Weekly Mail

WORKMEN'S NOTES. COLLIERS' WAGES IN SOUTH WALES. By WILLIAM BRACE. [Vice-president of the South Wales Miners' Federation.] The coalowners having secured a 5 per ient. reduction in wages are, I daresay, pleased with themselves and consider that if they had received all they were entitled co the workmen's wage-rate would have been brought to a lower point than 38* Above the standard rate of 1879. But 1 aave yet to be convinced that reducing wages at this juncture is a wise policy, even from their standpoint. The selling orice of coal has been brought lower than tt need be, in consequence of wild, foolish, jut-throat competition, not with compet- ing coalfields, either British or foreign, but among South Wales coalowners them- selves. It has been truly said that old traditions die hard. Were it not so South Wales colliery owners would not continue to conduct their trade upon a principle that leads one to believe that their cardi- nal faith when doing business is that speculative actitity is essential to good trade. Assuredly, it is increased, con- sumption that makes trade active, and not cutting out each other by lowering prices to capture contracts. I may be told that it is necessary to reduce prices for the purpose of winning trade. There has been no necessity to do this so far as this year's volume of trade is concerned—in South Wales at any rate. The trade was here, and the contracts could have been made at least for the figure that ruled as last year's prices had the colliery owners pos- sessed the slightest cohesion among them- selves. In the scramble between indi- 'idual owners to secure the fattest portion of the trade the interest of the whole is sacrificed and the weakest driven to the wall. Immediately this is done the work- men are pressed for reductions, directly through the conciliation board, and indirectly by a demand for concessions or stoppage at the individual collieries. Should the workmen decline to readiiy lend themselves to this policy of fleecing wages they are condemned as short- sighted, unreasonable, and unconciliatory. State of Trade and Wage-rate. When considering this subject I put two questions to myself, and these two ques- tions I put to the colliery owners and general public: First, is a wage-rate upon a basis between 40 and 50 per cent. too high for the workmen of this coalfield to receive for the arduous labour and appalling dangers they have daily to face to produce the very best coal in the world; and, secondly; would the pay- ment of such a wage-rate endanger the trade of this coalfield ? As no one will contend that such a wage-rate is too much for the South Wales collier, there is no need to labour it. I, therefore, discuss the second point—would it endanger the trade of this district for the owners to continue to pay between 40 and 50 per cent. upon the standard of 1879 PAccording to Brown's Export List, the total exports for 1903 were 24,782,202 tons. For the first nine months of this year they were nearly 19,000,000 tons, or, speaking in averages, an increase of 400,000 tons for 1904 over 1903. With such a substantial increase in volume, can anyone seriously argue that it would have endangered the trade of the district to have maintained the prices of last year, which would have enabled the em- ployers to have done without seeking an alteration in the wages because of a 'reduction in price? But, apart from this concrete fact of increase, suppose there had been a reduction in the volume of trade, would that have been a good reason for selling coal at a price that would not result in a reasonable profit and fair wages? I contend that before a reduction in price can be defended there should be no shadow of doubt that, unless wages were reduced, the trade of this dis- trict would be taken from us by our com- petitors. The question has been put to me many times, Do you think the owners would take a lessprioo if they could get more ? I answer, Yes, they do, or in the face of an increasing trade they would not take less. Counsel to the Employers. I do not at present inquire their reason for doing so; I rely upon the fact which proves to demonstration that, could the owners be prevailed to show the same unanimity in the selling of the coal as they display in seeking reductions in wages, there would not be ground for making the complaint against them. I am fully aware that it is difficult to main- tain prices at an abnormally high stan- dard in slack times: but I contend that South Wales coal snould never be sold without profit. Why will not the owners I give attention to regulating the supply according to the demand. It, surely, does not bespeak excessive business acumen to permit collieries to increase their output for an already over full market. I give it as my conviction that the bane of this coalfield is not bad trade or high wages, but overproduction. This method of doing business handa over the control of the market to the buyers, and, as a consequence, millions of pounds sterling are loot to all parties interested in the production of South Wales coal. Employers are very ready to compare the German workmen with British, to our disadvantage. May I be forgiven if I compare the skill of the Germans in the Belling of their coal with the crude, un- businesslike system in vogue in this country, and beg the South Wales Coal- owners' Association, as the most favour- ably-placed parties in Britain, to create a scheme for controlling the output here similar to what is embodied in the West- iphalian syndicate? I will undertake to say that under this German scheme of regulating the output collieries are worked there at a profit that would be shut down here under our rule-of-thumb system as of no value. The secret of I their success lies, not in the value of their coal-measures, for they are infinitely more difficult to work than ours, or in the superiority of their mining engineers, but in the scientific manner they classify and sell their coal. Collective SeHingr. Holding these views, I say the owners have no justification in expecting that the workmen should make it easy for them to squander the value of coal by conceding reductions in wages immediately they are applied for, simply because for the want I of unity among them they have permitted the price of coal to be forced down below fair value by buyers who do combine to that end, and, judging by the results upon South Wales, very successfully indeed. Employers need to be taught that reduc- ing prices must only take place as a last resort. What is required to save this coalfield is that the colliery owners should sell collectively instead of individually. The soundness of this proposition is appa- rent when the causes that bring about ruinous trading are considered. Mr. G. B. Walker gives them as follow :—(l) Anxiety to obtain a fair share of such orders as are going when the demand is less than the supply; (2) the system of sellirjg coal by commission agents, whose livelihood depends on their selling a cer- tain quantity of coal, and who have every temptation to make sales whether the price is remunerative or not; (3) the slightly decreased cost which working an additional day per week ensures; and (4) want of correct information as to the actual conditions of the market, and jealousy and mistrust of each other on the part of competing collieries. Mr. Walker proposes the following remedy, which I heartily support as a practical, common- sense attempt at solving the problem:— (1) Reliable information as to prices cur- rent for various classes of coal; (2) a classi- fication of coals with a view to parity of price of coals of equal value; (3) an agree- ment to limit output in accordance with the decision of a central council repre- senting all the districts, so that each colliery would share proportionately in the amount of the trade available; and (4) a compensation fund to be provided and disbursed, so that those collieries which fail to produce their authorised quantity should be recouped at the expense of those which exceed it.

