The Cardiff Times

I h HYARCHER«C#lff GOLDEN RETURKS BECASTEBEP Igjg— .vg feffl M_ ? Facsimile of One-Ounce Packet. Archer's olden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. Coot., Swot AMD Fkachakt. 1 1TICHY natural CELES. TINS V mineral water, "Y71CHY for CELESTINS. V nOTTT, GRAVEL. VICHY RHEUMATISM, <%e. CELESTINS. CAN BE USED with LIGHT WINJ5S, SPIRITS, or MILK. Eole Agents for the STATE SPRINGS OF VICHY Ingram and Royle, Ltd., London, Liverpool, and Bristol. OlaJl Chemists. Wine Merchants. Stores, etc. 19643 m as 9,11:1 PA PER. < NOTICE. Powerful New Serial Story. By a brilliant writer. The Missing Dolor a," by E. Phillips Oppenheim, wiU begin publication in our columns on April 30th. This story is one of the most thriUing romances we have pre- sented to our readers. The, hero goes :1hrough amazing experiences and inci- dents. In this story the writer sustains the reputation he has deservedly won as the author of a number of brilliant stories with well-woven plots. Don't fail to rood" The Missing Dolora."

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EASTERTIDE. To the great mass of the British people Eastertide has no connection with Sun worship, nor with religion of any kind. It marks the first public holiday ofthe year, and it comes as a welcome relief after the long spell of work which has gone on since Christmastide without a break. Fre- quently, Easter comes in with westerly gales and cold rain, sometimes snow but what matters, is it not a holiday season, and so it is regarded. Consequently for- the past week there has been a great con- Bideratioh of ways and means, and a studying of railway announcements and boat excursions. Winter is gone, Spring is here, and the desire of mankind is once more to enjoy life in the open country, for the call of the open road and of the fields, and the broad expanse of the sky in the country is irresistible. All the symbols of the ancient methods of cele- brating Easter are left with us, for the young people to make sport with, but for the many Easter spells holidays and the arrival of the Spring. Westillhave Easter Eggs, and give and eat the same or if we ignore the practice we cannot escape noticing coloured eggs in the shop win- dows, whether the eggs be of the real kind stained different colours, or fancy articles in the toy shops and the windows of the confectioners. The Easter Egg is never- theless a beautiful symbol if its meaning is lost. Centuries before the Christian era the egg was regarded as the symbol of life and resurrection, and so when the Spring returns and the Sun assumes his old power and Nature wakes into a new life we have a rebirth and a resurrection, and though the symbolism has passed away we toy with eggs at Easter, which marks the arrival of Spring. In the early centuries Christianity adopted the egg as a symbol of the resur- rection, and dyed it red to signify that blood has been shed. The Hot Cross Bun was adopted and adapted in much the same way. Waen we eat hot cross buns un a Good Friday we may be reminded of the significance of the Christian Cross on I o the cake, but that was not its original meaning or significance. The ceremonies of the bun have faded away, and we regard only the feasting part of the festi- val of eating cakes. The hot cross bun which gives the juveniles so much pleasure and excitement is connected with a joy feast as old as jivilisation. The feast in very ancient times marked the day when the sun crossed the line, and out of Winter came the Spring. The world was made glad by the return of the sunshine which brought forth the green leaves and the flowers out of the dead earth. The rough horse-play of "lifting," which is still practised in some rural places, had its origin in the same distant ages. The men lifted the women on Easter Monday as a sign of the rising from the dead—the resurrection of plant and flower and shrub. Easter belongs to the Goddess of Spring, and we keep holiday. It links us with Christianity, Judaism and Heathen- ism—though we adopted many pretty fes- tivals and ideals from heathendom. Rites and religious beliefs- change, but the mystery of life remains, and the same symbolism of life and the resurrection of the Easter Egg and the Hot Cross Bun. With the years and the centuries men become more tolerant, and while one section observes Easter as a deep religious and even gloomy festival, the great mass of Christian men and women regard the return of Spring and the Easter Festival as a holiday, a time for excursions and new clothes. We can all rejoice as the Persians did when they worshipped the sun and made joy over the return of Spring, symbolised by the hot cross bun, for the mystery of life is as great, and the joy of existence as keen as in the dawn of civilisation, and the symbols and customs of Easter, while they celebratethereturu of life, also carry thennind back to the beginnings of man's struggle to interpret the meaning of life.

Mr Ilaldane's recent comments on the state of .the Regular and Volunteer forces, and the healthy condition of recruiting, forms a complete answer to the conscrip- tionists. What the Volunteer has done for Great Britain in the past he is prepared to do again, under proper encouragement and recognition. The enthusiasm which marked the return of the 2nd Welch this week is but another sign of the patriotism of the country. It may be latent some- times, but it is always there, and it would never need calling into life were the opportunities more general throughout the country of seeing the men and ships of the Army £ nd avy.

