Evening Express

l iNTELLECTUAL DRINKS. With a rabbit's dried stomach before him and with models of the beer stomach and t'he average man's stomach, Professor Stir- ling leetiiiv.d last night at the Royal Institu- tion on Beverages." Man, he said, appeared to lie the, only stuimal that drinka when he is not thirsty. Some people did Hot drink between mefils, others did not eat. between cUinks. Man and animals alike, besides their true foods- the best of which had neither taete nor smell—used substances that neither added energy nor repaired loss. The effect of taking tea-, coffee. and cocoa, which were simply drugs, was to inorease inlellectuaJ activity. There ws.-i now no doubt aboyt that. For that reason the French called them intellectual drinks." Probably only in over-mdiilgcnce was there injury, while alcohol lowered the tempera- ture of the body, and, thongh firet E'timulat- ing, ultimately pa?raly?ed and destroyed the function.

I LAUNCH AT WEST HARTLEPOOL. Messrs. William Gray and Co. (Limited) launched on Tuesday the large steel screw steamer Marchioness of Bute, which they have built to the order ef Messrs. William H. Morel aaid Co., Cardiff. The vessel will take the highest class in Lloyd'?, and is of the following dimensions, viz.: f.-ength over ujl, •575ft. 6in.; breadth, 50ft. 9in. and depth. 28ft. 4in.; with long bridge, poop, and top- gallant forecastle. The saloon, captain's, officers', and engineers' accommodation will be in large houses on the bridge deck, and 'the crew's berths in the forecastle. The hull is built with deep frames, cellular double bottom, and large ait peak ballast tank, eight ste-un winches, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, patent direct staa.ni windlass. large horizontal multi- tiibnlar donkey boiler, steel gTain divisions, stocklees anchors, telescopic masts, with foro and aft rig, and all requirements for a first- clasa cargo steamer. Triple expansion engines are being supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of the builders, having cylinders 26in., 42in.. and 70in. diameter, with a piston stroke of 45in., and two large steel boilers for a working pressure of 1801b. per square ineh. The ceremony of naming the steamer Marchioness of Bute was gracefully per- formed by Mi&s Gibbs, Marine-parade, Penaith.

COMPARISONS ARE ODIOUS." Put, ?pp!)y. there is nou. to compare with FNGUAND'S GLORY MATCíi. They are nnqneftioE?My the Best, ChcJipegt, and mart hablø extan?, and cru?t,? En^Iiah yen btow. Mad9a-'d'5 Glvry" 4Aaf4h -Kilcrwostaft c?M?-?

