Weekly Mail

PERSONAL PARS. 0 PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC EYE. The Countess of Kerry is one of the most delightful as she is one of the youngest of this year's brides. She married the son and heir of the Marquess of Lansdowne two months ago, and is not yet nineteen. Her husband is 31. and served in the South Afri- can war aa aide-de-camp to Lord Roberts. Lord and Lady Cobham are coming to town for a few weeks this season in order to bring out, their daughter. They celebrated their silver wedding last season, but are very rarely seen in London society, having no town house. Hagley. their country seat, near Stour- bridge, is an old and beautiful place, and in the eighteenth century was frequently visited by Pope and Addison. Lady Cobham is a sister of Katherine Duchess of Westminster. Adeline Duchess of Bedford, the widow of the tenth duke, is known as one of the most eloquent women speakers of the day. For many years she has worked earnestly on behalf of less fortunate members of her sex, and it is said to be to her influence, in a large measure, that Mrs. Maybrick was teleaaed and removed to a Church of England Sisterhood in Cornwall. She Is a. daughter of the third Earl Somers, and was married in 1876. She has no children. Lady Phipps, wife of Sir Edward Phipps, was a Miss Alexandra Wagsiliewna, and is one of the very few Russian women who have found English husbands. She first met her husband in Rio de Janeiro, when he was British Minister to Brazil, nearly ten years ago. but the marriage did not take place till this year. It was celebrated in Nice, the bride wearing the Russian wedding-dress and eating bread and salt, as all good Russian brides must do. Sir Edward Phipps is now British Minister at Brussels, where his charm- ing and cultured wife has already become very popular. She tad been married before- to a Mr. Gomez Bran(ijao, of Rio de Janeiro. Lord Lamington, the Governor of Bombay, is a descendant of the famous Cochrane whom the Earl of Dundonald also clains as ances- tor. He is a great-grandson of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, and is the second Baron Lamington. His father, the first baron, was a great friend of Lord Beaconsfieid, who is said to have used his friend as the model for "Buokhurst," in "Co,iingsby." Lady Lamington was Miss Mary Hozier, daughter of Lord Newlan3s, and their son and heir is a godson of Queen Victoria. Lord Lamington began his official career early in life, becom- ing secretary to Lord Salisbury socn after he had reached his majority. From 1895 to 1901 he was Governor of Queensland, and now he is Gove: nor of Bombay while little more than 40. His marriage was celebrated cn the eve of his departure for Queensland. As the Duke of Oonnaught, erect as an arrow and alert as a boy, received the King and Queen upon their driving into the mili- tary tournament the other day, one could not but wonder whether the Royal Instructor- General would be reminded by the events which were to. follow of another arena at whoee side he and the Duchess were the guests of honour just a score of years ago. That other arena was in far-away Bhurtpore, a four-and-twenty miles' jaunt from Muttra, whither their Graces had ridden out to visit the Maharajah. The Duke and Duchess had to appear pleased at the entertainment provided. An animal fight was the piece de resistance. A couple of huge bull elephants had been primed for days beforehand with copious draughts of rum. When the hour of combat arrived they were too well-contented with all the world to raise a dust. One of the monsters, to tell the truth, was half "tight." But once they were roused they fell to with tremendous energy, fought like mad things, interlacing their trunks, and knocking ivory from their tusks in chunks. What their Graces thought of it all was not told to the Maharajah, but Royalty may smile and smile -and still feel disgusted. The diplomat and man of Empire has a licence greater even than that of the poet, Napoleon III., with innocence on every feature, plotted in regard to Morocco in a manner which would have done credit to an Adelphi villain. All the accessories of melo- drama he summoned to his aid. There was a secret apartment in the Rue St. Honore; a hidden button by which access was gained; a password to be given, and, hey, presto! the caller was in a darkened room with a man whom he was supposed not to know, but who was. of course, Napoleon himself. A Belgian Jew was the man whom he waited here to see, and the purpose of the Jew was to get his Royal master rifles, cannon, and ammunition in immense quantities for Morocco. What was the end Napoleon had in view we shall never know. But all was arranged for some great coup. The contract was sealed, the money to be paid by a Swiss house as for a railway in the Grisons. Then Mexico began to blaze, and the minor scheme fell to pieces, and Europe, it is possible, was spared a great war. There are few courtiers alive now who have for so long lived in contact with the King as Lord Sufiield, one of his closest friends. In 1872 he became Lord of the Bedchamber to the then Prince of Wales, and is now Lord-in- Waiting to King Edward, having for many years held that appointment under Queen Victoria. He is 73 years of age, and a week or two ago celebrated his golden wedding. Lady Suffield has been in the Royal service only a year less than has her husband, as she became Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen when Princess of Wches in 1873. They have had a numerous family, and among their sons-in-law are Earl Carrington, Lord Hastings, Lord Hillingdon, Hon. Derek Keppel, and Sir Richard Musgrove. When Gloucester House is demolished by the London County Council a private stair case will he laid bare to which a pathetic history attaches. The marriage of the Duke of Cambridge having never been recognised by Queen Victoria, it was impossible for Mrs. Fvtzgeorge to live in Gloucester House. Her house was in Queen-street. A private stair- case gave access to the street from the Duke's bedroom. He would leave by it at night and return to his room in the early morning. No