Weekly Mail

TWO MEN AND A PUNT. STOLEN ORAFT ABANDONED AT PENARTH. The Cardiff justices were on Saturday called upon to listen to a somewhat sensa- tional tale respecting two men who took a punt which did not belong to them, -with Swansea as their port of destination, but they reached no further than Penarth, and arrived there in a pitial/le sta-te of fatigue. The two men were George McKenzie (22) and John Stephens (22), who were charged with stealing a punt, value £3, the pro- perty of Arthur Henry Adams. The latter stated that on the 10th inst his punt with two oars locked was moored near the Clarence Bridge, and on the 12th he missed the boat. On the next day from what he wa.s told he went to Penarth, and recovered his property. William Henry Woodley, carpenter, deposed that a<t half-past six on the 11th he saw prisoners in the boat just off Penarth landing-stage. Witress ejaculated, "Is that your dinghy?" and one of them replied, "Yes." Later the pair left the boat. and witness took possession. Police-constable William Charles Howell rPeriari.h) stated that on the evening of the 11th prisoners came up to him in Windsor- road, Penarth. and asked to be directed to the police-station. "For what reason?" they were asked, and both replied that they had stolen the boat from Cardiff, and had intended to go to Swansea, but they could not reach there that night, and had decided to give themselves up, being hun- gry. wet, and cold. Prisoners made statements to the effect that they were in a stranded condition, out of work. and bordering upon starvation. MoKenzie represented himself to 00- a miner from Natal Detective-sergeant Gretiton stated that McKenzie, aocording to his own statements, left South Africa with between £1,400 and £1,500. but had gone through it all." Passing aentencj of iourteen days, Mr. Stephens said the Benoh were sorry prisoners were hard up, but that was no excuse for taking property which did not belong to them. McKenzie: What are we to doP. We are looked up if we beg.

A RHONDDA BANKRUPTCY. VISITS TO LUTON AND LONDON AND THE SEQUEL. With liabilities amounting to £442 15a. 8d.. and a deficiency estimated a.t £287 15s. 3d.. Frank Giddkwgs, saddler, Bute-street, Tre- herbert, underwent his public examination at Pontypridd Bankruptcy-court on Tuesday before Mr. J. E. Spickett, the registrar. Debtor, who was represented by Mr. D. Bevan Thomas, Ferndale, attributed his (failure to illness and death of wife and lose of trade. Replying to Mr. Ellis Owen, the official Teoeiver, debtor said that he commenced trading in 1906 in partnership with another man, he having bought the business for £200 of his laste employer. In January, 1907, the partnership was dissolved, and he depended mainly upon oom tracts with two collieries for repairing and re-placing harness. In A/ngnst last, without girrirrg any intimation to has friends, he left home with £20 in his pooket. In the first instance he had intended banfctng the money, bat instead of ooi-ng so he proceeded to Weston-super-Mare and thence to Luton, via. London, wAt5h the hope of seeing an tincle, who he felt sure would help him. as he was then pressed by Ms creditors. Being unable to attain his object, he returned to London, a.nd there stayed Tmitil all the money was spent, return- ing to Treherbert without amy. He tiben found that the (business had been carried on as usual, but "the place was topsyturvy." The examination wa»doeed.

DIMINUTION IN CRIME. f U PROFESSIONAL" ELEMENT IN PRISONS. Statistics of a most interesting nature a.re' contained in the report of the Commissioners of Prisons and the Directors of Convict Prisons for the year ended March 31 last. published by the Home Office on' Monday. The report states that the number of prisoners received into local prisons during the year under sentence of penal servitude or imprisonment by the ordinary courts was 176,602, besides 501 soldiers and sailors oon- victed by courtsrmartial. There were also 17,913 persons imprisoned as debtors or on civil process, and 1.212 in default of sureties, making a total of 196,233, compared with a total of 199,282 in the preceding yeer, of whom 178,343 were convicted by the ordinary courts. The population of the convict prison.3 on March 31 was 18,354. In the previous year I it was 17,911. As an indication of the character cf the onmes for which persons were convicted, it is stated that 61 per cent. of the males and 65 per cent, of the females were sentenced to two weeks or less. Only 5.65 per cent, of the males and 1.99 of the females were sen- tenced to six months and over, and 1.16 per cent, of the males and 0.16 per cent, of the females to over a year. That the "professional criminal" element constitute the bulk of our prison population is shown by the fact that of 134,519 males and 40,910 females sentenced to imprisonment only 60,792 of the males and 10,2<6 of the females had not been previously convicted, whilst of the 1,132 males and 41 females sen- tenced to penal servitude only 174 males and seven females had not. been previously con- victed. The percentage of previous convic- tions in cases of grave crimes was, therefore, no less than 83. On the subject of jnvenile crime, the Com- missioners are very glad to say that the diminution of offences by persons under six- teen years of age continues, the number of convictions of juveniles between twelve and sixteen years of age having fallen during the past eleven years from 1,630 to 566, or by nearly two-thirds. The number of children under twelve convicted last year was only three, compared with 58 in 1897. The number of children of twelve and under sixteen convicted was 548 males and eight females, compared with 1,541 males and 89 females in 1897. The Commissioners Bay :We have refened more than once to the remarkable decrease in recent years in the number of juveniles received into Birmingham Prison. Last year there were only twenty, compared with 50 the previous year, and only five from the city of Birmingham itself. This year there were only eight, as compared with twenty, and no case at all was received from the city of Birmingham-a singular example of the suc- cessful operation of the children's oourt in that city." =

