Weekly Mail

THE GHOST OF BALL ECHIN. LETTER FBOM THE OWNEB OP THE HOUSE- The following letter appeared in the "Times" of Monday Sir,—I unfortunately did not see the article headed "On the Trail of a Ghost" in the "Times" of June 8 tili to-day, or I would have written before. As owner of Ballechin. I desire to state that I had no idea I was lettii g Ballechin to Lord Bute and the Psychical Society, and would never have done so had I known. I let Ballechin for three months to a Colonel Taylor, with fishinsr, &c., and it was only at the end of his tenancy I discovered for what purposes and by whom Ballechin had been really rented. With reference to the concluding part of the "Times" article, I may state that Lord Bute unsuccessfully tried to get my father's permis- sion for one or two members of the Psychical Society to reside in Ballechin House. As to the stories contained in the article, they are without foundation. Trusting you will in- sert this letter in vour next issue,—I am, sir, your obediemsfc servant, J. M. S. STEUART. 20, Rue ChaIgTin. Paris. June 10.

IMPORTANT ADULTEJRAITIO'N CASE AT MERTHYR. At Merthyr Police-court on Monday, Paul Carter, milk vendor, was summoned under the Food and Drugs Act for selling milk not of the nature, substance, and qua ity demanded. The case had already been part heard, and had been adjourned for the purpose of securing the attendance of the county analyst. Mr. Sevier, who was now present, and was cross-examinted by Mr. Sidney Simons, who appeared for the defence, upon his certificate, which stated that the milk contained only a percentage of 2'53 of fat.—Mr. Seyler said the minimum standard adopted by the Society of Public Analyst? was 2*75, and of about 60 samples of milk received from the Merthyr district dur- ing the last half-year the average proportion of fat was 3'6.—Mr. Rees Charles, public analyst of Neath, who was called as a witness for the defendant, said that the Society of Public Analysts, whom he described as a sma'l clique, were endeavouring to usurp the func- tions of Parliament in trying to fix a standard for milk. In his opinion, milk containing a percentage of 2'53 was not a milk which should be condemned as deficient in fat. and he pro- duced authorities recognising that genuine milk could contain a lower percentage of fat than was found in the present oase.-Dr. Charles Simons also gave evidence, and the summons wa.s dismissed, the Bench granting costs to the defendant to the amount of two guineas. I

SCENE IN ROSS COUNTY-COV-RT. On Saturday at Ross County-court (be- fore his Honour Judge Owen) the father of a boy named Sydney Smith (11) sued George Collins, farmer, Peters ton, for damages for per- sonal injury.—Mr. Godfrey Harris, who ap- peared for the defence, said the case was heai-i before the Parewood End magistrates, and dismissed upon its merits.—His Honour: That does not bind me.—Plaintiff stated that for three days his son could not put on his jacket in consequence of the injuries which were in- flicted upon him by defendant, who knocked him into a ditch and struck him several times. -His Honour: I wish you had gone to a soli- citor and brought an action for a great ieal more than the five shillings you have claimed. —Here Mr. Harris handed towards the learned judge a certificate from t.-e magistrates.—Jis Honour: That has nothing to do with me.- Mr. Harris: I have a right to submit it.—His Honour: Sit down; I have read in the oapers of the way in which the Ross solicitors are in the habit iof talking to the magistrates. I shall see they do not treat m« in that manner.—Mr. Harris: But. your honour, I have a right to submit the certificate.—His Honour (in a loud voice): Will you sit down ? The case is ad- journed until the next court, when the defen- dant's solicitor may have learned how to con- duct himself properly. I do not stand lIIuch treatment if the Ross magistrateS do.

BHONDDA SCHOOL BOABD. At a meeting of the Rhondda School Board on Monday a discussion arose on a question in- troduced by Mr. John Davies (Porth). that, according to the returns, the board employed at the present time 93 more assistants than were required. According to the statement fur- nisned him by the clerk, there were 16,372 chil- dren m all the schools. The number allotted to each teacher was 40. and, on multiplying this number by the number of assistants, the attendance came to 20.1S0-that was a difference of 3,743. The minimum salary earned by each of tjic- teachers was JB60. so that the over-staffing cost no less than £ 5,580.—^Several of the mem- bers opposed the view taken by IIx. Davies, and pointed out that the returns "riven by the clerk were for 18%.—The question was deferred until the next meeting.

BIBLE SOCIETY AND THE DIAMOND JTJBUiEE. Sir.-Kindlv allow me to make known to the Sunday Schools of South Wales that the British and Foreign Bible Society has prepared & special edition of the New Testament, in English and in Welsh, with a special design on the cover, tc oammemorate the sixtieth year of her Maje«rty\s reign, at the low price of two- penoo a copy. It is to be hoped that the schools generally will avail themselves of this offer.-I am, Ac., J. CYNDDYLAN JONES.

CItfARBB D3 JCt (J' Cu;a: ?tea) afford immediate r«i-e? in cases of ASTEMA, WHEEZING, and CHRONIC BRONCHITIS. Appreciated fcf Wiyeicians and sufferers all over too vrorld Easy to ufs, certain aU over too vrorld Easy to UM, certain I in effect, and barmless in action, tkey are I recom.maded for use by roung and old. 1V[ay.))e had of rJl Chemists and 3tores I in Bexes of 31 at ci- post free from VPiCOT ? Co., 83, MoziUB^r St.; iondonuW.

