Weekly Mail

FEMININE FASHIONS. SILK DRESSES BECOMING POPULAR. London drapers are by no means blind to their own best interests, as is proved by the concerted action of a large number of the most influential firms in the various shop- ping centres of the metropolis, who have decided to hold their bi-annual sales a week later than is usual, the second, instead of the first, week in July being the date fixed. Drapers, in consequence of this chilly, rainy season have suffered heavy loss, and, naturally, are anxious to retrieve that loss in I some measure. A few warm days would bring about a marked revival of businee at ordi- nary prices, greatly to their advantage. It is, therefore, not well to begin the time of starting reductions with undue precipitancy. This astute resolution, however, carries dis- may to the hearts of bargain-hunters, Who are aware that an opportunity deferred fre- quently means an opportunity lost. FASHIONABLE WOMEN Are to walk in silk attire again. Silk haa been left in the background for some time past, and lighter fabrics, quite unsuitable to the weather we began to regard as national, have had an almost undisputed reign. We have shivered in muslin, and now wisely turn to something more protective. Taffeta and glace are now considered smartest amongst dress goode. We can only hope the manu- facturers have found a means of making glace silk more durablo. for when it was popular a very few years back its propensity to split was inveterate. A rent might be regarded as certain to appear any time after three days' wear. MIDSUMMER Is past, and we know that in lees than two months chillier weather will follow, nor are we by any means assured that a. glorious late summer and genial autumn will compensate us for the bitter disappointment April, May, and June are responsible for. BLACK AND WHITE Has become almost a, livery amongst well- dressed women, and after an all-black toilette is chosen—not of necessity, but of choice—it has much to recommend it. It is economical, and it is fashionable. In Hyde Park and other places where many of the smartest dresses are sure to be seen and gowns of every colour are found, a well- dressed woman in black is generally singled out as the most distinguished figure there. It would not do for us all to wear sable gar- ments, but it is certain that black, sombre- looking as it is, is more becoming to most English women than«olours are. A large majority, however, dislike colourless gowns, and many men object to see their womenkind attired in black. After black white is juet now most worn by many of the leaders of fashion, and it is much favoured by women past the meridian of their days. Consuelo Duchess of Manchester, the Duchess of Devon- shire, and, last, but not least, Queen Alexandra, have worn white on several recent ceremonial occasions. White cloth costumes for day wear and white muslin, trimmed black Valenciennes and black velvet, for even- ing dress are distinctly approved. Kuchings of black Valenciennes trim black, as well as white, materials with excellent effect, and a lace edge to frills and flounces is a charming finish. No trimming ie more economical, for it does duty over and over again: Losing its colour, it can be soaked in green tea, pulled out straight, be laid damp between cloths, and pressed with a warm iron. It is then thoroughly renovated, looking nearly equal to new lace. PIPING Is another simple form of trimming at present in high favour with fashion, but leas esteemed by some of her votaries. Piping is rather too neat for present taste, but used in two colours to pipe the seams of white or very pale neutral colours it makes its presence known in a manner not to be over- looked. Fine cord covered black taffeta and a similar cord cased cerise, emerald-green, or other bright colour are used for the new double piping. Be it remembered, however, that a gown destined for long service, or even for frequent temporary service, would be very noticeable if so piped. Fashions of this kind are best followed by those who have a well- stocked wardrobe and can command many changes of raiment. SHOT TAFFETAS. Many of the very newest dresses are made of shot taffeta. The colours are subdued in a way. Lavender, old rose, and the green known as "Nattier" are perhaps those most in evidence, and the very wide swathed belt ie conspicuously present on a very large number of up-to-date bodices. I will add, however, that no woman with a thick waist should ever venture on a. belt, wide or narrow. The broad waistband is the worse of the