The Cambrian

ALL BJOOTS RESERVED. BEST POLICY. BY W. PETT RIDGE, jntbor of "A Son of the State," "Secretary to Baylies, M.P. "A Cjever Wife," "An Important Man," "Mord Exn'ly," &c- This story that Jamas toldnote the other afternoon down a.t Edmonton—.Jaiaes baa cost the Strand Board of Guardians, boy and xnan, a pretty penny—I have taken the trouble to verify, and I ;«.m rather astonished to find that it has the virtue of comparative accuracy —so easy it is minis world to ■waver trom a line of conduct. "Honesty is the best policy," read out James from an advertisement on the back oi my newspaper. He took off hie cap, rubbed bie cropped white hair, and gave a short laugh. "Oh. yes. Twice! Ought to be wrote up in letters of ¡;;()}d! Ought to be inscribed oo every lamp-poet! Honesty the best policy, indeed! For other people, per- M ^gaeesed from what he did ^beii be^had removed his pipe from his month n&t he ■poke ironically "Loooere!" said James, pointing the stem of his pipe at me. "A ounce of facts warta a ton aE argument. Til give you a case in pojat." .8 James having ptdicd off what he called i "koop" determined that the money fcbns ao- qmred should take him into society brighter and loftier than *hat which Hagger- affords. Wherefore, iustead of gong to a shop that advertised misfits as though it were a matter for pride to ha ve had so many efforts rejected, be went to a tailor who meafrared turn, who arranged an impressive fall in the hack for the frocs coat; tetected with the touch of an artist the true, the one, th- indisputable place for the two back but- tons invented a doable breasted waistcoat that somehow made James appear quite slim, and furnished two qmte reticent pairs of trousers. Tne^e and a silk hat at fifteeo and six enabled to stroll m at the Criterion ba, without T»'jK.tonng frcwnsj to ask the barmaids whe* h^r his friend, Sir William Something Lad oeen m, to express perturba- tion on ret*' r>g a negative reply; it also eoi bled him t,. sjt languidly on the handle of his stick quite to the steps 01 Pall Mall; dubs. It was in tins way that he met M. Henri Fasqnellfc, temporarily of Gerrard- etreet, and, mdieed, never permacently at an; one piaoe of his own accord, and when each had discovered that the other was oo- inc on:, for something to turn up, tney 5>i. good d^d, "that one Smxlaj »to ?* » Old toe-street (since, alas °° rxM Sc ud put ttoigto Md secure A competency T '"Explain votrreelf, said James. II Fasquelle, though hampered by a iforeica rongue and the near presence of other ytw^r: fx>rs, contrived to do so "Co-n I trust you?" asksd James. 1;=¡ the iremory of his mother, M. Fas iveile said (and sua it with tears), he could -Uciaro that in matters of this kind he was the very eouJ of horour. "Than I tEll you what,' s*dd James, hold- rag out his hand, "we'll have a dash at it." James tells me that to had the ordinary ^very-day mug in Lon<lfvn is the easiest waiter; to find a. mag of a peculiar pattern » a task. Nevertheless, beang something of « connoisseur w the article, n did a wee* iater find one bearing the assume*. °j Boreter, a man possessing isiung-cards and » fox-hoad pui in his necktie, a meerschaum cigarette- bolder, and other eridercces of ucCMng m a good circle- Borster had beej ra the City, but the City had found tami with him and had sent him to Hollowav ►nd subsequently to Wormwood Scrubbs, and be was ready now to do iimoc?t anything "on robe croBfa" as opposed to the correct line of conduct described aa "on the straight." To bim the scheme was explained under a bond ot secrecy that nothing but an earthquake "V>uld break Somewhere in the West Cen- tral district (street not to he mentioned even » such a dear old chum as Borster) Russian iJw-notes were being imitated with such artistic preciseness that only the specialist -sold dwset ths masquerade. They could be in A-rstwerp. in Perlm, ui Paris—in. *;»am especially, beemae <w *■« Franco- K,>sriian understanding. For five hundred rounds Boreter should have ten thousand rouuds' worth. On Boreter asking of James *n • oM. FasqoeJle the reason why baej them aelvee did not take advan^g^ of this aotoo- tag opportunity for making a fortune, the 1. bad to confess that they were so well Strewn and to unfavourably known to the 'Xilice that every act of their was being -vatched with unkind suspicion. Whilst Bolster, on the contrary — "Why, compared with GS,' &aid James, in a confidential whisper, "campared ,¡t.h 118 you're whiter than the drivelling snow! Borster, with all the conceit of the amateur, was inclined a.t first to take this as a deliberate insult, but the great advan- tages of his intermediate position were etrsa- uoiislv pointed out in a f >reign language br M. Fasqttelie and in very "«d, forcible ian-1 jmagfe by James, and i.ftwo houis of lard, coutinur us debate, !'•' rster was com-1 pelled to admit that the occasion and all the circumstances were unique. xNow, I'm a strictly business nytn said Borsrer, aooepting a cigarette from M. Fasquelle, "aod I should like this little affarr ruin on strictly bvusiness lines. Where and when can I touch these so-called notes?" "BruxeUts," said M. FatiOaelle. "A week to-day." added James. "Why DOt in London?" "How many more times, demanded James, »w*at*rilv "am I to tell you that we are being Sid' by men whoSe ey« like ks ?" '•In London," RU<i M, Pa«qaelle v/ith a regretM wave of his <nzu?ette, \t, is im- ^Eible. In many »nMfK town"—here he kissed his tan?- to Old Com > tou-street—"it is in this regard im-poes- ^WherealxHite in Brussels?" asked after a pause. M Fasquelle borrowed a penal from James, wrote tbe address on the table, u-txi rutted it out immediately. "Hue b^gan Boreter. The other two begged bim in a. whisper not to talk so loudly. If any one of these eoiiotHided detectives (vv io could not always be confounded) wer% to f ear so much w a syllable, then would fh<* ^&me be up indeed. Easy to find the small u.vern 1:' question, said M. Faequelle; tt was but the throw of a stone from the Palace P^yale, ana Brussels was just one of i^oee "uiet plac*» where the poboe would be very i»*4jkely >o tBfrfare. This Was the great doW, for should the police get wind of it then there was no other prospect but a dr<xry five yeare for one xiid all. Horswr admitted. | tius and that r;e, for his | a*t w.juld sedl bis hps in regard to the matbir. It was thereupon agreed tbat each travel s«par3't £ iy» *ia Slashing, one via Oste«<l> tis other via Calais, and aPP<>intment, three o'clock in the aftercoon o' following Wedcesdav, wa& agreed upon and ra-tifiea. James tells me tfet only ex- perience of Con tin*?77-' .at any- body can go acroes Ciwni^' wbo Uk^s to do »> but for his p..rt--nev..r again. Looking bock apoo it all, he thinks he can see that there was low cunning In th., iwraTigement that he should Flushing. Jan«e6 had o«ice been to wacton bv steamer,but that had been mere Serpentine fcfeating, compared with this Tuesday n1g,ht voyage It will be understood, without toe ki-cwledge of details, that James event't^'ly arrived at Brussds a lixip, white-faced, -°J' lorr. person, a stranger -n a strange Ian I, with no further knowledge of the tongue than that contained in the words, "an revoiT," which, taken alo-M and used on irriviog m a foreign town, could not be OQSldered as a sufficient outfit. He had, V.owever, the name of the tavern writ-ton on card, and a white-hatted oachman drove • im there, and. encouraged by the thought that be was t-n return that evening with two jtandred a.nd fifty pounds in his packet—for '{ Fasquelle had in we ted that the profits Ton Id be uactly halved and was quite ob- r mate on this pomt wh»»n TameN had sug- *ted that something extra shordd be „ j, wed to Fasquelle for 'he tronble snd 1 :pense of nbtainmg the notef^—encouraged, say, by the prospect of coming again hoj ^eered slightly on the \>v He'becamef "ruj mora cheerful when ho found his eoi- • igoe, M. Fasquelle, waiting for himoataide e tavern, dea«-shaven for the beUeru>ent « • disguise and wearing <loncb hat that • emed calculated to excite suspicion rather ian to allay it. "Ah. aw hgatiwl" ossd M. FaequeBe. "W hat there is left of me," growled James. "000 moiety of you,' •coi'ired Fasquelle with enthusiasm, "is worth the two of other men. Good comrade always "Yes well, don't go slapping me on the shoulder like that. I only feel like about sixpence-halfpenny in tho pound." "Soaie wine?" "Wine be hanged said 'ames. "I want something to drink." "At three hours," remarked. Fasquelle, taking James's arm and conducting him through the passage, "a.t hroe hours BoTster w-ill come to arrive. .Tames remembeirs the oicj square room where the mating took rH^ce with its oM- fas-hioned English spirting prints, its French billiard table, its comic uvoers, and a view through the windows of a wall which would have been blank only that some ingenious artist had painted thereon some astonishing scenes of red-coated hun^siivm taking rifle shots at foxes, of sports.,ien preparing to air) at birds that were already tailing to the ground. Fasquelle seemed > n good terms with the proprietor so tar «s James could guess, and at any rate tLe proprietor fur- xirshfd James with some •" .>:celi snt Ba £ S and crusty, filling ham sandwich. At three o'clock to he minute Bolster walked in. Borstcr also lvii mc-de seme chii ge in his appeartfiCe ,"1<1 looked the kind of man who might have about him n half penny stamp, but was »ot hkely to have A penny one. In point >«f Tact he had the Englich not as inside a letter-case in his hip pocket, and he produced t!i2m at once; he shewed them to James and to Fasquelle. "Now, eaid Borster, sariousl^, "it's understood that we mean business.' "Strict business," agreed Jamee. Fas- quelle tried to express his cordial acceptance of this suggestion, but could do it only by pantomime. "And we needn't waste time over it. "The sooner it's over," said James, humorouslv, "the quicker." „ "Then produce the bits of Russian paper, said Borsu?r. "My dear friend is up on top," explained Fasq ooile, painting upwards. "Second stage. FTim you must not see. Give me your dear, charming Bronk of England notes and in the spaoe of two minutes I return with-" "You go with him. James." To explain what followed James had to ask my assistance. I have to pretend to be James, James plays the character of Fas- quelle. I take James by the arm for three or four steps, goino- as it were out of a large room into a dim passage. ("That seat over there," says James, 'la the entrance from the street.') James orders me to hold r asquelle s arm very securely, fnd this I do. Upstair in this wav to a room where Fa*quefle, still held affectionately, gives three quick raps, and, after a pause, a fourth. Door opened half-way. A large bundle tied with blue tape handed out to Fasqudle. The Bank of England notes handed in. A return downstairs, I as James still holding the arm of James as Fasquelle. "Grip tigl/t," whispers the stage manager. I hold him, as I think, securely, but not so securely when he gives a sudden rrelo- dram&tic start as to prevent him from releas- ing himself. Fasquelle, with a cry of "Heavens The Foiioe!" thrCws the bundle out. of the win- dow, daTts into the large room, a.nd gives swift, hurried, generous warning to Borster. In another moment the three are escaping in various directions; Boreter wildly, without knowing where he is going, out into the corridor where the sporting subjects are painted, James butting the inoffensive arrival out of the way and making a mad dash out into the street and away down the hill of the Montagne de la Cour, Fasquelle ap- parently vanishing into space. James, find- mg his way by aocadent more than design, run.3 up against the Gafe du Nord, and hiding himself in the waiting-room takes the train back to London. "And what." I ask of James when he has mopped the inside of his soft black hat and has regained something like calm after the excitement of this description, "what wa.8 the end of the afiaiT 1" "The finish up of it?" echoes James, vio- lently. "Why, Tve give it to you." "Bat surely something happened ?" "There'd been quite enougn 'appeo," says James, grimly. "Borster a-nd me met now c?id again and talked it over; sometimes we James, grimly. "Borster aDd me met now c?id again and talked it over; sometimes we I ^^oKght Faftqvuilla -light Ka.vo got irmteU. stabbed, and thai made -as feel pretty thank- ful it was him and not us; then we heard he had got away, and reckoned it was very wise of aim to keep hiss/elf dark." "Quite so." "But since I've been in 'ere," James, deliberately, "I've come to see that it w?s all a blooming plant on the part of Mister Herr Mossieo Fasquelle, Esquire. He'd done that trick before, bless yon; he's done it times without number ainoe. And then you talk to me about honesty being the best I Bah!" growls James, rubbing his corduroyed ktiee in conclusion. "1 haven't got the patience to discuss tie subjec' I [THE END.]

