Evening Express

LEAP FROM A LINER An exciting 900ne waa witnessed in Ply- mouth Sound on Saturday in connection with the departure of the White Star liner Ionic for New Zealand. Just as the steamer started a, unal) boat with three occupants pulled across her course. The Ionic immediately went astern, and the bluff of her bow just grazed the small craft. Fearing disaster, Miss Radford, one of the occupantB, who was a visitor from Liverpool, jumped into the sea and kept her- &elf afloat until rescued by a paseenger, who ileajpt tro.m thelincr'adecis to save her-

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DEDICATED LIVES. Nelson and His Captains THE SEVENTH HEAVEN I BY LLOYD MEYRICK. I Whatever party politicians may say about the present Cabinet, there can be no doubt that it contains many very interesting personalities. Among these Mr. Haldane ranks high. It is said that Lord Rosebery was once asked if he had to spend the rest of his days on a desert island whom would he select for variety of intellectual interest as a companion, and he replied, "Mr. Haldane." The latter is constantly displaying the widest intellectual range, and politics and the knotty problem of Army Reform absorb but a small portion of his activi- ties. A day or two ago he gave an address at Edinburgh on "The Dedi- cated Life," and, with fresh charm, drove home some of the eternal verities. He emphasised the truth that the founda- tion of purpose in the State must, if the national life was to prosper and not to fade, be ethical. It was not brute force but moral power that commanded in the world. A dedicated life was one with all its strength concentrated on a high purpose. The first duty of life was to seek to comprehend clearly what our strength would let us accomplish, and then to do it with all our might. The lives of all great men had been dedioated. They might have perished before their end appeared accomplished in time, and yet they had succeeded. The quality of their work lay in the very striving itself. Lessing had declared that were God to offer him the Truth in one hand and the Search for Truth in the other he would choose the Search. And it was in the devotion to this search after the most high-a search which might assume an infinity of varied forms —that the dedicated life consisted, the life dedicated to the noblest of quests, and not to be judged by apparent failure to reach some fixed and rigid goal, but rather by the quality of the striving. All this is, of course, very true, and is a faithful echo of much high teaching. On the same day that I read the lecture of Mr. Haldane I read a book by Mr. Fitchett on "Nelson and His Captains," which I warmly recommend to every boy. For pure fascination and downright breathless interest it is not surpassed by any story of Jules Verne, Henty, or Marryat. Every life described was a dedicated one, and all the daring exploits were inspired by the highest purpose. Haliburton makes his Sam Slick describe Nelson as "that cripple- gaited, one-eyoo, one-armed little naval critter," but his mere name still quickens the blood of every man of British blood. But all his captains were men of like mould, and deserved the say- ing of their leader, "They are my chil- dren, they serve in my school, and I glory in them." In this soft and pampered day one can only marvel at the hardness and even harshness of their youth. They were all caught young. Some of them began thei4 sea career at ten years of age. Parker, Blackwood, Berry, Louis, and Nelson himself were afloat at eleven, Hardy at twelve, Codrington and Jervis at thirteen. A hunger for comfort burns in the blood of the modern.worldt but, looked at through modern eyes, what could be more hopelessly bankrupt of comfort than the state of a lad of ten or eleven, plucked suddenly from all the sheltering tenderness of home, and dropped into the crowded, dark, and unventilated well of a middy's berth in a man-of-war? For a lad under such conditions there could be no boyish games, no school com- radeships, no soft home atmosphere. Nowadays children of such ages are in the hands of the school doctor, the school dentist, and officials are appointed to select suitable fiction for them! The scanty height between the decks of the ships of Nelson's time made light, or fresh air, or copifort almost impossible. Pellew says that when he commanded the Pelican his cabin was so low that while he sat in it his servant could dress his hair from the deck above. Cochrane, when llying his flag in the Speedy, tells us that when he wanted to shave himself he was accustomed to thrust his head through the skylight of his cabin and put his shaving materials on the deck itself above. The men of Nelson's time were not rough, they were not untaught; and, through the lives of many of these great seamen ran, like a thread of gold, a strain of devout piety. In some respects religion is easier for sailors than for landsmen, and there is profound truth in the statement that "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do busi- ness in great waters, these see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep." I wonder will this country ever see such a group of men again-not neces- sarily in war, but even in the pathways of peace? From early youth to old age the call of duty was so insistent and imperious as to leave no room for care or despondency. Each one of them would have laughed to scorn the weak plaint of the lines: o life! thou art a gulling load Along a rough, a weary road To wretches such as I! The dedicated life is the one cram-full of interest and activities, and the weari- ness of living comes from vacant hours. The man who feels world-tiredness creep- ing on him should take furiously to hard work, and, if need be, cultivate hobbies. What a solemn and striking admonition to youth is that inscribed on the dial at All Souls, Oxford, Periunt et imputt anttir"-the hours perish, and are laid to our charge! When those words were written they were believed in, but per- sonal accountability for time or any- thing else is now too often the doubt with many of us. Until clearer light comes there is much virile inspiration in the poetry of Browning: — Then welcome each rebuff That turns earth's smoothness rough, Eaoh sting that bids nor sit nor stand but go! Be OUT joy three-parts pain! Strive, and hold cheap the strain Learn, nor account the pang, dare, never grudge the throe! "Josephine," in .your issue of Friday last, states thatw is not fair of me to pick out the worst maxims of Socialism. I have done no picking, but merely quoted from a representative Socialist paper the opinions of many leading men of the faith. Of course, I do not say for a moment that Josephine," for instance, would subscribe to half of the alleged Ten Commandments, but there can be no dqubt that they echo a good deal of loose Socialistic sentiment and opinion. I quite agree that people are apt to get a false impression of what Socialism really is, but they can only go for instruction to the words of the acknowledged Socialist. I have never met one Socialist yet who could give any clear and intelligible account of his creed. Charles Kingsley, in one of his vigorous essays, speak s mournfully of the time "when Pope and plain sense went out, and Shelley and the seventh heaven came in." I do not agree with the remark, but I have the same sort of feeling about Socialism; it con- sists too much for my earthly palate of a quaint mixture of moonshine and flim- flam. Some people may thrive on such a diet, and I can only regret my limitations. It seems clear that Socialism does attack the family, and in the airy fabric of their state there will be no parental duty or obligation, no filial affection, and no permanent conjugal love. We need not go to Continental litera- ture to find the cloven hoof of these first principles, but ample evidence is afforded in the pages of Mr. Shaw and Mr. Wells. Presumably, these gentlemen know what Socialism means, and" Josephine" must not express sur- prise if sometimes even Mr. Shaw is taken seriously. Possibly, we ought all to wait until Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., has delivered himself of his forthcoming book before we form any opinions about Socialism. The rashest thing a Socialist i can possibly do is to put his thoughts into writing, their proper setting is the heat and excitement of a public meeting where tales of the Promised Land are always welcomed with a clap. Still, it is possible that Mr. Keir Hardie may suc- ?e,eed where his predecessors have so lamentably failed.

