The Cambrian

Ifte Cambrian. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1906. NOTES ON MEN & THINGS Mr. Randall Dowdall, the sergeant a*- mace, has attended the local Leet Courts of the Duke of Beaufort for 33 years. The sixth anniversary of the relief of Mafeking occurred this week. It makes soir.e peoples heads ache to think of it to this day! The great German navvy at the new dock wcrks loaded twenty-two 10-ton trucks in 18 minutes, equal to 730 tons per hoar. What price the workman? Mr. Ben Davies, who is at present in Swansea, wili take the part of Sir Harry Bumper and sing 'Here's to the maiden of I bashiul fifteen" at the Drury Lane matinee on June the 12th in IonneCt-IOU with the Ellen Terry Jubilee. In replying to the toast of "The Press," at the May Day Show dinner, Mr. T. Reea (editor. "Daily Leader ) eluded to the great compliment paid by the Bishop of St. David's to the TfeHy Pest." The Bebop remarked Vne 'Pt»t' is an evening paper which for its accuracy as well u its able and interesting characteristics is, in my opinion, second to no evening paper out of London," Mr. Rees said be honestly be- lieved that to be the case. That being so, all the more credit attached to the "Leader" in being able to withstand the opposition. L,—Very neatly put. i A commercial traveller of wide experience says the girls of Cardiff and Swansea are prettier than any others he has seen in Eng- land or Scotland. A London journal placed the news of a 'I war memorial at LlaneDy under the heading 1 of Carnarvonshire news. We shall next hear that Snowdon is in Carmarthenshire, I and Cader Idris on the Flat Holm. The general opinion at Port Talbot and Margam is that the North Wales Yeomen would run away with the Glamorgans, as they are much better mounted. There is scarcely a "crock" to be seen amongst them, whilst some of the "nags" of the Glamor- gans, observed a cynical critic, look more like worn-out cab-liorses. At last the end of the Cray Water Works construction scheme seems actually near. The work it is said will be out of hand in the course of the next few days and the formal opening will probably take place in June. Ratepayers generally will receive the news with a sense of genuine relief, even thought the expenditure will not wholly cea?e, beca.u&e the sclteme for laying down I additional pipes wilt soon have to be taksn in hand. Capt. W. H. Nilee, R.N.R., formerly dockmaster at Swansea, and now dock com- mandant at Gibraltar, has been revolution- ising the lifeboat arrangements at the Rock. A Gibraltar paper reports that on a recent Saturday only 45 seconds elapsed between the tine the boat was called for and the complete launching and manning. In point of dispatch this ooinpMKS with the best results obtained at any station in the Kingdom. An interesting envelopment has besa frustrated by the refusai of Sir John Jones Jenkins to accept the challenge thrown out by Mr. It. Tr"bshaw, chairman of tho Manufacturers' Association, to debate cer- tain points in dispute respecting the con- dition of the tinplate trade in the presenje of a number of practical manufacturers and workmen. Sir John can hardly be compli- mented upon his reply, so evasive in char- acter, in which, whilst declining the chal- lenge, he attempted to reply to some of titc more important statements and facta embodied in he subject of Mr. Trnbshaw. A protest lias been offered in one of the evening papers against the resolution, by which j350 is to be added to the Mayor of Swansea's salary, In order to einable him to entertain the pilots at the forthcoming conference. The protest is not unwarant- ed, for from the Mayoral standpoint the past seven months have been very inex- pensive, and on the othe- hand, the Mayor, as returning officer of two constituencies, has drawn substantial sums from the general pensive. In these circumstances it is oe-- tainly surprising to have this proposal made foT adding JE50 to the salary, and the sur- prising thing is that no member of the Council thought fit to challenge the resolu- tion when submitted. As a cricketer, whether amateur or pro- fessional, cannot obtain the resk^sntial qualification to piay for his county in less time than two years, the four professionals, two in Llanelly and two in Llandovery, at the disposal of Carmarthenshire, are not eligible to take part in any county match this season, and without them no county team could be expected to make anything like a stand against the pick of Glamorgan, There is nothing, however, to prevent a friendly match being arranged, for which this qualification, could be waived. If fix- tures were arranged for matches at Swan- sea and Llanelly, they would be compara- tively inexpensive, and would probably draw fairly substantial gates. In view of the scarcity of attractive matches this seo- son, some effort should be made to give effect to eome such suggestion as this. The evidence offered at the trial of the two men charged with the murder of MT. GOGS, near Darjeeliag, North India, points to the conclusion that the crime was insti- gated by a native beairer's jealoasy of Mr. Gees. The latter, as several witnesses tes- tified was pleasant to all the oocflie labour- ers whether male or female, and as one of them remarked "Whatever he had to say to them was said with a smiling face." The jealousy of the actual murderer was appar- ently aroused because in speaking bo this man's wife, Mr. Goes maintained his usual pleasant* manner, and hence the determina- tion to murder him; and at the same time take whatever monev that could be laid hands upon. These Oriental races are of a fiercely jealous disposition; among them- selves the practice 's avoided of ever look- ing straight in the face of another man's wife. Conequently, Europeans, accustomed to a different practice, easily become sus- pect, and this tragedy is but one of many originating in a perfectly innocent civility. A Welsh correspondent of the "Pall Mall Gazette," reviewing the situation created m Wales by the Education Bill, remarks: — With regard to that portion of the Bill which provides for the creation of a Welsh I National Council, the probability is that it will be withdraw. The principle of a measure of Educational Home Rule for Wales still finds supporters amongst