Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

NOTES AND COMMENTS Important as were the speeches de- livered by the Prince of Wales, Mr. Balfour and Lord Kitchener, at the special meeting of the Royal Patriotic lund Corporation's General Council—and tiio speech ot the Prince was marked by a clarity that is full of promise—we turn with eagerness to the questions of details involved in the great scheme of war pen- sions; for it is here that the proof or otherwise of its efficacy will be found. The Prince uttered at the close of his speech a statement to which all will say Amen." In conclusion," he said, let one express my earnest hope that every county and every locality in which a committee is established will enter into a healthy and vigorous competition to secure, with the co-operation of the State, that not only shall there be no avoidably suffering in the households of sailors and soldiers living in tiieir midst. but that every effort shall be made to compensate, by the truest form of tioi»lit hourly kindness, for any deprivations which have been caused by willingness 011 the part of these men to sacrifice Hie. health, and happiness at the c-ali of their honour, their King. and their God." But we will have to approach the problem with fresh minds, with the experience of past mistakes to warn us. Mr. Balfour truly said that we cannot look back with •unqualified satisfaction on the way in ■which our predecessors dealt with tho "wounded soldier or with his widow, hia children, and other dependents. And in- deed there are many scandals to cause us to view the past with shame. We arc facing, however, new days. The army to-day is a nation, not a section of it. and in that fact there is hope that the failures of tho years that have gone will not be repeated. The new scheme is going to call upon the help of the voluntary organisations. Thero will be a division of opinion upon that decision, but it may be urged with considerable foroo by its supporters that they are proceeding upon linos which will secure tho best rc-stilts. In the words of the Prince of Wales, the intention of Parliament is that there shall be in- fluential local and district committees for every county and county borough and urban district having a large population In these committees, women and repre- sentatives of labour are to be in- cluded, and a "substantial representation" of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association and of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society—the latter body is apparently foreign to Swansea's organised war service--is to be given wherever practicable The scheme of Parliament, in fact," said H.R.H., aims at I ringing together into one fold of compassion and (gratitude and practical philanthropy all our resources, both national and local, in men, in women, and in money." State grants are to be supplemented by local effort and generosity. The volume of the correspondence that 1" proceeding relative to the position of the Rejected with White Forms, and the variety of opinions expressed therein, point to the Deed of a clearer statement than any yet issued. The whole subject is veiled in confusion, and we do not envy the single man who, since August 14th, has offered himself for enlistment, has under- gone a thorough medical examination, and has been granted (as far as Swansea is concerned) the standard certificate show- ing him to be unfit for service. Apparently the official forms are B. 2505A or B. 2512A. There is no printed number upon the great majority of the certificates issued at Swan- sea: indeed we do not think we nre far from wrong when we say that, taking the H" forms as the only ones now to be recognised, there are exceedingly few, if any. in the possession of men rejectcd locally. Tn the correspondence that is now poing on in many i<mrnals the main ques- tion upon which light is sought and upon -which there are varying views, is -whether the further medical examination which is I declared to be necessary is to be a volun- tury one-in other word?, whether the single man in possession of a white form can be fetched whAi the period of grace is closed. We quote one expression of mpiljion contributed to the Westminster r,azeti,e Is, or is not. the further medi- cal examination a voluntary one? If the answer is in the negative then the clause in the Compulsion Act exempting -men rejected since August. 1915, i" made a dead- letter by the word of the recruiting- I authorities (a far: which opens up grave possibilities^. What powers have these ^authorities to compel a man who has been Exempted by an Act of Parliament to be re-examined-' Unless a statement is forth- coming that the proposed second examina- tion is purely voluntary-and many would go up again if asked—the Government, having expressly exempted the rejected and refused amendments intended to bring them under the Act, will be guilty of a breach of faith with the rejected men, who, in Mr. Long's words, did their duty and offered- fheiuselves. Another correspondent takes the lino that. as Mr. J. H. Thomas's question referred to the white forms, the only reasonable conclusion to be drawn from I Mr. Tennant's answer is that such white forms will not be regarded as official" for the purpose of the Military Service (Xo. 2) Act. Lord Derby's letter to a cor- respondent Avas simply concerned with the is-sue of armlets to rejected men, and not with their position under the Military Service Act. The witole of the letter, in fact, seems to be governed by the opening S sentence: There are good reasons for recruiting authorities insisting that men already rejected as medically unfit should in certain eases have to undergo a further medical examination before re- ceiving an armlet." It is, of course | highly desirable, that single men should submit themselves for a second test; the whole situation io governed by the need of men for the armies and the auxiliary services. But the Government owe it to these men that they should know exactlv where they stand; and Mr. Tennant's answer lacks clearness—in proof whereof is the wide difference in the interpreta- tion of it. Rightly or wrongly, the pub- lie place most reliance upon Mr. Asquith's Avords and the terms of the Act itself. According to Paragraph 6 of the First Schedule of the Military Service (No. 2) Act, men who offered themselves for en- listment and were refused since August 11th, 1!.U5, are excepted from the opera- tions of the Act. If that paragraph is to contain shades of meaning regarding the val ne of the word refused," the Govern- ment ought to publish a plain, authorita- tive statement, defining the exact duties and position of the rejected.

