Weekly Mail

LIBERAL UNIONIST COUNCIL. RESIGNATION OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. The Duke of Devonshire, as president, took the chair on Wednesday at the annual meet- ing of the Liberal Unionist Council, held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London. On the right of his grace sat Mr. Chamberlain, the Earl of Selborne, and Lord James of Hereford, while on the left were seated the Marquees of Lanedowne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain. There was a large general attendance. Some formal business included the election of Mr. Lyttelton (Colonial Secretary) to the council. THE DUKE'S SPEECH. The Duke of Devonshire then said the next business on the agenda was to consider the resolutions adopted at a meeting held on February 3 last, but before he proceeded to those resolutions it might be convenient that he should make a statement. The duke then entered into a long explanation regaiding the constitution of the organisation about which, he said, there was some misunder- standing, which Mr. Chamberlain shared at an earlier stage. There were two bodies in the Liberal Unionist Association and the Liberal Unionist Council. The proceedings of the association had been entirely con- trolled by the whips and' by a small com- mittee of management. The council, cn the other hand, was a purely consultative and advisory body, and its object was to bring the local associations in touch with their representatives in Parliament and with the leaders. It never had, and had not now, any administrative or executive powers whatever. It had no funds of its own, ana it had no power to spend the funds of the original association. He made this explanation in order to show that while he had no special responsibility in connection with the Liberal Unionist Council, he had at least had a great and special responsibility for the proceedings of the Liberal Unionist Association, and, irre- lepectiveof any opinions which he might enter- tain in regard to any political question which was before the country and Parlia- ment, he had felt that he had not the right to sanction either by acquiescence or by silence any diversion whatever, either of the influence or resources of the association to the support of any policy which had noth- ing whatever to do, and was not directly connected with the original objects for which the association was founded. He had no desire to raise any question which would have the object of wantonly and unneces- sarily breaking up the unity of the Liberal Unionist party. The duke, after reviewing the correspondence which passed between himself and|Mr. Chamberlain onhe subject of his position as regards the Liberal Usionist Association, said the meeting which Mr. Chamberlain summoned last Feb- ruary, and the resolutions then passed, were wholly inconclusive as to the question at issue between Mr. Chamberlain and himself. He was obliged for Mr. Chamberlain's invita- tion that he should retain the presidency of the council, but whether he could remain a member must depend upon the success with which those responsible for the management of the organisation maintained a perfectly neutral attitude on the fiscal question. There was, however, one reservation he felt bound to put before them. He could not remain a member if such membership were held to debar him and his friends from expressing tlieir opinions and offering such advice in reference to the choice and support of Par- liamentary candidates. He could not permit his freedom to give such advice as he con- sidered necessary to be impaired by his asso- ciation with any political organisation, even although- the main objects of that associa- tion were objects with which he was in entire sympathy. MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S PROPOSALS. Mr. Chamberlain, who at once rose, said they had listened to the communication made by the Duke of Devonshire with great interest, and, so far as its concluding passages were concerned, with considerable regret. In fol- lowing the duke he hoped to imitate his example, and aa far as possible to avoid any matter of controversy, although in some slight particulars he had to express a diffe- rence as to the facts which his grace had put before them. It was quite true, as the duke had stated, that there waa on his (Mr. Cham- berlain's) part, at any rate, very considerable misapprehension as to the nature of the organisation which professed to represent the Liberal Unionist party. The duke had, how- ever, made clear what that organisation was. He described the circumstances under which che association was organised, and said the reasons that prevailed then prevailed now, and they would lose a great deal of influence in the country if they were to drop their own name and identify themselves in name and organisation with their political allies. He suggested, however, that the Liberal Unionist Association to which the duke had referred had existed all along only in name. It consisted merely of a number of original subscribers, and was never formally constituted with officers and rules. The coun- cil was a body subsequently created, and was an advisory and representative body. H)e admitted, however, that so far as the asso. elation could be said to exist he had fallen into the mistake of supposing that the council was the only body that existed with the right to represent the Liberal Unionist party, and, accordingly, that it was to that body he would have to appeal in regard to any new question which arose. What he had wished was that a Liberal Unionist Association should be constituted as a great representa- tive bbdy with a popular selection of dele- gates from all the local associations. That was the original intention with which the rules were drawn up. By the resolution which he was that day to submit they would be creating a representative body as to the popular representative character of which there could be no possibility of doubt. He proposed to create a great repreeentative authority aa to whose right to express the opinions of the Liberal Unionist party there should be no possible doubt. The duke had said the party was divided on questions of fiscal reform. It would be more accurate to say that of the voters in the party 99 per cent, were one way. This was merely an expression of opinion, but the proof would be in their hands when the new association had met in its representative capacity and after full discussion came to a conclusion upon the matter. No man since Charles V. endeavoured to get all clocks to keep the same time. had ever succeeded in getting all people to look at questions from the same point of view. and even those who professed the same prin- ciples not upfrequently disagreed upon details. (Hear, hear.; Mr. Chamberlain then moved (1) That the Liberal Unionist Council be re-constituted on the basis of a fuller popu- lar representation of the party, and that the draft rule* now submitted be adopted in place of tfose now governing its organisa- tion a.nd functions. Mr. J. H. Cooke (Cheshire) seconded. Mr. C. H. Seely, M.P., moved, as an amend- ment— That the draft rules be referred to the committee. This was seconded by Mr. Elliot. The Duke of Devonshire, before putting the vote. said he almost doubted whether the members of the council fully realised the magnitude of the change proposed in the draft rules. What was intended was to create a new organisation, not merely for the purpose of opposing Home Rule. but for the purpose of taking such a line as might be thought fitting on any particular question that might arise. There would be nothing whatever to prevent the council from adopt- ing in its full completeness the flsoal policy which had been recommended by the Tariff Reform League. If, as Mr. Chamberlain said, k99 out of every 100 voters in the association r were favourable to his policy, that would not conduce to the possibility of those holding an entirely different opinion remaining members of the association. Mr. Seely's amendment was then put and negatived, ten only voting for it, and the first resolution, as proposed by Mr. Chamber- lain, was carried by a large majority. Mr. Chamberlain next moved— That a copy of these rules be sent to the subscribers of the Liberal Unionist Asso- ciation, who at present constitute that asso- ciation, and that they be asked to transfer their subscriptions to the council and to accept its membership, thus combining the two organisations into one. This was adopted nem con. A third resolution of Mr. Chamberlain's was an instruction to the management com. mittee to make the neoessary arrangements for carrying into effect the resolutions already adopted, and this was also approved. THE DUKE AND THE FUTURE. Mr. Chamberlain moved a vote of thanks to the duke for presiding, and thought they might accompany it with an expression of gratitude to him for all the assistance he had given the common cause during the long period which he had been associated with them. If Home Rule did again arise, all minor questions would give way. They hoped that at some future time they might get into line again. (Cheers.) Sir J. Backhouse seconded. The Duke, in response, said if this should be, as it probably was, the last time on which he would have an opportunity of addressing the members of the Liberal Unionist party in any omcial position- possibly the last time on which he might have the opportunity of addressing them at all- he was glad to offer his warmest thanks for te manner in whioh they had always sup- ported him, and for the manner in which they had made allowance for the many deficiencies of which he was conscious, If the time should ever return whan the Home Rule question would again become a burning one, his ser- I vices would be at the 01: the party M th«r bud ever been,

