Weekly Mail

SUB-COMMITTEE FAIL TO AGREE. Another meeting of the joint overtime sub- committee of the Conciliation Board was held at the Engineers' Institute, Qardiff, on Wed- nesday, Mr. Thomas Griffiths (Cymmer) pro- siding on the owners' side a.nd Mr. D. Watts- Morgan on the workmen's side. The two sections, after conferring separately since eleven o'clock, did not come together until nearly one o'clock, a.nd until an adjournment was made for lunch, half an hour later, the only question discussed was Clause o of the Conciliation Board agreement and the proper interpretation to be placed upon it in respect of bonus terms paid to various grades of workmen. The two sides were diametrically opposed on this point, and, although they continued negotiations for a-n hour after lunch, they completely failed to agree, ajid there was no other course open to them than to adjourn and to report the deadlock to the Conciiia- tion Board. The workmen's representatives ftrongly resented the attitude adopted by the owners' representatives, and insisted upon the justice of their contention, that the employers had no right to take away the bonus terms which had hitherto been in vogue without first bringing the matter before the joint com- mittee, and in the event of a failure to agree upon reasonable terms to report to the Con- ciliation Board. Several witnesses were in attendance and waiting to be called upon, but. inasmuch as the joint committee failed to agree upon the fundamental principle of the proper interpretation of Clause 3, the meeting was adjourned without a single witness being summoned into the room. The members of the Conciliation Board will be a-sk-ed at their next meeting to decide upon a definite interpretation of the clause, the men's representatives on the joint sub- committee belllg determined not to meet ;;aain until they have received a mandate from the full board. OFFICIAL REPORT. The following official report wa«3 supplied at the clos-e of the meeting:—"A meeting of the overtime joint committee appointed by the Conciliation Board under Clause 3 of the Conciliation Board agreement, Juno 30. lu09, was held at Cardiff on Wednesday. Mr. Thomas Griffiths presided over the owners' side, and Mr. D. Watts-Morgan over the workmen's representatives. The committee were unable to agree in regard to the inter- pretation to be put npon Clause 3 of the agreement, and separated without any decision being come to."

NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD AT CARMARTHEN. PROPOSAL TO ERECT A LARGE PUBLIC HALL. The question of housing the National Eis- teddfod, to be held in Carmarthen in 1911, was discussed at a meeting of the borough coun- cil. Mr. A. I. Jones inquired when the com- mittee appointed to consider the project of building a public hall would report on the matter. Mr. John Lewis suggested that they should consider the advisability of constructing a pavilion in the market-place that would accommodate the Eisteddfod, and be used for other purposes for all time afterwards The Mayor (Mr. John Crossman) said that the council had nothing whatever to do with providing a building for the Eisteddfod. If a pavilion would be erected for the Eisteddfod, it would bo used for that sole purpose, and if the council went in for a public-hall it would not be for the Eisteddfod requirements. The public hall committee had not yet come to any decision, and the question of housing the Eisteddfod was for the Eisteddfod com- mittee to decide. Apropos to tlie question of electing an alderman in the place of the Rev. Joseph Harry, who had resigned, Mr. Blagdon Richards stated that he had been hoping the mayor would have consented to be nomi- nated to fill the vacancy, so that the council could show their appreciation of bis ser- vices by electing him an aldermaft, but he having declined he would move that the senior councillor. Mr. Walter Lloyd, who was a Conservative be appointed. It was quite true that politics had, since 1902, controlled the appointment of aldermen. Party feeling had prevailed, and he was prepared to ac1.mit that such feelings had swayed over him per sonally. But it was high time that they should eliminate politics from the council (Applause.) If the ratepayers were tested, there would be an overwhelming feeling to eliminate politics from municipal affairs. Several of the Liberal members objected to the motion, contending that it was out of enler. Mr. William Isaac: It is a trick. The Mayor said the motion need not affect their voting, and, on going to the ballot, Mr. Walter Lloyd (Conservative) was elected alderman with thirteen votes, against nine votes recorded for Mr. Lewis D. Thomas (Liberal). Mr. W. Samuel: Mr. Bla-gdon Richards talks a.bo.ut keeping polities, out. What, about the Conservative members on the council? They have all gone en bloc for Mr. Walter Lloyd. It is ridiculous. The Mayor: You are not justified in mak- ing that statement. They have voted for Mr. Lloyd because he is senior member.

