South Wales Daily News

FARM AND FIELD. HYACINTHS IN WATER. This is a very interesting manner of growing these flowers, and one which may be carried out with comparative ease even by those having no experience in tile cultivation of plants. The first thing to be obtained is the glasses, and these are to be had in a variety of patterns from almost all dealers in glass and earthenware goods. There are, however, two recognised types of these glasses in general use. The one most commonly used consists of a single tube with a wide mouth the other, which is far and away the better of the two, is composed of two tubes, one to hold the water and the other the roots, the latter sliding into the former, thereby allowing the roots to be withdrawn from the water at any time without any damage being done to tham. However, these glasses are not to be regarded as indispensable for some exceedingly good samples of hyacinths' ;ha.ve been grown in stone blacking bottles. These are well suited for the purpose they have good wide mouths, and there is plenty of space inside for the roots and also the needful quantity of water. Should clean sand or cocoanut fibre be easy to obtain, fill the bottles with one or the other, or a mixture of the two, to within half an inch of the mouth, and add sufficient water to well moisten the whole. The roots seem to enjoy this much better than pure water, and in corse- quence much finer spikes of bloom are secured. Kain water should be used for the glasses, or if this is difficult to obtain and hard water 'has to be made use of, dissolve a pinch of soda in it. Fill the glasses, so that when the bulbs axe placed in position their base just touches the water. Add a tiny pinch of salt to the water in each glass, place the bulbs in position, and then store the bottlea or glasses away in a cool, dark cupboard, out of the reach of frost. Here they may be allowed to remain until the shoots are quite an inch long, when they should be gradually brought into the light. Do not change the water simply replenish the supply from time to time, 'adding a few drops of Condy's fluid to keep the water sweet. There is no need to give stimulants. Bulbs that have once been flowered in glasses or pots are unsuitable for growing again in this manner therefore, if good results are desired, fresh bulbs must be used each year. Yellow- flowered sorts should be avoided as a rule thev bear very puny flowers. Blue, white, and rose" coloured varieties generally prove the most satis- factory. Among double hyacinths suitable for growing in glasses are Bouquet tendre and Louis Napoleon (deep red), Prince of Wales and Alida Catherine (deep rose), Laurens Koster and 'Prince of Saxe-Weimar (dark blue), Madame Marmont and Mignon de Dryfhout (light blue), and La Tour d'Auvergne and Miss Nightingale (pure white). Of the singles we may mention Crown Princess and La Grandesse (pure white), De Candolle and Lord Wolseley (light blue), Baron Van Tuyll and King of the Blues (dark blue), Princess Helena and Mm Beecher Stowe (deep rose), and Tuba flora and Gigantea (pale rose). POULTRY WHAT IS ROUP ? Roup is a cold in the head, which soon extends to the throat, and, in fact, to the whole system of the bird. It is a disease caused by filthy houses, cold draughts, general neglect, fighting, and in various other ways. The same complaint in the human family would be called a bad cold, causing inflammation and even putrefaction. It very rarely appears where fowls are kept in dry, clean, and warm houses, that are not draughty. It is a disease affecting the lining membrane of the mouth, extending, however, to the whole of the head, through the tear duct to the eye. This malady is known by a great many names—canker, diphtheria, swollen eyes, sore head, etc. There are two perfectly distinct varieties of roup, the first being merely a simple catarrh, and the second the ulcerated form, this being virtually the same as malignant diphtheria. The latter form U generally contracted from other fowls by infection. In fact roup is one of the most aggra- vating and fatal diseases to which fowls are sub- ject. Ls a general rule, roup is contracted by birds roosting in draughty,damp,or filthy houses in fact, anything that will tend to lower the bodily comfort and tone of the birds will cause roup. The first symptoms are usually shown about the face, the most noticeable being a discharge from the nostrils, the breath becomes foul, the eyes watery, and the comb dark the fowl droops and is depressed, and while refusing to eat will drink to excess. After a few days the discharge from the nostrils becomes thick, inflaming and closing the eyes, throat, and air passages, and in many cases the bird becomes entirely blind, *nd unless something is done to i:cl o,e it, the sufferer grows rapidly worse and soon dies. The disease is highly contagious, and no time should be lost in taking measures to eradicate 't. Where roup exists in a bad form, the best p'an TS to clear out the whole stock, thoroughly disinfect the house, and make a fresh start. As a rule, however, this sweeping method of dealing with it does not meet with approval, but the poultry keeper would do well to carefully consider whether it would not pay better to kill off itll those that are ailing than to incur all the expense and trouble inci- dental to treatment of the disease. If treatment is decided upon the following system has been found effective. Give sach ailing bird half a teaspoonful of Epsom sat"s, and wash the eyes, mouth, and nostrils with Labarrague's solution of chlorinated soda, diluted with twice its bulk of water. Feed on wpxm food with a sma.ll quantity of cayenne mix 3d with it. Have the following prescription n>&<3e into 20 pills and give one morning and nirjht .—Cayenne pepper 20 grains, copper sulphate 10 grains, copaiba one fluid drachm. Continue tho washing twice a day during the attacjr, and if necessary give a second dose of salts on the third day, Be care- ful to keep all ailing birds isolated and in a warm place. FARM WORK IN DECEMBER. Regarding the geiaeral work on the farm for this month other than that connected with live stock, everything dep ends upon the state of the weather. A time of year has arrived at when the land in a few hojurs may be either covered to a great depth with; snow or hard and fast with frost. In the forrmer case work is practically at a standstill, in thf? latter it is possible to a cer- [tain extent, therefore every effort should be made iito keep the ordinar y winter work well forward '^Manure carting, eitlier for meadows intended for jiay next year, or for land to be planted with jeans and roots, shcpuld be persevered in. No heater mistake <yian be made than to put this kind of vyorli. as many do, until Feb- ht. is half over,i; although the manure was 199 ailable two monl hs earlier, and when other nnot be sai-ti to De prcan.ug. j-uc tasting rials of fentfing, road-making, or draining, ploughing of clover-leys or stubbles are enable work*, as the advantages of such juickly felt. Hedging and ditching, men- u previous notes, should be continued 'en in the csase of the older hedges, which laid in the spring, it is well to get the Well clear led out, and all surplus soil round the roots of the plants. There is it but that many hedgerows are in a bad Inaply beca lose individual plants have their exposed to((.) much to the drying influences iud and sri*n, as well as to the rubbing of nd therec is a far better prosepct of the 2d round Che roots from the ditch adhering ftw it is maoist than would be the case if „ was postponed to February or March, .soil is cLftrer and more crumbly, and '"J less ac Ihesive. Do not restrict the ia)n of diMches to those adjoining hedges >tljed to la _y this winter, but all water- 'efSe ant^ small, should be thoroughly tav aad ali '■ accumulations round outfall orf^ed. Iprainage, so far as regards new ? iJrfHy on NI a large scale, is hardly work avlsSer, bruit the farmer would be well he e \(j hinj -self responsible a»s a rule for forking g of drains already laid, The» t tXTAS le £ a?>ery "'beautiful plants, producing houg*1 k £ kieBjggQjjjs in many rich hues, n0lss pogsess the charm of fra- » slender stems—but little nounte~kfc oraf flowering grass—are sur- ibades °\ntiipiul star-like blossoms in all white, cl\ fellow, pink, deep maroon, n tbs cti« iivw va-cotta, each bloom having ,ffect. ie, which adds a deal to its jlossoias ^tLarg from ten to twenty lowers ^^rCtfHre very few of the spring slants are than the Jxia8. lhese jheni grown, and a few pots of tion. every greenhouse collec- jrocas—*?ilbs—about the size of a half a doze°^i°d early in ■utunin, placing comP09t °?J.UA'V-h pot, using a ri,c" coverpd %v^ ^?<Ttibres. Ixi&s need not be can be P°, -^kr.tulips or hyacinths, but soil, and pl^V^ow the surface of .tbe cold grsen1?? ^otlin the open air, or m a the latter 3lt,a^lass. When grown in not be forced i?W do well> ana shoala ance of w*te%ntt^:win require an abund- result in this will quickly will be very ftpl/r^rr*ig brown; green-fly too warm, and t if they are kept at once shouid1' |my ^ust be sponged off especially appearance. It13 wi?l need a very sj?eni+ s0 that it in soring, °r +?e l £ ePt nP00 to result if aPbldgia4iown e almft c wit* ment in them- 1 7X make a lodg- be £ rown in the ope^ hardy, aud can ■P, CQcl "in- sufficiently boty rete of n drained, anS £ » to be well planted should the bulbs,ar^ ir-ould in the Bla el bu ure or leaf about five or six «yng planted of the soil in be «lt6Te:dl.?ary leYel ideal situation w° he raifc?slJ,,1°?' rgjie; terrace, under e th*f a C(vell-dramed facing th^ south, ^ow \vill ?1" aa ber vearly and gri mnc:,e m1nuu^ of bloom than a V in erT^fads can be covered yj-a.ll, ftopinf, fixed against .[jis pla^y will'??e finer still. Indeed; is an^f keej *Sr,an^ snow, and biting WiJ1 eel frati^cellet5" frost, people have an atoit stilight/ I nl>^n^ could easily fix drc\ l^y J into the

