Weekly Mail

CHARGE AGAINbT A PALMIST. ¡ ALLEGED FORGERY BY A CARDIFF WOMAN. What has been known as the Pontypool romance, after enga-giilg the attention of the lower courts for several weeks, came before Mr. Justice Walton at the Glamorgan Assizes at Cardiff yesterday for fina. 1 inveatiga^ tion. Louisa Marriott, 40, phrenologist, surren- dered to bail on a charge of unlawfully and fraudulently forging a letter to the Rev. Alfred Williams Addams-Williams, with intent to injure Augusta Hiestand, on the lyth of December last, at Cardilf. Mr. St. John Francis-Williams (at the instruction of Mr. Harold M. Lloyd) prosecuted, and Mr. Ivor Bowen (instructed by Mr. Daniel Lewis) de- fended. The story is one with a vein of romance running through it. In December the Rev. Alfred Williams Addams-Williams, the popular and highly respected Rector of Panteg, re- i ceived a letter, threatening his life. It was supposed to have been written by Miss Augusta Hiestand, a Swiss, governess, and the contents were such that could only emanate from a person disap- pointed in love. Miss Hiestand was subse- quently, at Pontypool Police-court, charged with the offence, and bound over in the sum of ClG to keep the peace for twelve months. Later suspicions fell on Louisa Marriott, a specimen of whose handwriting was obtained, and which, having been closely examined, led up to the present propeedinge. Prisoner, who wore a large picture hat, a heavy black veil, and a velvet coat with far collar and cuffs, in a faint voice, pleaded "Not guilty." Mr. St. John Francis-Williams, in opening the case, said prisoner was charged with forging the signature of a young woman named Miss Augusta Hiestand. Miss Hiestand had been in the service of Mrs. Sandford, who then lived near Pontypool, as governess.. Whilst there Miss Hiestand frequently met the Rev. Alfred Addams-Williams, as it was with his father Mrs. Sandford wa6 staying, The Rev. Mr. Williams was rector of Panteg, and through their constantly coming into contact Miss Hiestand fell violently in love with Mr. Williams. In June, 1902, Miss Hies- land left Mrs. Sandford's employment, and went to Cardiff. Apparently, in spite of the fact that she had left Mrs. Sandford's employ- ment, and in spite of the fact that she was no longer brought into contact with the Rev. Mr. Williams, her love for him continued, and she proceeded to write letters to him expres- sing her affection for him. When she came to Cardiff in June she made the acquaintance of the prisoner, who was by calling apalmist and phrenologist, and she consulted her as to the progress or probable result of her affection for the Rev. Alfred Addams-Williams. She told Miss Marriott all about her affection for the rev. gentleman, and they became very closely attached. Letters reached the rev. gentle- man from June, 1902, till November, 1903, and in consequence he consulted his solicitor, who wrote warning Mias Hiestand. Corre- spondence afterwards ceased for a while until November, when the two letters in question were received. Mr. Williams again consulted his solicitor, with the result that Miss Hies- tand was arrested, and was locked up one whole night. While on remand Mr. Williams received another letter in the same hand- writing as the first. Miss Hiestand vae bound over to keep the peace. It subsequently transpired that the letters were not in the handwriting of Mi ss Hiestand. AN EXTRAORDINARY LETTER. The letters, upon which the present ease was taken, read as follow:— Poet-offlce, Cardiff. Dearest Alfie,—I have left Mrs. Tatem's, Dearest, Alfte,-I have left Mrs. Tatem's, and I have no place to go. I seem so up- set. I cannot write this letter myself. But I am obliged to ask a girl to write it for me. I know you love me. You must ma.-ry me. You told me you would if I would wait for you, and I am waiting. Oh, Alfie, if you don't I shall do a dreadful deed. I will buy a pistol and shoot you and myeeif. Then we will dis together and be happy. You are cruel. You told me that you loved me, and now you are turning against me I must have an understanding, or I will kill you and myself. I am leaving Cardiff for Newport to- night. I will be near you. I am going mad, and if you don't marry me I will do something. I have got a friend in Newport. I will watch for you, my love. I can't give you my address, as I do not know where I am going to stay yet. I leave by the nine train to-night from Cardiff. I was in Newport on Thursday last (yesterday). Fcr- give the writing, with true love for -ver. The second letter, vhich Mr. Williams re- ceived when Miss Hiestand was out on remand, was as follows:- I see the little Swiss girl has been charged with using threats. She did not write the letter. She is innocent. She lived in ser- vice with some of my relatives. I heard of the love affair, or, I may say, the love she had for you. I wrote the letter. I dare not disclose my name, as it will upset my wife and family. I may add that I know you personally. GoodMuck for the new year, old boy. (Laughter.) Let the little girl go free. (Laughter.) Mr. Williams, concluding, said Mies Hiestand never wrote the letters, and an expert would be called to prove that specimens of writing obtained from the prisoner were the same as t,he writing in the two letters just read. VICAR OF PANTEG'S EVIDENCE. The Rev. Alfred Addams-Williams then entered the witness-box. He described him- self as the rector of Panteg, and said that for some time Miss Hiestand was in the employ (as governess) of Mrs. Sandford, his cousin, who was staying with his father near Ponty- pool. Mrs. Sandford had uow removed to Shropshire. Witness practically visited his father's house every day, and there met Miss Hiestand. Miss Hiestand left Pontypool to go to Cardiff in June, 1902, when he received from her from time to time the bundle of letters produced. He consulted his solicitor, and as a oonscquenco he did not receive any more letters from bar between November 9 and December 19, when he had the first of the lelterF. read. He a.gain saw his solicitor on the matter, with the result that a warrant for Miss Hi 'tand'ti arrest was issued. Witness then described the magisterial proceedin. afe the outcome of which Miss Hiestand was Ixrund over to keep the peace. Cross-examined by Mr. Bowen Are all those letters produced letters which you have received?—Yes. You as a sensible man ignored a good many letters?—Yes. I threw many or them into the firo. In fact, this woman (meaning Miss Hiestand) has invariably pestered you with these letters?—That is so. Of course, I need not ask you for any reason of any kind ?-No. Is it not a fact that in most of her letters sho implored you to marry her?—That is eo; but without any foundation. And the letters would appear to come from a wofhan who thoazlit she was engaged to somebody?—Yes, something of that sort. From June, 1902, not only has she pestered you with writing these ridiculous letters, but pestered you at your own house?—That is B0. You said she was a very peculiar and obsti- nate young woman?