The Cardiff Times

J ^OMAN'S HOUSE WATCHED. eged Neglect of Children at Bridgend. i ^hcebe Pike. of North-street, Bridgend, was ''O^ned-at Bridgend on Saturday for neg- & j*Jting her three children. Mr T..T. Hughes Hughes and Lewis, Bridgend) prose- ij ted on behalf of the Society for the Preven- on of Cruelty to Children, inspector Watson, ^represents the society at Bridgend, said ""the defendant was the wife of a plasterer Was away working a good deal of his time. tv/ e?8 visited defendant's house and found ^e,!children in a filthy condition. There was hv°°fi or the house. On May the 19th ■if ^n^t the house under observation from 8 to .j^fftp.m. and saw. two men enter at 9.10. Two -S2je men came,but did not gain admittance.De- "dant left the house at 10.35 and returned with tj who leflj, about 11 o'clock. Sergeant b1 aVId said he kept the house under observation 4.b;he early hours of the foUowinc morning. ^t 2 a,.m. he heard some men talking and cryiug- Witness went into the house, •kit l found three. men and one woman in the •tln' and a mAn asleep in the front room. returned to the house about 4 o'clock and Oaua?^ Mrs Pike lying at the bottom of the stair- asleep. He awakened her and found she not sober. Dr. Simons described the condi- >5^9^ the children. They were dirty and ^iatms. and two of them had scabies.^ The bottle of the baby was stinking and Putrid. J-he cage was adjourned for a month, and the f^Hpstrateg asked the police to keep the de- tta^nt under supervision in the meantime.

"King Arthur's ROUNDTABLE. Vr Archaeologioal h Find at Caerleon. ir ^yriiig'the past week excavations, under • ausP'ces of the Liverpool Antiquarian were commenced the site of King RouruI Table at Caerleon, and on ^iday what is confidently anticipated will to be the main wall of the amphitheatre 2f^ ,1Sc)osed. The top of the wall is about f- Pelow the surface of the ground. From u>vr or fhre yards of the wall has already been •i&W^thed. It is about; 2ft. thick andiswell- PeF^ect. On Saturday and Sunday the Was visited by a large number of people.

Dymunir i'n gohebwyr Cymreig gyfeirio eu gohebiacth.au, Hyfrau j'w hadoiygu etc., fel y cautyu: iFANO. Cil Hedd. Berthwm- street. Cardiff."

AT Y BEIRDD. Diflas yw gomedd gofod yn y Golofn i waith glân fel penilIion coffa Evan Rees, Pengelli ond rhaid dygymod a gorchymyn pcrchenogion y Cardiff Times i beidio cyhoeddi cyn- vrchion ar destynau llcol. Dichon na chafodd y Ool. erioed gymamt o waith newid a chywiro llinellau ag a gafodd gyda rhai Zephaniah Bees ac oni bae am ragoroldeb y syniadaeth a phosibilrwydd telyn- egol y symudiad, ni chymerasid at y gwaith o newid a chywiro. Y syndod yw fod gwr mor walluS ei orgraff a'i gystrawen â Zephaniah Recs wedi gallu canu cystal penillion. Er mwyn popeth, gadawer inniglywed oddiwrtho etc, end nid cyn dysgu o hono Gymraeg. Gadawyd allan y pennill olaf am ei fod yn rhy aneglur ei iynegiant. Mae svyn a mynd dieithr, ond da, yng Ngwên a Gwanwyn Gwilym Cynlais. Diau y mwyn heir ei gylrinedd clir gan bawb a ddarlleno'r darn. Mae gormod o "Niwl" yn englyn cyntaf Plentyn y Mynydd i wwneudynunllwydd- iannus. gynghanedd, er hynny, yn dda iawn, a'r syniadaeth hefyd pc cae chwareu teg gan yr ymdrech am gynghanedd. Y mae r ad englyn ddeg o raddau'n well, er, i wneud yr englyn yn hawdd ei ddeall, ac yn gystraw- enol gywir gyda Haw, fed eisieu y ferf dreigl yw, naill ai ar 01 gwyn orchudd neu ar ol Gynyrcha bryderon. Mae "Yn yr rIaf" Plentyn y Wawr yn wir dda o ran awyrgylch a symudiad. Sylwed ar y cyfnewidiadau ym merfau'r pennill cyntaf. Da was, J. L. Jenkins, yn canu ar destyn newydd fel Wil Bryan," a chanu hefyd mor gamoladwy ar hen fesur mor anodd rhagori ynddo a chywydd deuair hirion. Gresyn na chenhadai'r gynghanedd osod ymhob yn lie bob yn y Jlinell, Yn brydferth bob rhyw adfyd." Rhaid i'r bardd, beHach, ymddiheuro i'r gystrawcn am hyn.

BARDDONIAETH. NIWL. Llwyd oerwas mewn dillad arian,—distaw, A dwysder anyddan Gwsg awel, a gwisg huan, Y niwl yw, guddia ne' l&n. I ddor haul y ddaear hon—gwyn orchudd Gynyrcba bryderon, A rhaglaw i beryglon Yr hwyl deg ar ael y don. Plentyn y Mynydd.

WIL BRYAN. Rbiniau Wil Bryan welir, A hoen glew ei awen glir, Yn ei ffraeth hoff areithiau; Diail eu clod a'u hwyJ clau; A daw si ei hynawsedd I godi hwyl gyda'i hedd Yn pruddglwyf daw nwyfiant 0 swyn ei deg hoewsain dant. Ddireidus Wil, ni chilia Dy enw syw d glyw gwlad; Ac y mae hirnos Gaeaf, Tra dol heb deleidiol Haf, Yn dy gwmni di 'n dawel, Heb ddig yn cael miwsig mêl Rhydd-hwylus y cerdd Wiliam: Cu oi gus ac hoew ei gam. O! gynghorwr tra gwrol, Cywir, a phur; cAr y ffol; True to nature yn her ba Trwy'i einioes yn taranu Uwch y gyflwr gwan A fyn anehofio 'i hunan. A'i yni têr naturiol Rhy i ddyn, mal ddol, Lawenydd didrai luniA Yr anian rydd, ddedwydd, dda; Cultivata cheek" ddaed I yni gwan hwn yn ged. O! gyfaill pur, dy gofion Yn frwd liwia'th ddidwyll fron ( A daw hanes daioni Hyf a. derch dy fywyd di I roi swyn erys o hyd Yn brydferth bob rhyw adfyd; Cywir odiaeth, caredig, Da ei ddawn, mwyn, a di-ddig. O! disgynned is gwiwnef Ar fyd fwy o'i ysbryd ef. o fyd gwiw, mor fud dy gan Heb y rhywiog Wil Bry.an! Ynysiorgan. J. L. Jenkins.

