Weekly Mail

tt ^faeltitr ggiiil. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1909. T}.t" WEEKLY MA IL "is publishe I ev Fridays and Saturdays, and can is tltained frvm your local newsagent- If you find, any difficulty in obtaining the paper, please communicate wití. the Manager, Weekly Mail Offices, Cardiff, The Weekly Mail" will be sent Vj post on payment of a subscription in advance on the following ternis;- s. 1. One Quarter 18 Half Year 3 3 One Year 6 Ii

ST. DAVID AND HYWEL DDA. Wherever the Welsh language is spoken and wherever Welshmen are gathered together honour is done to the memory of St. David. It is one of the features of the growth of our national spirit that the patron saint is not only honoured in Wales itself. Year by year the celebrations of his memory extend, embtfoing new lands and welding Welshmen together in a bond of patriotism whose spiritual strands stretch invisible across intervening oceans and continents. Like his brother Celt from Scotland, the Welshman is an adventurous emigrant. He has gained a foothold in many lands, and there are few corners of the British Empire to-day where Welsh-I men, whether they be small in number or large, are not meeting to honour once more their patron saint and to do homage to the homeland of which he is the symbol, hide by side with this growth of national sentiment amongst Welsh people there is an increasing appreciation and acknowledgment of Welsh nationality amongst the kindred nations. All this makes for the strengthening of the race, for its unity and purposefulness, and for the welfare and success of our national institutions. For patriotism is at once the most inspiring and the most prac- tical of the virtues. Wales as a nation is emerging from a century of neglect in which her records were allowed to accu- mulate dust and her language was per- mitted to droop, but a re-awakening has come in real earnest, and to-day we see not only the Welshman pressing forward with loftier ideals and more practical aspirations, but everywhere a growing interest in those hidden, half-explored realms where the history of the nation has too long remained buried. While doing honour to St. David on Saturday the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society also paid a tribute to the memory of Hywel Dda, that splendid law-giver whose wisdom and statecraft come across ten centuries of strife and mutability, glory j and tragedy, like a fragrant appeal from antiquity to posterity. And the appeal is always for the unity of the nation. As Lord Justice Vaughan Williams pointed out in an address of great interest, I Hywel Dda tried to unite Wales under one common law, and his famous codes, which are attracting the attention of jurists a thousand years after their pro-i, mulgation, were the first statesmanlike! attempt to weld the distracted elements! of a stormy epoch into a nation. Under- lying the codes of Hywel Dda there was the same intense love for learning which characterises the Welshmen of to-day, but it had little opportunity for develop- ment in those stormy times. We are living to-day under one law and in times of peace. Unity has not been perfectly attained. Witness the dissipation of our national institutions. But how much greater, for all that, should be the pro- gress of education and its adaptation to practical ends? Wales has taken upon herself the duty of educational exemplar, and Lord Justice Vaughan Williams pointed out on Saturday how we might again take the initiative and Jbring the system of education prevailing all over the United Kingdom into closer accord with our actual needs. Make education more useful. That was the burden of his lordship's address, and we hope it will be noted by educationists. f-

THE LATE M R. LEWIS WILLIAMS. The death took place at an early hour 011 Wednesday of Mr. Lewis Williams, J.P.. who for many years occupied a leading and influential position amongst Welsh educationists. Since the abolition of the school boards under the Act of 19021 he had retired from active work on populariy elected bodies, but before that date he sat. almost from its commence- ment, as the chairman of the Car- diff School Board. In that capacity he rendered notable service to educa- tion in the city, and it is largely I due to his zeal that the board schools of Cardiff became the most up-to-date and efficient in the country. His services to university and secondary education in Wales were no less conspicuous and valuable. He took an active and most practical part in raising the fund to establish the South Wales and Mon- mouthshire University College, which was located at Cardiff on the evidence which he, in conjunction with the late Dean Vaughan, submitted to the arbitrators. No doubt, the remembrance of his great services to university education in the past was responsible far his recent elec- tion by a large majority as vice-president of the college he materially helped to I establish. In politics the late Mr. Wil- liams was an uncompromising Radical; in religion an equally uncompromising Non- conformist. An eager and able contro- versialist, he was always ready to enter I the field in support of his party, to which he remained, almost until the close, a faithful and vigorous adherent.