There is a tendency in many quarters to tell the preacher to keep out of politics." The Churchman and the Tory party generally get exceeding wroth when a Nonconformist minister takes part in political meetings, or deals with social questions in the pulpit. The objectors consider a Churchman's intervention in politics on the Tory side to be a quite proper action, and the writings of vicars in the parish magazines are not resented. If a preacher is to make his religion prac- tical he must deal with social questions, for a religion that does not deal with life is but an empty belief or a formal creed. The Vicar of Swansea, preaching at Holy: Trinity Church last Sunday, spoke of the ugliness of city life, and remarked that there were hovels in the town not fit for habitation. In all his experience in the wilds of Africa he had never entered such homes.' Unfortunately the social conditions condemned in Swansea exist in other centres of South Wales, and are the consequence of the bad land laws and the house famine, which is one of the direct results of such laws.

The present is a year of Musical Festi- vals, with the Cardiff Triennial Festival in September. The Stratford Musical Festival has just ended, and a London journal, discussing the holding of musical gatherings in this country, asks whether England is musical. It is stated that England from the point of executive ability can hold her head as high as any country. The London Symphony Orchestra, the Welsh and Yorkshire choirs, have already an international reputation." We quite agree that until recently music in this country has been starved. It is this, too, which may account for a certain lack of intelligence in an English audience as compared with a Continental, for if per- formers need training, listeners need it np less," Audiences and performers most certainly do need training. The absence of the opportunity of listening to good performances of classical music tells against British performers and audiences.

Only a few days of March remain, and by the end of the month the notices by the miners terminating the agreement expire. The situation in South Wales, therefore, becomes exceedingly critical, unless, as the men propose, day-to-day contracts should be renewed in order to prevent a cessation of work while the negotiations for a new settlement are car- ried forward. During the past week hopes and fears for a peaceful settlement have alternated from day to day, and while at one time the hope of peace rises high, it is as quickly dashed by the failure of the Conciliation Board to reach an agreement. Since Saturday last the public have had in view the possible or probable intervention of the Board of Trade to prevent a stoppage, and when there is such a general clamour for peace, and the machinery in existence for secur- ing an understanding through concilia- tion and compromise, the hoped-for and desired end should not be denied to South Wales. But while there are hopes of peace, and an almost universal demand for it, the trade of South Wales is suffering by reason of the want of confidence which is created by the very uncertainty of the position. We hear of the diversion of tonnage, and all the losses connected with that diverted traffic—the uncertainty is almost as bad for trade as an open conflict. The hopes for ultimate peace are centred in the advances and concessions which have been made but danger lies in the delays and uncertainty of the failures of the conferences to reach an agreement.

CORPULENCY CAN BE CURED. » EVERY DIFFICULTY OVERCOME. Old time fallacies still stand in the way of modern scientific achievement. Fat people still endure the torture of hunger, still do sweating and other weakening exercises, still purge and drug themselves into a most lament- able condition of debility with the idea that thev are curing themselves of their obstinate corpulency. Easy it is to temporarily bring down the weight by such wasting methods, but the chronic tendency to develop an exces- si ve quantity of fat still remains. The following recipe overcomes every difficulty in the cure of obesitv :—Take one ounce of fluid Extract of Glycyrrhiza B.P., one ounce of pure Glycerine B.P., one half-ounce of Maxmola,and mix with peppermint water to make up six ounces in all. The dose is two teaspoonfuls after each meal. Any chemist will make up this prescription, or supply you with the required ingredients. This harmless, refreshing, and rejuvenating treatment truly works wonders, and the rapid reduction to normal weight and graceful pro- portions is marked by an equally astonishing return of strength and physical and mental energy. Appetite is keen and digestion sound and wholesome food properly assimilated en- riches the blood and restores muscular4 develop- ment.. 19885

The Pal.ace of Khartoum. The palace of the Governor-General at Khar- toum, where Mr Roosevelt has been ttavin<~ after returning fiom his'successful hunt'-v pedition,- rises out of the ruins of Gordon's house. The eity itself has been planned on the garden city principle, and is rapidly growing, though the buildings are as yet scattered here and thei c. Th British in Khartoum look for- ward to tLe u.-ac when the country, instead 0: being most y desert will be covered with wheat fields and cotton fields. Abbos-square is a great open space which is destined to become one of the finest squares in the world. About it arc He markets, rows of straw huts, with market oduce spread on the ground outside. Look- down the long streets of low mud horses -,Illy see the bounds of the town and the er The once terrible Omdurman may be re I by steam tramway-car and steam- ferry.

