The Cardiff Times

THE VICTIMS. Mrø ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, aged 34, of 9, Adam-street. Drowned. HER INFANT CHILD. Drowned. GERTIE REES, aged 4, daughter of Mr Thomas Rees, miner, Marion-street, Clydach Vale. BLODWEN DAVIES, aged 9, of 4, Howards-terrace, daughter of Mr Morgan Danes, undeivmanager at the Cambrian Col- liedes ClyKIar-h Vale- Drowned. ENID HOWELL, aged 6, daughter of Mr John Howell, of 64, Wern-street. Died from shock. An INFANT DAUGHTER of Mrs Brimble, who was brought round by artificial respiration by Dr. Gabe Jones, but afterwards etrccumbed. I The body of Mrs Elizabeth Williams was dis- covered in a house in course of erection near the Clydach Vale schools, whither it had been swept by the flood, and the body of her tafant child about 50 yards lower down. The scenes witnessed during the raging floods .were heartrending. There were hun- dreds of willing hands eager to render assist- ance, but at the height of the disaster they had perforce to gaze on helplessly at the devastating deluge. They were helpless to litem the onrushing waters, which carried disaster to life and property, and in agonising dismay they stood waiting for the flood to subside. Heroic work was, however, accomplished in diverting the course of the flood into one stream, for at first the water raged down a coarse right through the main street for nearly a-quarter of a mile, and inundated business premises and dwelling-houses. The street which mainly suffered was Adams-terrace, which is situated within about 30 yards of the mouth of the level. The houses in Adam-terrace stood at right augles to the level, and the flood dashing down with tremendous force swept away the garden waDs and rushed relentlessly into the houses, amawhing the doors as if they had been match- wood and carrying away the furniture in the lower rooms. The whole of the terrace of about 14 houses was inundated to the extent of about five feet. On Saturday morning hundreds of people visited the scene of the disaster to see the havoc wrought by the torrent. The deep, ugly gap in the mountain side bore evidence of its terrible force of the water as it swept towards Adam's-terrace. Here the lower stories of the houses presented a wrecked appearance. Windows and doors had been swept away, and furniture of all descriptions was strewn about the cut up and sunken street. The residents of the doomed houses and their neighbours were busily en- gaged in conveying what furniture they could aave from the wreck to the houses of more fortunate neighbours. The place looked weird, for bedsteads swept from the bedrooms hung half-way through the upper windows, and por- tions of doors and tablet were wedged in the doorways, all obstructing the rescue of the household things. A Flight for Life. The mouth of the old level had been blocked by subsidences and falls. The level, which ran underground to the extreme limit of Llwyn- madoc estate, contained extensive workings, and ip the aggregate they extended a distance of four miles. It was known that the level had become filled with water, for it leaked through the falls, the water finding its way by a natural course to the brook which nmsthroagh Clydach Vale. Further falls, however, had stopped this outlet, and the continued rains of the past winter must have caused the water to accumulate within the workings. Fearing that it might break out, Messrs Pugh and Thomas. contractors, Tonypandy, were engaged to tap the level and drain off the water. The men had been at work there some weeks clearing off a large fall which dammed the water, and on Friday, while some of the men were actually at work, the water broke through with such force that the workmen were com- pelled to run for their lives. They had hardly reached the bank when the full torrent rushed out of the level, and the natural outlet being too small to admit the volume, the water rushed down to the streets. Mr Thomas, one of the members of the flwn of Messrs Pugh and Thomas, was seen by our representative on Saturday. Questioned as to whether any of his workmen were at the level shortly before the outburst, Mr Thomas said, Oh, yes we were, and I was there myself."

The Missing Girl. SEARCH IN A SNOWSTORM. Body Found in a Pool. The only child reported missing out of the 400 children in the Blaenctydach School when the water bufst in and isolated the building was Gertie Rees, the four year old daughter of Thomas Rees, miner, residing at Marion-street, Clydach Vale. The little girl was playing in the grounds of the school at the time of the disaster. It was impossible during Friday night to make a comolete search of the district, but as p.A.1"lv as six o'clock a.m.on Saturday P.C. Thorburn organised several parties to make a minute examination of the course of the torrent. The search parties set out in a blinding snow- storm, and for several hours wended their way down the valley. A pathetic figure was that of the father, who keenly peered into every cranny and crevice. At one stPge of the search it was rumoured that there was a strange child in a house in Park-terrace, and thither the distracted father went, but he was sadly disappointed, for it was somebody else's child. About 10 o'clock the body of the little girl Gertie Rees was found in a pool in the brook, about 100 yards below the school. The body was conveyed to the home of the parents, followed by hundreds of sympathi- ses. A Grim Coincidence. It is a grim coincidence that the explosion at Clydach Vale occurred exactly five years ago, and Gertie Rees was bom on the night of the explosion, and she only commenced school last Tuesday. Many of the children rescued bear evidence of their experiences. Many were covered with bruises and others had their clot hes torn com- pletely off whilst they were being rescued, in the struggles that the rescuers had with the torrent. On all hands one hears loud praises of the conduct of the teachers, and especially the courage and presence of mind digplayed by the ladies. Saved by Miss Mason. One little girl named Cox, the daughter of George Thomas Cox, 84, High-street,was stand- ing on top of the school boundary Wall when it collaps ed. t I would have been drowned," I she said, if it had not been for Miss Mason. She jumped after me and caught hold of me just as the wall was priving away. Then some man caught hold of Miss Mason, and the three of us were landed in a safe place." I