BATH AND WEST SHOW. THE SOCIETY'S VISIT TO SWANSEA. The gates of the Bath and West of England Show were opened on Thursday at nine o'clock, the weather being magnificent. The sun shone out from a cloudless sky, and a considerable number of visitors commenood to pour through the gates from the moment they were opened. Judging commenced in the various horse THE RIGlIT HON. LORD WINDSOR, President of the Society. and cattle classes directly after the show was opened. The Mayor of Swansea6 officially opened the exhibition at eleven o'clock. At the time of the formal opening there was e moderate attendance of the public generally, and, with the weather in a settled state of brilliant sunshine, there was every reason for anticipating a record first day attendance. Amongst those present at the opening cere- mony, which was conducted in front of the committee pavilion, near the main entrance, were Lord Windsor (president, Mr. Griffith i MB. THOMAS F. PIXWMAN, Secretary to the Society. — — Thomas (mayor of Swansea), Sir John Llewelyn, Sir Thomas Acland, Mr. Robert Forreet, numerous agriculriets, an4 about 30 members of the Swansea Town Council. The Mayor of Swansea, who wore his robes of offioe, in declaring the show open, expressed in commendable brevity his opinion that, although they were in a mining centre, great good was done by bringing into the midst of an industrial population such a splendid show as the Bath and West to illustrate the develop- ments in the science of agriculture. He did MR. GRIFFITH THOMAS, Mayor of awasaw not know whether going back to the land would be the panacea for the evils complained of in agriculture, but there was no mistaking the fact that an immense amount of good was being done by that and kindred societies. Then followed an important speech by Sir Thomas Acland, who said that he had vivid and pleasant recollections of the success of the show on the occasion of its last visit to Swansea, in 1892. They were in hopes of an even greater success on this occasion. Now that the Royal Society had resolved not to migra/te among the large towns of this MR. J. F. PARKER, Local Secretary. country, he thought that action would have an important influence on the welfare ot the Bath and West of England Society, the pro-! osedings of which would be somewhat enhanced. He had evory confidence in the utility of the society in bringing out all the latest inventions in agricultural engineering and mechanism and the latest record of agricultural science ajpd manifestation of the more perfect breed in animals. It was only by inducing the best breeders and farmers to come to the remote districts that the beet results could be achieved for agriculture. Continuing, Sir Thomas remarked that he MB. C. C. VIVIAN, Local Treason. oould not believe that there ought to be depression in agriculture in England. They had in this country the best markets in the whole world. Lord Windsor then spoke, the sum and substance of a happy little speech being an expression of hope that the show would be a. great success, and that muoh work would result to agriculture locally and generally. Early in the afternoon the grounds pre- sented A PICTURESQUE SCENE, of bustle and animation. People poured into the enclosure in laxr numbers, and there was every pyqspeet tfca ^teada^q feeing entirely satisfae^^i AH$ha^ b$paid', pith n*gft*4 to faàtjI ftfwiwaawsfc of the' different stalls containing trade exhibits of all descriptions is that they were planned out on a uniform system which could scarcely be improved upon. The large ring was placed in front of the grand stand on the football field, and there was accommodation for a very large crowd of spectators. Coming to the exhibits in cattle, it may be said, as usual in the Bath and West of England Show, the Devons and South Devons took the premier position. The championship was won by Mr. J. F. Wraugh, Overton, with the well-known animal iNimrod." Mr. Wraugh's entries were altogether very fine. The reserve card for the championship went to another of his beasts. In shorthorns, the Earl of Pawis, who was very hard to beat, took several prizes. HJS chief competitors were the King and Mr. Denny, of Kent. His Majesty could only take a reserve card with his Sandringham shorthorn bull named Traveller." There was a very good show of Herefords. Lord Tredegar, the Earl of Powis, and Mr. Stratton, of Duffryn, Newport, were amongst the chief exhibitors. In Sussex cattle the entries were numerous, and the exhibits, especially those sent in by the Earl of Derby, and Mrs. Montefiore, of Worth Park, Crawley, were excellent. There was a slightly larger entry than usual of Red Polled and Aberdeen Angus for a South Wales show. The principal winners in Red Polled were Lord mherst, of Hack- luey, the Hon. A. E. Fillowes, M.P., and Mr. Hudson, of Buckinghamshire; and Mr. d. J. Cridland, of Gloucester, in the Angus breed. There was a big representation of black cattle. The most successful competitors were Mr. Greeves, Portmadoc; Mr. Roberts, Brouygadair; and Mr. Worthington, Fish- guard. KING AMONG THE EXHIBITORS. Horses, of course, comprised the most interesting class of all. The King was among the exhibitors. In the class for shire stallions his Majesty showed a fine animal nameu Ravensburg," with which he took a second prize. This horse misbehaved himself during the night and kicked his box to pieces. The first prize was won by Mr. B. Wall, of Bir- mingham, with Hazlewood Major." The King again competed in the class for shire stallions foMled before 1901. The win ner was Mr. H. Oakley, of Chepstow, and the second prize was taken by Mr. J. H. Davies, Eglwysbrews, and the third by Colonel Fisher, of Radyr. In the shire filly or gelding class, foaled in 1905. there was a very fine exhibition, and his Majesty the King took a prize with & fine brown filly with magnificent legs, named "Densmore Nightingale." Mr. E. Evans, LLanelly, was the only exhibitor in the class for agricultural mares in foal. but his animal "Madame" was well worthy of the prize. Mr. G. A. Davies showed the best of the agricul- tural stallions travelling in South Wales. In the class for agricultural mares or geldings, confined to South Wales farmers, there was again a very good show, the quality being far above the average. Mr. D. Evans, of New- castle-Emlyn, was the fortunate winner of the first prize. Mr. R. Jones's (Swansea) ."Gay Boy" waa a big success, and Mr. T. John, St. Fagan's, was amother successful local exhi- bitor. His "Lord Roberts" and "Goldbeater" took first and second prizes in the class for four-year-old hunters, which included some of the best animals in the country. Mr. D. Evans. Newcastle-Emlyn, had another first prize for hackney roadster stallions, while Dr. G. B. Francis, Brecon, took a special prize for the best local hackney mare or gelding, and another first and special with his hack- ney mare "Lady Dandy." The sheep and piga sections were particu- larly strong, and looal exhibitors were, on the whole, fairly successful. During the afternoon the band of the Royal Marines (Plymouth) played lively selections, and at four o'clock the attendance looked to be a. record.

