The Cambrian

I 1!he Cambrian. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 190& NOTES ON MEN & THINGS "What are your prospects?" Mr. J. Jay Williams was asked on Monday by a "Daily Post" reporter. "You mean in the Gower Division?" replied the Clydaeh candidate. "It will be a great surprise; I shall carry everything before me." "Davy," said a man to a little boy in a We-leb-speaking village outside Swanooa, "how is your father getting on—I hear he was hurted in the pit?" "Oh," replied Davy, "he is in the hospital now getting mended." Gower Radicals claim that both of then- suggested candidates arc promising young politicians. Nobody who lias followed their speeches during the past few weeks will doubt it. 'They are spending most of their time in promising. & Trade at the Swansea Docks was again excellent- last week, the aggregate almost- reaching 109!050 tons, or over 20,000 tons more than during the corresponding week of last year. At LI anally, too, business was brisk. This can hardly be said of Port h I TaJ'bot, for although the imports increased slightly over 1,000 tons, there was a falling off in exports by over 5,000 tons. -i- ■» » » «. The voting in the various districts for t'he selection of a Liberal candidate for the Gower Division took place on Thunsdav evening, but the results will not be known until some time to-day. So far as can be judged by outward indications, the chances favour Mr. T. J. Williams, although his lead is unlikely to be a large one. Mr. J. Jay illiams has disclosed a strength which was not expected due largely to the spirit in which his candidature has been supported by the Baptists in the constituency, and it is suspected by the Labour men also, who would rather have him as an opponent to Mr. John Williams than the young squire of .1 The Jews of Swansea, in common with their co-religionists in every part of the world, are bestirring themselves to relieve, so far as money can, the terrible sufferings of the Jews in Russia. The local Hebrew community has this grea.tly in its favour— that it has never been backward in helping philantropic efforts; whether for the benefit of Jew or Gentile. Consequently, the Swansea Hebrews caji appeal to their Christian fellow- townsmen with good grace. At the request of the Jewish congregation a subscription list has been, opened in the "Daily Post," and there is every indication that a liberal response will be made to the appeal issued over the names, of Mr. Barnett and Mr. Levi, over the names, of Mr. Barnett and Mr. Levi, who are this year's warders of the Hebrew congregation. Preliminary preparations for the Welsh National Eisteddfod at Swansea in 1907 are proceeding apace. Having regard to t.he en- ormous outlay which the holding of the eietcddfod now involves, it is evident that if success is to be achieved two things are necessary. There must be a permanent pavilion and not a temporary pavilion, so that the whole of the cost should not fall upon the local committee, and some systema- tic effort must be made to bring into the work the more influential classes in Swansea and district. The gentlemen who are now undertaking all the work are full of zeal and enthusiasm, and arc to be commended for their patriotic efforts, but success requires that all cla.,se- should become identified with the undertaking, and this cannot be said to have yet happened, for the active promo- ters belong practically to one class. Sir Charles McLaren, in an article con- taining a mass of useful statistics, which be contributed to a recent issue of the "Times," dealt at considerable length with the con- dition and prospects of the tinplate trade. Incidentally, as it has been pointed out, he disclosed a great lack of information regard- ing the local conditions. For example, ho states that the majority of the five or six thousand tinplate workmen displaced by the McKindey Tariff found employment in the anthracite collieries near Swansea- Nothing could bo more absurd or less true. The tinplate workman is a man the most unsuitable for coal winning, and it is very rarely one of them makes this change of occupation. As a. Free Trader, Sir Charles, of course, maintains that things as they are are ordered for the best, but in the course of the-" article he is compelled to admit that, whilst the prosperity of the industry is as great as ever before, the number of men employed in 1904 was lete than in 1831 to the extent of nearly ten thousand. .1 Swansea 6 balajice-sheet, as set out in the. Corporation abstract of accounts, will, it is to be feared, furnish but confused impres- sions to the average ratepayer. It shows that the mm of £101,355 during the year ending 31st March last had been spent on capital account, and that in general rates £ 79,000 had not collected from t'he rate- payers. Nett profits derived from the mar- ket and the slaughter houses amounted to nearly £ 3,000, but the lo6s upon the water supply was £ 15,794. Up to March 31st, 1904, there remained a loss of JD1,478 in con- nection with the Electric Light. Works. A little less than £ 20,000 was spent on the telephone service. The debt of the Cor- poration for March 31st, 1904, was £2,011,402, as