The Cardiff Times

WELSH SOLDIER'S FLASH." FLISiliers' Distinction. Sir Howard Vincent, In the House of Commons on Monday, asked the Secretary for War if. having regard to the official circular of Field Marshal Earl Roberts when commanding in chief in South Africa, dated 5th February, 1900, urging that the extended forma- tion of modern war made it highly desirable ithat officers should wear some distinguishing (mark on the back of the collar so as to be re- cognisable by their own generals and men, and jto the fact that this view wis supported by dis- 'tinguished officers from active experience, the fWar Office direction of 30th November, 1906, (that the (lash allowed to the officers, war- rant officers, and staff sergeants of the Royal rant officers, and staff sergeants of the Royal ) Welsh Fusiliers on their service dress for dis- tinguished services should be cut off might be reconsidered, bearing in mind that the public was put to no expense in the matter, and in view of the interest of the Welsh people in this distinction. Mr Haldane. in reply, said the flash peculiar to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers had never been allowed on the service dress. It was authorised for wear with the tunic only. As soon as this addition to the service dress of the officers, warrant officers and staff sergeants 'was brought to notice instructions were issued for its discontinuance. It was not proposed to reconsider those instructions, the main principle pnderlying the use of service dress being that it fehould be universal and as plain and incon- "picuous as possible. No distinctive mark on the back of the collar was adopted, either during the Boer war or when the present dress vas approved, while Lord Roberts was Com- mander-in-Chief. In no foreign army was such distinctive mark worn on the back. Sir Howard Vincent asked if the flash was not worn in consequence of an order of. 7November 28th, 1835. Mr Haldane said the conditions had altered since the days of King William IV. by the introduction of smokeless powder and in other ways. Sir Howard Vincent said the flash was "behind the collar, not in front, and the Welsh • -Fusiliers never turned their backs. (Laughter.) Mr Haldane That is quite true, but it is 'extremely undesirable to establish a distinction i. between one corps and another. „ Sir How ard Vincsnt: Is it intended then jto take the kilts from the Scottish regi- OT^nts ? Mr Haldaue I have not heard of it.

ilN THE NAME. BOGUS P.O. CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE. James Osmond, a young man, residing in Cor- poration-road, was charged on remand at New- port on Monday with committing an aggravated assault on Elizabeth Ashton, and further with Wilfully breaking the glass in the fire alarm box, Cromwell -street, and stealing the ^h is tie. Prisoner said he knew nothing about the offences. The Clerk We will soon help you. P.C. Jenkins said on going to arrest the pri- soner the latter said, I am a P.C., and when I was going to the fire alarm someone knocked me down." The man was considerably under the influence of drink. Elizabeth Ashton, an elderly woman, saw. she had never seen t he prisoner until trie 'j?" in question, and he struck her down and kicked, her, and she had since been attended by a doctor in consequence. Mersey Harley, daughter-in-law of the Jasc witness, said when she heard the whistle b10w- ing she cam out in the street and saw the prisoner in the midst of a crowd. He cried I am ehief and head of the police, and I want assistance." Prisoner afterwarclsstrurk witness, and she had a shot back at him." (Laughter.) Tom Webbe, a youth, proved an amusing witness. He said the prisoner walked up to the .fire alarm box, and shoved his nose up to the glass as though looking for a reply,"(Laughter.) Witness became eloquent in his stateme nts and kept the court convulsed, one of th magistrates remarking he ought to be o n th stage." TheBench thought there was some doubt on the question of assault and dismissed the case. Defendant was fined 40s for breaking the fire alarm glass.

MAGISTRATES DISAGREE Caerphilly Man and Bananas. A well-dressed young fellow of 23, named John Joshua Thomas, a greengrocer, at Caer- philly, appeared at the CariiiY Police Court on Mondav, before Alderman Dd. Jones and Mr J- B. Ferrier, charged with stealing a quantity of I bananas, valued at 5s 6d, the property of Wm- Swaithes, Senghenydd. Mr Donald Maclean, M.P., appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Lewis Morgan defended. According to Mr Donald Maclean, Mrs Swaithes came to Cardiff on the 22nd of November, and bought a bundle of bananas from Mr Donovan's stores in New-street, leav- ing instructions that they were to be sent to the Rhymney Station. When she went there lishe- found no bananas. It was alleged that the prisoner had gone to the station and taken pos- session of the bananas. Detective Hughes, of the Rhymney Railway, noticed bananas on the platform, and saw Thomas taking the labels ,-ofE,ar-d lie said to him there seemed to be plenty of bananas about. Thomas replied, When there are bargains about one may as well take them." Abraham Williams, manager for AlrDonovan, in the course of his evidence said that a week afterwards the prisoner came to him and ex- pressed regret that a mistake had happened, p nd paid for the bananas.—Cross-examined The witness said that the prisoner had long been a customsr, and hore a respectable character. Detective Hughes told the Court that when he saw the accused at his placu of business on the 7th of December the latter at first denied all knowledge of the bananas, but afterwards admitted that he had had them, and offered to pay for them- He also said he was sorry, and asked the witness if he could st uare the matter. Other witnesses having been called, the ac- cused, giving evidence on his own behalf, de- nied having endeavoured to square Detec- tive Hughes, and in cross-examination de- scribed the detective's evidence as a tissue of lie. The magistrates failed to agree upon the case, 'and the prisoner was discharged.

NEW TREDEGAR LANDSLIP. New Road Completed. At the monthly meeting of the BedweDty District Council at New Tredegar on Monday, Mr J. V. Lewis presiding, the surveyor reported that the new road over the landslip was prac- tically completed. There had been no move- ment of land tlii-ing the last six months, but buttresses were being erected to support the road. With reference to the provision of ground for recreation purposes at New Tre- degar, Alderman Phillips suggested that the piece of land given by the Powell Duflryn Com- pany should be covered with ashes to make it suitable for children to play on. and this was agreed to. It was also decided to approach Mr Mitchell Innes, 'Lord Tredegar's agent, to grant a ficld at the top cf Fothergill ij-road for a recreation ground fo" the district. The sur- veyor was instructed tore-port upon the Brecon and Merthyr and Barry Raiilways Bills, as they would affect the district. Sirhowy Valley Sewerage. An item on tho agenda was to consider the Local Government Board's reply to the Coun cil's application for a loan for constructing sewerage works in the Council's area, in the Sirhowy Volley. Alderman N. Phillips said the matter was a. very important one and affected the district very seriously. The reply seemed to be fenced around very cleverly in order to prevent them from looking in any direc- tion except one,and of that they were financially afraid. The reply from the Locai Government Board, which was not made public, was re- to a special meeting.

