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LLAN ELL Y DOCK DIFFICULTY. LLANELLY COMMISSIONERS' AWKWARD POSITION. Jfce dock difficulty at Llanelly has under- a startling development daring the last days, a writ for £ 175,000 having been i^tod by the Bank of England against the 7~r0ottr commissioners. ine money for the instruction of the dock has been borrowed ^°Qi this bank, the intention being that it fT^d be liquidated by the creation of stock, however, to the prolonged litigation the Mynydd Mawr Railway Company, v~la course was not possible—a closed dock oj^dly being a very desirable security. Two ^he directors of the Bank of England were -Llanelly a fortnight ago, their visit being a profound secret. It was afterwards v^ted that a satisfactory arrangement had come to, as tne result of that visit, bat issuing of a writ dispels that, idea. What next step will be it is impossible to say. Oieeiing of the commissioners will be held week, at which it is likely that the airman will ask that a date be fixed for a of the ratepayers. The money has borrowed on the security of a shilling Ilte and the revenue of the town rotate. This, however, is not sufficient re*Pay the interest, and the Bank of Eng- it is stated, hope to force the hands of commissioners to levy an additional rate, ra cannot be done without the consent of the lit payers-a. consent whicu it is not at all r*ely will be forthcoming#! the present cir- ^^Utances. A sum of over £ 200,000 has 1aeen spent on the dock and other jj/'ks, and it is now closed. Thousands of have been spent in litigation, with the J^y result that to-day the prospects of a jtlement are as far off as ever. We reported few days ago that the negotiations between commissioners and the Mynydd Mawr Rail- Company had proved abortive. In this Jr^tlock the feeling is growing in favour of the dock forthwith, and taking the CI() naequences, whatever they might be. If this were followed, no doubt the Mynydd Bailway Company would apply for an ^^Qcti°n, but as the dock was constructed the authority of Parliament, is is v 1 likely that an injunction would granted. Even if it were, how- the position would not be worse it now is. The crux of the whole matter «* the fact that under the award in the ^P^ht arbitration the commissioners are upon to carry out extensive dredging ration8 at the berth of the Mynydd Mawr ij^way Company. These will take months ^ooomplish and cost thousands of pounds. 0oniI>auy say that the dock shall not be until that work is oompleted. Several ratepayers in the town are strongly to the levying of an additional rate. jTfy contend that even if more money were jj^ted to the commissioners, there is no ^j^fantee that it would be properly applied that it would suffice to end the difficulty. Ofi? advocate a policy of letting the Bank iEh gland step in and take over the doek of mortgaging further public money it. In support of this policy they urge vjjt whoever works the dock the town is to benefit from it, because it cajinot Hoked up in a box and taken away from of eUy. L special meeting of the chamber c^fHttiniissjWSrs is to be held to-nijjht to jj the whole position, which has been v/uQght about upon a motion of Mr. Gwilym ^ans. Mr. Bvans stated when submitting motion that he had heard it said on more •han one oooasion, especially when from home, at Llanelly was in a bankrupt state, and "Qat the dock was in such a state tha.t they should appoint a receiver. With refer- to this statement he would only say that .i^hclly possessed a magnificent town estate, Gd if properly governed there would he no to think of a reoeiver. The town' ^.wpects are better than any other town in lit^8' ^ey Possessed a dock which, he be- j.*yed, had been mismanaged, by whom he did know, and it was highly time the cham- stepped in and discussed the matter. He J*P«d that in future they would get on the ^mission men better able to protect the ^Payers' interest. They should have men ratable of dealing with figures and facts in a °Per and wider sense th^n some of the pre- nt members could-men who could grapple jjjwi questions of interest in a proper buaineea- manner.

TENNYSON SMITH ATTACKED. »r Tennyson Smith, the well-known temper- advocate, had a hostile reception at the Son et Drayton Town-hall, where he was jjj^ucting a week's- mission. He made ^arkg which incensed a number of publi- bW1, who promptly took possession of the Wtf°rm. Becoming alarmed, Mr. Smith jjlj^Gdly made his escape, and In doing eo Over a wall on a heap of scrap iron. Wednesday he took the advice of friends !eft the town, thus, bringing his mission abrupt okwSt