HELPIXG THE DEAF. A SIMPLE HOME TREATMENT. Fifty years ago any obstinate form of deaf- ness was regarded as incurable to-day, %ith each discovery, due to the untiring efforts of the medical profession, the number of in- curables is becoming lese and less. The chief obstacle, however, to deaf people seek- ing treatment has been the expense, and every such sufferer will welcome the latest discovery, which is proving itself a simple remedy that cures at low cost. The new preparation has such wonderful power of penetrating to internal organs that, when applied on the tHun behind the ear it reaches the cauees of the defective hearing, and by removing these causes, cures deafness and head noises. This remargable remedy, which is appro- priately named "Absorba," is described in a medical pamphlet thai can be obtained post free by writing (mentioning the "South Wales Daily Post"), to Absorba, Limited, 18, reatherstone Buildings. London, W.C., agents for this preparation. Absorba is supplied in tubes at 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. post free, to any part of Great Brit-ain3 on reccipt of price.

BREEZE AT LLANELLY COUHCIL Mr. D. It Edmunds and the Gas Company, During Llanelly Council discussion, on Tuesday on the quality of the pnblic gas supply, when a petition of ratepayers aeked the Council to institute proceedings, Mr. D. R. Edmunds said the matter should be deferred, because a case was to be tried at the County Court this month, in which the company sued a local consumer. He had been instructed to appear for the com- pany in the matter. Mr. William David objected to the attitude of M*. Edmunds, who, he suggested, used his position as a member to address them, while he had been engaged to conduct the case for the gas company. It was his duty to be silent on the matter, or to appear before the Council as a deputation and then retire. Mr. Edmunds said he was only acting ss between two ratepayers, and regretted that Mr. David should have thus singled him out. But what had Mr David done himself in the matter of the Arcade, of which he was acting a.a agent for the ownerr David: That is utterly wrong. Edmonds: Are you the agen^ or not? I dii I ar» the agerr.. What ia connection with the Arcuie was simpty to get at the facts of the business. I.. And you did not have the honesty to say at Mr. ^avid My name is painted on the front or ine Arcade, so that everyone can see It. Mr. Edmunds: And because of bad gas, r 0 ore can see- it. '^agl.ter.)

