The Cardiff Times

DOUBLE-BARRELLED DEFENCE. AtNewporton Saturday H, Oakley, Dewston, near rwent, was summoned tor causing or permitting a farm wagon to be on the highway after sunset without two lighted lamps. Mr L. H- Hornby, who defended, said a person, could not be said to permit a thing over which he had no control. Defendant was at the time in London. The police stated that when Oakley was served with the summons he said he never provided lamps for his agricultural carts. The Bench imposed a fine of 5: The summons ",as then heard against Joseph Gripps, Oakley's servant, of- being in charge of the wgon without lights. Mr Hornby, in this case, said seeing the Bench had decided that Oakley did not provide lamps it followed that the driver could not. keep them trimmed and, burning. The Bench upheld the contention and dismissed the summons.

BURGLARSAT BARRY DOCK. Thieves have again been at work around the docks at Barry. A week ago two stores were forcibly entered, and on Saturday night the offices of Messrs Hodges and Walliker, engin- eers and ship-repairers, were broken into. The thieves must have spent some time on the pre- mises, the contents ot which had been searched dUigenUy in quest of money. A large iron safe fend hoeu removed from its position, but efforts Aui-ee it opan failed.

MAN-MADE LAW." And Woman-made Scenes SUFFRAGETTES' CAMPAIGN. Invasion of the Police Courts. The militant suffragettes began a new cam- paign on Saturday which. if it does nothing else will be sure to cause widespread attention to the" Votes for Women movement. It takes the form of sending to all the Police Courts in London and the provinces lady emissaries who, when a female prisoner appears in the dock, will rise in the cour and vociferously protest against women being tried and sentenced according to men's laws. In pursuance of this new plan noisy scenes occurred on Saturday in half a dozen London Police Courts. including the Guildhall, and at Glasgow and other provincial towns. In most cases the ladies were gently but promptly ejected, but in one or two instances torce had to be used. At the Guildhall. As a Clerkenwell porter, named Naylor, and his wife, both charged with violently assault- ing the police, were put into the dock at the Guildhall, the solemn dignity of the old Court was startled by the appearance of a good-looking, well-dressed woman, with a profusion of auburn hair, dressed in a fur coat and handsome toque, who opened the door of the inspector's box, and addressing the magis- trate said she had to protest against any woman being tried by the Court until women had been enfranchised. So long as women had no votes, so long would she protest against women being tried by men. The officers of the Court approached to re- move her, and were preparing to forcibly eject her when Mr Alderman Hanson said quietly, Don't lay hands on her. Let her go out quietly." As long as women are not enfranchised," she went on, you have no right to try them. They have no voice in the government of the country, therefore I protest against Alderman Hanson Very well, that will do. The Woman: You know it is perfectly true that no voice in the Government is given to women. As everyone knows, they are not voters, and-" Mr Richards (Acting Chief Clerk): Will you kindly leave the Court quietly, madam ? You have no right to address the Court. The lady (who subsequently turned out to be Miss Miller) had been removed as far as the exit door of the court, and here she made a further stand, and, in reply to the clerk, said she would not retreat one foot. Women had no voice in the government of the country and in the making of laws, and she was there to protest against it. The Clerk Very well. I'm afraid you will have to be put out. She was then forcibly removed. "Take Her Out Gently." W hen a young woman named Henrietta Fitzgerald was being charged at Marlborough- street with having assaulted Dr. Hughes, of Guy's Hospital, a suffragette who had been seated quietly on one of the seats at the back of the court suddenly rose to her feet. I protest against thiswoman being charged in this court," she shouted. A policeman rushed to her, seized her by the arm, and said, Be quiet." She struggled away from him and again shouted, Until women have the vote, I protest against them being tried in these courts." Will you withdraw, please ?" said Mr Mead, the magistrate, very quietly. No, I shall not," screamed the suffragette. Then," said Mr Mead to the policeman, take her out as gently as you can under the circumstances." The suffragette was seized and hustled to- wards the door, but she struggled with her captors and managed to get in another speech before being put out. Mr Plowden Annoyed. During the hearing of a charge of being dis- orderly, brought against a young woman at Maryiebone, a suffragette, Mrs Emily Duval, stood up at the back of the court and called out: Your Worship, I protest against this woman being tried by man-made laws. Mr Plowden, immediately realising the situation, called to the officers of the court to "take her out," but before they could get near to her to carry out the instruction she continued, We have no part in the mak- ing Take her out," interrupted Mr Plowden. We have no part in making them." she shouted." therefore we will not obey them." Mr Plowden sternly rebuked her: You must leave the court if you cannot attend to the directions. I cannot have this disturb- ance." By that time several officers had gathered round her, and at their request she left the building quietly. Mild Protestants. While MrHutton, the stipendiary magistrate at Greenwich Police Court, was hearing a num- ber of cases a lady rose in the body of the court and in a mild voice said, I wish to make a protest against laws made by man." The interruption caused some consternation. The Magistrate (addressing the lady) said that he should be glad to hear anything she might have to say. The Suffragist, after remarking That is all I have to say," left the Court. When a woman was put into the dock at the North London Court to answer a charge of drunkenness, a lady at the back of the court shouted a fewwords which were unintelligible, and Mr Fordham said, Put that woman out, but don't send her away if she wishes to make an application in the usual way." Mr Fordham (to the lady); Do you wish to say anything ? The Lady No. She then turned and left. A lady disturbed the proceedings of the South-Western Police Court by rising from her seat and unexpectedly challenging the magistrate's authority. Mr De Grey invited her into the witness-box, from which place she exclaimed in a loud voice :— I wish to make protest against women being tried in this court or any other court by man-made laws, in which they have no voice." Mr De Grey directed her to leave the court, and she did so without further remark. Premier and Women's Suffrage. During the Prime Minister's recent visit to Bristol, a memorial was privately presented to him, thanking him for the personal sympathy with the principle of political enfranchise- ment of women, and urging him to introduce a Government measure before the end of Parliament. Miss Priestma.n, of Bristol. president of the Women's Reform Union and head of the signatories to the memorial, has received a reply from the Premier's private secretary, asking her to inform the numerous societies which signed the address, that he recognises the force and temperateness with which they have stated their case, and that he is in hearty sympathy with the claims ad- vanced.