Caught in a Hurricane. TRAGEDY OF THE SEA. Intelligence was received at Queenstown on Sunday of the total loss in the Bay of Fundy, while on a voyage to New York, of the British schooner Emma A. Hardy, and of the death of the captain and a seaman under peculiarly sad circumstances. The vessel was caught in a hurricane, sprang a leak, and, becoming water- logged. was finally driven on a reef of rocks. Captain Barry and six of the crew took to a boat, but one seaman, an Irish-American, refused to leave the ship. Making for the shore in a heavy sea, the boat was capsized, but all on board "succeeded in reaching shore after a terrific struggle, drenched to the skin: and almost frozen to death with the intense cold. It was three miles to the nearest settlement, and as the land was covered with several feet of snow, the task fortheexhausted men, several of whom had frcst-bitten limbs, was quite out of their power. The captain and mate. however, set out for help, but when part of the journey had been made, the captain fell down exhausted in the snow. The other man hurried on and when he returned with a. rescue party they found the captain on his knees in the snow dead. Later on they found two sailors who had taken refuge up a tree from the snow. They were in a sad plight, their faccs, ears, hands and feet being badly frost bitten. The cook was also found in the snow so exhausted that his recovery was not expected. Nothing was heard of the Irish-American seaman, who stood by the wreck, but as the vessel broke up in the storm he undoubtedly perished. Terrible Weather Encountered. Particulars have been received at Queens. town from Halifax of the terrible weather ex- perienced by the Furness Line steamer London City, on her last voyage from London to Halifax, during which a seaman belonging to Plymouth (England) was washed overboard and drowned. The chief officer was knocked down and badly injured and part of the liner's starboard rail was demolished. Lake Superior Calamity. New York. Saturday.—A telegram from Duluth, Minnesota, reports that two steamers, the Manistique and Ireland- collided in Lake Superior on Saturday. The Manistique and her crew of 31 are missing.—Central News.

PONTYPRIDD VILLA PLANS. DISPUTED CONTRACT TERMS. An Appeal Dismissed. In the Divisional Court on Monday, before Mr Justice Darling and Mr Justice Kenny, the hearing was commenced of an appeal in the case of Charles Benjamin Smith-Jones, carrying on business as Smith. Jones and Co., v. Mrs Emma L. Lewis. This was an appeal from a, judgment given by Mr Vescv, official referee, who sat for tl-ree days in Cardiff in February last. Plaintiff was a. builder, of Pontypridd, and defendant wanted to build a villa on the Park Estate. Treforest. An arrangement had been made by the plaintiff to buiid the house. The defendant had already obtained plans and specifications lrom Mr A. O. Evans, architect, Pontvpridd, and she wanted tenders. The question was whether these specifications formed part of the contract. MrVeseyhad found that it was a term of the contract made between plaintiff and defendant that the house should be ereeted for £550 in accordance with the plans and specifications referred to that the plaintiff was entitled to recover £100. balance of the contractsum, also £51128 6d and Is 3d for extra work. making £178 10s Id. He held also that the defendant was entitled to recover in respect of her counterclaim £220 9s, leaving, after allow- ing for the £17:), a balance due to the defendant of £<1.118s lid. Plaintiff now appealed against this, and sought to set aside the award. Mr Abel Thomas, K.C.. M,P. (instructed by Messrs Redmore ajid Sons for Messrs Spiokett and Sons) was for Mr Jones, and Mr S. T. Evans, K.C.. M.P., and Mr John Sankey (in- structed by Messrs Smith, Randell, and Dodds. for Messrs Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) were for Mrs Lewis. Mr Abel Thomas said the tenders Mrs Lewis had received ranged from £820 to £995. Under the award Mrs Lewis was to" get the house for £550, and was to get £220 back. She was thus getting the house for £330 —a magnificent bargain. Air Justice Bray: I don't know that I should call it a magnificent bouse. Mr Evans The sums stated are not so. Mr Justice Bray Your case is that Mrs Lewis must be telling an untruth ? Mr Justice Darling And many of them. Mr Abel Thomas Yes. Proceeding, he said that if Mrs Lewis bad not had a very consider- able amount of coaching she must have been a very able business woman, and should be held to her contract. Without calling on Air Evans to reply their Lordships dismissed the appeal with costs.

DOG IN BURNING BASKET. £300 Damages Claimed. In the King's Bench Division (before Mr Justice Walton) the hearing was resumed of the action brought by Air A. J. Williams, solicitor, Baglan House, Briton Ferry, against the Alid- land Railway Company, the claim being in respect of the loss of a valuable dog, the pro- perty of the plaintiff. The case was opened at the recent Swansea Assizes, when after evidence had been taken the, case was adjourned to London. It was agreed between the parties that the damage, if defendants were held liable, was £300. Mr S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P., and Air T. Rhys Williams (instructed by Air T. J. David) were for the plaintiff Mr B. F. Wil- liams, K.C., Air Crawford, and Mr Hodges (instructed by Messrs Beale and Co.) were for the defendants. Mr Evans said the charge made for the carriage of the dog was out of proportion to an ordinary risk for a dog sent by itself, and it was not fair to say the defendant could be negligent and only be liable to the amount of £2, mless plaintiff paid £3 15s. The conditions were not reasonable. It was not reasonable to pay the same for a mile as from Land's End to John O'Groats. Mr B. Francis Williams said that the role relat- ing to the carriage of dogs had been in forcp on every railway in England for 16 years. It was not fair for the plaintiff to send a dog which he had first valued at 500 guineas at a low rate. If the plaintiff had declared the value of the dog a. special messenger would have been sent. Was it fair to send a valuable dog from Neath to Chesterfield—where it was killed, the basket containing the dog taking fire-wit,hout saying anything about the value ? Mr Hodges said it was much more difficult to carry a dog than a human being. The Judge I don't know. You don't put a passenger iu a basket and chain him up. (Laughter.) Judgment was reserved.

FATHER AND SON FIGHT. Fatal Quarrel at Blyth. At Blvth on Monday George Johnson (54), labourer was charged with the murder of his son Richard Johnson (24). Gordon Clark i (hat he was asked by a policeman to go to Johnson's house. On entering the bedroom witnr->« a dead body on the floor beside the bed The constable asked witness to look after accused, and they sat down and smoked to. gether prisoner remarked it was either de- ceased or himself, for his son had a hatchet, and butted him in the chest and knocked him against the window. Accused said he^ took the chopper from deceased and struck at him with it p,r,ner asked witness it his son was dead, and he reolied that he did not, think so. W.Lne-s stated that accused further explained that he G-pveHer-z-iqedoneon the head with the chopper, but Sss did not see the chopper. Asked if hefcoHan-- naestions to put to witness, pri- sonedreplied W it was right what the gen- tleman had said." A police next, gave evidence as to the discovery of the body in a pool of blood, and to the finding of three large wounds on the back of the head and a bruise on the top of the right eve When the doctor arrived he declared the son dead- In answer to the magistrate ac- cused said the officer had spoken the truth so far as he could see- Johnson was remanded, and the inonest was afterwards opened.

