The Cardiff Times

Over 100 Rioters Killed. UGLY INSURRECTION. Canton, Monday.—Reports have been received here of serious rioting by the Viceroy's Japanese-drilled troops, who are stated to have broken out into mutiny. my* The movement is believed to be of an insur- rectionary nature. The Viceroy asked the assistance of the Tartar-General and of Admiral Li Chung, and the latter, commanding 3,000 men, pursued the Haters, killing and wounding over 100 of them. A number of police stations have been horned by the mutineers, and the Viceroy has notified the British Consul-General that pro- tection of foreigners within the zone of dis- turbance cannot be guaranteed. Missionaries and their families and the em- ployees of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, stationed at Tang Shan, took refuge in Shameen, the European quarter of Canton, last evening.—Reuter. New York, Monday.—" The New York Herald publishes a cablegram from Canton tvhich states that terrible rioting has occurred In the streets of that city, during which over 100 people were killed and wounded. The fight- tng originated in a quarrel between some of the foreign-drilled Chinese soldiers and the city police. The rioting was quelled by a Chinese baval force, but the city is still seething with excitement, and foreigners are being ex- cluded for three days. Many foreign residents iiave fled to Hong Kong.-Central News.

IERMAN SOCIALISTS SABRED. Berlin, Monday.—This morning's reports show there were thirteen arrests at Berlin in the Course of yesterday's Socialist. demon- strations. Four persons were wounded by policemen's sabres in the scrimmage on the Kronprhwven Bridge. In other Prussian towns the temper of the demonstrators was less pacific than in Berlin. At Halle there was a sharp encounter between the police and the demonstrators in front of the chief Post Office, and the police* used their i&bres and many people were wounded. Eighty Arrests were made. There were similar scenes it Frankfort, Duisburg, and Koenigsberg. fifteen arrests were made at Frankfort, but eftort to the sabre appears not to have been laecessar,y. Three demonstrators were sabred at Duisburg, and the same number at Kcenigs- berg. In other cities demonstrations were broken ap by the police without the use of weapons. The Berlin police presidency this morning Issued a statement denying the newspapers' Assertions that street demonstrations were allowed in other countries more freely than In Prussia, with special reference to England. It says that in England the right of public de- monstrations is hedged in by all sorts of re- utrictions, whereas in Prussia it is only neces- lary to obtain the permission of the police and abstain from endangering public safety. The Berliner Tageblatt understands that the organisers of the Berlin demonstration will be prosecuted for failing to comply with the loriner stipulation.-Peuter. Several journals comment upon the conflicts. The Tageblatt attacks the authorities, de- claring that by the excessive stringency of their treasures they themselves provoked the dis- orders, and that the actual originators of the troubles were not the Social Democrats, but 1 the police. The Democratic journals, Welt am Mon- tag and Zeit am Montag," both publish articles similar in tone. The Berliner Neueste Nachrichten (Conservative), takes an oppo- site view, and praises the police for the firm- ness displayed.—Central News.

BALLROOM BANDIT. Vienna, Saturday.—An extraordinary panic, resulting in many people being injured, oc- curred at a fashionable ball at Bucharest last night owing to the daring exploit of an armed robber. The hall and galleries were filled with society people, many of the ladies displaying costly Jewels. At midnight, when the dance was at its height, a stranger entered a box where several ladies were seated, and, pointing a revolver at them, demanded their jewels. Owing to the noise the ladies' cries were only heard by the people in the next box, and before these could render aid the robber had torn a diamond necklace and other jewels from their necks and hair.—Central News.

RUSSIA'S NAVY SCHEME. To Cost Hundred Millions. St. Petersburg, Monday.-According to the Buss," the naval programme, involving an expenditure of one hundred millions sterling, chiefly devoted to Dreadnoughts, has received Imperial sanction. I am unable to confirm the repurt in all details, but it is beyond ques- tion that the Admiralty has long been engaged in discussing an extensive shipbuilding pro- gramme. The resources of the Russian yards being already overtaxed, the new ships will have to be ordered abroad.—" Times per Press Association.

OIL FUEL FOR WARSHIPS. The British Admiralty, after a secretly-con- ducted series of trials and tests with smaller craft extending over many years, has, it is said, at last decided definitely to adopt the principle of oil fuel as a substitute for coal in the British Navy. The Admiralty has thereby initiated the greatest revolution in the equipment of the Nary since steam supplanted sails. In pur- suance of its new policy it has recently ordered no fewer than 50,000 tons, or more than 11,000,000 gallons, of liquid fuel for the current year, and tenders at, a price which it, it is confidently believed will prove satisfactory have already been submitted for the contract. It is understood that the price approximates 23s a ton.

ABERSYCHAN CELLAR HOUSES. Abersychan Urban District Council on Mon- day, Mr Morgan Lewis presiding, considered the question of closing a number of cellar dwellings. Mr James Winstone said he did not object to the closing proposed, but he did not know what the tenants were going to do. The Inspector said it was simply poisonous for the tenants to remain in the houses. Some of the occupants had been in hospital on account of the insanitary nnrroundings. The Chairman added that some of the tenants had been taken to the asylum. The Council decided to issue closing orders as to a number of thlp dwellings. The Medical Officer reported that the death rate for the month was equivalent to 17-6 per 1,000per annum. Throe cases of diphtheria had been notified. The Council made a general dis- trict rate of Is 3d in the i for the ensuing half- year. This rate was considered to be very satisfactory.

