South Wales Daily News

DREADFUL TRAGEDY. A COUNTESS AND HER MAID SHOT. SUICIDE OF THE ASSAILANT. MADRID, We(inc,-sday.-A tragic affair occurred last evening at the residence of Countess Gomar. A manservant in the countess's employ suddenly drew a revolver, and fired two shots at his mistress, wounding her 111 the arm. The lady's maid, attracted by the report, rushed into the room, and received a third shot, whereupon the man turned the weapon upon himself, and :»ga n palling the trigger, fell dead on the spot.

AUSTRALIAN BANK FRAUDS* OFFICIALS IMPRISONED. MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—(Sentence was pro- flounced this morning upon the directors and officers of the Anglo-Australian Rank, who were last week found guilty of issuing a false report And balance sheet. Mr C. R. Staples, chairman, was sentenced to five yva i-s', MrF. E. Norwood, luditor, to two years', and Mr J. Haraldson, Accountant, to six months' illiprisonment.- Heuter.

THE PANAMA TRIALS. PARIS, Wednesday Evening.—In the Panama Corruption trial to-day, the speeches of counsel on behalf of the shareholders of the company were concluded, and M. Laffon also finished his ad- dress for the prosecution, in which he animad- verted with special severity upon the conduct of M. Chas. de Lesseps, ex-Minister Bailiaalt, and M. Sansleroy. The case for the defeudants will be opened to-mol*ruw. -Cott tral News.

FATAL FIRE AT CHICAGO. CHICAGO, Wednesday.—A five-storey, briek- bnilt factory in Way-street was destroyed by fire last night. When the conflagration was at its height, one of the waUs collapsed, crushing the adjoining residence and burying five persons who were asleep at the time under the rums. A man and a girl were killed and the other three were injured. Two firemen were also struck by falling bricks slid badly hurt. Reuter.

EXTENSIVE PRAIRIE FIRES. SEVEN FARMERS BURNT TO DEATH. NEW YQRK, Wednesday.—Extensive prairie fires are raging in Russell County, Kansas, and seven farmers have iost their lives in attempting to check the spread of the flames. -Reuter.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO FLORENCE. FLORENCE, Wednesday.—The police authorities here have hired three small houses near the Villa Palmeira to accommodate the men told off for, special duty around the villa duritigqu sojourn there. The measures taken to secure her Majesty's comfort and safety will be confided to Police Inspector Sartoni, the same official who undertook the duty on the occasion of her Majesty's visit here in 1888. The postal authorities intend opening a special post and telegraph office near the Villa Palmeira. —Reuttr.

THE HOMESTEAD IRON- WORKS. IIHOMBSTBAD, Wedn aday.-Messr3 Carnegie and Co. have ordered from a Manchester lirm a new press for their armour-plate works, to cost 1 000 000 dels. It will be the largest piece of machinery of the kind in the country, and perhaps in the world. It it asserted that it will enable the company to make the greatest fcrgiags in Europe or America. -Reuter.

--= ALARMING THUNDRSTORM AT NEW YORK. A SHIP STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. KFW VORK Wednesday.-A severe thunder- storm prevailed last night in New York and New Jersey and throughout the New England Stata. T.l«r.ph.« «■» inter- ,teTeb»iS« by some places yed. Several people were lightning and destro^tjeg are reputed The injured, buc^ no from New York for 8.8. New that whan m Long Island Stonngton, reI^ctruck by a ball of fire, which Sound she w* oyer the stairway of the seemed to bu^ a detonation like that of a main a*1"01* ia9S near was shattered, and a bomb, and al the ff. on the rear deck was cluster of electric ngers were destroyed. J™ >ushed into the state alarmed, «ia cabins, many of them rooms from ™ L Several women went being only y Jc ht wires i into hysterics. 1 he ci, Q Shthe" suit that the sheathing was ripped up jn many places.— Reuter.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER 4.30 A.M. ] -I _.VVS FORECAST TO-D v H' ASl> >FOR Klf0h 'atBS' ,OVTH WAT,VS. • Aa moderate showers. GENF.IUL.~TI* ^A £ EBECOMER islands seems colder.

«ENERAL The following forecasts flight o'clock '• At-the Meteorological OiSce DISTRICTS— nr north-westerly «u ..i j *> Westerly « to moderate; #. Scotland, N.J winds, s'r showers of 9 n^S' v I »,llw Jf or cold rain. S. EAGLET,N.L.J ,NOW, DERT « TSFSLIL'SSS M FC5R& £ XJ 6. Scotland, W.Same as 0, nl0derate or 7. Engl., ;jr* freeh of siet or ritil ^Westerly w,n s0n»e cold ». intact. K. t brie"inta" J colder.' light or Westerly wl £ generally; 10. Ireland, 9. V moderate J some show^,

"T, there is no "ANT DOCTOR WILL TKLL ^°,I0ZEUGE* batter Cough Medicine than Keating^, try _tbern crires relief; if you suffer from iiVurte,Loa once; they will cure and they ? «imple,s., health they contain only the purestan iJlA'l11 „ gkilfullv combined. Soid everywhere Monday. NKWPOBT ATHLKTIC SPOKTS, Eleven open eve,:U. £ 100 in prize*. KbDlication to Secretary.

WALES IN PARLIAMENT THE DEBATE ON THE VETO BILL. [FROM OUR LONDON WELSH COKEESPONDENT.] LONDON, Wednesday Evening. The special feature of the debate on the Welsh Local Veto Bill was its "first appearances." New members and maiden speeches were the order of the day. Wales has every reason to be proud of its newest representatives. Major Jones, the mover of the second reading Mr Frank Edwards, who supported him and Mr Herbert Roberts, who followed, delivered speeches which in point of conciseness and effect | would not have discredited the oldest Parlia- mentary hand. Occupying the corner seat on the ) lower bench below the gangway, sacred for many years to the lato Mr Dillwyn, the member for the Carmarthen Boroughs delivered his first speech in the House. Crammed full of facts, sustained by important statistics collected from entirely new sources, and strengthened by intense conviction of the national benefit to accrue from the passing of the Bill, the speech made a thoroughly excellent irapressiou ou the whule House. Reserved in manner, forcible m urgu- ment, and its close touched with the genuine oratorical eloqueuce which Major Jones is weil known to possess ic was an ad- mirable beginning for the afternoon discussion, ..nd a most favourable augury of good work to come. Mr Frank Edwards rose to second the motion warmly and convincingly, with complete self-possession and mastery of his points. Mr Edwards clearly put the case for Wales before the H'iace, which, as in the case of Major Jones, was listened with frank and close attention. Sir Wm. Marriott opened the case for the Oppo- sition, and with occasional bursts of vehemence droned out the old arguments for compen. sation against Local Option. A shameless measure of the evidence before the Com- mission on Sunday Closing was smartly corrected by Mr Caine. Barcn F. de Rothschild supported the member for Brighton, oblivious of the fact that two years ago he supported Mr Bowen Rowlands when he brought forward the same measure, a fact of which later on Mr Herbert Roberts very rightly reminded him. An unfair reference to Cardiff shebeening brought Sir Edward Reed to his feet to point out the fallacies of the argu- ments based on the case of the largest seajiort town in Wales. The Marquis of Carmarthen brought us to the interval for luncheon, with Mr Lloyd George in possession. When the speaker returned the green benches were unpleasantly empty. Mr Lloyd Morgan did his colleague of the Carnarvon Boroughs a service by calling attention to the fact that 40 members were not presen t. The 40 were soon found, and the word hav- ing gone round that "Lloyd George was up," there was before the young member had fairly started a very full House. For a considerable time Mr George has had the reputation being the first platform orator of the Welsh party. If be keeps up the standard of this afternoon's speech he will very shortly be one of the leading orators in the House of Cominous. Brilliantly and cuttingly he taunted the Tories with their inconsistencies. His advocacy of temperance and his know- ledge of law stood him in splendid stead. His denouncement of the evils cf the drink traffic and the absolute illegality of any compensation for the withdrawal of licences were presented to the House with admirable force and eloquence, and, undoubtedly, created immense effect. Amongst the most attentive of the young mem- ber's listeners was Sir William Harcourt, who, contrary to the announcement of our Cardiff Tory contemporary, both spoke and voted for the Welsh Bill. Mr Johnstone, the new member for Horsham, followed with a quiet opposing speech. Then came Mr Herbert Roberts, who, with a well-prepared and well- delivered speech, drew Mr T. W. Russell and put Mr Heneage into something like con- vulsions of indignation. Mr Rathbone, who, at his own expense, is making an inquiry into the effeot of the prohibitive laws in America, and Sir G. Osborne Morgan were the remaining speakers from Wales. The benches, however, were full of willing orators had the debate required it. Mabon was in sight, Mr Alfred Thomas waited for a chance, Mr Burnie was vigilant, Mr Bowen Rowlands, Mr Abel Thomas, Mr Bryn Roberts, Mr Herbert Lewis, Mr David Randell, Mr PritchaTd Morgan, and many others were about. Mr Ellis, the Ministerial whip, was in close attendance throughout the debate. The result of the division was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the whole Welsh party.