—Very much so. (Laugh- ter.) SWISS GOVERNESS'S EVIDENCE. Miss Augusta Hiestand, who gave her present address as 47, Bridge-street, Newport, said that in March, 1902, she entered the ser- vice of Mrs. Sandford as a governess, and whil,o there she met the Rev. Alfred Addams- WTTlianis. After she left Mrs. SandTord's em- ployment in June, 1903, she went into service in Cardiff, and whilst there wrote Mr. Wil- liams a number of letters. By Mr. Francis-Williams: She went to have her hand read by the prisoner, whom rore told of her affection for the rector, and said she liked him very much. Her object for having her hand read was to find out if fjhe was going to have a change in her employ- ment. Mr. St. John Francis-Williams: You dis- cussed your future prospects with her? -y. Did you talk about Mr. Williams?—Yes, very often. When yon received letters from Mr. Wil- liams's solicitor you ceased to write to him? —Yes, and I wrote to his solicitor. In whose writing do you say those letters ^re?—Miss Marriott's. I always addressed my letters to the Rectory." These two letters are addressed to the Vicarage." Oroea-ectaammed by Mr. Bowen; Ton admit writing the whole of these letters (referring I to the bundle)?—Yes. You know all these letters by heart, dca't, you?—No, I don't. Were you in love with Mr. Williams?—Well, I liked him very much. Tell me, were you in love with him?—Yes. Are you still of the same frame of mind?— Yes. Just turn round to the jury a moment. Would you suggest that he was in love with you?—I don't know. After having pestered him for nearly two years ?—I thought he gave me some encourage- ment. Apart from writing these letters, did you go to the church and to his house, and were > ou turned from there?—I did not go into his house. You suggest you never threatened to do anything to him?—No, never. Take the letter and read it. You will find something written in pencil. Do you say you never threatened him?—Yes. You say if you were a gentleman you would do something to him?—I would not have done anything to harm him. Do you teach writing?—Yes. And in Switzerland a great deal of atten- tion is paid to the art?—Yes. And I suggest to you that you could dis- guise your handwriting if you wished to do so?—I don't think so. His Lordship (after perusing the letter): I don't think there is any threat in this letter. Mr. Bowen: "If I were a gentleman," my lord. His Lordship: That is all very mild. Mr. Bowen: You consulted 30 phrenologist with reference to the change in your employ- ment?—Yes. Did you speak chiefly about Mr. Williams? —Not chiefly. His name was brought up. Who told her that his name was Alfie? Prisoner said she knew Mr. Williams, as she had lived at Pontypool. Further cross-examined, witness said that she did not see the letters at Pontypool Police- court; neither was she asked if she wrote them. "I felt quite ill. I could not speak." Mr. Bowen: But Mr. Lloyd could speak. He did not feel ill, you know, unless your case made him ill. (Laughter.) Do you say you never wrote the letters?—Yes. Why did you suggest Miss Marriott wrote these letters?—Because she was the only r person who knew anything about Mr. Wil- liams. What object had she in doing so?—I don't know. I do not think I have offended her. By his Lordship: She never made any sug- gestion to Miss Marriott about writing the letters. Mrs. Elizabeth Studley, with whom Miss Hiestand is at present saying, said that Miss Hiestand was staying with her at Newport at the time the letters were posted at Cardiff. AMUSING INCIDENTS. Edward Reynold Thomas, clerk in the em- ploy of Mr. Harold Lloyd, said that on Decem- ber 29 he went to Miss Marriott's shop in the Royal Arcade at Cardie for tne puipuw V having his hand read. (Laughter.) By Mr. Francis-Williams: You asked her to write out the result?—Yes, and she told me to call the following day for it. And did she hand you that character (hand- ing to witness a document): Yes. No, that is not the one. (Laughter.) Then which is your character? (renewed laughter.) You don't seem to like that one. (Loud laughter.) (After turning over some documents). Oh, this is your character?- I.-es, that is it. It was explained that another of.r. Lloyd's clerks also went to have his hand read, which accounted for the two characters Leing in court. Mr. Francis-Williams: You are both sup- posed to get married when you are 25 or 26?— Yes. (Laughter.) Oh, you know it?—Yes. (Loud laughter.) By Mr. Bowen: My friend says you aore a very complex character. (Laughter.) Edward Kent, headmaster of the Gladstone Board Schools, described himself as adviser in penmanship to Messrs. Blackie and Sons, London. He was confident that the two letters in respect of which prisoner was charged were not written by Miss Hiestand. They were, however, the same handwriting as was contained in the two characters pro- duced. In cross-examination, witness said there were too many combinatk us in the hand- writing of Miss Marriott to be that of any other person. THE PRISONER'S STATEMENT. Detective-inspector Stephens gave evidence of arrest, and stated that, in answer to the charge, she said:- I know nothing about the person, only the girl came to me for advice the same as other people. She was in service near Pont., pool. She told me she wae very much in love with the curate. I think she said his name was Davies. 1 lost sight of her for six months, during which time she was at Llanelly. She sent me a letter asking me to lend her money to give to a palmis: to introduce the curate to him. I have uever written a letter for her. She wanted me to address a silver match-box to the curate. Mr. St. John Francis-Williams then addressed the jury, and said that with the evidence before them they would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that, whoever wrote the letters, Miss Hiestand did not. The evidence of the expert was against Mrs. Mar- riott, and she was the only person who was likely to know anything about the circum- stances of the case. Mr. Bowen, addressing the jury, said, how- ever sad the case might be on the one hand and serious on the other, he would ask the jury to say that the prosecution had egregiously failed to make out their case. HIS LORDSHIP SUMS UP. His Lordship, in summing up, said the letters written by Miss Hiestand to the Rev. Alfred Williams were harmless. She had exaggerated his little kindnesses from time to time. On one occasion he gave her a box of chocolates at a basaar, to which she ap- peared to have attached too much meaning. It was extremely difficult for the jury to come to the conclusion and say that the letters, supposed to be forged, were written by Miss Hiestand, All through her letters to Mr. Williams there were certain charac- ters which were peculiar, and in a great many cases the letters were detached. To convict anyone on hand- writing, unless the similarity was very re markble, would be improper. But in the handwriting in the characters and the forced letters there were as many dissimilarites as there were similarites. They must not con- vict upon gestures and theorising, but they must be perfectly satisfied that the writ- ing was identical, and that the evidence of Miss Heistand Yas true. VERDICT. The jury. without retiring, found the prisoner Not guilty," and she was dis- charged.