PEERAGE CLAIMANT. Petition Dismissed. JUDGMENT IN SACKVILLE CASE Sir John Bigham, the President of the Probate Court, gave his decision in the Sackville case on Monday against the claimant. The petitioner, Mr Ernest Henri Jean Baptiste Sackville-West, asked the Court for a declara- tion that he was the eldest legitimate son of the late Lord Sackville, by Josephine Duran de Ortega, otherwise Pepita Duran, a Spanish dancer, to whom the petitioner alleged the late peer was married between January, 1863, and August, 1867. The Attorney-General, on behalf of the Crown and the present Lord Sack- ville, a nephew of the late peer, contested the petitioner, the latter alleging that Pepita Duran was married in 1851 to Antonio de la Oliva at the church of San Millan, Madrid, and remained his wife until she died in 1871, and that therefore the petitioner was not legiti- mate and consequently not heir to the tita[ and estates of the late Lord Sackville. The case occupied five days, and on the last day the petitioner withdrew from the case, his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., and his solicitor having previously retired from it un- der circumstances already reported. The Judgment The President, in giving his judgment after stating the issues in question, said it had been shown that in 1852 the late Lord Sackville was introduced to Pepita, who was a Spanish dancer, that he made her his mistress, and that the intercourse between them, begin- ning at that time, continued down to the time of the lady's death in 1871. Pepita became famous in her profession, and Lord Sackville became deeply attached to her, and +his love and affection continued down to the time of her death. The intimacy began when he was a very young man. Lord Sackville from the first believed that Pepita was a married woman, and he said that she told him so soon after their acquaintance began. She showed him a certificate of her baptism and a certificate of her marriage to Antonio de la Oliva at the Church of St. Millan at Madrid. Both these documents were found among her papers after her death, and were produced before him. Lord Sackville, in his evidence in a suit to perpetuate testimony, swore that she produced it to him in her lifetime. He swore also that she kept up a correspondence with Antonio to the time of her death. If it were true, as he believed it was, that Lord Sackville believed that Pepita was a married woman, and that her husband was alive, that fact made it improbable that he would go through any fortn of marriage with her. Never Did Marry Her. Indeed, in his evidence he said, I was anxious to marry if her husband was out of the way," but he added, I never did marry her and I never went through any form of mar- riage with her." His Lordship then referred to the evidence em to the registration of the chil- dren born of this connection, and the declara- tions made by Lord Sackville that they were legitimate, and also to the existence of a document, which was not proved in evidence, alleging that Pepita and Lord Sackville were married at Frankfurt-on-Maine. It was pos- sible, he said, that the document was obtained by Lord Sackville in order to please Pepita, who was undoubtedly anxious at the time to appear as his lawful wife. In Lord Sackville's evidence that document was not put to him. The cross-examinatiou, however, was directed to the supposed marriage at Frankfurt. Lord Sackville, however, said It is not true that I was ever married to Pepita at Frank- furt-on-Maine, or at any other place." Appar- ently there had been no'search made at Frank- furt for any traces of such a marriage, and if there had the result had not been made knowA to him. His Lordship accepted the statement of the late peer when he said, I never married Pepita or went through any ceremony of marriage with her." He was satisfied that Lord Sackville was anxious to marry her if her husband was out of the way. If she was his lawful wife why should he dishonour her memory by denying the fact, and if the child- ren were legitimate why should Lord Sackville violate his known natural affection for them and rob them of their right by cruelly disowning them as his legitimate children ? To Please Pepita. It might be asked, why did he put his hand to documents declaring they were legitimate ? He thought the answer was found in this-that Lord Sackville did it to please Pepita, and to give an appearance of respectability to the life they were leading. During all the years of their relationship, he never intro- duced her to any member of his own family, nor represented her to them as his wife, and his conduct was quite incon- sistent with the suggestion that he was her husband. The letter written by the petitioner to his sister, in which he said, Remember we are illigitimate," showed plainly in what light the petitioner regarded himself. He was satis- fied on the evidence that the. late peer was never married to Pepita, and that the peti- tioner was not entitled to the. declaration which he asked for-that there was a marriage. The conclusion which he came to was that Pepita was the wife of Antonio de la Oliva dur- ing the whole period of her relations with Lord Sackville. He therefore dismissed the petition, with costs.

BRISTOL DEVELOPMENTS. i I There is one point in our programme that we intend to make all important,' explained' Mr Bartlett, chairman of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, to a Press representative. That is the institution of regular services of cargo steamers between Bristol and foreign ports. Already we are making direct representations to shipowners abroad. During the spring this campaign, not only as regards shipowners but with manufacturers as well, will be very greatly enlarged. what regular sailings mean in the way of developing trade we have already an indication as regards Canada. A marked improvement has followed the institution of r services between Bristol and Canadian ports. And now one of our dearest amb itions is not only to obtain a regular line of steamers between Australia and New Zealand, but also to get direct sail- ings. At the moment the steamers—calling at other Pwts en route—do not reach us in less than six weeks. With direct services this could be reduced to 40 days. WTe expect to see Bristol as great a port of export for the Black Country. For those parts, when our machinery is oiled and running smoothly, we say that we shall rival Liverpool as a despatching point. Bristol is served by one of the finest railways in the kingdom. Not only for the south and west of England, but for a large district around London itself, our aim is now to show that Bristol intends in the future to be a great distributing centre."

OCEAN-THEATRE FAILURE. Mr Charles Frohman's novel scheme to estab- lish an ocean-going theatre has been unex- pectedly frustrated by—seasickness. He pro- posed to give performances of Mr E. J. Locke's new play, The Climax," on the Mauretania, with Miss Marie Doro in the principal part. Miss Doro and the members of the supporting company were greatly enthusiastic regarding the scheme when they embarked with Mr Frohman on the Mauretania last week. New York theatrical critics have waited expec- tantly to hear the result of the first mid-ocean performance. On Saturday Mr Frohman sent this wireless message from the Mauretania to Mr Alfred Hayman, the new York manager :— Star is ill also passengers. First perform- ance in London."

CRIME AT NEATH. The Chief Constable's Report. Chief Constable Higgins, of the Neath Borough Police,has issued an interesting report concerning the work of the force for last year. There were 69 indictable offences, as compared with 118 in 1908, being decrease of 49. For these offences 51 persons were proceeded against,24 of whom were convicted summarily, 20 committed for trial, four tried summarily and discharged. There were 731 persons pro- ceeded against for non-indictable offences, an increase of 70. The cost of the police establish- ment during the year ended 31st March last was £1,751 7s Id, a moiety of which has been repaid by the Glamorgan County Council.

PONTYPRIDD MYSTERY. An inquest was held at Pontypridd on Mon- day on a newly-born male child found at the Pontypridd refuse depository on Saturday- Evidence was given by Cornelius Church of seeing a brown-paper bag in the bunker. and of his suspicions being aroused. He opened the bag and discovered the body lying fn a white cloth. The Coroner (Mr David Bees) intimated that this was all the evidence that would be produced that day. The police should have time to investigate the matter properly. Dr. Howard Davies had made a post-mortem examination, and found that the child had had a separate I. existence. It was obvious, therefore, that a serious charge might have to be preferred against somebody. The inquiry was then adjourned for a fort- night.

