Evening Express

Telephone: National. 542. Post-office, 95, Telegrams: "Express, Cardiff." -J

Comments and Criticisms. ç BY "COCHFARF." The meeting of the Cardiff new Finance Committee yesterday disclosed a more satisfactory state of things from the rate- payers' point of view than has been the case for a good time past, and, notwith- standing the large number of reductions of assessments that has taken place on appeal, and money forfeited by vacancies and other irrecovcrables, the percentage of losses upon collection of rates for the last six months was only 5.87, as against an average of 6.44 for the four previous periods of six months. This shows that the large number of uninhabited houses we had in the borough is gradually filling, but it is only justice to say that it proves also more careful work by the rate-collec- tors. The total irrecoverable rates are i:464 less than the last half-year, and a question to the collectors brought out the further information that there is evidence abroad that the filling up of empty premises is still increasing. These figures will help to make Christmas more cheerful to property owners and tradesmen, as well as to the ratepayers generally. I have often expressed a wonder in this column that Cardiff did not possess a chamber of trade, bearing in mind the thousand and one matters of interest that are common to every tradesman in the town. Among these may be included rail- way rates for small goods, postal facilities, the encouragement of legitimate attrac- tions of all kinds, and the makiing of the town, with all its excursion facilities, a great tourist centre. I find that at last a largely attended meeting of local trades- men has been held, and that a pro tempore honorary secretary has been elected. I do not know of a. town where mutual effort to improve trade is so lacking as at Cardiff, I and, on the other hand, Cardiff makes a favourable impression upon almost every visitor that comes within its borders. If the movement that was started on Monday night is carefully fostered, it will bring about important results, and I trust it will receive from ail tradesmen the encourage- ment it deserves. I know nothing of "Ping Pong" beyond what I have read in family journals. This admission will damage any reputation I may have for being abreast of the times, I know but it is wiser to make this admis- sion than to endeavour to write learnedly concerning the game, and then give myself away by some internal evidence of my ignorance of it before I had got half through my note. I know the Blind Institute, however, and I know also that it deserves all the support its friends can enlist, and one of the means of seeking support for it is by having a "Ping Pong" tournament at the Lecture-hall, Windsor- place, next Friday week. This will be an excellent opportunity for novices to see the game played whilst aiding a deserving institution by paying a. small sum for admission. The day after the tournament I may be able to tell my readers all about the game, as well as the amount of success that will befall this new family game. The death of Edward Coward at Merthyr through being lowered into a compara- tively new shaft of only 14ft. deep dis- closes evidence of how heedless of danger mine-workers are. Had the danger of a shaft of the kind being charged with foul air been unknown to the- members Of the sinking party, the fatality could be regarded as being accidental, but it was given in evidence that, after the accident, a most effective manner of testing the con- dition of the air in the shaft was adopted by one of the persons who was present from the commencement of the work that brought about the death of Edward Coward, that being the lowering of a "comet" (a flaring wick and oil lamp used at pit banks where gas is not available) into the bottom of the shaft, and the presence of foul air would be disciosed by the extinguishing of the "comet" liprht. Had this precaution been put in practice before the lowering of Coward a valuable life would have been saved, and one poor woman spared an early widowhood. I desire to have further particulars of that "Love comedy near Bridgend," and the locking of a vicar and his would-be son-in-law in the church in the dead of night. I heard the same story, with a slight variation, in the same neighbourhood many, many years ago, and the parties to the contretemps have only left this troublous world and its love affairs very recently. Is it the death of these persons that ha.s revived the story of their earlier days? I have a suspicion that such is the case, but the story is interesting enough to be re-told. The first person from whom I heard of the incident, and who soberly vouchsafed for its truthfulness, is now a grave and trusted Church dignitary. The Council of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire has elected Mr. E. H. Griffiths, M.A. (Cantab), F.R.S., Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and now recognised lecturer in physics in the University of Cambridge.' to be the new principal. Nothing remains to be done now but for the friends of the various candidates to close up their ranks and work with a will to attain the ideal of a first-class university college organisation in a building worthy of the college. The death of the late principal at so critical a period in the history of the college must have brought about some degree of congestion of the work of the head of the college, and Mr. Griffiths's hands must be strengthened in every pos- sible way by these whose duty it is to help him. The old relations of Mr. De Rutzen, the new chief magistrate of the Metropolis, with Aberdare and Merthyr were almost unknown to the present generation of the inhabitants of these towns, and it would be interesting to have his reminiscences of his habitation. there. He held sway at the police-courts of the sister towns at a time when a class of persons lived there that are now practically unknown. These were the puddlers and other manufac- turers of iron, of whom many amusing stories are treasured by those who remem- ber them. The decline of the Abernant and Cyfarthfa Ironworks compelled these interesting people to migrate to districts where their services were still in demand, but the improvements in iron and steel manufacture have caused the last of them to disappear. When it is realised that these poor people had to pursue their work in the full glare, and within roasting distance, of a furnace of molten iron, and that they were invariably soddened with perspiration even on the coldest day of winter, it can easily be believed that they possessed an almost everlasting thirst, and were con- stant patrons of the neighbouring public- houses. Mr. De Rutzen knew these men thoroughly, and he was regarded by them with mingled awe and respect. Sometimes he would fall out of their good graces, and in a Welsh patois peculiar to the puddling fraternity they would denounce him as "y recsyn" (i.e., !'rag"—a play upon the name "Rutzen"), who had confiscated their beer- money in the way of a fine for a pay-night row; for it must be remembered there were no fortnightly pay-days at that time, and at some of the works a "settling-up pay" took place only once a year. An account of these times would form as interesting a social and industrial his- tory as any in the country, for, in addi- tion to the peculiarities of these now almost forgotten workers, they lived in the days when truck shops were flourish- ing like a green bay tree in the neighbour- hood of every ironworks, and when but very little wage-money found its way into the pockets of the slaves of the furnace and the forge. I fear that no artist ever troubled to sketch a Welsh puddler, with his untanned shoes and white duck trousers, the heat-singed leather apron, and nondescript coax and leather-peaked cap; his strongly-marked liking for watercress — which he would trudge miles to gather-and his equally developed partiality for a rabbit or a hare, even though he had to do a bit of poaching in the local squire's preserves to secure it. Who would blame him now, for there was no frozen meat to be had then, and his most luxurious meal would con- sist of a "bloody jimmy" (a sheep's head with the "fry"—liver and lights) and the smallest of small joints of fresh meat for Sundays ?

