Weekly Mail

1»HD UNHINGED BY GRIEF VERDICT IN THE CASE OF XIlS. HUGHES. d ^"w- oq Jf^-ooroner for East Sussex, Dr. T!l<' inq,j ''edneaday at Eastbourne opened Hug-h^g Upon the body of Mrs. Marjorie j tlie lnierest in the case wajs shown by tn>! ;s fBclajioe of a -number of the iuJiabi- We]J k Eastbourne, where the deceased was an(j JiDown, she having lived there prior to some little time after her marriage. f0r" TL" • Hart, solicitor, Eastbourne, appeared Hr ^r- Ames, the father of the deceased, Kon W. Mayo, solioitor, represented Mr. Hnp-h k Martin> who traveUed with Mrs. Ifr 011 t^le fatal Journey. (Ie r. Albert Henry Amos, father of the de- e< who was muon affected, wae the first Gra^f88 caH^d He gave hia addrees as the k ?ar<^ens* Eastbourne, aDd identified »hr> v y as tllat of ^ie daughter, Marjorie. her i,1Ved at Kenllworth Court, Putney, with Mervyn Howard Hughes, a c ?Olbroker. On Monday last witness re- Ijp the news of the tragic occurrence at W'es He was told that Mr. Hug'hes had eu seriously injured, but did not then tIlat he wae dead. Witness thereupon "H ^rs" Hughes a telegrajn, as follows: — ave you heard of Mervyn'b accident at ^,0s? Come hom» ,at once." >r- Hart* "What time was it sent off? witness- About 3.30, I think. "e Coroner: It was handed in at 3.23 and ^oeived at Putney at 3.45. •^SOLTJTELY AFFECTIONATE COUPLE, fitness said the next he heard wae a from his daughter eaying she *ould arrive at 6.35. b rhe Coroner: Were your daughter and husband an affectionate couple? Witness: Abeolutely, one not more than e other. .Had your daughter enjoyed pretty good health ?-Oh, yes. Jtad she any illness you know of in recent y«ars?-N0. l' In reply to Mr. Hart, the witness said he eceived a letter from his daughter on Mon- evening, it having been posted at jp^tney the same morning, and addressed to mother. It wae a personal letter, suoh 13 a daughter would write to her mother. j.*be Coroner, looking at the letter, asked ,'Ken" was the deceased's brother, to J^eh he replied in the affirmative, air! C0101161* said in the letter she said, *T J"1 Soing to meet Ken on Wednesday if he iB # tbing up to go to the Hunters' Show. I am a°J°rry Dad is bad. Mervyn's cough is, too, "d the doctor told him that he would have fttlngestion of the lungs if he waa not care- tut he will go out." Wt Coroner: )She also speaks in this thi of a 6^irt and a hat, and says, "I v„ you will say it is a model hat when see it," clearly showing that she ex- ^ted to see her mother shortly. She eoo- Rded, I must go out, po will end." Am^e here quite broke down, oe Coroner: I should like to hare the w v°lver pfoduced. (The weapon was handed "7 a police officer.) u EXPERT WITH REVOLVERS. „Wr- Ames said it was such a revolver i bis daughter was in the habit of She was an expert manager of a v7<^er, and there wae nothing stnange in her one in the house. His daughter was j^te absorbed in her husband, and this Jitter came as a great surprise, for suicide 9thi nfrer been hinted at. She wae a strong, II <uetic girl, exceedingly fond of games and _i*ts of every kind. ^enoeth Davenport Ames, Long Mel- Suffolk, a brother of the deceased, epoke lj saving received a letter on Monday from faru at the same time as that to their ber- In this she said-.— I have not sent your bag, ae it was too |^te on Saturday. If I it to-day you not get it to-morrow, as you will be "P on Wednesday. Mervyn is going to take j* t6 the office for you. ^n€SB added that they > ere a moetha-ppy llPle He stayed with them last week. Vr Coroner: Dv you know anything about •Hughes's state of health? >f;nJtn'es^ I left h.im in bed on Saturday a bad cold. Q never iheard of him having- a He h illT1^?-No. 'not been in the doctor's hands in.g, y ?~~He saw a doctor on Friday morn- Th« do not know who the doctor was. ih« i_F°re>man of the Jury: How long !had Satu^n ,n bed?—He only stopped in bed on THn mornin*- \tr ^.GHT SHE MIGHT KILL HERSELF. *a.it}' j*enneth Martin, a young man, who v resided in Eastbourne and waa yaviI1pCr>r °f a public company, spoke to Joop aJL .OWT1 Mrs. Hughes and her husiband T ut eight years. He was in the train -u!.QQOD Bridge to Eastbourne on Mon- — day, when Mrs. Hughes came up to the train and entered the Pullman car, in the smoking compartrpent of which witness was seated. She passed through the smoking compart- ment, saying that she wanted to speak to him. and he followed her into the other part of the can. She showed him the wire sent to her by her father, and said that she was going to get out at Lewes to make inquiries. Witness offered to do this for her, and on returning she made him tell her the truth that her husband was dead. She was fnuoh distressed, and asked him to leave her for a time alone.. Witness did so, but in a minute and a half he looked througih a hole in the door, and saw that she was not in her seat. He told the conductor that he supposed that she was in the lavatory. CURLED UP DEAD ON THE FLOOR. Why did you know that?—I rather imagined that she might have thrown her- self out of the train or something. Did you go with the conductor to the lavatoTy?—Yes; the door was closed, but it was not locked. We found her lying on the floor, curled up in a sort of heap. I assisted in raising her. She appeared to be dead. Did you see anything of a revolvefJt-It dropped from her right hand as we raised her Witness added that his meeting with Mrs. Hughes was quite an accident. The Pullman car conductor, Slade, and the police gave evidence as to finding the body and the revolver." Medical evidence was to the effect that the wounds wore such as Would be caused by a revolver being fired in the mouth. Death would be instantaneous in such a case. THE VERDICT. After a brief retirement, the jury found that deceased met her death by a revolver shot, and that it was self-inflicted. They were also of opinion that deceased's mind was temporarily unhinged by grief.