• + NEGLECT OF AGRICULTURE. Persistent neglect of the agricultural interests by both political parties is driving farmers to take their own mea&ures towards salvation. There is a growing feeling throughout the country in favour of the creation of an indepen- dent agricultural party in the House of Commons, and this found expression on Saturday at the meeting of the Glamor- gan Chamber of Agriculture, when a resolution in favour of bringing such a party into existence was heartily approved. First of all, however, a joint committee of the agricultural organisa- tions interested is to be asked to report once more on the subject. The matter has been under the consideration of the Central Chamber of Agriculture for some time past, but no solid progress seems to have been made. We do not care for the growing tendency in modern political life for the representation of sectional interests rather than of the country as a whole. It is a selfish tendency which, carried to extremes, will do more general harm than good. There is no doubt that if the farmers set about it thoroughly, and raised a levy at the rate of a farthing per acre per annum, they could get together a strong party in the House. But they will probably find it quicker, cheaper, and just as efficient to try what the exercise of influence can effect first. The farmers have never yet been organised properly. Only now, when organised trades are so great a force in politics, are they waking up to the advantages of organisation, and if they strengthen their societies and make their influence felt solidly through the agency of those societies they should effect a great dead without waiting for the formation of a separate party. The watchword of the agricultural interests at the present day should be "Orgamise."

LONDON LETTER. ♦ A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDO. Thursday. It is not only the health of the King which is causing the Court some uneasi- ness, but also that of her Majesty. The Queen has not yet recovered from the attack of influenza which a little while! ago kept her confined to Sandringham. It was, 1 hear, against the expressed instructions of her physicians that she attended the Drawing IV5om, and although she bore the ordeal bravely, she! was noticeably fatigued at the close, and the distressing cough which she oould not conceal was the subject of general comment. The Cullinan diamonds, which her [Majesty wore in the form of a brooch and pendant, were greatly admired as they flashed in the dazzling light of the Palace. His Majesty will, it is hoped, greatly benefit by his trip to Biarritz. Although he himself believes that Brighton would suit him better, his medical advisers are of opinion that he will obtain greater quiet and freedom from political worries by a journey to the South of France. MR. CHAMBERLAIN. 1 have had an opportunity of discuss- ing with a friend 01 Air. Joseph chamber- lain's the present state of health of the member for West Birmingham. My friend, who has only just returned from Cannes, informed me that a slight improvement had taken place, and that Mr. Chamberlain was now able to con- verse more freely with his friends on topical matters and to walk about with very little assistance. I asked him whether he had any hopes that Mr. Chamberlain would ever be seen in Par- liament or in political life again, and he emphatically said- that there was not the remotest chance of any such contingency. Excitement of this kind would be abso- lutely fatal, and neither his medical advisers nor his family intended to sub- ject him to such an ordeal. OPPOSED TO £1 BANK NOTES. The nature of Lord Avebury's objec- tion to the issue of £1 Bank of England notes came as a surprise. The Associated Chambers of Commerce, or, rather, a committee of that body, had reported in favour of this policy. Lord Avebury opposed on the strange ground that the proposal, if carried, would drive gold from the country. When Lord Goschen advocated the policy he did so in order to maintain a larger supply of gold in the Bank of England than that insti- tution possesses, and it was generally conceded at the time tha.t the issue of such notes would have this effect. Unfortunately, he attached to the pro- position a number of complicated condi- tions that were unpalatable. But for this it is believed he would have carried his ftroposal by a large majority. Lord Avebury's opposition is not a fatal one, and opinion behind the movement is, I am assured, a strong and growing one. THE CREATION OF NEW BISHOPRICS. Without hesitation, and after. a very brief debate, the Lords gave a second reading on Wednesday to Viscount St. Aldwyn's Bishoprics Bill. The purpose of this measure is to terminate the present cumbrous and dilatory method of having the creation of new bishoprics sanctioned by Parliament. Instead. Orders in Council will be made, on the recommendation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Episcopal incomes in newly-created dioceses will be on a reduced scale. On behalf of the Govern- ment, Earl Beauchamp offered a general support to the Bill, and said he would give all possible assistance in facilitating its passage through the House. In an eloquent commendation of the measure, the Bishop of St. Asaph made two interesting statements — firstly, that this particular scheme of setting up new dioceses was approved by the late Sir Henry Campbell Bannerinan, and, secondly, that there ,onconformist opposition to the sub-division of the Diocese of St. Albans. The Archbishop of Canterbury also gave the Bill cordial support. SPEECHES TO BE TIMl^D. Mr. Rees is suggesting the appointment of a Parliamentary Committee to con-I sider the question of the duration of speeches delivered in the House of Com- mons, with special reference to the paint of whether a time-limit should be intro- duced. This idea has been in the air for a good many years. Sir Carne Rasch was in the habit of raising the subject session after session, and, presumably, his mantle has fallen upon Mr. Rees. It is expected that the Prime Minister will express his opinion upon the interesting proposal in the course of the week. A WOMEN'S SUJFFBAGE TANGLE. By a comical tangle, suffragettes and anti-suffragettes- are ranged against the Adult Suffrage Bill, which by the fortune of the Parliamentary ballot is in the hands of Mr. Geoffrey Howard. Militanl members of the fair sex have denounced it because, being too extreme, it is bound to be thrown out by the House of Com- mons. The Parliamentary opponents of women's suffrage are organising their forces against the Bill because it proposes to place men and women on an equality in respect of the franchise. It must be a piquant experience for Mr. Massie, the leader of the active Radical group opposed to women's suffrage, to find that the ladies aforesaid have ceased denouncing him in order to denounce the authors of a Suffrage Bill whose defeat he is trying to bring about. These amusing little complications do occur in politics, and make life at Westminster a little more amusing and agreeable for some of us. IRISH PENSION ABUSE. There is no doubt that the Chancellor of the Exchequer ifc in possession of infor- mation jivhioh leads him to believe that there have been serious abuses in the administration of the Pension* Act in Ireland. This is bad on information directly received from the Irish authori- ties, and when Mr. Birrell made a pre- tence of remonstrating with Mr. Balfour for assuming the existence of proof before the conclusion of the inquiry that is being made he was merely throwing in a word to save the face of the Irish mem- bers. The part taken by the latter in the discussion was of an unusually perfunctory kind. They do not put up a member like Mr. Gwynn to lead off when they have a good fighting case. The taunt thrown out in the course of the debate that Mr. Lloyd George should carry his inquiries into Wales was mean- ingless. The old-age pension statistics for the several parts of the United King- do n speak for themselves. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out late in the sitting, the Act may have been abused in England and Wales in isolated cases, but in Ireland the evil is suspected to be of a more serious kind. His voice perceptibly hardened when he warned the 'Irish members not to press him too far. STAGE CENSORSHIP. That remarkable play, "An English- man's Home," has already been respon- sible for many things, but it will be St range indeed if it also leads to a re- adjustment o £ »the position and powers of the Censor of Plays. This, let it be noted, will be brought about on political grounds, if brought about at all. Those I who have been attacking the censor for years past are congratulating themselves on the fact that a.t last he appears to have delivered himself into their hands. It has been impossible to rouse public I opinion to any serious extent, especially as the alternative authority suggested was the London County Council, and in the Honse of Commons, especially in the present Parliament, there have been too many a,vowed purists for much headway to be made by the opponents of the censorship. But the prohibition by the censor of any skit in a licensed theatre of "An Englishman's Home" seems so calculated to rouse the ire of the Parliamentary peace party that at last it is hoped to secure support in quarters where hitherto it has seemed hopeless to look for it. Mr. Robert Harcourt, who introduced a Bill into the House of Commons last year dealing with the censorship, loses no time in announcing that in one shape or another this Bill will now re-appear. Thus it is not at all unlikely that "An Englishman's Home" will add to its extraordinary record responsibility for a combination of forces against the censor such as we have never seen before, and such as a very short time ago would have been deemed impossible.

