Weekly Mail

THE BARON IN THE BOX. LONG SERIES OF EMPHATIC DENIALS. The baron was present in court on Mon- day, and at the commencement of the pro- ceedings occupied a seat with his solicitor at the solicitors' table. The baroness, with her mother and three other ladies, sat at the other end of the table in front of her counsel. She was elaborately attired in white, and wore a white and black hat, trimmed with a large bunch of pink roses. The baron is tall and stalwart, has fair hair and moustache, and decided Teutonic features. Baron von Eckardate-in was then called and examined by Mr. Rawlinson, K.C. He said he was a member of the Marlborough and other clubs. He was a domiciled German subject, and the rt pondent in this suit, and the petitioner in a suit which he had brought in the court at Berlin. You have been unable, for reasons which ^Pla-ined in a letter which was handed Y judge the other day, to attend before? m*.gla;re a-ware that charges of cruelty and your wtte? against you by court11^ir^taild you do not propose in this the oharJ?V% an?r evidenoe on the subject of my counsel *Qisconduct?—I am advised by .With rega^ t^ do wife, were tw°i7our relations with your were happy. h-a-PPy or unhappy?—They It is admitted that with you. What ~l:re bar<>Rese wafi m loTe her?-I was very Ztl rour feehmgs towards your m-ied life in love with her. v v h P Tt\ a b'T-PPy one?—Yes. Ai) RAID op GHOSTS At Geneva, on the honevm wi id they were most hapPy^^°?n' ^wioteas said 7 rr„ denied that had a pleasant tnnCkH At Beriin he SUaye<i out ^te, as alleged. At Berlin he was o^t iaite one night at the Hiopka uut>. ne ^ncd previous] v with the baroness, and she made no objec- tion to his going to the club. As regards the! baroness's allegation thaA he did not take her about in society m Berlin and left her alone with hor maid, the baron said he intro-' duoed her to a great many people in Berlin in the circle of society m which he moved, Her statement in that respect wa« absolutely incorrect. He was sent for at the olub by the baroness, who was afraid of seeing ghosts. He denied that in Loudo11 he said it bored him to ride out with the baroness. They went out a fe reat deal together during the period he was at the German Embassy. For three years he was practically in charge of the Embassy when the Ambassador was not there. He was first secretary and had pre- viously been attache. His duties required him to be very late at the Embassy. Have you on any occasion threatened to commit suicide?—Never.. From beginning to end of your married life have you acted cruelly to your wife?- Never. I have never been unkind to any- body, and why should I be unkind to my wife, whom I loved? DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE. About that time there had been a dispute between the baroness and her father about a gentleman referred to as Mr. Z "?—Yes. Witness said that after that the gentleman had been to seo his wife in the bedroom, although she^ promised never to see him again. He told his wife he was sorry that she had Been him agrain, and she said she would not do so any more. His wife on one occa- sion had wished him to order some cigarettes from Cyprus through the Embassy for the Coroua-tion bazaar, which she attended in order to evade duty. He said he could not possibly undertake to do so. and his wife got very angry when he declined. He was compelled to do that, because it would have been a breach of etiquette, and he was only allowed to have them for his personal use. Did you ever say that you were sorry you ever married her, and that there was an American lady you could have married?—It is absolutely untrue. I never said it. His Lordship: She also said that you said her father (Sir J. Maple) was not a gentle- man?—It is absolutely untrue. Further examined, the baron denied that be had got angry when be heard of the provisions of Sir Jolrn Ma.ple's will, and that he had said he could not possibly go on living with the baroness. The baroness was herself upset, and so was her mother at the restrictions which were placed upon her. Did you make any suggestions as to leav- ing her?—I said before I would submit to those conditions I would much rather go to China or somewhere to make my living. Was there any dispute between you and the baroness with reference to that?—No, there was not. SPECULATIONS AND LOSSES. Questioned as to the baroness's statement that he had kissed a Miss Arnold, a friend of the baroness's, the baron said he had not done so, except in the presence of the baroness, and "she made me do it," said the witness. (Laughter.) Witness said he had £ 1,000 a year from Sir John Maple, and also an allowance from his mother. He did not gamble, attend horse races, or play cards. So far as his own personal expendi- ture was concerned he was not extravagant. He had speculated on the Stock Exchange, and his wife offered no objection. Ee made losses in the speculation. Did you ever threaiten your wife in refer- ence to the borrowing of money in any way? —Never. Or attempt to coerce uer?