South Wales Daily News

TRUBSDAY. APRIL 25, 1895. RATES AND TAXES. BLUE Books and Parliamentary returns, not usually a very entertaining class of litera- ture, are occasionally of considerable in- terest and among the most attractive may be reckoned those that relate to local taxation for the rate collector is ever with us, and his demands grow ever- more unwelcome as year after year they increase in amount. Cardiff and Swansea are not singular in their taxes tribulation. They are but sharers of the common lot. The pressure of rates, which becomes steadily heavier, is attended by the disquieting fact that no prospect of reduction is to be discovered, but that, on the contrary, every indication is of the increase continuing, and to a large extent. This is a hard saying. It is none the less true. Two Parliamentary papers just to hand furnish evidence both of the huge amounts collected in local rates, and of the probability that the collections will grow still greater. The local taxation returns thus far published supply the figures affecting Urban Councils alone, and show that the local authorities are demanding amounts closely approaching the sum total of the imperial annual revenue, enormous as that is. If there is to be a hundred millions of imperial taxation and a second hundred millions in the shape of local rates-and that is the outlook-- the lot of the ratepayers will be hard indeed and it becomes a question, serious and pressing, whether the levy is made upon the right persons. The taxpayer, he who has to answer the call of the imperial revenue collector, is ordinarily well able to take care of himself the payers of local rates include many of quite a different class, those less capable to bear financial burdens. Two features of the situation, as regards local rates, make it very impor- tant to adjust the levy equitably; one is that the burden has become so great as to discourage small industries, local imposts making, in some instances, the whole differ- ence between dividend and no dividend on certain enterprises and the other is that as these imposts are expended for purposes affecting the real welfare of the people in sanitation, education, and the like there is risk that these essentials of health and wealth may be restricted because local authorities can- not venture to levy the amounts necessary. Without going into figures-these can be deferred for the time being -we would emphasise particularly the contention that the burden of rating is borne most unfairly; that the present system is in- herently unjust, and is contrary to public policy. Not only are rates increas- ing enormously, but a huge local debt is being accumulated, thus mortgaging the resources of each community for at least a generation, and entailing additional annual burdens upon the ratepayers in the shape of loan interest. Fresh legislation in every succeeding Session multiplies the objects for which rates may belevied andtherecentdevelopmentsof local government powers has produced a more than corresponding development of expendi- ture Glamorgan to wit. The growth of population has of course given greater power to bear the burden. Assessments, too, have increased very greatly by Mr SHAW LEFEVRE'S return, issued yesterday, it is shown that the ratable value of property has in the fourteen years 1869-70 to 1893-4 grown from 104% millions sterling to 161 millions, equal to 53'6 per cent. Despite this, the pressure of local rates is over- powering, and reform is urgently needed. Reform of local taxation is proposed to be accomplished in two ways one, by sharing of the burden between owner and occupier the other by taxation of land values. Long ago Mr GOSCHEN strongly advocated that, on the ground of justice, the division between owner and occupier should be made, that it was not fair to make the occupier bear the whole burden that wzs when he was a Liberal. Later on, as Finance Minister in the Unionist Government, he had an opportunity of putting into practice his opinions as to equitable incidence of the rates but he did nothing of the sort, for he was then the associate of Tories, whose great scheme is to make subventions from the Imperal Treasury-a neat method of saving the landlords whose pockets an equitable system would considerably deplete. The second method — taxation of land values-is not taxation of ground rents the difference is a wide one, as great as between the rent and the value, for rent may be- and in the case of ground rents it generally is-far below the real value. Land does not bear its fair share of taxation; nothing like its fair share. We refer to land of all descriptions, and especially urban. Since 1870, according to the return just quoted, there has been a considerable alteration in the proportion which assessments of land bear to other assessments. In 1870, it was one-third of the whole property assessed for local taxa- tion now, it is little more than one-fifth. In 1870, buildings represented one- half the value of all ratable property they now are 63'7 per cent, of the whole. There has also been a very large growth in the assessable value of all "other kinds of property,' and especially of rail- ways, which have increased by 184 per cent. With a vast improvement in resources, the demands made upon the ratepayer are excessively burdensome; and the time has come to make that change which Mr GOSCHEN, nearly a quarter of a century ago, declared to be requisite. This measure of reform is simple, and calls for no explanation the owner of the rated property should bear a moiety of the rates, not be allowed to remit the whole to the occupier. The proposal to tax land values we may explain briefly it affects chiefly town land, and such as is enhanced in value by the opening up of mines and manufactures. Land values in these localities are not created by the landowner they are the product of the expenditure of the community, and they wax or wane coincidently with the prosperity of the community, being entirely derived therefrom. But for the presence of the aggregation of workers, the land would have no more than agricultural value they give to it all its additional qualification and were the community to remove, it would revert to its original position. Without effort on the part of the owner, that value rises with the growth of the town and town growth is the characteristic feature of current social development. At its own expense, the community creates ever-new fixed capital in the shape of streets, bridges, sewers, water supply, public buildings, and the like and these, by rendering the towns more attractive, enhance the land value. Yet, while not a penny of this outlay comes from the landlords' pockets they reap- the increase in value which is con- ferred, and in most cases the whole benefit of the outlay ultimately passes to them. The values are not only created, but they are also maintained by public expendi- ture and the occupier, a mere tenant or lessee, pays for all. The working classes, through their rent, are mulcted, while the rich owner escapes scot free. As to the means whereby the owner should be made to pay upon the value of his land we have no cut and dried scheme. Let the principle of equitable contribution be ad- mitted and the method of its application will present no difficulty that cannot be overcome. Land values form a natural tax fund whence the necessities of corporate life may be met without injuriously affecting enterprise and industry. When levied upon landowners in proportion to the annual value of their land, the local taxation of a town might be very largely augmented without becoming a burden and if, in addition, the owners of buildings were compelled also to pay their fair share, the lot of the occupier, who is now weighted with the whole amount of taxation, would become endurable. This is the direction of reform; and instead of snipping and retrenching in driblets, hampering the efficiency of local service, the different Councils would render more effective relief to the heavy-laden ratepayer if with one consent they took up and pressed upon public attention the question of altering the incidence of taxation. 0

