Evening Express

MINES INSPECTION. A Larger Staff Needed. By MR. WILLIAM BRACE, M.P, I (Vice-President of the South Wales I Miners' Federation]. The Colliery Guardian," one of the official organs of the employers, has given considerable space in a recent issue to a discussion of mines inspec- tion. The question is certainly one of outstanding importance to all parties, not the least of whom are the work- men. During the last decade the number of workmen employed in the mines of the country have increased by over 150,000," but there has been no corresponding increase of inspectors. Indeed, as a fact, the inspectorate is practically what it was, numerically, before the increase of workmen took place. It is said that by the trans- ference of a good deal of clerical work the inspectors have been able to devote more time than formerly to the actual work of inspecting collieries. Possibly that is so; but from the workmen's standpoint there is yet good ground for saying that there should be a larger number of inspectors; as the method of inspection at present in operation is by no means ideal. What the miners have been demanding for years is that a sufficient number of inspectors should be appointed to allow a complete exam- ination of each colliery to be made once in every six months, and that the report of such inspection should be written at the colliery, while everything was fresh and clear in the mind of the inspector making the report. In putting forward this demand the workmen do not press for the whole of the proposed additional inspectors the high standard of qualifications that the Home Office under the present system insists upon. In short, what the work- men ask in their amended Mines Bill is that there shall be one inspector for every 10,000 workmen employed. The staff of inspectors may be composed of a certain number of chief inspectors, who would possess the highest possible qualifications as mining authorities; the rest would not need such a high qualify- ing standard, and, naturally, would have a lower salary; or, if it were thought desirable, there could be three grades of inspectors—chief and assis- tants, with the same qualifying standards as at present, with a number of additional inspectors, or examiners, who would be able to pass, say, an exam- ination similar to what is now fixed for second-class managers' certificates, and who would receive a salary of from £ 150 to E2,00 a year. The article I am commenting upon expresses the opinion that there should be no class of inspectors created of the rule of thumb order. I do not know quite what is meant by this phrase, but if it means that no man is capable of efficiently examining a colliery unless he possesses all the knowledge that a theoretical and practical—especially theoretical—education could equip him with, I beg respectfully to differ. In many of the leading collieries in South Wales and Monmouthshire, and possibly the kingdom, it is not unusual to have upon the staff an official who could not pass the most elementary scientific exam- ination in ruining, but whootdd give points to most highly trained scientific men in dealing with difficult problems connected with coal mining, both as regards safety and cost of production. There is hardly a firm of any size that has not one or more of these uneducated, but withal very capable, men attached to the official staff, and when any ques- tion has to be dealt with which has baffled the mind of the chief, with all his scientific knowledge, the one man he generally calls into conference to assist him, above all others, is not the smart young man who romped home in the examination for his certificate, but the old, unlettered, tried, and trusted official who holds no certificate unless it be one of service. With this knowledge present with me, it is in no very confident manner that I venture the suggestion that a second- class certificate examination for the lower class of inspectors or examiners may be desirable if that had to be made a hard-and-fast rule, because unless the Home Secretary reserve discretionary power to make appointments outside this qualifying condition, I am quite persuaded that at all times the most useful men for the particular class of work I am discussing would not be at the disposal of the Home Office. As a general rule, of course, one cannot resist the qualifications that a certificate won in examination gives a man; still, there are notable exceptions, and upon a question of this character provision should be made which would enable an exceptional man without a certificate to come in. It is no news to be told that the mines inspectors unanimously hold the view "that they are only called upon to sample' a mine or a district in a mine, and not to carry out a thorough examination of every working place." Naturally, they would arrive at this con- clusion, for it is only upon this prin- ciple that the present limited staff of mines inspectors could carry out the seinblance of an examination or inspec- tion. But that it is a satisfactory method I most strongly contest, and cannot but feel while doing so that there is much to deplore when a journal speaking in the name and on behalf of employers of labour should hang on to this expres- sion of the inspectors, made with special reference to their limitations under existing conditions, as if it were a sound and substantial reason against future alteration or reform in the ins- torat-o department. It, surely, is advantageous to employers, as well as workmen, that mines inspection should be thorough and exhaustive. General managers invari- ably declare this to be their greatest desire. Time and again when I have had to deal with matters arising out of workmen examiners' reports, made under General Rule 38, with the chief agents of collieries, they have said to the workmen's examiners in my presence that they would not thank them to gloss over any defects in the management, as accurate reports made by the workmen's representatives form the most complete I check they could have upon their own official staff. To me such a method of inspection at best is little short of a gamble. An inspector under the present system decides to examine, say, District No. 1. If that district is in good working order, even if the other districts in the colliery are in a highly dangerous condition, the inspector will accept the district he has sampled" as the average and take all the other districts at that standard. The alternative would apply. Should Dis- trict No. 1 be bad, then all districts would be taken as bad, although they would not -be open to complaint were they examined. As I look upon this system, it is fair neither to employers nor workmen, and cannot, I imagine, be a matter of such satisfaction as this journal contends even to the inspectors themselves. How would a more com- plete system of inspection deprive or relieve" the manager of responsibility? One can be pardoned for thinking that it would add to his responsibility. By the" sampling" method he would be able, if he cared, and were lucky, to evade his responsibility and not be found out, a temptation he or his under officials would hardly be likely to give way to. if they knew for certainty that when the inspector came every portion of the colliery would be carefully examined and explored. Explosions never have their origin in the safe por- tions of the mine; they generally com- mence in the worst spot, but they carry death and disaster through the entire area.