many who are not disciples of the President of the Board of Trade, but the manner in which Mr. LVoyd-George and Mr. Brynmor Jones have pioneered the movement has so completely shattered the confidence of Welsh Conservatives and Churchmen in these two den that as present indications go nothing will suffice to reassure them. No one realises this men keenly than Mr. Lloyd- George himself, and this fiery patriot, who so lately shouted defiance at the minority in Wales, has now set intermediaries to work in the Principality, and is himself quite prodigal in his offers of guarantees.' Appeals in law eases cannot reach a fur- ther stage than the House of Lords; so there is a prospect of a Ml stop being at last placed to the dispute between the Swan- sea Harbour Trust and the Assessment Com- mittee; which has been fined down to the tooirit whether Harbour Trust dues are also to be reckoned in assessing the rate- able value of the harbour. The last judg- ment in the case was given adversely to the Assessment Committee. The latter were rported on Tuesday to have decided to teke the matter to the Lords. Thus a dispute, originally commenced with the most amic- able, feeling, and earnest desire on both sides to avoid any possible non-essential legal expense has run -•-■e full course per- mitted to it by the constitution. The sum at stake, however, is worth the certainty of heavy additional law costs. Litigation is » fascinating pastune; A mama for appeal is a disease to which Swansea public bodies seem peculiarly susceptible. The pity is that, unfortunately, it is all too often mere travelling in a circle, and that the process none; is spent uaeleesly. Bishop Owen's speeches on tbe education1 controversy are to be published in pamph- let form. This will be welcome news to the many tbouaaaf'.p who have heard the bishop during the campaign. The father of Dr. Griffith John (Swansea). the great Chinese missionary, was one of the pioneers of the copper trade. He WIS employed at Penclawdd" Copper Works, then in possession of the father of the late Lord Swansea.. Capt." Pearson, who will be pleasantly remembered as at one time conductor of the Strand Church Army Mission, Swansea, is now engaged in the East End of London. He has put in considerable time in college, and hopes to take Holy Orders. Mr. Brynmor Jones, who has been ap- pointed a member of the Royal Commission to inquire into the conduct of the London police, is not new to this kind of work. He was a member of the Welsh Land Commis- sion, which opened its sittings thirteen years ago to-day. ) Tin is one of the most baling elements in the productive cost of tinplates. Last week the price reached the abnormal figure of JB215 per ton but since then there have been v it lent fluctuations, and in the coarse of a few hours on Monday the price varied between JB175 and JB190. A high price, t steady over a period of months, is di vantageous to the maker, but not nearly so much so as a price that varies greatly from day to day. Swansea United Service Brigade, under the brisk guidance of Commandant Maggs, is reaching out further land further. Now it has been decided to rent premises in AI- exandra-rood as headquarters, where the members of the brigade can gather for social and other purposes. As the organisation has on deposit in the bank a reserve fund of over £100, it is able to embark upon this venture with the full assurance that if the worst happens the brigade will not be fin- ancially crippled. This from tie "London Welshman": Mr. Lewye James, the well-known Welsh vocal- ist, recently took tbe part of "Figaro in the Moody-Manners Opera Company s per- formances in London. The superior cntic of the "Tiroee" in referring to the perform- ance of Mr. Lewys James, pays a high tri- bute to his abilities, but adds that be- trayed "provincialisms of speech." The "South Wales Daily Post" very appropri- ately criticised this observation of the "Times" by remarking/. "Anyhow, 'pro- vincialisms of speech' is better than warlbing 'Hiii 'eppy mowmints <Ty by d y! »lei 1 said. "Daily Pcet" I gUr-e8 tbe 'Timts" critic ie one of the 'eppy ones! -+-- Sir John Llewelyn was able to prevent the Swansea District Council from repeating the mistake made by the Swansea Council in submitting a number of names to the Lord Chancellor 8.f\ suitable persons to a as magistrates. The snub invited by the action was duly received, and the gentle- men who were nominated were made to cut an absurd figure in the public eight. Sir John eaailv convinced the Swansea Dis- trict Councillors tU-vt the better procedure was to direct the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the scarcity of magistrates in the area for which the Council acts; leaving to his Lordship's or the Lord Lieutenant s discretionary powers regarding the selection discretion the selection of suitable men. A section of the Swansea Liberals, not satisfied with forcing politics to the front in connection with municipal affairs, is now apparently determined to introduce party politics into the administration of the poor law. At a meeting of the Liberals of the Ffynone Ward held on Tuesday Dr. Ste- phens was requested to allow himself to be nominated for the vacancy caused by t>h« removal from the town of Mrs. Wilson Paton. We have no objection to Dr. Ste- phens personally, who would probably make as good a Guardian as anyone; but we strongly protest against this intrusion of politics into every public body in the bor- ough. We only want it to figure in the hos- pital management and the <eboat carnival, to complete the programme. A meeting of the committee charged with the task of drafting the constitution of the proposed Welah Board of Education has been called for Friday of next week. S'nce this body was appointed public interest m the subject has considerably abated, for the reason that few now believe that this part of the Education Bill will survive. rn the Horee of Commons it is likely to experi- ence a very smooth course, since the Na- tionalists, otherwise opposed to the Bill, are prepared to support this because it :8 regarded as a concession to too principle of Home Rule. But should it reach the Upper House the peers are likely to make short work of it., especially, as now seems likely, the