INQUEST ON HUSBAND'S BODY. The inquest on /the body of Mr. Mervyn Hushes waa held at Lewes on Wednesday evening. Mr. William Ernest Hughes said that deceased, who was his brother, was 25 years of age, and a wool-broker, of 10, Basinghall- street. London. Deceased had been suffering from influenza. Dr. Burbidge, describing the wound in the head, said the bullet used waa an expand- ing one. At the coroner's request the doctor re-con- structed the tragedy. Placing the gun on the floor, and with his right hand holding the barrel near his left temple, the doctor, with his left hand on the trigger, said it would be quite easy to fire the gun in snoh a position. Mr. Charles Axoell, accountant and cashier for Messrs. Hughes and Son, said deceased had no financial worry, but for some time his health had been bad. Witness thought he was in consumption. Deceased lived on terms of the greatest affection with his wife. Another witness explained that the estrangement between deceased and hie parents was only because they objected to his marriage, thinking the couple too young. The jury found that deceased committed suicide, and that his mind was unhinged at the time.

A MENTAL EXPERT FINED. 4 DR. FORBES WINSLOW AND LUNATIC CASE. At the Middlesex Sessions on Saturday Mary Lascelles was indicted for receiving for pay- ment to board and lodge Ethel Mary Davis, a lunatic, in a house not duly licensed for the purpose; and Dr. Forbes Winslow was indicted for aiding and procuring Lascelles to receive the said Ethel Davis. Both defendants surrendered to their bail. and put in the plea that Ethel Davis was not a lilnatic at the time of her removal. The Chairman said the matter was one of general importance. It was a matter that concerned the safety of all those unfortunate creatures With regard to Dr. Forbes Winslow, he thought that every medical man in the country ought to know the provisions of such an Act of .Parliament ae this. He wae convinced that the doptor kpew the woman's condition, and in order to show that this was anything; b»t a mild offenoe the pecuniary penalty must be \óne which was appreciable, though not heavy. Dr. Forbes Winslow was fined £50, and Mrs. Lascelles £18.

YET ANOTHER POINT IN COMPENSATION LAW. --+- CARDIFF APPEAL TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS. The House of Lords gave judgment on Fri- day in an appeal by Mr. Morgan, a foreman engineer in Cardiff, who while i.n the employ of the Tydfil Engineering and Ship-repairing Company was sent on board a vessel to take note of the repairs required, and while so doing fell from the flddley to the bndge deck sustaining injuries which incapacitated him from following his employment for several months. He claimed compensation from his employers under the Workmen's Compensa- tion Act. The county-court judge held that the Act did not apply, and this decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Without calling upon counsel for the Tydfil Engineering and Ship-repairing Company, who were the respondents, the Lord Chan- cellor moved that the appeal be dismissed, as the employers in this case were not under- takers unless they were in actual use and occupation of the dock. To send a man to take notes of repairs required by a vessel was not using or occupying the dock. Lord James, Lord Robertson, and Lord Atkinson concurred, but Lord Ashbourne said but for a previous decision of tlfe House he would have had some doubts as to the oase.

INCREASE OF PAUPERISM. WORKHOUSE ACCOMMODATION AT CARDIFF. I Speaking at a meeting of the Cardiff Union Workhouse Committee, held on Tuesday, the Chairman (Alderman F. J. Beavan) called attention to the necessity for taking imme- diate steps to increase the accommodation for indoor paupers. He hoped that during the spring and summer months the committee would sit down and make some provision for next winter. Whether they would do so by erecting another house, with separate management, or by extensions, it would be for them to consider. Judging by the increase in inmates last winter, he felt certain that the present accommodation would not be adequate for the ensuing winter. They ought as soon as pos- sible to make up their mindfc as to what they ^ould do. It had been suggested tl. mey should enlarge the house at Ely, and also that they should acquire a plot of Land behind the Jews' syna- gogue if they could get it at a reasonable price. The eick were continually increasing m numbers, and it was urgently necessary that more accommodation should be found for them. He did not wish to alarm or excite the committee, but it did seem to him that the time had coane to deal witu the ques- tion of accommodation. It was resolved that a special meeting of the committee should be held on Monday, the 23rd inst., to consider the question of increased accommodation. WAGES DURING ILLNESS. The oommittee considered the principle to be adopted in regard to the payment < f assistant officers during illness. Mr. 0. W. Melhuish thought the p0t,rdians ought to encourage people to join/friendly Societies. Most unjust attacks had been made on the guardians, and he moved that a sub- committee be appointed to consider the whole question. He did not think a man who was not a member of a Friendly Society should be put on the same basis as a man who was. Mr. Matthias seconded. The motion was carried, and the clerk was requested to ascertain what was done by other publio bodies under similar circum- stances.

PARLIAMENTARY EMPHASIS. DOES GOVERNMENT CARE A CURSE" ABOUT INDUSTRY? The Standing Committee on Scottish Bills sat on Monday at the House of Commons for the consideration of a Bill to repeal the law which prohibits the growing of tobaooo in Scotland. It was introduced by Mr. Morton (R., Sutherland). Mr. Runciman, representing the Treasury, stated the Government could not accept the Bill. as it would involve the setting up of expensive machinery, but he gave an under- taking on behalf of the Inland Revenue that permits should be granted, and that if tobaooo-growing became a real industry, a Bill should be introduced extending the Irish BiJ to Scotland. This undertaking the mem- bers of the Committee declined to accept, and Mr. Galloway Weir (R.. Ross and Cromarty) declared the present Government did not care a curse about the promoting of industries. Clause 1 was adopted by thirteen votes to eight, and. after the two remaining clauses had been ordered to stand as part of the Bill. it was reported without amendment.

