The Cambrian

Late Swansea Pilot's Funeral. The funeral of the late Mr. John Beynon, the veteran Swansea Harbour pilot, took plaoe from his residence, 34, Singleton- teTrace, on Wednesday afternoon, a very large "attendance assembling to pay their last tribute. The chief mourners were: Miss Beynon daughter), Mrs. W. G. Bey- non (daughter-in-law), Mrs. Lloyd (sister), Constable R. J. Beynon and Mr. W. G. Beynon (sons), Messrs. R. and P. Beynon (brothers), Mr. J. Beynon, Llanelly (cousin), and Mr. W. Lloyd (brother-in-law), Mr. J. Thomas (cousin), Mr. W. Mills and Mr. J. Howells (brothers-in-law), Messrs. D. J. How ells, G. Lloyd, A. Brown (Pembroke), Geo. Beynon and P. Lloyd (nephews), Messrs. Thos. Lloyd, T. Upton, J. M. Har- ris, P. Beynon (Lianelly), etc. The interment took place at Danygraig Cemetery, Rev. Dl. Thomas (Mount Zioa) officiating. Messrs. J. Edwards, J. Davies, W. Black- I more and J. H. Holman (pilots) were the bearers, and there were representatives of the Swansea Harbour Trust, Liberal Club, Mount Zion Chape), Atlantic Transport < iJ., Swansea police, etc., present. Wreaths were sent from His sorrowful children," Swansea Liberal Club, Capt. R. Jones (Wasp), Miss M. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Grove, Capt. and Mrs. Roper (s.s. Dunsley), Mr. T. H. Couch (Atlant'c Transport Company), His mother and Sister,' His sister" (Mrs. Brown, Pem- broke), His brother in South Africa," Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ward, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Phillips, His brother James" and 1 Harriet and Tiilie," Mr. and Mrs. Robert Browne (Sketty), From Cis, Lod, Ernie j Will and Arthur." j Mr. D. G. Phillips, Dill-wyo-street, was the undertaker.. j

BIRTH. IDA Vr.Ðs.-On August 15th. at 7. Victoria Gar- dens, Neath, the wife of Howell Dallas, of a. son.

Ute Cambrian. FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1905. NOTES ON MEN & THINGS Between the bottom of High-street and Towev-lane on Thursday afternoon, and at what is probably the quietest time of the week, a pedestrian counted nine drunken women! A Cardiff contemporary which states that Sir Leoline Jenkins founded Cowbridge Grammar School, is in error. The actual founder was Sir Edward Stradling, of St. Donatt's Castle. 1 The idea of constructing a pier at the Swansea, Slip is strongly favoured by the tradesmen of th >ie. town, but since there is no likelihood of the Corporation ever under- taking suoh a scheme, why should not a company be formed as at Weston and other seaside resorts, to accept both the financial risk and the prospective profits. Believing in the commercial success of a pner, they mtust elbow that they have the courage of their convictions if they are ever to see their hopes realised. A curious situation has arisen at Moore- town Church, Skewen. As the name sug- ge -ts, this owes its existence to the generosity of the late Mr. J. Newall Moore, who did not, however, formally convey the property to the Church. On his death the lease falls in, arndthetmstees, being anxious to realise it follows of necessity that after 22 years' activity the edifice will have to be closed, unless some wealthy local Churchman inter- venes. It is curious that some such con- tingency was not foreseen during the life- time of the donor, and provided for. The thoughtful among the Swansea rate- payers who visited the Cray Waterworks on Saturday must have been painfully im- pressed by one fact. A year ago it was being confidently stated that the whole work would be out of hand this summer, at a later stage the ending was deferred until Sep- tember, and now Christmas is mentioned as a probable date. Meanwhile the expendi- ture goes on at the same ruinous rate, and the credit of the town is being pledged more and more to find the necessary capital. It will be a happy day for Swansea when "finale" can be written to the accounts of tlie Cray Waterworks Schemo. Trade at the Swansea Docks has taken a marked turn for the better during the last two or three weeks, and if the improvement in maintained for the rest of the year the total shipments for 1305 will show consider- ably better than those foOl' 1S04. Last week there was Ml iiicreasie of twenty thousand teas in the imports and exports over those of the previous week, and the figures of the orre&poiiding week of ias-t year, which were exceptionally high, were also exceeded. The change ia, of coure, oeie to be welcomed, but it should not h&ve tho effect of hitting tiie Harbour Trustees into a sense of false security. No manipulation of figures can Kiider satisfactory the pause in local pro- gress, whilst rival ports close at hand are forging rapidly ahead. An inquiry is im- perative, aiia the sooner it is taken in hand the better for Swansea and the pros- pects of the New Dock. The sporting instincts of the Cardiff public are being agreeably tickled by the hunt of the loca! police after a man named Heath- field, who vanished into Invisibility from Roath Police-station nearly a fortnight ago. The police have drawn cordons around all suspected spots, scoured the countryside, en- listed the aid of the press in the publica- tion of photographs of the missing man, and maintained a cease'ess night and day vigil- ance. To prevent hi mfrom walking up to the front door of his sister's residence in broad daylight, they have also considerately stationed a policeman in full uniform a few yards away from the afore-mentioned door- step. But so far not a trace has been seen of the much-wanted man and the police ears must tingle nowadays