The Cardiff Times

■ THE POPE'S JUBILEE, CELEBRATIONS IN ROME. -5 a1G.< Sunday.—At the Vatican at noiJH tO- 'db ^mr-0r v;aa given to 1,500 poor people in .^tion of tho jubilee of the Pope. The ilia tar'es of the Papal Court were present. In ^ening the members of the Catholic societies -Korne assembled in the Great Belvedere Vatican to render homage to his Po .es.s- The Committee of Fetes for the Pe s jubilee had organised the reception, which ?t^en^C(J bv several thousand persons. Tho ^Vas decorated *or the occasion with jlcvl3iries, plant3, and flowers. A. large gallery to decorated, had been constructed for the j^Pei who entered the court, passing by the Co m anc* t^le Library. The entire Papal was present, and the windows Vfj/J balconies were crowded. His Holiness Ikj/1 greeted with enthusiastic acclamation, h played the Pontifical March," and °rus composed by Signor Moriconi was j, erwards rendered by several hundred singers. 0 Pupils belonging to all the clerical schools £ institutions in Rome filed before the •J P°, with their bands and flags. The various MB committees and clerical associations were largely represented. The bodies of the V?, oaiatic corps and the high officials of the "Vin^Can witnessed the proceedings from the ^uaows overlooking the court. Tho fete ter- I'apal Benediction. A large ben °* Pigeons were then released, which had oj y sent to the Vatican from all the chief towns Italy. Each carried a message with the date the Papal Jubilee, and will thus announce to different cities of Italy that the ceremony has 'ft P'3"00- ^e Pope, wfco took great interest 51, fete, is in very good health. His £ e^si £ ians find that he has improved both in a*th^uid spirits during the past year.—Router.

8,000 VENEZUELANS ROUTED. h lfew York, Monday.—According to a telegram 211 Willemstad news has been received that the j O^^tionists under General Rolande routed Aain trooP3 nnclci Generals Modesta inst tro, the president's brother, on the 3rd between Barcelona and Araqua. The erni^ent f°rces ^C3t their ammunition to ^,eclu'P'llen,t; while many of the troops deserted fo Revolutionists, who moved on and sur t»*ed 'Barcelona. The inhabitants of that itr are nanic-strickcn, shops are closed and eets axe barricaded.—Reutcr.

AFTER THE MAD MULLAH. Aden) Monday.—The punitive expedition j ^e Mullah, under Colonel Swaync, forr « Bnras on May 28th. made a 50 d post at Bohoteleh. The western column tprised the ontiying settlements of the enemy, pturing a quantity of stock. The first and cond columns moved upon Damot,in the Hand v^htry, where the Mad Mullah was reported to j? folding a gaxrison at Bohoteleh. The scouta J8lodged tho eneniy's advanced post, but the ji^llah himself had retired into the Waterless j*1?-—Renter. *ain is 8tated that Col. Swayne's column found te .Pools at Damot, enabling the force to So ain there for two days, and compelling Ian ^e enemy to come in for water. The pj stated that the Mad Mullah intended pacing his •.vomen and flocks in safety before j .VVjgg his army to oppose the British,—Renter,

T GERMANY NETTLED, «hfi6l^n' Sunday.—References to Germany in ift ,^ebaie on the Foreign Office Vote B0rn the House of Commons have caused t, ye irritation in the Berlin Press. The a™ ossische Zeitung speaks of the truly t}e ?aSeous attacks on Germany, and ajY,ales that the English Parliament is no longer tjja|.0 °f political sagacity and conduct now ijj. a mamber can traduce a foreign nation with sUchU-Uii^' The journal thinks that in face cf jjj lficidenta Earl Roberts's toast to the Ger- tjj^p^rny and Count Von Waldersee's toast to ■,British Army are shown to be empty words hJ?. Phrases of international courtesy which ^-y reflect the true oninions of the speakers.: *veuter.

BLOODTHIRSTY STUDENTS. it^>er^n' Sunday.—An extraordinary story of in de,nt life in Heidelburg has just come to hght of the efforts made to hush it up. Six S.ft me': t'le r0Dm °f one °f them on the cern^n0011 to settle some matter con- A a woman by means of an American duel. ac& ball fell to tho owner of the room, a of n.S. Jnedical student, 19 years of age, the son tlec. j official of Carlsruhe. The other five a,ljjc,ea, that he should take his life between 6 fle ° clock the same evening, signed a sort of clj0- certificate, and left him alone with the to j l0°ur methods of putting an end eijj[„illrnse"- The condemned youth de- 0'c"i to open his veins and bleed to death. At 8, tjjijP^'the landlord, apparently suspecting some- leTir"ilnriSTla1' knocked at his lodger's door, who that he was too weak to unlock it. Finally if3 Persua^e(l to do so, and to his horror tho hart i0r^ ^oanc' the fioorcovered with blood which .flowed from the incisions which the youth had arms and neck with his lancet. Two Ia^?ilc'a'is were, at once sent for, and while the sUi-? t c' was watch over the would-be if Hi one ^ve comrades appeared to seo ft sentence had been carried out. !iee- iji^, that tbo condemned youth was living, he ^el] him, saying scornfully, Fangh, tho is still aiiye. He has only pretended." lies S?;u^ent was taken to hospital, where he now every prospect of recovery. The facts e been reported to tho Public Prosecutoc.

8SR RUDOLF SLATlN,s En Route for London. Sunday.—Sir Rn3olf Slatin, who catno i^fromtheSondan, left Vienna by thismorn- S j?x'J,-nt oxpres3 for fjondon to attend the j^^ptian Army dinner on Wednesday next, and of* to join in the welcome to be given to his Of CoPlU:at'cieL', Liond Kitchener. In the co:irso interview Sir Rudolf Slatin is reported to Raid Excepting for occasional trifling QiteCl^t disturbances, which are in no sense acte^.«-Rainst the Government, the Soudan is to h.&*fcolly peaceful condition, with nothing its agricultural and commercial dcvelop- V The two most pressing necessities are m,1'0111'-0'1- of the -neans of communication and Co^et" of irrigation. Vast tracts of fertile tiv._rV aiid minoral lands are now compara- Va^ll-°'css bccau!»o no facilities exiat for plng products to a market. I believe that hi-introduction of antomobiles would prove 'H'e ly beneficial. Many parts of the country v\^Ga^y- Perfectly adapted for such traffic, cro it is necussary roads could be made gre-afc ftxpenso. Automobiles strongly ttijv, capable cf Arrying goods in fairly fUte ,^afmtitica y.ouid afford an excellent substi- ktts^ railways at a fraction of the cost of the Personally, I strongly favour the cSTiatry on agricultural lines in the direction of mining.—Reuter..

