Evening Express

Monmouthshire Chamber of .AgriCU1-! ture are on the right track in demanding I fbc relaxation of restrictions upon rural I house building. Here is a reform with which immediate progress can be made. ) I The other question which they tackled yesterday. Burdens on Land, is a very thorny subject, and will requwe the intervention of Parliament. In the building question the Local Government Board is chiefly concerned, and what is needed is that the broader and more intelligent view of the problem which that Board adopted just before the recent change of Government should be confirmed and strengthened in the minds of Mr. John Burns and his colleagues. The story of the restrictions upon rural house building is grotesque. Years ago, when the big swing of the sanitary pen- dulum occurred, the L.G.B., in the first flush of reform, got out a set of model buildings bye-laws, and sought to thrust them down the throats of everybody under its thumb. In urban, and semi- urban districts these bye-laws were, pro- bably, the sort of thing needed, for land was rapidly increasing in value, and the jerry-builder was abroad in pristine vigour. But many purely rural districts, ambitious and pretentious, reaching after urban distinctions, adopted these model bye-laws-while the Local Government Board, with the fatuous self-complacency of a parent, looked on benignly—and forthwith strangled all building projects in their area. In some districts it is im- possible to build cottages at less than JS550 to E400 a pair, and as the maximum rent which can possibly be obtained is 2s. 6d. per week it is clear that the cost of such houses is an effectual bar to their erection. A corollary of the cry "Back to the land' haa been a demand for decent dwellings at a cheap rental, and land- owners and bailders are realising that they are missing money by being tied up. The Local Government Board has already hinted to rural local authorities that probably they find their bye-laws too stringent, and has offered to untie the strings. It needs do more, and should proceed to jerk these ruralities into a reasonable state of mind. What is the secret of the attraction which clothes have for women P One does not, of course, re fer to new clothes the man or woman who is not attracted by a new suit is in a poor state of health and should be cared for by friends. The reference is to clothes which cannot be worn, old garments relics of bye-gone splendour, hoarded year after year in drawer and wardrobe, accumulating dirt and damage, and storing the mustinesa of the passing decades. How women cling to these collections though they reek with the infection of bye-gone illnesses and are ready to reproduce the complaints in aH who handle them! The sanitary .inspector who overhauls our drains and sniffs around our ash heaps leoves unnoticed a potent cause of sickness and disease in the cast-off clothing of our household. Old letters, too, how they harrow up the memory and disturb the physical equilibrium! Some people cannot bear to destroy a letter, and often add to their store copies of their own replies. The precious documents are stored in drawer, or dtek, or pigeon-hole, where neither light nor air can reach them, and thus become I-ruitful sources of physical peril to any who are hardy enough to disturb them. When we understand more of the rules of health we shall pro- bably realise that old clothes and old letters should not be touched unless and, until they are disinfected by heat and air. The ardent desires to Hclearup" old letters, Ac., which overtake every one of us now and then is a dangerous one to indulge unless we take precautions. Many an attack of ill-health may be traced to incsrotiousness in sorting up accannulaitions of old papers, &e. Most of us can find reasons for potting off the operation when the industrious fit attacks us. Hitherto, we have, when candid with ourselves, written our pro- crastination down as laziness, and have been inclined, in our rare outbursts Oil the virtue of industry, to think bitter things about ourselves. Yet, as a matter of kwt, the reluctance to "clear up" that drawer, or that desk, or that trunk, stuffed with old letters and papers, was born of caution implanted in us by Mother Nature. We have thought it was laziness in ourselves, we have declared it was laziness in others, and, after all, it was simply the beacon light of instinct warning us away iipom the danger zone. Omang hack to clothes, unbearable ckrtbes, two pathetic pictures have lately been projected upon our vision. One of a decrepit old woman who has been retired from the world for three years bmamee-abe oooki not reBaA-the^aacixak- tion of clothes, which she annexed simply for the sake of possessing them; the other of the Brooklyn childless widow twho died in poverty after having, in sixteen years, squandered L80,000 in buying clothes which she never wore, but which simply rotted in her storeroom. The latter old lady is dead, so it will not pain her if we say that we are glad she occurred. She provideda st-riking proof of the fact that drink and gambling are not the only methods by which fortune and health may be dissipated. Of course, this is obvious to most people, but some of the one-sided moral mentors who, for our sins, were attached to us in our youth— men who could reconstruct the British Constitution in a day and would under- I take to reform the world in a week— wearied us and themselves by dinning into our ears the notion that these two exercises are the only ways in which men go to the dogs. The mania which some women have for jewellery is shown by a case reported in to-day's papers, in which a servant girl was charged with robbing a former mis- tress. The art-ides taken included three diamond rings and ten gold brooches! The robbery, be it noted, was committed in the absence of the owner, who had gone out. How many rings and-brooches she was wearing at the time and how many were left behind by the thief are not stated. Nothing is more disgusting to people oi refined tastes than to see a woman get into a tramcar or a railway carriage ostentatiously displaying two or three flashy rings upon nearly every linger, a couple of bangles upon each wrist., a gold watch dangling from a safety pin upon her bodice, and various other articles of jewellery hung round, to say nothing of a chatelaine big enough to stock a shop. Such customs as these are relics of those barbaric days, when women wore trinkets and little else.

Death of Colonel Rigg Ootonel Bigg, of Whitchurch, died yester- day at his residence. He bad not been well for some tape. About a. week ago pneuirwnki supervened, to wbilch. with other camipdica- tioos, he succumbed. In 1875 the colonel, who was a North. Country man, came to Cardiff, and entered the Bute Estate office, where he remained tor about five years. He tihea became surveyor to the Mackintosh I Estate, which position he held up to his death. In the development of the estate hi Cardiff and elsewhere Mr. Rigg took 40 lead- ing part, the laying out of the streets in the Roa.th district of the city having been carried oat under his oui)erviaion- Colonel RiR took a. sreat, interest in Volunteer matters, and served in the tod Glamorgan Artillery for over twenty yeax& He retired about five yeairs aco, mooh to the regret of his commanding officer, who, as well as his fellow-officers, held him in the highest respect. Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs. Rigg and the family.