HOW THEY USE TIME —————- In the House of Commons FAME AND FORTUNE WAITING AN INVENTOR.. BY MR. WILLIAM BRACE, M.P. [Vice-President of the South Wales Miners' Federation]. I think it can be fairly said that the presence in the House of Commons of men who have spent many years of their life in business, and who a.re now more or less actively engaged in business, is having its effect upon the Government in its administrative capacity. The Foreign Minister (Sir Edward Grey) the other evening in Parliament fully met the desire that has been so often expressed by commercial authorities who trade with foreign countries for improved methods in the Consular Service relative to trade information, when he undertook that in future the servants of the State connected with the Consular departments should adapt themselves to the needs and requirements of the ago by being com- pelled, not only to have a knowledge of languages, &c., but to undergo a three years' commercial training in a commer- cial undertaking. This is as it should be, for there can be no doubt that, given the knowledge as to the kind of information that would be advantageous for the development of British trade, the Con- sular ofifcers enjoy a unique position for picking up hints that s.hould prove of incalculable value to British traders. Some few years ago the hon. member for Ytust Monmouthshire and myself visited a. number of Continental ports, making a personal investigation as to the compet- ing power of Britain with other countries in coal. Practically every British trader we met complained bitterly of the incapa- city of our Consular oEcers to assist I them in the difficult task of meeting successfully international competition. I, am bound to say that, with a few notable exceptions, I was forced to the conclusion i that the traders had just cause for com- plaint when the efforts of our own Consuls were compared with the untiring j zeal and well-directed energy of the Con- sular representatives of the United States. It was said in my hearing time ad again, The American Consuls act as if they were agents in advance for American trade and commerce." To some extent this. surely, is what Consuls ought to be. What a splendid debate was that upon the question of payment of members! The resolution was moved by a most success- ful business man and seconded by a Labour member attached to the Trades Union group, in the person of Mr. H. Vivian, whoso speech was a credit to him- self and his class. The public and, indeed, some members of Parliament have been led to think that the full Labour strength in the present House of Commons is limited to the 29 members affiliated to the Labour Representation Committee section in the House, but, as a matter of fact, there are 23 additional Labour members, who have, formed .them-. selves into a Trades Union Labour group, sitting on the Government side of the House, the chairman of which is Alder- man Enoch Edwards, the member for Hanley, and president of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. Although these groups are quite distinct, they will, I think, find common ground upon all matters affecting the welfare of the people, and will rarely be found in oopo- site lobbies. It is, of course, true to say that in the division upon the Post- men's Committee question this week a substantial number of both Labour groups were in different lobbies, but no question of principle was involved. Turning to the question of payment of members, I am bound to say I wisli it could become law without delay. It j seems to me that the proposition ia sound in principle, and could not fail to advantage the nation by giving a much freer choice in candidates than is possible when either the candidates or their friends have to find the money to main- tain them in the House of Commons. Comparatively speaking, the sum required is not a large one, viz., something about L200,000 a year. It certainly would mean an additional expenditure, but it I assuredly would be money well spent. Other countries do it—why not Britain ? To talk about payment of members reducing the standard of dignity of the House is to me pure piffle, and a mis- conception of what the House of Com- mons ought to be. Too many look upon Parliament as an agreeable place for pastime, while others accept it from con- siderations of social distinction. The ideal will not be attained until entrance to membership is made easier and a little healthy competition introduced by widening the doors, which can now only be opened with a golden key, provided out of the candidate's private purse or out of the pence of those who are pre- pared to sacrifice for the right to be represented by one of their fellows. If a man is to give his service to the State, then the State should provide the neces- sary funds to enable him to do it after lie has been chosen by a constituency aa their representative. If the Government I members can receive payment from the State without impairing their ability to serve their country in the highest and! noblest sense, and without any loss of dignity either to the State who pays or the members who receive, how can it be j honestly argued that the payment of the i ordinary members (upon a lower scale) can mean anything other than an improved Parliamentary machine in every way ? I A very serviceable little Bill has been carried without a division, viz., to amend the law relating to the returns and noti- fications of accidents in mines, quarries; factories, and workshops. At present there is no system for reporting all acci- dents, and, as a consequence, there are no complete returns. The provisions ot the Bill only relate to accidents which disable men from following their work for more than fourteen days in connec- tion with mines, and this will need sub- stantial amendment, so that all accidents, however slight, may be recorded. If the Workmen's Compensation Act is amended so that payment will commence from the date of injury, and not two weeks after- wards, this must be done, because with- out a record from and upon the date of the accident it will, I am afraid, be made difficult for the men to recover. During the debate upon this Bill I was interested to hear Mr. S. T. Evans demand that the Parliamentary draftsman should be ordered to simplify the construction of ¡ Bills, so that ordinalw people might be able to follow their meaning. It has been said that the lawyers in the Honse have I a habit of assisting to make Acts of Par- liament so confusing that even judges have difficulty in understanding them, and thus litigation is encouraged, bring- ing grist to the mill of the legal frater- nity, but I imagine the lawyers in the House of Commons have been badly libelled by the outside public, or that Mr. S. T. Evans is not a. loyal member of his Union. It is not for an inexperi- enced Parliamentarian to dogmatically decide which view is the right one, but, the latter, we may hear that the Incorporated Law or some other society have blackballed the hon. member for Mid-Glamorgan for blacklegging the mem bers of his craft or profession in the House of Commons. I get considerable, although quiet, amusement by listening to hon. members expressing their boredom at being mem- bers of Parliament. It is such a waste of time, the killing monotony of waiting about the House for fear of divi- sions, the idiocy of the whole proceed- ings—and this from old members as well as new. Then I remember the tremen- dous exertions most hon. members had to make, and cheerfully undertook, to be privileged to be members of the House of Commons. There is not one of them who would voluntarily resign his mem- bership. Of course, some of the experi- nces are not pleasant, but yet there is some fascinating attraction about it all. For instance, take a division. Imme- diately the bell rings—which, by the way, it does for about two minutes—every- thing is left just as it is so as to get to the lobbies in time. Tea may get cold, a good smoke spoiled, a fine train of thought broken in upon-it is all as nothing in the rush for the division. When the lobby is reached you cannot record your vote and be off again, for right hon. and hon. members must take their turn in the hustling crowds which are lined up, pressing forward towards the checkers of votes, which is by no means an exneditious ■oroceedinp' r- Whether it is the Premier or the humblest member, it makes no difference —all are equal in the division lobby, and each must take his turn. It is a slow and somewhat tedious process, and yet I do not see how it can be avoided if mis- takes are not to be made. There is a fortune for the man who can devise a more expeditious system of voting in the House of Commons. It would pay the nations to give him his own price, for the saving of time would be worth it. It took from twelve o'clock to 12.40 to t¥e two divi- sions one night, which meant good busi- ness for cabmen, whatever the members thought about it. Were I of a mechanical turn of mind, I think I would devote myself to winning fame and fortune in inventing a new and more perfect voting system for popular legislative Assemblies. Perhaps some of my readers will take the hint.

m. LLOYD MEYRICK'S Notes now appear in the "Evening Express" on four days a week, i.e., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. MR. W. BRACE'S Labour Notes appear on Wednesday, and MR. HARRY BOWEWS* on-Sport, on Saturday. j

WELSH NATIONAL COUNCIL Cardiff Conference on the 23rd. Notices convening the conference at Cardiff on the 23rd inst. in connection with the pro- posed National Council of Education for Wales have been prepared by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (A-lderman Robert Hughes, J.P.), and will be issued immediately. The notice states that the conference is to be held at Cardiff on Friday, the 23rd of March, to consider a draft scheme for the proposed formation of a National Council of Education for Walo.>. It is intended that the conference shall be thoroughly representative, and to that end it has been decided to invite the attendance of the representatives appointed by the several local education authorities through- out the Principality who attended the last conference on the subject, and also all mem- bers of Parliament for Wales and Monmouth- shire, all the unsuccessful candidates at the recent general elction, the bishops of the four Welsh dioceses, and the Roman Catholic bishops of Wales. There will be a reception on the previous evening, at which Mr. Lloyd-George will attend, and a luncheon for the gentlemen attending the conference

