The Cardiff Times

Nell Wreichion Oddiar yr Elngion. By CADRAWD. THE WELSH LEGENDS. The Miner's Tale. A gentleman, many years ago. by the name of Mr Mod win was wandering in the county of Cardiganshire, and entering a little inn at Pontygroes. near Hated, he foiled there some miri'Tri. as it is generally said of men spending their time drinking at a public-house. on the spree." One of the miners WM sober nough, however, to relate to the stranger the following: tale, which he took, care to write down. The miner said :— I was once the owner of a mine ol my own, instead of working in that of another. The woods extending along the right of the road; and a very considerable farm was once my own. My father possessed them by inherit. ance, and by the increase of their flock and the sale of his wool had amassed what in this country where provisions are cheap, wants few. and luxuries uiikiaowu, is looked upon as a con- siderable fortune- Fortunate had it been for me when he died if I had continued the same occupations that had brought with them the calm delights of good old age, and the bles- sing of health and content. But the demon of avarice possessed me, or rather a fiend in thE" shape of a gwrach or witch. Though of Welsh cxtraction,she was quite a stranger in the place, and no one knew whence she came. All was mysterious about her, and her activity little corresponded with her years, for she was wrinkled, old, and bent almost double, and had the longest nose and chin, and the most diabo- lical expression of countenance I ever saw in woman. She was, in fact, a hideous crone, and the children, when she passed by, would run and hide themselves in their mother's laps. 8he entered into no relationship or acquaint- anceship.or interchange of good offices with any of her neighbours, and was detested by all the countLv round; vet no one ever dared to refuse her alms or molest her, lest it should occasion (as had happened the death of a cow, or a horse, or, perhaps, a member of a family. 'You must know," said the minertothe stranger, *• that there inhabits our mountains certain invisible beings, which are called in Wales Tylwvth Teg,' or knockers. These genii live underground in or near mines you may haply laugh at our simplicity in maintain- ing the existence of such spirits, but you will not meet with any person conversant with our employment who does not believe that they are pre-indicators of mines and by their noises point out to the workmen the veins of ore of which they are in search, as visions in dreams are the precursors of prizes in the lottery and other accidents that occur to us. But not to aecount for one phenomeuuu more than an- other, alII can say is that there are plenty who will speak well of the knockers be- cause they have stood good l'riends to them but for my part, all I know is they proved the ruin of Inl. There was a time indeed when I was as incredulous of them, as 1 see by your face you are. and deemed it a mere popular supersti- tion, and have often t bought that it might be in vengeance for my want of faith that they leagued against me, with the aid of the old haer. Whether that be so or not. who can tell ? But I for a long time shut my ears to her reports of their nightly meetings at the loot of one of my hills. As I was amusing myself one evening with my rod and line (for then I was a gentleman like you), on the Mynach. adjoining my grounds—which until the smelting went on was a good river for fishing—I chanced to meet with old dame Cadwaladar, as she called herself, picking up toad stools on the bank of the said river. These, I suppose, she required for compounding her poisons. Accosting her I laughed at her stories about the little'folks of the mountain—the Tylwytli Teg.' She was not, however, to be put out of countenance, so easily foiled, for she described to me the nature of th3 noises she had heard, and always at the same place, and at the same hour of the night, though there was no mining going on at that time within miles and miles. To hear her talk one would certainly think she must have dealings either with the spirits (who are said to be harmless) or with some infernal powers, for she brought forward an instance in support of her argument that might have con- vinced the most sceptical. There was a deaf and dumb tailor in the village,who had a parti- cular language of his own. From practice I could understand him, and he mp, by motions of the fingers, hands and eyes. Now,' argued the beldam, if this man had really seen one in the bottom of a sink of water in a mine, and wanted to tell you how to get at it, would he not set up two sticks like these set ior a pump and go through the motion of a pumper at the sink where he knew that the ore was, and then imitate the wheeling of a barrow ?' What would you infer from these signs but that he wanted you to pump and drive and wheel the rich stuff out.in the very place where lie had oeen it. By like, reasoning, the language r the 4 Tvlwytli Teg signifies that you should do the same where I heard the noise, or the sounds. She saw that she had made some impression on me. and shortly practised an- other imposition on me with much more success. The natives of Cardiganshire have an equal faith in the divining rods. They are made of haLel, cut when Saturn, the significant of Lead, is in conjunction with Jupiter. The latter must be sextile or trine, but if the con- junction happens when he is square, the effect is marred. Practised in fraud, the witch pre- tended with one of these divining rods or wands to have discovered the precise spot where the matrix of ore was. but first de- manded of me a large sum of money for the discovery which I refused. My tranquillity of mind was now gone. I neglected farming—took no longer any pleasure in angljr.-was indifferent to the caresses of my children, and behaved harshly to my wife, to whom I had been until then devotedly at- tached. Dreams made up the better part of my existence, and my eyes gloated nightly in visions of heaps on heaps of glittering metals, and my ears were filled with the rolling of barrows, the pumping of water, anil the ham- mering of the spirits. The crone had brought me to the point desired, and now it was mv turn to importune. Her terms and demands rose with my impatience, and after a long treaty she consented, as the price of her disco- veries, to accept a third part of my father's hard-earned and hoarded gold. Never dawned so happy a day on me as that on which I paid down the money to the oM imposter—whether she was equally pleased I know not—but in a few weeks she left the country, and has never been heard of since. The place pointed out by the hazel twig, as my Eldorado, was Glyn Clwyd, and the neighbouring mine having been abandoned, and all the workmen who had been employed there outo) pay, I immediately hired them, and set to work in real earnest. It was not long before I became initiated to my cost, and the money new wildly. In the evening, after the men had left, I went into the shafts to listen for knockers, and often stood there till midnight listening, but the little people had forsaken their haunts, or, out of spite, suspended their labours. Once indeed, when I was visiting the level on-a-tiunday, when my thoughts ought to have been directed otherwise, I heard a voice that seemed to me that of the old witch, whis- pering distinctly, Fool, infatuated, desist Then followed a loud laugh that echoed through- the shaft. This warning voice was in vain. I was blinded, besotted, and hardened of heart, and my ready money was gone, while no trace of lead was discoverable. My workmen contri- buted also to keep alive my hopes by occasion- ally producing the mammoth of some Comish ore which they pretended to have dis- covered Acre after acre, one by one, did I squander in this mad and hopeless undertaking, deaf to the prayers of my wife and reproaches of my friends and the exhortations of our good pastor, till at last I sold my house aud al1 the remain- der of my farm to the proprietor of Hafod. This done I moved to a cottage near the shaft, the better to superindent the work. Hut why con- tinue my narrat ion ? Th" story of my madness -no, that you cannot know, but already must have divined my ruin. You see it exemplified in myself—you know what I was, you can see what I am now. Ere long I was penniless. My wife died of a broken heart, my children reduced to beggary, and the long shaft of Glyn Clwy/1 is called to this day, Owen's folly 'r— an eternal monument and record of my shame." The Legend of Plimlimon. The five sisters Fountain Nymphs of Plim- limcn agreed one hummer evening to start early the next morning and visit their father Ocean. The W ye, by strictly observing the agreement, was enabled to meander through a more exten- sive country than her sisters. Sabrina (the Severn), starting somewhat later, could not indulge in so many deviations while performing her journey, yet was enabled to traverse a fine region on her way Lo the sea. Hhcidiol, awakenr ing still later, was constrained to take a sliorte- eourse and the other Fountain Nymphs, by sleeping longer still. were compelled to make the best of their way and deny themselves of the pleasure of an extended excursion. The proper spelling of the word is Pumlymou —being a- compound of pump (five) ind Human (beacon) — i.e., five beacons the exact number of tjie eminences on the top of this vast mountain, part of which lies in Montgom- eryshire, ami part 1U Cardiganshire.