—Never; she was arlwwys very nice about it, and there was never any question of coercing her. Answering questions next with reference to Dr Williams, the baron said that he always believed that the talk about his wife and Dr Williams was groundless, and he abso- lutely refused to believe it. On the occasion n.t Christmas did you speak to her as to the magnitude of the soandal?—I did then. I was very miserable about it. I still reifuse to believe it. My idea was to put a stop to the talk. He told her that people of position had spoken to him about it. It wae correct that he desired his wife a.nd Dr. Williams to go with him to Shanklin in order to show that he the tale. The baron denied .*1 isEi ss always been affectionate. WIFE'S HYSTERIA. tradieting all the evidence given on the part of the baroness. T FTIRP -it that your word and honour stand W^neis said he could not explain Sir John's statement in the letter in which he -wrote "Your disgraceful and dishonourable action." With reference to the m.aid Monod's evidence that in Berlin he stayed out till two, three, and four o'clock in the morning, the baron said, "That is absolutely untrue. I could bring any number of gentlemen to disprove it." There was no reason, he said, for his wife to telephone to him at his club. Mr. Duke: It is said that once when you came home you found your wife in a state of panic, with her teeth chattering. The Baron: What do you mean by that? Mr. Duke: Don't you understand the expres- sion. Teeth chattering ? The Baron: She was always rather hys- terically disposed.. Did you scold her with regard to it?—No. I simply said, "Darling, don't be a fool; don't have these panics, and don't see ghosts." Witness added; She ran away one day in a fit of hysteria, a.nd nobody knew where she had gone." He was asked if she was not as the witness Monod had said, "Worn out with the life she had led and constant sitting up at night." The baron replied that he did not know that, a.nd he added, The statements a.bout my ooming home late are greatly exagge- rated. Sometimes she was nervous and funny." According to you, when you arrived home you were uniformly kind?—Yes, but very often she" went" for me fearfully, and I was very quiet, and said, Darling, don't be foolish." The fault was entirely on the other side?— I do not say entirely, but, I had to put up with a good deal of hysterical temper on her part, a.nd I took it well, indeed. She says you declined flatly to take her out?—That is untrue. I always took her out except when I was very busy, indeed. CONVERSATION BEFORE SERVANTS. The witness Tobell said the baroness said to you, "Give me one hour a day"?—It is absolutely untrue. She says that your wife said, "(Tve me one hour a week," and you replied, "It would spoil my career"?—That is still more untrue. (Laughter.) She told me how kind I was and how forbearing I was. What motive has ehe in coming here to tell ns this?—There must be some special motive which is unknown to me. Your wife has said that if you could not get what you wanted in the way of money, you said you would take your life?—It is absolutely imagination—pure imagination. Another witness said, He said many times he would commit suicide." The Baron (indignant): Do you think, Mr. Dake, I would talk to my wife in the pre- sence of servants about a matter like that? Would you do it yourself? Mr. Duke: You must not ask me what I think a<bout it. You ha.d better answer the question. The Baron: I have only to tell you, Mr. Duke, it is untrue. Mr. Duke: Do you know that Dr. Williams says you told him that if you did not get the money which you desired to raise The Baron: I never told him so. Mr. Duke: Wait a moment. He said tha.t if you did not get the money you desired the end of it was bankruptcy and you must put a bullet into yourself? The Baron: I never said so. It is absolutely untrue. I see, Dr. Williams, you are there. (Glancing across the court.) I never said it to you. Mr. Duke: Mr. Petre said the same thing-P- It is not true. There is no troth in these statements ?— Absolutely untrue. Dr. Williams and Mr. Petre and Eyre have put their heads together to make misohief between my wife and myself, do you know that Mr. Duke? Do you charge these men with wilfully tell- ing untruths about you?—That is my per- sonal opinion. So far as the women are concerned, they are delusions?—Delusions; you know quite well what are delueione. OPINIONS ADOUT WOMEN. The Baron: You know qmte well one wO-Mam talks to another, and Bays it is so, and the other repeats it until they believe it is so. I believe they are mistaken I do not say they wilfully say what is trotrue Is it true, as Miss Moore has said, that she once told you to leave the room in conse. quence of your treatment of Your wife?— Absolutely untrue. Do you think, Mr. Duke, I would allow any servant to order me out of the room? Is that delusion'—Great exaggeration or distortion of the facts. Mr. Duke: Is it true that you "stormed. at your wife? The Baron: It is untrue. It is an exaggera- tion and a distortion of the real faots. I was told that. Sir Blundell Maple had put a special provision in his will that my wife should not live out of England. This bothered me fearfully, and bothered my wife. She was very much provoked a-bout it. Mr. Duke: She says she was content to live in England. The Baron: I was content to live in England too, but I did not want to be forced to live in England. Mr. Duke: Miss Moore says that yon eaid the whoie family were bounders ? The Baron: r never said so. I never would say it. She made a remark like that. So when she said you told her that she put the boot on the wrong foot ?