POLITICAL NOTES. Mr Gladstone continues to make satisfactory pi ogress, and will soon be convalescent. Among the callers on Wednesday afternoon were Lord Camoys, Lord Raleigh, Hon. Edward Blake, the Bishop of Rochester, Viscountess Newry, Mr Joseph Chamberlain, Mr Goachen, Lord Knuts- ford, and Earl Cadogan. Sir Andrew Clark visited Mr Gladstone at seven o'clock on Wednesday evening, and re- mained for about a quarter of an hour. Sir Andrew was so pleased with the progress made by his patient that he permitted him to go down- stairs to dinner. The dinner party consisted, besides the Premier and Mrs Gladstone, of Lady I redk. Cavendish and Mr John Morley. It is probable that Mr Gladstone will attend at the House of Commons for a short time this (Thurs- day) afternoon. The Queen and Prince of Wales again sent on Wednesday to inquire after the Premier's health. The Royal Commission upon the Aged-Poor held another meeting on Wednesday,the Prince of Wales beingagain present, and remaining through. out a five hours' sitting. The Royal Commission on Vaccination on Wed- nesday took evidence from Mr Haihwell, medical officer of Dewsbury Workhouse Infirmary. Inquirers were informed on Wednesday that Lord Salisbury is still progressing favourably, aud, in fact, is almost convalescent. According to the Lobbyist of the Times, another Liberal member representing a Metro- politan constituency has written to the Govern- ment Whips informing them of his inability to vote for the second reading of the Local Veto Bill.

THE HOME RULE BILL. In reply to a representative of the Press Association a leading Irish Nationalist member states that they do not contemplate making any counter-move to the Roman Catholio petition against the Home Rule Bill. Their present in the Houee of Commons as the duty-ejected repre- sentatives of Irish constituencies was a sufficient answer to that movement. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, held at Belfast on Wednesday at which over 600 ministers and representative elders were present, a manifesto setting forth the ^iews of the Assembly on the subject of Home Slle w»s. paesed with only one dissentient. manifesto expresses amazement at the whSh^r? cliaracte,r,of Mr Gladstone's Bill, rt-K*;™ dec!areji would inevitably creates new ascenldency ?f the most objectionable creeps er> enibitter the hostilities of conflicting cuE P#l kles in Ireland, add to the diffi- the dislrnr it 1J.er Legislature, and encourage disloyal to seek complete separation.,

THE SHEFFIELD WIFE MURDER. SENTENCE OF DEATH. HeminSl ,An'Ze* on Wednesday, Edward murder 'h;<, Jer' a&<;c* ^6, was indicted for the »» FSrai^SL' M »*»««. »«" Sheffield, prisoner was ie^lnn. f ^'dence showed that murdered her bv ^9t lllS,wife' and deliberately hatchet and then ont^in?u r on the head with a When arrested h« )ei! throat with a razor, thoi^ht the dmnt6d the crimo' *aid he bad beSiM dlTkea^1 OV £ and declai<d «"* aud sentenced to death!" Was found

ST. PATIIICK',S DAY AT CARDIFF. a^VJSIT °F ^IRTSH M.P. At the banquet to be held of the Cardiff Umted Br¡¡,nches of the Irish National League, in Barry's Hotel on JH in celebration of St. Patrick's Dav S turday', speaker will be Mr E. F Vesev at1 t?T Cavan. Tlce Mayor of C„d^a?„Slofw 'f Vaughan) and several councillors are^ also'ex pected to be present. On Sn,u„ il Knox will address a ineetintr' Tif Emmet Branch of the Irish N-ftionai T* St. David's-hall, when I). M,Xf Le,?RUe' in preside. Members will be charged a smalf ad" mission fee on this occasion.

OPENING OK A NEW PIOTDRV P. R, Freke will ooen liis New Gallery in a the celebiated picture The sLtnr,t/ days, with IwHMbartSchiaia. iDe «et'ir« from Calvary." 7186

