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¡"Cat" at Cardiff. -I
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¡ "Cat" at Cardiff. STATEMENT BY HOME SECRETARY. In the House of Commons on Monday, MacNeill (Nat.) asked the Home how many convicts at the recent Assizes at Cardiff were „ sentenced to the Punishment of flogging, what was the total dumber of lashes inflicted, and what was the test number of lashes inflicted on one individual whether any and, if so, which of toe cases in which at these Assizes prisoners re sentenced to be flogged were considered hy the Home Secretary with a view to the re- tnlsslon or reduction of the penalty of the lash J^hether the fact that these sentences of flogging had been passed came to his know- ledge before the floggings were inflicted and, if so, what steps, if any, did he take, having regard to the mOTal degradation produced and Pfin inflicted by such punishment, to satisfy himself of its absolute necessity in the interests of justice and for the preservation of social order. Mr Gladstone replied Fourteen men were convicted of robbery with violence at the decent Assizes at Cardiff, and 82nteJ;lced to corporal punishment in addition to terms of Penal servitude or imprisonment. The corporal punishment was 12 strokes with the cat in 10 of the cases, 15 strokes in three, and six strokes in one. Some of these cases were brought to his notice by the hon. member at the time, and he obtained particulars of the Punishments ordered, but, as he then informed the hon; member, the sentences were passed hy humane and careful judges, and he saw no reason for interference. Three of the men Petitioned, and their petitions were considered before the infliction of the punishment, but they disclosed no grounds for interference. An Outbreak of these crimes of robbery with Jtolence had recently taken place at Cardiff. The records of all the prisoners showed that all out two of them had been previously con- victed, several of them many times, and that Ordinary sentences of imprisonment had failed check their criminal tendencies. Mr D. Maclean (L., Bath) asked whether it Was not a fact that crimes of violence had practically disappeared from Cardiff since the exposition of these floggings. Mr Gladstone I believe that is so.
JTHE HOP INDUSTRY.
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JTHE HOP INDUSTRY. In the House of Lords on Monday, Lord ADDINGTON moved, That the con- tinued cultivation of hop gardens of Englnd 18 a matter of national concern, and that the Present critical condition of the hop industry deserved the immediate attention of his Majesty's Government." He drew attention to the fact that the acreage under hops in land had largely diminished in recent years owing to the large importation from abroad, While at the present time in London enormous quantities of Californian hops were being offered under cost price, with the avowed in- dention of ruining the English hop growing industry. These hops gave a sleepy heavy flavour to the beer, and for the sake of the Public generally as well as the industry of hop growing, and the large number of people en- gaged in it, he asked the G overnment to shake themselves free from their old ideas about Free Trade or Protection and put a 40s import duty on foreign hops. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said as one who was brought into close touch with the life of the Kentish towns and villages, he Was aghast at the consternation which pre- vailed at the prospect of ruin to the hop in- dustry. What steps should be taken he did not profess to know in the least, but he Would be wrong if he did not from his own knowledge of Kent and its needs, say how Widespread and deep was the feeling that the flatter was one of importance, and that it concerned the industrial and social well-being of both urban and rural communities. Lord HARRIS stated that the hop-growing industry in the country had been diminished by internal competition in the first place and then by competition from abroad. The intro- duction of glass for drinking vessels instead of Sewter showed the people the muddiness of the quor they were drinking, and made it neces- Bary for the brewers to take foreign hops to Secure brighter beer. Cold storage, too, had tnade it possible to carry the surplus of one crop over for one, two, or even three years. All this had had a very bad effect on the hop- growers. In spite of all these cries, however, it was felt that in the present state of things a more potent factor must be introduced if the trade was to' be saved, and he hoped Earl Harrington would give a sympathetic hearing to the case of the hopgrowers and those depen dent on them. Viscount EVERSLEY, who had been on the Committee appointed by the late Lord Salis- bury to inquire into the subject, assured their Lordships that many causes besides foreign competition were responsible for the bad state of ihe hop-industry. Brewers required a cer- tain amount of foreign hops in any case. Then ey had discovered a way of using less hops Per barrel of beer, and in addition there were su £ (which were constantly used) 1M0 c? ,?torage. These things amounted in ,.o 24 per cent, of the reduction on an av^ £ age. Resides this more was being grown on eacn acre owing to improved methods, and there was the diminution in the consumption of beer by the public. The next year, however, a boom came in the trade, and continued with variations, the crisis at its worst being as bad as the present. In the last five years the returns of the actual consumption of hops showed a diminution of 17 per cent., due solely to brew- ing processes. Under the circumstances he hoped their Lordships would refrain from re- cording judgment until the report of the present. Commission was before them. Earl CARRINGTON said the Government quite agreed to the terms of the resolution and had anticipated the noble Lord who had intro- duced it, because a Select Committee was in- quiring into the whole subject and he expected their report would be received within six weeks. The annual consumption of hops in Great Britain averaged 600,000 cwt. or 30 tons, of which 20 tons were home grown. It true the acreage under hops had been reduced but at the same time the yield per acre had pro- portionately increased. He did not deny that the situation in so far as it affected labour was very serious, and the question arose what ought the Government to do ? With regard to the demand for a 40s import duty on hops which was represented to be necessary to the salvation of an industry requiring exceptional treatment, the noble Earl pointed out that it Would be none the less a tax upon food and upon the raw material which was necessary to produce that food, and its purpose would be to raise prices and not to produce revenue. He was informed that such a duty would mean an addition to the cost of manufacture of beer of ttd per barrel, and as Lord Harris had declared that no matter what the price of hops might be the retail price of beer remained the same, the extra cost of production would have to be borne by the shareholders, upon whom it would entail a tax of 3s 8d in the £ upon their dividends. In those circumstances they might expect that the brewers would have to put their shutters Up in six months, and what would then become of the shareholders—the poor widows and orphans of whom they had heard so much lately ? Was the noble Lord quite certain that a tax of 40s would save the British hop- growers ? It would not keep out all foreign hops, because brewers must have them for certain kinds of beer. He pointed out that in America, where hopgrowers were protected by a duty of 56s per cwt. on foreign hops, and where the cost of production was under £24 per acre, as against £40 or JE50 in England, the hop industry was in anything but a satisfac- tory condition. The whole difficulty had been caused by over-production.
Family Notices
Family Notices
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BIRTHS AND DEATHS. Blessings of Wet Summer. The Registrar-General's sumary report with regard to marriages, births, and deaths in England and Wales during 1907, issued on Monday night, contains some highly interest- ing and significant figures.. The report shows that the marriages in England and WaJes during the year numbered 276,088, giving a rate of 15'8 persons married per 1,000 of the population at all ages. This rate was 0 2 above the corresponding rate in the previous year, and equal to the average rate for the preceding ten years. The births registered during the year numbered 917,636, being in the proportion of 26"3 per 1,000 of the population. This rate was 0'8 per 1,000 below the rate in the previous year, and lower than the rate in any other year on record. Compared with the average for the preced- ing ten years, the birth rate for 1907 shows a decrease of 2'1 per 1.000. The death rate for the year was 15 per 1,000, the total number registered being 524,311. This rate was 0'4 below that for 1906 and the lowest death rate on recprd. The rate of infantile mortality during the year was 14 per 1,000 below the rate for the previous year, and the lowest rate on record, this fact being mainly attributed to the showery and cool weather experienced during the summer. Compared with the average for the preceding ten years, the rate of infantile mortality last year shows a decrease of 27 per 1,000. Comparative tables dealing with the 76 large towns show that the birth rate ranged from 16'6 in Hastings and 17'0 in Homsey, to 35'9 in Merthyr Tydvil and 37'1 in the Rhondda. The lowest death rate was that of Homsey 8*6, the highest rate being 20 3 in Middlesbrough. The rate of infantile mortality ranging from 77 per 1,000 in Hornsey to 165 in Nottingham.
