Weekly Mail

MORE MINISTERS RESIGN OFFICE. We are officially informed that Lord Balfour of Burleigh, the Secretary for Scotland, has tendered his resignation, which 'has been accepted by the King. The Hon. Arthur Elliot, M.P., has resigned the office of Financial Secre- tary to the Treasury. The reason of theae resignations lies in the fact that these states- men are of the Free Trade party, and unable to associate themselves with the policy which appears to find favour with the majority of the Cabinet. The Ministers who have resigned now number five, of whom four are Cabinet Ministers, but there is also a sixth vacancy to be filled-that created by the retirement of the new Marquess of Salisbury from the office of Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

REPORTED CABINET SELECTIONS. We are in a position to announce (Says the St. James's Gazette") that the King haa approved the appointment of Mr. Austen Chamberlain to the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer, vacated by the retirement of Mr. Ritchie. It is understood that his Majesty has also confirmed the appointment of Lord Selborne as Colonial Secretary, Mr. H. O. Arnold Forster as War Minister, and Mr. Brodrick as Secretary of State for India. There is also reason to believe that Lord Stanley will be the new Postmaster-General, although when Mr. Balfour left for Scotland he had not decided definitely on the recom- mendation.

EXPECTED RETURN OF LORD KITCHENER. In Edinburgh military circles consider- able excitement has been created by the arrangements for the departure of General Sir Archibald Hijinter (commander of the forces in Scotland). At the headquarter Offices in Edinburgh the necessary steps are being taken for the reception of a successor. The change is of the greatest significance, as it is understood that General Hunter, who was Kitchener's lieutenant in the Soudan, will be transferred to the command of the Army in India. This implies the return of Lord Kitchener to London. The command of the Scottish forces, it is understood, will devolve upon Major-general Sir Henry Macleod Leslie Bundle, K.C.B., O.M.G.. D.S.O. The new com- ma.nder is 47 years of age.

THE KING AND HIS CABINET. It is everywhere recognised that a powerful spoke has been put in the wheel of the Cabinet re-construction scheme which the Prime Minister is commonly believed to have taken to Balmoral, and the impression prevails (says the "Westminster Gazette") that an attempt is being made to revise it on decidedly radical lines. One of the stories afloat in London is to the effect that his Majesty, having determined to take over in his own person, at no distant period, the distinguished office of Commander-in-Chief of the Atmy, is at once anxious and resolute on the subject of War Office reform, that the plan by which Mr. Arnold Forater (by the way, a nomination of Mr. Chamberlain's, it is further asserted) would have become successor to Mr. Brodrick has been over- thrown, and that the appointment of a pronouncedly able man to the charge of the department is now earnestly sought. It is even aaid that. Lord Kitchener having indi- cated an indisposition to leave India, the appointment of Lord Milner, not to the Colonial Office, but to the War Office, ought not to come as a surprise now. 80 far the gossip of the moment. In truth, nobody outside of the highest circle at BalmoraJ can now pretend to any news really authoritative in its character, and we must await some days more the official announcement of appoint- ments to vacant posts. Discussing the gathering of Ministers at Bat- moral, the "Morning Advertiser" says the chieffeobject of moment between them and the King has been War Office reform. The King, says the journal, has determined to take a strong line in the matter himself. Acting within constitutional limits, although with more freedom than a British Sovereign has been accustomed to act for many years, his Majesty has required the Prime Minister to satisfy him that War Office re-organisation will be undertaken in no half-hearted fashion, and that the Government will not be content merely to tinker with a question of such TitaJl importance to the Empire. The outcome of the present deliberations will be seen, in all probability, very soon. When the new appointments are announced, it may be taken for granted that the King, acting on behalf of the nation, has secured a definite pledge of action with regard to War Office reform. Appearances favour the assumption (the Press Association says) that Mr. Balfour's task remains unfulfilled. Matters remained singularly quiet at all the Government offices on Wednesday, and in the evening it was officially intimated at Downing-street that no announcement of any kind would be possible that night with regard to Cabinet appoint- ments. One of the newest phases of conjec- ture is that the Duke of Marlborough may be transferred to the India Office. The report that the King is delaying the re-arrangement until his Majesty can get a definite assurance and evidence that the Government will put in hand a vigorous scheme of Army and War Office reform may be at once dismissed. The King takes, and always has taken, deep inte- rest in the Army, but he certainly has assumed no such position as that attributed to him. Possibly, schemes of Army reform are being brought under his Majesty's notice, but this is a very different matter. the report, too, that General Hunter is relieving Lord Kitchener, in order that the latter officer may come home and take War Office reform in hand, may be also set aside. It has been probable for at least a fortnight that General Hunter would go to India to take up a command, probably Madras. We are authorised to deny emphatically the sug- gestion that he will relieve Lord Kitchener. Mr. Ritchie and Lord George Hamilton were at their Late respective offices on Wednesday, probably settling up their official affairs, and the ex-Secretary for India paid a visit to the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer at 11, Downing- street. 1 ———

