Evening Express

"INSURE EVERYBODY I THE SERVANT QUESTION I The Casual I -I By LLOYD MEYRICK I The servant insurance problem is causing the greatest discussion. The wildest theories are in the air. Timid householders have fearful visions of their responsibility, and See themselves with a crowd of infirm servants added to the family budget. I should have thought that there were very few accidents to domestic servants, but occasionally one hears of a whole catalogue of woes falling upon a small household. A man told me the other day that three successive servants in his employ had met with accidentiSne scalded her arm, the ether sprained her ankle, and the third strained her back with some weird exer- cise with the clothes prop. He has now resolved to do without domestic help as long as his indignation lasts, and I could not refrain from quoting Poe as being appropriate and soothing: T'nihappy Master, vohom uranercdfTil Disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore- Till tho dirges of his Ropetha,t melancholy burden bore Of "Neve.noE'.rmore." The Act of Parliament has been inter- preted by so many able hands that I can add but little to the general enlighten- ment. My strong a dvice to all and sundry in the most shadowy position of employers is to insure. Practically, all workers are within the Act, with the sole exception of the Army and Navy, the police, outworkers (such as milliners and dressmakers who are given mate- rials), members of an employer's family, and anyone unless a manual worker receiving more than L250 per annum, and also persons whose employment is of a casual nature, and who are employed otherwise than for the purposes of the employer's trade or business. This last exception will cause the most difficulty, but there can be no doubt that the word "casual" will be construed in the most liberal fashion for the benefit of the injured. For instance, a charwoman is casually employed for a day to scrub down Mr. Smith's private house. That is not for the purpose of Mr. Smith's business. She meets with an accident. Clearly, she is outside the Act. The same char- woman is employed casually for a day by Mr. Smith to scrub out his shop. That is for the purposes of his business. She meets with an accident. Apparently she is within the Act. I should like, however, to utter a word of warning to small tradespeople and to those house- holders who get regular but infrequent help. If the tradesman gets an errand boy, say, on a market day or a Saturday, or a householder gets a girl to scrub and 'wash periodically, neither 'of them would be considered "casual labotrr," but would come within the Act. The question, therefore, is by no means the sol* concern of the. large employer, but everyone who is only periodically an employer is directly interested. It-must be remembered, too, that, say, if you employ a gardener, an errand boy, or help in the house only once a week, in the case of an accident you are not liable only for a proportion of the day's pay, but compensation is based on the worker's weekly earnings. The charwoman sent to call a cab may be run )ver by a motor, and, if she is within the Act, her temporary employer is liable for £ 150, while even if she is only injured the liability will not be limited as based on the few shillings paid her by the individual in whose service she may happen temporarily to be, for, under Par. 2 (b) of the first schedule, where a workman has entered into concurrent contracts with two or more employers, the wages earned under all such con- tracts are to be computed as the weekly earnings earned in the employment of the employer for whom he was working at the time of the accident. It will thus be seen that an employer to the extent of the liability of a few a shillings may be saddled by an accident to the worker with payment of a large amount or a substantial weekly pay- meat. abr-,Aw,bowemr, ccwesre -.Terz-&w j diseases. N urges contract all sorts of diseases. These cn es are not within the Act. A shop assistant exposed to draught contracts pneumonia. She is not within the Act. A servant girl in washing clothes from an invalid bed- room catches scarlet fever. That is not covered by the Act. However, to speak broadly, everyone about his house,, shop, factory, or office (not to mention those cases in addition to which the Act of 1S97 applied) will be insured by the wise man. Quibbles and refining about casual labour will only prove futile, and it is far better for the position to be frankly faced. The Act, if it means anything, is meant to bring about the insurance of practically all workers against accidents. To sum up, in the house insure (1) domestic servants, (2) charwomen (casual or otherwise), (3) nurses, (4) governesses, (5) housekeepersj lady helps, morning girls, (5) all men-servants about stables, gardens, &c., (6) anybody else not pre- viously named. About an office: clerks, porters, messengers, and anybody else not previously named. About a shop: factory, mine, and all forms of money- making activity every man, woman, or child1- In fact, make no exceptions, but in stare. Further, read and digest your policy of insurance, and, above all, obey its provisions. Until judicial decisions have cleared the air, which cannot be until after the 1st of July next, the only safe course of to adopt the foregoing cautious advice. No doubt, for a time people will fight shy of giving a casual job to the seeker after work, but matters will adjust them- selves on the side of good. Perhaps, I ought to add that the employment of reputable firms who insure their men will exempt from liability for compensation the owner of the premises or ground upon which the work is done. There, I will leave the matter. The ablest lawyer who attempts to say any more is simply pull- ing the leg of the public! The philanthropy of some people takes odd forms. I heard the other day of a local man of position who was informed that a woman and several children lived in a most destitute home, and was asked to help. He offered to send them a few pots from his conservatory to decorate the window sills! It reminds one of the saying of Douglas Jerrold—that he was one of thoee wise philanthropists who, in a time of famine, would vote for nothing but a supply of toothpicks. It is, how- ever, one of the hardest tasks to administer even small sums wisely. It all the sums raised for charity in this country readied the evil they were meant to cure, the sore of poverty and distress would be lees in evidence. There is daily proof in the lists of wills of the open-handedness of testators, but stall the appetite of charitable institu- tions is insatiable. Every town in the country cries out for monetary help for its various institutions, and, perhaps, it is well it should be so. Charity grows cold if not constantly whipped into activity by clamorous demands. An infir- mary, for instance, in debt enlarges the heart of the inhabitants, and keeps up the priceless habit' of giving. From this point of view the Cardiff Infirmary nobly plays its part, as its ever-widening activi- ties will allow of no lethargy of the heart or purse. The infirmary is splendidly administered, and its present demand for funds to enlarge the scope of its blessed work deserves every help. However, I find I have no space adequately to deal with the matter to-day, and trill return to the 8tlb aøcaïn.