COUNCIL "FLOUTED "AT MERTHYR. 4 CONDITIONS OF THEATRE LICENCE. The monthly meeting of the Merthyr Cor- poration was held on Monday evening, the mayor (Mr. D. W. Jones) presiding. With reference to the application of the corpora- tion for a further loan of £1.460 in respect of the erection of working class dwellings, at Danyderi, Merthyr Vale, the Local Government Board wrote requesting to be furnished with a fresh statement, with an explanation of the difference between the amount of the estimate and the provision- ally accepted tenders. Mr. John Roberta moved a resolution that the tenders be re-considered, and that a com- mittee be appointed to report on the specifi- cation, the motion being carried. A resolution was received from the Merthyr and District Free Church Council expressing appreciation of the action of the council in making it a condition of the grant of a licence to the Theatre Royal that no intoxi- cating liquors should be sold. Mr. A. Wilson: Is it true that the bars are still open against Q11r regu1a.tions? The Town-clerk: I don't know; I have not been there. Mr. Arthur Daniel. J.P., suggested that the new chief-constable be requested to inquire into the matter and report to the oouncil. The Mayor: I think it will have to come up after the 29th of September. Mr. Arthur Daniel: We have decided to grant the licence on particular conditions, and those conditions, so far as my informa- tion goes, axe being violated every night. If that is 80. the council is being flouted and contemned. It is time we looked after out own position, and taught these people that the decisions of the council have to be respected. The Mayor said he thought it was a matter entirely for the watch committee. Mr. F. T. James asked that the town-clerk should give the council his opinion on the legal position, but Mr. R.ee.8 said that he would prefer to give it to the watch com- mittee. With reference to the licence of the Tem- peranoe-hall, it was pointed out tha.t the conditions of the council in respect of the work to be done had not been carried out, and the town-clerk was directed to write to the lessee as to the risk he was running. WATER PURVEYORS. A REVENUE OF £3,000 A YEAR PROMISED. A sub-committee of the waiterworks com- mittee reported that a deputation from the Vaynor Rural District Council had waited upon them as to the terms offered by the corporation for a supply of water, and that they had instructed the surveyor to prepare a scheme, with a-U estimate of the expendi- ttJ16 Eh5rmn«y and Aber Valleys Gas and Water Company had accepted the oouncil's offer of a supply of water, subject to minor conditions, and the town-clerk had been instructed to prepare a draft agree- ment. The Mountain Ash Urban District Council bad written stating that they would require about 80,000 gallons of water a day to be supplied into their reservoir at Abercynon, and about 120.000 gallons a day to be delivered into their Darran Las Reser- voir at Mountain Ash. The sub-committee recommended that the quantity asked for be supplied on the same terms as those offered to the Rhymney and Aber Valleys Gas and Water Company, viz., 43d. per gallon up to 50 million gallons per annum for a term of fifteen years. Mr. F. 8. Simons (chairman of the water- works committee), in moving the adoption of the report, said the two contracts they pro- posed entering into would give the cor- poration an immediate revenue of £3,000 a year. Mr. Arthur Daniel seconded the motion, and it was agreed to.