TWO DAYS IN THE RIGGING. MAORI SURVIVORS ARRIVE AT CAPE TOWN. CAPE TOWN. Saturday. Thirty-four members of the crew of the ill- fated steamer Maori are still missing. The remaining twelve men arrived at Cape Town this afternoon in motor-oars. They were then supplied with fresh outfits at the Sailers' Home, and are all in most cheerful spirits Sir Waiter Hely Hutchinson, Governor, and Lady Hely Hutchinson, both personally expressed their sympathy with them. and shook hands with each man individually. The mayor is displaying the greatest activity in rendering all possible assistance to the sailors, and i" being backed up by the hearty co-operation of the city officials and public The rescued men told ileuter's reporter tivit most of them were G),sleen on the night of the 4th when they heitrd two successIve crashes, and water began rushing into the forecastle, Three boats out of six were Immediately manned and launched. No. 1 boat, commanded by the captain, was soon lost in the darkness. No. 3 boat fouled while being launcned, and its occu- pants clambered back to the Maori's poop and tried to lower another boat, but were sinking by the bow. They then returned to compelled to desist owing to the vessel's the poop, where they kept. each other com- pany during the greater part of the night, and waited for the other boats, but there was no trace of them. When daylight broke the shipwrecked men took shelter from the wind and rain in the skylight, and broached the cargo for cloth- ing, but found no food. In a glimpse of the moonlight they saw a sc"æaiJ. Gladmau, clinging to the cross-trees, but were unable to reach him as the decks were awash. Glau- man was subject to fits, and it is believed that one of them caused him to fall off and bf drowned. In the course of Thursday a number of vessels passed, including a Union Castle liner and a Cape Town harbour tug. They signalled to the ships, waving bunting from the cargo and aprons, but none of the passing vessels took any notice of them. They took watch in turns, thus managing to snatch a brief rest. During the night of Thursday they lit a lantern, which attracted the notice of fisher- men ashore, who notified the authorities a, Cape Town. Meanwhile, the fishermen and farmers in the vicinity rendered what help was possible. The distressed men on the Maori hove a rope and established connection with the shore. Two were thus saved, but the rope got fouled, impeding the progresos of the third, who was battered against the rocks and killed. Rescue work was most difficult owing to the fact that, although the vessel wa- only 50 yards from the chorejthere was a reef constantly swept by surf in between, so those still on the wreck thought it best to await assistance from Capo Town. which consisted of the rocket apparatus, in charge of tue Royal Engineers and Medical Corps men. The scene of the wreck was almost inacces- sible from land, and the rescuers reached it with the utmost difficulty. The first rocket miscarried, but the second was successful. Supplies were immediately sent out, and sub- sequently all ten were landed within twenty minutes, exhausted from their two days fast, buffeting of the waves, and cold, and brought to Cape Town this afternoon. There is no news of the other two ooats, but the fierce gales of the past few days render the possibility of their having kept afloat re.ma-te.-PreSS Association Foreign Special. NARRATIVE BY A HERO. The boatswain, George Stewart, who so heroically rescued two men and almost perished in the attempt to recover a third modestly discounts his bravery, which is the general theme of admiration at Cape Town. He is a native of Lyttelton, New Zealand, aged 35. Ho has been at foea since he was fourteen. and is a quiet, gentlemanly eailor. He states that only thirty minutes elapsed between the first striking of the Maori ana the last boat leaving her side. He thought, that lie was the last on board to leave, for he cut the other two boats free and rushed across the deck just in time to join the third, that of the chief officer Read. He was clad only in a singlet and pants, for he had been hastily roused when the boat struck just after midnight. All those in his boat pulled desperately against the shoreward current till daybreak. They sighted the other two ship's boats momentarily in the darkness. Morning gbowed a jagged, rockbound coast, with tre- mendous seas running. Their boat cruised along the shore endeavouring to find a land- ing place. Seeing a patch of sand they steered for it, but when only ninety yards distant from their haven the boat struck a rock. A moment later it struck a second rock. Stewart leaped on to the second rock and clutched the boat by the gunwale to steady her. Another sea strucK ner. Stewart started to swim for the shore, but just at that moment the boat overturned. Then, seeing the other men strugling in the breakers, he swam out again, first to the old seaman, James Stillwell, of London, whom he got safely ashore. Out he went again, and got hold of Harry Mellon, a fireman, who weighs 18st. Him, too, he landed safely. A third time he swam out. aided by a. floating oar, to rescue Hutchinson, the refrigerating! engineer, who sank as he clutched him and disappeared. VESSEL BREAKING UP. Messrs. Shaw, Saviil, and Albion received the following cable from their agent at Cape Town, dated 12.5 p.m. Saturday:- The vessel is breaking up and the cargo drifting ashore. LIST OF SURVIVORS AND LOST. The names of the survivors so far reported are A C. Read, chief officer; C. Middleton, third engineer; Robert Keenan, S.'th engineer; George Stewart, boatswain; V> alU-r V ;i V;s, mess-rocm; steward; James Stillwell, A.B.; JacX Munus, A.11.; Joseph Brown, greaser; John Holmes, trimmer; Harry Mi'Iioii, fireman; H. O'Drion, fiicoian; X). Evans, .V. Clarke, ordinary seaman; K. 14arr, liieman; and W. J. Hatch, Brewer, itarwood, ilidcleton, Bowler, Thomson, Mills, and Hutohmgs. In addition to the n-amet; of the officers lost given on Saturday, the following are missing:- BAILORS.—\V. Line's, carpentcr; J. Corbin, A.B. H. Stvch. A.B.; G. inch, A.B. R. Hart, A.B.: T. Popp, A.B.; J. Gladman. A.H.; T. Bartiett, A.M.; J. Lines, A.B.; J. Cox, oitiina.r\ seaniaa. r FlIiEMEX, &c.—A. a rt, A. Beak, J. Brady, A. S. Heigiuon, J. Goodwin, J. \\ilson, L. Totdevin, S. Attridge, C. VIlIS, E. Fenwick, T. Hooper, T. Gunn, J. Smith, and J. Hutching.s. SIEWARDS, COOKS, Ac.—H. J. Hicks, A. Ander- son, J. Archer, and R. Addison. NO NEWS OF THE WARATAH. We are informed by Messrs. Lund and Sons that up to six o'clock on Sunday even- inng no news had been received of the liner AVaratah, missing off the coast of South Africa. Messrs. Lund, who ha-ve been inun- dated with inquiries from all parts of the country from friends of the pas-z nger,, are still optimistic. LIST OF PASSENGERS. FROM LUKBAN: The Rev. Father Farile,, Dr. Carriok, Mr. Turner and family, Mr Stocken and fa mi ly, M.r. Taylor and daughters, Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Govaido, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Collette, Mrs. Sillory, Mrs. Ashe, Mrs. Tress, Mrs. Lyon and infant, Mrs. Connolly and daughter, Mrs. Dawes and infant. Mrs. Bradley, 1\fr. Adamson, Mrs. Petrie, and Mrs. Dunn and children. FROM SYDNEY: Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. AVright, Mrs. Harwood, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Bowden, Miss Miller, Miss Henderson, Miss Allen, Miss Bowden, Mies Sehaumann, Mr. Miller! Mr. J. Hunter, Mr. G. A. Murphy, Mr. AT right, and Mr. Schaumann. FROM MELBOURNE: Mrs. J. AV. AYi]son, Mrs. Govett, Mrs. Starke, Mrs. Page, Mrs. Wilson, Miss Wilson, Miss Laecelles, Miss Starke, Miss Murphy, Miss Ibbett, Miss AArilson, Mr. J. Ebeworth, Mr. X Black, Mr. M. Campbell, Mr. M. E. Tiekell, -Air. J. Stoker, Mr. P. Calder. and Mr. A. Clarke. FROM ADELAIDE: Mrs. Hay, Mrs. Waters and child, Miss II. Hay, Miss Jonos. Mr. Waters, and Mr. Lowentlial. I