I ABERYSTWYTH NATIONAL A meeting of the guarantors of the Aber- I yshvyth National Eisteddfod was held at the Town Hall, Aberystwyth, on Tuesday night, Alderman John Evans (Mayor) pre- siding. i Professor Edwards reported the result of I the cannss of the town, and said the total amount guaranteed had reached £ 786 2s. (Applause.) The amount which they set out to secure was ;e,5(io. and the Mayor had given them a noble lead of £40. (Hear, Rear.) He believed they would have had no difficulty in reaching £ 1,000 had they desired to do so. It was decided to re-appoint the old committees, and to take over the Liabilities and the assets. Sir John W illiams, Bart., WDS re-elected chairman of the General Committee, and the May-or was elected chairman of the Executive Committee, with Mr. D. C. Roberts, J.P., and Dr. Johes Powell, vicar, as vice-chairmen. Mr. Arthur Jones was appointed treasurer. Professor Edward s proposed the Eistedd- fod be held during August Bank Holiday week. He suggested that the National Eis- teddfod Association meeting should be held on August Sth, to be followed by a concert. The opening ceremony of the Gorsedd to be held on the following day, to be followed by a concert, and the chair- ing of the bard and the visit of the Minis- ter of Munitions might take place on Thursday, the Eisteddfod winding up with a good folk lore concert. Mr. T. H. Edward s seconded. Mr. David Samuel. M.A., thought Bank Holiday Aveek would be inconvenient for the town owing to the number of visitors who would be present in the town. After considerable discussion it was de- cided to hold the Eisteddfod puring the week beginning August 14th. The Eis- teddfod will Le held in accordance with the programme suggested by Professor Edwards. It was agreed to ask the Eisteddfod Association to hand any profits over to the war funds.

I LONDON UNIVERSITY SUCCESS The degree of Doctor of Science of the London University lias recently been con- ferred on a young Llanellyite, Dr. E. J. Evans, A.R.C.Sc., eldest eon of Mr. David Evans and Mrs. Evans, of 65, James- street, Llanelly. Dr. Evans is an old pupil of the Llan- elly Higher Elementary and County Schools, and when a lad of 16 obtained a Carmarthenshire County Scholarship, and half of the Elizabeth Davies Brynteifi Scholarship, tenable at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. At Aberystwyth he took his B.Sc degree of the Welsh University with honours in physics, and also won in open competition a National Scholarship in Physics of the value of 1:80 a year for three years, ten- able at the Royal College of Science, South Kensington. He there took a 1st class A.R.C.Sc. diploma in Physics, and also obtained the B.Sc degree of the London University with honours in Physics. He then became a demonstrator in physics and astrophysics for three years at the Royal College of Science, after which he was appointed to his present post as Lec- turer in Physics at the Victoria Univer- sity, Manchester, under Prof. Sir Ernest Rutherford, D.Se., F.R.S. Dr. Evans has specialised in spectro- scopy and optics, and has published a large number of research papers in the I leading English and American scientific, journals, his paper on The Spectra of Hydrogen and Helium" especially having created much discussion in scientific circles. j

I STATE OF LOUCHOR BRIDGE I At Carmarthenshire Main Roads Com- mittee on Wednesday, Mr.W. J. Williams presiding, the Clerk reported that after consultation with the surveyors of Gla- morgan and Carmarthenshire, it had been decided tpost up notices near Loughor bridge warning drivers that the bridge was not available for heavy traffic- Mr. Nathan Griffiths, Llanelly, said that if it was not safe it should be closed to traffic altogether. Mr. Wm Griffiths. Llanelly: I don't think WA have the power to close it. Sir Safford Howard asked whother by the notices they prohibited traffic or merely warned drivers? The Clerk said that strictly they had no power tu prohibit. A bye-law would have to be passed and confirmed by the Local Government Board. and there is a doubt whether tha Board would do that. It had been considered that the notices would be a sufficient precaution as regards the lia- bility ot the Council in case of something happening. He did not think it meant the prohibition of traffic..

I BRITISH WREClis IN JANUARY. I The number and net tonnage of British vessels lost in January and reported to the Board of Trade, was as follows:— Sailing ships, 27 (4,090 tons), and 42 6teamships (57,144 tons). The number of lives lost was 551. Three of the sailing ships and 10 of the steamers were sunk by enemy warships, and three steamers were mined. Four hundred and ten of the lives lost Avere lost in steamers sunk by enemy warships.

