Weekly Mail

CRIMPING BY CHINAMEN. BOARD OF TRADE PROSECUTION AT BARRY. Smartly attired in a navy-blue suit and collar and tie, with his pigtail hanging loose, a Cninaman, named Ah Boon, hailing from 29, Frederick-street, Liverpool, entered the police-court at Barry on Monday to answer a charge of jilegally boarding a vessel. He glanced around, and evidently felt uncom- fortable, for, after sitting down, he tucked his plait under his coat. Mr. St. John Francis Williams, who prosecuted on behalf of the Board of Trade, stated that on the 20th ult the steamship Lustleigh arrived at Barry from Amsterdam. When the vessel was in the deep water lock Inspector W. J. Dimond boarded her, and when the ship got alongside the quay wall Ah Boon went on board, and com- menced conversation with the Chinese crew. Asked what his business was, defendant told the inspector he ha J come to see the steward, who was a friend of his. Ah Boon was then taken before Captain Bromley, the master of the vessel, who stated, in the presence of Sanitary inspector Joseph Davies, that he had not given defendant per- mission V) come on board. The Chinaman was ordered ashore, but a couple of hours later Inspector Dimond returned to the vessel, where he found Ah Boon having a cup of tea with the steward. The inspector went away, but, again returning an hour later, discovered the defendant in his shirt sleeves talking to the men in the forecastle. Inspector Dimond again sent the man ashore, informing him that he would get into serious trouble if he uid not take care. Mr. Francis-Williams added that when defendant left Barry for Liverpool he was accompanied by eight of the crew. There was a good deal of this sort of thing going on at Barry, and the Board of Trade attached much importance to this case. He further mentioned that this crew was ori- ginally shipped in the vessel by defendant on June 7, and he suggested that Ah Boon came down with the intention of, per- suading the men to return to Liverpool. Inspector Dimond bore out the opening statement. Sophia Ah Boon. defendant's English wife, swore that her husband visited the vessel to collect some money which the crew owed a boarding-house keeper at Liverpool. The steward of the Lustleigh, Lee Moon, who was a, fellow-countryman of the defendant, wrote asking him to come down. Mr. Francis-Williams: Did your husband take an advance note from the men after he I brought them to Barry to join the vessel? Witness: I could not say. The Bench considered the case had been clearly proved, and inflicted a fine of Z5 and costs (£7 14s. in all), or one month's imprison- ment. Defendant's wife paid the money readily, and asked for a receipt. Superintendent Giddings: You cannot have a receipt—you shall have the man. daughter.)

PEMBROKESHIRE CAPTAIN'S DEATH. SWEPT AWAY BY AN ENORMOUS WAVE. The terrible experience during the passage of the Hartlepool steamer Laura from North America to Antwerp was read in a letter from a member of the crew at South Shields on Monday. The facts have already been briefly reported in our oolumns. While crossing the Atlantic the vessel was struck by an enormous wave, which carried away the charthbuse, in which were the master (Captain Adams, belonging to Good- wick), and Elliott and Brennan (firemen), belonging to Shields, all of whom weienever seen again. The chief omcer, Johnson, who assumed command, was caught by a monster sea and hur!ed against the bulwarks, receivingseTere injuries, by which he was totally incapaci- tated. The second offioer, Gladstone, who had been ill some days in his bunk, was carried on deck, and took charge of the vessel, though suffering from the effects of fever. The fire- men worked up to their waists in water in the stokehold shovelling coals into the furnace to keep the engines going against the strong seas. The vessel was in such a battered condi- tion, and In need of such extensive repairs, that she was taken to Norfolk (Virginia), where the chief and second mates were put ashore and taken to hospital, beside the third engineer and a fireman.

I CUT IN THE WINDPIPE. TROEDYRHIW MAN'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. At Merthyr Police-court on Monday Frank Blackwell was charged with attempting to Commit suicide. Mary Ann Blaokwell, Plantation-street, Troedyrhiw, said that on the, afternoon of the 19th of September she went out for some water, leaving prisoner, who is a nephew, lying, on the bed downstairs. When' she returned she found that his throat was out, and that there was a small pocket-knife by the side of the bed. He said, I haven't finished myself." Police-constable Hunt stated that from what he was told he went to the house, and found prisoner with his throat cut. When witness asked him what was the matter, he replied. I must have been mad." Dr. Ernest Ward, who saw the prisoner after his removal to the workhouse infirmary, stated there was an incision in the windpipe, but it was only a very slight one. The prisoner, who, in answer to the magietrates'-olerk, said it was through ..the drink, was remanded for a week.

HOW TO MAKE LIGHT BUNS. By using EilJVl Tower Bun Fiour the must inex- perienced pei son can make itqlti Buns and Cakes with certain wuooeos. Try' a Id. packet. Save tdt<d Tuwer Label* for lojti picture trv '1_

