Evening Express

Experts are divided-it is the way of experts-as to whether a diminishing birth-rate is a thing to rejoice over or the reverse. The other day a Bishop filled the air with his lamentations over the dearth of babies, and now a doctor declares that this same dearth is a proof, an evidence, a consequence of national pros- perity. It is, of course, an old theory which finds the genesis of the usually huge families of the poor in the plainness of the latter's food. The sequence of the argument is that the poorer the parents and the greater the scarcity, and conse- quent plainness, of their food the more babies result. If this argument is correct—you have to use many "ifs" when dealing with experts—the nearer the people are to starvation the more rapidly, will the Bishop's idea of the size of the national nursery be realised. But, though the majority of people may incline to sympathise with the Bishop and to disagree with the doctor, surely, even a full supply of babies may be obtained at too high a price? "W hat seems more to the purpose just now is to devise methods to ensure keep- ing the babies when they come. The infant mortality tables are too high—much too high. And the main causes of that mortality are Ignorance and Dirt. Failure of the mothers to live cleanly, healthy lives, and thus be able to provide the natural food of the infant, and uncieanli- ness in preparing the artificial food upon which, in the absence of the former, the unfortunate babies have to be brought I up. Is this strong language ? It needs to be strong. Take Cardiff, for instance. The death-rate for the whole population in 1904 was 15.2 per 1.000, or, roughly speaking, one person in every 65 died but the deaths of infants under one vear old in the same period numbered 144 to every 1.000 births registered, or, say, one in every seven! Of course, there are people who declare that the fault does not wholly rest with the mothers. Thus we received the other day a vehement letter from a correspon- dent down the line, who declared she was "writing from experience," and she indicted the doctors for lack of knowledge and sympathy and for negligence. Our correspondent was whole-hearted and sweeping in her condemnation. Is tti-ere any remedy (she atcd) hr rnotibers and fathers or guardians of chil- dren, so that they can feel sure that every- thing that is possible is don. to. try a.nd saw them? Canini->t something be done to prove the accuracy of the death certificate, which seems to be given with the same amount of responsibility as the writing out of a receipt, for a. shilling, without a-ciy question? This is pre'tty strong and to the point, but stronger remarks followed. Thus I would like to know (and. feel sure that some of the many honourable members of the medical profession will gay) if there is any way to obtain eom-e attention to calLs of medical help, instead cf having to wait about ten hours for relief to a child in agonies of pain.. Many a- child would be saved, I am sure, if a little more notice were taken of anxious mothers' appeals. Why is it that men are allowed to practise aTMl ignore th-e cries of children in pain, ,a,r.d not trouble to relieve them. or pay attontiom to the oa.Ils of the pej-ents? Is there not something the authorities can. do protect the public from such men as these, especially in districts without opposition a.nd where patients have either to wait the independent, comveinsnoe of one so-called M.D. or die? Oh, yes, this mother spoke strongly. Whether facts justify her or not we -,re not now concerned to discuss. What we want to urge is that the mother, in the first mstance, and then the nurses, hold, humanly speaking, the issues off life and death to the infant in their own hands. In November, 1904, the Mayor of Huddersfield offered £ 1 to the parents of every baby born within the year 1904-5 in a certain area, called Longwood, who was reared to the age of twelve months. One hundred and ten babies were reared according to the conditions; in eight months, ending November, 1905, only one child died, and the infantile death-rate in the Longwood district was 54 per 1,000, while that for the whole borough of Huddersfield was 144, and the previous average for Longwood was 122! Of course, this result was not achieved without effort, and the first point attacked was the stupefying ignorance of mothers in regard to the proper treatment of infants. Most exhaustive, but simply prepared, instructions were issued broad- cast, with the view of educating parents, and the result has been so gratifying that funds have been anonymously and spon- taneously subscribed and placed in the hands of the Mayor of Huddersfield for the purpose of extending the experiment to another crowded district. In C3rdiff and elsewhere in South Wales effort has not been lacking in the direction of instructng the ignorant though the movement :has not, of course, bulked largely in the public eye, through the lack, mainly, of someone, like the Mayor of Huddersneld, public spirited enough to make the subject interesting from a monetary point of view. In Car- diff for years the medical officer of health (Dr. Walford) has issued minute instruc- tions to mothers and nurses. A copy of the latest issue of his circular is given in another column. He vigo- rously attacks the chief cause of infantile mortality (diarrhoea), and his text .and refrain are dirt, dirt, dirt. The mother has no milk, so artificial food is used. It sours, it is kept in unclean vessels, it is j kept too long, it is placed near a drain i •or sink, it is kept. in an ill-ventihted room—the result is dirt, poison, and death. A national conference is talked of. and this will be useful in arousing attention— if all the interest is not allowed to evano- rate in elocutionary steam. Of course, legislation will be invoked, and this might be usefully applied in overhauling infant insurance, which too frequently gives parents an interest in death rather than life. But while legislation lags—as lag it will—the hope of the nation is in prvate action, apart even from confe- rences and the usual paraphernalia of a society or association, such as that of the Mayor of Huddersfield.

Angry Councillors CALL EACH 01 HER LIARS. Lively Aberystwyth Meeting There was an uproarious scene at a meeting of the Aberystwyth Town Council on Wed- nesday morning, which culminated in the mayor (Captain T. Doughton) leaving the chair and the meeting being disbanded. The trouble arose over a recommendation by the general purposes committee that no advertising agents be employed in the matter of town advertising. Mr. C. M. Williams said Mr. May, one of the advertising agents, had treated the corpora- tion well. Mr. J. Gibson (chairman of the general pur- poses committee): Enbbish. Mr. C. M. Williams: I must take that from where it comes. Mr. Williams added tha.t he was not going to reply to all the personal remarks made in reference to himself. Mr. Gibson: It is just as well, too. Mr. Williams: I shall treat them in future with the contempt they deserve, but when an absolute falsehood is made I am bound to reply to it. Mr. J. Gibson (to the mayor): Do you allow me to be accused of falsehood by No. 10 (an allusion to the street number of Mr. Wil- liams's business premises). Mr. Williams: Yee, absolute falsehood. Mr. J. Gibson (heatedly): This man who tells lies accuses me of falsehood. The Mayor attempted to interpose amid a scene of much uproar. Mr. Gibson (londlyi: This liar accuses me of falsehood. (Cries of "Order.") Mr. Williams: I appeal to my colleagues whether they will tolerate such language. Several members then rose and proceeded to leave the council-chamber. The Mayor fto Mr. Gibson): You ought to withdraw that remark. Mr. Gibson Certainly not. I will not with- j draw. He has accused me of falsehood. Are you going to make one rule for him and another for me? The Mayor: Are you going to support the chair? Several Members: Yes. The Mayor: Very well, I vacate the chair. The mayor then left the meeting,- followed by several of the members. Mr. Gibson: Right you are. Mr. Williams said until an apology had been made he would not sit down again at the council meeting. Subsequently the mayor entered the council-chamber and adjourned the meeting until two o'clock in the afternoon. When the meeting was resumed in the afternoon there was another scene. Mr. Gibson insisted that the member who had accused him of uttering a falsehood should withdraw that statement. He (Mr. Gibs-on) as ertcd that he had not uttered a falsehood, and the man who accused him of doing so was a liar. Great uproa,r ensued, and, notwithstanding the appeals of the Mayor and the Town- clerk, Mr. Gibson refused to allow businffiS to be proceeded with until the statement com- plained of had been withdrawn. This state of things continued for fully half-an-hcur, during which time the mayor threatened several times to vacate the chair. A resolution was, however, eventually passed to appeal asainst the judgment in the High Court action of Fear v. Morgan, in which the council were defendants, and another resolution was passed confirming the promotion of a Bill in Parliament to acquire the undertaking of the Aberystwyth Gas Company. B is,* n e' --s again came to a deadlock owing to further opposition, and the meeting was adjourned till Tuesday next.

