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BATTLE OF THE SOMME
BATTLE OF THE SOMME SIR D. HAilTS DIStATCH. j 1.—To relieve the preasure on Verdun, 2.—To atseist our Allies in the other I theatres of war by stopping any further transfer of German, troops from the Wes- tern Front. 3.—To wear down the strength of the forces opposed to us. These three objects, Bays Sir Douglas, had already been achieved by the time \h« dispatch closed in spite of the fact that the heavy autumn rains had prevented full advan- tage being taken of the favourable situ- ation created by our advance, at a time when we had good grounds for hoping to achieve yet more important successes. Verdun has been relieved; the main Ger- man forces had been held on the Western Front; and the enemy strength had been very considerably worn down. Any one of these three results is in it- self sufficient to justify the Somme battle. The attainment of all three of them affords ample compensation for the splen- did efforts of our troops and for the sacri- fices made by ourselves and our Allies. They have brought us a long step forward towards the final victory of the Allied cause. Some criticism has been heard of the fact that the offensive was not opened till July. Sir Douglas Haig states that by May 19, the date of his last dispatch, "the principle of an offensive campaign during the summer of 19H) had already been de- cided on by all the Allies." The actual date, however, depended upon doubtful factors." Sir Douglas continues:— Subject to the necessity of commencing operations beiore the summer was too far advanced, and with due regard to the general situation, I desired to postpone liy attack as long as possible. The British Annies were growing in numbers and the supply of munitions was -ceadily increasing. Moreover, a large proportion of the officers and men under my command were still far from being fully trained, and the longer the attack could be' deferred the more efficient they would become. On the other hand, the Germans were continuing to press their attacks at Ver dun, and both there and on the Italian ironty-'w^ere the Austrian offensive was gaining ground, it was evident that the strain might become too great to be borne unless timely action were taken to relieve it. By the end of May the pressure of the enemy on the Italian front had assumed such serious proportions that the Russian campaign was opened early in June, and the brilliant successes gained by our Allies against the Austrians at once caused a movement of German troops from the Western front to the Eastern front. This, however, did not lessen the pres- sure on Verdun. The heroic defence of our French Allies had already gained many weeks of inestimable value, and had caused the enemy very heavy losses; but the strain continued to increase. In view, therefore, of the situation in the various theatres of war, it was even- tually agreed between (Aejieral JofYre and myself that the combined French and British offensive should not be postponed beyond the end of June. Vast stocks of ammunition (says the dispatch) and stores of all kinds had to be accumulated beforehand within a con- venient distance of our front. To deal with these many miles of new railways-- both standard and narrow gauge—and trench tramways were laid. All available roads were improved, many others were made, and long cause- ways were built over marshy valleys Many additional dug-outs had to be pro.- vided as shelter for the troops, for use as dressing stations for the wounded, and as magazines for storing ammunition, food, water, and engineering material. Scores of miles ol deep communication tienches had to be dug, as well as trenches for telephone wires, assembly and assault trenches, and numerous gun tlUplatCnlents and observation posts. Except in the river valleys, the exist- ing 6upplies of water were hopeliessly, in. sufficient to meet the requirements of the numbers of men and horses to be con- centrated in this area as the prepara- tions for our offensive proceeded. To meet this difficulty many wells and bor- ings were sunk, and over one hundred pumping plants were installed. More lhan one hundred and twenty miles of water mains were laid, and everything was got ready to ensure an adequate water supply as our troops advanced. On his side the enemy had "spared no pains" during nearly two years' pre- parations, to render his defences im- pregnable. The Germans were confident that they could stand the shock, and the initial British successes during the first two weeks of July" evidently came as a sur- prise, and caused considerable confusion and disorganisation in his ranks." This was the first phase of the offensive. We then (says Sir Douglas) entered upon a contest lasting for many weeks, during whioh the enemy, having found his strongest defences unavailing, and now fully alive to has danger, put forth his utmost efforts. This stage consti- tuted a prolonged and severe struggle for mastery between the contending armies, in which, although progress was slow and difficulty, the confidence of our troops in their