PARLIAMENT. 4-- THE WELSH VETO BILL. STRENUOUS OPPOSITION FROM THE TORIES. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT ON COMPENSATION. SPEECHES BY WELSH MEMBERS. THE MEASURE READ A SECOND TIME. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. The Speaker took the chair at a quarter-past twelve o'clock. LOCAL PETITIONS. Petitions against the Local Veto Bill were presented by Mr Pritchard Morgan from the inhabitants of Heolgerng and district, Cefn Coed, Dowlais, Merthyr, Tydfil, and Aberdare by Mr T. P. Price, from the inhabitants of Pontypool by the Hon. F. C. Morgan from the inhabitants of the County of Monmouth by Mr Abraham from the inhabitants of Pontypridd and district by Mr Bowen Rowlands, from 21 inhabitants of Aberystwyth and by Major Rowland Jones, from the trade of Llanelly. j Major JONES moved the second reading of the Liquor Traffic' Local Veto (Wales) Bill, and observed that, while all were agreed as to the evils arising from excessive indulgence in intoxicating drinks, there were many great and good men who held that the use of alcohol at all was detrimental to both mind and body. Two-thirds of the crime and half the insanity of the country had been traced directly or indirectly to strong drink and though generally in favour of free competi- tion, he desired to remove pitfalls in the shape of public houses which lay between the workshop and homes of the labouring classes. What was proposed by the Bill was to allow Town Councils in boroughs and one-fourth of the population in Veto districts to requisition a poll in respect of the sale of intoxi- eating liquors with power to prohibiting by a two-thirds vote. It was also proposed that the number of licences should be reduced, and that no new licences should be granted. (Hear, hear.) Mr FRANK EDWARDS, in seconding the motion, said that not only were the 31 Liberal members pledged to support a Bill of this kind, bub there were innumerable Tory voters who were in its favour. Whether the licences were wanted cr not the people of a district knew much better than the local magistrates. If the people wanted public-houses the Bill would do them no harm, and if they did not want them there was no reason why they should be forced upon them. Those places were supposed to be maintained for the public con- venience, and surely the public should be left to settle the question of their continuance. It might be said that this was an interference with individual liberty, but the liberty of the people had already been curtailed in regard to the drink question, and they had in Wales Sunday-closing. Why, then, should they not have closing on other days if the people wished it ? He denied most emphatically that the Sunday-clcsinsr Act bad been a failure. (Hear, hear.) Sir W. MARRIOTT proposed as an amendment that the House decline to read the Bill a second time, as no compensation was provided for those who might be deprived under its operation of their licences without any judicial discussion as to their disqualification to continue their lawful business. No one, he said, would deny the evils of intemperance but the question was as to the way to abate them. One party held that the only cure was to take away temptation, while others thought that the most efficient remedy was to teach people t i) resist temptation, and to give them facilities for so doing. Drunkenness as a vice had practically ceased among undergraduates at the universities, and intemperance was steadily diminishing, not only among the well-to-do, but with the poorer classes, and that result had been to a great extent brought about by providing re- creation grounds and improving the dwellings of the working classes, and that was the influence to which they must look for continued improvement. (Oh, ch, and hear, hear.) Did some hon. mem- bers mean to say that the improvement that had taken place was not attributable to that cause? Mr A. J. WILLIAMS supposed that he was one cf the members alluded to, and h. did not think that in the last 20 years the Conservative party had done much to improve the homes of the working classes. (Hear, hear.) Sir W. MARRIOTT maintained that Mr Disraeli and the Tory party had always contended that the way to make working men sober was to pro- vide them with pleasant homes. (Hear, hear.) If under this Bill the veto was put in force, it would remain for five years, and though a resolu- tion reducing the number of licences, for which only a bare majority would be necessary, could be reviewed at the expiration cf two years, it could only be altered in the sense of still further reducing the number. This measure in fact introduced a prohibitive law, and prohibitive laws had not up to the present time answered. Statistics proved that Sunday- closing in Wales had proved an absolute failure as far as diminishing drunkenness was concerned, the number of convictions for Sunday drunken- ness having increased since 1881 by 47 per cent., and they might depend upon it that as fast as they closed licensed houses their places would be filled by a greater number cf unlicensed houses. (Hear, bear.) But the great blot of the Bill was that it did not provide compensation for those whose property it proposed to sacrifice, and he could not suppose that its supporters had given sufficient thought to the misery that it would tring upon many thousands of persons, or had attached due weight to tbo agitation that was arising in the country against legislation of this kind. (Hear, hear.) Baron DE ROTHSCHILD seconded the amend- ment in the interest of temperancc. A nxious as he had always been to diminish the mischief of excessive drinking, he could not support a measure which dealt only with one part of the United Kingdom, when the Government had introduced a similar measure which was to be general in its application. Sir E. RKKD pointed out that Cardiff could not fairly be quoted as affording evidence with regard to the effect of the Sunday Closing Act, seeing that it was situated upon the border, and con- tained a large number of foreign seamen. The Marquis of CARMARTHEN remarked that the argument of the last speaker told against the Bill because it would create a large number of frontiers. If the supporters of the Bill were in earnest they should bring in a Bill to abolish altogether the use of alcohol, instead of making au attack upon a particular trade. This measure meant prohibition, and prohibition having been tried in many parts of the United States had, in almost every case, been repealed Mr LLOYD GKOKGE discussed the working of the WeIgh Sunday Closing Bill, and contended that it had proved successful in checking the consumption of intoxicating liquor in Wales. The ripht hon. member for Brighton had argued that it was better to teach people to resist temDtation than to remove temptation out of their way But that argument was inconsistent with all legislation for the promotion of public morality. It was certainly inconsistent with any legislation intended to deter Irishmen from join- ing the Plan of Campaign on the ground that it was inconsistent with common honesty. It was not said by the promoters of this Bill that people could be made sober by Act of Parliament. All that was urged was that it would con- duce to morality. Temptation could be diminished with the assent of the majority of the people. (Hear, hear.) The experience of parishes in Wales in which there were no public-houses showed that the population was much more sober than that of parishes in which puolic-houses existed. For every publican who might be ruined by tbis Bill, thousands would be Wed from ruin. (Hear, hear.) Mr H JOHNSTON said if public-houses were closed in one area, the only result would be that those who desired drink would resort to the public-houses in an adjacent area. He suggested the amendment on the ground that where pro- nertv was taken for a public purpose compen- sation had hitherto always been given, and ought, therefore, not to be refused to puohcans whose licences were taken away. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. H. ROBERTS said there could be no doubt as to the magnitude of the drink evil or as as to the fact that it was promoted by the exce*- sive number of public-houses. The only questton really open was as to the manner in which that number should be reduced, and he believed that SrSuld bSbe done by subjecting the grant of licenses to popular control. There coo.d be no dooM™ to tlfeprepontonce of publ.c op.n.on in Wales in favour of the Bill. (Hear, hear.) Mr HENEAGE said that, according to the last speaker, the object of the discussion was Senf to Wr Local Vet^ B^jl. the most inequitable of the kind. What was the opinion of the country with respect to ment Bill? He did not think that Mr Broadhurst derived much advantage at ^.msby from his support of Local Option. (Hear, hear.) J hen they had the Gladstone member for Kennmgton declining to vote for the Local Veto, but never- theless requested by his constituents to retain his seat. (Hear, hear.) The provisions of the pre- sent Bill were as absurd and impractic- able as they were unjust. (Hear, hear.) He believed that if either the Bill or the measure of the Government were adopted the cause of temperance reform would be postponed for half a century, for he could not believe that any district in the country would vote for the suppression of public-houses. (Hear.) There was no analogy between the Prov,?,'°"? ot the present Bill and the action of a landlord m refusing to allow public-houses on his estate, fcr whenever a landlord suppressed a public-house he paid full compensation, whereivs no compensa- tion was to be given under this measure, (Hear, Mr DIAMOND congratulated the Welsh members on their unanimity on this question, and as they were ready to support Home Rule for Ireland he was willing to assist them at every opportunity. (Laughter and hear, hear.) He did not see what there was to laugh at in his being a consistent Home Rtiler all round. (Hear, hear.) Mr RATHBONE would vote for the second read- ing in order to keen thu Bill alive till he had further information, but it must be understood that he did not bind himself to the principle of local option. Mr LAWRENCE was opposed to the Bill, which he described as a revision of the decalogue, the new law apparently being Thou shalt not drink, but thou mayest steal." (Hear, hear.) It was an unjust, indefinite, and tyrannical measure, a mockery of justice, and a travesty of I temperance. (Hear, hear.) Sir G. OSBORNK MORGAN contended that if the Welsh Sunday Closing Bill had proved a partial failure it was only because it was not prohibitive enough. He believed that every single member from Wales would either vote for the second reading of this measure, or would absent himself from the division. from Wales would either vote for the second reading of this measure, or would absent himself from the division. Mr CROSSFIELD also supported the Bill. Mr MATTHEWS said that the member for Car- narvon (Mr Lloyd George) had supported the Bill on the principle that the publicans were worse than slave owners, were responsible for pauperism and crime, and therefore were properly treated in the manner proposed by this measure. If that, however, were the case, the suppression of the evil should not be left to a chance inquiry here and there, but should be suppressed by direct legislation. But let such legislation be introduced into this House and what chance would it have of success ? The promoters of this Bill knew that it would have none, and they had therefore sought to remove the respon- sibility from the shoulders of Parliament to that of the ratepayers in the different localities. (Hear, hear.) So envenomed was the spirit of those who bad drawn the Bill that they had not provided for the most ordinary contingencies that must arise under it. At present the licensed victuallers generally held their houses under leases requiring them to sell liquor. But under this Bill nothing was done to relieve them from the covenants of these leases although their licences were withdrawn. (Hear, hear.) In the Bill of the Government there were a great many exceptions but in this there were none, and the real bona-fide traveller appeared to be placed under the same ban as the publican. (Hear, hear.) Was the Government going to resIst an amendment which declared that some kind of compensation was right and proper ? Upon that he wished to challenge the judgment of the House. (Cheers.) Parliament had always recognised the right to compensation for interests which had arisen in consequence of Acts of Par- liament, and expectations had been held out to publicans of the renewal of their licences, on the faith of which they had invested thousands of pounds. (Hear, hear.) Successive duty and probate duty had been levied upon the interests of these persons upon the understanding that they were not mere tenants from year to year, but that unless there was misconduct their tenure was likely to be permanent. (Hear, hear.) The principle of compensation for the defeat of a legitimate expectation of continued business had been recognissd by the Prime Minister. It had also been recognised by the Bill of Mr Bruce which gave the publicans ten years' grace,Jand by the Bill of the "Government, which gave threo years' grace. On that principle ho should sup- port the amendment. He objected to sweeping away a class of traders whom the Legislature had created in their present shape, and to depriving them without compensation of businesses which they had the same fair expectation as other traders of being allowed to carry on without interruption. (Cheers.) Sir W. HARCOURT, who was cheered on rising, said no doubt the Bill now before them differed in some material particulars from that which he felt it his duty on the part of the Government some days ago to submit to the consideration of the House of Commons. As the right hon. gentleman (Mr Matthews) had very truly said, this Bill contained no exemptions it would close all hotels and all refreshment houses, and that was a proposal which the Government did not think it wise or right to make in the Bill. It also applied to all wholesale traders as well as retail traders. The provisions of the Bill would prevent not merely the sale in public-houses of liquor, but it would prevent the sale of beer by the wholesale brewers and the sale of wines also by wholesale persons. It also gave no time or period of grace between the sus- pension of the licence and its execution. Those cases were all exempted in the Government Bill, but when he came to vote on the second reading of the Bill he regarded it now aa he had in former times when he voted for a similar Bill for Wales, in Cornwall, and in Durham, as affirming the principle of Lccal Option. (Hear, hear.) All these matters to which he had referred were matters which were capable of being changed in Committee on the Bill. He certainly could not consent to the passing of a Bill founded in these important particulars on different principles to those which the Government bad recommended, but so far as regarded the second reading of the Bill, he was prepared to support it. Then the right hon. pr' gentleman called attention to the amendment. He was certainly prepared to vote against the amendment. What was the position hon. gen- tlemen opposite took up on this question of compensation ? Where they were in 1888. This lie would say with all reasonableness to hon. gentlemen opposite that, in his opinion, the people of this country were nor., as determined against the principle of pecuniary compensation to publicans as they were in 1888, and to say that there should be no temperance reform except upon the principle which was then rejected was to say that there should be no temperance reform. (Cheers.) He had never heard that because it was the babit to renew annual agreements for the letting of private houses, such agreements ought not to be determined without compensation. Dancing- rooms and music halls used to be licensed by the magistrates, ibut those licences were trans- ferred to the County Councils, popularly elected bodies, and many of those licences had been termi- nated. Had their ever been a quptlOn of com- pensation raised in any one of those eases? (hear, hear)—though many persons had staked quite as much in them as was the case with the average public-house. That there should be a considera- tion shown towards the publicans in this matter was a thing he admitted. The Government had endeavoured to show that in the Bill. The fact was the greater part of these houses were not the property of the publicans themselves. lalk cf the permanent interests of these men. In many cases it was not a quarterly interest or a weekly interest. They were liable to be turned out at very short notice indeed. Mr COSMO BONSOR In London 75 per cent. of the houses are absolutely the property of the publicans. Sir W. HARCOURT .remarked that the hon. member confined his statement to London. The system of business-brewers and distillers buying up public-houses and making the publican a tenant at will—was growing every day. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman the member for Brighton said, Oli, we rely upon true temper- ance work." and referred to the opening of Shaftesbury Park by Lord Beaconsfield as one of the great works of the Tory party. He would remind the right hon. gentleman that one of the fundamental principles upon which the park was founded with its improved dwellings for the reform of the lives of the working-classes in London was that there should be no public-houses. (Hear, hear.) He threw a, little light upon what was thought, at all events, by those reformers as to what should be a necessary and proper accompaniment of social reform. When he came to the amendment he was surprised to find anyone of the right hon. gentleman's acuteness and legal accuracy making himself responsible for such terms. In the old days no doubt there was an erroneous under- standing that a judicial decision must be founded upon mere personal misconduct ot the holder of the licence; but it was now understood that a refusal could be based upon the ground that there were too many public-houses in theneighbourhood. A judicial;decision on the question of the qualifica- tfon of an individual to hold a licence could be easily understood, but upon the question of more or less public-houses in a district, magistrates were not best able to judge. There were many members who held the opinion that it was desirable that the public voice should be heard both on the que,stion.,of abolition of public-houses and on the reduction of the number of licences. (Hear, hear.) Were the magistrates best able to de- termine the number of public-houses when it was not a judicial decision ? The amendment amounted to a declaration by tha right hon. gentleman for his party, We stand on com- pensation as we demanded it in 1288- (bear, hear)—we stand by the magistrates as the body to determine the result of temperance reform in the future." (Hear, hear.) Upon this he joined iasue with the right hon. gentleman. He would say nothing harsh as to the jurisdiction and administration of the question by magistrates, but it must be admitted that the system of administration had failed. (Hear.) Magistrates in many cases would be very willing to undo the work of their predecessors, but their hands were to) weak. (Hear, hear.) It was a question upon which the voice of the people should be heard, and if he were to attempt to describe the real issuse raised by this debate he would say it was whether the great cause of temoerance was to be placed in the hands of the people or to be left in the future, as it had been in th, past, in the hands of the magistrates. It was because he differed from the right hon. gentleman the mem- ber for Brighton in thinking we could continue to rely altogether on the administration which had created the existing condition of things, because the voice of the public must be listened to in matters so deeply concerning their own future and the fathers of their children and children's children, on every opportunity when the question of local option was raised he should give his vote in support of the principle. (Cheers.) Mr W. LONG said if the Government carried their irteasur, which he did not believe they would, the effect would be, if compensation clauses were not introduced, to throw back the temper- ance cause for an indefinite period. (Cheers.) Were the Government and the promoters of this Bill seeking to promote temperance, or were they making a combined attack on the brewers and the publicans ? According to the member for the Carnarvon Boroughs the publicans were the source of all the evils arising from the drink traffic. Why in that case should the brewers be made to suffer by the withdrawal of the licences from the houses they owned ? (Hear, hear.) If it was desired to suppress the liquor traffic, let the promoters of the Bill say so, but if they desired to promote temperance, let them brmg forward some practical and equitable pro- posals for that purpose. Such pro- posals would receive general support. But would it benefit the public or promote temperance to close a publio-house on; one side of the street and allow a club to be opened on the other, to drive people from houses under police co»tru»- to houses which were not under such conternl (Hear, hear.) He believed that this measure "8 absurd and impracticable, and that if it ^ere passed its effect io improving the condition of t jt > people would be nil. He should, therefore, vote -d against the second reading. (Hear, hear.) The House then divided, when there were— For the amendment 246 Against 281 Majority 35 The announcement of the numbers was received by the majority with loud cheers. The Bill was read a second time. MISCELLANEOUS. The Hours of Labour (Railway Servants) Bill, which stood for second reading, was withdrawn. The Law of Distress (Ireland) Bill was read a second tiTre. THE FIGHTING ON THE INDIAN FRONTIER. In answer to Mr Daiziel. Mr G. W. RUSSKLL read a telegram from the Viceroy confirming the iuformation published in the newspapers with regard to the fighting on the Indian frontier, but adding that there was no cause for alarm. The Government had telegraphed for particulars as to the cause of the attack and as to its precise locality. The House adjourned at five minutes to six.

