Evening Express

CARDIFF AND THE MARQUESS OF BUTE'S MAJORITY. His Lordship Invited to a Mayoral Dinner. An addition haa been made to the pro- gramme arranged for the festivities to be held it Cardiff next month to celebrate Lord Bute's majority. The Mayor of Cardiff (Mr. F. J. Beavan) has decided to invite the marquess to attend a dinner that he will give in his lordships honour, but the exact date is not bed as yet.

ROYAL COMMISSION ON COAL The first meeting of the Royal Commission nquiring into the coal supplies of the United Kingdom was held at Westminster under the presidency of Mr. W. L. Jackson.— Evidence with regard to the limit of depth in mining and the minimum thicknees of work- able seams was given by Mr. Joseph Dickinson, late his Majesty's Inspector of Mines and a member of the Royal Coal Commission of 1866, and as to limit of depth of mining by Mr. Henry Bramall. Pendlebury Collieries, Man- chester. Both witnesses put in a number of diagrams and figures dealing with ventilation, temperature, workings, and so on.

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS. The following are the readings since five o'clock last srening, as givŒ by the barometer in the vestibule of the "livening Express," St. Kary-.trcet, Cardiff, which in 33ft. above mean sea level. I 5 a *fm. Attn. n 30-5j :1.-===1===== ====== 30 0 .»•»'"•« ■ji"" | «•

CARDIFF INFIRMARY. Institution Again in Want of Funds. CONTINUANCE OF SUNBEAM LEAGUE ADVOCATED. As reported in the Pink Edition of yester- day's "Evening Express." A meeting of the board of management of the Cardiff Infirmary was held on Wednesday, Mr. J. B. Ferrier in the chair. The Secretary presented his monthly state- ment, showing that the mumber of patients awaiting admission were as follows:— Medical and surgical. 76 men, 7 women, and 14 chil- dren; gynaecological, 79; ophthalmic, 26 men, 6 women, and 4 children—total 232. The patients in the house at present numbered 132, and there were eleven empty beds. The Secretary read the financial statement. which showed that the balance in hand (after payment of bills passed that day) was £1.487: The Chairman said that the subscriptions received were now within JE400 of the total amoani received last year. They had got through only about half of the year's working. and if something were not done they would have a deficiency of over £,).000 at the end of the year. Something must be done in order- to carry on the institution efficiently for the remainder of the year. The canvassing com- mittee in the "hills" had been at work. and had done their utmost. He hoped that the Cardiff canvassing committee would show as much eagerness as the out-of-town committees had done. Mr. T. M. Barlow wrote on behalf of the Sunbeam League asking that Mrs. Waldron. Mrs. Swinez, and himself should be elected as life vice-presidents of the infirmary, in accordance with a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the league.—This was agreed to. Mr. Barlow also intimated that the Sun- beam League would cease operations w'.th the end of the current year. The Chairman suggested that the Sunbeam League should be appealed to to continue its operations. Looking at the finances of the infirmary, he felt that they could not afford to lose the support and assistance of the league. The fact that the canvassing com- mittee would probably be working need not interfere with the league. Mr. T. H. Stephens expressed agreement with the chairman's suggestion. de could see no reason why the league should not con- tinue to exist. Mr. J. W. Courtis explained that one re J eon why the league was to be stopped was that a large sum of money had been obnm. through the assistance of the school teachers and the school children. That, however, was to be stopped, as the school contributions would come to the infirmary direct. Mr. Wilmot, speaking on behalf of the school teachers, thought there was no reason why the Sunbeam League hou3e-to-house col- lection should not be carried on. Tt would not interfere with the work done by the schools, especially in some wards. It was decided that the chairman and fcne- tary should confer with Dr. C. T. Vachell and Mr. Barlow on the subject. THE HOUSEMAID'S KNEE CASE. The medical board presented a report, in which they said:—"That in reply to the reference back of the resolution of June 9 by the board of management, the medical board begft to re-affirm the expression of opinion therein contained." Several memberu wanted to know what this meant. Mr. 1. Samuel: It is answered by Clause 9 of the house committee's report. The clause referred to was:—"(9) The report of the medical board, together with a letter from Dr. Rhys Griffiths, with reference to the case of Martha James was read. Resolved— That having regard to the facta stated in Dr. Rhys Griffiths' letter, and to the state- ment made to them by Dr. Evan Jones, the acting resident medical officer, this committee are of opinion that the case of Martha Jameti ought not to have been admitted when there were other cases of equal, if not greater, urgency already on the books awaiting admission, and that this case should not have received priority over the others." One or two members still asked what this referred to. Mr. J. Stanfield: It refers to that case of housemaid's knee. Mr. J. W. Courtis: Oh. that has been dealt with and settled quite enough now, I should think. Di. Lynn Thomas moved that the report ihould be adopted, and this was agreed to. CONTRIBUTION AND THANKS. Mr Geo. Burton, writing from Trealaw, en- closed cheque for £8, the second contribution from the Llwynypia House Coal Colliery work- men, making a total of over JE16 for the year. He wrote that after his visit to the infirmary he felt sad at finding the institution so much crippled through want of funds, and expressed the hope that the men of other collieries would contribute-more. I Mr. Edward England sent a receipt for £16 14s. 9d.. thus presenting the infirmary with goods supplied for several months past. Messrs. Richardson and Co. wrote stating that the receipts at the promenade concerts during Coronation week were £20 short of the limit fixed by Mr. Corbett, and that there was no profit on the undertaking. They had decided, however, to send £5 5s. to the infir- mary. and enclosed cheque for that amount. Lieutenant-colonel T. Woods, writing from Llandaff, said:—"Thanks, I fear. are but too frequently expressed in a perfunctory form. I wish to convey my own to the medical and nursing staffs of the Cardiff Infirmary for the skill, care. and unremitting attention bestowed upon my servant, Annie Glanville, during the last fortnight, consequent upon an operation which cpuld not with equal facili- ties have been performed at home. in the more tangible way of doubling my annual subscription to the funds of so admirable an institution. With that view I trouble you with the enclosed cheque for an additional two guineas." On the Chairman's proposition, a hearty vote of thanks to the gentlemen named was passed.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION. East Glamorgan Meetings at Nsntymoel. The quarterly meetings of the East Glamor- gan Welsh Congregational Union, which com- prises 81 Churches and a membership roll of nearly 15,000, were held on Tuesday and Wed- nesday at Nantymoel. The conference, which was largely attended, was held on Wedneeday morning. Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., Pentre, the chairman for the year, presiding. An application was made from a split" Church at Clydach Vale to be received into the Union.—/This not being the first applica- tion frDm the same quarter, the letter was laid on the table. The Rev. O. H. Hughes (Tylorstown) moved a resolution congratulating the Churches on the noble way in which they had co operated to make the Gropfa a success. The East Glamorgan Union was to collect £2,000. or about one-tenth of the £20,000. They had. however, collected £3,500, or one-sixth of the total amount already received, and their Union would probably head the list. (Cheers.) He moved, and the Chair- man seconded, that an appeal he made to all the Churches to make a special collection towai-ds the Gronfa annually—if possible. during the months of May and June. An amendment was eventually carried that Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., and the Revs. J. Williams (Hafod), H. M. Hughes. B.A. (Car- diff), H. Eynon Lewis (Brynmenyn). T. T. Jones (Maindy). and G. Penrith Thomas (Ferndale) be appointed a committee to consider the matter and report to the next meeting. The Chairman reported that the Gronfa committee, which recently met, had voted grants to all the Churches which made an appea1. It was resolved that the next meeting be held at Zoar, Llantrisant.

