Evening Express

LABOURIST BLUNOER Keir Hardie not the Right Chairman. MOLES AS WORLD'S WORKERS I BY LLOYD MEYR1CK. I I feel in the mood for giving something away. In my article which will appear next Tuesday I shall announce a. compe- tition for all railwaymen engaged in the manipulation of traffic. I know many railwaymen, and there is no class I esteem more, and I am anxious to have their views on a very important matter. I propose to offer three prizes, of fire guineas, two guineas, and one guinea, for the best statement of "How to avoid fatal and non-fatal accidents on raÜways." I will go more fully into the question, giving all the details of the competition, next Tuesday. I was trudging aJong over some fields yesterday, and I saw an aged inole- catdher busily at work. I had often stunrbled over molehills, and in moments of depression had made them into mountains—the snow-capped, inaccessible mountains of tihe imagination. Most of us know the dismal art of making a mole- hill into a mountain—turning a little handful of earth into some frowning peak. When. however. I saw the old man a crass ignorance was reveaJed to me. What did I know about moles? Absolutely nothing! I went up to the mole-hunter and sat at his feet and learnt- the. ways of moles. We considered the mole as pure mole, ai lover, parent, and gour- mand. I never enjoyed a few 'hours more in my life. I had the run of a quaint underground world filledwith busy little creatures wfho plough their way through the soft earth with the ease of a fish in water. Ireland, we all know, 'has ,he loveliest women and tihe wittiest men, and. it has no moles. The mole is not blind, but its eyes are so small as to be easily overlooked. It has no external ears, .but; its skull.,and nose are so framed as to make underground progression simple. The mole- is a great feeder his appetite is a sort-of frenzy, a rage of hunger. It is not a pleasant sight to see a midle tihraw himself on a. bird aa 'he tears the body open and soaks in the blood. There is scanefthing tenribly elemental about a mole; all his instincts and passions are of the most direct-order. He has not a single convention in hiB whole -body., but ploughs his muddy way naked and unashamed. Rarely in fine summer nights lie comes up to t!he. sur- face of the ground in search of his favourite food—earthworms, and often falls a victim to a hungry owl. He cannot go long without food, and has a prodigious thirst. We ought to say of the toper that he has a-mole-like -thirst. If there is a collection of moles the run will be, as a rule, towards a ditch or pond. The (mole-catcher showed me a colony of moles who were far from the waiter, and lie pointed out the deep shafts that had ;been made (and successfully too) in search of water. Standing over such evidence of skill and -hard work I had a new respect for the- little creatures, and for taie Tufcure my foot will tread more! tend-erly on a .molehill. This, however, is only a part of their ingenuity. As it has been well- putr- the habitation of a mole is a very cem.ark- able structure. Each mole 'has Sbis own encampment, but sometimes two or three moles may 'be-sufficiently sociable -to-share a common passage. It consists of a 'hillock of eerth larger than an ordinary molehill and containing two circular galleries, one above' the other, with five connecting passages and a central chamber, which 'has access to the upper gallery by three passages, whilst about nine passages lead away from the lower gallery in different directions. The end of a passage entering a gallery on one side is usually not opposite to the end of a passage entering on the other. To I afford all facility of escape in case of alarm a passage leads at. first downwards from the central chamber, and then supwards till it joins one of the high roads kept open for access to the mole's hunting grounds or for escape in time of danger. The old mole-catcher, with deft hands, removed the earl-h so carefully that we could trace the whole of the roads and passages-1 for some distance around, and it was a.xevelation -to rne. Here bad I lived to over thirty-six years and knew nothing of the mole. I had peered down pits in search of Roman remains, and yet 'here were miles of living monuments going unheeded. Among the mol-es the males -are far more -numerous than the females, and there is often a search for the latter and a fierce struggle for possession of them. The shallow tracks running in all directions which are made by the m when tin search of a partner are called by French natu- ralists footpri-ntg, of love. The neet of the female mole is lined with dried-grass, leaves, and fine roots, and is in a place of shelter and security. It is a moot point whether moles are useful or not, but the old catcher was emphatic as to their virtues. The old man was in rather a patheftic pogib-i-on-in killing them -he had learned to love -them. I Strongly recommend my readers, when they have an opportunity, 00. study a home,of-moles, amd as a result they will take into the scope f ?b,, sympathy, and even friendship, & host-of worthy little ?ore?tujes. A oollw ?j?rticulafly eaea ih?A -? ?n.tnn?  k  their workings would remind him of many a. queer twist in the bowels of the earth. After all, prejudice is always founded on ignorance, and there is no really evil thing under the sun. Up to yesterday I used to look down on a mole, but in the future I intend to write a notice of him for the next edition of the World's Workers." The view that I have more than onoe expressed that a large portion of the Labour party is a Socialist party finds confirmation. Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., ihas been appointed chairman of the L.R.C. group of members, and he is an avowed Socialist. With a Socialist secre- tary in Mr. Macdona'ld, it is easy to guess the policy of, at any rate, this particular group. The appointment of Mr. Hardie from the point of view of those who desire a strong and sound Labour party is a huge blunder. I have the highest I admiration for 'Mr. Hardie, and consider ■he is one of tike straightest men who has ever trod the floor of the House. He lives an admimbly simple life, devoted to ideals, and the fact that I think those ideals hopelessly wrong does not cause me to abate one jot of respect for the man. It is, however, altogether a new doctrine to have the extreme man as leader. A leader should reflect the average opinions of his followers, and not any one extreme sect-ion. It is the experience of history that all leaders want prodding and not pulling up. The two best types of poli- tical leaders of the last century, in my judgment, were Gladstone and Lord Salisbury—two men who were not pushed forward by the extremists of their party, but had the statesman's instincts of knowing the lines of safe advance. I never could understand the saying of some people that Mr. Gladstone was impulsive. A careful reading of Mr. Morley's great work leaves no room for such.an opinion. No man was ever more deliberate, no nature ever more essentially conservative. The Labour party wanted a moderate leader and a short pro- gramme it has now got an extreme leader and will probably go in for a very long plank. The Liberal party suffered immensely from the absurd Newcastle programme, but I suppose there is a fatal fascination about the regions that lie outside practical politics. When a man talks extreme politics to me I invariably say, "How are you going to put it in the form of an Act of Parliament ? That is the rough test. It is no unpleasing occu- pation to give run to the imagination or go in for a rhetorical debauch, but when you try to boil it all down into sections the trouble begins. There is nothing harder than to try and put any political proposition into clear language that can- not be misunderstood. Tho Labour party wanted & chairman who would guide on lines that might lead to Acts of Parliament, and not one whose heart is set on the cheap thunders of the platform and the press. Mr. Hardie sees signs of the coming supremacy of the workers, but he is doing all that lies in Jus power to delay such supremacy even if it were desirable. This journal, however, is non-political, and is not directly con- cerned with the fate of any political party, although speculations on new forces have attraction. I was very much struck with Mr. Balfour's latest speech. It resembled so much Mr. Gladstone's later style- there was—may I say?-a slight haze over the words, and the meaning hung in mist. Whatever people may think about Mr. Chamberlain, the older he gets the more lucid he becomes. You may disagree with the great Joseph, but you can never mis- understand him. In a dark science, such aa politics, this gift is of value.

