Evening Express

Telephone: Nat. 502. Post Office, 95 Tetegrams Express, Cardiff."

THE HUMBERTS' CAPTURE From Dan to Beersheba have the French police sought the Humbert family, and. at last they have discovered them modestly hiding away no further afield than Madrid. Great was the triumph of the French police when they arrested them, and we dare not say how gre?.t will be the excitement of the Parisian people when the fugitives make their appearance in the gay city. It is the sort of oceasion upon which a French crowd loves to demonstrate, and the only difficulty is to determine vhether the Humberts will be received as popular heroes or as objects for popular indigna- tion. Of all the frauds that were ever committed that which stands to the credit of the Humberts is one of the most remarkable. But it is not the fraud itself that is so remarkable as the gullibility of the people who permitted it. Frauds of similar magnitude, involving consequences as disastrous to many hundreds of people, have been committed in this country but gullibility has hardly ever been carried to such an extreme as it was carried by the Humberts in the whole of the world. Fas- cinating personalities are dangerous for people of slender means to deal with, and the story of the Humbert safe with the hidden securities will remain for all time as a warning against one of the most common frailties of the human character- the frailty of faith. We cannot help ad- miring the completeness of the arrest of the Humberts. There was nothing of the Spanish to-morrow about it, and, for once in a way, extremely clever people were caught napping. If they had studied the papers they would have seen paragraph after paragraph proclaiming the imminent arrest of the ^umbertK; and if they had looked carefully around them they would have discovered a gradually increasing number of shadowing forms but, apparently, they preferred to live quietly in the place they had selected for their retreat, secure in the slender facial disguises which the presence or the absence of a beard can make. The police followed up their clue well, and made no bones of delicacy about the capture of fhe ladies en deshabille. This. as Madame Humbert remarked, wa, infamous, and the detectives who would not allow the lady to complete her toilet alone were immodest, if perfectly wise. men. Mr. Hugh Jones, of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, ought to be in Par- liament or in some place whero his singu- lar views would receive more adequate recognition. When the board next meet he intends to move a resolution calling on the Government to enforce a. minimum wage for all wage-earners, to fix a maxi- mum working period, and to empower local authorities to acquire land for cul- tivation, and to establish industries so that those who are unabie to find employ- ment in the ordinary way might have something to fall back upon without going on the Poor-rates. Mr. Hugh Jones's scheme, we are afraid, is doomed to failure.

It would be a good thing if school teachers more generally took the parents of their scholars into their confidence, as Mr. Ashton has just been doing at Court- road School, Cardiff. On Thursday an open day" was held, when the parents were invited to visit the school and in- spect it in actual working order. The following day an eisteddfod was held before the Christmas adjournment. If parents and teachers thoroughly under- stood one another the work of each would be rendered much more easy, and the children would make far more rapid and more thorough progress than is fre- quently the case at present. It would be a good thing if the experiment tried at Court-road were generally and periodically carried out. especially in the more popu- lous districts of our great towns.

Welsh football has once more been vindicated. We sent Swansea to Devon- port a little while ago to smash the Albion's record and, instead, the Swansea record, since further impaired, was damaged. But Devonport came to New- port. and the L'sksiders have done the needful. If results were anything logical to go upon, the Newport XV. would be reckoned the best in the country but, no doubt, Swansea is looking forward to a visit from the Devonport Albion in a spirit of sportsmanlike revenge. But the victory of Newport was not the only vin- dication of Welsh football. Cardiff de- feated Leicester, and Llanelly did the same for Plymouth, whilst Swansea played as they pleased with Cork, an Irish team.