two. Possessed of the figure described, a bodice sharply pointed back and front, but not longer at the waist over the hips than the natural waist, is the most becoming style of make. Avoid trimming at the edge of the bodice if inclined to exceed a 28in. measure. THE VICTORIAN HAT. With its wide scoop and broad tulle strings, makes very little advance in the favour of the public. A few brides have chosen this style of hat when departing for the honeymoon, and at Ascot one or two fashionable women were seen in Victorian hats, or bonnets; but there is no immediate, if any, prospect of their general adoption. FLOWER-POT COVERS. A florist in Regent-street has some water- proof covers for flower-pots. They are per- fectly flexible and fluted, so can be adjusted to pots of any size. They are very artistic in appearance—self-coloured in a delightful range of colours. The commonest pots enclosed in these cases would grace any room. Their price is a. shilling each. KAKIMONAS. For hiding discolourationsi on walls caused by damp or to decorate halls and staircases, this kind of panel is most useful. Many kakimonas are painted on salk, and then are rather expensive, but those lees costly are made of prepared paper and figured with Japanese or Chinese designs in characteristic colouring. More or Jess long and more or less wide, the panels are mounted top and bottom on wooden roda, a,a school maps are, and they roll up in the same manner. In the possession of a relative of mine is a pair of panels made of some woven material, the almost life-size figures being interwoven. Glass eyes have been attached; so, too, the ragged, long moustaches of the men, giving a very human appearance, more realistic than beautiful, repulsive rather, as the faces of the Chinamen are distinctly hideous. These curious wall panels were brought direct from Peking as a gift to their present owner. LINEN APPLIQTJE. Few kinds of fancy work are more effective than an application of coloured linens on linen of neutral tone. A sideboard cloth had for foundation unbleached linen, dark string colour. The very bold design was of strictly conventional character worked out in dull green and dull blue linens. The trunk of a tree stretched from one end almost to the centre of the cloth, and ended in a very singular design. A large disc of blue was partly overlaid with pointed leaves in green, the points extending beyond the edge of the disc, as the rays of the sun are depicted. The leaves were outlined, and the veining done with flax threads, blue and green respectively. A striking and very original treatment this. The present taste inclines to quaint conceits of similar' character. Cushion covers worked and those woven are grotesquely patterned, and the most surprising combinations of colour are introduced. Blended, harmpnioue results are banished in favour of bold patterns, and colours that cannot be cor- rectly termed "inharmonious," since they please the eye trained to appreciate such arrangement of colour and design, eccentric though it is. If you have a fancy for this sort of work. I can tell yon where it can be had prepared for execution, but, granting you have the right linens, you can cut out leaves, &c., and arrange them as lyOU will in the craziest manner, and the achievement will satisfy the modern taste for eccentricities of the kind. BATHING DRESSES. It will now be time to consider the purchase of bathing gowns. The over-trimmed French style does not appeal to the more sedate Englishwoman, promiscuous bathing not find- ing general favour in this country. Serge ia the beet material for a water toilette. It should be light in weight, so as not to hamper movement when saturated. A short tunic and blouse worn above knickers is the most suit- able style of make, and dark blue is the safest colour, for, though other colours may look smarter on first occasions, they stain and get discoloured easily. Worsted braids shrink, and then do not improve the appearance of the bathing gown. I believe the style I recom- mend made of blue serge, short «Qeeves, and a large sailor collar cannot be surpassed for appearance and utility; a white serge collar. if you like, hemmed with blue. A waterproof bag is a very necessary adjunct to the bathing dress, wherein towels and other toilet requisites are carried to and from the bathing van. Few care to use the towels supplied to the public, far less the brushes and combs. A piece of coloured American cloth makes a useful bag. It should be turned inside out to dry when the wet towels are removed.