DOCTOR'S PASSION. ELOPES TO AUSTRALIA WITH I A PATIENT. Mr. Herbert du Cane was a doctor at Dar- wen, and one of his patients was Mrs. Mar- garet Jane Taylor, the wife of Mr. Thomas Herbert Taylor, a manufacturer. Mrs. Taylor suffered from ill-health, and Dr. du Cane's visits were so frequent that he became on very good terms with the family. Dr. du Cane, who was a married man with several children, gave up his practioe, and told Mr. Taylor he was going to take an appointment on board ship. Mrs. Taylor was away at this time. Soon after the doctor had left Darwen Mr. Taylor received the following letter from him dated London, 6th February, 1904:- London, February 6. My Dear Taylor,—I cannot leave Eng- land without relieving you of anxiety as to the whereabouts of your wife. I have behaved, and am behaving, as the mean, low hound that I know myself to bo to the man who has loved and trusted me in taking tho wife of his bosom from him. But I love her as Christians are supposed to love their God, love her more than aught in earth or heaven, and would eagerly welcome the loss of your Christian heaven that I may possess the woman I love on earth. I cannot a.sk you to forgive me, but at least forgive her, for I am alone to blame. I believe she has never been yours as she is mine now, and, though I hate myself that I should now hurt you, yet I love her and myself more than I do you (and you know what I have thought of you), and am ready to sacrifice everything-friendship, reputation, and sal- vation—for the sake of the woman I love. May I beg of you, not as a concession to me, but to her, not to poison her child Bonnie's mind against his mother, nor to permit anyone else to do so? She loves him I know. and, however you may curse me, do not let any find place in your heart against her. She has always served you faithfully while she was with you.—Yours, Herbert Ducane. Dr. Du Cane and Mrs. Taylor had eloped to Australia. Mr. Taylor has now got a divorce from his wife, with £100 damages.

CONVICT'S ADVENTURES ESCAPED FROM CAYENNE TWICE. There has jost been arrested at Marseilles a man named Bruz.z-o, who has a remarkaible history. T, ',885 he was sentenced at the Bouches Cj anone Assizes to five years' penal servitude for thefts committed at Marseilles. Transported to cayenne, he escaped a short time after his arrival and lived on roots several weeks in the forests of Guiana. He reached Chili, and under a false name worked several years in the mines; but he did not like work, and embarked on an English sail- ing ship, bound for Europe, as a sailor. When the vessel was about to leave Yal- paraiso, Bruzzo had both his legs broken in an accident. He was taken to a hospital, and he owes his life to this circumstance, for a few days later the British ship was lost with all hands. When Bruzzo recovered he was sent back to France under the name of Ferry. When he returned to Marseilles he was arrested, and sentenced at the Douches du Rhone Assizes to ten years' penal servitude and forbidden to reside in France for a like period. He escaped from Cayenne a second time, and a fortnight ago turned up at Marseilles, when he became the leader of a band of thieves. He declared to a detective on Saturday morn- ing that since his return he had committed more than ten thefts. He promises to return to Marseilles a third time before the expiration of his sentence.

POLICE CHARGE FAILS. INQUIRY DIRECTED INTO THE EVIDENCE. Two independent witnesses impugned the accuracy of a police charge of "disorderly oonduct,J at North London on Saturday, and the magistrate eventually dismissed the case, and wrote this note on the charge-sheet for the information of the commissioner: — I think that the whole circumstances of this case should be most carefully inquired into as to the occurrences at the police- station and the police-constable's evidence. The constable in question is Isaac Bailey, 350 Y, who was the sole witness against Arthur Harrison, a young shop assistant.. According to the policeman, a number of youths, including Harrison were tobogganing down the steep hill in Hazelville-road, Hornsey-rise, late on the previous night. After Harrison left the toboggan, added the officer, he requested him to go away, and, on his refusing, and using an offensive expres- sion, he took him into custody. The shop assistant's version was that he had not been tobogganing, but was going home with his bicycle, and simply "stopped to see the fun." The constable went up to him, and said Move on." He replied, "All right; I will go presently." The constable asked, "Do you refuse to go?" "No," was the reply; whereupon, Harrison alleged, the officer ran at him, struck him, and pushed him, and then took him to the police-station. By the time Harrison arrived at the station two gentlemen, named Elliott and Herring, who corroborated his story, were already there, and had given in their names aa wit- nesses. In discharging Harrison, Mr. Fordham drew the attention of the inspector to the fact that the names of these witnesses had not been recorded on the charge-sheet, although, given in at the station. It was, the magistrate proceeded, as much the duty of the police to secure evidence for a prisoner as it was to make the case good against him, so that the court could be in possession of the facts from both sides.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. A widow, Mrs. Kate Goodwin, is seeking in the Probate Division to prove that the will by which her late husband left her all his property, amounting to JE600 is the document on which the estate should be administered. Relatives of the late Mr. Goodwin allege that this will was drawn up under undue influence, and put forward one of earlier data by which Mrs. Goodwin would not benefit to such an extent. Mrs. Goodwin stated that she met Mr. Good- win, a widower with children, in 1891. He was then sixty-eight and she thirty-one. Mr. Dickens, K.C.: Where did you meet Mr. Goodwin?—In Anerley. I went to him because he wanted a housekeeper. When was the marriage suggested?—I can- not say. It was love at first sight. Love, madam?—Yes, love on his part. I thought we would be very comfortable together, and I liked him very much. You were pretty quick about it. Did you quarrel with this old man?—No. The hearing was adjourned.

PAINFUL SCENE IN COURT. There was a painful scene when Caroline Palmer, a middle-aged woman, who is charged with fraud, was confronted with her I own daughter Beatrice, at the West London Police-court. The daughter said there was no truth in her mother's story that she was entitled to a fortune of £18,000 held in Chancery. She I had. at her mother's dictation, written a I certain letter which the prosecution now. produced. You wicked girl," the prisoner exclaimed. One of the witnesses, an elderly man named George Reach, said that on the strength of, Palmer's statements about her prospective' fortune he lent her sums amounting to £70, I which represented all his savings. The woman was committed for trial.