•" 4 hl; 1 Pa beth ydyw'r wên Wanwyna ruddiau yr ieuanc a'r hen ? Pa beth yw y Gwanwyn ?— Ai bywyd yn cerdded dros feddau fyrdd Neu wên fawr Anian yn ei gWyrdd ? Y serchog wen. Fantella. yn fynych ofldiau diri' Yng nghanol beddau'n mynwesau ni: Ond byth nid a yn hen! N Y Gwanwyn eleni Edrychai mor lan ag erioed Wrth gerdded mynyddau a dringo cang- au'r coed. oedd ei brydferthwch ond gwto i mi Dros fywyd y blodau fu'r llynedd Yn harddu'r byd A'r dail fu yn gwisgo Y goedwig yn hardd i gyd. Gyn lleied wyddom Am ingoedd y blodau Ym myd eu calonnau, A'r dail yn eu UaW, A'r Gwanwyn bywydol yn dod o draw Dros lwch y Gaeaf Yn santaidd ataf! Dwys ymholaf Pan fydd gerllaw. Po mwyaf feddyliaf, Mwyaf o hyd Yw gwen y Gwanwyn dros feddau'r byd. GWêD a Gwanwyn! diolch am danynt. Edrychaf drwyddynt l'r byd cyfriniol A'i lennyrch ysbrydol. Yno gwelaf fy hun mpwn hedd; A gw6n ar fy ngrudd, • Tra'r Gwanwyn o'm hoi Yn gwenu ar lwch fy, medd! Mae f ysbryd yn fwy Gwanwyn Er tristed a Hwyted ei wedd: Ac anfarwoldeb pur ei degwch Ysgydwa ei lwch i'r bedd. Trosof yn awr daw gwen Angeu; nid yw ond bywyd Yn casglu ei hadau i'w feddau prudd, Er iddynt eto roi gwen i rudd Addurnol y Gwanwyn hyfryd. Angeu ni fydd i r bardd Ond gwto dragwyddol hardd— o geinfwyn Wanwyn y Gwynfyd! Gwilym Cynlais.

YN YR HAF. Dringo wnaf ar nawnddydd tawel Yn yr Haf Fry i gopa'r mynydd uchel— Yn yr Haf; Clywaf ftwsig yr afonydd, Owelaf lesni cain y dolydd, Teimlaf ddwysder dwyf yr hwyrddydd Yn yr Haf. f Teithia'r meddwl mewn tawelwch Yn yr Haf Tua'r wlad sy'n fôr o heddwcb- YnyrHaf; Ctywaf gerddi'r telynorion Sydd yn byw ym myd angyJion- Cartref gwynfyd a gobeithion,- Yn yr Haf. Chwilia bywyd am ei goron YnyrHaf; Cartre' nwyfiant yw pob calon Yn yr Haf; Egyr lili faoh ei llygad Ar y rhosyn claf o gariad Llifa serch dros wefus cread Yn yr Haf. na ddeuai'r dddiau dedwydd, "nafohyd"— Swynol seiniau'r anthem newydd, Haf o hyd "— Gwylio'r dydd yn torri'n dawel Dros y ryniau yn y gorwel, Minnau'n canu gyda'r awel "Halo hyd!" Plentyn y Wawr.

Y GWA'NWYN. Ysgafn droedio mewn sandalau, Hulio seigiau hyd y ffyidd, Trwy ddyfTrynnoedd, tros fynyddau. Ydwyt ti, y Gwanwyn gwyrdd; UalS yr awe! sy'n dy foli, Pwy fel ti rydd inni fael ? Cywir gyfaill yn llesoli Yn ei bryd wyt, Wanwyn hael. Wanwyn teg, ar ber delynau Dyrchi gywrain goinciau cu; Wanwyn golen, dy gymylau Wlawia amom ddiliau lu Wanwyn prydferth, wnei di wrando? o ba wlad v daethost ti ? Oyfiawn dreu^i nawmis yno, Ond rhyw drimis gyda ni. Llwyni megys lliwiau enfys A oreurant lawr y glyn Oenig fechan wen, chwareus, Sy'n ymbrancio ar y bryn Wanwyn tyner, ti yn ddiau Ydwyt oreu gamp y Ner Car wyt wasgar beraroglau Tlws yw popeth dan y ser. Ar y brigyn, yn y berllan, Mwyalch gan drwy bib liw aur; Wrth y boncyff, yn yr ydlan. LI1 sy n trwsio blodau Mair Uwch ei phen, ar gangen fedwen, Robyn Goeh sy a'i nodau clir Denol nodau'r cwmni liawen Sy'n dylifo dros y tir. Alltwen. Zephaniah Rees.