CLERICAL WORK IN TIME OF WAR. The headquarters of No. 4 Distriot at Shrewsbury includes one of the twelve infantry record offices established in 1905. The district comprises the whole of Wales and the border counties of Cheshire, Salop, Hereford, and Monmouth; the regiments affiliated being the Cheshire Regiment, Royal WeLsh Fusiliers, South Wales Borderers, Welsh Regiment, and Shropshire Light Infantry, totalling ten#line battalions (five at various stations at home, four in India, and one in South Africa), and five Special Reserve battalions, recently converted from Militia, with headquarters at Chester. Wrexham, Brecon, Cardiff, and Shrewsbury. The commander of the district is respon- sible for the discipline and training of the regular troops stationed in his area, the clerical staff at headquarters in oonnCCltïon with this consisting of three clerks, under the immediate supervision of a staff captain. In addition, the commander is responsible for the custody and upkeep of the records of all officers and men serving in the fifteen battalions at home and abroad, totalling, with Army Reserve, about 17,500. The staff to carry out this work includes an officer and ten clerks. With the exception of the colonel commanding and the staff captain, the whole of the staff are on the retired liST. and the military experience of these old soldiers is found to add considerably to the efficiency necessary to the carrying on of the worts of such an office. Much of the work formerly done in regi- merrts and depots in the upkeep of records and preparation of returns by soldier clerks has been transferred to this office with beneficial results, the intention being tba/t regimerrts should be relieved of such clerical work during peace time as would be found imipoeeiible to carry out when on active service in the field. In time of war, there- fore, this staff of pensioners would still con- tinue to carry ouit the necessary work with- out any sadden changes and consequent confusion following cm the withdrawal of soldier darks suddenly required to take their places in the field. The average Army ser- vice of the "pensioner olenke employed in the headcfuarteir amd reoomd office 8Jt Shrews- bury is 24 years. Major G. BL Grant on leaving the record office, where he bad been a valuable oasiftarrt, to Colonel Sir Robert Colleton, for another appointment cut the War Office, is suoceeded by Mbjor C, Parr, late of the OrfardBbire light Infantry, from the Record Office, No. 12 District, Cork. Colonel am- Robert A. W. Colleton, Bart., C.B., served in the Hazaira Expedition, 1891; operations on the North-west Frontier of •ftnrfti*- 1897-8; and in the late South African war, -when be commandod the 1st Battalion Sognfl tMab PaaNtene.

CLERICAL WORK IN TIME OF WAR. HEADQUARTERS OF No. 4 DISTRICT AT SHREWSBURY. First Row: Orderlies and messengers. Second Row: Mr. L. Silver, late quartermaster-sergeant, Ohesfoire Regiment; Mr. A. Smith. late odour-sergeant, Shropshire Lidlt Infantry; Mr. P. Waller, late-ootour- sergeant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Mr. J. Burke, late quartermaster-sergeant, Army Service Corps; Mr. G. Edge, late quartermaster-sergeant. Cheshire Regiment; Mr. E. Duffell, late quartermaster-sergeant, Shropshire Ligbt Infantry; Ma". W. W. Rumfltt, late sergeant-major. Army Service Corps; MT. J. Patterson, late quartermaster-sergeant. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Third Row: Mr. J. S. Pollock, late quartermaster-sergeant. Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Mr. G. Wright, late oolour-sergeant, Cheshire Regiment; Mr. J. Evans (superintendent clerk), late sergeant-major, South Wales Borderers; Major G. H. Grant, late South Wales Borderers; Colonel Sir R. A. W. Colleton. Bart., C.B., in charge of the records, lately commanding the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Captain J. A. Stridk, Shropshire Light Infantry, staff-captain, No. 4 District; Mr. C. West, late oolour-sergeant, South Wales Bor- dereis; Mr. H. Dance, late sergeant, Oheshire Regiment. [Photo. Anflrew Hunter, Shrewsbury.

A LADY'S LOANS. ACTRESS AND A "CONCOCTED" TELEGRAM. At Lancaster on Wednesday John Daniel Thomas, of London, Arthur Hicks, or Pem- berton, of London and Antwerp, and Charles Wilson, of Manchester, were committed for trial on charges of conspiracy, false pre- tences, and attempted false pretences, in con- nection with the frauds on Miss Ellen Sarah Tomlinson, sister of Sir William Tomlinson, Bart. Although evidence at previous hearings Although evidence at previous hearings only referred to sums of about .El.OOO. it is I alleged that during the past seiven years Miss Tom linear: had been induced to part with over .€10,000. They modus operandi at later stages was for Thomas to pose as a. philanthropic individual, desirous of securing the welfare of Wilson by sending him to a clerical relative of Thomas in Canada. He drew L100 for passage money, and aha-red it with Pemberton. Another feotuire of the case was the sending of a telegram with a forged signature of Lloyd's Bank, to give Miss Tomlinson the idea that the sum of £1,400 had been repa.id by Wilson. On Wednesday a witness, who said she was an actress, and whose name was kept back, said Hicks concocted the telegram at Wil- son's house at Tooting, and gave it to her to re-write and despatch next morning. Replying to Hicks, the witness said she had lived with him, but it was not from chagrin at not hearing from him that she gave information to the prosecuting solicitor.