PLAGUE AT JOHANNESBURG. POSITION EXPLAINED BY LORD MILNER. Replying to a Parliamentary question by Sir Walter Foster (R., Ilkeston) Mr. Lyttelton states that the latest telegrams from Lord Milncr on the subject of the outbreak of plague in the coolie location at Johannes- burg are as follow:- March 20. No. 1.—Bubonic plague has broken out in the coolie location here. It is a virulent outbreak, thirty deaths having occurred out of thirty-eight cases within a few days. Though the nature of the disease was only recognised yesterday, steps have been already taken to remove all patients to a special camp to the north of the town. Owing to the fact that the possibility of the outbreak has been foreseen for some time the site of the camp was already chosen, and necessary arrangements made, while tents! are ready and will be erected immediately. 1 "March 22. No. 2.-Present position of plague is as follows: Suspected cases reported, 47 coloured, 6 white; deaths, 40 j coloured. 2 white. Outbreak appears to be well in and, and I do not think it necessary to engage the services of Professor Simpson, especially as I have a first-rate bacteri- ologist and excellent medical staff on the, spot, and the public here have complete con- fidence in them." THE LATEST RETURNS. Official plague returns up to date are as follow: -Suspected cases: Coloured persons, 58; whites, 3. Deaths: Oodoured persons, 47; whites, 3. Three hundred and sixty Indians will remove from the infested area to a site eight miles distant. The Indian locations will be empty by the end of the week, and) will then be burn t-—Renter.

DETAILS OF THE DRUNKEN SPREE AT HOWICK. The transport Clive sailed from Durban for Bombay on Tuesday with drafts for India, consisting of men from the South Wales Borderers, the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the Scottish Rifles, and the North- ampton, Lincoln, and Gloucester Regiments. Prior to the departure of the transport a court-martial was held for the trial of the ringleaders of the drunken spree at Howick on Saturday night. A larga number of witnesses were called, who proved that some men of other regiments joined the Welsh Fusiliers when they broke camp. They besieged the canteen, which had been closed against them, forced open the door and threw out the caretaker. They then proceeded to smash all the internal fittings of the canteen, after which they rolled barrels of beer down to the river bank, and indulged in a prolonged carousal, which lasted until daybreak. An officer who endeavoured to arouse the men to a sense of duty was seized and ducked in the river. As the picket at Howick were numerically insufficient to restore order telegrams were despatched to the officer commanding at Maritzburg, and from the garrison there details of various corps, including the York- shire Regiment, were sent up to Howick by special trainr taking with them two maxims. Thirteen men were found guilty of being ringleaders in the riot. Five of these were sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and were ordered to pay the cost of the beer which was either consumed or wasted. The other eight prisoners were let off with com- paratively nominal punishment for their participation in the affair.—Central News.

A PLUCKY OFFICER. A telegram to a London contemporary eaye that the West Yorkshire Regiment, which was sent against them from Pietermaritzburg, found the rioters in an impromptu encamp- ment, whither they had taken all the loot they had gathered in Howick and the neigh- bourhood. Captain F. W. Towsey, the adju- tant, was sent into their camp on the errand of counselling submission. He was threatened from afar, but persisted in going on, and finally succeeded in inducing the mutineers to submit. Thereupon the West Yorkshires advanced and arrested the ringleaders. The trouble, it seems, was due to the fact that the men objected to being sent to India. When they neared Maritzburg they decided to show their displeasure, and so they looted the town ana wreujierx several buildings. w nen Lney were taken in charge the West Yorkshires found that scores of them had broken heads and other injuries caused by the butts of guns, clubs, and other weapons.

