The Cardiff Times

The Missing Solicitor. I SWANSEA LEGAL TANGLES. Affairs.of-a Sketty Builder. Cr).!?ty Court yesterday Judge ^vera 1 interesting motions. 3ettillg aside of a bill & t^f,'a?d deeds reUt- to the estate of Mr J. R. Richar<ls, of the missing solicitor, which had been in favour of his wife. MrLleufer Thomas p the trustee in bankruptcy) said anarrange- 11. had been come to which rendered it un- ary to proceed with the motion. Mr Ice appeared for the respondent. Jf^^fcher motion arose in the bankruptcy of 1 Hoskins, builder, of Sketty, Mr (instructed by Mr Leyson) explaining was brought with the object of setting a contract entered into on January 8th which Mr Hoskins agreed to sell to Mr ^h, a licensed victualler, of Neath, the Wjn °f redemption of five houses in p^f'terrace, Swansea, on the ground that ^4 J?. Pact was not entered into in good faith ITH8 ^raufiulent and void, and prepared by ^Vk r'8 solicitor without authority. Mr u.a,ch' appeared, was, remarked counsel, of MrGrifiSths, thesohcitor who acted, to j.?^ apparently given a general authority t{je 18 nephew, but he certainly did not ratify t'ontract, and when examined about the {r ^fore the Registrar said it was only ^t^v, i0llSe and not the equity of five that he cled to buy. Subsequently, however, he aji affidavit in which he contradicted (j0 he had said in his examination. said there was a second motion for itosK-aside of an arrangement by Mr th 1113 Mr Griffiths of the balance of £ 115 e Purchase money which was due under Ma^Pposed contract. Mr Hoskins said Mr J e had become involved in the case of Richards, and fearing that proceedings W ^rirninal and civil might be taken against went to Mr Griffiths and a few days bankruptcy made the assignment to Ui cj .e the necessary funds for his protection and criminal proceedings. Lleirfer Thomas (instructed by Messrs Pricc, and Griffiths), in opposing the ^Ver0ris, denied that there was anything what- ♦lo^.the nature of fraud or collusion. Mr i ch had never seen Mr Hoskins and did Alt. him. Mr Rowbach never knew about Ule °skins being insolvent. With regard to V) ?^ond motion he said some days previous tow transaction Mr J. R. Richards left and it was then discovered that there a large number of duplicate mortgages on Parties of which Mr Hoskins was the lessee. W le^v of that Mr Hoskins's position was a Co*J* one, and what Mr Griffiths did was to ^ant to give bim all the legal assistance <wpSa.ry, not only ,in regard to the bank- but also so far as any criminal pro- might be concerned. Counsel sub- d it was a proper thing to do. -IF. Harvey gave evidence as to the e of the houses. Oe., John Henry Griffiths was called, and tfi \.ed that at the time he arranged the sale ^Sol he knew that Mr Hoskins was t^ *vent. Indeed it was not till a considerable Vj]j .f^t-erwards that he acted as' Mr. Hoskins's V?tor. He had a general authority to act Rowbach and purchased the equity in ji- Uon at a fair price with his concurrence, a deposit of JE55 out of his QJoney because at the time he Hfw, receiving £ 200 on behalf of Mr ^tif; h- A few days afterwards Mr Rowbach the purchase. Mr Rowbach's state- before the Registrar that he did not know ^Wler bad purchased one of the five jj^s was due to lack of memory. r cxhaustive arguments his Honour found y; Pespect to the first motion that there was W^.valid contract and therefore there was no f^r^ion to go into or decide the question of at all. Mr Rowbach, in his opinion, authorised the purchase and never it» and therefore he found for the With respect to the second motion tow therefore necessarily also failed. He for the trpstees in both cases with costs.

'"ERTHYR CORPORATION STOCK The Mayor's Suggestion. !.b.A. W. Houlson presided at a meeting of ^V^inance Committee, of the Merthyr Ck>unty Council on Tuesday. The trea- c*r s statement showed a balance 4,421 48 5d in favour of the Coun- loa Tenders were submitted for the °1 £ 18,471, £ 1,000 being required for Cefn ^?etery, and the remainder for rebuilding ^Dtarv schools. The tenders were referred town clerk and borough controller. The ?-r (Alderman D. W. Jones) said the Cor- ^^tion would probably require a considerable of money for public works in the near and he thought they would be acting if they considered the advisability of Voting stock. He was sure that stock would ijy taken up by a great number of local as" well as by others, and it would be in the interest, of the town to take Qty. 'P he suggested. He moved that the controller gt» thoroughly into the *tt.r^on and piTsent a report. Mr J. M. Seconded. Mr Arthur Daniel supported, the resolution was carried.

J?10 remains of Councillor Angus McColl, U former u\ayor of Pembroke, were. JXlf.,rf'd at (be .New Cemetery, Ifembroke on Saturday afternoon. The Pembroke Council, the borough magistracy, the and Conservative Clubs, of the first- C*t»r. °t which deceased was president at the ,°f his death, aoid other local bodies and utions were largely represented at the "\bl' which a great many of the general aJso attended.

