The Cardiff Times

HAG B "-BES T & TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. (By MABON, M.P.) THE REFORM OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD The Local Government Board has got to show a different sort of activity from what it has shown in the past. As a key-note of the general criticism of Mr John Burns' Housing Bill nothing could be more effective than this Bill nothing could be more effective than this sentence from the President's address to the Housing Congress meeting held in London this week There are numberless details in the new Bill which may require extension or amendment, but as a skeleton plan I am con- vinced it is a genuine step in advance." There is no question, generally speaking, as to the value of the increased powers for enforcing shim improvements upon the owners of pro- perty dangerous to the health of the occu- piers, while profitable to the pockets of the landlords. One cannot help being glad to find that this provision, drastic as it is, is being welcomed by several rich people. The endorsement of the town-planning prin- ciple embodied in the Bill was doubtless a foregone conclusion. All social reformers are at one on this point. Still there is again plenty of room for detailed criticism as to getting the principle into wide and effective working operation. For after all the Bill is a minimum and not a maximum reform. But the real point of concern ever since the proposals were introduced has been the relation of the Local Government Board to the public-spirited municipalities that are anxious to make the most of the opportunities described in the Bill. For there is a strong opinion existing that the Local Government Board even now will not be that quickening influence that it ought to be. Still I scarcely agree that bceause the Local Government Board of old was a kind of tor- tuous and pettifogging piece of higher efficient machinery, the brisk and sympathetic gentle- man now at the head thereof will tnrn things a bit, upside down there. People urge, I know, that judging from past experience all future Presidents cannot be trusted to turn all the mays of the Bill into shalls. W ell, that is no reason why the present President is nut to be trusted to do what he can in the matter. Moreover it is no good crying out in condemna- tion before lie gets his chance in this matter. All are agreed for once that the shall spirit is pre-eminently needed, and therefore the chief work of the housing experts in this House of Commons will be to convert as many of the •• mays into shalls as possible, and the authorities who have been discussing the details of the Bill realise the force of this con- sideration. It is evident, that it involves not merely Housing Reform legislation, but the reform of the Local Government Board from rather a dead sort of an office into a real, livirtg and pro- gressive administrative engine. Mr Burns ought to; and will I hope, help us all he can, while he can. The worst of such a case is that it is so much easier to lay down laws and injunc- tions for the purpose than to breathe a new spirit into the department. Still this is what our fellow-conntryman, Lloyd-George, suc- ceeded in doing at the Board of Trade. Let us hope that Mr Burns will not let the present opportunities pass without making every pos- sible use of the chances offered him in this new Housing Bill and the new spirit that is per- vading the country in its favour. Afforestation and Unemployment. In future we shall, without a doubt, see the State taking this matter very much in earnest. *nd propagating more systematic ways of dealing with forestry. The matter is one in which we are considerably behind some other ""stmtHes, notably Germany and. Prance. A preliminary investigation which has just been AVda in Ireland for the purpose of ascertaining adaptability of the country to wood-grow- ing, has been fairly satisfactory, and the views of the Departmental Committee on the subject are very encouraging. It ia estimated that there g,re at least a million acres of land that might he used for the purpose of afforestation. Of that area about 500,000 acres are already under wood, but many plantations, it is said, require to be replenished or improved. And it is con- sidered that of the 700,000 remaining acres, 200,000 are suitable forplanting in large blocks, and that500,000 acres might be planted in small blocks. The above investigation, I am in- formed, was suggested and taken up by the Government from the circumstance that in Ireland owing to the operations of the Land Purchase Act, the obligation to keep up plan- tations having thus changed hands, has brought in its wake this grand opportunity for work, and that many now out of employment will be.found oecupationvon these plantations. As the lands are passing from the hands of the gelling proprietors to the State, it is strongly suggested that the State itself should under- take the work, and I am told that it is very likely to do so. The, scheme, includ- ing the purchase of the land re- quired, is estimated to cost X44,500, or thereabouts, in the first decade, f66,700 in the second, 1744,600 in the third, £ 47.000 in the fourth, and £ 32,000 in the fifth. It is also calculated that the scheme, after these periods, would provide a surplus over purchase annui- ties and working and administrative expenses that would eventually yield a return of 4A per cent. on the capital invested. The Fallacies of Protection. Reading one of London's numerous Protec- tionist papers a day or two ago, I came across the following striking illustration of the fallacy of Tariff Reform figures. Describing the Ameri- can winner of the beauty prize. I detected the illuminating reference to the relative value of British and American incomes a matter which I have mentioned before more than once, founded upon my own personal ex- perience when on visits there, which I should uke to give. It said that Miss Marguerite Frey was earning eight dollars a week as a clerk at a Denver bank. This salary, though nomin- ally equivalent to 33s 4d weekly in British money, would about correspond to sEl a week In England, where money has much greater purchasing power." c These are facts unwillingly admitted, and it enables one to say to Tariff Reformers From thine own lips thou standest condemned, 0 ye false prophet." Let us just observe that here is admitted that a worker with 11 a week in Free Trade England and Wales is as well off as his protected rival in America with 33s 4d. Why 1 —Simply because, in the words of this Tariff Reform paper, in Great Britain money has much greater purchasing power." According to the figures given, there is a difference of ..bout 70 per cent., which is rather greater than I found Miings three and five years ago. Still, if these figures mean anything,, they mean that the cost of living in different ways is 70 per cent. dearer in America than here it, Britain. In- deed it is very kind ofthis Tariff Reform paper to announce such an important fact so freely.