Mainly About People Mr. Balfour is, curiously enough, more popular on the Irish Benches than in any part of the House; the reason this should be regarded as peculiar is that he and they had perhaps the fiercest fight of the generation in the old battling days. and he did not spare them nor they him. But those were days when he was more combative than he is now in his more sedate middle age; and most of his opponents on the Irish Benches have either disappeared from Irish politics or, like himself, have left behind the first morning )f their political youth. In any case, Mr. Balfour is always unusually considerate and polite to the Irish members, and they are always very considerate to him. It is a pity that so many pushing people should devote their talent chiefly to pushing other folks out of the way. There will not be many Scotsmen in Argyllshire to remember little Donald Harvey M'Vicar. who was born at Dunglass when King William was on the throne, and who was taken. to Canada by his father at four years old. That was all but 70 years ago, and Dr. M'Vicar had just died a lonely death among his books at the Presbyterian College in Montreal. He was among the two or three most famous ministers in Canada, an ardent educationist, an effective speaker, a. man who wrote practical text books on arithmetic as well as he wrote books on modern scepticism, or inspiration, or the Miracles, or the work and office of elders in the Church. For 42 years M'Vicar had been at Montreal, though a Brooklyn Church offered him a salary such u Ca-nada has never dreamed of for a minister. When Mr. Justin M'Cartby opposed the erec- tion of the statue to Oliver Cromwell at die public expense nearly every Liberal in the country was strongly hostile to hia action. Not so Mr. Gladstone; he was yachting at the time with Sir Donald Currie, and on the evening when the report of the debate reached the vessel Mr. Gladstone made an animated little speech, ending up with, "I drink the health of Justin Y'Carthy." And now we have a later story. Mr Gladstone was on a walk through Bucka with Mr, Birrell, and thej came to Chcgnes-s-a. region full 01 Cromwell memories. "Oliver was no lover of liberty." said Mr. Gladstone, when Mr. Birrell seemed disappointed at his too palpable want 01 interest. Then Mr. Birrell tried what was certainly a master-stroke. He led Mr. Glad. stone to a chest and showed him a drawer holding the white christening robes of the infant Protector. "At least, Mr. Gladstone," lie remarked, ."yon cannot deny that Oliver was a Christian." "I am content to hear you aesert the fact," was the reply. Which was a most GIadstonian utterance! Affairs of the heart fill up the time until men discover their stomachs. One of the difficulties of Royalties is that they so seldom hear the truth. For instance, when Louis XIV. was once playing; at back- gammoij, a favourite gams with him, a dis- pute arose as to a doubtful throw of the Monarch. The courtiers, appealed to by the King, said nothing—not daring to give the verdict against the King, not caring to tell too palpable a lie. The Comte de Gramnaont entered at this awkward moment, and the King asked him to decide the matter. The witty courtier replied without a moment's hesitation: "Your Majesty is in the wrong? How," said Louis, "can you decide before you know the question?" "Because," replied the count, had there been any doubt all these gentlemen would have given it in favour of your Majesty." I heard a. similar story (says "M.A.P.") with regard to the late Czar of Russia. He was one night playing a game of whist at Homburg, and the present King, then, of course. Prince of Wales, and several of his friends were of the party. Among those friends was Sir James Mackintosh, a. well- known bon vivant of the eighties and nineties. Sir James was one of those blunt, downright, rough-spoke Scotchmen who didn't know fear of God or man. In the midst of the game Sir James called out to the Czar, You've revoked." Everybody's blood ran cold. The Prince of Wales, I have been told, kicked the Scotchman under the table, and the Czar, blushing and confused, exclaimed in bewilder- ment, "Revoked! Why, I never did such a thing in my life! But Sir James persisted, and the Monarch was proved) to be in the wrong, whereupon Sir James replied to the observation of the Czar, I daresay you've often revoked, your Majesty, but this is the first time you were ever told so." One hears an echo of the Dreyfus case in the news that General Zurlinden is about to be retired, nnder the age limit, from the Superior Council of War. He was one of the many French officers who, having been taken prisoners in the war with Germany, managed to escape. His particular distinction lay in the fact that he managed to get away from Glogau, where he was detained, in the very same train as General Steinmetz, who had been sent down there to inspect the prisoners. Immediately upon his arrival at Basle he wrote to his brother officers sbill in captivity to inform them of his good fortune. The letter pa seed through the hands of the governor of the fortress, who, like the gallant soldier that he was, expressed the greatest admiration for his enemy's successful enter- prise. The Rev. Jacob Primmer figures from time to time in 'M. A. P.' in Scotland," so that I have naturally a kindly feeling for him. He has been called the John Kensit of North Britain, and he certainly acts as such. But this does not concern "M.A.P. what does is the delightfully pawky humour of the treatment meted out to Mr. Primmer by the "shirra" of Dundee, a Parliament House wit of the eighties. He simply refused to inflict punishment on the Rev. Jacob for "brawling" in a Forfarshire kirk in which he suspected Ritualistic tendencies. "You have far too long pursued the Popish cuckoo," said Mr. Campbell-Smith, "over the hills of Scotland. In future you will, perhaps, be well adviged to keep away from the hills of Forfarshire. "I will go to prison," interjected Mr. Primmer. "Yes," said the wise sheriff, "but I won't give you the chance." As a general thing, it takes more genera- tions to make a gentleman than it takes to spend his patrimony, which may account for there being so few perfect gentlemen among US. One of the important diplomatic appoint' rrents of the new year will be that of Ambas- sador at Rome. whither Lord Currie, who has held that appointment for four years, will shortly proceed from England-he has been in this country since the summer-to present King Victor Emmanuel his letter of recall. Lord Currie, who is 68, entered the Foreign Office in 1854; he was attached to the Speoial Mission to the King of Denmark in 1863, was secretary of the Special Embassy to the Berlin Congress in 1878, and was Ambassador at Con- stantinople from 1893 till 1836. Faith moves mountains by inspiring the believer to do the necessary work. There are some charming tales of Thackeray in Mr. Herman Merivale'j recently published reminiscences. Thackeray and Gilbert were walking once together through the Exhibition of 1862. when they came noon a school of little girls in grey, with very wide open eyes indeed, improving their harmless little minds under their mistress's guidance, in a qua.int row of two and two. Thackeray stopped when he saw the little maidens, and they stopped, too, and bobbed. "How many little girls are there?" he asked the mistress. "Four and twenty, sir." "Four and twenty little girls! They must have four and twenty little sixpences to buy four and twenty little things with." And the procession was stayed till he, had got ali the change for himself, and himself deposited a bright sixpence in every tiny band. The eight and forty eyes grew very large and bright, and the chorus of "Thank you, sir!" very sweet and general. Then the procession passed. Mr. Merivale also tells a very characteristic story of W. S. Gilbert. Gilbert was intended for the Bar, and his father was reluctant to see him turning in other directions. "If you would only stick to it," said the elder man, "you might become Lord Chancellor." "So I might," answered the author of the "Pina- fore" to be, "and if I stick to the theatres I may become Sheridan. One's as likely as the other, and of the two I prefer Sheridan." That. was a preference lucky for the lovers of the stage. There are a good many Jonahs who escape being thrown overboard.

CARDIFF POLICE ASSAULTED. Narrow Escape of a Baby. Before the magistrates sitting at Cardiff Police-court to-day (Messrs. J. B. Ferrier and A. Duncan) Mary Ann M'Donald. 35. was charged with using obscene language and act- ing disorderly in Mary Ann-street, on Decem- ber 20. She was further charged with assault- ing Police-constable Percy Sous, in Mary Ann- street, on Saturday night.—The Police-con- stable, in proving the case, said that but for the intervention of some people in the crowd prisoner would have let her baby fall—pro- bably with fatal results. She would not go away, and kicked Rous in the legs.-She had been up four times previously for assaulting the police, and was now fined 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS. The following are the readiaj^ iloce are o'clock last eveutac. (InD. by tlu barometer in the vwtlbulQ ol the Express," St. Mary-street, Cardiff, which is iJft. &beI." m-a tea level. -tfittn't. « a.wi, )i..n. Sp. -3. —— 30-cj 1 .7\ [ .6. 29-t i 1 ——.—- OO-.l _J

COçoa n a pnre, refilled bcrerare nuifttiouf, gtimuUMnff. and digestible. The "Lancet' »ays it "represents the sr,aad»r4 of highest purity.' Bnlire'y free from admixtures, such aa kola, malt, hops alkali, &c. In»i»t upoa having CADBUBT'B, u oth« eoeoa* are sometime* substituted for extra profit. Ti PaektU aud Tins otdJ. «MIS—<