THE NEW DIRECTOR. A DISTINGUISHED SCHOLASTIC CAEEKEt. Dr. James is ah evidence of the indomitable pluck and energy of a student who has, as Principal Roberta, of Aberystwyth, states, marked out for himself an extended plan of preparation, and steadfastly pursued it." He was born in Plasdoylan, in Conwil Elvet, Car- marthenshire, 31 years ago. After the usual course of elementary education he began the battle of life when twelve years of age, as a grocer's apprentice. in which capacity he served in Merthyr and Treorky. But after two years he returned to hie first love, and at the age of sixteen, having won a three years' exhibition, he entered the Cardiff University College from the Tetrad Higher Grade 8ebool, and there he was brought under the powerful influence of the late Principal Viriamu Jones, j Professor Koberts, and others. At the end of the third year he entered the normal depart- ment for two years. While at Cardiff he passed the London University Matriculation Examination in 1889, inter arta in 1890, and final B.A. in 1892; he was senior prizeman in mathematics in 1891, and prizeman in physical and commercial geography in 1892, he was placed in the first class in both years on the certificate list, and on the college sessional list he took a first class for theoretical and practical teaching. In mathematics he passed in the seven stages of the Science and Art Department before leaving college. Ile 'aloo passed in theoretical mechanics, honours; stage, in 1893. From October, 1892, to July, 1893, he attended, at Cardiff, the intermediate course of lectures, and performed laboratory work in physics, concurrently with studying higher mathema- tics. During the session 1893-4 Ile worked at practical biology and practical chemistry (each for six hours per week) in the Cardiff laboratories. From 1893 to 1896 he served as an assistant-master at the Rhondda Pupil Teachers' Centre, where he gained valuable experience in teaching, as well as in draw- ing up schemes of study in various subjects. He returned to Cardiff, and from there entered Balliol College, Oxford, as exhibi- tioner (open examination in mathematics), January, 1896; obtained the Goldsmiths' Exhi- bition, tenable for four years, within six months; passed moderations, first class, honours (mathematics) in 1896; final schools, second class, honours in 1899; studied advanced physics at Oxford from 1898 to 1900. Not content with reaching the top of the British educational ladder, he went over to Germany, and entered the University of Erlangen in October, 1900, and for over two years attended a course in experimental physics, mineralogy, and mathematics. In 1902 he obtained the B-Se. research degree (only awarded when a high standard of merit has been attained) at Oxford, November, 1902 He obtained the Ph.D. degree (Magna Cum Lauda) at Erlangen, December. 1902. Both these degrees were the results of examination, and of Theses submitted to the boards of examiners. Dr. James is a Welshman, and can k and write Welsh. At Oxford he was an active member of the Dafydd ab Gwilym Sooiety, and attended Prinelpal Rhyp's lecture* on the Mabinogion. He is also conversant with the French language and literature, and haa acquired much of his knowledge of physical science through the medium of that language. On the 10th of October he will be admitted to the M.A. degree at Oxford.

FIGHTING NEAR ADEN. ARAB VILLAGE DESTROYED; BRITISH CASUALTIES. The following telegram, dated Tuesday, from the Resident at Aden, haa been received at the India OMoo Several outrages have been committed on the line of communications by the people of the village of Wakhleen, situated within the hills about fifteen milee south-east of Jeinil. The village was destroyed by a small columh under Lieutenant-colonel English, 2pd Bat- talion Royal Dublin Fusiliere, on the 7th inst. "The following casualties occurred:— "Dangerously wouaded —2nd Battalion Royal Dublin FusiUera: -6,584 Private Oarr and 6,710 Private KeeffjtP (since dead). Slightly wounded :H>.9T5 Corporal Callway, wet 6,969 Private Daley. "Also woundd :-on.. sepoy 2nd Bombay Infantry, and one driver No. 6 (Bombay) Mounted Battery. "Above information only received last uighi. Pull report will follow in due oourse." A further telegram, dated Wednesday, reportsWounded progressing favcwrr&hly."

BRITHDIR RUNAWAY TAKEN. The man William S. Price, of Brlthdir, who it is alleged attempted an assault on a young girl on the 29th of September, and who eluded the police when proceeding to the polioe- station on the 2nd inst., waa arrested late on Tuesday by Acting-sergeant Tucker. Tirphil. on the mountain side between Tirphil sad Brithdir. I

GREAT STORMS IN AMERICA. ENORMOUS DAMAGE: EIGHT LIVES LOST. A t telegram from New York says:— The downpour of rain continues in New York and the neighbourhood. In the last thirty-two hours 10.4in. have fallen. Eight lives have been lost in the floods. At Paterson (New Jersey) the damage done amounts to £ 200,000. Duttonville, a suburb of P assail, has been swept away through the breaking of a dam. and 300 families have been rendered homeless. The Pompton Lake dam has also burst, the water. flooding miles of the Bamapo Valley. On the Hudson Bay River many towns suffered severely. North Wilkee- barre and Carbonate, Pennsylvania, are under water, and four collieries near Scranton are filling. The delay in railway traffic is the worst ever known, not a wheel having been turned east or west on the Erie since nine a.m. yesterday.. Trains on the Jersey and Weet Shore Railroad and the Delaware and Hudson line were unable to run until after midnight, owing to landslides and washouts Traffic on the New York Central and Pennsylvania Bailways was also delayed by the floods, but to a less serious extent. At Brooklyn a landslide occurred in the Green- wood Cemetery and many coffins were exposed. Several instances of horses having been drowned in the street are reported. All the north New Jersey cities are flooded. The electric tramcar traffic is completely paralysed, and there is no electric light. Paterson appears to have been the worst sufferer. The Delaware River is at the highest level ever known. At Eaoton (Pennsylvania) many persons have had to be resoued in boats, and a number of houses have been swept from their foundations. Much damage is also reported from Phila.delphia.-Reuter. All the more important railways running into New York are severely crippled as a result of the great floods. The outlying dis- tricts are cut off from communication with the city altogether, while the damage caused by the deluge at Paterson exceeds that of the disaster last year. Hundreds of houses there have been flooded and their occupants ren- dered homeless. Many people experienced narrow escapes in getting away from the sub- merged dwellings. The Pennsylvania Rail- way Company has abandoned the service between New York and Philadelphia because of the serious floods at Trenton, where the railway track is covered to a depth of 6ft.— Central News.