Cardiff Operatic Society I The Cardiff Operatio gooiet-y concluded on I Wednesday night ita annual visit to the Theatre Royal, and it has been generally admitted amongst the section of the tbeatme- going public which specially interests itseif in the doings of local atnateurB that this year's performances of "The Mikado" rank amoiisst the very best which the society has war given. On Wednesday there was a lairge and most appreciative aodienoe. Encores came thick and fast, and at the end there were repeated curtains. After the company had bowed its acknowledsments several times them were lomd calls for the stace manager. Mr. A- E. Liedlke at last appeased before the footlights, and thanked the audience for the reception which the society had received. Tbeir whole hearted applause, he said, left no doubt of the large amount of swoem they had achieved. He thanked Mr. Bedfocd for placing at tOeiT disposal his theatre and his most acbndzaible staff, and added that it was gratifying to know that their success had been IT-t. aot only artis- tically, but financially. We understand that the Walsh War Memorial Fond wigl benea-t by the pw- formances to the extent of about £ 60, the expenses of the production in the way of dresses, Ac-, being necessarily considerable.

I SORROW, WORRY, AND SIN. I I Army Pensioner's Last Letter. I A patiletåo letter wtas read yesterday at an inquest at Lemiehosmi cm Henry K. Dailroy, a pensioner from the Boyal Artillery, of Hanover-buildings, Tooley-street. He was found on the Booth-Eastern. Bail- way near Wellhall Station, completely cut in two. Foilowiiig is the letter:- We bave nottd-n, wbee we are an this earth. StLa, worry, and sorrow. Sorrow, worry, and sin. So life begins and so it epds. I trust God will forgive me this great sin. I also ask lorgiveness of those I have wronged. Please forgive nre—nod you, my Children, look after and be tlhonghtful to your mother. In life I was everything, but in death nothing Uut dirt, to be blown and scattered to the winds. Lost and forgotten! Forgive, oh, forgive me! All is lost; and I have nothing1 to live for. The hand of age is against ail men. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide during temporary insanity." Heoeaeed was 53 years of age.

MISS E P. HUGHES & PRISON REFORM f There was an interesting meeting at the Women's Institute yesterday afternoon, when Miss B. P. Hughes giave an address on "The Probation System: the Mostrneeded Prison Reform." Miss Hughes is a practical woman, who has seen life, on its sonny and ita seamy side, in most countries in the world. I believe in the probation system en- tirely," said the lecturer. 'It does away with the brand of 'prison.' Under the system the criminals, not merely first offendeis, are sect home—with someone to supervise them (tee of the argugneirta against this system in Bn^land is that Englishmen and English- women would not like to be so supervised. But is not supervision better than prison?" asked Miss Hughes. It is largely the (question at juvenile prisoners. There was no doubt that probation oflioers, each raited to the circumstanee8 of the particular case in hand, would work wonders; would keep children from the prison; and keep the mothers and faathos from sending their children into prison.

ADMIRAL TOGO, O.M. I Prince Arthur at Tokio on Wednesday invested Admiral Togo and Marefeals Yamsv- gata and Oyama. with the Order of Merit. The ceremony took plaoe in the TTamrma Guesti Pok- in the presence of all the members of the Garter Mission. The honour is uariversaiBy appreciated .—lieu ter.

PHOTOGRAPHING DISEASE GERMS. I At Oamlnidge (Massachussets) last night, Professor H. C. Ernest, of Harvard, address- tag a meeting of the Boston Society of Medical Science, explained and demonstrated a new method of photographing disease germs without chemical treatment. The method intolves the use of the ul" vwlet mys of the spectrum, and makes it possible to watch the life of disease germs anddeter- mine the effect of medicine.

Hemartabie dlatppeazaace of aN grim*, mud. and dirL-A factl The washerwomen in Glaagow say tbat Iran,= fa oL spn-bd powder. Foamo to a pore apectal amp tar Tety beavy wWbJW. Powerful Btzytttdrnfe. I-OWRO 310 axfttl Aek yew groow for a peony packet — tkree for twopence half- penny. el942 The Yorkshire Evening Post" announces the death of his Honour Judge Oadmap art. I. his residence, Bhyddixtgs Hoaee, Ackwarth, Yorksbi-.

