South Wales Daily News

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES. DEATHS .0- BIRTH. GWYN.—On 15th inst., st Mil ton! Haven, the wife of J. Gwyn, manager London Provincial Bank, Milford Haven, of a daughter. Haven, of a daughter. MARRIAGE. GRIFFITHB-PHTLLIPS.—At Hendycwrdd, Aberdare, on Wednesday, by the Itev U. J. Jones, M.A., brother- in-law of the bride, Miss Mary Griffiths, Poplars, Aberdare, to Rev W. J. Phillips, Newton, near Bridgend. 7234 DEATHS. REES.—On March 14th. at Anchor-terrace, TafFs Well, Anne, the beloved wife of William Rees, and only daughter of Councillor William Williams, Tonypandy, in her 28th year. Public funeral Thurs- day, March 16th, leaving Walnut Tree Bridge Station per 1.23 p.m. tra,in. Interment to take place at the Treorkv Cemetery. 7193 WILLIAMS.—Feb. 36th, in hospital at Victoria, British Columbia, Edward, secontl son of the late .Tenkin Williams, Pencoedtre, Cadoxton, Cardiff, in his 48th year interred at Coupeville, Island County, Wash- ington.

THE WELSH VETO BILL. WHETHER national temperance can be pro- moted by legislation, and in what direction, and to what extent that legislation should go, are, no doubt, disputable and debatable questions but it must be admitted even by those who deny the right of Society to inter- fere in matters which affect simply the self- regarding conduct or misconduct of indivi- duals, that Society possesses an inherent right to take antecedent precautions to guard itself against probable damage and loss from any business or trade which has been proved hurtful to the national well-being. A consideration such as this, however, is be- yond the mental ken of House of Commons debaters of the calibre of Sir WILLIAM MARRIOTT, who moved the rejection of the Welsh Veto Bill on the proposal for its second reading yesterday. The Bill is intro- duced by the Welsh members collectively, or by the great majority of them, eight of whom back it as sponsors prepared to answer for and support it in the House and it I comprehends within its purview only Wales and Monmouthshire. Major JONES, the member for Llanelly, in moving the second reading, explained pretty fully its provisions in an able and characteristic speech and Mr FRANK EDWARDS, the member for Radnorshire, who seconded it, scored a point in his contention that, as the House of Commons had given Wales Sunday Closing by the will of the people, there was no reason, in fact, policy, or logic, why the House should not give Wales Monday Closing also by the will of the people. The Bill is a comparati vely short measure, con- taining only seventeen clauses, with four schedules and it is a far better measure than the Government Veto Bill for two reasons, First, it makes no exception in favour of hotels, restaurants, and refresh- ment-houses; and, next, it provides not only for total prohibition, which is the scope and end of the Government measure, but it offers the alternatives of the reductiou of public houses and of the prohibition of new licences. The second clause prescribes that after the passing of the Act it shall be law- ful for the Town Council of any borough or for any number of ratepayers in any veto- II ing district—including a borough-" being not less than one-tenth of the whole body II of ratepayers, by notice given to the mayor of the borough or to the chairman of any urban or rural sanitary authority, to take a poll of the ratepayers of any vetoing district. When the ratepayers have assembled in public meeting, the Bill 'I —it would be an Act then however- gives them the choice of adopting one of three resolutions, or two out of three, or even the whole three. It is a self-evident truth, moreover, that the ratepayers have inherently a fourth choice, which the Bill does not offer them, and that is the choice of negativing all the three resolutions. The first resolution gives them the option of prohibiting entirely the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors within the limits of the vetoing district. This is the principle of the Govern- ment Bill introduced by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, but without the mis- chievous and obviously unfair exemptions of hotels, restaurants, and places of refreshment contained in that Bill. This I resolution can only be carried by a two- thirds vote of the ratepayers present at the meeting. This also is the majority required by Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT'S measure, although a large placard, industriously posted by the Licensed Victuallers, incor- rectly states that the Government measure requires only a bare majority to enforce total prohibition. The second resolution which is special to this Welsh Veto Bill, provides for the reduction of the number of public-houses to a specified limit, to be fixed by the resolution and the third resolution, which is also special to the Welsh Bill, pro- hibits the granting of any new licences. The second and third resolutions can be carried by a majority of the ratepayers present at the meeting. It is obvious that the second resolution is included in the first, for if the ratepayers resolve to have total prohibition they have after a sufficiently drastic fashion reduced the number of public-honses in the vetoing district. It might be contended, however, for dialectic hair-splitting is not a very difficult task, that the passing of the first resolution would not destroy the right of the magistrates to grant new licences, and, therefore, in all cases where the first resolution is passed it would be necessary, as a matter of precaution, to pass the third. The arguments of the opponents of the Bill in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon did not touch these questions, but mainly affirmed the injustice of sup- pressing a lawful trade without providing compensation for the suppressed publicans. As a matter of sentiment, much can be said on this aspect of the question, but senti- ment fares badly when law pronounces its dictum. There is to this, as to every question, two sides. The law has declared that a licence is not a free- hold, and that the publican has not a vested interest in his licence. The license is only granted for a year, and although it has been the general, the almost invariabla practice, to renew it to I every properly conducted house, yet it was not renewed as a matter of right, but of custom and utility. The licensing Magis- trates can refuse to renew licenses without giving any reason for their refusal, and, of course, without granting compensation and the landlord of the house can refuse at the end of the tenancy to let it for a public-house, and, of course, also without granting compensation. It seems strange, therefore, that the majority in a district, who have larger social interests in the question than Magistrates or landlords, should be prohibited from doing what Magistrates and landlords have the absolute and uncontrolled power to do. No doubt publicans have been encouraged to believe, by the general practice of the Licensing Magistrates heretofore, that their licences would be perpetually renewed if their houses were properly conducted. But that was an error on their part, for which the law makes no allowance. Nevertheless, there is a higher principle than law and that is equity. Whether equity would be violated by withholding compensation from the publicans whose licences may be suppressed is a matter open to debate, and from different standpoints. It is not so self- evident as over ardent and unreasoning advocates on either side suppose. Sir WILLIAM MARRIOTT discoursed an infinite deal of nothing about the question yester- day, and so did the Marquis of CARMARTHEN, BAROX DE ROTHSCHILD, and some of the other opponents of the Bill whilst some of the supporters of the measure rambled far astray from the real, the crucial principle of the measure, whether a community has a right to suppress or restrict what has been acknowledged to be a lawful trade and if so whether it is justi- fied in doing this without awarding compen- sation to the suppressed traders. The contention of one of the opponents of the Bill that it is utterly futile to attempt to promote morality by removing temptations out of the way is in utter antagonism to every system of moral teaching which the world has yet known. Morality is surely promoted by making it difficult for men and women to get drunk. The experience of particular towns and districts, such as the experience of Cardiff, to which both Sir EDWARD REED and Mr LLOYD GEORGE referred, is useful as a matter of instruction and warning, but the question of principle involved in the discus- sion is of vaster and momentous importance. And the question cannot be settled by dogmatic pronouncements such as those of Mr HENEAGE that the provisions of the Bill were as-impracticable and as absurd as they were unjust. Even JOHN STUART MILL, the great apostle of individualism, acknowledges frankly that a community possesses an inherent right to ward off from itself by antecedent precautions prospective evils, and much more the right to guard itself against existing evils. Trading, whether in drink or in any other commodity, is a social act, and Society has the right, therefore, to regulate and, if necessary, to restrainÎsoc ial acts which it thinks injurious to the public welfare. MILL writes: — "Whoever undertakes to sell any descrip- tion of goods to the public does what affects the interests of other persons, and of society in general and thus his conduct in principle comes within the jurisdiction of Society." The flippant utterances of Mr HENEAGE will not bear comparison with the philosophic deliverances of JOHN" STUART MILL. After a lengthened debate the Bill was read a second time by the very satisfactory majority I of 35, the numbers being—for the second reading, 231 against, 246. A victory for II the Welsh members.

