The Cardiff Times

Expired in a Fight. TRAClC NEWPORT AFFAIR. On Saturday evening, Cyril Bligbe, engaged I as" holder up for boilermakers, died in Dol- phin-street, Newport, after being engaged in a fight in the street with George Jones, labourer, South Market-street, Newport. During the evening a number of men gathered at the Dolphin Hotel, were arguing about some other men. This led to a quarrel, which, it is stated, resulted in Blighe (the deceased man), challenging Jones to fight. The latter at first objected, but later went outside, where a scuffle ensued in which Blighe fell to the ground. He was carried to his lodgings a few doors away where he ex- pired in a few miuntes. Dr. S. Hamilton was sent for and pronounced life extinct. Other than a slight abrasion on the nose and chin there were no external marks of violence on the body, and the skull was not 'fractured. Jones, upon hearing of Blighe's death, went to the police office and gave an account of what had taken place, but the police authorities do not appear to take a serious view of the matter, for some time later they liberated him on bail. When spoken to on the subject, Jones said he was in the Dolphin Inn talking about a quarrel which had taken place a few days pre- viously between two brothers. Blighe subse- quently entered the inn, and after some con- versation he accused a man of having held one of the brothers during the quarrel. This was denied, and Blighe became very excited and foamed at the mouth. Turning to him (Jones) he saidy" You can have something else if you like," and invited him to go outside. Jones said, "All right," and Blighe went out from the bar into the street. Jones attempted to follow him, but was prevented by the custo- mers in the bar. When Blighe saw that Jones was not following, he opened the bar door and said, Are you coming ?" The customers then allowed Jones to go outside, where Blighe was standing in a fighting attitude in the middle of the road. 1 hey immediately commenced to fight. Blighe struck me in the left eye," said Jones, and I retaliated on the face. We both fell to the ground and got on our feet again. I then got in another blow on to de- ceased's face, and he went -down again. That was all that took place. I did not think any- thing serious was wrong with him." According to a man named Richards, de- ceased walked up to Jones and spat in his face. Jones said, Don't do that again," to which Blighe replied, Come outside and I will do something else." Both men are unmarried, Blighe being a North of England man, born, it is believed, in Hartlepool. Jones has lived in Newport for a number of years, and is a South Walian. Before Alderman Mark Mordey and other Magistrates at Newport on Monday, G. Jones, labourer, of South Market-street, surrendered to his bail on a charge of causing the death of Cyril Blighe, by fighting. It is alleged that Jones and Blighe fought, outside the Dolphin Hotel, on Saturday evening, as the result of a quarrel in the hotel, and that Blighe fell to the ground, and afterwards expired. Jones went to the police station, and to P.C. Lawrence is stated to have said I want to give myself up. I have fought a man in Dolphin-street to-day, and I have heard since that he is dead. I thought it better to give myself up than wait to be arrested." Jones afterwards made a statement, and was allowed out on bail, himself in £10, and two sureties of £10 each.\ Mr Lyiidon Cooper (deputy-coroner) held an inquest at Newport Tuesday on Cyril Blighe (32), single, a labourer, of Dolphin-street, who expired subsequent to a fight on Saturday evening with another labourer named George Jones. Deceased was a native of Hartlepool, and, according to the evidence of Edward George Fox, a 'bosun, and a fellow-lodger, Blighe and he went into the bar of the Dolphin late in the afternoon, Blighe being slightly under the influence of drink. They had drinks together in the side bar, and Blighe afterwards went into the large bar. where he com- menced to quarrel with Sydney Richards with reference to an affair of the Tues- day previous. When witness tried to pacify the disputants Blighe rushed out of the bar, calling upon Jones to come out and fight. Jones had not engaged in the quarrel, but, after he, witness, had detained him, Blighe came in, and again called on Jones to fight. The latter then followed into the street with (the other men in the b«Lr, and a fight com- The latter then followed into the street with (the other men in the bar, and a fight com- menced between him and Blighe. Blows were exchanged, and after being struck just below the chest, deceased spun around and fell. He did not rise again, but was carried to his lodg- ings, where he expired. The fight did not last more than two minutes, and was quite fttir. Further evidence of the quarrel and subse- quent fight was given, and Dr. Hamilton stated that death was due to cardiac syncope. De- ceased's heart and liver were considerably enlarged, and death might have been occa- sioued by excitement or unusual exertion. There were no internal injuries, and only a. few abrasions on the face. The jury found that Deceased died from heart failure, due to excitement."

U.S. SAILORS INJURED. Two bluejackets of the American warships visiting Gravesend were involved in a four- wheeler accident in Gray's Inn-road late on Sunday night. The horse bolted and completely wrecked the vehicle by colliding with the street refuge. The driver, William Tilley, of Stayman- street, City-road, was injured in the back, and one of the bluejackets, Frederick Zolch, of the U.S.S. Vermont, had to be detained in the Royal Free Hospital, suffering from injuries to the head. The other bluejacket was allowed to return to his ship after treatment for cuts and bruises.

SET PINAFORE ON FIRE. While Mrs Smallcombe, of Prospect-place, Talywain, was absent from her home a few moments on Saturday morning her two and a half years old boy John set fire to his pinafore. A neighbour, hearing the screams, hurried to the scene and extinguished the flames. The child, however, was badly burned about the face, arms, and legs. Dr. M'Allan, assistant to Dr. Mulligan, arrived and had the child conveyed to the Pontypool Hospital, where he died about two hours afterwards.

VICTIM OF GAMBLING MANIA. A remarkable story of a suicide comes from Revigo, Venetia. A man who took his own life there left a letter for his wife, in which he said that he had been in the habit, for the past 10 years, of indulging in play at the tables every Saturday on a certain system. Had he followed his system on one particular Saturday when he forgot to play he would have won £ 2,500. Thus betrayed by fortune he thought t bet ter to commit suicide.—Central News.

At a coroner's inquiry on Saturday into the circumstances attending the death of Stanley James Davies, a child of three, who was run over and killed by a tramcar at Swansea on Thursday, evidence was, given that the child ran across the tramline in Convent-street, and slipped under the side of a car which was pro- ceeding slowly down hill towards Swansea. The child got under the car and jacks had to be obtained before the body could be removed. { The jury returned a verdict of Accidental t death," and exonerated the driver from blame.

