Weekly Mail

ALLEGEJD ROBBERY AT DOWLAIS. A case of alleged1 robbery with violence occupied the Aberdare magistrates' attention on Tuesday. The parties were all Irish, and the prosecutor, Andy" Shea, labourer. spoke in so rich a brogue that it was often impossible to understand him. He said that on Saturday he met one of the defendants (Patsy Harrington, for whom Mr. C. Kenshole appeared) at the Farmers' Arms, Dowlais, where they indulged in two pints of beer, for which he (Shea) paid. They left the inn together, and wended their way to Harring- ton's quarters, but entered another person's house, whence they were ejected. Thereupon they parted, Shea making for Cross-street, where he saw Michael O'Kieff (a young fellow of about eighteen, dressed in khaki) on the doorstep of his mother's house. Shea was asked to enter, as there was a man inside who wanted to see him. He complied with O'Kieff's request, but it turned out that there were only two women in the house. It was alleged that he was knocked down, beaten, and robbed of a box containing over JE6. Other evidence having been given. Police-con- stable Woods and Police-sergeant Edwards deposed to having arrested the defendants. Addressing the bench, Mr. Kensbole contended that the evidence was not strong enough to connect Harrington with the matter. The magistrates, however, thought differently, and committed Mrs. O'Kieff, Michael O'Kieff (her son), and Harrington to the next quarter sessions. The female defendant's own recogni- zances were entertained, while bail was allowed in the case of the misle prisoners in two sureties of JS25 each.

CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS. The interest in the issue of this year's trl- poses has not abated, and now the list of those who can sit for the order of merit com- petition in mathematics is published. For the same candidates from India, Russia, Trini- dad, and other parts of the world are in- cluded, and students who are expected to occupy high places hail from Scotland, Ire- land, and Wales. Of the vexed question of who will be senior wrangler it may be unwise to predict, but such centres as Lon- don, Liverpool. Manchester, Birmingham, Hull, Newcastle on Tyne, Birkenhead, Berkswell (Warwick), Risca. (Monmouth), and Tiverton are expected to sapply the majority of wranglers. In all, 65 men and eighteen women sit for honours, but four men axe "ploughed," five are allowed the or- dinary degree, and a couple (one Indian) are excused. In the general examination Wales has such prominent men as O. J. AcUuns, of Llandovery, and E. L. Tanner, of Oardiff; and Bristol E. W. Alexander, of Bath and Bristol Grammar School; and S. H. Phillips, of Risca, Monmouthshire, the last-named of whom is expected to be very high.

SUICIDE AT MERTHYR. James Thomas Davies, a. collier, aged 51, of 39, Bethesda-street, Merthyr, committed sui. cide by hanging on Monday night. An inquest was held at the Plymouth Arms Inn, Merthyr, in the afternoon by Mr. R. J. Rhys (coroner) on the body of Davies.- Mrs. Davies, the widow, stated that her husband had suffered from weak legs and was frequently depressed. Some neighbours were married that day, and were holding a party in her house. They intended to become lodgers of her's. She asked her husband to go out for some coal, and he went. but, not returning, a search was made, and deceased was found hanging from a beam in the wash- house at the rear of the house.—Dr. Biddle said the man was unable to work, and was very depressed.—The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane.'

DIVISIONS IN PARLIAMENT. THE VOTING OF MEMBERS FOR WALES. Between Easter and Whitsuntide in the House of Commons a larger number of members assembled than has been known for many years. In one division-that on the vote of oensure on the Government—502 names were recorded, and in three over 450. On one occasion—the Irish Land Bill-the Aye lobby was crammed with 443 members, while the No's numbered only 26. Once the Government had but a majority of 5, but it was only as to the Honse citting on Ascension Day. There have been 111 divisions altogether. Mr. H. W. Forster (Government Whip) and Mr. Caldwell voted every time; Sir A. Acland Hood (Government Whip) missed one, Sir Saville Crossley two, Mr. Bignold four, Mr. An- struther (Government Whip) and Colonel Bain six, the Hon. S. H. Cochrane seven, Viscount Valentia and Mr. V. C. Cavendish eight, and Mr. J. G. Lawson nine. Mr. A. J. Balfour, Mr. Walter Long, Mr. H. L. Samuel, and Mr. Atkinson voted 97 times, Mr. A. Chamberlain 92, Mr. Ritchie 91, Lord George Hamilton 88, Mr. Gladstone 63, Mr. J. Chamberlain 54, Mr. Asquith 38, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman 30, Mr. J. Morley 16, and Sir W. Harcourt 13. The following is the voting of local members:— Abraham, W., Bhondda 23 Davies, Alfred, Carmarthen District 64 Davies, M. Vaughan, Cardiganshire 48 Edwards, Frank, Radnor 63 Evans, S. T., Glamorgan, Mid 31 Griffith, E. J., Anglesey 36 Hardie, James Keir, Merthyr Tydfil 30 Harcourt, Sir W. Vernon, West. 13 Humphreys-Owen, A. C., Montgomery 45 Jones, D. Brynmor, Swansea District 53 Jones, W., Carnarvonshire, Arfon 89 M'Kenna, R., North 53 Kenyon, Hon. G. T., Denbigh District 22 Laurie, General J. W., Pembroke and Haverfordwest 47 Lawrence, Sir Joseph, Monmouth District 60 Lewis, J. H., Flint District 46 Lloyd-George, D., Carnarvon District 38 Morgan, Colonel the Hon. F. C., South 4 Morgan, J. Lloyd, Carmarthenshire, W. 63 Morley, C., Brecknockshire 23 Moss, S., Denbighshire, E. 12 Xewaes, Sir G., Bart., Swansea 22 Philipps, J. Wynford, Pembrokeshire. 16 Pryce-Jones, Colonel E., Montgomery District. 63 Reed, Sir E. J., Oardiff 2 Roberts, J. B., Carnarvonshire, Eiflon 49 Roberts, J. H., Denbighshire, W 59 Smith, Samuel, Flintshire 15 Thomas, Abel, Carmarthen, E. 29 Thomas, Sir Alfred, Glamorganshire, E 52 Thomas, D. A., Merthyr Tydfil 66 Thomas, J. A., Glamorgan, Gower 26 Williams, Osmond, Merionethshire 38 Wyndham-Quin, Colonel, Glamorgan. S 27