THREE TRAGIC INCIDENTS. AT LLANELLY. The case of suicide at Llanelly was investi- gated by the coroner on Wednesday, a verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane being returned. The victim was a Navy stoker, named Daniel Jones, who shot himself through the head, death being instantaneous. On Wednesday evening a case of attempted suicide was reported to the police, a man named David Jonds, 74 years of age. cutting his throat in a very determined manner. Jones is a workman under the council, and much respected. A fatal accident occurred near Swansea- road. Llanelly. on Wednesday evening, a little boy of seven, named William John Powell, being run over by a cart belonging to a local aerated water company. The little fellow sustained terrible injuries, and died ten minutes after the acoident.

STETENS* BREAD. ilouriabing. Gives an appetite. etSW

T.V.R. V. A.S.R.S. Hearing of the Action Postponed. ORDERED TO STAND OVER UNTIL NEXT TERM. In the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice on Wednesday the case of the Taff Vale Railway Com- pany v. the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and others, which ia an action for an injunction. and is in the special jury list for trial—eighteenth on the week's list—was mentioned before Mr. Justice Wills, the senior judge taking special jury actions. Mr. J. Eldon Bankes, K.C.. for the plaintiffs, applied that the case should be made a remanet, because it was a heavy case, and his olients had not had sufficient opportunity of obtaining discovery. Mr. S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P.. on behalf of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and Mr. Bell. their secretary, opposed the application, and said no sufficient reason had been brought forward' by his learned friend for any postponement. His Lordship said he thought it was a proper case to make a remanet. as there was a. small chance of the case being reached this sitting, and it would be only doing justice to. grant the application. He should order the case to stand over until next sittings, to keep its placet in the list, and a further application could then be made to fix a day for the hear- ing. Mr. Holmes' Defence. It is said that the "Holmes Defence Fund" exceeds expectations, so far, considering that only a few of the branches met on Sunday. The bulk of the branches meet within the month. We also understand that the solicitors for Mr. Holmea have taken legal proceedings to prevent the publication in several newspapers of matters affecting the trial, and thus, it is alleged, prejudicing Mr. Holmes's position. Unless this is stopped, an injuction will be applied for

METHUEN HOME. Gallant General Pays a Tribute to his Men. Lord Meuhuen arrived at Southampton on Wednesday morning from South Africa in the transport Assaye. A special tug. with the homecoming generals friends, the Mayor and Sheriff of Southampton. Colonel Stacpole, and Captain Heroy on board, put off to meet the Assaye. The weather was beautifully fine, and Lord Methuen, who looked somewhat pale, was found sitting in an invalid's chair on deck. Lord Methuen, who was accompanied by Lady Methuen, cordially welcomed his friends on board. Amongst those present to greet him were Sir John Poynder, Lord Loch. Colonel Drummond. Colonel Cotton, Lord Chesham, and his lordship's son and daughter. His lordship chatted pleasantly to them, and, on behalf of the people of Southampton, was cordially welcomed home by the mayor. Lord Methuen courteously declined to be inter- viewed, but. through Lord Chesham and Colonel Cotton, wished a press repre- sentative to say that he was much better, and was delighted to return to Eng- land. His lordship partook of breakfast on decl: and the vessel arrived in dock about ten o'clock. There were over 1,000 troops on board, many of whom had served under the wounded general. All spoke in terms of admiration of his lordship, and stated that d.uring the voyage home he frequently chatted with them and fought his battles over again. A large crowd witnessed the disembarkation of the troops from the Assaye, and Lord Methuen was loudly cheered as he was taken ashore. He left during the morning, accom- panied by his friends, for Corsham, his country seat in Wilts. It is not known yet whether he will have to undergo another operation. Lady Methuen before leaving expressed her gratitude for the sumpathy manifested with the family during her hus- band's illness.

DRAINAGE OF THE WESTERN VALLEYS. Draft Scheme Approved by the Council. A conference of the urban district councils interested in the sewerage of the Western Valleys was held at the Council offices, Aber- carn, on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. G. H. Nurse presided, and the councils represented were Abercarn, Risca, Abertillery, and Ebbw Vale. The conference considered the draft agree- ment between the Ebbw Vale, AbertiUery, Abercarn. and Risca Councils. Mr. j. M'Bean (surveyor to the Abertillery Urban District Council) produced a plan of the main trunk sewer, and suggested that, instead of the sewer starting from the boun- dary of the Blaina district, it should commence from the top of the Cwmtillery Valley, which was much more populous. Mr. Tanner (county surveyor) observed that the Abertillery Council would be dctihg wisely in this direction. This alteration in the agreement was agreed to. Mr. Bowyer proposed that the agreement should stand in the name of Abercarn until the Board was formed. It would be a bad compliment to their clerk for another place to have the credit of the name after all the work he had done: The meeting decided in favour of Abercarn. The agreement and its execution by the councils interested waa approved, on the motion of Mr. Carpenter, seconded by Mr. Powell (Ebbw Vale).

THE SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL. Date of Foundation-stone Laying by Lord Bute. To a meeting of the Cardiff Seamen's Hospital Committee on Wednesday night, the hon. secretary (Mr. J. L. Wheatley) read the follow- ing letter, dated by Sir W. T. Lewis, from 22a, Queen Anne's-gate, Westminster, July;):- "My Dear Sir,—With reference to your appli- cation on behalf of the committee of the Sea- men's Hospital. I have pleasure in informing you that I have submitted the same to the Marquees of Bute to-day, when his lordship was good enough to comply with the request that he should lay the foundation-stone of the new hospital now in course of construction, provided the same can be arranged to be carried oat during tb.e first week in August next." Sir Thomas Morel (chairman of the com- mittee) was unable to be present at the meet- ing, and, although Mr. John Moore took the chair, it was felt best not to decide on any arrangements. Theee will be left in the hands of a sub-committee, consisting of Sir Thomas Morel, Mr. Moore, Mr. E. W. M. Corbett, Alder- man David Jones, and Mr. Wheatley. It was, however, intimated that the ceremony will probably take place on Thursday. August 7, at noon, and afterwards the Marquess will be invited to visit the Cardiff Exchange. Another letter submitted to the meeting was from Messrs. Richardson and Co., of Car- diff, who offered to hold a fete in Sophia Gardens on August Bank Holiday in aid of the funds of the hospital. The committee accepted this generous offer with thanks.

THE PRESTEIGN SHOOTING CASE. Jury Consider the Range Unsafe' The adjourned inquest on the body of Nelly Briggs, who was shot dead by Volunteers at practice on Preateign shooting range, was concluded on Wednesday. Sergeant Homer said he was one of the firing party. He was in charge of the volley firing, and saw some people on the hill to the left of the target, but they were nfct in danger. He called Sergeant Overs' attention to them. but he said they were out of danger. Corporal Tudor corroborated, and said he thought the people were 100 to 150 yards away to the left of the target. Private E. H. Hamer was on the range all the time firing was going on. He saw some people on the hill on the left. They were about 200 yards to the left of the target. He did not see any other people. An old woman named Williams was called. and said she was on the hill with others. She did not see anyone, but said the bullet3 came whizzing by her arm. She was a long way to the right of the target. In summing up. the Coroner considered the range a dangerous one, and that it was impossible for anyone behind the belt of trees to see the flag target or firing party. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." No blame was attached to the sergeant-instructor, who took ordinary pre- cautions to see that the range was safe before firing. The jury added as a rider that they oonpi'l'-rpH t1-- -insafe both in front- and behind the targsti.