A DANGEROUS GAME j Penarth Man's Drunken Freak. It transpired, from evidence given a.t pen-I arth Po!.ice 'Ourt to-day (before Mr. J. Cory and Mr. C. A. Heywood), that on the 6th inst. John Driscoll, of Arcot-street, and Joseph Adams, of Glebe-street. Penarth, had been drinking. The same night, about 10.30, they visited the shop of Mr. Richard Parker Hoskius, butchcr, in Maughan-street, a.nd after asking if there -was anything "good to eat on the premises, were given a pork pie each by Mr. Hoskins, for which they did cot pay. It appeared that DriE-coll then became quarrelsome (alleging that Mr. Hoskine owr.1 him some money), and the shopkeeper loft the premises to look for a policeman. On returning, in company with Sergeant Clynrh.thc men had gone, and next day two weights were found to be missing. Poliee-corwtable Lewie was informed, and arrested the men on suspicion, the articles having been found at the house of Mrs. Mabel Morris (sister of Adame). Being now charged with stealing the weights, Adams pleaded that he was a mere spectator of the affair, whilst Driscoll admitted taking the articles, and stating that it was a drunken freak. In dismissing Adams, the Bench expressed the opinion that there was nothing whatever against the man, bnt it was evident that Driscoll took the weightB out of spite. He also would be dismissed, but they warned Driscoll that it was a very dangerous game to play.

kittle Dinner Loaves' < made at home with Brown I Poison's 4 raising powder J "Paisley Flour" are nicer for dinner than bread. <> They have a sweet crisp crust and < beautifully white crumb. They 2 can be made in 15 minutes, and are | intended to be eaten new-fresh ( from the oven. The Paisley Flour makes them very digestible. They are good for .all mealtimes. 5 The 7d. and 3 d. packets < contain the recipe. Try them soon —others are delighted with them. e STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. BARGEES DEATH. es'dict Y\i!iul murder" against 4.' 7 y—( .MALDIiX FIVRDLK Ri.STLT:- ?! r Brnt(rri> Vfi-haiii Gu.'lf 5 11 ?t- t 'R tLu.s ?fi-hc G'.msr 1  i-V! Be't'.np—> to 1 agft V^rminm.

Tailor and His Family. I CARDIFF MAN CHARGED WITH NEGLECT. Eldest Daughter Sings in the Streets. Charles Mann, tailor, 14, Tudor-street, Cardilf, and of Austrian extraction, was before the Newport magistrates to-day for neglecting his five children. The case was brought by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Mr. Lyndon Moore, solicitor, appeared for the society. The allegation against the defendant was that he went away from home last April, and told his wife and eix children—the eldest, Violet, sixteen years of a.ge-to do the best they could, and sent very small and inadequate sums home. The wife struggled on as best she could. Violet took to the streets with a banjo, and gang for a living, the next eldest girl earned la. 6d. per week, a.nd the smaller ones got breakfast and dinner from the school they attended. When they were shoeless they were carried to school in order to get the meals. The guardians gave relief in kind to the amount of 6s., and the neighbours espoused the case in the kind way neighbours will. The wife bore out the statements. For three years the children had not had sufficient to eat. Ouce she had only Is. 6d. from him for seven weeks, and since October only 25e. 6d. altogeher. Wa3 her husband lazy?" queried Mr. Cooper. The Wife: No, I cannot say he is a. Lazy man. If he does not like the work he goes off and fares worse. Is he fond of his children?—Yes, he seems to be fond of his children. The defendant said he did the best he could, but his earnings averaged only 10s. or lis. per week, and what could a man do? He was not idle or a, drinker. Ho was a. faithful father and husljand, and wrote to his wife every week. He had now lost his employment with Mr. Cohen, 14, Bute-road, owing to this bother, as he h.ad to get another man. Mrs. Oliver, wife of William Oliver, neigh- bour, sa.id she lent defendant a room to work in, but he could only earn about 16s. a. week. S-he never sa.w him, drunk, and he appeared to work assiduously daring daylight, but could not afford the gas. Defendant declined to accept anything from the poor box, and the Bench said they would adjourn the case for a. month to enable him to c.rry out his promise to provide for his wife and children. The Wife: He has lost a place at Bath, and if he goes away we shall be destitute ayain. The Magiatra.tes'-clerk: Yon have to get a I home for your wife and family. Prisoner It is my ambition and "pleasure to do so, gentlemen.

PENARTH LAD'S THEFT. I Yields to a Sudden Temptation. I At Penarth Police-court to-day a Penarth I lad, named William O'Brien, fifteen, was charged with stealing 5s. Old., belonging to William Strange, tobacconist, of 36, Windsor. terrace, Penarth. Mr. Herbert Samuel (instructed by Mr. Harold M. Lloyd, solicitor Cardiff), defeilded- Prosecutor said on the 7th inst. he left his shop for about a minute, and on returning saw the defendant leaving the premises. Wtisa spoken to OBrifn ea.id he wanted to change a shilling for Messrs. Stranaghan a.nd Stephens. Prosecutor went to the till, which he found open, a.nd discovered that 5s. ald. was missing. On the following day the lad came to the shop and said, I have come to tell you the truth. I met a man outside the shop yesterday, and he said he had stolen 5s. from your shop. He asked me to change a, shilling, promising to give me a half." The lad was thereupon ^arrested by Police- constable Thomas, and on being charged he replied, I am very sorry I took it," a.t the same time handing 53. 6d. to the constable. Mr. Samuel stated that defendant had a good charaeter, and on this occasion merely gave way to a sudden temptation. There waa no felonious intent, as the lad had con- fessed his guilt by going to the shop on the following day. Mr. Ponton, manager for Messrs. Strana- ghan and Stephens, in whose employ O'Brien had been for twelve months, having spoken well of the boy's honesty, the Bench bound defendant over in £ 5 to come up for judg- ment when called upon.

DEMENTED MOTHER'S CRIMEI At Staffordshire Amine* to-day Hart ha Rowyer, 26, wife of a clerk, was found guilty l the murder of the thirteen-months'-old Mild and ordered to he detained during his Majesty's pleasure. When her husband returned home one evening in December he found the house full of gas. The wife and child were lying on the bed, the ha,by dead and the woman in convulsions. The gas bracket had been torn from the wall. Prisoner had previously attempted suicide. It was stated that she was of unsound mind.