SOLICITORS SUICIDE. DECEASED WELL KNOWN IN CARDIFF. On Monday the body of Mr. Wilson Miles Roche, solicitor, of Sunderland. was found ly- ing on a path in Knock Wood. Crieff. A razor was by the body and the throat was dread- fully cut. Although a partner in the firm of Yaaghan and Roche, solicitors, of West Bute-street, Cardiff, the deceased gentleman was very little known in the Welsh Metropolis, as he only came to the town occasionally on business. The state of mind which preceded the rash act is assumed to have been induced by overwork. Mr. Roche was upwards of 50 years of age, and resided at Sunderland, where the principal offices of the firm are situate. The deceased was actively associated with Shipping questions, and there were few ques- tions affecting the shipping community in which he was not keenly interested and upon which he was not consulted as a. shrewd adviser in Parliamentary procedure. From the first he had a close connection with the > Shipping Federation, and had greatly assisted in its development. One of the last questions to which he devoted his attention was the suggested light load line, and the tact and suc- cess with which he represented the interests of the industry before the Select committee of the House of Lords won universal admiration. It appears that Mr. Roche had, in company with his wife, gone to Crieff Hydropathic for the benefit of hia health. Mr. Roche in his letter to his wife bade an affectionate farewell. He said he would be a burden to his family, and had resolved to pat an end to his life. He expressed hia sorrow at having brought this grief upon them, and asked for their forgiveness. He also expressed his Ion for his darling children. The throat of the deoeased was cut from ear to ear.

POISON IN THE BEER. Walter Edward Stephens accompanied by his four-year-old child, went into a public- house in Bethnal-green, London, and called for a. glass of ale. He was seen to put some- thing from a paper in the ale; and then to say to the ohild: Drink some, and we\shall both go together." The barman prevented the man giving the ale to the child, and gave him into custody. It was found that the glass of. ale contained oxaiio acid. Prisoner, who protested that he had no evil intention, wwcommitte&for trial,

BADEN-POWELL IN WALES. FREEDOM OF BANGOR CON- FERRED. General Baden-Powell visited Bangor on Saturday for the purpose of being enrolled first freeman of the city, the scroll declaring which was presented to him in an exquisite gold casket, most artistically engraved and surmounted by the Welsh dragon rampant. At each corner of the base of the casket stood modelled figures of the types of men who helped the general to defend Mafeking. The town, which was more lavishly decorated than on the occasion of the last two Royal visits, looked charming in the bright sunlight, and the very interesting programme arranged was carried through without the slightest hitch. Arriving at Bangor at noon, the general was received by the mayor (Mr. W. P. Matthews) and the town council, and saluted by a guard of honour. The large crowds assembled to see him were, however, disappointed to find the official assemblage at once disperse and the general and the mayor, in a carriage and pair, drive swiftly away en route for the pier, From the pier the general, who came in for a great reception, went aboard the training- ship, where he was met by Captain Langdon. He made a tour of the ship, and afterwards inspected and then addressed the boys, the key-note of his vigorous speech being perform- ance of duty and obedience to orders, though danger and even death stood in the way. He lunched on board. After paying a private visit to his aunt and sister the general visited Penrhyn-hall, where, in the presence of a flacked audience, the ceremony of conferring the freedom was gone through. The General, who met with a stirring recep- tion, said. in rep.y, that he did not pretend to take all the honour upon himself, for in honouring him the citizens must honour all those who were with him in South Africa. (Cheers.) He was afraid that the little deeds in Mafeking in particular had been grossly exaggerated, chiefly owing to the peculiar cir- cumstances in vogue when they were holding Mafeking, and those, perhaps, added an unnatural value to what they did. If matters had been going on smoothly in other parts' of the country the work at Mafeking would have been looked upon as a mere operation of the war- Thus it had acquired a mere fictitious value. In saying that he did not wish to detract from the performance of tho men who worked with him. They were Colonials who had rever previously handled armp, but they did all they could for the defence of the oountry until the army was strong enough to come to their assistance. (Cheers.) He considered that all honour was due to these men for the way they had con- ducted themselves. They gave their officers blind confidence, and submitted themselves to discipline in a most commendable manner. The force under General Plumer outside Mafeking had a hard task, but the general splendidly accomplished it. It had not, how- ever, been brought sufficiently home to the British public, probably because General Plumer was away from communications and war correspondents. (Laughter.) It was grati- fying, he continued, to find that their efforts in South Africa had met with such tremen- dous recognition at home, and such approval could not but have great effect upon them in trying to do their duty in the future. At night the mayor entertained General Baden-Powell and about sixty guests to dinner at the British Hotel, and in response to the toast of his health the general delivered an interesting speech, in the course of which, after stating that he was a Welshman, his mother coming from Cardiff and his ancestors from Bangor way, he kept his hearers in a state of laughter by recounting some of his ruses to defeat the Boers at Mafeking, many of which had not been published. Concluding, the general said the Boers took their defeat in a good spirit, and they meant to be good subjects in the future. General Baden-Powell departed by the night mail for London amid loud cheering.