Evening Express

A HOLLOW DEMAND. I At a time when most of their consti- tuents were thinking about going to bed the Welsh members at Westminster were indulging; in their annual debating enter- tainment on the subject of Welsh Home Rule. When their constituents opened their papers this morning they, probably, thought the Welsh members would have been better employed if they also had gone to bed. But it is thankful to feel that, after all, we aro not going to have a Welsh House of Commons in Cardiff as well as a Welsh Museum. The debate came to the usual nothing, of course. Just enough members stayed in the House to give the motion for self-government an emphatic negative. Tho thing was wrongly conceived altogether. Just be- cause Wales has been treated to a few separate Acts of Parliament, it does not constitute a claim to separation any more than the repeated Land Acts of Ireland constitute a claim to Home Rule. A very good case can be made out for devolution in Private Bill legislation, not only for Wales, but for every other part of Eng- land. Westminster is too over-crowded with work now to make the process of Bill-promoting expeditious or econo- mical but in any devolution of duties it would be necessary for Westminster to expressly limit the functions of the new authority which may be created. It would be humble credulity to suppose that the authority so set up would satisfy the ambitions of the Welsh members, who desire to form a little Cabin-et of their own, and draw up little schemes of their own for making life more blessed on this unblest planet. For instance, one member pointed out what incalculable good would be done if the Welsh people were allowed to deal with the Church question, temperance reform, and the land question! Others lauded the capa- city that Wales had shown for self- government. But what arrant nonsense this is when one of the leading Welsh members of Parliament struts about the country exhorting county councils and other authorities not to administer an Act according to its express provisions!

I There is now some hope of finding the ¡ missing Army Corps. The War Office aro having a flying machine made for them, so the president of the Aeronautical Institute informs us. Forbearing to quote Tennyson's observations about grappling in the central blue, Ac., we would remind Mr. Brodrick that the clouds are a virgin recruiting held.

Publicans don't always get the en- couragement they ought for trying to keep their premises respectable. A Pont- ypridd Boniface ejected a drunken man. Bnd the latter afterwards set on him and gave him a sad mauling. The fellow got a month's hard labour, and deserved it thoroughly. An irreverent Radical rings us up to lay all the Tories seem to be making Rye jaces! Brief life is here the portion of the Cardiff Municipal Fish Market. A month ago the second anniversary of its open- ing was allowed to pass without celebra. tion, and yesterday the committee fore- shadowed its doom. As a fish market it has been a wretched and costly failure, and the corporation will be well advised to devote the building to other purposes more useful and less expensive.

J MPORT ANT NO-TICE TO ADVERTISERS Notwithstanding the pressure of Football News and Notes, no Jdrertisements ordered for insertion in the EVENING EXPRESS on Saturdays are omitted from the Football I Editions

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS I The following: ars tho readings since flva o'clock last evening, as given by tba barometer in the vestibule of the Evening Express," St. Mary-street, Cardiff, which 1 18 33ft. abol" mean 8ea level:—

Five Pounds for 12 Solutions. AWARD IN FIRSTj COMPETITION. ——— Nine competitors gave the correct solutions in our first week's picture puzzles, and the £ 5 will be divided between them, lis. Id. being sent to each. Their names and addresses are: M. Edwards, 209, Richmond-road, Cardiff David Burnie, St. George's-terrace, Swansea. D. Griffiths, John-street, Porthcawl. Owen Fox, Castle-street, Tredegar. M. Parry, Ullswater, Caerleon-road, Newport. T. R. 1. Powell, 16, Xorthcote-street, Cardiff. C. Harbottle, 14, De Burgh-street, Cardiff. Ernie Hunt, 185. Mackintosh-place, Cardiff. M. Jenkins, 49, Tallis-street, Cwmpark. List of Correct Solutions. 1. Boots. 2. G a be. 3. Winfield. 4. Pearson. 5. Percy Bush. 6. Willie Trew. 7. Frank Gordon. S. J. Hares. 9. Alby Davies. 10. Bill Jowett. 11. Bancroft. 12. W. Llewellyn.

2nd COMPETITION. Our Second Competition opened on Satur- day. and will close on Friday, March 20. Two pictures appear each day, represent- ing the names of well-known Welsh foot- ballers, and a prize of £5 is offered for the best set of solutions. If more than one set is correct the prize will be divided. All you have to do is to write under- neath each picture the name you think it represents, and send the whole of the twelve pictures to Picture Puzzles Depart- ment. "Evening Express," Cardiff, to reach here not later than Twelve noon on MONDAY, March 23. Put your name and address at the foot of each couple of pictures. The day's pictures must not be sent separately, but the whole twelve must come in one envelope, marked outside, "Picture Puzzles." As a guide to competitors, we may state that practically the Iwhole of the names of Welsh footballers are found in the list of teams in the "Evening Express" on Fridays from the third edition onwards. In case of dispute, the decision of the Editor of the Evening Express must be accepted as final. On Saturday (March 20) another L5 will be offered for a third set of solutions. Notes to Competitors. As already stated, competitors are not limited to one try, but each set of soln- solutions must be on separate forms. Some competitors in No. 1 tried putting two solutions on one form, and were, of course, disqualified. Others delayed sending in till after closing time, and these letters were not opened. No. 9 No. 10 Address