A Child-Mother CURIOUS PONTYPRIDD CASE ( At the meerting of the Pontypridd Guar- dians on Wednesday the case was mentioned of a, girl fifteen years of age having given birtih to a ohild in the "house." It was stated that the father, who had lodged with the girl's parents, had paid £ 50 to a person for adopting the child, but the stepfather would not agree to the arrangement, and intended -instituting proceedings. The guar- dians decided to issue a summons against the father for maintenance.

CHARITABLE CONCERT AT CARDIFF The ninth annual Cardiff Post and Tele- graph charitable concert was held at the Park-hall on Wednesday evening, there being a large audience. A varied and thoroughly interesting programme was pro- vided, and the popular appreciation was demonstrated by the repealed encores. The proceedings were opened by an organ recital by M.r. G. H. Coles, F.R.C.O., followed by an instrumental selection given by tha Young Australian Troubadours, a delightful trio. Mr. Alfred Dunlop and Mr. G. T. Llewellyn both Eisteddfod winners) were re-called. Mr. Harry Hutchins, ever to the fore in musical entertainments, together with Mies Irene Rees, made a successful impression in a duet composed by a Cardiff lady-Miss Hetty Hocking, which they had to repeat. Miss Dora Davies and Miss Eva Hall (soprano and contralto Eisteddfod winners) sang "Let music and song be our pastime to-night" in a very sweet style. Miss Dora Davies also sang "Softly Sighs," and Miss Eva Hall rendered "The Enchantress" in a beautiful manner. Mr. G. T. Llewellyn was at his best in I'm a roamer," and Mr. Alfred Dunlop had also to respond to encores. The humorous side of the programme was provided by Mr. Harry Quiningborough, always a favourite with local audiences, in a monologue as The Workhouse Man," and a song "The Extras," the cleverness of which the audience were quick to realise. Two violin solos ,from Mr. Arthur Angle varied the entertainment. The accompanists were Miss Edith Francis and Miss Annie Thomas. The American Biosoope, kindly lent by Mr. Oswald Stoll, showing both humorous and pathetic scenes, also contributed to a splendid evening's enjoyment. It is expected that the receipts, which are in aid of local charities, will double last year's total, which resulted in a clear profit of £87. Mention should be made of the good organising work of Mr. B. E. Good, secretary of the concert, and his energetic committee, consisting of Messrs. A. J. Devereux, J. A. Price, J. P. Glover-Lock, I —. Hutchings, and the Misses Ball and Gcttcrel.

PONTYPRIDD GROCERS SUMMONED The Pontypridd magistrates on Wednesday had before them two cases in which grccors were summoned under the Food and Drugs Act, charged with exposing for sale marga- riu.) which was not properly labelled. The first case taken was that of T. D. Cule, gToeer, Tram-road, Pontypridd.- Superintendent Cole gave evidence as to seeing two lots of margarine unlabciled in defendant's shop, though there was a label some distance away.-Vi. defence was that defendant had one label which was spread over the two lots.—The Bench having warned the defendant to be more careful in the future, the case was dismissed. In the second case, William Morga.n, grocer, n-,itrc-et, Graig, was summoned in respect of a similar offence.—Defendant did not appear, and Superintendent Cole having given evidence of finding a. cask of marga- rine unlabelled, a fine of £ 1 was imposed.

BAPTISED ON THE SEA FRONT An u-nusual sight was witnessed by the! numerous promenaders along the extensive sea. fronit at Brighton on Wednesday after- noon, two women and a man attired in oaiitumes similar to those worn by bothers i berlng baptized in the sea near the Palace Pier. A coloured clergyman, named Mul- grave, well known in the locality, performed the ceremony, which lasted only a few minutes. A oold rain was falling at the time, aod the sea. wae rather rough.

INFANT MORTALITY. I How it Can be Avoided FEED CHILDREN PROPERLY Th-e following- is the latest circular on the artificial feeding of infants, issued by the Cardiff Medical Officer of Health, and referred to in our editorial comments to- day: The breast feeding of the new born infant by the mother is the natural method of feeding, and is the method which gives the best r,ults, and diminishes to the utmost t'he chances of the infant dying. If the mother cannot feed the child, the infant must be fed with the milk of an animal (cow, ass, or goat), with water added. Quantities Needed Infants fed naturally obtain from their mother's breast about one pint of milk in 24 hours for the first few weeks. This quantity gradually increases until in the later months it reaches three pints. The equivalent of this may be taken as the standard of quantity when the infant is artificially fed. During the first six weeks after birth the infant should he fed every two hours throughout the day, between four a.m. and ten p.m., and once between these hours in the night. The food at this stage should consist of one part cow's milk and two parts water mixed and boiled, to which must be added a small teaspoonful of brcwn sugar to each pint of the mixture. Sometimes barley water may be substituted for plain water. The food must be kept in a oool place and in a clean covered vessel. Three or four ta'blespoonfuls should be given to a child each time it is fed. Prom six wooks fto three months the child should have equal parts of cow's milk and water with sugar, adding about two teaspoonfuls of cream, and the interval between meals lengthened. From the age of three months to seven months the child should have a mixture of two parts cow's milk and one part water, increasing the quantity of cream to three or four teaspconfuls. About eight tablespoon fuls should be given at each meal and the interval lengthened. From the age of seven months to twelve months the child should be fed every three hours during the day with undiluted cow's milk and cream, each meal consisting of about twelve tablespoonfuls; about a tea- spoonfgl of baked flour may be mixed with the milk at three of the meals. At the age of twelve to eighteen months the amount of milk may be doubled, bread and milk. bread and butter, and a lightly boiled egg be occasionally given. Bottles used should be boat shaped and fitted with short rubber teats. Long feeding tubes should be avoided. Bottles should be kept scrupulously clean, two being used alternately, each bottle being boiled and rinsed immediately ¡ after use. Infantile Diarrhoea seldom occurs among infants fed from their mother o breasts. It is usually caused, especially in hot weather, by the s-ouring and decomposition of the food, the rc-giect of scrupulous cleanliness in the utensils in which the food is kept, or from keeping the food too long before using it, or by keeping it near a drain or sink, or by keeping it in a dirty, ill-ventilated room. I Never feed a child with unboiled cow's milk. Boil the milk and add boiled water.