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK The industrial outlook at Glanamm.an oon. tinues gloomy. A strike affecting 500 men has been in progress at the Gellioeidri-ra eciiiiery since November 1 last, causing a loss in wages of about £ 4,000 monthly, and there are no signs of immediate settlement. It is feared that the Raven Sheet Works will also be idle for some time. This will taffect over 250 men. The members of the Welsh Artisans' Society employed at the works tendered notices which expired on March 2, owning to a dispute regarding the greaseman and millwright's assistant. The notices were extended until March 30 for Mr. J. H. John, the society's secretary, to produce sufficient date to the management to show that the men affected were under- paid as compared with those similarly engaged in other works. The men, on these conditions, resumed work, after one of them had been out on strike for nine weeks. As no evidence was forthcoming from Mr. John, this matter was disposed of, but just before the extended notices expired he insisted on am increase of 10 per cent, being paid to the stokers, though only one is a member of the Union. This the management refused to concede, with the result that the works will, probably, remain, idle for some considerable time, unless the Welsh Artisans' Society's demand will be withdrawn.

I CONSIGNED OFFICER TO WARM PLACE I Henry Jones, a labourer, Brynmawr, was charged at Brecon Borough Police-court on Tuesday with having been drunk and dis- orderly and damagiug the cell at the police- station on Monday. When Police-constable Edwards advised the prisoner to be quiet the latter told him to go to h-Prisoner: A, nice warm place. (Laughter.) The Magistrates'-clerk: It was hot enough without that yesterday I should have thought. (More laughter.) It was added that during the night the prisoner tore his clothes into shreds and damaged the cell to the extent of 2s. 6d. J ones, who pleaded that he had sunstroke whilst in India, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

BURGLARS AT WHITCHURCH I Burglars entered the house of Mr. Thomas Stephens, College-road, Whitchurch, and ransacked the rooms, in one of which they came across about zEl 14s. in. money. Entry was made through a. window art the bo..c-k, I the family at the time being all out.

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING I The Gathays Wesleyan Harriers held their second annual handicap, the course being about sax-asnd-a-balf miles. The prize-wimners were :-lst, H. Tonkin; 2nd, S. Male; 3rd, E. Hollyman; 4th, H. S. Pryce. j

gTBYENS' BREA.D— I gegvMt. «Mi

Sensation in America. MR. ROOSEVELT AND THE TRUSTS! Publication of "Stolen Papers." The Xew York World" on Tuesday pub- lished a letter writtea by Mr. Harriman in 1905 to Mr. Sidney Webster, the expert in international law. In this letter Mr. Hirri- man declared that he was appealed to by the President as the last hope of the party, and as a result he helped to raise a fund of a quarter of a million dollars for the Repub- lican campaign in New York State. Of th3Jt sum he gave 50,000 dollars ( £ 10,000) from his own pocket. The letter also declares that President Roosevelt agreed to appoint Mr. Chauncey Depew as Ambassador to Prance, and later helped to get him returned for the Senate. Mr. Harriman says that he raised the £ 50,000 fund in four hours. He gave the money to Mr. C. N. Bliss, who handed it over to Mr. Oortelyou, the chairman of the Repub- lican National Campaign Committee.—Cen- tral News. Mr. Harriman's Explanation Mr. Edward H. Harriman announces in the New York Times" that certain papers of his have been stolen and sold to a newspaper witjaout his authority, and that the news- paper refuses to give them up.—Renter. The President's Denial Mr. Roosevelt has issued a statement characterising Mr. Harriman's charge as "a deliberate a.nd wilful untruth, which by rights should be characterised by even a shorter and uglier word. "-P-A-uter. Sensation of the Hour All the New York papers devote columns to the controversy. The affair is decidedly the sensation of the day. While the publication in Wall-street of Mr. Roosevelt's reply to Mr. Harriman m-ay not have directly caused the selling of stocks, it was one of tihe adverse influences-of the day, owing to the fear that an extension. of the personal quarrel between the representatives of railroad magnates and the Govern.ment might disturb the market.- Renter.

WANTED" HIS KIDDIES." f Wolfram Court, aged 24, an electrician, said to be well-connected, was charged at Gravesend with being on premises for an unlawful purpose. An alarm having been raised late at night the police found Court in a bedroom with his throat cut and a razor was lying under the bed. The wound, however, was super- ficial. He told the police that his wife, having obtained a separation order, left him, and took their two children with her to the house where he was found. He said he yearned to be with "the little kiddies" again, and waited at night below the bedroom window. On hearing their voices he could not resist the impulse to climb up to the room. There he nursed them until their mother ap- proached. He overheard her say hard things against him, and in a fit of despondency he drew the razor across his throat. The prisoner was remanded for the ap- pearance of his father, a retired gentleman, who had been asked to come aud seek per- mission to take him away.

MADMAN BITES A POLICEMAN. The famous Gingerbread Fair which is held annually on the Place de la Nation, Paris, was the scene of a dreadful affair. A chemist's assistant named Leonard Pel- letier was badly bitten some ten months ago by a cat thought to be mad. He was under treatment for a fortnight in the Pasteur Institute, and discharged as cured. He ha-d been drinking heavily during the day, and in the evening went to the fair. There he suddenly showed symptoms of hydrophobia, foamed at the mouth, and made several attempts to bite the bystanders, who fled belter skelter. A policeman, Julesnit;, took Pelletier by the arm, but the madman seized his hand and nearly bit one of his flngere off. Pel- letier was finally overpowered, and is now, with his victim, at the Pasteur Institute once more.

