Weekly Mail

CAHDIFF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. PKOPOSED VICTORIA PABK-BOAD. The Cardiff Public Works Committee on Wednesday received appUcatioDIS for the position of clerk of the works for the new Roath sewer. Mr. W. H. Hewitt, of Cardiff, was appointed, at £2 10s. per week.—For the office of junior shorthand clerk in the engineer's office only one Cardiff man, Mr. Chares Harold Parker, of 1, Talbot-street, applied, and he was unanimously appointed. —A letter from the Local Government Board was read by the Clerk (Mr. Cornish), from which it appeared that they would have no objection to grant permission for the borrow- ing of £5,000 to provide an Ordnance map for the town, on condition that the sewers were shown. Mr. Harpur, the borough engineer, said that the sewers would not be actually marked on the map, but the man- holes would show the line of sewers.—The Local Government Board consented to the borrowing of £ 4.140 for asphalting Mount Stuart-square, but after ascertaining the possible life of sruch work they were not pre- possible life of sruch work they were not pre- pared to a How the repayment to spread over ten yea.rs. Mr. Veall stated that an asphalte pavement in Mount Stuart-square would last about 25 years. Mr. Harpur said that the asphalte in Caroline-street, where there was much greater traffic than in Mount Stuart- square, had been down for ten years, and had not been touched yet.—Alderman Trounce attended the meeting in order to put before the members the advisa- bility of renaming Newport-road Victoria- road, in honour of the Queen's Jubilee. The Chairman (Alderman Daniel Lewis) pointed out that there was a great deal of difficulty in changing the name of a street on account of the way the leases had been drawn out. Mr. F. J. Beavan stated that he wanted Pont«mna-street re-named about twelve mouths a.go. but the same objection was raised then. Alderman Ramsda'e. while appreciating Alderman Trounce's loyalty, said there were not one-third of the inhabitants of Newport-road who would consent to an alteration of the name. He moved that the committee could not see their way to comply with the suggestion. Mr. F. J. Beavan said they had decided to christen the Canton Park Victoria Park, and it was unanimously resolved that the road surrounding it should be amed Victoria Park-road. Alderman Trounce said that although he had given notice of motion to alter the name of Newport-road he would not pursue the matter further.

Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. Sold in bottles, 2b. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Its unfailing success where all other remedies have failed entitles it to be acknow- Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. Sold in bottles, 2b. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Its unfailing success where all other remedies have failed entitles it to be acknow- ledged as the Uotiv*U«d Tonic Bemed £ of tbe A^e.

SONS OF TEMPERANCE. ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT CARDIFF. THE DELEGATES AND SUNDAY CLOSING. The opening reception of the delegates attending the forty-second annual conference of the National Division of Great Britain and Ireland of the Sons of Temperance took place at the Cory Memcrial-hall, Cardiff on Satur- day evening. Mr. John Cory. J.P.. being urable to attend, Mr. Lewis XViliiams, J.P., presided on his behalf. There were somfe 160 delegates present.—Mr. Williams wel- ocired the conference to Cardiff, and stated that this was the first time it had been held in Wales. He called upon those present to wit- ness the benefits of temperance in Wales. The temperance party had obtained Sunday Closing, n,nd now the streets of Cardiff and other Welsh towns were very ordterly indeed and presented ori a Sunday quite a different to what would be witnetisfed in many town." in other parts of the United Kingdom. Of course, there were disorderly scenes just ovier the border, and these were brought up against the Act. but it was not the Act itself, but the bona tide traveller clause, that was refcponsible for this. The remedy was the extension of the Act over the whole country and the abolition of the bona fide traveller clause, and he hoped that these things would come to pass m the n\.&r futnure. EVENING MEETING. A public meeting was afterwards held, at which Mr. William Davies, G.W.P., pre- sided.—The meeting was addressed by Mr. C. H. Gorringe. M.W.P. (London), who ex- pressed pleasure at the rteoeption accorded the delegates. He was pleased to see the pro- gress temperance had made in Cardiff and Wales generally. It was, he thought, a result of which the temperance workers could well be proud. He believed in the principles of Sunday Closing, and strongly advocated its general adoption throughout the country. Notwithstanding what certain sections of the press said, Wales stood in front of other por- tions of the United Kingdom. The Sons of Temperance were breaking all previous records, thert) being an increase of 2,725 :'n adult members and 1.406 in cadets.—Bro. W Wightman, P.M.W.P. (London), followed, and said the best evidence of the advantages of Sunday Closing was the outcry against it by the trade. Why, he asked, did they bark if they were not bitten ?—Mr. J. Saunderson, P.M.W.P. (York), also spoke, and. during the evening a musical programme, which was greatly appreciated by the visitors, was ren- dered by the Blue Ribbon Choir. CHURCH PARADE. On Sunday afternoon the delegates assembled at tnte Cory Memorial-hall at 3.40, and, headed by the Tongwynlais Temperance Band, under the oonductorship of Mr. J. Liveaey, inarched to St. John's Church, where an teloquent sermon was preached by Canon Thompson, D.D., on the text "Be not weary in well doing." FIRST CONFERENCE. The conference opened on Monday in the Ajrv Memorial Hall. Bro. O. H. Gorringe, London (Most Worthy Patriarch), took the chair at ten o'clock. There was an attendance of 190, of whom 27 were new delegates. PRESIDENT'S REPORT. The President, on rising for the fotirth time to present his report, said there was abundant evidence that their Order was growing in numbers and usefulness, and that the last four years had seen developmenta and improvements. He remembered the last session of the National Division in Wales, viz.. that at Merthvr TydtP in 1885. They were then some 23,000 or 24,000 strong, including cadets, but to-day they mus- tered upwards of 54,000, being more than double the previous number—an encouraging progress, and one which should stir the membership up to greater zeal and activity. (Applause.) The President referred to the Queen's Diamond Reign, and suggested that a special effort should be made to celebrate the event. He would like to see a determined effort to increase the membership, and after that something in the nature of & National Division Benevolent Fund. There was nothing of importance to report under the head of "Friendly Society Politics." The question of old-age pensions was the sub- ject of an expert Commission, but he trusted that they, as a temperance organisation, would find a. way of solving the problem for them- selves. Dealing with temperance politics, the president said that it was satisfactory to note that the Irish Sunday Closing Act had passed its second reading, but its present chances of third reading were remote. Touching upon a variety of topics of special interest to the Order, the president made an appeal to the conference to pass the necessary alteration of rule for the establishment of a national aid fund. Where there were so many large and wealthy societies holding out inducements to candidates, it was impossible to expect that the Order could be successfully introduced into unrepresented districfa until some such guarantee as was now suggested could be held out. PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY. Bro. W. Clarke (M.W. Scribe), in presenting his report, remarked that the total numerical strength of the Order on December 31 last was 37,619, whioh was the largest increase recorded in anv one year since the organisation was established. Twenty-six adult branches and 16 juvenile branches had been started during the year, with an increase of 2,725 adults and 1,405 juveniles. The sickness rate had been 7 67 days per member per annum. The death rate for the last year had been 6%51 per 1,000 per annum; the highest rate recorded during the last 22 years had been slightly over 8 per cent. per 1,000. The qtoss total of funds was £155,807 Is. 3d.. showing a net gain during the year of £14,320 2s. THE JUVENILE ORDER. Bro. W. J. Wightman (Most Worthy Patron) submitted a congratulatory report upon the progress of the juvenile Order. The year 1896 commenced with a membership af 14,984 cadets in 338 sections. Dring the year 5,650 children were admitted. Of this number 2,539 left through non-payment of dues, 653 withdrew or were transferred to other sections, nine violated the pledge, and 57 died. The reports were referred to the several com- mittees for subsequent consideration. The conference then proceeded to discuss the business of the digest. An impotra.nt motion was submitted by Bro. Wightman (London), seconded by Bro. H. Dunkley (London), to ra.ise a national aid fund, with a view, by means of a. levy of a. small payment, to get a sum of money out of which aid might be afforded to outlying branches.