Divorce in Kasiigar is exceedingly common, and anybody can be aivoreed fi)r I the small >um of td." said Elizi svkpt, I at a meeting of the Central Asian Society on W«tnesdv-

TRIBUTE TO COALITION GOVERNMENT BY THE MEMBER FOR SWANSEA DISTRICT The annual meeting of the Neath Liberal Club was held on Tuesday even- ing, Mr. J. Church presiding. He was supported by Mr. T. J. Williams, M.P. for Swansea District. The financial state- ment presented by Mr. Harry Williailis, showed a satisfactory balance. In proposing the re-election of Ald. Ilop- kin Morgan as president, Mr. T. J. Wil- liams, M.P., said he was weU-known to Liberalism, and a man honoured in Neath. (Applauee.) This was unanimously assented to, aud Mr. Ifor Thomas ^treasurer) and Mr. ijy. Williams (secretary) were re-elected. The following members were re-elected on the committee Avitliout opposition: Aid. Dd. Davies, Mr. John Morris, Mr. J. F. MilLs, Mr. J. Brooks Taylor, and Mr. C. Cole. Mr. Matthew Arnold proposed that a vote of congratulation be sent to the pre- sident ou his appointment as chairman of the Glamorgan County Council. Mr. D. Parry Evans seconded, adding that it was a reward for public service which they as members of the Liberal Club were proud of, and expressed the hope that he would live long to adorn the honoured and important position his col- leagues had conferred upon him. (Hear, hear. ) Winner of the Billiards Trophy. The billiard tournament silver chal- lenge cup presented to the club by Mr. E. C. Curtis (Town Clerk) in 1900, was stated to have now been won by Hr. Howard Prosser three times in succession. The chairman remarked that Mr. Prosser was considered the best billiard player in Neath and district. The competitions annually, he said, had been spirited, in- teresting, and had added to the finances of the club. In presenting the cup, Mr. E. C. Curtis said he considered it a compliment to be asked by the committee to perform the presentation. As president of the club in 1900, he felt that it was incumbent upon him to do something for the prosperity of the club, and acting upon someone's happy suggestion he presented the cup for com- petition. He was exceedingly glad to think that the visions at that time had been realised, and that during the past IC years it had added zest and interest to the billiard players of the club. In hand- ing over the cup to the winner, he con- gratulated him upon his success. (Ap- plause.) Mr. Prosser, who was given a popular reception, acknowledged the compliments in accepting the handsome trophy. I Mr. T. J. Williams' Promise. Prefacing an address to the members, Mr. T. J. Williams said he would be pleased to give a similar challenge cup to the club. (Applause.) It was just a year ago, he said, that he was elected to represent Swansea District in the House of Commons. During that time he ventured to say he had watched the in- terests of the constituency oJLoeer than any of his predeoeseors. He was sent to West- minster when they were ill the throes of a great war, and they were still engaged in it, but he was optimistie enough to say that the difficulties were surmounted, and they would soon be out of the wood. Thanks to Nature's gift, they in Glamor- ganshire had not been so Ladly hit by the war, their industries were practically go- ing full speed, and the inconveniences were not so great as in other parts of the country. It was a nation'? war and not a political war, a war not of offence but defence for liberty and civilisation, and the Coalition GoA-ernmenc ^as composed of members of the right type to win the war. That Government had not yet let Britain down; they were working solidly, silently, and surely towards ultimate eucoess. (Applause.) I Military Comnulsion bill. Referring to the Military Compulsion Bill, the lion, member said taat compul- sion to him was wrong, hut the Bill did not mean compulsion. The object was to bring in those single men who were not doing their share. If these u^en aid their duty in the course of the n ?:t Icav weeks the .Compulsion Bill would o a dead letter. The meeting closed Avitn the crstomary thanks to the chairman und < 'iicials.

KIDWELLY BLACKSMITH 10 PAY Mary Etta Davies, New Lodge, Ponty- eates, applied for an affiliation order at the Llanelly Police Court on Wednesday against Stanley Rees, New-street, Kid- welly, in respect of a male child born on October 27th. Mr. Leslie Williams, for the applicant, said the defendant, who was a blacksimth, admitted the paternity. Defendant, he added, had treated the girl very badly. He had been courting her for five years, and had promised to marry her on SE"erall occasions, having bought the wedding ring. More than once he told the girl and her parents that he was putting up the banns, and had once stated that he had actually done so. In the end he had done nothing, and the applicant was obliged to institute these proceedings. Defendant had offered. to pay 3s. (id. a week, but this, Mr. Williams submitted, was not sufficien t The applicant then gave evidence, and produced the wedding ring. She stated that defendant was a blacksmith, and his mother owned a farm. Defendant said he was not earning any- thing, as his apprenticeship had not yet expired. The business belonged to his mother, who had to pay a man for in- I structing him. The Bench made an order of 5s. per week.

THE PAPER PROBLEM The Advisory Committee appointed by newspapers and magazine proprietors waited upon Mr. G. Barnes, in the absence of Mr. Runciman, at the Board of Trade to-day. Proceedings were private, but the Press Association learns it was agreed to ap- point a Commission to arrange for the importation of paper, wood pulp, and fibre making materials, and for their distribution to newspapers and paper users upon such terms as may appear to the Commission as equitable.

