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News
The Guards' Scandal. Y LORD ROBERTS SPEAKS OUT. DRAMATIC ASSURANCES. Disgusting and Degrading Practices." In view of the farther discussion upon the Guards' scandal and the rumour of II, speech from 2ba Commander in-Chief, there was a larsre attendance of Peers in the Honse of fjords on Monday, and many Peeresses and ladies occupied Seatain the galleries upstairs. The Prince of Wales occupied a seat on the Front Cross Bench, and on the same Bench sat Earl Wemvss and fjord Roberts. The Duke of BEDFORD, calling attention to the conrt of inquiry into recent events in the -grenadier Guards, put a series of questions sug- jesting that there had been a violation of the prescribed procedure in relation to such courts to the prejudice of Oolonel Kinloch. He only pro- j posed to nse Col- Kinloch's case in order to show the injustice which might be done to officers by the holding of secret Courts of Inquiry contrary to the provisions of the Army Act. The methods adopted affected every officer in the Army. This was not a case of rough-and-ready justice in time j ol war, but of strict and deliberate justice in time of peace. Secret Courts of Inquiry were open to abl13, Colonel Kinloch was not allowed to be present throughout the whole of the jwoeeedtnas of this. Court of Inquiry, and was not permitted to complete the statement that he made. The Earl of HARDWICKE having defended the action of the authorities, Lord ROBERTS said he had hoped that in the best.interests of the Army generally, and those of the Grenadier Guards in particular, their Lord- ships and the public bad beard the last of a most disagreeable and nnedifying episode. That hope was shared by all jealous of the honour of *he Army, and who, like himself, gloried in its grand reputation. He sincerely regretted that by the action of theDuke of Bedfotd he was again forced to give a further explanation of his conduct of the painful case. Tha Duke of Bedford had I adversely criticised his modo of applying the Army Act. Sir Henry Trotter had begged to be allowed to inquire regimentally into the allega- tions of bullying. That inquiry was held, and Sir Henry Trotter submitted the proceedings to the I Adjutant-General, together with a letter from Colonel Ricardo which practically gave a sum- mary of all the evidence. The court, presided over by Colonel Ricardo, was strictly speaking a regimental investigation and not a properly con- stituted Court of Inquiry such as he (Lord Roberts) had intended to have been held at Aldershot, but on reading out the evidence he came to the con- clusion that the report of the bullying as made to him was absolutely true, and he agreed with Sir Henry Trotter that Colonel Kinloch was to blame even if he was ignorant of what had been going on. There were then three courses open to him for dealing with Colonel Kinloch. He could have had Col. Kinloch court-martialled, he could have ordered Colonel Kinloch to appear before the Coart of Inq uiry at Aldershot, or he conld have dealt with Colonel Kinloch's case under article 98 of the Royal Warrant. From the evidence given before the Regimental Conrt he rejected the first course ont of consideration for Colonel Kinloch's for- mer services—(hear, hear)—his high reputation, the high character of the Brigade of Guards, and beeause be Wished to Avoid the Publicity which a. Court Martial would hive entailed, an abject which had been frustrated bv the action of Colon;,( Kinloch's own friends. (Hear, hear.) The second course was rejected because the evi- dence recorded in the Regimental Court gave all the information that was needed. He decided to adopt the third course because by so doing he would be giving Colonel Kinloch every possible chance. (Cheers.) He was not wrong in be- lieving that Colonel Kinloch's conduct would be viewed in the most favourable light by a court composed entirely of his own brother officers. In •11 matters of discipline not dealt with by court- martial a Commander-in-Chief was most certainly empowered to pronounce sentence against an officer upon that officer's own statement—(hear, hear)—the Commander-in-Chief being satisfied that the officer had failed to carry out his duty is required by the King's Regulations, and be- lieving, as a Commander-in-Chief naturally would, that the accused, being an officer and a gentleman, would speak the troth whether on oath or not. (Cheers.) He conld only hope that the Duke of Bedford did not really mean what his question seemed to imply, viz., that Colonel Kinloch's evidence before the Regimental Oonrt of Inquiry was not to be reiiod upon— (hear, hear)—and would have been different had it been on oath. Could a man be judged more favourably than out of his own month ? (Ministerial cheers.) By the King's Regulations a commanding officer was responsible to the King for the maintenance of discipline in the unit under his command, and he must check any tendency to practioal jokes, and whenever any serious case arose he must record it for the information of the general officer commanding. Did Colonel Kinloch fulfil these requirements ? In the faceof therules wonld he (the Oommander- in-Chief) have been justified in allowing Colonel Kinloch to retaht the comtnand of his battalion ? (Cheers.) Colonel Kinloch's appeal against his (LOrd Roberts) decision was carefully considered and treated as laid down in Section 42 of the Army Act, and before the Gazette placing Colonel Kinloch on half pay was published he sent ior Colonel Kinloch and gave him a fall opportunity of urging anything in his defence. Coionei Kinloch Failed to show any reason why the sentence should be changed. Absolutely false stories had been cir- snlated as to the Commander-in-Chief having allowed outside influence to be brought to bear in this case. He assured the House of Lords on his honour, as an officer of his Majesty's servico and a member of their Lordships' House, that neither directly nor indirectly, neither by word of mouth nor by letter had j any relation or friend, man or woman, of the injured officers ventured to ap- proach him or attempted to bias his judgment in the Kialoch case. (Loud cheers.) He could not I pass unnoticed the insinuation of the Duke of Bedford, that he bad listened to ex parte state- ments, and that the interview be had with Lords de Saumarez and Belhaven was a method of pre- venting complaints of officers which might be expected to have novel results. If the tale Lord Saumarez had to tell bad turned out to be an ordinary case of ragging he should have told Lord Saumarez that the officers concerned must make their complaint to the commanding officer of the battalion, but when Lord Saumarez told him the young officers described their life as a reign of terror," and that the regimental autho- rities approved, he decided to send for Sir Henry Trotter, and let him inquire into it. In conclud- ing Lord Roberts said it was difficult to under- stand bow the Duke of Bedford, the Duke of Northumberland, and others should have taken a course so absolutely subversive of discipline. (Cheers.) He was glad to have had this oppor- tunity of tellinz these noble Lords that he emphatically disagreed with them. and that he was determined, so long as he was Commander-in-Chief, not to allow | practices to continue which hecould only describe as disgusting and degrading. (Loud cheers.) Throughout this intensely disagreeable affair he had acted not only strictly in accordance with the regulations laid down by 4ct of Parliament for the administration of the Army, but also in accordance with what he conceived to be the beat interests of the Army, and in carrying out a most painful duty he had been influenced by no ignoble motive. (Sympathetic cheers.) He had worked solely for the good of the seivice and the upholding of the noble traditions of the British Army which it ought to be every soldier's highest aim to preserve unsullied. (Loud eheers.) The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, while disclaiming any intention of questioning the decision of the Commander-in-Chief, proceeded to say he thought that to tieat Colonel Kinloch as a criminal upon his own evidence was monstrously unjust. The methods adopted might possibly be legal under the regulations, but if they were then the sooner the regulations were altered the better. Viscount GOSCHEN considered that for the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army to be summoned practically to the Bar of the House and held up before the country because of some I small legal difficulty which could not have in- fluenced his decision wan a thing to be deeply deplored in the interests of discipline in the Army. (Cheers.) The matter dropped.