BOUGHT A WIFE BY. AUCTION. During the course of an auction; held at Orkelljunga (Sweden) the • prompted to perpetrate a joke, put •a è. "lot" a comely maiden who chanc-' present in the room. Bidding was m i-\ and the highest offer proved to enflat' an unmarried farmer of some æ a.. i ■ Whether or how the purchase price v V. sited has not transpired, but the locu paper now announces that the couple have been published, and the will shortly take plac.

FOR FEMALE FOLK. USEFUL HINTS FOR THE HOME. TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Infested Farmhouse."—Rats are difficult to get rid of once they have established a colony, more especially if the house be an old one and their runs many. Either of the plans suggested may be tried; I have known them elBcacioua if persevered with:—Trap a rat alive, and smear it with gas tar, not sufficient to kill the animal by slow death, but only to leave an odour behind when turned loose into a run. Rodents have also a distinct objection to garlic, which can be bruised and laid in their haunts; and a clever trapper told me that a trap overlaid .with flour or with oatmeal and baited with cheese and valerian is a powerful lure. The tar remedy is one I know to be extremely efBca-cious. Perseverance with it will rid you of the enemy. Tar has a wholesome odour, and is safer than poison, which produces results, not only inodorous, but distinctly dangerous to health. RASPBERRY VINEGAR. This should be found in every store-room. A spoonful or two in a glass of water is a pleasant drink at any time, and in a. sick room is valuable as a draught for fevered patients. Bruise a pound of ripe raspberries, and pour over a quart of be white wine vinegar. Next day strain off the liquor, and cover fresh spirit with it; repeat a third time. Do not squeese the raspberries, but merely strain away the vinegar; pass it through a canvas bag to clear, first wetted with ordinary vinegar to prevent waste. Then put the liquor in a stone jar. adding one pound of lump sugar to every pint. Stir. and when dis- solved set the jar in a saucepan of boiling water. Simmer and skim carefully. When cold it should be fine and thick as new honey. Bottle for use. FRENCH BATTER Is used in many ways. Fish, filleted and floured, dipped in the batter is delicious. Cut 2oz. butter into small pieces, pour over it rather less than a quarter pint of boiling water. When dissolved add three-quarters of a pint of cold water, so that the whole is milk- warm. Mix in by degrees very smoothly 12oz. of fine flour well dried, add a pinch of salt. Just before use stir lightly in the whites of two eggs beaten to a solid froth, but pre- viously add a little warm water if the batter appear too thick. Fish served! in this batter is frequently garnished with fried parsley. Shake the parsley in a clean cloth, then throw into hot fat for a few seconds until crisp, but not browned. The fat is too hot if quite boil- ing for parsley, but should be at that point for all other frying purposes. AN EXCELLENT RESTORATIVE. Cup of strong mutton broth seasoned salt and pepper. When taken off the fire add a beaten egg. This is a Danish recipe, nourish- ing and appetising, and invalids unable to take solid food find it very sustaining. MUTTON HAM. This is an agreeable change from the usual bacon ham, and may be cooked in rashers or boiled whole, as bacon ham is. Take a newly-severed leg of mutton-it must be per. fectly fresh—rub it well over every day with a mixture composed of a pound of salt, a pound coarse sugar, and an ounce of salt- petre. After a fortnight the ham should be hung to dry in a warm kitchen. Put it in a thin muslin bag. GREEN PEAS. There are many ways of serving peas other than plain boiled. A simple plan is to put a pint of shelled peas in a saucepan with plenty of butter, and stir over the fire. Cut some unsmoked, streaky bacon into very tiny dice, toss these over the fire in a separate pan. When well fried, mix with the peas and lightly cook the two together. Season with pepper and salt. Serve when the peas are tender. Another way:—Melt three ounces of butter in a saucepan, mix with it a dessert- spoonful of flour, then add a pint of peas, a bunch of parsley, pepper, salt, and a few spring onions. Let the peas cook very gently. Strain them into a sieve. Put the liquor into a clean saucepan with three spoonfuls of cream, and a. sprinkling of sugar. Remove parsley and onions; pour the sauce over the peas, and serve quickly. Or, put a little fat in a saucepan, add a large slice of ham, a minced shallot, a pint of peas, a little parsley. Toss the whole over the fire until peas are tender, and pile the whole on the top of the ham. A French recipe closes these directions: —A pint of peas and a. lettuce, divide the latter into quarters, remove the outside leaves. Have ready three or four small onions. Melt an ounce of butter in a large saucepan, put lettuce and onions in first, then peas. Stew them for about thirty minutes, stirring frequently. Add no water. Finish with a sprinkling of pepper and salt. FLAVOURED BUTTER Is much appreciated on the breakfast table, and, spread on sandwiches, makes a nice change. Pick the young leases from water- cress stalks, wring them in a cloth, then with a silver knife knead them into the butter until it is a bright green. Season with white pepper, salt, and a little lemon juice. Lobster butter is made by mixing lobster coral rubbed fine in a mortar with butter, flavour strongly with cayenne, and a little salt. Press into pots, and pour oiled butter over. Fairy butter is eaten as Devonshire cream. Oream 4oz. of butter, add gradually 6oz. of finely- powdered loaf sugar, and the grated yellow rind and strained juice of a fresh lemon. Beat until the mixture is very light. Set on ice if you have it. GIRL'S HANDLING OF MONEY. A girl can scarcely be too young to have some idea of the value of money, and a weekly allowance will teach her the pleasure of providing little gifts and knick-knacks out, of her own pocket. At the age of fifteen or sixteen every girl should have an allowance, out of which she should buy her own gloves, stationary, and ribbons. This will teach her the use to which her pocket-money can be put. As she grows older her allowance should include money for her entire wardrobe. Such an allowance should be probationary, and should depend upon the girl's judgment and care in the choosing of her clothes during the period when the first allowance is spent. She must learn to keep an account of every penny she spends. This will teach her many things in the handling of money, and she will profit by her mistakes. THE POPULAR GUEST. The welcome house-guest is the girl who, if there are not many servants in the menage, has sufficient energy to take care of her own room while she is visiting, and if there are maids assigned to such duties she makes the duty as light as possible for them by putting away her own belongings and so necessitat- ing no extra work. She knows how to be pleasant to every member of the family and yet has tact enough to retire from a room when some special family affair is under discussion; she does not find children dis- agreeable or the various pets of the household things to be dreaded; she is the one who when her hostess is busy can entertain herself with a book, a bit of sewing, or the writing of a letter, and when her friends come to see her she does not disarrange the house- hold in which she is staying that she may entertain them.

Don't Jay you can't iron I because your previous at- tempts have not been as successful as you could wish. It is next to im- possible to have good ironing with poor starch, and there are many poor starches sold in the shops. Colman's Starch is a good starch, a starch that stands the ironing test. I T COCMANS STARCH I Sold in Cardboard Boxes. See that „ Colman's Bull s Head „ f-'JWBral are on name and the Box. V REOD. S.H.B. I.

ANSWERS FOR ALL. COMMON ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST. WO, cannot publish any letter unless the writer sends his real name and address, not necessarily tor pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith. The Editor cannot undertake to return rejected com- munications. Inqajies to be answered ia the next week's issue must reach the "Weekly Mail" Office not later than the first post on Tuesday morning.