I COSTERMONGER ON FIRE I A remarkable scene was witnessed at the Weetminister ridge-road end of the Lower Marsh on Saturday night. A coster monger, while filling his paraffin flare, suddenly be- came enveloped in flames. The burning oil covered his hands and clothing and ran over the road for several feet around him. He beat out the flames on his clothing, but his hands were badly burned and he had to go to hospital. This accident was due to the man replenish- ing the flare while it was burning.

100 WOMEN WORK AS MEN About a. hundred Hindu labourers in the frontier towns of British Columbia have been discovered to be women dressed in men's clothing. They are expert woodcutters, and the timekeepers say that they are more pains- taking and industrious than their husbands.

BRIDEGROOM'S NOVEL GIFTS An interesting innovation was made at a I recent wedding at Tuabridge Wells. In place of tihe usual gifts of jewellery, the bridegroom presented ea-oh of the bride- j nifuds with a pair of dainty shoes, mounted with silver, the idea being that there is as much good luok in new sihoes as in old boots, j

} DEAN AS PEACEMAKER Whilst the Dean of Bamgor was passing along one of the streets of Bangor this week he observed two men engaged in a stand-up fight in a stable yard. He promptly went up to them, separated them, aind lectured them. They departed quietly enough.

l STFIVAI-fal BREAD— Strengthens, and is luzwiwmo Anse,

CLAIM TO £ 250,000. Knight of Welsh Descent Concerned. l MECHANIC & HIS SECRET LINK A claim to an estate at Brightling, in Sussex, a-nd another in Jamaica, the total value of which is estimated at a quarter of a million sterling, is put forward by a Ton- bridge mechanic named Peter Fuller. Of recent years the Sussex estate has been occupied by Sir Goorge Tapps-Gervie-Mey- rick, who, through his mother, was a member of one of the most ancient Welsh families, his lineage being traceable to Roderick the Great, King of all Wale-s, who was killed on the field of battle, A.D. 876, and to Owen Gwynedd, Prince of Wales, A.D. 1136. The Meyricks, according to Burke, have poeeessed the same family seat and estate at Bodorgan, ia Anglesey, without interruption for more than 1.000 years. The claim now made, Mr. Fuller declares, is by no means a new one. His father spent practically the whole of his life in prosecu- ting inquiries, making searches for material with which to support his effort to secure the property, serving writs with various objects upon different people, and in petition- ing the late Queen Victoria to ha-ve his claim inquired into. He also asserts that &o convinoing had his father's mass of evidence become that a firm of lawyers offered to effect a compromise on the basis that Mr. Fuller, sen., should receive £ 100,000. That offer, he declares, his father refused to accept. I have procured birth certificates of the family from more than 250 years ago," says the claimant, and I have secured the all- important link in my chain of evidence that was missing when my father Isaac was taking his proceedings." What that link is Mr. Fuller for the moment preserves as his secret.

Liable to 1710 Fine I LET OFF AT Y,15 I Messrs. Benson Harris (Limited), chemists, Newport, were summoned to-day for omitting to make oertain returns under the Joint Stook Company's Act. It was stated that the penalty was X5 per day, and the total accu- mulated was C710. Mr. Benson Harris admitted t'1- charge, and and, when the latter announced a fine of X15 including costs, asked if it could not be made lighter. The Mayor said he thou'ght they had made it very light.

Welsh or No Welsh I QUESTION AGAIN POSTPONED I For a second time the consideration of the subject of Welsh being made a compulsory subject in the schools of Cardiff has been postponed by the city council. Mr. F. J. Yeall had on the agenda of to- day's meeting of the council a motion in his name, which was divided into two parts, the first being in favour of making all neces- sary arrangements in the pupil teachers' centre and secondary school to fit as many teachers as may be wanted for the teaching Of Welsh in the schools, provided always that Welsh be not made a compulsory subject. The second part of the motion was that the compulsory teaching of Welsh in the elemen- tary schools be discontinued, and that the education committee prepare a scheme for optional teaching of Welsh in those schools, and submit the same to the council for approval. Mr. Veall explained that, strictly speaking, the motion was out of order that day, the council at the previous meeting having ordered a special meeting to be held to con- eider the matter. In the circumstances he moved that the special meeting be held next Monday. The Lord Mayor replied that several mem- bers had expressed the wish t,hat the meeting should not be held on Monday, as they would be out of Cardiff that day. The fixing of the date might be left in the hands of the chair- man of the education committee (Mr. Lewis Morgan) and himself, and they would do their best to find a day that would be gene- rally convenient. The suggestion of the Lord Mayor was agreed to.