Compensation Law. IMPORTANT CASES AT TREDE6AR. His Honour and the Conflict of Medic.al Evidence. At Tredegar County Court on Tuesday a large number of compensation claims and reviews came before Judge Owen. Daniel Jones, Rhymney, claimed compensation from the Rhymney Iron and Coal Co. Mr J. Sankey (instructed by Mr W. P. Nicholas, Pontypridd) was for the applicant, and Mr A. Parsons (instructed, by Mr E, an Davies, Cardiff) appeared for the respondents. Applicant alleged that he strained himself while lifting a tram, and the resultant disease was consump- tion. The medical evidence was of a conflicting character. His Honour, who said he regretted the prevalence of such opposite, medical opinions in most cases that came before him, made an award for the applicant, a declara- tion of liability being made with costs on Scale B. Nystagmus. William John Thomas, collier, applied for compensation from J. Lancaster and Co. in respect of nystagmus contracted while in the respondents' employ. Mr Sankey, who was for the applicant, said there was an important point in this case as his Honour was asked to say what the man should be paid on the difference between his earnings before and after the accident. His average earnings were E2 17s 3d, and half the difference was 18s, but his Honour was asked to award the man £ 1 a week. Mr Parsons said nystagmus was a disease which should be differentiated from other diseases, as it only precluded the man from working underground.—His Honour sug- gested that it would be satisfactory if the em- ployers and the men came to some agreement on this point. If he gave 11 in this case he would have to give it in every case of nystag- mus which came before him. After a lengthy legal argument, his Honour said the case was of so much importance that he reserved his decision. No Award and No Agreement. The Tredegar Iron and Coal Company ap- plied for the redemption of the weekly com- pensation of 5s 4d paid to John Sullivan, who had lost his right arm while in their employ. Mr Parsons was for the applicants, and Mr Sankey for the respondent. It was stated that this was the first case of the kind which had come before his Honour. There had been no award or agreement in the case. Mr Sankey observed that it was a private bargain between the man and his employers, and he submitted that his Honour was not entitled to redeem payment, and .the man strongly resisted it. His Honour said that as there was no award and no agreement it was not a weekly payment. It was an important point, and he suggested that the case should be ad- journed in order to enable Mr Parsons to amend the application, which could be done by register-ng the weekly payments. This course was agreed to. Assistant's Clairrk William Parry, grocer and draper, Nantyglo, was sued by Henry Morgan Hughes for zElOO in respect of wages due. Mr J. Sankey (instructed by Mr T. Hughes, Ebbw Vale) was for the plaintiff, and Mr A. Parsons (instructed by Messrs Shepard and Lewis, Tredegar) was for the defendant. Plaintiff alleged that in 1896 he was engaged by the defendant as an assistant at E20 a year, rising by E2 per annum. He had some money on account. After leaving, he applied for payment, and defendant repudi- ated the arrangement, and offered SZ8 in full discharge of the claim. Defendant denied that he had arranged to give the plaintiff an in- crease of E2 a year. His Honour said defend-1 ant had admitted liability to the extent of £ 38, and judgment was given for that amount with costs. I Played Second Fiddle. Samuel Brown sued Tilney Bros., proprietors of the Pavilion, Abertillery, for damages for wrongful dismissal. Mr W. J. Everett, Ponty- pool, was for the plaintiff, and Mr A. H. Dolman, Abertillery, was for the defendants. Plaintiff played the second fiddle in the orchestra at defendants1 place of entertain- ment at a salary of 27s 6d a week. On March 16th he received the permission of the manager and the conductor of the orchestra to get a night off to play at Blaina. He shortly after- wards received notice that his engagement was terminated. The conductor of the orchestra, George Austin, said he gave permission to Brown to absent himself on that date, and he claimed that it was his prerogative to do so. For the defence, William Price, manager, claimed full control over the members of the orchestra. He refused to give Brown permis- sion to absent himself on the date in question. Judgment was given for the defendants with costs. James Harrison, stoker, Tredegar, claimed X5 from Frank Moore, Tredegar, the value of an Irish terrier dog. Mr C. D. Lewis, Tredegar, was for the plaintiff, and Mr A. Parsons was for the defendant. Plaintiff said that on I Boxing Day he lent the defendant a terrier dog, nets, and a ferret to go out rabbiting, telling him that if anything happened to the dog he would have to pay him JE5. Defendant lost the dog and had givenhim 10s to pay the expenses of searching for the dog.. Mr Parsons The dog is a mongrel..(Laughter.) His Honour How do you define a mongrel ? Mr Parsons Anything that is not pure bred. The defendant said he did not borrow the dog, but plaintiff told him. he could have a, loan of it. He feared he would lose thedog andhetold the defendant so. He replied, if it is lost, it is lost." When he released the dog at Pontrilas it ran away. Judgment was given for the plaintiff t for JE3 with costs.

At the monthly meeting of Abergavenny Town Council, held on Monday evening, a new district rate of Is 3d in the £ was approved.