CASHIER'S DEBTS. A LEGACY WHICH DID NOT ARRIVE. At Newport Bankruptcy-court on Tuesday (before Mr Registrar Hornby) the public examination of Arthur Harrison Duffield, of 32, St. John's-road, cashier and secretary, took place. Mr. Digby Powell appeared for debtor, who stated that his failure was due to heavy expenses, the illness of his wife and four children, and heavy payments to money- lenders. He had been in receipt of a salary of £150 a year as secretary to a limited com- pany. The liabilities were JE292 3s. lid., and the assets returned at £41 16s. 6d. The Official Receiver (Mr. Fred Gardner) questioned him as to his transactions with money-lenders. Debtor stated that in one of the transactions he received JE25 or £30, for which he had to re-pay JE60. There was about JS20 of that still due. He thought doctors' and nurses' expenses had totalled about JS22. The Official Receiver said he had had some letters from creditors upon which he must ask the debtor questions. Did the debtor think that with a salary of JE150 a year he was justified in incurring—say, an account to a fishmonger of JE17 Is. 8d.? Debtor: I thought I owed about JB5. SALMON AND Oi'hEK DELICACIES. The Offloial Receiver (quoting from the items): Ten pounds six ounoes of salmon, at la lOd. per pound." Do you think that was proper? Debtor: When was that? The Official Receiver: May 18, 1904. Then there are other items on May 25 and June 10 for salmon, and afterwards for lobster. After that it goes on Four partridges, a. hare, a snipe, wild ducks, a pheasant, a brace of pheasants, more wild ducks, and mullet." Do you think that that is really right? Debtor: I think that account is incorrect. I did not think it went back to 1904. The Official Receiver: Did the doctor order the salmon for your digestion? Debtor: For my wife. The Official Receiver: Yes, but some others must have had some of all that salmon, because it goes on all the way through the aocount: and, besides, there are soles and apricots as well. The Registrar: Some people, you know, prefer a fish diet to meat. The Official Receiver: Yes, sir; but then, we find charges for a turkey, and another turkey, and pheasants. Mr. Digby Powell: Is that at Christmas? LIVED BEYOND HIS MEANS. The Official Receiver: We will come on to Christmas afterwards. Are you aware tfcat there is a bill owing to one wine merchant for £25 18s. 5d., and that the total oharges for wines and spirits are £43 9s. 9d. Did you entertain very much? Debtor: I have done so from time to time. The Official Receiver: And you went beyond your means? Debtor: Yes, I certainly did. The Official Receiver: And your expendi- ture has exceeded your income by about £ 100 a year? Debtor: Yes. but I expected a. legacy from my wife's father which did not come. It was in expectation of that that I held on so long. One of the creditors present asked debtor if his bankruptcy would affect his position with his employers. Debtor said his firm had promised to re- tain him in their employment. The Creditor: Will it be possible for you to set aside a certain sum out of your salary to pay something off your debœ? Debtor: I have a wife and four young; children to keep, and I don't see how it is possible to do it. Mr. C. P. Simmonde, grocer, said he had intended to ask a similar question. I would (said Mr. Simmonds) just as soon a man put his hand into my pocket a.nd take the money out as come to me and take it in this way, when he knows that he cannot pay. Mr. Digby Powell (for the debtor,): I sup- pose that you ordered the wines for your wife and family in the illnesses? Debtor: Yes, some of them. Mr. Powell: You would not drink the port wine which is charged here?—No. Mr. Powell: And the whisky? Debtor: Well, yes, I am bound to say that I drank the whisky. (Laughter.) The examination was closed.

CAERPHILLY TEST CASES. POINT OF LAW CONCERNING WATER CHARGES. Eleven defendants were summoned at Caer-. philly on Tuesday by the Rhymney and Aber Valleys Water Company, and the first of theee provided special interest to ratepayers from the fact that the point waft tested as to whether a water company w34 justified in charging a rate for untenanted property. Mr. W. W. Meredith (Merthyr) represented the company, and Mr. W. H. Davies (Cardiff) wae for the defendant, Mary Ann Williams. In a lengthy opening Mr. Meredith stated that the claim was for £7 16s. 5d., and was in respect of properties in Llanbradach, Gilfach-Bargoed, and Bargoed. He under- stood that when the caee came on a month or so ago it was found that the sum of £2 was not given credit for, but this had been done. and now a fresh point was raised on the question of liability for vacancies. To show that they were liable Mr. Meredith read Section 71 of the Water- works Clauses Act of 1847, where it was set forth that the occupier of any dwelling- house liable to a water rate who gives notice or removes shall pay for the quarter ending next to his acquitting or giving notice. First of all, he held that the notice to the com- pany must be given in writing, and even if given so they would be lia>ble, according to the company's private Act, for the current quarter, and that was what they were suing for; whilst under Section 70 of the Act it applied to an owner or occupier, though it was the owner who was primarily liable. For the defence, Mr. Davies quoted from Section 72 of the fame Act. The Chairman (Mr. C. H. James): Suppos- ing the rate is due in advance, and suppos- ing that a house was empty for a part of that quarter due, do you make any allow- ance? Mr. Meredith: No; because we can't go round looking to see if the houses are empty. Mr. James: It seems a little hard. Judgment was then given for the oompany. I Mr. Albert Fine, manager of the Universal Company, Senghenydd, had a similar defence, and judgment was given against him.

KNOCKED DOWN BY A CYCLE DINAS POWIS WOMAN GETS J320 DAMAGES. Before his Honour Judge Owen, at Barry County-court on Tuesday, an elderly woman named Rose Hawkins, of Dinas Powis, claimed JS25 from George Cox, Broad-street, Barry, for personal injuries sustained. Mr. H. Bullock, solicitor, Cardiff, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. G. F. Forsdike, solicitor, defended. Claimant said she was walking from Penarth to Dinas Powis about 9.30 on the night of the 25th of Jiarch in company with hereon. It had been snowing, and they were walking on the road, by the side of the path, between the Merry Harrier and East brook, when her son's attention was drawn to the rear of them by a light, and he called out, Mother, here's a bicycle." Before she could get on to the path a bicycle knocked her down from behind. She heard no bell. Mr. Bullock: Was the road wide ? His Honour: It does not matter. People most not be knocked down on the King's highway. Continuing, plaintiff said she was rendered unconscious, and laid up for six weeks. Defendant swore that he was riding slowly, because it was dark, snowing, and a dangerous road. He rang his bell twice, and the woman hesitated, after which she ran in front of the machine and struck his shpulder. Mr. Forsdike contended that the charges made were extortionate. His Honour gave judgment for JS20 and costs.