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. CARDIFF—ADAMSDOWN WARD. On Tuesday night a private meet- ing of the Liberal executive was held at the Adamsdown Board School, and it is said that at this meeting it was arranged to drop Mr. Fox and nominate Mr. James Munn, a former Liberal member for the ward, to take his place. Subsequently an open meeting of the ward committee was held, under the presidency of Mr. Joseph Heald.— The Chairman read certain correspondence that had passed between the executive and Mr. Fox. The latter in reply to a request for his views upon the "administration of the Education Act" said it would have been more becoming and businesslike to have asked him in the ordinary way to address a meeting of his constituents. He declined to state in a letter his views upon a question of such magnitude and importance. Councillor Frank Fox, in response to a call from the chairman, said they seemed to have already assumed what his views were upon the Education Act. The executive was pre- pared with a recommendation, and, therefore, he was present to give, so to speak, a Vale- dictory address. If he was correctly informed, they had a candidate ready that day week, and that candidate was proposed before they communicated with him by letter. That seemed to him to be a strange method of pro- cedure, especially as he had had no oppor- tunity of saying a word in defence. The Chairman • That is not correct. A name wag mentioned, but it was at once stopped. It is not in the minutes. Mr. Fox: It may not have been in the minutes, but it is evident I had no intimation of the question of candidates being discussed until I received the letter, and no intimation of the ward meeting, although many others knew that it was to be held to-night. Con- tinuing, Mr. Fox said there had not been the slightest friction during the past six years, and if he now had to go down by the popular vote no one could take defeat better than himself. Mr. Fox then gave an account of his stewardship, and, addressing himself to the Education Act, he said he respected the views of those who opposed its administration. Under the Educa- tion Act schools were already under public control, but as to their being under the full control of the Cardiff Council, and no co- opting except two ladies, which was the ques- tion put to him, he gave a clear exposition of his views. At the 1895 general election Mr. Robert Bird wanted to secure for Sir Edward Reed the Irish vote, and Sir Edward, addressing a meeting of Catholic electors on September 7 of that year, pledged himself in favour of State-aided schools—so long as there was reasonable representation." He and his friehds had not changed their views. If Sir Edward Reed and his friends had done BO. that was their business and not his. Would anyone say that Sir Edward's pledge was given for the avowed purpose of trapping the Catholio vote and bamboozling the Catholics of Cardiff? The schools were built and en- larged and kept in repair at the ax. pense of private individuals, and they could not submit to confiscation, nor to the unfairness of absolute control. They welcomed representation from the looal authority to see that money, in the words' of Father Hayde, was used only for secular purposes, but they could not barter their principles. He respected the Nonconformist conscience, and why should his religion con- cern them? Had he a dozen seats at his dis- posal he would give them all up rather than Sacrifice a principle in which he believed. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Robert Bird congratulated Mr. Fox upon the frank and clever speech he had made upon one side of the question. The Catholic and Irish party, he reminded the meeting, had had their burning questions, before which everything else had to give way, and he did not blame them for it. It did not lay now within their mouths to make derogatory state- ments about the N jonformist conscience and the Free Church Council after what Non- conformists had done and suffered for the benefit, as they believed, of the Irish people. He objected to, and would not pay for, the teaching of anybody's dogmas unless forced to do so. A ballot was then taken as between Coun- cillor Fox and Mr. James Munn, and the voting resulted as followsMunn, 18; Fox, 4; neutrals, none. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Coun- cillor Fox for his services as a member of the corporation, and Mr. Mann, the selected can- didate, gave an exposition of his views, which upon the education question were in agree- ment with those of the majority of the meet- ing. GRANGETOWN WARD. Last March the Liberal committee of the Grangetown Ward at Cardiff invited Mr. George Dobson to become their chairman, and he, having consented, attended a meeting on Tuesday riight, when he occupied the chair, and promised to do all he could to promote Liberalism in the wa.rd. Mr. Sessions, the retiring councillor, was recommended to the Liberal party as the best possible candidate at the forthcoming municipal election. SOUTH WARD. A meeting of the South Ward Conservative Association was held at the National Sohool- room, Mount Stuart-square, on Wednesday evening for the purpose of selecting a candi- date to contest the seat against Mr. S. O. Williams (who claims to be an independent member) at the next November election. Councillor James Kidd presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The Chairman explained that Mr. W. H. Eenwick bad consented to stand, and that Mr. Frank Collins, whose name was also proposed at a previous meeting, had withdrawn. (Hear, hear.) On the proposition of Mr. Harwood, seconded by Mr. D. Steele, Mr. Renwick waa unani- mously adopted as the candidate of the party.