THEATRE LlCENCESI CAUSE EXCITEMENT AT SWANSEA. The monthly meeting of the Swansea County Borough Council was held at the Town-hall on Wednesday, the mayor Councillor Gwilym Morgan) presiding. One of the chief items on the agenda was to hear and determine an application by Mr. E. 0. Brooks, manager of the Grand Theatre, for a licence for the performance of stage plays. At the last meeting a decision, said to be illegal, had been arrived at by the casting vote of the mayor against an unconditional licence. Mr. Viner Leeder made the formal applica- tion on behalf of Mr. Brooks, stating that no complaint had ever been made with respect to any misconduct at the theatre. He called the chief-constable, who testified in favour of the application, and Mr. Fred Parker, one of the guarantors, strongly supported it. Mr. Brooks, the licensee, said that for a couple of years past he and his partner had been kept in suspense respecting this licence, and they were very seriously thinking of giving up the theatre altogether unless they received fair and equitable treatment at th" hands of the council this time. He came to the town a perfect stranger, and took over from his predecessor a full and unrestricted licence as had always been previously granted. There were, he knew, members of that oouncil who never went to a. theatre, but he appealed to them whether they should attempt to deprive 120,000 inhabitants of that town of the right to secure reasonable refresh- ment during the time they were at the theatre. Alderman Protheroo proposed, and Dr. Latimer seconded, that the licence be granted. Mr. Tutton moved the usual amendment, that the condition be attached that no Excise licence should be applied for. Dr. latamer rose to a point of order. Mr. Viner Leeder, solicitor for applicant, also intervened, and said he desired toraise a technical point as to the subject of speeches by members. Mr. Tuitton protested against interruption after the applicant's case had been closed. Amid the Excitement and Hubbub which followed a member suggested that the council should discuss the matter in camera. The Mayor sa.id fhat from what he observed just now he thought it w<mM be better that the room should be cleared. (Hfear, hear.) He would, in fact, order everyone not belonging to the oouncil to leave the room- Mr. Vmer Leeder: Then, on behalf of my- self and the applicant, I beg to say I shall refuse to leave the room. (Excitement.) Mr. H. Watkins: Then an we should do, Mr. Maiyor, is to refuse-to vote on the sub- jeot to-day. Amid renewed excitement the Mayor was understood to say that he could understand t&e contentions on one side. (Cries of Oh. oh!" and a Voice: "That's not fair; you eaTe & casting vote before.") Mr. Leader said that, as a matter of courtesy to the council, he would withdraw. He had. however, simply intended to take a note of any technical point which arose. Mr. Hopkin said title mayor had ordered the applicant to leave the room, but the council had not. The Mayor said he only wamted to be fair. He thought ft best alter what he had observed that they should have the room cleared. However, he would take a vote on the subject. This was done, and the majority were in favour of the applicant remaining. After further discussion, A vote was then taken, when twenty voted agadnst the a.mendment. and seventeen for it, and the licence was granted. The Pavilion Scheme. On the report of the generaJ purposes com- mittee rejecting the proposal for the erection of a, paviiion on the eastern portion of Vic- toria Park at the rear of the War Memorial being presented, Mr. D. Jones moved, and Mr. Lee seconded, that the question be sent back for considera- tion by the pavilion committee.-Thig was agreed to. The Drainage Scheme Mr. W. Watkins nsoved the adoption of the water and sewers committee's minutes. These inoluded :—<!) That the 6ft. sewer in Somerset- place be extended to Oxford-street—through Fisher-street, Cross-street, Orange-street, and U-o-stre"-at an estimated oost of £ 20,000, and that application be made to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow that amount; (25 that the borough engineer be instructed to prepare and submit an estimate of the cost of a duplicate sewer to be laid in Walter-road (where necessary), and a tunnel sewer from the Upiands (opposite FreehoM-streetir to the borough boundary, separate provision to be made and shown for surface water. After a long debate the minutes were thrown out by twenty votes to ten.

Lover's Alleged Promise GOWERTON STEELWORKER DERrES A SUGGESTION. At Swansea on Wednesday Dennis Casey, steel worker, Gowerton. was summoned by Catherine Daviee, single, Waunarlwydd, to show cause, Jbo. Mr. Leedar proeeoated; Mr. Thompson defended. Complanamt said defendant had promised to marry her. When her mother died in May defendant, who had come to look at the body, said she should never see want so long as he lived. He also ga-ve her a. sovereign. The arrangement was that they were to be married in July. He didn't come to her any more, however, and when asked what he intended doing, defendant replied, What about you and your brother is,k?- amd called her by on opp-robious naane. Mr. Thompeon: That is not a part of the defence, sir. We deny that we ever said it. At a. subsequent stage Mr. Thompson said he had advised his client that he would be unable to resist the mass of corroborative evidence, but his client absolutely denied that he was the father of the child. An order for 3s. 6d. a week was made.

Cardiff Lifeboat Fund I The annual meeting of the Cardiff Lifeboat Saturday Fund was held in the grand jury- room at tbe Tuim-ball on Wednesday even- ing, Mr. R. Soott presiding. Mr. G. E. Petty, the hon. secretary, read the statement of accounts for the past year, which showed that the receipts amounted to £ 117 10a. The weetinir expromed its cre" indebted- ness to Mr. OBwald BtoH for his extremely generous action in arranging and carrying through the matinee in aid of the Lifeboat Fund at the Cardiff Empire free of all charges, whereby the handsome sum of £.163 had been sent up to the parent society. Mr. Petty said he bad felt it his duty to endearvour to seem* from the institution some reoognition of Mr. StoiFs kindness, and be was giad t!p.oay it had been decided by the institution to present Mr. Oswald Stoll with &. pair of binocular glasses, silver- moUDted. and suitably inscribed, not only for his services rendered in Cardiff, but over I the wthcie of Great Britt o. wbercver he had his musio-haUs. They wanted to meas the presentation as public as possible, and he OEX. Petty) would take the earliest oppor- tunity of approaching the Lord Mayor, and desire him to pot himself in oomprunication I with the Baxq of Plymouth, asking if he would oondesoend to fix same day, say a Batosday, on which his lordship would make the presentation. They appealed to the Bad of Plymouth as he was the president of the West of England district committee.

THE SEVASTOPOL MUTINY The trial of Lieutenant Sokmidi, leader of the Sevastopol mutiny in November, began at Odessa on Wednesday. During the proceed- ings the prisoner's wile rushed into the court aryiatg to the judges, "If you hang my hus- band I shall shoot myself." There is no doobt that Schmidt will be sentenced to death.—Press Association Foreign Special. Pour revolutionaries condemned to death at R1p. sent a petition to the Cfear craving for mercy. This was refused, and the Governor- General then confirmed the sentence, but allowed the extreme pqnalty to take the form of ahooting instead of hanging/ The execu- ttojw-taofv sQace on Wednesday. J I

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. Byttiac—v;j to 12 agst Falcon, 4 to 1 3.t Ohouette. arid 6 L 4 n -t Tilf- Swaaii. 2.4S—W £ LLE«B0t7RN £ HURDLE RESULT Mi D Wei!? Arcadlc Roonoy 4 30 0 Ir 'd:ùJ:jJ U:<vd.9 VkUiue llalUcli a 11 0 \V«V j i

I Rebels Captured. HOLD A PRAYER MEETING, BUT USE THEIR RIFLES. It is officially stated at Pietermaxitzburg that natives have trapped the natives who murdered the police. The murderers used their rifles. Police and Volunteers have been despatched to the soene. Unofficially it ia stated tha.t the rebel leader and three of Ms men were killed, and that six natives, a rifle, and two bandoliers were captured. When surrounded the rebels held a prayer meeting.—Renter.