THE CHAPEAU CHEQUE. I Here is a. story showing that the woman- writer—sometimes termed authoress—occa- sionally manages to "get there." The lady in question, submitted a story to one of the magazines, and it was accepted. After wait- ing a. more than reasonable time for pay- ment, she wrote a brief note—"Please send cheque; I need a new hat." In a day or two ahe received a cheque for S2. Then she despatched this: I said I wanted a. Bat, not a veil!* I By return post came a second cheque for £ 2.

STF.VENS' BBRAO— 1 onsuzws W is perfectio6c6 ?H2t 1

NEWPORT HARBOUR. TRAINING WALLS SCHEME I Denounced as "Idiotic." Mr. J. W. Bsynon. presided at a meeting of the Newport Harbour Board to-day. Mr. Wilkinson asked, as a matter of privilege, whether it was a fact that since the last meeting of the board there had been, a meeting of the Parliamentary and improve- inent committee; if so, what transpired at the meeting, and why there was no reoord j of its transactions in the reports presented to the board at the present meeting. The Chairman replied that there had been no meeting of the Parliamentary committee. Mr. Wilkinson maintained that he was a.t the offices about ten days ago, and was told tha.t a meeting of the committee was then being held. The Chairman said he was wrongly informed. Mr. Wilkinson: I can give you the najne of my author. There was a meeting, and the question of 'the e,astsido of the river was dis- cussed, and I want to know why there is no report of it in the agenda to-day. The Chairman replied that there was no such meeting. Mr. C. D. Phillips intimated that he intended giving notice after the expressions which had come from public bodies in the town that the board rescind the resolution approving of the Bill to bo promoted in. the present session of Parliament. A sharp and aeiimo-nior-s discussion OlD. the Bill being presented by the board to Parlia- ment this session for the construction of I Training Walls in the River ensued upon the Mayor (Mr. Liscombe) report- ing that, on the motion of Mr. Moxon at a meeting of the corporation on Tuesday it was decided that the corporation, should in vite the holding of a conference by the harbour board, Alexandra Docks Company, and the corpora- tion to consider the Bills now before Parlia- ment. He proposed that the board assent to such conference. Mr. T: E. Watson seconded, and said it was exceedingly unfortunate that such a spirit of opposition aud bitterness between public bodies charged with the future prosperity of the port had been shown. It was a very great pity that certain members of the board should be alluded to as idiots, or, he thought, rogues. Mr. Wilkinson: No, the term I used was idiotic. Alderman Mordey, who supported, welcomed the prospect of a conference. Human nature was such that no one liked to be called an idiot. On this question the public bodies of Newport were making themselves the laugh- ing stock of the Bristol Channel. Cardiff seemed to be delighted at the spectacle of a house divided against itself. Yr. John Davies (pilot) said at first he was in favour of the wall because he believed that it would deepen and widen the channel round Powder House Point; but his conten- tion now was that, as the Alexandra Docks Company were going to place their new deep water entrance below that point, ships would not need to round it on neap tides, and the training wall was, therefore, I Not Required He asked the harbour master to say whether it was not a fact that any ship going to the Old Dock or a river wharf, no matter what her draught, was able to get roimd Powder House Point. Mr. Watson thought it would be extremely inconvenient to have a number of questions, put and answers expected at the pTesemt time. Mr. Davies pressed, for an answer from the harbour master. Mr. T. H. Mordey: I rise to a point of order. I think it is most, irregular. Mr. Davies: You need, not be afraid, Mr. Mordey. Mr. T. H. Mordey: I am not afraid at all. Mr. Davies: I think you are. Mr. C. D. Phillips: I should like to know what is irregular. Mr. Wilkinson said Mr. Mordey had remarked that members of the corporation voted upon the scheme without knowing what they were voting about. Mr. T. H. Mordey: I rise to a point of order. I think the discussion is altogether irregular. Mr. Wilkinson: Look here, sir, this has been A One Man Show I too long. You are not going to govern me here. Mr. Mordey: The board has decided. Mr. Wilkinson: You are not the board. Mr. Mordey: No, but I will submit to the chairman whether I am right or wrong. Mr. Wilkinson: Mr. Chairman, am I in order or not? The Chairman: Yes, I think you are- in order. Mr. Wilkinson (poiui'ing to Mr. T. H. Mordey): Then you shut up, please. I don't want to be interrupted by any gentlemen I have no confidence in. I did refer to this as an idiotic scheme, and so it is when you can by the expenditure of £ 2,000 or £ 5,000 put the river in order, and here you are goin g to chuck away C50,000 with the object of ruining it. Mr. Davids pressed for an answer to the question, he put to the harbour master. The Chairman: I think the harbour master must have notice of the question. Mr. T. H. Mordey supported the chairman view, and said it would be Very inconvenient to have questions put and anewerod without knowing the effect of them, and what use was going to be made of the information. Mr. Davies: All right, Mr. Mordey, I quite understand your motive. Mr. a D. Phillips: The Ratepayers Asso- ciation, which is now getting su-ch a useful body that some people don't like it, passed a resolution asking its members to attend the chamber of commerce and hear the dis- cussion. After these expressions of opinion, I shall give notice to rescind the resolution opposing the Bill. The conference proposed by the mayor was agreed 1.0, and Mr. John Davies was added to the Parliamentary Committee to repre- sent the harbour board upon it.