—-Certainly, women often say these things and then say that other people say them. (Laughter.) Women are not all a<like ?—There are excep- tions, but a great many are like it. INDECENT LAUGHTER. Is it true, as Miss Pardoux alleged, that after one of the discussions as to money matters the baroness fainted in her arms?- I don't believe a word of it. He had never touched his wife violently in his life. She had touched him. (Laughter.) The Judge deprecated any laughter as indecent, and said if it occurred again he would have the court cleared. In further cross-examination, the baron said that he did not tell Mr. Montagu Ballard that he had nothing against Dr. Wil- liams, but that he would be made a scape- goat. There were at that time debts of £3.7fJJ which he desired to be paid. He was expecting the baroness to pay those debts. They were not paid. Was it not for tha.t reason, together with a previous dispute, that you resolved to get rid of Mr. Petre?—No. Tvt t,°?NFLIOT of JURISDICTION. ,,0: Do you now desire to allege that ,relation between the baroness and Dr ls"ns was any other than the relation of doctor and patient ? The Baron: You know there are divorce proceedings going on in Berlin, and that is a matt-er for the Berlin court to deal with. Mr. Duke: No; it is a matter for the jury. The Judge informed the baron that if he was advised by his lawyers not to answer the question he need not do so. Mr. Duke repeated his question. The Baron: They certainly were not the ordinary relations of doctor and patient. Mr. Duke: Do you make a charge of marital misconduct against your wife with ¡ regard to Dr. Williams? The Baron; I refuse to answer this, becaxise it Dexter oeiongs to the divorce suit in Berlin. Mr. Duke pointed out that in the petition to the court in Berlin there was no such allegation. allegation. The Baron: I think, MT. Duke, yotT do not know at all what is going on there, Mr. Duke: In your petition to the Berlin oourt you have not suggested such a thing. The Baron: I absolutely refuse to answer anything about the Berlin proceedings. Replying to a further question, the Baron said that the amount which the baroness had paid on his behalf amounted to about LZWIOOIO. In re-examination the Baron said that when he finally separated from the baroness he kissed her. The hearing was adjourned till Tuesday.

BARON UNDER CRITICISM. MERCILESS TREATMENT BY COUNSEL. Mr. Rawlinson, K.C., on the reassembling at the court on Tuesday said that he had looked through his notes, and did not pro- P- t) PUT any further questions to Baron von Eckardstein in re-examination. of the court, said that he had looked through his notes, and did not propose to put ajiy further questions to Baron von Eckardstein in reexamination. Herbert William Bolton, butler at the Royal Ia ™\wa<iTO,n Ci^. Cowes, was called to SnLrAd f °°casion when the baron was wh Jrf Trn: 7? visited Sloane-street on the & F06' he was at Cowes. The wit- f„m tf baron had a room at the August? 28111 of Juiy to the 9th of ^f0rl';s wunfsel elicited that the baron f"n T J a train and boat to bring lim V° Cowes at the time. .V f' K-C-> for the baroness, remarked month might get a train to Ports- and the winess in reply to a ques- sa, the baron had a motor-boat, in mouth to Co°wSLiUU" Cr<>S*ed fr°m PortS" +1^ Mint Mr. Duke obtained permis- who sm- re"ca^ Mrs. Balaam, the witness kinson /n6 tho baron visiting Mrs. Hop- was mit0 ,loane-street, and she said she hoise + £ r '-kat the baron was at the Mr pit;, ALLEGED DUPLICITY, on behalf '"f"' K-c-> then addressed the jury fact that baron. He said that the evidence on tL °n ha'd not elected to ^ive fee a matt Westion of misconduct would of counsel for comment on the part ever he^m' l°r baroness, but what- froin that say uP°n the topic apart on Jury woul<i have to satisfied baron%ulit 006 before they could find the that thr" IQi&conduct. He contended •»> in +*h* joTi-v „itou proved the baron was iSnfUSyi 30th of July. duct with W ,the allegation of miscon- excraordinW^ntron' T.a6 no^1^' bircn rinori QQ fact that she and the wiiere they Wh^1" th° h°'tf1 at CaiaiK' Beyond the f happened to be stranded. o71v r^t there was no evidence of read wHtt nfy' ^e letter which had been +h)s woman, was not written "Dear Saron aSi^:tion' an that the eyi-w, ^ked the jury to eay them in fmdf,L ,uVae uot saffi,"len't to justify duct. Realiv +1L L>ARO,T1 GUILT? OF MI&C'RL- the case t K .MOAT important question in charges of C KIN T LF TMRTYONE against the ll^ y Tn>aae by the for one oa- It was a serious matter occupied the position t*1"0'1 away by the £ jlfy .not to Jt'd Thev rmiJt Si-Amour of feminine evidence. baroness univ^6 the evidence of the whether t I'vedly, bait test it, to see commented eTidOT10e was reliable. Counsel Xr^?t-°Q the fa«t that the baronet baron w« g ^t ion ate letters to the him Tli?t f6mployin§r detectives to watoh | ,at fact. he said, the ba-ronees iiad kept back, and when they came to compare her evidence with thc baron they would, he thought, view it with suspicion. The witnesses called to speak to the alleged cruelty were, speaking broadly, more or lees partisans. He AAked the jury to teat the evidence of the baroness on the question of the barou threatening to commit suicide on a-n occasion to which she had spoken. In conclusion, counsel appealed to the jury to do justice to his client, apart from all prejn. dice or sympathy. 