(w Sufferers from a Variation «r M great relief by chTli^^e^B || night to || itmcgw 1 Vr, .FuU v*1*0*5TcON by, j| insist on buying —sj,"

soil firmly, and in a slightly slanting position I over a. few half-hardy bulbs or plants (growing under a wall), which, in this way, will bloom early. When Ixias are grown successfully in the open air they become very strong and quickly increase, making a most brilliaut effect when their bright blossoms are open. DAIRY OF GARDEN WORK FOR THE WEEK. Flower Garden.—At this season a plant fre- quently asked for is Pyrus japonica. On a low wall in early spring it is a most charming thing. One of the prettiest of wall shrabs is berberis sten- ophylla; the growth is very graceful and light, and should not be trained in too closely. Every one wants hardy subjects. No matter how rare and choice a. plant may be, if it is not hardy enough to stand through the winter, we are better without it, in the small garden especially. Here everything should be haidy enough to be always in good health. There is a continual demand for really hardy and good trees, shrubs and flowers, and it would be as well not to plant any- thing about the hardiness of which there is any doubt. But it should be remembered that plants which are not hardy in one position may be quite hardy in another. There are several kinds of laurels, some of which—caucasica and rotundi- foija are much hardier than the common variety; in fact this should not be propagated, even the broad-leaved form, latifolia, is a deal hardier. Anyone wanting a handsome tree for the lawn should plant cedar of Lebanon or the Atlantic cedar. A great deal more might be done with yuccas they are distinguished-looking plants, and are very effective grouped on the rockery. Fruit Garden.—Certain kinds of bush cherries on the Mahaleb stock are very suitable for the small garden. If the erect-growing cherries— such for instance, as the Duke race—are budded on the Mahaleb stock, they will grow and bear freely in a neat, compact style, which may be easily netted over. In warm seasons good grapes may be grown on a warm cottage wall, providing the right kinds are planted, and the growth pro- perly trained and thinned, but open-air grape growers seem to have lost touoh with this subject. Neglect has crept in, and consequently the grapes are small and bad. Anyone having a well- drained border and a warm wall and cares to begin, the best kinds to plant are esperione (black) and Royal muscadine (white). If the site is not well drained naturally, see that it is made right before planting. If there is a warm place to spare againsc a wall, plant an apricot or peach tree. Vegetable Garden.—Clear away all decaying or yellow leaves from Brussels sprouts. Endives and lettuces which are nearly full grown must he sheltered from frost, as they decay very quickly after being frozen. Dry leaves are an excellent protection, and if covered with a few yew or spruce branches will remain till the lettuces are required. Shelter celery by nailing two boards together, so as to form a. V, this inverted forms an excellent shelter, keeping off both rain and frost. Sow jeans and peas on warm, sunny bor- ders. If early peas must be had it is worth the risk. Draw up a little earth to shelter early cab- bages. If a little warmth can be had rhubarb may be started anywhere, but unless material enough can be collected to get the crowns to start it will be fa,r better to wait a bit. Greenhouse.—Take cuttings of chrysanthemums as fast as healthy strong shoots can be had. Some varieties are slow in making cuttings, and it will be better not to cut these down very low, as sometimes good cuttings can be had from the stems. Prune vines under glass, and wash the stems with Gishurst Compound. Cut back free- bearing vines such as Muscats and Hamburgs, to one eye if a plump one, but generally two eyes are left. As a rule vines are propagated from buds or eyes, and when pruning lay in a few of the strongest young shoots for propagating pur- poses. Bouvardias which have done flowering should be dried off Cold Frames.—Up to the present time there has been no difficulty in keeping the frost out by means of coverings, but when the really wintry weather comes along the depth of covering will have to be added to. Window Garden.—Keep all window plants as quiet as possible now. Those plants in flower must have sufficient water to keep the roott moist. Bulbs also must not suffer from drought, but the majority of other plants will be better if kept in a. dryish condition.