THE difficulty which has arisen concerning participation ef the South Wales Liberal Federation in the union discussed at Aber- ystwyth enters upon a new development now that the retiring secretary of the South Wales organisation, in a letter published elsewhere, expresses his confident belief that an arrangement is practicable easily prac- ticable, if we accept his opinion that differ- ences can be arranged "in an hour." Whether Mr HALL may be accepted as a trustworthy exponent of the present condi- tion of South Wales feeling we do not pre- tend to decide; but certainly few men, if any, have had equal opportunities of form- ing a correct judgment, and he may at the least be regarded as expressing a ten- dency to accept the advice so persistently reiterated in these columns-that no effort to promote and maintain unity should be spared. Recent events furnish an apt illustration of the old adage, 11 More haste, less speed for it can hardly be doubted that a well-contrived plan for unity of organisation and operation would, after full discussion by the local Liberal Associations, have met a fate far different from what has been the experience of the recent endea- vour. South Wales Liberals have no disinclination to unity of action. The disagreement which has arisen is, no doubt, in part due to the causes which Mr HALL assigns but these are not all the causes. How far his letter may be regarded as merely personal, and how far it may be taken as official, we have yet to learn. The one great fact is that the gentleman who ought, by his position and experience, to be able to give a trustworthy pronouncement on the matter declares that the existing difficulty is capable of removal, and that ib can be removed in a very short time. That being so, it ought not, in the interest of the party, to be permitted to continue any longer, for it gives the enemy occasion to I deride and ridicule, and is assuredly a source of weakness to the national cause.

MINES (EIGHT HOURS) BILL. MR D. A. THOMAS'S AMENDMENT. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., has p'aeed a notice on the paper that on the second reading of the Mines (Eight Hours) Bill ha will move that it ba read a second time that day six months. Mr Legb, M.P., has also a similar motion in his name. ———————————

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT PONTYPRIDD. DRINK AND ITS VICTIM. Wm. Mainey, a pale, sickly-looking youne follow, decently attired, was brought up at the Pcntypridd Police Court on Wednesday—before Mr Ignatius Williams (stipendiary), Dr. Naunfcon Da vies, and Aid. R. Lewis—charged with having attempted to commibsuicide. The evidence showed that at 5.30 on the morning of the 18th inst. P.S. Stubbs was awakened at the Treforesb Police Station by loud knocking at the door. Looking through the window he saw the prisoner standing outside dripping wet, with blood gushing oub from several wounds in his throat. Upon being ad- mitted prisoner said he had hacked his throat with a penknife in an adjoining quarry, and added, "Somebody told me to do it last night, and if you had been with me you would have seen a grand sight. There were a lob of flashes across the sky." The officer took the man to Dr. Howard Davies's surgery at Pontypridd, where the wounds were dressed by Dr. Bowen, who said that the prisoner when brought to him was suffering from delirium tremens. The wounds were long, bub not of a dangerous character. Prisonor also told P.S. Siubbs that before cutting his throat he had tried hard to drown himself in the canal. Replying to the Stipendiary, Dr. Bowen said that the prisoner was now perfectly sane. Mrs Elizabeth Jones, Grover.street, his landlady, gave the man a good character, and expressed her readiness to take him back to lodge with her. The Magistrates remanded the prisoner for a week, so that his wounds meanwhile could be attended to. I

A WOMAN OF THE COMMUNE, a powerful new serial story by Mr G. A. Henty, commences publication A WOMAN OF THE COMMUNE, a powerful new serial story by Mr G. A. Henty, commences publication m the Cardiff Times and South 1 Vales Weekly Newt of Saturday next. Order a copy. It is a magazine and a newspaper combined. Setenty-two long columns.