PEMBROKE DOCK'S OLDEST INHABITANT. The remains of Mrs Amelia Mary Lloyd, who died at her residence. Lower Prospect-place, Pembroke Dock. on Thursday last, aged 96, or. as some believe. 98. were interred at tbe New Cemeterv, Pembroke Dock. on Monday. De- ceased was born at Cross Park, or, as it was then called, Treowen, Pembroke Dock, and as a child witnessed the opening of the dockyard in 1814 She also remembered the bnildmg of Pembroke Dock Market, which was opened in 1826, and the old Victoria Hotel, now a private dwelling, in which the earliest municipal elec- tion at Pembroke Dock was conducted, about the time of the Reform Act. She married the late Air William Lloyd, a native of Milford, who removed to Pembroke Dock shortly after the dockyard was opened, and became collector of market tolls after being pensioned, at Pwll- crochan, Pembrokeshire. Deceased was a sister of the late Alderman Hughes, Pembroke Dock, and at the tune of her death was the oldest native inhabitant of Pembroke Dock, and of Pembrokeshire. She took a great interest in the Salvation Army during late years, and the local Army officers officiated at the funeral.

MONOGLOT ENGLISHMAN AS SCHOOLMASTER. A Montgomeryshire Protest. At Pontrobert, a Alontgomervshirc village, a public meeting has been held to protest against the action of the non-provided schools managers in recommending a monoglot Eng- lishman as headmaster. A resolution was unanimously adopted requesting Llanfair Caereinion District Education Committee not to confirm the appointment and calling the attention of the county authority to the irrita- tion and inconvenience caused by the fact that the advertisement did not state that a know- ledge of Welsh was essential.

On the Knee" Order. STERN ADMIRALTY ACTION. Naval Officers Punished. Having reviewed the circumstances attend- ing the Portsmouth mutiny, the Admiralty issued the following statement on Alonday :— It is established by the evidence that the first disturbance (on November 4th) partook of the nature of an unpremeditated outbreak, to which the following causes appear to have con- tributed :— 1. A feeling of resentment on the part of the stokers caused by the misuse of the drill order On the knee." 2. The retention of the stokers on parade on the Sunday afternoon during rain, and the s jb- seqaent want of judgment shown in dealing with them. 3. The waut of proper supervision and con- trol in the canteen. The second disturbance (on Monday, November 5th) was of a more serious nature, inasmuch as a contemporaneous riot on the part of civilians and other persons took place immediately outside the barracks. This dis- turbance would not have occurred had those in authority taken precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the disorder of the previous day. No such measures were taken. Their lordships are compelled with extreme regret to express their conviction that: Commodore the Hon. Walter G. Stopford failed to deal with the disturbances with firm- ness and resource they have therefore decided to relieve him in his appointment, Commander Sidney R- Drury-Lowe,as second in-command of the barracks, has failed in the performance of his duties as executive officer, and will be superseded. Commander Francis H. Mitchell (comman- der for gunnery duties) failed to exercise pro- per supervision by allowing a drill order to bo used for other than drill purposes, and he will be relieved in his appointment. Lieutenant B. St. G. Collard has been tried by court-martial and convicted of an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline, and the sentence of reprimand has been noted. In consideration of all the circumstances, and also of the evidence given at the subse- equent court-martial, their Lordships have decided, in the case of First-Class Stoker Moody, to modify the sentence by reducing it from fix e years to three years' penal servitude. ThAY have also decided, having regard to the fact that one of the three charges against Stoker Day was not clearly proved, to remit six months of the imprisonment awarded. Directions have been given for general guid- ance that the drill order On the knee is not to be used for other than drill purposes. Commodore Stopford's Successor. We are informed by the Admiralty that Captain Arthur A. C. Galloway, A.D.C., has been appointed commodore (second class) in command of the Royal Naval Barracks at Portsmouth in succession to Commodore the Hon. Walter Stopford. Commander Hugh F- P. Sinclair lias been appointed to be commander of the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, vice Commander Drury Lowe. Rear-Admiral Frederick Fisher has been appointed Admiral- Superintendent of Atalta Dockyard vice Admiral Arthur C. B. Bromley, to date 16th January, 1907. Sentences Approved. A Portsmouth correspondent says the Admiralty minute is generally approved in naval circles at Portsmouth, and cannot be said to have come as a surprise. The revision of the two most severe sentences passed on the two stokers had been fully expected in view of the virtual admission of the court which tried and reprimanded Lieutenant Collard that the men, who belong to tbe most rough-and-ready branch of the service, and had not put in many years under discipline, received great provoca- tion by the issue to them of the improper on the knee order. In explanation of the judg- ment passed upon the three officers, it is pointed out by the Press Association that on the Sunday night when the disturbance first arose all three were absent from barracks. The popular feeling is that the outbreak goes far to condemn the naval barracks system.

HOW THE POOR LIVE. TerribleState of Things at Merthyr At the Alerthyr Town Council on Alonday evening some facts were given showing how the house famine and high rents operate upon the poor. It was stated by one of the sanitary in- spectors that there were cellars in High-street, Dowlais, which were used as bedrooms, although they were both dark and damp In one cellar dwelling, consisting of three rooms, there dwelt a man and his wife,fivechildren.and two lodgers in a similar suite there lived two married couples and three children. In another cellar, the previous occupants of which the Council had compelled to leave in 1904, there now lived a man, his wife and five chil- dren, the occupier being unaware that. the cellar had previously been closed. Statutory notices were ordered to be served upon these occupiers to leave tho premises. Another Horror. A case reported upon was a house in Penyr- ynys. In one of the houses there a woman sold meat, and the inspector on visiting the premises found them in a filthy condition. The meat was kept stored for two or three days in a basket. This receptacle was kept in the kitchen, where there was a bed. On the occa- sion of the inspector's visit he found that the cat was suffering from the mange, and tha t the woman had been trying to cure it by rubbing the animal with sulphur ointment On that day the meat basket was kept under the bed, and the stench on the premises was most offen- sive The Council decided to serve notice upon the woman to discontinue the preparation of meat for sale. Notices to abate nuisances had been served upon the owners of premises in Castle-street, which were let and sublet to two lots of tenants. Five houses were declared unfit for human habitation in other parts of the borough, and it was decided to institute proceedings against the occupier of a house in Gas-row, Dowlais, which with half a dozen others had been condemned, because he still lingered in the old house. It was stated tha t the 38 houses which the Council are about to eaect at Peny- wera would be proceeded with without delay.

