The Cardiff Times

WARNING TO EMIGRANTS. The Emigrants' Information Office, in a statement issued last night dealing with tho prospects of emigration at the present time, say that no one except under special circum- stances should emigrate to Canada until the winter ia over. As regards Australia, the principal demand is for farmers, for competent farm labourers, for men accustomed to work in orchards and vineyards and for female servants. There is no general demand for mechanics. The last reports from New Zealand show that men iathe building trades, sawmillers, flax millers, and in several places men in the engineersg trades were busy. The clothing trade has been busy almost everywhere, and competent labourers in countrydistricts are well employed but inferior men are not wanted. Immigrants arc warned against going to Cape Colony in search of work. There is a plentiful zappiy of local men, many of whom arc unable to And employment. In Natai the supply of labour is equal to the demand, and all persons arc warned against going to the Transvaal in search of work. Owing to the great reduction in building opera- tions in Johannesburg aud district, together with the cessation ofoonstruction and develop- ment work in certain mines, there is a great scarcity of employment for all classes of skilled workmen, and there is absolutely no opening for clerks, shop assistants, handy men, &c. There is some demand for female servants. In Orange River Colony there is no demand what- ver for mechanics, miners,, farm or general iboqr<ys.

CONGRESS CIRCULAR Union Rate of Wages. les Union Congress Parliamentary e have issued to all Trade Unions and mncils or the country a circular "ntion to the resolution passed at •es Union Congress at Liverpool on 0 of work and wages under local The circular, which is signed by .ÂbolH" members of Parliament and others. es that the committee earnestly trusts that members of a Trades Council who may be Tving ai representatives on a local body will ae their utmost endeavours to ensure that the worker for the municipality, whether employed directly or under contract, shall be paid at the carrent Trade Union rate for the district. If this principle is not adopted the tendency will be to procure labour at as cheap a wag* as S*sible. Wages, adds the circular, would ereby become diminished, and conditions of employment m^de worse for the workers in the whole of the district concerned. The committee in another circular draws attention to the resolution passed at the con- gress that any method of organisation which toeeks to divide workmen employed by public authorities or private employers from their fellows in the same occupations employed by private firms is detrimental to the best interests of Trade j Unionism. The committee state that already in some industries there is more than one Union for a similar class of labour. Their duty is to direct all their energies towards centralisation and avoid where possible any sec tionaliam.

CAERPHILLY SENSATION. mv TPRIOUs"LINDERGR0UND EXPLOSION. jwbat alarming explosion occurred in •eta cf Caerphilly abont 11 a-m. on It is believed that gas from the old 11y Gas Works, the mains of which were 30 years ago, got -into- a surface land exploded. Tn" covers of several manholes were blown some feet into the air in Cardiff road, and also in Stockland-street, but no one sustained any serious personal injury. It is conjectured that a passer-by must have dropped a lighted match into a surface Water rain, t into which there had been a leakage rom a gas main. Further inquiries made show that a number of pedestrians had narrow escapes. Inspector Davies happened to be within a few inches of the manhole which was blown up in the Cafdiff- road. and be said that there were thfee muffled eXplosio. At first be thought that a disaster NXjd occurred, in one of the neighbouring col- ■»ric3. Twc boys residing in Cardiff-road sustained hocks., and two other persons crossing from itocklaitd-street into the main road felfc the effects of the cx^tnsion, but, as stated, no •srious in jury ^was .sustained by anyone.

MABEL OLIVER'S MISDEEDS. A Bad Case at Ystrad. By means of ingeniously.-wriCteln letter Mabel Oliver, a frail looking young woman of Pentre, succeeded in obtaining £1 from the Penfcre Colliery offices on the 3rd inst. She was acting as housekeeper to a colliery haulier named Jatiaes Kiasey, Lletecca-road, Pentre, at the time. Prisoner wrote in Kinsey's name stating that the latter wanted tbe money be. cause he was in the lock-up." Charged at ratrad Court on Monday with obtaining the money by means 01 tatse pretences, prisoner pleaded f uilty. She also admitted having falsely db- ainedfoo^ and lodgings from a Mrs Sunderland, 4s from Mrs Sunderland's boy. Police-Inspector Williams gave prisoner a bad character, and said it was attibutable to her environuent. The Bench intimated that it was one of the worst cases of the kind they had dealt with. As prisoner appeared to be a weakly girl they intended dealing more leniently with her than they otherwis3 would have-dene. Sentence of 21 days with hard labour was passed.

jTfSH CREW'S REVOLT. Allegations of HI-usage.. Mexico City, Saturday.—A serious mutiny occulted to-day on board the British steamer 8. Drumming, at Martian, on the Pacific coast, Thirteen sailors belonging to the ship have, been imprisoned at the request of the captain and the British Consul. The captain declares that his life was in serious danger. The men. on their part, assert that their treatment throughout the voyage was^wprse than that of cattle. They were fed. they say, on rotten meat and stale, worm eaten biscuits The entire crew are emphatic in their deter- mination to murder the captain if they are eompcllcdtO return to the vessel. The vessel meanwhile remains undischarged, DO hands for the purpose being obtainable. Her cargo consists of coal.—" Tribune." A ship of this name is not ill Lloyd's Register. <