MEDICAL. ON BOILS. Among the minor ailments to which we are subject the occurrence of boils is a very annoying trouble. When a person has had one boil he very often has a series of them; they seem to mark an unhealthy temporary poisoning of the system, and perhaps they act as safety valves, letting out the poison, which might otherwise affect some important internal organ. Under present conditions of life, the appear- ance of boils is seldom a. serious one, but in the Middle Ages almost all the great epidemics were caused by fevers,, which were charac- terised by the sudden appearance of large boils, or buboes, as they were called. The Great Plague of London, in 1666, for example, was notable in this symptom. Boils are local patches of inflammation of the skin and the loose tissues beneath it, but not affecting the layer of muscles of the part nor the neighbouring bones. Boils may appear at any part, but they are. perhaps, most common on the neck, the armpit, and the face. The inflammation gives rise to pain. heat. redness, and swelling, which is of a rounded fferm. At first, for two days or more. this swelling is solid, but about the third day the interior begins to soften in points, which spread and unite, until after a week the whole boil may be one large, hollow place, full of a yellow liquid called pus, or matter; the skin over the middle of this bulging, soft tumour then begins to give way; it gets thinner and thinner, and at last bursts, allowing the pus to escape. A ragged hole is left, which may take a long time to heal. It has been found by the universal expe- rience of surgeons that the healing of the broken boil takes place very muoh more quickly if it be open by the knife at the proper stage, using proper antiseptic precautions. Cold applications should not be used to a boil. Hot fomentations and hot poultices give great relief, and the proper domestic remedies. Internally, there should be a dose of purga- tive medicine. taken every day. and after the boil has burst a course of tonic medicines is needed, and cod liver oil, with malt extract, often does much good. There are three drugs which are believed to have power to prevent the recurrence of boils. First, yeast, a teaspoonful to be taken on an empty stomach every morning; second. the sulphide of calcium, made into pills and sold by chemists; and, third, arsenic in medi- cinal doses; but for this purpose a doctor's prescription must be obtained. "Marie S."—Glycerine of tannin would be a suitable throat paint, but we doubt if you are able to paint it on the affected spots, as they are low down. "A. A. A."—We have not the least idea what ointment was supplied to you; there are so many different sorts which might be suitable. Try carbolic ointment. "Lottie."—It is a question of skilful hair- dresser's art, and we really do not understand the matter. Permanganate will dye the hair, but it stains the skin also. "Beatie."—There is nothing else to be done beyond the wearing of a belt with a suitable pad. Consult the surgical instrument maker attached to your local hospital. "Skiddaw."—These floating lines before the eyes are no proof of serious disease; you can- not remove them, and need not worry about them, ao long as you are otherwise in good health. "A. G." (Middleton).-We do not think that there is any drug which you can give without her knowing it. Try her with syrup of senna, or else with Tamar Indien lozenges, which have a chocolate coating. "W. W.. H. G."—Let him rub the painful parts with some compound liniment of bella- donna and chloroform whenever the pain is felt, and give him three grains of quinine every other day. "C. J." (Claoton).—A chronic discharge of pus from the ear is a dangerous ailment, and shows a broken ear drum, and possibly disease of the bones of the internal ear. Go to a specialist surgeon without delay. "Signalman."—We regret to say that do not feel able to recommend anything better we told you of on a former occasion. You would be wise to have a careful examina- tion made by a surgeon. W. E. Mail.—This case of ringworm needs to be examined' by a skin disease phyeioian, to find out whether there is any microscopic vegetable fungus growth, in the skin or not. The correct treatment must be arranged accordingly. "Worried" (Shanklin).—There is a danger that your sister is consumptive, because the spinal curvature is generally caused by tubercular disease of the spinal column, and, if so, the lungs are very likely to become affected also. "Constant Reader" (Stockton).—Ask a sur- geoZi to syringe the ears to remove dried wax; this may remove the deafness. If not, you must have the ears examined by an aural surgeon. We do not advise in such cases, as there is a risk of doing harm rather than good. "Head Noises."—These may depend on die- ordered nerves, or may be due to disease in the ears. No one coulu say which until after an examination of the internal parts of the two ears, and no sensible treatment could be chosen until that question is settled1. "W. B." (West Vale, Halifax).—We can only suppose that the pain in the back is due to lumbago. This is only a guess, of course, be- cause we cannot examine you. This sort of pain is often removed by rubbing the part with a. hot iron over layers of flannel. D. Berlin.—By taking frequent doses of aperient medicines, living on simple diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and taking plenty of exercise, with the use of sulphur and carbolic ointments, you can do much to check your skin disease; but it may last for months. "Millicent" (Cornwall).—Get four ounces of pure paraffin spirit, and get a ohemisrt, to add some essence of bergamot to give it a pleasant smell. Rub some of this with a piece of flannel into the scalp every night at bed-time, and wash the scalp once a week with warm water and carbolic soap. A; L. Check.—The spots on the lips are pro- bably Herpes, and may be brought out either by chills or by errors in diet. Apply zinc ointment to them. What you call blackheads is the skin disease called Acne, for which either carbolic or sulphur ointment may be tried. "Tottie."—After confinement it is very usual to have pains across the back, even if there be no suckling. The cause is debility of the muscles from the pregnancy. She might wear for a week or two a large plaster of Emplast. fioborans, spread on leather or on moleskin, kept on by a broad body bandage of flannel or calico. "Worried One" (Fulham).—Kidney disease is of several sorts, and the symptoms differ very much. In general you may expect to And gradually increasing pallor and weakness, backaches, puffy ankles and eyelids, and dis- orders of the quality of the urine; but this is only found out by chemioad testing; there may be nothing wrong with its appearance. "R. S." (Pa-ddington).—It is not easy to decide from your description what your ailment depends upon. The occurrence of violent tremors and mental confusion three hours after your meals seem to suggest an epileptic nature of the system. You might try the effect of taking bromide of potassium in water in ten grain doses. Sarah Stanford.—We should think that the blow which you received bruised' some of the internal parts, either of the intestine or ovary, and that you now have occasional attacks of neuralgia in the part. This is, of course, only a guess. You ought to consult a surgeon at a hospital, and to give him a chance of examining your body, before you adopt any particular course of treatment. We cannot prescribe.