I CONDITION OF AFFAIRS. AT BARRY. At next week's meeting of the Cardiff Guardians the Rev. Pandy John will move that the Board take some action to provide shelter for the large number of seamen at I' Barry Doek who are absolutely destitute. The rev. gentleman, speaking at Saturday's meeting of the Board, told a pitiable story of the pre- vailing poverty. He said that there was no place at all for destitute sailors to sleep except on the dock side or ash tijis, and in the past week the officials of the Seamen's Institute had been obliged to throw operi their doors and allow the men to sleep on the floors. If the men slept out they were arrested and brought before the Court, but if they were without means there was no provi- sion for them. The police could not offer them shelter, and the board were now asked to take steps to provide some sort of night ac- commodation. The Chairman (Mr O. H. Jones) said it was a matter for the police. Two years ago the board had declined to sanction the erection of a casual ward, and also would not allow the police to give tickets. If you give tickets, he added, you will attract all the tramps in the country to Barry." Mr Melhuish was strongly of opinion that something should be done. Mr Good I would ask the sailors to apply to the coalowners and shippers—who make their money out of these men—to make provi- sion for them. The Chairman: They can do that without our leave. (Laughter.) The matter will come on next week. Poor Law Patients. < The decided to call upon Dr. Milward, Medi- cal Officer for the Central District, to provide necessary accommodations for the patients, the Local Government Board having agreed to this. Charge of Inhumanity Refuted. The Barry Socialist Society having pro- tested against the inhumanity with which the Poor Law is being administered by the Cardiff Board of Guardians, The Rev. Canon J. Ri. Buckley strongiy ob- jected to the word inhumanity." He had been on the board for a great many years, and said that each successive board had been animated by the deepest sympathy for the poor. Lately a new scale had been adopted with a view to securing uniformity and pre- vent imposition. It was quite possible that the scale would have to be amended. The Rev. E. T. Davies Hear, hear. Canon Buckley added that the board felt deeply for the poor, and many of the members worked amongst them. They were anxious to do their best for both the poor and the rate- payers. Country for Cottage Homes. Mr D. R. Morgan has given notice that at the next meeting of the board he will move that the Children's Homes Committee should oonsider the question of negotiating with a view to putting cottage homes in the country instead of in the town as at present. The Widow's Mite. The Rev. E. T. Davies, Penarth, drew atten- tion to the case of a widow and five children in the Dinas Powis district to whom relief was being paid on behalf of the Pontypridd Union. Mr Davies said that the Out-relief Revisory Committee had been asked to ascertain if it was the practice of Pontypridd Union to allow Is per week for coal. Instead of doing this the committee had resolved that the Is weekly for coal be declined. He asked that the case be referred back to the Revisory Committee. The chairman (Mr O. H. Jones) said that the Cardiff Union did not allow Is weekly for coal, and recipients of relief from other Unions were treated as were those directly under the Cardiff' Board. The motion was lost.

NEWPORT. Coal Supply Affected by the Strike. It was reported at a meeting of the Newport Guardians on Saturday that out-relief was granted to 2,275 persons during the week ended November 11th, an increase of 120 on the previous week and of 29 on the correspond- ing week of last year. During the two weeks ended November 18th there was a decrease of 11 Hn the number of vagrants. A communication was received from the Cwmaman Coal Co., Ltd.. stating that they were unable to supply 300 tons of coal ordered by the Guardians owing to the stoppage of work at the colliery. The board thereupon directed the master to purchase 50 tons of coal from Messrs John Lancaster and Co., Ltd. Christmas Fare. The board decided to provide the usual Christmas fare at the Workhouse and Cottage Homes and to provide a Christmas tree for the children.

CHEPSTOW. At the Chepstow Board of Guardians on Saturday the following were the successful tenders :—Drapery, divided between Messrs Herbert Lewis, Alfred Lewis, and the Chep- stow Drapery Company clothing, divided between Mr J. Curtis, Chepstow, and Mr J. R. Gosling, Lydney boots, divided between Mr J. R. Gosling and Mr Martin Smith. St. Arvans. Miss M. E. Davies, a former laundry superin- tendent, was re-appointed, the two selected candidates to appear before the committee having declined the position. It was decided to give vagrants a pint of tea I and an allowance of cheese with their bread instead of the old fare of bread and water. Three hundred and eight vagrants had been re- lieved during the fortnight, the same number as at the corresponding period of last year. It was resolved to give the inmates a Christ- mas dinner with beer on the Monday follow- ing Christmas Day. There were some 32 or 34 inmates who would become entitled to old age pensions in January, and four at first said they would apply for the pension, butsirlcethree had with- drawn, saying they could not manage outside on 5s a week. There was one left wbdse case would come before the Pension Committee.

DISCOVERY IN, A WOOD. In a lonely corner of Stanway Wood, near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, a party of sportsmen on Monday came across the decom- I¡ posed remains of a man. Near by a bicyc!e was lying. In one of the man's pockets a card was discovered which leads the police to believe that the remains are those of Edwin Gabb, a watchmaker, of Burford-road, Eves- sham. who disappeared in September.

I Missionaries Differ. BtVEROENT VIEWS AT NEWPORT, At the Newport Town Hall on Monday meetings were held of the local committee of the Church of England Foreign Missionary Society. The Bishop of Llandaff presided. At the forenoon meeting Dr. Herbert Lankester reported on the World Missionary Conference recently held at Edinburgh, calling attention to the main features of the discussions. There was a large attendance at the forenoon taeeting, when the Archdeacon of Brecon called for a deeper home interest in foreign missionary work. The missionary portion of Christian work was (he said) too often treated as an outside part of Christianity. The Rev. F. A. Wallis (of Zanzibar) and Dr. T. Jayes (of China) related their missionary experiences. The former, referring to a claim that the whole world could be evangelised in this generation, protested that this was impossible; the Church should concentrate its efforts upon the thorough Christianisation of those parts of the foreign mission field where they were already established. Dr. Jayes, on the other hand, said that he believed that to evangelise the world in the present generation was quite within the bounds of possibility. The last speaker had, he remarked, warned them against hurrying, but Dr. Jayes said he would point out that the Church of Christ was being kept out of only one-third of the world because it had not hurried in the days of the past. We had the material and the means to spread the Gospel to all parts, if there was but concen- trated and determined effort.