GOVERNMENT AND LUNDY CARDJFF SUGGESTION AS TO A HARBOUR OF REFUGE. At the monthly meeting of the Cardiff Shipowners' Association on Tuesday (Mr. W. h. Jones presiding) the following letter in reply to the communication urging the Government to acquire Lundy Island was read:— "With reference to your letter of the 25th of July last, in which, on behalf of the Cardiff Shipowners' Association, you urge upon the Government the desirability of acquiring Lundy Island for national purposes, I am directed by the Board of Trade to acquaint you for the information of your association that Parliament has not placed any funds at the disposal of this department which could be allocated to the construction of a national harbour of refuge at Lundy; and, further, that the Board have not in the past taken any initiative in selecting a site for such harbours or in making provision for their construction. In these circum- stances the Board do not purpose to take any steps in the matter of acquiring the island, I am to add that the acquisition of the island for naval or military purposes is entirely a matter for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty or the Army Council as the case may be.—I am. Ac. THOS. YELHAM.

NEATH HEAD-CONSTABLE APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR JONES. At a meeting of the Neath Watch Com- mittee held on Monday, the mayor (Mr. W. E. Rees) presiding, Acting-head-con- stable Richard Jones, who has been a member of the Neath Borough Police Force for 34 years, was promoted to the position of head-constable at a salary of £ 150 per annum. There were 42 applicants. The only condition laid down was that the penson appointed should serve in the position for six years, health, of course, permitting. This condition Inspector Jones accepted. I HEAD-CONSTABLE RICHARD JONES' His predecessor, Mr. Evan I.ewis, was appointed at the same salary, but he subse- quently received an increase of JMO per annum. Head-constable Richard Jone6 joined the Neath Police Force 34 years ago as a con- stable. He has had a long and honourable career, rising step by step, and now at the age of 59 to head-constable. During the whole ,of this period there has not been a single blemish on his reputation, and he has now earned a just reward. He has always been attentive to his duties, keen in the detection of crime, and quick in bringing delinquents to juetice. Space will not permit allusion to the maiiy smart captures he has effected or to the many lives he has saved from local fires, for which acts of bravery he has been the recipient of several distinctions. It is sufficient to say that he has proved hiyiself a most efficient officer, and that he will provt* himself worthy of the promotion.

A ROMANCE RE-CALLED. BETROTHAL OF THE CHILD OF THE" LANGWORTHY MARRIAGE." A marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place between the Hon. Charles Richard Molesworth and Miss Elizabeth Gladys Langworthy. v The "Morning Post's announcement is the epilogue to The Strange True Story of the Langwortny Marriage," a romance of twenty years ago, the tale of which roused passionate championship of a deserted woman and her child. In the early eighties Edward Martin Lang- worthy, inheriting a great fortune, emigrated to Argentina, and there lived in almost royal state in a colony of his own founding. He sailed on a visit to Europe in his private yacht in 1882, and in a Paris hotel met and fell in love with Miss Mildred Long, an Irish girl of great beauty. Accompanied by a chaperon, Miss Long after her engagement to Mr. Langworthy consented to make a trip on board his yacht. The vessel lay off Southampton when Lang- worthy suddenly urged an immediate union. They crossed to France, and were married at Caen. The husband refused to celebrate the English marriage his wife demanded before sailing with her for Argentina. Arrived at Buenos Ayres, he brutally told her that the marriage was a sham, gave her £50, and sent her back to England. Her case was taken up by Mr. W. T. Stead, then editor of the "Pall Mall Gazette," and that fiery champion secured for her in the courts a verdict for £20,000 damages, together with an annuity of E500 for the child, the Miss Langworthy who is shortly to become sister-in-law to a peer. The is famous in legal circles as one in which a comparatively unknown junior laid tha, foundations of his legal success by standing up to Sir Charles Russell, then the doyen of the Bar. The junior is now Mr. Charles Gill, K.C. Ten years after the trial Mildred Lang- worthy, reconciled to her husband, died in a Paris hotel, and Edward Langworthy, declaring that he could not survive her, ended his life shortly afterwards.

MOTORISTS' LUCKY ESCAPE. EMPIRE ACROBAT'S "RIDE IN THE AIR." A motor-car accident occurred on Sunday at Pyle, near Bridgend, as a result of which the two occupants of the car were hurled from their soats over a fence on to a road below, the car being also very badly damaged. The car was proceeding over the railway bridge at Pyle, when, owing to the steering gear breaking, the oar ran into a fence and turned turtle. The driver stuck to his handle, but he and part of the car were thrown over the fence on to a grass plot, while the other occupant was thrown into a road below lead- ing to the railway station—a distance of between ten and twelve yards. The driver complained of pains in his back, but the other occupant, Friel Lyons, who is one of the Lyons Trio, who were performing at Car- diff Empire last week, sustained no injury beyond a cut on a finger of his left hand. In conversation with a. "Weekly Mail" representative, Lyons said he would pro- bably have been seriously injured but for the fact that he is an acrobat. An ordi- nary person would close his eyes with frisrht. but, although the accident was so sudden, he kept his eyes open instinctively, and managed to control himself so that he fell on his shoulders. I am used to tumbling about," he said, but that is the longest ride in the air I have yet experienced. I would not go on a motor-car now for a thou- sand pounds. My life seemed to come before me while I was in the air." Our reporter also saw George" on his return from Pyle to Cardiff. The accident was caused by the steerine gear goiner wronsr. He felt pains in the back, but thought he would be better in a da,y or two. He refused to disclose his name.

CA RDIFF ELECTIVE AUDITORS RE-ELECTION OF MESSRS. TAYLOR AND EDWARDS. The election of two elective auditors for the city of Cardiff took place at the Town- hall on Monday, four candidates going to the poll. Chiefly owing to the heavy rain which fell during the afternoon and evening the number of votes registered was not so great as that of last year by about 400. The Lord Mayor acted as returning officer, end the deputy-town-clerk (Mr. Cecil Brown) superin. tended the count in the council-chamber. The Lord Mayor declared the following result:- Mr. J. S. Taylor 992 Mr. J. Dudley Edwards 448 Mr. H. E. Sweeting 416 Mr. J. M. Roach 123 Messrs. Taylor and Edwards were, there- fore, re-elected. Mr. Taylor, having- headed the poll with such a substantial majority, proposed a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor and the cor- poration officials, and Mr. J. Dudley Edwards, am the other successful candidate, seconded. The Lord Mayor and Mr. Brown acknow- ledged the vote, and congratulated Mcssts. Taylor and Edwards.