Mainly About People. I Prince Francis of Teck, the handsome youngest brother of the Princess of Wales, is the moet blithe and debonair of Princes. Though he celebrated his thirty-third birth- day in January, he has remained a boy in heart and in looks, and he is, from a social point of view, the most popular member of his popular family. Like his eldest brother, the present Duke of Teck, Prince Francis was educated at Wellington, going afterwards to Cheltenham. He was his mother's special darling, and in her "Life" is published (Eays the "Sketch") a. charming letter addressed by her to him when he was first ordered to Egypt. Prince Francis, who went through the South African War, is about, it has been rumoured, to take up some form of business enterprise. He Í3 among the few remaining great partis of society, but, as yet his engage- ment has never even been ruaunrsd, and he would appear to be the most confirmed of bachelors. The story goes (says "Sketch") that. some twenty years ago, a French bishop, on taking leave of the Pope, observed, with emotion, "Adieu. We shall not meet on this side of the grave, for. though I have hopes of coming back to Rome in twelve years from now, it is not likely that I shall find your holiness still here to greet me." The Pope looked at him amiably, and, shaking his head, observed, If your eminenca should, indeed, come back, you will find me here ready to receive you." And what is, perhaps, more extraordinary, the deferred meeting actually did take place some years ago; but, whereas the bishop had become an extremely aged and tottering old man, the Pope seemed to have scarcely altered in the interval which had elapsed. Mrs. Stubbs: They have captured the cleveregi, hotel thief in the country, my dear. Mr. Stubbe: Indeed' What hotel did he keep ? Mr. Alfred CUmits-Ross, one of the family ",hidl leases and governs the Cocos ajid Keel- ing Islands, in the Indian Ocean, died there a. few days ago. The superintendent, or "Xing," of this interesting archipelago is Mr. George Clunies-Roea, who is under the juris- diction of the Government at Singapore. The islamds lie 700 miles away from Batavia-the nearest point of eivilia"ion-and the largest of them is only five miles long by a few hun- dred yards wide, so that, with the exception perhaps of Rotnmah, this is about the loruy liest dependency of the Empire. The cable was linked up with the group a few months ago. The islands, which export little else besides cocoa-nuts, which grow there in enormous numbers, are of coral reef formation, and have been rendered classic by Darwin's visit in the Beagle in 1836. It was on his observations here that Darwin founded his theory as to the growth of atols or ring-shaped islands built by the tireless industry of the minute coral insect. A curious feature of the group is North Keeling Island, which is uninhabited, and which can only be reached in very excep- tionally calm weather. It is visited two or three times a year by Mr. Clunies-Boss, but otherwise the birds which breed there in countless thousands are left undisturbed. Mr. Brodrick's "Confessions," as recorded by "Books of To-day," are delightfully humorous. Here they are:—Your favourite flower, rag- wort your favourite hero in real life. General Booth; your favourite heroine, Joan of Arc; your favourite date, April 1; your favourite recruiting ground, the Society for Promoting Psychical Research; your favourite fruit, all fruits with a core; your favourite historical incident, the murder of Becket; your favourite quotation, "And did you once see Salisbury Plain?" your motto, pax nobiscum; if not yourself who would you wish to be, Winston Churchill'3 senior subaltern. In his life of Bret Harte (Pearson), Mr. Edgar Pemberton tells an amusing story of that writer's embarrassment over the tre- mendous popularity of the "Heathen Chinee." Soon after Bret Harte's first arrival in Lon- don his acquaintance was sought by a certain noble lord of high literary reputation, and he was invited to diue at the great man's house. Always anxious to escape being lionised, he told a friend, who was to be of the party, that he should not go if he thought "The Heathen Chinee" would be quoted at table. The well-meaning friend sent a, note of warning to their host; but his lordship loved a. joke, and, giving his other guests a hint, they talked "Heathen Chinee" and nothing else! At first perplexed and annoyed, Bret Harte soon saw through the little plot, and heartily joined in the Jaug-h he had helped to raise against himself. Earl Granville, who is thirty-one, is son of the Earl Granville who played such a leading part in Liberal politics during the palmy days of Mr. Gladstone. The present earl is in the diplomatic service, where he has done much useful work, being endowed with much of his late father's political gifts. His friends are fond of saying that "Granville always carries half-a.-crown about with him wherever he goes." This is quite true, and it might even be added that he takes the precious coin to bed with him at night. The fact is that he accidentally swallowed it while performing a conjuring trick, and ever since the coin and the diplomat have been inseparable. Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson, V.C., C.B., is sixty-one. He has been one of our leading torpedo experts during the past twenty-five years; in fact, ever since the adoption of the automobile torpedo in our service. The admiral won his V.C. in the Soudan in 1884, with the Naval Brigade at the battle of El Teb, by one of the finest acts of gallantry on record. At the most critical moment of the action a gap was made in our square, and half-a-dozen Dervishes rushed at it to break in. Captain Wilson, who was near the spot, moved out alone to meet them, and, although he had already broken his sword in cutting one man down, he held his ground, knocking down the Dervishes one by one with his fists. Perhaps the reason we are so prone to find fault with our neighbours is that it helps us to forget our own shortcomings. Senator J. T. Morgan, of Alabama, is nearly eighty years of age, but he is credited with having spoken some 200,000 words in the United States Senate in opposition to the Panama Canal Bill. His last speech, delivered in instal- ments, amounted to about 50,000 words, the senator having to be on guard all the time the senate was sitting ready to resume the discussion at any moment. The longest speech ever made in the House of Commons was that oration of "Joe" Biggar's, which lasted for four hours. It was purely obstruc- tive, and was largely composed of extracts from Blue Books. One of the longest speeches ever delivered was that made at his trial by one of the Fenian prisoners in Ireland at the time of the '48 rebellion. The prisoner-the notorious O'Donovan Rogsa-exerctsed his right to speak from the dock after the verdict of the jury, and kept hard at it for eight hours. He then requested that the court might adjourn, but the judge naturally re- fused, and the orator was compelled by sheer physical exhaustion to bring his speech to a close. He had claimed to read all the evi- dence put in against him, including the file of a newspaper for several years. but he con- sented as a compromise to leave out the advertisements. St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, known to ribald undergraduates as "Teddy," which has just successfully resisted annexation by Queen's College, was founded by Edmund Rich, an Archbishop of Canterbury, who was, despite his patronymic, "the poor man's friend." and deservedly canonised as St. Edmund. Oxford men retain pleasant memories of the little hostel by reason of the Titanic contests waged annually by "Teddy" Hall eight with Jesua College and other small fry, for the proud position of bottom of the river.

COCKETT CONSTABLE AND HIS CHILD. A Peculiar Paternity Case at Swansea. At Swansea. Police-court on Wednesday a peculiar paternity case was heard, in which Elizabeth Morris, a single woman, summoned Police-constable Davies, of the county force, stationed at Cockett, in respect of her child. Mr. R. T. Leyson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. D. Andrews for the defendant. Mr. Andrews offered to admit the paternity, but Mr. Leyson went on detailing the facts. He said that defendant got this girl from her home in North Wales on the promise that he was going to marry her. When she arrived he told her a cock-and-bull story about the recent death of his wife preventing his marry- ing her so soon. He took her to his home and seduced her within a week. She had had a number of letters from defendant, but in her absence one day he went to her box and took them away. The defendant took her baby away a fortnight after it was born, and from that time they had no knowledge of it. The defendant said the child was dead, but he (Mr. Leyson) did not believe it. and would require it proved. Complainant then went into the witness-box and bore out the statement made by her soh- citor. In cross-examination, complainant aaid he had brought an action against him at the Carmarthen Assizes for breach of promise. Mr. Leyson protested against defendant going out of court, and said that he required him to be called. Mr. Andrews said this was merely vindictive or for the purpose of cross-examining him in view of the breach of promise case. Davies went into the witness-box and gave an emphatic denial to the allegation that he had promised to marry compla.inant. He admitted the paternity of the child, which had been adopted by a.. Mrl". Phillips. of Watkin- street. Swansea. It, died in September last. He did not see the child after it died. Mrs. Phillips. 96. Watkin-str^et. Swansea, proved the child's death, and said that it was buried in her (witness's) name. The Benrh adjudged defendant in be the father. and ordered the payment of 13s. 6d. oe3t«. It was stated that defendant had already paid all expenses.