against £ 1,809,902 on the cor- responding date of the previous year. £ 52,o54 was during the year paid as interest upon the borough debt, and £ 16,896 in re- demption of loans. The year began with a debit balance of J610,929, and closed with a debit balance of £ 7,064. The general im- pression yielded by the statistical statements is that the expenditure is steadily rising, and quite outpacing the increase in the rateable value of the borough, j The visit of Mr. Keir Hardie, naturally produced a flutter among the members of the Labour party in Swansea and district, and a highly representative gathering of dele- gates was brought together to the conference convened for the consideration of the unem- ployed question. Mr. Hardie somewhat sur- prised his audience by the moderation both of his views and languages. He had two .suggestions to offer, for alleviating the dis- tress due to the number of people out of employment, especially in London. One Oas a Government scheme of afforestation, and the other a system of Government and local grants for the maintenance of people idle against their will. With regard to the first, it must be obvious that the plajuting of trees on however extensive a scale would not pro- vide permanent- employment for a large num- ber of people, and it has the defect, further- more, that the winter is not the season for the work of afforestation so that the relief offered by it Vould not be available when most urgently required. The second sug- gest-ion at bottom means merely an extension of our present arrangement for dealing with patmers, and is open to serious objections. Stall, the problem is-one-so diifkaiftof solution that every practical idea tending to help towards it is entitled t,-o a. wetootne. Cardiff has bk a congratulatory tele- gram from Bombay. These Parsee wags are sad dogs! When coun&el 6afs in opening bis cross- examinaton, "Let me understand?" does he not mean, "Let ne see if I cannot prove you are an Ananiaj of the first water?" Roman Catholic worship was resumed in Swansea about the teginmng of the 19th century, through tho instrumentality of a refugee priest. Services were at nret con- ducted in a public iotse. Swans-ea aldermer and councillors made a brave show with 'heir "Hopton's Bibles on Tuesday. The.nanner in which they en- deavoured to look Ike experts in haute fin- ance was worthy of every commendation. A feature of a cotversazione at Glais last week was a swimming match" in a side room. The match Wid there right enough- swimming in a smallhowl of water Every- one who came out sad the exhibition was a fine one, and urged their friends to pay a visit. At a WaunarlwyId meeting someone in the audience desire Mr- Jay Williams to give his views on tb House of Lords. "Oh, I shall come to th House of Lords pre- sently," replied tho speaker. A voice in the rear, "You hadn't gone to the House of Commons yet!" None who witness Miss Beatrice Lmdley's performance in the-Freedom of Suzanne," at the Grand Tbeat-e, Swansea, this week, can fail to be iruprtseki with the sparkling versatility of her fished performance. Miss Lindley has previot;ly appeared in Swan- sea. in pastoral plajs, and she has also played principal Jart in "Sweet and Twenty." "All the great natoos of the present day believe they are defined to become 'the' nation of the earth" said Prof. Levi at Swansea on Sunday -the great writers of Franoe, Germany, Jritaiu and Spain be- lieve so nnpHntly, even Russia thinks that her religion will place her at the head. Of course," aiided th. professor, amid laugh- ter, "you all know t\at America intends to boss the show." With the help of "Pro- phet Dowieism?" The Breton onion filers who perished on the Hilda, and of Wlwül two at least are known to have visited Swansea with their goods, had on an average ^3 in gold each. The men were divide oil hoard in compan- ies, each under a captain, who took charge of all the money. ni6 gives a surprising indication of the volume of the trade these men do in a short season- Over £ 4,000 in gold has thus gone, and doubtless much pri- vation will ensue amongst their families in Brittany. Swansea's football team in past seasons secured its triumphs ciiefly by its effective- ness in attack This aeaeon it must be ad- mitted rbat tbl) distinguishing feature of the play is an absence of that pow^r. On Satur- day, for example, the Dcvonport Albion goal was besieged almost continuously 'or quite twenty niimttes, without a point. béng scored. The only hQpeful feature in con- nection with the X\. that the young re- cruits are en the whal% showing promise of developing into useful moÐll. The at for the forma- tion of a. comply to oonstruct blast furnaces on the BurroW^ appears to be in the right hands. At Monday^3 meeting the promoters present inc 1 acRd men of capital and of prac- ticai experiettoe- £ 30,003 was promised provisionally at the meeting, which repre- sents a good start for an undertaking of the kind, since the total amount required is estimated at £ 1^000. The value of such a wcrks to SwaUsea ? Unmistakable, and t!