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE." Martha Read, a middle-aged woman, living at 74, Rossiter-road, Balham, answered to a sum- mons at the South-Western Police Court on Saturday charging her with assaulting her hus- band, John Henry Read, on the 24th ult. Mr Francis, on ascertaining the relationship of the parties, observed with a smile that it was re- versing the order of things, as the husbands in such cases were usually the defendants. The complainant said he took his daughter's part, and his w ife did not seem to like it, for on the day in question she pulled his nose, also his hair, and spat in his face. Before this happened he had to enter his house by the window, as she refused to open the door. Mr Francis Are these proceedings likely to make things happier ? Complainant: I want a separation. Mr Francis Ah, I am afraid I cannot grant you one. It is one of those instances of taking a woman for better or for worse. (Laughter.) Complainant: I am sorry to say it has been for the worse. The defendant complained of her husband turning her out of the kitchen, and cooking liver and bacon for supper. He wanted to be, she added, father, mother, master, a.nd mistress, and everything. (Laughter.) The complainant, who was a teetotaler, alleged that his wife was constantly in a condition of intoxication. Mr Francis But you are not bound to live with a woman who gets drunk. You could turn her out. The daughter having given evidence, the magis- trate declined to convict the defendant, but ad- journed the summons for the parties to arrange matters among themselves.

TEETOTAL WORKHOUSES. b Ii Some of the papers are writing about teetotal music halis with an air of distress, but the edi- tors should come down here and see how we run workhouses on teetotal lines. remarked a Lam- beth parish official to a representative of the South London PNSS. „ ti are absolutely excluded from Lambeth poor law establishments," said Mr Georee Howlett, the chairman of the board, and what is more, I hope neither this board nor anvone that succeeds it will cease to taboo alcohol in any shape or form. Those of us who remember Lambeth Workhouses when each man and woman expected and received his or her low- ance of beer bless the day tot he g^ians banished it from the dietary. The drink bdl m 1874 ran into close upon £1,000; for several years past it has been nil. The infirmary is the only establishment m which brandy and wine is allowed. Ana there," said Mr Howlett, with emphasis, it is only served out for medicinal purposes. Brandy is measured out bythe ounce, as though It were a dangerous drug tabulated in the British Pharma- copseia." Over 2,600 men, women, and children are, on the average, housed in the Lambeth Boards establishments, and, as the Rev. W. Hobbs points out, no one seems to suffer from compulsory ab- stinence.

LORD BATTERSEA. Lord Battersea's love of bright colour is quite a passion with him. It extends to more than the decoration of his houses At Overstrand, a gor- geous vision of pale blue. sea-green, or. rose- coloured silk is constantly to be seen, in the summer months, in the cricket field adjoining his grounds, or on the Cromer golf-links, which proves on nearer approach to be none other than the handsome and picturesque lord of" The Pleasaunce" himself. At the bathing hour in the morning he may be encountered "clothed m white samite, mystic wonderful," and in the even- ing he has been seen resplendent in a ruby velvet dinner suit. Few men have a greater variety of interests. Politician, enthusiastic art collector, golfer, cricketer, sportsman, whip," and photo- grapher, he enters into all his varied pursuits with characteristic energy, and manages to find plenty of time for platform and other work in aid of those philanthropic objects in which Lady Battersea is so actively engaged.-—M. A .P.