TAIBACH DEADWOOD DICK I Discharges a Revolver in the I Street A lad named David John Daviee, 20, Park- street, T'aibach, was ch-arged at Aberavon P'olicenrourt to-day with firing a revolver in the public street on Sunday, January 6. Police-constable Kelland stated that he heafd several shots fired in the street, and saw defendant running away. He gave chase and captured him. Defendant at first denied, but afterwards admitted firing one shot. Me (witness) recovered the revolver produced, which was a, six-chambered one, and also a box of cartridges, both of which defendant had thrown over a waU. Five of the cham- bers had been discharged and one was loaded. Witness tried the revolver at 50 yards in the Taibach Drill-hall, and the danger was shown by the bullet going through an inch thick board at tha-t range. Defendant sa-id he had only fired one shot for practice. He did not think there was any harm in it. The Chairman: It was a most dangerous and silly thing to do. You had better get rid of the revolver. Hand it over to the Drill-hall authorities, where it will be looked after with safety. (Lauighter.) Defenda-nt was fined 20s. and coste. Another Chacge i A further charge against defendant of travelling on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway without a ticket was next gone into. Mr. Trevor Hunter, who prosecuted on behalf of the company, stated that tho defendant was travelling up by the 5.45 p.m. workmen's train, and he was found by one of the officials at the Cwmavon Railway Station, secreted underneath the seat of one of the carriages. Dr. Arnold Jones: A "regular Deadwood Dick. (Laughter.) Defendant for this offence was fined 2s. 6d. and coste. I )

CHARGED VITH DESERTION I I Spaniard in Tears at Barry I Before Dr. Howell Rees and Mr. T. P. Thomas, at Barry Police-court to-day, Antonio Vallabeitha, boatswain on the Spanish steamer Rosario, was charged with desertion. The master of the vessel (Captain Jose Brasac) said prisoner was given a day off on the 8th inst. to see some relations at Cardiff, but he did not return till the night of the 9th. Witness asked the man if he considered that a proper time to return, whereupon Valla/beitha left the ship and did not return, I being subsequently arrested at Cardift Vallabeitha now cried bitterly in the dock, and he was ordered to return to the vessel.

I TWO LIVES LOST j I Collision Off Southwold A collision took place early this morning off Southwold, Suffolk, between a steamer and the sailing trawler Ivanhoe. Buckles, the mate of the latter vessel, was drowned, and the skipiper, Charles Wellgross, who wae picked up by the steamer's small boat, died soon afterwards. Two other men were rescued by the steamship's boat, and the boy, a son of the skipper of the Ivanhoe, saved himself by jumping on board the steamer.

I "A WIFE IN EVERY PORT." After Mr. Arthur Green stock, a man in the Mercantile Marine Service, bad onoetantly mefntkmed the name of another woman in his sleep, his wife taxed him with being un- faithful, and, said she in the Divorce Court on Saturday, he confessed he had a wife in every port, and that it wag impossible for him to undertake to be faithful. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted to Mrs. Greenstock.

BROWN'S BRONCHIAL I TROCHES. 56 Tears' Reputation. For Coughs and Colds. I i:dalhma. For Influenza and Catarrh. l For Soreness of the Throat. For Speakers and Singers. j They strengthen the Voice. I per 1IO;¡, Sold tjfsxftpsai^

Out-in Woman's Clothes TREHARRIS MAN'S ESCAPADE AT WHITCHURCH I All Through the Rhubarb Wine William Teagle, Treharris, was charged at Llandaff Police-court to-day with being drunk and disorderly at Whitchurch on January 2. Police-constable Wilcox stated that at an early hour in the morning he found the defendant dressed in female clothes. He was drunk, and was kicking at the doors of the houses. Witness had great trouble to get the defendant home to his sister's, where he was staying during the holiday. Defendant stated that he had been a tee- totaler for some time. He had gone to a party at a. friend's house and drank some rhubarb wine. In going home he failed to find the right house, and that was why he was kicking at t'le doors. The Magistrate's-clerk (Mr. Evans): The doors were going round, were they? Defendant: All of it, sir. (Laughter.) Fined 56. and costs or seven days.

Ex-Mountain Ash Grocer REDUCED TO BEGGARY AT SWANSEA Benjamin Thomas, a respectable-looking man, was charged at Swansea to-day with begging in Neath-ma-d, Hafod. The defen- dant begged of a constable in plain clothes. Prisoner told the benoh he was sorry to be in his pre&ent position. He had been a grocer for many years at Mountain Ash. He was half a penny short of the price of a night's lodging. He expected to get employment, and the Bench discharged him.

Mr. Veall Satisfied 'THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO BES AID. Mr. F. J. Yeall was stated by Alderman Edward Thomas at the Cardiff City Council meeting to-day to have seen snakes where there were none. These snakes took the form of an education, minute that the atten- tion of the school authorities be drawn to the desirability of utilising the Welsh lan- guage as the medium of instruction in the subject of Scripture knowledge. Mr. Lewis Morgan (clhairman of the educa- tion committee) said that this resolution of the Central Welsh Board did not apply to Cardiff, but only to those districts where Welsh was the everyday language of the children. Mr. Veall: I am quite satisfitd with the explanation. Alderman David Jones: Mr. Veall is satis- fied; there is nothing more to be said.

EMPIRE DAY I v Narrow Views at .Cardiff I Mr. Frank Gaskell called attention at the Cardiff City Council this morning to the refusal of t,he school management oommdttee to agree to the suggestion of the League of the Empire that a holiday be given to the children in the elementary schools on Empire Day. He moved that the matter be referred back to the committee, as he considered that the matter was an important one in a national sense Alderma.n David Jones: Does that mean the British League? (Laughter.) Mr. H. M. Thompson said the application was not granted, as the committee thought it inaidvisable that more holidays should be given at the time of the year suggested by the league, and that the educational inte- rests of the children should be paramount in the consideration of such applications. Mr. F. J. Veall having spoken in favour of the league's application, Mr. John Chappell said he opposed the referring back of the matter to the committee. He wanted to know what was meant by the Empire." They ought to have nothing to do with the bringing up of children in enmity against other nations. Was it meant to bring the children together on Empire Day in order to point out to them the amount of poverty and unemployment in the Empire? If so, he agreed with it. But if it was only to be a little demonstration with flags and tin drums it were far better to have nothing to do with it. The day was gone when they should import strife into the hearts of their children against those who were said to be their enemies. Mr. Lewis Morgan said the children would not be taught to hate anybody, but to be proud of the great Empire to which they belonged. On a division the amendment to refer back was oarried by twelve votes to nine.

