The Cardiff Times

.S D TO HE E S 'r: TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOHCS. I (By MABON, M.P.). MINERS' EIGHT HOURS' IILL. Hitherto we have dealt with the probable in- creased productions by greater efficiency and more regular attendance of hewers, and one must admit that a question of the greatest im- portance is whether if the hewers and the other men could produce the greatest Quantity^ coal in the reduced hours whether the under. ground roads are sufficient to accommodate an increased quantity per hour; whether the haulage arrangements are .sufficient to haul it, and the shafts and winding engines, &c., are adequate to deal with it. This, one must admit, is a subject that admits of two opinions and is a debatable matter, and upon this Welsh opinion, before the Committee, was di- vided. Mr Hann said that that the eat bull* of the steam coal collieries of South V\ ales are working up either to the maximum ot «ie winding power or tie maximum of the nam- ing power, or to some limitation of that sort at the present time, and Mr J. Fox Tallis, of Ebbw Vale, admitted that the men, no doubt, could do a little more work on the face and send out more coal if they could dear them, but they cannot clear them at their collie^ » and, moreover, that all the large collieri Monmouthshire wereNat present working to me full capacity of their roads and power. Mr H. Bram well, who on the other hand,told the Committee," that most collieries are obliged to work their plant to its full capacity," was, nevertheless, of the opinion that the owners, on the average, will manage to deal with the coal somehow if they can get it." Mr Morgan W. Davies, Swansea, also agreed with Mr Bram well that "they wouldmanage to deal with the coal somehow." Notwithstanding these slight differences Opinion, we have in our possession this cer- tainty that the efficiency of the day men and hoys, and the mechanical appliances engaged in the transit of coal are always found ade- quate to deal with the product of the hewers on the days of their maximum production in the week, and could, of a necessity, deal with a similar product on the other days, if it were supplied to them. We trust that sufficient has been heard and said on this matter now that we may, without the least exaggeration, say that, with the exception of some old col- lieries, where no improvements in machinery or methods have ever been adopted, a large number-prot)ably the greater portion of the whole — would now be able, in varying degrees, to increase their output per hour Dy the expenditure of capital in the improvement of their winding and haulage machinery, and to whom, however, on the assumption of a pressure of demand it would be profitable to p su e. make those improvements. And yet, even in some of our older collieries where the seams are becoming exhausted, and where owners would not care to spend any fresh capital upon them there it would be possible to maintain their' present length of days by raising any toal left behind by the morning shift during the repairing shift. The Forest of Dean. Among the many reasons that some of the foremost among our employers in South Wales tie using why the Eight Hours' Bill should not become law, is the attitude of the Forest of Dean workmen. Theyused to be, years ago, >n favour of an Eight Hours' Bill for Miners, but have now changed their minds, and have, by a new ballot, declared against Ihe measure. This is cited as being most significant why Miners and their leaders in South Wales should .not advocate passing the measure—thai, they teas never have understood what wil! he the /effect- upon, their wages, <fcc. This was one of (the arguments adduced by Sir J. Clifford Cory in that, historic letter he. sent to the meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce. Well, .Thill have to say in the matter is that if the owners and workmen in the Forest of Dean mines were half as keen and selfish in their own interest as coalowners of Monmouthshire and South Wales are they would never have done what they did. Considering where they are situated, and with whom they have occa- sionally to compete, a. universal Eight Hours' Bill for Miners, in my humble opinion, would be the best thing in their interest that could happen. And it is here that I cannot possibly understand how my old friend, Mr George Eowlinson, the miners' agent there, could have gone wrong for I know no man that is more keen to be allowed to safely look after the in- terest of the district he represents than he. The Forest of Dean is a small district, em- oloying little more than 5,000 persons under tnd above grouud. In fact they employ some- where about one-half the workmen that the Cory Brothers do in their South Wales mines. The majority of their mines, to the best of my oelief, are working in old seams getting house coal mines that in all probability are becom- ing rapidly exhausted. True, they are looking forward to working steam coal some time dur- ing the Aext twenty years. One of the chief men in the district on the owners' side and Mr George Rowlinson, the miners' agent, bothgave evidence before the Departmental Commit- tee. agreed that to apply alimit of eight hours to the working day of the house-coal collieries would prove fatal to the existence of those undertakings, and that the workmen, with the object of securing the industry in which they were employed, had abandoned their claim for an eight hours' day from bank to bank and voted latterly in favour of a Bill for an eight hours' winding, that to them was voting to remain as they were. For 20 years, if pot more, the Forest of Dean men have been working on an eight hour day from the bottom of the shaft to the top of the shaft. No one there is obliged to be under- ground more than about 81 hours any one day—a good many of the strong men even less than that. So that the new Bill, when it becomes law, will only shorten their day by half-an-hour, while it will shorten the day worked by their near and keen rivals in Mon- mouthshire by an hour and a half, so that the Forest of Dean miners are liable to be greatly benefited by the adoption of. a uni- versal 8i-hours' day. In fact, they are en- titled to some benefit now. For, notwithstand- ing that their seams are comparatively thin, their mines did and nearly exhausted £ c„ they have given their men a, day of eight hours, as I have stated, tor over twenty years and yet they can, and now are, selling their coals—a rood quality of house-coal—in Glamorgan- shire 2s a ton cheaper than consumers here can purchase it from the nearest ftiines ot the western valleys of both counties of Monmouth- shire and Glamorgan. Still, from the standpoint of facilitating the passing of the Miners' Eight Hours' Bill through the House of Commons changes in the attitude of workmen have taken place that will affect it favourably to a very'much greater degree than the Forest, if change can affect it i *^At last our most formidable opponents among the mining communities of Great Britain have joined the Federation fold. They are now affiliated with us, and are a part of the organisation of the Miners' Federation. Last year the Northumberland Miners, were opponents to the Miners' Eieht Hours' Bill, speaking and voting against it in the House of Commons. And though we cannot expect to hear the North- ern powerful and persuasive pleaders, Messrs Thomas Burt and John Wilson, M.P.'s, speak- ing in its favour, they will vote for it by man- date of the men they represent. For the first time in history all the direct representatives of the miners throughout the country will stand shoulder to shoulder for the passing of t.he Bill. For close upon twenty years this measure has been before Parliament, and I am proud to iay that my name has been on the back of it most times during the whole time. and it will be no secret for me to say that I look upon It with considerable pride, and that I am mxious of seeing it pass successfully this year.