CHAMPION CHESS PLA YEU. SUICIDE OF SWIDERSKI UNDER DRAMATIC CIRCUMSTANCES. BERLIN, Wednesday. A telegram fixym L-eipaic reports the suicide of Swiderski, the champion chess player of the world, under dramatic cireumstanoec. The evidence points to Swidereki having taken his life on the 2nd inst., but the boiiy was only found to-day, being in a terribie st-a-t* of decomposition. The unhappy man had apparently taken poison, and then shoi. himself with a, revolver. Allegations of perjury in connection with a love affair had been made a^aimtt the deceased, and it is supposed tha.t fear of legal proceedings was the motive which led to the t.ra.gedy.-Central News.

LORD KITCHENER'S I NEW POST. i » FIELD MARSHAL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. Lord Kitchener will saicceea His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught. The .following statement was issued on Friday night by the AV ar Office:— Lord Kitchener has, in conformity with 0-1 the wishes of his MajestyV> Government, accepted the position of High Commissioner and Field-marshal commanding in the Medi- terra nea ii. On vacating the chief command in India i he will be promoted by his Majesty to the j rank of field-marilial. He will first proceed to Japan to repre- sent the King a.nd the British Army at the grand mana'iivres next November. From there, at the request of the Governments of Australia ajid New Zealand, he will vu-.it the Coremouwealth and Dominion to inspect their troops and to advise as to the best way of giving effect to certain proposals for the development of their military forces which are being discussed a.t tne Imperial Conference in London. Afterwards he will come home a.nd take up his new command. lie will have a seat on the Oojumittee of Imperial Defence. "In view of the new (levelapnieiits n organisation the Mediterranean command assumes increased importance, and it will o*.> taken up by Lord Kitchener with the object cf giving it its proper place in the general j scheme of Imperial defence."

BUILTH PAGEANTS SUCCESS. ■ THOUSANDS WITNESS THE SPECTACLE. Between five and six thousand people attended Builth Wells Pageant on Wedn-es- day. and under a blazing sun witnessed eight interesting episodes in local history. Practi- cally every home of the sister counties of Brecon and Eadnor was represented, and the variety and brilliancy of the costumes will long lie remembered in Mid-Vi aies. Everything passed oil without a hitch. Some of the leading characters were: — Arehdruid. Mr. 3. R. Thomas, B.Sc.; Father Time, Mr. Snead AViiliams; Prince Llewellyn, Mr. Reginald J. OwrJJ; Eiwedtl, the Rev. D. Edmondes CWPIJ; Legweu. Miss Midrflemas; St. ciwydd. the P- J. L. Herbert; Lady Llechryd, Miss Oakwell Smith; Parish Clerk, Mr. G. CJarkson; Eiver Wye and the Tributaries. Itbon and Irion, Miss Alice Hamer and the Misses Audrev Lewis and Elodwen roweii; Lord Llechryd. Mr. Rees Thomas; Hirwallt, Mr. R. Williams; and Maximus, Mr. Cliarles A. AYhisiay. Miss G-1dby, Gl0u0e£ter, was mistress of the dances; the. Rev. Edmcndes Owen, B.A., wa-s master of the undertaking, and Miss Edmondcs Owen mistress of the robes. Mrs E. D. Thomas, a lady very popular in the locality, declared the Pageant open. The final scene, the massing of all the characters, 1y<as a magnificent spectacle, and the march ppst of fairies, milkmaids. Morris dancers, liobby-horscmen, and the host of others was equally good. Never before had anything like the performance been wit- nessed in Central Wales. and the success reflected the highest credit upon the master of the Pageant (the Rev. Edmondes Owen), Mr. Flood, the s.a-ge managers, and their numerous helpers Immediately the National Anth^iu was readercd cheers were raised lor the master of the Pageant, and eulogies extended to him on all Lands.