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SIR A. THOMAS, M.P. HONOURED BY HIS FRIENDS I AT PONTYPRIDD. Pontypridd presented an animated appear- 1 ance on Tuesday night, when Welshmen from all parts of the district foregathered to do honour to Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P. Although it is nearly two years since knighthood was conferred on the hon. member for East Gla- morgan, it was felt by many prominent men in the Principality that the event should not pass unnoticed. It was decided that a testi- monial should be presented to Sir Alfred in the form of a bust, and a commission was given to the famoustWelsh sculptor, Mr. W. Goscombe John, who has executed it in a manner worthy of the great artist's repu- tation. Party divisions were entirely set aside, and the presentation' committee was divided equally between Liberals and Con- servatives. j Accompanying the presentation of the bust was an album, which was beautifully designed and bound in morocco, and which contained photographs of Sir Alfred's bust, the Houses of Parliament, the University Col- lege. Cardiff, the new University buildings, the Pontypridd Free Library, the Old Bridge ajid Victoria Bridge, Pontypridd, the Rock- ing Stone and Draidical Circle on Pontypridd Common, and. Sir Alfred's residence at Penylau. A distinguished party accompanied Sir Alfred to receive the tribute to his worth, including Lord Tredegar, his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams (iliskin Manor) and Mrs. Williams, Colonel Lewis (Greenmeadow), Principal Griffiths (Cardiff), and Alderman E. H. Dayies, J.P. Lord Tredegar travelled by special train from Baesaieg, and was met by Mr. Hurford (Taff Vale Railway station- master), who entertained his lordship and the other visitors to a cold collation. The Volunteers formed a guard of honour in the station approach, and in the station square a. procession -was formed, headed by the police and Volunteer band, and as Sir Alfred, Judge Williams, and Lord Tredegar took their seats in a. carriage the band struck up a martial air.. All along the line of route the cheering continued until the Town-hall was reached. The band having ceased playing, the Pontypridd United Choir were heard, in the interior of the capacious building, which was already packed, and again a thoroughly characteristic Welsh welcome was given. On the platform the bust of Sir Alfred was resting on a table covered with a. Union Jack. His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams presided, and a feature of the gathering was the presence of a Crimean veteran—Corporal Huggins, over 84 years of age. Letters of apology for absence were read from Colonel Morgan Lindsay, Mr. Godfrey Clark, Mr. Clifford J. Cory, Mr. Robert For- rest, Mr. Ignatius Williams, Mr. Tom 6IB ALFRED THOMAS, M.P. I Andrews (Treharris), Captain Lionel Lindsay, and the Rev. Hartwell Jones. SPEECH BY JUDGE WILLIAMS. The Chairman opened happily with some humorous remarks, and went on to say that this was a very interesting event to a great many people. If ho (Judge Williams) told them. what he in his heart of hearts believed of Sir Alfred Thomas, a great many people would think that he wanted some favour from Sir Alfred. What he would say was, "Ti wyddoet beth ddywed fy nghalon" ("TBOU knowest what. my heart aayeth"). Sir Alfred Thomas was what they called a, round man. He meant by that, in every department of life he made friends. There were people who looked upon him as a great political centre. The Welsh members of Parliament had such a high opinion of him that they had made him their chief. All sections of the House of Commons had an affection for him. As a religionist he was conscientious. But it did not matter what his political or reli- gious views were, the fact remained that the whole of the community of which Pontypridd was the centre had an undoubted respect for him. While all respected him, a great many loved him. The bust they saw that evening was Sir Alfred's certificate of merit. (Applause.) Colonel Henry Lewis (Green Meadow) said he had known Sir Alfred Thomas since he was presented with the freedom of the borough of Cardiff, and had regarded him as a friend and a man he admired. Mr. D. Watts Morgan, speaking in Welsh, said he had much pleasure in congratulating Sir Alfred Thomas upon receiving this honour. The miners of the Rhondda were very glad that the presentation was made as a slight recognition for the numerous and great services he had rendered to them. Mr. W. R. Davies, in asking Mrs. Williams j (Miskin Manor; to hand over the album to Sir Alfred, said that party feeling was so keenly divided in East Glamorgan that it was refreshing to find that there was one subject upon which they could agree, and that was the recognition of the many virtues of Sir Alfred Thomas. The money came from people who subscribed pence, and they had some five guinea subscribers, and all the sub- scribers of various amounts numbered 1,150. Mr. Daviea then read the address, the text of which was as follows:- To Sir Alfred Thomas. Sir,—We. the undersigned, as representa- tives of both political parties in the divi- sion which you have so ably represented in Parliament for a period of nineteen years, respectfully solicit your kind acceptance of this address and accompanying marble bust of yourself as small mementoes to com- memorate the knighthood which was recently conferred upon you by his Majesty the King. Tho present occasion was also thought an opportune one for marking our appreciation and admiration of your con- stant generosity towards every movement for the uplifting of the people, your efforts to establish the university oolleges, your munificent donations towards the endow- ment of scholarships so as to bring the best educational facilities within the reach of the industrial classes, and your many other excellent qualities which have merited the respect and esteem of all classes of the community. That you may long be permitted to diffuse the educational and social blessing which will be indissolubly associated with your name, and that Divine Providence may spare you to us for long years to come, is the prayer of the ma,ny subscribers to these small tokens of the esteem in which you are held by your fellow-countrymen. The address was signed by Lord Tredegar, Judge Gwilym Williams, Mr. W. R. Davies chairman of the executive committee; Mr. T. May berry Williams, Mr. David Wilson, and Mr. W Jones, members of the executive com- mittee; Mr. Griff. Griffiths, treasurer; Mr. Charles Morgan, Liberal agent; Mr. John Littiejohns, Conservative agent; and Mr. Henry Davies, secretary. The album was handed over to Sir Alfred by Mrs. Williams, amid loud cheers. LORD TREDEGAR UNVEILS THE BUST. Lord Tredegar, who had the principal duty of the evening to perform, was given a tre- mendous ovation. It was hardly necessary, said his lordship, for him to dwell long on the merits of Sir Alfred Thomas. He would speak of Sir Alfred that evening as a member of Parliament, of Sir Alfred as president of the University College of Cardiff, and of Sir Alfred as one of the kindest and most sym- pathetic of Welsh gentlemen. (Loud cheers.) Though ostensibly on the other side, he admired Sir Alfred as a politician. He admired the way in which he led those fiery, untamed spirits of his party, who had the charaderistic peculiarly Welsh—they would be led, but they would not be driven. As presi- dent of the University College of Cardiff he had had the pleasure of listening to Sir Alfred, and he had adnrred his speeches as being short and to the point. When Sir Alfred rose in tho Hou3e of Commons he was listened to as one who understood his subject. As a private gentleman, he acknowledged Sir Alfred as one of the most generous and sym- pathetic individuals. With regard to the bust, the 1.100 subscribers had done very well in selecting one of their own countrymen-- Mr. Goscombe John—to executo this work and to present the. bust to Sir Alfred during, bis lifetime. It was a very, very old ha.bit of presenting busts and monu- ments to distinguished individuals. The cukom dated as far back as the days of the Romans, who-carved great stones to distin- guished wa.rriors and statesmen in their life- time. But they had tho curious habit that as soon as their hero did something they did not like they scratched his name out and altered the features of the bust and put some- one else's name on it. lie sincsrely hoped that would not happen to Sir Alfred's bust. (Loud laughter.) They had lately taken to doing tho-e honours after the distinguished. man had departed this life. They had done right in organising and presenting the bust to the honour of a gentleman in his lifetime. (Loud cheers.) His lordship then unveiled the bust, amid a scene of great enthusiasm. SIR ALFRED THOMAS'S REPLY. Sir Alfred Thomas, who wa.s received with prolonged cheering, said he had besn the recipient of many honours during his life- time, but before receiving them he had to undergo a. long course of strict discipline a discipline that took out all his vanity. With regard to the distinction conferred upon him by his Majesty, it was all the more pleasing because he understood it was intended as a recognition of the Principality, and he could sincerely say that he never anticipated the honour they had conferred upon him that evening. It was quite true that he had done his beat. as a politician, but he had always remembered, nevertheless, that it was hie duty, aa far as he oould, to represent th e whole constituency. (Applause.) He looked upon his office as a sacred trust from the people, and in its fulfilment a.ll the ends should be for the moral, social, and temporal uplifting of the people, and in maintaining the honour and integrity of their world-wide Empire. (Loud cheers.) With regard to the bust, he had eecn a good deal of it before that even- ing, and it was said that the subject was the worst possible judge of the work of the artist. If he criticised the bust, he did not know that he would say that it was quite necessary for the artist to plough his furrows so deep, and while he was at it he might have given him (Sir Alfred) a little more hair. (Laugh- ter.) Whatever might be said of the merits of the bust, it was made by one of the best sculptors of the age—a main whose name would go down with that of Gibson as the greatest sculptor Wales had ever seen, and a man worthy to be ranked with the greatest England had seen up to the present. What gave it merit in his (Sir Alfred's) eyes wsie that it was the embodiment of the estecm in which he was held by the people of East Glamorgan. (Loud applause.) It was a monu- ment to the people of that part of the country. He valued the bust all the more from the fact that the one commissioned to unveil it was a Balaclava hero—(loud and prolonged che.ering).and, next to that, an illustrious descendant of Ifor Hael. He (Sir Alfred) could not adequately put his feelings in words, but he would say truly that, however great the honour, and however unworthy the recipient, he felt very grateful. His highest and dearest aspirations were for the welfare of East Glamorgan. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Gordon Lenox, who was also received with enthusiasm, said he had driven fifteen miles to Swan sea and had travelled thence by train in order to attend that meeting, and the only induce- ment was his kindly feeling towards Sir Alfred Thomas. It was a grand thing that a man should receive in a. place where feelings were so mixed as they were in East Glamor- gan such a beautiful bust. But it was not so much the bust as the feeling that he had done his duty, and that it had been appre- ciated by all parties. He had not heard any reference to the one small word tact," but Sir Alfred had an abundance of it. (Ap- plause.) If Sir Alfred had any difficulty in disposing of this beautiful work of art, there were two ladies seeking for it. One of them was Dame Cardiff, and the other Dame Pontypridd. (Laughter and cheers.) After an interesting address from Principal Griffiths, a vote of thanks to Lord Tredegar was proposed by Judge Gwilym Williams, who described his lordship as the most popular nobleman in Great Britain. In acknowledging the vote Lord Tredegar said that if they would only give him a bust he would not trouble about the hair. His head could much more easily be sculped" than that of Sir Alfred Thomas. (Laughter.) After a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. Gordon Lenox, seconded by M.1. Lewis Williams, and carried unanimously, the meeting ended.