Cardiff Municipal Seat: MR JABEZ JONES ALLOWED A WALK- OVER. Nominations of candidates for the seaft vacated by Mr. F. J. Nicholls as one of the representatives of the Raath Ward on the Cardiff Oity (bnnoiL were to bawe been banned in at the town-clerk's oSce on Thurs- day, but only one candidate bavin g been nominated, there will be no contest. The for- tunate nominee was Mr. Jabez A. Jones (chemist), who is a Ohnrchman ajid Liberal. Mr. Jones has intimated plainly to his bup- portens in the ward that, while he deeiree to see the Education Act amended, he is in favour of its fair administration while it remains the law of the land. So,, far, there- fore, as this, the most important question tha;t ooanes within the jurisdiction of muni- cipal bodies, la concerned,, the Conservative party-on the city council have gained an additional supporter-by the retirement of Mr. Nicholls. Six papers were put in by Mr. A11 good on-behaif of Mr. Jones, the first of which was signed by Mr. W. G. Howell and Mr. Jacob Dowling, as proposer and seconder respectively. The reasons why no opposition wag offered by the Conservatives of the Roath Ward to the return of Mr. Jones were that he is, in the first plaee, a good Glmrahscui who believes in the fair administration of the Education Act; and, secondly, that the seat will be a/gain vacant in November of nest year. Mr. Jones has previously served the ratepayers of Gardiff as a member of the corporation, bat retired on of his business engagements %t that time preventing him I giving the necessary time to pnblio work. ——

MARRIED FROM PRISON. I Paris, Thursday.-Two cabs drove away from Fresnes and St. Lazarer-prisona yester- day morning,.and palled up in dront of the mairie-of the-tenth arrondisBement. From the one issued a blushing young lady of 30 summers, Mile. Alice Clot; from the other a very young man, M. Sebastian Gregoire, advanced with eager steps to meet her. These two interesting persons, who-are serving terms of imprisonment, had been specially authorioed by the, Minister of the Interior to be joined together by M. le Maire. The witnesses were four detectives. The ceremony took place in strictest pri- vacy, and, wbai all wft over, Mme. Gregoire returned to St. liazere and Monsieur to Freenes, each to count the weary days that still separated them from their honeymoon.

SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY I At a meeting of the management committee of the Cardiff Central Conservative Associa- tion on Thursday evening it was decided that the bancfoot to Sir Fortesone Flannery be held on March 29, and a sub-oommittee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The Question of organisation was discussed at some length, and at the close of the meeting the two committees appointed to deal with the fomxation of a Conservative Ladies' Association and a. Junior Conserva- tive Association met and discussed the details J of the two sobemes.

You read the paper pretty thoroughily," remarked a village policeman, to one of his wife's friends, who had borrowed a, Lamdoca weekly and had not reburned it promptly. Yes," replied the lady addrebsed, I always do." Then. of course, yon read the police intelligence?" queried the policema«n. No," was the unexpected retort, I didn't know that they possessed a.n¡y!" r sr-