ALARMING OCCURRENCE AT RISCA. The situation so far as the collapse of the Riaca. Viaduct, in the MonmouthBhire Western Valley, is concerned is more serious than is supposed. Twelve arches of the huge struc- ture fell without a moment's premonition on Sunday night; two more fell on Wednesday afternoon, and it is feared that some, if not all, of the six which remain, bridging the River Ebbw on the Sirhowy side of Risca, may also come down at any moment. In this event the effect will be more disastrous even than what has already taken place, for the bed of the River Ebbw will of necessity be stopped up, and the course of the river, alieady considerably swollen in consequence of the heavy rains, will be diverted, and the large number of houses and several places of worship which stud the Risca and Ponty mister valley in its vicinity will be flooded. With this apprehension in view, the occupants of the houses Were busy on Wednesday evening—the rain still failing heavily meanwhile—barricading the lower portion of the doorways and other channels of ingress, to prevent the inflow of water in the event of any more of the few remaining arches giving way. At three ojclock on Thursday no more arches had fallen, but a farther collapse was expected at any moment. Despite the pour- ing min, several people stayed out until a late hour in the expectation of seeing the last portion of the viaduct come down. HISTORY OF THE STRUCTURE. The Risca Viaduct possesses an interesting history. It was built about a century ago to carry the old Monmouthshire line of the Great Western Railway from the Sirhowy to the Risca aide of the valley through which the Ebbw River runs. For generations it stood, a massive and graceful structure, having a span of 400 yards, intersected with 32 arches, and an average height of 40ft. For nearly fifty years it carried the large amount of mineral and other traffic which was brought across this rich valley by means of trams, but when steam engines were intro- duced the viaduct was discarded in favour of the railway line which was constructed in its immediate vicinity. For the last half-cen-' tury, however, the viaduct has been used as a public footpath by the inhabitants of the little townships which occupy these parts of the Monmouthshire valley. About six months ago the Great Western Railway Com- pany, having no further use for the viaduct, and seeing that it was manifesting signs of falling into ruin, decided to have it removed, and for this purpose sold the entire structure for a nominal figure to Mr. William Mugford, a local contractor, on condition that its demolition was taken in hand forthwith. This wae done, but the work had been in hand only a few weeks when one of the workmen, in endeavouring to wrench the keystone of one of the arches, met with an accident which resulted in his death. Nothing further of an untoward nature happened until last Sunday night, when, eight arches having already been taken down, twelve more fell of their own accord, and another two, as we have already stated, followed their example on Wednesday afternoon. Four arches still remain in position on the Risca side, one (the first) overhanging the main road which runs through the villages of Ponty- mister and Riscjt towards Cross Keys and the top of the valley. Six also remain standing on the other end, the extreme two of which span the River Ebbw, and it is the fear that these may also fall, and thus dam the natural course of the river, which alarms the inhabi- tants of Risca and Pontymister at the present moment.

GLAMORGAN CANAL BURSTS ITS BANKS. Serious floods have followed upon the heavy rains of Wednesday and the past few days, and a great amount of damage has been done in the neighbourhood of Nantgarw, between Talro Well and Treforest stations on the Taff Vale Railway. Owing to Ae flood of water in the Glamorgan Canal, the banks of the waterway were burst for a dis- tance of about ten yards some half a mile above Nantgarw. The waters rolled down the hillside in great volume, draining them- selves into the meadows on Ysrad. Isaf farm. The roads in the neighbourhood were also covered with water JDu became almost impas- sable- The river runs alongside the main road, and, fortunately, a large volume of water drained itself into the Taff. The accident, however, stopped the canal •boats, as well as heavy traffic on Thursday on the main roads. Goods being conveyed by the barges from Oardiff to Merthyr had to be transferred from one boat to another by trolley-men sent up specially from Cardiff on Thursday, who had to make a consider- able detour in order to get above u*e point where the banks had burst.

EXTENSIVE THEFTS. POLICEMAN CHARGED WITll BURGLARY. At Liverpool on Thursday George Martin was charged on remand with burglaries at dwelling-houses while acting aa a city police- man. Six separate cases were gone into. all alleged to have been committed since May last year. Property, which evidently be- longed to other thefts, was also found at his hoase. and it ia believed he had been both policeman and burglar for a long period. He had been sixteen years in the force. The total value of the goods stolen was put down at 41,5w. From one house alone, the resi- dence of a Greek merchant, eight hundred pounds' worth was taken. The burglaries were committed between May and September, when the occupants were on holidays and the prisoner on night duty in the district. Over a hundred keys were found In the prisoner's house, some of which opeaed the houses robbed. Prisoner was arrested through his wife pledging the property. B* was tent for trial.