BROTHERS SENTENCED. The trial of the trothers Crettiez and the strikers implicated in the rioting at CluGeS has been brought to a, close at Aunecy. Amid intense silence, the crowded court listened to the counsel defending the f-ix workmen, who, in an impassioned speech, said that a verdict of guilty against the strikers would be an injustice. The vengeance of the crowd at the time, he contended, was legitimate. The jury retired at half-past one to con- sider their verdict, and were a-way for two hours, during which time the youngest Crettiez scarcely lifted his face for one instant from his hands, which hid his tears. Finally, at half-past three, the jury filed in, and a terrible silence was broken by the voice of M. Delalle, who delivered the verdict. The four brothers were found guilty of murder and attempted murder. On the other hand, the workmen who caused the fatal agitation were acquitted. All four brothers sobbed in bitter despair as their lawyer. pleaded for the lightest punishment the law would allow. Michel, Marcel, and Jean were sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and Henri, on account of extenuating circumstances, was given only eight months. In addition, the brothers were ordered to pay compensation money of various sunis to the families of those killed, amounting in all to 12,700f. ( £ 508).

SERVANT GIRLS ROBBED OF THEIR SAVINGS. It was stated a-gainst a brisk young man named Alfred Pickard at the West London Police-court that he had obtained good round sums from no less than three young women servants. First was Phoebe Mabbutt, a. cook. She wM coming back from church one Sunday even* ing, when, it was said, Pickard struck up aa acquaintance with her. Eventually he induced her to withdraw £20 from the savings bank and hand it over to him, with the result that 6he had heard nothing more of it. A housemaid from Kensington was called into the box. Pickard promised to marry her, she said; and she had had a child ty him. From her he obtained £10. Inspector Ward stated that in another caes a girl was victimised to the extent of JE70, aild the Magistrate granted a remand.