MARRIED MR. BRTGGS 1 LADY'S SEARCH FOR A I HUSBAND. Claim for Matrimonial Fee. I Dickens would toave been delighted with a suit tried yesterday in the Bloomsbury County-court, and, curiously enough, the defendant in the suit was the wife of the former proprietor of the Bull Hotel at Rochester, immortalised in "Piokwick." Critchell Oha-riesworth, trading as H. Oharlesworth, proprietor of the "Matri- monial Post and Marriage Advertiser," sued Mrs. Baohael Oaroline Briggs for C50, which she agreed to pay him for finding 'her a husband, and Mrs. Briggs had a courrter- claam for F,15 15s. and 10s. 6d., money paid for services which were not rendered. Mr. Cromprton Smith, who appeared for Mr. Clrarleswotltíh, declared that his client had -been "the means of conferring connu- bial blescngs on 12,000 couples." "You need not advertise your client," interrupted Mr. Briggs' counsel. "He is a marriage broker." Mr. Smith doolared that in 1904 Mrs. Briggs, who was not thep Mrs. Brig-ga, but A Spinster of Fifty, wrote to Mr. Cbarlesworth from France, and was supplied with a copy of the rules, one of which was that in case of marriages resulting from introductions by Mr. Charles- worth, each party should -pay him a com- mission of 21 per cent. on any money poa- sessed by the other. It was agreed that Mrs. Briggs should pay £ 60 instead of the usual percentage. Mr. Smrfb then read from the lady's letter setting forth her requirements and attrac- tions. I am fifty years old, but I feel much younger, and no man would take me for more than thirty-eight," she wrote. In the dusk with the light behind her,' interrupted Mr. Lewis Thomas, her own counsel. The ktter went on to say that the lady would, if she gave her affection, give it ever- lastingly. She also required in the man. of her choice a truly sympathetic aoul, to whom she would be ever the first consideration. He must be fond of poetry and art, and also of animals, a gentleman born and of good family, considered good-looking, with dark hair, and if he was really a suitable man she would not object to one child--aa she was fond of children. She did not, however, wish for a clergyman or a doctor. Among her own attractions she stated that her hair was dark chestnut, with hardly any grey- Counsel went on to describe how the lady was Introduced to a Major, I "who had passed through a great deal of I sorrow owing to the death of his wife, but who gave hpr to understand he was too poor I I TO marry." In another letter she explained that the man suitable must have some money, for, although she did not wish always to be in society, she would not mind going to France occasionally. But she wanted a dark man, an officer, who could play the piano and sing to music, and once more she reiterart.ed her objection to a-clergyman or a doctor. In spite of this, she was introduced to and corresponded with a doctor, but, whether lie was an M.D. or a D.D. vms not revealed. One of the last men introduced was Mr. E. B. the Mr. Briggs whom- she had now married. "Wlwt! Now she's get a husband doesn't she want to pay for him?" exclaimed Judge Bacon. "Do you ensure matrimonial feli- city?" he asked Mr. Charlesworth. "She- told me thwt 'Mr. Briggs hod £ 2,COO out of her," he replied. "I advised her not to m-arry- -him. I had a gentleman worth- fully £4.000 a year who wanted toeorrespond with her, but she had made upher mind to marry Mr. Briggs." "Did you know what his poeHftoo. -was?" Mr. Thomas asked. I Keminiscent ot nckwick. "When I made inquiries I found the mortgagees of his hotel at :Rochester had foreclosed. It was the Bull Hotel." "Your honour may Temember that it waa at the Bull at Rochester that Mr. Jingle cut out Dr. Slammer with the fat little widow at the baAI," said Mr. Thomas. "When you make these introductions, what do you do?" ihe asked 3ft, Charlesworth. "WeH, I introduce them toeacth other and leave -them. I love for them." Mr. Thomas submitted that such contracts were (illegal, and cited the ease of Herma/nn v. Chanlesworth (the sa;me defendant as the present plaintiff), in which the Court of Ap*>eal fhad so decided. "The authority of 'Hermann v. Charles- wortih* is so binding on me that I do not see how I can do anything but decide in favour of the defendant," aarid the judge. The counter-claim was not proceeded with.

I END OF BATES DIVORCE.CASE I The hearing concluded in the Divorce I Court on Thursday of the petition of Mrs. Edith Catherine Eaton Bates for a judicial separa-ti-(m.-allegin,g that her bueband, Mr. Reginald Walter Melville Bates, had been guilty of cruelty. Mr. Bates oross-petitioned. alleging that his wife bad been guilty of misoooduot with a. boatman at Teignmouth. The jury found that Mr. Bates bad not been guilty of cruelty, and that Mrs. Bates had not committed misconduct with the boatman. Both petitions were dismissed, the hue- baind's petition being dismissed with oosts.

ACTRESS AND PICTURE POSTCARDS An application was made on behalf of Mies Florence Smitheoai, who is now playing in "The Blue Moon" a.t the Lyric Theatre, to Mr. Justice Warrington; in the Chancery Division yesterday afternoon, for an interim inj unction to restrain the Rotary Photo Company from publishing postcards on which were th ait'lady's photograph, -which, she said, was a. reproduction of one taken about two, years ago at Mxeter, and for which she paid. His Lordship refused the application, but gave leave to give- short notice of motion for i Friday week.

CEFN IRONWORKS SOLD The works originally known as the Cefn Ironworks at Pyle, near Bridgend, were finally disposer of by Mr. D. T, Alexander (of the firm of Alexander and Stephen- eon. auctioneers, Cardiff). The works were abandoned by the directors about four or five years ago, and the plant and.materials sold for the existing company. In can- sequence of their having been at a, standstill sime-e Miss Talbot, of Margain Abbey, deter- mined to dismantle the works, and the remainder of the plant and iron were sold on Thursday by public auction. There was a large and representative attendance, and the lots were sold to dealers residing in various parts of the country.

MILK IS THE FEBST DIET OF IXFANOY and the last food of old age. Its nutrimental powers make it indispensable for all, but it is necessary to ensure its purity, as the cow's product is open very readily to contagion. In the form of HO&MCK'S MALTED MILK, aœolute purity Is guaranteed not only by the most careful selection but by pasteeurising in the process of manufacture, it is much more digestible than ordinary cow's milk because of its combination with wheat and barley malt, the malt acting on the caseine of the milk and rendering it incoagulaJble in the stomaoh. MALTED MILK forms a delicious beverage for ordinaxy use; it is produced in a powder form which will keep indefinitely; and it is prepared simply by mixing with water. It is highly recom- mended by the medical profession. Obtain- able from any chemist or stores at Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d. per bottle. A free sample, together with full parti on lam, will be sent for two stamps, to cover postage, by Horliok's Food 34-. t STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. .[£.B.I..LrOrl1 TO (WPOLD. The City oE London Liberal Association iktltoil 1. II' (, ,¡. l ;.?:JjC:- S.KLLTNG RESULT;- I i1 Mr C fSWer r.; n- c- i P''i< •i.cAMPTflX snxixr. RESVI.T;- Mr W May k. ..(;?n!PDr: 1! vr. r i: 6 12 n R 4 Mr B Bm Uss's Eirr-'O Dol!ery 4 r> ? 2.0-TOVfX MOOR HANDICAP 8. 12 n L'.rd F:z'aID'5 Brmecge "1 a in S MCLE3ELY HANDICAP EESULT — iÆr C Hshnert'f R.r..rct Ttovs* W y'.?hcir.s:»ii »ji ? Prmcs s CC-caC^ Tv5: I ■ I j • 'V 1