STREET ICE CREAM. Yet another report has been issued on the sub- ject of icecreams. "Human hair, linen, fibre, soot —such were the most notable ingredients discovered m the specimens of the comestible examined by Dr. R. Dudfield, medical officer 01 health for xaddington, who adds that it is usually compounded in mews and other places equally uns.Ultlo for the preparation of food staffs. In spite of the gratifying absence of the specific germs which, in the course of their struggle for life, spread typhoid and other fevers, it is a. sufficiently alarming revelation and the trouble is that it is so exceedingly un- likely ever to reach the eyes and ears of the boys and girls who are the ice-cream man's most re- spected patrons. Dr. Dudfield's proposal that the manufactories of these ices should be put under Government inspection is good enough as far as it goes, though it would cost money to carry oat th reform, and take time to get an Act of Parliament to institute it. In the mean- while one would suggest that if the masters and mistresses of Board schools would read the reo port to their pupils, with comments to drive home its meaning, th popularity of the halfpennv lick might conceivably decline. Even a Board school boy, however sturdy his stomach, does not presumaWJ regard soot as a delicacy worthy of his stomach- —Daily Graphic,

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. DECEMBER 6th 1837—The Irish members created a scene in the Hou se 01 Commons. 1863 -Lady Blantyre recovered £ 584 in the name of damages from the St James's Hotel Company for loss sustained in money and jewels while staying at their promises m Piccadilly. 11867—H*r Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, was destroyed by fire. 1870—Mr Motley, American Minister, presented his letters ot recall. 1875—The German emigraint sh|p Deotschland was wrecked ofr;Harwich. and 44 passengers and 20 crew lost. 1876-The Duke of Abercora, Lord Lieatetant of Ireland, retired. 1882 Anthony Trollope, the noveij3t, died. ==.

PjsUJLiXPS s is a Triumph of the Tea HiUendin* Art. superior to UW 80-CftUed J timeet youit? i

OVEBSBER (School Board).—Neither an assistant overseer nor a, school attendance officer is legally disqualified by reason of his keeping a public-house. COMPANY (A Victim).—Shareholders have a, right to apply to the Board of Trade to appoint inspectors to examine the affairs of the company, and in- spsctors can be appointed by special resoltLtion of the company. MORTGAGE (Cymro).-The notice required must be that stated in the mortgage deed, but if there is none so stated, then three months' notice is neces- sary. BANKRUPTCY (Constant Reader).—You have, by going away in the manner stated, committed an act of bankruptcy, and might be adjudged a bank- rupt. As that has not been done your oest course now is to sue the person carrying on the business for an account of the receipts, &c. COUSINS (Pontypool).—By the Jaw of England first as well as second cousins may intermarry. A popular error of misapprehension prevails that first cousins may marry, but second consins may not. CYMRO (W. L.}-In certain cases executors may mortgage the testator's property. Deeds ma.y be left as legacies. See answer to Mortgage (above). PENNY IN THE SLOT (Zion).-The gas company can- not compel you to pay the money over again unless they cau prove negligence or want of proper care on your part. Leave matters as they ara, and write to the company disclaiming all respon- sibility. AGEEEMENT (Nant-y-Gog.)—It appears that you have a right of action against the mortgagee. You should consult a solicitor as to whether the motgage deed precluded the mortgagor for making the agree- ment with yon upon which you rely. RELATIONSHIP (Constant Reader).—A's child and B are first cousins once removed.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. TO THE EDETOB. SIB,—Kindly allow me to place before the tradespeople the feeling of some of their shop assistants respecting the above holidays. As Christmas Day this year falls on the Sunday it will prove very inconvenient for many to go long distances; consequently I would suggest for con- sideration of our employers an extension of the holidays so as to include Wednesday with Mon- day and Tuesday in Christmas week. In some large towns in England this request has been granted.—I am, &c., SHOP ASSISTANT.

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sm,- Would you kindly allow me through the medium of your well-known paper to offer my few remarks upon the agreements made between landlords and tenants, as set forth in the ground leases of the past and present times ? I am in possession of several leases granted to me by different landlords, all in the neighbour- hood of Swansea, and I say without hesitation that even the most reasonable of them contained covenants which are in themselves extremely shameful. Allow me in the first place to say that the ground rents asked by landlords of these days are sufficient proofs that they are tyrants of the highest rank. I noticed some time ago a letter from a land agent to a working man saying that he could let a piece of land just outside the borough and in the district of Morriston for £2 15s per annum, and that with repairs together with the high rates and taxes of these days would be more thsn half the rent he would be able to get for such house in that locality. Now, what can be in view by tho land- lords in making such agreements but to rob the poor working man of his life earnings ? The landlords might say it is a fair contract. When parties agree to sign an agreement of this sort that does not always mean chat such agree- ment is fair. For let us suppose, for instance, a man in great want goes into a shop to buy a loaf of bread, would it be fair on the part of the shop- keeper to charge him double the value of that loaf simply because he must have it ? That is exactly the principle upon which the landlords of these days deal with their tenants. They know too well that the poor working man must have a house to live in consequently he is bound to some extent to sign the agreement lease, although it contained covenants which give the landlord pewer at last to rob him of his property. Again, the termination of these leases are perhaps the most unreasonable clauses of the contract. 1 find that the average length of these leases are not more than about 60 years; so we find that they cannot be of much benefit even to the chil- dren of the first and real owner. I am glad to be given to understand that Sir John Jones Jenkins, Mr Labouehere, and others intend to bring in a Bill bearing on this matter. However, we hope that the time is not far off when we shall say that the present advantages of the so-called landlords over the poor in this respect are done away for ever, a.nd that the pro- perty shall not be taken from the lessee and his family so long as the ground rent is paid, or that the land shall be sold to him as freehold upon reasonable terms. The state of the law at present respecting this as well as other matters is a disgrace to any civilised country. I say that every house- holder in every part of the country should press upon his representative (Conservative and Liberal alike) to pass some reform measure such as would give the dishonest landlords of these days the right idea of what is justice and fair contracts.— I am, Ac., MOERISTONIAN. Morriston, Dec. 2,1898.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN. TO THE EDITOR. SiBj—May I be allowed space in your valuable journal to bring to the notice of your readers some knowledge of the aims of the International Council of Women which is to meet in quin- quennial congress in London in June. 1899 ? The International Council is an organisation composed of delegates from affiliated National Councils and Unions of Women, in various countries, engaged in furthering the educational, industrial, und social welfare of the community. In this country the well-known National Union of Women Workers acts as the National Council for Great Britain and Ireland. The congress is to be divided into departments, in which will be discussed subjects of vital in- terest which pertain to the welfare of humanity. Papers will be contributed both by men and women who are experts in the subjects with which they will deal, and as we are anxious that the meeting should in all respects be worthy of the importance of the occasion, and that we may be in a position to organise the congress on liberal lines, and to offer befitting hospitality to the delegates who will attend from all parts of world, we venture to appeal for financial support from all those interested in this movement. After much consideration we have computed that the arrangements on a scale worthy of our great and wealthy nation cannot bo efficiently carried out for less than £1,000, and we feel sure that there are many persons in this country who will be glad to contribute towards the expenses of the first International Congress of Women con- vened in Great Britain. Contributions will be most gratefully received for this purpose by the Countess of Aberdeen, president of the International Council of Women, Haddo House, Aberdeenshire Sirs Alfred Booth, president of the National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland, 46, Ullct- road, Liverpool; Mrs Bedford Fenwick, treasurer, International Congress Fund, 20, Upper Wim- pole-street, London, W. and Miss Teresa. Wilson, corresponding secretary, 20, Motcomb- street, London, S W.—I am, &c., ISHBEL ABERDEEN, President of the International Council of Women. Dec. 2nd.