HALE AND HEAHTY AT 105. I There is living on the Duke of Manchester'# Irish estate, near Tanderagee, an old ma.n named John Rainey, who has just celebrated his 105th birthday. Ho is still hale and hearty, and in possession of all hi3 faculties. Notwithstanding his great age, Rainey is able to read ordinary print without spectacles. All his life he has been an inveterate smoker, and at present consumes 2oz. of strong tobacco per week. For the lengthened period of 51 years this remarkable old man was em- ployed as land steward by the late Mr James Greer Bell, of Tullylish House, and prior to that he acted in a similar capacity for Lady Warburton, of Gilford, county Devon. Rainey is now residing with hia 8011. in the townland of Ballymore. One of hit uncles lived to the extraordinary age of 113. and another was in his 112th year when h8 died.

A DESPERATE SUITOR. Expressing deep contrition for his condueio. Julius Philip Grosscurth, a young City mer- chant, who attempted suicide after beinff thwarted in a. love suit, appeared in the dock ai the Middlesex Quarter Sessions. The family of a Miss Murray, of Ealing, to whom Grosscurth was paying his attentione. objected to his suit, ahd the young man, after receiving a letter from her father, asking him to cease his visits, went to the house and shot himself with a revolver in the presence of Mr. Murray. The Chairman of the Sessions, in considera- tion of Grosscurth's expressions of regret, bound him over in his own recognisances for £200, and in those of his father for £100 to come up for judgment when called upon.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN BACK. Mr. Chamberlain is again in England, having arrived at Charing Cross from Italy on Thurs- day evening. He drove to Princess-gardens unnoticed by the public. Next afternoon ho lunohed at Claridge's Hotel with Mrs. Cham- berlain, and a.t night he entertained a. party I of friends there.

LAWLESS NEGROES. MARRIAGE AS AN ANTIDOTE TO CRIME. The Mayor of Greenwood, Ohio, has become a match-maker for morality's sake. The negro population of Greenwood has been lawless and hard to govern, and the mayor decided that marriage was an excel- lent antidote for crime. A proclamation went forth ordering all negroes to be married immediately, or to leave the town. Free marriage ceremonies, with blessings, by the mayor were offered as an inducement to bachelors. In the subsequent rush for marriage licences one negro had two ribs broken, and another one was seriously hacked with a razor by his fiancee as the result of an eleventh-hour desire to change the name of his prospective bride. The county clerk could not issue marriage licences quickly enough. It was necessary to call out the police reserves in order to quell the riot in front of the county-court. The police had to club four bridegrooms into insensibility before order was restored, and two prospective brides were badly trampled on by their enthusiastic friends. Despite the general disposition to obey the mayor's order, a number of negroes are leaving town, the supply of brides not being equal to the demand. Five widowers are also leaving.

[ AWAITING DEATH. I In spite 6f the unanimous verdict of the jury a movement is on foot to re-open the case of Donovan and Wade, who have been condemned to death for the murder of Miss Farmer, an East End newsagent. The solicitor who prepared the prisoners' defence is taking steps to lay additional facts before the Home Secretary with the hope of being able to establish their innocence. No parallel case can bo re-called of two men, who are half-brothers, lying in gaol at the same time awaiting execution for the same murder. In the case of the brothers Davis, who mur- dered their father in a lane near Crewe, the younger boy was reprieved. The equanimity with which Donovan and Wade appear to regard their fate has sur- prised the warders who watch over them with unrelaxed vigilance night and day. The domeanour of Wade, who is barely twenty years of age, is as calm as that of Donovan, who has served several terms of penal servi- tude. Both men are allowed tobacco, and are per- mitted to choose their own food. Each morn- ing they are given an hour's exercise in the prison yard, and in tho afternoon are visited by relatives who are debarred from close intercourse by a double wire screen. The execution has been fixed for December 13, at Pentonville Prison,