A LAZY WOMAN Painful Case at Merthyr To-day at Merthyr Poice-court Martha, Power, Mardy-street, Twynyrodin, the wife of a collier, was summoned for neglecting her six children in such a way as to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health. Mr. F. P. Charles, who prosecuted on behalf of the National Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children, explained that the ages of the children ranged from thir- teen to a little under one year. The case had been under observation since February, 1905, and during that time her conduct had never been thoroughly satisfactory. In July Mrs. J. B. Davies, the wife of a police-sergeant, who lived next door, took her in ha.nd, and induced her to* mend her ways, and the case was marked off the society's books. In October, however, the caee got very bad again, and it was again taken up, and had been Under Observation ever since. The defendant, in addition to giving way to drink, was a lazy woman, and it was perfectly hopeless to expect any per- manent improvement. Inspector Starr, the society's local officer, deposed to the filthy state of the house and the verminous condition oi the children. The beds upon which the children slept he described as half rotten. 1I(rs. Davies, another neighbour named Mrs. Powell, Police-constable Stephens, and Police-sergeant Davies also gave evidence absolving the husband from all blame, he being said to be a very respectable hard- working man. The defendant was committed to gaol for two months in the second division. I

FEARS FOR HER SAFETY I Big Hole in British Destroyer A Portsmouth correspondent telegraphs that the destroyer Wear, which was in col- lision with the West Hartlepool steamer Etna off Beachy Head on Saturday night, together with the Sbeerness flotilla, reached Stokes Bay late last night. The Wear is badly damaged, 30ft. of the side plaiting having been torn away. She will be docked at Portsmouth to-day. The destroyer Earnest escorted her to Stokes Bay, fears having been entertained for her safety. On the starboard side the wardroom, pantry, and provision-room were exposed.

'WILFUL MURDER" VERDICTI Fracture and Scarlet Fever At an inquest at Edmonton Workhouse this morning on the body of Fanny Church, aged 37 years, a verdict of Wilf-ul murder" was returned against her husband, a painter, residing in Cornwall-road, Tottenham, who, it was alleged, struck her with a hob bin g foot on October 27, causing a fracture of the skull. The deceased was talten to Edmonton Infirmary, where she was subsequently con- fined of a child, and contracted scarlet fever. She died on Deceml>er 31.

STORY OF A WAISTCOAT I Charles M'Oarthy was charged at Merthyr to-day with stealing a waistcoat from out- Bide the shop of Mr. T. J. Masters, at 124, High-street, Merthyr. The waistcoat was pledged by the prisoner on Wednesday at the shop of Mr. Freedman in Dowlais. Shortly afterwards information was received that it had been stolen. On Saturday the prisoner went into the 8,hop to redeem it, and placed 3s. on the counter. The assistant went out the back way to communicate with the police, and the prisoner, suspecting the ruse, rushed off, 1eaving the money behind. He was chased up Market-street, where he was caught by Police-sergeant Phillips. Fined 40s., or a month.

I 45 MINUTES AFTER TIME I Antonio Berni was summoned at Merthyr Police-court this morning for keeping open his refreshment house at 8, Union-street, Dowlais, at a quarter to eleven o'clock on Christmas night, when the premises, by law, ought to have been closed at ten o'clock. The Bench imposed a fine of lOB. and costs.

STKVE58* BBEAD- J' Coasum«rr u>; o tpert«otl«s* I 1

Dying Seaman's Story. ALLEGATION OF MURDER. flrvnti+irnn.. vn t n n. im stages of oomsaimption, was yesterday reported to be dying in Grimsby Union Infirmary. On Saturday evening he asked that the police might be communicated with, as he wished to make a statement concerning a crime, and detective officers hurried to the man's bedside to take his depositions. He told a straaige story of a. murder which he sayi3 he wit, he sayB he witnessed on the high seas. He alleged that some years ago he waa servin.g on a steamship, and one night, off Flushing, the oapta-in, after an angry quarrel with one of the crew, shot him dead, and flung the body overboard. The police are making inquiries.

An Elopement Sequel, I EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A POLICE-I COURT. Mr. Charles Mundy, a Bethnal Green guardian, appeared at Old-street Police-court, London, on Saturday to answer a summons which charged him with threatening a young man named Arthur Hancock. The complain- ant said Mr. Mundy was his father-in-law, and had for some time pursued him with threats. Mr. Biron: What is it all a.bout? Hanoook: Because I have married his daughter. Mr. Margetts (for the defence): Do you swear that?—Yes. Now, you eloped with this young lady?— Yes. Where were you married ?-I do not think it has anything to do with this case. Mr. Margetts: I want to know. Hancock: I will not make it public. Mr. Biron Write it down. Paper and pen were given the witness, but he hesitated, and when told to write down the name of the place and the date he threw down the pen and said, I was married in Scotland." Mr. Margetts: Where?—I don't remember. This was only last September. You had, to take a journey, book for some place, go to some hotel or house. Where was it?—I do not remember any name. Mr. Biron said he should form his own opinion of this. The question of threats remained. Mr. Margetts: Since you have had Mr. Mundy's daughter with you, have you passed as a single man and kept company with a Miss Head?—No. ■ Do you know Miss Road?—No. At the requeet of the solicitor a young lady rose from the public seat and stood forward. Hancock: I do not know her. Mr. Margetts: Do you swear you were not engaged to her for two months-in October and November last?—I do not know her. Do you know her sister, Mrs. Ryan, Mr. Ryan, and Miss Read's brother? (A lady and two gentlemen rose.) Hancock: I do not know them. I saw Mrs. Rya.n a week ago only, and Mr. Ryan I met years ago. Mr. Margetts put forward a letter to Miss Read as showing the terms Hancock and she were on. Complainant denied the handwrit- ing. Mr. Margetts: Do you suggest it is all in- vention? Hancock: It is all a conspiracy to ruin me. At the request of Mr. Margetts, Hancock wrote a few words to show his handwriting, but handed up something which the Magis- trate said was ridiculous and an attempt to deceive. Finally, in dismissing the case, Mr. Biroia said he was surprised at the moderation of Mr. Mundy under such provocation. He ordered Hanoock to pay the defendant two guineas cost.