SERVED LATE LORD OYNEVOH i There has just passed away one of Llandilo's oldest and best known inhabi- tants, at the ripe age of 86 years, in the person of Mr. Wm. Nathaniel Ttussier, 3. Bridge-street. Mr. Truasler came to Llandilo about.36 yqars ago, when he took up the position of house steward to the late Lord Dynevor, which position he filled for the period of 21 years, after which the deceased lord placed him on the retired list with a handsome pension Mr. Truseler was a keen lover of sport, and some of his happiest moments were spent angling on the banks of the Towy. Ho was also an ad'1t at cricket, and umpired many important matches in Weat Wales. For a man of his years de- ceased enjoyed remarkably good health. His faculties were unimpaired. He could recite long poems and quote dates of im- portant events from memory with ths r/tmost, ease. He was a member of the Public Institute, and excelled in billiards I and other games. The funeral, which was a very representative one, the cortege including a number of Dynevor estate employes, took plaoe at. Llandyffeif4»nt Chnrch on Thursday. He was Tujried in the same -rave as hw. wife. mtHo pzo- i#»w!wsed him by akont eight years-

LLANDILO D.C. rd. Congratulations of the Urban District Council. Dr. R. Jonej presided over the monthly meeting of the Liandilo Urban District Council. The Clerk said with regard to making Llandilo an attestation centre, he had written to Colonel cooíield. He re- plied that lie was sorry he could do nothing in the matter, as he had no officer available. Mr. D. Morgan said that Mr. Llewelyn Williams had pointed out that in Radnor there were complaints, and that some of the people had to go 30 miles to attest. He expressed surprise that tb<« authorities did not consider the convenience of the district. The Chairman moved a vote of con- gratulation to Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephens on the achievement of their son. lie joined his Majesty's Forces early in the war, and as they were all aware, he had earned the D.C.M.. Mr. Stephens said the matter was not on the agenda, ami it had taken him somewhat by suriJCrise. He begged to offer the Council his thanks for their sincere expression of congratulation. It. was decided to write Scrgt. Stephens, who is in hospital. Mr. J. H. Rees had a motion on the agenda with regard to welcoming home their townsmen who returned from the front. He felt there would be a very hearty response. He must, however, f'x_1 press his regret that up to that moment the council had been so apathetic as not to give any of the Llandilo men a wel-, come who had returned home from the front. I Mr. Claud R. Davies, seconding, said it was not apathy which had prevented them from showing their appreciation of the conduct of those lads by giving them the reception due to them. Some of them had approached tho chairman on the question. The Chairman's suggestion that a com- mittee be appointed to do the work and advise the council was carried.

I THE SPANNER SLIPPED I While working at the New Cut, Richard Harris (65), 26, Kilvey-terrace, St. Thomas, a shipwright employed by the Swansea Harbour Trust, fell from the stage of a barge and received injuries to his head which ended fatally in the Swansea Hospital. The accident hap- pened on Thursday afternoon last, and deceased died on Tuesday. An inquest was held at the Coroner's Court on Wed- nesday afternoon by the Deputy Borough Coroner (Mr. Glyn Morris). Mr. Vaughan Edwards (Messrs. Gee and Edwards) watched the case on behalf of the Har- bour Trust, and Mr. J. Hiiditch (factory inspector) was also present. The body was identified by Edward Henry Harris (son of the deceased). His father, he said, never regained conscious- ness after the accident. Daniel Richards, shipwright, 27, Vernon-street, Hafod, who had a wound on the head, said on the day of the acci- dent he and deceased were engaged on the same job—repairing a barge. Witness was loosening a bolt when the spanner slipped, the rebound knocking both the deceased and himself overboard into the river. Witness fell into the river, but deceased's head struck the bank. The spanner was about three feet long, and a hevy one. By Mr. Hilditch: They were working about eight or nine feet from the bed of the river. The spanner was not quite fit for the job. By Mr. Edwards: He had been a ship- wright for 25 years and was quite accus- tomed to that kind of work. There was ample room on the stage. The bolt was very tight when he first tried it. He applied some oil and then gave too hard a pull. Evan Jones, shipwright, 4, Slip-road, who was also engaged on the job, said he heard a shout and saw the two men below in the water. Harris was bleeding from the head and was unconscious. He rescued him from the water. His head had evidently struck the slag. First aid was rendered by ambulance men among th ose working on the boat. Dr. Louden, of the resident medical staff of Swansea Hospital, said deceased was admitted on Thursday evening in an unconscious condition. He had a severe cut over the right eye, but there was no fracture of the t-kull. Death was due to hemorrhage on the brain. The jury returned a verdict in accord- ance with the medical testimony, and expressed their sympathy with the rela- tives. This expression was endorsed by the Coroner and Mr. Vaughan Edwards on behalf of the Trust, who said deceased had been employed by the Trust for 15 years, and was an exemplary worker.