PROPOSED OCEAN RACE TO SWAN8EA. At a meeting of the General Committee of the Swansea Bay and Bristol Channel Yacht Club Regatta, 1910, held at the Guildhall on Monday, the Mayor (Alderman D. Matthews) presiding, Colonel Edwards Vaughan reported that June 11th had been allotted by the Yacht Racing Association for this year's regatta at Swansea. He added that the asso- ciation favoured the idea that in future there should be a triennial regatta at Swansea by an arrangement with the Royal Cork and the Royal Mersey Yacht Clubs. A letter was re- ceived from the Royal South-Western Yacht Club as to an ocean' race from Plymouth to Swansea for cruisers. The suggestion was that Swansea should find second and, third prizes. It was decided to refer the proposal to the Sailing Committee with power to( %ct.

£ 7,000 By a Trick. FICTITIOUS CARGO FRAUD. A case in which a City firm were said to have been defrauded of £7,200 came up at Bow-street on Monday. Ernest Acquarone Levi, otherwise B. Holt, aged 44,\an Jtalian merchant, was indicted for obtaining by false pretences from Charles Buck and Co. the sum of £3,800 in banknotes and a cheque for the payment of £ 3,400. For the prosecution Mr Purcell said the case was in connection with a serious commercial fraud which proved perfectly successful. Towards the end of 1906 the accused was trading in Coleman-street as B. Holt and Co. He absconded, and went abroad. Extradition proceedings were begun, and last January he wjs arrested. A Frenchman named Walters, another member of the firm, also absconded, but was tried at Paris for the present offenoe, and received 10 years' imprisonment. At the Old Bailey a coloured man named Woolford was acquitted of participation in the fraud, but was convicted and sentenced for an almost* similar fraud. At the time (continued counsel) antimony ore was in great demand. Woolford told a commission agent that he had a contract with B. Holt and Co. for 400 tons of antimony shipped from Seville, and wanted money in order to carry it out. He was introduced to C. Buck and Co., of Mincing-lane. It was agreed that Charles Buck and Co. should pay 75 per cent. of the value of the ore ( £ 7,200) when the bills of lading arrived. When the prosecuting firm learnt from the accused's company that the necessary docu- ments had arrived from Spain, a clerk took a cheque for £ 7.200. The documents were in Spanish, but appeared to be in order, and Walters agreed to accept E3,800 in notes and the rest in the form of a cheque. Later the documents were found to be valueless. An attempt to perpetrate a similar fraud on another man was made, and both he and ottter persons connected with C. Buck and Co. would identify the accused as B. Holt." In the witness-box the prisoner denied that he was the man known as B. Holt, although he admitted having gone to the office of the com- pany. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and it was stated by the police that a search of the premises after the accused had absconded revealed the documents showing that many complaints had been received from different countries. Judge Rentoul passed sentence of five years' penal servitude and recommended Levi for deportation.

FINNISH SEAMAN'S FATE. The shocking suicide of a Finnish seaman named Karl Karlsson, whilst an inmate of the Royal Hamadryad Hospital, was the subject of inquiry by the Cardiff Coroner (Mr W. L. Yorath) on Monday. Evidence of identification was given by a foreign boarding-house keeper. P.S. Price produced a blood-stained razor which had been handed him by the night porter at the hospital. Dr. Wheelan, medical superintendent of the hospital, said that deceased was admitted on the 21st December suffering from a disease of the abdomen, for which he said he had been operated upon six years before at Rotter- dam. At 11.30 on Saturday night last witness was called to see deceased by the night porter, and found Karlsson with two large gashes in his throat. The man was alive, but died in a couple of minutes. It appeared that the night nurse bad spoken to him about 10 minutes previously, when he said he felt quite comfortable. Previous to this the deceased had appeared perfectly rational. The razor pro- duced was found in the bed, near deceased's right hand, and was evidently one with which he used to shave himself. Appearances indi- cated that deceased had cut his throat under the bedclothes, for although the lights were on and there were about a dozen other patients in the same ward, no noise was heard. De- ceased had stated that he had no friends or re- latives alive, and witness could only conclude that he committed suicide in a despairing moment. A verdict of Suicide was returned, the jury adding that there was no evidence to show the state of the man's mind.

FRAUD ON BANK OF ENGLAND. The Bank of England cheque fraud case, which has been occupying the. attention of Lord Coleridge and a jury at the Old Bailey, was again before the Court yesterday. On Saturday the four prisoners, Charles Wellings (45), agent; Herbert Millington (26), jobmaster Henry Bevington (48), no occupa- tion and Henry Clarke (24), steward, werfe charged with forging and uttering a cheque for £1,500 in the name of Mr E. Ralli, on December 14th, 1909. Millington pleaded guilty. at the opening of the case, and when Mr Muir, the prosecuting counsel, concluded his opening statement for the Crown, Clarke also pleaded guilty. On Friday last Bevington was found guilty of forging an endorsement on one of Mr Ralli's cheques, it being alleged by the prosecution that this cheque was used as a model for the forgery of the £ 1,500 cheque. Evidence was yesterday called by the prose- cution to trace the movements of the prisoners on the day in question, and showing how the cheque was cashed and then changed into French and German notes and money. Taxi-cab drivers were called to detail the journeys made in taxi-cabs by Wellings, Bev- ington, and Clarke. The jury found Wellings and Bevington guilty, and the former was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, Clarke and Bevington to three years', and Millington to 18 months' hard labour.

BRITAIN'S DREADNOUGHTS. With the addition of the Vanguard, launched at Barrow on Saturday, the total Dread- noughts in commission will be seven and the Dreadnought cruisers three. The last three battleships will be completed about the same time as the four German Dreadnoughts—the WestfaJen, Nassau, Posen, and Rheinland- and a comparison between the two types is at this moment interesting. The German vessel Nassau has recently passed her trials, and power, speed, etc., is given for that vessel. British Vanguard. German Nassau. I Length. 500ft. b.p 451ft. bp Beam. 84ft. 89ft. Draught 27ft. 26ift. Displacement 19,250 tons 18,204 toms. Indicated h.p. 24,500 (turbines) 20,000 (recipro- cating) Speed (on trial).. 22 knots 20 5 knots 0 Coal capacity 900 minimum 950 minimum '2,500 maximum 2,700 maximum Guns Ten 12in Twelve llin. Twenty 4in. Twelve 5-9in. Armour 4in. forward 6in. forward llin. mid llin. mid. 6in. alt 6in. aft llin. tmtets llin. turrets. llin. conn'g towr 12in. connlg towr 6in. 5-9 gun positions. The greater beam of the German ships is due to the shallowness of some of the passages. Although the German vessel carries twelve big guns, she can only fire a broadside of eight guns—the same as the Vanguard. This is due to the fact that the Nassau haS two pairs each on the starboard and port sides which can fire only fore or aft. Later Ger- man battleships have adopted the American principle as practised in the Brazilian vessels building in this country.

