Weekly Mail

HANDWRITING EXPERTS AND PRIESTS. MADRID. Tuesday. Alter the customary preliminaries, the writing experte who gave evidence yesterday were re-called for further interrogation on the erasures and insertions, in accordance with the application made yesterday by the Crown Prosecutor that the document in question should oo further examined by them, and the application made by counsel for the present Lord Sackvilie that a com- parison should be made between the hand- writing of the aecuscd Rophon and the insertions in the register. The experts called for the defence reiterated their previously expressed opinion that the names erased could not possibly have been the same as those afterwards inserted in If their place, while the experts on both sides agreed unanimously that there was no resemblance between the handwriting of Rophon and the words written in the entry. It, therefore, appears to be clearly estab- lished that Eophon was, at any rate, not the •otual writer of the inserted words. This matter cleared up, the experts were allowed to withdraw, and the hearing of Witnesses then began. The first to be called was an old priest, who had for many years filled the office of chief guardian of the archives of the parish Vt which the Church of San Millan is eUuated, these including the registers of births, marriages, and deaths. He stated that one day about the end of October, 1901, a. gentleman whom he did not know called at his office, and asked for a copy of the entry relating to. the marriage of Gabriel de la Oliva and Josefa Duran. It was then, on the visitor calling his attention to the fact, he first noticed that the entry had bw n tampered with. the surnames and Christian names of the parties having been scratched out and then written over. The Public Prosecutor: Do you know the Prisoner Rophon P—No, and I do not think that I have ever seen him, especially at the San Millan parish offices. In answer to further question*, the witness admitted that th records wer-3 rather at the disposal of anybody, and that it was possible without any difficulty to examine them as long and as thoroughly as one pleased. Among the numberless people who inspected them day by day were both Lord Sackville's eon, Mr. H-onry Sackville-West, the claimant to the peerage, and his nephew Lionel, the present Lord Sackvilie. Both were able to examine the marriage register repeatedly, a-nd on each occasion for a long time, and even to take all sorts of photographs of it, showing it both open and closed. 'Whom do you suspect of having been the author of the erasure and the insertion in the entry of the marriage of the dancer Josefa Duran and the dancint" master Oliva? ■■^rtai/ily none of those who were under my orders, for I have no clue to entitle me to suSpect anybody. A second priest, also employed in connec- tlou with the parish archives of San Millan, gave evidence similar to the above. Among the witnesses who followed was one filmed Doremocea. who had also been employed in keeping the San Milan parish records, hut had been dismissed for miscon- duct. He declared that once he had occasion to go through the books to make a copy of the entry cf the marriage of Josefa Duran and Gabriel do la Oliva. He could not help noticing the erasures and insertions, and on making a remark about it aloud he was told by the other employes that the erasures and had been made by order of a higher official. He a'so asserted that one day s man whose appearance was .somewhat lack. *n8 in elegance and distinction, hut of whom h" could give no other description, even of the roughest kind, offered him fifty douros t tear out of the marriage register the page Containing the entry of the marriage of Josefa Duran and Oliva. He refused the Offer, which the stranger then emphasised by showing him a weapon, which he believed Was a revolver. Continuing, Doremocea declared that a similar proposal had been made by the same individual to Sanchez Alonzo, one of the accused, who had indignantly refused a large 13 offered him to commit the same perfidy. Gabriel de la Oliva's brother testified that he never knew anything of Gabriel's alleged marriage to Josefa Duran. Important evidence was afterwards given by a French interpreter named Languin, who was for some time in the service of Mr. Henry Sackvilie. He declared that he had to trans- late a number of letters which passed between his employer and the accused Rophon. The latter, the witness asserted, undertook to falsify the record of the marriage, and received from Mr. Henry Sack-1 ville 4,000 pesetas for his services. Witness also spoke to various vain efforts made to recover from Rophon various com- promising letters.—Rophon, however, empha- tically denied all these assertions. .In cross-examination, Lanquin admitted that he left Mr. Henry Sackvilie to enter u sfrvic^> of the present Lord Sackvilie, who. he said, paid him generously.—Reuter.

STORY OF A PROFITABLE FRIENDSHIP. MADRID, Wednesday. The hearing of evidence was continued, the first witness being Jeanne Perosa, a woman owning the shop where Manuel Anton. the defaulting defendant, and the alleged accom- plice of Rophon in the alteration of the marriage entry, was employed. She stated that she did not know Rophon. but remembered that a stranger had called one day to see Manuel Anton, who, however. was not in. I This witness was followed by another wqman, named Maria Antoray. who was concierge of the house where Manuel Anton U i' said that she had frequently seen Rophon call on Anton from 1901 to 1905 or thereabouts, a,nd the accu ed had been so intimate with him as to give away Anton's daughter on her marriage, of which he paid all the expenses. It was currently reported in the neighbourhood that Rophon was the son of an English nobleman, and was trymg to secure recognition as the rightful heir of an enormous estate. She noticed that during ttye whole time Rophon was a frequenter of Anton's house Anton _o.¿ to have an abundance of money. whilst before that his manner of life was nearer poverty than prosperity. The clerk of the court next read the depositions of a number of witnesses for the prosecution, who did not appear in person, but he stuttered and stammered to such an extent that it was almost impossible to catch more than a word now and again, the evidence thus presented being made practi- cally unintelligible. This wearisome business occupied a great time. At its conclusion a number of witnesses were called for the intervener, the present Lord Sackvilie. The first 10 be examined were almost all relations, more or less near, of Gabriel de le Olive, the alleged hi^ba'!d of Josefa Duran. They confirmed either in whole or for the greater part the evidence given the previous day by Augusin delz^ Oliva, Gabrie, s brother, declaring, like him, that they had never known anything positive about the alleged marriage between the dancer and the dancing master. These witnesses were followed by more remote relations of Gabriel nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. They were unanimous in asserting that they v 0 never had any notification of the marriage in question, and that, on the contrary, they always believed that JOPt-fa was really the wife of Lord Sackvilie. of them relaW with many details how a certain "it husband of a sister-in-law of josefa Duran, had on the death of his *ife sold to s»me Englishmen who came to See him Ma-arid certain documents which the deceased woman had been keeping with £ iWt care. these papers were they said, of fcreat i-Port.a.nce, a.nd concerned Josefa Duran and Lord acK- ville. According to their toly Rojo received a first payment m Madrni, and this was either considerably increased or even doubled shortly afterwards, kben Rajo went to Bordeaux, accompanied by another sis .er- in-law of Josefa's, to turnip some bngnsn- men with certain information rega,rding the ex-dancer. The court then called C^alina Duran, niec-e of Josefa and daughter of the man Rojo, who was alleged to ha^gold the docu- ments above mentioned. She <tat<?d that in her letters her mother rep-e^t^ly mentioned certain documents of great importance relating to Josefa Duran whh she was carefully keeping, so that wn she died they might be banded over to witness. Shortly before her death her Mother, who was already ill, wrote to toer that certain individuals of British nationally had by dint of persiafcent pressing in^^d her and other relatives of Josefa Duran Vi apply to the Record Office of the Vicariat^,Gell I of Madrid for a copy of the entry in tie register recording the authorisation of marriage between Josefa Duran and Gabl de la Oliva. In spite of her conviction that no such marriage had ever taken iiace, she made the necessary application. and on receiving the copy handed it aver to the Englishmen in question. SuhseqU^ly, how- ever, witness's mother told her she realigcld she had been simply used as a 1. and that the document was a forgery, .'Vsniuclv as the ma.rria.ge of Josefa with was a fiction. Her mother added she was to p_nted by remorse, for she foresaw that copy she had obtained was to be used f°* eome villainous plot. Immediately on rec'vt oi the news of her mother's death Nit-n-er- hastened to Spain expressly to seoll iro- portant documents to which deceased go constantly referred in her letters g^e arrived, however, too late, for her or had, it appeared, already sold them to ),O,nie Englishmen. Replying to questions from oounsel. loth for the defence and prosecution, ",it'e declared she had always believed J()\f Dura.n was married to the late Lord *Kk- ville. The court then rose.—Press Associat\n Foreign Special. I