one was ever allowed to use the staircase. The key was a golden one, which he carried on his chain. Until he took to his bed in his last illness every morning the Duke would himself unlock the door and at night lock it, It was, as it were, a sacred ceremony with him. —— It is not given to many men to have such a romantic, interesting life-story as that which can be recorded of Kubelik, the famous violinist. Born at Michle, near Prague, in Bohemia, the second son of a poor market gardener, ho soon showed that he had more than an ordinary talent for music. When he was only five years old he begged his father to give him a lesson on the violin, for his father was an enthusiastic musician, and played the violin and a dozen other instru- ments. The first lesson was soon followed by others, and in six months the pupil knew as much as his master. So great wae his success as a child, that even then his name became famous locally, and if his father had eo wished, young -Tohann might have made his debut as a child violinist, and there can be no doubt that he would have scored a great success. —— But his father knew better than that. He refused all offers, and set himself the task of earning enough money to give his son a thorough musical education. The lad was kept at the village school until he was twelve, and then was sent to the conservatoire at Prague. He stayed at the conservatoire for six years, working incessantly the whole time. During his last term there he appeared at a concert and created a tremendous sen- sation. It was not long before he was engaged for a short Continental tour, and after that came offers from Berlin and ten- don. His success in both placas was instan- taneous. Then came a tour through the principal cities in Europe, and next a visit to the land of big fees—America. His Ameri- can tour brought him in about £ 20,CC0. There is a story that the famous violinist fell in love when he was only twenty years of age. He had not then the fame that he now enjoys. It is also said that the lad was what few men of genius ever are—cautious— and that. thinking perhaps that his first love might not he of the abiding kind. he deter- mined to delay his "proposal to the woman who had attracted him. The lady was the Countess Marianne von Ceaky-Szell, and she had been a widow for a year when Kubelik first saw her—while playing at a concert in Debrecin, in Hungary. He went away to work hard, and returned in a year to propose and to be accepted. The violinist's wife is a very beautiful woman, and extremely Wealthy. Before his marriage it is said that Kubelik at times found himself in the awkward posi- tion of being proposed to—by letter, of course —but in spite of every effort made by his admirers to spoil him, he remains the simple unaffected young man that he was when he made his first appearance in this country. His fee then for a concert was one hundred guineas. Soon afterwards the fee doubled itself, and then trebled itself. Then it rose still higher, and for some of his American concerts he received as much as a thousand guineas apiece. His fee for a private pei- formance is anything between £ 300 and £ :~W, and not many of such offers are accepted It is needless to add that he has- amassed a fortune, and that he has not forgotten the friends of his youth. Unfortunately, his father, who had worked so hard and had practised so many acta of self-denial to give his son a thorough musical education, never lived to see the full result of his labours. He died about six months before Kubelik made his great successes.

THE KING'S LEVEE. RECEPTION OF THE ALAKE OF ABEOKUTA. IT The King arrived in London on Monday morning from Windsor, attended by Lord Knollys, Colonel Davidson, and Captain Hol- ford. His Majesty and suite drove from Paddington to Buckingham Palace in closed carriages. The Prince and Princess of Wales also arrived in Ixmdon during the morning from Windsor, and drove to Marlborough House. Their Royal Highnesses' children journeyed to town from the Royal borough in the afternoon. The Queen and Princess Victoria returned to town in the afternoon. A great number of country visitors are in town just now. and great crowds, largely made up of these visitors, assembled in front of the Palace to see her Majesty, who cor- dially responded to their respectful and hearty greetings. The King held a Levee at St. James's Palace at noon, his Majesty driving from Buckingham Palace in state, escorted by Life Guards. Both sidea of the way from one pa-lac a to the other were thickly lined by spectators. The Prince of Wales did not attend, as he had an engagement with the Brethren of Trinity House in the City. The Duke of Connaught and Prince Arthur were present, and the attendance included the Russian Ambassador and the Japanese Minis- ter. His Majesty was in a. field marshal's uniform. Among those presented the greater portion were military officers, and the whole assemblage presented a most brilliant and striking appearance. RECEPTION OF THE ALAKE. The Alake of Abeokuta was in the afternoon received by the King at Buck- ingham Palace. The reception was an imposing ceremony, his Majesty, in field marshal's uniform, being attended by several officers of the Household, while the Gentlemen-at-Arms, in crimson uniforms, gold helmets, and white plumes, were grouped around the Throne. King Edward's greeting of the Alake was of a most cordial description. Through the medium of Mr. Edun, the Alake's secretary, he cnatted for acme minutes with his visitor, telling him he was heartily glad to see and receive him. He hoped he had had a plea- sant journey, and that his sojourn in this country would be agreeable to him. The Alake, who was evidently greatly impressed by the magnificence of his surroundings, the arrangements made for his reception, and the kindliness of his Majesty, thanked the King for his good wishes, and told him that he was enjoying his stay, and hoped to carry back with him to his people many useful lessons and grateful remembrances of the visit, and particularly of King Edward's gracious recep- tion. Reuter's Agency is informed that the King, on receiving