Weekly Mail

A WELCOME RELIEF. Ernest Forrest, a. men who occupied a good position at Cardiff in his younger days, was at Swansaa on Monday charged, as on several previous occasions, with allow- ing his wife and children to become charge- able. He said he left (Swansea on March 8. and walked 1,000 miles in England in search of employment, arriving in Cardiff on April 3. He had been twenty-seven nights without a bed, a,nd while on the road had nothing but bread and water for a month, and was almost bootless. "I do not tell you these things," said he, "to excite your sym- pathy or to gain your' clemency. I wamt neither. On the contrary. I shall be glad if you will send me to prison for as long a term as you can under the statute, for it will be to me a welcome relief from suffer- inig and want." The Chairman said defendant would be sent to prieon for a womth as-atfcagna and*&, vagabond. X)e £ eariac^^E&anftn^n,

HONOUR FOR A NEW- PORT ALDERMAN. + FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH PRESENTED. There was a large attendance at Newport Town-hall on Tuesday, not only of the cor- poration, but of townspeople, on the occasion of the conferring upon Alderman John Moses, the Father" of the council, the honorary freedom of the town. Alderman Moses was loudly cheered when he entered the council chamber in an interlude of the corporation business at one o'clock, with the mace- bearers supporting the mayor and town- clerk, who escorted him. o' Alderman Moses took the usual freeman's oath, and there was, as usual, a playful Hear, hear from various parts of the hall when he was asked to be "civil and obedient" to the aldermen. The Mayor, in handing the new freeman the scrip and casket which it was enclosed I in, said the town felt that it was honouring one who was a native of Newport, and who had rendered distinguished servioes, not only to its commercial and industrial life, but to its corporate life also. The earnestness, ability, and disinterestedness which Alder- man Moses had shown in his public career had been shown by few men, and had been excelled by fewer still. The Mayor thought at present one of the needs of the time was to glorify municipal- life, and not to under-rato it. (Hear, hear.) It was to be regretted that the state of Mrs. Moses's health precluded her being present that day to witness the ceremony. Alderman Moses, who spoke with con- siderable emotion, in reply said there was one thing he could truthfully say, and that was that his heart was in everything he had done since he had been in municipal life. (Hear, hear.) He was pleased to ieei that he held the confidence of the council. He felt exceedingly proud of the distinguished honour of being made an honorary freeman of his native town—(hear, hear)—and the one hope he had to express was that in doing him so much honour the council had not done itself any dishonour. A large party afterwards sat down to luncheon in the assembly-room. The Mayor presided. Members of the corporation, magis- trates, members of the harbour board and the pilotage board, and representatives of the trades council were invited. The toast of The New Freeman" was received with great cordiality. ALDERMAN JOHN MGSB6. EPhoto. Burniole. THE OASKETT IN "WHICH TOE FREEDOM WAS PRESENTED. tPtooto by T. Wilks, Qbepetxm-»oad, Newport,

SWANSEA HARBOUR RATING. ——*—— ARBITRATION TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE, 1- A meeting of the Swansea Harbour Trust was held on Monday, Sir Griffith Thomas presiding. -ur. uiynn Price, in moving the adoption of the minutes of the finance committee, said that there WitS a, small falling off in the trade of last momth of 8,000 tons, which, having regard to the much larger falling off at other ports, must, he thought, be regarded as eminently satisfactory. The imports were 100,000 tons, and constituted a record. The result of the month's trading was a profit of i.3,848, as against £3.911 during the corre- sponding month of last year. Mr. Livingston secoadcd Mr. David Davies inquired what had been done to push forward the settlement of the question of the valuation of harbour pro- party. They were prom-iAd that everything which couid possibly be dene would be done bring this public tcaii-lai to a close. The valuation was made rive or six years ago, and they had exhausted every possibility in the way of litigation. In the meantime, the corporation were paying Hundreds every year to the county on a wrong valuation. The Chairman taid he was sorry to say that the negotiations between the two com- mittees—the trust and. tho assessment com- mittee-had resulted in nothing, and that the question would have to go before tho arbi- trator. Steps had been taken to that end. Everything had been done to limit the j expense as far as possible, but the whol-e question would have to be decided, by the arbitrator. Mr. Glynn Price: The assessment committee are also hurrying on as fast as possible, and taking all necessary steps Mr. David Davies asked if the arbitrator had been appointed. The Clerk: The arbitrator was appointed a long time ago. a long time ago. Mr. David Davies: We aire paying hundreds every year in consequence of the delay. Mr. Glynn Price explained that the matter had been taken up by the solicitors acting for the assessment committee. They had had meetings to put forward the case for the j assessment committee, and he did not think -n anything further could have been done to hurry the matter on. Mr. Merrells: Nothing will be done as long > as people are drawing big fees out of it. Mr. Aeron Thomas expressed his disappoint-1 ment with the oom, mitt.e.e,s efforts, and the! Chairman declared, that everything possiMe had been done. The matter then dropped.