ability to win was never shaken. Their tenacity and determination proved more than equal to their task, and by the first week in September they had estab- lished a fighting superiority that has left its mark on the enemy. So ended the second phase. In the third and last the British fully maintained this superiority. As to the Battle of the Woods," Welshmen, in view of the fact that their kith and kin played such an important part in the final capture of Mametz Wood as publicly declared by Mr. Bloyd George, will Daturally feel disappointed at the brief reference made to the exploit in the dispattph by General Baif. Troops had been heavily engaged in hard and continuous fighting for five days, bed it was during a special artillery pre- paration, intended as a relief to exhausted troops, that local operations were con- tinued, in spite of much unfavourable weather. general Haig says: "The attack on Qtatalmaison and Mametz Wood was lfBdertaken, on the 7th of July, and after flkreo days' obstinate fighting in the course of which the enemy delivered several pow- erful counter-attacks, the village and the whole of the wood, except its northern border, were finally secured." General Haig also refers to the struggle for Trones Wood, which changed hands several times, and its final capture on July 13, adding: Meanwhile Mametz Wood had been en- tirely cleared of the enemy, and, with Trones Wood also practically in our pos- session, we were in a position to under- take an assault upon the enemy's second system of defene" By the second week in October the British were in front of the last com- pleted system of defence at Le Transloy ■ (about four miles south-east of Bapaume). The resistance of the troops opposed to us had serioufely weakened in the j course of our- Teoent operations, and there was no reason to suppose, that the effort required' would not be within our powers." Unfortunately, at this, juncture, very nnfavourable weather set in and con- tinued with scarcely a break during the remainder of October and the early part of November. Poor visibility seriously interfered with the work of our artillery, and constant rain turned the mass of hastily dug trenches for which we were fighting into 1 channels of deep mud. Tho country roads, broken by countless shell craters, that cross the deep stretch of ground we had lately won, rapidly be- came almost impassable, making the supply of food, stores, and ammunition a serious problem. These conditions multiplied the difficul- ties of attack to such an extent that it was found impossible to exploit the situation with the rapidity necessary to enable us to reap the full benefits of the advantages we had gained. None the loss, operations were continued whenever a slight improvement in the weather made the co-operation of artil- lery and infantry at all possible." The delay in our advance, however, though unavoidable, had given the enemy time to reorganise and rally hiro: troops. His resistance again became stubborn, and ho teized every favourable opportunity for counter-attacks. The moment for decisive action passed away rapidly while the weather showed no signs of improvement. The ground became so bad that nothing losa than a prolonged period of drying weather, which at that period was most unlikely to occur, would suit our pur pose The enemy's power has not yet been broken, nor is it yet possible to form an estimate of fhe time the war may last be. fore the objects for which the Allies are fighting have been attained. But the Somme buttle haa placed bo v-ond doubt the ability of the Allies to gain those objects. The German Army is the mainstay of the Central Powers, and a full half of that Army, despite all the advantages of the defensive, supported by the strongest fortifications, suffered defeat on the Somme this year. Neither victors nor the vanquished will forget this; and, though bad weather has given the enemy a respite, there will un- doubtedly be many thousands in his ranks who will begin the new campaign with little confidence in their ability to resist our or to overcome our defence. Our new Armies entered the battle with the determination to win and with confi- dence in their power to do go. They have proved to themsel ves, to the enemy, and to the world that this confidence was jus- tified, and in the iferce struggle they have been through they have learned many valuable lessons which will help them in the future. In praising the Royal Flying Corps upon their great skill and daring, the general officer commanding Bays;- I desire to, point out, however, that the maintenance of mastery in the air, which is essential, entails a constant and liberal supply of the most up-to-date machines, without which even the most skilful pilots cannot succeed. "The Machine-gun Corps, though com- paratively recently formed, has done very valuable work, and will increase in importance. The part played by the nerw ar- moured cars-known as tanks "-in. pome of the later fights has been brought I to notice by me already in my daily re- ports. These cars proved of great value on various occasions, and