Hunting the Hottentots DRANK THEIR CATTLE'S BLOOD I The Nationa Zeitnng" publishes a. I private letter from German Sooth-West Africa which contains the following details of the events which preoeded the death of the Hottentot chief, Henrik Witiboi, last autumn. The German troops had successfully pur- sued Henrik and his following of warriors, with numerous women and children, across the waterless, sandy wastes until the wtwie band were suffering terribly from thirst. In the middle of October there ttae a collision between the two forces, and after half an hour's fight the Hottentote fled in disorder. Captain Beoh pursued the ØDaIUy as far as Dunes without inflicting any losses on him, and he was than obliged to return to the wells. During the next few days messengers, chiefly women, came to the wells, bringing letters from Henrik, in which he begged for water, at least for the women and children. The reply of the German officers in com- mand was always, Deliver up your rifles and your warriors, and your women and children shall have as much wøoter as you want. On Ootober 20 a German patrol of 60 men, again under Captain Bech, found a camp which had recently been abandoned by the Hottentots. The cattle, with great arteries cut, were lying in all directions* and the cooking and drinking vessels had evidently all contained blood. Some old women and a wounded warrior, who bad been left behind, explained that the people had been, compelled to quench their thirst by drinking the blood of the cattle.

FOUND GROANING IN STREET. I Barry Man's Singular Death. I Mr. R. J. Rhys, coroner, conducted an inquiry at the Farmers' Arms, Haiod, on Wednesday into tihe somewhat mystecions circumstanoes attending the death of John Jones, a. retired winding engineman, of 14, Flora-street, Barry. The evidence showed that the deceased visited Hafod on Friday night to see his step-daughter, and was subsequently seen by a. Mrs. Daries under the influence of drink. About twenty-five minutes later he was found groaning near No. 14, River-atreet. He was taken into t house by a Mrs. Jen- kins, and there he was treated by Dr. Cooker- croft until Sunday night, when he died. The deceased made a. statement to Mr. Jenkins that he bad been kicked. Replying to the coroner, Mr. Jenkins explained that the reason that be did not inform the police of this was that he thought deoeased was rannibling whilst under the influence of drink. Dr. Cockercioft said a post-mortem examination revealed a rupture of the liver, which might have been caused by a fall, a blow, or a. kick. The Coroner said that he would adjourn the inquiry for a fortnight in order to enable the police to make inquiries, and give them a chance of finding out whether the man's death was due to violence on the part of someone. One of the jury raised the point ae to compensation for Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. It had been said that the deceased mam was wealthy, and, certainly, Mr. and Mrs. Jen- kins ought to be compensated for their trouble. The Coroner remarked that he could make no order. Mr. am* Mrs. Jenkins were really Good Samaritans, for, although they were no relatives, they took the man in. It was, however, inopportune to raise the point at the present juncture. The son of the deceased here stated that it had been fully intended to reward Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. A Juryman: I wish to dissociate myself entirely from the remarks just made by my feUow-j uryman. The adjourned inqueat was then fired for March 8.

BROWN'S BRONCHIAL Tsocam. M yeaxw RaputoLU)IL For Co«?< Md O?w For j For inOtMo? Md C?)r?. Pw Bonne" 0: the -Twmkt f? apMtan M< Sh?M? The, tile !?M??' *M?<CM MttywhM?. 1

I TRIMMING TARIFF. I THE POSSIBILITY OF A STRIKE I r The question of the revision of the coal- trimming tariff at Cardiff, Penarth, and Barry shows signs of developing into a serious situation before many weeks have gone by. As was mentioned in our columns last Mon. day, the coal-trimmers will hold a mass meet- ring on Sunday next to consider certain modifl- cstions in the existing trimming tariff sug- gested by the representatives of the coal I exporters, who have endeavoured to mediate between the shipowners and the men. Hitherto the coal shippers have held the key of the situation, for, although the cost of trimming is paid by the shipowners, they are the actual employers of the men. Until the last few months -tonnage was so plentiful that the shipowner had to defer to the coal exporter in ma.king terms, but more recently the position has become reversed, and the shipowners are in a position to dictate terms to the ccal exporters, a fact strikingly brought home by the high outward rates of freight now being paid. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the whole Of the negotiations in regard to the revision of the tariff that have gone on for nearly two years. The shipowners aver they have a serious grievance, and express their determi- nation to put an end to it. Although they ask for an all-round modification, the trouble has centred about a class of vessels which ( the owners describe as self-trimmers, and, therefore, subject to the rate of lid. per ton, 'but which the men claim come under the single-deck type, in respect to which 23d. per ton of coal shipped is payable. It will be remembered that in two or three instances the matter was brought before Judge Owen, who gave has decision in favour of the owners' contention that the disputed vessels were "self-trimmers," and liable to the lower rate. The men thereupon gave the shipowners notice that they would not work Ion these vessels at less than the single-deck rate. The result was that outside trimuners and crews were employed to do the work on two or three vessels, and a. brief strike fol- lowed, which was brought to an end by the action of the coal shippers and the arrange- ment of triple conferences. Many of these were held daring last year, and eventually a deadlock ensued. The shipowners allowed matters to simmer a, little while, but last week another triple conference was convened, and the present situation has developed from that. It now remains to be seen what action the men will decide upon at the mass meeting. Up to the present they have not wavered in their determination to adhere to the tariff, and, in view of the attitude of the shipowners, it would seem as though there is every proba- bility of a strike developing. The shipowners claim that conditions have so altered that the existing tariff is much too high for modern steamers, which have been so constructed that the work of trimming has been reduced almost to a minimum.