BRYNWYTH FARM TRAGEDY. Funeral of Miss Roberts. Shortly after two o'clock on Tuesday after- noon the remains of Miss Bessie Roberts, the victim of the terrible tragedy at Brynwyth Farm, near pontardawe, were laid to rest in Baram Chapel graveyard amid many manifesta- tions of regret. The graveyard was only a few hundred yards from the late home of the deceased. A very large number of people were present. Farmers and friends came from far and near to show their respect and sympathy for the deceased's parents and relatives.

MIGHTY FLOODS. New York, Monday.—Enormous damage has been caused to the low lying districts of Pitts- burg in consequence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers overflowing their banks. In addition to a large number of houses bving gwept awav, several large factories and ware- bouses have been inundated, and the damage Is estimated al 2.500,000 dollars. Last evening It was reported that tho waters were receding. -Central News.

Bank Tragedy. M. GrTY CLERK SHOOTS HIMSELF. Extravagant Living. An inquiry was held at the City Coroner's Court on Wednesday into the circumstances attending the death of a young bank clerk named Carl Franz Joseph Schoenwald, who, it was stated, resided at the National Liberal Club. Schoenwald was employed at the offices of Messrs Rosenberg and Co., Austrian bankers, in Old Broad-street. A messenger stated that shortly before the bank closed on Saturday he had occasion to go down to the strong room in the basement. The door was locked, and peeping through the keyhole, he saw Schoenwald lying on the floor in a pool of blood. A revolver was lying near his left hand. The young man was alive but unconscious, and died within a few minutes. Mr Charles de Pranger, an official at the bank, said Schoenwald was rather a weak- minded young man, and was very extravagant. As junior clerk he would receive £2 10s per month, and he also received an allowance of £20 or £30"a month from his father. He owed witness £20, but no pressure for repayment had been applied. The Coroner Do you think this was a love affair ?—No. I am convinced it was due to financial trouble. I understood his father h&a threatened to cut off his allowance. In reply to Mr Betts, a solicitor appearing for the relatives, the witness stated that ott February 13th Messrs Rosenberg paid ail account on behalf of Schoenwald amounting th £3110s for the hire of a motor-car. The yo\iH3 man's position could not possibly warrant hhn 1 running up such a bill. They were instructed by his father to pay this account. A Juror Was there anything wrong with his account ?—Nothing at all. Schoenwald, the witness continued, held a commission in the Austrian army,and took his life with an army pistol. Mr 'Jietts, interposing while the Coroner was addressing the jury, said he hoped the jury would take into account the fact that the young man was a Roman Catholic. The ver- dict might have some effect on the rites of the church. The Coroner I don't see how the jury can take notice of that. They have to give their verdict according to the evidence. The jury found that the young man took his life whilst insane.

TARIFF REFORM TALK. A Speech by the Earl of Plymouth. The Earl of Plymouth, president of the National Union of Conservative Associations, speaking on Monday night at the house dinner of the Midland Conservative Club, Birming- ham, to Mr George Wyndham, M.P., president of the club, said the recent bye-elections had caused the Prime Minister himself to change his tone in regard to the House of Lords. It was the fact of having a clear policy of fiscal reform which had created the remarkable difference in the number polled on the Unionist side at the bye-elections. If they wanted further proof of the attitude of the country towards fiscal reform they had only to look to the action of the Government. The Liberal party found no words strong enough to abuse the Tariff Reformers and to praise the old Cobdenite free import theories, but Mr Lloyd George had passed a Merchant Shipping Bill with the object of protecting British shipping from unfair foreign competition, and he had passed a Patents Bill with the object of pro- tecting British patents from unfair foreign seizure and competition. Mr Lloyd George justified that action by saying all such matters ought to be considered on their merits. That was a blessed discovery for them to have made; It was all Tariff Reformers asked that those matters should be considered on their merits. (Applause.) They could see the Government were only really raising a dust storm in their attacks upon it to conceal it for a moment while they passed a few practical tariff reform measures, and when it was cleared away they posed again as the great advocates of free imports. But it proved clearly that the country was ready to accept reasonable and practical tariff reform if they underwood what it really meant.