SEQUEL TO A CURE] AT BATH. ♦ CO-PATIENTS NOW JOINT DEFENDANTS. ONE AS RESPONDENT, OTHER AS THE" eo." Holidays at Bath, Bournemouth, and other watering-places ended on Tuesday in the Divorce Court. The petitioner in the suit was the manager of the Investment Registry, Water- loo-place, Mr. Edward Mortimer Harley. He asked for a divorce, alleging that his wife, Mena, had been guilty of misconduct with a gentleman stated to be of consider- able means, whose name was given as Mr. Ashton. The charges were denied, and damages were claimed. Mr. F. E. Smith. K.C., M.P., on behalf of the petitioner, explained that the parties were married in June, 1893, at the Grange Parish Church, Edinburgh, in which town the. petitioner held a position as a bank manager. They lived in Scotland till 1897, when. giving up his occupation in Scotland, he came to London and settled down as the manager of the Investment Registry Waterloo-place. From that time until October, 1905, they iived happily. The firm's business prohibited him from taking his holidays at times which suitea his wife. In 1905, although the wife was able to play games, such as tennis, her health was not good, and she suffered from rheuma- tism. VISITS AND DINNERS. Henice it was that she went to Bath and to Botscombe. While there, counsel said, sh.r made the acquaintance of the co-respondent. After this Mrs. Harley, who had said tha' she had met Mr. and Mrs. Ashton, who were "lllioo people," who had been very kind to her," suggested that Mr. Ashiton .should be invited to dinner. There were accordingly visits and dinners and no more was thought of it.. This was in December, 1905. In January 1906, for the benefit of the health of the only son of the parties, Mrs. Harley took him on a visit to Bushey. and in May she again went to Bath, and later on to Boscombe. So matters went on till January, 1907. In that month a number of letters had accumu- lated at the Alexandra Hotel, London, many of them being for Mrs. Harley. As the husband had always settled her tradesmen's and other accounts when she was away on holidays, he opened these l otters, and among them he found a peculiar one. This letter, bearing in mind the fact that th" petitioner had found his wife and the co-respondent dining alone together in Lon. don—an incident he took no notice of at the tirjie—caused him to make inquiries. "MY DEAREST MENA." The letter was dated from Deane Court, Taunton, which was the country house of the co-respondent, and read:— My dearesit Mena,—Many thanks for your telegram and kind wishes for the New Year. I repeat the same to you, and a very happy one. I trust you will have mudh better health to enable you to enjoy it. I am sure if you take great care of yourself yon may be able to do so. Care of yourself you most take. I told you, dearest, I would write to the Alexandra Hotel, and that you would find letters from me on your return. I find you telegraphed from Wingrove. so it is only with misgivings that I write this, so I send it to the Alexandra. So I hope you really will be there to morrow. I am going on Thursday to Tiver- ton. I must close now, dear one, with a.ll my love.—Front yours always, Arundel. 1 COUNSEL AND THE LETTER. That letter, counsel contended, was the culmination of a long and systematic corre- spondence. He also mentioned that a copy of a local paper was sent to the husband with the names Mrs. Mortimer Harley (London and Mr. A. M. Ashton underlined with red ink. Counsel then proceeded to call attention to discrepancies in statements he said had been made by Mrs. Harley. I In 1906. counsel went on, Mr. Ashton was staying at a Bournemouth hotel. While there he said it would be .sho-yra that the respon- dent visited him as early as ten ^.m„ a.nd did not leave till ten p.m., being constantly in his company. VISITS THAT MADE A MAN FAINT. The petitioner, a dark, military-looking I man, then gave evidence bearing out counsel's statement. lie said that from the end of 1905 his wife in her letters to him, which were of a most affectionate character, never mentioned tht presence of the co-respondent at the hotels at which she stayed. Cross-examined by Mr. Barnard, the witness said that up to February, 1907, he had no suspicion whatever of his wife's conduct. It was in 1903 that he gave up the flat in Kensington Palace Mansions. From that time. has your wife been in ve"" bad health?—No; delicate. He denied that, during the winter of 1903-4 he neglected his wife when she was ill, Do you know that she underwent a rest- care "?—Tee. And that she wae advised to go to Bath for treatment at least twice a year?—I heard that. Questioned concerning his friendship with a Mr. and Mrs. L the witness said it was simply a business matter. At one interview with Mr. L he added. he actually fainted at the flnisih. He only mentioned that, he explained, to show that his visits were strictly business ones. Counstel explained there was no charge of misconduct against the petitioner. The hearing was adjourned.