— Bro. Williams (Merthyr) wished to extend the provision, but. in deference to an expression of opinion, he withdrew, a.nd the vote was taken on the main issue. By the rules a nine-tenths majority was necessary. The oounting gave 146 for and 42 against. Owing to the action of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Bishop Auokland, Manchester, and Bristol, the whole question was again set aside, and remains for future sessions. AFTERNOON SITTING. On re-assembling at two o'clock, Bro. C. H. Gorringe again presiding, telegrams of con- gratulation were received from the Ashton Unity of Shepherds, the National Independent Order of Oddfellows, and kindred societies. Bro. Hayes (Sheffield) and Bro. Connolly (Salford) proposed and seconded an alteration of the objects of the Order, to include a national fund, out of which payment might be made, in lieu of small sickness benefits, of a, final sum by wny of compensation to any member incapacitod by accident from again following his employment.—On the suggestion of Bro. Gill, the matter was deferred. On behalf of London, t Bro. Vincen moved, and Bro. J. P. Budd seconded, a resolution to change the basis of representation, whioh at present allows local branches to send representatives in addition to those sent by the districts. He proposed that only dist-icts should be directly represented.—Bro. John Dunkley (London) supported.—Bro. W. W > d- field (Enfield) opposed, as did Bros. Price (Derby). Jones (Manchester), Hewitt (Man- chester), Birch Manchester), Tranter (Man- chester), and Heslop (Newcastle-upon-Tvne); while Bros. Crawley (London) Davev 'Sa ford), Brown (London). Rickards (Wolverhampton), and Wightman (London) spoke for :he motion, which, on a vote being taken, was defeated. After dealing with Feveral routine matters the conference adjourned

SECOND DAY'S CONFEBENCE. The forty-second annual session of the Sons of Temperance National Division of Great Britain and Ireland was continued on Tuesday in the Cory Memorial-hall. Cardiff. Bro. C. H. Gorringe, M.W.P. (London), asmin presided. There was a full attendance of delegates. The first subject discussed after the formal opening was the place of meeting for next year.—Bro. Hawthorn proposed Hanley. and Bro. Pinder Lincoln. Hanley received 91 votes and Lincoln 70. The former town was, therefore, elected. ELECTIONS. Bro. E. Hallsworth (Salford) was unani- mously chosen M.W.P. for the ensuing term. For the poet of M.W.A. Bros. Scott (New- castle). Lougher, Duncan, Ridgway, Gleadhill, and Pedders were nominated, and, as the result of the voting, Bro. A. J. W. Jenkina was re- elected. Bro. Clarke (Manchester) was re- elected as Most Worthy Scribe, entering upon his twenty-third year of office, and the follow- ing were also re-elected:—Bro. Gill (London) as M.W.T. and Bro. Chalmers (Glasgow) as M. W. Chap. For the poet of Most Worthy Con- ductor several names were nommated, and ultimately Bro. Lougher (Merthyr) was re- elected. CADET ETIQUETTE. The conference in the oourse of the morning rose to the occasion. A difference of opinion for the first time slightly ruffled the smooth equanimity of agreement. It came about in this way. The speoial committee, in its recom- mendations re the admission into the nob-e Order of Cadets or Juveniles, stipulated that the temperance pledge shall be as follows ;1 promise to abstain from the use of all intoxi- cating liquors and tobacco in every form." Then came the following:—"Ine suspension of benefits shall not follow the violation of the clause relatinsr to tobacco,"—Bro. Ridgway. P.G.W.P. (Salford) proposed an amendment, whioh evoked an exciting discussion. Bro. R.dgway, as a representative of the section which, while it abstains from drink, does not eschew the pipe, threw scorn upon the way in which the pledge and proviso had been framed. He proposed as an amendment to eliminate the words "and tobacco in every form," arguing that it would bo absurd and inconsistent to prohibit tobacco as a vice and then to seem to make it permissible by not suspending the benefits to cadets who are addicted to the habit. They must, he said, have one thin? or the other.—The conference finally decided by 96 to 60 to incorporate the amendment in the rules. At one o'clock deputations were rece'ved from various temperance societies. The Inderendent Order of Røcha-bites were introduced, an address of we1 come beiny presented bv Bro. J. Jenkins fa member of the board of directors). Bra J. Fercruson. Deputy R.W G M.. aW extended a, cordifJ welcome on beha f of the Good Templars of Glamoran. Mr. Daviri Shepherd (secretary of the CardJr Temperance Prohibition Association) gave a further speech of welcome. SUNDAY CLOSING AND LOCAL VETO. The Rev. Trrtius Phillips (representing the United Kingdom Alliance) assured the conference that they in Wales appreciated the benefits of Sunday Closing. The also had before Parliament a Bill more thorough than any previous measure, viz., the Welph Veto Bill. (Applause.) They would be srlad to have that measure passed into law, in order to show to the rest of the wor'd an object lesson in controlling the liquor traffic, and one which he hoped might make England fully determined also to have the same boon in operation. (Applause.) They longed for this fuller control in Wales, and. what was more, were prepared for it. (Renewed applause). Mr. F. W. Brett. as vice-president of the Cardiff Band of Hope Union, and Mr. Bryant (as hon. secretary) also offered words of welcome and sympathy. THE ABSENCE OF THE FAIR SEX. The Most Worthy Patriarch was cheered on rising to reply. Noting the absence of ladies, he supposed it did not signify anything—that it did not mean the ladies of Cardiff did not t?ke an actve interest in temperance work. The Chairman, in his remarks, expounded the view that the licensing question had been greatly neglected by temperance people in the past. Although, perhaps, everyone might not aeree with him. he thought that if instead of trying new machinery they utilised the present, the results they desired might be more immediately obtainable. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the con- ference might be an inspiration to them and the societies of which they were members, and, in conclusion, said the organisation higruy appre- ciated the kindly interest taken in them by Mr. John Cory and others on the occasion of their visit to Cardiff. (Applause.) The business of the conference was then resumed upon matters of detail affected by the recommendations of the special committee. The conference adjourned at 2.30. MAYOR'S RECEPTION. In the evening the mayor of Cardiff (Alder- man Ebenezer Beavan) and Mrs. Beavan enter- tained the delegates to a reception at the Town- hall His worship had invited all the members of the corporation, and a good many accepted the invitation. The mayor had also issued invi- tation tickets to about 500 of the leading citiKcns, with their wivei and families. The delegates and their wives were also present, and the pssembly-room, in which the reception took place, was crowded. His worship (in his robes of office) and the mayoress received the com- pany on entering, being also accompanied by their daughters. Miss Flossie and Miss Roeie Beavan. A choice programme of music was trono through, the conductor 1.eiJj Mr. J. F. Proud, and the accompanist Miss Rose White. Items in the programme were rendered by Messrs. Carston. Bartlett. Proud. Collins. and Angier. Mrs. W. Proud. Miss Morgan, Mrs. Merrit, and others. The duties of catering were under the supervision of Mrs. Barry, St. Maiy-street.