SWANSEA TRIPLE SCHEME. ANOTHER LIVELY COMMITTEE MEETHTG. A meeting of the tramways and electric light- ing oommittee of the Swansea Corporation was held on Monday afternoon, under the presi- dency of Mr. R. Martin, for the purpose of considering a clause (already published) in the Swansea tramway Company's Bill now before Parliament for the protection of the interests of the corporation; also, to receive the report of the Parliamentary committee in the matter of the Swansea Corporation Bill, which has also been published. Some considerable time was spent in discuss- ing the Bill, after which the committee were about to consider the report of the committee recommending a revival of the triple scheme next session, when the Chairman said he had been asked to deal with a charge made against him last Wednesday. He had two words to say, and that was—it was an impudent and a baseless charge. There was no foundation for it whatever. He had been asked to meet the charge, and he met it in that way, and he could not do it in more precise terms. Mr. Rocke: I was not present at last Wed- nesdav's meeting, and I should like to know what the charge was. The Chairman The charge was that I was to be paid after the passing of the last Bill. Mr. Rocke: Who made it? The Chairman: Alderman Leeder. and I simply characterise it as impudent and baseless. Mr. Rocke said all he could say was he quite agreed with the chairman. The town of Swansea owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Martin, who had done more than any other member had in his time in mastering facts and figures, and in advancing an impoi tant scheme in the interests of the ratepayers. He well knew the labour and the work Mr. Martin had done, and for anyone to get up and accuse him of doing it for an ulterior motive in the way Alderman Leeder had was contemptible in the highest degree. The making of such an insinuation was dreadful when directed at one who had worked with such singleness of purpose for the ratepayers as their chairman had. Mr. David Davies was sorry Mr. Rocke was not at the meeting alluded to. for then he would know more about it. Alderman Leeder did not rise up abruptly and say that about Mr. Martin. There was a little fault on both sides. The Chairman said it was not a case of persons being at the meeting. He had been asked by people outside, and in the interest of the peop'e outside he met the charge definitely and precisely. "Xow," he added, "we wiil go on to the next business." Alderman Leedtr: No, I don't think we shall till I have leplied. He went on to say he made the charge in retaliation to a similar charge made against him. Mr. Martin had been stating, in some cases openly, and in some baekhandedly, that he (Alderman Leeder) had been in opposition to the Bill because he had been paid by somebody. He said that was equally baseless. From a time—September 5—he was engaged by a firm of solicitors in London—or his firm was to do certain work which oould equally as well have been put in the hands of some other solicitors. They chose to employ him because they knew he knew the peopte in active opposition to the scheme, and he would know where to go with a particular thing. Now, that was the whole of it. From that day on he was, like any other ratepayer in the town, free to oppose or agree with anything that might be done. He said if Mr. Martin charged him with doing what was dishonourable he gave it him back. He said again, if Mr. Martin thought he had done any- thing dishonourable, he thought things he had done were far more dishonourable than any- thing he had done. What be (the speaker) had don'e had been done openly and without any pretence. There had been no secret about it, and he was willing to answer to the "ate- payers. He maintained that VLr. Martin bad been aocused oipenly, not only by him, of being active in assisting the tramway com- pany in bribing a portion of the press. (Sensation.) The Chairman (excitedly): It is a life. You know what "lie" means legally. Alderman Leeder (continuing): And if Mr. I Martin will only free certain persons from a pledge of secrecy we will soon see where the lie is. The Chairman: It is a lie. and I challenge Alderman Leeder. Alderman Leeder: I am speaking of what I am informed, and of what 1 believe to be a fact. I believe what I have been told. I have no reason to disbelieve it, and, after what Mr. Martin has sail, I will ask the irÆviJual if I can bring the thing about and publish the facte, and then we shall see who is telling the truth. If anyone has said what is untrue about Mr. Martin, then I regret it. From what I have seen I should be pre- pared to take the word of the person who has said it rather than Mr. Martin's. The Chairman; You have my reply. It is a lie. Alderman Leeder: Then, has Mr. Martin ever arranged irterviews with Mr. Kincaid and any editors of the local press? The Chairman: We will deal with it in the proper time. It is a lie. Alderman Leeder: Then I ask him will he withdraw the pledge of secrecy? The Chairman: There is no occasion for withdrawing a pledge of secrecy, and. for- tunately, I have a witness. I was met by the editor of a local paper, and asked to supply him with certain information. He charged me with supplying information to another paper, and with giving that paper an inter- view. I said the interview was undesigned, and, as fa.r as I knew, the result of an acciden- tal meeting. Then he said, "If you will under- take to give me information, I assure you you will not suffer by it." "We I." I said, "I have not got any information of any value, but if I oan get hold of information that will be of interest to the ratepayers, I shall be glad, and I will give you this undertaking, you will be the first to have it." After an interview with the tramway company over this agree- ment, and in the presence of another person here to-day. I turned to Mr. Kincaid, and asked him if he had any information about tramways that would be instructive and interesting to the people of Swansea. He said, "Undoubtedly I have, but I can't afford to give my time to find it." I said, "I fee myself under some amount of obligation to one of the editors of a Swansea paper to give him some information, and it simply occurred to me if you have any information I shaL feel able to discharge the obligation I have.' "Well," he said, "very likely we have, but I can't afford to give my time to it; but if you Bend the editor to me, I will see what I can do." "The only point," I. said, "is this, if I send him up here, he will incur expense." "Well," he said, "of it is a. matter of £5 to pay expenses, I will discharge that." "Very well," I said. I went to the editor, told him what I had done, and he undertook the journey to London, and, as far as I am concerned with it, it ends there. But I was asked by the editor to go to see him j afterwards. I went to see him at his request. He had befen to London, and had had some conversation with Mr. Kincaid. W hat the purport was he never told me. He gave me some conversation, but I never really understood what had transpired. But there was a letter he had written to Mr. Kincaid on the table, and he put it to me that his posi- tion was a viery difficult one. He had two directors against the scheme and one in its favour, and he said, "I must steer a very careful course." "Perfectly right," I said. He said, "I must send tins letter off." I said, "Perfectly right; I have nothing to do with it." That ended all my connection with this business. I know it has been insinuated I had something to do with that letter. I dfcfy anyone to insinuate or point to any con- nection with it. I had nothing at all to do with it. My connection was entirely with the editor of the "Daily Post," to whom I felt under an obligation. That is the explanation of all the insinuations you have heard. They were meant to harm me, but I felt that the man who set them going had been dishonourable. His conversation with me, he said, was con- fidential, and to make suggestions was a most dishonourable thing. Now. I ask the town- clerk if I have not given the conversation truthfully and fully. The Town-clerk: To the beet of my recol- lection you hare, most truthfully and accu- rately. Mr. Aeron Thomas: In the last interview was there any mention of money ? The Chairman: N< t a word was said about money. He said he had offered Mr. Kin- caid to advertise this information in the "Post," and I was led to understand they would not fall in with the suggestion. 1 felt the atmosphtere was a doubtful one. and the sooner I was out of it the better, and I cleared out as soon as possible. In answer to Alderman Harris, the Chair- man said the agreement with the tramway company was closed and everything agreed to fcefore the conversation alluded to took place. Alderman Leader: If the editor of tbe 'Tost" was asking for material to be pub- lished in the paper, can the chairman explain how it got into another paper as an adver- tisement ? The Chairman: I have nothing to do with the "Leader." I had put myself under an obligation to the editor of the "Post" that if I could get anything interesting or instruc- tive to the people of Swansea I would get it. Alderman Leeder was about to put a ques- tion, when Mr. Slcidmore protested. tion, when Mr. Slcidmore protested. Alderman Tutton was about to speak, when Mr. W. Watkins protested against the debate I bfeing continued, and said a vote of confidence in the chairman should have ended the matter. Mr. Aeron Thomas then moyed:—"That we thank the chairman for his explanation, and beg to express our confidence in his rectitude, truthfulness, a.nd honesty." Alderman Tutton seconded. Alderman Leeder protested against the motion being put till the editor of the "Post" had had an opportunity of giving his version. The motion was put, and sixteen voted for it, and none against. The Chairman, in returning thanks, said he should otherwise have placed his resigna- tion in the hands of the mayor. The committee then proceeded to consider the report, but finally resolved to adjourn the discussion.