SUICIDE AT BLAENA VON. Seme escitement was caused at Blaenavon on Monday by the report that a woman had committed suicide. George Baker, a farm labourer, employed by Air G. J. Young at his Coed Cae Farm, and living on the Coed Cae, went home to dinner as usual, but finding the door locked he forced an entrance. In the back kitchen he found his wife lying full length on the ground. Baker went for some relatives and called in other people. Mr Young noticed that the woman had a piece of rope tightly twisted round her neck. He removed this, and artificial respiration was tried, but without effect, as life was extinct. Mrs Baker was last seen about 10 o'clock in the morning For the past couple of weeks she has been very des- pondent. Tros is the only cause that can be assigned for her rash act. At the inquest held by Mr J. B. Walford, the- husband stated t,hatdeceased had been suffering from depression and pains in the bead, and had been treated by the doctor. She would sit up in bed at night crying, but would not tell him what was the matter with her. Thomas Wil- liams, collier, described how the deceased was found, and stated that the rope was very tightly twistcdround her neck. A verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was returned.

ORDER MADE 18 YEARS AGO. Swansea Maintenance Cass. At Swansea on Monday Martin Gilbert, labourer, of Camborne, was summoned by his wife for arrears under a maintenance order amoontingto.6340 8s. The order, it appears, was made in 18S8, and Gilbert had contributed nothing. It was only recently that his where. abouts were discovered, and then his wife ob. tained a warrant, under which he was brought before tho Swansea magistrates. Defendant said he had only beard once from his wife in the interval, that he thought she was dead, and ho had lived in Cornwall ever since. He would, he protested, have paid her the money if he had known where she was. Asked wha.t he intended doing, he said he had not anything, but he would nevertheless pay the money. The Clerk When will that be ? In another 20 years ? Cannot you make some offer ?—I have no money now, bat I'll pay something once a month. How much?— £ 2- The Chairman (Mr Howel Watkins) informed complainant that if defendant were sent to prison for three ,Donths she would get nothing out of him during that period. Was she disposed to trust him ? Com- plainant said she would leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Bench. She ;vas quite willing to go without payment so long as the costs were paid. Defendant, however, was unable to meet this modest req uirement: and he was accordingly sent to prison for three months.

ELDERLY MAN AND GIRLS. Serious Charge at Bridgend. Robert Takel (60), Coytrahen, a, carriage cleaner in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company, was charged on remand at Bridgend on Saturday with indecently assault- ing GwLadys Yorath (10), Violet Yorath (12), and Lilian Lloyd (10), all of Coytrahen, the children of neighbours of the prisoner. Mr T. J. Hughes '(Alersrs Hughes and Lewis) pro- secuted on behalf of the National Vigilance Society, and Air David Llewellyn defended. The three little girls gave evidence alleging that prisoner on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the previous week took the two little Yoraths into an outhouse at the back of his own house, afterwards giving them pennies not to say anything about it. On one occasion in last August they said, he took all three of them into his house and assaulted them. Sergeant Gill repeated his evidence given at the previous hearing, and added that prisoner's wife was in an asylum and had been there 14 years. Prisoner was committed for trial. Air David Llewellyn applitxi for bail, which was granted prisoner in £100 and two sureties in .£5) each.

