Weekly Mail

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1905. SELECTED INITIALS I T. J., 29. Alban-square, Aberayron. I J. J., saddler, Newcastle Emlyn. D. E., 27, Prospect-street, Aberyst- wyth. H. L., 18, South Marine-terrace, Aber- ystwyth. J. E. L., 28, High-street, Lampeter. J. J., White Hart Inn, Cardigan. J. E., Primrose Cottage, Commincoch, Llanbadarnfawr. J. M., South End, Llanarth. J. N., Sarnau Shop, Sarnau, Henllan. T. E., Penrhiw, Talybont, Cardigan- shire.

LAST WEEK'S CLAIMS. To each of the following a cheque for ti has been sent:— Thomas Luke, 2, Railway-terrace, Henllan. William Morris, Brynotven, Borth. William Williams, 6, Williams-terrace, Cardigan. John Jones, Rhydyceir, Bow-street. Caroline James, Pa darn View, Llan- badarn. Thomas Jones, saddler, &c.. New Quay. Arthur Jones, Lincoln-street, Llandys- sul. Rees Isaac, 2, Forest-lane, Llangybi, Derry-Ormond. Richard Edwards, Capel Seion, Aber- ystwyth.

AT LAST! For many years Wales has been clamour- ing for a National Library and Museum in order to enjoy the same advantages as its sister countries of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The great difficulty that stood in the way of granting its request was the financial one. Where was fhe money necessary to establish and main- tain those two institutions to come from? Welshmen, of course, looked to the Government for financial help, but the Treasury turned a deaf ear to its request." At any rate, it fenced with the question for years, and it was only by bringing all available pressure to bear upon it that a favourable answer was obtained. We have that answer now in the form of an official announcement that the Treasury has agreed to make a contribution towards a National Library and Museum, and that a Committee has been appointed to consider and determine certain pre- liminary questions it is necessary to settle prior to the establishment of these long- deferred institutions. Roughly speaking, I there are four questions which the Com- mittee has to consider—the place where the institutions are to be located, the cose of erection and maintenance, the amount I locally contributed towards those objects, and the management or control of the institutions, it is difficult at present to know how many towns will enter the list for this Government prize. We do iio+ know of one in North Wales which is likely to make a serious bid, and in South Wales the number seems to be no mor-3 than three-Cardiff, Swansea, and Aber- ystwyth. Cardiff will set up a claim for both, and, possibly, will have a full rival in Swansea. Its claim, however, will only be partially contested by Aberyst- ii-yth-in the matter of the National Library alone. It is only fair to Swansea, however, to state that, as yet, it has not expressed any intention to enter the arena, and domestic difficulties may induce it to remain a mere spectator of the trial of skill which is bound to come between Cardiff and Aberystwyth over the library, but not with regard to the museum. The question, naturally, sug- gests itself: Churht the two institutions to I go together, or should they be separated? Every reasonable man will have no hesita- tion in deciding against separation. There is no suggestion that they should be separated in the terms of reference placed before the Governmental Committee. And there is no reason why they should be, and the only demand for their separation comes from a small, but influential, clique whose sympathy and support, for reasons it is hard to discover, have been enlisted on behalf of Aberyst- wyth. Cardiff, of course, maintains that both institutions should be established in one and the same place, and very good reasons may be advanced why that place should be Cardiff itself. It is the largest town in Wales, and the centre of by far the largest population. More than half the population of Wales, in fact, live outside its walls-unqer its very shadow, so to speak. Virtually, it is the capital of Wales, and when the time comes to fix the Metropolis its claims to that honour cannot possibly be overlooked. Now, such institutions as a National Library and Museum belong by right to the capital town of a country. It is there people naturally look for them. More- over, there is in the case of Cardiff ",he additional reason of population. Great national institutions are meant for the masses, for the use of the majority of the people, not for a select few. But it must be evident that this object cannot be served in connection with the Welsh National Library if it is placed far from the people in an obscure corner on the Cardiganshire coast. Other reasons might be advanced in favour of Cardiff 5i-s the site, but these should suffice for aJI reasonable purposes.

— » SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD." The question of administering corporal punishment in elementary schools has cropped up once again, and its pros and cons are discussed in the daily press with considerable spirit. The strongest oppo- nent of the cane is a lady of great educa- tional experience, and it must be admitted that her objections carry much weight. Possibly the members of the Humanitarian League endorse her views, and there may be other people, also, who believe that discipline is-possible without the aid of the cane. But the vast majority of teachers believe otherwise. It is only fair, however, to say that they do not use the cane from choice, but neces- sity. They look upon it as a necessary evil. And their views are founded upon experience—the experience, that is, of generations gone before, and that which they themselves have gleaned in the field of teaching. The teacher in school stands to uie child in the light of a parent. Now, i:, most English and TVeU-h homes the rod is a v.meraMo institution, and no parent h<^i to use if when necessity) cat; finds fault with a father r- mother who uses the rod with wisdom I aid reason, and he would be a bold iiian said that anyone who has known the rnd in his early years is any the worse lor it when he arrives at man's estate. On the contrary, the experience of most ¡ people is that which is pithily expressed in the familiar saying.^ Spare the rod and spoil the child." Now, if the rod is j found to be useful and beneficial in the I home it cannot he anything e).se in the schoolroom. And if the teacher, as we l ave just stated, stands in the place of a parent to the children under his charge, there is every reason why he should bo, allowed a judicious use of the rod or the cane. Its n-e may be dispensed with, no doubt, in some schools. It is easy for a teacher who has under his or her care only a small number of scholars to main- tain discipline without an appeal to cor- poral punishment of any kind. But the teacher who can manage a class of fifty or sixty boys-many of them young hooli- gans—in our large towns without the cane is not yet born. We are told that the cane is excluded from the schoolroom in some countries. That may be the case, but the conditions under which school, are conducted in those countries must be verv different from those which obtain in I F-island and Wales, or else human nature is different. The objection to the rod is not founded upon reason, but sentimen- tal ism. a kind of idea that- corpora! punishment k< '-ps the lad m a state of slavish fi-'ar, lowers him in his own esti- mptjon. and t^nds to destroy his manly feelings and se It-respect. It does nothing mptjon. and t^nds to destroy his manly feelings and se It-respect. It does nothing of the lend. The rod is in constant and frequent u^c in all the great public schools nf England, and. it would be difficult to frequent \)"C in all the great public schools I nf England, and it would be difficult to find n better race of men than are i?irn«d out from those institutions. Indeed, the rod is much more frequently appe^ed to in our great public schools than ih, our elementary schools. Welsh education authorities have a doai to learn as yet in regard to the work of conducting schools and the use of the cane in education. No one who has had any experience of English public school life is likely to object to the nse to which the rod is put in toe^leraen- ta«r scboofc Ct Wftfea,

