The Cardiff Times

H AG- ES.T TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. I (By MABON, M.P.). LIBERAL GOVERNMENT'S ACHIEVE- MENTS. As a further proof of what the Liberal^J^ firnment has done for the peopleofthi. eoun for which they have little o these chiefly, T believe, after all because these matters are not so well known o Tva(ies as those larger mpasurns, Vari- Disputes Bill, the Oonpensation A ous reforms initiated and enacted by the President of the Board of Trade, ^c" may be allowed here to enumerate several other enactments and administrator P ments that chiefly the worker. a land have been asking to be onac very long time and it Ls only «stand^ «.fter all that the present Govern^ rhieve- have what credit is due to thom for ments of the last two years. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. This Board, under the presidency of Carrington, hus given the empi0yees direct access to him, either by TTni0n. In themselves, or through their Tra Wages addition he has obtained mcreas orekeepers, of the foremen, suf-foremen^ siboreke^ep^; stokers, gangers, carters, -o Gardens, labourers, and boys emPlo{^ t kprs have been The hours of labour of the stokers Ls reduced, and at the present -nnressions to being arranged to grant some wbo have the constables and museum p ev and at present to work seven iJayn^ Sunday only receive one day a month stray dogs attendance. The Dog Act ejial^ stray to be seized, and makes the cattle, and responsible for damage to ho xheep by worrying. The Home Office I md„ Mr Herbert Gladstone h»-s tacre^oa number of inspector un „ torg an(i four including three ^omf" the position of the assistant-inspectors an P n j,n. factory inspector's j^ortance proved both as regards pay and imp of duties assigned to them. Prison Warders. Substantial improvements fo the pay and approach Prison warders and official- ld the Home Secretary dire md can of be. meetings of their \jmon th re to be fore; and. what is more, allowed to prison officials to at helon^ to. Terences of a Union that they ma> ° The Board of Trade. In addition to other numer<3Ui^i°fshd'Sidtd mentioned, Mt D. U°y<i future be ♦hat no Dilots' certificates will, m future, £ & ESS, S sufficient knowledge of Engi-S foreiffn for remitting seamen s wages home from to eign ports has been reduced irom 3d. m the i to Id., and arrangements have been made with the Postmaster-General under which seamen availing themselves of the transmission of waeres scheme can have their wages paid at any mon?y order office in the United Kingdom. Employers' Liability Insurance Companies. These will now afford additional protection ;-0 workmen entitled to oonapen<.ation by re- quiring all companies doing accident insur- since business to conform to the law relating to life assurance companies by compelling them to deposit £20,000, and for the publication of annual accounts and for periodical actuarial investigation. The Admiralty. The Navy is now in a better fightin- condi- tion than at any time before in its history. The First Lord of the Admiralty has made a prac- tice ot himself hearing petitions of employees at the Dockyards. Officials of Trade Unions have been invited to speak on the men s be- half. Many grievances have been removed and, as a result of more generous trcatment there has been an increase of wages £ 60,000 per annum. A uniform week of 48 hours has been adopted, and hourly rates of pay are about to be established. The Dockyards, both as regards organisation and .work done, one has it on the best of authority, have reachedla hightr state of efficiency than ever before, and the condition of the employees has been materially improved. There has been a net increase of 171 men employed. By anAdmir altv order the pocket money of boy blue- jackets has been raised by 6d. a week firs class bovs ls. 6d., and second class ls. Bet, ter food and better ^^ctables have been given the whole fleet also more and better clothes. Increased Sidney and at less co^ has been the gain the nation has received m matter, appertaining to the. Admiralty, without a doubt, under the management of its present Lord. The War Office. A great scheme of Army reform has passed both Houses of Parlament and received Royal assent. (1.) A complete professional striking force of 150,000, fully equipped with artillery, transport, cavalry, ambulance, Ac. (2.) A Territorial Army for home defence, recruited on voluntary basis, but also arranged so as to furnish the proper proportion of infantry, cavalry, artillery, transport, ambulance, &c., the local management being relegated to County Associations. 'During the last ;0 years I have had the privilege of seeing a good many men, especially the two great expert critics, but great failures as practical army reformers, at the head of the War Office. But with all their talk, talk, talk, all the solid reforms that both of them produced was the Brodrick cap. T remember sitting for hours, sitting and listen- ing toone or the other of these two men talking Army reform, and, without a doubt, others like mySfSmetimesthougbt that if either of them Slid have had an opportunity they would be put on such a basis that there would be no more talk of Army reforms for many years to come' Both of them however, had their op- portunities, and both failed Mr Brodrick was sent to the House of Lords, and will see the War Office never again. Mr ForsteJ1 is a critic as ever in articles in periodicals, out his wings for doing either good or harm have been clipped. But Mr Haldane, in his first year of office as Secretary of State for V\ ar. doubled the efficiencv of the regular artillery and claims that he saved £ 700.000 while doing so. Thus it is obvious that the Liberajs give value for the money instead of squandering: it. Here again "the men have had great rights conceded them. Trade Unions have been supplied in confidence with the names of firms from whom the War Office invites tenders, and are thus in a better position to submit any ob- servations or objections. Considerable progress has been made with a scheme for teaching sol- die's during their final period of service with the colours, simple trades in which there is good demand for workmen, so that ex-soldiers may not flood an over-stocked unskilled labour "^TSv amendment of the Army Act, corporal punishment has been abolished, and the stigma of imprisonment has been removed from soldiers convicted of offences against discipline, who are now confined in detention barracks." The foregoing are a few of the many use- ful. humane, and just reforms that one of the old ones, like myself, have been engaged so long in the struggle to obtain, feel proud, in- deed, that here within two years of Liberal administration they have been conceded. We know very well the time that there lived but a very few Labour leaders who were san- guine enough to believe that at least during their own time a British Government would concede Government workers to become Trade Unionists, much less to see the time when facil- ities were to be arranged for them or their re- presentatives to attend general conferences, &c., seeing that in the year 1872 I, myself, was temporarily stopped from attending the annual conference of the Amalgamated Union of Miners, and, before the close of the same, had to take' my choice of either losing my job or leaving my position in the Union. I myself, with anuinber of others tha received the same treatment, cannot help proclaiming that those who enjoy the liberties and privileges of the present (lav will have their lines fallen in pleasant place;' and that they have, indeed, an heritage-of the utmost value.