WELSH LANGUAGE IN WALES Those connected with the movement for the encouragement of the use of the Welsh tongue in Wales and Monmouthshire will be particularly interested in a return of the census of 1901 showing the exact numbers of the population of Wales and Monmouthshire who can speak in the ancient language of the Principality. For this purpose the population of three years of age and upwards only are classified as follows: Males. Femalee. Population (three yean and upwards) 937,238 927,460 Speaking English Otily 470,342 457,880 Speaking Welsh only 137,333 143,572 Speaking both English and Welsh 324,539 324,380 Speaking other languages 3,535 358 No statement (including dumb). 1,487 1,270

= DOCK MYSTERY AT LLANELLY. A man named William Davies, a labourer, who lodged at 6, Trinity-terrace, Llanelly, was drowned in Nevill's Dock on Whit-Mon- day. He left home about six o'clock, and was seen later on at a. public-hdtase, and sub- sequently on board the steamship Electra. How he got into the water, however, is a mystery. He came to Llanelly about six months ago, and was a native of Cardigan- shire. An inquest was held on Tuesday morn- ing (before Mr. W. Buckley Roderick, coroner). and the jury found a verdict of Accidentally drowned."

CAPTURE OF TRAIN THIEVES. Some sears ago thefts of jewellery were very frequent in the express train from Vienna to Cracow, and led to the arrest of a number of guards. During the last few days other sensational arrests have been made. The Countess of Starzynska's valuable jewels were stolen from her luggage, and the police autho- rities hit on a. plan to capture the thieves. On the day following the theft a police officer concealed himself in a large trunk. A man went into the luggage van and proceeded to open the trunk with a false key. He was thus caught red-handed. He turned out to be the guard, Schafstok. Fourteen other rail- waymen were arrested on the charge of being in league with Schafstok. The jewels were ultimately found in Cracow.

SOLDIER'S DETERMINED SUICIDE. An inquest was held on Monday at New- castle on the body of Robert Knox, private in the Northumberland Fusiliers, who was found hanging by a rope in the Newcastle Barracks. Six inches from his head was found a loaded rifle, with a poker near, apparently for the purpose of touching tfie trigger in the event of the first attempt failing. Deceased had suffered from dysentery in South Africa. A verdict of "Suicide" was returned.

SHIPPING NEWS. ADVENTURE NEAR HOLygEAÐ HARBOUR. The Royal Irish mail steamer of the City of Dublin Steam egcape Company, had a very narrow of being run down by a roa^* Q\ttr during a dense fog, about a nn1 rniof- side Holyhead Harbour, on. Sunday vAge The Ulster had left Kingstown on to Holyhead at a quarter past eig&^ during the first half of the paseag weather was all that could be desired. half-way across, however, a haze beg ff envelop the sea, and, with the tDefl caution observed on the Irish boats, th'0 on the look-out were doubled, and a afl(l later it became necessary to slow make continual use of the foghorn, tjjCr u was answered at distant intervals from steamers. As the Ulster proceeded z deepened into a thick fog, necessitatis very reduced speed, the frequent firing ° ship's gun, and repeated soundings w Tgjei lead. In this way the steamer ProCflac& with the utmost caution, until the app1"0^ to the Welsh coast was signalised firing of the gun at the South Stack J house, and the nearer and more ^reJ? (Jft warnings of other steamers including e\n(t repeated siren of a man-of-war. The of the Ulster were stopped, and the 8*e remained stationary, but continued to her fog-horn almost incessantly. The ser' sounded continuously in reply, and, <jf lapse of seven or eight minutes, the a large cruiser suddenly loomed up oaattt 1 starboard side of the Ulster, with her set directly across the Ulster's s Intantly the captain of the Ulster ahead, but it seemed impossible tba could avoid a collision, as the crn*serrnof* bearing down at a distance of not than sixty or seventy yards, and threat^^ to strike the Ulster amidsnips. It by the most strenuous efforts on both that the Ulster was cleared when she practically under the cruiser's bows. The vessel was brought to a standstill y reversed at a distance of less than t yards. f

CARDIFF-BOUND SCHOONER svØ ¡ j OFF NASH POINT. The captain and crew of the scboojj^ | Economist have been landed at from a tusr-boat, their vessel having dered in the Bristol Channel after with the brigantine Eagle, of Waterford. a statement subsequently made by the of the Economist it appears that ea Sunday morning, when about seven south-west by west of the Nash Lights, vessel collided with the brigantine Ea ble bound for Waterford. The latter vessel was to proceed to her destination, but the Ec mist by the impact was cut down 40 j water's edge and foundered. The crew, took to their boat, were shortly afteI"VT*(j picked up by the tug-boat, which conveys them to Barry.

NARROW ESCAPE OF A KETO About eleven o'clock on Monday the St. fishing lugger E. T. H. passed close to a which was making for St. Ives Harbour all sails set. Noticing her precarious c° tion, the lugger went alongside, and eOBJ^)jjr the fishermen jumped on board and 00^ menced to pump, while the lugger took a t and began to tow the ketoh, which was iJ1I. settling down; many of the rollers bre^ rtfi aboard her. They reached the harbour too soon, for the ketch had sank so the water that it reached her decks, and could scarcely have gone another As the tide was ebbing, the vessel was 8a'gj,» moored at the mouth of the harbour. v proved to be the Eva, of Scilly, from 4 to Port Talbot with broken stone. Cap Joseph Phillips reported that his vessel »P'. a leak off St. Ives Head at four o'clock morning, having experienced strong wind j sea in the Channel. When the E. T. H- the ketch the crew had almost abando^ hope, for they had all their effects on ready to leave in the dinghey. The Eva formerly a Dartmouth trawler, but she i" owned by Mr. Richard of Scil« brother to the captain).