the Alake, first inquired after his health, and then added that he was greatly pleased at the prosperity of his country and at what he had heard of him personally. The Alake, in reply, said he was proud to look to King Edward as his Sovereign-protector. He was glad that Queen Victoria had taken a great interest in Abeokuta, and that the Bible which her late Majesty had given to his late father had, indeed, proved to be a great power in his country. The Alake wore a gorgeous robe of native workmanship, consisting of a long gown of ruby velvet, almost entirely covered with gold embroidery. On his breast the Alake wore a great silver star, and round his neck an enormous gold necklace of immense weight. The state crown of gold lace, with three lizards, completed the Alake's attire. Subsequent to the reception at Buckingham Palace, the Alake, in conversation with Reuter's representative, said that, "although he had been greatly impressed by what he had seen since his arrival in this country, it was only now after his gracious reception by the King that he realised the greatnese of the British Empire. He added, "I ha^-j taken to heart all I have seen, and I havs no doubt that when my visit is completed its results will be most valuable to my country." AN AMUSING INCIDENT. The Alake was not at the Palace for more than about ten minutes in all. As the Alake's carriage left the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, he was seen waving a large white pocket handkerchief. He was smiling and giving vent to ejaculations of evident pleasure. The crowd cheered him vigorously, and he waved his handkerchief frantically, continuing to do so all the way down the Mall until he waa out of sight. WHAT THE ALAKE SAID. A circumstantial report of the interview says that the Alake in his first speech said, 0, Great King! This is the happiest day of my life. I have iruch wanted to 6000 you. I came to England in the hope that you would see me, and I am most thankful to you that you have. My people will be much pleased that you have seen me. I shall have much to tell them. I am very glad, indeed. When I go back I will tell my people how great and kind you are. They will be as glad as I am now." The expression on the face of the dusky chief was one of sincere pleasure, and his voice betrayed considerable emotion. The King seemed to be slightly amused at first, but was evidently touched at the child- like sincerity and loyalty of his vassal. He replied, "1 hope you had a good voyage on the ship." The Alake answered, "Great King, I did not like being on the ship. I was glad when I got on land." His Majesty's face again gave way to smiles, and he said, Well, I hope you are enjoying your holiday, and that you are well looked after." The Alake replied, It is all most wonderful. I am very pleased. You have been very kind. I am very grateful." There were tears in the eyes of the Alake when the King rose, a sign that the audience was at an end. Later he appeared quite over- come with joy.

COLONIES AND THE NAVY. INTERESTING SPEECH BY LORD MILNE R. At a very largely attended meeting at Johannesburg on Saturday night, addressed by Mr. Wyatt, a delegate of the Navy League, the principle of the Colonial co-operation in the support of the Navy was enthusiastically affirmed. Lord Milner said the Colonies were vitally interested in the welfare of the Navy, and all ought to contribute towards the expense of its maintenance. The Navy should be as much African, Australian, and Cana- dian as British. Colonial contributions implied Imperial Federation. He himself was an out-and-out Imperialist—more than an Englishman. He hoped that the Transvaal, when a self-governing colony, would contri- bute towards the cost of the Navy; at the same time demanding a voice in the control of the Navy for the sake of the scattered British race. He did not care whether the Federal Council of the Empire sat at Ottawa, Sydney, or in South Africa, so long as the members sat together. The Navy was an important political instrument, which might be used to bring about an effective, living, and organised union of the race. Sir George Ferrier claimed that the Transvaal, in return for a naval contribution, should have the right of representation on the defence com- mittee. Immense enthusiasm prevailed during: the meeting.—Central News.

THE BOER cr RISING." SERIOUS CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST DURANT. Dnrant, the man who was recently tried at Pretoria on the charge of being connected with the Lydenburg bushranging gang, was charged on Monday with having sworn a false affidavit implicating Generals Botha and Delarey, Mr. Schalk Burger, and other Boer leaders in an alleged conspiracy to bring about an insurrection. Durant had declared that they had made preparations for a rising in different places in the Transvaal on a given signal, and the seizure of the principal towns. The affidavit also contained other sensational statements to all of which General Botha and other witnesses gave a categorical denial. Durant was remanded.—Renter.

CYCLISTS AND TIN TACKS DASTARDLY TRICK OF A CYCLE REPAIRER. At Sparkhill, Birmingham, on Monday a cycle repairer named George Taylor was fined 40s. and costs for placing tin-tacks on the roadway. The tacks were picked up for 300 or 400 yards on either side of his shop. A large number of cyclists passed along the road, and many of them were warned and dismounted and walked their machinea. Defendant denied the offence. The Magis- trates told Taylor that his offence was most dastardly. He had endeavoured to make trade out of others' misfortunes.

LONG ARM OF THE LAW. News reached Belfast on Monday of the arrest at East London, South Africa, of a building contractor, named Joseph Price, a native of Belfast, for alleged wife murder. Deceased, who also belonged to the North of Ireland, was discovered in the hall of their dwelling- house in St. James's-road, with her head almost severed from her body. The arrest resulted from certain statements made by Price's younger brother. There were no signs of a struggle, and in many ways the tragedy is a. most mysterious one.