THE LONDON PRESS Examples of Their Views To-day. BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM LEADING ARTICLES. Venezuelan War There could not be a solution more gene- rally popular with the British nation than this reference of the whole question to Mr. Roosevelt."—" Daily Express." Centre of Commercial Gravity The centre of gravity has shifted northwards, and it will be from Pretoria, and not from Cape Town, that the most authoritative ex- pression of South African opinion will hence- forth emanate.—" Daily Telegraph." Roosevelt as Arbitrator, Englishmen of all shades of opinion would willingly a.ccept the arbitration of a man who has impressed this country by his amazing combination of energy and judgment. It is still somewhat doubtful whetheT President Roosevelt will accept the position.—"Daily News." Forthcoming Humbert Trial They Dreyfus affair brought the fall of Ministry after Ministry, and left the average Frenchman with the nerve-shaking belief that his public men were sad scoundrels. It will be little short of a calamity for a friendly nation if this trial confirms and strengthens that belief.—" Daily Mail." The Capture of the Humberts. Those who were likely to know predicted that the capture of the Humbert family would be the Christmas-box of the French Govern- ment to the French people, and now comes the news that the Humberts have been dis- covered at Madrid and will be extradited. The incident opens what may be expected to prove the most exciting chapter in the most sensational story of a oentury.—"Daily Graphic."

A PERFECT TREASURE. Lady's Experiences with her Housekeeper. Wilful damage was the charge against Bessie Freeman at Bow-street Police-court, London, on Satuiday. An actress, named Mrs. Harris, living at Bedford-court-mansicns, recounted how she engaged a lady as a housekeeper. A wine and spirit merchant had described her as a perfect treasure." Mr. Fenwick: What did she do? The Prosecutrix: Well. she arrived with a. lot of luggage. I opened the duor for her, and she nearly fell in the hall. Mr. Fenwick: Was she sober? Prosecutrix: I didn't think so, and I called my coachman to see her. He thought she was only elated at having obtained the situation." She kept stagering about. I cooked her a chop, thinking it would do her good. I then sent her to bed, but she was troublesome all night. When I got up next morning the place was full of smoke, and I called in the steward of the mansions. He shook his head and said, That's the down- fall of England—servants drinking." Later," went on the mistress, I found the woman sitting on the floor of the bed- room with a bottle of gin between her knees. I took the bottle away from her. but she began to fight for it like a wild cat. With the assistance of my husband and the groom I got her away in a cab. I afterwards discovered one of the win- dows was broken. The groom to the prosecutrix stated that when the prisoner was got away in the cab she was wearing two new bonnets—one hanging by the strings round her neck. Later in the day she returned, and said she had left some of her things behind. Witness would not allow her into the kitchen, but he made up a parcel of her boots, brushes, combs, and hairpins, and took them out to her. Presently there was a sound of glass being smashed, and on going to the main entrance he found the prisoner bashing the street door with her umbrella. I found," continued the witness, that she had rather overstepped the boundary this time. and there was no alternative but to give her into custody." The prisoner, who denied being drunk, and said she used no force whatever on the door. was sentenced to one month's hard labour.

CHRISTMAS CLUBS. Remarkabie Mistake by a Lady Supervisor. A remarkable mistake on the part of a lady supervisor of the Savings Bank Department of a West End Post-office is reported. At the office in question over £5,000 in gold was last Friday paid over the counter to repre- sentatives of various Christmas clubs by the lady supervisor. On making a. tally in the evening she found that she was £100 short in money. One of the clerks fortunately remem- bered that a. club secretary who had pre- sented a withdrawal warrant for nearly JE700 was about to count out the gold he had received when the supervisor remarked, "You need not count it; it is sure to be all right." and thereupon he gathered the sovereigns into a bag and left. The clerk knew the club secretary to be a licensed victualler in the vicinity, and the distressed supervisor at once went in all ha3te to him and explained her unfortunate plight. He willingly produced his bag, counted out the money, and found that he had actually received 100 sovereigns too many. These he cheerfully handed back to the supervisor, with an expression of the pleasure it had given him in being able to assist in the recovery of the money.

BRIGANDS IN MACEDONIA. Action By the British Ambassador. Frankfort. Monday.—The Constantinople cor- respondent of the Frankfort Gazette says that at an audience recently granted to Sir Nicholas O'Conor by the Sultan the Ambas- sador proposed important and far-reaching measures with regard to Macedonia. As a result of the interview, orders were on Saturday sont by the Sultan to the valis of Salonika. Monaster, Uõkub. and Scutare for the capture within twenty days of all the brigands in those districts.

HENLEY REGATTA DEPRIVED Ithaca (New York State), Monday.—The athletic council of Cornell University has formally abandoned the idea of sending a crew to Henley next summer.—Renter.

EARL ROSSLYN VICTIMISED New York, Monday Morning.—The New York papers this morning publish details of the victimising of Earl Rosslyn on board an Atlantic liner. It is alleged that he was flceced by card sharpers of £Jl0. One of the sharpers has been arrested, but two others cscpaed.

FOUL OUTRAGE IN THE MIDLANDS. This morning the dead body of a woman was found on the towing path of the canal at Wolverhampton. Deceased, about 3D years of age. was in a shocking condition. She was lying face downwards in the mud, terribly battered, as though she had been kicked to death. after being first outraged. The body bore other marks of brutal violence. She was poorly attired, and a further examination showed her legs to be tied together with a piece of cord. The body has not yet been identified.

PENNIES WANTED For Funds of Cardiff Infirmary. RECORD OF RECEIPTS TO HAND TO DAY. As already announced, the offer of goldfand silver medals for the collection of pennies for Cardiff Infirmary will shortly be withdrawn. This part of the "Evening Express" Fenny Fund Scheme will, in fact, cease to exist on December 31 inErt. In a few days we shall announce our new offer and the conditions attached thereto. To-day's record of receipts is as "A Well-Wisher," 1 book. Mr. C. James, Blue Anchor, Wharton-street, 1 book. Miss Alice Cox, Bryn-Dinas, Bank-street. Penygraig, 1 book. Mr. D. L. Davies, 23. Romilly-road. 1 book. Mr. E. Silcox, Tower Hotel, 1 book. Miss Irene Barnes, 59, Hamilton-street, 1 book. Mrs. Mullen, Dinas Powis, 1 book. Mr. J. Allen, Park Hotel, 1 book. Total, JE89 10s. 3d. 59, Hamilton-street, Cardiff. Dear Sir,—Enclosed please find postal order for 4s. 2d. collected by my little daughter, 6i years old.—Yours truly, A. F. BABNES.