with the "ude wit- ticisims and gibes of the St. Mary-street gamin. Public sympathy is wholly on the side of Heathfidd-who is charged with no more grave offence tnan the alleged theft of lead—and it is not at all un'ikely that he has received a good deal of quiet help from sympathetic civilians. The inaugural meeting of the Welsh National Rifle Association at Pen- ally range, near Tenby, was hardly opened under the most auspicious of cir- cumstances. The entries—between 150 and 200—were disappointing in total; Cardiff volunteers were poorly represented, and North Wales volunteer corps not at all. It should be remembered, however, that work- ing men marksmen will have to choose bet- ween Bisley or the Welsh Association meet- ing, a. number are more or less masters of their own time, but the remainder cannot obtain leave of ab^tJice for two periods in the frame year. Moreover, the history of the Gla- morgan County Association encourages pes- simists. There is very little genuine popular backing behind the idea, since volunteering is one of the last things the public troubles its head about. It is in tlift respect no worse in Wales than everywhere else, how- ever. Nor is there any prospect of Lord Roberts' appeals being heeded. Indeed, hardly has any movement initiated by a public man of similar status fallen so fiat. Nothing, apparently, will be done in the di- rection he indicates without compulsion and that must come from this apathetic public itself. The German activity in the coal trade is much to the fore at present. A Westpha1- ian syndicate is now completing arrange- ments for the opening of depots along the steaimer routes to the Ela^t, and at Maderja, Genoa, Naples, and other places where traffic most does congregate. This can rely upon the very appreciable support of the great German shipping lines. The British Consult at Marseilles, in his repoit for 1904, also records the passing of fifty per cent. of the trade formerly done by Cardiff firms into the hands of the Germans. The latter sect introductory "parcels" of care- fully selected coal, and the quality seems to be as 7 satisfactory as the price. Certainly the Welsh shipper has cause to be grateful ior Providence for the circumstance that no- where else is steam coal equal to that of the Rhondda to be discovered. Given an equally high class article and the inroads of the enterprising Rhenish syndicate would be even more painfully apparent. "We rely more upon our docks and our coal than our brains," said the Rev. Dr. Tudor Jones at Swansea, in an address upon certain aspects of Anglo-German relations. There is a great truth underlying this epigram. Na- ture is the sole, but figuratively the most po- tent—ally of British coal exporter*. "It is not advisable to permit unseemly practices, such as congregational singing in the church service." (Resolution adopted at a general conference of Baptists in 1689.) The Duchess oi Beaufort is taking an active mterot in Bristol in the Royal Irisih Industries Association, which proposes to ho'd its twenty-ninth autumn, exhibition and sale ia that city or. November 22 and 23. The association has sent some £118,000 into Ireland for goods puroiiascd. When gold was first discovered in Meri- oneth, Ceiriog sang as follows:- "Yn ddinas daw y Bermo bach Yn helaeth ei heolydd Ac nid gan galch, ond gydag aur Y lliwir y parwydydd, A ninnau feirad a gawn fwynhau Aur fryniau Sir Feirionydd." This is the name by which puff ball fungi are known in Cardiganshire, and lately some balls of gigantic size have been found near the Talybont Cemetery. One of these had a circumference of 3ft: 3in., a height of 9in., and weighed 51b. 7! oz. It was white as snow, and appeared like a big lump of dough ready for the oven. It is good news that Lord Cawdor has no intention of resigning his post as First Lord of the Admiralty for his great administra- tive capacity is an Asset of National fun- portance. What gave rise to tihe report was the unfortunate fact that ever since his ap- pointment, Lord Cawdor has suffered in health. The emphatic terms of the contra- diction which his Lordship has given to the Teport, encaurage, the belief that he now teeis well on the way towards complete re- covery. Uuless the weather, which has been very Ciiangeable, interferes, the unveiling of the War Memorial at Lla;i>elly is likely to prove a high\y popular funoti0il. Practically all the population for miles around are prepar- ing to givf Lord Roberts a welf sea's participation in the proceedings is of a very limited nature. The members of the United Service nrigad.e are to be reviewed at Pontardulais by his Lordship on his way to Lianelly- The veterans were prepared to take part in tbt actual ceremony, only the limited space alL the disposal of the local oommitteeo compelled them to regretfully decline the offer. 