Comervatives and Church party in Wales signify their thorough disapproval of it. In the light of after events it is now clear that such representatives of the min- ority as were induced to attend the Cardiff conference did so under a gross misappre- hension regarding the nature of the scheme. The sense of having been misled has on y partly been removed by subsequent state- ments promising drastic amendments in the-, clauses as drafted in the Education Bill. Ancient and unrepealed laws for all man- ner of purposes lurk within the labyrinths of oar complicated system. A little legal excavation can usually provide all manner of statues passed in the twelfth or thirteenth centuries with the aid of which many an awkward contretemps can be caused in this go-ahead twentieth oentury age of ours. A news paragraph, as a case in point, states that "The syndicate which contemplated erecting a fair and market at Llandilo will learn with rogret that a Royal Charter, dated 1280, and given by Edward I. to the town (then called Dynervor, now known as Llandilofawr), has been found, which will put an end to the attempt to divert from the town the right of holding fairs I markets within its boundaries." No doubt the "syndicate will learn with regret," and proba-bly with strong words of indignation, that the first of the Edward's sanctioned in the dim and dusty past a regulation that knocks OIl the head a promising commercial rsbeme, prepared in the reign of King Edwards the Seventh. Could this extraor- dinary position arise in any other country under the sun—excluding China—or could there be a more forcible little example of the jungle of legislation, charters, and orders In emncil wioch flourishes in the British legal constitution? If a law had been poised in the Stone age giving the exeJoetvt right to collect flints for arrow beads aod axe blades from one particular quarry to> cer- tain individual, it is morally eertdiitba.t 20 centuries later his descendants^ .oonM they establish identity and proof of., the law, would be enabled to make that claim staxtd good I r Baron and Bamoees Cederstrom and party wene delayed at Neath for an hour by one of the tyres of their motor car being punc- tured. While a. fresh tyre was being fitted an, Madame Patti, the Baron and party re- mained at the Castle Hotel. Judge Bryn Roberts, if deliberate in the hearing of cases, is also conscientious ill his time-aflowanoe for luncheon. He re- turned so quickly after the interval on Mon- day tha.t the ushers had to run helter- skelter for officials, barristers and solicitors, who were whiling the happy momenta away in the corridors. The Ystalyfera Liberals once formed themselves into a Liberal Association. Then they called themselves "The Ystalyfera Liberal (and Labour) Association." Thsy have now been named "Ystalyfera Labour and Liberal Association." Perhaps their next appellation will be "Ystalyfera Labour Association." ♦ » ♦ The Swansea Valley Cana,I was constructed in 1798, under a special Act of 1794. It ex- tends from the North Dock, Swansea, along the western bank of the Tawe to Hen-Noy- add, in Breronsh ire an elevation of b iO feet above the eea. There are 36 locks t(. regulate the canal in its downward now, ad the canal also acts as a feeder for the North Dock. The Canadian Government has adopted a particularly graceful way of acknowledging Sir John Llewelyns keen interest in the Dominion.. Having ascertained his greaij interest in arboriculture, they have sent over some hundreds of young trees distinc- tively Canadian in character. The Cana- dian Government could hardly have con- ceived of a morse acceptable form of a pre- sent for Sir John Llewelyn, with his pas- sion for trees, plants and flowers. At last there seems to be a prospect of the Thomas of Lan monument being actu- ally erected. The movement for appro- priateiy recognising the services of the old gentleman in preserving open spaces for Swansea bae lagged fearfully. It was begum as far back as 1897, or nearly nine years ago, nod it is only now that a month can be fixed for the erection of the memorial. A site has been chosen in Victoria Park, and the monument is likely to be unveiled by Lady Llewelyn in July next-. -+- Col. Morgan appears to have taken in haond a most interesting undertaking at Colbrai, near Ystiadgynlaio. The Roman road in this neighbourhood appears to lose itself in a large mound or hill, and it has been conjectured that the latter would, if excavated, yield substantial reeults. Col. Morgan, fired by the zeal of a genuioe anti- quarian, has engaged about a dozen mea to excavate under the mound, and already finds have been made of a most suggestive chaTacter, and this at a comparatively early stage in the work. It is to be hoped that Col. Morgan's public-spirited effort wilt be richly rewarded. An influent.iaHy attended meeting at the Engineere Institute at Cardiff on Tuesday passed a resolution in favour of the-organ- isation and training of colliery rescue bri- gades of an officer and sixteen men ih each district. The scheme bas not been ela.bor- ated yet, but one "presumes care will be taken to see that members of the brigade are men employed on the surface, so far as possible, and will tljerefore be in no per- sonal danger of-, being overwhelmed in dis- aster calling for the services of such organ- isations and that aeapte eoppliea ofoxy- gen apparatus will be provided, and the men carefully instructed in their use. It is simply astonishing that no such step has been taken before, and nothing but rule of thumb methods followed, rescue parties be- ing left as defenceless against after-damp as the unfortunate victims of the deadly gao. +- A doleful prediction is that of Mr; J. W. Turpie, keeper of Swansea Swansea Harbour meteorological observatory. He told a pressman that for 17 subsequent days to Tuesday the weather would be in general dull, cloudy and coid, with no great amount of rain or of sunshine—an unsatisfactory condition of things. Certainly Wednesday's downpour bore out the prophecy, but as a consolation it is doubtful whether wo ootiM have everywhere more delightful weather then we experienced during a. genuinely fine day. Mediterranean climates are famous, but there is in them a languour and sickly, clammy