MR CORY AT NEWPORT AND HOME RULE. TO THE EDITOE. SIR,—I do not feel inclined here to restate and reargue the question of Home Rule. already ac- cepted by the Liberal party as a righteously necessary change in the constitution of the United Kingdom. But permit me to correct an inaccuracy of Mr Cory in a speech at Newport, recently reported in your columns. He stated that the support of the Irish Home Rule party was given to the Unionist partv at the last elec- tion. Nothing could be further from the facts of the case. Such a statement could only have been expected to pass unchallenged with those ignorant of the political warfare of the last ten vears. The Home Rule propaganda in Great Britain is worked and the movements of Home Rule speakers are arranged by the" Irish National League of Great .Britain, under the direction of Mr Brien, M.P., one of the most conscien- tiously truthful men with whom I am acquainted. I thought it begt upon this subject to obtain his direct testimony. He writes, There is no truth at all in the supposition that in any case we give assistance, qualified or unqualified, to any Unionist candidate. It might be possible that in some out-of-the-way place where a nominal branch exists, and is controlled by some creature who would seek to glorify himself by rubbing skirts with local gentry, that something of the sort happened, but I never heard of such a case," Nothing I could say would add weight to such a statement as the above, and trusting to YOUI cour- tesy to insert this letter,—I am, &c ALFRED WEBB, aProtestant T Home Ruler, Late M.P. for West Waterford.

INSTANTANEOUS RELIEF OF ASTHMA. Has been afforded many sufterers in Cardiff. If there was anv donhr i« +v, • j t v a "ouDt in the minds of any nUhti ln this city as to the truth A.fhlp r for Dr. Schumann's > that doubt no longer remains, W WaS, amonS those who called at J. Md ohiained a free sample number who have already tried the same declare in positive terms that relief V tllat tile wretched spasms were checked that free expectoration was induced that a rechmng position was readily assumed and gratefully maintained that the sleep which followed was restful and unbroken, and that ,e /1m101Pin3 brought a clear head and a feeling 01 delighted tnankfulness which no words are too strong to describe. ,1 1^unc^aiut voluntary testimonials prove that pcnihmann's Asthma Cure not only gives instant relief in the worst cases, but has positively cured thousands who were considered incurable. The remedy is now sold by all Chemists in packages at 2s 6d and 4s 6d, thus ringing it within reach of all. Should any reader be unable to obtain it of his Chemist, it will be sent, post paid, by remitting the amount Dr. R. Schiffmann's British Depot, 31, Snow- hill, London, E.C.

MUSIC HALL ON FIRE. A music hall at Inverness was early on Monday totally destroyed by fire, and two shops underneath (occupied by Sir Campbell, wine merchant, and Messrs A. and S. Fraser) shared the same fate, while adjoining shops were greatly damaged by water. The fire is believed to have originated in an ante-room. The hall, which was the most commodious in the town, was on Sunday night occupied by a. Temperance Society for the purposes of a. concert. There were no personal injuries, and owing in some measure to the rainy weather the flames were prevented spreading to the new market building erected on the site of the one burned down some years ago. The fire, which was first discovered at about 1 o'clock, burned so fiercely that in less than three hours the work of destruction was accomplished. The damage is variously estimated at from 410,000 to £ 15,000.

UNFAITHFUL WIFE. DRINK AND DIVORCE. Justice Barnes on Monday granted a decree nisi to Mr Wm. Ed. Penton Wingate, a gentle- man of means, formerly resident in Scotland, and latterly at Torquay, because of the adultery of his wife, Mabel Selina Wingate, with a Mr John Peddie, of York-place, Perth. It was stated that Mrs Win gate was formerly a Mrs Marshall. She divorced her first husband and subsequently married Mr Wingate, who was much her senior. Wingate afterwards discovered she was addicted to secret drinking, and she admitted that she had been given to drinking for years, aud that she had intended telling him before the marriage, but she had thought that she might be able to give up the habit. One night she was brought home drunk from the theatre at Torquay. They separated, and he allowed her 1200 a year. Mrs Wingate went to the Bridge of Allan to live, and subsequently it came to Mr Win- gate's knowledge that his wife had been seen in Edinburgh and other places with men. Observa- tion was then kept, and it was ascertained that in December last she stayed with co-respondent at a Glasgow hotel.