A Cook's Courtship. I ¡ PLATELAYER TO PAY DAMAGES. I The under-sheriff for the county sat at Chester yeuterday to as-sess damages in. an action- for breach of promise brought by Emily Goodier, a cook, against James Daniels, foreman platelayer on the Cheshire Lines Railway, who resides at Norwich. It was stated that the parties became acquainted in 1895, the courtship proceeded for four years, was bra-ken off for two years, and renewed again at defendant's request. He propajed and was accepted in .Tone, 1905. Goodier left her .situation in. October to be married, but found her lover had takeu iLl) with another girl. An action for breach of promise was ent-ered in the High Court, which defendant allowed to go by default. After this be sent her a Christmas card, which contained tho follow- ing "Damages one farthing. May no breach occur to the promise of a happy Christmas for you." Defendant then broke into the fol- lowing poetry; "One can never tell whaA there may be in store, Or if coming events cast their shadows before; So, in ease cruel Fortune won't let us run double, I think this may save the poor jury some trouble." (Laughter). Plaintiff's counsel said defendant might be a poot, but he was no prophet. The jury awa-rded plaintiff EZ5 damages.

BREACH OF PROMISE DAMAGES An architect's assistant was summoned in the City of London Court yesterday to show cause why he should not be committed for the non-payment of XI.50, damages for breach of promise of marriage awarded to a youns I lady. He said he had only 2J guinea per week, and bad parted with an interest under liis father's will to enable him to pay his own solieitor'd costs of the action. Judge Luml-ty Smith: You have 2| guineas a week; you must live on two guineas a. week, and let them have the otter half-guinea, so effecting a little economy, you know. The Defendant: I cannot pay it. I have other debts. Judge Lumley Smith: The order ie that you pay 50s. per month.

A MANSION DESTROYED. I Bystock House, the palatial residence near Exmouth erected by the late Mr. J. Pable Bryce. was totally destroyed by fire early this morning. The damage amounts to many thousands of pounds. The mansion was being put in order for a new tenant.

Remarkable disappearance of all grime, mud, and dirt. A fact! The washerwomen in Glasgow say that Fosuno ia a splendid powder." Foamo ia a pure epccial soap for very heavy washing. Powerful. Jiasy and safe. Leaves no smell. Ask ymir grocer f.;r a penny packet three for twopenco half- penny. 6192 The Bishop of Llandaff held a, confirmation service at Newton (Porthcawl) on Tuesday, when thirty-five candidates were confirmed. The Re". T. Holmes Morgan aotad. as chaplain. The church was crowded. j

j DUPING TKE DUPES.I LOOPING THE 100P BLUFF. Performer Gets 50 Damages Some significant, not to 96y scathing, criti- cisms of dangerous public Performances fell from the lips of Mr. Justio Darling yester- day in the Lord Chief JuLt^e'g Court during the hearing of an action br damages for personal injuries brought bsHamilta Louisa Marguerite Stamirowski aga'ast Mme. Made- line Barber, the owner of a" variety" act known as Looping the Loop:' Miss Stamirowski, who is 2t YÐars of age, used to dance at the Alhambn. Later she joined a troupe of trick cyclic, and finally Ehe contracted with Maae. Bailer to loop the loop." At her second attempt, at a ansic-hall in Sunderland, where two periorma»ces nightly are given, she fell from the submit of the loop and fractured her skull. Ft; six weeks she lay in hospital in an unconscious coudi- tion, and for some time after eht recovered her senses she wias blind. According to an illustrated handy 11 which was imled to advertise it, the yoatg lady's performance was the "sensation of the oentury," and the most Costly and Gigantic Act ever produced upon any stage." Bit she had had no experience of looping tht loop" until she was engaged by Mm. BarVir. According to Mr. Le Breton, K.C. who represented the plaintiff, the performance differed materially from that of the fanous Diavolo," the plaintiff's predeeysor. Whereas Diavolo's" navigation of the "loop" required a great amount of nerve and skill, the fea,t of Mile. Stamirowski vas supposed to require neither of these attri- butes. Her bicycle, counsel explained, was tot an ordinary machine, but one supplied with a variety of ingenious contrivances toensurb that it should not jump from the track, in eluding slight, but strong, projecting arms from beneath the handle-bars and the hul of the rear wheel, the ends of which curved over on to the rim of the "loop" and ran on rubber wheels. Moreover, the performer was secured to the bicycle by means of all arrangement concealed in the folds of her SuSlli 30s. Weekly. For performing her sensational feat twice a night the young la-dy was to have received as remuneration what the judge described as "the wretohad sum of 30s. weekly," and on her behalf a contract was signed, freeing her employer from all responsibilities in respect of her "turn." The plaintiff's contention was tbajfc Mme. Barber had been guilty of negligenoe in per- mitting the loop to be ineecure, the bicycle unfit to be ridden, and the sash and "set hook' totally unstable. Counsel observed, I moreover, that no adequate net was pro- vided in oaonn-ection with the performance. The Judge: I suppose the public would not ha.ve attended if they were quite certain the performer would not be killed. (Laughter.) ¡ Mr. H. Simmonds (for the defendant): Did you not wobble and try to release yourself when yon reached the top of the loop?—No, I heard a "oliok," and the mhine com- menced to run backwards. I thought it would ruu forward a?ajn, but it left the track, and I fell on the stage, the bicycle falling on top of me. Mile. Stamirowski explained that before she negotiated the loop" an ordinary bicycle was produced on the etage, but it was not the one she rode. The Judge: If the audience had realised that they would have Wanted Their Money Back, I I have no doubt. (Laughter, in which the plaintiff joined heartily.) Evidence was given by Mr. Tom W. Baker, a consulting engineer, of Broad-street, to the effect that both the" loop" and the bicycle used were not to be relied on to permit the sale performance of the feat undertaken by the plaintiff. The defendant in the action was not called —it was explained that- she was not present when the accident occurred—but witnesses experienced in the mysteries of looping" performances went into the witnes3-box. Frank Taylor, whose duty it was to announce the plaintiff as Miss Madeline, who is about to perform one of her greatest and most daring feats," stated that the loop from which the plaintiff fell had been in use for three years before the Sunderland acci- dent occurred. Mr. Simmonds: Would you object to go round the loop now?—I would not, but my leg won't let me. My heart is good. (Loud laughter.) The wituess admitted, amid further merri- ment, that the production of Hill ordinary bicycle on the stage previous to the intro- duction of Mlle. Stamirowski was Mere "Bluff." I In his instruction to the jury, the judge alluded to the evidence of the witness Taylor. Bluff," he said, was something for which there were many names; some were shorter and some were longer. (Laughter.) As to the question at issue, his lordship held that the obligation of the defendant corresponded to the danger of the contriv- ance for which she was responsible—a con- trivance, which was not merely likely to lead to injury, but possibly to deatn. Whether people should be allowed to en- gage in performances of the nature of loop- ing the loop" waa a matter over which neither he nor the jury had any direct con- trol, though it wae possible that such a case as the one before them might lead to au alteration in the law. "This is a highly civilised country "-the judge added—"more highly civilised, we are proud to think, tha,n any other country. We do not allow bull fighte. No one is allowed to endanger the life of a. bull or an old horse for public entertain- ment, but, being far more civilised tham any other oountry, we do allow girls to 'loop the loop' and perform tricks of that kind, and it does occasionally occur that they Fracture Their Skulls. "We arc told that this is really a necessary part, of this engaging; profession—the sort of thing that happens through no one's negli- gence, but is just part, of t.he ordinary risk that girls in this country are allowed volun- tarily to incur." Turning to the position of the defendant, his Lordship said that, as a puhlic enter- tainer, if she neglected to take proper pre- cautions, and aa a result one of her perfor- mers wa" hurt, she became responsible civilly. "And I think J ought to say," the judge concluded, "that if people allow this kind of risky entertainment and do not take proper precautions, they become responsible crimi- nals if anyone dies." The jury awarded the plaintiff L250, and recommended that, if possible, an order should be made for its investment by trus- tees for her benefit. His Tjordship held that the agreement signed by the plaintiff did not disentitle her from recovering the sum awarded by the jury. He added that even if the agreement had been entered into by a grown-up person he would have decided against it on the ground of "public policy." Such an agreement, if upheld, would be a direct inducement to people to arrange public exhibitions which it was not possible to look upon without the loss of self-respect.