NATIONAL MUSEUM. Terms of Swansea's Bid. Swansea's claim to have the Welsh Na tional Mueeam located in her midst has been despatched to tho clerk of the Privy Council Committee, who, on* May 13th, de- cide certain points bearing on the whole matter. Throughout the deliberations of the Swansea Museum Committee, we have re- spected am expressed wish that Swansea's case should not be "given away" for the benefit of other towns claiming the honour. On Friday, when the Mayor was author ised to affix the official seal to the memorial, the same wish was expressed and fully ob- served by us. We are assured, however, that no harm can now be done by publish- ing a statement in the matter, seeing that all claims have been dispatched, and, after consultation with the chairman of com- mittee, we therefore briefly set oat what the town is pledged to in too event of Swansea securing the honour. The final drafting; if the memorial was dome, it may first of all be stated, at a meeting held on Thursday, when the Museum Committee, of which Mr. Moy Evans is chairman, had the able assis- tance of Mr. C. H. Glascodioe, barrister. Mr. Lleufer Thomas, barrister, and Mr. Walter Lewis. Following the lines adopted on the occasion of the fight for securing the locale of the Welsh University Offices, the memorial sete out Swansea's great commer- cial and industrial importance, population, easy accessibility, and the claim that it is the metallurgical centre of the h sjdom. Having regard to the fact tha.t the Pricy Council Committee had invited WaJes to say what contribution it was prepared to make m order to secure a national grant for the purposes of a Welsh Library and Museum, the financial clauses are the most important. These are: The present Royal Institution of South Wales, building valued at £25,000. Or a free site at the Victoria Park. Corporation donation of £10,000. Private donations amounting to £10,000. And the proceeds from Ad. rate, levied under the Libraries' and Museums' Act, es- timated to produce £1,000 per annum. In addition to this, Swansea offers the priceless contents of the present Museum at the Royal Institution, the very valuable Glyn Vivian pictures (to be given to the town by the Squire of Sketty Hr.U), and the Deffett Francis collection of engravings, ets., now at the Public Library. Swansea does not ask for the Library but only for the Museum. It is felt that the two will be separated, in which event Swan- sea's cl ums for the latter are considered to be unsurpassed by any other centre in Wales. We may no vie with Cardiff m the way of monetary offers, but it will be sen- erally conceded that Swansea's is a noble bid and quite ample in the way of providing f. hannsome and well stocked institution, the maintenance of which the Government proposes to undertake. MONEY COMING IN WELL. The following additional subscriptions were notified on Monday in connection with the Swansea Museum Fund :—Lewis Lewis, High-etreet, £100; Swansea Chamber of Commerce. £50 Capital and Counties Bank, £21; Llewellyn Jenkins, Union Offices, £20; Aid. J. A. Rawlings and Fred, Edwards, borough treasurer, £5 56. each. The memorials that will come before the Privy Council Committee will be presented by the chairman of the Welsh Parliamen- tary Committee, to whom they were de- livered on Monday.

SWANSEA CHURCH ARMY. Annual Meeting of Subscribers. A. annual meeting of the subscribers to theowansea Church Army Home took place at the Rutland-street Institute on Monday. Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., presided, and those present included Col. Morgan, Mr. Joseph Hall, J.P., Mrs. Ebeaezer Davies (Hon. Sec.), Mr. and Mrs. J. Dyer, Mrs. Pic- ton Turbervill, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Eden, Miss White, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Williams, aijfi Mr. W. A. For-ci. The Hon. Sec. read too report, which stated that for the first three months the work was carried on in the old premises in Fisher- street, and the returns were not quite so satisfactory as might have been expected had the twelve months' work been conducted in the new building. There were admitted 213 persons (191 previous year); situations had been obtained for 68; 6 had joined the army or oavy 3 restored to friends 4 emigrated 54 left to find work 4 sent to the Infirmary; 8 otsmissed; 52 left of their own accord within three days. Captain Spicer had inter- viewed 1,195 men in Swansea Prison, and assisted 274 on their discharge. The D.P.A.S. had made a grant of £ 20. The Committee called attention to the scheme under which they are enabled to emigrate desirable cases. It was hoped in the future to extend this part of the work, and funds were asked for. The work of the Lodging Home has been satisfactory. The Commit- tee hoped that the proposal made by some of the Town Councillors to build Municipal Lodging Houses would not be allowed to hp carried out in a way which might prove detri- mental to this part of the work. The state- ment of accounts showed a loss on the year of JB135 18s. 9d. The President hoped everyone present would inspect the Home. The figures showed in a marked way the great amount of good the Institution was doing to those who seemed to be incapable of helping themselves without the right hand of fellowship. He hoped they would all put their shoulder to the wheel to wipe out the r^-nainder of the building debt of £1,256.. He congratulated the officers, and especially the Superinten- dent, upon the way in which the work was being done. Mr. J. Dyer seconded the adoption of the report.—Carried. Mr. Arthur Eden proposed the adoption of the management rules. The management was, he said, really invested in the Head Office, London, but the latter were pleased when local organisations took hold of the work and managed them as far as possible "•iocally. Mrs. Picton Turbemll seconded.—Car- ried. Col. Morgan proposed the re-election of officers, including Sir John Llewelyn as president, and Mrs. Pontifex, Mrs. A. Eden and Mrs. E. Da-vies as lady visitors.—Mr. Ford seconded.—Carried. Upon the proposition of Mr. Joseph Hall, seconded by Col. Morgan, a vote of thanks was accorded the president.

Swanson Wag-on Hire Action. At Swansea County Court on Tuesday W. J. Morse and Co., St. Thomas, claimed £5 7s. 3d., wagon hire, etc., from Mr. D. Hinds. Mr. D. SeLne was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Lleufer Thomas for defendant. There was a counter-claim for £10 for breach of contract. Mr. Seline said defendant asked plaintiff on the 'phone for wagons on simple hire. An agreement was sent to Hinds for signa- ture. Defendant, he alleged, detained the agreement, and when ultimately pressed it was found that defendant had altered the date and made the contract a "maintenance" instead of a "simple" hire fee. Plaintiff said defendant had wagons on hire from May 1st. By the Judge: Hinds altered the agree- ment without his assent. Mr. Seline read a letter repudiating the akered clause in the agreement received three months from May 1st. The Judge thought it was a strong ^ase against defendant that the agreement had been altered without plaintiffs' assent. It wouldn't, do at all, and the agreement was null and void. Judgment for plaintiff on claim and counter-claim. SECOND CLAIM FAILS. There was a second claim against Mr. Hinds for £6 16s., for repainting and letter- ing sixteen wagons. Mr. Thomas pointed out that in the agree- ment the e was no clause, holding that the maintenance included the first of the paint- ings 'Tat once." A letter was read uphold- ing that view. Judgment for defendant.

The improved train service between Po-n- taxdulais and Swansea was inaugurated on May 1st, and hae been welcomed, by bassaees Men particular..