I INSUBORDINATE SAILORS. I A sailor named Choimet, of the Valmy, who has been sentenced by court-martial to five years' convict labour for insulting and threatening his superior, was paraded before the troops at Cherbourg. As Choimet passed a sailor named Fouge- ray, who was in the ranks, cried out: "Don't take it to heart, Choimet; "I'll join you soon." The same afternoon Fougeray picked a quarrel with Sergeant Henri Gravet, assaulted and threw him on the ground, and then drawing a long knife stabbed him in various parts of the body. Fougeray, who would have killed his victim had timely help not been forthcoming, was arrested and lodged in goal. Gravet's injuries are such as to plaoe his life in danger.

I LOST JEWELLERY. During the first three months of the present yea.r more than 200 articles of jewellery have been lost and advertised for in the London papers. Rewards as hig-h as £[1) have been offered, so that the value of the lost articles must be large. No fewer than 38 of the advertised articles have been brooches, of which the majority were of diamonds. Bracelets have numbered 30, of which 27 were of gold set with precious stones. Penda.nts and crosses total 32, and necklaces twelve, of which five were of pearl. Only sixteen watches have been advertised as lost, and an equal number of ringF. Eiar-rings, match- boxes, purses, and various other articles make up the total. The majority of the lost jewels belonged to women.

I RUNAWAY BOY'S FAREWELL. Mother turned me out of doors, and I have been sleeping in vans for a week," said a little boy of eleven named Harold Royan, who was found sleeping in Burwood-mews, Edgware-road. The mother put a very different complexion on the story at Marylebone Police-court, when the lad was charged with being found wandering. She said his etory was un true. He stole 4s. 6d. from his sister. Witness gave him a thrashing and sent him to bed. Next morning she found that he had absconded, leaving behind the following note: Dear Ma,-I am leaving home because you have found out about the money, and I am ashamed of myself. It was not the first time the lad had stolen money, added Mrs. Royan. Mr. Paul Taylor advised her to charge the boy if he did it again, and then he would be birched. So that Harold should know the fate ¡ hanging over his head the magistrate directed the assistant gaoler to show the court birch- rod to him.

I BEER CANS IN MOURNING. ) The workers of the great breweries at St. Louis have struck work for better wages and other claims. The saloons in the neighbourhood are harbouring their resources, and have stopped the jug trade in order that the customer at the bars may not be deprived of supplies. Beer cans draped in crepe are displayed at the doors of the saloons as a sign of mourn- ing for the strike. Meanwhile the brewers are making a good attempt, to bluff their men into the idea that they are not indispensable. The sons of some of these millionaire proprietors are at work stripped to the waist stoking the fur- naces and loading the brewery wagons.

HYSTERICS IN COURT. After a man had been sentenced by the Kingston magistrates to a month's hard labour for theft, his daughter, who was sit- ting in the gallery, was seized with hysterics. She screamed, "Oh, father! Oh, father!" and fell in a fit. The court officials carried her outside, where a friend of the girl's was similarly seized. It was some time before they recovered.

LACK OF YOUNG BACHELORS. There is a fact of romantic interest in the annual report of Dr. W. G. Willoughby. medical officer, on the health of Eastbourne. There is, it appears, a lack of marriageable men in the town. The census returns show that miales pre- ponderate at the ages of one to fourteen, and at ages below one and above fourteen females preponderate. After the age of 50 there is not much difference, the greatest excess being at the ages of twenty to 30, when the females are nearly twice as numerous as the males. It is daimed that the young ladies of Eastbourne poeses6 in a high degree health, beauty, skill in games, and no small stock of accomplishments. Yet it appears their chances of marriage a.re necessarily smaller than ahould be the oaae.

STEVKKS* BSEiAn— iB-gxsat rtjiuefiV

Mental State of Thaw. IMPORTANT EVIDENCE BY SPECIALIST The Payment of Witness's Fees I When the Commission in Lunacy which is inquiring into Thaw's mental condition resumed its sittings at New York on Tues- day, Dr. Hamilton, the specialist who main- tains that the prisoner is still Insane, was one of a large array of witnesses cited by the prosecution. Among those present in court was Mrs. Thaw, dressed in a dark brown cloth costume, trimmed with brown leather, and wearing a black straw sailor hat, over* which wag drawn an automobile veil. She wore, also, a flat linen collar, caught with a brown Windsor tie. Dr. Frank A. M'Guire, the regular physi- cian of the Tombs Prison, was the first wit- ness called. He spoke to the apparent rationality of the prisoner, but admitted that he had not examined him particularly with a view to testing his sanity. Among others who gave evidence to a similar effect were several prison warders. Emily S. Walker, a probation officer and a constant visitor to the Tombs Prison; the Rev. John Armstrong, episcopal chaplain to the prison, and the Rev. Luke J. Evers, Roman Catholic chaplain. Dr. Hamilton was then called, but counsel for the defence strenuously objected to his being heard, on the ground that his relations with the prisoner were those of physician and patient. The evidence was admitted. Mr. Jerome then asked witness to say what he observed on the occasion of his first visit to Thaw in prison on June 27. Dr. Hamilton: I saw a person who had suffered some intense shock. He replied in a manner that was strange. He was pale and nervous. His eyes were fixed upon some distant part of the room over the heads of the men who were examining him, while his eyes were muddy, and his face twitched to the right side. There were also present at the same time three experts employed by the District Attorney. The defendant was suspicious, and asked, "What is the meaning of all this?" Witness, who had known the prisoner for several years, asked him to talk freely to the physicians, but he declined to do so. When did you next see the defendant?— Next day, June 23, in the hospital ward of the prison. When Thaw came in he stooped and looked under all the beds to see if anyone was concealed there. I told him I wanted to make a medical examina- tion, but he objected. He said he was not insane, and there was nothing the matter with him. We talked of the crime, and he showed no remorse. Mr. Jerome then asked: Is this defendant in your opinion at present in a condition rightly to understand the proceedings and charges against him and rationally to advise his counsel? Witness: In my opinion he is not. Cross-examined by Mr. Hartridge, witness denied that he had tried to get Thaw com- mitted to the Matteawan Insane Asylum when he first visited him in the Tombs Prison. He admitted, however, that he had communicated with Dr. Lamb, the superin. tendent of the Matteawan Asylum, and advised the Thaw family to retain Mr. Lamb. He also admitted that he had retired from the case last summer and sued for his fees, and had recently been retained by the defence and paid his fees. A number of other specialists called by the prosecution gave similar evidence. The hearing was adjourned.—Press Asso- ciation Foreign Special.