News
-+ A BURNING DERELICT. ABANDONED TWELVE MONTHS AGO A cable has been received in Liverpool from Ampirg (Formosa), dated April 29th, stating that the wreck of the ship Fannie Kerr drifted ashore near South Cape, Formosa, oniy the hull remaining. The Fannie Kerr left Newcastle, New South Wales, on April 7th 1902, for San Francisco with a cargo of 3,700 tonsof coal,under 1 the command of Captain Gibbons. While cross- ing the Pacific fire was discovered to have broken out among the < argo, and although Cap- tain Gibbons and his crew endeavoured to subdue the flames they spread with alarming rapidity. and in a abort time the main batch was blown off by a terrific coal gas explosion. It was decided to abandon the vessel, and at 4 p.m. on May 29th, 1902, in lat. 26 N., long. 167 W., thPl1 crew left the vessel in the boats, and on June 26th It they landed at Kanai Island, and were subse- quently taken on lo San Francisco. It was thought the vessel had foundered shortly after abandonment, and nothing further was heard of her until on March 22nd, 1903, she was sighted hv the s.s. Heathdene in lat. 22 N., long. 123 when smoke was issuing from iier and all the masts were gone, and several days later ahe was ¡ cast ashore at Formosa. Fram the date of her abandonment she had drifted about 3,020 miles. She was a steel four-masted barque of 2,426 tons gross and 2,286 net register, built in 1892 by I Mr" Thomas Roydeti and Sons, of Liverpool, and owned by the Ship Fannie Kerr Co., Linhted, Messrs E. R. Pact. and G. McAllister and Sous, 8, Rnmford-place, Liverpool. ,L_i. LJ
News
FRUITFUL WELSH FAMILY. The death has taken place in the parish of { Llanfa.imeupwJ1, Anglesey, of a notable charjic- ter in ttife person of Mr3 Mary Williams, prob- ably one of the oldest inhabitants of the island, She had attained the age of 88 years, and her husband predeceased her just a twelve mouth 1t,(:0 at the age of 87. They were married in Fob 1837, and had thus Jived together for a period of 65 years. They leave 10 children, 37 grand- children, and 43 «reat-grandchildren, making a grand total of 90 descendants.
News
Coming Divorce Case A PECULIAR SITUATION. In the Divorce Court on Monday an application was made to Sir Francis Jeune in the pending case of Lowenfeld v. Lowenfeld, Corbett inter- vening. Mr Deane, K.C., who made the application, said a petition had been filed by Ann Mari Elizabeth Lowenfeld asking for a. divorce on the ground of her husband's alleged adultery and bigamy. Undoubtedly, counsel said, the husband had married his cousin, and had lived with her since. He married her on April 18th last. but that was after a divorce in the Court of Vienna, the Austrian Court being, as was alleged, his Court of domicile. He alleged that he was an Austrian subject, although he had lived at times in England for the purposes of his business, he being a well-known man here in connection with some theatrical undertakings. Counsel said that petitioner had under the circumstances no right to come pere for a divorce. The question at issue on nn act of petition was that of domicile, and that being a. matter for the Judge to decide counsel asked that the case should be tried by his Lordship instead of by a special jury. Mr Priestley, K.C., on the other side, opposed the application.contending that the case involved matters for trial by a jury. He said the divorce proceedings in Austria were taken jointly by the husband and wife, but she alleged that she j took action under pressure. As to domicile, counsel said that Mr Lowenfeld had a house in Lowndes-square for some years. The President decided that the matter should be tried by a jury.
News
RELIGION AND SCIENCE. Lord Kelvin and Creative Power. In Monday's "Times" Lord Kelvin writes —In your report of a few words which I said in proposing a vote of thanks to Professor Henslow for his lecture on Present Day Rationalism yesterday evening (May 1st) in University Col- lege,! find the following Was there anything so absurd as to believe that a number of atoms by falling together of their own accord could make a crystal, a sprig ot moss, a microbe, a living animal ?" I wish to delete a crystal," I though no doubt your report of what I said is correct. Exceedingly narrow limits of time pre- vented me from endeavouring to explain how different is the structure of a crystal from that I of any portion, large or small, of an animal or plant, or the cellular formation of which the bodies of animals and plants are made but I desired to point out that, while fortuitous con- course of atoms" is not an inappropriats descrip- tion of tha formation of a crystal, it is utterly absurd in respect to the coming into existence, or the growth, or the continuation of the molecular combinations presented in the bodies of living things. Here scientific thought is compelled to accept the idea of Creative Power. Forty years ago 1 asked Liebig, walking somewhere in the country, if he believed that the grass and flowers which we saw around us grew by mere chemical forces. He answered, No no more than I could believe that a book of botany de- scribing them could grow by mere chemical forces." Every action of human free will is a miracle to physical and chemical and mathe- matical science. Lord Kelvin's original remarks, as summarised, were that he was in thorough sympathy with Professor Henslow in the fundamentals of his lecture, but he could not say that with regard to the origin of life science neither affirmed nor denied creative power. Science positively affirmed creative power. Science made everyone feel a miracle in himself. It was not in dead matter that they lired and moved aud bad their being, but in the creating and directive power which science compelled them to accept as an article of belief. Modern biologists were coming once more to a firm acceptance of something, and that was a vital principle. They had an un- known object put before them in science. In thinking of that object they were all agnostics. They only knew God in His works, bat they were absolutely forced by science to admit and to believe with absolute confidence in a directive power—in an influence other than physical, dynamical, electrical forces. There was nothing between abaolnte scientific belief in creative power and the acceptance of the theory of a fortuitous concourse of atoms. Was there, he asked, anything so absurd as to believe that a number of atoms by tailing together of their own accord could make a crystal, a sprig of moss, a microbe, a living animal ? People thought that, given millions of veare, these might come to pass. but they could not think that u. million of millions of millions of years could give them un- aided a beautiful world like ours. They had a spiritual influence, and in science a knowledge that there was that influence in the world around them. He admiral the healthy, breezy atmo- sphere of free thought in Professor Henslow's lecture. Let no one, ho urged, be afraid of true freedom. They could be free in their thought, jn their criticians, and with freedom of thought they were bound to come to the conclusion that science was not antagonistic to religion, but a help for reliion.
News
A SHOEBLACK'S LUCK. Inherits a Fortune of £50,000. A Hoxton shoeblack, who, on his discharge from one of his Majesty's prisons, visited a barber's shop to be trimmed after the style of a civilian, while sitting in the operating chair heard read an advertisement which offered a sub- stantial reward to any person who could give information of the whereabouts of himself. It appears that the missing heir on the death of his parents left home a mere boy to become an apprentice in a large drapery establishment in the East-end. He mixed with bad companions and for some trivial neglect of duty was dis- charged. Practically homeless be threw himself on his companions, and by slow and easy stages made the acquaintanceship and became the asso ciate of yoaug thieves and pickpockets. On hearing his name read out in the barber's shop as heir to a fortune of £30,000, he relates that he jumped up and exclaimed, to the astonishment of the customers and the barber, Hurry up That's met I'm off and flinging down a few pence, put on his hat and strode off. The people in the shop thought that he was mad. The money he possessed being insufficient to pay his railway fare to the town where the solicitors practised who had advertised for him, he walked all the way, arriving next day. The estate to which he had succeeded belonged to his uncle, who died intestate while he, the heir, was in prison. It has since been valued at £50,000.
News
__n_ MR CHAPLIN'S RETORT. The Premier and the Corn Tax. We have received a letter from Mr Chaplin in I reply to the Prime Minister's speech with refer- ence to the abolition of the corn duty. Mr I Chaplin says Mr Bal four's speech on Friday makes the position of the Government more in- comprehensible than ever. Upon his own admis- sion the tax was neither a burden to the con- snmer nor of benefit to the farmer. Mr Chaplin received letters by every post from all classes of the people showing that on the faith of SIr Michael Hicks-Beach's statements last year they had increased he capital embarked in their undertakings. The repeal of the- duty dis- couraged arable cultivation, though everybody agreed that it was a matter of the highest national importance to bring back to the land and keep on the land more people by increasing arable farming in England. It would have been more to the purpose if the Premier had endea- voured to meet in his speech the objections raised by Mr Chaplin s correspondents and by Mr Chaplin himself in the letter he addressed to the Chambers of Agriculture. In that letter he objected to repealing the duty because it was imposea as It permanent tax, because it was supported by the Government and by the party, because it provided 2h millions revenue yearly. I because no one wouJd benefit by i t9 repeal, and because the Chancellor of the Exchequer had placed his party in a thoroughly false and pain- ful position.