0. There are people who still imagine that the Revival movement in Wales has not "shot its bolt," and that Mr. Evan Roberts has only to rosume the campaign in order to produce another such upheaval as occurred at tlie beginning of t'he year. But unless all past exp orici-ce is to bo ce«ntradiicted, the moment has gone by for the present, for mother successful revival. Evan Roberts himself 1" probably not the kind of man to | iond himself t-o such a purpcce, but unques- tionably his continued .5ic. at Llandrindod excites the suspicion, in, some minds at least, that he is new being l1J.')e,-l f1.02 oao oJ. the at- tractions of the Welsh Spa. Mr. S. T. Evans' position as member of Parliament for Mid-Glamorgan is being as- sailed in a. very curious way. Some af the miners in the constituency are strongly in ■fivour oi Tunning a labour candidate, but the majority of the delegates who met for the purpose of considering the proposal were persuaded by Mr. John Thonas, their agent, to first approach Mr. Evans with the cool suggestion that he should get out of the way. A full report of the interview, when it does take place, worxld furnish interesting reading, especially :f "g T." yiclded to the temptation of speaking precisely 3JS he must feel. The squabble between Mr. John Hodga and Mr. Victor Morgan over the strike at Lianelly Steol Works discloses very clearly one of the reasons why the labour party is not more powerful than it happens to be. These two are both Trade Uuion officials, one i'he secretary of the Steel Workers' Uuion, and the other off the Gas Workers' U uioru But the language they use in regard to each other so far from being fraternal, is as venomous as possible. If they only re- flected, the thought might occur to them that in washing their dirty linen in public they are not strengthening their position with the nien who form their respective unions Billingsgate language is never so offeooveaG when set out in cold type. Two agencies have contributed to arrest the foolish course upon which the Glamor- ganshire County Education Committee had embarked, of wasting public money on the erection of schools in areas effectively served by existing National schools. The rate- payers, irrespective of political complexion, have vigorously protes.t.ed against the folly, and the Board ot Education has given it the final quietus by intimating that such ex- penditure will not be sanctioned by the De- partment. It is dinicult to believe that public men could be capable of deliberately throwing away thousands of pounds at a time when the rates are everywhere becom- ing oppressive to every householder. -+ Dr. Tudor Jones seems to have formed highly favourable impressions concerning the Germans, amongst whom he has been living for some weeks past. He is con- vinced that. as commercial rivals they are now formidable, and likely to become more so by reason of the excellence of their edu- cation, and the manner in which the brain capacity of the nation is being cultivated and organisedThe rev. gentleman is even inclined to believj that they will evenituaily become a great colonial power, but there is nothing in their past to warrant such a pre- diction. In pOllllL of fact, every attempt at colonizing made by the Germans has proved an unmitigated failure, and at the present time the truth is percolating through the Fatherland that success cannot even be an- ticipated until the methods of colonial ad- ministration have been completely recast. A smaP war in Africa has already cost Ger- many about eleven hundred lives, and some millions of pounds sterlings and the end of it is ysti afax off. Collie113 wages in Wales have now reached the minimum poinit. At tihe last meeting of the Conciliation Board the em- ployers asked for a reduction of 3! per cent., the men's representatives, as a matter of course, resisted, and sn- Midhael Hicks- Beach, as the independent ohairman, gave his award in favour of the demand. This descent in tJM wago rabo does not make for a peaceful settlement towards the end of the year when the two sides will be brought to- gether to negotiate a new agreement. A falling market is as dangerous to peace in an industry as a rising market, and, un- fortunately, there is every indication that the bottom ha.s not yet been reached in coal prices. If the abour representatives enter upon the conference armed with a mandate to insist upon a minimum at a higher point than that now existing, a rupture is practi- caly inevitable. We can but hope that on both sides the spirit of moderation will pre- vail, and a determination shown, to make the best of the unsatisfactory conditions which have followed a period ot comparative prosperity Mrs. Long-Price, of Talloy, whose death was chronicled on Thursday, was a Miss Peel, of Taliaris Park, and, therefore, a lineal descendant of Sir Robert Peel, the great Prime Minister. a Football treads fast on the heels of cric- ket this year. In a fortnight's time Swansea plays Cardiff at cricket, and a week later the "All Whites" journey to Merthyr to show the locals "how its done." a Swansea has not always been known by that name nor by the more euphemistic Cym- ric designation, Abertawe. In a poem of the 15th century the place is called Caer Wyr, signifying the Fortress of Gowerland. An up-line contemporary chronicles an alarming precedent at Newport. At the end of a drunkenness case the report states, "Defendant said he had now signed the pledge. For this offence he was fined 10s. and costs." The Gower Liberal Association cannot be accused of being excessively lively and ag- gressive. Before its ir-ecting on Saturday it it had not been brought together for years, and in the interval its president had resigned, its two principal members had died, and the secretary was the only official left in office, and he came to the meeting o:ely to announce his desire to give way to someone else. The proceedings disclosed the enstonco of several antagonistic factions, and from firct to last was distinguished by an utter absence of thait fraternal feeling which 3 suppooed to animate men of the same political faith. The fact. is, of course, that the three or four candidates already in the field have each his supporters, and these re- duced the preliminary meeting to a fight for precedence. If we may judge