DESPERATE diseases are popularly said to call for desperate remedies, and it is doubt- call for desperate remedies, and it is doubt- less owing to the fact that the episcopal sect in Wales is in desperate condition that the defenders of its unrighteous hold upon national property are in a condition of hysterical activity. Only upon the charitable hypo- thesis that they are so alarmed as to be temporarily irresponsible can the public view with anything short of disgust the irreligious action of the religious defenders j of sectarian privileges. Several correspon- dents describe, in another column, the dis- creditable tactics which are being re- sorted to in order to obtain signatures to petitions winch, it is supposed, may have some effect in bolstering up a tottering Establishment. But those who resort to these tactics must imagine that Parliament will be as blindly stupid as they are themselves, and that it will consider rolls of signatures—however obtained—to have weight and influence contrary to the genuine opinion of the people, constitu- tionally expressed through the ballot-box. As a matter of fact, Parliament is not quite so stupid. That is not a.ny reason, however, why well-meaning individuals should not industriously contribute to the waste-paper store of the House of Commons we may hazard an expression of the hope, though, that after the exposures which are being made there will be a little more honesty imported into the manner of waste-paper manufacture. I

THE shilling fine farce continues at Car- diff. Shebeen frequenters summoned to answer for dealing on Sunday are mulcted in twelvepenny and half-crown penalties, which cannot prove in any degree deterrent imposts, and so the game of law-breaking goes merrily along. It was hardly worth while for the Watch Committee to carry the test case to appeal and to secure judicial decision that local interpretation of the law was an erroneous one. No fine at all would be little less con- temptible than the persistent adherence to ridiculously small amounts which have, since the decision of the Higher Court compelled conviction, been fixed upon as penalties. We note with satisfaction that in the case of an old offender, a shebeen-keeper brought up for the seventh time. a penalty of £100 was yesterday imposed. The trade must be a very lucrative one, otherwise a man like Spillane could not afford to pay, for the third time, so high a penalty or to run the risk of imprisonment. And if the trade be so very lucrative there is the more need to fight it from both sides by imposing adequate penalties upon the frequenters not let them off with the nominal fine of one shilling or half-a-crown.

AT the inquiry held in Cardiff yesterday before a Local Government Beard Inspector, Col. LUARD, RE., into a proposal to borrow £32,500 for public electric lighting pur- poses, the vexed question of the employment of water as opposed to steam as a generating agent was discussed at some length. There was a considerable amount of light thrown upon the subject, but there was also a little too much heat, so the experts engaged in the debate themselves trespassed upon a first principle in electrical matters. The fact is that Mr SYDNEY F. WALKER was fully justified in asking why the power seemingly obtainable from the water- works system should not be utilised, if, as appeared reasonably computable, four million gallons of water, falling daily 1,000 feet, were at command. Mr HARPUR showed that thi.s was not an accurate proposition, and, in so doing, was compelled to throw an I electric beam upon the present condi- tion of our water supply. Let us hope that the perfecting operations now in progress will render it impossible for the mains to be absolutely dry even in March, not to mention the greater chances of prolonged drought in July or August. As for the combat between arc and incan- descent lamps, it is fairly certain that the arc lamp is at present the better one for street lighting. Granted that the expiration of the incandescent lamp's patent brings about a revolution in its quality and price, then Mr MASSEY assures us that to change the necessary plant will cost only some £600. If that be so, the matter is hardly worth discussion, especially as the Provisional Order must be obeyed bv July of this year, and it is certainly wiser 1."0 adopt a superior light than to patronise an inferior article on the supposition that it will, in the course of another three years, be greatly improved. It is a foregone con- clusion that the inspector will report favourably.

THE committee of the Welsh Union of Women's Liberal Associations had a most encouraging report to present at the meet- ing in Swansea yesterday, a report which not only justified the enthusiasm of the pledges in the public gathering, but also gave promise of great results productive of continuance of enthusiasm throughout the busy political period of the coming twelve- month. Those ladies who have worked so heartily and perseveringly to advance the Liberal cause in the Principality presented a record of sterling good work. Although this was only their first annual report they could show a satisfactory financial position, and the successful carrying out of a well-designed educational programme, with an extension of effort into the sphere of English organisations which resulted in material aid to the Welsh cause. Thirty-seven associations in active bperation and three more in process of formation, the utilisation of funds in supplying lecturers and organisers, the holding of a hundred meetings, the enlistment of no fewer than seven thousand members, and a demonstra- tion that the work is still in its infancy —these are highly creditable facts, indicative of the great assistance which the Union is rendering in Wales to the cause of progress. As an agency towards realisation of the higher ideal of political and social adminis- tration, when the lop-sided arrangement of masculine isolation shall have been broken down, the Union is achieving a great work and is doing it at a time when, because of the pressing importance of the subjects dealt with, the work is most welcome and opportune.