ODDFELLOWS, M.U., AT DOUGLAS. The Annual Movable committee meeting of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was opened in the Pavilion, at Douglas, on Monday morning. The meeting is the largest in the h16tory of the U nity, 643 delegates having bean appointed to attend as representatives of lodges in the United Kingdom, and when the proceedings com- menced upwards of 600 delegates were actually in attendance. The attractions of the Isle of Man and the widespread interest taken in the question of State-aided pensions are mainly responsible for the large attendance, but the rapid growth of the membership of the Order, which now holds the premier position among the Friendly Societies, will naturally be accompanied by an increasing representa- tion at the annual meetings of the Society. Bro. S. Turner, of Bury (Grand Master), occupifed the chair, and was supported among others by Bro. E. Lukey ^deputy Grand Master). GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS. The Grand Master, Bro. S. Turner, who was received with applause, having thanked the delegates for his election, extended to them a hearty welcome to the Isle of Man. When the A.M.C. was last held there, in 1841. it was attended by 310 deputies, and the Unity comprised 179,545 members, whilst on the present occasion 643 deputies had been chosen, and from the 1st of January last the Unity had grown to 769.969 members. When the work of the past year was taken into account from a. numerical point of view, and the year 1895 from a financial one, it would be seen that there had been a very large gain in numbers as well as a great addition to the accumulated funds of the Unity. The membership of the Unity on the 1st of January was 900,668, composed of adult male members, 769,969; widows subscribing for funeral benefits, 10,479; juvenile members, 106,632; honorary members, 11,449; and female members 2,139. The financial statement was only oompleted up to the end of 1895. The income for that year was £1,146,363; the pay- ments for benefits to members, £857,793; and the increase of funds on the year, £288,569. The total capital of the Order was £9,041,545. (Cheers.) The question of secessions was, undoubtedly, one of serious importance, not only to the society, from which the large num- ber of 22,218 members leave in one year from, the non-payment of their contributions, but also to the members themselves, and, though the numbers were slightly lower last year than in previous years, yet they were such as to cause very anxious thought to all well-wishers of the Friendly Society movement. The ques- tion of female lodges had been advanced another step towards & settlement by the new tables of contributions and benefits which had been pre- pared by the actuaries. Since the last A.M.C. the directors had sanctioned appropriations of surplus capital amounting to £25,525. It was to be hoped that in future great caution would be exercised in dealing with surplus capital, especially in view of the tendency of many of the valuations now being completed, as well as the general drift of the sickness and mortality experience of Friendly Societies, as analysed by Mr. ton, and the comparison of the same with the data of the Manchester Unity bv the actuaries, Messrs. R. Watson and Sons. The duties of their directors continued to increase, and not the least part of the very important duties they had to perfrom was that of examining into and reporting on the applications for assistance from distressed d s- tricts and lodges. It might be said of this ques- tion that whilst, on the one hand, the Unity would always hold out a generous and helping hand to those lodges and districts who had done all they could to help themselves, yet. at the same time, where districts, as a whole, were more than solvent, simple equity required that assistance should be rendered by the district to one or two of its distressed lodges before cla m- ing on the Unity fund. The arrangements made in connection with lodge surgeons in many quarters appeared to have become somewhat strained, and hard terms had been applied to the claims put forward by tho profession. The question would be found, on closer examination, to resolve itself into one of supply and demand. Referring to the national conference of Friendly Societies, he said it possessed a power for good so long as the requests made were within reason- able limits and for the national good. Referring to her Majesty's record reign, the Grand Master said that Oddfellows had always been noted for their loyalty to the Throne. In the year 1837 a loval address was presented on behalf of the 80.000 members of the Unity, end in 1887, on the celebration of her Majesty's Jub lee. an address was presented personalis to the Qme'n bv Grand Master Rust and P.G.M. StockalL He felt he was echoing the sentiments of every- one at that meeting in giving utterance to their congratulations to her Majesty on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. (Cheers.) A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Grand Master for his address. PARLIAMENTARY REPORT. P.G.M. J. J. Stockall, of London. Parliamen- tary agent, presented his annual report, which expressed thanks to Mr. Hanbury, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, for the manner in which he steered the Friendly Societies' Consoli- dation Bill through Parliament. Nothing of great importance directly affecting Friendly Societies was before Pari ament. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE QUEEN. Mr. Stockall (London) then proposed that the Manchester Unity congratulate her Majesty Queen Victoria on her long reign, and expresses its hope that she may long be enabled to govern a happy, prosperous, and united Empire. Mr. Rust (Lynn) seconded the proposition, as the Jubilee Grand Master of the Order. The proposition having been carried, the audience, upstanding, sanoQ" the National Anthem, amid a scene of marked enthus asm. On the proposition of Mr. Ttinstall (Liver- pool). it was resolved to follow the precedent of the Jubilee year, and present an address of congratulation to the Queen. A SCENE. Mr. Hind (Chesterfie'd) proposed a resolu- tion expressing deep sympathy with the rela- tives of the twenty deceased miners who lost their lives in the Snaefell Lead Mine, and that a grant of £ 200 be made from the Unity fund. Coming from a mining district, he remarked that he knew something of the terrible death from black damp. Mr Naylor (Southampton) seconded. Mr. Myera (Bramlev) moved as an amend- ment that a grant of £100 be made. The amendment having been declared carried by a majority of 30, a scene of much confusion and disorder ensued with respect to the count- ing of the votes. Mr. Cardew asserted that the vote was the reverse of the decision. The Grand Master pointed out it would be no use appointing tellers if the meeting would not accept their decision. Mr. Cardew continued to protest against the decision amid much disorder, which was con- tinued for several minutes. The estimates committee was elected as follows:—Messrs. Cardew (North Louden), Holden (Saddlesworth), Redwood (Bristol), Main ^Portsmouth), Naynes (Norwich), Mcto (Douglas) Naylor (Southampton).Waite (Cocker- mouth), and Blair (Tor-bridge). Telesxams of congratulation were received from Mr. Howell Davies, ex-mayor of Bristol, and various kindred friendly societies.