Swansea Sensation. A PAINFUL TRAGEDY. Prominent Townsman Drowned. News of a tragedy travels fast, and that is why Swansea people were agog with excite- ment last night when the intelligence spread rapidly through the town that Colonel Pike, ex-commandant of the 3rd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers and a past mayor of the borough, who has recently passed through a long illness and a series of business worries, had come to a sad end in Brynmill Park. Shortly after half-past six o'clock the park-keeper at Brynmill heard a splash and a faint cry, and went at once to the edge of the lake on the north side. not far from his lodge, and there on the bank discovered an overcoat, an undercoat, and a hat. Fearing that something had happened, he searched the water, but all was still, and just then Polica- constable Johns came on the scene. They failed to discover anything, and then the park- keeper and a gardener, named Green, took a boat from the other side, and about 30ft. from the bank on the north side found the body of a man. They brought it ashore, but the con- stable did not identify it till, after a search in the pockets, he discovered a large new Bible bearing the name, "J. Stanley Pike." He then recognised the body as that of Colonel Pike. Efforts were made to restore animation, but these failed, and Dr. Edwards, of Gorse-lane, who had been sent for, pronounced the colonel to be dead. The body was conveyed in the ambulance to the house, No. 29, Page-street, where the deceased gentleman had been for some time residing with his wife, his son (Mr. Stanley Pike), and his daughter. The deceased gentleman, who had been in poor health for the past two or three years, was missed from the house about six o'clock, and directly his absence was discovered, as he was not used to go out alone, his son went to I the police-station, Oxford-street, to make inquiries. Deceased must have gone straight and with considerable speed to the park to have got there by the time the park-keeper heard the splash. Colonel Pike was up to three years .<go < ne of tha foremost public men of Swansea. He was born in the district, and for years carried on a large business as sailmaker at the Docks. In this way he became associated with snip- ping, and was afterwards the leading spirit in all the regattas which have taken place in Swansea. Early in life he entered the 3rd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers, and before he left that crack corps was commandant < f the regiment. He entered the corporation seme years ago, and was one of the most energetic members of that bcdy. He became alderman, and then mayor, and his cheery, brisk per- sonality always proved most helpful in local affairs. He was chiefly instrumental in instituting the Royal Regatta, which was graced with the presence of the yachts of the Prince of Wales and the Emperor of Germany. He recently embarked on a disas- troua speculation in the Cameron Arms Hotel with the late Mr. Albert Mason. The hotel was to be transferred to a company, and was in process of being re-built on an enormous scale, when financial complications took place and one of the issues was recently ventilated in the law courts. Colonel Pike's health, which had enforced his relinquishment of the command of the 3rd Glamorgan Rifle Volun- teers and of his seat in the Swansea Council, was probably not such ail to enable him to bear a great deal of mental worry,

RABBIT COURSING. MR. WILLIAM CHIVERS' LADY AND MR. FRANK DENNING'S BILLY MATCHED FOR £100. A match has been ratified for these dogs to run the best of 21 courses, at rabbits, 60yds. law, five minutes between each course, Lady to be in receipt of three dead rabbits start. Match to be decided at Caerphilly on December 2. Owner of winner to be entitled to all rabbits. dead or alive, in addition to money accruirg from gate. The stakes are jEcO a-side. MR. WILLIAM MEREDITH'S LADY ISABELLE AND MR. HENRY POWELL'S SAILOR MATCHED FOR JE50. These owners have ratified a match for their dogs, Lady Isabclle, known as Crumlin, and Sailor, hailing from Risca, to run the beat of 21 courts at rabbits, 60yds. law, for JB25 a-side and all gate money. Match to be run at Llantarnam on Saturday next at one p.m. The stakes are £ 25 a-side. MR. WILLIAM FRANCIS'S VIC AND MR. EVAN JONES'S GYP MATCHED FOR £40.. < A deposit of it a-side luis been made for thpse dogs, hailing from Tredegar, to run the best of 21 courses at -rabbita. 45yda. law, five minutes to elapse between each course, for zE5,19 a-side, at Llantarnam, on Monday, Decem- ber 2, at one p.m., tjie remaining: £19 a-side to be forwarded not later than November 27.

At a meeting of Cardiff plumbers held at the Technical Schools, Dumfries-place, on Tuesday evening Mr. W. H. Dasliwood Caple, the president of tlu district council for Car- diff, read an interesting paper on plumbing generally. Mr. E. B. Sawyer presided. j ■■»■ £ >■■■■■—H—n————■q—a—a

Dowlais Woman's Death INQUEST DISCLOSURES. A Sordid Story. An extraordinary state of things was revealed at an inquest at Dowlais on Tuesday on the body of a woman named Margaret Manning, who, with her husband, kept a lodging-house in Lower Iligh-street, Gelli- faelog, Dowlais. Deceased, who was only 28 years of age, had been married twelve years, and recently gave birth to her fourth child. The first witness at the inquest was James Manning, the husband, who said there was a bit of a disturbance in the lower kitchen between him and some of the lodgers, who wanted to cook a meal about midnight on Saturday. His wife, Margaret Manning, rushed down from the upper kitchen (where, accord- ing to another witneB8, Bhe was lying down) and told the men not to beat her husband." The lodgers went upstairs, and when he pro- ceeded some time later—about two a.m.— to the upper kitchen, he found the deceased in a speechless state on the stairs, and he carried her upstairs to bed. In the morning, about six o'clock, he found that she was dead. The witness would not admit that he or his wife, or Mary Dacey, who was there helping, were drunk, but they had had drink. Neither did he know where the drink his wife had or a bottle found in the bed came from. He acknowledged that decEased had been about ever since her confinement, and that during such periods she used to take whisky "for her good." Mary Dacey, living in Cross-street, Dowlais, who was in attendance on the deceased, would not admit any of them were drunk, and pro- fessed ignorance of the whisky bottle. She thought deceased must have had a fit or something on the stairs." Medical testimony was given by Dr. Mur- chison, of the Dowlais Works medical staff at Penydarrsn Surgery, who stated that he was called to deceased two days after her I confinement, on the 8th inst., and found ehe was in a high temperature and not quite in her senses. He was told she could not be kept in bed, and Mary Dacey told him she was drunk. He ordered Mrs. Manning to be kept to bed for ten days, but next day, when he called there again, she was about the house. A day or two after this he was summoned to see a young lad there, and found the woman again about, and she was drunk then. He was of opinion that she died of -syncope, brought on by neglecting herself and alco- holism. The Coroner said that the case was a most disgusting one. and the husband ought to have looked after the deceased better than he did. A verdict in accordance with the medical eyiclence was returned. The Coroner declined to pay the witnesses James Manning and Mary Dacey their fees.

CARDIFF POOR-LAW HOMES. Economies Talked Of. The following appeared in our Pink edition last night: — High-class cooking is taught in the children's homes maintained by the Cardiff Board lof Guardians. A girl who went out to service. when told to ccok a haddock in water, informed her mistress that in the homes they used to cook them in milk. When the homes visiting committee were told of this on Tuesday they began to consider whether the maximum of a pint of milk per child per day was not too much. Then a lady guardian, who had bought potatoes at cs. 6d. per cwt.. discovered that for the homes the price varied from 4s. 4d. in Grangetown to 5s. 6d. in Can- ton and 6s. in Roath. Another guar- dian (Mr. Sutherland) saw economy in pur- chasing one 31b. pot of jam instead of three lib. pots to last a fortnight. As to the idea that the children learnt shopping at the homes, he pointed out that whenever they did go to buy things the goods were booked, and they learnt a very bad habit. The upshot of it all was to appoint a committee, on the motion of Mr. T. Cross, to go into the ques- tion of supplying necessaries with a view to economy. The fint committee nominated consisted of men only, and Mrs. Norman pertinently inquired if any of them knew anything about housekeeping. Mr?. Sankey. with all due deference to the gentlemen, thought they were not so well versed in these matters as the ladies. With this protest the committee was altered to consist of Mrs. Norman, Mrs. Evans, Miss Rees Jane; Mr. T. Cross. Mr. W. J. Hall, and Mr. Brown.

