The Cambrian

SEVENTH BOMBARDMENT. Huge Waste of Jap Ammunition. How it Feels to be Shelled. Russian Officer's Vivid Letter. (Press Association Special War Telegram). St. Petersburg, Tuesday Night.—The fol- lowing official statement has just been issued here :— General Stoessel, telegraphing to Admiral I Alexeiefi under date "Port Arthur, Tuesday night,' says the coastguards observed the enemy's warships approaching. We opened fire at half-past 6 o'clock this morning. Eleven Japanese warships and eight de- stroyers appeared and commenced a bom- bardment at 9 o'clock off Liautishan and Port Arthur. St. Petersburg, Tuesday night.—In a latel telegram to the Czar the Viceroy says:- According to a supplementary report from General Stessel, the enemy's fleet, which con- sisted of six battleships and 12 cruisers, about 9 in the morning divided, battleships and torpedo ^vessels taking up a position between Liao-ti Shan and Golubara Bay (Pigeon Bay), while the cruisers formed further up in two divisions to the south and south-east of Port Arthur. At 9.20 the Russian battleship Retvisan opened tire over the crest of Liao-ti Shan against the enemy's battleships, which re- plied by firing on the town. Meanwhile our fleet formed up in line in the outer roadstead. About 11 o'clock in the morning the can- nonade slackened, and the Japanese fleet, re- uniting, drew off slowly towards the south- east, and at 12.30 disappeared. During the bombardment five soldiers were killed, nine wounded, and one Was bruised ashore. WHAT WAS THE OBJECTIVE (Press Association War Special.) Yingkow, Wednesday.—An official report received here states that eighteen Japanese warships in two sections bombarded Port Arthur yesterday from ten to eleven in the morning between Liao-ti-shan and Pigeon Bay, and beyond the reach of the forts, throwing shells over the forts. Fourteen persons were killed and wounded. The damaged done to the town was in- significant. (Note.-—It is highly improbable that the Japanese wasted expensive ammunition in this manner without some specific object other than the harrassing of Port Arthur. The bombardment it would be reasonable to assume was a movement to cover landing operations in the vicinity.) RUSSIAN ADMIRAL CLAIMS A "HIT." (Press Association Special War Telegram). St. Petersburg, Wednesday (2.8 a.m.).— Another telegram to the Czar from Admiral Alexeieff gives the report of the Admiral commanding the fleet at Port Arthur. It is as follows:- At midnight on the 21st two of the enemy's torpedo boats approached the roadstead, but were discovered by the searchlights of the batteries, and were fired upon by the forts and the gunboats Bohr and Otvazky. A second attack was made at 4 o'clock in the morning by three torpedo boats, which was also repulsed. At daybreak three detachments of the enemy's fleet, consisting of six battleships, six armoured cruisers, six second and third- class cruisers, and eight torpedo boats, ap- proached from all sides. At 7 o'clock our squadron commenced to leave the inner har- bour, the cruisers leading, with the Askold, flying my flag, at their head, and the battle- ships following. The enemy's battleships approached Liao- ti Shan, and fired 100 shells from their 12in. guns at Port Arthur, and 108 at the environs of the town. Our shells, fired at a range of 80 cables, were well placed. About 10 o'clock a Japanese battleship was struck by a ahell and retired. We lost no men. The bombardment ceased at 11 o'clock, when the enemy's ships reassembled, and after passing along the outer roadstead, drew off without attacking our fleet. OFFICER'S SENSATIONS UNDER BOMBARDMENT. SCENES OF BATTLE-ORGIE. (Press Association Special War Telegram.) St. Petersburg, Tuesday.—The officer who commanded the battery on Electric Cliff durid;, the bombardment of Port Arthur has written home the following vivid account of the engagement:—- "It was a clear sunny dav. There was a gentle swell running. U Suddenly a little speck loomed out of the haze on the horizon. It was quickly followed by another, and yet another, till fifteen ships were in view. They came nearer and nearer, growing larger and larger, until they were only six miles off. Then a tiny puff of smoke was seen, and all of us in the battery wondered where the shell was going to fall. It fell 80 yards away from the cliff where we were standing, and burst right under the bows of the Perosviet, splashing her docks with spray. "What followed was almost indescribable. The sea underneath fairly boiled ivith the swishing plunge of shells. The words of command were inaudible to the gunners. I tried vainly to make my orders understood amid the belching of 150 guns and the pro- longed roar of the shells bursting with fear- ful crashes overhead. The smoke and dust blinded us. "I did not experience any excitement. My teeth began to ache and I had a strange sen- sation of joy amidst the scenes of death which had no terrors for me after the first bomb exploded. "Suddenly a white-faced gunner pointed to the battery of dainty quick-firers placed halfway down the cliff to repel a Japanese landing. I ran down and saw a scene of the wildest battle-orgie, shells bursting, their fragments whistling through the air, the earth reeking with the stench and smoke. One shell burst among the gunners and I saw a soldier lying disembowelled, another with his skull open, a third delirious with three splinters in his head. One gun was broken like a reed. It was a dreadful sipht There was blood everywhere. "After the battle was over General Stoes- sel pinned the St. George's Cross on. my breast—but what does that matter? I am in hospital." JAPANESE TROOPS AT KOREA IN FORCE. DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF THEIR HORSES. K (Central News War Special.) St. Petersburg, Wednesday.