News
HECTOR MACDONALD MEMORIAL An Appeal to Scotsmen. Sheriff Guthrie, of Ross, Cromarty, and Sutherland, has addressed a letter to Scotsmen appealing for support for a memorial to the late SIr Hector Macdonald which 3hall be for the benefit of his widow and only son, aged 15. The fund will be invested in the names of Sir Hector Munro, Lord Lieutenant of Ross-shire, the Very Rev. Dr. Cameron Lees. Edinburgh, and Sheriff Guthrie, and its primary purpose will be for young Hector Macdonald's education and start in life. Sheriff Guthrie adds that the Wat- Office have given 'the maximum allowance pos- sible for the widow and son of an officer of the late general's rank.
News
BISHOP OF LLANDAFF AT NEWPORT. The Bishop of Llandaff was present at St. Woolos' Church, Newport, on Monday for tbepur- pose of making his triennial visitation and de- livering the charges, of which already a full summaiy has been published. There was a large attendance of clergy and churchwardens, the nave being well filled, together with portions of the south transept. Archdeacon Bruce and the Rev. Benjamin Iloyd, vicar of St. Woolos', assisted with the lessons. The charge was de- Jivered from the chancel steps, in accordance with usage. Subsequently the clergy lunched together at the Town Hall.
News
DISMASTED OFF ST. ANN'S HEAD. The gale of Saturday night was severely felt off the Pembrokeshire coast. The three-masted schooner Livingstone, of Lancaster, bound from London to Llanelly with scrap iron. was dis- masted off St. Ann's Head early on Sunday morn- ing, and was towed into Mil ford tiaven on Mon- day by the smaok Prairie Flower, of Lowestoft. Borne miraculoifs escapes of the crew were reported.
News
A sad fatality occurred on Monday morning on the sidings of the Fernhill Colliery, Treherbert. Samuel Bullen, of 58, Scott-street, was filling small coal for tha colliery boilers, when ho was knocked down by the haulm/ rope, and fell beneath a wagon, which passed bver him. The body was badly mutilated, and the neck was i broken. Deceased, who was 50, leaves a widow and three giowu-up children.
News
Cardiff Hotel Tragedy. CORONER'S INQUIRY. Mr E. Bernard Reecelheld an inquest at Cardiff on Saturday touching the death, which occurred on Friday, of John Davies Lloyd (26), a diaper's assistant, late of Swansea. Deceased was dis- covered shortiy after 11 o'clock on the day named in an unconscioua condition in his bedroom at the Central Hotel, Cardiff, with a bullet wound in his head. Evidence of identification was given by Wil- liam JoneH, of Absravon, uncle of deceased. Witness said he last saw deceased alive on Easter Monday. At that time he was returning after spending a holiday at Aberdare.—Coroner Did he seem in good spirits ?—No. He was tired of his situation and did not care for the drapery trade. He spoke of going back to South Africa. Witness added that he was out in South Africa prior to the outbreak of the war managing a drapery store on the border of Zuiuland. When the war broke out he joined the Mounted Rifles and served right through the war. Witness parted with him on Easter Monday. Next he received from him a telegram asking for monev. On the 25th ult. witness received the following letter: Dear Uncle,—Cash received with many thanks also communication from War Office to present myself to paymaster. I am going up personally, and will pay you back some time next week.—Love to all from Jack." Witness added there was money owing. to deceased from the War Office. Witness received another telegram from him stating that ho was going from Cardiff to Liverpool. Questioned by the Coroner as to his habits, wit- ness said during the three months he had stayed with him after returning from the war he gener- ally drank but very little. But a small drop," added witness, would send him clean oft his head." Witness did nor know that deceased had any trouble. My belief is," he said, that going through the war overbalanced and un- settled him clean." The Coroner It has done the same to many3 Witness did not know anything about the re- volver. Richard Jobh Rees, a timekeeper in theCardiff Public Works department, said deceased was an old acquaintance of his, and bad tea with him in Inverness-place last Wednesday. Witness saw him also on Thursday night, and went with him as far as the Central Hotel. Deceased was then in drink, but not drunk. Before going in de- ceased bought a bottle of brandy. They ar ranged to meet next morning about 11.30. Wit- ness called at the hotel, and was informed that Lloyd had shot himself. Deceased, who was in good spirits on Thursday, told him he was going to return to South Africa. Mark Hawkins, head boots at the Central Hotel, said he was asked by the chambermaid on Friday about 10 o'clock to take deceased a bottle of Bass, which he did. Robert Sanders, second boots at the hotel, said deceased on the Thurs- day evening was not quite sober, and was making a disturbance in tho coffee room, where he had two friends with him. Tie was spoken to about his conduct, and at 12.15 witness and another helped him to his room. Witness saw a bottle in deceased's inside pocket containing a little brandy. Witness deposed to bursting the bedroom door shortly after half-past 10 on Friday morning. Insida be found deceased lying on his back on the bed with his legs hang- ing over. He was bleeding from the right temple and was quite unconscious Inspector Burke gave evidence in detail as to the position of the body. The revolver was a five-chambered one and loaded in four chambers. Dr. Buist. who attended deceased, als gave evidence. Coroner Do you think that in the case of a person with an excitable disposition a heavy bout of drinking would produce temporary insanity ? I —Yes. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
News
PENNY-IN-THE-SLOT. Cardiff Gas Company's Success. The experiments of the Cardiff Gas Light and Coke Company with the automatic or penny-in the-slot meters appear to have been satisfactory, for we understand that during the last five weeks no Jess than 214 additional slot gas meters have been placed in houses and shops in Clifton- street, Pearl-street, Broadway, Beresford-road, and other adjoining streets. In addition to placing these meters in hoaaes and shops free of charge the company also connect the service with the main, fix a couple of single jets, and also, if required, a small but useful gas stove free of cost. One penny deposited in the meter will ensure five hours' light at one gas jet. So successful has the experiment turned out that the directors are receiving on an average 30 applica- tions per day. So far, however, only about a third of these applications have been granted. Up to now Roath has been the only district supplied, but in a few weeks, it is said, the com- pany hope to be able to fix up meters in other parts of the town. Another innovation is that the meter inspectors are henceforth to be uniformed, whilst it is not improbable that at an early date In certain parts of the town con- sumers will get their accounts through the post, instead of by the out-of date method of hand delivery.
News
THE BATH AND WEST SHOW. Next Year's Meeting at Swansea. The Mayor of Swansea has issued an appeal for subscriptions towards the contribution the town has undertaken to make towards the funds of the Bath and West of England Society as a condition of the show being held at Swansea next year. His Worship points out that the ex- penditure of the society on the show averages over £ 10,000 annually, and a considerable propor- tion of this must be spent in the town visited. Over 100,000 persons have on some occasions paid for admission during the five days of the show, and apart from the stimulus to trade of such an influx the capabilities of the locality for general business purposes as well as its suita- bility as a residential resort ore brought imme- diately under -the notice of many well-to-do visitors who attend the show from all parts of the kingdom. The amount neceesarv to fulfil the society's requirements is Y,1,600, which includes the sum of S.800 to be paid into the society's account by August 1st next. .(- <
News
PORTHCAWL DISTRICT RATE. At the usual meeting of the Porthcawl Urban District Council on Monday evening, Councillor John Elias, J P., Nottage, in the chair, Colin- cillor J. Grace, in moving that the seatof the Council be affixed to a rate of 4s in the £ for the ensuidg six months, said that the rate vyas a heavy one. but they were not ashamed to face the public of Porthcawl with it, because they had a number of flying visitors in the summer months who did not stay to share their part of the losses in the winter months, and by putting on a 4s rate during the summer mouths they noped to be able to make those people pay their fair share. The motion was unanimously carried. A letter was read from lUrs Gordon, Nottage CODrr. stating that the lych gate which she intended erecting to the memory of her husband, the late Rev. R. W. Gordon, M.A., near the play ground in Newton, would be ready for opan- ing on the 21st inst. by Archdeacon Edmondes, and requesting the Council to widen the carriage road in front of the proposed site and to repair the path by that day. The Council instrocted the surveyor to prepare an estimate of the cost.