¡ MAESTEG CHAPEL DISPLTU INTERESTING ACTION: AN A RCg'.[, TECT'S RESPONSIBILITY. Mr. Justice Ridley, sitting at the Somerset Assizes at Taunton on Monday, tried a° action relating to a dispute in connection with the erection of Tabor Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Maesteg. The case waS taken without a jury. The plaintiffs were the Hamhili and Doulting Stone Company (Limited), of Yeovil, and the defendants were Mr. Beddoe Rees, architect, of Cardiff; the Rev. Wm. Thomas, minister of Tabor Chapel; and Messrs. W. G. Roberts and Thos Morgan, members of the building commit- tee of that chapel. The action was to recover X196, balance of account due fort stone supplied. 1 Mr. J. Ald,erson Foote. K.C., M.P., and Mr C. A. S. Garland (instructed by Messrs. Marsh and Warry, of Yeovil) were for plain- tiffs; Mr. Clavell Salter, K.C., M.P., and Mr Hickman (instructed by Mr. J. Tudor Rees," of Cardiff) appeared for Mr. Beddoe Rees- and Mr. Holman Gregory (who received bis instructions fiom Mr. R-obert Scale, of Maes- teg) was for Messrs. Thomas, Roberts, and Morgan. Mr. Foote said the action was simply on the question as to who was responsible to the plaintiffs for payment. for the stone which they had supplied. The action was originally brought against Mr. Beddoe Rees. but he pleaded that he had only contracted as agent for the building committee, who consisted of 200 or 500 people, being the whole of the male members of the chapel. Even- tually Mr. Rees gave the names of three of them, and these were added. They now appeared, and denied that they had autho- rised Mr. Rees. The real secret of the action and the real reason of the dispute would be found in the fact that the building commit- tee and Mr. Rees both desired, if possible, to put off on plaintiffs a dispute whyoli they had with the contractor. Mr. Lewis Williams, of Maesteg, a.bout delay. In the written defence put in on behalf of Mr. Beddoe Rees he denied that the stone was sold to him, and he did not admit that he ordered it from the plaintiffs at all, or that he entered into an agreement with them. In the alternative he said that if he gave the plaintiffs any order, which was not admitted, he did so as architect or agent for the building committee. Mr. Gregory submitted that there was no evidence against his clients, and Mr. Foote thereupon elected to proceed against Mr. Beddoe Rees only. His Lordship gave judgment with costs for plaintiffs against Mr. Beddoe Rees, and entered judgment with costs in favour of Messrs. ThomavS, Roberts, and Morgan, but reserved his decision on the point whether the plaintiffs were entitled to get the costs of these three co-defendants from Mr. Beddoe r,ce-s. We are informed that there will be an appeal.

« POOK OLD ENGLAND." FOOTBALL MOURNING CARD FINE IN CARDIFF CASE. A novel prosecution was undertaken before Mr. Milner-Jones (Deputy-stipendiary) at Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday, when Wal- ter Howell Parker, of the Imperial Printing Company, Frederick-street, was summoned for printing football mourning cards which did not contain the name and place of abode or business of the printers:, contrary to the Newspapers, Pr-inters, and Readinc7 Room Act, im Altogether there were four sum- mouses—two for December 28, 1908, and two for Jftiuary 16, 1939. Mr. F. W. Ensor 'Town-clerk's office) supported the prosecu- tion, and Mr. J. T. Phoenix (Messrs. Cousins, Botsford, and Phoenix) defended. Mr. Eusor said that two of the summonses were for printing the cards, and two for publishing. Tiie maximam penalty was that a forfeit of; £ 5 should be made for every copy thus printed, but every prosecution must be con- ducted with the authority of the Attorney- General. Defendant had sold cards bearing the words, "In loving memory of poor old Wallabies." Laughtcr.) These were sold on the football field, and though defendant was warned, a u; was found sell- ing similar cards, "In loving memory of poor old England," on January 16th. The prac- tice was one which the police and Attorney- General wished to stop. Mr. Milner-Jones (smiling): It has been going on for a good many years. Mr. Ensor: Whenever persons were found doing so they have been prosecuted. He asked for a conviction on the summonses for printing, and would withdraw those of pub- lishing. Police-sergeant Frederick Singer then said he saw a lad named William John sellingl the cards in Westgate-street. When spoken to Mr. Parker admitted the printing, but remarked, "I know the law on the matter, and will take all responsibility." This was on January 9, and on the 16th, when the Eng- land v: Wales match was played, more cards were printed. He told defendant he would probably be proceeded against. Mr. Phoenix held that it was a perfectly innocent card, and was looked upon as a i cheap joke. The Act was never intended to operate against such cases, but against cases of sedition and immoral publications. Mr. Milner-Jones fined defendant 10s. on the first summons for printing, and as he had disobeyed the officer's warning he would be fined 30s. on the second.