LAID TO REST AT BEDWELLTY. The funeral of the late Dr. G. A. Brown, J.P., Tredegar, took place on Monday afternoon and was a remarkable demonstration of the universal esteem in which the decease4 gentleman was held throughout the dis- trict. The interment was at Bedwellty Church cemetery. The burial service was conducted in the ancient edifice by the Rev. T. Theophilus, R.D., vicar of Tre- degar, the Rev. R. W. Roberts, rector of Bed- wellty, and the Rev. G. E. H. Theophilus, M.A., vicar of St. James's, Tredegar. Mr G. Kilburn, the organist, played The Dead March (in Saul"). The Rev. T. Theophilus, R.D., conducted the service at the graveside and read the service prescribed by the Free- masons' Society, the members of which dropped sprigs of acacia on the coffin of their de- parted brother. The grave was lined with iIvy, moss, chrysanthemums, and other flowers.

SUSTAINED IN FIGHT P At Llandaff on Monday, Llewellyn Llewellyn, of Cardiff, was charged with doing grievous bodily harm to George Hawker,of Whitchurch, in July last. The charge had been twice adjourned, and yesterday, Mr A. H. Bullock ap- peared for the prosecution and MrHaroldLloyd defended. The prosecution alleged that in July last, when the parties lived next door to one another at Whitchurch, Llewellyn had attacked Hawkex and bit one of his fingers so severely that prosecutor had lost the use ot it. In consequence of the injuiry he had con- tracted blood poisoning and had lost many weeks' work The defence, as indictated in the cross-examination, was that the men were fighting, and that Hawker rt-ceived his injury as a result of catching hold of Llewellyn's throat. The charge was sent to the Quarter Sessions and Llewellyn reserved his defence.

REFUGE TOO NARROW. On Monday, at the Police Station, New Tre- degar, Mr J. B. Walford (coroner) held an in- quest upon the body of Charles Henry Butler, who met with his death at the Old Powell Duffryn Pit. Mr White, Newport (Inspector of Mines for South Wales), Mr Councillor A. Thomas (secretary and assistant agent of the Rhymney Valley Miners' Federation), and Mr' A. j. Price (manager of the pits) were present. Deceased and two other men had finished their work and were making their way home. At the same time a loaded journey was waiting to work and were making their way home. At the same time a loaded journey was waiting to be hauled to the bottom of the pit. The rider had prepared for the journey and observing a light on the road shouted out for clearance and started. Deceased made an attempt to cross the road, but the place of refuge being too narrow he was caught and so injured that he soon died. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

SHAFT SIDE COLLAPSE. At the Midland Hotel, Oulton, near Nor- manton, on Monday, an inquest was opened concerning the death of Patrick Joseph Burns Ingle (24), who was killed on Thursday last while working as a sinker in Water Haigh Colliery, Oulton, by the collapse of the shaft side. The Coroner said it was unfortunate that within six months two accidents should have occurred in the same pit. Six lives were lost oh the previous occasion, but so far only one now. It would be the jury's duty to ascertain whether the lesson of the former accident had been properly observed. Mr Pickering (Chief Inspector of Mines) promised a searching in- quiry. After evidence of identification the inquest was adjourned to December 1st.

NEW WELSH JUDGE. We are officially informed that Mr Lloyd Morgan, K.C., has been appointed Judge of County Courts Circuit 31 in plaee of his Honour Judge Bishop, resigned. Mr John Lloyd Morgan, K.C., who has repre- sented West Carmarthenshire for 21 years, was born at Carmarthen in 1861, and is the younger son of the late Rev. William Morgan, who was professor of philology ovqr a quarter of a century ago at the Presbyterian College, Car- marthen, when the late Dr. Vance Smith was principal. The new judge's elder brother was the late Mr Rixon Morgan, solicitor, and coroner for West Carmarthenshire.

AGAINST IMPURITY. C.M. Association Appeal. The Temperance Committee of the Cal- vinistic Methodist Church of Wales, the General Assembly of which was recently held at Swansea,are issuing for publication a resolution calling attention to the impurity prevalent in many of the populous districts of Wales, and to the lax way the law of the land in this re- spect is administered." The Federations of Free Churches in North and South Wales are urged to send deputa- tions to the local authorities pressing upon them the necessity of dealing vigorously with this evil.

MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BARONET. The death has occurred at Haverfordwest of I Mr J. D. Synge, landlord of the White Lion, Dew-street, Mr. Synge, who was also an assistant overseer, had been in ill health for a considerable time. He belonged to a noted family, and might have been a baronet had he chosen to take up the title. The baronetcy is an Irish one. but owing to the expense involved. coupled with ill health, he did not go in for the title. He leaves a widow but no family.