NORTH GLAMORGAN OFFiCIAL I; RECEIVERSHIP. On Monday Mr Daniel brought his period of office as Official Receiver for North Glamorgan to a and on Tuesday Mr Ellis Owen camte into his place. Mr William Lewes Daniel was "born in' December. 1838. at Carmarthen. In1 1S62 he came to Merthyr as a cheat ist, and immediately became identified with temperance work. lld was •elected honorary st:crctay-y of the local society, and subsequently bccamc its president. Mr W. L. DANIEL. Kx-OHicial Receiver for North Glamorgan, (Photo by Owen, Merthyr.) In 1864 he was elected, honorary secretary of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Temper- ance and Prohibition Association (now the South Wales Temperance Association), and in 1866 became president, a post he again held in 1906, He is one of the foundation members of the Gwalia Lodge of Good Templars, which is one of the earliest in Wales, and for some years be was G.W..T. of the Grand Lodge of Wales (English). He took a prominent, part in the education fight of 1869 and 1870. and was elected a member of the Merthyr School Board in 1873. He continued a member while that body lasted. and for some years acted as chair- man. Mr Daniel has also in the past acted on the Merthyr Board of Health and the Merthyr Board of Guardians. In 1890 he was appointed Official Receiver bv Mr Joseph Chamberlain. Sin ce then he has naturally not fnken a very I prominent part in general public affairs, except. in so far as education and temperance work are concerned. Mr ELLIS OWEN. (Photo by Abery, Brecon.)

THE NEW OFFICIAL RECEIVER. Mr Ellis Owen, the successor of Mr W. L. Daniel, is a journalist by profession, posses- sing marked business capacity and a ready grasp of financial matters. lie is a cultivated Welshman a native of North Wales.

ON A ST. WOOLOS FARM. Servant Girl and Farm Hand. Mr Lyndon Cooper mentioned I o the New- port county magistrates x>n Monday the case in which William Brown (66), widower, a farm la))ourer, ivaq charged with assaulting Rose Hannah Watlcics, a girl of 14. It was, he said. a sad cose, and he prosecuted on behalf of the N.S P.C.C. The girl's mother was dead, and her father was now serving nine months' imprisonment for being cruel to her. When he was taken to Usk the girl. who was born at Penarlh, went to live with her grand- mother Mrs Bevan, at Whitchurch, but when the latter gave up housekeeping the girl went to service with Mr and Mrs Harrre, at Glas- llwch Farm, St. Woolos, Newport, where the prisoner was engaged as a labourer. It was while at this farm that the assault took place. The g'rl confirmed her advocate's story, and said that on October 14<h she went to the cow- shed for some potatoes* Prisoner was there, and after some wordt; he made overtures to her. Later in the day he said, I have got you again." He then assaulted her, but she did not tell anyone because she was ashamed. He assaulted her on subsequent dates, and had told her not to say anything about it or it would mean gllol for life for her. He had given her presents of a comb, a purse, and a blackleid- It was untrue that she had fol- lowed him about und incited him. Replying to further questions, the girl s.,jc1 that on December 23rd she was taken to the Workhouse Infirmary, and had remained there ever since. Mrs Melville Harris said that prisoner had been employel at the farm for about 18 months. On December 19th she heard prisoner and the girl whispering, and was s,ispicioti-s. She watched them, and heard further conver- sations which convinced her that everything was not rijfht. When sht: w in the dining- room she heard Brown, who was in the kitchen, say to the girl who was with her, We can't manage it to-day." The girl replied, Ob. yes. when the misaus is bathing the baby. If she doesn't, I will manage it." Prisoner replied that the missus was such a sharper." Dr. Bassett, who examined the girl. said her condition was consistent with her sworn evi- dence. Prisoner wiis committed for trial to the Assizei; in February next. Bail was allowed.

STARTLING INTERPOLLATION During Rector of Neath's Sermon. The decorum of the service at St. David's (lurch. Neath, on Sunday night wasbrokeu ill a somewhat startling, fashion. Tho Tcctor of I eath (the Rev. A. F. Evans. M, A.) was preach. g an earnest sermon, in the course of Y7hich 1. was inculcating the lesson-to be drawn from e rapid flight of time. when there came an terruption from a member of the congrega- tion- The rector pausM in his delivery, and there was a painful silence for a moment. Then a strong voice rang out the words from half-way down-tho nave of the church, "Some terrible" thing will happen in the spring." An unwonted sensation was produced by this utterance, butthe restor, preserving his accus- tomed calm demeanour, resumed his dis- course, and was permitted to close it without any further interruption. It transpired that a well-known and devout male worshipper at the church had uttered the words under some momentary impulse.

EISTEDDFOD AT ABERBARGOED. ) -r- The annual Eisteddfod under the auspices of Caersalem Welsh Baptist Chapel, Aberbargoed, Was held, on Monday night. Mr T. B; Fisher presided in tho absence of Air Lewis Watkins. Adjudicators, Mr. D. -Roberts. A.C--Bargoed Mr J. Davids, A.C., Aberbargoed Rev. D. F. Walters and Itcv. Llev. Morris. Pengaru accompanists,, Messrs I.-Gabriel, P:T;S:C., and Jacob Gabriel, L.T.S-C-, Argocd- The teerw- tarial duties were earriod out by Mr W- T. Clement, G;ilfach Bargoed- Awards Mixed choirs. Aberbargoed (conductor bIT T. Lewis). Soprano solo, Mrs Caruthers, Bargoed. Con- tralto solo. Miss Blodwyn Davies, Abcrtysswg. Tecor solo Mr Dan Jones, New Tredegar. Bass solo, Mr D. Griffiths. Bargoed. Baritone solo, Mr T. Meyrick, Ystradmyuaeli. Solo, restricted to Those over 50 years of ago, Mr T. Hughes, Aberbargoed. Pianoforte solo (juveniles), J. S. Chambers, Bargoed. Violin solo—1, E. Jen- kins, Tredegar 2, Tom Davies, Pontlottyn. Juvenile {females)i Miss Gwladys M. Rees, New Tredegar. Juvenile splo (males), Edgar Thomas, Bargoed. Recitation, Mr D. A. Parry. New Tredegar. FweciWicm (juveniles), Tommy Davies, Pontlottyn.

