Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

THE TWYNFFALD GARDEN CITY. COUNCIL'S HOUSES. The Bedwellty Urban Council, at their meeting on Tuesday, Mr S. Godwin, in the chair, considered a report from their sur- veyor (Mr Dan H. Price) upon an interview which he had had with Mr Beddoe Rees,in accordance with the Council's instructions. Mr Beddoe Rees had stated that the houses would be completed at the end of April, if the railings are delivered in time, and the weather permits.—Mr R. J. Jones a^ked why there should be a delay.—A member: Due to an act of God.—Mr R. J Jones I am afraid that He is blamed for many things that He is not responsible for.—Mr L. Watkins asked whether a Clerk of Works should be appointed, to go through the whole of the buildings before finally ac- cepting these houses. Mr J. Crew said one hundred and one people were making complaints about the houses, and it was generally stated that no longer were people in them than they moved out again.-Mr L. Watkins said he should like for a state- ment of that kind to be withdrawn, be- cause he had heard similar things.—Mr J. Crew said that during the four years he had been on the Council he did not think anyone could attribute to him that he had made a false statement.—Mr J. Tyrer (the collector) in answer to the Clerk, said there had been only three changes in tenancy since the houses were occupied.—Mr L. Watkins It is damaging to our own pro- perty that stat.ments ot this kind should be allowed to go.—Asked to explain further, Mr J. Crew said that he claimed the accuracy of every statement he had made. He had heard these complaints, and more too.—Mr L. Watkins said he, too. had heard a general statement made, which was disparaging to the Council's property. If the houses were defective they must get a remedy, and thus prevent people going in and out of the houses, but the fact that there had been only three changes with the thirty houses, he considered the Council had in reality been fortunate.—Mr W. Bufton agreed thatthere should be a proper inspection of the houses before they were taken over from the contractor.—M r D. Jones agreed that the houses should be completed according to the specification.— Mr W. Bufton said he thought it would be better to appoint the surveyor to inspect the houses. He was likely to be with them for many years to come, whereas an out- sider would not.—Mr J. Coleman thought the surveyor had already too much work to do.—Finally, on a vote, it was decided that the surveyor, with Mr Beddoe Rees, should inspect and pass the property,

WELSH KNIGHT "FETED" AT CAERPHILLY. At Caerphilly, on Monday, Sir W. J. Thomas was the r ecipient of a casket and scroll from the townspeople in honour of his knighthood. Dr. T. W. Thomas, J P., presided, and in handinsr the present to Sir William said that Caerpbilly was Sir William's native town and they were de- lighted that one of its sons had become so distinguished. The secretary of the move- ment, Alderman J. E. Evans, read a scroll congratulating Sir William and paying a tribute to his generosity. Speeches were also delivered by Mr Bruce Vaughan (Car- diff), the Rev. C. L. Price, M.A. (rector), the Rev. C Tawelfryn Thomas, County Councillor J. Howells, and others. Sir William, in reply, said he was proud that he had been endowed with wealth and a good heart to give. No investment in the world paid better than giving. Speak- ing of his Caerphilly experience, Sir William said that he could recollect leaving Caer- philly at a very early age. A complimen- tary dinner at the Clives Arms Hotel followed.

"THE GIRL IN THE TRAIN." I MUSICAL PLAY AT BARGOED. I No one is better known in the theat ical profession than Mr George Edwardes, who has produced with marked success The Merry Widow," the Count of Luxem- burg," and other musical plays-at Bar- goed, and upon each occasion was accorded a well deserved enthusiastic reception. By arrangement with Mr Edwardes, Mr Her- bert Ralland will next week produce at the New Hall, Bargoed, The Girl in the Train." This, again, is a musical play in two acts, full of all the vim, merriment and superb singing which has characterised the previous plays. Coming direct from the Vaudeville Theatre, London, where it had an enormous success, the residents of the Rhymney Valley have a rare treat in store, and which has been secured at enormous expense by that clever manager, Mr Jack- son Withers. The powerful company, which will take the stage next week, will include Mr Bert Beswick as The President," Miss Violet Rangdale as Gonda Van der loo." The play, which is full of thrilling inci- dents, is adapted from the German. There will be an augmented orchestra. One of the features of the show will be a Ragtime duet, The Zig-zag Glide." The principal actors will be supported by a powerful chorus. Circle seats may be booked by tele- phoning to 72, Bargoed.