LEGAL. Tenancy Agreement.—" Widow."—We think that a week's notice is sufficient. Probate.—" Corney."—The estate duty on a grant of probate when the total value of the property exceeds £100. but does not exceed £300. without the deduction of debts, is £1 10s. and 15s. for the fees. There will, of course, be the solicitor's charges in addition. Workmen's Compensation. — Anxious to Know."—If the firm becomes bankrupt you would be entitled to the benefit of any con- tract they had made with the insurance com- pany. We think you would do wisely to file a request for arbitration, and for this pur- pose had better consult a local solicitor. Notice.—" Timothy.' —We p really cannot understand how you can think that you can possibly be entitled to the week's wages under the circumstances stated. You were not bound to continue to serve the purchaser, but if you choose to leave at once there can be no possible reason why you should be entitled to the wages. Trade Difficulties.—" Anxious One."—You do not tell us the amount of your liabilities, and a great deal depends upon whether they are under or over £50. If they are under £50 you could, upon the creditor suing you. .obtain an administration order in the local county- court, but if over this amount there are no means of doing what you wish except by bank- ruptcy proceedings. Apprenticeship.—" W. W."—We do not advise anyone through the post. If the ap- prenticeship indentures are properly drawn, you could bring an action against the master for damages for not properly teaching the boy the business. You had better consult a local solicitor as to this. in order that he may see the contents of the document. In any case, you had better write to the. master, pointing out the matters of which you complain and claiming a, release from the apprenticeship.

GENERAL. Inquirer."—We are anxious to avoid a con- troversy on the subject, and cannot publish any more letters upon it. that travellers on leaving the Cardiff tram- cars should destroy their tickets so as not to place a temptation in the way of conductors to make an undue use of them. J. Davies.—Llandaff is a city; a city in the modern meaning of the term need not have a cathedral. Birmingham, for instance, is a city, though it has no cathedral.

f" w an I I ELECT Cocoa, jj g is an economical cocoa—its purity and strength, make it saw H 6 Try it at supper all summer. ■ _J Bow to obtain free boxes of Ohooolutoa. write to-diy for patticuUra to*Electn Coupcn*, York.

When a&king for the Best Remedy of The Age see that you get Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitten, with the name "Gwilym Evans" on the label, etamp, and bottle. Sold ewywhwe ia boUlu, 21. 9d. sad 4s. fid. eacb. 41617

THE VOCHRIW CLUB DENOUNCED AT A PUBLIC MEETING. Vochriw, one of the quiet little colliery villages in the Rhymney Valley, is in a state of social ferment. Thirteen weeks ago a Constitutional Club was established there, and its pretensions were merely those of an ordi- nary kindred institution until the Rev. J. A. Rees, the local curate, denounced it as a source at evil in a sermon which he delivered. The promoters of the club took umbrage, and the press—was made the medium of a controversy which reached an interest- ing stage on Tuesday evening. The villagers were called together to pro- test against the continued existence of the club, and, glad of any diversion from the "common round" of village life, they assembled in hundreds in a little hollow, surrounded by the everlasting hills—and numerous coal-tips. It was a thoroughly representative gathering. Seated on a couple of rough benches in the afore mentioned hollow were the lead- ing anti-clubbites, reinforced by the Rev. Tertius Phillips and Mr. Thomas, the Bed- linog schoolmaster. The Rev. Mr. Jones, the Baptist minister of Vochriw, acted as chair- man, and he, having explained the object of the meeting, read a letter from the Rev. T. J. Jones, rector of Gelligaer, regretting his inability to attend. The rector deplored that a club had been instituted at Vochriw, but he did not see how it could be removed. He advised the people of Vochriw to leave it severely alone, and then it would perish. The Rev. J. A. Rees. the curate who de- nounced the club in the first instance, then rose to move a resolution against the estab- lishment of clubs in their mining districts. These clubs, in districts like Vochriw, almost always deteriorated into gambling and drink- ing dens. It was aggravating to find political agencies establishing facilities for young men to indulge in intoxicants. The wives and children of members of these clubs would join him in condemning these clubs as instruments of evil. He would tell Mr. Littlejohns and his lieutenant, who was sitting there that evening, that he would net indulge in personalities. His quarrel was not with persons, but with an institution. The resolution read: "That we, the inhabitants of Vochriw, gathered together in public meeting, do hereby pro- test against the drinking club established in our midst as tending to increase drunken- ness and immorality among our people, and pledge ourselves to use every legitimate means to counteract its pernicious influence." Mr. Â. Jenkins having seconded, there was a hearty round of applause when the Rev. Tertius Phillips rose to give his support. The burden of his tirade was that he did not object to clubs as long as they expelled the drink out of them. And then the Western Mail," of course, came in for a dig. Men of Vochriw." said Mr. hillips, can't you, as Constitutionalists, read your 'Western Mail' without a sup? It is an insult to the paper to say you cannot. It suggests that the paper is too dry to read, and I am sure the Western Mail' is not a paper of that character, however much I may differ from it. I honour the paper as a racy paper, and it needs no drink to read it. The tvery fact that I read it daily proves that." (Laughter and applause.) If this club were a Rsdical club he would be as determined in his opposition to it. With the Rector of Geiiigaer, he would advise them all to leave the club severely alone. Whilst Mr. Phillips was speaking a, member of the ciub-a working man—interrupted, and said he had never voted for beer. There was some laughter, which developed when the wife of the man, carrying a baby in her arms, came forward and tried to take him away. Mr. Thomas, the schoolmaster, and, others followed, and after the resolution had been put and carried Mr. Jacobs, one of the pro- moters of the club, addressed the meeting. He invited Mr. Tertius Phillips and the Rev. J. A. Rees to visit the club, and challenged the latter to name anyone whom he knew to have come out of the club under the influence of drink. He also invited an inspection of the books of the club. The Rev. J. A. Rees said he would give the names privately, provided that no action would follow. Mr. Jacobs was given rather a hostile recep- tion, but it was a fair and good-humoured crowd.