WANY EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS. ^on^a' Moaaay Evcnia?.—A despatch from thjn ;C:>- to the None Freie Presso states V]r:Dce no fewer than 30 earthquake l^Shtl ?Xa-S0 boen felt in that city and district, cf a violent character. The popu- S^aatly alarmed, and about one-third '"Pea e •aa»bitants campod out all night in the ^ithDr'f,'ln('-r tents supplied by the military Mn-j "5ca. Early last evening a strong north- a ^r6v&-ed, and soon after midnight there r? th eri" violent shock, which caused damage ^yi-lages of Guesvena and iielihova. Vig ^6ws. Monday Night.-Forther despatches that the last severe shock of destroyed 150 houses in the village of <?ht ant^ cne was l08"—that of a child. Ciijy..ln^red persons arc withoi'.t shelter and out in tho open air, and tha whole ls state of panic.—Central News, u^ed j1Ca', Tuesday Morning.—ISIight has j a«ii t '.1,rei?,tiv« quiet, only slight shocks have j?lief n since yesterday. There is a general t etaii30,T at the earthquakes are ovei here. the damage caused on previous days \ed in o0 received. Four parsons ware UinoKn,Vezna Anbarkloi, whilst 90 houses Jciliv ^amaged at Karadjerc, 50 being prac- a(. Great damage was also «« •tfeelQva,-Central

fAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE TROOPS. Generous Tributes. (Pres3 Association Special Telegram.1) PRETORIA, Jane 25 (delayed in trans- mission). The following is Lord Kitchener's valedictory address to the troops before leaving South Africa :— The general officer commanding in chief wishes to express his best thanks to all general officers, non-commissioned officers, and men for the excellent service they have rendered since he first took the command 18 months ago. The period in question offered few opportunities for those decisive engagements which keep up the spirit of an army and add brilliance and interest to its operations. On the other hand officers and men have been called upon for increasing and ever increasing exertions in the face of great hardships and other difficul- ties against dangerous and elusive an tagonists. The conduct of the troops under these trying circumstances has been beyond all praise. Never has there :been the smallest sign of slackness or impatience. It seems to Lord ] Kitchener that the qualities of endurance and resolution they have displayed are much more valuable to a commander than any dashing or shore-lived effort, whereby soma hard-fought actions may be won in a campaign of .ordinary duration. The Commander-in-Chief also has special pleasure in congratulating the Army on the kindly and humane spirit by which all ranks have been animated during this long struggle, Fortunately for the future of Sonth Africa the truth in this matter is known to our late enemy as well as ourselves, and no misrepresentations from outside can prevail in the long run against the actual fact that no war has ever yet been waged in which the combatants and non-com- batants on either side have shown so much con- sideration and kindness to one another. "This message would be incomplete if re- ference were not made to the soldierly qualities displayed throughout the campaign bv our quondam enemies and to the admirable spirit displayed by them in carrying out the surrender of their arms. Many Boer leaders who at an earlier date recognised the futility of carrying onths devastating conflict beyond a certain'point have already for some time served with us in the field, and the help which they rendered us will not ba forgotten. Many also of those who con- tinued to struggle to the end have expressed the hope that on some future occasion they may have an opportunity of serving side by side with bis Majesty's forces, from whom Lord Kitchener can assure them they will receive a veiy hearty welcome. j In bidding the Army of South Africa fare- well it only remains for Lord Kitchener to wish every individual serving in it all happiness and prosperity for the future." Thanks to Rhodesia. On the eve of his departure for England Lord Kitchener telegraphed as follows to the Acting Administrator of Rhodesia :—" I am leavng to- day for England, and before sailing should like to wish you all prosperity in Rhodesia and to thank you for the many fine contingents Rho- dosiahas contributed during the war." Over 30 per cent, of the able-bodied population in Rho- desia served in the various operations in the war, i

ON THE WAY HOME. Las Palmas."Monday.—The steamship Orotava arrived here at seven o'clock yesterday, and sailed at midnight for Southampton, where she is due at four o'clock in the afternoon on Friday. Viscount Kitchener, General Sir J. French and Goneral Ian Hamilton, who are on board, are in excellent health and spirits. The voyage has been quiet and uneventful. The first news of the King's illness, and the postponement of the Coronation was communicated to Lord Kitchener at sea by the Bennio liner Inigati, on July 3rd. The announcement caused 'profound regret on board. Lord Kitchener himself is vary reticent about South African affairs, but I understand from membars of his staff that the position of affairs is eminently' satisfactory, exceeding all reports, and that on the day the Orotava left Cape Town, only one band of tho irreconcilables had not come in. Lord Kitchener is said to be very sanguine that the ultimate issue will be a. good working arrangement. General French expressed the opinion that the Boers were very satisfied, and that they would willingly comply with tho conditions of peace., j All arrangements were working well. i Lord Kitchener did not land, but a deputation of the English residents was received by him on board. A congratulatory address was presented, and lie replied in brief terms.—Press Associa- tion Telegram. Boers Leaving St. He!ena. (Press Association Special Telegram.) St. Helena, Monday.—Colonel Schiel and seven other Boer prisoners of war left here by the steamship Avondale yesterday for Europe. To-day General De Wet's two sons, two Boer commandants, a captain, and four other prisoners left for Capa Town by the steamship Kirkfield, all paying t heir passages. A meeting of Boer officers will bo held on the 9th inst. to decide the question of taking the oath of allegiance. General Viljoenhas resolved to sign, and accord- iug to the in formation derived from a well in- ormed source there is a possibility of all the prisoners taking the oath of allegiance. Tempting Offer to Dè Wet. Brisbane, Monday.—A syndicate has offered .'General De Wet £250 weekly and expenses for a lecturing tour in Australia.—Reuter,

TO GREET KITCHENER. Procession Through London, Lord Kitchener will receive his great public welcome in London on Saturday. He is duo to arrive in Southampton on Friday, and is expected tu come to London on the following day. He will probably reach Paddington about noon. The procession from the station to the War Office will be of an imposing character, and is expected to include not only the Prince of Wales, Lord Roberts, and the headquarters staff, but also detachments of the Indian and Colonial troops at present in this country. Should the King be well enough, he will see the late Commander-in-Chief during the day. It is suggested that the Queen may take a pro- minent part in the welcome of the gallant general. The route of the procession will probably ba through London-street, SussbX-gardens, West-- bourne-street, to Victoria-gate, thence through. Hyde-park by the bridge over the Serpentine to Apsley House, along Piccadilly, St. James's-, street, and Pall-mall, to the War Office. One thousand and fifty officers and men of the Colchester garrison have been ordered to prepare for duty in London on the occasion of Lord Kitchener's return, which the Ww Office order states will be on Friday or Saturday.

A COLONEL SUED FOR LIBEL. Before Mr Justice Bucknill and a common jury Edward Apsey English sued Colonel 3-. M. Gordon-Ives for damages for libel. Mr Sk Gcrrans appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Blake Odgers, K.C., and Mr Temple Cooke for the de- fendant. The plaintiff is tho relieving officer to,! the guardians of tho Union of Alton. The libel arose froui'a case of destitution in the district, in which the defendant, a retired colonel, took considerable interest. Upon the death of the person concerned the^ defendant wrote a letter, which was puohsbed in tho "Daily Mail on November 28th, 1901, for the purpose of raising money to provide for the widow and children, which contained this passage :—" The relieving officer, I understand, refused any help unless Captain —— enteied the workhouse, but Dr. Leslie declared that to move him would un-I doubtedly kill him, and the unfortunate gentle- man died shortly afterwards under the most terrible circumstances, literally from not having had enough food to keep life in his body." The plaintiff alleged that this reflected seriously upon him, although tho guardians considered his ex- planation satisfactory, and allowed it to be pub- lished in the local papers and a paragraph to that effect was inserted also in the Daily Mail "of November 30th, 1901. No evidenca was offered by the defendant, and the jury having found a verdict for £500 for the plaintiff, judg- ment was entered accordingly. Later in tho, day the case was mentioned again, and his Lorujnip stayed execution until fourteen days after the termination of the summer circuit.