—A special correspondent at Shanghai states that the Japanese are devoting particular attention to strengthening their positions at Chemulpo and Gjonjan (?). The number of troops now stationed at the places named is 52,000, and in addition several hundreds have recently landed at Gensan. Besides these, two additional armies, each numbering 70,000, arc held in readiness for ^The"^Japanese horses are in a deplorable condition, and there has been heavy mor- fa)itv anions them. The prices of eatables are "sing The two loans issued by the Japanese ine i* raising a war fund have not Government for rai, & Government has ,hTh"b StLn « P«»' ot the SC*rCi'lr coined money in the country. EX CHILIAN WARSHIPS EXPECTED AT LADIVOSTOCK. (Press Assignation W^r P^1«rom gt. Paris, Wednesday.—A despatc ( v„ Petersburg to the "Echo de PaJis y • In naval circles it is reported that th Vladivostock squadron has received oraera to take over at some point in the Ocean a battleship and two cruisers pur- mAnf ^Ussia from the Chilian Gtn ern "1:Tl ndt; Tho squadron will then return toO I vostQçk. si £ n4dm,P."lfr ^uui '» sa'd tHat the Ron- main thinVnfil/ 18 ueSoti'^g with the Ger- Sree^ufe^- ?ard the purchase of man navy and "r". rVcr°fb^ilt for the Gcr- reiected bv rHo r* ported to have been iheir constructionTd0^/1 the §roundt^ requirements specified conform tc th^

MODERN WARFARE. Russian Officer's Brilliant Narrative. Terrific Ordeal of a Five Mile Bombardment sjf D(?ent,ral News War Soecial.J ;s V," Thursday.—The following officpr 1" • ? tlle letter °* a wounded man J IV'h m ? hosPltal at ^rt Arthur, wer- rnfln PK't1llre'i(iue details of which vi. I 1 i m the incomplete version pre- viously telegraphed nn w?'? *n tfie fai"ous battery on E.ectnc Hill, which is a fly in the eye ,ff the Japanese, and I then received my bap- tism of fire and my Order. I am very proud of this honour, for re- wards ate few. J* Our poor battery was covered with de- frag";ents1of she"s Which burst around us with a deafening noise, but we were not excited. We, however, suffered tirn'nfClh"g 0n account of the irrita- sorilcf J nerve.s of the ear caused by the series of concussions. thisof being in the midst of d,eath was call« and sweet. wf £ ht of death was not present. i. „ ie.n the first shell burst upon our bat- otf f i°rgot our dreams, our thoughts, our feS; J°ys' and there was but one sensation—that of sweet, unutterable seren- >« a»d this lasted to the end. hn'rri + e Pjc^ure was grand. The day was bright and warm and the sea calm. csome specks appear on the horizon they grow larger as they approach; we count fifteen of them. "The points are already lines. Nearer and nearer they came, changing as thev pro- gress from grey to dun colour. They stop when are five miles away. There is a white cloud—'Boom'' We are curious to see where the shell will fall. Our battery is on the edge of the cliff three hundred feet above the sea. "Beneath us is the admiral's battleship the Beresvet. Crash! A large column of water rises and the wind separates the particles into spray which the sun tints with all the col- ours of the rainbow. "The deck of the ship is covered with water, and the seamen commence to swarm on deck A second cloud of steam, and a terrible noise over our heads. Crash I This time it is behind us, and there is an explosion. Another cloud—we pass a terrible minute. I feel like a man who has no weight. I ask myself, 'Have they fired accurately?' It is straight at our battery. The first shot tell too short; the second too far. The gun- pers who tried to find the range have split the difference, and the shell must fall in our midst. "Imagine our position. Our ten coast batteries and twelve ships answer the Japanese fire. The sea is quite white from the falling shells, and it is impossible to hear the words of command. I cry out until my voice becomes hoarse, but cannot make my- self heard above the din. There are more than 150 enormous cannon belching forth smoke, shell, and death. There is a wild, chokinp- sound from the machine guns. "Amid the smoke, steam and dust I hear a groar. It is that of a soldier whose nose has been torn away by the fragment of a shell. He is surrounded by stretcher- bearers. Someone lays his hands on my shoulder, and I turn and see at my side a soldier pale and his lips trembling. He wishes to speak, but his tongue refuses to obey. He points with his finger, and I un- derstand what has occurred. There beneath the cliff I have a little battery of rapid- firmg guns, very small and very elegant. There are 12,000 bullets sDeeding on their errand in sixty seconds. Thev are destined to defend our shores against the landing of an enemy. The orgle is at its height. The shells are bursting around us like fireworks at a feast. "A whistle, a hiss, and a sharp ringing noise as they rush through the air. Then smoke and a smell of burning, while the sand dances from the earth. I turn from the bat- tery and see a terrible picture. In the midst of the men a shell bursts. One soldier is disembowelled, another is wounded in the head, a third is shrieking in the height of his delirium. One steel cannon is broken to pieces as though it were straw. An awful picture, with blood, blood, every- where. I order the killed to be taken away and go to the battery. There it is hell! "The Japanese fleet steams away. The smoke clears off, and the sun reappears in the heavens gilding with its rays a sad scene of havoc and destruction. "General Stoessel, who commands the troops, congratulates us on our baptism of fire, and 1 receive the Order of St. Georga, and now I am lying in hospital. Oh! if you had seen our unhanpy battle- ships, the Retvisan, the Csarevitch, and the Pallada when they were pierced and shat- tered by torpedoes and dragged into port. The women, the seamen, and the officers wept as well as the soldiers." (Note.—The letter servies to show that the Japanese attacks are having their effect unon the defences and defenders of Port Arthur.)