feeling that 16 absent from the bracing, invigorating, yet balmy sunny days which we obtain in this land of 50- called fog and drizzle. The ill-fame of Eng- lish weather is really a myth. Central Europe, with alternations of severe beast and cold, is far worse off. LlanellyHarbom Commissioners have spent tens of thousands of pounds to secure and maintain a deep-water channel to the docks. New, after two or three expert- en- gineers have had their way without, achiev- ing the purpose in view, we have the Har- bour Trust unanimously deciding to inquire- into the expediency of adopting a very old suggestion. Some of the pilots and masiert of vessels trading to the port have always contended that the channel was spoilt when the Loughor Bridge was built to carry over the G.W.R. One unintentional effect pro duced by the bridge arches, according So these few, was a deflection of the water southward towards Penclawdd, so that the scouring value for tha channel was eonse quentiy lost. The proposal now is to cor red this deflection by the construction of spur, presumably in a -ine with the Loughor Bridge. It is possible, of course that if this be carried out good will result; on the other band, it is equally possible that the ^annel may be made worse by it, and the Uanelly Harbour Commissioners wou.d be well advised to move cautiously in tire maitter, and not without obtaining expert advice. About a score of the Swaaeea. Guardians devoted come hours on Wednesday in deal- ill; with the fifteen applioatione made by officials of the Union for increased salaries. On the whole, the Guardians present seem to have been in a yielding jaiocd, and m creases in fourteen instances wene recom- mended. The officials concerned, however, must restrain their sense of satisfaction until these recommendations come before the whole Board. Past experience teaches us that when assembled in full strength the Guardians of Swansea Union are rarely dis- poeed to be generous in the matter of sal- aries. It would be an excellent principle, and one that would relieve the public men of a most invidious duty, if. whenever an appointment is made, the salary should tie fixed for a period of yean, advances taking place at intervale until the maximum is reach- ed after which no fresh application can be entertained. Under the existing arrange- ment people apply for positions with a ~e- servation in their minds that if successful tfoey will as speedily as possible put in an application for an improved salary. To most members of public bodies the treat- .ment of the salary question k the most dilS- agreeable of all tbe duties undertaken by them* They manage things better in tAanelly. Last week Mr. EL T. Jones paid a band- some tribute to the generous way in which the managers of the non-provided schools had met the Education Committee. Not to be outdone in courtesy, the vicar was equally generous in his references to the members of the committee. Ths lion and the lamb, indeed, are lying down together in Llanelly. BLANKETING THE BEGGARS! [Blankets have been hung round the walls of the boardroom of the Llanelly Guardians for acoustic purposes.] To blanket all the board-room thus Appears a somewhat novel plan; But surely it can be applied To gag- the loud, loquacious man! A blanket in cold water steeped, Flung o 'er a speaker who exceeds would "soon his aoul to reason bring And check his all too wordy deeds. But if loquacity require A course of treatment of this kind "here is the Council Chamber found That shouldn't be with blankets lined? •;M. Saturday was the 257th anniversary of Cromwell's visit to Swansea. "On May 19th, 1648," says the Swansea Corporation minutes, "there came in to this Towne the truly Honorable Oliver Cromwell, Esq., Lifftenant Generall of all the Forces of this Kingdome of England, under the command of the Parliament, Lord of thm Towne, the Seigniory of Gower, and Mannor of Kiltay, with the membens thereof visited Swansea." Cromwell gave Swansea two charters, in- creased the status of its chief magistrate from that of Portreeve to Mayor, and gave Swansea and district separate representation in Parliament. A third sad fatality, though happily of a less tragic character thaj-i its predecessors, occurred at Swansea. on Saturday afternoon, when a young assistant teacher named Rachel Jones, living in Manselton-road, ac- cidentally took a fatal dose of carbolic acid. The evidence at the inquest showed that the unfortunate girl, who had been absent- minded recently through family troubles, poured out the contents of a bottle of car- bolic acid in mistake for medicine, which had been prescribed for her. The moral is the very serious nature of the negligence which is responsible for leaving such a dangerous poison lying haphazard in a place whene it was easily accessible, and one gathers from the evidence that the bottle was actually kept amongst a number of medicine bottles! Such a proceeding al- most invites such a misadventure as has occurred, for the bottles might have been removed from a dark pantry or cup- board for a dose of medicine to be poured into a receptacle, and a terrible mistake woufld thereby be still further facilitated. One of tOO numerous Royal Commissions at present sittings is dealing with the sub- ject of the Sunday Trading Acts, and Capt. Colquhoun, Chief Constable of Swansea, was called to give evidence before it on Monday. He showed that, except in the I case of the old offenders, who considered it worth while persisting in their breach of tbe ancient statute in view of the compara- tive smallness of the maximum fine allowed, the enforcement of the exiting legislation had suppressed the practice. The 282 shops opera five years ago on Sunday bad now dwindled down to seventeen, who contribu- ted the handsome sum of. £300 a year to Corporation coffers. Capt. Colquhoun ap- peared to favour the idea, of raising the fine from 5s. for the first to £5 for the third offence, and it is certain that upon such terms <jveii* the most remunerative of Sun- day concerns would show nothing but a. I dead Ipsa. ,,TW point. ,raised as to, whether he considered that tbe Corporation, would claim exemption for the Jews at Swansea, the reply being in the negative. By reason of their religion it is doubtful