Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

A LOVE TRAGEDY. A dramatic, love etory ending in the tragic death of a 19-year-old Cardiff girl, Winifred Ellen Fortt, was told before the coroner on Tuesday. It is alleged that on Christmas nights i young- Greek seaman named Benkentis, j who- had been paying attentions to the girl for some time past, stabbed her to death in the street in a fit of jealousy, alter demanding the return of his letters and a ring. As the girl was going off to fetch the letters, a companion said Benkentis walked behind her and struck her, as the wit- juess thought, with a' stick' The weapon ir??d,ueM in court, a Jong kmfe. not, unlike a butcher's knife, with a. wn: handle. A doctor's narrative to the court indi- cated with what fury she had been at- tacked. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the accused.

I FEWER TRAINS. I I The opening of the New Year will see I a great change in the train service throughout the country, for, without ex- ception, the number of trains run by the j various companies will be considerably re- duce-d, and in the case of the long distance i trains, which will iqlmain,, the time oc- cupied on the journey will be longer. Restaurant cars, sleeping cam-, and slip I carriages will cease running. In South Wales, the 8.45 a.m. from Pad- 'dington to Carmarthen, and the 5.3.5 p.m. from Swansea to Paddington, will be dis- continued, but a connection will be formed at Swindon -with the 9.0 a.m. from Pad- dington, by which passengers will be en- abl<,ù to reach Cardiff at 12.33 p.m. and Sv/ari.^ea at 2.10 p.m. In the opposite direction, a train will leave Swansea at J 5.15 p.m. and Cardiff at 7.0 p.m., in con-, nection at Swindon with the train due at Paddington at 10.35 p-iii. The through eervioe between Barry Docks, Cardiff .md Newcastle, disappears, and the 2.25 p.m. train from Cardiff to Crowe and Liverpool will be discontinued. Among the local alterations are the dis- continuance of the 1.0 p.m. train from Swansea to Carmarthen, and the 4.5 p.m. train from Carmarthen to Swansea. To [ meet the loss of the former, the train leaving Swansea at 11.55 a.m. will call at all stations between Landore and Carmar- then. The 6.10 p.m. Neath to Pyle and 1 Porthcawl will be discontinued, but a I compensating service will be given by the I new train which will leave Swansea at 5.15 p.m. While enumerating the main features of the alterations the public will be well advised to consult the time tables or make enquiries at the stations, as there are numerous alterations and earlier de- partures of trains.

BACKACHE CURED FREE. We will send a trial box of Baker's Backache Pellets free of charge to any reader of this paper on receipt of two stamps for postage and packing. Mrs. G. Marchall, 3. George^treet, Bajsall Heath, Birmingham, writes: "Two weeks ago I I sent for a trial box of Baker's Backache Pellets. After I had taken these I got a box from Boots' They are truly wonde-r- ful. My pains are all gone after twelve months 'torture. I shall recommend them to all who suffer." Baker's Backache, Pellets are a. postive ctire for Backache, i Lumbago. Sciatica, Rheumatism, Gravel, Dizziness, and all Kidnev Troubles. Get a box to-day from your chemist. Can now be obtained from all 555 Branches, Taylor's Drug Stores. etc- at Is. 3d. per box, or post free, in plain wrapper, direct from Baker's Medicine Co., 1. Southamp- ton Row, W.C.

SIR ALFRED MOND'S JOB. Sir Alfred Mond, M.P., and the Office of Works are busy just now (says the "Sun- I day Chronicle"). When a new Ministry such as the Ministry of Labour, or, say, a Luxury Suppression Board is created, or an existing Ministry wants more room, a all they have to do is to go round to I Storey's Gate and say: Mond, find me a building." The Office of Works then looks round and commandeers some ducal pslaco or II some big hotel and the people have to got nut.

? Q A NTT A ? ''?? xo?-p?i?o?oue. SANITAS DisinfMt&nt | Q A 'TT' A ? ?? F?ST?t and X JL does not ?tain Linen.  '-Fluids. r?-wd?M. SANITAS ?OB.pS. Interesting Pamphlet, Sent Free. The SANITAS" Co., Ltd., Limehouse, LONDON, E.

SHOTSMAN'S ERROR. How Tycroes Miner Received Fatal Injuries. An inquest was held a.t Swansea on Thursday on the body of Henry Davies (30), of Tysroes. Pantyffynon. who died at the Hospital as the resu-lt of injuries received at the Wernos Colliery, Panty- ffynon. David Darie«. brother, said he was work- ing with deceased when the accident hap- pnfd. They were charging the holes for the shoteman. Witness, at the shot**miui'a request, went to connect the cable to th* second ?hot. Tie iras assisted by hi" brother, and it was then that the accident happened. Witness, who had his ba.ck to the ahot. was struck on the back of the he«d. whilst his brother, who was a little nearer the Fhot, and was facing it. was injured about the face and body, and also had Itig arm broken. Witness explained that "hile they were at the shot, another man came iii). and Thomas, thinking it was witnes«, fired. In reply to Mr. Owen, H.M. Inspector of Mines, witness admitted it was wrong for him to coupIc the sh o-t. He did it be- cause the shotsmr-n was an old man. Tho shot was charged with twelve plugs of pamsonite. Dr. Thomas -aid deoeased had injuries to his arm. body and face. Witness attri- buted (it-nt,i to septic absorption follow- ing the inj uries. John Thomas, Ifemdre, the shoteman, was then called, and was intormed that he need not answer any question which, he might consider prejudicial or incri- minating. Witness admitted asking Dawes to couple the cable, and he also admitted it was wrong. He considered an aocident was impossible. He had given instruc- tiollB to the fireman to stop everybody coming up until the second shot was Sued. He also told deceesod not to come out of the rubbish hole until the shot wae fired. In reply to Mr. Owen, witness eaid 00 htd had a copy of the rules, but could not say he had read them all. He did not shout the customary warning against al- lowing colliers to fix the cable. Mr. Owen: They are always warning you about it?—Yes, sir. The Coroner, in summing up, aaid Thomas had no authority to geod Daviea down to couple, but it was an arrange- ment between themselves. If he had gona down himself he would have seen tàe other men. It was for the jary to decide whether there was neglect of duty, and whether the neglect amounted to criminal neglect. The jury, after retiring, found that Thomas had been guilty of neglect, but not sufficient to incriminate him. and re- turned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The Coroner ec-verety Mqyrtactnded the ehoteman, John Tlioraae, who. he eaid, was very much to blame. He looped this would be a lesson to him.