---------------UNCONSCIOUS…
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UNCONSCIOUS IN ROAD. Sunday night a man was discovered lying in the roadway near the general hospital at Merthyr, suffering from a severe wound on the top of his head. The police were informed, and J>.C.8 Hunter and Evans conveyed the man to the police station, where Dr. Ernest Ward Was called to examine him. Dr. Ward found that the man wa. suffering from concussion of the brain, and that there were no signs of in- toxication. The man was removed to the Merthyr In- firmary, where he now lies still unconscious. Bis identity is unknown, but he was heard to nvumble a word very much like" Surston." It fa believed that the man fell down in a fit and •WSteMm?d tlrH the wall.
Dinas Main Explosion. ..
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Dinas Main Explosion. MINES INSPECTORS' REPORT. The Coal Dust Theory. Reporting to the Home Office on the explo- sion at Dinas Main Colliery on the 14th Decem- ber, 1907, in which seven men lost their lives, Mr W. N. Atkinson, Superintendent Mines In- spector for South Wales, and Mr J. Dyer Lewis, H.M. Inspector of Mines for Swansea district, state :— Two theories or explanations were advanced to account for the explosion. The theory of the manager, supported by the mining engineers who investigated the explo- sion for the owners, was that the explosion was initiated by an ignition of firedamp on the main haulage road near the end of the Tres- pass headir-g by a naked light carried by Richard Ev;>ns or John Jenkins. The gas, which it was supposed had been ignited, it was thought might havo come from coal seams lying under the No. 3 Rhondda Seam, through strata disturbed by the working of steam coal seams below, or from the gob to the north of the flue in the vicinity of the Trespass heading. It was pointed out that there had been a sudden fall of the baro- meter the day before the explosion, which would be favourable to the unexpected ap- pearance of firedamp. The barometer, how- ever, was rising at the time of the explo- sion, and had been for ten hours previously. The movement of firedamp in mines is usually in advance of the barometer, and not behind it. We do not think the atmospheric condi- tions had any connection with the explosion, nor that firedamp played any part in it. There is nothing inherently impossible in the above theory, but in view of the fact that a much more more probable explanation of the explo- sion was discovered we do not think it neces- sary to further discuss it. Theory of Powder-Stemmed Shot. In our opinion the true cause of the explo- sion was the firing of a shot of compressed gunpowder, probably stemmed with coal dust, and the ignition thereby of the coal dust on the road, at the point where the remains of a drill-hole were found in the roof and on stones on the ground in front of it, midway between the bodies of J. Jenkins and Richard Evans. The obvious conclusion to be drawn from the position and appearance of the drill marks in the roof and on the stones on the floor was that they formed part of the same hole and the position of these and other stones on the floor was only consistent with the firing of a shot. No timber had been blown out at the place to cause them to fall, and the drill-marked stones were not directly under the hole in the roof, where they would have been if they had fallen by gravity, but on the opposite side of the road, where they might have been projected by the explosion of a shot. It was also further made clear that these stones had not fallen after the explosion because the surfaces exposed by their detachment were coated with a film of black dust, whereas if they had fallen after the ex- plosion the freshly-exposed surfaces would have been clean and easily distinguishable from surfaces exposed at the time of the explosion. Evidence as to the firing of shots on the day of the explosion was given at the inquest. Thomas Watkins, collier, the adopted son of Watkin Evans, said that as he came out from work the previous evening he. saw Watkin Evans boring a hole where the shot-hole in question was found. He asked Evans if he was going to blow the top down that night. Evans replied No, he was preparing for Saturday he had two other holes further out; he wanted to see Thomas Miles, so that he could purchase powder for him to take in on Saturday. Thomas Miles, collier, said that on his way out on Friday he saw Watkin Evafns, who asked for 21b of black powder. He obtained the powder at an iron monger's and left j t at Evans's house. John Webber, hauling engine man, said that John Jenkins told him on Saturday morning that he had three holes bored by Watkin Evans, and that he had to fill that rubbish, that is, the rubbish made by these holes, and said they were at the bottom of the" big pitch." In opposition to the conclusion that a shot had been fired in this hole, it was pointed out that the hole was in such a posi- tion that it had probably been made for the purpose of holding a plug and bracket to support the signal wires, and this argument was greatly strengthened by the finding, within a few feet of the hole, of a wood plug and iron bracket such as were used for fixing the signal wires. We think it is not improbable that the hole had originally been made for this purpose, and that it had been utilised and lengthened by Watkin Evans for the purpose of blasting the side off at the place. An Objection Discounted. It was also contended that the positions in which the bodies of J. Jenkins and Richard Evans were found were inconsistent with the firing of a shot, as they should and would have gone into refuge holes to await the ex- plosion of a shot. We attach no importance to this objection. The men were each 25 yards from the shot, which was a small one directed at right angles to the line of the road. On firing a shot the men would naturally retire in different directions in order to prevent any- one approaching the shot, and they were at such a distance as to be practically from any stones projected from such a shot. It was further argued that Watkin Evans, the authorised shot firer, was not near the place, and that no shot would be fired except by him. The shots were all to be fired by fuze, and all the men had naked lights so that anv of them were able to fire the shots. J. Jenkins was an experienced man, and had been an official, and it was quite possible for Watkin Evans to arrange with him to fire the shot in order to save time. It will be shown that the firing of any of the shots was illegal, under which circumstances it i< not surprising that the workmen did not strictly adhere to the rules. It was also objected that no shot was re- quired at the place, and that the stone could have been removed by picks if necessary. We do not agree with either of these objections. In order to ascertain under what conditions this shot had probably been fired, the two charge holes nearest to it were cut out. and they were found each to contain two pellets of compressed gunpowder stemmed with coal dust. I all probability the shot which caused the explosion was of a similar nature and if so we have at once a full explanation of the calamity. Such a shot would be likely to pro- duce a considerable volume of flame, which, coming in contact with the coal dust on the floor, roof, and sides of the road, would raise and ignite it, and the explosion would extend as far as there was a continuous supply of coal dust to carry it on. Many of the most disastrous explosions which have occurred in this country were caused as above described, and the regu- lations for preventing such explosions are very stringent. Results of Chemioal Analysis. In view of the dispute as to whether a shot had been fired in this hole, it was thought advisable to have a chemical examination of the material forming the sides of the hole. For this purpose the stone forming the sides of that portion of the hole left in the roof was scraped off; and for comparison some stone dust scraped (rom the same stratum a short distance from the shot hole was taken, where it could not have been affected by the explosive. These samples, together with a small piece of the stratum itself, were sent to the Government laboratory, and examined by Mr Grant Hooper, who reported that the dust scraped from the sides of the hole afforded evidence of the presence of the chief products of the ex- plosion or ignition of gunpowder, which evidence was absent in the dust scraped from the same stratum outside the shot hole. Not a Blown Out Shot. The shot was not a blown-out shot,but did its work properly. We wish to emphasise this fact because, in the reports of the Accidents in Mines Commission (1886) and of the Coal Dust Commission (1894), blown-out shots are referred to as practically the only means by which an explosion of coal dust, in the absence of firedamp, can be brought about. Whilst there is no doubt that a blown-out shot is morb likely to cause an axplosion of coal dust, under ordinary condi- tions, than a shot which does its work pro- perly, it by no means follows that an ordinary shot of certain explosives is incapable of igniting coal dust. Blown-out shots only form a small percentage of the number of shots fired, and, in our opinion, the majority of explosions caused by blasting on dusty intake and haulage roads during the past 30 or 40 years were due to shots which were not blown- out shots." The report proceeds to set forth breaches of the rules which, it is alleged, were committed, and which have already formed the subject of proceedings, and which it is expected will be made the matter of Home Office appeals against the recent dismissal of the cases taken in the Bridgend Police Court.