THE LICENSING BILL. DEAN OF HEREFORD AND MR. D. A. THOMAS AT DOWLAIS. Under the auspices of the Dowlais Free Church Council, a public meeting was held on Monday night at the Oddfellows'-hall. Dow- lais, to protest against the Licensing Bill of the Government. The chair was occupied by Mr. D. Â. Thomas, M.P.. the principal speaker being the Dean of Hereford. The Chairman tfaid the Bill. to his mind, to use the words of Mr. Thomas Burt in opposing the second reading, was a bad one. and it could not be made a good Bill. The Govern- ment had had no mandate from tbt. country to introduce it. The people had asked for temperance reform, but the Government had introduced in this Bill a measure which would practically prevent any temperance reform in our time if that passed into law in its present form. There was certainly no legal right for compensation to be paid when a licence was extinguished, and moat temperance reformers believed that there was no moral right. The whole com- pensation to be provided out of the rate pro- posed in the Bill was less than 1 per cent. of what was estimated to be the total value of the public-house interest in the country. That being the case, how long would it take to reduce the number of public-houses? There was no time limit in the Bill, and he was afraid, from the attitude of Mr. Balfour, that they were not likely to see a time limit imro- duced in the Committee stage. The Bill did not deal with the tied house question. His own notion was that this system of tied houses had more to do with intemperance than almost any connection with the public- house. If they could only do away with tied houses he believed that would be a greater measure in the direction of temperance reform than reducing the number of pnMic- houses. They would like to see the drink traffic placed in the hands of the people—they would like to see localities have the right of veto. If that was not to be given them they would far rather see the licensing in the hands of local magis- trates than in the hands of committees of quarter sessions. He regarded the Bill as a brewers' Bill, not a publican's Bill. He did not see where the tenant came in. The Dean of Hereford then addressed the meeting, describing the Bill as an iniquitous measure for the endowment of brewers and the disestablishment of justices of the peace. The value of licensed property in the country, said the dean, was now £300.000.000, but if the Bill was passed it would be worth at least £600,000.000, and more, and if there was no time limit temperance reformers could do nothing whatever. The Rev. J. Tertius Phillips also spoke. Upon the proposition* of Mr. Isaac Edwards, seconded by Mr. R. H. Rees (Dowlaia Schools), a resolution was unanimously cfcrried embodying a petition to Parliament against the Bill. The meeting terminated with the usual votes of thanks, the ChaJrman, in acknow- ledging the compliment paid to him, saying he was satisfied that if this country was to become a third-rate Power, as Mr. Chamber- lain said it would, it would not be through any question of Free Trade or Protection, but through the curse of the drink traffic.

DRUGGED AND ROBBED. AN ENGLISHMAN'S ADVENTURE IN PARIS. Walking in the Avenue de l'Opera. Paris, a few days ago, an'English visitor was accosted by a man with a German accent, who pre tended to be an English guide, and gave his name as Marshall." He was engaged for the evening by the Englishman and two friends, and piloted them round a number of pleasure resorts, the Englishman, with his so-called guide afterwards taking supper at a fashionable restaurant in the Rue Royale. After he fell into a. dead sleep, and when he was awakened by "Marshall" he found himself in a remote part of the city far from his hotel. The guide saw him into a cab and left him. On arriving at hie hotel in the morning the Englishman showed all the symptoms of having been drugged, and a visit to a neighbouring chemist left no doubt that a dose of laudanum had been administered to him. On going through his letter-case the victim found that he had been robbed of his pocket-book, which, besides dbcuments of importance, contained the sum of £2&5 in notes. Energetic endeavours are being made to traoe Marshall," who is well known to the police. ■

SUICIDE BY STRANGULATION. The story of how a wonan contemplated murdering her two children and taking her own life was told at an inquest held at Ful- ham, London, on Wednesday. The inquest was on her own body. Last Sunday the husband of Elizabeth Maria Beales asked her what had become of his silver watch and chain, and she replied that she had sent it to a friend. He told her to get it, and went out. Upon returning he found his wife lying dead in the sitting- room, strangled. In the room were a pawn- ticket for the chain, and a letter which con- tained the following sentenoes: — That's where your chain is. You expect wonders done out of nothing I only said that —— had got it, so that you would go out of the way. I have done the children in and myself, eo you can have your gay life. I am too good for you. "Keep thie note, No that you be hung fvtt my doings. I was going to out the children's (throats), but I altered my mind. I cut my own instead. The Coroner remarked that the woman had taken a razor from the kitchen to the bed- 'room where the children were sleeping, and bad, no doubt, contemplated killing them. In returning the usual yerdlet, the jury paM that ae blame attached to 'tko Jkwboad.