THE PAYMENT OP WET BENTS. The Annual Movable Committee of the Man- chester Unity of Oddfellows was resumed in the Pavilion, Douglas on Tuesday. Grand Master S. Turnec of Bury, presided.—An, in- tuesting discussion took place upon the condemned practice of paying wet rents lodge-rooms, on a clause in the investing oommittee's report. The committee reP~f0]» with rtegret that, notwithstanding the tion passed at the Bristol meeting, the of paying wet rents still extensively pre: vailed in many parts of the country. instancte a lodge paid twelve night, and in return received six gall^Vl beer. Nor was this applicable only to houses, for in another instance alleged that at a lodge held a temperance cafe coffee and were consumed in lieu of th. J which could not be obtained- The futi1it1 j¡r trying to prevent the practice through tac tervention of district officers was proved the action of the Pontypool District. letter requiring them to investigate the al tion was ordered to lie on the table. recommended that the strongest the law permitted be taken by the against the trustees of any lodge or where this disgraceful and pernicious sy £ still obtained.. Mr. Woodeson (Portsmouth), in moving adoption of the report, &aid t unfortunately for the Unity, t did not appear to be much reforiflj this vicious system. In fact, the eVllJajf whicih came before the committee was so & faced and so shocking that be would be so to make it public. In the Pontypool 1 j trict the letter of the directors was tr with so much contempt that they would even condescend to answer it. Mr. Jones (Llanelly) said the practice in vogue in his own lodge. He had get payment of wet rent stopped. Mr. Woolstein (Wellington) thought t. were entitled to have the names of violating the rules. f Mr. Woodeson said the districts reported the committee were St. Helens, Eastv^: Pontypool, Llane ly. Wolverhampton, C terfield, and Bridgnorth. After some discussion, Mr. Flowers Py wich) moved as an addendum to the the corresponding secretary be instructed obtain a return from every district in. j Unity, showing whether any lodges obta^J refreshments in return for rent paid, and the list be laid before the next annual meetw The question was then submitted to meeting, and the report, together with addendum, was adopted.. The investigation committee reported reference to hazardous occupations <uh1 deficiencies that the board should take steps as they thought necessary, in oonjo^^j,) with the actuaries, to insert a schedule In general rules giving the occupations proved experience to be hazardous, and a cIao. making it compulsory for members folIo. these occupations to pay. the increased coJ1 butions. The clause was adopted, and the mee* soon afterwards adjourned.

INDEPENDENT ORDER ODDFELLOWS. MEETINGS AT SCARBOROUGH- The Annual Movable Committee of National Independent Order of Oddfellow^ opened in the Old Town-hall, Scarborough* Monday morning. Bro. A. R. Jephcott^ Birmingham, Grand Master, presided.— Grand Muter, in his inaugural address. that sinoe their last meeting in Soarboro fifteen years ago, their membership bad. creased from 45,081 to 59,740, and their cApl from £124,985 to £257,714. From the re issued by their esteemed secretary, he was to inform them that the adult membership j 59,740, an increase of 1,473, and the juY8 membership 9,251, making the total meØ1 ship of the Order 68,991. The capital of the Order amounted to £257,714, an ine of £15, iT3. The progress made bv the or j in the formation of juvenile branches, trusted, would soon be surpassed bv the liberty conferred upon them by the Amell j Act of 1895, whereby children might ( admitted members of their existing lod one year of age, and it was with consider^, pleasure he stated that one of their districts successfully and without a.ny difficulty alfvj accomplished the amalgamation of juveniles with their adult lodge. The G Master strongly urged the adoption graduated levy to the district funeral instead of the equal payment system at all Referring to the valuations, the Grand said that old age pensions in the guise of 4*3 ness benefit was accountable for a considet part of the existing deficiencies, and no would be of any value unless sound. economio management attended their adtfJJE? tration. At the annual conference of Societies, the question of employers and CjRj pulsory insurance was discussed and min'ffiQ upon. It might be truthfully said that ?L' ajratem of compulsory wae g**dtir growing «MMi tW resolution passed A K* absolutely necessary in tk«ir interest, ity B* opinion—as previously expressed by the pr^f? respected chief registrar. Mr. Brabrook—it the duty of the Friendly Societies to tell rfV working man how much he should paf J insurance against sickness and accident, for Trade Unions to see that he was paid en to provide it. These compulsory in might not injure the present generation, the ground for fear existed that it would c" the earning one, and in their present position it would be nothing less than a nat1^ disaster to set up anything of a legis^ character which would in the slightest daft diminish their power or work. Referring ;0 payment of medical officers, he did jj think, in some instances, the medical prafe^C were sufficiently paid, while in others £ appeared to receive an adequate remumerft*^ and it seemed to him that a conference on points in dispute would more easily bring better understanding than any system autocratic conduct. The question of ø1J annuation, though still unsettled, wa.8. important as ever, and, unlike most questions, had received more consideration been regarded with greater interest than, other inside the sphere of what might be tat" domestic politics. The remedy rested, believed, with themselves, and its solution, that sick pay should cease at a given age a pension be substituted in its place. A thanks having been accorded to the G Master for his address, the meeting procc- to consider routine matters affecting the buSl of the Order.

LOYAL ORDER OF ANCIEN* SHEPHEBDS. j The seventy-first annual meeting of the Order of Ancient Shepherds was opened iJt Selwyn-hall, Wisbech, on Monday. Bro- Sage, of Bristol, Chief Shepherd, occupied ( chair, and delegates were present froØ parts of the country. The Chief Shepherd, in his inaugural add^ said it would be found by the annual re that the numerical and financial prosperity A in been the features of their year's With reference to the large number of refused membership of Friendly SocietieS account of health, he suggested that such dates might be accepted as second-class | bers. The eick-pay should commence Jf small amount, a.nd should increase auto^^ cally as year succeeded year. Resolutions were adopted protesting bovootting by medical men, and a stronf?^ test was unanimously carried against emplV having the power to oompel their w°r^j r as a condition of employment to contribUA benefit societies in connection with their or to restrain in any way the liberty of employes in joining any society they themselves select. Mr. Duncan Kennedy, general stated that during the past year thy JjP added 4,107 adult members, and increased capital by upwards of £36,000.

SOMETHING POR NOTHIlf^ j When the proprietors of an article <n sumption are prepared to send over free sample tins to those who send a it is fair to assume the vendors must the, have a pretty good opinion of their sPeCi<ji<2 and when, in addition, thev possess øuP"1I" courage to "put up" £10.000 in hard pay for postage of samples it must be they have satisfied themselves they P° good thing, and thait it is better to dem^p^ practically ait the breakfast table than to Jjf uoon mere assurances by advertisement- j ø"; Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa (Limited), 60. 61.. Bunhill-row. London. E.C., are sending pr. over 10,000 fr«e sample tins of their paraition to the public, and as a result™? are srodng up by leaps and bounds. tI" of advertising has the merit of honesty the public appreciate it i<! shown by to. ment that Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Coooa can d øt obtained from grocers, chemists. od1l everywhere, and the trade are saying that no preoaration of a siffl" {b*j racter has ever given equal satisfaction customers. To obtain 3 tin it is oolv to cend a postcard, and the name of the Mail" should be mentioned. L "ø,

BELLS OF ST. JOHN'S CABDIFF. qT Tiie bells of St. John's Parish diff, on Monday broke through the si t which they have been bound for tlhe F veare. This silence was due to the u dition of the tower, which made it danK^ jyj rir, them. Now, however, the tower fter ø ¡íI# restored to firmness, and shortly a t on Monday ten bell-ringers maiu^*tect (J.V..t ropes, in the presenoe of the Fowler; and the two veteran ch fj. kj (Mr. A. W. Sargeaunt and Mr- 'tici ohens). The bells were rung mjtf"^Jg cf the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, be jfl trial was considered by Mr. Fowler to satisfactory.