BATTERED TO DEATH. WOMAN'S BEDROOM LIKE A SHAMKLES. A brutal .murder has been committed at a lonely spot in Weeton, near Kirkham. Henry James Cross, a platelayer employed by the Le ueaehire and Yorkshire railway, quar- relled when in drink with his wife, Jane Cross, and battered her on the head and arms with a stick until she was dead. The bedroom presented a shocking sight, the body lying in a pool of blood. The white- washed walls were besmattered. The woman, huddled up by the side of the bed, with arms up as if she Had been defending herself, was all black and blue, with a wound at the back of the he-ad, which caused death. Whether this was done by a kick from his clogs is not yet known. Five children were in the house at the time. The father early next morning said to a neighbour. "1 have done it this time," and gave himself up to the Kirkliam police. The prisoner will appear oeicre the magistrates this morning. A sixteen-year-old daughter states that her father and mother returned home at night quarrelling. The father, who was drunk, followed :he mother into the bedroom and bat- tered her head and face in a fearful manner with a thick stick. The mother fell, and never rose again. The father went to bed and slept. On waking next morning and find- ing the lifeless body of his wife, he bent down and kissed the face, and then gave himself m to the police. They had been married 25 years, and h..d nine children living. A NORTHUMBERLAND TRACEDY. A tragic discovery was made by the Aln- wick police late ou Saturday night, a- miner named James Sennison and his wife being found with their throats cut. The windpipe of the man had been entirely severed, and it is doubtful if he will recover. It is believed to be a case of attempted murder and suicide.

MH. MATT KEATING, M.P. The election of a member of Parliament for South Kilkenny took place on Tuesday, when Mr. Matthew Keating was returned unopposed. Mr. Keating is a brother of the Welsh novelist of the same name and of Mrs. Keating HiLl, the well-known suffragist, both of whom are residents of Oajsdiff.

LLANBRADACH STRIKE. IMPORTED MEN DECLINE TO WORE. The dispute between the surface men and the management at Llanbradach GollierieG continues. On Wednesday 45 men arrived from Lanca- shire to take the places of the men on strike. A large crowd of people assembled in the streets, but the men proceeded to the colliery without interference. n was not long, however, before a number of them returned and intimated that they were not prepared to make a start, as they were not acquainted with the circumstances at Llanbradach. Thirty of the non Unionists were persuaded by the strikers to return by the next train, and we understand that their train fares will be paid by the Enginemen's a.nd Stokers' Society. A further contingent of 100 was expected. The position, eo far as negotiations for a settlement are concerned, remains uu- changed. The police are exercising the utmost vigilance in order to prevent further dis- turbances. Prior to a mass meeting: of the oolliers a juint meeting of the local members of the two societies was held, but matters were not iruproved as the result. Mr. Henry Richards, the chairman of the meeting, said that after a long discussion they had been unable to make a recommendation to the meeting, and he added that he did not believe sections should exist, the oolliery workmen should be one body, and, provided there were separate bodies, they should meet occasionally to discuss the situation. Mr. Hubert Jenkins, the agent, was most emphatic in liis remarks that he had no sympathy with the management of the colliery, and neither was he lacking in sym- pathy with the eurfaoemen. Referring to the resolution passed on Friday last, he said he had pointed out they had no dispute with the management, and at that meeting nothing had been said to prove that the men taken on by the management were incom- petent, He wished to point out the extreme difficulty ho realised there would be in obtain- ing financial support if they refused to go to work. He had been informed that morning that the No 2 Fit was ready for work, and they were expected to return. He realised the possibility tha.t the colliery management would institute l^roceedingrt against them if they refused to do so. Uegaroinsr the safety of the mines, he pointed oiu they could have his Majesty's inspector 01 mines to examine the pits. He was endeavouring to emphasise the possibility o everyone being brought to the verge of starvation through a dispute in which they had ha,d ™ V(?lce- and he wanted to know whether under those cir- cumstances they were '1Jr€J'a^ vf a^tT""n work when they could a<iop* way and means to satisfy themselves as to the^ of the mines so as not to endanger theIr lIves. CWMAMAN MEN TO RESUME WORK. The men who had been employed in the Bed Vein Seam at the Cwmaman Colliery, Aberdare, decided on Wednesday evening to resume work forthwith, upon the same terms under which they had previously Spoliations had been pending for some time for the settlemen of a pr,e<v list, and when the corapauy^h.'ltowitn- draw the notices given re the Eight Hours question on June 1 the men working m that vein refused to return to work until the price-list had been settled. The owners sade of the Conciliation Board contender that this w^ a contravention of the agreement, and Mr. Stanton, the miners agent, pi omised to advise the men to return to work forth- with. This advice they have now taken, and wiU return to work pending fui^hcr nego- tiations between Mr. Stanton and the com- pany. POLICE ACTION CRITICISED. At a meeting of the Caerphilly Urban District Council (Mr. J. P- Charles in the chair), Mr. John Shannon, a member for the Llanbradach Ward, called attention to the police stopping up a road running at the rear of the Llanbradach Colliery during the present strike, and he moved that the ohief- cons table be written to asking for an explanation, and that a guarantee be given that no such interference would take place in future. The Chairman seconded, and said the police had acted in a high-handed manner, which was likely to excite public opinion. Mr. Hubert- Jonkins (miners' agent; strongly supported, a.nd the motion was carried without dissent. STRIKE AT CILFYNYDD. Owing to differences of opinion existing between the management a.nd the men in regard to a newly introduced working shift ■—from two to ten p.m.—a rather serious posi- tion of affairs is threatened at the Albion Colliery, Cilfynydu. where about 120 men havo struck work protesting against working the new Rhift unless they are paid an extra bonus turn for so doing, their contention being that they should be accorded the same extra consideration which is granted the men employed on the night shift. On Wednesday a mass meeting of the men was held to consider the situation, when it WM retired to financially support the work- men who had rafuaad to work the new shift.