FARMERS AND CO-OPERATION I Welsh Agriculture and Its Prospects was the subject of an interesting address given by Mr. E. T. John, M.P., at a quar- terly meeting of the Carmarthenshire Chamber of Agriculture at Carmarthen on Wednesday. Mr. John Hinds, M.P., who presi.ded, referred to the imperative need of farmers for labour. Mr. E. T. John said that during the early months of the war the exploits of Germans Cruisers, and later the malign activities of German submarines much emphasised the need for increasing the home production of food-to.-day equally accentuated by the inconceivable toll levied upon the community by the ship- owners, much more grave 111 economic consequences than the achievements of Von Tirpitz. Referring to agricultural co-operation, it was satisfactory to see that the sales of the Carmarthen Farmers' Co-operative Society had increased from £ 5,910 in 1904 to £ 52,78t> in 1909, and to 9100,821 in 1914. The value of England's agricultural produce per acre of the whole area was S8 12s. 5d. per 100 acres in 1914; Scotland, S9 Ss.; Wales, 1:14 3s. 6d.; Car- marthenshire, £23 s. 4d.; and Ireland, £22 6s. 2d. Other speakers were LieuL-General Sir James Hills-Jo hues. V.C., G.C.B., Sir Stafford Howard, and Mr. H. Jones Davios (Development Commissioner for Wales), the latter stating that it behoved farmers to organise and educato themselves in order to meet the great; competition they would have to face from foreign countries in times to come.

UAHDILO DOCTOR'S FUNERAL The funeral of Dr. J. R. Evans, Dale House, Llandilo, which was a private one, took place at the Parish Church. The officiating clergy were the Ven. Arch- deacon Williams, the Rev. Wm. Rees (late vicar of Llangadock), and the Rev. Arthur James, B.A. (curate). The mourners were Mrs. Wood Evans (widow), Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Lewis (sisters), Mr. Stanley Evans (brother), Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lloyd, Master Harold Evans. Wreaths were sent by the following: Mrs. Wood Evans (widow), Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Stanley Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lloyd, Ma-, E. P. Lloyd (Glan- eevin), Mr. Gwyniie Hughes (Lord Lieu- tenant of the county) and Mrs. Gwynne Hughes, Mrs. J. L. Thomas (Caeglas), Miss Thomas (Caemaon Cottage), Miss Beddoe, Mr and Mrs. Williams (Latimer- road), Mr. T. H. Powell, Master Jack Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Warren, Dr. Phil- lips, Di-. Red Crosa Committee, and household staff. The funeral arrange- meD"t8 were in the hands of Air. J. Stephens, London House.