News
HAVERFORDWEST MAYOR'S FUNERAL. The remains of the late Mr R. A. G. James (Mayor of Haverfordwest) were interred in St. Martin's Cemetery, Haverfordwest. on Monday, in the presence of a very large gathering of members of the various public bodies with which the deceased gentleman was connected, as well as the inhabitants of the town and district. The procession, which was an exceptionally long one, was headed by a posse of police. under Superin- tendent Francis and Inspector James. Then followed the general public, including represen- tatives of the Haverfordwest Board of Guar- dians and Rural District Council (of which de- ceased was clerIK), and immediately preceding the coffin walked the members of the Corporation and officials. The mayoral chain was placed on the coffin, which was carried by bearers. The chief mourners were the brother (the Rev. Cory James) and sisters and other relatives. The rear of the cortege was brought up by members of the local lodge of Freemasons, who carried wreaths. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. It. Davies (vicar of St. Mary), and at its conclusion the Masons filed past the grave, and cast their eprigs of thyme on the coffin. At a meeting of the local managers of the Ila-er- ford west County School district in the afternoon a resolution was passed expressing symypathy with Mrs James (the late Mayor's mother), who is a member of the local managers, and the family.
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-T' CARDIFF WOMAN'S WILD LEAP. An exciting scene was witnessed on the Hayes Bridge, Cardiff, on Monday. A middle-aged woman suddenly mounted a parapet and before anyone could stop her she jumped over, Whether her object was to drown herself is not known, but she fell on the tow-path and lay there huddled np, apparently half-stuntied. Three constables soon arrived on the scene, a stretcher was sent for, and the woman conveyed to the Central Police Station. She cried bitterly, complained that she bad hurt her legs, but obstinately re- fused to give her name. A marriage certificate, however, was fbund on her. and it bore the name of Elizabeth Ellen Matthias. Mrs Matthias was later on conveyed in a cab to the Workhouse Infirmary, and it was evident she was severely shaken by her wild jump.
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MUSIC IN CARDIFF PARKS. At a meeting of the Cardiff Parks Committee on Monday, Aid. E. Beavan in the chair, it was agreed on the motion of Councillor Robert Hughes, seconded by Councillor Nicholls, to allocate X250 for the purpose of providing bands to play in Roath PArk, Victoria Park, and other open spaces j) the town during the summer on certain days o he week, commencing 1st June. It was also decided to invite tenders.
News
The contract for sinking the second shaft for the Glyncorrwg Colliery Company, Limited, has been given to Messrs J. Piggott and Sou, who also sank the first. A start is being made to- day. The first shaft, which is over 420 yards deep, was uunk in less than 18 months.
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CARDIFF'S RATES. Sir Thomas Morel, chairman, reported to the Cardiff Finance Committee on Monday the pro- ceedings of a sub-co mmi ttee appoi n led to consider the financial position of the town generally, to ascertain the exact nature of the bankiugarrange- ments with a view to improvement in rates for accommodation, and other matters relative tbere- to. The committee had seen Mr Tod, the local manager of the National Provincial Bank, and had arranged several points satisfactorily, but as to other matters Mr Tod stated that ho could do no more, and it would be necessary for the Corporation representatives to interview the directors in London. Some misapprehension seen's to have arisen over the rate of interest for deposited amounts, but there was a general inipressioh that tho bank would allow the same rate of interest—4 per cent.-as they charged for overdraft. The Borough Trea- surer shared the opinion of a couple of membe.s that the arrangement was2ion moneys put in by the Corporation and 4 per cent, on overdraft. It was agreed that this point should be sottled forthwith. A long discussion took place over the recent conference between the sub-committee and the J chairmen of committees of the Corporation and the heads of departments as to the expenditure to which the town was practically committed during the next two years. This sum exceeds The sub-committee reduced this to and recommended that little more than half of it should be secured in the first year. The Chairman said that the western sewer could no longer be delayed it had been described by the borough engineer as an absolute necessity, and £ 35.000 wa3 the amount of estimated expen- diture for this work during the ensuing 12 months. The new Town Hall was in great part a luxury, the western sewer was altogether a neces- sity. Mr F. J. Beavan, deputy chairman, pointed I out that the ratable value, far from increasing, was contracting, and it behoved the Finance Committee, though they were only an advising committee, to make it clear what the position really was. The Chairman tiaid it was plain that a heavy sum must be secured, and they had to decide at once whether they would negotiate with some J bank for an overdraft on suitable terms or issue » stock, the latter course not being desirable at present. Councillor Symonds was anxious to know I whether the present bankers had reserved the right to stats when the stock should be issued but the Chairman said no such undertaking had been given. Councillor Symonds said that was satisfactory, for previously the bank alone had decided upon the time of issue. He proposed that a tabulated statement showing the exact position of affairs bo issued to the members of the Finance Committee, and that the statement be incorporated in the minutes of the Corpora- tion. Councillor Mevrick, speaking against a sugges- tion by the Borough Trea^rerthat it was unwise to publish the estimated figures which had been prepared for the purpose of placing before the bank people, said he supported Councillor Symonds, and considered the sooner the members of the Council had the figures photographed upon their minds, so to speak, the better for the ratepayers. He would not try to soften the blow. There was the surprising fact, and the sooner it was appreciated the better for Council and rate- payers. (Hear, hear.) At the request of Mr Robert Bird it was agreed that tha statement should indicate what was proposed to be spent on works now in progress, and what upon entirely inew purposes. The Deputy Borough Treasurer asked whether all the statements should be printed and circu- lated. and Alderman Jones said What is the use of all this trifling about little things. Our decision was plain. The publii should know everything that transpires here unless it is detri- mental to the interests of the town. In this case it is directly to the interest of the Council and the ratepayers who have to find the money how the expenditure is brought about. They have a right to know fully how we stand. The present overdraft was stated to be £28.000. sum of £5,000 odd was submitted from the Electric Lighting Committee for a new cable from the Power Station to the town centre, but this was not approved pending inquiry as to whether the item had been included in the esti- mate given to the Finance Committee at its last meeting. It was agreed to lend £631) to the Bedford Council for five years at 3J per cent., and £ 20,000 to the Walthamstow Council for seven years at the same rate. Councillor Robinson raised a point as to the length of time for these loans, saying that it was evident the borrowers thouffht they could do better in a few years, and that the Corporation might lend to better ad- vantage. As the money will be in hand for loans on June 1st, and time is short, Councillor Courtis advised that the offers be accepted. The bank rate, he said, was each Thursday expected to drop, and 3i was good interest. Councillor F. Beavan said that while the deputation was in London they could see the Local Government Board for permission to cancel their own stock instead of lending money to other public bodies. Councillor Lloyd Meynck stated that be did not- think there was the slightest probability of gaining success an Act of Parliament was necessary. Councillor Blow and Councillor Courtis instanced the cassof Swansea's recent unsuccessful application, It wtis agreed that the deputation should wait on the Local-Government Boatd on this matter, and also, on the suggestion of Councillor Wm. Evans, that the deputation should on the same occasion urge upon the Board the necessity of at once declaring what it proposed to do with refer- ence to the unification scheme of the Cardiff Council.