I. SOME OF THE NEW WELSH SHERIFFS. MAJOR fiAVID LEWIS, Glamorgan. [Photo, A. and G. Taylor. MR. W. S. BRYAN, Radnorshire. [Photo, Laing, Shrewsbury. MR. EDWARD STEER, Monmouthshire. [Burnicle, Newport. MR. HERBERT J. ALLEN, Pembrokeshire. MR. MORGAN JONES, Carmarthenshire. [Phoio by Debenham, ftouthsea. «— .1 MR. JAMES B. G. PRICE. Breconshire. [London Stereoscopic.

WIDOW'S BROKEN LEGS. -7- GROCER-CYCLIST TO PAY DAMAGES. His Honour Judge Owen, sitting on Thursday sitt at Cardiff County-court, adjudicated upon the claim of Clo), which Ann Thomas sought to recover from David Thomas, the defendant. Mr. Â. Lincoln Reed (instructed by Mr. E. W. Poeock) appeared for plaintiff; Mr. Jch.11 Sankey (instructed by Messrs. George David and Evans) defended. Plaintiff is a widow, aged 60. residing at 24, Keppoch-street, Roath, and she claimed damages to the amount stated from defendant, a grocer, of Carlisle- street, in respect of injuries sustained by plaintiff through the alleged negligence of defendant in riding a bicycle, as alleg, without a light. The lady walked with a limp, and Dr. M'Kelvey (in evidence) certified that the right leg was permanently disabled. Plaintiff's case was that at 9.35 on the night of the 14th of July last she was in City- road walking with Mrs. Jones (a friend) in the direction of. Cathays and Mackintosh-place, and near the shop of the Maypole Dairy Company she decided to cross the road, and was near the track for cars when defendant came along on his bicycle, knocked down the old lady, and broke her legs. The defence set up was contributory negligence on the part of plaintiff in running into the bicycle, as alleged. <> Plaintiff, in stating the details, said her left leg was broken in two places and her right leg in one, and the amsle severely dis- located. Being incapacitated, she lost the revenue derived from three lodgers. Defen- dant, she alleged, did not ring his bell, and he run her down "quite suddenly." She did not see him before or after, but knew he was there. (La-tighter.) Mr. Sankey: Is it a fact that several people were standing in the road near the pave- ment, opposite the Argyll Stores, and that you stepped from behind and stood in front i of the bicycle. Witness (with^ an exclamatory gesture): Oh, dear! That's a nice tale. (Laughter.) Mr. Sankey, in the course of an address, in which he imputed contributory negligence, pleaded that defendant was à young mar:, who had just started in business. His Honour: I can't consider that if a man runs over 11 old woman and breaks her leg. (Laughter.) The Judge, weighing the evidence, con- cluded that plaintiff's story and that of her witnesses was consistent, whilst the evidence 0: defendant and his witnesses was entirely inconsistent. Judgment for plaintiff fort72 and costs.