BARRY LADEN SHIP SAFE.I
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BARRY LADEN SHIP SAFE. 210 Days te Acapulco. All anxiety respecting the safety of the large full-rigged steel ship Bardowie was brought to an end by the announcement of her safe arrival at Acapulco on May 1st from Barry and Lisbon. The Bardowie was formerly owned by Messrs Hamilton, Harvey, and Co., of Glasgow, and commanded by Captain Sutter, and during her last stay at Cardiff she was sold to Norwegian buyers, and left Barry on October 4th with a cargo of coal.bound for Acapulco under the command of Captain Tygesen. She encountered heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay, in which she sustained damage, and was obliged to put into Lisbon for repairs, and left again on December 3rd. She was due to arrive on the West Coast in March, and when day after day passed and she was not reported anxiety began to be felt for her, and she figured in the re-insurance market. Her passage occupied 150 days from Lisbon and 210 days from Barry.
[No title]
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On Monday evening a coolie, belonging to the Lascar crew of the ss. Killin, at present lying in the Bute Docks, was removed to the Hamadryad Seamen's Hospital suffering severely from injuries sustained in a fall down a ship's hold. He was picked up in a stal e of uncomw iousness, and his condition last night was pre carious.
Asleep At H is Post. .
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Asleep At H is Post. LLWYNYPIA ENGINEMAN FINED. William Collier, an elderly man, employed as engineman at the Glamorgan Collieries, Llwynypia, was summoned by the proprietors at Ystrad Police Court on Monday for sleep- ing at his post whilst in charge of the fan engine at 4.30 a.m. on Sunday, the 26th ult. Mr Kenshole represented the company, and Mr W. T. James defended. Alexander Allen, watchman, said he found defendant fast asleep, and, on awakening him, it was palpable the man was drun^k. The engine had slowed djjwn, the volume of air was insufficient for ventilation, and the lubrication was deficient. Cross-examined by Mr James, Allen ad- mitted Collier had worked 100 hours the pre- vious week. For. the defence, Mr James in the first place expressed the regret of his client. Defendant, early in life, had spent ten years in India. He had since suffered from ague, and in order to relieve the pain defendant purchased 6d worth of brandy. Mr James pleaded for leniency as Collier had been thirty years in the service of the company and was 67 years of age. Mr Kenshole informed Mr Arthur Lewis (the Stipendiary) that he was afraid the company could not reinstate the man. A fine of El was imposed. Collier Boys' Cigarettes. At the same court Edward Powis and Henry Thompson, collier boys, were fined £ 1 each for having cigarettes in their possession whilst at work at the Cambrian Collieries, Clydach Vale, and Robert Jones, a collier, was similarly fined for having matches in the mine. Shotman Summoned. Thomas Morgan, a shotman at the Tydraw Colliery, Treherbert, was also summoned before the Ystrad Bench for failing to report the misfiring of a shot. Mr M. J. Walters, Tre- herbert, prosecuted. Evidence was given that the defendant had entered in his book that the shot had been fired. Defendant stated that this entry referred to another detonator which had been successful. The Stipendiary, who held that a technical offence had been proved, dismissed the case on the payment of 10 s towards the costs. A second summons was preferred of handing over a battery with- out first removing the handle to two workmen who were not authorised to fire shots. A fine of £2 was imposed. Collier and His Lamp. David John Powell, collier, employed at the Great Western Colliery, Abergwynfi, was summoned at, the Aberavon (County) Police Court on Monday for not hanging his lamp in a place of safety in order to prevent it being struck by a tool. Defendant's lamp was pro- duced in court, showing that it had been struck on the top and the gauze pierced. Defendant said it was a pure accident; he immediately put the light out and went for another lamp. Fined 5s and costs.
SINGING FESTIVALS.
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SINGING FESTIVALS. Aberdare Upper District Baptists. On Monday the annual singing festival, Aberdare Upper district Welsh Baptists, was held, in the morning at Soar, Llwydcoed, in the afternoon and evening at Ramoth, Hir- wain. The presidents were ltev. George Hagne, Hirwain, Mr James Palmer, Gadlys, and Rev. W. Cynog Williams. Trecvnon. Con- ductor, Mr Abraham Watkins, G.T.S.C., Hir- wain accompanists, Mrs W. Price, Tre- cynon, and Miss E. M. B. Phillips, Hirwain. The chorus, He Watching over Israel," was artistically rendered. Aberdare Calvinistic Methodists The annual singing festival of the Aberdare C.M. churches (juveniles) was held on Monday at Bethania, Aberdare, under the conductor- ship of Mr E. Edwin Jones, Cwmaman. The accompanist was Mr Thomas J. Morgan, Cwm- bach. Presidents, Air John Evans, Aberdare, and Mr J. Hughes Jones The chorus, Clwych ei dyner alwad," &c., and the anthem, Milwyr Ieuainc lesu were sung very effec- tively. Mountain Ash. The annual singing festival in connection with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist churches of Mountain Ash, Miskin, and Penrhiwceiber, was held on Monday at Hermon, Penhriwceiber. The following gentlemen presided :—Morning, Mr Isaac Thomas; afternoon, Rev. D. \V. Davies, B.A. evening, Rev. J. R. Hughes, Abercynon. Mr Tom Price, Merthyr, conducted throughout the day. The sacred edifice was crowded at the three meetings, and hundreds failed to gain admission. The singing was of a very high order of merit. Treharris. On Monday a singing festival was held at Tabernacle, Treharris, under the auspices of the Merthyr and Pontypridd districts, Welsh Wesleyans, consisting of 13 churches. There were three meetings, all largely attended. Presidents, Rev. T. J. Pritchard, Pontypridd Rev. J. W. Davies, Merthyr; Rev. R. Owen, Abercynon. Accompanists, Professor Morgan, Abercynon Mr L. Lewis, Bedlinog and Miss Bessie Harris, Cefn Coed, Merthyr. The con- ductor was Mr Wilfrid Jones, .c.A.M., Wrex- ham. General satisfaction was expressed at the singing, which was of a very high order. Ferndale. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists of Ferndale and Mardy held their annual singing festival on Sunday and Monday. The morning meet- ing on Monday was held at Carmel, with Mr Griffith Evans, Blaenllechau, as president: the afternoon and evening meetings were held at Penuel, Ferndale, Mr John Howells and Rev. B. Watkins being presidents. Mr J. T. Rees, Mus.Bac., was conductor, and was assisted by Mr John Thomas, Ferndale. The singing throughout was most inspiring, the highest standard being reached on Monday evening with the rendering of the chorus, Then shall your light (" Elijah ").