THE MYSTERY OF

OUR LEGISLATORS. The Illegality of Bazaar Lotteries. SANDHURST CADETS EXEMPT FROM RUSTICATION. HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday. The Speaker took the Chair at two o'clock. LOTTERIES. Mr. CAIXE (R.. Camborne) asked the Home Secretary if his attention had been called to certain lotteries, one of which was in 200 parts of £5 each, which had been publicly adver- tised in connection with the Imperial Corona- tion Bazaar, which was being held in the Roynl Botanical Gardens this week. The HOME SECRETARY: The police, having had their attention drawn to the published programme of the bazaar, explained to the bazaar committee that the drawing of the lottery would be a violation of the law. It was stated in reply that it had already been arranged that no raffles would be drawn. (Hear, hear.) SANDHURST FIRES. Mr. BRODRICK. in reply to Colonel Nolan (N., Galway, N.), said that all the cadets of C Company who could prove that they were not in a position to cause the last fire at Sandhurst were exempted by the Commander- in-Ohief from rustication. As regarded the cadets rusticated who were to undergo examination this term. the Commander-in- Ohief was prepared to allow them to be examined during this month in London, so that if subsequently cleared they should lose no seniority in the Army. No promise could be given as to commissions in these cases pending the discovery of the actual culprits. NAVAL GUNNERY PRIZES. Mr. HARMSWORTH (R., Caithness) asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he could state whether the reward received by the late W. Grounds for his proficiency in the prize-firing in 1901. whereby he was proved to be the beat shot in the Navy, was the sum of Is. 9d. Mr.. ARNOLD FORSTER replied that a sum of JB21 15s. was provided for prizes for shoot- ing with heavy guns. In the distribution of the commanding officer of this amount £1 13e. 9d. was awarded to the gun's crew of which Grounds was captain, but he had no information as to the amount of his individual share. THE COAL-TAX. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in reply to Mr. John Wilson (U., Falkirk), said, that he did not think the falling off of coal export to a single German port—Hamburg— in 1901 was any argument for re-considering the question of the coal-tax. The quantity exported was still greatly in excess of that previous to 1900.

LIEUTENANT CHARLES. Funeral at Cadoxton-Juxta- Neath. The body of the late Lieutenant Charles, who died at Netley Hospital on Friday last through injuries received in South Africa, was interred in Cadoxton Churchyard on Wednes- day afternoon, the funeral being of a private character. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. D. J. James, v.car of Cadoxton, in the presence of relatives and a few intimate friends of the deceased. The cortege left Springfield, the residence of Mrs. Thomas. grandmother of the late officer, at noon. The mourners were:—The Vicar. Messrs. H. P. Charles (uncle). D. P. Davies (uncle), P. D. Thomas (cousin) G. T. Sims (uncle), Griffith Davies Rhys Charles. Frank Charles, Reginald Charles, and Bertie Charles (cousins), and the Rev. D, W. Hopkins. Major Green, the com- manding officer of the local detachment of the 2nd V.B. Welsh, a number of other officers, and several professional gentlemen were also present. The coffin, which was of polished oak, with massive brass fittings, bore the following inscription: — Frank Pendrill Jones Charles, Died July 4th, 1902. Aged 20 years. The body was laid to rest in the grave in which the deceased officer's father, the late Mr. Pendrill Jones Charles, lies buried. Relatives and friends sent tokens of their affection, some of the wreaths being of excep- tional beauty. Appended is a list of the senders:—His mother and sister, his grand- mother (Mrs. Thomas), Mr. and Mrs. Davies | (uncle and aunt), Mr. and Mrs. Howel Thomas (uncle and aunt). Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Sima (uncle and aunt), Masters Eric and Bertram Sims, Miss Kate Thomas (aunt), the Misses Sims (Ynisllynlladd), Mrs. Smale (Swansea), Mrs. Kempthorne, his brother officers of the 2nd V.B. Welsh, who sent a beautiful harp; the sergeants of the Neath detachment of the 2nd V.B. Welèh, Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Thomas, Mr. Frank Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Charles, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Taylor, the Neath Constitutional Club. Mr. Glen Taylor, Mrs. Godfrey Thomas and family. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Taylor, Master Arthur and Miss Alice Charles, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Charles, and Mrs. P. Charles.

LOCAL WEDDING. Rees-Davies. At Bridgend on Wednesday the marriage took place of Miss Charlotte Elizabeth Davies (Lottie), the eldest daughter of Councillor Michael Davies, J.P., and Mrs. Davies, Sunny Side, Bridgend, to the Rev. Professor Thomas Bees, M.A.. the Memorial College, Brecon. The ceremony took place at the English Con-1 gregational Chapel, Bridgend, which was crowded. The service was fully choral. The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr. H. E. H. James, librarian. Swansea. Free Library, while the bridemaids were Misses Alice, Lilian. and Dorris Davies (sisters of the bride), Miss Mary Bailiffe, Bridgend, Miss May Lloyd, Cardiff, and Miss Alice James, Swansea (sister of the bridegroom). The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. Harold Williams, Bridgend, assisted by the Rev. J. Lewis. Brecon, and among other ministers present were the Rev. R. Lloyd (B.), Cardiff; the Rev. D Evans (C.M.), W. Gilbert Evans. Bridgend; H. Eynon Lewis, Bryncethin; and the Rev. W. Harries. Porthcawl. The wedding party numbered about 100. Congratulatory tele- grams were received from the following:- Mr. Mathias. London; the Rev. J. T. Rhye, Pontycymmer; Alderman Phillips and the Rev. James Evans, Aberavon; Professor and Mrs. Lewis, Brecon; Dr. and Mrs. Cobden Rowlands. Maesteg; Mr and Mrs. Orr, Car- diff; the Rev. and Mrs. Grawys Jones, Aber- dare. During the ceremon'y the choir (con- ductor, Mr. J. G. Jenkins) rendered "Praise the Lordt" and as the party left the chapel the organist played Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." The bride was dressed in ivory white silk, the bodice being of real Honiton lace over a chiffon underbodice. the skirt tacked and trimmed with frills and roped seams of chiffon. The hat was of white horse-hair, embroidered with cream flowers and trimmed with tulle and feathers and orange blossoms. The bride's going-away cos- tume was a brown coat and skirt, with front of pale blue tucked silk, and Paris inser- tion; brown straw, trimmed with brown and pale blue chiffon and forget-me-nots. The happy couple subsequently left by the North mail for Bath. en route for London and Ger- many.