THE PATTI CONCERT. HANDSOME PROFIT FOR CARDIFF; INFIRMARY. The Lord Mayor (Alderman Lewis Morgan) presided at the Cardiff City-hall on Monday over a meeting of the executive committee of the recent concert given by Madame Patti (Baronese Oederstrom) in aid of the Cardiff! Infirmary. The gratifying report was made By Mr. D. W. Evans (secretary of the concert) that, after paying all expenses, there was a sum of JE516 12s. available for presentation to the infirmary funds. It was stated by the Lord Mayoer that Madame Patti was very pleased with every- 'thing connected with the concert. The finan- cial result was splendid, in view of the counter-attractions and the time of year when the concert was held. Major-general Lee spoke of the excellent services rendered by Mr. D. W. Evans, and his remarks were fully endorsed by several gentlemen present. Mr. D. W. Evans moved that the infirmary board of management be asked to make the Lord Mayor a life president of the institution in recognition of the donation. Mr. Isaac Samuel seconded, and it waa supported by Majors-general Lee a.nd Dir. Howell Bees, and carried inamimottsly. Mr. D. W. Tvans spoke of the work done by hi3 co-secretary, Mr. Leonard Rea. and by Mr. Walter Scott and Mr. Shatiland Dobbs to secure the success of the concert.

LA1>DKRS»—Ladders for BufMera, Patntara^Plaetarsni, PrtvaM &c., all sizes at Cotiiel?*-old.-«t»bll«Sied ywimfminof. BamahwiW lExttMt wSJS

SUNSPOTS AND MINE EXPLOSIONS. — e THEORY OF THE RECENT WELSH DISASTER. To the Editor of the "Weekly Mail." SiT,-A few days ago L received a letter from the astronomer, Mr. Joseph H. Elgie, F.lwA.S., of Leeds, on the above, containing a ;-amL-,or of observations recently made by him. As the observations have a direct bearing on the science of mining, and are of so interesting a nature, I would be glad if you allowed the following extracts to appear in your valuable paper. Mr. Elgie has given mo permission to use them for this purpose, as he would like more serious attention to be paid to this important matter. He writer as foiilows: —" On several occa- sions I have written of the supposed associa- tion of so-lar disturbances with mine explo- sions as well as earthquakes. In your expe- rience are s'uüh explosion's more common in thundery, earthquaky woalh^r? Y-ou would road of the great magnetic storm, and, par- haps, you saw in the papers that in an inter- view I attributed the storm' to the groat disturbance on the sun, mado visible in the form of a big- black spot. Weil, that saw? spot created no end of trouble all over the world during its progress acroes the sun's disc. There were terriao thunderstorms, torrential rains, earthquakes and, finally, the magnetic storm and aurora over a vast area of the globe. Xow, when I saw the nature of this solar disturbance a couple of days after it showed it&elf-I entered in my diary a list of terres- trial phenomena which I expected to result from the disturbance. Up to a day of the spot s disappearance the only happening that had not come about as predicted was a mine explosion. I felt that the conditions were favourable for one, and that there still was a possibility of one occurring at thekilro when these solar disturbances are very dangerous in their effects; namely, just when the spot is turning out of eight. It happened as I had anticipated; there was an explosion in your gallant little country of Wales, unfortu- nalely with loss of life. Of course, I dare- say many mine explosions have occurred when the sun has been free from large spots, and there have been many spots on the sun', I daresay, too, when no explosion has resulted. At the same time, I have observed that when there is present a sun disturbance bringing such phenomena as did the recent onc-I menn earthouakes, magnetic storms, aurora, and thunderstorms—it is a. period of unusual danger in mines, and often of di3 astrous explosions." If any of your many readers have expe- rienced similar coincidences, or have from their observations drawn conclusions to the contrary, perhaps they will give the mining fraternity in particular and the public in general the results of those observations through the medium of your columns. I may Eay, in passing, that Mr. Arthur Mee drew the attention of your readers to the matter in his article entitled, The Heavens in August," where be says: "The sun continues to display a good deal of activity."—! am, &c., EDGAR G. JAMES. 44 Hermon-road, Caerau, near Bridgend, Oct. 9.