CHAKGE AGAINST A MINISTER. ALLEGED SERIOUS FRAUD AT BEIDGEXD. Before the Bridgend magistrates on Satur- day the Rev. Stephen Jones, Waterton Hali, near Bridgend, assistant-overseer for the X>aj-ish of Coyciuirch Lower, was charged with obtaining by false pretences from the Great Western Bailway Company tae sum of £89 8s. 6d on May 11, 1908, £iJ9 8s. 6d, on November 11 of the same year, ajid £ 74 10s. 5d. on Junel 2, 1905—oeLng a total of £ 253 7s. 5d.—with intoünt to defraud. The warrant had been issued on the appli- cation of Mr. M. D. Propert, Local Govern- ment Board auditor. The case has created a profound sensation in the district, where defendant is a well- known public man, being vice-chairman of Bridgend County School governors and a member of the Bridgend group of schools. He is in charge of Churches at Treos and Coychuroh. Mr. Rupert Lewis represented the Great Western Railway Company; Alderman T. J. Hugnee (Bridgend) defended. Mr. Lewis, in opening, said the rate made in October, 1908, was signed at 2s. 9d.. and defen- dant demanded of the railway company a. rate of 3s. 3d., and obtained from the com- pany £531 5s. 3d., taking to himself the diiler- ence of £898s.6<1. He paid the cheque into his own bank, and paid the correct amount of the rate into the overseers' account, thus making the rate accounts appear correct. On April 8, 1908, a rate was struck at Zs. 6d., and the amount due from the com- pany oame to £447 2s. 6d. Defendant added 6d., and demanded a rate of 3s. from the com- pany, receiving £536 lls.. a difference of £89 8s. 6d., which he took himself. In the last rate the amount was struck at 2s. lOd. in the £ making a sum of £506 14s 1011. due from the company. Defendant added 5d. to the rate, and demanded a rate of 3s. 3d. from the company, obtaining from them £581 5s. 3d., and taking to himself the difference of £74 10s. 5d. Upon each of these rates a. small sum was due for a oottage at Ooychurch Crossing, which, being under £1. would be paid not in London, as the other rates were, but by the local estates officers at Neath. On two of these rates he got 2s., and on one of them Is. 4_J.. The amounts were small, but, being in the same union, in order to carry out the matter properly, he deemed it necessary to send them a bogus demand note. the same as he had done in the other oases, because the Neath demand note would also probably go to London, and the London officials would see the discrepancy of two rates for the same union. Mr. Lewis went on to explain how the matter was discovered by the district auditor. Find- ■ng there were certain irregularities in the keeping of the accounts, he taxed Mr. Jones and cautioned him. At first he said there was nothing wrong, and then he owned that he had the amounts which were the subject of the charge. In each case, Mr. Lewis explained, defendant yaid the cheques received by tite company into his own bank- the London and Provincial—and afterwards paid the correct amount of the rate into the bank of the overseers—the Metropolitan, The method adopted by him was this: In the first place, he had the ordinary rate col lector's book, which he only need, however, as regards the counterfoil, not utilising the 'receipt on the demand note. He had a book similar to that one specially printed with the rate which he had figured printed in. The railway company had a system in order to prevent frauds of this kind, continued Mr. Lewie, the station master being supposed to put an extract from the rate book upon a form supplied for the purpose. These forms corresponded with the demand notes sent by Air. Jonca. They were not certain how this occurred, but the suggestion of the prosecu- ion was that, not only did defendant print these doinand books, but also had a ficti- tious rate book. "WISHED TO MAKE A CLEAN' BREAST" Mr. M. D. Propert, auditor of the Newport Audit District, ga-ve evidence bearing- out the details of the charges. Witness said that upon his examination of the accounts of the overseers of the parish of Coychuroh Lower for the half-year ended Lady Day, 1909, cir- cumstances came to his knowledge which required further investigation. He spoke to the defendant, who was the assistant-over- seer ana clerk to the parish council, con- cerning the Great Western Railway Com- pany, and informed him that the o\ei-seers' ilepc-sit-book showed he had received a cheque for £491 16s. 9d. on December 31, 1908 whereas his own information from the com- pany was that he had boeu paid £581 5s. 3d. on November 30. This was on July 30. Wit- ness asked defendant to account for the discrepancy. At first Mr. Jones protested to him that everything was perfectly rigfct; but later in the day he said he wished to make a clean breast of it, and after being cautioned he made admissions as to retain- ing the amounts forming the subject of the charge Mr. T. J. Hushes Do you know what the amount of Mr. Jones's salary was as assistant-overseer? Witness: les; £19. Mr. Hughes: I notice, if I may say eo, with some surprise that large cheques of this kind issued by the company appear to be made payable to "S. Jones," and there is nothing on the face to show that the sum is due for rates. Witness: That is so. There is nothing, from your point of view or mine, to show what the cheque is for. Witness added, in reply to a further question, that he had made a recommendation with regard to the matter. Mr. Rupert Lewis: Have you made a recommendation to this company? Witness: i don't think so. It was in the Nortn of England. I have made no official recommendation to the Great Western, at any rate. A number of railway officials gave formal evidence. Harry Harding Miller, clerk in the finance office of the company, replying to the chair- man (Mr. B. W. LeweHyn). said the cheques were issued without any explanation of what they were for. but they were accompanied by a letter of explanation. The Chairman: But, surely, that is no good as far as the bank is concerned. Is it the custom of'the company to send cheques without saying for what payment is made? W'itne&s: Yes, sir; but the cheques are crossed. We name the matter for some parishes which ask for it. Defendant was committed for trial at the assizes, and reserved his defence. Mr. Hughes applied for .bail. He expressed his personal sorrow, which would be shared by many people in the district. He was instructed by Mr, Jones to say E,at not one of the company's officials in the district wa.s to blame in the slightest degree, and the defendant wished to prevent any of them being prejudiced or penalised for what had occurred. He hoped that Mr. Jones's friends and the public would suspend their judgment of the whole matter until they had heard what was to be said on his behalf and knew the whole of the surrounding cir- cumstances. Defendant had surrendered by a.rrangpment, and he asked that he lie not required to find sureties for heavy amounts. Bail was granted, defendant being bound over in £50 and on^ surety of a like amount, or two of .£"25 each. The Chairman said the bench took into consideration the salary the defendant had been paid,