SUNDAY AT SWANSEA, r Rev. Simon on the Observance of the Sabbath. The value of a sermon is not in what is spoken, nor in what is beard, but in what is remembered. In the congregation at a Swansea church on Sunday morning was a young lady—a rather young lady. I asked her what the preacher had said, and with a glad smile she told me. "There is a vine; it belongs to the Queen, and is known as 'the Queen's vine.' One gardener attends to it, and the vine gives as much as a thousand bunches a year, which go to the Royal tables. When any one grape is found bad the gardener cuts off the bunch and throws it away. The moral was that we should be fruitful, and if we had any sin we should throw it away, like the gardener did." "What did he mean by being fruitful?" "We should do kind acts." "What was the text?" "I don't remember that. We ought to have 'peace,' 'joy,' and something else to- wards God, and 'faithfulness' and something else towards our neighbours." I hold this to have been rather successful, as sermons go. A grown man, of consider- able intelligence and volubility, father of the above, failed to remember anything of the evening serrron, except that it was "about Easter!" The sermon had not helped him. That little girl, on the other hand, has been impressed, at a successful age, that she must do kind acts and throw away sin! Those who say the revival is passing away mistake form for substance. They miss the point adumbrated in such poetic musings as "Kind words can never die," "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." Really and truly( they deny that there ever has been any revival. The real truth of the matter is that in the world is a Power, unseen, verit- able, operating through men, manifesting itself in many forms—"a Power, not our- selves, which makes for righteousness." Now it takes this form, now that, and +he humble, honest-hearted recognise and re- verence it, everywhere and always. The revival has ceased to be chronicable in the newspapers; but all that was of value in it I remains in the lives of men, there to work, quietly, unobtrusively. There is a note of apprehension in one of the many deep say- ings of the Churchman's Book of Common Prayer:—"Minister: Oh, God, make clean our hearts within us.—People: And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us!" That cat- astrophe is possible! "We have great reason to thank God that we are living under the influence of a. grea.t revival in church life, which has made iteelf felt not only in every nook and corner of our land, but to the most distant parts of the earth. this most wonderful and glori- ous religious revival—I refer to the Oxford movement of 50 or 60 years ago Thus the Rev. John Simon at the new St. Augustine's Church, Brynmill, on Sun- day morning. At this very moment (be went on) W3 were enjoying a great many spiritual privileges which to our anc3S.ors were denied. Those who could look back to the beginning of the late Queen's reign knew of the coldness and deadnese of the Church at that period. Churches were erected and maintained more with regard to the convenience and comfort of worshippers than to the glory of God. People who could afford to pay were allowed to occupy the best places in church—and that evil was t ot dead yet—the poor were given the worst places. Church doors were barred during the woek, sermons were infrequent; those were days of carelessness, dust, cobwebs, and irreverence. But new life entered the church as it becamc recognised that it was a true branch of the Holy Catholic Church. Looked at fairly and squarely, this move- ment known as "High Church," is found to be something other than the mere aping of Roman Catholic ceremonies which to tho 611- perficial eye it appears. There's more in it than the question of an extra candle, a cruci- fix, a oenser, an "eastward position," cr even a claim of priestB, to be too only chan- nel of Divine blessing. A revival that has produced the devoted 6&lf-sacrificing and practically sympathetic lives we have seen in nearly every town in this country. Here in Swansea, behold the lives of the few clergymen in this town who are credited with High Church tendencies. "You can't argue against a good life," ae Quaker Els- mere said when he accepted an invitation to preach the gospel at the Unitarian Church. Rev. John SiADOn is a powerful preacher, more so than thousands who possess rarer gifts. Tbp~x'ft a genuine ring aboui hie ut- terances. He believes what he preaches. He has no pulpit manner, only ordinary every-day speech. Nothing of the ecclesias- tic in him. A young, bearded man, full of healthy energy. He raoes through the prayers, races through the sermon also, races in private conversation. He may be at any time questioned with the certainty of an in- telligently sympathetic, if somewhat abrupt, response. Their new church, be went on, was not a whim or a fancy, but a real need. It meant much labour, much pxayer and self-denial on the part of practically every member. He appealed to officials and communicants to make individual efforts to indnce others to avail themselves of church privileges. If they asked, "Why do you come to church?" some would reply, "Because I like it;" others, "I come to gst good others, again, "Because it is right." To the latter reason the preacher attached most value. The "Pleasant Sunday Afternoon" movement was a deplorable sign of the times, since it looks very mnch like the substitution of pleasure for duty — "I like to," for "I ought." Swansea has achieved many other records besides on the football field and in the Coun- cil Chamber. One is for Sunday School at- tendance. They have it best at King Ed- ward-road Baptist School. The attendances for the last 13 years at this most flourishing institution have been remarkable; so much so that the officials decided on some recog- nition of it. A year or so ago the names of all lads and lasses who had attended without a miss for seven years wer9 painted on a memorial tablet. There are now on it about 20 names. But in 1903 medals were also dis- tributed to four scholars who had attended for ten years without a miss. Curiously enough, they are all Morgans, though not of the same family—their names, Nellie, Alf. Llew., David, and William. The Baptist Church had its anniversary on Sunday., In the morning services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. Thomas, M.A., and in the evening by Rev. James Owen, of Mount Pleasant. Pastor Thomas took tbe place of Mr. Owen at Mount Plea- sant. Rev. H. Hodder, Wesley Chapel, ad- dressed tbe Sunday School in the afternoon. As an instance of how impossible it was for me to get clear of tbe Oxford religious revi- val, the solo "Lead, kindly light," the 'Di- olch Iddo" of Cardinal Newman, was ren- dered by a senior scholar. Maxim Gorky, the Russian novelist, the last of tbe Rev. Tudor Jones's "Living Teachers and Prophets," was dissected at the Unitarian Church on Sunday evening. Mr. Jones leaves for Jena University on May 15th. "After His Passion" and "Marred in tbe Making" were Pastor F. W. Pitt's subjects at the Countess of Huntingdon's. Rev. J. Talog Davies, of Beaufort (Mon.), preached at Argyle Chapel, and Mr. Josepn James, B.A., Brecon, at Rhyddings Congre- gational Church. J JUpl11!iR. j _JUPITER.

PEOPLE TELL THE TRUTH. People tell the truth about Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, because they are grateful for tbe good they have derived when suffer- ing from starved, poor, thin blood; or the exhaustion of nesrves, and the worries from overwork. SAVE YOURSELF FROM IMITATIONS. Save yourself from too flood of imitations that fill the market. Insist on having the Genuine Article. Look on the label, stamp, and bottle, and find the name "Gwilym Evaiffl." Them you are safe. No other Pre- paration is "Just a« good," or "The same thing." Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is sold everywhere in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4.s. 6d. each, or \wll be sent, carriade free, on receipt of stamps, direct from the Sole Pro- prietors :—The Quinine Bitters Manufactur- ing Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.

DEATH OF MR. T. D. LEWIS. Ex-Agent to the Late Lord Swan- sea The death took place eaa-ly on Sunday morning of Mr. Thos. David Lewis, No. 11, Priorton-terrace, Swansea, who for a little over a quarter of a century was private sec- retary and estate agent to the late Lord Swansea, first at Parkwern, and afterwards at Singleton On leaving Singleton, about nine years ago, Mr. Lewis purchased the "White Rooo" Hotel, which he kept for five years, and then Mr. Lewis became traveller for the Stretton Hills Waters, representing the whole of South Wales and the West of England. MT. Lewis died on his 49th birthday. He had been ailing five or six weeks from bron- chial catarrh, but had only laid up since Wednesday. Deceased leaves a widow and four grown- up children. A brother of deceased is Mr.! W. H. Lewis, of Messrs. Vivian and Sons.

PURSE STOLEN AT NEATH. Friendly Society Inspector Fined At Neath on Monday, the charge against Thomas Henry Lock, inspector Royal Liver Friendly Society, of stealing a purse con- taining 9s. 9d.; property of Jennet Parss«Jt>, James-street, married, was gone through Mr. W. H. David defended. Mrs. Parsons said she visited the SraeT- set Arms with a friend, Margaret Ann Jones, on Saturday night, April 5th. Aicuaed came in and was served, and left directly after them. When she left and went to the market she missed her" purse and returned to the "Somerset" to look for it. Sb? spoke to the barmaid, and because of what ihe 6aid she went to the Llewellyn Coffee Tavern, and spoke to the proprietor, who feidled pri- soner down and asked him if he Jad seen her purse. He denied it and got indignant, She .:akl, "If you don't give it b^-k, I will fetch a policeman." She aftercares went tc the police station with accused. Thos. Edward Jeen, Llewellyn Temperance Hotel, said accused was occupying rooms there. He detailed what occurrd in regard to the alleged theft. P.C. Beer said that Mrs. Part<ns accused defendant, who had come to me station to clear himself. Inspector Jo«e<s searched him, but did not find a purse; he had several pounds in money on nim. 'Witness after- wards found tbe puree (emp'y) concealed among newspapers in a. recess in the com- mercial room, which the accused had been occupying- Inspector Jones said after cautioning de- fendant be said, "I 'nunci 4jke purse in the public-house. It container .V M. I am very sorry. I was foolish t:> deny it; send for the lady. I hope she wll withdraw the charge." Witness found JETS in gold on him, and £1 56. 6d. in silver ard copper. Accused now said he -,va$not guilty. Mr. David .al<1 accused iad borne an irre- i poachable character, holda resporwible posi- tion, and was well connected. He a short time ago had married, aid recently became a father- His position was a very painful one. Though defendant had acted must foolishly, his subsequent action showed that be had done nothing orwiBten*. with laT- cenv.. T'he Bench fined defendant 20s. and costs. Mr. David asked if appeal were taken the Bench, in view of cases quoted, would grant a case? The Bench replied in the affirmative.