1 BROWBEATING AND BULLYING." Mr. -L"ii5 after the luncheon adjourn- ment. addressed the jury ia reply on behalf of the baroness. He eaid he would touch only briefly upon the irrelevant matters which had formed the staple of Mr. Rawlinson'g address. He wotild proceed to the relevant facts m the jury had had the S2 ^fiuS the baron in the box, and would be able to form their own opinion TTL „ MANNER of man he was. He was charged with overbearing conduct, violent languase, brewbeating and bullying. They would form their opinion as to what he was in his dealing with women by having seen his -dealings with men and his vehemence under the roitrictions oT a court of justice. They might judge what kind of scenes those were when under the pressure of imminent financial, diplomatic, and social ruin. The baron was applying himself to obtain from the baroness that which she was reluctant to give, but which she ultimately gave. They would consider whether the baron was the amicable and almoet henpecked husband which he would have them believe. The baron had gone into the witness-box, and there was one of the gravest of the accnsa- fl°nfLi? t £ ls which he had left un- touched He had not ventured to deny it in ^toos^box. The allegation was that during the eighteen months or thereabouts while he was receiving and exacting the sacrifices of his wife's fortune he had habitually consorted with one woman and driven hie society to another. What was the haron'e answer to this? The evidence of the valet and the butler from Oowes. That matter coloured the whole of this case. If the jury believed the baron was guilty of that conduct, and he did not deny it, the evidence as to misconduct was praeticallv uncontested. The baron came here with his German petition in his hand, in which he made an ambiguous allegation against the baroness and Dr. Williams, who up to the 8th of amiaiT last had been the baron's trusted intermediary between him and the baroness. "DODGED TEE QUESTION." In one breath he admitted that he ha.d been the recipient of his wife's bounty to the amount of £ 178,00), and in another breath, when asked if he charged his wife with marital misconduct, he dodged the question, and said his legal advisers in Berlin advised him not to answer. He had not the courage to make any charge in this court, and he had not the justice to dis- claim it. Mr. Rawlinson said he made no allegations of misconduct. At the same time the incident was used to give a stab to the baroness's reputation. Mr. Duke contended that the allegation of misconduct against the baron was made out. He picked up with a woman returning from Paris. He had his room beside hers. She was seen to go to his room, and the baron's soap was found in her ■room. They had their meads in a private sitting-room, where they smoked together until a late hour, and once a lady's hand- kerchief was found in the baron's bed. It was not convenient for the baron to give evidence on that matter, and from his silence the.v were entitled to come to the conclusion that the baron could not deny the mas- conduct. UNANIMOUS DELUSIONS. Addressing himself to the question of cruelty, Mr. Duke agreed that they must not find cruelty on isolated acts, but his contention was tha.t the baron's general treatment of the baroness had had the effect of injuring her health and causing her mental and physical suffering. It was effrontery on the part of the baron to suggest that the baroness was giving him money from time to time out of mere gaiety of heart in order to get rid of his liabilities. Counsel went on to deal with the evidence, which, he contended, showed pressure exercised on the part of the baron upon the baroness to induce her to let him have money to meet his debts. He threatened to leave her and to commit suicide. The baron would have them believe that it was a delusion on the part of the witnesses who said he threatened to commit suicide. If all the witnesses suffered from delusions on that point they were about the most uncomfortable set of people in the way of delusions that could be conceived. He deprecated the insinuations which had been made with reference to the baroness and Dr. Williams. It was not the baroness or Dr. Williams who were being tried in that court. It was the baron, who was charged with mis- conduct, which he had not ventured to deny, &nd with cruelty which he did deny, bat which the evidence made indisputable. The hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.