PHILLIPS'S IS 6d-Tea. is a Triumph of the Tea Blending Art. It is distinctly superior to the so-called i "finest teas. Bate sou t ied it ? p'

-== DEATH OF JANE CAKEBREAD. Jane Cakebread, against whom there was an omcial record of 271 convictions for drunkenness, aiea on Saturday morning in Claybury Lunatic Aylum.

HAVE YOU TRIED PHILLIPS'S Is 6J> TEA ? It 19 a ^niimpn of the Tea Blending Art, aid is distinctly superior to the so-called fimest' teas. « ^ELESS is th it e of Mis wwdon s latest story, which is a romance of life in high places, has been secured for publication in thf tank/ Times and Soath Wales Weekly iWeta*. I

A WHITCHURCH DINNER, LANDLORD IN TROUBLE. A case interesting to publicans, and which moreover shed considerable light on the social customs of those engaged in and around Whitchurcb on the Cardiff Railway extensions, was heard before Colonel Woods and Principal J. Viriamu Jones at the Llan- daff Police Court on Monday, when Thomas 0. Jeans, landlord of the Holly Bush, Whitchurch, was summoned for having oa the 23rd of November last kept his premises open during prohibited hours. Mr Joseph Henry Jones, Cardiff, defended. P.C. Williams, Whit- church, said he, in company with P.C.Alexander, visited the Holly Bush about 10.40 on Wednes- day evening, when they met nine men in the pas. sage. Mr Jeans, asked for an explanation, said, I wrote YOll p" letter, and my boy told me it was all right." The boy then in reply to P.C. Williams said the answer given to him by that officer was that he would have nothing to do with it, and that he would let Sergeant Morris know." P.C. Williams then took the names and addresses of those present, one of whom replied, saying, I have no name. (Laughter.) I have not had one for a, long time." (Loud laughter.) Asked what was their business there at that hoitr the company gave various excuses, the general one being that they were invited to a dinner. All were sober at the time. Mr Jeans explained to the policeman that Mr Brain had invited them as guests, but no drink had been supplied after 10. The letter above referred to was then put in, and it read as under The officials of the Cardiff new railway are having a sapper this evening at 8 o'clock. I presume as long as the premises are closed at 10 it will not interfere with the party. Seeing that I am notifying you, an answer will oblige.—Yours truly, T. O. Jeans." Mr J. H. Jones explained that on the evening named there was a dinner at the inn, projected by the engineers and others employed on the rail- way in course of construction through the village of Whitchurch. They unfortunately failed to turn up at the appointed hour, namely 8, so that the feasting did not commence till close upon 9. At 10 o'clock the dinner was still unfinished. The guests at that time were left to finish their repast, but Mr Jeans expressly stated that no drinks would be supplied after 10. Mr Jones submitted that that was a lawful purpose." The men were there merely to finish the dinner. Mr Jeans corroborated this narrative, and said the men were there at the invitation of Mr Brain, who defrayed the expenses of the dinner. Twenty-two guests were catered for, but after waiting in vain for them the nine went on with the dinner. Colonel Woods So that by then it was a cold collation. (Laughter.) Beer, proceeded the landlord, was served with the meal, and in some cases port wine. (Laugh- ter.) Colonel Woods Port wine, too ? Mr J. H. Jones You must remember some of them were engineers. (Laughter.) I Mr Jeans stated that no drinks were consumed at the supper from 10 to 10.35. Colonel Woods So that they left" off drinking long before eating ? (Laughter.)—Yes. Principal Jones Why did you not apply for an extension order ?-It was only on Monday that I had notice of the dinner, which was to be pre- pared for the following Wednesday. George Brain, foreman fitter, said Mr Jeans had told him that the police had been written to, and he (witness) thought things were then all right. No drinks were consumed after 10. John Bigg said he had port wine with his dinner, and added he had drunk nothing else during the past seven years, and precious little of that. (Laughter.) There was nothing drunk after 10 by the company. Colonel Woods After 10; then, it was all dry ? (Loud laughter.) J. Steele said he had nothing to drink after dinner, not even ginger beer. (Laughter.) James Downing explained he did not sit to supper, and caused much merriment by saying, As a matter of fact I never takes no supper." He was there to sing to the company. Wm. Hunt, an elderly gentleman, Wm. Henry Evans, John Johnson, and Henry Evans also gave evidence and denied that drinks were served or consumed after 10. This was the evidence. Principal Jones (to Mr J. Henry Jones) You submit that it is lawful to be in a public-house after closing houl's, provided there is no drinking going on ? Certainly, sir the question is was there really a sale of drink after 10. Colonel Woods, in giving the decision of the Bench, said the proper course for Jeans was to have applied for an extension order. In the present case they thought there were some mitigating circumstances, and would consequently impose only a nominal penalty of 10s and costs, or seven days. The men found on the premises were then put up for being there without a lawful excuse, but the Bench dismissed the summonses.