"BEARS" AM) BLOCK TIN. Local Maker Explodes Alarmist Sta^ments, t tiw- A represeotati^ of the "Daily Post" has seen a leading _nplate manufacturer and elicited. hiS vityr as to what he thought of the article In Cardiff contemporary of Monday^ headed^ The Tinplate Trade High Price of Block fin." The gentleman in question said UJ & "1 don't thi la tiaplp^manufacturers will take any notice of this ''bear' article on tin. It is not intended for their benefit at all. It is apparently a combined effort of disap- pointed beans in tin and of tinplate mer- chants wbo ifov-e orders to place for tin- plates, or_ of -irtc or the other of these inter- ests. It- is certain, however, that the tin- plates, or_ of Gne or the other of these inter- ests. It is certain, however, that the tin- plate manufacturers' interests are not con- sidered- In fact, a break-away in the price of tin would do more harm than good to tin- plate makers, because this would be used at onoe as a lever by buyers to 'bear' prices down again; and, in my opinion, this is the opportunity they now seek, as there are large quantities of tinplatos at present being inquired tor for delivery over the next three or fonT ninths, and I believe works making tin plates are comfortably off for orders. I don't know the position of those works mak- ing sheets and blackplates. Several works are employed exclusively on sheets and blackplate ordere, and plates for the enamel- ling trades; but, as I have said, those mak- ing tinflates, for which, of course, block tin is reouired, are, I believe, fairly well booked. "Tbe article is a remarkable one, for whilst the first paragraph states facts and explains why tin is dear, and gives no rea- son why lower prices can be expected, the remaining portion is evidently written ex- preasly for 'bear' purposes. "I have not seen the circular referred to, but those firms who practically control the tin market are so financially strong that the formation of an outside metal market is, in my opinion impracticable. "It is the third paragraph, however, that gives the whole show away. and it is here We see the cloven hoof of the 'bear' opera- tor. He has brought forward the only points possible to suit his purpose but they are too far -fetched after all to have any ef- fect. For instance, there are regular stop- pages at some works about midsummer for stocktaking purposes, and the men employed at other works which do not make this a njle can always get their holidays. "As to the Russian position, let me refer you to the Liverpool Tinplate Market re port in the same paper this morning."

SEAWEED IN KIDNEY DISEASES. Dr. James Walker, Kidney and Urinary Specialist, New York, says:—"I never treat a case where the kidneys, urinary or- gans, or stomach are involved without sea- weed. I regard is as indispensable." The species of seaweed v.&ed by Dr Walker ■is the same as that contained in Veno Sea weed Tonic. Venn's Seaweed Tonic is used by many prominent doctors in all forms of kidney and urinary diseases because of its great strengthening, healing and purifying effect. It cures Nephritis of the kidneys, Bright's disease, uric acid troubles, weak- ness, dropsy and backacke: especially suc- oessfnl 111 constipation. Pleasant to take. Cures permanently. No return. Ask for Veno's Seaweed Tonic, at Chem- ists everywhere, is. 1¥!. and 2s. 9d. in i ■

Swansea Parks Entertainment. Swansea Parks Committee met on Tues- day. Mayor Spring chairman. Mr. G. Davis, whose entertainments have been selected for Victoria Park wrote for permission to erect a staffe and dressing- room. The stage is 16ft. long. Mr. Davis saH he had engaged a strong company (eight in number) and that it was his inten- tion to place en tort ai n nents the like of which had not before been seen in Swansea. I-Permission was granted. It was decided to place a finger-post di- recting passengers by the new trains on tho Brvnmill section to Brynmill Park.—An al- leged trespass on land adi^inintr Llewelvn Park was mentioned, but it was pointed out that if there was any trespass committed the remedy lay with complainant as the owner of the place.

An invitation has been extended by the Swansea branch of the United Irish League to Mr. John Redmond to visit the town dur- ing the summer. Should the invitation be accepted, the Nationalist leader will visit three other Sooth Wake centres, to be nominated.

MORRISTON COMPENSATION CASE Birchrock Accident Sequel, At Swansea County Court on Monday, the compensation case of Thomas Hodgson, Velindre, Morriston, against the Graigola Merthyr Co. was heard. Plaintiff was repre- sented by Mr. Stanley G. Jones (instructed by Mr. John Jenkins), and defendants by Mr. L. M. Richards (instructed by Messrs. Edvards and Bull). }1T. Jones said that Hodgson sustained a. fractured right leg on May 6th at defen- dant's Birchrock Colliery, when he had sus- tained a "bursa" or lump, which was pain- ful and caused stiffening of the limb, ren- dered kneeling work impossible, and con- tinuous walking unbearable. An cpeTation would be necessary. Dr. Griffiths, Pontardulais, described the Injury. He found it on the knee after the splints were taken off. By Mr. Richards: Plaintiff was able to work, but it was a painful injury. By Mr. Jones Plaintiff could not do kneel- ing work, and there would be pain. Dr. Reid thought an operation advisable It was not a common injury at that position in the leg. Plaintiff said that when he bent his knee he suffered considerable pain. He had kneel- ing work to do at the colliery, and oonld not resume his work there in consequence. He was given a certificate by the colliery com- pany to go to the hospital to get the opera- tion performed for the "bursa," and he was still waiting his turn. By Mr. Jones He had offered to go back to work if tlhey paid up his compensation. He was offered jBlO by Mr. Gregory and his arrears. He had declined. Dr. Astley Bird (Cardiff) said be examined plaintiff on October 17th. The ment for the fracture was exceedingly good. He did not notice any "bursa." The man could kneel. Where the knee was manipulated by Dr. William in his (witness' presence), plain- tiff felt no pain. The removal of the 'bursa" might necessitate a, ,slight opera- tion. Dr. D. J. Williams (llanelly) received plaintiff on February 23rd. The "bursa" could not possibly affect plaintiff's kneeling. Plaintiff was quite able to worK. Mr. Davies (manager of the colliery) said the company offered plaintiff work at his old job in the colliery—repairing. He agreed providing if he failed at the job he might expect a compensation claim. They refused. Mr. Richaixls held that plairtif? was a malingerer. Judge Williams awarded plaintiff 15s. a week from December 9th last up to the present time, and gave leave to apply again.

COEDFRANC'S LADY RATE COLLECTOR. Interesting- Appointment a Generation Ago, 1,^e. Profondds (Llaneamlot) writes:—The following extract taken from the "Cambrian" of March 14th, 1874, will doubtless interest ymir many readers in the Neath district- more especially so as the office of oolkctor iSr vacaal! Ihe late Mr. Evan Jem-kins, of Cefnyreagyra Farm, Coedfranc, was the first coiiector ot that parish, and was euc- oeeded, not by the late Mr. William Wil- liams, of Pony rally, as is general impres- Mon, but by his daughter, Mias Jenjcins, Whuoh fact is definitely proved below. When Miss Jenkins Rsugned Mr. Williams was appointed iter successor. The position of Miss Jenkins lf; unique, not otnly being the daughter of a collector, afterwards colkctcr herself, she is now the wife of a collector, viz., Alderman Jordan, Lhnamikfc. "NEATH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. "ortm?btly meeting of this Board was heM yeetorday. There was a large at- tendance. HoweA Gwyn, Esq., presided, and there were present: Mesons. W. Jones (vice- chairman), W. J. Plaver, John Davies, Tho- ras ivees, D. R. David, D. Davies, D. Evans, Roger Davies, W. B. Sloom. Hemay Jonee. S. Gardener, D. Williams, Rev. D. Griffiths, Rev. Walter Griffiths, B.D., Fev. D. Lewis, Messrs. John Jones, Edward Rees, D. Bevan, M. Evans, John Thoams, and W. B. Struve. "The first- business was the aptpoarikrient of collector of rates for the oomlet of Coed- frnDC, jn the place of Evan Jenkins, deceased. There were 12 candidates for the office, yiz. Johm Jenkins, Skewed David Thomas Cbed- fpa,nc; John Stadden, Burrows Lodge Inn; ThoR- G. J ones, Neath Abbey; ERaioh Lewis, Owrt-y-betws Farm; Peteer M. Fisher, Taly- fedlw Farm: Henry David, Skewen, Thomas Williams, Pentwyn; Lewis Jones, grocer, Skewea, WilEa-m Williams, Pefdanvawr; David Lake, Hembark; and Mary Jenfckie, Cefenfyresgyrn, Skewen. "Before the eJ-eritaon was proceeded with, the chairman expressed a strong hope that as the appointment was an important one, the Giiardiia.w; woiiid not be led away by ¡I.ny feeling, but would give their votes indeperad- eat.lv, so as to get the most oanrpetemt person appointed. lie referred to the lcsses whicu the Swansea Union had lately sostei ><?:i by their collectors. In the Neath Union they had liitlierbo escaped such losses, and he tljereZore hoped that they wau:1d that day do their best to secure the most fit and proper peiMrti to succeed their late exaeiteat oiEosrr, Evan Jenkins. "Ihe applications and testimonials of the candidates having been read, the candidtes were reduced to four: Mias Jenkins (daughter of the collector), Fisher, William Wil- liams, and Lake "On the final division Miss Jenkins was elected by a majority of four, she receiving 11 votes and Win. Williams 10."