POUCE CORRUPTION. Next to the amount of attention paid them by the Press and public tbe most astonishing thing about the New York policemen is their wealth and the number of outside interests they con- trive to combine with their profession. Atrial. that is still going on has produced some interest- ing statistics on these points. One sergeant, who: owned up to being worth £ 37,000, declared that he had made his money by speculating in dia- monds and paintings and on the racecourse. An I Inspector, with just under JE60,000 to his credit, put it all down to luck on the street." A cap- tain, who was believed to have over £ 100,000 at his bankers, admitted that he had made a good deal out of real estate, that he lived in an £8,000 honse,and was the owner of several tenements.. Two other captains estimated their fortunes at £40,000 apiece, one of them adding that to lose £2,000 at a single race meeting "did not worry him any." In all of these replies there was probably some truth, more at any rate than in the answer of the inspector who informed the Lexow Committee: I .that be had ma.de his money by "dealing in. i corner-lots in Japan." A mta who joins the New York police has from the start a chance of adding to his pay. There is, to begin with, the I blackmail exacted from saloons, disorderly'! houses, pool rooms, bucket shops, and gambling dens. The New York patrolman never connives at illegality except on a cash basis. As he gets promotion he may By at highor game. More,, than one policeman there has laid the founda^, tion of his fji-Luno by arresting some prominent financier and then releasing him in exchange for a. sure thing on Wall-street. Others make a point of loitering about the hotels and pick-, ing up tips from the politicians and brokers who frequent them. Some such devices they have to adopt, as whenever Tammany is in power it costs a man £60 to get placed ou tho police force, x300 to become a sergeant, and in botue cases not less than £ 3,000 for the post of captain—besides the' campaign 'V- be is expected W>. BiaJw*

"Ladysmith Must Go r'- a > l, DARK DAYS RECALLED. ] BULLER'S DESPAIR-AND' DEFtNCE.. "j THE HEUOGRAM&' :¡ I WHITE'S SALLANT REPLY. HOW BULLER PERSEVERED. The secret of Ladysmith is out. The War Office has supplied General, Buller with the documents for publication, which include Buller's messages of tem- porary despair both to the War Office and to the Ladysmith garrison, the sum and substance of which -was that Ladysmith; must go. In forming judgment upon the appenfled sensational despatches it is essential to, have regard to Buller's covering letter, in which ho refers to the answer of thsSecre-i tary for War to his message of despair. because ia this <s found, the general's. defence. On December 15,1899, Buller confessed that he could not hope to relieve Lady- smith with the force at his disposal. At this time he evidently feared that rein-, forcements which he thought he ought to have the advantage of were beiog > sent elsewhere." • The reply of the War Office on Decem. ber 19 changed the aspect of affairs so far as the relieving force was concerned, for in that reply Buller was authorised to make use of the additional men now arriving." This he apparently did, with, the result that Ladysmith was relieved* The Press Association has received from Gen- eral Buller the following letter together with despatches forwarded to him for publication by the War Office :— 17, Lowndes-square, Wi, July, 7th, 1902. I send you the enclosed document in the exact form in which it has been supplsed to me by the Secretary of State for War for publication, and I shall be much obliged if you will kindly circulate it to all newspapers, together with this letter, as I wish to supplement the document by the remark that I was delighted to receive the answer of the Secretary of State for War of the 19th December, 1899, because it assured me that forces which I had b'.cn apprehensive "were pledged in another and less important direction would be at my dis- ¡ posal far operations in Natal. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, &c., REDVERS BULLER, (General), From Sir R Buller to the Secretary of State for War. Chieveley Ca.mp, 15th December, 1899. A serious question is raised by my failure to- day. I do not :now consider that I am strong enough to relieve Ladysmith. Colenso is a for- tress which, if not captured by a rush, could I think onlyba taken by a siege. Within the eight miles from the point of attack there is no water, and in this weather that exhausts infantry. The place is fully entrenched. I do not think we saw either a gun or a Boer all day, but the fire brought to bear on us wa3 very heavy. The in- fantry were willing enough to fight, but the intense heat absolutely exhausted them. I consider I ought to let Ladysmith go and to occupy a good position for the defence of South Natal, and so let time help us. But I feel I ought to consult yon on such a step 20.000 men I consider faced us to-day. Both in arms and in position they had the advantage. They admit,, indeed, that they suffered severely, but my men are dispirited because they have not seen a dead Boer. My. losses have not been" very heavy—much heavier indeed I could have made them, but the moment I failed to get on the run the result Y-'ould have been the same. I was beaten. I now fed I cannot say that with my available force I can relieve Ladysmith, and I suggest that for me to occupy a defensive position and fight it out in a country better suited to our tactics is the best thing that I can do. From the Secretary of State, fox War to General Sir R. Buller. War Office, 16th December, 1899. The abandonment of White's force and its consequent surrender is regarded by the Govern- ment as a national disaster of the greatest magnitude. Wo would urge you to devise another attempt to carry out its relief, not necessarily via Colenso, making use of the additional men now arriving if you think fit. From Sir R. Buller to Sir G. White. 16th December, 1899. I tried Colenso yesterday, but failed. The enemy is too strong for my force, except with siege operations, and those will take one full I month to prepare. Can you last so long ? If not, how many days can you give me in which to.take, ¡ up defensive position ? After which I suggest vou firing away a.s' much ammUllJtlOn as you can and making best terms you can. I can remain here if yos have alternate suggestion, but unaided I cannot break in. I find my infantry cannot fight more than 10 miles from camp, and then only if water can bo got, and it is scarce hero. Note.—In his subsequent message of the 17th December Sir R. Buller said that the above message had been signalled correctly, but asked to make the following corrections :— Strike out from If not how ,many down to I" After which inclusive, and substitute How many days can you hold out ?" Add to end of message, Whatever happens recollect to burn your cipher, decipher, and code books, and all deciphered messages/ '< Message of 16th December as altered by that of 17th December, 1899 I tried Colenso yesterday, but failed. The enemy is too strong for my force except with siege operations, and these will take one full month to prepare. Can you last so long ? How many weeks can you hold out ? I sug- gest you fir ng away as much ammunition as you can and making best terms you can. I can remain here if you have alternative suggestion, but unaided I cannot break in. I find my infantry cannot fight more than ten miles from camp, and then only if water can be got, and it is scarce here. Whatever happens recollect to burn your cipher, decipher and code books, and all deciphered messages. From Sir G. White to Sir R. Buller. December 16th, 1899. Yours of to-day received, and understood my suggestion is that you take up strongest avail- able position that will enable you to keep touch of the enemy, and harass him constantly with of the enemy, and harass him constantly with artilierv fire and in other ways as much as pos- sible. I can make food Jast for much longer than a month, and will not think of making terms till I am forced to. You may have hit enemy harder than you think. All our native spies report that your artillery fire made considerable impression on the enemy. Have your losses been very heavy ? If you lose touch of the enemy it will immensely increase his opportunities of crushing me, and have a worse eifect elsewhere. While you are in touch with him and in com-, munication with me he has both of our forces to reckon with. Make every effort to get reinforce- ments as early as possible, including India, and; enlist every man in both Colonies who will serve and can rida. Things may look brighter. The loss of 12,000 men here would be. a hepvy blow to England we must not. yet think of it. I fear I cannot cut my way to you. En- teric fever is increasing alarmingly here. Thero 'are now 180 c.wcs all within last month.. Answer fully. I am keeping everything secret for the present till I know your plans. STATEMENT BY THE WAR OFFICE. In reference to the telegrams forwarded by Sir Redvers Buller for publication, we are advised by the War Office that the telegram addressed, by Sir R. Builer to Lord Lansdowne on Decem- ber 15tb was paraphrased for the protection of the cipher before being printed, this being the", course adopted at the beginning of the war. Sir Reavers duller has, however, supplied the War Office with the ipsissimV verba of the telegram from the records in his possession. From the comparison of the two it is apparent that the sense is preserved, and in tho main the phrase-" ology also.