SEQUEL TO COUPON CASg —■ ■ ■■ .1 At the Old Bailey on Wednesday Frederick Catling, who had been charged in connection with the coupon competition case, was found not guilty and discharged. The indiotment charged him with conspiring with Joseph Stoddart, Henry Jones, and others to defraud those competing for prizes in periodicals. Mr. Itfuir re-called that Catling was acquitted on a charge of falls-e pretences, and the jury disagreed on the conspiracy charge. The prosecution did not think it desirable to pro- ofed with the case.

GREATROBBERY OF LAW BOOKS. -+- STOLEN FROM LINCOLN'S INN LIBRARY. The famed library of Lincoln's Inn, used by judges and barristers for generations back for reference and research, has been robbed of many of its literary treasures. The miss- ing books are amongst the rarest volumes that tnis 500-year-old library owned. Apart from their intrinsic value, the books were unique because of their historical associations. The disappearanceof the volumes became known quite by accident. A Book was asked for, and reference to the shelves showed it to be missing. Then others were asked for, and to the astonishment of the library authorities these .were found to be missing, too. A thorough investigation of the library was made, and it became evident that theft had deprived the collection of some of its moat prized books. The thefts are believed to extend back a twelvemonth, and there is not the slightest clu to throw any light on the mystery. The matter has been placed in the hands of the chief authorities at Scotland Yard, who have been making discreet inquiries. A list of tho missing books has been shown to pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers tbroughout the country. THE LOST BOOKS. Among those missing are the following books well known to all colle,-tors:- The New Testament in Englishe. after the Greek Translation, whereunto is added a Kalendar and an exhortation by Erasmus. 8vo. Lond. in off. Thomas Gaultier, pro J. C. 1550. Charles the First. Eikon Basilike. 12mo. 1648. Praters used by his Majestie delivered to Dr. Jnxon, also letter from the Prince. 12mo. 1649. These two books bound together in old morocco. Sir John Hayward. The Lives of the Three Normans, Kings of England. 4to. Lond. 1613. The First Part of the Life and Raigne of King Henry IIII. 4to. Lond. 1599. The Life and Raigne of King Edward the The Life and Raigne of King Edward the Sixth. 4to. Lond. 1630. These three books bound together in whole brown calf, with three lettering pieces on I the bac* John Milton. Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio. Contra. Claudii An-oftymi. Defensionem Regiam. 12mo. Lond. 1651. Bound in half maroon morocco. E. Ashmole. Antiquities of Berkshire. 3 Vols., 8vo. Lond. 1719. A tall copy bound in whole dark, coloured calf. Francis Bacon. Instauratio Magna Pars. faecunda Novum. Organum fol. 1620. Bound in half-green morocco. A few leaves in facsimile. Claiefly half titlea to sections. Sylva. Sylvarum. Published by W. Rawlay, D.D. In whole calf (old), fol. Lond. 1627. Operum Moralium et Oivilium Tomus. In whole calf (old), fol. Lond. 1638. Of the Advancement of Learning, Interpreted I by Gilbert Wats. In whole calf (old), fol. Oxford 1640. History of Henry the Seventh. In whole calf (old), fol. Lond. 1622. A The library of Lincoln's Inn, containiflH 80.000 volumes, is the largest and finest law library in London.

'A HOME FOR CHILDREN.' SENSATIONAL ARRESTS IN PARIS. PARTS, Sunday. The police at Asnieres have arrested an English couple who had a home for children, Miom they used to fetch from England and digram. j What led to the arrest was the flight of a Mle girl, aged about ten, from the house at ^uieres. A housemaid and a nursemaid .He sent after her, with orders to bring her ,^sk immediately at all hazards. The maids J'tid the child, who struggled and refused to turn to the home. The servants then 1 V her to the police-station,, where she, s^king in broken French, stated that her ^Tier had caught her taking a morsel of from a cupboard, and had beaten her fully, jLIKj });l.d thrown forks and a scfJWttle jn }ic,r face. fully, and had thrown forks and a scfJWttle in heT face. 'f'1\ maids corroborated the Etory of Lqy-q a.Lio ill-treatment, which was borne I out Vy the child's scarred and swollen fea- I ture. The police commissary sent the*house- maidto fetch her mistress, but the latter, havu hurriedly paoked, left by the first train "or Paris, taking the maid with her. She imposed to catch the night express to Lond<\ bait, ohan,ging her plan, engaged a room A a small hotel near the Gare du Nord. and s*t the servant foaok to Asnieres to fetch runk containing valuables, and also to wa her husband. The maid instead informs the police, and the woman was prompt' arrested. Ii> her possession £ 1,150 was folad the man, who is of colossal stature- Waning from a trip to Belgium, went V -0-il-- Police-station to inquiry for his -In, wife and child, and was also taken 10 custody. There are three other children ider the oharge of the coupJe bearing £ Henoe of cruelty and neglect. The rY Ann states that she remem- bers ha'1 had another mother, who was a cook at haven, but who was now dead. Police i^y showed that the couple received ^jjjous correspondence addressed to varia!16 tes restaates, mainly from England Belgium. They had pre- viously A other suburbs of Paris, fre- quently their address. The house at Asnieres Aj meagrely furnished, though the coupl-e money freely, at the rate of about 0 r month. The *i-e receiving evidence from various flnar of indescribable cruelties which, it is the oouple practised on children nnd .^Acir care. Mary Ann's body i« covered weals, apparently inflicted with a Other children—a girl, Stephanie, a^-n6*ix, amd two babies, about thro? and f inontlis respectively-bear similar traces U^ure and maltreatment. Before Asnieres, in May last, the couple lived ?'-Qarenne, Colombes. Th«y had a pretty u? girl about three years of age, with fair c hair- Neighbours state that the male ij^oner one day took her away, and rotur ajone. On one occasion when Marv AU11 w being thrashed by the man she threw out of a window, a,nd seriously j^g. It, appears that the two babes V recently brought to Asniieres by the rnly ID.11 his return from one of his frequent ^^rious journeys. The polioe are discover whether the prisoners aF°jre^cerned i!) the ca&e of two English clfi -t we^e abandoned in a Faris hotel lac ^s^nier. One of the ba-bie8 Sv rescued is blind. A fcrvant alleges tha. heard the man in the course of a quarrel with the female prisoner V* !c*^n to tell what she had done with" lItt I\lta¡.(cr" and another Ie, oger child, whos^name^u^^j^tj^atch.—Router.