Scene at White House LADY DRAGGED OUT BY ATTENDANTS Some weeks ago Mrs. Minor Moms was ejected from the White House under circum- stances which were vehemently discussed throughout the United States. She resented, the dismissal of -her husband from a Govern- ment office, on what she regarded as inade- quate grounds, and: accordingly apught an interview with President Booservelt himself. Tbe President's private secretary saw her, and informed her that the matter was closed, and advised her to -leave. She protested, whereupon the attendants were called, and she was unceremoniously put out. Mrs. Morris was dragged kicking, not only to the doors of the White House, but 200 yards down the street. Her dress was torn, her ilair was dishevelled, and eye-witnesses actually Picked Up the Combs I and other personal effects she had lost in the struggle. The fa.at6 are ae stated, and were never denied. Mrs. Morris remained in bed for six weeks Buffering from mental shock. The correspondence between her husband, Dr. Morris, and President Roosevelt is now published. It is brief and to the point. Dr. Morris demands a public apology for "the outrage on womanhood and common decency by the damnable treatment at the White House. The President replies that he has made a careful investigation of all the facts, and considers that the arrest was justified, and that the foroe employed by the officers was not greater than tibe resistance of Mrs. Morris demanded.

DARING STRAND ROBBERY. I In the small hours of this morning two men were seen to smash a plateglass door of the premises of Messrs. Paget and Oo., jewellers, in the Strand. One of the men then entered the shop, whilst his companion watched, bnt, finding that they were ob- served, they took to flight, and got safely away before the police were informed of the occurrence. Their booty is believed to be oonfined to a. few articles of cutlery. Seeing that a strong force of police is always on duty in the strand, the attempt wtas a. sin- gularly daring one.

I 'WARE THIS COACHMAN. Shopkeepers should keep their eyes open for a. new sort of confidence trick lately played with great success in a North of England town. A man, dressed as a coachman, goes into a confectioner's shop and states that a few! daiya previously he called to buy some cakes, but having a restive horse outside, and the shop being full of customers, he put down a florin, or some other coin, and told the young lady in charge that he would call for his change a little later. He adds that he has now called for it. The success of the trick, of course, depends on the man ascertaining that the same per- son is not in the shop on the second occasion as was there at the time when the original call is alleged to have been made. But that presents very little difficulty to the really skilful trickster.

I ELECTION EXPENSES. I Carmarthen Boroughs. The statement of the election exposes incurred by Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams anvj the Hon. Yere Ponsomby, was doposiited on Wednesday at the offices of the deputy retuirn- ing officer, Mr. T. Waters, solicitor, Qurmar> theau Siunmumsed, the expenses of each were as foilow: Mr. Hon. v. Williams. Pansoohy. £ *• d. £ a d. Returning officer 100 0 0 100 0 0 Personal expenses 88 6 6 99 12 9 Election ageotB 50 0 0 100 0 0 Baymputs by efeo|joii agents 245 15 8 399 8 0 482 2 2 699 0 9

REFORM OF THE GORSEDD I In view of the suggestions that representa- tives of the University of Wales and busi- I ness men should be mrvited to join the Welsh b4c& in reforming the Gorsedd and its cere- monies, the following letter written by Mr. George Meredith to a. member ce the Qoreedd will be read with iuteregt:- Dea.r sir,—I am not usually a conserva- tive, but in the case of the National Bis- teddfod of Wales, I am of opinion that it would be unwise, even to the improving of the dignity of the Eisteddfod, to make a departure from old customs. New features would be likely to turn it into something other than what it was. Representatives of the University of Wales on the execn-I tive committee of the Gorsedd might be of i good service, but business men, such as we know them the world over, are not to be recommended to an institution Cor the preaching of spiritual nobility.—Yours truly, I GEOBtiK MXKEDTTH. I

A LADY AERONAUT CLOSE RACE WITH A TURBINE Across the English Channel For the first time on record a lady has accomplished the hazardous balloon voyage from London to France. The daring aeronaut is Mrs. Griffith Brerwer, wife of a prominent member of the Aero Club, a well-known writer on aeronautics; and the pioneer in balloon photography. A year or so ago Mrs. Brewer made a short trip in England, and has been keenly awaiting ever since an opportunity to make a cross-sea trip. On Tuesday morning Mr. Percival Spencer, the well-known aeronaut, observed that the wind had got into the north-west quarter, and telegraphed Mrs. Brewer that she might be able to make a start if the wind coptinued in the right direction. Mrs. Brewer immediately took train from Strawberry Hill for London, and arrived on the ground at the Wandsworth and Putney Gas Works, where the balloon was being inflated, at five minutes past two in the afternoon. 30 Miles an Hour. By 2.15 the party, including Mrs. Brewer, Mr. Percival Spencer and Mr. Frank Butler, had commenced the ascent, and were oscilla- ting in the wind. The balloon, which was of a capacity of 45,000 cubic feet, soon grew steadier, and made away at a speed of 30 miles an hour. They were crossing the Crystal Palace in fifteen minutes at an altitude of 2,000 feet London's straggling suburbs were soon left behind, and the open country gained. The rivers Darenth. and Modmay appeared flooded for miles. In just over an hour the coast-line at DnngeneeB was visible, and photographs were taken of the view below. Crossing the channel the equilibrium of the balloon was so well maintained that the party wens abbe to partake of a. meal, oon- eiatiaig of sausage-rolls, oabe, and dry cham- pagne. Race with the Turbine. I At this stage the cross-Channel steamer Onward, from Folkestone to Boulogne, with passengers who left London at 2.20, was ob- served. Tihe race for the French shore be- tween the balloon and the turbine bqat afforded intense excitement for the acro- mauts. The balloon crossed the French coast a few mites south of Boulogne at half-past five, and just as tilie steamer was entering Boulogne harbvur. Darkness now came on, the valves were opened, and the balloon, descending gradu- any, bounded ttrrough some poplar trow, and thence through a high, fence, until it came to rest at Samer, twenty miles from Boulogne. The party oanght the night mail from Calais, arriving in London at half-past fiye. Mrs. Brewer arrived hocme somewhat fatigued, but perfectly well, and full of praise of this novel means of travel, which she trusts will now become more popular with the fair sex.