SHEPHERD'S CRIME. a PRISONER'S METHOD OF DECEPTION. SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS PENAL SERVITUDE. Tha Assize Court at Swansea was early besieged on Tuesday by a large crowd of people, all eager to witness one of the con- eluding stages in the astounding case of David Shepherd, for the notorious prisoner was well- known in the Swansea district. He came from a poor, but respectable, Gower family, and his aged mother still resides at the Mumbles, while other relatives live at Sketty, an attractive suburb of Swansea. Many Car- diff people travelled to Swansea to hear the sentence passed on Shepherd. These included his son, Mr. Gilbert Shepherd, Mr. G. F. Forsdike, solicitor to the prisoner, Alderman Edward Thomas, Mr. J. A. Orr, deputy offi- cial receiver, Mr. J. L. Wheatley, town-clerk of Cardiff, and other prominent residents of the Welsh metropolis. Promptly at 10.30 the prisoner was brought from below. As he entered the dock h:s face was seen to be flushed, and this gave him a healthier appearance than when ho last appeared in the police-court at Cardiff. He stood in front of the dock with his hands in his coat pocket for a few moments, and then folded his arms and leant on the front of the dock. The judge took his seat punctually, and was accompanied on the bench by Mr. William Walters. Swansea, high-sheriff, and the Hon. Rev. Talbot Rice (judge's chaplain) and Mr. George Isaacs, the under-sheriff. STORY OF THE FRAUDS. A few minutes later Mr. Abel Thomas, K.C., who had with him Mr. St. John Francis- Williams, rose to address his lordship for the prosecution. Mr. Thomas stated that the prisoner had pleaded guilty to all the 21 counts on the indictment, and he (counsel) proposed to put the matter to his lordship very briefly. He stated that the commence- ment of the process of fraud was in tho year 1890. Of the first Starr-Bow- kett Society Shepherd was made secretary. The second Starr-Bowkett Society was started almost immediately after, and others were subsequently formed. In 1S95 there were eight societies altogether, and these were amalga- mated into two, viz., the First Starr-Bowkett Society and the Second Starr-Bowkett Society. The commencement of the frauds, as far as the auditor was able to asoertain, was as far back as 1892, but to a very small extent for the first few years. When they had gone on to 1898 the frauds were consider- ably increased, and kept on increasing until the end of the society. Counsel believed that that was in 1892. The way in which Shepherd proceeded in regard to these societies and the governors of the intermediate school was this. He pretended that the money he had received had been paid into a deposit account at the bank. This was done for the purpose of deceiving the accountant or the auditors. His lordship would see that he used to pro- duce a document like the one he (counsel) now handed in. His Lordship: This is a Starr-Bowkett book ? Mr. Thomas: Yes. Counsel went on to say that the document pretended that there was a sum of money on deposit, and he pretended that the bank had paid or was going to pay interest on the amount shown in it. Of oourse, vthere was no such amount at the bank at all. Meanwhile, prisoner paid the interest amounts. So far as the first Starr. Bowkett Society was concerned, the defalca- tions amounted to £5.771, and as to the second society tho amount was £2,265. The accountant would state that the loss to the first society would be not more than 7s. 6d. in the JS, and to the second society 4s. 6d. In the £ The Judge: What will it amount to altogether? Counsel repeated that in respect of the firnt society the loss would be £5,771, and of the second £2.265. The Judge: I think that some of them will be recompensed. Mr. Abel Thomas: That will not be so. The Judge: Can you tell me how the auditors satisfied themselves that £1.396 was deposited in the bank? Mr. Thomas: I am informed that when it had come to that part of; the audit when they would be supposed to look at the deposit account the prisoner would eay. "I am glad you have come to that. I will show you a document which will show you the true position." The result was that the auditors were satisfied. The same thing applied to the other charges. Shepherd was appointed clerk to the governors in 1893. and in 1898, as far as the auditors were able to discover, he began with the first false entry. In 1899 there came a series, and the amount he had defrauded the governors of was £6,112. Exactly the same process was carried on. Ho used to receive a great number of small sums of money, and he was supposed to pay them into the bank day by day. What he actually did was to keep them until they became a large J amount, and pay them into his own bank. In his cash-book he pretended he had paid in these amounts into the deposit account at the bank. He produced slips showing that the interest was paid on the moneys which were never paid in. The prosecution were unable to say how the money had been ex- pended or got rid of. Shepherd had not lived extravagantly) and counsel did not know how he had disposed of these large sums of money. Shepherd explained it himself by saying, in his bankruptcy statement, that his cost of living was more than his income. Counsel did not think his income could have been at the end more than £450 a year-£75 from each of the building societies and £300 a year from the board of governors. The Judge: Had ho a business of his own ? Mr. Abel Thomas: He was a chartered accountant, but my impression is. from what I am told. that he did very little except as acting as clerk to these societies and to the Intermediate Sahool Governors. The Judge: Can you tell me his age? Mr. Abel Thomas: Forty-eight, my lord. PLEA FOR PRISONER. Mr. B. Francis-Williams, K.C., rising, said: 1 wish to address a few words to your lord- ship before you pass sentence on the prisoner at the bar. The prisoner is 48 years of age. He came to Cardiff in 1870, when about four- teen years of age. He then went as a junior clerk to Mr. Peter Price, who was a well- known accountant at Cardiff, in connection with building societies. Ho managed the Car- diff Building Society and other societies of the same kind. In 1878 the prisoner becamo chief clerk to Messrs. Munn and Taylor, and continued to act in that capacity until 1880. Iu 1839 he started business on his own account aa an accountant. He had no -capital to start except a small amount he had been able to save from his salary as clerk. Just about this time when he started business the Starr-Bowkett Societies were being started, and he devoted all his time to the work of these Starr-Bowkett Societies.. Between 1830 and 1885 eight of these societies were started in Cardiff, he being the secretary, and he was paid £1 per week by each society, which made a total of £8 per week, or £416 a year. At the cad of five years the people who had put their small savings in were beginning to take their money out. It was then found that the societies could not pay the salaries which the prisoner had been receiving, viz., £8 per wpek, and his salary was thereupon reduced by one-half—that is to say, that from having an income of £400 per year it was reduced to £200. The prisoner has a wife and fajni'y. He had then, I think, eight chil- dren. It was about that time that these acts of diahoneety began. The Judge: I understood that they began in 1892. Mr. Williams; No, my lord. I think they began before that. Of course, it is no excuse, but one can well understand the temptations a man may experience, a man who has been living in a certain way, holding a certain position as prisoner had done. There is a difficulty in altering one's mode of life. I don't say it is any justification, but it may to some extent account for the first begin- nings of these acts of dishonesty. Well, in 1894 prisoner was appointed clerk to the Governors of the Intermediate Board Schools. He made an arrangement with them by which he was to provide an office and clerk. Subsequently to this he found that the salary was inadequate to the expenses incurred. It might be asked