CAPTAIN AND TEN SAILOBS MISSING. A telegram from Lloyd's CookS^^ agent of Friday say*:—Port Moresby. Guinea, reports that the overdue Ge* ,0t ship C. H. Watjen, from New YorK^j Yokohama, with kerosene, was into safe anchorage at Hall Sound, wit.^ .^gt of fore and mainmasts, rudder gone, and o damage. She jettisoned a portion cargo. The C. H. Watjen saved eight crew of the Hamburg barque Edith, *4 was totally lost at Nereus Shoal# January. The captain and ten of are missing. The survivors are at C°° town. Lloyd's agent at Sydney telegraphs 12.55 p.m., as follows:—British steamer land has foundered near Port Stephens. of the passengera and crew were saved. The only steamer of the name of # appearing in the Shipping List is that ^e^ioj» ing to the North Coast Steam Naviga^^ (Limited), Sydney. She was built at Dutn ton in 1890, and was a screw steamer ol tons gross.

SHIPWRECKED CREW LANUgO, The crew were landed at Shields on of the steamer, Gordonia, belonging to Gordon and Co. The Gordonia foundereo Sunday, on Harlborough Sands, after ^^rpjje with the Glasgow steamer Dorset, ^jj, Dorset rescued all the men except a named Hodgson, belonging to Shields, apparently killed in his berth.

COCHFARF'S NOTES, COMMENTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. Happy is he who survives his bio- graphies. Major-general Baden-Powell has outlived a goodly number, but it is with fear and trembling, lest anything I write may prove the proverbial last straw, I venture to insert here the direct impres- sions made upon my mind by Cardiff's latest honorary citizen. The small band of early-risers who met him at Roath Station last Saturday morning had some difficulty in settling among themselves whether to be prepared to meet him with all the stateliness which persons not over- accustomed to Court formalities could command, or whether he should be treated in a spirit of "hail fellow well met." The signalling of the approach of the train found them still in a musing state, and their decision was precipitated through the hero of Mafeking breaking one of the Great Western Railway Com- pany's bye-laws by stepping on to the platform before the train had come to a standstill, and with the air of one who thought it would be an excellent joke if he managed to escape the whole sight- seeing crowd that filled the railway plat- form—just as he had many a time in his scouting days quietly viewed an enemy's encampment and stolen away before his presence had been observed. A night on a railway siding had not robbed him of his characteristically breezy manner, for the train by which he travelled provides sleeping accommoda- tion, and at Bristol it shunted for the above amount of time. His presence at the capital of the West of England had been foreseen, and, early as the hour at which he started from Bristol was, his hand had been gripped by engine- cleaners, horny-handed sons of toil, and fellow-travellers, &c., until it was decidedly" off colour" when, with a ripple of laughter, he held it up for obser- vation on the Roath Station Bridge. He greeted the sight of half-a-dozen cameras, which were inquisitively planted opposite the station exit, with a parody upon some of Tennyson's lines on the Charge of Balaclava, viz., "Cannons to the right of them," &c., and the every-ready inter- viewer with a quiet whistle and the query, So early as this?" With a sigh he related his experiences with American newspaper men—or, rather, the doings of reporters he had never seen. One interview had been very widely copied, and, as it was nothing more or less than absurd guesswork, he wrote a remonstrance to the proprietor of the paper in which tha "stories" origi- nally appeared. This brought a telegram from the proprietor stating: "If inter- view is untrue I must dismiss one of the best men on my staff." B.-P.'s reply could not be misinterpreted. It was: Dismiss one of the best men on your staff' His regard for children dis- closed itself constantly during his stay in Cardiff, the immense lung power of the juveniles of the Welsh Metropolis, he thought, being a distinct proof that tuber- culosis was at a discount in the town. Major-general Baden-Powell goes about his business as if the fresh wind always blows about him, and as if good spirits were his only physic. A seven hours' companionship with him supplied enough food for reflection for a lifetime, and his fame for alertness vas during that time fully borne out. Had an old soldier lost a son in Mafeking? Yes, he remembered him well! A ser- geant who fought with him in Zululand? Why should he forget him, although he had changed his barber since then-the point of the joke evidently being that there were no razor-wielders in Zululand at that time. The general does not regard his new privileges as a thing to be set aside and forgotten. He expects a busy time for a year or so, even though his services as a soldier of the King will not be required in other lands. A man who remembers Dean Stanley, John Buskin, Jowett, Tyndall and Browning visting his home can talk about many subjects besides soldiering and tiger- hunting, and he will gladly grace any, function in which his fellow-citizens are interested once his stress of work with military inspection is in some degree relaxed. He was, unquestionably, delighted with his reception at Cardiff on Saturday last. There was one pathetic scene amongst the unmistakable rejoicing at the visit of "B.-P." to South Wales, viz., the muster of old veterans in East-grove and their ambling march from that place to the Cardiff Town-hall. The Crimean and Indian Mutiny struggles were enacted before the present generation was born, and yet there are to be seen among us now men who took a part in the famous assault upon the Redan tower in Sebastopol, and who helped to raise the famous siege of Delhi during the Indian Mutiny. Seven of the forty-five who, with bent forms and health-impaired gait, came to welcome the defender of Mafeking are inmates of our union workhouse, but their pride in the! glory of British arms has not diminished one iota during the fifty years that have passed since they shouldered their arms and were prepared to do or die at the call of duty. Is it impossible to do a little service to lighten their lot during the in- evitably few years there is left before their course is run? There are younger men who have earned their country's prac- tical gratitude also; but those who are past work-what of them? With a midnight award at a com- petitive concert at Llanelly, andi the news from many eisteddfodau in South Wales of the extraordinary number of competitors which had entered for the Whitsuntide meet- ings, it has become absolutely neces- sary for committees to consider how mrre expeditious methods of holding preli- minary tests can be brought about. At the close of a day, when competitors are thinking more of getting off for their trains, and the value of the test is further diminished through being conducted by an adjudicator wearied with the sounds of voices and jaded by long hours in ill- adapted buildings, such conditions cannot help much in furthering musical art. There should certainly be an increase in the number of adjudicators, and some attention paid to the acoustic properties of buildings in which competitions are held, otherwise the charge of deterioration in the quality of our singing will prove to be too well-founded. As to the place given to literature in the average eisteddfod, I must candidly admit my preference to its being left out in the cold altogether. This will not injure it half so much as the cold- shouldering it now receives in circles that profess to be greatly concerned over its nurture. The prize for singing a solo and the value of a pryddest are now exactly the same, and there should be no wonder if such as can produce readable literature turn away from our "literary" gather- ings altogether. This condition of things is not of a solitary kind, but it as wide- spread as the land in which the eisteddfod is considered to have its home. I had fondly cherlsTied the hope that spring tooth traps had been relegated to museums of obsolete instruments of tor- ture, but from a correspondence in the columns of a contemporary I learn that such is not-the case. Man traps were suppressed by an Act of Parliament, and if we believe that dumb animals are as jconsciojje of pain as the human family such' traps should also be declared illegal in all cases. One correspondent has taken much trouble to visit poulterers' shops to see what proportion of game capable of being so trapped are offered for sale to the public, and at every shop over- whelming evidence was forthcoming from limbs absolutely broken that these terrible traps are as much in use by gamekeepers and others as ever. If the traps only killed the creatures at once, that would be a sharp death, but when we reltiember that these poor things may be held in such cruel prisons for hours or days before they are released and killed, it is dreadful to think about.