LOCKED HIS WIFE IN, JEALOUS HUSBAND WHO WAS ALWAYS MOVING. I An extraordinary case of wife desertion was related at Caerphilly on Tuesday. The complainant was a Mrs. Helena Jones, now residing with her parents in Windsor-street, Caerphilly, and the defendant John Frederick Jones (35), a. stoker, of Caexplailly. Mr. C. 8. Goodfellow was for the wife, and Mr. Tom Phillips defended. Mr. Goodfellow said that the couple were married at Cardiff in April, 1904. The defen- dant was of a very suspicious nature. They came to reside in Caerphilly, where the hus- band became jealous, and they went to Barry. From there more jealousy caused them to go to Newport. Next they went to Llantrisant, where he deserted her and the two children. After this there was a reconciliation, and a move was made to Blaengarw, where she obtained parish relief because the husbamd deeerted her again. Once again they went to Newport, and later to Pontnewydd, where they stayed with his mother, but he accused the wife of relation- ship with the mother-in-law's lodgers, so they removed to Caerphilly, only to double back to Owmbran, where he locked her in when going to work. At Cwmbran, however, he lost, his job, and so back to Caerphiily went the family. The woman was now in a deli- cate condition. Mrs. Jones corroborated this statement, adding that before going to Caerphilly the first time, they had also resided at Penarth a.nd Cadoxton. (Laughter.) Mx, E. Edwa.rde (oha-irman): You have not got all the history, Mr. Goodfellow. (Laugh- ter.) Alfred Downing, father of the complainant, said he bad had his daughter home several times since she was married. To Mr. Phillips, who cross-examined, the father said, "You are trying to baffle me, ain't you?" Mr. Phillips: I am trying to get some some out of yon. Defendant, in evidence, alleged that the lodger, named Facer, was losing so many quarters from work whilst they were in Cadoxton that he became suspicious. One day the wife put the baby in his arms and went upstairs, where she was afterwards seen in a compromising position. His wife then kissed him and said, "Jack. if you don't for- give me I'll drowp myself." An order for 12s. 6d a week, with costs, and the custody of the children was made.

MR. T. D. JOHN'S AFFAIRS DIVISION AMONGST CREDITORS IN CARDIFF BANKRUPTCY. His Honour Judge Owen had arranged to hold a special court on Tuesday at Cardiff for the hearing of a motion on behalf of the trustee (Mr. C. E. Dovey) in tihe -matter of Mr. T. D. John and the John's Cardiff Hotels (Limited). The judge did not sit. however, for the reason that the parties had come to terms. Messrs. Lewis Morgan and Box had been instructed to appear tor the trustee. It is understood that application was sub- sequently made to the registrar in chambers for an order by consent by the parties to the motion, Mr. O. E. Dovey, trustee in the bankruptcy of Mr. T. D. John, being the applicant, and the John's Hotels, Cardiff (Limited), the respondents. The application was to set aside the transfer by the bankrupt of his assets to the company. Judge Owen bad- given a special sitting for Tuesday for the purpose of hearing the motion in open court, but as the order was by consent it appeared that the registrar was able to sanc- tion it without the attendance of the judge. In effect, the order is that the whole of the estate which the bankrupt had transferred to the company is now vested in the trustee, and will be divisible amongst his creditors. The document was sealed on Tuesday after- noon, and the trustee will immediately go into possession of the estate and deal with it in the ordinary way. The order also pro- vides that the company shall account for all its dealings with the assets o^ the bankrupt as from the date of the transfer, which is understood to be the 30th of May last. When the aooounts are taken the company will have to pay over to the trustee any moneys which may be found to be due. We under- stand, further, that an arrangement has been made whereby the stock in all of the licensed houses taken over by the company, namely, the Alexandra, Ship amd Pilot (Dow- la is), and Corporation Hotels, is to be sold by the trustee at a valuation.

LETTERS AND VALUABLES. CURIOUS DISCOVERY MADE NEAR CHEPSTOW. A mysterious discovery has been made at the small seaside village of Beaohley. near Chepstow, by Mr. Robert Charles Prickett, who has found several letters whdch bore marks indicating that they had been posted at Newport. They had evidently been tied into a bundle before bcdng cast into the water, but the string had broken, and tibe letters separated. Some of the letters had been opened, and contained postal orders and cheques. IInloTmatim was given to the Tntshill pbtice. and the matter was handed over to the Newport pedioe ftxrjfirrther- inveetigiataon.

CHOLERA SCOURGE. 4 414 NEW CASES AND 176 DEATHS. Four hundred Mid fourteen cases of cholera, 176 of which proved fatal, were reported at St. Petersburg. The hospitals are completely over- crowded, and enormous numbers of patients writhing in the agonies of the fell disease ha.ve been kept waiting in doorways and corridors until such time as they could be admitted. Many have been turned away for want of accommodation. The doctors, however, are not responsible for this. They have done and are doing their best with the means at their disposal. The population is still apathetic and fatalistic, and the murmurs of the ignorant against doctors and students are spreading. There is, however, no excite- ment. A night watchman, named Kulha, aged 72, died at Buda Peeth after an illness of only one day's duration, and the symptoms are those of cholera.