THE ANNUAL MEETINGS AT LIVERPOOL. The Welsh Baptist Union's annual meeting was opened at Liverpool on Monday. The officers of the Union are the Rev. H. Harries. of Treherbert, president; the Rev. J. Wil- liams, of Oardigan, vice-president; Mr. Henry Abraham, of Porth, Bhondda, treasurer; and the Rev. E. Edmunds, of Swansea, secretary. The proceedings commenced with a young people's meeting at Everton Village Chapel, under the presidency of the Rev. H. Harries, of Treherbert, at which addresses were given by the Rev. R. E. Williams, of London, on The Ideal Character of the Young Man," and the Rev. J. Griffiths, of Aberdare, on The Safety of Young Christians."

BARRISTER M.P.'S AND THE BREWERS. The annual meetings of the Welsh Baptist Union were continued on Tuesday at Liver- pool. At the meeting of the general con- ference the secretary (the Rev. E. Edmunds, Aberdare) brought forward a recommendation from the union committee to re-organise the Connexional publishing department, the pro- posal being to hand it over to the annual conference. The members of the conference were to be the members of the publication department, the officers would be the officers of the conference, the conference would appoint fifteen directors, and the surplus profits would be devoted to connexional societies. An amendment that the conference should elect six directors, and the Sunday School Temperance and Union committees three each, was rejected, and the scheme was adopted. The Rev. E. R. Jonee (Brymbo) presented THE PRESIDENT OF THE UN-IOOS. the report of the Temperance Society, which expressed regret that more prominence was not given to temperance at the public meet- ings of the Unions. (Hear, hear.) The list of teetotal ministers was constantly growing, and now all the teachers and students in the colleges were abstainers- (Applause.) The use of unfermented wine was on the increase. The promised Licences Compensation Bill must be resisted to the utmost. (Hear, hear.) The council recommended that, in recognition of his long service, a testimonial be presented at the next conference to the Rev. J. Wil- liams (Cardigan), the president-elect. They had censured the Welsh Liberal members of Parliament for appearing on behalf of brewers at licensing sessions, and they advised that efforts be made at the next general election to secure promises from the barrister can- didates not to give their support in this way to the drink trade. (Hear. hear.) The report and recommendations were approved, with the exception of a proposal that one of the publio meetings of the conference be wholly devoted to temperance. A sharp discussion took place on this question, the Rev. J. Williams (Cardigan) stating that such a resolution would be taken as a vote of censure on the local committee- It was decided by a majority to leave the matter in the hands of the Union committee. The report of the Home Missions Committee (presented by Dr. O. Waldo James) was taken as read. It was reported by the treasurer (Mr. W. R. Edmunds, Merthyr) that since September last year the income from the Churches towards the Forward Movement amounted to £920, while the payments amounted to JS1,042, and the debit balance JE447. Since reaching Liverpool he (the trea- surer) had received £56. (Applause ) Dr. Gomer Lewis (Swansea) made a stirring appeal to the conference not to allow the For- REV. J. WILLIAMS (Vice-President Welsh Baptist Union), ow-ard movement to die ont,(hea.r, hear)—and other speakers urged that the Churches should be invited to wipe out the indebtedness. Mr. C. Grimths (Cardiff) presented the report of the Sunday School*" Committee, which showed that the receipts for the year amounted to XMB, and that there was a. credit balance of X5 17s. The number of those who submitted to examination was over 2,800, an increase of 536. The Rev. P. Scorey (secretary of the Bible Translation Society) next made a statement in regard to the work of the organisation He spoke strongly against amalgamation with the British and Foreign Bible Society, and in favour of maintaining the independent translation of the New Testament from the Baptist point of view. Last year only £1,000 was raised in England and Wales. The contribution of Wales was £ 368, but. he wanted next year at least £500. If England lagged behind, let Wales lead the way. (Hear, hear.) On the motion of the Rev. W. G. Mansfield (piesidcnt of the Radnor and Montgomery Association), seconded by the Rev. Dr. Rowlands (Llanelly), a resolution was passed reoognising the good work of the society during the past 63 years, and urging the Churches to renewed and enlarged efforts to maintain its operations and extend its use- fulness. It was announced, amid applause, that the ballot had resulted in the election as vice- president of the Union of the Rev. Pedr Wil- liams ("Pedr Hir"), of Boo tie. The other can- didates were the Rev. J. R. Jones (Ponty- pridd) and Mr. E. Thomas (mayor of Oardiff). Mr. Williams was at one time a member of the Denbighshire police. In the afternoon the annual meeting of the building fund of the Connexion was held, under the chairmanship of Mr. R. Roberts Y I 'PEDR HIR." The Rev. H. C. Williams (Corwen) presided (Carnarvon). The committee recommended, with the view of placing the fund on a bnsi. ness footing, the appointment of a financial secretary, with a. guarantee of JBl.SOO.—This was agreed to. Mr. Evan Owen (Cardiff), the treasurer, pre- sented his statement of accounts, which showed a capital of £ 7,840, and that the loans to Churches amount to z68,484, less £857 unaccounted for. The receipts during the year amounted to j31,6M (including dEl,228 in. stalments from Churches). The loans advanced amounted to £ 1,406, and there was a balance in the bank of £ 212. The Rev. —. Edmunds was appointed financial secretary, and Mr. Evan Owen, on his retirement from the office of treasurer, was given a cordial vote of thanks. —Mr. Owen said he was quite satisfied that the sum of L857 unaccounted for had been repaid by, the Churches to someone acting for the society. There was no hope for its recovery now, and be moved that it be cancelled.—This was seconded and approved. over the annual meeting of the Historical Society. It was resolved to republish the old Welsh Baptist book entitled "An Antidote for the Times," issued in the seventeenth century: as an attack on Quakers. The reply of Foxe will be given in the iorm of an appen- dix. It was also decided to publish a series of biographies of Welsh Baptist worthies, beginning with John Miles, by the Rev. Thomas Shankland, of Rhyl (the editor of the series), to be followed by Vavasour Powell, by Professor J. M. Davies, of Cardiff. Mr. Shankland was asked to take advantage of his forthcoming visit to the States to search for the records of the Uston Baptist Church, Gower, which are believed to have been taken over the Atlantic. The following officers were elected:—President, the Rev. H. C. Williams; vice-president, Dr. A. J. Parry, Rhyl; secretary. Rev. David Evans, Blaen- conin, and treasurer, Mr. Llewelyn Griffiths, Cwmavon. In the evening the Rev. E. E. Jones, Rhosybol, and Rev. Aaron Morgan, Blaenffos, preached in Welsh, and the Rev. G. Evans, Newport, in English.

"ALMANAC Y GWEITHIWR" FOR 1904. The above almanac, which is published annually by the Quinine Bitters Com- pany, Llanelly, is one of the most useful booklets issued in the Welsh language. In recent years it has met with such success that thousands anxiously look for the date of its publication. We are glad to see that the almanac for 1904 is as good as, if not better than, those published hitherto. Although it is but a small book of 32 pages, it ocntains a great amount of useful information to meet the requirements of all classes of readers, and it is to be had free of charge wherever Gwilym, Evans's Qiuadn* Sitters is -aoid.