BOY THIEF'S AUDACITY.
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BOY THIEF'S AUDACITY. A Barry Dock 11-year-old lad was brought up before the Court on Monday charged with the theft of bottles. A. Knill, marine store dealer, said the bottles were stolen from his yard, and within an hour the boy brought them back, offering them for sale. The magistrates ordered Wrinstone to re- ceive six strokes with the birch rod. The Boy's Mother That's right; give it him well. (Laughter.)
CYMMER CONGREGATIONALISTS.
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CYMMER CONGREGATIONALISTS. New Chapel Opened. A new Welsh Congregational Chapel was opened on Monday afternoon at Cymmer, Rhondda, by Mr T. Griffiths, J.P., Porth. There was a large gathering of ministers and laity on the occasion, and shortly before the inaugural ceremony memorial stones were laid by Mr Wm. Lewis, Cymmer Miss Griffiths, Maesgwyn, Porth Miss Griffiths, Llantrisant; and Mrs Samuel, Cymmer, each being pre- sented with a silver trowel. For the opening ceremony Mr Griffiths was presented with a silver key, the joint gift of the architect, Mr W. D. Thomas, Porth, and the builder, Mr R. Jones, Abertridwr. (Photo by Wills, Cardiff.) In the afternoon and evening meetings were held, Mr David Smith taking the chair at the afternoon gathering. In the evening the, officiating ministers were the Revs. Bryn Thomas, Ferndale, and J. J. Williams, Pentre. Pending the erection of an organ, Mr J. Parker's string band will render instrumental service. The new chapel is constructed of. native stone, with blue Forest stone dressings and rich mouldings. The parapet is coped with richly moulded blue Forest stone, with two large terminals at eaves and a large reeded vase at apex, all in Forest stone. In the front elevation there is an open lobby, with a semi- arch, richly moulded, and a parapet and moulded ornaments in best blue Forest. The ceiling is in wood with a large cove round the sides and quarter circle corners. The seating is of pitch pine, fitted with yellow pine panels the gallery front also is of pitch pine, with raised and carved panels. The pulpit is of mahogany and pitch pine, with tracery cut panels. Accommodation is provided for 600 worshippers, and the vestry has accommo- dation for 150.
[No title]
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At a meeting of Llandovery Town Council on Monday the Mayor, Mr J. C. V. Pryse-Hice presiding, the Corporation seal was affixed to a general district rate of Is 6d in the £ for the half-year, and a borough rate of 3d. It was stated that the total amount outstanding of the last rate was only Ell, and this, it was hoped, would be recovered almost immediately. Dr. J. S. Rosser, medical officer of health, submitted his annual report., Deaths 44, giving a rate of 24 per 1.000. Pulmonary tuberculosis claimed eight deaths, and cancer was respon- sible for two. The birth rate was 21 per 1,000. i •• •
Merthyr Housing Scheme. ...
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Merthyr Housing Scheme. A RUSH OF APPLICANTS. Alderman Andrew Wilson presided at a meeting of the Merthyr Corporation Housing Committee on Monday evening The Borough Controller said that there were 300 applications for the 50 houses erected by the Corporation at Twynrodyn. The Mayor said that it was desired to enable occupiers of the houses which had been condemned, and which it was in- tended to condemn, to be transferred to these houses, consideration being paid to the wagew earned, so that the houses might be let only to those who could only pay a small rent. The Controller said that the applications came from Caedraw, Caepanttywyll, Georgetown, Twyn- rodyn, and Tramroadside. A committee was appointed to reduce the number of applica- tions, so that the Housing Committee might be responsible for the selection of the tenants. A letter was read from the solicitors to the Mackintosh estate as application for a site, 5,411 square yards in size, at Heolgerrig, for the erection ot cottages. An offer for the sale of the land at £1,000 had been considered, and an application was made for a reduction in terms. The solicitors now suggested that £900 might be accepted. The Chairman said that to make the houses pay when they had to give such a price would mean a very high rent. The price was exorbitant. It was decided to go no further with the scheme, and the matter was dropped. An offer from Mr Pritchard, owner of land behind Evens-street, Treharris, was received, the being 2'* per square yard per annum on a. 93 y- lease, the Corpora- tion to make roads and s-v-tts. The Chairman said that it was proposed to build 50 houses on the site. It was decided to ascci tain whether the owners intended to charge rent for the land occupied by roads. The rent collector reported that there were no arrears of rent on the Penywern houses, but the arrears on the 100 houses at Penydarren had been increased by scarcity of work at Easter from £21 to £27. A former tenant, who had been in arrearto the extent of £2, had met with a fatal accident. As the deceased was the only support of a large family it was de- cided to write off the debt. On the motion of the Mayor, it was decided in future to charge the full water rate to the Corporation houses at Penydarren. He pointed out that owing to the attitude adopted by certain members the rents were put very high, and the water charges were reduced by half. The housing schemes were paying for themselves very well indeed. Their schemes were much more successful than any he had seen in other towns, and it was far better now that the Corporation should put itself on the same footing as other house owners. It was pointed out that there would be no difference in the rent.
---------DISTRICT COUNCILS.
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DISTRICT COUNCILS. Barry. Barry District Council v on Monday evening discussed a resolution, moved by Councillor J. Marshall, to provide a temporary shelter on Barry Island. An amendment to refer the matter to a joint meeting of the Public Works and Licensing Committees was carried. The recommendation of the Gas and Water Com- mittee to delegate power to the manager to appoint a foreman provoked a lengthy dis- cussion, letters containing resolutions against it being read from Mr Rees Llewellyn, district secretary of the Municipal Employees' Associa- tion Mr John Ward, M.P., of the Navvies' Union Mr J. A. Kelly, of the Barry Labour Representation Committee and Mr Weaver, of the Dock, Whari, and Riverside Workers' Union. Councillor Morgan Nicholas moved that the whole matter be referred back to the Gas and Water Committee, and this .was seconded by Councillor Edward Phillips. Councillor McCann, chairman of the Gas and Water Committee, declared that the manager had been promised a free hand, and the department required in the present juncture help instead of criticism. Mr Franklyn, the manager, asked the Council to adhere to their promise to grant a free hand in order to pro. mote the success of the department as a com- mercial undertaking. Eventually the resolu- tion to delegate power to the manager was accepted by 16 votes to 4. Councillor Morgan Nicholas protested, and after further discus- sion it was agreed to only allow power of recommendation in the selection of a foreman. The Council discussed three alternative pro- posals for a better view of the town clock and more volume of sound for the bells. The whole matter was eventually referred to the Public Works Committee. A discussion on the grievances of railwaymen is reported in another column. Abertillery. Mr W. Harries, J.p., presided at the monthly meeting of the Abertillery Districts Council on Monday. It was reported that £58 78 5!d only remained owing of the general district rate for the past half-year, and the •collector (Mr D. Edwards) was complimented. It was resolved to communicate with the Abercarn Council with a view to arrangements being made to form recreation grounds at Crumlin. A communication was read from Mr T. S. Edwards, clerk toitljie Risca District Council, stating that that Council had decided to convene a conference of Monmouthshire District Councils with a view to forming an Association of District Councils in the county, and inviting the Abertillery Council to appoint representatives. On the motion of Mr T. H. Prichard it was decided not to send represen- tativ s. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to take steps to adopt part'6 of the Public Health Acts Amendment, 1907, relating to pleasure grounds. Gelligaer. At Gelligaer Rural District Council or/ Mon- day afternoon, Mr J. Aurelius presiding, it was decided to communicate with the Local Government Board seeking a definite under- standing relative to the date of the election for the new Urban District Council. It was decided to grant the application made by the former assistant overseer (Mr A. E. Jones) to write off as irrecoverable the sum of £23 13s 6d in respect to rent of certain cottages belonging to the Council.