MRS. HARLEY IN .THE BOX I Further evidence was given on Wednesday. Mr. Barnard, K.C., on behalf of the respon- dent, said that there were a good many admitted facts. He would show that on every 'occasion when Mrs. Harley met the co-respondent the husband was aware of his presence on the scene. From 1903 Mrs. Harley had been in a very bad state of health, and went to take the cure at Bath, on the recommendation of her medical man. She met the co-respondent, and an acquaintanceship sprang jip. He contended that there was not a scrap of evidence called which would support a charge of misconduct. Mr. Ashton, by arrangement, had sat in her room for a short time to look after her. He contended that even the letter from the co-respondent to the respondent was but one of friendship, and nothing more. Mr. Duke, K.C., followed on behalf of the co-respondent. He pointed out that the relationship between husband and wife had not been altered by the advent of the co- respondent. With regard to the letter, he suggested that if they took it as a love letter, it was about the most tepid performance as could be well imagined. MRS. HARLEY IN THE BOX. The respondent, a slightly-built woman, dressed in a feather-trimmed black hat and sables, presented the appearance of one who had suffered much. Sue spoKe in a low voice, being accommo- dated with a seat. It was in 1903, she said, that her health broke down, which resulted in a series of visits to Bath. She first made the acquaint- ance of the co-respondent about the begin- ning of November, 1905, at Bath. Slhe became very quickly" on friendly terms with, him, for he was the only person she knew there. She introduced him to members of her family as well as to her husband. Mr. Ashton, with h)pr husband's consent and approval, had taken her and her eon to the theatre. Did Mr. Ashton write to you?—Yes, first at the beginning of 1906. I was at Eastbourne at the time. The witness then epoke of thfe circum- stances of her visit toBath in May, 1906. Her husband did not oome to see her at all during that visit. She was very ill; and her brother came to see her. Did you ever in your letters to your hus- band mention Mr. Ashton?—I did with regard to a motor drive. Was there any secrecy at all with respect to Mr. Ashton being a.t the hotel during May ?—None at all. With regard to the Boscombe and Bourne- mouth incidents, she Raid that Yr. Ashton had driven her and her boy and her sister's boy through the New Forest. She was in a very low state of health at the time. Did you make any complaint to your hus- band about his not staying with you r-l did. I said I was very uncomfortable and very unhappy. He said he would not take a flat or a house for me, adding, in the presence of my brother, If you will not be satisfied, why don't you divorce me?" KISSED BY THE CO-RESiPONDENT. The witness then went on to describe what happened at Bournemouth. She WTOte to the co-respondent, eaying she was very miserable, and he said he would come and see her. At Bath she was ill and had to keep to her room. Mrs. Barley denied that 6he had ever received a letter from the co-respondent, signed, Your devoted Arundel." Has Mr. Ashton ever kissed youP-Yee. On what kind of occasion ?—Sometimes wheu I aras going awiay. Or>oeB-exazn>ined Mr. F. E. Snitih. JLCAj I ■ A very few days after you met Mr. Ashton you went for walks with him?—We walked to the baths together on same occasions. I knew much more a-bout him on my next visit. She denied any misconduct at any time. CHAMPAGNE AND BRANDY. Her husband never objected to her going away to health resorts for her health, and he never made any objection to the heavy charges for champagne and brandy a.nd other items, which he paid Asked when the first met Ashton at Bath, she said it was just after her husband had come down there one day with Mrs. Lowen- feld She knew Ashton was a married man, but she denied definitely that she told her hus- band on her return from the Empire Hotel, Bath, that she had met Mrs. Ashton with Mr. Ashton. She corresponded with Ashton as she did with othe1' men friends. She told him her movements, but did not expect him to arrive at Bushey. Sho was pleased, and surprised, a hen he arrived. Was it not unusual for a married man to move about at hotels because a marrie t woman was there?" asked M.r. Smith. Witness replied that there was golf at Bushey, and it was nicer when there was a friend there. All places were nice when there was 6oni«j- onè one liked there," retorted Mr. Rmitn. There were six visits which respondent paid to health resorts, and Ashton turned up a few days after in each case. Respondent admitted that her friendship "developed" with Ashton at Bushey; she got to know him better there. She swore that she told her husband that Ashton was there—in a casual way." At Bushey she called Ashton by his Christian name. I oall lots of my meii friends by their Christian names." Mr. Smith: Do you call lots of married men, whose wives you don't know, and whom you meet at hotels, by their Christian names? Respondent said there were a few. 3e must have called her by her Christian name before she called him by his Christian name. NOT ON KISSING TERMS WITH ANYONE. Were you attached too him?—I liked him very much. Had you any affection for him?—He was a friend. Did he kiss you there?—I would not have allowed him to. I did not know him well enough. How well do you know a man not your hus- band before you call him by his Christian name? Let me try the standard of friend- ship.—I cannot tell you. How miny men are you on kissing terms with?—I am not on kissing terms with any- ne. „ You were with Mr. Ashton?—He may have Idssed me when he left. I suppose it is done in a spontaneous way while you are there?—I don't consider it is the same. Witness said she did not kiss Asihton at the railway station. She was not introduced to Ashton's wife. He would have been pleaeed to introduce her, but there was some diffi- culty. The hearing was again adjourned.

ANOTHER PERJURY CHARGE. i 4 LATEST SENSATION IN THE DRUCE CASE. 1 Chief-inspector Dew. of Scotland Yard, accompanied by Detective-sergeant Williams, on Saturday morning arrested iirs. Margaret Hamilton, one of the chief witnesses in the recent Druce case, on charges of committing wilful and corrupt perjury and of con- spiracy. The old lady was arrested at her rooms in London, and conveyed to Bow-street Police- station in a cab. She looked very pale and weak, and had to be assisted from the cab. The warrant for her arrest was granted to Chief-inspector Dew only that morning by Sir Albert De Rutzen, chief magistrate at Bow- street. Mrs. Hamilton is a septuagenarian, and felt severely the strain and reaction consequent upon her ordeaJ in the witness-box after the collapse of the charge against Mr. Her- bert Druoe. She left her rooms at 4. Duke's- lane, Kensington, telling her landlady she was going to Scotland for a holiday, and leaving her address as care of General Post-office. Glasgow In her evidence during the Druce case she said she knew the fifth Duke of Portland as Scott Portland and eaw him both at the Baker-street Bazaar and at Welbeck. He used to call her "Madge." It IS understood that she has made a state- ™erjiry s that she has committed perjUry I Mrs. Hamilton appeared before Sir Albert de Rutzen at Bow-etreet during the after- noon. The charge against the prisoner was one of wilful and comipt. perjury. Mr. Sims. solicitor, appeared for the Treasury, in the absence of Sir Charles Mathews. Prisoner walked jatintily into the dock, and, although looking ill at ease, appeared to take the keenest interest in the proceed- ings. Only evidence of arrest was given, and the prisoner was remanded until next Monday.