FELL DOWN PIT SHAFT. At Treherbert on Monday an inquest was held by Mr R. J. Rhys on John Evans (42), farrier at the Tydraw Colliery (Messrs Cory Bros., Ltd ), who fell down the pit shaft on Thursday. Protection bars are in use at the pit for men while in the cages. On this occasion th e banksman, Albert Symonds, banked deceased alone, and Symonds told the coroner he was about to put up the bars when deceased told him not to bother about them, and witness let him go as he was a man well accustomed to ride up and down the pit. Mr Trump, H.M.I. Do you always put up the bars for full bonds 1-Yes, sir, Wm. Llewelyn Jones said deceased complained of slight dizziness in the head about half-an- hour before the accident occurred. Mr Ritson. manager of the colliery, said the bars had been in use about eighteen months. The Coroner They are not compulsory by statute ?-No. The Coroner What are your instructions?- They must be used on every occasion when men are travelling in the shaft. The Coroner said the banksman had given his evidence straightforwardly still, Symonds had not done his duty to the full. A verdict of Accidental death was re- turned without attaching blamp to anyone, but at the request of the. jury the coroner cau- tioned Symonds to make use of the pro- tection bars at all times in future.

MAURETANIA AT FISHGUAW The Cunard steamer Mauretania arrived on Monday at Fishguard about 5 o'clock, and landed 413 passengers and 1,187 mails. Immediately after her arrival a tremendous southerly wind sprang up, making the transfer difficult, but the mails were entrained at 6.42. The first passenger1 train was despatched at 8.45, and the second at 8.50. Mr McGahan accomplished his journey from Peru-by chartering a special steamer, and boarding the Mauretania at New York—In 19 days. Although the gale from the southward was the strongest experienced, the passengers were happy in all respect. Captain Tmsley"l')f the Cunard Co., Mr J. V. U&P Williams, and Mr J. Rees personally, superin- tended the transfer, which, considering the heavy weather, was tomfortable and speedy.

PIPE TOO MUCH FOR HIM. James Harris, you we summoned for be-' ing drunk. Is that true I" asked the clerk at S'ewport on Monday. Harris Yes, sir. I got smoking an old clay pipe and it upset me. (Laughter.) Defendant, who lived in Durham-road, had been before the Bench on 36 previous occa- sions. He was fined 18s, inclusive.

SURPRISE VOTE. a STRIKE BROUGHT NEARER P NORTHUMBRIAN COALFIELD MENACE. Contrary to general expectation, the vote of the Northumberland miners on the question of a strike to end the eight hours agreement, re- sulted (as we stated on Saturday) in a slight majority in favour of a strike, but, the neces- sary two-thirds not being forthcoming, it is I inoperative. The return from one colliery only is missing frohl the figures, which were declared on Saturday afternoon as follow :— For terminating the agreement 14,078 Against. 13,686 Majority for strike 392 Out of a total of 35,598 association members less than 28,000 voted, and the apparent indif- ference of more than 7,000 members is difficult to account for, but the fact that the ballot revealed. an actual majority in favour of ter- minating the county agreement is certainly disquieting. A special meeting of the Miners' Association has been summoned at the Burt Hall, Newcastle, for the situation, so hopeful until the declaration of the ballot, is now fraught with some danger. The vote opens up a rather perplexing question for the executive to decide. Up to now they have continued from week to week the strike allowance to the men out in protest against a three-shift system, but this would have been terminated had the county voted against a strike. Now there is to be no strike because the majority is not great enough, but at the same time the county has not con- demned the strikers, and the stoppage of 8,000 odd men may therefore go on for a consider- able period. While the announcement of the result was received with a feeling of relief by nearly everyone interested in the coal industry, and by the tradesmen in Newcastle and other dis- tricts frequented by the miners, the small majority, and the way it has gone, however, has caused a feeling of misgiving amongst those who look ahead, for it indicates a much greater feeling of disquietude in the county than was thought, and the men's interpreta- tion of it is that the miners now working, while not prepared to go to the length of a strike, agree with those who are actively resisting a three-shift introduction. Disquieting." The result of the poll suggests a further dis- quieting consideration. The strikers have done a good deal of missionary work, and now that an actual majority is theirs, they may- fortified also by the knowledge that they have succeeded in propagating their cause to some purpose—determine to continue their crusade, believing that they may yet 'secure a majority adequate to decree a strike. Join this supposi- tion to the men's resolve to remain out, and the trouble appears more menacing than ever. It may be added that delegates representing the workmen at present idle are to meet in conference. The Linton and Woodhorn collieries vftre idle on Saturday owing to a dispute as to working hours on baff Saturday. The agreement says the men shall not work longer hours on this Saturday than before, but working arrangements not having been come to by Saturday, the men took exception to a state of affairs which involved one shift work- ing longer than the other, and laid the Dits idle.

ORKNEY AND SHETLANDS. Mr J. Cathcart Wasbn's Triumph. VOICE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS. The return of the Orkney and Shetland Islands completes the polls. The constituency, which comprises 7,115 electors, has returned their old member by a larger majority than ever, the figures beina- j. Cathcart Wason «L 4117 T. W. Hemsley 994 Majority 3123 1906. 1902. Wason. 1 3837 Wason IL 2412 Dualop C 1021 T. McK. Wood .L 2001 T. S. V. Angier.C 740 Majority 2816 Majority 411 The state of partiesin the House of Com- mons is as follows :— Liberate 275 Conservatives 273 Labour 40 Nationalists 82 Conservative gains. 126 Liberals gains 24 Labour gains 2 No change. 518 At the dissolution the totals were:— • =■•■■■ Liberal 333 Labour 46 Nationalist 83 Conservative 168 Whilst the Conservatives have secured a net gain of 105 seats, the Liberals are thus98 below their dissolution total, and the Labour party six less than formerly, while Mr Red- mond's followers have lost one seat to the Unionists and have eleven Independents with whom to share the representation of Ireland. Largest Vote on Record. The total number of votes cast throughout the United Kingdom was 6,620,402, the largest on record, and the Liberal, Labour, National- ist, Independent Nationalist, and Socialist majority over the Conservatives works out at just over 400,000 (400,192). The Conservative majority over the Liberals, excluding the other parties from the calculation, was nearly a quarter of a million (248,527). The Dartv Dolls were as follows :— Liberal 2,861,578 Labour 503,745 Socialist. 18,316 Nationalist (including LN.) 126,658 Conservatives. 3,110,105 Vote of the Three Kingdoms. The respective totals for the three kingdoms. were ENGLAND AND WALES. Liberal 2,479,046 Labour W,056 Socialist. 16,972 Nationalist 2,943 2,959,017 Conservative 2,764,192 Ministerial majority.. 194.825 SCOTLAND. Liberal 362,010 Labour 39,738 Socialist. 1,344 403,092 Conservatives 273,481 Ministerial majority 129,611 IRELAND. Liberal 20,522 Labour 3,951 NatioAalist 78,243 Independent Nationalist 45,472 148,188 Conservative 72,432 Ministerial majority.. 75,756 As regards dduble membered constituencies all the votes cast have been included except where the Progressive forces or the Unionists have put only one candidate in the field, and in these cases the highest Progressive vote has been counted (whether Liberal or Labour, if there was a Labour candidate) in comparison with the Unionist total.