THE TINPLATE TRADE. II STAGNATION AT BUITON .1 FERRY. j HOW IT STRIKES AN OBSERVANT OUTSIDER INTERESTING INTERVIEW. A representative of the South Wales Daily News, searching for information presenting new features in regard to the tinplate trade crisis, happened (as our forefathers would have said) upon a gentleman deeply interested in many ways in the welfare of the working men, more particularly of Briton Ferry. He is Inown to be a diligent and intelligent observer of current events, and his words to our representative were in praise of the South Wales Daily News, and of the interviews in reference to the tinplate trade recently published in its columns. The South Wales Daily News," he said, "tries toheal breaches. unlikesomewhostirupstrife. I noticed that a paper of last Saturday published the remarks of a writer who jeered at some of the opinions expressed by Mr Byass, in the very excellent interview which was published in the 89uth Wales Daily News. The writer said that talking of tinned tomatoes did no good to the tinplate trade of South Wales, but I venture to think Mr Byass knows much better what is good for the tinplate trade than the writer of that letter doe3. It does not require a man to be very clever to see that an increased consumption of tinned tomatoes, or any other,canned eatables, must benefit the trade. Colonists would see that tinned eatables, when scood, are appreciated, and the next development would probably be the establishing of new canning industries in our own Colonies." I presume the stoppage of so many works at Briton Ferry seriously affects the whole com- munity V Yes, it does, and I am amongst those who suffer most. It is those who suffer as I do who can spaak feelingiy on the situation. I should like to ask th masters and men at Briton Ferry to try to come to some arrangement. I am told that a great many workmen at each of the works now idle would like to see the managers, and that the managers have sent word in reply that they are engaged," or that they do not want any inter- views, the men having decided not to work on the terms offered," and adding that as the works are actually stopped, a month or two, or three, longer would not now make much difference. This, I fear, is not the way to bring about a SETTLEMENT ON A FRIENDLY BASIS. as it savours too much of the tone adopted by the proprietor of a works in the Swansea Valley, who, by such means and the assistance of a few men, started one or two mills and got the hands moved on step by step as they learned, till he bad four or five mills going full. Then the old hands wanted to coma back again on the masters' terms for fear the boys and young men, who were helpers up to the strike, should fill all the places, and there would be none left for them. Now, mark this, all this was done with the whole strength of, at that time, a strong Union against the masters, and the fact is history in the tinplate trade." Do you fear that history will repeat itself at Briton Ferry ?" It may do so. As Artemus Ward would have said, 'it is a way it has.' Now take this for what it is worth. It is rumoured that the manage- ment at one works have been offered the services of 12 millmen who are willing to work on the terms of 12 PER CENT. REDUCTION and unrestricted make, on condition that they are guaranteed full work for two years, and further, these men intimate that others will come on the same terms. Now I hope that such a course will not be adopted, but that the managers will grant the old hands an interview. Hitherto when there has been a strike at any works at Briton Ferry interviews have been frequent, but for the first time in this district the directors and managers of all the works have combined. At a joint meeting they agreed not to allow their mills to run unless at 12*4 per cent. reduction and an unrestricted make. At one works—the Earls,.vood-the man at once agreed ahd kept on working. Theie terms were to.them 2 per cent, better than those they were working under before. The workmen at the Earlswood had been idlefor many months in last year, and did not want another spell of it. The Earlswood men are now going on comfort- ably, while at all the other works at Briton Ferry they appear to be inviting a recurrence of PAST BITTER EXPERIENCE, Perhaps after months of idleness they will go back at a bigger reduction than I have named. I am a heavy ratepayer, and I wish the steady men at the works would build houses so that they might feel that they have an interest in the place." "Bub do the Briton Ferry men, with the exception of those at Earlswood, expect to be paid different wages from those paid in other parts of South Wales?" "Yes different from the wages paid to three- fourths of the men. The other fourth have made special terms independently of the Union, and they consequently get better wages, so I am told. Take THI Llanelly district, where they know the Union business so well. Is it more difficult to work at Briton Ferry works than Llanelly ? I venture to think not, judging from the boys now earning men's wages. The "trades" at tinworks are easily and quickly learned. Why should those men expect to get as much more in their eight hours, or evenin the case of some (shearers, for instance), five or six hours than those who have to serve apprenticeships for years (getting very little money all the time), such as joiners, carpenters, masons, tilers, etc., etc., who have also to buy their own tools, and whose work is interfered with by weather V' "Then you, like some others, think the work is easily mastered ?' "Certainly I do. There is not the least doubt about it that with the machinery in mills in tin. housesat BritontFerry anybranch of the trade can be mastered by any young fellow of ordinary capacity in 12 months, while some can be learned in six months, or even three." Then you think there will not be any dim. culty in producing workmen in America V In my opinion, there will be none whatever. I am told by one who has seen them that what are called dipperies' are carried on by on" or two tinmen to sort and superintend, with boys to put the plates into the patent pots. These boys learn under the instruction given in a month to Mceep the pot in temper,' and if anything goes wrong with the machine the fitter or machinist is called to set it right as here. This done, the boy goes on again. These boys are paid by the day, and are expected to turn out a stated number of sheets of certain sizes bach day too many wasters or too little work gets him th6 order of the sack. Now, I have stated facts, perhaps, unpalatable to the work. men, but none the less facts. I am ou the workmen's side, and believe that a workman's best friend is he who tells him his faults and his dangers plainly.jThere are many workmen here who will not dispute what I have said, and who wish to go to work on the condi. bions offered by the tunited employers from fear that if they are out long the works in which they are employed may Jose a great many of their customers who must have plates, and to procure them will offer their orders at possibly lower figures to other districts. When our worksstart tigain these orders will not be restored excepting at lower prices than those paid to non-competing works, and these lower prices may mean further reductions, so that if they work under the con. ditions which were in vogue up to the end of March with an extra 2% per cent., it would be best. There is an idea afloat of a ballot at each works to find out how many are for and against going to work on the terms offered. My hope iill in a FRIENDLY MEETING OF MASTERS AND WORKMEN. The present condition of things is disastrous. I am to!d that 25,500 has been losb to Briton Ferry in wages, and if the steel and iron works, which are largely dependent on the tinplate works, were to stop, some thousands of pounds would be added to the loss. Perhaps if the men had offered to keep going, as they did up to the end of March, at 10 per cent. reduction, and unrestricted make, say to time in June or July, the mills roigrht have been kept running. I think ib would be well to keep ''the works on six hours shifts, and employ more men from the older works till times and prices are better. Twenty. five per cent. more men would thus be employed, and at unrestricted make all would get a fair wage," more especially in comparison with the wagss earned by other craftsmen they would have 18 hours out of the 24 to recuperate, the machinery would run to its fullest extent, and very likely the masters could under such condi. tions give back part, if not all, the reduction." I gather from your remarks that you feel that both MASTERS AND WORKMEN HAVE DUTIES to perform in relation to p.ach other ?" Yes. I should like to say to the master?, BE not too grasping. Remember that if your capital is dwindling, the men's capital in the shape of their trade is not worth so much to them, havingf regard to the simple machinery now in use.' This idea was suggested to me by the excellent interview, headed, The Old Order Chanfreth,' which appeared in the Sovth Wales Daily News a few weeks ago. And to the workmen I would say, as one who sympathises with them deeply, and who desires to see them do well, do not depend too much on the opinions of other people or their advice, but when you meet in your lodges speak out boldly what is in your minds. If you think your views are at variance with those held by the majority, feel that there is a still stronger reason for you to speak out. It is often the case that the desires and feelings of the majority are not articulated. Freedom of speech is r. sacred birthright and |the {jmotto Live, and let live deserves in honoured place in every home in the laud."