CATCH HIM, THAT'S ALL" Police After Cowardly Husband. At Middlesex Sessions on Saturday there was a sequel to what is known as the haul of a burglar's booty at Leyton.when Rosa Smith, 30, was charged with burglary and receiving the proceeds of many burglaries. Her husband is "wanted" in connection with the case, which was remarkable for the reason that a vast quantity of valuable plate was recovered when the police raided the Smiths' premises at Leyton High-road. The property was the proceeds of burglaries, and the husband is supposed to have escaped while his wife was talking to the police. Her child has died while she had been awaiting trial. It will be remembered that when prisoner was charged at Willesden the Chairman, Mr .1, J. Hanbury. remarked upon the lack of chivalry at the present time, which would permit a man to run away and leave his wife to bear the whole brunt of a charge of this kind. Prisoner pleaded guilty to receiving goods in one case. Sir Ralph Littler I don't hesitate to say that I am not going to deal with you until your husband, who has been coward enough to run away and leave you, has been caught. I hope that he will have the courage to come and face it, and not leave you to bear it all. Detective Inspector Pollard said that the man might not know of the trouble his wife was in. He had reason to believe that he was at present on board ship on his way home from South America. The Chairman Well, you catch him, that's all. Prisoner will be remanded to the next Sessions. This is the case in which it is alleged that many stolen articles were disposed of at, among other places, Swansea and Cardiff.

SET ON AND ROBBED. Mysterious Cardiff Assailants. James Donoghue (32), Daniel Sullivan (17), a> d J. Walsh (28) were charged before Messrs David Jones. T. H. Stephens, and Watkin Lewis at Cardiff on Saturday with stealing with violence an imitation gold chain and a purse containing S3 lis 3d from David Thomas at Pellett-street. Prosecutor, a seaman, after visiting several public-houses, was returning to his ship and meeting three men asked them the way to Roath Dock. For answer he received a blow that knocked him to the ground. One of them held him down while the other two rifled his pockets. Two of them then walked away in one direction and one in another. He followed the two and gave them into custody. Searched at the police station 2d was found on Sullivan and l on Donoghue. Both men said they knew nothing of the robbery. Walsh was arrested later at a lodging-house. He'repudiated the charge, but £3 was found in his left hand. Walsh said the robbery was committed by himself and two men not in custody, Sullivan and Donoghue having nothing to do with it. Prisoners were committed for trial at the Assizes and admitted to bail, each in the sum of and one surety of £20.

I Gale-Fanned Fire at Rhyl. £100,000 DAMAGE. Several Persons Injured. A fire occurred on Sunday at Rhyl which did damage estimated at £100,000. The Queen's Palac • Theatre was totally destroyed, and the Queen's Hotel and Arcade adjoining the theatre suffered greatly. The fire broke out during a gale which raged throughout the day and was still burning late at night. The premises destroyed constituted a handsome block of buildings in the centre of the sea front. The theatre was built six years ago at a cost of £80,000, and was considered to be the premier place of amusement on the North coast. The tire had a firm hold when discovered soon after seven 0 'c!0ck in the morning, and the Hhyl, Abergele, Rhuddlan, and Prestatyn Fire Brigades were powerless to save the great pile. Wretched weather prevailed, and at intervals blinding hail pelted upon the thousands of spectators assembled on the promenade, while the firemen found the howl- ing north-west wind made it almost impos- sible for them to direct the water on the flames, except from one corner. Within three hours the Palace, with its lllagnificent ball- room and other features, was in ashes, also half of the adjoining arcade and several lock- up shops, while the Queen's Hotel, one of the largest hotels in the t wn, was only partly saved. An awful crash attended the fall of the Palace and Arcade front elevation, and there were many narrow escapes when the massive frame of the dome and tower turned a half- somersault and telescoped itself on the promenade. F.reman Jones was injured by falling debris, and a boy named Roberts had his leg broken. The greater part of the loss is covered by insurance. The firemen's work was a struggle against fearful odds, for from the first it was realised that nothing could be saved of the Queen's Palace, the seaward portion of the arcade, or the tower with the shops underneath. The brigades therefore endeavoured to prevent the flames spreading to the business premises in the High-street, adjoining the back of the arcade, and in this they were successful. Within an hour of the discovery of the fire the waUs of the Palace fell in. The residents of houses near the Palace on the leeward side promptly removed all port. able goods, and from the Queen's Hotel a large quantity of property was taken out before the flames reached that building. At the English Baptist Chapel at the rear of the building thepe was no service, the adjacent wall being in danger of falling, and the Com- munion plate and other church valuables were removed to a place of safety.

COAL CONTRACT SCANDAL. EX-COUNCILLOR & CARDIFF GUARDIANS The Cardiff Guardians had before them at Saturday's meeting a letter from Mr F. J. Nicholls, at one time a member of the City Council. Writing from Mount Stuart-square, Mr Nicholls said :— ) shall be obliged by your giving me infor- mation as to the mode of procedure in re- questing the Local Government Board to institute an inquiry into the scandal in re- gard to coal contracts by the Cardiff Board of Guardians. Mr Harris (clerk) said that in renly he stated that any person who thinks he has sufficient reason to ask the Local Government Board to inquire into the action of the Board of Guar- dians should write to the Local Government Board to that effect." The Chairman (Mr O. II. Jones) I do not know who this gentleman is, and I did not know that there was a scandal in regard to coal contracts but I think that if he likes to write to the board he can. Mr F. J. Beavan Hear. hear. Mr Good said Mr Nicholls had been a mem- ber of the City Council, but left it for certain reasons. He assured the guardians that he had had no correspondence with Mr Nicholls, whom he had not seen for some months, and this came quite as a surprise to him. He sup- posed that the matter of which Mr Nicholls wrote was that some five months ago it was proved that there had been an extra consump- tion of 100 tons of coal (in the scattered and rouped homes) for the half-year cnd ing March or April last. A committee had been ap- pointed, and the matter was settled during his (Mr Good's) absence on account of illness. The question was explained away" by the state- ment of an official that the coal had been used for other grates than those intended. The Chairman This wastage of coal, or whatever it is. has nothing to do with the cO scandal regarding coal contracts." It, is not before the board and he can do what he pleases. The action of the clerk was confirmed. Seen by one of our representatives, cx-Coun- cillor Nicholls said that the matter to which 1111' Good referred he knew nothing whatever about. It was quite another question on which he desired inquiry by the Local Government Board. Beyond that," added Mr Nicholls, I cannot say anything further at present, but I hope more will be heard of the matter."