Rates in I.,iwtpool have been reduced in th«"» £ v

I THE AIR RAIDS —————— I ————— I LATEST PARTIGLLARS The following messages were issued on Tuesday night supplementing the brief War Office report of the great air raid on Press Bureau, Tuesday, f) p.m.—The War Office issues the following: The air raid of last night was at- tempted on an extensive ..scale, but it appears that the raiders were hampered by the thick mist. After crossing the coast the Zeppelins -steered various coursea nad dropped bomb? a{ serpral tnwns and in rural dis- tricts in DprbysMrf. I.?ic?stershire', Lin- colnshire, and Staffordshire. Some damage to property was caused. No accurate reports were received until a late hour. The casualties notified up to the time of issuing this statement amount to 54 persons killed and 67 injured. England, Press Bureau. Wednesday, 11.25 p.m.— The War Office forwards tho following for nublication ¿ Air Raid. I The utterly inaccurate reports in the Berlin official telegram of February 1st, purporting to describe the effect of the German air raid on the night of January 31st, AŒoI a. further proof of the fact that the raiders were quite unable to ascertain their position or shape their course with auy degree of certainty. Casualties. A number of cases of injury, mostly 'I s-ight, have been reported since the pre- vious figures were issued, and there have been two or three more deaths. The figures now stand as follow:— Killed. Injured. Total. Men ?: 51 8i WO'Aleu 20 4S 68 Children G 2 '?ll I Total 5? 101 ? 160 I- Damage. One church and Congregational chapel were badly damaged, and a parish room wrecked. Fourteen houses were demolished and a great number damaged less seriously by doors, window frames, etc., being blown out. Some damage, not very serious, was caused to railway property in two places. Only two factories, neither being of material importance, and a brewery were badly damaged, and two or three other factories were damaged slightly. I Bombs Dropped. I The total number of bombs discovred up to the present exceed 300. Many of them I fell in rural places where no damage was caused at all. A Family Killed. The latest visit of the Zeppelins to the Midlands of England is described by a number of correspondents who have visited the scenes of the raids. A Times correspondent recounts the following incidents which occurred in Staffordeture:- The first bomb (he says) was dropped near a picture theatre, which was bril- liantly illuminated. For a period the Zeppelin circled the town at the speed of a.i express train. Many people rushed into the street on hearing the noise of the engines and the sound of the explosions, but there was nothing in the way of a panic. Some say that they distinctly saw a dark object flashing across the sky. The airship displayed no light, but the brilliant flashes as the bomb6 fell could h-3 seen for miles around. In this area both high explosives and incendiary bombs were dropped. Not far from the centre of this district is a ch-urch separated by a short distance ■ from a meeting-house in which a mission for women and girls was proceeding. A woman missionary, the wife of a well- known vioar, was standing, Bible in hand, addressing an audience of about 200 per- sons, mostly women and girls, when a bomb dropped between the church and the mission room. A hole was left in the ground about 4ft. deep and 12ft. in dia- meter within 20ft. of the mission room, which was of wood. There was a blinding flash, and then all was darkness. The woman missionary was struck by a huge fragment of shell and killed instantly. Another lady and a young g'irl were also killed on the spot. Some or the \ictims w?re killed as they hurried through the streets. In one street a. woman and her child lost their lives, while another woman had both leys blown off. In one house, in another district, a man and his wife, with their daughter and son-in-law and their two children, were killed, instantly. The bombs fell 011 the footpath of the narrow thoroughfare, smashing in the front of the house. The occupants, who were sitting round the are, were terribly mangled beneath the ruins, their bodies being recovered later by the police. Passing on, the Zeppelins dropped five bombs in a small township some miles away. A man walking along was killed. In an adjoining borough soiiio heavy bombs fell, and damago was done to small houses. A family of five, sitting together here, met with an instant and terrible death, a bomb dropping directly on the roof of the house and scattering the brick- work and furniture in all directions. Another bomb fell in front of a public- house and demolished it, but the land- lord, his wife, and their two soils had a wonderful escape. Every window in the nouse was blown out, the doors were torn from their iiinges, the roof fell on the inmates in their beds, and the licensee and his wife were injured. For a time they were pinned in their room by the Avreckage. The landlord's wiie declared that she experienced a choking sensation and became unoojiscious and remained so for some time. It is said that for some time six Aus- trians have been working at a local shop, and a movement has now been set, on foot to remove them from the district. I Inquests on Victims. I At an inquest on Wednesday on threo Derbyshire air-raid victims, who were all killed at the same spot, it was stated that, their bodies were so badly mutilated that identification was rendered yery difficult. In two of the three cases, indeed, iden- tification was at first erroneous, and the men supposed to have been killed arrived at their place of employment on the fol- lowing morning. Apart from this case the casualties caused in the district—a populous and busy one—were very slight, and the material damage insignificant. Four bombs fell into gardens and others in open spaces. I 50 Bombs Dropped: Three Lives Lost. I Inquests were held on Wednesday after- noon on the bodies of three of the men killed in Lincolnshire. The jury returned a verdict of Death from injuries sus- tained through the explosion of a bomb or bombs discharged by a German Zeppelin airship in each case. The Coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives and friends of the men who had lost their lives in this dastardly maner. They could not tell what good it had done. but probably the result would be that Britishers would redouble their efforts, so that it would rebound on tb heads of those responsible for it. He sym- pathised wHh the bereaved, but to think that 50 bombs were dropped and only three lives lost was a cause for congratulation.

Mr. Heaton, the T.ivfrponl swimmer, who has made several attempts to swim l h ?,) li ar the Channel, is now a sergeant-instructor in tho Rrvql Fu^ilierp. J

MR. IVOR CWYNNE ViSITS THE j TRETGHES ———? ?._ I ms MA;W 8?S Mr. Ivor G wyn tie. J.P., secretary of the Tin and Sheet Mill Men's Union, who has just returned to Swansea from v- t to the front, was seen by a Herald of Wales' representative 011 The.rtday morning. J'or the purpose of this visii, the name of Mr. Gwyime, with scveu others, was submitted by the Welsh Army Corps to the War Office, and they were appointed to represent the Western Command. Repre»entati\cs from other commands have already visited the front. The party witn which i was con- nected was a most interesting Mr. Gwynne told our representative. The arrangements were originally in the hands of Sir Charles Petrk:, of Liverpool. but as that gentleman had to undergo au operation, his duties were carried out by Mr. Savage, a member of the Liverpool City Council. The party was assisted very materially by Lord Leagh. who was also one of the deputation. Thus the party were able to visit, without any difficulty, the divisions which, they repre- sented." An Exciting Tour. I The visit was a very interesting one, i and at iilrlf-, rather exciting," proceeded Mr. Gwvnne. What we eaw and did has given me an entirely new conception of the war and its conditions. I cannot speak too highly of the spirit prevailing amongst the men we met. There was no despondency, nor any tendency to be dis- couraged. They seemed to have oniv one idea and only one opinion prevailed—the Germans must be conquered. Many ex- I pressed a desire to return to their homes and their loved one, but not before they had accomplished tlie task of making it impossible for the Allies to be again dis- turbed by the menace of Prussian mili- tarism. Under Fire. 1 Speaking of the Headquarters Staff, Mr. Gwynne said the party received every courtesy from the staff officers and from the officers of the different regiments. We were shown practically everything that was to be seen. and during the three days we were there for many hours we were under fire." That was rather exciting?" Yes." Mr. Gwynne now prod-uced a fragment of a sliftll. several of which, he said, fell within twenty yarns of his party. The piece that I picked up is known as the sausage shell." Meetings With Swansea Boys. I "Did you see many Swansea boys?" I am coming to that/' said Mr. Gwynne. "After I visiting my son, who js under the Western Command. I visited the Swansea Battalion. I met Major Dyeon Williams. I did a part of the trenches and went out to see the men engaged at the outposts. It is impossible to describe their delight and pleasure when they saw me. There was a hearty shake of the hand as they exclaimed, How is good old Swan- sea getting on Tell them to keep up their spirits and be of good courage. We will do our bit while we are here, and we only ask in return a word of encouragement and an occasional cigarette! There was a tendency, our representa- tive learned, amongst some of the other Swansea men with whom Mr. Gwynne came in contact, to complain that they were not treated as well as those who had joined the Swansea Battalion. "After all," they said, we are one British Army fighting for the, same good old country, and we shouild like to participate in the good things provided by our native town." There is nothing much I can add now," concluded Mr. Gwynne, but the visit, from the moment we put our feet on 'French soil until we returned to England, though it bristled with dangers, left an indelible impression upon my mind which I idiall carry to th? end of my days."