,c. THE DANGER OF INVASION. "Matter Now Being Considered." In view of the assertion of the First Sea Lord that we could all sleep quietly in our beds, and not be disturbed by these bogies of invasion," it is interesting to learn from an answer published on Tuesday that the matter, viz., "the danger of invasion," is now being considered in the light of the most recent information." Mr Harold Cox asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the evidence given before the Royal Commission on the Militia and Volunteers by the Director-General of Mobilisation and Mili- tary Intelligencev to the effect that it was the view of the Admiralty that the Navy can guarantee the complete protection of the United Kingdom against the danger of inva- sion by t1.ny larger force than 5,000 to 10,000 men whether this opinion attributed to the Admiralty by the Director-General of Mobili- sation and Intelligence correctly expressed the views then held by the Admiralty; and whether the same views were still held. Mr Edmund Robertson replied as follows ;— The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative and as regards the third question, the matter is now being considered in the light of the most recent information, and it is not thought desirable to make any statement as to the numbers which may enter into the problem of defence.

EDITORIAL" CUTS." Journalist's Explanations. At a meeting of the Jersey States on Tues- day the managing editor of the Jersey Times" appeared at the Bar to answer a charge of alleged mutilation of a letter sent by a jurat, in which the latter complained that his speech had been misreported. The managing editor admitted error of judgment, but not in- competency, on the part of the sub-editor, whose motive in curtailing the letter was, he explained, one to be admired rather than con- demned. The President of the States expressed the Assembly's high appreciation of the honourable way in which the difficulty had been met by the directors and managing editor of the paper, and the States unanimously accepted the apology offered. The complaining jurat also expressed his appreciation of the prompt and Satisfactory explanation offered by the responsible parties, and was glad to know by their assurances that the Jersey Times was not conducted by political firebrands, of which there were some in the island."

YOUNG KINB'S COURAGE. Manuel II. of Portugal at Work. Lisbon, Saturday—.King Manuel to-day received a number of personages, and after- wards considered matters of current business with the Ministers. A continuous improvement is visible in the King's health. His Majesty is still rather pale, but has recovered from the effects of the terrible shock of his father and brother's death, and is now able to keep on his feet for some time. To-day King Manned received numerous deputations from various official and non- official bodies, who expressed their sympathy with his Majesty. The King, who wore civil attire, returned thanks to all in words expres- sive of his courage and clearsightedness.— Renter.

POLAR EXPLORATION. International Organisation. Brussels, Wednesday Morning.—A Belgian Commission for the organisation of an inter- national congress for the study of the polar regions was formed yesterday under the pre- sidency of Mr Beernaert, Minister of Strand ex-President of the Chamber, under the title of the International Polar Commission. Ger- many Italy, and Sweden have already ap- pointed delegates, and as soon as possible each country will appoint an Arctic and Antarctic explorer. The next reunion will take place at the end of May at Brussels—Central News.

MRTOER'S GRAVE. British Officers Declared Innocent. Pretoria, Tuesday.—Mr De Villiers, Attorney- General, has sent a letter to Major-General Montgomery, commanding in the Transvaal districts, giving it as his opinion as the result of inquiry that Lieutenant Clark (Yorkshire Light Infantry), Lieutenant Henning (Royal Engineers), and Mr Dickson (an ex-civil ser- vant), who were arrested last October in con- nection with the desecration of President Kruger's gra ve, are innocent of the offence charged against them. The charges in ques- tion were officially withdrawn early in January. -Reuter.

At a meeting of Mynyddislwyn Council on Wednesday, Mr Harris presiding, the question cf scarcity of water at Tredegar Junction was raised, and a deputation were assured of all the help which the Council could give.

A CHANGE OF NAME. (With npnlogics to Uncle Remus.) Who dar ? sez Brer Rabbit, openin, de de. Dat you, Brer Pertecshun Wolf f sezee. Brer Wolf wanter hide his voice, he did, en he talk like his mouf wuz full er honey. Youer makin' er monst'us mistake, Brer Rabbit," sezee, dis ain't enny Pertecshun Wolf—dat's not my name," sez Brer Wolf, sezee. Brer Rabbit laff en he slam de do'. Youer Brer Pertecshun Wolf sho' enuff-I kin smell you," sezo. You kin change yo' name, Brer Wolf, but yo' can't change yo' nachur,"sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. (Tariff Reformers are very anxious to repudiate the title of Protectionists.) Cartoon by Sir F. C. Gould. (Published by arrangement with the Westminster Gazette.")

