The Cambrian

"ALL OVER IN THREE MINUTES." CAPTAIN BENNETT'S PATKEilC STORY. IN THE WATER FUR HALF AN -OUR. A wearied, haggard-teatured man, Skirper Bennett, of the C. S. AtkuisorL, sat the office of Mr. P. Marrow, ills agent ill Somer- set-place, Swajisea, with tne ;n.a.rk of aid terriole experience fresh upon him. -0 a "Daily Poet" reporter he told wnat 1).3 knew in broken sentences chscKed at ey- few words by th< mistiness of it all. "Yes, three of us gone—two rr and a poor little iad," he said slowly, in «uiswer to the arst query. "But v/uat can I tell you," he contiruied; "it was all over in three minutes. "I H try to as best 1 can. It happened about half- past eleven last night—-Thursday. V\ >■ were cotmng round from Portsmouth with a cargo of scrap iron, and when eft Ball Fauit, to round Lundy, we sighted a large steamer some way below us." "Was it foggy or misty at the tin: p- tain9" "F It was a fine, clear nigiu-, and the sea woe aiiuuat caiui. VVell. 7 1 we made cur whereabouts known, a*- there was nothing to prevent our being s- What happened next the captain himself can scarcely opealc of coherently. io be struck down at dead of night; to be uurled into the dark-green waters in the space of a few ticks of the clock and to lose a" one possessed, does not conduce to fac ity of either speech or thought. "All i know is," the skipper said, weariedly, "we were caught starn-on. There was a shock, the water came rusM.n;. The mate scrambled on to the fore-yard as the vessel sunk, and managed to get on L~%rd the steadier. As for myself, I went down with the ship, and after being about half an hour m the water was picked un by a boat launc-h ;d from the steamer." As for the others, the two seamen were washed away and never seen again. e sea. will yet give uy its dead on some sandy j ■ shore of Wales or Devon. As for ths toy, he bad turned in below, and was probably drowned in his bunk. "Everything v.ras lost, captain "Everything is gc^e, was the sad 1 eplv; j "not h: ng was saved, except the mate and mye-olf." "And the mate?" [i "Here's the mate," said Capt. Bennett, j who, like his rescued 1 -npanion, belongs, 1, as stated, to Chester, and is married, an- the pressman was introduced to MT. Benjamin Hnehes. who, with a large, still t -ding! bruise on the forehead, .~oro plained of severe pain in the back and arms caused by being strained in the ropes inch helped to drag him on board. Both men looked as thong-h they wereJ thoronsrhlv and completely worn out b their j hairbreadth escape, but' anxiously-waiting hearts in old Chester will beat with grateful Joy when the news is carried home of their iscape from death. Pvtnn• iv the ski-n-ner t Iked of 1:' loat n strapping Edward Warren. of Lon- ion: of willing Jack McDermott, of Kil- Jare, and of the poor lad Albert Arnold, of Guernsey. Peath was for them apparently Toeedv and sure.

STEAMER CAPTAIN'S STORY. FROM THE LOG OF THE GIUSEPFINA | ILARDI. The disaster was, apparently, wholly an- avoidable. The collision happened, says the captain of the steamer Giuseppma liardi in his lo^-booK, about eight miles off Bull Point, in foggy weather. First of all he had | ] avoided a collision with another steamer, and just after averting this danger lie sighted the schooner C. S. Atkinson, whicij was saiiiing a course directly across the Italian veasel 8 bu.,„. Thinking to escape I this the captain attempted to aiter the Reamer's course, but owing to the current or some other cause, the helm did not an- swer. Despairingly, Capt. Spinalis rang 3 the imperative order for •« astern!" and the steamer, which had no pL i egun to respond, wnen, with a crash the two struck, the sailer being jammed amidships. One mast fall across the steamer, and this was the means of staving onc life. 'The C. S. Atkinson was loaded with scrap iron, and very socn she Was gulped out of rht. Capt. Spinella orde" boats out, without lo^o of tune to save lives, and in a brief space came upon the captain, but failed to discover tiny otner body. The mate had, However, scrambled on board. aided by the broken mast of his own vessel. For over nn hour the boats cast about, but the un- tiring search unavaiied and in the end the An hour the boats cast about, but the un- tiring search unavaiied and in the end the English captain ouggested thr.t it was useless to continue Notwithstanding that, the steamer was driven several turns, but no body couid be discovered and the course was taken for Swansea. The damage done to the steamer was but -light, and was chiefly confined to the rails which the mast crashed. The Giusep- pina F.ardi is chartered to load coal for Leghorn, the brokers being Messrs. Harries 3ros. and Co., Cambrian-place, Swansea. I

SAFE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. CAPTAIN AND MATE OF THE "C. S. ATKINSON." Cr-pt. Hum-ohrey Bennett, of the sunken schooner C. S. Atkineon, and the mate, ¡ Benjamin Hughes, who were landed at Swan- sea on Fridav by the steamer Giuseppina Ilardi. which accidentally sank the little craft on Thursday evening, returned cn Fri- day evening to their homes at Coomah's Quav and Liverpool.