ARMY WASTRELS. I -0 Physique and Character of Recruits. SLASHING ATTACK IN THE COMMONS. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Wednesday. The Speaker took the Chair at two o'clock. MR. CHAMBERLAIN: NO STATEMENT. In reply to Mr. Buxton (R., Poplar), Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said that a mistake had arisen with respect to the Colonial Office debate on Thursday. It was not his (Mr. Cham- berlain's) intention to make a statement as to his tour-his recent proceedings should have been fully before the public and the House; but he would, of course, be ready to give any further explanation or to extend the information already in possession of the House. Wastrels in the Army A Slash ing Attack. On the report of the vote of 235,761 men of all ranks for the Army, Mr. VICARY GIBBS (U., St. Albans) moved a reduction of 3,000 men in order to call atten- tion to the remissness which existed as to character of recruits. What he desired to con- sider, he said, was how far the country got value for its money in the matter of recruits. He alleged that there were accepted and expelled within a short time of their accep- tance an unduly large proportion of men. (Hear, hear.) The Secretary for War, when defending the army corps scheme, had declared with obvious complacency that he had got his men. But how? He had got them at the expense of introducing into his army a lot of wastrels who were not only bad, but were not cheap. Indeed, what with their diseases and their courts-martial they cost more than good men. (Cheers.) Was it economy to clothe and feed men who would be useless in war? He meant boya who imposed upon a singularly credulous medical officer as to their age; illiterates who could neither read nor write; weaklings; and last and worst the bad 'uus "—those bad sheep who infected the flock. He asked the Secretary for War to give the House the num- ber of men now actually with the colours who were available for foreign service to-day. (Hear, hear.) He was sure the right hon. gentleman would give these numbers. (Ironi- cal Opposition laughter.) Mr. Brodrick was fond of numbers; he liked numbers; he revelled in numbers; he flooded the House with numbers. (Loud laughter and cheers.) Therefore, he was sure to give these numbers. (Renewed laughter.) There were 25.000 men in the Army who were inefficient, and would never do a hand's turn for us in time of war. These men should be got rid cf, for they cost at least E60 a year each, and the country would thus save one and a half millions. (Cheers.) Many of our disasters in the late war were due to the presence of this unsatis- factory minority. (Hear, hear.) These paper armies, this stage army, had never imposed on our potential enemies. It did not impose upon the members of the House of Commons. Then was it really worth while keeping it up merely for the sake of imposing upon the poor taxpayer? (Loud Opposition cheers and laughter.) Mr. ERNEST BECKETT (U., Whitby), in seconding the reduction of the vote, claimed that on the information now before them every impartial man must be convinced that in recruiting, at all events, thfe country was not getting value for its money. There was no wish to reduce the fighting strength. of the Army, but to weed out the inefficients." Mr. Brodrick might pile up inefficients as much as he liked, but he would not add to our fighting strength. (Hear. hear.) If Mr. Brodrick wanted to know what was the real feeling of the Army upon his new scheme, let, him get outside the atmosphere of the War Office and make his inquiries amongst Army men who did not know him. (Hear, hear.) He would find a very strong feeling existed against his scheme, and that feeling was so strong in the Army itself that sooner or later it would be adopted by the nation. (Cheers.) Mr. ARTHUR ELLIOT CU., Durham) said that members of the House of Commons ought to take a. eerious view of their responsibilities. They ought to give a right lead to the people and endeavour to obtain some steadiness in the politics of this country. (Ministerial cheers.) These swings of the pendulum from one extreme to the other but weakened the position of the country, and lie would not go into th3 lobby with the member who would now make this ill-oonsidered reduction. (Lotld cheers.) Mr. BRODRICK remarked that the views just expressed by Mr. Elliot were shared by a large majority in the House, and the numbers of letters which had been received at the War Office in the last few days showed that the same view prevailed outside. Mr. Beckett had shown the old cloven hoof. This reduc- tion of 3,000 was only a-n offshoot of the reduction of 27,000 which Mr. Beckett and his friends ineffectually tried to force upon the House last week. There was no shadow of foundation for the saying that we failed in the late war because there was not one of our battalions prepared for war. With regard to the demand for the exact numbers of men now available for foreign service, be would be able to furnish them in three weeks' time, when the trooping season, which was now going on. would be over. He challenged Mr. Beckett to cite any military ofticer of high authority who was willing to vouch that these 27,000 men could be knocked off without re- ducing the fighting strength. It was the opinion of the military advisers, past and present, at the War Office-men who had served under both Government, men selected as being the best representatives of the Army, and who had seen most service—that these 27,000 could not be knocked off. The opinion of these experts ought not to be set aside for any ancnymous opinion. He challenged hon. members to get up and tell the House if any officer of position would vouch that the Army could be reduced by 27,000. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr. YERBURGH (Lr., Chester): I am in a ]x;8it.ion to name an officer whose authority would be recognised by everyone in this House, who is of opinion that the Army could be reduced very largely indeed. (Opposition cheers.) That officer has given me discretion to use his name, and 1. therefore, propose to give his name to the Prime Minister. (Ironical laughter and cheers.) Mr. BRODRICK said he would await the result of this action with great complacency. With regard to the physique of our Army ä.3 compared with Continental armies, there was the gteat-est possible misconcention. Wc got much better men physically than any other army in Europe. No one who had walked through a French garrison town would require statistics on that point. (Hear. har.) Theie I was no standard of height in France, and in Germany me-n were accepted who were in all respec.ta physically inferior to our men. Almost every officer was in favour of taking youths because youths were more amenable to discipline and learnt their training quicker. The question of character must not be pressed too far. They did not want men who had been in gaol or drunkards, or men likely to demoralise their comrades, but he should object to laying down a number of Sunday School rules that would exclude any- boy who had been expelled from school for impertinence or had left his situation with- out cause. Recruiting must always depend upon the state of the labour market, the popularity of the Army, and other causes. Mr. BRYN ROBERTS (R., Carnarvon, Eifion) would have supported a still larger reduction. Mr. GIBBS asked leave to withdraw his motion to reduce the Vote. Mr. ASQUITH congratulated the bon. mem- ber upon having induced the Secretary for War to make admissions and to give under- ta.kings. Leave to withdraw was refused, and on a division the motion Was negatived by 246 votes to 73. The report of the vote was then agreed to. The vote of £ 9,078,OCO for the pay of the Army at home and abroad was confirmed. The vote for half-pay and retired allow- ances was also confirmed. Brodricks "—Dwarf Soldiers at the Cape. A Biuen-fonton correspondent says that the officers of the British Army complain bitterly of the class of recruits who are now arriving. In one draft the average age of the soldiers was eighteen, and there were a few who were far younger—mere boys—although they were enlisted as being of proper age. The officers say that it is impossible to train these grow- ing lads, as they are unable to bear the strain of hard work in a new climate. The Dutch openly scoff at the youthful appear- ance of the recruits, while the older soldiers christen their boy comrades after the Secre- tary of War, whose name has come a generic term for them.-Press Association Foreign Special.