Steward Charged with Theft at Swansea. At Swansea, on Monday, Robert Hampton, ship's steward, was remanded to Thursday charged with stealing a p-iir oi binocular glasses, watch and chain, jacket and vest, from the 8.8. G Player, the property of A .-chibald Ccldwetl, on Thursday. Detective Roberts ¡)ë!,Íd he reoeived pri- soner in custody at Gloucester; also the articles said to have been stolen. Prosecu- tor bad gone to sea.

Crew's Terrible Night. On Sunday night a boat filled with officers and men belonging to the submarine flotilla, was caught in a squall. The occupMio were unable to make headway against the force of the wind, and their boat was blown into the enrrent. An alarm was raised, when the boat was missed, and a search organized. Earlv on Monday morning the missing boat was found in a perilous position on a irfhdbank, all its occupants safe, but suffer- ing from exhaustion and exposure.

i May-Day Gale at Swansea. A north-westerly gale, accompanied by driving gusts of rain blew over Swansea throughout Sunday night. The Mumbles lighthouse officials experienced a «ary bois- terous time, the wires communicating with the mainland were blown down. "MERRIE MONTH OF MAY" AT THE MUMBLES. TOO "Merrie month of May" was heralded in a meet stormy -shioc, a gevesv gale blow- ing over Mumbles and the vicinity on Sun- day evening, which increased in fury throughout the early hoars of Monday rcorn- i The wind seemed as though deter- mined to devastate everything before it, so wild and stormy did it ukrw, causing dam- age to trees and gardens, several of the latter being wrecked by the storm. For- tuna.tely, there is no wreck within the vicinity of Mumbles to record, though the sea was lashed into waves of monnrfaainous size.

Making Money Fels-Naptha turns 2id into 2 /5 on washday 52 times a year, if you go by the book. Fds-N&ptba 39 Wilaoa street Loadoa EC

Paderewski's Grave Illness. New York, April 30.—Mr. Daniel Froh- man says that the hopes of M. Paderewski's ever again playing are very frail indeed. A Boston dispatch reports that the immin- ent pianist is lying in his private car suffer- ing agonies. Dr. Frourzose, the nerve specialist, diag noses M. Paderewski's ailment as severe myalgia and nervous prostration.—Laffan.

Cardiff Steamer in Collision. A collision occurred off Hasboro' Sands on Saturday night between the Cardiff steamer Torrington, from Cardiff for Sun- derland, and the Spanish steamer Vriarte II., from Bilbao to the Tyne. Details are lacking, but a Lloyd's tele- gram from the Downs states that the Tor- rington reports picking up five of the Vriarte's crews in her boats, whilst the fate of the remainder, including the captain, is unknown. The ToTTington was onlv launched on March 21st from a Sunderland yard.

Anthracite Miners' Monthly Meeting. The monthly inserting of the West Wales Anthracite Miners' representatives was held at Castle Cafe, Swansea, on Saturday, Mr. Jestyn Williams, Ammanford, presiding.— Thirty-nine delegates represented about 9,000 men. A deputation from the Executive, consist- ing of Messrs. W. Abraham, M.P. (president) Alfred Onions (Secretary), and Beynon (miners' agent), Ma-esteg, instructed the meeting in various matters connected with the district and South Wales generally They were warmly received. A dispute at Brynteg was referred to the agent and Work Committee to deal with. The meeting could not see its way to aigree to a proposal of the employers at Panty- fynnon to have a double shift. It would be, the meeting decided, a breach of rules, and a breach of custom. A proposal from OnUwyn with reference to the insuring of checkweighers, agents, etc., was approved of, and the agent was in- structed to attend to the matter during the month.

Princess at St Fagan's. Prinosss Christian and Princess Victoria's stay at St. Fagan's, as the guests of Lord and Lady Windsor, was marked with brighter weather on Saturday than baa hitherto attended the Royal visit. In the morning the honse party, which included Mr. Graham Vivian and Lady Ev-" Wynd- ham-Quin, were conducted around the beauti- ful gardens and rosary. In the afternoon a. motor drive was taken to St. Donal's Castle, where a pleasant hour was <spent in the examination of the historic castle and grounds. The return ws made via. Bridgend, and Princess Christian fre- quently expressed her delight with the scenery. On Sunday after divine service the party drove to Llandaff, and on to the ruins of Caerphilly Castle. On Saturcay evening the Cardiff Male Voice Chair, under Mr. Ro- derick Williams, gave a concert at the cattle. The programme mainly consisted of Welsh selections, her Royal Highness being especi- ally pleased .with "Y Delyn Aur" ("The Golden Harp.") The arrangements for the departure of the Royal party on Monday Included a ppecial tra-in to St. Fagan's, where the party and luggage would be taken aboard, the goloon being attached at Cardiff to the ten o'clock train for Paddington. It is understood that the Princess hopes to open the building at AFtymynydd when COMPLETED.

Swansea Volunteer Gunners' Church Parade. Rain nor mud daunted the intrepid }6t G R.G.V.A. (Swansea) cn Sunday. A&- suredly, of all tbe discomforting days of the week, Sunday was tho worst, which is say- ing something. Nevertheless, the men lined out in Temple-street at 2.30 p.m., under Colonel Williams, the other officers present including Captains Gregor and Thomas,, Captain-Quartermaster Davies, Sergeant- Major Saunders, Quartermaster-Sergeant Edwards, Sergeant-Majors Hawkins, Camp- bell, Howell, and Cratchley. Then, headed by the fine band, under Bandmaster Han- ney, they marched to St. Thomas' Church, watched, in spite of the rain, by scores of spectators. There was an obstacle in the way. The old North Dock Bridge had been swung into a barge, which prevented for the time being the lifting of the new one until Monday morning; consequently the men had to march single file across one of the lock bridges. At the church the following programme was gon-e through:—Hymn (by the band), "Ten thousand times ten thousand:" prayer by Vicar Evans solo by Mis»s Tilly Richards, "God shall wipe away all tears;" "Gloria" (from Mozart's 2nd Mass), the Band; anthem, "In th3 beginning was the Word," the choir (solo beautifully vmg by Mr Llew. Walters); hymn, "Stand up for Jesus," the band; hymn, "Onward, Christ- ian Soldiers," the band. The Vicar (Rev. W Evans) delivered on appropriate ^dre^n-om the words; '-And the Lord said by 300 men shall Gideon save Israel He said they were not only volun- teers to King Edward,, but belonged to the Royal army of the Kin? of Kings. The lesson of how Gideon s anny was whittled down to 300 tried men and true was an ob- ject lesson for all in tho way of self-control and enthusiasm for a cause. Enthusiasm was the great thing. The band played the following marches to and fro :—"Preciosa," "Battle of Magenta," "Orcandab," "Girls of America," and "King's Escort."