CARDIFF THEATRE SCENE ALLEGED WOUNDING AT THE GRAND. Though Dr. Bodie has departed from Cardiff, his memory is still with ue, and it wae re- called at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday when William Lovell, aged 27, was charged with maliciously wounding Edward Nelson at the Grand Theatre, Cardiff, on Friday evening. Mr. Sidney Jenkins, on behalf of the prisoner, said he had only been instructed on Monday, and had not been able to get all his witnesses. Two had refused to come unless they were subpoenaed. He, therefore, asked for an adjournment. Mr. George David, for the prosecution, objected to an adjournment. He had brought his witnesses, and the matter was one in which, if he made out a prima. facie case, the prisoner must be committed for trial. The man was arrested on Saturday, and if he did not take steps for his defence earlier that was not his (Mr. David's) fault. Mr. Stephens said there was plenty of time for the man to have found his witnesses between then and the time he was arrested. Mr. Jenkins submitted that he had impor- tant evidence to call, but the witnesses would not attend unless compelled, and, finally, the case was adjourned until Tuesday next. Mr. Jenkins asked for bail, but Mr. David objected to bail at that stage. The man was a bird of passage, and was in the employ of a man named Bodie, a music-hall performer, who travelled about from place to place. Bail was refused.

CARDIFF ELECTRIC TRAMS. PROPOSED EXTENSIONS IN THE ADAMSDOWN DISTRICT. At a meeting of the Cardiff Tramways Com- mittee on Tuesday, Mr. J. "VV. Courtis (chair- man) presiding, Alderman Ramsdale advocated the extension of the tramways from Adams- down Schools past the infirmary into Newport- road, which would be a direct route to Roath Park, and also to Cathays. It would be one of the best investments the council ever made. Mr. Ellis said he was getting ready a plan of that route, because it would be absolutely necessary for their own working. The distance would only be from 600 to 700 yards. Alderman Ramsdale said that Newport-road waa treated worse than any part of Cardiff, as trams ran along that route from the early morning until after midnight, and it was impossible for people to sleep. Mr. F. J. Beavan: That favours the idea. of establishing another depot. Mr. Veall: And that would mean a new repairing staff. It was decided to ask the borough engineer to prepare plans of the suggested new route. The question of running combination cars on the Splott and Cathays sections was discussed. In the opinion of several membera, it was not fair that the inhabitants in those districts should be cooped in," while people in other parts of the town had the double-decked cars. It was eventually decided to relegate to a sub- committee the consideration of a suitably- designed car for the purpose. Mr. A. Ellis referred to a purifier for boiler- feeding purposes which was in use at Sunder- land. It would cost about EBOO, and if the cor- poration had one it would mean a consider- able saving of fuel and water. A sub-committee, consisting of the chairman, vice-chairman, and electrical engineer, was appointed to inspect the purifier when in working order.

CALVTNISTTC METHODISM. The annual church meeting of the Liver- pool Presbytery of the Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales--or, to give it the name by which it has been known for generations, the Seiat Fawr-was held in the Philharmonic- hall, Liverpool. The ministers officiating included the Revs. J. G. Moelwyn Hughes, Ph.D. (Cardigan), John Davies, F.S.A. (Pandy), William Jones (Treforeat), R. Vaughan Griffith (America), T. E. Roberts, M.A. (Aberystwyth), and R. Cunllo Davies (Dow- lais). The chair was taken by the Rev. William Morris Jones, of Crosshall-street Church, Liverpool, who said that without any affectation of modesty he might justly claim that the numerous and influential assemblage he saw before him fairly represented the dignity and position to which their denomina- tion had attained in the city. That was their one hundred and sixteenth Seiat Fawr, and his (the speaker's) mind went back to the time when their denomination in Liverpool was formed, very many years ago, in a small hut in St. James Quarry by one William Llwyd, with Mary his wife, and Grace Lewis. From this small beginning their connexion had grown to such dimensions that their difficulty was now to obtain a building sufficiently large in which to hold their meetings.-The report for last year, which waa presented to the meeting, was prefaced by the address of tue moderator, the Rev. William Owen, who refers to the continued generosity of the churches, the offertories to the ministry and the mis- sionary movement, in particular, showing a substantial increase.—The Rev. David Jones (Garregddu) said the reading of the statistics had afforded him much pleasure, and he tried to realise the extent of the labour of love which the figures denoted. He was glad to see they had over 7,000 members who had not bent their knees to Baal. It was a. matter for congratulation also that their mission stations were now more in number than he ever remembered them to be.