LOCAL SLANDER CASE. NO SETTLEMENT. We understand that the case of alleged slander at Cardiff, which ha? been the subject of much comment iocaily for some weeks past, will come before the judges of assize at the sittings commencing in Cardiff on Monday next, all attempts at arrllngement .having failed. Counsel have been briefed on both sides, and there is an evident determination—notwithstanding incidents which appeared to point to avoidance of the case coming into court- to fight out the matter, cir- cumstances having arisen which, so we learn, have almost necessitated such a course. The original point at issue will not alone furnish the interest of the trill, there being some incidental questions which will probably add to the sensa- tional character of the evidence. No further steps towards compromise will, we have reason to believe, be attempted.

COALOWNERS' ASSOCIATION. TESTIMONIAL TO SIR WILLIAM LEWIS. At the annual meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association, held on Tuesday at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, a sugges- tion was made that the conspicuous services rendered by Sir William Lewis, as one of the representatives of the Association on the Sliding- scale Joint Committee (of which body he is chairman), should be formally recognised by a testimonial from the members of the Association, and the sum of 3,000 guineas was mentioned as the amount of contribution to be made in respect of the testimonial. The matter was, we under- stand, referred to the gentlemen who represent the Association on the Sliding-scale Committee, and these will doubtless take steps to ascertain the light in which the suggestion is regarded by Sir William Lewis himself, that gentleman not having been present at Tuesday's meeting.

A NEW POST-OFFICE FOR CANTON. We understand that the postal authorities have determined to establish a new and commodious post-office in Canton, Cardiff. At present the necessities of this populous suburb are served by a sub in the competent charge of Mr Alderman Yorath. The rapid increase in the population of Canton has, however, led to a great development of postal and telegraphic business, which has demonstrated the imperative need for those additional facilities about to be supplied.

POLLING IN BANFFSHIRE. Polling took place on Wednesday in Banffshire fur the election of a Parliamentary representative in place of Mr Duff newly appointed Governor o New South Wales. The candidates are Mr J. A. Grant, Liberal Unionist, and Sir W. Wedderburn, Liberal. The result will be declared to-day. I I There were 18 polling-stations scattered oller a district 70 miles in length. Very little excite- d. ment prevailed. PREVIOUS ELECTIONS. 1885. 1835 R. W. DufY GL 3,740 R. W. Duff G ii,583 M. T. Darling C 3,0CS Sir C. Grant U 1,343 M. T. Darling C 3,0CS | Sir C. Grant U 1,343 Majority 1,732 Majority. 1,189 1892. R. W. Dutf G 2,293 M.Barry Iiid. 1,424 Majority 8j3

PONTEFRACT PETITION. A Pontefract correspondent telegraphs :—A copy of the election petition against Mr Reckitt, the sitting rfiember for Pontefract, has been received by the Mayer. Ic charges almost every electoral offence and alleges that Mr Reckitt him- self, or his agent, has been guilty of illegal em- ployment and illegal hiring that by himself or his agents, or by other persons on his behalf, he has been guilty of bribery, undue influence, per- sonation, and abetting, counselling, and procuring personation, and that all these offences were com- mitted, before, after, and during the election that he posted bills without the name of the printer, that he paid for the bands, flags, cockades, and party ribbons, that he procured persons to vote who were prohibited by law from voting, and that he paid sums in excess of those allowed by law.

A CHELTENHAM SCANDAL. DISGUSTING CONDUCT OF A HUSBAND. Mr Justice Barnes on Wednesday granted a de- cree nisi to Mrs Charlotte Atkins, a lady of inde- pendent means,of Cheltenham, on the ground of the adultery and cruelty of her husband, Edward Douglas Atkins. The petitioner said the respon- dent had beaten her across the bare legs with a whip, and had made her play and sing to a woman with whom he committed adultery.

LA UN DRV REQUISITES.— Huss'a Patent Linen- Enamel for glazing and beautifying Shirts, Collars, etc., equMl to New, Is per bottle. HHSS'S Flannel etc., equMl to New, Is per bottle. HHSS'S Flannel Anti-Snrinker" softens and preserves flannel^ from shrinking when washed, 10%d per bottle. Linen Stain-Remover." restores discoloured linen to snowy whiteness, 9(1 per bottle. Of Grocers n'l Chemists,—Danot. 35, Castle Arc^.de, Cardiff. 5786