GAS EXPLOSION. Two Men Injured at Cardiff. About 6.30 this morning a telephone mes- sage was received at the Cardiff Central Police Station from Canton stating that a fine had broken out at the King's Castle Hotel, Canton. Superintendent Geen was quickly on the scene with the William McKenzie, but on arrival found that a gas explosion had taken place in the smoke-room. It appears that a young man named Charles Gibbs, a painter, in the employ of Messrs. Cousins and Co., was in the smoke-room, and on striking a match a ter- rific explosion of gas occurred. Gibbs and the manager, Mr. Westlake, were badly burnt about the facg and bands. Superintendent Geen rendered first aid. Gibbs was removed to the infirmary in a cab. The explosion forced out the bar door and front window of the hotel. The presence of the gas in the room was due to a leakage from a pipe.

DEAN OF WINCHESTER Lies in a Critical Condition. The Central News Winchester correspondent telegraphs that the Dean of Winchester had a serious relapse early this morning, and now lies in a most critical condition. All the members of the family have been summoned. No hoipe ia entertained of the dean's recovery.

THE FOOTBALL "EXPRESS" Is the Pick of the Basket. Latest Results. i Gossip: Rugger and Soooer. Photos of Local Athletes. Topical Lyrios. Cartoons by J. M. Staniforth Funny Sketches. Well-written Articles. The WHlTTis BEST. Editions at Usual Times: Price, One Halfpenny.

FOOTBALL LAYS AND LYRICS. » Written by "Idris," Illustrated by d.M.S." During the present football season the "Evening Express" is publishing a series of football lays and lyrios. by "Idris," illustrated by the inimitable J. M. Staniforth. The rhymes appear every Saturday in the Football Editions, and will be subsequently published in book form. They deal with local topics, and add greatly to the xest of the football season.

TO FOOTBALLERS Queriee relating to football law, disputed decisions, Ac., are answered in the Evening Express" every Thursday- Rugby questions by Mr. HARRY BOWEN, Soccer questions by Mr GEO. MERCER. Queries to be answered on any Thursday should reach the editor of the Evening Express'' not later than the MONDAY in the same week.

STRAY DOGS. Question of Housing Them at Cardiff. Another discussion took place to-day at a meeting of the Cardiff Parks Com- mittee in reference to the housing of stray dogs. The property and mar- kets committee asked the parks com- mittee to erect, at the expense of the former, a shed at Llandaff Fields for the accommodar tion of the dogs.—The chairman (Alderman Beavan) thought it was a. monstrous thing to house stray dogs in a recreation ground, where they might interfere with the children and be an annoyance to old people.—Mr. Sessions took an opposite view, and, as he has given notice that he will raise the question at the next council meeting, no resolution was passed.

AFTER SOUTH AFRICAN SERVICE. Secretary for War Explains Officers' Position. The Secretary for War, in a printed reply to Mr. Maesey-Mainwaring, M.P., states that officers serving in South. Africa have been held to be exempt from examination for promotion up to November 30 last. This rule applies to substantive ranks only. They wi!l be con- sidered eligible for selection for provisional promotion up to May 31 next, being required to pass the examination at the earliest oppor- tunity. Officers with brevet ra.nk come under Article 21 A of the pay warrant, under which an officer may be exempted from examination on the recommendation of the Commander-in- Chief if he has been promoted for distin- guished service or shows marked ability and gallantry in the field. Officers who produce certificates that they have satisfactorily commanded a mobile force of not less than 500 men for three months in the face of the enemy between October 11, 1899, and May 31 last will be exempted from examination for the higher rank.

ANOTHER "KENSrr" PROTEST. Yesterday morning at All Saints', Clifton, the moat fashionable church at Bristol, there was a protest against the ritualistic charac- ter of the Communion by about 50 people. led by Mr. H. Newby, one of the Kensit preachers. Early in the year Mr. John Kensit, jun., and others made a protest at the same church, and considerable disturbance was made in ejecting them. Yesterday, however, the whole of the protesting party left the church without any verbal remonstrances, and at a short meeting outside denounced the service.

ENGLAND'S GLORY MATCHES are made entirely by BRITISH LABOUR, Send for particulars of corape tit ions. England's Glory Match Works, Gloucester. el0055 If you require A GOOD FOOTBALL OR HOCKEY STICK, bo sure and call at ANDERSONS', who haro the BEST STOCK IN CARDIFF. Hockey Sticks from fid. to 10s. 6d. each. Footballs 2s. lid. to 12s. 6d. each. U1 Requisites kept for these games.—ANDERSONS' SPORTS AND GAMES DEPOT, TO, QUMN-STREBT, CARDIFF. •10641 •