Gwitvm Evans' Quinine Bitters. 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Wherever £ rrfpfM trial it never fails to attain its objec SM potienti to betltii wtio tow wfcuM oomplsints, ll

THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSI. IN SCOTLAND. CREEPY STORY EXPLODED. MYSTERIOUS MIDNIGHT NOISES EXPLAINED. A correspondent writing to the "Times lays:—For two or three montiia past vaguo rumours nave been atioat in Londùn oncerIlln6 a nauntea nouse aouictviiete in Scotland belong- ing to the ot Bute. it wa6 CiecjCnuea 8ti Lue !llU" iiuauttxi uulke iU i:JCu"lu, uxiu ad being the aboae ot some mysterious agency pro- ducing sAguta and so onus 01 me iuoji poi teutoua ana. inexpiieaoie cnai acter. hue mauy people, some ot thein noiaiug nign positions 1.U ilie ■Citsntitio worijQ, weie ready to give general assurances ot me awe-inspiring nature ot t..e¡;e phenomena, it was, unioitunateiy, xmposcioie to obuun precise information iruui any one. The mosc definite lIDl1.&ib10lJ. one coax a toim was that appaiung were to be tiearu, aiiite by day and Dy in various parts ot this mansion, but more particularly m four rooms. Apparitions were tasj spoken ot, thougn leti6 COu.ilu91l.tiY, yet it aeemeu to oe enÇ- rally agreed that the orthodox gliding figure melting into tnin air had been seen by ai, ie-s;, one norrihed ooserver. Inquiries aduresoea to distinguished members of the Society for Psychical Keoeuxcti—or the S.P.K., as it is affectionately called by its votaries—elicited tne information tnat Lord Bute nad taken the house in question for ihiee months, and Had piaoed it at the cusposa 1 01 the society lor the purpose of a .horouga inves- tigation. For reasons whicn are differently stated in London ana in Pertn, where the agent lor the proprietor is to be found, Lord uia not take the house in his own name, but in tfu-t of Colonex Taylor. The material fact, how- ever. is tnat he did take it with the object juso named, install~d a staff of servants, and intrusted the conduct ot the investigation to a. lady well known in connection with tne Society for Psychical Research, ana also for worK oi a different and much more valuable kind, Tula lady, wno IDaKe8 an admiratue and cnarming hostess, kept open house, and invited from time to time such persons as she thought likely to give assistance in discovering the origin of the phenomena. In me circumstances it cannot be tnougtit remarkable that among the persona thus invited tnere was a predominance of members of, or sympathisers with. the Society for Tsyohical Kesearch. As a matter ot tact, it was, no doubt, found difficult to induce others to interest themselves in the busi- ness. The result was none the less unfortu- nate, since when the present writer paid his visit, after investigations had been going on for more than two months, no real progress had been made. Lord Bute's original idea was a good one, but it was never properly carried out. Observing that the Society for Psychical lie- search had made many investigations in a per- functory and absurd manner by sending some k body to a haunted house for a couple of nights | and then writing an utterly woith- I less report, ha desired in this case 7 a continuous investigation extending over a considerable period. lie ought, tnereiore, to have employed a couple of intelligent detec- tives for the whole term, and thus secured real continuity. As things are the only continuity ia to be found in the presence—itself not entirely continuous—of the lady just mentioned. But simply because she is a lady, and because she had her duties as hostess to attend to, she is unlit to carry out the actual work of investi- gating the phenomena in question. Some of her assistants sat up aU night with loaded guns in a condition of abject fright; others, there is reason to suspect, manufactured phenomena for themselves; and nearly all seem to begun by assuming supernatural interference instead of leaving it for the final explanation of what- ever might be clearly proved to be otherwise inexplicable. Balleahin—the "ohlt is guttural and carries the accent—is a house pleasantly situated in Strathtay, a few miles above Dunkeid. Stand. ing on the northern slope it faces nearly due sooth, and commands a beautiful view up the valley which is closed by the peak of Ben Lowers still carrying a considerable amount of mow. The house was built in the second decade of the present century, but a wing was added at a much later date. and is the only part of the structure that is free from "manifestations." Underneath the wing are the present kitchens, to the isolation of which a wholly undue impor- tance is attached as precluding the idea that noises wilfully or accidentally made by the servants can account for the phenomena. in the bedrooms. In the centre of the house is the main staircase in a square well, lighted by a cupola and having a gallery which runs right round it and gives access to the upper part of the main building. At one corner of this gallery is a service staircase, at the top of which is the most haunted bedroom. Adjoining this are the two next in order of phenomenal impor- tance, while at the opposite corner of the gallery, where another staircase leads to the servants' sleeping rooms above, is the fourth of the haunted rooms. The house haa thick walls both interior and exterior, but their thickness is exaggerated by wood casing which everywhere gives a hollow sound on percussion. The rafters eeem to be as flimsy as the walls are substantial, for the floors vibrate on the smallest provoca- tion, and in any of the bedrooms it is quite easy to hold a conversation with another man in the attics. It follows that the house is one huge sounding board transmitting and possibly intensifying certain kinds of noise. That there are no rats in the house is an article of faith, but I saw one outside about halfway to the stables in broad daylight. Rats, or oven mice, would account for many of the sounds com- plained of. I tossed with another man for possession of Na 3. the most haunted of the rooms, and won. He contented himself with No. 1, which is the IeOOnd best from an investigator's point of view. On one of the two nights that I spent in the room I slept without disturbance of any kind until seven o'clock, when I heard a variety of noises floating up the back staircase, and all easily translatable into the early morning activities of the servants. There is a fixed washsfcand with the usual wlllrte plug. This I left open on going to bed, and as the night was •windy a sound which an ardent imagination might have converted into the moan of a soul in pain came from the end of the wastepipe a few feet below, where it overhangs a trap, acoordnig fo approved sani- tary principles. The second night I was very wakeful. I read in bed until past one o'clock. and was awake again about three. Mv nre had gone out, and the fireplace in cooling down emitted, a loud crack after the manner of iron fireplaces in such conditions. A sympathetic observer would, doubtless, have chronicled that as a ghostly noise. A distinguished psychical researcher told me just before I left town that wheii one sees a ghost the proper thing is to advance boldly and clasp it. In the hope of such an encqunter I went out upon iha gallery, but I saw nothing and heard nothing, except the wind. I went to sleep after that for some three hours, and on awaking heard a pretty loud noise from the washing basin, which, however, was only the jar of a waterpipe when the water is suddenly turned off. Presently a deep buzzing sound indicated that a servant was drawing more water, probably in the distant wing, and was duly followed by another resonant bang, showing that the Thomson patent tap had not been fitted to the Ballechin pipes. These were all the noises I heard in the most haunted room of "the most haunted house in Scotland" To anyone half dead with fright they would pro- bably have seemed appalling; to me they only proved that ordinary noises can be transmitted in that house with unusual facility and to unusual distances. In the morning the butler. whose room it seems is direotly under No. 3, asked me rather solemnly whether I had been disturhed. On my answering in the negative, he asked whether I had been walking about my room in my boots, and seemed only half- reassured when I said I had been walking about long after he was in bed, but certainly not in