THE WELSH LOCAL VETO I BILL. LAST NIGHT'S DIVISION. Three of the Welsh Liberal were un- I avoidably absent from the division on the Welsh Local Veto Bill, viz., Mr Samuel Smith, on account cf the death of his wife Sir Hussey Vivian, who has not yet returned from the West account cf the death of his wife Sir Hussey Vivian, who has not yet returned from the West Indies, but who had paired in favour of the Bill and Mr D. A. Thomas. The latter paired for the Bill, but was not present owing to ill-health. The following members paired for the Bill .1. Richardson, Little, Waddy, Cobb, Dr Clark, S Smith, T. B. Buchanan, Lord Compton, Dodd, A. lilingworth, Clough, Coimau, Hon. C. R. I Spencer, J. C. Stevenson, Sir Hussey Vivian, Hon. A. Brand, Sutherland, Bryce, Manfield, Labouchere, Thorburn, Perks, Macfarlane, Cony- ¡ beare. Against the Bill :—Wharton, Marquis of Granby, Wrightson, Professor Jebb, Sir Wm. Pearce, Forwood, Sir H. Howarth, Col. Jodrell, Cotton, Admiral Field, Fitzgerald, Smith, Barry, Ross, Sir Pryce Jones, Donkin, Gathorne Hardy, Right Hon. A. Hill, Hon. A. Fellowes, Dane, Right Hon. W. Jackson, Butcher, Newdegate. There was some cross voting in the division. The majority consisted mainly of Liberals, but also included two Conservatives, Mr W. Johnston, of Ballykilbeg, and Mr Cayzer, of Barrow-in- Furness, tiie latter of whom explains that, al- though in favour of the principle of the measure, he does not hold himself committed to its details. The following Liberal Unionists voted for the Bill :-Sir D. Currie, Sir John Pender, Mr Courtney. Mr T. W. Ilus-Tell, Mr Parker Smith, and Mr Cameron Corbett. The Anti-Parnellite members also voted in the majority with one exception, namely, Mr Crane. The leader of the Parnellite members, Mr John Redmond, voted in the majority for the Bill, but four of his colleagues, Messrs Clancy, Hayden, Harrington, and Nolan, voted in the minority against the Bill. The minority, for whom the Conservative whips acted as tellers, consisted mainly of Conserva- tives, and also included the following among other Liberal Unionists Mr Chamberlain, Sir Henry James, Mr Austen Chamberlain, Mr Jesse Collings, Mr Heneage, Sir Thos. Suther- land, and Mr Hobhouse. The tellers for the majority were Mr Rowland Jones and Mr Bowen Rowlands. Several Liberal members who are connected with the brewery interest abstained from voting. These were Mr Whitbread, Mr H, E. Hoare, Mr McEvvan, Air Sydney Evershed, and Captain Fenwick. The figures were awaited with keen interest by groups of temperance workers and of brewers and publicans who had crowded the outer lobby all day. The result is regarded as one of special importance as bearing on the prospects of the Local Veto Bill of the Government for England and Wales. The occu- pants of the Treasury Bench feel encouraged by the division to press forward the general measure. _——.———————