BATHROOM TRAGEDY. At an inquest held on Monday evening on the body of Arthur G eorge W illiams Buarth- road, Aberystwyth, retired master builder of -I,er London, it was stated by In. housekeeper th:lt Of iat.p he hail been worried over financial matters. He was found lying dead in the bath on Saturday afternoon, and with the exceptio:i of his coat was fully dressed. The jury returned « verdict of Found drowned."

"Co-ep" Stores Crime. SENTENCE OF DEATH. At Durham Assizes on Tuesday the trial was resumed of Joseph William Noble, blacksmith, for the murder of John Patterson at Windy Nook Co-operative Stores, near Gateshead. Prisoner gave evidence and denied that he was ever in Windy Nook Stores on the night of the murder. He was shown various pieces of eyidence, such as skeleton keys and a dark lamp, and gave his explanation of how each came into his possession. The 1 ant era, he said, he used in the dark to go to feed his ferrets and poultry. He never had a revolver, but fre- quently repaired guns, and sometimes made them for pitmen living near him. He used a large iron bar, described as a jemmy, to fasten wire roping when he was putting it up about The prisoner explained the bruises found on him by a series of small accidents at his work as a blacksmith, such accidents being taken very little notice of lest he should be considered soft. Other witnesses spoke to seeing prisoner use a dark lantern for catching sparrows. The jury a.fter 45 minutes' absence found Noble guilty. M Asked whether be had anything to_say, Noble replied he had, and said he was innocent of the crime. He did not hear all the judge said in summing up, but he could not say that be had to thank him. The Judge Do you wish to say anything more ? Prisoner No, mv Lord. You may breait my neck, but I don't think you will break my hpart. Sentence of death was passed, and prisoner., after waving his hand to someone in the court turned quickly and left the dock.

"Santa Glaus" Tragedy. MURDERER'S CONFESSION & SUICIDE. Berlin, Tuesday.-Captain von Goeben, who yesterday committed suicide in the military prison at Allensteim, where he was awaiting trial for the murder of one of his fellow-officers —Major Schoenebeck—has left a full confes- sion of the murder, which it appears was com- mitted By him under most extraordinary and romantic circumstances. In his confession Von Goeben, who was madly in love with the wife of Major Schoene- beck, declares that he committed the crime at her instigation. He says that Frau von Schoenebeck, who returned his love, pepeatedly complained to him of her husband s ill-treat- ment, and begged him to liberate her from her intoierable misery by killing the major. For some time Von Goeben was proof against her mad proposal, and urged ner to be patient, but on Christmas Day she declared she could no longer stand the wretched life she was leading, and extracted an oath from him that he would kili her husband that same night. The in- fatuated captain swore this terrible oath standing beneath a Christmas tree in Major Schoenebeck's house He was at the time dressed as Santa Claus in which guise, with the oath of murder stil warm on his lips, he directly afterwards dis- tributed toys from the Christmas tree to his victim's children. At 11 o'clock he said good night to Major Schoenebeck, as though about to leave, but instead of doing so secreted himself in another ropm, and shortly afterwards shot Major Schoenebeck dead. The sho4k .of the tragedy so affected Frau von Schoenerbteck that she became hopelessly insane.-Central News.

STRUGGLE IN A TRAIN. Alleged Attempted Suicide. At Shrewsbury Police Court on Tuesday an alleged attempt to commitsuicide in an express train from Manchester was investigated. It was stated that John Franks, a labourer, of Rochdale, was found in the train with his throat badly cut and flourishing a knife. A Glamorgan policeman named Frederick Thomas seized him just when he appeared to be en- deavouring to leap through the carriage win- dow. A tierce struggle followed, the other passengers being afraid to go to the constable's assistance. Thomas eventually got the man under control, and at Shrewsbury handed him over to the local police. Prisoner was remanded in custody.