STOP PRESS Latest Telegram REBEL GENERAL EXECUTED. Renter's tc-lezrnm from Sew York to-day says t'ue Hcvaid" publishes a i telegram statin? rhat the rvvuiii- nonary Ocm-rnl Pao>d<'g and eighteen of i hi" follower.?, including, jr i< reported, three Americans, hav- been exfciKed. Toe Government re purrs j-tafe th-st tii-i rebels were killed while seizin? amis in an attempt to escape. ✓

Children Burnt to Death-I: THAGEDY NEAR MONMOUTH I A dietressing burning fatality, resulting in I the death of two children, occurred on Mon- I day at the village of Whitobrook, about six miles from Mon.mouth and half-way between Bigsweir and Redbrook Stations, on the Wye VaHey line. The victims of the tragedy are Polly Victoria Fowler, aged six years, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Fowler, Folly Cottage, White-brook, and Harry Fidler, aged four years, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fidler, who live in an adjoining cot- tage, Mr. Fidler being the stationmaster at Bigsweir. The children were seen playing together in the village about noon, and. it, appears that they went in,to an unoccupied pig-stye, in which was a quantity of straw. Mr. Stephen Sooular, landlord of the Bell Inn, and others were standing in irotit of the public-house, when they saw smoke near the pig's-oot, i which was a stoned-throw away. They thought nothing of it at the time, but in a/bout ten minutes an alarm was raised that the pigs-cot was on fire. Mr. Sooular and Mr. Charies Kear, a peatman, ran up, j a.nd found tha.t the straw in the cot was ablaze, but were not aware that any- ? body was inside. Afterwards Mrs. Fidler! rushed up and said, "I am sure the children are in there," whereupon Mr. Secular and Mr. Kear and others renewed their efforts to put out the fire. The walls of the cot were being burnt, and then one side fell in, and the remains of the children were disclosed. Information was given to the police at Trelleck, and on the arrival of the constable the bodies were removed. They were very much burnt and almost unrecognisable. Seen by a representative of the "Western Mail," Mrs. Fowler, the mother of one of the children, said she was in Monmouth at the time of the occurrence, having gone there to pay the rent. The first news she had of the tragedy was from her daughter, fourteen years of age, who came up by the four o'clock train to tell her. How I got home," said Mrs. Fowler, I don't know. I could not realise it, and I cannot do so yet. The two little children were playmates-they were inseparable." Mrs. Fowler said the picr-tye was/built of timber, and the straw had been placed inside temporarily. She said her daughter was christened Yictoria" because she was born on the night the late Queen died. The girl's father was also in Monmouth at the time, being employed as a mason on the new Baptist chapel in course of erection there.

STOPPED A COLLIERY. I MERTHYR WORKMEN ORDERED I TO PAY DAMAGES. Twenty-four night workmen at Cwmpit were summoned at Merthyr on Monday for breach of contract by Messrs. Crawshay Bros., Cyfarthfa. who claimed from each of the defendants damages to the extent of 5s. 6d. Mr. C. Kenshole appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. W. P. Nicholas (Messrs. Walter Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) for the defen- dants, on the instructions of Mr. John Williams, mi-nea-W agent. Mr. Kenshole explained that three hitchers bad received notice to terminutc, contracts. The other workmen thought that some arrangement should be made whereby the three men should be reinstated, but the com- pany declined to keep them on. On the 1st of January the miners' agent saw the general manager, and Mr. Joneu suggested that the matter should stand over until the following day. On that night the night men came to the colliery premises, but, instead of getting their lamps and proceeding to work, they held a meeting, and then returned home. The result was that the pit was sitopped. There were 124 men responsible for the stoppage, and the company sustained a losa of L34 las. Id. Mr. Nicholas, or. behalf of the defendants, admitted the breach, but he contended that the da-mages claimed were excessive, having been calculated upon what he argued to be a wrong basis. The Bench fixed the damages at 4s. 6d. each, and both learned advocates expressed them- tselves quite satisfied with the judgment.

I LOCAL WILLS. I MR. ROBERT GETHING, NEWPOBT. Mr. Robert Gething, of Briar Kill, ktow Park, Newport, who died on December 18 Ia:-<. aged 71 years, left estate of the gross value of £ 11,178 12s., with ret personalty £ 9,721 10s. 9d., and probate of his will, dated March 19. 19C2, has been granted to his widow, Mrp. Mary Milner Gething, ot Briar Hill, and his son, Mr. John Owen Kenrick Gething, of Car- gate, Bryngwyn-road, Newport, shipbroker and wood merchant. Tho testator left his household effects and IZOO to his wife, and he left to his son John Owen Kenrick Geth- ing hi? gold watch. The remainder of his personal effects the testator left to his wife. He loft his interest in his business of a coal and pitwood merchant and shipbroker to his said son, and all other bis estate, including his interest in the steamships John .Mary- church and Monmouthshire, he left to his wife and his said son in equal shares. I WILL OF MR. HAMILTON AIDE. Mr. Charles Hamilton Aide, of Ascot Wood Cottage, Ascot, poet, novelist, dramatist, and musical composer, who died on December 15 laSt. aged 76 years, left estate of the gross va-Iue of £ 43.208 ls. 9d., of which the net per- sonalty has been sworn at E42,782 12s. 7d. Pro- bate of his will. dated July 2 last, has been I r Charles Co,Ml).e granted to hie cousin, Mr. Charles Coombe Tenna,nt, of Cadoxton Lodge, Vale of Nea,th, and Mr. Luther Munday, of 10. Grafton-street, London, W. The testator bequeathed £ 2/300 each to Dame Harriet Campbell and Mrs. Mabel Munday, and a like sum equally between the children of his sister ElizG, Phillips and the Rev. W. J. Phillips. All his musical library and musical copyrights he left to Mrs. Winifred Coombe Tennant, of Cadoxton Lodge. He made bequests to his cousin Dame Dorothy Stanley, widow of Sir Henry Morton Stanley; Danzil Stanley, the adopted son of Lady Stanley; Viola Aida, daughter of Mr. Herbert Be-erbohm Tree; and Mr. Morton Fullertcn, "Times" correspondent in Paris, and the residue of his. property he left to his cousin and godson, Leopold Hamil- ton Myers.

t OBITUARY. I MR. EDWARD THOMAS, CARDIFF. A large number of people in the Vale of Glamorgan will hear with regret of the I death of Mr. Edward Thomas, hay and corn 1 merchant, Cardiff He was born near Llan. trisant about 66 years ago, and for many years occupied Caerau Farm, near Ely. On j leaving that farm he set up business as a hay and corn merchant, and regularly I attended the principal local markets. Three. weeks ago he wa,3 at the annual meeting of the Oowbridge Farmers' Club, and it was I then observed that he was not looking in the beet of health. There were very few people' better known in the Vale than Mr. Thomas, whose genial smile and caustic wit were: equally appreciated. MISS ELIZA WILLIAMS. MERTHYR. One of the oldest and most respected resi- dents of Merthyr passed away on Monday in the person of Miss Eliza Williams, of I Courtland-tcrraee. The deceased lady, who was a daughter of the late Mr. William Wil- liams, mechanical engineer, of Cyfarthfa. and a sister of Mrs. Frank James, had j attained the age of 78. She was of a most! charitable disposition. I

COUNTY COUNCIL FIGHTS. I GLAMORGAN ELECTION DATES Nomination day for the Glamorgan County I I Council elections for Pontypridd and the Rhondda has been fixed for February 28. Objections will be heard on March 1, and polling on March 8. I WEST GLAMORGAN. In the western divisions of the county of I Glamorgan very few contests are expected, i The retiring member for Ciydach and Glaisl is Mr. William Lewis, of Graigypal, Glais, manager of the Graigola and Cwmdu Col- lieries. Mr. Lewis is disinclined to seek re-! election. Mr. A. T. Williams is the present represen- tative of Llansamlet, and he seeks re-election. Mr. Williams met his constituents the other evening, and was well received. There is no likelihood of any opposition to his return, j I OWMAVON. It is understood that Mr. Herbert Evans, i J.P., is relinquishing his seat, and that, Mr. Ll. Griffith, J.P., will be a candidate. The Independent Labour Party have decided to contest both the county and district elections.