why did he take it under such circumstances. At this time the scheme was a new one altogether, and it was impossible to estimate what the expenses of such an office were likely to mean. Prisoner was a man very much interested in education. He was also interested years earlier in educational work. About that time there can be no doubt that he gave a great deal of time to that kind of work. Well, in 1895 a temperance club was started in Cardiff. A great many persons came The Judge: Can you tell me what the deficiency was in the Starr-Bcwkett Societies in 1894? Mr. Williams: No, my lord, I can't, I am afraid. The Judge (to Mr. Thomas): Will you ask your accountant? Mr. Thomas: Yes, my lord. Mr. Francis-Williams (continuing): in 1895 a. temperance club was started. It was a club quite in the ordinary sense of the word, except that no intoxicating liquors were to be sold. A lease was taken" and JE150 a year had to be paid in rent. A great many persons professing to be in. terested in the work of temperance gave i their names as persons willing to bear a share of the expenses. The lease was taken in the name of the prisoner. Tho club sub- sequently turned out not to be a suc- cess, and ho (prisoner) was left to bear the whole burden of the expenses, which involved him in a loss of £ 3,000. True, the prisoner's salary had about this J time been increased, but that, I am informed, left a very small surplus for himself. The amount of money involved in this case altogether was very considerable, but the defalcations had extended over a number of years. The matter having begun with small peculations, it fol- lowed that money was- borrowed by prisoner at extravagant rates of interest, till the total sum he owed got to extrava- gant proportions. None of the money appears to have been spent in the way in which large sums are so often spent by prisoners occupying the posi- tion the prisoner is now in. There is no suggestion that there was any gambling either on the turf or on the Stock Exchange. NO VICE OF ANY KIND. There was no vice of any kind; the money appears to have been frittered away in the ways I have endeavoured to indicate. He brought up his large family well. He was very much respected at Cardiff, though it was, of course, not known what the real state of things was. He occupied a prominent position as a leader of the temperance move- ment, and a leader of Nonconformity, and was treated with great consideration and great respect. Innocent children had to suf- fer in this case as well as the guilty. His daughters ha.ve been well brought up and edu- cated and have taken scholarships, and have every prospect of being honourable people in life. In 1904 an Act of Parliament, recently passed, came into operation, transferring the powers of the intermediate education governors to the corporation. and the Car- diff Corporation undertook the duties which had been hitherto discharged by the Cardiff governing body. By this arrange- ment the moneys of the latter body would have to be handed over and accounted for to the corporation. It must be admitted that by that time disclosure was inevitable, and prisoner made a disclosure to one of the governors and explained to him what the state of affairs was. lie would not be .entitled to any credit for tha.t because it was inevitable, but it can he said that he has made every effort to explain tha position to those whoso business it was to examine the accounts. Every assistance in his power had been given to them, and he did re-pay one thousand pounds. How much he would have been able to re-pay if it had not been for the crisis which had been brought about by the Education Act it is, of oourse, impossible to say. The Judge: What W2.,s tho deficicncy set down in his bankruptcy? Mr. Williams: £13,WO. my lord. Mr. Abel Thomas: £14,886. Tha Judgte: That nearly balances the defalcation. Does it not include these two sums? Mr. Williams: Yes, my lord, it includes all that he is charged with. Well, my lord. these are the circumstances connected with this unhappy case. It is a very sad case-sad to those who bear his name, those who up to the time of these disclosures had looked up to him with respect. It is a very serious punishment to have to stand where he dees now. I can't help thinking, too, of the punishment he must have suffered during the years all this was going on, the real agony he suffered when, whilst occupying a position of apparent respectability, ho knew in his own mind that this crisis must come at any moment, and that the position he occupied would be shattered at a blow. In addition to this. there is the punishment that, whereas before he was looked upon with respect and consideration, he never again can lock up among his fellow subjects. These are the considerations I wieh to bring before your lordship, and it is hardly necessary for me to ask yon to fully consider them, and to deal with the prisoner as leniently and as con- sistently with your duty as you can. SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS. The Judge, addressing the prisoner, said: David Shepherd, you have pleaded guilty to eeriou3 and continual frauds. According to your own counsel, these frauds commenced as far back as 1885 as far as the Starr-Bowkett Societies are concerned, beginning in 185S in regard to the governors of the intermediate scheme. Of course, when I look at the large sums of money which have been taken— £ 6,000 in one place and £8,OOQ in another—the punishment I must inflict upon you must necessarily be very severe. Mr. Williams, your counsel, has urged certain grounds before me, but I cannot pay much regard to them. There might be some excuse and some ground for making your offence less grave, but I cannot pay any attention to the fact that you were respected, that you undertook temperance duties, that you took a promi- nent position in this and other matters in your town, because it was only by means of your apparent respectability that you were able to commit tbe;-e frauds. No one would think of passing these accounts, as has been done, but for tho fact that he had absolute trust and confidence in you. I must sentence you to live years in respect of each of these offences, the sentences to run concurrently. There was no scene in court. The prisoner, who had maintained a calm and serious demeanour, was at once removed. FEELING IN COURT. There was a general feeljng in court that the sentence was an extremely light one, but those who were more acquainted with the procedure of the eJurts felt that that would be about the term tho defaulter would have to serve. It approximates the sentence usually passed in serious cases of embezzlement where the prisoner is a first offender. It now remains with Shepherd himself to secure a very substantial reduction of his It now remains with Shepherd himself to secure a very substantial reduction of his sentence. He may possibly be a free man in three years and nine months. Shepherd will, of course, be put to eome kind of hard la,bour-possibly, gardening. Possibly he may be appointed gaol librarian, but more probably he will be directed to take charge of prison accounts; and let it be said that prison auditing is a much more stringent procedure than the ordinary audit- ing of the commercial world. PROPOSED APPEAL FOR REDUCTION OF SENTENCE. Of course, it is nit yet known to which prison Shepherd will be sent to serve his sentence; but this much is certain, that, as a first offender, ho will be kept apart from hardened criminals—a practice which is now prescribed in our penal code. Those who know the and regulations of prison life consider that Shepherd's lot will not be a very hard one. It has already occurred to some of his friends that a couple of years hence an appeal might be made to the Home Office with success for a reduction of the sentence beyond the periods elected for good conduct, but others feel that this would be a false move, and calculated to cause a rcyulsion of fooling against the prisoner. They think it better that he should serve the sentence prescribed by law before he returns to the bosom of his family.