t Surplus Jewellery INGENIOUS GIRL ROBBER. For a. girl of seventeen Sarah Atwv Oorder has a. remvka.bl record in crime. The par-1 ttOt?tM' offcnoe laid to her charge at derken- well Sessions yesterday was that of stealing JB150 wafth of jewels and clothing, and to it she pleaded guilty. She is gopd-looking, with an abundance of fair haar; but in the dock yesterday she did not show to advantage, hanging her head in dejection, and refusing to answer when epokea to. Her tricks of dishonesty began when she was in the employ of a. lady at CSheyne- goaldens, Chelsea. After beimg there a. few weeks, and learraung the names of various UNKIM.moo, she am t. out postcards to the number of thirty or forty, signed then in her mistress's name, and ordered articles of all descriptions to be sent on approbation. Then- she ran away, and on Detective- sesgeanit Don sail searching her boxes he found them filled with her mistress's okxthins and jewellery. She was arrested, and, being so young, was remanded for a week, the court missionary interceding on her behalf. She was sent to a home, where she was reported to be "Perfectly Incorrigible." I Going thence to her mother at Ilexley- heath, she stayed a week. Then she bor- rowed money, and, coming to London, she visited her former mistress's fiat. Perhaps all would have gone well had the lady been at home; but she was out. So Sarah Ann sent the new servant with a note on a bogus errand, and in her absence robbed the flat. The property stolen Included. three diamond rings, ten gold brooches, a bracelet, a chain, a string of pearls, and a vast amount of clothing. When the girl was arrested she was getting into a first-class railway carriage with a gentleman. Some time ago she was for four months in an asylum, but the gaol doctor now certified her as sane. Mr. MicOonnell, K.C., said he did not think that anything but imprisonment would do her good. The best thing for the girl was to be under the restraining influences of gaol, as he thought no home could govern her. She would have to undergo six months' hard labour.

I AN ABERDEEN ANECDOTE. I Here is a little anecdote of how Lord Aber- deen met his future wife. When a. young man he was visiting at a. shoottug lodge in the Highlands. One day his host could not aocoimpany him on the moors, so he went alone, and by accident croeaed the "march," or boundary, of a. neighbouring estate. He was tramping alone, gun on shoulder, when a. gmtleman asked him if he was aware that he was trespassing. "Oh, no." said Lord Aberdeen, I am the guest of So-andl" Very probably," said the gentleman; but you are now on my property." Lord Aber. deen apologised profusely, and banded him his card. The owner of the soil was Mfc. Marjoribanks, afterwards Lord Tweedmouth, who promptly invited the trespasser to ean at Guisaohan. The unwitting poabher aooepted, and in that way met Miss Isobel Marjoribanks, who became Lady Aber- deen.

I DEATH CHEATS THE LAW. I Under remarkable circumstances the death has taken place of Mr. Alexander Sloene, manager of the Bathgate branch of tihe National Bank of Scotland. Defalcations in hie accounts wero con- sidered so serious that a. warrant was issued for his arrest, but he evaded apprehension until his death at the village of Lea, Marstop, aJaout ten miles from Birmingham. He left Bathg-ate, which is near Edinburgh, suddenly on the 9th inst., when the bank inspector called at the branch to make his half-yearly inspection. Next morning he arrived at his brother-in-law's farm in Lea Marston, and said he wa#i ill. On Thursday he went a way, apparently with the intention of eatching the train to Edinimrgh, but the next morning he was back at Lea M-Arston, in a state of great dis- tress. He declared that lie was in difficulties, and had made a. fool of himself by coining away from Bathgate. He then became very ill, and for days refused to see a doctor, until he died, after suffering great internal pain.

On the arrival at Queeustown. this morning of the White Star Royal 3iail steamer Baltic, from New York. the oommander reported that at 9.45 on the 20tb inst. a second cabin steward, named Burgees, jumped overboard v.. I and was drowned. Burgees was a married I man and resided o6,L4Pwx"ODOA.

A RUNAWAY WIFE. I ROMANTIC ELOPEMENT I Revealed by a Charge of Theft I Behind a commonplace charge at Man- chested City Police-court yesterday lay a romantic story. Thomas Lund was charged with stealing a gold watchguard, valued iZ, and a pair of boots, valued 10s., the property of Mr. Frederic Singer, of Longsight. Seventeen years ago Mr. Singer, a motor-car agent, resided with his wife and family at Sbuth- port. While there, Mrs. Singer, who was then only 22 years of age, made the acquaint- ance of Lund, then an eighteen-year-old assistant to a firm of jewellers. Nothing untoward was noticeable in the friendship. Five months ago Mr. Singer met Lund- who in the meantime had married and had three children—in Manchester, and taking pity on his destitute condition housed him and gave him employment. A month ago, for reasons apart altogether from any su.9 picion as to his Wife's Relation with Lund, I Mr. Singer intimated that his friendship had reached its limit. Lund disappeared, and two days after Mrs. Singer left her home. Awaiting her husband on his return from business was a letter stating that incom- patibility of temperament prevented her oontinuing to live with him. The couple—Lund and Mrs. Singer-were traced to Bradford, Yorkshire. They were living in poveity. Lund was arrested for the theft, and during the hearing yester- day a letter written by Mrs. Singer to the presiding magistrate was read as follows: I swear that Thomas Lund is innocent of the charge of theft brought against him The chain he is accused of stealing is my very own property given" to me by my father at sixteen years of age, and has nothing to do with my husband. I my- self gave it to Mr. Tom. Lund of my own free will, witnessed by my two eldest chil- dren, in the absence of my husband, at the last Stanley Show. I myself received 13s. out of the 30s. he raised upon it. If this evidence is not enough, I am quite willing to come and be put upon my oath. In order that Mrs. Singer might attend the court, Lund was remanded until Monday.