liters I THE ORIGINAL AND BEST MILK-CHOCOLATE

!WALES OR WHITEHALL? i CARDIFF CONFERENCE. WELSH BISHOPS PRESENT. | HOME RULE FOR THE SCHOOLS." ADDRESS BY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE I Great interest was manifested at Cardiff on Friday in the proceedings ai the con ence called by Lord Mayor Hughes to con- sider toe formation of a Welsh National Education Council. ConsiderabLe feeling had been exhibited during tne ]>•.». in Liberal and Nonconformist circles in the Principality at the alleged exclusion from the list of invitations of men who, throughout, have been in the thick of the fight," and the iear that the inclusion of prominent Churchmen and Conservatives really meant a compromise over the education controversy. The conference opened at 10.30 at the Town Hall'. The Lord Mayor presided and amongst those present were the President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Llovd-George, M.P.), who really threw out the suggests- of a Welsh Education Counc l), Mr. Bryn- mor .It as, M.P., Col. Ivor Herbert, M-p., MT. D. A. Thoa^is, M.P., Bishops of St. David's St. Wph and Ll&ndaff, Principal Edwards (Welsh Baptist Union). Mr.. Ll. Williams, M.P., the Ro^n Catholic Bishops Williams, M.P., the Ro^n Catholic Bishops of Newport and Menevia. M-ivnr of 1 sea, Aid. R. Martin, Councillor Tutton (Swansea Corporation). Mr. T. J. Williams (Maesvg-,verr;en», Sir John T. T-. Llewelyn. Bart (one of the representatives of Glamor- gan), Rev J. Towyn Jones, Mr. Tom Job- and Rhvs Nicholas (Nationai Union of Tea- chers), etc. T"le Lord Mayor extended a welcome to the conference, which he said was abso- lutely unique in the history of Wales, -he conference might haiTe far-re"chins resuSts. and he believed that the proceedings would be conducted in such a way as to show their deep interest for the well-be ng of their beloved conntrv. (Applause.) THE RESOLUTION AND THE SCHEME. Mr. D. Brynmor Jon -i then moved "That this conference is of opinion that 't is expedient to create a Council for Wales, representing Welsh "illcation Authorities, which shall have powers to supply and to a±~ the supply of education oi aSl kinds n Wales and Monmouthshire, to whicfi shall be delegated the powers of the Board of Education in regard to public education ;n WaJes and Monmouthshire, and otheT powers relating to education now exercised by the Home Office and Board of Agrieul- ture, together with the powers of the Cen- tral Wellsh Board as to intermediate educa- tion, and to which may be granted such incidental powers as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions." The resolu- tion, said the hon. member, wa.s the natural and logical outcome of the educational move- ment which, commencine more than sixty years ago, had brought into existence within the last 25 years what they called the ) Weigh educational edifice." A more comprehensive scheme was thought neces- 3ary, and it wa £ felt desirable tnat they should not run any risk of a non-party mat- ter be' g made a party question. On that ground it was felt that their Conservative friends were their felSow countrymen, and that it was only fair that they should take some of the representatives of the minority and invite them to join the Welsh Liberal members in their efforts to perfect this Welsh system of education by united effort. (Hear, hear.) They had to limit the representation of the minority, and so they thought they could not conceive any better method of begin- ning first of all by inviting all the defeated candidates a.t the last General Election, for they, as Welsh members, were persuaded that in the interests of education in Wales they could not ignore the co-operation of all classes of Welshmen, without distinction or of creed. (Hear, hear.) For that reason, the Roman Catholics and others bad been invited. The council that was proposed to be established would notf in any way in- volve the inter'orcnoe with the Welsh Uni- volve the inter'orcnoe with the Welsh Uni- veraity or the tilree national Colleges, and j would not interfere with the rights of the < individual local education authorities under < the Awts o. 1902 and other Education Acts. How that might be affected by the provisions j of the Bill that the President oi Education t proposed to introduce he did not know, but] the general effect of the scLeme "that we pro- I pose is to substitute in regard to the local education authorities this National Council s for the Board of Educat;on." (Hear, hear.) The Council would have nothing to do with the management of the elementary schools or N.e question of hours, these being sub- I ject to the general law, or religious instruc- 1 tion, or any cf the theory or difficult matters t that iiact been the topics of much-heated dis- suasion. Tha powers of the new Council 1 might be divided tVus:—(l;The powers now 1 exercised by certain departments of the 1 State which would be d^ egated to it; (2), «■ the powers of the Central Welsh Board, 1 which would be transferred to if; and (3) certain further powers for effecting the ob- jects which the County Councils could per- form more efficiently and economically jointly rather than severally—by co-opera- | tion rather than by individual action. There were other powers in regard to science and art and education in regard to too Board I of Agriculture, and the transference of 1 those powers to the new Council would, of 1 course, involve the right to dispense the I' Parliamentary grants both for secondary and elementary education, and also the de- termination of the conditions governing the distribution ol those grants. The Council ] would have the right of inspection and the appointment of the inspectors, and aiso powers in regard to the education of the ( blind and deaf children. They were not asking that all the powers oi the Board of Fdn cation should be trajasferred to the tw Welsh National Council, and he j thought that a proposed body of 90 men elected directed by the people (because they would be appointed bv the county councils), could not undertake tbe powers for instance of the charity commissioners. Ihe Council, however, would have powets to estab^h training colleges for teachers tor the benefit of the inhabitants of Waxes end Monmouth- shire. As to the financial part ot the scheme the proposed new council would receive such moneys as now received by the Board of Education, except those in respect of the We&h University and the constituent col- leges, and he estimated the amount at pre- sent a.t £800,000 a year. The Council did not ask for full rating powers, but he thought the National Council should have the power to supplement that income by Bending a precept to the local rating author- ities for the general purposes of education In Wales. The constitution of tie proposed Council, he suggested, might be left over for the present, tjough he said it would be obviously unfair that Glamorgan and Monmouthshire should be placed in the same petition as the other counties of Wales that the rates, influence and interests of two such populous counties should be subordin- ated to the rural part of Wales. (Heai, hear.) They bebeved, therefore, that a scheme that wwild secure, real equalitv was not difficult to devise. There was one'other important point, and that was as to whether the \atiooial Coancil have the power of co- oDtirlg members. If they limited the Coun- cil entirely to the elected of foe county councils it would not be possible, for in- stance to have any women on the new Council In conclusion, he expressed the belief that the present afforded a remark- able and unique opportunity of eetabhshmg an institution that would be of incalculable advantage to Wales. (Applause.) Mr. Herbert Roberts, M.P., seconded, and said the boon of self-government in educa- tion in Wales was within their reach. Col. hOT Herbert, M.P., supported. Aid. Blaady Jenkins thought the whole question came back to the representation of the conference. The conference, however, were disposed to discuss the new scheme, a-nd Mr. Brymnor Jones, answering questions, said that the limit of the new rating powers should be Id. ai least. At present there was no provision foT co-optation. Aid. RatTan (Risca) advocated co-optation of women, and pointed out that the door should be open to workingmen repre&entA- thnee by paameui to membra^ 11 i Mr. Nicholas (Llandilo) said that the re- solution all depended upon the details of t>he scheme—upon representation and the powers and duties that such Council re- cedved.—(Mr. Brynmor Jones Hear, hear.) —The basis of the only scheme that had yet been submitted to the County Councils was grossly unfair 10 the largest and most typical county (Carmarthen) in South Waies. If he assented to a new scheme, it was entirely in the abstract so far as Carmarthen was con- cernecl, for the Welsh Council should be one that was in touch with Welsh national sentiment—real Welsh ideas. (Hear, hear.) The ratable value qualification in wie old scheme was grossly unfair to agricultural W ales, and thai should be guarded against in any future scheme. It war, rather shoot- ing in the air as to what the new scheme was going to be. (Cries of "Hear, hear.") Bishop of Llandaff understood they were only to ask for Wale« the same privileges as were accorded to Scotland, but the Scotch system was totally different to the schema admirably put forward by Mr. Brynmor Jones. Th > resolution was to support edu- cation of all kinds. Mr. Lloyd-George: To aid the supply, which is different. Bishop of Llandaff asked what sort of body was to be the controlling power in the matter, and was it suggested that the whole of the powers of the Board of Edu- cation should be transferred to the new Welsh Council. If the latter, then re thought it was a big. order. Bishop of St. Asaph said they could not hope for educational progress in Wales un- less they enlisted alii the best intellectual capacity m the Principality. The resolu- capacity m the Principality. The resolu- tion, he agreed, was a far-reaching one and he was reminded of the Latin proverb, "Make haste slowly." He suggested the appointment of a committee to report as to details. ADDRESS BY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE, M.P. Mr. Lloyd-George, very cordially re- ceived, said he was there as a member of the Welsh party and was not making my sort of declaration on behalf of the Govern- ment. He agreed they should not commit themselves to a.ny details until they saw them. There was a general agreement upon the most important points, and that it was desirable to delegate to some body in Wales the control of education. Their most vio- lent critics acceded to that and Glamorgan were the most violent cf a-ll; and so eager that for months they were trying their best to thwart it. (Laughter and "No. no.") The scheme bad been drafted by other people, and he accepted it, but ne was certain that the Welsh members wer? not wedded to their own phraseology. He did wish, however, that the people who were criticising should put forward some alternative scheme. It was so easy to criti- cise—he knew that himself—(laughter)—and so difficult to construct. For ten years he had been criticising, and he was now find- ing ou1» how easy it was to criticise, and "0 difficult to put up a scheme that would meet the criticism of the intellect. He could not subscribe to the doctrine that he was there merely as a Welshman. That was THE WAY HE SET UP AN ULSTER IN WALES. He appealed for a broad-minded view of the matter—not for facLons, fragments, or sec- tions. As regarded details, it was a matter which they were going to press on the Gov- ernment. They wanted a load-lme in the matter. (Laughter.) They must excuse him for speaking departmentally, and had no doubt he would be told, "You are sub- merging the disc." (More laughter.) He suggested that the details should be sub- jected to future discussion. He admitted I that the Bishop of Llandaff had reasonably criticised the words, "And to aid the supply of education," and to submit "Or to aid the supply," would i.er-t the criticism. He could quite und- rstand certain people say- ing that the grea.t question of trusts could not possibly be entrusted in the present heated atmosphere to the new Council, and that it would be asking too much for the power to be conferred on a body of that character. Until the controversy was set- tled he would eliminate all considerations of that under the scheme. It was not sug- gested, be went on, to set up a new rating authority, nor was it suggested lj add any new rating powers at all. It was very de- sirable tha.t details should be discussed by a committee which be trusted would be repre- sentative of urban and agricultural bodies, and representative also of both parties, if it was necessary to have another conference to settle these details, then let them have it. But it was those kinds of things that could not be settled in a single day. Rev. Towyn Joi-es continued the discus- sion. BISHOP OWEN NON-COMMITTAL. Bishop of St. David's appreciated the feel- ings that prompted the invitation to nirn to attend tha conference, and agreed that the resolution did not go far enough into de- tail to enable 0.im to commit himself one wav or another. He therefore adopted a non-committal attitude, but would take time to consider the resoluLMc. Mr. Brynmor Jones had mentioned a consultative commfl- tee. Was that to be confined to the mem- bers of the Council? Mr. Brynmor Jones: That would be left to the Council. Bishop Owen: My point is as to the ques- tion ot experts—men who have taken part in Welsh education for the past 00 years. Mr. Brynmor Jones explained what be said was tha.t the consultative com- mittee should have freedom on the lines and the Board of Education Committee, which included outsiders. Bishop Owen went on to say that he thought it was a serious mistake to go very much further in f the movement without clearing their minds as to the relation the new Council was to have to the University of Wales. It was alao a very large matter indeed to do a wav, with one stroke, with the affellant powers of the Board of Education. He was not pre- pared to commit himself to it that day. He admitted it was an honest attempt to im- prove Welsh education, but there were as pects of it which required due consideration, and be wanted to be satisfied that the edu cationaJ price paid was not too great, and that they did not lose any assistance they now had in solving the great problem befoit them. In other words, he wanted to be satisfied that before they cut the cable with the Board of Education they were not mak- ing a serious mistake. Candidly, he did not think they had in Wales the experience a.nd power necessary to work a scheme like that without the assistance of the Board of Education, though he thought the time would arrive when they would have to thank the University of Wales. PRACTICAL UNANIMITY. In the course of discussion the Bishop of St. David's intimated that he would accept too principle of the first portion of the reso- lution down to the words "Monmouthshire" if the motion were divided. Mr. Lloyd-George thought- the suggestion an adiwsrB>ble one, and this was carried un- animousiv- In further discussion, during which the conference shewed impatience to get to the Lord Mayor's repast, the second portion, of the resolution was made to read: "That this conference is of opinion that to the Council shall be delegated certain powers of the Board of Education/' etc. Thief was carried with the dissect of the three Ormarthon defegabe^ The afternoon was devoted to the ap- pointment of the committee, etc. The Bishop of St. David s, Bishop of Llan- daff, Sir John Llewelyn, Col. Wright., and Mr. Ernest Helme did not vote for the second part of the resolution. The Bishop of St. Asaph had left the room early in the pro- ceedings. APPOINTING THE COMMITTEE. After about an hour's discussion, a. reeolu- tion was passed appointing a drafting com- mittee, consisting three members of County Councils and County Borough Councils, two to represent the majority and one the minor- ity in each case; three members of the Central Welsh Board, and six Welsh mem- bers of Parliament, three Welsh peers and one representative from each autonomous area; the committee to be elected before May 24th, and the Lord M&yor of Cardiff is to convene a meeting at Llandrindod as goon as possible aftenrwds.