EDWARD II. IN THE RHONDDA Interesting Address by Mr. Griffith, Ton Pentre. Speaking at a meeting of the Pentre Cym- mrodorion Society on Tuesday night, presided over by Alderman E. H. Davies, Mr. John Griffith, Ton, took as his subject "Edward II. in the Rhondda." The substance of the address was taken from "Edward II. in Glamorgan: The Tragic Downfall of the First Prince of Wales," a work from the pen of Mr. Griffith which is now appearing in the "Weekly Mail." The lecturer read a para- graph from Dr. Gwenogfryn Evans's report on Welsh manuscript, which states explicitly that Edward II. was captured at Penrhys, in the Rhondda. Valley. Of the authenticity of the account of the event Mr. Griffith gave what was stated to be better evidence than any which has hitherto been published. It appears that the capture was effected on November 16, 1326, when there were also taken pri80ners Hugh Ie Despenser, the lord of Glamorgan, and many other great men of the king. The lecturer then proceeded to give some interest- ing information relating to the history of Penrhys and tlie ecclesiastical establishment there; the meaning of the name, the tradition of the alleged defeat of Rhys ap Tewdwr at the place, and the account of the pulling down of the famous image of the Virgin, whose shrine thousands of persons visited annually. Mr. Griffith commended the practice of study- ing local antiquities and history as a means of testing the value and accuracy of general histories, and of distinguishing fact from fabl-3.

LOCAL WillS. Mr. St. Vincent Peel. J.P., D.L., of Dany- rallt, Carmarthen, high sheriff in 1899. and chairman of the Carmarthen Conservative Association, diod on August 27, aged 57, and his will, dated November 20.1895, with a codicil of November 6, 1597. has been proved in Lon- don by Herbert Peel. of Taliaris, Carmarthen, and Walter Spencer Peel. of Wennington, near Lancaster, the cousins, the value of the whole of the estate being £52,617 13s., and of the per- sonal property £44.213 7s. Under the powers of the settlement of the Danyrallt Estate, he appoints that on the death of the survivor of himself, his brother, and sister, and in the event of the failure of issue of himself and his brother and sister, the said estates shall be held on trust for Henry Peel, second son of his cousin William Peel. of Knowlmere MRnor. near Clitheroe. He gives to his wife. Mrs. Evelyn Peel, all his personal and domes- tic articles and the income for life of the residue of his property. Subject thereto 111s residuary estate is to go to his children in equal shares, and in default thereof on trust for his cousin George Neville Pee] for life, andthenforhisson Vivian. The will of Mr. Morgan Morgan, of Belgrave Villa, Llanblethian. Glamorgan, who died on August 26, has been proved by Mrs. Lydia Elizabeth Morgan, the widow and sole execu- trix; the value of the estate being JE554 8s. 2d. Probate of the will, dated October 7, 1891, of Dr. Henry Child Buckley, of 71. Linden-gar- dens, and formerly of Llanelly, J.P., who died on thj 26th August last, aged 57 years, has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Maria Isabella Buckley, a.nd his nephew, Mr. William Buck- ley Roderick, of LlaneHy, solicitor, by whom the testator's estate has been valued at £31.486 Os. ICd. gross, including personalty of the net value of.E23.617 Ms. lid. Dr. Buckley left all his property to his wife absolutely. Probate of the will of Mr. Alfred Edward Lane, of Woodlands-terrace, Swansea, who died on the 2nd of October last, and whose estate has been valued at £2,ù38 13s. 8d. gross, has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Emily Hester Lane.

STATUS OF TRADES UNIONS. Mr. S. Woods, secretary of the Parliamen- tary committee of the Trades Union Congress, has arranged a private conference between the committee and various Labour members and Mr. Asquith, Sir Charles Dilke, Sir Robert Reid, and Mr. Haldane on the question of the House of Lords decision in the Taff Vale action with reference to picketting. The object of the conference is to secure for the Trade Unions expert advice as to what form pf picketting. if any. is legal under the law as now defined by the House of Lords judgment.

The funeral of the late Mr. John Marshall, manager of the Metropolitan Bank (Bute Docks Branch). Cardiff, took place at Swansea on Tuesday. The remaiIM! were removed from his late residence, 44, Plymouth-road. Penarth, to the Great Western Station, and conveyed to Swansea by the 11.35 a.m. train. The funeral was a priY8.te one, bl1t the following relatives and friends attendedMr. W. Richardson, Mr. Joseph Howard, Mr. J. W. Bonnor, and Mr. A. E. Carlyle. The burial took place at the Swansea Cemetery, the service being con- ducted by the Rev. J. Watkins Jones, vicar of Christ Church in that town. A large number of floral tributes- were sent by relatives and friends. The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Messrs. G. Stone and Co., Car- diff.