>> public must wish that the effort will prove successful in every respect. The Board of Education is still corres- ponding with the Swansea Local Educat'on Committee in a spirit which is creditable to the patience of the former. Still, there are indications in the letters that the end is drawing near, a.nd that unless tie Commit- tee yields to more seasonable counsels it will presently ^'ther have to assent to see control drawn from the voluntary schools or to become a defaulting body. The prospect of the letter contingency is by no means relished by eveD the extremists, whose hope it is that. the present harrassing tactics may be kept up without incurring the legal con- sequences. In the latest letter received from the, Department an intimation is given in firm language to the Committee, that the architect of the litt-er is expected to meet an architect sent by the Board, when he comes to Swansea to <lsceTtain to what extent the requirements demajicfc^j of the Voluntary school managers in the. way of re-building are reasonable. Dealing with another aspect of the same matter, the Departmental Autho- rities demand in emphatic terms a proper staffing of certain of the volunt.ary schools. Mr. E. L. Beheima has a perfect faculty for importing special interest into the elec- tions in which he happens to be engaged. On the very eve of his canvass for a seat on the Harbour Trust the Mayor made certain remarks at the Devonian dinner which had the effect. of bringing the candidate into the controversial arena. The summary of his Worship's observation in so far as they related to Mr. Behenna, was given in the "Daily Post," and in that paper only. Mr. Behenna appcars to have jumped to the con- clusion that the Mayor could not have, and did not say anything of the kind, and promptly inspired an attack upon the "Daily Post" for alleged wilfL(j misrepresentation. Tiie latter responded by reproducing a ver- batim report of the re-marks, word for word, arid concurrent-ly yI r. Be-henna seems to ha ve, made a discovery -which ought to have pre cceded his journalistic activity—that the re- port in the "Daily Past" was true in sub- stance and in fact. Naturally one result of the mcident was to plunge Mr. Behenna. into a controversy at a tune when it could '»e of little good to his candidature. His impetu- osity in brief induced him to take a course caiTying consequences which he can not ha,ve tie fired. Tho moral appears to be; "Make sure of your tacts before you make and invite attacks." The "Carmarthen Welshman" has some richly humorous and sarcastic comments on the claims of Faith. Mi-. Houghton (or Howton, as it calls him) who has been hold- ing forth at St. Peter's "had the audacity tc say he could be a blessing to Evan Ro berts, whom he had never met (says our con temporary), adding that when he was youig like Evan Roberts the Spirit shook him and made his flesh quiver, but now he shouted -1 am full of joy, and I'm fat, I'm fat, I'm fat,' and he put his hands to his sidffi and shook his capacious paunch in the sight of the people. A greater contrast between the ascetic Evangelist and this man can scarcely bo imagined. Evan Roberts gave one too impression of a. highly-strung individual who had wrestled with and mortified the flesh by plain living and high thinking, while this Houghton appears to ha.ve wrestled with nothing but a knife and fork and a large beefsteak." Llewellyn Pritchard, the immortal author of that first Welsh novel, "The adventures and vagaries of Twm Shoo Catti," lived for some time in Swansea, where he was de- rided by the vulgar, on account of his arti- ficial wax nose, which was kept in place by his spectacles. He fell asleep over his books Li his poor lodgings, at Thomas-street, and his death was accelerated by, if it was not the result of, the bums he roceived from his clothes and papers taking fire. Dealing with his paper on 'Changes dur- ing the last sixty years with the railway boom in 1845-6," Mr. C. H. Perkins, Swan- sea, ,says he believes that, had a company been formed to construct a railway to the moon, lunatics would have been found to take up the shares! A direct line from Lands' End to John o' Groats was seriously spoken of. Families were ruined in all dir- ections, and at the same time colossal for- tunes were made. Swansea's new Mayor appears to be likely to loom large in the prophetic business. He forecasted the coming of new blast turnaoes for Swansea, which are now mooted as a definite enterprise, and this is evidently part and parcel of his Worship's talents in this direction, for on Tuesday evening he told the Oxford-street Chapel audience that lie was a bit of a prophet, and predicted that the scattered forces of Methodism would yet come together and form one. A correspondent of the "Daity Post" com plains that foreign workkmen of Dutch or German naiioraJity are being employed in breaking up an obsolete gunboat at the South Dock in view of the number 01 British unemployed available for such a task. The purchaser, as a matter of fact is German, but is precluded by the condi- tions which govern all these eales of old warships, from having her broken up in any other port than a British one. 41 The Coal Conciliation Board is making slow progress. At this week's session m Cardiff