IMPORTANT EVIDENCE BY FRENCH WOMEN. Sir Albert de Rutzen, senior Metropolitan* magistrate, on Friday resumed at Bow. street the hearing of the charge against six defendants of conspiring to pervert jUètioJP in the divorce suit brought by Mrs. Poilara against her husband. The defendants Henry Slater, otherwise Scott; Albert Oeoorr solicitor; Philip Henry, manager of tht detective agency; John Pracey or Frederick Stanley Davies; and Cyril Brougl- ton Smith, private inquiry agents. A furthe- charge of procuring Maud Goodman to givt false evidence in the Pollard case was pre- ferred against Osborn, the eoiicitor. Mr. Pollard, the respondent in the divorce suit, against whom a decree nisi was ob tained, and since rescinded on the interven- tion of the King's Proctor, was present n. court, and the Public Prosecutor again occupied a seat by the side of the magistrate. The first witness was a young French- woman, named Marie Travert, of Caen, who said that in March, 1902, sne was living at 8t. Heliers, Jersey, in the house of Mrs. Macnamara. She remembered three men. whom she described, coming to the house She indicated in court Mr. Pollard as one of the three, and the defendant Davies as the man'who acted as a valet to Pollard. Wit- ness described how, on the suggestion of the vaet, she went out and brought back some bottles of wine. The valet proposed retiring upstairs, and witness recounted that miscon- duct between herself and Pollar-d followed. The valet appeared and suggested to his master that it was time to go home. The valet explained to witness and to another girl who was in the house that he was carrying the funds because his master was a little wrong in the head." Cross-examined by Mr. Gill. K.C., witness re- affirmed that it was the valet who introduced to the tall, dark gentleman (Mr. Pollard). Witness remembered him distinctly, although it was eighteen months afterwards that she saw him again, in the corridors of the law courts. Re-examined by Mr. Charles Mathews (on behalf of the Treasury), witness said she un derstood English only a utile. She knew enough, however, to follow a statement made by the tall, dark gentleman on the night in March, 1902, to the effect that he had no money. Corroborative evidence was given by Maria Leroy, who, like the former witness, was living at Mrs. Macnamara's in St. Heliers, Jersey, in March, 1902. She identified the defendant Davies and Mr. Pollard as two gentlemen who came together to this house in March. 1902. Her story bore out the pre- vious witness's statement. Mr. Pollard, she said, left the house an hour and a half before the others. She understood that the man she identified as the valet was the valet of ths tall. dark man tyro Pollard), and the valet hart the money Alice Bradbrook, who was in charge of the books at the Star Hotel, Jersey, in 1902, was called to prove that she found the names of Davies and Pollard in the hotel visitors' book from March 11 to 17 of that year. Mr. Pollard's aocount amounted to JE1 17s.. and Afr. Davies's account was £2 13s. Davies paid both accounts. Mr. Pollard paid for nothing. He and Davies were constantly together. Mr. Gill, K.C. (looking at the bill of Mr. Pollard): Apparently, his drinks only cost sevenpence. Witness: I think that he very likely had more, and that he paid for his drinks on ordering them. Witness acknowledged that Davies and Pollard came to the hotel under their own names. Mr. Charles Mathews a.t this stage puu the evidence given by Davies in the King's Pioctor's suit and the cross-examination of him by the Solicitor-General as to the mean ing of Davies reporting to the agency that he had been unsuccessful in Plymouth, but hoped he would be successful in Jersey. Davies stated, under cross-examination, that he was drunk nearly all the time. A cashier, Mr. Edgar Cartwright, formerly the service of Slater, said that Mr. Slater was the head of the agency. While he (wit- ness) was there it was Mr. Slater who employed him and who fixed the amount of his remuneration. That was in 1895. He left n 1902. In 1901 Mr. Slater was a.t the offioe from time to time, and his room was always reserved to his use. Mr. Henry, the manager, conducted his business in an offioe on the second floor, where there were two shorthand clerks, but a great deal of his work was trans- acted in the reception rooms on the ground flcor. In 1901 Mr. Slater himself sometimes clients. When Mr. Slater came to the office he would be informed of the progress of the business by Mr. Henry or by witness. Witness was accustomed to make reports of the daily business and forward them to Mr. Slater on those days when Mr. Slater either did not attend the offioe at all or left early. Witnese used to pay the employes. Mr. Mathews: From whom did you get m.ney to pay them?—I used to get a oheque irom Mr Slater. Mr. Mathews: Was anyone else authorised to sign cheques exoept Mr. Slater?—No one. Mr. Slater was the sole paymaster of the agency?—Yes. Continuing, witness said that Mr. Henry was very diligent in attending to his duties and generally saw the clients who called. Mr. Albert Osborn began to visit the agency in 1896 or 1897, and became a frequent visitor. He called nearly every day, some- times two or three times a day. Mr. Osborn used to see Mr. Slater, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Hamilton. The agency conducted inquiries which used, in some cases, to result in divorce proceedings. A very small percentage of the cases developed into divorce pro- ceedings, but in such cases as did mature Mr. )ø.born used to act as solicitor. Accounts made up by Mr. Henry were sent out to the clients from time to time. It was the habit of the inquiry agents employed on a.ny case to send daily reports of their doings to the agency. These reports were opened by diffe- rent employes. On September 20, 1901, Mr. H. C. Knowles, the client of Slater's Agency in the Pollard inquiries, paid the firm £20. This was the first of Mr. Knowles's payments The defendant Smith was in the employ of the agency at that time. Various reports sent by Smith to the agenoy were then read by counsel recording Smith's actions at Plymouth while engaged in watching Mr. Pollard in November, 1901. Mr. Mathews: From whom did Smith receive his instructions?—Hte must have received them from Mr. Henry. One of Smith's reports which counsel read 6ta:- "He (Pollard) appears to be out at elbow, and seems to be more or lees of a recluse." Other reports were to the effect that Pollard seemed to be very short of money, and that he had visited certain public-houses with Smith. One report saM. "As we are now 011 sufficiently good terms, I hope to be able to get on with the matter in hand." Another report said, "Given the necessary money, say £8, in my opinion the matter in hand will stand an excellent chance of going through to-morrow night, when we are to meet two smart girls by arrangement." A telegram was despatched from the agency to Smith on November 1,,), 1901, as follows: — "Under no circumstances carry out your pro- position. but return immediately." Mr. Charles Mathews: How did the re-call of Smith come about?—Either Mr. Slater or Mr. Henry instructed me to write the tele- gram re-calling him. I don't remember which. Respecting one of Smith's reports Mr. Slater, in handing the document to wit- ness, said. "Put this away, and don't let any- one see it." Witness locked it in his drawer. and there it regained until he left the ser- vice of Slater's, "in 1902. Slater told witness, when he handed him the report to put away, that Smith was a new man, and had not been at the agency long enough. The watching of Pollard was continued through the remain- der of November and December. 1901, and January of 1902. In February of 1902 Davies was sent down to Plymouth. Mr. Mathews called for the reports sup- plied by him. Mr. Muir, on behalf of Slater, here inter posed that it was only right that the public should know that the defendant Scott (or Slater)' was producing all theee documents voluntarily. He had no compunction. Mr. Mathewe replied that the public should also know that the secondary evidence of all these documents was in existence and was most accessible in the event of any report or document being withheld. Witness then identified seriatim the reports sent to the agency by Davies in connection with the case. The reports were all sent to Mr. Henry's private address. One day Mr. Henry came into the office and eaid that Davies had been successful. Witness under- stood this to mean that Davies had obtained evidence against Mr. Pollard. Witness under- stood that the Jersey trip taken by Davies with Mr. Pollard cost JE34. This account, as well as others, was kept for Mr. Slater's inspec- tion on his return from Australia. Witness produced a book which had been kept in the office, the purpose of which was to show the cases on which the inquiry agents were engaged and the places at which they were. engaged and the places at which they were. The reports made by these agents, witness said, were the basis upon which the agency made its charges. Mr. Mathews: Were Slater's men ever asked to make out reports on work they had never done?—I cannot say. Mr. Muir strongly objected to his learned friend going into matters outside the Pollard case. The hearing was adjourned until Saturday.