ESCAPE FROM A PRISON. Refugee Killed. St. Petersburg, May 8th.—A despatch from Tula describes the escape of a number of prisoners confined in the Likhvinsk district gaol. During the period ol daily exercise they overpowered and disarmed the warders and bound them hand and foot. They then invaded the apartments of the governor of the prison, and with the menace of hands up suc- ceeded in obtaining the sum of 95 roubles, after which they took to night. v Two of the refugees—a notorious expro- priator," named Solomin, and his mistress, Nasia—made off in the direction of Bieleff. They stopped for refreshment at an inn on the roadside, and a rural guard attempted to arrest them. The woman Nasia shot him dead. On arriving at Bieleff Solomin and Nasia were reccgnised by the police. Solomin offered armed resistance and was killed. Nasia was arrested.—Press Association Special Tele- gram.

KHARTOUM COLLEGE. Serious Damage by Fire. A cable has been received in London stating that a serious firo has taken place in the Gordon Memorial College at Khartoum. The bacteriological room and kitchen were gutted, but the chemical and entomological rooms and part of the museum were saved, and thelibrary as also untouched. Much valuable assistance Was rendered by both British and Egyptian troops. The origin of the fire, is believed to have been entirely accidental. There was no loss of life.

FATAL ROOF FALL. Many Workmen Buried. Goerlitz, Saturday.—The root of the con- cert hall which is being built here fell in this afternoon, burying 25 workmen in the ruins. Up to 4.45 this afternoon two dead bodies and five men, seriously injured, had been re- eovered.-Reuter.

I Woman Strangler. TERRIBLE CRIMES IN FRANCE, Paris, Saturday Evening.—Telegrams pub- lished in the evening papers report the arrest at the small town of Commercy, in the Depart- ment of the Meuse, of a woman named Jeanne Weber on a charge of strangling a child last night. This woman, it is recalled, was the principal figure in a sensational case last year, when she was brought before the magistrates on a charge of strangling several infants under circum- stances similar to the present. The prisoner was then believed, though no certain proof could be adduced, to be suffering from a pecu- liar form of homicidal madness, and was sent to an asylum. Some little time ago the woman was set at liberty, and three days ago went to Commercy, where she lodged with a family of the name of Perrot. Jeanne Weber, who on leaving the asylum assumed another name, evinced great affection for the little daughter of her land- lady, and the child was allowed to sleep with her- This morning the child was found dead in the bed, the neck bearing marks which left no doubt that it had been strangled. The woman was arrested, and the news has created a, great sensation owing to the comparatively recent date of the previous affair. A medical examination shows that the woman first attempted to strangle the child with her hands, and that finding that the child still breathed she stifled it with pillows. The motor car in which the woman was con- veyed from Commercy to the prison at St. Mihiel was surrounded by an infuriated crowd, and though escorted by several gendarmes the prisoner narrowly escaped being lynched. On being interrogated by the prison authorities Weber refused to utter a, single word.—Central News. Paris, Tuesday.—The case of the woman Jeanne Weber, now in custody on a charge of strangling a child named Marcel Poirot at Com- mercy last Friday night has given rise to several points of public interest, which are being keenly discussed. The conflicting medical evidence which led to the acquittal Of the so- called ogress when tried for the murder of six children who had previously died mysteriously at different periods during the last three years while under her care, and the medical report which allowed her to be liberated from the asylum where she was detained, are likely to be the subject of searching investigation. Charles Weber, brother-in-law of the prisoner, who first accused her of the death of his two children, has written to the Minister of Justice demanding that the doctor who gave the certi- ficates of natural deaths be prosecuted for making a false statement, while on the part of the Press and public, general indignation is expressed concerning the state of things which permitted a woman who. whether or not fully responsible for her acts, was apparently a public danger to be let loose again on society. It is thought probable the accused will be brought o Paris in order that her mental state may be determined by eminent experts. Several of the woman's most recent com- panions in debauch, who have been inter- viewed, declare they left her almost immedi- ately after making her acquaintance, believing her to be mad. Medical evidence leaves no doubt that the boy Poirot died from strangu lation. The crime was discovered immediately owing to the child's expiring gasps being heard, and Weber being alone in the room with him at the moment. Prisoner, who at first denied having had anything to do with his death, has now taken refuge in obstinate silence. When interrogated to-day, she refused to make any statement.- Reuter.