REMINISCENCES OF TOBY, M.P. In his "Memories of Eight Parliaments," Mr Lucy has given to the world another of his re- markably interesting book on parliamentary personalities. The new books deals with all the more notable parliamentarians of the last 30 years. Very impressive and very attractive is Mr Lucy's description of the later scenes of Mr Gladstone's career in the House of Com- mons, and especially of the final scene when be made his last speech in that. Ho use, and Henry II. Lucy. passed out, never to return The transi- tion from Mr Gladstone to Mr Balfour is easy enough. It fell to Mr Balfour to make a funeral speech over the great leader who had passedawav, and Mr Lucy s description of this scene is one of the tir.est passages m the book. Among other men with whom Mr Lucy deals are Disraeli and Rosebery, Randolph Churchill a,nd Morley. One phrase quoted from Lord Rosebery is worth reproducing. It is a sugges- bive comment on the anxieties of political office, and the relief which men feel when they are released from it—" There are," Lord Rose- bery once said to me, two supreme plea- sures in a man's life. One is the ideal, the Dther real. The ideal joy is when a man re- ceives the seal of office at the hands of his Sovereign the real pleasure comes when he carries them back."

SHIP'S STEWARD 8 SLIP. Compensatian Ciaim at Barcy. William Henry Volc.ott, a ship's steward, sued the owners of the ss. Rotterdam for com- pensation in respect of an injury at Calcutta, the claim being heard before .Tudge Owen at Barry County Court on Tuesday. The case depended ''On medical evidencee, applicant stating that he met with the accident through falling down the stairs leading from the bridge to the saloon. He was carrying a bucket at the time and also some dishes. His Honour, when appli- cant was giving his evidence, asked Will you get vour client, Mr Fraser, to speak a little plainer "—Mr Fraser He is a German, sir.- His Honour:, Another disadvantage of employ- ing foreigners 4n' British ships.-Medical evi- dence was called, Dr. Kent and Dr Gabefor the applicant, and Dr. W. J. M. Barry and Dr. Coventry for the respondents. His Honour eventually gave a verdict for the respondents with costs.

MAGISTRATE AND WITNESS. At Caerphilly on Tuesday B: Grey, of Llan- bradach, was charged with neglecting his three children, and evidence was given by Inspector Thomas, N.S P-C.C-, of his frequent visits to the house, and of warnings given to the defend- ant and his wife. The house was practically devoid of furniture and the children were poorly clad. The wife, too, had not sufficient clothing to cover her with decency. Questioned hy the defendant, the witness said he did not see auv sheets. Mr Harrison (a magistrate) It seems to me von are leaving out certain facts. Other evidence having been given, the de- fendant. pleaded that he had been out of em- plovment lor three months, owing; to an illness. He "was now engaged at Troedyrhivi, near ^The Bench adjourned the case for a month.

PONTYPRIDD COTTAGE HOSPITAL. The proposed erection of a; cottage hospital at Pontvpridd on the voluntary system was discussed at a representative public meeting held at the Council Chamber on 1 ue.stUy nitrhl. Mi T. Taylof, J.P.. presided. It Was iecideci to form a-comfnittee, with Mrs Gregory as secretary, to organise a scheme.

A DISTINCTION BETWEEN BREAD AND WHEAT. LUNATIC You don't want to tax bread, DO you, Mr Chaplin '? MR CHAPLIN Certainly not-all I want to do is to put a tax on foreign wheat. LUNATIC: Exactly You only want to tax bread that isn't made of wheat! I say, Mr Chaplin, why not a tax on toast ? J v j (" There never had been any proposal to put a tax on bread. The Radicals seemed to be ignorant of the tact that there was a wide distinction between a small duty on foreign wheat and a tax on bread."—Mr Chaplin at Hastings, February 26, 1908.) Caxtoon by Sir F. C. Gould. (Published by arrangement with the Westminster Gazette.")

NOTEWORTHY WELSH FAMILY. I I The above is a photograph of Mr George Jones (humorous vocalist), who was born m Wellington-street, Cardiff, and his family of 15 children, who have won 57 medals for work in school, for dancing and singing. Mr Jones now resides at Verney-road, Camberwell, London, but has relatives stiji in this district.

r. t ~— KING LEOPOLD'S BARGAIN. The Congo Problem. Brussels, Tuesday.—The Government has reached a complete agreement with King Leo- pold regarding the basis of the convention additional to the treaty for the annexation of the Congo. The concessions obtained from the King by the Premier are of the most im- portant character.-Reuter. The following, according to information obtained in official circles, are the principal bases of the understanding The Government will propose to the two Houses of Parliament the creation of a special fund permitting the execution of works which gave rise to differ- ences between the King and M. Wonters Dustin, the contractor. This fund will con- sequently be devoted to the execution of a scheme for a Colonial museum and a world school at Tervueren, the completion of works atLaeken, and the carrying out of works for the improvement of Ostend, the cost of the last-named works being estimated at 20,000 000 francs ( £ 800,000). The special fund will' be under 60,000,000 francs ( £ 2,400,000). On the other hand, an annual credit of 3,000,000 francs ( £ 120,000) will be inserted in the Congo Budget for 15 years, and will be employed for works exclusively Congolese, such as the building of hospitals and sanatoria and similar works. The King agrees (this is the great concession obtained by M. Schollairt) to the Congo Budget being voted by the Belgian Parliament. The King surrenders to Belgium the estate at Cape Ferrat in France, including the Villa Polonais, but he will retain the Usufruct during his life- time. A Cabinet Council was held this morn- ing, and it is expected the texJi of the treaty will be issued to-morrow or on Thursday.- Reuter. Brussels, Tuesday—The Bulletin Official of the Congo Free State will publish forthwith a decree issued by the King, as Sovereign of the State, abolishing the Crown-domain in the Congo.-Reuter.