Cardiff School Board. THE COMING ELECTION. Meeting of linsectarian Candidates. A meeting in support of the eight unsec- tarian candidates for election to the Cardiff School Board was held on Tuesday evening in the Cory-hall. Mr. Sidney Robinson presided, and he was supported by six out of the eight] candidates, Mr. Robert Bird, Mr. Joseph Howes [of the National Reform Union and Welsh National Liberal Council), Principal Edwards, Mr. A. Sessions. Mr. W. G. Blow, Mr. Morgan Thomas, Mr. David Shepherd. Mr. A. Good, Mr. Lester Jones, and others. The Chairman said that was a momentous day for education in Wales, for some of them had thr.t day been engaged in electing a suc- cessor t8 the late Principal Viriamu Jones. Their choice had fallen upon Mr. E. H. Griffiths, of Cambridge, and he (the chairman) would take that opportunity of publicly wish- ing the new principal of the university college every success in his difficult and arduous labours. He felt sure Mr. Griffiths was the right man in the right place. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Robert Bird moved the following resolu- tion:—"That in view of the danger to popular education created by the attitude of the Government towards that subject, and in view also of the fact that the retiring unsectarian members of the Cardiff School Board have acted unitedly and successfully in advancing the best interests of the scholars, this public meeting of the electors of the borough most heartily supports the candidature of the 'unsectarian eight'—Mrs. Edith Lester Jones, Alderman David Jones, J.P., the Rsv. J. Mor- gan Jones, Dr. T Wallace, J.P.. Dr. W. T. Edwards, J.P., Mr. H. M. Thompson, M.A., Mr. Lewis Williams, J.P., and Mr. Councillor John Chappel—and pledges itself to spare no effort to secure their return on December 11." He said the Cardiff School Board to-day was second to none in the United Kingdom. Yet the Government was determined to do all it could to destroy the work of such boards, and if anyone should create disunion in the un- sectarian camp a great responsibility would rest on him. Th-ey had no fear of returning the "uncectarian eight" at the Card'ff election. Principal Edwards, in seconding, said the friends of sectarian education had thwarted the school boards at every turn, and while Germany and America were forging ahead, the bogey of sectarian education was pressing on the community. Sectarian educationalists should define what they meant by definite religious teaching. He fouad definite religious teaching enough in the Word of God, and the religious teach- ing outside that became vague and indefinite. Their definite religious teaching meant for the priest to stand in the way of the progress of the people. The unsectarian party wanted to throw open the training col! ges, thirty of which belonged to the Church of England. As to the voluntary schools, in hundreds managed by the Church party not a single subscription was received, and if the strain had reached that point it was time to do away with subscriptions—or the appearance of them—altogether, and put all the schools under public managemtrnt. Mr. Joseph Howes supported the resolution. He said there had been some correspondence concerning that meeting and the bills announcing it in the "Western Mail." (A laugh.) One writer pointed out the fact that he had always found that the boys and girls coming from the Church schools were far more intelligent and observant than those who came from hoard schools. In an intelli- gent town like Cardiff it was amusing to have a citizen writing like that. Another gentle- man complained that the managers of the unsectarian party could not fight an election without referring in some way or other to the Churchmen who were responsible for the well-being of the voluntary schools. It would be impossible to conduct an election without referring to their opponents. The writer, who wae a member of the school board, also cha- racterised as libellous and untrue the state- ments that the unsectarian policy was equal; opportunities for the children, whilst the policy of the clerical party was to starve the schools and spoil the child. The writer, how- ever, showed the poesession of very little know- ledge on the subject. After remarking that while the country was prepared to spend many millions of money on killing people they hesitated over spending a few thousands on educating people, the speaker went on to review education in the past century ffom the unseetarian standpoint. The Chairman at this point read a letter from Mr. John Cory, who wished success to the" unsectarian eight." The resolution was then agreed to. Mr. Herbert Thompson, M.A., moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Howes. He said the election was interesting at a time when a deliberate attempt was made by the Government to go back to the time when the tradition was to keep back education. The members of the Cardiff School Board who were not of their party-the denominational l2lembere-were not what might be called wreckers. Some school boards were so unfortunate as to have on their body men who hindered the work. That was not, so in Cardiff. They ou¡:i1t to generously acknowledge that their colleagues on the hoard had worked in a generous and high-minded ■ manner. But if they were going to be asked to give those gentlemen a majority on the board they should remember that most of them were attached to the political party which had 80 heinously sinned in edu- cational matters. But. while it was per- fectly true that the gentlemen who served on the board with the unaectarian members were true educationalists, it was also true that many of them had put clerical instruction in the forefront of their progra.mme.. Mr. J. M. Jones seconded, and said the Government had harried the Inst school board and deprived it of £1,300 in grantB. Dr. W. T, Edwards supported. Dr. Wallace, who also supported, said that while he supported the Government in its opposition to Home Rule. he was opposed to it on its educational policy. If they went to a strictly logical point on the matter of religious education there would be none of any sort given in the public schools, but the sentiment of the country was strongly opposed to that. and if the Bible were banished the people would jnstly rebel. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The Nominations. Nominations have to be sent in or delivered ( by four o'clock this (Wednesday) afternoon, 1 and any candidate may withdraw not later 1 than December 2. In the event of a conteat the polling will take place on Wednesday, the 11th of December.

LIGHT RAILWAYS. Glamorgan C.C. Scheme Abandoned. It appears that the Glamorgan County Council have abandoned, for the present at any rate, most of the light railways which they originally projected, but they take credit for having checkmated the Brush Electric Traction Company, and induced local autho- rities to go to Parliament for powers to make the lines themselves. For instance, the Rhondda Urban District Council are pro- moting a Bill for the construction of light railways within their district and right up so far as Treherbert. while the Aberdare Council have taken similar steps to provide a system of electric traction within their boundaries. Representatives of the county council state that it is a matter ot indifference to them who makes the railways so long as the work is done. For the present the proposed line from Bridgend to Tonyrefail has been abandoned, as it was not likely to j bo remunerative. The scheme for joining the linee between Swansea and Neath and Briton Ferry and Taibach have been post- poned, but the council are now applying to the Board of Trade for a Provisional Order to make a tramway from Morriston to Clydaeh and Llanguieke, and negotiations with the Swansea Corporation are pending with..that object in view. This is, in fact. the only part of a large scheme which the county 1 authority are proceeding with at present.

.J W.G.B.A. Half-yearly Meetings. The half-yearly meetings of the West Glamorgan Baptist Association were held at Aberdulais on Tuesday. At eleven a.m. a con- ference was held in connection with the Sun- day School, under the presidency of Mr. Wil- liam Griffiths, Clydach. The Rev. T. Morgan, Skewen, delivered an address. A temperance conference was aubsequently held, when the claims of the young in the face of the perilous habits of the age were discussed.—-At the association conference at two o'clock the Rev. J. D. Harries, Llansamlet, took the chair. The allegations of the Rev. J. E. Flower, M.A.. against Welsh Churches and ministers were brought before the conference by the Rev. T. Morgan. Skewen, who proposed that, as Mr. Flower refused to withdraw them, he should be invited to meet a committee of Baptists to investigate the charges.—The Rev. D. B. Richards, Brynhyfryd, said it would be best to co-operate with the Free Church Council in the matter, and this suggestion was adopted, and it was agreed to ask the Free Church Council that the Rev. E. Edmunds, secretary of the Welsh Union, should repre- sent the Baptists upon the committee of inquiry.—The Rev. D. B. Richards submitted the report of the Twentieth Century Fund, and said most of the Churches had now taken up the movement, and a large number of meetings were being held this winter.