INDIAN ASSASSINATION. ENGLISHMAN'S BODY FOUND BY THE ROADSIDE, ALLAHABAD, Wednesday. A Quetta telegram states that Conductor Inward, of the Military Works, hM been assassinated near Munzus, in the Loralai district. His body, with a bullet wound, was found by the roadside. Further details are lacking.—Reuter. FRONTIER UNREST. PESHAWAR, Wednesday. News has reached here that the Mullahs in the Mohmand country are preaching to the tribes, urging them to cease their tribal wrangles and to unite against the foreign foe. They are declaring that the time for action is near. The general arming of the tribes by wa.y of Kabul continues actively.—Reuter. L-SSB

SPAIN'S WAR IN MOROCCO. ARTILLERY AGAINST A SPANISH FORTRESS. MADRID, Wednesday. A message from Alhucemas states that tht: Spanish cruiser Estremadura has arrived there with food and war stores. She landed her supplies with difficulty under the enemy's fire, which wa.s answered by the land bat- teries and the guns of the ships. The Spaniards sustained no loss. The Estrema- dura left for Melilla at nightfall. Advices from Penon de la Goniera declared the Moors used artillery against the fortress there to-day. Their projectiles passed over the place at a high velocity. The Spanish troops defended themselycs gallantly. Large beacon fires are lit all along the coast every night by Kabolcs. A brisk fusillade is kept up a.ll day, with desultory firing at night..— Reuter.

SUICIDE AT MAESTEG. A determined suicide wc.s committed at Maesteg on Wednesday -evening by John Gardiner, a oollier living at 5, Carmen-street, Oaerau. Deceased, who was said to have been drinking heavily, returnod to his lodgings, and out his throat from ear to ear with a wwor, When examined by a doctor be wad quite doad.

COLONIES FALLING INTO LINE. PROGRESS OF THE DEFENCE CONFERENCE. Renter's Agency learns that the Imperial Defence Conference is making substantial progress in the development of the naval and milita.ry schemes that are now before it. Both the Imperial authorities and the dele- gates have from the outset emphasised the need for results of a definite character, and, with this object in view, the proceedings of the Conference have so been arranged that the discussions should, as far as possible, run Ion definite and well-defined lines. As to the results already obtained, a delegate said that they are "extremely practical." While the details of the proceedings neces- sarily remain secret, it may be stated with reference to both military and naval defence that a general basis of working has been agreed to. At an early stage of its proceed- ings the general Conference appointed a sub- committee of military exports which, undsr the presidency of General Sir William Nichol- son, Chief of the General Staff, has been sitting at the War Office working at highly technical details of the general plan agreed to in principle by the Conference. When these have been concluded they will be referred to the general Conference. In regard to naval matters, the procedure is somewhat different, various vi«ws being held as to the methods by which the Dominions should assist. It was thought better that the delegates and naval experts of each Dominion, should consult directly with the Admiralty. The first of the^e meetings will be held at the Admiralty when the Canadian delegates will meet Mr. M'Kenna, Sir John Fisher, and other high Admiralty officials. Conferences with The representatives of the other Dominions v.ill follow, and the result of all the arrange- ments made between the various Dominions and the Government will in due course be laid before the conference. At the present rate of progress it is thought that the Conference will not lar-t more than a fortnight, possibly even less Already some of the delegates are making- arrangements for departure. The Common- wealth of Australia, in its determination to have its own navy, intends to avail itself of its rights under the Naval Agreement of 1903 of sending cadets to the Navy. Owing to the difficulty of sending young boys so far from their homes it is intended to form in Australia establishments -of th.e Osborne and Dartmouth type, so that lads may have the sa-me naval training as they we-nld receive in England without the necessity sf leaving Australia. #