TO DEAF PEOPLE. RRENCH ORLFNE" absolutely cored Deafnes3 and Noices in the Head, no mat- ter how severe or long-standing the caee may be. Hundreds of persons whose cases were supposed to be incurable have been permanently cured by this New Remedy. This Wonderful Preparation goes direct to the actual seat of the trouble. and One Box is ample to effectually cure any ordin- ary case. mrF. Rowe, of Portland-creecent, Leeds, says: The Orlene' has completely cared m", afier twelve years' suffering." Many -Y ft 'Dod reports. Z(9. d Try one Box to-day. It only ooets 2/9, and there is nothing better &t &ny price. ?ddreaf: "ORM:NE. e'o 10, SOUTH, VIEW. M"i\7XI.NG-ST.. DAKTFORD, Kent.

A plaque of the borough ooat-of-arms ia to be placed over a -toke Newington cot in, a Petrograd hospital. The Rev. r. R. H. H. Noyes, D.D., for ten years rector of Dunnington, York, died on Tuesday, aged 77. In London last week 98 people died front influenza, against 86. 81, anA 65 for (ke previous tfajee weelsg.

CLORIOUS WELSH. BRITISH CEBiBM'S WARM TRIBUTE. Interviewed in London, where he is at present on leave from the Western Front, a distinguished British general paid a rami tribute to the work of the Welsh jegiments on the Somme and the Ancre. tie aid: The Welsh regiments have won glori- ous honours during the last few months. CJiey have been to the fore in all the karciest fighting, and they have always acquitted themselves in a way that has Hon the admiration of our own conimand- 11-6, the warm-hearted praise of the French jommand, and the grudging tribute of the jinemy. On one occasion the Royal Welsh Fusiliers carried by assault a position ihat has defied all previous attempts, and was deemed impregnable by both cides. In- leed our only object in attacking was to treate a diversion while the real attack was being developed elsewhere. The Welshmen came under an absolutely fien- iisli lire. Three times they were forced back by the ordeal they had to undergo. At the fourth time they perseve red in spite of all they had to face, and won their way into the position. There they had to meet re- had to meet re?- peated attacks of the enemy delivered with great fury, but they held on tenaciously fcnd gradually gained such a hold on the whole of the position that the enemy were forced to retreat in spite of greatly luperior numbers. After the Germans .were forced out the Welsh had to go through a night of unspeakable terror. The position wn« deluged under a rain of shell fire all through the night, and at dawn fresh German attacks were delivered in wavos by picked troops brought up for the purpose. The glorious Welsh held on like grim death, repulsing each attack, and so they held on until relief came. Among the prisoners captured was a Ger- man brigadier who had spent- a lot of time in England and had some knowledge of the Welaii miners. When he was told that it was men from the Welsh mining districts who had captured the impreg- nable }K>f;ition. he exclaimed: Ah! that explains it. You had a regiment of Lloyd fcreorgee.

ONE MASS OF POISONED SORES. Another Grand Zam-Buk Cure. Another instance of thoe danger that can arise from a simple scratch was reveaJed in a startling way to a Belfast Witness reporter, as lie chatted with Mrs. M. Holler, at 24, Alloa-street, Clifton Park- avenue, Belfast. My boy, Herman. was playing in the street," said Mrs. Hofier, when he fell and cut his right knee on an old tin. 1 thought it was only a scratch,* so didn't bother much. But the jilaco festered, and a little blister came. When this burst, an angry sore broke out and got bigger and bigger. Some ointment I had in the house failed to check the outbreak. The sore spread so that we went with the little suffercr to the doctor, who said it was a case of blood-poison. He gave a lotion for it, but more sores broke out on the buy's body, head, and face. I could not tell you how much I spent on oint- ments and lotions, but nothing had any good effect. In a newspaper I read about Zam-Buk, and sent to the chemist for a box, though I well nigh despaired of a cure. After bathing the places with warm water, I spread Zam-Buk on lint, witli which I covered every sore. Herman was simply one mass of them, but from the first ap- plication of Zam-Buk lie felt better. I ("ould see that Zam-Buk was soothing end cleansing the sores. The poisonous discharge was drawn out, the irritation allayed, and the inflammation reduced. Keeping up the Zam-Buk applications every day, I noticed steady improvement. The child was not so restless and fretful. He did not toss about or cry so much. His skin looked healthier. The sores died away, and no more came. Surprising though it may seem, every bad place was quickly healed, and Herman soon returned to school well and happy." Dressing cuts and bruises with Zam-Buk will save Mother a lot of worry and frouble afterwards, because Zam-Buk is I such a soothing and viiick heeler. It's jrj-t as good, too, for itchy spots, and soon gets rid of ringworm, eczema, and scalp sores. Zam-Buk is really the most wonder- ful skin remedy ever discovered.