the personnel in charge of them performed many deeds of remarkable valour. The employment by the enemy of gas and of liquid flame as weapons of offence compelled us not only to discover ways to protect our troops from their effects, but also to devise means to make use of the same instruments of destruc- tion. Great fertility of invention has been shown, and very great credit is due to the special personnel employed for the rapidity and success with which these new arms have been developed and perfected, and for the very great devotion to duty they have displayed in a difficult and dangerous service. ?? Since we have been compelled, in self- defence, to use similar methods, it is I satisfactory to be able to record, on the evidence of prisoners, of documents cap- tured, and of our own observation, that the enemy has suffered heavy casualties from our gas attacks, while the means of protection adopted by us have proved thoroughly effective. In connection with the main-tenance i: and supply of our troops, I desire to ex- prees the obligation of the Army to the j Navy for the unfailing cucoess with which in the face of every difficulty, the large numbers of men and the vast quantities of material required by us have been:. transported across the seas. I also desire to record the obligation of the arm in the field to the various authorities'at home and to the workers under them—women as well as men—by whose efforts and self-sacrifice all our re- quirements were met. Without the vast quantities of munitions and stores of all sorts provided, and without the drafts of men sent to re-plaoe wastage, the efforts of our troops could not have been main- tained." Only three names are mentioned in the dispatch. They were those of- General Sir H. Rawlinson, who com- manded the main attack with five army corps. General Sir Hubert Gough, who at the close of the first day's fighting took over from Sir H. Rawlinson two corps operat- ing from La Boiselle to Serre. General Sir E. H. H. Allenby, who com- manded a subsidiary attack at Gomme- court. Sir Douglas Haig gives great credit to Sir Henry Rawlinson and Sir Hubert Gough, of whose H. great qualities during five months' control of the operations of very large forces in one of the greatest, if not absolutely the greatest, struggle that has ever taken place it is impossible to speak too highly." General Hawlinson. one of Kitchener's Men," is 52 years of age. When the war broke out he was in command of the third division on Salisbury PI-ain--a position justified by his war service in Burma, the Sudan, and South Africa. He went through the siege of Ladysmith. General Gough, who is 45, belongs to the famous fighting family of his name. One of the most popular of cavalry officers, he distinguished himself in India and South Africa, being wounded at Ladysmith.
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VICTOR OF THE SOMME.I
VICTOR OF THE SOMME. I In recognition of his services 841 Com- mander-in-Chief ()f the British Army in France Sir Douglas Haig, the victor of the Somme, has been promoted Field- Marshal. Never was honour more richly deserved, and its award wiU gratify the entire Army as nothing else could have done. Lieut.-General Sir H. S. Rawlinson, who is in direct control of the main operations on the Somme, becomes a full general. Major-General Sir Hubert Gough, who has played a part only second to Sir Henry Rawlinson, is appointed Lieut.-General, and a similar reward is given to the Earl of Gavan (the man who took Combles), Sir. L. E. Riggell (Sir D. Haig's Chief of Staff), Sir H. E. Home (the man who took Fricourt), and Major-General Milne. Major-General Smuts, for his services in German South-West Africa and German East Africa, is made honorary Lieut.- General. LOCAL OFFICERS. An exceptionally large number of major-generals, colonels, and lieutenant- colonels figure in the promotions, 16 re- ceiving the honour of knighthood. Among the local officers are K.C.B. Colonel (temporary Brigadier-General) I Douglas Campbell. C.M.G. Deputy-Chaplain-General Right Rev. Bishop Llewellyn Henry Gwynne, D.D. Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel (temporary Brigadier-General) Weir de Lancey Williams, D.S.O., Hampshire Regiment. Capt. and Brevet-Major, to be Brevet- Lieut.-Col. (temporary brigadier-general) H. C. Rees, D.S.O., Welsh Regiment. WHO'S WHO. I Colonel Douglas Campbell married the eldest daughter of the late Lord Swan- sea. Deputy-Chaplain-General the Right Rev. Bishop Llewellyn Hy. Gwynne, D.D., was born at Swansea, being a son of Mr. Richard Gwynne, of Kilvey. He is Bishop of Khartoum. Lieutenant-Colonel Weir de Lancey Williams, of the Hampshire Regiment, is a son of Sir W. J. Williams, K.C.B.. of Pembroke. Brigadier-General H. C. Reee is a son of a former vicar of Conway, North Wales. At one time he lived in the Llanelly district and played for the Scarlets in many matches. POPULAR AT SWANSEA. t Lieutenant-Col. Sdgar Robert Mobbs, who has been awarded the D.S.O., is the I well-known Rugby International foot- I baller, who has often played Rugby at Swansea.