—— Work man'sDi so b.odience :I The Pontypridd justices on Wednesday were engaged for a considerable time in hear- inj: a case in which Robert Jones, a roadman, BLaenolydach, proceeded against the United National Colliery Company, Wattstown, for the recovery of £ 8 2s., in respcct of alleged wrongful dismissal. Mr. W. P. Nicholas appeared for the plain- tiff, and Mr. Charles Kenshoie, Aberdare, defended. Mr. Nicholas explained that the case for the plaintiff, who was engaged as roadman, was that he was asked on the 5th of Septem- ber to go out to drive owing to there being 6. dearth of hauliers. Defendant having refused on the ground that the roads required being attended to, the fireman (Henry Davies) told him to go up the pit, and go to ——— with him. Plaintiff did not take mnch notice of this until the fireman came back again and threatened him. Plaint,iff then got exasperated, took off his coat, and invited the fireman to carry out his threats, but the latter did not accept the invitation. (Laugh- ter.) The case for the company was that they were justified in dismissing Jones because his conduct was not conducive to good discipline. Evidence was given by the fireman. Henry Davies, who denied that he used strong language to the plaintiff, and alleged the aggressiveness to have been on the part of the plaintiff, who he alleged threw down his coat, tucked up his sleeves, and threatened to knock his head off. The Stipendiary thought that plaintiff had been guilty of disobedience, and dismissed the case, with costs.

Army Stores Scandal j A district oourt-martial was held at Chel- sea Barracks on Wednesday, Major Mono.k, Coldstream Guards, presiding, at which Staff- sergeant-major Arthur M. Hilton, 11th Com- pany Army Service Corps, was charged with having attempted to leave the country. It was stated that accused was arrested at Queenstown on December 21 on board a tender going oat to the Celtic, and that he had a ticket for New York in the name of Ernest Heydt. Prisoner elected to give evidence on his own behalf. He said that he was ordered home by a War Office cable to give evideno3 before the Royal Commission on the War Stores. He was left quite free, and, as the Commission was adjourned until January, he thought there would be no harm in his run- ning to New York. The judgment of the court was not dis- closed. Pending confirmation by the General Commanding, prisoner remains in custody.

I A Swansea Dog Fight I At Swansea Police-court on Wednesday William Doherty, a well-known Swansea athlete and swimmer, was summoned for cruelly ill-treating a dog belonging to a neigh- bour, named Gibbs, in Bay View-terrace. Inspector Bowyer, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, prose- cuted. The evidence was that defendant's dog and that of Mr. Gibbs were fighting, when defen- dant kicked at them and separated them. He subsequently incited them to fight again, a.nd then kicked Gibbs's dog so violently that it lay down, and when taken into the house it died.—Mrs. Gibbs rm-id she tried to get Doherty to desist, but he said he would serve her the same if she did not get out of the way, ajid that he would kill the dog. For the defence Mr. Thomas called several witnesses, who stated that Gibbs's dog was a vicious, savage animal, and was always' about the streets' molesting doga and chil-1 dren. Defendant was fined 206. and costs.

WEST GLAMORGAN METHODISTS. The Welsh Methodists of West Glamorgan held their annual meeting at Laleston (Bridgend) on Wednesday, the Rev. D. Mardy Davies presiding. This meeting was formerly known as "Cwrdd Calan y Pil," where it was held annually for 63 consecutive years.-Mr. Dan Roberts, brother of Mr. Evan Roberts, was accepted as a candidate for the ministry. —The motion for the establishment of a. Con- nexional Book-room for South Wales was referred back to the committee for fuller particulars.—Mr. John Davies brought up the report of the Home Mission Fund for 1906, which showed an increase in the total of coH€<*tions of ?315 18s. 5d.—Mr. Ben Jones, Swansea, was elated chairman, with the Rev. Thomas Powell vice-chairman, for the ensuing twelve months.

BARRY BEACH ENTERTAINMENTS. At .the monthly meeting of the licensing committee of the Barry District Council on Wednesday, Mr. J. D. Watson in the chair, the salary of Mr. W. J. Hopkins as inspec- tor of seamen's boarding-houses was increased by £5 a year. Mr. Ley Harte, of Bristol, applied for sole permission to pro- vide entertainments on the beaoh at Barry Island, explaining tba.t he bad a "flrstcisaw company who would perform nothing unre. fined." The application was not granted.

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. I LONDON nXAls. Hi E, r: j-, I and Alert ITl. THE -?TAE.:Irir-h Channel, Clucan?, Fur- zty Common nap1, Celebration, K-af?ra^h And Conroy II.