Grim Find in Mid-Ocean. There was on Wednesday morning no fur- ther tidings of the Lady Cairns and her miss- ing crew, and it appears only too certain that they have met their death in the ever-hungry sea. An inquest was held at Holyhead on Tues- day on the body of an unknown man found floating in a boat by the steamer Snowden. The boat was torn open at the bow and was full of water. The Coroner said he had no doubt deceased was an apprentice of the barque Lady Cairns, sunk III collision off the Irish coast. A verdict of "Found dead in a boat" was returned. OFFICIAL LIST OF THE CREW. The following are the names of the Welsh members of the crew, as officially supplied • -Captain E. George, age 58, Spring Gar- dens, Cardigan; carpenter, Albert Howellin (41), 46, Capel-street, Newport, Mon cook ind steward H. Woodhouse (43) 7, Wyndham- strect, Swansea A.B. A. Hopkins (23), Post Office, Skew on; apprentices, Henry Perkins :16), Swansea; Charles Reginald Strickland (17), Staffordshire1: and Christopherson George Victor Jenkins (15), Pembroke. DESCRIPTION OF THE DECEASED Late on Tuesday evening Mr. L G Tul loch rorcived the following telegram' from the Holyhead police, describing the body found in the boat (supposed to belonc to the Lady Cairns) as follows19. height, 5ft. 6in.; hair, brown; clean sha- ken; tattoo flower right forearm, ship left forearm; no marks on clothes." Both boys from Swansea, it is stated, were tatirkoorl INTERVIEW WITH MRS. PERKIN& Mrs. Perkins, Malvern terrace, mother of ,He of the apprentices, interviewed on Wed- nesday, said her son was 19 voars of a»e and that he had brown hair There was a°tktoo mark of a ship on his left arm. She was cer- tain, however, that there wa.s no flower tattoo MI the right arm when he last left hnm» FUNERAL TAKES PLACE ON FRIDAY. The funeral of the young man found in the boat will take place 011 Friday. Mr. L fulloch proceeds to Liverpool on Wednes- day evening with a view of establishing identification.

DUKES FUNERAL. Impressive Scene at Westminster Abbey. Ceremonial at Westminster: Distinguished Congregation. The funeral of the Duke of Cambridge took place on Tuesday in London and was at- tended with much solemnity and aU the cere- monial appropriate to his Royal Highness's distinguished position. The streets between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbev, which were lined with troops were crowded at an eariy hour by people anxious to see I the members of the Royal Family on their war to tbe Abbey. The Prince and Princess of W ales left Marlboro House shortly be- fore eleven o'clock and drove in the bright sunshine by way of Pall Mall, the Horse Guards Parade, and Whitehall. Plain car- riages were used without military esejrt. A little later the other members of the Royal family left.Buckingham Palace. These in- clude the King and Queem, Princess Victoria, Prince Albrecht of Prussia, and Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark, while the Duke of Connaught and Prinee Arthur drove from Clarence House. His Majesty was in Field Marshal s uniform- and scarlet coated outriders and mounted equerries were in attendaPce on the Royal mourners. The Life Guards were stationed opposite the palace gates, but there was no military es- cort. As the King and Queen drove by the people 011 both sides of the roadway uncov- ered, but their demonstration, was, in the circumstances, an entirely silent one. The arrivals at the Abbey were continuous from ten oclock, the brilliancy of the uniforms of the official and invited person- ages deprivin8 the scene of much of that sombreness usua.ly incidental to funeral obsequies. The body of the late duke found a temporary resting place immediately in front of the high altar. The coffin was hid- den beneath the embracing, folds of the Royal Standard and the Union Jack, six large wax candles casting upon it a subdued glow. At the head, reposiag on a cushion, was the ducal coronet with the field mar- shal's baton. The south- transept was filled by wearers of military dress, and on the north side were peers, Ministers, ex-Minis- ters, and members of Parliament, attired, some as Privy Councillors, others in the blue and gold indicative of their rank. The choir was reserved in part for special repre- sentatives of foreign Powers, members of the Dipl°ma^IC Vorps' an^ military attaches. The members of the Government attending included the Premier, Mr. Brodrick, Lord Selborne, Mr. Lyttelton, Mr. Arnold Fors- ter, the Lord Chancellor, ]^[r> Akers Doug- las Mr- Gerald Balfour, and Lord Onslow, amongst ex-Ministers being Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Lord Tweedmouth, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh. The funeral service was timed to begin at eleven o'clock, and at half-past. ten the opening strains of the special music were heard from Henry the Fifth's chantry at the back of the high altar. The selection set for trumpery and trombones was a composition of Purcell, and attached to it is an interesting, history. It was written for the funeral of Queen Mary in the Abbey, and the score was recently again brought to light. It is extremely sol- emn and beautiful, and gave the fitting note to the imposing function to which it was the prelude. It was followed by a se- lection from Mendelssohn, and this in turn gave place to Schubert's "Marehe Hero- fque which flooded the aisles with melo- dious sound. It was when the inspiring funeral march of Chopin was pealing forth with an accompaniment of drums that the King arrived, and as the opening sentences of Croft's music fell on the ear his Majesty took up his position as chief mourner at the head of the coffin. The King had been preceded by the Royal Princes and Princesses. Queen Alexandra and the Royal ladies, all of whom were in the deep- est mourning, were conducted to places in the dean's pew and other scats in the choir. Immediately surrounding King Edward were Prince Aldrecht of Prussia, Regent of Bruns- wick representing the German Emperor, the Prince of Wales, Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and the hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Itrelitz, and other aiale