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ALLOTMENTS.I
ALLOTMENTS. I Sketty Deputation's Offer to Form Society. I When the newly-formed Allotments Com- mittee of the Swansea Corporation held its first meeting on Friday afternoon, Mr. J. H. Lee was uanimousiy elected chair- man and Mr. David Richards vice-chair- man. It was at the last meeting of the Council that the committee was estab- lished, the view being expressed that every hit of available land in the borough should be cultivated with potatoes, and since the suggestion was made much interest in the scheme has been aroused throughout the district. Messrs. William James (auctioneer), A. K. Drummond, James Harries, and Wm. Bevan (Tregynydd) were upammously co- opted members. A deputation of Skeity residents, con- sisting of the Vicar (the Rev. Stewart), Messrs. A. Perkins aDd D. Stanley Cook, waited upon the committee, pointing out that they were prepared to form a society in Sketty to cultivate the land an the suggestions mentioned. Mr. Stanley Cook explained that they had gone around the district to see what available pieces of land there were in Sketty, and they discovered there were quite a number of pieces of ground which, he thought, would answer the pur- poses for which they required them. He expressed the view that they should fin d land as near to a certain population as possible. Then, again, there was tht question of rent. It would have been better for everyone concerned, he felt, if the Government, when they brought for- ward these proposals, arranged for a flat or uni- form rate throughout the country. As far as he understood now, it was open to the landlord to make the best terms he could with his tenant. Therefore, some people would pay a far higher rate for their plots than others, which might have the effect that if the land is above a certain figure it might be prohibitive. He did not think anyoim should make money on it from the landlord's point of view. There was also the question of seed. Was it becoming scarce? It should be a matter of compulsion that every man who has a garden should cultivate it and not allow it to run wild. The Vicar of Sketty felt that the most important thing was to get land at a cer- tain price. It was of great importance that the Committee should deal directly for all the land, and the land would be given out by the Committee to those who wanted allotments. That course would be far more satisfactory. Mr. F. E. Tunbridge, the borough estate agent, expressed the opinion that there would be no difficulty about the land. The President of the Board of Agricul- ture and Fisheries had handed over all the powers to them as a committee in order that in their operations they might be as little fettered as possible by departmental control. Ho announced that Mr. W. H. Edwards had expressed his desire to place the land in front of Hill House at the disposal of the commit- tee for the cultivation of vegetables, and was anxious to do all he could to further tho project. The Board of Agriculture re- commended, he added, the formation of societies on the lines of the Vacant Land Cultivation Society of London. Mr. Wm. Morris moved that they ask Mr. Stanley Cook to form a society at Sketty, and report to the oommittee as soon as possible. Mr. G. HemmingB seconded, and em- phasised the need of getting to work as early as possible. The object of the oom- mittee was to encourage every man to cultivate his own plot, whereby he was enabled to grow sufficient to feed a family of five or six. Mr. David Richards: That is, for all time, not necessarily for the period of the war. Mr. Stanley Cook remarked that much had been said in the Press of soldiers who, when they returned from the war, every inducement would be made by the Colonies to get our mAn to go abroad. People on this side of the water, he added, should do all in their power to keep the Britishers at home, a lot of whom would want an out-door life. Mr. A. Perkins drew attention to a reso- lution of the Sketty Ratepayers' Associa- tion asking for allotments to be prepared for Sketty, as the land at present under cultivation at Town Hila was inconveni- ently situated for the Sketty people. They felt that the Sketty Ratepayers' Associa- tion should be consulted. Mr. Tunbridge: The Mayor has aske d me to say that if Mr. Stanley Cook will form a society this committee will give them the land. If Mr. Perkins will form a society we will give him the land right outside his front door. —————- —————
VALLEY ALLOTMENTS. I
VALLEY ALLOTMENTS. I A public meeting was held at Jerusalem Vestry, Ystalyfera, on Saturday night for the purpose of forming an allotment society to be affiliated to the agricultural organisation society of South Wales and Monmouthshire branch. Mr. H. J. PowelL J.P., who presided, dealt with the Government's appeal for the cultivation of land and the necessity for home pro- duce. The secretary, Mr. A. Stallard, gave his report as to the land available in the district, namely 77 perches in one part, 56 perches in another, half an acre in an- other place, and he was still in correspon- j dence in regard to other plots. County Councillor D. W. Davies, Dr. D. J. Lewis, and others spoke in support of! the scheme, and a resolution was passed, that the meeting was unanimously in; favour of forming a society on condition that satisfactory terms will be arranged, the secretary (pro tem.) to communicate with Mr. W. Williams, of Brecon, or- ganising secretary of agricultural organi- i sations, inviting him to address the meet- ing. Thirty-one names of prospective ten- I ants were taken.