FELL OVERÂ PHECIPICE. RHONDDA LABO^J-kS LONELY The adjourned intiu6Sl on the body of Edward Owen, labourer, Vjerbert, was held at the local pplic.e-statlfll on Tuesday. It will be remembered tli& deceased was found at the bottom 0 a cijfF on the Pempyeh Mountain. Pti.itt, »vith whom the man lodged, was ca' ^nd stated that Owen was a man of gobe h^its- He took his food with him to wot* jagt time she saw him, and had a candj^. he ^sed in his employment. He ha" and eight children, the eldest beinS ^enty. He left home at 8.50, and was W the engine- ma.n connected with the S11 Xida Council's waterworks at 9.40 p.m., but t alive after- wards. G. Furlong, foreman for Treglawr. contractors, produced a photo it^^ting the spot where the body was ^Und. employed deceased was given il"qtuetiolis 38 to the way he was to approach his X%,rl, On the ndght when he was last seen 13r' the man he was late, and had eV|^ntly taken a short cut to the face of the ^tinel, where his shift commenced, by a used to contey materials. VThere '>'en: no tra,ma running at the time which m»lte necessary for him to turn asid«- The Coroner cMr. R. J. Rhy9' \berda-re)- (reviewing the evidence, said it ffiore satisfactory than at the last liea*ing. 1 proved that the man was sober he to work. He had received injuria hy fall over the precipice, which waS I\, natu1jJol one and not fenced. The evideC^ of pr. Hinde on Saturday was that death Was d\1e to exposure. The injuries migrht h) dased t,he unfortunate man, but, re-covcrint. there was a possibility of liis having h^ ooat under his head, and eventu^'s* BUc- cumbing. A verdict of "Accident#1 qeatb" was returned.

BOMBS FOR THE CZA1*. The agents of the Russian Jn Paris reported to have P^Uive evidence that a number of ^Hibs made in Paris by Russian refugees WLre recently smuggled into Russia by a W'oq.¡], and it is believed that they were in titled to be used against the life of the Czar. Ilhe individual entrusted with the commiSSion of the outrage, it is stated, was lately in Paris, and is uoesibly still there.

A WIFE'S AMAZING LETTER. + HUSBAND'S RETURN FROM AN ASYLUM. The story of a wife's alleged ill-treatment of her Imsoand after he had returned home cured from a lunatic asylum was told in the Divorce Court on Tuesday, when Mr. A. M. Watkins, a grocer's assistant, of Birmingham, alleged misconduct on the part of his Wife with Mr. Walter Simmond, a manu- facturer. Mrs. Watkins did "hot deny the charges, but co-respondent did, and was represented by Mr. Barnard, K.C. Mr. Watkins said he lived habitually with his wife for sixteen years In 1905 he went off his head, and was taken to a lunatic asylum. He was discharged as cured twelve months later, and it was alleged that the misconduct took place during this period. Mr. Watkins said when, he came out of the asylum his wife was far from pleased to see him. One day he could not get into the house for over half an hour, and eventually his wife let him in at the back door. Cross-examined, petitioner denied there had been frequent quarrels with his wife. It was, however, a fact that she had constantly knocked him about after his return from the asylum. Counsel said he would call witnesses to say that whilst the husband was at the back door a man left by the front door. Petitioner said his wife left him in 19Cí7. Afterwards "e received the following exti-a- ordiaa-ry letter from he>r: — I a.m at last, praise be to God, able to get away from you, whom I most surely believe to be one of the laziest and biggest blackguards wa-!king on this earth.* Did you think any flesh and blood cculd stand keeping a great hulking brute like you. who b-eate and strikes You rouse the neighbourhood with your oaths and curses, and sharpening a knife to take my life. We have had to remain in the bedroom with the doors locked, as I have been afraid to be in the same place with such a wild mad- man waiting to get at me to murder me. You have broken open the panels of the drawer ar the windows, and yon have envorn not to work. You may safely take it tRat neither I nor the children are going to support a brute like you. If you even dare to come within miles of me I shall at once appeal to the law for protection, also for a legal separation on the grounds of non maintenance, attempted murder, and per- sistent cruelty to me and my children. How I loathe the very sight of you, and the very sound of your voice, you brute. My eyes will never behold you, hated wretch! Counsel (to petitioner): Is there any truth in this letter? Petitioner: Not a word, It is all lies. Mrs. Watkins, the respondent, giving evidence, said after Simmon ds had been visiting her about six weeks misconduct took place, and was repeated when she went to another house. He promised to set her up in a sweet shop. The allegations against her husband contained in the letter were made in a temper. She denied that Simmonds had only called on her upon three occasions, or that she had said she would go to his ware- house. The case waa adjourned.

REMARKABLE LETTER TO A SOLICITOR. The hearing was resumed on Wednesday. Cross-examined, respondent denied that in February a.nd March. 1907, she was con- stantly standing outside office annoying him. She admitted receiving a letter from the co-respondent's solicitors in March, 1907, warning her that if she repeated a demand for money with threats the matter would be plaoed in the hands of the police. Sihe maintained that after receiv- ing this letter there was further intimacy between her and Simmonds, and that she received money frQm him. FiKrther letters were put to witness, in which she denied attempting to extort money from Simmond6 and describing him a champion liar. Counsel next put to the witness a covenant she entered into in 1907, undertaking not to molest- Simmonds. She admitted the cove- nant and receipt of £100. Mr. Barnard, for Simmonds, suggested that the person who gave information in the case was respondent, and that the jury could not believe a word she had said. The co-respon- dent was in a substantial way of business, and the story was fabricated from beginning to end. He took up the case in charity, but in February. 1907, she considered she had got him in her power, a.nd started a course of persistent annoyance and blackmail. Counsel read the following letter, which Mrs. Watkins had sent to co-respondent's solicitor: — I kno-w it i3 your business to try and make white into .black, but all these things can be gone into fully a,nd proved to oe true or untrue. You insulted me again this morning by asserting that I accosted the beauty in the public streets. Take care how you. make these statements. I wish you to understand once and for all that I have too much respect for myself to look, much lees speak, to such a well- known libertine. However, I do not intend to write any more on the subject, and if you wHte I shall not reply. Ask the "3.tyl to speak the truth for once in his lifetime, and say if I ever asked him for a copper at time when he visited me. Counsel stated that when there were threats of exposure co-respondent's mother wag dangerously ill, and he believed if the story came out it might have the effect of killing her. In these c.ircuinstances he entered into an agreement with Mrs. Wa.t- kins. However indiscreet co-respondent had been in entering into the agreement, he would be called to deny the charges made against him. Mr. Simmonds then went int-o the box and bore out counsel's statement, denying that he had ever committed misconduct. Witness said he called on respondent four times in all. The agreement was drawn up to stop the annoyance to which he was sub- sequently subjected. Cross-examined, witness said that he had not charged the woman because of his mother's health, and because he did not want to take her before a Birmingham magistrate. Apart from £100 he had given Mrs. Watkins £9 or I A solicitor's clerk said that the letters which respondent returned under the cove- nant were of a business nature. The jury retired to consider their verdict. and found tha.t the oo-rcspondent had not misconducted himself with the respondent. Mr. Simmonds was, therefore, dismissed from the roit. The petition was also dismissed.