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I ABERBARGOED. A MISNOMER.—Councillor R. J. Jones, at the meeting of the Bedwellty Urban Council, on Tuesday last, stated that a rumour had been circulated for certain purposes that he was one who accompanied Aid. N. Phillips to Newport respecting the Gwaelodwaun land, he asked the Clerk to name who went down.—The Chairman (Mr S. Godwin) Ald. Phillips, Coun. Edgar Davies, myself, and the Clerk.—Mr R. J. Jones Thank you, sir." THE ALLOTMENTS.—At the meeting of the Bedwellty Council ou Tuesday, Mr D. H. Price, the surveyor, reported that several of the tenants of the Aberbargoed Allotments were behind with their rent, and asked for the Council's instructions as to the course to be adopted.—It was moved that proceedings be taken against them.—Mr R. J. Jones thought that no such action should be taken at this period. The tenants of the houses held the land, and had done so from the commencement, but had not put a spade in the gronnd. —The Chairman That is all the more reason why they should give it up.—The motion was carried. PRESENTATION. At a meeting held recently at Bethesda Congregational Church, Brynmawr, Mr David Watkins, chemist, late of Brynmawr, and an active worker in the above church, was presented with a handsome silver-mounted staff as a token of the congregation's appreciation of his services to the church during his resi- dence at Brynmawr. Rev. Owen Williams, pastor, presided. Mr Edward Watkins, senior deacon, in making the presentation, paid an eloquent tribute to Mr Watkins' services to the church and to the town, and expressed the hope that he would at no distant date again take up his residence among them. Addresses were also given by Rev. Owen Williams, Mr Evan Morgan and Mr Anthony Warr. Whilst at Bryn- mawr with Dr Sheehy, Mr Watkins was extremely popular, being a most courteous and obliging gentleman.

ABERTYSSWG. I MONSTER TEA.-The members of Jeru- salem Presbyterian Church have decided to hold a monster tea party on Monday, April 27th, and the friends are taking up the project with enthusiasm. The pro ceeds of the tea are to be applied to the funds of the ohurch.

BARGOED. I NEW HALL.—Poole's entertainment at the New Hall has been attracting large audiences nightly during the week to this popular place of recreation. The great feature in the entertainment is the vivid scenery depicting the disaster to the Titanic steamship. DR. BARNARDO'S Boys.-Mr A. J. Mayers, of Dr. Barnardo's Homes, London, gave an interesting account on Thursday at the Workmen's Institute, Bargoed, on the work of this national institution. The proceed- ings were enlivened by performances by a band of instrumentalists composed of boys of the Homes. PROPERTY SALE.—Mr. E. 1. Phillips, A.A.I., the well-known auctioneer, of the firm of Messrs. Phillips & Jones, conducted a very successful sale at the Plasnewydd Hotel on Wednesday afternoon, when he offered for disposal Strand House," situated in High-street. Bidding went very briskly from the start, and the pro- perty was eventually secured by Coun. Gus Jones, jeweller, at 91,400. Messrs Spickett & Sons were the solicitors for the vendors. BOXING CONTESTS.—There was a large attendance at the Bargoed Pavilion on Saturday evening, when several interest- ing contests took place. Ben Springfield, Bargoed, met Arthur Topliss, Aberbar- goed, in a 15-round bout for £ 20 aside and purse. Springfield adopted aggressive rushing tactics, but science was much at a discount. Topliss, who once or twice used the right effectively, was xepeatedly rushed to the ropes. So severely punished was he in the eighth round that his seconds threw up the sponge in the ninth, leaving Springfield the winner.—Young Grifio, Nantyglo, defeated Charlie Taylor, Rhymney, in a io-round fight. Archie Cook, Bargoed, made his debut in the ring in a six-round bout with W. H. Williams, Pengam. A draw was a popular verdict. Tich Price, New Tre- degar, won in a six-round bout with W, Williams, Brithdir.