NEWPORT NEW WATERWORKS. COMPLETION OF A GREAT SCHEME.—INTERESTING CEREMONY. There was a big turn-out of Newport people on Tuesday to witness the opening ceremony of the corporation new waterworks at Went- wood. It was like a pilgrimage to Mecca. There was a mounted police escort for his worship tho mayor (Colonel Clifford Phillips), who attended in state to turn on the water. Jupiter PIuvius had turned his supply on very early in the morning, but ha.d kindly turned the tap off again before the procession started from the Town-hall, Now- port. at 11.30. The corporation was very largely represented, and there were also invited guests from the school board, the magistracy, the harbour board, the pilotage board, the consular body, free library committee, trades council, hospital board, tho officers of the 1st Monmouth- shire Artillery Volunteers (of which the mayor is co!onf-_ commanding), and other local Volunteer corps, as well as a large number of representative townspeople in Colonel W. CLIFFORD PHILLIPS (Mayor cf Newport. other capacities. The Mayor of Cardiff (Alder- man Jenkins), Alderman D. Jones, Alderman Ramsda.le, and Councillor Yorath, as well as the Mayor of Monmouth (Mr. Edwards), attended as visitors from neighbouring muni- cipalities, and took part in the civic proceed- ings. By the time the whole procession had got to Wentwood and looked round the place it seemed as though Mr. Alfred Morgan must have been quite denuded of horses and vehicles for the work of transport. But all were got safely on the embankment. The great majority went in horse vehicles, many went on bicycles, and somb went in motor-cars. The mayor and cor- poration were met by the engineer (Mr. Baldwin Latham) and the manager (Mr. John Macdonald). A civic procession was formed outside the mission-house and proceeded along the main em- bankment to the valve-tower. The sight was an extremely pretty one. The visitors were up at a height of 460ft. above sea level, and had quite a delightful panorama un- folded to them. To the southward was the broad, silvery Severn flowing past Avon- mouth, and immediately in the foreground was the reservoir, having a capacity of 400,000,000 gallons, now about a quarter fall of water, and I WORK ON TOP OF THE DAM WHILST IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION. presenting the appearance of a pretty lake in the valley beneath .the visitors' feet. On the sides rose the slopes of the Grey Hill (900ft. high) and Mynydd Allt-tir-fach (790ft. I high), whilst away in the background was the Forest or Chase of Wentwood, which has fur- nished many a romantic legend in the history of the border shire, as well as being the site of the Royal hunt for famous red deer. THE OPENING CEREMONY. The procession crossed ths iron lattice-work bridge which connects the bank with the valve-tower, and whilst standing inside the tower the town-clerk (Mr. A. A. Newman) read the certificate of the engineer showing that the works had been completed to his satis- faction. Alderman Goldsworthy (the chairman of the waterworks committee) thereupon requested his worship to turn the lever admitting the water to the tower, stating at the same time that he thought it was not only the most important function which would mark the mayor's year of office, but the most important event which had happened for the town during half a. century. His worship the mayor thereupon, amidst loud cheers, turned the valve connected with No. 3 sluice and admitted the water, then standing at a height of about 50ft., into the tower. He remarked that he had the utmost pleasure in officiating at such an I Tho Valve Tower. auspicious function. A minute or two later the mayor, by turning another vaive, passed the water from the valte-tower into the mains which sent it on to the town, and in a very ehort time, afterwards the first cup of the water wair drawn at a fountain specially erected for the purpose in Chepstow-road, Maindee The procession tben retreated along toe main embankment. At its centre a small platform had been erected; and here the engineer (Mr. Baldwin Latham) presented ttoe mayor with a handsome double-handled silver cup as a souvenir of the event and. pouring out a. glass of the newly-drawn water, also asked his worship to sample it. The Mayor accepted the cup with pleasure, a.nd drank the first-drawn water. There was another presentation before his worBhip made his reply. Mr Charles Cullum, the manager of the waterworks, asked the mayor's acceptance of a pieoo of the lead (enclosed in a glass caM and mounted on an elegant stand, with a suitable inscription), which his worship had cut off from the last joint of the main. Both presentations were accompanied with hearty cheers. Alderman Goldsworthy, in proposing a vote of thanks to the mayor for inaugurating the public opening of the works, remarked that for ten years the corporation had been plod- ding at the undertaking which, when first, projected, was intended to have a storage of 300,000,000 gallons, but by cutting away the bed of the reservoir and filling up the sides the capacity had been increased to 400,000,000 gallons. Although the cost had exceeded the first estimate, the town yet had in this reser- voir a cheaper waterworks than in the case of the undertaking which they purchased from the old waterworks company. When the water undertaking was first taken over by the town council, the revenue was £ 13,000 a year. It had since been raised to £ 28,000 a year.. Mr. Thomas Parry, vice-chairman of the waterworks committee, seconded the vote of thanks to the mayor, which was heartily passed. The Mayor in the course of his reply thanked the workmen through Mr. Cullum for their interesting memento of the day. and was also very much indebted to Mr. Baldwin Latham for the most elegant and valuable cup he had presented him with as a lasting souvenir of the auspicious occasion. He was very much indebted to Mr. Latham for so handsome an ornament, and he hoped on many occasions to test the capacity of so charming