COLLIERS' WAGES. Is Trouble Brewing P MR. D. A. THOMAS ON THE MOVE. The directors of the Cambrian Colliery Com- pany at a meeting held in London on Tuesday considered the proposals of the men for a minimum wage of 30 per cent. and a maximum of 60 per cent. above the standard of 1879. An alternative scheme was submitted, but the directors determined to abide by their original decision. The alternative proposal referred to was made by Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., who until recently was a director of the Cambrian Col- lieries, and is still a large shareholder therein. It was to the effect that the company should accept a minimum of 40 per cent. and a maxi- mum of 70, as demanded by the South Wales Miners' Federation, on condition that there shall be no fur- ther stop-days at those collieries. With his characteristic astuteness, Mr. D. A. Thomas can foresee trouble in the South Wales coal- field when the sliding-scale agreement termi- nates next year, if not earlier, and is, there- fore, anxious that the Cambrian Company shall be placed in a position to continue its operations when the associated collieries are idle, as was the case during the strike of 1898. The company have already agreed to a con- ciliation board, with an independent chairman in- the person of Judge Owen, and if the demands of the Federation over the question of a minimum and maximum wage were con- ceded it would make it more difficult for other colliery proprietors to come to terms with the mEn, as it may be taken for granted that they will not agree to a minimum of 40 per cent., which is equivalent to a selling price of about 128. 6d. per ton f.o.b. During the struggle of 1898 the minimum demanded was only 17, per cent. above the standard, and this the asso- ciated owners refused to accept. Naturally, the Miners' Federation would have been delighted if Mr. D. A. Thomas's scheme had been adopted by the Cambrian directors. It would have strengthened their position considerably in negotiating with the other employers on the subject of a minimum wage. A meeting of the council was called at short notice for Tuesday, chiefly for the pur- pose of receiving the decision of the directors, and had it been favourable there is no doubt that to-day's "stop-day," so far as it relates to the Cambrian Collieries, would have been countermanded. The council sat, with a short adjournment for tea, from two o'clock -<litil after six, but the telegraphic message which they expected did not arrive, for the reason that the directors refused to accept even a mini- mum of 30 per feent. and a maximum of 60, limits which have been advocated by some of the men's leaders as the best which they could possibly hope to secure. So far Mr. D. A. Thomas's efforts to avoid "stop-days" at the Cambrian Collieries, and to enable the com- pany to reap another golden harvest in the event of a strike or lock out at the associated mines, have fallen flat, and the Federation have been deprived of a lever which might have assisted them in their negotiations). Meeting of the Federation Council A meeting of the executive council of the South Wales Miners' Federation was held at the Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday. Mr. Nicholas (of the firm of Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas, solicitors, Pontypridd), who has accepted service of the writs issued against the Federation and others had a long con- sultation with the members. The following official report was issued:- A meeting of the executive council of the South VTales and Monmouthshire Miners' Federation was held at Cardiff today. Present: Messrs. W. Brace (in the chair), Alfred Onions (treasurer), David Beynon, Evan Thomas, Thomas Thomas, Ben. Davies, Daronwy Isaac, John Thomas, Enoch Morell, William Vyce, Jabez Jones, Vernon Harthorn, C. B. Stanton. George Barker, D. Watts Morgan, Thomas Evans, Thomas James, W. E. Morgan, and Thomas Richards (secretary).— The council passed a vote of sympathy with Mr. James Baker, checkweigher at Yniehir, who was struck down with paralysis while at work a few daY8 ago. The council expreseed a hope that lie would soon recoyer, as they could ill afford to lose his services on the council at the present juncture." NO WORK TO-DAY. In accordaace with the instructions issued by the workmen's representatives on the sliding- scale committee, the colliers in the South Wales coalfield will be idle to day (Wedncs- day). Reveral meetings will be held, among them being a demonstration at Abertillery, which will be addressed by Mr. W. Brace, and another at Tonypandy, where Mr. Watts Morgan will be the chief speaker. Appeal Against an Aberdare Conviction. At Aberdare Police-court on Tuesday Mr. W. P. Nicholas, Pontypridd, attended for the purpose of having the necessary recognisances entered into for proceeding with the appeal in the case of John Powell, who was last week ordered to pay damages for absenting himself from the service of Lord Bute at Tower Colliery, Hirwain. The Stipendiary Magistrate, at the hear- ing, agreed to state a case.—Defendant and Mr. Gwilym M. Evans, proprietor of the "Tariam," entered into the necessary sureties of JESO each^

Yesterday's War News. CAPE RAIDERS HARASSED, MIDDELBURG (Cape Colony), Monday. On the 22nd inst. Colonel Munro engaged Myburg's commando at Blarney, north-east of Barkly East. One Boer was killed and twelve others were picked up wounded. Some rifles and a quantity of ammunition were also cap- tured, and in addition 40 horses were either taken or destroyed.—Press Association War Special. Colonial Military Control. CAPE TOWN, Tuesday. Colonel Lucas will command the nrst division of the districts which have been placed under the military control of the Colonial Govern- ment. The second division will be under the command of Colonel Crewe.—Reuter. Local Casualties. The War Office on Tuesday night issued the following: 2nd South Wales Borderers.—6,059 Private E. Mytton died from dysentery at Johannesburg November 23. The undermentioned reported dangerously ill, suffering from enteric where not otherwise stated — At Kimberley, November 24:- 1st Welsh Fusiliers Mounted Infantry.—6,124 Lance-corporal R. Gray, gunshot wound. At Germiston, November 23:- 2nd South Wales Borderer8.-7,652 Private Henry Yates; 1,520 Private E. Thomas, abscess of liver. At Klerksdorp, November 23:- 2nd South Wales Borderers.—3,599 Private Henry Liddington and 6,745 Private II. James Farkey.

THE CARDIFF MYSTERY. Deceased Identified. The man found in afi unoccupied house in Love-lane, Cardiff, and who subsequently died at the Cardiff Union Workhouse, haa. been identified from a photograph circulated by the Cardiff police authorities as a fireman named Warne, recently sailing out 'of New- port. The mother of the deceased, Mrs. E. T. Warne, resides at Adelaide House, Church- road, St. George's, Bristol.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A SWANSEA MAN. At Herefordshire Assizes on Tuesday Michael O'Neill (40), labourer, of Swansea, pleaded guilty to a criminal assault on a married woman at Llanwarne. Prisoner was sentenced to twelve calendar months' hard labour.

Cardiff Man's Failure. The bankruptcy case re John Alfred Reeves, late of the Universal Stores, Cowbridge-road, Cardiff, we are informed by the late manager that debtor did not transfer his business to the latter in June last for JE175, as reported at the first meeting of creditors. What happened was that, finding the business did not pay, debtor closed it and disposed of the stock. A portion of it was bought by the manager for the sum named, io order to open a business elsewhere.

When yon ask for Gwilvm Evans' Quinine Bitters tee that you get it. with the name "GwilYID Evans" 011 the Label, 8tamp, and Bottle. Then you are lIafe. Indignantly reject substitute*. 41617-4