LONDON LETTER. 'A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDON, Thursday. Fortunately for the thousands of spec- tators who lined the route from Bucking- ham Palace to St. Stephen's on Tuesday, the rain, which early in the morning J threatened to spoil the magnificent pageant, held up, and the State proces- sion was carried out with all that gorgeous ceremonial and display of magnificent costume which characterised it when his Majesty first opened Parliament. There J was not one disturbing factor in the great regal function. The unemployed, who had threatened to mar the harmony of the occasion, were pacified by a distinct'pledge in the Royal Speech that their wrongs would be carefully considered and legis- lation submitted. No untoward hitch, either in the Lords or at the Palace, dis- turbed the time-table, and had not the new Black Rod in demanding the atten- dance of the Commoners to hear his Majesty's Speech from the Throne stumbled in his task the opening proceed- ings would have been without incident. Their Majesties were most enthusiasti- cally cheered as they were driven along in the massive State coach, drawn by eight creain-colcured horses. THEIR MAJESTIES. His Majesty, who, as is customary, wore a field-marshal's uniform, looked remarkably well, and was manifestly delighted with the reception which his subjects accorded him. The Queen, who wore a small crown on her head and an ermine robe over her shoulders, has never been seen to greater advantage. The hand of Time does not seem to touch the person of the Queen. She looked younger than many of the Royal persons of half her years, and she moved with a buoyancy and charm which is peculiarly her own. As she sat by the King on the Throne her Majesty was a veritable picture in her rich dress of dark blue, sparkling with jewelled Orders, and crossed with a Ribbon of the Garter just visible under the robe of purple and ermine. She was a fit subject for the pencil of the greatest artist. The peers and peeresses attended in great numbers, and their State carriages were objects of wonder and admiration to many who have not before seen these wonderful vehicles. The quaint State uniforms of the coachmen and footmen are always objects of admira- tion, and on Tuesday, whether on account of the favourable atmospheric conditions or not, they were seen in greater variety than at any previous function. The Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the. Royal Family preceded the King and Queen by a few minutes, and were most heartily cheered as their procession moved along. BLACK ROD STRIKES HORROR. Some delay was occasioned in the sum- moning of the faithful Commons to the Lords. Admiral Sir H. F. Stevenson had evidently not been properly coached in his now duties, and, like his predecessor, his debut in the Lower House was not a suc- cess. It is the duty of Black Rod to march with stately tread from one House to the other, and as his approach is noted the Serjeant-at-Arms closes and locks the door before he can reach it. Black Rod has then to tap on the door thrice, with a distinct interval between each tap, in order to demand admittance. Sir Henry used the rod, but he plied it with such force and as rapidly as if he were using an ordinary street knocker— a proceeding which caused the faithful old attendants to gasp and almost faint with horror. On the door being opened Black Rod has to walk up the centre of the floor, and in the name of the King demand the Commons to attend the Upper House. The fine old British admiral, with many a hard battle behind him, was manifestly uneasy with this part of his task, and, instead of marching with stately stride up the centre of the floor, he hurriedly advanced and made as though he were foing to shake the Speaker by the hand. Ir. Herbert Gladstone put him in the proper position to address the Speaker, but what he said will ever remain a mystery, for the terms could not be heard. However, with a smile the Speaker came down from the chair and joined him. The leaders from either side Front Bench fell into line, and the Commons thus made their way to the Upper House. THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. The Speech, which wa.s read by the King, who sat on the Throne and wore bis field-marshal's hat, was delivered in a clear voice and with a quiet emphasis. After he had read the Speech the King removed his hat, and giving his hand to the Queen, led her from the Chamber. The Speech has given general satisfaction. It came as a surprise to many to find that the subject of redistribution was given the first place, even though the Government did not promise to legislate this session upon it. It was also a matter for satis- faction that the 'subject of the unemployed is to be dealt with, and that the Government ha.ve not burdened them- selves with a programme which they &re unable to carry out. RADICAL CHANGE OF FRONT. A remarkable transformation has taken place. The Radicals cannot now see why the Government should not continue in offioe for the Tost of the session.. They have reckoned their fo-rces, they have seen the Unionists in attendance, have conversed with them, and they see no reason why Mr. Balfour and his colleagues should not so long as they desire retain their majority intact. Only two days ago » prominent Radical was prepared to bet large sums that the Government would be out in six weeks, and that Mr. Lloyd- George by that time would be at the Local Government Board. Now he says: "I was a fed* Tho Government will not be out in six weeks. I see no reason why it should not go right through the session and dissolve at will." This was an English Radical- A Welsh Radical with whom I conversed expressed exactly the same view, and when I say that he was one of the many mentioned as likely to take office in the next Liberal Government his view is worth something. WELSH MEMBERS IN FORCE. The Wtdsh Radicals attended in force on Tuesday. They not only held th<-ir sessional meeting, but were pm-^nt to oh#^r Mr. Tom Richards as he tooi his scat for the STat time. The two t;t-nny petrels of the Liberal party—Mr. T ■' d-George and Mr. Winston Churchill- side by side on the second bench 1h the Gangway, with Sir Alfred Thomas on t.heir imme- diate left. The memb» ■ far Carnarvon is much stouter than b. five months ago. He has, I hear, ried 13ib. to his weight during the rrc- a" change for the better. Mr. W: Churchill, on the ether hand, looks "worn. but- his mannor shows all that • ncity which has distinguished him ever KUKV he entered St. Stephen's. Mr. To' Richards was I introduced to the Hous-* by Mr. Lulu Harcourt and Mabon." Later in tho day" Mabon" introduced his colleague to Sir HpJ"lry Campbell-Bannerman, who I personally congratulated him on his elec-j tion. M' Tom Richards showed not the lea.vu sign of uneasiness p.s he inarched up the floor, amidst cheers from both Enszli^h and Welsh Radicals, with hands | behiod him. But lie was with non-j chalance presented, and went through the formalities of swearing with all tho~calm- ness of an old stager. RNTRY OF THE MINISTERS- Whilst the new members who have been elccted during the recess were being bworn hi the Ministers entered at dif- ferent periods, and were heartily cheered by their flowers. The Prime Minister caine m for a v<>ry enthusiastic demon- stration. Though i have seen Mr. Balfour looking more robust, he was, apparently, quite well, and certainly he showed in his speech a grit and deter- ndna1 ion which gi'eatly delighted Lhe Unionists present. Mr. Chamberlain, on the othnr hand, seemed somewhat feeble. His gait lacked that elasticity which it possessed last 1 seat:ion but he was mercurial enough us he he-Id a levee of his friends at his seso, 1x:J,;w the Gang- way. When he enter; I the Irish party did not this year iin'-i'^e in any caustic comments. Mr. Tim Healy wa^ a notable jabsentee from this hod", but Mr. John Redmond was surrounded by many of hip followers* &1d if å;, flridect thst the Irish -tean t.rou\1& iú ti:" eapnrjg M'Tsion.