LLOYD GEORGE DAY.-I
LLOYD GEORGE DAY. I Welsh national leaders are already making preparations for the celebration of the forthcoming St. David's Day as a Lloyd George Day. The idea is that in all the Welsh national societies the cus- tomary Cymric demonstrations on the occasion of the patron saint's festival shall centre round the personality and achievements of Mr. Lloyd George, the first Welsh-speaking Welshman to occupy the position of Premier of the United Kingdom. In addition to Lloyd George Day there is every indication that a Cymric tribute will be raised in honour of the first Welsh Premier, it being proposed to organise a fund, not only in Wales but wherever Welshmen are settled in all parts of the world, so that the personality and career of Mr. Lloyd George may be fitly cele- brated. On Monday night in London, a meet- ing was held of the committee of the Welsh National Annual Festivalk Mr. John Hinds, M.P., in the chai Ar- rangements were made for the holding, in one of the largest halls in the West End, of the annual patriotic demonstration on St. David's Day (March 1st) at which there is every reason to hope the Prime Minister will be present. The ladies are to hold on the same day the Welsh Flag Day in aid of the fund for supplying com-, forts to Welsh troops. The Lord Mayor i of London has invited the Mayors and Mayoresses of London Boroughs to mt Mrs. Lloyd George at luncheon on Jan. 16th, to further the flag day, and the Lords Mayors of Cardiff, Liverpool, Man- chester, and the Mayors of Welsh boroughs and chairmen of district coun- cils in Wales are to be invited to take similar action. j
A MONTHS LOSSES I
A MONTHS LOSSES I 43,310 BRITISH CASUALTIES REPORTED II IN OtCrii.BtR. Following are details of the losses given under the principal headings in the War Office casualty lists whioh have been pub- lished in our columns from December 1 to December 30 (says the Daily Tele- graph.") The lists include casualties re- ported from all points at whioh our Armies I are engaged: N.C.O'ts a Officers. Men. Killed 154 6-151 Died of Wounds 64 2334 Died 16 622 Drowned. 2 Accidentally Killed 6 52 Wounded 658 26990 Wounded and Missing 1 226 Missing, Believed Killed. 5 59 Missing 52 3304 Prisoners of War 2 46 From these must be deducted the follow- ing: First reported killed, wounded, or missing, afterwards reported not killed, wounded, or missing 15 380 This leaves the totals as follow: Officers 953 Men .39.097 The figures for August, September, Octo- ber and November respectively were: Offic-ers. 4,693 Men 123,097 Officers 5.40S Men 113,780 Officers 4,366 Men 102,340 Officers 2,312 Men 72.479 The full list includes a number of modi- fications of casualties previously reported. The above figures must, therefore, be taken as approximiate, although the totals are not affected by the modifications re- ferred to From the Admiralty during the same period have been issued lists of casualties sustained by officers and men. Of these the details are:— K.C.O.'e & Officers. Men. Killed ]9 409 Died of Wounds 3 83 Died of Injuries 1 — Died 11 4 Drowned 10 46 Accidentally Killed 3 11 Severely Wounded — 3 Wounded 1 1551 Slightly wounded 3 9 Injured. 5 — Missing. believed Killed or drowned. 2 68 Missing 10 387 Prisoners of War 1 6 Totals 69 2577 ————- —————
78,500 PRISONERS.I
78,500 PRISONERS. Sunday night's French official report says:- In the course of the year 1916 the French troops by breaking the enemy's assault against the fortress of Verdun and by driving him back on both banks of the Somme have captured 78,500 Ger- man prisoners.