CADBCRY s CGOOA.T—" A food alike suitable for building up the growing body, and for repairing the waste which is incidental. to all .the processes of life -3/ ■- -1170A

LET IT BE PEACE. TO THE EDITOR. Sm,- While the promoters and supporters of rival Weish Liberal organisations Me disputing over the claims and advantages of their respec- tive societies, tho cause of Wales is being defeated disintegration is setting in fast. Liberal Wales is unable to fight its battles in the English constituencies, no preparation for a General Election can be made, no counter movement to the ever active Westminster Fund agencies can be undertaken—and all this at a time when the long- desired Disestablishment Bill is on the point of going into committee. Truly, a sorry spectacle the prospect of which, fortunately, was hidden from the eyes of all those heroes now dead and gone, who bore through long years, at tremendous personal sacrifice, the heat and burden of the battle for civil and religions liberty in Wales, a sight which ought to make every Welshmen and every Saeson in Wales anxious for the success of Liberalism and Nationalism pause before allying himself as a partisan in an internecine struggle fraught with danger to the Welsh cause. But to re-unite our forces it will be absolutely necessary for each section to avoid recriminatton. Let the dead past be buried There have been many unfair statements made both on the plat- form and in correspondence, and false charges have been freely made without the least founda- tion, and I believe that most of the unfair judg- ment has arisen, not wilfully, but simply because the whole of the circumstances attending the convention I scheme and the Federation were not known. I have read letters and speeches delivered both by Cymru Fyddists and Federa- tionists, and almost all would not have employed certain arguments or brought certain charges bad they been aware of the whole of the facts. All attempts ro" rush or to "capture" any organisation will only put off reunion or make it impossible, and give a fresh start to these discus- sions which can only be harmful to the best interests of Welsh Liberalism. It would be easy for me to reply to and refute those statements which have been made concerning any action I have taken, taken not so much on behalf of the Federation as of the local constituency associa- tions, but my object in not taking the slightest notice ot such statements has been, lest I should, even in making a just defence, give occasion for any further embittering discussion, Ifcjs possible even in an hour's timo to end the presentdifferencesonceand forall, and with sincere friendliness and self-respect and honour to all the parties concerned, and I think with my nine years' experience of South Wales Liberalism and associations I can say that this could be brought about without any delay were two gentlemen from each organisation to meet in conference. I know of no vested interest to stand in the way of this being done, and I should be glad, as I have on previous occasions offered, to render every assistance to bring this about. We have in our Federation what even our enemies must admit to be the nucleus of a good organisation. We have a permanent income that has been regularly paid in for the last nine years, and we have an army of workers throughout South Wales who have always been allied to us, and there are many constituency associations which will always stand by the Federation. Now we want all these forces to be retained unimpared for Wales, and, even though a strong Federa. tionist myself, 1 would much rather see these maintaiued and transferred to a remodelled organisation if this were considered advisable, and employed in the common good, than that they should be lost, as would be the case if the Federation were deolared defunct, though I do not consider this at all likely. My great fear is not that the Federation should be touched, but that the many hundreds of Liberal subscribers and workers in Wales who do not happen to be Welshmen should get the impression that Englishmen were not needed, and that the cry of "Wales" meant a desire to exclude them from taking a part whether in working or in finding mousy for Welsh purposes. During the last nine years I have collected some thousands of pounds for purely Welsh objects, but a large proportion of this money has been'given by Saeson friends, and some of the agitations which we have conducted could not have been carried on had it not been for Saeson money. All this support must still be retained. With reference to the convention at Aberyst- wyth, I can only say that the action of South Wales Liberals was justified, and time will show this to be the case still, even on this point I would rather that we took all blame, even though it were unjustly bestowed, than that any prospect of re-union should be frustrated by contentions on the platform or in the Press. As everyone knows, I have resigned the secre- taryship of the Federation, and only hold the position until my successor be appointed, being desirous of devoting the whole of my attention to Cardiff, but before I absolutely retire I shall be only too proud if I can be of any assistance in bringing about a settlement of our differbnces.-I am, &c., RICHARD N. HALL. S.W. Liberal Federation Offices, 53, Queen-street, Cardiff.

TO THE BDITOB. SIR,-My attention has been driwo -to the report of an interview between a representative of your valuable paper and Mr Beriah G. Evans. Mr Evans is reported to have said tti.,tt "the Chester Conference declined to adopt the scheme as drafted by the original promoters, viz., the Welshmen of Liverpool and Manchester." This statement is inconect. -The promoters bad, in conjunction with the chairman, Mr J. Herbert Lewis, M.P., drawn up an agenda upon which there was a resolution, pledging the conference to support a movement on the lines indicated in the draft scheme issued by the Liverpool and Manchester Cymru Fvdd Societies." Before the conference, however, an informal meeting took place, at which representatives of tHe two societies were present, with Mr Herbert Lewis, Professor J. Morris Jones, Mr R. A. Griffith, and Mr Beriah G. Evans. It was then pointed out that it would be unwise for the Chester Conference, consisting of representatives from North Wales only, to pledge itself to any details until a similar conference had been held in South Wales, after which the constitution could be discussed at a joint conference of delegates from North and South Wales. To meet this view a new resolu- tion was drafted in the following terms That this conference heartily approves the for. mation of a Cymru Fydd League, having for its aims the advancement of the political, social, and educational interests of Wales, and calla upon all interested in the promotion of Welsh National causes to assist in establishing as speedily as possible branch societies, perfecting the organisa- tion, and making its objects known among Welsh Nationalists throughout the United Kingdom, That this conference further invites the co-opera- tion of South Wales in formulating a scheme that shall satisfy the needs of both parts of the Principality, and ensure complete harmony and unity in our national policy. In passing I may say this resolution was seconded by Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P. Had the original resolution been put to the conference opportunity would have been given to accept or reject the draft scheme of the Liverpool and Manchester (Societies, as 111 was that scheme was never discussed nor rejected. I, however, believe there was a tacit-understanding that the scheme mentioned should form the basis for the movement,-—I am, kc., A. GOMER JAMES, Joint Sec., Chester Conference. 18, Cecil-street, Manchester.

REPLY TO MR D. A. THOMAS, M.P. The reply of Mr Beriah Evans to the lately- published letter of Mr D. A, Thomas, M.P., will appear in our next issue.

NEW WELSH CATHOLIC VICA. ttl ATE. THREE NOMINATIONS. The Roman Catholic Bishops assembled on Tuesday at Archbishop's House for their annual meeting, and, in addition to other business, proceeded to the election of a bishop for the new Welsh vicariate, three names being forwarded to ROME for final selection by the Pope.