CRADDOCK WELLS' SCHOLARSHIPS. The attention of school teachers, and also parents of pupils in the elementary schools of Cardiff, is directed to the announcement that entries for the Craddock Wells' Scholar- ships for this year will close on Friday next. The value of the scholarships is now fairly well known by the people of Cardiff, several boys and girls having been greatly benefited in their scholastic career by the assistance thus given. The scholarships now to be competed for amount in the aggregate to JS300, and will be awarded at the discretion of the governors in sums ranging from E3 upwards. Addi- tional scholarships are also given by the representatives of the late Alderman Sanders and by Mr. John Duncan, chairman of the Cardiff Intermediate Governors. The scholar- ships are tenable at the Cardiff Higher Grade School, and only those boys and girls are eligible who are and have been for two years in public elementary schools within the borough. Further information and forms of entry may be obtained at any time up to Friday evening at the offices of the clerk to the governors, Mr. David Shepherd, 1, Frede- rick-street, Cardiff.

TOWN-HALL ELECTRICAL WORKS. Mr. A. Ellis (electrical engineer) at a meet- ing of the Town-hall Committee on Tuesday, presided over by Alderman Carey, recom- mended the appointment of an electrician to superintend the electrical portion of the works at the new town-hall. He had a man in his employ at present, and he suggested that he should be appointed at a salary of £ 2 5s. per week.—Mr. F. J. Beavan: There is an exaggerated complication about this tele- phone business. It means the throwing away of hundreds of pounds.-In reply to a ques- tion, ifr. Ellis said it would take about twelve months to complete this portion of the work. It would not, however, necessitate the man being there the whole time.—Mr. R. Bird: Do you say the contract is only going to cost £ 8.000.—The Chairman: No, it will be a little over £ 7,000.—Alderman E. Beavan: Mr. Bird means for the building. (Laughter).—The Chairman: Oh! this is for wiring it. (Renewed laughter.)—Alderman Beavan: The building will be nearer a quarter of a million.-It was decided to adopt the engineer's suggestion as to the appointment of a clerk of the elec- trical work.

ALLEGED WOUNDING AT CARDIFF. Luther Powell, 30, and his step-father were celebrating Whitsuntide together at 5. Edwards-place, Cardiff. They were both drunk, and presently quarrelled over a shilling, so it was told Mr. T. H. Stephens, Mr. J. Howard, and Dr. Taylor at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday.—William Powell said his son rushed at him, and after the scuffle which followed he found a. wound and blood on his arm. How it was done he did not know. He also had a cut over the right eye, one on the forehead, and another at the back of the head. The cuts on the head were caused by his wife, who struck him with tne poker.-Dr. Brown- lee, house-surgeon at the infirmary, thought the wound on the arm was caused by some jagged sharp instrument, such as broken glass, and that over the eye with the fist.- Detective-sergeant Dicks said everyone seemed drunk all through the house, which was more like a shambles or a Donnybrook fair than anything else.—Prisoner was committed to the quarter sessions.

SUDDEN DEATH AT PENRHIWFER. Early on Tuesday morning, in the back yard of Caemawr Cottage, Penrhiwfer, tile body of a young man, named Thomas Griffiths, son of Mr. Thomas Griffiths, Brook-street, a well. known inhabitant of Penygraig, was found. His body was in a sitting position on one of the steps leading to the garden, and there was a pool of blood at his feet. Information was given to Police-constable Cummings, who sent for Dr. T. R. Llewellyn, Penygraig, who examined the body. Griffiths had been for some time in delicate health. He had lately been an insurance agent. There is no doubt death resulted from the bursting of a blood vessel. He was about 30 yean of age.

LADDM.-Igbdden for Builders, Painter*, Plasterers, Private Use. Ac., all sive at I Oottrail's old-established Manufactory, Bayr- street, Bristol. wMM

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. MEETING OF THE GLAMORGAN COMMITTEE. Dr. T. H Morris presided over a meeting of the Glamorganshire Technical Instruction Committee at the County Offices, Cardiff, on Tuesday. On the motion of Mr. Hopkin Morgan, the chairman (Dr. Morris) was unanimously re- elected. The question of building a new laboratory at Merthyr was considered, and the architect will be instructed to confer with the governors. Ten exhibitions were granted to teachers in secondary schools for summer courses in modern languages on the Continent, and a committee was appointed to deal with the applications. Three cookery scholarships were granted to Kate Jones, Clifton-street, Aberdare; Fanny Jenner, Wenvoe; and T. Gertrude Williams, Dunraven House, Gowerton. The awards in the butter-making competition were shared by the following :-Helena M. Williams, St. Athan's (90 per cent. of marks); Minnie Davies, Berthlwyd, Llantwit-Vardre (87J per cent.); Serviah Harries, Brynllefrith, Cwmllynfell (86J per cent.); Eugenie Nicholas, Pontardawe (86J per cent.); Elizabeth Loughor, Treguff Farm. Cowbridge (86 per cent.); and May Harries, Brynllefrith, Owmllynfell (86 per cent.). The judge (Mr. M. Benson, British Dairy Institute, Reading) remarked, in his report, that all the candidates appeared to possess a masterly knowledge of the process. Mr. Henry Davies, mining lecturer, men- tioned that a Government report, recently issued, showed that William Davies. a young collier attending the advanced class at Aber- dare, had secured the second place on the honours list for the kingdom at the last examination in mining. There were only sixteen in this stage in the whole country, and Davies was the only candidate from Wales whose name appeared on the list. It was decided unanimously that the clerk, on behalf of the committee, should write a letter of congratulation to Mr. Davies.