LORD HUGH CECIL. Visit to Swansea. THE EDUCATION CONTROVERSY A large meeting of Churchpeople was held at the Albert Hall, Swansea, on Tuesday night, for the purpose of protesting against the Education Bill. The Bishop of /3t. David's pre- sided, Dr. Latimer moved the following resolu- tion;— That the Government Education Bill of 1908, is no basis for a solution of the education question, because in many respects it violates the principles of justice and religious equality, and is inconsistent with the rights of parents. Consequently it must be met by uncompromis- ing opposition." Mr Glynn Price seconded. Lord Hugh Cecil, on rising to support the resolution was cordially received. No one, he said, could be quite certain whether the Bill was among the living or the great majority —whether it had gone the way of its pre- decessor or lying on a long, tedious, unedifying deathbed. (Laughter.) He believed it was dad, but its evil spirit still haunted those against whom its enmity was in its lifetime directed. (Laughter.) Still they must deal with it as though it still lived. The great blot on Mr McKenna's Bill was inequ ality. He did not in the least desire to deny that there were grievances with Nonconformists— grievances which it would be very desirable to remedy. One of these grievances seemed to him to be real the other a fictitious grievance, although he desired that both should be remedied. The real grievance seemed to him to be that in some districts there were not available to Nonconformist parents a school which corresponded with their religious ideas. He thought that that should be altered. There should be a provi- sion in the denominational school, or in the undenominational school, of an opportunity to Nonconformist parents to secure to them the sort of religious teaching (whatever, it was) they desired. The other grievanec seemed to him to be less important—a non-real one. It was that they were required to pay for reli- gious teaching in which they did not believe. That was so deeply felt by Nonconformists that he should wish to respect it. Analysing the principle on which this objection was founded, Lord Hugh Cecil said let them sup- pose that a relative, a Churchman, went to India, say, for a period of years and placed his children under the guardianship of a Nonconformist friend. Did they imagine that the Nonconformist guardian would have any scruples as to the religious bringing up of the children-seeing that they went to church on Sunday, and were taught the Catechism and so forth. He did not believe any con- scientious Nonconformist would scruple to do so. There was a big difference in trying to convert grown-up people from one form of religion to another and a better form of religion, and unsettling the minds of little children as regarded different forms of religious belief. The right and conscientious thing to do was to see that these children were brought up Devout Members of the denomination to which their parents belonged. (Hear, hear.) He was persuaded there was not a good Nonconformist in that town who would not in his private capacity act on the principle which he had propounded. (Applause.) Then came in the obligation to pay rates for the religious instruction of Church children. Church people, he remarked, contributed enough, and more than enough, to defray every farthing which, directly or indi- rectly, went to support the teaching of the Church of England. Therefore the scruple was a fanciful one, and unreal from top to bottom., Nonconformists did not, in fact, ever pay fbr religious teaching they did not believe in, but for a share of national educa- tion which comprised various forms of religious teaching. Nevertheless, he would gladly relieve the grievance by allowing the separa- tion, as a matter of account, of the cost of religious teaching—the establishment of a system by which ratepayers could allocate their rates in respect of religious teaching, and in that way escape from the burden which now pressed, it was said, upon the minds of Non- conformists. But from their point of view, the important thing was not by what mechanism they should secure their educational result, but that the result shou'd be indeed secured. The great pro- blem of the education controversy was how the schools should be controlled and managed. The ideal of teaching the children the religion of their parents was not impractical it was an ideal which could be achieved. Some of their opponents declined to accept the prin- ciple of Religious Equality and the principle of teaching all children the religion of their parents. The action of their opponents instead of giving religious equality rather sought to destroy every religious denomination in the country. (Hear, hear.) Let him ask what it was their Nonconformist friends were afraid of. Why did they not take the Churchpeople at their word ? Why did they not say, H Yes, our ancestors have always con- tended for religious equality and by that principle we are prepared to stand" ? Why did not they say, Yes, we desire that our children should learn our religion and should not be proselytised by someone else, and if this is secured we are prepared to meet you and co- operate with you ? Why did not Church- people receive that answer ? What was it Non- conformists were afraid of ? He was persuaded they were haunted by all sorts of imaginations which were far from the truth, and led them to play into the hands of those who were really no less their emenics than the enemies of the Church. There were, he knew, many most excellent, pious Nonconformists in this land. They were not disciples of any new creed, but they were genuine, sincere Christians, understanding the word Christian in just the same way as the Churchpeoplfe used it. Why did they not co- operate with their Christian brethren on the basis of equal treatment for all sorts of religious beliefs ? He thought it was because they were afraid of priestcraft, afraid of some bogey of which, indeed, there was no danger whatever, but which, if it existed, could be most easily safeguarded against in the very principle they contended for. The true dangers lay in quite another direction. At the present time there was a tendency abroad which was likely to make the new century a great religious con- flict; it was a tendency to destroy the old- faishioned Christianity as they and the old Nonconformist brethren had been accustomed to regard it, and set up in its place a new and different theological system which, as he thought, could neither save the world from its sins,nor help forward the cause of civilisation and progress. (Applause.) Let them, then, once more invite their Nonconformist friends to join them on the basis of equality. They were not asking Nonconformists for a com- promise—at the best a very unsatisfactory tiling—but asking rather for a common recog- nition of a common principle—equality to them all. THE BISHOP'S SPEECH. The Bishop of St. David's dealt with the clauses of the Bill in detail, and contended that the measure directly violated the prin- ciples of law and equity recognised by the High Court in proposing to deprive the Church of its property in school buildings, and in for- bidding the continuance of their use on week- day evenings for Church purposes. Experi- ence, said the bishop, taught them that a com- plete and permanent settlement of a prolonged controversy, deeply rooted in convictions on either side, was not to be attained at one stroke. The history of progress in this country was the history of gradual reforms and not of revolutions. If attention were to be concentrated in the first instance upon such readjustments of our existing system as might be necessary to redress the grievances which were felt under it on either side, it ought to be possible to deal a substantial measure of justice to parents, Jeachers, and ratepayers. It ought to be possible to arrange for parents to have within reach in single-school areas the form of religious in- struction, whether denominational or undeno- minational, which they desired their children to have. The resolution was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks was passed' to Lord Hugh Cecil and the bishop, on the motion of Mr Frank Gilbertson.

MERTHYR RELIEF CASES: At Merthyr on Tuesday John Morgan, Cefn, was summoned under the Vagrancy Act for not maintaining his wife and two children. Mr F. T. James appeared on behalf of the guardians, and Mr F. P. Charles defended. The amount of money due to the guardians was £3.. Mr James said that the defendant alleged unfaith- fulness, an allegation for which there was no foundation. Mr Charles said that the defendant was willing to live with his wife if she would leava her relations. The Stipendiary made an order for payment suspended for a month. Thomas Evans, Dowlais, was summoned to contribute towards the maintenance of his father. It appeared that defendant's father was in the workhouse, and the cost of his maintenance averaged 6s per week. An order had been made upon one son to pay 2s 6d per week, and defendant resisted the application now on the ground that his mother had a separate estate consisting of two cottages, four cows, and a milk walk, while he was' a married man with only one eye and four children to maintain out of his earnings of £ 2 3s per week. Mr James (for the guardians) said that the separate estate referred to by Mr Charles was infinitesimal in value, the net profit derived from the cottages,, which Mrs Evans inherited from her mother, being a guinea per annum. The Stipendiary made an order against the defendant of 2s 6d per' week, and suggested that the warrant officer should apply for an in- crease in the order made against defendant's brother, who was a bachelor.