FUMERAL0F MR S. T. STEPHENS, BRISTOL. The funeral of the late Mr Sidman Thomas Stephens, a well-known figure in Bristol and Cardiff business circles, took place on Monday at Bristol. The deceased gentleman was for many years connected with the firm of Messrs Wait and James, corn merchants, and was president Iof the Bristol Channel and West of England Corn Trade Association for the year 1592, and he also represented the association on the Executive Committee oi the London Corn Trnde Association, a position to which he was elected in 1904. A.mong thostp present at J the funeral were Mr W. Garnctt (of Messrs ) Spiilers and Bakers, Lth.) and Nfr J. B. Mul. lins (Cardiff). 1

PERSONA GRATISSIMA. "1 -1 c oil JOHN BULL GIVES JONATHAN A PRESENT FROM HIS CHRISTMAS TREE. (lttr Bryce's appointment as BritisLt Ambassador at W asLun<;to.Q has giveu great satisfaction in the United States.) Cartoon by P., C. Goald. Published by a.rraDe:ment with the W eatminter Ga.zotte."

Lundy Yet Unsold. HOW THE DEAL FELL THROUGH. The Rev. Arthur Wellesley Batson, at one time a master at the Swansea Grammar School and now at Wimbledon, who obtained consider- abl prominence lately as the reported pur- chaser of Lundy Island, has w-tten a letter to a friend at the Mumbles, whom he had previously invited to attend his coronation." in which he explains how it was the "deal" was not carried through. The position, ho Kays, in regard to the purchase of Lundy is: -Tlie sum I offered is ZIO,000 in excess of any other bid, either private or at Tokenhousa Yard. In obedience to the arrangements, made in the articles," as set forth in the published plans. photographs, map, &c., it is necessary for me to pay 10 per cent, of the sum I offer, viz £ 30000 That means £ 3,000 as rm instalment, with forfeiture. in the event of t.he balance jE27,000-not being forthcoming upon my Cononaiion Day," March 15th. Weil I have been advised by tfco very beat of solicitors, and must act upon tueir advice. In the first place they say, Wby pay £ 30,000 for a property withdrawn from public auction at 419,2W 1" Then, again they eay, It must take more than the vendors can allow you to realise your own U14 make it quite certain that you will be in a position to pay the balance of purchase money upon Lady Day." Under these circumstances, and also taking into consideration my doctor's insistence upon my takinjj a complete rest. and also i abstinence from business matters of every sort' or kind (even music publishers and work con- ¡ nested with musical composition and perform- ance), I have abandoned my option of purchase. I may add that a foreign nobleman has offered me a profit upon what I have' offered. That. is a proposition I could not entertain in any case as of course, the present owner of Lundy, who has treated, me ever since Juno with every consideration (he has always desired to gi re me the refusal because be wants the new owner of his islatud home to be a clergyman, and he knows me and all my family), would be the only proper person to obtain the advantage, pecuniary, of such an offer, coming, a!s it does, from a marquis, who is exceedingly rich. This foreign nobleman may Eurchase tne island at any moment. Ho wants, owever, harbourage for a 400 ton steam yacht, and also wishes for a forest. So you fete it is not certain he will buy Lundy by any means However, my health is so precarious at present that 1 must look towards another kingdom, although if I lhe I still hope to be the "Ring of Lundy."

SOLICITOR AND POLICE. A "Breeze" at Llanelly. At the Llanelly Police Court on Monday Sydney Parsons, 28, Weston-street, Swansea. was charged with stealing a quantity of piping, of the value of 5, the pro perty of Willey and Co., Ltd., engineers, Exfeter. The Magistrates' Clerk said that he understood that there was a charge ol receiv- ing the piping to be preferred against Morris Davies. James-street, Llanelly. They had better be taken together. Mr T. R. Ludford (who appeared for Morris Davies) This is tho first I have heard of this charge. Inspector Rogers: The charge of stealing piping was mentioned before. Mr Ludford I can't hear this whispering. Inspector Itogers: I want Mr Brodie to hear me. I am not speaking to you. Mr Ludford: I am addressing the Bench and not you. I don't understand the performance of the police this morning. It neenxs they have something up their sleeve, and are trying to prejudice my client's case. As 1 understood it, there was only one charge of larceny against Davics. and I ask that it be taken first.-Tlie ..Niagistrates' Clerk. There was a charge part, heard against Davies of larceny.—Mr Ludford (interrupting) And now the police have than- oeuvred a charge against Parsons. which they want taken flrst. -'Superiuto ri dent. Philiops: Thero has been no manoeuvring Tlics- insinuations are not very nice, and should not be mads. Superintendent Philipps said he had no objection to the charges of larceny against Morris Davies being taken first. Morris Davies was then charged on re- mand With stealing two planks, the property of Mr J. B. Harries, contractor. Inspector Rogers intimated that Davies would also be charged with breaking and entering the Education Office in June last, and steal- ing a mackintosh, of the value of X2 10s, Defendant pleaded not guilty to each charge. The charge of breaking and entering vilg reduced to one of lar. ceny. The Bench discharged the defendant upon th3 charge of stealing the mackintosh, aud adjourned the court until the evening in order to recall witnesses with regard to the other charges. In the evening the charge against Sydney Parsons of stealing piping was dismissed, and the charge of rereiving against Morris Davies Wa3 also dismissed. On a second charge against Morris Davies of steal- ing two planks, defendant was fined S5.