THE APPLEDORE TRAGEDY. III the case of theft Leard. at the.Devon_ Asaizes at Exeter last week it was annocmcel that Col. Bingham, of the 3rd Dorset Militia, whose wife was upon her trial, had died suddenly. This information was contradicted from some lll- informed source. The facts are, says theCen,tral News, that Colonel Bingham, who had retired from his regiment, was living m seclusion at Cliff Cottage, Appledore. When the charge was made against his wife the colonel was iuauurally-much affected. On Monday, June 123rd, ho went to Barnstaple to consult his solicitor with reference to the theftof jewellery., On his way home he was seized with, illness,.ami died upon his own doorstep. The doctor, who was immediately-summoned, was enable to give acerlificate as to the cause of death, as be had not been attending Colonel Bingham profession-- ally. The coroner thereupon ordered an jnquest, which was held on June 26th. The evidence given by the medical men showed conclusively that death was due to angina pectoris, probably brought about by the anxiety on his wife s behalf. One hour after the verdict was given the colonel's, remains were interred in Appledore Cemetery.;

'(- FATALR SEIZURE AT ABERDARE, s 'PENRHIWCEIBER MAN FOUND UN. CONSCIOUS'ON THE FAIR GROUND. • An elderly man, about 60 years of age, who 'teas found unconscious on the fair ground, Aberdare, on Saturday, and was taken to a I: lodging-house in that town, was on Monday taken I in an ambulance to the Merthyr Workhouse Tufirmary, where he died two hours after admis- sion. Ho was subsequently identified as a Fsnrhiwceiber collier named John Thomas.

1- — Maesteg Urban District Council Election.— Mr William Jones and Mr John Roderick hava keen nominated for the vacancy on the Maesteg Urban Council, caused by tho death of Dr, John Davies. y&a' tbs l»<at (toy for AQIIUIWtiCHkr"'

I DEBATE BY THE PEERS, Lord Brassey's Recommendations. In the House of Lords on Tuesday Lorcl iJrassey called attention to the expenditure on shipbuilding for the Navy in the cruiser classes. a £ „* sclina in the construction of mer- chant steamers under the British flag suitable for the reserve list. In dealing with naval requirements it seemed vain, he said. in the present day to allude to economy. The country i insisted that the Navy should be strong, and large estimates were popular. But some day an increase of estimates even for the Navy might become difficult. At the present time, with estimates so liberal, it might be demanded that more should be i achieved reinforcement of the Navy. The Navy Estimates for the year were nearly n^A n3' as gainst 12 millions for France, and 10 millions for Russia. What was the rela- tive strength ? in battleships built we were de- cidedly above the two-Power standard, but our progress was scarcely commensurate with our ■ expenditure. As to cruisers the five shins now building were chiefly of the armoured type class. Provision was made for the construction of/A as against one ship only of the same class for Russia. With regird to protected cruisers we had 105 ships, against Russia's seven. We had incurred a heavy expenditure in recent years on protected ships without adding materially to our naval strength. With an effective reserve of cruisers we might have built more battleships, A reinforcement of the Navy in the armoured cruiser class, which combined in a large degree tho- qualities of the cruiser and the battleship, was desirable. For certain services, in which extreme speed was necessary, the Navy could be reinforced from the mercantile marine, but tho latter could not give us battleships, armoured, cruisers or a torpedo ftotlUa. To corn-pare the relative position of Great Britain and foreign countries in ocean-going steamships having a speed of 20 knots and over. he found that Lloyd's Register gave a list of 28 ships, seven only of which were under the British flag. Since 1893 11 such ships had been built for foreign countries. The Oceanic was the only such vessel added to the British fleet, and though the dimensions were greater no attempt was made to rival the speed obtained under the G erman flag. The ships whicn carried the mails across the ocean under the British flag should be second to none in power and speed. We had lost the position which we had held. The carrying trade in which our shipping was mainly employed needed no such assistance from the State as was given by other countries, but to pay for a. reserve of auxiliaries for the conveyance of mails, etc., was certalllly to the public advantage. Deal- ing witn the Reserve of officers and men the noble Lord suggested that mail steamers should be used for training engineer officers and stokers. used for training engineer officers and stokers. We needed a strong Reserve, andthe State should ¡ tram not only stokers for long service in the I Navy, but Reservists. In foreign countries the subsidised mail steamers were manned by Re. serves. Similar ships under the British flag I mIght be in the sarno way. The Earl of Selborne was glad that the noble I Lord had abstained from suggesting that sub- I sidised mail steamers should take the place of regular cruisers. Although he thought the mer- chant steamers had: their proper place in our battle array in time of war he did not consider they could ever be regarded in any full sense as a for cruisers of the Navy proper, nor did ho think the shipbuilding vote would be at all diminished by the possession of merchant cruisers. The necessity for a large number ot cruisers arose from the fact that oar mercantile marine was so large and that the trade of our Empire was so large and needed protection. In considering our Navy'Estimates these very special circumstances had to be borne in mind, It must also be remembered that our Navy was a voluntary service, and that we could not fall back on compulsory service, as great Continental nations could. Yet in time of war the merchant cruiser would perform an important junction as an auxiliary to the regular battleships. It could be turned to many other purposes, including that of scouting, but at the same time it must <> be remembered that it would never be able to engage in action a regular cruiser. How to secure a "sumcient number of such ships for use in time of war either by means oi a, retaining fee or by taking them up on emer- gency was not a difficult problem' so long as they dealt only m ships of a moderate speed; but when they dealt in ships of the highest speed then the real.dimculty supervened. The explana- tion of the fast that we had fallen behind in the matter of speed was simply this, that vessels of the highest speed were not built for purely com- mercial purposes. They woWd not pav if built for such purposes only, and therefore could only be built by trading corporations when they received extraneous assistance in the shape of some Government subsidy or material advantage. It was because foreign nations had given sub- sidies on a higher scale than we had ever con- templated that we had fallen behind in the num- ber of ships of that class. We could not afford to be without this class of ship altogether, but the expense involved was so largo, a subsidy policy was so insidious and a subsidising contest between us and other countries would ba so disastrous that in his opinion the subsidising of commercial corporations for building steamers of the highest speed must be confined to a limited number for special and definite purposes. Deal- ing with the shipping combine, the noblo Earl said we had no jealousy of the desire of the I United States to secure a share of the Atlantic trade, but at tho same time we could not allow ourselves to be squeezed I out. The attitude of the Government towards the combination might be described as in no sense one of hostility, but as one of anxiety. His Majesty's Government must regard the present I position of British shipping engaged in the Atlantic trade as a whole, and not only that in- cluded in the combination. It was not until they had formed their conclusion on the whole ques- tion and could frankly state their conclusion to I all concerned that they could seriously enter into any agreement with one party or another. No I avoidable delay in arriving at a conclusion had taken place, and he would not have referred to the matter but for the evidence recently given by Mc Pirrie before the Shipping Subsidies Com- mittee. In conclusion he wished to assure their Lordships that the Admiralty were not neglecting the question of the training and education of ofiiceis and men for the Naval Reserve as well as for the Navy proper. (Hear, hear.) Earl SPENCER agreed with the First Lorcl that we could not make merchant cruisers take the place of line of battle vessels, and was glad to hear the noble Earl disclaim on the part of, the Admiralty the intention of doing so, but for various reasons he thought we should be able to lay our hands on these vessels. He fnlly admitted that there might be reasons why in times of peace subsidies had been given to secure these mer- chant cruisers, but he should like to see those reasons put clearly and completely forward j before ha could see his way to accept it as a general policy. He (Earl Spencer) ventured to say emphatically that at the present time he thought it most desirable we should not commit ourselves to any great policy with regard to bounties for ships. (Hear, hear.), Thesubject then dropped.