BLAMED HER HUSBAND. A young married woman, named Violet Elizabeith Winn, of 45, William-street, was charged before the Newport justices on Mon- day with stealing two pairs of boots from the shop of Joseph Phillips at 174, Chepstow- road, on Saturday evening. The assistant said he saw that she had two pairs of boots in a frail besket, in her peram- bulator. Wforn k03 eU-Pt-v, h*r *Iv> did not dmay it. afti ehrwct" taking fb- WBW "q db" --GkW- her -nxYVe jMtf to it- Ttenrfrfinod har 10b.

Miniature Rifle Clubsl QUEEN'S CUP CONDITIONS I The rules for the competition for the cup presented by her Majesty the Queen to the Society of Miniature Rifle Glubs have been iE6med by Lord Roberts. They are as follow: QUEEN'S C'UP. I a cnaiienge cup to oe competed for annually by teams selected from miniature rifle clubs in each county. A member of any club affiliated to the S.M.R.C., as also to the oounty association before July 1, will be eligible to qualify for his county team. Any association that may be deemed by the S.M.R.C. to be a representative of the county will be entitled to enter one team of ten men. There will be but one distance of 25 yards. Only open sights will be permitted. It is safe to prophesy that the last condi- tion ae to the sights will cause a tremendous outcry. Already letters of protest have appeared in the London press against this condition. The argument is that the Society of Minia- ture Rifi3 Oluibs recognise aperture sights, but yet in this national competition they are barring what their regulations permit. One authority estimates that, out of the 550 clubs affiliated with the society, over 500 use the aperture sights. In South Wales there are probably 60 affiliated clubs, and many of these clubs (against their will) have adopted aperutre sights in order to be able to compete with other clubs in the kingdom. Opinion on the question, aperture v. open sights, is probably more keenly divided in Glamorgan and Mon- mouthshire than in any other part of the kingdom, and the figlit will now probably wage fiercer than ever.

PARTED ITS CABLE Derelict in the River Severn Some excitement was caused on a steamer in the River Severn on Sunday, when a big iron mud barge was seen to be drifting about the river with nobody on board. On approaching th-e baige it was found to be the Sliedreoht, a Dutchman, of about 500 tons. Inie steamer towed it to Lydruey Dock, where it now lies. On inquiry it was found to have come from Avonmouth, where it had parted its cable.

"TURF SPECULATIONS, £ 600." ITEM IN A CADOXTON BUILDER'S DEFICIENCY ACCOIN-T. The first meeting of the creditors of John Milward, clerk of works, Wellfield. Pen- oitre, Cadoxton-Barry, was called for Mon- day at the office of the official receiver (Mr. Geo. David), Cardiff. No proofs, how- ever, had been filed, and, consequently, there was no quorum, the estate remaining in the hands of the official receiver. The examina- tion of the bankrupt has been fixed for the 1st of March. According to the statement of affairs, the gross liabiiitiee are X5,953 18s. 7d. There are five fully-secured oreditors for P,5,953 18s. 7d., a.i,d the debtor estimates the value of the securities at iE7,902, leaving a surplus, subject to realisation, of zCl,948 Is. 5d. Thic, he places as his aeeete. and states:—"I do not consider I am insolvent. My present posi- j tion is due to a slump in the property market at Ba.rry and vacancies at the houses in con- sequence of depression of trade." In his deficiency account, the debtor, amongst other items, gives the following: "boss on turf speculations, £ 600; loss on property outgoings more than income for last two years (estimated). £ 500; and depreciation on fifteen houses in Fryatt-street and seventeen houses in Sydenham-street, Barry, during the last three years." The Official Receiver, in the course of his observations, states that the debtor, who was a builder and contractor, had not traded during the last fifteen years, living upon the income from the various properties built by him, and by acting as clerk of works and architect. The debtor had disclosed no unsecured creditors, and the fully-secured creditors held mortgages upon fifteen houses at Fryattrstreet, Barry Dock, twenty-six houses at Sydenham-street, Barry Dock, and two stablea and yard at the rear of Sydenham-street, also two semi-detaohed villas at Pencoitre-road, Cadoxton. The debtor estimated a surplus of £ 1,548 ls. 5d. from these properties. "In my opinion," says the Official Receiver, in conclusion, "the deficiency account, ean,not be accepted, but I do not think it advisable to say more at this stage than that I am closely investigating it." ■

I IRISH WHISKY SCANDAL. WRITS ISSUE PENALTIES CLAIMED £ 65,000. It is stated that two writs have been issued at the suit of the Irish Inland Revenue in connection with the alleged great whisky frauds. Penalties amounting to £ 65,200 are claimed in one case for breaches of the Revenue of Excise Statutes. In the second case the claim is E200 for similar penalties for breach of the licensing. laws. The latest information regarding the irregularities alleged to have occurred at an Irish whisky distillery is to the effect that the pipe stated to have been used for con- veying the whisky from the distillery to the bonded warehouses, according to the pro- prietons of the distillery, is a water pipe, which has never been used for any improper purpose. The "Freeman's Journal" says:— "So far as we have been able to investigate the whisky charges, no fraudulent practices have been imputed to the distillery, nor is, apparently, any penalty sued for beyond that involved in the ungeographically laid down water pipe." The matter came before the House of Co-m- mons on Monday, when, i Mr. Asquith, in reply to a question by Mr. H. C. Lea, said the Inland Revenue autho- rities were in possession of information sug- gesting irregularities on a somewhat exten- sive scale in connection with dealings in spirits at Tullamore. Legal proceedings had been instituted, and the whole matter would be investigated in a court of law.

ACCIDENT IN THE SllAFT. ICWMBACH MAN SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES. Thomas Lewis, of 10, Canal-road, Cwmbaeh, died on Monday as the result of injuries received while ascending the Lletty Shenkin Colliery shaft on Saturday evening. It appears that the deceased, who was engaged as a hiteher, was ascending the pit with Henry Morris, fireman, living at Aber- dare, when the rope got off the drum, with the result that the cage, which had gone up the shaft some distance, returned to the bottom. Morris was conveyed home, and is now in a critical condition, suffering from injuries to the head and body. At first it was thought that Lewis was not seriously hurt, bnt subsequently it transpired tha,t he ha.d received internal injuries, to which he succumbed early on Monday morning.