Penclawdd Station-Master's Departure. On Saturday night, .t the Mission Room, Penclawdd, a packed gathering wished God- speed to the ex-sta.tionmaster (Mr. Bound), who, afteT thirty yeojes' service at Pen- clawdd, was removing to Gowerton to take over the dirties of stationmaster there. A presentation of a silver tea and coffee ser- vioe, suitably inscribed, to both MT. and Mrs. Bound, was a7so made, with a gold albert and medal, and also ti handsome marble clock to Mr. John Bound. Mr. G. E. Gordon presided, and there were also present Mre. G. E. Gordon, Dr. and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. P. Griffiths (Llanmorlais), Mre. Edwards, Mr: Jenkins, etc. Messages of regret were recevwd tiom Kov. D. Davies, Mr. G. iiakeT Haynes, J.P., and others. Mr. Gordon said Mr. Bound had shown himself most ready to render any assistance be could to any one who needed his help. The Sunday schools were especially obliged to him. He had displayed much tact in his duties, foresight, generosity, and forbear- ance, and he fully deserved the presents which they were giving him that night. Mr. William Jenkins (Penlan) followed Mr. Bound was that evening reaping some of the good fruiteof his sowing, and he hoped both Mr. and Mrn. Bound would 1" 'ng soared to enjoy the presents. Mr. Daniel Owen fol- lowed, and there also spoke Mr. John Jen- kins, Dr. Hughes and Mr. P. Griffiths. The presentation of the silver tea and coffee service to Mr. and Mrs. Bound was performed in a neat speech by Mrs. G. E. Gordon. Mr. Daniel Owen then presented the gold albert and medal, and Mr. Gordon the marble clock to Mr. Bound. Mr. Bound said he did not think he de- served such magnificent presents as they bad given him that evening. He had only tried to do what any man would do—his duty. Mns. Boond also spoke a few words of thanks. During the evening a capital programme was gone through, too following, amongst others, contributing: Messm. Tenry Jen- kins, Dan Thomas, John Jenkins (so-os), and E. Guy (recitation). Mr. W. Jenkins accom- panied. The success of the evening reflects the greatest credit on th- committee and secretary (Mr. D. Jenkins).

A fund is being raised to provide a mem- orial to tM late Alaw Ddu, Llanolly.

Earl Cawdor at Bridgend. I The meeting on Friday at Bridgend under the joint auspices of the South Wales and South Glamorgan Conservative Associations will bo of special interest. Earl Cawdor, the new First Lord of the Admiralty is to be the chief speaker, and will make his first appearance on the political platform since his appomtment to Cabinet rank. Amongst those who will be presen4; a-re Sir John Llewelyn, Bart., Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., General Sir James Hills- Johnee, V.C., G.C.B., Colonel Wood, Colonel Prvce-Jonics, M.P.. Colonel Davies- Evans, and Colociel Howell. M.F.H.

Swansea Attendance Committee. Swansea Schools' Attendance Committee met on Monday. Mr. R. Dommett presided. It was reported that scarlet fever and eczema respectively had affected the average attendance at the York-place and St. David's Schools. Some doctors say the children are to be home ten weeks," complained one of the attendance officers, "others say for ten days." The committee dared not say when doctors' disagreed. Replying to Mr. D. Harris, the clerk said five years was the compulsory age at which children had to attend school, but they were admitted at three years. By raising the age to four, Mr. Harris argued, accommodation cou'd be found for the majority of the children at- tending the LOil-provided (or voluntary) schools, should those schools be closed.—"A handful of trifling offences are all that are to be recorded under this he^d" reported Mr. Legee H.M. Inspector, referring to the Industrial School. "The transfer to the new Education Committee has meant the loss to the school of a. sterling friend in Mi*R Dillwym." The disposal of the boys received atten- tion, but it was disappointing, the inspec- tor thought, that none were placed in the army. The Clerk renorted that he would confer with the CVrk of the Guardians on the sub- ject of underfed children. Considerable discussion arose over the In- dustrial School at Bonymaen. MT. David Harris said v would pay the Corporation to send the boys to a training schoc', and would mean a saving of £ 400 to £500 per year.

King's Visit to Paris. "Vive Edouard VII. 1" "Vive lo R01!" "Vive L'Aneletrrrp! —such were the cries' from an enthusiastic French crowd which greeted King Edward R6 he drove from the Oare de Lyon en Tonic to the Hctf-1 Bristol, where he took up his quarters. On Sunday he rose early, and at ten o'clock drove through streets gav with inter-twined French tricolour and Union Jack, to a simple (service at the En-lish Church. An amusing incident occurred as he quitted the building. A photographer with a huge camera over-balanced himself and fell to the pavement from a ladder upon the camera, whicli was crushed, though the man escaped with a shock. The King received, on his return, in an dience at the hotel, Vice-Admiral Fouwiier. of the North Sea Commission fame, upon whom the King bestowed ;he G.C.M.G., with kind words of appreciation for his ser- vices. The Kinc then lunched with a few friends at the hotel, and spoke enthusiastic- ally of his trip through Algiers. His Majesty then drove to the Elvsee and visited M. Loubet, subsequently chat- ting with Mme. Loubet, whilst M. Delcasse then received an audience of half-an-hour's duration. In the evening the King was en- tertained to dinner at the Elvsee, followed by an operatic concert.

West Wales Trades Notes. Swansea docks tinplate traffic for the week ending Saturday, stood as follows:—Re- ceived from works 67,504 boxes, shipped 45.6150, in stock 229,375 boxes. The figures for the corresponding week last year were — Received 90,727, shipped 84,967, in stock 141.570. ■* The re-adjustment of machinery has pro- gressed so satisfactorily t Dyffryn Tinplate Works, Morriston, that an additional tin- plate rolling mill restarted there on Monday. There are now nine mills in operation. The bar mill is fully occupied, and smelting fur- naces are producing to their utmost capacity. The short available supply of block tin is likely to create rather serious condition of affairs in the tinplate trade. A number of causes arc. stated to contribute to the short- age and consequent high price—among them being scarcity of coolie labour in the tin mines, caused by the demand from the Trans- vaal. A circular has been issued among block- tin buyers, inviting them to cease buying at the "fictitious prices ruling" for the present, and suggesting the formation of an "outside metal market." There is also the question of a probable fortnight's stoppage to be considered, as the millmen have repeatedly asked for a holiday of that duration.

Swansea Lads and the Letters, At Swansea on Monday, Frank and John Evans, boy brothers, Watkin-street, were charged with stealing a letter from a letter- box at the Swansea Union Offices, on Sun- day. James Silence, caretaker, went out to fetch a newspaper. On his return he saw Frank climb the g-te, John assisting him. Frank put his hand in the letter-box, took out a letter, and put it under his coat. Mr. H. Watkins: What did yon then do? Witness I ram out and caught the small bov the other ran away. He had in his poisUion the letter (produced) and ad- dressed to "L. Jenkins, Sunt. Registrar." There were letters m the box that contained V3j)efendant John said the letter was hang- ing out. of the box, that was why they re- moved it. P.C. Griffiths arrested defendants. Frank replied, "Tet me go, I won't do it again; my brother lifted me up and I took the 'et- ter out." John, when arrested and charged said nothing. The case was adjourned for a week.

Llanelly Suffocation Case. At Caersalem Vestry, Handily, on Mon- day, Mr. Buckley Roderick held an iilquest on the body of James Owen, De-la-Beche street, who was overcome by gas ai ihe 8outli Wales Works. John Griffiths, one of the jurors, arrived late, and was reprimanded. The Coroner said it ws unfair that those who turned up in time should be incon- venienced by those who arrived late. "In order to teach you to more punctual in future, you must attend my next inquest at Pootyherem," said the coroner. Ponty- berem is eight miles away. Roger Thomas. ^c'v Dock-terrace, said he saw the deceased near the regenerators. Witness had been tapping the regenerators and had never been "gassed." or overcome by fumes, but was obliged to go out oc- casionally on account of the heat. The passages near the regenerators were dan- gerous as the gas was liable to explode. On Friday he went out into the fresh air half- a-dozen times on account of gas fumes. Henry Richards, mason, found the de- ceased unconscious in one of the arches- under "B" furnace. Deceased was carried into the open and a doctor was sent for but deceased died shortly after being car- ried out. Witness on one occasion was over- come by gas and fell down, sustaining a fracture of the skull. The jury foand a verdict of "Accidental death."

>.W—Wf'WW* Sir George Newnes, M.P., had an in- teresting and suggestive letter in Mon- day's "Daily Mirror," in which he sug- gests that artists should turn their atten- tion move towards desigrw for textile fabrics, furniture, wall papers, etc., and more LS- pecially towards colour intinp and dl- graving.

