The Cardiff Times

CARDIFFGIRL'S^TORY. A somewhat remarkable case occupied the attention of the Cardiff magistrates on Satur- day when a servant-girl of 15 named Catherine Ree's who had been brought up at the Cottage Homes, was charged with stealing a silver- plated tea and coffee service, forks, tray cloths, two postcard albums, and 800 picture post- cards, of the total value of about £10. About a fortnight ago the prisoner, who seemed particularly childish in her manner, entered the service of Mrs William Lee, 126, Llandaff-road. On Friday afternoon Mrs Lee went out, leaving the house in charge of the girl When she returned an hour afterwards she found the dining-room disarranged, the sideboard door forced open, the silver goods missing, and the postcards and other things broken and lying about the room. The girl told her that the house had been broken into, and that she had seen the shadow of a man in the passage. The police were communicated with, and some of the missing articles were found in the girl's box. Detective-Sergeant Kellett said that when he examined the girl's box he found the albums and postcards produced, and on being pressed for an explanation she said, I don t know how they came into my box unless I picked them up in the front room." Some of the missing clothes were subsequently found upon her, and she was arrested. At the Canton Police Station she changed her story, and said that she had given the silver things to a man who came to the ^rhis^vasTlie only explanation the girl could eive to the magistrates that day, and Mrs Nor- man, on ^behalf of the Cardiff Guardians, said that it was not known the girl was mentally affected, though she seemed very childish. Prisoner was handed over to the Guardians under the Probation Act.

EISTEDDFOD AT MORRISTON. successful Eisteddfod, under the auspices of st, David's Church, Morriston, was held on Saturday. Awards Soprano solo. Miss Maria Jenkins, Manselton; mezzo-soprano tolo Miss B. Burnett, Swansea; contralto solo!Miss M. Jenkins, Swansea; tenor solo, Mr Glyn Walters, Gowerton; bass solo, Mr W J. Owens, Manselton; violin solo, Mr GlVn John, Brynforgan, Morriston pianoforte "V, M iss B A. Joseph, Landore solo, wind instrument, 1, Mr Carl Morris, Pontaxdawe 2, Hanney, Morriston; open champion recitation, Miss M. H. Jones, Skewen chief choral, prize divided, Skewen Music Lovers and Glais, Swansea Valley.

STEPPING OVER A SHAFT. Swansea Man Fatally Crushed. ii ^^sea Hospital on Saturday Mr Leeder vf ™ i^ru'rvinto the circumstances attend- ^eldfaK« deafh of John Stall art), of Grafog- Thomas, concrete mixer at the ^:rcCV k WOrks. The evidence showed de- g had irone into the shed containing the v? ff i n order to close a window his overcoat shaft m ord and he was fataiiy crushed, caught in the g » fencing had now been Mr Sd1'over the shaft, anf Mr Edwards, proved ove £ >f FactorieS; emphasised the iJ.M. InspuTW The Coroner said de- neeessitj of fmVTv;elv in attempting to ^Af^bich, he thought, ought to have been protected A verdict of •< Accidental d'at!) returned.

Woman's Fight for Life. MADMAN'S ATTEMPTED MURDER. A young man's extraordinary infatuation for a young married woma n who lived in the same house resulted in a serious case at the Stratford Police Court on Saturday, when James White, 28, a labourer, of Grange-road, Walthamstow, was charged with cutting and wounding Maud Hewitt by stabbing her on the shoulder with a knife, with intent to murder her. Mr C. C. Sharman, who prosecuted, said that Mrs Hewitt, with her husband and children, lived in the upper part of the house where prisoner stayed with his parents. There was a general impression that the prisoner was not quite right in his head, and it was on account of this that Mrs Hewitt had not taken serious notice of what he had said to her on different occasions. He had been in an asylum. Mrs Hewitt said her husband was an elec. trician out-Df work. Prisoner had been very friendly towards her, and on more than one occasion made suggestions to which she refused to listen. She told him she would getlum into trouble if he did not desist. He had often asked her to go away and live with him, and he had written suggestions of the kind on scraps of paper, which she burned. On February 15th she went to Stoke Newing- ton to see a sister, and everywhere she went he followed her. At last she ran away from him. On February 18th a letter came by post, addressed to her husband. He opened it, and they read it together. The writing was like that on the notes prisoner had given her. The letter ran as follows :— To Mr C. Howitt. Just a few lines to you to tell you the goings on of your beautiful wife. I have had to leave home through her. If I had not I should have murdered her several times. When you thought she was at the Salvation Army she was with me. Last Saturday we went to her sister Alice's, and coming from there she met a friend named Charlie Ridley, and she promised to meet him on Sunday night. He paid for a bottle to put her beer in because she could not drink it. If I was you I should cut her head off. She is the cause of me leaving home. If I had not left I would have done it myself. She is false to me and her children, and not fit to live. We have been to her sister Alice's place twice. Ask her sister if she did not take me to her.—James White, late 32, Grange-road. Witness proceeded to say that on Friday morning she was in her room sewing at the machine. Something seemed to fall against the door, there was a rap, and then the prisoner rushed in. She screamed out, but he said nothing. He at once rushed at her, seized her by the throat, and knocked her down. Then he dragged her to wards the door and tried to strangle her. After a struggle she got away from him, and then it was that he must have cut her. "There was an awful struggle," continued the witness, but I overpowered him, and I think that I bit one of his fingers." Witness further add.ed that her screams brought a neighbour, and when she got out of the house she ran to a friend's, where she felt something trickling down her back, and on the floor she saw blood. Then she found that her left shoulder was cut. Prisoner, who said he had no statement to make, was committed for trial at the Old Bailey for attempted murder.