EXCESSIVE SPORT. WARNING BY THE BISHOP OF NEWPORT. The winter session of St. Peter's Catholic Young Men's Society, Cardiff, was opened on Monday at the headquarters in Richmond- cresoent, Roath. The Bishop of Newport, introduced by the president (Mr. Harold Turnbull), delivered an address in which he said there was a danger of amusements being put in the wrong place and thought far too much of. The sharp division of life in the alternate layers of fierce work and fiercer amusements was in no sense a complete human life, for there were higher aims, motives, and aspirations.

1 1 ————mijf T h c- name is a guarantee of cj Li al ity, Always ask Blue. ONE -W

INDUSTRIAL REVIVAL AT COLE FORD. During the past few days the well-known Eastern Iron Mines, situate at Milkwall, near Coleford, have been disposed of, and will be in full swing again shortly, after being closed down for some twenty years in con- sequence of the competition of Spanish ore. The gentleman who has purchased the gale is Mr. Fenner, who has resided for a short time at Buckstone Lodge, near Coleford. He has had very considerable experience in mining, both on the Gold Ooast, South Africa, and also in Yorkshire. When the works are in full swing they will find employ- ment for about 200 men and boys.

CERTIFICATE SUSPENDED. Judgment was given by the Cardiff deputy- stipendiary (Mr. E. Milner Jones) on Monday as to the loss of the steamship Plympton, oi London, off the coast of Scilly on August 14 last. The court found that the vessel was lost by reason of the fact that she was not navi- gated with proper and seamanlike care, and that the stranding was due to the wrongful act of the master (Mr. Alexander Stuart). whose certificate was suspended for six months. The court strongly animadverted on the action of the master and mate in concoct ing the story as to the use of the lead, which they now admitted was fatee. ———

— A Get water from the tap—but you've got L t0 Pay for soaP- 2 i j I You don't buy water when you buy Witch" Soap. | iiiuM|^ltl|)<riTTT»^T»-T,Tiia«JP "Witch" Soap does not contain one-twentieth part as ;j much water as ordinary Bar Soap or Dry (?) Soap. C) The Soap which is all Soap. • "Witch" Soap contains scarcely any water | \illl whatever—no acids—no chemicals—nothing but what | j illJ you want—soap—and good, pure, cleansing, purifying, j work-saving soap too. That's why "Witch" Soap does the washing in half the usual time. You don't use any hard soap or soda with "Witch." You 1 don t rut). Your clothes are unhurt, sweet and clean. J Nor other soap yon can buy contains all these remarkable properties. | Wash the Whether you Witch-wash clothes, dishes or floors, J Witch" Way. the washing will be quicker, the work lighter, the cost » less and the result pare, | sweet, .spotiesstiess-. rg | A ,'2d-^a<i&efr^ 11 ) —The contaais-^3iare"^iaQ if ? j /Jr mec&tfe 4isaph..as tfw id. padfeet. Msa, *"V^ch^ispacked §• 'JT if *w33 -not "cake" and absorb moisjfone. A vSv rWaa*di'f* packet, aMK«*gi»-sfieJitky sroai4eriiia»a&ecjsoap do Arwiee as much work—easily. m L

| The greatest expense of I every worker is for food. To get more food for less money means money in your pocket. You can get more food for less money out of I'HfZbsca than in any other way. Head why. • Let us put this point to you. j If this cup of something warm— | Winter or Summer, you need' it- !} is a cup of VI-COCOA; it is food; as well as drinh. Cocoa is by far the best morning drink for any worker. But VI- COCOA is better than the best of other Cocoas, because there is food i in it, and there is not this food in I y any other Cocoa. A cup of VI-COCOA is not only A cup of VI-COCOA is not only rich in food, but entirely and per- feotly digested food. It gives your ¡ stomach no work. I It is the very finest food in the I world for strong, hard-working n:en and women, and—with all these advantages—a packet of Dr. Tibbies' | Vi-Cocoa can be obtained for six- j pence! I