BODY FOUND IN A LIVERPOOL DOCK. The mystery of the Welsh doctor's dis- appearance has been solved by the finding of the body in the Coburg Dock at Liverpool. Dr. James Thomas, who resided at Newcastle Emlyn, went to Liverpool on September 29 to visit a brother-in-law. It is stated he had some domestic trouble. On the following day he went out to look round the city, and was not seen again Efforts to trace him were fruitless until the finding of the body. Deceased was thirty-four years of age. He wa-3 a native of Newcastle-Emlyn, 6ft. high, married, and has a young son. His move- ments on the night of his disappearance were traced to Batb-street, but beyond this there was no clue. Bath-street is in close proximity to the dock where the body was found. Deceased was greatly respected, and all his relations are well to do, many of them being in high positions.

THE INQUEST. Mr. A. G. Inglis (deputy-coroner) held aD inquest at Liverpool on Monday with reference to the death of James Zaoharia Thomas, M.R.C.S.. L.R.C.P., of Sycamore House, Neap- castle Emlyn. Mr. David Thomas David, bank agent, living at 67. Berkeley-street, Liverpool, said the deceased was his brother-in-law, and was in practice as a doctor at Newcastle Emlyn. The deceased was 34 years of age, and apparently a healthy man, but for some years past had been addicted to drink. For about two years he had also been in the habit of taking opium to induce sleep. These habits resulted in giving deoaaeed a dazed appear- ance. He came to Liverpool on a visit oa Monday, the 28th ult., and stayed with witness. The following day he left word with another witness, who thought at the time he had had some drink and was dazed, that he was going to the theatre. At midnight he had not returned, and information was given to the police. Other evidence was given to show that when last seen alive, on Tuesday afternoon, the 29th ult., the deceased had the appearance of having taken drink. On Friday last a body was recovered from the river which was identified at the Prince's Mortuary by his brcther-in-law as being that of the deceased. There were no signs of violence, and the toedioal evidence pointed to drowning as the causf of death. Mr. David, the brother-in-law, told the coromi he had no doubt that in his daoed condition the deceased fell into the river. He always walked with his eyes on the ground. He never threatened any violence to himself. The Ccroner remarked that it was a par- t-icularly sad case, and advised the jury to return an open verdict. The jury agreed upon a. verdict of "Found drowned."

GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE. PERMANENT ARBITRATION TREATY SIGNED. A Paris telegrfcm of Wednesday through Renter's Agency says:—The Anglo-French Arbitration Treaty was signed to-day in London by M Cambon. the French Ambasav dor, and the Marquess of Laasdowne. The text is as follows:— The Government of the French Republic and the Government of his Britannic Majesty signatories of the convention concluded at the Hague on July 21, 1899, for the peaceful settle- ment of international disputes, considering that. by Article XIX. of that treaty, the high contracting parties reserve to themselves the right of concluding agreements with the view to recourse to arbitration in all cases, which they shall consider it possible to submit there- to, have authorised the •undersigned to agree to the following provisions:- Article I.—Differences of a juridical order or such as relate to the interpretation of the treaties existing between tha two conr tracting parties which may arise between them, and which it may not be possible to settle by means of diplomacy, shall be sub- mitted to the permanent Court of Arbitral tion, established at the Hague bt the con. vention of July 29, 1899, on condition, how. ever, that they do not involve either the vital interests or the independence or honour of the two contracting States, and that they do not affect the interests of a third Power. Article II.—In each particular case the high contracting parties, before addressing themselves to the permanent Court of Arbi. tration shall sign a special arbitration bond. setting forth clearly the subject under dis- pute, the extent of the powers of the arbitra- tors, and the details to be observed as regards the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, and the procedure. Article III.—The present arrangement is concluded for the term of five years fnom the date of the signatures. (Signed). CAMBON. LANSDOWmi.

BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT. The Foreign Office in London has issued the following announcement "Lord Lansdowne to-day (Wednesday) signed, with the French Ambassador, an agreement providing that questions of a juridical character, or relating to the inter- pretation of existing treaties, which might arise between Great Britain and France should, if found incapable of settlement by diplomatic means, be referred to the per- manent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. It is, however, further stipulated that this arrangement shall apply only to such quee- Mons as do not involve the vital interests, the independence, or the honour of the two con- tracting parties, and do not affect the inte- rests of third Powers. The agreement is the outcome of a movement which, it will be remembered, has recently received a consider- able amount of support in both countries in favour of affirming the general principle of recourse to arbitration whenever that method 88A be safely and conveniently adopted."