QUARREL OF K.C.'S. Inner Temple Benchers' Inquiry. It is stated that as a sequel to the scene in the Lord Chief Justice's Court last Wednesday^ afternoon, when it is alleged that blows were exchanged between two well-known King's counsel, an inquiry was held at the Inner Temple on Tuesday night. One of the combat- ants is a member of the Inner Temple. Amono- the Benchers who received notices to attend was Lord Loreburn, the Lord Chancellor. The meeting was held in one of the chambers of the Temple, above the offices of the treasurer and collector. It was strictly private, and the desi- sion of the Benchers will not be made public. Witnesses of the incident in the court were ex- amined, including, it is understood, the Solicitor-General, Sir S. T. Evans, who was a friend of both parties, and is believed to have used his good offices to bring about a reconcilia- tion.

ACTRESS-BARMAID DIVORCED. Two Co-respondents. In London on Tuesday Mr William Howgate, manager of the Theatre Royal, Oldham, peti- tioned for the dissolution of his marriage with Rosaline Howgate, who had been on, the stage and was a barmaid at the Empire, Oldham, against whom he alleged adultery with Frank Mappin, described as a commercial traveller, and Arthur John Adams, stated to be a motor- car designer. Respondent and co-respondents denied adultery. The jury found for petitioner with X40 against Mappin and f.20 against Adams.

THAW'S RELEASE EXPECTED. To Quit America for Europe. According to a telegram from New York, Harry Thaw. the murderer-of Stanford White, who was pronounced insane by a New York jury, will shortly be released on his friends undertaking his transference to Europe.

TREDEGAR COLLIER CRUSHED. James Davies (27), collier, of Water-street, Tredegar, was on Tuesday crushed by a stonel weighing about two tons, which fell upon him at No. 1 Pochin Colliery, Tredegar. It took eight men to remove the stone. Davies wis taken to the Tredegar Cottage Hospital, and is in a precarious condition. Thomas Richards; a collier, who sustained spinal injuries atWhitworth Colliery, Tredegar, on the 13th ult., died at the Cottage Hospital on Monday. j

-t WARNED BEFOREHAND. INGENIOUS CARDIFF FRAUD ALLEGED Henry Baker (63), of respectable-appearance, was brought up, dn remand, at Cardiff Police Court on Tuesday, on a charge of attempting to; steal, by means of a trick, at the Adamsdown Post Office, 10s in money, the property of the Postmaster-General, on February 24th, 1907. He was further charged with stealing 10s by means of a trick at the same office on February 23rd, 1906. Miss A. E. Pickard, daughter of the sub-post- master at Adamsdown, stated that on Febru- ary 23rd, 1906, prisoner came into the office and asked for four penny stamps. He put down half-a-sovereign, which she put on one side to get change. When she gave him the change, he told her she had made a mistake—that it was. a sixpence he had given her. He added that he did not want all that change," and pushed it back, at tne same time saying if she would give him a sovereign he would pay for the stamps, and that would put them right. Believing that he had given her a half-sovereign in the first instance witness gave him a sovereign, and lie paid her 4d in coppers for the stamps. On February 24th last prisoner again came into the office and attempted to bring off a similar transaction with wit- ness's sister, who assisted in the office with her. Then witness identified him as the man who had obtained the money from her a years before. Miss Pickard, sister of the previous witness, gave evidence in corroboration, adding that they had received a, warning before prisoner called at the office that" there was such a man going about." There was a third charge now preferred against prisoner—viz., that of attempting to steal 10s by means of a trick from the Adam-street Post Office on the 24th ult. Miss Howells, the manager, in her evidence, alleged that prisoner had tried the same plan with her as had been described by the other ladies, but when she tried to argue the matter with him he said he had made a mistake- Prisoner,who declared that he had never seen either of the ladies until a week ago, was com- mitted for trial at the Assizes.

CARMARTHEN GUN TRAGEDY. Inquest on the Victim. On Tuesday afternoon Mr Thomas Walters, coroner, held an inquest at Carmarthen Guild- hall into the circumstances attending the tragic death of William Edwards i(27), of Bryngwdym, Cwmfelin, Llanboidy, who was accidentally shot on Saturday. Isaac Evans said be met friends, including de- ceased, at Alltydyffryn, and Mr Griffiths, the tenant of the farm, gave them permission to shoot rabbits. As they were preparing to dis- perse, a rabbit rose, and the deceased called to him to come forward. He responded, but slipped, and the gun went off. Witness used a converted rifle that had previously been used for firing ball. The gun had never gone off in that fashion before, and he did not know what caused it to go Off, unless it was the sudden jerk. They were all perfectly sober at the time. As soon as they discovered that de- ceased had been shot they took his coat off to examine the wOUI1(J' and sent for a doctor. Deceased manage<^ walk home accompanied by his friends. D1*- Cogdill, house surgeon at the Carmarthenshire Infirmary, said deceased had sustained a circular wound over the middle part of the left shoulder blade, which was shattered.. The pellets had entered the lung. Tetanus se^ in, and the patient suc- cumbed on Monday- The Coroner, in summing up, remarked there was no doubt it was a pure accident, and that Edwards died from lock-jaw. The jury returned a verdict accord- ingly.