THE LOCAL BOILERMAKERS' STRIKE. CONTINUATION OF THE BOYCOTT. INTERVIEW WITH THE DISTRICT DELEGATE. There was no further development in this matter on Wednesday. Mr Fox has visited Newport with a view of inducing the owners of the steam- ship there boycotted to sign an agreement similar to that which was secured from Messrs Gibbs and Lee, the owners of the Briton line, at Cardiff, on Tuesday. One of our representatives has sought out Mr Fox the district delegate, and interviewed him, with the following result Do you consider your action justifiable ? asked the interviewer. Perfectly. We have exhausted all possible legitimate methods but this of securing- for the men fair payment for their labour. They have to do the same work as our members in Cardiff and should be paid proportionately. We have not asked for* we same rate as the Cardiff one, for house rent is cheaper up in the hills," but we cannot allow the men there to work for starvation wacit-2s 4d to 33 a day. There is not 60 per cent. difference between the cost of living at Cardiff and the hill towns. The Cardiff rate is 73 and 6s 6d per day. What we for the bills think a fair rate is 5s a day. We have offered to let our men return to work at the lowest rate paid in any other works in the United Kingdom." "You have corn pained of curt treatment on the part of the employers. What, precisely, has occurred ?" Well, we have asked and asked for permission to lay the men's claims before the management, but in vain. We have done more in making otfer to Ssubmit the matter to arbitration, and ilbide by the result loyally. We invite the com- panies, as I have told you before, to appoint three representatives to sit with three nominated by us. They can pick out three from this district —they may be directly concerned but as for ours, in order to secure absolute impartiality, we will, if the employers choose, select them from other districts. In the event of the joint com- mittee disagreeing, we are willing that the chair- man shall be sole arbiter, that his finding shall be final and binding. One condition only we make, and that is that the chairman shall be one of three gentlemen approved by us." Was there no way to compel attention other than by taking a course which will affect outside interests ?" 1. None, of which I am aware. You see that we give timely notice. My only regret in the matter is, now that the venue has changed to the sea-board, that other hands who will not have strike pay will probably suffer if the dispute goes on for long. We do not desire to hurt the ship- owners or any of our feliow-workmen." "What are your prospects of success? The Dowlais Company is strong." So are we, and this boycott will not cost us much. We have in round figures £ 200,000 at the bank, and embrace 95 per cent. of the men following the boiler-making, iron ship building, and other iron construction trades. We have the sympathy, too, of other trades, and all the employers who have spoken to me admit the justice of our case, though some of them do not approve of our action. But we have already had proof of the strength of our position." "How?" There is a fleet called the Briton Line. Two of these ships are m the iron ore trade. Another, the North Briton, needed repairs Our men refused to work on her unless the ownors guaranteed to withdraw their ships from the iron ore trade pending the settlement of this dispute. We had au interview which was concluded by the owners (Messrs Gibbs and Lee) signing an agreement to that effect. You see it is only a question of time. We must win eventually." But could not Messrs Gibbs and Lee have taken their vessels to other ports for repairs ?" No. In the Bristol Channel pores there is not 2 per cent. of unaffiliated boiler- makers, and the percentage is less in the other ports of the country. If the shipowners took their boats to other ports j the boycott would still remain, and the iron com- panies cannot get their ore independently of the railway rates, which would be heavy discharged at ports outside the Bristol Channel. We have them both ways. You see that we stopped the Ursula at Newport." "1" How long do you think the strike will last ? Is it likely to cause much loss ?" Not much to us; but if the companies remain stubborn for long it will entail serious losses, not only upon employers, but upon their employees. This we extremely regret, as these sufferers would not be parties to the dispute. Wo believe that before long representations will be made to the Dowlais and other two companies directly con- cerned which will cause them to accede to what are generally regarded as just demands. We only asked for a living wage.

A GENTLEMEN'S SAD SUICIDE. Mr J. A. Craven, of Whitton Lodge, Daventry, shot himself through the head on Tuesday iu his stables. The deceased was a well-known member of the Pytchley Hunt, and was at one time master of the pack, in succession to Col. An- struther, and hunted with the Grafton hounds as recently as Monday last. It is stated that the deceased's premises are in the hands of the sheriff. Mr Craven's sad end has caused a great sensation m the district. A Daventry correspondent, telegraphing later, states that the last person who saw Mr Craven ahve was the sheriff's officer, and it is believed that deceased was impelled to commit the rsish act because of financial difficulties. When found he was in a sitting position with a revolver in his lap and one chamber of the weapon was empty. r Craven, who was highly respected, leaves a widow and three son?, two of whom are abroad.

Mr Matthias Bodkin, M.P. for Roscommon, who delivered a brilliant speech at the Liberal meeting held at Swansea. it,t evening, IS a journalist by profession, and was for many years on the staff of United Ireland. It was he, who with singular resource and courage, hept up the fight for nationalism as opposed to factionism in he Inzuppressible when Mr ParnelTs crowbar brigade had completed its evicting work at the United. Ireland ofiie. TOBACCONISTS COMMENCING."—Hid. Guide, 3d — iobawouisis' Ouiittiui; Co 18*, JSuston rri. l.or.(!on F.HE, Ki'-V BEST BARGAIN for a, penny is a uopy ot trie • Cardiff Times and huuth Wales Weekly News. Hisaiarne 72 column paper cr^wiled full of new »tones i.y popular novelists, special articles, ana jiews or the week t

MANIFESTO FROM THE CONSERVA- TIVE TEMPERANCE UNION. The Press Association states that the Committee of the National Conservative Temperance Union, having had under consideration the Local Veto Bill, have arrived at the unanimous opinion that the measure would not in operation promote the cause of temperance. The proposals as to thedirect Veto are stated to be delusive, inasmuch as they would be constantly open to evasion, the numerous exemptions in the Bill simply diverting the con- sumption of intoxicants from the present re- sponsible persons to licensed railway stations, chemists' shops, eating-houses, efC'' f conducing to the adoption of false pretences ;ind endless devices in obtaining drink, and resulting in more demoralisation to the community than the existing open sale during prescribed hours. The* smallness of the suggested areas must, it is said, result iu the grossest anomalies, and constant friction and con- fusion would arise consequently upon the adoption, and non-adoption respectively of the Veto in adjoining parishes and wards, culminat- ing in frequent infraction of that law leading to the establishment of drinking clubs, and the constant incursions of those desirous of obtaining drink within and contiguous to the areas affected. The absence from that Bill of any provision for equitable compensation for extin- guished licences stamps it as un-English, and the I statement of Sir William Harcourc in introducing the measure, that the licensing question will have to be dealt with hereafter, proves that the liill does not afford a solution of the great licensing question, but is merely intended as a sop to those agitators who are'uladstonian first and temper- ance reformers'afterward*. Convinced that this proposal offers no tangible itinedy for the evil of intemperance, the Committee of th, Union have issued a manifesto embodying these views, and calling upon their supporters to opi>ose the Bill.