] LONDON LETTER. [FBOM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT, j [SPECTA LLY WIRED. J LONDON, Wednesday Night. THE WELSH LOCAL VETO BILL. A wider than Welsh importance was given to the Bill for subjecting the liquor traffic in the Principality to the Local Veto, be- cause of the bearing of this measure on the broader legislative proposals of the Govern- ment. This was recognised by members on both sides, and Mr Heneage, at least, made the fact an excuse for giving liberal lati- tude to his remarks. The Welsh Bill, as I hardly need remind your readers, is by no means on all fours with the Ministerial, most notably in that it submits to the popular vote, not only the total prohibitive, but the two other alternatives of a reduction in the number of licences or an arrest of all new licences. But, none the less, it is actuated by the same principle of remitting to the people themselves the regulation of the liquor traffic, and thus in the eyes of those parts of the kingdom not affected by the Welsh Bill it is looked upon as a sort of "try on"—a preliminary canter likely to indicate form, and instructive as to the larger stakes. In that respect the division is significant, for the Bill was carried by a majority of 35 in a full House. Of course, the Welsh members and their earnest temperance allies regarded the Bill primarily from the point of view of its own importance, its Parliamentary influence on the Government Bill being a secondary consideration. THE OPPOSITION TO THE SILL. Sir William Marriott, in his opposition, asked why not treat licensed victuallers as you would treat any other traders ? As the slaveholders, for instance, were treated 'i Well, Mr Lloyd George, in his very able contribution to the debate, grap- pled with this objection, and gave the very cutting reply that slaveholders were not subject to an annual licence conferred upon them in the interests of their slaves, and he protested that it was something of a libel on the slaveholders, who clothed, fed, and cared for their slaves, to bracket them with those who strip their victims of scanty rags and deprive them of food. SUNDAY CLOSING. Needless to say, the much controverted bearings of the inquiry into the working of Sunday-closing in Wales contributed no inconsiderable share of material for the rival orators, and it was Sir W. Marriott's references to this that brought from Sir Edward Reed a vigorous defence of Cardiff and a telling exposition of the peculiar circumstances of that port. Mr Matthews pressed home the more drastic provisions of the Welsh Bill as compared with the English measure, and demanded from the Govern- ment a distinct declaration as to its attitude towards the compensation amendment. THE ATTITUDE OF THE GOVELTNLIKNT. Sir William Harcourt, accepting the challenge, said a vote on the second reading affirmed the principle of the measure with- out pledging to details. In that view he should vote for the Bill as affirming the principle of local option, without accepting those points which the Government did not think it right to introduce into their Bill. Similar considerations compelled him to vote against the amendment, for he believed the people of this country were just as opposed to the principle of pecuniary com- pensation now as they were in 1888 and to propose teipperance legislation on the lines of the Tory Government of that year simply meant that there should be no temperance reform. There was a loud cheer from the Welsh mem bersancl their allies when, the divi- sion having taken place, the paper was handed to Mr Jones as teller for the ayes, and this demonstration was renewed when he read out the figures-ayes, 281 noes, 246. The tellers for the noes were the Tory whips. IRELAND AS WELL. The Irish Saturday Closing Bill was thus blocked through effluxion of time, it being half-past five when the division on the Welsh Bill was over. The Irish Bill is the same that has been before Parliament on previous occasions. It extends Sunday- closing to the five cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Belfast pro- vides for closing on Saturday nights at nine o'clock, and makes six miles from homo the bona-fide travellers.! ACTION OF THE TEMPERANCE PARTY. Since temperance legislation is the topic of the afternoon, it may not be inappropriate —if my readers are not wearied of the subject—to say that Mr J. Malins, Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the United Kingdom," who has been one of the many prohibitionists active in the lobbies this week, assured me that arrangements are being made for holding an extensive series of demonstrations in favour of the Local Veto Bill all over the country. The temperance party, he says, are resolutely determined that this Bill should pass. MR CAINE'S OPINION. Mr W. S. Caine, M.P., referring to the licensed victuallers' demonstration in St. James's Hall and the Trocadero yesterday, says:—"We do not intend to let them have all the demonstrating to themselves. We are organising a number of great meet- ings, which will be representative of every shade of politics, and we hope to create a feeling of vigorous enthusiasm as will immensely strengthen the hands of the Government in dealing with this question." Mr Caine" móst assuredly" believes that the Bill will pass the second reading stage. TheGovernment, he declares, have not introduced this Bill for mere pur- pose of parade. They have duly considered, he says, the great opposition it will create, but they have measured the strength of that and they will carry their Bill now at all cost. If because of Home Rule there is no tiras left for the Local Veto Bill, the temperance party will demand an autumn session. Mr Caine does not believe that many Liberal members will refuse to support the Bill. A few will, but they will be more than balanced by Mr Johnston, of Ballykilbeg, and T. W. Russell and other Unionist and Con- servative members, who have promised their support. A GOOD RES'JLT. The Welsh members are, as may be supposed, very greatly pleased with the result of this afternoon's division on the Local Velo Bill. Up to the very last moment it was considered doubtful whether the second reading would be carried, and the announcement of a majority of 35 naturally came as a very pleasant surprise. The fact that the Bill was carried is of course yry largely due to the issue by I. the Government of a.n official Whip, a proceeding which speaks volumes for Mr Thos. Ellis's influence with his colleagues. I am informed that more than a dozen Liberal members identitied with the brewing interest walked out of the House instead of voting. At least one Tory, Mr Cayser, the member for Barrow, went into the lobby for the Bill. The prevailing feel- ing among members is that the prospects of the Government Veto Bill have been greatly improved by to-day's division and debate. A LATE SITTING. There is every expectation that a late sitting will be necessary to-morrow. It has been arranged that the Army and Navy Estimates shall be under consideration. An animated debate is almost certain to take place on the ordnance vote, Mr Hanbury having given notice of his intention to raise the whole question of our present ordnance administration. It is impossible that the Supplementary Estimates can be taken before Friday. AN INTERESTING EVENT. I hear to-night, on excellent authority, that the Easter Recess will be marked by a social event of very rare occurrence— namely, the marriage of a Cabinet Minister. The gentleman concerned is one of the most popular and piomising of Mr Gladstone's colleagues, while the lady has long been well-known in society circles. THE HEALTH OF THE PREMIER. From inquiries made this afternoon, I am glad to be able to state that the Premier's condition has considerably improved within the last 24 hours. All danger of an influenza attack has now passed away, and, with the exception of a slight cold, the right lion, gentleman is quite himself again. I hear that. acting on the advice of Sir Andrew Clark, Mr Gladstone will in all probability take a short holiday before actively resuming his Parliamentary duties. NONCONFORMITY IN LOSDON. I To-day the Nonconformists of London made a brave show at the Mansion House, which the Lord Mayor freely placed at their, disposal. in order to discuss from their point of view the I spiritual needs of the Metropolis. As the Chairman, Mr Albert Spicer, M.P., ex- plained, the meeting was supple- mental, not antagonistic to, that which was held in the interests of the Church of England a few weeks ago. Mr Spicer, whose utterances as the next chairman of the Congregational Union9 command s pecial attention just now. delivered a most able speech, and suggested that in order to make the best use of the talents of all their great preachers, Nonconformist bodies should arrange that each preacher who could attract a congregation of a thousand should only preach one sermon on Sunday in his ewn church, but should repeat it in another church. Dr Parker, who spoke with characteristic vigour, referred to the answers which he had received from the young men lie had asked to write to him, and amid great excitement declared that they disclosed a moral atmosphere in the city of London like unto Sodom and Gomorrah." Both Dr Parker aHd succeed- ing speakers, among whom were Dr Clifford and Mr Guinness Rogers,alluded in hopeful terms to the prospects of Noncon- formity in the capital, and the remarkable meeting closed with demonstrations of en- thusiasm from the ladies and gentlemen who crowded the Egyptian Hall almost to suffocation.