GUARDIANS AND NURSES. WARNINGS AND ANOTHER RESIG- NATION AT BRIDGEND. Mr. J. 1. D. Nicholl presided at a. meeting of the Bridgend and Cow-bridge Beard of GuajxlKin.s on Saturday, when several matters renting to the nurses at the inftnaary were dealt with. The resignation of Charge Nurse Earths was received.—Oolonel Turbervill pre- sented a report of the special committee appointed to investigate the charges brought by Nurses Banks and Atkins against the superintendent rrur&e. The ooanmittee were convinced that the charges were partly estab- lished, and recommended that, as the house committee had on pcrsvious occasions had to caution the superinrteiKlent rnrrse as to jier conduct, she be warned by the board that if any more complaints were proved against her she would be reported to the Local Government Board. The committee were also of opinion that Nurse Banks was not entirely blaiineless, and should be warned. The Chairman: Although Nurse Banks haa resigned, yon still think etoe should, be warned? Colonel Turbervill: The report was passed before we knew of the resignation. Mr. John Watts (MaestegO moved the dete- tion of the last paragraph. Mr. Canniff If the board knew as much as the committee the amendment would not be moved. Hie Rev, T. B. Phillips: 800 will be here another monith. The committee discussed the matter for hours, and took the various phases of the situation into consideration. The amendment was lost, and the report, as presented, was adopted. A NTI- VACCINA TO RS INCREASING AT CARDIFF. A decided advance in the number of conscientious objections against vaceinatiom was reported to the Cardiff Guardians on Saturday. In 1907 there were 90 certificates in Mr. T. Matthews' Cardiff District; five in Mr. H. Hopkins' Whitchurch District; and 39 in Mr. S. Q. Brain's Barry Kstrict. For ended iS'&p timber 50 last figrur-e? for those districts were 504, 39, and 138 respectively. The committee recommended gratuities of £12 to Mr. Matthews and £ 6 to; Mr. BTain as compensation for lost fees, but in the case of Mr. Hopkins no irecomme-nda- tion was made, as there had been an increase in fees because of the growth of the district. With reference to the inquiry by the National A n t-i- ac-c i nat ion League as to whether mothers in the workhouse were duly and legally informed that their children need not be vaccinated until they were six inonths old, the Master (Mr. Ingledew) reported t1:w.t it had not been the practice to so inform mothers, and forms had not been handed to them lately because it was found the documents got mislaid. Mr. J. J. Ames: We have replied that we comply with the law. The Chairman (Mr. O. H. Jones): Appa- rently wo hajre not complied with the law. The matter was referred to the workhouse visiting committee. The sub-committee reported conceinftng the head-constable's application that provision for children under the Children Act should be made at the workhouse. The snb-ccrm- mittee were of opinion that they could only do what the police were able to do them- selves, viz., hire a house for the purpose required; but a definite decision was post- poned pending a consultation with Mr. McKenzie to see if acco.mmoda lion could be provided at the Dinas Powis Trvant School. Mr. C. W. Meihuish proposed a vote of sympathy with Mrs. Stanfield, who had been indisposed for some months, and who was now recruiting her health at Blackpool Sympathetic reference was also made to the illness of MT. W. Green, chairman of the baa Wing committee, and a similar vote wa, passed, on the proposition of Mr. R. Suther- land. PROPOSED EXTENSION OF NEW- PORT WORKHOUSE. Mr. T. Imtfield p"esided at Saturday': meeting of the Newport Board of Guardians. There was another big decrease in the number of tramps dealt with during the oast two weeks, viz., 243, the figures being 629 iu the past fortnight as against 872 in the corresponding period of last year. The finance committee reported in favour of an increase of the salary of Mr. C. G. Williams, relieving officer. up to £ 140. In addition to his salary Mr. Williams received for the year ended September 30 last S40 15s. 3d. fees as registrar of births and deaths and vaccination officer for the Caerleon sub-district. It was decided to carry out a scheme of extension at the workhouse at a cost of about £ 9,000. The scheme comprises the provision of two separate blocks for men, so as to provide 96 additional beds, and the building of an additional storey to the hospital. A vote of condolence with Mr. John Basham on the death of his wife and of sympathy with Mr. G. H. Nurse in hds illness was passed.