BIG OUTLAY FOR SWANSEA MUMBLES AND THE NEW DRAINAGE SCHEME. It is not believed that the Swansea drainage scheme favoured by Mr. Chatterton, the expert called in, is likely to pass through even yet without opposition. There is a feeling that the expense will be much greater than the 1160,000 mentioned, and there is a disposition amongst certain members of the committee to join with out- side authorities of Mumbles and district, and carry a sewer out to the Mumbles Head, pro- viding for the extension of the borough west- ward. Mr. Chatterton has been requested to supply the levels of this scheme.

CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER. Another death has occurred in Dublin from cerebro-spinal fever. The report issued by the Belfast public health authorities on Monday evening states that two deaths and two fresh cases and one suspected case were notified during the day, and that there are 28 patients altogether under treatment in hospital. The total number of cases recorded up to the present is 92, of which 54 have had fatal results. There has been no further outbreak of spotted fever at Haddington, and the three children affected are progressing very satis- factorily. = = -———=

I RAILWAY PLATFORM PILFERING. Edward Parry, labourer, Merthyr Vale, was charged at Ystrad on Monday with stealing a parcel from the platform of Pontypridd rail- way station whilst in course of transit from Mountain Ash to Porth.  Mr. Cyril Brown (Messrs. Ingledew and Sons), Cardiff, who prosecuted for the com- I pany, said the alleged offence took place on Saturday last, and, as many parcels had been missed of late, he was instructed to press the charge. The parcel contained twelve I photos, two photo mounts, and five proofs, t valued 211:. 15s. A fine c £ £ l~wos imposed. or fonstajn 13.

Baby in Flames 1 CARDIFF LITTLE ONE'S FRIGHTFUL DEATH "You mothers a.re so thoughtless and care- leeB that you don't deserve to have families," exclaimed the Cardiff Coroner on Monday. At this Mrs. J. C. Dibble broke into tears. An inquest was being held on the body of her sixteen-months'-old little girl, who died from burns in the infirmary on Friday. Mrs. Dibble, who lives i-n- Heroford-street, Ura,ngetx>wn, said that on Wednesday last she was getting coke from her coal cupboard, and the baby was playing wi.th her little brother in the passage, a few yards away, She left a lighted candle on the floor while she went to the kitchen to put coke on the Are. Then there was a scream and, rmming out, she found the baby near the candlestick, w'Í:t,h her pi.nafore ablaze. She extinguished' the flaanes, and, after a doctor had dressed the injury took the child to the infirmary. The jury found a, verdict of "Accidental death."

SNOWBALL PRAYER When Mr. D. W. Williams, the American Consul at Cardiff, saw the "snowball prayer" of which complaint has been made in South Wales in the "Evening Express," and which was alleged to have been sent out in the first place by Bishop Lawrence, of the Protestant Episcopalian Church, Boston, U.S.A., he I wrote unofficially to the bishop in reepect to i.t, and received the following r,&ply: I thank yo<u for your letter. In the same mail I received four other endlees-ohain prayers. In the last few days I have received them from Australia, England, Kentucky, Cali- fornia, Minnesota, and various parte of the Atlantic States. Of course, I am in no way responsible for such a prayer, and the enclosed poet-card will give a alight idea of the efforts I have made to tell people this fact." Amongst other things, the snowball prayer conveyed a, suggestion that if the recipient did not pray and send the prayer on to nine other persons he would be accursed. Bishop Lawrence hopes that receivsrs of the prayer will destroy it.

GOT IN THE FIRST BLOW. Harry Akerman, 24, a hydraulic worker, of Queen-street, Barry, was charged by his wife, Elizabeth Susa.n Akerman, at Barry Police- court on Monday with desertion. Mr. Alfred Jackson, solicitor, defended. Complainant said she was married in March last, and three weeks ago she paid a visit to Bristol. Because she was delayed in return- ing her husband told her to go to out of it. Next day she found the furniture packed ready for removal. Her husband threatened to strike her, but she gave him a blow instead. Questioned by the clerk, complainant said she did not apply for a summons for deser- tion, but for maintenance, on the grounds of cruelty. The Bench adjourned the case for a month.

GAVE THEM THE SLIP I Mr. Pullinblank, on behalf of Merthyr i Guardians, applied at Merthyr Police-court on Monday for an order committing a boy named Ernest Victor Edwards to the Clifton Industrial School It appeared that the boy was sent from the Aberdare Training School to chapel, but he absconded, and went to his friends at Doylais. An officer of the school fetched him from Dowlais, but at Merthyr Station the youngster gave him the slip. Afterwards Mr. Batten, the relieving officer, again found him at Dowlais, and on the way to the work- house he once more made his escape. He wiu5. however, re-captured. The Bench made the order, telling the boy that if he wan ted to get home again he would have to walk through the Severn Tunnel.

STOLL'S PANOPTICON In the world (1° entertainment nothing has been more remarkable in the past few years than the revival of the popularity of the old Phil," now known as the Panopticon. Nightly the house has been crowded for a period of seven months, and to the old Car- dimans it seems just like old times to be sitting down in the favourite old place and enjoying an evening's entertainment that would he hard to beat anywhere. Every week there is something new in the pro- gramme.

I "THE HEART OF A HERO" Mr. Lingford Carson's No. 1 Company is specially engaged for the Theatre Royal, Car- diff, this week in the drama, in four acts, "Tho Heart of a Hero," which is full of pathos and humour, and abounds also in exciting and sensational incidents. Mr. Charles Draycott filled with much power the leading role of "Jem Resdale," the "Lanca- shire Lad," and Miss Muriel Thompson, as "Nell Resdale," was no lees successful. The liveliest of comedy runs parallel with drama- tic scenes in this thrilling and intensely human story-scenes enacted in all vicissi- tudes of life, from the homes of the rich to the captives in prison.

COLD WATER FOR TEA MEN I The Anti-Tea Duty League through its vice-president (Mr. J. D. Rees, M.P.), has approached the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a request that he would receive a depu tation of from between 50 and 60 members of Parliament interested in pressing for a further reduction of the tea duty. Mr. Rees has received a reply from Mr. Asquith stating that, having received a deputation last year on the same subject, and being in possession of all the facts, he thought it would be unfair to put the proposed depu- tation to the trouble of interviewing him, especially as he could not disclose anything in reference to his forthcoming Budget pro- posals.

TIN-PLATE WORKS FOR SWANSEA I It is stated in Swansea. that a movement is on foot for the establishment of a new tin- plate works, the location spoken of being Landore or Briton Ferry. Such is the hope- ful outlook of the tin-plate trade in the neigh- bourhood that Mr. Earle, a former well- known tin-plate manufacturer, who at one time was largely interested in works at Cwmavon, is said to be seeking a suitable site for the erection of works in the Swansea district.

MISHAP TO NEW DESTROYER I Lloyd's Cowes correspondent states that I during her twenty-four hours' trial at sea the torpedo destroyer No. 4 struck the ground off Atherfield, sustaining damage to the pro- peller. She has since arrived at Cowes under I her own steam.