THE REAL MRS. WATERS. STRANGE STORY IN COURT. The remarkable case of Waters v. Waters again carae to the notice of Mr. Milner-Jones at Cardiff Poiioe-court on Thursday. It will be remembered that Mr. Harold Lloyd, who sought to procure a maintenance order against the husband, told a strange story. The wife was a reformed woman, under the care of the Salvation Army, and the hus- band. who formerly resided in Cardiff, was now in Reading. He left Cardiff, said Mr. Lloyd, and became a licencee at Chepstow, where proceedings taken by a woman with whom he cohabited brought a dramatic court scene, the real Mrs. Waters appearing, but the husband swore she was not his wife. Mr. George David now said that the point raised by him, and left to Mr. Lloyd to clear up, had been decided. It was that of the date of a conviction against the real Mrs. Waters, and Mr. Lloyd had discovered that the date as given by him (Mr. David) was true, so that the summons could not succeed, and the defendant had been told that he need not come down from Reading. Mrs. Waters: I wish to proceed. Mr. Milner-Jones: Have you any witnesses? —There was no one there when my husband promised to make another home. You were convicted in this court after that? -I was not wrong then, although they thought so. The case was struck out.

WHEEZY COUGHS. Chronic Asthma cured by VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. Mr. Alfred Harrould, of 64, London-avenue, N.E., Portsmouth, writes:—" About twelve years ago I contracted Baker's Asthma,' and I got so bad that I had to give up my work. I went to several doctors, and tried every advertised remedy, but derived no permanent good. Then I tried Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, and gave it a fair trial, and soon found that the coughing was nothing like as bad, and now I am as well as ever. I always keep a bottle in the house, as I find that one dose only will cure a cold in any of the members of my family." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure can be bought for 9Jd, Is. lid., and 2s. 9d. everywhere. 1576

POLICE AND PUBLICANS. -ECHO OF MORIRISTON ELECTION PETITION. At a meeting of the Swansea Watoh Com- mittee Alderman Matthews, one of the parties to the recent election petition at Morrieton, complained that police-constables had since been specially sent to certain public-houses at Morriston in plain clothes, and there had been a good deal of persecu- tion. Tho Head-constable denied that anything but what was ordinary bad been done in these cases. No member of the ooupoil had spoken to him on the matter. Alderman Matthews said a certain number of publicans had given evidence, amd it was only these who had been called upon. A letter of warning had been sent to one.. The Chief-constable said that that was only doing him a good turn. When the. men were sent it was on complaints received, and no particular houses were mentioned to the men. Alderman Matthews: If you treated all alike I would say nothing.

LIHS LABOUR, MORE HEALTH. Pinkobolic" Soap, the well-known disin- fecting soap made by Messrs. Crosfield, of Warrington, is not only an antiseptic I'IOap. but is also the best and most lasting of all ordinary household soaps. It contains con- siderably less water to the pound than any pale or yellow eoap, and, therefore, washes better, while at the same time it disinfects the clothes. Thus it brings more health with less labour. The extra values are also given in the shape of a oake of Erasmic" Herb Toilet Soap for every ten wrappers, and the distribution of £ 10,000 in free cash gifts. w406