JUDGE AND BARON'S DOUBLE LIFE. SIGNIFICANT RETICENCE IN THE WITNESS-BOX. The ninth day of the trial of the suit of Eckardstein v. Eckardstein was roadbed on Wednesday in the Divcxroe Oourt (before Mr. Justice Buoknill and a specdal jury. The Judge now summed up the case to the jury. He said that eight days of their time had been occupied in investigating a. case which in many respects was a very ,extra- ordinary one. He was satisfied that they had kept an open mind, as they ought to do, and that they would not be influenced by anything in forming their oonolnsioais except the evidence. The parties to the suit were married in 1896. The peti- tioner was a young lady of weaith, and the respondent had a high social position. He "was entrusted by hia Government to come over here aa attache at the German Embassy, and for a time be had acted in the place of the AnnOraBBackxr. Here they had a yomus^ ridL j»oinaa jDK«ngdiw they had a yomus^ ridL j»oinaa jDK«ngdiw man of high social position of practically no fortune. His domicile was German, and by the marriage the wife acquired the same domicile as her husband. Under the cir- cumstances she could not sue for a divorce in this country, but our law provided that any persons could come for the protection of the law; therefore the baroness was entitled to seek for a judicial separation in the English court on the ground of either cruelty or misconduct or both. The jury must be very oareful in deciding these matters. WAS HE HENPECKED? The law of this country was not quick to enable persons to undo the conse- quences of their own mistakes, but if marital offences were committed it would give relief. In deciding the question of cruelty in this caee they had to consider whether the conduct of the husband had been overbearing, whether he had neglected or abused his wife and been generally un- kind to her, and whether the result had been to make her miserable, and to affect her health. If there had been such con- duct it came within th,e category of legal cruelty." On the other hand, if the wife had been a "nagging" wile and the baron a henpecked husband, and she had rendered his life insufferable, then he was entitled to relief. Some people might say that this was a marriage on *he one side for a title, and on the other for money, but from the letters written by the baroness they would probably come to the conclusion that the baroness was very much in love with the baron. They had none of the baron's letters, but they had his statement that he loved her. They had heard what had been said about the wearth which Sir John Blundell Maple acquired being wasted, but people were entitled to spend their money as they liked, and they had no concern with that. The baroness had told them that the baron had said her father was not a gentleman, and that her people were bounders." If that was true it was a rough and ungentlemanly thing to say, but taken alone it was not cruelty. A man might abuse a woman in words as much as he liked, but it did not a.mount to cruelty unless it injured her health. DR. WILLIAMS. Referring to the part Which Dr. Williams had played in the case, his Lordsihip said that the matter had very little to do with the case, and he did not know whether or not it had been intro- duced to prejudice the baroness's case. If the baron had thought for one moment that his wife had misconducted herself at any time with Dr. Williams, he might have put a plea on the record to that effect, and said that she was not entitled to relief. There was no such allega- tion on the record, and Mr. Rawlinson, the baron's counsel, had told them that he was not instructed to say anything against the baroness. "So far as I am concerned," said his Lordship, "I hope that will be taken, as it wf I be by all proper-minded men, to mean that the baroness has never behaved herself with any impropriety. It is not suggested that she has behaved with any impropriety." There was, however, continued his Lordship, a petition filed by the baron in Berlin, claiming a divorce from the baroness on the ground of wifely disobedience," but there was not within the four corners of that petition any impropriety alleged against tho baroness except the alleged im- propriety of insisting upon keeping DT. Williams as her doctor and close medical attendant in disobedience to the husband's command. BERLIN DIVORCE. When the baron was asked in the box whether he alleged miscondTict on the part of the baroness he declined to answer, on the ground that it would pre- judice the case in Berlin. It could not by any possibility prejudice the proceedings in Berlin if the divorce was asked for only on the