WELSH COLLIER KILLED. On Wednesday morning a young man named D. Matthews, while working in his stall at Ystrad Barwig Colliery, near Pontypridd, belonging to Messrs Taylor and Evans, was killed by a fall of I stone from the roof. Deceased was 27 years of age, single, and resided at Pentyrch.

At the Academy banquet Mr Wm. Watson, the young poet, will be amongst the speakers. SHORT STORIES by the Masters of Fiction appear weekly in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News." Complete stories are appearing from the pen of Iola, G. It. Sims, Dick Donovan, L. T Meade, John Strange Winter, Dora Russell, Helen Mathers, and others. Serials, short stories, special articles, and the news of the week. Order a copy. A WOMAN OF TUB COMMUNIS, a powerful new serial story by Mr G. A. Henty. commences publication in the Cardiff Times an(1 South Wales Weekly News of I .Saturday next. Order a copy. It is araagagine and. ? a newspaper combined. Seventy-two long columns. RUSSELL V. RUSSELL, CLOSE OF A REMARKABLE CASE. f JUDGE ON MARITAL RIGHTS. LEGAL CRUELTY BY HER LADYSHIP. JUDICIAL SEPARATION GRANTED. The hearing of the remarkable matrimonial' suit in which Countess Russell petitions for restitution of conjugal rights, and her husband: (Earl Russell) on the other hand seeks a decree of i judicial separation, was rpsumed on Wednesday— before Baron Pollock and a special jury. This was the seventh day of the trial, and nothing remained- but the summing up of the learned Judge and the verdict of the jury. Tho case, however, appeared to have lost little of its interest for the public, as the gallery was again crowded long before the time set down for tho commencement of the pro- ceedings. Both parties to the suit were also punctually in attendance, Lady Russell looking rather anxious, but not so far overdone by the anxiety of the moment as to forget her personal adornment. She wore a beautiful nosegay of white flowers. Lord Russell, who occupied his usual seat beside bis solicitors, appeared to be in exuberant spirits, and carried on an animated conversation during the interval of waiting. THE JUDGE'S SUMMING UP. His Lordship took his seat at a quarter to 11 o'clock, and at once prooeeded to sum up. He said at the outset that the case involved ques- tions of law, which were certainly both new and important, and in deciding the questions of fact which bore upon those important questions of law his Lordship asked the jury to, as far as possible, banish from their minds everything which was not relevant to the issue in the suit. It was not for the jury to consider in the abstract which of the parties was right; and wrong, or which was most deserving of blame. Those were not considerations for the jury. The petitioner, Lady Russell, sought for the restitu- tion of conjugal rights. She thought her husband should take her back to his bed and board and give her the comforts of a home, and by the law of this country she was entitled to the relief she asked for unless there could be shown some good logal reason to the contrary. Well, the answer of Lard Russell in this case was that in the first place the petition of restitution of conjugal rights was not made in good faith, inasmuoh as the peti- tioner charged him with the commission of an odious crime. If she believed the charge to be true it would be inconceivable that she could ask to be restored to his bed and board and, in the second place, Lord Russell said it was impossible for him to take to his bed and board a woman who persisted in making such a charge against him, and he asked for judicial separation on the ground that the making of the charge referred to against him amounted to legal cruelty. The issue in the case, therefore, was aye or lio-was there legal cruelty on the part of Lady Russell towards her husband ? As to the question of bona fides which had been raised it was not in issue at all, because every person had a right to come to the courts of law and obtain the verdict of a jury quite apart from their inten- tion in doing so. Then, said his Lordship, the issue being confined to cruelty, the question arose —what was legal cruelty 1 He cited the opinion of Lord Stowell given more than a hundred years ago in the case of Evans v. Evans, to the effect that to constitute legal cruelty, suoh as would entitle a 'person to divorce from bed and board, there must be such conduct as endangered life or limb or health, but he doubted very much if such circumstances as werebeforetheCourtin the present case were present to the mind of Lord Stowell, and he (Baron Pollock) could not find any case which had since arisen in which there had nob been present some kind of manual or physical cruelty, but there was a case-Patbison v. Patti- son—in which Lord Brougham reviewed, during his remarks in the arguments, a case in which husband or wifemight,byacontinuanceof criminal conduct, make it impossibletolive with himorher. Lord Brougham intimated that in such a case it might be necessary for the judges to alter the rule which had been laid down as to physical cruelty, and that is where the conduct of the wife was such as to make married life intolerable. There might be a case, then, such as the present, in which some limit would have to be put to the old rule, and the question was the limit. AU he could say was that the jury must take it from him that there may be a case or this kind in which the conduct even of a wife might be such as to amount to legal cruelty, and it would be for them to consider whether m the present case there had been such acts of cruelty on the part of Lady Russell as ought to disentitle her to restitu- tion of marital rights and in considering that they would have to ask themselves whether Lady Russell in the conduct she pursued honestly be- lieved she was making a charge which was true, or whether she pursued it not believing the charge to be true, but for some ulterior motive in her own interests, and not considering the feelings or interests of her husband. His Lordship then referred to the earlier proceedings, and directed the jury that anything Lady Russell did or said in those proceedings could not be considered as cruelty, but of course they would be taken into consideration in interpreting the conduct of Lady Russell since the first trial. His Lord- ship then reviewed the evidence in the caso, and pointed out that though Lady Russell was young and inexperienced, she bad her mother to consult, and she must therefore be taken to have known the nature of the charge which she was making against her husband. It had been said that her letters and statements only referred to Lord Russell's troubles at Ox- ford; but the jury would have to ask themselves if that were possible, considering the statements which had been made in the presence of Lady Russell and her mother at the previous trial. Know. ing what the charge was, therefore it became a question if she was acting honestly, believing that she was pursuing a guilty man or whether she was making the charge with the object of extorting money from her husband,fas had been alleged. Having examined the letters written bv Lady Russell, his Lordship told the jury that this being an entirely new case in which the facts had to be adapted to a new interpretation of the law, they must be exceedingly cautious in coming to a conclusion bub still they must not be deterred from giving a verdict in favour of the husband if in their opinion the facts warranted thetr doing 80, because, as had been well said by Lord Penzance in another case, it was not really the law that was altered but the facts, and such facts not having ever been brought forward in a court of justice before, and certainly that was the case here. In conclusion his Lordship left two questions to the jury: (1) Do you consider the conduct of the petitioner, Lady Russell, amounted to cruelty such as to prevent her obtaining the relief she asked for? and (2). Do you consider that in the course of her conduct since the first trial she was acting bona fide, or not ? THE CHARGE AGAINST ROBERTS. Mr Murphy submitted that a question ought to be left to the jury as to the letters. His conten. tion was that there was nothing in the letters written by Lady Russell since the first trial bringing any charge against Roberts. His Lordship: The question of a charge againsk Roberts is not at issue here. Mr Murphy But my contention is that the references to Lord Russell's early life were not meant as references to the Roberts incident, but to the Oxford incident. His Lordship That is a question for the jury. THE VERDICT. The jury retired at 10 minutes past 12, and iu ) 20 minutes returned. They found that Lady Russell was guilty of cruelty, and that her course of conduct since the first trial was not bona. fide. rhis being a verdict for Lord Russell Mr Robson saId Lord Russell made no application for coats, but he did ask for the rebarn of the amount deposited by him as security for costs. His Lordship Certainly. Mr Barnard asked for costs for Lady Russell, and a long legal argument ensued upon this ques- tion, and upon the question of an order for main- tenance, whioh Mr Barnard also asked for, but ultimately his Lordship said as to mainten- anca the petitionor must file a separate petition for maintenance, and as to the costs he had not sufficient material before him as to Lady Russell's circumstances to enable him to decide the matter at present, and the discussion had better be adjourned to another day, when the facts might be brought before him. Mr Bargrave Deane Then on the finding of the jury your Lordship grants Lord Russell a decree of judicial separation, reserving all other questions for future discussion. His Lordship Yes. This terminated the proceedings. Lady Russell and her mother left the courts when the jury retired to consider their verdict, and did not return, but Lord Russell remained till the rising of the Court.