BARQUE BLOWN UP. TERRIFIC EXPLOSION AT PORT TALBOT SEVEN SAILORS INJURED. Ship Shattered and Sunk A dreadful explosion occurred on board the three-masted French barque Alexiey, of Nantes in the new dock at Port Talbot about half-past ten on Monday morning, resulting in serious in- juries to seven of the crew. At the time of the disaster preparations were being made on the barque for proceeding on a voyage to South America a few days hence, with a cargo of 2,700 tons of steam coal from the collieries of Messrs North's Navigation, Ltd., at Alaesteg. A number of the crew, which totalled 20, were engaged in the forepart of the vessel' near the cook's galley, raising a huge spar from the deck by means of a winch, and repairs were also being carried out on the bows and bow- sprit, the boat having been in collision with the ss Alelrose Abbey, in Bordeaux Harbour, just previous to coming to Port Talbot about a month ago with a. cargo of pitwood. Terrific Blast, Work was in full swing. The chief mate was superintending the raising of the spar, a couple of men were working the winch, others were hauling at, various ropes, several men being on the roof of the cook's galley, while there were two men inside. Suddenly a severe explosion took place, apparently in the hold of the ship, where the gaseous coal was loaded. The force of this explosion buckled the decks and ripped out planks, but it was almost immediately followed by a terrific explosion which was heard all over the town, causing many of the inhabitants to think that it was another earth- quake. The deck forward of the cook's galley was completely shattered by this blast, the hatches were blown oS, heavy timbers were heaved high into the air amid a volume of smoke and pillars of flame which issued from the interior of the vessel and almost reached as high as the top of the mainmast. Men Hurled Aloft. The crew suffered terribly. Men were hurled in all directions, while several were shot aloft in the debris, enveloped in fire. One poor fellow was blown right up into the rigging, and as he descended his coat caught a spar of the foremast, and he hung suspended aloft for a few moments among the burning ropes and sails until his clothes gave way and he fell to the deck, leaving the remnant of his jacket waving from the rigging like a flag. The Alezley was lying close alongside the s.s. Baroda, of Liverpool, which, though in such close proximity, escaped injury. Captain Hervi, the master of the unfortunate barque, was stepping aboard the Baroda to go ashore to the Customs House when the explosion occurred. Captain Hervi and those on board the Baroda at, once commenced the succour of the terribly injured men who lay about the Alezley's deck, and a man who had been blown overboard was picked up and taken ashore. Captain Humphrey Jones, the harbour master, was quickly on the scene, and ordered the steam fire-tug Emily Charlotte alongside with the hose to extinguish the fiaznes. Shocking SpactacJe. The injured men were taken aboard the Baroda, where it was found that seven were very badly burnt. These were immediately conveyed ashore to the Dock Hotel, when they were attended by Drs. J. H. Williams, R. W. Roberts, and Maclean, preparatory to their removal to Swansea Hospital- Mr and Mrs Alfred Davies, the host and hostess of the Dock Hotel, did everything they possibly could to provide every comfort and accommoda- tion for the sufferers and to facilitate the work of the doctors. The injured sailors presented a most gruesome and heartrending spectacle. The faces of some of them had been scorched black, the hair of their heads burnt completely off, and burnt flesh hung in strips from faces, arms, and hands. Several of them were in a state of extreme collapse, seemingly on the point of death. They were covered with blankets and placed on the billiard tables in the hotel while the doctors carried out their work. Father Francis Yaughan, Roman Catholic priest at Aberavon, comforted the poor fellows in their pain and administered extreme unction to two, who appeared to ba almost in extremis. The Injured. The names of the injured are :— Pierre Huet, badly burnt. Joseph Loizct, very badly burnt. l Pierre Gory, burns on face, arms, and chest. Francois Robert, badly burnt. Claud Le Alaire, slight burns- Francois Charmilet, burnt all over. Francois Picard. badly burnt all over. About 12.30 a special train was ready at the Docks Station of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway, by which the men were removed to Swansea., accompanied by Dr. J. H. Williams and Dr. McLean, Sergeant Preece, and Sergeant Phillips. Cause of Explosion. At present the cause of the explosion is only conjectural, but it may be taken as practically established that the disaster was caused by an accumulation of gas in the bold from the cargo of steam coal becoming ignited by some means not yet ascertained. Theie was a rumour current during tha afternoon that since the loading of the coal was completed a few days ago all the hatches had remained fastened c down, with the ventilators also closed. Capt. Hervi, who was seen by OQr reporter on the subject, gave an emphatic denial to these allegations. He admitted that the main hatch was closed, but said that both of the fore hatches and the ventilators were open, and had been ever since the coal was placed in the hold. He said be could giv0 no explanation as to how the explosion was caused. The first mate, who speaks little Eng!ish, explained to our reporter how the men were at work when the disaster occurred and how he, who was standing by the cook's galley, was hurled against the bulwarks together with several other sailors, but w luckily unhurt. Asked if he could throw any li-Ilt on the origin of the explosion, the first Llate dismissed the question with an emphatic shrug of the shoulders, but not a word would he utter on that point. The Barque Wrecked. The scene which our reprcseptative saw on board the barque in the afternoon was one of widespread desti-uction, the explosion having completely shattered the vessel, rendering her little better than a wreck. The deck towards the bows was Shivered to pieces. and through the wide fissures a view could be had of the hold, into which the water froIp the dock was pouring through gaping rips in the vessel's sides. The sailors' bunks iq the forecastle had been smashed to fragmentS. "nd escape from death would have been impossible for any man who might have happpned to be there at the time of the occurrence. Captain's Narrow Escape. The captain had a remarkable escape. He had not long left his cabin to go aboard the Baroda on his way ashore. Had he been in his cabin he would probably have been killed, for the effect of the explosion there was astound- ing. The barque had two decks, and the blast of gas after wrecking the forepart of the ship seems to have rebounded 'tween decks and spent its force finally under the captain's cabin aft. The furniture there was splintered to matchwood, and the firegrate, which was fixed in concrete, was blown out into the middle of the cabin. Sank in Dock. The boat slowly began to settle down soon after the accident. The bonded stores were all got away, but towards the evening it was evi- dent the vessel would sink to the bottom, and this it did about six o'clock, the only man on board at the time being P.C. Tarr, who bad to shout out for a boat, which arrived and brought him away, as the water was beginning to creep over the decks. Throughout the day hundreds of peopla wended their way to the docks from Port Tal- bot, Aberavon, and the district round, where the news of the disaster had caused great sensa- tion. A large crowd watched all day from the dock sides as the ill-fated craft settled lower and lower in the water. The Alezley was constructed of steel atNantes in 1900 and is of 1,573 gross tonnage. Her owners are the Societe Nouvelle d'Armete, Nantes,

REMOVAL OF THE WOUNDED TO SWANSEA. There was great crowd at Swansea Station when the special train on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway came in with the injured Frenchmen. The men were accompanied by the Rev. Father Francis Vaughan and Dr. Williams, both of whom administered as best they could to the alleviation of the terrible suiierings of the men. The train had been expected at Swansea, and Captain Colquhoun, chief of the borough police, and the superintendent of the dock police had made every possible arrangement for getting the suffering men promptly and comfortably removed to the Hospital. All the available ambulances were ready, es well as the horse ambulance and wagonette, in charge of a number of constables. It was observed that some of the men were in such a, state of collapse that nothing could possibly be done for them. The greatest pos- sible difficulty was experienced in getting the dying and" suffering men from the train. The first two, with faces burnt to cinders, were able to walk with assistance to cabs. Then some men were carried out whose terrible injuries caused a shudder to pass through all who looked upon him. Father Vaughan ;vas con- stant in his attentions, while Dr. Thomas dirl everything possible. Sergeants Preece and Phillips, who accompanied the men, and the borough and dock officers who were, in attendance on the platform an rendered valuable assistance. With as little delav as possible the patients were driven to the Hospital. Here they had the best possible attention paid them, and the action of the Hospital staff in this connection elicited during the day the ap- preciation of the Management Board, Colonel Alorgan stating that it reflected great credit upon them. The Board also thanked Alessrs Ben Evans and Co. for their kindness in sup- plying bedsteads, sbcets,&c., in the emergency.