"I DON'T WANT TO LIVE." CARDIFF WOMAN ATTEMPTS TO END A MISERABLE LIFE. At Cardiff Police-court before the deputy-stipendiary, Mr. E. Milner Jones) Elizabeth Jones, 36, was charged on a war- rant with taking a quantity of pojeon (boracio acid) on the 24th inst. with intent to wilfully and of malice aforethought to kill and murder herself. Prisoner appeared with her jaws in a bandage, and alleged that the injuries were received in an aasault. A young domestic servant named Edith Jasper was at the house in which prisoner occupies apartments (21, Comet-street) on the afternoon in question., Prisoner called her into the room in which she was, and declared her intention of taking her life. She made the attempt, and witness fetched a neigh- bour, Mrs. Hill, Who lives at No. 23, Comet- street. Mrs. Hill, who is the wife of George Hill, a plumber and gasfltter, said she ran in, and took a jar from the prisoner's hand, being determined she should take nothing to her injury. Deteotive-sergeant Dicks said he, on enter- ing the house, saw prisoner lying on the sofa in the middle room, partly unconscious. On the table were the five packets produced. He administered an emetic, and prisoner, after Tomi-ting, said, "Let me aolone; I don't want to live. I'll do it again." Dr. Biggs ordered prisoner's removal to the workhouse infirmary, where witness arrested her in due oourse. Dr. Biggs said the woman showed signs of the after-effects of drink. He was shown the five packets of white powder, each con- taining two drachms. With the exception of the liquor accused was very little the worse for it. She was suffering from a wound in the mouth and another on the hand. She told him it was in consequence of a row with her husband. There was no definite dose of boracic acid laid down as poisonous, and it was not a poison except in very large quan- tities. His Worship consulted the lady represen- tative of the Salvation Army, who daily attends the court, in the interests of the prisoner, who consented to enter the Salva- tion Army institution. Tho Deputy-stipendiary, in discharging prisoner with a reprimand, said he had no doubt she had been drinking heavily.

A STORY OF PAWN-TICKETS. NEATH COMMISSION AGENT SENT FOR TRIAL. A case in which considerable interest was taken was tried at Neath on Monday by Messrs. Evans Bevan, Hopkin Morgan, John Rees, and W. B. Trick. The defendant, named Joseph Thomas Jones, and described as a commission agent, was charged with obtaining several sums of money, amounting in all to £1 Os. 6d., from Mr. William Henry Massey, of London-road, a representative of Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son; he was further charged with making a false declara- tion. knowing it to be untrue, and with uttering three pawn-tickets, which were receipts, having previously altered them. Mr. W. H. David, who appeared for the prosecution, said that in May of this year the prisoner, who was very short of money, went to Mr. Massey and produced a pawn- ticket which was issued by Mr. Wherle, of Melincrythan. This pawn-ticket purported to be a receipt for a dressing-case and one coat, and stated that £.1 6s. 6d. had been received by the defendant in respecrt of the pledging of those goods. Mr. Massey lent him a sum of 6s. 6d. out of pity, and had no intention of benefiting himself at all. Mr. David said the ticket had been tampered with, un- doubtedly by the prisoner. Mr. Wherle had advanced only 6s. 6d., and the prisoner put in the £1 so as to give greater security for the value of the goods deposited with Mr. Wherle. Mr. David alleged similar pro- cedure in other cases. Mr. Massey was cross-examined by the prisoner, in reply to whom he said he had received six pawn-tickets in all from him. Prisoner said Mr. Maasey's story from beginning to end was a pack of lies, and the charge wag brought about to cover his own misdeeds. As for altering the pawn-tickets, they had been altered since he left them with Mr. Massey. Prisoner was committed to the assizes on each charge. Bail was accepted.

SUICIDE AFTER ACCIDENT. MOUNTAIN ASH WIDOW CLAIMS COMPENSATION. At Mountain Ash on Monday (before Judge Bryn Roberts) Mrs. Catherine Lawrence, of Mountain Ash, claimed compensation in i respect of the death of her husband, Jeremiah Lawrence, who was injured at the Penrhiw-1 ceiber Colliery on July 31, 1905, and who com- mitted suicide on March 28 of this year. Mr. J. Sankey (instructed by Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) was for the! claimant, and Mr. R. Parsons (instructed by Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole) was for the respondent company. Counsel in opening said deceased, who was astrong man prior to the accident, had com- plained ever since of pains in his head and sleeplessness, and a fortnight before he actually took his life he endeavoured to com- mit suicide by throwing himself into the river. Dr. Mitchell Stevens (Cardiff) said that, in, his opinion, the depression and worry from whioh deceased was suffering was the real cause of his committing suioide. By Mr. Parsons: The border line between a state of sound and unsound mind was difficult to draw. It depended so muoh on the oountry and circumstances of the case. Mr. Parsons said the evidence had not shown that the deceased was of unsound mind. The case was one in which the debased deliberately decided to end hia existence. His Honour said that though his own judg- ment would incline the other way, yet, in view of the weight of medical testimony as to the sequence of events leading up to the suioide, evidence whioh had not been con- troverted by the defenoe, he was bound to find for the applicant. Execution was stayed to enable the com- pany to appeaL