School Children's Peril. STI Rftl NG RESCUE STORIES. Elder Scholars' Consideration. Two thrilling stories of the scenes in the girls' and infants' school were given by Miss Harries and Miss M. II. Williams, the two re- spective head teachers. Miss Harries, describ- ing the disaster, said that she heard a terrible rush, and her first impression was that a trac- tion engine had run wild. Then I heard women screaming, and Mr Williams, the head- master, entered the school and informed us of the impending danger, anl we conveyed the news to the other teachers, and got the chil- dren out of the school as quickly as possible. The children behaved splendidly, though the water was rushing in torrents and sur- rounding us. Many of the girls clutched desperately at my clothes, while others looked appealingly at me. Those appealing faces haunted us, and we did what W& in our power to get the children out of danger and allay their fears. It was when the workmen arrived that the children got excitcd, I and they rushed to the men pleading to be rescued. The greater number of the girls were lifted over the playground, walls. The feeling shown by the elder girls towards the infanta was commendable, for they were all anxious for the safety of th tiny mites. When the water came two classes, Standards 1 and 2, were in the playground having lessons, with Mrs Colvill and Miss Ellis in charge, and these teachers acted with great discretion and with courage in saving the children. It was pitiful and heartrending to see the little chil- dren clinging to the men praying, Save me, save me.' A Child's Prayer. Miss M. H. Williams, of the infants' de- partment, said that when she saw the water rushing like a cataract over the walls of the main road she immiediately realised that the old level had burst. I immediately locked the main door leading to the building, placed the mat against it, and informed the teachers what was happening, but reassured them that we would be perfectly-safeaud thatthey should stand in front of their classes and avoid any commotion. I then went to see whether the water would endanger us, and I was met by a crowd of pupils rushing from the girls' I school. These were placed in one of the rooms, and several of the girls who were fleeing before the on-coming torrents were terrified. I ap- preciated that if we took the infants out and they saw the water there would be a panic, so I resolved to keep them in the school until assistance was forthcoming, for a few teachers could never hope to effect the rescue of a few hundred children. One pathetic incident happened when the water reached the school, one little girl falling on her knees in the water, and with uplifted hands prayed aloud.' 0 God, save us.' Describing the rescue of the children, Miss Williams said that scores were carried through the water by the workmen coming from the colliery, while others were handed by the teachers out through the windows to men who had procured large planks and ladders. The rescue work was carried out amid.considerable danger, but with-great expedition. Mrs Brimble's Baby, Arthur James, a miner, lodging at Wem Villas, gave a thrilling account of a brave attempt to rescue Mrs Brimble'? baby. He said :—" After rescuing Mrs Benjamin James, her servant, and baby, by means of a ladder in Thomas-street, I shifted the ladder to Mrs Brimble's bedroom window, where they were shouting for help. The baby was handed to me, and, to my horror, the ladder was swept away, and I was precipitated into the water and carried away, but I clung to the little one, and both of us were borne by the current. Then I strck against some- thing in the water and lost my grip of the baby. In the collision I sustained a cut on the chin and on the leg. At last I got into contact with a post, and clung to it for all I was worth until I was rescued by David Williams, manager of the No. 2 Pit of the Cambrian Collieries. I was getting giddy in the water, and had I been there a couple of seconds longer I would certainly have been drowned." The baby was recovered about a couple of hundred yards away from the house, and was attended to by Dr. Gabe Jones. It was re- stored to life by means of artificial respira- tion, but succumbed during the night. T from Mr Alfred T. Davies Mr T. W. Berry, Rhondda director of education, received the following telegram from the Secretary to the Board of Education (Welsh Department):—" I have learned with deep regret of the deplorable Clydach disaster. Pray convey to the parents of the deceased children an expression of my heartfelt sym- pathy, and express to the headmaster gratifi- cation that the teachers' prompt action prevented further loss of life.—Alfred T. Davies." Mr J. L. Paton, master of Manchester Grammar School, at the prize giving at Epworth College, Rhyl, on Saturday, made touching reference to the tragedy, and paid tribute to the teachers' bravery. Description of the Level. The disused level is known as Perch's Level, and work has ceased thereat for over six years. It is situated on the mountain side midway between Clydach Valeand Blaenclydach and directly behind the recently erected Saaron Welsh Congregational Chapel. To the excep- tional rainfall which was experienced during the past winter in the Rhondda as in other places is attributed the huge reservoir which the old colliery contained. An inspection of the mouth of the level after the outrush had subsidedsuffkaently to ap- proach the spot revealed the fact that the ground for- a considerable distance had col- lapsed, and it was dangerous to approach with- in 20 yards of the scene because of the work- ing of the soil, which was so great as to be apparent. Gaping fissures were to be seen for a considerable distance. That the old level contained an enormous area of water is shown by the fact that for four hours the rush of the torrent was like a mighty river, and some of the old colliers com- pute that there was an immense area of water to be drained.