Newport Town Council. WATER SUPPLY QUESTION AND OTHER MATTERS. The following appeared in our Extra and later Editions last night: — A special meeting of the Newport Corpora- tion was held at the Town-hall on Tuesday, the mayor (Alderman H. J. Davis) presiding. The first business was the election of an alderman in place of the late Mr. J. R. Richards. The senior councillor, Mr. T. Golds- worthy, was elected unanimously. Mr. Golds- worthy thanked the council for the honour which had been conferred upon him after seventeen years' service in the council. GRIFFIN-STREET OBSTRUCTION. The question of the obstruction caused by the wrecked buildings in Griflin-street which collapsed on October 1 last was brought up by Alderman Bear, who wanted to know if the obstruction could not be cleared, and also whether the council could not compel builders erecting premises in the main streets to give the public an unimpeded passage along the pavement by putting a platform over the footway. The Town-clerk said the council had the power to call upon builders to provide such a clear way without new bye-laws. With refe- rence to the Griffin-street premises, he had, acting upon the instructions of the works com- mittee, written to the solicitors of the lessees, whom the corporation considered the persons liable to the corporation as the ownerll of the place, and he had received a reply that imme- diate steps would be taken for the re-building of the premises. THE TRAMWAY HORSES. Upon the report of the electricity and tram- ways committee being brought up. Mr. Guy called attention to the horses now being used in the cars on the streets. Some of them. he thought, were really not. fit for use. Alderman Moses, the chairman of the com- mittee, admitted that some of the horses were not fit for work, and the committee were getting rid of them ,aa rapidly as they could. Some of the horses had been sent to the knackers. Mr. Parfitt said he saw some of the horses on the Shaftesbury-street route which could not put their hind legs down. If anyone else had sent out such horses, they would have been prosecuted before the magistrates. THE WATER SUPPLY. A good deal of discussion occurred upon the question of the water supply. The subject was brought up by Alderman Goldsworthy in submitting the reports of the waterworks com- mittee. The present storage was only 29,500,000 gallop-the lowest point that had ever been touched by the waterworks under- taking. The daily consumption was about a million and a quarter gallons, and the present intake was about 600,000 gallons daily. Work had been set on foot to bring all the springs into the reservoirs, and something like 30,000 gallons per day had been turned into the Pantyreos Reservoir. Ever since April 21 there had been an almost continued drought, and the only addition to the storage above the con- sumption since then had been about 4,000,000 gallons. The waterworks committee had still under consideration the sinking of artesian wells, and also the offer of about 100,000 gallons per day of the overflow of the Western Valleys Waterworks supply. Mr. T. Parry, who seconded the adoption of the report, said they would have to exercise care for the next eighteen months. They could not hope, in spite of the, great progress which was being made at Wentwood, to get water into the town till the summer after next. Mr. W. J. Lloyd expressed the opinion that the waterworks committee were far too self- satisfied. They never seemed to do anything wrong. There was a very strong impression outside that the offer of the Western Valleys W ater Company should be given more serious consideration. They were offered the surplus water, and at times half a million gallons of water per day passed down to the Severn. If it could be utilised for the purposes of New- port it was most desirable. Mr. Brown was satisfied that the committee felt the responsibility which was cast upon them. Very great care and attention had been given by the committee to every sugges- tion for increasing the water supply to the town. They had merely deferred their con- sideration of the Western Valleys Company's offer in view of the comparatively small quantity of water offered, the expense which would be incurred in laying down pipe.13, the charge for the water, and the fact that they might be given 24 hours' notice of the with- drawal of the supply. Mr. Cordey said the expense of getting the water was nothing to be compared to the health of the people, and if th&y could get 120,000 gallons per day from the Western Valleys they ought to have it. They should press upon the waterworks committee to arrange for the supply from the Risca Water- works, even if the pipes cost £1,000 or £2,000. Mr. F. Phillips concurred, and expressed the fear that next summer Newport would be in an extremely serious position with regard to water. They could tide over the winter, no doubt, but it was next summer they had to consider. He suggested artesian wells, in addition to the supply from Risca. Let them get all the water they could. Mr. Wilkinson asked some questions, after which Mr. Greenland said some of the speakers had assumed too much with regard to what the committee had or had not done. They were still open to get water where they could. Mr. Canning thought the public were using more water at present than they ought to under the circumstances. The public must economise. He hoped the committee would not let the offer of the Western Valleys Com- pany slip indefinitely. The crux of the whole position was the completion of the Llan- vaches Reservoir, which could be got on with more rapidly. Mr. Guy and Mr. Parfitt favoured getting the water offered from Risca, the latter sug- gesting a 6in. main should be connected, and not a 3in., which would be insufficient to supply 120,000 gallons per day. The Mayor said he saw the police reports every morning, and page after page was marked "Water running to waste," and "Pipes burst." There was an enormous quantity of water being wasted, and he hoped that the people would exercise better economy. He thought they might now leave it to the com- mittee to do their best to deal with the water question. The report was then adopted. SELECTION COMMITTEE. The selection committee reported their recommendations for the constitution of the various committees of the council. Colonel Herbert (the only new member) was recom- mended for the sanitary, the lunacy visiting, the parks, and the housing of the working classes committees. The Mayor moved the adoption of the com- mittee's recommendations en bloc. At his own request. Mr. Lloyd's name was removed from the electricity and tramways committee, Mr. Lloyd stating that he was a shareholder in the gas company. Several names were suggested for addition to the free library committee, but it tran- spired that some of these gentlemen had been on the committee, and had not attended'" 25 meetings, and the Mayor ruled that if they were to be again nominated notice of motion must be given. The other committees were adopted as recommended by the committee. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. Mr. W. H. Brown was elected a representa- tive of the council on the court of governors of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, in place of the late Alder- man Richards

SUBSIDENCES BY COLLIERY WORKINGS Claim at Glamorgan Assizes. The following appeared in our Extra and later Editions last night: — A claim for subsidence caused by colliery workings was heard by Mr. Justice Phillimore at the Glamorgan Assizes on Tuesday, the parties being William Bufton, plaintiff, and Robert Christopher Thomas and the Merthyr Brick and Tile Company defendants. Mr. John Sankey (instructed by Mr. F. C, Symonds) was for the claimant; Mr. Abel Thomas, K.C., M.P., and Mr. Latham (instructed by Mr. T. Pierce) for Thomas, and Mr. J. Plews (instructed by Messrs. J. Vaughan and Sons) for the company. The property affected is a small cottage at Pantyffin, Merthyr, occupied by plaintiff and his family, held under a lease from 1856 by plaintiff, and afterwards by Thomas Jenkins. By an assignment of 1898 Jenkins transferred his right to the minerals to the company, which at once commenced driving a level through a seam of coal running beneath the cottage. Mr. Sankey added that during the the occupants once or twice ran out of the house, supposing it was collapsing. A number of subsidences had occurred in and around the cottage, involving damage which was set at JE120. A sum of £15 was paid into court by the defendant company. The evidence was wholly expert, and the estimates given varied widely. To rebuild the cottage, and to put it into its original state, would cost £200, but for the defence it was said that the cracks, Ac., could be repaired by paint- ing and plastering for JE12 or £15, His Lordship intimated that there was a technical breach of agreement by the defen- dant Thomas. It was not proved that the defendants had worked under the house, but there was a suspicion that they did. Having heard counsel, his Lordship gave judgment for plaintiff against both defen- dants. Against Thomas there was little except the breach of covenant disposing of a right to work minerals, and the nominal damage of 40s. would be sufficient. The defendant company was clearly liable for the damage done to the 1 cottage, which his lordship assessed at £60, with costs against both, explaining that it was necessary to deal in round fi*7ira». )