LOSS OF THE HOUSATONIC. Mystery of a Lost Engineer. The Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the Anglo-American Oil Company's steamer Housatonic on a rock near the Maidens Light- house, in the Irish Channel, on January 4th last, was resumed on Saturday at Caxton Hall, Westminster. The Commissioners, Mr Marsham, the well-known London magistrate, Commander Caborne, Captain Walker, and Rear-Admiral Arbuthnott, were told the pre- vious day that the vessel left Barrow on the morning of January 4th in water ballast. During the day there were complaints by the steersman that the vessel would not answer her port helm, and about 11 p.m., just after she had failed to answer the helm, she struck the Russell Rock, two and a half miles off the Maidens Lighthouse. She afterwards took fire and sank. A strange story was told by the first officer regarding the drowning of the second engineer, G. E. Hudson. The officer stated that the men in the lifeboat refused to obey his order to go back a few yards to pick up Hudson, who was clinging, to the ship, and he explained that their action was due to to the fact that they thought the ship would explode. Able Seaman Carlton said he took the helm at 10.30 p.m. The second officer told him to port a point and steady the helm. He got the helm hard aport, but the vessel H would not listen to it." He reported that there was something wrong, and the second officer called the captain. The vessel was two and a half points off her course when she struck. Asked if he saw Hudson attempting to reach the lifeboat Carlton said deceased did not jump into the water. He slid down the tackle and held on to it. He was never in the water with- out anything to hold on to. He was never clear of the ship, Chief Officer Elliot, recalled, said this state- ment was wrong. Hudson jumped into the sea, but was short of the lifeboat. The decision of the Court was given after several hours' deliberation. They found that up to the time thattthe Maidens light was abaft the beam at 10.40 the vessel was properly navi- gated. The Court was of opinion that some- thing more should have been done when it was found that the vessel refused to answer her helm. There was no evidence to show why the vessel refused to answer her helm. The cause of the stranding was that the vessel did not make good the course set. The Court was of opinion that the vessel was not navigated after 10.40 with proper seamanlike care. The loss of the Housatonic was caused by the default of the master. The Court con- sidered that the master deserved censure for leaving the bridge before the vessel was in a perfectly safe position and that it would have been better if he had stopped and reversed the engines when he found that the helm was not answering properly. The Court refrained from dealing with the miaster's certificate, because he was unfortunate in losing his chief officer on the morning the Housatonic sailed and because of his long service.

WELSH TEACHERS'FEDERATION Will It SurvivtP At the annual meeting of the RhoDdda and Pontypridd District Teachers'Association, held at the Bodringallt Council Schools, Ystrad Rhondda, on Saturday, Mr J. T. Lewis, Blaen- clydach, presiding, reference was again made to the advisability of the association severing connection with the County Association or the Welsh Federation on the ground that there was overlapping of work. Mr J. D. Jones (Press secretary), Pontypridd, said Swansea had questioned the wisdom of retaining the Glamorgan Federation. His impression^was that the Welsh Federation was not going to survive. A demand had been made to the Rhondda. Association for £11 subscriptions, and it was possible that other associations which had received demands would refuse to pay because they had no representation. Mr J. W. John, as an official representative of the Welsh Federation, said he was disaap- pointed with their work. Seventy-five per L-ent. of the teachers were longing for the resuscitation of the old South Wales District Union. (Hear, hear.) Mr Edgar Jones, B.A., Forth, was in favour of the Welsh Federation. The fact that the first meeting of the Federa- tion had been a failure did not mean the death of the organisation. No resolution was passed. Mr J. D. Jones drew attention to the fact that the executive of the association had attacked the policy of the Glamorgan County Council in providing higher elementary schools in prefer- ence to intermediate schools. The County Association thought it was a retrograde step, and at two public meetings the policy had been condemned. Mr W. Martin, Tylorstown, was elected presi- dent for the ensuing year, and Mr J. Hinton Jones, Llwynypia, vice-presideht. Relative to the proposal to raise the annual subscrip- tion to the Union to a guinea, it' was resolved to instruct the conference representatives to oppose the motion.

GUN ACCIDENT. Owmfelin Man Injurod. On Saturday, when William Edwards, mason, Cwmfclin, and Isaac Evans, Blaen- waun, were out ferreting on a farm close to the village, Evans was walking along when he fell, and the gun went off. The charge was received by Edwards in the back. Dr. Phillips, St. Clear's, was summoned, and Edwards was removed to the Carmarthen Infirmary. The case is believed to be not so serious as. it was thought at first.