DISCONTENT AMONG TASMANIAN SOLDIERS. Major-general Sir E. Hutton, the Federal commandant, when visiting Hobart early in February, held an inspection of the forces. Owing to discontent among the men, because their pay wae lower than on the mainland, only 119 men out of 800 appeared on parade. An Order in council has in consequence been fassed, disbanding two batteries of artillery Jind six companies of infantry, and tweut n officers have been placed on the »Mfcte<jbed list. The difference in pay is jtufcajj- Tasmanian State Government, not^t^H»uommonwealth Government. The dlmaji^Ewnt covers one fourth of thA *re5||P|(|an force.

WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC. A FOREIGNER SENT TO PRISON FOR TWO YEARS. At the Old Bailey, London, Leon Pinkervitz, 36, manager, describing him- self as an interpreter, who was accused of inducing Louise Chartin, a young Parisian laundress, to accompany him to London, in 01 order that she might lead an improper life, was found guilty. He was said to have been convicted of various offences, both in England and abroad, and to be known to the Paris police as having been engaged for some years in the white slave traffic, and belong- ing to a well-known and dangerous gang of LEON PINKERVITZ. — — Continental thieves. He had made several trips to America in this respect. When the prisoner was arrested by the detectives he was on his way with the girl to a house in Queen-square, Holborn, known to be occupied by a notorious procuress.—The Recorder directed that the local authorities should be informed that, in his opinion, they ought to take action, and after commenting in strong terms upon the case passed the severest sen- tence the law allowed. He sentenced the prisoner to two years' hard labour.

MURDERED HER CHILDREN, A CRIME COMMITTED IN A FIT OF FRENZY. Amelia. Faulkner, a young woman, who, it is alleged, murdered her two children at King's Heath by cutting their throats with a table-knife, was brought before the magistrates at Birmingham on Wednesday j and remanded for a week. When questioned as to whether she had anything to say why she should not be remanded, the accused replied, "I have been living very unhappily with my husband, and I want to go with my children." The details of the case are that the prisoner, while in a fit of homicidal frenzy, attacked her two baby girls with a carving-knife, killing them both. Run- ning out into the road, the demented woman hastened to proclaim the deed to the neigh- bourhood. I have done it," she shouted to her next-door neighbour; "and they'll be! better off now." The strange gleam in the woman's eyes and her manner generally created alarm, and several persons rushed at once into Mrs. Faulkner's dwelling. The worst fears were more than realised. In the living room were stretched the lifeless bodies of the babies, their throats gashed from ear to ear. A blood-tftained carving-knife lay close at hand. The youngest child, way, oniy five months old, had been slain apparently while asleep in her oot, close to which was the corpse of Amelia, the first-born, aged one year and eleven months. Mrs. Faulkner, be- coming calmer, sat as though in a tranoe till the arrival of a police-officer, and she was removed in a cab to the Police-offtees. She appeared utterly unable to appreciate the full effects of her act. Have you seen my hus- band yet?" she asked in calm tones, with almost an attempt at cheerfulness. She was oonveced to a cell betraying no sign of agits-, tion. Mrs. Faulkner is afbout 27 years of ape, and the wife of a tile-layer. A quiet, industrious woman, who looked well after her home, she had created a good first impression among her neighbours. Faulkner had left in the morning, as usual, to go to Northfleld to follow his employment, and he did not hear of the awful occurrence until some hours afterwards. The poor fellow broke down completely, having been devotedly attached to his wife and children.

THE BUDGET BAROMETER. CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: Hooray! There is a change in the weather- the glass is going up! Revenue is now coming into the Exchequer in a satisfactory manner, and a deficit on the Budget may be avoided. Last week £ 5,090,000— the largest weekly total for some time past—was received!

QUEEN DINES OU-T. AMUSING INCIDENTS AT ALEX- ANDRA DINING-ROOMS. The Queen and Princess Victoria, with Lord and Lady de Grey, Colonel Frederick, Colonel Knollys, Hon. Charlotte Knollys, Sir Dighton Probyn, and the Hon. Sidnev Greville, paid a surprise visit on Thursday to the Alexandra Trust Dining-rooms, in City-road. London. Sir Thomas Lipton, who a'one had been notified of the visit, was present to receive them. The Queen went to tbe counter in person for eight 4,d. dinners, putting down half-a-crown with which to pay for them. The giri behind the counter pointed out that the money was in- sufficient, not knowing her Majesty. Sir Thomas Lipton told her to issue the ticket, but she respectfully declined, until Earl de Grey came forward and paid the balance. The entire party then pa-id t round of inspection, While in the children's department her Majesty saw two little girls crying because they had lost their tickets, and she paid their money for them. Other children learning who the visitors were, mounted stools and tables in their excitement, and to the intense amusement of her Majejsty one little fellow upset his soup and stood in it. It was the special desire of the Royal party to share no better than ordinary diners. They used exactly tb-3 same china, knives and forks, metal pepper boxes, and other implements as supplied to other diners. The Royal party commenced with ox-tail son-p. had a plate roast lamb each, and finished up with plum pudding and a cup of coffee.