REMARKABLE EVIDENCE BY EX-EMPLOYES. The hearing was resumed on Saturday, when Mr, Edgar Cartwright, formerly cashier in the service of Slater's Agency, and who left the employ in 1902, on Saturday oontinued the story which he began on the previous day. m reply to questions put by Kr. 0117 Stephenson, one of the counsel for thl Treasury, he said that between the time that the defendant Daviee returned from Jersey in March until June, 1302, the defendant Bray was watching Mr. Pollard at Plymouth, and was sending reports to the agency on his movements. Mr. Stephenson: What was it that Henry, the manager, said to you about the Jersey evidence ? Witness: He said it was too dangerous to use. On another occasion, witness continued, Henry said to him, If Mt. Osborn is fool enough to go down to Plymouth and get bad characters to make false statements, if any- thing happens, it will all be put on him." When Mr. Slater returned from Australia the defendant Davies's accounts for a Jersey trip were put before him. At that time Slater visited the oifice very irregularly. When be came he would go into his own office, and witness would see him on business matters. Witness did not remember any conversation he had with Mr. Slater as to the Jersey inci- dent. He remembered Mr. Osborn going to Plymouth in Juiy of 19j2. He aiso remem- bered the defendant Bray being given a photograph of Pollard. Shortly before Bray went down to Plymouth (where Mr. Pollard was afterwards alleged to have misconducted himself with Maud Goodman) the manager Henry handed him a photograph of Pollard. Henry remarked, I don't think she (Maud Goodman) knows him" (referring to Mr. Pollard). Bray replied, "Suppose she doesn't reoognise him?" Henry said, Never mind, she's got to." At the beginning of August, 1902, witness gave Mr. Slater notice that he would leave. He spoke to Mr. Slater per- sonally, and eaid to him, "I don't like the way Henry is going on." Mr. Slater asked witness to stay on till the end of the month, and eaid everything would change soon. He was going to get rid of Henry and retire. Mr. Stephens was going to take up the manage- ment. Henry, he added, was "a drunkard, a thief, and all sorts of things." On the day; that witness lt in September, Mr. Slater accused him of having been outside the office to speak to a friend. This was a serious offence against the office rules. Witness was to leave at the end of the week, and that being so. Slater told him he had better leave at once. He went, after clearing out his table drawers. Mr. Stephenson: Taking with you your own papers and the reports of Smith and DavieS? —Yes. In one of Bray's reports, which counsel then went on to read, it was stated that Maud Goodman was very troublesome. She was frequently drunk, and had recently been sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for being drunk and disorderly. A telegram was sent on November 22 to Bray at Plymouth by Henry: — Leave Goodman until Mr. Osborn sees her to-morrow. He is leaving here to-night. Call on him at Grand Hotel 9.30 to-morrow. morning. Another report showed the difficulty which Osborn had to induce Maud Goodman and some other witness to accompany him to London At the hotel in London she was very boisterous, singing and whistling through the night. The agent ended h.-8 report by stating he would require JE8 more to bring the witnesses to oourt. Further reports of Bray showed that Maud Goodman refused to sign a state- ment that Mr. Pollard had misconducted himself with her. Witness remembered a conversation which occurred between Osborn and Scott relating to Goodman, when the former said, I'll see it's all right." This concluded the examination-in-chief. Mr. Muir, on behalf of Slater, said this was the most important witness against his client, and he could not cross-examine until he had an opportunity of reading over the reports and documents which had been put in. He asked that his cross-exa»mination might be postponed. The request was granted. Samuel Thomas Morrison was next called for the prosecution. He was in the employ of Slater's Agency for five years (he said), leaving that employment on September 29, 1902. His duties there were to receive and attend to the reports in the different cases after they had been seen by Mr. Cartwright, the previous witness. He remembered Davies going to Jersey, and he remembered seeing a letter addressed to Mr. Henry's private address from Davies, in which it was suggested that Davies should take Mr. Pollard to Jersey. On the 22nd of September, 1902. witness received instructions from Mr. Slater to give all the papers in the Pollard case to Mr. Henry. When witness took the papers to Mr. Henry Davies was with the latter. Witness noticed tnat some papers were burning on the hearth. Coming into the room again when no one elsa was there, witness noticed a portion of a report from Daviea lying partly burned in the fireplace. Witness remembered a conversa- tion which he had with Bray. Bray told him that Mr. Osborn had had to give £10 for a statement. Osborn, who told him so. had tapped his pocket and said, "That's what has don- it." The case was adjourned until June 4. The Magistrate reduced the bail in the case ot Davies to one of JS25, Mr. Stephenson offer- ing no opposition. ================