SINGULAR BARKl CASE. PAINTER AND AN INSURANCE COMPANY. FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE FALLS I THROUGH. At Glamorgan Quarter Sessions at Cardiff on Wednesday (before his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams) John Dando, 32, a painter, was charged with unlawfully attempting to obtain the sum of £50 from the London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Insurance Comrany (Limited), by means of false pretences, on August 15, at Barry. Mr. hor Bowen (instructed by Mr. J. Arthur Hughes) was for the prosecution, and Mr. St. John Francis-Williams (instructed by Mr. E. W. Pocock) for the defence. James Shurrock, chief clerk in London, for the prosecuting company, gave evidence of having received a certificate purported to be signed by Dr. Livingstone, deposing that the defendant was suffering from hernia, in con- sequence of an injury received at his work. The defendant made a claim for £ 50, but after some inquiries the claim }fHI refused. Harry Rogers, a theatrical manager, of W, Cross-street, Barry, deposed to Danuo being engaged to remove a sign in his house belong- ing to a. Mr. Griffiths, who lived in the same house. Witness gave particulars of his nego- tiation with the insurance company. Witness alleged that defendant, had waited upon him and offered him £110 to say that he had witnessed the accident. Defendant told him that he had signed witness's name to the declaration. Cross-examined by Mr. Francis-Williams, he sa-id it was quite untrue what Dando said, that he had come to his assistance imme- diately after the accident. Witness acknow- ledged that he had drafted two letters for Dando to the company. Mr. Francis-Williams: Up to a certain point you were active in helping Dando?—Yes. Some weeks later you said that your name had been introduced into the matter. Do you suggest that you did not know that before?— I did not know that then. But you knew it was false pretences?--Yea. You know something about false pretences? —Yes. Witness then acknowledged successively that he had received four months' hard la.bour in 1886 for false pretences, in 1887 two months for a like offence, and in 1889 eighteen months; in 1893 three years' penal servitude for obtaining food and money by false pre- tences. Mr. Francis-Williams: I am putting this to you, tha.t you knew the gravity of the offence that this man was committing. You knew it might involve penal servitude?— Exactly. I did not know at that time that he was implicating me in it when I wrote those letters. You knew that you had not seen the acci- dent. Why did you not write at once to the company saying that?—Mr. Jones came to see me a, few days after. I suggest to you that it is absolutely un- true that this man ever offered you £10 or a.ny other sum of money?—No, sir, it is true. Up to a certain point in the negotiation you actively assisted the man in getting the money, then you suddenly went over to the insurance company ?—No, that was not eo. Witness further explained that he took up the attitude he did after his conversation with Mr. Jones, the local agent of the com- pany. Mr. Francis-Williams, for the defence, urged that the prisoner had been examined by the company's doctor (Dr. Bray), and been offered CI2, which he would not accept. He suggested that if his client had accepted this offer there would have been an end of the matter, and no further inquiries would have been made. He suggested that when be made a claim for SSO they cast about for some devioe to get rid of their obligations. His Honour commented on the negative nature of the evidene.e for the prosecution, remarking that if the prisoner met with this accident after May 29 there was no fraudu- 1en,t pretence, however fishy might be his conduct. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and found the prisoner not guilty. Dando was then discharged.

PONTYPRIDD CHILDREN'S PITIFUL PLIGHT. At Pontypridd Police-court on Wednesday Jessie Shepherd, a young married woman, who has been deserted by her husband. was charged with abandoning three of her chil- dren on Monday night. The prosecution was undertaken by Mr. Ernest Roberts, solicitor (on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). The evidence of Alice Hammond, EODyilstone- road, was to the effeot that she found the children-aged seven years, five years, and one year and nine months-on the Poet-office steps. It was a bitterly cold night, and the youngest was crying piteously and shivering with the cold. She took them to the police-station, and they were subsequently removed to the work- house. Defendant pleaded that she had not aban- doned her offspring. She had left tTiem in charge of an unknown man at a hotel while she went to the post-office to see whether a letter had arrived for her. Inspector Thomas remarked that he had received previous compla-inw about the defen- dant, who marched all over the country. The Stipendiary, in f-entencing the defen- dant to a month's imprisonment without hard labour, said that he thought this was the best course to adopt in the intercuts of the defendant and her children.

HEADMASTER'S FOOLISH LOANS. HEADlVIASTER'!OOLISH WANS.¡ At Essex Quarter Sessions on Wednesday Christopher William Clayson, B.A., Ll.B., late principal of the Ilford County Secondary School, was sentenced to nine months' im- prisonment for falsifying books, the pro- perty of the Essex County Council. The de- ficiency was stated to be X638. Prisoner pleaded guilty. It was stated he had advanced largpe euma to help others, and that theee adwanoca bad brought him into th* hands of money-lenders.