THE LLANBRADACH STRIKE. ANOTHER ATTEMPT MADE AT SETTLEMENT. A further attempt to settle the Llan- bradach strike was mad.;) at the Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday, when Mr, W. Thomas (agent) and Mr. Gregory (manager) repre- rented the company, and Messrs. W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., W. Brace, M.P., John Davies, and' Hubert Jenkins attended on behalf of II the workmen. •- The situation was discussed at some length, and the men's representatives put forward certain proposals, with a view of settling the dispute. These will be considered by the manage- ment, and a further meeting will be held ¡ to-day (Saturday)-

£4,000 SWINDLE. 4 YOUNG SPANIARD AND 11 ELEGANT "BIUDE." A jeweller in the Hue Lafayette, Pari has been swindled out of £ 4,000 worth < jewellery by an elegantly-dressed you, Spaniard, who pretended to be the son c a well known doctor of Madrid. He said i was about to be married, gave reference which proved to be excellent, and intr: duced the alleged bride, who made lavisl selections of the gems. The young Spaniard was arrested c Monday at Biarritz, and the girl accomplice on Tuesday in Paris. Most of the jeweller; has been recovered, but a diamond necklace worth £ 2,0C0 is said to have been sold ir, London by the woman for E200, a tenth o' its value, which the male prisoner is said to have spent at the gaming tables ,-Reuter

SUMMONED FOR El DEBT. NELSON LABOURER COMMITS SUICIDE. An inquest was held at tho Pontypridd Workhouse on Tuesday before Mr. Archibald Daniel, the dcputy-coi-oner, on the body of William Holeman, labourer, Nelson. Tho evidence was that when Polioe-oon- stab'.e Jones went to deceased's lodging-early on Saturday morning the deceased was in bed with a jagged cut. on his throat about 2Jin. long. It is all through trouble, and I want to die," was the deceased's remark to the officer, and he further pleaded, Don't send for the doctor, as I want to die." Walter Richards, with whom the deceased had lodged for the past three years amd a ■half, remarked that the only trouble from which deceased appeared to have suffered recently was that he had received a. oounty- courrt pnmmons for .£1 odd. Dr. Campbell having given evidence attri- buting death to exhaustion through loss of blood and shook, the jury returned a ver- dict of "Suicide during temporary insanity.'

MEMORIAL WINDOW TO THE LATE ALDERMAN SIB DAVID EYANS. [Plhofbo World's Graphic.

MEMORIAL WINDOW TO SIR DAVID EVANS. DEDICATION BY THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON. A memorial window to the memory of the I late Sir David Evans, K.C., M.P., alderman of the Ward of Castle Bayn^rd, was unveiled i.i the Church of St. Andrew, by the Ward- robe, London, on Wednesday. There was a large congregation present. The Lord Mayor (Alderman Sir J. C. Bell), accompanied by the sheriffs and the representatives of the ward on the. common oouncil, attended in State. A shortened form, of Evensong was sung, and midway in the service the Lord Mayor, I accompanied, by the sheriffs, and preceded by the oeremonial offloers of the corporation, proceeded to the chancel steps, aind there dedicated the window..

SLIPPED DOWN THE STEPS. CARDIFF CLUB MEMBER'S FATAL FALL. Mr. W. L. Yorath, the Cardiff city coroner, held an inquiry on Tuesday into the cir- cumstances of the death of David Adams (34), 25, Adelaide-street, who died after fall- ing down the steps of the Docks Conserva- tive Club, James-street. Deceased's widow described him as a. man of not very robust health. On Sunday-morn- ing he went out at 7-30, and at two p.m. was brought home, but did not say he had fallen down. He mumbled and appeared dazed, and went to bed. having lost the use of his legs. At 11.30 witness bathed his head, which was hleeding, but she did not* think he was ill enough to send for a doctor. At a quarter to tnro she shook him, and got no answer. Prank Hutchins, warehouseman, 57, Pome- roy-street, deposed that at 1.30 on Sunday he was in the club, at the top of the stairs, and saw deceased descend, assisted by the hand- rail on each side. He slipped, and fell back- wajds, and his head, bumped on the stairs. The steps were of stone, and were slippery, the weather being wet. The steward of the ciub, who had known deceased sinoo he was a. lad, sand he had never Beetn turn uiwjer the influence of driBik. no. bad only one glass of beer in the ohib. Mr. Cyril Brown (Messrs. Ingledew and Sons) appeared for the Docks Conservative Club, and said he had been desired by the conlmdttee and members to express deep sym- pathy with deceased's family and relatives. Dr. Robert Walker gave the result of a post- mortem examination, and said death was the result of syncope, induced by pressure on The brain, and extensive hemorrhage, caused by fracture of the skull. The jury returned a verdict of "Aocidental death," and suggested that something should be done to pay attention to the steps where they have been worn.