OPINIONS ON THE VETO BILL. WHAT CARDIFF MEN THINK. A VARIETY OF VIEWS. The British public is a queer public. It mostly wants to be let alone. Thus, when I set cut yesterday to seek the opinions upon the Local Option Bill of t number of men not directly interested in the measure, either as Temperance advocates or publicans, I found that, for the most part, people were too busy to think about it. They appeared to be in a state of passive accept- ance, willing to aocept what fate, or the Govern- ment, may allot. The number of reasons which the geutlemen in Scripture story gave for not attending a dinner were far more than rivalled by the excuses offered for not having a definite opinion upon the, to many, all-important question cf the reform of the drink traffic. However, I succeeded in obtaining thr sets of views which may be taken as fairly representative of the pronouncements of the general public upon the measure now before Parliament. The first of these I may style THE OPINIONS OF A LIBERAL LEADER. "I don't believe," he said, "that the Tem- perance party accept this Bill thoroughly. They are only inclined to receive it now because it is tho best they can get, but they will endeavour to go to very much greater lengths. As a mild sort of Temperance reformer myself, the point I don't like about the Bill is the power given to one district to say, 'We choose not to have a public-house in our midst, or, if we have them, we shall limit their number.' The only districts where it is likely that, a veto would be carried to put entire closing or partial closing c into effect would be in the very centres where public-houses are not numerous, or where the publicans have no large interest. Take two Cardiff Wards, for instance. The South Ward is notoriously over-crowded with public-houses, and the publican interest is very strong, especially with the class cf people who live at the Docks—much more so than is the case in regard to people living in other parts of the town. Well, 1 don't think you could carry the veto into effect there. It is a fact admitted by both Liberals and Conservatives that something should bo done to bring about a better state of affairs in the South Ward. which has such a bad name socially, but it would be very hard—almost impossible, I tiiink-to carry a resolution or contest an election successfully there, involving the clcsincr of public-houses. The publican interest would be dead against us, whereas, in political matters generally, it is, to some extent, divided. Upon this question the publicans would opposo us to a man, and that in the very ward where such a Bill, if otherwise framed, would be most serviceable. Now, take th3 Roath Ward, a highly respectable residential suburb. There, there are very few public-houses, and it would bo very easy for the inhabitants, if so minded, to obtain a veto for closing the houses. Yet I don't suppose there is any complaint as to an excessive number of licensed houses in the Roath Ward. I never heard of any, yet it is in such a district that bhe Temperance party will necessarily commence to work." What effect will the measure have on the Liberal party ?"—" I think it will do us an awful lot if harm, as it brings all unnecessary combina- tion against us. Yes, I am opposed to compensation, as the publicans know when they take out a licence that it is only for twelve months. But I should give them ample notice, and the compensation I object to is payment out of the rates. I fail to see, however, why the houses that are left un- touched, and naturally have their trade im- proved by the shutting-out of rivals, should not pay something as a 'compensation' for disturb- ance to their suppressed competitors. Compensa- tion out of the rates is a matter that has been settled long ago." Then if this Bill is not a good one, what would you suggest?"—"The voting areas should be larger. Entire boroughs, and entire electoral districts m counties, should have the power of veto, and then we should be able to fight upon much broader line. But I really be- lieve the Government will not be able to pass the Bill this Session. It will reach the second reading, and then be included m the general massacre of the innocents' at the close. The Temperance vote probably affected the Grimsby election, but, as a matter of fact, Broadhurst is not a strong candidate from the electioneering point of view. He has had so many serious disputes with different sections of the Labour party that of all the things said against him some at least left their mark. If you throw enough mud, you know, some of it will stick."

AN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL. Another gentleman whom I encountered, who is a loyal member of the Liberal party, and who, I think, may be taken as a representative of a large section, was pronounced in his condemna- tion of the Veto as it at present stands. "It is very doubtful," he remarked, how far the majority have the right to coerce the minority in a question which only passively affects them. Atter all, the public-house is not essentially different from an ordinary tradesman's shop its peculiarities consist, not in itself, but in the consequences which arise from its abuse. I am strongly of opinion that in such a case the cld dictum of John Stuart Mill is still cogent, that we have only the right to remedy the abuse and not to transfer our coercion to what is in itself the innocent cause of that abuse. Let us have stringent laws against drunkenness, and particu- larly keep the publicans in holy fear but lifail to see that for the sake of private prejudices we have the right to debar the minority from making a proper use of a public-house. For that is what it means. The veto is so sweeping that it practic- ally amounts to prohibition." Then, do you believe in the law as it stands ?" —" 1 will not commit myself to that," he replied. But I feel that whatever right we have over the freedom of the individual should in every case be vested in an impartial and legally constituted board, such as the Town Council or the Bench of magistrates. The only right which I imagine we have over the establishment of a public-house is one drawn from what we may conceive to be due to the safety and well-being of society. The due extent and limit of that right, I think, should be exercised by some general and duly-constituted body. What I advocate, therefore, is a reform of the licenstng laws, if you will; but administered, not by local option, but by the wisdom and judg- ment of an elected board. What effect do you imagine the Veto Bill will have upon the party T—Well," he answered, I do not regard it as a party question, and I ex- pect tliat on-a division there will be a curious amalgamation of men of different political creeds. But I certainly feel that if the Liberal party makes Local Option a plank in their platform it will give rise to strong division of opinion, and may do very serious harm. Local Option is not a question on which public opinion is sufficiently pronounced to dignify it into a Government measure. A prejudiced man makes mora noise than one who is not prejudiced, and I think that the ideas of the Temperance party hav« been I exaggerated into the imjiortanee of a general public demand." But in view of the allegation that the public- house has become a serious source of danger to society, do' you not think that some remedy should be taken ?" I asked.— Doubtless," was the reply, "and that remedy is at present in force. The difficulty now is to get the magistrates to license a house. Surely, by popularising the Board that has licences under control the deterrent force will bo made stronger, and that will be quite enough to guard the public safety. What we need most to be in fear of just now is rather that politics shall not become hysterical, and that the exigencies of i).tr(y politics shall not replace broad political wisdom by weak concessions to exaggerated outcries of mere faddists."

THE MAN IN THE STREET. I tin dead t&,airst it, I, sticl. (,ive us better pubs, it you like, and close I1P the wretched shanties that obtained licences under a system of favouritism and patronage that has now largely disappeared. But I strongJy object to Shriith and Brown having the power to say that I, Robinson, sluill not have a drink be- cause they don't think it. i- good for n.e. Whv I know Smith is weakening his nerves with tea, and Brown is killing himself with a mixture of coffee and chicory but I don't want to supervise their grocers' bills. Let me tell you, there is far too Hluch of this grandmotherly legislation about. We are drifting back to the davs of the Puritans, when to whistle w.s a crime and tn a sur« way of obtaiuinu eternal punishment. Then as to compensation. I am sure the public will not pay for it out of the rates, yet how unfair it is that thousands of people should have their means cf hving taken away from them. There is a large class in this country, gen tlemen s butlers, head waiters, coachmen, cooks, housekeepers, etc., who look forward to getting hold of a snug pub. as the end and aim of their existence. Surely, when they put their savings of a lifetime into such a speculation they have a vested interest in it. I tell you, the public wdl not stand it. However, they have not closed the bars yet. Let's drop into —s's and have something."

THE MEETING OF PROTEST AT CARDIFF. TO THE KDITOK. SIR,—In to-day's publication of your valuable paper you give a report of the meeting held in the Queen-street Public Hall to protest agamst ij the Veto Bill. I happened to be present at that meeting, and, when reading the account this morning, I found you had stated that tlv3 resolutions were carried unanimously, only ten beardless boys" voting against them. Well, it is true that the chairman did sarcastically remark that the gentlemen who held up their hands against the resolutions were only boys," but I would have your numerous readers understand that the "beardless boys" consisted of several influential gentlemen, both m the business and commercial circles cf the town, and when the chairman referred t o them asbeard- less. x should like to kr.ow what had become of his own beard and these of most of the other gentlemen on tbo platform? I think the cht-ir- man must have meant "beerless" and not "beard- less boys, if so, allow we to inform him Ill) was quite in order in doing su. This seems rather a simple subject to write about, but 1 only do it to point out that it was ni0t U sc'0°l-b°ys in the minority, but about 40 sensible men.—I am & n ONE OF THfc BEARDLE-S. Cartlifl, Morcn l'Tth, 1893.