MR MORGAN'S OFFER. Statement in the House of Commons. In the IIouseof Commons on Tuesday afternoon Mr W. Redmond asked whether the offer of Mr I Pierpont Morgan, on behalf of the new Shipping Combine, to place for the nest 50ycars at the dis- posal of the,Admiralty, on certain terms, Bri- tish ships in the: Combine has been accepted or considered ? Mr Arnold Forster said that an offer bad been received, the details of which ho was not in a I position to indicate to the House, but he might say that the point mentioned in the Question was included.. The offer had not yet been accepted, ) but would be dealt with in relation to British I shipping generally, the position ot which was being very carefully considered by the Govern- ment. As soon as tho Government were in a position to make a general statement to the House they would, do so. Sir John Colomb asked if they were to under- stand that the offer was under consideration 2 Mr Arnold Forster Yes, sir

BEATO0F1.IEUT. DE WINTON. Military Funeral in India. The news has reached us from India of the death of Lieutenant Henry Powys do Winton, of the 72nd Battery Royal Field Artillery (son of Mr William de Winton, J-F-i D.L., of Maes- clerwen, Breconshire), at Meerut on the 17th ult. -t he deceased, who was in his 25th rear, was one of the most popular officers in the battery. He saccnmbedto'an attadk of clyseiitery, and on the 18th June was interred in Mecrut Cemetery with full military honours. The lie Wintons of Breconshire are among the oldest and most esteemed county families, and the news will be I received witii general regret. The deceased obtained his commission for the Royal, Horse i^JBoyal Field Artillery on the 22n 1 August, 1900, whilst a student at Oxford Unversity, and was a young officer of groat ability and promise. That.he hadogained the confidence, the esteem, and the love of his comrades-officers, non- 'I commissioned officers and njen—-will be gleaned v from the concluding sentences of our correspon- dent :— The funeral was the largest that I have witnessed in India, and at the graveside I can assure you that every man (officers, non- r commissioned officers, and men) felt the loss so acutely that .many a teir waa shsd. We felt that we had'not,only buried an officer and gentleman, but a genuinc-friend and trus Cimstian." ==-

A SALOP TRAGEDY. v Daughter's Horrible Experience. A girl named Gertrude Rushton, aged 14, I daughter of Thomas Rushton, landlord of the Lion Hotel, between Shifnal and Wellington, Salop, received a terrible shock on Sunday after- I noon. Her father asked for the key of a drawer, in which a razor was kept, and she gave it him. On going to the room a few minutes later the girl was horrified to find her father on his knees in the act of cutting at bis throat. She plucki'y took the razor from his hand, and ran screaming downstairs. Dr. McCarthy was called in, ar.d found that Rushton had cut the windpipe in ] two places. Rushton, who lies in a most critical condition, has a wife and six children.

Inquest at Treorky.—At an inquest held on Saturday on the body of John Harries, iiieman, who was killed at the Abergorky Colliery, yer. ( k<Uct of Accidental death returned, (

Welsh in Canada, '1 i THE PATAGONIAN PARTY. I Arrival in the North-West. '1 The Welsh emigrants from Patagonia have. safely reached their new settlement in the North- 1 west territory of Canada, and as will be. seen from the subjoined letters, they are in good health and the best of spirits, and look forward confidently to the new life and new experiences that await them. The gentlemen to whom we are indebted, for these letters—Mr H. M. Howell, K.C.—is the president of the St. David's Society of Winnipeg, and he and his fellow Cymry in that town have extended to the immigrants every possible welcome and hospitality. Thefirst letter, it will be observed, is dated June 23, and describes the arrival of the t( advance guard "of the party :— Sir,—On the arrival here of the advance guard of the Patagoniau Welsh they were taken in charge by the Canadian Government immi- gration'oiffcials, and wero shown over avast territory. Some of the localities were fitted chiefly for grazing, some for the "league long mrrow, and some for a pastoral and agricul- tural people, where homes can readily be made for the moderate farmer, where clumps of trees, open glades, and small creeks and ponds prevail. These people, taken from the old Principality to the southern end of the world, where farming canbecarriedononly by irrigation, thence to the northern end, where all the conditions are completely different from either, must be largely helpless in selecting for themselves the locality in this vast country which would be suitable to them. That they selected a locality largely of the latter description is a tribute to their strong common sense, and,, perhaps to aa element of luck. The survey of this country is'like'a'chess board, each square being a square mile and each alter- nate block is open only to actual settlers, each of whom must, under certain liberal conditions, occupy and cultivate a portion of his homestead for three years, when the settler gets a title in fee simple without payment. When our friends after their weary wanderings finally decided where they would settle, they represented that they would be followed by many others from the other end of the world, and to meet their wishes the Government set aside for them and their friends all the free homesteads not yet taken in a tract 12 miles square (144 square miles). Each male of 21 years can secure 160 acres (one homestead) on payment of 10s, and there were then in reserve 190 homesteads not taken, of which our friends thus far have taken up about 15. The reserve is in latitude a little south of Car- diff, and has a railway line in operation just north of it, and another line is being constructed just south of it, so that they are from the first in touch with the world. It is not like Wales. There are no mountains, hills or great rivers, but rolling prairie Inter- spersed by belts and islands of trees, creeks. ravines and ponds. There are no rose-covered cottages or schools or churches, neither are there I roads or bridges. It is fresh from the workshop I of nature, and ready for a people who, if indus- I. trious and willing at the first to put up with some hardship, will make happy homes for them- selves, and afterwards their children can take greater farms on the open, treeless prairie, and, by their experience, get rich where their parents would now have utterly failed. The small band of .Welsh wanderers when they got here were, of course, sometimes downhearted and disappointed, just as we all were when we first came here, and the grim warrior has claimed his share. Some have gone on their farms to prepare for a crop next year, leaving members of their family working here to keep the pot boiling. All can get work and'good wages, and it should be a surprise if they do not succeed, for are they not of the right breed ? I saw Mr Gwilym Lewis to-day, bright and cheery. He seemed quite satisfied as to the future, not only for himself, but for the rest of the little band here,, and particularly for his new Canadian little one. Messages were sent to the Patagonians that if any wanted employment or assistance to let us, of the St. David's Society, know and as nothing was required of us it is to ba assumed that all are well and employed. I am, &c., H. M. HO WELD. ARRIVAL OF THE PARTY. A day cr two after the above letter was mailed, the main Darty of the emigrants reached Winnipeg, and their appearance and reception* are thus described by Mr H. M. Howell :— TO THIS BDITOB. Winnipeg, June 27th, 1902. Sir,—On the 25ih inst. over 200 of the Patago- nian Welsh arrived in this city /rather tired after: their long journey from their late southern ¡' home. They left Patagonia more than six weeks ago by steamship that specially called for I them and took them to Liverpool, where they stayed for a few days, and then left on an- other steamship for Canada. At Liverpool they left a couple of families behind them, one be- cause ot an attack ci measles amongst the children, and the other on account of sickness and general weakness, but these families are to ) follow in the course of two or three weeks. I They were in charge of the Rev. Mr Davies, and while in this city remained at the Immigration j Hall, where they were medically treated, hoased, and fed at theespense of the Government. Three of the children died during their long voyage, and four were born on the way, one of whom had the goo I fortune to make its advent in Canada. The majority of them left here this morning by I train for Saltcoats, a place about 240 miles west, and slightly north of Winnipeg, which place is the nearest railway station to their 'J Reserve." A fow, however, remained behind, having secure:! profitable employment here so as to keep things going uutil their farms are produc- tive. Last night the Winnipeg St. David's Society gathered at the Immigration Hall and ex- changed mutual greetings, joined in their songs, and otherwise entertained the party. It was rather a surprise to many of us to find that a very large portion of the younger generation were quite unable to converse in English, their languages being Welsh and Spanish. The elder members of the party could all speak English with a rather foreign accent, and we were equally surprised to find that during their long years of exile they had kept up all the hymns and songs. of their old mountain home. The men seemed to be. in good health, the women fairly well but very tired. Most of the children, however, seemed pale and rather exhausted, the long confinement on shipboard and on the railway having necessarily told most seriouslv on them. Their pallid faces showed that they needed the bracing eSects-of our prairie air. The party seemed to have a fairamount.of money with which to start life, if one could judge from the amount their good clergyman was getting exchanged for them in the banks here. We all hope that they will have quite ¡ enough to pull them through until their harvest, which cannot be until a year from this coming autumn. In the meantime, of course, all can obtain profitable employment here at good rates of wages until winter, but during the winter necessarily many of them must be idle. This party, together with the few who came a little time ago. will have taken up about SO home- steads out of the 190 which are within theirreserve, but of course all other homesteads in the North- West are open to them, so that there need be no fear of free grants giving out before others arrive. I was struck with the bravery and courage of aU, particularly of the women. I quite ex- I pected to see them worn out and disheartened, but they seemed brave and cheerful with great confidence as to their future success. They will I have before them some hardships without doubt, and they will not have their homes comfortable for a considerable time yet. Their cattle can feed anywhere, and hay is abundant. For a time" many of the party will be downhearted, and at times discouraged, and it may be that at times they will even wish themselves back in their old southern homes but if they are frugal and industrious there is no question as to theii: sue- | cess.—I am, &c., BL. M. HOWELL, A PUBLIC RECEPTION. J Tho Winnipeg Free Press News bulletin j of June 27th was the following j The variety of purposes to which the imnugra- tion hall is put does not often include so pleasing a scene as was witnessed there last evening. Prominentrmembers of St. David's Society m the city, President J. J. Roberts, Mr H. M. Howell, Secretary Jones, Rev. S. H. Lewis, and a great many other of the sons of Cambria, assembled there to welcome their brethren from Patagonia, and to wish them God-speed in their new homes in the North-west. Those who have never heard a Welsh congrega- tion in the singing of old favourite hymusand national airs can hardly form any idea of the beauty and purity of these soul-stirring strains. To see a bronzed horny-handed son of toil mount a bench, give off-hand- the key note, whicj id taken up by the entire audience, is exceedingly, comical to those accustomed to the more im- pressive prelude of the grand organ, but tno simple, sweet, full tones of the singers, respond- ing to the promptings of the conductor, is a most pleasing thingto hear. Every Welshman is a lover of masic and those who left the old land long ago and whose ears have been closed to the. sweet songs of home, enjoyed the beautiful sing- ing of their compatriots last night. MrKoberts in behalf of the St. David's Society of Winnipeg, welcomed the people as be said" home." Mr, Howell in a splendid speech said that these new settlers would encounter great hardships and meet with many discouragements, yet he bade them be of good cheer, and fight on, they Avere made of the right stuff and had reached the country at last, and Welsh hearts here and at home watched them with the tenderest feelings and sincerest hopes for their success. He wished them God-speed in their new homes. Rev. D. J- Davies on behalf of his charge, thanked the Welsh people of Winnipeg for the brndness tbey had shown.