FIRE AT DUNDEE. Engines Unable to Get Through the Crowds. A fire broke out at Dundee Docks on Satur- day night. The Fire Brigade station is situated near the room in which the votes for the can- didates were being counted, but, owing to the density of the crowds, the fire engines were unable to make their way through.

California Syrup of Figs is a safe and reliable laxative, of proven and established value. It does not purge or gripe, but gently and soothingly cleanses the system, cor- rects torpidity, gives tone to the sluggish organs, and promotes regular activity of the bowels. Pleasant in taste, in action and effect, the children as well as adults relish and unquestionably benefit by this truly whole- some laxative. Moreover, the good it does is permanent. Remember to ask for III i' :.Ii JlIIII\ II = III INATURrg PLEASANT LAXATIVE." Of all Chemists. I/Ii and 1/9.

The Representation of Pembrokeshire. CONSERVATIVES IN CONFERENCE. The Prospective Candidate. MR LORT WILLIAMS'S CHOICE OF EPITHETS. The annual meeting of the Pembrokeshire Conservative Association was held at the Masonic Hall, Haverfordwest, on Tuesday. Sir Charles Philipps presided. Others present were Lord Kensington, Sir Owen Scourfield, Mr G. B. Bowen (Llwyngwair), Mr J. V. Colby, Mr J. C. Yorke, Mr Louis Samson, Mr C. W. Rees Stokes, Mr G. E. D. Birt, Mr O. H. S. Williams, Mr W. Davies. Lord Cawdor, the president, wrote regretting absence. Sir Charles Philipps said they had been astonished and edified by what had been going on in the Radical party in the county during the last three weeks. They heard all sorts of rumours, that the gentleman who now repre- sented the county in the Radical interests would retire at the end of this Parliament, then at the end of this Session, and now they were told that it would come about within the next few days. The Radicals had been select-. ing a successor, and to the surprise of many they had ignored the claims which Mr Seymour Allen had upon them by many years of hard work, and had selected, with unanimity they were told, Mr Walter F. Roch, the son of a former highly respected Conservative member for the county. This was the gentleman who came forward as a Radical of tne deepest dye, and he put in the forefront of his programme the Disestablishment of the Church. He honestly believed that Mr Walter Roch would find that rather difficult. (Laughter.) Mr Lort Williams, the prospective Con- servative candidate, said they would be fight- ing the next battle on a register which had been carefully prepared and with an efficient and solid organisation behind them. There would be no more four lodger votes for a cottage hardly big enough to hold the occupier and his family. He spoke with a full sense of the gravity of the charge when he said that he considered the success of the Liberal Govern- ment at the last election was gained by trickery, misrepresentation, falsehood, and fraud. At the last election, for the first time in the history of this country, the methods of Tammany Hall had been introduced into our politics. Gross lies and the sordid calumnies were, he alleged, then circulated against the Conservative Government. Liberal candidates vied with each other in the depths of mendacity to which they sank. What sort of conscience could-people have who gained political profit from such hypocrisy and imposture? The New Hebrides ordinance he characterised as much more servile and degrading than the one which the Conservatives applied to South Africa. No Government with such opportunities had more completely failed to carry out their promises. If they were placed in power for any one thing it was to repeal the Education Act of 1902, and to bring in a measure which would be acceptable to everybody. They never stood in a more ludicrous position with regard to education than at the present time. On the two Bills introduced by the Government they would find writ large sectarian intolerance, fanaticism, and strife. The Pembrokeshire Liberal candidate had declared for secular education, but he would have to alter his views considerably. The speaker said he was certain that Pembrokeshire parents would insist on religious instruction being given in the schools. The Licensing Bill, he held, was introduced to please the fanatical section of the Govern- ment's followers. The Liberal Ministers were making a determined effort to secure the fruits of office, on which, unfortu- nately, some of them were dependent ior their bread and cheese. It was an insult to the democracy of this country to represent the people ss too weak-willed to withstand the temptations of a public-house. He promised Mr Roch a stiff fight, and he sincerely hoped it would be a bye-election so that the eyes of the whole country might be centred on the constituency. They would show what pro- gress Tariff Reform had made in this part of Radical Wales. (Applause.)

ABERAVON POST OFFICE LEASE. Ultimatum from the Postmaster- General. The monthly meeting of the Finance Com- mittee of Aberavon Town Council was held on Tuesday, Mr David Williams presiding. The accountant reported debit balances 14,226 5s 9d, credit balances £ 122 14s lid, net debit balance iFA,103, a decrease of £76 as compared with the corresponding period of last year. The solicitor to the General Post Office wrote stating that last December he communicated with them with reference to the neglect of the Council to make the payments covenanted by them in the lease of the Post Office at Aber- avon. The Postmaster-General could not allow this question to drag on indefinitely, and he asked them to give the Postmaster-General the decision of the Council as early as possible. In the event of their continuing to neglect to perform the obligations devolving upon them the Postmaster-General must take such action as he may be advised. The Town Clerk said the amounts had been reduced from JE50 to £ 30. Mr Moses Thomas said they were paying JE50 for supposed facilities. He moved that they appoint a deputation to wait on the postmaster-General. Eventually the question was deferred for a month. Mr Williams moved that a deputation wait upon the general manager of the Great Western Railway to grant better facilities from Kenfig Hill to Aberavon on market days, and for the stopping of the 3.35 express train at Port Talbot. The Mayor, town clerk, and Mr W. Williams were appointed as a deputation.