"A ROMANTIC WEDDING." STORY OF A SUPPRESSED REPORT AT LEEDS. The report of "a romantic wedding" came before the IXHXIS stipendiary magistrate recently in the case of Edwin Hugh' Ken- nington, who was charged with attempting to extort money from Mrs. Leah Leventhall. Mrs. Leventhall taid on July 10 the defen- dant caroe to her house and apked her if she had read the report he had given to her son She was reading the following report when he came in:— A ROMANTIC WEDDING. (By Our Special Correspondent.) An exceptionally romantic wedding wa« celebrated on Saturday I&st. which reminds one somewhat of the old times. The bride is the daughter of one of the wealthiest and most highly respected Jews in Leeds. The consent of the parents could not be obtained. It was, therefore, decided to obtain a special licence. At 9.45 a.m. I wa-s called upon to witness what I think is with- out parallel so far as Jewish weddings are concerned, for, a.s is well known, it is against the religious views and customs of the creed for a marriage to take place on a Saturday. Nevertheless, the interested parties didn't hesitate, but arrived prompt to the time arranged, the bride being charmingly attired in blue travelling cos- tume trimmed with antique lace. After leaving the registrar's light luncheon was partaken of at the Great Northern Hotel. There a letter was written and despatched by express post to the parents informing them of what had taken place. The chief parties were Mr. Bernard Cohen. Mir.s Ada Leventhall, and a few intimate friends. The honeymoon will be spent at Brighton. Witness said that Kennington, who repre- sented himself to be a reporter on a certain newspaper, stated that«2.000 or 3,000 copies of the report wo-Id be circulated in Leeds, and that it would be placarded round that city. "He said he would have it taken out of the papers," continued witness, "if I would give him a few pounds." She subsequently gave him £3 10o. on con- dition that he would prevent that notice from being published. She said the receipt was stamped, and on it were the words "To charges of withdrawing notice." Afterwards the defendant came to see her, and eaid he wanted 13" lCd. for the expenses of sending telegrams and wires and paying fares. She paid it to him. After making inquiries, she received a letter from the editor of the newspaper referred to, faying neither that paper nor any other respectable paper accepted pay- ment for the exclusion of new, and if any- one ha.d obtained payment from her on that assumption the proper course was to instI- tute immediate proceedings against him for obtaining money by false pretences. Detective-sergeant Watson said he received the accused into custody on Saturday from the Darlington police, who had arrested him on a warrant. On the way to the statiou TCeanington said-. "She asked me to smppor* the news, and I did so. What more does eh;: want?" The accused was remanded until Friday.

STORY OF HUNGER. At an inquest a.t Stepney on Tuesday con- cerning the death of Henry Traman, a-ged 49, lately living in St. George's-in-the-East, the widow said that her husband had gained a poor living by playing a cornet in the streets. The Coroner: I understand that both you and your husband have lieen very short of food? The Witness: We have had a terrible struggle. We ha.ve not had enough to eat, and I sometimes have gone without food in order tha-t he might have it. Dr. Byga.te, the parish doctor said that Traman was very emaciated, and was suffer- ing from advanced tuberculosis. He was of opinion that life would have beon prolonged if the man had, had proper medical treat- ment and nourishment. A verdiot of "Death from natural oauses" wae returned.

TAR SPRAYER ON FIRE AT TREALAW. Some commotion wa-s caused at Mid- Eliondda on AVednesday by huge volumes of smoke emanating from the district council yard at Trealaw. It was discovered that t*ie tar-sprayer had caught lire, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the fire was put out, the local brigade being summoned to the utmost difficulty that the fire was put out, the local brigade being summoned to render assistance •

FLYING RECORD AGAIN BROKEN. 4 SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT BY 31. SOMMER. MOb RM ELON-LE-GRAND, Sa.turday. The world's record for a continuous aero- plane flight, hitherto held by Mr. Wilbur Wright, was broken this morning by M. Roger f)ê>mm6r, who remained in the air for 2h. Zlmin. 15sec., as compared with 2h. 20min., Mr. Wright's time. The aviator began his flight at 3.14 a.m. in bright moonlight. He kept continually at 'a height of between six and thirty metres. Night passed, dawn appeared, and the sun rose, with M. Sommer still con- tinuing bis flight in a briiliant sky. A crowd gathered and cheered M. Sommer, who had just beaten his own rccently-estao- lished record of 2h. lOmin. The enthusiasm knew no bounds when M. Sommer broke Mr. AVilbur '\V right's world's record.—R eu ter. ANOTHER LONG FLIGHT. Dl'N KEi:o (/ h. Saturday, M. Paulhan, the aviator, made a flight here this morning which lasted lh. 32min. 45sec. He wa-s obliged to descend to earth owing to the supply of oil giving out.— Reuter. PARIS, Saturday. The diritible balloon "Uermblique" carried out evolutions over Paris between 8.45 and 9.30 this morning. The manoeuvres of the magnificent airship were admired by a crowd of passers-by.-Reuter. BLERIOT STILL ACTIVE. ISSY-LES-MOULINEAU2 (Near Paris). Saturday. M. Bleriot this evening made two flights- one of l-?-^ metres and one of seven kilo- metres, going three times round the flying 2"1'011 n (1. M. Lebla-nc mounted his mae-kine and went for a flight, but touched ground after flying 6)) metres. He got aloft again, but. while making a sharp turn, was caught by a gust of wind, and the machine fell with a thump, He broke his propeller and the right-hand portion of the chassis.—Reuter. BRITISH OFFICER'S AERIAL GLIDING MACHINE. Lieutenants Porte i'nct Pirie, two naval officers, attached to the submarine depot at Portsmouth, on Saturday made a trial on the slopes of Portsdown Hill with an aerial- giiding machine constructed by the former officer. The biplane, which was made of wood a.nd canvas, was run down wooden rails with the two officers on board, and appeared to be going- off splendidly, when the tail portion caught, the weights not being properly distributed. The framework fell, and was shattered. A new machine is to be constructed.

GREAT HEAT WAVE. ? FORTY CHILDREN KILLED IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK, Tuesday. The heat wave continues, and there is little sign of any relief. Three more deaths were reported in New York yesterday, six in Philadelphia, and one in Boston, all due to the intense heat, while the bodies of no fewer than 40 babies lie in the morgue, all victims of the heiat. The number of cases of severe prostration is stated to run now into three figures. The barometer yesterday registered 93 in the shade.—Central News. OVER FOUR HUNDRED DEATHS i FROM SUNSTROKE. ODESSA, Tuesday. The continued tropical heat in Southern Russia is altogether unprecedented within living memory, and during the last three weeks the local papers corajfcue the mor- tality from sunstroke at four hundred. In the Crimea the mid-day temperature has for the last fortnight averaged 1-17 decrees Fahr. in the open, and forty deaths haiel occurred withiB the last ten days in the har- vest fields and tobacco plantations. The smaller streams and innumerable wells are dried up. In Bessarabia it is feared that the maize crop will be hopelessly blighted, while in the Northern Caucasus no rain has fallen fo-- the last two months.—Central News.