jMUCH-TRIED CASE. '———————- I -——————- SWANSEA MAN'S APPEAL. Alleged Intimacy with Second Cousin. Before his Honour Judge Gwilym Wil- liams and other magistrates at Glamorgan Quarter Sessions at Cardiff on Wednesday, Alfred Jones, flannel merchant, of Swansea, brought an appeal against an order made by the learned stipendiary of Mer- thyr on the 13th of November of 5s. a week in favour of the respondent, Annie Fewings, in respect of her male child, born on April 8, 1505. Mr. B. Franciis-Williams, K.C., and Mr. L. M. Richards (instructed by Messrs. Leeder and Morris) appeared for the appellant, and Mr. John Sa.nkey (instructed by Messrs. Andrew and Thompson) for respondent. Mr. John Sankey was about to open the case for the respondent, when his Honour, noticing the large number of ladies in the court, had them all sent out of court. "Take them into the grand jury room," he remarked humorously, "and put a constable at each door." (Laughter.) Mr. John Sankey said that the parties were second cousins, the respondent having been in service with the appellant's mother. The case had been twice dismissed by the Swan- sea magistrates, and on the third occasion, when the respondent was living in the Mer- thyr jurisdiction, additional evidence was brougnt, and the order granted by the stipen- diary. Annie Fewings, the respondent, was the first witness called. She wore a black dress, with a black hat to match. In taking the oath, the witness said, with great determina- tion, Nothing but God's truth." She stated, in evidence, that Jones had been mar- ried three weeks when her baby was born. On January 30, witness continued, the father (Jones, senior) called her into a. room and said:— What is this charge that you have made against Alf?" Witness replied: Alf knows all about it. Mr. Jones said, "Do you know that girls get light-headed when they get into trouble, but I know what it is—you think to have a lump of money out of me, but I will see that you don't. You are only putting this on Alf because your sweetheart is out of work." Witness said, "I tell you that my sweet- heart has nothing to do with it." Alfred Jones threatened her at the same time to take a summons out against Ll.eT if she scandalised his name. The father then told her to pack up her boxes, and to clear out. Cross-examined by Mr. Francis-Williams, witness denied that appellant was engaged to be married in June, 1904, or that Mrs. Jones visited the house every week. She had gone out every Thursday night with her sweet- heart, George Lamphrey. Mr. B. Francis-Williams: Were not you seen in the lane at the back of the house late at night? Witness (indignantly): No, sir, never in the lane. Mr. B. Francis-Williams: Were you dis- missed from the Swansea Club on account of the way in which you carried on with a man ?—No, sir; I gave notice myself. Were you spoken to about your conduct with a man namtd Marshall?—No, sir. Do you know Mr. Bowen, the steward of the club?—Yes, I do. Did he speak to you about your conduct with Marshall?—No; Marshall was my sweet- heart at the time. Is it not a fact that Mr. Bowen gave you notice to leave?—No, sir; I gave notice myself. I quarrelled with Marshall. I did not want to stay in the same house with him. He had taken to drink. Re-examined by Mr. Sankey, witness said that she had several times referred to the Swansea Club and had a good reference from them. Rebecca Fewings, sister of the respondent, said that on January 33, after her sister's interview with the appellant's father, in which the latter had told her to pack up and leave the house, witness said she was going upstairs to assist her sister, when she met the appellant on the stairs. The appellant said "I say, Bee., you tell Annie to keep it quiet, and I will see that it is all right." Witness further said that previous to this the P-i)pellant (Jones) said in the dining-room This has come from her going to dancing classes and balls, and I will keep that for my defence." Edmund Lamphrey, formerly a sweetheart of Annie Fewings, a farm labourer, was the next witness called. He finished walking out with her at the Latter end of December or at the end of January. "I was kissing her," he bashfully admitted to Mr. Francis-Williams, but I don't know so much about the hugging." Mrs. Rebecca Fewings, the mother of the respondent, appeared carrying the ba.by in her arms. She stated that on May 22 last year she went to the appellant's shop with a Mrs. Brain. Jones refused to speak to her, but told her to go to his solicitor. "I will have nothing at all to do with you," he had said. Witness replied, "The child is the very "If the child is mrjrat' of you." He said, "If the child is like me, it is not likely I am going to say I am the father of it." At this point Mr. Francis-Williams asked Mr. Sankey if he produced the ohild. Mr. Sankey: No, I do not produce the child. Do you? Mr. Francis-Williams: Not at all; I have nothing whatever to do with the production of the child. (Laughter.) Witness. continuing, said that the appellant told her to go away with her message, and she said she would take a summons out against him. Mrs. Brain remained behind for a, moment to tie her shoe lace, and overheard a remark from Alf. Jones. Mrs. Brain was called to give evidence of this circumstance. Cross-examined by Mr. Francis-Williams, witness said there was no one else in the shop when the alleged remark was made by Jones. He could have seen witness. What was he doing?—He was putting some Cardigan jackets on the shelf. Then he said it to the Cardigan jackets? (Laughter.)—No, sir. Mrs. Annie Morgan, a widow, of Ba-thurst- roa,d, Swansea, was the next witness. Mrs. Brain, the last witness, had left the court. Mr. Francis-Williams called his honour's attention to this, and she was promptly brought back, Mr. Francis-Williams remarking that he did not want her whisper- ing secrets to the Cardigan jackets. (Laughter.) Witness said that she was taking in the clothes from the line in the garden of the house in Gore-terrace, next door to the Joneses, where she was charing, one summer's day in 1504. She looked over the wall and saw the appellant kissing the respondent in the scullery, with his arm round her neck. On another a oca-ion she saw the couple by the window of a bedroom, and heard the girl screech: Don't Alf, don't be silly." It was a kind of a squeal. Cross-examined by Mr. B. Francis-Williams, witness gave an imitation of the respon- dent's scream. Witness added that she met Mrs. Fewin:ga in the market, and then told her what she had seen. Clifford Evans gave evidence of practical experiments he had made as to the possibility of seeing from the next house into the Joneses' house. This concluded the case for the respondent. Alfred Jones, the appellant, a somewhat pale and agita.ted young fellow, stated that he was married in March last yea,r, and up to that time lived in Gore-terraoo. Up to June, 1904, the young lady who was no,w hie wife was in the habit of staying there. They had known each other for three years, and been formally engaged for two years. There w« £ no truth in the suggestion that he had ,ve ault,-d the respondent. Witness categori- cally denied all the allegations made by the rsponder.t. Mr. Sankey: Have you ever kissed the girl? ,-What girl? What girl do you think I mean ?-I sup- pose Annie Fewings. His Honour: There is only one girl in this case. The child is a boy. (Laughter.) Emily Kate Zachariah, a. young domestic, deposed to being in the passage near Rebecca Fewings at the time of the interview on January 30. She denied that the appellant said anything to Rebecca, before leaving the house. The appeal was allowed, with costs. I

ACTRESS'S COLD DIVE. I Resisting her application for a separation I on the ground of desertion, Mr. J. Haynes, solicitor, at the West London Police-court suggested to the wife of Maitland Marler, a comedian. that they had agreed to separate as tihey acted in different companies. You could have had an engagement at the Croydon pantomime this Christmas but refused it," said the solicitor. The Wife: I had to refuse it because I had injured myself at a thea-tre where I had to jump into a tank of cold water every night. Tilat gave me rheumatism. The defendant, who is engaged in the pantomime" The Forty Thieves'" at the Marlborough Theatre, Holloway, N., said he was quite willing to live with his wife, so the summons was adjourned.

SWANSEA COOK CHARGED WITH I THEFT. At 9wa.neea on Wednesday Alice Eleanor I Smith, widow, of 24, Bentliall-street, was i charged with stealing a cash-box, Lll, and a savings' bank book, Ac., from Croft House, Mumbles, between the 4th and 18th of Decem- ber. whilst she was employed there as cook. -011 the application of the police, defendant was remanded on bail.

'TESTING A PROMISE. GEORGE SHAPLAND'S CASE. I Cardiff Spendthrift and His Wife, The case of George Shapland and his wife Wat3 again before the stipendiary magistrate (Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. G. F. Forsdike, in Shapland's behalf, asked his worship to reduce the amount of the order under which he had to pay 25s. a week towards the maintenance of his wife and child. Mr. Forsdike explained that it was absolutely impossible for defendant to pay anything like 25s. a week. He was now work- ing in a livery stable at Tredegar, his wages being JE1 a week. Beyond that he had no means. The money and property he inherited under his father's will (some L2,000 or 13,000) he had squandered, amd his sister and brother-in-law for a. time paid the sums duo under the order, but he bled them to such an extent that further payments were stopped, and Shapland in November last went to prison for a month in default of payment. The utmost he could pay was 7s. 6d. a week, for he had to keep himself out of the £1 a week. If the order was not varied it would be impossible for Shapland to keep out of prison, and he would have no alternative but to leave the country. Mr. Harold Lloyd (for Mrs. Shapland) was content, to leave the matter as to the amount of the order in his worship's hands. Shapland was called and sworn. He said he came out of prison on December 6, and it was through his brother-in-law's influence that he got the Jul a week job at Tredegar. Out of the 20s. he had to keep himself, and pay for his lodgings and his clothes. Even the suit he now wore was his brother-in-law's. Ho positively undertook to pay the 7s. 6d. a week. His worship adjourned the ease for tihree mouths to test the value of the promise made.