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.' The fortieth annual meeting of the Press Association, Limited, was held on Tuesday at the chief offices of the Association, No. 14, New Bridge-street, London. The Chairman (Mr Arthur R. Byles), of the Yorkshire Daily Observer," Bradford, moved the adop- tion of the report and accounts, which was agreed to. Mr William Brimelow, of the Bolton Evening News," was elected a mem- ber of the Committee of Management in the place of Mr David Duncan, of the South Wales Daily News," Cardiff, who retired by rotation. Mr Duncan was elected a member of the Consultative Board in the room of Mr Robert Redpath, of the Newcastle Journal," who also retired by rotation. A vote of thanks was passed to the Com- mittee of Management for their services during the past year, and the Chairman having been thanked for presiding, the proceedings termi- nated.

A GREAT FEMALE REMEDY. DR. MORSE'S INDIAN ROOT PILLS. Throughout the many stages of woman's life, from peevish girlhood, through wman- hood, motherhood, to the declining years of old age, there is no better, milder, or more effective medical companion to women-folk than Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills. They promote healthy and tegular visitations, heal inflammations and ulceration, and cure all womanly weaknesses, cleansing and restoring the Bowels, Liver and Kidneys to perfect working order. A few doses occasionally, when well, will assure a pure and healthv condition. For sale by all Chemists and Stores, price \/H per bottle, or 6 bottles for 6/6, or will be sent by mail post-paid by the Proprietors, The W. H. Comstock Co., Ltd., 21, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C. A free sample will be forwarded on receipt of Id. stamp.

THE HOUSING BILL. a Magnificent Reform." MR BURNS'S AMBITIOUS SCHEME. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr JOHN BURNS, moving the second read- ing of the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Bill, said the measure aimed at securing the home healthy, the house beautiful, the town plea- sant, the city dignified, and the suburb salubrious. (Cheers and laughter.) It hoped to secure more homes, better houses, and prettier streets. On its housing side it. sougpt to abolish, reconstruct and prevent the slum and to efface the ghettos of meanness and the alsatias of squalor which were found in many parts of the United Kingdom. It hoped to take effective steps to put down many of the unpleasant features of industrial towns. It hoped to render model dwellings similar to those in Germany less frequent. He believed model dwellings, like model men, were too often jerry-built structures—(laughter)—un- suited to British conditions and ought not to be added -to. The Bill sought to diminish what were known as bye-law streets with little law and much monopoly. It hoped to get rid of regulation roads that were so regular that they lacked that line of beauty which Hogarth said was in a curve. It sought to improve The Health of the People by raising the character of the house and the home, and by extended inspection, super- vision, direction and guidance of central con- trol to help local authorities to do more than they did now. Justifying the need for the Bill, he gave statistics showing the extent to which over-crowding occurred both in towns and in rural districts. He maintained, notwithstanding these facts that Britain was predominant in domestic architecture and generally superior in accom- modation for the working classes. He hastened to add, however, that that was not an argu- ment for doing nothing, but, on the contrary, it ought to impel us to maintain the lead and do still more in this direction. He drew atten- tion to the effect of housing upon the public health, and having sketched the pioneer work done by private individuals and some advanced communities in housing and planning of estates, lie said the Bill sought to help other districts less favourably situated to carry out siinilar improvements over a wider area. It provided the medium of agreement first, and he believed that would prevail in 95 cases out of 100. and failing that a conference, and as a last resource compulsion imposed by a central authority, which would do its best to pursue the line of least resistance in carrying on its work. We could not allow our towns to grow up in the way they had been growing. Let them take Bournville for the poor and Bournemouth for the rich Chelsea for the classes and Tooting for the masses. In those places they had public-spirited Corporations or landowners who had carried out develop- ment without damage to anybody, and they hoped by their Bill to make what had been accomplished in those places universal and general. He spoke strongly in condemnation of basement houses, and considered that the servant difficulty was largely due to the conditions in which domestics were compelled to live. He mentioned that in 15 years 500,000 acres of land had been ab- stracted from the ,agricultural domain for houses, buildings, factories, workshops, and railways. Every 2! years there was a county of London converted into urban life from ural conditions. Those facts showed the neces- rsity for regulation of the conditions under which this conversion took place. Indicating in detail the purposes of the Bill, the right hon. gentleman said it was proposed to make Part III. of the Housing Act universally ap- plicable in urban and rurvJ districts without option, so that those areas could build new cottages and houses without having to obtain the consent of the County Council or other superior authority. Power would bo given to Acquire Land Compulsorily for housing purposes on terms similar to those sanctioned in the Small Holdings Act of last year without coming to Parliament. They also proposed a single arbitrator *to settle compensation and an additional allowance for compulsory