j I Pot Shots at Trains I ETON BOYS' GAME OF GOLF Two junior members of the Eton College Golf Club are in sad disgrace, halVing been caught directing golf balls at passing trains, which were not in the line of fire of the nearest bunker. For some time complaints have been made by passengers on the Great Western Ra-ilway that missiles had been (thrown at trains as they passed along the viaduct neaor the links, and the police, as well as the company's officials, were detailed off in the hope of detecting the oulprits. The railway line is in the Year of the coUege, and as the first bunker is beyond the .e.ilway,.in the direction of the river, there was no excuse that the railway arches inter- fered with the oourse oai the links. A number of golfers were out yesterday, and late in the day. two of them, were caught red-handed aiming at a passing train. For- tunately for the passengers and the boys themselves the bails flew harmlessly over the roof of the train, but the golfers were marched back to the college, and brought before the headmaster. They had to face the punishing-block, and taste the new birch recently presented to the Rev. E. Lytteiton when ho took over the headmastersbip. It is unlikely that they will have any desire to appear on the links for a- few days.

Newport Hospital Funds At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the above beneficent institution, held on Thursday evening at the Town-hall, Newport, Dr. Garrod Thomas, J.P.. D.L., presiding, reference was made to £1,160 8s. 6d. expended from the reserve fund in the erection of a. new waiting-room, and the purchase of No. 13, Cardiff-road, as a home for nurses, and the Chairman stated tteat Viscount Tredegar had offered to place his name to an appeal and to help personally in raising the money needed. (Hear, hear,) The annual report showed that the inoome for the year had been LS.226 17s. 8d., and that there was an adverse balance on the year of jE411 15s. 8d. The number of in-patiente was 1,002, or an increase on the year of 42, and the out-patients 3,828, or J45 more than in 1904. Casualties admitted were also larger, being 1,206, against 1,057. The workmen's contribu- tioms a.mounted to 91,675, as against £ 1,600. Alderman Hoyd, in seemding the adoption of the report, referred to the re??nue, the total deficiency being 9972 98. lid., and said he hoped the public would assist to keep .up the income to the expenditure. Yisoount Tredegar was re-elected president of directors, and the vacancy oaaised by the retirement of Mr. Henry Mullock on the board was filled by the nomination of Sir George Walker.

FARO IN THE CELLAR. Raiding a gamMing olub irn the basement of a. house in Upper Maryleboneetreet, W., the police found itsxt a gaane of faro had been in progress. The raid had a sequel at Marlborough- street yesterday, when the following persons were dealt with:— Jobamnjifchl iegg, painter, Upper Marylebone- street, X40, or two months' hard labour. Charles Weetoff, waiter, Fitzroy-efcreet, £4t), or two months. Louis Moy, waiter, Charlotte-afreet, Mo, or a, month. CharLes Rau.ter, waiter, Drummond-etreet, JEZO, or a month. Gusta.v Bnicket, zC40, or two months. Wiilheton Knishka, waiter, Oharlton-street W., jel. Henry Berridge, taiilor, Gray's Ima-rood, £1 fine, amd ordered to forfeit XS recogni- sances. Prdfiooers were charged w-ith keepdmg the dub. Last week sixteen frequenters were bound over.

LABOUR REPRESENTATION AT I SWANSEA. The Swansea Trades Council have arranged a conference of all similar bodies in the tewn for Saturday next, at which a resolu- tion will be proposed approving of a local Labour Representation Committee,

SIR EDWARD REED I Sir Edwaa-d Reed, the distinguished naval architect, has (says a writer in the "Man- chester Guardian") gone to Lisbon to confer with the Government there on the subject of some warships it is proposed to add to the Portuguese Navy. From Portugal Sir Edward goes to South America. His destination is said to be Ohili, whose Government oontem. plates a considerable augmentation of its naval strength. The last ships built in this country for Chili were the Triumph and the Swiftsure, which Great Britain acquired at a critical moment in the eaorly days of the Russo-Japanese War.

.8' BU4.J)- i "al 'JW' -IIIØ!I

MOTHER AND CHILD IIN THE RIGGING FOR HOURS. Dramatic Rescues by a Rocket. While snow fell thickly, and a heavy squall was blowing, the schooner Marie Christine was wrecked on a dangerous part of the coast near Dungenness known as Jury's Cap. Although the look-out coastguard was aware of the fate which had overtaken the vessel, he lo&t sight of her in the snow, and the whole of the coastguards in the district ran for a mile or two on the shingle with the life-saving rocket apparatus. When they reached Jury's Gap only the masts of the wrecked vessel were visible, and in the rigging a number of people were cling- ing, including a woman with a baby tightly clasped in her arms. There was a bitterly cold wind, and those on the doomed ship were almost perished. The rocket apparatus was promptly got to work, and a well-directed shot took the line over the ship's mast, to which it was secured by one of the shipwrecked men. Communica- tion being thus set up with the shore, the buoy was worked out to the ship, and then the gallant work of reecue began. It was seen from the shore that the woman, who proved to be the captain's wife, was being persuaded to leave the ship first, and there was A Touching Scene I as the woman gave her child to the oaptain and entered the buoy. She was hauled through the surf, and reached the shore greatly exhausted. One by one the others were rescued in the same way, but one of the crew was nearly lost in the sea. The most pathetic scene of all was when the captain, with his little child in his arms, slipped into the buoy. From the time it was plunged into the sea until it reached the shore scarcely a word was spoken by those on shore, and when the sailor and his infant were nehring land several of the rescuers rushed into the sea and got hold of them. The man was much exhausted, and his little charge was more dead than alive from exposure, tut when restoratives were applied their condition improved greatly. The unfortunate people had been in the rigging for flve hours, and some of them, especially the woman and baby, were in a state of collapse. All were go benumbed with the cold that they could hardly move.