BAHRY AND CADOXTON LOCAL BOARD BILL. This Bill again came before the Select Conl- mittee presided over by Mr H. J. Roby in the House of Commr ns on Wednesday. Mr Pem- broke Stephens, Q.C., and Mr Baggallay appeared for the promoters of the Bill (the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board), and the petitioners against were represented by Mr Cripps, Q.C., and Mr Robson, Q.C. The simple object ot the Bill is to give power to the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board to purchase the undertakings or the Barry and Cadoxton Gas and Water Company. Mr Roby agaiu presided, and the other members (.f the. Committee present were Sir Geo. Chesney, Sir James Kitson, and Mr Mildmay. The evidence of Mr F. C. Pardoe, surveyor to the Barry Local Board, was concluded under the examination of Mr Baggallay. The witness said the area of the site oil authorised land was 2 acres, 2 rcods, 39 perches, and the area of the site on unauthorised land was 2 acres, 2 roods, 14 perches, so that after making allowance for tho limits of deviation, one half of the site of the works was on unauthorised land. He had com- pared the prices charged for gas in the Barry and Cadoxton district with prices charged in other districts where circumstances were fairly similar, for purposes of comparison, viz. :-New- port, Cardiff, Bridgwater. Merthyr, Neath, Aber- dare, Abergavenny. &c. In Barry 4s 2d per 1,000 feet was charged with a discount for prompt pay- ment. In Newport 3s 2d was charged in Aber- gavenny, 3s 2d Cardiff, Bridgwater (Somerset- shire), and Penarth, 3s Neath, 3s 4-d Merthyr, 3s 8d to the private consumer, and Si 2d to the local authority and in Aberdare, 4s to the Local Board, and 4s 3d to the private consumer. He had heard complaints as to the quality of the gas, but each time he had tested it he had found it to be above the authorised number of candles. In reply to Mr Cripps, the witness admitted that at a number of other places fairly com- parable with the local conditions of Barry, the prices charged were higher than in Barry. Mr Harry Snell, M.Inst.C.E., said he lived at Penarth, and was surveyor to Lord Windsor's estate. He bad made a survey of the works cf the Barry and Cadoxton Company, and verified Mr Pardoe's plans. He found tbat one-half of the works were constructed on unauthorised lands. Mr J. Arthur Hughes, clerk to the Local Board at Barry, produced the correspondence between the Local Board and the solicitor to the company. Mr Henry Rolfe, civil engineer, was next called. Speaking from the accounts of the company as to the expenditure after the Act of 1889, the witness said that at the end of 1892 the company had spent 249,961 2-3 3d in regard to water, or L6,900 odd beyond their authorised capital and with regard to water and gas they had spent £ 96.000 odd, or £ 11,COO beyond the total authorised capital of £ 85,000. Therefore the company had not a shilling to supply the town with, but was considerably overspent, and it was not in Parliament this year eitherjto cure the over- expenditure or to ask for more money, though they themselves estimated that they would re- quire B2,000 a year for ordinary extensions. The company had not been in the habit until 1892 of keeping separate gas and water accounts, as the Act requtred them to do. The witness spoke of other irregularities in the accounts tsome length. Mr Cripps then opened the case against the Bill. What were the suggestions made by the promoters ot the Bill, and what were the reasons urged why in this case a special line should be taken by compulsory purchase by the Local Board ? There was an allegation that the com- pany wanted money. But the position was exactly the opposite. Such was the strength of the company, such was their credit, that they had been able to carry out their obligations both as regarded gas and water without any serious complaint up to the present time; and as regarded both their undertakings there was no necessity for any further capital expenditure at the present time beyond the resources of the company. According "to Mr Rolfe's evidence as regarded water, they had sufficient for four or five years, but his (Mr Cnpjas's) evidence would show that they had sufficient for a much longer term. The company had done its duty both as regarded water and gas, and there was not a tittle of evidence or a suggestion that they could not do the same in the future. Mr J. A. B. Williams, Chief Waterworks Engineer to the Corporation at Cardiff, said he was consulting engineer to the Barry and Cadoxton (JAS and \Vater Company..A.fter very extended examination he chose the present sources of supply for the company. The present sources and means of supply were adequate for the purposes of the present population, and even an addition of 60 or 70 per cent, to the pre- sent population. The present daily eon- sumption was 17 gallons per head, but there was a great deal of waste,lwhich he hoped in the future to prevent. In Cardiff the consump- tion was at the rate of 23 gallons per head per day, but from this should be deducted eight gallons per head for trade purposes, as distinct from domestic and sanitary purposes. AtPenarth, a suburb of Cardiff, the consumption was at the rate of a little over 14 gallons per head per day, and he thought that at Barry it should and could reasonably be reduced to 15 gallons pr head per day. The permanent works of the gas and water com pan were* v e ry substantial, and de- signed with everyregard for etliciencv and economy. He had never heard it suggested outside the Ccmmittee-room that there was a doubt as to the capacity of the company, either financially or with regard to the water supply, to fully meet the requirements of the district now and for some time to come. In 1888, when the company had spent some £ 3,000 odd only, they offered to hand over tho whole concern, with all its rights and privileges, for something Jike cost price, but he thought that it was most unfair that the com- pany should be called upon compulsorily to part with its undertaking now that it was on the eve of realising its anticipations. The proceedings were adjourned at this stage till to-day (Thursday).

GREAT FOREST OF BRECKNOCK BILL. This Bill is appointed to be heard before a Committee of the House of Commons on Friday next.

CARDIFF BUILDING STRIKE. POSITION OF THE MASONS. A largely-attended general summoned meeting of operative stonemasons was held on Wednesday evening, Mr George Milsom presiding, when the following resolution was passed unanimously :— lhat we adhere to the resolution of January 17th, which was duly for- warded to the Cardiff Master Builders' Association, namely, that we are prepared to accept 8Vid per hour provided our rules, which were ill operation prior to May 1st. 1892, be accepted, and that on and after the 20th March our men will be allowed to work for any employer ^prepared to conform to the aforesaid rUiBS. 1 he employers have expressed deter- millation to stick to their demand for a modifica- tion of the rules regulating the importation of worked stone, and the masons say they will take the 8%d offered, and decide that to be the fair" rate in the district, if the former give way and allow the old rules to be retained.

LATE SPORTING NEWS. ANTICIPATIONS. The weather was tine for the concluding day of the Derby Hunt Meeting, and the attendance was a large one in all departments. The sport was tame and calls for little comment. Manifesto secured the oi)enitig event, the Shipley Hall Steeplechase but his stable companion, Gillstown, could get no nearer than fourth for the chief event, which fell to Harold. Golden Ring again disappointed his backers. J.o-morrow there is a day's Fport at Plumpton, when I shall depend on the followinL- Polegate Steeplechase—WOODMAN. March Hurdle Handicap—MAUUENSTOWN or D'ORSAY. Brighton Steepleebase—CUPID or LADY CLARK. Portslade Maiden Hurdle FLaefi-OWICK or PENDKAOO.V. Preston Park Flat Race—RICHAKD RAWE. Hastings .Steeplechase—ROSIK. Wednesday Night. VIGILANT

C, ^VP,TUIU'% CUBED.—J A. Sherman, Hernia fcoecsahst, 64, Chaneerv-lane, London Book. 7 *t;um>s Mrss BRADnoN-s NKW NOVEL. All AW the i.w 1",?ec"retl {or, the Cardiff Times and a[\•- Aeu'a. the opening chapters cvvpeur in the curient issue. Jerome K. Jerome John btiai^e \t inter, Dora HusselJ, ;wiii other 'anions novelisis write lor tins favourite veeklv. Secure •> for a tenur.e" A MasiUine Newspaper ^combined

¡ WELSH LAND COMMISSION. Our London Welsh correspondent says :-It is useless for me to continue to correct the hap- hazard prognostications indulged m by the Cardiff Tory journal as to the constitution of the Welsh Land Commission. As soon as her Majesty's sanction has been officially given to the arrangements determined upon, I shall be at liberty to give full details Cll the subject. Meanwhile I may as well say that there is not the slightest truth in the statement that Lord Kensington is to be the chairman of the Commis- sion. As a matter of fact, Pembrokeshire—or I might say South-Western Wales—is far more likely to be represented on the Commission by a tenant farmer rather than by a landlord, whether Liberal or Tory. Liberal or Tory.