SLOT METER ROBBERIES I A meeting of the Neath Town Council was held on Thursday, the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Jones) presiding over a full at- tendance of members. In the minutes of the Gas Committee, it was stated that several slot meter rob- beries had taken place but in the majority of the cases the money had been recovered. In moving the adoption of tho report, T P said that since Aid. Hoykin Morgan, said that since tho laying down of th6 new gas mains under the dark arch a great improvement had taken place, aud the complaints had ceased to come in Councillor Challacombe pointed ont that it would be a great conveinence to "],,D working class if the pressure at the gas works was put on earlier than 5.30 in the morning. The manager (Mr. Jackson) said he would attend to the matter. In reply to Councillor J. P. Jones, the gas manager stated that no charge was mado Jor the inspection of meters and repair of leakages unless duo to the con- sumer's negligence. Councillor John Davies wanted to know what committee Aid. David Davies had been elected cliairman of. The Mayor: The Cemetery Committee. The Town Clerk: A very grave com- mittee, I venture to add. (Laughter.)

THE SKEWEN SCEIIE I At Neath, on Wednesday, Dd. Richards, collier High-street, Skewcn, was charged under a warrant with committing an as- sault. upon Inspector Gill, at Skewen, on Saturday night last. The charge was the second arising out of the Skewen riot. Superintendent B. Evans intimated that the prosecution were not yet ready to go on with the case, and applied for a re- mand until Friday week. He announced that several other arrests would probably be made in connection with the riot. The Bench remanded the accused, but admitted him to bail. Mr. Edward Powell represented the defendant.

FILLING VACANCIES. I The Ammanford Council on Wednesday night, Mr. John Harries (Trlwyn) in the chair, proceeded to eled two members on the Council in the place of Messrs. J. M. Darbyshire and Martin Davies, -b--O Gents had been declared vacant. The ?ol* lowing names were submitted:—J-  Jones, Dd. George, Dd. Harries, and Geo. W. Davies. By a majority of one, it was carried that the voting he by ballot, each member to have two vote& and that the 1 three highest be submitted to the second ballot. The first voting resulteQ thus: J. -r. Jon?, 8; Dd. Harries, 6; Dd. George, 5; and G. W. Davies. 5. *mal: voting :i J. E- Jones, 9; Dd. George, 6; and Dd. 1 Harrl, I -t  vot? e in f,. avour of There was one spoilt vote in favour of Dd. Hajries, and Alderman W. N. Jonee: observed to the chlFmna. That saved you a casting vote.  M?srs. J. E. Jone?and Dd. ?eorg? were thereupon elected members.

LLANSAMLET LABOUR COUNCIL. I A meeting Avas held at Saron Verstry, TJirchgrove, on Tuesday evening at which it was dp-cidet-I that a Labour Representa- i ivc Council should he formed at once for the parish of Llai^amlet. Mr. W.J. Jones (Gwilym Bwlv. > v.-a a appointed [ chairman, Tvf r. Liew+J,yix Morgan trea- surer, and Nfr. Iobn Bo-wefls, secretary.