MONMOUTHSHIRE MAN. FOUND DROWNED IN THE THAMES. Mr. Troutbeck held an inquest on Thursday at Lambeth with reference to the death of Charles Cooper, aged about 40, formerly a i brewer's lorryman, of Cwmavon, Mon., who was found drowned in the Thames. Samuel Newbury identified the deceased as a man whose acquaintance he made at Cwm- avon three years ago, when he was on his holidays. Witness's wife knew Mrs. Cooper. Mrs. Cooper until recently had been calling at witness's house for letters. A few days sinib witness received a letter from Mrs. Cooper, in which she said that she was going to drown herself. On Saturday morning he also received a letter from the man him- self written from Cwmavon, saying that he had made up his mind to commit suicide. That letter had been destroyed. Police-inspector Richardson informed the coroner that after Cooper's body had been I found in the Thames telephonic communica- tion took place between London and the Monmouthshire police. In this way it was I ascertained that the deceased was identical with Charles Cooper, of 15', Charles-street, Blaenavon. He left his home at 6.30 p.m.. February 27, stating to his housekeeper, Emily Shipley, that he was going to Newport. He had not since been seen. It seemed further that the deceased's wife left home last November to cWime to London to look after an invalid sister. Cooper, how- ever, was supicious of her, and talked of going to London to look for her. He told t his housekeep-er that he had a good mind to do away with himself. He had been drink- ing heavily. "DIANA NOT HERE." The message from the police in Mon- mouthshire went on to state that the housekeeper received a telegram from Lon- don on Saturday, which read: "Don't come; Diana not here; writing." On March 2 she received a letter, no doubt, frooa the persou who sent the telegram, which showed that he was making inquiries about his wife. Cooper had no relations there (Blaen.ayon), but he had a brother, a but<jhe-T of Worcester, whose address was known. His wife was supposed to be a native of of Worcester, whose address was known. His wife was supposed to be a native of London. They had been at Blaenavon about four years. Cooper had been to Canada, and lately stated that he had some farms out there. Inspector Newbury went on to say that he had no doubt that Cooper arrived at Pad- dingtoh from Wales by the mail on Sunday morning. Other evidence showed that the deceased man was found in the Thames on Monday morning. Amongst other articles discovered in the pockets were a metal watch and a locket containing the photo of a lady. Inspector Newbury said this was a portrait I of Mrs. Cooper, the dead man's wife. lIe did not know what had become of the wofljan. After hearing the medical evidence, which showed that death was due to drowning, the jury found that the body was that of Charles Cooper, and that he was found drowned.

I I A WOMAN'S COURAGE. THE WRECK OF THE QUEEN. Miss Helen Forsyth, the talented vocalist, who appears at the Cardiff Empire this week, was one of the 80 passengers on board the pleasure steamer Queen, which ws wrecked off the Isle of Wight, on August 31 last. Her rudder having been disabled, she drifted on to a reef, and, with huge seas broking over her, the stea-mer's passengers wtre in dire peril for many hours. While tile lady pas- MISS HELEN K>RSYTH. eengers were huddled toother in the saloon. Miss* Forsyth sang well-known hymns and somge to them, and so calmed their fears. The passengers were eventually rescued by a lifeboat..It was becalls,e of this that Miss Forsyth, who was forherly a noted concert singer, decided to go On the music-hall stage, and at Cardiff this Veek she sings for the first time a specially-written eong appro- priate to • the wreck of the Queen. Miss ForsytH has a contralto voice of rare tone and purity, and wiich is remarkably bril- liant- in the upper registers. and purity, and wiich is remiarka-bly bril- liant in the upper registers.

LONELY FIRM OUTRAGE. GARNDIFFAITH COLLIER PLEADS INNOCENCE. A further state in the trial of John Edmunds, the Qa-rndiffaith collier, who is charged on suspicion with shooting and cutting the thtoat of Ceoilia Harris, at Garnwen Farm, Abersychan, on February 21, was reached at Pontypool on Mon- day, when prisoner was brought before the magistrates af4r being remanded in custody for a week. Superintendent James produced a certificate from Dr. M'Cor mac, who stated that the woman was not in a fit condition to attend. Prisoner, who was remanded for another week, said, "I know nothing a.bout it. I plead not guilty."

JUVENILE COURT FOR CARDIFF. A meeting of Cardiff magistrates was held on Vednesday, Hr. T. H. Stephens presiding in the absence of the Lord Mayor (Alderman Lewis Morgan). An important decision was arrived at in regard to the trials of juvenile prisoners, it being resolved that all cases where children are being prosecuted shall be tried in the grand jury room, and the period of I waiting will be passed in a special waiting room. 1