West Wales Agriculture The annuali general meeting of the United Counties Agricultural Society, held at the Boar's Head Hotel, Carmarthen, on Wednes- day, was largely attended. In taking the chair the new President (Mr. J. C. Yorke, Langton, Pembrokeshire) said that personally he did not see why they should not even- tually have a two-days' show with shedding for all exhibits, as at the National Show at Aberystwyth, but be was not ready to recom- mend such a step just at present. When Aberystwyth came to consider the position and site of its show, and made it more or less a tra. veil ing show, it would then be time for the United Counties Society to discuss whether they could work in with the Xational Show or not. To be without shedding was a miserable thing, not only for exhibitors and public, but also for the animals, and the absence of sheds would tend to diminish the popularity of the show. A vote of thanks was accorded to Colonel Gwynne Hughes (Glancothi), the retiring president. The audited accounts, showing a favourable balance of £253. as against L243 last year, were adopted. On the (motion of Dr. Bowen Jones (Car- marthen), seconded by Colonel Loewes (Llys- newydd), it was unanimously decided that Dr. J. Lynn Thomas, C.B. (Stradmore), repre- senting Cardiganshire, be president-elect for 1906-7, and Mr. Arthur Lewis (Henllan), Mr. Benjamin Evans (Llanfair Grange), Mr. R. H. Sampson (Pontardulais), and Mr. George Bowen (Llwyngwair) are to be invited to act as vice-presidents. Thursday, August 30. was the date fixed for the annual show. Mr. J. W. Harries (Pilroath) announced, amidst applause, that he and his brothers and sistera had decided to give another cup for the best black bull in the show i.n place of the one presented by his late brother, Mr. T. J. Harries. The President afco announced, amidst ap- plause, tha,t Mr. and Mrs. Owen Philipps, of Amroth Castle, had decided to offer a ten- guinea prize for the best black bull in the open classes, a,nd tha.t he (the president) would give L5 to the bf'ó'.t black cow, £3 to the best yeirliiig black bull, and £ 2 to the best black bull calf in the open classes, in addi- tion to the prizes given by the society. These additions would bring in the best blacks from North as well as South Wales. Messrs. James Thomas and Son, secretaries of the Welsh Black Cattle Society, wrote offer- ing silver medals for the best. male and female animals in the black cattle open classes, and £ 1 each for the breeders, and the offer was accepted with thanks. Mr. R. Footman (Hafodwen) moved that all cattle competing in the open classes for Short- horns in7ii4 be entered or he-eligible for entry in Coates' Herd Book, but the motion was lost.

Railway Over the Andes The tender of the Chilian syndicate for the construction of the railway between Arica and La Paz being £ 467,000 lower than the tender of the English group and £ 2CO,OOQ lower than other tenders, the contract will be given to the Chilian syndic ate-Reut-!r.

I Tornado in Georgia A tornado burst upon the town of Albany (Georgia), and the building occupied by the Virginia, and Carolina Chemical Company was blown down. So far as is known at present the number of people killed during the storm number 25.-R-euter.

Local Wills I Locills MR. J. B. EVANS, DOWLAIS. Mr. John B?nnett Evans, of Aelybryn, Dow- lai?, for nearly 50 years in busit =ZW- draper, clothier, and outfitter at Dowlais. Merthyr, and Aberdare. who died in London on the 24th of September last, aged 67 years, left estate of the grobs value of R19,712 3s. 10d.. of which the net personalty has been sworn at £ 13,567 3s. 6d. Probatf, of his will, dated the 26th of August last, has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Mary Ann Evans, of Aelybryn, Dowlais. hid son, the Rev. John Young Evans, M.A., of Trevecca College. Talgarth, his son- in-law, the Rev, John Thomas, Methodist minister, of 155, Malefant-street, Cardiff, and iA r. Thomas Richard Nicholas. bank manager, of the Bank House, Dowlais. The testator left the whole of his estate to his wife for life, and on her decease left his shares in the Provincial Tramways Company and in the Gloucester Wagon Company upon trust for his grandson, Wilfrid Augustus Richard, and all his other estate to his chil- dren or remoter issue as his wife may appoint, and in default of appointment to his children in equal shares, the children of any deceased child taking between them the share to which their parent would have been entitled. MR. J. H. WILLIAMS, AMMANFORD. Mr. Joseph Havard Williams, of the Globe Boot Sto-es. Ammanford, who died on the 14th of December last, left estate valued at R482 14s. 9d., and probate of his will has been granrted to Mr. John Lloyd, jun., of Hillside, near Ammanford, mineral water manu- facturer.

TELEPHONE IMPROVEMENTS INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF LONG- DISTANCE LINES. As the result of prolonged experiments, the British Post Office engineers have immensely increased the efficiency of their long-distance telephone lin.es. This has been effected mainly by a system described as one of distributed inductance," small inductance coils being placed in circuit at various distances. It is hoped that sooner or later this system may be successfully applied to long telephone cables, and in some quarters it is even believed that distri-I buted inductance will before long overcome the obstacles to the establishment of tele- phonic communication between England and the United States. In tihe opinion of Mr. H. R. Kempe, one of the engineers of the Post Office, however, this optimism is scarcely justified by the facts. Although, theoreti- cally, it was possible to speak over a tele- phone cable from London to New York, he told a reporter on Wednesday that the prac- tical difficulties in the way would be found to be too great. Those difficulties were, how- ever, not electrical, but mechanical, and arose chiefly from the size of the inductance ooils making it almost impossible to insert them in sufficient numbers for efficiency within the protective sheeting of the cable.

CONVICT SHIP LEAVES CARDIFF. After a successful visit, lasting nearly six months, the famous Australian convict ship Success left Cardiff by Wednesday morning's tide, in tow of the tug Briton, for Gloucester, where she will be again thrown open for exhibition. There was a large crowd of people at the Ca.rdiff Pier-head to witness the departure of the famoas old hulk.