SEQUEL TO DIVORCE. EX-SPEAKER S SON MARRIES MISS GREY. The En:s that a, marriage has take at bt. Paul's, Onslow-square. i^udon .between the Hon. James William v-fiilly, eldest sou of Viscount S^lby, and Dorothy Evelyn, youngest daughter of the late i"r A'. iilio.m Grey, K.C.S.I., and of Lady Grey, of 9, Chopel-streot, Belgrave- square. It will be recollected that the decree dissolving the Hon. J. AV. H. Gully's previous marriage was made absolute last Saturday, Ll o.s tue judge explained, "in shorter time than usual for the reason put before him which was a very ^ood one, the King's Proc-tor not objecting." The decree nisi wa-s granted to the Hon. Ada Isabel Gully on April 24 last. It was -st-ated in the hearing of the divorce suit that husband and v. ife lived trjgether until 1903, when Mr. Gully went to India with another lady. He returned to his wife for a while, but wont away aarain in July, 1Sj5. since when he and the^otlier lady had lived together. In 1905 the daughter cf the marriage was made a ward in Chancery, and 1.. February, 19CS, r. Gully took the child abroad. The 'lowed. Eventually the child was brought back to England, and Mr. Gully wa-s penalised for contempt of court.

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COLLIERY OWNERS WARNED* « CO A L-DI ST D A N G EII HOW 168 LIVES WERE LOST. The report of the inspectors of mines on the disastrous explosion at AVest Stanley Colliery, Durham, on February 16, by which 168 lives were lost, was issued in the form of a Blue Book on Monday. The inspectors, dealing with the originating point and pos- sible cause of the explosion, say that it appeart fairly certain that a small initial explosion, or mere pu £ was succeeded within about 50 seconds by a much more extensive and severer explosion, which did practically "ii the damage, and which was projected from seam to seam. Where either of these explosions originated they are not prepared to say, but, clearly, it wa.s not in the. Tilley Seam. The main explosion may have been initiated by au explosion of g*as, but was, undoubtedly, propagated by coal-dust. Fhat the means of ignition were the inspectors cannot say. They add: — AVe are anxious to emphasise the impres- sion made upon us in investigating this and other explosions that, unless the grave danger which exists at many collieries owing to the presence of coa-l-dust is attacked' v;th much greater earnestness in the future than it has been in the past, disasters of a similar character will occur from time to time." The report, in conclusion, s.ays that it is gratifying to be able to state that through- out a long a.nd exhaustive inquiry no breaoh of the Coal Mines Regulation Act or special rules was brought to light.

G A M E K EE l'E 11 PROSECUTED AT ST. CLEARS. POLE-TRAP FOR CATCHING WILD BIRDS. Inspector Burroughs, of the Roya-l Society for the Protection of Birds, proceeded against WiltiaJR Lencdou. gamekeeper, Ixiugharne, at St. Clears for using a pole-trap to catch wild birds. Mr. James rfohn, Carmarthen, appeared for the society. Defendant said he was not aware tha.t what he was doing wa.s illegal". The Inspector said the society had been put to Co great deal of trouble in. investigating the complaints made, and the bench fined the defendant 2s. 6d. and costs, the latter to include the inspector's from Montgomeryshire.

PLUNCES EXPERIMENT. TRIED AN EXPLOSIVE IN HIS BROTHER'S GARDEN. BELGRADE, Wednesday. Great alarm wae occasioned at the resi- dence of the Crown Prince Alexander yester- day by a terrible explosion which occurred in the garden, uprooting several large trees. It wa", afterwards ascertained that the explosion was caused by Prince George, who explained that he was testing the power of a new explosive. The fact that he chose his brother's garden for bis dangerous experi- ment has caused considerable comment. —Central NewjJ.

FATHER TYRHELL BISHOPS PROTEST. Celebrating requiem for the reposo of the soul of the late Father Tyrrell at St. Willi- brc/uds Old Catholic Church, in London, on Wednesday, Dr. Matthew, Bishop of the Old Catholics, said Father Tyrrell, dying- as a Catholic, had the right to Roman Catholic burying. But &o far had the Italian Curia departed froia the spirit of Christianity that, not content with depriving him of the benefit of the grace of God during life, it pursued him even after death, and but for the aid of a priest his remains would have been buried without prayer. Even a mur- derer or criminal of the deepest dye would not have experienced such inhumanity as that. p-

LABOUR PARTY AXD THE NATIVE FRANCHISE. Though the actual dates have not been fixed, it is intended that the South African Union Bill shali pass through all its stages in the House of Commons next week. A meeting of the i-aoour o-arty was held on Tuesday at. the House of Commons to hear the views of Mr. AV*. P. Schreiner on the question of preserving the native franchise where it exists, but no resolution was put before the gathering, tbe party being already committed to the support of amendments in the direction desired. It is well known, how- ever, that the Government will resist any alteration of the Bill, and will have the sup- port of the Opposition in so doing, their information bring that the proposed chanees would have the effect of wrecking the whole scheme.