ELECTION HONOURS. Peerage for Mr Gladstone. It is customary on the election of a new Parliament to bestow recognition upon those who have rendered signal seivice to their Government and party, or who from various causes have changed the scene of their activi- ties. It is understood, though no official con- firmation is available, that the list of dissolu- tion honours will be issued shortly, and that the elevation to the peerage of the new Governor-General of South Africa may be con- fidently anticipated.

A WORD FOR "CABBY." Some 250 London cab pensioners and shelter attendants and their wives were entertained to a New Year's dinner at the Holborn Restau- rart yesterday, in connection with the Stor- mont Murphy Treat Fund. The guests were typical cabbies, grizzled, weather -beaten veterans bf the London streets, who have worked for over a generation, and in many cases are still at work. The Duke of Rutland, a great friend of the cabmen, presided, and in proposing the health of the cab pensioners and annuitants, said he was one of those who for between 30 and 40 years of his life had been largely dependent on the good offices of the London cabmen, and he could speak with the greatest possible cer- tainty of the admirable characteristics of the men. (Applause.) He had seen them in circumstances of great difficulty and at times of danger when he had been, in the ca.b. Under the stress of hard times, bad weather, and bad luck, he had very seldom come across a London cabman who. did rot present a most cheerful front. As one of the most persistent cab users in London he had been struck with the kindness and courtesy they displayed to their fares in the vast majority of cases.

L, On Monday a fire broke out at the Work- men's Institute in Milford-street, Cardiff. When the alarm was given the steamer and the brigade from the Central Fire Station, in charge of Supt. Geen, turned out, but on arrival it was discovered that the fire had been extinguished by the steward and members of the club with bucketfuls of water. The stove in the billiard-room had become, overheated and had burnt one of the joists in the floor, which began to smoulder and presently broke into flame. The damage amounts to a few pounds.

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Before the public has had time to recover from the shock occasioned by the loss of the French Transatlantique liner General Chanzy, with all on board save one, there comes news of another similar disaster, also attended by great loss of life. Though not quite so great as in the case of the ill -fated French vessel, the number of lives lost is appalling. The vessel that has met with disaster is the Pacific liner Lima, owned by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, of Liverpool. On a voyage from the Clyde and Liverpool to Callao, in Peru, the Lima went ashore on the west side of Huamblin Island, in the Magellan yfr-oifo A cable received on Sunday by the owners stated that the vessel was a total wreck, and that 50, including the chief officers, had been drowned. A Renter's mtssage from Santiago de Chile said the pilot and 50 passengers were drowned. The less of life would have been very much greater but for the opportune appearance of the British steamer Hatumet, which came upon the scene in time to t#ke on board from the distressed steamer 205 of the passengers and crew. I A large number of others remained on boards however, after this good Work had been ac'1;. compiished by the Hatumet, and desperate but futile attempts to reach and rescue them were made. The terrible position of those imprisoned on board within sight of brave but repeatedly baffled rescuers may be imagined. The telegram to the owners put the number remaining on board the doomed vessel at 82— 44 passengers and 38 of the crew—while R,euter's message gave the number as 88 without stating the proportion of passengers and crew. j Information of the situation of the vessel and the heartrending plight of the passengers was immediately telegraphed to adjacent ports, and the Government ordered two vessels to be despatched to render aid. Owing to the isolated position of the scene of the disaster, it was difficult to obtain details of the tragic occurrence. Huamblin Island is in the Magellan Straits, through which strong currents run, and whose narrow western half is hemmed in by steep wooded mountaftis.

MESSAGES TO OWNERS. The Drowned and Saved. The owners have received the following messages:— Valparaiso, Feb. 12th, 9.50 p.m. Agent at Ancud telegraphs as follows :— Lima ashore on the west side of Huamblin Island. The vessel is a total wreck. There have arrived at Ancud 188 passengers and 17 of the crew There have been drowned 50, including the chief officer. The number still on board is 38 crew and 44 passengers. The Government has sent two vessels to the rescue.

Nun's House Raided. HOARD OF STOLEN JEWELS. Odessa, NIonclay.-At Alexand-ro-vsk, in the government of Ekaterinoslav, a sensation has been caused by the arrest of a retired and wealthy nun known as Madame Verbova, to- gether with her major domo and 13 servants. For two years past Madame Verbova, a handsome woman of 40, has occupied a. large and luxuriously furnished residence, and al- though attended by a numerous retinue of servants, always appeared in the simple garb of a nun who had been under conventual vows for some time past. Her numerous visitors were, however, of such a strang6- and mixed class as eventually to attract the attention of the police. A search war- rant was obtained, and Madame Verbova's resi- dence, when nocturnally raided, was found to be a perfect storehouse of stolen plate, jewel- lery, and precious stones to the aggregate value of over half a million roubles, exclusive of a superb string of 151 pearls of marvellous beauty. These were at once recognised as having until six months ago formed part of the costly adornment of the Madonna in the his- toric Polish monastery of Tschenstochoff, which was looted to the extent of £ 5,000,000.— Central News.