I A LIVING TOMB I RUSSIAN PRISONERS' CRY. "Famished, Frozen, Naked, Sick" Reuter's agency has received a letter of a somewhat remarkable character from a Russian prisoner of war in Japan. It arrived in an envelope bearing the postmark of Osaka, November 30, and is stamped with the words "Service des prisonniers de guerre." The letter, which is neatly and clearly written, but is full of the peculiar phraseology of the Russian peasant class, hardly admits of exact translation, but the following version represents as closely as possible the original:- "Dear Sir,—Please place these lines of my letter before your respected newspapers. It is very badly written, so that you will have to edit it yourself. We ask you to make known our long suffering, and, at the same time, to publish this, our vain petition, in all the tongues of Europe and Asia. You know that for eleven months, in defending the fortress of Port Arthur, we were under fire like criminals condemned to death. Then, famished, frozen, empty, naked, sick, and wounded, we were taken prisoners. "We were cut off from our liberty and from the entire universe, and now, in capti- vity, we have passed the same time ag in Port Arthur, that is, eleven months, which makes altogether 22 months. During this time we have become absolute savages under the miseries of our wretched life. Many of us have laid our bones in the grave, here far from home in a distant land, and what for? Why? Because we are fools who have gone mad. And, in truth, we have all become mad, and glare at each other until, with the rage of tigers, we kill each other. Every man looks on his comrade with frenzied suspicion. In a word, we are in such a condition that it is even impossible to describe it. Such a hard life ajid wretched state are killing many of us. It seems use- less to tell this to you, because you know so much more than we. We have been expect- ing the hour of a return to peaceful life between the two powerful foes, but what has happened? Wo long for the day of departure, but no, weeks, months pass, and we are not sent home. Why is this? we ask, and it appears that our Government does not wish to fetch us away. Look upon us, therefore, powerful and cultured European Powers. We look for our liberation from captivity to you, to you and to you only. So have mercy, for God's sake, on so many young lives, and send us the means to save our lives, which are fading and passing away with every minute. Many, owing to this awful life, have become shadows, who have passed into another world, where rest and peace reign for ever, and the remainder of us are, as it were, consigned to the tomb, so far as the outside world is concerned. This is the thought which weighs on our souls, but we cannot express it properly, because we are very dark in the matter of learning. "Be, then. our saviour, and save us. Let it thunder like thunder over the whole world. In this resounding cry will tipeali invisible voices." The letter, the authenticity of which is beyond question, is signed by initials.

I By Airship to the Pole M. SANTOS DUMONT SAYS IT IS "QUITE POSSIBLE." M. Sa-ntos Dumont, the famous aeronaut, who is a.t present in Paris, was interviewed yesterday as to the probability of his going to the North Pole in an airship with Mr. Wellman. who is to attempt the voyage this summer for the Chicago "Record-Herald." In the course of the interview he said: Nothing whatever has been settled on this subject, and I do not know whether anything is likely to come of the proposal. Mr. Wellman wrote to me, aa well as to M. Lebaudy and M. Deutscb, to ask us whether we thought it possible to reach the North Pole in an a,irship or navigable balloon. My reply was that it was quite possible to do this. I pointed out that it was neces- sary to construct a very Large and comfort- able balloon, or airship, shaped like the last that I have built. The envelope would require to cube at least 8,COO or lG,CCO yards. Mr. Wellma.n asked me whether a balloon could rema.in up in the air for forty days. My reply was that this is quite impossible, but that I could remain fifteen days in the air in a balloon, and this is ample time in which to reach the North Pole. Then, again, it is necessary to leave in the spring when the temperature is not too low. I would certainly agree to attempt the journey to the North Pole if a firm offer were made to me, but so far I have been merely asked for information."

I Maesteg Colliery Fall A serious fall of roof took place at the Garth Colliery, Maesteg, by which Joseph Perkins, Llwydarth road, Maesteg, and Eliaa Hughes, Pontrhydycyff, both engaged in the heavy seam, were severely injured. Perkins was knocked sense- less for some time, and Hughes was buried in the debris. Both were conveyed home and attended to. Another fall took place a few minutes later, when about ten tramloads came down.

A CATALEPTIC WITNESS The investigation into the death of Mr. Bartley Horner, alleged to have been ehot after a supper-party by his son-in-law, Mr. Simpson, a fashionable New York dentist, has been delayed by the disappearance of Dr. Frank, to whom Mr. Horner is reported to have made a statement before his death. Another cause of delay is the mysterious illness of Mr. Horner's stable-boy, who saw the shooting, and gave evidenoe at the inquest that Mr. Horner said to Mr. Simpson, You would kill me, would you?" It was at first suspected that the boy, was drugged Last night. Doctors say that his condition resembles catalepsy, perhaps caused by fright. The prosecution has not decided whether to call Mr. Simpson's wife as a witness. Her evidence at the inquest first led to the charge of murder.

I SOLDIER'S DEATH FROM NOISE Evidence at an in-quest held yesterday at Isloworth, Middlesex, oonoerning the death of Private Arthur Trump, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, showed that the sounds of heavy gun firing had injured the drum of his ear, and caused, an a.bsoes6 to form on the brain. Th.is drove him mad, and death occurred on Saturday. A medical witness explained that the fact of Trump being away from the noise of gun- firiing for a time while home on fu,rl,(>U.gll i may possibly ha.ve caused the unexpected developments which preceded deaith.

BABY'S MARVELLOUS ESCAPE Alice Noble, a woman, employed at a rectory, recently gave birth to a child, whom it was stated yesiterday at Peterborough Police-court r-she threw from her bedroom window on to a gra.vel paith 19ft. below. Found crying on the path at six in the morning by a passing work- mam, the child was picked up, and is now quite welL The mother was bc'und over by the magistrates.

SUPERB ILLUMINATIONS at CALCUTTA A large and successful garden party in honour of the Prince and Princess of Wales was given at Calcutta on Wednesday. At Government House in the evening their Royal Highnesses dined with Lord Kitchener. The city was illuminated on a superb scale at night.-R,auter.

ROZJESTVENSKY AGAIN. Admiral Rozjestvensky has written a re- markable letter to the Novoye Vremya" on the subject of the battle of Tsushima. Admiral Rozjestvensky observes that Admiral Togo kept absolutely secret the disposition of his forces while awaiting the appearance of the Russian fleet in Japanese waters. This, proceeds the letter, was unknown even to the Admiral of the British fleet, allied to the Japanese, who concentrated his forces at Wei- hai-wei in expectation of receiving the order to annihilate the Russian fleet if this the final object of Great Britain, was beyond the Dower of the Jap=eee.-Reuter.