MEETING OF THE BARRY COMMITTEE, The monthly meeting of the education com- mittee of the Barry District Council was held on Monday afternoon, under tba chairman- ship of the Rev. Ben. Evans. The minutes of a special meeting of the managers of St. Helen's School showed that the Board of Education required the managers to forward a sta.tement of the precise nature and grounds of the complaints of the managers against the education authority as to their alleged failure in their duty to main- tain and keep efficient St. Helen's School. This information was asked for as the Board considered it might be necessary for further action to b3 taken in the matter. The decision of the managers was to ask the chairman (the Rev. J. Byrne) to forward specific answers to the communication. A discussion took place in which opinions were expressed that the managers, and not the chairman, should draw up the reply, and it was resolved to inform the Board of Educa- tion that the reply was formulated by tha chairman, and not submitted to the managers before it was sent. Mr. Gwyn Morris, B.A.L., tendered his resignation as mana-ger of St. Helen's School, and complained of the discourteous manner in which he had been treated by that body. Mr. J. Milward: Mr. Morris's resignation will not make the slightest difference, becausa he has only attended one meeting. The resignation was accepted, and the appointment to fill the vacancy was referred to the education authority. Mr. J. C. Meggiti, J.P., pointed out that during the past year a larger amount of material had been supplied to St. Helen's School (infants' department) than to any other school. The cost of the material at this school was equal to 6s. 5id. per scholar, compared with 5s. B-Id. at Holton-road Infants' School, and Is. 9d..at Hannah-street. He hoped this would be mentioned when they replied to the Board of Education. The chairman, Messrs. J. C. Meggitt and J. A. Manaton, the Rev. T. Pandy John, and Messrs. Gwyn Morris and W. J. Williams were appointed to prepare a reply to be sent to the Board of Education in answer to certain complaints made by the managers of St. Helen's School with regard to staffing, &c. A bub-committee was appointed to make inquiries into the number of unfed children in the schools, and Mr. Manaton made an appeal to the public to send boots to the headteachers for children who were prac- tically without foofrm^kr. The Barry District Nursing Association wrote stating that they had' appointed Miss Payne to visit the schools and attend to small ailments. The Chairman, as one of the sub-committee appointed to make temporary arrangements for the staffing of Bt. Helen's School, denied that they had }:¡cell insulting to any of the teachers, but throughout they had acted in a considerate, upright, and consistent manner. In reply to Mr- J. H. Jose, the Chairman admitted that the Taff Vale decision was mentioned to the teachers. MIDNIGHT MEETING OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY. The monthly meeting of the Barry District Council did not conclude untdl after mid- night on Tuesday, when, a special meeting of the council as the local education authority wm held, Mr. J- C. Meggdtt presiding. The Chairman reported that twenty-two applications had. been senit up by the educa- tion committee for positions on the staff of t'he St. Helen's Roman Catholic Schools, to take the pla/ces of the assistants who had signed in consequence of the reductions in saJaries. The Rev. Benjamin Evans moved the adop- tion. of the report, and said that with one exception tiie whole of the staff could be appointed, according to the instructions of the council. Mr. J. A. MaJiiaiton eecocided, remarking that with the list of applications before them the managers could staff the school as well as some of we council schools. On the proposiftiion of Mr. W. J. Williams, it was resolved to request tiho managers to appoint teachers from the list of candida-tos before the next meeting of the education committee, according to the number, quaJi- flcatims, and salary specified by the coupon. Mr. J. M.iUwa'rd said this was only a more on the part of the authority in view of the visit of Mr. Lloyd-George, M.P., to Barry next I Saturday. Mr. J. H. Jose, one of the managers of St. Helen's Schools, said at the last meeting the managers had no applications from qualified candidate, before them- They had, therefore, no alternative but to re-appoint the retiring teaoliers, and it was hardly likely that they were going to dismiss them now. He was sorry to find in the list of candidates a local teacher who, apparently, was prepared to allow herself to he manipulated by the educa- tion committee as a free labourer, to the detriment of otiheir teachers who would ba superseded. Mr. Millward: There is a great deal of scheming and very low play going on by the committee. The Rev. B. Evans: To us it is a matter of, conscience. We are not prepared to allow the rates to be used for the teaching of a religion which, has caused the downfall of j every country in whicl1 it has found a foot- hold. The report was adopted. The Chairman then intimated that the council would consider tihe letter from Mr. J. A. Hughes, solicitor, on behalf of Mrs. Florence G. Janes, one o,f the assistant teachers at Sot. Helen's Schools, who had applied for the payment of 25s., the balance I of salary for Laat month which, she alleged was due to her upon the rate of salary in vogue before the reduction took place. The vogue before the reduction took place. The matter by some means or other had already I —nam—gnroiLmiiiiimmuu——nmaM—n^—a— ■appeared in the "Western Mail," but he that the discussion should now take place in private. The matter must be dscid-ed tha,t night, as Mr. Hughe3 had asked fcr a reply by the following day (Wednesday). Mr. J. H. Jose objected to the matter being considered in camera, but the suggestion was agreed to, and we umi-erstand that it was decided to repudiate liability with regard to the claim. Legal proceedings will, therefore, be taken on behalf of Mrs. Jones for the recovery of I the amount, and the action will be he-ard at the next Barry County-court. CARMARTHENSHIRE AND THE NO- RATE POLICY. A monthly meeting of the Carmarthenshire Education Committee was held at Carmar- then on Thursday, Mr. Henry Jones-Davies, Glynciddan, presiding. Mr. H. J. Thomas, Llanfynydd, asked whether money had been levied or used out of the rates for the purpose of maintaining voluntary schools. The Clerk said the treasurer stated that the amount of grants that had been earned up to the present time was more than the expenditure hitherto on the maintenance of voluntary schools. Mr. Mabon Davies, Llansawdde: Where is Professor Jones now? A Member Oh, we have Towyn Jones yet. (Laughter.) The Chairman: As it is we are on the safe side, so we will proceed with business. I (Hoar, hear.) COMPLAINT FROM TENBY PARO- j CHIAL SCHOOLS. At a meeting of the managers of the Tenby Parochial Sohools. Mr. John Leach, J.P.. in chair, a memorial from the heed teachers and assistants of the girls' and infanta' departments, complaining of the irregular pa.yment of their salaries was read. The tea oh erst-ated that the salaries due to them oa the 24th of January had not been paid. It was decided that, the memorial be for- warded to the Pembrokeshire Education Com- mittee.