my boots. The only myetery in the matter seems to be the mode in which a prosaic and ordinary dwelling was endowed with so evil a reputation. I was assured in London that it had had this reputation for 20 or 30 years. The family lawyer in Perth asserted most positively that there had never been » whkper of such a thing until the house was let for last year's shoot- insr season to a family, whom I may call the H.'s. I was told the same thing in equally positive terms tv the minister of the parish, a level-headed man from Banffshire, who has lived in the place for twenty years. He told me that some of the younger members of the H. family h:1li indulged in practical jokes and boasted of them. One of their pranks was to drop or throw a weight upon the floor and to draw it back by means of a string. Another seems to have been to thump on bedroom doors with a boot-heel, the unmistakable marks of which remain to this day. and were pointed out to me by our hot1 iss. If there are really any noises not referable to ordinary domestic causes, it is not improt _ble that these practical jokers made a confidant of someone about the estate, who amuses himself occasionally—it is only oocasio:ially that the more remarkable noises a.re said to be heard—repeating their tricks. The steward cr factor on the estate concurs with the lawyer and the minister in denying that the house had any reputation for being haunted before the cdvent of the H. family- Yet he is a Highlander and not without super- stition, for he gave it as his opinion that if there was anything in these noises they must be due to Black Art. Asked what Black Art might be. ha said he could not tell, but he had often heard about it, and had been told that when once set going it would go on without the assistance of its authors. He was quite clear, however, that if there iz Black Art it came in with the H. family. The evidence of the lawyer and the factor is discredited on the ground that they are interested in maintaining the reputa- tion of the property, and even the minister of the parish is absurdly supposed to be in awe of the factor. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. The conduct of tne S.P.R. in this matter is so dubious that it would do well not to raise questions of motive. The three witnesses I have named are entitled to entire confidence until substantial evidence is forthcoming to discredit their testimony. Of suelc evidence I did not find a trace. The story of a haunted history of twenty years rests upon nothing but anonymous rumour, so vague and intangible that opportunity of verifica- tion can be found. I was, indeed, shown noire admissions made under pressure of cross-exami- nation by the widow of the late proprietor, who d'ed in 1395. But they are of the most insigni- icant description, referring to nothing but confused recollections of noises such as may be beard in any house, and not in any degree im- plying a belief that the house in which she and her fain'lv lived uitil compelled to leave it by her husband s death is haunted. In connection with that death I was told an impressive* story ill list rates the vay of w irkinsr up a noise mto a manifestation. On a dav when he was to leave home for London the proprietor was talking to the aforementioned factor in the library, when a tremendous ensh was herrd on the table between them. "For God's sake cried, the husband, "don't mention thi* to my ]™e- went to London, and next day was killed by a cab accident Before the news reached his family an appalling noise was heard in the room be usually crcup^d but, as the reader will expect to henr, everything was found undisturbed. This circumstantial story is filse in everv detail. There was no table. there was a bure-u; there was no crash, but the lid of the bureau having been mperfectly cl sed slirr-^d into its place: the husband did 11r men- tion either his Maker or his wife or the trivial noise: he was not killed the next dav, but more than three weeks afterward" and no" mysterious sound in hJS room heralded the news. ■nli1*' t .cras,^ banging around in Balleohin. A lady staving in the hou?e ->ssiire-J me that, wntm- one day in the library she heard a loud bang unon an occasional table behind her. On looking round she saw the brass handles still swinging, though no one was in the room with her, and nothing was dis- turbed. In company with a lively young man fresh from Oxford athletic*. I made a little experiment on that table. We banned it with peat force, making a great noise, but the b-as- handles would not swing. Thev did indeed. quiver in common with the not verv substantial table, but the quiver was over as soon as the noise. The lady was simply the victim of a combined ocular and visual hallucination She told me of another. In a copse near the house through which runs a little stream down a sharp she saw an old and a young woman talking. She could distinguish their voices though not what they said, and the old wom n' talked much while the young one interjected remarks. Of course, there was no woman there. ? j' J consequence, no conversation. The lady admitted that the apparition was purely subjective, but. in regard to other matters was not willing to suppose that she may be' the victim of hallucinations of hearing as well as of sight. There were other and similar experiences which it is needless to relate. It is obvious that an investigator, however honest, is tremendously handicapped by this liability to manufacture the very pheno- mena, under investigation. Not even the solemr blessing of the Roman Catholic Archbishop, who was invited to the house for the purpose of bestowing it. can rid a dwelling of noises partly incident to domestic operations and partly due to the physiological pecu'ixrities of the inmates. Lord Bute's confidence has been grossly abused bv someone, and. what he will probably resrret even more. he has been unwittingly led to do an appreciable injury to the owners of Ballechin. It was represented to him by someone that he was taking the "most haunted house in Scot- land." a. house with an old and established reputation for mvsterious, if not supernatural, disturbances. What he has trot is a house with no reputation whatever of that kind. with no history, with nothing germane to his purpose bevond a cloud of baseless rumours produced during the last twelvemonth. Who is respon- sible for the imposture it is not my business to know or to inquire, but that it t3 an imposture of the most shallow and impudent kind there can be no manner of doubt. I interviewed in Perth a. man who has the district at his firger- tips. and was ready to enumerate in order all the shooting properties between Ballinluig and Aberfeldr. He had never heard until the moment I spoke to him of Ballechin possessing any reputation ancient or modern for being haunted, although he is familiar with the estate and J.h8S slept in the house. It has no local reputation of the kind even now beyond the parish it stands in. The whole thing has been fudged up in London, upon the basis of some distorted account of the practical jokes of the H—s. Without attempting to judge individuals, it must be said that an experience like the present intensifies the suspicion and disgust which close contact with the S.P.R. always tends to excite. I am well aware that among its members are manv men of eminence, ability, tion of manv a. dubious company we may find the names of men of honour and integrity. Men do not sufficiently cow'der the re'n^ns'bilitv which tlhey incur. financially or morally, when they lend the sanction of their names to pro- ceedings which thev do not control and perhaps never inquire into. Seen at all closo the methods of the Society for Psychical Research are extremelv repulsive. What it cal's evidence is unsifted swsip always reckless and often malignant; what it calls investiga- tion would provoke contempt in Bedlam itself: and what it calls discrimination is too often the selection from srossip. all worthless, of those portions which fit be Ft into theory it happens to be advocating. As for its treatment of the decrraded beinsra whom it "sensitives" and "mediums," the enileptics. the neurotics, the cretins, and the tricksters from whom it pre- tends to draw spiritual insieht—+hat is a system of moral vivisection incomna.rablv more cnlll and d«<rr»din(T than the worst practices ever laid a.t the door of physiologists.