Fifty Years Ago. FROM "CARDIFFTIMES," MAR. 24,1860. Under-ground prayer meetings are becom- ing more general every week. Last Monday morning one of these interesting meetings was held at the Gadlys Collieries, and we are told that the effect was wonderful. There is a marked change in the conduct of some of the colliers, since the movement has been afoot." On Thursday. Mr Brown, of the Ebbw Vale Works, stated before the Committee of the House of Commons, that the portion of the South Wales coalfield, with which his firm was connected, extended to 10,000 acres and was but a small piece of the South Wales coalfield. The yield of the entire coalfield would be about 500,000,000 tons, and their 10,000 acres would yield 1,000,000 tons a year for the next five hundred years." On 14th instant the annual meeting of the' United Kingdom Alliance took place at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, when the Rev. Canon Jenkins, of Dowlais, delivered an address which extended over one hour and half, and was loudly applauded." The Principality Building Society an- nounces, by an advertisement, its establish- ment at Cardiff. Colonel Stuart, M.P. for Cardiff; Mr Charles R. Vachell, the Rev. Alfred Tilley, Mr Geo. Smart, and Mr Richard Cory are the trustees. The treasurer is Mr William Davies (Borough Arms), and the secretary Mr John Willett. The death took place at Paris last week of M. Julien, the celebrated bandmaster and musical composer. Julien's Band was cele- brated all over Europe, and he was the first to introduce into this country high-class music at cheap concerts. He died in a lunatic asylum and in great poverty." "At the Merthyr Police Court on Wednes- day a man named was charged with stealing a cock, the property of a person living a short distance from him. Both parties claimed the bird, and brought witnesses to substantiate their claims. Mr Fowler, the stipendiary, said the best course to pursue would be to adopt Solomon's judgment, but to this course Samuel strongly objected. Mr Fowler then said,' Well, constable, you take the cock and midway between the houses of the parties set him down on the road, and whichever way he runs let that man keep him.' This was done, when the bird ran rapidly towards the house of the defendant, who thereupon was adjudged the owner." In the House of Commons on Tuesday leave was given to Mr H. Berkley to bring in a Bill that at elections for members of Parlia- ment all votes should be recorded by ballot. On the previous day a precisely similar pro- posal in the House of Lords by Lord Lengham was rejected by a large majority." At Cardiff a Gymnastic Club has been formed for the purpose of providing accommo- dation and the appliances necessary for the practice of athletic exercises. It is intended to establish a School of Anns for instruction in fencing, broad sword exercise, single stick, &c., &c. The subscription has been fixed at 10s 6d."

FATHER'S TRAGtC DEATH. Morriston Son Sent for Trial. At Swansea, on Tuesday J. Powell, labourer was committed for trial for the alleged man- slaughter of his father, Charles Powell, at Morriston on March 14th. The evidence for the prosecution was that the prisoner came home slightly under the influence of drink and had some words with his mother. The father came downstairs, and either a blow was struck or a push given, the result of which was that after an interval of some minutes, the father, who had been standing in a dazed condition, fell to the ground dead. The prisoner when arrested said that his mother, on his return home, commenced to push him about, and his father came downstairs bullying him. and pushing him about, and he then pushed him away. Subsequently he made the further statement, "I did not strike him, I only shoved him." Mr S. Richards appeared for the prosecution and Mr J. Evan Rowlands for the defence. Arisoner was released on bail.

A DOG IN HARNESS. At the Enfield Police Court on Monday Chas. Spens, of Shaftesbury-road, Enfield, was sum- moned under an old act for using a dog to draw a cart. The summons was brought at the instance of the R.S.P.C.A., and an inspector of that organisation said that he saw the de- fendant pulling a handcart, to which the dog- a small Irish terrier—was tied by a rope, and as the animal was going lame he stopped him. The dog was in good condition, and wore a proper leather harness, with a breastplate. Defendant: It is my dog, is it not ? I pay 7s 6d for it. Surely I can do what I like with it. The dog, a sturdy little animal. was brought into the court and examined by the Bench. The defendant pleaded that he only used the animal for protection, and a police-sergeant stated that Spens had been advised by the police to have the dog to protect the goods in his cart, on account of his complaint of theft. Witness knew from personal experience that no one dare go near the barrow whilst the dog was in possession. The case was dismissed, the defendant being warned that he must not use the dog for trac- tion purposes.

PRESWYLFA HIGH SCHOOL, CARDtFF. Annual Gymnastic Display. The Lord Mayor presided over the;annual gymnastic display given at the Park Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday, March 17th, by the students of the Preswylfa High School at Roath Park and Newport-road. A first-class programme of music and gymnastics had been arranged, and a crowded audience enjoyed what proved to be a most interesting and instructive entertainment. The proceedings commenced with the rendering of the Welsh National Anthem to English and Welsh words, and this was followed by a chorus, the German chorale being sung to German words. The graceful exercises of the girls, and the waltz cotillon were very pretty, and the Irish jig and Welsh dance were loudly, applauded, the little on es proving themselves thorough masters and mistresses of the art. Other items deserv- ingmention were thesenrf dance and the hoop drill. The club exercises proved how thoroughly the students had been drilled, and Miss Muriel Griffiths's manipulation of the clubs was really clever. This young lady, too, was heard to ad- vantage on the,violin. both in solo and in duet with Miss Dorrie Williams, Miss Grace Mayne and Miss Janet Beitt gave some effec- tive piano solos, and were loudly applauded. In addition to the items already mentioned. the gymnastic part of thte programme included figure and step marching and line jumping, which were gone through with considerable success, and showed that the athletic part of the students' training is by no means neg- lected. In the course of the evening Mr Charles Forestier Walker (who took the place of the Lord Mayor when the latter had to leave for another engagement) announced the successes of the pupils, and made special reference to the fact that Mary Rosser had won the first- class certificate of the College of Preceptors, having asquitted herself well in Scripture, English history ,geography, French, botany, drawing, domestic science, mathematics and English. A pleasant feature of the entertain- ment was the presentation of two bouquets to Miss Jones from present and past pupils. Mr J. J. Jackson, director of education, con- gratulated the principal (Miss Jones) upon the verv high standard which had been attained by the school. Mr Fred Jones presided at the organ, and Miss Gertrude Jones accompanied. The proceeds were in aid of Dr. Barnardo's Homer, And local charities. Miss May was re- sponsible for the drill, whilst Mrs McLellan conducted the dancing and Mr Owen J ones the singing.