A CLOUDED "SUN"-SET. DEFUNCT EVENING PAPER SUES THE "WINNING POST." In the King's Bench on Wednesday the "Sun" Newspaper (Limited) sued the "Win- ning Posit, 1906 (Limited), for damages for libel. Defendants admitted the libel, and the only question for the jury was the amount of damages. Counsel for the plaintiffs said that in 1906 the plaintiff company had sunk £30,WO in the Sun" evening newspaper, which had a cir- culation of 60,000. As this company were losing £200 a week, they were negotiating with a view to selling the paper for some thousands of pounds. While these were pending the "Winning Post" on September 39 published this paragraph: The Sun" set unusually early on Thurs- day, 27th, never to rise again. That, said counsel, must have very seriously prejudiced the negotiation, and eventually the SInn" did cease publication. Mr. Justice Darling suggested a settlement, and the parties thereupon oonsulted and agreed to a settlement, the terms of which were not disclosed.

LIBELLED BY MISTAKE. FARMER AWARDED DAMAGES FOR REPORTER'S ERROR. At Leeds Assizes on Wednesday Thomas Frankland, a farmer, 0If East Farm, Nor- manby, in Cleveland, brought a consolidated action for libel against the Northern Coun- ties Constitutional Newspaper Company, Darlington, and the York Herald Newspaper Company, York. The defendants admitted the libel, and expressed regret. The libel was contained in a paragraph in the "York Herald" and "North Star" stating that the plaintiff was an undischarged bankrupt, and was due to an application made at Northallerton County-court in connection with an est.a.te"at Northallerton being mis-reported. Mr. Bairstow, for the plaintiff, said Frank- land had never been bankrupt, and, although the newspapers on finding the mistake pub- lished an apology and' offered the plaintiff JMO teaon and costs, yet the mistake was a very serious one. Mr. Tindall Atkinson, for the defence, held that no pecuniary damage had been sus- tained. The plaintiff was awarded £:15 in each case as damages.

PRESS PRIVILEGE BILL. ■ 1 I TALKED OUT IN THE COMMONS BY SIR F. BANBURY. Shortly before eleven o'clock in the House of Commons on?Tuesday night, Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Lab., Durham) asked the House to give a second reading to the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press) Bill, the object of which was to give a statu- tory right to representatives of the press to be admitted to public meetings of local autho- rities. Sir F. BANBURY (U., London) considered that a. Bill of this kind should receive careful consideration before it was rfead a eeoond time, and he talked out" the proposal. The House rose at 1L5.

K.C.'S COURT SCENE. We understand that the Lord Chancellor has appointed a committee representing the four Inns of Court to try the case of the two eminent K.C.'s who recently came to blows in the Court of the Lord Chief Justice in connection with the proceedings of the Railway Commission. It is thought possible that the result of this official inquiry may be of a rather serious kind.

STATION SMASH. An* electric train at Newcastle on Tuesday ran violently into the station buffers. Many of the passengers who were standing fell, and oompJained of &hook. The train was .also coo&decahly damaged.

ROYAL VISIT TO GERMANY. ♦ PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES. It is announced that the Prince and Prin- cess of Wales will leave London about a week from next Monday to visit the German Emperor and Empress, and that they are likely to be away from England till about the week before Easter, when they go down to Frogmore. The Princess will not accompany the Prince when he goes to Canada in July. KING, QUEEN, AND EMPRESS. It is stated that there is no more founda- tion for the report that the King is meeting the King of Italy this spring than there was for the report, since officially contradicted, that the King and Queen would visit the Duke and Duchess of Connaught at Valetta in the third week of April. It has been officially ascertained that their Majesties have no Mediterranean spring cruise in contemplation. After concluding his stay at Biarritz the King will go straight to Paris, and will make a brief stay there. Queen Alexandra will join him in the f'Teneh capital, and together they will go overland to Copenhagen, and thence to Nor- way. Their Majesties return to Buckingham Palace on or about May 2.

MOTOR-'BUSES AT MERTHYR COUNCIL'S PROPOSAL OPPOSED BY THE T.V.R. The Merthyr Tydfil Corporation Bill again came before the Select Committee of the House Of Lords presided over by Lord Clin- ton, on Wednesday. Mr. Rees, town-clerk of the borough of Merthyr, gave evidence as to the necessity for the Bill. Cross-examined by Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., who appeared for the Taff Vale Com- pany, who were petitioners against the Bill, he said it was proposed to run omnibuses to serve certain centres which were already, he admitted, served by railways, but they were not served efficiently. Any loss on these omnibuses would come out of the rates. Mr. Browne: It would not be a fair thing to oome with omnibuses and take away the traffic from the railway companies and then, if they did not pay, to expect the railway companies to pay rates to keep them np?— We don't intend to do that. Mr. Jones, mayor of Merthyr. said the Taff Vale Railway Company had been approached some time ago to put motor-'buses on the railway, but it was found there was no room. The object of the corporation running omni- buses was to get people to the outlying parts. This was largely mixed up with the housing question. People were not able to get to these outlying districts easily because there were no transit facilities. Cross-examined by Mr. Balfour Browne. The corporation proposed to make an experi- ment, and if the motor-'buses did not pay to take them off. Mr. F. S. Simons, member of the Merthyr Council, said that at present there were not sufficient facilities for moving about the borough. Colonel Orompton, president of the Auto- mobile Electrical Engineers, said from his experience Merthyr was a place where motor- 'buses would be of service. The case for the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany, who petitioned against the Bill, was then gone into. Mr. A. Beasley, general manager of the Taff Vale Railway Company, was the first witness called. He said that the Taff Vale Railway was the pioneer railway in the dis- trict. The number of passengers at Mer- thyr had not increased during 1906 and 1907. Ten trains were run daily each way to and from Merthyr, stopping at all stations, and on Saturday thirteen, and they were only filled to one-third of their carrying capacity. The railway company served the district to the north of Merthyr satisfactorily, in which it was proposed to ran motor-'buses, and in the south he thought the motor-'buses had not the slightest chance of paying. Cross-examined by Mr. Freeman: The main objection he had to the motor-'buses was that they might have to go on the rates. Mr. Robert Hammond, civil and electrical engineer, Westminster, gave details of the oost of running motor-'buses in Todmorden. Yorkshire, where there was a similar service to that proposed in this Bill. The cost at Todmorden was Is. 5d. per mile, and if the circumstances of Todmorden were repealed at Merthyr the result would be disastrous. The Committee adjourned consideration of the Bill till to-day (Thursday).