a "loving cup," when. doubtless, this larger cup which he had here constructed would materially assist in adding to the quality of its contents. However deeply he might appreciate that gift, he did far more the skill and ingenious and sterling ability that Mr. Latham had placed at the disposal of the town, and which that day had culmi- nated in the inaguration of this magnificent and successful enterprise. He would also con- gratulate' Alderman Goldsworthy, as chair- man of the waterworks committee, and. indeed, each member of that committee, not forgetting Mr. Macdonald and his staff, on this happy and great even, They had i succeeded in carrying out a great work, the importance and value of which to Newport it was impossible to exaggerate. They had been beset by various unlooked for difficul- ties, difficulties of so serious nature as at one time threatened to wreck the whole undertaking. In addition to that. they had had to bear criticism, which had added to their worry and anxiety but, like true Britons, they had stuck to their guns, never showed the white feather, and that day they could afford to forget tilb past in a great termination. They had proved themselves true and worthy I behefactors of their town, and thoroughly deserving of all the trust that had been Alderman THOMAS GOLDSWOTTTHY. J.P. (Chairman of tho Waterworks Committee1. reposed in them, and, as Mayor of Newport, speaking on behalf of the community, he asked them to accept his earnest thanks and sincere congratulations. Since the original waterworks committee was formed in 1894, although only ten years had elapsed, out of that committee of fifteen no leps than six of their number had left for that bourne whence no traveller returns." The names of those gentlemen were familiar and dear to all of them. He referred to the late Colonel Charles Lyne, Messrs. J. Huzzey, Tom Jones, George Hoskins, Fred Phillips, and John Lin- ton. How delighted they would have been to have had them present that day, and with what pleasure and interest would they have taken part in that ceremony, crowning with success, as it did, their efforts. They had been good and useful citizens, and that day they were the richer for their lives. In con- clusion the mayor thanked all for their presence and support, and expressed the hope and belief that the Went wood Waterworks would prove a great and unqualified success, that all, from the chairman to the humblest labourer who had assisted in its formation, might have cause to be proud of being ever connected with such a. truly great and impor- tant undertaking. Subsequently the mayor regaled the visitors with wine and sandwiches at a stand-up snack, and a number of complimentary toasts were given in the temporary buildings near the foot of the dam. DESCRIPTION OF THE UNDER- TAKING. The Wentwood Waterworks is the greatest scheme whioh the Newport Corporation have ever undertaken. Nearly ten years have passed since the serious work of construction of the immense reservoir and works was com- menced. The addition of the Wentwood undertaking adds about 400,000,000 gallons to the existing supply of Newport, bringing the total up to about 700,000.000 gallons. The new waterworks consist of a large storage reser- voir at Llanvaches. a small intake reservoir on the Castroggy Brook at Newchurch, and a smaller intake reservoir on the Nantypridd Brook at Wentwood itself, both small reser- voirs being connected by aqueducts or pipe conduits with the large impounding reservoir at Llanvaches. and for which they are to be the principal feeders. The works also include a water main from Llanvaches Reservoir to the Ohepstow-road, and thence along that road to Newport. The scheme is what is known as a flood water scheme, the drainage I IMer Si-de of the Dam. area (chiafly the Forest of Wentwood) of the three brooks affected above the points of catchment being 1,604 acres. The waters from the Newchurch and Went- wood areas are collected by a tunnel and culvert 2! miles long, and the storage reser- voir has been constructed on the Llanvaches Stream. It is 90ft. deep, and the water sur- face will cover an area of a.bout 40 acres. The valve tower is xlGift. high, and water is drawn into it by six inlets, each of which is con- trolled by a balance valve on the outside of the tower. The total authorised expenditure up to the present has been £ 406,000. Mr. Conyers Kirby, the then borough ■engineer, was appointed engineer of the works in 1893. The contract was let to Mr. James Young, of Glasgow, in 1394, but work was suspended in the following year. In 1897 Mr. Baldwin Latham, M.I.C.E., became engineer for the scheme, Mr. Kirby retiring, and he has carried it through to a successful completion, Mr. John Macdonald (the cor- poration manager) giving immense assistance by dealing with the work by direct labour. A full description of the undertaking appeared in the "Western Mail" of Tuesday.

THE DREYFUS SCANDAL. ANOTHER SEQUEL REPORTED FROM PARIS. It is understood that an officer occupying a somewhat important position in the Archives Section in the second branch of the French Ministry of War has been arrested, and was last Friday taken to the fortress of Mont Valerien, where he remains in olose custody, pending further instructions from the Judge- Advocate-General's Department. The prisoner failed when called upon to account for the disbursement of the snm of 25,000 francs handed over to him from the Secret Service funds. It is suggested that the money in question was used to suborn perjury at the Rennes court-martial on Captain Dreyfus.- Central News.

PRINCE'S MISSING CLOTHES. At Aldershot on Monday Private Tappin, of the 1st East Surrey Regiment. was charged with breaking into the Royal Pavilion at Aldershot and steal- ing two suits and 30s. belonging to Prince Alexander of Teck. An application was made that the prisoner should be handed over to the military authorities for trial by court-martial, but the magistrates decided to deal with the case. Prisoner was remanded for a week.