THE PORT OF CARDIFF. GREAT EXPANSION OF TRADE. SOME REMARKABLE FIGURES. The annual nifieting-of the Cardiff Chamber "of Cointtierce was iielcl at the Exchange on Wed- nesday. The retiring President (Mr Moxev), ill submitting the yearly report, had nothing but congatulation to offer on the expansion of traffic. This, too, in face of depressed trade at other ports, falling prices, and labour disputes, shows what an exceptional port Cardiff is. Depression of trade does not seem to affect the quantities, but rather, in some mysterious way, it seems to stimuiate them at this progressive port. This is a notable, if iidt a striking, fact to be gravely considered when the question of increased facilities -it the docks shallmev itablv come to the fore once again. The general results for 1892, at all events, are specially gratifying. The little report has been placed in the hands of the members this year in s printed form. This is an improvement on the former practice. It would be a still greater advance if it could be presented at the January or February meeting, for the facts and figures would then be fresher, and conse- quently of more real value to the trading com- munity. Pasamgby this, however, we have nothing but commendation to offer to the secretary who compiles it. It is a brief document, but, never- theless, it contains a mass of most useful information. With the exception of the report of the London Chamber, there is, perhaps, no similar "report" in the United Kingdom to compare with this for concise and really useful facts relating to its particular sphere of business. Having said this much in praise, we might, at the same time, venture to express a hope that it will uot stup in its course of development. The loading features of the report are t'nose :— List cf membership and comments on subjects dis- cussed ten years' comparative coal and coke ship- ments at Cardiff comparison with London and Liverpool in tonnage; Customs returns of import?, exports, and shipping registered as belonging to the port; summary accounts of work done at the several dock companies' offices work.done at the Local Marine Board offices and a new feature— introduced for the first time—is a comparative statement of the coal shipped at the leading "coal ports of the kingdom. Perhaps the most remarkable item of informa- tion which we gain from this valuable "report" is that of the dock accounts. We all know what was said, when the Barry Dock Act was obtained, by a certain hypnotic section of the community, that Cardiff was to be ruined. The ancient story of Carthage was to be repeated with a difference. The ruin of Cardiff was to be effected by friends in place of foes. But Cardiff has moie of the PLosnix abuut it evidently than its ancient prototype. In four short years the Bute Docks haveactually increased in business instead of waning. Here is the proof Tons dead- weight. Bate Dock Return, 1892, for all imports and j 9373932 Pitoo, J868 (the year before Rarry j>ock 1 0 a.-w opened) "502 DitLo, Barry Dock alone, 1892 4,055,570 Ditto, Penarth and Bute Docks combined 1 r'or. mn in 1880 12.6^»837 Ditto,^Bute, Barry and Penarth Docks in | 15 615 557 Ditto, increase in 4 years, being about 231 2,919.720 .per ceilt f Ditto, whole port for 1091. 14,863,161 Ditio, increase, 1892 ovsr 1891,cr 5 per ccnt. 752,395 Comment is superfluous to the wise, and even to the obtuse and prejudiced. The flowing tide is still on at Cardi:1. Let us now glance at the details. In former notices the leading item— coal—has been fully expounded in these columns. But a short summary, including the "bunkers," may be of mterese. It is as follows:- Tons. Coal shipped foreignwise 10,345,9i0 Coke shipped foreignwise 131,409 Coal shipped coastwise 1,485,737 Coke shipped coastwise 1,725 Patent fuel shipped 331,047 Bunker coal shipped foreignwi*e 1,510,429 Bunker patent fuel shipped foreignwise 1,579 Bunkerooal for coasters', tugs', and ships'use 110,863 Grand total 13,918,769 Grand total for 1891 13,137,237 Increase at the rate of 6 per cent 781,472 This is surely a satisfactory result, and very different from the lugubrious report made recently by the Tyne Commissioners for the last year in regard to the trade of this great rival coal port." As such, Cardiff is now far ahead of an its opponents. The other leading items of the trade of this port are the imports of corn and flour, iron ore, wood goods, and petroleum. In the articles of corn and flour the case stands thus Cwts. 1892, imported from abroad 3,062,045 1891, ditto. 2,779,231 Increase 302,754 For this item the status of the port is 9th. liee statement below :—- CLTLS. 1.—Londo n 34,568,208 2. — Liverpool 37,62^,563 3. —Hull 16,743,335 4.—Glasgow 12,079,5S5 5.— Bristol 11,673,530 6.—Lei ih 6.960.C93 7.—Dublin 4,7^3,496 8.—Belfast 4,393,100 9.—Cardif f 3,US2,L45 Total United Kingdom 160,917,127 Iron ore imported from abroad at Cardiff ;— In 189 £ 632,703 tons In 1891 486,147 „ Increase 95,556 5j I The relation to other ports is as follows 1. Middlesbrough 836,352 tons 2. Cardiff 5?2,703 „ 3. Glasgow 515,318 4. Newport 459,190 5. Newcastle 241, £ 04 Total United Kingdom 3,780,503 „ ) The wood soott; imported were At Cardiff in 189i 670,615 loads Ditto in 1891 610,349 „ Increase 60,266 In reourd to other ports, the Timber Trades Journal places Cardiff third on the list, in this way :— Loads. 1.—Londo n 1,396,315 2.—Liverpoo l 791,6 3 3.—Cardiff 670,615 4.—Hull 583,257 5 — Hartlepcol 419,423 5 — Hartlepcol 419,423 Total United Kingdom 7,563,849 As Cardiff, in 1881, impurted 288.182 loads, und Liverpool 524,404 loaf's, it does not require much stretch of imagination to suppose that she will be the second port scon, especially when the Severn water-carri;sge scheme gets into working order, and the railway rates are adjusted as woH, or toppled down by competition. Tho only other article of import worthy, for extent, in being singled out is petroleum. A" our readers know, extensive taiiks have been erected at the mouth of the Ely river, near Penarth. The promoters of the company have made earnest efforts to secure their trade for CurdiS on an ex- tensive scale. UP to 1391 their endeavours seemed quite brilliant, but last year there was a heavy fall off. In 1891 the import was 4,807.694 gallons. 1892 do. 1,727,063 „ Decrease 3,080,631 Wilit a falling-off was here, my brethren The relative jjosition to other ports is as nnder- fitated Gallons. l.-Loiidon 2.—Lirerpoo l 23,531,097 3.—Bristel 10,351,2.10 4.—Hull 8,117,379 5.—Cardiff 1,729,053 6.—Glasgow 1,255,5a0 Total United Kingdom 180,186,085 Let ii., hope thai, 1893 will-show a better record. The facilities ana safety of position, etc., for doing a large local trade herein are really un- rivalled. The registration of ships at Cardiff proceeds of late years but slowly considering tiie enormous traffic iu shipping generally. This account stands thus- Net tons. Registered at Custom Hou^e 31st Dec., 1392 ,176,93> Ditto 1891 ..171,477 But the general entries and clearances tell P-nottier tale. There were:- Year 1892. Tons. Entered at Cardiff with cargoes from oversea 953,432 Ditto with ballass from oversea 2,553,529 Total 3^511^961 Entered coastwise with cargoes 321 559 Entered coastwise with ballast 3,272,662 Total. 3,591,221 Combined tot.-il 7,106,182 Cleared—cargo Alps—foreign 5 970,174 Cleared— ballast—foreign '296,746 Total 6,267,218 Cleared—coastwise—cargo 538 43s Cleaved—coastwise—ballast .]! 140^603 Total 1,123,046 Combined total 7,330,264 Grand total 14,496,446 Total nu:uher of vessels in and out, 28,143. Compared to London and Liverpool, which are also given in this valuable Report," and are the only two now ahead of Cardiff, for all de- scriptions of trade, the position h as follows 1. London—Entries from oversea 7,866^946 » Coasting 5,697',698 „ Clearances, oversea 6.049,513 Coastwise 2,155,813 Grand total 21,769,970 2. Liverpool—Entered, oversea 5,913,860 s> Coastwise 2,656,239 Cleared, oversea 5,206,116 I Coastwise. 3,210,308 Grand total 16,936,523 It will be seen that Cardiff is hard after the Mersey port, and is a good third. In regard to London a footnote states that the vessels cleared coastwise in ballast cannot be given, as no record is kept. This is a defect in the Customs accounts, and deprives the Metropolitan port of an assumed 6,000,000 tons, which would give a total of 27,000,000 tons, and making- her by far the leading port of the world. At the same time, it will be seen that for clearances foreignwise, Cardiff is even ahead of London, being 6,267,218 tons, against 6,049,513 tons. It is of great interest to note that the past year was the first in which any port in the United Kingdom reached the six million ton liuiit for clearances foreignwise; and there is a great probability that in this respect Cardiff is also ahead of New York. That, however, is only a guess, as the anio.e port does not seem to publish separate statislxv; of ner coasting trade. We take leave of this excellent annual report of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce. There are other items worth notice if space allowed us to do so. It has afforded ua pleasure and profit in studying it. We congratulate the Chamber on the admirable manner in which their accounts are presented. It is a proof of their raiicm d'etre. The only regret is that it is so long being published. But, late as it is, it must afford a lively sense of gratification to the merchants and others in Cardiff, that there is evidence here of steady and healthy progress in nearly all branches of our local commerce.