THE PATENTS ACT. The first factory to eonmience operations in England under- the new Patents Act started on Monday near Penzance. A German firm has in- stalled plant in premises l'ormorh used [or tin smelting tu manufacture a patent food. Resides the employment of many hands large con- tracts have been entered into with agricul- f t"rists in the district, to supply separated milk. { and this wiii undoubtedly stimulate the dairy industry in the neighbourhood.

Miners and Judge Roberts AGITATION FOR REMOVAL. On Monday a "mass" meeting of the colliers in the Aberdare Valley was heM at the Market Hall. Aberdare, to protest against the decision of his Honour Judge J. Bryn Roberts in compensation cases brought before him from time to time at the local courts. The chair was occupied by Mr Sydney Stephens, Aber aman. ex-chairman of the Aberdare District of the South Wales Miners' Federation, and he was supported on the platform by the mem- bers of the District Executive. The Chairman expressed his regret that the audience was such a small one. He could assure them. as a member of the executive, that the crisis had become rave, and they had thought long before they called that meeting. The solicitors' bill in that district for the last 12 months had'run to over £400, and it would be more as long as matters con- tinued as they were. They also intended dealing with the question of the treat- ment by companies' doctors of the poor men who met with accidents in the mines. He regretted that they had received telegrams intimating that Messrs D. Watts Morgan. W. E. Morgan (Swansea), and Enoch Murrell (Merthyr)could not attend, but thoy had Mr Tom Evans there to take the place of the first-named. Mr C. B. Stanton moved a resolution pro- testing in the strongest manner against Judge Bryn Roberts's treatment of compensation cases, and alleging that his Honour lacked knowledge of mining matters or the customs of the people in the district within his jurisdiction, and was there- forean unsuitable person for the position. The resolution added that his Honour's deci- sions in 19 out of 20 cases were against the Federation and its members, which led them to feel that he was prejudiced against the work- men, and that cases were disposed of so slowly that compensation actions were in arrears, caqsing increase in expenses and the hardship of long waiting for settlement. Therefore the meeting called upon the distoict to take steps to bring this matter before ihe Labour Com- mittee in the House of Commons, and appoint a deputation to the authorities resDonsible for Judge Bryn Roberts's appointment. The reso- lution proceeded to declare that some colliery doctors acted as medical bailiffs," and vio- lated the Act of Par liament, and urged that action should be taken to stop the conduct complained of. Mr Stanton said he fully appre- ciated the gravity of the situation. Every day he met someone who suffered from injustice. The judge had said recently, If a workman is so unfortunate as to meet with an accident he must not think that he is entitled to old age pension." (Shame.) They were determined to get rid of the judge, and would follow that meeting with a deputation to London to those who appointed him. (At this point some inter- ruption took place, and the interruptor was quickly silenced.) He believed, however, if they were determined the judge would go. They did not want one who would give all the verdicts in their favour, but they wanted fair play. Councillor Illtyd Hopkins, in seconding the resolution, merely read it in the vernacular. Mr Tom Evans, Rhondda. said he came there in the absence of Mr D. Watts Morgan to show that the Rhondda stood side by side with the Aberdare people. (Applause.) They did not doubt the jucjge's ability, but they contended he knew nothing of the people of South Wales or their customs. So great was the dissatis. faction of the men's leaders with the decisions that they had taken every case they could to Cardiff to be tried by Judge Owen, but tho colliery owners had become too keen for them and had now stopped this by removing the registered offices of the company from Cardiff to log cabins at the pit top. Mr Vernon Hartshorn (Maesteg) said every miners' leader in South Wales was in hearty accord with Mr Stanton, and the sentiments of Mr Stanton were those of Mabon and Mr Brace and Mr Tom Richards, and, indeed, of every lawyer he had spoken to, as well as of every doctor and of all the workmen in the coalfield. They must not think that the miners' leaders were simply fighting against authority. They had lost cases before Judge Owen and Judge Bishop, and they never criticised the verdict. They had also to deal with the Independent Chairman, whose decisions often meant the loss of a hundred thousand pounds in wages, but he had never yet heard of a single miners' leader uttering a single com- plaint against the decision of that man. If the judge remained the men's leaders should decline to let cases go before him, and adopt their own methods of dealing with compensa- tion claims, and do what he had been obliged to do in his own district, which was to bring the men out of the pits unless their claims were paid. The resolution waa carried unanimously, after which Mr Stanton dealt, with the action of the colliery doctors in compensation cases, sta ting that shortly a consultation between their solicitors and the lodge secretaries would be held, at which the whole matter would be discussed.