CARDIFF PASSIVE RESISTERS. The proceedings against Cardiff passive registers are becoming somewhat monotonous. Before the Stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis), sitting at the police-court this afternoon, the names of five defaulters were called, but none of them answered. They were Meears. G. M. Sanders and C. T. Sanders, Con way-road, F. AJafrthews, 1. Brunswick-street, Robert Lley-d, liomiUy-road, and W. H. Read, Pencisely- road. The amounts in dispute ranged from Id. to 3s. 7 £ d., Warrants were ordered to be issued.

PROBLEM OF SEX. For many years the males born at Great Harwood, near Blackburn, have largely outnumbered the females, and the theory has been advanced that this is due to the fact that, 50 per cent. of the married women are employed in factories, which, it is argued, made them unduly masculine, and so deter- mint'd the sex of thfir children. Neighbouring medical officers scout the idea, and describe the matter as simply an extraordinary coincidence.

IS I'!IVE.S BRF..AD- I Damaudod men than stem.

CARDIFF BATHS. I Effort at Economy. I FRUSTRATED IN COMMITTEE. I A long report with reference to the Cardiff Corporation Baths was presented to the property and markets committee of the city council this morning by the manager, Mr. J. W. Dunnell. After explaining the method and time of cleaning the boilers, Mr. Dunnell i dealt with the hours worked by the boiler attendants, the committee agreeing that the best arrangement possible had been made. Speaking of the coal used, the manager said that the coal committee of the corporation had decided that the coal to be used was to cost lis. 8d. per ton delivered at the baths. The suggested saving of £ 56 per annum by the use of coal not 9s. 6d. per ton was evi- dently based on the assumption that no heater quantity would be required to pro- duce the same steam, which was contrary to his experience of the boilers. It was agreed I to refer the matter to the coal committee. The report went on to suggest that to keep the swimming bath clean it was necessary to provide either a warm shower, under which a bather could wash, or to provide a cold or tepid shower, in addition to a foot bath sup- plied with warm water. If the former were provided Mr. Dunnell anticipated a consider- able loss in revenue on the sale of combined washing and swimming tickets, as they would then be providing similar accommoda,- tion absolutely free of charge. If the latter were adopted he anticipated only a slight reduction in the sale of combined tickets, and this would. he believed, meet the re- quirements of the case. Mr. Dunnell ex- plained that such a provision was necessary, because bathers sometimes came to the baths in a dirty condition, and their presence in the swimming bath before having a bath was objectionable to other bathers. It, was decided to provide a cold and tepid shower. Mr Kennard to be Retained I A report was also presented by a sub- committee, of which Mr. Grossman was chairman. One of their recommendations was that the services of the gymnastic Qetructor and swimming master (Mr. lennard) be retained. Mr. Walter Thomas moved an amendment tlat the servicee of the instructor be dis- used with. They had in their superinten- dent (Mr. Dunnell) one fully qualified to gine instruction in swimming, and there was no reason why he should not do it, inasmuch as WIB had sufficient time. He could teach batt adults and schoolboys; but as for expetting the education committue to pay anything towards the instruction of the lattei, he was afraid there was no chance of ite being done, in view of the present economical temperament of that and other commitees. As regarded the winter season anyone who had gone into the figures was bound o oome to the conclusion that they did not want a gymnastic instructor. He was sorjy to do anything towards dispensing with thi services of anyone, but if they were goiig to put the baths on a business- like footiig, they were compelled to conclude that Mr. Kennard's services were not required. If they could find him work in any other lepartment of the corporation he would be gad to assist in doing so. Mr. Gaple seconded, saying that he could not shut his eyes to the fact that they were losing £ 1,500 a. year on the baths. The Ohaiman (Mr. Croseman) asked Mr. Thomas wfhether he meant to say that Mr. Dunnell shoiid undertake to teach gym- nasties. Mr. Thomas: No: there would be no. need to teach gymnistics. Mr. Mander Wrongly urged that it would be unfair to burden the superintendent with extra work witbout substantially increasing his salary. Mr. Muan spolo in favour of the retention of Mr. Kennard. MT. Thomas 3 motion was eventually, defeated by three votes to two, Mr. Taylor remaining neutral. Mr. Thomas observed that he would revive the matter at thA council meeting. It, was next proposed by Mr. Thomas, and seconded by Sfr. Gaple, that the services of the ladies' attendant be dispensed with in the winter. Tins ws defeated, as was also a proposition from the same gentleman that the ticket clerk be dispensed with in the winter.