I AN EDUCATION INQUIRY. CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNCIL AND DRAFT FINAL ORDERS. An inquiry was held on Monday at Abel" nant Schoolroom, Carmarthenshire, by Mr. Selby Bigge, of the Education Department, with a view to the making of a final order as to the future management of the Aber- nant National School. It was held at the instance of the Carmarthenshire County Council, who alleged that the school had been built and maintained largely at the expense of Nonconformists, and that iNon- conformigtg had had a share in the manage- ment in the past. Mr. J. W. Nicholas, ciens of tihio county council, appeared for body; the National Society were represented by Mr. Ed warden Jones, barristcr-a,t-lav>r, an Mr. R. M. Thomas, solicitor, Carmarthen, attended on behalf of the St. Davids uio- cesan Association of Schools.. f Evidence was given by Mr. David Davies, ot Tesant, who spoke chiefly as to the contri- butions of Nonconformists to the building fund about the year 1871, when the school was built, and as to the voluntary rate by which the school was, in part, supported. It appeared that he, being a Nonconformist, had himself subscribed Is. to the building fund—(laughter)—and, when he thought fit, had pa-id a voluntary rate to the extent of lid. yearly. (Laughter.) Mr. David Bow en, who was maeter of the school from 1887 to 1897, said that Noncon- formists had during the whole of that period taken part in the management of the school, and tha,t Mr. Morgan, the late vic-ar, had said that so long as the parishioners" main- tained the school he did not object to their managing it. The witness added that no teaching in the distinctive doctrines of the Church of England was given by him, the vicar havincr told him thai- if he taught Churoh doctrines the N onoonformiste would stop their subscriptions. Mr. William Williams, who was master of the school at a later period, gave evidence to the same effect. It a-ppeared that he had been a Churohmian during the time that he held office at the school, but had since become a Nonconformist. The inquiry was tidjoarncd, no date being fixed for its resumption. INQUIRY IN RADNORSHIRE. A public inquiry was held on Tuesday at Bcguildy. Radnorshire, by Mr. Selby Bigge, of the Board of Education, with reference to the draft final order for the foundation managers for Beguiidy Church School. Mr. Evan R. Davies (Pwllheli) was present 011 behalf of the Radnorshire County Council, and the National Society was represented by Mr. Edvvardes Jones, barrister, London. In support of the applciation for the vary- ing of the order evidence was called which went to show that at the time of the building of the school a 7W. voluntary rate was levied. A voluntary rate of 2d. or 3d. in the £ has been levied from time to time since, and these rates have been paid by parishioners, irrespective of sect. It was also alleged that four Nonconformists have at one time and another held seats upon the beard of manage- ment-, and that denominational religious instruction has not always been given in the schools. Mr. Edwardes Jones also called evidence. The 7Jd. rata was not denied. The subse- quent rates were stated to have been very occasional, and the amounts realised small. With regard to the Nonconformist managers, it was contended that they became Noncon- formists subsequent to appointment, and the present vicar denied all knowledge of their Nonconformity. It was also contended that definite Church teaching had been given in the school since its erection. A similar inquiry is being held at Glades- trey to-day (Wednesday). BARRY SEAMEN'S CTRfjRcjL I