I ABERDARE COUNTY SCHOOL I I Admission of Probationers I A special meeting of the governors of the AbeTda re County School was held to-day for the purpose of considering the quest-ion of t,he rea/dm.ission of probationers to the school. There wa,s a large attendance, includin.g the Mountain Ash Mr. D. T. Davies presided. A lengthy correspondence was read between Mr. Franklen, Dr. James, and the clerk to the governors, and after a long dis- cission it was resolved that the probationers be admitted to the county school to-morrow, on the undet-standing that additiornal accom- modation will be immediately provided by the county council at Mountain Ash, and tha-t thiree months' notice be given by the fheiadma^ter to-morrow to the probationers, in order to relieve any responsibility which may arise at the end of the term. The governors of the Abeaxlaxe County School towards the middle of December in- straoted the headmaster (Mr. J. Charlton- Cox) to inform the parents of the proba- tioners that they would not be allowed to enter the school at the beginning of the next term. The parents have held meetings, at which it was decided to approach tine local education authorities.

SUNKEN TRAMWAY TRACK More Expense for Cardiff Alderman Trounce sprang a surprise upon ,the Cardiff City Council this morning by making an emphatio statement in his best declamatory style that the tramway track, in many places, was in a deplorable and dan- gerous condition. The rails had so sunk that they would have to be repaired at an enor- mous cost, and he would like to know whether that cost would be charged to the tramways committee or the public works committee. Alderman Garey, as chairman of the tram- ways committee, said the cost would be borne by the tramways committee and paid out of revenue. Alderman Trounce would have the opportunity of speaking freely when the question came before the committee. Referring to the lighting of the new law courts, Alderman Carey asked permission for the lighting Committee to go on with the work, seeing that the assizes would be held in the new buildings in March.

FOX'S DARING ESCAPE An exciting incident took place in connec- tion with the run of the Lamertou Fox- hounds. On entering a wood, the field" were informed by some pedestrians that the latter could eee the fox lying under a ledge ot rock. On ooming to the spot, the pursuers observed that Reynard was in a dangerous position, about 50ft. from the ground. Eventually one of the pedestrians climbed to within a few yards of him, a,nd tried every means to dislodge him, but the fox loby placid until at last a couple of hounds, at a great risk, managed to creep to the edge of the rock. This aroused Reynard, who darted out over the cliff, and, coming in contact with a tree, fell from branch to branch to terra firma. Recovering himself, apparently unhurt, he made off at full speed, and eventually got clear of his pursuers.

JUDGE'S FIX WITH A PISTOL As & result of the trial of Frank Oromlieih, a sailor, at the Old Bailey on Saturday for shooting, the jury amoeipted the explanation of the defence that prisoner only intended to frighten a man and woman, and prisoner was acquitted of this charge. Thereupon prisoner pleaded "guilty" to a common assault upon Mafftha Stone and William Bass by presenting a pistol at them. He waa sentenced to three months' impri- sonment, the Judge observing, "I hope you will be careful in the future not to use dan- gerous weapons like this. I have it at full cock and cannot release the trigger." (Lamgihter.) Those in the line of fire before the Bench looked apprehensive until the judge was relieved of the weapon.

VICTIM OF A FALSE FRIEND "What has become of your hat?" asked Mr. Plowden of a. ladylike person, who appeared at Marylebone on Saturday charged with drunkenness. "I am sorry to giay, sir, I got into the company of a woman who robbed me of all my ring*?, my hat, my furs, and everything else." Mr. Plowden: You seem to have gone through a great deal. You may go ae far as t&ifi charge in owmrued.