"Earned Undying Fame" I NEW COLOURS FOR BRITISH REGIMENT I At Benares on Wednesday the Prince of Waaes preeented new colours to the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. His Royal Highness recalled tha.t during the years which had elapsed einee the battalion waa raised some of its most brilliant ser- vices were achieved in that portion of the Empire. In regard to its gallant conduct. at Ferozeshah in 1845 Lord Hardinge, who was then Governor^-General, described it as "that regiment which has -earned immortal fame in the annals of the British Army." Not only on the field of battle had the regiment gained renown, for no fewer than three times bad it suffered shipwreck in Eastern waters. There was no grea-ter test of disci- pline than such terrible experiences, and the conduct of the 88th Regiment at the last disaster of this nature, in 1844, was brought under the notice of Queen Victoria and com- mended in a general order by the Governor- General. He was convinced that the regi- ment would be ever inspired by the same spirit of loyalty to King and oounitry. The Prince of Wales also presented eight silver and fourteen bronze medals (awarded by the Chapter-General of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) for gallantry displayed by officers and men of the 1st and 7:t.b, Gurkha Rifles in saving life on the occasion of the disastrous earthquake at Dbarmsa'a last spring, when in ten seconds almost every building was a ruin amd 100 persons were killed outright. The Gurkhas, in their efforts to rescue, those buried, worked unceasingly, despite oonstantly- reourring shocks, and saved 150 persons from atlmost certain death. The medals were awarded on the reoom- mendation of Lord Kitchener, the recipients among the rank and file being selected by the votes of their comrades.—Press Associa- tion Special.

Welsh Naval Reserve I Lord Tweedmouth (First Lord of the Admiralty) received at the House of Commons on Wednesday evening a deputation of mem. bers representing the west coast of Wales. The deputation, which included Sir A. Thomas, Mr. Lloyd-George, Mr. Vaughan Davies, Mr. Edlis Griffith, and Mr. Owen Philippe, urged that in the interests of Angle- sea, Cardigan, and Pembroke the Naval Reserve batteries should not be removed from Carnarvon, St. Dogmael's, and Tenby. Lord Tweedmouth, in reply, said he was afraid these coast batteries and many others would have to be Temoved, in the interests of efficient training.

FORGED FOOTBALL TICKETS. I Consternation has been caused in football circles in Belfast by a sensational swindle perpetrated upon the Irish Football Associar tion in connection with the England v. Ire- land International mat-ch played last Satur- day. The gate was believed to be a record one, and wae expected to amount to asbout J3950. However, it has been. disoovered that forged tickets were printed, and sold in such large numbers for all portions of the enclosure thaA it is thought the audacious persons con- cerned have netted about LZOD. For about a.n hour prior to the match a number of men, it is stated, were vigorously engaged disposing of tickets on one of the principal roads leading to the grounds. So carefully was the forgery planned and carried out that not only was the exact let- tering, colour of the ink, and oolonr of the card copied, but the embossed stamp iteelf was imitatied so cleverly that only an expert could detect it.

NEWPORT WHARF FATALITY. The circumstances concerning the death of Joseph Johns, 58, who was crushed on Monday at the Pontypool Wharf, belonging to the Ebbw Vale Iron and Steel Company, at New- pott, were inquired into at the Town-hall yesterday afternoon by Mr. Lyndon Moore, the borough coroner. The evidence showed that riAbased was engaced. at the time of the accident in pulling trucks laden with pitwood, aided by a couple of horses. Having pulled one truck over the points he drew up a second on another line, when it came into contact with the first, and pinned the unfortunate man between the buffer$nd the tail end. Dr. A- Thomas (house surgeon at Newport &nd County Hospital) said death was due to a rupture of the liver and internal hemorrhage. Verdict accordingly.

HORSE AND CART OVER PENARTH SEA-WALL A. mishap occurred at Penarth Beadi on Wednesday. A horse and cart, belonging to Mr. Mackintosh, of Cardiff, was standing out- side the shop of Mr. Gorier, refreshment- house-keeper, the driver being inside transact- ing some business. The horse became restive, and backed to the paving and over the sea- wall on to the beach. Little damage was done to the cart, and the horse <ti-4 not appear to bave suffeared any barm.

CLAKKE'S I BLOQP j HIXTQSsJ TMs fimoin MeiHaliw win etauwe the blood from all fmipu- rttæs from wtiatevor oayse ariklig. A aate remedy for Kcwnna, Bad IøP. Scrofula, Blood Poison, Ijwn « A tuld4 Boaa. Emp- 'qbmm "admaw s?. 8ç. 'Tt???  SBr???" 