BETTWS EISTEDDFOD. I A successful eisteddfod was held at Siloam Chapel, Bettws. All the items; were well contested. The chairman was; Mr. T. M. Evans, M.A., who also adjudi-J cated upon the literature and recitations; t,uiJ the music adjudicator was Mr. Roland J. Hughes, F.T.S.C., Glanamman. Miss! Mary Morgans, of the Bettws Council School, was also adjudicator in the mis- cellaneous section. The proceedings wero conducted hy Mr. Abel Morgan, and the accompanist was Miss Ceinwen Williams, lkttw. Secretarial duties were car-ricd, out by Mr. J. J. Thomas, and the trea-I eurer was Mr. E. Boweu. Awards:— i Recitation, (under 10): ], Alice Rees, | Bettws; 2, flecima Morgan. Llandebie. Pencil sketch Gwilyui Roes, Bettws. II Solo (under 10); 1, W. Isaac Lloyd, Glanamman; Decima Morgan. Pianoforte solo: Hannah Davies, Bettws Recitation (under 14): 1. Lottie IteeSl Penybank; 2. divided between Selina Cook, Garnant, and Ceinwen Jonee, Glan- aiuruan. Reading music at first sight; Mary Mor- gan, Bettws. Standi: Bryn Edwards, Pencoed. Solo for novices: J. Griffiths, Gamanrt. Solo (under 14); 1, Idris P. Lloyd. Glan- amn-taii; 2, Decima Morgan. Essay: Abel Morgan. Music test (open); A. H. Davies, Bettws. Impromptu speech: D. Williams, Glan- amman. Solo (under 16): M. Lena Thomas, Bettws. Champion solo: Divided between Ben Jones, Velindre, and Caaeie Reeg, Peny- bank. Beet story: Abel Morgan. Chief recitation: Isaac Evans, Velin- dre. Quartette: Llandebie party, led by Mr Griffiths

A REMBRANDT DISCOVERED. A Rembrandt, dat»d 1634, has been dis- covered in I/ondon. It is believed to be worth £ 1(^W. It forms part ot the valuable collection of M. Kann, who 'M?ht it in Paris about. 30 years ag". R?cen?y an art expert AAW I it. and advieed M. Kami to have it ,leaned. and wh<u? this was done the picture—a portrait of a cavalier of the period—ap- j peared as clearly limned as on the day it was painted. | Other experts have endorsed the opinion j of Mr. )hmip" that the picture is a genuine Rembrandt. On the left hand of I the canvas the signature of the famous Dutch artist is clearly discernible and j also the date. (

MARY IN WAR TIME. ) The following war-time version of a aursery rhyme is from the Pkm?pr," of I. ^.Hahabad:— Man had a little lamb Worth one-and-three a pound. And Mary knew a butcher man., To whom she took it round. W.? Mary sorry for her pet, j You a?k. did M?iy wp? J Not s b<?: it w.?K her one regre t I had noi £ ot a abeoa*

AMMANFORD PIT FATALITY. The county coroner (Mr. J. W Nicholas), conducted an inquiry at Am- manford on Monday afternoon concerning the death of John Griffiths (21), under- ground haulier, who sustained an accident at the Tirydail Colliery, and expired while being conveyed home. His father, who gave evidence of identification, is a soldier stationed at Liv<T)Mol, and there is abio a broUter with the forces. A fellow haulier named Llew. Ueweiyn, said he heard the de<??sed. in bringmg a loaded tram down the slope, shouting Whoa to the horse. At the bottom he said: H Lkw, Llew," and fell in front; of the tram, with his foot fast under the corner. Witness lifted up the tram, and the deceased drew his foot out. He had no theory as to how the accident hap- pened. His view was that the deceased omitted to sprag the tram," and came down in front to assist the nmse. It might also be that the horee started at the top of the slope, before he had a chance to pin the sprags. A verdict was returned of death from internal injuries caused by being caught by a loiuled tram.

UNDER 300 TONS OF ROOF. Three hundred tons of roof fell at Leigh (Lancashire) Pit on Friday, caus- ing the death of a colliery fireman, named Jowph Cunnah. The fall occurred with- ont warning, and completely buried Cunnah and partially buried another man. Twenty men worked continuously for twelve hours to remove the debris, and during the first two hours Cunnah was heard talking, but, was dead when recovered.

B "———— THE HOST ————— A ] PERFECT PAINT [ Experience can make or 6jM money can buy, is the H CAMBRIAN BRAND tj: Ba (tit Guaranteed Materials) H J IN 64 RICH STRONG COLOURS. T |T Ask your Ironmonger, or t Decorator to show you < ) the "Cambrian" Paint I | j<. j Tint Card. I i Jj) See that the name B IC AMBRIAN BRAND is ■ Ft on the tin, and ensure absolute satisfaction. MAIWI!&c:TmtU BT 1 ? JAMES RU?lN BRISTOL | ? ??' ?? d? "W ?N? '? "I