it chiefly dealt with tho email coal question. The men claim 6d. a ton for filling small coal. The owners do not want the small coal at all, but would prefer large and "clean" coal instead, being disinclined to emulate the example of their foreign com- petitor: and utilise every ounce mined, whe- ther large, small or mere coal dust. The cerious point in the negotiations remains, the question of the minimum, but there is room even in this side issue for a falling to loggerheads such as would prejudice the moderate and reasonable spirit in which both sides should approach the minimum criscs. People who were fond of illustrating a local and temporary decline in the number of polioe-court cases, au evidence of ho practical work and influence of the revival, will be disconcerted to note that Mr. Jus- tice Lawrence, at the Glamorganshire As- sises, at Ca. 1 cliff, on Wednesday, declared that, in point of quantity, the calendar was the heaviest since 1900 In point of quality, however, it was not so formidable. Swansea interest centred in the trial of Mrs. Hen- rietta Hunter, against whom a true bill was returned. Another case of interest expected to be re-tried was the compensation claim against the Taff Vale Railway, in which such a remarkable defence was offered at the last Assises, in which the claimant lost both legs upoti the line. "GLORIEt" There is glory in most circles in life's eveart- ful round; When you're famous in some manner you re at least sure of your ground. It is nice to be a minister in a Cabinet of class, For the masses to applaud you 1.000..38 thro their midst you pass. It is pleasact, too, to be a "Dock," with flunkeys at your feet; And feel the adulation from the plebian in the street. It is good to Le a novelist, to sway the public iickle Or to be a famous lawyer, famed for making "pile" from "pickle." It is nice to be all these, dear friends, and bask in public light You roll in roseate glory in fat adulation s sight. But I think, on cogitation, there s som« things all these lack, I really think I'd rather be a bold New Zeq land back! McJINKINS." Swansea seems unfortunate not only in its direct litigation, but also in the legal decisions bearing upon its problems. The Wakcfield Tramways Company on Wednes- day brought an action to determine the basis uoon which its now tramways should be rated, and Wakefield's case was upon all fours with the forthcoming rating of the Swansea extensions, which has been held m abeyance pending the decision. And on Wedesday it was held by the King's Bench that the line was a light railway, under the Public Health Act, constructed under the powers of an Act of Parliament, a.nd that, the company had the right of exclusive possession. The practical result of which will be that, unless on appeal the decision is revised, the tramway will be rated on one-fourth ci the assessment and not on the full basis. This judgment will affect Swan- sea so adversely that it is to be hoped that I the Yorkshire Corporation will be succesfeful in its appeal, since the present ruling, if upheld, will involve a substantial loss of re- venue. South Wales constituencies seem to have delicate constitutions. Carmarthen Bor- oughs needed nursing clubs and societies of all kinds in the Gower Division are pro- fiting sensibly by the appearance of three candidates in the field; and Mr. E. E. Mioholls, a candidate for Monmouth Bor- oughs, has a tale of woe to unfold as well. Mr. Micholls has placed it en Tecord that he is a member of 38 football clubs, 12 cricket clubs, four or five homer pigeon societies, bicycle clubs, hockey clubs, golf clubs and various raco meetings, not t.î> speak of agricultural societies, rifle clubs, horticultural societies, and chrysanthemum societies. He was an Oddfellow, a Fores- ter, a Druid, a Buffalo, a Fre^ Forester, a member of the Twentieth Century Benefit Equitable Society, and the Cabmen's Sisk Benefit Society. Mr. Micholls added that the people of Newport did not look upon him much in the light of a politician, but as a sort of pocket Hercules. Public men of any position are regarded by charitable, athletic and sociai organisations, as a ruSe a-s a kind of milch cow and it is a reasonable thing that so far as charity is concerned they should bsl bound by an unwritten obligation to contribute freely, often and always, whenever an appeal is made. Beyond thi& sphere, however, a member of Parliament tbould be gc-nerally applauded who wou'd have the courage to make a firm stand against this practice of "bleeding" under an implied threat that he will fal under the displeastfre of his "duns," who may aJso be prospective supporters, if he does not lighten his banking balance. The present system is harmless, it may be, but it is, neverthe- less, a form of indirect bribery, always ex- cepting charitable and quasi-cbdritable calls, I t At last! On Tuesday inter oomKumi- cation was officially established between- the telephone subscribers of the National and the Municipal services at Swansea. The v. ires were tested on Monday, and brought into use on Tuesday. This boon, long hoped for, will be greatly appreciated by the subscribers. An advocate of the Socialisation