LAUGH & GROW FAT HUMOUROUS PARS FROM EVERYWHERE. Mother: Bobby, how many sisters has your new playfellow? Bobbie: He has none, mamma.. He tried to stuff me by eaying that he had two half- sisters, but he doesn't know that I study fractions. Mr. Thompson: Jones told me a. secret to day. Mrs. Thompson (anxiously): What was it? Mr. Thompson The one I told you last week. Mrs. Thompson: Oh, dear me. that Mrs. Jones is such a tattler. I'll never tell her anything again. African Explorer (spinning a yarn): Not very long ago I went out one day, and presently came face to face with three lions. Friend: Well? Explorer: I fixed my gaze on the brutes, then stuck my hands in my pocket and walked away, whistling an air from an opera. Friend: And didn't the lions immediately rush at you? Explorer: They coulda't. It was at the Zoo. At a Militia encampment, after the bugles had sounded "lights out," much clamour was heard in one of the tents. The captain of the guard-picket rushed to the tent, and, angrily shaking the flap, cried-— "Here, here! This wo-n't, do at all, at all! How many of you rascals are in there?" "Three of us, captaL." "Well, thin, half of you oome out of that ati once!" The late Mi?s Frances Power Cobbe had a massive personality, a fact it is necessary to remember to appreciate a bon mot of Darwin's which the late Professor Huxley used to relate. At that time the late Mr. R. H. Hutton, of the "Spectator," had taken up the cudgels rather warmly against vivisection. "Who is this Mr. Hutton?" said Darwin. "He seems to be a kind of female Miss Cobbe!" Professor Huxley described it as the most beautiful double-barrelled "score" he ever remembered. HIS MAIDEN SPEECH. The first time a man speaks in public he proba.bly suffers more agony in a shorter space of time than at any other part of his career. Young Lionel Dorrington felt the truth of this very keenly the other day when he found himself facing an audience of free and independent electors at a recent county council election. He had prepared a very fervid oration in support of his father's can- didature, but for the first few moments he could do nothing but gasp. Then, in response to an encouraging ciieer, he began to speak. Mr.—Chairman," he stammered, when I— when I left home to-night only two people on this earth—my father and myself—knew what I was going to say, but now—now—well, now, only father knows!" TEACHING A LESSON. A commercial traveller who has a rooted antipathy to co-operative stores, arrived home earlier than usual one afternoon, to find that the womenfolk of the household were out. On going into the kitchen, h-? found the tattle there covered with goods from the local co-operative 6tor.e. To teach his better- half a lesson, he cleared the whole lot off on to the floor and began to dance among them. After mixing up eggs, flour, tea, sugar, Ac., he looked round and found his wife beside him in tears. "What are you doing, James?" she said. "I'm teaching you a lesson never to go to the stores again for your groceries." "Oh, dear me," she said, "they are not ours, but the people's next door. I took them in as they were out QUITE UNNECESSARY. A vicar, noted for plain speaking in his arraignment of those of whom he disapproves, is so sincere and frank and earnest as to be sometimes unconsciously amusing. The last time he was in London, much to his astonish- ment, he met an old parishioner, a strong fellow, begging. Well, Thompson, I'm surprised at this," said the vicar, with a frown. The other, confused, tried to explain. You can't explain to me. You are big enough and strong enough to work, and here you are begging. You can't explain that!" said the irate clergyman. Well, I've got to live," said the other, humbly. There is not the least necessity for that," said the vicar severely. WHAT HE WAS THERE FOR. The late Dr. Samuel Smiles need to tell an amusing story in connection with the popu- larity of his best-known work with a. certain section of the reading public. There is, according to a prison librarian, no book which circulates more continuously among prisoners than Self-Help," and the same authority told Dr. Smiles the anecdote referred to. A choice of books having been; offered to a prisoner, the man picked out Dr. Smiles work with the remark, "I'll have this; it's what I'm here for." THE SON OF THE PROPHET. Among the many Mormon stories going round just now is this. President Smith was recently walking down a street in Salt Lake City when he met a boy smoking a, cigarette. The" prophet" stopped to remonstrate with him. Little boy," he said, don't you know, that it is very wicked to smoke those nasty cigarettes? What would you father and! mother say if they saw you now?" The boy looked up in the speaker's face and said "Don't you know me, pa?" "MORE REAL LIKE." The village blacksmith was driving a gen- tleman to the station in his tub-cart, when a motor-car swept by at some 30 miles an hour. "How a gentleman can use them things I can't think," exclaimed the blacksmith, toss- ing a disgusted head. Then he added brightly, "It wouldn't be so bad if they had a tin horse fixed on in front to make 'era look more real, like." GOT HIS OWN BACK. A farmer once came into a tavern with eggs to sell. The landlord agreed to take two dozen, and when the farmer counted over the contents of his basket he found that he had 25 The landlord wanted the extra egg thrown in. The farmer failed to see the equity of the proposal, and the matter was discussed for some time. At last the land- lord sa.id he would take the 25 eggs, give the mau a. drink, a.nd caJl it square. The farmer agreed, and pocketei his money. "Now, what'll you have?" asked the land- lord. "Sherry and egg!" said the fartaer. EASILY RIGHTED. A workman, on coming home one evening, was asked by his wife to look at the clock. She complained that it had been silent all day, and she could not tell the reason. Her husband took it down and examined it care- fully. Then he took oft the hands and face, and looked at the works with the aid of a magnifying glass. Next'he blew into it with the bellows, oiled the wheels, and then put it back again. But still it would not strike. Tired and puzzled, he went off to bed. Next morning at breakfast his wife said to him, "George, I think I can tell what is wrong with the clock." "Well, what is it?" he sharply asked. "It wants windinff-up," said his partner.