LOVELORN GIANT. I MARIEDL'S WOOER FAILS TO PRO- SECUTE HER MANAGER, At Marlborough-sitreet Police-court dire Darrill, the Australian giant, summoned Mr. A. Tru-ssell, the manager of the Hippo- drome, for assault. Darrill, it will be remembered, caused a soene by rising from a seat in the Hippo- drome to speak to Miss Mariedl, the Austrian giantess, with whom he is anxious to arrange a marriage. After the scene Darrill was refused admis- sion to the Hippodrome, and when applying for the summons last week Darrill alleged that he was assaulted by Mr. Trueeell. The giant, who, it is understood, is appear- ing in Edinburgh, was not in court when the case was called, and the charge was accordingly dropped. Mr. Trussell said the summons had been taken out for vexatious I reasons. The complainant had been pre- vented from coming in, and that was all the assault that took place.

QUEEN AND EMPRESS. Their Majesties the Queen and the Dowager Empress of Russia spent Tuesday morning at Buckingham Palace, and in the afternoon went out for a carriage drive, accompanied by the Princess Victoria. In the evening they went to the theatre. Their Majesties and the Princess Victoria will leave for Calais on Friday morning.

EXHORTATION TO THE DUMA. I M. Kokovtzoff, Minister of finance, in his 1 Budget statement in the Duma on Tuesday declared that, on the whole, he would be able to keep within the limits laid down by the Budget. Additional provision would have to be made in the Army, Railway, i-nd Famine Relief Estimates. He exhorted the House to deal with the Budget, not in the spirit of party politics, but of financial politics, and to examine the Government's proposals in a calm and practical manner. —Renter.

WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT? Mr. Edward H. Harriman announces in the New York "Times" that certain papers of his have been stolen and sold to a newspaper without his authority, and that the news- paper refuses to give them up. Mr. Harri- man asks the "Times" to make it known simultaneously that he is no party to the publication, and to print his description of the transaction. Stories have appeared in two leading morning papers to the effect that President Roosevelt appealed to Mr. Harriman for a contribution to the campaign funds in 190-4.-Reuter.

EISTEDDFOD AT NARBERTH. The competitions at the Narberth eistedd- fod resulted as below. The musical adjudi- cator was Mr. T. E. Aylward, Cardiff, and literary the Rev. J. Cradoc Owen:- Pianoforte solo, for children under twelve, No. 2 Skating": 1st, Maggie Lewis, Llan- falteg; 2nd, Olwen Isaac, Llanfalteg. Solo, for boys under fifteen, She wore a wreath of roses Rupert Thomas, Neyland. English recitation (children under sixteen), Portia's Speech on Mercy 1st, Margaret Ann Harries, Liandissilio; 2nd, Mary Morgan, Narberth. Solo, for girls under sixteen, Angels, ever bright and fair": 1st, Hilda Lewis, Haver- fordwest; 2nd, Emily Rogers, Pembroke. Welsh recitation (children under sixteen), Abou Ben Adhem a'r Angel": Margaret Ann Harries, Clynderwen. Soprano solo, When the heart is young Mary Anne Griffiths, Burry Port. Tenor and baritone duet, The moon hath raised": E. Noel, Tenby, and J. Brenig Jones, Martletwy. Adjudication on prize bags: Alice Eynon, Narberth. Part song, 0, hush thee, my baby": Begelly (conductor, Thos. Ho wells). English recitation (adults), "Lord Ullin's Daughter": Mary Griffiths, Stepaeide. Soprano and contralto duet, Sleep, gentle lady Miss Griffiths and Miss Waters, Step- aside. Tenor solo, The Old Minstrel": John Griffiths, Gowerton. Quartette (S.C.T.B.), "0, peaceful night": Bessie Waters, Stepaside, and party. Congregational tune, "All hail the power of Jesu's name" (Diadem): Sardis Choir (conductor, John Lewis). Welsh recitation (adults), "Y gof du": J. Gwynne Davies, Liandissilio. Contralto solo, "Abide with me": Maggie Davies. Tenby. Essay, The Desirability of Teaching Welsh in Schools": Thos. R. Da vies, Lian- dissilio. Bass or baritone solo, "Lead, kindly light": Harry Roberts, Gorseinon. Reading music at sight: Arthur David and T J. Mathias (divided). Male voice competition, "In absence": Pembroke Dock. Chief choral (a), "And He saved them out of their distresses" and (b), "As torrents in summer": Narberth.