Tha date of the commencement of the Normandy's runs from Swansea this sea- son has not yet been decided on, bat a start will be made as soon as the weather soits.

CRIME ABOARD A BARGE AWFUL STORY FROM CARDIFF, TEN YEARS PENAL SERVITUDE. At Cardiff Assizes, on Friday (before the Lord Chief Justice) Wm. Thomas, an elderly man, was indicted with the wilful murder of Wm. Edwards on the night of March 11. The evidence disclosed a terrible story. Mr Ellis Griffiths, M.P., ahd Mr. A. C. Law- rence were for the Crown. Mr. Ivor Bowen defended. The case of the prosecution was that de- ceased and prisoner were mates on the canal barge No. 190, at Cardiff. Edwards was last seen alive on the evening of March 11th when he went on board with the prisoner. WThat took place thence till the following morning was a mystery, but prisoner told a man, "Come up to the boat, my mate is dead." Accused's noee was bleeding at the time, but an examination of the barge's small cabin disclosed signs of a terrible struggle. Edwards' body was found on uio seat with feet drawn up and blood wm found on the door and the sides of the cabin, the roof of which was also dented in at many places, and sflso on a hatchet that was hanging up and a knife that lay at the side of the deceased man. The head aJid face of the deceased man also bore not less than 25 wounds. When arrested prisoner said "My mate hit me with the hatchet, and I gave him a couple for it." Dr Watkins of the infirmary, said pris- oner came to him on the morning of March 12th with a wound which practically severed I the lower part of the nose. Dr. Buist said deceased had 25 wounds on the head and face, most cf which appeared to have been inflicted with the hatchet pro- duced. Answering counsel, the doctor said that from the fact that there was no blood on the handle of the hatchet it would seem as though deceased had aimed the first blow. Mr. Ivor Bowen: You mean deceased could not have used the hatchet without having blood on his hands?—That is so. Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, said that one blow, a violent one, was given by deceased, but the hatchet could not have remained long in his hands. If prisoner, ir- ritated, raised the hatchet to inflict grievous bodily harm, that would be murder and not manslaughter. FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER. Prisoner was found guilty of manslaugh- ter and sentenced to ten years' penal servi- tude.

j SHIPWRECKED CREW ON BOARD SWANSEA CAPTAIN'S CHANNEL EXPERIENCE. STEAMER SUNK IN COLLISION IN A FOG. A letter was received in Cardiff on Thurs- day from Captain Bliault, of the Gulistan, one of Messrs. Strick and Son's well-known line of Eastern traders, stating that he had reached Greenock with 25 of the crew of the s.s. Athens, which sunk in the English Chan- nel in a fog after collision with an unknown steamer. Captain Bliault is very well known at Swansea Docks; he resided here for many years, and for some time kept the True Briton Hotel, High-street. The Gulistan was on a voyage from Am- sterdam to Greenock, and when some 20 miles off Portland heard the crash of a collision in the heavy fog prevailing about one o'clock on Sunday morning. She stood by, and presently sighted the two lifeboats of the Athens, which was a vessel of 2,199 tens, with 1,000 tons of coal and patent fuel from Cardiff to Antwerp. The crew picked up by the Gulistan included the captain, Roehling, and his wife, officers and engin- eers, and some 17 hands, all Dutch except one Swede. The captain's wife, in the hurry, put on man's clothing, and then took iier place in the lifeboat. When the crew, which numbered, all told, 24 persons, rowed off in the two lifeboats, the Athens was badly down at the stern, and her bow was lifting in the air and had risen fully ten feot. On the arrival of the Gulistan at Greenock the crew were taken to the Sailors' Home, where they were hospitably received, while Captain Roehling and his wife, the officers and engineers remained on board the Gulis- tan. They left for Antwerp on Wednes- day and Thursday. The vessel which sank the Athens is probably the Thor, which reached Cardiff on Wednesday and reported a collision in the Channel on Sunday.