I TINPLATE TRADE I WHAT ABOUT NEW PROCESSES ? (By a Correspondent). Ominous clouds once again gather on the horizon of the tinplate trade. Let U6 hope they do not toreshadow very dark days, such, for instance, as those imme- the passill, of the Me- diately following the passing of the Mc- Kinley Tariff Bill. But we are by no means certain that this will not be the case, since a eimilar cause is now in operation, only brought about by different factors. We expected those lean years, and we knew they would bring much pri- vation and 6uffering; yet we could not, ordinarily speaking, escape them, for they represented an inevitable stage in industrial evolution, namely, the making by America of all the tinplates we had up iill then supplied her with, which amounted, off and on, to fully two-thirds of the British production. This was an untold loss to Wales, and it took Yea; and endless effort to recover that lost ground, which, however, wo eventually did by opening up other mar- kets. But now we are confronted by quite a I different problem—one, indeed, that in- volves the principle of the surd.al of the fittest—which surely should not be found so difficult of solution, seeing that before the evil days alluded to Britain enjoyed practically a monopoly of this trade for upwards of a hundred years. Truly then we should have learned something of tin- plate making in that time! Nevertheless, it is a too well-known Yact that we were I rapidly losing our Canadian and Ea-stern customers before the war beg-an. Why? Because America can produce at less cost and so undersell us. A cum? in which Jack has left his master behind him. This state of things can only be attributed to their improved system or manufacture—there is not the lea"t I doubt about this—yet to-day there are many prominent makers bemoaning the circumstances, but still going on as oblivious of the remedy as ever. The long period in which they had the business to themselves appear. to have unnerved them for competition with their former best customers. But the lion must he bearded in his den, or Wales will soon know itl What has been done about those papers that were read before the South Wales Institute of Engineers at Swansea nearly two years togo ? We have never heard of any attempt in this country to practically teet the processes they described. There must certainly have been some good ideas elicited there, or the system of our learned societies is nothing but a farce, since this Institute comprises well over 700 members and represents all departments of learning bearing upon tinplatc manufacture; and the money prizes offered were enough to tempt any of them. We wonder what would tempt the manufacturers to move!

SOME ECCENTRICS. I At the Swansea Public Library on Sat- urday evening, Mr. F. S. Price, who kindly took the place of Pte. E. Roland Wil- Tiams, M.A., of the R.A.M.C., who was unable to obtain leave, delivered a most entertaining lecture on Some Carrnar- thenshirfe Eccentrics," Councillor David Griffiths presiding over a good attendance. In his opening remarks, Mr. Price spoke of the great influence for good of some of the old preachers of Wales on their generation, and who in the past brought a civihaing inHuence to bear on the minds and characters of their people, saving the nation from many of the evils of those d&ys. Speaking in eulogy o£ Carmarthen- shire men. Mr. Price ?id many cf them ?U occupied, and many stiU occupied, prominent and influential positions in I Swansea—the Revs. Pryddercli, Sinclair Evans, Price, Rogers, Pry-e Williams, and Ald. Ben Jones and the present Mayor of Swansea, to mention a few. Carmarthen- shire was also the first county to fiend a oreache.fi straight from tho pulpdt to Par- liament. Mr. Price then aonfinod himself to speaking of two of hese old preachers, the one self-taught, the other college trained -Da,"id Davies, Ehydcymnrau. and Kilsby Jones, of IJanwrtyd Wells. The first was a lay preacher for 40 years and was only ordained when 60 years of ipe. Many tales were told of these two men, whose influence on the religions life of Wales was for good, and who dad much to raise the tone of their times. They were both shown to be original and eccentric, for, said Mr. Pricc, to be original as these two men were. is to be called eccentric by those who could not be ordinal.

SEA LION'S REVOLT. A message f-rom Budapest, published in the New York that the only remaining sea lion in the Dresden Zoological Gardens successfully rebelled recently against. Germaji war condi-tiona. The sea lion, like every one else in Ger- many, was on short rations. Apparently he was so disgusted by the cutting down of ixIE, usual three square meals of fish a day that he escaped from his pond and flopped his way across country to Carola Pond, half a mile away. A fishmonger leataes Carola Pond, and in it raises carp for the market; but he has not been to market for several days for the see lion did not leave evwn a baby carp. The sea lion has been caught and re- turned to his own pond, and a guard placed to see thnt he does not go diniig] out again. The fishmonger is suing the zoo for .£50 damages.

WON ON POINTS. II At the Okl League Hall, Maesteg, on Saturday night the chief contest was a 15- round bout between Nobby Norman (Pontypridd), and Jack Johns CGlyn- corrwg). It was a keen contest, but Nor- man proved to. bo, the better boxer and won on points.