MB. CARNEGIE AND CARDIFF. GIFT OF .£10,000 FOR BRANCH LIBRARIES. At a. meeting of the Cardiff Town Council held on Tuesday the Mayor said that, as chairman of the free libraries committee, he had a very important announcement to make, and he had thought it advisable to ask the hon. members of that committee to attend. He was glad to see that a. number had accepted that invitation. (Hear, hear.) For a long time they had been most anxious to complete the branch library system, and they thought it was possible that they could get some assistance from a gentleman who had done much for free libraries throughout the country. (Hear, hear.) Mr. John Ballin- ger, the chief librarian, had been in com- munication with Mr. Andrew Carnegie, with the result that he had received the following letter; Skibo Castle, Dornoch. Sutherland, Aug. 26, 1903. John Ballinger, Esq., Librarian, Free Libraries, Cardiff. Dear Sir,—Responding to your communi- cation on behalf of Cardiff, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to pay for the cost of erecting two new branch library buildings for Cardiff, at a cost of JE5,000 each, provided sites be given, without touching the library rate, and provided also that funds be found for the up-keep of these branches to the extent of £1,000 per year. Mr. Carnegie notes that you only have a. balance of £6&) at present for their up-keep.—Respectfully yomrs, JAMES BERTRAM, P. Secretary. The reading of the letter was received with applause. The Mayor said he thought it his duty to make this information known to the eouncil at the earliest opportunity, and had given up an important private appointment to be there that day. He wanted to make it clear that the intention of the committee was to divide the £10.000 between Canton and Cathays, and it was proposed that in each case provision should be made for children's reading-rooms. He then moved the following resolutions: — (1) That this council has received with great satisfaction the generous offer made by Andrew Carnegie, Esq., LL.D., to provide branch libraries for the Canton and Cathays districts, at a cost of £5,000 each. (2) That the most grateful thanks of the council and inhabitants of the county boroagh of Cardiff be conveyed to Mr. Carnegie for his most generous offer, which the council cordially accepts, and in doing so begs to assure Mr. Carnegie that the proposed new branch libraries will meet the wants of two districts where the need of proper library accommodation has been keenly felt, and that the inhabitants of Can- ton and Cathays will fully appreciate the benefits they will receive through Mr. Car- negie's gift. (3) That the town-clerk be directed to report to the libraries committee as to the best means of complying with the conditions of Mr. Carnegie's offer. It was hoped, his worship continued, that the generous action of Mr. Carnegie would lead wealthy gentlemen in the town of Cardiff to come to the aid of deserving public institutions. Alderman Trounce seconded the resolutions. Dr. Robinson contended that the Park Ward wanted a library more than Cathays, where there was already a reading-room. The Mayor said the committee would do their best to put the library in' a convenient position for both wards. Other members having spoken, Alderman Carey said it reflected credit upon the mayor that he had brought this about during his year of office. He thought, however, they ought to safeguard themselves in connection with the conditions. It was agreed that in resolution No. 2, after the word "accepts," the following words should be added"Subject to the conditions being satisfactorily arranged between Mr. Carnegie and the corporation." Mr. Veall pointed out that £1.000 a year for up-keep capitalised at 5 per cent. meant £20,000, so that to obtain £10,003 they would be spending double that sum. He was not objecting to the resolutions, but he wished this fact to be taken into consideration. Mr. Herbert M. Thompson, on the invitation of the mayor, explained what had been done in connection with branch libraries since the rate was increased under a special Act from Id. to 1,d. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. FREE LIBRARY COMMITTEE AND THE CARNEGIE GIFT. At a meeting of the Cardiff Free Libraries Committee on Tuesday evening. Mr. Ronnfeldt presiding, Mr. Carnegie's letter was read as given above. Mr. John Ballinger (librarian) explained that it was due to the committee to state that the reason the letter was first read to the Cardiff Town Council was that it referred to the financial aspect of the matter, which the council alone had the power to deal with, and which they were unable to delegate to the library committee as a committee. On the motion of Alderman Trounce, seconded by the Rev. W. E. Winks, it was unanimously agreed that Mr. Carnegie's letter be entered in the minutes of the free library, as a record of a munificent offer. There was a brief general discussion, and it was agreed that it would be inopportune at the present juncture to pass any opinion upon the action taken by the council that day.