PUMPED A PINT OF WHISKEY OUT OF HIM. SWANSEA LABOURER ADMITS HE WAS DRUNK. At Swansea on Friday Edward Carbary, labourer, no address given, was charged with having been drunk and incapable. P.C. English said on Thursday he was called to Vaughan's Lodging House, Strand, when he found defendant lying on a bench helplessly drunk. They informed him that defendant hadirunk a pint and a half of raw whisky. Defendant was taken to the Swansea Hospital on a horse ambulance, where a stomach pump was applied to him. With some trouble the whisky was brought up. But at one time it had been tnought that defendant would not recover. After having been pumped out, defend- mt, found incapable of taking caTe of him- self, was removed to the police station. Defendant admitted he had been drunk, but said it was his first appearance in any police court. The magistrates fined him 7s. 6d. or seven days. J Defendant, who had only a penny in his pocket, went down. i pocket, went down. 1

■ j YEAR OF REVOLUTION. FOURTEEN THOUSAND KILLED IN 1 RUSSIA IN 1905. 1 St. Petersburg, March 23.—It is stated < that Government reports prove that 1 14,130 were killed and 19,524 wounded in ] the internal disorders of last year, it is assumed by the Press that these figures have been minimised by the Government.—"Stan- dard." 1 1

For lizien. At lian wedi d olchi gain. I STARCH KSLmmmmmmmrnmmMl/

GERMAN NEGOTIATIONS SUS- PENDED. Hamburg, Wednesday.—I had interviews again to-day witK He heads of the most im- portant firms o': merchants here with regard to the jUis'Uon by Germany of certain Welsh oainekts I learn th;.t va-riou,; negotiations are in the air for tlie iias; of British coalfields, but the u fr" crecy is pfeeerved. The negotiat'ons .y perhaps not be completed for yhdj-&. Several 1; rg-o rr<*xcHants in Stettin are also interested m the project. Owing to ti'H Lscusslon of the matter in the British Press, the negotiations for the time being have come to a halt, the German supporters of the scheme having withdrawn. y —"Daily Mail."

NEATH COAL SYNDICATE. VISIT OF INSPECTION TO PORT TALBOT. Members of the Whitworth Estate Syndi- cate arrived at Port Talbot on Thursday night for the purpose of inspecting the col- lieries, docks, etc., in the district. The party numbers half a dozen, including mem- bers and officials. The programme of their visit includes an inspection of Port Talbot Docks early on Friday morning. Afterwards they go to Caerau to see North'a Navigation Colliery, and later visit the new Duffryn-Rhondda Collieries at Cymmer. The party will then return to Port Talbot and proceed to the Whitworth Estate site by special train. From here they will take a pony ride over the mountain to Neath.

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SWANSEA UNION ESTIMATES. AN INf >RiiASE EXPENDITURE LEAP- ING UP. EXPLAINING THE FIGURES: A "POETIC" FLIGHT. The estimates of the Swansea Guardians for the ensuing half-year were placed before the Board on Thursday. Mr. D. Griffiths said the expected ex- penditure was £ 24,834—a little more than the corresponding period of 1905, when it was B25,008. Included was £ 1,800 for costs of three assessment appeals by the Harbour Trust, Topham, Jones and Railton, and toe Mannesmann Co. They expected to win each ca.se-(hea.r, hear)-if they were doubtful the Assessment Committee would not recom-^ mend litigation, but it was proper for the Guardians to provide the money. -Nil. DevonaJd said the popula- tion had gone up—from 1891 to 1904—only four per cent., the number of people in re- ceipt of relief had increased by 29.4 per cent. That was not all. Not only were they increasing the number, but also the amount of outdoor relief had sprang from £ 8,829 to 16,350, equal to 85.3 per cenL They were getting more Liberal—(Hear, hear from Mr. Rogers) —rruch tnore generous than they had been— (Hear, hear from DT. Gomer Lewis) but that was not all. (Laughter.) The ratable ■ value had gone up since 1891 from £ 420,849 to £ 553,804, or an increase of 31.5 pr cent., and had it not been for this the rates would be a third his-her. It was hard enough to pay 10s.—(laughter)—but it was still harder to pay a third more, and that was what ratepayers were doing through the Lgher assessments. It was quite time they began to harbour their resources; could t-.ey not reduce a little of the -61,826 increase in the estimate, either by not erecting the iron building (ostimatea: at £ 200), or 'le-c'ing the painting of the Cottage Homes and offices (£200) for a little time. Mr. Devonald then recited a warning in poetry, to the amuse- ment of the Guardians, beginning: — My warning is this— Be never amiss In doing what is right no'er forget; Be generous with your own, Be just in handing down The money from others that you get. Mr. W. A. Thomas referred to the esti mate of JE1,800 (less RAOO not spent Ir-.t half- year) for ass^ment appeals, and saia that the Guardians had won their case against the Harbour Trust, who were now appeal- ing on one point only. Therefore the Guar- dians must get their costs repaid. He took it that the pth?r two appeals had only to go to the Quarter Sessions, in which case the provision asked was absurd. Mr. D. Griffiths, in reply, regretted ..le could not give it poetically. (Hear, hear.) In respect to Mr. Devonald's reforence to the increase in the out-relief, he pointed out that it was right for every member to economise as much as possible, but during the last half-year there had been an increase of B5 per week on outdoor relief. They iiad assumed a similar increase for the future Mro Devonald: Are all the committees alike? Miss Dillwyn: I think they are not. P- Griffiths: As for the assessment appeals expen&es, we always lose something even if we win. I know I had a case in which, although I got the verdict, it cost me £100. and —— Mr: Roseer (impatiently) :We'll go on with pubiac business, please, not with yours 'La-ughter.) .NIT. D. GrifRbis: ^]I> it is certain for >ne thing, that the winner must lose some- »bing, and the loser mere. (Laughter.) Mr. W. A. Thomas said it would be a remarkable cr.ee if they got a verdict against tbe Harbour Trust, and still have to pay £ 1,400 costs. MY. Ros&er We ask for the money, out £1,400 costs. MT. Rosser We ask for the money, out we don t want to spend it. If you attended the Finance Committee, you would know more about it. Rev. E. O. Evans chaffed Mr. Devonald ^n his poetry, and said if the ratepayers had to bear the brunt of it, they would not unly payl 10s. in tOO B, but 20s., and be very honest men. (Loud laughter.) The recom- mendia-tion of £ 200 for iron buildings had been arrived at only to stave off having to pay anything like £ 5,000 for an isolation aospital. The estimates were then adopted.