----|SOCIALISM AND WOMANHOOD.
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SOCIALISM AND WOMANHOOD. Address by the Rev. R. J. Campbell at Ystalyfera. Addressing a meeting of over a thousand people at Ystalyfera on Monday, under the auspices of the Swansea Valley I.L.P. League, the Rev. R. J. Campbell gave a speech on the Socialist ideal. At the outset he made ex- pression of his personal indebtedness to the pastor of the Panteg Chapel, where the meet- ing was held, remarking there were a good many churches not only in Wales, but in England and Scotland as well, which seemed perfectly terrified to have him inside their walls. (Laughter.) Dealing with some of the objections to Socialism, he said Socialists were sometimes accused of threatening the sanctity of the marriage bond. The present system of marriage was most cruel. It meant the unfair predominance of one sex over another. He would like to put in the forefront of his address an appeal to men to see to it that the present economic disadvantages of women were put an end to as soon as possible. (Cheers.) Socialism stood for equal rights of citizenship. Socialism proposed to put more honour on womanhood and motherhood. (Hear, hear.) Did they realise in connection with the awful problem of prostitution that a whole army of women earned .the wages of shame not through inherent* moral depravity but as the outcome of economic necessity. Socialists sought to destroy the r appalling economic conditions which degraded one sex for the selfish passions of another. He was in- clined to think that the earlier proposals of Socialism had been replaced by more practical proposals, chiefly through the growing sense of statesmanship in the I.L.P. Mr David Randell, ex-M.P. for Gower, presided.
CARMARTHENSHIRE MILITIA.'
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CARMARTHENSHIRE MILITIA. The Carmarthenshire Royal Garrison Artillery Militia Reserves, whose numerical strength is about 280, were on Monday sum- moned to Carmarthen for their annual train- ing, from the 11th to the 30th inst., being officered by the following gentlemen :-Colonel Sir James Williams-Drummond, Bart., Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire Major F. Dudley Williams-Drummond, Captain H. Davies-Evans, Captain A. MacNeill, Captain M. H. Ingram, Second-Leutenant W. MacNeill, the Adjutant-Captain R. F. C. Foster, of the Royal Marine Artillery and Hon. Lieutenant Poison, the quartermaster; the following officers being attached to the regiment during the training, viz. Captain G. W. Graham, of the Cork R.G.A. Militia Captain R. S. Ran- weU, "Of the Lanes R.G.A. Militia Lieut. W. Butler, of the Cornwall and Devon Miners R.G.A. Militia; and Lieutenant N. J. Hodges, of the Durham R.G.A. Militia. The regiment's hon. colonel is Lieutenant-General Sir James Hills-Johnes, V.C., H.C.B. The regiment was formed in 1740. Its first head was a Lord Dynevor and General Nott, whose statue stands in a prominent part of the borough, served as a private in this regiment. After this year the regiment will become a unit of the Royal Field Artillery Reserve, and train with the regulars of the line at Newport, Mon., where recruits will be received.
LIVELY DEFENDANT AT BARRY.
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LIVELY DEFENDANT AT BARRY. Mary Ann Fury, a young Irish woman, provided a lively interlude at Barry Police Court on Monday. John White and Hannah Dwyer, of Holrnes-street, summoned her for assault. White declared that he had been struck by defendant three times in the eye. Rose Davies, a witness, said the language used by defendant was something disgrace- ful." She struck White three times. Defendant Is that all ? Pity it was not three dozen times. (Laughter.) Is that all ? Say all you have to say now. You may never get another chance (Laughter.) Asked it she had anything to say, defendant exclaimed, He called me a bad name, and I struck him for it." Mr C. A. IIevwood (one of the magistrates). You'll be fined 10s, or 14 days.—Defendant I'll go down for 14 days. Let's have the other case now. Hannah Dwyer said that Fury struck her several blows. The Bench fined defendant 10s or 14 days.
G.W.R. and Newport. .
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G.W.R. and Newport. THE NEW TUNNEL. The railway improvements at Newport are proceeding apace. The big undertaking is, of course, the new tunnel, and in connection with it there is much preliminary work to accom- plish. The question of remodelling the station has also come ir. for consideration. Station Improvements. Panding the time when the Great, Western Railway directorate will take in hand the building of an entirely new station, which is necessary to meet the enormous increase in traffic at this centre, the local Chamber of Commerce have approached the general mana- ger of theline asking him to carry out a much needed and very practical improvement at the station. This consists of new approaches to the station platforms from the Town Bridge. The existing footbridge connecting one plat- form with the other is admittedly inadequate, and at almost all hours of the day it is diffi- cult to get across expeditiously, so large is the number of passengers using it. What the local Chamber suggested at their last meeting, and the suggestion has been forwarded to the general manager, is that the town bridge, which was recently reconstructed by the com- pany, and which connects Mill-street, Penton- ville, with the town side of the station, should be so altered as to allow passengers to enter therefrom on to the station platforms. This would provide two additional entrances and exits to the station, as well as relieve the present footbridge as a means of crossing from one platform to the other. Another improvement in the same direction which could be easily carried out is to place approaches to the present station footbridge opposite to the existing ones so that Valley passengers could gain access thereto without having to walk so far as at present. The general manager has promised to give the matter consideration and there is reason to believe that something will be done on the lines suggested. Entirely New Tunnel. The tunnel will be entirely new and not an enlargement of the existing one. The contract will probably be given out in a month or so. In the meantime the preliminary work is pro- ceeding rapidly. At the Newport end the ground is being cleared up to the mouth of the proposed tunnel. Though but a small piece of land has had to be taken away here yet the work is considerable. A new footbridge had to be erected, and a cottage pulled down, and > a thick retaining wall is being raised alongside the tunnel-terrace as the men cut away the bank. The work at the Cardiff end is being done by private contract and has its diffi- culties. At present all goods and mineral trains from Cardiff are obliged to join the main passenger line at Ebbw Junction, there being only two pairs of running lines under Cardiff-road bridge and these pass immediately into the tunnel. The new tunnel is to be utilised not only for the Valley traffic but for all mineral and goods traffic to and from Cardiff, and the present tunnel will be reserved for main line passenger service only. This will considerably expedite the train service. The contractors are engaged at present in tunnelling under Cardiff-road, and when this part of the work is completed a double set of lines will be laid there. At the junction where the Valley line joins the main line just outside the tunnel the new goods and mineral line re- ferred to ahm-e will be continued underneath the Valley line through a temporary tunnel. This wilf be the avenue of approach to the new tunnel and the means of carrying out the work. The earth which is excavated will be conveyed along this line out to Ebbw Junc- tion, where it will be used for making addi- tional siding accommodation. When the tun- nel is completed the Valley line will be cut away at the old junction and diverted to the new line, which will also be used, as stated, for mineral traffic to and from Cardiff. By this method no obstruction will be offered to the present woridnz of the tramc, and the new work will go on uninterruptedly.