SLANDER ACTION, SCHOOLMASTER AND RETIRED PUBLICAN. Mr. David Isaac, under-sheriff for the coanty of Glamorganshire, sat with a. jury at the Town-hall, Neath, on Thursday to assess damages in a case of libel and slander from Cymmer. The plaintiff was Lewis Davies, schoolmaster, and the defendant Thomas Jones, a retired publican. The libel and slander, it was alleged, were spread over a period of some years—from 1901 to 1903. Judgment had gone by default, hence present proceedings. Mr. S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P., and Mr. David Williams (instructed by Messrs. Cuthbertson and Powell) appeared for the plaintiff, but the defendant was not legally represented. In opening the case, Mr. Evans put before the jury the nature of the libels and slanders. Mr. Lewis Davies had been a schoolmaster for many years, and was formerly overseer for the paish. The defendant, Mr. Thomas Jones, who was a man of considerable property, had been making attacks on the plaintiff, and the latter had brought this action for defamation of character. The defendant had had an opportunity of justifying the libels and slanders, but he had not taken advantage of it—probably thinking it would be cheaper for him in the long run not to do so. The alle- gations imputed dishonesty on the part of the plaintiff in his capacity as overseer and as a justice' of the peace-a. position held by virtue of his office as chairman of the Glyn- corrwg District Council. Defendant had further alleged that plaintiff, who owned some property, had given the wrong informa- tion to Mr. Eve, the valuer, whereby he was rated less than he should be. Supposing (con- tinued Mr. Evans) Mr. Davies had done so, he would have committed a very serious offence. In consequence of the repetition of these libels and slanders the plaintiff had taken action to clear himself of the allegations made against him. Plaintiff said he had been schoolmaster at Cymmer for eighteen years. He had been a tmember of the Glyncorrwg Council and chairman of that body, a justice of peace for the petty sessional division of Aberavon, and waa overseer of the parish in 1899. Mr. Evans then took plaintiff shortly through the evidence, and the latter denied all the allegations made by the defendant. Plaintiff had applied for a withdrawal and an apology, but they had not been made by the defendant. Mr. Edward Powell, solicitor, proved cer- tain communications to the Glyncorrwg Dis- trict Council, which contained some of the statements complained ol. The defendant said that the allegations were true, and he could prove them. Cross-examined, witness said he had received no end of communications from the defen- dant. The Defendant There you are. Yo. have got a heap of them. That is the secret of it. We have a lot of nicejurymen here, grand- looking fellows. (Laughter.) We have got the foundation under 118, you may depend, Mr. Powell. Yoa admit having a long con- versation. Mr. Powell: I never had a conversation with you. The Defendant: You declined to continue writing. Mr. Powell: Yes. Defendant: Yott were conquered then. (Laughter.) Mr. Evans was proceeding to read some correspondence, and said he co1Ùd not under- stand something. Defendant: Mr. Evans, you say you don't understand something. If you don't, kindly hand the letter to me. (Laughter.) Mr. Evans: What I could not understand is how you could be invited to pay £4 16s. out of the small sum of £1 16s. Evidence in support of the libels and slanders were given by Mr. William Jenkins and Mr. John Morgan, and this closed the case for the plaintiff. Defendant elected to be sworn, and he sought to show justification, but Mr. Evans took an objection. In the result the jury found for £ ke jdaia- tig, uiwwiaMg .åiIDapII,t dBMO.

MILFORD CLEANER'S DEATH. kr. Price, the Pembrokeshire coroner, held an ihquest on Tuesday afternoon at New Vil. ford on the body of William Henry Evans, aged fifteen, an engine-cleaner at the Great Western Station. On Sunday at noon Evans and five others were cleaning engines on a. road where other engines were being shunted. The boys were twice warned to stand clear, and! did so. Deceased, however, went back to his engine, and another coming up he was crushed between the buffers. He lingered for a few hours, and died on Monday morning. —A verdict of Accidental death" was returned, and the jury added a. rider that the work was not properly supervised.