THE NATION'S GUEST. One of the most distinguished visitors to London this year is his Highness Mahar- ajah Sir Chandra Shum Shere Jung, R.B., G.C-S.I., the virtual ruler of Nepal, the moun- tainous country which runs about 500 miles on the north-east frontier of India. He was received by the King at Buckingham Palace on Monday. The Maharajah is the guest of the British Government, and Mortimer House, latiety the residence of Lord Penrhyn, has been • tolMfr!' by the Government f6r his use while I The Maharajah of Nepal. I here. The Maharajah is accompanied by a large suite and several members of his family. The visit to this country will extend to No- 0 vember. His Highness is a, keen sportsman and an adept at tennis, and particularly at polo. He will take part in several matches during the season. This is his Highness's ninth visit to this country. In the vast territory ruled by his Highness there arc no Europeans except the British Resident and two or three officers on his staff. Indeed, Europeans are not allowed to travel in Nepal, but by special treaty the Indian Government has the privi- lege of enlisting a certain number of the inhabitants into the Indian Army. These form the well-known Gurkha regiments, and it is no injustice to say that the Gurkhas are second to none among the fighting races of Asia.

BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS Married to Mr Vanderbilt's Whip, In the registry office at Paddington at nine o'clock last Friday morning, says the Central News, Mr Charles H. Wilson, professional whip to Mr Alfred Vanderbilt, was married to Miss Florence B. Schenk, a beautiful American actress. At 11 o'clock in the morning of the same day Mr Wilson took his place beside Mr Vanderbilt on the coach Venture" for the day's run to Brighton. The ceremony was kept a close secret from all save the two intimate friends of the bride who accompanied her to the registry office as witnesses.

MAIL MYSTERY; Another Vanished Letter Bag. Another mail-bag mystery is being investi- gated by Scotland Yard. When the ss. Aothea arrived at the Albert Docks on Monday it was discovered that a bag of letters was miss- ing. The vessel left New Zealand with a small shipment of mails. The bags as usual were counted and put in a special mail room, the keys being handed to one of the officers. However, when the bags came to be checked on reaching London it was found that one was missing. What has become of it is a mystery.

LAW'S LAST PENALTY. At Manchester on Tuesday John Rams- bottom, of Gorton, was executed for the murder of his brother-in law, James McCraw. Ramsbottom shot his wife as she lay in bed at her mother's house, inflicting a serious wound. McCraw rushed into the room, and was fatally wounded by Ramsbottom. The condemned man partook of a hearty breakfast in the morning. The execution was private, but it was reported he walked firmly to the scaffold. Pierpont was the executioner. Everything was carried out promptly.

PLAGUE AT HONG KONG. The Governor of Hong Kong reports to the Colonial Office that 49 cases of plague occurred there last week, and there were 38 deaths. Medical Martyrs. Singapore, Tuesday.—Drs. Raikes and Wray, Government medical officers, have died of plague contracted while performing a post- morteni examination on a patient who died while in quarantine.—Reuter. Venezuela Suspected; New York, Tuesday.—Vessels arriving from Venezuelan ports are to be held in quarantine for special inspection, and if necessary suitable treatment. According to an announcement made by Mr Doty, health officer, that decision has been come to in view of the absence of trustworthy information regarding the exist- ence and spread of bubonic plague in Vene- zuela. 'p Reuter.

At Aberdare Llewelyn James was sum- moned for desertion by his wife, Blodwen James. The Bench adjourned the case for a month

NO REGARD FOR THEIR REPUTATION. DR. CHAPLIN (Tariff Reform Specialist): Did you ever see such a tiresome creature ? We've been trying to convince him that he's on his last legs and that we ought to be operating on him, and there he is, livelier than ever, giving away Old-Age Pensions and cheap sugar! DR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN It's too bad He has no regard for our reputation Cartoon by Sir F. C. Gould. (Published by arrangement with the Westminster Gazette.")