I WHAT OF 19171 ALLIES' PROSPECTS IN THE NEW YEAR What of 1917 ? How will it fare with the Allies in the New Ywaij-.1 The signs are PI-OPritioiis. The German peace proposals are, as it were, a flag of distress We can- not deal with the enemy until his spirit is further broken: and all the military experts predict that it will be the work of 1917 to reduce him to impotence. lr. Hillaire Belloc, in "-t,a nd and Water," says that the Alliance has elabo- rated, particularly in the West, a new tac- tical method which will win the war. It reached its perfection. It was almost created this summer. We saw it rapidly increasing in value upon the Somme as the summer proceeded. Its characteristic is the infliction by a local offensive of greater looses upon the defence by far than the offensive suffers. We saw it gradually coming into play as the Somme operations proceeded. It was triumphant at Beaumont Hamel. We saw it in the two heavy blows which have disengaged the Verdun sector. Douaumont and Poivre Hill the other day. The mere prisoners taken in these new blows exceeded the total casualties suffered in the delivering of them. But what was the moral foundation of that new -tacticr Jt:, moral looundation was the fact that the Alliance was a combination of talent, method and ex- perience. The new method is not the product of one national tradition or of one Staff. The English as the French experience of air-work, the Italian as well, combined judgments upon the new use of artillery and upon new infantry methods arrived at this conclusion. Further, not only this, but any method thus developed by combined action, spreads at once throughout the whole of the Alliance. Something done in Picardy is repeated beyond the Isonzo; a method of traction, which we owe to the genius of the Italians, supports a concentration of material upon say, some sector in I ranee. The Italian field gun itself is but an improved 75, and down to the mechanical details of construction this creative power of combination between separate people! each with their indi- vidual traditions is continuously at work. The enemy has none of this. Every- thing he does is Prussian. There has been nothing fundamentally new since the Aisne. No one can perceive any- thing Austrian, still less anything Bul- garian or Turkish in the Rumanian affair. It is the old recipe: When you are certain that you have heavier artil- lery and better munitionment for it, blast your way forward, attempt to envelop and fail. When you have no such superi- ority, try to blast your way forward and fail even at that. Why are we now able to assume supe- riority in munitionment over the Central Empires Bc-oause we have a superiority of man-power available. Why are our difficult, necessarily irregular but success- ful efforts at muntioning the East worth while and bound to bear fruit ? Because we know that we are there equipping and providing with missiles a vast human reserve. Why can Italy consistently main- tain undisturbed her pressure upon the Alpine and Istriall front and make certain of indefinitely occupying at least 25 to 30 Austrian (iivisions-and exhausting them Because Austria has already begun call- ing up Class 1919, while Italy still holds a human "mass of manoeuvre" in hand, greater than everything in the Austrian depots or in sdght for Austria during the coming year. It is this superiority which mans the ships, mines the coal, still ex- ports and therefore feeds and clothes, which iSjturning out heavy artillery now at a rate I know not how far superior but increasingly superior to the enemy's rate, and which gives, to anyone who will onlv see things as they are, a complete confi- dence for the future. It is effectives, and effectives alone that have moved the enemy to all his expe- dients during the last few months. It is to that we owe such political moves as the celebration of a great victory upon the Somme—in which he lost nigre Ithai) ,he lost at Verduh, almost, as much as Austria lost to Bru«ailoff, and increasingly more than he compelled his opponent to loose. It is to this we owe the exaggera- tion of the Rumanian loss, and the pre- tence that a front extended by some two hundred miles is a gain. It is to this we owe the desperate efforts to obtain the intervention of neutrals. D," the military writer of the West- minster Gazette," says that when, not- withstanding the indecisive character of I their Russian and Balkan operations, the Germans hurled themselves upon Verdun, in the hope of meeting by anticipation the material advancement of the Western Allies, they had again to encounter that mastery of the art of war which at the outset had offset their heavier masses. Baffling in defence or in retreat, doadlv in attack, this unseizable and incalculable element of superiority in skill has doomed all their efforts to sterility. It is the same element, and mutual confidence in each other's ideas and methods, which in the strictly military sense holds, and has held, the Allies firmly together. In the face of it the German efforte to anticipate or to arrest our advance in em- bodiment and in equipment have been vain, and since this superiority and the mutual confidence born of it have been established by cont-lusive test of battle, vain those efforts must continue to be. No etalvation for Germany lies that way. The combination of the two elements of pre- ponderance on the same side may have Sfemed of too gradual growth. That, however, has been the fault of politicians, not the fault of eoldiers. MO necessity of material preparation during the war has alone lengthened the conflict. Had we been prepared as the Germans were pre- pared, the combination would have been disclosed in the firet clash of arms. And the war would have been short, becausa Germany's defeat would have been swift. Materially we have had to fight in an up- hill battle. All through the events of the past year, however, the combination in our favour has been more and more clearly taking shape. To-day it is the phe- nomenon that overshadows every other. Of course it is the real reason at the back of the German Government's anxiety for am immediate meeting of the delegates of the belligerent States."

INVALID CHAIR COLLISION. While Charles Levens. a Crimean veter- an, aged 85, was out in his hand-propelled chair at Kingston-on-Thames, he was dashed into by a runaway horse and so badly injured that he died in hospital. He had previously met with three acci- dents when out with his chair. Levens whn in the Crimea frequently acted M orderly to Florence Nightingale. 

(L It is the ta8jiMLtUt<j? ?, <? olive oil in PURITAN I SOAP which g saves the | clothes.