UNDER A FALL OF ROCK. MEN IN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT AT PENTRECHWYTH. A serious fall of stone and earth took place at Pentregasseg Quarry, Pentrechwyth, Swansea, on Wednesday, and there were wonderful escapes from death.. The owner of the quarry, Rees Davies, builder, aged 58, and a workman named John Diamond, 52, were looking round the place before work started when suddenly an immense fall took place, and they were both buried shoulder high in rocks and other debris. The quarry is in a.n unfrequented spot, and the men were imprisoned in their respective positions for some time. Their cries were eventually heard, and they were taken by the Swansea motor ambulance to the hospital.. Mr. Davies was the,worst sufferer, as he had sus- tained a fracture of the left leg. Diamond's injuries did not necessitate detention. FATAL FALL FROM STAGING. John Morgan, of 4. Frederick-street, Cardiff, who fell from a staging at the warehouse of Messrs. Spillers and Bakers at the East Dock on Tuesday afternoon, succumbed to his injuries at the infirmary on Wednesday morn- ing.

DEATH FOLLOWS A FIGHT. Mr. R. J. Rhys conducted an inquest at Trehafod on Tuesday on the body of William Powell, a collier, of Morgan-street, Trehafod, who died on Sunday. Evidence was given by William Hopkins, Jeremiah Richards, and William Jones, who stated that they were at the Bridgend Hotel on Saturday night. Powell began quarrelling with a collier, named George Sheriff, for some unexplained reason, and kept on wanting him to "come outside and have it out." After eome time Sheriff went out, and in a scuffle hit Powell on the face. The latter fell backward on his head, and was removed home unconscious. Dr. Carroll said deceased's skull, which was unusually thin, was fractured, and he attri- buted death to pressure on the brain, con- sequent upon this injury. The jury returned a verdict of "Dea-th from misadventure, the Coroner adding, "I think you are quite right."

CREDITOR OF MISS VIOLET CHARLESWORTH At the London Bankruptcy-court on Friday \1 ¡¡, reviving order was made against Miss Violet ay Gordon Charles worth, spinster, late of Erw, St. Asaph. The petitioning creditor Dr. Edward Hughes Jones., of Medwr Rhyl, creditor for money lent. 1,piC! the acts of bankruptcy alleged were 1e departure from a dweUinig^house with intent to defeat creditors, the sheriff's execu- l Janua.ry 19, and notice of suspension o Pa3Tnent on January 25 and 28.

GREAT COLLIERY PROFITS. POWELL DUFFRYN COMPANY EARN OVER 40 Huge profits are again disclosed by the report of the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company (Limited), which is the largest of the colliery undertakings in South Wales The output in 1908 aggregated 3,020,228 tons, despite the slackness of trade in the latter part of the year. The profit shown is £406,319 which on the total capitalisation of £900,79-5 is equal to over 40 per cent. It must be borne in mind, however, that the large profits made were principally due to the fact that contracts at high prices were in force the greater part of the year. The company charge to depreciation, place to general reserve, and spend .£41.520 in im Provements. The dividend is made up to 20 per cent. for the year on the ordinary capital.

MARDY COLLIERY CLOSED. RESULT OF UNPROFITABLE WORKING. The notices served by the Rhymney Iron Company (Limited) eil all their employes a the Mardy Colliery terminated oil Satur- +a,V and all the workmen brought dut their tools about 40C beyig hi? i2ei)lTrrat^0n t^le workmen, accompanied „ H ?' ""flter Lewis (acting miners' agent* Mr wr'rr (checkweigfter), met -ihA T. Bowen (agent and manager of the above colliery) on Tuesday evening last with he object of corning to some arrar.gsment to .Œep the pit open on the day-to-day system, W1tb regard to the supply of house at the workmen's rate. In the first case I no settlement was arrived at, Mr. Bowen stating they bad endeavoured to keep the pit aS *onf as Possible, but under the suns.conditions, owing to the men losing time and the coal being so far in, output in comparison with the cost was rar irom satisfactory. With regard to the question of house coal, they^could not supply closod11^ outs'^e rate after the pit JLf,eputa:tion> accompanied by Mr. Williams Lrtf-T M?r1, a?ain wiritecl upon Mr. Bowen Of w^iayrevening with regard to the finding T ,s&rU€ of Mr. B>w<?n <?idPT.i + e matter had been under con- work f\°n'aRd thf'y hRd decided to find flrnpcf r nien at P-engam, Gilfach. and (tn and arrangements vronid be made Railway1 wor^men s on the Rhymney P^\08.ether outIook at Rhymney and p,r. I?'11 Js to be a gloomy one, -pe^ia.^y for some of the older workmen, ° cannot readily find fresh employment, me having worked in the Mardv since they commenced working. The Mardy Colliery is about 50 years old, and is the Rhymney Iron ^o-mp'any'e freehold property, consequently no royalty has to be paid on coal wgyked. THREATENED STOPPAGE AT LLWYNYPIA. Owin to a slackness in demand for the No. 2 Rhondda seam of house coal, 500 men were handed notices on Saturday to termi- nate contracts at the end of March at a level worked by the Cambrian Collieries Trust at Llwynypia. In the meantime Mr. Ben Davies, miners' agent, in whose district the level is situated, will strain every effort to come to an arrangement to avoid a stop- page. Failing to do so, the management will be approached with a view to finding employ- ment for those thrown idle at one or the other of the collieries controlled by the trust. PROMOTION OF RHYMNEY COLLIERY MANAGER. Mr. David A. Waiters, under-manager of the Rhymney Iron Company (Limited'-)) Groesfaen Pits, has been successful in obtain- ing the position of manager under Messrs. Beavan and Co., Seven Sisters, out of several applicants. Mr. Walters is an old Rhymuey boy, and commenced colliery i boy when thirteen years of age. COAL TRADE BENEVOLENT ASSO- CIATION. An excellent smoking concert was arraDgoo at the lounge of the Hotel Cameron, Swan- sea, on Saturday night in connection wih the Coal Trade Benevolent Association, a: branch of which has been established Ill: Swansea with considerable benefit. Mr. I Alexander Moffa.,t. president of the ohaxnber of comHfefoe, took the chair, and was supported by Mr. S. Stephens, ex-presi- dent, Mr. R. L. Sails, and other prominent commercial men. A splendid programme was rendered. The chairman in his speech instanced the benefit the association had already conferred on Swansea* amd com- mended it to the support of docks men.