EX-CWMAVON CHEMIST. DISCOVERER OF BASIC PROCESS DECLARED INSANE. Probably few readers of the painful pro- ceedings at Shrewsbury, which ended on Thursday in the declaration; that Mr. Percy Gilchrist must be considered insane, have realised what the world owes to this dis- tinguished practical scientist (writes the "Daily Chronicle.") Yet he was one of the two young investigators who less than thirty years ago discovered a. process which came as a finishing touch to Bessemer. s great work, and revolutionised the steel in- dustry. The leader in the discovery of what is known as the Basic process was, of course, the late Mr. Sidney Gilchrist Thomas, but from the first his cousin, Mr. Percv Gil- christ. took an active part in probing a mys- tery which had puzzled the first metallur- gists of the day. The question which was agitating the minds of the ironmasters was how to manu- facture steel from pbospboretic ores. There were immense deposits of this clacs of iron- stone in the country, particularly in Cleve- I land, and vast sums had been spent in the effort to get rid of the acid, the presence of which prevented the conversion of the iron and steel. When Sidney Gilchrist Thomas undertook the task he was a clerk in a London police-court, and a chemical student at the Birkbeck Institution. At that time MT. Percy Gilchrist was en- gaged as chemist at Cwmavon ironworks. South Wales. He took up hie cousin's en- terprise with enthusiasm, and was enabled to make those practical experiments which were so necessary* and so valuable. The re- sult of it all1, after many failures and dis- appointments, was Thomas and his compan- ion found that by lining the Bessemer converter with brick from basic lime the molten mass was dephosphorised. perhaps the discovery was too simple for the ironmasters, or the discoverers too ob- scure, for when, in 1878, tbe result, was an- nounced at the meetings of tho fr-n and Steel Institute, the announcement was ig- ored. But that is an old story, and pro- bably there is more basic 3teel made to- day than steel of any kind.

SWANSEA GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL l ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES I GRATIFYING SUCCESSES IN THE PAST YEAR. The annual distribution of prizes in con- nection with the Swansea High School for Girls took place on Friday afternoon at Llwyn-y-bryn, Walter-road, when an inter- esting address was delivered by Mr. W. H. Robinson, M.A., Science Inspector of the Central Welsh Board of Education. The conferring of the prizes was a task which 17,e was ably performed by Miss Gwilym Mor- gan, who was accompanied by her mother the Mayoress. A handsome bouquet was presented by little Miss Barbara Samuel to the Mayoress, and another choice bouquet was presented to Miss Benger by -ttle idiss Hilda Jones. The governors present in- cluded Miss Brock, Mrs. Rd. Martin, Mr and Mrs. Moy Evans, etc. There were also a number of parents of the pupils present. Miss Benger, headmistress, read the re- port ending 1905, which showed that the work done and the number of pupils in the school was satisfactory. A number of certi ficates and scholarships had been won, as shown by the appended list. She spoke of the high tone of the school and the sym- pathy that existed between the mistresses and the girls; their work was characterised by a conspicuous lack of friction. One nisp point fhe wished to drive home to the par- ents was the necessity of sufficient rest, in order to produce a good result in the work of the pupils. She thought the elder girls should have at least ten hours' sleep and the younger girls twelve hours. The pupils, all fresh and bright in their white dresses 11 and green ribbons, then received their prizes and certificates. PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CERTI. FICATES. The Mayoress distributed the prizes to the following: — Form VI.—Cecile Bowen, open scho'ar- Sihip £ 50 a year for 3 years, Royal Holloway College, Egham; Hilda Jones, first prize, senior certificate Central Welsh Board, matriculation, University of Wales, half-fee scholarship; Gladys Hammond, second, honours certificate and honours certificate Central Welsh Board, full honours certificate, Royal Drawing Society; Mollie Wilkie, senior certificate Central Welsh Board, matriculation University of Wales and half fee scholarship; Phyllis Goldberg, senior certificate Centra.l Welsh Board, matricula- tion University of Walec, half-fee scholar- ship Annie Turpin, matriculation, London University Dorothy Ace, senior certificate Central Weish, matriculation University of Wales and half-fee scholarship; hgnes Davies, senior certificate Central WeLh and full fee scholarship. Form V.—Katie Fisher, first prize; Josie Thomas, second prize; Florence Evans, senior certificate i Cential Welsh; Phyllis Isaac; Bee Moy- Evans, senior certificate Central Welsh, asso- ciated R.A-M. and R.C.M. higher division* Nellie Evans, Elsie Evans, Winifred Ash- worth. Form Vb.—Katie Clement, first prize; Alice Black, second prize; Grace Stewart, Annie Clarke, Annie Hardy, Isabel Wakefield, Gwladys Gregory, Olwen Gee, Nellie Abraham, Grace Jenkins,. Li'lie Luke. Form IVa.—Evaline Davis,, first prize jJlodwen Morgan, second prize • LUa Hill, Maggie Phillips, Gwennie Jones, Florence Davies, Maria Gear, Dorothy Fors te. Valvive Terrill, Ethel Thomas, May Jenkins, Letty Hammond, Gwenllian Morris, Form lVb.—Doris Radford, first prize: Frieda Stephens, sceond prize; Gwenyth Moy-Evans, Irene Cook, Sarah Lewis, Nellie Brown, Elizabeth Howells, Hettie James Middle Form. —Sarah Harwin, first prize; Constance Jelley, second prize; Dorothy Knight, Maggie Demery, Gladys Samue1, Evelyn Poweil, Gwendoline Davies, Muriel Pank. Form Ilia.—Gladys Williams, fint prize; Lilia-n Davies, second prize; Gwen Johnston, Gladys Lyons, Dorothy Ja-nes, Mabel Owen. Form Illb.—Crissie Dav;es, first prÍ2Æ; Olive Lovering, second prize: May Barron Fanny Jones. Form II.—Nora Stephens, first prize Elsie Goldberg, second prize Stephanie Wills. Form I.—Kathleen Hodder, first prize; Doris Jones, second prize; Olive Richardson, Gwladys Griffin, Kathleen Morgan. Full-fee Scholarships.—Entrance Scholar- stops: Florence Beyn-on (Central Higher), Olive Stewart (Central Higher), Lilian Gimb- lett (Pentrepot-h), Ethel Wakefield (Terrace- road). Scholarships renewed :—Agnes jjaVie: Annie Clarke, Grace Stewart, Isabel Wakefield, Florence Davies, Evaline Davis, Dorothv ForsteT, Maxia Gear, Gwennie Jones. Valvive Terrill, May Jenkins, Eliza- beth Howells, Sarah Lewis, Sarah Harwia, 1 Constance Jelley, Florence Evans. Half 1 fee Scholarships:—Mollie Wilkie, Phyllis Goldberg, Dorothy Ace, Bee Moy-Evajis, 1 Josie Thomas, Alice Black, Nellie Abraham, Annie Hardy, Ethel Thomas, Ella Hill, < DOTi3 Radford, Gwenyth Moy-Evans, Frieda i Stephens. Irene Cook, Maggie Demery Dorothy Knight. Katie Fisher, Hilda. Jones, Phyllis Isaac. University of London matriculation oerti j fkate, Annie Turpin. University of Wales matriculation certificate, Dorothy Ace, Phyllis Goldberg, Hilda Jones, Mollie Wilkie. 1 Central Welsh Board, 1905, Honours cer- tificate Gladys Hammond. Senior erti ficate: Dorothy Ace. Agnes Davies, Florence Evans, Phyllis Goldberg, Hilda Jones, Bea i trice Moy-Evans, Josie Thomas, Mollie Wilkie. Junior certificate: Nellie Abraham, 1 Winifred Ashworth, Alice Black, Anni- t Clarke, Katie Clement, Elsie Evans, Nellie < Evans, Olwen Gee. Gladys Gregory, Annie < Hardy, Jrace Jenkins, Lillie Luke, Grax> t Stewart, Isabel Wakefield. I Mr. Robinson in his entertaining address, punctuated with anecdotes, stated that it was the first time for him to address the parents of the girls at the High School, al- though he had on several occasions address- ed the boys at the Grammar School, where he was able to refer them to the schools past for examples. In this case he would refer J them to the future; the school's traditions rested with those associated with it at the present moment. He agreed with the man- ager of the Carolff University that the par- ents should be associated with the working of the school, and thought parents' even- ings were beneficial. After a visit of in- spection to the Swansea High School he went away encouraged by the energy and enthusiasm displayed by Miss Benger and her staff in the educational welfare of her girls. This jGJr, for the first time in Wales, there are more girls than boys in the Intermediate Schools, which shows the keenness of the Welshman to give his daugh- ter a good education. He approved of the emancipation of giris in tha.t he thought they should enter any profession they had a lik- ing for. The scholastic profession espe- cially had been ennobled s nee they had brought into it their strenuousness and en- ergy, although he seemed to think there was sufficient scope for their abilities without their entering the political field. Sir Fred erick Treeves, in his contention that the present-day women were physical1 y and mentally healthier and stronger than for- merly, also stated that genius was an unde- sirable quality the necessary attributes are health, serviceable knowledge, and sym- pathy. In dealing with health, he endorsed Miss Benger's statement that the girls should have sufficient rest. With regard to serviceable knowledge, he did not think parents ought to send their children to an intermediate school and expect to be edu- cated in one or two years. In 1905 sixty- four pupils had left the school, and one-half of them had only been there an average of two years. He had noticed a great quicks ening of the national life in Wales, and he thought every girl should study the Welsh language, as they are recognised as having special linguistic iacuities. Mathematics and science he thought were a trifle over- indulged, and was considerably surprised that the'Swansea High School did not pos- sess a properly equipped laboratory. Do- mestic economy should rank high in the subjects taught our girls, and there is to-day a splendid opening for teachers of domestic subjects. His last point, that of sympathy, wK.oh is every woman's natural gift, hI) dwelt on, and was pleased to hear from Miss Benger vhot so much sympathy existed be- tween the mistress and child, as it surmount- ed many an obstacle and helped to make school life pleasant and happy. Miss Benger, in thanking Mr. Robinson for his address, also thanked the Mayoress a.nd her daughter for encouraging them with their presence, and the proceedings ter- minated with the singing of "God Save the King,"