BARRY PILOT'S EYESIGHT. SINGULAR CASE IN COUNTY- COURT. The range of vision of Mr. Moses White, aged 62, a pilot, came under the penetrating eye of his Honour Judge Owen, sitting at Car- dm County-court on Thursday, with Oapta.in Hall as assessor. Mr. John Sankey (instructed by Mr. Gilbert Robertson) appeared for the pilot, who sought to set aside the decision of the superintendent of the Barry Pilotage Board in reference to his optical capacity. The Barry Pilotage Board was represented by its secretary (Mr. R. T. Duncan). Mr. Sankey, in stating the grounds of a proposed appeal, said the facts were excep- tional, so much so that a case of the kind had seldom, if ever, been before any county- court. His Honour: I have never heard of one before. Mr. Sankey (proceeding) said the Barry Pilotage Board, under the Merchant Shipping Act, had authority to give two sorts of licences. Section 586 referred to the licensing of pilots generally, whilst under Section 599 another sort of certificate was issued to masters and mates piloting theij own ships. In this particular case the section had no application. His Honour: Section 610 has a general application to all pilots. Mr. Sankey: Quite so. His Honour: I don't care about the class of pilots. Proceeding, Mr. Sankey said that on January 7 last plaintiff piloted his ship into Barry Dock, and, unfortunately, made an error in judgment in that he did not allow quite sufficient for the force of the wind on the port bow and for the force of the current on the stern. The vessel went aground, but was taken in safety to Barry Dock. Complaint was afterwards made that the pilot's vision was defective. The pilotage board decreed that the pilot should go before the superintendent of the Board of Trade to ascertain whether his sight was or was not defective. On January 15 he went before the superintendent of the Board of Trade, who was not even a medical gentleman. It was a very dull day, and the superintendent uog- gested that the examination should he deferred. The pilot demurred, protesting' that he was sure his sight was all right, that he was busy on the next day, and that he preferred to be tested there and then. Mr. Duncan, secretary to the board, said the authority wished to leave the case in his honour's hands, having no feeling, but on the contrary, in the matter. Mr. Sankey (continuing) said the superin- tendent of the Board of Trade was a gentle- man who didn't know anything about eyes, and his point was that a mistake had been made. The board, apparently, thought the same, because on the uext day the pilot (being very much surprised) consulted Dr. Tatham Thompson, who certified that his sight was perfect. Dr. Tatham Thompson gave evidence in proof, producing a diagram with whichtests are made, and his honour at a distance smilingly discerned the smallest of the figures. The dcctor said that White was visually capable of discharging all his duties as a pilot. His Honour: Dr. Tatham. Thompson knowsi a great many things, but he doesn't know anything about pilots. (Laughter.) The Doctor: I wouldn't be afraid to trust myself to a pilot. Dr. Cresswell gave medical evidence in cor- roboration. His Honour: I think the man should have his certificate, and the assessor agrees. The decision of the sukperintendent of the Barry Pilotage Board is* reversed with costs.

MR. PHILIPPS, M.P., ILL. Mr. Owen Philippe, M.P., is confined to his room with a severe chill, and, under doctor's orders, has had to cancel all engagements.

GRAPHOPHONE RECORDS, CURRENT DISCS. Having dealt last week with some of the more serious numbers of the Columbia Com- pany's March issue of disc records, we will now proceed to mention something of a lighter order. Pantomime time always produces a .num- ber of catchy ditties which one hears whistled and hummed in all quarters, and to no small extent is life made bearable by the popular strains at home and abroad. Very welcome. therefore, to the average man (woman, girl, and boy included) are two selections played by the Royal Regimental Band, entitled, "Pantomime Echoes," Nos. 1 and 2, which are rattling good records of melodies which are the pick of the present season's successes, amongst which are "Bombardier," "The Very First Girl I See," "Every xellow's in Love with a Girl." "A Tiny Seed of Love," "A to Z," "Oonnemara," "Oh. Oh, Antonio!" "Afraid To Come Home in the Dark." She Sells Sea Shells," "Another Girl at Home Like Mary," "Sue, Sue, Sue." and A White Man." The arranging and recording have been well done, and the tone quality is of a high standard. The Wyper Brothers, Peter and Daniel, are past masters of that much-abused instrument, the accordion, and their execution is a mar- vel of skill. In two selections, "My Love Is Like the Red, Red Rose" and Lady Ann Hope," they have turned out good, lively records, which set the feet going to their strains, while the variations add considerably to the general effect. Talking-machines have now completely overcome the prejudice which existed against them a few years ago. So many great im- provements, both as regards the mechanical re-productions and the quality of the matter re-produced, have taken place that objections have vanished, and a home cannot be said be completely furnished without one. By this means one oan entertain, not angels unawares, but the nnest artistes and instru- mentalists in the world, and command them to sing or play at will. Shakspeare said, "I can call spirits from the vasty deep; but will they come?" There is no difficulty whatever in calling for a song from Melba, narry Lauder, Ruth Vincent, or a selection from a first-class regimental band, and being sup- plied on the spot by the happy possessor of a "talker." and entertaining company is now reduced to the veriest minimum.