PRESENTATION TO THE RECTOR OF VAYNOR. Some time ago the Rev. John Davies, rector of Vaynor. received the offer of a more valuable living in the parish cf iJanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire, and at first he was minded to accept it. The people of Vaynor--Noncon- formists as well as CLurch-foik—appreciating highly the value of the work which he has done in the parish, aided so zealously by his good wife, were very loth that he should leave, and he was entreated to re-consider his original decision and to remain. This he eventually consented to do. The whole popu- lation were gratified, and the outcome was a memorable gathering held on Monday night at the Church-hall, Cefn, at which Mr. W. B. Edwards presided. Mr. Davies was made the recipient of a beautifully illuminated address (executed by the Western Maii Limited), together with a purse of zE40 and other subsidiary gifts, while Mrs. Davies was presented with a silver revolving bowl, a silver butter-dish, a silver hot-water jug, and silver flower-vases. In acknowledging the gifts the Bector spoke of the good feeling which had always pre- vailed between him and the Nonconformists of the parish.

SACRIFICE OF CHILD LIFE AT SWANSEA. Four cases of sudden death of infaivta, necessitating inquests, occurred at gwanea during the past week-end. One child of Jx- teen months was found by the coroner's jury to base died from ootncussion of tbe brainy. ^pasu^*4or -aecddeBtaily »u<g)iaax^

MINOR MATTERS. ♦ POLICE-COURT AND OTHER PICKINGS, HAD THE PRICE OF A "DOSS." "I didn't know I had a half-penny in my pocket," was the answer made by Frederick Roberts at Merthyr on Tuesday to a charge of fraudulently applying for relief. Evidence was given that the prisoner went to the poiicc-? tatoon for a lodging-house ticket, representing that he had no money, upon being searched ho v> as found to be in possession of fourpence. The Bench, ho\r- ever, discharged him with a caution, COLLIERS' JUMP FROM TRAIN. Several men were summoned at Merthyr on Tuesday for jumping- off a colliers' train whilst it was in motion approaching C-ae- harris Station, Dowlaie. The prosecution wa-s instituted by the Rhymney Railway Com- pany, for whom Detective J. Hughes appeared. Each of the defendants was lined 5s. and costs. Tho train was said to be going at the rate of five miles an hour. It must be a Brecon and Merthyr train," exclaimed the Stipendiary. A KIND PROSECUTOR. John Marshall (48) pleaded guilty at Car- i diff on Monday to stealing a penny worth of milk, which lay in a can at the doorway of Mr. Michael Cohen, tailor, 16, Tudor-road. Prosecutor seemed more repentant than the prisoner, for, in a voice filled with emotion he said: "I am 53 years of age, and I appeal to your worships to show prisoner metrcy, as I have never done wrong to any man in my life." Mr. Herbert Cory (chairman) allowed the prisoner his freedom. BEYOND CONTROL." "You are absolutely bevond control," said the magistrates' oi er k at Merthyr on Monday to Alice Gough, a youn?: woman who wa.< cha-rged with being a disorderly person, and a,gainst whom there were recorded no less than 22 convictions. The girl only came out of prison on Saturday. In the evening she applied at the polioe-station for a lodging- house ticket, but it was refused, and at one o'clock on Sunday morning she returned to the police-station and threatened to smash the windows. Upon promising to go to the workhouse, the Bench discharged her. LLANDOVER Y M A YOB A LTY. A meetting of the Llandovery Town Council was held on Saturday, under the presidency of the deputy-mayor (Alderman T. Watkin.s. Y Berllan). On the proposition of Alderman T. Watkins, seconded by Alderman C. P. 1-ewis, Mr. C. V. Pryse-Rice, of Llwyn-y-1 Brainj was for the fifth year in succession unanimously selected afi mayor of the borough for the ensuing year.