New Scale of Salaries Criticised, The annual general meeting of head teachers of Cardiganshire elementary schools was held at Lampeter on Saturday, At a conference in the morning, presided over by Mr J. Rees, Llanddewi-brefi, the teachers discussed the new scale of salaries proposed by the County Education Authority. The new scale was received with dissatisfaction, and regret was also expressed that the scale does not apply to the teachers of non-provided schools. It was further hoped that the county authority would recognise in a tangiblo manner the services of the senior head teachers. In the afternoon a public meeting was held under the presidency of Mr H. H. Herring, Llanafan. The chief speaker was Principal Bebb,St. David'sCollege. Was it not time, asked the principal, to impress upon children and parents the im- portance of hygiene ? They would not want sanatoria if they could get people to realise the importance of this question in time. Principal Bebb emphasised the importance of home influence. Parents, he remarked, sent their children to school at an age when they ought to be in the nursery. It should be brought home to parents that they could not shirk their responsibilities in that way. Addresses were also delivered by Mr D. C. Roberts, chairman of the Education Com- mittee Captain W. Davies, Llwynrhydowen Mr David Samuel, M.A., Aberystwyth Rev. Evan Evans, Lampeter; and Mr D. Tivy Jones.

BRECONSHIRE TRAGEDY. Suicide by Sheep Dip. An inquest was held before Mr Molyneux F. Thomas (coroner), at Vanfawr Farm, Pont- faen, Merthyr Cynag, Breconshire, on Satur- day evening on the body of Thomas Williams (clerk), aged 50, who died early on Thursday morning from the effects of poison (sheep dip) taken on the previous day. The evidence showed that deceased who had lately been sufiering from depression of spirits, was staying at Vanfawr Farm, and before breakfast on Monday morning went out to attend to the animals on the farm. He did not return, and on search being made was found in an outbuild- ing very ill. After being conveyed home he ad- mitted having taken sheep dip, and Dr. William Howells was immediately summoned. Everything was done for the unfortunate man, but the poison had taken too firm a hold and death resulted a few hours afterwards. The jury found that Deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane." Deceased was highly respected in the district.

PONTYOOL TRAP ACCIDENT. Llangibby Farmer Injured. A serious trap accident occurred at Ponty- pool on Saturday evening. Shortly after seven o'clock Mr and Mrs Walter Williams, of Graig Wyth Farm, Llangibby, were driving home from market through the lpwer part of the town, and when approaching the cross roads at Pontymoile, a break came round the corner and collided with the trap. Mr and Mrs Williams were thrown violently on to the road, the former fracturing his shoulder and sustain- ing other slight cuts, while Mrs Williams escaped with only a few bruises, but she suffered severely from shock..They were, promptly attended to, and when >I)r. Wilkie, assistant to Dr. Haslett, arrived on the scene, he ordered their removal to the Pontypool Hospital. On Sunday they were reported to be recovering rapidly. Fortunately none of the occupants of the break were injured.

SAOiTfOR POACHERS. At Newport on Saturday Joseph Wallace and John Carpentor, of Risca, were charged with poaching early on Saturday near Pan teg Farm, Machen, on land belonging to Viscount Tredegar. Mr T. B. R. Wilson, who prose- cuted, said there were three men poaching, and after a long chase the gamekeepers caught two of them. One had a gun, and the other his pockets full of pheasants. They also had a number of rabbits and nets with them. The prosecution was taken under the Night Poach- ing Act. Wallace had previous convictions' against him. The Bench sentenced him to six months' hard labour, and ordered him to find two sureties for 12 months or serve another three months. Carpenter was sentenced to three months' hard labour and ordered to obtain one surety in £10 for 12 months or serve another month.

At Bryn Scion Chapel, Penygarn, on Satur- day the marriage took place of Miss Nesta Maud Davies, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs D. 1,. Davies, Welltield House, and Mr D. J. Griffiths, Tynyfryn Farm, Siloh. The cere- mony was performed by tliV Rev. W. L. Davies. pastor. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of rich white satin. The bridesmaids were Musses Sarah and Annie Davies, sisters of the bride, and Miss Mary Griffiths, sister of the bridegroom, and the best man was Mr W. E. Griffiths, brother of the bridegroom*.