TELEGRAPH LINE TO DAWSON CITY. We are informed that the company—the Canadian, British Columbian, and Dawson City Telegraph Company, Limited—which is to con- struct the telegraph lice to Dawson City will be issued in a day or two. The directorate, we understand, includes Sir James Grant, K.C.M.G., of Ottawa (who is well known in Scotland); Sir Adolphe Caron, K.C.M.G., M.P., ex-Postmaster- General of Canada and the Hen. J H. Turner, ex-Premier of British Columbia. Sir Thomas Tancred, Bart., is the consulting engineer and Mr E. G. Woodford, late State mining engineer of the Transvaal, will be the resident engineer. Under such auspices there is no doubt of the success of the company in fact, it would be difficult to equal snch a. unique combination. -=, __n-

AN ILL-FATED JOURNALIST. Misfortunes beset even sub-editors. At the Llandaff Police Court on Monday Mr Pritchard, warrant officer, applied for a removal order in respect of an elderly man named Thomas Williamson Nunn (61), now an inmate at the Cardiff Workhouse. Mr Pritchard stated to the Bench that Nunn was admitted in March last owing to destitution. Nunn: No, sir; through accident; I fractured my limbs. I believe you were born in Jersey ?—My parentstold me 80. Colonel Woods You have no recollection of being born, I supoose ? (Laughter.) It appears that Dunn's career has been a most eventful oise. When a lad his parents took him to Gibraltar, where he took to a seafaring life. Subsequently he acted as sub-editor of the Aoi-th China Herald, and afterwards in the same capacity on the Japen. Herald He was with Lord Roberts in Afghanistan, and was in the commis- sariat department on the march to Candahar and through the Bolan Pass. The magistrates made the order.

PURIFIED PETROLEUM: IS SUPER. SEDING COD-LIVER OIL. ANGLER'S PETROLEUM EMULSION is rapidly superseding cod-li ,'er oil in the treatment of lung troubles and wasting diseases. Few can take cod- liver oil for any length of time without seriously disturbing the digestive functions. Angier s Petroleum Emulsion, on the other hand, is almost tasteless, agrees with the most delicate stomach, and aids digestion instead of disturbing it. It wiJj accomplish all and more than has been claimed for cod-liver oil, for besides its food value it is antiseptic, soothing, and healing, and exerts a wonderfully beneficial influence upon the mucous membrane of throat, lungs, stomach, and intes- tines. It is extensively prescribed by the medical profession, and is used in the hospitals. Of all chemists. CA Ul'-ION.-Ours is the original Petroleum Emulsion. It is made with a special oil, obtained from particular wells and carefully purified by our own process. Imitations made with ordinary petroleum cannot have the same effect. Be sure to get Angier's. A free sample on receipt of 3d for postage. The Angier Chemical Co., Ltd, 32, Snow-bill, London, E.C.

A FERRY BOAT CALAMITY. While the Elchies ferry at Aberlonr was being used on Saturday, the boat being worked by means of a rope and pulley on an overhead wire rope, the current acting as the motive power, the post to which the wire rope is attached on the north side gave way, and the boat was upset. The river was in a heavy state, and John Moir, farmer, and Jamee McGowan, auctioneer, were drowned. j

ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT. NOVEL CASES IN THE RHONDDA. HAULIERS REFUSE TO WORK IN A STORM. On Monday at the Ystrad Police Conrfc (before Messrs Ignatius Williams, T. P. Jenkins. J. D. Williams. Alderman Morgan, E. H. Davies and R. J. Griffiths) James Thomas and Richard Rees, hauliers, employed at the Blaenrhondda Level, near Treherbert, the property of Messrs George Watkins and Co., owners of the Fernhill Collieries, were summoned for a. breach of con- tract by leaving their work without proper notices on Wednesday week, the damages claimed by the company being JE1 ic each case. Mr James Phillips, Pontypridd, appeared for the company, while Mr W. P. Nicholas, of the firm of Messrs W. H. Morgan Bruce, and Nicholas, Pontypridd (instructed by Mr W. Evaus, miners' agent, of tne No. 1 district of the Soath wales and Monmouthshire Miners' Union), represented the defendants. It appeared from the evidence of Mr C. E. Jones under- manager of the level, that 60 miners were em- ployed in the level, and six hauliers inside and two outside supplying them with trams. The de- fendants were paid 4d per day more than the hauliers in the pits belonging to the same com- pany. On the day m question the weather was very stormy and wet, and the place where the defend- ants were engaged was a very bleak one, being on the hillside. The defendants went to their work as nsual that morning, and continued working until half-past nine. The witness saw them about that time near the stables, and asked why they had stopped work. Thomas replied it was too wet, and remarked, Look at my state." Witness then told him to go home and change, as he lived close by. Defendant said he had no clothing to change to come back to work again. Rees made no observation. Defendants went home, but did not return. The miners in the level were there- fore thrown out of work for the remainder of the day. Cross examined by Mr Nicholas, witness admitted that it was a fear- ful morning. Mr Jones, head manager of the collieries, stated that Mr W. Evans, miners' agent, and the checkweigher, Mr David Rees, called upon him requesting him to withdraw the summonses. Cross-examined, he said that the defendants had been employed there for years. The place where they worked was very much i exposed. Mr Nicholas, adaressing the Bench, observed that it was most unreasonable to expect the defendants to work in that very bleak place, which was one of the most exposed in the Valleys on that morning, when a very violent snowstorm, followed by a gale, with sleet, was raging. The Stipendiary remarked that the case against the defendants had not been made out. If the defendants' services were so extremely valuable something should have been done to protect them against that violent storm. It had been proved that they were very wet, and in that state they were bound to go home. If a gardener got wet he would go home, and not wait to contract bron- chitis or some other disease. His Worshin thought the company should provide workmen employed in such places with mackintoshes to put on when a storm of that kind arose. Judgment for the defendants. Mr Nicholas asked for costs, which were granted..