BRECON AND MR CARNEGIE. At the meeting l of Brecon Town Council on Tuesday a letter was read from Mr John Lloyd, London, statingthat he had ventured to approach Mr Andrew Carnegie with a view of inducing him to extend his munificent aid co Brecon in the matter of a public free library. He had re- ceived fornw from Mr Carnegie's secretary to fill up, and heunaerstood that among Mr Carnegie's rules was the provision of a sntiable site and the adoption of the Freo Libraries Act. He (Mr Lloyd) and his wife would give £50 towards the purchase of a site. The Mayor (Mr D. Powell) was favourable to the adoption of the Act. A committee was to Monger tJW tion ft site*. v <

The Fochriw Explosion. 0' CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. MINERS' REPRESENTATIVE'S REPORT. Coroner Inquiries Ineffective:" At the recent inquiry held.before Mr Coroner Rhys into the cause of the explosion at the Fochriw Colliery, when eight men were killed, the Miners' Federation of Great Britain was represented by Mr W. Brace, anl that gentleman has now issued a comprehensive report giving a summary of evidence, with his own comments thereon. Mr Brace—who acknowledges the assistance he received from Mr Thos. Richards, general secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation, and Mr John Davies, miners' agent, Dowlais—declares that in his opinion the primary cause of the explosion was the-fall on the main drift, which blocked the main ventila- ting intake to the district where the explosion | occurred. The gas which accumulated was, when ventilation was restored, driven to the point where the deceased men were engaged, and there it reached a naked light and exploded. He asked why were the men not withdrawn, as set forth by the rules ? In his remarks under this head Mr Brace indulges in words of strong con- demnation, and declares that the matter has- been brought before the Home Secretary. He is equally severe in his remarks on the "general view of the case," and declares "that it would have been better and less dangerous to have used naked lights in both shifts, rather than the alternate system of naked lights and iocked lamps as at Fochriw." The writer also com- plains of ''the ineffectiveness of coroners' courts to inquire into colliery disasters," and declares that "the method of procedure adopted by a number of coroners "demonstrates "the absolute necessity for an alteration in the law." I do not deny." he adds." but that the coroners are acting in accordance with the terms of their appointment when they rule to exclude all evidence as irrelevant other than what directly bears upon the cause of death. That being so, 1 say, in the plainest and clearest language Eossible, that coroners' inquests, in so far as eing of any real value for bringing to light official. recklessness, carelessness, or neglect in taking precautions for protecting the lives and limbs of the workmen, other than in connection with the special accident that caused the loss of life in the particular case which called for the inquest, are nothing less than a farce. I am writing strongly because I feel strongly the im- potence of the law." Mr Brace maintains that all colliery accidents should be inquired into by an official attached to the Home Department, who would enjoy full power; to inquire into the whole system of management of the colliery at which tho accident occurred, should it be deemed desirable either by himself, the workmen, or their representatives. Thelawasitatpresent I stands permits a special inquiry to be held if the Home Department considers it necessary and is dissatisfied with the finding of the coroners' courts. "My desire, therefore," he adds, "is' that what. under the present law, takes the form of a special inquiry should be made the ordinary mode of procedure for inquiring into the cause of death of every man or boy who is killed in connection with colliery work. I would be doing no injustice if I eaid that ofttimes an accident that causes loss of life is tha result of a series of circumstances; spread over a longer period than one day, that culminate in something of a serious character. Inquiries into what caused death are made, I presume, to find out if anyone has been guilty of a violation of the rules created by way of Mines Acts and special rules for the government of collieries, and in conse- quence of which life has been lost and lives en- dangered, and so, by bringing guilty parties, if any to judgment, to act as a deterring influence upon all persons connected with the industry. If this is so. suroiy the whole conditions of manage- ment prevailing at a colliery which led up to a calamity ought to be fully inquired into. With' this end in view I respectfully- suggest the Government should bereguested to so amend tho law that all colliery accidents which cause death would be the subject of investigation by a much more effective and satisfactory method than through the medium of coroners' courts, as at present."