members of the Royal House the two soris of the deceased duke (Col. Fitz- george and Rear-Admiral Fitzgeorge), and the Dukes of Argyll and Fife. Prince Al- brecht was a conspicuous figure in the blue uniform of the German service, and the Prince of Wales was dressed as Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers. The Primate took part in the ser- vice, but the Dean was the officiating minis- ter, Dr. Robinson reading the special lesson and also the pravers, to which there were choral responses, The choir, under Sir F. Bridge, gave a fine rendering of Wesley's an- them, "He will swallow up death in victory." Then "I h^ard .a ^°i,c!e from Heaven" was sung to the music of Sir John Goss, and Sul- livan's "Onward Christian Soldiers," by the King's desire, preceded the blessing. Norroy, King of Arms, then proclaimed the style of his late Royal Highness the titles comprised the many orders ot Knighthood, and of course various distinctions, and Norray closed his recital with the prater, "May God bless and preserve his Majesty Uie King with long life, health and honour While the opening notes of the Dead March" in "Saul" were being rendered, the bearer party of Grena- diers advanced to the remains, and the coronet gave place to the field-marshal's plume hat, but the baton, as the symbol of military rank and authority, remained. The supporters were rield-Marshalls Sir H. Nor man, Viscount Wolseley, Sir E. Wood, Earl Roberts and Sir F. Haines, and Generals Pemberton, Tucker, Grenfell, Buller, Gipps, Cameron, Stephenson, Thynne, Kelly-Kenny, Wilkinson, Gordon and Higginson. His Majesty, mourner, walked im- mediately Dehind the coffin, followed by the special representatives and the headquarter staff. As the remains were reverently borne to the Western Door a salute was fired from St. James' Park. EN ROUTE TO KENSAL GREEN. Many thousands of spectators Uned the route from Westminster Abbey to Kensal Green Cemetery, -the head of the military procession reached the cemetery gates at about 1.15, but it was nearly 2 o'clock when the carriage procession arrived; the King leading- About a quarter of an hour was taken in getting, all the carriages to the neighbourhood oi the mausoleum, and then a short service was held. MOURNING AT MILITARY CENTRES. At Aldershot, Salisbury, and other mili- tary centres throughout theh country all flags were flying at half-mast on account of the funeral of the late Duke of Cambridge, and by special direction of his Alajesty the ofticers in uniform are wearing the mourning pre- scribed bv the regulations until Thursday. FLAGS FLY HALF-MAST AT SWANSEA. Flaas are flymg half-mast at Swansea mil- itarv and volunteer depots, and at various public buildings, consequent upon the death and funeral of the Dijice of Cambridge.

BUYING UP tHE N. T.C. Post Office's Important Decision* Lord Stanley (Po&tmaster-General) asked the House of Commons 011 Tuesday to agree to a resolution authorising the advance of three millions more money to amplify and extend the present Post-office telephone ser- vice, which had been very successful—re- ceipts growing rapidly. The Post-office hau had power to give notice to the National Telephone Co. before the end of the year to purchase the latter's system by arbitra- tion and he was inclined to adopt a policy of amicable arrangement, terms to be sanc- tioned by Parliament. There had been such ¡ increase of business lately that he was sanguine next year of making the telephones a paying concern. Mr. Caldwell considered the National Tele- phone officials too clever for the Government officials. The question of expenditure and acquisition .should be referred to a select committee. Mr. Warner said the present year was j inopportune for purchase. Mr. Bowles ridiculed the idea of the Post- j office competing with the National Tele- phone Co. I Lord Stanley promised that Parliament would have every opportunity of considering the terms before the National Telephone Company's business was purchased. Per- sonally, he thought that purchase by agree- ment would be cheaper than arbitration. The resolution authorising the advance of the jBS.COO.OOO was then r.gieed to,

■■ -==- NEATH NOTES. Mr. Law's Melyn Oratory, Some Sparks from a :Fiery Speech Regretted Death of Mr. David Harris. An Accomplished and Erudite Man The battle in Melyn is creating a good terest amus6nient anf' arousing much in- Mr. Eefnfmid Law^drew first blood last week when he was in rare fighting trim, and when he delighted his audience mv an ex- haustive harangue which at times almost brought tears to the eye. V™ ri C0U,in see why he was opposed, lor had he not done his duty up to the mark during the three years he had been a Councillor and a. Guardian? It mast be, he concluded, petty spite and spleen. 1 Reahsing the loss to the community which would follow nonpublieation, I pToprae to give just a few ot his bon mots. *1 .^Cr? S I-—"Gentlemen,, we are told tnat this election wiJl be fou<dnt on the tem- perance question. Now wha.t has temper- ance to do with Hoards of Guardians or Oistn*.t CouneiJs? Nothing 1 say it ought to be bottled up. (Laughter and applause.) "No, gentlemen, it would be far better f some ot. those who talked so much about S th "Ge W ^Cdueate thoir fa,1»lies first and then come and ask the free, independent afterwards*"11^ eleCt°ES to become teetotalers .11.. "Gentlemen, some of those who speak against me are beneath notice. Yes, gentle- men, they are curs of the deepest mire." "I know 'em, gentlemen. They are of the sort of people who come to you with olive oil in one hand and a knife in the other. "There is a conspiracy against me. But I don't care for the Siamese twins or any other twins. Let us unite, and by so doing you will secure my return which will be a Sriumph for truth and justice." (Over- whelming applause, during which the can- didate resumed his seat.) Now it must not be thought that the above is the whole of Mr. Law's speech. They are but the fiery ebullitions which at intervals worked his hearers up to a pitch of indescribable enthusiasm.. --10-10-- But there was one great disappointment. Mr. Law did not make the promised start- ling revelations. No, he