CHURCH WORK AT CARDIFF. PROPOSED COMPLETION OF ST PAUL'S, GBMGETOWN. The nave of St. Paul's Church, Grange- town, Cardiff, which was erected at the ex- pense of Lord Windsor, and consecrated some four or five years ago, is still without a chan- cel, and a public meeting was held at the Iron-room, Grangtetown, on Monday night, for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to complete the building. The chair was occupied by the Bishop of Llandaff. who was supported on the platform by Canon Thompson, D.D.. the Rev Frank B. Hill (vicar of St. Paul's), Councillor S. A. Brain, Mr. E. U. David, and Mr. R. Dell. The Bishop said he had attended the meet- ing to show his sympathy with the vicar and the people of Grangetown in their difficulties. (Applause.) Any request made to him by the Rev. F. B. Hill came with very great weight, because he knew he had an exceptionally diffi- cult parish to work, and because he knew the vicar was doing his best to accomplish his work faithfully and diligently. (Applause.) They were aware that the church, as it now stood, was erected through the generosity of Lord Windsor, and there seemed to be an im- pression abroad that he had undertaken to complete the building. The bishop did not know that there was any written evidence of that, and if he had not given such a pledge it was a great pity if people kept away from the meeting under that inipiessaon. There was very great reason why Grangetown should be assisted from outside, because it was a populous parish and a poor parish, and it was not easy under those circumstances to raise the sum required— £ 2,000-—within its borders. He advised the formation of a committee, with as many collectors as pos- sible, within the parish, and by diligent work they would be able to attain the object they had in view. (Applause.) It was not one church they wanted to build, but two. There was a population in Grangetown of about 16,000, and the accommodation pro- vided at St. Paul's was only for 700. He advised a system of regular periodical subscrip- tions, and referred to an instance in the diocese of St. David's where in this way a debt of JB8,000 was wiped off in twelve years. Councillor Brain hoped the pfeople of Grangetown would do all they could to com- plete the church in as short a period as possible. He moved the following resolution:—"That this meeting recognising the serious hindrance that the present unfinished state of the parish church is to the work of the Church in Grange- town, pledges itself to do its utmost to raise the amount necessary for its completion." Canon Thompson seconded the proposition, and in doing so expressed his warm sym- pathy with the vicar in the difficulties he was endeavouring to overcome. Canon Thomp- son said he was under the impression that Lord Windsor had undertaken to build tne ohurch, but if that were not so he felt cer- tain that his lordship, when he saw the people of Grangetown were showing a desire to help themselves. would come to their assistance. Mr. Dell supported the motion, and said there was a delusion abroad that all churches were endowed, but such was not the case. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. E. U. David moved that a oommittee be appointed to collect subscriptions for the work, and this, after being seconded by Mr. C. Matthews (churchwarden), v as carried. It was announced amidst applause that Mr. Brain had undertaken to act as treasurer. The Rev. F. B. Rill proposed & vote ot thanks to the bishop and others who had attended, which was seconded by Mr. Davies (churchwarden), and carried.