PRICKED BY ALOE PLANT. i Pontypridd Woman's Death. A singular case of fatal blood-poisoning was reveaied at an inquest held at Pontypriadon -Monday, before MrE. B. Reece, on the body of Louisa H. Steadman, Kirk house-street, Ponty- pridd, wife of Thomas Steadman, a coachman. It transpired that a fortnight ago deceased was dusting an aloe plant, and when benoing over it she was pricked under the eye by pue,,f the pline.1.. The scratch was so blight, that no notice was taken of it, but on the following day something of the nrture pf a b^il ;^p- peared and was treated as such. A few days later deceased complained of sick headache, and as she could not obtain any relief Dr. Mor- gan Rees was sent for. He at first thought that Mrs Steadman was suffering from a car- buncle. Upon the second visit Dr. Rees dis covered that the woman had blood -poisoning, and gradually becoming worse, she died. Dr. ILt es's theory was that a germ' of some nature was resting on the point of the plant, which caused the wound under the deceased's eye. The doctor suggested that the wound should be analysed in order to ascertain the nature of the germ. The Coroner, however, said he had no power to order such an examination, although he agreed with Dr." Rees that such an examina- tion would be to the public interest. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

PRESERVED TO WALES. Glyndwr's Parliament At the annual meeting of the Powysladd Club on Monday it was reported that Mr David Davies. M-P., had purchased the Parliament House at Machynlleth of Owain Glyndvsr. the last of the heroes of Welsh national independ- ence. and satisfaction was expressed that t he historic building had heen sccured to the Prin- cipality despite the princolv offers which had been made for it by a syndicate of enterprising Americans. It may be adderlthat this famous chieftain's prison house at G;yndyfrydwy only recently changed hands, and that it is now in danger of losing its historic charactcr.

THE NEW UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. Gijncrad view of the new baildiags of the North Wales University College at Baugor, cleilgile(I by Mr Henrv T. V Hare, 1-Mi.I.U.A. (Specially photographed for the "South Wales Daily Netrs.") I,'