I DRINK [ aoRliNIMANVS PURE TEA In Packets only: and Full Weight Without Wrapper. ALWAYS GOOD ALIKE. Prices 1/4 to 3/6 per lb. SOLD IN SWANSEA & DISTRICT BY James Jones and Son, Goat Street (Whote* sale only). Taylor and Co., Ltd., 6, Castle Square; 99. Oxford Street; 100 Brynymor Road; 33. Walter Road; and the Dunns, Mumbles., Bonnett, 7, Heathfield Street. Davies, Grocer, Rboadda Stuoet, Moutil Pleasant. Roberts, Uplands Emporium. Morgan, Grocer, Morrisston. Lewis, Grocer, Herv ^rt Street, PontardaWf Evans, Grocer, A1UA<, S Davies, Grocer, Cl-dach. M. Davies, The Bi.^ jaigb, Clydach. Williams, Grocer, iilackpiil. Davey, Grocer, Aberdyberthi Street, Hafode t rf^lorPe. Grocer, Brynmill. Jenkins' Stores, Pontardawe. Jordan, Grocer, Glais. Moore, Grocer, 14, St. Helen's Tload. Watson Bros., Grocers, Brynvmor Road. Meredith, Confectioner, l4l," St. Helen*! Avenue. Lewis and Co., 8, College Street. Parlby, 9, Cradock Street. Jones, Grooer, 64, Llangyfelach Street. Havard, 95, Brynymor Road. J T. Davies, 13 and 14, Walter Road. D L. Evans, 27, Walter Road. W. Thomas and Co., Glo'ster Buildings (Wholesale only). S. Watkins and Co., Wholesale Grocers. etc.. Tower Lane (Wholesale Agents). YSTALYFERA. — Davies, Manchester House. LANDORE—Hiding, Landore Shop.

SWANSEA AND MUMBLES LINE AND PIER. COMPANY MEETINGS AT SWANSEA. The twenty-fifth half-yearly ordinary general meeting of shareholders of the UJnJ^s Railway and Pier Company, Ltd., a*' the company's offices, Victoria Buildings, on Saturday, Mrs. O. V. Daniel presiding. Other shareholders present were Mrc. Llewelyn Thomas, Mrs. A. K Ea, Jen kins. Messrs E. E. Street, H. S. Lad- low, C. RowLand3, A. B. Davies, Edward Daniel, P. Hawes, and E. A. Watkins (seo- retary). By Lho directors tcport, the net revenue account. shoAved a, balance available foe dividends of £ 2,134 fc. 2d., and dividends o. 4 per. cent, on preference shares, and 5 £ per cent, on ordinary suaies, carrying for. ward £ 449 9s. Od., was recommended. A letter was read from Sir John Jonea Jenkins, who wrote he was extremely sorry that in oorsequenoe of being obliged to ap. pear as a witness at the Assizes at Cardiif, he was unable to attend the meeting. Ha would lige to have t 'n presoot to explain that the dividend was Hater this half-year in consequence of a conversation which took place 1 the last half-yearly meeting of shareholders, when he pointed out that they paid over C50 per annum in bank charges, which could be avoided if the dividends were paid early in April and October. He was also sorry not to be present to con- gratulate the shareholders upon the extra hali per cent. dividend. They had the gra- tification of looking forward to a further in- crease of half per cent, per annum in the October dividend, which would be at the rate of six per cent per annum, and con. tinue so for another three half-years, when a, lurther half per cent. would be added. The delay had probably caused the share- holders £ «me inoonvenienoe this half-year, but future dividends would follow at re- gular intervals of six months in early Aprd and October. The lessees were keening the line in perfect order. They appeared to he working it to the best advantage, and lie had no doubt that uliimateiy they wond be fully recompensed for having taken over, this valuable concern as part of their taking Mrs. Daniel proposed adoption of the ac- counts Mr. Street seconded, and the mo- tion was carried iimid remarks of satisfac- tion. The dividend as recommended was adop- ted, and proposing the re-election of Mrs. M. D. Thomas, the Elms, Mumbles, as director, Mr. C. Rowland hoped she would remain with them for several years. Mrs Thomas' was re-elected, as also was Mr. D. R. Knoyte, as auditor. On the motion of Mr. Ludlow, who re. gie .Led that Sir John Jones Jenkins was absent, Mrs. Daniel was thanked for pre- siding. SWANSEA AND MUMBLES RAILWAY COMPANY. Swansea and Mumbles Railway Company, Ltd., held its thirteenth annual general meeting, Mr. B. Williams, J.P., presiding. The directors reported that dividends of 44 per cent. per annum had been paid on prefererVD shares, and of 63 per cent. per annum on ordinary shares for the half-year, ending June 30th, 1905, and they recom- mend payment at tne rates of 4! per cent, per annum (preference), and 67 per cent. per annum (ordinary), for the half-year end- ing December 31st, 1905. A letter similar to that sent to the share- holders of the Mumbles Railway and Pier Co:. ;.any was read from Sir John Jones Jen kin". The dividends as recommended were adopted, and on the proposition of the chairman, Sir John Jones Jenkins, the ■ne- tirir-, director, was r"-appointed. They all hoped, Mr. Williams said, Sir John, having regard to the interest he had taken, would long continue to hold that position. (Hear, bear). Mr. D. R. Knoyle was re-elected auditor, and a vote of thanks was passed the chair- man.