"LICKS THE SPOON QUITE cbmN." All that ails nine sickly babies out of every ten is defective nourishment. Take a baby that does not thrive. Its stomach seems upset most of the time and its digestive organs are im- paired. There seems to be no regularity in any part of its delicate organism. Milk curdles on its stomach and little of it is retained. In fact, in spite of all the mother or nurse can do, the little thing still remains weak and sickly. Now the chances are, there is nothing in the world the matter with that baby except its nourishment. A very simple thing, you say. Certainly, very simple, indeed, when you know what to do. Here is a gentleman who has had actual ex- perience and knows what he writes about in the following letter:- "I have very great plewtirB to be one of those* who oan testify of the value of Scott's Emulsion in cases of emaciation and debility m children. I nave tried the Emulsion with the greatest sue "s and satisfaction in the case of my sickly child Emily, aged fourteen months, and I have every oonndenoe in the efficacy of your prepara- tion. At first my baby was so very poorly and so thin and emaciated, but now, since taking Scott's Emulsion, she is heavier m weight and is getting quite fat, and she bakes the Emulsion without the slightest trouble. In fact, she rkes it a.nd lioks the spoon quite clean. I am 80 thankful for the change it has wrought in her. I am giving Scott's Emulsion to another ohild who is wookly. aged six years, and I give it with every confidence, knowing that if we still persevere with it We shall have our reward in the increased vigour and activity and putting on of flesh. In conclusion I cannot speak too highly of your preparation, and if you wish to publish this letter you are at hberty to do 90. hoping it may meet the eye of some father and mother who have those who are near and dear to them siok and ill. Believe me, dear s=r8, to remain vours faithfully, (SJgTJed) H. RAD- BURY. 55, Liddinwton-road, West Ham, E., October 11th. 1896." The foregoing letter reflects the universal ex perienoe with Scott's Emulsion. Children love the taste of it. They seem to know it does them good. Older people, who need the nourishing properties of ood-liver oil, can learn a valuable lesson whenthey see children thrive on Soott's Emulsion. There is all the difference in the world between Scott s Emulsion and plain oil. The taste of the oil in Scott's Emulsion is disflruised. for one thing, and the oil is partially digested, thus saving the digestive organs any effort in making nourishment for the blood. Besides all this. Scott's Emulsion contains the hypophosphites of lime and soda, which aid digestion, stimulate the nerves, and sustain the brain. A trial of Soott's Emulsion ia enough to convince you of its power to strengthen the system, give vitality and overcome wasting ten. dencies. L13630—8

A KEBTHYB SENSATIOH". At Merthvr Police-court on Monday John O'Sullivan, landlord of the Mackworth Arms, Dowlais, was charged on remand with breaking and entering the shop of Mr. C. H. Flocks, of Merthyr, and stealing a number of watches :.nd a quantity of jewellery, in February, 1893. Prisoner had been j.rr&jted.in consequence of a. statement made to Detective-sergeant Rankin by a man named Townsend, who is a shop-assis- tant at Cardiff, that a watch which formed part of tbe property stolen bad been given him by Mr. Sullivan. This statement, however, he Mr. Sullivan. This statement, however, he afterwards revoked by saying that the watch had been presented to him as a birthday gift by Miss Sullivan, prisoner's sister, who produced to the police a receipt for its purchase. The Bench held that there was no evidence against the accused, and he was consequently discharged. Mr. Bedd>e. who defended, intimated that proceedings would be taken to recover damages for wrongful prosecution, but the Stipendiary expressed the opinion that the police bad taken a proper course.

LOCAL PATENTS. The following information is supplied by Mr. N. Watts, chartered patent agentApplications for patents: John Parry and George Henry Llewellyn, Newport, improved manufacture of iron for mal- leable or other castings, 13,452, 1st June; Justin Lee. Penarth, improved ferrule, 13,638, 3rd June, and bv John Walters. Newport, improved iron or steel fencing, 13.66L 3rd June. Provisional proteo- tion for twelve months was allowed to Jas. Joseph Dixon, Newport, window-locking attachment, 10.942, 3rd May; Jas. Bicliard Ainsworth and Geo. Davis, Abcrvstw.th, improved preservation of hemp, flax, and similar Sbref). 12,344, 19th May; and Theophilus Creswick, Bridgend, an arrangement for "shuffling" playing cards, 12,938, 25th May.