purchase, as in the Small Hold- ings Act. The Public Works Loan Commis- sioners would be empowered to lend money for housing purposes for 80 years at the mini- mum rate of interest allowed by the Treasury. They would compel every County Council to appoint a medical officer of health, with full powers over housing and inspection, and they proposed to strengthen the powers of the Local Government Board over the local authorities. The town-planning portion of the Bill would enable a local authority to make a scheme as regarded any land likely to be used for building purposes, regard being paid to sanitary conditions, con- veniences in laying out open spaces, parks, recreation grounds, water supply, &c. He was averse from transferring the powers of control under this Bill from the Local Government Board to special ad hoc commissioners. In order that Parliamentary control might be preserved it was proposed to work by means of inspectors and to reorganise the housing and public health departments of the Local Govern- ment Board, and he proposed to publish monthly a H Local Government Board Journal." He claimed for the Bill that it would effect great reforms, and he believed future generations would say of the present House of Commons in passing this measure :— We builded better than we knew, Unconscious stones to beauty grew. (Cheers.) Opposition Attitude. MrWALTER LONG (C., Dublin) said a close study of the Bill had failed to reveal to him a single clause or one new power which would deal with the practical difficulty of hous- ing in the rural districts. If the House wanted to solve the rural difficulty they would have to face the unpopularity and diffi- culty of widening the areas, and they must put their trust in the County Councils. It would be no use at all in leaving the matter in the hands of the District Councils, and throwing the cost upon the areas of those bodies. He offered no objection to the second reading, but he found serious fault with the draught- ¡ manship, which was the worst example of legislation by reference that he had ever known. The oompulsory powers under the Bilfwere cumbersome and ineffective, and he insisted that the only practicable mode of action would be to give the County Councils ample powers and sufficient means to carry out schemes and then put trust in them, and not attempt to drive them, as the Bill p ro- posed. With regard to the town planning part, it was quite a new proposal, and a very interesting one, which deserved the attention of the House, but its terms would require cate- ful consideration in Committee. Sir J. DICKSON POYNDER (L., Wilts) be- lieved the proposals with regard to town plan- ning would revolutionise the whole method of city extension and lay the foundation of one of the greatest reforms in our urban life. He urged that the Bill should lay down a limit to the number of houses which might be placed on an acre of land. He regarded the housing proposals as the weakest part of the Bill. He thought the President of the Local Govern- ment Board had drawn too much of his in- spiration from the Continent. He suggested that the right hon. gentleman should spend his next vacation in a rural county of England and deny himself his yearly trip to Germany. (Laughter.) This was in many respects a highly Germanised bureaucratic measure, wholly un- suited to English rural life. He urged that it should be efinitelyput into the Bill an in- struction that there should be a periodical survey of all houses under a specified ratable value under the supervision of the county authorities, and that a register of those houses should be kept available for public inspection. His only hope of real housing reform was to give its administration into the hands of the County Councils. Mr GUINNESS (C., Bury st. Edmunds), as chairman of the Housing Committee of the London County Council, said the Bill, while containing some valuable provisions, was rather disappointing from the London point of view. "Magnificent Reform Mr LYTTELTON(C.,St. George's, Hanover- square) believed that any measure which would afford substantial progress in the cause of housing reform would do more for the good of this country than any other conceivable legis- lation. (Bear, hear.) N Speaking more par- ticularly of the town planning part of the Bill he gave the proposals of the Government a most cordial welcome. It contained the prerm of a magnificent reform. He was told by a great authority that in pulling down houses built on a haphazard plan and in making public improvements the ratepayers of this country had to bear a burden of 30,000,000 of money, almost all of it due to lack of foresight on the part of past generations. It was in every way desirable that the mistakes of the past should be avoided in the future, but he begged the Government to divest their plans for the future of all suspicion of aggression upon those who owned land. Mr MASTERMAN, replying on the discus- sion for the Government, said the Bill contem- plated that compulsion should be resorted to only as a last resource. While undue haste was undesirable, he pointed out that the development of towns was going on niJht and day, and it was in his view better to go for- ward even at the risk of some failure than to allow future generations to bring against us the reproach which we had to level against the people of 30 years ago. (Hear, hear.) He ad- mitted that in the first part of the Bill they had an example of legislation by reference carried almost to breaking point, but on behalf of the Government he promised a measure of consolidation of all the Housing Acts in the near future. (Heat, hear.) Complaints had been made of the powers given to the central authority, but he pointed out that then was no suggestion of bringing in the Local Govern- ment Board to carry out the work unless the work was not being dqne by the local authority. The Hill was read a second time.