SUNK IN COLLISION. DISASTER TO A CARDIFF TRADER. The French steamer Circe, of Caen, bound from Cardiff to Caen with coal, has just been towed into Falmouth in a sinking condition. having been in collision with the Spanisli steamer Sestao, of Bilbao, off the Wolf Light- ship, on Wednesday. The Sestao was bound from Castro, in Spain, with iron ore for Newport. Shortly before midnight the vessel collided off the Wolf, and the Sestao was so badly damaged that ah* sank in about fifteen minutes. The Circe launched some boats, and. suoceeded in picking up eighteen men, who were taken on board the steamer Paris, of Glasgow, which steamed to the scene of the disaster on hearing sounds of the steamers^ whistles. Five of the crew of the Spanish ship were drowned, and Captain Dribissarosbe, of the Sestao, was nearly exhausted when rescued. having been in the water some time. It was feared that the Circe would also founder, and the captain of the Paris decided co stand by in case of hie assistance being required. The Circe, however, was towed into Fal- mouth on Thursday without further mishap. One of the drowned men is Captain Oliver, of Bilbao, who was a passenger on board tM Sestao. EXCITING INCIDENTS. A Falmouth correspondent states that the night was fine a.nd clear, when. at about 10.30, the vessels collided with terrific force some five miles off the Wolf Lightship. The Spaniard, with her S'ÎM torn open, be- gan to settle down immediately, and the Glasgow steamer Paris, attracted to the scene by the hooting of the steamers' whistles, immediately prepared to launch her boats. Suddenly the Sestao foundered, and the Circe at once lovered her boats. Cap- tain Dribisarrosbe and seventeen of the crew were picked up, but five men were drowned through the capsizing of a boat. Those lost were Captain Gabriel Oliver, a passenger who was proceeding to London in connection with a law case, two firemen, one sailor, and the mess-room boy. Eighteen survivors were rescued by the Paris, a number of the men having been in the water some time before being picked up. Meanwhile several of the crew of the Circe left their vessel, fearing she would sing, and the Paris, in answer to the appeals of the French master, consented to stand by the Circe until she reached Falmouth, where she arrived in a sinking condition.

TIBET EXPEDITION. N ALARMING EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN SPOKEN OF. The Central News states that in conse- quence of important news from Tibet a. meeting of the Cabinet has been hastily summoned for to-day (Thursday) at noon. In very high political quarters it is stated that the Government will have to undertake an extensive campaign in Tibet. Several of the Cabinet Ministers who are out of town have been summoned to return to London imme- diately. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, in answer to Mr. Lambert (R.. Devon, S. Molton). the Premier said that there was no fresh development as regards the Tibet Expedition, and he could not promise to gin a. day for the discussion of the subject.

MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE MISSING. A general police call ha? been sent out for a search to be made for th. wife of Mr. H. L. Jones, a millionaire member o fthe New York Four Hundred." Mrs. Jones has been missing from her home for severa1 days. She left a note to her hus- band, saying that she was tired of the con- stant round of gaiety that members of high society have to undergo, and that she intended earning her own living for the future. Mrs. Jones comes of a. prominent family, and it is thought her mind may have become deranged.

"OLD JUG" REPAIRED A CHURCH. A churchwarden of West Mailing (Kent) po d. b church discovered in a lumber room bo- t time ago a peculiarly-shaped old jug. which was subsequently identified as a rare old Elizabethan stoup An offer of £50 for it was refused, and the church authorities decided to send it Christie's, where it was sold for 1.100 guineai With the proceeds the authorities have jut 5 completed several important improvement 1 in the fine eld church. Parts ot the fnbri e have been restored, a new porch has bee i erected, and the seating accommodation ha 1 been greatly imxrored.