Allotment Baby. GARDEN CITY INQUEST DISCLOSURES. An inquest on the body of a female child found under mysterious circumstances at Letchworth was opened there on Monday by Mr Francis Shillrtoe, coroner for North Herts. Rose Young, a single woman now in service at Sheffield. said she was living in Letchworth on July 2nd, when she gave birth to a female child. On a Friday evening in September Frederick Beeton, a clerk in the employ of the Great Northern Railway, came and took the child away, saying his brother would adopt it. The baby was handed to him, wrapped in a white woollen shawl, and had on an em- broidered white silk bonnet with white flannel under-dress. She identified the underclothing on the body of the corpse, but the shawl and bonnet were missing. She saw Beeton some time afterwards, though not by appointment, and asked him how the child was. He said it was going on splendidly, and with this she was partially satisfied, though she thought there was something peculiar in his manner. She then pressed Beeton to let her see her child, and he brought the child to her in December, which she at once told him was not hers. She herself took that child back to London to an address told her by Beeton on the following Sunday evening. She had seen nothing of her own child since she gave it to Beeton, and she could not remember the date when she did so. In reply to questions by the jury, witness said she never asked Beeton the address of his brother. Police evidence having been given as to the finding of the body in an allotment garden rented by Frederick George Beeton, Dr. Nor- man Macfadyen said there was a tape round the neck. The body was well nourished, and had been underground about two months. He could not state the cause of death or whether the body had been strangled. The inquest was adjourned till April 4th.

Blackmailers at Work A NOTORIOUS GANG. Scotland Yard is in possession of certain in. formation which leaves little doubt that a famous gang of blackmailers who victimised many people of high social standing some years ago is-at work again in the Oity and West End. The inner workings of this organisation came to light in a notorious divorce-case, and the blackmailers bec&m&acattered on account of the widespread publicity that was given to the cam. The ra-uaifications of the game. tub spread in all directions, encompassing club- land, the racecourse, and all the resorts of rank and fashion. It had a membership of about 200, including men and women of all stations in life. In recent years the movements of this gang have frequently come under the notice of Mr Kebbell, a well-known City solicitor, who acted as solicitor for the petitioner in a famous divorce caae. That case created a great sensation at the time." he said. 11 The petitioner suddenly dis- appeared, and was found afterwards in a foreign country. It became known that one of the gang was actually married to a handsome girl, who was the decoy of the blackmailers. The extent of their roguery may be gauged from the fact that in a few years they extracted from their victims a sum of nearly £ 200/100. There is a restaurant in the West End which is known to be the rendezvous of these black- mailers, They meet there frequently in the afternoon to discuss their villainous plans, and in the evening they mix among the audiences at the music halls, theatres, hotels, and res- taurant. An easy victim was found not long ago in the stalls of a West End theatre. A lady and gentleman in evening dress arrived from the country, and between the acts the gentleman got into conversation with a stranger, also in evening dress, sitting near him, who induced him to take a drink at the refreshment bar. As a result of this casual ac- quaintance the gentleman lost a considerable sum of money under the blackmailer's in- fluence.

THE GOSPEL OF EMIGRATION. Colonel N..T. Moore, Premier of Western Australia, and the youngest Premier in the Empire, has come to this country on a visit with the object of furthering the de velopment of Western Australia. He comes with a mes- sage of assisted passages, free land, and bank advances to men, married or single, wbo are » "—• i Colonel N. J. Moore. I qualified to make homes for themselves in his colony. Western Australia is about twenty. three times the size of the United Kingdom, inhabited by only 285,000 people, and though discovered in 15U, it is really only twenty-six years old. It has been estimated that it is capable of sustaining a population five times greater than that of Great Britain, and Mr Moore intends to make the greatness and pos. sibilities of the Golden West more generally understood.

ATTACK ON PRISON WARDER. On Sunday at Dartmoor Prison a convict named A thill threw his pint mug in Assistant Warder Clarke's face, causing a black eye and bruise on the cheek, afterwards kicking and striking him. Other warders went to Clarke's assistance, and the convict was placed under restraint. It was stated that Athill, who was acting as orderly convict, attacked the officer because he refused him tea in place of porridge. Convict North, who belonged to, what is known as the weak-minded gang, who recently attempted to assault the prison doctor, has been sentenced by the visiting justices to nine days' No. diet, black dress, and the usual re- mission of marks.

CARDIFF MAN'S FATE. A Bristol newspaper publishes the following pa.ra.gra.ph The man who was killed on the railway a mile below Devizes on Saturday in last week, and who has been buried as an unknown man," has since been indentified by photo andftngcr prints as Edward Moore, labourer, of Cardiff. On inquiry we find that the deceasedwaa not a resident of Cardiff, although he had resided in the city. Some time ago he was convicted at Newport. The police are unable to trace his relatives in Cardiff. cL

The Monmouthshire police have received infor- mation that 13 fowls have been stolen from the henroost of Mr Daniel Baker, farmer, St. Brides, near Newport.