ECHO OF STAINES TRAGEDY. In London on Tuesday the creditors met under the receiving order made against William Buckholtz. Debtor murdered Mrs Power at Staines, afterwards committing suicide. Claims for £31,000 were put in, the mother's claim amounting to The assess consist of fur niture £300 in value. A trustee was ap- pointed to wind up the estate in bankruptcy.

Newport Town Council. ASSIZE REMOVAL CONTROVERSY. Baths for Pillgwenlly District. Councillor T. Parry, J.P., mayor, presided at the monthly meeting' of Newport Corpora- tion on Tuesday.. The Assize Question. Mr Charles Thomas moved, having regard to the offer already made to the Monmouth- shire County Council and declined, that the Newport Council is of opinion that the time is inopportune for any further steps relative to the provision of Assize Courts at Newport." He was convinced the ratepayers did not ap- prove of spending money on this scheme, and he was further convinced the Lord Chancellor would not sanction the removal of the courts from Monmouth to Newport. Mr Peter Wright seconded, adding that the widening of Newport Bridge was a far more urgent necessity. Mr Fred Phillips said all they now proposed was that their own staff should pre- pare plans. Anything which meant the de- velopment of the town should be supported. Alderman Bear said it meant an expenditure of E100,000 for getting the courts four times a year. To what extent would the public benefit ? Alderman C. Greenland urged that the next big job should be the Newport Bridge. Alderman M. Mordey said he had reason to be- lieve the County Council would subscribe a substantial sum towards the erection of courts at Newport. He thought the change would be a decided benefit to the .tradesmen of the town. The resolution was negatived by five votes to 23. Ratepayers' Associaton Charges. Councillor Robjent, moving the adoption of the Finance Committee's report, referred to charges brought by the Ratepayers' Associa- tion. These charges were referred, without comment, to the auditors, who found that the charges were unfounded. In fairness to the Ratepayers' Association, he desired to say that considerable misconception arose over the copy which the association consulted, which, unfortunately, was not a certified one, and there was in this copy a certain amount of ex- cuse for the charges brought against Corpora- tion officials. The Ratepayers' Association should be congratulated on the attention drawn to looseness in one particular method, but this had now been remedied, and he was glad to say Corporation officials had been proved en- tirely honest. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. Liscombe, seconding, said the officials of the Corporation were not responsible for the mistakes in the Ratepayers' Association's copy of the rate- book. The association applied for particulars, and some of the clerks in the office gave them the information, the copy being made during overtime. The Finance Committee knew nothing of it officially, and the officials were not responsible. Mr Peter Wright asked whether their clerks were allowed to give away extracts from the ratebooks to a private agency without the consent of the town clerk. The town clerk replied that any ratepayer was entitled to a copy of the ratebook on payment of a statutory fee. It had been arranged that the clerks in the rates department should make this complete copy so as to avoid Ratepayers' Association members making these applications constantly. Encouraging the Territorials. Councillor Clifford Phillips moved, and Councillor Liscombe seconded, a motion urging that all facilities should be granted for men in the Corporation's employ who are members of the Territorial Force to attend the annual training, and undertaking that such men shall not suffer in their employment. In the discussion that followed, Councilor Charles asked the members to think im- perially. If this scheme failed conscription would follow. (Criefc of No, no.") The reso- lution was carried by 26 votes to 2. Admission of Press Bill. Mr R. Wilkinson drew attention to a recom- mendation that the Corporation should take no action in the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press) Bill, to which their attention had been drawn by the Tenby Town Council. He was in favour of allowing all their meetings to be open, but judging from his experience he must say that he had never been reported fairly by the Newport Press, which did not give both sides of the question. The Newport newspapers had reported him as having made statements which he had never made. (Laughter.)—The Mayor This question is out of order. You can move an amendment if you like. Empire Application. Mr L. H. Hornby, solicitor, on behalf of Mr Oswald Stoll, applied for a dramatic licence for the Empire Theatre of Varieties, Newport. Mr Stoll was prepared to give an undertaking not to avail himself of the excise licence, which would be included in the dramatic licence, neither would be alter the present style of entertainment, which included brief sketches. Mr Lyndon Moore, on behalf of Mr Sidney Coopfer, Lyceum Theatre, opposed the appli- cation. It was decided to consider the matter in committee. Later the Mayor announced they had decided almost unanimously to re- fuse the application. Higher Elementary School. Mr F. P. Robjent objected to the raising of £4,000 out of rates for erection of higher ele- mentary schools on Stow Hill. The whole of the cost, he urged, should be defrayed out of capital account. He moved that the Council do not proceed with the work of erection if any part of the capital money be raised from the rates. There was no seconder. Sunday Tramcars. Mr R. Wilkinson again moved that a poll of the town be taken to decide whether tram- cars should be run on all routes from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays during the summer months. When the last poll was taken the public had not, he contended, sufficient opportunity to record their votes. Air Peter Wright seconded, urging that the people who owned the cars should decide the matter. On a vote being taken 12 voted for the motion and 20 against. Baths for Pill. There was discussion on a recommendation that 16 Scandinavian or shower baths be con- structed on a plot of land at Pillgwenlly at a cost of £ 2,000. Eventually the recommenda- tion was adopted. Juvenile Traders. Alderman Mark Mordey dealt with the efforts made by the Watch Committee to find per- manent employment for boys engaged in street trading. He believed that the machinery now. in motion would result in benefit to the lads. Rival Lights. A letter was received from the Gas Company in reply to a communication from the Cor- poration requesting the company to discon- tinue the lighting of the gas lamps in Fields Park-road, FieHs-road, Oakfield-road, West- field-road, and Clytha Park-road, as the Cor- poration had decided to light these streets in future by 27 electric Osram lamps. The com- pany's letter urged that gas was better and more economical, and invited the Corporation to take part in a trial between the rival lights before independent lighting experts. The Cor- poration decided to proceed with their scheme to light the streets with electricity.

TWO TRIBUNALS To Be Faced by Cardiff Men. A few weeks ago two Cardiff men, Charles Godfrey and John Davies, were committed by the Llandaff, magistrates for trial at the next Assizes on a charge of beaking and entering the laundry of Messrs Nicholls and Winfield. On Tuesday they were brought from Cardiff Gaol 1 on an order from the Home Office and charged before the Cardiff Stipendary with breaking ( and entering the warehouse of the Cardiff Brickworks Co. between the 20th and 22nd of ^February last, and stealing a quantity of gun- powder and melignite. They were further charged with breaking and entering the South Wales Jam and Marmalade Co's factory be- tween the 3rd and 4th of April, and stealing and receiving 6s 6d, some stamps, the keys of the safe, and a gun, value iLlO. Charles God- frey was further charged with breaking and entering a shop in Wellington-street, Canton, between the 5th and 6th February, and steal- ing a pair of boots and 7s 8d in money from a gas meter. Mr Harold Lloyd represented Davies. A large number of witnesses having given evidence, prisoners were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. The charge against Godfrev alone of break- ing and entering a shop in Wellington-street was not proceeded with. Replying to an application by Mr Harold Lloyd that prisoners should go to the Assizes, seeing that they had already been committed there on another charge, practically on the same evidence, the Stipendiary said if he did so the Judg might ask why a Sessions case had been sent to the Assizes at Swansea at great expense to the county.

Have you a Rebellious laver 7 Do you, when things have a way of going wrong, when the weather is dull and cheerless, and you feel utterly "down in the dumps "-do you ever think that your morbid condition may be due to your liver ? It's very probable. The liver grows lazy-weak and re- bellious-unless it is properly exercised. If yours is a sedentary occupation you need Cockle's Antibilious Pills to tone your liver occasionally and keep you fit and free from depression. Cockle's Pills are the preparation of a fully qualified physician, and have been used with the highest success for more than a century. TAKE 9 fOCACL £ S SH Of all Chemists, 00 4 G* ML lili 2/9 Per Ipox. "ilk One On Jack. jack—"Hullo, Bill. See you've got a new pair o'overalls. You must have money to burn." Bill- Not that. It's like this. The Missis uses Fels-Naptha soap. It gets all the oil and stains out, and she doesn't have to boil 'em, or rub the life out of 'em on a washboard. One pair lasts me as long as two pairs used to do." Ðndge-" You can thank me for that. I told your wife what a won- derful grease-remover Fels-Naptha is." Why do you build up a hot fire on wash-day ? Be. cause you don't use Fels-Naptha soap. Why do you boil or scald the clothes, weakening their fibre, besides having, suds- steam all through the house t Because you don't use Felsp Naptha soap. o Why do you spend half the day over the wash-tub, wearing out yourself and wearing out the clothes ? Because you don't use Fels. Naptha soap. Why do you dread wash- day? Same answer: Be. cause you don't use Fels-Naptha soap. Isn't it worth trying ? iI'f-ELS,' NA',P A