I.. NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. A B ERjG A VENNT*S INVITATION FOR THE YEAR 1911. The Mayor of Abergavenny (Mr. (5. DeveraH) presided at a putolio meeting on Tuesday evening, when it was unanimously decided to issue a request that the Rational Eisteddfod for 1911 should be held at Abergavenny. Oolonel Sir Ivor Herbert, DAO., M.P., was elected chairman of the provisional commit- tee, the mayior and Alderman Strtvker vice- chairmen, a.nd Mir. R. H. Jackson secretory.

PONTYPRIDD PLAGUE. + OLICE AND MAGISTRATES DO THEIR DUTY. The Graig district, in reference to which public meeting was recently held protest- .'ig against the alleged ''open immorality arried on in the locality, came into pro- I minence at Pontypridd Police-court on Wed- I :-5 £ day, when Annie Harris, who resides in a < n.n at the Graig, appeared before the bench :o answer a charge of keeping an improper I icuse. Police-constable King gave evidence as to ,bat he observed when watching the van I luring the last two montns. ) The dofendant pleaded ignorance that uiiTerent persona had come there. The Stipendiary (Mr. Arthur Lewis) ex- pressed himealf in very strong terms, remarking that Mrs. Harris must have known very well that her van was used for improper purposes, and added that if anything could make the case worse, it was the fact that this sort of thing was carried on in the presence of two boys of tender years. Proceeding, the learned Stipendiary said that he had noticed statements reported m the public press with regard to the condition of things in the Graig, and there appeared to be some misconception as to the att-itudo of the bench and the police authorities in regard to this evil. Perhaps it was not intended to be so taken, but there seemed to be an implied suggestion that the magistrates were wanting in their duty in dealing with these cases, and that the police also were guilty of shortcomings. He, therefore, desired to publicly say that that bench were as jealous as anybody with regard to the repu- tation of Pontypridd. It was rather a pity that people should rush into the press with- out making due investigations as to the posi- tion of affaire. He had some interesting figures before him as showing that the police I were doing their duty in this matter. During I the past twelve months there were alto- gether a total of 89 convictions in that oourt in respect of acts of impropriety and kindred offences, whne in the preceding year there were 79 convictions in respect of the same offences. While that, nnfortiDiuLto^ shows," want 9^ haa Worship, "t&aA there is an increaae of fawnoraWty in tJ>ia town, it nleo «hong thdA the police a.re doing their dnty in coping with it, and doing: their best to sta,Inp it out. It must not be forgotten that Ponty- pridd occupies a rather peculiar position. It is more or less the metropolis of the Bhonddo, amd the great majority of oases that came before the bench aro not natives of Pontypridd. They come here from Cardiff and other places." His Worship warmly reiteraoted his regret that reflections should be cast on either the magistrates or the police, who, he was quite sure, dad their very beet to stamp out these cases. Turning to the defendant, the Stipendiary sternly remarked: I think yours is a very had cam. I am going to deal very severely with you, with the view, if possible, of stamp- ing this. out. A ftne of £20 was imposed, with the alterna- tive of three months' imprisonment.

SUCCESSFUL TRAMWAYS AT PONTYPRIDD. LARiGE IKOREASE RECORDED IN RECEIPTS. At a meeting of the Pontytpridd Electric and Tramway Committee held on Tuesday, under the presidency of Mr. D. Williams, the Engineer and Manager (Mr. J. E. Teaadel) submitted a bi-monthly report on the under- taking. In the electfric lighting' departmesn-t the receipts far the preceding two months amounted to jEl,158 66. 5<1., as compared with £931 19s. 5d. for the corresponding two months of last year, while the receipts for the two months from the tramways a/mounted to £ 3*356 10s. lOd.. as compared with £ 2,092 lis. 5d. for the corresponding period of last year. For the past month the receipts per car mile on the Treforest route averaged 11.75d., ItS com- pared with 9.71d. for the corresponding month of last year, and the average receipts on the Trehafod route 14.08d., as compared with 9.17d.—a gratifying increase, to which parti- cular attention was called. The Engineer in his report with reference to subsidences in the Bhondda road I remarked that he feared that these subsi- dences are going to give us serious trouble before long. The track is getting twisted badly," the report went on, "and it will require to be re-laid shortly. The oonduits moving caused a breakdown of the traction- feeder on the 31st of July last, but the service was maintained, and the cable pulled out on the Sunday, and it was repaired and put in again and re-join ted ready for the Bank Holiday traffic. These subsidences are crush- ing in some of the pits, and I have this week had to re-build Pit No. 26. just past the Merlin Bridge, as I do not consider it safe to allow it to get any worse."