COALFIELD DEADLOCK Power to Negotiate AUTHORITY TO BOTH SIDES. Wednesday's Conferences. FEW CRUMBS OF COMFORT. CARDIFF, Wednesday. Taken by themselves, and considered apart from the action of the Board of Trade repre- sentatives, the two separate conferences of the parties immediately concerned in the con- troversy yielded but few crumbs of comfort to those solicitous for the preservation of peace. If the Owners' Association indicated no further concessions there is satisfaction at least in find- ing that they have armed their spokesmen on the Conciliation Board with full and absolute powers to act, and that they have shown a readiness to afford Mr Sydney Buxton every assistance in the role of peacemaker which he is now assuming. The workmen's conference, like the consulta- tion of the owners, was held within closed doors. but the official report indicates beyond a doubt that the workmen's leaders had no easy task to prevent the conference getting out of bounds. The impatience of the delegates was, however, in its way a tribute to the strenuous efforts made by the men's leaders on Saturday last to find a way to an honourable compromise. Leaders the Best Judges. The complaint of many delegates was that the leaders in their final proposals to the owners had gone too tar, but, as they were reminded from the chair, the best judges in matters of this sort must be the leaders them- selves, and happily after a long and somewhat trying discussion the delegates were induced to regard the position from this standpoint, and further to arm their leaders with much greater powers than they have yet possessed to bring negotiations to a close. It would not be correct to describe the powers of the men's leaders as altogether full, for it is understood that the ultimate adoption of any agreement come to must in the last resort depend upon the general assent of the workmen to it as expressed by the ballot Repudiation on One Point. Happily, only in one instance was the action of the men's leaders repudiated. By a majority —a small majority—the conference expressed dissent from.the leaders' proposals that in the event of a stoppage operations should con- tinue under day-to-day contracts at the non- associated pits, as was the case in the memor- able struggle of 1898. In the opinion of the majority of the delegates yesterday workmen at both classes of collieries should drop tools in the event of a settlement being impossible.

Morning Sessicn. INTERIM OFFICIAL REPORT. Shortly after 1 o'clock Mr Tom Rich- ards. M.P., supplied the Press with the following official report of the morning's pro- ceedings :— This was a conference of representatives of lodges composing the South Wales Miners' Federation, which was very fully attended. The actual number cannot yet be given in consequence of the credentials not having been collected. Mr W. Brace, M.P., occupied the chair, and there was a full attendance of the Executive Council. The report upon the negotiations with the coalowners for a new Conciliation Board agreement was given to the conference by Messrs W. Brace and Thomas Richards, and addresses were de- livered by Mr C. B. Stanton and Mr George Barker, after which a general discussion took place, and strong criticism was. made upon the action of the executive in reducing the demands of the men. These were replied to by Mr Vernon Harts- horn. Further replies "lindexplanations would be given in the afternoon by Mr Alfred Onions on behalf of the Executive Committee. In connection with the report presented by Messrs Brace and Richards, it was stated that they had earlier in the day met in consul- tation two representatives of the Board of Trade—Mr Askwitb and Mr Isaac Mitchell- and had fully explained to them with respect to the negotiations, after which they received an intimation that they were going to see the employers, and after that it was probable they might have some communication to make to both sides. The conference beforeadjournjng for lunch enthusiastically and unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr Vernon Hartshorn as the candidate for Mid-Glamorgan, and urged upon all members of the Federation to loyally jupport hira at the poll. The con- ference th<?n adjourned until the afternoon.

Afternoon Conference. A REPLY TO CRITICISMS. The miners promptly resumed their con- ference at 2.15, when Mr Alfred Onions iftade a statement on behalf of the Executive Council explaining the attitude they had taken up, and the reason for the concessions they had made. pointing out that it was in the interest of the whole body of workmen that a basis of agreement should be arrived at before the notices terminated on the 31st. This was followed by a discussion on the owners' proposal and the workmen's pro- posals, and it became evident that there was a strong objection on behalf of the men gener- ally to that part of the owners' proposals dealing with an abnormal working places clause. Several delegates expressed a strong opinion that the abnormal working places question deserved more consideration on the part of the owners. 0VERLAPPIN6-SHIFT OFFER. Strong Condemnation. The discussion this afternoon veered around the question of the con- trol of the mines, a strong dis- approval of any introduction of the double shift being expressed by the dele- gates. There waa also some severe criticism of the miners' leaders' suggestion to the owners on Saturday that they would agree to an over- lapping shift. It will be remembered that the work- men, in their final proposal, agreed to embody in the proposed agreement a clause to provide an overlapping shift, and afternoon shift, but pointed out that if this offer was not accepted, it was to be re- garded as not having been made. Some delegates strongly condemned such an offer, and it is evident that there is great dif- ference of opinion throughout. Adjourned Till Next Week. The conference of miners adjourned until next Wednesday. No vote was taken upon the proposals submitted by the men's side of the Conciliation Board, but there was a very strong feeling against granting any concessions from the original demands put forward by the man in December last. The question of the intervention of the Board of Trade was discussed, but no'resolution ac- cepting the intervention or otherwise was put to the meeting.