PRES ADDRESS BY THE REV H. HARRIES. There was a considerable falling off in the attendance on Wednesday. The first question under consideration was a scheme for bring- ing the denominational colleges under the direct control of the Union, and improving generally their ministers' education system. The Rev. E. K. Jones (Brymbo) said that the majority of the congregations had approved of the scheme, while others had suggested amendments. Everybody was of opinion that there should be a change, and the Union was the only body that oould give the lead. They ought to have sufficient moral courage to face this important matter. The present condition of the colleges was unworthy of the position of the denomination. Students desirous of a higher course in divinity had to leave the colleges and, probably, leave Wales. They in Wales ought not to take a second or third place in divinity. He moved that the report be remitted to the newly- constituted committee, with the request that they should bring up an amended scheme next year. The Rev. Hugh Jones (Llanelly) seconded, and the resolution was passed. On the proposition of the Secretary, it was resolved that the executive committee of the Union should be the board of directors of the book-room, with the addition of one repre- sentative each from the Sunday School, Tem- perance, and Historical Societies. RESISTANCE TO THE EDUCATION ACT. The Rev. E. W. Thomas (Carmarthen) moved a resolution condemnatory of the Education Act, calling on the Baptists of Wales to help to return to the House of Commons those who would vote for the repeal of the Act, and to the county and town councils those who would make the Act ineffective by refusing rate-aid to sectarian schools, and also warmly commending the passive resistance move- ment. Baptists, he said, were naturally in the forefront on this question. Their objec- tion of necessity sprang from their baptism. (Hear, hear.) The action of other Noncon- formists only showed that they were better than their creeds. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. H. C. Williams (Corwen) seconded. Dr. Morris (Treorky) remarked that they ought to strengthen the hands of those bodies who had steadfastly resisted the Act. He was afraid the Baptists of Wales had been some- what ignored in this matter. Although they were not affiliated with the Free Church Council, he thought they ought to be repre- sented on the National Vigilance Committee. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was passed unanimously. TWENTIETH CENTURY FUND AWKWARD POSITION. Mr. H. Abraham (Porth), treasurer of the Union, submitted his financial statement. showing that, inclusive of the profits of the book-room, there was a favourable balance of JB15 12s. 6d. The Secretary reported in regard to the Twentieth Century Fund that up to the 29th of August last only £26,545 out of the £50.000 aimed at had been raised, and this sum included the contributions of the English Churches not affiliated with the Union. It had bben resolved that the fund be apportioned pro rata among the objects originally selected. (Hear, hear.) On the 17th inst. he received an official intima- tion that the unaffiliated Churches desired to withdraw their contributions from the fund. The committee recommended a conference on the ma.tter. They also recommended that no free grants be made and the appointment of an administrative bpard. Dr. Parry (Rhyl) moved that in view of the action of the English Churches the Union should withhold its promised contributions to the Church House and education in Eng- land. The Secretary said the English contribu- tions amounted to about JE5,400, leaving £21,100 to be administered by the Union. The unaffiliated Churches were closely interested in the colleges and the ugmentation fund. and he had no doubt that an amicable arrangement could be come to without any- thing in the nature of a revolver. Dr. Parry said that the English Churches were holding the revolver over them, and he considered they were acting very selfishly. He would, however, withdraw his motion. The report was adopted, and on the motion of the Rev. E. K. Jones, seconded by Dr. Gomer Lewis, the committee were asked to receive and take charge of the money, and to bring an administrative scheme before next year's conference. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The annual public meeting of the Union followed, the principal feature of which waa the delivery of the presidential address by the Rev, H. Harries. The president selected as the subject of his address from the chair a sentence from Neander, "There is a future for the Baptists." He spoke upon the subject in its literal and poetical meaning, and said that a future was possible for the Baptists if they wished and deserved to live. The Baptists had been of great service to the world. Among them were John Bunyan, Roger Williams (who estab- lished civil and religious liberty in Rhode Island), Wm. Carey (one of the founders of the Baptist Missionary Society), John Howard (who spent hit life in ameliorating the con- ditions of European prisoners), Joseph Hughes, of Battersea (who had sowed the seed which grew into the British and Foreign Bible Society). C. H. Spurgeon (of immortal fame), Joseph Hughes (the father of Welsh litera- ture), Christmas Evans, and two Baptists— Dr. Clifford and Mr. Lloyd-George, M.P.—were to-day leading the army against the tyranny of the Government. One of the Baptist Churches, too, had been the pattern for the constitution of the United States. The Bap- tists were required to live because they carried the counsel of God to every plaoe. Other denominations had one truth and the other, but none except the Baptists insisted upon the baptism of the Jordan, faith before baptism, and full religious liberty. (Applause.) The late Cardinal Wiseman had said that the final fight would be between the Roman Catholics and the Baptists. Why? Because the Catholics founded their religion on tradi- tion and the Baptists on the Bible only. Other denominations founded their religion partly on tradition and partly on the Bible. Vrere the Church of England to lose her Bible to- morrow a good deal of her religion wot.ld still exist in the Thirty-nine Articles; and should the Calvinistic Methodists be deprived of their Bible much of their religion would etill stand in their confession of faith. But with the loss of the Bible to the Baptists would also go their religion, beoaase they founded nothing on tradition. The new president (the Rev. J. Williams, of Cardigan) was subsequently installed, and the customary votes of thanks followed. BAPTIST ASSURANCE TRUST. At the annual meeting of the Welsh Baptist Assurance Trust (Limited), Mr. Owen Lewis (Ferryside) presided. It was reported that re- assurances were being negotiated, and would be in force this Michaelmas, an arrangement which would relieve the shareholders of all anxiety and place the trust on a firm financial basis. An application was being made to the courts for power to extend their business in an entirely new direction, whereby the trust will undertake to assure properties occupied, owned, or held by Baptists generally. Hitherto their operations had been confined to Wales, but in future they proposed to cover a much wider area. NEW OFFICERS. At the afternoon session the following officers were elected:—Treasurer, Mr. H. Abraham (Porth); secretary, the Rev. E. Ed- munds (Swansea); auditor, Mr. Evans (Aber- dulais). THE ENGLISH SECTION. A conference of the English section took place in the Fabius Chapel, Everton-road, the Rev. John Thomas, of Myrtle-street Chapel, presiding. A paper on "Mind and Emotion in the Religious Ascent of Man" was read by the Rev. T. Morris (Newbridge, Mon.), who advo- cated a more cultured pulpit. In the evening a crowded missionary meet- ing was held in the Everton Village Chapel, Mr W. Lewis (Merthyr) presiding, the speakers being the Revs. W. A. Willis (China), G. Wil. liams (Pontardulais), and J. Evans (Maerdy).

DEAF MUTE KILLED ON THE LINE AT ABERDARE. Frederick Martin, a. deaf mute, aged 51, lodging at Cwmdare, met with a terrible death between ten and eleven o'clock on Thursday night while returning home along the Taff Vaile Railway from Abf rdare, where he had been to witness a walking match. A l'ght engine was proceeding towards Cwm- dare, the whistle being blown the greater cart of the way. Just after passing the Dare bridge the guard, David Elias, noticed a cap on the front part of the engine, and he and the driver returned down the line (which is a single line). A short distance away they found Martin lying in the four-foot way, dead. He had sustained a large wound on the back of the head and two cuts on the right temple. ttie right leg was severed above the ankle, and the toe of the left foot cut off. Several small pieces of bone and flesh were strewn about the line. An inquest was held on Saturday, when the deputy-coroner (Mr. P. T. Rhys), in the course of his summing up, characterised the fatality as the issue of a suicidal act on the part of a deaf mate 1'ke the deceased, though the jury could not return such a verdict under the circum- etanoes. A verdict of "Accidental death by being run over by a light engine while trespassing was returned.

ACCIDENTS AT SWANSEA An inquest was held at Swanaea. on Mon- day on the body of John Clegg, a. seauau, who was run over at the South Dock on Saturday afternoon. The deceased had been ascertained to be a native of the Isle of Man, 35 years of age.—Richard Adams, a shunter, stated that deceased, who was talkies stupidly and staggering, asked him the way to the river He told him, and cautioned him at the same time not to go on to the railway line, as shunting was going on. Afterwards deceased was knocked down by an engine attached to one truck.—A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. A young Russian seaman named Augusts Busch met with a shocking accident at Swan- sea Docks on Wednesday morning. Whilst the schooner Mats was leading Harris's Dry Dock the poor fellow got his leg entangled in a rope, which then bore each a terrifio strain that it actually tore his leg off and he fell overboard. He was taken to the hospital in a precarious state. A man named M. Sullivan, residing at 34, Charles-street, Aberavon, met with a remark- able accident at the Great Western Railway Station, Swansea, on Monday evening. He fell off a bench on which he was sitting in the station (probably whilst asleep), and when picked up it was found that he had fractured his jaw. He was treated at Swansea Hos- pital.