REVISION BUNGLE t" GELLYGAER NAMES STRUCK OFF WHOLESALE. Mr. Ivor Bowen held a revision Hengoed on Monday for the parish of jjr> gaer, the party agents present being John Littlejolms, Mr. Stephen J a cobs. Councillor Kred Edwards. On taking the lists it was seen that s° j one had blundered," for the names addresses were so mixed up that the revis barrister remarked, If it were not serious, it would be funny." tb. Later on, Mr. Bowen asked for starred" names. neB\- The Assistant-overseer (Mr". John I*> you want them "starred," sir? TC The Revising Barrister: They ought to « been starred before I came here in district like this, and I ought to initial tn« Mr. Jones: The district has increff0ed wonderfully. Five years ago at there were only 150 houses, and now tn are nearly 2,000. Mr. Bowen (impatiently): Where's the ra book? I shall be here all day carrel these errors.fl| On examining the rate-book the revisi barrister was obviously perplexed, j exclaimed, What's the meaning of to How on earth do you put it down The next discovery was that two were down as owners for the same addr but Mr. Jones said it was a latch-key case. Mr. Bowen: Have you been putting tb people on? Mr. Jones: Certainly I have. Mr. Bowen: Who told you? Mr. Jones: My instructions from the b00^ Government Board. Mr. Bowen: Do you know this is serious? The circular of the Local Go"er.r, ment Board was only a suggestion, and is for the revising barrister to decide. future you must not do it. Further study of the rate-book bro'U^ forth the ejaculation, "Just look at this! J*. Jones, you will have to pull yourø¡ together. I don't know what will become of your allowances. I am revising for 1906, All you give me the rate-book for 1905! .*> Dealing with another error Mr. Bowen Mr. Jones that he was "subject to severest penalties," and some day aot.1 might be taken against him for £ 100. j In passing Division I. list, Mr. B remarked: I wish to say that I am utterW uncertain whether the people are on the or not. In my opinion, the work has be01 disgracefully done. Before many minutes had passed the ing barrister was indignant once more. know what I will do," he cried, "I shall allow the votes. That will stir up parties. I disallow the vote of Burr because he has been put on the I-ist., Glancing at another error, Mr. B Ironically asked, Is this the rate-bo°* of 2,000 years ago?" and he then tore tip the list he held. On taking up the lodgers' list, Mr. Bo*e5. said, "Nothing 'starred' on Page 1. I have to np to Gellygaer myself a. week and do this." Shortly after Mr. Jones was found corre £ ^« and this brought a compliment from t. barrister. "I am glad to acknowledge tbft you are right," he said. but directly aftet. more mistakes were traced, and Actio*- sergeant Davies, who was on duty, was OOIW" missioned by Mr. Bowen to take part in tb? solution, during which the barrister inquir^J "Are all the rates collected in this A demand for the old lodger claims the reply from the assistant-overseer that b. could not find them, and at this the barris^0! exclaimed, "Where are we. Mr. Jon«er Where are we? If the old lodger claims 0* not produoed I must strike them all off I" r The Assistant-overseer: They were here- can't understand where. they have gone. The Barrister lcausticly): Well, who has taken them? The policeman has not. Eventually, upon the appeal of the parU> agents, the names were not struck off. Coming to the new lodger claims, tJl8 revising barrister noticed fresh errors, and stated that Mr. Jones was "in a completB muddle." Five papers were objected to 00 the ground that the signatures were genuine, and the revising barrister handW them over to Acting-sergeant Davies, the instruction that he should test them, and then forward the result to the chief-0°°" t stable. Mr. Littlejohns expressed the hope that matter would be probed to the bottom. The Barrister: What about the tary list of claims from Fochriw? Mr. Jones's clerk: Can't find them. Bit- The Barrister (tearing up a paper): The" they go off! I am glad I am not living iS, Gellygaer. The answers from Mr. Jones 10 regard to Pontlottyn were next considered unsatisfactory, and Mr. Bowen wearily cried* ",You say the first thing that comes to yoOI mind, and it's not true. My vocabulary exhausted." ■ Mr. Jones: The lodger claims are nrialaid. J Mr. Bowen: Yes, I expect the cat hae go* hold of them In response to a request for respecting Mr. Thomas Saunders, of Tirpb^ the assistant-overseer explained that h. had "just missed him," and the retorted, If you go on like this you wuj miss your appointment next year. rate-books are disgracefully kept. "r" Gillard loses his vote on aocount of the wwl in which the list has been prepared. posing there were an election petition, this list came before the judges, where the overseer be, and where would the rerri^31* barrister be?"' The Barrister (to Mr. Jones): The gum 01 JB210 was allowed you last year. It is ? matter of the greatest pain to me to spEØ like this to a man in your position. Wbat is the answer now? Mr. Jones explained that the wotrk b04 increased tremendously, and on being what the printing ooet, replied that it £ 80. The Barrister: I shall allow you £ 13Q .In- consequence of the disgraceful way in whi^ you have done your work. That will be knocking off £80.. The court then, rose, having been pitti11* for four and a half hours. QUESTION OF NATURALISATION A* PONTYPRIDD. Mr. Ivor Bowen, barrister-at-law, held revision court at Pontypridd on Tuesday for the districts of Llantwit Fardre, Ynyer; bwl, Taff's Well, and Pontypridd. Mr. F- Edwards represented the Liberal party Mr. John Littlejohns the Conservative sidt, The question of lodgem in the Cklfynydd, Ward of Pontypridd led to a brief disc1*' sion, an objection being made to aHowi^f two lodger claims in the same house, rater at £ 8 5s. Mr. Edwards submitted it was exclusive occupation, remarking that 48. per week was a peculiar sum to put for lodgings. + Mr. Littlejohns: It is a peculiar distri0*' (Laughter.) « Mr. Edwards: Yes, and peculiar people the canvassing. (Laughter.) The revising barrister, looking over his 1*^7 was also struck with the 4s. 9d. a week quaJ* flcation in several claims. In the result tW0" claims (Conservative) were allowed. The claim of H. Gleen, in the Ward, Pontypridd, was disallowed pendll1" his production of naturalisation papers. Littlejohns contended that the man British born. He reminded Mr. Bowen a claim put in last year was struck off similar circumstances, but on an appeal the Home, Secretary the objection was ruled, it being held that a man born in th oountry was a British subject. Mr. Bowen: I cannot allow the claim wi^ out some evidence of birth. The same decision was given in the caOO of another man, named Corsland. ECHO OF THE GELLYGAER BUNGLE- After the business of the court Mr. F. Edwards said he would like to refer t& report in the Western Mail" of the at Hengoed the previous day with regard the irregularities in the claims of lodgers which might be misinterpreted. ™ wanted to make it clear that it had nothio* to do with the party he represented, 300 that it was he who had drawn attention to the alleged discrepancies in the signatures. Mr. Littlejohns held that the report correct, and did not reflect on Mr. Edward or his party. Mr. Ivor Bowen said be felt that any°.'L reading the report in the "Wc,teriit, Afai would not attach the slightest blame to J* Edwards, but he would like to point out, 8* hoped the press would take note of it, tna next year he would hold the overseers ° C,ellygaer responsible to prepare a list.