"KING OF THE WORLD Small Banking Account of £ 1,000,000. A tall, military-looking gentleman on Satur- day morning walked into the Ealing Broadway branch of the London City and Midland Bank, and informed the cashier that he was desirous of opening a small account. He surprised the cashier by stkting that he wished to make a first deposit of £ 1,000,000. The man was persuaded to leave, and there- upon he visited the officii of a local news- paper only a few doors away and made the startling announcement that he had just been appointed King of the World and would give the editor permission to publish a state- ment to that effect on payment of 1100,000. He had called at the office some days previ- ously. He finally visited the post office, Avhere he proceeded to fill up telegraph forms. He was muttering to himself the whole time, and when he had apparently written some fifty forms, his conduct caused the officials to grow uneasy. The police were called in, and a constable approaching the man pointed out that he had filled a large number of forms and persuaded him to leave. The latter appeared to resent the interference, remarked that he was King of the World," and threatened to give the policeman into custody. After a little persuasion, however, he left with the constable and was taken to the Isle- worth infirmary. The man is well known to the residents of Ealing, and is stated to be an ex-Army officer.

PEARLS GALORE. A Times advertisement:— To those in whom the Spirit of the Ancient Merchant Adventurers is not yet dead, and to those who love Adventure for Adventure sake. An Uncharted Reef in the Pacific has been found by a Master Mariner on which at two fathoms deep there is a wealth of Peari Oyster Shells which can be sold at JEI20 a ton. 11 There arc some thousands of tons there. A craft has been secured in England to go out. "Anvone who- loves adventure may have a Fonrth Share in the enterprise for S2,500, and a Mortgage on the craft as security, And come out with the expedition if desired.—Address E. 897, The Times Office, E.C." The auxiliary steam yacht Pandora which volunteered to take the mails" to Trisdan da Cunha last spring but never got beyond St. Helena, is the object of much speculation at Plymouth. She is fitting out for a three years' voyage in Antipodean waters, and an equipment for biological research has been put on board. The general belief in Plymouth, however, is that treasure, not science, is the real object of the voyage, and that the Pandora will seek to recover some of the wealth which has been lost in wrecks in those regions.

SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON. I Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Arctic explorer, visited Swansea on Monday to deliver his lecture, which was given at the Albert Hall under the auspices of the York-place Chapel. The distinguished explorer on arriving at Swan- sea on Monday afternoon was met by Lord Glantawe, whose guest he is during his visit; the Mayor (Alderman Matthews), and several of the committee. In the evening Sir Ernest addressed a large meeting at the Albert Hall. Lord Glantawe, who presided, in introducing the explorer, assured him of the great interest with which the people of Swansea had watched the progress of his expedition, and their satisfaction in know- ing that included amongst the explorers were two Welshmen. Sir Ernest Shackleton then gave his lecture, which he illustrated in a most interesting manner by means of photographs and cine- matograph reproductions. The lecture was followed from start to finish with the greatest interest. At the conclusion of the address, which lasted an hour and a half, Sir Ernest was loudly cheered, and on the motion of Lord Glantawe, seconded by the Mayor, was given a cordial vote of thanks.

COLLIER'S WIDOW LOSES. In the Appeal Court on Monday the case of Barnabus v. The Bersham Colliery Company came on by way of appeal from the County Court Judge of Wrexham against an award which he had made in favour of a workman's widow. The workman was in the colliery when he had an apoplectic fit, burst an aneurism and died. The medical evidence was contradictory —one surgeon attributing death to the strain of vomiting, and another to the vomiting being caused by a stone falling on the man's head. The County Court Judge found that the man overstrained himself while at work. The colliery company now submitted that the man was in such a state of health that the vomiting brought about the attack that caused his death. Mr Clement Edwards, for the widow, con- tended that if the man had been vomiting he would naturally have fallen forward, whereas the evidence showed that he fell on his back. The Court held that there was no evidence of over-exertion in his work. They allowed the appeal with costs.

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales has graciously undertaken to be present at a dramatic entertainment which has been arranged by Lady Llangattock. to take place at South Lodge, Rutland Gate. S.W., on the 24th inst., in aid of H.R.H. Princess Frederica's Homes for Gentlewomen, atTulse pill, a South London suburb.

Frenzied Football. CARDIFF-NEWPORT CASUALTIES. The warm character of the play in the Newport v. Cardiff football match at Newport on Saturday continues a topic of general conversation. It is now universally admitted that never in the history of the matches between Cardiff and Newport have there been so many fouls and casualties as was the case on Saturday. This is how a statistical correspondent described what happened 3. E-Kick-off. 3.10-Cardifi forward warned for infringe- ment by referee. 3.11-Bush (Cardiff) fouled; hooting from Cardiff's supporters. 3.15—Baker (Newport) kicked on leg subse- quently limned. 3.18—Another Cardiff forward warned by re- feree cheers from Newport's supporters. 3.20-Two N ewportforwards warned by referee. Cries of Send 'em off," by Cardiff's sup- porters. 3.22—Baker (Newport) retires from play owing to another kick on his knee. 3.24—Baker returned to play. 3.25—Pritchard (Newport) receives cut on right cheek. 3.26-Birt. i Newport) attended by ambulance men and carried off the field. 3.28—Baker knocked out, and retired for the rest of the game. 3.33—Birt returned to plav. 3.34-Uzzel (Newport) receives blow in mouth. 3.37-Vile (Newport) had kick in stomach play was no! delayed. 3.40- Beddoe Thomas (Newport) injured play delayed. 3.44-Bobbie Williams (Cardiff) had a kick on the head play not delayed. 3.45—Reggie Edwards (Neort) ordered off the field for alleged infringement. 3.50—Half-time—lemons 3.S1-Playcrs' injuries attended to. 3.53—Restart. 3.56—Dyke (Cardiff) roughly handled play delayed. 3.59-Westacott (Cardiff) ordered off the field for alieged infringement. 4. 2-Referee warns certain spectators, 4. 5—Jenkins (Newport) winded play de- layed ambulance men in attendance. 4. 8—Ladies in grand stand refer to those horrid brutes." 4.10-Plummer (Newport) receives injury over the eye. 4.15—Birt (Newport) again fouled. 4.18—Morgan (Cardiff) badly mauled; play not delayed. I 4.20—Vile cries out in agony after receiving nasty kick in a forward rush. 4.25—W. Jenkins (Cardiff) knocked out; game delayed. 4.27—Coldrick (Newport) kicked on leg tem- porary collapse of player. 4.30-Vile injures two fingers. 4.32—Martin (Newport) receives injuries to teeth.. 4.35-Final whistle