ITALY'S CAPTURES. I
ITALY'S CAPTURES. Rome, Sunday.—The Italian Supreme Command, in a review of the past year's operations, says that the army is con- stantly increasing in fighting value. On the Isojizo front alone from August to December the Italians captured 42,000 1 prisoners, sixty guns, and 200 machine guns. The army is overcoming unprece- dented obstacles, and is slowly but con- stantly advancing. General Cadorna pays the highest tri- bute to the King, whose presence and ex- ample encourage the sciaiers, and ex- presses the conviction that the coming year will mark further decisive progress in Italy's righteous war.—Exchange.
FISH IN THE BAY. I
FISH IN THE BAY. At the monthly meeting of the South Wales Fisheries Board on Saturday, Ald. John Jordan presiding, the secretary (Mr Deer) reported that the Board of Trade was very anxious that fishermen should not be called to the colours without the consent of the Board of Fisheries. It was decided to support the principle that in view of the food supply of the country, particularly as regards the fishing in- dustry, the Local Fisheries Committee, and not the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, should have the power to grant or refuse consent to any fisherman being drafted into the national service. It was decided to allow small motor boats to trawl for fish within the territorial waters, but not to dredge for oysters. Captain Francis (the fisheries inspector) stated that it was most remarkable, but there was more fish in Swansea Day than he had known for the past 40 years. The ifsheries inspector was given a war bonus of £ 10.
UTILITY POULTRY CLUB.I
UTILITY POULTRY CLUB. There was a representative gathering of members and friends at Thomas's Cafe, High-street, on Monday night, when a i supper, concert, and whist drive was held in connection with the Welsh Utility i Poultry Club. Capt. DaVidson occupied the chair, and everybody did full justice to a splendid repast. A delightful concert programme was contributed to by Gunner Spraggon, Mr. Andrew Bell, Miss Annie George, Mrs. J. Cross. Mr. Tom Williams, Miss Edith Beale, and Mr. M. Lane. The Chairman stated the club was formed some twelve months ago, when eighteen poultry keepers were enrolled. In a very short time this number had in- creased to 40, and at present, he was pleased to say, there were over 150 names on the roll. Their efforts had met with material success, and they had accom- plished much good work in one year. Treasury notes were handed to the ener- getic secretary, Mr. Harrison, in recogni- tion of the good work he had done in furthering the objects of the club. In accepting the gift Mr. Harrison said it was a pleasure to him to do anything for the Society. They now had a balance in hand of over £11. He was taking steps to get the club to form a branch in Clydach, where there were already over 100 men in the M ond Works who were eager to join. (Applause). The whist drive ran to a late hour. There were six prizes, the winners being: —Ladies: 1st, Mrs. Roberts; 2nd, Miss Spraggon; 3rd, Mrs. Thomas (boohy). Gentlemen: 1st, -Mr. W. E. Cross; 2nd, Mr. Roberts; 3rd, Mr. Chris Jones (booby). At the close the usual votes of thanks j were passed.
WITH MILITARY HONOURS.__I
WITH MILITARY HONOURS. With full military honours, the mortal remains of Pte. Edward Hughes, who died at his home at 17, Eversley-road, Sketty, on Christmas Day from pneu- monia, were laid to rest at Babell l Cemetery, Cwmbwrla, on Saturday after- noon. The firing party was composed of Shropshires. who headed the funeral, fol- lowed by the Police Band and some of the C.L.B.
. 140 WAR HEROES. I
140 WAR HEROES. I The King held an Investiture at, Ruck- ingham Palace on Saturday, where "!e decorated about 140 war heroes. Lady 1 Gough, widow of the late Brigadier^Gen- eral J. E. Gough, received the posthumous K.C.B. -which- had been awarded her hus- i band.
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A TERRIBLE FIRE.____I
A TERRIBLE FIRE. I Panic Among Women Imbeciles. I Montreal, Sunday (received Monday).— Forty-six women we're burned to de;un in the destruction of a female idot asylum at St. Ferdinand, Meganta County, on Satur- day evening. The inmates were asleep when the fire started. Awakening, they became uncontrollable, many leaping from high windows, others crouching there until incinerated. The temperature was 20 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit), and the water in the hydrants was frozen. Many women, found wandering, were taken to the homes of villagers. The con- vent adjoining the asylum was also burned, and 20 students had narrow es- ca pes.—Re uter. Montreal, Monday (received Tuesday").— Further details of the disastrous fi re at the female idiot asylum at St. Ferdinand show that the institution, situated in a lonely country district, was without water to cope with the flames. Many of the un- fortunate women rushed back into the flames, and several perished while wan- dering about the country in the bitter cold. There were 46 deaths. Of the 150 who escaped many were frostbitten. The institution was managed for the Provi- sional Government by nuns.