MERTHYR DISCLOSURES. Terrible Picture of Hew the Poor Live. How do the poor live ? Who can say ? Some members of the Merthyr Board of Guardians and the writer saw some things in Merthyr on Saturday night which will enable them at least to say something about it. A surprise visit was paid to some of the common lodging-houses, where vagrants are ace01nn10- dated upon producing tickets obtained at the police station after proof of bona-fide destitu- tion ha.s been furnished. The sights that were seen can without qualification be described as a disgrace to any civilised community. In one tiny room opening off a narrow land- ing were two beds, with no partition or curtain between them, and only just space enough for a person to pass through the room from the door to another door on the inside. In one bed lay a woman; in the other a woman and a man. The couple were not married. The woman occupying the other bed said that she was married, that her husband was in the infirmary, that she assisted as a sort of deputy at the lodging -house, was paid with food 5s per week, and out of that returned 8d per night for her hed-the price the other woman also paid. Was she not ashamed to live like this ? She was poor, she said, and what could she do? She worked hard. The lodging-house keeper, candle in hand, opened the next door. The sight beyond that inner door Brought a Lump to the Throat of more than one of the little party. In a bed pushed into the angle of two walls lay a slumbering man, with two children beside him and two others at the bed-foot. They were comely children, boys and girls, with curly hair and pretty faces, perfectly clean. Their mother came to the bedside—a clean woman, but sad. Her husband ? Yes, there he lay. He was a labourer, earning a pound a week when he got work. Where did she sleep ? There, with her husband and her children. How much did she pay for her bed ? A shilling a night ? Been there long ? Oh yes, for months. Why ? Because they could find no house to accommodate them. In this same small room was another bed. There was nought else there, for there was no space for anything but room to pass between the beds. On that other bed lay a woman and her baby, a child of perhaps a year old, still wearing at midnight a cloth frock. This woman answered questions freely. Had she a husband ? Ob yes, a husband, but he was in Swansea, working, and only came to see her once a fortnight. How much did she pay for her bed ? Eightpence a. night. Had she been there long ? Yes, for months. While the other people occupied the other bed ? Yes; why not? Crossing the top of a stairway the visitors earn" to another l'oom. small, but larger than those they had just left, and apparently new. Here were two narrow beds snch as soldiers sleep on. Sitting on one was a woman: sitting on the other was a man in moleskin trousers, and standing beside him a woman. What are you ? the man was asked. Builders' labourer. Earnings ? Twenty-seven shillings a week. This young woman ? My wife. How long have you been married ? We are not married yet I can't afford it. You've surely been in the Army ? said one. Yes." said the man, I have—in the Medical Corps." The young woman admitted that she had Just Come Out ofPrisen for sleeping out. The other woman <hen was questioned. Was she, too, married ? No, single The lodging-house keeper opened an inner door of the room, and there was a large apart- ment with a dozen or so single beds, only one of which was occupied. This, he explained, was the single men's room. He closed the door upon the solitary sleeper, and the visitors retraced their steps through the other three rooms, in the middle of one, where the children lay, one bed was now vacant. The mother of the children said that the woman who had lain there had gone to sleep with the deputy in the room adjoining, so that she and her children might have that bed. On passed the visitors through the farther room. where now the two beds were doubly occu- pied, one with two women and a baby, all wide awake, and the other with the man and woman, he alone asleep. By climbing a tortuous staircase a room with about 20 beds was reached. This was for single men, and some of the occupants came forward on the cadge, while others proceeded with their toilet before retiring to rest beneath a blanket and a sheet, said a civil good- night," and no more. The windows were all shut, and the atmosphere made one feel sick. In another slightly smaller dormitory were several men Curled up Like Dogs in their bed covering. One man—he was a jovial rascal, too—displayed feet and hands which were as black a-s his face, and that was like coal. Didn't be"1 \e {vaslling!" Not 'arf, guvnor, not 'arf," h -eplied, with a chuckle. He had washed himself that day—so he said— and the last bath he had was in Swansea Workhouse. How often, was asked the lodging-bouse keeper, were the bedclothes washed ? Once a fortnight, he said, regularly, once a fortnight! In other rooms there were, in some cases, three beds, in others two, and there were other single-bedded rooms occupied by married couples. Nowhere was a window opened, and in one room, where three men lay asleep, some paper had been fixed over the fireplace. In that room the candle even seemed to burn less brightly. The visitors did not linger. Downstairs they went, and found two men in the kitchen slumbering. They awoke, however, and when asked why they did not go to bed, said they did not want to go to beds inhabited by certain horrible insects. How sweet was the air of the street after all this Another lodging house that was visited was occupied by some sixty or more men. In one dormitory lay 25 asleep, all in single beds, and the windows were closed. Other dormitories were new and clean and airy.

WAIFS AT THE COKE OVENS. The party then proceeded to the Ynysfach Coke Ovens, familiar to many by name as a home of vice. Ten men were found sleeping by the oven doors, and one woman, sitting alone. She was a notorious person, and had that day come out of Swansea Prison. Before she left the, prison, she said, she signed the pledge and had kept it. She had ten shillings given her on leaving the prison, but nobody would give her a night's lodgings. Why ? Why, sir ? she echoed. Because I've got a bad character, that's why. I've promised to lead a better life, but what chance is there for the likes o' me—Nobody will have any- thing to do with me. I want to lead a better life, but here I am, compelled to c me here to sleep." Hers was ( A Terrible Stery. It was freezing hard. How like the frigid moral atmosphere surrounding her The moon shone coldly down. So like the good people who looked down upon her from a distance The fires of the ovens compelled her to come to them for such comfort as their warmth afforded. How had she come to this ? The old story. Once, a hardworking woman earning a small but honest living at Cyfarthfa Works, she trusted a man when he said he would marry her. "That was the beginning," she said. Where is he now ?" she echoed. He's married now," she said, and they call him respectable, and me—this is the end of me," she added, with a sob. I want to go right, I am willing to work, but where is there hope ?" she asked. Some members of the party furnished money, and a kindly constable was found, who secured her admission into a lodging-house over Sun- day. If ever the Merthyr Town Council needed justification for building houses for the working classes, they need it no longer. They let their houses at Penydarren and Penywern for a guinea a month, or less than half as much as that poor woman with the four children is paying for half of one room, with no partition between her bed and the nf-xt. The ex-soldier in the other room said, when asked why he did not find a house and get married, There ain't no houses to be got about here." Private en- terprise says it has provided plenty of houses. The lodging-house can answer private enter- prise. The Corporation are building houses on land for which they are compelled to pay fancy prices. Overcrowding and its atten- dant evils in the meantime mar the life of the community. The homeless are sleeping out. A woman, willing to forsake her old paths, is waiting for a helping hand. Will nobody help ?

STRANGE HIDING PLACE. A prisoner's strange, but unavailing, hiding place raised a laugh when described at the Middlesex Sessions on Saturday. In the dock stood Richard Coleman, 26. labourer, and Richard Prior, 29, labourer, who were indicted for stealing one hundredweight of gun metal, the property of Thomas Plow- man, a.t Edmonton. They were also indicted for maliciously damaging three pumps, value £6. at the same time and place. Mr Plowman carries on a brickmaking business at Bury- street, Edmonton. In a field connected with the business, said counsel, he had a pump, to which were attached certain barrels and rods. At six a.m. on October 16th prisoners were seen by three policemen-who were in watching—coming under an archway not very far from the brickfield in question. They carried a sack in turn. Seeing the police approach the sack was dropped, and prisoners made off, but Coleman was caught. Police-constable Bradshaw swore that Prior was the man who escaped. Witness knew him Well, and whilst chasing him called out, All right. Prior I know you." Later he went to his house, 8. Eaton-place, Upper Edmonton. On seeing witness Prior slammed the door to. He then endeavoured to escape over the back-yard wall. but on seeing officers stationed there he returned to the house. Witness discovered him upstair;. lying beneatha mattress, on which lay a child. Prisoner then said, "All right; IU go quietly." Prisoner The reason I hid was because I owed the rates, and I thought it was someone after me for that. Prisoners were found "Guilty." and sen- tenced t.) 12 months' hard iabO'ir each.