LOCAL WillS. Mr. David Jenkins, Llangendeirne. The executors of the will of Mr. David Jenkins, of Pantgwynne, Llangendeirne. Car- marthen, who died on April 7 last. are Mr. Walter Francis and M-. John Griffiths, by whom the testator's estate has been valued at £1.148 10s. Mr. Evan Samuel, Landore. Probate of the will and codicil of Mr. Evan Samuel, of the Wern Inn. Landore, who died on the 9th of November last. has been granted to his daughters, Martha Samuel and Sarah Jane Samuel, and testator's estate haa been valued at £3,571. < —*

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT ABERDARE. Mr. R. J. Rhys. coroner, held an inquest on Wednesday upon the body of John Thomas, Woodflela-terrace, Penrhiwceiber. who was found lying insensible in Cwmbach-road. Aber- dare, on Saturday afternoon last. and who died without recovering consciousness on Monday evening, shortly after his removal to the Merthyr Union Workhouse.—Upon the medical evidence of Dr. Lawson, assistant to Dr. Ward, the jury returned a verdict that death was due to natural causes, accelerated by the excessive heat and sunstroke.

KILLED ON HIS HONEYMOON. A gentleman naniad Bruce Brown, of Dunoon, Scotland, died on Wednesday at Oemotherley.a Yorkshire village, as the result of a cycling accident. He was spending his honeymoon near Stockton-on-Tees, and on Saturday, whilst cycling with his wife on Osmotherley Moor lost control of his machine on a steep hill, and waa pick-el up at the bottom shockingly injured.

THE JADE EYE

EDUCATION BILL. Optional Clause Dropped Out. ALL SCHOOL BOARDS ABOLISHED. In the House of Commons on Wednesday. Mr. LAMBERT (R., Devon, South Molton) asked the First Lord of the Treasury if, in interpreting his amendment that the total Parliamentary grants to any local education authority should not exceed three- fourths of the total expenses, the grants under the Agricultural Rates Act would be reckoned as contributions from Imperial or local sources. Mr. BALFOUR: They will not be reckoned as Imperial. The House afterwards went into Committee on the Education (England and Wales) Bill. with Mr. J. W. Lowther in the Chair, and proceeded to the consideration of Part III.. which deals with elementary education. Sir E. STRACHEY (R., Somerset, S.) moved to postpone Clause 5 which provides that this part of the Act shall apply only within the area of a local education authority for which it is adopted, and such authority may adopt it for their area by resolution. Sir JOHN GORST thought that the balance of convenience wa3 in favour of the order of clauses given in the Bill. The clause under discussion raised an important question- namely, whether the local authority should be charged with the duty of looking after elementary education, or whether they should be left free to undertake that duty or not to undertake it. Mr. BALFOUR thought it would be un- desirable to state at the present moment the intentions of the Government as to making the application of the Bill optional or obligatory, because it would introduce into what was really a narrow issue considera- tions of very much wider scope. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE (R.. Carnarvon Boroughs) said that if the Bill were made compulsory there would be such strife and contention and such scenes of lawlessness as had not been wit- nessed in this country with regard to religious matters for a long time Palit. He appealed to the Government to consider before they made up their minds finally whether or not they would make it compulsory upon county councils to take up duties that were obnoxious to many of them. On a division the motion for postponement was rejected by 167 to 97. Sir WILLIAM MATHER (R., Lancashire, Rossendale) moved a verbal amendment, with a view to a subsequent amendment, providing that this part of the Act should not apply in a borough with a population of over 10.000 or in an urban district with a population of over 20.000 where there was a school board at the time the Bill came in operation. He was in favour of constituting the existing school boards the executive administrative authori- ties for all schools—board and voluntary alike—in the large boroughs and urban dis- tricts. Mr. BALFOUR said he thought it would be very undesirable to a-ccept any such authority as was described by the Chairman as nonde- script. Mr. BRYCE supported the amendment. Sir C. DILKE (R.. Dean Forest) and Mr SAMUEL EVANS (R.. Glamorgan. Mid) having spoken, The Committee divided, and the amendment was defeated by 246 to 103. Mr. ABEL THOMAS (R.. Carmarthen, East) said he should vote against the amend- ment, because he believed that it would destroy the school boards in his constituency. which had been a great iluccess: It would be doing away with the system which was the best of all systems. He had received from every corner of his constituency resolu- tions asking him to oppose the amendment to the utmost of his power, and, therefore, he should be only too pleased to record his vote against the amendment. Mr. HENRY HOBHOUSE (U., Somerset. E.) moved an amendment with the object of making the provision# of Part III. with regard to elementary education compulsory upon every local education authority established by this Act, instead of leaving it, as in the Bill, at the option of the local authority. Mr. BALFOUR said the argument which weighed with the Government was that they had no wish to coerce the local authorities unnecessarily, but since the introduction of the Bill they had greatly mitigated, if not altogether removed, one of the strongest reasons which would weigh with the county authorities in considering whether they should take upon their shoulders the burden of this Bill. and that was that the financial burden would be relieved by the Imperial Exchequer. (Cheers.) If this part of the Act were left open the result would be to introduce into the county and borough councils an element of difficulty and friction which had never been introduced into the discussions before. (Hear, hear.) It would be made a test question at every election for a county or borough council. It would be a most serious thing to have a parti-coloured and partial administration of the Act. Those were the reasons which induced him per- sonally to vote in favour of the amendment. He should vote with his hon. friend Mr. Hob- house, but the Government, recognising the difference of opinion which existed on the matter on both sides of the House, would leave the decision of the question entirely in the hands of the House. (Ministerial cheers.) Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT was glad that the Government were going to leave their sup- porters free to vote as they liked upon this point, but he wished to know why Mr. Balfour was in favour of coercing these local bodies in respect of elementary education and forc- ing on them a very heavy financial responsi- bility. while he would leave open to their option a few points in respect of secondary education. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. WYNFORD PHILIPPS (R., Pembroke- shire) said he wished to point out that it was a little hard that the hon. member who had just sat down should express himself so forcibly in favour of making everybody pay for what they did not want when he was a London member, and neither he nor his constituents would be affected by the Bill. If the option clause were left in the Bill it would become the test question at the county council election, and the Bill would not be adopted in many dis- tricts. He did not believe that there would be a singlo agricultural constituency that would adoptl the Bill if it were left to its option to do so or not. Why could not Parlia- ment trust the local authorities, trust the people themselves to settle what they wanted? Why should not they leave it to the county councils to determine whether their own county was a fit county for the adoption of the Bill or not? His own belief was that the adoption of this amendment would lead to more friction in the counties and county councils than anything that had taken place since the county councils were established. Mr. HERBERT ROBERTS (R., Denbigh, W.) could not vote for the amendment, because it violated justice and would not conduce to educational peace. Sir C. DILKE maintained that Parliament ought to trust these local governing bodies, and not thrust this measure down their throats. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE said if the Bill was carried in its present form there would be pas-! sions roused in the country such as men of this generation had not seen the like of. A resolu- tion was carried by the whole body of Welsh congregations the other day that if the Bil> were passed in its present form they would deem it their bounden duty to refuse to pay rates. It was folly to ignore the fact that this feeling existed. The House had now come to the first step of coercion. If the Government really meant to press this through in its present form they would have no power to coerce county councils to con-! tribute to schools which taught doctrines which they repudiated, and if the Govern- ment adopted that course the result would be disaster to the whole system of educa- tion in this country. Mr. PEEL (U., Manchester. S.) characterised it as scandalous that threats of revolution and language inciting to passion should be I used on an occasion when Mr. Balfour had made a most conciliatory speech and done all he could to meet the other side. (Ministerial cheers.) Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN said he had never given A vote with greater cor- diality and the certainty that he was right than now in voting against this amendment. One result of the amendment would be to at once destroy the usefulness of the school boards. He could not believe that they would add to the efficiency of our system of education by forcing the duty of providing education upon unwilling local bodies. Mr. HERBERT LEWIS warned those in favour of this amendment that the effect of forcing this measure in its present state upon the county councils of Wales would be so grave- that everyone who took part in doing I it would come to regret their action. Thp Committ- rlivi,prl. anel there voted: — For Mr. H. Hobhouse's amendment 271 Against 102 Maiority for