TERRIBLE DEATH. Henry Stanley Holmes, a London commer. cia-I traveller, visited his home at Costor, near Peterborough, and on Easter Monday went for a row with his younger brother on the River Nene. The former caught hold of a twig of a willow tree to stop the boa.t, but was drawn out of the craft, and the tree fell upon hiai, pinning him down in 3ft. of water, so that his brother waa unable to xeaoae bim*

Has Vipers for Pets. MAESTEG COLLIER'S QUEER TASTES Despite the fact that he has been bitten in the roof of the mouth and on the hand by a viper, Henry Richards, the Maesteg collier whose narrow escape from death was chronicled in Tuesday's Evening Express,' will not give up having creeping things for his pets, and he still keeps the snake which injected its venom into his system the other day. Richards was seen on Tuesday evening by one of our representatives. He was lying in a bed in the kitchen with one of his arms resTIng on a pillow. The arm was still very much swollen, and was of a dark red colour, but his face was much better. Richards was invited to describe how he came to be bitten, and he replied candidly :— "I was very foolish. I put the viper's head in my mouth just 'to show off,' and it bit me in the roof of my mouth. I felt the fangs go in, and felt a very queer sensation. I pulled the snake out, and then it bit me on one of my fingers. I was in the Swan Hotel at the time. Then I ran home and told my wife about it, and afterwards ran to Dr. Sinclair's surgery. The doctors knew me and were well aware of my hobby of handling snakes. They treated me, and I became unconscious and was carried home. I had a suffocating sensation; my tongue had swollen in my mouth, my lips had swollen also, and I had great difficulty in breathing. I have been in the habit of handling snakes," Richards went on, since I was a child. My hoono was then in Cornwall, and I used to go out to the fields on Sundays and have as many as 40 snalses about me. People were afraid to como near me. I always earned them in my pockets and inside my shirt, and they would crawl around my body. I have been bitten only once before--about six years ago. I have heeu in Wales for the past twelve years." Questioned as to his methods of taming, Richards said he had no abilities above other men in this respect. "It is only courage," he said, and I am not a bit afraid of them." What have you done with the viper which hit you on Saturday?" Oh! I have it here at home—alive." I suppose you will have nothing to do with them after this?" Oh, yes, I will. It was only because of my foolishness in not handling it properly that the snake bit me. I have quite a hun- dred of them, and there are several in the house now." Richards is fond of playing practical jokes on people. For instance, last Saturday ho went into a barber's shop, and with a, snake coiled around his hand he offered to shake hands with a man he met there! He seldom goes out of the house without having one or two snakes in his pockets. His father is said to have died from the effects of a viper's bite, and the eon's attention was first directed to them by rescuing a little girl from a snake which had crawled upon her. His method of capturing snakes is this: He takes a white handkerchief and attracts the, snake's attention, and then grasps its tail. He tihen places the snake across his arm, when it is said to become quite still. He finds some difficulty in preserving the lives of the snakes he catches.

SIGNED DOZENS OF BILLS I A receiving order has been made against' the estate of George Arthur Gregory, Hen- rietta-street, Swansea, jeweller, and carry- ing on business at 50, Oxford-street. The gross liabilities are £1,035, of which £1,005 isi, expected to rank. The liabilities include twelve unsecured creditors £128, and five contingent or other liabilities £B77. The deficiency is £ 992. The Official Receiver in his observations states that the receiving order was made on bankrupt's petition, which he filed because he could not pay out an execution in I respect of a bill which he had signed as surety for another party. Debtor was adjudged bankrupt in October, 1385, as a partner in "Gregory and Wyatt." His liabilities then were £ 493, and no dividend i was declared. From that bankruptcy he obtained his discharge in January, 1890. In 1891 he commenced business as a jeweller at i 50, Oxford-street, Swansea, with a capital of £40. Contingent liabilities referred to in the summary statement of affairs arc in respect of bills signed by the bankrupt as surety with others for advances granted to Mr. W. J. M'Murray, Swansea, now a bank- rupt. Bankrupt states he has from time to time signed dozens of bills in this way for Mr. vv. J. M'Murray, but had none of the proceeds.

CANADA AND THE EMPIRE In proposing the health of Mr. Bryce at a banquet given in his honour at Toronto on Tuesday, by the Canadian Club, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Dominion Premier, said while Canadians had nothing but sentiments of admiration for the American people, they thought all the same that concessions should not continue to be all on one side, as had been the case in past treaties. Sir Wilfrid Laurier continued:—Reciprocity is now a thing of the past. We have in 1907 a changed condition of things, and we are turning our thoughts towards the old Motherland. (Loud cheers.) We have introduced the doctrine and policy of preference towards Great Britain and all the British Empire, and this is the policy by which we stand. (Cheers.) Not that, for my part, I do not value American trade, and all that we have to gain if our relatione were on a better foot- ing, but this is a matter on which we shall have no more pilgrimages to Washington.— Reuter.

I STRIKE AT CARDIFF DOCKS The twelve or fourteen weighers engaged in discharging the wheat cargoes of the steamship Beachley and the steamship Indrawadi at the Cardiff Docks have struck work, owing, it is alleged, to an intima- tion that the price they have been paid for doing the work is to be reduced to 2id. per hundred bushels, the figure they received being 5d. for the quantity named. Their decision to cease work has affected about 120 men, who are engaged in carrying the corn from the ships to the storehouses. The work of unloading the steamship Indrawadi commenced on Monday week. She carried about 8,000 tons of Australian wheat in bags, while the work of discharging the cargo of the steamship Beachley—about 5,500 tons of wheat in bags-was started on Thurs- day morning. The dispute has not so far affected work very materially, as the men did not strike until eleven o'clock, and work was to have been suspended for the day at noon for the Easter Tuesday half-holiday. The terms of the company secure to the men the usual rate of 6s. a day, and unless the weighers accept this, others will be engaged, and it is anticipated that work will proceed as usual this (Wednesday) morning. Other vessels discharging grain in the docks were not affected.