I Mr Lloyd George's Feat. __n_n I' TRUCEINTHECOïTON DISPUTE. The efforts made by Mr Lloyd George at Manchester, on Saturday to bring about a settlement of the dispute in the fine spinning branch of the Oldham cotton trade have resultcd in u temporary settlement, noticps having been postdated a fortnight. The President of the Board of Trade had interviews both with the leaders of the opera- tives and with the employers' representatives. The conference lasted throuhout tJw dav, )[1' Lloyd-George and his assistants being inde- fatigable in their efforts t'l remove the diffi- culties It was not until late in the evening that the temporary settlement was effected. At the conclusion of thl. negotiations on Saturday evening, Mr Llewellyn Smith, Per- manent Secretary of the Board of Trade, 'issued the following official report :— The und2rsignecl rcpresentatives of th Cot- ton Spinners'Associationand the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners agree as follows :— 1.—The men's notices to be post-dated for a fortnight. 2.—The Board of Trade will immediately approach the Law O cers of the Crown with a view to getting their opinion of the inter- pretation of clause 4 of the Brooklands agree- ment. The opinion shall be obtained with the least possible delay, and in any ease by Decem- ber 4. It will be obtained on the absolute responsibility of the Board of Trade, but any statement of the operatives on the dispute that. may be received before Wednesday next will be submitted in the case to considered. 3.—Upon the receipt of the opinion, and in order to have time, the parties to proceed to discuss the merits of the operatives' request without prejudice, and on the clear under- standing that any provisional agreements reached are subject to the condition that if the opinion when received supports the em- ployees' contention they will be null and void. and matters will at once revert to their present position. 4.—The first meeting is to be held in Man- chester on Wednesday next. The document containing the above is signed by the resonsibleollicial. and counter- signed by Mr Lloyd George and Mr Llewellyn Smith. C.B.. and Mr A. Wilson. C.B. Speaking to our Manchester representative on Saturday night. Mr Lloyd George said that this was the most difficult thing he ever had to do. He had nothing to add to the official report. In the agreement arrived at it is felt that neither side has been called upon to make any substantial concession from the position pre- viously assumed. Lock-out in the Hat Trade. Remarkable fecenes were witnessed at Stock- port on Saturday in connection with the dis- pute in the hat trade. Messrs Christy closed their works to society operatives, and large numbers of locked out women from other works met the men and women coming out and pheered them lustily. Labour songs were sung, and non-Unionists who have not re- ceived notice were loudly hooted.

INFIRMARY BENEFIT CONCERT. Lord Tredegar on the Stage. The special benefit matinee for the Cardiff Infirmary at the Palace and Hippodrome, Westgate-street, on Saturday afternoon, was a pronounced success. The whole of the pro- ceeds are to be handed over to the Infirmary. A large number of seats were booked in ad- vance and when the performance opened the house was crowded. Local talent in addition to the artistes who were appearing nightly at the hall during the week figured on the pro- gramme. The clever actor Mr John L. Shine, and the company assisting him, gave a very entertaining monologue entitled A Letter from England." and the illustrated song Boys of the Old Brigade." by Miss Frances Haskoll was a great success. The comedian Mr Dave O'Toole amused with his song Diabolo," and loud applause followed the conjuring tricks of Penstone and his Oriental assistants San-go and Taro. Christmas Day at the Workhouse," by G. R. Hims. was splendidly recited by Miss Blanche Colmcr. Everyone was delighted with the items con- tributed by local artistes. Pianoforte selec- tions from Faust were played with great ability by Miss Lottie Harris (daughter of Mr and Mrs' S. Harris, of Penylan-road). and the duet Life's Dream is O'er was de- lightfully sung by Mrs Dudley Edwards and Mrs Harry Marks, Mrs B. Mander-Fox being the accompanist. The Welsh baritone, Mr [). (i. Lewis, sang faultlessly, and another good turn was that of Miss F. 31. Stocker, who contributed on the mandoline selections from '• Tbe Bohemian Girl," Mr Henry J ames accom- panying on the piano. Mis Patti Bella, comedienne, also took part in the perform- ance, and much interest was shown in the capital series of pictures presented in Ray- mond's Bio-Tableaux. Loud cheers were raised when the curtain went up and on the stage were seen the Lady Mayoress (Miss Deanie Thomas). Viscount Tredegar, Sir William Crossman. Major- General Lee, Colonel Bruce Vaughan, Dr. D. R. Paterson, Messrs J. M. Jennings, Isaac Samuel. W. Ilea (Infirmary secretary), and Arthur Burton (manager of the Palace). The Lady Mayoress announced that £90 had been taken at the doors for the Infirmary, after which Viscount Tredegar raised a laugh when he said it was not often he had the honour and pleasure of appearing on the stage. In the old days performers on the stage were not quite so popular as now. They found that the players added to their pleasure and gaiety, aud their sense also. (Laughter.) His Lordship then proposed, on behalf of the Infirmary, a vote of thanks to Mr MacNaghten, the pro- prietor of the Palace, to Mr A. Burton, the manager, through whose talent inorgauLsation and gClllahty the success of the matmpp wa., largely due, to the artistes, and Mr L. Shine, for his personal interest ill the matter and to the staff and all who had in any way helped. Major-General Lee seconded, and the vote having been carried, Mr Burton, in respond- ing, said it was hoped that the proceeds would ultimately reach £100.. A vote of thanks was then accorded Viscount Tredegar, on the motion of Sir William Crossman, seconded by Colonel Bruce Vaughan, reference being, made to his Lordship's readiness to assist the cause of charity, and the Cardiff Infirmary in par- ticular.