whether, im justice, the Jews could, how- ever, be brought under the terms, of the ordinary law. Such Jews as keep their premises open may be reaping a harvest from the Gentile, but are not infringing the tenets of their own religion, and there rests upon them no moral obligation, what- ever to suffer the serious handicap of clos- ing business, not only on their Sabbath, the Saturday, but on Sunday as well. The New Zealand footballers, upon their return borne, have issued quite a large book entitled "The Triumphant Tour of the N.Z. Footbellers," a work described as being from notes by Goo. W. Dixon, manager of tlie team. It contains detailed lIIorlts of every, match played, a number d^fllustra- tions, and about half a dozen critical articles contributed by the captain, vice-captain, and others. One the whole the criticism is not unfair, having regard to the fact that the critics cannot be regarded as disinter- ested persons. Their experience in Wales does not appear to have been altogether agreeable to the tourists, though nothing is said im disparagement of the hospitality offered them. There could not justly be any, for they were treated throughout tbe princes. Bot Welsh sides contributed the one flaw in what would otherwise have been a oomplete triumph, and our "cousins from down under," being only human, do not think of Welsh players the more kindly be- cause of that. The impression they carried away with them, respecting the national teams encountered, was that tbe English were weakest, the Irish .forwards the best, and the Welsh back play slightly better than the Scotch. Of course, the plea. of staleness is advanced for the comparatively disappointing results obtained in Wales. Incidentally, Cardiff is given the credit of being the best club ride encountered during the whole tour. +- To judge by the figures collected by a Welsh barister, published in the "Western Mail," concerning the respective criminality of Wake and England, the time has come to honestly admit that the moral condition of Wales is in soma respects deplorable, and in hardly any serÎQusdirection better than that of the greater country—that in other assertions founded on words he aJleged .aimnal seal and sacrifices for education and superior religious devotion are simple hy- pocrisy of the most irritabingly Pecksniffian kind. Of the Welch counties, the figures in the "Mail" show that no fewer than seven have the unenviable distinction of a record of convictions for drunkenness exceeding the average for England and Wales'. Ang. lesey, tbe best of the Welsh counties, stands tenth on the general list; Glamorgan, with the worst Welsh record, is saved from utter infamy by Northumberland. General crim- inal statistics show the proportion of crimes per 100,000 of people to be as followsFor England (including Monmouth with its fear- fully bad record), all crimes, 174; crimes abainst property, 164, crimes of violence (against the person), 4.76; crimes against morals, 3.24; drunkenness, 647; suicide, 10.04. Now take the twelve counties of Wales, and bene we iinè- the following aver- ages -.—All crimes, 183; crimes against pro- perty, 169; crimes of violence (against the parson), 8.45; crimes; against morals, 4.41; drunkenness, 990 j soicide, 6.34. So that even when Monmouthshire, claimed on ail haiitte as a Welsh County, is exctuded, Wakes has a worse record, acid the diSerocoe be- tween the proportions for offences against morals convey a shocking reflection. Hare I are facts that. c-viaot be explained a*w^y. I In a Swansea County Court ease, the governor of Carmarthen Prison was askeo what plaintiff—who sued for false imprison- ment-would have to do in prison- "He wouldn't have time to do anything," replied the governor, "for on the first day he would come too late; the next day -rould be spent I in getting him into shape, and next day he vent out. He might have .ieea put to a little sewing!" Popular objections to the motor car are fast dying down, and the gentleman who actually evoked a little sympathy for his suggestion, in a letter to the "Times," that the "road hogs" should be peppered with shot guns, would be generally treat-cd now as a lunatic. It is being gradually realised by the thickest-headed individual of a rather obtuse public that a. motor car in capable hands is under better control than the average horse in cart or trap. However, there will always be such cases as those recorded on Tuesday, when Madame Patti- Cederstrom's car, driving in the neighbour- hood of Craig-y-Nos, was pelted with stones by some mischievous youth. A stone narrowly missed the diva's face, and a ladv companion was struck. Vesry serious personal injury could easily have been caused, and it is to be hoped that the lad responsible will be detected, and cont- vinced, by a little judicious corporal punish- ment, of the error of his ways. It is to be regretted that difficulties pre- vented tht orisinal plan of the Welsh Yeomanry Regiments from being carried out. In accordance with this, the Glamor- gans, Pembroke?, Denbighs and Mont- (jomervs were to have camped together at Girth Mountain, but <he heavy rains ren- dered this impracticable. It stands to rea- son that the larger the bodies of troops brought together, the more useful and effec- tive it the training for war purposes. The men get accustomed to act together m large numbers, and the officers have op- portunities for handling moit than single regiments. With over 40,000 Yeomanry in actual training throughout the country, a great v/eakness in the national forces has been corrected. If on the eve of the South African War, such a body had been a.va.il- able, we should have escaped much of the loss In life and treasure due to the pro- longed hostilities in that campaign- Swansea cricket stason promises to be even more unsuccessful than Swansea foot- bali last winter. The First XI. has piayed two matches, and Jost them both; in each instance by a substantial score. This want of success cannot justly be attributed to the younger plavere who have replaced some of the veterans, whose playing days ended last year, for they have contributed a fair proportion of the runs. Tbe most ron- epicuous defect in the performance of the Swansea team of Saturday WM the failure to take