0 HAVE iz- CHEMISTS ^STORES IN 7t.c). ICStK & 2/9 Boxes. NO BETTER FOOD. Dr. Andrew Wilson, F.E.S.E. PRY'S PURE CONCENTRATED ¡ COCOA TRY ALSO "I "FIVE BOYS" MILK CHOCOLATE. ••COAniE.N-DED by the medical peo FESSION AND PRESS.

FURNITURE! THE BEST VALUE GIVEN Good, Substantial FURNITURE. WARRANTED TO WEAR. ALL SOUND, HOME-MADE GOODS. TO GET THIS VISIT THE Atlas Furniture Co., Hayes Buildings, Cardiff. E,50,000 WORTH OF STOCK TO SELECT FROM FOR CASH OR ON EASY TERMS. GOODS DELIVERED FREE. CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION. imz Strongest and Best." Fry's J Pare Concentrate M Cocoa ] Over 300 Co7<f &nd Mptomas. g

TIIE "POODLE BABY MYSTERY." 1,0 EVIDENCE OFFERED: DEFENDANT DISCHARGED. Kingston-on-Thames Police-court on (jj^day Mary Davis, aged 30, again surren- to *ler charged on remand with °f f a e °' England notes to the value Of *90. £ 2^ in gold and silver, and a quantity the epy aad wearing apparel, together of fc^alue of £ 164, belonging to Mr. C. Spenoer 0f 'e> described as a scientist and inventor, 1t Uley House, Norbiton. I^e,. Will be recollected that last Thursday testimony was adduced to prove that liv' "olfo was suffering from abscess on the lja and internal hemorrhage, and Dr. Wil- Or,j?. Paul, who was then examined, gave an r^tiion that Mr. Rolfe's life was in danger. illness of prosecutor has since had a had ^errG'nr!tion His legal representative aj/; already retired from the case, the prisoner's solicitor, Mr. Rowand Can Since the adjournment had toon** ^nown that it was his inten- j)0<j to make a statement as to his client's Wr °n aa a consequence. Although there e signs of diminshing tBLIC INTEREST IN THE INVESTIGATION wier„ °t Was> nevertheless, a larger attendance pt-a} public, amongst whom the female sex tllec*J)niinated. The time for the sitting of }ja kench was ten o'clock, and Mr. Rowand "o'i r *la<* alrea<ly taken his place at the tors' table. His client, however, was not lj ln the precincts of the buiiding, and Mr. *Qor^er him6elf went in search of her. A co^nt or two later Miss Davis entered the sj0 arid took a place beside her profes- adviser. She was, as on previous ft'avarances' stylishly dressed, and in such a y a« to display to advantage Th HER NATURAL ATTRACTIVENESS, t, Magistrates having taken their seats, ajjv,1" Clerk (Mr. Fox) asked, "Does anyone Yp„j!ar to prosecute in the case of the King Mary Davis." tiv,in r)ector Seatt, of the Wands- Division, at once advanced to the wit- 8hirw anc* sai(l —IJ1 this case, your wor- ha. ,SlnC{) the last hearing, the prosecutor t led. have made inquiries into the r, c.nd there is no evidence whatever to hnJ?3" the case any further against the vV5°ner. ^°wand Harker: You have, I believe, V6RY full inquiries? jj *P^ctcr Scott: I have. the'" &owaP<i Harker: And you have come to concision that there is no evidence what- jn as^lnst my client upon this charge? bevJv^+u1" No evidence whatever — « please the si' ..<&> «»coSd ii»°Si fWI ihU 1 "» »lM<id ,or tIme in V A POSITION OF SOME DELICACY .t*^ie circumstances which have gently arisen. Clerk: Allow me, l £ r. Harker, to inter- The E«nch will allow you to make a C^tement, subject to one qualification, that, Z^le you desire in your natural anxiety to •j^terate your client, you must cast no re- ^tioric upon the deceased prosecutor. Roward Harker: Precisely; I never j ^eht of doing so, and your qualifications SjfU strictly observe. jjj,. ~e Chairman: You will, perhaps, be as as possible. Rowand Harker: I have considered, eir, ^t course it would be most advisable I ap^Ulcl adopt, and the conclusion I have ej. lved at is this, that the interests of my H^f^t will be^beat served by my saying to-day If -.king as re*gards the true facts of the case. t*bad thought that thie was the last oppor- chaUy ray client would have of clearing her dieter, I would have dealt with as little as possible with what are the real But my client will have another tiJf°,rtunity- She will give that section of ijv, .^aily press which before this matter came e er. your worship's notice in your judicial ity circulated and sent broadcast the '<lOst ^ECKLESS AND SLANDEROUS STATE- n STENTS ^.opportunity of verifying their accusations ,pPre the High Court. he Chairman: That closes the case ae far are concerned. The prisoner is dis- the formal decision being given, the rapidly assumed its normal appear-