CAICIOOS MAZAWATTEE TEA DltlCiOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA Titt Vtoatar Sh el tbe D»y, Dainty; tad Delidtn* UU>*6

POUTHCAWL COUNCIL IN A HOIJE. HEAVY EXPENDITURE ON WATER DIVINERS. CONDEMNED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOAnD. [BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] The members of the Porthoawl District Council are in trouble this Diamond Jubilee year. The perplexity which afflicts them. and seriously interferes with any inclination for jubilating, has been long dtrawn out—over a decade, in fact: ever since the last Queen's Jubilee. Its origin is found in that element the absence or superabundance of which has been, since the world began, the cause of more trouble than even those compounds which are the bete noir of oux teetotal friends, namely, water. The immediate cause of the dilemma is found in the childlike contiding qualities 01 Porthcawl councillors. They believe in mystic arts, in magnetism, in the mysterious attraction which the concealed aqueous fluid is believed to exercise over cer- tain highly sensitised humans. In a word, the members of the Porthcawl District Council, having failed to blulf the local water company, but having succeeded in preventing that cor- poration from obtaining protective powers on their proposed undertaking to supply a press- ing public necessity, have had recourse to the modem Witch of Endor, and have, too late, realised that raising spirits is one thing, quelling them quite another. The story of Porthcawl's efforts at obtaining an adequate supply of pure water, of the success in that direction achieved by the Porthcawl Water Company, and of the obstructive tactics, first of the local board, and afterwards of the dis- trict council, is a long one, and with this I will deal on another occasion. At present. we will take the circumstances leading up to the present impasse. After spending about JB400 in 1896 in bringing water from a wel at N ottage-a well which is, I am informed, pumped dry in twentv minutes, and takes half an horn to fill again—to twenty- two houses at Porthoawl, and a. further sum in sinking at Tyooch, the district council obtained Local Govern- ment Board sanction for a loan of JBZ50 for experimental purposes. Flush with this money, the council called the wielders of the hazel- rod, i.e., water diviners, to their aid, and, with the usual consistency of experts, these Solons contradicted each other as to the locality where water might be found. One pointed out a spot half-way between Porth- cawl and Newton as the place to which the people should look for the diluting fluid, while another scoffed at this prophecy, and pinned his faith to Braslodir. The council selected Braslodir, and commenced sinking on the con- glomerate. They applied for leave to contract another loan far JB400. and Colonel Luard held an inquiry, at which it came out that the previous J6250 had been spent on "water- finders." The Local Government Board there- upon "dropped on" the Porthcawl Council, condemned all their works, especially the water diviner extravaganza, and refused the new loan This letter was considered by the council at secret sitting—it was not allowed to be published—and it was only when appli- cation was made by outsiders direct to the Looal Government Board that a copy was obtained, and the public of Porthcawl were put in possession of the views of the central authorities. Will it be believed that after receiving this letter the Porthcawl Council were infatuated enough to proceed with their ridiculous enterprise at Braslodir, and actually sink another 65ft., the total spent there being probably well on to J3800, all with an entirely negative result so far as the discovery of water is concerned. When, in April last, Mr. Dolby was appointed for the annual audit, the storm buist. Mr. James Brogden, whofie interests make him the largest ratepayer in the parish, his responsibilities in this direction amounting to no less than one-seventh of the local rates, put in a vehement protest against the whole action of the council. At first the auditor appeared to hesitate, and declared, whether rightly or wrongly I do not now presume to say, that if he passed the accounts nothing short of a-a Act of Parlia- ment would suffice to upset his decision. This moved Mr. Brogden to remark that, if that was the case, he should go for an Act of Parliament—that he would, in fact. take every means to prevent the general body of ratepayers, including, of course, himself, from being saddled with the expense of the council's illegal eccentricities. In face of this, Mr. Dolby adjourned the matter, and appointed the 12th of July for the further audit. To complete the discomfiture of the Porthcawl Urban Dis- trict Council, there come& the recent decision of the Government auditor at Amptbili, Bed- fordshire, in a precisely similar case, in which that official surcharged the members of the district council with peyments to watei diviners, on the ground that, "as the courts had held that the pretence to a power. whether moral, physical, or supernatural, was illegal, he was bound, in the interests of the ratepayers, whose money was taken from them under threat of distress of their goods, to see that such moneys were not expended on such enterprise as water-divining. This, then. is the hole in which the childlike and bland district councillors of Porthcawl have planted themselves by their engaging simplicity. There is all the promise of a very tough fight over this matter, and the people of Porthcawl have good reason for lighting. Property is highly assessed, and the rates are heavy. Assessment matters are managed by rule of thumb. Half a dozen men peram- bulate the place, and each sets down on a slip of paper his idea of the value of pro- perty to be assessed. The various sums are added together and an average taken. That average, less 2s. 6d. in the £ is fixed as the ratable value. The present rates are 3s. for general purposes and lOd. for the poor- rate. What the general rate may be if the council are allowed to charge the rate payers with the cost of their fantastic experi- ments may be worked out by those interested, the gross ratable value being B8.00Q. In that £ d,000 are included the Brogden interests, one-seventh; the Great Western Railway Com- pany, nearly one-seventh, and the farmers of the parish, none of whom have the slightest interest in the council's experiments, seeing that none of them would use the council's water. All the expenditure has been in- curred without giving the ratepayers the slightest opportunity of expressing an opinion on the matter. It may be merely a coin- cidence, but it is, I am assured, the fact, that in January, 1897, the total assessable value of the whole of the nine members of the council came to J3555 2s. 6d., ranging in separate amounts from JB141 to JB6. The present total value is, probably, J3100 less. The Government Commission which is just now sitting in London inquiring into the manner in which local affairs are managed by councils composes of persons with slight ratable interests might, apparently, devote some attention to Porthcawl, with advantage to the community. In view of the general interests of the people of Porthcawl, and of those who intend visiting the place during the summer season, it may be well to add a word of explanation as to the present position. The whole of the houses on the Brogden Estate—that is, on the west side of the dock—are supplied by the Porthcawl Water Company, which owns a well giving in the driest of dry seasons 13,200 gallons per hour of water pronounced, on repeated analyses of samples taken under unfavourable as well as normal conditions, to be "good." In a recent analysis. Dr. Frank- lyn, of the Local Government Board, states that the water supplied by the Porthcawl Company is of "high organic purity, and excellent for dktetic purposes." The com- pany also supply householders outside the estate who take a ten years' agreement, this condition having been made necessary by the action of the local authority in successfully opposing the application of the company for a provisional order, under which order," if it had been obtained, the company would have laid out capital in increased storage accom- modation. enabling it to supply, if necessary, the whole of Porthcawl. The Ffynon Well, which is under the control of the council, and which the Local Government Board, in the concealed letter, decided was "not a desirable one for public supply," serves houses in Victoria-road and New-road, twenty-two in all, and the remainder of the houses in Porthcawl are dependent upon ordinary wells and the rain-water cisterns. Porthcawl is a delightful place, possessing almost incompa- rable health-giving qualities. It is a pity its local affairs are not better managed.