INTERVIEW WITH THE MARQUESS. DISAGREEMENT WITH THE STORY OF THE "TIMES." A representative of the Morning Leader," who interviewed the Marquess of Bute, writes as follows:- His lordship received me in a great delightful room that seemed much too bright not only for ghosts, but even ghost stories. The carpet was exactly the tint of the grass of the iawn outside the open French windows. At a small table, with a copy of the "Times" before her spread out at the "On the Trail of a Ghost" sat a lady—young and vivacious, certain; strong-willed, apparently. Neither lady nor marquess seemed to have "seen a ghost" lately; each was a picture of health and beauty. "You are fortunate," began his lordship, "for not only have you caught me, but also the lady who had charge of the house, Miss "Yes. I'm Miss —— broke in the lady, "but if you mention me please do so only as X. for tiut is the name by which I am best known." I brightened up at once, for I recognised the well-known nom-de-plume. but a little Lter I was not altogether so sure that I was quite as fortunate as i-fc seemed, for the lady, though a tireless speaker, was verr* careful, while the marquess would have said less but told more. But his lordship was slow and deliberate and so never had a real chance. I found in the end that I was interviewing only the lady. "Let me say at once," continued the marquess, after we were seated, "that what annoys me most is that the name of the house has been given away. It was never intended that it should be, and I cannot but think "Yes," broke in the lady, "beyond a doubt there has been a gross breach of his lordship's hospitality. I made everyone promise, and everyone did most solemnly promise, that even if they said anything about it at aU they would never mention the name of the place." "As to the place itstlf," re-started his lord- ship. getting up and walking round the room, "I had, aa perhaps vou know, contributed to the Society of Psy :h.cal Research in order for them to carry out their investigations into second sight! Then I heard of tins house being haunted by strange noises and sights. It occurred to me that there had never been any thorough and sustained investigation of such phenomena. At most, a mnill number of persons more or less biassed by their previous opinion had stayed one or two niguts in duch houses, and made quite valueless reports. I thought an inquiry con- tinued over an extended period would be, at any rate, distinctly interesting, so I took this house and piaoed it at the disposal of the S.P.R. It vis emphatically my wish that the matter should be kept somewhat secret so that we might do the owners of the property no harm, and-" "It was, therefore, you æe," broke in the lady, "quite impossible for his lordship to per- sonally carry out his plan, as his absence in Sootland so long would certainly have led to the secret being found out. So Colonel Taylor, who tai es a great interest in these matters, ioined us ostensible tenant. But from the first it was made quite clear to the agents of the proprietor of the Louse what our object wae. "But, after all," resumed his lordship, "no one was very willing to go into Scotland for three months at that time of the year till Miss X. helped us out of the difficulty. Now, I think I should assure you that I do not believe in ghosts, for "Neither do I," interjected Miss X-, "all these things have their rational explanation. "Of course," once more went on his lordship, "and our purpose was to find that explana- tion." "But," I put in myself, "this man now says "What he says is not at all true,' said Miss X., taking me up. "No one ever sat up with a loaded gun so far as I know, and I never was the least bit frightened." "But he says it was all fudge and no ghost. Nothing but a story invented last year," I urged. "All I can say is," replied his lordship, "that I first heard of this house's strange noises in 1893. Whatever their cause, their commence- ment last year with the Heavenses is absurd. It is true the Heavenses were a little larky. They were Spaniards. Apparently when the noises did not appear some of the vounor fellows made believe. But it is a fact that they paid j6900 for a year's shooting, and left at the end of seven weeks. Moreover, we have written testimony that these noises have been heard in the house for eighteen years." "W hat were they like?" I asked. "At times they were exceedingly violent," replied Miss X. "They would sound at all hours of the day and night and in all the old parts of the house. They resemb-ed as near as can be, someone walking about heavily over- head, a dragging of something along, and then came a thud as if a sack of wheat had been thrown downstairs. If a person once got the notion that it was a body being thrown, it cer- tainly would sound like that. Please remember that the people invited down were none of them ghostly believers, but all ordinary common-sense people of the world, and these are their descrip- tions of the noises." "Was nothing ever seen?" I inquired. "Well, yes, there is some very distinct testi. many of an apparition." "Why," said his lordship with a smile, "the toughest thing that I experienced was the apparition of the——" "Perhaps, my lord," quickly interrupted Misis X., "it will (if I may have your lordship's permission to say so) be our best way with the reporter to kesp to the point. I was going to say that we intend to publish a complete account of our investigation, and that it will contain some striking testimony. Unfortunately, we "ere unable to solve the difficulty." "We invited down all tl e first English scieo- tists. went on his lordship, "bjt unfortunately they could not come at the time, and the pro- prietor would not renew our lease. We also asked Maskelyne, the conjurer, to come, but i he was busy with his Jubilee stand." "The secretary of the S.P.R. came down," continued Miss X., "and brought with him Miss a medium, but her discoveries were of no value. Wo bad hoped to have been able to use the phonograph, but could not, because we never knew iu which way to direct the receiver. We had also intended to use seis- rr etrical instruments, as it was suggested that the house had a sort of earthquake. Unfortu- nately, it is now too late." "And your published account will contain many remarkable stories?" "Indeed it certainly will," replied the mar- gv-ess, "for instance-" "My lord, with our lordship's permission," Mies X. once more broke in, it would per- haps be better to keep them for the publica- tion." "But let me add," continued his lordship, "that :t was our intention from the first in publishing our report to entirely disguise not only the house, but even the district, so as to save injury to the property." LETTER FROM MTSS "X." The following letter appears in the "Times" of Wednesday: — Sir,—As the "hostess" referred to in your correspondent's article "On the Trail of the Ghost," in this morning's issue, I may perhaps be allowed space to express the unbounded astonishment with which I read his detailed account of the house, and of some of the per- sons most closely associated with it. Such an account could only have been furnished by one of our own guests, every one of whom came on the distinct understanding that we were bound in honour and courtesy to the owners of the house not to reveal its identity. I can only express my deep regret at such violation of hospitality. In publishing our own account of the inquiry, which will embody the evidence of many witnesses extending over a period of nearly twenty years, we had pro- posed to adhere to that principle of reticence as to names of persons and places which we have throughoqt considered due to the owners.—Your obedient servant, June 8. X. To this the editor replies: —Our correspondent informs us that no such understanding was so much as hinted at to him; and that, as a matter of fact. the name of the house was known to many people in London before he went there.