WELSH CENTRAL BOARD. RADNORSHIRE PREFERS THE UNI- VERSITY COURT. The annual meeting of the Radnorshire County Governing Body was held at Llandrin- dod Wells.—Mr. Charles Coltman Rogers was unanimously re-elected chairman of the governors, and Dr. Wm. Bowen-Davies vice- chairman.-The Clerk presented copies of the draft scheme for Radnorshire under the Edu- cation Act, 1902. together with a notice that the appointed day for the oonnty was the 30th of September next, when the duties of the governing body will be transferred to the county educational authority.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Dr. Harding, it was carried nem. con. That, under the circumstances of an altered educational system, this county governing body, whilst acknowledging the great work of organisation effected by the Central Welsh Board, is of opinion that it would be to the best interests, economically and otherwise, of the interme- diate schools of Radnorshire and Wales gene- rally, for the examination and inspection to be undertaken by arrangement with and under the supervision of. the Welsh Univer- sity authorities, instead .of, as heretofore, by the Central Welsh Board, and that copies of this resolution be sent to the county govern- ing bodies of Wales, the Board of Education, and the Central Welsh Board."

GRUESOME DISCOVERY. Mr. R. J Rhys, coroner, held an inquest at the Plymouth Arms Inn, Merthyr, on Tues- day upon the body of a coloured man un- known, which was found on the previous day in an engine-house at the-Ynysfach Works.- John Peters, 25, George-street, Georgetown, stated that at about eleven o'clock on Mon- day morning he was out for a walk, when his attention was attracted to the engine-house by a strong smell. He went to investigate, and in a cistern in which there was a cylinder he saw the body of the deceased.—Police-con- stable Henry Davies said he was called to the engine-house, and saw the body lying full length on its back. The cistern was formerly used to feed the blast engine. The deceased had one boot off. and had on trousers, shirt, and stockings, the coat and waistcoat being on the other side of the cylinder. There was a workhouse ticket in one of the pockets of the coat bearing the name of Sidney Holder, the age being given as 23.-Dr. Biddle said the features were entirely eaten away, and there were thousands of maggots devouring the corpse. He judged that the deceased was a man of from 25 to 35. He had a splendid set of teeth. The body was so decomposed that in looking at the teeth the soft tissue was separated from the bones, and he (the doctor) was of opinion that death must have taken place at least a. month ago.—The jury returned a. verdict of Found dead."

CONTRACTOR'S CLAIM AT BARRY. Alexander Harpur, contractor, of Seng- henydd, appeared before his Honour Judge Owen at Barry County-court on Tuesday, pnd applied for an order against Elias Ray, Vere-street, Cadoxton, for the payment of £11 8s. 6d. for work done in connection with eleven bouses at Senghenydd. Mr. F. P. Jones Lloyd, solicitor, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. J. A. Hughes, solicitor, defended. Plaintiff's case was that he had been requested' by the defendant to clear the drains of two houses, and upon opening them he found that the sewer pipes had not been connected. He wrote to the defendant to this effect, and defendant asked him to open out and connect the drains of the other houses. This Mr. Ray denied. He had, he said, only ordered the work to be done in the case qf two houses— Judgment was given for C3 7s.. with respect to two houaeB. This amount had been paid into court.

GENERAL BADEN POWELL,. DELIGHTED WITH HIS CARDIFF VISIT. The following autograph letter was received from Major-general Baden-Powell, C.B., on Tuesday by the Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman E. Thomas, Cochfarf ") :— Warwick Castle, May 31, 1903. My dear Mr. Mayor,—I venture to trouble you with one more letter just to tell you how very grateful I am to you and to the citizens of every degree for the very warm reception accorded to me in Cardiff yesterday. "The ovation which I received in the streets was almost overwhelming to me, and I could not help expressing to you and to the ladies and gentlemen who met me within doors the true warmth of feeling which it roused inme. I am only so sorry that the shortness of my visit gave so little time for me to see the institutions of your city more fully, but that, of oourse, was entirely my fault. However, I hope that some day I may be allowed to come quietly and see them at greater leisure. In the meantime I should be very grateful if you could, by some means, let it be known how deeply sensible I am of this honour done to me, not only by the conferring on me of the freedom of the borough, and by my recep- tion at the hands of yourself and the coun- cillors, but also by the spontaneous action of the people themselves in according me so warm a welcome. I wish to thank the mayoress for her kind- ness in coming at so early an hour to receive me at the station, and for your hospitality to me at the Mansion House. I am very grate- ful, too, to the various Volunteer corps and boys' brigades for furnishing such smart guards of honour, and to the police and fire brigade for their efficient work. It was most interesting to me to meet the Naval and Military veterans of Cardiff, and I was delighted to hear from their own lips that their services to their country are not forgotten by their fellow-citizens, and I hope they had a very enjoyable dinner that day. To yourself, my dear Mr. Mayor, and to the town-clerk, I desire to offer my most oordial thanks for all your kindness, and for the trouble you have so generously taken to make my visit so happy and successful a one. In the name of the forces which I repre- sent I beg to thank you and the citizens of Cardiff for the very cordial recognition of our endeavours to do our duty. With kindest regards, believe me, yours very truly, R. S. S. BADEN-POWELL." Major-general Baden-Powell's hope concern- ing a very enjoyable dinner to veterans refers to a function that would not have been reported had not the matter been re-called in his letter. As soon as the mayor and mayoress heard that the veterans were going to parade on Saturday they determined that their physical needs should be attended to, and, with the head-constable's kindly co- operation, the men, forty-five in number, were entertained to dinner at Barry's Restaurant. The mayor (Alderman Edward Thomas, J.P.) presided, and was supported by the mayoress, Mr. W. J. Board, deputy-town- clerk, and Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie. The mayoress provided an excellent programme of moBic for the occasion, the veterans aiding with songs and recitations. The Mayor pro- mised to make it his business to see that the annual dinner to the veterans, which was so generously provided by the late Alderman Brain for several years, should be continued, as he felt sure there were plenty of ladies and gentlemen who would gladly assist in bearing the expenses.