CARDIFF WOMAN'S DEATH. HUSBAND SEVERELY CENSURED. The Cardiff Coroner (Mr W. L. Yorath) held an inquest on Tuesday on Ann Hill (75), wife of Rowland Hill, a commercial traveller, living in Adam-street. The husband, an í elderly man and well-dressed, stated that de- I ceased had for some years suffered from curva- ture of the spine, and latterly had passed most of her time in bed. About a week ago she complained of having had a fall, and as she suffered a good deal of pain he bought her some liniment for her elbow, and allowed her to be removed to the Workhouse Infirmary, where she died. Mrs Jones, wife of a dock labourer, living in Adam-street, said the deceased had not been properly provided for, and there was little food in the house for her when her husband was away. Her husband did not care for any- one to see her, and witness had given her tea without his knowledge. Dr. Price, medical officer at the Workhouse, said the deceased was in an advanced state of senile decay when admitted, was suffering from bed sores, and had a, fracture of the elbow. She died two days after admission from senile decay. Witness saw no sign of any curvature of the spine. The Coroner, in summing up, referred to the husband's evidence as very unsatisfactory, and said the dividing line from what might have been a very serious charge against him was very narrow. From the evidence of Mrs Jones it appeared the woman had not been properly looked after, and yet the husband himself, a] though an old man, did not look as if he had suffered the privations of life. He had also told them that his wife had suffered from cur- vature of the spine, yet the medical evidence showed that that was not the raso. The jury returned a verdict, of Death from senile decay," adding a rider that the husband deserved to be severely censured for neglecting his aged wife as he had done. With that ver- dict the Coroner said he entirely agreed. Mr Hill, who had been several times called to order for loquaciousness, said I have enemies against me, but there's One above who knows I have done my duty." As he continued to talk, the. Coroner ordered him to be removed from the court, and he was escorted to the door, protesting that he would not allow a, police officer to pull him about;, as he was too well known and respected in Cardiff."

FISHGUARD DEVELOPMENTS. The Harbour Extension. Plans of the Great Western Railway Com- pany's new scheme of the extension at Fish- guard shows a new line leading from the Drim cutting, which is now in process of excavattion. It is to run across the centre of Goodwick Moor and over a. bridge spanning the Parrog-road, thence along the projected new breakwater in the centre of the beach, and which extends to a point within 500 feet of the end of the exist- ing rubble mole, enclosing a harbour"of 150 acres, 85 of which is to be dredged to a depth of 40 feet below low water mark. Berthage for vessels is provided along three sides of the harbour, and two coaling stages at the lower end. Half the present sands will be filled in to the height of the railway embankment for sidings and warehouses. Another Booth Liner Due. The Booth liner s.s. Anselm is expected at, Fishguard Harbour on Saturday, the 23rd inst., with passengers from South America. It is freely rumoured that during the sum- mer months the new tender Sir Francis Drake, now at Fishguard Harbour, and which steams 13 knots, and has accommodation for 600 passengers, will run trips to Aberystwyth, New Quay, and other watering-pla-ces on the coast in conjunction with railway excursions from various towns in South Wales.

THROWN BY MOTOR-CAR. Merthyr Woman Injured. On Tuesday, while Principal Griffiths, of the Cardiff University College, was motoring to- wards Merthyr, the mudguard of his car caught the dress of a woman who was alighting from a brake near Pentrebach House. The woman was thrown to the ground. The car was stopped within four yards, and the occupants hastened to the woman's assistance. She proved to be the wife of Mr Henry Jones, 18, Catherine-square. She was carried to her home, some 300 yards away, in an unconscious state. Later in the day it was found that she bad sustained no serious injury, although suffering some pain and feeling the effects of the shock. No blame attaches to the motorists for the accident.

ABERDARE HIGH CONSTABLE. A special meeting of the Aberdare Police Court was held on Tuesday for the purpose of appointing a high constable in succession to Mr A. P. Jones. In the unavoidable absence of Mr A. P. Jones, Mr Rees Rees, an ex-high I constable, presented a list of names. The Sti- pendiary (Sir Marchant Williams) said the Bench had selected the first on the list, Dr. Trevor Jones. To him, personally, the selec- tion was one that gave him great pleasure, Dr. Trevor Jones s father. Dr. Evan Jones, being a respected colleague, and one who was uni- versally respected. Dr. Jones having taken the oath of office, briefly replied. Dr. E. J. TREVOR JONES. Dr. Evan James Trevor Jones, the newly- appointed High Constable of Miskin Higher, is the son of Dr. Evan Jones, J.P., Tymawr. He was educated at the Charter House School and. St. Thomas's Hospital, London. He is an M.D., M.R.C.S. (London), L.R.C.P. (London), L.M.S. He is a frequent contributor to the medical journals. He is the surgeon to the Aberdare Cottage Hospital, and Lieutenant- Surgeon to the Aberdare Volunteers, now the Territ,orial Force. Dr. Jones has taken a deep interest in ambulance work. and has lectured throughout the district on the Prevention of tuberculosis." Being in partnership with his father he has come into close contact with the workmen at the various collieries in the dis- trict, and. like his father, is a, persona grata with all, being a frequent president at Eistedd- fodau, concerts, lectures and other local gatherings. He is married and has two children. Dr. Jones's father, Dr. Evan Jones, J.P., occupied the position of High Constable of Miskin Higher for two years in succession, from May, 1883, to May, 1885, and in that 'capacity made a very earnest but unsuccessful effort to secure a. free library for the town, and he also presided over the committee which secured a visit of the National Eisteddfod to the town in 1885.