BUILDING SOCIETY DEFALCA- TIONS AT NEWPORT. ARRESTED IN LONDON. 9-2,000 REPORT KD MISSING. At Newport borough police court on Wednesday —before the Mayor (Mr T. Jones), and Messrs G. M.utyn and T. Canning, magistrates—Frederick William Locke, 23, clerk, Dock-street, was brought up in custody on a warrant charged with stealing 21-36 lis lOd, the moneys of the Newport, Pillgwenliy and Muindee Permanent Building Society. — Mr G. H. Llewellyu, solicitor, appeared to prosecute, and Mr T. Baker- Jones, solicitor, represented the prisoner. -Mr Llewellyn asked for a remand for a week. Inspector Winmill was then called, and stated that on Tuesday morning he received a warrant for the prisoner's apprehension and pro- ceeded to London, and at Faulkner's Temperance Hotel, Villier-street, Strand, ho found Locke. He read the warrant over to him, and prisoner replied, I expected you before." Prisoner was then removed to Bow-street police court, and was conveyed to Newport by the mail train. Mr Baker-J ones asked that prisoner should be admitted to bail, as there were a large number of accounts to be gone through.—Mr Llewellyn opposed the application, and staled that prisoner bad abscon- ded.—Inspector Winmill, in answer to a ques- tion, said that the prisoner absconded from the town about three weeks ago.—The Magistrates' Clerk (to Mr Llewellyn) Mr Jones suggests that it is a matter of recount. Mr Llewellyn re- plied that the prosecution at oresent was confined to a specific amount. The Bench granted the remand, but refused bail. Mr Baker-Jones then applied that prisoner might be lodged in the cells at Newport for three or fouv days in,6rder that. defence might be prepared.—The Magistrates' Clerk -aid that pouad not be done, but prisoner might be kept m the oHlIi until mid-day ou Thursday,—The Court then directed that prisoner should be detained at Newport until Thursday. The prisoner, up to the time he left Newport, was a clerk in his father's office, Sir W. M. Locke being the secretary of the building society. It is stated that the total sum missing, as ascertained by an examination of the society's book?, amounts to over £ 2,000.