-,Ji A QUESTI01 nF TITLE REMARKABLE biBBf►KESHI.RE CJ £ At, Ilaverfordwes: Oo-iity cor'* on Tuesday Cso. (before his Houoor J-- — "Wil- son, Si, Trebau £ •< 'mer, Porth. engaged at a co -r sued >wen Nicholas, Ho>ttifass-street, F >lg arc? t" recover posses- sion of the dW".l:n;'<)n known a, the Golden Lion, wi gai^e-n 'ad preirimex, in Kottifass-street, ishg iar<l. Plaintiff also claimed £ 26 dam' m. Define it pleaded the Statut of Limit ions. Mr. >• >.r!ay Samson (instructed by M *-vy .T. Jones was for tho pla'nt.iff; and >u leufer ThoTu s (instructed by Mr. W. T. 9. -.m;w) f?r th- defend art. The plaintiff livet oat. of the district, and although his fa-th* died in 1Rjj. be did not discover his tuic- t the puperty till 1377, and since then, It t) the present LIDO, he hi. 1 been making nvestigxious. The last rent was paid to ae hu~ .and of plaintiff p great-aunt—a Mr. irown-at the end of 1880. Mr. Brown mar-i- i a- SiI'.ond wife, who fiur. vived him. iu-J r^.ye evil nee in court, an to the payment. úrhell ile plaintiff had satis- fled him-e; as to his title he went to the then oor r1 :vr—r^-uda.nt's predecessor, a Mary A., ar>-r» t-üt her to pay 18. 6d. on account I)i' rent in 39"/ His Honour upheld the pr y-Ci'-nv,Of rept en IBaO, and the only question at >eue whether the alleged paynunt m 1537 "-a", a valid one. The Nt" was further i ,d by the fact th?t Mary dlrn the teuant. made a ,x-n- veyau: <„t the Proi-^Ky to one Robert Lewis, who into partial occupation. It was boliL by vto deforuwiit that this conveyance j was ral.-?. and that Robert Lewis was the owm-r ij the pr1>erty Gwen Nicholas being hit tor-ftt -Hia a<. QJ, gavo a verdict for t.i dc'nr.■•«;(.

,'1,(1 a say Q*r:.r7" Bvs5?'Qu 'ne R'<-t«Ts is 1,-r JVtroay t<n WwUu^W, chett, AJW o "plewncag i ^osnesa. *ien to. j*, a*, fid, «aoh. veil

W ELSE MEN AiUlOA]); NEWS OF OUR COFNTRYMEN FROM HOME. CAPE TOWN. AN TNTBRFSfTlXO WELSH WED DINT The first marriage at the Welsh undenomi- national Church, Y.M.C.A.. took place on January 21. v her. Mr. P. M. Evans (of the firm of Evans and How) and Miss Jennie Davies, (ate of Lia-ndilo, were the parties. The Rev. (iwynfryn Jones and the K-ev. Benjamin hvans officiated, and Mr. Duwnier raided aL th:> organ. The bride, who was nri^en away by her brother, Mr. Alcwyn Da-iei, looked very pretty in a T^bite silk dress, and she wore a white chiffon hat a,nd carried a shower bo_uquet of white flo-wers. She was a-ccoro- pained by Mise Smith, who v,as gowned in jv ruve muslin and -wore a Mack ohip hat trimmed with black and pLk roses. Mr I Bar.ou Evans acted man. A r: urn-bev of Welsh friend., wr<> present a he ceremony and afterwards at tho rece; Hon Trnj!;ir^r:tk'e brother at the Y.M The health and prosperity 0f the happy !> wens Propped by the R,iv. GwTlifryn J- •. The bev. Benjajum Evans, Messrs- H M. Lshc,i, and R. O. Wynn liob^rt tU 'at'r duplies health of the parents. Mr. Elias also ga-. bardie. «ddi*»*. ^.fter singi™, Fon. wlad fv vhadau," Mr. and Mrs. {eft en ro^!> for Galeaor.. Mr. Evan* alwa.ys been a prominent member of th* Canbriau Safety acting for pome years as tr<"iSnrcr. He is also a manager of uhe Welsh Church.

BARRY SEAMEN'S CHURCH. A GENEROUS ~G1FT OF £ 500 FOR SATU'HS. I An anouymoris donor ha.? >.en; £ 500 towards the Saamei's Oliurch a netit-nte, which it is pro{k*l lo bm1,-1 ilia y-ar at j Barry Dock in oonn-J Won w<?H MISCK-U to Soamen Society, t>" whioh '.he Esv. H JV H. Coombea, Ponarth is the loc 1 r^p evn- tative at Barry. An r mira! ;te na?- r('f'n secured close to Iiarr\ Oook ► 'on, aud tho building will include* sailor inrefo, '"•a-'I- ing and entertain men' room ¡c;" officers and men, &c. If funds peirmit of its being erected this year, it will form a fitting I memorial of our great naval hero Nelson, who fell a,t Trafalgar on October 21,1805. This WNSUS H-OA-RTILY SUPPORTED, BY THE LATE Bishop of Ll-andaty, who g-ave £1.°0 tof*r»n-ds it. The foLlov ing donations have also i*xeu re- ceived or promised:—'Lord ""iadsor. £7.0; Mrs. .huner. £150: 3.nd Mr. H.e" !'J' Kadeliffe, £ 100. Over £ 2,000 is st-ill n-cede*- *.•> complete th* building, but in nuch a. i ■ 'hbouriiood this effort for the good of soaf',rin2 m-cn should not faii to wln ^ppor; ir-d the amount needed will, it js j10>ped, 1' *°°n forthcom- ing The treasurer of the v.iliiina; fund is Mr. R. A. Sprent, National i'covinciai Bank. Barry. I