PORTHCAWL RIFLE RANGE MR. J. M. FULLER, M.P., AND THE ABANDONMENT OF THE SCHEME. Mr. J. Elias, J.P. (Nottage), presided over a. meeting of the Porthcawl Urban District Coun- cil on Monday evening, when a letter was read from Mr. J. M. Fuller, M.P., on the subject of the abandonment of the Porthcawl Rifle Range scheme. He wished to point out to the coun- cil that, whereas this question was raised in the House of Commons on the 10th of June, the letter from the Army Service Corps was da-ted May 11, so that the War Omce seemed to have decided to abandon the scheme before the question was asked. He did not wish that any injustice should be done, and, for his part, he did not intend to leave the matter drop.—Mr. J. L. Lambert moved that the clerk be instructed to write Mr. Fuller thanking him for his interest in the matter, and in- forming him that the War Department had. sent requests, similar to that received by the Porthcawl Council, to the other parties con- cerned, so that it was evident that the scheme was abandoned altogether. A letter WM read from Mr. Thomas James, chairman of ä. public meeting of rate- payers held last week, enclosing copies of resolutions passed at that meeting. On6 of the' resolutions requested the chairman of the council to convene a meeting at an early date to make clear to the ratepayers the nature and terms of the agreement with the Bridgend Water Company for the supplying of Porthcawl with water. Mr. W. J. Griffin moved, Mr. J. Elias seconded, and it was carried that the council decline to can a. public meeting for suoh a purpose. A letter was read from Lieutenant J- C. Davies, of the Glamorgan Royal Artillery Volunteers, stating that the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteer Battalion would encamp at Newton, on the two fields near the church, from about July 29 until August 8. He was directed by Colonel Williams to ask the coun- cil whether they could lay on water and the cost per day of supplying 350 men. It was decided to refer the matter to the water com- mittee.

CARDIFF GIRL'S THEFT. MAN LOSES HIS WATCH WHILST ASLEEP. John McCarthy, a labourer, living at 17, Cairns-street, relate 1 a singular story at Cardiff Police-court on Monday, and one tend- ing to incriminate a girl named Mary Jane Tombs, aged 24, who stood in the dock charged with robbing M'Carthy of his silver watch and chain, valued at £5. The girl seemed overwhelmed with grief, and cried and con- cealed her face all the time that evidence was being given.—Prosecutor said that on Saturday night, at a quarter-past eleven, he met prisoner and accompanied her to a piece of waste ground off Penarth-road. They sat down and fell asleep. On awaking he missed the girl and his property.—Police-constable Lewis, who gave evidence of arrest, said he found the watch and chain under prisoner's pillow. On being charged, she replied, "I am sorry; it's through drink."—"Guilty, I s'pose," was her plea to the bench.—She had been charged eleven times previously, and was now committed for six weeks with hard labour.