RAILWAYMEN'S ORGANISATION. Newport Mass Meeting. A mass meeting of railwaymen of all grades was held at the Liberal Institute, Newport, on Sunday evening. Mr W. Brace, M.P., who presided, made a strong plea for a better under- standing among all sections of railway workers. They knew what the federation of all the sec- tions had done for the miners. The same could be done for railwaymen. Despite the able services rendered by Mr Bell and his executive in the recent Barry Railway dispute the fact that the large majority of the men were organised was the most important factor in bringing about a settlement- (Applause.) Mr J. H. Thomas, organising secretary, urged that it was not absolutely necessary for an en- gineman to represent the enginemen. If that were so how was it that at the inquiries into recent railway disasters the Associated Society was represented by solicitors and not by practical enginemen ? They should practise what they preached. Messrs Frank Heath (secretary Newport Trades Council), W. T. Griffiths, J. Dean, and others spoke. The policy of the Associated Society of Locomotive Drivers and Firemen was criticised at length. A resolution was passed declaring that the way to obtain the greatest benefit, from the Conciliation Boards was to hare one society for p.l! railwaymrn.

"Like Wild Animals." NEW TREDEGAR FATALITY. REMARKABLE ALLEGATION. Twenty or thirty colliers had actually walked over the dead man. They are more like wild men than colliers." These were the remarks of Mr Robinson, deputy inspector of mines, to a coroner's jury at New Tredegar on Saturday. Mr YV. Dauncey, deputy coroner, held an inquest on Ernest William Sears (19), who was killed on Thursday evening at the Old Pit of the Powell Duffryn Company. Mr Robinson, deputy inspector of mines; Mr David Price, resident manager and Mr Walter Lewis, secretary Rhymney Valley Federation, were present. Evidence was given that deceased, and a number of others, were going to the bottom of the pit after the day'swork. On the shunt or parting was a journey of trams, and the men were cautioned by the rider not to pro- ceed as the journey was about to start. A number of them stayed back, the others evi- dently going on. 'Subsequently they walked out, but were not aware of an accident until they got to the pit bottom. Robert Crone, a collier's boy of Rhymney, gave evidence of dis- covering a cap, a lamp, and then the body of deceased within a distance of 15 yards. Thomas Jones, a collier, who was amongst the number that stayed back, stated that when he got to the young man Sears, he called out to a number of other colliers to render assistance, but they rushed out, not taking any heed. Only a couple stopped. Mr Robinson Do you mean to say that al- though the lad was down and you called for help the men still went rushing by ?—Yes, sir we called out several times for help. Continuing, witness said the rope was travel- ling over deceased. When he was picked up his pulse was beating, but it stopped when they got to the manhole.' Tuck, the rider, told the men not to goon from the" shunt" as the journey was about to start, but six or eight men took no heed of the warning and went on. Mr Walter Lewis Do you think that any of those men who rushed out knew that a man was injured 1—Yes. Mr Robinson I do not think that anyone would have rushed past if they knew that a man was injured,but the more important ques- tion is, what about those men who rushed from the shunt when they were distinctly told not to go until after the journey had gone ? Inquiries had been made to discover these men, but they had not succeeded. Lysatt said that he distinctly heard the rider say Look out." Mr Coslett (a juror): But that was hardly sufficient to prevent the men from going for- ward. Witness: I heard the rider say, Stand back the journey is about to start." The Coroner, reviewing the evidence, said there could be no doubt that what a number of men did was in defiance of the orders and that the deceased had had to suffer for it. "I do not think for a mopient,be added, that I when Jones called for help the men who were rushing by knew of an accident and would not stop." The jury returned a verdict of" Accidental death," but added that the company should arrange to have the train made ten minutes later so as to give the men more time to avoid this rushing. Mr Robinson The chief point was not the time of the train, but the disobedience of an expressed order not to go forward. There was a general rush to get out of the pit, and there could be no doubt that 20 or 30 men actually walked over the dead man. They are more like wild animals than colliers* The jury's finding was eventually adopted.