WELSH LANGUAGMSOCIETY. Home Reading Union Proposed. A meeting of the Council of the Welsh Lan- guage Society was held at the University College, Aberystwyth, on Saturday morning last, when there were present Sir T. Marchant. Williams, president; Sir Isambard Owen, Sir Harry Reichel, Professor Anwyl, Professor J. E. Lloyd, Principal T. F. Roberts, Mr J. Austin Jenkins, Mr Tom John, and Mr Edgar Jones. The report of the work of the society during last year was most satisfactory. It was resolved that the summer school should be held next summer at Bangor.. A suggestion was made that a Welsh National Home Reading Union should be established. Mr Austin Jenkins pointed out how this could be utilised to bring out the practical federa- tion ofiall Welsh National Literary Societies j in England as well as in Wales. A committee was appointed to submit a scheme. Sir Harry Reichel drew attention to the urgent necessity for the publication of a more completely scien- tific Welsh dictionary. It was resolved to for- ward a request to the Court of the University to initiate a movement in this direction.

WHO IS SHE P Lost Girl Found Wandering. There is at present in the Westminster Union, in Poland-street, Oxford-street, a good- looking girl of about 18, who has lost her memory. She was found on the 15th inst. wandering near St. James's Palace. She had forgotten both her name and address, and could give no aceount of herself whatever. The following is a description of the girl and her clothing Age, 18-20 height, 5ft 2in complexion and liair fair small build has the appearance of a servant. Dress Black skirt. dark grey t hree-quarter jacket white straw hat, with black ribbon; blue and white striped petticoat, white silk necktie, black cotton gloves, black stockings, button boots, silver bird-shaped brooch. On person Two white handkerchiefs, F.B. on one, D.A. on other in red cotton. Clothing all marked D.A.

THE DISCOVERY OF GEORGE FOX. The Discovery of George Fox was the title of an interesting lecture delivered at the Friends' Meeting House. Caj-diff, on Saturday evening by Mr A. Neave Bravshaw, B.A., LL.B. Alderman Sir William Crossman pre- sided over an appreciative audience. Mr Brayshawat, the outset was historical, and briefly described the state of affairs existing in England at the time of the appearance on the scene of George Fox. Proceeding, he drew a vivid picture of his striking personality. His teachings came like a new light at a time when the distinctive feature of the religious world was that of formality. George Fox realised that all men have the flivine seed within them, and he called upon all to realise their individual responsibility. Referring to the distinctive teaching of the early Friends, the lecturer dealt with their attitude with regard to war, the worst part of which, re- garded from a Christian point of view, was not the destruction of property, or even the suffering or loss of human life, but the avarice and ill feeling and pride and evil thoughts which it produced.

On Saturday afternoon Henry Davies. a haulier in the employ of Mr William Davies, hay merchant. Duke-street. Aberdare, died as the result of injuriessustained the previous day by falling off a cart in ( wmaman. Dec eased had driven a load of hay from Abcrdarc to Cwmaman, and on his return he told Mr Davies's son that he had sustained inj ries. According to his story, he was riding on a truss of hay when the horse slipped and sl umhled and he fell off the cart. He was, however, aide to get back into the cart and drive home. He was attended to by Dr. Trelor Junes a d Dr. Bankes,

¡ Salvation Army Work. EXPERIMENTS IN CANADA. General Booth, interviewed on Sunday night, gave his impressions of his recent visit to America and Germany. The General, who now appears to be in excellent health, described his illness in America as a very sudden and acute sickness. He had, however, been set upon his feet again, and had been gathering strength ever since. The General expressed the view that his visit to Canada had helped forward the colonisation and emigration scheme, The Canadian Government is most friendly towards us," he said, and as a result of my visit we have got a scheme for occupying a number of derelict larms. There are, perhaps, fouror five thousand of these farms, audweare getting together as fast as we can farmers to occupy fifty of them. It is our intention to furnish them with capital and keep them on their feet until they can support themselves." Turning to the question of the treatment of criminals and paupers, the General mentioned that at the request of a Canadian Cabinet Minister, the Salvation Army had undertaken the entire control of a new Canadian prison, all financial requirements being fulfilled by the Government. He also mentioned that a certain city in the States, with a population of 70,000, had agreed to hand over to the Army the dispensation of all the charities of the citv. Asked whether he thought Americans a more religious people than we are, the General re- plied "In some respects I should say they are. I should say the American has more religion in onesense but it is ratheradifficult question, and I find people much of a muchness all the world oyer." In Berlin the General found that the feeling towards England was greatly improved, and thought there was a great disposition to be friendly to this country. The General stated it was probable he might go to [South Africa, but in the meantime was devoting his attention to the Indian famine, regarding which he was trying to raise £5.000 to buy grain in thir country and sell to the people at reasonable rates. He had also arranged to send a message to every Salva- tion Army corps throughout the world every Sunday. That meant that the message has to be translated into something like 30 lan- guages. This scheme commenced a fortnight ago, and had already proved masi successful.

COAST EROSION INQUIRY. Glamorgan Reports. The first report of the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion, which has recently been issued in the form of a bulky Blue Bõok, contains records of the action of the sea on the shores of Great Britain. When the Commissioners were making investigations they sent a series of questions to all the local bodies with a coast- line under their control. The answers regard- ing Glamorganshire were few and brief. The Gower Rural District Council state that the only perceptible change taking place on the sea board of their district is on the north side. where it is washed by the Burry Estuary, in the upper portion of which there has been an accretion during the last ten years or so of ahout 500 acres. more or less, of land formerly covered by all tides, which is now covered by high tides only, and has in consequence become covered with grass. The original cause of th" accretion appears to have been the erection of bridge, about the year 1840. to carry the Great Western Railway across the river Burry, which had the effect of diverting the current from the south to the north side of the estuary. The only measure of any kind taken by the Council to prevent-the encroachment of the sea was the piling of a mile of road running alongside the beach at Penclawdd on the said Burry estuary, which was carried out within recent years to prevent the road being washed away by high tides. No works of reclamation have been carried out, and it is doubtful whether any tidal lands within the district might be reclaimed with i1-dxantage. The Oystermouth Urban District Council report that so far as that district is concerned no erosion has occurred. Jt is added, however, that the construction of a railway and pier works on the foreshore of Swansei Bay within this district, has brought about the reclamation of some acres of beach. The Margara Urban District Council, Port Talbot. say there is no erosion upon the coast forming part of the boundary of the urban district of Margam.