I "CRUCIFY HIM!" I SPRY UP ONCE MORE I Heated Debate at Council, The question of Mr. Spry's delinquency in the electric-cable matter came up for dig- cushion at the Cardiff City Council to-day, when Mr. G. Seccombe said that the decision to charge Mr. Spry 10 per cent. per annium on the outlay antil such time as the extension becomes remunerative was an inadequate punishment. He moved that the whole matter be referred back in order that it might be more thoroughly dealt with. If Mr. Spry was not asked to reeign, he thought he might be removed from his, present department to j another department of the corporation. He felt very strongly on the question. Asked if there was a seconder, there was no reply, until Mr Dasbwood Caple said he would second in order that Mr. Seccombe should havo his object furthered. The punishment should be a sufficient deterrent to further delinquents Alderman Carey said he did not stand up to justify the action of Mr. Spry; but what wefre the committee to do? Mr. Spry was most abject in his contrition, and he thought that the punishment meted out was suffi- cient. He appealed to them not to makerthe young man, at the beginning of his married life, uncomfortable as to his future by letting this matter hang over his head. Mr. Veall sa.id he could be transferred to another department under another official. Mr. Seccombe said he would accept Mr. Veall's suggestion as an amendment, that Mr. Spry be transferred to'another department. Mr. Caple: I take it that if he is transferred the other part as to the 10 per cent. will st.and. Mr. Lewis Morgan: Oh, send him in for a month! Mr. Stanfield: Yes, and crucify him! Mr. James Kidd said that the man had been tried three times. It was like tying the man to a cart, whipping him through the streets, and then hanging him. He hoped the council would have mercy in the matter. Some gen- tlemen seemed to leave all mercy to the here- after, and to give none on this earth. He thought that Mr. j;pry had been treated scan- dalously. Alderman Robert Hughes said that the pro- cedure adopted in this case by certain gentle- men was quite new, and most cruel. Let Mr. Seccombe have the moral courage to pro- pose that the man be asked to resign, and have done with it. Mr. P. J. Beavan also protested against the amendment, and said it seemed like punish- ing Mr. Eilis rather than Mr. Spry. He (Mr. Beavan) had been in the council for nearly twenty years, and he had never heard such a proposition as this. The inference from the proposal to transfer him was that Mr. Ellis had no control over him. It was Simply Revolting that such a proposition should be made. If the cable was worth £ 70, then let Mr. Spry be made to pay 10 per cent. on that amount, and not upon L40. Mr. F. G. L. Davis said he did not think Mr. Veall had much justice when he came to the committee with his mind made up. How many of them could stand three trials? He (Mr. Davis) aeked for mercy, and not justice, or, less justice and more mercy. Alderman David Jones said that in all his experience he had never, known a case where maladmlniiigtorataoax was so thoroughly gone iin/to. They were dragging this young ma.n at the cart ta.il to execution. Why didn't they execute him in the first place? Mr. Joseph Stanfield was not sure that three or four members of the council would not crucify the young man if they had a chance. Let those who were without sin be the first to past the stone. Mr. John Chappell and Mr. Morgan Thomas also spoke, and the lat.ter objected to the trend of the diacuserlon a.nd The Insinuation that he was respoouible for this matter being brought forward a. third time. Other men in the employ of the corporation had been dismissed for infinitely less serious offences. However much they might sneer a.t him and threaten him, he was quite prepared to leave the iseue to the ratepayers of his ward. He resented the charge of spleen and persecution, ,and was not going to be brow-beaten or held back because some of them would rather that he had taken no action in the matter. He did not want to blast this young man's career in life by dismissal, and it was not an extra- ordiinary proposal that he be transferred. Alderman Edward Thomas pointed out that they were exercising an act of usury. They were charg-ing Mr. Spry 10 per cent, for what they were only- payi-ng 5 per cent. He joined in the protest against the charge being made more than onoe. A vote was then taken, with the result that eight voted for Mr. Seeoomibe's amendment, and 26 against. Mr. F. G. Gaskell remained neutral. Finality Wanted Mr. J. T. Richards s'aid he wanted finality in the matter, which WaiJ of great importance to the council and the administration of the city's affairs, and he moved, as a further amendment, that Mr. Spry be now called upon to resign. He could not understa.nd Mr. Stanfield when he said: Let those who a,re without sin be the first to throw stones." If that were followed they could not deal with any dereliction of duty in the work of the council. Mr. Chappell: Spare us, spare us! Aldermah David Jones: Speak for yourself, please. (Laughter.) Mr. Seccombe said he had a public duty to perform, and he seconded the amendment. Mr. F. Gaskell said the whole delay in settling the matter was due to the weakness of the knees of the committee. Had dismissal been proposed at the commencement he might have supported it, but he could not agree to baiting the man, and he would have nothing more to do with it. On a division five voted for the amendment and twenty-eight against. This closed the subject.

I "NOT SERVED THERE" 1 I Merthyr Landlord Cautioned At Merthyr Police-oourfc to-day Joooph Hughes, landlord of the Royal George beer- house, Lewis-street, Dowlais, who was de- fended by Mr. F. P. Charlee, was summoned for permitting drunkenness. At 10.40 p.m. on Saturday, the 5th inst., Police-sergeants Phillips and Evans, upon visiting the house, saw in the passage four women and two men. One of the men, Patrick Murphy, who was staggering about, had a pint of beer in his hand, in the aot of drink- i,ng it. The landlady's sister came up and took the pint out of his hamid, saying that it muet be somebody else's, as he had not. been served there, and the other man, James Cody, then sa.id, "I gave him a drink out of my pint." The officers questionoo the landlord as to why he had supplied drink to a man in a drunken state, and Hughes repeated his sister-in-law's statement, that he had not been oerved there, adding that he had turned the man out twice. Without calling upon Mr. Charles, the Stipendiary dismissed the case, but cautioned the defendant to be more careful in future. e careful in futute.

GUNS AND DOGS I I Merthyr Poaching Case WilliqjU Lewis and Henry Powell were fined 10P. each nnd CQS:S at Merthyr Police-court to-day for trespassing in search of game on Christmas Day ;n Tyladu plantation, Deri, belonging to the Marquess of Bute, and the same defendants, with George Phillips, were summoned for a similar offence in the same place on the following day. A penalty of 10s. each and costs was imposed in this case also. Mr. F. I'. Charles appeared for the prosecu- tion, and evidence was given that on each occasion the < defend ants carried double- barellcd guns at full cock and had dogs with them

ONE HUNDRED SPEECHES! I At a. convivial gathering organised by the Tunbridge Wells Farmers' Club nearly thirty toasts were announced, and over 100 speeches made. One member spoke thirty times on different topics. The oratory wae stimu- lated by bowle of "punch."

I-X800 IN TIPS I An Italian, wbo failed as a; restaurant pro- prietor at Bournemouth, stated at hds public examination that whilst a waiter in London he saved over £ 800 in tips in sixteen years.

I BANK MESSENGER'S FORTUNE I Mr. Thomas Allan, of St. James's-square, Edinburgh, biank messenger, for over thirty years a-t the Royal Bank, Edinburgh, has left personal estate valued at £ 2,167.

I BEEMALINE BREAD- I Gave life an influence To their whole being." 1 t2711 Timon of Athens," Act 5, Scene L I STEVENS' BRUD- pemwdea mote than ever. jtiMt