CARDIFF BOARD OF GUARDIANS The Barber's Pay. The action of the Cardiff Guardians at the previous meeting, when it was resolved that only part of the wages of the barber should be paid during sickness, because he was receiving club money, came in for soffl0 strong comment at Saturday's meeting, A. resolution was received from the officers and past officers of the Ancient Order of Foresters condemning the Board's action as being an injustice detrimental to the principles of thrift, injurious to the prin- ciples of Friendly Societies and calculated to set a bad example to other employers. Mr Gilbert gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution passed last week. Rev. E. T. Davies drew attention to what he thought was the unfairness of a resolution giving to a young man home for holidays £3 3s for 10 days' work as relieving officer in place of his father who was ill, and he compared this unfavourably with the action taken in regar to the barber. The sum was reduced to £22s on the Rev. gentleman's motion. Guardians' Protest. The Finance Committee recommended that the weekly charge of 13s 5d made by the Corporation for the maintenance of inmates at the new Whitchurch Mental Hospital should be the subject of negotiation between the Mental Hospital VisitjíF. Committee and the Guardians before being definitely adopted. Mr W. Jones moved that a small com- mittee be appointed, and Mr Llewellyn, in seconding, took exception to the remark of Councillor Forsdike, who, according to the South Wales Daily News," had said that the guardians were talking through their hais." (Laughter.) That might be a Mental Hospital expression—(laughter)—but he did not think it sounded well. The motion was carried. Rosie Bulley's Peril. Rosie Bulley, whose lover is anxiously await- ing the time when she shall leave the charge of the Guardians for the matrimonial state, had an accident last week which, had it not been for the prompt action of the matron of the workhouse, might have ended her career, and from the report read to the Board, it appeared that Bulley was going about her domestic duties in a well-worn frock, when a spark flew out of the fire, and falling on the girl's dress, she was immediately enveloped in flames. In response to her screams the matron rushed in and extinguished the flames, not, however, before the dress was destroyed. Happily, however, the girl was not injured. Stern Alternative. The Guardians were again occupied with the circumstances of a man and his family at Penarth, who are stated to be starving. The Rev. E. T. Davies, Penarth, said that the family were still very poor, and the man had again applied for relief. What was to be done ? The Chairman (Mr O. H. Jones): The Board cannot act illegally. the man is able-bodied he must come into the house. (Several Labour members, Shame.") The Chairman There is no shame about it. Mr Hailett: Yes. It is disgraceful. The Chairman That is the rule, and a very proper rule, too. If the is an urgent one the overseer can give relif in food, but he has no power to do this continuously. Rev. E. T. Davies May the relieving officer give him more food ?—The Chairman Yes. Mr Travers We have hundreds of cases like this in Cardiff, where men cannot work. No further comment was made, and the question dropped. A similar case was brought forward by Alderman F. J. Beavan, and Mr Hallet said that if the law compelled a man to go into the house, the law was bad." Indiscriminate out-relief," said the Chair- man, makes everybody apply." Why Old Boots P It was reported to the Guardians that the master proposed to give an old pair of boots "to an inmate about to leave the house. Mr Gilbert made a spirited protest. What is the good of old boots î" he asked. Why not give him a decent pair to go out in ?" 'Mr Ames pointed out that the master had received sanction to dispose of old cloth- ing at present on hand, and he presumed that the case rose out of that. The outgoer will therefore receive old boots." Not Read. The communications of Mr G. N. Norris (Penarth), who complains of the prices which the Guardians pay for out-door relief pro- visions in Penarth, again came before the Board, but were not read.

=- WEEK^ENB IN CARDIFF. FERNDALE HAUUER'S EXPERIENCE. Wm. Morgan,.a. colliery haulier, of Ferndale, came to Cardiff to spend the week end. He arrived on Thursday and, according to his evi- dence at the police court on Saturday, he had been drinking rather heavily. He remained in the city on Friday and visited divers public houses. Towards evening he wandered in the direction of Saltmead. In the Neville Hotel, he said, he met two men. He had several drinks with Thomas Evans (29), and when they went out, accompned by another man whom he believed to be Sidney Mace (19), they pro- ceeded along dare-road, where, so Morgan alleged, a severe struggle took place between him and the two, who struck h m down and stole his gold chain and pendant, valued at JE5 6s, and in doing so tore his waistcoat. Evans and Mace were charged before Mr Joseph Howard and Mr J. H. Hallett with robbery with violence. Mr Evan Davies defended Evans. Evidence was given that Evans had pledged the chain. He was arrested by Sergeant Chapman, who said that when taking him tp the police station Mace came up from behind and whispered something. Evans then passed him something, but witness could not say what it was. Evans told him that the prosecutor had been drinking with him for two hours and bad given him the chain to pledge. When searched a sovereign and some loose coin were found upon Evans. The magistrates dismissed the charge against Mace, and committed Evans, who reserved his defence, for trial at the Assizes. Bail was refused.

PORTRAIT AT A PARTY MEETING Pretest a.t lIandilo. A Tariff Heformvan reached Llandilo on Friday evening. The lecturer was severely heckled, and he announced at the close that he would take a rest the next evening. (Laughter.) A portrait of King Edward VII. was thrown on the screen, and a protest was immediately I raised by a member of the audience that such a picture should not bo exhibited for party purposes. It was immodi.ilo'.v withdrawn*.

Battle of the Schools. DECLARATION BY CHURCHMEN rhe following declaration of opinion regard- ing the education question has been forwarded to the Minister for Education by leading lay- men of the Church of England :— The School Board system having gener- ally worked so satisfactorily for some 37 years past, both as regards religious and secular in- struction, we are prepared to assent to the following (1). A national system of education, all schools to be provided schools. (2). All managers to be appointed by the local education authority. (3). All teachers to be appointed by the local education authority, their ecclesiastical creed to be no bar to appointment. (4). Rent to be paid for what have been j non-provided schools. (5). It shall be a requiremend that local education authorities shall provide, in every school, as an essential part of the curriculum, religious instruction, such as has been given in the majority of Board and Council schools. (6). Where a majority of the parents de- sire special denominational teaching in what have previously been non-provided schools, it shall be given in the school during school hours by properly-trained teachers. The cost of the same to be borne by the denomination."