Coalowners in Council. CONFIDENCE IN REPRESENTATIVES. Official Report. The following is the text of the official re- port :— A largely attended meeting of the Mon- mouthshire and South Wales Coalowners' Association took place at Cardiff, under the presidency of Mr Joseph Shaw. It was a special meeting called for the pur- pose of hearing a statement as to the negoti- ations which haverecently taken place between the owners' side of the Conciliation Board and the representatives of the workmen upon the subject of the proposed revision of the Conci- liation Board Agreement. The following resolution was unanimously passed:— Mr Heppell, having reported upon the negotiations which have takefn place with the workmen's representatives on the subject of the proposed revision of the Conciliation Board agreement, and Mr Shaw, the chair- man of the association, having also explained the position, this meeting resolves that the action of the owners' representatives in the conduct of the negotiations be approved and adopted, and that the whole question be left in the hands of the owners' representatives, with power to conctude,anyagreement that they may deem satisfactory. A communication was received from the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Sydney, Buxton) through Mr Askwith and Mr Mitchell who were in attendance at the association offices, inviting the chairman of the associa- tion and the chlairman of the owners' repre- sentatives on the Conciliation Board to meet him in London this (Thursday) afternoon, to discuss the situation. It was resolved that Mr Shaw and Mr Heppell should meet Mr Buxton accordingly, but it was understood that the meeting would be for the purpose of giving information as to the owners' views upon the subject of the negotia- tions, and would, therefore, be an informal meeting. "<

DREADFUL LAMP TRAGEDY. On Sunday Thomas Caddick (79), widower, and his daughter. Alice (37), who occupied a small house at Bilston, Staffordshire, were found in the kitchen practically cremated. Smoke was seen issuing from the house, and on an entrance being effected & horrible sight presented itself. Only the skull, portion of the shoxilder and leg bones of the old man re- mained. The daughter's body was shockingly disfigured. A broken pa raffia lamp, the prob- able cause of the tragedy, lay on the floor. t

THURSDAY'S PEACE EFFORT. The intervention of the Frèsi- dent of the Board of Trade in the South Wales coal dispute has had a most gratifying result. Separately consulting both parties at Whitehall on Thursday, Mr Sydney Bux- ton was able to induce them to meet on Saturday to again try to come to terms. The President is to be heartily congra- tulated upon the result of his first effort as industrial peace-maker. Our London representative teiegraphs: — Mr Sydney Buxton, President of the Board of Trade, had a long conference this morn- ing with Mr Askwith, K.C., who laid be- fore the President the information he had gathered at Cardiff and the impressions he had obtained of the struggle. The whole of the morning was spent in this way, the President mastering all details in the hope of bridging the gulf between the parties later. On making inquiry at the Board of Trade our London representative found this morning that by the special instruction of Mr Buxton efforts were to be made by the officials to keep repre- sentatifes of the Press from getting into touch with the representaives of either the owners or workmen, the reason assigned being the President's strong desire that no outside in- fluence whatever should reach those he was to see, and that they should feel that the communications they were going to have with him were of an entirely private nature. Our representative, however, learned that the Board of Trade President had arranged to receive one set of representatives at 1.30 this afternoon and another set at 2.45, and that it was the intention of the Board not to furnish an official report to the Press until 6 o'clock to-night. For some reason or other Mr Buxton's view is that matters may be helped along if proceed- ings are allowed to take place without every movement being chronicled in the Press, and it is due to this that an official report of the proceedings will be withheld until 6 o'clock. The President of the Board of Trade first received Mr Joseph Shaw and Mr Heppell, the owners' representatives, in his private room. With Mr Buxton were Mr Askwith, K.C., Mr Mitchell, and Sir H. Llewellyn Smith, the per- manent secretary of the Board of Trade. The shortness of the time allowed between the meetings of the two sets of representatives, coupled with the fact that no official report was to be issued before 6 o'clock, gave rise to the surmise that there was a probability that Mr Buxton, after having seen the workmen's representatives, might endeavour to bring about a joint meeting. That, however, would depend, it was understood, entirely upon the views of the two sets of representatives. Messrs Shaw and Heppell left the President of the Board of Trade shortly before 3 o'clock. They refused to say anything as to their inter- view, but it is understood they are quite ready to again meet the workmen's representa- tives at Cardiff on Saturday. The owners' representatives were with the President until after the arrival of Messrs T. Richards, M.P., W. Brace, M.P., and Mr Onions, who reached the Board of T^ade promptly at 2.45. They stated they not expect their interview with Mr Buxton to be very long, and that they proposed returning to Cardiff this evening. Shortly before 4 o'clock Mr Shaw and Mr Heppell returned to the Board of Trade before the workmen's representatives had concluded their conference withlthe President. I MR ASKWITH, K.C., C.B. I Good News! COAL BOARD TO MEET AGAIN ON SATURDAY NEXT. The workmen's representatives were with the President of the Board of Trade just over two hours. At tile end of the interview Mr T. Richards, M.P., made the following statement to our representative The President of the Board of Trade, after hearing us upon all matters in dispute, stated that he had suggested to the coalowners, and they had agreed, subject to our agreeing, that another meeting of the parties should be held at Cardiff on Saturday next, with a view to a further attempt being made to arrive at a settlement. We agreed to the suggestion for a meeting to be held at the Engineers' Institute, Cardiff. The hoar of the joint meeting has not yet been fixed. Asked as to whether Mr Askwith, K.C., or any representative of the Board would attend the joint meeting at Cardiff on Saturday, Mr Richards said that he could not say. No ar- rangement for that had been made. Our representative adds, however, that it is very probable Mr Askwith and Mr Mitchell will again visit Cardiff for the meeting on Saturday. The workmen's representatives leaves for Cardiff by the 6.10 train this evening. As they withdrew from the Board of Trade, Mr Joseph Shaw and Jtfr Heppell returned to it, and had another short interview with the President.

THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE. Action in the Event of ft Stoppage. wl The following is a copy of the circular issued by the Miners' Federation of Great Britain :— 925, Ashton Old-road. Manchester, March 22nd, 1910. The South Walel miners' representatives having failed to come to any agreement with their owners, and as the notice to cease work expires at the end of the present month, they ask for a special conference of above Federation to consider the question of taking joint action in the event of a stoppage taking place at the collieries in South Wales. A special conference will be held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, on Tuesday next, the 29th March, commencing at 10.30 Lm., and if required conference will meet again on Wednesday. THOfc. ASHTON, Secretary. IF WAR, A LONG WAR." Business Unsettlement in Cardiff. At a meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce Mr A. J. Griffiths, the chair- man, said what troubled them most was the serious situation created by the threatened strike in the coalfield. The position wan not altogether hopeless, and at the present moment bhey had to content themselves with hoping that the differences between the parties would be bridged over and that before April 1st they would see a satisfactory agreement come to. It would be a terrible calamity if anything in the nature of a strike came about, but he was afraid if it meant war it would be a long war. Therefore for the sake of everybody concerned they hoped the trouble would be satisfactorily settled. Whatever settlement was made he hoped it would be for a long term so that they would not get the uncertainty in the coalfield they had had during the last few years. The statistics of coal exports for last month were unsatisfactory. The returns showed decreases of 13? ,000 tons for Cardiff, 86,000 tons for New- port. 50,000 tons for Swansea, and 36,000 tons for Port Talbot. The decrease for the whole of the United Kingdom was 305,000 tons, practically the whole of this being due to the reductions of South Wales ports. The figures for the two months were not much more satisfactory, the only ports which showed increases being Swansea of 42,000 tons, and Port Talbot 17,000 tons. There was a decrease at Cardiff of 191,000 tons and Newport 152.000 tons. A great deal of this was brought about by the uncertainty in the coalfield dur- ing the last few months, and possibly was accounted for to some extent by the shortage of tonnage in February. If the coalfield trouble y. ere settled he was sure thq- ship- ments would increase, and they would find bheir trade yyer the year on the whole satis- factory.

BUTLER HANGED. MEETS HIS FATE STOLIDLY. Protests His Innocence. William Butler, or to give him his proper bap- tismal name, Thomas Clements, was hanged at Usk Gaol at eight o clock on Thursday morning for the murder of Charles and Mary' Thomas, an aged couple, at Bassalog. A few minutes before eight o'clock the exe- cutioners, Pierpoint and Ellis, examined the scaffold, which had been erected iD an aperture in the wall. They then proceded to Butler's cell and interrupted the ministrations of the chaplain. Butler, on the appearance of the executioner, is said to have collapsed for the moment, but he soon regained his composure. The warders approached him and he was led to the scaffold, the warders heading the procession. Pierpoint soon placed him in position and adjusted the noose and whipped out the white cap, while Ellis pinioned his legs. Just then the town clock struck eight, and three seconds later Pierpoint touched the lever. There was a thud, and Butler passed into eternity. Outside the gaol at the time there was a big crowd. Some boys had climbed trees adjacent to the prison walls to catch a glimpse of the grim scene. At no point, however, could the scaffold be seen. A few minutes after 8 o'clock the following notices were posted on the main doors of the prison :— We, the undersigned, hereby declare that judgment of death was this day executed upon William Butler in his Majestv's Prison at Usk. in our presence. A. E. Bowen, Under Sheriff. Victor Bosanquet, Chief Constable. J. W. Thorp, Governor. Rev. A. G. Hoad, Weslevan Chaplain. The other declaration was that by the sur- geon, Dr. E. L. M. Hackett, who certified that he bad examined the body of William Butler, upon whom judgment of death was that day executed. Upon examination he found that William Butler was dead. About 7 o'clock this morning the Rev. Mr Road, as well as the Rev. W. Robson, Newport, were admitted to the gaol, and after a brief consultation with the Governor (Mr J. W. Thorp) Mr Hoad went direct to the condemned man s cell. The chaplain prayed and prayed, and then entreated Butler to remember that his last moments on earth were fleeting away, and urged him to make his peace with his Maker. n /lf)Wever, remained unmoved, and is reported to have still protested his innocence. Cell Near Scaffold. He is reported to have slept well during the night, and yesterday, when taking exercise in the prison yard, smoked cheerfully. The chap- lain had. during the week, taken rooms at Usk so as to be near him, if necessary. Lip to last night he had occupied a cell which was large and roomy, but last evening he was removed to another cell, which is 20 yards rorn the scaffold at the back of the prison, i nis was done by the prison officials, so that ne would only have a few paces to walk before he met his doom. s At 8.15 a m. Mr A. E. Bowen, the Under- nhertff, and -Mr Victor Bosanquet left the prison, and on being asked if everything had passed off smoothly, they said thev could give no information. Did Butler confess his crime ?" asked our representative. We have no information to give," was the reply. About ten minutes past nine the executioner, Pierpoint, coolly smoking a pipe, and carrying a ^POTtmanteau, in which were the strap# with which Butler had been pinioned, left the prison by the main entrance. He was accom- panied by Ellis, his assistant. Pierpoint said to Dr. Hackett that he was off to Manchester, and that he intended having a holiday at Blackpool next week, as he wanted a change. Our representative also asked the execu- tioner whether Butler had made a confession at the last moment. Pierpoint replied. I am sorry, but I cannot say anything. Please see the Governor. It is for nim to say things, not me." The governor of the prison was equally reti- cent.