—Mr. H. Niohols (Bank House) gavo notice that he would move at the next meeting that the council consider the advisability of securing a recreation ground for the town. TWENTY-THREE WHEALS CAUSED. A case of cruelty was hoard before the Merthyr magistrates on Tuesday, in which Elizabeth Ella Price was summoned by the National (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for ill-treating a child, Nellie Price, aged Si years. Mr. F. P. Charles prosecuted, and Mr. J. Dajiiels defended. Defendant was alleged to have beaten the child with a thin knotted cane, and, accord- ing to Dr. M'Pain, there were 23 distinct wheals on the child. Defendant was fined X5, or one month in default, but was given two months to pay the money. OAUGBT IN THE ACT. Thomas Walsh, on Saturday night, went into the shop of Frank T. Warren, confec- tioner and tobacconist, at Treharria, and purchased some sweets, and whilst there quietly appropriated .a calabash pipe of the value of 6s. 6d. The act was witnessed by Police-constable Fisher, and the prisoner was promptly collared by the officer. He objected to be arrested without a warrant, and was taken into custody, and whilst entering the police-station the stolen pipe fell to the ground from his coat. Walsh was brought before the magistrates at Mecthyir on Monday charged with the theft, and was fined JE1. PUSHED AND FELL. Evan Jones, haulier, of New Tredegar, was charged on remand atAberavon on Saturday with assaulting Frank Bradfield, haulier, also of New Tredegar, at the Oymmer Hotel, Oymmer. Prosecutor deposed tha.t he and defendant risked Cymmer. They went to the Cymmer Hotel, and a quarrel ensued. Defen- dant pushed witness, who fell. Police-con- stable Richards said he arrested defendant at his brother's house at Cardiff. The prose- cutor was taken on to Cardiff Infirmary. Defendant, who expressed regret at the occur- rence, was fined E2 and costs, or one month's imprisotniment. 160 WEEKS IN GAOL. Harriett Hackett (2€). is one of the regular visitors'to-Cardiff Police-court, and osi Monday she apipeatred, with Thomas Sfrapland (27), fofr improper behaviour in on Saturday night. Inspector Bingham said the woman first came before a court when she was just over seventeen, and ten times she had been arrested on the day of her release from gaol. Altogether she had been 160 woks iin prison in less than eight years, thrice in a convent, and thrice in a. Salvation Army home Mr. Herbert Cory fined the man 5a. and costs, and the woman a month. Hackett: That's no good to me. Why don't you give me twelve months-? BLOWS FOLLOW ANGRY WORDS AT MERTHYR. Robert Lloyd was charged at Merthyr on Tuesday with unlawfully wounding Frederick Spring, a. collier, of Ardwyn-terrace, Merthyr. The prisoneT had been staying at Troedy- rhiw, and on Monday the prosecutor went there with him to help in carrying his box. They went drinking together, and in a public-house in Bridge-street they had angry words. It was alleged that the prisoner I knocked Spring down with a blow on the nose and kicked him in the face, the result, being that he sustained a severe cut over the left eye, which was dressed by Dr. Allan. The Bench committed the prisoner for trial at the next quarter sessions. UPROAR IN A TRAIN AT NEWPORT. Charles Henry Verran, a shunter, of Ynys- ddu, wass-ummoned at Newport on Saturday for conducting himself in a disorderly man- ner in a London and North Western passen-! ger train on Saturday night, August 28. Defendant, who was drunk, began shouting and singing, opened the door, and tried to get out on the footboard twice after the train had started. Iiees Morgan, who tried to prevent him. got a punching from another I iran. There was an uproar in the train, which was stopped by the cord being pullad. The bench fined him 40s. and 40s. costs, or a month. Mr Tait, solicitor from Euston. appeared to prosecute for the railway com- pany. SUNDAY ROWDYISM AT NEWPORT. Alderman Bear, presiding at Newport Magistrates-court on Monday, said, "We must keep the streets quiet for one day in the week, especially on the Sabbath." Charles Badley, of Halstead-street, Charles Morgan, of Jeffrey-street; William Henry Jones,