EDUCATION INQUIRY. 't1iE PROCEEDINGS OPENED AT CAR-MARTHEN. o otl Thursday Mr. A. T. Lawrence, K.C., held i'l laquiry on behalf of the Board of Education th<j defaults which, it is alleged, the Car- ^I'thenshire County Council have committed 'id Education Act in pursuance of its 6r rayt€-aid policy. The proceedings aroused interest, and the Shire-hall was filled ij.p, a large and representative gathering, j^^cJing the Lord Bishop of St. David's, Sir Morris, Archdeacon Evans, Sir James CQ S"J''lines, and many members of the U^hty council, which authority was repre- jT^ted by Mr. Abel Thomas, K.C., and Mr. eWellyn Williams, while Mr. Rawlinson ■jPt^ared on behalf of the National So; iety. clergy, and foundation managers of the {.Provided schools were present in strong Jj ,&s. and prominent on the other side were ^,1I1('ipai Jones (chairman of the county ^cation committee), the Rev. Towyn Jones, Davi'Si?, and others. ti, the outset Mr. Abel Thomas applied that gj6 inquiry should be adjourned, on the furUQ{* that the county council had not had III, ill 1 opportunity of preparing its case thethis matter. He might describe in county conncil as a defendant action, and it was only fair that they \ye "Id know what the allegations were that ^Te to be brought, against it. Cg7.r- Rawlinson strongly opposed the appli- 5}. l°n. and s^id that if the council had t}j ,Vl1 any dosire to legally adopt the Act \^re miglit be some force in the application, ^"•at bad happened, however, was that the thp C'! llat! steadfastly refused to carry out &iv Aot- If a binding undertaking were that the council were prepared to t the Act ho wonld not oppose the appli- w'°11- In the absence of such an under- however, he asked the Commissioner rv1: to accede to any adjournment, tt lte Commissioner, in reply, stated that the Of^r»c.v had become acute, and the interests he large number of children about 8,000 ing the non-provided schools, must be to at once, and the inquiry must, there- Proceed forthwith, Rawlinson then opened hie case on be- ^hf t^lc Church schools included in the ?t!ule of 60 non-provided schools.