COMING MOON ECLIPSE, An PclipFc of the moon yriU take n!ace nexj I Sunday, when the shadow of the- earth wil! 'he plaJl"ly ^ihie on the surface of her sated'. Ititc. The eclipse will begin ;>» 5.54 pja., and i ■by sevem o'oJock half eurfaoru^ the tJKKm will be dKrkoned, j

KING'S SPEECH. BRILLIANT CEREMONY AT ST. STEPHEN'S. No diminution is observable in the friendly rivalry among the members of the House of Commona to secure first place for the opening of a new session. There was quite a batch of arrivals on the stroke of midnight, including Sir G. Bart- ley, Mr. Louis Sinclair, Mr. T. C. Taylor, Mr. M'Crae, Dr. iihipman. Sir E. Durning- Lawreaice, Major Lvans-Gordon, and Mr. Ca-th- cart Wason. 'These were early enough, but they were beaten by a full hour. Mr. Macdona, who has often before secured pride of place, arrived at eleven o'clock on Monday night. With the arrival of Mr. I,yell, Mr. Vaughan Davies, and others at 7.10, a continuous flow of members bet in, and at nine o'clock the roll of those who had secured their seats was Quite a formidable one. Many of the early members were accompanied by ladies, who entered the Chamber, peeped into the mysterious dispatch-boxes on the ta,ble, and even took their scat,,3 on the green benches. Shortly before eleven a party of Yeomen of the Guard arrived at the House, and, under the guidance of Inspector Seuntlebury, of the House of Commons Police, and Inspector Palmer, of the House of Lords Police, made a, thorough search of the vaults beneath both Chambers. Considerable crowds occupied the route from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords to witness tho Royal procession. Troops of various regiments anH police kept the line of route. The weather was some- what duli, but there was an entire aosence of rain. His Majesty wore the uniform of a field-marshal, and the Queen had a splendid ermine cape and small! diamond crown fastened in her hair. At a walking pace and with most striking effect the brilliant pageant passed down the Mall, to the accompaniment of much cheering! across the Horse Guards' Parade into White. hall and Parliament-street, and thence to Westminster Palace. In the House of Lords the scene was a most brilliant oner—peers, peeresses, judges, bishops, and ambassadors being attired in resplendent official costumes The Strangers' G-aHery behind the peers' seats was reserved for members of the House of Commons, others of whom gathered down- sta.irs in the s-pace at Joadl side of the Bar, Still another detaohment of elected lee-i^. latora subsequently attended the Speaker hen he was escorted by Black Rod to the Bar of the Upper House to hear the read- ing of the King's Speech. When the King and Queen, in Boyal robes, entered hand-in-hand they were attended by a splendid array of Court func- tionaries and State officials, who oarried various symbols of Qovorcigrity Alter the King had taken his seat his Ma-jesty put on his plumed hat, and, retain-* in.g hie eeat began to Nad his Speech, every word of which was distinctly heard by a.U present. u MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN- + My relatione with foreign Powers continue to be of a friendly description. It gave me particular satisfaction to recede as my guesta durmg utumn the King and Queen of Portugal a untry which has for centuries been ocm- rtW Z B by ties of the doe-est friendship. W £ U" has been in progress ednoe lebruary last between Russia and Japan unaappily continues. My Government have been uaroiul to observe in the strictest manner t_ie obligations incumbent uixwi a neutral Power. The condition of the Balkan Peninsula continues to give cause for anxiety. The me-ac-ares adopted at the instance of the Aus^ro-iiung-arian and Russian Governments have fcee-n inehnxruental in bringing about some amelioration of the state of the dis- tur-bed districts. Progress has notably been made in th.e re-organisation of the gendarmerie, to which officers belonging to my Army havo contributed valuable assis- tance. These measures have Sltill to be supplemented by radical re-forms, especially of thu financial system, before any per. ma-nenfc improvements can be effected in the administra-tion of these provinces of tbe Turkish Empire. I note with satisfaction that the Austro- Lungaria.n and Rnseian Governments have ately addressed to the Porte proposals for this purpose. My Government is in com- muni cation with those of the other Powers mainly concerned upon this important subject. The Convention entered into