J Now YCla P'a Greeting. THE ARCHDftUib'8 MESSAGE TO WELSHMEN. WELSH LANGUAGE'S RIGHT TO LIVE. The Archdru,d-.Rev. Tt,. Rees (Dyfed), of Ciffhns issued the following New Year's greeting to the bards ftud literati of Wales and sill who love their native land :— I ■ ■>■ ■■ • Blwyddyn Newydd. At Feirdd a Uenorioh fymru, ac at Bawb sydd yu Caru eu Gwlad, eu Iliaith, a'u Cenedl- Auercb :— Pan y mac cyfarchiadau gorcu'r tymor yn oliedeg. clrwy bob ew. r P'r wlad, a phawb yn dymuuo Ihvyddiant eu gilydd, gwerldus i minau gyfiwyno fy nymuniadau goreu i garedig'-ou Barddas a Chan drwy Gymru benbaladr. Y mae yr hen flwyddyn wcdi dianc, ac ni thorwyd ar hoddweh y byd Uenyddol gan ddim tebyg i gyilafan. "fryjym ynllawenhau yn fawr yn hyny, ac ynbydru y bydd i garial wreiddio yn ddyfnach, a thyfu yn eangach yn ystod y flwyddyn newydd hon. Parbaed brawdgarweh. Ystyriwn ein gilydd yn well na ni ein hunpin, a meithrinwn bob rhimvedd sydd yn addurn ar fywyd. Amlwg yw fod Cymru yn cod; ei phen. Y mae yn y wlad adfywiad cenedlae'chol cryf.. Ni fu yr ysbryd Cymre;g raor fyw er's blynyddoedd lawer. Teimlirei wres yn mhob cylch, a'h dvledswydd ninau yw cadw'r tan i lossri yn oleu, nes afgyhoeddi'r cenedloedd fod rhywbeth Pblawbr-tvynarhedynyotyfu fir ryn)(tdoed Cymru. Yr ydym wedi dioddef yn liir, ac wedi galaru llav/er dgn orthrymder y gcIyn-wedi ein cadw am ganrifoedcl mewn tywyllwch y gellid ei dermlo und y mae y wawr wedi tori, a'r dydd a neshaodd. Gan hyny, byddwn effro. Digon i ni yr amner-anetli heibio o'r ejnoes i weithredu ewyHys y cenhedoloedd. i DrylliwlI eu rhwymau, a, thaflwn eu rheffynau oddiwrth^m. Y mae gan Gymru ei hawliau, ac y maent yn l'hy gysegredig i'w goddef yn hwv dan (Iraed. Glynwn wrtli y' Gymiaeg fel etifeddiaeth o eidde'r tadah f"w plant ar eu lid. Na fydded fir neb gy wiivdd ohoai. Y uiae iaith sydd wedi <"al .-yrAaint. o beb ie::ghau, fie, wedi grwrthod marw ar hob ystahc, v mae yn hu.eddu bvW'. a cbanddi ilawl i yr aniddifhn amlwg sydd wcdi bod drosti yn fwy nag jiwgrvm fod iddi genhadaeth bwysig heb ei chyflhwni. Dadau a mamau Cymru, uysgv. cli Gymraeg yell plant, a ll\-(ry a,irradigaut cch coffadwr iaefch am hyny. Blwyddyn newydtj dda i bawb. Duw a phob daioni." DYFED. The following is a translation :— To the bards and literati of Wales, and to all who love their country, their tougue, and their nation, Greeting :— When the season's choicest greetings arc on the wing from one end of, the land to the other, and all are wishing the success and prosperity of each other, it is fltt ing that I too should present my best wishes .to t he friends of poctryand song throughout the wliold of Wales. The old year is fled- and the peace of our- bardic wortd has not been broken by anything approaching a calamity. We greatly rejoice at this. and trust that love will take even deeper root and grow still more extensively during the new year that is coming. Let, brotherly love continue. Let us each regard other as better than himaelfi, iind let us cdlti- vate every virtue that adorns life. It is evident that Wales is advancing. Throughout the land there is & stnbiig revival of nationalism. Its warmth is being felt/in p every circle, and our-duty 4s to keep the fire burning clearly, so as to convince other nations tbat something besides rushes and ferns grail; on the mountains of Wsilea. We have suffered long; we have cried out much under the tyranny of the enemy—for we were kept for centuries in' a darkness that could be felt, but the dawn has broken, and the day approa.che. Let us, therefore, be awake. It is enough that in the time that is gone we executed thetvill of the nations. Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. Wales has its rights, innd they are too sacred to be longer peruntted to be trampled under foot. Let us hold fast to the Welsh language a an inheritance of the fathers to the children. Let no man be ashamed of it. A language that has survived under so many disadvantages without weakening, and that has declined to die at every stake, deserves to live. It has a right to live, and the evident protection it has enjoyed is significantly sugge3- titfe that it has an importattt mission yet un. fulfilled. -lilattierl, and .mothers ■ bf WaJes, t-ea* ch YC Welsh to your children, and for thit they will live to bless your memories. ■ "A good New Year to all. God and all Goodness." DYFED.

II (.œ if Through the generosity of tiie Mayor of Tenl)v (Mr C; Rees .Sloke^). the .school- children of the town, to the number of fh-, or ¡;;íx hlmdN..>O, were entertained at Ilinncr at the ltoyal Gate House Asiembly Rooms on Monday at noon.

Cape Welshman's Crime. t1 CALLOUS MURDER OF A CHILD, A criminal trial which has excited consider- able interest in Cape Colony resulted in the hanging on Saturday, says the" Daily Mail Cape Town correspondent, of Robert Martin Cotipar for the murder of the chili of his sweet- heart. The latter, Alice Jane Wilcocks, was also tried for the rhtirdet, but found not guilty. Numerous meetings were held after the ver- dict, and petitions for Coupar's reprieve were presented, but the Governor twice refused to exercise the prerogative of mercy. Two mem- bers of the jury, which had recommended Coupar to mercy (" on the grouod e.f the cir- cumstances which led him to commit the crime ") awakened the Premier at 3 o'clock on the morning appointed for the execution and urged upon him that they thought Coupar should not be hanged in view of that recom- mendation. The Attorney-General, who was present at this strange interview, which was held at Groot Schmir, the late Mr Cecil RhodeJ's residence, replied that they wero un- able to st&y execution of the sentence. The executed man Coupar was a. young Welshman, employed as a carpenter by Sir John Jackson's, Limited, upon the construction of the new docks at Simon's Town. The young woman Wiloocks was the daughter of an en- gine-driver on the Cape Railways. They were sweethearts, both living at Simon's Town, and well known there. In July Coupar sent her to Johannesburg, where the baby which was to be the victim of the tragedy was born on August 17tb. Miss Wilcocks returned from Johannesburg iiilic-ptember, and on the 17th met Coupar in Cape Town. Body Put in a Bag. In that city Coupar bought a Gladstone bHg and a read leather bootlace. The child—de- scribed as a singularly pretty girl—was stran- gled with the bootlace, and pressed into the bag. Next day the father and mother and an innocent companion of tbe foriner went back to Simon's Town together. Coupar walked to the seashore, and threw the bag-containing the body into the sea, tvhcrc it was found a wpell later. September 17th, cast upon the beach. Much of the circumstantial evidence by which Coupar was convicted was startling. For instance, four days after the crime, ae<t a week before the arreA of the coiiu.'e, they went together to the house of the girl's father, a man apparently of the highret rectitude, and c this dramatic conversation occurred :— Do you know, father, that they have the rumour down thit to (vn that it was rny baby that was ioun l in the Gladstone bag ?" What, Alice exclaimed the fatiier, have you liati a liaby No, father, I have not." The puzzled father turned to Coupar and asked him the same question. Not to my knowledge," he replied. Then Alice said she could not stand the ru- mour, and must go away from the town. Why fear itthe father said- You have not had a baby." Coupi-r then Said, "If we can get. a baby to take to the court, it will be all right." The old man answered that that. was non. sense, for a doctor would soon settle the matter, Sensational evidence was also given of ho# Coupar and the g!rl followed up his idea. They went to two married women io Simon's Town in the dead of night..i,nd tried to purchase a baby. To one wdhian Coupar offered £ 20 down and JE50 when" the case was over." Both women refused. <t