Welsh" Flag Recovered WILL IT L' PLACED AT LLANDAFF P A discovery of much interest to Welsh people, and particularly to the Welsh Regiment, has recently been made at a line old chateau at Azay le ttideau, in the Touraine district of France. Here was found the King's Colour of the old 69th (now the Welsh Regiment), which was lost during the desperate fight between the British and Napoleon's troops at Quatre Bras:, in 1815, a couple ofdaya prior to Waterloo. The old flag, a photograph of which appears in otft- columns, has been bought from the individual who owned it and brought back to England. Whether it will be handed over to the Welsh Regiment is not yet certain, but if this be done the flag would, in all probability, be placed with the other old colours of the 69th and 41st in Llandaff Cathedral. An interesting account of the circumstances under which this colour was lost and found again after a lapse of 95 years anPears in the current number of the journal of the Royal United Service Institution, to whom we are indebted for kind permission to reproduce a photograph of the famous old colour and to quote from their article. Quatre Bras was one of the most desperate battles Wellington fought. The 69th was one of the four regiments which composed the 5th Infantry Brigade under Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., and this brigade, with the 30th, 33rd, and 73rd made up the third division which formed part of the 1st Corps commanded by H.R.H. the Prince of Orange. How the Colours were Lost. In Captain Siborne's history of the war the incident of the losing of the colour is related as follows :—" A sudden and heavy cannonade had already opened from the heights—a sure prelude to the attack which was about to take place—and the 69th Regiment was in the act of forming square when the Prince of Orange rode up to it and asked what was doing. Colonel Morice explained that he was forming square in pursuance of the instructions he had received, upon which his RoyaJ Highness, re- marking that he did not think there was any chance of the cavalry coming on, ordered him to reform column and to deploy into line. During this last movement a strong body of French cuirassiers, taking advantage of the surrounding high corn, and of the circum- stance of the regiment lying in a hollow, ap- proached unperceived quite close to the spot, and rushing suddenly and impetuously upon a flank, succeeded in completely rolling up the regiment, riding along and over the unfortu- nate men, of whom great numbers were cut down, and in the midst of the confusion thus created captured and carried off one of the colours, in defence of which Major Lindsay, Lieutenant Pigot, and Volunteer Clarke highly distinguished themselves and were desper- ately wounded. An eye-witness of the affair in describing it subsequently wrote" A terrible sabring ensued. One of the officers (Volunteer Clarke), who carried the regimental colour, was hacked and cut in a fearful manner. Notwithstanding this, he pre- served the standard, but the other colour was wrenched from the hands of the officer who bore it and carried off as a trophy of success." "Thelossofacolourbya regiment," adds the writer of the article in the journal of the Royal United Service Institution, has always been most deeply felt, but in this case the loss of its flag reflects neither blame nor dishonour on the regiment. The 69th was placed in an im- possible position by the direct order of a superior officer, and this is the end of the whole matter." Story of Its Recovery. So much for the loss of the colour. A word or so regarding its recovery. An English officer, Captain J. P. Jeffcock, late of the Inniskilling Dragoons, when in France some time ago, visited the chateau at Azay Ie Rideau. Here, in the hall of the porter's lodge, Captain Jeffcock saw two flags labelled For sale." He recognised one as a Dutch and the other as a British colour, and asked to whom they be- longed. They had, it appeared, belonged to a former curator, Louis Xavier de Ricard, Who had given them to the hall porter in liquida- tion of a debt. The officer in command of the French Cuiras- siers at Quatre Bras was General Donzelot. They captured in all four colours, of which he gave two to the Musee des Invalides, in Paris, and left two, that of the 69th and a Dutch colour, to his nephew, General de Ricard, from whom they passed to his son Louis Xavier de Ricard, who was keeper of the Chateau d'Azay Ie Rideau. The colour, which, considering its age, is in an excellent state of preservation, measures 6 feet square. As will be seen by our illustra- tion, the silk near the heavy embroidery in the centre is somewhat perished, and the colours of the fabric are slightly faded. The colour of the 69th and the Dutch flag were pur- chased for 600 francs, and brought to this country after having remained in France for nearly a century.

Gorseinon Dispute. A SERIOUS STRIKE THREATENED. The notices presented by members of the Welsh Artisans' United Association employed at the Grovesend Steel and Tin'plate Works, Gorseinon, are fast running out, yet so far nothing has been done to adjust the differences that have arisen. About 600 men would be affected by a stoppage. The trouble originated in the dismissal of a boiler fireman at the tin works and of a loco- motive shunter at the steel works, Gorseinon, both belonging to the Grovesend Company. The company, it appears, are members of the Welsh Plate and Sheetmakers' Association, and consequently of the Tinplate Conciliation Board, to which the Artisans' Union is also affiliated. The men who have presented notices at the tinworks come under the following clause of the Conciliation Board agreement:— If any dispute arises in case of any em- ployees not included in the wage agreement a committee of three masters and three men shall discuss the matter, and failing to agree shall refer the matter to the Conciliation Board for settlement." The secretary of the Artisans' Union has publicly stated that he has endeavoured to have the dispute dealt with under this clause. The company, however, regard the dispute as one of management. The attention of the Welsh Plate and Sheet- makers' Association has been called to the matter, and a special council o( the Welsh Artisans' Union has been convened to consider the position. Should a strike, unfortunately, take place, it is possible that the Raven Works (Glanataman) and Hendy Works (Pontardu- lais), both belonging to the Grovesend Com- pany, may also become involved.

HORSE, WAGGON AND A COW. At Swansea County Court on Monday, before Judge Bryn Roberts, an interpleader action was heard with respect to a horse, a waggon, and a cow, which had been seized by Messrs Webb and Sons, seedsmen, to satisfy a judg- ment debt against Messrs J. A. Saunders and Sons, of West Gross. The claimant was Mrs Fanny Saunders (the wife of J. A. Saunders), who said she carried on the business of a market gardener, at Slade- gardens. West Cross. Mr Floyd (Messrs Edward Harris and Co.) appeared for the claimant, and Mr Beddoes Nash for the execu- tion creditors. Claimant said in October, 1906, her husband became bankrupt, and she made arrangements by which the horse, waggon, and cow came into her possession. She maintained that the business was hers and that she em- ployed men. Her husband lived at Slade, but up to nine months -ago had had a separate market garden at Newton. J. A. Saunders and his brother, Henry Saunders. gave evidence in support. The Judge said his view was that the whole thing was a collusion and that the goods were bought for common use. He therefore gave judgment for the execution creditors with costs.

SYNAGOGUE STRIFE. Cases in which the Jewish fraternity were in- terested were down for hearing at Brynmawr, on Monday, when Isaac Brest, senior, furniture dealer. Brynmawr, was summoned by Gerson Joel Ballin, also of Brynmawr, for disturbing a religious congregation at Brynmawr, on October 12th. Aaron D. Roskin, pawnbroker, Beaufort, and Abraham Berenhaum, pedlar, Brynmawr, were also summoned by Ballin for a similar offence, on the same date. Mr Thomas Hughes, Brynmawr, appeared for the complainant, and Mr D. Gibson Harris, Bryn- mawr, represented the defendants. When the cases were called on, Mr Hughes said that the parties had agreed to submit the matter to Dr. Adler, chief rabbi, and that would relieve the Bench. Mr Harris said other proceedings were pending in the Chancery Court, and he was content that the present matter should be referred to Dr. Adler. Mr Hughes said that unless the whole matters, including the proceeings in Chancery, were referred to Dr. Adler, he would prefer going on with the case. Dr. Adler could only interpret an arbitration award of Mr Alex- ander, K.O. The Bench decided to adjourn the case for a month.