oc land at one of the Gower Division selection meet- ings, did not seem satisfied when answered by Mr. T. J. Williams that the idea was im- practicable, and that it would necessitate a division almost every week. The questioner thereupon referred to the Post Office and the Army, both national institutions. "We own the Army," he argued, "but for all that a man does not own two or three soldiers." Whereat the Socialists smiled audibly. Professor Levi, of Aberystwyth College, charmed a Jewish audience with his lecture on Sunday evening. Welsh people will re- cognise in the lecturer a son of the late Rev. Thomas Levi, one of the" star" preachers of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists—and apparently a Cymro to the very cere. And yet the professor throughout his lecture spoke of We Jews." The explanation is that he is such a blend of two interesting races as the. dramatist, Mr. H. A. Jones, t-ied to portray in "Judah," for the grand- father of Professor Levi, now aggressively Welsh, was a Jew. J1r. John Jay Williams must by this time be rather wearied of heckling. He under- went his most severe experience in this re- gaT on Monday when applying for an an- nulment of hU 1. 1113 bankruptcy, ior some i •, 6 Questioned by a number of tolicitors, but in the end was granted what he required. It i«, x t~ 1 somewhat unfortunate 1« h» considering ,llat thc m Jul], thsJ, th„ TtrT T should synchronized 7 Ch0se" for poi'ing'the Liberal electors of the Gower division in order to determine whether he or Mr. T. J. Williams shall be allowed to carry the party banner. Both these candidates must welcome the surcease in their persistent endeavours to charm the electors which Saturday's meet- ings bring b them. Councillor T. Corker, who is taking the lead more and more as the champion for the oluntary Schools in the Swansea Council, opposed the re-election of Mr. Richard Martin as chairman of the Education Com- mittee, in order to have an opportunity of Frotestmg .gamst the unfairness with which the authority of the chair has been exercised during the last twelve months. Until recently it was with the greatest diffi- culty that information could be obtained respecting^ letters from the Department or from Voluntary School Managers. In the ordinary course of things these should have been read like other communications, but this was not done until vigorously pressed for more than once. Constituted as the Education Committee, is, the re-election took place as a matter of course, nevertheless, Mr Corker's purpose was served in placing his frank but courteous protest on record. The defeat of the Scottish team by the New Zealanders in the last few minutes of the game, when a wildly enthusiastic crowd believed a victory to be virtually assured for Scotland, was a sore disappointment. Nor was this the only source of sorrow for the Scottish Union. When arranging the tour the New Zealanders stipulated for a guarantee of £500 a.t each of the four inter- national coasts: to this the Uruonsof Eng- land, Ireland and Wales consented, but at that time the New Zealand team was not expected to be the great draw it has proved, and the Scotch Union intimated that they could not guarantee £500, but the Colonials might take the gate receipts, less the ex- penses. With 21,000 people- present last Saturday's receipts must have been at least £1,500, so that for once at all events Scotch canniness has been at fault. The small iiijargin by which the New Zealanders proved victorious has been accepted throughout Wales as a source of encouragement to be- lieve that the Silver Fern will go down before the Leek on the 16th December. General regret, will be felt in Swansea at the circumstance that two at least of the Breton onion men who perished in the dis- aster to the Hilda at St. Malo were during the summer familiar figures in our streets. Hardy, frugal, temperate, and singularly en- terprising for stay-at-home Frenchmen, there are no better behaved foreign visitors than these Breton onion men, and very rarely have they ever committed breaches of the law, even of a trifling and venial descrip- tion. They are at home a simple, pious and fatalistic people, with whom long acquaint- ance with the cruel caprices of the sefl, has intensified their native melancholy and sober- ness of countenance. They furnish France with her hardiest sailors, and rove far afield, to the Banks of iNewfoundland and the fishing grounds of Iceland in pursuit of their labours of the deep. As a rule a "cap- tan with some thirty or forty assistants tan with some thirty or forty assistants comes over with a, cargo of onions on board one of their small sailing craft, hires storage room in a central town, and then sends out his agents with the well-known strings of the pungent vegetaMes. The business is more profitable ti¥m we are apt to suppose. One of the bodies washed ashore from the Hilda had three thousand francs, or over a hundred and twenty pounds, on it.; and most of the luckless men are said to have had J650 on an average apiece. So there will be material privation during the winter probably, as well as the smart of the per- sonal loss amongst many mourning