curtly told the au- dience that he was keeping those up his sleeve until his final meeting on the eve of the poll. The account of his stewardship given by Mr. Law showed that he had been very at- tentive to his duties. He had attended 36 out of a possible 40 meetings as a District Councillor arid 69 out of a possible 78 as a Guardian, and in his circular which he has issued to the electors he invites them to stamp out tyianny by placing a cross op- posite his name. On Monday night Mr. Snook had a coun- ter-blast in the same building. Councillor J. R Jones occupied the chair, and amonJ those present were the Rev. T. W. Geor^j and the Rev. R. O. Evans. So it would seem that Air Snook has the chapel vote on his side. Had I not known that Coun. J. R. Jones was a non-betting man I should have tnought otherwise, judging by his frequent reference to the tips he proposed to give to Mr. Snook. But there was no reference to the Lincoln or the Grand National. Thev were election tips and nothing more. Mr. Snook made a neat little speech, at the outset saying that he would refrain from indulging in personalities. Then he went on to speak about the disgraceful state of the roads in district stating that one remindei him of the Black Hole of Calcutta. I did not know that he was in any wav connected with the days of Clivc. Proceeding he dwelt on the difficultv of remedy, but promised, if returned, to do all he could to effect an improvement. 10-10-10-10- The administration of poor law relief ;n the Union was an important matter. It seems that out of every shilling expended in this direction 8d. goes in administration ex- penses. Surely something can be done to amend affairs in this respect. It looked as if Mr. Snook was having a slv dig at Mr. Law in his succeeding remarks for he said: This election is not going to cost 111" a single penny outside the absolu- tely necessary expenditure for bills, etc. Although the chairman at the outset had announced that no resolutions would be passed, Mr. Roberts jumped up and moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Snook. This was seconded by Mr. Johns and carried. Beautifully toned speeches followed from the Rev. R. o. Evans and the Rev. T. W. George, the former stating that Mr. Snook was a temperance advocate, a man, and one who lived among them, as the grounds upon which he supported him. Mr. Evans also animadverted upon the great evil of giving the inmates of the Workhouse a glass of beer at Christmastide, which shows that his heart must be overflowing with good cheer at the season of peace and goodwill. The Rev. T. W. George alluded to the good wcrk which the candidate did as S;m- day Scbcol superintendent, and said all man- ner of nice things about him. On several occasions Mr. S»T/k v..is < b- swved to blush, thca provi' he is a mo ast man. But what is to be the result? Well, my I opinion is that Mr. Law will be at the top of the poll with a long lead and that it'll be a close thing for second place. Mr. Snook is a ni :# little man and a very correct little man. but he would need' a, good deal of ex- perience before he could become as useful as either Mr. A. S. Gardner or Mr. Law. II -10-+- Personally, I should be very sorry to see Mr. Gardner rejected for he is one of the ¡ very best of the representatives on the Guar- dians and the District Council. He takes a. deep* aye even an enthusiastic interest in the work, and the electors should ponder before deciding to prefer Mr. Snook to him. I hope they will. The Guardians had before them 011 Tiu-a day a recommendation from the Workhouse Visiting Committee to the effect that the children at the workhouse should be trans ferred to the Cottage Homes. The question is one of some difficulty because the children at the workhouse are a "shifting quantity." That is to say they don't, as a rule, remain there long. The number fluctuates from seventeen to tour or five. The proposal of the committee was to fit up a vacant cot- tageio. their acconunodation. The Rev. L. F. Williamson, vicar of Margam, in an ex- eUv and °flc-ctive speech, advocated the change, pointing out that the atmosphere of tne workhouse was not conducive to the I moral welfare of the children. Mr. William Jones, of Tonna, supported him. Then the t Chairman, although agreeing with the prin- ¡ ciple, stated that the number at the work- house in a few days would be reduced to seven and it would not be wise in the cir- cumstances to incur the expense attaching to the fitting up of the cottage. Eventually I on th^. motion of Mr. E. Evans-Bevan, the question was referred to the Cottage Homes Committee, who will report to the next- meet ) ing of the Board, 1 At the same meeting the resolution which d been proposed by Mr. Law, and which hi. 1 up the County Council to contribute cfllleu one-half of the repavment of loans at least t in the Council schools of the and jiftere., rirnied. If the County Council "Union was con. a big relief and purely consents it'1] be lerue. local"taxation will "^miliar figure in Since our last issue a i. ~^rris, for up- the person of Mr. Dsvid fcu ailitf, has Tvards 40 years deputy high i. tted by 1 passed away. His end is deepiv rcgiv I ,aji jvll those who had the pleasure and q rYuu u- ^*1 acquaintance. He died oil /Utn birthday after a long and parfj/ul i?1- nesS It was during the siege of Ki'mberley that »hi. health broke down, and the reason is to bo found 111 the fact that two sons and a daughter were there at the time. It was a tryinb period for him and the strain told on his vigorous constitution, which began showing signs of slow but sure decay. The deceased ^entfemato was an entertaining companion. It had J often been the pleasure and privilege of the VAer V7 sit him ancl discuss the topics ot the day. A broad-minded man he had n "juirj/ur g.rfsp ot current politics, whiie in matters literary he possessed knowledge fair above the average. He was a brilliant «o»- versationahst, and was never more at homs t lan when discussing Welsh history ancf literature, upon which he was no mean autho- rity. A man of strict integrity, one whose aye was always aye, and his nay, nay, he spoke his mind fearlessly aild openly. Me dcstesicd narrow mindedness and fanaticism in religion a-ii I politics, and, although a Non- conformist, mere than .