Swansea Recorder. MR J. LLOYD MORGAN, K.C., APPOINTED The Press Association is officially informed that his Majesty the King, on the recom- mendation of the Home Secretary, has been pleased to appoint Mr J. Lloyd Morgan, K.C., M.P., to be Recorder of Swansea, in place of Sir Samuel T. Evans, K.C., M.P., who resigned on his appointment as Solicitor-General. The new appointment necessitates the re-electiocc of LLOYD MORGAN, K.C., M.P. I Mr Lloyd Morgan, who has represented West I Carmarthenshire in the Liberal interest since 1889. There has been no contest since 1895. The announcement of the new appointment will be received with much gratification, not only by Mr Lloyd Morgan's constituents in West Carmarthenshire, but by Wales gener- ally. His 19 years' Liberal representation in the House of Commons, combined with his popu- larity and the confidence reposed in him by the bulk of the electorate, including not a small number of Church people and Conservatives, will ensure an undoubted return to Parliament, and therefore the bye-election should be merely a; formal matter. Mr Lloyd Morgan is the youngest son of the late Rev. William Morgan, professor of theology in the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. Born on February 13th, 1861, he was educated at Tettenhall College, Wolverhampton Owens College, Manchester and Trinity Hall, Cam- bridge, where he graduated B.A. He was subsequently called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, and joined the South Wales Circuit, on which he has enjoyed a fairly extensive practice. He became a King's Counsel last year. He was first elected for West Carmar- thenshire in July, 1889, and has represented that constituencv ever since. He was un- opposed in 1900, 1906, and on the last occasion there was a contest, in 1895, the figures were Lloyd Morgan *,143 W. J. Buckley 3,103 Majority. 1,040

THE IRISH COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF. General Sir Neville Gerald Lyttelton, K.C.B., who becomes Lord Grenfell's successor in Ire- land, has bean Chief of the General Staff and First Military Member of the Army Council since 1904. In his 43 years' service, since 1861, when he first joined the Rifle Brigade, he has seen much war service. Heservedin the Fenian rebellion in Canada in 1866, in the Jowaki ex- pedition of 1877, and in the Egyptian campaign I General Lyttelton. of 1882, when he was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. He commanded a brigade in the Nile expedition of 1898, and fought at the battle of Omdurman. In the South African war he came prominently before the public as a brigadier, and on Lord Kitchener's leaving the country took up the chief command of the forces in South Africa—his tenure of com- mand lasting from 1902 to 1904. Since then Sir Neville Lyttelton has been at the head of the -Military Department at the War Office. He was born in 1845, and is a brother of the head. master of Eton and of the Hon. Alfred Lyttel. ton, M.P.

At a meeting of Swansea Port Sanitary Authority on Tuesday afternoon, Alderman Charles (Neath) presiding, steps were taken to fill the appointment of medical officer, vacant through the resignation of Dr.\ Ebenezer Davies. The candidates were Drs. D. J. Morgan (medical officer of health for Swansea), Hanson, and W, Morgan. A vote by ballot resulted as follows:—Hanson, 7 D. J. Morgan, 4; and W. Morgan, 1. Dr. Hanson was there- l upon elected. The salary is £ MX> ayear.

Chapel on Fire. B16 BLAZE AT NEWPORT. Damage Estimated at £ 3,000 to £ 4,000. Early on Monday morning a fire was dis- covered raging at thei-Wesleryan Chapel, Com- mercial-road, Newport, and the interior of the edifice and a part of the roof were practically destroyed. The damage is estimated at £ 3,000 to £ 4,000, which- is' covered hy insurance in one of the connexionaj offices. The chapel is situate at the far end of Com- mercial-road, near the pill tram terminus. It wns built 60 years ago, but in January, 1889, the edifice was practically reconstructed at a cost of £ 2,000, and a new was installed at a further cost of £350. The frontage was of freestone in ornate style -^faile the roof was of open timber work. On Sunday the usual nx,#ings were held, the evening service being followed by a meeting of members, which closed jA £ .30. Ten minutes laier the care&tkc* v'pj^^ )y^ating appara- tus, which contained aS&mll fife, aiiil othee parts of the chapel, and having found every- thing in order she locked the place up for the night. At 4.30 on Monday morning Mr E. Randall, who lodges at a residence close to the chapel, noticed from his bedroom window a light inside the edifice, and he immediately raised the alarm of fire- A policeman responded, and promptly called up the fire brigade from the Temple-street alarm box. Within a few minutes Superintendent Tothill and a number of men with the engine were on the spot, followed shortly by Captain Horace Lyne, Lieutenant Lyne, and a number of police. (Photo, by W. L. Ballard, Stow-hill,Newport.) The brigade forced open the door, and at once got a plentifuisupply of water directed on to the flames, which had now secured a firm grip of the sacred building. The flames leaped out against the chapel front and adjoining cottages. Real peril threatened these dwellings, and the brigade had to exert themselves to the utmost to limit the range of the fire. Shortly afterwards "the chapel roof in the front fell in, and immediately there issued forth a huge volume of smoke and flames, which illu- minated the whole of the neighbourhood. The brigade and the police worked well, and ere long they had the gratification of finding that the adjoining premises had been placed out of danger. By 6 o'clock the outbreak had been practically extinguished A subsequent visit to the scene revealed that the interior of the chapel had been practically destroyed, as well* as a part of the roof. The organ and gallery on the left side had been completely demolished, but the schoolroom at the rear and the vestnes were saved.