"TEN LOONIES" AT NEWPORT I The hilarious doings of the Ten Loonies in their mad musical sketch made the per- formers great favourites with Newport I audiences on Monday night, their cleverness being greatly admired. Another very amusing item was that given by Carrie Laurie's cast. entitled A Modern School." i

NO SOLDIERS SENTENCED TO DEATH I Mr. Haldane, replying to Mr. H. c. Lea, in the House of Commons on Monday, said no soldier of his Majesty s forces, serving either at home or abroad, was sentenced to death by the military authorities during the year 1906

ASSAULTED HIS MOTHER I Thomas Lynch was summoned at Merthyr Police court on Monday for assaulting his mother, Helen Lynch, at Dowlais. I don't believe in sons knocking their mothers about in this way said the Stipen- diary in inflicting a fine of 20s. and costs.

IT NEVER, NEVER MEETS. I MYSTERY OF THE LOCAL GOVERN-I MENT BOARD. Mr. John Burns, replying to Mr. Bottomley I in the House of Commons on Monday, said he understood there had never been a meeting of the Local Government Board. The board consisted of the President, the Lord I President of the Council, the five principal Secretaries of State, the Lord Privy Seal, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Laughter.) Mr. Bottomley asked if the right hon. gentleman would consider the expediency of at once convening a meeting of the Board. I Mr. John Burns: Not if I can possibly avoid it. (Loud laughter.)

Stabbed in the Neck UNCLE AND HIS NIECE John Keating, 45, coaltrimmer, was charged before the Cardiff bench on Monday with cutting and wounding Mrs. Annie Darke, with intent, at 41, Thomas-street. Mrs. Dairke, who aplpeared to be weak, and was accommodated with a seat., said she was the wife of Thomas Darke, 12, Rutland-street, Grangetown. On Sat,urday witness's aunt (Mrs. Keating) sent for her to 41, Rutland- street, and directly she had got there prisoner made a ru?h a', her. They struggled, and prisoner stabbed her in the side of the neck with a black-handled pocket-knife. Witness screamed, and prisoner's wife pushed him away. Prisoner stabbed her twice with the sa-me weapon. Seeing the blood, witness ran out, and gave information to Police-constable Rich, amd was taken by him to the doctor. Poliee-oo useable Rich told how prosecutrix came to him at 11.30 on Saturday night. She was bleeding from the neck, and made a statement, and he took her to Dr. Cantillon, who dressed the wounds. Police-constable Philip Harding spoke to arresting prisoner just afterwards in Penarth-road. Prisoner replied, "Yes, I meant to do it; I meant it for Tim" (the injured woman's brother). Charged at the Grangetown Police-station, prisoner replied, "I am very sorry I did it to her; I meant it for Timmy." Dr. Cantillon said there were two incised wonnde on the neck—one on the side haJf an inch long and half an inch deep, and there was a similar wound towards the back of the neck on the same side. There was much bleeding, especially from one of the wounds, which was in a dangerous spot. Prisoner called ae a witness hie wife, Ellen Keating, who said her husband had been tantalised and driven to it by Timmy, the nephew, who gave him no peace, and whom he had had to turn out. The case was sent to the assizes. Prisoner was bound over to appear, himself in Lio and one surety in £10.

£ 120 A YEAR FOR SENTIMENT Cardiff Rate Collection j An important report was presented to the Cardiff Finance Committee on Monday by the city treasurer (Mr. Allcock) in reference to the collection of rates. Two vacancies having occurred on the clerical staff, Mr. Allcock recommended several changes, one of which was that Warrant- officer Elkington should be transferred to the clerical staff. and that the warrants should be served in future by the police force, as was done in other towns. The Chairman (Mr. F. J. Beavan) sadd this work used to be done by the police force, but Alderman Edward Thomas, who was not present, raised an objection to it, and a war- rant officer was appointed. Alderman Illtyii Thomas remarked that Alderman Edward Thomas objected to the warrants being sarved by constables in uni- form. The City Treasurer said it was a question whether the corpora-tion ought to pay L120 a year for mere sentiment. Mr. Vivian: Undoubtedly, Alderman E. Thomas's reason was a sentimental one. The Head-constable said the police could very well do the work, and there was no reason why the warrants should not be served by them in plain clothes. The extra cost would not be more than P,10 a vear, On the motion of Mr. Vivian, seconded by Mr. Yorath, the recommendations of the city treasurer were adopted. Another part of the report dealt with the position held by Mr. Edward Howell, superin- tendent assistant overseer, who received a salary of zC575 (of which £ 340 was compensa- tion due under the ischemo for the unification of the Cardiff parishes, £75 a year allowance for five years for re-valuation, and X160 salary). r Mr. Allcock suggested that Mr. Howell should be paid X208 16s. Id. for the re- valuation, upon which he was prepared to relinquish his position on the 31st of March next. The report was adopted. The super- annuation will, of course, continue. Mr. Alloock further reported that, apart from the armngcment with Mr. Howell, if hie suggestions were adopted, the following saving in the rates section of his department would result :-Three clerks already with- drawn to my general office, proportion of their salaries, £ 260; two vacancies filled by re-distribution of work as embodied in this report—salaries, £ 330, lees XZZ compensation I retained, £ 297; annual saving at present, £ 557.

"COFFEE COOLER'S" DRINKS Treherbert Landlord in Trouble Robert Saunders, landlord of the Smiths' Arms Hotel, Treherbert, was summoned before the Yetrad magistrates on Monday for permitting drunkenness on his premises and serving a drunken man. Mr. Charles Matthews (Messrs. G rover and Matthews) defended. Inspector Williams stated that on January 16 he, with another offioer, visited the hotel named. Entering the bar he saw a man named Morris, who was sleeping and very drunk; beside him was a pint measure con- taining a quantity of beer. The defendant was behind the bar drinking whisky hot, and seemed to be under its influence. On calling the attention of Mr. Saunders to the man's condition he called out, "Davy, do you see who is looking at you?" but no notice was taken When the alleged drunken person was eventually aroused he informed the witness, "I Qm the 'Coffee Cooler,' Dai Morris." Mr. T. P. Jenkins: But the "Coffee Cooler" was black. Was Morris blaok? Witness: No, sir; but he was not very clean. (Laughter.) Sevenal witnesses were called for the de- fence, including the landlord and Morris, who denied that he was drunk. A dis- crepancy, however, arose in the evidence as to the time that the incident took place and that given by the police, the difference being about two hours. The Stipendiary, accepting the statements of Inspector Williams and Police-constable James, imposed fines of Y,2 for permitting, and JE2 for serving, with costs in both caeee- in all, 15 10s.