CARDIF-F. OITY HALL. SOMETHING WROWG SOMEWHERE Well, gentlemen." said tbe engineer, some- what apologetically, to a.,little" group: of City Fathers at Cardiff City Ilall on Mocday. the bcatir.g was on for flye, vesterday, and Since 6 o'clock this morning. A member of the clerical staff gazed,- at tbe barometer. His teeth shook, and he rubbed his hands for warmth. The. fact is." declared an alderman, the heating and ventilation of this place is imper- fect. We understood it was to be perfect. We should not allow ourselves to be stifled, and to brsathe a vitiated atmosphere. We ought to be sure that everything is perfect." The councillors vigorously blew into their fingenkbyway of assent to the aldermanic r6- marks. ltwassabsequently staled that the archi- tect would bs3 in Cardiff to-day, and the matter woald bo laid before him.

WATCH-NIGHT SERVICES. VICAR SAYS THEY AilE MELODRAMATIC The Rev. J. Henry White, vicarof St. Augus- tine's, South Croydon, has explained to his parishionefrs-wbv-iio watch-nJght set-vice is held at his church. He remarks that at the custo- mary midhightfcwvice there is a horrible,deadly silence just as midnight appronchcs. broken tle bell, which answers to tlie slow jriusic. of melodrama. This is hiere sensation of tbe worst kind, and it is a pity it should be ciic,)Ur;ige-I in the name of religion. Tlie'best place fcrpeople at that hour is in bed. If, however, they like to keep it up by toast- ing tlie King, etc.. no otic- it-i)] bt,,Iikeiv to quarrel with them, providing only that in ren- dering unto Cresar t.hfl thin.¡ that arc- CVwir's they do not forget to render to Ciod the things that are God's.

Llanelly Parish Church. RESTORATION COMPLETED. An Ancient Fabric. The restoration of the Llanelly Parish Church has been completed, and the reopening services will cornmenec- on Tuesday, January 8th. This church was founded at least a thousand years ago. The first reference to the fabric is in the Liber Landavensis," and carries us back to the Norman-Conquest. From that period to the 16th century there arc a few records of the value of the benefice, and from the 16th century onward there are many references to the church. Llanelly derives its name from Llan (church) and EUi," a saihfc who figures in the martyrology of Ancient Britain. Elli is believed to have been a contemporary of St. David, and flourished about the sixth century, and the church bearing her name was founded in all likelihood either during her lifetime or soon after her martyrdom. That is the conclusion which Mr Arthur Mee. who is the author of a book on the 1.1anelly Parish Church, tomes to. after a research of musty records Llanelly Parish Church at one time belonged to the rural deanery of Kidwelly, and it is stated that Llanelly, was a borough from the reign of Kdward 11. If there ever was a charter of incorporation it hM long since been lost, and there is no trace of it. Llanelly formed part. of the extensive domains of the Duchy of Lancastef. and in the accounts of that duchy it is stated that the Llanelly church tithes were appro- priated by John of Gaunt. In the reign of Edward III. the adyowson of the church of Llanelly was valued at £100 per annum. Jn regard to the building itself, a pillar bearing the date of 1633 was remove J 71 years ago. It is probable that the church was restored in that year. The tower and chancel belonged to the midute ages, and tho piscina to the loth pentury. A rough elevation of the church as it existed 120 years ago shows a very curious feature. To the rear of the tower, half-way along the roof, rose a smaller turret, giving the wholo a most singular appear- ance. The church was then. as now, bounded by a wait on the south and north-Vest. John W eslcypaid several visits tolianctly. and in 1771 he preached at the, Parish Church. and described it "ntmost as ruinous as that at Pembroke." In the early part of the 19th century Donovan thus describes the Llanelly Parish" Church Llanelly Church is a large irregular building, with two steeples, one a quadraugqlar embattled tower, and the other with a tapering spire the old cross in the churchyard is not entirely demolished, the pyramid of steps and the base of the shaft leraaining." In his book on Old Llanclly" Mr John Inner, says that the Parish Church was rest OJ cd in 1823., If the restoration were as recent as that it. is difficult to understand how it was f-bsohttcty necessary to restore it again in 1845. In the appeal sent out by the vicar and church- wardens in that year is the following sentence 0 su.ch a state of dilapidation the church has been suffered to, fall that it was, at last, impossible to enter it nith safety, as pome parts of the roof were continually falling in. and serious injuries were done to some of those who attended Divine service therein." Mr Innes severely criticises the work of restora- tion of that period, which lie says vr" done as a bull restores a china -abop." Towards that restoration Nonconform isty largely contributed. In the list of subscribers appear tho name of the late Rev. David Rees, Cap el Als, who had many differences with the vicar of the parish (Rev. Bbeuezer Morris) at the time. The present restoration has been pushed forwatd by the Vicar (Rev. D-Watcyn Morgan), and he has.mado it a town movement, a very large number of Nonconformists having given generous donations. Mr-IS. M. Bruce Vaughan, of Cardiff, designed the plans, and the contract was gi,cn,to P,. Jones. The reopening serviced will commence on Tuesday, January 8th, and will oontirmc tili Sunday. February 3rd. Among those who wiU officiate ar- the Bishop of St. David's, Rev. Canon W. Wil- liams. the Bishop of Swansea. Rev. J. W. Roberts (vicar of Felinfoel), Rev. B. T. Jones (vicar of Solva), Rev. Canon Camber Williams, Rev. C. A. H. Green (vicar of Aberdare), Vèn: Archdeacon of Carmarthen, Rev. D. Watcyn Morgan, Rev. A. Britten (vicar of Gorslals), Rev. S. W. Jenkins (rector of Oxwich), Rev. Samuel Davies (vicar of Dolfor), Rev. Evan Thomas (vicar of Lannon), Rev. Samuel Davies, Rev. J. Williams (vicar of Llanddewi Velfry); and Rev, M Jones-Powell (vicar of Llanfyrnach). .j