THE FUTURE OF NEWPORT HARBOUR BOARD AND THE STATE OF THE RIVER. At Wednesday's meeting of the Newport Haroour Board, Mr. F. P. Robjent initiated a matter of the greatest moment concerning the future of the River Dsk and the port in general. He moved the appointment of a special oommittee to visit the districts where river improvements have been effected, with a view of ascertaining whether any, and, if so, what, improvements couid be madk to th< itiver Usk, whereby navigation and the trade and commerce of the port and district could be benefited. Mr. Robjent cited the great im- provements which had been carried out on the Thames, the Clyde, the Tyne, the Tees, the Seine, and the Avon. A policy of laissez faire" in the administration of a port wat always reflected in a corresponding lack of revenue. The harbour dues at Newport received froan vessels using the river indi- cated a.n absence of growth which the development of the general trade of the port seemed to warrant. Mr. W. J. Orders seconded. Mr. W. Evans moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the dredging committee. Mr. T. H. Mordey seconded. Mr. T. E. Watson welcomed Mr. Robjent's speech. But they could not make bricks without straw. At Newport the harbour dues were only a farthing per ton on coast- wise tonnage, and a halfpenny per ton on other tonnage. On the Clyde it was 4d. on the ship and Zd. on tne cargo; on the Tees, 4id. on the coastwise vessels, 7!d. on foreign vessels, and Id. per ton on cargo. On the Tyne it was about 2d. per ton less than the. Tees. The motion to refer the matter to the dredging committee was agreed to, Mr. Rob- jent being added to the committee for the purpose.

"ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS." ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRAIN OF THOUGHT BASELY INTERRUPTED. Tho archiBological enthusiasts in the House of Commons on Wednesday listened with anxious interest while Mr. Horniman (R.. Chelsea) asked whether the Prime Minister had considered the need of an inventory being made of the ancient and historical monuments and constructions in England and Wales, and whether there was any reason why a Commission for the purpose should not be at once appointed. Their hopes were shattered into smithereens when Mr. Swift MacNeill (N., Donegal) asked whether, if a Commission were appointed, it would make a careful inventory of the ancient and historical monuments and con- structions in the House of Lords. Mr. Asquith: My right bon. friend is not in a position to make amy statement at the present time. He is willing to consider any representation which may be made to him on the matter.

THE PREMIER AND WELSH MONUMENTS. Sir Hepry CampbeH-Bannerman has his came standing on top of the following written answer in the House of Commons: — "I understand that the Royal Commission on Scottish Monuments has not yet begun its labours. The Government must wait for its report before coming to a decision. As to the subject raised in the second part of the question with regard to Wales, a country rich in monuments, my right hon. friend cannot make any announcement at the moment, but he will be prepared to consider any repre- sentations that may be made to him on the matter."

SPANISH MERCHANT DEAD. BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH SOUTH WALES. A cablegram was received in Cardiff on Wednesday reporting the death of Eduardo Aznar, Marquess of Berriz, head of the Spanish firm of shipowners I Sota y Arnar, who have a fleet of nearly 30 steamers. Particulars of the death have not been received. The marquees, who was only about 45 years of age, wae enormously wealthy, and, in addition to his interests as a shipowner, was connected with a number of Spanish mining and other industries. His vessels are well known in South Wales, and Messrs Orders and Handford, of Newport and Car- diff, are the lofeal representatives of the fl riii.

PIT GIVES UP ITS DEAD. + PITIABLE SCENES AT HAM- STEAD. After seven days of incessant labour, the untiring workers at the Hamsitead Pit on Wednesday learnt the tragic truth. They found the bodies of fourteen miners in positions indicating that they had passed away peacefully and without a struggle. It was considered that there was no hope of finding any' of the missing twelve men alive, but rhe rescuers did not relax their efforts, and continued their search up to a late hour on Wednesday. NOT YET BROUGHT TO BANK. None of the bodies of the dead miners have been brought to the surface at Hamstead Colliery, but sheets and disinfectants have been sent into the pit. A party of workers who descended returned about six o'clock en Thursday, and later went down again. With the help of the Salvation Army I workers, the fear-stricken, haggard, and hopeless wives and mothers of the entombed men. who have been waiting and weepiag at the pit's mouth since the awful vigil began, have been taken back to their homes to mourn. Their dead are unrecognisable. COFFINS I FAT nowx THE PIT. Experts have again descended the pit, and coffins are being sent down, in which the fourteen bodies already found will be placed before they are brought to the bank; but this, it is stated, will not be until midnight, when the crowds have cleared away. In the meantime it is hoped that the searchers will have discovered the bodies of the other men. None of the bodies have yet been moved from the pla-ce in which they were found," as they lie at a very inaccessible spot. Sledges on wheels are being constructed on which to place them. Owing to the ravages of decomposition they are unrecognisable, and can only be identified by their clothing. I THE KIXG'S SYMPATHY. The King has expressed his sympathy in a further telegram, and asks for the latest I news. STORY OF THE DISCOVERY. ) Headed by Mr. Makepeace, the inspector, a rescue party entered the pit at eleven o'clock. The party, putting on the masks, went in and thoroughly explored the northern work- ings. In the course of the search, which was impeded by several falls, they discovered a group of eleven men with their faces to the ground. None of them showed signs of struggling, and appeared to have passed away peacefully. Two other men were found lying by them- selves in the same peaceful attitude; They also found twenty to thirty dead horses. It is feared that there cannot be any hope of finding any of the remaining missing men alive. It is concluded that the men rushed in a body to escape from the fire, and eventually fell forward in an exhausted condition. A second party descended in the evening, and continued searching until a late hour, and a. telegram this morning states that they found one body, making fourteen in all. INQUEST ON WELSBY. The inquest on John Welsby was held on Wednesday, bat. only formal evidence was given. Mr. F. W. Barrows, chairman of the Ham- stead Colliery. and Mr Grazebrook, manasr- m; director, expressed their sympathy with the widow and family of Welsby. M Grszebrook remarked that deceased left his bed at a moment's notice, p.nd came to Birmingham in his day clothes to help them. Mr. Garsforth said that Mrs. Welsby remarked: At any rate, he has died a noble death." The inquest was adjourned until the 25th i-izt