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WORKMEN'S NOTES. IMPORTANCE OF LABOUR CONGRESSES. By MA. WILLIAM BRAQE. M.P. [Vice-President of the South Walet Miners' Federation]. It is when one peruses such reports as the monthly records of the Boiler- makers' Society that one appreciates what a vast amount of self-help prevails among the working classes of this country, and what a small proportion of Trades Union funds are used for strikes and lock-outs as compared with benevolent objects. For last month the total expenditure was no less than JE10,801 os. 5d. True. this sum is spread over a large geographical area, and its value may not be so striking as if paid out and spent in one district. Still, were it not for this expenditure many families would have gone short of food and many shopkeepers without their money. Yet there are some workmen who, for reasons best known to them- selves, will not readily connect them- selves with their society, preferring, pre- sumably, to beg or borrow when the pinch comes rather than prepare for dis- tressed periods when in the days of their strength and manhood. Surely, it is not this class of men who make for a nation's greatness, but it is they who get most of the sympathy should their more farseeing and self-sacrificing fellow-workers bring a little pressure to bear upon them to assist in teaching them their duty. Indifferent Workmen. I cannot understand why it is that workmen are sometimes careless as to the observance of rules that have been framed after con- siderable difficulty jointly by employers and workmen for the protection of life and health. In the report from the South Wales District, signed by Messrs. wood. Chapman, and Jose (district officials), I find the following:- Re Oil-carrying Vessels.—We have reason to believe that at some yards our members have become lax in their duties whilst engaged upon these vessels. Onr agreement with the employers states that before men are put to work in the tanks, including shell and decks in connection therewith, coffer-dams, hatches, or oil-pump room. an expert s certificate shall be obtained daily to the effect that the ta,nks are absolutely safe. We, therefore, instruct our members to see that this is strictly carried out in every instance in this district. It is to be hoped this caution will not go unheeded, as clearly life and health may have to be sacrificed if it is neglected, for unless there was substantial danger there would be rtb necessity to call for an expert's certificate before work is commenced each day. Moulding a Labour Leader. While discussing matters appertain- ing to members of the Boilermakers' Society, may I say how sorry I was to learn of the new arrangement under which the district delegates were pre- cluded from standing nomination to the Trades Union Congress? The personal phase of the question I do not for a moment consider. It is the principle underlying it that interests me and makes the question one of more than local importance. The district dele- gates are the spokesmen and agents of the workmen in all conferences between employers and employed when agree- ments have to be made for regulating the, conditions of employment in all its varied character. The representatives of Capital are highly-trained, well- informed men, clever to a degree in all that tends to the advantage of capital. For the purposes of fitting them to carry out their duties the employers leave no stone unturned to equip them with knowledge and information, and as a result our captains of industry are very formidable opponents to have to meet at any time across a conference table. That being so, there is but one way in which the representatives of Labour can hope to be able to cope with the repre- sentatives of Capital, and that is by utilising every medium that will assist to fill their minds with knowledge of men and things and to have their wits sharpened by the whetstone of debate in congresses and conferences. To thi3 end there is no more important gather- ing than the Trades Union Congress, for in those gatherings matters are dealt with affecting practically every industry in the country, and, as a consequence, every delegate who attends there cannot fail to have a much clearer conception of the movement he is connected with than if he is absent. Congresses and conferences, in addition to bringing the workers into closer unity for mutual protection, are the workshop or college through which leaders learn their craft, for, be it remembered, Labour leading is an art not so easy to acquire as some people think. Perils of Railway Work. Only when a terrible calamity such as happened at Grantham takes place is the danger of the calling of railway employes brought vividly before the minds of the general public, and how much? the lives and limbs of the travelling public depends upon these by no means extrava- gantly paid workers. In the recently published report, which gives details of accidents to railway servants for 1905, it is recorded that no less than 437 servants of railway companies and contractors were killed and 14,335 injured last year. On the basis of the number employed in this undertaking in 1904, we have the truly appalling results of one rail- way servant killed for every 1,388 employed, and one railway servant injured for every 41 employed. Surely, no one will contend that if every life and limb-saving appliance known to science was introduced that we would have such a melancholy result to chronicle in. death and maimed among our railway workers. Trader Unionism In Germany. Trades Unionism in Germany is making wonderful headway. Up to a few years ago combination upon the lines of Trades Unions was practically non- existent, for in 1899 in the whole of Germany Trades Unionists did not muster more than 864,350. This total in 1904 had increased to 1,466,625, and last year—1905—it reached the splendid standard of 1,822,343, which was an increase of 355,718 for 1905 over 1904, or nearly 25 per cent. The miners made the best record, their increase being no less than 66 per cent. For a consider- able period the German workers concen- trated their full power upon political action, but they have lived to be con- vinced that side by side with political effort for reform must go the unifying of the forces of Labour through their Trades Unions. Personally, I have always felt that the foundation for all institutions that aim for improving the conditions of the workers, political or otherwise, must be the Trades Union, and in these days it can do no harm to emphasise the German case as a demonstration of the need of maintain- ing strong Trades Unions as the bed- rock of the several movements estab- lished to emancipate Labour. A Stupid Game. The Board of Trade annual report dealing with strikes and lock-outs for 1905 gives the number of disputes between employers and workmen over the kingdom as 358, which is a number similar to last year. The number of people affected by those disputes was 93,503. In the previous five years the average number of disputes was 793. and the number of workpeople affected 225,000. Comparing last year with the average, there has been a very substan- tial improvement, which, I think, will not only continue, but at a greater ratio as the years go by. Both parties are learning, although, perhaps, slowly, that strikes and lock-outs are a stupid game, and not much to the credit of a highly civilised people.