NURSE'S SLANDER ACTION. J A remarkable slander action came to a con- clusion at the Liverpool Assizes late on Satur- day night after occupying the whole of three days. The plaintiff was Miss Edith Dinnis, a pro- bationer nurse at the Warrincton Workhouse Infirmary, and the defendant was Dr. Thomas E. Flitcroft, medical officer at the same insti- totion. Damages were claimed in respect of an alleged statement made: by the doi tor to three of the workhouse officials a"d to the committRe reflecting on the nurse's moral character, and it was also alleged that these statements had made with the object of diverting attention from a charge which the Tiur-se had laid bef..r.- the committee that the defendant had on three nights in July behaved improperly to her in the hospital. The defence was :1 complete denial of the charges of impropriety or that the alleged slander was uttered, and. further, that the eommuneatiou to the Workhouse master was privileged. Mr Justice Pickford described the case as a most extraordinary one. He said it was diffi- cult to understand why the nurse had not made complaint to the authorities until the alleged impropriety had been repeated on the third night. On the other hand it was difficult to apprpciate what possible motive could bave actuated the plaintiff if her charges were not true. The jury found for the plaintiff in respect of the slander to the three Workhouse officials, awarding £75 in each case— £ 225 in all. In re- spect of the alleged slander to the committee a verdict was given for the defendant.

BLEEDING TO DEATH. LIFE SAVED BY SWANSEA CONSTABLE. Had it not been for the timely arrival of a police constable a sailmaker named George Edwards, of Swansea, might have bled to death on Friday. It appears from the statement of P.C. Price that he found Edwards in Flint Mill-row, where he resides, lying on the ground suffering from several wounds on the head and a serious gash over the temple, which bled copiously. The officer, a member of the St. John Ambulance Society, rendered first aid, and subsequently removed Edwards to the hospital, where he was attended to by the bouse surgeon, who stated that were it not for the prompt action of the police constable Edwards would have no doubt bled to death. Edwards, after being treated at the hospital, went home with the constable, and said he had received his injuries in a quarrel. He struck certain persons, he said, and in self-defence they retaliated with the kitchen tongs, in- flicting the wound mentioned. He refused to give them into custody for assaulting him.

A CWMDARE FATALITY. Mr R. J. Rhys held an inquest at Trecynon on Saturday touching the death of Edward Davies, who died from injuries received at Nantmelyn Colliery, Cwmdare. The proceedings were watched by Mr Trump and Mr C. B. Stanton, the former on behalf of the Home Office, and the latter on behalf of the Aberdare District of the Miners' Federation. Daniel Williams, a haulier, said he heard de- ceased calling,and found him lying between the rails, under the tram. John Rees Williams, the fireman, stated de- ceased was put to clean on the road on the night in question. Deceased would have either to wait until the horse and tram had been shifted or pass it to get to this particular place. Witness added that this horse often shifted if anyone touched the shaft. Deceased died 011 Wednesday. A verdict of "Accidental death" was re- turned.

SCIENTIST'S ANECDOTE. Professors, doctors, and men famed in that branch of science which has its home in the chemical laboratory, assembled at the White- hall Rooms on Friday evening on the o.-Ci^iost of the annual dinner of vhe Institute of chemistry. Sir William Ramsay related an anecdote con- cerning a little girl who was invited out to an informal dinner. She was told that she was not to be greedy, that she was to take what was offered, and was not to overpraise it. When she arrived home after the dinner, said Sir William, they asked her what she had eaten. Well," she replied, I had some pudding." And did you say thank you ?" Yes. I also said it was very nice, what there was of it, and then 1 thought tat, sounded as if I had not had enough, so I added—' I mean there is plenty of it, such as it is.'

SNOW AND CORN CROPS. A harvest hampered by snow was the re- markable sight to be witnessed in Derby- shire on Saturday night. The morning was sunny and warm in North Derbyshire, and many farmers were gathering belated corn crops. But at night snow commenced to fall between 5 and 6, and at 8 o'clock the whole district was covered oy a white mantle. The outlook was very wintry,. The downfall was expected, and farming and outdoor operations generally threaten to be stopped. Scores of acres of corn are still ungarnered. The down- fall is unusually early, and foretells a hard winter. The hearts of toboganners are glad. Snow has fallen in Breconshire and North Glamorgan, and the Beacons arc wearing a mantle of white.

The funeral of Mr Richard Evans. Chapel House. Gelli. took place on Saturday, the in- terment being at Treorkv Cemetery. He was one of the founders of Bethany Oalviuistic Methodist Chapel, Gelli.

National Physique. I IMPORTANT MEMORANDUM. Medical Examination at School. An important and interesting memorandum on the question of the medical inspection of children in public elementary schools under section 13 of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act. 1907. has been issued by the Board of Education. Describing the scope and purpose of the Act. the memorandum says :—•• F»r some year's past evidence has heen accumulating t h:1t there exists in certain dasse" of the Eng- lish people a somewhat high degree of physical unfitness which calls for amelioration and as fai- as possible for prevention. The Legislature resolved that to grapple effectively with the I problem, or at least a purt of it. it was neces- sary first to improve the health conditions of the children of the nation. A consideration of the gravity of the need led to the conclusion that medical inspection of school children is not I only reasonable but necessary as a first prac- tical step towards remedy. The reasonable- ness of such inspection, if it is conducted on ¡,;ensi 011' I ine,lcading toO an improvementof the surroundings and physical life of the children, must become evident both to the parents and to the nation as a whole. The Board desire- therefore, at the outset, to emphasise that this new legislation aims not merely at a physical or anthropometric survey, or at a record of defects disclosed by medical inspection, but at the physical im- provement. and as a natural corollary the mental and moral improvement of coming generations. A Natural Development. After pointing out that Section B of the new Act lays upon all local education authori- ties The cluty lof the medical inspection of school children at stated times, and empowers them to make arrangements for attending to the health and physical condition of the children, the memorandum continues ;— The present Act is not intended to super- sede the powers which have long been exercised by sanitacy authorities under various Public Health Acts, but is meant to serve rather as an amplification and a natural development cf previous legislation. It is founded on a recognition of the close con- nection which exists between the physical and mental condition of the children and the whole progress of education. The duty of carrying out the actual inspection has been entrusted by Parliament to the local Educa- tion Authorities. Each authority must. therefore, appoint such medical officers or additional medical assistance as may be required for the purpose." Dealing with the character and degree of the medical inspection, the memorandum says the fundamental principle of section 13 is the medical examination and supervision, not only (If children known or suspected to he weakly or ailing, but of all children in the elementary schools, with a view to adapting and modifying the system of education to the needs and capacities of the child. Three Inspections. The Board have decided that not less than three inspections during the school life of the child will be necessary to secure the re- sults desired. The first inspection should take place at the time of, or soon after, admission to the school, the second at or about the third year (say the seventh year of age), and the third -at or about the sixth year of school life (say the tenth year of age). The inspec- tion should be conducted in school hours and on school premises, and in such a way as to interfere as little as may be with school work. The examination of each child need not as a rule occupy more than a few minutes. In conclusion,, the memorandum states:- This circular is of a preliminary nature only, and concerns almost entirely the work of the new Act at its initiation. The Board recognises the importance of steady progress in these matters, and bavp at present under considera- tion the practicability of the further adapta- tion of educational methods to the physical and mentalcapacities of the normal and abnor- mal child, and of improving the methods of dealing-with infectious disease in schools."