THE PREMIER. ♦ BETTEH ON WEDNESDAY: NO CHANGE AT NIGHT. The Premier had a much better sleep on Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning's bulletin recorded a more comfortable condi- tion. Dr. Burnet on Wednesday night issued the following bulletin: — There is no change to report in the Prime Minister's condition this evening. The bulletins were communicated direct to the King, Queen Alexandra, and the Empress Marie, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. There was a large number of callers and inquiries during the day. THURSDAY'S BULLETIN. The following bulletin wi £ is issued at 10, Doiwndng-sitireet on Thursday morning:- The Prime Minister has had a good night, and there is no material change in his condition.

CONSUMPTIVE SOLDIERS. HUMANE SUGGESTIONS OF WAR OFFICE COMMITTEE. The War Office Oommittee appointed to report on the treatment of soldiers invalided from consumption has issued ite preliminary report. It is of opinion that the practicable methods of treatment resolve themselves into three alternatives: — 1. To continue the present method, viz. To discharge at once from the Army any man suffering from tubercle of lung, to dis- charge him from hospital as soon as he is fit to travel, and afterwards to disown all j responsibility for him. 2. To provide a central sanatorium for tuberculous patients, to which all soldiers suffering from the disease should be sent. 3. To make use of existing civil "sanatoria in all parts of the country by reserving in each a number of beds at the expense of the Army Funds, and by transferring the soldiers suspected of having the disease to the available institutions nearest to their own homes. The last method, No. 3, is the one recom- mended by the Committee in reviewing the existing system. The report incidentally observes tha.t the Oommittee are of opinion that the State should admit responsibility for soldiers invalided for tubercle, and tha.t suitable treatment on an organised basis should provide for them by regulation. In coming to this conclusion, they are actuated not so much by the claims of the patients themselves—though this aspect is not negli- gible—as by Clie consideration of the danger involved to the civil population. The Oommittee, in conclusion, recommend that the beet course to pursue is to make use of the rapidly increasing number of civil sanatoria.

PHILANTHROPIST DEAD. Mr. H. L. Bischoffsheim, the well-known philanthropist, died at his Loudon resi- dence, South Audley-street, on Wednesday morning. Th#> deceased gentleman, who was in his eightieth year, had been suffer- ing almost continuously for nearly eigh- teen months from an ;nternal trouble. He belonged to a family of distinguished philanthropists, and recently celebrated his golden wedding by giving £ 100,000 to charities. He also founded the Bischoffs- heim Ambulance Service.

STOP PRESS. LORD ROSEBERY AND SOCIALISM. Speaking in London on Thursday after- noon, Lord Resebery said he would never ac-cept Protection except under the pressure of overwhelming necessity. If it came a choice between Socialism and Protection he had no hesitation in preferring Protection. Socialism: was the t;td of Empire and of religious faith. If 'Socialism weni" to dominate our > com- munity the Liberal party must be swept, away. Hi- apjKjah'd to the Liberal Leasue to rally to a programme of five salient points—namely, fcane Imperialism, Free Trade, hostility tb Socialism, and a reformed and efficient Second Chamber.

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PRIEST SUES FOR SLANDER. WOMAN WITNESS "TOO ILL TO APPEAR." At Limerick Assizes on Monday an action brought by Father Michael Kerin, the parish priest of Oarron, County Clare, against Miohael Lennane, herdsman of the same place, for slander and defamation, came on for hearing. Mr. Moriarty, for the defence, produced a medioa-l eertifiedte that Mrs. Mary Lennane, wife of the defendant, was suffering from ill- ness, and he applied for an adjournment, or that her evidence be taken on commission. A son of Mrs. Lennane was examined, and bore out counsel's statement. Mr. Campbell cross-examined, and produced a medical certificate to show that Mrs. Len- nane oould travel. This certificate, which was from Dr. Heynes and was dated March 7, was to tat effect that he found Mrs. Mary Lennane in bed, but on removing the covering he found she had on a portion of her day garments. The bed was slightly tossed," the certificate continued, as1 if not long lain on. The woman's stockings and feet were covered with clay, which made him believe she was malingering. Her temperature was not above the average. His belief was she might travel without injury to her health." While ocunsel agreed that the witness referred to was material, he contended that he should have the opportunity for cross-examining her. The plaintiff wished for the fullest investi- gation of the case. The Lord Chief Justice said that to give permission to examine the woman in the wilds of Carron on commission would be impossible. He adjourned the ease to the next Limerick City Assizes.