SUNDAY CONCERTS. BarryDistrictCouncil was occupied on Monday discussing the vexed question of Sunday con- certs. The Council had before them for con- firmation certain proposed conditions upon theatres, music-halls, etc., under the powers of the Cinematographs Act, one of these con- ditions being :— That the theatre shall not be open (except with the consent of the Council) on Sunday., Christmas Day, Good Friday, or any day ap- pointed for public fast, mourning, or humili- ation. Mf J. A. Hughes (who appeared for Mr Sidney Bacon's picture show at the Romilly Hall), asked permission to open the Romilly Hall on Sunday evenings at 8.15 for sacred, serious and educational pictures. He said he had found that the general opinion was that these enter- tainments were suitable, and he was certainly not there to ask anything that would tend to- wards a Continental Sunday at Barry. The proposed performances would1 be given after Divine service hours, and he suggested that it would be far better for young people to go to an entertainment of this sort than walk about the streets. Mr F. P. Jones-Lloyd put forth similar reasons on behalf of Mr Leon Vint's electric palace. Councillor C. B. Griffiths pro- posed that the necessary permission be granted for three months, and that the programmes be submitted weekly to the Council. An amend- ment was moved that the question be referred back to the Licensing Committee for considera- tion. Councillor J. T. Hogg said he was against the desecration of the Sabbath by the opening of places of amusement on Sunday nights. In Cardiff there were no such places open—the sentiment-of Cardiff was dead against it. By nine votes to eight Councillor Griffiths' motion was lost, and the matter was referred back to the Licensing Committee. Councillor Morgan Nicholas moved the adoption of a resolution suggested by the Municipal Employes' Association :— That except on the occasion of promo- tion to a more responible position, no request made by a municipal employee employed at manual labour for increase of wages or de- crease of hours, be considered unless the application be made through the branch of his Trade Union. Councillor T. Davies said it was a lament- able fact that the whole of Trade Unionism in Barry District had fallen upon evil times. Trade Unionism suggested concord and har- mony, and now they got jealousies and quarrels of all kinds. The Finance Committee's resolution that no action be taken in the matter was carried.

-< G.W.R. INSPECTOR'S DEATH. Mr W. W. Brodie held an inquest at Llanelly on Monday respecting the death of Inspector Wm. WTinter X60), Railway-terrace, which took place at the Llanelly Hospital on Friday night as the result of injuries sustained by being knocked down by the Cork express. D. W. Davies, shunter, stated that he was speaking to Inspector Winter at about 9.30 p.m. near the Dafen Crossing. When witness left deceased he was walking towards the main line. Four or five minutes later he was told a man had been knocked down by a train, and upon arriv- ing at the scene found deceased in an uncon- scious state. Witness thought the footboard of the Cork express knocked him down. George Ward, 21, Lansdowne-road, Canton, Cardiff, the engine driver, said he noticed nothing unusual when passing Dafen Crossing. He found no marks on the engine.. Dr. J. L. Davies having described the in- juries of the deceased, and said he was inclined to believe that the engine must have struck him because the injuries were so extensive. It must have picked him up and thrown him heavily against something. He also thought the impact must have been fromr behind. Mr Chubb, traffic agent, expressed the opinion that the engine driver properly carried out his duties. There was a rule which made it incumbent on the deceased to take care of his own safety. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and recommended that a whistling signboard be erected near the approach to the Llanelly Station.

ABERDARE COUNCIL HORSES. At a meeting of the Aberdare Urban District Council on Monday, Councillor E. Stonlake in the chair, Councillor T. Walter Williams said that while going to the station a few days ago he saw a horse named Farmer," owned by the Council, being worked in an unfit state. It had a number of sores and wounds on its leg, and it was clearly a, case where a prosecu- tion ought to he instituted. Mr D. Jackson Thomas said there was a general complaint as to the way the horses were treated. They were not fed and kept as they ought to be. The Surveyor said he had a report from the veterinary surgeon showing that the horses were well fed. As to the horse Mr Williams complained of, that was the horse he wanted to sell. » Mr Williams Why was that horse allowed to go out in such a state ? The Surveyor It was sent out on the re- commendation of the veterinary surgeon. Mr R. Llewellyn, J.P., moved that the surveyor dispose of the horse in question, and expressed a hope that he would never hear such a discussion at the Council again. He could not understand why these continual attacks were made on their officials. Mr T. Walter Williams It is not. It is an attack on the man who sent the horse out. I feel I did wrong in not reporting it to the police. It was disgraceful. The resolution was carried.

ROASTED ALIVE AT MORRISTON A An inquest was held at Swansea on Monday afternoon on the body of an unknown man, supposed to be about 40 years old, which was on Sunday found literally roasted in a flue connecting a boiler with a stack at the Copper Pit Colliery, Morriston. Daniel Owen, engine- man, said he had occasion to go on the top of the boiler. He opened the damper and saw the mark of a foot in the dust. He then went into the Sue with a light, and there found a man in a sitting position dead. His opinion was that decease i, who was trespassing, had gone on top of the boiler to sleep, and had fallen through an opening which had been made for cleaning purposes. P.C. Mullins said the body presented a pain- ful spectacle. It was still burning, sparks being visible on the clothes. His spine was burnt through, and other parts of the body quite roasted. There was nothing to indicate who he was. The Coroner drew attention to the fact that the man was trespassing, and he added that magistrates only did their duty when they fiaed trespassers discovered in the neighbour- hood of machinery under such circumstances, for they were only protecting people against themselves. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

The funeral of the Rev. Llewellyn E. Jen- kins, Pengam, took place on Monday. The Rev. P. Hough, Blackwood, officiated, and assisting him at the grave was the Rev. C. Williams, Rhymney. The interment took place at Tabor Churchyard, Maesycwmmer. There was a large gathering of sympathisers.