ANTARCTIC HERO. Hand of Providence. SHACKLETON'S THRlIUNG NARRATIVE. Lieut. Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer, reached Dover on Saturday. Router's representative met Lieut. Shackle- ton on his arrival at Calais by the Indian mail train from Brindisi, and in the course of a prolonged conversation obtained some thrilling details of the expedition which resulted in placing the British flag at a point 97 geogra- phical miles from the South Pole. On the grand plateau shortly before we reached our furthest south," the explorer said. we were steadily weakening from want of food, se we decided to take the risk of making a depot on the plain out of sight of land, ex- pecting to be guided hack by the line of poles on which we had placed flags. A terrific blizzard, however, arose, and blew every one of the poles away. Happily our sledge tracks remained, and we eventually picked up our depot, although the only things on which we thought we could rely had dis- appeared. Some of the experiences of our journey can never be effaced from my memory. One of these "was on the southern trip, when our food supply was finished. This was on January 26th, and we were over 30 miles dis- tant from our depot. Although we could see it in the distance it was practically unattainable, for soft snow covered the treacherous crevasses, and as we stumbled along in our search for food we seemed to get no nearer to our longer-for goal. The situation was desperate. Two of our party, utterly worn out and exhausted, fell in harness, but with the greatest pluck again pushed on as soon as they had temporarily recovered. It was with a feeling of devout thankfulness we crossed the last crevasse and secured some food. Beyond a little tea we had had nothing for 34 hours, and previous to that our last meal consisted merely of one pannikin, half-cooked pony, and maize—not much foundation for work under such conditions and with an extremely low temperature. Under these conditions we marched 16 miles in 22 hours. On another, oc- casion during that same journey we were all struck down with dysentery; and this at a dis- tance 90 miles from our depot. Though the weather was fine we were all to weak to move, but here, as on other occasions, Providence came to our rescue, and a strong southerly blizzard helped us along. From December 4th, 1908, to February 2d last we lived in a state of constant anxiety. Mortal Leadership Useless. It was during these periods that we learnt that some power beyond our own guided our footsteps. If we acknowledge this—as we did down among the ice—it is only fitting that we should remember it now when the same power has brought us safely home through all these troubles and dangers. No one who has seen and experienced what we have down there can take credit to himself for our gscape from what appears to be overwhelming difficulties. Let me recall an instance of this which occurred to the northern party. They had arrived at the sea coast and were 180 miles distant from the winter quarters.. Their retreat was cut off, the sea ice having broken away, when in a most dramatic fashion and with a piece of what some people may call good luck,' but which we attri buted to a higher influence, our ship appeared in the very nick of time and rescued them. It is time that I had given orders for the Nimrod to look out for them, and Captain Evans bad most carefully carried out his instructions, hut it was the Providential arrival of the ship practicallv simultaneously with the arrival of the pafty that ensured their safety. Another incident—this time with the western party. Suddenly one night the ice broke up, and the little band were being carried off northwards on a floe. For 24 hours they were marooned, and were drifting helplessly to cer- tjin death on the open sea when the current suddenly set south and the ice floe just touched land, and they jumped ashore. Two minutes later the;floe resumed its journey to sea. On the following day their flashing heliograph was seen by the ship, and they were picked up. "Our expedition from start to finish was filled with incidents such as these, and we could not fail to realise that some agency other than human was responsible for what is often casually attributed to good luck.' Planting the Flag. Dealing with the planting of the British flag at the most southerly point—97 geographical mites from the pole—Lieutenant Shackleton said, This actually took place on January 9th, but we had known for some days our bolt was nearly shot, and we were almost done, ,though we felt regret we could proceed no further; we could not go another step. Had we done so our work would have been lost, for we-should not have returned. The alternative was one of advancing. to death or returning for food. We all realised this. In fact, there was nothing else in our minds. Comrades were ready to go on if I had so decided, but we saw it would be useless, for had we gone further we should not have had food to return to our last depot. The knowledge that with another 251bs. of biscuits and 301bs. of pwïc we jcoujd.have achieved the pole was certain, but regrets were useless. All along our food had been decreasing until we were down to 20oz. of food per man dally. On some days in fact we had only 16oz. As our clinical ther- mometers showed our temperature did not reach 93 degrees we had to increase the food, but it was madness to proceed. Our vitality was reduced almost to its lowest point, and this combined with the fact that we were at alti- tudes of 10,000 feet with a temperature 60 to 40 degrees below zero left us but one choice. For 60 hours before we reached our most southerly point, we were laid up in a blizzard blowing from 70 to 90 miles an hour. As a matter of fact we had been facing a blizzard wind from December 19th. At 1 a.m. on the memorable day (January 9th) the wind dropped considerably and we crept out of our sleeping bags under conditions which can hardly be des- cribed. We had a hurried and a necessarily scanty breakfast, and then started south, but by 9 a.m. the wind increased and I decided to turn back. At that hour in 88 degrees 23 seconds we planted a long bamboo pole in th& snow and hoisted the Queen's flag. In the Name of the King." Formal possession of the plateau was taken in the name of the King Edward, and the scene was photographed. We left a cylinder of stamps and a document stating what we had done, and finally before turning our faces homewards looked polewards through our glasses. We saw no signs of land, and if there had been any hills 3,000 feet high they would have been beyond the Pole. This establishes the fact that the South Pole is situated on this great plain, and is not surrounded by outstand- ing mountains. Regretfully we turned our faces, and did not reach a place of safety until after a period of anxiety which I need not now recall." Asked regarding the scientific results of the expedition Lieutenant Shackleton said The chief results of this expedition has been the high latitudes obtained in the south, this inclu- ding the discovery of new mountains and great glaciers. In connection with these mountains it is interesting to note that the actual rocks have been examined in detail, specimens hav- ing been brought back of the principal rocks. The discovery of sandstone with water worn- pebbles and of specimens of coal and also the discovery of limestone I regard as of supreme importance. The working out of the scientific data is in the best possible hands. Protestor David, F.R.S. (a native of St. Fagan's), is a recognised authority on glaciation, and it is to him I look for the elucidation of many important prob- lems. He is also a keen meteorologist. Mr Jas. Murray is an authority on rotifers, microscopical animals which are found all over the world, but which in the Antarctic exhibit some specially interesting traits. We found them alive in the ice enduring a temperature of 40 to 60 degrees below zero, and on being boiled they still retained life, and even came up smiling after being reboiled and refrozen. One species, instead of laying eggs, as in temperate climes, brings forth its young alive—evidently a case of adaptation of nature to local circum- stances. During the southern journey a com- plete meteorological record was kept, and this is of importance. Penguins and, Gramophone. Amusements were not many, but the gramophone provided a great solace, and was much in demand in the summer time," said Lieut. Shackleton. "We)brought out the machine to the penguin rookery close to our hut, a nd hundreds of these queer birds waddled out in line and assumed almost human atti- tudes. They clearly pressed their astonish- ment at Waltz me around again, Willie,' and it is only fair to say that this air seemed to offend some of the older birds, who went off with an air of disgust. Whether I shall go out again I cannot say at this stage. Science knows no country, but it is perhaps permissible to hope that the British flag will always be foremost, and that it will yet float over the South Pole itself."

SMOKE THAT COST JE112. The bad fortune of a farmer and the ill luck of a tramp were briefly narrated atthe Newport Police Court on Saturday, when Francis Dens- ham, alias William Johnson, was charged with setting fire to ricks of hay at Mansfield, owned by Mr Chappel. P.C. Henry Gardner said on charging the prisoner, who he found on the roadway, he admitted the offence. "I have had no work. I have tried hard to get it. T lav at the side of the hayrick and slept, but on waking up and lighting my pipe at daylight, I dropped my match, and the ricks caught fire. I covld not put them out, or obtain help, so I ran away." Prisoner was remanded until fur- ther inquiries are made. A loss of £112 to the farmer resulted.

FATALLY TRAMPLED UPON. The nine-year-old daughter of David Davies, collier, Dimp»th-terrace, Felinfoel, near Llan- elly,died on Saturday as the result of injuries sus- tained by being trampled upon by horses. It appears that a waggon belonging to Messrs Arthur Davies and Co., provision dealers, was proceeding towards Felinfoel when the child, m crossing the road, was knocked down, and before the driver could pull up wa, trampled upon. She died within a quarter of an )¡lour.