I POULTRY AND PIGEONS. I SUCCESSFUL EX;.iliiilUH AT LLAtiELLY ^Notwithstanding the difficulties in rail- way transit me annual snow under uie j ai.siaces oi tHe juianeiiy and vistrict l'OU." 1 try and Pigeon at me market Hall, on 'iuesna.v, was a complete :31l<X-c, itic number 01 entries as NIeiL as the quality of th, exnibIt., exceeding, unuer tne r-o- normal conditions prevailing, all expecta- tions. 'l'nei-e were 7b classes, whicu at. tr<acted over tOO entries. A number oi cups topfcuier with special prises, were offered, and m many instances the quality of the birds was such tnat tne judE?s experienced duiicuity in making their awards Tne petus had been admirably arranged, thanks the energy and ioresight of the hou secretary, jttr. D. Grilhttis, Roeemouni liciise, who has gained invaluable expe- ritnce in organising sucn an exhibition, in nis elioi tsi ne was fcbly assisted by a band oi' willing helpers, 1'he Tuages ?erc:— Poultry and rabbits, Mr Alexander Frew, i Bridgeiid, and Air. 11 Bowker, Nai-itivich; Welsh Alinorca club show classes, Mr. R. Wilson, Byneci; pigeons. Mr. T. Morris, Port Talbot; egg classes. Lady flow?.#, and cage birds, Mr. Gomer Thomas, uro. ecnd. Tha officers werePresident. Lady Howard; ciiuii iua/i 01 ou-uimii:w. -1.. ♦» ill, u.i— IHJ-; vice-chairman. Mr. D Davies; show mana- g-i*, Air. W. Jenkins; treasurer, Mr. H. S toper; hon. auctioneer, jir. A. K. Oibaon; ho I secretary, Mr. Dd. Griffiths, Bosemount I-Icitse; aceislant secretaries, Misses .M. and b, tirimins. Appended is a lifolt of the chief awards I POULTKY. Game, black red. cock, modern: l, 2, and vo specials and cap, irilfiths Brot., Bisj-u-road, Llanelly; 4, J. Siveli, ixa-ntgare- dl. I cofime. blac.'j red, any other colour: 2. J. iYell 3 and 4. Griffiths Bros; extra 4th, E. C. Lewis. Ammanford. Game, any otner colour, cock or heD, modern: 1, 5. and 4, linllithsl)r08.; 2, T. J. iiavies, Abererave. U"id iiingueft spangle, cock or hen. 1. Tom Grilliths ilat-igedueeh. 3, P. Pendry, FerD. dale; 4, A. JJaJtiei, Penyfao, lierieiii. Vlli Lns:iis>n, any other colour, COCK 1 and 2. Macon and Edwards, in-antyinoel. 3, Koberts Bros.. Pantyilyccrh; 4. P. Pendry. Old fSnglieJti, any other oolour, hen: i, Mason aud t.;d wards; ,)..i;). Pendry; 4, John liKiinas, Cross Hinds Indian or Malay, cock: 1. D. Jenkins, New Dock-road, L-laneiiy; 2, D J. Morris. Am-, manford; 3. W. Phillips, Felinfoel. Indian or Malay, hen: 1, Edwards and Davies, L-landilo; 2, T. Emanuel. Five Boads; 3 and 4, S. R. Jenkins, Peuarth Anooiia, cock: 1. D. Thomas, Gftrnant; 2. W. Phillips, Abererave; 3. A. T. Weatherley. Aricona, hen: 1. A. T. Weatherley; 2k Lewis and Lewis. Carmarthen; 3, J. Saun- acre; 4, W. Phiiiips, Abererave Campine, cock or hen: 2 &Dd 3. 1). J. Jones. Quarry Lodge, near Llandiio; 4. T. Bowen, Llandovery. Bock, any variety, cock: 1. Geo. T-Plighe-1, Pontardulais; 2. W. Llewelyn. Lower Bryn- aminan; :>. Mrs. J. Walters, Pontyeates; 4. J. Parker. Llansamlet. Bock, any variety, hen: 1, J'. Greenfield and Son. Abergwili; 2, W. J. Llewelyn. Lower Brynamman; 3. J. 11. Reee. Pwll; 4. Gi o Hughea. Sussex, any variety, cock'or hen: 1 axid 4, Jno. Griffiths, Cwmllynfeil: 3, Staces Bros., Ganton, Cardiff. Rhode isiand, red. cock: 1. D. Jones, Pen cader; 2, Jas. Thomas, Station-road. Uan- elly; 3, li. Jones, Loughor; 4. Miss E. M. itugnes, Ammanford. Khode Island, red, hen; 1 G. Lewie, God- re'reraisr: 2, Misses V. and T. Majisel Let. is. .-rtradey Castle. Llanelly; 3, C. ll. Wil- llianis. |' Leghorn, white, cock: 2, R. Jenkins, Felin- foel; 3, George Bros- Port Talbot; 4. W. Picese and Sor. Sicilian Buttercups, cock or hen: 1 and 2. Misses V. and T. Mansel Lewis; 3. Jas, L. Davies, Narbcrth. Leghorn, white hen: 1 and special, T. Sherlock, Glei-crina-ETreet. Llanelly; 2. T. J. Davies, Abererave; 3. J. Voysey. Port Talbot. Leghorn, any other colour: 2 and 4, J. Priipott, Felinfoel; 3, Gomer Perry. Dill- wyn-street. llanelly; extra 4. T. Dennis. Gorseinon. Orpington, buff, cock: 1. Ford and Slater Slretty E. C. Lewis, Ammanford; 3, ?m. sl?etty; ?. Trinity-road, Llanejly. Orpington, buff, hen: 2, ti..Sweetland. Mariile Hall-road. Llanelly; 3, Stacev Bros, Orpington, black, cock: 1, Dl. Bees, Pen- cader; 2. Gomer Thomas; 3b Rees Jones, Llanybyther. Oipin.Tton. black, hen: 1, Dl. Rees; 2. F. Swindell; 3. R. H. McGregor. Loughborough. Wyandotte, white, cock: 1. Griffiths and Richards. iandore: W. and H. Evans. Burr-yport; 3. Bees Bros.; 4. D. H. Davies, Brynamman. Wyandotte, white, hen: 1. Beea Bros: 2. W. and H. Evans: 3. D. Price "and Hon. Ystiadsj nlais; 4. Lewis and Jone6, Landore Wyandotte, any other oolour, cook or hen: 1. J. 11 Jones, Golden ordve- Z. W. W Thomas. Brynhylryd, Swansea; 3. J. Bos- hie,. Penclawdd; 4. Geo. Hitrcombe. Dinas. Jjfcngsnau, any variety 1. Dr. H. Thomas Ev,arsea; 3, Tom Griffiths; 4. Stacey Bros. A.O. V.. not mentioned: 1. T. Stnnett; 3. T, J. Davies: 4, Edwards and Davies. WELbH MINORCA CLUB SHOW CLASSES. Minorca, cock or hen: 1 and special, W. Duieon, Blaina; 2, L. J. Evans; 3, D. Grif- fith =» Minorca, cockerel: 1. cup. and special: F. Veale, Neath: 2. T. J. Davies, Abercrave; 3. J. E. Napper, Dinas; 4. J. Llewelyn. Minorca, pullet: 1. cup. and special, Geo. Cleaves. Abersychan; 2. W. Dulson; 3 T. J. Davies. Selling Minorca; 1. F. Veale; 2, D. Grif- fiths: 3. J. L. Evans. LOCAL CLASSES. Wyandotte, white: 1. J. Tnomas, Rolling Mill inn. Llanelly: Z. T. Perrott; i and 4 R. and W. J. Lloyd. Orpington: 1, W. Jenkins. St. Paul s, Llan. elly 3. A. Daniel; 4. Jenkins and Thomas. Leghorn, cock or nen: 1. R. Thomas. Beaufort Arms, Llanelly: 2. T. Sherlock. Gle,.ering-stroct, Llanelly; 3. J. Williams, Gaer-elms, Uanelly. 4, J. Philpott. AOV. not mentioned: 1, J. Beynon, Pwll- 2, Brinley Jones: 3. Jenkins and Thomas. Bynea; 4. Sam Franks. Furnace. Llanelly. or ben: I Atembars.—Hard feather, cock or hen: 1 and 4. Griffiths Bros., Bigyn-road, Llanelly, 2 A. Daniel. Penyfan. Llanelly; 3, John Williams. Caer-elme. Lianelfy. Member?.—Soft feather: 3. H. Sweetland. Marble Hall-road, laanelly. 4. R. and W. J. Lloyd, Trimsaran. BABBITS (OPEl-ij. Dutch, any colour: 2. J. Itex. Gorseinon; 3 W. Sulumerteld, Swansea; t, Jno. Davies. Cae-terrace, Llanelly. English: 4. b. L.N"rnes. Aelybryn, Llan elly. Any other variety: 2. J. Rex; 3, W. Ben- nott. Llangennech. BAMTAMS (OPEN). Old English spangle, cook 1 and 2. Mason and Edwards; 3, Win. Thomae, Caerau; 4. W. Payne. Old Knglieh spangle, hen: 1, cup, and 3. Mason and Edwards; 2. J. Peirett, Miskin. 4. R. H. Sampson, J.P., Pontardulais. 'Old English, black red. cock: 1 and special, W. Thomas; 2 and 3, Mason and F,dw,-i6rds. util isnglish. wheaten, hen: 1. 3. and 4. Meson and Edwards; 2. W. Thomas. Old English, any other colour: l Mason and Fdwo-rde; 2. Bichards and Bradley, Ferndale; 3. J. J. Pritchard. Ynysybwl; 4. E C. Lewis, Ammanford licderil game, any variety, cock,. 2, I | SDecial. ?Q? ?tra 4. Geo_ Mcsser, ?mston: J E?ns, Fforestfach; 4. J. Williams. J^' M<^ie^n 6&me. any .a.nety. hn: 2, Geo. Mp?? er3 mss J. Thomas, (Iar&ff; 4. D E. Owen, Yny?bwl; extra 4. W. H. Si?U. ???b?bK?k or?whi?: 1, D. V?h?n. Llandebie; 3. D. J. Davies: 4. Tom DaviM Llwvnhendv ?'O??t feather: 1 .nd 4. I?dy How. ard 14?nelly, 2, B. Clarke, C&r?or?h: 4 W. W. Marshall. Barry .k Irfv-al bantam, any variety: j, special, and 3 Lady Howard; Z, Tojji Daviee; 4. Albert ana llobert George. Capei lwaf, iilanelly. PIGEONS. Wnrkine homer. cock: 1. D. J. Morelv Port Tulbot 2, W B Edwarde. Gorseinon- 3, Iohn IUrris. Port Talbot; 4. G. Williams IRritonferry- Working homer, hen: 2. G. Williams; 3. W B. Fdward*; 4. D. J. Morelv Working homer, tred 1915: 1. D. J. Morely 2. J Harries; 5. 0 Genuine Hying i-omo.r, 1. 2. aad 3- T. Thomas. Godre rgruig; 4. W. B. Edwarùa Genuine flving hemer. hen: 1, 2, and .V T. Thomas; 4. D. J. Morely. Flying tippler, cock: 1. 2. and i. G,i' Tjpwis Oxen-stj^t, UanellT. VlvinfT tippler, hen: 1. H L. Davies, Roh. ir.son-srreet, IJanelly: 2. Evans and Ed- wards; 3, R. L. ^? vififi. FantaiJ or Jacobin: 3. P. J: Martin, New T?'rt 4. W T. Looker. Gcrseinon ??V 1. E. P. Elliott. M?estet: 2. n. ;'am. Abe:rywvth: 3. D?vies and Phil lip. .tamea Felinfoe?? CLASSES. Working homer: 1. O. Hughes; 2. E. T Fvans; 3. Evans and Edwards: 4. H. Wj) divine tippler or tumbler: j. E. George C'1 !11 Isi-af. Llanelly; 2 and 4, Davies "and Phillins; 3. R. L- Davies. Bobinson-street Llanelly GTFT CLASHES. Fowl, nure or cross-bred: J. Dd. Vauehan, IJnrdobie: 1,TeIlkl}1., and Thomas; 3. Ha Jerkins. Felinfoel; 4. CorpI. T. Griffiths, Bosemount Honsc. Llnnellv FGG CLASSES. Six -97-q (white); 1, Dl. Rees: 2, Miss T). M Wilson: 3. J. L. Davies. Karberth: 4. T W^lliam«. eegs thrown"i: E. L. Barnes; 2. T. I Williams: 3. qp-n cranks: 5. D. Griffiths CAGE BJ'RDS iOPE?T>. Yorkshire": L 2. and 3: J. Owen Bryn- terrace. Llanelly. Korwi?h: ? ^nd 3. Lewis. Pemberton- ??r?et. Hane?y: 3, W I'dwi"], f "d "-v- Border fa-tMy: 1 S. a? e?d <, E. Morgan i