>ne local leader of Nonconformity has felt the sting of his tongue. Above :J! he was a just mar. He was widely known in South Wales, and the deepest sympathy is felt and expressed with his surviving widow and family. The funeral, wlvien was very largely attended, took place at Ynismardy Cemetery on Thurs- day afternoon;. --+-- Alter their brilliant success over Cardiff. Neath fell before Maesteg on Saturday. This is just like Neath—up one week and down the next. it's a great pity that they don't show more consistent form. All that is wanted is regular and judicious training. By-the-way I am told that the season will be a suceers financially. The committee hove to be aole to pay on- at least JS250, which will reduce the debt on the club to practically one-halt. There is trouble in Trades' Union circles. There are, I am given to understand by a member, two factions which will not be re- conciled. This does not augur well for the success of Coun. David Davies next Novem- ber. But time is a wonderful healer. The Mayor (Councillor E. Evans Bevan) will take the chair at the forthcoming Li- censed "V ict jailers' banquet, which the com- mittee are determined to make a great suc- cess. Ping-pong has just been shot by Hing Go. Thought it was dead twelve months ago. Several labourers of China Town (Melyn) have decided to offer their services in the Transvaal. There will be n.) cricket club at Neath in the coming season. Poor old Neath! The inscriptions on "the monuments" at the Cemetery ere the embodiment of modesty. "OBSERVER. A "WHITE ELEPHANT" CHARITY. A well-attended parish meeting was held at the Town Hall, Neath, on Thursday, Aid. H. P. Charles presiding, to consider the "ex- cused list," and what steps, if any, should be taken with regard to the Almshouses in ater-street, devised to the town in the year 1760, under the will of Mr. John Gibbs. Thesee premises were vested under the autho- rity of the churchwardens and overseers of Neath, but the extent of their power seems to have been limited to the granting of ten- ancv to poor or destitute persons. The alms- houses are in a bad state of repair but there is no existing fund to put them in order. Mr. E. C. Curtis (town clerk) explained the position, and said the condition of the alms- houses had been considered by a committee of the Town Council, and they asked the borough engineer (Mr. D. M. Jenkins) to in- spect them; he reported that they were in a dilapidated condition, but the difficulty arose how the repairs were to be carried out, the ownership being a matter of doubt but in- dependent of any question of that kind, it was found that B200 to JB500 would be required to restore them to an habi- table condition. As to the ownership, it would appear by the will, a long and quaint one by Mr. Gibbs, that the property was devised but not vested in the trustees named in the will, and the trust had been carried out by the churchwardens and over- seers. The latter were asked to consider the question and they were of opinion that they had to act conjointly with the churchwar- dens, but a difficulty arose as the overseers were not able to spend any money out of the rates for the purpose of repairing the build- ings. It could only be done by some special rate sanctioned by tho ratepayers, or some other method of raising the money. He thought it was a matter for consideration of the Charity Commissioners who might be asked whether the property could be utilised for some more necessitous purpose. The Chairman read a letter which had been addressed by Mr. R. A. Williams (collector of rates) to the Charity Commissioners, who gave the opinion that the churchwardens and overseers were the persons to administer the estate. Messrs. Matthew Morgan, W. D Trick, Rev. E. Morgan. Phillips, Hopkin Morgan, and Brown spoke, and the Chairman pointed out that there was nothing in the shape of a scheme before them and he moved that the matter be represented to the Town Council and if they desired so, they might formulate a scheme to modifv or alter the property and work. the churchwardens and crnd^lTl (ronsidcr1 ft- Aid. Trick se- th;imr"vn' and carried unani- y* e excused list" was then gone

CATARRH AND INFLUENZA. CATARRH is the result of a series cf colds; the symptoms are:—Nose stopped up, difficult breathing, loose cough, with con- tinual hawking a.nd expectorating. Vena's Lightning Cough Cure quickly cures this con- dition. INI LLE->ZA is epidemic and contagions, mos-t prevalent in low-lying districts in spring months. During the severe epidemic which Taged in North America, in 1897, Veno's Lightning Cough Cure was the remedy chiefly used, and it reduced the death rate to such an extent that doctors never hesitated to prescribe it. It is peculiarly well adapted to the speedy cure of both Influenza and Catarrh. Ask for Vena's Lightning Cough Cure. Price 9 £ d., Is. lid., and 2s. 9d at Chemists and Drug Stores everywhere.

Plucky Rescue at Morriston. Evan Morris, the four year-old son of Mr. W. J. Morris, White Hart, Morriston, might have been drowned in the canal at Morriston on Sunday evening but for the r>rornpt action of a tinworker named WiHiar.i Davies, ^o. 50, Clydach-road. The lad was playing 011 the bank and was trying to grasp a piece of wood floating in the water when lie overbalanced and fell into the water. The attention of Davies was drawn to the spot by hearing the screams of a little girl. The boy disappeared under water, but Davies, without uivesting him- self of his clothing jumped in and brought the la 1 unconscious to bank. Artificial respiration was tried at I neigh- hour's house and an emetic administered, and the efforts of his rescuers *<>on rewarded by seeing bin recover. Inspector Parker, in reporting the ratter, savs Davies undoubtedly did a prompt and creditable action, and was the means of sav- iiig the little boy's hf.. Although not »'-r.dat>gcri:x-> ius; ow 11 life, as the water was not very Jeep at the spot. Davioj ruined a good suit of clothes, and the officer thiols he ought to be recom pensed.