— Remember lhat the blood, whether pure or impure, circulates through the organs of the hunjan body—Lungs. Heart. Stomach, Kidneys, Brain. If it is laden with poisonous matter it spreads disease on its course. "If the biood is diseased the body is diseased." In cases of Scrofula. Scurvy. Eczema. Bad Legs. Skin and Bloorl Diseases. Pimples, aid Sores of all kinds tbo. effect. of Clarke's Blood Mixture are mar- l, vellous. Thousands of wonderful cnrri hav been affected by it. Clarke's Blood Mixture is sold everywhere at 2s. 9d. per bottle. Beware of worthless imitations and substittitep. e3939—-10

CARDIFF SUICIDE. 1 .ii. !■ Mountain Ash Lady's Rash Act. VERDICT OF" SUICIDE WHILST TEMPORARILY INSANE." As reported in the Pink edition of yester- day's Evening Express," The tragic death on Tuesday of Mrs. Alice Jane Prichard-Evans, of Mountain Ash, at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr. Evan Evans, 36, Park-place, Cardiff, was inquired into by Mr. E. B. Reece, borough coroner, at Cardiff Town-hall, yesterday, Dr. E. Prichard-Evans, of Mountain Ash, widower of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. His wife was 47 years of age last birthday. For the last four or nve months she had been suffering from depression, but there was nothing in her conduct to cause any alarm. She left home on Sunday night for Cardiff. Witness accompanied her, and returned to Mountain Ash alone on Mon- day. His wife was then in her usual state of health, and it was hoped the change would benefit her. He was sent for on Tuesday, and found on his a-rrival at Cardiff that his wife was dead. Alice Watts, housemaid at 36, Park-place, was next called. She said she attended Mrs. Prichard-Evans, who did not seem low- spirited. In fact, on Monday her health seemed to have improved. Witness saw her going to her bedroom on Monday night and spoke to her. There was nothing appa- rently the matter with her. At half-paet seven on Tuesday morning witness took a. cup of tea to her in her bedroom. Mrs. Prichard- Evans's sister was with her. Witness next saw her at ten minutes to nine, when she went upstairs to attend to her duties. She went into the bedroom, and Mrs. Prichard- Evans was then lying in bed, apparently asleep. Witness then went to Mr. Evans's dressing-room, and while she was them the lady cajne in. She was in her dressing- gown, and did not speak to witneas, who walked on into the adjoining bedroom. A minute later Mrs. Prichard-Evans went to her own bedroom, and from there to the lavatory. Witness had occasion to go to the bathroom, and then s@.w the daughter standing out- side the lavatory, asking her mother to come out. As there was no reply, witneas fetched Mrs. Evan Evans, and all three called out and tried to open the door, but failed. Mr. Evan Evans was then summoned, and he burst open the door. Deceased was found lying on the floor, bleeding profusely, and there was a razor close by. When she saw Mrs. Prichard- Evans croesing to the lavatory earlier witness thought she looked a little strnrc-f Mr. Evan Evans said Mrs. Prichard-Evans was his sister-in-law, and came on a visit to him on Sunday laet, with her husband and daughter. Ho knew his sister-in-law had suf- lered from depression, but she seemed to have improved in health. On Monday she went out shopping, and appeared to be more, cheerful than of late. When he wae called upstairs on Tuesday morning he at once forced open the lavatory door, and saw the lady in a sitting position on the floor, with blood about her throat. She gasped once or twice, and died whilst witness was holding her. He* saw a razor on the seat and anotheT in a. case. They were his razors, and were always kept in his dreseing-room. Dr. C. T. Vachell, who was called in, said deceased was dead when he got to the house, at nine o'clock. He examined her, and found two wounds—one on either side of the throat,- and each four and a half inches long. The windpipe had been severed and a vein opened on the right side of the neck. Death must have been aimoet instantaneous. The razor found by her, and which was bloodstained, would have produced the wounds. He had attended her in December of last year and January. She was suffering from insomnia and nervous depression. In Feb- ruary, when he saw her next, she had im- proved in health. Witness had been told that she had complained of having had a very bad night on Sunday, and, no doubt, this was the cause of her committing the act. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane," and asked to be allowed to exprees their sympathy with the relatives of the deceased lady. A vote of condolence with Dr. Prichard- I Evans was passed at the meeting of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians on Wednes- day.

1 JUDICIAL SEPARATION. Petition Against a Cardiff Man Tm the Divorce Division of the High Court on Wednesday (before Mr. Justice Bucknill) the case of Bethell v. Bethell, a wife's suit for judicial separation, came on for hearing. Mr. E. Bankes, K.C., and Mr. Nisbett were for the petitioner, and Mr. Newson for the respondent. Mr. Bankes said the petitioner, Ellen Mary Bethell, sued for a judicial separation ou the ground of the cruelty of her husband, Mr. H. Bethell. The petitioner was the daughter of a well-known clergyman in the West of England, and she married the respondent, a master mariner, in 1882. The respondent, having left the sea, invested his money in house property at Clifton, near Bristol, and at Cardiff, going to reside at the latter place. These investments brought in about JE500 a year. Respondent was extremely parsi- monious, would not. allow his wife a holiday or a doctor, or medicines, and only gave her £ 1 a week. Then he left her to live at Cardiff. The whole conduct of the prisoner was harsh and unreasonable, and practically amounted to leaving his wife and family with- out the comforts to which they were entitled. There were also two distinct acts of violence alleged. Mr. Newson, for the respondent, said he should challenge the whole of the allegations made by the petitioner. The petitioner was called, and said she was now 54 and her husband was 72. In cross- examination she admitted that a good deal of the disputes between them was caused by money matters. Witness had £75 a year of her own, and respondent had about JEMO, but he would not give her sufficient money, and she paid for clothes and her children's educar- tion out of her own money. Mr. Barnard, a Bristol solicitor, deposed to taking out the summons against the respon- dent for assault, and on the respondent's promise it should not occur again the sum- mons was withdrawn, the respondent paying the costs. The eldest son and daughter of t,he peti- tioner were called, and corroborated her story as to the continual harsh treatment by her husbajnd. They agreed that it had affected her health. For the defence Captain TL Bethell, the respondent, was called. He said that, when he was married his income Wall about £ 600 or £ 700 a year, but he had lost, a good deal of invest- ments, and his total income now was only £ 200 a year. He denied that he had ever been cruel or unkind to his wife or struck her, but she could not govern her unruly tongne. (Laughter.) He did object to his wife going out as she did three or four nights a week when he was always at home. Mr. Newson submitted there was no ground for the separation claimed. Mr. Justice Bucknill said he must in this case grant the decree asked for, with costs.

I SWANSEA SHIPPING CASE In the King's Bench on Wednesday Mr. Justice Walton continued the hearing of the case for the defence in the action of the Vic- toria Dry Docks Company (Limited), Swansea, Y. Le Boulanger and the Pansy Steamship Company, Swansea.. Mr. Pickford, K.C., and Mr. G. Wallace were for the plaintiffs, and Mr. J. A. Hamilton, K.C.. and Mr. Roche represented the defendants. Plaintiffs claimed £ 299 for work done on the boiler furnace of defendants' steamer Swansea. The greater part of the counter-claim was admitted, but defendants counter-claimed damages on the ground of alleged negligent work on the part of the plaintiffs or their servants. After further evidence had been taken the hearing was again adjourned.

PONTYPRIDD COUNTY COURT Before hie Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, at Pontypridd County-court on Wednesday, Messrs. Arthur and G. Stuart Beaton, Ponty- pridd, brought a claim against Mr. Joseph Sprague, accountant. Pontypridd, for .92 Os. 6d. A counter-claim for L55 19s. 6d. was put in by the defendant. The amount claimed was made up as follows:—Goods sold, work done. materials supplied. &c., £ 36 12s. 5d.; money lent, £ 50; and interest thereon, X5 8s. Id. Of the counter-claim JE36 15s. was for services rendered in various matters.—The defence to the claim for £ 50 of the amount wa/i that it had been satisfied by tho plaintiff having reppiTcd credit for it.—His Honour gave judg- mtlnt for the plaintiffs for the amount (claimed, less with costs, and for ihe j defendant on his counter-claim for £ 14 14«., with costs.