A FORTUNE IN EGGS. It is reported from Copenhagen that the egg producing industry in Denmark has been stimulated by the growing demands of the British markets, which in 1907 and 1908 con- sumed over 400.000,000 Danish each year. Breeding of poultry in Denmark is carried on generally on a small scale, with flocks of 50 to 100 fowls, and confined to small farmers, who supply local customers or hotels without any system in placing their goods on the mar- ket. Three associations are now making an effort, through experiments, exhibitions, and reports, to ensure progress and co-operation. The trade is chiefly with Great Britain it is with a view to the maintenance of good prices that the examination^orting,packing,and ship- ping of eggs is carefully carried out. One association has more than 500 districts, with a me/nbership of about 40,000 contributors from whom eggs are collected. Producers must deliver eggs to the district stations, each egg stamped with the number of their membership. Eggs are pickled in a solution of lime water during April and May and are offered for sale from October to February. Before and after pickling, they are subjected to a critical test by electric light.

SOUTH WALES I.L.P. AND MR GRAYSON. Executive's Action Censured. A conference of members of the I.L.P. branches in the Mid-Glamorgan and Bridgend group was held at Tondu on Saturday. Mr Harry Lewis, Maesteg, presided. Mr W. Field, Cardiff, represented the N.A.C. A resolution was proposed by Ir John Cawker, on behalf of the Bridgend branch, protesting against the action of the South Wales Executive in can- celling the engagements of Mr Victor Grayson, M-P. Mr A. k. Pearcey, Tondu, seconded, and the resolution Was carried. It was stated that the group was entitled to another repre- sentative on the South Wales Executive, and it was decided to appoint Mr John Cawker, Bridgend. On the motion of Mr Pearcey, Tondu, it was resolved that in future the group be known as the Bridgend and District Group.

BARRY CHILD NEGLECT CASE. Proceedings Withdrawn. Charles Collard and Martha Collard, of Cadoxton, summoned for neglecting their six children, again appeared at Barry on Monday. The case had before been adjourned at the re- quest of Mr T.Preece Prichard.who represented the N.S.P.C.C. It was now announced that considerable improvement had been effected in the state of the house in which the defen- dants lived, and the society desired another adjournment to give defendapts a further chance. The magistrates (Messrs T. P. Thomas and J. H. Jose), however, considered that the case should now be withdrawn, the society to take fresh proceedings iu the event of the im- provement not being maintained.

TERRITORIAL FORCES. At a meeting of the Monmouthshire Terri- torial Association, Colonel Sir Arthur Mack- wortli presiding, money was voted to each department of the forces for prizes and a grant made to each unit to add to the present ad- ministration grant. It was decided to ask the War Office to increase the administration grant, which is insufficient. The 3rd Mon- mouthshire will go to camp at Porthcawl, and it was decided to recommend Towyn, North Wales, in preference to Ammanford, Carmar- thensliire, for the 1st and 2nd Monmouthshire. The Artillery were granted the temporary use of Dock-street, Newport, Drill Hall for recruiting, which is going on briskly. The 2nd Monmouthshire Company headquar- ters at Grarndiffaith are to be rertfoved to Pontypool.

I THOUSANDS FOR HOSPITALS- Mr Richard Thomas, head of one of the largest tinplate manufacturing firms in Wa les, has decided, in celebration ol his golden wed- ding. to make the handsome gift of 1,000 guineas each to Cardiff. Swansea. Xewpod. and Llanelly Hospitals, and £250 to Hoss Hospital. I O voi- 7.000 workmen, members of office staffs, and managers at t Iw various works ha7 decided to present Mr and Mrs Thomax with ?.n illuminated address and a service of gold plate.

-w- THEiR PLACES. -1- ik- _r,.V' -'c K"< ,-—— t-t.——— -1 At". POLICEMAN (outside Lansdowne House) Now then, clear away, please Unemployed processions aren't allowed here THE LORDS But we're the Lords Lord Lansdowne told us to be in our places, and we always come here when we've any real work to do Cartoon by Sir F. C. Gould. Published by arrangement with the Westminster Gazette."