A SWANSEA WINDFALL. Under the terms of the will of a bro'her Who died in South America, Mr. Richard Ada-me, master of the Rutland-street School, Swansea, benefit* toO the extent of over '£10,000.

RAGGING CHARGES .» AGED MINER CRUELLY ILL- THEATED. The Maes teg strike cases, adjourned from the previous week, came on for hearing a.t Bridgend on Saturday, before Mr. R. W. Llewellyn and other magistrates. David Saunders was summoned for using threats in Oaerau-road on September 4 wish intent to put a person in fear; David Williams was summoned for a. similar offence in Caerau- road on September 5, and also for obstruct- ing Police-sergeant Da vies; Trevor Lewie, James Davies, Philip Lewis. William Henry Griffiths, and Richard Lewis were summoned for using insulting language in Cofitle- street on September 8, with intent, and for obstructing the thoroughfare a.fter being asked to desist; David Jenkins was also summoned for using insulting language, and John Jenkins was charged with obstructing the police. Mr. T. J. Hughes appeared to prosecute for the chief-oonstable, and Mr. J. Sankey (instructed by Mr. Evan K Davies, solicitor to the Maesteg Miners' Association), was for the defence. The case agatnst David Saunders was taken first. Police-constable Walter Kelland stated tha.t in Caerau-road, Oaerau, at 11.30 p.m. od September 4 he saw a crowd of about 51.:0 people walking in procession. In the foreground was a man named David Jenkins, led by the defendant Saundeis. The crowd was hostile; some were shouting "Pay the Federation," and other were booing. Witness asked Saunders to let* the man go, and he replied, He will have to pay the Federation before he goes." A WIFE APPEALS TO THE CROWD. By Mr. Sankey: He saw Jenkins after- wards, and he made no complaint. Jenkins had been served with a witness's summons. but was not present, and they could not find him. Police-constable Parry said he heard Jenkins's wife appealing to the crawd to let her husband go. Mr. Sankey said he would not call evidence. and he submitted that according to the bye-law under which the sum- monses were taken a case had not been made out. Jenkins was seen by a police-officer within Z4 hours of the occasion, when there was no crowd to frighten him and when there was no question of his giving evidence at that court, and he then made no complaint. The Chairman announced that a majority of the magistrates were of opinion that there had been a breach of the bye-law, and Saunders would be fined £2 and bound over to be of good behaviour. "TO THE RIVER, BOYS! The charges against David William* were taken next. Police-sergeant Bees Davies stated that about ten o'clock at night on September 5 he was in Oaerau-road, with Police-constable Kelland, when he saw a. crowd, about 300 strong, coming towards him, headed by the defendant and another man, who were lead- ing a man named Frederick Roberts. The crowd were very angry, shouting and booing, and rushing Roberts along. Roberts called out, I want you to stop the crowd takiuj me." Witness asked Williams and the other man to release their hold, and the other man did so, but Williams refused. Witness took hold of Roberts, but Williams tried to get him away, and shouted, To the —— river, boys." Witness appealed to the crowd, and pulled Roberts away. The crowd had now increased to about 500. After going a little way with Roberts Williams dashed towards them. used filthy language, and said, Don't let the —— take him, boys." A summons had been served on Roberts, but he had left the district. By Mr. Sankey: The affair lasted about twenty minutes Roberts was frightened and a little exhausted, but there were no marks of violence on him. Mr. Sankey said he could not conceal from himself that this was a. more serious charge than the last, but they were told defendant was under the influence of drink. Williams was found guilty of both offences, a.nd there being a previous conviction for assaulting the police, he was fined £2 for each offence and bound over. A "WHITE SHIRT PROCESSION." The remaining cases against seven defen- dants were taken together. Insrector Sansome described a procession in which William Ellis, an old man, figured. He was wearing a. white shirt and a white hat trimmed with red and blue colours (pro- duced). As soon as witness got near Ellis said, "I want protection from this howling mob. They will pull me to pieces." He looked very distressed and very pale. Wit- ness and Police-sergeant Davies caught hold of him, and immediately John Jenkins also took hold of him, and shouted, "Now, boys, don't let the —— go." He and Davies were hustled about for five minutes before the crowd would let. Ellis go. By Mr. Sankey: No one but John Jenkins had hold of Ellis, and none of the other defendants used violence, though they were all ringleaders. OLD MAN'S PATHETIC STORY. William Ellis said he was 63 years of age. He was a member of the Federation, and had been ever since it was established, but he had not paid his subscriptions to date. On the 8th of September he went to Coegnant Colliery, but was unable to work. and returned. When he reached the street there were 100 men waiting for him, including all the defendants. Jenkins got hold of him by his arms, and the others hustled him. He was thrown down on his left side, and his hip joint had been bad ever since. Then they threw his box of food and his water-can into the river. Some of them raised him up and carried him on their shoulders face down- wards. They took him towards Nantyffyllon Institute, and on the way he lost a valuable watch, which he had had for many years. At Castle-street they held a "council of war" in the vernacular. Then they procured the white shirt and hat, and put them on him. He was then marched up to Monkey Island (the top of the valley, about three miles dis- tant) and back again through different streets. Someone gave him a severe blow on the head. He was in their hands alto- gether for three hours before being rescued by the police. Witness's clothes were torn, and whilst he was being marched about some of them were kicking him a.nd thumping him. By Mr. Sankey: He had been working ever since the affair. Richard Lewis put the white shirt on him, but afterwards he did not ill- treat him. The Bench fined Trevor Lewis, Richard Lewis, James Davies, and Philip Lewis £2 each; William Henry Griffiths (against whom there was a previous conviction) and John Jenkins £3, and David Jenkins JB1. All the defendants were bound over. The charges of obstruction were dismissed.