Armada at Portsmouth. ATTACK ON THE DREADNOUGHT The special train conveying the Imperial Press delegates from London arrived at the South Railway Jetty at Portsmouth Dockyard punctually at half-past one-oB Saturday, and the party at once embarked in the Volcano, which was moored alongside- the jetty. The Lords of the Admiralty went aboard the yacht Enchantress to the accompaniment of a salute of 19 guns from theflagsbiD Victory, and this vessel headed the procession to Spithea,d, Admiral Sir Arthur Fanshawe. Commander-in- Chief at Portsmouth, following in the yacht Fire Queen, in which was the Duchess of Albany. Thousands of-spectators ashore and afloat witnessed the progress of the little flotilla as it passed through the lines of the great vessels assembled at Spithead, with the Dread- nought, Admiral Sir William May's flagship,* at the head. The scene was one which could not but impress the Colonial. No salutes were fired, but all masted ships were gaily dressed with flags, and while the review was in progress each vessel manned ship. The party pro- ceeded round the fleet, the inspection taking about an hour, and then the Admiralty Lords and their guests Went on board the Dread- nought. The fleet was undoubtedly the finest that has ever assembled at the historic anchorage at Spithead, and a particularly notable fact was that it contained not one vessel that had been specially commissioned for the display, but represented the standing force of the British Navy in home waters always prepared for action. There were no fewer than seven Dreadnoughts. At the head of the first line stood the Dreadnought, the Bellerophon, the Superb, and the Temeraire. The battleship division included the two finest vessels of the pro-Dreadnought tyPe-the Lord Nelson and the Agamemnon, and astern rode the First Cruiser Squadron, including the Inflexible, the Indomitable, and the Invincible, cruisers of the Dreadnought type. At the head of the second line stood eight battleships of the King Edward VII. type, with the Second Cruiser Squadron astern. Also assembled were the Atlantic Fleet, the Fourth and Fifth Cruiser Squadrons, and a flotilla of 48 torpedo craft. Before being shown over the flagship, the editors and those with them were treated to an attack upon the vessels by flotillas of sub- marines and destroyers, which excited the keenest interest. <, First came a dozen submarines in a long line vbetween the battleships some on the surface, some awash, and some submerged. Several dived as they approached the Dreadnought, and came on with onlv the small pole of the periscope showing. Then they rose like great whales in full view of the visitors, showing how easily they can be handled. Behind them dashed up a great force of de- stroyers at a speed of 25 knots. The idea was that when abreast of the Dreadnought they should fire torpedoes at her. They came within 400 yards, and as each flew past a slight ex- plosion was heard on her deck, and from the torpedo-tube there shot a great projectile like a porpoise into the sea. For a second it plunged and then the machinery inside it got going by compressed air, and the torpedo sped forward to the battleship. A thin streak of foam showed on the surface, and one could follow the line of its advance as in about a mintute it shot across the 400 yards of sea. ■ The great wire net stopped most of them, though it was be- lieved that one got below it. As they were halted a chemical npe burtfc from their heads— the idea being to show their position for re- covery.. The splendid firing of the destroyer crews may be judged when it is said that though the vessels were steaming along at high speed when aim was taken, yet ten out of a dozen torpedoes hit the net in the same section, no greater than a boat's length, and that exactly opposite the the engines. It was splendid work, but expert seamen admired even more the brilliant navi- gation of the destroyers among the crowd of passenger craft. Never did they halt or break line, but flew along always at full speed, dodg- ing the ekcursion boats with the same ease as motor-cars pass waggons. The evolutions gave the spectators a capital idea of the risks which those in charge of tor- pedo craft are trained tp take, and of the menace they can be to great warships. The visitors then made an inspection of the Dread- nought, and were afterwards entertained to tea prior to re-embarking in the vessels allotted to them. The party subsequently proceeded through Portsmouth Harbour to the Gunnery School on Whale Island, where they witnessed another realistic display of warfare in the form of an attempt to land an attacfifag naval force. Returning to the jetty, the Colonial visitors were driven through the dockyard and were shown vessels of varipus classes in the dry docks and basins. They then returned by special train to London, dinner being served immediately the train left Portsmouth. Sir John Fisher accompanied them. On alighting at Victoria the journalists gathered round him on the platform, and, waving their hats in the air, gave him three hfearty cheers. They accom- panied him to his motoji^ar, singing, For he's a jolly good fellow." A Portsmouth telegram states that during an attack on the Dreadnought one torpedo at least pierced the nets of the battleship and would have exploded disastrously in actual warfare. It is claimed the torpedo was fired by a submarine, its progress being traceable by means of a light missile carried to indicate its course.

Coal Dust in Mines. COAL-GETTING WITHOUT SHOT FIRING. Mr Taliesin E. Richards, Mardy, presided on Saturday at a meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire branch of the National Asso- ciation of Colliery Managers, held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected members of the associa- tion, viz.:—Mdssrs Leonard W. Llewelyn, Clydach Vale W W. Hood, Cardiff; David Davies, B.Sc., Merthyr Tydfll; Alfred North, Merthyr Tydfil; David Thomas, Merthyr Tydfil; D. 1. Davies. Abercrave; Roderick G. Thomas, Burry Port; and Thomas Lloyd, Cymmer. The Chairman cordially welcomed Mr Daniel Morgan, treasurer of the Western branch of the association, who was .present- Mr Taliesin E. Richards, having been re- quested to repeat the paper on the recent coal dupt experiments at Altofts, Normanton, which he read at the annual meeting at Swansea, gave it to a numerous audience, which included fire- men and shot-men, who had been especially invited to attend. Mr Richards referred first of all to the experiments of Lyell and Faraday in 1-845, and the unsatisfactory results which attended the simultaneous experiments at two French collieries in 1855, Dealing with Pro- fessor Galloway's discoveries at Llwynypia 20 years ago, Mr Richards expressed satisfaction that Professor Galloway had been awarded the gold medal for his discoveries. Mr Richards proceeded to describe in detail the Normanton experiments, showing the > effect of explo- sion of coal dust. He pointed out that while after treatment in a disintegrator English coal of the Sfllistone seam passed through a screen having 40,000 apertures to the square inch to the extent of from 75 to 84 per cent., the Tillery three-quarter passed through to the extent of 97-5 per cent., and Penrhiw- ceiber to the extent of 98*8 per cent. This, he said, emphasised the dry and dusty nature of the Welsh steam doal. He described the tre- mendous explosion caused by firing the Welsh coal dust, and showed that while flame (started by a cannon) travelled right through boiler casing scattered with coal dust, it was stopped (in another tube) by a stone dust zone. He said that the lessons were that the use of ex- plosives in dusty mines was always attended with risk fnore or less. A careful fireman would examine for firedamp and remedy it. and if only such men were appointed they need anti- cipate no danger. But with coal dust the case was very different. The danger from coal dust mfeht be apprehended when the coal was ex- ceedingly fine, jphen the proportion of moisture m the dust was small and the proportion of volatile matter and fixed carbon was high. The greater this volatile quality the more careful should be the attention paid to the great danger of firing two shots together unless by an electric battery. The shut hole should also be charged as near as possible parallel with the roof. An upper shot was always attended with grave Iisk. The utilisation of ordinarv washing soda as the first pellet in ramming a shot-hole had a wonderful effect in reducing the power that a blown-out shot had to ignite coal dust. As to watering, he said it must be borne in mind that accidents had clearly shown that the watering system was not of much avail when done only intermittentlv. It should be their ideal to do everything they pos- sibly could to prevent the primary ignition of coal dust and to make as sure as possible if coal dust became ignited that the area of the igni- tion should be Kept down to the lowest possible limits. If these ideals could be kept before them, then would it be said that they had done their best to put a limit to those calamities that, they all deplored. If by taking thought to- gether something definite could be done no- body would be more glad than he. (Applause.) Mr Kane suggested that it was erroneous to suppose that work without shot-firing was ex- cessively costly. They were working without it at Wattstown and Rispa and getting down rock top and clearing stiff bottom. He said that Mr Ifor Llewelyn, the agent for the National Collieries, was strongly against shot- fiping; Mr Kane offered to prepare a paper on pit sinking and coal getting without shot- firing at the next meeting. The offer was re- ceived with enthusiasm and accepted amid applause.