A Clever Swindler. Is CARDIFF ACCOUNTANT SENTENCED. At Herefordshire Assizes on Monday, before Mr Justice Grantham, Edmund George Wil- liams (3b). accountant, Cardiff, trading as the South Wales Status Inquiry Agency, was in- dicted on charges of converting to his own use ill 18s 7d, which he had received for and on account of Timothy Thomas,butcher .Hereford, 12 6s 6d onaccount of George Bagnall, butcher, Hereford, and 10s on account of William Carter, fishmonger and poulterer, Hereford. Mr Powell, for the prosecution, said the indict- ment was under the Larceny Act, 1901. Defen- dant came to Hereford at the end of 1907 and canvassed tradesmen as the South Wales Status Inquiry Agency, offering to collect 20 debts for 20s. He opened a branch office at St. Peter's Church House, Hereford. but; was seldom there. Mr Bagnall said defendant gave a very high account of himself as a debt collector, and said that beyond the 20s for a blue book of 20 cheques there was no commission. Prosecutor paid him a sovereign for a book and gave him two deb Is to collect. One debt wTas £ 3 odd from Mrs Healey, of Hunderton, and defen- dant gave receipts to her for instalments amounting to X2 5s, but only paid 5s to prose- utor. Only 6s was received from defendant on account of Mrs Arnold, who4lad paid him 12s 6d. Timothy Thomas said that one debt he asked defendant to collect was 120 18s 7d from Major Delahav. The whole amount was received by defendant, but he only paid 19 to prosecutor, despite numerous appeals. He found no one at the Hereford office. Failing to obtain any reply from defendant, prosecutor wrote, to Jarman. who was in the Cardiff office, and then defendant wrote strongly resenting what he described as false and libellous letters, and threatened an action for libel. No writ had been issued. Major Delahay, now residing at Chepstow- road, Newport, said he paid IE3 personally to defendant and other sums to Jarman. William Carter said he gavedefendant several debts to collect. A Mrs Biggs owed £ 2 0s 2d, and defendant paid 13s of it. and defendant paid 13s of it. Mr Hewitt, for the defence, said the trades- men could not, complain, inasmuch as they accepted cheques from defendant through his bank. He argued there was no conversion, which must be a definite act, different from detention, which was merely a civil, not a criminal, wrong. The jury found prisoner guilty, and he ad- mitted a previous conviction in 1903 at Exeter for a similar misdemeanour. Detective-Inspector Ovens said he held a warrant for defendant's arrest for a similar charge at Ludlow, and there were numerous complaints from Hereford, Llandrindod, Lud low, Penybont, Hay, &c. The Judge, describing defendant as a clever swindler, consented to his request to cover the Ludlow offence, and sentenced him to three years' penal servitude.

CO-PARTNERSHIP WORKSHOPS. Conference at Abertillery. An industrial co-partnership conference was held at the Co-operative Hall. Abertillery, on Saturday,at the invitation of the Blaina Indus- trial and Provident Society. Theie was a re- presentative attendance of co-operators, Trade Unionists, and others interested in industrial and social questions. Mr T. W. Allen, Blaina. presided, and an interesting paper was read by Mr B. Williams (manager of the Garden City Press. Ltd.) on Co-partnership Workshops and the Co-operative Movement." Discussion followed, the following taking part :—Mr Amos Mann (Leicester), Mr G. Morriss (secretary co- partnership movement), and Councillor A. C. Willis.

FUNERAL OF MRS SUMMERS, ROSEMOOR. The funeral of Mrs Summers, of Rosemoor, Pembroke, took place on Monday, at Walwyn's Castle. Among those present were Sir Owen Scourfield, Bart., Mr Edward Eaton Evans, Mr Victor Higgon, Mr J. T. Fisher, Mr H. W. Davies, Trewarren Mr A. W. Massev, Mr W. Howell Walters, Mr Stradling, Dr. Williams, Haverfordwest Colonel Harries. Mr R. T. P. Williams. Mr J. A. Bland, Haverfordwest; Mr F. P. Green, and Mr T. R. Dawkins. Mr R. P. L. Penn, high, sheriff, Mr Ernest Allen, Dr. George Griffith, and Dr. W, S. Griffith, ap- peared with the mourners, which included all the members of the deceased lady's family, with the exception of two sons, who are abroad. The officiating clergymen were Arch- deacon Williams, Stignton the Rev. T. G. Mar- shall, rural dean and the Rev. J. Jackett, St. Ishmael's.

Dead Solicitor's Affairs. THE FIGHT FOR THE ASSETS. On Monday afternoon a meeting of the dtedi. tors of the late Mr J. R- Richards, solicitor, of Swansea, met at Swansea upon the requisition of certain creditors to discuss the litigation arising as to the validity of a proof submitted against the estate by the trustees of the estate of Mr William Hoskins, and to decide what course shall be adopted. Mr P. Edwards, J.P., manager of the Capital and Counties Bank, presided, and, in opening the proceedings, said several people had been hit hard over the late Mr Ricliards's bankruptcy, and it was very important that if possible any litigation thnt might absorb the assets available should be avoided. To some it did not appear to be a matter of great concern whether they got a shilling or two in the £ more or less but to others it wa# all-important. Therefore, it was most desirable in the interests of all concerned that the subject on the agenda should be ap- proached in a friendly spirit as far as possiole, and that an endeavour should be made to arrivp at some arrangement to enable the creditors to get all the dividend possible. Mr J. P. Harvey, the trustee, said at a meet- ing held in December a proof was submitted by the trustees of Mr Hoskins's estate for £ 28,000. That proof was objected to by some of the cre- ditors and by himself as trustee, and there was now a motion to come before the County Court to-morrow with a view to testing its validity. With regard to the question of com- promise, if an approach had been made earlier there might have been something to be said for it, but now the expense of retaining counsel, preparing affidavits, and getting the case ready for hearing had all been incurred, and his opinion was that there was no other solu- tion than to get the decision of the Judge as to the validity of the proof. Mr C. B. Jenkins, solicitor, said the position he had taken up from the first was that if the motions now in sight and down for hearing were carried to their logical conclusion every shilling of the assets would be eaten up. He moved a resolution to the effect that in the best interests of the creditors it was desirable that the motions should be compromised on the lines of Mrs Jenkins's-proof being admitted in full on its being put right in form. each party in that case to pay their own costs, and that the proof of the trustees of the estate of Mr W. Hoskins be also admitted if the trustees would consent to reduce it to an amount to be agreed on. This having been seconded. Mr Wm. James moved as an amendment that no further steps be taken in the matter till after to-morrow. In the course of subsequent discussion the Chairman again made a strong appeal for the. avoidance of litigation, and eventually the motion and the amendment were withdrawn, and a resolution was passed that in the opinion of the meeting it was desirable to compromise on the subject of the motions down for hear- ing to-morrow, and that both solicitors and counsel engaged on the various motions have a conference with a view to endeavouring to arrive at some settlement, and that the chair- man and Mr W. James attend.