"I STOLE THE BAG." ROBBERY FROM A STEAMSHIP AT CARDIFF. Before the Cardiff magistrates on Monday Henry O'Oonnor (26) a.nd James King (32) were charged with stealing a canvas bag, containing a. quantity of clothes, Ac., valued at JB5, the property of Harold Jack- son. The latter is cook on boa rd^the steam- ship Taunton, now lying in the Roath Basin. He left his bag on the forecastle head and went into town, and on his return the bag was nowhere to be found. Upon that he gave information to the police, and pri- soners were arrested. King wearing a hat which prosecutor claimed to be his.—Dock- constable Donovan described the move- ments of the men in the vicinity and the circumstances under which he took them into custody. On being charged King made no reply. O'Connor, however, became vio- lent, and said, "I have just met this man" (meaning King). With assistance witness secured the man. On the way to the station King said, "My mate knows nothing about it. I stole the bag of clothes and will show you where I put it." The bag was found hidden under a heap of stones not far from the ship.—The Magistrates sent the case to the quarter sessions.

THE PEMBROKE SCANDAL. GUARDIANS AND THE ACTION OF THE MAGISTRATES. At the meeting of the Pembroke Board of Guardians Mrs. O'Brien (the old pauper widow who was sent to gaol for seven days for "non-payment of rates) applied for a pair of boots for her grand-daughter, who was living with her, and was an imbecile.—Mrs. Jjowless (lady guardian) said the grand- daughter had been in the "house" for some j time. The relieving officer, in reply to questions, said the old woman tried to earn a living by selling water-cresses. The grand- daughter, who was twenty-three years of age, was destitute. Mr. G. Thomas (a guardian) asked whether she was summoned for rates. Mrs. Lowless: That is what the papers want to know. The Clerk: We are not a oourt to try the magistrates. Mrs. Xowlees pointed out that the old woman was receiving 3s. a week relief, and had to pay 2s. 3d. per week for rent, yet she was sent to Oarmart.hen for seven days for non-payment of rates. The Chairman (Mr. N. A. Rocto): That is no business of ours. It is, however, an unusual thing to send a pauper to prison for not paying rates. It was decided to grant Mrø. O'Brien the pair of boots for which shoe aekea.

TINNED SALMON AND EGGS RAILWAY THEFTS AT ABER- GWYNFI. At Aberavon Police-court on Monday four young Blaengwynfi lads, name*! James Jones, Evan James Cooksey, Humphrey Wil- liams, and Stanley Jones, were charged with stealing nine tins of salmon and 34 eggs, value 6s. 9d., from a vain in the Abergwynfl goods yard of the Great Western Railway on September 6. Mr. Lewis, Cardiff, appeared for the railway company, and stated that the van which contained the goods arrived at Blaengwynfi from Cardiff. The articles in question were consigned to Bell's Stores, and were checked on arrival and found intact. When delivered the consignee pointed out that the cases had been opened, and 34 eggs and nine tins of salmon were missing. Detective Townshend (Greart. Western Rail- way) said that other boys were implicated, but they were so young that the company had dooided not to proceed against them. AH the lads pleoded guilty, and *vere bound over under the First Offenders Act to come up for judgment if called upon.

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WIFE TO THE RESCUE RHONDDA POLICEMAN MAL- TREATED. At Ystrad Police-court on Monday the story of a. savage assault on a police-officer was nar- rated to the bench in a case in which three Llwynypia men, named Isaac Phillips, black- smith, and Owen Thomas and Edwin Provinoe, colliers, were jointly charged with assaulting Police-sergeant Bowen, Llwynypia. Superintendent Cole conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. D. W. James defended. Poiice-sergeant Bowen stated that, at 11.20 p.m. on Saturday, whilst on duty in plain clothes in Argyle-street, he came across two men fighting. He separated them, and advised them to go home. Province, who was stand- ing near by with his coat off, cried out, "Mind yohr own business," and struck him (witness) on the fbrehead, wounding him. Owen Thomas then came on the scene, and, together with Province, held him (witness) up against the wall. Thomas clutched him by the throat with one hand and scratched his face with the other. Witness then drew his staff, whereupon Phillips joined in the attack. The latter held his hands while the other men struck him about the head and body. Witness screamed for help, which brought his wife and daughter on the scene, and, after he had been released, the prisoner Phillips followed him up and wanted to have five rounds with him. Pohce-oonstables Jones and Taylor assisted in arresting prisoners. At the police-station Province said he remembered nothing of the affair, and the others denied the assault. Mr. James cross-examined Police-sergeant Bowen with the object of showing that he had used the staff upon Province's and Thomas's heads. What did you want with your staff in plain clothes ?" queried Mr.. James. Police-sergeant Bowen: I was on the look- out for poachers. Mr. James: You bit Province's finger? Police-sergeant Bowen: Yes; he put it in my mouth, and I was not going to let Vim push it down my throat. (Laughter.) He nearly strangled me. Mrs. Bowen gave evidence to the effect that she was attracted to the spot by hear- ing screams. She tried to pull Phillips away from her husband, and he told her to go 'home and mind her own business. She pushed Province away, and he pushed her back. Later in the night Thomas held up a knife, and said he was going to stick it into her husband's heart. Miss Bowen (Police-sergeant Bowen's daughter) also gave oorroborative evidence, and added that when she saw her farther he was standing up by a wall and his face bespattered with blood. Inspector Hoyle explained to the bench that when arrested neither of the defen- dants had complained of being struck by the officer with his staff. The defence was a denial of the assault, except that they were called upon to defend themselves, PolioC-sergeant Bowen being the aggressor. Province's statement was that, hearing a row, he simply went out to see what was the matter, when he was (Struck on the head by the officer, whilst the other two defendants stated that they had only come to Province's assistance. The defendants were fined £5 each, the presiding magistrate (Mr. T. P. Jenkins) characterising the case as one of a "cowardly assault."