Rema rkable Discussion I ALLEGED LENIENCY TOWARDS LICENSEES. A remarkable discussion took place on Thursday at the meeting of the Flintshire Police Committee, arising out of the chief- octnstable's report on drunkenness. Mr. C. W. Jones pointed out that there was a great disparity between persons convicted of drunkenness and publicans convicted for eerving them. Mr. James Prince (Oonnah's Quay) said the police knew it was no use bringing a case unless they had proof positive. Out of hun- dreds of men summoned for drunkenness nearly all were fined, but as against the licensees there were frequent dismissals. Mr. T. Davies Cooke (a magistrate) said he had never hea.rd more gross insinuations. Mr. Prince should know it was most difficult to rightly convict a publican, on the evidence the police were capable of bringing forward. Mr. S. Jones (Holywell) said the police were utterly unable in many cases to obtain a, conviction, because a great many magistrates, he was sorry to say, supported the drink tramc. Mr. Basil Phillips (a magistrate): An abso- lute lie. Mr. 8. Jones, continuing, said he ques- tioned very much whether really the bench had not been packed, in a sense, when there was a. case against a licensee. Mr. Wain, a magistrate, said that magis- trates did their humble best to get at the truth, and as a body were beyond suspicion. Mr. C. W. Jones said the drunkard might call as many witnesses as he liked, and was convicted, while the licensee had only to produce interested persons who hung about his place, and it was numbers that counted. In many cases magistrates were interested in the "trade" themselves. The Chief-oonstable said the police officers had never complained to him of the aJleged biassed action of magistrates, and the dis- cussion dropped.

I "AN ETERNAL TAX." I Exciting Scenes at a Meeting Some exciting scenes were witnessed at a special meeting of leitrim County Council, held yesterday at Carrick-on-Shannon. The meeting was called to approve a free grant of £ 24,000 given by Mr. Long, the late Chief Secretary, for the development of the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway and the exten- sion of the line, with the object of opening up the country, stated to be rich in mineral wealth. The council chamber was invaded by sevem.1 hundred ratepayers from the Gowell district, which forms part of the railway line, and they brandished sticks and protested strongly against the proposed soheme, stat- ing that it would be an eternal tax on them. The chairman of the council had to adjourn the meeting, and as the members left some of them were assaulted.

I A DISAPPOINTED PRINCE. I Paris, Friday.—According to the Turin cor- respondent of the "Echo," Patfcoe Louis Napoleon, who is visiting Brtasaas Clotilde at the Chateau de Moncalieri, has deoided to retire from the Russian army. Prince Louis is generally known to have been offended at having been afforded no opportunity of seeing service in the RnJ apameee cam- paign., and his feelio-go were by no means soothed when he was selected to suppress the Caucasian disorders, a ditty which exposed him to unpopularity with the people. It is understood that he will take up his residence in Italy.-Ceutral News.

CARDIFF Y.M.C.A. The fifty-second annual report of the Car- diff Young Men's Christian Association has just been issned, and reports the progress of the organisation during the past year. The Sunday evening service for lads had main- twined its hold on the lad-life of the town, and the Young Men's Christian Association Lads' Union had brought together mmae thousainds of boys since its inooption five years ago. The committee again repented success in the boarding establishment. It had been well patronised throughout the year, and had proved its usefulness by pro- viding a. convenient centre for young men where the initial difficulties and dangers of life in a strange town might be avoided. The membership at the close of the year was 907. The income for the year amounted to £ 2,144 6s. 9d., and the expenditure to £ 2,096 8s. 6d., leaving a balance of L47 18s. 3d.

RECENT WILLS MR. DAVID THOMAS, HEREFORD. Mr. David Thomas, of Kirby Hall, Eardis- land, Hereford, formerly of Pentwyn Farm, Llamwern, Brecon, who died on the 22nd of November last, left estate valued at £4,266 lis. 5d. gross, and probate of his will has been granted to Mr. David Evans, of Owm- camlais Isaf, Maescar, Brecon, farmer. MR. R. W. HEDLEY, LONDON. Mr. Robert WUkia Hedley, of 7, Langla/tWl- gardms, South Hampgtead, and of West- mins?er, formerly surveyor and vainer for the assessment --Euitt- of the Cardiff Union, who died on the 12th of D?oembcw last, imtee?te. a?d 51 years, l?ft e?t.?tu vt?ued a.t 92,111 166- 3 d. grow amd M. ?1.71? 6a. 6d. net, and letWn> Of a4onmBtr???)M.ve -bee4 <?o<tcd to his wddow, M?a.A?S?o? _ofIt'! .? v