PHEASANTS AND CROPS. At Brecon County Court (before Judge Bryn Roberts) onSaturday a case was heard in which Mr Thomas Eustace Smith, farmer, of Penmaes Farm, Llanfielo, Breconshire, was the plaintiff, and Captain D. Hughes Morgan, Tregunter Park, Talgarth, defendant. Plaintiff claimed JE17 for alleged damage done by defendant's pheasants to his barley and other crops in the years 1907 and 1908. For the defence it was urged that the crops were damaged by plaintiff's cattle, sheep, and fowls, and not by defendant's pheasants. His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff for three guineas and costa.

C.Q.D. ANOTHER WIRELESS RESCUE. Another striking instance of the value of wireless telegraphy to vessels in peril at sea has been afforded in the rescue of the pas- sengers apd crew of the ill-fated Cunard liner Slavonia, which was stranded near the Azores on Thursday. The operator on the North German Line steamer Princess Irene has communicated to the wireless station at Ponta Delgada in the Azores the following statement On Thursday at noon we received a dis- tress signal message from the Slavonia 180 miles away. The Batavia (Hamburg-Amerika Line) received it also, and asked to come right along and help. We cancelled our course, and proceeded to the Slavonia's assistance. We reached her at 10 o'clock at night, when she was on the rocks two miles south of the Flores. Throughout the night we were engaged in taking over the whole of the passengers, and were ready to leave about 5 o'clock in the morning. At that hour the Princess Irene left for Gibraltar. We left anchor then, and went to Gibraltar. We could no longer see the Sla,vonia she was too far from us, and the operator told us this morning that the ship is full of water to the hatches. The crew could not stay longer, and they went ashore at 10 o'clock this morn- ing. The Slavonia is totally lost and wrecked. She will never slip off the rocks. That is all I can tell you. Please communicate with Lloyd's and the Cunard Company. Every Soul Saved. New York, Saturday.—The recent wireless feat on the Republic has been equalled, if not excelled. The Princess Irene was 180 miles away when the thrilling message, C.Q.D." was picked up. Immediately he received the message of distress, the operator flashed the answer and learned the location of the stricken ship. The Princess Irene hastened at full speed to the rescue and every soul on the Slavonia was saved. New York, Saturday.—The Princess Irene, with 110 cabin passengers from the wrecked Uner Slavonia, is expected to reach Gibraltar before Monday. She was on her way from New York, which port she left on the 5th instant, when she succoured the wrecked passengers. The reason the Batavia took the steerage and the greater number of passengers from the Slavonia is probably that she had more accom- modation than the Princess Irene. The wire- less operator who was instrumental in saving the lives of the passengers is Mr S. Coles, an English employe of the Marconi Company.— Reuter.

MARRIED MAN AND GIRL. Edward St.urgess, labourer, Zinc-street, Car- diff, was brought up in custody at Pontypool on Saturday charged with taking from the custody of her father for an unlawful purpose Alice Maud Read, a girl under 18 years of age, at Llanhilleth, on May 3rd. Mr W. J. Everett appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Harold Saunders defended. Mr E verett said that the girl was 16 years of age in January last. These proceedings were taken under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. Prisoner had been giving himslf out to be a single man, whereas ho was married, his wife being in court, Prisoner left his wife in 1907 and until his arrest she had no knowledge of the life he was lead- ing. Prisoner had lodged in Llanhilleth in close proximity to the girl, who kept house for her father, a widower. Prisoner started walk- ing out with her. He was told five or six times that the age of the girl was only 16. Matters went on until May 3rd, when the girl did not return home at night. Inquiries were made at Bristol, Devizes, and other places, but no trace of her was to be found until June 5th, when the man was arrested in Cardiff. In order to allay suspicion he had pro- vided the girl with a wedding-ring, and they passed aS man and wife. When arrested, priso- ner was in bed with the girl. William John Read,engineman, Commercial- road, Llanhilleth, said his daughter was born in January, 1893. He first saw prisoner on a Sunday night in March last, when he saw his daughter in his company. He told him that if he caught him with his daughter again he would out his fist under his ear." He told prisoner that the girl was only 16 years of age. After he had been arrested in Cardiff, witness upbraided the prisoner with having left his wife and run away with his daughter' and ruined her. P.C. Jones, Llanhilleth, said that when he arrested the prisoner at 30, Zinc-street, Cardiff, on June 6th, Mr Read/the girl's father, and Detective Rosser were present. Prisoner, who was bed with the girl, started when wit- ness came into the room and said. What's the matter, Jones." Witness replied that he had a warrant for his arrest. The girl then ex- claimed, You won't leave me, dear, will yon Tn and kissed prisoner, who replied, No, dear," and kissed'her in return. > Prisoner's Plea. Mr Harold Saunders, who pleaded "Not guilty for\the prisoner, contended that there was no offence to answer as the girl -hax^ not been taken away within the meaning of the Act. Prisoner, giving evidence on his own behalf, said that JVhen he left Llanhilleth the girl sug- gested going with him, but he wrote to her on the Sunday night to tell her that it would be better for her to stay at home, but that if she intended coming to him he would meet her ab Newport. She came to Newport, and he tried to perusade her to go home. She refused, and said that if he would not take her she would do away with herself." He then took her to Qardiff with him. He believed the girl to be 18 years of age. Sturgess was committed for trial to the Assizes, bail being allowed, himself in JE5 and two sureties of JE5 each.