CARDIFF TRAMWAYS. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. COMPROMISE EFFECTED BY A WITHDRAWAL. The first business whicr came before the Cardiff Tamways Committee this morning was the appointment of chairman and deputy- chairman. At a previous meeting Mr. J. W. Courtis and Mr. Frank Fox were elected to those positions, but at a council meeting on Thursday last the recommendation was re- ferred back, on the ground that Mr. F J. Beavan is a senior member to Mr. Courtis All the members of the committee were present, and, on the motion of Alderman Eamsdale, seconded by Mr. Courtis, the Mayor (Mr. Edward Thomas, "Cochfarf") was voted to the chair for preliminary purposes. His Worship said he did not think they could forget the discussion which took place at the last council meeting. Mr. Robert Bird: I have a discussion to make, which, if adopted, will shorten the busi- ness. Mr. S. O. Williams: I think the mayor should be allowed to proceed. They Mayor: Just leave the conduct of the meeting to me. Mr. Bird, continuing, said his proposition was that Mr. Courtis be elected chairman and Mr. F. J. Beavan deputy-chairman. He had spoken to Mr Beavan on the subject, and he had agreed. The Mayor: What we have to do in the first instance is to elect a chairman. We cannot elect both in the same vote. Continuing, his worship stated that, although it was usual to follow seniority rule, that rule was not always observed. Ailderman Jacobs then moved that Mr. Courtis be elected chairman of the comr mittee, and this was seconded. Alderman Carey remarked that the appoint- ment of deputy-chairman might affect the vote of some of the committee. He did not like to see Mr. Fox thrown over without some reason. He had given up the chairmanship of the cabs committeee. Mr. Norman, as chairman of the cabs com- mfiittee, said he would be glad to etand aside for Mr. Fox. Mr. Robert Bird desired that it should be understood that the action he had taken was dectated by any personal motive. Mr. Beavan remarked that if he consulted his own feelings he would not accept the posi- tion of chairman or deputy-chairman, but he held that the seniority rule should be observed. However, he was entirely in the hands of the committee. The Mayor then put the proposition that Mr. Courtis be elected chairman, and had declared it carried, when Mr. Jenkins nominated Mr. F. J. Beavan as a matter of principle, he being the senior member of the committee He could not agree with Mr. Robert Bird and vote for the ex- mayor as deputy-chairman. As much as he respected Mr. Courtis, he was bound to vote for Mr. Beavan. Several members said the question was settled, a vote having been taken. Mr. S. O. Williams supported Mr. Jenkins's amendment. Alderman Ramsdale: I pity any man who becomes chairman of this committee. The Mayor: Is it the pleasure of this com- mittee that the election of chairman be re- opened? (" No, no.") I put the proposition and declare it carried. Mr. William Evans: The vote was taken honourably before Mr. Jenkins moved an amendment. But let us have a show of hands, Mr. Kayor. Mr. Jenkins: No, don't do it on my account. A show of hands was then taken, with the result that Mr. Conrtis was elected chairman, Mr. Jenkins alone voting against it. Mr. Fox stated that he could now expedite business by now alllowing his name to go forward as vice-chairman. From the com- mencement he was anxious that Mr. Courtis should be elected chairman on account of the experience he had had in connection with the tramways undertaking, which might be lost to the town if the decision of the committee at the last meeting had been reversed. He (Mr. Fox) had no desire or ambition to force himself forward in connection with any cor- poration department. (Hear, hear.) He did not desire to put himself in opposition to the ex-mayor, who was anxious—or his friends were anxious—that he should be elected deputy-chairman. Neither was he willing to accept the generous offer of Mr. Norman and be re-appoirtted chairman of the cabs com- mittee. He preferred to be, as he always had been. a free lance. Alderman Ramsdale: That is very generous on the part of Mr. Fox. I now move that Mr. Beavan be appointed deputy-chairman. Mr. Beavan: J am sorry Mr. Fox had that parting shot afc me. He said I was anxious for election.—(A Member: Or your friends.)— It is true that he added those words. I have an individuality and a personality, and I shall stand to principle at all odds. The Mayor appeal to members not to pay attention to any straw word that was dropped. Let there be peace and goodwill at this season of the year. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Beavan: Mr. Fox said I wished the posi- tion. Mr. Fox: I hope the mayor will never have more stinging words than those. The motion was then put and declared car- ried. Mr. Beavan: Now I decline to have the ornce. He felt that the compromille should carry with it some fair amount of unanimity. and that had not been manifested n the vote just taken. Mr. Bird and others endeavoured to per- suade Mr. Beavan to have the position. Mr. Beavan: How many members were silent? Mr. Evans: Well, letms have a show of hands again. A vote being taken in this way, and Mr. Jenkins held up his hand against the proposi- tion. Mr. Beavan then consented to take the posi- tion of deputy-chairman. Mr. Conrtis then took the chair, and thanked the committee for again electing him to that position. He regretted that any difficulty had arisen between the committee and the council. He felt sensitive, like Mr. Beavan; but he was afraid the latter was rather over-sensitive. There was not the slightest intention at the previous meeting of showing the alightset dis- respect to the ex-mayor. He (Mr. Courtis) would never be a party to rushing a matter of that kind, as had been alleged, neither did he consider that there had been any sharp practice. (Hear, hear.) On inferring to the standing orders, he found thart, the committee appointed their chairman and deputy-chair- man, and not merely nominatnd them, as was stated on Thursday last. He had never known of a case in which the appoint aients nade by committee were not confirmed hy the council. His position at the hist council meeting was a painful one. He had always en- deavoured to make himself acquainted with the details of the committee work, and he felt it a very great compliment th«it he should have been elected chairman when a vacancy arose. He hoped Mr. Beavan amd himself would work as harmoniously as the former chairman and he (Mr. Courtis) haid worked. (Applause.) He could not help paying a tribute to Mr. Fox for so geneijously with- drawing from the deputy-chairmanship. Mr. Jenkins stated that he voted on a ques- tion of principle, and assured the chairman that he would work as loyally un. fer him as under any chairman. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Beavan thanked the committor for their kindly consideration in this matter.. He was also indebted to Mr. Fox for the magnanimous spirit he had shown. He did not want the position, but there was a principle involved. The committee then proceeded with the ordinary business.

DON'T HURT BABY by giving It a nasty, cheap toy. but give it one of ANDERSONS' SOFT, DHJBABLE INDIA RUBBER DOLLS or Domestic AnituaU;. Choice steek; all prices.—ANDERSONS' XMAS BA^uxAR, 70, QUEEN-STREET, CARDIFF. <MM1

ATLANTIC GALES. Fearful Reports From Incoming Steamers. LINERS WITH TWISTED RAILS AND BATTERED LIFEBOATS A New York telegram on Saturday states: — The French flyer La Savoie whipped all com- petitors of the incoming transatlantic Satur- day fleet. She alone, slim and sharp-bowed, made steady time through the winter turbu- lence, and docked yesterday. The Etruria, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse crept in to-day with twisted rails and stanchions and bat- tered lifeboats, all reporting the same story of terrific storms of unwonted duration and passengers out of commission at mealtime. One happy man landed from the Savoie, Charles Singer, a noted Chicago capitalist. The Savoie has a wireless equipment, and some of Singer's friends on Friday sent him bogus messages as to Venezuelan complica- tions, Wall-street panic, and financial ruin for himself. Singer was to-day feted by the practical jokers.