VOLUNTARY SPADE WORK. PONTYPRIDD NEW CHURCH ROOMS. There was a large attendance at the inaugural ceremony of St. Matthew's New Church Rooms, CoedPendaen, Pontypridd, on Monday. The ceremony was performed by Mr Arthur Lewis, the stipendiary magistrate, and subsequently a meeting was held, Rev. R. P. Griffiths, M.A., vicar, presiding. Mr Arthur Lewis warmly Congra.tuIatea the church mem- bers upon the successful result of their efforts. Their success was well deserved, for they had earnestly endeavoured to help themselves. He (Photo, by Forrest and Sons, Pontypridd). thought there was greater need now than ever i for the establishment of Sunday schools, hav- ing regard to the uncertain character of the future education of the children. They were told they would either havel secular education or simple Bible teaching, tut he questioned whether anybody knew exactly what the latter meant. Additional interest was taken in the cere- mony by reason of the fact that the mem- bers of the Building Committee and the con- gregation had themselves performed a con- siderable amount of the work, the whole of the concrete and brick foundations haying been put iru by vobmAal7 workers.

—1■——— West Wales Centenarian. CARMARTHENSHIRE'S GRAND OLD MAN Mr David Williams, of Hendre Fawr Farm, situate near the summit of Gerazerim Moun- tain, in the parish of Llangyfelach, well deserves the name, the Grand Old Carmar- thenshire Man," for he was born at Tyrbach, Llannon, on the 16th of March, 1804. As a boy he worked as a haulier in the construction of the main road from Loughor Bridge to Car DAVID WILLIAMS. (Photo, by J. T. Williams, Ammanford.) marthen long before the railway was laid, and many of his subsequent years were spent in farm service. On the death of his second wife, he made his home at Hendre Fawr, the residence of his son William, and there for 21 years he has lived a life of unruffled peace, frequently assisting in work on the farm. He is a lifelong non-smoker.

COUNTY COUNCIL ALDERMEN. Ebbw Vale's Petition. At Ebbw Vale District Council meeting on Tuesday, Councillor J. Harrison called atten- tion to the aldermajoic vacancy on the Mon- mouthshire County Council, caused by the de,a,th of Alderman Ben Phillips. He mentioned that at one time Ebbw Vale had two aldermen on the County Council, and he moved that seeing Ebbw Vale district had been deprived of its fair share of representation on the County Council for some years the County Council should be petitioned to fill the aldermanic vacancy by the selection of one of the Ebbw Vale county councillors. Mr A. Watkins seconded. Mr Alfred Jones, who is also a member of the County Council, said he thought it was almost certain the next vacancy would be filled from the Ebbw Vale councillors, and that Labour would be recognised on the next occasion. The motion was carried unanim- ously.

MILLIONAIRE, EVANGELIST, AND PHILANTHROPIST. Lord Overtoun, formerly Mr Campbell White was born in 1843. His immense wealth was de- rived from a chemical manufactory near Glasgow, especially from what is known as Turkey red. He received his peerage from Mr Gladstone in 1893, taking his title from the name of his Dumbarton estate. Lord Over- toun was a staunch Liberal, and last year was made Lord Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire. The late peer devoted all his spare time to evangelistic work, being an eloquent speaker and always managing to interest his hearers. Lord Overtoun. For years he had preached both tmder cover and at street corners in Glasgow, and had in- stituted what is known as the noon-day prayer meeting in that city. For nearly 30 years he conducted a Bible class of about 500 young men on Sunday evenings and greatly aided the Y.M.C.A. and other religious organisations. Lord Overtoun was the patron and supporter of the Rev. John MacNeill, who, after starting out in life as a railroad porter, became the eloquent minister of Regent-square Presbyter- ian Church. His Lordship was one of the pillars of the temperance movement in Scotland, and came in;o conflict with the Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyle, to whose butler he refused to grant a liquor licence. He married the daughter of a ulasgow solicitor in 1867, but had no children. The title, therefore, becomes extinct. Lady Overtoun, a very accomplished I woman, assistd her husband in his many philanthropic schemes. I

I The sanatorium for consumptives at the Alltyryn Hospital, Newport, is practically complete.