CASH FOR BRAINS." DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ACCUSED At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, on the case of the two Americans, Edward Webber and Louis Perlman, indicted for obtaining money by an advertisement offering" Cash for Brains," being called the accused did not surrender to their recognizances, and the Recorder estreated their bail and ordered warrants to be issued for their apprehension.

CHARGE AGAINST A MIDWIFE At the Old Bailey on Wednesday Mr Gill, on behalf oftheTreaaury, proposedlto offernoevidence ^gainst a midwife named Mary Rake, who was tried at the last Sessions for the manslaughter of a patient, but in respect of whom the jury could not agree. The allegation was that Rake, while attending a woman suffering from puerperal fever, attended two other women, notwithstanding due caution, and communicated the disease to them, from which they died. Tho jury accordingly re- turned a verdict of Not guilty."

11 ■■■ WELSH GOSSIP. Bills were published yesterday confirming pro: fVisional orders made by the Board of Trade in irespect to. electric lighting at LIandudno and Pontypool. Mr Herberb Roberts, M.P., has been-unani- mouslyre-elected astheLiberalcandidate for Wests Denbighshire at a meeting of the Association at Denbigh. The Bishop of Bangor, who has just recovered from a severe attack of influenza, has been directed by his medical adviser to abstain from j active work for a period of at least three mouths. Piofessor Hughes, of the Cardiff Medical College, and Conservative candidate for the Arfon Division of Carnatvonshire, is this week ad- dressing meetings in the Bangor and Befchesda, districts. Mr H. St. John Raikes, Unionist candidate for; East Denbighshire, advises that in each disbrict. committees should be formed of the masters and: the men, which should fix the minimum pricefor each class of coal, at suoh a figure^ as to give>■ a; fair return both to masters and men. Principal Alexander Gordon, M.A., of IFCHE Homo Missionary College, Manchester, ,was present at the Unitarian Conference at Merthyr. The Rev. D. J. Williams, the new mimster,at" Merfchyr, received his final training for the ministry afc the Home Missionary College. ií Business at the Rhondda County Courfe? would be despatched much more expeditiously if women- wearing gloves took off the one on the? right hand before going to take the oath. At the last court at Ystrad one woman in removing her tight-fitting glove plucked it 15 times before it; came off. Mr Humphreys-Owen, M.P., has been chofeen to represent the Montgomeryshire County Council on the Court of Governors of the Welsh Univer- sity. Owing to the unsatisfactory state of his health, the hon. gentleman was unable to address a number of meetings in Montgomeryshirer during the Easter recess. The committee of the North Wales branch.ofthe Incorporated Society of Musicianp, of which.MRT. Westlake Morgan, organist of Bangor Cathedral, is the honorary secretary, have decided tot hold their meetings quarterly instead of monthly. The next meeting is fixed to be held at Llanfairfechan on May 7, when Mr Llewelyn Jones will praside. Oil Monday there were interred in the burial ground of Cynfaen Wesley an Memorial Chapel, situated on the top of Holywell mountain, the remains of Mrs Elizabeth Jones; of Brynffynon Cottage, Holywell, who died the previous Wed- nesday a.t the advanced age of 87 years. She was the mother of Mr Joseph Jones, chairman of the Holywell Liberal Association, and of Mr Edwin Jones, Clapham Park, London, who is a magis- trate for the County of London, and the only Welsh member upon the London County Council. Dr. Chalmers has traced the^vigour of the Scotch national life to three causes. The ecclesiastical endowments of Scotland have been enjoyed by a native clergy every parish has had its parochial school; the more gifted youths have been able to obtain the benefits of a higher education in the three national Universities. Turning to Wales we at once note that these advantages have been withheld from her for long decades, and yet who would question the vigour of the national life of that people who have preserved their language and customs intact for two thousand years? At Troedrhwdalar there is an Independent Chapel which, for long over half a oenfcury, was ministered to by the Rev. D. Williams, well- known throughout Wales as the Patriarch of Troedrhwdalar. The cause here was founded by Walter Cradook, who, on his eviction at Cardiff in 1634, often preached here on his journeys from Cardiff to Wrexham. Subsequently the saintly Vavasor Powell frequently preached here, and was, according to a well-established tradition, arrested here in 1640 and brought before Justice Williams at; Landovery. The church at Troed- rhwdalar was incorporated soon after the eviction of the 2,000 clergymen in 1662, one of its first, if not tha first" stated minister being Rees Prydderch, of Llandovery. Au: important new instruction to the