POLICE AND. PUBLIC. SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST NEWPORT CONSTABLE. There was considerable discrepancy in a oa.se which was heard before the Newport magistrates on Monday. A seafaring man, named James Kelly, who was paid off at Newport on Friday, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday niglit and assaulting Police-constable Anning. constable said he saw Kelly near the top of Emlya-street acting in a disorderly way. He was throwing his arms about and snouting improper things to some littue girls. en be was taken into custody he became very violent, and whilst he. was on the ground he hit and kicked witness. A large crowd assembled, and about haff a dozen of tnem incited the prisoner to resist. The prisoner would not have been nearly as violent if the crowd had not incited him. Alderman Wilkinson: Good gracious, and th-is is a civilised street!. Pohce-con«tahle Aiming: When they saw the prisoner kick me they were just delighted. Alderman Wilkinson: Did any of them assist you?—Yes, fortunately, some gentle- men came to my aseista.moe, and Polioe- oonatable Cordey, who came up, pulled one ma.n away w'ho tried to take the prisoner i away from my custody. The Bench: Have you any witnesses? Police-constable Anning: No. Poiioe-con- s-table Cordey is not here, but there are others who could have been here. A working man, named John Rollings, stepped forward said he wanted to be an independent witness for the prisoner. The Clerk (Mr. T. Summers)": I think I have seen you before. Oollins: Yes, perha-ps so. He went on to say that he saw the prisoner talking to a. navvy, who he saad had had his money, when the policeman oajne up and threw him across the road. Prisoner asked the constable what he was doing. The policeman threw him down, put his knee on the man's chest, and tackled him by the throat. It was a most scandalous shame to see the way in which the policeman treated the poor man. Witness followed the constable and the pri- soner to the police-station, and when the charge had been taken the constable came out and asked, "What's your business here?" Witness replied, "I want to see the superin- tendent. The constable then gave him a "pulling about" when getting his name and address. Police-constable Anning denied these allega- tions, and said either Collins or another witness who had attended shouted, "Well see Twomey about this, and we'll get his coat off." Charles William Collins, another man who came forward as a witness for the defendant, said the constable went up to the man, and catching hold of his left arm. put it behind his back, and threw the man half-way across the road. The man had no alternative but to fall down in the middle of the road, and whilst down the constable put his knee upon his hest and his hand on his throat. As soon as the ma.n got up the policeman put the ju-jitsu on h.im, and again threw him. It was, in witness's opinion, a most inhuman act. The man was not drunk. In the result the Bench announced that it was a case of suspicion, and the constable was, in their opinion, justified in bringing the case forward, but as the policeman had brought no witnesses in corroboration of the charge the Bench, under the circumstances, had no alternative but to dismiss it. t

RATING ABATEMENTS. Mr. M. D. Propert, district auditor, in his report of audit to the Rhymney Urban Dis- trict Council on Wednesday, referred to the collection of rates. He pointed out that all owners of premises liable to assessment under Section 211 of the Public Health Act, 1875, where the ratable value did not exceed £10 were rated iustoad of the ocoupiorg. In many cases the owner of the premises was also the occupier, a.nd the practice was to allow in each case an abatement of a sum eguivaJent J to one-fourth of the ratable value. But the council were not empowered to make any allowance to the occupying owner, and the collector should be instructed accordingly. The Surveyor stated it had been the prac- tice with previous collectors of the; council, a.nd further than he could give no authority.—The Clerk stated he had failed to find any information giving authority for the practice.—The Sur- veyor remarked that this alteration would bea.r exceedingly hard on a number of people. REDUCED RATES. The estimates for the ensuing six amounted to £ 3,339,. necessitating a rate of 2s. 8d. in the £ It was agreed, on account of the trade depression, to make a 2a. rg,^ instead of 2s. M.