MERTHYR UNDESIRABLES. At Merthyr Police Court on Tuesday Mary George made her 73rd appearance, and was placed on the black list for the second time and ordered to pay 10s costs (or go to prison for 14 days) for being drunk. Ellen Goodwin, of 'Aberaman, made her 36th appearance, and, being on the black list, was sent to prison for six months, in default of obtaining sureties to be of good behaviour. It appeared that she had spent the last 12 months in prison for drunkenness, consequent upon failing to find sureties for her good behaviour. Nora Booth made her 46th appearance, and was sent to prison for a month for stealing 15s from the person of Daniel Jones, on the 5th inst.

DOCTOR'S EXPLANATION. The Visiting Committee of the Cardiff Board of Guardians on Tuesday at Ely discussed the circumstances attending the admission of Thos. Davies to the Cardiff Workhouse infirmary while suffering from typhoid fever on Friday night last. The committee thought that a lodging-house keeper had been anxious to get rid of the de- ceased, and accepted the statement of Dr. Timms, who explained that he would not have been justified in refusing the man admission, as the symptoms of typhoid were not then mani- fest.

KILLED BY MISTAKE. HOW CAPT. BIGGS WAS SHOT. Unarmed Approach to a Village. The following account of the events that fed to the death of Capt. Norman Biggs has been given by Dr. Gordon Hall, who attended the deceased officer, and who has recently re- turned home from Northern N igeria:- On Wednesday, February 19th, Capt. Biggs started off North, mounted, accompanied by three spare horses and grooms, and twenty- four native police on foot, leaving Kontagora early in the morning and arriving at Ribbo, a distance of 24 miles, that night, where they encamped. The next day at Sakaba, 22 miles away, they were joined by Capt. Campbell with 10 soldiers, and the combined forces went on to Chinuku, where their orders were to arrest some Pagans who had been pillaging. On approaching the village the Pagans, while harvesting their crops, sighted them and opened fire. The troops returned their fire, rushed the village, and burned it. Capt. Biggs, who, in the attack, had emptied his Colt and killed three natives, did not re- load, but immediately rode on to the next vil- lage to allay the alarm which would naturally have been aroused in the minds\ of the in- habitants when they saw the village of Chinuku in flames, and to explain to them that his force had no quarrel with them and that they had nothing to fear. Unfortunately his mission was misunder- stood by the inhabitants, one of whom, before Captain Biggs could get near enough to ex- plain his errand, shot him in the thigh with a poisoned arrow. Captain Campbell saw the arrow fired, but did not know that Biggs was wounded, and it was only after he had pursued and killed the shooter of the arrow that he found Captain Biggs, who had pulled out the arrow, trying to get off his horse. He immediately cauterised the wound with a red-hot native knife, and superintended the removal of the wounded officer to Sakaba, a, distance of 50 miles. In this affair one native policeman had been hit by a poisoned arrow and died, and one horse had been killed. At Sakaba Captain Biggs remained till the doctor arrived four days later, tended by Captain Campbell and his own native sergeant-major, who was devoted to him. Be was perfectly conscious, and suffered little pain, but never really rallied, and died very suddenly, the following morning, the 27th February, in spite of the unremitting attention of the doctor, Captain Campbell, and the sergeant-major. It is supposed that one or two attacks of malaria had so weakened his heart that he was not able to stand the sudden loss of blood. He was buried within the fort of Sakaba with full military honours with a firing party of 30, and his own men carried him to the grave. The arrotv has been brought home for analysis.

DOG BARKED MAN BOLTED. Burglar Alarm at Lanslay Hall. Elijah Benjamin Baker was sent to prison by the Cowhridge county magistrates on Tues- day for being on enclosed premises at Llanelay Hall, the residence of Mrs Masters, at 1.45 a.m. on May 9th. The evidence showed that Miss Masters was disturbed in the early hours of the morning, and looking from a window she saw a man on a ladder leaning against the wall near her window. The dog barked and the man bolted. P.C. Lee said that the footprints be- neath the window and in the garden corre- sponded with the boots that defendant wore when arrested. The Ladder was found in the barn of a farmhouse where prisoner worked. Prisoner denied all knowledge of the affair, adding that he had been drinking heavily dur- ing the previous evening.

CAERPHILLY DISTRICT RATE. A Sig Increase. At a meeting of Caerphilly Urban District Council on Tuesday Mr J. T. Rees presiding, there was a discussion on the estimates for the district rate for the ensuing half-year. The estimates required an increase in the rate of 8d in the 1, viz., from Is 8d to 2s 4d. It was de- cided to postpone the carrying out of certain works proposed, and this would reduce the estimates by jESOO. A proposal for a 2s rate fell through, the proposer stating that people would be staggered by the increase. Another mem- ber said there was an overdraft of E3,000 at the bank, and such overdrafts were sometimes considered as illegal debts. Therefore he proposed that a rate of 2s 2d in the £ be made. This was eventually agreed to. It was remarked that this increase way due to the bad policy of not paying their debts as they went along.