ALLEGED ARSON IN THE RHONDDA. ACQUITTAL OF THE ACCUSED. CHARGE OF PERJURY. At the Pontypridd police-court on Wednesday— before Mr Ignatius Williams (stipendiary) and Mr T. P. Jenkins—Maurice Silverman, furniture dealer and jeweller, of Tylerstown, Riiondda Valley, again appeared in answer to a charge of having fraudulently set his shop on fire a few weeks ago.—Supfc. Jones prosecuted, and Mr V. Simons, of Merthyr, defended.— When the case was called on, the Stipendiary, addressing the accused, said that, as arranged, bodding and other articles of furniture found in the shop after the fire had been sent to Dr Mor- gan, of Swansea, for analysis. The analyst now wrote to state that while a considerable amount of inflammable oil had been found in these thine-a, he (the analyst) had taken the precaution of buying the eame of goods elsewhere, and found very similar oils in those articles as well. Under the circumstances, the Bench considered they were justified in disnii-s- ing the case, for though thsre was a considerable body of evidence given, the most important wit- nesses appeared to be porsons who seemed to be more or less prejudiced against the defendant, and they did not think a jury would convict upon it.—Mr V. Simons said that the analysis made for the defence continued in every particular the statement of Dr Morgan. Mr Simons com- plained that, although the Stipendiary at the la.st hearing left it to him (Mr Simons) to arrange that the analysts for both sidefi (Dr Morgan and Dr Simons) should meet, Dr Morgan" had written to state sh:it the police had forbidden him to meet Dr Simons.—Supt. Jones denied that auy such arrangements had been made.—Mr Simons pro- ceeded to make another complaint against the police when the Stipendiary remarked lie thought the police had acted very fairly in lay: mg Dr Morgan's letter before the Court at that slagi- of the proceedings.—Mr V. Simons then I applied for a summons for perjury against John Bessell, the first witness for the prosecution, who had said that in looking up through the grating h* had seen defendant at the shop door. Several respectable tradesmen, who had been placed under the grating, had declared it to hare been impossible for Bessell to have seen anything of the kind.— P.S. Menhennick: I have been on the spot in question, sir, and I could ,e ii.-Ilr Simons Very well, sergeant, you will be a witness for the defence.—The Stipendiary said he would take a note of the application, and would consult the clerk (Mr Porcher) as to his notes of Bessell's evidence.—The accused was then discharged.

HORRIBLE MURDER OF A JEW. The German papers contain accounts from Poraerania of a crime that recalls in some respects the murder of the Jew pedlar in I Krckmanu-Chatrian's The Bells." One evening last week a farmer and bis daughter, on their way home from the market at ilummelsburs:, called at an inn situated between that place and the village where they lived. In paying for something he had to drink, the man took out a purse in which he had the money he had that day received in payment for a cow. Soon after- wards he left, and he had not gone far when he was attacked from behind by a man armed with a thick stick. With a terrific blow the man smashed his skull in, killing him on the spot. The little, girl was so frightened that she ran back to the inn and told the innkeeper's wife. This woman, utter advising her to leave her money in her keeping, shut the poor child up in a room, and locked the door. Looking through the keyhole, the child saw the mnkeeper return with a blood- stained stick in his hand. She then heard him tell how he had committed the murder. On his learning where she was, she heard him discuss- ing the best means of getting rid of her. In a dreadful state of apprehension, she jumped from a window to the ground, fortunately without hurting herself, and fled to her home. The inn- keeper and bis wife were arrested, .A-

CADBORT s COCOA. — "A Cocoa possessing valuable flesh-fonning qualities and impartiugstrengt li and power Ilealtl;. il70 Miss BRADDON'S NEW NOVEL. "All along toe River," has been secured for the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. The opeiing chapters appear in the current issue. Jerome K. Jerome, John Strange Winter, Dora llussell, and other famous novelists write for this fa\ouvite weekly. Secure a copy at once. A Magazine and New-paper combined for a penny. TME GSSAT CCR: FOR COHNS.— Munuay* Viridine—Still further testimony. A Cbemist writes Will you send rae a bottle of your Vlridina ? It is for my own use. I get plenty of corn cures of the saina colour, but none of them appear to equal yours. Ne one ought to say iiis corns are incurable until ne has used Viridine." Thousands have cured, in^st of whom had suffered for over Bow&ietf imitations, Sold in bottles Is, by pest 13 2d, bytl:<* Proprietor, J..Munday, Chemist High-Street, Ciirdiii and all Chumists. y 1079