-=- NEWPORT SCHOOL INSPECTOR. At a meeting of Newport Education Com- mittee on Tuesday, Councillor Swash, deputy- chairman, presiding, it was decided, after a long discussion, to approve of the Special School Inspection sub-Committee's proposal to appoint Mr T. A. Evans, assistant secre- tary, to the neW office of inspector of elemen- tary schools. It was_ resolved to appoint an "assistant to the medical officer of health, at a commencing salary of jE225 per annum, and a nurse' at a salary of 165 per annum. A communication was received from the lion, secretary to the Welsh Education Author- ities relative to secondary school grants in Wales, and inviting the appointment of three representatives to attend a conference to con- sider the advisability of forming a Federation of Education Committees of Wales and Mon- mouthshire. The committee decided to take no action in the matter.

HASTINGS' ELECTION RESULT. The polling at Hastings in the bye-election caused by the retirement of Mr Du Cros (C.) in favour of the candidature of his son, took place on Tuesday. The candidates were Mr A. P. Du.Cros (Conservative) and Mr Robert V. Harcourt (Liberal). The result was declared as follows ;— Du Cros (C) 4495 Harcourt (L) 3417 Conservative majority. 1018 Previous results were :— 1900. 1906. Freeman-Thomas..L 3399 Harvey Du Cros C 4348 E. Boyle C 3191 Free man- Tho mas..L 3935 Lib. ma} 208 Con. maj, 413 Polling opened quietly in dry but dull weather. At an early hour there was a great procession of Unionist motor cars, Mr Du Cros having about 120 at his service. Cars were despatched to distant places like Southampton, Dover, and Ports. mouth to bring up removals, and each side seemed determined to poll its last man. The fishermen remamed ashore. Suffragettes were outside the polling attttioiia Working against Mr. Harcourt. t After the declaration of the figures there was a scene of great excitement and enthusiasm. Mr Du Cros was carr'ed shoulder high up to the counting room. Later he proposed a vote of thanks to the returning officer, and speaking in very friendly terms of his opponent congratu- lated him on the strenuous and straightforward fight he had made. Mr Harcourt, who was ac- companied by his mother, Lady Harcourt, re- ciprocated the kindly expressions, and said before many years he hoped to meet Mr Du Cros on the floor of the House. Candidates Interviewed. Mr Arthur Du Cros, interviewed by a repre- sentative after the result of the poll had been declared, attributed his victory first and fore- most to Tariff Reform, and especially to the policy of Colonial preference, which he found to appeal more directly to the electors than any other issue. The election was won before the Licensing Bill was introduced," lie de- clared, but the Bill confirmed the opinion of the electors that the Government's policy was a policy of plunder. The effect of the Educa- tion Bill has been to steady the denominational vote and to bring over many waverers to the Unionist side." Mr Robert V. Harcourt said, I had to fight against heavy odds through having to oppose a local candidate and through the Liberal party not being prepared with an ade- quate organisation. The Licensing Bill has had a very damaging effect upon Liberal pros- pects. It complicated the issue, which prior to that had been a straight one between Free Trade and Protection. Until the Licensing Bill was introduced and the Trade influence brought to bear I considered we were making good progress."

ANOTHER'S MISDEEDS P Alleged Directery Swindles" at Cardiff. Some strange evidence was given at Cardiff Police Court on Tuesday when (before Messrs T. Andrews and F. H. Jotham) Tom Blakey 35, of gentlemanly appearance, was charged with obtaining two sums of aCiO and E15 each from Owen Watkins and WiUiams, Cardiff, in respect of advertisements in business directories. Mr A. W. Morris appeared for the prisoner. The evidence for the prosecution was that in November last the accused called at prosecu- tors' office and asked them to renew an advertisement in a directory published by a Birmingham firm. They decided not to do so, but, believing him to be the authorised agent, paid him £10 for the one that had ap- peared. In January last he obtained from them an border for an advertisement in another direc- tory, for which he was paid £ 15. He gave receipts for both these amounts, but subse- quently both firms repudiated prisoner's right to represent them, and stated they had not re- ceived the money collected on their behalf. Prisoner, who was arrested by Detective- Inspector Davey whilst walking through Cathays Park on Sunday, the 23rd ult., said, in answer to the charge, I know, but it's the other man you want, not me." Amongst the witnesses called was Detective- Inspector Goldrick, of Birmingham, who admit- ted that the man for whom prisoner said he had collected the money on commission (name given), was wanted at Birmingham, and was one of a gang which had been broken up by several convictions for "directory swindles." Mr Morris's cross-examination of the wit- nesses indicated that the defence was that pri- soner had collected the money on commission for this man, and had handed it over, rece ipts being produced. > Prisoner, who pleaded not guilty, was com- mitted for trial at the Quarter Sessions, being admitted to bail, himself in jE50 and one surety of £ 50. Mr Morris stated that he was a highly- respectable man, and the bail would be forth- coming.