A MUSICAL COMEDY. i

Man's Lost Memory. WIFE DIED AT CARDIFF- Remarkable Cornish Story. A remarkable case of lapse of memory is at present engaging the Liskeard (Cornwall) police. About 11 a.m. on Monday an elderly man called at the Police Station, and at his own request was taken to the Liskeard Workhouse, where he is at present comfortably housed in the infirmary. He told the police an extraordinary story. He said he originally went out to get a shave, but did not know when or where. The barber, however, was cheated of his client. Forget- ting the original nature of his quest, he wandered away, oblivious of his surroundings, and apparently even of his own identity. He told the police that he had been walking ever since." The man, who complained that his head was bad, and requested to see a doctor, was attended to in kindly fashion at the police station, food and tea being provided. He had a stick, cut from the iiedge, and appeared to have been tramping the countryside. He asked Sergeant Johns what date it was, and on the sergeant informing him it was the eleventh of the month, he replied that he thought it was the third, and added that he could not understand where he had been. e further said he had been a merchant skipper, and at the invitation of the police he essayed to write his name, and wrote Cap- tain Jam— He, however, could get no further. Later he said he had years since been a captain of one of Messrs Williams's steamers at Portreath, that his wife died at Cardiff some years ago, and that he had a son in America. There was a paper in his possession with reference to a Licensing Bill meeting at '/juro. At the top of the paper appeared the heaa.ng' De Dunstanville Hotel, Fore-street, Redrutti April 13th, 1908." In further con- versation Pe informed the police that he was a Freemason,' and a member of an Oddfellows' Lodge at Reài2lth.. Dr. Metcalfe saw the man during the course of the day, and if, is suggested that his loss of memorv is caused b>' a spinal complaint. Possibly he may be interested m mining, as an old paper was found in'>JltS pocket with respect to mining news. v The following is a (Iescription of the wanderer:— Age, 68 years height, g.!t.. Sin. build, medium grey eyes, grey hK.r- grey mous- tache grey chin whiskers dark romplie xion dressed in blue serge coat and vest, grey trousers, black canvas shoes, grey shIrt, brown cap, white collar, black tie, tatiOO mark (star on back of right hand), silver waii,-h and chain. He has a recollection of having at °^e time or another visited Malpas, Falmouth, x"tc. I

MAGNIFICENT GIFT TO THE NATION. Through the generosity of Mr T, .T. Duveen, one of the heads of the famous firm of Bond- street art dealers, the nation will before long be in possession of a magnificent addition to its picture galleries. Mr Duveen has offered- and the offer has been accepted by Mr Lewis Harcourt, First Commissioner of Works—to erect a new wing, consisting of five galleries, to the Tate Gallery. It will be known pro- bably as the Turner wing," for it is intended to place inib on loan the larger part of the Turner collection of oil-paintings, water colours, and drawings, for which there is not sufficient room at, the National Gallery. The story of the Duveen firm is one of the great romances of wealth. The founder of it. Mr H. J. Duveen, has risen from the humble posi- tion of a working blacksmith to be a million- airs with a mansion in Park-lane and the repu- tation of one of tho finest art connoisseurs in Mr J. J. Duveen. the world. Mr H. J. Duveen was one of a number of young Dutch Jews who some years age left their native country for England. Emigrating to Hull, young Duveen followed his trade for some time, but his desire to im- prove his position asserted itself. He came to London and became associated with a firm of jewellers in Holborn. Meanwhile, although devoted to business, he took great pains to complete his education, and eventually so well did he prosper that he was able with his brother, for whom he had sent to Holland, to establish the I usiness in Bond-street which is now famous all over the world. Some time ago Mr Duveen paid over a million for the Radolphe Kan a collection of pictures. He has all his life been intensely devoted to the study of pictures.

FOUND DROWNED ON SWANSEA BEACH. An inquest was held at the Sailors' Rest on Tuesday touching the death of a man named McKenzie, platelayer, who earlier in the morn- ing was found floating in the tide opposite the London and North-Western Railway Com- pany's sheds, Swansea, by two workmen. The wif, Elizabeth McKenzie, said her husband was a platelayer, and used to work for the Swansea Harbour Trust, but had not done so since Good Friday. He had been drinking heavily for a fortnight. He had gone out before 5 a.m. on Monday, and she heard nothihg more of him until he was fmnd drowned. Alfred Charles Clerk said he saw deceased about 6.30 a.m. near the quay wall of the South Dock. He was drunk, and he took him away from the edge of the water and put him on a seat to sleep off the effects of drink. Frederick J. Joslyn spoke to seeing deceased's body floating on lie sea front. The jury returned a verdict oi -1 Found drowned."