UNFAITHFUL WIFE AT NEWPORT. DISTRESSING CASE IN THE POLICE-COURT. The Newport magistrates had before them on Wednesday an unusual and melancholy yesterday an unusual and melancholy case It was a summons charging Elijah Oox, a pilot, of 2, Charlotte-street, with deserting his wife, Margaret Ann Cox, who was desirous of obtaining a maintenance order against him. Mr. L. N. Hornby appeared for th,, applicant, and Mr. Lyndon Moore for the defendant. At the outset the Chairman (Alderman Can- tiiug) said he would like to inquire whether there was any possibility of a settlement being come to between the husband and wife. The Clerk: Would an adjournment be of any service? Mr.. Hornby and Mr. Moore conferred together and with their clients, as well as with the bench in private. Mr. Moore said there was no chance of settle- ment. It was only a question whether the matter would not have to go to the EJigh Court. Mr. Hornby, in opening the case, said the arties had been married since November, 887, and there were five children. The sum- mons was taken out for desertion under the Act of 1S95. There would be n) dispute about the desertion having taken place on December Z3, and sub- sequently, and, in the ordinary way, it would only be necessary to show that the desertion had taken place to obtain an order. But thia waa not quite an ordinary case, the defence being that the wife had committed miscon- duct with the defendant's own brother, Thos. Cox. The defendant was a pilot, and so also were his brother, Thomas Cox, and other members of the family. Elijah Cox, the defendant, had a Fhip called the Ingoldsby to take out of the dock on December 3, and at the same time he had to give some pilotage attention to a ship at Avonmouth. In accordance with their practice, Elijah Cox arranged that his brother, Thomas Cox, should take out the Ingoldsby from Newport, and he would go to Avonmouth. Thomas Cox heard from someone at the docks that his brother's services would not be required at I Avonmouth, and that he had been seen in the town that day. He (Thomas Cox) took out the Ingoldsby and returned at night. On his way home-he living in Marion- street and his brother Elijah living in Alice-street Thomas Cox called at his brother's house to leave the pilotage papers there. They were on friendly terms, and he went into the house. Just as he was about to leave the house he was taken ill, and proceeded to the back of the house. The back of the house abutted upon a ballast bank, and there was a step for getting over the wall, which was used by peop!e going in and out of the back of the house. As Thomas Cox was getting over this back wall he was seized by his brother, Elijah, who rightly or wrongly accused him. They went together to the front of the house. By this time Mrs. Cox had gone upstairs, and had undressed. Shel opened the front door, but seeing that she was undressed, Thomas Cox did not go in. There was no doubt that the defendant from that time turned her out of the house and had refused to maintain her. Continuing, the advocate said that the married life of th parties had not been a particularly happy one, the defendant having occasionally used very considerable violence towards his wife. These were the facts as he was instructed, and if these facts were true, then he was entitled to ask for an order under the Act. Margaret Cox, the complainant, who was dressed in a neat costume of blue cloth, with turban hat and fur necklet, deposed that she was married to defendant on November 29, 1887, and there were five children, the issue of the marriage. Her husband was a licensed pilot trading at Newport and Barry. On the night of the 23rd of December, shortly before eleven o'clock, she remembered her brother- in-law, Thomas Cox, calling at her house at 15. Alice-street, and inquiring for her husband. She went to the door when he knocked and admitted him, but, upon hearing that his brother was not in, he only waited for a few minutes, and then went out by way of the back. She let him out herself, and, after fastening the door, she went back into the kitchen, turned the gas low in the kitchen and in the hall, and then went upstairs. She went into her own bedroom first and undressed, but before getting into bed she went to see if the children were asleep. When she got back to her own bedroom she heard a knock at the front door, but when she got down to answer the door she found no one there. She waited behind the door in her nightdress for a time, and then heard voices and foot- steps approaching. She opened the door again, and then her husband and Thomas Cox, her brother-in-law, entered. Her hus- band followed her into the kitchen, and asked her what his brother had been there for, and without waiting for an explanation he ordered her back to bed, and then went out of the house. She went upstairs, and after dressing came down and waited in the kitchen until one o'clock for her husband to return, after which she went to bed again. At six o'clock in the morning her husband entered her bpd- room, and after waking her he told her, Get out of that bed. I will give you half an hour to get ready, and if you are not gone in that time I will kill you." She then got up, and while she was dressing her husband again left the house. When she was a/bout to go away her hus- band entered the house with his brother George, and made an accusation against her which she told him was not true, or at least attempted to deny it several times, but her husband was very angry. lie followed her about the house threatening her all the time, Her brother-in-law advised her to come along with him. or something would btappen-HYou will be killed it you stay here." She then left the house with her husband's brother, George, who gave her a sovereign in order to go and stay with some friends at Barry. Instead of going to Barry she went to stay with some friends in Upton-road, Newport, and while staying there her husband called upon her, and told her that be had come to tell her that he had absolutely finished with her, and that if she approached his children or his home he would kill her. Mind, I will kill you. If you have anything further to say," he told her, 'it must be said to my solicitor." While stay- ing at Upton-road she wrote to her husband protesting against his conduct, and it was after this that her husband called upon her in a rage and told her not to interfere with his children and home. Since the 23rd of September her husband had not contributed anything towards her maintenance, and she had sinoe gone to live with her mother, who was keeping house for a widowed brother of her husband in St. Stephen's-road, Newport.; ghq Qd her intpbsad's estrni&gs as a i pdlot at about R" a year, and durinthe I time she lived with him he allowed her 30s. a week to maintain herself and family. Cross-examined by Mr. Lyndon Moore, com- plainant stated that her brother-in-law only remained in the house about ten minutes. When she came downstairs to reply to her husband's knock she went out to the kitchen, and, seeing Thomas Cox's coat there, opened the back door and threw it out before letting her husband in. She did that because her husband was a very hasty man., jumped to wrong conclusions, and she was always very particular about not giving him the slightest grounds for suspicion. I am bound to suggest to you that Thomas Cox went upstairs with you?—He did not. That he undressed?—He did not. That you were both disturbed by knocking, which became furious knocking?—There was no furious knocking. Mr. Moore also suggested that Thomas Oox and witness came downstairs partly dressed, but this the witness denied. Mr. Moore: He spoke to you in low tones on the stairsP-No such thing occurred. Was there a fire in the kitchen ?—The ftre was very low when I went upstairs. I am going to suggest to you that there was sufficient fire in the kitchen to thro- i light in the passage, and that your husband saw through the letter-slot a man coming downstairs, the upper part of his body white, and carrying something on his arms?—No. And that he was followed by you?—No such thing occurred. Had be his boote on when he got upstairs? —Certainly. Were they laced?—I should have noticed if they were not. Did you hear your husband say something; as he caught hold of him?—I was not there. Did Thomas Cox say as he went away, "Don't strike her"?—I did not hear any con- versation. Do you know that a receipt of Thomas Cox was found in your bedroom?—I don't know. Did you lock the children's bedroom door?— Yes; we lack the door every night to prevent the little boy going downstairs in the middle of the night. Thomas Cox, the defendant's brother, gave further evidenoe supporting Mr. Hornby's statement, and emphatically denied the alle- gations of misconduct. Mr. Moore: This receipt (produced) of yours was found in your brother's wife's bedroom the morning after you visited the house. Can you explain how it got there?—Witness; No,! I cannot. Was it in your pocket when you entered the house?—Yes, it was in my ulster coat pocket. The defendant, occasionally bursting into tears, said that on the afternoon of the 22nd of December he left his wife with "his heart full of love for her" to go to Sharpness by the 4.25 p.m. train to bring away a steamer. When he got to Sharpness he found that the ship was not ready to get away, so he came back to Newport, and went to spend a musi- cal evening with an old friend, named Tom Moore, at Newport. He proceeded home about eleven o'clock, and upon reaching the house he found the light rather low in the kitchen and the back door locked. He then went round to the front door and gave a knock Failing to get an answer, he gave another knock, and his suspicions were aroused upon hearing some people speaking in an undertone in his bedroom. He then knocked furiously, and tried to push the door open with his shoulder, but found it was doubly locked. Upon hearing some heavy footsteps on the stairs he raised the slide of the letter-box and peered through, and by the aid of the light which was reflected from the kitchen he distinctly saw a man, half dressed, coming down the stairs, and his wife follow- ing. They proceeded in the direction of the kitchen, and, hearing the scullery door being unlocked, he dashed round the back and saw his brother Thomas leave the premises by jumping over the wall in a semi-clothed con- dition. He (the defendant) was proceeding to thrash him, when his brother appealed to him, "Don't strike me. I am sorry." "Those are the words he used," continued the defendant, if I never see God's face." Defendant was becoming demonstrative, when the Bench asked him to calm himself. Continuing, defendant said that be was going to commit suicide when his brother George implored him, for the sake of the family, not to do such a thing. He was greatly prostrated over his wife's conduct, and had to go on the sick club for a fortnight. When he drove his wife out of his house she went out without protest. He produced one of his brother's receipts which he found in his wife's bedroom the morning after the affair. A little boy of ten, the son of the parties,! spoke to hearing some man talking to his mother in the house while his father was, away. Several witnesses describing Thomas Cox's I movements were called for the defence. After retiring, the Bench found on the evidence before them that an act of miscon- duct had been committed between the com- plainant and the defendant's brother. Con- sequently, there was no desertion, and they declined to grant an order for maintenance, and ordered the complainant to pay the 1 court fees.