------Notable Welsh Minister…
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Notable Welsh Minister EXPIRES AT THE SUPPER TABLE. The tragic death of a well-known Welsh minis- ter occurred on Sunday night at Hanley. The Rev. John Williams, of Wrexham, secretary of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Home Mis- sion, preached special sermons that day at the Calvinistic Method ist Church, Hanley, and after administering the Sacrament to the congrega- tion in the evening had supper with the dea- cons. During the meal he was suddenly seized with heart failure, and a neighbouring doctor was called in, but he died in a few minutes. Mr Williams was well known throughout Wales, and in his official capacity had about 700 churches under his control. He was paying an official visit to the Potteries. The deceased leaves a wife and seven chil- dren, to whom the sad news was telegraphed; this morning. He was 50 years of age. Mr Thorne, the new M.P. for Wolverhamp ton, served his articles with a brother of Mr Williamsas solicitor at Newtown, Montgomery- shire. Deceased had also qualified as a solicitor. His father was the well-known Welsh bard, Mr William Williams, Gwylyn, Cyfeiliog.
" SAT ON HER ANCHOR."
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SAT ON HER ANCHOR." Alleged Damage to a Cargo of Wheat. In the King s Bench on Monday an action was brought by the Palace Shipping Co., of Liverpool, against Messrs Spillers and Bakers, of Cardiff, to recover freight on a cargo of wheat from Australia to this country by the ss. Crompton. Defendants had paid on a small portion of the cargo, but refused to pay on the remainder. The vessel arrived at Queenstown on her way to North Shields. She sat on her anchor," and sank. Part of the cargo was discharged to ascertain the extent of the damage, and negotiations proceeded between the parties as to the sale of the wheat at Queens- town. The refusal of defendants to re- ceive the wheat was on the- ground that it was wetted, had permeated, and was unfit for human consumption, or commercially not describable as wheat. Mr Keogh, for plaintiffs, read correspondence in reference to the sale of the wheat. The hearing was adjourned.
ICATHOLICS & BYE-ELECTIONS.
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CATHOLICS & BYE-ELECTIONS. The Irish League Manifesto. The action of the United Irish League in issuing a manifesto particularly condemning the Catholic clergy in this country for the part which they had played in the elections at North-West Manchester and Wolverhampton has caused somewhat of a sensation in political circles. The Irish vote in Great Britain has hitherto been given to the candidate favoured by the Irish leaders, but both at Manchester and Wolverhampton the Irish electors followed the lead of the Catholic Bishop of Salford and the Catholic Bishop of Birmingham rather than that of Mr Redmond and Mr T. P. O'Connor. It is not expected that the Catholic clergy in this country will issue anything in the nature of a counterblast to Mr Redmond's manifesto, but the friction which exists at the present moment between the Irish party and the Catholic etergy in this country is, says the Central News, likely to have a marked in- fluence upoa the course of events in Ireland.
DOCTOR'S WORST CASE".I
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DOCTOR'S WORST CASE". At Blaenavon County Court on Monday (be- fore Judge Owen) S. Challenger, collier, made a claim for the continuance of the payment of JE1 per week compensation from the Blaenavon Co., Ltd. Applicant injured his left knee at Milfraen Colliery on February 3rd, 1907. He was idle for 23 days and then resumed work. On May 13th he again injured his knee, and on December 24th last respondents reduced his compensation to 10s. Dr. James, Blaenavon, said applicant suf- fered from a badly displaced semi-lunar carti- lege, which was the worst case of that sort he had ever seen, and he would not recover with- out an operation. It was not possible for him to work as a collier. Dr. Jones, Pontypool, gave similar evidence. Mr Ivor Bowen, for the respondents, suggested Challenger could do light work. His Honour gave judgment for JE1 per week, and said it would be advisable to agree upon a lump sum.
KILLED BY MOTOR-CAR.
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KILLED BY MOTOR-CAR. At the adjourned inquest. at Guildford on Monday on John Bryan, the ex-soldier victim of the Ripley motor-car tragedy, evi- dence was given by two young men who were in the car, and Arthur Metson, who is under arrest in connection with the affair. Both admitted that they felt a jar near Ripley. The jury found that Bryan's death was due to his being struck by car No. D3128, and strongly condemned the reckless driving of the car and the cowardly behaviour of the driver and the witness Whitmoor in not stopping.
--------------BOTTLE MESSAGE…
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BOTTLE MESSAGE HOAX. Mrs Taylor, Malpas-road, Newport, when walking on the beach near Newport Light- house on Thursday last, picked up a bottle in which was a chip of wood resembling the bottom of a match box that had written on it S.S. Elswick, wrecked off Scilly, May 7th, 1908. Anyone finding please report it." The date given made it obvious that the writer was perpetrating a hoax.
[No title]
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Councillor D. J. Lewis presided at a meeting of the Free Libraries Committee of the Mer- thyr Town Council on Monday. It was decided to grant JE50 to each of the four branch libraries for the purchase of books. A discus- sion arose on the proposed branch library at Treharris, nnd it was decided to ask :11' Dowdeswell to complete the plans. A vote of thanks was accorded to Sir W. T. Lewis for the grant to Pitch library of ]\[1' Charles J Wilkins's History of Merthyr," and to Mrs Frost for the presentation of books to* the Dowlaia Library. r
- Cardiff City Council. .