:II" IN LIGHTER VEIN. Tears are being freely shed in Swansea Market. Six hundred cases of Spanish onions arrived on Tuesday. There is a Chevalier at the Empire this week. Yet some people will have it there is no chivalry in the Imperialist. Russia is said to have bought two Chilian warships. Those, of course, are just the ud of vessel to suit a "chilly 'un." fmlu<lutly "sat upon" member Iht^ f a Swansea authority is the )f a ^oesn't resent it much. 'chair." j 2? v +& 10,1 in evidence at "My Old Dutch/' r# re coincidence Swansea, this week;s dying* hat there are reports titoi" '1 t. 1 1 1 vvcisii Harpists are said to bit dvirtw We thought it was high time a ;«w of missiles pitched in their direction rfWttid be taking effect. Six hundred cases ^>f Spanish onions bars arrived at Swansea this week. Even the walering-carts and the drinking fountains are beginning to weep. .t.. A French vessel at the East Dock was blown up and sank on Thursday. It looks as if a Japanese shell has mistaken Port Ten- nant for Port Arthur. We have a. suspicion the following has done duty for one war before, but it is especially applicable to the present one:—Why are war correspondents ritualist*?— Because they would like to "swing the The Russians at Port Arthur are said to be unable to appreciate the Japanese bom- bardment. Evidently, like the French vin- tage owners, the latter are quite capable of making the "Port whine." "0-10-10-- A Wekh Regiment is. said to be in a muting .state at the Cape, according to th* Daily Ex-press." his; the news of the Irish match got out there thus early ? At the annual dinner of the Morriston Volunteers Band laH week, it was announced that they hoped shortly to be equipped with 4.7 guns. May Providence protect the audi- ence at their next recital! The prospect of an extra shilling a ton duty upon coal is .said to be responsible for a severer thirst amongst the Somethings at the Docks" than the training for a Llandilo walk or a match with the office boy.s rolled to- gether. Old lady, describing a cycling accident: "'E 'elped me hup an' brushed the dust orf oil me an' put five shillin' in my 'and, anT so I says, 'Well, sir, I'm sure you're liaetin' like a gentleman,' I says, 'though I don't suppose you are one,' I says."—"Punch." Negotiations are said to be proceeding be- tween the Russian Government on the one hand and several well-known members of the Swansea Guardians on the other, in the even- tuality of Port Arthur becoming besieged by the Japanese and needing "relief." e English as she is wrote by tho latest in Frenchmen at the Docks, who requires A junior clerk:—A Merchant hae chasm a.vail- able for a youth who can abLe to write short- handed." The "chasm" is unlikely to be filled. It sounds rather a h;g order for a junior clerk. Some of the soldiers of the Japanese Army are said to be dressed in paper clothing. Mr. Brodrick, of course, as an Army Reformer, would say, would delight in a real live "paper army" but one or two others would think it rather awkward for the Japanese when they come "under fire." A correspondent refers to the Bible Society as "this truly Catholic organisation," in forwarding a list of the Nonconformist and Church ministers who attended its demon- stration in Swansea last week. He doesn't mention his nationality, but, if the perpetra- tor of a "Papal Bull" goes for anything, ho hails from the Emerald Island. Curious expressions are bandied at some of the district council meetings. Here, for example, are a few culled from the last report of a WTest Wales council: —"It is very nice to be smooth after having killed a man. I saw the surveyor, and settled the matter friendly, too, amen. You had better go there and open your eyes before you open your mouth." The German nuts known to the coal trade are technically described as being obtained by the "coal passing over a band." We know quite a number of people, NOT, how- ever, in the coal trade, who would relish the idea of going in for the manufacture of this kind of black diamond on a large and exten- sive scale by passing half a dozen trucks of coal over the average German Band. le. What we may expect when the Day of Dis- solution dawns, and local members come to "give an account of their stewardship. L.M. (pompously, to an audience composed of equal parts of the Horny-handed and the Great Unwashed): I assure you, gentlemen". I have propounded no fewer than 265 ques- tions touching upon subjects that intimately concern your welfare, whilst I have had the honour of representing this able and intelli- gent body of the working-classes in the House of Commons."—Voice from the Opposition Front Bench (by no means still or small) r What an iggerant old beggar yer must be I Verily this is a cold and cruel world. The disasttr to Submarine Al recalls an All Fools' Day joke that was brought, off a year or so ago at Annapolis, the American naval academy. An •entertainment was in progrfes*; An officer, pale and agitated, suddenly ap- peared on the platform, with a pit-ee. of paper in his hand. "I have," lie said, "a gnare announcement to make—a very gTave an- nouncement. A vessel of the United States Navy liu.s just gone down with all hands on hoa.rd." A hush of horror filled the hall, a8 the bulk *A the audience were relatives or frends of navy office re- "What ship is it cried a voice, and the audience awaited tho sr, p aiwweii in staasned [Indo pairlc suftwaisc. "The submarine boat Holland routed tin Vuruorist, vanishing through the stage doov.

WELSH SOLDIER'S DRUNKEN RIOT. Lenient Sentences Thirteen Ringleaders. Johannesburg, Tuesday.—The transport Cave sailed from Durban for Bombay on Auesday with draft; for India, consisting of men from the South Wales Borderers, the ist IJattalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the Scottish Rifles, and the Northampton, Lin- coln, and Gloucester Regiments. r. iJleT XL a court-martial was he d for the trial of the ringleaders of the night a 8^ree Howick on Saturday A large number of witnesses were called, who proved that some men of other regi- ments joined the Welsh Fusiliers when they broke camp. They besieged the can- teen, which had been closed against them, iorced open the door, and threw out the caretaker. They then proceeded to smash all the fittings of the canteen, after which they rolled barrels of beer down to the river bank and indulged in a prolonged carousal, which lasted until daybreak. An officer who endeavoured tr arouse the men to a sense of duty was seized and ducked in the "ver, As the picket at Howick were in- sufficient to restore order telegrams were despatched to Maritzburg, and details of various corps, including the Yorkshire Regi- ment, were sent into Howick by special train, with two Maxims. Thirteen men were found guilty of being I ( ringleaders in the riot, Five of these were sentenced to two months' imprisonment and ordered to pay the cost of the beer which was either consumed or wasted. The other eight prisoners were let off with compara- tÎvply nominal punishment for their partici- pation in the affair.-Centra1 News. 1 HAD RECEIVED NO PAY I Pictermaritzburg, Tuesday. The cir- cumstances of the riot appear to have been j a good deal exaggerated. There were 600 + stationed at Howick awaiting ship- n -^udia. They had not received their pay, and 40 of them rushed the camp can- < *en and rolled out the barrels of beer. They I an attempt to recover the beer, which they proceeded to drink amid general I i merr.J.ment. There were no arms in the 1 P response to a telegram sent to P ^rg 140 oi the We5t York9 na&h^n+' ^wo ^axim guns, were des- P f *<> Howick, but on their arrival it wm found that the beer had been drunk, and the men were orderly and quietlv entrained. No one was injured.—Renter.