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WELSH DOCTOR'S WI LL. Generous Bequests. Probate has been granted of the will of the late Dr. Morgan Thomas, of Adelaide, South Australia. The estate.is declared not to exceed £90,400 in value. The will is very concise, and was drawn up by Dr. Thomas himself on a sheet of note-paper. A third of the estate consists of British Consols. A greater part of the estate was bequeathed to the public library; museum, and art gallery of South Australia. The deceased was a native of Wales, and went out from the Principality to Adelaide in the fifties, and in the sixties he acted as South Australian Colonial Secretary. He had an extensive practice, both private and under the State Government, acpumulating a fairly sub- stantial amount of money, which he invested with discretion, and was soon, on the high road to wealth. A gentleman who came into daily contact with Dr. Thomas says he was one of the most frequent visitors to both the Institute and I the Public Library, where he used to spend hours daily, and he often expressed highly com- plimentary opinions as po the educational value of those storehouses ot literature.
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CONFRONTED BY TWO WIVES. Swansea Man Charged with Bigamy At Stouehonse on Monday Frederick William Bryant, of Stonehouse, formerly of 49, Sea View-teriace, Swansea, was charged with bigamy. Evidence as to the first marriage was given by William Bennett, insurance agent, of 49, Sea View-terrace, Swansea, who said he was present at the wedding, which took place at the Registry Office, Fisher-street, Swansea, in Feb- ruary, 1897. Alice Bryant deposed to marrying prisoner at DWanSeu,. where they resided nrior to going to Ilfracombe. Prisoner left that town for Devonport to look for work. Emily Jane Swain met prisoner at her father's honse at Devonport, where he was staying, and entered into a con- tract of marriage with him ,at Stonehouse Registry Office in October last year. Certain information coming to her knowledge regarding her husband, ehe acquainted the police and gave them the certificate of her marriage. Police- inspector Leyman confronted prisoner with his two wives, who both claimed him a" their bus. band. Prisoner, who was represented by a solici- tor, reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the Devon County Assizes, bail being granted —himself in .£100 and two sureties of JE50 each.
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SEPARATION AFTER 28 YEARS. Husband's Offer Refused. On Monday Joan Hart applied to the Ystrad magistrates for a maintenance order against her husband, William Hart, 119,^ Gelli-road, Gelli, on the ground of desertion. Mr D. W. Jones, Pentre, was for the applicant. Complainant said she had been married 28 years, and there were six children, none of which Aere dependent. On the 23rd March her husband asked her a question about monev matters, pushed her out, and bolted the door. He refused to take her back. Defen- dant admitted having pushed his wife out ot the honse. She had spent all his money, run him mto debt, and pawned everything he had in the house. He was prepared to give her 5s a week or take her back on condition that she signed the pledge. Aaked if she would agree to become an abstainer, complainant blankly refused, and added that she only took a glass after doing heavy work. The Bench made an order of 5s a week.
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SET FIRE TO A HAYRICK. Young Collier's Confession. Thomas Emmanuel, a young collier, of no fjxed abode was charged a.t Ystrad on Monday with setting fire to a hayrick on Troedyrhiw Farm on the 1st inst. P.O. Davies informed the Court that defendant came up to him and said, Yon have heard about the hayrick getting on hre on the mountain to-day, I suppose, and I have come to give myself up. It was me that has put it on fire." Witness took him to the police station, and when charged he replied, 1 That's all right. I lit a-match, and after lighting my pipe threw I the match down and the rick got on fire. Some- one told me that they bad told the policeman about tt, and I thought I had hetter give myself uu, as I would only be had again." The tenant of the farm said that damage had been done to about 5 cwt. of hav. Prisoner was committed for trial to the Assizes.
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At Ystrad Police Court on Monday, the magis- trates congratulated Aid. E. H. Davies, J..P., ou the award made in bifl la.xour III the action brought against him receully. Mr T. P. Jen- kins added that Mr Davies' character had always been above reproash and the result of the trial, had or.ly confirmed their confidence in him as 80\1 colleague and public man. At Si10h Chapel, Pentre, on Sunday night, a resolution was passed congratulating Mr Davies upon the result of the action. t
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I WELSH MINISTER'S DOWNFALL. PAINFUL CASEAT MERTHYR. Charges of Drunkenness and Cruelty. At Merthyr Police Court cn Monday William Lewis, pastor of Smyrna Welsh Baptist Church, Aberfan, who did not appear, was summoned for persistent cruelty to his wife. Mr F. P. Charles, who appeared for Mrs Lewis, said defendant had unfortunately given way to drink during the past two or three years. There was no doubt he had ill-treated his wife in a shameful way, and neglected to maintain her properly, necessitating support fron relatives. It was not proposed to labour the case moie than was absolutely necessary, because the facts were essentially of a painful character. Besides this defendant's conduct was at present engaging the consideration of the members jf his chapcl. He was told that defendant had been to the Work- house Infirmary at Merthyr, where it was first thought he suffered from natural mental afflic- tion. When the doctors conducted their examina tion, however, it was found that the symptoms more resembled the consequences of excessive drinking. Margaret Lewis, wife of the defendant, said her husband was a Baptist minister. She married him on January 5th, 1894, his income being £10 per month. For two or three years he had been of drunken habits, and had per- sistently ill-treated her. On April 11th, this year, defendant commenced a bout of druJting. on which dtty he assaulted her at their house. On April 15th she was preparing tho mid-day meal, when defendant came home intoxicated. and at once kicked her about, and charged her with improper conduct. He called May- brick," and used very foul language. Afterdinner he again assaulted her, and she took the earliest opportunity to run out of the house to seek pro- tection at a neighbour's. She was returning home at about 10 o'clock in tile evening, in company with a friend named Mrs Phillips and her little boy. On passing the Navigation Hotel the boy heard his father's voice, and on looking through the window of the hotel defendant was seen in- side. Mrs Phillips got a Mrs Edwards to fetch j defendant out. After some persuasion defendant, who had immediately set upon his wife, consented to go home, the wife promising to also go home if he would treat her properly. Two of the chapel deacons and one other mem- ber followed them home. As soon as his wife had I entered the house defendant started to assault her. She sought the street, where she was kicked by defendant in the presence of several | members of the congregation. Mrs Lewis slept at Mrs Phillips's house, and had not since been to her home. Mrs Phillips was then tailed. She was a mem- ber of the chapel. On April 15 she saw Mrs • Lewis at Aberfan House, the residence of Mrs ) Griffiths. Mrs Lewis was in a bad state, having been twice abused some little time since by her husband. She remained for half an hour, when, at the request of Mrs Griffiths, she accom-. panied Mrs Lewis home. On the way home de- fendant was fetched from the hotel, as had been stated. When he came out into the street he at once started to kick his wife violently on the legs The Stipendiary (Mr T. Marchant Williams) ordered that defendant should pav JE1 per week to his wife, besides the costs of the case. n_
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NEW SCHOOL AT PONTLOTTYN. Stone-laying Ceremony. A new boys' and girls' school for Pontlottyn was opened on Monday evening under the auspices of the Gelligaer School Board. There was a representative attendance. Mr E\an Thomas, miners' agent (chairman of the board( conducted the proceedings. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by the Rev. P. Rees. rector, Pontlottvn. Addiesses were given by Messrs W. C. Beddoe (vice-chair- man), J. Llewellyn, Bargoed,D. Lewis, Bargoed, • W. A. Morgan, Pontlottyn, J. Griffiths, Tirphil, J. M. Rees, Bedlinog, and others. In the inter- val the Vicar laid the foundation stone on behalf of the members of the School Board. The building has been erected as a boys' and girls' school in separate departments, providing together accommodation for about 800 scholars, j Each department will contain Central hall, 62ft. by 21ft. six class-rooms with accommoda- tton, all opening on to the centrai hall cookery class-room to accommodate 50 students \esti- j bules and entrance halls, eight feet wide, j large hat and cloakrooms, fitted up with parti- tions and lavatory appliances, teachers' room, library, &c. Also caretaker's house in the north- east basement. The south-east end of the site j will be occupied by the headmaster's house and board-room. The school building has a frontage to the main road of about 225ft. The area of of tha site is two acres. The excavations, boundary, and retaining walls work out costly owing to the steepness of the site, which was the only one suitable and central for the purposes of a, large school. The rooms will be heated by open fireplaces, and tho ventilation by means of fresh air inlets and extract ventilators in the roofs. The furniture will be principally dual locker jeaks. The elevations will be faced with blue Llaneaiach stone, relieved with Ruabon bricks and red Carlisle stone dressings. The plaus were prepared by the board's architects, Messrs James ard Morgan, Cardiff. Tho contract amounts to £14,483, and has been entrusted to the capable hands of Mr John Lewis, Caer philly, who has, in spite of the recent unfavour- able weather, made substantial progress with the building. Mr Thomas Jones, Hengoed, is the clerk of the works. After the ceremony a banquet was held at the Blast Furnace Hotel, Pontlottyn.