CAERPHSLLY STARTLED, AN EXCITED PARENT. How Reports Originate. On Tuesday Caerphilly was in a state of great excitement owing to a rumour to which there scemedattachad at first some semblance of fact— that a murder of a somewhat sensational charac- ter had been perpetrated at Senghenvdd. Those v/ho spread the rumour cited a Blrs Jones as their authority. She lives in the village, and her story was that the victim of the murder was her own daughter, who lived at Senghenydd. It transpired that tha daughter, having had;" a few words with her husband, returned to her mother on Monday night, and on Tuesday Mrs Jones took her daughter back to tho husband's house in Senghenydd. Here, it is alleged, a some- t what unusual squabble took place, in which, according to Mrs Jones, some six women and one man took part in battering the daughter, who was finally left on the pavement as black as ink and quite dead." Mrs Jones rushed to the station and caught the 2 p.m. train for Caer- philly. At the latter place she wired for her hus- band, who is employed at a colliery, to conic home at ones—daughter dead." Subsequently she went to the police station, and laid informa- tion of "the murder." Police-sergeant L. Williams, Senghenydd, and Acting-sergeant Jones, Aber, who were at the police court, were despatched at once for Senghenydd. The result of their inquiries showed that the mother had abnormally magnified the incident. A squabble had taken place, in which the daughter paiti- cipated, but happily there was nothing worse, and the police returned to Caerphilly ancj set.the gossipsright.

SHAFT FATALITY. Miraculous Escapes of Two Men. On Saturday afternoon a shocking accidsnfc occurred at the ljilleshall Company's Stafford coal pits, situated between -Oakengates. and Shifnal, Salop. Three field engine men, named William George Cartwright (39), William Pickering, and Daniel Williams, were engaged at work. in the shaft of a pit on scaffolding.. Suddenly and without warning the scaffolding gave way, and Pickering and Cartwrightfolta distance of 60 yards to the bottom 'of the pit.. Cartwright was killed, Pickering sustained serious injuries, and is in a critical condition, while Williams had a miraculous escape. He jumped forward and clung to the iron door con- nected with the pipes in the shaft. He was pulled up,and descended with the other men, and bronght up his comrades. Cartwright was lying in six feet of water, and Pickering was only saved from drowning by clinging to the iron pipes.. Williams states that when clinging to the iron door ho was able to pull the bell wire, and was promptly rescued.

FIRE AT CARDIFF DOCKS. Shipbuilding Premises Partially l- Destroyed. I On Tuesday evening a fire broke out on the I premises of Messrs Harvey and Sons, ship- J repairers and boat builders, situated on the west" side of the East Dock, Cardiff. Information of the outbreak was received at the central fire station at 8.25, and the steamer was at once turned out in charge of Superintendent Geen. By the time of tho arrival of the fire brigade on the scene the boat-building shed was well alight and the roof had fallen in, whilst the conflagra- tion had extended to the smith ahed adjoining. The nteamef was soon got to work, and with a plentiful supply of water from a pond clo3e by managed to extinguish the fire by 9 o'clock. The Bute Dock Brigade (under Captain Rcsser) assisted with a hose. The flames were prevented from extending to the front part-cf the premises, j though mainly constructed of wood, but the boat-, i building shed was destroyed and the machinery "I in it considerably damaged, whilst the roof unda;. portion of the smith shed also :• fell: in., Tbe;, origin of ,the fire is unknown.

A SWANSEA RAILWAY SMASH; Driver and Stoker Leap for their- lives.- On Saturday evening about 6.40, whilst a goods I' train was standing on the goods siding awaiting the arrival of the up 7.40 passenger tram, a heavily laden coal train came dashing down the line. Although the signals were against it the brake power at the-command of the driver -and his stoker was not sufficient to arrest its progress in time. The coal train dtahed;into the rear-oi the standing goods train, smashing" two guards' vans into matchwood. The vans at the rear of the oncoming train telescoped. Apportion of the old depot was knocked down level with the ground, the trucks having run on to the top of the debris. Fortunately no one was injured. The driver and stoker, seeing a collision waa^inevit- able, jumped clear of the engine.

STABBING AFFRAY AW CAERPHILLY, V During a melee which took place on Monday night at Van-terrace, Caerphilly,.a man. named" George Henry Paxfit was stabbed several times in the head. frirs Rachel. Ann Smith, wife of Fred Smith, was taken in custody on a-charge of having committed the offence. Prom the evidence which was gi\en at Caerphilly Police Court this afternoon, it appears that some, time ago Parfit. bought a. pony for a comparative; trifle. This he kept for some time, during which, the animal improved in condition very consider- ably. On Monday Smith's father, of Mountain Ash, came to Caerphilly and purchased the pony I at a figure considerably higher than that given by Parfit. This aroused -the ire of Fred Smith, and on the return walk from Caerphilly town to their residence both men had a fight. Subse- quently the men met again in the back yard I of their houses, and a severe tussle took place. Daring this fight, it was alleged on the evidence of George Owen, a lad. and stepson .of Parfit, that Mis Smith r ashed out of the house, and with a pocket-knife inflicted the wounds on Parfit's head. When arrested late last night by P.C. Coles prisoner denied having stabbed him. Medical assistance was called in this morning, and Parfit was still in bed in a weak condition. The case was fox a. week, being allowed. 1