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. Annual Dinner at Cardiff. In the absence of Lord Ninian Stuart, who wrote from Castell Coch that he was suffering from a severe attack of influenza, Alderman Lewis Morgan presided at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday night at the annual dinner of the Cardiff division of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Commercial Travellers' Association. The company num- bered about 150, and included the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Councillor Illtyd Thomas), Mr Charles Farr, Mr W. Evans (Porth), Mr F. Philpott, and Mr Gregory (Bristol), Mr Hatton Evans, Mr George Joelson, Mr J. E, Buck- house, Mr T. W. Thomas (Swansea), Mr J, C. Moore, Mr G. A. Horner, Mr John Evans (Merthyr), Mr C. W. Aldeston, and Mr A. Oliver (Newport), Mr Llewellyn Morgan, Mr W. H. Shellabear, Mr Roderick Williams, Mr H. Williams, Mr W. Rees, Mr D. L. Richards, Mr G. F. Lashford, Mr H. J. Walliker, Mr Walter H. Bowen (hon. secre- tary), etc. Alderman Lewis Morgan submitted the toast, "Our Institutions." in an interesting speech. He commented upon the work—a grand and noble work the alderman described it—accom- plished by the institutions attached to the Commercial Travellers' Association. It was a charitable, a philanthropic work, and it de- served the full-hearted support of all the mem- bers. (Applause.) Commercial travellers, —when not using their persuasive powers to obtain orders—were very human. They pro- vided for the widow and thfe orphan, and men who did that practised Christianity in its best and highest form. Mr W. H. Shellabear, in responding, illus- trated the excellent work of the benevolent in- stitutions by stating that one widow had re- ceived over £1,000 when her husband had paid only six annual subscriptions. Mr F. S. Philpot also responded. He said that in the Commercial Travellers' Schools there were over 300 children, twelve of whom were sent up from South Wales. These chil- dren were fed, clothed and educated, and so prepared for the fight for life. The schools were well managed. But for the support of the members of the association and of merchants it would be impossible to carry on this fine work. Mr Charles Farr proposed The City and Trade of Cardiff," the Lord Mayor (Mr Illtyd Thomas) responding. The latter said he did not think the rates of Cardiff (7s 5d in the £ ) were high considering the advantages enjoyed. The Corporation were fully alive to the neces- sity of lorwarding the development of works in the district, especially in view of the im- petus given by Mr Lloyd George's Patents BilL He was rather apprehensive, so far as Cardiff was concerned, as to the effect of the Miners' Eight Hours' Bill. He feared that, if adopted, it would restrict the output and would not therefore benefit Cardiff. Mr Hatton Evans submitted the toast of The President (Lord Ninian Stuart), who, he said, he was glad to see was prepared to take his part in public life. Alderman Lewis Morgan responded on be- half of Lord Ninian. During the evening a programme of music was contributed to by the Cardiff Male Voice Choir (conductor, Mr Roderick Williams), Miss Gertrude Backhouse. Mr D. G. Lewis, Mr Harry Morgan, and others. The secretarial arrangements (by Mr Walter H. Bowen) were excellent.

MANUAL TRAINING. BEST CORRECTIVE OF BOOKISHNESS. The Crown Court at Swansea was crowded on Saturday night with teachers, assembled under the presidency of the Ma.yor', to hear an address on manual training by Sir Harry Reichel, principal of Bangor University College. The lecturer explained that his interest in manual training was first awakened when he was a member of the committee appointed to make preliminary arrangements for the Welsh intermediate schools. Someone suggested that this subject should be included in the curriculum, but as no member of the committee happeened to know anything about it he undertook to investigate. The Principal said the antithesis to handwork was not brain work, but book work, and handwork was the best corrective of bookishness. But it was very much more than that; it was an essential part of a complete education. The only animal which had even a rudimentary hand was the animal which (from that cause) came next to man in the scale of creation. Man began to emerge from mere savagery when he began to use his hands in fashioning rude tools of flint, and the history of civilisation was the history of manual progress. The lecturer explained the physiology of manual training, and concluded by citing interesting experiences proving that where a certain portion of the school time is given up to it mental studies, so far from suffering, gain, and that both in this country and-.in America those secondary schools in which the highest standard of culture have been reached are those which devote the greatest proportion of time to manual training. Principal Salmon, in proposing a resolution declaring that manual training ought to form an integral part of a complete education, said that in speaking to Swansea teachers, Sir Harry Reichel was preaching to the converted. The education authority was also among the converted, but workshops and tools cost a good deal, and the authority, having the fear of the ratepayer before their eyes, could not venture at once on the whole of the necessary expen- diture. Mr Skirrow, H.M.I., seconded.