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Cardiff City Council. THE NEW FIRE STATION. The Lord Mayor (Councillor Illtyd Thomas) presided at the meeting of the City Council on Monday. Stage Plays. A letter had been sent by Messrs Vachell and Co., solicitors, on behalf of Mr Oswald Stoll, applying for a stage play licence, with permission for smoking, for the Empire. On the motion of Councillor J. T. Richards the application was referred to the Watch Com- mittee, it being pointed out that representa- tives of other places of amusement in the city would probably wish to be heard on the sub- ject. The Watch Committee will then make a recommendation to the Council. Monthermer-road Bridge. Replying to Councillor Taylor, Alderman Beavan stated that Sir William Thomas Lewis had been approached with a view to Lord Bute receiving a deputation on the subject of the 3IonthcITIler-road bridge, and it was hoped that before his Lordship left Cardiff he would consent to receive such a deputation. The New Fire Station. The Watch Committee submitted two sets of plans and estimates for the new fire brigade station, and recommended the Council to adopt the Cathays Park scheme in preference to the Westgate-street scheme. Councillor J. T. Richards, the chairman of the committee, in moving the adoption of the report, inti- mated that he was opposed to the majority of the committee, being of opinion that West- gate-street was the proper site for the new station. (Hear, hear.) Mr Richards said that they must not over- look the question of equipment and efficiency, and consequently he would vote as he thought proper after giving the Council the views of the committee. Proceeding, he said that the greater expenditure did not always mean greater efficiency. 4 They should remember tha,t this proposition was only one to provide a home for the equipment of a fire brigade.. The entire expenditure, whichever scheme was adopted, would be entirely on the fabric, and it was a question whether they would have a palatial building in the park or a building in Westgate-street. Councillor Morgan Thomas thought £15,000 was far too much to spend on the Westgate- street site. Alderman Beavan thought they should have ,somefinite recommendation before them be- fore deciding. Mr J. T. Richards explained that the com- mittee recommended the Cathays Park scheme. Mr Morgan Thomas asked if they rejected the Cathays Park scheme they were com- mitted to the Westgate-street site. He was in favour of rejecting both. Councillor J. T. Richards said that the Council was not asked to spend any money. Alderman Beavan thought that the Council had already passed a resolution to build in Westgate-street, and believed they had sanction to borrow money. At this stage the Lord Mayor pointed out that the whole discussion was out of order according to the standing orders. Mr C. F.. Sanders pointed out tha,t they only saw the plans for the first time that day. The case would be best met by deferring the matter until the next Council, and in the mean- time Mr J. T. Richards could explain the whole scheme, and they could consider it in full detail. Mr J. T. Richards then went on to explain the scheme, and said that the expenditure in actual building in Cathays Park was estimated a.t £24,597, and the Westgate-street site would cost £15,227 in actual building. The Cathays Park scheme would require more land, and they would have to consider the character of the buildings, which would of course have to be in harmony with the other buildings. They would have to add to the Cathays Park scheme cost the sum of £2,861, the value of the site, and to the Westgate-street scheme a sum of £21.400, the estimated value of the site. Councillor Kirk wanted to know who was the valuer. (Laughter.) Mr J. T. Richards then said that the total estimated cost of the site and building in Cathays Park would be £27,458, and in West- gate street £36,627. Alderman Lewis Morgan suggested that the whole matter be discussed in the General Pur- poses Committee. SirWilliam Crossman asked whether the head constable had. asked for further accom- modation, and did the committee agree that they were necessary. Mr J. T. Richards said that they had not con- sidered only the actual requirements of the present day, but they were making provision for the future 50 years. That being so," said Sir William Crossman, the area we possess in the Westgate-street will not be sufficient. You must acquire more land." Alderman F. J. Beavan said that all this was a question for debate, for they must not take it for granted because an official said, that they wanted more accommodation that they really did. They must be the judges and not the officials. Alderman Carey advocated utilising land which the Council had purchased in Womanby- street in 1896, and said that he believed West- gate-street would become one of the main arte- ries in the city. Councillor GasKell moved the rejection of both schemes. Alderman Morgan Thomas seconded, and said that they need not spend more than £10,000 upon a fire station. Eventually the minutes were then referred back to the committee to bring them up again at the next meeting of the Council with full information, and also to state the number of warehouses and land unlet in Westgate-street. Times of Meeting. Dr. Smith moved that in future the Council meet twice monthly, on each occasion at 3 p.m., instead of once, ac 11 a.m., urging that the alteration would tend to expedite busi- ness. Councillor Forsdike seconded, but the motion was negatived by 20 votes against to 11 for. A notice of motion by Councillor Forsdike, and seconded by Dr. Smith, that all com- mittees of the Council should meet at 3 p.m. in the future was negatived by a large majority. High Salaries. Councillor Good asked leave to withdraw his motion, That all salaries paid by the Council to its officials that exceed £1,000 (in- cluding extras) per annum be reduced to £1,000 per annum. That all salaries at present stand- ing at £1,000 (including extras) be reduced to £900 per annum. That all salaries at present standing at S900 per annum (including extras) be reduced to annum. That all salaries now standing at JE800 per annum (including extras) be reduced to JE750. That legal notice to determine be given every official affected by this resolution. That all resolutions incon- sistent herewith be revoked." He desired to withdraw pending the publication of the first draft of the report of the Salaries Committee. Councillor Stan field resented the action of Councillor Good placing such a notice of motion and implying that there were no sensible men on the committee. For his own part: he would not attend any more meetings of the Salaries Committee. Alderman Beavan said that the first draft would be published shortly. It was argeed that the motion should be withdrawn. New Intermediate School. Alderman Trounce moved that the decision of the Council fixing the cost of the new Intermediate Boys' School at not exceeding £10,000 be revoked, and that the Education Committee be authorised to increase the cost to not exceeding £12,000. He said they had found it impossible to get the work carried out at the first-named sum. Councillor Caple seconded, pointing out that, since the £10,000 had been sanctioned the accommodation of the new building had been very largely in- creased. Councillor Morgan Thomas opposed the resolution, saying he not only questioned the necessity of spending £12,000 on the school, but also whether a new Intermediate School was required at all. Alderman Lewis Morgan protested against such a suggestion going out to the public. No member of the Council would like to work under the conditions the boys had in the Intermediate School. The motion was carried.
SATURDAY NIGHT ASSAULTS.
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SATURDAY NIGHT ASSAULTS. Three Cardiff Convictions. Messrs F. J. Veall and J. Morcom dealt with several cases of assaults on the police at Cardiff on Monday. On Saturday night John Davies (44) when in a drunken state entered the shop at No. 28, Wood-street, and smashed a mirror value 12s 6d, the property of Deborah Isaacs. When taken into custody he was violent, and struck P.C. Joseph Reed. Davies was fined £2 and costs or a month for the assault and ordered to pay for the damaged mirror. Albert Chalmers (23) was disorderly in Work- ing-street on Saturday night, and P.C. Gale took him in hand. Chalmers said no police- man would take him to the station, and struck the officer in the mouth. Charles Parnell went to the constable's assistance and received a blow in the chest. The prisoner was fined £2 or a month for the assault on the constable and £1 and costs or 14 days for a similar offence on the civilian. Parnell was commended for going to the help of the constable. There was another charge against Chalmers for assaulting Albert John Lewis, but the latter did not put in an appearance. P.C. Branton was the victim of another Saturday night assault. James Davies (26) was disorderly and using obscene language in Millicent-street, and when arrested struck the constable. On the way to the station Thomas Myers (25), a Maesteg collier, interfered with the officer, and was charged with obstruction. Davies was fined £1 and costs or 14 days' hard labour for the assault. There was no record against Myers, who was cautioned and pro- mised to clear off back to Maesteg.
[No title]
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Mr John Watkins, cattle dealer, Dare Villas, Aberdare, died with painful suddenness on Monday evening. Deceased had been in in- different health for some time, but on Monday morning he was about his business as usual, and after dinner went out for a dri e, return- ing at five o'clock. He partook of tea, and afterwards sat on a sofa. A few minutes later Mrs Watkins found him dead. Mr Watkins was a member of the English Unitarian Church at Highland-place, Aberdare.