PENARTH HOUSE ROBBERY. A burglary of a daring character took place at Penarth some time during Mondayv night. It appears-that Mr and Mrs J. Terry, of 29, Cwrt-y-vil-road, were paying a visit to some friends, and the servants were also out. An entrance was effected by breaking the glass of the drawing- room window, which is hidden from public view by a thick shrubbery. The door leading to the hall from the drawing-room was locked, but this was forced, and the intruders pro- ceeded upstairs to the front bedroom. They tOOK from this room jewellery to the value of nearly jElOO, including a lady's gold necklace, a gold bangle, with diamond setting, two diamond rings, and two or three other rings and bracelets. A >po!ice .examination of the house and gardens has been made, but no arrest has yet been effected.

A BABY'S DEATH. The evidence of Dr. Cantillan at an inquest held on Tuesday in Cardiff showed that the death of Wm. Samuel Rdgers, the six months' old sorvof Annie and Percy Rogers, of Eldon- street, Cardiff, was probably due to suffoca- tion. The mother stated that the baby slept in the same -bed as herself and hus- band. The Coroner said there was no evidence Of negligence, and the jury returned a. verdict of Deathtby accidental suffocation."

Dublin Jewel Robbery. REMARKABLE STATEMENTS. Sir Arthur Vicars, in a letter to the Press, bitterly complains that owing to the technicali- ies of the law there is no process of the law by which he can initiate proceedings' for the investigation of his case. Sir Arthur adds :— It is intolerable that in the 20th century a public servant can be suihmarily dismissed without trial under circumstances which suggest the gravest possible reflection on his character, and that in the full blaze of the pre- sent century his Majesty's Irish Government can put the Magna Charta in the waste paper basket without the voice of the public being raised in protest. I appeal to the public to make their voice heard and insist that I may receive the privilege which the meanest criminal is entitled to- apublic inquiry. Des- perate diseases require desperate remedies, and should the voice of the public be unheard I feel I cannot be blamed for forcing to come out into the open, even by desperate devices, those who are sheltering themselves behind the entrenchments of title, dignity, privilege, and brief authority/

Daring Fraud. WELSHMAN'S AMAZING CAREER. Before the Recorder (Sir Forrest Fulton, K.O.) at the Central Criminal Court, London, on Tuesday, Cadwallader Edwards, aged 45, of no occupation, a well set-up and well-dressed man, of striking appearance, pleaded guilty to counts of indictment charging him with feloniously personating Mr J. F. Lort Phillips, High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire, and with ob- taining large sums of money from West End moneylenders on forged promissory notes. Mr Curtis Bennett, who prosecuted, said the crime charged against the accused Was an ingenious and daring one. It appeared that towards the end of January Mr Wolfe, trading as a bill dis- counter, of Cork-street, W., received a letter purporting to come from Mr J. F. Lort Phillips, of Lawrenny Park, Begelly, Pem- brokeshire, requesting a loan of £ 1,000. It was requested in the letter that Mr Wolfe 'hould meet Mr Lort Phillips at the Great Western Hotel in order to arrange the loan. instead the prisoner called on Mr Wolfe, in- troduced himself as Mr Lort Phillips, anch said he had called to save him the trouble of going to the hotel. He described himself as Mr J. F. Lort Phillips, of Lawrenny Park, Begelly, Pembrokeshire, said he was high sheriff of the county, was master of two hunts in the county of Pembroke, and owned nearly all Haverfordwest. His income he said, was jE15,000 a year, and his wife's income was double that. He was going abroad, however, and being temporarily in want of money wanted a loan of £ 1,000. He was given a cheque for JE750, and signed a promissory note for il,000, payable in two instalments. The same day he went to Mr Levine, in Old Bond- street, and by a similar tale got a cheque for £ 1,000, which, however, was crossed, and was not met when returned through an Ostepd bank. The cheque for X750 he negotiated. It subsequently transpired that prisoner's story was a lie, and the promissory notes he had signed were forgeries. It was true that years ago he married a stepsister of Mr Lort Phillips, but his wife divorced him 15 years ago, since when Mr Lort Phillips had not seen him. Prisoner after obtaining the money went to Paris, Amsterdam, Ostend, and Brussels. Sub- sequently inquiries were made, and prisoner was arrested on a warrant. Detective-Inspector Bower (C Division), after previous convictions of five years for forgery, six months for fraud, and nine months for conspiracy to defraud had been proved, said he had known the prisoner for some years. After he last came out of prison he was offered financial help, if he went abroad, by Mr Lort Phillips and other gentlemen, but he refused to avail himself of the offer. Instead he fre- quented race meetings and West End clubs. On one occasion he tried to get £ 2,000 from a firm of solicitors on an estate in Ireland which did not belong to him. It was his property at one time, but it had been swallowed up in bankruptcy. The Recorder said it was clear that the prisoner was an habitual criminal, and one of a type deserving of no sympathy. He would hare to go to penal servitude for five years.

THE FREE CHURCH PARLIAMENT. The National Council of Evangelical Free Churches, which has been holding its meetings at Southport this week, has been attended by some 2,000 representatives from every part of England and Wales. The primary aim of the Free Church Councils is to carry out spiritual work they also take their part in fighting civic and social, battles. The Free Church Council movement has been extended to most of the civilised countries of the world. All these bodies overseas are linked up with the Rev. Dr. Brook. I home movement, and form one great inter- national organisation. Dr Brook, who has suc- ceeded Dr Rendel Harris in the presidency, is the pastor of the Duke-street Free Methodist House, Southport. He is the only Noncon- formist minister possessing the degree of D.C.L. of Oxford, where he also graduated in arts. He is the son of a Yorkshire wollen manufacturer, and was born at Elland in 1854. He was secre- tary of his church's Twentieth Century Fund, and was instrumental in raising over 100,000 guineas.