BUTE WEDDING DOWRY FUND. I Nominations for the above dowry, which tue Lord Mayor v>Ti'l proceed to give during the month of Apri, close on the 31st inst. Nomination forme, which may be obtained from Mr. J. L. Whettl,-y,. town-clerk, are to be filled up-by any member of the Cardiff Corporation, and mikt be accompanied by not more than three testimonials.

FATALITY AT YNYSHIR. I An inquest waa held at the Eagle Hotel, Ynyshir, yesterday (befo-o Mr. Coroner Rhys) into the circumstances vttending the dedfth of William Lewie, 28, b-tcher at the Lady Lewis Colliery, Ynyshir, And residing at No. 5. Aberrhondda-road. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was following his employ- ment in the four-foot landing, when he acci. dentally fell into the Euuib—jv distance of nearly 80 yards. The bod? v,-w recovered some houra latter. A verdict of "Death from misadventure" was returned. nuring the wioie of the sinking op-erations Which have JUb-t been completed at this colliery, which is owned by the Lewis Merthyr Colliery Com- pany-, mot a. single fatal ardent has occurred. This doea credit to the veteran colliery manager, Mr. David Thomas, who has supervised the whole of the sinking opera- tions.

MURDERER TO BE RELEASED I The Home Secretary has recommenced the immediate discharge from Parkhurst Prison of James Henry Aldridge, the Bt-ad ford herbalist, who on March 10, 1897, wto sen- tenced to penal servitude for life for the murder at Halifax of a young woman earned Blagborongh, who died from blood-poisoning following an illegal operation.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S POSTILIOr I Mr. Sands, who was in the service of Queen Victoria for 53 years, has just died. In the time of Prince Consort he was State jxra- tilion, and for over eleven years was State coachman to the late Queen, travelling with her wherever she went. On his retirement, about nine years ago, her Majesty gave him a magnificent silver teapot, and she recog- nised his faithful service afterwards by thoughtful inquiries. TWlÍce Queen Victoria visited him at his home at Slough, on the last occasion chatting with him outside his gate.

INJURED CARDIFF FOOTBALLERS. The injured Cardiff half-back. R. J. David, has prat tic ally recovered from the injuries sustained in his remarkable accident last Thursday, and it is highly probable that he will be fit for the Swansea match on Satur- day week. Percy Bush is suffering from a "crocked" knee, and is a doubtful starter against New- port. Should he be able to play, B. A. Gibbs will operate at inside half.

A BIG AMERICAN BATTLESHIP. New York, Wednesday.—The Washington correspondent of the "Times" says that the Naval Committee of the House of Represen- tatives will teoommend the construction, of a. battleship larger than the Dreadnought.— Central News.

A GUARANTEED CURE FOR PILES, Itching, Blind, Bleeding, or Protruding. All chemists are authorised to refund money if raw Ointment faua to clUe Pile*. Cures ordinary cases in six days. One application gives ease and rest. Pazo Ointment is a new discovery, and the only Pile remedy sold on a positive guarantee. Price 2s. 3d., of all chemists, or from Paris Medicine Co., Templo- chambers, London, E.C. el407 A Cabinet Council was held art 10, Downing- street, this morning. Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman presided, amd aii the Ministers were .^recent. i

MEN WITH MEDALS CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A CAR CONDUCTOR. Before the Stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff PoLice-court this afternoon H. Mould- ing and G. Shaddick, dressed in the uniform of the 3rd Welsh, and wearing medals, were summoned for assault ing William Durnton, a tramway conductor, on March 3. Mr. F. W. Ensor (from the town-clerk's office) appeared; for the prosecution. Defendants pleaded not guilty, and com- plained that, refused permission to ride on the car of which Durston was conductor, they had to walk to the barracks. The Conductor represented that on the night in question he would not allow defendants to enter a Cathays car, as, in his opinion, they had imbibed too freely. Thereupon one of the d-ofenda-ilts struck the conductor with his cane on the jaw, and the other dealt him hi,s caiie o-a tli o iaw, e. a blow with his fist. The Stipendiary, in the course of the hear., ing, made some remarks which are not in- applicable to certain scenes witnessed in lato cars. He laid it down that if a conductor (whatever a man's condition) believed bon4 fide that that :nan was drunk it was his duty to eject him. Defendants were called to give evidence Moulding wearing one medal and Shaddich two. They denied being in drink; also th< assault. Moulding professed innocence of th< caie incident. Shaddick admitted a pushi he drew the line at a deliberate blow. Defendants pet up the defence that the> were followed about the streets by a gang o; civilians, who called after them "Army duff" and "Red herrings," as that section of thg public was in the habit of doing. His Worship, taking into consideration the excellent ch-uacter of defendants—as given by the officer in attendance-and their ante. cedents, imposed in each case the mitigate4 penalty of 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.