MERTHYR COUNCIL'S HOUSES. It was reported at a tne-at-ing of the Merthyr Housing Committee on Monday evening that progress, was being made with the preliminary work for the erection of 38 houses at Pienywern. illans were being completed for tho 50 houses tvhicli ft. had be-oa decided to e rect. at- Twyn- I rodyu. ftud.on the motion of Alderman Caradoc Jones, seconded by Mr Rowland Evans, it was decided to endeavour to secuje a site for50 j. bouses at Aberfwii It was also an Instruction 10 the surveyor to report upon another site near Troedyrhiw. The house at. t'ne cotnrttitteo j with hii nose badlv Bcratcbsd. It wms staled that he bad been' collecting rents and one of the tenants had attacked him. It was decided j to.give the woman notice tc quit, and it was :tbo decided to terminate the tenancy another woman who had been <listurbing her 1 neighbours in the Council's houses.

P.-D. COMPANY'S RIDERS. Stoppage of Work Avoided. As will he remembered-, the riders of tbi Powell-Duffryn Colliery, owing to the refusal 01 the management to place thctnonthe sam< standard aj the hauliers, gave notices on the 18th ult. to terminate contracts on Monday. Nego- tiations in the meantime have been in -progress* between Mr Hann. general manager of th. colliery and Mr Stanton, the miners' agent, and the matter has also been discussed at Hauliers' Committee at Cardiff. with the result- that an undertaking having been given (bat it- any concessions are made they shall be letros- pective, the riders have been recommended tc suspend their notices, and this they have agreec to do. No stoppage, therefore, took place. Cwmbran Non-Unionist Strike. At a mass meeting of the night workmen eni- ployed at Messrs Guest, Keen. and Nettlefolda' Cwmbran Colliery, held to consider the non Unionist question, it was decided to stop work this morning and not restart until th. whole of the men had joined the Federation. Good News for Treherbert. The old Bute Colliery. Lady Margaret. and the Bute Levels, owned by the Marquis o! Bute. will restart work to-day. The first named has been idle 13 years, and the two latter four years. A deputation waited on Sir William Thomas Lewis at Aberdare on Saturday last, and on Monday evening Mr A. P. Jones visited Treherbert, aod everything passed off satisfac- torily. It is confidently anticipated that ulti. mately employment will be found for over 500 Ulen. Wyndham Colliery. Contrary to expectation, the 1,400 men at the Wyndham Colliery, Ogmore Vale, ceased work on Monday and brought out their tools. North's Navigation relinquished their ownership at 6 p.m., and to-day Messrs Cory take over the ownership. The men had been asked to come. to work on Monday, but when they arrived the announcement was made that there would be no work. and that all men must bring out their tools. Some irritation was caused by this action. To-day will be occupied with preliminary arrangements, and on Wednesday it is expected that the bulk of the men will be at work again. The position i somewhat delicate, but so far the negotiations between Messrs Cory and the men have proceeded satisfactorily. Lord Duffryn and Lletty Shenkin Men Out. The men who bad given notice at the 7ft. seam at the Lower Duffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, owued by the Powell Duffryn Company, failed to come to any arrangement with the management, and brought out. their tools on Monday night. The men in the 6ft. seam at Lletty Shenkin, owned by the same comptmv, .did likewise.