j NEWS IN BRIEF. Lard Roberts is expected to arrive in EngfanA from India about the 11th of May. Mr o. T. Hagberg Wright, LL.B., of the National Library of Ireland, has been appointed secretary and librarian of the London Library. There were 253 candidates. The Rev Morris Morgan, secretary of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Tempsrance Association, issued a circular to all the Welsh ^-P> s, urging then to be in attendance at the House of Commons yesterday for the second reading of the Welsh Local Veto Bill. The Roumanian Government have raised tho status of Newport and Cardiff by giving to each port a Consul instead of a Vice-Consulship, and this important office has beeu given to Mr G. Inglis Jones, of the firm of Jones Bros, and Co. Mr Jones will act as tull Consul both in Newport a.nd Cardiff. Mr Philip Burne-Jones, sou of the "master," intends to send six pictures to the New Gallery the most important of which represents The Man in the Iron Mask," who is depicted sitting alone in his cell, illumined only by the rays of the moon, which pours in through a window high up on the left. It is funny (remarks Mr Labouchere) to find a weekly contemporary describing the late Captain Selwyn .01 the grandson of the celebrated George Selwyn, the intimate friend of George IV." The witty George Selwyn, who died in 1791, at the age of seventy-two, was no more a friend of George IV. than of Julius Csesar. Here are four forceful lines on the exaction of tithe in Wales, written by the late Dewi Wyn, and which appeared in Seven Oomer in May, 1332. The lines appear under the headiDC Exactors of Tithe :-—" Degymwyr, derbyniwr baw, By dreiswyr di betrusaw Gwerthu (nid prynu, pa raid !) Chwys cannoead, achwsg gweniaid. The will of the late William Charles James, first Baron Northbourne, has been proved by the present Lord Northbourne. The nett value of the personalty amounts to £30,789. By a codicil the testator leaves £2,000 2% per Cent. Stock to provide an income for a student of St. Augus- tine's College, Canterbury, upon his proceeding to missionary work. This is a thankotfering to God upon the testator attaining his seventy-sixth birthday. In its current issue Haner ac A.mserau ()ymM4. gives an excellent Welsh translation of the editorial article which appeared in the South Wales Daily Newt on March 7th dealing with Principal Owen's letter on Mr Geo's scheme of Disendowment. Our article is given in it entirety. The editor of the Baner refers to it as a most able production," and expresses his warm thanks to the proprietors of this journal for their cordial permission to republish it (am ew caniatdd caredig i'w cyhoeddi). Sir Andrew Clark did not approve of Mr Gladstone taking up his residence at Downing- atreet when the Premier first entered on the duties of his fourth Administration. The neigh. bourhood lies low, and the river mist has a ten- dency to always travel in the direction of its nearest companion, mist, via., that which rises from the ornamental waters in Sb James's Park. Downing-street lies immediately between, and Mr Gladstone is the first instance of a Prime Minister taking up his residence there. Ulster, Loyal Ulster, has now burst into poetry. We cannot congratulate the Orangemen upon poetasters. Here is a specimen song, composed by Lady Arthur Hill, and entitled For Union and for Qneen :— In your thousands, in your thousands, rally, brothers, rally round: Ev'ry mountain, ev'ry valley, hear our wunina" trumpets sound Hark, they call us Hark, they call us This their message to us 1411- Ne'er shall rebel, ne'er shall traitor crush our lives, our hopes, our all. The appointment of Viscount Gormanston to succeed Sir Robert Hamilton in the Governorship of Tasmania has been a good deal discounted by the gossips. At the same time, transference from British Guinea with £5,000 a year, and £1,000 allowed for contingencies, to a post bringing in only £3.500 and no allowance, is somewhat in the nature of a sacrifice. Viscount Gormanstondlatas back to 1478, and is remarkable for the circum- stance that from the time of the Stuarts, when the seventh Viscount was outlawed for bis adher- ence to James II., down to 1800, its titles were disallowed, and it was only in the latter year that the ban was removed, and the then representative recognised. Professor Blackie, who is Mr Gladstone's equa in 1ear$, describes the Premier a3"thife greatest statesman since Pitt; nay, be is greater than Pitt. I can see that, though I don't always agree with him in his politics. Nor in his Greek. In private life he is genial and kindly, but he is hobby-horsical." Graceful and genial the one G.O.M. calls the other, and was not this also a graceful thing when, some years ago, at a time when Professor Blackie thought Mr Gladstone more" hobby. horsical" than usual, on bearing that the latter was ill, he sent him from the Highlands a bunch of white heather, with the inscription, in Gaelic, "Pure as heather, and strong as the fir." The date for the re-opening of Llangynwyd Church is fixed-the 19th of April next, when the memorial to the "Maid of Cefn Ydfa" will also be ready and placed over her remains in th. chancel. The memorial will consist of a polished black marble siab, with tiles worked around it, with the original inscription on the old stone carefully reproduced and gilded two coats. Alao in the centre of the marble will be inlaid a brass plate designed by Mr T. H. Thomas (Arlunydd, Penygarn), and engraved Jby Mr Welby, of Cardiff. Har maiden name on the brass iaa/oc- simile of her own signature enlarged. The committee hopes before the summer is over that a substantial monument will be erected over the grave of Will Hopkin, the maid's lover. Madame Cottn, who is for the moment the heroine of the Panama scandal, is pithily -de. scribed by Mrs Crawford in Truth. Shp. is pic- tured as Mother Hubbard at the age of 40, dressed plainly, albeis in fashionable black clothes. She is small and witchy. The eyes are piercing, and one did not need to hear her speak to feel that she was a hard-headed mite who had more tough fibre in her than bar, bench, prisoners and political witnesses put together. There was no hesitancy about anything she said or did. The ring of sincerity in her evidence carried all before It. After all the limp men it was refresh- ing to hear this high-strung woman. She enjoyed, one could see, eating her vengeance cold. Her voice rang clear. Though feeling strongly. she was mistress of herself and ladylike. The Marquis of Granby, whom the latest epidemic of influenza has temporarily stricken down, is a complete contrast, both physically and mentally, to his sire, the Duke of Rutland. The Duke has uo lack of inches, nor of comeliness, but he has rather a trail, finnicking aspect, while the son is of the Berserker breed, standing well over six feet in height, and being big in propor- tion. Then while the father is a politician by instinct, with only a sentimental liking for sports and pastimes, the son is a politician by circumstances only, and is always glad to turn his back on St. Stephen's, and take hie pleasure by moor or stream. The Mar- quis is a sportsman indeed of a very catholic type. It is true he does not care much for hunt- ing, but he can ride on occasion, and he will keep up the traditions of the Belvoir Hunt when the time comes. He is a sure shot, preferring the old-fashioned drives to the modern battues. He is at home on the golf links, and he is an amateur cueist of considerable reputation. But his happiest hours are spent with rod and line. Putting a fly successfully over a two-pound trout in ane of the South-country clear streams I look upon," he once said, as one of the most eXCiting- and difficult forms of sport."—Morning Leader. FKOM THE FLOOR OF THR HOUSE. (Picked up behind the front Opposition bench.) Suggestions for our Guerilla Forces. If you're anxious for to shine In the new Obstruction line, Which your Party so adores You must make most cooious notes On your copies ot the "Votes," And put questions down by scores. You must to points of order That on utter nonsense border. Unabashed and unashamed; And must be prepared to chatter By the hour on any matte*. Taking care, though, you're net" named." And the Unionists will say, As your little parts you play. "If these young men waste time like thls- obstruct to this degree, Why, what very patriotic, high-souled young men these Tory young men must be." In Committee of Supply There are fifty tricks to try And, though dull, you must succaedt If you only move reductions, Or, in case of sudden "ructions," Follow Mr Lowther's lead. True, your logic may be crude, But it's easy to be rude To the Chairman, who is mild Whilst by frivolous objections. And insulting interjections. You can make "Old Gladstone" wild. And the Unionists will say, As they mark your high-bred way, If these young men behave like this and insult t.o this degree, Why, what very patriotic, high-oaled young men these Tory young men must be!" —Truth.