The Inquest Opened. PLANS OF THE OLD LEVEL. The inqn^st,,on,th,e six,. yipjtims of the Cly- dach Vale dam-burst disaster was opened on Monday at the Ctydach Vale Library, by Mr R. J. Rhys, coroner. Mr David Roberts was foreman of the jury. Mr W. P. Nicholas appeared on behalf of the relatives of the victims and also on behalf of the Rhondda Council, and Mr Williams (Messrs Jones, Pugh and Davey) was present for Messrs. Pugh and Thomas, contractors, Tony- pandy. The Coroner intimated that he would take the case of Elizabeth Ann Williams, and the same verdict would apply to all the victims. In expressing his regret at the sad occur- rence, he said that it was out of the ordinary run of accidents in the district. On the question of responsibility he would reserve what he had to say until he was in full possession of the facts. He only proposed that day taking evidence of identification, of the recovery of the body and the medical evidences, and then adjourn until a suitable date to continue the inquiry, when they could go fully into the question of responsibility. Referring to the sad loss of nfe, Mr Rhys stated that in the present case he felt very .keenly, and his sympathy had been aroused beeauseof the suffering of women and children. When little children were gathered together in school and overwhelmed m this way by the; sudden rush of water one's deenest feelings were aroused, and he was certain be was speaking on behalf of the jury when he expressed his deepest sympathy. There was one point which he wished to touch upon, and that was to pay tribute to the head- master of the school, Mr R. R. Williams, and the schoolmistress, who behaved with such presence of mind. They really managed to save a great many children who might other- wise have been involved. The Coroner also commented on the bravery displayed by the workmen, and remarked that in this district men were always ready to risk their lives and limbs when necessary. Thomas Ttr»a.r»K RwnWo MAnfifvinfy I IS-i an Noes the body of his infant child,stated that he was in tbe house when the rash of water took place. His wife had gone upstairs, and she first notified him of the water rushing into the garden. The back kit- chen was soon overwhelmed, and his wife ruahed to get the baby. When witness tried to follow her upstairs the water was so strong in the house that he could only get there with difficulty to the upper room. His exit was completely cut off, because by this time the whole of the house was inundated, and they- were* rescued by the workmen, who placed ladders against the window. When vm landed the little child out," said Brimble, the man on the ladder was washed away with the child." His names was Arthur James. The child was car- ried away with the flood, a distance of about 200 yards, and rescued alive and brought back to the house, but it died about five hours after- wards. Mr R. S. Griffiths spoke to recovering the, body of Mrs Williams. One Alive and Two Dead. Moses Blake (leposed-to finding the body ot Gertie Rees, and gave a thrilling nof how he dived into the brook and rescued one- little child by the name of Harris. Blake. stated that there were three children who had been washed into the brook, and after rescuing one alive he recovered the body of Blodwen Davies, and the next morning the body of Gertie Rees. The Coroner: You apparently saved the life of Harris, and it 18 great satisfaction also to the bereaved relatives of the other two children that you recovered their bodies. George Tranter said that he found the body of Enid Howells in the school yard. She was apparently dead when recovered. Dr, Gabe Jones said that with the exception of the little girl Brimble aU the victims died from drowning. He was coming towards-Clyd- ach Vale when the child Brimble was picked up out of the water, having been washed out of the house. He applied artificial respiration and the child revived, but he held no hope of its recovery from the start, for its head had been battered to a pulp by being-cashed down with the flood. Mr W. P. Nicholas remarked that it would be advisable if possible to get the plans of the workings of the old level, but he was afraid, looking through the Mines Regulation Act that, the v had no jurisdiction, but the coroner had great powers, and he hoped he would use those powers in order to obtain the plans, or gp so far as to subpoena the people who last worked the level. The Coroner agreed that that might be desirable. The inquest was then adjourned until next Tuesday,, at 10.30.

We are told that saints are rare and even a little obsolete in our days. They do not. come naturally in our society, and when they do come we scarcely know what to do with them. We are so practical that we regard everything which does not seem to have an immediate use as a luxury. Saints, so far as we can see, have no immediate use, and are, therefore, luxuries. But we prefer our luxuries to be material rather than spiritual or aesthetic, so that we are not inclined to take much de- light in saints.—" The Times."

I THE WOMEN'S CHARTER. I THE WIFE: Legally, even the bit of food I have on my fork is yours. I have nothing. THE HUSBAND Yes, my dear but is there anything you ever want that you don't get THE WIFE Of course there isn't. (Lady Maclaren, in advocating the women's charter," said every bit of food in the house is the husband's, even the bit his wife might have on her fork.) (Published by arrangement with the Manchester Evening News.")