WOMEN TEACHERS. Glamorgan Branch at Swansea. The Glamorgan Branch of the South Wales Division of the National Federation of Women Teachers, whose president is Miss Siderfin, Pen- arth, and whose secretary is Miss H. Gelder, Blaengarw, met on Saturday at the Trinity- place Higher Grade Schools, Swansea, to con- sider the advisability of forming a separate branch of the Federation at Swansea. At the morning session discussion took place upon the so-called representative women's conference, which was held in London under the auspices of the N.U.T. at Christmas. Dissatisfaction was expressed that the members invited to this long-promised discussion of women'sgrievances. The men of the executive were present in numbers almost equal to the women selected, voting and speaking on all questions dis- cussed. It was decided to recommend that the subscription to the Union should be pro rata to the salary received by individual members. Miss E. Rodwell, Swansea Training College, was unanimously proposed to be the president of the new Swansea branch. At the afternoon session Miss E. Rodwell was asked to accept the presidency and accepted, declaring her sympathy with the aims of the Federation. Afterwards she de- livered her promised address upon Music," which was highlyinstructive. Mr Martin, chair- man of the Education Committee, then gave an encouraging address, congratulating the Federation upon their educative programme. At 7 p.m. most of the party, at the invitation of Dr. Williams (Superintendent of Education) and of Mr Martin,were present at the Guildhall to hear addresses on Handwork in Schools," by Sir Harry Reichel (Bangor University Prin- cipal), Mr Salmon (Swansea TrainingCollege), and Mr Skirrow, Glamorgan education in- spector The mayor, Mr Lee, presided.

THE CENSOR OF PLAYS. Some seventy leading playgoers have issued a manifesto expressing sympathy with the dramatic authors in their demand for the abolition of the present system of the censor- ship of plays. The signatories state they are anxious that the moral and educational influ- ence of the drama shall be for-good, but agree that the present method of supervision has failed to achieve that object, and they would be glad to see the necessary public control secured by other means. The signatories in- clude Lords Lucas and Lytton, Sir Oliver Lodge, Canon Scott Holland, Mr Winston Churchill, Rev. Stewart Headlam, Bishop of Birmingham. Messrs Rider Haggard, H. Belloc, C. Masterman, and Sidney Webb, Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, and Mrs Cornwallis West. _————

MILFORD SAILORS' HOME OF REST. Immediate Start Sanetiened. At Friday night's meeting of the Milford Haven Council, plans of the proposed Sailors' Home of Rest, to which Mr John Cory, of Car- diff, is a liberal subscriber, were presented. It was said that the promoters desired to make a start with the building at once, and although the plans had not been formally approved they had been before the surveyor and con- sidered quite satisfactory. On the motion of Mr Kelway, seconded by Mr G. Cole, it was resolved that the promoters he allowed to pro- cecd with the work pending formal approval hv the committee and the Council.

"¡'¡JI- Illustrated Humour. Mower Brevity. A suburban minister, during his discourse one Sabbbath morning, said In each blade of grass there is a sermon." The following day one of his flock, discovering the good man pushing a lawn mower about his garden, re- marked—" Well, parson, I'm glad to see you engaged in cutting your sermons short." As We Are Known. She Men and women can't be judged by the same standards. For instance, a man is known by the company he keeps. He: And a woman by the servants she can't keep." Quite Safe With Him. Can you keep a secret ?" I am as silent as a tomb." I need to borrow some money." Don't worry. It is as though as I never heard it." He Knew. Brown One swallow doesn't make a summer. Jones No but if it's a good deep swallow, and the stuff is all right, it will make you forget it's winter. Manners The Matter. Who is that youngster ?" asked the visitor to the sanctum. That," replied the editor, is the new office boy." Oh," I thought his face seemed familiar." Perhaps it is bub his manner is more so. Just a Hint. Simkin Sniver is a very inoffensive mortal. He hates brother, and the amount of annoy- ance he receives without remonstrance would make a worm turn like a Catherine wheel. Whilst travelling by train recently lie sat underneath a big package that rested on the parcel rack. At least it rested on the rack some of the time, and amused itself during odd moments by falling upon Simkin's head. Poor Simkin bore it out without murmur six times. Then, hoping to call the owner's atten- tion to the inconvenience without hurting her feelings, he timidly remarked—"Er—er,madam, I hope there is nothing breakable in your parcel." Hard Hit. Crouch I'm tired of reading of these bank- failures. I've lost all interest in them. Harditt; So have I, and capital, too. Advice to Chauffeurs. Don't motor upon an empty stomach. A Premonition. Hostess: Mr Howler is going to sing a comic song. Guest: I knew something would happen. I overturned a salt-cellar at the dinner-tabled" Brother Artists. Pardon me, sir, but isn't there another artist in this building ?" Artist: Well, that is a matter of opinion. There is another fellow who paints." Blessed Relief. Your wife," said the physician, will not be able to speak above a whisper for a week or more." I wonder, doctor," queried the eager hus- band, if there is any hope of her disease be- coming chronic, Cutting Prices. Boy How much is them chocolate squares ? Man Six for five. Boy Let me see, six for five, five for four, four for three, three for two, two for one, one for nothin'. I guess I'll take one for nothin'. Fancy. You know, dear," cooed the bride, you promised to let me have all the pin-money I wanted." Yes, love, and you shall have it." Oh you dear Well, I saw a pin to-day with pearls and diamonds in it, and I do want it so."