BANKRUPTS AT^CARDIFF. At Cardiff on Tuesday, before the Registraj (Mr Harry Cousins). Travelling Draper. The adjourned examination took place of Mifc Clara E. Routh, travelling draper and out- fitter, Richmond-road, Cardiff. Mr Tapson ap- peared for the debtor. In reply to Mr Lewis Morgan, who represented the trustee (Mr W. D. Forsyth, of Walsall), Mrs Routh said tht, in her statement of affairs she returned none of her book debts as good, but E670 as doubtful and JE850 as bad. The trustee had since sold these debts for JE505, while friends of her hus- band offered X300 for them. She could not explain why her husband had refused to help the trustee to show up the debts or to realise the estate. The examination was closed. Neglecting to Supply Account. Mr George David (Official Receiver) said that Frederick Charles Williams, Tydfil-place, Car- diff, had not complied with an order of the Court to supply an account, and that Judge Owen had signed a committal to be enforced unlesa the statement was filed by Thursday. Debtor assured the Registrar he had no intention of defying the Court. The examination was ad. joured to June 12th, the Registrar stating that the committal would be enforced if he did not comply with the order. Mr Lewis Morgan appeared for the trustee. Examinations Closed. The examinations were closed of the follow- ing bankrupts :—Henry S. Dawe, Elm Cottage, Laleston Mosgrove Cecil Ralph Wood, news- agent and hairdresser, Llandaff and Benja- min John, Llwydarth Cottages, M&esteg. Official Receiver Not Surprised Thomas Edwards, collier, Gilfach Goch, re- plying to the Official Receiver, said that in 1906 he received Y.200 compensation from a colliery company. He had since been out of employment a good deal, and he gave his son JE50 to go to America, and E15 to his daughter, who was a -ood girl and looked after the home. After a long examination of the debtor, Mr George David said, Why is it you have told me so many things which are untrue ?•* Debtor replied he thought he was speaking only the truth. Applying for an adjournment to June 12th (which was granted). Mr David said it was quite clear debtor had not dis- closed all documents, and it might be necessary to call his daughter. Publicans' Affairs. With liabilities at JE388, and deficiency £328. Harry Fantham, now of The Ferns," Rum- ney, and formerly of the Rompney Castle, Rumney, and of the White Lion Inn, Nora. street, Cardiff, attributed his insolvency to ill. health and bad trade. His wife borrowed E112 to pay for the ingoings to the White Lion SZO was received for the outgoings.— The examination was closed. Mr G. F. Willett was for the debtor. In Money-^Lenders' Hands. A blacksmith by trade, Wm. Good Denton-road, late of Cowbridge-road, saic that with the object of increasing his income he opened business as a grocer and provisioz dealer. He was disappointed, however, and now his liabilities were ig229 and deficiency £216. Book debts, which he estimated to b. worth 1106, had realised only S16. He had borrowed from moneylenders, who were re- sponsible for nearly 1200 of his liabilities. -Tb. examination was closed. Mr W. B. Francis appeared for the debtor. Twelve Months' Trading. John Harris, trading as J. Harris and Co., hardware merchant, Wood-street, questioned by Mr Geo. David, said he was a Pole, and Harris was not his real name. He commenced business at Cardiff in February, 1907 12 months later a receiving order was made against him, his liabilities being over £ 1,000, and assets about 1200. Questioned as to his business transactions in Edinburgh, debtor reDeatedly answered I can't remember," until at last the Registrar interposed with These answers, I I can't remember,' won't do for this court, I'll adjourn the case to enable him to remember things." The exami- nation of debtor will be resumed at the next court. Mr W. P. Cadle appeared for the debtor, and Mr Gordon Williams for two creditors. Interest to Money Lender. Mr Gordon Williams appeared for Henry Lesom-Hiley, architect and surveyor, Peter- stone-super-Ely, whose liabilities were d6914 and deficiency E720. In reply to Mr George David, debtor said he still suffered from the effects of a railway accident in 1906, and was incapacitated from doing private work. which he formerly did in his spare time. He com- menced to borrow from money-lenders prior to the accident. He did that to enable him to carry out a building scheme at St. Bride's. His banking account at that time was over- drawn. He must have been living beyond his means even then, but he always expected things would improve. The Official Receiver said that one of the creditors (Messrs Strana- ghan and Stephens), complained that debtor had lived extravagantly, in that he had ordered wines and spirits. Debtor; I was obliged to live fairly well in order to recover from the accident. I always intended to pay for what I had. In reply to other questions the bankrupt said he had paid 60, 70, 150 and even 200 per cent. interest to money-lenders. The examination*was closed.

The funeral of Mr Edward Morgan, M.E.« general manager and agent of the Marquis ol Bute's collieries, Aberdare. took place on Saturday. The mourners were Mr W. Morgan, Abernaut (brother), Dr. T. Morgan (Garnant), Dr. E. Morgan (Sketty), and Mr E. Moses, Aberdare (nephews). Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., K.CV.O., Dr. Evan Jones, J.P. (Tymawr), Mr W. F. Parry de Winton (Plasdraw), and Mr J. D. Thomas (solicitor, Aberdare) were, also present. The Rev. C. Arthur Green, M.A., vicar of Aberdare, officiated.