ground of wifely disobedience. The baron, however, had choe-en to leave his wife in the painful position that he re- fused to say in this court whether he charged her with misconduct or not. He (the judge) was sorry that the baron had been so advised. He should have thought that now was the time to make the accusation, if he had any aecuoation to make. Aa it was, this matter had nothing to do with the questions which the jury had to consider. All they had to decide was whether the ba.ron had been guilty of cruelty and misconduct. With regard to the baron's refusal to give evidence on the charge of misconduct made against him, his lordship said he had elected to deny cruelty, but not misconduct, the result of which was that he could not be cross- examined on the question of misconduct SIGNIFICANT CONDUCT Although he did not give evidence on the charge of misconduct, he had put witnesses in the box to prove am alibi. The baron was acting within his legal right in refusing to give evidence on the question, bnt he (the Judge) had never yet heard of a "ma n charged with misconduct put witnesses in the box to prove an alibi and not say himself, I was not there" I His Lordship directed the attention of the jury to the details of the evidence on this part of the case. If they found the allega- tion of misconduct against the baron proved, then it showed that he had been leading a double life, and it threw an im- portant sidelight on the other matter, though it did not necessarily prove that he was cruel to his wife. It wa-s, however for the petitioner to establish the allegation to the jury's satisfaction. Reviewing the evi- dence as to the alleged cruelty, hie Lord ship pointed out that it was genera' neglect pfaln^d wWch the baroness 5>m- T,he summing-up °°Cupied three hoiffrB and a quzxter. After an absence of half an hour, the jury Wlth a ^rdiot that the respondeat had been guilty of cruelty and misconduct. On this the Judge granted the baroness the decree of judicial separation, with costs, and ordered that she should have the custody of the child. Neither the baron nor the baroness was in court when the verdict was given.

CARDIFF INFIRMARY. GENEROSITY OF MISS TALBOT AND LORD ABERDARE. A meeting of the board of management of the Cardiff Infirmary was held on Wednes- day afternoon, when the chair was occupied by Major-general Lee. The finance oommittee reported that, after providing for the payment of bills that day, there was a debit balance of £ 13,873- Colonel E. M. Bruce Vaughan stated that since the last meeting Miss Talbot bad promised JB1,000 towards the fund for the new wing, and stated that she would give a larger sum ii others in the county who were well able to subscribe would do so. Lord Aberdare had also promised1 £ 500. He moved a vote of thanks to Miss Talbot and Lord Aberdare. The Chairman seconded, and the motion was carried. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Colonel Bruce Vaughan, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs. Henry Lewis (Green- meadow) and the Ladies' Needlework and Linen Guilds for the excellent services they had rendered to the institution. General Lee stated that these guilds induced people to take a closer interest in the insti- tution, and Colonel Bruce Vaughan hoped the members of that committee would more frequently go over the wards; they would see how it was that the institution should be extended. There were now over 600 awaiting admission.

SWANSEA MAYOR'S SALARY INCREASED. PROSPECTIVE OPENING OF CRAY WATERWORKS. A monthly meeting of the general purposes committee of the Swansea Council was held on Wednesday afternoon. It was decided to increase the mayor's salary by JE150, in view of the National Eie- teddfod to be held in August. The question of an official welcome to General Looth, of the Salvation Army, was discussed. The mayor had promised to preside at one of the meetings. It was decided to support the mayor in giving an official reception. The Swansea foreshore question was dis- cussed, and the question of giving access via the docks, and a committee was appointed to confer with the harbour trust. On the motion of Dr. Rawlings, it was decided to agree to the further payment of JB250 to the Brentry Home for Inebriates, in order to secure the seven beds (at present allotted to Swansea for 21 years) in per- petuity. THE CRAY WATERWORKS. At a meeting of the council as the Cray committee Mr. Solomon asked again for an announcement as to the opening ceremony in connection with the new waterworks, and a.t the suggestion of the Mayor it was decided to call a meeting of the sub-committee to make arrangements and report.