Lunacy Prosecution, SPECIALIST SENT FOR TRIAL Charge Against Dr. Forbes Winslow Dr. Forbes Winslow, the well known mental specialist, was charged at Acton Police Court on Wednesday, under the Lunacy Act of 1890, with aiding and abetting Edith M. Lascelles in the matter of receiving, boarding, and keeping a young lady named Ethel M. Davies in premises which had not been authorised for the reception of persons of unsound mind. Mr Bodkin and Mr Lester represented the Lunacy Commissioners, and Dr. Forbes Winslow conducted his own defence, but Mr Churchill watched the case on his behalf. Mr Bodkin in his opening statement said that the special purpose of the Act was to pre- vent persons who were of unsound mind being detained in places which were not under proper supervision. He contended that no one was better able to decide the condition of the woman's mind than was Dr. Winslow. He submitted that he must clearly have known that Miss Davies was of unsound mind. While at Mrs Lascelles' Miss Davies bit one of her attendants on the arm, and escaped by leaping out of a window. She was at liberty for two or three hours, and was subsequently found at the back door in her nightdress. She was now in a lunatic asvlum. Dr. Walter Goodrich, in reply to Dr. Wins- low, said that when he visited the house at 19, Burlington-gardens, he stayed only for half an hour. He saw Mrs Lascelles. Mr Bodkin What did she say about Dr. Winslow ?—She said she had received the patient from Dr. Winslow, and she understood the patient had been in his charge. Dr Worth, senior medical officer of the Middlesex County Asylum, said that the patient had been admitted to that institution. She had grown worse since he last gave evi- dence on the subject. Replying to the defendant the witness said the patient had remained in a certifiable con- dition ever since she had been at the asylum. Mm Eliza Davies, of Skeldon road, High- bury, mother of the patient, said that at the hearing of the charge against Mrs Lascelles, she stated that she took her daughter to Dr. Winslow. She paid him a guinea a week. When she saw her daughter in charge of Mrs Lascelles she was very dirty, and on the wit- ness remonstrating with Mrs Lascelles the latter replied, Do you expect her to be kept clean for a guinea a week Examined by Mr. Bodkin, the witness said that after her daughter had become well, and was still being taken to the hospital. Dr. Wins- low, told her he would give her a list of homes. Her daughter said she did not want to go to a home. Dr. Winslow said It is either that or a lunatic asylum." Replying to the defendant," the witness said it was quite true that he had seen her daugh- ter and reported two or three times without fee. What was there in her condition in April, 1906, which led you to bring her to the hospital in Euston-road for brain disorders 1-1 took her there more for neryous disease. Supposing I had recommended a lunatic asy- lum, would you have been prepared to send her there ?—Yes. You would not have been prepared to let her have a chance of getting better in a home without the taint of lunacy ?—My experience is that people get better quickly in a lunatic asylum. Dr. Forbes Winslow, addressing the Bench, said he wished to emphasise this part of the case. It had been alleged that he procured Mrs Lascelles to be in readiness to receive this particular patient, whereas neither of them had any idea that she was coming to London. He read a letter from Mrs Lascelles to Mrs Davies, in the course of which the words oc- curred, Dr. Forbes Winslow saw her (the patient) yesterday, and advised me to send for the relieving officer to put her in an asylum, but I have managed to keep her quiet." The defendant emphasised the point that he had no financial interest in this patient what- ever, and that anything he had done had been done gratuitously as a hospital doctor. Dr. Forbes Winslow reserved his defence, and was committed for trial.

DOOMED TO DIE. The death of David John Humphreys, a rfeollier boy, 14, Gleodower-street, powlais, who sustained injuries at the No. 2 pit Of the Dowlais Collieries at Vochriw, on Friday, was investigated by Mr R. J. Rhys at the Merthyr General Hospital on Tuesday. Mr Trump was present on behalf of the Home Office, Mr Stuart Martin represented Messrs Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds, and Mr John Davies, miners' agent, acted for the Miners' Federation. It appeared that the deceased was working on the red coal seam with a young collier, Evan Davies. Thereof was well timbered and seemed safe when Davies tested it, and also when Thomas Roberts, the foreman, came round. But when deceased was filling a tram part of the roof fell on him. The lad when the fall came down fell against a cog, and sustained a fractured thigh and internal injuries, from which he died two hours after admission to the hospital. The Coroner remarked that no doubt if the deceased had not fallen against the cog he would have escaped. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

WAREHOUSE FIRE IN. CANTON. Shortly before 7 o'clock on Wednesday even- ing intimation was received at the Central Fire Station, Cardiff, from the Romilly-road alarm box of a fire having broken out at a warehouse in Glamorgan-street, Canton, be- longing to Mr William Morgan. The steamer in charge of Superintendent Geen at once turned out, and the reel was sent from Canton. The building, which is of two storeys, is stored with furniture, and there is a stable with four horses in it at the end. On arriving the brigade found a room on the upper floor, at about the centre of the block, well alight, and the fire had burned a hole through the floor to the stable. A good supply of water was obtained, and, the smoke being too dense to enter through the building, a ladder was put up and the hose worked through a window. The fire, which was extinguished in about 15 minutes, is supposed to have been caused by the explo- sion of a lamp. It is estimated that damage was done to the extent of over £200.

STRICKEN HERD OF CATTLE. Swansea Valley Farmer's Heavy Loss. Mr Evan John, a farmer of Ynysmudw, Swansea Valley, has sustained the loss of a fine herd of cattle. On Wednesday last one of his cows died, two died on Monday, five on Tues- dav,anl up to midday on Wednesday five more had died. Out of 15 cows he has now only two left. The cause of death is a mystery. The symptoms in each case only appeared a, few hours before death. The farm has been inspected by Superintendent Menhennick and Inspector David, of the county police, and Mr J. L. Wil- liams (veterinary surgeon, Bridgend) and Mr Edwards (veterinary surgeon. Neath). The last-named has forwarded parts of the animals to the laboratory at Cardiff for analysis. The cows were valued at £17 each.