COLLIERY ACCIDENTS. John Diamond, Pleasant-view, Ferndale, commonly known as "Barney," met his death on Saturday whilst following his occupation as a rider in No. 5 Pit of Messrs. D. Davies and Sons. He leaves a. widow and three chil- dren. On Tuesday an inquest was held at Fern- dale Police-station on the body of John Dow- dall, 4, Pleasant-hill, Ferndale, who was kill- ed at the No. 5 Pit on Saturday by a journey of trams. It was stated in evidence that the trams ran wild and knocked the deceased over, and he sustained injuries to the head. A verdict of Accidental death" was re- turned. Albert Hector, of James-street. Mardy, was killed by a fall of roof at No. 1 Pit, Lockett's Merthyr, on Tuesday morning. Mr. P. T. Rhys (deputy coroner) held aa inquest on Tuesday at the Castle Inn, Owm- dare. toucbing the circumstances under which Benjamin Williams, who lodged a.t 14, Bwllfa-road, Cwmdare, met with his death last Friday night at the Nantmelyn Oolliery. The evidence went to show that the deceased worked with a ripper named David Lewis, whom he was assisting in doing some repair- ing, when a stone weighing abot 15cwt. fell upon him from the roof. killing him on the spot.—A verdict of "Accidental death" wae returned.

JU OF THE PEACE SEVERELY INJURED AT CAERLEON. On Tuesday afternoon Mr. T. Spittle, J.P., of Maindee, was hunting with the IJangibby Hounds when his mare "St. Julians," rising at a fence, slipped and threw him. He was taken home, where he was found to be suffering from severe internal injuries. Several visits were paid by Drs. Williams and Several visits were paid by Drs. Williams and Marsh during the afternoon and evening, and the condition of affairs was found to be so serious that a specialist from London wm sent for. Late on Tuesday, when the specialist from London arrived, an extensive operation vas found to be necessary. This disclosed severe internal injuries, the most malignaat of which was a crushed kidney, due to Mr. Spittle's horses falling upon him.

MOTOR ACCIDENT AT CARDIFF. On Wednesday a, terioas accident happened to one of Messrs. W. J. Rogers's (brewers) motor wagons. Driver Arthur Coles WM bringing his wagon along the East Wharf, Cardiff, with a loaded trailer of bottled beer, Ac., and had just worked the wagon up the incline when the driving chain gave way, and both trailer and motor ran back down the incline. The off-wheel came in contact with the canal wall, and the motor and trailer partly upset, with the result that half of the cases and the con- tents of bottled beer were pitched out on to the roadway. A young man sitting on the trailer had a narrow escape from injury. -——————— I

DOUBLE BATHING FATALITY A GALLANT WOULD-BE RESCUER DROWNED. A shocking bathing fatality occurred at about 12.30 on Monday afternoon at Broadstairs. A gentleman who had beem bathing from the shore was seen to be in trouble, and a bathing machine proprietor swam out to his assistance. After reaching the drowning man and bringing him toward* the shore, be himself became exhausted, and both were eventually landed by a boat in a lifeless condition. Artificial respiration was tried for an hour without avail, and both were then pronounced dead. The visitor drowned was Mr. A. J. Newman, member of a firm of tanners at Kettering, and the bath- ing machine proprietor, who perished in gallantly endeavouring to rescue him, Was J. D. Marsh, who had owned the machines for a number of years, and was well known in the neighbourhood. The men were drowned in sight of scorea of people who were promenading on the cliffs. The bodies are now lying at the mortuary awaiting a coroner's inquest. The bathing station at Broads lairs is generally considered one of the safest round the coast, and the sad occurrence has cast quite a. gloom over the numerous visitors staying in the town. The exhaustion of the swimmers ia attributed to a strong under-current, and the buffeting of large waves.

"FVE GOT YOU NOW." SHOCKING MURDER OF A BAR- MAID. A young barmaid nptuad Hard wick was fatally stabbed by a customer on Wednes- day niffht while serving in the bar of the Lord Nelson Public-house at Whitechapel, Loadoa. There appears no motive for the crime. Her assailant was arrested. Charles Jeremiah Slowe. dock labourer, 28, was charged at Worship-street Police-court, London, to-day with the wilful murder of Martha Jane Hardwick. aged about twenty, barmaid at the Lord Nelson Public-house, Whitechapel-roa" It is stated that the deceased was a. native of Yeadon, Yorkshire. but that she had no parents living, and-had resided with her sister. Mrs. Hannah Sta,rkey. a widow, who kept the house in question, and Mrs. Starkey deposed that S'owe visited the house occasionally as a customer. He came to the house last night, and just before closing time rose from his seat, struck the deceased with his right aod left lists, remarking, "I've got you now," words to that Effect. She did not see any weapon in his hand, but he held a concealed knife. Her sister swooned and expired. Witness had never seen the prisoner speak to the deceased except as a customer, and could give no reason for the act. Detective-Inspector Collins said deceased had a wound in the chest about the width of the worn butcher's knife produced. There was no apparent motive for the murder, and the accused, when taken into custody, made no remark. Accused, a sullen looking young man, :willi remanded for wake