BEDWAS. I AsSAULT.-At Blackwood Police Court I on Friday Thomas J. Morris (20), butcher, Bedwas, was summoned for assaulting Richard Coburn on March 9th. Thomas J. Morris, house agent, and Thomas J. Morris, his son, were further summoned for assaulting John R. Hallett at Bedwas. Mr C. D. Jones, Bedwas, was for the com- plainants, and Mr T. C. Griffiths, Black- wood, defended. Hallett, who resides at Cardiff, said that he was clerk of the works of a building at Trethomas. Morris pushed him off the premises. The next day he again saw Morris, and he assaulted him by striking him in the face. His (defendant's) son came on the scene and struck him. He also struck the watchman, who had only one arm. Mr Griffiths said the senior defendant admitted an assault, and the son denied the charge. The summons against the latter was dismissed, and the father was fined £ 5, and t3 out of the fine was allowed the complainants.

BLACKWOOD. I ALoNG SUFFERING PEOPLE.—A letter was read from Mr A. G. Gray, Blackwood, at the meeting of the Bedwellty Council on Tuesday, complaining of the inoonvenience caused by the state of the boundary wall at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, which the Council had undertaken to have put right.—Mr J. Crew, in support of the complaint, said that as Primitive Method- ists they did not desire to go to law, but unless the Council carried out their obligations there would be no alternative in this case.—The Surveyor said he hoped to have the coping of the wall put right within three weeks.

I CAERPHILLY. CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE WANTED.—A meeting of the Executive Committee of the East Glamorgan Conservative Asso- ciation was held on Wednesday evening at the Conservative Club, Caerphilly. Dr. W. W. David, Pontypridd, presided, and among others present were Colonel H. ¡M. i Lindsay, O.B., wad Mr John bittlajohns I (Conservative agent for the Division). The chief matter under discussion was the selection of a prospective candidate in place of Mr Harold Lloyd, who had retired from that position. Several names were submitted, and these will be considered at a meeting of the Council of the East Glamorgan Conservative Association, to be held at Caerphilly on Thursday of next week.

t NEW TREDEGAR. I ACCIDENT.—Daniel Harris, electrician, was repairing the telegraphic wires be- tween the Elliot and New Tredegar Collieries on Saturday when one of the wires broke and seriously injured Harris's eye. COUNCIL'S ANNUAL MEETING. — The annual meeting of the Bedwellty Urban Council has been fixed for the third Monday in April. OVERSEERS.—The following have been appointed overseers for the Parish of Bedwellty for the coming year :—Messrs. T. P. Williams (Cwmsyfiog), Lewis Wat- kins (Aberbargoed), Edgar Davies (Pen- gam), S. Godwin, J. Crew (Blackwood), WELSH DRAMA.—We wish to remind our readers, 'Bnd the public generally, of the grand performance of the interesting Welsh Drama, Dic Sion Dafydd," by the Uchdir Dramatic Seciety, at Uchdir Chapel, on Thursday evening next. The various characters will be in the hands of capable performers, under the direction of Mr D. Aeron Parry. In view of the effort now being made to revive the Welsh drama, it is to be hoped that the local public, and Welshfolk in particular, will rally round the Uchdir friends by extending their hearty support on Thursday next. 1

PENGAM. I DEVELOPMENTS.—It was reported at the meeting of the Bedwellty Council that thirty-nine houses for the Pengam Housing Society were fit for habitation. POSTAL CONVENIENCES.—The Bedwellty Council have decided, on the motion of Mr E. Davies, to ask the Postmaster at Cardiff to fix a letter box for the convenience of the residents of Plas-road and district, and to appoint a person to sell stamps. A DEATH TRAP.—A letter was read at the Bedwellty Council meeting on Tuesday from Mr W. R. Dauncey, the district coroner, calling the attention of the Council to the dangerous corner at Fleur- de-Lis, where a boy was recently killed. The letter said that with one exception, near Maesycwmmer, it was the most dangerous place in the whole county.—Mr Edgar Davies said that something ought really to be done, and inasmuoh as it was almost beyond the power of the Council to remedy, the Home Secretary's attention should be called to the matter.—On the motion of Mr R. J. Jones, it was decided to leave the letter for the next Council to deal with. ALLEGED AsSAULT.-At Bargoed Police Court on Friday, Charles Marshall, (43 banksman, Pengam, was summoned for assault and battery by Elizabeth Dyer on the 11th March. Elsie Dyer, a little girl, said that she saw the defendant in Peny- bryn and he struck her and slapped her face because she ran after his little boy who had thrown stones at her. Defendant denied having either smacked the little girl's face or knocked her down, but said he had given her a push. Gracie Owen said she saw defendant run after the pre- vious witness, catch hold of her arm and pull her ear, and she (witness) called him a coward. Defendant said this case was not brought because of what he had done, but was an old feud by which the prose- cutrix sought to have revenge on him. Her little girl had interfered with his little boy and he wanted to put a stop to it and was going to take her to her mother about it. Ordered to pay the costs.

I GELLIQAER URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION. I TO THE ELECTORS OF PONTLOTTYN, NEWTOWN AND CARNO BUTE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, Allow me to tender you my warmest thanks for returning me unopposed to the above Council for another three years. This expression of your renewed confidence is an indi- cation that you approve of my actions on the Council, and is ample reward for the sacrifices which a faithful application to the duties involves. I shall endeavour in the future, as in the past, to do my best for the general welfare of the district. I am, Ladies and Gentlemen. Yours faithfuliv. U I BENJAMIN HUGHES. Pontlottyn, March 25th, 1914.

TREDEGAR. PROTECTING THE RATEPAYERS.—At the local Court on Monday, John Ernest Wil- liams, who at present resides at Cannock, Staffordshire, was summoned at the in- stance of the Bedwellty Guardians for k45, arrears under a maintenance order for the support of his wife and children. Warrant Offieer Evans stated that the defendant was brought before the court in March, 1913, when he owed £56. He had since reduced the debt to 945. He was com- mitted for a month, suspended while he paid 5s. a week. A RUFFIAN SENTENCED.—At the local Police Court on Monday, Daniel Haggerty, a tramping labourer, was charged with smashing the windows of the Black Prince Hotel, Tredegar, on Saturday night. Ben- jamin Jones, the landlord, said that the accused came to the house and began pushing the customers about in the bar. He declined to leave when requested and said that all the police force in the town could not put him out. The accused then smashed the windows with the buckle of his belt. Damage was done to the amount of 25. Haggerty was committed to two months with hard labour, without the option of a fine. HAULIER'S CRUELTY.—At a special police court on Saturday, Thomas Eyles (54), haulier, Tredegar, was summoned for cruelty to a horse on the 16th inst. Sidney Allen, the driver of a steae brewery lorry said that he saw the defen- dar t trying to get the horse which was attached to a load of coal, up the hill. The horse failed to take the load up, and defendant beat it in the ribs with a part of a walking stick and then jabbed in it the mouth with the stick. The animal's mouth bled, and there were pools of blood or the roadway. Defendant said that by trying to prevent the horse from backing into shop windows he might have struck it in the mouth accidentally. The Bench imposed a fine of 40s., or one month's imprisonment. DEATH OF REV. B. LEWIS.—General regret was felt in the district on Saturday last at the announcement of the death, at Tenby, of the Rev. Benjamin Lewis, who was for the long period of 30 years the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that town. Mr Lewis was a native of Tredegar, and went to Tenby from Ebbw Vale. His ministry at Tenby was very successful, and the year before last he was elected to the important office of Moderator of the South Wales Calvinistic Methodist Associ- ation. On the 28th year of his pastorate Mr Lewis received a valuable presentation from the members of his church. He had been in poor health for a long period, and last year, to the great regret of the congre- i gation, he decided to retire from the posi- tion he had held so long. The Rev. W. F. j Phillips was appointed his successor, and took up his duties at the beginning of the year. Of a quiet disposition, the deceased gentleman enjoyed the respect and esteem of all classes of townspeople. He was in his 68th year. Mrs Lewis survives him.

ABERTYSSWG AND PONTLOTTYN HORSE SHOW, 1914. We are asked to announce that a Public Meeting will be held at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Pontlottyn, on Tuesday evening next, March 31st, to make arrangements for the holding of the Annual Horse Show. It is to be hoped that all interested in the project will make an effort to be present at 8.30 p.m.

PROFESSOR'S TRAGIC END. OBSERVER OF VESUVIUS BURNT TO DEATH BY A LAMP. Professor Mercalli, the director of the Vesuvius Observatory, has died as the result of a fatal accident in his own home. He -am terribly burnt a.9 the result of the upsetting of » petroleum lamp. The professor was making some vulcano- graphic experiments at night, says a Naples despatch, when his lamp overturned and set fim: to his clothes. During the last two years Professor Mercalli had made several danger- ous descents into the crater of Mount Vesuvius.

MR. ASQUITH VISITS THE KING. I The Prime Minister visited. Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning and had all audi- ence of the King lasting an hour and a-half, He also had a conversation with Lord Stam- fordham, the Kind's private secretary.

FLYING MISHAP TO AN OFFICER. I While flying on Salisbury Plain on I iiurs- day Lieutenant H. F. Treeby, West Riding Regiment, was killed through his machine making a sideslip and falling on some trees. He was going through a course of instruction at the Central Flying School.

Alderman Thomas Gartvvright, of Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, was knocked down and killed by a motor-waggon 011 Thursday at Milnsbridge. Deceased had been for fifteen years a member of the Huddersfield County Borough Council. Mr. John Burns received at the Board of Trade on Thursday a deputation from tl"" National Transport Workers' Federation a,nd the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union on the question of the employment of Asiatic labour in British ships. The proceedings were .1iv"

I THE CANTEENS CASE. I MR. SAWYER'S EVIDENCE ENDED. I At Bow-street Police-court on Saturday, I before Sir John Dickinson, who sat specially, the hearing was resumed for tlib twelfth time of the summonses against nine Army officers 1 and nine civilians, charging them with can- spiring together that gifts and considerations j li I should be corruptly cue red t-o, ana accepted by, divers officers as inducements and rewards for showing favour to Lipton, Limited, in re- lation to the affairs and business of the Crown. The examination of Mr. Edmund Stratton Sawyer, who had given evidence on eleven days, was concluded, and after other evidence the hearing was adjourned until Thursday. In further re-examination Mr. Muir Mked Mr. Sawyer the meaning of two receipts attached to a page in the witness's diary bear- ing the date of March 14th, 1906. The wit- ness said that the receipts were for ;E5 and £ 15 and were made out by Craig when the witnes.s gave him zC20 to pay to a quarter- master and sergeant-major. Another entry in his diary, under date September 10th, 1907, read, Saw Laing about paying 21st, 22nd, Ii and 29th Brigades. Mute resistance." Mr. Muir: What was it you said to Laing on that occasion?—The witness said he was explaining to him the instructions. They had all got Lipton's system. He was disinclined to do it, and went up to the head office, where he would see Minto. Mr. Muir next re-examined the witness with regard to the slips of paper bearing the letters "R.S.V.P. which were enclosed with some of the remittances alleged to have been sent by Lipton's to Army officers and afterwards returned as forms of receipt. The witness said that he himself originated this system in 1909 and 1910. He gave Swain in- structions to enc lose these slips in envelopes addressed to certain officers, but he did not think that Swain knew the meaning of the letters; he did not understand French. There was nothing on the slips to indicate that the money accompanying them had come from Lipton's. The witness gave Swain instruc- tions that the R.S.V.P." was to be written on plain slips and not on paper bearing the firm's heading. Payments to officers were made quite openly. One day in 1914 Minto told the witness that he had received orders from the directors that he was to stop this ostentatious way" of paying money. From that time they stopped sending out money in the way they had done hitherto. Paul Baldwin, a clerk on the Quarter- master-General's Staff at the War Office, said that he was present at some of the sittings of a Committee of Inquiry held at the War Office in reference to canteen contracts. Cans- field was examined on August 1st, and Lynch and Laing on August 6th. On August 8th Mr. Beck, solicitor to Lipton's, attended the Inquiry, and handed a leter to Mr. Read. Mr. C. F. Gill, K.C., counsel for Cansfield, objected to this evidence, pointing out that Mr. Muir had said that the prosecution did not intend to use in evidence against the de- fendants anything that was stated at the War Office inquiry. The magistrate disallowed the evidence. Replying to further questions the witness said that Cansfield did not attend the inquiry after August 8th, and all information from Lipton's was stopped as from that date. Mr. T. M. Healy, K.C.. counsel for Colonel Whitaker, said that the calling of this evi- dence was the worst thing he had known to happen in any Court of Justice. The wit- nesses at the inquiry were examined on the basis that they were officers and gentlemen. Mr. E. E. Wild, K.C., counsel for several of the military defendants, asked that this evidence should be struck out as being irrele- vant. but the magistrate said he could not hold that it was irrelevant. Brigadier-General Sidney Long. Director of Supplies and Quarterings, of the War Office, said that the King's Regulations pro- vided that Officers, soldiers, and others in military employment are to be scrupulously careful in their relations and are to have no private dealings with Army contractors, their agents or employees." Another rule was that no soldier, other than an accountant, on an Army engagement miffet be employed in a regimental institute. A quartermaster or ser- geant-major had no duties with regard to cleanliness of canteens, investigating canteen irregularities, removing unlicensed hpwkers from the lines, or the price and quality of provisions, and any payment made to those officers for such services could only be re- ceived illegally and irregularly.

FIVE YEARS FOR FRAUD. CHARGES INVOLVING £ 12,500- Peter McT"tye M<-1 "cd tllirty'rouI',] apn?n"c<) hc f r", .?-J ';) at j t'r;d,j,I.Yf:ll :;tt;i; J L.. ']:11 r: miti '!• Glasgow foI? .? on a eharge 1 of fraud involving £ 12.500 which he received for investment in mining find cnppcr con- cerns. Part of the money comprised loans re- ceived "illlout any intention of repayment. Counsel Vr prisoner said that at the time of the first eh;;rgo McLaren was only twentv- three. ITe n.e 1 at first and for many years afterwards to have been the dupe of another person, whose position was such as to give colour to tl11 belief that that person was possessed of inside knowledge with re- gard to good investments. The large sums which prisoner borrowed last year represented, said counsel, the struggles of a desperate man to keep his head above water by substituting new conditions for old. The advocate depute said the prisoner had been most reticent as to what had been done with the money, and the Crown believed he knew that it was still extant. Sentence of five years' penal servitude was passed.

EATEN BY CANNIBALS. ( FATE OF SEVEN MISSIONARIES. The killing and eating of seven native mis- sionaries by cannibals, wires the Sydney correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. is the latest horror added to the grim record of the New Hebrides, which were recently visited by a serious volcanic eruption. The island steamer Makambo, which arrived at Sydney on Saturday, brought news of unrest among the natives of Malekula and II other islands, culminating in a cannibalistic feast. A revolting murder was perpetrated by the tribe known as the "Big Aambus, occu- pying the northern portion of Malekula Island. The nearest mission station to Male- kula is on the island Walla, eight miles dis- tant. Early in the present month nine mis- sionaries from Walla station, which is under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, went to preach at a native village on Male- kula Island. On arriving at a second village they were surrounded by a host of armed natives, who hemmed tlw missionaries in on every side, uttering weird war cries. At a given signal shots were fired, and six of the missionaries fell dead, and were afterwards eaten. Two escaped to the coast. One victim was tied to a tree and kept there until the cannibals were ready to devour him.

CONSUMPTIVE WIFE'S DESPAIR. Driven temporarily insane by we Denei that she was doomed to die of rapid consump- tion, Mrs. Helen Anthony, the young wife of a prominent contractor and town official of Greenwich, Connecticut, has killed two of her children, and attempted suicide by drinking carbolic acid, says the Daily Telegraph. The three-months-old baby boy she left undis- turbed, asleep in its crib.

In April the light at the Needles Light- house, Isle of Wight, is to be altered from one occultation in every minute to two in every 20sec., an important alteration to the navigation of the Needles passage. Arthur Jones, aged sixteen, of Swaton- road, Bow, died at Charing Cross Hospital on Saturday. Deceased was a laboratory assist- ant at King's College, Strand, and was elid- ing down the banisters when he fell to the ground, a distance of 30ft. or 40ft., and sus- tained fatal inj ur

¡ J GERMAN POLICE ZEAL REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE OF CONCERT ARTISTS. An extraordinary story of the expulsion of two young Danish ladies is reported iia, Berlin from the north of Schieswig. The victims of this latest outbreak of excessive police zeal are, says the Daily Chronicle, Miss E. A. Dinesen^ a concert singer and daughter of a well-known Danish writer and land owner, and Mis* Helena Prahl. a pi mist and daughter of the Burgomaster of Ringstod. They were paying a short visit to the home of friends in the Schieswig town of Sommer- stedt, when their hosts invited them to go to a private social evening in the (neighbouring small of Kastwran. This invitation wae accepted, and the company drove in a carriage to a concert-room. Naturally, the two artists consented to take part in the programme. At the conclusion, just when Miss Dinesen had finished singing Von Hart-ma mi's Cradle Song, a gendarme appeared, and, going up to the ladies, re- quested them to accompany him at once to Sommerstedt. They asked if they might go in their carriage, but this request was re- fused, and the ladies, in evening dress, had to I ACCOMPANY THE POLICE OFFICIAL ON FOOT. When taken before the Chief of Police they were informed that they must leave Prussia by the next train, and an order of expulsion was shown to them, bearing the date of the previous day. A request that they might re- turn to their host's house and change their evening clothes was also refused, and there and then the ladies were conducted to the station by a gendarme. In the next train, which was a slow one, the ladies were given places in a third-class carriage, a gendarme going with them as far as the last Prussian station before the Danish frontier. Before leaving Sommerstedt the visitors were in* formed that they WOULD BB PUNISHED if they again entered Prussian territory. They reacliod Copenhagen none the worse for their extraordinary treatment. It is stated by the police that the ladies had not reported themselves, and that they were dangerous agitators who went to the gather- ing for political purposes. The Berliner Tage- blatt, however, characterises these assump- tions as fantastic and not corresponding at all with the facts of the case.

AMAZING LAW COURT STORY. PLEA OF MENTAL INCAPACITY aT TIME OF MARRIAGE. An extraordinary story was unfolded in the Divorce Court on Monday, when Mr. Peter Paspati, of Liverpool, presented a petition asking to have his marriage annulled on the ground that he was mentally incapable at the time it took place. There was a cross-petition by his wife, Alma Paspati, asking for a decree of restitu- tion of conjugal rights. Opening the case for Mr. Paspati, Mr. F. E. Smith, K.C., said his client was appearing by a relative. He was the son of a well-known and wealthy Liverpool merchant, Mr. Nicholas George Paspati, who was connected with the firm of Ralli Brothers. He was born sixty years ago, and suffered from convulsions which produced lamentable results on his health. Ever since he was a baby he had been mentally deficient. He spoke a very few words of mixed French and English, and he was only able to express himself in a kind of mixed patter. The only hope his relatives had of understanding him was to use A KIND OF BABY LANOUAOB. The petitioner was gentlemanly and retiring in his behaviour, and he had been very care- fully trained. The firm of Ralli Brothers were under great obligation to his father, and in Older to discharge it they consented, when the peti- tioner was about twenty years old, tih-at he should be taken to their office in ordoer that he might acquire regular habite and to koep him out of harm's way. He was allowed a seat in the office, and he was given £ 250 a year. By lm father's will the petitioner re- ceived £ 5.000, and the income from that was used for his maintenance, and the balanoe was allowed to accumulate. Continuing, counsel said he first met hi8 wife thirteen years ago. He WM utterly in- capable of grasping the idea of marriage, and had not the slightest idea as to the marriage, whieh, said counsel, was a farce. It took place in September, 1912. STRAXGB ANSWIRS, Going into the witness-box. Mr. Paspati had great, difficulty in understo.nv;T-H tie oath. Mr. Hume Williams, K.C. (for the respon- deiit) Are you married?—Never. Why did you and Alms both eign that book (the register of marriage) ?—I do not know. Mr. F. E. Smith: Who is Alma?—I do not know. What, is marriage,?—The witness could not be made to understand, neither could he loll j what a wife is. His Lordship: What is a ring put on a woman's finger for?-The witness did not understand. Mr. MiHhew Rodooanachi. formerly cue of the heads of the firm of Ralli Brother* at Liverpool. who had known the petitioner for many years, said he seemed to have the in- tellect of a child of six or seven years of age, Mr. John Olive, superintendent registrar at Wirrall. Birkenhead, said! he rem-ember" the marriage. He took the petitioner for & polite, educated gentleman with an impedi- ment in hili) speech.

I MURDER BY GIRL OF 1& I FOR "HER MOTHER'S SAKE. A verdict of wilful murder against Minni6 Scott, aged fifteen, the daughter of a miner, of Conisbrough, Yorkshire, was returned at an inquest 1101(1 on her baby, which was found tied up in a sack in some ruined buildings. It was given in evidence that on February 26th when she was charged the girl said the child was born in the cellar, and she con- cealed it for her mother's sake to save trouble. The medical evidence showed that the child's death was due to st.ran.ralat'on, < strip of calico having been tied three times round the neck and fastened in a knot. The girl's mother r-nd ,,100 her married sister ad- mitted that although +hev b:.d known of the girl's condition -o for the birth of the baby had been mads. At the request of the jury tilt) Coroner censured the sister Mid eeverelv censured the irot,h< r. The Coroner expressed sympathy with the girl, who WM committed for trial.

SOLDIERS' COTTAGES "OFF THE STRENGTH" VILLAGE, The statement that at Crookham, a village in Hampshire, there are ninety soldiere married and living off the strength of their Field Artillery Battery in private houses it made in the annual report of the MedietA Officer of Health to the Hartley Wintney Rural District Council. The Medical Officer complains that the soldiers so married take up a lot of houses which should be occupied by local folk, and which local people really need, and goes on to ask whether the Govern- ment should not provide houses for their own employees.

BALLOON RIPPED UP BY TREE. Two naval officers had an exciting balloon descent at a farm at Kidbrook, between Blackheath and Woolwich, on Monday. They ascended in a naval balloon from Fara- borough in the morning, and were carried by  the wind in a south-cafterl d' t i n. 1i the afternoon they found t I Ives &bo?? the clouds, and hearing some 6t&ambo?t tup hooting they let out some gas in order to de- cend and ascertain their whereabouts. Be- coming involved in a downward air current, I they were anablo to rise again. The b..u.. then became enAangled in large tref,