UNITED ASSIZES FOR WELSH COUNTIES. The "Londocn Gazette" of Tuesday contains anOndrar in Council which states that the King orders that the county of Cartnartheai, the ooucity of the borough of Carmarthen, the ooooty of Peantorokie, the town and. county of Haverfordwest, and the county of n shall for the purpose of the next winter assises be united together and form one county, under the name of the Winter Aaciy. Oounty No. 6, the aeeizee to be held at Car- marthen. The Sioc aJeo orders that the counties of Brecknock and Radnor shall be emrilarly WnHfri. CheaaBdaea to

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WELSH IN COAL MINES. I MR. HENRY DATIES REPLIES TO AN INSPECTOR. Mr. Henry Daviee, director of mining inetruct,ion of Glamorgan, appeared before the Royal Commission on Aocidents in Mines on Wednesday and eubmitted evidence explaining the scheme of operation in Glamorgan for the education of miners, and also gave statiatice bearing upon the hours and duties of coJHery firemen. Mr. Daries recommended that these officials in future should be ashed to pass an examination ,speciially bearing upon the duties of their office oofore being appointed. Changes were also desirable in the present system of Home Office examinations for colliery managers. True uniformity in the standard of require- ments was necessary, and the examiners should be changed periodically. At present the seco-ad-class essentials in some districts appeared to be as high as the first in other districts, and men who failed to pass at the Cardiff examination got through at Man- Chester. Chaug-es were a-lso uesirable in the present system whereby inspectors were appointed. Other things being: equal, the man from the mine should have the same opportunities of appointment as the articled ptrpil to the mining engineer. Possibly, another grade of inspector for underground work was desirable. The quantity of air througrh the last working place in a split should be registered i-orzrigbtly and the percent.a.ge of g-ae present at this spot recorded. The colliery fireman ehouM. be competent to do this. At inquests after an explosion of firedamp such a record as that proposed would be of great value. The witness suggested that boxes con- taining first-aid applianc-es should be easily accessible to men in the mine able to render first-aid. Since it was found advisable, continued witness, to put the special rules in the Welsh language, it was desirable that the mines insx>ectors for South Wales should be able to speaix that language, especially as conferences between the officials and the workmen were sometime conducted in Welsh. Mr. Davies characterised as cowardly and offensive the way in whioh the inspector of mines for the Monmo-uthshire District wrote referring to the assumed connection, between tt^el&h-epeaking and colliery acci- dents. This insportor wrote to the witness, eaymg, And if Welsh-speaking is conducive to or contributes to their existence, I wonld suggest that you should inolude among the preventions as soon as possible the abolition of the use of the language." If the inspector had a knowledge of the Welsh language he wou'ld immediately see the a.benrdity under- lying the insulting suggestion conveyed by those words. The inspection of minee should also be more frequent to become effective, but not so frequent as to make the inspector jointly responsible for the management of' the colliery. The witness was subjected to a searching examination by Lord ifonkswell, Mesers. Ratcliffe Ellis, J. Smithie, Dr. Haldane, Mabon, and other members of the Com- mission on the hours and auties of colliery firemen, but clung to his statement that improved supervision meant a reduction of preventable accidents, and this could only be secured by fewer hours and reduced duties. In replying to a question respecting the effect of his lectures, the witness htimorously stated that when he pointed out to the workmen their faults, the sugges- tion was that he was in the service of the officials, and when he criticised the latter I for their sins of omission or commission he was accused of playing to the gallery.

SIR SPENCER WALPOLE DEAD I Sir Spenoer Walpole has died suddenly a.t ILartfield Grove, Colemans Hatch, Sussex. The deceased, who was 68, became a olerk in the War Office in 1858. was appointed inspector of fisheries in 1367, Lieutenant- Governor of the Isle of Man in 1882. and was Secretary to the Post Office from 1893 to 1899 j Sir Spencer was author of several publica- tions, including the "Life of Lord John Russell."