WELSHMEN IN TROUBLE. Thousands oi Wr1«hruen ars in l'a1!1 and !'Nluhl!1 pv day t.broll¡;,11 T.uanbaro, Gravel, Ridnny Dfseaso, Dropsy, V/iatl. Voter Com- plaints. All thess will find a positive cure in HoWroyd's Gravel Piils. Money returned if not Mtisfled 11\. I'd. all chemists. Poet free tweltt ftA.m, HOI..DJiOYD'R IMPirAL HALL, CLSGKSSAXOjr, TOUUL SUM4 J

"TRADE" a LICENCES. Important Deputation to the Premier. PLAIN SPEAKING BY MR. BALFOUR. In Committee-room 10 of the House of Com- mons yesterday, Mr. John Gretton, M.P., introduced to the Premier an influential depu- tation, representative of the Licensed Vic- tuallers' Defence League and of the National Trade Defence Association, whose object was to lay before the right hon. gentleman their views "with regard to the confiscation policy now adopted by several benches of magis- trates." Tho deputation included several members of Parliament, and also Mr. J. Mander, the chairman of the Cardiff and Dis- trict Licensed Victuallers' Association. Accom- panying the Premier were the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Home Secretary, sur- rounded by a large group of members of the House. Among the speakers was Mr. Groves, M.P., and other trade representatives. They pleaded for protection against confiscation, and urged that no man's means of livelihood should be taken away from him without com- pensation. MR. BALFOUR'S REPLY. in the course of his reply Mr. Balfour said: We recognise to the full that all those interested in the liquor trade of this country are at this moment being subjected to a very serious and, as I think, a very unjust strain- (cheerE)-an(I it is natural and right that they should take an early opportunity of laying their case before his Majesty's Government and before Parliament. I do not think I need say anything to this assembly to dissipate the erroneous impression to which I' think Mr. Morrell in his opening speech referred, ¡ which attributes to the Bill passed by my right hon. friend near me (Mr. Ritchie) last year some of the difficulties in which we now find ourselves. That is a wholly erroneous view of the sitiiation-a view for which I believe there is no foundation at all. Of course, it is possible to say, as some critics seem dis- posed to say, that the Bill might have con- tained something which it did not contain. That is true of all measures brought before Parliament, and I will only say on that point that had that Bill endeavoured to deal with the immense problems which had not then been forced before our attention in the way in which they have been forced since, it would have had no chance of passing in the course of last session, and a measure which ia valuable to the community, which ia destined to do admirable work in the interests of sobriety, and because it is going to do good work in the interests of sobriety is one which the whole trade ought to welcome, and does welcome-(cheers)-for no class of men have greater interest in sobriety than they have- that Bill, I say, would not have been added to the statute book had it embraced all the subjects which are worthy of the attention of Parliament in connection with thi3 vexed and complicated problem. I do not know that y,ou will ask me to say anything on the question of magistrates' law. I am not a com- petent critic of legal matters, and the Lord Chancellor, who is eminently a competent critic, has recently at great length, and with every circumstance of care and solemnity, delivered a weighty utterance in the House of Lords upon that aspect of the question. But I suppose I ought to say one word upon two matters which have been brought to my notice by speakers this afternoon. One is the statement that some brewster sessions conceived themselves to be acting under in- structions from quarter sessions in the policy they have recently been pursuing. I do not conceive it to be the business of quarter sessions to give instructions of that character to the brewster sessions. They a.re a court of al)peal over the work of breweter sessions, and they ought not, I conceive, to lay down any judgments until the matter oomee before them in their judicial capacity as a, court of appeal. (Cheers.) The other point—and the only other point which I need touch on before I come to the main issue before us—is the in fere vice which these magistrates have drawn that because in a Bill of last year which dealt with a definite, circumscribed set of problems connected with the tempcrance question compensation has not been men- tioned, therefore compensation was not intended, and that his Majesty's Government regarded compensation as a matter in which they have no particular interest. Well, I don't know whether magistrates who have drawn this Grange inference from these mis- leading premises are very many, but if they are very many I should certainly not have any confidence in their capacity in other walks of life. (Hear, hear.) However, those are, after all, but subsidiary issues. What we have got to consider is the [ ACTUAL CONDITION OF AFFAIRS which appears to have been brought about over a large area of the country through the policy newly and recently adopted by these magistrates. I confess I regard this sudden and rapid change as most regrettable from a great many points of view. I think it is regrettable because it really hardly gives a. fair chance to the Bill of my right hon. friend Mr. Ritchie-the Bill of last year-to work all tl;o good which I am confident it will work. (Hear, hear.) The problem of tem- perance was, I think, left in a better state by legislation last year than it has ever been in my experience. (Hear, hear.) The Bill had been passed by common consent, accepted, I believe, even by extreme teetotalers, but, at all events, accepted by the more moderate representatives on the temperance side. It was accepted likewise, and accepted cordially, by gentlemen in thia room representing. the great industry for which you come here to- day to plead, and it was on the way to carry- ing out uncontroversially, without bitterness, without injury to any man in his legitimate business or in his property: a great work of pocial reform. (Cheers.) I do not believe that that smooth path can remain uninter- rupted now that this bitter controversial question has suddenly been dragged to the front. (Hear, hear.) For that reason-if for no other, and I have stronger reasons to adduce presently—I confess I regret the course which the magistrates have pursued. But there are other reasons, and the main reason is the one which every speaker this afternoon has urged upon me, namely, the insecurity which has been wrought in every branch of the trade, and, as a consequence. accompanying that insecurity the gro38 in- justice which has been done to a large num- ber of individuals. (Cheers.) J gather that that which was a legitimate investment is regarded as an investment no longer, or scarcely worth regarding as an investment. I understand that property which was insur- able is insurable no longer, and that OOf] im- mediate result of what has occurred is that not only does every licensed holder feel that he holds his licence without, any fixed or adequate security, but that he cannot even go, like other persons engaged in a hazar- dous business, to an. insurance office, and by calculating the risks make provision against loss which may in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, reduce a, man from v, competence to penury. (Hear. hear.) But there is a much more far-reaching effect which I think is likely to be produced by what is occurring. I put aside the view of those who think it either desirable or, if desirable, prac- ticable to prevent the people of this country indulging moderately in alcoholic liquors. I regard that as an absolutely impossible state of things. I do not know that I should desire it if it could be carried out, and I am per- fectly sure it could not be carried out. There is no northern community in the world which has ever consented to abstain wholly from a. moderate indulgence in alcoholic liquors, and I doubt if it is possible for us to hope that anything beyond a moderate rate of con- sumption can ever be established in this country, but putting those aside who regard that as a very meagre settlement of the idea at which we ought to aim, and confining myself to more moderate temperance refor- mers, among whom I should desire to class myself, surely it must stand to reason that if you make property in licences absolutely inse- cure, no man of position or substance will engage in the trade. (Cheers.) And if that be true, the next consequence is quite irre- futable, namely, that a trade which must exist, will fall into the hands of men who have nothing to lose by misconduct, who run the thing in a manner which may possibly suit their own interests, but which must be inimi- cal to the public intereot, and by driving out all men of position and responsibility from the holding of licences you will inflict upon them, not merely a great hard- ship upon the classes who desire to make use of respectable and well-conducted houses-but you will inflict the greatest injury upon the cause of temperance iteelf. (Hear, hear.) I hope you will content yourselves with the statement that what has occurred appears to us to be in many cases, however Well intended, but little short in its practical effect of unjust confiscation of property, and that to the unjust confiscation of property it is impossible that either Parliament or his Majesty's Government can remain indifferent. (Loud eb". re.) Mr. Gretton, M.P.. in thanking Mr. Balfour on behalf of the deputation. tKiid they fully recognised the difficulty of dealing with the question on the spur of the moment, but unless ;L way was opened for the trade he l'eared they would stand in most serious jeopardy at next year's seerions.