AN ELABORATE FRAUD. Chancery Suit that Made Mertey. The story of an ingenious method of obtain- ing money was related at the Middlesex Ses- sions on Saturday when Henry Clement Davies and Sarah Jane Davies. his wife, were charged with obtaining a,pproximatply JE150 from a Miss Helen Jessie Hislop and a Mrs Mary Thomas. The prisoners were committed from the Willesden Petty Sessions, and the proceedings at that court have already been reported. In opening the case for the prosecution Mr Svmons said that sums of t'70 and £80 were obtained from the tn « ladies by a s, ries cf art- ful false pretences and fraudulent statements. t He stated that he had anactIrHl pc 11S I Chancery in which worth of Great Western Ksilway Shares and £ u>.Oy> Ttrr I was in solved. The mono- obtained was, :t; seemed, expended in ar äort to trace a hypo- I thetical si.stcr who vas being moved from on" lunatic asiium h, sfnother. Counsel read some extracts from prisoners' diary which in- cluded the following items In July, referring to the sister who had been in the asylum. it. was stated that she was now dead, but that the body must be exhumed in order to pro,. his (the male prisoner's identity). For this 0 fee of £515s was required. At another tire the wife bal to go to Worcester as a witne. for the Chaneery case had to be fetched from, there. There was a record in January, "At Court 11 to 6. wjth coun",< going through proof." The following day he is again at court from 11 to 6, but unfortunately with no further result. The following day be went to Edmon- ton to see Mr Braithwaite. K.C. I think," said Mr Symons. "that Mr Braith- waite must be a relative of Mrs Harris of famous memory. (Laughter.) He is not to ba found, and I do not know of a local branch ol the Bar at Edmonton. (Renewed laughter.) The male prisoner finally elected to change his plea to one of guilty" and he was put Daclf to the next Sessions. The woman was dis- charged.

ATTEMPT TO KILL A DOCTOR. A Woman With a Hammer. Henrietta Fitzgerald (301. a machinist, livina in Burton-crescent, Euston-road, was chargecl before Mr Mead at Madborough-street on Saturday with maliciously wounding Dr. Ernest Cranmer Hughes, of Guy's Hospital, by striking him on the head with a hammer in Dean-street, Oxford-street, on Friday after- noon. Detective Inspector Bower deposed that the injured doctor was too ill to attend and give, evidence, and he therefore proposed to orovt the arrest and ask for a remand. Ther& appeared to be a doubt whether the prisoner was in her right mind. Constable Black, who arrested the woma stated that on the way to the station she said*. I wish 1 had killed him. I meant to have a revolver, but didn't have enough money." the station she repeated that she wished slif* had killed him. The hammer produced-a rather formidable weapon with a split head fov. pulling up nails-was brought to the stø by a man named Clark. Mr Mead (to the prisoner) Would you like to ask anything ? The prisoner (quietly) thank you. It is exactly as he said. They have been ex. tremely decent to me. Detective Hawkinssaid that he was at Marl" borough-street Police Station when ths prisoner was brought there by the last witness. She said, I wish to make a statement." He cautioned her, saying that whatever she said might be given in evidence against her. She then made a statement, which was taken d in writing and signed by her. Mr Mead remanded the prisoner.

DOCTOR AND ACTRESSES. Extraordinary allegations were made in t case which came before Lord Salveseu in the Edinburgh Court of Session on Saturday, Whec Margaret Macfarlane, or Findlay. of Tigb Voirlich. Dumbarton, was granted a divorfce from James Findlay. physician and surgeon, late of Glasgow, and now of North End-road* Fulham. London. Pursuer stated she was 32 when she married Dr. Findlay in 1904. the defendant then being 27. He got drunk on the honeymoon, and on, their return nome began to bring M'tressestn the house and entertain them to supper, and drink late at night. When the defender was under the influence of drink he used to tease her about a girit named Minnie Grant, whom he had knowr before his marriage. Defender locked her 0' one night, and in 1905 he brought her a. pa' which he asked her to sign, consentmsr to separation. Witness refused to sign, and had not lived with her husband since. Samuel 1 ye wis. a private detective, said that on September 19th, 1905. he was instructed tc1 watch Dr. Findlay's surgery. He went thero about half-past 7. and a few minutes later saw Dr. Findlay going into the surgery followed by a young woman. Maggie Armour, who was engaged by Dr. Findlay in 1904 to look after his surgery, said, a young lady used to come two or three timet a week. and defender told her she was his wife. Lord Salvesen duly pronounced that pursuer had proved her case, and granted a decree of divorce.

THE LLANDYGWYDD RIGHT OF WAY DISPUTE. Amicable Settlement. At a parish meeting held at Llandygw Schoolroom. Cardiganshire, the dispute wh had arisen over the right of the public to the pathway on the Llwyndyrys estate i fully discussed in thf presence of the owi jj Major Griffiths. settlement was conic to oft the following terms Major Griffiths to puj the costs incuired, to make another pathway* arid to give permission for the erection of'i wooden bridge across the Tivy for the cot*, venience of the public desiring to go to Aber cych. The agreement is subject to the con firmation of the District Council.