CHILD NEGLECT AT BISCA. A oase of child neglect-came to the notice of the Newport county magistrates on Satur- day, the delinquent being Daniel Davies, a conemaker employed at Risca Foundry, who was charged with neglecting his two children (Rose, a.ged seven years, and Sarah, aged five years) in Buch a manner as to cause them un- necessary suffering and injury to health. Mr. Lyndon Cooper prosecuted. — Amelia Pugsley, a married woman, who has known the children for about eighteen months, said that on the 18th inst. she hap- pened to meet the child Rose during school hours, and upon learning that ehe had been sent home witness examined the girl, and found that her head was simply covered with vermin and sores, and it took her about three hours to clean her.—Police-sergeant Smith and Inspector Sparks also spoke to the condition of the children and the cottage in which defendant resided, which was described as simply shocking.—Dr. D. T. Richards, Risca, stated that the children had suffered from long and continued neglect, and were below the average both in size and weight. The children looked unhealthy, while their arms and heads were covered with scabs and para- sites. Some of the sores were of long stand- ing. and due to neglect-Joshua Davies, a brother of the defendant, said it was unfortu- nate that defendant had met with a wife who had turned out to be useless.—The Bench fined defendant JB3 and costs.

CARDIFF INFIRMARY. The electric lighting of the Cardiff Infir- mary, the cost of which is so generously borne by the Marquis of Bute, is to be proceeded with immediately, and the contract has been given to Messrs. Edwards and Armstrong, af Cardiff. .In addition to the lighting a, complete sys- tem of telephones is also to be installed. The equipment is much on the same lines as the new town-hall and law courts, wl ich the same firm have already well in haaci.

f and Pimples I Jul!r Cured at I ^#1*0 OH Treforest. I It does not always follow that because a. penson's face is disfigured by ■ pimples or some such skin disease that that person Ben.°^X,pr such is the strange self The two conditions often, but not always, go t^her-su^ is tne srtra^g character of blood disorders. A Pontypridd Chronicle ,r,e^rt«raaTaK?ets^fTveI to a young collier whose ease, since cured by Dr. Slater's.Blood Making 1ablets, servesto illustrate this. Mr. Thomas Jones at No. 7, Fores2;^d'e^ilv dre^ied ski £ the nature of his sufferings that it was feared lupus or some equally areaaea skiu disease^might^develop^^ ColLiery Co.'s in^dy0to^nd'a said Mr. Jones, "and some time ago I was astonished, not berng iU in tout,_to nno a nasty rash breaking out on my left cheek, which at one stage w a maM nasty rash breaking out on my left cheek, which at one stage w of pimples. I could eat like a horse all the time the eruptions we inclined to do nothing except hope for it to cure itself. Inst shocking. My grew gradually worse, and the disfigurement of nay fa^e -what "to do blood "was apparently out of order, and X "was depressed and on ug "Wad W;t! when a book fell into ruy hands containing statements of various people who had been ciired bv Dr Slater's Blood Tablets of similar complaints. T How did the Tablets affect you?" asked the reporter. Soon after I began I felt thpv were dome me good. I took them for two months, was the reply, ana gradually the disease or poison—whatever it was—was expelled from my snd roW««w leas in size; my skin, by degrees, resumed its soft appear- £ n™ePLdt to-dly^ clear as it could possibly be. I have also more energy'and aniritft is not a trace of the sores left at all, and tihis I put down to mirffvine and enchlng qualitiesi of Dr. Slater's Blood Tablets. I think they are a very good medicine for cases of this kind, and I shall recommend it amongst all W friends." For anmmix, pale and sallow complexio7As, indigestion, "summer pimples, and all t B B akin diseases and other ailments due to 11 < M l impure blood. Dr. Slater's T&bleta are without any Price 28. 9d. per box; large size, 11s.: or- 311 chemists, or the Laboratories, G reek-øtreet, Leeds. w=40 r r When Purchasing STIFF'S STARCH 4 be rare and GET IT IN A BOX The Box is a guarantee that you have the finest Starch it is possible to manufacture. Common and mixed Starches slowly but surely destroy linen; STIFF'S -PURE STARCH is warranted not to injure the most delicate material. HAVE YOU TRIED STIFF'S CREAM STARCH FOR LACE CURTAINS, MUSLINS, &C.1 STIFF CFE CO., LTD., 29, REDCLIFF-STREET, BRISTOL. mn Benger's Food I with MDk, forms a dainty, delicious, and I most* easily digested cream, infants thrive I on it, and delicate and aged persons enjoy it. I I j INSTANT RELIEF, J RAPID CURE OF Gout and Rheumatism BY ADES PILLS. AFTER TWO PILLS SHE FELT EASIER 1 26, Rutland-street. Brompton-road. S.W., April 25th, 1902. Sir.-I feel bound to write and state my wife's case. She was taken very ill with gout some weeks ago, and was in bed, not being able to put her foot to the ground. I made up my mind to try your Pills, and gave her two. After a few hours she felt easier. She took one more in the afternoon, and I was surprised to And her up from bed when I came home in the evening.. In two or three days she was quite well again. Yours truly, A. FORD. EADE'S QOUT PILLS Are perfectly safe in their action, eliminate all injurious matter, and aTe highly restorative. Sold Everywhere in Bottles, Is. lid. and 2s. 9d., or sent post free for stamps or P.O. by the proprietor, GEORGE BADE, 232, Goewell-road, London, INSTANT RELIEF, OF RAPID CURE Gout and Rheumatism BY EADE'S_PILLS. NOTHING TO EQUAL THEM! 130, Holmley-terrace, Dronfleld, Near Sheffield, October 23rd, 1908. Dear Sir,—I am sending you my testimonial for your Pills. I think they are the finest things in the world, and have received great benefit from taking them. I have also recom- mended them to all my friends, who have been greatly relieved by them. I shall con- tinue to take your Pills when necessary, and will recommend them whenever I can. I have tried several others, but have not found any to equal yours. Yours truly, JAMES BROWES. EADE'S GOUT PILLS Are perfectly safe in their action, eliminate all injurious matter, and are highly restorative. Sold Everywhere in Bottles, Is. lid. and 2s. 9d* or sent post free for stamps or P.O. by the Proprietor, GEORGE EADE, 232, Goswell-road, London. EADE'S GOUT & RHEUMATIC PILLS. w276