New Divorce President. SIR S. T. EVANS TAKES HIS SEAT. Sir Samuel T. Evans took his seat as the new President of the Divorce Court at one o'clock on Monday. The court was packed. When the ex-president (Sir J. Bigham) took his seat without robes or wig, he was accompanied on the Bench by Sir Samuel. There were several ladies present at the time Sir John read his valedictory address, and when his successor came upon the Bench the judges' gallery was occupied by Lady Evans, Lady Gorell, and Mrs Priestley. Sir Samuel walked briskly to his seat, and after bowing to the Bar, apologised to the leader (Mr Barnard, K.C.) for being late, mentioning that he had been detained on account of the number of Chamber-smmnonses. Mr Barnard bowed, and the new President at once set to work. He got through the motions very quickly, his grasp of details and facts and his ha-wlling of the cases com- ing almost as a revelation. Sir Samuel has been unaccustomed to Divorce and Probate Court procedure, and it was thought the Chief Registrar would be much in evidence on points of conduct. Bat Sir Samuel had every- thing at his fingers' ends, and his wonderful adaptability to his new office was matter of comment. The first impression he has created is a very favourable one. It was necessary only twice for his Lordship to deliver an ex- planatory judgment, and this he did the moment the arguments closed. With scarcely a reference to notes or arguments, the President e dealt with the various points, the law on the subject, and disposed of the matter as though he had occupied his high position for years instead of minutes. Though not sitting until one o'clock, his Lordship disposed of a long list, yet he probed every case to the bottom.

REFUSED TO COMMIT. At Carmarthen Borough Police Court on Monday John Thomas, farmer, Cilfrhedyn,Con- wil, was charged by Superintendent Samuel Jones with wilfuHy committing perjury at the County Petty Sessions on the 19th tilt., when he was in the witness-box, denying evidence connected with a charge against him for being drunk whilst in charge of a horse, for which he was fined 34s 6d inclusive. Mr James John appeared for the police, and Mr J. Wallis- Jones defended. Superintendent Jones said that at the hear- ing four witnesses said defendant was drunk and two said he was not. The alleged perjury was contained in the statement that he did not have any drink at the Railway Inn, Con- wil, on January 31st. Police-Constable D. J.Davies said defendant was intoxicated, but Hannah Davies, the landlady of the house, declared he was per- fectly sober. Defendant said he simply meant to deny being at the inn all day. He did not mean to deny being there at all. The Bench refused to commit defendant, as they believed it was a case in which no jury would convict. Mr John asked that prosecutor be bound over under the Vexatious Indictments Act to pro- secute at the next Assizes. This application was granted, and the wit- nesses were duly bound over.

INSPECTION OF MINES. In the House of Commons on Monday Mr Glover (Lab.. St. Helens), asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the 1,445 fatal accidents in the mines during 1909, and 5,859 non-fatal accidents reported to the inspectors, he could state when more inspectors of mines would be appointed. Mr Master-man said the Secretary for State had the recommendations of the Royal Com- mission before him and proposed as a first step to carry out the rearrangement of the districts and the reorganisation of the existing staff which the Commissioners recommended.

Swansea Trade Records. NEW DOCK EQUIPMENT. Three-records were announced at the annual meeting on Monday of the Swansea Harbour Trust—record imports, record shipmeirtsof tin, terne, and black plates, and record surplus revenue. Sir Griffith Thomas was elected chairman for the thirteenth time. Sir Griffith, in returning thanks, promised to devote the whole of his energy to the interests of the Trust. While the trade of Swansea last year was less than in the previous year, it was only so by 202 tons, while the number of vessels was, curiously enough, exactly the same —6,061, of a tonnage of 2,742^568. The im- port trade had increased by 33,000 tons, the imports being a record for the port, which practically made up for the loss on exports. The shipments of tin, terne, and black plates were 376,000 tons-also a record. The surplus revenue for the year amounted to m.,sœ. prac- tically the same as in the previous year, while the total surplus revenue to December 31stwas £ 227,613—which, he was glad to say, was another record. The greatest feature of the year was the opening of the King's Dock. He was sorry, of course, the railway companies had not yet put up their tips, but that had been due to a great extent to alterations in plans. The first idea was to have low level tipping, and now it had been arranged to have high level tipping, and the necessary alterations of the ground on which the tips were put had been largely the cause the delay. They were getting two moveable tvprs winch would be a great convenience. TfuHferst Great Western Rail- way tip was likely t» be ready to ship coal immediately after Easter, and the other tips were in a fair way of being got ready by degrees, and the first six months of this year should see the whole of the Great Western tips in hand. Of the three tip3 "of'the-Midland Company one was tipping coed, and the Rhondda Company had now to erect two tips.

1 SEVJERN TUNNEL SENSATION. r'' Train on Fire. When the 9_30 express train, Paddington to South Wales, arrived at Newport on Monday morning it was reported that immediately after passing through the Severn Tunnel some of the passengers in a third-class compart- ment noticed smoka issuing from the lavatory on the train. They polled the communication cord, and the tram was stopped. It was found that the lavatory was irrflames. The tram was taken back to Severn Tunnel, and the water crane was turned on, thellames being soon extinguished. The roof and sides of the lavatory compart- ment were badly charred. There was no excitement among the pas- sengers, and the express proceeded on her journey after about 20 minutes' delay.