STOP PRESS. FIRE AT A FIKEWOIIKS FACTORY. ■ 'iir persons have be-tn killed, and '•"C:\e -eiioii;iy injured in a fire which occurred at a firovorks l'aetory at t'itta, -Vnyriiu the 1>ï'IIyiui-t. of Teranr.. J t:11y. l:rpl'-sion-s took place fru-m tini' J" .[,„ oT the night. The worl: J' t-'xtingaissliuiig the fire, in which the ca-ra&inecrs are assisting, is being carried out with every precaution.—Keuter. I i

POINTS IN PARLIAMENT. — -0 QUESTIONS ON NAVAL PRE- PARATIONS. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr. BELLAIRS (R., King's Lynn) asked the Secretary to the Admiralty with reference to the naval programme of 1907-8 whether he was aware that the return of fleets just iosued credited Germany with a. programme of three armoured vessels, carry- ing 33 to 44 heavy guns, as compared with our programme of three armoured vessels carrying 50 heavy guns, and whether, in addition, the German programmes for two years had exceeded those introduced by the present Government in respect of cruisers and oeet.roycrs by three protected cruisers a.nd seventeen desstroyers. Mr. E. ROBERTSON said the figures quoted were well known to the Admiralty, and would be considered at the proper time ^Er™v°4 Mrv Hmit (U- ^low). SECRMARl to the ADMIRALTY said the present number of officers, seamen, and boys, coastguards, and Royal Marines was 127,030. .The average during the year 1904-5 was ISO. 450. In reply to further questions by Mr. Hant, the SECRETARY to the ADMIRAI/TY said there were ait present eleven battleships and ten cruisers with reduced nucleus crews ready for eea at five days' notice. They were in a better state of preparedness for war than were the Z1 battleships and 25 cruisers of the Fleet Reserve in August, 1904, before the nucleus crew system was it- duoed. The seagoing squadrons, including tho Nore division of the Home Fleet, can. tained. one battleship less and two armoured cruisers more than in 1906. Mr. HUNT asked what number of men con- stituted a nucleus crew. Mr. ROBERTSON: I cannot say exactly, bet for a battleship it w<crald be about 70. Sir GILBERT PARKER (U., Graveeend) asked if any of the battleships and cruisers referred to were in need of repairs. Mr. E. ROBERTSON: I don't think go Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL (N., Donegal", S)- May I ask if we are going to war? (Laughter.) What's all the excitement about? (Laughter.) Mr. HUNT asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the seagoing squadron of the Cha-nnel Fleet now contained three battle- ships, two armoured cruisers, two protected cruisers, three sooute, and 36 destroyers less than last year. Mr. E. ROBERTSON said the figures were practically correct. Corresponding numbers of vessels with full crews had been trans- ferred to the Home Fleet. Mr. HUNT asked if a fleet like this, with- out torpedo craft, was not like an army without advance guard. (Laughter.) SLAVERY IN ZANZIBAR. Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL informed Sir Charles Dilke that the legal status of slavery in the Zanzibar coast strip would be abolished on October 1 next. and the House would be asked in due course to vote the amount required to meet the compensation which would have to be paid as a result of such a step. CHINESE STOKERS ON BRITISH WARSHIPS. Mr. ROBERTSON, answering Mr Bellairs (R., King's Lynn), said the corimandin^ officer of his Majesty's ship Sherewater, stationed in British American waters waø authorised on May 16 last to employ three Chinese stokers temporarily. He had reason however, to believe that they were never' appointed. THE MINERS EIGHT HOURS BILL. Sir JOHX RANDLES (U., Cockermouth) asked the Home Secretary if he could state what he expected to introduce the Mines [Eight Hours) Bill. Mr. GLADSTOXE: I hope to be able to io so in the course of next week. tut Ti ARMY OFFICERS, n C- E » Pancras, E.) asked the Secretary for War whether the following officers of the Army on the-active list draw. xr7- p*y4.or allowances :—Field-marshal his Majesty .ue German Lmperor, Field-marshal his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria. General his Royal Highness Prince Christian, General his Royal Highness the Duke of Cum- berland, General his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and General his Majesty the King of Spain. Air. HALDANE: The appointments held by these distinguished persons are purely hono- rary, and .they receive no emoluments as officers of the Army. (Hear, hear.) OFFICIAL SECRETS REVEALED. Mr. BELLAIRS (R., King's Lynn) asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he was aware that the logs of the "Channel Fleet for the Sundays May 5 to June 23 inclu- sive showed that four battleships from the nominal strength of fourteen had frequently been away without re-placement, and whether under these circumstances the board wished to modify its official r ment of June 17, that as a rule not nw £ than two were absent, but three had been on occasions. Mr. E. ROBERTSON said the statement referred to did not profess to give the number of battleships actually present with the flag, but only the number not in dock- yard hands. He was surprised at the £ member being able to quote from an official book oontaining conndential information which should not be accessible to persons outside the active service. Mr pjiAr'a0W s ?EW MEMBER. J ,Pe e Gurran, the newly-elected member for t.he Ja.rrow Division of Durham, took the oath and his seat amid loud Labour cheers. v wiiwnuCK^uoe^ ky Mr- A. Henderson aaud Mr. VV iU Thorne. •W- 71:11X1811 REFORMS. GREJLNWOOD (E„ Peter- ^ked the Foreign Secretary w ether he had yet received the Austro- Russian Proposals for judicial reform in Macedonia announced last autumn, as being in preparation, and, if not, whether he would mniself make proposals to the Powers with reference to the matter. Sar EDWARD GREY replied that he had not yet received the proposals, but he that they wowid be laid, before the rowera sbartiy.