FELL OFF HIS ENGINE. I
FELL OFF HIS ENGINE. A sad accident occurred at Llbister Road, near Llandrindod Wells, on Mon- day, to John Daniel Williams, engine driver in the employ of the London and North Western Railway Co., aged about 27, son of Daniel Williams, engine driver, Glankerry House, New-road, Llandorery. Williams feU from his engine, as a result of which he had one of his legs amputated below the knee after removal to Llan- drindod Hospital. The injured man was a relative of Mr. Willie Williams, the well-known vocalist.
SLEPT WHILE CHILD BURNT.
SLEPT WHILE CHILD BURNT. Shocking evidence was given before the Middlesbrough Stipendiary magistrate on Friday when William Smith, a labourer, and his wife were charged with child ne- glect. The police stated that the couple were so drunk on Christmas Eve. when their room caught fire, and a 13-months-old child, which slept with them, was burnt to death before they could be roused from their drunken sleep. The man was sent to prison for three months, and the woman, described by the magistrate as worse than her husband, was committed for six months.
100 PEOPLE DROWNED.
100 PEOPLE DROWNED. Terrible Flood Disaster in Queensland. Brisbane, Monday.—Cyclone weather it. Northern and Central Queensland has caused record floods, and a dreadful dis- aster has occurred at Clermont, where three-quarters of the main street has been washed away. All the houses situated in low-lyinjc places in the neighbourhood have goae. One hundred people have been drowned or are missing, and fifty bodies have been ie-1 covered. The disaster occurred on December 27. when fifteen inches of rain fell yiid the water rose sixteen feet over 01rlIl >il1! Bridge. Communication has since been interrupted, the rail way and telegraph, lines having been washed away. The police magistrate has comman- deered all food, of which there is a great shorta ge.—lie uter. [Clermont is about 200 miles weøt-north41 west of Rockhampton, and at the cenmik of 1911 had a population of 1,164.] A cloudburst has caused floods in South- ern Tasmania, where widespread damage has been dona.
SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORE.
SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORE. THE LEAGUE—Lancashire Section. Bolton Wanderers 2, Bury 3. Burnley 7, Blackpool 0. Port Vale 1. Stockport County 2. Everton 1, Southport Central 1. Manchesttr City 8, Blackburn R. IL Oldham Athletic 0, Liverpool 1. Preston N.E. 3, Manchteter United 2. Rochdale 0, Stoke 1. THE LEAG U E-Midland Section, Barnsley 1; Huddersfield I. Birmingham 1; Bradford 2. Bradford City 3, Grimsby Town 0. Chesterfield Town 2; Leicester Fosse, 0. Hull City 1; Sheffield Wednesday 0. Leeds City 2; Rotherham Town 0. Notts Forest 2, Lincoln City 0. Sheffield United 0, Notts County 1. LONDON COM BI NATION. Crystal Palace. 1; Millwall 1. Brentford 7; Portsmouth 0. Chelsea 1; Luton 4. Southampton 0; Arsenal 1. Tottenham Hotspur 3; Watford 0. West Ham United 6; Clapton Orient I., Jueen's Park Rangers 1; Fulham 7. RUGBY. A.S.C. 5 pts.; New Zealanders 4. Artists Rifles 6pts., Public Schools 19p1l' SCOTTISH LEAGUE. Ayr United 1, Hamilton 1. Celtic 2, Falkirk 0. Dumbarton 0, Queen's Park i. Dundee 0, Kilmarnock 2. Motherwell 2, Partick Th. 3. Rngers 3, Airdrie 0. St. Mirren 1, Aberdeen 0. 3rd Lanark 1, Hearts 1. NORTHERN UNION. Barrow 34 pts.; St. Helens 0. Broughton Rangers 3 pts.; Wigan 0. Swinton 13 pU.; Warrington 11. Batley 29 pts.; Hunslet 5. Halifax S pts.; Bramley 0. Hull Kingston Rovers 6 pts.; York 0. Leeds 19 pts.; Rochdale Hornets 0. Glvncoed (Morriston) 5, ]§aet Side Juniors 3 Victoria 3, St. Stephen's Soouta 0. Swan Rovers 2, Mansel Villa 0. Grovesend Athletic 4, Alexandra II. 0. Goroeinon United, 3 goals; Llanellji Rangers, 0. Garden village Rover 1; St. Paul's (Plaai marl), 1. Final Score: TON PENTRE—3 goals. S W AI, S-2 goals,