l C ADB URY" C')I\ -1- bjí 110 ur¡S'l_i. aid "IiJy dis?t?. Tepairin? wa?'" and ?rescr?ug health. ?. i? ,I?lUt@IV Plrc and UII1 ampered with, bjng entirely free -frl-m dross, alkali", w any sumiiture. CA.D- BtJBT'f is » fxrfwst ffted, tultafei* fair ill ago and fK all ssmsbs si Um tmc. IWM k  f. Y

I A WAR BALLOON. Purposes For Which It Is Intended. INTERESTING SPEECH BY DR. BARTON. Speaking in London yesterday evening Dr. F. A. Barton, president of the Aeronautical Institute, gave some interesting particulars respecting the airship which ho has just commenced to build at the Alexandra Palace under contract with the War Office. It was a combination of the "iighter than air" and "heavier than air" systems-that is to say, it was a machine in which a system of movable aeroplanes was interspersed between the car and the balloon. It would be fitted with motors developing 150 horse-power. If the results obtaineu by this machine should he satisfactory, ihe War Offico would have another airship built by him larger and stronger, with probably 600 horse-power engines. The size and number of the aeroplanes would be increased, and the balloon would be strengthened, but its proportions would be diminished. Thns they hoped to progress step by step, gradually increasing the size and power, but diminishing the balloon until they arrived at the practical commercial airship. He estimated that an airship such as he had foreshadowed would have an independent speed of 60 to 80 miles an hour. The purposes for which such an airship would be useful in the commercial economy of the world were infinite and obvious, particularly those having a speed of 25 to 30 miles an hour only. His own machine would probably attain 25 miles an hour. Such machines, he thought, would be especially useful in the work of exploration of such countries as the hinterland of the West African Coast, the interior of Brazil and Australia, and the country on each side of large rivers like the Amazon and the Congo, which were almost inaccessible to mankind owing to the difficulty of crossing the fever- laden swamps and dense forests. As to sport, he rather thought that an airship regatta- would be almost as exciting as a motor-car race.

I MERTHYR DISTRICT RATE. The Appeals by Colliery Companies. At the weekly meeting of the Merthyr Urban District Council on Wednesday. Mr. W. R Harris, the accountant, reported that there -as a balance against the council at the bank on all accounts of £ 4,435 6s.—Mr. Dan Thomas said the bank charges were increas- ing, and at the end of the financial year they would have a deficit equal! to a rate of a. penny in the JE. From a return which he had ob- tained from the superintendent rate collector, h3 found that Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettle- folds, Messrs. Crawshay Brothers (Limited), Nixon's Navigation Company, and the Ocean Coal Company had not paid their general dis- trict rate, and there was now due from them £ 6,718 18s. 3d. He proposed that the clerk write to these four companies pressing for payment of the money within a week.—Mr. David Evana seconded the motion, and it was carried. At a later stage of the meeting, the Clecrk reported that he had received notices of appeal against the general district rate from Messrs. Guest, Keen, and NetiJefolds, Messrs Craws hay Brothers (Limited), and the Ocean Coal Company. Mr. D. W. Jones asked whether the council had a right to appeal against the action of the assessment committee in regard to the rating of the Plymouth Collieries, when the assessment by a stroke of the pen was reduced by about one-half. The Olerk replied that they could appeal against any valuation list, but he was afraid not against the reduction in favour oi Hill's Plymouth Company, because that was a mere incident which arose out of the assessment committee's own meeting. W11a.t ought to have been done was to have re- deposited the valuation list. Mr. Jones said he thought the reduction of tho assessment of the Plymouth Collieries was most irregular and unfair to the general body of ratepayers, and he suggested that the council should appeal to quarter sessions to have it increased. Mr. Dan Thomas said this question ought to have been raised before. It was now too late to do anything, because the council had passed a resolution agreeing to let the district rate abide by the result of the poor-rate. The present notices of appeal were against the 10 per cent., and if the council chose to do so they were in a position to resist those appeals. In the course of further discussion it trans- pired that the quarter sessions would be held on April 7, so that there was no time to enable the council to take any effective action. Mr. Jones asked whether the council could not do something to get the Plymouth Col- lieries re-instated to the old assessment. Mr. Dan Thomas: Yes, and it won't be my fault if the newly-elected overseers won't do it.

I WAGES IN THE POST OFFICE In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Keir- Hardic (R., Merthyr Tydfil) will ask the Post- master-General whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by Mr. Jus- tice Phillimore when directing the grand jury at the opening of the Glamorgan Assizes, in which he animadverted on the low wages paid to five Post Offico employes who were to be tried, and expressed the hope that the Post Office authorities would consider this state of things; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter.

 MAGISTRATES' STRANGE ACHON. I MAGISTRATES'_ANGE ACTIO N. I A singular sequel is reported at Walsall to a case in which a woman named Sarah Walters, of Oxford-street, Pleck, was on Tues- day sentenced by the local magistrates to a month's imprisonment for neglecting her infant child after having been twice put on her good behaviour to give her an opportunity of amending her conduct. It is stated that, after the court proceedings, one of the magis- tratee visited the woman's home, and made a personal investigation into the circumstances. Whether as a result of this, or otherwise, cannot be stated, but, at any rate, in the afternoon the woman was discharged from custody, and returned home just as the inspec- tor of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, by whom the prosecu- tion was instituted, was making arrange- ments to remove the child during the mother's detention. Her explanation was that the magistrates had decided to allow her to remain on her good behaviour for another I month.