6LAMORGAN CANAL. At the ordinary meeting of the Aberdaro District Council on Monday, Mr E. Stone, lake J.P., in the chair, it was resolved to erect a refreshment-room on the south-east side of the Lower Park Pond. The surveyor was in- structed to prepare the site at the bottom of Liwydcokd-road, where Kpe old shale tip is being removed, for the infectious diseases hos- pital. The tender Of Mr Dunston for private road improvement in Brook-street, Aberaman, at £ 665 4s 9d was accepted. It was resol-, ed to appoint a committee to meet a committee of the Merthyr Borough Council, the Glamorgan County Council, and the Mountain Ash District Council in reference to the proposed purchase of the Glamorgan Canal in order to construct a road therein. On the motion of the chairman it was resolved to appoint a committee to visit the portion of Cardiff road, which has been repeatedly flooded lately.

i His Life and Liberty. í I CARDIFPS MAN'S STRANGE LETTER An extraordinary letter, written by a resi- dent of Cardiff, was read to the Bridgwater magistrates on Monday. It was sent to the s court by Benjamin Henry Dinnock, and had j reference to a summons issued against him by his wife, now living in Bridgwater, for arrears I of E4 13s 6d under an order for maintenance made against him by the Cardiff bench. The letter from the defendant contained the following :— I am unable to attend the court without endangering my situation, bat I desire to repeat before the bench what I have so-often stated, viz., I am not merely willing, but it would be a delight to me to be able to make the best home in my power for my wife, pro- vided I have the necessary guarantee that my lifeandliberty are to be safe in her keep- ing. Four years of continuous intrigue and conspiracy on the part of my wife with the priests of the Catholic Apostolic Church, and five most determined and deceitful attempts to take away my liberty, have proved most conclusively that so long as my wife is priest-ridden, and a. mere tool in the hands of these men, my life and liberty are not safe a moment in her keeping. Mrs Dinnock told the Bench, My husband says I am supported by the Church. I have never received anything from lie Church. It is from a few friends." The Magistrates' Clerk The Bench don't take any notice of the letter. They couldn't in any case. The Bench issued a distress warrant.

MEDALS FOR NEWPORT MEN. Heroes of the Dock Disaster. The Prince! of Wales, Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Ambtalance, has awarded the bronze medal of the Order for gallantry in saving or attempting to save life on land at imminent personal rist^ to the following men:—James Andrews, Charles Crogan, George Bradford, Anthony Kinsella, and Walter Willis, in the employ of Messrs Easton, Gibb, and Scat, Alexandra Dock Ex- tension Works, Newport, and John Ald- dridge, dock gateman; Daniel McCarthy, dock constable and George Osborne, inspector in the employ of the Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway Co., for con- spicuous bravery on the occasion of the New- port Dock disaster. An official notification of this has been sent to Viscount Tredegar, who signed the petition on their behalf. The men will be required to attend at Marl- borough House on a day to be fixed by his Royal Highness for the presentation of the medals. The men to whom tins honour has been awarded were in the rescue parties at work immediately the disaster occurred, and at great risk to themselves went down among the large timbers, which every moment threatened to close in upon them. for the purpose of en- deavouring to rescue the unfortunate men im- prisoned beneath. As a result of their efforts a number of men were brought out alive.

PLUCKY ACT AT SWANSEA. Mr George Bryant who recently phickilv rescued a man from drowning at the North Dock, Swansea, whom he found unconscious and floating with his face downwards, was on Monday presented by the mayor with the vellum certificate of the Royal Humane Society. Mr Livingston, J.P., said the recipient was a splendid old footballer, a member of the Swansea Club, and he cordially congratulated him. Mr Bryant, in response, said he would like to see more men about the docks able to swim. It would be much better for young men if, instead of loafing about, they learnt to swim. Mr Livingston said now schoolboys were being taught swimming. ,vA&i

THEN AND NOW. I MR BULL (angrily): You and your d-- the consequences "—look what a financial mess I'm in y al PEER I'm d—ing the consequences to a different tune now (Published by arrangement with the Manchester Evening News.")