t MONMOUTHSHIRE ASSIZES. Aligbt Galendar. Tha Monmouthshire Summer Assizes were commenced at the. Shire Hall, Monmouth, on Monday, before Mr Justice Wright. His Lord- stnp was accompanied by the High Sheriff (Mr ^onth°Ar?w k' -Si'i-DvL')» the Mayor of Mon- mouth (Mr H. Baillie), and the High Sheriff a chaplain (Rev. C. T. Salisbury, rector of Tre- tutei following gentlemen consti- tutect The Grand Jury,— ?on Rolls (foreman). Sir A Mack. worth, Bart., Sir Henry Jackson. Bart., Colonels Bradney and Walwyn, Captain E. Walters, Messrs h. C. Bosanquet, J. M. Bannerman, R. W. Kennard, C. W. E. Marsh, W Llewellin E. P. Martin. J T Price, G. F. Crawshay. J.' T. Price, A. A. Williams, E. Steer, W. Evans P. James, A. M. Pilliner, P. W.JRafael C TT 'I Firbank. C. D. Phillips, and The Charge. His Lordship, in charging the-grand complimented, them and the countymjon tha remarkably satisfactory state of crime. Con- sidering the large population of thecoontyand the nature of the industries carried on-it was nothing less than marvellous that there should be only one or two ^chstrges to ije consideretL; and those of no serious gravity. He was-told .that at the Quarter Sessions just held the.r«t- was also almost an absence of serious crime and also at the last Assizes. That such immunity from crime should be maintained almost from year to year was noteworthy and gratifying. His Lordship referred to the man. slaughter case against John Madden, of New Tredegar, The jury of the coroner's inquest arrived at the conclusion that the easerwas onetof manslaughter but the justices, after' they had made the investigation usual in such cases, came to the conclosioh that there was not evidence enough to put the husband on his trial. He had very caref ally considered the evidence, and ha was bound to tell the grand jury that he aawTio prospect of a conviction, although unquestron- a« x woman s death was accelerated by \yant of food. There was no legal evidence to show that the husband was in anyway answerable. tor this. He was away from home for a fpruziiehfel before the death occurred, and there was -nor evidence to show criminal responsibility, 'TBg- Lordship then referred to theTintern case, "which will be found in another column. Alleged Cruelty to a Child. Sandford Gibbsv 24, collier, pleaded'not guilty to an indictment for outraging Emily Jana Grist, 12 years of age, at Llanhilleth, onthe25th March, and at two other date3.—Mr Moretorr- Browno prosecuted, and Mr Corner defender.— The girl was engaged as domestic servant at the house of prisoner's parents, and it was alleged that the offence took place when there was no other person in the house. Mr R. A. Nielson surgeon, Abertillery, rave evidence tending to show that the full offence had been committed on several occasions within the fortnight pre- cedmg his examination.—The defendant gave evidence in his own behalf, andit was shown that on the first date alleged by the girl he was. away' at a business engagement.—Hi3 Lordship stopped the case, and the accused was discharged. New Tredegar Manslaughter Case. John Madden (25), collier, was indicted for tha manslaughter of his wife, AgnesHdith Madden, at^ New Tredegar on 13th of March. Prisoner waa alleged to have gone away from home lef$: his wife to starve, but it was shown that sent £ her 3s, and that death was hastened by her re.< moval in a cab to her mother's house. His Lond-^ snip stopped the case after learned counsel's? opening, and directed the jury to acquit the prisoner, who had been waiting trial for-fonrJ months, and thus had had as heavy punishment/ ?s have received; his Lordship added," had he been convicted. This concluded the criminal business. special jury is summoned for this (Tuesday) mornS jng to bear the civil cause, Metropolitan Bsnlr- Ponsford. After the adjourument The High Sheriff's Luncheon was served at the Beaufort Hotel. Mr Wittdsot Richards, J.P., D.L., was supported by Sic Arthur Mackworth, Bart., the Hon. J. M. Bolls, Sir J. Lawrence, M.P.. Lady Mackworth, ana- others. Over 100 were present. The toasts' were "The King," "The High Sheriff," "Tha- High Sheriff for Next Year (Mr E.1:\ Martin), and the "Souses of Parliament. Metropolitan Bank v.T. Ponsford. This case was the only remaining action to be dealt with on Tuesday at the Monmouthshire Assizes, and was heard before, Mr Justice Wright and a special jury. Mr Amphlett, ELC., and Mr A. T. Lawrence,. KIC., with Mr Leslie, appeared for the plaintiff company, and "Mr Rufus Isaacs, R.C., and.Mr J. Corner defended. The action was brought to recover the balanceof defendant's account, in amount £180" a.t the Newport branch. Judgment had been obtained by the bank against defendant for £4,938 106 lad, and the JE180 consisted of disputed items, such as interest, &c. Detendant counterclaimed in respect of two cheques which had been dia-j. honoured, and alsoior the alleged detention of certain deeds and documents placed with thai bank against the overdraft. The bank.replied!; to this counterclaim by denying the amount which the defendant alleged he was entitled to', overdraw. Mr Amphlett pointed out that in^* regard to the £4.758 10s lOd there-was no, defence, and that in the ordinary course^, of things judgment was signed. Tha; defendant, learned counsel pointed out, hacI;) for some years "carried on at Newport business originated by his father, which con-V sisted in buying land in the neighbourhood of Newport, and e pec elating also in the purchase, and erection of residential and other property. In 1896, when defendant's account was opened, there was an overdraft of S.,500, and the account was generally on the debit side. Defendant raised no complaint as to the charges made by': the bank-until after the action had been com»<?i menced. Mr Greenshde, manager of plaintHf company's Cardiff branch, said he was manager' of the Newport branch from 1898 to 1901, and throughout 1901 pressed defendant to reduce hi.. balance or bring in a larger amount of securities. Defendant knew "that in that year, he was charged 6 per cent. in consequence of the dearness of money and the unsatisfactory character of the securities. Itwa»>-usnal to charge interest for three days. His Lordship said he understood that defendant agreed to a debit of 5 per cent. on..the amount of the overdraft, and also to a one- eighth commission on the net turnover. Mr Rufus Isaacs agreed to the one-eighth commis- sion, but not to its being charged two or three times over,, at the end of each six months' balance. The defendant also demurred to paying 5 per cent. in respect of cheques and cash which had been paid in, the bank having charged 5. per cent. for three days, even when cash was paid in. Then in 1901 the bank im- properly charged 6 per cent.—Mr Greenslade, io answer to Mr Rufus Isaacs, admitted that thtt charge for interest on the cheques and cash paid in was an improper one, bnt that it was of a very small amount, probably not more than a sove^; reign. In November. 1900. it was agreed that defendant's overdraft should be increased from. £3,000 to £3,800, and in June, 1901, it was £ 4,400- Witness, before going for his holidays, told Me Carnegie, the cashier, that this .amount wa&not to be exceeded. Witness denied, however, that defendant had any right to go to that extent, the authorised limit at the Birmingham head- quarters was £3,000, plus £800 on a second mort- gage on property purchased at oneof the-sales of the Duke of Beaufort's property.—Mr Carnegie, now of Pontypridd, formerly cashier at the New- port branch, said that on the 15thApril and again on the 29th April. 1901, defendant's cheqQeSof £67 and JE45 were dishonouied because his account was overdrawn above the limit.— His Lordship pointed out that in the plead. ings the first date of a cheque being re« turned was March, 1902. — Mr Amphletfr replied that he wished to prove generally that defendant could not be prejudiced by a cheque being dishonouredv in Marcn, 1902, because his- credit had been impugned in the preceding year. —Mr Carnegie said it was] usual to change the one-eighth commission on recurring balances, unless there was a special arrangement to the contrary but he had known people object to pay it.—Mr Rufus Isaacs Those are gentlemen with a tendency to analyse their bankers* charges.— Mr Williams, manager of the Newport branch, said the head office limit was £3,000, because-the agreement for the £800 had expired, but he had to recognise £4,200 as the limit on the accounts in the ledgers received from his predecessor, and said he wrote Isiters to defendant in Decem- ber, 1901, to endeavour to get the ovordrait reduced. One of the letters referred to "'float* ing cheques, which thowitness in explanation described as accommodation cheques; because there was no value in them.-His Lordship*: They were always honoured?—Witness: Prac- tically; there were one or two occasions on which I could not take them. They were paid in just before 3 ^o'clock to the- Clarence"W&arf, the Bishpool Brickmaking Company, and the Atlantic Engineering Company. and were replaced daily fey iresh cheques. Over £50,000 was dealt wita in this way fn four'months.—His Lordship >(to witness) According to what you say his real overdraft was always some hundreds more than it appeazti^. —Witness Yes. about £800. Continuing, wit4 ness said that defendant lodged fadhet:, securities in February, with the idea of con-* tinuing to be a customer of .the bank,. Kit on the 28th February witness wrote that theinstroctioiiH of the head office were exact,-and that he must get the account closed. Subsequently; .after a somewhat stormy interview, witness handed back-to defendant some securities in his Wife"1Ii name, having overlooked the fact that act the time the bank had^a letter in'tho jylWBacpttn# anthorising jt to hold "them against ths ctasr- draft. At the conclusion of .the witness^ evi dence his Lordship suggested ?., compramiae,.a.11e! after thelearned;counsel had consulted togetheJ Mr Amphlett announced that It had.besmag»e^ to accept judgment for the plaintiff ceompa&g for :£80 in addition to what had, boenjreeefcsBd. His Lordship think- thatA.is^ft^wEy^wiSf decision.

G.W.R. Company's -Proposals■ Accepted?" Tha voting on the company's proposals placing tho Pension and Prowidsftfc V?jads on>C sound footingliss'resnUea in'tho proposals being accepted bv the men by 7,358 votoe to 4.545. IFi the Newport district the fitftrree far an<# 491 against. The fonrerpTOpoeaJs of the com. pany were rejected by 6,424 votes to 5^306, thf. voting in the Newport district bafutr 21Sfor tbit proposals and 571 against. Tho total number of members of the funds 24,0Qlv of" wtiolp there are 1,558 in the Nevjport-rUstcie*.

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