WIREPULLING!" Insinuations at Cardiff. CITY COUNCIL &-TRAM FARES. New System Described as Outrageous." Cardiff's increased tram-fares werp again discussed at Monday's meeting of the City Council, the Lord Mayor (Councillor J. Chappell) presiding. Councillor J. T. Richards said the present system of fares had consider- ably aggravated the ratepayer. Reasonable and convenient distances, with reasonable and convenient fares, were needed. He did not like people being trapped "—he did not use the word offensively—into paying Hd when Id should be enough, and he moved that the question be again considered with a view to a readjustment. Councillor William Jones seconded. rT"'I. oounciuor Walter lnomas pleaded lor a cheaper and freer tram service, pointing out that Splott Ward (of which he is a representa- tive) had suffered more than any other ward by the new system. Alderman F. J. Beavan said their first aim should be to place the tramways on a good financial basis. Councillor C. F. Sanders said the present system was working to the advantage of the city, but he had some sympathy with the point raised by Mr J. T. Richards. The Lord Mayor said it seemed strange that they had cheaper fares under the old horse- tram service than under the electric traction system. Councillor Dr. James Robinson said it was only by cheap tram-fares they could get many people in the centre of the city to visit the suburbs and the parks. In that way they would improve the health of the city. Alderman J. H. Jenkins characterised some of the fares as outrageous. The present system having been defended by Councillor Courtis and others, Councillor J. T. Richards' amendment was lost by22 votes to 11. The increased tram-fares will continue for another six months. Grockherbtown Place-Names. I cherish old associations," said Alderman Trounce, and lie therefore viewed with keen regret a proposal that Paradise-place, Friends-place, and Ebenezer-s-pfcreet be named Queen's-place.' Councillor J. L. Fraser said the paltry motive of snobbery was often at the bottom of a proposal to alter names. He agreed that old associations should be cherished, and names should not be changed merely for the sake of change. Councillor Courtis said Paradise-place was one of his first recollections of Cardiff. Councillor Jabez Jones said the recommendation to change the names was made on a memorial signed \>v every indi- vidual in the neighbourhood affected. The matter was referred back to committee. Salaries and Wirepulling. In a discussion on a proposal to fix the maxi- mum salary of the chief inspector of weights and measures, etc., at zE2610 (his present stipend), Councillor William Jones said he was surprised at the amount of wirepulling carried on amongst members in respect of officiate* salaries. Alderman Lewis Morgah characterised Councillor Jones's statement as most offen- sive. It was time members got beyond that stage. Councillor Fraser said that whatever the position might be, worth the inspector referred to received as much as he was worth to the Corporation. This brought from the Lord Mayor (Councillor John Chappell) and other members high tributes of the zeaJ and ability of the inspector. The poorest of the poor have benefited as the result of his laboilr," declared the Lord Mayor. Alderman C. H. Bird, who originally raised the view that the position was worth more than E260, protested against the statement about wirepulling. Councillor Jones: I am exceedingly sorry Alderman Bird has taken this as a personal matter. I did not mean to refer to him, but I do say there has been wire- pulling, and it is time it was stopped. It was agreed that the maximum salary should be X260, Soccer Football Ground. It was agreed to let five acres of land Ob Sloper-road to the Cardiff City Association Football Club for seven years at jE60 a year, rising by £10 to E120 per annum, the lessees to provide two or more sureties. Lord Mayor Elected Alderman. The Lord Mayor (Councillor J. Chappell) was unanimously elected an alderman in place of Sir Wm. Crossman, resigned. St. David's Day. In reply to Alderman R. Hughes, Alderman Lewis Morgan (chairman of the Education CommitteeVsaid permission had. been obtained from the Board of Education for the suspen- sion of the ordinary school proceedings on the morning of St. David's Day so that the children coUJd celebrate the day.

Labour Party Ready. ,SPEECH BY MR KEJR HARDIE. Veto Bill and Budget. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P., addressed a meeting at Mountain Ash on Monday. The hon. mcmbei said the newspapers almost made one believe we were going to have another scrimmage in a short time. Whether that would be so or not, the our party were ready. Many of his supporters were disappointed that he was not on the top of the poll at the last General election. He assured them that next time he would be content to ocCupy first or second place, providing the otner feller" was a Labour man, and not a Liberal. Many people were, he said, upset by the fact that the Labour party were going to run two candi- dates for the Merthyr Boroughs. To Last Two Years. The Liberal newspapers seemed to be be* tween two,moods, and now Mr Redmond ha«f made a speech, and as a result the Liberal party were in a state of blue funk. They were full of all sorts' of anxieties* That showed at least that the political situa- tion was somewhat uncertain. He held to hi4 prediction that the present Parliament woola last two years. His reason for saying that waS that elections cost lots of money. The Con- sernatives at the last election spent offiOO.ocn out of the party exchequer. The Liberals also spent a considerable sum, and neither of those parties, nor the Irish party for the same reason, wanted an election soon." The probability was that some kind of understanding would be patched up whereby this Parliament would be allowed to drag. out an existence on sufferance ior perhaps two years. Veto and Budget. He believed that the veto question and ttafr Budget would be forced through the House dI Commons pari passu, and that a Bill far, unemployment insurance would be passed? during the present Parliament.

MARGAt1 SEWERAGE WORK. At the Margam District Council on Monday Major T. Gray presiding, the contractors ot the new sewerage works wrote detailing th&- difficulties encountered in connection with the. sewerage outfall works, and -,compLLining that they had received no assistance from ths engineers, and that their losses on the workg up to December 30th last were £ 7,000 and they doubted if the underwater section coula be completed in two years. They proposed that the outfall be curtailed to low water ordinary spring tides, and that they construct the casfe iron outfall to low water mark in accordance with their contract. The engineer wrote stating that, he considered that the dredging plant waff inefficient, and that it, was not the engineer's duty or obligation to advise the contractors on matters of that kind. He had always bean ready and willing to discuss any matters with the contractors. The engineer agreed that if the consent at the Local Government Board, the Fisherwt Board, and landowners could be secured it would be the easiest way out of the difficuJt11 by curtailing the outfall to a point to be agreed upon. The contractors wished to make it clear thai they were fully prepared to complete the out- faU sewer t6 low watermark in accordance with the contract schedule. The engineer reported that the only worfe done was that 40 pipes were laid down between the flushing pond and low water level. After discussing the matter, it was referred to a joint conterencc of the Council and tha Glyncorrwg Council.

THE SOUTH WALES SHADOW. The 34th annual dinner in connection with the Newport Gas workers' Benefit Society was held in the King's Head Hotel on Monday Alderman T. Canning, J.P., presiding. In- cluded in" ye merrie companie" were the Mayor (Councillor W. Miles Blackburn), Al(L. George Greenland, Coun. Fred. Phillips, Mt T. 11. Hazell, Mr Wm. Stanford, and Mr H. D. Hazell. In proposing the toast of "The Chairman and Board of Directors," Mr Tom Jones, an old workman, thanked the Board for the kind manner in which the workmen had all beeo treated. Alderman Greenland replied to tho C toast of The Mayor and Corporation," and after Coun. Fred Phillips had spoken as tu the relationship between the Electricity Con- mittec and the board of directors of the G*S Company, Ald. Canning, in also responding. spoke on the present state of colliery affair i' in South Wales, remarking that if the present dispute between the coalovvners and the liers should come to any distressing issue it would be a tremendous catastrophe for tho. town. He sincerely trusted that everyon. would do all in their power to avert Sllch I disaster. Other toasts followed, and an excellee musical programme was gone through.