I ALL ABOUT A "DEVIL" I Underground Assault I David Rees, assistant timberman at the Tydraiw Colliery (Messrs. Cory Bros.), Treher- bert., summoned John Macey at Ystrad on Monday for assaulting him underground. Mr. A. T. James (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) represented the plaintiff, and Mr. T. J. Hughes, Bridgend, defended. In the course of his evidence Reee stated that on Monday last he lost an instrument used to take out old timbers, called a "devil." Ultimately, after a fruitless search, defen- dant told him he was not trying to find it, called him a liar, and said he had found it himself. Three days after this incident Macey visited his working place, chal- lenged him to fight, clutched him by the throat, pushed him against the side of the colliery, and struck him a blow on the chest. Witness begged for mercy, and on being released reported the case to the manager, and, on his advice, took out a summons. Defendant's story' was that he had not committed the assault, but merely took Rees by the collar. The Bench imposed a fine of JE3 and costs.

INEQUALITY OF THE SEXES I Curious Legal Point from Pontypool I In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr. HAY MORGAN (R., Cornwall, Truro) asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention had been called to the decision of the Court of King's Bench in the case of the Pontypool Union v. Buck, to the effect that a married woman with ample separate estate was not liable to con- tribute towards the maintenance of her parents; and whether, in view of the fact that a son was so liable, he proposed to introduce legislation with a view of remov- ing this distinction between the sexes, by which an unfair burden was cast upon the ratepayers. Mr. BURNS said he was aware of the deci- sion referred to. He had taken notice of the point, but he could not promise to introduce legislation on the subject at the present time.

SOLICITOR SENT TO GAOL I Percival Aaron Albert Weston Young, Bris- tol, solicitor, was sentenced at Bristol on Monday to eighteen months' imprisonment in the second division for converting a cheque for 1190 to his own use. The money, which represented the savings of a labourer] had since been repaid.

I I lw]BITS INSURES YOU FOR I 219000

I The Wreck off Nash. I CHIEF ENGINEER'S ILLNESS, I Mr. R. Aitken, chief engineer of the steam- ship Orianda, sunk on Sunday off the Nash after collision with the steamship Heliopolis, remains at. his home at Blaeficlydach-street, Cardiff, suffering severely from the effects of his experiences in the wreck. He is Buffer- OAPT. JOHN WILLIAMS, OF THE ORIANDA, I WHO WAS DROWNED. ing seriously from a nasty wound on the leg and shook to the system generally. The doctor has given strict orders that he is not to be seen by anyone outside the immediate fa,m,i,ly -eirole. The three seamen who survived have been stupplied by Mr. S. Hall, the superintendent MR. W. H. BEVAN. I (Third Engineer.) [Photo Atkinson, Chester. of the Board of Trade, with oloth. He has also paid their fare to Cardiff. Mr. Hall is the agent for the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. Mrs. Williams, the widow of the unfor- tunate obtain of the Orianda, is, very naturally, prostrate with grief. She had come from Borth to Cardiff to wish her hus- band bon voyage, and she has now decided not to return home until her husband's body has been recovered. We understand that the hull and machi- nery of the Orianda. were insured for £ 4,500 with mutual clubs.

NAVAL SNUBS RESENTED I Regrettable friction has arisen between the civic and naval authorities at Devonport in connection with the visit this week of the Prince and Princess of Wales to open the dockyard and extension works. In conse- quen-ce thereof, the mayor on Monday addressed a letter to Admiral Beaumont stating that he had conferred with several members of the council, who have had an opportunity of considering the whole circum- stances, as to the treatment of the borough and himself (the mayor) in connection with the forthcoming Royal visit, and, in order to give effect to the wishes of those concerned, and in deference to the general feeling, he begs to decline all invitations. The corpora- tion desired to present an address of welcome to the Prince and Princess, but permission was refused, as was also the request that the Royal visitors should drive through the inhabited portion of the borough. Moreover, no member of the corporatipon except the mayor was invited to the opening ceremony. Therefore, the corporation refused to decorate the streets, and the mayor ha-s now declined to participate in the ceremony.

SOAP TRUST LIBEL CASE. I The Glasgow "Daily Record" (Limited) appealed on Monday against an order of Mr. Justice A. T. Lawrence, in chambers, in an action for alleged libel brought by Mr. Joseph Wateon and Messrs. Joseph Watson and Sons (Limited), eoap manufacturers, Leeds. The question was whether the learned judge was right in giving the plaintiffs leave to serve the writ out of the jurisdiction, the defendants, the proprietors of the Daily Record and Mail," being a Scottish com- pany. The alleged libels were contained in three articles which appeared in defendants' news- paper, and which plaintiffs alleged con- stituted attacks upon them in their business. and related to the proposed Soap Trust. In respect of two of the articles an injunction was claimed, the statements complained of being to the effect that plaintiffs had sold soa.p whiieh was labelled lib., but which was short in weight. Mr. Rufns Isaacs, K.C., for the appellants, submitted that this was not a case in which leave for service out of the jurisdiction ought to be granted. Sir Edward Carson, K.C., for plain- tiffs, submitted that the judge's order was right. This was not, he said, an ordinary action for libel. It was a concealed attack by a number of newspapers forming the Harmsworth group upon Messrs. Watson and the proposed Soap Trust. This particular pamper circulated in the North of England, and enormous damage had been done to Messrs. Watson there by the libellous statements made. Judgment waA reserved. I

A TOWN IN MOURNING. I The whole of the city of Bologna was in mourning garb on Monday for the funeral of Signor Carducci. Black drapery and dag)3 half-mast high were to be seen everywhere. Shops were shut. tramways were not running, and the lamps along the funeral route were lit and veiled in crepe. The streets and I (public places along the route of the funerali procession were crowded, and every window a,nd balcony was filled with spectators- Renter.

COLONIAL CONFERENCE Mr. Winston. Churchill, replying to Sir I Howard Vincent in the House of Commons on Monday, said that the Colonial represen- tatives who would attend the forthcoming Colonial Conference would be the guests of the nation during their stay in this country. (Oh?rs.) The conference would probably open on April 13.

DRIVER TO BE PUT ON TRIAL I Mr. Shaw, replying to Mr. Laidlaw in the House of Commons on Monday, said that George Gourlay, the driver of the ill-fated train which was smashed up at Elliot Junc- tion on December 28, was to be brought to trial on March 11. I

BELFAST STRIKE ENDED I The strike in the spinning department of the i'ork-street Flax Spinning and Weaving Company (Limited), Belfast, by which 2,200 operatives have been idle for a week, ended on Monday, the workers returning to their employment on the terms existing at the time of the dispute.