LATE NEATH SUPPER PARTY. At Neath on Monday fceon Vint,a well-known theatrical artist, and owner of the Hippodrome Theatre, Neath, was summoned for being on the licensed premises of the Windsor Castle Hotel, Neath, at 3.20 a.m. on the morning of October 26th, not being a bona fide person. P S. Morgan said he saw a motor-car in the Windsor-road, and found defendant, with other&, in the hotel. Defendant said that he was staying there for the night, and the others were his friends, whom he had asked to supper. Mr Gaskell, for the defence, submitted that the defendant had engaged the room for the night, and that defendant was therefore a lodger, and had a perfect right to get refresh- ments and ask his friends there. The Bench came to the conclusion that the defendant believed himself to be a bona fide lodger, and was not there to evade the law. They therefore dismissed the case. Mr Hunter thereupon withdrew the sum- monses against. Harold Thomas, Mr and Mrs Casey, and the licensee, W. Parker.

I POSTAL REFORMS. Important Concessions. CHEAPER STATIONERY ANB STAMPS. In the House of Commons on Monday the Postmaster-General (Mr Herbert Samuel) an.. nounced some important postal and tele- graphic reforms. Mr Samuel I propose on the occasion of the issue next year (probably at the time of the Coronation) of the stamps and cards of the new reign to carry out a reform which has long been effected in most other countries, and which has long been desired in this—to sell the thin half-penny postcards and the penny letter cards for one half-penny and a penny each respectively, without the addi- tional charge now imposed as the price of the cards themselves. At the same time I propose to supply the 2s book of stamps, which now contain the value of only Is llld in stamps. the remaining halfpenny being charged to cover the cost of the manufacture of the books, in a form containing stamps to the full value of 2s, while paper and envelopes will be sold at prices slightly lower than at present, and for sums of more even amounts than those now charged. As the Board of Inland Revenue have been able to arrange contracts for the supply of stamps and stationery on more favourable terms than hitherto, and as I antici- pate I shall be able to secure a considerably increased revenue from the advertisements in- serted in the books of stamps, I am gted to say that these concessions can be effected with- out imposing any additional charge upon the Exchequer. I have given directions that printed matter on thin paper shall no longer be forbidden to bo affixed to inland postcards, that watches not of gold or silver may be sent through the post without a registration fee being compulsory, and that parcels sent toO ships of fl.M. fleet at home ports indicated in the Admiralty list supplied to the Post Office should no longer be liable to redirection charges if the ships be found to have left for other home ports. To Meet Commercial Men. The suggestion has been made to me that many commercial men would be glad to be enabled to obtain certificates of the posting of letters for a fee of halfpenny ea-ch, it being understood that such a certificate did not carry with it the guarantee of special security in transmission or of compensation in the event of loss which is given by registration at the minimum fee of twopence. Should I receive assurances from Chambers of Commerce or Trade Councils that a system of certificates of that character would be of value to the trading community I should be happy to consider its establishment at an early date. Proposals are under consideration for a large re- duction in the cable rates charged on the chief extra European routes for cablegrams in plain language and of a non-urgent character, but as the adoption of these proposals in- volves negotiations with foreign Administra- tions I am not yet in a position to make a state- ment with regard to them. The telephone • rates between England and France are about to be largely reduced, as the French Govern- ment have provided the additional wires which will be necessary. The rate between London and Paris will be reduced from 8s to 4s. Extensive alterations are poposed in the near position and equipment of the wireless tele- graph station for communication between ships and the coasts and the inland telegraph system of the United Kindom. Arrangements are under consideration for facilitating the general use of telephone numbers in place of street and house numbers as telegraphic ad- dresses, to which telegrams can be sent by telephone instead of by messenger. (Cheers.)

KING AND GALLANT SEAMEN. The King on Monday decorated the follow- ing with the Board of Trade medal for actions of gallantry in saving life at sea as stated after their names:— SILVER MEDAL. Herbert Balderson, seaman of the sg Carbam of Sunderland—The steaamship Trevoran of St. Ives sprang a leak during a heavy gaJe in the North Atlantic Ocean and began to sink on the 25th January, 1910. In answer to signals of distress the ss. Cafham, of Sunder- land, bore down and rescued the crew of 22. The first boat launched by the Carham was smashed and the second boat only got away partly manned, some of the crew jumping into the water and swimming to the boat. It was impossible for the boat to get near the wreck, so a line was passed and the shipwrecked men rescued by meaas of a raft pulled to and fro. Baldereon was one of the crew of the rescuing boat which had to make two trips, and the work of rescue occupied three hours. There was a high sea. at the time, and those who rendered assistance in- curred considerable risk. BRONZE MEDAL. Richard James Hewitt, second hand of the steam trawler Oldham, of Grimsby. The steam trawler Gothic, of Hull, was in a sinking con- dition in the North Sea on the 25th January. 1910. In answer to signals of distress the steam trawler Oldham, of Grimsby, bore down, and launching her boat, manned by Richard James Hewitt and Bdward Mercy Downes, succeeded, in spite of the high sea, in rescuing four of the crew of the Gothic, but the boat was badly damaged by being dashed against the wrecked vessel. After temporary repairs to the boat, an attempt was made to drift it to the Gothic by the aid of a line, bat the boat was swamped, and sank. Efforts to establish communica- tion with the sinking ship by means of lines attached to lifebuoys failed, and darkness coming on further attempts at rescue were abandoned. The Oldham stood by all night. and at daybreak, by means of lines, hauled the remainder of the shipwrecked men through the water about 25 minutes before the Gothic sank. Unfortunately, one man was dead when drawn on board the Oldham. The Press Association is informed that a recommendation for the conferring of the medal of the Royal Humane Society upon Lord George Wellesley for the rescue of a woman from the Thames on Saturday has been forwarded to the Royal Humane Society.

THE SONGS OF NATURE. Folk Song was the title of a lecture delivered on Monday befure a large audience at the Cory Hall, Cardiff, by Madame Edith Hands, A.R.A.M.. late of the City Temple. Folk songs, she said, were the production of nature. It was doubtful if there was a single human race which did not possess folk music. There was a subtle distinction between folk songs and the ordinary ditties which were heard so often. One striking feature was that in practically no instance was the name of the composer known. The lecturer dealt with the various songs of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and pointed out that in Somerset there was a preponderance of women's songs, this being due to the fact that many cottage industries had flourished in that county, and the gathering together of the women for work had led to united singing. It WAP possible, after a little study, to distinguish whence the songs came, for the characteristics were very marked and reflected the temperament of the people. The Folksong Society formed in 1898 for preserving folk songs had been very uuccess- fnl, said Madame Hand, and to instance what could be done it had only to be realised that two old ladies in Eastern England remembered between them over 80 songs. Madame Hand introduced a charming feature when she sang with much sweetness specimens of the folk music of the various countries. The lecture was one of the series arranged by the Cardiff Y.M.C.A.