by the char- acter of tho discussions, the association is unl'kely to select any candidate, and even if it were to do so, the rejected will not accept its decision as final. In these circum- stances, the probability is that when the general election does take place, the field will be open for any candidate, and of the three or four who may have tihe courage to come forward, each will be allowed to fight for his own hand. The failure of the party or- ga-nisaition to assert itself will make for the sucoass of Mr. John Williams, who must be fervently hoping that the present confusion will continue. This is the season of the year when the football "poacbeE" occupies a large place in the popular imagination. He invades the Principality with offers more or less gor- geous, designed to attract to the North the most promising of Welsh players. We have little doubt that the activity of these emis- saries of Northern Uuion Clubs is much ex- aggerated, and t'hat many of the offers which figure in the newspapers axe purely fictitous. Nevertheless there is enough truth in the re- ported poaching to embarrass the South Wa es Clubs, and to render more difficult t-ho management of players wiho are clever at the game. and know it. It is great1 y to be deplored that no means have yet been devised to oheck poaching, which, so long as the majority of players are working men, constitutes a temptation to the latter which very few can be expected to resist. Comfort, however, mc,y be extracted from the know- lo'ge that though on the eve of every sea- son we have an outbreak of alarmist reports, the net result is seldom in proportion to the funs made. Last season, for example, all the players attracted from South Wailes to the North did not mflict upon the former any appreciable loss. So far, the only local man who hV.3 recently capitulated to the blandishments of the "poachers" has been J. Davies, who rendered fairly creditable service to Swansea towards the close of last season. As a subject of controversy, the condition of the Swansea Sands is like the poor, al- ways with us. Up to the present time no practical result has, however, been attained; nor is any to be expected until the Corpora- tion takes up in earnest the proposal to purchase the rights to the foreshore, acquired from the Duke of Beaufort by the late Mr. Dickson. The children of the latter-wiio are the present holders of these rights- receive very little revenue therefrom. The amounts paid for the removal of sand, and as rent for the miserable stalls which, dur- ing the summer months, are placed on the Sands neaT the Slip, can hardly amount to much; so that the market vlalue of the rights could not reasonably be placed at a high figure. It is of no use tinkering with the matter by means of police regulations, or by attempts to embarrass the few people who do business upon the Sands; any action to be effective must go to the very root of the existing arrangement. In other words, the Dickson interest must be bought out, if tho Swansea people are to enter into absolute possession of the Sands. In this connection, an important point likely to arise before long is concerned with the re- eponsdbility for the maintenance of the tea wail pear Paiton-street. High tides are pro- ducing a material effect upon it, and some authority or other will presently have to take action to prevent the whole embank- ment being ioopardised., leo A serious defect in a policy of "bluff" is! that in the event of failure the position of its advocates is necessarily one of humilia- tion. From the day that Mr. Lloyd-George began his attempts to influence the Govern- msnt, by c.eans of threats in regard to the Education. Act, he has been compelled by one failure after another, to adopt desperate: devices for concealing the real effect from i the general public. Each retreat has been announced as "a strategic movement to the rear." Indeed, in this regard, the tactics j of the Wolsh Revolvers have been to a singular degree reminiscent of those pursued by Kuropatkin in Manchuria. The Russians j were always advancing, but the advance was invariably in the wrong direction. The fate which overtook the early movements, has also overtaken the last, by which a sort of open war was declared in tho county of Merioneth. According to the plan of cam- paign proclaimed from the housetops, the declaration of any Education Committee to be in default was to be the signal for a! general suspension of work by the other Education Committees of Wales, and a fund j fixed at tens of thousands of pounds was to j be raised to enable emergency schools to ba ) opened in the defaulting areas. There was & strong suspicion in the minds of most intelligent people that this development re- I presented the last card to be played against i the Board of Education). By this time the suspicion has cfoangwd iobo a. oertainty, for I all over the country Education Committees' are passively accepting the decisions of the Board of Education as final, amd the pro- t paganda on behalf of the campaign fund has falleri.go flat that though the list was opened some months ago, nowhere has publicity been given to the details. It is evident that the feeling, whioh was described as being so intense as to be capable of pro- ducing unlimited self-sacrifice, has not chosen to manifest itself in the giving of hard cash. In a word, the campaign has failed irretrievably, and the various County Ooun-I cils aae now engaged in covering up their tracks, and evading the consequences which at one time they professed to be eager to ) atotidpate. r