WELSHMAN POISONED AT DEVONPORT. A respectably-dressed young man was dis- covered on the slopes of Mount Wise at Devon- port on Monday night in an unconscious condi- tion. He was seen by a doctor, who found he had taken poTSon, and on his removal to the Royal NAnl Hospital a bottle of carb -l:o acid was taken from his pocket. His clothing was marked "W. J. ,to and he subsequently stated that he was "William James," a native of Cardiganshire. Hopes are entertained of his recovery.

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TYPHOID FEVER IN THE RHONDDA. PROSECITTIOJSr OF A DOCTOlB. At Ystrad Police-court on Monday Dr. Henry Davies, Tonypandy, was summoned by the Rhondda Urban District Council for a bleach of Section 3 of the Infa"ttous Diseases (Notification) Act. inll,, Bruce, foi the tirm oi Messrs. W. H. Morgan and Breee) prosecuted. -Dr. Herbert .Jones, medical officer to the council, deposed thpt on the 24th ult. he. received a. list of deaths fioai the registrar (Mr. Llewellyn Dav es), and it included the name of Elizabeth Dicks, Dinas, who had died from typhoid fever. He had received no in- timation of the case. He immediately after- wards wrote to the defendant, but received no repiy.—Defendant said he was called to see the patient on the 15th ult., aid she died on the 18th. Another medical man had been attending the patient previously, and he. consequently, took it for granoad that that doctor had reported the case."—The Stipen- diary remarked that the defendant was the doctor attending at the time of death, and he should have sent a notice thereof to the district council.—Mr. Bruce caBed the atten- tion of the bench to the wording of the Act: "Every medical practitioner calhwi in to visit a patient suffering from an infe-ctious disea.se shall, immediately on becoming aware of it, notify the case."—The Stipendiary: Then the other medical man has also committed a breach, and I think he is much store to blame than Mr. Henry Davies, the defendant. although that did not legally jmtify him in assuming that the other doctor had given notioe.—Mr. Bruce; The other doctor denies that the patient was suffering from enteric fever. The defendant was tie doctor who gave the certificate.—The defendant explained that it was an oversight on his part in not replying to the medical officer of health. He was absent from his surgery wimi the letter was delivered, and it was put among his papers.—The Stipendiary remarked that the bench accepted the explanation, but it was the duty of every doctor practising in the district to become acquainted with the terms of the Act, namely, that fevery doctor called in to see a patient suffering from infectious disease was legally bound to give an intimation of it to the council. A fine of £1 was imposed.

WELSH COLLIERY SCANDAL. HORRIBLE CRUELTY TO A, HORSE. I SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST PROPRIETORS AND WORKMEN. A case, the result of which has created a sensation at Aberavon. was beard at the petty sessions at that place on Monday, before Major Kno:t mid other magistrates. William Jenkins, a colJier, stated to have a proprietary interest in Tre Shenhyn, a colliery level at Abergwynfl, was charged with cruelly ill-treating a horse by working it whilst in an unfit state. The evidence disclosed, a case of the grossest orueify.— Inspector Jones, of the Royai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, stated that upon discovering the home he lottod it to be in a pitiable condition. The inspector's details of the animal's plight were af a revolting character. It was stated that the hotse had been worked in that condition day and n:ght without rest, and it was stated that for three weeks 't tad not seen a stable, nor had its collar baesi taken oil. —The Bench sent the defendant to prion for four- teen days, without the opt:Ti of a finm. Tlie sen- tence created local consternation, for it is said that so little do some coirers T.d col!;e'y proprietors think of this kind of thins: that nothing more than a fine was expected The officer of the Eoyat Society for the Prevention of Omeltv to Animals is repo-ted to have stated afterwards, in the hearing of everal gentlemen, that he had reason to bePeve !eToe? cruelty of this descrp-ion was not an isolated case, hut that the societv's officers were bebarred from entering it.to Welsh collieries, because if they d;d so "they would never come out alive." A gentlemen with a bow- ledee of collieries dropped a remark to a similar effect in the course of the eenerai discussion i avon over the case. HP stated that the officers knew better than to venture into oollienes where 'iich ttvnsr* existed, and. the-efore. considered punish- ment meted out to one, fortunately dhwvyveed. to sarour of hardship whilst so many similar cases went unpunished.