I STABBED AT A CARNIVAL. TRAGIC SCENE IN PARIS: LENT CATHOLIC FESTIVITIES. Paris, Friday.—The gayest of luncheon parties was yesterday taking place in the midst of the mid-Lent festivities, vhen a man dressed as a mousquetaire and masked burst into the room where the lunch was taking place, and shouted out: "All you who are laughing and singing, pause a moment and pray for the soul of her who must now die." Assuming this to be part of the carnival, no one in the room made any movement until the masked man suddenly plunged a knife, which he held concealed up his sleeve, into the breast of the smartest and rnoei handsome woman of the party. Shieking with terror the rest of the guests flung themselves upon the man, and then made the discovery that he was none other than the husband of the victim. Louise Gainoel had shortly before run away from her husband to join a wealthy lover, who heaped jewels and luxurier upon her. Before being married she was a laun- dry girl. Her husband, an electrician, was devoted to his wife, and he swore to be re- venged. He had waited for her day after day, but Louise, knowing this, never left the house where she lived until she went to the lun- cheon party which was so dramatically in, terrupted. She now lies in hospital in a critical condition.—("Daily MaiL )

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LOCAL COMPANIES. MESSRS. BEN EVANS AND CO,) SWANSEA. As the result of the successful business carried on at th-eir spacious premises in Temple-street and Castle-street, Sv ansea, the directors of Messrs. Ben Evans and Co., Ltd., will, at the forthcoming annual meet- ing recommend that a further dividend of 31 per cent. be paid on the Ordinary Shares for the half-year ending February 28tih, ma.king with the interim dividend paid in October 7 per cent. for the year. III must be exceedingly satisfactory to the share- holders to find that the excellent manage- ment of the #&Bcern continues to be so satis- torily manifested in the dividends. The transfer books of the Ordinary Shares will be closed from the 26th Maroh to t, 6th April, both days inclusive. Transfer office: 1, LGadenhall-buildings, London, E.C.

FIVE FAILURES. LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RECEIVING ORDERS. Receiving orders in bankraptcy are au. ltIOuncoo in the caaes of: David John Jones, 6, Wisley-street, Cae- rau. Maesteg, collier. Harris Poanrenz. trading as P. Harris, 11, Talbot-street, Maesteg, deaJer in fancy goods, wallpaper and pictures. Devid Rees, trading ag David Rees and Son, of the Roval Stores aaid Cash Stores, Garuant. aid Brighton Stores, Glanamman, grocer and boot dealer. Christopher Hoara Moor, 6, Castle-square, Mumbles, clerk. Willia.m Rees, of the Roso and Crown Inn C&lvert-.street and Hoekin's-place, Swansea, ooachbuikler and wheelwright.

MUMBLES DEBTOR AND HIS WIFE APPLICATION TO RECOVER ALLEGED PAYMENTS. BANKRUPTCY TRUSTEES RESUMED COUNTY COURT CLAIM. At the Swansea County Court on Friday (before Mr. Ruegg, K.C.), a motion was made by Mr. Treharne, on behalf of Mr. H. F. Hood, trustee in bankruptcy of Mr. Richard Woolacott Bray ley, builder, Hillside, Mumbles, for an order that £ 352 paid to debtor's wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Beatrice Bray- ley, was a fraudulent preference and void as against the trustee, and further for an order directing Mrs. Brayley to pay the trustee back he sums making up the total stated, together with the costs. together with the costs. Mr. Hood spoke of a previous valuation of Mr. Bravley's property at the Mumbles, which at the time he considered worth £ 5,500. In ^pswer to Mr. Seline farho appeared for Mr. Brayley), witness admitted that the value of property at the Mumbles had in- creased in value of late. He did not know ^ra" had been pressing BET husband for the money for the last nine months. She did say she wanted her money. He "ooc backed bills to the extent of £ 200, and no matter what the legal status was she remained still liable on those bills. Answering Mr. Treharne, Mr. Hood said he reckoned the margin over and above the mortgage when the property was sold, after deducting costs, would be between JMOO and £500. My. Treharne And be owes £ 1,060 to un- secured creditors? Mr. Hood: Yes. Charles Moxham, timber merchant, a credi- tor for £76, said that on failing with an execution against the husband, he got a judgment against the wife, but she bad taken a bill of sale to protect the furniture, and he recovered nothing. Cross-examined by Mr. Seline, witness said be understood defendant was negotiating for a large sum of money on the property. Were you satisfied that the man would be ab-e to pay his creditors out of the '.y money.—No, I was in great doubt as to whether I should be paid, or I should not have got his wife to bo responsible for the debt. Mr. Manaton (Messrs. Jenkins and Son, ironmongerE, Mumbles) said JB102 was owing to his finn. He went to .00 defendant, who said he had had money from the bank, but had paid it to someone. Witness said, "I think tbat was an act of bankruptcy, and I shouldn't be surprised if Mr. Jenkins takes proceedings against y'm." He said, "It is too late; I was served with a writ yesterday by Mr. Slater," but would not say on whose behalf the writ had been served. MT. Jenkins, employer of the last witness, said defendant had several times promised he would pay the £ 102 he owed. By Mr. Seline Defendant told him he was negotiating a mortgage. Mr. Seline: You knew this man was hope- lessly insolvent. Your affidavit says that —— Mr. Treharne: I don't see it anywhere. His Honour: If you said he was hope- lessly insolvent, what made you say BDC Witness: Because he couldn't pay his debts. (Laughter.) John Knight Clement, contractor, Mumbles, proved himself a creditor for £ S2 for haulage. Once when he went to defen- dant, several other creditors were there on the same hunt. (Laughter.) Mr. Treharne: You say the houses cost more to build than they would fetch in the market. Witness That is so. Mr Seline: You don't say Mr. Hood has made such a terrible mistake in valuation? Witness Yes, I do. ) Mr. Smith, contractor, Swansea, creditor for JB65, spoke to being promised payment, but defendant disappointed him. Even after cashing the mortgage he told witness, "It's no good my seeing you I can't pay it." He admitted he had had £ 200. Mr. Treharne called out -'Mr. Brayley," whom he had subpoenaed, but there was no answer, and he then proposed to put in shorthand notes of Mrs. Brayley's evidence j at the examination. Mr. Seline said he proposed to call her to give evidence personally. Addressing his Honour, Mr. Jv'line said defendant believed he would be able to rai^e money to clear th-• debts, and therefore he had no felonious intent of bankruptcy when he made the payment tn his wife. His Honour: Not feloniously, I know. M'r. Seline: Well, fraudulent the 1. His Honour Do you ask me to say that in December, when he got this money from the bank, he reasonably supposed he would be able to pay his debts from his own monies, instead of using that got from the bank? j Mr. Seline: Yes. My second point is—•! there was sufficient pressure brought to bear in the relations between husband ar wife to avoid fraudulent preference, and, ttiirdly, there was iU1 inducement to pay the money since she promised to aid in finishing the bouses. Elizabeth Beatrice Brayley, debtor's wife, said she insisted upon her husband giving her £ 200 out of the mortgage, as she had backed several bills for him and given him deeds. There was a balance of JB350 on the 11 new mortgage. Mr. Seline Did you make any promise to your husband I said I would help him with his buildings. His Honour: Lend him the money again? -Certainly. J Cross-examined: She took the C200 bal- ance herself because she understood at least another £400 could be raised. Did you not have that JBaoO on the under- standing that it should be shared with cre- ditors?—-No. You still have the money in notes and rrold?—Yes. j, JUDGE DEFERS HIS DECISION Prior to adjourning for lunch, his Honour suggested a compromise, but it was not ar- i rived at. His HonooT said the case was one of con- siderable difficulty, and he would forward his decision in writing in the course of a 1 I, week or so.