CONSERVATISM AT SWANSEA. CANDIDATE FOR THE NEXT ELECTION. A special meeting of the executive com- rait tee of the Swansea Conservative Associa- tion was held on Wednesday afternoon, when t.here was a representative attendance, the business being of an important character. viz., a proposal to invite Mr. Frank T. Thomas, managing director of Cwmfelin (Swansea) and other steel and tin-plate works, to become the Conservative and Tariff Reform candidate for the Swansea Town Division. The proposal was heartily favoured by those present. Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., who was unable to be present, wrote heartily approving of Mr. Thomas being invited, now that Colonel Wright had retired, and added, "I hope tb- will be no shadow of division in our ranks. He (Mr. Thomas) has a very large stake in the borough, employs labour on a large scale, and is closely identified with the industries of Wales; in addition to this, I understand he is a warm advocate of the great fiscal reform which is so essential to the commercial future of the Empire and that he is for union both at home and in relation to our Colonies." Colonel Wright, who is at present abroad. wired saying that he would loyally and actively support ilr. Thomas if he accepted the invitation. j Mr. Thomas, who entered the room later on, expressed his views, and afterwards a resolution was carried unanimously offering him a cordial invitation to be nominated. Air. Thomas has promised that if the same unanimity prevails amongst the general council of the association he will be pre-1 pared to accept nomination. THE CANDIDATE'S CAREER. Mr. Francis T rah erne Thomas was born in 1855, and is the second son of Mr. Richard Thomas, of Richard Thomas and Co., the great, tin-plate firm. He was educated at King's College School, Loudon, and after- wards in Germany, and learned the profes- | sion of mining engineer with Professor Gal- loway, of Caxi ff. Then he took up the tin- plate trade, first at Lydney a.nd Lyfclbrook, after which he managed the Crnon Works, A herd are. In 1896 he went to the Cwmfelin Works, which he has completely re-modelled and extended. Those works are now recog- nised as among the largest and practically the model works of the tin-plate trade. The Cwmfelin Works are owned by the Cwmfelin Steel and Tin-plate Company (Limited), and Mr. F. T. Thomas holds three-fourths of the shares. About l/OO people are employed there. The Cwmfelin Steel a.nd Tin-plate Company are also the owners of the Red- bourne Ironworks, in North Lincolnshire, and the adjoining iron-stone mines. At this works about 2,0X1 tons of pig iron are made weekly, aiyl large alterations and extensions are at present made there. The Cwm- felin Steel and Tin-plate Company also own a half-share of the Abbey Works. Llansamlet. Mr. F. T. Thomas is an extensive traveller, amongst other countries visited being the United States, Canada, and Australia. He naturally possesses a comprehensive know- ledge of the iron and steel tra-des. In 1899 Mr. Thomas married Margaret, daughter of Mr. Frederick Monks, principal partner in the Warrington firm of steelmakers, Messrs. Monks, Hall, and Co. MERIONETH CONSERVATIVES WILL FIGHT. A numerously-attended meeting of Mer- ioneth Conservatives held at Barmouth on Wednesday, Lord Harlech presiding, resolved unanimously to contest the seat for the county on the first opportunity. Lord Harlech was appointed president of the association, and local committees wer* appointed throughout the county. The next meeting of the central oommittee is to be held on April 2, when reports from the local committees will be submitted, together with proposals as to tl^e choice of a candidate,

SEAMAN INJURED ABROAD COMPENSATION POINT SETTLED AT BARRY. His Honour Judge Owen at Barry County- court on Tuesday gave his award in the adjourned case of Mark Youngberg, an able seaman, against the owners of the gteamer Crag-side, this being a claim for compensation. The accident happened at Buenos Ayres on Aug-ust 28 last, plaintiff fracturing his leg and ankle. He was earning £112s. Id. a week at the time. His Honour pointed out that neither Mr. Lovat-Fraser, for the claimant, nor Mr. Parsons, for the respondents, had cited a case that had any bearing on the circumstances. The man was brought back home on the Cragsi^e, reaching Barry on November 21. and he (the judge) had decidM that the respondents must pay 16s. Id. per week com- pensation since that time. but from the money the respondents were entitled to deduct Clg 14s. 2d. for the time the man was cared for on board the Cragside until her arrival at Barry. The respondents were also ordered to pay the costs of the arbitration. DOCTORS DISAGREE. Before his Honour Judge Owen at Barry Oounty-court on Tuesday Max David, for- merly boatswain on the steamer Boston, sued the owners under the Workmen's Com- pensation Act. It was stated that the man sustained a fractured leg. Dr. Budge and Dr. Kent expressed the opinion that he was. unable to follow his employment. Dr. Barry and Dr. Fiteserald disagreed with this view, and the Judge decided for the respondents, with costs. Mr. J. A. Lovat-Fraser (instructed by Mr. T. P. Prichard) appeared for the claimant, and Mr. A. Parsons represented the defendant firm.

BOYS' DANGEROUS PRANKS TROLLEY LEFT OBSTRUCTING RAILWAY LINE. Evan Aehton, 13, William Williams, 10, and Ben Davies, 12, all Caerphilly schoolboys, were charged at the local court on Tuesday with causing ap engine to be obstructed. Detective Joseph Hughes prosecuted. John Richards, an en gin-driver, in the employ of I the Alexandra and Newport Docks and Rail- way Company, said that on the 22nd ult. he was driving his engine from Caerphilly to Pontypridd, and as he was p-asging Penrhos Junction he felt that his engine had struck something. He stopped and examined the engine and found a trolley underneath. It took them 35 minutes to extricate the wreck- age. Evidence was given by a platelayer, David Thomas, that he left the trolley secured by a chain and padlock on the side of the line on a previous date. Detective Hughes said the lads, when questioned by him, admitted they had played with the trol- ley, and bad left it on the line. The three lads now admitted the offence, and Ben Davies told the Bench they were all riding on the line and saw a farmer and the I "two little birds" ran away. Defendants were oraered to receive six strokes with the birch, whilst Ashton was sentenced to receive three extra strokes for stealing a woollen vest, valued 63d., the property of Alice Coggins, Caerphilly.

CANON THOMPSON. NO HOPE OF RECOVERY." A message from Worthing on Thursday states that Canon Thompson is slightly better, but that there is no hope of recovery.

STOP PRESS. MÅÕlt tÁ, gliAfc- BoYer. The dea\h is aauuuaeeti õr iiadft jar"ff Tatmttte-; YnystUr Hall, Glaadorey, jraWeti. Deceed had a few dayt before be6n on a visit to Eirminyham, aDd it is belitfveu he contracted a chill on the journey. He was the eldest and only snrviviiJg son nf Taunton, of Widney Lodge, Knowle, Birmingham. He was a justice of the peace for Cardiganshire, ) atid bad served the office of high sheriff. He purchased "Vnyshir Uå-1, ? beautiful mail ton on the Dovey estuary, a few ars ago. The funeral will take place on Saturday. ) I — -— t