SERVANTS CONFESSION. At Penarth Police Court on Wednesday a charge of stealing a' number of articles, the property of Mrs Halsey, of 1, Kymin- terrace, Penarth, was heard, the defen- dant being Cissie Smith (17). Defendant was engaged as servant on February 6th and left three days later, returning on the 15th inst. in company with Captain Swain, from the Salvation Army Homes, Bristol, when it transpired she had taken 7s 9d from Mrs HaJsey, and also a skirt and boobs. The value of the articles taken was £2 8s 6d. The mother offered to look after defendant, and said she would place her in the homes of the Salvation Army. The Bench bound de- fendant over under the First Offenders Act. Mr Harold M. Lloyd prosecuted.

SWANSEA MAN'S PLUCK. At its meeting on Tuesday the Royal Humane Society awarded its bronze medal and certifi- cate to James S. Abbey, mate of the steam trawler Louise, of Swansea, for his gallant action on November 2nd. When off Cape Ghir, Morocco, one of the crew fell overboard, and Abbey, well knowing that the locality was swarming with sharks, at once went after him and supported him for some 20 minutes, when they were picked up by a boat. The rescue was not effected a moment too soon, as six or seven sharks appeared in the water while the men were being got into the boat.

GOT BLOW IN FIRST. At Cae^phillv on Tuesday John Morris, a col- lier, of Abertridwr, was charged with assaulting Arthur Rollings, son of th licensee of the Panteg Hotel. Mr C. S. G-oodfellow appeared to prosecute, and evidence was given to the effect that the licensee had occasion to stop the defendant from going to the house. The son was standing at the door when the de- fendant came up and struck him in the mouth. Defendant said that he had only done what Rollings would do if he had a chance." A fine of 20s and costs was imposed.

James Reed, foreman boiler maker, Old Cogan, was fined 10s by the Penarth magis- trates for assaulting Henry Asplin, landlord of the Cefn Mabiy Hotel, Penarth.

