, Cardiff. z29 A TACIIINIST-Compositor.—Wanted, a capable -V-t Young Man to Teed and Take Charge of Quad-Royal. WharfdaJe, and Bremev Machines.. and to Fill l'p Time as a Jobbing Compositor. ?*.ate wages, experience, A-c—Apply Expreqs" Off.ce, Brecon. tlMI