DANGER OF ANOTHER GREAT LANDSLIDE. I- I Cause of the Disturbance. It needs but a brief survey of the village of Troedrhiwfuwch to confirm the opinion of the Gellygaer district councillors regarding the danger of another great landslide in the Rhymney Valley. As the trains approach the point opposite the slide of a year ago they slow down to a crawl. and the danger whistle is sounded. In front is a signaller with a red flag, and directly the trains pass five or six plutelayers with picks and shovels in hand may be seen at work. Within a quarter of a mile from Troed- rhiwfuwch on the road from Pontlottyn Station, stretching away on the left-hand side, is the bed of the valley and a snowclad mountain range, under which the colliery village of Abertysswg nestles. That range of mountains a little lower down forms an ugly bit of scenery, for from its almost perpen- dicular slope the great mass of earth dis- lodged itself last year. To the right runs the second range of mountains, from which the i latest danger threatens. What Was Once a Garden. What Was Once a Garden. An example of the effect of the disturbance may be seen at the Troedrhiwfuwch Inn. A "Evening Express" representative found Mrs. James, the landlady, on Thursday in a part of the premises which was once a garden. Two years ago, Mrs. James pointed out, the iron fencing enclosed a plot of garden soil some forty square yards in extent on a level with the roadway and the public-house. Now the garden had dropped down, forming a high bank, and the fencing and wooden supports had fallen with the mass, and had been twisted into fantastic shapes. Just out- side the back door of the inn stood a tree, and the earth has fallen aw?y so much that half the roots are left without any covering. At Sebastopol Bridge on Thursday gangers were to be seen packing the rails with ballast, and a man at the door of a watch- man's cabin was chopping firewood for the night's vigil. The whistle of an engine announced the approach of a train, which came on at a crawling pace. With hand on the air-brake, the driver's face was pressed hard against the window, and everything possible, it seemed, was done for the safety of the paesengert. A Queer-Looking Bridge. I The bridge over the line is an ordinary girder bridge of narrow dimensions, and with corrugated iron fencing 011 its sides. In a very curious manner these sides have moved from position, the ends not being flush with the masonry. The stonework is out of gear, and in the triangular masonry supports dangerous fissures are to be seen. Directly the train had passed the packing of the metals was resumed with renewed vigour. On the left of the up line is a retain- ing wail, but the great bank has forced this low stonework many inches closer to the track, ao that when a train passes it forms a natural railway platform. Over the surface of the bridge is a 2in. pipe, through which water was conveyed to Sebastopol village. The water was obtained from, a great tank laid down on the hillside by the Gellygaer District Council, but now the destructive work of the slide has diverted the streams that fed the tank. At this spot on the line seven men are employed, viz., a day signaller, a night sig- naller, and repairers. Freaks at Sebastopol, At the Sebastopol Inn further freaks of Nature are to be found. Every house forming the row is disjointed and bears traces of damage. The nearest house to the inn is untenanted, and the key-stones over the door and windows are out of position. Stranger than all is the peculiar shape of most of the doors of the other houses. It is possible in Kane oases to pass the open hand between .the tops of the doors and the cross-posts. As to the cause of the slide many opinions are expressed. Mining operations, some say, are responsible, while others attribute the disturbance to quicksand. It is somewhat curious that at an inquest some time back at New Tredegar Mr. H. W. Martin, his Majesty's inpector of mines, said there were more fatalities in the pits of the neighbour- hood caused by falls tha.n in any other part of the country, and the average, he added, (had increased at an alarming extent during the past couple of years. At the same inquest a collier in his evidence stated that the roofing of the pit was dangerously brittle.

WHAT RHYMNEY RAILWAY i OFFICIALS SAY. The Land Moving During the Past Forty Years. From inquiries we have made in Cardiff it appears that, the Rhymney Railway Com- pany do not anticipate any very serious development of the danger which for at least forty years has threatened them between Tirphil and Pontlottyn, but it is, of oourse, impossible to foresee what inay happen. It appears that a tract of mountain land about 300 yards in width, stretching across from the Sirhowy Valley on the Monmouth- shire side, and taking in the Rhymney, Taff, Bargoed, and Merthyr Valleys, has been constantly moving more or less, thus occa. sionally resulting in huge landslips. The movement is not accounted for by under- ground workings, which would naturally cause a depression, and must be attributed to some geological formation, which causes the hills to squeeze down towards the valleys, and force upwards the railways which run through them. The pressure is felt more during the winter than the sum- mer months, and especially when the weather has been exceptionally wet. About twelve months ago a serious land- slip occurred on the eastern side of the Rhymney Valley, doing considerable damage to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, and the London and North Western some time ago had a similar experience in the Sirhowy Valley. The Chief Movement. At present the chief movement appears to be on the western side of the Rhymney Rail- way, in the neighbourhood of Troedrhiwf fuwch, which is about midway betwetin Tir- phil and Pontlottyn, the pressure from the mountain side gradually forcing the line and all other obstructions in the direction of the river. About eighteen months ago the com- pany erected retaining walls with the view of protecting the line, but these do not 6eem to have the effect intended. The Sebastopol Bridge carrying a roadway over the line was originally a stone structure. The gradual encroachment twisted it into all shapes, and when it was removed about eighteen months ago, and a girder bridge thrown across the line, it was not much unlike the figure 8. Now the squeeze -from the mountain has pressed the pillars supporting the girders closer together, and the Rhymney Company feel that it will be necessary to remove them and put a temporary bridge across the line. The encroachment on both sides of the bridge is more noticeable than at the bridge itself, the foundations of the buttresses appearing to have stopped the movement to some extent. Whole Hillside Moving. I There can be no doubt. however, that the whole hillside is moving towards the valley, and as the distance between the line and the river is short the consequencea may even- tually prove serious, even if a landslip does not take place. A short time ago several hounds die- appeared on the mountain between the Rhymney ani Taff-Ba.rgoed Valleys, and some of them were never seen afterwards. It is supposed that they were swallowed up in some upheaval of the land in this unstable area. The Gellygaer District Council lost their sewer some time ago from the same cause, and have not, we hear, found it since. The Rhymney Company's servants are carefully watching any new development of the danger which threatens the line and forces it above its original level, but. as one of the ofBciaJs remarked, This has been going on for forty years, and may continue for another forty." I