1.1 MINISTRY'S FISCAL POLICY T>R°ARL°CS DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. Irt the 1r t. 134°e of ùommons on Wednesday, to tk *"1 Onr. who was received llie n ^cig ^iQn cheers, called attention fond Vernin«> ,Ion °f certain Ministers that m0Vg^ Was opposed to a tax upon t&ln+?0Use' believing that the pro- to th*11 °* f°0(i would be burden- People, and injurious to the ta tbt tCOmed the declarations of Minis- w XaUoni e Government is opposed to such a.t too v,, he asked, could the 'r eaent pOIter hope to serve by pursuing his the t> procrastination ? The fact °f sha^ me Minister had pursued a **»•) Thn shuffle, or shunt. (Opposition Ml argument of the right lL c°st8 t. an seemed to be that he must at litter, his party together. Policy, in one tbing, and principle cheers.) It wa time llitfesb 1n.a lstry appealed to the. country for lelfs ate. Cheers.) The Prime Minister, the ared his policy, would find him- j^^ber ^rt 01 a P°litical comet, of which t°f»i a ii ^est Birmingham would be •jm i0^ the present Government would 1? and luminous tail. (Laughter C- C^cheers.) °U rigin Sussex, East Grinstead), fcroi^riEil ? second the motion from the *8»>S*d 1(Ie of the House was greeted with t,PI>ositicn cheers, asked for an of or 0at the Prime Minister had no • Ch-i^1ass^onat« affection for the policy aamberlain. A. \VY^INET EESPONSIBILITY. -ho was received with loud ^Oh,* cries of "Balfour," and who Hihi an-I0 obtain a hearing for some 'ohi8'6* to rose on behalf of the Prime th Baove iP a few words and almost of v.;e amendment which stood in the tft thia11^t k°n friend, namely:— S ^0M ,)1iIouse considers it unnecessary f questiov. of fleca-l reform and 0 on of the Prime Minister at tfo 1, in regard to which jj0 Government have announced iin^t pa will be laid before the t* con*iainent' an(*- its con- ation j^J^ence in the present Adminie- W>1)0^d lres to Proceed with the business ft, °*ie. ln 4be gracious Speech from the '<w ^inie 1. ft*. that a had asked him to per- hi» °la^ duty in order that he might •itio ^t>d till the debate had deve- lsi^k^tured somewhat more. (Oppo- Itj* ^Qiw?erlain, who entered the House at ^irr^^Dlin to°^ bis customary seat beside if J8amid loud cheers from the *6s Vy\n^ncaa8- txJ^e DHA3f, when ho was able to that no proposal em- or to, hat Was called the Sheffield policy tbe proPotJed either dnring the present Cè: tn()t[ Be86ion of the present Parliament. of Mr Black was a vote of ^eh« "l?n ^e Government. (Opposition hgc °, no.") it cen-ured the Govern- C^6(l they were supposed not to have ? lts fullest extent the doctrine of ^^ican^^i^Hty l'he Government thi j repudiated that. They had «^v'.featep tf°ctrine of Cabinet responsibility h»f eaffths than it had ever been 0re- (Hear, hear.) t iSÏllg SCENE OF UPROAR. OfcrS Of "o to uersistent Radical (TrCecil, Cecil, Cecil," Lord HUGH Greenwich) observed that Mr. ^ln knew perfectly -well that the ^tha ^ir«cted against him and his a. Policy, and not against the Vh^ht t- (Cries of "No, No.") Would member for West Birming- tiJch *a t to a single word in the motion ifr the Government? (Opposi- (rising amidst the d 8 cheers of the Opposition): My noble tk» r am attacked, and not the fi ant^ he challenges me to show W11 the °^ernment are concerned. If I had Person attacked it would have R. Xet, eaey ^Interruption and criee t 4ttt spealf-") %?r- laTw SON Camborne); I rise to t. member for West Birmingham 1 Sp-p a speech? R: The noble lord gave way. 8PF ivLSECITj: Hear, hear. *iai s*erirT Tb« right hon. grentleman f a ^^tion put to him. (Ministe- te:MDERLA1N: My noble friend chal- I) a» to sbow the Government were cor- tltl on* well as myself. The resolution "V rit ::ain Ministers. (Loud Oppoei- no.") The words are: W ^inicf we'comes declarations of eer- ,ers" (Uproar on Radical n>* cries of Cecil and Time, j.^1. CECIL regretted that the right 'eWan, for whom he had the greatest should have been interrupted Hoi cheers.) But Mr. Chamberlain convinced him. The resolution lV ^th' P°licy °f Mr- Chamberlain, but for about Ministers except tt> praise tojto tbftre;ectinS his policy. (Hear, hear.) the Chief Secretary *1 alterations made in it at the No doubt. Mr. Wyndham had V»-s M a«monished the Prime Minister. Jih,. ^5?bter.^ He now suggeeted that t<v0>al of should let them express l>Ot 1 diw< motion, but not press ^w*cceD4 «ion. if the Government would u. uiat* then Free Food Unio'nistB ed "lamed, when their proposal was <*))* i^'Hlld at they were driven where S^Mi^ernrv, ^rivjn- (Opposition cheers.) °!tt of were going to make this a jolted on c?hfidence. That meant that if rile that tbey would reeign. Was it SOQ^ Ministers should resign because do«i ^0mmons persisted in welcom- 8'ti0l) ^rations of Ministers? (Great u cheers.) 11' "j^Icks-bEACH PUTS A POSER. JW^oUoJ^HEACH (U., Briml, W.) said k th^ r not propose any censure 3 ^eniment. un the contrary, i^iojQv, ,a definite approval of JJ 1^6 6tl, which Ministers had expressed of the protective taxation I0^Id ha ^^t view he entirely agreed, j in»^UdT^Te 8nPPorted the motion against h611t °' member for West Bir- W ^Qt that amendment was now «^»?tivea n^ter.) He could not judge ot Uttip the member for Banff, but it ^irnaii, that an hon. member who had t lf a very active and determined » tI Government should waste the which he had had in the ballot }t of a v°te of approval of the !S that Government. (Laughter.) Ct led one to took behind W ,Worda »of the motion. It r°U0 eIy the negative policy of the :Vv; g, aQd did not touch their positive 1led r ^Posing that the motion had been K*'lh °f At the amendment standing in the 6 Thornton, which approved "the rth^HinZi^ter'e proposal to adopt reta:ia- wn,, outrageously unfair fiscal treat- \^>v°ted the hon. member (Mr. Black) *•) TT*Qr it? (Ministerial laughter and r> a j kfcd confidence in the Prime J he did not believe that any h "'ould be gained by passing such uNi* which, if placed on the records the 8, would have no weight whatever ^tiai ^U(igment of the constituencies. 1, Vn cheers-) t. J CaAMBERLAIN'S POSITION. N V^d,' g^SA-MBERLAIN, who was loudly tv was glad to say that since he had remained ^Ifti accord with their policy, and, anything he might say he /Catted that his object was to sup- ?^lj^Hiftn.0vernment. In his opinion the in done a great work. He tbat work and he desired to give v^c^Hl^istance. He had not asked the ;• nor any members of the House, ^nemselves to his policy, v *80 v*861* the fiscal question twelve ^Ut n be asked for no immediate deci- the fullest and most impar- k >01 Vra100, In v°ting for the Govern- v hi following the Prime Minister's own opinion ae to propriety thT^v When the proper time came wNl °* his it would come sooner than » ^nv^ld oPpOnents imagined—Lord Hugh from that he was not likely to vj>« ^e.) >, dlscueeion in that House. (Loud ik for the present the policy of rjN, rn~e^t had his heartiest approval. u°t h °t r0* he might regret that they th ?Qrther than they had, he did '•Wr|0liaem ern to move a step forward for 5?^ hot he asked was that they ^li) 0rtw 5 themselves against cir- ^iDi«t^ .icb they could not foresee. (^o»^rial cheers.) itr. HAMILTON (U., Ealing), «aid .^berlain's agitation reached v ^ijv^ithpr.910118 must lead to one of two that this country would oe Protection or the Unionist k* timers smashed to atoms. (Oppoei- |in^ this subject was continued on ell as at present, when the gene- e'oh would bring defeat and <rwviation to the party to which he Nl' cheers.) t the was loudly cheered, SUr? th« ShofR11,0]^ which was commonly ^0v6 therP Policy was still his policy. Hy in w^a some attack upon the 'i^Scsi 6 th« rw €^ in Mr. Black's motion, '^ii» &ackeii benches packed—so r* eJj^rial „v.„an crowded—as they were? ) They would have been fcty^the Wer« during the discussion ^co»»i~an important question of 0m7i (Prolonged Ministerial w cheers.) The House was asked not for the first, second, or third time in the course of one session to pass what was practically the equivalent of a vote of censure upon a Government in respect of a question which was not to be dealt with in the present Parlia- ment, and not even in the next, unless that Government were returned to power, which everybody seemed agreed would not be the case. (Opposition laughter.) The amendment asked no man to express an opinion one way or the other—(Opposition cheerg)-and was deliberately not intended to ask any man to express an opinion one way or the other- (Ministerial cheers)—upon the fiscal question— for the simple reason that the question was not before the present Parliament, and it would not matter one jot either to the con- stituencies or to the next Parliament what view the present Parliament took of the subject. Motions and discussions such as they had had that night should be, in the interests of party Government as a whole, left on one side. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr. ASQUITH, who was loudly cheered from the Opposition benches, accused the Prime Minister of having sought to evade Parlia- mentary discussion, to shuffle off Ministerial responsibility, and to degrade and flout the House of Commons. Why was the motion not accepted by the Government? There was and could be only one reason, and that was that the Government were afraid to accept it. (Opposition cheers.) The Prime Minister's amendment was nothing low than an affront to the House. At midnight the House divided, and there voted:— For Mr. Black's motion 251 Against 306 Government majority 55 On the amendment being put ae the sub- stantive motion Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman rose to speak, and it being after twelve o'clock The SPEAKER said the debate stood adjourned. In the division the majority consisted exclusively of Unionists, and included Sir Michael Hicks-Beaoh Lord Geo. Hamilton abstained from voting. The Liberals were joined by 57 Irish Nationalists and the follow- ing Free Food Unionists (amongst others):— Lord Hugh Cecil, Mr. Winston Churchill, Sir J. Gorst, Mr. Ritohie, and Mr. Gibson Bowles. As the result of the division the only part of Mr. Black's motion remaining is the introt ductory word "that." The cloeure would have been claimed for a further division upon Mir. Balfour's amendment but for the fact that Sir Hfenry Campbell-Bannerman and Mr. Herbert Samuel had on Wednesday evening handed in fresh amendments upon that standing in the name of the Prime Minister, and so prevented any explicit declaration of confidence in the Government. MR. W. CHURCHILL TO CROSS THE FLOOR. It is rumoured in the Parliamentary lobbies that after the Whitsuntide recess Mr. Winaton Churchill, M.P., will oross the floor of the House and take his seat on the Liberal side.