SOCIAL EVIL AT CARDIFF; At Cardiff Second Poiice Court on Monday Agnes Stuart (23) was charged on a warrant with keejv ing a house of ill-fame at 17, Scott-street, on Dee. 1 4th. P.C. Wootton, 37 A, entered the house after observing men and women go in aud leave, and arrested the prisoner. Mr Morgan Rees defended, and the prisoner elected to give evidence, in the i course of which she emphatically denied the alle- gations against her, and said she had never allowed women to use the house since she had lived there. The magistrates considered the case proved, and fined the prisoner £5 and costs, or one month. Following the above case came one in which David Roes (24; was charged under the new Act with living in part Oil the proceeds of prostitu- Lion. P.C. Wootton described findin prisoner in Stuart's house when it was entered on Sunday morning. He said he had just come from his J parents'. Witness had known him for four or j five years, during which time he had not known him work. Prisoner had been kept by tha woman Stuart for about 12 months, and had practically lived with her in Scott-street for five months. There were several other police witnesses, Mr Morgan Rees, who defended, asked that the, should be out of court till called. ¡ Aid. W. Sanders said it was not fair that wit- nessess should be in court. Inspector Durston said there was no rule of Court, or it would be adhered to. If an applica- tion was made, witnesses were ordered out. The remaining witnesses had by this time left the court. Among them was Superintendent Hayward, who, on being called, said he bad known prisoner from a boy, and had not known him work for about five years. He had >^n living on the woman Stuart for 12 or 18 months. By Mr Morgan Rees He could not say that the prisoner had not been living with his tathei I and working at Aberavon, travelling backward and forward. Prisoner entered the box and denied the charge, and his sister also gave evidence for him that he had been working recently and returning home at week-ends. When in Cardiff he lived with his parents. j Mr Morgan Rees said if dealt with leniently prisoner would go to his brother's at Aberavon. Inspector Durston said the brother was there, but had not been called. The Chairman said the Bench had decided th&t the charge was proved, and prisoner would have to go to gaol for six weeks. j

ALLEGED THEFT OF BICYCLE FITTINGS. On Monday at Cardiff Police Court Messrr W. Sanders and D. Duncan had a serious case before them in which two respectably-dressed young men, named Arthur Sill (21) and David Sheen (19), were placed in the dock on a charge of breaking into a warehouse in Paradise-place during the night of December 2nd and stealing a quantity of bicycle fittings, valued at belonging to Messrs Thomas Ayliffe and Sons. There was a further charge of entering and steal- ing fittings valued at £2 15s during the night of November 20th. In the first case the fittings consisted of five bracket wheels and cranks, two roller chains, 12 swinging stays, 12 front forks, eight seat pillars,eight steering tubes, four handle bar laps, three back forks, eight mudguard stays eight wheel hub: two pairs Dunlop tyres, five rims, and five bicycle frames and in the second f one dozen round files, one block chain, a.nd three gross of spokes. Detective Gregory said he arrested Sill in Lionel-road, Canton, on a charge of stealing bicycle fittings. He took him to the Canton Station, where he received the prisoner Sheen from Detective Gretton. On the way to the Central Station Sill said he wished to make a statement. At the station Sill was cautioned, and he then said, I wish co sav I admit taking five frames and five rims. I have never been in their premises before. The reason I did it wa.s I had no money and my wife was near her confine- ment." When charged together the prisoners made no reply. On being charged with the offence in November Sill said, "I only went there once, tnat is the last time, when the goods you j found were all I had, and David there didn't know they were stolen." Sheen said, All I have to say is I didn't know tlity were stolen, or else I shouldn't have bought them." Asked for questions, Sill said the story of the ) officer w&s perfectly correct. Inspector Durston asked for a week's remand, i and this was granted.

BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. j Andrew Smith (38), a man who put on a most doleful expression of countenance, was charged i, (before Aid. W. Sanders and Mr D. Duncan) at Cardiff Second Police Court on Monday with j stealing a frail containing two bottles of bem; valued at 19d, belonging to Mrs Louisa Nathan. The story as it came out was that on Saturday evening Sirs Nathan bought the beer at the Cor- poration Hotel, and placed the frail on the seat. The prisoner was there and spoke to her, where- upon she went into another compartment. Â8 she left the beer the prisoner took it home, where it was found by Sergeant Waters. Asked if he was guilty the prisoner said •' I will leave it to you what you think of it." This did not satisfy the Bench, and he was asked again, upon which he sa.id he did not take the beer with a bad inten- tion, but merely because it was left behind. The Chairman read the prisoner a homily, and said he would be given the benefit of the doubt. The I lecture was received with bowed head, but at its ] close the prisoner cleared out joyfully after wip- J ing away a furtive tear, or what was meant to Be 1 one. ]

Y.M.C.A. PROGRESS. At the half-yearly meeting of the National Council of Y.M.C.A. s, held at Exeter Hall, over j which Sir George Williams presided, and nearly 100 influential representatives from all parts of the country attended, the travelling secretaries presented summary reports of their work for the past six months, and briefly foreshadowed what j were their prospective undertakings for the early 1 months of the New Year. In the 12 months the centres of association work in the English Union (England, Ireland, and Wales) have increased I from 1,139 to 1,152, while the membership has risen from 75,839 to 80,609. The total member- ] ship, including Scotland, is 105 939 while the world's membership has risen from 496,705 to 506,107. The gross value of association buildings in th3 English Union is now £460,882. Ten years ago the value was £ 225,785—thus showing ;n increase in value in the past decade of £235,097. Building schemes are now in progress at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Bedford, Birkenhead (junior^ department), Cardiff, Leicester, Black- burn, Woolwich, and Dorchester. Iu the after- noon delegates from the South Wales District Union brought forward the question of the t growth of Ritualism and Romanism in this country, and in a resolution—the terms of which were suggested by Mr J. Edgar Baker, of New- port—urged that the Council should make a pronouncement on the subject. It was agreed j in that while reaffirming the Protestant principles of the Y.M.C.A., the associations would best i do their part in tho important matters by oncouraging the formation of classes, the givinij J of lectures, and the distribution of suitable f1 literature setting forth the fnndamehtal Pro- tostant principles which were being undor- min by the growth of the Ritualistic movement,