EYE-WITNESSES' ACCOUNTS. Pretty but Awful Picture. Mrs Davies, wife of the landlord of the Dock Hotel, give a graphic description of the second explosion. She said in an interview with our representative that she was going upstairs when she heard a loud report. I went into the drawing-room," continued Airs Davies. The room overlooks the docks, and when I reached the window I saw the vessel burst into a mass of flame and smoke and the body of a sailor was shot up above the cloud of smoke into the rigging, and as it de- scended it caught for a while in a spar, and hune suspended for a second or two, until the clothing gave way, and the body was precipi- tated on to the deck. I turned away and rushed downstairs, and when I got outside I could see very little of the ship owing to the smoke, but I noticed that the sails and rigging were on fire, making a pretty picture had it not been for the awful meaning of it." The engineer of the steamship St. Gothard said that he was looking in the direction of the Mczley at the moment the explosion occurred. The explosion at once recalled to his mind an explosion of a submarine which he had seen in American waters. Mr A. Fielding, the works manager of the Port Talbot Dock and Shipbuilding Company, was in his office, and hearing a loud explosion looked out in time to witness the second explo- sion. The flames," he said, leaped up the masts, setting some of the cordage on fire. The force of this explosion was terrific. A heavy iron plate 18 inches long and 5 or 6 inches wide was blown on to the quay, a distance of 60 yards. At the time of the explosion there were some sailors in the rigging. One of these lost his hold and fell to the deck. Some of our men were on staging working under the bowsprit- There were 15 to 20 men of ours at work there The explosions were aft and amidships, and our men escaped." Statement by the Harbour Master. Captain Humphrey Jones, harbour master, interviewed, said that the boat was loaded with 2,700 tons of North's Navigation steam coal. She was lying in the new dock preparing for sea, and about the time of the accident some of the dry dock workmen were carrying on repairs to the bowsprit. She would probably have sailed in a couple of days. About half-past 10 in the morning, when lie was in his office a couple of hundred yards from the boat, be heard two loud reports from the direction of the ship. He went out and saw that the vessel was on fire. He at once ordered the fire pump with the steam tug Emily Charlotte to render all the assistance possible, and to extinguish the flames on board, while he and others superintended the work of getting the injured men ashore. He telephoned to all the doctors in the district and to the police, and the response was very prompt. Dr. A. H. WiUiams, of Aberavon, was in attendance in a few minutes, being quickly followed by Dr. McLean and Dr. A. W. Roberts. As to the cause of the accident Captain Jones said that this was largely a matterof conjecture at present,but he assumed that it was caused by an accumulation of gas, which had become ignited by some means or other, and added that he noticed on going on board that the fore and aft hatches were open, but the main hatch was closed. The boat's deck was ripped up, and there were large rents in her side. She was making water rapidly. He believed that if she con- tinued to make water at that rate she would sink to the bottom and it would be necessary to send down divers to patch up her injuries before she could be refloated and repaired. Cap- tain Jones spoke highly of the assistance ren- dered to the injured man by Mr and Mrs Albert Davies, of the Dock Hotel. ) (Photo, by Moody, (Aberavon.7 The barque as she lay in dock shortly after the explosion and before she sunk, showing the damage done to her bows by the collision.

MAN'S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. An explosion occurred on Monday at Cheshire and Lancashire Railway Gasworks in Ashwell street, Liverpool, which did considerable damage. The cooling cylinder too blew off and went through the ioof of the building- Robert Adamson, one of the engineers, who was stand- ing close by, had a remarkable escape from death. His waistcoat was blown off, and one of his shirt sleeves torn from the shoulder. He was badly burt about the face, and is now I in hospital.

A serious accident occurred on the London and North-Western Railway between Crewe and Stafford on Alonday. when through the misunderstanding of a signal a goods train for Shrewsbury crashed into the middle of another goods train for Gistv. Fourteen wagons were overturned, several were smashed and the goods strewn all over the railway. The engine of the Shrewsbury train was damaged, but the driver and fireman escaped unhurt.

■" —3 TOURIST STEAMER ASHORE. Suicide of the Captain. Kingston, Jamaica, Monday.—The Hamburg- American tourist steamer Princessin Victoria Luise has gone aground near Port Royal, and is hard ashore and in a dangerous position. The captain blew his brains out with a revolver. The passengers have been landed safely. The Princessin Victoria Luise is pounding heavily and seas aT) sweeping over her, but it is hoped that she may be saved.—Renter.

FATAL CONVULSIONS. Newport Mother Loses Six Children. An inquest was held on Monday at Newport on the body of an infant, six months old, the child of EUen Lindbolm. 23, Frederick-street, who died from convulsions. A witness, Sarah Jane Stevens, told the Coroner she bad lost six children from fits. A verdict of Death from I natural causes was returned.