I..  Women I Ought Not to have I Backache, w, Dizziness, t Nervousness, and Lassitude. Pidll" teII5 ø 5to" More often than not the can^ej  is uric ?'?- upsetting the py-tem I as a result of kidney weakness, These symptoms are Nature's warning to women that serious kidney breakdown I may follow if worry and overwork are persisted in. Common Sense Treatment.—R<?t and relaxation, plenty of fresh air, plenty 01 milt and nicnty of water, together with the special kidney help Doan's Pills can give you. Doan's Pills help to cure "even ad- vanced kidney symptoms such as: I Rheumatism, Lumbago, Stone, Sciatica, Gravel, Inflamed Bladder, Dropsy. and other uric-acid and blood diseases, Doan's Pills 40 not affect the boweLs. Swansea people, week by week, explain how Doan's Pills have relieved them of j kidney complaints, and the evidence of a neighbour is something to rely on. Send for Free Book on "Moderation, Cheer. I fulness, and Other Long Life Laws." A NEIGHBOUR'S ADVICE. On March 3rd, 1915, Mrs. E. Spearman, of 7, Brynmelyn-street, wanaea. said:— I n>cd to suffer dreadfully at one time witli pains across my back. After bend- ing 1 could hardly stand upright. I had severe headaches-, too, and was dizzy, and there was disorder in the urinary sys- tem. It was very evident that my kid- neys were not well, so I started with Doan's backache kidney pills. H This v.'a" on the rtvximmcndatior of a friend in the country. I had tried no end of things, but these pills were the best, for after I had used two or three boxes all th«i pains had left me and I was cured. Whenever I have had anv sign of the complaint since. I have used i>>an's pills. They have quickly put me right.-(igrled) E. Spearman." On March ht. JI)H).-twelve months later-irl3. Spearman said :—" I am glad to say J have kept quite Iroe of the com- plaint sinff Doan's pills cured me some time He sure you ask for DOAN'S, and Cet DOAN'S—tha Pills Mrs. Spearman had. Ml ???.or?'9a6oT./roMtyM?r-3fcC?Hatt Co., ?. ?'e:?St.,0?/j?St..L<?<to<t.?'.  m  MAN'S Backache Kidney,s I