REMARKABLE OCCURRENCE. DEMONSTRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY HEALING AND STRENGTHENING POWER OF SEAWEED. UNABLE TO WALK THROUGH WEAKNESS DROPSY AND KIDNEY TROUBLE. GIVEN UP BY DOCTORS. IN BED SIXTEEN WEEKS. RESTORED TO HEALTH BY VENO'S SEA- WEED TONIC, TIDE GREATEST CURATIVE MEDICINE IN GREAT BRITAIN. Mrs. H. H. Holmes, writing from Herborn Villa, Baker-street, Weston-super-Mare, says: —Mr. Veno, Dear Sir,—You will remember me writing to you in January from Crowle. I came here three weeks ago for a. change; I took Veno's Seaweed Tonic up to leaving. I am quite a wonder; eweryone says I must have nine lives; no one ever thought I could get better. I believe it was your Seaweed Tonic, with God's blessing, that cured me, and I feel very thankful indeed to you. I have told lots of people, and got several to take it, and shall tell all whom I come in contact with. You will remember that I was given up by two doctors, and was so bad and weak that I could hardly more, and was six- teen weeks in bed. I have only taken one or two doses of your tonic since I came here; I will always keep it by me. I have given it to several people, and it acts like magic. You may use my letter if you choose; my home address is Cross-street, Crowle, Doncaeter. Veno's Seaweed Tonic is used in hospitals and by doctors, it being the only standard preparation containing the strengthening, healing, and purifying properties of seaweed, combined with other vegetable extracts. We absolute guarantee that it will cure the worst cases of indigestion, gastric catarrh, liver dis- orders, kidney troubles, and such ailments an wind on the stomach, nervous depres- sion. general weakness, chronic constipation, weak and painful back, headache, and female ailments. If it fails we return 2s. 6d. through the London Trading Bank, London, for every as. 9d. bottle purchased. Ask for Veno's Seaweed Tonic, at chemists' add drug stores everywhere. rrice, le. lid. and 2s. 9d. w535

MINOR MATTERS. POLICE-COURT AND (YfJI}1R PICKINGS. ABEEAMAN MAN "BLACK-LISTED ..as James George, Ynyslwyd, 011 "black-listed" by the Aberdare hell Tuesday. CALL TO A BRIDGEND PASTOB- tb8 The Rev. J. Harold Williams, pastor,3;eød, English Congregational Church, ,n lias declined the call recently Sive from Blackburn. TRAVELLING WITHOUT A TicKET^oIj. At Aberavon County Police-court on ,von, day C. H. Radford, a collier, of the was fined 20s. and costs for having 0 gfli 27th of April travelled on the Rhond Swansea Bay Railway without a ticks STARCH IN CREAM OF TARTAR At Pontypool Police-ccnrt on Saturday if Powell, who keeps a small grocer s fot Harpur-road, Garndiffaith, was fined crej,3> selling to Inspector Lewis a quantity nd of tartar which upon analysis was I contain 23 per cent. of starch. A MONTH FOR BEING DR CSJ{. ef Ellen Webb, a widow, with a wealth gi hair hanging round her shoulders, Swansea on Saturday sentenced to a ggfit* hard labour, and to find sureties °r three months' further imprisonment, f° drunk and disorderly, after fourteen P convictions- DOWLAIS GUARDIANS The following is the result of the in the Dowlais Ward of the Mcrthyr to fill the place on the board of gunr ",eø$ formerly held by Mr. Thomas Evan House, Dowlais:—The Rev. W. C. #■ Baptist minister, Dowlais. 1.097; the Maurice Jones, curate, Pant, 655—1°^ 441 « SINGING FESTIVAL AT HIE^Al- The first Welsh Congregationalist ,$ Singing Festival was held on Moo jjoif' Nebo Chapei, Hirwain. The combined r. 1. sang hymns, under the leadership re pfr Glyndwr Richard3. The meetings sided over by the Revs. E. Wern Wi v T. Edmunds, A.T.S., and D. GriffithS, dare. FIRE AT BRIDGEND. t],( A man, named Chard, while premises of Messrs. Evans and Lloyd. Bridgend, noticed flames in the shop, the alarm. Superintendent DavieS. Evans, and two police-constables put fire with buckets of water before n>' damage was done. The Are broke on the counter. CLAnIS FOR WAGES WTTHDRAtf*' j, At Caerphilly on Tuesday Mr- Goodfellow, solicitor, Caerphilly, apP11 permission to withdraw the claims t)J against the Groeswen Colliery Coi^ permission to withdraw the claims 1 bf against the Groeswen Colliery twelve of their employes for wages, fellow intimated that Mr. Inskip, the company, had given an nndertakiO .gjjv the men would be paid within a The summonses were allowed to be with SERIOUS CHARGES AT At Merthyr Police-court on Monday t" Collins was charged with attempt1!lt.fi" commit a criminal assault upon Elvira d aged fifteen, with whose parents he b:1> lodging at 5, Thurston-strcet, AbercyDO" tleø prisoner was committed for trial at tbe aolt- assizes.