between my Government and that of the French Republic for the a-in-ioabl-e settlement of questions involving the interests of both oountries has been approved by the French Legislature and duly ratified. It will I believe, operate in a manner advam,tageous to both countries, while it cannot fail to strengthen the friendly relations which so happily subsist between them. Agreements under which international au-estions of a certain class will be referred toa.rbit1"a.tion have been concluded between my Government and the Governments of lan^a -Nw^y. Portugal, and Switzer- MY Government has also come to an aereement with that of Russia, under whioh. an International Commission of t>S^' a^bled in ^ormity with the P Ueiples of The Hague Conyem-aon of 1899 £ as been ^trusted with th-8 duty of inves- t-saiang the circumstan-^ eonneoted with ^e disaster to Briusn trawlers which resulted from the action of the Russian in? North Sea, and of apportion- inoiderrt re6ponsibillty for deplorable a i^i*Ltep? ?? he -for establishing repnesentative Constitution in the Trana- vaal receiving the earnest considera- my Government and of those ad- manistering the Colony, and will, I hope, result in substantial progress tovvards the ultimate goal of complete self-government. An agreeme71t the provisions of which are calculated to Place tho relations of the Tibetan Government and the Government of India. on a- satisfactory footing was con- cluded at Lhassa on the 7th of September. The great difficulties which the mission encountered woj-e brilliantly surmounted by the civil and military authorities re- sponsible for its conduct. The Chinese Government htwe sent & Commissioner to Calcutta to 11 Mjotiate a convention of adheeion on their part to the agreement with the Tibetan Government. papers on the subject have been laid before you. The Ameer 01 Afghanistan has sent his son, the Sirdar Inavatulla. to pay a com- plimentary visit to tho Viooroy and Governor-G3I1€rai of India at Calcutta. and a high ofllcer of the Government of India has been deputed to Cabul to discuss with hi'3 Highn-ess tbe AMclr questions affectine the relations of the Covernm-snts. A situation has arisen connected with the administration of the property belonging certain ecclesiastical bodies in Scotland With a intervention finch n Ji t0 T consideration of ™tSure' appointed Commis- sioners, who are engaged in malrine an cS'Tnd111^ al1 the circumstaji^eg cf the enable you to frame suoh proposals as will, I trufet, t^nd ot the eceie- w icio, promotion of pe«a-r^ and gooi-wiH. OPTHK EOUAE OF COMMONS The Efr^nia-tes for the service of the tng year eill be )ai<i before you. They have been framed with the utmost economy admn of tilA Present time MY LORDS AND CEiYTLKMEN Your attention will bo diWotrt to pro- Poaik for dinuiushing the anomalies in the r-eo^t arrangeineut of electoral areas wh.ion are lately due to the growth aid mov.c,m,),L of VVUVM™ in recent year,. ™ nnU^ ^i!s arising out of alien immigration iir.o the Fm'red TTinn- dom will be laid befor IiC^islartaon will :hn.u..j tl,e «st»biiaiimen.t of oU.orities with th^ nu^^on of the imeSoyti have not-iced, with. profonnT^ST'aT1d sympathy, the at t.o.rm.i.1 r.g.or, And N»en caused by ,.k"# w^aoh bst8 rliivin thfl, wajit of employment- flu.ins, the 'flw-i.' wmAer. Arranwrmntfl of a trmp'>rary Arrangement* to mM the diffi,, Ity T now to provide machin«rv r expedieurt. You ha-vo already partialv oomsidered provsiions for amending 1 r,„ f wnnio«rea t,, education in be brought l^foreTon W'dl A Bill to amend andi rf^^ «r Compensation Act ttn h, t ^rkrnen b yc-ur conflidvn-vtion submitted for of you. I Commerce and Industry v.-iH be laid before YOU, Biils wiL also be introi'nced for amending V to valuation authoriti and the PT.dure for making valuations, or consolida1 the enactments relating to naval prizeg wai% for amcn^ )Tlg fche !a-w reJatin? tw> notificatio f industrial aecidente, fo, -be renevraa of Agricultural Rates Act-. ,nd other t«mpor- ary Acts a feting or1 -in clashes of rate- pa.vers. prf-> f!r noB t.he adultera- tion of Dii-ter, and for the aanendment of the jaw wit-n rcv;ar<j to caies staged fon- the Orrt of i CaMi3 served. j 7 /'TdJlilt Provif,<?"fC ma'y guide all! l^ie V,ticns for th° 8°°d of my A reading of the Kp^h the A reading of the Kp^h the Roya] P'ions were aga-in formed, a-nd the Roya't,l!^ Withdrew in iuil BUtte—first tbe Kia a vneen, and then the Prince and j PrJjM>0S^ ^'ales. Hie other Royalties present I were Obzaetii&a and 424mr