SINGULAR PENSION STORY An interesting case of War Office red- tapeism is being much discus."30ed in Berhn. A man named Wilhelm Noak, a resident of Burg, who took part in the Franco-German war of 1870, was severely wounded in a light with the Franc-Tireurs. He recovered from his wounds, and was sent to Germany. After the war he demanded an invalid's pension, but he was informed that he figured on tho list as dead, and that, therefore, he could not get anything. Noak made one attempt after another to get his pension, but always received the same reply: "Sir, you are dead; you have nothing to receive." Ultimately, and after 33 yea-re, he succeeded in finding the ambulance doctor who attended to him when he was wounded, and it was only after hearing the medical man's testimony that the military authorities decided to officially recognise the existence I of Noak, and grant him a, pension of 32s. 6d. a month. í

CURING CATARRH WITHOUT OPERATION. The Medical Staff of the Dean Drug Co., Limited, London, are opposing the treatment of ca.tarrh by the cutting, burning, and pain- ful methods .regularly adopted by the majority of nose and throat specialists. Leaving out of the question growths, tumours, and polypi. they say catarrhal diseases of the nose and throat simply need a common-sense treat- ment, which can be conducted by correspond- ence, when necessary, in the majority of cases, a.nd as proof they point with pride to hundreds of cured cases in all parts of Great Britain The treatment has also the advan- tage of being low in expense, a fee of 15s. covering the cost of medicines and medical advice for each month's treatment. Those who wish for full particulars and to read the details of a large number of cured cases can obtain complete information by writing to the Secretary, Dean Drug Co., Limited, 10, Marble Arch, London, W. (mentioning "Weekly Mail," Cardiff). The Secretary will also send post free a Form of Questions which will enable patients to present a com- plete description of their ailments and receite free the opinion of the Medical Staff. V444

LOVER'S REVENGE. ¡ DISGRACEFUL LETTERS SENT 1 TO A GIRL. A young fellow named George IIowe, aged 26, described as a. labourer, with no home, was charged at Maryleocno with break- ing a glass window worth &8., and a table worth £3, belonging to Mrs. Mary Anderson, a Scotch lady, residing in a flat at St. Marys-mansions, Paddington. The evidence showed that a. maid named Edith Graham, in the service of the prose- cutrix, kept company with the prisoner up to about two years ago, when the engage- ment was broken off. Of late he had bean sending her letters of a threatening charaC", ter, and when the door-bell was pulled at nine o'clock the previous night she suspected that he was paying her a visit, so she took the precaution not to open tho door. She, however, listened, and hearing his yoice at once recognised who it was and retired. He evidently saw her shadow, and threw a. very large stone through the glass panel of the door. It also smashed a taule. The young woman handed up some letters and post-cards, which, the said, the prisoner had sent to her, and Mr. Curtis-Bennett, having examined them, described their con- tents as "horrible" and "beastly." He noticed also that the prisoner threatened to throw her into tho Thames. When arrested by tho police the prisoner said, SDa should give me my money. I will give her a little mora yet." Replying to tho charge, the prisoner said the young woman had got some money of his, and would not return. it. When he was in South Africa ho sent money to her to mind for him. The young woman's answer to that was that three or four years ago he gave her articles and money as presents. Mr. Curtis-Bennett remarked that there was no mention in the letter about money, but plenty of that which was filthy and threatening. He should remand the prisoner for the doctor at the prison to examine him. The police had better made inquiries, and possibly they might prefer a charge of threat next week.

ESCAPED FROM PRISON. SOUTH AFRICAN'S ADVENTURES. Arthur John Brann, a reapecta-ble-lookir? man, 57 years of agE;, described as an insur- ance agent, of 33, Chancery-lane, was charged at Bow-street on Saturday 'before Mr. Fen- wick), with illicit diamond buying at the Cape, and with breaking out of prison while undergoing punishment for that offence. Chief-inspector Fox, of Scotland Yard, stated that at ten minutea to four o'clock that afternoon he and Detective-sergeant Brown met the prisoner in Museum-street. Sergeant Brown, who knew the prisoner, introduced the latter to him. The witness said, I have a warrant for your arrest for prison-breaking while undergoing a sentence of seven years at Capetown for illicit diamond buying in that colony. Come with me, please." The prisoner went with him to Bow-street, and when the warrant was read to him he admitted that ho was the man wanted. Chief- inspector Fox added that thore coutd bo no doubt as to the prisoner's idetnity, as the marks on his body corresponded exactly with those on the man for whom the warrant wa9 granted. Mr. Fenwick: I suppose you want a remand? Chief-inspector Fox: If you please, sir. The Prisoner (who appeared to be on the point of weeping): I dare say it is out of your power to allow me to remain in England; but I wish to say that my caso was one of the grossest miscarriages of justice in the annals of South African history. It was taken up by the press at tho time, but I was sent to prison to servo my sentence. Since I have been in. England I have—as the officers know—been earfling a. honest livelihood. I have worked for good companies, but I have had to give most of the money I earned to blackmailers. Perhap3 I have no right to question here tho sentence passed upon me, but I should like to tdl you that my case resulted in the law of South Africa being altered. Anything more I may have to say will have to be told to another tribunal. The prisoner was remanded.

THE MYSTERY OF DESTINY. "Hanging and wiving go by destiny," said Shakspeare; and the great poet might have added a whole catalogue of other events equally dependent upon causes over which we exercise little or no control. When, about eight years a-go, Mrs. Warbnr- ton. of No. 1, Broomfield-row, Mold, North Wales, set out upon a short journey, she did so with a definite object in view. But Mrs. Warburton was destined never to accomplish that journey. Read the brief story in tbØ lady's own words aa it appears in a dated June 15th, 1897. "For many years." says Mrs. Warburton. "1 suffered greatly from weakness and indi- gestion. I seemed to be quite without energY, the least exertion being too much for inc. There was a bad taste in my mouth, my appe- tite was poor, and after eating I had pain and tightness at the chest and around the sides. I did not rest well at night, and morning generally found me tired and worn out. "Of oourse, I became low and melancholy; and, this miserable condition lasting for years, I lost all hope of recovery. "A doctor whom I saw from time to time was powerless even to relieve me. One day, while on my way to visit this doctor, I met a lady friend, who was so shocked at seeing me appear 60 ill. She told me of a medicine that had done her much good—Mother Seigel'a Curative Syrup—and strongly advised me to buy a bottle at once and return home with it." Now, if she had started from home ten, minutes earlier, or ten minutes later, than she did, she might not have met her friend. But she did meet her, and accepted her advice; so. clearly, it was her destiny that she should not complete that short journey. "And a happy destiny it proved. Mother Seigel's Syrup acted upon me like a charm- After taking it for a few days, its beneficial effect was very apparent; in fact, I was not like the same woman. "Continuing to take the medicine, I could soon eat well, with no fear of subsequent dis- tress, and was stronger than I had been fof years." Yes; that is just what we should have ex. pected of Mother Seigel's Syrup. It curea rapidly, but none the less thoroughly; for there is now before us another letter from Mrs. Warburton, dated seven years later— that is to say, September 2nd, 1904--whercia she says: "I continue well and strong. Indi. gostion never troubles me now. I eat what 1 please, my health being thoroughly sound." The wisest 4mong us can but do his best and leave the result to Providence. When we are turned aside from a course we have marked out for ourselves, it is oftener for good than for svil. 'w23F