CRUELTIES OF COURSING. INJURED RABBITS IN CLOSE CON- FINEMENT. Before the Bridgend magistrates on Satur- day Joseph Treasure, collier, 4, Caerau-road, Caerau, and Charles Stock, collier, Oxford- street, Pontycymmer, were charged with cruelly treating certain rabbits on Wbit- Monday, June I.-Poliee-inapecWr Evans stated tha.t on the date named Polioe-constable Davies brought a horse and trap to the police-station in which were three baskets, each of which contained five rabbits. Basket No. 1 measured 20Jin. long by 15in. wide. No. 2 18in. long by 12iin. wide, and No. 3 17in. long by 12iin. wide. In the first basket two rabbits had broken legs, both of which were mortifying. In the third basket one had a hind leg broken, which was tied round with a piece of matting, a second had an injured foot, and a third was too weak to move. The latter died while they were looking at it. He told defendant Stock (who witness had sent for) that this was a gross case of cruelty, and suggested 'that he should destroy them, but he refused To destroy any but tho injured ones, as he said he wanted them to compete in a coursing match against Treasure's dog for JE25 a-side.—Alder- man T. J. Hughes, who defended, said he was not there to defend rabbit coursing, but he contended that the practice should be put down by Act of Parliament, and not by such prosecutions as those. This match was con- ducted under Sporting Life" rules, which itself proved that it was not to the advantage of defendant* to get weak or injured rabbits. —Inspector Evans, cross-examined by Mr. Hughes, did not deny that some of the rab- bits three in number, got away on being coursed. The case was then gone into against Trea- sure,-Police-inspector Evans deposed that on the same day he accompanied Police-constable Harries to the Ooach and Horses, Bridgend, and found seventeen rabbits in a box 2ft. long by 2ft. wide and 1ft. deep, which belonged to defendant Treasure. All were in an emaciated condition. Two had their hind legs broken, one was blind, and one had a large raw patch on its back, which was festering and con- tained maggots. Treasure would only destroy the four injured ones, saying that he had to get enough to run against Stock's dog. Trea- sure said he had the rabbits from Whitland (Pem.) on the Saturday previous to Whit-Mon- day.-The Chairman said it was a case of wan- ton cruelty, and defendants would be fined £ 4 each.

DOWLAIS COLLIER'S DEATH. CORONER'S COMMENTS ON A PECULIAR CASE. Mr. R. J. Rhys (district coroner) held as inquiry at the Dowlais Police-station on Saturday concerning the death of John Evans, aged 30 years, living with his parents at No. 11, Back of Rees's-row, Dowlais Top, who succumbed shortly after midnight on Wednes- day to the effects of a cut on the thumb of j the right hand. Deceased was employed ae a sinker at the South Tunnel Pit, Cwmbargoed^ and on Saturday, June 6, returned home with a slight wound,"as described. There wai no conclusive evidence as to whether he tiac received it at work or not.—The father of Qu deceased declared that his son told him whet he came home that he had cut his hand witis a stone in the pit, although previously witnect had stated that he did not know how tht injury had been received.—Dr. Watt (assistant to Dr. Pearson R. Cresswell) said that the wound was practically healed under the scab when he saw it ten days after. The case was a. peculiar one after having treatment, and death was due to erysipelas, caused by the wound.— The Coroner commented on the fact that the evidence was anything but clear and satisfac- tory respecting the manner in which the deceased sustained the injury.—After a brief consultation the jury returned a verdict thik "Death was due to an accidental cut received whilst at work."

ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEY. Mary Maud Davies, Caerau, Maeateff, was charged before the Bridgend bench on Satur- day with stealing XIO, the property of Thomas Morgan, collier, 2. Carmen-road. Caerau. The mother, Mary Davies, was also charged with receiving stolen money. The daughter had been in Morgan's employ six weeks.—Morgan said he missed the money from a drawer in his room, which was locked and the key kept in a teapot in the same room. Be had £37 in the drawer in gold and silver before the 8th inst. He missed money on the 8th, 15th, and Ziet of June, with the result that on the latter date only £23 remained.—Police-constable Kellan deposed that at the police-station the daughter said. My mother will have to suffer for this." After she had been placed in the cell Bbe cried and shouted, "I did take 99, and gaTe mother £ 4." In the evening he arrested the mother outside the police-station,-when a, denied receiving the money.-The defends were remanded on hail for a week.