a— WEEK BY WEEK i LIGHTER SIDE OF CURRENT EVENTS. Are you a Catholic?" a man was asked in Huddersfield Police-court. No; I am Welsh," was the reply. It was elicited aftar some time that he was a Wesleyan. The entrance to The Plas, Llanstepban, the residence of Sir John Williams, Bart., is guarded by two formidable-looking dragons of the pure Welsh type. A new terror has been added to the police- man's unhappy lot in Glamorgan. Shrill screams were heard in Judge Gwilym Wil- liams's court. The judge called a policeman and said Go and see what that child wants. Some soothing syrup, I expect." A sturdy old couple in Pembrokeshire, not much over 70 years of age, have worthily carried out the Scriptural injunction "to multipiy and replenish the earth." Thcii descendants number fifteen children, 4i grand-children, and nine great-grand- children. There was a dramatic coincidence in conneo tion with an oratorio performance at Ponty- pool. While the choir was singing Take Him Away" a few of the concert officials were engaged in trying to put cut a drunken man who had entered the hall and made himself objectionable. Mr. R. Peel Price, the Carmarthenshire county treasurer, says tha.t two of his aunts lived at Bank House, Lampeter, for about 30 years, and never heard any unusual noises there. He himself had occupied the par- ticular room (now &aid to be haunted) for three months at a. stretch. Sir John Llewelyn never loses time. Imme- diately it was made known that the National Library and Museum were to go to the highest bidder among the towns of Wales Sir John telegraphed the Mayor of Swansea to count on a cheque for Ll,000 as a nucleus for the Swansea, bid. Now, then, Cardiff, do you "pass" Sir John's call? So ma-ny words in English signify the same thing that some witnesses get weary in the box. A witness under cross-examination in Crickhowell was asked if he saw a constable on the scene. Yes, he saw someone. "But did you see a constable?" "I don't know a.bout a constable," was the reply, "but I saw a policeman." Mr. J. R. Griffiths, Mus. Bac., who has re- signed his position as organist at tho ell- known Congregationa.1 Chapel, Christ Church, Westminster, owing to the ill-health of his wife, is a native of Flints-hire, and was a church organist at the early a.ge of thirtoeu. He occupied the poet he ha.3 just resigned foi 24 years. A magnificent meteor was seen at YVhit, church, Glamorgan, on Saturday evening about 10.30. It was fairly low down in the south, to the south-east of the constella- tion Leo, and moved slowly from east io west. The head was brighter than the moon, of an electric white, followed by an intense blue, and terminated by a red tail fading off to invisibility. Mr. T. W. Phillips, B.A., the headmaetei of Newport Intermediate School, who hai just been appointed inspector of secondary schools under the Board of Education, is ar old Llandovery boy—a school which has given not only Wales, but also England, soma excellent teachers. Newport School is one of the best organised secondary schools in the kingdom, and this promotion of the heaQ. master reflects credit on the school. Raihvaymeu are always ready to assist an unfortunate comrade. One of the station foremen at the Cardiff Great Western Rail. way Station has been ill in bed for six months, and is not likely to be well enough to resume work for several months more. So the other railwaymen at once buckled toOl and they are now organising a concert al Wood-street Chapel for next Tuesday week which can be recommended to the sympathy of our readers. A kind of double double" case came before Judge Gwilym Williams at Merthyr a couple of days ago. A defendant was called whose address was given as Plantation- street, and the occupant of the house in Plan. tation-street, Penydarren, came forward. He was the wrong man. The right man bore the ea-me name, lived at the same number in Plantation-street in Rhymney. Seven miles separate the two streets, and," said the judge, I have often walked it." Mr. A. T. Williams, of Ynisygerwn, Neath, has recently lost the finest pointer in theae islands—Rose of Gerwyn, which had been so successful a prize-winner at open field trials. It happened in this way. Mr. Williams sent the animal to a friend in Chesterfield. Dur- ing the night it remained in the parcels office of the station at that place. In the morning it was found dead in the basket- burnt to death. How the fire originated remains a mystery.. Mr. Williams refused £ 520 for the bitch only a few weeks ago. This is a painful time for Welshmen-™ they see their favourite hymns murdered daily in the English papers. For insta-ncq one paper prints:- Galon lau yn lhawn daiora, Perffaith fel y lili dlos, Dim oud calon lau all gaituk Caun's dydd a ohaUll 'r nos." There are only twenty-one words in th4 verse; eight of them are wrong in the abovi version. "loan Trithyd" is a farmer and a bard, and after pondering on the wonderful doingt) around him he sat down and wrote:- Mae'r di-Dduw'n lloegi'r llyfrau, A meddwon lu yn troi, A'r cablwr yn gweddio, Mae'n rhaid i Satan ffoi. Mi garwn o fy ngbalon Rhoi 8.a..tan yn y jail. Rhag ofn iddo ddial Ar staff y Western MaJL" Since the revival the older deacons of some of the chapels are taking greater intereal than formerly in the doings of the youngei folk. The deacons in one ohapcl are anxious that their young men shall not frequent the local theatre. In order to find, out whether their wishes ar-e being respectocU some of the stalwarts of the chapel pay occa- sion-al surprise visits to the theatre. It has already been noticed that these visits art becoming rather more frequent, and that they are not quite so pronounced in tlieii opposition to plays as of yore. Wales at one time had grand collections of books, which rivalled in value and impor- tance the great collections met with in othar countries. One such collection, was in tho famous Castle of Raglan, which probably con- tained copies of all known Welsh manuscripts both in poetry and prose. But in an evil hour that priceless collection, like the llafod Library in modern times, wa destroyed by fire, and Welsh literature was left compare tively poor. The destruction of MSS. at Rag- la a no doubt partly accounts for the paucity of ancient and mediaeval Weliih prose works. Mr. Rhys Thomas, M.A., of the Llangoiien County School, has been lecturing at Llan- gollen on the difficulties experienced by Welsh boys in expressing themselves in English. He said that Walsh-speaking boys think in Welsh. consequently the Welsh idiom appears very prominently in their English; and this idiomatic form of ppeeoli is plentifulr studded with a-musing Welshisms—e.g., "Jt'i knocking eight," "Titrit your tea," Don'* tiC-p a noise. Wh-en he came- to Llangollen for the first time, with a very little knowlodc of English. :<>- used to wonder why the portcrz of the Great estern Railway advertised the fact that th-ev I'ro husbar.ds so promine.ntly on their oar. To the uninitiated G.W.R. ir a. Welsh wore, meaning husband. A well-kjown Swansea gentleman who died recently oeciueathed £ 500 to a. faithful old servant. The latter had gone into the work house, and there she decided to n-maii. Nothing would inducc her to leave, and she spent her old age in con'fort, perfect! pleased with her surrounding?,. The son or the lector, however, never ceased to take an interest in the old family servant., nnd he fre-.uoitly visited her with his infant daughter. Lately the aged servant passed, a.way, and she beqw-athed the LioO to her late' ma,-Urs grandchild, providing quite a large by the WHO the litt-le girl comes or age. 'Ihe interest aroused over the tablet to tb-f Tia"tyrpd fisherman Rawlins White alleged to aavo stood in the old town-house in Iftgh¡ stiect, Cn.rdiff, proves how very few gsnuini oU Cardiffiana are left. Although the t-jwnt t-ottso wa»* removed in the fiftip-s-whichl H »oiUV:iratively recent history —no one can yet ■X>ITW forward who can oorro-borute the exisu &nc» of i-tie tablet, or who can even give 9 distinct lea as to the interior and the flu of the old town-house. Moreover, no !I(I}' e place survives, though thero aro <:Y h t,4 exterior. We believe the aid \i: v ie still extant. Had the hustorica, at all in evidence in thoee days; at old building would not have been without everything of real interest n lUá; most carefully preserved.

The Original Cocoa, and a Speciality. EPPS'S b f ail others by «»vUroratinar nutritious qualities and iu> c«lictous flavour. This Cocoa, oon- gain's: i £ substance of the Oo o" Nib, maintains itg leading: position fu »r three-quarters of a Oentuiry as COCOA tie bent ferxa of Coeea ? -IR. ¡