RHONDDATRAMWAYS -6. Bill Again Before the Select Committee. CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDING CLAUSE. The Rhondda Urban District Tramways Bill came again on Wednesday, under the consideration of the Select Committee of the House of Commons presided over by Mr. Tatton Egerton, when counsel brought for- ward clauses to meet the decision given by the Committee on Monday last, when they decided that the tramways ought to be made, but that. under certain conditions, someone other than the urban district council should construct the tramways, so as to prevent the ratepayers finding £293,000. with the attendant risks. Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., for the pro- moters. said he took it that the Committee desired to protect the ratepayers against any possible loss. That being so, he had framed clauses which, he believed, would meet the views of the Committee. He was quite willing to accept either or both of his proposals, but he should like to have both as the Taff Vale Company might raise objections in another place later on, and he wished to be protected should that company succeed in their objection. The Chairman: What do you mean by another place? Mr. Balfour Browne: There is such a thing as third reading. Besides, these are new clauses, and have been inserted since the Bill was in the Lords, and they must go back to the Lords. The Chairman said the object the Com- mittee had had in view was this: Suppose a company, like the British Electric Traction Company, built and equipped the tramways, finding the necessary money, they would form a subsidiary company, and if the com- pany did not pay it would go bankrupt, and the rent the promoters received would disap- pear and the ratepayers would have to under- take the working of the tramways. They would not be able to make the tramways pay any better than the company, unless there had been a certain sum accumulated from rents funded and producing sufficient to meet the deficit. Mr. Balfour Browne said that the urban district council would fund the rent in both cases, so that there would be no charge on the ratepayers. His clients had drawn up three clauses. The first would give the council power to lease tramways, but for a longer period than 21 years, which was the period fixed in the Tramways Act of 1870. His second clause was: — (1) The Council shall not commence the construction or laying down of the tramways or any part or parts thereof un.ess and until thev have entered into an agreement with a Company or person for a lease to such Company or person of such tramways or part or parts thereof as the case may be for such period (not exceed- ing fortv-two years) at such rent and upon such other terms and conditions as may be approved by the Board of Trade: Provided that in any such lease the amount to be paid to the Council by way of rent shall in no case be less than a. sum sufficient to pay the interest on any moneys required to he borrowed for the pur- pose of the construction of the tramways and' for the generating station and the clectrical equipment of the tramways or of the part or parts thereof so leased as aforesaid and also sufficient to provide the requisite appropriations instalments or sinking fund payments as provided by thn section of this Act the marginal note whereof is "Mode of payment off of borrowed money." (2) So soon as the Council have completed the tram- ways or part or parts thereof as the case may be so agreed to be leased as i-foresaid the Council shall demise the said tramways or part or parts thereof together with such generating station and equipment &s may be provided as aforesaid to such Company or person at the rent and upon the other terms and con- ditions as may -be approved by the Board of Trade and the powers of the Council to work the said tram- ways or part or parts thereof respectively shall be suspended during the continuance of such lease. 461 All moneys received by the Council by way of rent shall be treated as tramway revenue and applied as provided by the section of this Act the marginal note whereof is "Application of tramway revenue." In order to avoid dealing with a bogus lessee, the sanction of the Board of Trade was provided for. The third clause dealt with the construction of the tramways by a lessee, and waa as follows:- (1) The powers bv this Act conferred upon the Council of constructing and equipping the tramways shall not be exercisable by the Council but may be exercised by their lessees or .essee as next hereinafter provided. (2) The Council on the one hand and any Company or person approved by the Board of Trade on the other hand may enter into agreements for the construction and equipment oi the tramways or, any part or parts thereof as the case may be and as Consideration for the ■construction of such tramway may lease any such tramways or part or parts thereof respectively to such Company or person for such period (not exceeding forty-two years) at such rent and upon such other terms and conditions as may be approved by the Board of Trade and such lease may contain a clause requiring compensation to be made to the lessee on the termination of the lease on terms similar to those contained in Section 43 of the Tramways Act 1970: Provided that if any Company or person approved by the Board of Trade make to the Council a tender in writing to construct and equip the tramways or any part or parts thereof as the case may be and to take a lease of and to work the said tramways or such part or parts thereof for such period (not exceeding forty-two years) at such rent and upon such terms and conditions as shall in the opinion of the Board of Trade be adequate and proper and such as should be accepted by the Council the Council shall demise the said tramways or such part or parts thereof to such Company or person at such rent and upon such terms and conditions with or without modifications as the Board of Trade may determine. (3) All moneys paid to the Council by way of rent in respect of such lease as aforesaid shall be set apart by the Council and acciftnulated with interest thereon as a reserve fund during the continuance of such lease and at the termination of such lease shall in the first place be applied so far as necessary in or towards the payment to the lessee of such amounts (if any) as may be found to be due to him. on the termination of such (4) Nothing in this section shall extend or apply to the tramways or parts of tramways authorised by the Pontypridd and Ehondda Valley Tramways Order 1882 confirmed by the Tramways Orders Confirmation (No. 2) Act 1882 when acquired by the Council. Mr. J. D. Fitzgerald, K.C. (for the Taff Vale Railway Company), pointed out that the first clause was permissive merely; as to the second, the lessee might not be able to make the line pay, leaving open the risk to the ratepayer which the Committee desired to avoid, and, though the third clause did. no doubt, proceed on the lines of the Com- mittee's decision, there was no provision in it that the rent should be sufficient when funded, in the manner proposed to meet the necessary payments at the end of the lease, and that was part of the Committee's decision. Mr. Balfour Browne denied that this was part of the Committee's decision. Mr. Fitzgerald said he proposed the addi- tion of the following: "Provided in any such lease the amounts to be paid to the council by way of rent shall in no case be less than such a sum as will when accumulated in manner hereinafter provided amount at the termination of the lease to a sum equal to the amount of the estimates recited in the Act for the construction of the tramways and tramway purposes and generating stations and electrical equipment of the tramways and works." (Laughter.) The sum which might be involved under these words might be too much. But they must meet the difficulty that at the ena of the lease the sum in hand might be ridiculously small. Coun- sel further urged that the lease should be cut down to 21 or 30 years, and that the provision for compensation proposed to be paid by the council to the working company at the end of the lease should be omitted. Mr. Page (for the other opponents) followed, and urged that the ratepayers should not be burdened when the lease terminated. Mr. Balfour Browne said the sole intention of the opponents waa to kill the tramways because they knew that the conditions they now proposed would make it impossible to get a lessee to construct the tramways. He would undertake that the council should not work any part of the tramways during the life of the lease, and he amended the clause accordingly. The Committee decided that the clauses as originally submitted and amended by Mr. Balfour Browne fully protected the rate- payers. The clauses were next discussed, the Taff Vale Objecting, among other things, to the tramways carrying parcels of 5001b. weight.- The Committee decided to allow parcels up to 281b. being carried by the trams. Mr. Moon, K.C., wished for the insertion of a clause giving reciprocal running powers to the Glamorganshire County Council, and he was strongly supported by Mr. Vesey Knox, on behalf of the county council. Mr. Baggallay, K.C., for the Taff Vale Com- pany. opposed the clause, and said if it were passed the Committee would be prejudging any other scheme which might have to be considered by the Railway Commissioners and other authorities. The Chairman ruled the clause out of order on the ground that the marginal note described the clause as for the protection of the county council, and, therefore, did not agree with the clause. Mr. Baggallay sought to get the clause rejected on its merits. The Chairman, however, held to his ruling. The unopposed portions of the Bill were than gone through, and the Bill was sent for third reading in due course.

ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE SCHOOL, LAMPETER. Mr. and Mrs, Waddingliam, of Hafod, Aber- ystwith, have given a scholarship of the value of £10 to this school. The scholarship will be known as the" Hafod," will be closed to sons of the clergy, and will be awarded at the next scholarship examination, on September 25.

STEVENS' BBEAB. Nourishing. Qlves an' 66544

NAIVE CONFESSIONS. Extraordinary Military Divorce Case. EVIDENCE OF RESPONDENT AND CO-RESPONDENT. In the Divorce Court on Wednesday (before Mr. Justice Barnes and a special jury) the case of Blakeney v. Blakeney and Stevenson was further heard. The petition was that of Lieutenant Robert Byron Drury Blakeney, of the Royal Engineers, traffic manager of the Egyptian State Rail- ways, for a divorce from his wife, Mrs. Eva Theodore Anna Blakeney (nee Satow), against whom he alleged misconduct with the co- respondent, Captain Alexander Geoghegan Stevenson, also of the Royal Engineers. The Respondent Called. The respondent, Mrs. Eva Theodora Blakeney, was examined by Mr. Deane, K.C. She said she first made the acquaintance of Captain Stevenson in 1899, and she knew that he had been an intimate friend of her hus- band's. She and her husband had nursed Captain Stevenson in his illness. They called each other by their Christian names. She saw him after the railway accident in January, 1901, in South Africa. During that time she was left a great deal alone with Captain Stevenson, and she returned to England in the same boat, her maid accompanying her. During the whole of that time she and her husband and Captain Stevenson were on affectionate terms, and called each other by their Christian names. Before going out to Egypt the second time she saw Captain Stevenson in London, at her sister's house, and at Folkestone, where her mother used to live. Has your husband ever objected at any time to your being about with Captain Stevenson- walking with him and going about?—No. Up to that time had there been any feeling of affection between you and Captain Stevenson ?—No. At that period, said the witness, Captain Stevenson was employed at the War Office. He had business to transact at Gloucester, and he went down with her to Stroud, on her sister's invitation. When did you first know that your husband had an affection for somebody else?—Before we were married, but he told me he loved me the best. When did be next refer to the subject after your marriage?-A long time afterwards. He told me he had seen her, and that he was very pleased to meet her. Did he say what his feelings were towards her?—He told me six weeks after the marriage he realised that he loved her. That caused me a great deal of trouble. Respondent went on to say that she felt extremely miserable, as she had stated in her letters, because she felt that she was standing between her husband and the woman he loved. She did not know what to do. She had a conversation with her husband on the subject, and he told her his views, and said she was not to tell anybody about the matter. She felt that she must have someone to help her, and the only person he would allow her to tell the arrangement to was Colonel Girouard. Sir Percy Girouard was mistaken when he told her husband that she had said her husband would allow her to run away with anyone she liked. Her husband's affection for the lady referred to made her very miserable. She was very fond of her husband at the time of the marriage, and he had always sfciown affection for her. Her husband's account of the Fellow incident was correct. She and Mr. Fellow had kissed each other, but there was nothing beyond kissing. When she was staying in Margaret-street, Cavendisli-square she and Captain Stevenson made the "dis- covery" of their affection, which led them to write to Mr. Blakeney the letters read,. Cap- tain Stevenson visited her at Margaret-street, and that friendship was known to all their friends. Before she wrote that letter to her husband she found that her friendship for Captain Stevenson had become more than a friendship. Mr. Deane: What was it disclosed that fact to you both? Mrs Blakeney: Captain Stevenson and I went out one evening to the Empire. When we came out we went home. Mr. Deane: Tell us what happened. Mrs. Blakeney (who spoke with hesitancy and in a low voice): I was sitting in the chair, and he sat on the arm of it. We began to talk. and then he stooped down and kissed me. Did anything else happen except kissing?— No. certainly not. What happened after the kissing?—He seemed different to me somehow. I kissed him back. Did it make any difference in your feelings, to each other-the fact of your having kissed? —Yes. Mrs. Blakeney said it was after this incident that she wrote the letter to her husband, in which she said, "I told you I would tell you honestly if I loved anyone, and you must believe me when I tell you now that I do love him with all my heart and soul. We have always been such good friends, he and I. and know each other so very well now. I don't think it ever entered our heads that we should be more to each other than the very best friends always, and then quite suddenly we knew. Do you know it gave us quite a shock (a very nice one, though), and we simply could not understand ourselves, but we knew that we love each other, and always will, and that we are awfully happy, and that is enough." Witness said it all came about as they sat and talked, and Captain Stevenson brewed her some chocolate. Has there ever been any impropriety between you and Captain Stevenson ?-Never at any time. Cross-examined by Mr. Lawson Walton, K.C. (for the petitioner). Mrs. Blakeney said marital relations between her and her husband ceased soon after the marriage. Ques- tioned as to Mr. Fellow, she admitted they had kissed each other, and that he had pro- posed to run away with her. She told him that she would not run away with him. What reason did you give for not going away with him?—I said it was for the sake of my mother. You did not suggest that your duty to your husband restrained you?—I only mentioned my mother. When Fellow kissed you, you did not resent such familiarity?—No, because it was not serious. Don't you think it was your duty to your husband to indignantly resent such familiarity?—I did not fear him. You were simply guided by your feelings for the gentleman at the time?—Yes. Do I understand that. as the result of the conversation with your husband at Cairo, you would be rendering him a service by commit- ting yourself with another man?—I thought it would free him. To commit misconduct?—It was not neces- sary to go away and commit sin. But what would be the object of going away? To free my husband, but not to commit sin. Do you suggest that you would go away with a man and would not commit sin when you were extremely fond of each other?—Not this particular sin. If a wife goes away with a lover who consents to take her away from her husband, can there be any motive for it on his part except misconduct ?—If he truly loves me he would not commit sin. What do you suppose he would take you away for if it was not to love you as his wife afterwards?—What I mean is, in that way you would free the husband and the wife. and the world would think that there were grounds for divorce, and if they did not defend themselves, and only kept silence, I suppose they could be divorced. If you could create the relatione of a lover with someone else, an dif he agreed to that relation, you think by that means you could afford. evidence by which your husband might be able to put an end to the marriage?—Yes. So that the world might think misconduct had been committed, and yet you might not have committed it? Is that your notion?— Yes, certainly. And you suggest that the man with whom you went away would take the same view, and that divorce could be procured when, in fact, misconduct was not committed?—If he loved me. Further questioned, witness said up to the time she had referred to she had no idea that she loved Captain Stevenson. There had been no expressions of endearment between them, but they were fond of each other. Did you not think it was a gross breach of your duty to your husband to allow the acquaintance to ripen into extreme affection? -No, I never thought it would. I thought we should be friends, and nothing else. Respondent added that when the question of binding herself to another man was discussed it was without any reference to Captain Stevenson. She did not think it was an out- rage on her husband for her not to resent Captain Stevenson's act of familiarity in kiss- ing her Did you return the kill as warmly as it was given?-Yes, After those endearments, I take it you spent an hour together in perfect solitude, realising the bliss of the first consciousness of mutual affection ?—Yes. You. a married woman, with this man with whom you had been on terms of constant affectionP-No answer. You were embracing each other as lovers. I suppose this was not a solitary experience? You kissed when you met, and parted like lovers?—Not always. Do you mean to say that you did not com- mit impropriety?—Certainly not. What was it to end in? Was it to go on like this to the end of the chapter?—Yes; not always, because he was going to South Africa. You made hay while the sun shone?—Yea. Further cross-examined,, witness said that (CONTINUED ON TOP OF COLUMN 1. PAGE 3.)