PRICE OF A WIFE. MARRIAGE AGENT'S STRANGE CLAIM. j. remarkable story of an amateur matri-' ^flial agency was told with great compo to Judge Parry at Salford County-court cj Wednesday, an old man named Whittaker fitting £ 7 10s. from William Bailey for Producing the defendant to a lady who ionised to become his wife. ni i^€y was lodging with a Mrs. Smith when ^ihtifF met him in the street and advised C* to get married. I I told him," said plain/tiff, "he ought to, out for a respectable woman and marry1 dce Parry: "Very good advice. I'lairitiir I said, "I have got just the peraon *V° 1,111 8ait you." "Who is it?" says he. Smith, with whom you lodge," says I. Dawson told me she was a very respeo-1 "Ie woman." says he. v You can ask anybody," says I. You got £ 150 in the bank. If I get you gi^fried will you give me 5 per cent, commis- on the money you have?" He hesitated j'ittle, and then answered, Yes, I will." knew Mrs. Smith wanted a husband," he r- •■J Went to her without ceremony and said, *3Jrs. Smith, I have got the right man for fc11. He is a respectable working man, and -i*8 got £ 150 in the bank." "Who is it?" said. Is it Bailey, my new lodger?" i.J«b," I said. "Do you agree?" She said, VjV" and then I said, Do you agree to ,Vif Biving me 5 per cent, on that money of She said, "Yes." I said, "Right." brought him in. There was not a word by either of them, so I said to Mrs. -5*1 th, Give me your right hand." She It to me, and Mr. Bailey gave me his. jl^&t their hands together, and I said, "Wil- Bailey, will you marry this woman?" he answered "Yes," and then I siaid, ^rs. Smith, will you marry this man?" She ^ered, -Yes." t)¡'l'.Qen I said, "Bless you, my children." I said, Now, I will give you a piece of °?<1 advice for nothing. -Jtidge Parry: But you are charging them *7 10s. ^laintifF: Yes; but that was for getting together. Honour said that plaintiff had no claim, w* had never heard of such a oase. Judg- was given for defendant, with costs.

lIANDLOOM rro HOME OFFICE. t,^r. Thomas Birtwistle, J.P., Acorington, 0?lef inspector under the particulars clause the Factory Acts, relinquished his position <w Thursday under the age liniit regulation completing his seventieth year. Oommen- £ life as a handloom weaver, he was for ^ahy years a Weavers' Trades Union official, his moderation and sagacity in that durine the lock-outs, riots, other crises in East Lancashire induced 6 Home Offloe to offer him the post now vacates. Thirty thousaad cotton ^ratives presented him with a testimonial w. his leaving their organisation. Mr. Jj^iatle is succeeded by his sou, Mr. J. T- ^istle, of Blackburn-

GLAMORGAN COUNCIL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT. t A special meeting of the Glamorganshire County Council was held on Tuesday at the Lesser Town-hall, Pontypridd, under the presidency of Mr. J. Blandy Jenkins, J-P-. to appoint a director of education. Of the 90 applicants whose qualifications had been considered by a sub-committee, six had been before the education committee, and three of those now appeared before the council. They were: J. James, B.A. (London). B.A. B.Se. (Balliol College, Oxford), Ph.D. (Univer- sity of Erlangen), head of the Physics Depart- ment of the High School, Middlesbrough; R. Wallace Stewart. D.Sc. (London), organiser of science teaching for the London School Board; and James Graham, inspector of schools for the West Biding County Council. The salary fixed is E750 per annum, and great. interest was taken in the appointment. I DR. JOHX JAMBS. I Upon the motion of Mr. D. Watts Morgan. seconded by Mr. T. Thomas, Merthyr, it was decided that the appointment should be subject to three months' notice on either side. The voting was open, the roll being called and each member replying by naiming the candidate whom he wished to support. There were for Dr. James 49 Mr. Graham 20 Dr. Stewart 1 Dr. James was called in. and informed that he had been elected. He thanked the council for appointing him to such a position of honour and responsibility, and assured them that nothing that lay in his power would be wanting on his part to justify the xppoirlt. ment. Dr. Morris, aa chairman of the education committee, congratulated Dr. James on his appointment. He admitted that his own vote went "the other way." (Laughter.) Still, he must say there was no doubt that the know- ledge qualifications of Dr. James were the best of the lot.