THIRD DAY. The conference of the National Division of the Order of the Sons of Temperance was con- tinued on Wednesday, and concluded, in the Cory Memorial-hall. Cardiff. The work of the session was resumed at nine o'clock. The first business was the election of auditors, a-nd for theee posts there was eome competition. IJItimately Brothers Birch (Manchester) and Krrowles (Salford) were elected. Bro. Neish (Rotherham) and Bro. Bryan (Sheffield) again submitted a proposal to establish a fund to substitute a ready-money pavment on incapacitation by accident from following usual emplovment. Upon the sug- gestion of Brother Wightman (London) the whole subject was referred to the executive council for the preparation of a. scheme. The rules were then amended in accordance with the propositions carried on Tuesday. TOBACCO BOGEY. Bro. Hawley (London) raised the tobacco question again, Bros. Jones (Manchester), Btilev (Enfield). Moos (London), and W. J. Wightman (London) advocated a continuance of the practice of pledging the children against the use of tobacco, and succeeded, by 101 votes to 53, in carrying their view into the rule. The "cadets," therefore, will still be pledged against tobacco. SCALE OF BENEFITS. Bro. W. J. Wightman (London) introduced a scale of benefits for cadets for use throughout the Order. Bros. C. Wilson (Halifax), Ridgway (Salford), Davis (Manchester), Huntley (New- castle-upon-Tyne), Brown (London), R. Smith (Hartlepool), W. Wightman (London), Brockle- hurst (Salford), Thomas (Merthyr), Birch (Man- chester), Hawthorn (Hanley). Lightfoot (New- casble-upon-Tyne), Vincent (London). Mees (London), and Clough (Bishop Auckland) took part in a long discussion.—An attempt to make the scale optional in districts failed.—On the motion to adopt the scale as part of the rules, 118 votes to 31 gave effect to the same, and the scale will come into use throughout the Order. Under the amended rule benefits for one penny a week will be paid to children aged from three months to fourteen years, and varying from £1 15s. to JE12 10s. in case of death. APPOINTMENTS, Ac. Further alterations, consequent upon the inclu- sion of the juveniles, were made in the rules, and the National Division then proceeded to appoint Bro. A. J. Duncan editor of the official organ, the "Son of Temperance."—Consideration was then given to committees' reports on the officers' reports. That on the ohief offioer's report paid that officer a high compliment for his gentle- manlv courtesy and attention to his duties, and suggested resolutions of condolence on account of the lamented decease of Dr. F. R. Lees and Mr. J. H Raper (London).—The suggested resolutions were proposed and adopted. SIGNS OF PROGRESS. The committee on the Most Worthy Scribe's report rejoioed in the unprecedented advance of the members, regretted the lack of oversight in some districts, congratulated the Order on the great advance to solvency all round, objected to the payment of medical men out of the sick fund practised in a few districts, and dealt with three small districts where circumstances have been adverse. ORDER'S JUBILEE. With a greeting to Bro. Guest (South Afrioa), the committee endorsed the Most Worthy Scribe's proposal to receive 50,000 adult mem- bers in 1899 in celebration of the Order's Jubilee. The committee on the report of the Juvenile Chief commended the progress of this branch, and specially rejoiced at the evidences of co- operation between Band of Hope and cadet workers.—Bro. R. Smith submitted the report of the committee on appeals, and recommended settlements, which at once met with the approval of the meeting.—Thanks for a capital series of articles in the "Son of Temperance" were voted to Dr. James Edmunds, of London. The paper received further consideration, and a vote of five guineas was carried in favour of Bro. Crawley (London) for his labours in con- nection vith the circulation of the organ.—The council was requested to draw up a special reso- lution of congratulation to her Majesty.—Bro. Wightman (London) then installed the members of the new executive.—Bro. E. Hallsworth, M.W.P., returned thanks for his election, and asked for the sympathetic support of the mem- bers.—Bro. A. J. W. Duncan (London) and Bro. Greadhill (Hull) responded.—Hearty votes of thanks were ihen accorded to Bro. Gorringe for his excellent four years' record in the chief office, to the Cardiff brethren for their splendid arrangements: to the mayor and mayoress. Canon Thompson, and Mr. John Cory, for their kindness; and to the past officers, especially Bro. Thistlethwaite (Penrith), who ceases to be n member of the executive.—Greetings to South Africa were sent by Bro. Guest, who feelingly responded.—Bro Aldred (London) moved, and it was agreed, to instruct the executive council to memorialise the Government to precis on further temperance legislation with a view of rervwssrinT the evil of drunkenness. The business of the conference was then brought to an end. PUBLIC MEETING. A crowded public meeting followed in the evening in ^he Oory Memorial-hall. Many of the delegates were present, and some of the leading officials were on the platform, which was also occupied by the Cardiff Blue Ribbon Ohoir, His worship the mayor (Alderman Ebenezer BoayAu) preaided, with the mayoress sitting by his side. The Mayor, who was well received, extended a. cordial welcome to the Sous of Temperance as a. branch of the greit anny which had set itself to the task, rot only of stemming and overthrowing strong drink, but of accomplish- ing its utter prohibition and entire annihila- tion. (Applaus;e.) As mayor of Cardiff and aa old teinperanca worker—(applause)—ae deeply interested as ever in the movement, it was both his duty a.cd his privilege to welcome to Cardiff sturdy and hroio temperance workers, who were doing an immensely good work in the country. (Applause.) He also oongratu-, lated them thit theirs was a. friendly benefit society as well as a. temperance organisation. He WHj bound to say that, in his opinion, a total abstinence society was the he benefit society, as might be proved by statistics. (Ap- ¡ plause.) Their sick rate. he supposed, was not much more than half that of the non-tempe- rance Friendly Societies. The death-rate was only 6-15 per 1,000, which was also about hf that df the aoc-temperance societies. (Applause-) Bro. E. Halsworth, the newly-elected M.W.P., in a vigorous address, appealed to I the Christian Churchtp cease whitewashing the I liquor traffic, and to have nothing to do with members connected with the tirade. (Ap- plause.) Bro. S. Hawley (London) also made a spirited speech, in which he deplored the com- promising tendencies too often seen in the temperance movement. Bro. Addard (Salford) proposed a vote of thanks to the ma-or and mavore8B for their kindness, and also to the choir and its leader (Mr. Proud) for the solos thev had rendered. Bro. Clarke (G.W.S.), in seconding, deplored the evidences of excessive drinking which he had witnessed in Cardiff streets. The Mayor, in acknowledging the vote. assured Bro. Clarke that the condition of Cardiff streets on a, Sunday was mueh better now than when the public- houses were open, and that statement he would challenge anyone to disprove. (Ap- plause.) If they walked through the town on a Sunday in any part, or at any hour, they would find even in the slums that the state of the streets was immeasurably better now than before the Sunday Closing Act passed into law. (Renewed applause.) If his good old friend Mr. LascelJes Carr would challenge that he would challenge almost anvthing. (Laughter.) He believed Mr. Carr knew that Sun- day Closing had been a ereat blessing to Cardiff and the Princimlitv. (Renewed laughter and applause.) If Mr. Can did not know this, after these fifteen or sixteen years, it was time he got converted. (More lang-Mer.) He (his worship) was proud of Cardiff. He had lived in the town for 36 years, and with all her faults (and she had many) the wonderful improve- ment that had taken place during the 'ast fifteen or sixteen years, was. he believed, to be attri- buted, not entirely, but largely, to the moral influence brought about by the Lecr's'atii're in passing the Sundav Cloeinsr Act for Cardiff and the whole of the Principality. (Applause.) The mayoress also responded.