families in Brittany. The attacks upon the methods of the Swansea team, of which a perfect epidemic raged in the London prcts, subsequent to the fixture with the London Welsh, seemed in- intended to convey that there need by no longer any surprise at Welsh success at football considering the alleged roughness and brutality whicht they were said to have imparted into the game. Their vehemence proved also the bitterness and jealousy with which this success has been regarded, and therefore reflects as much discredit upon the doubtful ability of the critics to take the beatings of their country in a sportsman- like spirit. The match in questioai was un- deniably one of a rough and regrettable character, but why imagine on that account that it is simply a type of what occurs when Celt meets Celt? In. South Wales there was another of these turbulent games on Saturday l^c'tween Neath and Al^ravon, which concluded in the game being stopped by the referpe. But nobody in South Wales will on that account suppose that Aber- avon, however long the list of Neath's players' aches aaid pains on this particular day, are- consistently in the habit of in- dulging in Nich roughness and brutality as Neath's press supporters impute to them. The obligation, nevertheless, remains for the Union, as well as clubs, to thoroughly m- vestigate and inflict exemplary panssbmeniE in the case of these spasmodic exhibitions of ruffianism I A "faath-healer" named Houghton, said to hail from Gloesop in the Midlands, has been edifying audiences at Carmarthen and Ammanford during the past few days with tales of extraordinary cures and raisings from the dead. To judge by his prepos- terous pretensions, Houghton seems to be one of the undesirable section of a large class of itinerants who are attracted to a neighbourhood by any prevalent local stir, such as the recent revival would furnish in his case. Houghton might be ignored, how- ever, were it not for another feature of his meetings, wholly apart from himself and his alleged powers and achievements, which calls for denunciation. This is, the partici- pation in his proceedings of local ministers, some of whom are stated in the reports cf the local press to have been present at meetings in chapels which Houghton has conducted, and at which he has made claim to have 'raised lads from the dead," and effected marvellous cures. At Carmarthen the use of several chapels was refused, but it k hard to see why there was net a little preliminary wholesome inquiry which would have 8<lVed the use of such places being granted at all to a person who, whatever the merits of his assertions, is certainly an unsuitable tenant for a religious edifice. More surprising still is the continued nre- sence of ministers at meetings of a kind that none but the credulous and "vulo-ar to use the good old-fashioned word, would readily attend. Afforestation is the pet remedy for the unemployed problem which is advocated by members of Mr. Keir Hardie's school and that gentleman, in addressing a demon- stration at Swansea on Sunday, again urged it upon the attention of the Government. But it would be interesting to learn that relief could be effected by an extension of the system of bureaus, already adopted half- heartedly in this country, and almost as much for the purpose of simple, registration as for anything more beneficial. Take the case of Germany, where they do many things better than in England. In Prussia there are to-day 276 "Public Employment Exchanges"-191 being municipal and the remaining 85 communal. In 1904 these found employment for over 522,700 workmen, in Berlin alone, 65,570 workmen obtaining work in this manner. In Bavaria, states a.n article in Wednesday's "MornL.0 Post," these exchanges "have virtually euperseded the Irades Unions as the medium of com- munication between employers in search of labour and workmen in search of work." In Munich, whose population is about half a million, nearly forty-seven thousand per- sons found employment through the local ex- change. An important point to observe is that all over the country these exchanges mutually co-operate. The State grants them reduced telephonic charges, and in fome cases free telephony. In South Germany the Government also grants railway fares reduced by fifty per cent. to workmen travel- ling in search of employment. The number of unemployed in Germany to-dav, after a recent severe industrial and financial crisis, and a lengthy period of depression, is lower than at the high tide of prosperity during a record "boom" in the nineties. This latter is, of courre, attributable to the healthy state of trade. But these "Employ- ment Exchanges" must share a due por- tion of their credit, though one need not take the quotation concerning the superses- sion of the Trades Union too seriously, ,-unce they are in their infancy there. Still our (iernia.ii neighbour's experience is use- ful as showing what great remedial possi- bilities lie untapped before there is need to resort to panic and poor-law measures. In England charity far too often has thrown upon it a burden which in Germany is borne by a conscientious, capable and plod- ding bureaucracy.