CARDIFF SHEBEEN. Case Without Precedent EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGATIONS, Tampering With a Witness. PAID .£5 TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY, t; Police Morality Questioned The following appeared in our Fifth and later editions last night: — A case without precedent, even in the annals of Cardiff shebeening, was investigated by Mr. T. W. Lewis (stipendiary magistrate) at the police-court on Tuesday. Mrs. Mary Hackett appeared upon an adjourned summons charged by Police-con- stable Little with selling beer by retail with- out a licence at No. 8, Mary Ann-street, on November 10. Mr. Morgan Rees was again for the defence. When the case was last before the court, Little gave evidence. A man named Phillips, a collier from Caerphilly, was also put into the box, and he stated that he went to the house with Thomas Roberts, his cousin,. a Cardiff man. Mrs. Hackett. it was alleged, was on the premises carrying beer in the bottles. Roberts, who is a labourer living at 16, Rose- street, Cardiff, was not present at the last hearing, though subpoenaed as a witness. He now turned up, and, asked by Mr. Rees for an explanation, replied, "I was bought to clear out until the trial for a fortnight." What do you mean?—I was given £ 5. Who gave it to you?—This woman (pointirg to defendant). Herself?—Yes. She has been tormenting me ever since the case started. Giving evidence in the case, witness admitted that on the Sunday morning in Question, about 9.30, ho went with his cousin to 8, Mary Ann-street, for the purpose of buy- ing beer. They walked into the back kitchen. and found six men drinking bottled beer. Defendant afterwards came in with beer in bottles in a pocket under her dress. Witness ordered two pint bottles, which defendant gave him, and he handed her 4d. for each bottle. Mr. Morgan Rees: You say defendant gave you £ 5?—Yes. When?—Last Thursday. Where?—At 32, Buzzard-street. I ask you to be careful. Was it defendant who gave you the money?-YcE, sir. Didn't you go to defendant and ask her to give you £25 to clear out?—No, sir. Do you swear it?—I swear it, sir. Have you ever asked her for any money?— No, never. I Had you been to any other place on that Sunday morning?—No, sir; not before then. I had two bottles in my own house. Did Polioe-constable Little give you 10s. to make a case of it?—No. Further examined, witness said: My cousin had never been to the house before. I am not an "old hand." I have never been in the court before. My cousin was here for the football match. We were not pretty full from the night before. I had a bottle of whisky in the house and two bottles of beer. I had no com- munication with Little or any other police- constable before I went to the house. I had not been in Garth-street that morning. Police-constable Little was then called. Mr. Rees put it to him: Had you seen them before they came out of No. 8?—No, sir. Did you have any conversation with Roberts or Phillips?—No. Did you give either of them any money?— No, sir. I never saw them. On that day or at any time?—I did not. sir. Didn't you give Roberts 10s. ?—I did not, sir. Had you seen the two men in Garth-street?— No, sir. Did they go to No. 8 in consequence of some- thing you told them?—I didn't tell them any- thing. I have never spoken to them. Police-constable Sidney Latham was stand- ing at the Bute-terrace corner of Mary Ann- street, and saw the defendant leave No. 54 and cross the street to go to No. 8. Witness left, and, on returning in five minutes, saw Roberts walking from the direction of No. 8. Little intercepted him, and took a bottle of beer from under his coat. Little took Roberts to No. 54. and witness when he got there saw defendant open the door. Little said to her, "1 have stopped this man" (Roberts) "coming from No. 8 with a bottle of beer, and he says you have supplied him with it." Defendant said, "He must be a fool to say that. I have not seen the man before." Roberts replied, Yes, you did; you supplied me. and I paid you 4d. a bottle." Defendant said, This is another plot, I suppose, to have me. I have not been over to No. 8 this morn- ing." Witness told ller she would be reported, and she said he might do as he liked. Mr. Rees: Were you with Little before it happened?—I didnt see him. Mr. Rees consulted with his client, and said that, aCter the evidenee of the two men and that of the police, he had advised defendant to plead guilty. The Stipendiary: She must not expect excep- tional treatment at the end of the case after the overwhelming evidence that has been given. Mr. Rees: I have advised her that she ought to plead guilty under the circumstances. The Stipendiary remarked that Mr. Rees had acted honourably as an advocate, but it was too late in the day to expect exceptional treatment. Mr. Rees, on behalf of defendant, said she was a struggling woman, with an invalid husband away from Cardiff. She had to maintain her- self, and he feared she had taken to this method of doing it.. T'hat was no excuse, of course, but defendant was not in the position of some, who acted with deliberation and carried this on as a trade without working. The Stipendiary: Has she a wholesale licence? Superintendent Hayward Yes, your worship. In November, 1892, she was convicted of selling beer without a licence, and was convicted and fined £50 and costs, or one month. The Stipendiary: Are there any other con- victions? Superintendent Hayward: None. The hus- band has been fined £50 and costs for illegally selling. A summons is pending against defen- dant for being the occupier where the beer was allowed to be sold. The "deputy" of the house absconded. A warrant was issued for his apprehension, and is still out. A £100 Penalty. The Stipendiary observed that there were circumstances in the case which made it a peculiarly aggravated one. First, it was clearly proved that there had been an attempt to corrupt a witness, and that it very nearly succeeded. In the next place, defendant had, under the cloak of a wholesale licence, carried on a retail house, and these were peculiarly aggravated circumstances. He imposed the maximum penalty of £ 100 and costs, or three months. months. Mr. Rees asked for time in which to pay the money. Superintendent Hayward: She didn't pay the other fine. She went to prison for that. I am afraid she hasn't the goods to levy on for £100. The Stipendiary: It is not a case to give time. Mr. Rees: If time is given probably the money will be paid. Defendant said that was so, adding that she was possessed of property. Mr. Rees: She might arrange for time. The Stipendiary: If a substantial portion is paid down to-day I will give time for the rest. Defendant: My property is mortgaged. I will raise a mortgage. The Stipendiary ordered £50 to be paid down at once, and the other moiety in three months.

HIS PHISON EXPERIENCES. Addressing the Pharos Club, in London, on Tuesday night on his recent prison experience. Earl Russell said, on the whole, he found little fault with his treatment. Although first- class misdemeanant, he experienced most of the inconveniences of such confinement, and among the chbf of his disabilities his lordship mentioned the difficulty of obtaining articles of ordinary use and insufficient exercise. Respecting the sanitary condition of Hollo- way Prison, his lordship declared the pub- lished statements as to the agitation in prison in consequence of vermin were not exagge- rated. In conclusion, hig lordship said he could suggest no reforms in the manner in which prisons were at present conducted.

W. Bro. George Bell, P.G.S.O., was on Mon- day installed W.M. of the Keystone Lodge of Mark Masons of England and Wales at the Masonic-hall, Newport. W. Bro. J. H. Taylor, P.P.G.S.W., performed the installation cere- money. W. Bro. Bell was afterwards appointed Charity Steward. The officers for the year were appointed and invested as follows: E. W. Schofield, P.P.G.M.O., I.P.M.; L. S. .brahamson. P.P.G.I.G.. S,W.; B. Willans, P.P.G.D., J.W.; J. Dixon. M.O.; E. Hughes, P.J.D.. S.O.; A. S. Morgan, P.G.S.B., J.O.; W. H. Shute, P.P.G.S.W., treasurer; F. J. Roberts, P.P.G.R., secretary; J. H. Taylor, P.P.G.S.W., D.C.; H. Allen, P.P.G.S.W., R.M.; F. Matthews, P.St.. S.D.; J. Matthias. P.G., Supt. Wks., J.D.; E. G. R. Richards, P.P.G.O., organist; R. J. Pottinger Hodge, I.G.; W. Naish. C. Pullen. P.G.S.. T. Pullen. Stewards.