POST WITH NO DUTIES. Caerphilly High Constable. In accordance with ancient custom, the High Constable of CaerpbillyHigher (Mr Syd- ney Simons) appeared before the justices at Mer- thyr on Monday ^osurrender what he described as his rods of office," and to nominate three gentlemen as eligible successors. The first name on the list was that of the Mayor (Aid. D. W. Jones), and on the recommendation of the retiring holder of the office, the Mayor was appointed. Mr Simons said that -in the first six months of the year there were no duties to perform, and in the second six months the work was no heavier, the duties being now merged in the office of Mayor. On accepting office, Ald. Jones took the oath to serve until his successor should be appointed. At his re- quest the Chairman (Mr John Plews) directed £ he clerk to ascertain whether the appoint-\ • went could not be made in November, so that tn th years of office oould be concurrent.

EXHAUSTED RESCUER. Early on Monday Thomas Burns, of Aber- crave, was rescued from the Swansea North Dock in an exhausted condition. On being brought round he stated that he was going up the Strand about midnight, and hearing cries for help he ran under an archway at the North Dock, and saw a man struggling in the water. Without divesting himself of his clothing he jumped into the dock and endeavoured to keep the drowning man's head above water by catching hold of his neck. After several at- tempts he was obliged to let go, and the man disappeared. The police have since dragged the dock, but so far have come across no body.

THE KING AND MANCHESTER The Lord Mayor of Manchester on Monday received the following letter from Lord Knollys ;— Dear Lord Mayor,—I am commanded by the King to inform you that he has given every consideration to your request that he would visit your city for the purpose of open- ing Manchester Royal Infirmary. It would have afforded much satisfaction to his Majesty to have undertaken the ceremony, but he has promised to go this summer to Bristol and Leeds, and he regrets that with his many en- gagements it will not be in his power to pay a visit to a third city during the present year.— I remain, dear Lord Mayor, yours truly, knollys."