BRAVERY AT PONTYPRIDD. In September last a little boy fell into the Glamorganshire Canal at Pontypridd and Bngler Tommy Rudd, a member of the Boy Scouts and also a bugler in the St. Matthew's Church Lads' Brigade, at considerable risk to himself jumped in and rescued him. At St. Matthew's Parish Church, Pontypridd, on Sunday evening there was a church parade of the members of the Juvenile Forces, the Church Lads' Brigade, the Church Bed Cross Ambulance and Nursing Brigade, and the Pontypridd Boy Scouts, when General Macready, who is in command of the military forces now quartered in the town, at the re- quest of the vicar (the Rev. James Thomas), presented Tommy Rudd with the honorary parchment of the Royal Humane Society and also awards from the Governing Committee of the Church Lads' Brigade. The members of the C.L.B., C.N.A.B., and the Boys'Scouts formed a guard of honour at the church door. After the service in the morning the brigades and the scouts with their colours marched down to the market square, where they were inspected by the General, who expressed himself pleased not onlv with the boys, whom he congratulated, but the girls also came in for a few words at, praise.

RUSSIAN SCANDALS. Kieff, Monday.—M. Makaraenke, Assistant Chief Military Procurator, has arrived here from St. Petersbtirg in connection with the approaching cause celebre of the arraignment of no fewer than 287 officers and administra- tive officials of the commissa.riat department of the military province. All of the accused, among whom are 23 generals, lieutenant- generals, and major-generals, will first be closely interrogated by M. Makaraenke, acting as a jugc d'instruction of the first instance, and thereafter they will be tried in groups before a specially-constituted military tribunal to assemble here about the end of Jannarv next. The first group consists of 35 officer", nf all ranks. The four main charges under which the general indictment is drawn up are gross frkud, robbery, corruption, and blackmail. These amazing commissariat scandals are not confined to this military district. Similar frauds, gross peculation, and flagrant corrup- tion have been discovered by various revising senators in ait the military provinces of Euro- pean Russia, Siberia, and Russian Central Asia, and the total number of officers crimi- nally concerned is about 760.-Ccntral News.