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MONDAY'S FINALS. THE LEAGUE—Lancashire Section. Blackburn Rovers, 1; Burnley, 4. Bolton Wanderers 0, Oldham Athletic S* Everton, 5: Stockport. 2. Blackpool, 0: Southport Central, 2. THE LEAGU E-Midland Section. Sheffield Wed., 2: Rotherham County, 4 NORTHERN UNION. Barrow, 29pts.; Wigan, nil. I Rochdale Hornets, lOpts.; Bradford, nil4 Swinton, 8pts.; Salford, niL Oldham, 14-pts.; Broughton 5pte. St. Helen's, 15pts.; St. Helen's Rec^ nit Warrington; nil: Runcorn, Rpts. OTHER MATCHES. Barry, 2; Stoke, 4. SCOTTISH FIXTURES. THE LEAGUE-First Division. Aberdeen, 5; Dundee, 1. Airdrie, 2; Morton, 1. Clyde, 1; Falkirk, 1. Dumbarton, 2; Raith Rovws, 2. Hamilton, 2; Motherwell, 4. Kilmarnock, 1; St. Mirren, 4. Partick Thistle, 1; 3rd Lanark, fl Queen's Park, 3; Ayr United, 2- Rangers, 0; Celtic, 0. WILSON CUP. Hearts of Midlothian, 0; Hibernians,
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CAUGHT IN CUTTER. I
CAUGHT IN CUTTER. I Sad Fate of Swansea Police I Officer's Son. An inquiry was held at the coroner's t court, on Monday afternoon, by the bor- ough coroner, into the circumstances sur- rounding the death of Bransby John Wil- liam? haulier, aged 14 years, who died at the Swansea Hospital on Friday last. Mr. Edward lir^rris appeared on behalf of the relatives, and Mr. T. C. J. Bull for the employers. Mr. Hilditch, H.M. in- spector of factories, was also present. Mr. Martin Williams (father), 27, Trewyddfa Common, and a member of the borough police force, gave evidence of identification. Witness was on duty at the Cricket Field on the 2Srd of 'last month at the time of the accident, and went to the Hospital. Deceased was able to speak, and told him (witness) that he heard someone calling, and looked down, 'and somehow or other his clothing caught in the chaffeutter. Wm. Jenkins, 518, Neath-road, Morris- ton, a master haulier, employer of de- ceased, was cutting chaff on the 23rd, when Williams came up from down be- low &nd asked what he could do, and he (witness) said, You can go and sweep the chaff out of the machine." warning him to keep away from the cutter. Wit- ness went back to feed the machine. He heard a noise, and, turning round, saw deceased fall on the floor with his cloth- ing badly ripped. Mr. Jenkins could not see how deceased could get caught in the cutter, because he had no need to go nearer than about a yard and a half, the length of the brush. Mr. Hilditch pointed out that it was very dangerous for anybody to go up the loft when the cutter was working. Mr. Harris: Was the boy employed by your brother downstairs when the acci- dent happened ? Witney: No. Mr. Harris: Is the cutter fenced in any way -o. Elias Davies, GwaJia House, Caemawr, 1 Morriston, a haulier employed by Mr. Jenkins, corroborated the former wit- ness's evidence. Dr. Wood, of the Swansea Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted to the Hospital at four o'clock on the 23rd with a fractured dislocation of the epine. near the neck. He died on December 29th. The Coroner pointed out that it was q lear that death was due to injuries ac- cidentally received. The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, no blame being attached to anyone.