£7,000,000 CLAIM. FARM LABOURER'S BIG HOPES. Sequel to 200 Years Old Elopement. Details are leaking out of a romantic claim to millions which is about to be made by a farm labourer named George Mobbs, working at Holcot, near Northampton, who claims to be the direct representative of Mobbs, of Ket- tering, who in 1717 eloped with a London heiress, whose fortune is now said to represent the colossal figure of £7,000,000 at the Bank of England. The money is in Chancery, and it i is intended to renew the efforts made 20 years I ago to secure it for the Holcot claimant, who declares himself to be the representative of the I family I Mobbs states that not only has he a complete pedigree properly authenticated showing that be is the direct heir to the fortune, but that he is in a position to prove the runaway marriage uf 193 years ago upon which the claim depends. The claimant also states that he knows where the eloping pair were married, a fact which eluded other aspirants to the fortune, and that he possesses a copy of the marriage entry in the church register. Mobbs states that the claimants at Kettering, Peter- borough, and Leicester re representatives of junior branches of the family, and that for the substantiation of his claim he has full docu- mentary proof. These he has entrusted to a man of Northampton, who produced them to a correspondent, but cautiously declined to allow of their inspection. Claim Exceeds £7,000,000. The property in London alleged to have I come into the family by the runaway marriage has been sold during the last 30 years or so, and it is said that the claim now made con- siderably exceeds £1,000,000. This property is mainly situated in Islington and Hoxton. and is said to include the site of the Angel." A few years ago the New River Company paid £2,500,000 for the land. The Holcot claimant declares that the attempt to obtain possession of the property made 20 years ago was sus- pended at the last moment through an inter- ested member of the House of Lords communi- cating with the solicitor who had the matter in hand, and that the claim is to be prosecuted again.

Fire at Whiteley's Stores MANY FIREMEN OVERCOME. The busiest. hour of the day in the two great shopping thoroughfares, Westbourne Park and Queen's-road, Bayswater, was approaching on Monday, when an alarming outbreak of fire occurred at Messrs William Whiteley's great stores. Shortly after eleven o'clock smoke was seen issuing from the cellar beneath the linen department. The alarm bell was instantly rung. and while a number of customers hastily left the department, the staff, answering the- call, promptly acted upon fire drill instructions and closed the huge iron doors which, in such an emergency, completely isolated this par- ticular department from other parts of the huge block of buildings. Within a few minutes the whole of the staff got clear of the building, and numbers of the shop assistants took the first opportunity of intimating their safety by telegraph and telephone to their friends and relatives. Meanwhile the smoke pouring from the basement increased in volume, though no flames were seen, and the excitement caused by the assembly of a huge crowd was heightened by the dash of fire engines on to the scene. Within a very short time a score of fire engines and some 200 men, under the direction of Lieutenant Sladen, and men of the Salvage Corps, in command of Colonel Fox. set to work to subdue the outbreak. The task was one of extreme difficulty, and as it proved of some danger. It was found that the brigade could not deal effectively with the flames by passing hose pipes through the shop and down the staircase and so to the basement. The thick glass basement lights were there- upon broken, and notwithstanding the blinding smoke which was pouring forth, 11 firemen lowered themselves down and were lost to view. Hose pipes were passed down to them, but it was soon discovered that they were unable to do anything below, and as no replies were received to the shouts it was con- cluded that the men must have been overcome by the smoke. Other firemen immediately jumped down through the basement lights, and shortly afterwards two or three helpless firemen were handed up to those above. In the meantime other members of the brigade had donned smoke helmets with which every engine is provided, and they continued the search. Considerable difficulty was ex- perienced in finding all the missing men^nd it was over 10 minutes before the last tw<§" were handed out. All the 11 men were unconscious. handed out. All the 11 men were unconscious. By 12.45 the outbreak had been completely dealt with.

Alleged Bogus Baron. MAN OF MANY PARTS. At Hull on Monday E. Von Westenhgen,alias Baron Saxc, Baron Reitzingen, and Baron Wollen, was again remanded on a charge of fraud. Mr Dawson, for the public prosecutor, tofcl a remarkable story of prisoner's career. He explained that prisoner obtained a thou- sand francs by fraud from John Schaam, to whom he had written stating he had a first- class school in Hull. Schaam came to England from Germany and was prevented by prisoner from com- municating with the oatside world, and could hardly get enough food. Continuing, Mr Dawson said prisoner had gone through forms of marriage with many foreign ladies, whom he brought to England, deserting them when he had run through their money. He had advertised as a German Baron, and as a doctor offering to adopt chil- dren. He had been engaged in the white slave traffic, and had posed asa professor of langages and of mosic, without any qualification. He was merely a German waiter. Bail was refused.

Liner Agrsund in a Fog. 1,100 PASSENGERS ON BOARD. Copenhagen, Monday.—The Danish liner United States, from Copenhagen to New York, with 1,100 passengers aboard, went aground on Saturday afternoon in a thick fog in Christiania Fjord, after leaving Christiania. The vessel remained fast, and had a hole which let water into two compartments of the fore hold. The passengers returned to Christiania, whence they will proceed to New York by way of England. Danish and Norwegian togs are lying on either side of the steamer, which is firmly aground, but not in a dangerous posi- tion.— Reuter.