BRITISH NAVY. Breakdown of H.M.S. Canopus. The Admiralty have decided to commission his Majesty's ship Russell on February 24 in order to relieve the Canopus, which is to come home. The Belleville boilers of the latter battleship have hopelessly broken down, and they will have to undergo a com- plete overhaul at some home port. The Naval and Military Record" learns from a. reliable source that in the recent com- bined operations in the Mediteranean the plans of the admiral were again and again frustrated by the erratic behaviour of the Belleville-boilered ships* and that nearly all of them could not be relied upon to go through a difficult manoeuvre. The president of the Boiler Committee which so completely denounced the Belleville boiler was Vice-admiral Sir C. E. Domvile, and his recent experiences in the Mediter- ranean eeem to have convinced him that the Committee were quite right. The Canopus has been a failure (says the Record ") from the date of her commission, as she could not run from Portsmouth to Gibraltar without putting into a Spanish port to make goo defects in her air pumps, and from that day to this she has been an encumbrance.

SIR CHARLES HARTOPP. Help from Friends to Pay Law Costs. There is great sympathy felt in some quarters with Sir Charles Hartopp, foremost among his friends being the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who has not only appointed him as one of his equerries at a salary of JE600 a year, but is also said to be contributing towards the expenses of the recent trial. Sir Charles Hartopp's brother is also giving a considerable sum towards the same end. and among other friends who are said to have contributed are Mr. and Mrs. Miller Muudy.

FOOTBALL. Wales V. England. A writer in the Athletic News," comment- ing upon the postponement of the selection of the Welsh team, decision of the section committee of the Welsh Union to postpone the selection of the fifteen to meet England until January 3 is good policy. The decision has been connected with the truism that it is unwiee to show one's hand to an opponent, but several other reasons appealed to those in authority. The fortnight's interval will allow of further guesses at and sugges- tions for the selection of the side for the vacancy caused by Gwyn Nicholls's regrettable accident. There have been rumours of play- ing Skrimshire and Strand-Jones in the posi- tion, but there are many who would never trust the Blackheath man after his bad judg- ment in the Irish match at Cardiff four seasons ago, while hia inability to combine is a very great objection to his presence in a side where combination is supposed to be the keynote of success. THE ENGLAND TEAM. The provisional England team to play against Durham on January 3 (writes an English critic) may be thought to contain at least one surprise in the back division—tha,t is the inclusion of Kendall at half-back, and the exclusion of Oughtred, Stoop, and Dillon. The reason, however, is that as Durham are the champion county Oughtred will be required to play for them; and there will, as a matter of fact, be no Durham man in the England team. It is evident the selectionists have had regard to combination, hence the choice of two Cheshire half-backs. There is no cause for serious criticism here. Breetargh ■and Spooner were bound to be in on Satur- day's form, but if J. T. Taylor is all right on the 3rd I shall expect him to partner Spooner against Wales. Gamlin has gone in on his old form—not on Saturday's play, for Walker was the better man. The forwards are a good, hard-working set, and I am specially pleased to see Whitehead selected. He is a good young player now, and will be a better by and by. GRAND ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL MATCH At Llwyncelyn Grounds, l'orth, on Christmas Day, December 25th—NEWTOWN (North Wales) V. PORTH. Kick-off 11.30 a.m. Admission 6d. e4044z22

SHIPPING CASUALTIES FOR LAST YEAR A Parliamentary return has just been issued in which it is stated that the total number of losses recorded at sea in 1900-1901 was 5,421. or 42 less than in 1899-1900. The total number of losses and serious casualties together was 1,693, which wa« 92 more than in 1899-1900. The number of total loeses was 341 (tonnage 152,996), the figures being lower by 79 as regards num- ber and by 26,680 as regards tonnage than for 1898-99. The number of vessels lost was lower tkan in any of the previous 24 years, while the tonnage lost was lower than in any of those years except 1897-98. The total number of seamen and passengers saved from wrecks of British vessels everywhere and of foreign vessels on or near the coasts of British territory during the year 1900-1901 was 73,940. Of the 2.268 lives saved on the coasts of the United Kingdom 282 were saved by the rocket apparatus and assistance from the shore, 347 by lifeboats. 257 by coastguard boats and other craft. 575 by passing ships, and 727 by the ships' own boats.

THE COALFIELD OF WESTGLAMORGAN Lecturing before the Swansea Scientific Society at Swansea, Mr. Thomas Lloyd, of Ystradgynlaia, spoke of the deeper measures of coal that have not yet been reached to any great extent, and in the course of his lecture mentioned that he had held that the Neath and Dulais Seams overlay the Graigola Seam, but borings at Cadoxton, Neath, bad failed to find the Graigola Vein, and he was, conse- quently of opinion that another hundred yards' boring would strike, not the Graigola, but the Ehondda No. 2 Seam. As to the unworked coal in the Swansea district, he gave some interesting figures. Ignoring the quan- tity of undeveloped coal above the No. 2 Ehondda Seam, he calculated the quantity to be 600,000,000,000 tons. Time and the appli- cation of science would, he thought, overcome the difficulty that at present existed of reach- ing the very lowest measures, but it would, he liberally calculated, be 600 years before the coal supply of the Swansea district was exhausted. There was. therefore, much pro- mise for the future of the port of Swansea, which was justified in going in for its new deep water dock. In fact, he predicted that when all the workable coal seams in the Car- diff district were paid out, Swansea. would be a great and flourishing coal port.