Judge Gwilym Williams will get into trouble with the Miners' Parliamentary Fund if he is not careful. He expressed the opinion the other day tha.t when the Redis- tribution Bill is passed the second member for the Rhondda will be MT. Tom Davies. the secretary of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion. The seat is already ear-marked by the Feder- ation. In the quaint St. Govan's Chapel, near the Stack Rocks, on the Pembrokeshire coast- a chapel which lies under the cliffs, and which is reached by broken steps down which it is said no man can count—there is a small corner into which visitors go, and as they turn round—if such a thing is possible to them—they wish, and the tradition of course is that the wish will be granted.. Twelve months ago a lady, whilst bathing at Port Talbot lost one of her silver studs in the saaid. Fate destined the lady a few days since to re-visit the same spot. To her delight and astonishment, whilst burrowing in the sand, and without any idea on her part to seek for the lost article, she found it in a handful of sand which she had thoughtlessly taken up. Gower Radicals (says a contemporary) axe down in the dumps and very quarrelsome. The president of the old association has "retired to his tent"; tile chairman of the executive and the treasurer (two sterling men in their time) are both dead; the sitting member will not seek re-election; the secre- tary wants to retire; and, to make matters worse, there are three candidates in the field, with the expectation of more to follow. Swansea may presently anticipate the pleasure of a visit from Dr. Paul Passy, a professor at the Paris University, described as one of the three greatest living authori- ties on phonetics. ThA professor has a working knowledge of Welsh and Breton, and has come to Wales—although a trifle belated—to study the revival. One wishes him better luck than was experienced by the baron from Mecklenburg, who visited Swan- sea recently for a similar purpose. When the learned and devout, but some- what im aginative Giraidus vicitod Margani Abbey in 1188, it was in the hands of the Cistercian Order, under the direction of Conon, a learned and prudent abbot. Charity to tho poor was a feature of the monks of M-Tgam, and, as a reward "in a season of approaching famine, their corn and provi- sions -were perceptibly, by Divine assistance, increased, like thc, widow's cruse of oil." At the, dissolution, the revenues, valued at £ 181 78. 4d., were sold to Sir Rice Mansel, of Oxwich Castle. It is to be hoped that the Swansea Har- bour Trustees will not permit themselves to be influenced by the scathing comments offered regarding the trade of the port oy the "Shipping World." The object of the writers is palpably that of pleasing the Trustees, regardless of the facts. Upon the returns of a single month it bases conclu- sions whbh are absolutely negatived by the returns covering the year 1905 up to date. So far from things being in the best of a'l conditions, the situation is one which justi ties grave concern. Honeyed words, which so far as they can have Lny influence at all, must tend to keep the trust in a somnolent condition, are merely mischievous. Sir John Jones Jenkins evidently aVach. value to his reputation ae an optimist. At the annual meeting of the members of the Swansea Exchange he reminded them that three years ago he had predicted a revival in the tinplate trade. It is somewhat sig- nificant in the circumstances that Sir John did not venture upon promising a continu- ance of that prosperity in the immediate future. His references to the increasing ra,tes would doubtless be endorsed by every manufacturer all over the kingdom. Un- fortunately, complaints produce no effect whatever, and local authoriti s continue to increase their liabilities Indications point to no decrease in the future, but, on the contrary, to substantial increases. The law's delays are proverbial aDd fre- quently perfectly scandalous. Over two years have elapsed since the Swansea, Har- bour Trustees objected to the re-valuation of their property, and as the point in dis- pute involved questions both of law and of fact, the Assessment Committee and the Trustees agreed to a friendly action in the High Court so as to obtain a settlement on equtable lines. An action was entered months ago, but it has nr:t yet been reached and the litigants can only hope that it will be reached early after the long vacation. In the meanwhile the Trust is paying rates on the old basis a.nd in the event of judgment going against it will have to pay up ar- rears amounting to thousands of pounds. Some maliciously disposed person has been circulating quite a crop of reports concern- ing the behaviour of local Volunteers in camp. The 3rd G.V.R. had a little half- humorous trouble over a medical inspection. Neath. and Llandovery officers, however, have both found it desirable to issue official denials of certain derogatory statement cir- culated. The trouble with the Neath Com- pany of Artillery Volunteers appears to have arisen over a suggested amalgamation with a company, numerically by far the weaker, from a neighbouring village. A Neath Vol- unteer has pointed out that some years &go, as the result of a prize-shooting competition, each company of the corps—eight in all- received £ 5 prize-money. The competition did not come off, Mid the total of casn prizes was "pooled" and divided. The dis- tribution was per company, and not per capita. Neath Company, with 50 men, got a few shillings per lead Skewen Company, with J36, had the best part