NO ACTUAL CONFESSION." GOVERNOR'S CRYPTIC PHRASE. Mr B. H. Deakin, coroner of Monmouthshire, held the inquest at 10 o'clock. When the jury viewed the body it was ready for burial, ani the face bore a calm and placid expression. Mr J. W. Thorp (governDr of the prison) pro eed that the sentence of death had been duly and satisfactorily carried out in his presence. Butler, before being pinioned, said to the witness,, Xou have done all the good yon could for me. You have been very good. I thank you very much." The Coroner Did he make any confession t The Governor No actual confession. Dr. Hackett said the execution was carried out expeditiously, and death was caused by fracture and dislocation of the neck. The Rev. J. Glyn Williams (foreman of the jury) Did he offer any resistance ? Dr. Hackett None at all. The Governor We rather expected it, but he went very quietly. The jury returned the usual verdict. Tmmm■*—————

Doctor and Jury. INCIDENT AT BARRY INQUEST. At Barry on Thursday, before Mr D. Rees, coroner ,an inquest was held into the circum- stances of the death of Fanny Davies (45). Alfred Davies, Regent-street, warehouseman. husband of deceased, said his wife died on Sunday morning last. On Saturday morning < she said she had slipped, but said she was nob much hurt. When he returned home to dinner she appeared all right; but at tea time, she was was sitting in the chair and appeared very ill. Dr. C. F. G. Sixsmith said she had had some kind of a stroke through the bursting of a vessel. She had suffered from spinal concussion. which was caused by the slip downstairs. Dr. C. F. Sixsmith, in reply to the Coroner, said that he had certified the cause of death. The Coroner I don't quite agree with you that it was proper to certify in a case where death could be attributed only to the accident. The Coroner, in addressing the jury, referred to a remark made by the doctor that Barry juries brought in a verdict of Natural causes." After remarking that he did not understand that allusion of Dr. Sixsmith, he (Mr Rees) paid a high compliment to the Bary jurymen. and dissociated himself from the remark en- tirely, and also from the doctor when he said he thought he ought to have certified in a case like this. Dr. Sixsmith then said he did not want to cast any aspersions on the present jury. A juryman who said he had sat on many juried at Barry said he resented the remark very much. A verdict of Accidental death wafl returned.

Menelik Dying. ABYSSINIAN EMPRESS DEPOSEB. Adis Abebba, Wednesday.—Owing to th* Emperor Menelik's health preventing him from carrying on State business, Ras Lessama, the guardian of Sidj Yason, the heir-apparent and future Regent, to-day decided, in agreement with the principal chiefs, to take over the Government. Important administrative changes are expected shortly.—Reuter. A later Reuter telegram states that the Em- peror of Abyssinia is dying. The Empress has been deposed. The chiefs have given allegience to the heir apparent.

LAST ASSIZE CASE. Before Mr Justice Pickford, at the Glamor- gan Assizes at Cardiff on Thursday—without a jury—the last of the cases set down for hearing came on. It was an action brought by Norman Mclver, draper, Pern- broke terrace. Cardiff. against JohB Smallman, auctioneer, Clare-gardens, Car- diff, in business at Pontypridd, to recover possession of certain promissory notes handed by plaintiff to defendant to discount. Mr John Sankey, K.C., and Mr Ivor Bowen were for the plaintiff, and Mr Lincoln Reed appeared for the defendant. The question involved was the rate of in- terest or discount chargeable upoa the pro- missory notes, plaintiff* alleging that the usual rate was 5 per cent. on the face value of ordi- nary bills of four, eight, or twelve months, and the defendant setting up a contract to pay 15 per cent. per annum. The amount in dispute was £160. The transaction arose in January, 1907, when plaintiff sold a portion of hia rounds," to be paid for in bills or exchange. In the result his Lordship gave judgment for plaintiff for the amount due to him, calculat- ing the discount at 7! per cent. The discount on the whole of the bills worked out at JE68 13s 9d, and the total sum which plaintiff was given judgment for was £ 13616s 3d. With the disposal of this case the AssiaeS came to an end.

VINDICATED HIS HONESTY. The jury at Cardiff Assize on Wednesday awarded JE50 to Handel Griffiths, contractor at the Windsor Colliery, Abertridwr, who sued Daniel Walter Thomas, also of Abertridwr, for slander. The slander, which was denied, con- sisted of the alleged utterance of insinuations as to the bona-fides of a burglary at the house of plaintiff, who was treasurer of the Abertri- dwr Miners' Lodge, JE100 of Federation money being stolen. Another case in which Robert Williams was the defendant, and Handel Griffiths the plaintiff, was withdrawn, each side paying their own CMt-A,