EFFECT OF A "TEST" LETTER NEWPORT MESSENGER BOY AND MARKED COIN. William John Wheeler (17), of Annesley- rood, Newport, a postal telegraph messenger, was remanded until Friday at the local court on Wednesday on a charge of stealing a postal letter containing money and stamps. Mr. Lyndon Cooper appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Postmaster-General, and said several letters had been missed, some of which had been found in the River Severn. Mr. Frank Wint, a clerk in the Post- master's office, London, said several letters ihad been missed, and he made up what is known to postal officials as a "test" letter, in which he placed marked coins. This was placed into prisoner's deliveries, and was missed. A note which was put into the paciket was found in Oa-k-street. Witness saw him in the office on Tuesday, and asked him if he had stolen the letter. He replied, "Yes; it is true," and at the same time took some of the marked coins from his pocket.

FLOWER POT V. BASIN. ABERKENMG MAN CHARGED WITH WOUNDING. Daniel Driscoll, 152, Bridgend-road, Aber- fcenflg, stoker, was charged at Bridgend on Tuesday with unlawfully wounding his sister-in-law, Ann Driscoll. Police-sergeant W. Phillips found the woman bleeding profusely from a wound on the right side of the head. There were several pieces of crockery on the floor. He charged prisoner with striking Ann Driscoll on the head with a flower-pot. In reply he eaid, I have nothing to say, only I had a drop off beer, and went for my clothes to leave there. I could not get them. She threw a basin at me." Prisoner was remanded in custody ottil Saturday.