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ELY COMMON. BUILDING SITES AROUND VICTORIA PARK. Town Clerk's Report. At a. meeting of tho Parks Commitcee of the Cardiff Corporation on Monday, Aid. E. Beavan presiding, the Town Clerk presented a report on the position of the Council with regard to the purchase of Ely Common and allocating a por- tion of it for building sites. Ho stated that the Victoria Park and building sites surrounding same originally formed part of the Ely Common lands, which were acquired by the Corporation under the provisions of the Cardiff Improvement A.ct, 1875, wheieby they obtained powers to lay out for building purposes all or any part of any lands acquired by tbem under, and not required for, the purposes of the Act. By tùe conveyance, dated 13th April, 1886, from Mrs Mary Ann Cartwright and others to the Corporation, it was shown that the area. of Eiy Common was 40a. 3r. 14p. The Victoria Park, as now laid out, com. prised 19a. 2r. 36p. The area reserved and partly let bv the Corporation for building purposes was 13a 3r. 38p, a part of which was separated by the Cowbridge road and a road had been made round the Victoria Park .which gave access to numerous building sites. The Corporation had already leased 3r. 19p.. and of the original quantity of land required by the Corporation at Ely Common, 2a. 2r. 30p. had been disposed of, and 2%. 2r. 26p. had been ex- changed. From the time the Corpora.tion con- templated purchasing the Ely Common it was intended to lay out a part thereof for building purposes in order to recoup a portion of the coat, and the Act of 1875 proved this conclusively. Ely Common was surrounded by properties of vari- ous landowners who had, upon the acquisition of the common by theCorporation, been clamouring for privileges and advantages which otherwise would never have accrued to them. The Corpora tion having expended large sums of money in developing 1 heir own property it was ri&ht that they should protect in the first instance their own interests and those of the ratepayers in orcler that no undue advantage might be ob- tained by adjoining owners. It. was agreed that the report should be placed upon the minutes.
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_0_ BRINGING IN LAGGARDS. Workmen's Custom Revived at Barry. Last week at Barry a custom which strikes terror into the hearts of workmen who are fond of losing quarters In the morning by over- I sleeping has been revived in two of the depart- ments of the Barry Railway Company. Two workmen who had missed six quarters in succession wew noL permitted to lose the seventh. A procession of men from the works, carrying a ladder and ropes, went to their bouses, made them dress, and having tied them to the ladder bore them away to the workshop. Such early processions are well known in many indus- trial centres, where usually cards are borne on high with the words, Not^azy, but born tired," Not drunk, but resting." Repetition of tho delinquency is met sometimes by au early morning bath, at a season of the year when it was most undesirable.
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HOTEL LANDLADY MISSING AT BRECON. An Alleged Elopement. At Brecon on Monday Flladerick Wm. Limerick, proprietor of toe White Horse Inn, Brecon, apphed to the Bench for, an i was granted, a warrant for the apprehension of his wife, Ellen Limerick, on tho charge of stealing for the arrest of William Tienry Solby (late of the Depot South Wales Borderers) on the charge of aiding and abetting the woman in the commission ot the alleged offence. Mrs Selby,a leepectable looking young woman, applied for and obtained a separation summons against her husband, W. 11. Selby. The case has caused a gwat deal of excitement in Brecon, it being alleged that the parties eloped on Saturday, booking by the evening train from Brecon to P3.ddmton.
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HEREFORD CATTLE DEALER FINED. Arthur Allington, of Barr's Court Farm, Hereford, a cattle and horse dealer well-known in South Wales, was fined by the Hereford magistrates 20ri and costs for assaulting a one- armed drover mtmec1 William Henry Preece, The latter said he went to Allington's house to receive money for work done, when Allington hit him on the nose and knocked him down, thou striking him on tbe head wilb a stick, rendering him unconscious. Qefendant alleged that Preece was drunk and abusive, and struck him with a stick across the shoulder, whereupon he pushed Preece headlong ont through the gate. James Kinnersley, butcher, corroborated, The Bench were satisfied that an aggravated assault had been committed. Defendant said be should appeal ag.-vinst the decisIon. |
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THE PASSIVE RESISTANCE POLICY. AN OXFORD MANIFESTO. "Those citizens of Oxford who with great reluctance feel bound at some pecuniary loss, and in spite of serious personal discomfort, to leave the law to its own resources for the collection of that portion of theEdncation rats which is levied for the maintenance cf denominational schools deem it due to their fellow-citizens to explain the reasons which impel them to this unusual course of action." And they respectfully ask, therefore, for attention to a statement of their convictions, which they proceed to give in sup- port of the contention that the Act is an outrage upon conscience. It is the duty of the State to behave im- partially towards all classes of its citizens. The Education Act affects all sections of the nation, religious and non-religious. Yet (to use the word of the late Archbishop of Canterbury) the Act was the outcome of a bargain" with the Established Church alone, Nonconformists and those who belong to no church being entirely excluded from consultation. To the result of such a. bargain, made with one section and im- posed upon all the others, those not consulted cannnot be a party. Even this bargain was, with the consent of the Government, made better and better for the Church as the Bill passed through Parliament, till, as the financial arrang«5msnts now stand; not only can Church schools be fnllv maintained without subscriptions, but a profit can actually be made for Church purposes out of the rates and taxes. Against an unjust measure, eo unjustifiably imposed by means of a chance opportunity, upon the nation, those who are resDonsible for this statement of reasons deem it their bounden duty to make the only effective protest in their posver. It will, in due course, be seen that those who are driven to this protest are men who can appeal to the record of their lives to prove that they have unfailingly honoured and obeyed the law. But they discern that there must be limits to the demand for civil obedience, and that in the pre- sent case these limits have been distinctly over- stepped, and a crisis has been created of excep- tional if not unprecedented gravity. Therefore, with a solemn aud deliberate sense of responsibi- llty, and fully alive to the consequences which I may befall themselves, they will quietly submit to distraint upon their goods for that portion of the education rate which is set apart, by obvious marks, for the maintenance of those privately managed schools in which sectarian tests are imposed upon the teacher, and over which the unblic authority, though it finds the money, has no effective control. While they will sedulously afford every facility to the officers in the dis- charge of their duty, they deeply regret any incon- venience which their una voidable form of protest may cause to the local authorities, who are merely the instruments of an unjust law, bnt with the law, and with the makers of it, and not with those who suffer from it, will the responsi- bility rest.