WELSH GLEANINGS, News and Views in Lighter Vein. Colonel J. A. Bradney, of Talybont, has just finished his corrections of his edition of the Book of Baglan," which will be issued to the subscribers shortly. The gallant and literary gentleman's knowledge of the genealogy of Wales will make this edition of the Book of Baglan" of great value to all students of Welsh history. Mr Herbert Lewis, M.P., one of the Junior Lords of the Treasury, has promised to preside next Friday evening at the Beauchamp-road Church, Clapham Junction, on the occasion of the recognition meeting of its new pastor—the Rev. D. Tyler Davies, of Bwlch, Breconshire. South Wales. Speakers at the meeting will include the Rev. J. Davies, F.S.A., Pandy Mr R. Phillips and Mr W. Parry, Bwlch Rev. Wm. Lewis, Pontypridd and Rev. John Lewis, Aberaman. The fishing in Cardigan Bay during the first quarter of this year has been excellent, and the grounds are showing signs of being better stocked than for some time past, the most noticeable feature being the presence of particularly fine plaice. The value of the wet fish landed at the northern ports on the shores was-Aberystwyth, £ 326 ;'Pwllheli, X221 Carfiarvon, X120 Holyhead, £ 565; Bangor, £579. The shell fish landed at Aber- dovey were sold for £20-t, whilst the fisher- men of Bangor disposed of their catch for £946. The other day Lord Justice Vaughan Williams declared that it seemed to him that old-fashioned Welsh Calvinistic Methodists seldom regarded with favour the establish- ment of English causes in their neighbourhood. Prompt confirmation of this view is afforded by a writer in this month's Monthly Treasury (the organ of the English C.M. Churches in Wales) who remarks :—" Pre- judice against the English Cosses dies un- commonly hard some zealous parents would rather see their children become Roman Catholics than see them join one of our Eng- lish cliurches." Prejudice and suspicion there may have been-but is the author of this exaggeration himself free from the defect ? The mountain sheep in the Rhondda Valleys have acquired daring habits, but it is ques- tionable whether any of the innocents have performed a cooler and bolder feat than a sheep and a lamb did this week. Near one of the police stations is a greengrocer's shop, and, appreciating the fact that the assistant in charge was temporarily absent, the twain marched in, and, commandeering two spring cabbages, they made a hearty meal on the roadside, much to the amusement of a small band of spectators, who allowed them to feast ^^out interruption. Heff Wlad fy Nhadau." Ystrad/ab writes :-There is evidently a mis understanding f to the year in which Hen Wlad fy Ni^dau (" The Land of my Fathers") was; tirst sung from a public plat- form Dr Abel-'7- Parry> 1 see, claims that this took place at Cefnmaw-r Eisteddfod in 1859. I have always una^rst«od *?*■■ ? rendered by the lati i Liow Llwyfo at an Eis- teddfod held in Abeiv?,re in first person who introduced) the patriotic song to a small circle of admirersr ^vas the late Mr Wm. Williams, of Hafod, wn\° recently died in America. I Long Pastorates, Long pastorates are bccon fashionablf. in the English churches of f, Cal vinistic Methodists. A writer ilf the May nur her of "The Monthly Treasury hasthefo lowing interesting n^te:—Oi very olaes English pastors are the Rev Rees Daviet Talgarth, and John Davie? ndy, both c whom entered upon their pastorate 39 years ago (1869). Next c .e y^Tf- Davies, Berriew, and R. -<sc. ~77 „ Then the Rev. Edward Pa. M.A., 1878 the Rev. C. T. Astley, &.A., L^^S^' 1879 4 the Rev. B. Lewis, Tenby, 1885 W. S. Jones, Abergavenny, 1886; and ff1 T J.Edwards, Colwyn Bay J. Verri V RhyL; and T. d. Owen, M.A., >! P«pool. Rhyl i; and T. Owen., M.A., Tegid and the Birds. Mr D. Ladd Davies, of Cardigan, founder of Tegid's memorial movement, writes that on the day of the poet-preacher's death the pulpit of Nanhyfer church was occupied by his friend the Rev. David Prothero, vicar of the adjoining parish of Eglwyswrw. During the service a bird in the porch of the church poured fourth its voice loudly and sweetly so that the voice of the preacher was drowned for a few seconds. When the worshippers returned from church they were informed that Tegid had passed away at that very moment. On the day of his interment, the following Thurs- day, a bird alighted on a tree close by, and while the coffin was being lowered into the grave it sang melodiously. Tegid was very fond of birds, and composed several of his poetical effusions to them. W. Downing Evans's Leon." Old inhabitants of Newport and Caerleon will remember Leon," the old registrar, who lived for years at the little cottage by St. Woolos Church. He was the poet of the town, and produced two books of poetry. At one time Mr Downing Evans kept a school at Christchurch and attended the Baptist Chapel at Caerleon. It will be a surprise to know that the bard was also an artist, and painted the portrait of the Rev. T. Evans, the minister of the church. This oil painting still hangs .in the schoolroom attached to the chapel. In the graveyard adjoining there is an obelisk to the memory of the bard's wife and children, though he himself lies buried at the Nonconformist burial ground, Newport close to his old friend D. Rhys Stephen. These two were the revivalists of the Welsh language in Newport 70 years ago. first Welsh Training College. The Bangor Normal College celebrates itt jubilee this year. It has played an important part in the great education movemeij is' Wales. For many years it was the only av>?,-if through which young Welshmen could p \;f free of any religious test, to the higher sta. » of a successful educational career. Here—vS1 quote only two signal instances—the President of Jesus and Professor of Celtic at Oxford, Sir John Rhys, and the present Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow, Dr. Henry Jones, had their first experience of college education." Scores of other men who have risen to positions of distinction have passed through the Normal College. Sir Hugh Owen was the founder, and the Rev. John Phillips the first principal. On his death in 1864 he was succeeded by the Rov. Daniel Rowlands who is still hale and hearty, but retired from the principalship many years ago. A New Insect. Mr E. A. Butler, a fellow of the Entomo- logical Society and student of the British Homoptera, discovered near Kidwelly a small insect previously unknown to science. The insect has now been named Empoasca Butleri after its discoverer. The insect is one of the so-called frog-hoppers," the best known representative of which is the cuckoo spit insect which makes that disagree- able froth found on the shoots of young plants. "Empoasa Butleri," however, is smaller and does not produce froth. It is a beautiful insect, its upper wings are of a bright green colour, with dark margins, and when they are closed a dark band appears all down the back of the insect. It is an active little creature, jumping with great agility, and being able also to use its wings like a fly. It lives on the dwarf swallows which are so characteristic a feature on the sandhills, and is found in con- siderable numbers late in August and during September. Prehistoric Britain and Modern England. Thus Dr. Holmes in his recently published great work on Ancient Britain and the In- vasions of Julius Caesar But when the Romans had gone, when the Saxon, the Dane, and the Norman had come, the descendants of neolithic aboriginals, of bronze-using immi- grants, and of Celts still lived on and their composite influence has ever since been helping to form the British character and to deter- mine the course of British history. The roads on which we travel, the flocks and herds that feed us, the corn that grows in our fields, the implements which we use—all our industrial arts are inseparably connected with theirs. Not only do their beliefs still survive, tinging the faith in which their successors have been taught, but their spirit has lived again in the men who have done the deeds of which our nation may be proud. And perhaps the story which this book has told may lead a few tc become less self-complacent and to thinkamore of those primitive ancestors."

KING TO VISIT BRISTOL To Open Avonmouth Dock. The Lord Mayor of Bristol on Monday received a communication from Lord Knollys the King's private secretary, announcing tha! his Majeslv will be pleased to visit Bristol accompanied by the Queen, during the wee! commencing July 6th, for the purpose of open ing the RoyaJ Edward Dock at Avonroou*vK ing the RoyaJ Edward Dock at AvonmotJtÁ