LEVANTED WITH WORKHOUSE I CLOTHES Alice Sexton, or Grandon, 74, was charged at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday (before the stipendiary) With having, on the 28th of February, run away from the Cardiff Union Workhouse, carrying away with her a shawl, a dress, some underclothing, a bonnet, and a pair of boots, value together 35s^ the property of the guardians. It was stated that the woman had leave of absence for the day, but did not return. The defendant stated that she went to see her daughter, who died, and she had to bury her. She had no idea of stealing the clothing, and subsequently sent the clothes back. Ii was explained that the workhouse clothes were returned after the warrant was granted. The Stipendiary discharged her with a caution.

MUMBLES ROAD EPISODE A scene which took place on the Mumbles- road on Easter Monday night is reported in a Swansea. paper. Dick Jones, the old Swansea half-back, his father-in-law, and two others were driving along the road when one of a gang struck one of the occupants of the trap with a stick on the hand. The trap was stopped and an explanation demanded. The father-in-law was knocked down, but afterwards Dick Jones and his friends are stated to have punished the four assailants. The paper says: In almost less time than it takes to teU. the four assailants were lying on the ground somewhat the worse for wear."

MOR2USTON AND THE SW ANSEA II NATIONAL." Some months ago it was decided at Morris- ton to organise a, united choir to compete at the National Eisteddfod at Swansea in August next, and rehearsals have been in progress for some time, but the committee are fadling to secure the necessary number of voices, and it is possible that unless Swansea Valley comes to the rescue the effort may. fail tbxooeh.

Sutton Tram Disaster. CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN: SERIOUS CONDITION OF VICTIMS Nothing is yet known concerning the actual cause of the tramway car accident near Sutton, Surrey. The general manager of the South Metro- politan Company has stated that the speed at the curve was not too great, and that the number of passengers carried upon the tramway car had nothing to do with the accident. The cause, he has added, may, like that at Grantham, never be revealed. Five of the injured passengers are still in a critical condition, but the remainder are progressing favourably. The names of the five most seriously injured passengers, now in the Croydon Hos- pital, are:- Henry Slater (70), Whitehouse-road, Croydon. Mrs. Suter (63). Charles Collins (58), Albert-road, Adiscombe. Ernest Charles Neale (2i), Queen's-road, Sutton. Bertha Brown (38), Sutton-grove, Sutton. The last-named is suffering from a depressed fracture of the skull, and had to be operated upon on Monday night. Inquiry at the hospital on Tuesday night elicited the information that there was no substantial improvement in the condition of any of them; that Mr. Collins was as bad as he could be, and that several other patients were also bad. Inquiries at the Carshalton Hospital on Tuesday evening showed that only two of those injured in the accident now remained there, and neither of these was regarded as being in the least danger. So far as can be ascertained, none of those who were taken to their homes were in such a state on Tuesday evening as to canse any serious anxiety. As bearing on the question of the cause of the accident, inquiries have revealed that many who travelled on the car on its pre- vious journey to Croydon remarked on the unevenness of its running, the unuso,al noise caused by the wheels and motor, and the great difficulty it exhibited in ascending the hills. So much was it noticed that some of the passengers determined not to return to Sutton on the same car.

THE NEW SOUTH DOCK May Be Opened in June The new South Dock at Cardiff will probably be opened in Jun,e next. The dock is being fitted up with all the latest im- provements for the loading and unloading of vessels.

DIED IN HIS SLEEP The Cardiff coroner (Mr. E. B. Reece) held an inquest on Tuesday on the body of Thomas Burdon Reay (45), of 2, Bedford-place, Cardiff, am analytical chemist in the employ of the Star Patenit Fuel Works. Deceased went to bed on Saturday, and at noon next day came downstairs and asked for a drink. He returned to his bedroom, and some time after was found dead iiL b<d. The evidence showed that he was addicted to drink, and that he occasionally complained of his chest and shortness of breath, and wore a chest pro- tector—Dr. Ledger Smith, who was s-enlt for, said that the man had evidently died in his sleep, and he attributed death to heart disease.—Verdict accordingly.

HOW ANIMALS BLUSH Animals blush as .girls do, but it is fear and not modesty that in their case causes the inrush of blood. According to the "New Orleans Times- Democrat," horaea blush in their ears, especially in the left ear. When a horse is frightened its left ear will be found very hot and swollen. This is also true of rabbits. Cows and all other cloven footed animals blush just above the fetlock. Dogs blush in 'their tales. When a dog is frightened its tail blushes so that it nangs limp, the dog having absolutely no control over it. Insects blush in their antennae.

MISSING MAN FOUND. Two days before Christmas Henry Sum. mers, 67, a watchman employed at the new dock works at Avonmouth, left his home, telling his landlady that he was going home to Cardiff for his holidays. He went off, but nothing further was heard of him till two days ago, when his body was found in the lock at Totterdown, Bristol, in a terribly mutilated and decomposed state. Dr. Hill, who made a. post-mortem examination, could not tell whether the injuries were inflicted before the body was in the water or since, but it was evident that it had been floating about for nearly three months. The coroner's jury returned an open verdict.

DROWNED IN A DITCH. Mr. George Hunting, veterinary eurgeon, of Stalham, was found dead in a roadside ditch at Hicking, Norfolk, on Tuesday. His trap had evidently overturned and he had been thrown out into the ditch, where he had been stunned and dTowned.

CONJURER AT CARDIFF EMPIRE Chung Ling 800 is attracting crowds to the Cardiff Empire, and the rush for early doors before every performance is quite exceptional. A competitive flavour is added to the great Chinese conjurer's visit by the fact that Bamboo Flower, his charming little daughter, presents to the first to book seats in the fauteuils and in the grand circle ait each performance a tiny Chinese coin, the replica of a currency of 3,000 years ago, which in the Celestial land is now looked upon as a mascot with remarkably lucky associations,

PRESENTATION TO GYMNASTIO INSTRUCTOR To celebrate the completion of ten years of office as gymnastic instructor and swimming master at Cardiff Corpora-tion Gymnasium, Mr. E. F. Kennard, at a dinner in his bonour at Barry'3 Hotel, St Mary-street, Cardiff, on Tuesday night, was presented witn an illuminated address and a cheque. Mr. E. H. Jacob was hon. treasurer of the movement, and Messrs. J. Arnaud and B. Bryant hon. secretaries. Mr. James Munn presided, and read letters of apology for non-attendance from the town-clerk, Mr. George David, and others.

SAID DOG WAS COMPLETE WRECK George Moore, who was summoned at Aber- dare on Tuesday for not taking out a licence for his black and white wire-haired terrier dog, said that the dog did not belong to him, but that he saw the animal on the road, a complete wreck, and took him in and fed I I him.—Poliof>-oonsLab le Smith: The dog was in good condition, sir.—A fine of 10s. inclusive was imposed.

SINGING FESTIVAL AT CILFYNYDD I A temperance singing festival, arranged under the auspices of the East Glamorgan Baptists, was held at dlfynydd, and was a distinct success. The proceedings were pre- sided over by Messrs. E. Evans (Trehafod), C. Roberts (Rhondda), and D. Jones (Ynysybwl), whilst Mr. B, Griffiths (Treforest) acted ac conductor.

CARDIFF QUEEN'S NURSES'INSTITUTE The following are the statistics of the work done during March by the Cardiff Branch of the Queen Victoria Jubilee Institute for Nurses, for nursing the sick and poor in their own homes:—Convalescent, 149; died.! 23; transferred to hospital, &c., 23; still on books, 191-to41.1, 386; number of visits paid, 6,159.—Llandaff and Whitchurch.-Visits paid, 359.

THE LATE MRS. GEORGE LASHWOOD I In our account of the death of Mrs. George Lashwood it was stated that, the deceased lady contracted a chill whilst travelling with the members of the John Tiller troupe of dancers. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Lash wood: had not been on the boards since her marriage, and it was whilst on a teni7 por.r; visit to Cardiff that she contracted the chill which, iraiha-ppfly, proved fatvl.

I Alcoholic Poisoning. BARRY CAPTAIN FOUND DEAD IN BEDROOM. Mr. E. B. Reece, coroner, conducted an inquest at the police-court, Barry Dock, on Tuesday, on the body of George Work Slater, 36, master mariner, of Kirkwall, Orkneys, who was found dead in a bedroom at the Dolphin Restaurant, Dock View-road, Barry Dock, on Sunday morning. The evidence showed that the deceased arrived at Barry on board the steamship Chattan on the 12th ult., and had been stay- ing at the Dolphin Restaurant since the 26th ult. The man had been drinking heavily, and on Sa; rday afternoon complained to the landlord (Mr. David Lewis) that he could not sleep, and intended purchasing a draught. Slater went to, bed about 1..30 a.m. on Sun- day, and at eleven o'clock he was found lying dead on the bedroom floor. George Sinclair, a seaman, also staying at the Dolphin Restaurant, said he saw the deceased take a tonic at a local chemist's on Saturday evening. Dr. W. Lloyd Edwards attributed death to suffocation, caused by alcoholic poisoning. The Coroner remarked that virtually the poor fellow had killed himself by excessive drinking. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. ——-———————

LEARNING TO SHOOT I Rifle Range Opened at Llandaff An outdoor range for the Llandaff Miniature Rifle Club was opened on Tuesday by Colonel Banfield, C.B., brigadier of the Welsh Volunteer Infantry Brigade. The range is conveniently situated in a field at the rear of the -Mitre Hotel, the distances being 25 and 50 yards. There was a considerable attendance of the citizens, including Dr. William Taylor, J.P., Mr. G. E., Mrs., and Misa Halliday, the Rev. Bloxsome Day (cap- tain), Messrs. F. T. Wheeler and W. E. Davey, hon. secretaries of the club; Mr. and Mrs. E. Williamson, Professor H. Littledale, the Rev. C. A. Darby, Sergeant-major Stally- brass, Messrs. Tregertlien Dunn, E. S. Sinnett, R. A. Pritchard, Geo. Moore, D. Lougher, J. E. Gladstone, and J. Parry Moses. Colonel Banfield fired a few shots at both distances, and at 25 yards put on three bull s-eyes. In declaring the range opened, he regretted that owing to pressing engage- ments Lord Roberts was unable to be present that day, and he (Colonel Banfield) felt a pleasure in being called upon to perform the duty of opening the range in the gallant general's absence. Lord Roberts had so persistently, and in all places, urged upon the people of the country the pressing necessity of learning how to shoot that it would not be necessary to add to what he had said. Every man, of course, admitted the duty to fight for the defence of his country, but willingness alone to do so was not sufficient. A very considerable amount of training was necessary, not only in shoot- ing, but in the discipline of organised bodies. He had much pleasure in declaring the range open. (Applause.) Professor Littledale, who proposed a vote of thanks to Colonel Banfield, said he had listened with great interest to the gallant colonel's address on shooting at Llandaff a little while ago. It was always a pleasure to listen to a man who thoroughly under- stood what he was talking a.bout, and they all felt that Colonel Banfield had a full experience of rifle shooting. He was sure the range would be the means of making many good shots in Llandaff, and of encouraging that patriotic feeling which was so necessary in the defence of the country. (Applause.) The vote of thanks was carried with accla- mation, and practice on the range was immediattely commenood. The club member- ship is now between 50 and 60, and it is believed that many more will join now that the club has been opened.