-=- LABOUR CO-OPERATION. A Newcastle correspondent telegraphs that an agreement which may have far-reaching effects has been concluded among a number of Trade Unions for semi-skilled and unskilled workmen. The agreement, which has been signed by 10 societies, provldes for the mutual recognition of each other's cards of member- ship, transfer of mombers from one society to another in the case of men changing their em. plovment, mutual help in work, organisation of joint. action in case of disputes, and where disputes arise among Unions arbitration as a means of settlement. The societies which have given their adhesion The societies which their adhesion to the agreement are the ,n .e -r Gerieral labourers of London Workers Union, British Labour Amalgamation, /Navvies Builders, Labourers and General Labourers Union, Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers' Union, Amalgamated Society of Gas Workers, Brickmakers and General Labourers, Amalgamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle Workers, National Amalgamated Union of Labour, and the National Union of Gas Workers- and General Labourers. These Unions have a membership (If over a hundred thousand. The promoters of the agreement hope that it may lead the way to complete amalgamation.

Glyncorrwg Angling Association received a consignment of 750 trout from Roath Lake on Saturday, which were carried to a spot, above the collieries and there deposited in the river. Another consignment is expected.

I Rescues at Glyncorrwg. TWO MEN OVERCOME BY FUMES. Some weeks ago the management of the Glyncorrwg Collieries drove a heading through the fault in the north-western district of their workings in the house coal seam. It appears that the seam required was several yards above the level, and in order to reach the coal more quickly it was resolved to roof upward at a sharp angle. Yesterday morning the men were engaged as usual, and had bored into coal. The mine manager, Mr Matthew Evans, and his overmen, Mr James Evans and Mr Thomas Griffiths, came near to examine and report. The workmen engaged at the face fired the charges and then retired. Every- thing went off satisfactorily, but the narrow heading was densely filled with fumes. After waiting some little time an over. man (Mr James Evans) took his safety lamp and ascended to the face of the workings in order to examine the coal. Those below noticed that he was rather a long time absent, and two men, Tom Jones and Dan Thomas, went. in search. Dan Thomas was overcome with the fumes, but Tom Jones managed to get to the face, which he reached just as Mr James Evans was falling. Tom Jones caught hold of Mr Evans ivy the heels, and just man- aged to bring him down the narrow passage. Tom Jones then returned along with Mr Thomas Griffiths in search of Dan Thomas. Just as they reached the latter Tom Jones col lapsed. Griffiths caught hold of Dan Thomas and brought him back. Edmund Charles Jones, another workman, then went upwards in search of Tom Jones, and had just managed to bring him down when he also collapse^ Mr Matthew Evans, manager, and Mr Thomas Griffiths applied artificial respiration to both Evans and Thomas, and after about an hour's exertion both were brought round.

COLLIERY OFFICIALS FINED. At Aberavon County Police Court on Mon day (before Messrs S. H. Byaas, J. M. Smith, L. Lewis, Herbert Evans, and W. Jenkins) Robert Gibb, jun., of Avon View, eymmer, agent of the Glyncymmer Colliery, Cymmer, Port Tal- bot, and. Dd. Daniels, manager of the colliery, were summoned at the instance of Mr John Dyer Lewis, H.M. Inspector of Mines for the Swansea district, for an offence in contraven- tion of Rule 31, Section 49 ,of the Mines Regula- tion Act, 1887, for allowing exposed and dan. gerous parts of the machinery and the gearing of an electric pump underground to be un- fenced. Mr E. Powell (Neath) prosecuted for the Home Office, and Mr Trevor H. Hunter defended, whilst Mr G. K. Jenkins (of Messrs Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) held a watching brief for relatives of a Thomas Gage, who was killed in an accident out of which the case arose. Mr Atkinson, H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines, was also present. Mr Hunter pleaded guilty on the part of Mr D. Daniels to a technical offence and not guilty on behalf of Mr R. Gibb, Mr Powell stated that on the 3rd January a pumpman named Thomas Gage, employed at the colliery, met with an accident, his arm being caught iIf the machinery of the pump and wrenched off, and he died from the in- juries. There was a lot of water at the colliery at the time in question, and several pumps were in use. On December 28th a six-horse power electric motor pump was fixed up, but was not fenced or sheathed, and as a result this accident occurred. Mr J. Dyer Lewis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, proved receipt of the notice of the accident on January 4th. He had previously drawn the attention of the manager to the fencing of another pump. The one in question was totally un fenced. Mr Hunter, for the defence, admitted that a technical offence had been committed by the manager, but the agent had taken all reason- able means to prevent any accidents. The company had considerable difficulty in coping with the water at that time and it was practic- ally impossible to fix the fencing then. The sheathing for covering the pump was on the ground ready for fixing as soon as the water could be got under. Mr Gibb did not see the pump from Monday until Thursday, but told the manager how things were progress- ing on the Monday. Mr R. Gibb bore out his solicitor's state- ment. The Bench, after a short retirement, found that a breach of the Act had been committed, and fined each defendant 20s and costs.

Two men were killed at Snob Pit, at Boness, on Monday morning. WTith two others they were in the cage ready to be raised to the sur- face, when a huge stone fell down the shaft, crashing through the top of the cage, and other two men were injured.