I LOVER'S FOLLY. Yesterday, at Yeovil, Walter Neville, 26, was charged with attempting Buicide. Prisoner wn,s engaged to be married, but failing to get a house decided to drown himself. To his ,weethea,rt he wrote:—"Dear Agne-s.-I have tried all possible means in this world to get on. but find it is no use. By the time you ha,ve this letter I shall be in Sutton River, dead. Good-bye, Agnes.—Your broken-hearted lover." Prisoner had partially undressed, and was about to jump into the river when a. friend caught him. Prisoner's parents promised to look after him, and he waa dis- charged, I -———————————————

At Swansea Police-court on Wednesday Joseph lie wis, aged fifteen, of 33. Jones-street, lyli-4 sent to a reformatory for five years for stealing two flannel shirts, value fs., from outside No. 32, Neath-road, Hafod, the pro- perty of Walter Lee. John Aspill, ;I, younger boy. a wmpanioTj. waa dealt with under the FiNt. 04endera Aofe. J

THE EDUCATION ACT Proposed Llandrindod Conference. WELSH BISHOPS DECLINE TO ATTEND. The following is the text of letters written I recently to the Mayor of Swansea by two of the five bishops consulted as to the feasibility of a round-table conference on the local appli- cation of the Education Act. Replies have also been received from the Bishops of St. David's and St. Asaph, but as yet the town- clerk has not received authority to publish them. They are stated to- be practically all on the same lines. The letter from the Bishop of Llandaff is as follows:- The Placc, Llandaff, 10th March. 1903. Doar Mr. Mayor,—I am much obliged to you for the honour you have done me in inviting me to take part in a conference with the representatives of certain of the Welsh educational authorities to dicu Resolution 3 of those passed at a conference held by them at Llan- drindod on the 27th of February last. I fully appreciate the action of the member of the conference in tho expression of a desire to provide a way by which the Education Act of 1902 may be administered without friction between tho local authorities and the trustees and managers of voluntary schools, but unless a basis can be settled before the holding of the proposed conference which will afford a reasonable hope of a settler/Lent .atiôfactorv to both parties, I am afraid that the conference will only end in disappointment. Resolu tion 3 in its prcent form does not appear to me to provide such a basis. First, because it proposes to take away from denominational schools the right which they liave hitherto possessed, and for the possession of which they were erected, and have ever since been maintained, at a cost of many millions, of imparting religious instruction to tho children of parents who desire it, in accordance with the tenets of the denomi- nation to which these schools belong, within regular school hours, and also of taking away from the managers the appointment of a teacher fully qualified to impart such teaching, which wiJI practically be the effect of turning the m-ijo?rl:tY of the foundation managers pro- vided into a mino&ity. It, has been satd, but I do not know how far the statement is correct, that the definite religious instruc- tion i-3 not only to be relegated to other than the normal chool hour, but is also to be paid for by the denomi- nation to which the school belongs. When it is remem- bered that the asset which the supporters of voluntary schools at present contribute to the local authority by allowing them the viivs of their school buildings for secular education, and undertaking to keep them in repair, is of far greater amount than the proportion of the rates paid for definite religious instruction would be, such a proposal does not appear to me to be fair or equitable, and it would be impossible for me to agree to it. I much fear, after reading the Llandrindod resolutions carefully, that the representatives of the local authorities will not be able to see their way to a-gree to the terms which I have indicated; otherwise I should be, ablo to entertain the hope that a conference might result in removing all danger of friction, that tho now Act would prove an inestimable blessing in having the effect of drawing more closely together all those who are interested in the improvement of our educational machinerc and in doing that which should bo our first care—furthering the welfare of our children. Upon the whole, therefore, I believe that my wisest course will be t? assist, 3B far as I can. in admin istering the Act ar?ordiuz to its spirit and its lett@r.-I am, dear Mr. Mayor, yours faithfully, R. LLANDAFF. The Bishop of Hereford wrote from the Palace, Hereford. March 13, 1903: — Dear 8ir,-1 desire to thank you for the invitation you have so considerately sent me to attend your pro- posed conference of local education authorities. Seeing that I have only a very few parishes in Wales, I thought it better to defer my reply until I heard whether the four Welsh bishops would bo likely to attend. From public announcements, I now gather that they are not able to do so. Under these circumstaJieAs, I fpel that I shouid do no good, and might do harm, if I came to tako pait in your discussions, ;\nd, indeed, in any case, I fear I should have had nothing to contribute beyond the expression of my oarnest hope that a conciliatory spirit may prcvil on all sides, and that before 101l the now Education Act may be satisfactorily amended so as to meet the legitimate claims of all sections of the Deonle.—Believe me. dear sir, yours faithfully. | J. HEREFORD.

SWANSEA TOWN COUNCIL. The Increase of Rating: An Explanation. A monthly meeting of the council of the county borough of Swansea. was held on Wed- nesday afternoon at the Town-hall, the n:ayor (Mr. Griffith Thomas) presiding. The Hon. Odo Vivian called attention to a minute of the general purposes committee resolving that the corporation petition Par- liament in favour of the Great Western (Garnant, Neath, and Swansea) Bill, and that the mayor be authorised to affix the common seal thereto. He argued that the corporation ought in no case to support any Bill of which they had absolutely no information. Mr. Merrels said an important question was whether there was to be passenger traffic on the line. The Town-clerk said the line came down from Clydach Vale and tapped the Great Western Railway on the Burrows at Neath, and the promoters stated that the coal of Clydach Valley and district would come down to the port of Swansea for shipment. Mr. David Davies said thia was a direct line for Swansea. It meant an expenditure of £350.000. He thought it the duty of the cor- poration to support the scheme, which they considered most to tho advantage of the town, and a feeder to the proposed new dock which they could not afford to despise. The minute of the committee was adopted. THE RATES. Mr. R. Martin, referring to the committee's estimates for the year 1903-4 and the prospec- tive rise of rates, explained how that occurred. There was a deficiency of E9,000 on last year, of which C5,000 was caused by the finance committee, and zL4,000 by the com- mittees exceeding their estimates. The water and sewers committees had neglected to esti- mate sufficient from rates, taxes, and rents; the works and sanitary committee had spent more owing to the small-pox epidemic. In addition to the £ 9,000 the estimates of the committees for this year were £ 4,876 more than last year. Of this the finance committee were again responsible for X2,500, and the com- mittees had been asked to cut down their esti- mates to the lowest possible amount, and they had managed to reduce this excess to about a half. Tho net result was that this year the increase would be C5,003, and they had to provide for £9,000 from last year. It was clear that if t.hey made such a large capital outlay en such necessary works as waterworks they could not afford to spend in other ways also. Mr. Martin further remarked that it would be unfortunate for Swansea to obtain a bad repu- tation for its high rates, and commented on the fact that Lysaght's Works and Bayliss, Jones, and RayIisiI might possibly have come to Swansea instead of going to Newport. Mr. David Davies said t,hat he happened to know for a fact that the Dowlais Works might have come to Swansea. Cardiff's claims had been persistently looked after for months before the removal, but, in spite of that, the Guests had been in doubt up to the last. Not a single representation was made from Swan- sea. The difficulty was that Cardiff could not guarantee an absolutely certain supply of water. J r Swansea had been able to do so the works would have come to Swansea. It was stated that the amount of increagf in the rates had been over-estimated by the public. It would be 9d on tho whole year. Mr. David Davies, referring to the increasing school board precepts, said the board had just decided, in regard to the proposed new Hafod School, on polled work instead of bricks, and he asked permission to move a resolution deprecating the debitting to current expenses of the additional expense of such work upon a school. The resolution was permitted by the Mayor, and was carried. THE EDUCATION SCHEME. On the motion of Mr. R. Martin, it jvas d&- cided to fix the 30th of September next as the date for the local application of the new edu-, cation scheme. The Town-clerk said that, taking for granted that the council agreed with what had been done at the Llandrindod Conference, he had already written to the Education Board asking them to fix upon this date. THE NEW WATERWORKS DAM. Mr. Morgan Hopkin moved a. resolution res- cinding a. previous resolution of the council deciding to face the Cray Waterworks dam with bricks and not stone. Mr. Hopkins pro- duced a letter which he had received from the consulting engineer, in which he in unquali-1 ficd terms dissented from the decision of the council, and expressed the opinion that stone waa the best material. Mr. Hopkin's resolu- tion was lost by thirteen votes for to nine- teen against. After some further business the council adjourned.