OWNED 54 HOUSES. CARDIFF EXJX7FRIGAL ENGINEER'S TRANSACTIONS. The first meeting of the creditors of Thomas Williams, of 54, Bridge-street, Llandaff, late of 13. Despenser-street, Cardiff, electrical engi- neer, was held at the Official Reoedver's Office, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, on Thursday. The gross liabilities .£13,019 Is. (4d.; the total liabilities expected to Tajik LI,653 6s. 4d., while the estimated assets amounted to £ 1,913 19.. ld. s surplus of assets over liabilities, L260 13s. 9d. The debtor alleges Ms -use of failure as loss on my property." The debtor is an electrioa-I engineer at the Post Office, his pre- sent salary being .219 108. per annum. For some years past, the Official Receiver observed, the debtor appeared to have been in the habit of buying equities of redemption in leasehold properties in Cardiff, and was now possessed of no less than 54 houses in various parts of Cardiff and Barry, upon which there are charges amounting to £11,343 17s. 6d., inclusive of interest. He estimated the value of these properties at £ 12,455, leaving -Pn estimated surplus, subject to ground I'eDtø; of £1.091 2s. 6d. As againrt this thetre was a second mortgage upon one house at Barry, leaving the net surplus at 069 5s. This surplus was of a very doubtful nature. The mortgagees were in possession of the whole of the pro- perties, and were collecting the rents. The unsecured creditors were as followSolici- tors' coete, X115 12s. 4d.; valnelw fees, 119 9s.; ptrsonal accounts, 4236 5s. 2d.; repairs to pro- perty. C48 14s. 8d.; cash loans, £1.575 3a. 10d. The debtor had kept no books of account show- ing whether his properties had at any time brought him in any income. The alleged claim of Z750 was in respect of damages tor breach of contract. The debtor stated that in June last he agreed to sell the whole of his properties to a gentleman to whom he was indebted in the sum of .£810 for a sum of JE800 (subject to existing mortgages). This creditor paid him R,130 in cash, £ 110 of which he handed to his solicitor, but, 4LIthough this olaim was alleged to be good, from, the debtor's statement of affairs it would appear that he was indebted to the person with whom the contract was entered into, for E573 10s. 8d. With regard to an item of 475, the debtor ap- peared to have entered into a verbal agree- ment to purchase equities in nine houses at Cardiff for RZW (subject to mortgage), and he stated that he paid .£110 on account of the purchase, but only one house was transferred to him. This claim was also, in the Official Receiver'is I c)idinion, of a doubtful nature. Debtor is prepared to set aside a sum of z637 10s. per annum to the payment of his debts during he continuance of his employ- ment at the Post Offioe-The Official Receiver remains as trustee.

CARDIFF ROBBERY, SEQUEL TO BURGLARY AT JEWELLER'S SHOP. A sequel to the Cardiff jewel robbery was heard at the Clerkenwell Sessions, London, on Thursday, when Edward Hartley and Florence Allen came up for trial (before Mr. M'Connell, It.C.), chairman of the sessions. They were charged with receiving from two men, now undergoing a term of imprisonment for the robbery, a diamond ring and diamond brooch, the property of Mr. Crouch, a Cadiff jeweller, well-knowing the some to have been stolen. Mr. Guy Stephenson prosecuted for the Treasury, and the prisoners were represented by Mr. Purcell. Both prisoners pleaded not guilty. The male pisner was also charged, in com- pany with a man, Frederick M'Chin, of having received 150 skirts, the property of a Mr. Smeaton, well knowing them to have been stolen. This charge was heard first, and, after a long hearing, Hartley was found guilty. Machin was found not guilty, and was accordingly discharged. Florence was then put into the dock and charged. Mr. Stephenson said the woman acted as housekeeper to Hartley, and he did not pro- pose to offer any evidence against her. Allen was looking after Hartley's children, Mrs. Hartley being undergoing penal servitude- The ring and brooch, tibAl proceeds of the robbery at Mr. Crouch's, were found in Allen's possession, and it had been proved that Graham and Seymour, who had committed the robbery at Mr. Crouch's, had wired to Hartley for funds, and there was no doubt but that Hartley was a receiver of a very bad descrip- tion. Hartley had also a previous oonviction against him. having been sentenced to seven years' penal tiervitude in 1897 for receiving stolen goods. He was accordingly out on tioket-of-leave when arrested on the present charge- yAr. Purcell explained that Hartley had still twenty-one months of that eentence to serve. Hartley's part in the jewel robberies rested entirely on the evidence of a convict. His Lordship sentenced Hartley to five years' penal servitude on the charge of recedv skirts, The woman Allen was discharged. The other charges against Hartley were acoor*Rngly ftropped.

A BRMffS SAD DEATH. ^.t an inquest on the body of a, young woman named Alice Amelia Oase, quite recently married, the wife of James Oase, of Forest-gate. London, who was found at the bottom of the stairs, with her head doubled trader her body, it was stated t. ehe had suffered from epileptic fits, and had been under hospital treatment. Dr. Good son said that Mrs. Case had had a At, and an ornamental velvet band which she wore round her neck, and the pressure of her clothing—especially the (brøebt-had aggrar vated the asphyxia, which was the cause of death. She might have recovered from the epileptic At but for the pressure at the clothing. A verdict ef "Death from mffoc*Uon was returned.

A FUTILE TASK. You. ewlnot Preveat & storm by sitting on the barometer." (Laughter and cheers.) [Lord Rosebery at Sheffield.