WOMAN'S BODY IN A BOX. -0 SENSATIONAL DISCOVERY IN LONDON. A man who was asked to remove a heavy box from a house in Ladyemith-road, Kensal Rise, London, on Wednesday, became suspi- cious, and called a policeman. The box was found to contain the decomposed remains of a woman. A man ran from the house, and when pursued cut his throat and died in the street. A later message states that the tragedy at Kensal Rise proves to be of a most sensa- tional character. The man who is supposed to have murderefi the woman found in the large chest was the landlord of the house. His name is believed to be Crossman, and it is alleged that he had already served five years for bigamy. Last January, in the name of Frank Seaton, he ia stated to have married a woman at Herne Bay. He ill-treated her to such a degree that she returned to her parents. He is alleged to have taken her money from her. Crossman then returned to the flat in Kensal Rise, and a woman he had previously married came with him. She, however, soon disappeared. Crossman then got into financial diffi ultiee. His goods were seized and sold last week. He had a large chest, which he kept in a cup. board in a lodger's room. The lodger comi. plained of A TERRIBLE SMELJi, and Crossman assured him that the box only contained cement, which d turned mouldy. The tenant demanded that it should be removed, and on Wednesday night Crossman was seen trying to remove the heavy box. The lodger, believing there was a body ia the box, gave information to the police. When the officers appeared Crossman started to run. The officers pursued him. Crossman went on until he was exhausted. The officers were gaining on him, when sud- denly he DREW A RAZOR FROM HIS POCKET and cut his throat, dying almost instantly. The box, on being opened, revealed the much-decon posed reinair,6 of a full-grown woman. They are believed to be those of the female known as Mrs. Crossman. The indica- tions are that deceased had lain in the trunk for two montiis. MEDICAL EXAMINATION. A cursory medical examination showed that death had taken place at least six weeks ago, and, though the remains were too decomposed to allow of the exact cause of death being at once defined, little doubt remained in the minds of the police that the woman had met her end by foul play on an attempt being made to remove. The inquest on the two bodies has not been fixed pending a post-mortem examination being made. Grossman's age is given as about 32. Among the papers found on the body of Grossman was a letter from a young woman, evidently a reply from a matrimonial adver- tisement. The letter gave particulars of the writer's age. complexion, 3.ppe;vr&ij £ fEs and atfraifimeptfl, given evidently wit&^pl^&W to her becoming the advertiser's wife. There were also found on Orossman receipts of hire purchase instalments of furniture and a nIm- ber of furniture catalogues It is expected that Professor Pepper will make an examination of the woman's body. When the tin-bov was taken to pieces at the police-station the concrete stood out LIKE A BLOCK OF ICE and the police had to break the concrete with pickaxes in order to examine the remains. The remains, whioh were somewhat muti- lated in the process, were not completely covered by the concrete, and had, conse- quently, decomposed.

A BISHOP AS PLAINTIFF. THE REPAIRS OF AN ABERDARE INN. The Right Rev. George Edwards, Bishop of St. Asaph, was one of the plaintiffs in an action heaxd in the Civil Court at Glamorgan Assizes on Thursday (before Mr. Justice Phil- limore. His lordship had as co-plaintiff James Windsor Lewis, and they, as executors of the will of the late James Lewis, Plasdraw, Aber- dare, brought an action against Mr. Thomas Jones, brewer, Aberdare. in respect to the repair of the White Hart Inn, Trap-road, Aber- dare. Mr. John Sankey (instructed by Messrs. Thomas Phillips and Son, Aberdare) was for the plaintiffs, and Mr. W. D. Benson (in- structed by Mr. Philip T. Rhys) for the defeu- dant.—The White Hart Inn was leased by the defendant for eight years, from February 14, 1891, and at the expiration of the lease he was to deliver the house over in substantial repear. externally and internally. Tbe allegation was that defendant had not kept it in such repair, and plaintiffs claimed L71 3s. 3d., the cost of repairs after the proyvrt-r came again into their hands. The defenoe &et up was that the lease expired in 1299. and that Mr. Jones at that time put the inn into a substantial state of repair. An arrangement was then made with Mr. Jones to retain the tenancy a. little longer, but he was not responsible during this additional tenancy, which till 1902-Juctgment was given for plaintiffs for L,55 and costs.

WANTED TO MARRY THE GTRL ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT AT BRYNMAWR. At Brynmawr Police-court on Wednesday Hy. Ford, 25, lately residing at North-street, Beaufort. was charged with having criminally assaulted Mary Elizabeth Wilcox, aged 15 years and 9 months. Mr. T. Gwynne Powell appeared to prosecute. The prosecutrix said the prisoner had lodged with her aunt. with whom she lived. They were often alone. The offence occurred first on the 16th September laat, and was repeated up to the 11th of March, when she told her parents. Corroborative evidence was given. The prisoner offered to marry the prosecu- trix if she withdrew the charge. Mr. Powell said that, in view of what pri- soner had said, he would not object to reason- able bail. The prisoner, who repeated his offer, and said he was sincere in making it, was com- mitted to Brecon Assizes. Bail waa allowed in f,50 and a surety for EM.