ff Cochfarf's II Comments. r With a good deal of unexpected spare time, the Colonial visitors for the Corona- tion seem to be favouring the provinces with much attention, but up to the present time none of the official represen- tatives of our Dominions across the f-ea have found their way to South Wales, although there is every reason to desire the cultivation of a better understanding between our various Colonies and the Principality. Sir Wilfrid Lauvier's very kindly letter concerning the Welsh immi- grants to Catiada has made him a persona. grata here, but his name stood in high favour here before the publication of that letter. I woufd say he is predisposed to pay a visit to South Wales. The administrative conditions are similar to what they are in Canada, where people of differing races and tongues abide in har- mony together. Surely, there would be commercial advantages also in his knowing local conditions at first hand. The same remark applies to other Colonial Premiers also; but there is not enough time to invite a great number here, and most of them have already made engagements which will occupy the whole of their time until they return to their own people. In Birmingham and Manchester the authorities have shown themselves to be very wideawake by securing a number of visits from Colonial Premiers and other distinguished visitors, and in the capital of the Midlands the visit of the Abyssinian Plenipotentiary on Tuesday almost assumed the dimensions of a Royal pro- gress. The visit to the Birmingham Small Arms Works can reasonably be described as having been planned with an eye to business, but it was a characteristically Oriental failing, for the Prince to me was more interested in the Lord Mayor's chain of office and in the corporation maces than he appeared to be in small arms and their ammunition, or even in tho exhibition practice at clay pigeons shot into the air from traps. Coming from a country where game is plentiful, I would not be surprised to find that the Prince regarded the destruction of clay pigeons as an unneces- sary waste of objects of art, and intended to impress him with our indifference to the value of potters' ware. Perhaps Ras Makunan will write a book when he returns home, which may surprise his hosts as to the impressions made upon the mind of their timid guest by the shooting of clay pigeons and the show of corpora- tion art treasures. The number of British subjects who bear any other colour than white are bewilder- ing, and the uninitiated in the definition of the blends of colour between white and black are at a loss how to describe them. In London the troops that came from different parts of the world with the intention of assisting at the Coronation are the despair of the reporters on that account. Expert advice has been sought, and this is the result: — The child of a white father and a negro mother is a mulatto. The child of a white father and an Indian mother is a mestizo. The child of an Indian father and a negro mother is a chino. The child of a negro father and an Indian mother is a zambo. The child of a white father and a mulatto mother is a quadroon. The child of a white father and meztiso mother is a creole. The child of a negro father and a mulatto mother is a cubra. The child of an Indian father and mestizo mother is a mestizo-claro—often handsome. A mulatto is coffee-coloured a mestizo is ruddy gold; a. chino is dirty red; a zambo is dirty brown. Quadroons and creoles are sometimes beautiful. When there are so many fellow-subjects who are of the different shades of colour I have just described, it is well we should know how to distinguish them. The Shipping World calls attention to the manner in which the Patent Act of 1883 has been tinkered on seven or eight different occa- sions, but in neither instance has there been any attempt made to reduce the exorbitantly high charges made for grant- ing a British patent. In this country fourteen years of so-called protection costs £ 99; in America a patent which will stand in any court of law and runs for seventeen years costs only £7. III Germany the total charges are higher than in this country, but in return for them the inventor is granted a patent which not only gives him an absolute title to his invention, but is at the same time prima facie evidence of its novelty and utility, no German patent being granted for an invention that lacks utility as well as novelty. There is a Patent Law Amend- ment Bill before Parliament now, but it only deals with the rare accident of two inventors having discovered novelties of close resemblance, and the licensing of patents to others tnan the inventor when he is disinclined to use them himself -an odd procedure which frequently happens when an inventor wishes to force a sale of his patent at a high price. The great need of inventors of small article is a cheaper registra- tion fee, and such other encouragements as will enable them to put their inventions upon the market without having to seek the aid of speculators in inventions, who too often sret the lion's share of the finan- cial benefit of the inventor's brain work. This is the great want of our artisans just now, and its attainment should be made easy by a Government measure. If the news that the postponed Coro- nation is to take place during the next Banla Holiday week is trustworthy, there will be another clashing of events in Cardiff, and the celebration of the Marquess of Bute's coming of age will, after all, be held at the same time as the Coronation. Neither event will be worthily held on one and the same day, and, inasmuch as the first week in August is a summer holiday week, it would be well to divide it in two, and make the Wedr nesday and Thursday the time of rejoicing over the more local event. The London tradesmen are raising a cry against a multiplication of events which dislocate trade in the manner the first Coronation preparations did, and they suggest that the Sunday before or the Sunday after a one-day celebration of the Coronation should be regarded as a thanksgiving day for the King's recovery. This cry of the tradesmen implies what the public are slow to believe, viz., that festivities do not help trade. A stoppage of work decreases the spending power of tho people, and trade is never better than when everybody is at work. Cardiff is poorer through the death of Mr. John Fergusson. He was a most inde- fatigable worker in every movement with which he was associated. His most pro- minent services were given to the tem- perance movement, and he was one of the stalwarts of Good Templarism, but he was a man of very wide information, and kept in touch with everything relating to his native Scotland. He was one of the few North Britons in Cardiff known to me who cultivated the Gaelic tongue. Having lived many years in Welsh-speaki- ing districts, he could converse freely in that tongue. He had been unwell for the last two years, but very few of his acquaintances were prepared to hear of his lamented death, for there was a time when he could be regarded as one of the most robust figures in the town. He was a model citizen, for his interest in every municipal enterprise was live and disinte- rested, and we can ill afford to lose such men.