THE ABOVE RECORDS And all other Records and Machines in ..Columbia, Pa the, Odeon, Jumbo, Zonophone, and Edison catalogues, caji be obtained from CHAS. KINSHOTT, 96. ST. MARY-ST., Cardiff. DALE, FORTY & CO., PIANO and ORGAN MERCHANTS, CARDIFF. SPECIAL AGENTS FOR GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, and ALL ACCESSORIES. CATALOGUES FREE. REPAIRS. Talking Machines, any make, Carefully Overhauled and Adjusted. Sound Boxes, Re- producers, Recorders a Speciality. All Repairs done on the premises. Expert Repairer. Work done for the Trade.—Spiller's Phono Exchange, 16, Queen-street Arcade, Cardiff.

WEEK BY WEEK. LIGHTER SIDE OF CURRENT EVENTS. Mr. Tbm John, M.A., has been a, member of the National Union of Teachers' executive I since 1887. As far baok as 40 years ago there were no less than 20,000 Welsh people resident in Bristol. Ca.n any reader identify J. M. Jones who composed the hymn-tune Llanover" in i864? Eisteddfodau seems to be the rage every- where. They have just had one at Widnes, and there were no lees than one thousand entries for the competitions. Mudiad Suffragettyddcl" is a Welsh ver- nacular journal's description of the suf- fragette movement. It is more objectionable than the bell-ringing tactics. The evening service was in progress in a, West Wales chapel lit by acetylene. The gas suddenly gave out, and so did the eloquence of the minister, and the congregation were constrained to disperse after singing a hymn. A sermon from the King would be likely to secure a good congregation! His Majesty as a prebendary of St. David's Cathedral haa the right to a salary of JB1 per annum and to preach a sermon in the cathedral pulpit. Carnarvon Castle took twelve years to build, and it is interesting to note that the revenues of the Archbishopric of York, which had for the purpose been kept vacant, were applied towards defraying the expenses of ita erection. A ewe belonging to Mr. Thomas James, Tanylan, near Gilwern Station, has a fine record in lambs. In six years she has given her owner nineteen lambs, the numbers being:—Two, three, three, four, three, and aga-in four. Trialogue at Bettws-y-Coed Licensing Ses- eions. Mr. Griffith: "Are you an abstainer?" TVitness: "I was born a teetotaler." The Chairman: "So was I!" This little conver- sation shows how wits are sharpened by mountain air! A new terror threatens the National Eis- teddfod. This year it will be held in London, and the day presidents include Mr. Asquith, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Lloyd George, and Sir S. T. Evans. It is now feared that this will mean that the Eisteddfod proceedings will be disturbed by the suffragettes. This would be the last straw. Mrs. Williams, of Miskin Manor, has set an inspiriting example in undertaking to turn out" costumes at home for the National Pageant, under the advice of the* Wardrobe Mistress, who will be delighted to set home lessons" for any other ladies who are patriotic and enthusiastic enough to seek an interview with her at Pageant House. "For the purpose of still further quelling the high spirit of the Cambrians." writes a Welsh historian, King Henry 1. in the year 11C8 introduced a .numerous colony of Flem- ings into Pembrokeshire." It is doubtful whether King Henry's object has been achieved. The most "high-spirited" Cam- brian of the day, to wit, Mr. Lloyd George, came from the Pembrokeshire Flemings. The Weigh movement is spreading to Little England beyond Wales." As the result of a meeting of Welshmen held at Haverfordwest it has been' decided to form a Welsh Society, which will be called Cymmrodorion IIwlffordd. The movement has been initiated by the Rev. E. Nicholson Jones, the well-known Welsh bard. who hag as his supporters a number of ardent young Welshmen. LOED JUSTICE YAUGIIAN WILLIAMS. Gwron cadarn yw'r Prif Farnwr—o gyff A gwaed y Brythonwr; Difrad ei gariad yw'r gwr Yn gawr o genedlgarwr. I fri'i hen wlad ef gyfrana,—a'i henw Anwyl anrhydedda; Hawliodd o brif feib Gwalia Ei le i ddoeth Hywel Dda. T. LOVELL (Tudur Taf.) I A certain number of the Cymry of Paris, with the co-operation of the Breton colony, celebrated the memory of Dewi Sant by a banquet on St. David's Eve. The colony includes the following patriotic leaders:—The "first Derwydd Mawr, M. Ian ar Fustek (Lemenick). who was at Cardiff some time ago; M. Berthon (Kaledfwlch), the present Derwydd Mawr of Brittany; and Dr. Pol Diverres (TangwalL. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams and Lady Vaughan Williams visited Miskin Manor on Sunday, being driven from the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, in a motor-car ppnt by Mrs. Williams and her son. Mr. Rhys Williams, who wore both present at the Cymmrodorion gathering on Saturday evening. The Lord Justice "i Lady Vaughan Williams I returned to Cardiff in time to leave for London by the 4.46 p.m. train. Tie Claudia -mentlrr^ea by St. Paul in one of his epistles b jrenerally thought to have been a British Princess. A very curious tradition exists about her in North Wales, viz., that the Apostle walked along a certain road near Wrexham to see Princess Claudia at Crow Castle, and back again to see the monks at Bangor lsycoed. It would be curious to know how such a confused legend started, but it may have a high antiquity, nevertheless. A fine act of bravery has just been performed by a Welsh seaman—Mr. Morris Griffiths, second officer of the Koombana. Whilst this vessel was in the Bay of Biscay a little passenger, twelve years of age, fell overboard. Mr. Griffiths instantly leaped into the water after him. An exciting and anxious scene followed, which at length culminated in the boy and his plucky rescuer being discovered and picked up by a boat despatched from the vessel. Mr. Griffiths was actually able to take the remainder of his watch. Swansea Gaol," writes an old county man, should have its historian, or much of the credit due to men in the p.a.st will pass unnoticed by this generation. The credit of doing away with the remnant of the feudal times at Swansea, in the form of the debtors' gaol, was due to the late Judge Falconer. I had the story from his own lips, and retain in my library a copy of the proceedings which he gave me. It was far worse than the black hole at Merthyr, a mixture of a. coal-cellar and a repository of manure, but, thanks to the judge's herculean exertions, he had it swept away. He was a grand old man, one of those earnest workers for the people and the country's good. and of whom not a solitary reminder remains but a few tracts and pamphlets!" A short while ago," writes Mr. D. Basil Jones, of Hereford, I happened to overhear an interesting conversation between a rather quiet old clergyman and three rather buoyant Nonconformist ministers, wha remarked on the scarcity of stories con- cerning themselves, whereas there were so many relating to the Established Church. Seemingly surprised, the clergyman related the following-.—Once a certain Baptist minister enforced the necessity of opinion by this argument: if everybody had been of my opinion, everybody would have wanted mv to which a deacon replied, Yes, and if everybody w-f3-¡:, of mine nobody world have had her.' Much laughter ensued, "But I believe this is even better,' remarked the clergyman; A certain Methodist divine announced one Sunday that on the following Wednesday his pastoral visits would include the families residing in a certain part. embracing all the servant girls in that neighbourhood.' At this point the con- versation turned to another topic." A good story was told round the Cymmro- dorion tables on Saturday night in connec- tion with Lord Justice Vaughan Williams. The Lord Justice is known to hold strong views about the selfshness of motorists. On one of his annual visits to Marienbad he and Lady Williams went out for a drive, and when they were returning at night they heard a motor-car coining up behind. The Lord Justice's carriage was turned one side till, indeed, it got into the ditch. The motor never slackened speed, and rushed past, slightly grazing the wheels of the carriage. The Lord Justice confessed that he was indig- nant, and expressed himself with freedom and force as the motor-car flashed by. Next day he was taking a walk, when he saw King Edward beckoning him. "I am afraid," said the King when the Lord Justice came up, "that I caused yofl some anxiety last night when I was returning in my motor." Rather taken aback, the Lord Justice answered: "I am sorry if you were inconvenienced, sir." The King smiled, and with a twinkle in each eye remarked: "I don't think that was what yon said last night," and then both laughed heartily. Half a century agS the Baptist Theo- logical College at Pontypool was a great institution, the principal being Dr. Thomas, father of Mr. T. H. Thomas (Arlunydd Peny- garn). At that time there were reckoned among the students two notabilities nampd Rees. There were Mr. Thomas Rees, Rhyd- wilym. Pembrokeshire, known as "Rees Mawr," or Big Rees," and Mr. Llewelyn Rees, Hir- wain, generally known as ,I Rees Bach," or Little Rees," to distinguish him from his colleague of larger growth. The students' sense of courtesy prevented their employing these appellations in the hearing of the persons interested, hut the suspicions of Llewelyn were aroused by hearing his friend from Rhydwilym styled Big Rees." He thought it was time to take steps, and so approaching his friend he asked. "Why you let these fellows call you Big Rees. wouldn't if I were you." "Why not? Ana how does it concern you?" asked the other Well, it does concern me. for to oall yon Big Rees implies there must be a Litt)-- Bees, and as I am the only other Rees here I don't like it.' But protests notwith standing, the eo briquets clung to botl. while they lived, and it is by these sobriquetl, they are still known to their intimates.