Welsh Church Bill has just beenitabled by Sir Richard Webster. It is to the effrtcfc that the: committee shall have power to make provision in the Bill that, in the event of its being shown that the moneys expended by the ^Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty for the purposes of the Church in Wales since 1703 are ineess of the moneys received by them from Welsh ecclesiastical property during that period, property shall be transferred by the Governors* of Quceu Anne's Bounty to the Welsh Commissioners. Another new instruction is one in Mr'Tomlinson's name, directing that power shall be given to make pro. vision for the constitution of pitrish rolls of the persons who, after Disestablishment, elect to be members of the Church in Wales., The new Police Court at Porthis almost com- pleted. The structure is far superior to the building at Ystrad or that at Pontypridd. But, as in the other courts, the aocommodatiou for the members of the Press is really insignificant com- pared with what it ought to be. The lawyers are provided with an excellent table and cushioned seats, but for the reporters there is only a bare oak bench and a narrow sloping ledge fixed in the back of the partition in front to hold's, notebook. If the person who suggested this accommodation for the scribes had any respeob for the profession be would have at least instructed the contractor to put some sort of a cushion on the oak plank. The reporters' pew" is a fac-simile of'the one at Pontypridd Police Court. There is no difference whatever between the pew for the prisoners and the one for the Press, with the exception of the small ledge whioh is some sorb of an apology for a desk. There is an old story told of the late Rev. J obn- Morgan, Blaenffos, which is worth repeating. When he first settled in Blaenffos, it was notorious for its Sabbath-breaking, profanity, drunkenness, and coucomitanfc vices. The noise consequent on the games disturbed the rustic pastor while preaching to the faithful. One Sunday ho was disturbed more than usual, and looking down at his single deacon, he said, "Go on, wilt thee, with the service till I return—sing I and pray until I come back." He proceeded to the scene of the noise and tumult, and commanded them to desist from profaning the Lord's Day. They refused. Then a holy zeal and a pious fury took possession of him, and he fought them one and all out of the field. By the time the conflict was over he was covered with blood—his own and theirs. Having washed off the mud and gore in a little brook hard by, he returned to the chapel and finished the service in peace, thanksgiving, and victory. Many of the old Celtio customs have passed I away. Among those was the Wylnos," or a whole night's wake. This took place the night before the funeral of any deceased person. Two candles wera lighted and placed in big brass candlesticks near the casket which contained all that was mortal of the defunct relative, friend, and neighbour. Thc-n the family Bible was ,placed on the table, and after portions bad been read prayers were offered by different persons until ten or eleven o'clock and sometimes even until midnight. After the prayer.meeticg the greater part of the attendants left for home, only some special friends remaining to spend the whole night in hushed and solemn chat on ghost tales, anecdotes of goblins, witches, corpse candles, and such edifying and awe-inspiring couverse. At about two or three o'clock in the morning tea or coffee was made and bread and butter served out to those who waked the dead. They did not, however, leave the room until the grey dawn cf morning relieved them of thoir self-imposed task. 0 rho "Rest" Convalescent Home at Porthcawl, inconnecbion with which the annual meeting of subscribers takes place to-morrow, can show a record of marked usefulness. It has now been opened for some 17 years, and the number of patients received at it has been continually increasing. In 1378 the number of patients was 53. In 1894 the number was 673. Since it was opened, the "Rest" has been enlarged twice, and now thcro is accommodation for 80 patients, which accommodation is tested to the utmost in the summer. The bulk of the patients, probably 90 per cent., are connected with the coal industry in one way or another, and upon this, amongst other grounds, the committee rely upon the sup- port of the Cardiff merchants. The object of the" Rest" is to provide a convalescent home within easy reach of the industrial population of South Wales, in which the convalescents of the working classes can be received, and with the aid of good food and puro air, restored to health more rapidly and more completely than M their own homes. That the work being done is a good one is shown by the fact thab 21 Friendly Societies and Working Men's Committees are amongst the annual subscribers, as well as seven Boards ot Guardians. The last building exten- sion, however, has left the committee with a debt of £2,490 to meets,