CAUSE OF THE SLIDE. I Professor Galloway Gives His Opinion. Professor Galloway, the well-known mining expert, asked by one of our representatives on Thursday evening to give his opinion as to the cause of the elide, said he had not seen the present one, and could not exactly say, neither was he quite sure, without the geological maflps of the district at band, whether the mountain in question was on the lower coal measures or on the Pennant sandstone. But," added the professor, these land- slides are common throughout the whole world. I saw one in Canada the summer before last, where millions of tons of debris came down." "Some of the inhabitants in the district," said the reporter, have the extraordinary idea that the mountain is set on quicksand." "That is all nonsense- You have heard of those great moving bogs in Ireland. They are of the same character as in the present instance, with more watery stuff thrown in. I have seen many of these landslides, but they don't often happen where there is a colliery. T-hen, do you suppose this is due to col- liery workings?" It might be started by the colliery work. ings quite easily. If the side of the moun- tain falling is very steep and there is a lot of loose stuff lying on it, then the colliery workings might set the ground in motion on the surface—that is, if it is already nearly going to slide, the workings give it the last impetus and off it goes. In this instance the steep face of the mountain may have been going to sLide, at any rate." What would one naturally look for as the effect of such a slide?" It would push the railway line aside which runs along the valley, or force it up if they was any obstacle in the way. It would not only do that, but it might push the river aside, diverting its oourse, or any- thing of that kind, but it would not force the bottom of the valley up. Of course, as the mass comes down the ground in front of it might rise a little, but it would be more likely to slide over the bottom of the valley." SOME EFFECTS OF THE LANDSLIDE. I

Colonel Roche Wedded At the old Church of St. Brothen, Merion- ethshire, which dates back to the sixth cen- tury, the marriage was solemnised on Thurs- day of Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. Ulick de Rupe Burke Roche, C.B., fourth son of the late Baron Fermoy, who commanded the South WaJes Borderers in the South African war, and Dorothea. Blanche, fifth daughter of the la.te Mr. John Jones, Ynysfoe Hall, Merionethshire. The bride was given away by her brother, Captain Evans-Jones, 4th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was attended by her sister, Miss Minnie Jones, as bridemaid. The best man was Captain G. Higson, latoo of the South African Light Horse. The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Bangor, assisted by the Revs. R. T. Jones and G. Salt.

TEACHERS' SALARIES At a meeting of the Eastern Va-lleys Council School Managers on Thursday references were made by the chairman, Alderman Daniel, J.P., and others to the inequalities in the salaries of assistant teachers, and a requisition was ordered to be sent to the county education committee asking them to fix a uniform scale of salaries for teachers throughout the county. Two cases were pointed out in which. teachers who had passed their matriculation, examinta/toon were paid only 120 per annum.

ADVICE TO MOTHE.RS."—Are you broken In your rest by » sick child suffering with the pain by cutting teeth ? Go at once to & chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Win slow'9 Soothing Syrup. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is plaaatuut to taste. It prodixxB natural, quiet sleap by nliaciag the child from paia. and the little cherub uvttfces as bright am l. tattoo.. 01 all ciimoiirto, ■fWfc-j

IChurch Work at Milford The rapid growth of Milford Haven, through the development of the fishing industry, has made it necessary that the Parish Church should be considerably enlarged. On Thurs- day the foundation-stone of the addition to the building was laid. The enlargement consists of the addition of two bays and chancel, which will more than double the existing accommodation. For the present the chancel will be amalron. gtructum and, will be re-placed in a more permanent form: as soon as funds can be obtained. It is hoped to re-open the church after enlargement early in June next. The total cost of the enlargement end the restoiration is estimated at zi.ooo. and LIMO is still required for the first portion of the! work, now in hand. Messrs. Ward and Gask-oll i (Milford) are the architects, and Messrs. Phelps and Owen (Milford) the contractors. Lady Kensington kindly undertook the lay- ing of the foundation-stone, this being her first public function sinoe she came into the neighbourhood. Lord Kensington, owing to his recent accident, was unable to accom- pa,ny her ladyship.

Remarkable Disappearance of all grime, mud, and dirt.—A fact! The washerwomen in Glasgow say that "Foamo is a splendid powder." Foamo ia a pure special soap for very heavy washing. Powerful. Easy and Safe. Leaves no smell. Ask your grocer for a penny packet—three fer twopence haif- P<?'y. *1042 At a private conference in Glasgow on Thufsd?y of the Scotoh Minem' Federation it waa agreed to inetnKt the executive to Wse dem&nd?? for 12 £ per oemt..advanoe im JMea?? ?