catches. Repeatedly chances offered were lest, and the top scorers on the visiting side had, with scarce an exception, to thank this indulgence for the good position they occupied on the scoring sheet- Apart Jrom this, the fielding .vas not unsatisfactory, but there was a marked absence of canbd- ertoe in the batting after the first two or three wickets had fallen. On the other side principal honaumfell to one of the youngest placers in the team, viz., E. Gee, a young schoolmaster, who took five wickets and himself scored fifty runs. At one tima it was hoped that the homesters would escape defeat by playing out time, but the last two or three,, men did not seam to disclose any special capacity for defensive work, and tamely fell to the bowling, ten mwiii.es be- fore the time fix*d for drawing the wickets. A certain clasTof the public reVel with a ghoulish or vampire-like delight in the details of a sanguinary tragedy, and the more gruesome the circumstance the more highly thrilled and satisfied are these mor- bid and ignorant people. A JV**?- amount of curiosity was manifested m the funerals of the victims of the Mumbles and the Strand tragedies- Women were the principal offenders, and they did net ace-m to consider anything amiss with the cir- cumstanoe that they had in many casea brought their children along with them, thereby imbuing their progeny with a pie-a. sune in such eoencs. The primitive instavct which revels in the "Police Budget for its literature, aod melodramas flowing wjth blood, and electric with mtan irom the first act to the fourth act, for its drama is very strongly represented at Swansea. But. there is no need to ascribe this morbidity to that mysterious quantity, the "Cetinc temperament." After all it is only sixty years since parties of quite refined people were made up to Witness executions. These little shortcomings on the part of a. section should npt impair OUT recognition of the fact that on the whole there is a sensible and progressive improvement in public decency, ajid that even the morbid do not like quite so much "blood and brains" about the mur- ders and suicides tbat furnish the staple in- terest of their lives as they used to. Patience alone is wanted; but if somebody has occasion to wnte a. similar paragraph upon this topic in the year 2006 then, we admit, there will be justification for pessim- ism and disappointment. The methods adopted by the daily press in dealing with these tragedies are perhaps the best con- crete example of this improvement in public taste. Except in a. few obscure prints, the more intellectual characters of crime are alone exhaustively treated, and a sense of delicacy and restraint is exhibited utterly foreign to it a. few generations back. Feudal relics are picturesque and suffi- ciently worthy of preservation when they assume the shape of ivy mantled ruins, like Oystennouth Cbstle. But when they exist in the shape of musty parchment laws they a.re simply an intolerable nuisance. Of this Swansea has been reminded by the annual holding of that vesnerable institution and farce, the Court Leet. Tliere is pictures- aueress in the quaint ceremonials, as ela- borate and absurd as Chinese etiquette, and quainter official duties of the Court Leet. But they are mere names, and shadows of names to-day. The pound-keeper does ac- tually do » little work, one believe*; since animate have learned the art of finding and keeping their way as little m the twentieth as in the tenth century. But gone are the clones of the ale-tasters, the haywatds, aad the Test of the fraternity; remains oaly a number of prosaie and sedate gemtlemen, whose investiture with these honours is the pretext for an ordinary, common-place luach. These two adjectives are affixed advisedly. If these ancient dignities can be no longer regarded seriousfly why preserve them, and continue the reduction to a farce of an old relic of medievalism whose memory is, from the aforesaid picturesquenees of its asso- ciation, worth preservation undefiled! When old institutions cease to be picturesque the? should gently but firmly be suppressed forth- wrtih. AniiquairaOTR and cultured generally would not regret a course which iade it possible to continue respect wards this survival of far distant times, and bhie public generally wou2d benefit im- mensely by the abolition of the feudal us- ages and privileges connected with the in- stitution. As matteas stand the Court Leet is neither digninednor useful; the annual Ittioch, tha chief feature of it. benefits only a very small number of privileged pmisons; r the "foreshore rights of too Ehikeof Beau- fort., which it preserves, are sanpiy a nais- ance to the comihunity at large, and of very small real value to their ->bJe owner, I Allusion has been made in the "Daily, Post" to the absence of desire shown by some of the tramway drivers and conduc- tors to consider the convenience of the pub- lic. These men, of course, have no pecu- niary inducement to take the receipts into account, and the thoughtless among them1 lUf; apt to treat possible patrons with very scant courtesy. In this regard they do not profit by the examfp0e of the manager and the principal officials who at all times are most obliging. Now that the attention of Mr. James has been diretced to the matter, we may confidently expect. a marked im- provefnent. At the annua! Court Leet held in Swan- sea on Monday, allusion was made to the fact that a few years ago it was understood that his Graoe, tbe Duke of Beaufort, was not disinclined to accept the mayoralty of Swansea, and the hope was expressed that he would yet consent to serve in that cap- acity. Cannot something be done to ap- proach his Grace directly in the matter? We are confident that if the Duke of Beau- fort were brought into close personal con- tact with the town, several matters which have troubled the Council for years might be satisfactorily arranged. For one thing, it is highly desirable in the interests of Swansea that the bad impression pro- duced some years ago, when the late Duke visited the town, and at a political gather- ing was subjected to discourtesy, should be removed. It is not fair that a community should be judged by the conduct of a few acting under tœ excitement of a. political contest.