of a sovereign per head. Soreness appears to have rankled ever since. From time to time the controversy over the acceptance of "trade briefs" by Welsh barrister M.P.'s and the objection of the strong Nonconfrrmist influence to this, has been much to tho fore. Mr. Samuel Moss, M.P. for East Denbighshire, this week to'd a representative of the London "Daily News" that he reserved to himself full free- dom of action in respect of his professional duty, although personally in sympathy with temperance propaganda. He denied also that the Welsh party had officially consider- ed the question. This would be a manly attitude—for it is a purely private business were it not. for the reference to his sym- pathy with temperance. Either that should p. preclude the acceptance of such legal work, or nothing should be said of it. It is a con- cession to Nonconformist sentiment that lacks solid backing, through the assertion that ho would only consult himself should tmch a brief be offered to him. His attitude at present is leminiscent of the proverb about "sitting upon two stools." It is a perfectly commendable course of action to treat the question as a private affair; aid if a barrister M.P., after weighing up tho pros and cons, decides to offend the domin- ant sentiment emong6t his constituents— why, let him take tho consequences of the a.ct which ho has deliberately been reepon siblo fc*. 1 At the reception following a. recent Swan- sea, wedding one ot the toast-proposers ex- horted the bride and bridegroom to lead a liue that should prove an affirmative answer to the query, "Are marriages made in Hea- -?" A smile went round when, after this, the speaker read out the first congratu- latory telegram, signed "Angel." Veteran Dd. Jenkins, of Swansea, will be at the Mumbles Pier this week-end. if he is alive. The band of the 3rd South Wales or-'erers (the old 24th), which regiment fought at Rorke's Drift, has been engaged to play. "Dai" is, as is known, a distin- guished survivor of that historic engagement, and can talk yards about it. It is but a few outside Loughor who know the Weleh revivalist's full name is "Evan John Roberts." In his native village the name of Evan Roberts is practically un- known, or at least unustd, for there ha is called Evan John Bwlchymynydd." store forming part of the little cottage on the banks of the Loughor bears the inscrip- tion carvod by the revivalist's own hands, "E.J.R." The two charters granted by Oliver Crom- well to Swansea were absent from their proper repository, the muniment room of the Corporation, for a long period; so long that they were deemed to be utterly lost, until Mr. G. Grant Francis was fortunate enough to find them amongst a mass of old papers in a stable-loft at Cantreff, near Bre- con. They were purchased by him for Cl2, and restored to the keeping of the Corpora- tion. Sixty years ago the great mail routes in South Wales were :-1, from Gloucester to Carmarthen by Chepstow, Cardiff, etc.; 2, from Gloucester to Pater (Pembroke Dock) through Monmouth, Brecon, Llandovery, and Carmarthen; 3, from Gloucester to Aberyst- wyth, by Hereford, Kington, Penybont, and Rhayader. In the summer a coach, called the Collegian, ran from Brecon through Lampeter and Aberayron to Aberystwyth J ow.they aire contemplating linking up these districts with a motor service. There were some 120 burgesses who took advantage of the Corporation excursion to e Cray Waterworks upon Saturday last. They bad a pleasant outing amidst charming anery and the works formed an impressive f i to tk°&e who kept their eyes 1 P^11 ^hat a great deal of work remains to be done. The dam ii just at bTbST TV™ m,5te '«* bu.1t upan (Jk top of th6 pre6ent 6truc_ lure The work of erecting the sluice ^d regulating machinery is not yet in hand, but on the whol-e it is believed that another five or six months is ample margin to allow for its completion, weather permitting. But the Cray is a naturally bleak and exposed position, and autumn is approaching. The weather may therefore delay the work to an unforeseen extent. The general impression! left was hardly that of a work on the verge of completion. It would be wholly in ac- cordance with expectation for the estimates to be exceeded or disappointed up to the very last. Callousness to the sufferings of animals is unfortunately a characteristic of dwellers in country places. There was a shocking ex- ample of this at Carmarthen Police Court: on Saturday, when a charge of maltreating a young oolt was brought against ten Ponty- berem lads. The evidence showed that the wretched animal was badgered and beaten with sticks and pelted with stones to suoh a d-igrea as to cause mortal injuries. The. intestines were ruptured in a sickening man- ner, and the horse expired within a few minutes. Unfortunately the Bench found themselves compelled to intimate that the fines that thej should have imposed would have to be remitted, through the age of defendants, and they could only express the hopj that the parents of the young ra--cals would give them a. thrashing—a hope which on*; sincerely hopes was vigorously acted upon. Verily the country-side is still filled witL darkness, ignorance and cruelty, when suoh brutalities are perpetrated by lads who have not been exempt, one trusts, from the civilising influences of the home, school, and religion.. A protest has been raised by a correspond- ent of the "Daily Post" against the dangers to passers-by which attend the playing o-P cricket in the lower end of Victoria Park. Hi, wife, who accompanied him, was struck by a ball under