A TOTAL WRECK Barrow Schooner Lost SURVIVORS' THRILLING STORY The great gale which prevailed on Sunday evening and Monday has left an aftermata. A fine three-masted schooner, the Annie Park, belonging to Fisher and Co., of Bar- row, is lying a total wreck under St. Govan's Head, Stackpole, Pembrokeshire, while of her crew of six men the master, mate, and two seamen have perished, and two seamen, John Fletcher and Robert Jeffrey Cork, eur- vive after untold hardship. The Annie Park, a, vessel of 274 tons, left London for Lancaster on December 24 with a. cargo of 330 tons of whitening. Nothing happened until they got off the Longships in the Channel on Sunday evening, when they encountered a heavy gale. They lost their sails, and the vessel was hove-to for the night. On Monday morning, though a. fierce gale was still blowing and thick weather pre- vailed, they again proceeded on their way. The two survivors were below when about seven bells they were roused by a cry of all hands on deck, and had barely got on deck when the ship struck the rocks. Fletcher and Cork managed to reach the bowsprit, and saw the captain, mate, and two seamen in the mizzen. That was the last time they saw them, for heavy seas ha.1f mast high were sweeping over the doomed vessel. After hanging on for half-an-hour or eo Cork watched his opportunity, and, jumping overboard, trusted to a big wave to carry him ashore. He miscalculated, however, and was -dashed against the rocks, hurting his head and leg. By a desperate effort he struggled ashore, and clung to the rocks till morning. About five a.m. lie sang out to Fletcher, who was still clinging to the bow. sprit, to come ashore. Fletcher got a rope, and. though weakened by the cold and exposure, lowered himself down on to the rocks. The two men huddled together sheltering among the rocks as best they could, though too weak to climb them; indeed, strong men would have found it a difficult task to climb the steep cliffs at this place under the most favourable circum- stances. However, after creeping about a hundred yards they found some shelter, and at daylight they were found by the coast- guard. A rope and ladder were lowered, and the men were hauled to the top of the cliffs and driven about two miles to the' coastguard- station. Here every attention was pa.id to them, and on Wednesday Fletcher had so far recovered from his injuries that he was able to leave in charge cf the local agent of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, but Cork is still confined to bed by doctor's orders. The vessel is a complete wreck. It is im- possible to ascertain the names of the cap- ta,in, mate, and two seamen drowned, as neither Cork nor Fletcher remember them. That they were lost, however, is absolutely certruin. The mate shipped in Swansea prior to her voyage to Guernsey.

South African Freights COLONIES' DETERMINATION To Break Down Shipping Ring Renter's Agency has received oorrrmunicar tion of an important statement indicating the line which is likely to be taken by the South African Governments in respect of the rebate question. The Freights Conference, after sit- ting continuously for a month and negotia- ting with the shipowners at present serving South Africa, and in every way endeavouring by amicable negotiation to come to some arrangement with the shipping companies con- cerned so as to avoid the fluctuations and dis- advantages to trade that would follow a freight war, have at length had to recognise that there is no probability of arriving at an understanding with the steamship owners, and that the original propositions put for- ward by the shipping conferences held in South Africa, which provided for legislation to prohibit rebates and differentiation in rates of freights, must now be resorted to. The delegates from South Africa to the 1. Freights Conference hold strongly that the rebate system has created a close monopoly for the steamship companies irt the ring now serving South Africa. Under the rebate sys.. tern 10 per cent. of the freight is retained for fifteen months, and only then paid for six months of the period to those shippers who make a solemn declaration to the effect that they have not shipped by any steamers other than those within the ring during the period referred to. The consequent result is that the ports of South Africa have been closed to all British steamers except those within the ring, with the further result that the British manufacturer is deprived of the advantage of open competition in rates of freight, and that trade is driven to the United States, from which the freights are lower. The South African Colonies a.re determined to open their ports to all comers, and with this object in view have decided to prohibit rebates and discriminations in rates of freight. The delegates are confident tha4, the action of the South African Govern- ments will have such a beneficial effort on British trade that other Colonies will bo likely to adopt a similar course.

Bargoed Mishap. I GOOD NEWS FOR THE MINERS Following the mishap to the winding engine of the Bargoed South Pit. caused by the bursting of two cylinders, there was no work at the pit on Wednesday, but Mr. E. L. Ha-nn, the manager, informed our reporter that the attempt to join up the low- pressure winding engine was proving success- ful, and he anticipated that work would be resumed to-day (Thursday). Equally satisfac- tory was his assurance that the output will not be much affected by the using of the spare winding engine. The collieries are the largest in South Wales, and are, un- doubtedly, the most, modern as far as machi- nery is concerned. About 1,200 men are employed there. The force of the explosion may be imagined when it is said that the lids of the two cylinders, each weighing about 7cwt., were hurled against the wall of the engine-house.

A SENSITIVE COMPLAINANT. At Mountain Ash Police-court on Wednes- day Margaret Ellen Paynter, a short brunette, living at Penrhiwceiber, summoned Morgan Beavan to show cause, &c. Beavan was not present, as he had enlisted last Monday. Lance-corporal Smith came forward to testify that certain letters had. been written by the soldier to the applicant, who, with a deep bluah. told Sir Marchant Williams that she and Beavan went for a walk together last Sunday night. The Stipendiary: Did anybody see you together? Applicant: Yes, sir. The Stipendiary: Where were you going? Applicant (modestly smiling): Just for a walk, sir. (Laughter.) Ellen Wheatley stated that she had seen the parties together. The Stipendiary: Well, here are your love-letters. You want them, I suppcse. (Laughter.) And you may as well have his portrait, too. The order is for 3s. 6cL per week, and the usual expenses. Miss Paynter blushed almost crimson as she said that she was desirous of keeping the amorous epistles and the portrait.

PEDESTRIANISM. The Scottish New Year pedestrian pro- gramma was continued at Edinburgh on Wed- nesday with the Royal Gymnasium Handicap. The racing consisted of the heats of the sprint £ 50 h-andical) a.nd a half-mile handi- cap. Second ties and the final of the sprint will be run off to-day (Thursday). M'Guire. the Powderhall winner, was penalised three yards. Ha,lf-milo Hand-c,ap.-Result: 1st, £8. J. Galloway, Locngelly (70yds); 2nd, LI, G. Gordon, Galashieis (jOydsi; ord. 15s.. J. Wood, • Pumpherston (80yds). Six ran. Time, 2min. 3 3-5sec. The men got away to a good start. Galloway had the race early in hand, and won by 80 yards. Betting: 4 to 1 agst Galloway.

BACHELOR MANNERS. "Is he married?" asked Judge Lorn-ley Smith at the City of London Court concern- ing a, debtor. Plaintiff: It is hard to say, but by W4. •» maimers I should say he was angle.