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YEAR'S RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. 1,171 Killed, 17,814 Injured. A Blue Book was published on Monday evening containing statistics and particulars of railway accidents in the United Kiugdorj during 1901-2. Accidents to trains, rolling stocftr and permanent way caused the deaths of twelve persons and injury to 854 persons, including six passengers killed and 732 injured. (Vccidents to passengers from other causes and accidents to persons pass- ins over level crossings, trespassers and others resulted in the death of 641 persons and injury to 2,094, including 123 passengers killed and 1,814 injured. Class three comprises accidents to servants of railway companies or contractors caused by the travelling of trains or the movement of vehicles used exclusively on the railway, and iu this division 443 persons ware killed and 3,713 injured. Accidents which occurred on railway premises, but in which the movement of vehicles used exclusively upon railways was not concerned, werctesponRible for 75 persons being killed and 11,153 injured. Thus the total number of pereonal accidents reported to the Board of Trade by the several railway companies' during the twelve months amounts to 1,171 persons killed and 17,814 injured.
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CHURCH AS AN EDUCATOR. Speech by the Bishop of Llandaff. I In connection with his triennial visitation at Ii St. Woolos', Newport, on Thursday, a luncheon was held, over which the Bishop presided, sup- ported by Sir Arthur Mackworth, Bart., Sir Q. Forestier Walker, Bart., the Mayor of Newport (Councillor Dunn), Archdeacon Bruce, Canon I Roberts, Canon Bedwell, Rev. J. W. Evans, Rural Dean, and Mr F. J. Smith, registrar of the. diocese. l'he loyal toasts were duly honoured. In replying to the toast of his health (proposed by Archdeacon Bruce), the Bishop said that daring the twenty years he bad held the position a great work bad been done in the direction of Church extension as well as in other excellent directions. He saw I constantly in tho -uewsJ)ap&r" the sba-teme»t that the Bishop bad done this or done that, but all that he had been able to give was Hyrnp3.tby and a ready co-operation with the clergy and laity, who of their earnestness and loyalty in doing God's work had brought about the results which bad been achieved. The Arohu aeon had referred to the crisis in Church history since 1870. and be thought perhaps that it was a good thing that the Church should pass through crises, because it checked a tendency to get sleepy and indifferent. The present educational crisis was even more important than that of 1870. lie remembered it baing stated in that memcble year that the Church was educating 1,800,000 children of the poor, and she was recog- nised as a great educator of the people, and deservedly so. The burdens put upon her by the Act of 1870 were ao great that inanv Church- meo who were weak-kneed fe1 t inclined to throw up the sponge. That was not, he rejoiced to say, the resolution of the majority, for at the present day shs was educating 2,600,000 children, or nearly double the number of 30 years ago. (Ap- plause.) Hc did not think that that great sys- tem should be knocked on the head by any com- bination, or that there should be found any Churchmen so weak.lmeed 8.S to be inclined, as in 1870, to abandon the position which had been gained by so much labour and effort. On the contrary, he felt that the great majority would be loyal to the Church and to its teachings. (Ap- plause.)
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LAW AS TO SUBPCENAS. In the City of London Court on Friday an action was brought by Mr James W.Browne, solicitor, King William-street, against Mr C. S. Magee, registrar of the District liesistry of tile High Court at Peterborough, torecover £12 b Gd, balance of 12s., for attending as a witness in the Court of Appeal for four days on a subpoena issued by him. The plaintiff was the solicitor for a plaintiff m a case in the Court of Appeal in which the defendant subpoenaed Mr Browne for the purpose of giving evidence and producing documents. lie attended for four dnva, and now claimed 3gs. a day. The Hon. M. Maciraghten, defendant's counsel, said that no action could be maintained for remuneration s a witness in attending court on a subpoena. When a witness was not paid sufficiently with his subpoena his proper course was not to attend the court. Mr Abinger, plaintiff's counsel, said that the King's snbpeena could not be so lightly treated as that. If it were so an enormous number of improper subpoenas would be issued. The Hon. M. nbc- nagbten added that just as a witness was never I compelled to give evidence unless he was pro- perly paid, so he could refuse to come to court without the usual prepayment. Judge Renionl, K.C., after reviewing decisions on the subject for the past hundred years,slt id he felt there might be I some doubt as to the law governing subpoenas, but common sense required him to find for the plaintiff for 8gs., allowing him 2gs. a day. He allowed costs on the higher scale because of the importance of the matter to all people who were served with subpoenas.
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LARGEST IN THE WORLD. A Mammoth Cargo Carrier. The new steamship Minnesota, which has recentlv been launched at New London (Connec- ticut) for the Great Northern Steamship Com- pany's trans-Pacific service, is, it is claimed, the largest cargo carrier alioat, with a capacity of 28,000 tons dead weight, whilst that of the White Star Liner Cedric is only 18,400 tons. The sister ship of the Minnesota, which is to be launched in about two mouths, will be named the Dakota, and will be of equal capacity, and able to handle, It is stated, 50 per cellt, more cargo than either the Cedric or the Celtic. The nulls have beeu more solidly built than that of a battleship, and their dimensions are 630 feet long, 734 feet beam, and 56 feet deep They are claimed to be the strongest built vessels ever con, structed.
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MR BRYNMOR JONES, M.P., ON PARLIAMENTARY WORK. Speaking at a Friend I v Society dinner at Landore on Saturday "evening, Mr Brynmor Jones, K.C., M.P., said although ¡ Parliamentary work in some forms was increasing, it was to a great extant relieved by the larga development of Jocal government involved in the formation of County Councils and the rise of great municipalities. In a sense the work doue from week to week was not very different from that done by County Councils. The work involved a great deal of labour if members did their work honestly by their con- stituents. But the most important worldn the House was not that of which records appeared I in the newspapers or that done in controversial debate. The good work was nearly all done in Committee and members who voluntarily gave their services on such Committees and in private Pill legislation did not receive the slightest remuneration. The Welsh members, irrespective of party, were all imbued with the beat interests of the country, and nii showing the cordiality which existed he might say that on the Committee formed to consider the question of the national museum for Wales Cot. Pryce-Jones and himself were joint secretaries.
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The Rev. J. Cradoc OWEn, A.T.S., pa.stor of Bethesda and Llandyssilio Welsh Independent Churches in Pembrokeshire, haR been obliged to cancel all engagements for May through ill- health.
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Mr James Holmes for East Birmingham- A meeting of the East Birmingham branches of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Ser- vants on Sunday evening unanimously requested Mr James Holmes. of Cardiff,the society's orgau- ising secretary, to contest the division a.gaJll9t Sir Benjamin Stone, M.P., at the next General Election. Mr Holmes later addressed the railway servants in an open meeting and said that with j the approval of the other local labour organisa- tions and the National Representation Com- mittee he would accede to the request.