the eye, and the ball, glanc- ing off, also dealt him a severe blow upon the forehead. Fortunately such occurrences are of singular rarity though there is point in the suggestion that the Recreation should bo exclusively allotted for this purpose. What, by the way, does the Parks Super- intejtdent suggest to do with the town half -the larger half—of this same Park ? It is most elaborately railed off. It is growing a very fine healthy crop of grass, which, if the Corporation intended setting up as hay and oorn factors, might be a pleasant spectacle for the ratepayer. Of course this portion badly needed recuperation, after fJle trampling it received in the visits of shows etc. It was, in fact, fast becoming a mere rubbish hCl3;p, But surely it is not intend- ed that it shall always remain useless ? A pavilion., with pleasantly laid-out grounds, is the best way out of the difficulty. Here, however, we are treading on ground which the leading spirita of the Council have marked off with plainly legible "Keep off the grass" signposts. Mrs. Richardson, of Glanbrydan, who reached Liverpool on her return from Japan on Saturday, might well claim to be the "Florence Nightingale," on a small scale, of the twentieth century. She has certainly enjoyed a unique distinction in having as- tively participated in that capacity in both the South African and the Russo-Japanese compaigns. One or two nursing sisters who went out to Manchuria and Korea to repoit on the Japanese system, can alone claim to rival the Carmarthenshire lady's record. 'I Mrs. Richardson, who has received many Japanese decorations, could have a thrilling story to unfold of the heroism under pain and ditseatse of Japanese amd Russian wounded1 alike; and of the almost feminine tenderness that renders the Japanese an excellent nurse and patient. She has had chiefly to deo.1 with bullet injuries. The Japanese Medical Department oould- give the R.A.M.C. a good many points in practical work in the field. The British organisation sought chiefly to secure the cure of disease; the Japanese dealt with its prevention. The result is that whilst in the South African campaign some five men died of enteric to every one who perished in action., in Man- churia. the proportion has been something like twenty deaths from lead or steel to one from dysentery or typhoid. So that, large as has been, the Japanese expenditure of huma,n, capital, it has all been invested to the best possible advantage—in action. The Russian Army, too, seems to have been singularly free from disease; for which it has to thank the splendid physique of its men. One shudders to think of a Britisli army of (similar proportions, exposed to equally severe fighting. Enteric, as an ally of bullets and shrapnel, would probably wither it away to most dangerously small proportions. General Picton, of whom Carmarthen M.s a noble monument, was born in Pembroke- shire, and had for his mother a. native of Glamorgan, She was the beautiful and wil- ful Cecil Powel, daughter and heiress o<f Rev. Edward Powel of Llandow. She was wooed and won by Thomas Picton, of Pay. ston, Pembrokeshire, and they were married in Tresillian Cave, near Llantwit Major, in the eighteenth century. General Sir Thos. Pioton was the brave son of that marriage. He commanded the 8th and 9th British Bri- gades. At Waterloo, Picton, struck by a musket ball, fell dead. Lord Roberts—he's at Llanelly next Sat- urday—whilst on a motor-car ride last week, called at the Spa Hotel, St. Neots, for tea, and noticing a newspaper supple- ment portrait hanging up, asked, "Who is that old chap hanging up there?" The land- lady replied, "Dear old Bobs." Asked why she had it hanging there she said because she reverenced him for what he had done for the country, though she had never seen him. As he was leaving Lord Roberts eaid, "Don't say again you have never seen Lord Roberts," and telling her who he was promised to send her his portrait. 1 Mr. W. P. Tobias, familiarly known as Tobia Williams, of Llanelly, is becoming one of the best shots in Australia. Perth "Morning Herald" contains the report of a match in which he put on 103 out of 105 for Perth. At 200 yards he put on six bulls and an inner; at 500 yards he put on seven bulls; and at 600 yards six bulls and an inner. The "Herald" comments "Like most Welshmen, a good score acts with him like the peaceable impressions of a good din- ner. With a thorough Welshman that really is a happy achievement, for 'to hold one's peace' is hardly permissible by the length of Welsh words." SWANSEA A WATERING-PLACE. ["To those unacquainted with the spot the name of Swansea does not," says the latest L. and N.W. Ry. guide, "perhaps suggest an idea] retreat for the business or family man. There are many features which render its claim to be a first-class health resort weighty and reasonable."] Swansea, in olden days we tiraoe As quite a famous watering-place, Where the elite came crowding fast. Some think that day for ever paet- That Swansea's proud industrial clain Has put her fairer side to shame. But they who know old Swansea know That this is not—or can be—so. Though smoke-wreaths crown her eastern side, She sits as brightly by the tide As in the halcyon days of yore. That will return (some rhmfii no more. For Swansea still from tatu^ sterns Full many a charm; and who th%^ feels The mystic spell of sea and shore, Of gentle upland. pa,rk auti ni„or, Of adr that's trefih a.nd pure and good, Will daire assert old Swansea shoaid Forego the claim of this great port To be a first-class health, resort? 11..