VV LLbn uLLAmlNUb, News and Views in Lighter Vein. The trout fishing season on the Usk opened on Saturday. The river is in good condition, and a satisfactory season is anticipated. Lieut. Elgee, 1st S W. Borderers, has just been appointed an extra AJD.C. to Lord Minto in India. The Solicitor-General Sir S. T. Evans, R.c.. M.P.) has accepted an invitation to a compli- mentary banquet to be given in his houour by the Cardiff Law Society. With all our civilisation, we have not yet mastered acoustics, and in no country is this shortcoming more bewailed than in Wales, with its huge Eisteddfodau. The same cry comes from America, and the current Y Drych suggests that a V-shaped building should be tried, thus emulating the sound- carrying capacity of the megaphone. There is a queer epidemic among Welsh musical composers just now, viz., that of setting new music to hymns that have been wedded to well-known tunes for a longer time than many can now remember. If the newer music pos- sessed a higher standard of merit than the old, the innovation would be justified, but popular opinion declares otherwise. New music to unappropriated words should be the composers' motto. A London cabman told the Judge at the Clerkenwell County Court that many people liked to get to the railway station an hour before the train started, but the Judge was incredulous. There was one Glamorganshire minister who religiously did so. The other villagers always began to dress to go on a journey when they saw the rev. gentleman leave his house. He once lost the train, and consequently an important preaching engage- ment, and he then vowed he would never lose the train again. At last Scotland boasts of a newspaper published entirely in Gaelic. The name of our new contemporary is Alba," and it comes from Peairt (Perth), the first number bear- ing the date Di-Sathuirne, 8 de'n Gbearra.n." which is almost good Welsh for Saturday, February 8th. The Alba affords excellent opportunities for tracing the many similarities observable between Gaelic and Welsh. Thus, bliadhna is blwyddyn sia miosan is six months and tri miosan three months. The chairman of the south-western centre- of the Sanitary Inspectors' Association, which has just held its annual meetings at Taunton, is Mr E. Plummer Davies, A.R.S.I., of the Tisburv (Wilts) Rural District Council, who has displayed considerable enthusiasm in the work of the association for several years. Mr Plummer Davies is well known in Cardiff, where he resided previously to his going to Tisbury, and he was always an active Welsh Nationalist. Dafydd Jones, o Drefriw (Dewi Fardd), who lived 1708-1785, was the great-great- grandfather of Dr. Hartwell Jones, and was a contemporary of the Methodist fathers. The available history of that period is largely a history of religious effort; but it was a period, too, of a remarkable renaissance in Welsh literature, and Dafydd Jones, the Trefriw sexton (clochydd), for his self-sacrificing efforts in the publication and dissemination of Welsh literature should be ranked high among tha benefactors of his country. Governor Hughes, of New York. accounts for his being so good a Welshman through his being also in parts English-German-Scotch- Irish His non-Cymric sections keep guard over him, but, he being half Welsh, his more undivided section asserts itself sufficiently to repel ail the others. Indeed, he may claim to be a Pan-Celtic Congress in himself, seeing that he is Cymric-Scotch-Irish. With his splen- did record of public service added to his many-sided nationality he must prove an ideal Presidential candidate. Mr Evan Walters, who was buried in Cardiff on Saturday, was the senior deacon at the Ebenezer Welsh Congregational Church, and probably the oldest deacon in the city. Is hi? early days he was a printer at the Diwygjw » » Office, Llanelli, and could distinctly rememlb i Thomas Jones, the poet-preacher (father ofchm. late Principal Viriamu Jones), deliver fyvtJ sermon at Capel Als. Mr Thomas J0i}tz-% A%+~ much Welsh poetry in those days, andi-JS «"•* subject often consulted Mr EvanWaltei had in his possession several copies of the preacher's early efforts in Welsh poetry. "'4 As a companion volume to his Tro Trwy'r Gogledd," Mr Owen M. Edwards has now, through the "Cymru" office, Carnarvon, published a Tro i'r De." The chapters, though written many years ago and published at odd times in Cvmru," fully justify the permanent form now given them, for they deal incidentally with historic movements, and enable us to look back and note the enormous progress made since the articles were origin- ally written seventeen and more years ago. Mr O. M. Edwards then saw life through rose- coloured glasses, and had many visions of great things to come for the land he loves best. Many churches in Wales might emulate the enterprise shown by the Charing.Cross Welsh C.M. Church, London, in its care and sohci- tude for its young members. or thcj°° °r members on the roll at Charing Cross-m the heart of the West End-the majority are young people fresh from their Welsh homes, surrounded by temptations and in daily danger of getting adrift. Twelve months ago the church opened a_ library and iastiXute m Shaftesburv-avenue. This is open n! all the vear round, Sundays included. On Sundays meals are provided between ser- vices for those members who come from a dis^ tance. The Charm* cross magazine-— Y Gorlan "edited by the Rev. P. H. Griffiths, the pastor, has a host of appreciative readers outside the immediate circle of the church. The Welsh colony at San Francisco has emerged with great credit from a trying diffi- culty. Their chapel m Fourteenth-street was wrecked in the earthquake, and they aPPhed to the Presbyterian body for a share of the fund raised for the specific purpose ofrebuild- ing the destroyed churches of San Francisco. That body, while voting thousands of dollare to the Chinese Mission, had nothing better to offer the Welshmen than the callous and un- sympathetic reply- Disband, and ^smulate with the English Churches. This advice was disregarded, and the Welshmen set themselves to thf task of rebuilding the edifice. Several times thev were compelled to suspend opera- «S?for7ack of tJL, bat evntuijly they brought, it to a successful completion. Aud to-dav remarks a writer m The Druid, there stands on the old site a l^rg* and finer Welsh church than we could have dared to hope for a few years ago. It is a worthy monument to the pluck and determination of a small band of patriots resolved to worship the God of their Fathers in their dear old mother tongue." The Marten in Monmauthshire. A fine specimen of a female marten has re- centlv been trapped by a shepherd in a wild and rocky district of Monmouthshire. It was 27in from the snout to the tip of the tail. The fur is rich dark brown, the tail very thick and bushy almost black the chest white, inclined to yellow in the centre the ears prominent and rounded, the general appearance of the head that of a very young fox cub. An old servant who remembers a similar animal being killed 40 years ago by the Ynysfor Hounds, giveS it the Welsh local name of bele-y-graig, which Trieajis the weasel of the crag. "'Ffeirad Llaneupwg." Cardiff has lost one of its most familiar figures through the death of the Rev. Theo- philus Rees, late vicar of Llaneurwg," as he persistently called St. Mellons, when he spoke of it in the vernacular. Although he well knew years ago that he was in the grip of a wasting disease, his cheerfulness never deserted him. His Cymraeg was alyays carefully chosen, and nothing aroused his indignation so much as a Cymfo who was sloven of speech. When at Pentvreb his Welsh sermons were much enioved, and many a Gwentian who clung to his native language rejoiced at his appointment to the vicarage of St. Mellons. The Church of England could do with more clergymen of his kind in the Principality. An Old Tragedy Recalled. An old inhabitant of Merthyr, who died not lone ago, remembered a murder in the Pontar- dawe district when he was a boy, which was never punished. Two farm servants, suitors for the same girl, quarrelled and fought, and the beaten man, enraged, drew out hjs knife and stabbed his opponent to the heart. No one saw the deed, and as the mur- derer absconded, and the body was not found for several days, he made good his escape and found employment in a Monmouthshire col- liery where being quiet and inoffensive he was not suspected, even when there was an active search made. The collier eventually moved to Rhymney, and became a religious man. Humphreys, of Twynrodyn, Merthyr. who told the tale, gave a long narrative con- cerning the man, and said that on one occa- sion, years after the tragedy, he visited the place and in the person of an old woman recognised the girl he loved. and she saw, but did not fullv recognise, him. He disappeared so quicklv' that he did not give her a second chanm. lie died of old age, and only tbe i minister ot the chapal knew his secrefc.