I THE COAL COMMISSION The Royal Commission on Coal Supplies sat again at Westminster on Wednesday. Mr. Gordon Miller, C.B., DIrector, of Con- tracts for the Royal Navy, spoke as to the. requirements of the Navy, the present area of supply, and the attempts which have been made and are being made to widen that area. He also gave an account of the experi- ments made by the Admiralty with regard to oil, patent fuel, improved furnaces, Ac. Sir George Livesey. chairman of the South Metropolitan Gas Company, dealt with the progress of the gas industry for many years, the various views taken, and the economies effected in the consumption of coal by the increasing use of Water-gas and incandescent mantles. Mr. Stromeyer, engincer-in-chief to the Manchester ¡;Hea,m Users' Association, gave an account of the economies in steam engines during the last 25 years, and indicated that, in his view, much could yet be done by double combustion a.nd the further rise of hol/-a.ir blasts, by which inferior qualities of coal might be used to savantage. The Commission adjourned.

Cachfarf"s" Comments, The newspaper men have been in just £ < little too much of a hurry regarding the. applications for the Bute Dowry Fund. Candidates are becoming more business-' like, and before they make applications' for the dowry they resort to a good many preliminary inquiries, in order to minimise as much as possible the chances of dis- appointment. The annual dividend arisin g from the above fund is for a girl of thei poorer classes who shall be domiciled ia Cardiff, and whose marriage might be; facilitated by the receipt of such a fund. Somehow or another, an idea has got, abroad that persons who are already married may participate in this endow- ment, and somo have had to be sent away disappointed on that account. Intending applicants should bear in mind that nomi- nations are to be made by any member of the Cardiff Corporation, and the mayor will be glad if this is borne in mind. It may do away with a good deal of fruitless canvassing. Tho duty devolving upon the mayor is arduous enough without having to undertake endless interviews as well. The annual meeting of the Glamorgan- shire Bee-keepers' Association, which waa revived last year, reminds us of a welcomo harbinger of the season of the year, when the bee is humming." This association) takes a very practical view of its duties, as is indicated by the engagement of an expert, who will visit those members who desire it, and whose tour will commence about mid-May. Bee-keepers are advised, in order to prevent the spread of foul brood, to exercise the utmost care in pur- chasing bees, and to obtain with the same a clean bill of health. Another excellent provision for the encouragement of bee- keeping is that of having lantern lectures on apiculture and bee demonstrations. I Even to those who do not beep bees theso lectures are interesting, their habits being of the most instructive kind. Notwith-. standing all the glory of Solomon's court., he found in these industrious insects am aid to wisdom and the means of pointing a moral. Foul brood in bees, where it has pre- viously appeared, and has not been effec- tually eradicated, will inevitably show itself in the spring. One naturalist describes it as a "horrible disease," and one that quickly spreads unless efforts are promptly taken to check its progress. If the presence of the disease is suspected in any apiary, careful watch should be made to detect the weakest, and then give them. a searching examination at the most con- venient time, which will be on a warm afternoon, "just as flying is ceasing for the day." I warn amateur bee-keepers, however, to be more careful that they have ceased stinging for the day than that they have ceased flying, for, although many years have elapsed since I ventured to disturb a bee in its stronghold (the hive), I have a lively recollection of their peculiar greeting to meddlesome inquirers, for, like a well-advertised heal-all medicine, they never fail to touch the spot." Dear Sir,—With reference to Judge Phillimore's remarks, and your paragraph of Monday night, re pay of Post Officc assistants, and more especially those in the employment of sub-postmasters, I have taken tho liberty to enclose a copy of tho journal 'The. Sub-Postm aster,' in which you will find that the grievances of the sub-postmasters are not less in need of ventilation than those of post-office assis- tants. You will see some very interesting figures, showing the magnificent remunera- tion paid b ythe State Postal Department; hence is it any wonder that sub-post- masters are compelled to pay their assis- tants such horribly poor salaries? With reference to the responsibility of auxiliary postmen, one of whom was tried on Mon- day. I would like to state a case in point. In Cardiff the most important clearance of letters and bags from sub-post-offices is from 8.10 to 8.30 o'clock every evening, and is almost entirely entrusted to boys: just out of the telegraph messenger de- partment, and when I say they have to call at each sub-post-office on their rounds for mail-bags, and that each bag contains large sums of money, the ways of the department must be regarded as not being sufficiently mindful of the temptations placed in the way of unreflecting boys.- I am, etc., ONE IN THE KNOW." The above letter lets in a good deal of light upon the difficulties of sub-post- masters, and the consequent ill-payment of some of the Post Offico assistants. The periodical referred to by my correspon- dent fully bears out his complaint, not by single instances, but by case after case, but I will quote only one. The total amount of money orders and postal orders issued and paid, savings' bank deposits and withdrawals, stamps sold, and licences issued in a year amounted to 422,999, in addition to which nearly 8,000 parcels were despatched, 997 registered letters, and nearly 6,000 telegrams, and for which duties the sub-postmaster is to receivo E102 Os. 8d. And here I quote the "Sub-post- master's" comment upon the above state of tilings:—"It is utterly impossible to work this office with less than two persons in constant attendance during the twelve hours open to the public. My clerk costs me £ 11 12s. (absorbing my official salary), and she honestly earns it. In addition, I have to pay share of rent, rates, and lighting; also occasional extra help, fire and burglary insurance, bond premium, pens, ink, blotting-paper, wax, &c., counter losses, cleaning offices, interest on cost of fittings, and repairs to same. The result is that I receive a fraction over 2d. per hour for my own services. I don't ,of course, know what the department think, but I know that it would be impossible for any but a well- educated man to conduct my office pro- perly, and for such a one 2id. per hour cannot be considered a princely remunera- tion. It ;s less than half the wage of a bricklayer's or a corporation labourer." Another" sub" gives his turnover as L7,000, the remuneration being E25, in- clusive of commissions. The public has very self-denying servants in sub-post- masters, for, miserable as their pay is, they have to almost obliterate their citi- zenship and be as tied to their duties as a dog to a yard-post. I will return to thia subject again. ,I

I COAL IN BRITISH BORNEO Router's Agency is informed that the Char- tered Company of British North Borneo has received a cablegramtrom Mr. Birch, C.M.G.. Governor of British North Borneo, atating: that an excellent seam of coal, 6ft. thick, has been discovered in tho vicinity of Cowie Harbour. The company has also been informed by the Governor of an important discovery of rich manganese ore at Ta.rilipaa. in Marudu BaL4