N !(,W LIST OF SHERIFFS FOR WALES. The official list of the sheriffs appointed by her Majesty in Council for the year 189a (exc.ptim; Cornwall ana Lancashire) were d to-night MOHMOUTHSHIBE—Arthur Evans, of Liinglbkiy CnsMe, Newport, esquire, ANUI.RSLY—Captain OwenjTiioma-Sof Brynddu, R,r>'i.Hloch. Hitr'.coN'SHittE—Bowen Pottingei oosnian, of Tynygraig, Builth, enquire. CAUDWAKSHUJI:—John Francis, uf Wallop. Bow, Ca!:ha: 1THkxshikK-—John Crow .Richardson, oi (vi.-in'cj!ydan J/ajk. Llandilo. esquiie. C,k Frost, of Minvdon, Cohvyn, e>qun.. Edward \V 11. ii:i;:i Lloyd Wynne, "f Coll Coeh, Abergele. FLINTSHIRE—-Sir Pyer- William .M-styu, of Talacre. baronei. GI.AMOKGA.NSHIRK — Robert. Forr. õt, of Si. Fa gar. "s. Cardiff, enquire. MKKtOXfiTHSH!RK —Kdward Rob:;rl Jellkir. of Bodweuni, LlanJdei'iel, Conven. esquire, MONTGOMEKYSHIKE—John Cooke Ho COM. of Glyuliinaetb, Lhoifair, enquire. P EM BttOK KSiiiUU—L: -u is Samson, of Scotch well, esquire. StArufORSHlRE—John C irri Carter, of Cefn- faed, Rhayader, etqnn e.

IMPORTANT WAGES ACTION. THE QUESTION OF CUSTOM IN THE SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. JUDGMENT FOR THE DEFENDANTS. At the Aberdare C,.)-,n,N- c(,iirt. on Wednes- day, his Honour Judge G wily in Williams gave judgment in the case of Evans v. the Powell Dutfryn Company, which was an action brought by the plaintiff, a collier, for balance of wages due to him for work done at George Pit. The claim was based on a custom which was alleged to exist in the district, and the case attracted a considerable amount, of interest, in South Wales, a whole host of witnesses having been called.-Ili. Honour said the custom alleged was; that when a heading was turned off a stall, the person working in that stall was entitled to be paid the price usually paid for driving a heading, although no change was made in the character of the stall. He then went on to review the evidence given during the three days' hearing of the action, and concluded—" I have therefore come to the con- clusion that whereas the payments of the nature claimed by the plaintiff have been occasionally made there is no evidence sufficient to justify my pronouncing the opinion that a custom exists which entitles the plaintiff to succeed in this action. Judgment is therefore for the defendant compauy, with costs. The charges of the short- hand notes and the interpreter to be born equally by plaintiff and defendants." The plaintiff was represented by Mr D. Lewis, barrister, Swansea (instructed by Messrs Morgaii and Rhys), and the defendants by Mr C. Kenshole.

A CARDIFF LAW CASE. RAKGKEAVK V. JONKS.—In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, on Wed- nesday, the case of Hargreave v. Jones came on for trial before the Lord Chief Justice sitting without a jury. The plaintiff, a member of a firm of accountants, StFd the defendant Daniel Jones, of Great Frederick-street, Cardiff,othe in- ventor of the two-reel lock-stich sewing machine, to recover £ 250 for alleged services in floating the 0' Two-reel Lockstitch Sewmg Machine Company, Limited, and for use of offices in Great Win- chester-street, London, from February to June, 1891, and in pursuance of a verbal promise which the defendant was alleged to have made. The defendant denied that the plaintiff had ever rendered any services in float- ing' the company, or that he had ever made him any promise to pay J6250, and as to the use of the offices the plaintiff was paid rent for his offices at the rate of £100 a year.—His Lordship, in giving judgment, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the defendant had given his evidence. He said the defendant appeared to be nnxious to give the court as little information as possible. — Judgment for the plaintiff,

VISIT OF MR J. H. WILSON, M.P. It is probable that concerted action will be taken by the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union and other trade societies with a view of arresting the movement to reduce the wages of seamen. Mr J. H. Wilson, M.P., will pay another visit to Cardiff this week, being expected down on Friday. The Colonial Ha!! has been secured for the holding o' tu • mass meetings. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-As there seems to be a false impression prevalent with regard to the action of certain boarding masters in the present labour crisis, I feel it my duty to set the public right with regard to the true facts of the case. It is a well-known fact that owing to the great depression in the freight market ship- owners have been compelled to ask their em- ployees to accept a temporary reduction of their wages, and I consider that our seamen and tire- men have acted nobly and judiciously when they accepted a monthly wage of £ 3 10s and JB5 15s instead cf £4 10s and 1:4 15s, which was paid to then: six months a^o. Considering that at ali other ports sailors are now receiving £ 4 and £ 4 5s per month, and that the .shipowners of London, Hull, and Liv erpool do not receive a penny more freight than those Cardiff gentlemen who aN seeking to obtain men at £ 5, and oven at jB2 15s, ] have no hesitation in denouncing the action of certain boarding masters, who are lending them- selves as tools to these people, as entirely uncalled- fcr and unjustifiable. I cay sympathise with a man who has a number of seamen to provide for, who came to his house penniless, depending upon the half-month's advance to pay their debts—if, under stress of circumstances, a man is shipped below the recognised wages of the port, but the grievance referred to in your article of to-day is of a different nature. We have in our midst certain individuals (some of whom have joined our Boarding Masters' Union) who de«= liberately go and offer to supply crews at a rate j below a living standard, and who are making a harvest out of the misfortune of onr sailors and likewise their fellow-townsmen. This is not the only injury they inflict upon thecoiniiiuiiity. By accepting an advarce note of 30s instead of jB2 5s, the port of Cardiff sustains a less cf £ 3,009 pei month, which would otherwise be circulated anion* our local tradespeople, this calculation being baaed upon our Board of Trade returns, which certify that an average of 4,000 men are. shipped monthly at this pert. I sincerely trus* that further friction will be avoided by cur local shipowners, who, I hope, will see their way cleat to employ good competent men at £3 10s and £ 3 15s, instead of selecting useless or doubtfu) servants at a, rate of 51 or 10s below that figure, especially when the extra expenses for tug-boat hire, shipping fees, &c., more than swallow up the little sum actually -it stake.— I am, &c., W. GRAFFUNDER, General Secretary of the National Union oi Boarding Masters and Tradespeople. Cardiff, March 14th, 1893.

TWO WOMEN BURNT TO DEATH, HALLK, Wednesday.—At the village of Burkau, in saxony, a fire broke out yesterday in a house inhabited by a weaver named Baer and his family. Before it was discovered, the flames had gut a firm hold on the building, par- tially cutting off all means of escape, and although every effort was made to assist the inmates, the man's wite and his mother were burned to death, while be and his son were seriously injured.- Renter.

"MILITARY HONOUR" IN FRANCE. A FATAL DUEL. Two sergeants-major of the 96th Line Regiment, garrisoned at Lyons, had a violent discussion one evening at dinner, in the course of which one of them, named Cordier, struck his comrade. Faure The next morning the quarrel was made np. The colonel of the regiment, however, heard of the affair and bf>ing- a stickler for so-called military honour,' lie insisted upon their fight- ing out their quarrel m spite of their affirming that they had made it up. A duel with swords was accordingly arranged. At the first pass Coroier gave a terrific lunge, which iii-i adversary pamed. Cordier had sprung forwa d with so much impetuosity that he lost his balance, and feb upon his adversary's outstretched w;I°D,nW iIC the unfortunate man'a lZkt t0 the and died v,-mm ly; having bare)y grasp his Opponent's hand to show that he bore him no ill-will.

FIRE AT A DUBLIN NEWSPAPER J. OFFICE. 1 On Wednesday a serious tire broke out in the offices of the National Press. Dublin. The offices ia\e been practically unused since the amalga- mation with the Freeman's Journal, cxcept so ar as regards a small section oi the building, l ne cause of tne conflagration is unknown. It is rumoured to have been malicious, but so far there is nothing to sustain this suggestion. The Fire rigade quickly got the fire under. The damage, 3 a*Certa'U^* is v»iy cooeid-