RAILWAY DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. i WORKING OF CONCILIATION ) BOARDS. An interesting report, drawn up by Mr. j G. R. Askwith, of the Railway Department of the Board of Trade, upon matters con- nected with the establishment and working of the Railway Conciliation Boards set up in accordance with the railway agreement of ovember 6, 1907, was issued on Wednesday night. In transmitting the report of the President of the Board of Trade Mr. H. Llewellyn Smith says:—"The work of conducting the 286 contested elections which have already been held for the selection of employes' representatives on the Conciliation Boards has been especially onerous, and I consider that the fact that the unaccustomed task has been accomplished practically without ? hitch reflects great credit on the staff of the Railway Department, a<s well as on the officials and representatives of the parties more directly concerned. It is satisfactory to find that at present the companies which have conciliation schemes in operation employ over 97 per cent, of the railway servants of the United Kingdom. It was not to be expected that so great a change in the methods of settling differences as to labour conditions on the railways would be carried through without some difficult quec-tions arising as to the scope and meaning **f particular provisions of the agreement. Mr. Askwith's report shows that he has not found any of the questions that have arisen tc be incapable of adjustment, and it is most gratifying to be able to state that the scheme of conciliation and arbitration cott- templated in the agreement maj' now be said to be established, and that it has already borne fruit in the amicable sattlement of important questions which might otherwise have led to prolonged disputes." In his report Mr. Askwith states that 46 railway companies had adopted the arrange- ments proposed by the Railway Department for avoiding the serious results that would attend a cessation of labour on railways. The most important of the railways outside the scheme is the North Eastern, but that company has adopted a scheme of a rather wlifferent kind for dealing with disputes by mutual discussion between the company and its employes. It may be inferred that the effect of the arrangement! entered into is to render practically impossible a strike or lock-out among the men employed in working the traffic on the railways of the country. The list of companies accepting the agree- ment is as follows: — ENGLAND AND WALES. Alexandra (Newpor. x>ndon and SoHth and South Wales). Western. Barry. London, Brighton, and Brecon and Merthyr. South Coast. Cambrian. I London, Tilbury, and Cardiff. Southend. Cheshire lines. Maryport and Car- Cock ermouth, Kes- lisle. wick, and Penrith. Metropolitan. East and West York- Midland. shire Union. Midland and Gre&t Purness. Northern Joint. Great Central. Neath and Brecon. Great Eastern. North London. Great Northern. North Staffordshire. Great Northern and Port Talbot. City. Rhondda and S. Great Western. sea Bay. Lrl trull and BarnsLey. Rhymney. Lancashire and York- Somerset and "Dorset shire. Joint. London and Nortih South Eastern aIIIIi Western. Chatham. Taff Yale. SCOTLAND. Caledonian. Highland. Glasgow and Sooth North British. Western. Port-pat rick and Wig- Great Northern of i townshire Joint. Scotland. IRELAND. Belfast and County Great Southern and Down. Western. Cork, Band on, and Midlamd Great Wee- South Coast. tem of Ireland. Dublin and South Northern Cocmtiee Eastern. Oommittee (Ridian" Great Northern. (Ire- land).

RAILWAY COMBINES, MR. CHURCHILL'S REPLY TO DEPUTATION. An influential deputation, representing < number of large North-eastern oentres. waited upon the President of the Board of Trade on Wednesday to protest against the Bill before Parliament for the amaig-amiation of the Great Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railways, on the ground that it would lead to curtiailmentcs of tbe eenrioe now enjoyed. Mr. Churchill said railways were paasing through a great change. Competition had for some time past been somewhat illusory. He thought the introduction of this measure lent discussion on tie position of railway companies a very practical and immediate charter. They had to bear in mind the danger of driving railway arrangements underground. He did not think they ehould set their faces against the principle of amalgamation, and he should see that safe- guards were considered when it was his ddty to advise Parliament on the measure. Opposition to the Bill authorising the working arrangement between the GTeat Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railway Companies is by no means appealed by Mr. Churchill's reply to the deputation. Indeed, much surprise was expressed by several members of the deputa-tion at the tone of the President's remarks, his implied approra.1 of the companies' proposals causing n feeling almost of consternation. Motions of rejection, of which notice has been given, will certainly be proceeded with, and if the Bill goes beyond the second reading there will be in Oommittee one of Ae gre&test railway battles of recent sesskxS.

PORT OF LONDON. MEMBERS OF THE NEW AUTHO- RITY APPOINTED. In accordance with the provisions of th< Port of London Act, 1, the Board of TracU have taken the necessary steps for oonsti tuting the Port of London Authority. A lis- of the names of the members of the a-ctho rity was officially issued on Wednesday night, as follows:- Chairman Sir Hudson Ewbanke Kearley, M.P. APPOINTED MEMBERS. By the Admiralty.-Reax-aAmiral A. Mostyn Field. By the Board of Trade.—Mr. H. G. Brood- bank and Mr. H. Gosling. By the London City Council.—M embers of the council, Sir J. M'Dougall and Mr. W. H. Pannell; not members of the oouncil, Mr. James Anderson and Mr. John Duthie. By the Corporation of the City of Lon- don.—Member of the corporation, Mr. J. W. Domoney: not a member of the corporation. Lord Ritchie of Dundee. By the Trinity House.—Captain H. A. Blake. ELECTED MEMBERS. By the Board of Trade.—Mr. J. Hamilton Beiin, Mr. C. E Brightman, Mr. Charles Charleton: Sir Edwin Cornwall, M.P., Mr. G. T. Crosfield Sir C. Furness, M.P., Mr. C. F. Leach. Mr. L. A- Martin, Mr. H. T. :Moore, Mr. Owen C. Philipps, M.P.. Mr. E. G. Salt. marsh, Mr. Hugh C. Smith, Mr. C. F. Tor. rey, Sir Montague Turner, Mr. F. SboAfortbi Watts, Mr. W. Wed del, Mr. Richard White, Mr. W. Yarco Williams. Additional member, Mr. S. E. Bates.

INDIA AND THE COLONIES DEPARTMENTAL CX>MMITTEE ON EMIGRATION. The Secretary of State for the Colonies. with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for India, has nominated a Committee to consider: — (a) The general question of emigration from India to the Crown Colonies. (b) The particular Colonies in which Indian immigration may be most usefully encouraged. tc) The general advantages to be reaped in each case, (1) by India itself, and (2) by each, particular Oolony. The Committee will be composed as 1,,J. lowc,: Lord Sanderson, chairman. Lord Sandhurst. Sir George Scott Robertson, M.P. Sir James John Digges La Touche, member of the Oouncil of India. Mr. Hugh Bertram Cox, Assistant Under- Secretary of State. Colonial Office. Mr. Wilfrid William Ashley, M.P. Mr. Selwyn Howe, of the Indian Civil Ser- vice. Mr. Walter Devonshire Ellis, of the Colonial Office. Mr. Reginald Herbert Griffin, of the Colonial Office, will act as Secretary.

CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY. At Westminster on Wednesday John Francis Maguire-and William Frederick Moore were committed for trial charged with being con- cerned in a conspiracy to obtain goods from Messrs. Symons and Co. (Limited), house fur- nishers. It was stated in evidence that about October last Moore, who said he was a retired major, was supplied with a chest of drawers, valued M. This article had not been returned or paid for, and in February was oplimed by tor *2 5k.L