BROADENING THE BASIS OF TAXATION. HOW TARIFF REFORM WOULD DO IT. '(Reproduced by the courtesy of the Editor of the Morning Leader.") I

APPLICATIONS AT BRIDGEND. At the annual Licensing Sessions for the Bridgend division on Saturday, Mr R. W. Llewellyn presiding, Mr John Sankey (in- structed by Mr David Llewellyn, solicitor, Bridgend) applied on behalf of Mr T. Jenkins, landlord of the Blaengarw Hotel, Blaengarw, for a licence for an hotel situated on the main road between Pontycymmer and Blaengarw, and proposed to bo called the Alexandra Hotel. The application was opposed by Mr W. P. Nicholas (Messrs Morgan, Bruce and Nicholas, Pontypridd) on behalf of the owners and tenant of the Faldau Hotel Mr Ivor Bowen (instructed by Mr Pilgrim Morris, Pontycymmer) on behalf of residents in the neighbourhood Mr Edward Williams, Pontypridd. on behalf of the owners and tenants of the Nanthir and Dunraven Hotels, Blaengarw. Mr Sankey said that the first ap- plication was made in 1900. In 1903, when the building was nearly completed, an application was made for a provisional licence; which was refused on the ground that it watpremature Another application was made in 1908, and the justices again decided that it was premature. Mr Sankey submitted that since then the dis- trict had increased. He also sub- mitted that the neighbouring hotels were overcrowded on certain nights. Mr P. J. Thomas, architect; proved the plans. Mr D. J. Davies, contractor, said that 47 houses were about to be built nearer this hotel than any other. Evidence in support of the appli- cation was also given by Mr H. Dawkin Williams, surveyor to the Ogmore and Garw Council, Mr C. l. Heycock, Mr J. H. Jones, Mr Arthur Morris, and Mr E. J. Havard. The last witness said he was a tailor living next door to the Nanthir Hotel, and his experience was that the hotel was very crowded on Saturdays. He thollght another licensed house was required. 1\'1r Nicholas Is your shop more crowded on Saturday night than other nights ?—Witness Yes. Mr Bowen: Then we must have another tailor. (Much laughter.) The' Justices retired to consider the applica- tion, and on returning into court the Chairman announced that it would be granted subject to the justices approving the plans, and that the house should be kept free. Mr Sankey I give that undertaking. The Chairman said that the justices would settle the monopoly value at the adjourned meeting. Mr St. John Francis Williams (instructed by Messrs Vachell and Co., Cardiff) applied on behalf of Mr Edward Dudson, landlord of the Hearts of Oak, Nantyffyllon, Maesteg, for (1) sanction to the removal of the inn from its present site to a site 18 yards away on the main road, or (2) for a provisional grant of a new license on the latter site. Mr W. P. Nicholas (Messrs Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) opposed on behalf of the owner and tenant of the Duffryn Hotel. Mr St. John Francis Williams said that owing to a diversion of the road the house was now situated on a road which was a cul-de-sac. It was also situated between two railways, which was dangerous, as people tried to get to it by crossing the lines. The Chairman (Mr R. W. Llewellyn) intimated at the outset that the Bench would not grant any transfer of the present licence, and Mr Williams thereupon proceeded with his application for a new licence on the new site, Mr Edward Dudson said that he had agreed with Mr Thomas Williams, of the Llanharran Hotel, Pontycymmer, to take the new house from him at a rental of JE150 a year with the right to purchase beer, etc., in the open market. Mr Francis Williams said that if a new licence was granted the old one would be surrendered. Mr Arthur Edwards, architect, said he estimated the new house would cost about £2.500. The Chairman: Granted, subject to the condition that it be kept as a free house.

HAVERFORDWEST DISTRICT. The licences of the Royal Hotel, Little Haven, a.nd the Mariner's Hotel, Nolton, were men- tioned at the Rhooss (Haverfordwest) Sessions on Saturday. Deputy Chief Constable James stated that the fomer house had been closed for three months, and the latter—opposed last year by the Rev. J. Reese, the vicar of the parish- had been closed since last October. On behalf of the owner, Mr Harold James, Mr R. T. P. Williams, solicitor, explained that the Royal Hotel was actually let in December to a man from Glamorganshire, but he was unable to go in owing to the fact that his wife was taken ill, and the doctor advised him not to bring his wife to the West coast of Pem- brokeshire. There were other applicants for the house, and it would be let almost immediately. With regard to the Mariners' Hotel, the owner, Mr Harold James, was quite willing for the license to be referred for compensation. The licence of the Castle Hotel was renewed, and that of the Mariners' postponed to the adjourned Licensing Sessions.

DUNGLEDDY. At Dungleody (Pem.) Brewster Sessions all the licences we renewed without opposition save that of the Tufton Anna. C1a.rbe8ton-road. consideration of which was adjourned.

LLANDILO. Llandilo Brewster Sessions were held on Saturday. All the licences were renewed with the exception of the following, which were ad- journed for consideration for one month, viz., Angel Hotel, White Horse Inn, King's Head, and Old Ginshop, of Llandilo. The Deputy Chief Constable reported that in the Llandilo division and that of Ammanford there had been 241 convictions for drunkenness during the past year, as against 196 in 1907.

BLAINA AND NANTYGLO. The adjourned sitting of the Bedwellty Brewster Sessions was held at Abertillery on Monday. The Chairman (Dr. W. E. Williams) said that the magistrates desired to express their extreme satisfaction at the very favour- able police report. An application on behalf of the present licensee of the King's Head beerhouse, Abertillery, for the provisional removal. of that licence to premises proposed to be erected in Oak-street, was refused. ■r*. By direction of the justices, notices of objec- tion on the grounds of redundancy and struc- tural deficiencies had been servedwith reference to the following beerhouses ;—the Bellevue, Blaina the Hector, the Duke, and the Crown, Nantyglo. As Dr. W. E. Wil- liams and Alderman S. N. Jones were mem- bers of the Compensation Committee for Mon- mouthshire they did not sit to hear the objec- tions. Mr Micklethwaite (instructed by Messrs Llewellen and Allen, Newport) appeared for the owners (Messrs Griffiths Bros., Newport) and licensee of the Bellavue. Mr W. J, Everett, Abertillery, appeared for the owners (free house) and licensee of the Hector. Mr L. H. Hornby, Newport, appeared for the owners (Messrs Lloyd apd Yorath, Newport) and licensee of the Crown. Mr Le BraSseur, Newport, appeared for the owners (Messrs Webb, Ltd., Aberbeeg) and licensee of the Duke. The cases for reference to the Com- pensation Committee were conducted by Mr H. S. Lyne, Newport. The Chairman (Mr E. Jones Williams) an- nounced that the four houses would be referred to the Compensation Committee.