l Welsh University Grants.…
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l Welsh University Grants. CARDIFF COMMITTEE'S APPEAL Swansea's Attitude. At a meeting of the Swansea Education Com- mittee on Monday a letter was read from the Cardiff Education Committee expressing the opinion that in view of the grants proposed to be given by the Government towards University education in Ireland the com- mittee was of opinion that WTales was not fairly treated in the matter, and it invited the Swansea Committee to join in strongly urging upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer the desirability of immediately increasing the grants to the constituent colleges of the Welsh University. The Chairman (Alderman Martin) thought it would not be seemly to interfere with anything that might be done with respect to another country, and after discission it was agreed to make no reference to Ireland, but, on the suggestion of Mr David Davies, to join in an appeal to the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer in favour of an increased grant to the Welsh colleges, and that when the matter of the Welsh colleges is under consideration, to express a hope that the claims of the Swansea Technical College may not be overlooked." Medical Inspection of School Children. At the-same meeting Dr. David J. Morgan, medical officer of health, submitted a report on the medical inspection of children in public elementary schools. He submitted the follow- ing arrangements for carrying out the provi. sions of the ActThe Medical Officer of Health to organise and direct the work of medical in- spection. With regard to the carrying out of the detailed medical inspections, the two medical officers attached to the schools were able and willing to perform between them one-half cif the necessary examinations required in each year (viz., 3.000 examinations each in the full year). For the examination of the remaining children (6,000) an additional medical inspector would be required to devote his whole time to the work. It was important that these ap- pointments should be made without delay. He further recommended the appointment of two school nurses to assist the medical inspectors. He strongly recommended that a properly equipped laboratory should be set up for chemical, bacteriological and pathological investigations. Such a laboratory could be utilised also for the purposes of the Public Health Department, the Swansea Borough Fever Hospital, and should be under the charge of the Medical Officer of Health. The report was referred to a sub-committee for consideration with a view to prompt action being taken. Why a Church was Understaffed. Amusing Exposure. At the same meeting voluminous corres- pondence was read as to the alleged under- staffing of the Oxford-street Church of England Schools. It appeared that his Majesty's inspector had complained of the in- efficiency of a class in the boys' school, and the manager had thrown the blame on the Education Committee, which it said had re- fused to advertise for a qualified teacher and complained had treated the school unjustly. At Monday's meeting of the committee, how- ever, Dr. Williams (the superintendent of Education) said a qualified teacher having left, it became necessary to appoint a successor. This would take two months, and in the inter- val he recommended temporarily a teacher who under the local authority had proved eminently qualified he was appointed, but in four days his services were dispensed with for the only reason that the managers desired to have an ex-pupil teacher who knew the school in his place. This teacher, who had thrice failed to pass is examination was in charge of the school when his Majesty's inspector made the report referred to. In discussion it was pointed out that had the qualified teacher temporarily appointed been kept on the complaint could not have been made. Mr D. Davies said the view of the managers evidently was that in them lay the selection, and the effect of the action of the superinten- dent of education was to deprive them of that privilege. The Chairman said the point was that the superintendent had assisted the managers by putting temporarily in the place of a teacher who had left a trained certificated teacher, but after four days they deliberately sent him about his business, and put in his place a man against whom the present com- plaint was raised by his Majesty's inspector and that they tried to throw the responsibility for it on the Education Committee. That was where the humour of the situation came in.. He proposed that the report of the superin- tendent be sent to the Board of Education. The motion was carried without dissent.
LICENSING CONTROVERSY.
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LICENSING CONTROVERSY. SIR A THOMAS, M.P., ON THE BILL Speaking on Monday night at Merthyr Vale at a well-attended and enthusiastic meeting in support of the Government's Licensing Bill, at which the Rev. A. Jones, B.A., presided.. Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P., chairman q>f the Welsh Parliamentary party, said the Opp&i- tion were saying that the Licensing Bill would not dinminish drunkenness. However, though there had been more discussion on this subject than on any other, they had not had a single suggestion of a better way to promote temperance. When a man condemned a carefully-considered pro- posal he ought to be prepared with a countei proposal. At any rate, in this case, if the Government's proposal would not reduce drunkenness, the Trade need not fear less business. It was also said that for every public-house closed by the measure foui clubs would spring up in its place. That was not the experience. Mr Asquith in his admirable speech on the second reading of the Licensing Bill showed that the reduction of the licensed houses under the Act did not have that effect. For it was shown though the number of clubs had increased they increased only by one-seventh of the number of disestablished public-houses. As to the question, of clubs, he should like to say that there were clubs and clubs. Most of the large clubs in London were simply proprietary hotels, but most of the cltibs throughout the country valleys were only so man., places opened for the exclusive pur- pose of giving people so minded at opportunity to drink day and night throughout, the year. If brewers were so anxious to help the holders of licensed premises why did they supply their rivals, who paid no licence They were the greatest enemy of the man who paid a licence to sell liquor- > Talk about blacklegs. why there were no non-Unionists worse than they. It was the duty of the State, for one thing, to see that the publican had fairplay. In conclusion, Sir Alfred said he would wel- come with all his heart such a measure 01. licensing reform as that brought in by the pre- sent Government. A resolution heartily supporting the Bill wai carried unanimously.
TOUGH CUSTOMER.
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TOUGH CUSTOMER. Toek a Dive Through a Window. A Newport labourer named H. Jones was charged at Llandaff on Monday with four dif- ferent offences, committed at Llandaff Rail- way Station on Saturday—being drunk and disorderly, assaulting Edward Boyer and E. J Kingdom (porters), and breaking a waiting- room window. Mr Cyril Brown prosecuted for the company. Boyer stated that defendant was asl ep in the train, and was taken from the compart- ment to the waiting-room, where he refused his ticket. When witness and the inspectoi went away from him to attend to anothei train the man left the waiting-room and jumped on to the line between the carriages. A passenger who endeavoured to extricate him was savagelv assaulted, and when he was again got upon the platform it took four men to hold him down. E. J. Kingdom corro- borated, and said that both he and the last witness were kicked and struck. The man deemed to be quite mad." P.C. Brice said that he quietened prisoner. who was drunk, and persuaded him to sit down. Suddenly, however, he juniped up and H went head first through the closed win- dow, breaking the glass." The officer added that he had very great difficult v in getting the man from his extraordinary position. Prisoner, who made no defence, and said h< knew nothing about it, was sent to prison foi 14 days on each charge, the sentences to rua concurrently.
DOESN'T LIKE THE CELLS.
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DOESN'T LIKE THE CELLS. At Brynmawr on Monday Thomas Bayton, licensee of the Xeweastle Stores, Brynmawr, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on April 22nd, and Wm. Bobbins, a collier, Wor- cester-street, Brynmawr, was summoned for being drunk on the premises. Mr T. Hughes, Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale, appeared for Bay. ton, and admitted that Robbins was drunk, but said he had got drunk off the premises earlier in the day. In dismissing the case against Bayton, the Chairman said that licensees should be most particular in sending drunken men from their premises before attending to other customers. Robbins pleaded guilty to being drunk. He requested Supt. Hand, in an aside, to "drop the list of previous convictions," and he re- marked to the clerk, Draw it mild, if you please, sir." When threatened with the cells for his conduct in court, he said, Oh, don't put me in there. Last time I was there for a' couple of hours it seemed as if I had been there for three months." He was fined 20s inclusive.
-------------LIVING ON 5s…
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LIVING ON 5s PER WEEK. Is it possible to live on 5s a week ? If b, living is meant occupying a West-end ftat^ dining regularly at the Cecil or the Carlton, and always appearing in spruce attire, the answer is obvious. But it may be possible to exist or lead the simple life on that modest weekly allowance. A member of one of the Australian Upper Houses, in opposing an Old- age Pensions Bill, declared that- he had never spent more than lslOd a week on his food, and he argued that if the working classes generally would only cultivate similar habits ot thrift and self-denial thr-v would be infinitely bette; off, and there would be no need for such colr- passionate legislation.