I THE MABINOGION. I Interesting New Year Gather- l ing at Swansea. I ihe Mabmogion of Swansea held a j inew Year's -at-herin-- at the Gro6v.E?.")", Hotel, Swansea, on Tuesday evening. Mr. J. Rhys Phillips presided, and amongst those present were Rev. R. S. Rogers (Capel Gomer), D. Caron Rees and J. Aubrey (Killay), ) Ald. John Jordan, Councillor John Lewis, and Messrs. Wui Davies (sch.xdmaster), Morlais Samuel, I Meurig Edwards, W. Llewelyn, T. S. Price, Talnant Llewelyn, Thos. Evans (Morriston), J. E. Jones (Dillwvn), W.1 R. Jones (Landore), and J. D. Williams. The dinner was capitally served, and afterwards Mr. Rhy* Phillips gave an in- teresting speech in which he referred to the activities of the Mabinogion and the manner in which its example had been taken 4ip in many other centres in Wales The Society was trying to do* what was in its power in an unambitious way, and many evidences had been afforded that it I WM rousing the interest of people who had the welfare of their country at heart, The bard contributed "Englynioh," and subsequent, speakers included Councillor I John fev-ig (chairman of the Cymro- dorion), who spoke appreciatively of the I work of the Society, and then went on to urge that greater efforts should be made to bring Welsh literature before the eyes of the world. At present the glories of Welsh laterature were closed to the out- sider. Councillor Lewis pleaded that one of the ways in which they might com- memorate the appointment of Mr. Lloyd George to the Premiership was by estab- lishing a chair of literature in connec- tion with the WeNh L'niverify. That might be one of the means by which their great books could be brought before the notice of the people across the dyke. Mr Lewis concluded by saying that the other day tlil- Rev. R. S. Rogers, of Capel Gomer, delivered a Welsh lecture which he had no hesitation in saying was ono of the most brilliant ever delivered if Wales. Had it had a wider audience it would have brought him fame. Ald. John Jordan made an interesting speech, and the Rev. R. S. Roper* spoke on the need of doing all they could not only to preserve the language, but to increase its use. An interesting event of the erening'a programme was the reading of a paper bj Talnant relating to the life and times of Dafydd Davies, the famous minister of Ebenexer, whose centenary falls about this time. The gathering agreed, on the motion of Mr. Morlais Samuel, seconded by Rev. R. S. Rogers, to send letters of congratula- tion to Mr. Lloyd George ae the first Welsh-speaking Premier, to Lord Rhon- dda, and Sir Alfred Mond. Mr. Rogers said that Sir Alfred Mond, it seemed to him. was endeavouring to do more for Wales than all the Welsh members. A letter of apology was read from Mr. L. J. Roberts (Inspector of Schools), who failed to attend owing to pressure of duties.

GIRLS SING AT A FIRE. I Coolness shown by 180 workgirls em- ployecl at Messrs. Zl.r v. Be!- vedere-road, Lambeth, prevenceu a iinic during a fire on the premiss on Tuesday. When the outbrea k became known the girls on -bb-o three floors were assembled and marched out under the supervision of I Miss Parsons, the manageress. One of the girls struck up a coon song. and the others caught up th f, refrain, and in their blue overalls the girls marched out with a swinging step. The fire was quickly put out, and did little damage.