BUSINESS ADDRESSES. SPECIAL LINE OF DELICIOUS HAMS FOR BOILING. ,BEST QUALITY. ALL TEAN. THOUSANDS TO SELECT FROM AT TkE DIRECT TRADING CO.'S LOCAL BRANCHES:— 286. Bate-street. Town. 152. Penarth-road, Grangetown. 138, Cow bridge-road. Canton. 99. Woodville-road, Cathays. 240, Castle-road, Roath. 131, Clifton-street, Roath. 9a, Carlisle-street, Moors. 45, Jamea-street, Docks. Officee and Stores: Tredegar-street. i To Smokers t —1 INFANT PLANT t Cigarettes 0 h»T« b«»n prosranuffld by H.H. THK u f t>h« Wt. he -rooked, and »r« tuiMuallad for j # fLAVOGH, PURITi, and QUALITY. f

Telephone: Nat. 502. Post Office, 95 Telegrams Express, Cardiff." 'J' -r. 'J 'r ,-r' 'J 'J 'J

STREET ORDER. A problem that the Cardiff authorities seem always to rlIirk is the proper order- ing of the street traffic. As a matter of fact, our busier streets are more dangerous than those of London. The vast traffic of the Metropolis is worked on a system, and the police maintain splendid dis- cipline. In Cardiff there is neither system nor discipline, and at nights many a thoroughfare is sharply blocked by corner boys. On Saturday nights the state of Duke-street, for instance, is disgraceful. Then, again, horses and vehicles by the hundred are in charge of mere lads, who drive like so many fiends, without taking the slightest notice of where they are going. The police make no attempt to deal with this nuisance. It is certainly high time the authorities turned over a jaew leaf.

The public is long-suffering—and short- memoried—or it would long ago have got tired to death of the predictions that the Cardiff Infirmary is about going under. That there should be even a whisper of such a thing is not creditable, and the working classes in particular ought to see to it that the stigma of financial failure is removed for good and all from the doors of one of the worthiest institutions in Wales.

Two slight shocks of earthquake are Teported from the neighbourhood of Cheadle, Cheshire. Some persons report that when driving they noticed a trifling upheaval of the roads. What we want to know now is, Who are these persons and where had they been P Many people— j after festive occasions, for instance—expe- rience a decided upheaval of the roads not caused by terrestrial convulsions.

Holyhead "coronated" on Tuesday. It was gaily decorated, there was a general .holiday, an athletic meeting, a cycling carnival, with illuminations and fireworks for a wind up. But, as Holyhead delayed so long, couldn't it have managed to hold itself in till the actual Coronation ?

We read that the Mad Mullah (who bobs in and out of the. papers like the Chinese question and the Colorado beetle) is killing his men in order to prevent desertion. A very good remedy. Dead men can't desert. The Mullah is evidently not half so mad as people believe him.

Mainly About People Lady Constance Hatch may be reckoned one Of the handsomest young married women in society. She is the fifth and youngest daughter of the late Duke of Leeds, and is -very tall, with a beautiful complexion. She comes of a very handsome stock. Her mother, the late Duchess of Leeds, was a daughter of a former Lord Rivers, whose family was remarkable for its beauty, but. alas! also for its delicacy. All the four brothers of the duchess died before attaining their twentieth year. The duchess, whose mother was the eldest daughter of the first Lord Granville. had a very beautiful sister, whj became the first wife of Colonel Arbnth- not. of the 4th Hussars, but was killed by lightning a few weeks after her marriage while on her honeymoon. Lady Con9tance Hatch's third sister married a short time ago one of the eons of the late Lord Fitzwilliam. There is now only one unmarried, Lady Alexandra Godolphin-Osborne. The late Duchess of Leeds, as Marchioness of Carmar- then. was, until her husband succeeded to the Dukedom, a Lady of the Bedchamber of the Princess of Wales, but on attaining her high rank she had perforce to resign. Old Flink: I doubt if one man out of twenty can re-call to memory the language he used in proposing. Young Stewpid: Probably not. But the girl can. Mine did. When the breach of promise suit came up she was able to repeat my pro- posal word for word. It has been reported that the Grand Duks Constantin Constantinowitch of Russia is ill, but this is not the case. He has, however, fallen into disgrace with the High Priest. Podjedonosszew, who rules Russia, (says "Vanity Fair.") The Grand Duke, who is a liberal-minded Prince, with the greatest admiration for Tolstoi, has been unwearied in his efforts to have the ban of excommunication removed from the count, and during the absence of PodjedonosBtew in Wiesbaden, his Imperial Highness. who has considerable Influence with the Czar, had also persuaded his Majesty to do this. But the friends of the High Priest n Russia fourd what was going on. and telegraphed to Podjedonosszew, who hurried back to St. Petersburg, and by his representations persuaded the Czar that it was impossible to remove the ban. Tolstoi remains excommunicated, and the Grand Duke Constantin was advised to live for the present on his country estates, where he now is with hi3 wife and children, the report being circulated that he is suffering from his nervea. Tke Grand Duke's Wife, a i-

PUBLIC NOTICES. THE Sports "Express" CONTAINS FULL REPORTS OF LOCAL ATHLETIC MEETINGS, Latest Racing Returns, "THE BARD'S" TURF GOSSIP AND SELECTIONS, MANNING'S ADVICE TO FOOT- RACERS. 'HIP'S' CRICKET CARICATURES GOLF SPECIALS. Gossip on Summer Sports, The Sports "Express" Is Printed on WHITE PAPER, and issued at 7.30 p.m. SATURDAY. (First Number Published May 17).

Princess of Saxe-Altenburg, has remained true to the religion in which she was brought up. and is one of the very ftw Princesses married to Russian Grand Dukes who has not been converted to the orthodox Greek Church. Some doubt having arisen as to the actual birthplace of the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes, steps are being taken to settle the matter for good and all. It will be remembered that Mr. Rhodes was the son of a rector of Bishop's Stortford, and it was assumed, accordingly. that he was born at the rectory at that place. It appears that when the "Empire builder came into the world the Bishop's Stortford rectory was in course of such extensive repair or re-construction that the Rhodes family wa3 not residing in it. but in a white brick house of moderate dimensions hard by. This house was owned by a lady named Jervis, residing at or near Brighton; and an order has been given to a Bishop's StortfOrd firm to insert a plate in one of the walls recording the now well-authenticated fact that the great South African was born in this tempo- rary abode of his family. Miss Ada Crossley, the charming contralto who was the leading spirit in organising the Australian Coronation concert for the enter- tainment of the East-end poor in the People's Palace, spent her early years in Gippsland, the extensive south-eastern province of Victoria, where the tallest trees in the world are to be seen. When she was in her teens, Miss Crossley had to ride long distances through the bush to get her music lessons. When she moved into Melbourne she soon made her mark on the concert platform, and was appointed principal contralto in her church choir. Miss Crossley' was very nervous about trying her fortune in London. and resorted to the expedient of tossing a coin in the air. If it came down "head," she would go to London; if otherwise, she would remain in Melbourne. Fortunately for herself, as well as for English music-lovers, the fateful coin did its duty nobly, and directed Miss Crossley to cross the equator in a hopeful and con- fident spirit. The Tearful Wife: I am going to go right down to the river and drown myself! The Brutal Husband: All right, my dear; start at once, if you really want to. The Tearful Wife: It's raining now. and it would spoil my new dress; but I'm ftving just as soon as it stops. You see if I don't! A pretty story about the King, when Prince of Wales, is being told by a gentleman who was witness to one of the many instances of our Sovereign's kindness of heart. When quite a young man the Prince was staying at the Hotel Cavour, Milan, and, like all the other visitors, purchased flowers from a little lame girl, ten years old, who used to sell them in front of the hotel. The Prince was not satisfied with pitying the child. He sent her to an eminent surgeon to see if anything could be done to cure her lameness, and left sufficint money to enable the surgeon to carry out his cure. When the Prince returned to Milan he was rewarded by finding the little girl able to walk with very little difficulty.