HAY. AtHay LicensingSessionson Monday the police opposed the renewal of the Three Horseshoes, Velindre, Talgarth, but withdrew their opposi- tion on structural alterations being promised. Mr Jones-Powell (Brecon) appeared for the police against the renewal of the Holly-bush (Hay) and Mr Jacob (Hereford) for the licensee. The licence was renewed. Mr R. T. Griffiths (Hay) appeared for the police against the renewal of the Harp Inn, Glasbury and Mr Lewis Jones (Brecon) was for the landlord. The licence was renewed and referred for com- pensation on the grounds that it is not struc. turally adapted for a public-house.

t INVITING TROUBLE. At Aberavon on Monday J. Beynon, collier, Emroch-street, Port TaJbot, summoned Walter E. Brook, a neighbour, for assault. Defendant admitted striking complainant m self-defence. Complainant said he missed a sheet from a clothes-line, and asked defendant if he had seen it. A quarrel ensued. Defendant asked witness to go into his garden to fight it out. 1 re- fused," said complainant, but I asked him to come into my garden, and in he comes and strikes me under the eye. W itness produced a tin-opener, with which he alleged defendant struck him. The parties had a long harangue, and defendant was fined 20s and costs.

ORDER AGAINST WIDOWER. At Neath on Monday W. Brooks, widower, of Russell-street, was summoned by Mary Jane Youatt, a. single woman, to show cause, etc. Mr A. J. Jeffries appeared for the complain- ant. who said she had been keeping company with the defendant. When she asked defendant in March last what ho intended to do, he said he would marry her at Easter. Thomas Youatt (complainant's father) and Wm. Samson gave evidence with reference to conversations with defendant, who said he would see it all right. Warrant Officer Gabriel said that on Thurs- day last he saw defendant, who said he hoped the Bench would not make a big order, as he was a widower with two children. Defendant said he didn't see why he should pay. He had not promised to marry her. The Bench made an order for the payment of 3s a week and costs, and allowed advocate's fee.

SEAT DECLARED VOID. At Warrington on Monday Mr Commissioner Brooks, of the Midland Circuit, gave his decision in a petition in which Mr James Rush- worth, a Conservative candidate at the November municipal elections, sought to un- seat Mr Peter Peacock, the successful Liberal candidate, for alleged corrupt practices. The hearing had lasted over ten days. The Com- missioner found Mr Peacock's election was void on grounds of bribery and treating on the part of his agents. He was, however, of opinion that corrupt practices did not exten- sively prevail at the election. Petitioner's counsel said he was instructed not to ask for costs against the respondent. Mr Rush worth had no desire to be vindictive.