MINERS' FEDERATION MEETINGS. Rhondda Districts. On Monday the monthly meeting of the Rhondda (No. 1) District of Miners was held at the Washington Temperance Hotel, Porth, Mr T. J. Jones, Ferndale, presiding. Ruskin Scholarships. The Agettt (Mr Watts Morgan)intirpat.d that the examination of the candidates for the two Ruskin College scholarships established by the Rhondda District had taken place. There were 23 candidates, but 12 of these failed to comply with the conditions, and only 10 actually sat at the examination, which was con- ducted by Mr Evan Thomas, Rhymncy. Un- fortunately the other examiner (Mr Richards, M.P.) was prevented from attending owing to indisposition. The first place was secured by Mr Tom E rans. Cwmparc. and tho second by Mr Noah Rees, Clyd&ch Vale. The question of how the funds for the mainten- aDce of the scholarships should be raised and whether the scholarships should be tenable for one or two years was defeired to the next meeting. Record Membership. Mr Watts Morgan stated that notwithstand- iug adverse circumstances thoir membership had steadily increased and had reached the high-water mark in their history. (Hear, hear.) Abargorky Hauliers. • The delegate from "Abergorky stated that it was originally decided to refer the grievances of the hauliers to arbitration, and the Stipen diary (Mr Arthur Lewis) had kindly consented to act. However, Mr Watts Morgan bad met the agent of the company (Mr Braithwaite), nnd an agreement was come to whereby the hauliers were to receive a standard wage of 4* per day. This was considered very satisfactory. The rates of the night hauliers, however, bad not yet been finally settled. New Compensation Aet. Mr Watts Morgan referred tb the new Com*. ponsation Act, and suggested that a conference of lodge and compensation secretaries should be convened so that the changed condition^ should be fully explained to them by their solicitor (Mr W. P. Nicholas) and himself. It was resolved that copies of the Act should be furnished to the lodges, and tbat a conference, as suggested by Mr Morgan, be convened at an early date. Reduction of Hours. • In reply to questions Mr D. Watts Morgan stated that the district had agreed that when stop days occurred, owing to want of waggons and breakdown of machinery, colliers should not go into their working places and perforin ordinary work. They had been agitating atlq spending hundreds of pounds iu maintaining that they were entitled to a reduction of hours. One of their main planks, next to protecting the wages of the men, was a reduction of hours, with a view of minimising accidents at collieries. He could cite cases in point where excessive overtime was at tho root of the accidents. If the miners lent themselves to excessive over- time. it would be more difficult for tbem. to .obtain a living wage after the passing of the Eight Hours Bill. He would, therefore, strongly appeal to the men to abstain from working on stop days except in cases of emergency. (Hear, hear.) Mr Silas Williams presided over the monthly meeting; of the Pontypridd and Rhondda (No. 2) District of Miners held at. Hopkin Morgan's Restaurant on Monday. The agent (Mr Ben Davies) said that in the past year wages bad slightly increased and he had strong hopes that further increases would be obtained during the ensuing year- The contracting out system waa in vogue" in some parte of the district, but now that they had an improved Compensation Act he hoped that the practice would be discon- tinued. Eastern Valley Questions. Mr William Maggs presided over the monthly meeting of the liasteru Valley branch of the Federation on Monday at Pontypool. The agent (Mr Jam«9 Winstope) intimated that be bad received a communication from Mr Torn Richards, M.P-» stating that he would use his influence with his Parliamentary cohcagues to bring before the notice of the Home Secretary the question of the use of electricity in mines also the question of the Checkweighers Act, and promising to pay attention to a resolution passed by the district urging the appointment of Labour maelstrqtes. A lengthy discussion 4ook place regarding the Blaeudaro Colliery price list, and great dis- satisfaction was expressed at the method now in vogue. Instructions were given the agent to settle the dispute as soon as possible. TThe agent report ed that he was in negotia- tion with Mr Ll- Llewellyn, of the British Top Pits, regarding the pending cross-summonses. and he hoped to settle the matter satisfactorily in the course of a week. Rhymney Valley.-Cottage Hospital Project. Mr Tom Jenkins, Rbymney, presided over the annual meeting of the Rhymney Valley miners at Bargoed on Monday. Mr Evan Thomas (the agent) repeat*^ the remarks of Mr Li. B. Recce, the Cardiff coroner, in regard to the need of a cottage hospital, and stated that some time ago the Powell Duffryn Coal Company made the generous offer to erect and equip a cottage hospital providing the men would maintain, it. He certainly thought the matter could be arranged and the offer accepted. The hospital could be built on a spot convenient alike to Bargoed and New Tredegar- The delegates promised to bring the matter Iforc their respective lodges- Mr James Davies. Abcrtysswg, was unani- mously chosen president," while Mr Walter Lewis, the secretary, and Mr W. Powell, the treasurer, were re-elected.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SCHEME. M i ners' Cand idates for Merthyr anil r East Glamorgan. r Alderman Enoch Morrell presided on Monday at an informal meeting of the delegates repre- senting the South Wales Miners' Federation dis- tricts within the Merthyr Parliamentary Borough, and there was a discussion upon 1bo Federation Parliamentary Representation scheme. A decision was arrived at to summon a representative conference of the representa- tives of Merthyr, Dowlais. Aberdare, Taff, and Cynon districts to consider the whole position, before invitiiig representatives to nominate candidates for the constituency. Speaking at the monthly meeting of <he Rhondda (No. 1) Distnct of Miners on Monday, Mr D. Watts Morgan (agent) referred lo the miners' Parliamentary scheme and stated that in East Glamorgan same preliminary arrange- ments had been made to ballot tho ntembccy in that constituency with a view to selecting a candidate, A committee had been formed, with Mr Evan Thomas, lthymnev. as the chair- man Mr Powell (Tau and Cytion), treasurer, and he (MrjM^rgan) as secretary. A circular would be issued to those lodges in the con- stituency with the object of arranging for a ballot upon the names of the persons nominated as candidate He would further point out that every lodge would have an opportunity of nominating a candidate, and when thee* • names would be received a conference would be called. This preparation for the nominating. • of a candidate did not mean that they warf [going to fight t-he contitueney at once, or at the next election. All thev were doing was te. get candidate rendv as the representsV« nom'ne* of the Federation in case of ao i