—James Pingrey, charged with a V ing Rosalie Emily Erton, aged thirte Brithdir, was acquitted. I MERTHYR VALE BLACKLISTER Jeremiah Healey was fined 10s. and Merthyr Police-court on Monday for fflb drunk and disorderly at Merthyr ^Ljed*? as he was a blacklister," he was oric ¡ot"" find two sureties in £25 each for ØB behaviour during the next six niont gffr was ordered to be sent to gaol ,fOf })eiØ' months in default of the suretIeS forthcoming. THEFT OF A BICYCLE. 1"& At Merthyr Polioe-court on Monday named Albert Morris was charged ing a bicycle, the property of Edwin fof Troedyrhiw, from whom he had an hour.—Mr. W R. Edmunds Pr'tue 1'(1' The bicycle was recovered through t yf' soner taking it to Mr. Pnlman. of e to have the tyres blown up five it had been lent to him.—The Bench a. fine of £3. FALSE PRETENCES AT MERTH"fp'^ On Monday at Merthyr Police-court fct Thomas was sent to gaol for Z1 dll frCtØ obtaining 2s. by false pretences.^ Catherine Jones, Station-terrace, .■* ceiber. On the 19th of May he went .^1J Jones, and said that as his brother was dying at Maesteg Mr. Jones, her h^ had sent him to her to ask for Is. his train fare to go there. Mrs. him 2s., but, as a matter of fact, her had never eoen the prisoner. STEALING A BIO i CLE. At the Shire-hall, Monmouth, on Sidney James Pe'rcival Harrison, 27. jjtf jf, a butler in a local family, pleaded l» stealing a bicycle, value £10, iroin Hams, bicycle dealer, on April 13. hired the machine to go to miles from Monmouth. Be went to :Bz. tflP and on April 21 sold the machine for £ et.¡¡J' bicycle was recovered by Polie^Tto & Tilley. The prisoner waa Beaten* weeks' imprisonment. WIFE DESERTION AT NEAT^j^ At Neath Borough Police-court William Payne, mason's labourer, A was brought up in custody char* deserting his wife and three children- „ y. • them chargeable to the Neath Edward Powell, who prosecuted, said t defendant could earn good money, niS^ of drinking habits. Police-sergeant effl P* proved arresting prisoner at Cray. v was working under a fictitious was sent down for three weeks' hard SUNDAY STREET CRIES AT cj«r» "Why were you shouting?" asked of a boy, named Daniel Bolton, Police-court on Monday, who wa» ctfP with creating an unnecessary noise ny jgv newspapers at Llandaff on Sunday. t inst. "Because I wanted to sell the pa™ « the natural retort of the lad. Bolton and another boy, nam*" Cavanagh, charged with committing j offence near the Wesleyan Chapel. both discharged with a caution. DRUNKENNESS A2JD On Monday at Merthyr Polk?e-coUrj' Sullivan was fined 10s. and costs xjg # drunk and disorderly at Dowlais- also summoned, at the instance National Society for the Prevofl (0^ Cruelty to Children, for neglecting children in suoh a manner aa to unnecessary suffering or injury to 0j|t, Mr. F. P. Charles appeared in summons, and evidence was given yjf tor Rogers, the society's local oft* Bench decided to givo the defendaD chance of reforming, and the c adjourned foT two months. DOWLAIS SUNDAY HCHOOL FESTIVAL. jet? The English Sunday Schools wbi'' D 6^ tote the Dowlais Branch of the JPJhjt day School Union observed the ann» ing on Saturday afternoon at Chapel, the presfdeut for the Edward Cartwright fElizabeth-st terian), conducting the proceedings. cjr<> j A. Fentiman, Merthyr fWesleya" minister), addressed the gathering, oflpi recitations were given by soIJ1e, f býØtl\' scholars, and a special programme was rendered by the massed choirs. preeentorship of Mr. Daniel Sweet LLANDAFF YARD Thomas Russell, of Llandaff yat}fot11c" chargcd at Llandaff Police-court o» f<>-4 with being drunk and assaultinV^r constable Kinsella on May 23. The » £ Russell striking at the occupants d efi et outside the Cow and Snuffers. « ])Oø$ voured to pull him away. BtlllØiJJ1 turned upon Kinsella and kicked » M the legs. be e'feJJ' "We must protect the police in >^e ^ri" tion of their duty," Dr. Taylor told 10" frJ' dant. "You have a black record. a be sent to gaol for two monthe option of a fine." FALSE PRETENCES. At Bridgend on Saturday Edmund 1J",ø.$ 0^. 36, Darra-n Villas, Blae.^garw, £ 4, with the option of one ment, for having on the 29th of AP a.ttettlf1J,f International Colliery, Bloengar^- jjPg to obtain 15s. 9d. by falsely pret,en jn t 1 g, the coal being cut by him was oi»j^ ness instead of llin—Jeremiah jjjef. Railway-terrace, Blaengarw, Richard Martin, 12, Station-road, co\ for a similar offense at the i&VLftr were also fined £ 4. or one m°nt ment.—Mr. T. W. Kenahole, AberaB cuted. THREW TEB MILK AW^l, Inspector T. H. Lewis, of one remarkable customer to deal ^gif* 'taking samples of foodstuffs fo £ Garndiffaith on the 21st ult. 0" Ji* Mary Holloway, wife of an farmer, carrying a milk-can, *•' ^00^,4 for a pennyworth of m'lk y(ft- Instead of supplying the milk. way turned round and emptier -po^ of the tin under a water-tap- Police-court on Saturday Mrs. H, t,o ,*L lives at Penddaugau Farm, ha a summons charging her with tIJ" #» inspector. Her excuse was tha11 blown into the milk, and she di tel sell it. She was fined 20s. I|