SWANSEA AND THE NATIONAL > EISTEDDFOD. It is gratifying to know that the officials and memfcers of the various executive com- mittees are bestirring themselves in earnest over the arraaigemenits for the National Eisteddfod gatherings next year at Swan- sea And not a day too soon either, for there is much preparatory work to be done, some of which reqvires considerable time. One practical measure which it is expected will be completed by the end of the week is the obtaining in proper form of guarantees for the oum of £1,000. This is required by and has been promised to the National Eis- teddfod Association, the secretary of which is Mr. Vincent Evans, London. About £800 had bien guaranteed early in the week, and no serious difficulty was apprehended in securing the additional £200. But this £1,000, it should be remembered, is only the minimum figure necessary to satisfy the requirements of/the association. The guar- antee fund must be rrrodh more than this to provide a margin of safety, and also in jus- tice to the original guarantors, who other- wise might, in the event of financial failure, have to meet heavier obligations than they have reckoned upon. However, the main thing is to take every possible precaution against failure. "Pis not in mortals to command suooees"; it is for the managing body to do more—deserve succass. There are factors, unfortunately, beyond human control or influence, and these have to be provided far. It is now realised by local eisteddfodwyr that they cannot look to the Corporation for a suit-able place of meeting. As we ventured to predict at the time would be the case, the abandonment of the market scheme in the hope that a pavilion would be rai»*?d in Victoria Park, left no practical alternative. It was fatuous to ex- peet that the Cofporation would go to the expanse of providing a pavilion capable of accommodating 20,(XX) people. And enlarge- ment of a smaller structure would have meant nearly as much expense as the raising of a temporary building for the exclusive use of the eisteddfod. The committee can- not too quickly take this matter seriously m hand. For if executed satisfactorily and economically, there must be no hurrying of the contractors. And necessarily the pre- liminaries, when dealt with by a committee meeting only at intervals, occupy weeks and even months. One suggestion made by the secretary, Mr. A. B. Davies, if found prac- ticable, promises to appreciably reduce the cost and the other difficulties. It is to ask for the use of the St. Helen's Cricket Field, utilise the grand stand for thechornl plat- form, and construct the pavilion from south to nortth acrces the field. One of the first steps to be taken is to ascertain whether the usfc of the field can be obtained—no slight concession, by the way, as t.he building will render the ground unplayable for cricket during some weeks—and, further, a report from some practical expert as to its adapta- bility for the purposes required. It would be superfluous almost to remark that the whole community of the borough is more or lees interested in making the National Eis- teddfod of 1007 a success, and that the classes who istiand to pecuniarily benefit by. it should be the readiest to come forward as guaran- tors and subscribers.

SWANSEA CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING: EXCELLENT PROGRESS. PROTEST AGAINST THE EDUCATION ACT. The annual meeting of the Swansea Con; servative Association was held on Wednes- day night in the Salisbury dub. Mr. J. R. Davies presided over a representative gathering, and was supported, amongst others, by Colonel J. R. Wright, J.P., Mr. L. P. Coward, Mr. J. R. Leaver, and the agent (Mr. F. Waddington). The annual report and statement of ac- counts was unanimously adopted on the pro- position of Mr. J. R. Davies, seconded by Colonel Wright, J.P., who both spoke of the excellent progress made by the association in the organisation and registration work. Sir John Llewelyn, Bart., was re-elected president, on the proposition of Col. Wnght, who referred to the great work Sir Jotui had done for the party. Mr. Mears seconded. The following vice-presidents were elected The Duke of Beaufort, Lord Swan- sea, Lord Dynevor, Lord Tredegar, Mr. Roger Beck, Col. J. R. wright, Mr. L. P. Coward, and Mr. A. F. Eden. The Chairman (Mr. J. R. Davies) and bon. treasurer (Mr. J. n., Leaver) were again re-elected to the posts they have heki for so many years, and reference was made to their many years' loyal work. The fol lowing resolution wae passed on the pro- position of Mr. Davies, seconded by Col. Wright: "That this meeting of the Swansea Con- servative Association strongly protests against the iniquitous Education Bill intro- duced by the present Government and pledges itself to use all legitimate means to defeat the objects it has in view." A vote of thanks to the chairman, pro- posed by Mr. L. P. Coward, concluded the meeting-

IRISH ORE FOR SWANSEA. THREE HUNDRED BAGS FROM OLD WATERFORD MINES. The first shipment of copper from the Bcnmahon Mines (Waterford), which have been reopened after lying idle for many yeare, has taken place, 300 bags of ore hav- ing been despatched to Swansea. One hundred and fifty men are now at work in the minet

OFF TO ALFONSO. PRINCESS ENA LEAVES LONDON There was an enormous crowd at Victoria Station, London, on Thursday morning to witness the departure of Princess Ena of Battenberg for Madrid. Her Royal Highness, wih her mother and brothers, drove from Kensington Palace at about nine o'clock through gaiy decorated streets, and was everywhere received in the most cordial fashion by the people who tad assembled along the route in great Dum- oe™ to witness her departure. The stoeets and houses were for the the most part decorated with flags, and t»he greatest csifauszasm was manifested. At Victoria there was a larger attendance of privileged personages than perhaps on any occasion of recent date. The platform wai carpeted, and the royai waiting-room, which was specially opened, was decorated with flowers and plants. Tbe royal special train, was drawn up opposite the platform, and its saloons were brightly decked with choice flowers. Assembled on the carpeted space were the personnel of the