PEERS v. PEOPLE. Chancellor's Declaration. STIRRING SPEECH AT MILE END Tory Begey Worship. Mr Lloyd George on Monday addressed a meeting of 5,000 men at the Paragon Music Hall, Mile End-road. Mr Lloyd George, who was warmly cheered on rising, said he had come there that night to talk to them about the grave issue whi. h had arisen out of a series of events which cul- minated in the rejection of the Budget. It was the rejection of the Budget which precipitated the crisis. Now, what about it ? The Govern- ment needed money for the defence of the country. They were urged to spend more by people who objected to contribute a penny towards that expenditure. They needed money tor the purpose of a great scheme of social reform, long promised by both parties, and much too long deferred—(hear, hear)—and the Government met it by taxing great incomes, great fortunes, and the luxuries of all classes. That was their proposal. They sent it to the House of Lords, and what did the tatter demand ? That great wealth should be spared, that they should pass luxuries by untaxed, and the money squandered on luxuries also, and that they should impose the burden on the bread and meat of the people. (Cries of Shame.") What was the Government's answer ? That not an ounce would they tax out of the neces- saries of the people. (Cheers.) Then the Lords said, "Out with your Budget, then," and," continued the Chancellor, we have come here to-night to ask you to help us to put them out. (Loud cheers.) That is how the ronHict began." He observed the last election enabled the Government to carry the Budget, this election was going to make it impossible for a hereditary House ever to reject another. (Cheers.) It might be asked, "Was not that settled by the last election ?" That was the mandate; but they were convinced that before the task could be accomplished it was essential that they should have another victorious elec- tion. He added, I am talking with a due tense of my responsibility as a Cabinet Minis- ter, and I say to you that you can venture to trust us not to have a wanton election. Why should we ? We have a majority of over a hundred. We have not been defeated, and an election is to all of us a worry, a torment, and an exhaustive business. Does any man in his senses believe that we would provoke another General Election un- less we were certain that if we could get a majority it would be a final one in this long- drawn struggle between the Peers and the people ? (Cheers.) The Budget passed six months ago had been a complete financial success. Money was needed for social reform. Voice of the Suffragette. (A Voice Bullying women is not social reform," and disturbance, during which the interrupter was ejected.) It had been found. (Cheers.) The Protec- tionist Budgets of foreign countries had been failures. They had not produced the cash which they were estimated to produce. Our Free Trade Budget had been in operation for six months. Some of the resolutions had been in operation for 18 months. Out of the money of the pudget they had voted 20 millions-out of the new taxes they had voted this sum to raise the old people above need. (Hear, hear.) Out of the money raised by the much-abused Budget they had spent 10 millions more upon building ships and equipping the Navy. They were going to bring in an additional 200,000 poor old people who were now branded with the stain of pauperism—they were going to make them State pensioners like Dukes. (Laughter.) That meant two millions of money, and all that was found by the new taxes of the Budget. What was more, they had got the cash to start an in- surance scheme that would insure two million workmen against the evils of unemployment. That was not all. They would start next year the money was raised a scheme to insure fifteen millions of workpeople, men and women, against the anxieties and distress that came to householders when the bread winners' fcealth broke down. And the Lords Threw It Out. AH the taxes were coming in, including the whiskey tax. (Laughter.) All that was in the Budget, and the Lords threw it out. They threw it out as if it were an unclean thing. They did it because the Government dared to touch the ark of the covenant—the land. By means of the Budget they had extracted 25 millions without injuring business. Another Interruption. (Another suffragist Interruptionu occurred aere, and the interrupter was ejected.) Pro- ceeding, the Chancellor said he was constantly 7-eminded that he was a Celt, and that he sometimes suffered under the delusions of that imaginative race. He would admit it-Oaugh- ter)—and there was one delusion—if it were a delusion he would always cherish it—that the government of this world was not wholly material. When he saw a great nation like ours pausing amid its com- mercial troubles,when trade was bad, and when things were looking gloomy, this was the time above all others to think of those who suffered amongst them, and when he saw how, since 1908, the nation began to prosper he said to himself, Celt as he was, that he still believed what the old King said three thousand years ago: Blessed is he who considereth the poor." (Cheers.) Tory Devil Worship. Referring to the Veto question Mr Lloyd George said This time we mean to have a decision on this subject. It has been said that we are doing all this at the dictation of Mr John Redmond. (Laughter.) The Tory party must always have a bogey. There are certain tribea in this world—savage tribes—who are addicted to devil worship. (The Tory party is one of those tribes.) Last election the Germans were the bogey. In 1900 it was the Dutchmen, in 1895 it was the Irish, and in 1885, it was Mr Joseph Chamberlain. (Loud laughter.) Having exhausted the list they are coming round to the Irishmen. (Re- newed laughter.) But he is a different Irishman to the Irishman of 1895. That Irishman, if you remember, was a mid- night assassin, ragged, tattered, and fierce, but the Irishman of to-day is a gilt-edged bogey. He is framed in American dollars. What I should like to know is this Since when ba £ the British aristocracy despised American dollars? (Cheers.) I am creditably informed that there is a newspaper even in London, a Tory paper, run by American dollars." (Laugh- ter.) And what about the Irish landlords and their cruel rack rents ? Who paid these rack rentsT (A Voice: American dollars.). The children of the Irish peasant, driven across the seas into exile in far-off lands, used to send their earnings to Ireland to keep the poor old people from being thrown out of the cottages they built with their own hands. And how many American dollars passed through America to Ireland to pay Irish landlords in 20 years ? Eighty million dollars. Some Canadian Dollars. He reminded his audioncc that the money which Mr Redmond had collected to carry on his campaign of liberty for Ireland did not all come from America. A large- proportion came from Canada and since when had Canada become a foreign country ? When Canada and Canadian statesmen were to be used as an excuse for taxing the bread of the people—they were our kith and kin beyond the seas, our dearest relations—and when Canadians subscribed money for the purpose of enabling Ireland to win the same measure of self-government as they themselves enjoyed, then Canadians were aliens tearing down the Constitution. As far as the last Parliament was concerned, the quarrel with the House of Lords was a British one. As far as self-government for Ire- land was concerned, they stood by the position they had taken that the House pf Lords was just as much a barrier to relieving Ireland of its, oppression as it was to the democracy of England, Scotland, and Wales. The Lords, however, said that the Government plan was a violent one- In fact, they said it was a Socialistic plan. That was another bogey. Mr John Bright, he would remind them, was the first man to propose the plan which they now urged for the acceptance of the country. Who else started it ? Lord Rosebery, and was he a Socialist There was no man in the country who clung to property more tenaciously than Lord Rosebery. Lords' Own Resolutions. That night the Lords had tabled a series of resolutions—wonderful resolutions—a great scheme and no particulars. These would be filled in if the people gave them a majority. As far as he could see it was a plan whereby the Tories could carry tariffs and tax all the necessaries of life without a check, but no Liberal Government could put an extra penny of taxation on the wealthy. They could not tax monopolies. Every Radical Bill would have to go to a referendum, and the nation would be fined two millions—the cost of a General Election—every time a Radical Bill had to be passed, but a Conservative Bill would just canter over the course. Equal treatment for all white men We will have none of these shams. (Cheers.) Don't you trust these vague, misty, obscure Er>i{»o3als. They arc just the smile of the •ostv morning, ^hey look bright, but there in ivo glow in them. They arc full of biting,! poisonous sting. (Cheers.) There is but one thing we must insist upon, and that is, when the p< ->>ple of this country have decided, after ret1ert..ion. that certain measures shall be- COBC part of the law of the land, no man, be he great or small, shall have the right to stop them. (Cheers.) The LiV«-.ral Government was not a junta of party leaders; it was the executive of the country. A Liberal House of Commons was not a party convention its mem- bers were the chosen representatives of the people in the House that was to establish its Jaw. And if they rejected their measures or mutilated them they were not fighting the Liberal party-they were making a. mockery of free institutions. So they went to the country to put an end to all tint lor ever. (Cheers.) There was no free country in the world—he was not talking of Russia—who would look at ÐW. system. Our Colonies would not look at our systratai They had senators chosen (iiiectly ov indirectly by the people. If they went to Australia and asked if they had v.. t hey would be requested to I explain what it was. Well, ha would give them the ir oldest and < onsequently their best stock because an aristocracy was like cheese— the olde.1 it, wa.s the higher it went. (Laughter.) A few French filibusters from Normandy killed the owners of property and levied for their own use death duties of 100 per cent. That was how the British aristocracy started. The Australians would tell them they had a few years ago bush- rangers, but they hanged the last of them before they had the opportunity of founding a family. (Laughter.) The second quality of our aristocracy rose out of the' Reforma- tion, When a certain number of people appropriated to their own use land and buildings consecrated to feed the needy and tend the sick. The next time he was called a robber by the descendants of these spoliators he was going to say, You are living now upon proceeds of a church poor box your ancestors stole." (Cheers.) The Australians would say rather than be governed by men like those he had described they would be governed by a Senate of kangaroos. (Laughter.) Another Ejectment. It was no use trying to tinker and reform the Lords. They were past it. A Voice: Remove your veto from the •Vomen's Bill," and disturbance, during which the interrupter was removed. Let us." concluded the right hon. gentle- man, make straight the crooked path let us clear the encumbered road, so that justice may have as easy access to the grey homes of the people as to the palace of the mighty." (Cheers.) A resolution pledging the meeting to support the'Government in the task of destroying the Lords' veto was carried with great,enthusiasm. Replying to a vote of thanks, Mr Lloyd George said :— I tell you in all solemnity, as one who is on the watch tower, that the whole future of democratic progress in this country depends upon the issue of this contest. •