IRISH HOME RULE DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. The House of Commons yesterday discussed Home Rule on an amendment by Colonel Saunderson condeminimg the reference tot Irelialnd in the King's Speech. The loyalists, he said, believed thoA the contemplated ohanges in, the system of the government of Ireland would endamger the liberties and < property of the loyalist minority, promote discord in civil life, and impair the integrity of the United Kingdom. Mr. Devlin amusingly chaffed ColoneE Saundersofn on the "exceptional d'øqn" of blis. speech. Referring to Mr. Walter Long, he said 1oha.t the ex-Minister had been spoken j of as the strong man in politics, a sort of i modern Sandow, and yet he could not get an English seat. He had to go to Dublin, and. Dublin had to take the off-scourrags of Bristol. The Speaker said the remark, if a-pplied too Mr. Long, was out of order, and ought to bei withdrawn. Mr. Devlin said he was speaking, not 141 ali « personal, But in a purely political sense. He did not doubt that Mr. Long possessed all. 1 the virtues in the world, but he was in le$g<u» 1 with those like Colonel Saunderson, who had! raised the old Protestant cry and tried to influence the "virgin minds" of the Noncon- formist members into the belief tha.t Home Rule met Rsme Rule. The Orangemen of the North of Ireland would as soon think ol admitting a Hottentot to a.ny position as a Roman Catholic. The amendment now beton, the House he believed had been drawn by Mr. Chamberlain, the man who had drowned South Africa. with blood to satisfy German. Jews. Mr. O'Grady rejoiced that Ireland was now within measurable distance of the realisation* of her hopes—Home Rule. A repetition of vast numbers of twenty- year-old arguments on Home Rule and kin- dred subjects occupied most of the rest of the' sitting.

Tory Peer Expelled. I CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB'S DRASTIOi I ACTION. I Correspondence between Lord Balfour of i Burleigh and the political committee of the 1 Constitutional Club as a result of his lord- ship's action in support of Free Trade in the recent election at Chelsea has been made, public. It appears that the name of his lord-, ship, who is trustee of the Constitutional Club, appeared amongst other signatures! attached to a circular advising the electors i to vote for the Radical candidate as against his Conservative opponent, and the club political committee asked for an explanation. In reply Lord Balfour stated that, as presi- dent of the Chelsea Free Trade League, the circular was issued with his concurrence I and approval. This was the only course open to him consistent with his view of them demands alike of conscience and patriotism. On receipt of this letter the club commit- tee passed resolution declaring his..Iord- ship's action to be indefensible, inconsistent* with the objects of the club, and injurious to the Conservative cause. Fart-her eXPlanst- tion was invited pending such action as the club committee might consider necessary. Lord Balfour sent a letter detailing his posi- tion, and remarking that, as his con- duct had already been regarded aa indefensible, it was somewhat late to ask for further explanation. If tha i committee thought it to the interests t of the Conservative cause that he should be < expelled from the club they had it in their < power to act upon their opinion. He pro- tested against the implied interference with y private judgment on matters not within the t recognised party programme, and conclud,?d I that the policy of oatraci&ng (3ouservative I Free Traders seemed designed to drive them J into the Radical party, thougli in his ownr case the policy would fail. j The whole matter was again considered onr f Wednesday by the general committee of the 1 Constitutional Club, which passed a resolp- J tion deciding, on the ground that hia political conduct was inconsistent with the objects and well-being of the club and injurious to the interests of the Couserva- tive cause, to remove Lord Balfour's name from the list of members and also from the j list of trustees. Similar action was taken in regard to other members of the club who publioly supported t Radical candidates at the recent geaerai. i election.

£ 25 for a Bkinder I MAN WRONGFULLY SENTENCED i A serious miscarriage of jwtice has been I brought to light in Manchester. | In April of last year John Joyce, a. maj-ri? man with three children, who served in the 1 South African war and eventually joined the 1 Naval Reserve, was arrested, while in the employ of the Manchester Corporation as a labourer, on a charge of being concerned in the theft of a suit of clothes. He protested his innocence and produèeci evidence in his favour, but he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard La.bour. After serving his sentence he set i.. a-bout clearing his character, with the result [' that through the efforts of a. nrm of man. Y< cheater solicitors he has obtained a. 'tree | pardon and a. grant of 125 as compensation. I While in prison Joyce's home had to be I broken up, &nd his wife and family became j chargeable to the union. The monetary -i compensation was a.bsorbed in his efforts t?Q j clear his character. j?

X13675 FOR A BULL. 1 Some very large prices were obtained for 1f pedigree stock at Maodonald, Fraser, and Oo.'s cattle sale ait Perth yesterday. Lord Ldvait's first prize-winner Broadbook Cha.mpion was sold after a spirited bidding to Mr. Miller for export to Buenos Ayres for 1,500 guineas—a record price for a. shorthorn bull. The chief competition was between Irish and >' Buenos Ayres buyers. Builds with a long pedigree are much in request in the Argen,. tine. J Mr. Durno, Westertown, sold a beautiful *■ first prize red bull. Diamond Errol, for 700 '■ guineas to the Earl of Moray's represents. tive. One of Lord Lovat's calves was sold for 560 guineas to Mr. M'Lennan, Buenos Ayres, An unplaced bull from Westertown made 50f guineas, and Lord Lovat's fifth prioo bul) brought 400 guineas, both going to th,( v Argentine.

HOTEL DE LUXE IN SOUTH AFRICA The new Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg was opened to the public on Tuesday. When the Johannesburg Consolidated Company took in hand the erection of a. ftrat-clam 1! hotel in Johannesburg they determined to | make it an establishment with all the' appointments of an hotel de luxe of London or Paris, and they secured the services aa general contractors of Messrs. Waring and Gillow (Limited). Everything in the OOD1 J 6Wuction, except the stone, had to be shipped J? from England. Yet the structure has been f? eMcted and furnished in a. little over two years. The building, which is six storeys high, with basement and mezzanine floors, has a frontage of 620ft.. a. comprehensive suite of reception-rooms, and over 200 bed. rooms. The architect was Mr. T. H. Smith,

AMBULANCE WORK AT PONTYPOOL ROAD. J The St. John Ambulance certificates gainet) f during the year by 61 men in the employ ot the Great Western Railway Company a& Pontypool Road were distributed by Mr. & ) H. Llewellyn, one of the directors. Mr. &. J. S Churchward, Swindon; presided over the fi gathering. Dr. Haslett, Pontypool, undeO whose tuition the men gained their successes, was presented by Mr. J. H. Bead. divKcmal superintendent, Newport, with tk gold f1 ,j—jJmHiqm. ..?