POSTMAN'S ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A tragic episode occurred at 16. Rhymney- terrace, Oathays, Cardiff, on Tuesday, when a. poefcman, named Frederick Love- ridge, attempted to commit euioide by cutting his throat and also made an attempt on the life of his step-daughter, Maggie Thomas, aged 18, by endeavouring to cut her throat. Naturally, considerable commotion was caused when the news was bruited abroad, and a crowd soon gathered in front of the house. It was stated that owing to some family jar Loveridge had used a razor upon himself, inflicting a terrible wound in his throat, but that his attempt upon the life of his step-daughter was attended with very insignificant conse- I quences. Both the injured persons were taken to the infirmary, where it was found that Loveridge was in a very weak oondition owing to loss of blood, and +*■ the wound in the throat was so deep that the windpipe was partly severed. The step-daughter was only slightly injured, and she was discharged after having her throat dressed. Loveridge, who was atteiided by Dr. Ward, lies at the institution in a precaeLous condition.

STATEMENT BY THE STEP- DAUGHTER. Maggie Thomas, who is engaged as a helper at the General Poet-office, in answer to a query, said she had arranged to see her father during the dinner hour. Somehow or other, she missed him, and met Tom Mara, with whom she went for a walk to the Arcade. In the evening her father reprimanded her for not seeing him, and he told her she must not see Mara again. Mara had been staying at their house. On arriving home her father rushed at her, but Tom, who was in the house, stepped between them. Her father went out of the room, and on his return he jumped at her, and she felt a pain in her throat. She ran out of the house, and went to a Mr. and Mrs. Tresize for protection. Mr. and Mrs. Tresive are neighbours, but seem to know but very little of the family. They had often seen Loveridge in the garden. but he rarely conversed with them.

CHARGES AT THE POLICE-COURT. At Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday (before Messrs. Richard Oory and W. 8. Crossman) Annie Thomas, 39, was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by throw- ing herself into the Glamorganshire Canal near North and Low Bridge, Bute-street, on the 6th inst. Prisoner, who was an inmate of Cardiff Workhouse, expresed regret at what she had done, and her explanation of the attempt was that she had tost the workhouse shawl and was afraid to return.—Councillor Crossman: They are not so severe that you need have been afraid to go back.—Prisoner was willing to go back to the workhouse, and was discharged upon the promises she made. She was rescued by a man named Edward Jenkins, and the magistrates thanked him for his presenoe of mind and promptitude. Joseph Butler (24) was charged at Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday with taking a quantity of rat poison, with intent to commit suicide, in Eldon-road on the 6th inst.—Mr. Devereux, court missionary, said prisoner had served in the South African Campaign, and had suffered from enteric fever. He had not been the same since.—Prisoner was discharged with a caution, and he left; the court accom- panied by his sister.

A MIGHTY HOST. INVADES NEW YORK, THE "STRONG- HOLD OF SIN." A telegram to the Daily Mail" from New York on Wednesday btatee:-FArciting scenes are expected on Friday morning, when Dr. Dowie's army will enter New York on ah attempt to overthrow the "strongholds of sin and vice" by the most sensational cruaade ever witnessed. Dispatches from Chicago state that the invading host, nearly 4,000 strong, started for New York to-day in eight special trains amid most impressive scenes. The rank and file of the army are being conveyed to New York In ordinary railway oarriages without sleeping accommodation. They carry their own rations. Dr. Dowie and fifty of the chief officers are travelling in a superb train composed of Pullman, ears, including a luxurious dining-car, in which sumptuous meals are served. One of the trains carries a great surpliced choir of 500 voices. Another is filled With Zion guards', a volunteer regiment 500 strong, d a brass band of 500 musicians. These will head the army when it marches through New York. Each Zion guard carries a Bible at his side. At the command, Draw swords," every guard draws his Bible, and to "Present arms" the Bible is opened. The Bible is the only weapon. To sustain the four thousand crusaders during the railway journey of 800 miles, tons of canned meats and thousands of loaves of bread were converted into sandwiches and distributed by the commissariat department. In a final manifesto to the army yesterday Dr. Dowie says: "New York is a city of wickedness far worse even that Chicago, but when I leave New York it will be a better and greater city. We may be stoned in that centre of vice, but I command you to hold your tempers." The universal opinion is that Dr. Dowie will succeed in raising large sums of money from public contributions during the Invasion of New York. Dr. Dowie himself says he expects the wicked financiers and Wall-street gamblers will be converted and hand over their ill- gotten gains to the extent of many millions. Dr. Dowie has always been remarkably successful. Be is a naturalised American of Scotch decent, full of native shrewdness. In seven years he has secured over 100,000 adherents,, and founded Zion City, a prosperous manufacturing town near Chicago, and raised enormous sums of money. He is said to be worth many millions. He is an effective public speaker of great magnetism. Divine healinff always forms a eonspioaoos feature in his meetings. He claims to be the reincarnation of Elijah, and is alleged to haws mate many mlracttioua cares.