By the Way. '} I Prince Kropotkin is rather seriously ill. He has had to give up his engagements in the near future. Mr. J. G. Goschen, M.P., has, through indis- position, been compelled to cancel all public engagements for a time. The Marquess and Marchioness of Bath have been on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Powis at Powis Castle, Montgomeryshire, since, they left Longleat Hall, Wiltshire. The "Norddeutsche Algemeine Zeitung" cha- racterises as an invention the statement that the German Emperor intended sending the Crown Prince on a journey round the world. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon have returned to Highclere, the family seat near Newbury, from Bretby Park, near Derbyshire, and will this week entertain a large party for pheasant and ground game shooting. Sir J. W. Carrington, C.M.G., Chief Justice of Hong Kong, has come to England On leave of absence, granted to him on account of ill- health. It is understood that in May next he will resign his office and retire on pension. Sir Redvers and Lady Audrey Buller, on con eluding their visit to Mr. and Lady Mabel Howard, at Greystoke Castle, Penrith, are to visit their relative. Sir Reginald Ogilvy, at Baldovan House, near Dundee. At the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge, on Tuesday Mr. F. W. Long, B.A. (Cantab.), agricultural lecturer of the Glamorgan County Council, delivered his fortnightly lecture, the subject being "Manures." There was a fair atten- dance. The Colonial Secretary has selected four sisters from Guy's Hospital—Miss S. A. Hyland, Miss C. R. Jones, Miss A. Willes. and Miss E. K. Finnemore—to proceed next week to South Africa as matrons of the concentration camp^ for Boer women and children. There is a man at present working at Blaen- avon Collieries who, may possibly claim a record for walking. For 38 years he has walked to and from his work a distance of two and a half miles each way, and, taking 313 working days to a year, he has, therefore, travelled 59,470 miles. The Lord Chancellor will preside at the dinner to which the Irish members of the Bench and Bar will entertain the Master of the Rolls (Sir R. Henn Collins) and Lord Justice Mathew at the Grand Hotel on Satur- day, December 7, in celebration of their recent judicial preferments. Sir Thomas Scanlen. who has just started back for South Africa, after a long holiday in this country, was Premier of Cape Colony twenty years ago. Afterwards he went to the Transvaal to practise as a lawyer, and finally migrated to Rhodesia, where he is local legal adviser to the Chartered Company. A marriage is announced to take place between Captain Heneage, Grenadier Guards, eldest son of Major Heneage, V.C., of Comptoai Bassett, Wiltshire, and Miss Dorothy Helyar, only daughter of the late Mr. Horace Helyar, of Croker Court, Somersetshire, and Lady Savile, of Rufford Abbey, Notts. "Electricity" tells of a remarkable innova- tion about to be made in Paris. The police- men on night duty are to have electric lights on various parts of their uniforms and at the extrerftities of their batons. These will be worked by pressing a (waistcoat) button, and the object is the regulation of the street traffic. The Prince of Wales has been pleased to accept from the Council of the Art Union of London a proof impression of the etching by Mr. W. L. Wyllie, A.R.A.. entitled, "Victoria Victrix, 1st February, 1901." which the council are issuing to the members of the society for the present year. Yesterday was the birthday of both the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Hesse, though they keep it far apart. The Grand Duke is 33, his Consort (and cousin) is eight years younger. The King and Qneen of Por- tugal are in similar caae, both celebrating their birthday on the 28th of September. Lord and Lady Bateman were expected at Shobdon Court, their seat in Herefordshire. last week, but have been detained in London by the somewhat serious illness of Lord Bate- man. He has had to undergo an operation at 57, Beaumont-street, and, though very weak, is progressing as satisfactorily as can be expected. Miss Marie Corelli, since lecturing to the members of the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution, has been subjected to an attack of illness, and her medical adviser has enjoined rest and complete cessation from work. She is still in Edinburgh, but hopes to return to her home at Stratford-on-Avon in a few days. Yesterday there was a slight improvement in Miss Corelli's condition. Mr. E. I. Thomas, son of the late Mr. Rees Thomas, Brynawel, Usk, who was articled to Mr. W. Montgomery White, Norfolk-street, Strand, W.O., has passed the final examina- tion of the Incorporated Law Society. Mr. George Davies, of St. Mellons, an articled pupil of Messrs. Meyrick and Davies, solicitors, Cardiff, has passed the intermediate examina- tion. Strong protests have been made against the exclusion of Colonials from competing in Henley Regatta. The captain of the Argonaut Rowing Club writes from Toronto:—"One single incident may show that our oarsmen regard themselves as Britishers when it is pointed out that no less than 28 members of the Argonaut Rowing Club alone served their term in the field in South Africa." The Duke of Connaught, aa Grand Master of Mark Masons, has re-appointed for a further term of three years the Earl of Yarborough as Grand Master for Lincolnshire, the Earl of Halsbury for Cornwall, and Mr. Justice Burkitt for Bengal. His Royal Highness has also appointed Mr. Frank Richardson to be president of the general board, and Mr. John Strachan, K.C., to be Grand Registrar. The eight young Frasers of Lovat, men and women, are accounted the handsomest family north of the Tweed, and they are mostly clever, the girls being capital musicians, and one or two of them very fair artists. Beaufort Castle, their place in Inverness, with its splendid deer forests, grouse moors, miles of fishing, and priceless historic treasures, is usually let in the autumn to one American millionaire or another. Some preliminary proceedings in connection with the claim to hold the office of Lord Great Chamberlain of England are expected to take place before the Court of Claims on December 4, but the formal hearing before the Committee of Privileges of the House of Lords will not open probably before February. There are now four claimants for the office, the Duke of Athol, the Earl of Ancaster, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, and Lord Carrington. The Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse Darmstadt, who, it is said, resist all efforts at reconciliation whether made by the German Emperor or the Duchess Marie of Saxe- Coburg, Were both born on November 25, the duke eight years before his wife. This coinci- dence, however, cannot be considered as an unlucky omen, as the King and Queen of Por- tugal, whose union has been a. complete success, were also born on the same day of the year. Dr. Henry Woodward. Keeper of the Geologi- cal Department of the British Museum of Natural History, retired on Saturday. His service has extended over nearly forty-five years, and for about twenty-two of them he has filled the responsible office which he has now vacated. In this position, during the lat- ter half of 1880. Dr. Woodward effected the removal of the entire geological collection from Bloomsbury to Cromwell-road, and its arrange- ment in the new galleries.' We are officially informed that the State medal, which will be issued next year on the occasion of the Coronation of their Majesties the King and Queen Consort, will be designed and struck in the Royal Mint in accor- dance with long custom. Its execution has been entrusted to Mr. G. W. De Sanlles, Engraver to the Mint. As in the case of the medal issued in 1897 to commemorate the sixtieth year of her late Majesty's reign, it will be struck in two sizes, the larger of which will be in gold, silver, and bronze.