VOLUNTEERS IN CllIP. AN XTNPORTTJNATE ACCIDENT AT PORTSKEWETT. The annual inspection of the Monmouthshire Position Artillery Volunteers took piwe (n Friday at their camp at Portskewett by Colonel Allen, the inspecting officer of Militia ai;d Volunteer Artillery Defences of the Se*err. Brilliant weather favoured the function, whi^h was witnessed by a large number of visitors from Newport and all parts of the county. 'j i* inspecting officer had as his aide de camp Veterinary Surgeon Storrar. In addition to Colonel Wallis, who was in command, the Hon. Colonel. Lord Luangaitock, was present in uniform, and, with two exceptions, ail tht officers. When Colonel Allen arrived ne fouud the brigade drawn up in review -ird^r in one long line on the parade fcTou id. He inspected the guns, the horses, and the men's equipments, aud then the evolutions of the brigade took place, including the marching past in column of route, haif section, full section, and brigade trotting past. In the course of a mimio action an unfortunate accident hap- pened. Corporal Marsha-1, of the Risca. Bat- tery, fell from a limber box, and, the wheels of a gun carriage passing over him, he sus- tained a compound fracture of one of his legs. He was at once attended to by an ambulance party, and then taken to hospital, where Sur- geons Richards and James attended to him. He was subsequently token home, under medical Oare. Colonel Al.en pinned the lojMT-service medal upon the breast of Bandsmasn Glary, who was absent when General Sir F. Forestier Walker performed the same office for two of his comrades on the preceding day. He afterwards addressed a ffcw words of the greatest encouragement and pompliment to the battery. Subsequently the officers entertained a large company, numbering over 200 ladies and •■^■ntlemen, to luncheon, including Lady Llanigattock and the Hon. Miss Rolls, Colonel Allen, R.A., Colonel Lyne, Colonel C. R. Lyne, Colonel Manrel, Major Fothergill Evans, Captain Dent, adjutant 2nd Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery; Captain E. S. Gilman, Captftin and Mrs. Long Color.el and Mrs. Stockley, Colonel and Mrs. Walwyn. Colonel Williams, and many civilians.

A WANDERING PATRIARCH. SUPPOSED BROTHER TO THE ST. PAGAN'S ERRATIC. The Rev. L. Morgan, of Tonyrefaii, writes:- Sometime ago a wanderer. which had roamed far from his native home, was eeen near St. Fagan's by the rector. I have now to state that there is another wanderer of the same type seen near Tonyrefail. in an old cutting in the road close to the church. Pernrups. this has not succeeded to go quite so far from home a« his brother at St. Ffagan's. for he is nearer the mountains, wherkri they must have acome. Thie one also may not be so strictly a stranger in his present home as his brotner is in hjs. In passing Llantrisant from the direction of the mountains his brother crossed the boundary into another geological formation. But ax to his having been a traveller there is no mom for doubt. The sisms of his journeying? are plainly written on his body, and ca i be read by any trained eye. Being a poor interviewer, I feel it rather difficult to draw from him the knowledge he has in his possession and vhich he miirht impart. Could a skilful interviewer be found, he may tell us something more definite about his native land, the distance he has travelled, and the length of time taken to rench his present destination. As to its size, it Î6 diffi. cult to speak accurately, for a oreat, if not the meateet, part of it is hidden but in al! appear- r ace we may judge it to be about 20o\rft. The stone, which is very hard, has its fil^t end slightly pointed, as if made so by the extra friction in pushing its wav through diflicultiefi on its course. Underneath it is strisrted into I a thousand small parallel oTooves. and has its sides rounded just like the bottom of a. ship.

EEI.ICIO'JS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTKE TEA PEUCIOUS MAZA WAITER TEA DELICTUS MAZAWArivF TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWAJTEJ! TEA Re-calls the IMidotia Tea of Thirty Yeu« Am. law

f THE BETTING CKLSADE. STATEMENT BY MR. HAWKE, The coming test case in the Kempton Pajrk betting appeals is exciting a great deal of interest, and Mr. John Hawke, although it is doubtful whether the Anti-Gambling League has techni- ically any locus standi in die, case, is watching every move in the proceedings with the keenest vigilance. He is rather suspicious that pro- babiv the applicant for the injunction waa apt so wholehearted in his disinterestedness as would appear on the face of things. "When the injunction was applied for," ha said, "I looked up the latest list of shareholders in the Kempton Park Company, which, of course, is on tile at Somerset House. The pain- tiH 's name did not appear the: eon, although the lsc was supposed to contain the names of all shareholders up to December 8 last year. Now the Hawke v. Dunn case was decided on March 13, and on Saturday, April 10, the applicant for an injunction against the Kempton Park Com- pany became possessed of a single share. On Monday, April 12, he issued his writ. From this writ I got his address, and sent to the place to ascertain who and what he was. hut my inquiries failed to revfcal that he was either a householder or a ratepayer there. "Our solicitors then applied to his solicitors, and the company were also asked whether he was a ratepayer elsewhere, but we could get no satisfactory information. As all who know anything of the law are aware, no appea: lies in criminal matters from the Court of Queen's Bench Division, consequently the only method of getting a conflicting decision is to bring a civil action. This the plaintiff and the Kemp- ton Park Company have done. and if those who objected to the professional betting svstem had any locus standi in tbe case, or if tlie Grown had—the Attorney-General says it has not— objection to such a 'friendly' action would be materially lessened. It will be seen, however, that in a cast estimates to oost from first to last some £ 2 0J0 the plaintiff should be aa j independent Litigant.or otherwise,notwithrtand- ing the marked statement of the Lord Chief Justice that he npposed the case was inteuded to go to the highest jurisdiction-the House of Lords—it might easily be dropped by arrange- ment if tbe Court of Apt>eal should not by any chance confirm the injunction. "I would add, continued Mr. Hawke, "that we have every oonfidence in Mr. Asquith (who does not, on this occasion, act for us, as is reported, but for the plaintiff) arguing thecaae thoroughly, and without any approach to col- lusion, in thr extrema legal sense. He can,, however, hardly be expected to bring before the I court the preliminary question of whether the plaintiff comes before it with clean hands in respect of really desiring a confirmation of the ) injunction which he has obtained; whether he has the means to oonduM the case inde- pendently of the other side, and whether he is not asking the Court of Appeal to create a pre- cedent for revising decisions on cases the sub- ject matter of which is entirely criminal. aocom- mnied by the circumstance of excluding repre- sentations of interest pposed to the two parties in the cause; whi e at the same time, as has been pointed out. the statute book provides another and an adequate remedy for what he complains of. It is further significant that at this moment these very illegal practices in the Kempton Park enclosures are the subject of criminal prosecution by thfe Government. The pleadings appear to be tolerably fair with the exception of one or two statements in the particulars of defence which are not replied to; but tb-re is an odd appearance about the fact that the plaintiff 2ives as the dates of the iilegal practices which be is so desirous of stop- p ng. March 12 and 13, when he had no interest ÍL the company."