LOCAL PATERNITY CASE. REMARKABLE POLICE-COURT PROCEEDINGS. Singular affiliation proceedings came before the deputy stipendiary (Mr. E. Milner Jones) at Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday Mr. Harold Lloyd appeared for the complainant, a youthful married woman, with three children. The defendant was a man named John Thomas, labourer. Emerald street, Cardiff. Mr. Lloyd's opening disclosed a sad state of things. He said complainant lived with her husband up to three years ago, when he was sent to Egypt, as cashier to a firm of con-1 tractors, and he stayed there until May; of this year. The woman was res-1 pectable, and had had three children by her husband. Two years ago she met defendant, and they saw each other frequently at the house where complainant lived With her sister. Impropriety commenced on October 7, and it ended with the birth of a child on July 12. Divorce proceedings bad been instituted, and complainant raised no defence. The defendant had been served as a co-respondent, but he entered no appear- ance" in the .citation. Defendant, who had admitted the paternity, was not present, but he had promised to marry com- plainant if her husband euooeeded in the divoroe proceeding* He had promised to stand by the woman, out had not done so. She was ruined, ber home had been broken up, her three children had been taken from her, and no woman's plight could be more pitiablet Defendant had declined to come into court, saying that he did not care what happened. Complainant said she was the wife of Wilfred Nicholas Reynolds, and lived at Keppoch-street. She said defendant registered the birth of the child. Defendant, after the confinement, made her a present of some strawberries. The Deputy-Stipendiary made an order of 58. a week.

THE CONCILIATION BOARD. PRESIDENCY OF THE COALOWNERS' SECTION. A deputation of members of the Monmouth- shire and South Wales Coalowners' Associa- tion waited upon Mr. F. L. Davis in London on Tuesday for the purpose of inviting him to accept the presidency of the owners' repre- sentatives on the board of conciliation for the settlement of disputes in the South Wales coal- field. The deputation consisted of Messrs. R. B. Grey, chairman of the association, Walter M'Laren, J. Shaw, and (146COYUO Dalziel, secretary. We are officially informed that, having fully considered tble subject, Mr, Davis has inti- mated his acceptance of the presidency, which will be formally reported to a meeting to be held early next week. THE NEW CHAIRMAN. Mr. Fred L. Davis is the son of the late Mr. Lewis Davis, J.p., of Femdale, and a grand- Hr. F. L. DAWS. I 8Cm of the late Mr. David Davis, of Blaen- garw, Aberdare, who was one of the first col- liery proprietors in this country. The late Mr. David Davis and Mr. Lewis Davis were amongst the most active, promoters of the Barry Railways, and the new chairman is a director of the Barry Dock and Railways Company. He was born at Penhill, Canton, Cardiff, in 1863, and received his early education at Ameteham Hall School, near Reading, and subsequently graduated at Cambridge, where he took his LL.B. degree, and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in January, 1886. Shortly before the latter date he con- tested the Bhondda Division as the chosen candidate of the Liberal organisation, but was defeated by his Liberal, opponent, "Mabon." Mr. Davis has also taken a very active part in the work of the oounty council, and at the age of 27 he filled the honourable office of high-sheriff of the oounty of Glamor- gan. Mr. Davis has always shown in a marked degree thoae high qualities for commercial pursuits, which characterised hit father, and he hae made himself thoroughly acquainted with colliery busiiiees. After his admission to the Bar Mr. Davis returned to Ferndate, and served hit apprenticeship underground in his father's pits, under Mr. Da-vid Evans, of Bodringailt. On hie father's death, in 1688, Mr. F. L. Davie undertook the general managership of the JerndaJe Collieries, and continued to act in that capacity until the new company was formed, when he was appointed managing director. Mr. Davis, in addition to being an alderman, is also a J.P. for the county. In June, 1889, he married Miss n. B. Smith, third daughter of Mr. Herbert Smith, of Brentham Park, Stirling. Like his father, Mr. F. L. Davis is a staunch Weeleyan Methodist, aad con- tributes largely and generoswly to all food causes.

THE MOOR MURDERS. STARTLING EVIDENCE BY M, DOCTOR. At the further hearing of the charge against Henry Buckley of the murder of the gamekeepers Uttley and Keuyon on BtY stone Moor on Thursday the results of examination of the exhumed body of Ut were made known. At the last hearing th medical evidence showed that there were marks of black powder in the wounds on the bodies, and the prisonet's solicitor said the prisoner was in the habit of using black powder. On Thursday Dr. Irving. Huddensfleld policesurgeon, said black powder had been used in addition to 46 pelletB produced by the doctor who made the post-mortem. Dr. Irving produced nearly two hundred mixed pellets, besides pieces of wood, shaving, and clothing, found with Uttley's body. Dr. Irving also declared that the marks on a coat found in prisoner's house were blood stains.

MORE VENEZUELAN FOLLY. BRITISH MERCHANT VEssø. SEIZED. The following telegram has been received from Georgetown (British GuiaziaJ:—It is reported from the North-west District that the Venezuelan lightship at the mouth of the Amacuru River has seized a boat flying the British flag laden with dry goods and provisions, the property of a British subject named Romania. The boat had cleared from Morawhana, British Guiana, and was proceed- ing to Haiwa. The Venezuelan commander protested that there ought to be no British trade with America, and said that he had been ordered to prevent the passage of British vessels. Mr. Romania has made ( sworn declaration of the fact to the Govern- ment agent at Morawkam-Renter-