POOR NELLY'S AGE. SIX YEARS KNOCKED OFF. Bristol Breach of Promise Case When the Bristol breach of promise1 a-ctioo Smyth v. Tilsley was resumed yesterday, the plaintiff, in further cross-examination by Mr. Holm an Gregory, said that her age was 33, and not 27, which she stated she believed it to be the previous day. Her first love letter after she was engaged was addressed to Dear Charlie," and ended, Yours sincerely, Nell." He proposed to her and she accepted, in 1900. She did not know why he asked her again in 1903, but he did so. He was more confidential with her as to his private affairs after 1903 than before. He told her he would give her a ring just before they were married. The presents she received had been given at Christmas and on her birthday. Re-examined: After the proposal in 1900 she kept herself entirely for him, as he asked her to do. She went out with him, accepted invitations with him, and went to his parents' house every Sunday afternoon to tea.. She considered herself engaged, and went out with no one else. The Judge: That is what an engaged lady is supposed to do. (Laughter.) Mrs. Smyth, mother of the plaintiff, said that her daughter thought she was 27. because for business purposes witness had led her to believe that she was younger than she was. She agreed as to the correctness of her daughter's evidence as to what occurred in July, 1905. I Poor Nelly's Age. Cross-examined by Mr. Gregory: When di<t you first deceive poor Nelly about her age?- From quite a, child. Must the jury take it that when she was five she thought she had just been born? (Laughter.)—I don't suppose it was done then. What was the nature of the deception in those days?—It was after school days. When she was ten she went about in short frocks and was told she was five?—I don't suppose her age was told her then, but she went about in short frocks then. Continuing, wiUiess said when her daughter was hystericalwfter defendant said he could not marry her witness did not ask hini to quiet her by promising to be engaged to her, but it would not mean anything. She said they had better not marry if they did not love one another, but it was a long time to find it out. She said to her daughter, "If you want an engagement you can have it, but what's. the good if- you are not going to marry?" She might have said to her daughter. "Tf it. a i- 1I:rran "4- JVu. na,UL, lie g,3b one upstairs you can have." Re-examined: Defendant sometimes called her Mrs. Smyth and sometimeg, "tas Mater." It was certainly Not a Flirtation with her daughter. Edwtn Alfred Smyth, father of the plaintiff. said that the defendant told him. his daughter had accepted him, and he was going to Birmingham, to the head offices of the arm who employed him, to get a rise, an0 would then be in a position to marry. Witness con. gratulated him, and said he hoped they would be happy Cross-examined: He had always been under the impression that the only engagement was in September, 1903. He had heard of no other engagement. They were courting in the usual way. (Laughter.) Witness was not on visiting terms with the defendant's Parents. He was invited to visit them, but did not take the trouble to go. At this point the jury intimated, through the foreman, that they had heard sufficient evidence for the plaintiff. The Judge explained to them. that the point was if the defendant proposed in 1900 and wa3 accepted, and ratified his promise when he ibecame of age, that would not do at all. Did they understand that? The Foreman: Yes. The Judge added: But if, as distinct from original promise, if it were made in, 190u, When He Came of Age, in or about September, 1903, they took some other distinct substantive act as distinct from continuing the original conduct of aa engaged oouple, they might find that there was not a. ratification but a substantive promise when he caine of age. Mr. Gregory, for the defence, oommented on the faot that in the original documents the allegation was that the promise was in 1900, and nothing was said of 1903. It was true they had walked out together, but defen- dant would say it was umft-ue tjiat he had at a,ny time promised to marry her, or ever had any intention to marry her. The defendant, a clerk to Messrs. Sperryn and Co., Victoria-street. said he was nineteen years of age when he became acquainted with the plaintiff, who was also engaged in an office in Victoria-street. He went out with her and became on intimate terms with her family. In August, 1900. he went to Belfast. He denied that in August, 1900, he proposed and was accepted by her j In Lovers' Walk ¡¡P1 He had never proposed to her, but from the commencement of the acquaintance had given her presents at Christmas and. on her birthday, and she in turn gave him presents vmianuaa Muu on ms Dirtnaay. They ;?-?""I?" introduced as an engaged couple. He did not tell plaintiff's father that he was going to get a rise in salary, and would be able to marry. When at Henbury on one occasion he mentioned that he had been with a girl at Bournemouth, and defendant was vexed, and he said he didn't see that it made any difference to her, as he was not engaged to her. She said she thought they were going to be engaged, but he said i. was not so. If she considered the way they had been going on, and the tiffs" they had had, it was out of the question, because if they could not be happy before they certainly could not after they married. She was hysterical, and cried and carried on," and to quiet her he told her he was only joking. They were simply chums," and he treated her as he would any other friend. The Judge: Had you many of the same sort? (Laughter.) Defendant said that the plaintiff's mother suggested that he should be engaged to her To Keep Her Quiet. and afterwards he could break it off. He afterwards wrote the letter saying he could not marry her. Cross-examined: It was not a flirtation, but a friendehip. She was your chum?—That is it. One amongst others?—No, she was the only one. Cross-examination continued: It was abso- lutely untrue that he asked her to marry him. He got fonder of her as time went on. When did you begin to kiss her?—About two months after I knew her—the first ohanoe I had. (Laughter.) Defendant, continuing, said he was invited to parties with the plaintiff, but not, m an engaged couple. On two occasions plaintiff was invited to go with his parents on holi- dayat Seaton and at Weymouth. She was often at his parents' house. His mother said <?o thought the plaintiff looked older than he did, but she raised no objection to her. He went out for a walk with her three times a. week regularly, and went to her house; He used to go to church with her. The Judge: Don't you think you were mono- polising her affections? Defendant: I was to a certain extent, -no doubt; but she was always free to go wttll someone else if she felt inclined. The Judge: You would have been a bit je-alona if she picked up another chum? (Laughter.) Defendant: I don't know that I should. In reply to other questions, he said that he I Was Fond of the Girl, a.nd had he been in a position to marry or contemplated marriage she was very likely the girl he would have asked. The Judge called defendant's attention to a ietter of his ending Your own affectionate Charlie." "That is rather strong language for a chum, is it not?" asked his lordship, amid laughter. Defendant: We were chums of old standirtz and, as I say.A was fond of the girl. In reply to the Judge, he said he did eee a girl at Bournemouth. The Judge: Is she your present chum? (Laughter.)—I don't know her sufficiently yet. The Judge: Is it pro greasing—(laughter) because the word "yet" implies you hope some day she will be?—No, it never will be the same. It it does go on I shall probably marry the lady. Charles Tilsley, father of the defendant, said he never regarded his son ae engaged to the plaintiff, but as a. chum. He did not think they loved each other. Mrs. Smyth said they did not wish to force & marriage The Judge, in summing up, said that nothing could be said against the plaintiff, and nothing could be said against the defen dant until July, 1905. Their letters did not breathe the highest emotion, but people were not all built in the same mould. some lovers took it quietly, and some took it im. quietly. (Laughter.) There was nothing to be found which they might, call hysterically emotional in her language. It was ladylike and well expressed, showing Gertainly one thing, that if he had married the young lady he might have found her a very excel- lent wife. There was not a word to be said against her. As to the concealment of her .ge. it was, as her mother explained, merely in connection with business, so tha.t she might the better obtain employment, having to gd her own living. The jury found for the plaintiff witlk-' damages £ 92 lQa., foe which, g