Spanish Embassy, the leading members of the Spanish Colo-ay in London, representatives of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, and all the m^noVrj of the suites connected with the Endisir Royal family. Over a dozen of tbe Spanisa ladies and gentlemen present carried bou- quets as offerings to the Princess. Many of these were of orchids, ana a few were ;.f magnificent roses. Several of them were toed with broad ribbon in the Spanish coloars.. The future Queen reached the station at about ten minutes past nine, but did not appear in public until just before the train started. She held a reception in the Royal waiting-room and here the various members of the Royal family said their farewell in private. They arrived at various times, down to 9.30, and included the King and Queen, Princess Victoria, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duci^sa of Connanght, Prince Arthur of Connan^h- Princess Patricia of Uonnai^ht,, Prince .,nd Princess Christian, Princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig Holstein, Princess Victoria of Schleswig Holstein, Prince and Princess Alexander of Teck, and the Duke of Teck and Duchess of Albany, At 9.40 the Royal party left the waiting- room and crossed to the special train through a wide avenue formed by the spectators. Meanwhile those who brought the bouquets had presented them to the future Queea in the Royal waiting-room, and had at her request placed them in the saloon, the Princess retaining one beautiful bunch of orchids to carry in her hand. She walked to the train leaning en the arm of the King. Behind them came ths Queen with the mother of the bride; then Princess Christian, leaning on the arm of the Prince of Wales, and the various other members of the Royal family and suites in the rear. As the future Queen stepped into the saloon the Spaniards called for cheers for her Royal Highness, and these were given with extreme heartiness, the British ladies and gentlemen among the sightseers cheered in turn, and amid a scene of extra- ordinary enthusiams the train moved of at a quarter to ten. The bride-cleet looked radiantly happy. She is accompanied to Spain by her mother and brothers, and all members of the house- hold, the latter including Lord William Ceeit. Miss Minnie Cochrane and Col. Col- bourne. Those privileged to witness the farewell scene in the Royal waiting-room declared the parting to be of a most affec- tionate and affecting character on tbe part of every member of the Royat family pre- sent PRINCESS AT DOVER. The Prinoess and party reached Dover at twenty minutes to twelve, and embarked on the steamer Onward for the passage actors the Channel. She received a hearty send-off from the public.

WELSH AT 'FRISCO. EXPERIENCES IN THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE. GRAPHIC LETTERS FROM SWANSEA VALLEY PEOPLE. RUINED IN AN HOUR. The following extracts are taken from » letter written by Mrs. Jones, the widow of the late Mr. William Jones (the well-known "Welsh Consul at 'Frisco), to her sister, Mrs. T. Daniel, of Aberdulais: — "I have tried to write to you several timet, since our awful calamity, but it 's dil'icult to cenoentrate one's thoughts. You have read of it in the newspapers, and uo doubt you are anxious for ouE/safefy. Thank Gcd, we have all been spared our lives, but hon eless; all we possessed have been swept away by fire. Oh, the horror of it all! First there was the earthquake, which was r..er- rific. I certainly thought the end of ill tim" had come. To describe it is impos- sible. I thought the house would have fallen on us, as many houses did; but God was merciful to us and we were spared. Tben the fire! Oh, such a fire; it seemed as though the angel of destruction bad be?n sent to destroy the city. Fire broke out :n several plaoes at once, merging into one huge conflagration that no device of man cculd conquer. For two days there was no wind, but on the third day the west wind blew, hurling the flames to us, consuming all we possessed. "The home which had been so dear to us .11, and sheltered with hospitality many a ore, associated with all our joys, hopes, and sorrows, was swept away in a oouple of hours. The only consoling thought in the midst of it all was that my beloved husband had been spared that shock, and tha;, it did not happen a year ago. "My losses are irreparable—accnmNa- tion of 40 years-some brought from Wales by William and I; gifts that were given me and his possessions that were priceless to me. All gonel It is so hard to realise it: bereft of my husband, home and in oome within ten months. This is a severe blow to me at my age. I am now staying with my only sister. San Francisco is a desolate waste, but the spirit of their tore- fathers is strong within the people, and they will re-build. A portion of the resi- dential section was left. A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. The following letter from Mr. Bates Jones, nephew of the late Mr. William Jones, 'Frisco, and of Gelligron Farm, Pon- tardawe, is also interesting :—I cabled you that I was safe. I don't know whether that went through or not, on account of so many wires beiug down, and the enormous rush of messages. The 'quake came about 5.15 on April the 18th. It threw everything down in my bedroom: Chest of drawers flat on the floor, books, pictures, etc. It was a ter- rible experience, but I did not realise it was so bad until 1 went out and saw some of the chief buildings—the City Hall, as well as many other prominent structures. It was an awful sight. I lost nearly every- thing. Although I did not know until the following day my experience was the same as thousiais l.t '-vtiers. No K>od except, bis- euits foe two days, and sleeping in the squares for a couple of nightc. Since the big 'quake, we have had dose upon 60 small ones. Everyone is taking it in a good-natured way.

SLOW SPEED TO SWANSEA. SEMI-CRIPPLED STEAMER IN PORT. The steamer Clarissa Radcliffe, of Cardiff, arrived Rotterdam, reports on May 15, 4u N., 10 W., spoke British steamer St. Nicholas, South America for Swansea, with furnace-crown of boiler collapsed; proceed- ing for destination with one boiler? making about four-knot speed. The St. Nicholas is now in Swanoeak,