Llanelly Docks Manager. I Mr. Rees, of Newport, who is at PROOFED in the employ of the Newport Docks Co., was on Monday appointed commercial man- ager of the Llanelly Docks at a salary of JB300 per annum. There were 30 applicants.

Mr, John Williams at Work, I "Oh, yes, I'm having meetings, and Fm H working very hard," said Mr. John Williams, H miners' agent and Gowor Labour candidate, H in reply to a pressman's observation. "Why, H we had a meeting at Clydach last night!" H he added. "And pressmen present?" asked the re- H porter. H "No, no," replied the miners' agent, with H unusual fervour; "we are working quietly, H and are now nearly ready to begin, and hope H to start with public meetings in about a. I month I" ■

Aberavon Milk Cases Dismissed, I At Aberavon, on Monday, Thomas Johi I Lang, milk vendor, Aberavon, was sum- I moned for selling milk deficient in butter fat. I Inspector MacDonald deposed to purchasing I a pint of milk, a portion of which was ana- I lysed and found to contain only 2.7 instead o! I 3- per cent of butter fat. Evidence wai ■ given by David Williams, farmer, Llanga- I dock, who deposed to the milk being con- I signed to defendant as it came from the I cows. I David Williams, Port Talbot, was sum- I moned on the same charge. Mr. Lewis M. I Thomas, who defended, pointed out the de- I ficiency in the case was only .25.—Inspector I MacDonald gave evidence of purchase and I analyses.—Mary Jane Taylor, an employee, I swore to milking the cows and selling the I m'lk as it came from them. The case was I d'smissed. I

Cymanfa at Morriston. Not many places can boast of being al musical as Morriston. On Monday, the sixth annual singing festival in connection with the Independent churches of Morriston and district was held. In the morning the fes- ti val was at Horeb Chapel, and was con- fined to the children alone, under the con ductorship of Mr. Penfro Rowlands. Mr. D. Emlyn Evan6 was also present. The spacious balcony was crowded with children from Carmel, Felindre, HON>b, Pontlasse, and Tabernacle Chapels, while the area of the edi £ oe was also filled with entranced lis- teners. Mr. W. S. Treharne presided. Th* first hymn sung was "Daeth boreu i'r adar man," and the immense volume of melody whkh came from the children sounded im- pressive. Two other pieces having been rendered beautifully, Mr. Penfro Rowlands then asked the children questions on the subject, "Christ before Pil. te," and "Christ before Herod," and the whjle mass of yourg beings answering the cfiJeetions, they be: -g given in the singing programme. After each question a different child would interpolate a part of a chapter appropriate to the qii. s tion and answer. Singing resumed, children rendered the difficult ajith<: > "Cysegrwn flaenffrwth ddyddiau'a 'hoes, and others, and a very pleasant mornir.f work was concluded by the singing of "By 1! Canu yn y Nefoedd." Mr. D. J. Utovc. Horeb, presided at the organ.

Slack Week at Swansea Docks, Swansea. Monday—The effect of the JK;. days, combined with the depression wl i. exists in the ooa.1 trade, had an adjnwse fluenoe on the trade of the port in the i week. The result of practically three w- iv ing days compared with the correspomor.tr full week of last year is a. low of 28.000 t-\ap of imports and exports In no departm. r was there any activity displayed, and '<- arrivals of tonnage were very limited. < and patent fuel shipments amounted u, 36,117 tons. Imports include:—France, 605 tens piw-üu!"t and 242 arsenical ore; Germany, 630 general;' Beigrinm, 23 tons phosphate; N. r, way. 2.0"0 toDa pyritoi, and 489 loa.d8 um- ber; New York, 440 tons general. Coal shipments .-—France, 13330 tons; den, SCO tons; Norway, 1,290 tons; Germ' r 3,1^0 tons; Belgium, 110 tons; Spain. tens; Algeria, 2,686 tons; Boumania, 750 and home ports, 6,m tons.—Patent fur Pra,ace. 650 tons; Spavin. 600 tone. and A. geria 1,440 tons. Imports, 11,123 tons; exports. 40,620 Un?. and total trade, 51.743 tons, compared 65.233 tons the previous week, and 79,461 1.)118 the corresponding week last year. Shipment* of ooal 33,427 tons-, patent fael, 2,690 tons, and tin-platee, and general e> 4.603 tons. The latter shipments were, for Italy 500 tons; St Petersburg, 660 tons; 6«cte:»3-. 400 tons-, New York, 950 tons; and pcq--B, 2,053 tons. Shipments of tinplate, 45.630 boxes, arxl receipts from works, 67.004 boxes. Stocks in the dock w&rehonaes and vacs, 229.373 boxes. compared with 207.499 k1.œ this day week. and 141,570 boxes at this d:œ last yeaar To load general cargo in the carremt woek .k. Mackinaw (Philadelphia and Baltimore), ,-rta- tol City (New York). Highland Mary (Bo>ev,on Ayres, etc.). Athenian (Alexandria), Yeria (Oporto. lisban. and Mediterranean portji. &iT Walter \Liabon and Oporto, Oarao?-^ (Mediterranean ports), Paris (Bordeaux, ytghtetroom (Rotterdam a.nd Antwerp), &I-n- Btroora and Tasso (Amsterdam), Ptmo fAat- werp and Rotterdam); Yadeo (Oopenha«*n and Stettin). Achilles (Dantsio). Vessels in dock, Satarday.Steam, 2c- sail, 53; total, 79.

Lion Tamer and the Ladie6; A case which aroused a good deal oi wr- est was heard at Neath County Police Court on Monday. Two young women of no ii.J abode, named Catherine Ann Hopkins thud Alice Thomas, who had been in cm^r since Saturday, were charged on rerrard with steal'ng .£7 5s. and two Krnger CUM from the Whito Horse Hotel, Pont-Neath- Vaughan, during Thursdav night Gwladys Maud Harris, "daughter of Wm. Harris, White Horee Hotel, said on TJ day afternoon she had J612 14e. and (the? coins iA a box in a chest of drawers in "1)-:) of the bedrooms. In th* evening prisoners came to the hotel and were put up for the night. Later they were joined by a col- oured gentleman, who was a lion tamer with Womb well's menagerie, which was showing at Gkyn Neath. Next morning wits-eats missed m 5s. and two Kroger =oins. The lion tamer said be was the husband of o-e of the girls. Evidence as to the purchases by the -iris of drapery, boots, hats, etc., was giwn by David Thomas Jones, draper; Mary Eliza- beth Jones, draper; Benjamin Jones, hoot warehouse; Mary Ann Davies. draper -H of Glyn Neath; and Mary Davies, drcper. Resolven. These purchases were an on Friday. P.C. Aspee arrested the girls at Reavivt.,n. and found a quantity of new apparel, jo- lery,, etc. Thomas had 19B. 9 £ d. and U-Tp. kins £1 2s. When charged Hopkins ss;d. "I went to the White Home Hotel last night and slept in the same room as Thorns I got up this morning and paid 2s. 3d. tc ray bed and breakfast. I had no more money left. I went to Glyn Neath Post Office. A letter was there for me from mv mother in the name of Mrs. Richards. It aontain-cd a money order for £ 3. I took the ord r to Glyn Neath Railway Station and cashed it. I then went back to Glyn Neath and made several purchases. I never saw the money at the White Horse, and I hadn't g.'rt a penny when I left there. The Krogel shil- ling was given me by a friend." Thomas said "I slept there last night, but I did not see any money. I had a sovereign from Hopkins this morning. I spent all the money I had before I left the White Hcrse. I bought the things at Resolven and Glyn Neath." Witness had since made inc nines about the money order, and found the state- ment to be untrue. P.S. Martin said after defendant* had been in the Resolven oells for three hours they made a statement. Thomas said "W", want to tell the truth about the money. I took three sovereigns from the box." Hop- kins stated "I took three sovereigns and a KrugeT shilling. That is all we have taken." Sergeant Martin added that the prisoners had step-mothers, and disagreeing at home, had taken to following the show around. The Bench sent each down for a month with hard labour, and the gii I.-IT, tne cocrt weeping. j f