Domestic Differences. CARDIFF HUSBAND'S ALLEGED CRUELTY. Stipendiary as Peacemaker. The differences of Mr. Frederick C. Pained and his wife, E-lizabeth A. Padnes, were adju- dicated upon by the stipendiary (Mr. T, W. Lewis) at Cardiff Police-count this after, noon. Mrs. Paines applied for a PeTm-ratian order. Mr. A. Morris appeared for complainant; Mr. Sydney Jenkins defended. The lady said she lived in QEve-street, had been mown-led fifteen years, and had five children living. On the 24th of February the defendant came homo drunk and behaved cruelly, as was his wont, and on there occasions he smashed ur the household furniture. He once injured her leg so that she could not walk for three woeks, and he toad "called her out of her name." Witness went on to say that he-e husband had threatened her with a revolver. She found the weapon under the bed, and hid it. Then he said he would find a sub- stitute, and went to sharpen his razor, upon which she and the children went away. She had oosnpdadned to the police on several occasions, and it was a. fact that deferdant had turned her out of the house at night. In answer to Mr. Sydney Jenkins, witness said the first ten years of their married life was happy. The husband said all the trouble had arisen through the lodger, aud she had told him to send the lodger away. The Stipendiary; If he promises to be kind to you, are you prepared to go back? Complainant: No, air; I shall not live with him again. He has ridiculed my character too much. Mr. Sydney Jenkins explained that the hus. band was anxious Lor his wife to return to him. Complaananifc: But I hglve forgiven him so many times. The Stipendiary: I think it is worth trying again. You have a. long future before you, and it will be a stigma upon you and you? ohildren if you live apart. I strongly advise you, if he apologises and promises to act better, to try to forget and make a Creeh start. The proceedings were adjourned for a week.

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. Increased Trade at Newport. At to-day's meeting of the Newport Han bour Board, the Chairman (Mr. J. W. Beynonfc said he was glad to see by the statistic for the month of February that there was a con- siderable increaee in the import of iron ore and the foreign export of coaL Mr. Oolborne asked what the explanation was of the falling off in the coastwise exporta of coal. Mr. T. H. Mordey said the same falling ofP was noticed in the other Bristol Channel ports. To him it was unaccountable. Mr. R. Wilkinson said the explanation was that there was a scarcity of tonnage, and that a good deal of the coal was now sent by rail instead of by coasting ships. Alderman M. Mordey said he thought New- port was indebted to Mr. Wilkinson for bring- ing about such increases in the trade of the port. He was so busy getting trade that he was unable to attend the inspection of the Wentwood New Waterworks. Mr. Wilkinson: Yes, getting trade for yon to chuck away on the east side of the river.

PRINCE OF WALES IN INDIA. Guest of the Welsh Regiment Quetta, Wednesday.—'The Prince of Wales to-day planted a hawthorn tree on the spot where Sir Robert Sandeman last pitched his tent on his arrival at Quetta, and subse- quently lunched at the mess of the officera of the Welsh Regiment. His Royal Highness will leave at midnight for Chaman, where he will present colours to the 127th Baluch Light Infantry to-morrow. returning to Quetta in the evening. The Prince and Princess leave for Karachi on Friday morning. There, will be no official, ceremony on their departure.-Renter.

TYRANNY OF CHURCH CHOIRS. The Bishop of Stepney (Dr. Gordon Lang), who wau some yeare ago curate at the Leeda Parish Ghurch, speaking at Leeds last night, said they must have enormously more free- dom and elasticity in their modes of service; they must be able to free themselves from, the tyrannies from which eome of them had suffered. For instance, they must free them- selves from the tyranny of the choir, not choirs like those of the parish church, but those in poor, new districts, who kept the service out of touch with the people. They must aJso guard against the tyranny of what was called intoning in a. musical, or. rather, in an unmusical note, and eliminate from the service that unnatural voice that often follow-ed 130 mam into the pulpit, and alienated; people on account of its apparent artifi- ciality.

PAUPER'S NICE DISCRIMINATION Andrew Callaghan, an elderly man of alert, demeanour, described aa a. pa.uper, made a, preliminary appearance before the Newport magistrates to-day over the alleged illicit possession of a. pair of wheels, belon-ging to John Price. When Detective Cox apprehended prisoniep he said, I shall fix Price when I come out." The police asked for a, remand for a. week.. as the wheels had not been found. Prisoner: They are two odd wheels, not pair. Mr. Cordey, J.P^ They axe two wheels,, though ? Prisoner: Yes; but not a. pair. Two odd wheels are not of the value of a pair. I can get them back. The Bench decided to remand the prisoner, for a week, and prisoner expressed his willingness to remain in the workhouse in the interval, saying, Yes, certainly; I have, no other place to go to."

TRESPASS ON T.V.R. A crowd of fifteen men amd boys filed before the stipendiary magistrate (Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff Police-court this afternoon, charged with trespassing on the Taff Vale Railway Line at Grangetown, the object hei ng t", reach Cogan by a short out. Mr.. T. 11. Thompson appeared for the compainy., His Worship called upon each of the defen, da/nts to j?ay a. fine of 5s.including coeta*