• To ladies who 'want nice clothes. These can easilv be j j 1 kept so by using Fels-Naptha soap in the modern, the only < right way of washing without slightest injury i to fabrics. < The wonderful results » obtained with Fels-Napth: j soap are largely due to the j absence oi fieat in its use. 1 < Therefore, the most delicate 5 fabrics cannot be injured- ] provided the simple, easy i directions are followed. s Fels-Naptha soap washes f2 everything washable, cleans everything cleanable. t 2id. a bar of grocers, &c. 0 E Fels-Naptha 1Q Wilson street London EC I a A -■ -I c

[ r Local faire for April axe:—Aberavon, 2nd and 3rd; Carmarthen, 4; Llandovery, 6; t Llajidilo, 9 and 10; Llandovery, 13; Car- s marthen, 16; Ystradgynlais, 16; Devynock, r 16; Carmarthen 17 and 18; Cwmamman, £ 19; Llandovery, 20; Pontardulais, 24; Llan- ( dilo, 24; Neath, 25; Llangadock, 26; Llan- 1 dovery, 27. (

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. ( SWANSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! AND HARBOUR TRUST. MEMBERS AND THE CANADIAN CATTLE EMBARGO. Swansea Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting was held on Friday afternoon, Mr. R. L. Sails (president) in the chair. The following new members were elect- ed:—Messrs. R. A. Alciridge, W. W. Meg- gett, and D. R. Morgan. Mr. E. L. Rehenna asked if any reply had been received from the Harbour Trustees re- garding the Tecent shipping charges confer- ence. He a&ked whether the Trustees were going to move or approach the railway com- panies. The Secretary said nothing had been re- ceived. Mr. Behenna: Not for a month! The President said the conference was private, and he could not disclose publicly what had transpired. CANADIAN CATTLE IMPORTATION. The question of the importation of live Canadian cattle was brought up, the Presi- dent stating that no action would be taken by the Associated Chambers, inasmuch as at the recent meeting 41 voted for and a. similar number against. Councillor Morgan Hopkin attended and explained the points at issue in his appeal in favour of the proposal. He said the Can- adia.n herds were the healthiest in the world, and Canada was too important to be treated indifferently by this country. During the last nine years, when the embargo was first placed on, very nearly two million head of cattle had been imported into this Kingdom from Canada, and not the slightest suspicion of disease attached to them. Those anxious to bring about the reform believed thorough- ly that the question of disease was reduced out of existence altogether. The Canadian cattle trade was confined to three or four months of the year. He asked the Cham- ber to pass a resolution to restore to the Board of agriculture discretionary powers to admit healthy cattle from Canada under suitable conditions. Mr. A. P. Steeds moved a resolution in favour of the Bill about to be introduced to Parliament, and thought the Chamber was doing the right thing. Mr. L. Behenna seconded. The President said he was hardly so much. in favour of the proposal as some. He re- membered when the herds of thy country were pretty nearly decimated by disease. Personally, he aid not see why the Bill should restrict the importation from Canada. Mr. Livingston thought there was gooa reason. The President said it was his opinion that Chambers of Co;iinterce had done them- selves a great tical of injury to their in- fluence by giving sanction to matters they knew nothing at all about. Mr. Livingston thought they would be safe in dealing with Canadian cattle in the way suggested. He should confine it at present to Canada. Mr. J. R. Leaver concurred. The resolution was carried, and will be given in due course to the President of the Board of Agriculture. TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION WITH LONDON. The Postmaster-General wrote a letter, dated March 8th, in which it was stated that the wavleave difficulty which had pre- vented progress with the additional line under construction had now been overcome, and he anticipated being able to complete the circuit at an early date. THE ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS. The President, who, with Sir John Jones Jenkins and Mr. E. P. Jones, attended the recent meeting of the Associated Chambers )f Commerce, gave a resume of the proceed- ings, with which he was pleased. >-

ONE OF THE UNEMPLOYED. SWANSEA RELATED SIGN WRITER'S PITIFUL END. The inques: 11 Harry Basettc Rowell, aged 38, a sign writer, of the Rectory-road, Barnes, was held by Mr. Dnew, at Fulham, recently. Jamees Bail, of Harris-street, Swansea, said the deceased, a brother-in-law, had been ci,epressed through slackness of work, and had had to leave his wife at Swansea and look for employment. It appeared that at 9 a.m. in the morning his body, on which was found a book containing his name and address and 37 pawn tickets, was left by the tide on the foreshore of the Thames at Bishop's Park. The jury returned an open verdict.

FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR. AMERICAN VETERAN BURIED AT DANYGRAIG. There was buried on Saturday afternoon, at Danygraig Cemetery, Swansea, an old American veteran of the Civil War-Wm. ü. Taylor, formerly private in the "I." Com- pany of the 67th Regiment, U.S.A. He was 86 years of age, and had been re- siding in Swansea for some years, in Rod- ney-street, with his wife, who pre-deceased him by three years, and with whom he was buried. The American Consul, lli. Prees, and his deputy, Mr. W. D. Rees, had interested themselves in the case, and as his last re- quest had been to be interred with the "old flag' around him, his wishes were followed, and the Consul had the body draped in the Stars and Stripes, and thus he was laid to rest. He had been pensioned off owing to disability from wounds received in action, and was receiving 12s. a week from a grate- ful and generous Government, being one of four U.S. pensioners in Swaneea. Those accompanying the body to the graveside were Dr. Prees (Consul), Mr. W. D. Rees (Vice-consul), and Mr. Samuel Johns and Dr. James, both Civil Wax pen- sioners. Deceased, who had been a printer in me States, was wont to relate many- tli-iiling I stories of his experiences in the eventful struggle between North and South. -T