EMBEZZLEMENT AT NEATH. I WILL NEVER BE TAKEN ALIVE." At Neath Borough Police-court on Thurs- day (before Messrs. John Rees and W. B. Trick) Charles John Price, collector and can- vasser, was brought up on remand Charged with embezzling sums of 2s. 6d., 4s. 6d., and 2s. 6d., belonging to his former employer, Mr. T. C. Young, wine and spirit merchant, Wind- sor-road, Neath, in July last. Head-constable Evan Lewis, in opening the case for the prosecution, said that the prisoner had written a letter purporting to come from France, in which he told Mr. Young that he intended to return to the Congo. He wrote he would never be taken alive, admitted his offence, begged Mr. Young to forgive him, and asked that gentleman to insert a letter in the agony column of the Western Mail," which he had arranged should be sent on to him. In his possession. continued the Head-constable, were the pawn- ticket for )a revolver, which he had pledged at Gloucester, and a number of revolver cart- ridges. So that at the time he wrote the letter, really from Gloucester and posted at Treherbert, he evidently meant not to be taken alive. In communicating with the Gloucester police the head-constable duly warned them. Mrs. Evans. Eaton Villas, Lewis-road, and Mr. Musto Fisher, general dealer, 2, Furnace- terrace. having given evidence in regard to the sums, Mr. T. C. Young said that the prisoner was in his employ from September, 1902, to November, 1903, at a salary of 32a. a week, with commission averaging 7s. 6d. a week, and travelling and out-of-pocket expenses. Witness described the alleged modus operandi of the prisoner in varying bills, giving false receipts, and withholding the sums specified in the charge. He first knew that something was wrong in November. He tackled Price. who said it was an error, but he was missing next day. The total amount embezzled by Price was about £ 70. Prisoner: I dispute that. It's about £8 or E9. Mr. Young: Good gracious, I traced £ 45 the week after you left. Prisoner: And I dispute the 7s. 6d. commis- sion. It never averaged more than 2s. 3d. Then, again, about the expenses. I never had anything except my bare train fare. Mr. Young: Oh. yes, you had. Everything you charged appertaining to the business I paid. Prisoner: That's not so. What you have suggested as my earnings is misleading. Police-sergeant Michael proved arresting Price in Gloucester. In reply to the charge prisoner pleaded guilty. He said in extenuation that hie expenses were nothing like they ought to have been, and he had to draw on his salary to meet outrof-pocket expenses. The Chairman, in giving the Bench's deci- sion, said: We have taken as merciful view of your case as we could, considering you have a wife and five children, and you are sentenced to six weeks with hard labour.

SWANSEA COPPER IBPUTE. I On Thursday the Court of Appeal, composed of the,Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices Romer and Mathew, gave judgment in the case of Herchel Jones T. William Foster and Co., dismissing the defendants' appeal from the judgment bf Mr. Justice Qhannell at Swansea.. Plaintiff, a copper importer at Swansea, brought the action against the defendants-copper smelters at the same place -to recover a certain sum under the written oontract, whereby plaintiff agreed to sell and defendants to purchase a shipment of copper pyrites. The defence was that the ore was not up to standard under the terms of the contract. The copper ore was to be identical with certain other ore, wnich the plaintiff afterwards discovered contained a minimum of 2J per cent. of copper. Plaintiff said he never intended to guarantee that the ore contained more than ii per cent. of copper, and Mr. Justice Channell, at the trial. gave judgment in his favour, with costs. Hence this appeal. Their Lordships dismissed the appeal with oosts. holding that the defendants by their conduct led the plaintiff to believe that thev would accept and pay for the cargo of ore in auestion. A stay of execution pending an appeal to the House of Lords was refused.

JOURNALIST'S LIBEL ACTION. Before Mr. Justice Lawrance and a special jury was an action brought by Mr. Robert Edward Dell, a. journalist connected with the "Burlington Magazine," against Messrs. Trus- love and Bray. of the Philatelic Record and Stamp News (Limited), to recover damages for alleged libel. Mr. Powell, K.C., in opening the case, said the plaintiff, who wan a collector of articles of virtu, was chosen as the editor of the "Connoisseur" when it was first started. He subsequently started the "Burlington Maga- zine." The inference which the plaintiff put upon the words of the alleged libel, which appeared in defendant's publication, was that he, the plaintiff, had been dismissed from his former position; that he was an amiable Itmatic who, like Mr. Dick, in "David Coimer, field," was affected by Xing- Charles's head, and had shown bi-nself wholly ignorant in the exeTfise of his profession. The defendants admitted the publication, but they pleaded that the words complained of were bona-fide comment on matters of public interest. The plaintiff had not concluded his evidence when the court rose.

SUNDAY TRADING AT NEWPORT. The question of Sunday trading at Newport was again before the watch committee of that town on Thursday. It was formally 'reported that the magistrates a fortnight ago decided (as they were equally divided in opinion) to adjourn 50 cases for two months. The question now arose as to what attitude the watch committee should take up. One member sulllltested tb-at a mandamus should be applied for compelling the magistrates, if thev declined to convict, to act in accordance with the law. Mr. R. Wilkinson proposed that, In view of what had taken place on two occasions Je fore the magistrates, the watch committee take no further action. • He found no support for this proposal, and it was decided to adjourn tbo consideration of the matter till the next meeting.