Welsh Church Inquiry. CENTRAL EVIDENCE COMMITTEE. HOW THE FREE CHURCH CASE PROGRESSES. Sir J. Herbert Roberts, ALP., presided on Alonday in Shrewsbury at a meeting of the Welsh National Executive, which is the Central Com- mittee to secure evidence for submission to the Welsh Church Commission. The committee is composed of representatives of the National Liberal Council, the Nonconformist bodies, the Free Churches Federation, &c. and it has established committees in the different counties, all of these (except two) being now in full operation. Among those present on Monday were Mr D. Davies, M.P., Colonel Ivor Herbert, M.P., Mr S. Robinson, M.P., Dr. Owen Davies (Carnar- von), Air R. Jones (Pendinas), Alderman E. Thomas, Rev. T E. Williams (Alontgomery), Miss Gee, Mrs Richards, Rev. Evnon Lewis, Mr Beriah Evans, Mr J. Hugh Edwards, and others. Air Lleufer Thomas (standing counsel to the committee) was also in attendance. Air W. H. Hnghes, secretary, read letlera of apology from gentlemen unable to attend. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., who is still laid aside by influenza, wrote apologising for absence. Prof. T. Rees, Alemorial College, Brecon, in a similar letter, stated :—" I hope the Committee will express itsetf strongly to the Commission —and, if necessary, to the Government—on the point that evidence should be taken by counties and not by parishes. Otherwise the proceed. ings will be lengthened intertnÍnably," Finance: A Good Report. Air D. Davies. M.P., as treasurer, made a statement as to the financial position of the committee. There had been, he said, total contributions to the amount of £964, and after meeting expanses to date there remained a He appealed for further sub- scriptions, it being needful to make the total at least £1,000. Present Position Described. The Chairman stated that the Central Evidence Committee had proceeded since its formation in July upon the lines laid down at its first meeting, namely, that the evidence shall be prepared and presented under three main divisions—(1) a statement of the pro- vision made by the principal Nonconformist bodies in Wales (2), a statement of the pro- vision made by Nonconformists in all the counties and county boroughs in Wales and (3) evidence to be given by witnesses qualified to speak on special aspects of the work and the influence of Nonconformity in Wales. Up to the present the evidence taken by the Com- mission had been wholly outside the scheme of evidence for which the Central Evidence Com- mittee was responsible, and it was desirable that this should be made clear to the public. (Hear, hear.) The procedure adopted by the Commission in taking at its first sitt- ings evidence from certain parishes and churches in the countv of Carmarthen had been adopted, hepi-esumfd.for the purpose of clearing a way for the reception of the evi- dence to be given upon the county and de- nominational basis. He had had some experi- ence as a member of the Royal Commission, and be could easily understand that there might be reasons for the adoption of such a procedure—reasons which were not apparent to the public. He felt confident that at the conclusion of this preliminary inquiry the Com- mission would be prepared to make the neces- sary arrangements to receive the evidence which this Central Committee prepared, and he had little doubt that such a view of the terms of reference would be taken by the Commissioners as would enable them and the witnesses of the Church of England to place before the country a. complete statement of the present position and of the results of the work done by the denominations for the higher life of the people. Summing up the work which had already been accomplished by th Central Evidence Committee he stated that Evidence Committees had been formed in every county and county borough in Wales. In most of the counties the witnesses had been selected and they would be prepared to appear before the Commission when requested to do so. Each of the Nonconformist denominations in Wales had taken the necessary steps to prepare its statement. Their witnesses had been selected and every effort had been made by them to collect the statistics required for the present- ment of their cace. As chairman of the Central Evidence Committee he wished to express his personal appreciation of the ready response which had been madb on every hand to the re- quests of the committee. (Hear, hear.) The various committees and their secretaries, and the witnesses selected by them, had taken in- finite pains in the work committed to their charge had loyally and cordially adopted the suggestions made to them from time to time by the Central Committee. An Unjustifiable Assumption. Continuing! Mr Roberts said he thought it desirable to refer to one point upon which, evidently, misapprehension existed in certain quarters. He gathered from the speeches of certain leading representatives of the Church of Eng'and in Wales that it was assumed that those who were responsible for the Noncon- formist statement were actuated, in connection with the preparation of their evidence, by motives of hostility to the Church of England as a spiritual organisation. Speaking for him- self, and on behalf of his colleagues on tha Central Committee, he wished to protest against any such assumption. (Hear, hear.) As Nonconformists they were bound to respect the principles which were the foundation of their faith, and the Commission having been appointed to inquire Into the provisions made by them for the spiritual needs of the people it was their clear duty to set before that body a complete statement of the facts. The representatives of tbe Church of England would no doubt take similar action. In stating and considering the results of the work done in the sphere of religion he thought that any feeling other than a sense of gratitude and deepened responsibility was by the nature of the case excluded. They were, indeed, con- fident that they would be able to record striking progress made in every direction in the life of Wales through the influence of their religious organisatioas, but he earnstly hoped that the distinction between their attitude to the Church of England as a spiritual organisation and as a State establishment would be honour- ably recognised. He thought it right, in view of what had been said in public upon this question, to make this statement. (Hear, hear.) The Choice of Witnesses. Upon the question being raised as to the Commissioners inviting witnesses to tender evidence it was emphasised that the Central Committee was not responsible for the evidence thus far tendered, and Mr D. Davies, M.P., suggested that formal intimation should be made as to the com- mittee's collection of evidence and a list of wit- nesses be submitted to the Commissioners. Finally The Chairman stated that he would make further representations to the Commission in this respect. Detail Survey. The several counties were then reported upon seriatim and several interesting points arose— as, for instance, whether one person should give evidence twice over. There are some cases where a witness has been chosen both by the county and by his denomination, and it was discussed whether anyone should appear in this dual capacity, there being so many wit- nesses tendered and so little time for the recep- tion of evidence. A decision on this point was relegated to the future, each case to be decided according to circumstances. The witnesses will be consulted and their evidence gone through in order to avoid repeti- tions and surplusage, and thus to economise time—a very important matter, having regard to the desirability of finishing the inquiry at an early date. Intending witnesses are desired to acquaint themselves as far as possible with Parlia- mentary reports and other publications which relate to the question and to correct and bring up to date the information which these contain with regard to their own localities. The secretary presented a report showing the work done in different parts of the cotmfcry, in which be stated that all the County Com- mittees were well forward with their prepara- tions, and only the two previously referred to were behindhand. The work of the com. mittees was rapidly nearmg completion. His report- dealt in other respects with some of the matters mentioned in the chairman's speech. Mr Walter Hughes being himself the secre- tary of the Glamorgan Committee, he reported with reference to that county that nearly all the district committeesbadsentin their returns and that the schedules were for the most part excellently prepared. Having regard to the reports from these districts (which parenthetic. ally he stated had involved an enormous amount of work) he hoped to be in a position to complete the figures for the county within a fortnight. The tabulation of these and the cJassill ation of evidence, although it had in- volved so much labour, would fully justify and amply repay all that had been done. A North Wales representative raised the question of the presentation of rebutting evi- dence. It was. he said, highly desirable for members of the committees and others in the different localities to watch carefully the evi- dence presented on the Church side, so that re- butting evidence, wherever necessary, might be promptly forthcoming. On the question being asked how different parts of Wales could be made aware of what went on at the Commission, the North Wales representative referred to suggested that the secretary of the Central Committee should be desired to send to the local secretaries copies of the South Wales Daily News," which he ?aid contained by far the best and fullest reports of the proceedings before the Commission. In the Northern part-; of the Principality they did not have the facilities which readers in South Wales possessed, and therefore hj made the suggestion as to the South Wales Daily News." If what was stated before the Com-] mission Were to be made promptly known they would secure information of erroneous state- ments and be in a position to rebut evidence which did not properly represent the facts. Other business having been disposed of the committee adjourned.

An inquest was held on Mondav at. Vewport touching the death of Arthur Reginald Sy- monds, aged three, of 6. Canal-parade, who died on Sunday from the effects of scalds through upsetting a bucket of water on himself. Verdict. "Accidental death from shock* following scalds."

Rescue Work in Mines, AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. Mr Henry Davies. mining lecturer, Glamorgan County Council, will shortly pav a visit to America, and he delivered the last of his lee. tures to mining students before departure or, Saturday night last at the Abennorlais School, Merthyr. Air John AIorgan, cUairman of the Mining Committee of the County Council, pre- sided, and Mr Davies held the close attention of an intelligent audience while he explained the latest devices for life-saving in mines. He produced a set of the Meyer apparatus, ex- plained its working, referred to the invention, of Garforth, and dwelt at some length upon the importance of the discovery of Mr Oito Sirnonis. who had designed a device by which the deadly after-damp could be combatted bv liouid air The discovery of Air Simonis. he 'said/ was ex. plained recently to the North of England Insti- tute of Alining Mechanical Engineers. The new apparatus, called the aerolith, weighed only 141bs., could be carried on a man. s back with- out encumbrance, and would give a deliciously cool supply of air sufficient for one man for three hours. The new appliance consisted of a nickel cylinder, capable of containing one gallon of liquid air, and was carried in a knap- sack. A face mask was connected by a doubla tube leading through the cylinder to a dcubla bag at the back of the vessel. The breath being exhaled into this tub., evaporated tha liqwd air m the cylinder, and this fresh air then got to the mask through one of the double pipes attached to the mouthpiece, and the ex- haled breath escaped through an outlet in thA double bag. Liquid air could be kept stored at collieries in the vacuum vessels designed bv Sir James Dewar, and from these vessels there would not be a loss of more than from 5 to 10 per cent. per day by evaporation under ordin- ary atmospheric conditions. Air Davies demon- ■ strated how the new appliance was a practic- able thing, for while liquid air could be pur- chased at present for 5s per gallon when no demand existed for puiely commercial pur- • poses, it could be produced by small plants at 6d or 3d or even less per gallon. While the j liquid air could be transported with perfect safety it was desirable, said Air Davies, that for central rescue stations in large coal 'mines air liquifydng plants should be erected, and he < pointed out that a plant of 8 horse-power, capable of producing a gallon of liquid air per day, could be erected for An aerolith, he said, had been purchased by the Royal Commission on Alines, and all other devices had been discarded in its favour at the Baroa de Rothschild's coal mines in Austria.