PROFESSOR GALLOWAY. Medal for Distinguished Services. Professor Galloway, who is one of the most distinguished authorities on mining in the world, has just been awarded by the Council of the Royal Society of Arts, London, the gold medal offered by the society under the Shaw trust for industrial hygiene in recognition of his valuable researches into the action of coal dust in colliery explosions, the outcome of which researches has been the provision of means by which the risk of such accidents is materially diminished, and a consequent great saving of human life effected. < Professor Galloway was the first and only professor of mining in the Universitv College, Cardiff, and when, on account of the great demands upon his time, he resigned, a lecturer was appointed in his stead. Professor Gallo- way has been frequently called upon to insnrct and report on mines in Austria, Roumania, Caucasus. China, Japan, and all over the world, and lie has frequently sat, upon Royal Com- missions concerning mining and other work.

TALKS ON HEALTH. BY DR. ANDREW WILSON. A Word About lufluenza. As the spring of the year returns, we are liable to be favoured or rather afflicted, with our annual visitation of influenza. It is ap- propriate, therefore, that a few wordS regard- ing this trouble should b e said by way of indi- cating the safe lines on which treatment may be carried out. We must bear in mind that influenza is infectious. We know its germs, which happen to belong, curiously enough, to one of the smallest species of the microscopic microbes, to the attack of which we owe all our infectious troubles. Probably infection is given off in influenza in the secretion of the nose and mouth, and there can be little doubt that the act of coughing, a prominent feature of the trouble in its earlier stages, will spray into the air the germs of the ailment, and so place them in a situation in which they are liable to be breathed in and so to infect other people. A curious feature of the earlier epi- demics of influenza is found in the fact that prior to au outbreak in man, horses were markedly affected in large numbers by an in- fection to which the veterinary surgeon gives the name of "pinkeye." This term was applied in allusion to one marked symptom of the horse's affection—namely, inflammation and oongestion of the eye. It is, in fact, supposed that the trouble in the horse corresponds to influenza in man, and some authorities have suggested that the affection may be spread from the animal to the human being. The Symptoms. The symptoms of influenza, as a rule, begin with a fair amount of suddenness. After in- fection by the germ there is no long period of incubation. The patient suffers from headache and extreme depression, and from pain affect- ing the back and also the limbs. The depres- sion in some cases is extreme, and is described by the sufferer as amounting to a feeling that all interest in life is gone, and that every cir- cumstance of life appears in an unfavourable aspect. The temperature then rises, showing that a certain amount of fever is present. The digestion appears to be upset, the tongue becoming furred or coated, whilst the kidney secretion tends to become lessened in quantity, and is highly coloured. As a rule, the fever ceases in from two to three days, leaving the patient in a state of prostration and weakness seemingly out of all proportion to the attack he has uffered from. Note also that another symptom of influenza is found in the devel- opment of a hard and barking cough. Occa- sionally also, when the patient is recovering, cold spots or pustures may be developed, par- ticularly on the face. Treatment. Most people are aware that in influenza, whilst the actual disease requires treatment, still more have we to guard against the after- effects of this trouble. These after-effects appear to vary in different years in the matter of the special organs of the body which experi- ence them. It has been noted after some eQi- demics, for instance, that lung troubles are very frequent. In others the heart suffers. In others again, the digestive system has been deranged, whilst in certain attacks a break- down of the nervous system has been experi- enced. There is only one course to be pursued if a person affected with influenza is to get well quickly and to avoid the after-effects just detailed. The golden rule here, is that he must go to bed, and that early in the course of his seizure. He must be kept in a room which is warm, but not over-heated. The food will be of light character, and will consist of milk, soups, and like articles. It will be wise if a doctor's services are requisitioned, but if far from medical aid, the patient may take at the commencement of his illness one drachm of ammoniated quinine and two drachms of the liquor of the acetate of ammonia every hour for three hours and afterwards every four hours. Attention to the state of the bowels is neces- sary. especially at the beginning of the attack. Where complications ensue the doctor alone should treat them. Another mode of treating this disease is to give twice daily two or three grains of quinine at twelve and four o'clock, the dose being given in a glass of sherry. Thia may be continued for two or three days. Sali- cylate of soda has also been given in influenza with the result of relieving the symptoms, a dose of 15 grains, or three tabloids, being given every four hours at first. By way of preven- tion of influenza during an epidemic, two grains of quinine taken in the morning are regarded by a high authority as constituting one of the most effective means of avoiding the risk of infection. Arsenie in the Home. An interesting communication from a. reader of this column suggests that some infor- mation regarding the danger of arsenic in the home would prove acceptable to many persons. He alludes:specificallyto the presence of arsenic in wall papers. Whilst it cannot be denied that even in these enlightened days common and cheap wall papers are liable to contain arsenic mixed with the pigments used in taro. preparation, it may be definitely said that papers manufactured by firms of repute may be safely employed, seeing that such firms givo a guarantee that no arsenic is used in their manufacture. The safety of the pubic in this matter would appear simply to lie in insisting that the wall papers used by. their paper- hangers should be obtained from a firm giv- ing a guarantee such as that mentioned. It is a mistake to suppose that where arsenic is used in the preparation of wall papers those of a green shade alone are to be suspected. As a. matter of fact, as much arsenic, in the past at least, has been recovered from white papers used for drawing rooms, as from coloured wall papers. The danger of arsenical wall papers arises from the fact that under the influence of the heat and gas of a room so much of the arsenic is apt to become volatilised, and, pass- ing into the air is liable to be breathed, 'giving rise to symptoms of arsenical poisoning. The symptoms produced are generally seen in the form of throat troubles, with watering and inflammation of the eyes, and in bad cases we may expect to find a certain amount of diges- tive irritation also set up. Cases of this kind improve when they pass to another locality, or cease to reside in a house where the wall papers are of injurious character. There is no domestic test for arsenic which can be readily applied. This. indeed, is a matter for the chemist. If paper be suspected to be arsenical, a piece of it should be submitted to a chemist for analysis, taking care that the piece con- tains all the colours contained in the design of the paper. The only other articles which may lead to us coming in contact with arsenic in the home are certain kinds of coloured muslins), and also occasionally coloured stockings, the latter giving rise to a skin eruption resembling eczema in many of its characteristics.