COST OF CARDIFF TRAMWAYS. 4 DANGEROUS STATE OF THE TRACK. For the meeting of the Cardiff City Council on Monday Mr. Frank H. Gaskell had ih« following notice of motion:- That an expert be appointed to make aH investigation into the causes of the dis- graceful and dangerous state of the city tramway tracks, and to report thereon to the cournciI. and recommend the best waV of placing and keeping the said tracks in a satisfactory and safe condition. On the suggestion of the Lord Mayor, Mr. Gaskell agreed to omit the words "disgraceful and dangerous," and in moving the resolution in its amended form he a&id they all line"- that the track was being constantly repaired, but. notwithstanding this, certa'D- portions of it were in a dangerous condition- In Newport-road the rails were actually above the wood pavement. It was perfectly obvious that such a state of things constituted a danger to any cart or oarnage. Ho read a letter from Dr. Herbert Cook, who described the tramway in certain parts of Newport-road as "decrepit and rotten." The following amounts had been expended in repairs during the la £ -t six years:—1903, £420; 1904. £2.323: 19C5, £ 4.696; 1906, £3.38: 1907, £3,763; and 1908..€7.064; while the estimate for the current year was £ 7,500- It was (he contended) bad finance and bad economy to go on tinkering with the present ijosition of affairs rather than to go into the whole question., find out exactly what vas the canse of the continual bad state of the track, and deal with it en bloc. Mr. Kirk seconded, and stated that in Leeds, his native town, the track was in nothing like the disgraceful condition that it was at Cardiff. Mr. OhappeJl said there had been a gross misrepresentation of the faxrts in this case. What. he asked, did they want to engage an expert when they had in Mr. Harpur one of the experts of the United Kingdom on the standardisation of tramlines? There were some people who delighted in crying stink- ing fish about their own goods. When repairs were made in other towns a section was fenced in and no traffic was allowed over it until the concrete had settled. In Cardiff the trams were allowed to run over the repaired section immediately after the work was completed. In reply to Mr. Forsdike, it was stated that a joint committee had been appointed to deal. with the question, but the vacation had pre- vented them doing anything. WOULD COST £50,(0). Mr, Edward Nicholl pointed out tha.t the result of calling in an expert would be an expenditure of £50,000 or £60,()()() which the city could ill afford. Before calling in an expert they should ask for a report from Mr. Harpur, city engineer. Alderman Sir W. Grossman sa.id these difficulties were not peouliar to Cardiff, but were experienoad in towns all over the country where the traffic was heavy as it was in Cardiff. Mr. Harpur, in reply to Mr. Kidd, sai* he never asked for permission to close any portion of the line, as he considered it would be a very serious thing to stop the traffic- both from the point of view of income a.nd public convenience. The Newport-road track conid not be closed on account of it being the only way to and from the depot Mr. Kidd added that the Ninian-road track was in a bad state within five weeks of its repair a.t a cost of £WJ. They had a. special system of repairing the track in Hull. which might be tried as an experiment in Cardiff- Mr. W. H. D. Cample proposed that the city engineer and tramways inspector be directed to make an investigation into the causes of the srtiate of the tramways track and report separately thereon, and report on the best way and the oost of placing the track in satisfactory and safe condition. Dr. Cantillon seconded. Dr. Robinson. speaking as a resident of Albany-road, said the rooking of the cars wajf disgraceful. It was so bad that people living in Albany-road and Ninaan-road wete leaving? their houses. People could not live in New* port-road, and were willing to sell their houses almost for nothing. Mr. Cbappell: I would like to buy a gooA house cheap. GERMAN CEMENT. Mr. F. G. L. Davis said they were aS 1# blame for the present condition of the track, as they were parties to the purchase German cement for the foundations Mr. J. T. Richards believed the only tJ:¡j.XJtr that would satisfy the council and the «publi°: would be the appointment of an expert- There was such rivalry between the com- mittees of the corporation that the tramway track had suffered. The depreciation wbiCb had taken place in property abutting on tl*0 toanrway routes was a very serious matte1"*1 » When th« teaek was laid he askid Mr. WW would, be the won TAcri^rfB^ pimxa-nryt■■ iit gxpurftv- tlMt property Improved laid. Rut what was the property on tramway line of route'h^d depr^*i' cfLated 25 to 30 per cent. Tide was not by tramways being laid in the streets, htf6 because they were so constructed that there: was am in tolerable noise, so that people-could not eazry on their bmsnaess, and private residents oouW not get quietude and peaoe in their own houses. The time had arrived when they should have as independent report. AS an instance of the rivalry -which existed between coamnififcees, he alluded to what had taken ptooe in coranecition with the widen- ing of certain portions of Cowbridge-road. At the instigation of the tramways com- mittee £ 8.000- had been spent on that improve- ment. and then that committee turned round and said they did not require a double tracS- The repairs of the road, including the train- ways, should be in the hands of the ocwrfflmttee. AMerman Lewis Morgan sand that, a com- mittee having been appointed to deal with this matter, such a resolution as was no^ proposed should not be passed until th.a.t committee had reported or got rid of. The way to improve-the track was to spend more money. Mr. J. W. Ootrrtis opposed the motion, and said it would be better to ask: Mr. Harp«r for a report. The interlacing lines had bOOI1 a mistake. It wocM be better to have lines where the roads were not wide enough far double lines. Ma-. Gaskell, in rerpijring, stated that tbS streets committee was appointed in April* &Del nothing had yet been done. The Lord Mayor said two meetings ]:¡sd been held, and a whole mass of informatioi1 had been obtained from other towns. Mr. Gaekell, continuing, said Mr. Sonde*3 had objected to crying stinking fish. Wh^ was he doing when he tried to make out the city of Cardiff was infinitely more drunken than it was? Mr. Sanders: Perhaps Mr. Gaskell will _1'\ when I did that. LORDLY." i Mr. Gaskell: Frequently; he is never moret happy than when he is doing so. He called j for a report which, unfortunately for hixø., told against himself. I will now turn to thØ; lordly idea of Alderman Lewis Morgan-' (Laughter.) He said this was a trumpery! matter. Is it a trumpery matter to spend £8,COO a year, equal to a Zd. rarte, on t.J1Ø: repairs of the tramways? Alderman Lewis Morgan: I am sorry tb« mental capacity of my friend, Mr. Gaskell, such that he failed to understand what meant. (Laughter.) What I said was that- the way of getting rid of the difficulty was trumpery matter. You can get rid of thd difficulty by spending sufficient money to put. the track right. Mr. Gaakell: It has been reported tha.t tnsJ would cost £100,000. Does he consider that trumpery matter? Alderman Beavan a1£!0 had. lofty ideas. He started with the assumP" tion that in towns where tramways should pay they must have a population of 200,000. Alderman Beavan: I did not say no tram* way should pay; I said no tramway d0e8 pay. Mr. Gaskell: Very well, sir, I accept y°uf apology. (Laughter.) If so, why did he, as a. member of the finance committee, sanction the laying out of the money? Yarmouth po#9 splendidly. _.t; Mr. Ghappell: What is the capital e%pte)JUo"" ture? Mr. Gaskell: I cannot tell you; Alderd^ Beavan referred to population. He the expert to be appointed to point out w^a'i was the matter. Every single individu^ who had spoken had admitted that the tra^ was in a bad condition.. Mr. Caple consented to a separate rep°^ being made a joint report between Harpur and Mr. Ellie, øø The amendment in its amended form carried by fourteen votes to nine, and th^ a further amendment by Mr. C. F. Sand<~j~ that this report be presented to the committee was carried.

A PAINTER'S INJURIES. ø. Before Mr. Marsham at Bow-street don) Police-court on Tuesday Edwin Ashf a constable of the H" Division of to Metropolitan Police, was committed of the Central Criminal Court on a charge^ causing bodily harm to George GaDi^ described as a painter's labourer. oJ1 assault is alleged to have taken ju the eaTly morning of August 21, l9|jCe- Osborn-street, Whiteohapel, when a constable, said to be the defendant, kn^ Gamble down and kicked hrm on the Gamble had to go to the I.ondon HoGP^o and was not released until November 1"- ^3 matter was brought to the notice °x>0iic6 Royal Commission on Metropolitan by the Police and Public Vigilance tion, and after investigation a cone1 adverse to the defendant was arrived the last hearing Gamble said he the defendant was the man .who aJISBi Aim. 1