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MR BEN TILLETT AT LLANELLY. An Offer of £1,500 a Year." Addressing a mass meeting at the Alexandra Hall, Llanelly, oa Saturday night, Mr Ben Tillett said there was no reason for the poverty that existed but the poverty of intelligence, and that was why he was an agitator. (Applause.) He was putting 10s a week into the pockets of his own section of the working class. For many years he had not spent one day in 30 in his own home, and he did say it was nearly time their own men were conscientious and loyal and trne. They must stand by their own class. (Cheers.) Their love o 1 their own class was religion. 1' Tillett said some reference had been made to hiS standing as candidate for the Carmarthen Boroughs. He assured them that so far as Par- liament was concerned he cared nothing for it. Fourteen years ago he was offered practically £1,500 a year by the Liberals for being a candi- date. He had better work to do. He had done it —(loud a.pplause) --£1,500 a year would not buy him. (Cheers.) If he stood for the Carmarthen Boroughs, he should have no money to give away* except the wages he got from them—(cheers)— and he had a three years account against everyone of them. (Laughter.) If he went to Parliament the Union would have to keep him as an agitator and its general secretary. (Applause.) He had nothing to give away. Those who had money to bribe voters had taken it out of the people's toil. He had no money to buy VOt63 because he had got extra wages for the workmen's toil. (Loud cheers.) He was not anti-Liberal or anti-Tory, but nei- ther Liberals nor Tories could do what labour was able to do and must do. He had no feeling against Liberalism, and were he returned for the Carmarthen Boroughs or any other constituency he should fight for all that waa good, or all that Liberals could give, but he should have an idea. on labour all the time. (Cheers.) That was why they did not want men like him. They did not want independence. If he was returned for the boroughs he should ask for Home Rule forWales, as he would for Ireland if he were an Irishman. (ApplauseJ) He proceeded to speak un behalf ol Trades Unionism and the Dockers Union in particular. They had, he said, repudiated at the tinplate trade Conciliation Board the statement that the precarious state of the trade in this country as compared with America is due to the workmen. At Swansea, the home of the t'n- plate industry, an ironmonger rebuilt his ware- house and imported from America sheets to decorate the ceilings and walls. In twelve mouths enough plates were made in this country and enough profit realised in South Wales, to more than pay the whole of the invested capital of the tinplate industry.
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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Principal Roberts* on the Aberystwyth Farm Scheme. Some particulars of the progress of the scheme for renting au experimental farm in connection with Aberystwyth College are given by Principal Roberts in an interview published in Satur- day's ivlontgomery and Cardigan County The chief points in the scheme are that the control of the farm will be invested in a joint committee of representatives of the Col- lege Council and the contributing Councils, members being appointed in ratio to the rat- able value A the counties, The cost is divided under two heads capital outlay and annual contributions. The capital outlay is set down at £1,350. and is estimated on the basis of a farm of Joo acres. The County Councils may pay their proportionate shares either in one payment or spread it over five years. The contributions are fixed as follow :—Brecon, JE54 10s Cardigan, £34 10s Merioneth. £36; Montgomery, £40 10s Pembroke, £39 10s. The proportionate annual grants for maintenance are fixed at -.—Brecon, £31 53 Cardigan, JE30 Carmarthen, £5; Merioneth, £31 5s Montgomery, £37 10s To ensure the best results both in teaching and experimental work the farming is to be typical of the distinctive features of all the six counties. The selection and renting of a suitable farm will be in the hands of the Joint Committee, with the sole proviso that the ground chosen must be within convenient reach of the college. Theex.'cutive management and direction of the operations will be in the hands of the principal and the college staff. This is the scheme which the principal says has been before the County Councils. Carmarthen, Montgomery, and Cardigan have intimated their approval of it. The co-operation or the remaining counties is now awaited. He regards it as of the utmost importance that all the Councils should join in the scheme. One refusal would pvobably imperil tbe-whole thing, whereas if all six join the college will be enabled to get'a grant from the Board Of Agriculture of £200. as a special farm grant, aud quite apart from the £800 annually received for the agricultural department's work. This sum of £800 is fixed upon the highest scalOf which is in itself a. testimony to the excellence of the work done. It is further intended to add a branch for forestry, and this would have to be considered in the choice of a farm. It is hoped that the scheme will be ready in time to com- mence farming in the autumn.
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LIBERALISM AND LABOUR. Mr Keir Hardie and the Two Lobbies. At an Independent Labour Party demon- stration at Bradford on Sunday one of the local leaders (Mr E. R. Hartley) said —The fact was that the Labour party had become wortb nobbling, and those who wanted their support were crowding around. Mr Keir Hardie ob- served :—This new Labour Party had broughi within its folds all sorts of working men. an6 now, forsooth, these working men were beinf asked to go to their Liberal tents and their Conservative tents, and continue their old inter- necine warfare one with the other. He some- time wondered that men of education and public positiou should have the inHotencetomekeft suggestion of that kind to the Labour move- ment at this time of day. (Cheore.) Therewere two division lobbies in tbe House of Commons but they were not labelled Liberal fine Tory." (Hear, hear.) There was a Govern- ment Lobby and an Opposition Lobby. During the recetiv war in South Africa, when thr division was being taken on some crucial point concerning that war, the bulk of the Libera? Party trooped at the heels of Joseph Chamber- lain and the Government. At the opening ot the presentSession he moved an amendment to the Address on behalf of the unemployed Consider- ably over 100 Liberal members voted with him but not a single Tory. (Hear, hear.) Here, they were told, v/as proof that on all Labour questions Liberals were the friends of Labour. Hut there were men and women in that hall whose memory, like his otvu, would go back ten years—to the year 1893 when the Liberals were in office. The unemployed nue-ition wa3 at that time quite as acute as it was at thIs moment, and nJOrc 80. Hut wilen he move1 a similar amendment to tbat which be brought forward at thecommencemenb of the present Session over 100 Tories followed him into the lobby--(Cheers and great laughter) —but not a solitary Libera! member. (Laughter.) What became of the two-lobby theory ? (Cheers.) YeG. there were two lobbies, and they were creat- ing a second party to see that on all fundamental question:3 • affecting tile welJ-bejnl{ of labour anci the interests of the nation, there should be twC parties to occupy those lobbies. (Hear, hear.) Mr R. Bell's Assertion. The Mertbvr Boroughs Labour Committee, at a meeting at Aberdare, considered the 3:atement in the last quarterly report bv Mr Bell. M.P., of the A.S.R.S,, that Mr Keir Hardie's return to Parliament at the last election was entirely due to the aid of his colleague, Mr D.A. Thomas, and that Liberals subscribed nearly half his mainten- ance fund. Mr George Palmer, London, who was Mr Hardie's agent at the last election,wroti that this assertion was entirolv untrue. Th" following resolution was proposed by Mr Hugt Jones, seconded by Mr John Prowle :—" Tha* this n'1eeting approves of the inde!,)ende!1t cour»' of action followed by Mr Keir Hardie. and urges him to continue in the same healthy manner, tH the only way of realising the aspirations of th<- working men also that we unhesitatingly deny the statement of Mr R. Bell, M.P., that M< Hardie's return was entirely dne to the aid oí Mr D. A. Thomas, tho fact being that th4 Labour candidate was returned by the workinf men and Progress l vis is of the borough, and call upon Mr Bell to explain or withdraw his state-, ment.
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THE VANDERBILT MARRIAGE. New York Friday.—Theremarks of the Bishop of London concerning the marriage of Mr Van' derbilt, which have been extensively printed In this country, were strikingly exemplified to-daY, in the action of a clergyman of the Eniscop*' Church in Hartford, Connecticut. Arrang6* menta had been made for a marriage to be solemnised at his church, but upon learning Ii the last moment that the intending had been divorced by his wife, who is still ing, the rector refused at the very altar to the pair. There was a sensational scene, wh'ec was closed, however, by the rector retiring to_ tb* vestry. The couplo succeeded in their obje0 j because they merely went ta- a Congregation* church in the same town, and were married tJ1 its pastor without difficulty.
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POLICING NIGERIA. Officers Depart for Africa, A number of British officers left Liverpool Saturday in the liner Jebba for Northern Isi?6'-?^ where it has now been decided to form a force in the country. The new force, in the instance, will be a thousand strong, and naa'^j1iy increased to 1,500, with headquarters at Zungurn. The organisation of the new 4 will be on the linesof thelrish CoustabnJarj", > the men, when drilled and trained, will be øC- tioned in small detachments in various of Northern Nigeria. Tho men, according present intentions, are to be recruited in land lnd in Northern Nigeria generally.