HUGE MAJORITY FOR UNION. Pietermaritzburg, Saturday.—The referendum taken in Natal on the question whether the Colony should join the Union or not has re- sulted as follows :— For the Union 11,121 Against. 3,701 —Reuter. The decision of Natal will be received with re- lief, and the size of the majority with, surprise for it has been supposed that opinion in the Colony was much more equally divided. Of the signatories fo the Draft Act of the South African Constitution NataTa adhesion was the cinly one which had to be ratified by re- ferendum. Throughout the National Conven- tion at Bloemfontein, Natal had shown an un- certain temper, and in order to conciliate her the Convention was prodigal of concessions. Among these were additional representation to the Colony, enlarged functions of the provincial Councils, the controof primary education for five years. Although the delegates won these conces- sions, a section of the people in Natal were not satisfied. A conventiorLhad been agreed upon between the Transvaaal Government and Por- tugal by which the sugar of Natal was exposed to the competition of the bounty-fed sugar of Mozambique. A cry of treason went up and an agitation for the rejection of the Constitu- tion was soon on foot, and for a time it ap- peared as if the policy of isolation would gain the day, notwithstanding the penalties that such isolation would involve. The other Colonies, however, soon made it evident that they intended to unite no matter yhat Natal might do, and the Draft Act was passed by their respective Parliaments. Evidently Natal had had time to reflect ur the interval, and the Constitution has aow been accepted by referendum.

LIFE'S BURDEN AT 80. At Aberavon on SaturdayCatherine McCarthv (80), widow, of Danycoed-row, Cwmavon, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by trying to drown herself in the river Avon at Aberavon. Thomas Sweeney, an Aberavon Corporation employee, saw defendant at 7 o'clock in the morning near the river, and told her she was going in the wrong direction. She replied, I know where I am going to." Two minutes later he turned round and saw defendant in the middle of the river with a shawl wrapped round her head lying on her left side in the water. She was looking very comfortable," added witness. There was about a foot or 16 inches of water in the river. Witness carried her out and took her to the police station. She said to him whilst he was carrying her out, Let me alone, Tom Sweeney, I want to go." Asked if 3he wished to put questions, defen- dant said, He didn't give me time." Later she added, I didn't want him to save me. I want to be out of the world." P.C. Euston deposed to charging defendant, who in reply said. I am tired of life. I wanted to die. I would like to do away with myself." Defendant said ahe would not try to do it again. She had been in Aberavon since she was 14 years of age. Upon promising not to repeat the offence, and to go to the Workhouse, the old woman was discharged.

HARASSED CARDIFF MAN P John Storer, casual labourer, of Somerset- street, was charged at Cardiff on Saturday with attempting to commit suicide. William Storer, son of defendant, said his father had been very depressed, and on June 6th took a quantity of ammonia. Mr Sidney Jenkins, for the defence, said it was a very sad case. His client had led an unhappy married life. His wife had been living with other people, but now they had thrown her over and she came back to him, and he had to keep her. He (the husband) thought it was an injustice. Mr Jenkins: It does not matter whether this man is tied to .the biggest blackguard on earth, he has to support her. Mr C. E. Dovey (magistrate): Why not get a divorce ? Mr Jenkins Well, sir, it is a case of one law for the rich and another for the poor. It was understood that friends would look after the defendant, and he was accordingly discharged.

Asked for £20,000. THE CARDIFF BANK VISITOR. "Heilry Lewis," as the man who calmly walked into the National Bank, Limited, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, on Friday and asked for the withdrawal of £20.000, calls himself, is de- tained at the Cardiff Workhouse. His case was formally reported to the Cardiff Guardians on Saturday, and Alderman Beavan.and several others paid his ward a visit. When Lewis per- sisted in his demand for £20,000 at the bank on Friday, P.C. Chedzey, who was on duly outside, came in, and when he promised to communicate with King Edward and the Bank of England for him the man walked quietly along. How much do you wish to withdraw ?" he was asked on Saturday. ";£10,000 I asked for but that is onlv a trifle, and 1 might as well have £ 20,000." What did they tell you ?" Oh, they would not believe me. 1 shall later on with- draw more—say £50,000, which is merely a fleabite." Where's your cheque book 1" Cheque book ? What do I want with a cheque book ? I personally own the Bank of England. This money is due to yne and people try to keep it back from me. What I want with King Ed- ward is his assistance to get my own back." Without any sign of excitement or wan- dering Lewis sat up in his bed in the Workhouse ward. He is a man of about 26 years of age, hair turning grey, harmonising with a pair of lustreless grey eyes. When he entered on Friday he wore a greenish cap, coloured flannel shirt, silk hand- kerchief round his nehk, and on him was four- pence, a pipe, and tobacco pouch. He had a pair of Blucher boots on. I am detained here," he proceeded, while they communicate with the bank, and I know you will help me,"—and he turned an appeal- ing look to the reporter. After this little affair of mine is settled I shall get things to right again." Where do you live, Lewis 1" Between Brynmawr and Nantygio, and I have toiled as a miner—but that," he added, scarcely raising his voice from a subdued whisper, is neither here nor there. They call me Henry Lewis, but I am the Earl of Cardigan, and my estate lies between Cardiff and Newport, castles, lands, and servants," and for the first time he dreamily closed bis; eyes, and enjoyed a vision of splendour. The people I stay with you ask ? Yes. They don't belong to me. It's all. been a mystery, and all will soon be revealed." Been abroad ?"—" Oh, dear, yes was in the Army, but that has nothing tp do with it. The bank know me as the Earl of Cardigan. I own a bank in India, and Miave two large estates there also. The bank isyit Bombay, and is known as the 4 Well-met.' Y

Cardiff Sailors' Home "RAIDED" BY POLICE. That the Marquis of Bute had a boarding- house at the Docks was not commonly known until last week. Councillor Nicholl called attention to it at a meeting of the Port Sani- tary Authority held on Tuesday, when there was a report, by the chief constable against an applicant for a licence. The ground of objection was that the applicant had been fined £20 for selling beer without a licence. Coun- cillor Nicholl then, protesting against the in- consistency of the committee, said there was a boarding-house kept by the Marquis of Bute, where beer was being sold without a licence. The sequel came on on Friday, when In- spector Ben Davies and a constable, armed with a warrant, visited the Sailors' Home at 1.5 and entered the dining hall, where some 30 officers and seamen sat at dinner. Sixteen of them had glasses of beer before them, and 14 had been supplied with non-alcoholic drinks. The officers seized all the intoxicating liquor upon the premises and intimated to Mr Towler, superintendent of the Home, that a summons would be served for the purpose of testing the legality of the custom. As stated, the Sailors' Home is owned by t Marquis of Bute, by whose predecessor the pro mises were built and opened 55 years ago. It is managed for him by a committee appointed by Sir W. T. Lewis, with Mr Towler, who has held the position for 52 years, as super- intendent. The home has accommodation for 109 officers and seamen. The rates charged are 16s per man per week, or 2s 4d per day. According to rules of the institution every boarder is entitled to be provided with a glass of beer to his dinner and supper, or milk or coffee or cocoa, or whatever else he may prefer. But they are limited to one glass of beer, and on no consideration whatever are hey allowed more. This is the custom that has prevailed ever since the home has been opened, and Mr Towler, when asked by one of our representa- tives, stated that it has never been abused. Up to the present the summons referred to has not befen served.