CORPORATION ACCOUNTS. Cardiff treasurer's Work. The Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants has for some time past been en- gaged in preparing standardised forms of ac- count. The form relating to tramways was completed some time ago, %nd during this present year the institute has given special at- tention to, and has completed, the forms for gas, water, and electricity undertakings. These have been forwarded to the Board of Trade for their formal approval. The action of the institute has been taken, of course, with a view to the general adoption of these standard forms by the different Corpora- tions in order that effective comparisons may be made between the accounts of different un- dertakings throughout the country. Such a comparison is, at the present time, practically impossible owing to the different methods of keeping accounts. To Mr Allcock, the city treasurer of Cardiff, was entrusted the draft- ing of the forms of account for gas undertak- ings, he having previously taken a leading part in drawing up that which relates to tramways.

A HOOLIGAN OF HOOLIGANS." At Swansea Police Court on Tuesday a labourer named Bertie Williams was sent to prison for two months for being drunk and committing a series of assaults, it being stated that when two men, David Thomas Jones anQ. Thomas Pugsley, went to the assist- ance of P.C. Michael the defendant bit Pugsley on the arm and kicked Jones severely on the leg. The Chairman (Mr S. W. Jones) de- scribed defendant as a hooligan of hooligans," who had been in pourt no less than 12 times. He also complimented Jones and Pugsley on their interposition. Thomas Kellar (25), for a like offence, was sent to prison for two months. In this case a constable and Mr W. Woods, of the Imperial Hotel, were assaulted.

SUNDAY SALE OF NEWSPAPERS. Swansea Prosecution Fails. At Swansea Police Court on Tuesday two newsagents were summoned for employing a boy /under the age of 16 to sell newspapers on Sunday. The boy had not been subpoenaed to give evidence, and as the officer in the case could only say lie saw him selling papers and could not prove by whom he was employed the summonses were dismissed. Mr Thompson appeared for the defence. A boy summoned for selling admitted the offence, but the Bench on receiving a promise that he would not offend again the magistrates discharged him.