MISS MARY XTNGSUaY IN WEST AFRICA. Miss Mary Kingslev gave an account on Thursdav at St. Martin's Town-hall of her recent experiences among the wild trihes of W» t Africa. From a commer- cial poini of view, Miss Kingsiey paid tlie regions of West Africa were of the highest importance. She was not one j of those who entertained the idea that white of the highest importance. She was not one j of those who entertained the idea that white people could not colonise in those regions. On the contrary, the consuming power of West Africa for English manufactured goods was unknown to the great majority of people ia this country, and it only required the going forth of a certain number of English men and wtmen into those vrcultivated regions to develop the commercia resources of the coon- try. The black people, like many of her friends at home, wondered what a wotaan like herself had to do all alone in dark Africa. She oou d not understand herself; she only knew that her mission was to gather fresh- water fishes and in pursuit of ethnological studies. West Africa was a perfect paradise for ethnologists, although for the benefit of those who might be thinking of going she would say that the natives naturally regarded all white peop e as devils. (Laughter.) The black people, however, regarded a European as tho most valuable thing they could have in their vi lages, and a good understanding was soon established, providing the visitors were wiling to trade fairly. In one place she was received with great pomp as the "great-grandmother" of the village. Alto- gether the attractions of West Africa were irresistibly fascinating, and now she had re- turned she seemed to hear a voice crying in the words of the natives who wanted to bring their dead to life again, "Come bade, come back, this is your home."

RUSSIAN MILITARY SERVICE. The "Standard" correspondent at Moscow ulegrapla: -The Higher Military Court baa just completed the trial of a number of son eo*n- missioned offcers and men belonging te the Odessa Military District, on charges of an extraordinary character. The Russian peasant has long practised various terrible mutilations to incapacitate him from military service; but it has been reserved for the officers in question to devise means of freeing the recruit after he had entered the ranks. For sums of money, varying from five pounds to tifty, the clerk who made out certain returns conspired with the junior doctors in charge of the military hospital to effect the release of privates by pro* ducing certain diseases. The full particulars of the case have not been published, bat the method appears to be as follows: —A private desirous of escaping f irther service applied to the c erk, who arranged to send him to hospi- tal, where the other oonspiiators, by means of [drugs, produced various forms of» sicknees, ending genially in a weakening of the heart's action. The chief doctors were then induced to sign certificates stating that tho patient wis unfit for further service. The plot was dis- covered on the death of o,re, of the clerks, who shot himself leaving behind an information addressed to his oolonel. and naming his acooni* pikes. Eight men including two fortvar patients, were sentenced to various puni-b- ments. raniring from civil annihilation (loss of all civil rights, name, property. and standing), with two vears' service in the disciplinary bat- talions. usually regarded as equiva'ent to a slow enth sen ten e^ to eight months in the same ser. vice without iollS of rights.

ROSS DIVGKCK SUIT. Lord Kyllaohy delivered his juOjjiueiit ia Edinburgh on Sutirday morning in ilae Moss divorce suit His lordship granted Lady lloss a decree of divorce againet her husband, and granted an. ahsolvitur to I.adv Ko-d and Mr. De Bathe in Sir Charles Ross's action against them.—His Lordship held that it was gufficfently proved that from October. 1895. down, more or less, to tne autumn of 1896. I.adv Ross uf- i fercd from the i-Iiiess whi-'h the had de rriiiod, and that, wiltingly or unwittingly. Sir Charkf Roes was the cause of the tlineiS. iTi iel., in iti ear'.eat stages, put adulters cut of the ciue,,zt;n, made it improbable later on, and rendered it somewhat improbable in t: autuntr and winter of 18S6. Sir Charles Ross had fll.;led to prove adnhory. His T/ordship was not prepared to affirm Ladv Ross's innocence, bot, full of suspicion as the case was, he must give her the benefit of the doubt, a.nd Sir Charles had. moreover, legally and m or all} forferted all his husband's rights.—Lady Ross wajc granted a decree of divorce all asked for. and allowed her expenses in both action*-