E,AUCHTER SUES rilOTHER ————— ————— SWANSEA PROPERTY CIVES RISE TO LLAHSAMLET ACT [UN The hearing was continued on. Wedlei- day, before -)ir. -f-ustce Peterson in the Chancery Division, of the action of in rs •Howell Thomas v. Evans, in which hry Ihoiuas was suing her motj?t', RebMp? Evans, the daughter of the late Thomas H?well. 0f L?D?a-mlet. in respect of pr? perty bequeathed by his will to the mother, with remainder to her daughters. The question arose under a settlement of 1900 made for the purpose of replacing jpart of the trust properry which it wai alleged had found its way inxo the hands of the defendant's husband. j Mr. Hughes, K.C., continuing his open, I iug speech, said that besides a freehold house, a mortgage for £ 52 L's. (id and some, shares, four leasehold houses were com- prised in tho (ieed, and the main allega1 > tion was that defendant had retained them, receiving the rents and profits in' stead of conAerting them into Trustl securities and receiving 4 per cent, on the value. Other questions wfore raised by; the defendant's counter-claim. She said that mortgage for £ 52 on the freehold house was a charge created in her favour paramount, to the settlement. His Lordship: Do you claim for breach} of trust? Mr. Hughes said he did-a breach oB trust for holding the rents of the lease. hold houses. The plaintiff asked for a declaration that there was a breach of trust in retaining the leaseholds and re, taining for herself the whole of the income. With regard to the freeholds, he could not make out any case of diminution of capital value, for there was no evidence to show that the value of the freehold pro- perty was less than it was in 1900. Tho defendant was tenant for life, and he could not complain of her receiving tag rents so far as they were income rents, nor could he complain that the income accounts were not properly kept except irt so far as they did not show what the capital value of the property was. The accounts appeared to have been kept by- Mr. Evans who, he thought, was a sur- veyor. The plaintiff asked for the removal of the defendant on the gixmnd that she, had not kept proper capital accounts, and. for the appointment of new trustees. Her complaint was that the defendant had sold some of the shares, and had not in. vested the proceeds in Trustee securities. He did not say there had been any losi by retaining the shares, but that thu money had not been accounted for. On. the four leasehold houses in Rhondda- street, Mount Pleasant, was a mortgage for? £ 800. That was paid off before the death, of William Evans, which took place on. February 11th, 1907, and the defendant: alleged that the money required for pay-o ing off that mortgage was found by her, and not by her husband. In croes-eramination plaintiff wpA asked why, during the lifetime of her father, she took certain documents to Ivor Evans, when Edward Harris wea acting for him. She denied that it was at the suggestion of the gentleman wild was now her husband. She did not know: that he was very friendly with Ivor! Evans, but admitted that Ivor Evanai acted as best man at their wedding. H4 mother told her to take any doenmentel to him She knew that Ivor Evans was acting for Martha Price, who had the .£500 mort- gage. She knew that her father was acA cueed of doing a wrong to Martha Price but did not suggest their mother shoulrf have independent advice before she signe4 the document she did. Witness said she was continually pref". ing her mother to release the properties. She denied that it was not until Boxingj Day, 1911, when her mother refused to lend her £100. that she asked thai: the property should be sold. On that occasioni she was not angry, and she did not tura her mother out of the house. It was not) until the following April that her method left. There was a dispute about the titlcl of certain houses, and as it was just b&* fore her baby was born the doctor said unless the cause of the trouble was re-* moved he would not answer for hoe health. Her mother was a thrifty and saving woman, and gave her two housed and her furniture. Asked where she thought her mother was to live when she was turned out, witJ 11 ess suggested one of the trust booses, and what furniture she wanted she conl 4 buy. )1r. William", But your case i4 that she had no money. Witness 6aid she could save it out 01 her income from the trust property. Counsel suggested that it was after aj quarrel, and the mother had left witnasa- house, that these proceedings were oom-t menoed. Witness said no. Her mother had said she, would squander the estate and not leave her daughters a stone. Witness then asked Ivor Evans what they should do to safeguard their interests. Case adjourned. ■■ "■ <

MOTHER SENT TO PRISON Annie Leonard, 36, Orchard-street, waff at Swansea on Thursday summoned for neglecting her five children, aged from 12 to 3, in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering. Mr. Watkins prosecuted for th(t N.S.P.C.C. He said it was one of tha worst cases of wilful and gross neglect that had ever come under his notice. She not only neglected the children by leav- ing them alone in two rooms from o'clock on the evening of the 28th of January till 9 p.m. on the following- evening, but there was no food in tha room, which was nothing less than a ccss-pool. One child had gone to school without shoes and stockings, and with- out having anything to eat. Two chil- dren who remained in the house were given food by fellow lodger. Chairman: Is her husband alive? Mr. Watkins: Her husband is in the Navy, and sile receives a separation allowance of 26b. so that there ie no excuj&e of dlre poverty, but of wilful neglect- Inspector -I(InGs said he Adsited the house at mid-day. RP- found two chil- dren, both ill-clad, with no fire and no food. The mother was out. He gave evidence that bore out the statement of Mr. W«atkir»s as to the deplorable state of the house. On the flowing morning at 11.30, he found three children in the house. Defendant had gone to fofaeh her separation allowance. Ho called again on the following day, and raw her. She said she hç.d returned after dusk; obe had been with her rister, who lives at Cwmbwrrla. The officer remarked that this case had long been under super- vision, and lie had warned the woman. repeatedly- The Chairman told her they con- sidered it a very bad case. There was no excuse for the woman of not having means to providek for the children. She would have to go to prison for four months with hard labour.

A STRAY DOG. At Uando"ry, on Friday, D. J. Lewis* Glancrychan Farm, was charged with, being in possession of a stray dog, and not returning the same to its owner forth- with, or giving notice in writing to tha ^bief of police in tl)*, district where the dog was found and tlie place where it %vas being detained.—He was txtinttl to pay the costs.