it HI NEWS IN BRIEF. Java is the Malay toord for land of nubmeRlo8 i The latest football professional: Jabaz, half. iback. Whittier regarded his war lyrics as the best ot all his writings. Ten gas companies htld in 1865 a monopoly of the lighting of Paris. Five negroesttiave been\lynched in Alabama for the murder of a*.white ma.1 The Duke of SaxeCoburg* and the young Prince Alfred arrived in England oh Monday. The colour of snuff depends on the extent to which fermentation Iba been allowed to it. The French do not;are for Falstaff; they think the Elizabethan tavera life unreal and vulgar. There have been 27 cases of insanity in tbe Bavarian Royal Family during the last 100 years. More than 100 callings, professions, and occu- pations are open to the women of the present day- It is more than probable that other arrests will be made in connection with the Liberator smash. The English Army ltases 6,000 men annually through expiration of tiyne of service and otheJ causes. A telegram from Buenos Ayres says the latest 'insurrection in Argentina an insurrection of no importance. In 1882 poll tax was paid^ in Russia by 693,0Q0 landowners and igentry, 1,^1-7,000 Cossacks, and 23,542,000 serfs. The lion of the season, people are coB* fidently asserting," will be the Ameer's son, who anives next month. The mortar andypestJe, still in use in most parts of Asia and all ovefc Africa, is the prototype of modern flour until. The Iong-distanc€*telephone between Paris and London has over 200 calls a day. Afc the rata 0' 10s for each call it pays. The Czarevitch of. Russia is described as being very fond of Rider Haggard's stories, and delights in all books of adven ture. It is said that the right hand, which is more sensible to touch than\ the left, is less sensible than the latter to the effect of heat or cold. St. George's Day, 1m8, 13 years hence, will be the last day of this ge, according to Daniel^ prophetic dates, and als o according to Mr Baxter. Information has recsived by the French Geographical Society ol a submarine volcano. which broke out last sumrlier in the Caspian Sea. Our railway companies consume an enormous quantity of coal. The fuel 'required on the North- western system alone is much as 3,500 tons a day. John Roberts is a great' believer in the new benzolino billiard ba.lIs, and thinks ivory will soon be a thing of the paafc iir.teonnection with the game. John Wesley had tho goodVaiannersrof a gentle man of his time, but never made the least pretence to elegance, either oi behaviour or;of conversation. British poultry farmers aite threatened with further foreign competition. It is said that Spanish wild chickens are to be introduced to the London market. All the principal witnesses for\the proseoutioJl in the Wilde case are at present lodging a- Croydon, in the houses of amcera of the Metro. politan police. It is expected that to-day Sir William Hat" court will give notoce of his intention to ask the House fpr Tuesday and Friday mornings for Government business. M. Jules Verne, though in his th year, worleS for five or six hours a. day. He la nowenllaged upon a story for 1897, bub he has fivo manuscript ready for the printers. Two electricians ab Gratz, Austria, claiDt t3 have invented an arrangement; by which a neWs- paper can be printed by telegraph in a.ny nu¡nber of places at the same time. Messrs Thoerner and Kocge the American pedestrians, who left San Francisco on tJune 10" last year with the object of walking round the world, have arrived at Monte Carlo. Over $20,000 in cash has beesn found behind pictures and under carpets, and in other places in the residence of Mrs Daniel de naney. a wealthy woman, who died at Sylvan Dnfcchesse County, New York. A Cambridge examiner was once^taggered^o* receiving this reply to a question abotit the chi hood of Christ: "'We know little hood of Christ ■what knowledge darive from Archdtfecon Farrar." America claims toihave mad» the fastest; on a railway ever inside. On Sunday the between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, ob the Pennsylvania Central Railway, 58% covered in 45min. American time. ,1 The Science and Art Department has nd\J)Sd the London County Council not to grant any through its Technical Education Board to pu libraries, on the ground that an undue prop""1 of the library rate is-'devoted to the purchase nollion. The Admiralty have^direoted the Blenbe one of the nrst-elasa cruisers attached to t Channel Squadron, to proceed on Monday n with the cruiser Australia' to Flushing, to convoy to the Royal yacht ton the Queen's retnrl1 to England..j Much excitement has be^n caused in by the receipt of news, via Benghazi, that Sheikh Mahdi el Senossi left Jerbubtunexpect0^ during the night with an armed fierce and dromedaries mounted by blacks. Hi's destine is unknown. j4 Arohdeacon Farrar's fame does not rest on ffc preaching alone, eloquent and persuaarve as « His contributions to literature have øaP f and varied. Chief among these is his Life °g Christ," which was published in 1874, run through 24 editions, The "liver brigade" is deserting its gallop in Rotton-row for the more DeID exercise of cycling. A number of riders may be seen at a surprisingly early b.OØ., every morning at Ranelagh, with air fashionable physician among them. g The Queen has approved of ar medal b^1^, grMtted to the forces employed in the tiofis ia Eastern and Central Africa durinjf t years from 1891 to 1894. The medal will the same pattern as thab granted for but will bear no clasp, and will have a ribbon. t Mr Gully's resemblance to a previous e of the House of Commons, Sir Henry Brandy very striking, and attracted general notice. S, appearance is very stately in the chair, tho»S lacks the stern, admonitory dignity which Mr Peel an instinctive power at all times. voice is low, too low, bub confidence wilt imp10 this. The Baroness Marie Ede von iff „ famous tiger huntress. She killed with her g hand the four beasfcs from whose claws her piece of jewellery is made, and preserves skins as rugs. Another hunbress is Lad? Wyndham Quin, who claims to have slaiB man-eaters duriusf a visit to her uaole. Governor of NepauT. ^gitf Children ought not to be allowed to themselves in their daily duties or their reøre¡Ø tion. Repose is necessary to the full vig° both. When sittiqg or standing, attention be given to the posture of the children. :ø:øítp,d of stooping or lounging are very easily :1cqt1 øil and disfigure and mjure the body. recreation is more popular with young peop^ gardening, the One of the latest Palis fads is to carrylØ the hand a dainty silk or biocaded reticule, a fashion of our grandmothers. The uø'Jføro. able pocket has been the cause of th,nketS duction, although with tfts new full skirtS i(J1\b ought to be able to be placed in a more COl1, tOilell position. No Frenchwoman considers p0(glly -complete without her reticule, which ^jth made in black brocade or satin, l'0 brilliant bit of colour. 111 iø An English firm dealing millinery goods, corsets, and the more jjjissivfl items of a lady's toilet, has received ^frica' from an enterprising gentleman 10 West Jn100¡:: stating that the demand for these- # c«°" black ladies is increasing, and a3kin £ ^ce1' signment. He offers either cash of Pr° c0n?ists as the "produce" of the Joca^ eV) tt'era principally of olephants and yellow on 3 may be soma difficulty in arranging basis of exchange of commodities. ate nfte" The girls who attract the best men" lost J surprise to their feminine friends, who cbarJ1. wonder as to why so many more Pa gelectioOS* should have been passed over in sue left in th8 It is often a shrinking, shy woman, ^r0ugb< background by her bolder sisters, who ller to the front by the man who has j»ay Most men's ideal of a wife is a gIrl 110 must Of pretty, who might be brilliant, but w r. incliu<1j good. She shall be cheerful of ten? ;\nd s00" to take short views of human infirrm cf health. • vkeb contr'bl|!e* Brockwell, in an article on cr „„vE« „»» to the Australian Review of Bevtei-)', ^a(J ft bad Australian wicket is much woiv English wicket, for the ball gets q keeP » higher, and the bowler simp y oeCupe*f « decent length to be unplayable, power is another remarka e .jyevid" at Melbourne, where the wicket s teftrinK of dainage, though Turner roHe<* off' with his huge off breaka. otb0r smooth as a billiard table. uCh the best Australian wicket is the best English wickeb."