REfTcROSS SOCIETY. Glamorgan Branch. The Earl of Plymouth presided at a meetin* at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Saturday, when if was unanimously resolved to form a Glamor* ganshire branch of the Red Cross Society* Amongst those present were the Countess oi Plymouth, Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P., Dr. Lynn Thomas (secretary) and Mrs Thomaaw Db. C. Vachell, Dr. Tatham Thompson, Dr. Waif ord,Professor Hepburn, Mr Boyd Harvey, etc. Mr Anthony Bowlby, C.M.G., St. Bartho- lomew's Hospital, London, in the course of an address, traced the origin of the Red Cross Society, explained its work, and what it had accomplished in times of war. There would be scope, he said, for its operations under the Territorial Army scheme, as large bodies of men would go into camp for training. War was not altogether an evil. It brought out some of the finest qualities in men, and in illus- tration of this Mr Bowlby related some of his experiences in the South African war. The Welsh Hospital did excellent work in that war. Wales sent out some of her best surgeons, physicians, and nurses, some of whom sacri- ficed their lives. The Red Cross Society did a noble work, and he was confident Glamorgan- shire would generously support the branch that was to be formed. Sir Alfred Thomas said that although a man of peace, he recognised it was their duty to be prepared for war, and so he had pleasure in moving that a Glamorganshire branch of the Red Cross Society be formed. Professor Hepburn, in seconding, said there could be no more practical form of mercy than that practised by the Red Cross Society. The resolution was carried. The Rev. David Davies moved that the Provisional Committee be ap- pointed as follows, to make the preliminary arrangements :—Marchioness of Bute. Coun- tess of Dunraven, Lady Llewelyn (Penller- gaer), Mrs Godfrey Clark, Mrs O. H. Jones, Miss Talbot (Margam), Miss Lewis (Mardy), Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Cardiff, and the Mayors and Mayoresses of Swansea, Neath, Cowbridge, Aberavon, and Merthyr Tydfil. Mr Boyd Harvey seconded, and the resolution was carried. Major-Genral Lee moved, and Dr. Tatham Thompson seeonded, avote of thanks to Mr Bowlby for his address, and it was cordially accorded. Replying to a vote of thanks, the Earl of Plymouth said he was sure the county would not fail to extend to the society all hte support it deserved.

SOUTH WALES BANDS. Annual Festival at Pentypridd. The third annual festival, under tthe aus- pices of the South "ales Band Association, was held at the Town Hall, Pontypridd, on Saturday. Mr Wm. Halliwell, Wigan, adjudi- cated, and Mr H. T- Richards discharged the secretarial duties. There was a large attend- ance, and the performances of the bands were of a very high order. In Class A (the premier class), Aberdare, Abertillery Silver, Merthyr Vale, Tonyrefail, and Ferndale competed, with the following results 1st, Ferndale (conductor, Mr S. Rad- cliffe); 2nd, Tonyrefail (conductor, Mr Harry Bentlev); 3rd, Aberdare. The first-named bands rendered selections from Beethoven, and Aberdare a selection from Rossini. In Class B (seven bands). Dinas, Abertillerys Cwmaman, Blaina, Merthyr Vale, Lewis. Merthyr, ;.nd Albion competed. Awards 1st, Albion Workmen (conductor, Mr GoO Foxall); 2nd, Abertillery (conductor, Mr J. B. Yorke); 3rd, Dinas (conductor, Mr Georga Hawkins). Five bands competed in Class C. Awards;- li-t, Lewis Merthvr (conductor, Mr Jo hp. I Locker): 2nd, Cwmaman (conductor, Mr E* H. Thomas); 3rd, Maestcg League of thf Cross (conductor, Mr Tom Valentine).