SWANSEA EMPIRE ALARM. Bioscope Films Catch Fire. What might have been, but for the promp- titude of the manager, Mr. Albert Mitcheil, a possible serious outbreak of fire occurred at the Swansea Empire at the close of the first performance on Tuesday evening. One of the films shown on the American Bio- scope, is one of a series of pictures entitled "The Sailor's Wedding," in one of which there is a representation of a burning ship. It was during the showing of this picture that a slight explosion occurred, and sud- denly iiames, not great in volume, but startlingly real, shot out from the curtains surrounding the box from which the bio- scope is worked at the reaT of the dress circle. The people in this portion of the house Were naturally considerably alarmed, iind a number of these attempted to get out of the hall, but the officials knew their work and did it. The intimation was given in no un. certain tones that there was no danger, and that the outbreak was solely confined to the bioscope-box. Close at hand were hydrants and hose, and to these Mr. Mitchell, the manager, rushed, and coat off, made for the burning box, and water being plentiful, had t-he flames soon extinguished at the cost of but slight damage, and the second performance was commenced with little or no delay. The operator was slightly burnt about the face and hands in his endeavours to extinguish the flames. Neither the audience nor the hall itself were in any danger, as the box in which the biosoope was fixed was completely fireproof, and had the door been closed the fire could have burnt itself out without spreading in any way. POLICE REPORT OF THE OCCUR- RENCE. The police report of the incident says: "At 8.45 p.m. an officer was called to the Swansea Empire, Oxford-street, where a store-box, in which an employee named Smith was working a bioscope, and some films which had by some means caught fire were destroyed. The curtains round the box became ignited and a hose attached to the building was run out by Mr. Mitchell, the manager, and the water turned on, and the fire was extinguished in a few seconds. The fire was confined to the on0 box and the damage was very slight. The few who were in the building left very orderly and there was no confusion. The second per- formance was not delayed.

Barry Tragedy: Man Knifed to Death: A street tragedy occurred at Barry Dock on Tuesday night. A rivet-warmer named T. J. Lloyd, who ha.d served a year in the South African War with Colonial corps, was proceeding home about eleven o'clock with a companion, when it is alleged that wrang- ling took place, followed by a slight struggle, and then Lloyd fell to the ground A medi- cal examination by Dr Nortbey Bray showed that he bad been stabbed to the heart with a knife. An arrest has been in connection with the crime of a dock labourer named Henry Stacey, aged 35, who had also served in the war. ACCUSED CHARGED AND REMANDED. At Barry on Wednesday, Henry Stacey was remanded charged with the murder of Thomas James Lloyd by stabbing him during a fight at Barry on Tuesday night. Accuised said he acted in self-defence.

At the request of the council of the Swan- sea Manufacturers' and Traders' Association, Mr. J. M. Foils, of London, a member of the* council of the Industrial Freedom Leagpe, vriS deliver an address an the "Need for Economy m Municipal Affairs," at the Albert Minor Hall, Swansea., on Monday

L SWANSEA HARBOUR AFFAIRS. The contested election for the 6eat on thfc Swansea. Ha-rboar Trust rendered vacant by the retirement of Mr. Morgan Tutton as proprietary Trustee, has served to focus a.t. tention upon two matters of importance to the port. Mr. H. Goldberg, one of the oldest- and most respected shippers at Swan- sea, was first in the field, but waa outvoted when his claims were sub- mitted to the decision of the Cham- Commerce. However brought about, the result was that Mr. Goldberg had to retire, and was replaced by Mr. E. L. Behenna, who for the second time se- cured the nomination of the Chamber. The factor operating in his favour was the spirit Jand diligence with which he has assailed feae- management of the harbour, and espe- cially the action of the Trustees in imposing 1V f 1 ^ny per ton upon coal, which placed Swansea at a disadvant- age compared with rival ports in the Chan- r,nel to the extent, of 1^1. per ton. Xbe Wlfi, dom and expediency of the step taken by the Harbour Trust in order to increase the surplus of prohts available lo meet. the fin_ ancial obligations being incurred over the new dock undertaking have been challenged with a good show of reason. And particu- larly by the shippers of coal, who argue that every addition made to the charges levied at Swansea is detrimental to the latter, being calculated to drive shipments elsewhere. Economically considered, this seems sound reasoning. But- if the argument is not weakened, assuredly the case for those who argue it is when the fact is disclosed that the shippers also appropriate to V6S a penny per ton in connection with the tiimming, for which no justification has yet been shown, and which is not. de- manded hy the shippers at any other port in the Channel. In law a litigant- is expected, in seeking a remedy, to enter court with clean hands. The shippers can hardly claim f" do so when they demand