SOUTH WALES FIRE BRIGADES. ,oil.. Inspection at Cowbridge. The ancient borough of Cowbridge was gaily decorated on Saturday when the annual inspection and competitions of the fire brigades forming the South Wales District of the National Fire Brigades Union were held on the fine cricket field. The inspection of the brigades was made by the president of the district, Major-General Sir Ivor Herbert, C.B., C.M.G., M.P., who was accompanied by Mr William Brace, M.P. for South Glamorgan. At mid-day the brigades marched through the town, headed by the Talygarn Brass Band, the procession being large and imposing—quite a martial effect. After the procession tho officers and men partook of luncheon at the TownHall, and subsequently marched to the cricket field, where the brigades were drawn up in two long lines and were inspected by General Sir Ivor Herbert, and long service medals were pinned on the breasts of a number of officers and men by Mrs E. H. Ebsworth, namely, Captains Jones (Ferndale), Anderson (Aberavon), Lieutenants Bullingbam (Aberavon, extra bar 15 years* service), Jones (Pentre), Firemen Lawrence (Pentre), E. J. Griffiths, M. J. Jeffreys, H. J. Hughes, Evan John, John Barge, Charles Leach, Rees Griffiths, and Wm. Williams (Ferndale), D. H. Thomas, James Evans, David Davies (Aberystwyth). Sir Ivor Herbert shook hands with and spoke con- gratulatory words to each of the recipients. Afterwards Sir Ivor, addressing Captain Tilley, Of Cowbridge, master of the arena, and the assembled brigades, congratulated the officers and men upon their very smart and efficient appearance. Sir Ivor also expressed their appreciation of having been allowed to hold the inspection on that beautiful field through the kind permission of Mr E. H. Ebs- worth, and called for three cheersfor Mr and Mrs Ebsworth, which were given right heartily, being followed by three cheers for the Mayor and Corporation of Cowbridge for their recep- tion. Mr Ebsworth and the Mayor (Councillor R. E. Watkins) returned thanks. The competitions then took place, with the following results:— One-man manual.—Dry drill, one length of hose, one length of suction—1, Cwmbran B. time 51sec. 2, Abersychan B, 54 1-5scc. 3, Newport B, 55sec. Fifteen entries. Judge, Captain Anderson, Aberavon time-keeper, Councillor W. L. Jenkins, Cowbridge. Two-men manual. —Dry drill, two lengths of hose coiled, one length of suction-I. Newport B, 35sec. 2, Cwmbran B, 36sec. 3, Pontypool, 40sec. Entries, 13. Judges, Captain Jarrett and Lieutenant Lyne time-keeper, Mr W. D. Alexander, borough surveyor, Cowbridge. Four-men manual.—Dry drill, three lengths of hose coiled, two lengths of suction—1, Bryn- mawr B, 27 4-5sec. 2, Cwmbran A, 28 3-5sec. 3, Cwtnbran B, 31 2-5sec. Entries, 12. Judges, Captain Jarrett and Lieutenant Lyne time- keeper, Rev. Gilbert Thomas, Cowbridge. Two-men hose cart.—Dry drill, hose coiled, run 50 yards with cart to hydrant, fix stand- pipe, run out one length of hose, and connect branch pipe—1, Ferndale 32 3-5sec. 2, Panteg, 32 4-5sec. 3, Newport, 33 3-5sec. Entries, 30. Judges, Captains Davies, Whitchurch, and Thomas. Porth. Time-keeper, Councillor T. J. Yorwerth, Cowbridge. Four-men hose cart—Dry drill, hose coiled, run 50 yards with hose cart to hydrant, fix stand pipe, run out three lengths of hose and connect branch pipe—1, Cwmbran B, 30 2-5 sees. 2, Cwmbran A, 31 3-5secs 3, Aberdare, 33 2-56ecs. Entries, 27. Judges :—Captain Newbury and Lieutenant Beynon: time- keepers, Mr C. J. Gwyn, deputy town clerk, Cowbridge.

G.W.R. ARBITRATION. The award of Mr H. E. Duk8\ K.C., the arbitrator appointed to decide questions affect- ing the hours and wages' of various grades of workmen in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company was issued yesterday. The chief features of the award are as follows :— The claim of all grades that a minimum of rate and a quarter be paid for all time worked over the standard hours is awarded, subject to certain modifications in the case of some grades of workmen. The claim that a minimum of rate and a half be paid for Sunday work is awarded to plate- layers, and is also awarded to other grades in respect of work additional to the usual week's work. The claim made by signalmen, goods guards, brakesmen, shunters, passenger guards, and Eassenger shunters for a standard day of eight ours is not awarded, nor is tjiat of examiners and greasers, goods workers, carmen and horsekeepers for a maximum working day, of 10 hours. In respect of the claim of signalmen and signal porters for a wage advance of 2s Vpcr wec/k, the award of the arbitrator is that men working more than eight hours per day and having three years' satisfactory service at their maximum pay in principal and secondary main line and special cabins have Is per week ad- vance; men with five years' satisfactory ser- vice to ha sre 2s per week advance on present rates. A similar advance of wages is awarded to passenger guards at a maximum fixed wage of 27s per week. An impioved scale of wages is also awarded to platelayers. The award is to take effect from June 2Bth, 1909, and to continue for a period of four years.