Fugrilism v, Pattiism. #» «» New York indp-w She is reported to\avo 8aid ] 1 llley wil1 i £ pe)id thmr mon.,j to see brutality, but when f art is the thing the purse-strings are pulled i In Philadelphia^the pme-%ht%^rout ibc entire popmace, while my engagement was cancelled.

Lady Cairns Run Down. Over Twenty Hands Lost Several Swansea Men on Board. Body Picked Up. A Dublin telegram states that a collision occurred on Sunday morning between tin German barque Mona and the English barque Lady Cairns, twenty-fi^e miles east of the Kish lightship. The Lady Cairns sank after a short time, and, though llie Mona stood by for some time, nothing could be seen of the crew and passengers of the Lady Cairns. The Mona was afterwards towed into Dublin. The Lady Cairns was an Iron, ship of 1,274 tons gross, and 1,197 net register, 216ft. in length, and 35ft. beam. She was launched in April, 1869, from Messrs. Harland and Wolff, Belfast, and underwent her last survey at Cardiff in 1899. She was owned by the late Mr. L. Tulloch, of Swansea. HCW THE DISASTER OCCURRED. A few days ago the Lady Cairns, with a cargo of salt, made Dublin Bay for safety owing to the stormy weather. On Sundav morning she proceeded outwards, and all went well until she reached the vicinity of the Kist Lightship, and before the disaster could be averted the German barque Mona suddenly loomed up in the mist and struck the Lady Cairns in the stern. In less than five minutes after the impact the illfated barque heeled over and sank with all on board. It appears to be unfortunately the fact that the greater number of those on board were unable to escape. The Mona was unable to render any assistance as she was quickly carried past the sinking vessel, and after drifting for some time was picked up by the s.s. Sasteforte. Her r.rew stated that the Mona wa3 on the starboard tack at the time of the collision, and the latter on the port. The Lady Cairns fouled, and it was impossible to avoid the collision. TWO LOCAL APPRENTICES CARRIED. One of two Swansea apprentices believed to have been aboard at the time was named Harry Perkins, and lived at 26, Malvern-ter- race. He was 17 ryears of age. The other, Reginald Strickland, also lodged there. It is stated that a Neath man was shipped at Garston. CALL AT YOUNG PERKINS' HOME. Calling at 26, Malvern-terrace, the home of Harry Perkins, a Daily Post" reporter found Mrs. Perkins in great distress. She wondered why they had had no official in- timation from the brokers. The first notifi- cation of the disaster they had had was by a neighbour who brought a newspaper into the house early m the morning. Mrs. Per- kins' husband is chief engineer on the City of Berlin, and her son, Harry, together with young Strickland were at Swansea for a fortnight's holiday three weeks ago. Strick- land was an orphan, the son of a late Ludlow doctor, and was treated by the Perkins as one of the family. The present voyage would have completed Harry Perkins' three years of apprenticeship and both lads had been companions on the previous voyage. She received a letter from both of them on Saturday expressing themselves as "feeling jolly* and looking forward-to the vovaee SYVANSEA STEWARD AMONG THE MIooING. Our Garston correspondent telegraphs — The Lady Cairns left Garston on Saturday afternoon with a crew of 18 all told, includ- ing three apprentices, Captain George in command, Seaman A. Hopkins, who gave the address of Post Oflke, Skewen, and cook and steward named Wohtlman, 7, Maden(?)-street, Swansea, shipped at Gars- ton, and these, so far as can be ascertained, were the only Swansea men aboard. All the other members of the crew were shipped in Liverpool. Mr- Tulloch, Swansea, whose firm owned the ill-fated Lady Cairns, which is believed to have been lost between Garston and Dub- lin, has received the following telegram de- spatched from Holyhead, at 1.25 on Tuesday afternoon: — "Boat picked up between Dublin and Holyhead, apparently Lady Cairns; dead young man inside. Inform your apprentices' relatives; letter following.—Police." Questioned by a "Daily Post" reporter, Mr. Tullock said that was the only informa- tion he had received. "You will see," he said, "the telegram says 'apparently Lady Cairns.' More than likely it is one of the Lady Cairns' boats, because she had recently had a new boat put aboard her, and perhaps she had no name painted on her." "Wnr were the Swansea men aboard?" asked the reporter. "Perkins was the only Swansea boy. Strickland did not belong to Swansea though he had stayed here. There was an able seaman named Hopkins on board and he be- longed to Skewen. The reference in the telegram to "appren- tices' relatives, seems to indicate that the police consider the body recovered to be that of a young member of the crew. 'HOW THE BODY WAS FOUND. A Tuesday's telegram states that the officer? and crew of the London and North- western Railway Company's steamer Snow- don had a gruesome experience during the passage from Dublin to Holyhead on Monday evening Half-way across a boat was no- ticed with apparently one occupant. On the Snowdon lowering a boat it was discovered that the strange craft contained the corpse of a man about 22 years of age. There was no name on the boat, The body was brought to Holyhead for an inquest.

DOCK LABOURER'S NARTY FALL. John Jones (45), labourer, Rodney street employed by Messrs. Bradweil and Co. at he South Dock extension works, Swansea vas early on Wednesday morning standing on 111 overhanging jetty taking a nut off a bolt vhen he fell to the bottom. a distance of 25 eet, alighting on his head. When picked up lie poor fellow was found to be badly in- sured and lie was taken to the Swansea'Hos- pital, where he was admitted. His ininries ire serious.

Heavy Sentence for a Frightful Offence, At Glamorgan As^kes, on Thursday, David Jones Thomas, colliery-haulier, Geliigaer. was sentenced by Judge Wt.h-o;i to eighteen years' imprison- ment for an offence against a little girl, fou-r yosrs old. His Lordship deseiibed the case as a most frightful one, and added "If you wore not protected at all, it i.eems to me thiit you would have been torn t'J pieces by your fellow countrymen."