SHARES COLLAPSE STOCK MARKET SENSATION "Tips" at Bridge Parties A great censation has been caused in finan- cial circles by the collapse in the shares of the Siberian Proprietary Mines (Limited). Not since the days of the Overend-Gurney smash, it is said, has such a debacle taken place as that which has followed the ramifi- eations of the Heyman-Orkin group of Sibe- rian companies. Frantic efforts were made by the insiders to keep prices uip, and it was understood that at all hazards the inevitable crash was to be staved off until the making-up h.ad been completed. How the plan succeeded will be shown by the following figures of Friday:- Making up. 4 p.m. Fall. I Siberian Props. 14 93 4! Orek Goldfields 24 li i Troitzk Goldfields 1 5-16 I 5-16 In round figures, this fall meant within four hours a loss of £956,250 to someone. This cal- culation does not include the 35,000 new shares of the Siberian Proprietary Mines, which were offered to shareholders at 12§, and the loss on which in market value was another £ 148,750. On Saturday Siberian Props. fell another H, making a further loss of £ 150,000 on its issued capital and L52,500 on its new issue; Orsks and Troitzks fell another 2s. WI., making a further fall on each of their issued capitals of 162,500, the total loss thus being juet on £ 1,500,000. Tips at BrMge Parties. It is a long time since the Stock Exchange enjoyed such a pleasant sensation as it did a,t the news of the collapse in the shares. The "Times" says The tumble in the prices caused little surprise or regret among members of the House who are jealous of its reputation. Gossip about the titles of the companies to their properties was the most obvious reason for the fall, but the more real one was the fact that prices have been pushed up in a manner which reflects lvghly on the skill of those who conducted the affairs of the group, but says little for the common-sense of certain sections of the public. The whole affair has been very cleverly worked; statements were published heralding the appearance of the companies, but offering no shares for subscription, so that no legal liability under the Companies Acts was involved, and the public, if it wanted shares, could only obtain them at the pricee put on them by thoee who were arran,ging the drama. An attractive rise in prices was thus easily secured, and the movement was assisted by the appearance of prominent West End na-mes on the boards of the various companies, one of the direc- tors of the Siberian Proprietary Company being closely connected with the Court. Tips' circulated at bridge parties and elsewhere did the rest, and an extraordinary exhibition has thus been given of the possi- bility of making a market in properties which are as yet praotically untried." Blind Pools," I The solicitors of the company, writing to i re-assrore the public wit.h regard to tiitle, point out that "as far as Siberian Pro- prietary Mines (Limited) and its oonstituent i companies and Orsk Goldfields and Troitzk Goldfields (Limited) are concerned, as their property consists of mining rights, no ques- tion whatsoever arises in connection with their being entitled to hold land in Russia." "Just so" '(comments the "Pall Mall Gazette"), "these concerns, which are nominally valued in the market at hundreds of thousands, have nothing but 'mini-ng rights and options,' and whether they will ever have anything else is at least doubtful. The slump is the finest thing that could have happened to prevent the public being lured to a. greater extent into these prospectueless blind pools, but they have a long way etill to drop before they reach what is probably their real value." West End Names on the Boards Among those whose names have been pro- minently associated with the company are the Duke of Fife, Baron Knollys, Baron Far- quhar, the Earl of Howe, the Earl of Kimber- ley, Baron Harris, Lord Stanley, the Hon. Arthur Stanley, Lord Armstrong, Sir Chris- topher Furness. Sir Joseph West Ridgeway, j Sir Herbert de Stern, and Sir Henry Seton- I Karr.

I SUPPOSED LOVE TRAGEDY I- SUPPOSED LOVE TRAGEDY A young woman, named Florence Wakeling, a London telephone operator, was the victim of a strange tragedy which occurred at Stockwell Green, Brixton, on Saturday night. The deceased, with her young man, went to the local theatre in the evening, and was bidding good-bye to him at her residence, when three revolver shots were heard. Deceased's sister, with her young man, imme- diately rushed into the drawing-room, where they found Florence lying on the floor, bleeding profusely from three lvvounds, while the man, it is alleged, was standing over her with a smoking revolver in his right hand. The girl never recovered consciousness, and died on Sunday morning. The man was arrested.

A DROWNING MYSTERY The body of George Bennetts, insurance agent, who has been missing from Truro, Cornwall, for a fortnight, was discovered on Sunday in the water about 50 yards from the spot where he was last seen alive. A ma,n was recently found wearing his over- coat. Foul play, however, is not suspected, as the deceased when discovered waa still wearing a waiih \Iond chain.

COLLIERY MANAGER'S REMOVAL Mr. D. Llewelyn Rees, manager of the Gelli Colliery, Ystrad, who is leaving to take up a similar position at the Wyndham Colliery, Ogmore Valley, was on Saturday presented with an illuminated address, a barometer, gold watch and chain, and a gold-mounted walking-stick.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN I Replying to a resolution of sympathy from the Metropolitan Workmen's Council. Mr. Wilson (Mr. Chamberlain's private secretary) says-.—Mr. Chamberlain is progressing quite satisfactorily, and hopes very soon to resume his public work.

MAN STRIKES, BUT CLOCK DOES NOT 1 Mr. John Lang, the town clock winder or I Shrewsbury, New Jersey, has gone on strike because the fund subscribed by the residents of the town, for his salary has become exhausted. The clock has ocaeed to strike.

DIVIDEND FOR THE POOR I The clerk of Marlborough-street Police- court acknowledged on Saturday the receipt of £25, wthich was a dividend of 10 per cent. on a legacy under the will of the late Mr. Samuel Lewis to the poor box of the court.

TREASURE TROVE Nearly 500 Roman coins, most of them bear- ing the effigy of Caransius, were found on Saturday, near Llandudno. The police have taken possession of them, amd a coroner's inquiry will be held.

B.-P.'s" ANCESTOR General Baden-Powell has given a bust of his ancestor, Captain John Smith, the founder of Virginias to Louth School; where Smith was educated.

SEVENTEEN DAYS ON THE ROCKS The Japanese liner Awa Maru, a-fter being seventeen days on the rocks at Redcar, was floated on Sunday. I

Mrs. Jones (at the seaside): Isn't it wonder- ful, John, how th" waves roll in one after another ? Jones: Yes; they remind me of the bills at Cbristmi" time.