TALKS ONt HEALTH. By DR. ANDREW WILSON. Varicose Veins. Ailments of the vein's, as a rule, are extreme- ly troublesome, whether we have regard to inflammation of these blood-vessels or to their enla rgemcnt. this latter affection being well known under the name of varicose veins. We must bear in mind that a vein is a very different kind of blood-vessel from the artery. A vein returps impure blorW to the heart and lungs for purification. whereas an artery carries pure blood from the heart outwards to nourish the body. The artery, besides, has a widely differ- ent structure from a vein. It is an elastic tube, possessing a definite muswuSar roating which enables it through its contractions to assist the flow of the blood in a material fashion. On the other hand, the vein is a vessel of special structure, and the blood which is to be returned to the lungs for purification is not directly pro- I'e.'ied upwards in the veins, but is dependent for its rise upon various circumstances, amongst which the pressure of muscles and the presence of. valves in ill veins stand out most prominently. The valves in the veins are little pocket-like structures, the mouth of the pockets oponing towards the heart. It can be understood that blood going towards the heart will readily pass by the mouth of the pocket-like valves, whereas if blood attempts to return in the opposite direction, the pockets fill with blood, and by their edges meeting present a barrier to the blood's return. The ascent of the blood in the veins below the heart to the lungs is therefore accomplished in a somewhat different fashion from the direct propulsion of the blood through the arteries by means of tha heart acting as a pumping engixie. Hence it is that the veins are much more liable to be distended and enlarged, and this is the cause of a consid- erable amount of pain and inconvenience. Causes. Varicose veins are mostly found in persons who are accustomed to stand for long periods. Thus waiters, railway porters, washerwomen, shopmen and shopgirls, and all others who, in the exercise of their vocation, remain on their feet for long periods, are liable to show vein enlargement. Certain other causes, how- ever, contribute to the development of vein en- largement. and it is probable that the crises about to be considered are really those which most powerfully contribute to produce the vari. cose condition, inasmuch as every person who stands for long periods does not suffer from vein enlargement. It is when the other causes about to be mentioned come into operation that probably the varicose state is produced. As first in importance may be regarded any tight constrictions affecting the legs. Thus, garters in women are a frequent cause of varicose veins. Tight-lacing has also to be considered in this connection, because inter- ference with the free movements of the chest has a tendency to interfere with the return of the blood. Constipation is another ex- tremely important predisposing cause of vari- cose veins, especially in women. When the bowels are loaded, undue pressure is exerted on the return of the blood in the main veins of the body, and distension of the leg veins is then favoured. Finally, varicose veins appear frequently to be developed in weakly subjects. Many persons suffering from anaemia or blood- lessness appear to exhibit a decided tendency to develop the ailment we are considering. Treatment. Naturally, the prevention of the varicose. conation is a matter of extreme importance, and advice regarding this subject practically resolres itself into carefully avoiding the causes of the' varicose state which have just been detailed. When veins have become en- larged it will be well for the person to secure a certain amount of daily exercise, because the action of the muscles suhpressing the veins favours the return of the blood. One caution must, however, be given.' namely, that varicose veins should never on any account be rubbed, and this remark applies indeed to all troubles of veins, more especi- ally including inflammation of the veins. If any clot of blood tends to form in the vein, rubbing will only have the effect of dislodg- ing it, and it need hardly be said that a clot of blood travelling through the circulation may produce very serious effects, or may cause death through blockage of some impor- y tant vessel. Pressure ou the veins is best car- ried out by means either of a well-fitting elastic stocking or of an elastic bandage. The latter is perforated and is preferred by many to a stocking. The bandage is not difficult to adjust each morning after the proper method of putting it on has been shown. It should be taken off at night, sponged and hung up to dry, whilst it is advisable that once a week the bandage should be washed with soap and water to remove any products of perspiration it may contain. It will be advisable probably to have two bandages in use, wearing them week about. The bandage must be put on in the morning whilst the patient is still in bed, for the reason that if he rises from bed the blood tends to fill the veins, and the bandage is therefore at4. a disadvantage in exercising pressure. In some cases the treatment is im- proved by applying the handage over an ordin- ary silk or cotton stocking. The bandage must be Applied from the toes.to the upper extremity of the enlarged veins. At night it should be taken off after the patient is in bed. Some Other Hints. It must be noted that injury to a varicose vein may be apt to d evelop a sore that is known as varicose ulcer." The danger of this particular complication is that if the ulcer breaks or is ruptured, profuse bleeding will occur. This bleeding is extremely diffi- cult to stop on many occasions, but the rule should be remembered that a bandage should be applied both above and below the bleeding point, for the reason that the blood will flow downwards from above, as well as in the natu- ral fashion from beiow. With reference to any radical cure of varicose veins it may be said that a surgcial operation can be attempted for the removal of enlarged veins. The neces- sity or advisability of this proceeding is a matter which of course must be left to the judgment and advice of the doctor. About Senna. N I select senna this week as the subject of our talk on domestic materia medica. Senna is derived from the dried leaves of the senna plant. This substance is well known to exercise a purgative or aperient action, but it has at least the advantage of being a mild aperient, and does not cause any after effects. Vaaious compounds of senna are extremely useful in the treatment of constipation. Com- pound liquorice powder is, of course, an ex- cellent and mild purgative, the dose varying from 60 to 100 grains. The familiar black draught is known in medicine as compound senna mixture, the dose being from one to two fluid ounces. This draft is generally given in the morning after medicines have been taken to promote action of the liver. lAn extremely use- ful combination for persons suffering from piles, who must by all means avoic1 crude and saline aperients, is compounded of equal parts of con- fection of senna and confection of sulphur. Occasionally an equal paijt of confection of pepper is added to this mixture, the dose being a teaspoonful at bedtime. In the case of child- ren in whom bowel action may require to be promoted a useful mixture is composed of equal parts of syrup of senna, syrup of rhubarb, and glycerine. Of this mixture one or two teaspoonfuls may be given at night when re- quired. For very young children an excellent purgative is composed of one ounce of syrup of senna, four drachms of manna, and syrup of orange peel up to three ounces. A teespoon- ful may be given when required. Liquid ex- tract of senna pods is also another mild aper- ient well adapted for women and children. Haifa drachm of liquid extract of senna pods and half a drachm of-aromatic cascara forms a useful combination, the average dose being a teaspoonful. Å

WELSH TEACHERS' TRAINING. College Sites Dispute. The annual meeting of the Glamorgan County Association of the National Union of Teachers was held at Dyfatty Schools. Swan- sea, on Saturday. Mr Evan Davies introduced the question of training colleges, and dealt with the proposals to erect colleges at Barry and Caerleon. They as teachers, he said, were in favour of increased facilities for training, but they contended that there were such advantages to teachers when train- ing colleges were, connected with Universi- ties that the connection should be maintained. It was only right that teachers should have an opportunity to associate at a University with those who were entering other spheres of life. Mr J. W. John said it seemed to him as if there was an effort made to keep the elementary teacher from the University Colleges, and he expressed regret at remarks made at Shrews- bury. They regretted the remark made by Miss Hughes that secondary education was of greater importance than primarv education nationally, socially, and morally." Miss Hughes in the course of a reply mentioned that what she had said before and after the sentence quoted should also be considered. It was re- solved, on the motion of Mr James Williatns, Swansea, that Cardiff teachers be approached with a view to reconsidering the decision not to join the association.

NATIONAL LIBERAL FEDERA- V TtON. < The Annual Meeting at Southport. At the 31st annual meeting of the National LiBeral Federation to be held at Southport on July 1st and 2nd, resolutions will be proposed heartily approving of the legislation introduced by the Government this Session, and welcom- ing the Budget as framed on the princlpler that those ought to pay who can best afford tc pay that no further taxes ought to be levied on the necessaries of life, and that Free Trade ought to remain the basis of our nationaJ < taxation. Other resolutions will be moved ap' proving of the proposals that the community should get a larger and fairer share of the monopoly value of liquor licences, and the principle of the taxation of land values, con- demning the attempts in certain quarters to create panic and foment international discord in regard to the armament question, and wel- coming the prospect in the present Parliament of an Electoral Reform BU. Sir William Angus will be proposed for selection as chairman.