[MAID OF CEFN YDFA. Story of Great Domestic Interest. INTERVIEW WITH MR JOSEPH BENNETT. Mr. Joseph Bennett, the well-known dramatic critic of the Daily Telegraph," and the librettist of "The Maid of Cefn Ydfa," visited Cardiff on Saturday and witnessed the per- formance of Dr. Joseph Parry's opera at the Grand Theatre. Subsequently Mr. Bennett was interviewed by a. "Western Mail" reporter. "What do you think of the romance as a subject for an opera?" was the first query put by the reporter? I "Well. I can praise the story very highly." was the reply. "It is a etory of great domestic interest; it is what we call a domestic opera as distinguished from historical or national. The situations and the whole circumstances of the opera appeal very strongly. I think, to human nature. At the same time, I think that it is an opera intended primarily for Wales. Dr. Parry has introduced many Welsh airs. and introduced them very deftly and very properly." "What do you think are the prospects of the opera?" "It is difficult to say, as one works more or less in the dark. You never know when the public are appreciative, and you never know what will be the end of a. work, however good it may be, but I should say that, with proper revision, the work will have a really good chance. Of course, it needB to be very much better staged than the means available here will allow. For instance, that storm scene, where the lawyer threatens 'Will Hopkin' with a pistol, that should be very strong, and would be very strong if it were properly staged. But it was very badly staged at Cardiff; the scenery was old and not appropriate, and the whole stage set was adapted to injure the scene rather than to Improve it. The 'storm' was ridiculous, for there was no thunder and no lightning—unless the flashing of something or other once or twice was intended for lightning. The oak should have been an independent tree, old and venerable in appearance and standing well out, not painted in the back scene, and the lightning should have struck the tree, under which 'Maddock' should have been. That explains his remark, 'Great Heavens, what an escape! What an escape from swift and dreadful death!' As it was the remark was meaningless, because one could not see that he had been in any dan- ger. He was in no more danger than 'Will Hopkin, for they were both near the tree. The lightning should have been seen to fall on the tree, and 'Maddock' should have been at the root of it, so to speak, and therefore in imminent danger." Now with regard to the music. Mr. Ben- nett?" Well, a good deal of the music I liked last night. Dr. Parry is especially fortunate in his melodies, and some of the orchestral work is very clever and appropriate—especially the piece played after the eisteddfod scene, and while the stage was darkening for the duet of the lovers. There were some places where I should make a change. For instance, at the close of the duet, where 'Kate' and 'Mad- dock' and 'Mrs. Thomas' come in. It ends with a quartette, and that would bear lengthening. It is effective, but it is very short. It would prove a more impressive finale if 50 bars or more were added. The whole of the first act is very good, and I don't think that requires alteration in any way. Nor should I revise the final scene—the death scene. It seems to me to be excellent. With a few touches here and there, I believe it would go very well with the public. Unfortunately. I could not attend any rehearsals, as it is rather a busy season with me just before Christmas. At the same time, having to work on his own ideas, I think Mr. Manners succeeded admir- ably." "It would be rather interesting to the public to know from what sources you received the information?" I "The facts, as they were enacted in real life, were given to me by Dr. Parry, and then Mr. Tom Stephens sent me a book written by a man who is still alive, and who lives at the village of Llangynwyd. He is a school- master and a parish clerk, I think. The book does not deal exclusively with the story, but the story- comes in in the course of the gossip about Glamorganshire which the book contains. The eisteddfod scene was my own invention. so, also, was the scene in the wood, and that scene, by the way. did not occur to me until I visited the place in company with Dr. Parry and the members of the Parry Company. At the bottom of a steep hill close to the house is a ravine, and I saw the possibility at once of getting the two rivals to meet there, and also to using one of the trees as a kind of rustic post-office in the old lovers' style. The first act—that of the harvest home—contains a good many details that I invented, but it is founded on the fact that 'Will Hopkin' used to meet 'Ann Thomas' in the kitchen of the farm. and that he was ordered away by the mother. The idea of humiliating 'Will' by getting a better singer to come to the eistedd- fod at Coity Castle was also my own. I saw a good opportunity of representing one of these national gatherings. In laying out the opera. I tried to introduce a large num- ber of songs and lyrics, as being adapted not only to Dr. Parry's genius as a melodist, but which would appeal to the Welsh public. In Wales the opera is very little known, and, therefore, the simple and much modified form is more likely to be useful." Mr. Bennett wished it to be mentioned that he did not decline to go on to the stage at the Grand Theatre out of any disrespect to the public, but because he had not felt well of late, and he was rather afraid that the strain upon his nerves would have an ill effect. He felt very grateful, however, for the call the audience gave him. On Saturday night, after the performance, Mr. Bennett was presented by Mr. W. W. Jones, acting on behalf of the Parry committee, with a travelling bag and case in recognition of his generosity in not requiring any remunera- tion for writing the libretto.

ALLERTON-STREET QUARREL. Beer Drinking Ends in a Fight. This afternoon at Cardiff Police-court (before Messrs. J. B. Ferrier and A. Duncan) Edith Maud Thomas was charged on a war- rant with ma-licioualy wounding Mrs. Lily Bowen, on December 16.—The women had an altercation in a hOUBe in Allerton-street, Grange, where there had been some beer drinking, followd by a fight, in whick the prisoner was alleged to have broken a jug over the complainant's head, the fragments of which were produced. The wound bled like a tap," said one of the witnesses.—Dr. Cantillon said the injury was over the right eyebrow, and extended to the bone. The wound was not dangerous.—Detective Harris effected prisoner's arrest in St. Mary-street. She said she did it in self-defence.—The magis- trates reduced the charge to one of common assault.—Prisoner stated that a night or two previous previous the complainant assaulted her, and the latter admitted the charge.—The defendant was committed for one month.

THE LATT SIR EDWARD HILL, Tribute by the Llandaff Magistrates. Dr. Taylor, who presided at Llandaff Petty- sessiona to-day, expressed his own and that of his brother magistrates' deep sense of the loss the court had sustained by the death of Sir Edward! Hill, who had been an active magistrate in the division, and until he was seized with illness had been pretty regular iu his attendances. Sir Edward was one of the senior magistrates that sat at that court for a period of thirty years. They all sin- cerely mourned his loss, coming,at it did, soon after the death of another active magis- trate. the late Mr. Evan Lewis. He moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Lady Hill and the family.—This was seconded by Colonel Woods, and Mr. Morgan Rees endorsed the same on behalf of the legal pro- fession.