I LLAN ELLY SENSATION EX-ESTATE AGENT'S FIT OF ABERRATION I MR, BLAKE DISCHARGED I Mr. George Blake, uaitil recently agent to the Stradey Estate, was brought up at Llan- elly court on Monday on a charge of attempted suicide. Mr. D. Randell appeared for the defence, and Mr. D. R. Edmunds wa,tohed the proceedings on behalf of Mr. Mansel Lewis, Stradey Castle. The defendant, who wg, allowed to sit in the body of the court near his advocate, seemed to have recovered from the wound in the throat, but he has aged consideraibiy. Evidence waa given by Mary Owen, the defendant's housekeeper. She said that her master oame home to lunch as usual on the morning of the occurrence. Soon afterwards he went out to the garden. A few minutes later she had oocasion to go to the garden, and found Mr. Blake lying near the green- house with a gash in his throat She spoke to him, but he made no reply. Witness at once ran back to the houae and telephoned for assistance. The Olerk: Had the defendant been in his usual health before this occurred?—No, not quite; he was not taking his meals as usual. Had he ever said anything about doing something to himself?—No, never. Was there anything in his manner that made you faar he would do something to him- self?—No, William Lewis, chief clerk at the Stradey Estate pffice, said that he was summoned by telephone to Mr. Blake's house. Earlier tha-t day he had seen him apparently in his usual health. He found him lying in the garden. Witness lifted him up, and found that he had a wound in his throat, from which blood was flowing, Gopd God! what have you done, sir?" was the witness's exclamation, and defendant made some reply, which could ¡ not be understood. With assistance, witness I conveycd him to the house. Dr. Evan Evans deposed that he was sum- moned to see the defendant, whom he found lying on the floor of the dining-room. He was in a very collapsed state, and suffering from an incised wound in the neck. The Clerk: What appearance did the wound present?—It had certainly been done by a sharp instrument. It was a clean cut across the windpipe 4in. or Sin. long. The Clerk: Do you know whether the wound was self-inflicted?—-No. You can't say that, but there can be no doubt?—It wae soon after I arrived a razor was handed to me. Might the wound have been caused by that? —Yes. Had you seen the defendant recently before that day?—Yes, on the previous Wednesday. What was his condition then?—I did not examine him professionally, but he seemed to be perfectly normal. Was there any indication then of what is alleged to have taken place on the following Monday ?—None whatever. I Arising out of that answer, I think you had better tell their worships what his present condition is?—Perfectly normal. What was his condition on the day of the occurrence?—I don't think he was responsible for his actions. Then it was a fit of aberration?—A mind deranged temporarily. Was there any caiuse which might have brought that about?—I can't say. Mr. Randell; From your observation, can you form any conclusion as to his state of mind that day?—I don't think he was responsible for his actions that day. Assuming that Mr. Blake were committed for trial to-day, do you think that the suspense would have a detrimental effect upon him?—I think it would. Is he perfectly able to take care of him- self now?—Oh, yes. Police-sergeant Britten deposed that he a.rrested the defendant that morning on a warrant. In reply the defendant said, "I have no recollection of the occurrence." Re-called, Dr. Evans said that it was oommon knowledge that the defendant's con-1 nection with the Stradey Estate had ceased. Causes of this kind were quite sufficient in some cases to temporarily unhinge the mind and make a person not responsible for his actions. Mr. Randell having addressed the court, The Bench said they had only two courses open to them-either to commit defendant for trial or to discharge him. After hearing the medical evidence, although it was not within their province to inquire into the de- fondant's mind at the time of the occurrence, they considered that, with such evidence, no jury would convict, and they decided to dis- charge defendant.

"THE EARL AND THE GIRL" A new edition of "The Earl and the Girl" appea-rs at the New Theatre this week, and on Monday met with all the success which the piece has made on its previous visit. There are several new members, and new scenery and new actors altogether make the play practically a new thing. But, while there are changes in several characters, one would have been sorry to have seen anyone taking the .place of Mr. William Stephens in the role of "Jim Cheese," The dog-trainer playing the earl is a character which is so full of humour that it needs an actor like Mr. Stephens, full of humour himself, to play the part adequately. He made himself so popular with Cardiff people on his last visit, that they would have been sorry to miss him again, and he has added to his part new topical jests that will this week make him more acceptable than ever. One of the prettiest of the new things in the piece is the dance "L'Entenite Oordiale," which comes on early in the second act. Half a dozen pretty ladies in costumes of half a dozen countries make a charming spectacle in diversely-coloured dresses in a scene which is quite happy and quite new to the play. Another introduction is the pretty sentimental song, When love comes knocking at the door," which Miss Frances Earle sings with so much effect. Miss Earle is a thoroughly charming "Elphin Hage," and gives to her part all the piquancy and liveliness which have made it always a favourite. Miss Jennie Richards is one of the best of low comediennes as "Liza Shoddam," and the company altogether make the piece even more entertaining than on its last appearance. This week is sure to be a continuation of Monday night's success.

SWANSEA FISH SUPPLIES I With regard to the insufficient supply of fish by Swansea trawlers recently, the mana- ger of the Castle Trawlers (Limited) writes, saying that comparisons with Milford are unfair, for at Milford the trawlers number 70, as against 20 at Swansea. The company, he says, are building eight new steamers and doing everything possible to establish firmly the fish trade in Swansea, and they were unjustly blamed for the slackness of sup- plies. "We removed from Milford," he says, "at considerable expense, expecting to reap many benefits at Swansea; but instead of reaping these benefits we now find ourselves saddled by the town with charges which were non. existent at Milford or any other port where fish is landed in the British Isles, and, in- stead of receiving the encouragement which one would naturally think would be meted out to an industry of such vast possibilities, in this respect we have been sadly dis- appointed."

OLD SEA DOGS CAN BARK I In the House of CommonB on Monday Mr. Robertson informed Mr. H. C. Lea, who called atte-ntion to certain public attacks made by Admiral C. C. Penrose Fitzgerald and Captain F. W. Lowther, R.N., on Commo- dore Galloway and Admiral Sir John Fisher, that, while the Government regretted that retired officers had occasionally shown tbem- selves lacking in the discretion which the responsibility of their position required, they did not consider that the powers of removing an officer's name from the list and the conse- quent forfeiture of retired pay should be exercised in amy but grave oases.

THE BOMB THAT SMELT I An official inspection of the Cambridge Guildhall, where Mr. Keir Hardie experienced some lack of reverent appreciation on Satur- day night, shows that the bottle of offen- sive fluid was not thrown through the window, as at first reported, but that it was somehow inserted through a pane of stained glass which had been broken, and was exploded by chemical action. A good deal of damage was done, which will have to be ma-de good by the conveners of the meeting.

LANDLORDS TO BE WATCHED In the House of Commons on Monday Mr. Asquith, replying to Mr. Montagu and Mr. Rowlands, said the proceedings of land- lords regarding their agreements with tenants, in view of the oommg operation of the AgricultnraJ Holdings Act would be care- fully watched, and if it should appear that the intentions of Parliament were being evaded the Government wouVi not hesitate to take prompt action.