Startling Confession. INCIDENT IN CRIMINAL APPEAL A confession in open court was a remark- able feature of a criminal appeal case before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Darling and Pickford on Monday. Giving evidence on behalf of appellants— John Walker and Thomas Malyon, sentenced at the Essex Sessions to six and. nine months' hard labour respectively for the theft of a till —a man named Owen Gomme confessed to having himself committed the offence, and made the following statement:— He heard the appellants had been charged with the theft and attended Chelmsford Sessions to see whether they would get off. When he heard them found-guilty he walked up to the front of the court. He said :— Excuse me, you bave convicted innocent men. I stole the till." No sooner had he made that statement than he was caught by the throat and thrown out of the court. Asked by counsel whether he had not a bad career, witness said, I did not come here to talk about my character. I came here to get two innocent men free, and do their punish- ment." Mr Justice Darling Are you ready now, with the knowledge that you may get penal servitude, to say that you stole the till ? Witness Yes. I plead guilty rather than see two men get punished for it. In giving judgment allowing the appeal, the Lord Chief Justice said the court would hesi- tate a long time before it acted upon the state- mentmadeby aman like Gomme, who certainly should not be alloweu to escape punishment. He had either stolen the till or had com- mitted deliberate perjury to shield guilty persons. It was fair to say that the man cer- tainly did confess at Chelmsford, and had repeated his statement the day after having been made fully aware of the consequences. The Court believed that it was better to let a. guilty man go free rather than an innocent man should be convicted. The only ground upon which they could interfere was that there was evidence now before the court which had it been tendered before the court at Chelms- ford would, no doubt, have brought about the acquittal of the accused men. Therefore the convictions would be quashed. Gomme left the court, but was at once arrested.

ABERYSTWYTH RESIGNATIONS. Before the ordinary business of Aberystwyth Board of Guardians began on Monday, Mr Ed. Llewellin asked to be allowed to make an explanation with reference to certain remarks which he made at the last meeting. At that meeting he stated that Nurse Jones was not certificated When she was appointed but he was now satisfied that she was certificated, and expressed his regret at anything then said to cause Nurse Jones pain. Since the last meeting the doctor had stated that he (the speaker) was a cad, and as a guardian he pro- tested against it, and now gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that Dr. Bonsall he called upon to terminate his ap- pointments tender the Board, and thutappHctt- tion be made to the Local Government Board for their sanction. Dr. Bonsall, the medical officer, said he was glad to hear that statement. He willingly withdrew anything he had said if he had said anything unkind. The Clerk read a letter from Mr and Mrs Jones (master and matron) intiinating their intention to resign at the end of the year on account of advancing age and indifferent health. On the motion of Captain Fossett Roberts, seconded by Mr C. P. Lloyd, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs Jones for their faithful and efficient services under the Board. It was agreed to advertise for a master and matron at a salary of JE50 and JSOJ • In reply to a question if a night nurse was any longer required, Dr. Bonsall said there were blind people in the house. Fire extin- guishers wfre not always wanted, though necessary, and it was the same with the nurse. (Laughter.) It was decided to dispense with the services of the night nurse.

BRECON & RADNOR FARMERS. Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union held a general meeting at the Swan Hotel, Builth Wells, on Monday, Mr J. Greenway (Brecon) presiding. Mr Lewis Jones (Llyswen) was appointed solicitor to the Union. The meeting resolved that the General Executive Committee should consist of two members from each branch. Messrs R. J. Harvard (Glasbury) and Fred Williams (Llangoed) were appointed to represent the branch at the general Council meeting in London on the 7th prox. The branch decided to petition the Board of Agriculture to secure for actual tenant farmers the privilege of the use of a horse and trap free of licence. The question of maintenance of the road between Brecon and Abergavenny was raised, and the Union resolved that the County Council be asked to take steps to secure from the Great Western Railway Company, in respect of their road motor service, a grant towards the maintenance of the 16 miles of highway within its jurisdiction, as at present the whole cost fell upon the ratepayers.

BOUND AND GAGGED. A young barman was on Monday morning' found bound and gagged lying beside the coun- ter of the Three Castles public-house, St. Andrew's Hill, Ludgate. Shortly before 7 o'clock on Monday morning, he stated, he arrived at the premises for the purpose of putting things in order for the day. Just as he unlocked the front door of the bar- room three, men dashed across the narrow lane, and hustling him inside, locked the door behind them. The barman was completely taken by surprisfe, and though the three men held him down he struggled for a considerable time. A gag was placed in his mouth, and his arms and legs were tied. His assailants saw that their victim was quite secure, and they then proceeded to search the till. From a pecuniary point of view, however, the robbery was not a particularly important one, the "haul" amounting to only a few shillings. About 8 o'clock, when the proprietor arrived at the premises, he was surprised to find the barman lying helpless beside the counter.

LOST EYE IN ALLEGED ASSAULT Benjamin Jones at Swansea on Monday again brought his charge of assault against Evan Jones, haulier, of Fisher-street. Com- plainant stated he had lost his left eye through the alleged assault by defendant, who was said to have struck him over the eye with a glass pint measure. Defendant was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

SWANSEA BETTING PROSECUTION. There was a protracted hearing in a case at Swansea Police Court on Monday, when Mar- garet Evans, licensed victualler, and George Cann were summoned for allowing and using respectivelv the Belle Vue Vaults, Nelson- street, for the purpose of betting on various days in October. Mr L. Richards prosecuted, and Mr Marlay Samson appeared for Mar- garet Evans, and Mr Viner Leeder for Mr Cann. Evidence was given for the prosecution that on the mentioned dates a constable named Treharne visited the house between 12.30 and 3 o'clock, and on each occasion he saw there a man named Cann making bets with people in a compartment off the bar marked private," which was open to the bar. Treharne also made bets with CMln. On more than one occasion the officer made out slips of paper writing the names of horses down on the paper on the counter in front of Mrs Evans. On one occasion he gave Mrs Evans a slip of paper and money, and told her it was a bet, and asked her to hand it to Cann when he came back. Defendant Evans denied knowledge of betting taking place in her house. She never had the faintest idea that Treharne (the con- stable) was making bets with any man. The Bench dismissed the case against Margaret Evans, and Mr Richards then with- drew the case against Cann.

r PROUD HE KILLED HIS WIFE. I At Edinburgh on Monday before the Lord Justice General and a jury a charge of having stabbed his wife with a steel pike and murdered her was preferred against Charles Blake. It was stated that on September 5th cries of murder were heard proceeding from the 1 deceased woman's shop in Little King-street, and a neighbour, on entering, found prisoner striking his wife with an implement resembling a metal skewer. Prisoner, who had been living apart from his wife, was eventually overpowered. He then informed the police he was proud to have killed his wife. It was urged for defendant that prisoner suffered from epilepsy. Blake, however, was found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude.