Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

if AFLTSFICSAT; LIMBS Crutches, Eyes. Deformity Boots, Flat-fool Supports, SteeTless Easifit Trusses, &c.^ lady attendant; Belts, Belt-Corsets, ElastiC1 Stockings, Trusses, &c. Daily, 10-6; Wed." 10—1; Sat., 10—S. List Free. Tel, 12Si I ALLEN PEARCE, 23, CHARLES ST,, CARDIFF*

SUING THE DEAD. Neath Man's Alleged Promise to Swansea Lady III A breach of promise of marriage action of an unusual character, in that the, gentleman who was alleged to have made the promise is dead, was heard in the King's Bench Division, before Mr. Justice Lush and a special jury. The plaintiff was Miss Minnie Magda- lene Quirk, a milliner, of St. Holbein! House, Sloane-square, London, and tile formal defendant was Sir Griffitli Thomas (executor of Mr. Arthur William Thomas, deceased), of Court Herbert, eath, Gla- morgan. Plaintiff alleges that the promise to marry was made verbally about March, 1837, and the defence d,nies the allega-; tion, and says that the statement of claim; discloses no cause for action, while the damages alleged are too remote. Mr. Waugh, K.C., and Mr..T. D. Craw-I ford were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Bar-, nard Railey, K.C., and Mr. J. IL Watts I for the defendant. Mr. Waugh, K.C., in opening the case. said the action was of an unusual kind,! because the defendant on the record was! not the person who had made the pro-: miso. The defendant was the executor j and a brother of Mr. Wm. Thomas, now dead. His lordship asked if the cause of action survived. Mr. Waugh said it did in respect with special damage only. Mr. Railey, for the defendant, said he did not admit that. Swansea Tradesman's Daughter Mr. Waugh said the damages which plaintiff claimed were in respect to the fact that at the request of deceased she gave up a business which brought her in an iiicome. Miss Quirk was the daughter of a ship's chandler who carried on business. at Swansea. He died, and the business was carried on by a manager. In 1896 the plaintiff was staying with a sister at 3uwnsey. She there met deceased, who said he was an old frieaid of her father's. He visited her at Swansea, and on another occasion at Guernsey. On 17th. j March, 1897, Mr. Thomas proposed j marriage, and she accepted him. Plain-! tin's sister, Mrs. Harrison, was informed jf the proposal, but deceased said thej ngagement must not be announced, as ais mother had a strong objection to i Roman Catholics, plaintiff being of that religion. It seemed that one of plain- ciff's brothers had become a monk igainst his mother's wish. There was also a Mrs. Williamson, to whom the same representation was made. In September, 1897, Mr. Thomas, under the most solemn promise of marriage, seduced the plaintiff and gave her an engagement ring. Plaintiff was then about 24, and deceased was about tO. In 1900 deceased said he had trouble at home with his brother, and though he still wrote to plaintiff he ceased to meet her. In 1901 he wrote to plaintiff, and said he did not intend to marry her. Plaintiff apparently acquiesced in that decision. Started in Business. At that time, owing to the misappro- priation by a manager of her father's business, plaintiff had to set about to earn her own living. She thrn started in the millinery business in London, and eventually it became worth some S150 a year to her. In May, 1908. plaintiff saw tho deceased somewhere, and she wrote to him, and he came over and saw her. She would tell tho jury what happened on that occasion. Ip 1909 they both went )ver to Harrow, and Mr. Thomas again offered plaintiff marriage, which she again accepted. In August, 1909, while staying with her sister, Mrs. Harrison, plaintiff received a letter from Mr. Thomas, in which he said: Before God I intend to carry out my promise and repair the injury I did to you years ago. That letter was shown by plaintiff to her sister, and this was the first inti- mation Mrs. Harrison had that there had been undue relations between them. Unfortunately that letter had been de- stroyed. The decased had writter another letter, in which he said when they were married he would not have her relations visiting him. This was because Mrs. Har- rison had upbraided deceased for keeping plaintiff dangling about him for so many years.. In September, 1909, the deceased re-j quested the plaintiff to give up her busi- ness in order that defenciamt might marry her. Later in that year plaintiff went under an operation for appendicitis and thought she would not live. At that time. she destroyed most of the letters written by deceased. Shortly afterwards, the deceased said he could not marry plaintiff, as she had told him they must not meet again, ex- cept under "right conditions." Plaintiff 1, then wrote that she could not believe he I intended, after all that had happened, to discard her, and she suggested that, as she had to get her living, he should help her to make a start. Plaintiff's Appeal. In November, 1913, she wrote:— You promised, in God's name, never to leave me, and I promised that as you had been the first so you should be the last to come near me. I have written to you in the hope always in my heart that you would fulfil your promise. Plaintiff added that there was no real reason why he should not marry her, and said that she had left the Roman Catholic religion for 15 years. After further correspondence, the de- ceased gave plaintiff J260 towards the rent of the business she had started. Soon tfter, deceased wrote: I find out of the JftO sent you you spent three guineas on a Coronation ticket, (Laughter.) I am not a rich am, and have lost = £ 4,000 in the last three years. I never got a farthing out of the sale of the colliery, a.s my brother was the sole owner, and though I had a good salary, that has ceased now. I am prepared to give you £50 provided you do not bother me again. Alternately, Mr. Thomas sent plaintiff a cheque for .2100, and she also got a .£10 for a letter which she attributed to him; Negotiations proceeded, and in Septem-i ber, iV13 the defendant offered to give; plajjitiil £90 if she would sign an under-! ttlrng that she had no legal or moral • inim against him. The suggestion was! mado for a private arbitration, but de- v ceased declined, and then, in January, 1314, liz died Now My Ute is Ruined." After that, Mr. Thomas wrote to say f fcfcafc he wouIa not marry her, and she replied:— The fact is, I was stunn-ed by your letter, and for many days I felt I had lost Jlty grip on things. Even now I cannot believe that you deliberately took my I, affection and honour and all that makes life dear to a woman just to discard me tightly. I have re-read some of your -letters, and certainly they give me everyl ifaascn to be contest and secuxe with VO ll. It is a terrible trouble to me, and I am very unhappy. Now my life is ruined you must make it tolerable for me. I have no money, and you must help me to earn my living. I am perfectly willing to meet" you and discuss matters." Plaintiff also pointed out that she had lost her customers as a milliner, and would have to learn electric massage or something like that to get a living. There j was, said counsel, no answer to that letter, and the plaintiff in November, 1912, wrote: It is only within the last two months that I have realised that you do not intend to reply to my letter. Your attitude is quite uncalled for, and raises an atmosphere I have done everything to prevent. Ours is not an ordinary lesson which has extended over many years, and you must realise what a strong factor in my life you have become. Further, you persisted, with the result that certain things happened, which to me have, been a life-long memory. You promised in God's name never to leave me. I can say you were the first and will be the last to come near me. It is this memory that has been the reason why I have never married, together with the hope that one day you would fulfil your promise to marry me. I have never wavered from this hope. and had it taken place it would have been, I think, with the gene- ral approval of Swansea people. What I went through after you. left me no one excepting my sister and her husband knows. There was no real reason why you cannot carry out your promise. I gave up the Roman Catholic religion for you years ago. I shall never marry. To do that would be to act absolutely oppo- site to my views. I, therefore, feel I have a just claim on you to give me the necessary assistance to earn my living." To that letter Mr. Thomas replied from Court Herbert, Neath:— Dear Winnie,i have had your letter. Lt was no good going into all the matters you have raided. When I sent you all that money (. £ 60) you go and spend three guineas on a Coronation ticket. Yon imagine 1 am a rich man, bat I am noth- ing of the kind. I have been unfortu- nate in putting my money out, and have lost .£i,OOO in the last three years. You also imagine I got money out of the sale of the collieries, but I did not. They were all my brother's property. It was true I received a good salary, but that is gone now. I am prepared to give you £ 50 provided you do not bother me for money again. If you do I shall not be able to give it to you, as I have a lot of other obligations and one, too." That letter must have contained un- truths, commented counsel, for when Mr. Thomas died, a year later, he left £ 40,000. Yet he offered to plaintiff P-5 0 to repay her for the way he had actod, if ahe did not bother him again. Naturally, the lady replied that she could not alloy, the matter to stop there. "Would to God you had never come into my life," she wrote. "I did not seek you until certain things happened. Then I prayed that you would treat me honourably." Mr. Waugh, reading other letters from the lady to the deceased, alluded to one in which she aiked for the loan of nxeney with which to start a business, aaying this had been promised. In this she said: "Do give me £ 150. I eould raise the remainder by selling my jewellery. It is '-)f the greatest importance that- I should have it. Had you married me I would have done all in my power to make it a success." Later, in appealing for the money, she ended with the postscript, repre- -,cript, 25s. repre- aents my entire fortune." In a further letter the plaintiff said: My attitude to you has ever been one of trust and confidence. I would never have done the least thing to have left a bad taste' in this affair between rg. Yott know all I have said is true, and if it is a question of proving letters, then, as I promised, I have destroyed them. You can, therefore, do anything you like a,n?t so continue in the strong p'osition whMe the weaker one goes to the wall. The weaker one goes to the wall through a too great confidence and trust. I have not a soul of my own, and it rests entirely with you. If there is" a God, which I am beginning to doubt, he has, indeed made women very helpless. I am heart- broken." In September, 1913, the plaintiff was addressed M dear Miss Quirk," in these I terms Although you have not the slightest claim on me, I am pleased to give you £.90 on the following condi- tions: that you go to my London soli- citors and sign a document. Upon sign- iug it Z90 will be paid to you." It subsequently transpired that the plaintiff was asked to sign a document giving up all claims against Mr. Thomas. and undertaking not to communicate with him in future. The plaintiff was advised not to sign it. Concluding his opening, Mr. Waugh, in vivid language, asked that justice should be done to the lady. who had no desire to drag the defendant or his family before the public. He said nothing ¡ against the dead man, as he had gone before another judge. Plaintiff -in the Box. Miss Quirk, who was attired in a dark one costume, with a black hat and feather, then gave evidence. She met deceased at Guernsey in 18% and had seen him previou.sl.y"\n Swansea. In March,1897, on St. Patrick's Day, she saw deceased and lavishly decorated him with sham- rock, and said to him, For one day I will change you from a Welshman into an 1 Irishman. He replied, At any rate, I shall have an Irish wife." He had pro- ¡ posed to her on that (by, and he said the engagement must be kept secret, as his mother had a prejudice against Roman Catholics, one of her sons having become a monk, and Having lost his reason. She observed: For one day I will change you from a Welshman into an Irishman." That day he came to tea, and he said: If I cannot be an Irish- man, I shall, at all events, have an Irish wife." He proposed to hor and she ac- cepted him. It was arranged that the engagement should be kept secret, as she was a Roman Catholic, and Mrs. Thomas had a prejudice against Catholics. In September, 1897, Mr. Thomas, under the promise of marriage, betrayed her, and she left the Roman Catholic community, At Christmas, 1897, he gave her an en- gagement ring. They went about to- gether and attended many social func- tions, including a garden party given in 1898 by the Mayor and Mayoress of Swansea. In 1900 Mr. Thomas told her that one of his brothers had tKreateYved to turn him out, of the house if he con- tinned the engagement, and after that they saw one another less frequently, but corresponded regularly. Early in the autumn of 1901 there was trouble in her late father's business on account of defalcations by the manager, and witness's income from it was stopped, ) and: she bad to earn her own living. She went to London, and became a nursery governess, a blind alley occupation." Up tn 1901 she bad numerous presents from Mr. Thomas, including a i-ard-oase, a silver-mounted umbrella, a diamond clus- ter ring, opera glasses, and gloves. In 1909 he came up to London, and said be wa.? delighted to see her again. I thank God, Minnie. I have met you again." He said ho had met nobody else he would marry, and she said that she had refuged two other offers of marriage because of him as she felt herself in honour bound to him on account of their past rdation- ship. Later he said he and his brother in- tended to dispose of the collieries they owned near Swansea, and he intended to marry her. "I was very delighted," said witness. After that they regularly cor- responded. Mr. Thomas once asked her to come j 'ha d soi-net b in,- to l down to Bristol, as he had something to communicate. lie said he intended to j repair the dreadful injury" he had done to her. He told her about a Mrs. D who had lived under his protec- tion and had had a child and had then developed suicidal tendencies and died in an asylum. He persuaded her to go to Tynemnuth with him. and they stayed at an hotel. It was subsequent to this that Mr. Thomas came to London and discussed witne- biisl:iies. Witness said the death of King Edward had adversely anected the bu?ine?s. He said, Give the whole thing up, I will look after you," and she replied, No; now I am established I will go on." She said she wanted money to buy black stuff, and he again urged her to give up, and said, "Before God I will marry you. Griff and .1 I have nobody to look after but our niece." He declared that witness eould trust him, and she gave up her business. After that she asked him what he was going to do, and he wrote to say he could not see her again, as his brother was in town so frequently, and they could not both leave Court Herbert at the same time. Miss Quirk said she wrote to the defen- dant. saving. Years ago it was because of your mother, now it is because of your brother that I am to be cast aside." The plaintiff's voice quivered with emotion as she dramatically spoke these words. Then, she added, "After tk t I had to undergo a serious operation." Did you fear you .would die under it?" Plaintiff (breaking down): I hoped I would. She added that phe wrote to Mrs. Thomas telling her about the operation, and she expressed regret, and MrJ £ 5. ? It was qnik a nice letter." she added. After all these events Mr. Thomas said he was not his own master, but if she would trust him he would try to find a way out of the difficulty. I didn't reproach him for his careless conduct. I tried to keep "on the right side of him, as I was entirely at his mercy," she declared. THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The plaintiff was Miss Minnie Magda- lene Quirts:, and the defendant was Sir Griffith Thomas, of Court Herbert, Neath, executor of Arthur William Thomas, deceased, who is said to have made the promise. The defence was a denial of the allega- ions, that the claim disclosed no cause of action, and that the damages alleged were too remote. Mr. Waugh, K.C., led for the plaintiff, and Mr. L. Lailey, K.C., for the defence. Miss Quirk, the plaintiff, again entered the witness box, and was further examined by. Mr. J. W. Crawford, her counsel. He- ferring to a letter of February 13th, .1913, in which plaintiff informed the deceased that she had lost all the little clientele she had in the millinery business, and would have to start an electric massage, &c., I she said this statement was perfectly true. She had given up an excellent mil- linery business, which &he carried on in conjunction with a Mrs. Lacey Smith, at deceased's request, under the promise that he would look after her and marry her The statemeait thai she made in a letter to the deceased of March 4th, 1913, tlW; she could produce his lettersiI1 which he said he would marry her was quite true. Mr. Crawford: In that letter you say You know all I say is true, but I have. i,ts I promised I would, destroyed ever/ letter." Did you make any such promiaaV -Yes, I did. To whom t-ArtJhur Thomas. He always asked me to destroy his letters, and all the letters referring to the marriage were destroyed. Did Arthur Thomas ever deny the truth of tho statement you made in that letter —Never. Further examined, witness said she wrote a number of letters to the deceased in August, 1913, but she got no reply to any of them. Then she wrote to Sir Griffith Thomas, the brother, and now the executor of the deceased. In this letter, she said:— It is with the greatest reluctance that I am obliged to write to you on a matter in which you are not really responsible, viz., the breaking off from the promise made to marry me by Arthur. I have done everything, I believe, to raise his sense of honour and chivalry, but without result, and I am now left in extremes. I am perfectly agreeable to come to Swansea to see vou to further explain the position. You are fully aware of the affection which existed between us, and you know he frequently came to see me after my father's death. Of course, he always said he intended to marry me. There was never any reason why he should not have done so. True, he oh- jected to my being Roman Catholic, But I left that community for him. You are aware we have met again recently. We were very happy, and times out of number Arthur told me he would marry me. I did not press him, but con- tinued my little business which, to a certain extent, he helped me to estab- lish. Finally, he told me to give it up, and he would look?fter me. Arthur sai?? he would give me SMO. and after a good deal of persuasion he gave me 9100 last February. It is nq question of com- pensation, hut I am only trying to make Arthur fulfil his promise- Miss Quirk said 'that letter was sent to Sir Griffith's place at Swansea, but she got no reply to it. The writ was issued against deceased in December,' 1913, and he died in JanuaTy, 1914. Her business with Mrs. Lacy Smith was a very good one, and was increasing at the time she .gave it up. Crose-examined by Mi. Lailey, K.C., witness said she first Ibet the deceased in 1896 at Guernsey, but had never spoken to him or any of his family before that time. She had never spoken to Sir Griffith Thomas. Deceased proposed in March, 1837, and from that time till now ho was the only member of the family &h.a had spoken to. Within six months of the promise deceased had betrayed her She was then 24, and he was about 4.t, The betrayal took place in her room in Swansea. Between 1897 and 1901, when she went to London, she met de- j ceased constantly, and he came to her: rooms between these dates. Immorality only took place on four occasions. You said in one of your letters there | had been a liason between you for. many i years ?—Those were the years I referred ¡ to Do you represent yourself as a woman suffering under a grievous wrong when I vou went to London in 1901?- Decidedly I d* I In 1901, when you went to London, Arthur Thomas had treated you about as badly as a man could treat a. woman?— IT e». Did you bear him no ill-will?—I shall not say that. Were you feeling indignant in 1901?— I was feeline his treatment very much. Did you feel any-ill-will against him?— I To a certain extent. At any rate you were willing to renew the acquaintance?—Always with the hope that hs would carry out his pro- misa. The First Cheque. When was the first occasion that d(- ceased gave you money ?—I should think in 1909. Oh, no, I remember now. I got a cheque in 1908 for tiO from him That is absolutely the first time I received money from him. Further questioned as to when witness, made the copies of the letters she sent to deceased, which had been produced, she explained that she always made a draft of a letter before she wrote one to the de- ceased, and those drafts were tho ones I she had copied and brought into court. Why did you make drafts of the letters to deceased?—Because I liked to see if I could improve them. I am not a very clever letter writer. Why did you keep your drafts?—Be- cause I wished my sister to, see exactly what I was writing to Mr. Thomas. Counsel further pressed the witness as to the letters, and she then said she could not understand the question. His Lordship said it was very simple. Plaintiff in Tiars. Witness (bursting into tears) I have been through a great deal of trouble and illness, my lord. Mr. Lailey: I am challenging you as to the drafts of the letters. Miss Quirk (indignantly): Then you have no right to do &0. His Lordship: Oh yes, he has. He would not be doing his duty otherwise. Mr. Lailey: Don't let us have any hysterics, please. There is nothing to cry about. In 1908 you invited this man, who had previously wronged you, to coma and see you again;- Yes. On the advice of a mutual friend. I was not asking you about advice. —Well, I am giving it to you. (Laugh- ter). In answer to further questions, witness said she met deceased in March, 1909, and having dined with him at the Gaiety, he invited her to spend the night with him, but she did not do so. Their former intimate relations wero not resumed till June or July of that year, when she went with him to Teignmouh for the week end. Did you ever go with the deceased to a place you would describe as a dubious ¡ place?—I did. 1 Once or twice ?—Twice. Where was that dubious place?—It was in Tavistock-square. Was it the same place he took you to on the second occasion—Yes. That was about February, 1911. When was the last occasion that these relations took place?—Never again after he took mo the second time to the dubious place. Witnexis further said when she first met the deceased she did not think ho was wealthy, but in 1909 she knew he was well off as his mother had left him a large sum of money. There was no reason why he should not, have married her in 1910 or 1911, but that he -was so vacillating. At His Mercy. Asked why she went with deceased to the places called dubious, witness said she was penniless, and completely at his mercy. She always hoped he would marry her, and always considered herself engaged to him. After the second visit to the dubious place," she never saw deceased again till February, 1913. I Not An Eager Lover. Was it not strange you should not see him all that time if vou were engaged to li if you knew him. He was not a very eager lover. He was a very vaci- lating one. He wrote to me a good many times, but I did not go back to him except under proper conditions. I knew he wanted to resume immoral relations, and I would not agree. Miss Quirk was then cross-examined at considerable length with respect to the business for the loss of which she claimed damages, and she admitted she had no receipts or documents to produce. The business had been injured by the death of King Edward. His Lordship's Hope. His Lordship expressed the hope that the court was not to be asked to estimate how many hats the lady had made and the profits on them. (Laughter.) In answer to further questions, witness admitted that in many of her letters to deceased she reminded him that he had promised to look after n her if she gave up her business, but she had always meant that phrase to impart the under- standing that it was only till marriage. Pressed as to the money she had got from deceased, she said she had received in all some £230. Did he, in June, 1911, write you that he could do no more for you than an occasional u fiverr"-Yes, he did. And he did that, though you regarded yourself as an engaged couple?—Yes. I A Life's Memory. I Witness added that a few days after this date deceased sent her S10 and £50, which showed what a vacillating person he was. She admitted that in one letter to deceased she said che had never re- gretted the liason which had existed, and 1 that the memory would last as long aBI her life, but added that she was never suited to it though it was ae sacred and binding as if they had been married. She was asking for money in that letter. Mr. Lailey then read a letter dated March 2nd, 1913, in which plaintiff asked for money, and said "Of course what- ever happens I should not apply to you again." His Lordship: Did you think when you wrote this that you had a claim against him for preach of promise?- Yes, my L01..V, I did. She could not say that in June, 1913, &he was on perfectly friendly terms with a man who had treated her so abominably. Mr. Lailey: In one lettesr in 1911 to him you say, Do take care of yourself. I had so much to tell you had we met. You are one of the very best. ',I have the dearest' memories of you, and have never re- gretted the step I took. In fact it was the! very best thing I ever did. Did you, ex- pect him to marry you at that tiim:?-Yes. And this is the man whom in.1901 you said treated you abo!lliM b ly ?- Y ell, nd when he came back to me it was my duty as a woman to try and keep him to his duty. In re-examination by Mr. Waugh, the plaintiff said that in February, 1913, she had an interview with the deceased and asked him if he was not going to marry her. He said ho could not leave his brother at Court Herbert, and could not take a Nrife there. He said: "In fact, I am a silly old fool to think of being married." He subsequently said he would [ give her £ 200 to help in any other business she might take up. When she went to the dubious. place" referred to she was not in the least aware; what sort of a place it was. After that she said she would never meet him again except under proper conditions. The place in question I was a hotel, and they stayed the night there. I The 'Sister's Evidence. Mr& Molly Harrison, sister of the plain-I tiff, said she knew the deceased. In 1896 deceased to1d her he had proposed to the! plamhA'. who had accepted him. He tQld her on another occasion that when his mother died he was going to. marry Wiflnie. I A Secret Engagement. ( Mrs. Hilda Williams, a Swansea school- teacher, said she had known Miss Quirk for many years. She remembered meeting the late Mr. Arthur Thomas at plaintiff's rooms. lIe was introduced to witness as Miss Quirt's fiance, and she was told the engagement was to be kept secret because | of the objection the deceased's mother had to Roman Catholics. Mrs. Lacey-Smith, a costumier, with whom Miss Quirk carried on business, said the plaintiff's business was a valu- able, and increasing one. Mr. Waugh put in the probate of the will of Mr. A. W. Thomas, which he said came to whole. of which the present defendant took, with the excep- tion of a few legacies. This concluded the case for the plaintiff.

NEXT OF KM. I AUSTRALIAN RELATIVES WHO CANNOT BE TRACED. Many of our readers are doubtless not aware of the very large accumulation of monies which are now lying dormant and unclaimed in the various Govern- ment Departments of our Dominions. It is estimated that there is a total of many thousands of pounds emanating from Australia alone, and we propose during the next few weeks to publish a portion of a list of unclaimed balances to which claimants have been unsuccess- fully sought for in Australia, and which has not hitherto been published in this country. Readers who may consider they are justly entitled to enter claims against these monies should write to the Editor of this paper marking their envelope Lnclaimed Monies," or write direct to Lloyd's Inquiry, 55-56, Chancery-lane, W.C., who have established offices in Australia and keep records of the par- ticulars relating to same. A stamped envelope should be sent for reply. The following is the weekly list John Abbot, James Buchanan, John, Burns, Michael Cody or Coady, John Conley, James H. Couper, Moses Dodd Andrew Doyle, Allison Henry Ellis, Boniface Fovd or Ford, Edmund Griggs, Matthew Gorgan, Thomas Higgins, Roh- ert Hill Thomas Hodgson Thomas W. Jolly, Andrew Kid, Edward Leonard, George Miller, Joseph Murchant, Tlios. A. Mclntyre, John MeNully, JosppJx Russell, James Shepherd.

NEATH ATHLETE. I Inquest on Famous Old Runner. At, .Neath, Coroner Howel Cuthbertson held'an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of William Erricker, aged 68 years, who in his young days was the champion mile runner of Wales. Mr. Arthur Evans appeared for Mr. E. Evans- Bevan, of the Yale of Neath Brewerv, where deceased was employed as a labourer. Elizabeth Leigh, James-street., daughter of deceased, said her father was brought home on Monday in a chair all doubled i up. He told her he had fallen off a ladder at the brewery. The Coroner: You father was a great runner at one time, I think? Witness: Yes, sir. Continuing, she said her father complained of pain across the shoulder, and died on Wednesday morning. Sidney Thomas, of fadoxton-terrace. said he was engaged with deceased in cutting down a tree overhanging the Brewery Yard. He was on the ladder sawing away the branches, and -Erricker was below to signal when anything passed between the tree and the shed. The tree, which had been partially blown down, suddenly collapsed and he (witness) saved himself by jumping off the ladder. He was of the opinion that the ladder knocked the deceased down. Dr. Joseph Waiters spoke to examining deceased. He was suffering from extreme shock, and complained of great pain on] the upper part of the spine, and could not tolerate any movement of the head. The body was partly paralysed. In his opinion death was due to an injury of i the spinal coid. caused no doubt, by the fall of the ladder The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

PRESENTATION AT ABERAVON. On Friday night, at the Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberavon, a pleasant and interesting function took place, when Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Williams, late proprietor and landlord, who now resides at Killay, Gower, were en- tertained to a dinner by the members of the local Licensed Victuallers' Association, and also made the recipient6 of a hand- .¡ne silver-mounted umbrella to Mrs. liams and a gold-mounted walking-stick to Mr. Williams, both articles being suitably inscribed. Councillor Lewis M. Thomas (solicitor to the Association) presided, and was sup- ported by Mr. and Mrs. Williams and a large, company. After partaking of an ex- cellent spread, admirably provided by the host and hostess, a convivial meeting en- sued, during which the chairman made the presentations, and remarked upon the very high respect in which Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams were-held by all sections of the local public, and referred to the great assistance they had rendered to the social and Church life of the district. For many years both Mr. and Mrs. Williams had given their ser- j ,ices ungrudgingly to every good locai cause. (Applause.) Tributes were also paid I to the good qualities of the recipients by Ald. David Williams, Messrs. Alf Davies, S. -Campbell, LI Thomas, and others. Mr. and I Mrs. Williams expressed their gratitude in appropriate sentiments, and were accorded ipusioal honours.

THE LAST ROLL CALL. The last Roll Call has ushered home a warrior to his rest; The Last Post bears a message to the myriads- of the Blest; The Bequieum of the muffled drums goes rolling on and oil. Through Realms of vaet Eternity where many a veteran's gone. The spirits of the illustrious dead pay- homage and galute; Oh, let the duty thus revealed in each of us bear fruit; Come, doff yonr hats and bare your heads, do honour to the brave, When the last Roll Call and final Post I are sounded at the grave, THOMAS 0. DAVID, Taibach, r

r LATE MR. TENNANT. FUNERAL OF ABERAVON'S TOWN CLERK. The funeral of the late Mr. Marmaduke Tennant, J.P., the venerable Town Clerk. of A heravon, and the oldest Town Clerk in the United Kingdom. which took place on Thursday, was characterised by an impressive demonstration of respect by people from all over South Wales. T I i, deceased, who held the position of Town Clerk for fifty-three years, was also a distinguished Freemason in which he held the position of Provincial Grand Master. His demise took place at his re- sidence, Cae Hir. Aberavon, on Sunday night at the age cf 78 yeaM. The coffin was taken from Cae Hir to St. Mary's Parish Church where before a large and distinguished congregation an impressive funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Edward Daviee vicar). Prior to the service, the Mayor, alder- men, councillors, officials, borough and county Justice of the Peace, and a large number of the general public assembled in the Town Hail-square and marched in procession to the St. Mar* v'ci Parish Church. Members of the Order of Freemasons, representing every lodge throughout j W ales also assembled at the Masonic j Temple, and each wearing sprigs of ac- acia marehed in procession to the Parish Cliureli. A large muster of the "D" Division of the County Constabulary from Neath, Britonferry, Skewen, AJ)frav,),, I Port Talbot, and the intervening districts under Supt. Ben. Evans, Inspector W. E. Rees (Port Talbot), Inspector Gill (Skewen), and Inspector D. Morris (Britonferry), also attended the service, marching from the Port Talbot, Police Station. The chief mourners were Mrs. Tennant (widow), Miss Tennant, Miss Mabel Tennant, Mrs. Blanche Jones (daughters), Mr. Ernest Tennant (son), Dr. H. Jones (son-in-law). Prominent amongst a large number of clergy present were: Canon Lewis (Rhondda), Rev. Jly. Morris (1,liltitwit Major), Rev. P. Williams (Troedyrhiw), Merthyr), Rev. Jas. Jones (St. Donat's). Rev. Z. P. Williamson (Margam), Rev. J. Francis (Aberavon), Rev. D. Christopher (Aberavon), Rev. —. Nichoils (Llandough), Rev. T. D. Bevan (Vicar Ewenny Priory, P.P.G.M. and Grand Chaplain of the Freemason Order), Rev. E. Pugh Bevan (Aberavon). At the close of the service the coffin was conveyed from ..he chuvch to a hearse outside for conveyance to th family vault in the burial ground 01 Baglan Church, situated in the pic- turesque Vale of Baglan. The funeral procession formed up outside the Parish Church, and was led by a fine body of the police of D" Division. These were followed by the Mayor of Aberavon (Councillor W. J. Williams, J.P.), Aldermen J. 11. Smith, J.P., D. J. Jones, Dd. Rees, Dd. Williams, Councillors T. Owen, J.P., Aaron James, Percy Jacob, Lewis M. Thomas, T. S. Goslin, W. Jackson, William John, J. Price. C. Lody, Henry Williams, Jenkin Morgan; the officials and employes of the Corpora- tion; Borough and County Justices of the Peace, including Messrs. Charles Jones, J-p., Herbert Evans, J.P., Henry Stokes, J.P. (Bridgend), H. A. Burgess, J.P., Major Thomas Gray, J.P., George Long- don, J.P., Moses Thomas, J.P.. Henry Walsh, J-F-, Oliver Adams, J.P., John; Phillips, J.P.; a large muster of the general public and freemasons, con- j spicuous amongst whom were Messrs. H. P. Charles (Neath), D. E. Jones (Clerk of Margam Council and late partner of the deceased). J. R. Richards (Capital and Counties Bank and Treasurer of the Cor-j poration), J-. Williams (London City andj Midland Bank), Lemuel Jones, J. Daniel (Cardiff), E. N. David (Cardiff), G. Koos, Gibson Davies, Major W. S. J. Bray, Councillor E. Lowther, Captain Hum- phrey J es, F. E. Page, T. Ll. David, Evan Davies J. C. Rees (Neath), J. P. Rowlands (Neath), CouncIl- lor W. B. Hallows, Edward Knott, Inspector Edward Williams, Inspector J. Jones (Llantrissant), M. A. Jenkins, B. Edward Howe, Dan Perkins, A. Forsdike, W. Cleaver, E. McEwan, F. B. Smith, J. Lewis, J. E. Edwards, J. Morris Wil- liams (Blackwells, Bridgend), Thomas Nicholas, etc. On behalf of the Mon- mouthshire Freemasons, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Frederick Pit iitl-il), was present, and a lso the Provincial Grand Secretary. Worshipful Brother Henry J. Pili.inc;N, and numerous cards of sympathy were sent by other masons ail over Wales. These preceded the hearse, which was followed by three mourning carriages. In this order, the cortege proceeded solemnly along the streets of the town, which were packed wtth people, and the blinds of all the residences were drawn in respect, for the memory of the deceased. A large number awaited the arrival of .-ne( i t h (,, pro-cession the cortege, and joined the procession along the route, making it of a very ex- tensive character. The burial rites were performed by the Rev. E. Richardson (Vicar of Baglan). assisted by the Rev. Edward Davies (Vicar of Aberavon). The Freemasons, after the, coffin bad been lowered, dropped sprigs of acacia into the grave. Police Court Sympathy. At. the Aberavon Borough Police Court on Thursday, of which the late Mr. Tennant. was magistrates' clerk, the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Williams), followed by Aid. J. M. Smith (on behalf of the legal profession), and Supt..Ben Evans, paid a high tribute to the memory <f the deceased, and 'expressed condolence with the family. • Council Decide to Advertise Position. On Monday night a special meeting of the Aberavon Town Council was held for the purpose of making arrangements for the appointment of a new to-ii:ii clerk to succeed the late Mr. Marmaduke Tenimnt, J.P. The Mayor (Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P.) presided, and previous to proceeding with the ordinary business of the meeting he re.T.<i a letter of thanks from Mrs. Tennant for the vote of condolence passed by the Oouncil and for their expressions of appre- ciation of the services rendered to the town Dy the late Mr. Tennant. It was resolved that the position of town clerk be advei-tised for at a salary of £ 260, and that he be allowed to undertake private practice, and that he be provided with municipal offices, at which private practice should tot. be carried out, and that he pro- vide his own staff and that, no charge 00 made for municipal oonveyance, etc. It was resolved that the appointment be ma.de on Monday night next, and that the duties of deputy town clerk in the interim, be carried out, by Mr. Ernest Tennant.

Over fifty million dollars' worth of war materials are of&ciallv • reported to have been placed in Canada since the war began, while no fewer than 3,000 factories have participated in the orders thus placed by the Allies, for the work being done does not concern alone the British Empire, but likewise France, Russia, and Belgium.

-u. ABERAVON LICENSING. Refreshment Rebate. On the application of Mr. ArthTit Deere, the usual rebate was made ia connection with the Cyinracr R. and S. B. Railay Refreshment Rooms. Transfers. On the application of Mr. Lewis If. Thomas, the licenses of the Miners' Arms, I'wllygla,A-, and the Atinere Arms, Pont- rhydyfen, were transferred. Poiice Report. In his annual report to the Justices. Superintendent Ben Evans said that there were 37 licences within the district, 'giving an average of one license for every S75 persons. The conduct of the licensees during the year had been extremely satis- factory. During the year, 105 persons had been summoned for drunkenness, 1fH con- victions being recorded, a decrease of ]? on the preceding year. One club in thei district had been raided and struck offi

THE LATE ALDERMAN HOWELL. At a meeting of 1he Neath Board of Guardians oil Wednesday, the Rev. Henry Hughes moved, from the chair, a vote of condolPDce with j hI" widow of Alderman William Howell, J.P., Skewen. His death, he said, was a great loss to them as a Board, and his activities in public work would he missed by the county. The late alderman had always done his best for the welfare of the public generally. The vote was passed in silence.

IBRIDGING THE AMMAN. I CONTRACTOR FALTERS BETWEETC TWO MINOS,. At. Amma.nford Coimei 1 cm Wedjiesda^ night, Mr. B. K. Evans presiding, agree- merits heave-en the oojitributorv'y authorities and LhO. principa-l .authorities > in reference to t' a construction a.nd mamtenil-n-ce of the proposed bridge over the Amman V'iver at Ma&r.dy ford, were 1 isaid the Carinarthen-shire County Couik -it and the Swan-ea, Llanelly and Pontardana Kural Councils had promised coiitributiorts towards the bridge, which was to be treetedi jointly by the Ammanford Council and the 'Lla-ndilo Rural Council, and the I>.G.K. asked that .a.greents be entered it to te- tween these authorities and the two prin- cipal parties. The agreements had already been executed by the Llandiio Council.—Mr. J. Morgans askvd what wac, the total sum; now promised.—Clerk £1,350 altogether, and; the local people have agreed to contribute a further sum of £ 260. That, of course id exclusive of what the Ammanford and tha Llandilo Connails are prepared to epend.— Mr. D. G. D-avieg asked what was the posi- tion with regard to the bridge.—Chairman It is net ,up yet. (Laughter. >—The Clerk said the contractor (Mr. Jamee Evans) up 10 now had not signed the egreemeai. lie had received intimation that the contractor would not be prepared to sign any agree- ment which did not embody certain clauoes, And in appointment was made to carefully go through a draft agreement. That was done, and the contractor's wishes seemed to have been met. He was allowed to have t.he loan of the drait, and he promised to return it as eoon as possible with his final decision, but about three weeks had eiapeed, and although he had been written to. he ha dTiot done o,> yet.—The Chairman, in view of the advisability of proceeding with the bridge in the. early spring, suggested' that the contractor be once more written to stating that unless he gave an answer one way or tho other within a. week the Joint Committer be asked to make other arrangements.—This was agreed to.-The seal of the Council was affixed to the agree- ments.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, & DEATHS. MARRIAGES. McDONALD—KOSELJJA.—On Friday, Jan, 29th, by license, at St.. Joseph's Catholid Church, Jamea McDonald, of H.M.S. Isis, to Nellie, youngest daughter of Mr. and) Mm Ij&wrenoe Kinsella, 3, Skmner-fetrerc, Swansea. MORGAN"—PABJvIX.—January 50th, at 1-hat Gospel Hall, by the Rev. Oscar Spelling, Charles Morgan, Porteynou, to Margarefl Ellen L. Qsellie) Parkin, Swansea. DEATHS. GRAPPER.On Janua,ry 26th, -at 15, Kilveyw terrooe, Margaret Spicer, widow of tho late Evan Clapper. GEOEGF,On Saturday, January 30th, att 6, Capel Buildings, Clydach, Thomaa George, late Colliery Manager. Bryncelyn, Pontardawe, January 27th. Elissabetli, the widow of the la te Dr. Griffith Ur-iffithb, J.P., in her 75thr year. IIAP.P.IES.-On J anuary 17th, of pneumonia, at Winnipeg, Canada., Pte. D. G. Harries, eldest eon of Ald. Rees Harms, J.P., Bolgoed, Poatardulais. Interred at Brook* side Cemetery, Winnipeg. Ji: KINS. On January 27th, at her sister'a fesddence, 48, Skefcty-road, Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, eldest daughter of the late )1r.. and Mrs. Philip Jenkins. JONES.-On February 1st, at 24. Princess* street, Ellen Jones, the beloved wife of Philip Jone3. KNOYLE.—On January 29th inst. at The Sanctuary, Ivoughor, John J. Knoyle, Ü) his 61st, year. LEWORTHY.—January 26th, at 60, Dany. graig-terrace, St. Thomas, Emma, beloved wife of William Leworthy; aged <35 yeans. MORGANS.—At Newbridge Coffee Tavern, Pcntardawe, January 26th, John Morgana, aged 65 years. MILES.—On January 30th, at Chapel House, Jame<»-street. Neath. Margaret, widow oi the late William Miles; age 77. PHILLIPS.—On February 1st, 1915, at 4* Hoirton-street, William Bennett Phillips, for many years in the employ of Meters. Franklin Saunders and 0). EEES.—On the 26th instt Fair View, Penifll Green, laansaml-et, Annie, the dearijr beloved daughter of Hannah and the la-t. John Rees. ROBINSON.—On January 29th, at Bron. haul," Calvert-terrace, Robert Robinson. beloved husband of Mary Robinson. SQUIRE.—On Sunday, January 31st. at, 4, Hopkin-^treet. Brynhyfryd. Laura, the I beloved wife of A. E. Squire. THOMAS.—On January 27th, a.t. 24, Megan- streeti, CwmbwrLa, Henry Tbama6. of Babell. THO:MAS.-on January 26th; at 166. St., Helen's-avenue, George Thomas, Joiner, the dearly beloved husband of 3Lailaritta, Thomas, in his 54th year.' THANKS FOR SYMPATHY. MORRIS.—The Mis sea Maggie, PoUie, Agntg and Ada. Morris, 9, The Avenue, Merthyr, desire to express their heartfelt gratitude for all the kindne&s and sympathy ex- tended to them by the many fri-endp iru Cwmavon and district upon the oooasion of the sad d £ ath of their dear Sister, Lizzie Morris, Headmistress of Owinavon Gir-le School. Printed and Published for the Swansea Press, Limited, by ARTHUR PARNELL HIGHAM, aA Leader Buildings, gaum.