WELSH GLEANINGS. News and Views in Lighter Vein. Captain Safford has just left the 24tn \Sonth Wales Borderers) Depot at Brecon, and has embarked for India to rejoin headquarters at Quetta. A memoir of the late Rev. D. Rowlands (Dewi Mon), principal of Brecon Memorial Col- lege, from the pen of the Rev. Elvet Lewis (whose brother has succeeded Mr Rowlands as Principal of the College) will be shortly pub- blished. The first Volunteer to serve under the new Army scheme at Aberystwyth was Alderman Robert Doughton, ex-mayor. As, however, he was a member of the first corps established at Aberystwyth half-a-century ago it is doubtful whether the age limit difficulty can now be surmounted. The current number of the Christian World Pulpit contains a sermon on The Problem of Intemperance "by the Rev. J. Maelor Morgan, St. David's. This was delivered at the annual meeting of the Pembrokeshire Congregational Union at Gladwr recently, and deals with the religious, political and social aspects of the question. Mr Albert Bruntnell, a native of Hay, and till recently a member of the New South Wales Legislature, is about to visit this country. He has accepted an engagement, during his limited stay, with the United Kingdom Alliance. Mr Bruntnell, as secretary of the New South Wales Temperance Alliance, has rendered in- valuable service. An Australian correspondent says he is certain to make his mark in Eng- land. He has been a hero of many stout political fights. The question of bathrooms at pitheads for Welsh miners is taking an interesting phase. It is proposed to take over to Germany or Bel- gium a deputation of Welsh miners' wives and sisters. It is felt that they will be so convinced of the advantages of the system adopted on the Continent that they will be enthusiastic in its support on their return. The supporters of the idea feel that once the women are roused then no miner refusing to bath at the pithead will sleep in a Welsh bed. North Wales, whatevery Army changes may take place, will remain a favourite camping ground. A military camp is now to be estab- lished at lAber, near Bangor. It will not be a permanent camp all the year round, as at first generally undei stood, but a six months' camp. The first camp of 7,030 men of all arms will pitch their tents on the 28th of May, and re- main till the second October. The camp will include sections of the Territorial Army as well as of the Special Service or Regular Army. The Eisteddfod is evidently becoming very popular in the Metropolis. Now that the suc- cessful gatherings at Battersea and Queen's Hall are over, Eisteddfodau are announced to take place at Harlesden, where the Rev. Ben- jamin Thomas, an ardent Welshman from Pembrokeshire, is the minister another at the East- End Mission, and another at Chiswick. An Eisteddfod was held last week at King's Cross Church, which differed from many so- called Eisteddfodau, even in the Principality, by being essentially a Welsh Eisteddfod, and not merely a competitive concert. On the 1st of May the Great Western Rail- way Company will start a road motor service from St. Clears to Laugharne, some six miles distant. Laugharne has been a favourite sum- mer restort from the Glamorganshire hills, but its inaccessibility in the past has much mili- tated against its popularity. With the advent of the motor service it is expected that it will be once more much patronised. A walk from Laugharne to Amroth and Saundersfoot, and even on to Tenby, along the sands is a delight- ful one. Copious extracts from a minister's private diary, referring to the stirring times of the 1905 revival, is given the place of honour in the March number of Y Diwygiwr." Every line bears the impress of genuineness, and the pity is that it is anonymous. But it would require more courage than U possessed by the minister to father a series of confessions sort, though the man who did so would merit a hero's medal. In the pulpit, as in other circles of life, "self" is the great enemy, and the weakness of some brethren of the cloth in this respect is pitiful. According to the diarist, many ministers make a practice of themselves contributing to the Welsh denominational Press highly-coloured accounts of their own achievements in the pulpit. The Solicitor-General (Sir S. T. Evans) has placed it on record that of all the thousands of congratulations he received on his promotion none is more appreciated than that from the Welsh Congregational Church of Skewen, where he received his early religious training, and of which his father was a deacon. Writing to the Rev. J. Evans-Jones, the minister, Sir Samue! says :—" O'r llu o longyfarchiadau sydd wedi eu hanfon i mi, nid oes yr un yn fwy derbynio) na'r eiddo y Tabernacl (Sciwen). Nid oes eis- ieu i mi ddweyd fod swyn hoff a hyfryd yn gysvlltiedig a phob adgof am yr hen Ie, a'r hen achos, a theimlwyf yn falch ac yn ddiolchgar fod y cysylltiad rhyngom yn ddidoro'm mebyd hyd yn awr. Parhaed felly am hir amser In "The Journal of Psychology" for this quarter is an article by Mr E. O. Lewis, B.A., B.Sc., of St. John's College, Cambridge, on The Effect of Practice on the Perception of the Muller-Lyer Illusion." That the article should have been accepted by such world known psychologists as Dr. Rivers (St. John's) and Dr. Ward (Trinity, Cambridge, University Professor) speaks volumes. Mr Lewis is carrying out his research work at the Cambridge Psychological Laboratory. He has graduated with honours in the Universities of Wales, London, and Cambridge, and has also pursued a course of study at Jena University. He hails from the Rhondda Valley and received his earlier training there. Aberdare was certainly well represented at the St. David's Day dinner at Cardiff. The absence of Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., who was to have been the guest of the evening, was deplored by everyone. Among residents or ex-residents of the town were Sir T. Marchant Williams, who proposed the principal toast; Dyfed, who read the message from Brittany Mr Evan Owen, who read the chain of englynion by Y Dryw, while Y Dryw himself is a native of the parish Ifano, the other poet of the evening Eos Dar, the penillion singer, and Mr Tom Davies, the harpist. Aberdarians pre- sent, and they were by no means few, patted each other on the back when they found all this out. At the Merthyr St. David's Day celebration the following topical verses, written by Eurof (Rev. D. E. Walters, M.A., B.D.), were sung by Mr D. Morgans to the harp ac- companiment of Mr R. Jones (Ap Gomer) :— Os yw'r Saesneg yn y Shop, Rhowniddistopfanhynny. f = Ein haelwvd fyddo'n fangre can Yn hen iaith lan y Cymry 'Nawr y'nghyd heb dafod mud Dadganwn glodydd Dewi. Yr Iuddew ddaw, a'r Cenedl ddyn I'n bro dydd Llun yn gynar, A llawer llew a ddaw i'n tref, A llawer bref aflafar — Mwynach sain ein hen iaith fain Na'r ieithoedd main diweddar. Mae Uawer Sais yn Nhroedyrhiw, Ond Cymry yw'r preswylwyr Yn Abercanaid eto'r plant Siaradant hen iaith gywir: Ar y Cefn yr hen iaith lefn Sy'n cadw trefn a synwyr. Nonconformist Parliament. I The public meeting of the National Fret Church Council on Thursday night at South- port is likely to prove a memorable meeting, seeing that it is to be addressed by the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, M.P., and that there are Government Bills on licensing aid educa- tion before the country. The demand for ad- mission to the meeting is unprecedented, but with 2,000 delegates attending the "Parliament of Nonconformity," the non-delegates who hope for admission must, generally speaking, be doomed to disappointment. The Rev. Evan Jones, of Carnarvon, will be nominated for the vice-presidency of the Council for the coming year at the business meeting on Thursday morning. As Others See Us. Under the title the Welsh in America, Mr Herbert N. Casson, writing recently in the pages of Munsey's Magazine." deals with the influence of W ales on American national life. Mr Casson's interpretaion of Welsh character as it has revealed itself to American observers is exceedingly interesting and suggestive. In the matter of morality," he writes, "no nationality stands higher. I find recent statistics which show that there are only 28 Welshmen in our penal institutions-a remark. able showing. But the Welsh are not satisfied with being moral. They are a spiritual and heroic people. Their beliefs and feelings have always been more precious to them than wealth. A Welshman wants to be prosperous, ofconr.ee, but he never displays the same en- thu-s, •. -v. in making money that he does in ^ir-gin^ a hymn or making a speech on the glory of Wales. In temperament the Welsh are like their own furnaces. They blaze at a « breath. Nothing is more Characteristic of the the whole nation than this Welsh fire.' Tb»- [ spirit of their ancient-hills is in them."