Archibald-street; Jacob Brooks. Archibald- street; Alfred Warner, Glebe-street; Frede- rick Bidgood, Gordon-street; and Frederick Radford, Wharf-road, were summoned for being disorderly in Wharf-road on Sunday, the 3rd inst., whilst people were leaving pla-ces of worship. They were alternately singing Kate Carney's song, "Good morning, Mr. Postman." and hymns. Fined 3s. 6d. each. SLOT METER ROBBED AT NEWPORT. "This man is a most troublesome and per- sistent thief," said Detective-sergeant Caldi- cott at New-port on Monday with reference to Henry Reardon, a. middle-aged man, who was charged with stealing 7s. Id. from a slot gas meter at 60, St. Mary-street, and also with being a reputed thief, and beiug seen on the premises. When Detective Caldicott arrested him in Dock-street, and accused him of having bean at the house at 10.30 at night, he said "It's a lie. I was down at Tredegar Park after Lord Tredegar's rabbits." Defendant had assisted in removing the furniture from the house, and therefore knew that there was a slot meter in the house. The Bench sent him to prison for three months. SEASON TTGKET-HOLDER FTNED. Abraham Destanfield, pictOTe-dealer, of Bridgend, wae charged at the local court on Saturday with travelling on the Great Wee. tern Railway without a ticket. Mr. Parsons (Messrs. Vachell and Co., Cardiff) were for the company, ar.d Mr. J. Haydn Jones'repre- sented defendant, who did not appear. The evidence waa that defendant held a season ¡ ticket from Bridgend to Tondu. Ticket- colleotor Looamore was given instructions to watcti him. ami on September 9 saw him got into a train a.t Pontsnoymawr. On ftrriviug at Bridg-end he passed Ticket-examiner Webber, saying "Season." Mr. Parsons said that these frauds were very frequent. Mr. Haydn Jones said that the offence was not intentional. Defendant was fined £1. "ONE OF THE MEANEST OFFEiNOHS." "There is no doubt you axe guilty. It is one of the meanest offences a man could be guilty of. and you will go to prison for three months' hard labour." With these words Mr. J. Lowdon at Barry Police-court on Monday addressed Henry Willoughby, a Cadoxton labourer, charged with living on the earn- ings of Margaret Danjon, wbo reluctantly admitted that she had kept the man sinoe January, and made a statement to the police when prisoner gave her a black eye beoause she failed to supply him with money. Evi- dence as to prisoner's idle habits was given by Police-constables Purser and Bowen. who sadd Dan.jon had been compelled to seek police protection from Willoughby's violence, j Prisoner declared that he worked every week and could always find employment about the docks. SIX WEEKS FOR WOUNDING, I A curious story of assault was related at Cardiff Police-conurt on Monday in the case in which L-awrenz Blwn (62), a German, was charged with wounding John Pine on the chin and upper lip with a glass tumbler. Pro- secutor, whose face was thickly bandaged, said the prisoner had lived with his mother- in-law for twelve years, and when she died he claimed the furniture as his. Whilst pri- soner was at Barry they had it^ removed, and .j soner wa.s at Barry they had it removed, and when he came back he cried, "Why do you break up my home in this way?" At the same time he struck at prosecutor with the glass. Police-constable George Giles later arrested prisoner, and found some blood in th'j broken tumbler. Dr. W. G. Williams des- cribed the wounds, and Mr. Herbert Cory, despite an appeal from Mr. James Cross, who defended, gave prisoner six weeks' imprison- ment. VALIDITY OF SUMMONS QUESTIONED. Evan Bennett, break proprietor, Pwllyglaw, Owmavon, was charged at Aberavon on Mon- day with having three taxable vehicles in hit possession without being licensed. Mr. Mosea Thomas appeared for defendant. Police- sergeant Davies deposed to visiting defen- dant s premises on the 15th ult, and seeing five vehicles. Defendant said that he had taken out three licences, but had mislaid one. When witness told him that he would be reported, defendant said, "Oh; that is your game, is it" Clear out from here, or I will get someone to shift you." He called to his brother to tring a shoveL Witness then left. Mr. M. Thomas objected to the validity of the summons cn the ground that information must be laid bx order of the Commissioners, except on immediate arrest. Here the infor- mation was laid by Superintendent Menhen- nick. Superintendent Menhenniok replied that since the beginning of this year excise duties were now done by the county council. Alderman M. Thomas: The county court. can't alter the statute law of the land. The case was adjourned for fourteen days. MAGISTRATE TESTS A GAMING MACHINE. Some amusement was afforded at Ystrad Police-court on Monday during the hearing of a case in which Messrs. Bracchi Bros., refreshment house keepers, were sum- moned for allowing a ggjme of chance to be played on their premises. Police- constable James gave evidence that he had seen a man put a penny in the slot of a machine on Sunday, 26th September, at defendants' shop. By pulling a trigger the man stood the chance of winning 2d., value to be given in exchange for a ticket, to lose the money or have it returned. A machine was produced in court which the constable said had been brought from another shop, and was not the one in the place on the date reterred to. Hie pnatding xxukgiAWMie. K*. T Pasooe Jenkins, decided to try his luck. A difficulty arose through a scarcity of pennies. Eventually Mr. Jenkins was provided with capital, and he made five essays, the result of his gamble being two wins and three losses. Mr. Thomas Phillips, who defended, maintained that the machine was not illegal within the meaning of the Act, and quoted cases in support of his contention. The Bench said that, although the case was full of sus- picion, it had not been quite made out, and the summons would be dismissed.