that the Har- bour Trust shall forego a proportion of its to Is m order that Swansea may be placed 011 an equality with competing ports, whilst :> è the same time holding to a charge of thHr own which creates an inequality detrimental to the interests of loca.l trade. It would ap- pear that Trust and Shippers alike are in the same boat, and are equally responsiole fev handicapping the port with extra charges, and further, that both should drink from the same medicine bottle. In his char- acter of reformer of harbour management, it is cearly the duty of Mr. Behenna to ad. cieas himself also to -0 curing of the class to which he belongs, and on whose support he relies for election, from the ailment of avarice, so that Swansea may benefit there- by. Another point forced into the fore- ground by Mr. Behenna is the desire- abieness or otherwise of having upon the Harbour Trust a member convinced that the new dock undertaking is a grievous mistake, and has been eager to secure the widest pos- sible publicity for that view by means of speeches in public and of more or less avowed contributions to the Press. In his address Mr. Behenna would sink this issue out of eight, and, in a spirit of resigna- tion, suggests that .s8:lC() the port is com- mitted to the scheme, nothing more need be or will be said by him on the point. To what extent this accords with his attitude in the past, Mr. Behenna is himself -V best judge. At all events, peoo;« with votes to give in a Harbour Tr > election are compelled to reflect upon V* possible, nay VH-rrscqhelices of h* ejection, and how these may aiect the task devolving upon the Trust of raising by means of loans the capital necessary for ex- ecuting the work. It is unquestionable that 'he appearance in the field of Mr. Georg*" howe, a practical, well-balanced bssines. man, has been a source-of comfort for many apprehensive, with or without reason, re- garding some of the effects which might ba expected from introducing into the Harbour Trust a. member with pronounced and pessi- mistic opinions regarding the new dock, espe- cially in view of the certainty that the Trust must shortly invite investors to take ui) a large quantity of Ha,rbour Bonds. V, hot, her this section is in the majority can- not be determined until the votes cast in the election are counted.

—- — _j SWANSEA COUNTY COURT. WEDNESDAY. Before Judge Gwilym Williams. BR YNMILL FAMILY AFFAIR. Annie Howells, Brynmill, sued her brother, Joseph Tabb, New Swindon, for J310 money lent in October, 1892. Mr. Clarke (Messrs. Leeder and Morris) appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Ticharne defended. It was said the money was lent to enable de- fendant to buy clothes with which to go abroad to look for work. Infancy and the Statute of Limitations were pleaded in de- fence, but in answer to these Mr. Clarke put in a letter in which defendant said be would repay the money when his wife came into a little money expected on the death of her father and mother.—His Honour said he would rather the defence go to appeal on the point that the Statute was not affected by the letter, and gave judgment for the plaintiff with costs, addmg that it was a sneaky thing on the part of the defendant not to pay the money after having written that letter. ADMINISTRATION ORDERS. Administration orders were granted to Wm. Pinney, Tai Sandy, Llansamlet, who offered 15s. a month on debts amounting to J356 Us. 4d., and David Hughes, of Walter's- road, Llansamlet, whose debts amounted to J340 9s. 9d., and who also offered to pay in full at 15s. a month. GOODS TO BE RE-DELIVERED. Messrs. Cuthbert and Co., wholesale drapers, Belfast, sued M. E. Radford, draper, Oxford-street, Swansea-, for ;£18 17s. Od., for goods sold and delivered. The defence was that the goods had been sent back and defendant was not prepared to pay until they were returned.— His Honour ordered the goods to be re delivered, and defendant, to pay the claim at the rate of £2 per month. Mr. Vaughan Edwards ap- peared fot the plaintiffs, and Mr. Newcombe (Mr. Levson's office) defended. "INTERIM INJUNCTION. His Honour, on tho application of Mr. Foley, solicitor, Bolton, granted an interim injunction restraining Wm. Morgan, Ponty- pridd, formerly in the employ of the General Friendly Collecting Society (Salford) from canvassing the Comoany's customer .0 the benefit of the Royal Co-Operative Friendly Collecting Society, with whom he .1" now employed, pending further proceedings to recover damages and injunction.

HOLY TRINITY DEDICATION SERVICES. The opening services m connection with the dedication festival of Holy Trinity Church, Swansea, were held on Wednesday evening. The vicar (Rev. G. F. Packer) preached from the text, "The Lord our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, 'Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount. -^rl,,s.e ye and depart, for this i-s not your rest. The message given to Christ and to them was (said the preacher) to watch and P"y. Could they n°t watch with him ? be- lieved that this occasion was the 62nd that people had worshipped God "3; edifice. The choir sang the ar.the^ J >r* ous is Thy name," from Mozart's e Mass-" festival is to be o0*1 0,J Sunday.

Mrs. Hill, wife of Mr. 00c and treasurer of Caifaaria Morriston, died on Saturday, illness.