WORKMAN OR CONTRACTOR? COMPENSATION CLAIM FAILS AT CARDIFF. An interesting point was raised in ao action under the Workmen's Compensation Act at Cardiff County-court on Jfriday, when Samuel Smith, labourer, sought for an award for injuries from Henry Scull. lime merchant, Cardiff. His Honour was asked to decide whether the applicant was an inde- pendent contractor or whether he came within the definition of workman. Mr. Ivor Bowen stated that the applicant whilst following his employment on the 19th of November last in certain quarries, ewned by the defendant, at St. Athan. in pushing a bogey full of stones to the lime-kiln, slipped on a stone and sprained his leg. He was in- capacitated up to the 31st of January of this year. His Wages were about £2 a week, and they claimed £1 a week compensation dur- ing that period. The applicant stated that he was engaged by Mr. Scull in quarrying at St. Athan, being paid iJ() much for piecework, the tools and everything being supplied by Mr. Scull. Three men were engaged besides himself, and he paid them after being paid by Mr. SculL Mr. Scull instructed him to do the work, and he and the three men vrbfked under his directions. There was no written contract between, them when he was en- gaged. In cross-examination he admitted engaging the men. whom he could discharge, and fixed their hours of work. For the defence Mr. Parsons di puted the injury and incapacity, and saiu the man was suffering from rheumatism. Mr. Scull stated that he entered into an agreement with Smith with regard to his quarries at Is. 6d. per ton for lime produoed, anfl 9d per ton for stone. The applicant was t) have absolute control of the quarry, and he had no control over the applicants manner of working. Dr. William Campbell etated that he examined the applicant's leg on January 14, and found nothing wrong with it at all. His Honour was of opinion that the appli- cant was a contractor, and that the claun failed. £150 FOR A BBOTHEB. .r. Ivor Bowen (instructed by Mr. J. B. Stephens), who appeared for the appli- cants, mentioned the case of Elizabeth Mary Turner and Margaret Amelia Turner, who at the last court sought to recover from the owners of the steamr &hip G^tesgarth compensation, under the Workman's Compensation Act, in respect ot the death of their brother, who was engaged as an engineer's steward when the ship was lost coming from Liverpool to Cardiff. It waa alleged that the younger girl, aged sixteen, was wholly dependent, and that the elder girl, aged 20, was partially dependent. The case had been adjourned to ascertain as to whether the sum of 4s. poor relief mentioned was paid in respect of the younger daughter. Mr. Parsons (instructed by Messrs. ^Mao- lean and Handoock) now agreed that the 4e. was not paid to the younger girL His Honour made a declaration that the elder daughter was not a dependent, but that the younger daughter was still depen- dent, and gave her £150, to include the money paid into court, with costs on Scale C. also the costs of the adjournment from the last court. DECISION AFFECTING MANY MEN. George Harding, furnaceman, 54, Alexan- der-street, Ebbw Vale, sought to recover £19 17s. from Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds (Limited), Dowlais Works, Cardiff, being the balance of wages from April 6 to October 5 last. The point for his honour to oonsider waa w ipther, having regard to the terms of the employment, the respondents oould, without due notice or alteration of the contract, reduce the wages of the men by increasing the gang, which, it was stated, was done by putting on an extra man In the result, his Honour pointed out that, according to the agreement, a reduction in wages could be made without notice, and the men had not protested against the reduc- tion. He thojght they had continued work- ing without having mentioned to the manage- ment anything about the wages. He was bound to give judgment for the defendantfil but gave no special order as to costs. Mr. Parsons, who appeared for plaintiff, said his honour's decision would affect & number of men. jE155 FOE AN ARM. William Gibbons, a labourer, aged 24, sued Messrs. Spillers and Bakers (Limited) on account of an accident whilst in the respon- dents' employment, in which he lost his left arm. Mr. Parsons now offered £155 and costs in settlement, and this was accepted after some demur by the applicant. Judge Owen entered judgment for that amount.

THE TERRITORIAL ARMY. LOCATION OF MONMOUTHSHIRE INFANTRY. A meeting of the Monmouthshire Terri- torial Army Association was held on Wednes- day at the Drill-hall, Stow Hill, Newport. Colonel Sir Arthur Mackworth, Bart., the chairman, presiding. It was decided to leave tie local squadron of the Royal Gloucestersl^re Hussars I.Y. under the control of the Gloucestershire Association. Some dissension was expressed at the designation, in the Army scheme of the 1st Monmouthshire R.G.À. Volunteers as the 2nd Welsh Field Artillery Brigade, seeing that they have been the pioneers of field artillery Volunteers in the oountry, and that the Glamorgan brigade, which is to be designated the First Brigade, is not yet in existence. With regard to the three infantry bat- talions in Monmouthshire, it was decided that their location should be as follows:- 1st Battalion: Headquarters at Newport, four companies at Newport, half a company at Chepstow, half ,a company at Bogerstone, and one each at Blackwood, Ehymney, and Aberbargoed. 2nd Battalion: Headquarters at Aber- gavenny. one oompany each at Abergavenny. Sirhowy, Tredegar, and Blaina, two com- panies at Abertillery, and -two companies at Ebbw Vale, with a detachment at Victoria. 3rd Battalion: Headquarters at Pontypooi, two companies each at Pooitypool and Blaen- avon, and one each at Garndiffaith, Crumlin, and Abercanj, and half a company each a.t Monmouth and Usk. The question of commands haa not yet been settled. COLONEL ROBERTS AND THE 1st V.B. WELSH. Colonel W. R. Roberts, V.D., the command- ing officer of the let V!B. Welsh Regiment, has issued a battalion order, in which he states:—" The time has now arrived when it is desirable to know how many Volunteers are prepared to transfer their services io the Territorial Army. The commanding offi'-sr earnestly trusts that all who are qualified will readily transfer their services to the Territorial Army, a.nd undertake to serve for the full period of four years, or, in oases where this is not possible, to give the nriw system a fair trial for at least one year.'

RAILWAY TRAIN BLOWN OFF A MOUNTAIN. Three passenger carriages and two goods wagons of a train on the narrow gauge L'oo from Dingle to Tralee were blown off the line into a deep ditch whilst passing through an exposed mountain gorge on Friday morning. There were only three passengers on the train, and all escaped with only slight Injury. A similar accident occurred at the none soot eicbt smco. with fatal results.