BADEN-POWELL AND THE CAPE CAMBRIAN SOCIETY. Speaking at a meeting of the Cape Cambrian Society, the general said the address they had just heard had not only roused his deepest gratitude, but it had also made him thoroughly ashamed, because, although he was a Welshman and had Welsh blood in his veins, he came back what they might call a prodigal. (Laughter.) He had never done his duty to his Wales. He had never lived there properly, and he never learnt the Welsh lan- guage, which he was very much ashamed of; but, at the same time, he could not help feeling that they had forgiven him and taken him back to the fold, and he would promise to reform. (Applause and laughter.) On his mother's side he came from Cardiff, and on his father's side he came from Carnarvon, and his godfather built Menai Bridge; so he had some connection with Wales—(applause)— and his motto was, "Ar nid yw Pwyll pyd yw," which meant, "Where there is a Powell-he did not quite know what it was—there is some- thing fairly good." (Applause and laughter.) But, at any rate, they had discovered some- thing good in him which he did not know before. (Laughter.) He could only say that In the future, if he had the chance to distin- guish himself, he would try to act up to his motto, not only for his own sake, but for the honour of little Wales, now that they had weleomed him back to the fold. (Applause.) Joking apart, he was grateful for the manner in which he had been received, not only by the Cambrian Society, but by everybody in Cape Town, although he had to go about more or less in disguise. (Laughter.) It was most unexpected the welcome that he did receive, and then to find he was taken back into the Welsh fold. (Applause.) Now that he had been received back, he would endeavour to maintain the name of Welshman in the highest degree that any Welshman could wish him to do. (Loud applause.)

CARDIFF MAN'S HONEYMOON CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES BREAKS DOWN. At Bow-street Police-court on Tuesday (before Mr. Marsham) Samuel Rooney, 25, an architect, of 42, Eastbourne-road, Paddington, was charged on remand with obtaining credit for .Ell 6s. lid. by false pretences at Ham- mum's Hotel, Coventrgarden. Detective Callaghan said he arrested the prisoner on the 26th of May. Prisoner said, "I didn't think this would happen. I have been trying to get Ihe money, and intended to pay." Mr. Renant, manager of the hotel, said that he received a letter from Cardiff from the pri- soner on April 13, engaging rooms for himself and his wife on their honeymoon. He en- gaged a. sitting-room and bedroom at three guineas a week. On April 29th witness asked for payment, and prisoner tendered him a cheque, drawn up on a blank piece of paper. This cheque was returned marked "No account." He, nevertheless, allowed the account to run up, as he knew the prisoner's relatives to be respectable. The father had since paid the full amount, and he under- stood Mrs. Rooney had returned to Cardiff. Mr. Samuel Rooney, Oardiff, father of the prisoner, said his son bad no account at a bank in Cardiff, but sometimes drew cheques for him. The prisoner fre- quently did most extraordinary things, par- ticularly since his return from South Africa, where he had contracted typhiod fever. He (witness) sometimes thought of having the state of his mind inquired into. Asked if he had anything to say, the pri- soner said he expected to pay the bill with money owing to him by some of his friends, but they had disappointed him. Mr. Marsham: You had no business to run up a bill without having the wherewithal to pay it. You have done a most foolish and reprehensible thing. I do not think a jury would convict you, so I discharge you. The Father: Thank you.

SUBMARINE COAL STORAGE. IMPORTANT RESULTS ALREADY ATTAINED. The Navy's coal bill amounts to no less than two millions sterling a. year, and anything which would reduce it would have the warm support of every taxpayer. Experiments are now being made with coal which has been immersed in water (says the "Daily Chronicle"), and already the results show that such fuel has higher evaporative quali- ties and longer endurance than coal freah from the pit's mouth. The experiments owe their origin to an accident, and experts believe that they will involve a complete revolution in our coaling stations abroad, as they will effect some very drastic economies. It is pointed out that it we can preserve our coal under water on foreign stations it will not only last much longer, thus increasing the Navy's radius of action, but it will also enable us to withdraw our military guards, number- ing some thousands of men, thus leaving the stations in charge of a few patrolling torpedo boats. If this great financial economy is effected we shall not only have more effective foreign coaling stations, but shall be able to double the radius of action of his Majesty's ships on tropical and semi-tropical stations.

A CHILD SONAMBULIST. About midnight on Sunday a man, named Sydney Bennett, of 11, Phyllis-street, Barry Island, was going home from the docks, when he saw a little girl, aged about five, clad only in her nightdress, walking about in the Triangle near the Marine Hotel. He took the child to his home, and Mrs. Bennett having questioned the little one, she was only able to say that her name was Lee, and that she belonged to Cardiff. She was put to bed. and Police-constable Shillum (350) was apprised of the circumstance. About two hours later information was brought to the police-station that a child was miseing from No. 70, Phyllis-street, the little one's clothes having been found in the passage and the bed in which the child was placed about nine o'clock was empty. The child, whose parents live at Cardiff, and was spending Whitsun- tide at Barry Island, was restored to her friends. The little one is subject tp ftta of aomaainbixlisin.

NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. SPLENDID ENTRIES FOR THE LLANELLY MEETING. The arrangements for the Llanelly National Eisteddfod, to be held in August Bank Holi- day week, are now being pshed forward rapidly, and there is every prospect of the success achieved in the tin-plate town in 1895 being overshadowed bn this occasion. The entries in the various sections are far above the average, and the musical Competi- tions in particular are likely to establish a record. The splendid prize of LZOO in the chief choral competition has attracted no fewer than ten choirs, several of which will come from over the border. The cream of Welsh choral talent will be opposed to North Staffordshire, Shrewsbury, Portsmouth, and possibly Blackpool. Another fine competition will be that for male voice parties, in which the prize is £ 60. Among the entrants in this competition are Manchester, Southport, Lon- don Welsh, and South London Welsh, in addi- tion to the best-known Welsh parties. As far as entries go, the most popular competition is that for brass bands, no fewer than twenty having entered the ;ists. There are also numerous entries in the competitions for congregational choirs, children's choirs, female choirs, orchestral bands, glees, trios, Ac. These competitions will be distri- buted over the eisteddfod week as follows:—Monday (Bank Holiday), brass bands; Tuesday, second choral competition, glee singing, and crowning the bard; Wed- nesday, chief choral; Thursday, ladies' choirs, juvenile choirs, congregational choirs, orches- tral bands, and chairing the bard; Friday, male voice parties and amateur orchestral bands. From the foregoing it will be seen that there will be plenty of attraction for eisteddfodwyr each day. The most elaborate railway arrangements have been made, thanks to the initiative of Mr. James Morgan, the energetic secretary of the railway com- mittee. A few weeks ago the superintendents of the various railway companies met at Llanelly to discuss the arrangements for special trains. As a result of this Llanelly will be very accessible at cheap rates from all parts of the country. The railway com- panies have also been induced to display eisteddfod posters at their principal stations free of charge. It is quite certain that, given fine weather, Llanelly will be full to over- flowing while the national festival is being held. Fortunately, the largest crowd can be comfortably accommodated in the magnificent market pavilion. Eisteddfodwyr can defy the weather in this spacious enclosure, which will easily accommodate 30,000 people. The general secretary, Mr. W. H. Protheroe, Station-road, will gladly give any information relating to the arrangements to intending competitors and visitors.

ATTACK ON A RECTOR. A singular assault case was heard at Milden- hall (Suffolk) Police-court. An ex-police officer named Stirling met the Rèv. J. D. Toolis, rector of Worlington, and accused him of pre- venting his marriage. Stirling then pulled a stick from under his jacket and struck the rev. gentleman twice on the head, inflict- ing scalp wounds which necessitated complete rest for a week. Four years ago, it was stated, Stirling was convicted of an assault on Mr. Toolis under similar circumstances. Stirling, who said that if the rector had explained why he interfered between him and a certain lady the assault would not have been committed, was sent for trial at the assises.

GERMAN CRUISER ASHORB. The German cruiser Ariadne, belonging to Prince Henry of Prussia's squadron, ^0 at Brest on Monday morning to fetch squadron's mails. After the customary to chaijge of salutes she was proceeding øØ ancfior in the open roadstead, with a big*1 .oJX running, when she grounded on the exten of the main breakwater, now under cons tion, and across which she still lies. I>reP f tions are being made to get her off.— Later.—The vessel was got off after efforts. The cruiser has sprung a leak. is going into the naval dockyard for reP* -Renter.

LOSS TO BRITISH SHIPPING- A "Times" telegram says:—The Yusen Kaisha, the powerful Japanese 8 _el*, ship company, has purchased the TfZapjfi rights, and goodwill of the British Yang-tsze River Steamer Line. The jJz ifl tance of the transaction lies chieflj^^ the purchasers' acquisition of the and berthing accommodation at the ports, where the congestion of the frouta* late years has prevented competition by comers. The Germans had made Pe offers to acquire this line.

i FAST LINE TO CANADA. j t t An Ottawa correspondent says: j.jfl* f understood that only the Allan it and the Canadian Pacific :Ral tb8 Company have tendered bids f°r Government's project of establishing subsidised steamship line between C* wj- and England. The Government is now ing the matter in all its bearings, and in authority say an announcement be made, giving particulars of the mat it has thus far advanced. It is the contract will be awarded to the Can^^ji Pacific Railway Company, and shipbuilders expect to secure a part o* rfJ1J' orders for the new boats which are to bet DO structed for the service. The fo' been moving quietly, perfecting its tft>' some time past, and there is now little that the fast boats will be running, 1 next year, then in 1905 at the latest.

NEW FIRST-CLASS BATTLESHl^ 'P' On Tuesday the new first-class battlesbl mouth, built and equipped at a cost Of 0 Cb, million sterling, was commissioned at it ham by Captain O'Callaghan, for Bervloe the Mediterranean. The Exmouth 8 c0y nineteen knots, and her main sists of four 12in. guns and twelve 6in- She re-places the seventeen and a bsJXggjh vessel Victorious. Her sister ship, the # is already serving in the

DRILL SHIP FOR THE sio. The Admiralty have decided to stati°nf going cruiser in the Firth of n" vice as Royal Naval Reserve drill 8" yjjigef' have selected the Sappho, second-class 5applJ0' for service in that capacity. The which is at present attached to the V8 of the Medway Fleet Reserve, is order Sao commissioned at Chatham Dockyard figlt 10, by Commonder E. H. Mowbray, f°^ f duties, and will take up moorings at w ferry, N.B.

Hi ELECT Cocoa SflwIvB economica^ and delicious beverage, specially fef for summer sqstenance. t Vrlta for Free Bleot Coupons and CoIleotWtf | nBESHl t Miest, to "meot Coupons," Rowntm. y_ko