ALLEGED SEDITION. Hindoo Student Charged. The Hindoo law student who was arrested at Victoria Station, in London, in dramatic cir- cumstances on Sunday evening, on his arrival from Paris, came before Sir A. de Rutzen on Monday at Bow-street. He was charged on an Indian provisional warrant with inciting to sedition in India. Accused's name is Vinayak Savarkar (27), and it is understood he is a native of Nasik. A number of Indians stopd at the back of the Court, and listened with great interest to the reading of the charge. Inspector McCarthy deposed to the arrest at Victoria Station on the arrival of the boat train from Newhaven. Witness said, "We are police officers, and I shall arrest you on a pro- visional warrant charging you with the com- mission of the offences of sedition and abet- ment of murder in India." On the warrant being read, accused said, Yes, sir." Mr Vaugban, addressing the magistrate, said: There is very consideraMe doubt whether there is any authority to send this man back to India. This. however, is a question which your worship will consider later. I ask in the meantime that this-man shall be admitted to bail. The magistrate said he was not going to grant bail until he knew more of the case. Accused was remanded for a week.

ELDERLY WOMAN'S"FATE. A i emarkable mystery is being investi- gated by the London police. An elderly woman, of apparently good birth, has been found gagged and dead at Petersham Com- mon, near Richmond. The discovery was made in the early hours of Monday, when the common was practi- cally deserted. A Richmond constable pass- ing through the fields at about 6 a.m. saw a lady leaning against a tree. As she did not move, he went up to her. and found that she was dead. A handkerchief had been stuffed into her mouth. The deceased is described as a woman of about 60 years of age, well-dressed, and there are signs that she belongs to a good station in life. At the mort uary it was found that the deceased had a bottle öf poison in a hand-bag, and the hand- kerchief was soaked with poison. The woman was later identified as Miss Payne, of 66, Palace-gardens, Kensington. It is understood that the deceased was a house- keeper.

Mr W. Hales presided at the quarterly meet- ing of the Eastern Valley Free Church Council at Abersyehan on Monday. It was resolved to organise a course of lectures and public meet- ings on the question of Disestablishment. The Rev. D. J. Roberts, Abersychan, secretary of the Council, delivered an address on Thf place of children in Free Church worship." Incidentally he contended that such training as the teaching of action songs to children only created in them a craze of the stage. What they wanted to teach them was religious devotion.

WASTE POWER VALUE CARDIFF WATER PROPOSAL. Electricity From Conduit. OITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. The Lord Mayor (Alderman John ChappeliJ presided at a meeting on Monday of the Cardiff City Council. Alderman Bird introduced a motion directing that a report be prepared on the feasibility of a scheme for establishing somewhere on the line of conduit from theTaff Vawr reservoirs in Breconshire to the city of Cardiff a hydraulic power station for the generation of electric current in order to supplement the existing power stations, and thus provide for any further extensions that may be required, the water so used not to be run to waste, but to be sent forward for waterworks purposes. Alderman Bird said that his intention was to inquire whether it was possible to produce cheaper electrical current. If they could do so by this means it would justify the inquiry. Councillor Courtis seconding said he had been already informed that there were diffi- culties. but no harm could be done by having this report. The motion was approved. Lord Mayor's Carriage Proposal. On the question of the provision of a carriage for the use of the Lord Mayor arising from minutes submitted to the Council, Councillor William Jones said it was farcical, and he hoped the Council would not make itself a laughing stock of the city. The would-be Lord Mayors were, of course, anxious that a carriage should be provided. (Oh!) Councillor Dr. Smith said if he ever hap- pened to be Lord Mayor he would pay for his own carriage, and if he could not afford it be would walk. Alderman Lewis Morgan said it would cer- tainly be more in keeping with the dignity ofc the city were they to provide an official carriage for the Lord Mayor. Councillor Good said the proposal waa meta snobbery. Councillor Morgan Thomas: I am get- ting about tired of Conncillor Gøocr. preaching. He above all to talk aboafr the dignity of the Council and of ths city! I should like to know how much he has contributed to the city's dignity. (Ob, oh, and Order, order.) Councillor Good protested against the in- troduction of personalities. Councillor Edward Nicholl said the ieefing amongst Docksmen was that the Lord Mayor should not only be provided with an rjfltufcal carriage, but with a more sqHwMo qflKial sidence. Probably something would beheacd on that point later-on. Councillor Wm. Jenkins said it1 Ions, wishy-washy, namby-pamby bam, toWk of the luxuries when they declined to pro- vide absolute necessaries. Councillor F. G. L. Davis appealed to mem* hers-som e of whom, he said, never iuii oat- side Cardiff—to take a broad view of thing*, and to emulate other towns which, in Utwii own interests, endeavoured to act with duuKy. On the proposition' of Councillor O. F. Emb- dike it was decided by 15 votes to n to in-* struct the Property Committee to report tmoo a scheme involving the provision of a 8UÍII8III8 conveyance for the Lord Mayor. Workman's Holidays. A petition was received from tfceOoipcratiofi workmen asking (1) that the system of wage payment be re-arranged (2) lor a seve9k<bKy 'holiday each year and for pBcymnrf/on. irtttoBM holidays. —Alderman John Jenkins, supporting the representations made in the petition, mid that all Government employees were paid dap- ing the national holidays. Eventually the petition was referred to tile Finance Committee in the firstrplace and then to the Works Committee. Fire Station Scheme Stages. Alderman Bird had given notice of an lm- portant resolution, namely, that the prior deci- sions with regard to the Fire BrigadeStefcheLefc Cathavs Park be rescinded, and that the city engineer and chief-constable be asked to report to the Watch Committee upon a scheme for (a) a central station in Westgate-stneet, or other suitable site other than the Cafcharys Pack site (b) subsidiary stations to such num- bcr and in such parts of the city as may be deemed necessary—such report to deaf ex- haustively with the question of initial expense, annual maintenance, and relative efficiency. The motion was reached at a late hoar and it was resolved to defer its consideration, an undertaking being given that in the meantime the Watch Committee would not proceed fur- ther with the Cathays Park scheme. Another Memorial Fountain. Mr Isaac Samuel wrote, on behalf of his nieces, offering a fountain in memory of their late mother, and it was unanimously agreed to accept the offer, the question of a site being relagated to the Works Committee. What Boys and Girls Read. Councillor H, M. Thompson, in pro- testing against a proposal to reduce the estimate for school libraries from £478 to £350. said a newsagent had supplied him with the following sample of juvenile reading Chips, Comic Cuts, Famous Crimes, Famous Fights, Scraps, Nuggets, Larks- (laughter) and, for girls, My Queen, Less Than Kind, Thrilling Life Stories, ice. It was to combat this kind of literature that they should teach the school children what to read as well as how to read. Councillor Sydney Jenkins said Councillor Thompson was such a keen educationist that he would like to see a library on the corner of every street and one in the middle. Could not school children utilise theh libraries-? —It was decided to alter the estimate from £350 to JE478. Sunday Cencerts. In reply to Councillor Biggs, Councillor J. T. Richards (chairman, Watch Committee) said no concert could be held on Sunday in any hall licensed for dancing and mosic without violating the terms under which the licence was granted. Unless, however, anything offensive appeared in the programme the police did not take advantage of 8Qcha.1ue8cb. Official objection had not been taken feo-3aa»> day concerts in the Park Hall. Goed Friday Football. Councillor C. Wall moved an amendment to the provision that permits be irilufl for playing football matches in thevarioui parks on Good Friday. He characterised the decision of the Parks Committee not to grant such permits as unfair. Co Dm, Smith seconded. Councillor Morgan Thomas said Churchmot and Roman Catholics looked upon Good as sacred as Sunday, and their vtews should few respected. Councillor Mander said they coold not stop games in the parks. Their desire wae to stop set matches. The amendment was car- ried by 15 votes to 12, so that permits for.: football matches in the packs on QoodJfcUbqr will be granted. Salaries of the Higher Officials. A letter was read from the Cardiff NoD-, political Ratepayers' Association pro. against any further increases in thfrmlirfcwnC the higher officials at this juncture. Councillor Edward Thomas was re-elected a. representative on the Central Welsh Board three years and on the National Library at Wales for three years. Presentation to the Ex-Lord Mayor. At the Lord Mayor's luncheon a beautifully- illuminated address was presented to the a- Lord Mayor (Aid. Lewis Morgan) by his coI-, leagues, and a gold pendant badge to the Deputy-Lord Mayor (Councillor G. F. Pore- dike). The latter was the gift of the Locd Mayor (Aid. John Chappell), and wiD be worn by Mr Forsdike when he officiates in the. absence of the Lord Mayor.