THE PR!MAT £ S ILLNESS The following bulletin was issued this morn- ing at Lambeth Palace at ten a.m.: — Lambeth Palace, December 22. The Archbishop has had a comfortable night. He haa taken more food, and shows no increase of weakness. (Signed) THOMAS BARLOW. WARBINGTON HAWAED. CHARLES SANGSTER.

PRESIDENCYOFTHE HAYTI REPUBLIC New York, Monday.—A Port an Prince dis- patch states that General Nord has been elected President of the Haiti Republic.—Cen- tral News.

LORD HAWKE'S TEAM IN NEW ZEALAND. Wellington, Monday.—Lord Hawke's team beat Auckland in the first match of the tour by an innings and 129 runs.—Central News.

"Cflchfarf's" Comments ■■ m The last British agricultural returns so far as they apply to corn production are very satisfactory reading. Not only is there an increased acreage of corn-pro- ducing land, but there is also an increased production per acre. Furthermore, the figures are not of the fitful kind which might result from consecutive had and good harvests, but are estimated upon a ten years' average. So striking an im- provement in wheat -growing as an increased yield of nearly two bushels per acre is indicative of better technical knowledge of farming, both in the tilling of land and in the selection and prepara- tion of seed. There must follow such figures as are now published an increased confi- dence in the possibilities of agriculture to the British farmer, and a-good reason for the landlord to give greater encouragement to the tenant than has ever been the case since agriculture ceased to be the staple industry of this kingdom. The older intineraries reveal the infor- mation that waving corn was once to be seen at harvest time where only immense areas of grazing land are to be found to- day. Even in sheltered situations on high mountainland in South Wales the song of the oxen whilst toiling before the plough in early spring was to be heard, and at reaping time sickle teams could be seen cutting the yellow cornstalks and the binders garnering the golden grain into the safety of the farmer's barn. It is not too much to expect such scenes to be repeated, only the reaping hoop will be replaced by the reaping machine, and the wooden ox-plough by one driven by steam or electricity, the latter, pos- sibly, the electrical power being gene- rated by the passing mountain brook. Many another country industry may be revived by turning to good account the unutilised brooks which course between a hundred hills. This is not the dream of a country poet, but a matter that may well engage the attention of the prac- tical politician who should be anxious to turn unemployed labour to a good account.. There is no limit to human credulity, and this weakness is not confined to the uneducated. How any man. at the beginning of the twentieth century could succeed in persuading another that for every pound borrowed five thousand pounds would be returned is beyond ordi- nary understanding yet the "Pitsmoor millionaire" succeeded in doing this with a Chesterfield citizen. Although only living in a house of a rental of six shil- lings a week, he of Chesterfield believed the cottage millionaire that the Home Secretary and the King's Earl Marshal dined at his modest home, and that the same millionaire" was in the habit of dining with the King. No less sum than £3,127 was extracted from the dupe in this way; and it is small comfort to him that he in whom he confided so im- plicitly will have to spend the next three Christmases in penal servitude. Never- theless, such duplicity will succeed to-day and to-morrow and on every succeeding day as long as the world lasts, seemingiy, or why is it that with all the enlighten- ment" we boast of in this golden age this Marson could so readily obtain Eastwood's £ 3,129? The War Omce calls attention to twe recent cases at Wokingham Petty; Ses- sions, in which two defendants were con- victed of sending betting circulars to cadets at Sandhurst-a very praiseworthy proceeding on the part of the War Office as well as on the part of those who brought about the conviction of such un- scrupulous offenders against youthful students. How is it that the same vigi- lance cannot be exercised by the Post- master-General's department in ferreting out the senders of lottery circulars in. wholesale batches into British homes ? Only last week two such circulars reached me at two different addresses, and each of them bore only the London and Car- diff postmarks. Would it not be well if all who receive these objectionable mis- sives forwarded them, envelope and all, to the Postmaster-General, with a letter of protest against the apparent indif- ference of his department to this breach of the law of the land? The post mark and the handwriting on the envelopes ought to form a clue wherefrom in Lon- don these lottery circulars emanate. Their" senders are evidently emboldened by their comparative immunity from inter- ference by those whose duty it is to sup- press their circulation. The .chairman of the Swansea Board of Guardians (the Rev. Dr. Gomer Lewis), although one of the most genial of men, can, when the occasion demands it, say some blunt and very necessary truths. He has just reminded his brother ministers of their indifference to the spiritual needs of the inmates of the Sw ansea. Workhouse. The former urged the lame excuse that they did not know they were supposed to visit the workhouse. It is generally sup- posed, I believe, that wherever there are souls in need of spiritual succour there also should those whose profession it is to care for souls be found and if true mis- sionary zeal existed among them they would have long ago found out whether they were at liberty to visit the work- house or not. Presumably, the majority of the inmates were attendants at some place of worship before their entrance to the union house, and their ministers in more favoured days ought at least to have sufficient concern for them to make a. definite inquiry as to who has their spiritual oversight in the workhouse. This is but seldom done, I regret to learn, in other than the Swansea Poor- house but in some parts of South Wales, Cardiff among them, there is a ministerial rota, and every member of the local mini- sterial union does religious duty at the workhouse. I am afraid that the decision of the Merthyr Council to prohibit the keeping of lodgers in their model houses will not help to solve the housing problem in that district. The lodger is a great institu- tion in industrial centres, and his com- fort should be facilitated where good houses are so scarce as they are in Mer- thyr. It frequently hapnens that the lodgers are married men, who live in vil- lages too distant from the collieries to enable them to reach home every night, and they are content to see their families at week ends only. If lodging with their comrades who have homes near the work is prohibited the ostracised lodger will have to clamour for a house whereto he can bring his family, and the housing trouble will thus be accentuated. What is to become of the unmarried lodger, who is the only source of income to many an elderly widow, and who is far less destructive to house property than the stay- at-home married man, who wiU beguile the long winter evenings by chopping firewood on the bare mtchen stones, pulverising them into a thou- sand atoms, or driving clothes' line nails into the door frame head, and by the ten- sion of the loaded clothes' line pull the door frame from its setting. Poor lodger r His lot is always a hard one, but. he has still more evil days awaiting him if the action of the Merthyr Council is to be generally copied.