SWANSEA AS A PLEASURE RE- SORT. A cartoon by that promising local artist, Mr. Bert Thomas, which appeared in the "Daily Post'' on Saturday last, showed what might be done in turning to public advant- age a part of the Swansea Sands. The Slip, now in the occupation of tawdry stalls, dis- posed in higgledy-piggledy fashion, was depicted as the site of a pier, with concert hall attached; a band stand in the fore- ground indicated another use that might be made of the town's tiniest open space. As a picture of what might be done, the cartoon was interesting, but it represented a dream unlikely ever to be realised, unless a great and almost inconceivable change takes place in the spirit which dominates the Swansea. Corporation'. And of this no sign whatever is visible. True a private company might be induced to take up the work with a view to profit; enterprise on these lines, however, is hardly probable, and municipal- ieation, if it can be justified at all, should embrace in its programme the satisfaction of the community's needs and necessities. Much is being said of Swansea as a place for pleasure-makers and health seekers, but the sooner the truth be realised the better, that practiealiy nothing has been, and nothing is being done to qualify it as a pleasure or health resort. Commercial considerations may -eventually induce a reasonable expen- diture being made, for the purpose of attract- ing visitors and satisfying them when they comB. It i" not unconvincongly argued that such expenditure would probably prove a safe and remunerative investment of the money of the community. But this by no means exhausts the question. At least as important as the visitor, is the resident of tho borough. In recent years governing bodies have begun to recognise that their duty does not end with the provision and maintenance of roads, and the supply of water and light. Man does not live by bread alone, and communities demand more than, the bare necessities of Tfo. The Lon- don County Council is giving increased at- tention to the task of brightening the lives of the people, as a measure calculated to minimise evil, diminish drunkenfnesa. and ger.erally uplife the masses. In all the prin- cipal towns of the Kingdom we have more or less half-hearted efforts in the same direction. The impression is prevalent that in this matter the British are displaying a rare progreesiveness, whereas the fact is we are, as a people, half a century behind our Continental neighbours. There is scarcely a sir; gle considerable city in France, Germany and Belgium where, in the summer a.t least, provision for tho pleasure of the people has not virtually eliminated private enterprise, which does not possess the facilities and cannot compete effectively with the city authorities. The latter have discovered by practical experience that good, whole- some entertainment can be furnished so cheaply to the classes and the masses as to virtually exclude all other and more ques- tionable forms. Concerts of instrumental and vocal music, which in quality render poor the best available to us take place each afternoon and evening in the public gardens and parks. To these the residents are admitted by season tickets, obtainable at nominal prices, whilst even the casual visitor is charged only a few pence. Amid surroundings, delightful to the eye, the Continental man may, with or without his family, hear the best music, drink his lager or wine, or eat a meal adjusted to' the length of his purse. The good thereby effected is incalculable. As a people, wa have to struggle laboriously towards the same end, impelled forward by the growing consciousness that there are few more effec- tive methods of attacking the social ques- tion and improving the public tone. A pavilion in Victoria Park might be regarded as the first serious contribution to a pro- gramme which must inevitably be carried out sooner or later. As a commercial un- dertaking, it would doubtless be justified in the financial results, but that in truth is a secondary consideration, compared with the benefits direct and indiTect, which might be derived from a wise and discreet use of the structure in brightening the lives of thf people, and lessening the influence of t temptations which abound an evwq «id&, t