48,627 LIVES SAVED. Lifeboat Crews' Achievement. The report of the Committee of the National Lifeboat Institution, submitted at the annual meeting on Tuesday, states that the past year, particularly the earlier and later months, provided plenty of work for the lifeboat crews, j and that notwithstanding the many occasions on which the lifeboats were launched, not a single lifeboatman lost his life on duty. Between the 1st January and the 31st Decern- j ber inclusive, the lifeboats were launched 421 times on service, being manned by 6,087 men* and 1,075 times for exercise, the crews number" ing 14,788 men in addition to which the crews were assembled in readiness for servicc 60 times when fortunately it was found unneces- sary to launch. The number of lives, for the saving of which by lifeboats the Committee of Management granted rewards in 1909 was 434 they also granted rewards for the saving of 210 lives by shore-boats and other means, thus making a total of 644 lives saved during the year. The lifeboats were instrumcjital in saving 43 vessels and boats. The total of liveti for the saving of which the Committee of Management have granted rewards since t. foundation of the Institution, or. the 4t.b March. 1824, has been 48,627. The committm strongly urge the necessity for maintaining an efficient system of watching by the coastguard. The Institution is now entering on the jubilee year of its Royal Charter of Incorporation, and the Committee of Management feel that they may avail t hemselves of the occasion to mak. a special appeal for financial help.

AN UNKNOWN PEOPLE. Some remarkable statements concerning great tracts of unexplored country in South America were made by Major P. n. Fawcett, R.A., in the course of an address before the Royal Geographical Society on Monday. He said that in Brazil there was an immense area of unexplored country. Ever since Pizarro's conquest of the Indians there had been rumours in the interior of South America of the existence of a strange tribe. The evidence was necessarily weak, yet he had met half a dozen men who swore to a glimpse of white Indians with red hair. Other statements had been made as to the existence of such a raM with blue eyes.