'I Object to Her Family' I MERTHYR DOMESTIC QUARREL Da-vid PoweN, an underground haulier, living at Gi 1 fach-Bargoed, was summoned at Merthyr Police-court on Monday for per- sistent cruelty to his wAe. Mr. F. P. Charles appeared for tihe complainant, who stated that she was Z1 years of age, and was married on the 1st of March of last year. He had beaten, her on several occasions. Once he had tried to strangle her, and onoe he had endeavoured to throw her into the river. On the 7th of February he ill-used her ana told her to go and stop with her rela- tiOTis, and but for the interference of a, lodger he would have killed her. On the 8th he again told her to go away, and threatened that if she would not have been gone when he came back from work he would" finish her. The Stipendiary asked the defendant if b.6, wished to ask håa wife any questions. "Yon are not afraid of your wife?" his worship' ventured to suggest. "NO," was the defendant's reply, "I respect her too mudh to be afraid of her. I object to her family," said the defendant. "Wllen you marry a woman you generally marry her mother as well," observed Sir Mar-ohan,t, amid a roar of laughter. The defendant said his wife had tJHtened to ruin him by getting a separation order, saying that she would have an allowance of., 10s. a week and be "a lady." "Yom would object to her going to the House of Commons and kicking up a row, I suppose?" put in the magk/^iteg'-clerk. In tile result, the Bencfh made a separation order, with 6s. per week alimony. At a subsequent stage Mr. W. W. Meredith. who had been instructed for the defence, and who was not present during the hearing, asked that the case should be restored for rehearing upon payment of costs. Mr. Meredith said he had been detained in his office a;nd unable to come into court and put before the bench an aspect of the case that might have altered their decision. Sir Miarahant WilliaanB said he was always anxious to be considerate to barristers and solicitors engaged in cases before him, but this was a matter of business, and the busi. ness of the court and the time of gentlemen who were not paid for attending could not be wasted because a gentlemau who was paid for attending was detained by other busi. neee.

SUPPOSED POISONING Cecilia Williams, a middle-aged woman.: living at 83, Baldwin-street, Newport, the wife .? owr?ort, the wife of Samuel Williams, employed as a dock labourer, is alleged to have attempted suicide on Monday by taking poison at her reei-i dence. It appears that she had of late been' troubled with bad eyesight, for which she ha,d been receiving treatment at Cardiff Infir- mary. The malady had, no doubt, depreaged her. It is stated that she took some of the lotion wtuoh had been supplied to her for thE affected eyee. She was removed to the New- I port and County Hospital, where she now lie* in a critical condition. M m Williams's husband stated that his wife had been affected with cataract and had suffered great pain. Early on Monday njortung. after being up nearly aU night, she rtold him that she had poisoned hcrs-elf. He I went down stairs and found that 8he had taken some of the lotion which Had been obtained for her eyes.

I SWANSEA REFUSE ON ABERAVON BEACH '] During the recent high tides the AberavoK Beach has again been the depositing ground for the Swanses refuse which is tipped it II the Channel. The climax was arrived at on Saturday, when for a distance of upwards oP two miles from the North Pier the beach was thickly strewn with refuse, including oertaioi marked and labelled articles which had been; placed in the sea on February 4 by Mr. W. E. Evans, the Aberavon Council's sanitary' inspector, under the superintendence of i well-known nautical gentleman, who has had many yea.rs' experience of the tide currents in the Channel. From the position in which these articles were put into the sea it is con sidered to be positively demonstrated that it is the Swansea refuse which is penodical!y washed up. Mr. Bell, the Swansea borough surveyor, will submit a. report to to-morrow's (Wednes- day's) meeting of the Swansea. Council on the deposits of refuse on Aberavon Beach. Mr Bell states that he is not now in a position to deny the evidence produced by the Aber avon authorities. Something will now hav( to be done," said Mr. Bell, and the town- clerk win probably make a, statement upor my report."

ELECTRIC SUPPLY IN NEATH DISTRICT. I NEW ARRANGEMENT WITH SOUTfi WALES POWER COMPANY. Mr. William Howell, J.P., presided over th<? electric lighting sub-oommittee of the Neath Rural District Council on Monday, whep information was received that the South Wales Power Distribution Company was about to undergo re-construction. This rei construction, it was stated, means a greal deal to the Neath District Council, who hav< completed their local system for lighting the district, a system which, however, if dependent upon the company for power. The inability of the company to car^y out this work would be fraught with most serious results, for the council have expended £ 20 00( on their scheme. The only alternative woulc be the erection of a local power-station at a cost of about £ 7,000. The agreement between the Neath Counci and the company will now hold g^oor d and power will be supplied for ?? per uni 'which will be sold at 4d. per unit. The priM of gas is 38. per thousand. The c?nci? looking forward to a substantial profit fro? private consumers, and \igorous canvassing is proceeding.

CARDIFF TRADER LOST. A Llyd's meerag-e from Gibra?Mar sa," tha tho ?Bnti- sh. steamer M?brid?, from CMdif for the River Platel was abandoned sinkinj 46deg. N., 9d:eg. W., on February 14. The crew were taken off by the German steamer Croebafels and landed at Gibraltar. T,he 3felbri-dge is a steel screw steamer of 2,868 tons register, and is owned by the Tem- perley Steamship Company (Limited) 01 Ijondon.

I LIBERAL MAJORITY FALLS j CAPTAIN WARING RETURNED FOE I BANFFSHIRE. The result of the polling which took plaot I in Banffshire on Saturday for the election of a member in the place of the late Mr. Black was made known on Monday as follows I Captain Waring (L.) 3? Mr. William Wtit?a.w (U.) I,L,92I Liberal majority 2009 Previous pollings ha?v? v**™ — 1895. Sir W. Wedderburn (L) 2,977 J. A. Duff (U) 2,467 Lib. maj. 510 1900. 2,76!!J I 1900. I G: W?tt,aQc.C. (L?6)* 2L:4 7 11 Lib. mai gan I 1906. A. W. Slack (L) i A. W. Black (L) ? 4 ,? { J.C.ara?([J). L? ma.j 2,200 1 SOUTH ABERDEEN. I Mr. ueorge B. Esslemont (Liberal), lAr. Ronal 1 M Neill (Unionist), and Mr. Fred Bramley (Socialist and Labour) were on Mon- day duly nominated as candidates for the election in South Aberdeen. The polling takeS place to-morrow (Wednesday).

WANTED A DRINK. ( auouaei o Keefe and Florence M'Carthj" were charged at Merthyr on Monday with stealing a, chair, the property of Gabriel Freedman. Dowlais. Prisoners said they were short of money. and took the ohair because they wanted ? drink. O'Keefe was sent down for fourteen dayS amd the other man for seven.

Paisley Flour is Brown & Poison's Raising Powder for Home-baking. It enables you to bake at home more successfully and with less trouble than ever before. Get a 3id. or 7d. packot to-daj and try Jam Sandwich for teL Ratipe ki paefcst