Detectives Keep Sho_-Ilr INGENIOUS RUSE TO CATCH THIEVES. An interesting detective story was told a-t Bow-street, where George Wallace, in the ser- vice of Messrs. Maple & Co., of Tottenham Court-road, was charged with stealing brass and gas fittings, the property of his employers. Half a dozen detectives of the Y Division, it appears, raided a suspicious marine store in Fon thill-road, arrested the occupier, placed him in run upper room in cuctody, and proceeded to keep shop themselves and to search the premises One detective became counterman, another weigher, and a third cashier. In less than an hour they had visits from five persons who wanted to sell old metal, one of them being Wallace. Wallace walked in with a bag, laid it on the scales, and said tersely, For sale." The bag contained brass fittings. He was sent upstadrs for temporary detention, and the detectives awaited further customers. These came from various districts—St. John's Wood and Greenwich. One man with a sack wa,lked into the cashier's apartment, and he, too, was sent upstairs. Another, whose physique seemed exceptionally bulky, was surprised at the searching questions put hy the "shopman." His coat was unbuttoned, and under it, fitted to his person, was 321b. of lead, secured by a belt which was held by two screws. He also was sent upstairs. Wallace was remanded.

OFFICERS' LUXURIES Kaiser Insists on Simplicity The Kaiser has again expressed his dis- approval of the luxurious manner of living adopted of late years by Prussian army officers. After a recent dinner given him bx the Guard officers mess his Majesty spoke very strongly about the richness of the dishes and the costliness of the wines that were placed before him, and also gave abundant evidence of his displeasure at the extravagance and unpatriotism of his officers in offering him French champagne. An order has now been issued from tho Milita,ry Cabinet in which the army is informed that even when the Kaiser dines with officers his Majesty wishes the menu to consist only of soup, fish, vegetables, joint, and cheese. Only ordinary red or white table wine is to be served at dinner, and a glass of German champagne with the joint. His Majesty aLo considers that liqueurs after dinner are unnecessary.

FRENCH OFFICERS HOOTED A disgraceful incident marked the opening ball of the season, given by Admiral Marquis, the Maritime Prefect of Toulon, and Mme. Marquis. Over a hundred dock workmen, belonging to anti-militarist associations, gathered in front of the admiral's hotel, and hooted the guests as they arrived. "Down with tho officers! Down with the bourgeois! They make merry while we go hungry." The Consuls were greeted with the Inter- nationale," and other revolutionary songs. Four a-r-rest-3 were made. On the prisoners were found Anarchist pamphlets.

CUPID AT A DISCOUNT A French statistician has asked 95 girls, aged from fifteen to seventeen years, why they wished to marry. live replied so that they might go out alone; ten, in order to amuse themselves; five, to travel; seven, to own their own homes; and four, for the sake of a fature family. Three of them did not wish to marry, and 61 were unable to specify any reason why they looked forward to wedlock. None of them suggested lo?e as a motive for matrimony.

CURATE BAPTISED IN A CHAPEL The Rev. A. J. Moore, B.A., curate of the City Church, Exeter, was publicly immersed at the South-street Baptist Chapel yesterday- evening. He said that infant baptism was a super- stitious practice, and not one whit better than those of Western Africa. Churchmen who believed in it were no better than the savages whom they despised. He had seen parents experiencing torture at the thought that their dead little one had been condemned to the nether world because waiter had not been sprinkled on its brow. Infant baptism was the key to Ritualism, becaus.e people who could swallow it after- wards accepted other myths.

A MAD FIT A young fellow, named Henry Jenkins, smashed a pane of glass in a door at Messrs. Gwatkin and Sons' carriage works in Clarence-place, Newport, on Saturday, doing damage to the extent of about 6s. When Police- constable Thomas (27; took him he said he must have had a mad fit. He told the New- port magistrates to-day that he left Porth to walk from Newport to London. I Fined 10s.

I TO DEAL WITH WICKED FATHERS "In the present state of the law the chil- dren of bad, drunken, worthless, and wicked parents are ta-ken care of for them. The parents are beginning to know this. They ought to be kept to permanent hard labour and severely flogged." These were Mr. d'Eyncourt's words at Clerkeaiwell to the f ather of a small boy who was found wandering destitute.

I TOOK X5, LEFT X275 Because he only took P,5 in gold from a room containing 100 in bank- notes, and jewellery to the value of another gloo, William French was at Stratford only bound over. The Bench informed the owner of the property that in leaving the money lying about he was more to blame than the accused.

39 YEARS IN HOSPITAL Miss Ellen Elizabeth Oarr. who was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Incur- ables, Putney-heath, in the year 1868, died the other day after being an inmate of that institution for 39 years. Although suffering from an incura-ble disease. Miss Carr main- tained to the last a cheerful and contented disposition.

IN STOUGHTON STREET Before Messrs. James Allan and W. E. Shackell at Cardiff Police-court to-day Eliza- beth Hurwell, 47, pleaded guilty to desist- ing in the management of a disorderly house at No. 61, Stoughton-street. The officers in the case were Police-constables Welsher and Young.—The Magistrates imposed a fine of £ A amd ooets, or one month.

IRON STOLEN AT MERTHYR To-day at Merthyr Policc-court Ernest John Taylor, a boy of fourteen, was brought up on remand charged with stealing iron. the pro- perty of the GJamorgan Ca-nal Company at Troedyrhiw. Mr. F. P. Charles prosecuted, and Mr. Ernest Jones now appeared on the prieoner's behalf and appealed for clemency. A fine of 20s. was imposed.

ANOTHER ARREST IN VIEW John Reynolds and Charles Ernest Smith, the two men charged in connection with the Siedle burglary, were at Swansea to-day again remanded, the police having another .arrest in view.

ENGLISH SHOPKEEPERS IN PARIS One of the latest phases of the entente cordiale is both the number of windows in which is seen "English spoken here" and the number of employes of British nationality who stand behind them in the shops of Paris

TRAGEDY OF A HERON Major Pollitt found a splendid heron lying dead, in his garden at Tunbridge Wells. It had been killed by flying into the telephone wires overhead.

I BRIDGEND MAN'S PROMOTION Mr. Jason B. Jones, chief clerk at Bridgend Poat-offioe, has been appointed postmaster ot Pwllheli Post-office.

JANUARY BUTTERFLIES Two tortoiseshell butterflies were captomi iIItt BaelhiOiP'a StooFtford. yeeterda^