Pauper's Lost Fortune. CARMARTHEN MAN'S MISFORTUNES. At a meeting of tho Carmacthen Board of Guardians on Saturday, Air D. L. Jones pre- siding, an indoor pauper named Wfllia.ru Bowen, who was once a well-to-do farmer with a fortune in his possession, but who had lost his property which was being investigated in a Higher Court, wrote fr 3m the Workhouse to Air Justice Warrington hoping he would accept a statement by way of help. In replying to Rotven from the Royal Courts of Justice, his Lordship said :— Dear Sir,—I am precluded by the rules of the Court from accepting your letter as a. defence. The guardians will tell you, nodoubt. if you ask them, that there are means bv which you can be allowed to defend as a pauper on taking the proper steps. What these are you must ascertain from others. I cannot give advice to litiarants." Bowen thereupon wrote to the guardians Inasmuch as I am an inmate of the Work- house I am a pauper and dependent on the rates of the Carmarthen Unionand as a law- suit is now pending, re my bit of property now in the High Court, and being unable through want of means to enter a defence, I appeal to the Board for help for the same. Will it not be to the advantage of the Board to see into it ? For if judgment go by default I will be v dependent the rest of my life on the rates, as I am unfit and too old to do much more for toy- self the remainder of my life. I am now 68 years of age. I may state that my ancestors and self have been the heaviest ratepayers j both in this and Llanelly Unions during the best part of last century, having occupied the > large farms of Penybedd, Muddlescwm, Llach- dernny, Pibwr, &C. I may state that I want to assign all my chances in the above to the Board." In a postscript Bowen added This is my last chance for life." The Clerk Of course, as a Board you can- not undertake a case of this sort without great expense. This action will cost about £50 in the event of its being lost. Mr J. Phillips, Caerlleon And if he ? The Clerk Then you may get about the costs. (Several members Oh.") The guardians would take no individual risk.. and therefore the matter was aHowed to drop.

THE CHANNEL TUNNEL Bill Deposited. The Bill was on Monday deposited in ParIm- ment to incorporate the Channel Tunnel Com- pany and to authorise the construction of works which shall form part of the scheme intended to connect England and France. Powers are sought to execute such works up to the three mile limit. It is provided that the exercise of any powers granted shall be subject to such conditions as may be agreed between his Majesty's Government and the French Government. It is estimated that the scheme will involve a total outlay of £16.000,000, Half of that amount is to be raised in this country and the remainder is promised in France as soon as the scheme shall have re- ceived Parliamentary sanction in England. Two parallel tunnels will be constructed, the total length of the same under the sea ing 24 miles, and with the land approaches on either side 30 miles. Interesting Paper. Paris, Saturday.—A paper on the Channel; Tunne. was read this evening at the monthly; dinner of the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris by Air Hanning, the engineering member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber. He said that Queen Victoria was said to have in- formed Prince Consort he could tell De Gamon that if he could accomplish the scheme her Majesty would give him my blessing in my own name and in the name of all the ladies of ■ England." The work effected so far on both. the French and English coasts, continued Air Hanning, demonstrated the thickness tho, hard nature, the impermeability, and the possibility of rapid and safe pene- tration of the grey chalk or the chalk: 1 marl layer through which the tunnel would be a preliminary of the drainage. A gallery would have first to be excavated, which would require about five years, and the construction of the tunnel proper could then be carried on very rapidly from both ends, and from several points of the drainage tunnel. The entire work, he said, ought to be completely finished in about seven years. With the tunnel we could in four to five hours from London be in Paris or Brussels, and in other Continental capitals in a proportionately short time, thus getting on a level with Continental competi- tors. As regards prompt business communica- tion the journey from London to Paris, or vice- versa, and back could be accomplished in a. day's ordinary working hours, with time to attend to business in the middle. Air Hanning did not consider that the British shipping trade i would be materially affected by the tunnel. which would be mainly used for passenger traffic and perishable goods. As to the tears of invasion be submitted the tunnel could be so exploited as to place itentirely in the hands of the military authorities in Eng- » land, who could at a few moments' notiee des- troy it and render absolutely impossible the Jj transport of any invading anny. Furthermore, f the chances of war with France were verv i' remote. The cost had been estimated at about, 360 million francs, and he thought that in ten. years the profit over and above interest on i capital would easily amount to 44 million ? francs annually. He hoped the Chamber would favour the undertaking if asked to an opinion.—Renter. '4

MORRISTON EXPLOSION VICTIMS. Condition ofthe Injured. Thomas John and Evan Carpenter, the two- men injured at the Upper Forest explosion, who were taken to Swansea Hospital, were reo ported to be progressing satisfactorily. The other five men injured, and who are being treated at their homes, are also doing well. The shells remaining on the yard have been examined, but no report as to the condition in which they were found is obtainable. A representative of f the Bristol merchants from whom the scrap" iron (in which the shells were included) was* bought has arranged to visit the works. Another Accident at the Works. An extraordinary accident is reported to have occurred at the Upper Forest Steel Works, AIorTiston, the scene of the recent explosion. On Fridaynight a young man named R. Davies was engaged in cleaning out a huge ladle, &ft. high, when a naphtha lamp,which was hanging above him, upset, and the man's clothing be- came a massof 11 ames. He managed to climb out of the ladle and then ran frantically about, thus preventing his fellow-workmen from coming to his aid, until he ran against an ingot and fell down and the flames were put out. The poor ellow was medically attendei, and seat hojaa

DARING JEWEL ROBBERY. Sentences at Birmingham. At the Birmingham Assizes on Monday Alfred Purshouse was sentenced to three yea pen-1 servitude, and an accomplice nam Alansell to six months' bard labour in connec tion with a daring theft oi jewellery amonntrag to about £1.200 on November 27th/A travelling- jeweller named Frecdman visited a public- house in New John-street, and placed his bag containing jewellery on a bench while he shook hands with the landlord. A minute later ilr disappeared. Both prisoners were on the 1 mises, and subsequently the bag was found hidden in ManselTs house, where PurshouaO-' was stated to lodge.