I ——"—— I By D. EMLYN EVANS. FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY. Born February 3rd, 1809. Although the observations which we wish to offer in connection with the centenary of Men- delssohn's birth are somewhat belated as regards the exact day-due to circumstances beyond the writer's control—we should be ill- content to permit the occasion to entirely pass without some reference, however inadequate, being made to it in a column which is devoted to the cause of music in the Principality, where the works of the Master are so highly and generally esteemed, and his memory so deeply —one may almost say affectionately-cherished. It is not often that a musician is bom into the world with the traditional silver spoon in his mouth; and some there are who think that the deeper depths can only be sounded by those who have their bread in sorrow ate," and that consequently Felix Mendelssohn would have struck a profounder note had his father been other—something poorer—than a rich banker, and he himself not nutured in luxury. As the keen and critically-minded observer will know, that reason does not repre- sent the case here either completely or correctly; though this is not the place nor the time to enter into the question at length. The Men- delssohn family, in any event, had not breathed the enervating atmosphere of opulence very long, Felix's great grandfather being described as a "poor Jewish schoolmaster," known by the name of Mendel-the original form of the family patronymic Mendelssohn meaning, of course, the son of Mendel. Moses The Son of the Poor Schoolmaster, first made the family known, not only in Ger- many, but throughout the civilised world, by philosophical writings One of his sons was Abraham Mendelssohn, Felix's father, and who in later years, used to jocularly say that be was in former times described as the son of his father," but latterly as the father of hÍAI son." Abraham Mendelssohn, however, though, not an eminent author like his father, nor one of the world's great tone-masters like his son, was nevertheless a most able man, and for whom his son, Felix, entertained the highest regard and affection, the author of "Die Familie Mendelssohn," describing him as being "almost fanatically fond of him. The word Bartholdy was adopted when Abraham Mendelssohn deci- ded to have his children baptized, and brought up as Protestants, in order that it may be a means of distinction from the rest of the family. The parents ruled their household with a firm —a strict hand, indeed, but none were more beloved nor can one imagine a family where love End affection prevailed more-where the family bond was stronger. The death of his father and mother, especially of the former, affected Mendelssohn greatly, but the sudden decease of his favourite sister, Fanny-Faany Hensel, by marriage—who was herself an accomplished musician (as some of her compo- sitions, published amongst her brother's, will show), too abruptly announced, produced such a shock upon him that he never fully re- covered from its effect. A great chapter was ended," were his own words, and neither the title nor the beginning of the next were writ- ten." But the end of the next, and final earthly chapter was not far off. Fanny had passed away May 14th, 1847, and in less than six months, viz., November 4th, he followed her, after a brief, and upon the whole, a happy life, full of strenuousness and indefatigable application, as the numerous and important works which he bequeathed to the world amply testify. In regard to Mendelssohn's connection with England, it may be truly and unhesitatingly said that it was at once a case of I came, I saw, and I conquered from the outset and that his popularity-the popularity of himself personally, as well as his music, was on the increase until the end. Probably no musician was so enthusiastically received in this king- dom, certainly there was none that we can re- call, as he was during the visits he paid to these shores-ten in all, and extending frova the year 1829 to 1847, the year in which he died —and no one could appreciate the kindliness and reciprocate the feeling with more whole- hearted fervour than he. "That Smoky Nest," so he wrote of London, is fated to be now and ever my favourite residence my 4t swells when I think of it." And referring to a particular visit:—" I was never received any- where with such universal kindness; anal made more music in those two months than I do elsewhere in two years." It must also be wmvewabereri •»— „ 1n JJ in HI I credit, and to that of Birmingham in particn- lar, that the immortal Elijah was produced here—in addition to various important orches. tral and instrumental works inspired in these islands. In connection with his Scotch Sym- phony, for instance, and a visit that Mendels- sohn paid to Holyrood Castle in the year 182 he wrote, I believe I found to-day, in that old chapel, the beginning of my Scotch symphony," and noted down the first 16 bars, with the date Edinburgh, 30th July, 1829." Some English writers, not satisfied with being able to rlafrn Elijah as being produced here, must also include the earlier oratorio, St. Paul." Thus a Liverpudlian contributor of some abilit in an article which appeared recently in a daily contemporary, states that it is interesting to remember that both his (Mendelssohn's) ora- torios were -written for and first produced in England—' St. Paul' on October 3rd, 1836, at Liverpool, &c." It is certainly to the honour of Liverpool that it gave the first performance of St. Paul in this country. The oratorio was to have been produced at Frankfort, but the arrangements having fallen through, it was secured for the Lower Rhine Festival of 1836 at Dusseldorf, and there performed on May 22nd-the first day of the festival. Another correspondent of the same esteemed journal, is induced by an erratic pen to say, that it is appropriate now to recall that Mendelssohn gave Queen Victoria lessons in playing the piano, and that, to her dying day she regarded his music as unsurpassable." The latter part of the statement may be well be- lieved^ as there were, in our late venerable Queen's time, and as no doubt there are,a large number of people of high and low degree, who regard Mendelssohn's music as unsurpass- able." But as regards the piano lessons, that is how a certain class of Musical History is Written. Goethe, tno, received" a musiclesson" every morning from Felix, when he re-visited the poet at Wreimur in 1830, which lesson consisted of pieces by the great composers being played over to him in chronological order, Mendels- sohn explaining afterwards what each had done for the art, the poet sitting all the while in a dark corner, Like a Jupiter Tonons, with his old eyes flashing fire." Some of our self- ordained eistcddfodic critics may do worse than undergo a similar course in preparation for their next national exhibition. That Mendels- sohn did play to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Buckingham Palace, and that her Majesty sang to him —the Prince consort also playing, at Mendelssohn's request, a chorale by heart on the organ, with the pedals, so charmingly, clearly,and correctly that it would have done credit to any professional"—and that the author of Elijah tried to put the Queen right in regard to a certain troublesome little note, &c., is known to all Mendelssohn- ists, for the whole.is graphically described in a letter from Mendelssohn to his mother-" dear little mother," as he addresses her, dated from Frankfort, in 1842. (We find that some points of interest, among them bne or two connected with Wales, must be held over until our next.)

Court of Arbitration. AN INFLUENTIAL LIST. ■ With reference to the scheme for a Court ol Arbitration, framed by the Board of Trade in the autumn of last year, we are officially in- formed that several additions have been made to the panels of chairmen and arbitrators. The following is the full list of those who have accepted the President's invitation to serve on the respective panels PANEL OF CHAIRMEN. Duke of Devonshire, Sir Frank J. S. Hopwood, Viscount Selby, Sir Alfred Bateman, Viscount St. Aldwyn, J udge Austin, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Judge O'Connor, Ldrd James of Hereford, Mr Ernest Moon, K.C., Lord Lochee, Mr O. R Askwith, K.C., Lord Macdonnell, Mrs Fawcett, Sir Edward Fry, Miss Haldane, Sir John P. Dickson- Mr A. A. Hudson, Poynder, Miss Margaret Sewell. Sir Ernest Hatch, Mr W. B. Yates. EMPLOYERS' PANEL. Lord Pirrie, Mr H Birchenough, Lord Glanta we, Mr H. H. Bartlett, Sir Charles Maclaren, Mr W. Burton, Sir Hugh Bell, Mr A. H. Dixon, Sir W T. Lewis, Mr T. Ratcliffe Ellis, Sir S B. Boulton, Mr C. G. Hyde, M.P., Sir A. Spicer, Mr C. W. Macara, Sir W. Holland. Mr L. Martin. Sir F. Forbes Adam, Mr W. H. Mitchell, Sir Benjamin Browne, Mr James Piatt. Sir Christopher Furne^s, Mr Alexander Siemens, I Sir George Wyatt Mr R. Thompson, Truscott, Mr Douglas Upton. LABOUR PANEL. Mr T Burt, M.P., Mr W. J. Davis, M.P., Mr W. Abraham, M.P. Mr Raines Li a v in, (Mabon), Mr A. H. Gill, M.P., Mr G. N. Barnes, M.P., lar A. Henderson. M.P., Mr R. Bell, M.P., Mr G. D. Kelley, M P., Mr C. W. Bowerman,M.P., Mr J. D. J'rior, Mr W. Brace. M.P., MrE. L.Richardson,M.P, Mr John Burnett. Miss Reddish, Mr Francis Chandler. Mr D.J.tihackleton, M.P..o Mr Pete Curran. M.P., The above lists will be added to from time to time.

Alic Miller, domestic servant at Maindee, Newport, whose clothes caught fire as she was reaching for a matchbox on the mantlepiece, has succumbed to her injuries.