CAUGHT BETWEEN BUFFERS Barry Short-cut Tragedy. Mr. E. B. Reece held an inquest at Cardiff on Tuesday on the body of Thomas Franklin, nineteen, E6, Salop-street, Penarth, who succumbed at Cardiff Infirmary to injuries caused through his being crushed between the buffers of a train whilst working for the Barry Railway Oampamy on Saturday night. Mr. G. C. Downing appeared for the railway company; Mr. Harold Lloyd watched the proceedings for the family of deceased. Frank Payne, a shunter, living at Princess- street, Cardiff, and also in the employ of the Barry Railway Company, said that at about eight on Saturday night, at the "run- ning shed" at Barry, deceased was carrying a "scoop" of fire to an engine, and there were three engines outside. Deceased asked for a "parting" to be made to admit him to the shed. Driver Witohell said he would do it as soon as possible, or he might walk round the engine. Deceased said he would wait a bit, so Witchell shifted the engines for his convenience. The engine that was pulling the other two had not enough steam, and deceased, instead of waiting, got in between, and was crushed by the buffers as Witchell was in the act of reversing the engine. Tihe injured youth, on the advice of Dr. Kent, was conveyed to Cardiff Infirmary. Arthur Witchell (the driver), in his evi- dence, --aid he did not know the lad had gone there. Dr. Watkins (Cardiff Infirmary) said the deceased was admitted in a conscious but collapsed condition, and he died early next morning from internal injuries and hemor- rhage. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

I MISSED HER FOOTHOLD Cardiff T V.R. Station Accident The Cardiff Coroner on Tuesday held an inquiry in the sad case of Elizabeth Hilary Griffiths, aged 23, single, who was fatally injured at Cardiff Taff Vale Railway Station on Saturday night. The mother, who lives at Tonypandy, and ia the wife of a collier, gave evidence of identification. On this evening deceased met it Cardiff a young man she knew named Richard Taylor, a collier, of Station-terrace, Pontypridd, and she accompanied him to the station, the pair intending to return by the same train—deceased to Llwynypia and Tay- lor to his own home. In his evidence Taylor said the train was in motion, when deceased put ber foot on the footboard. She had opened the door, and was struggling on the footboard. Witness ran to her assistance and tried to pull her out, but could not, as the poor girl was caught between the platform and the foot- board. The ofuciala shouted, and the train was promptly brought to a ,?tandstill. Deceased was taken to the Cardiff Innrmary, suffering from fracture of the pelvis and other injuries, and there she died. After further evidence the Coroner pointed out that no blame attached to the railway officials, and the jury, in returning a ver- dict of "Accidental death," agreed.

HIT HER WITH A GLASS M&bel Torres, or Shepherd, a young woma.n from Saltmead, who appeared in the dock at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday with a baby wrapped up in a shawl in her arms, was charged with unlawfully wounding Annie Nicholas on the head with a glass in Allerton- street that morning. The prosecutrix, who came into the witness- box with her head bandaged up, stated that about seven o'clock she was in the Neville Hotel, and the prisoner was also there. As she was about to leave the hotel, Shepherd, she said, hit her with a glass, which caused blood to flow, and she became unconscious. Prosecutrix alleged that she never spoke to Shepherd, and that there had been no quarrel. Shepherd said the prosecutrix asked to see her baby, and she opened the shawl to show the baby's face, when Nicholas spat in its face. She denied hitting prosecutrix with a glass. Nicholas said Shepherd had no baby in her arms at all. Dr. Pittard stated that the prosecutrix was suffering from a clean-cut wound over the eye extending right down to the bone. It might have been caused by a glass. Prisoner was flned 40s. and costs, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment.

"EXPIRED WHILE DRINKING TEA I WilLiam Piatt (56), a seaman, of Patrick- street, Cardiff, was having a cup of tea. in the kitchen. on Monday morning, when he suddenly expired. He had for some time suffered from heart disease, and at the inquest on Tuesday Dr. Andrews certified that heart disease was the cause of death.- A verdict of Natural causes was returned.

STRAY CHILDREN AT PONTYPRIDD Consequent upon the crowds of people which visited PontypTidd on Bank Holiday— mainly from the Rhondda Valley-no fewer than eight children strayed from their parents and were taken care of at the police- sit^aticn pendling inquiries.

BTETRNS' BBLFAD- Cklep «od natty flavour. asm

"Lock-outs" v. Strike Breakers. ENGLISH LABOURERS ATTACKED. SEVERAL SEVERELY INJURED An affray arose at Wilhelmsbnrg (Ham- burg) between iocked-out dock labourers and some 2CO British strike breakers, who were returning from an excursion. The Englishmen retired in the direction of the ships. They were, however, set upon near the Ernst August Canal. Some of the Englishmen escaped by swim- ming across the canaL Some others, who fell into the water, were rescued. There is no foundation for the report that some were drowned. Eight were severely injured, and many slightly hurt. As the Englishmen were planning revenge upon their opponents, a lar-ge force of harbour police was summoned, with the result that no further disturbances occurred. COAL HEAVERS' STRIKE AT PORT SAID. A strike has been declared among the coal heavers at Port Said, who require an increase in their wages. Several of the ships now in the harbour cannot leave without coaling. It is anticipated that the strike will not last long, owing to the want of organisation among the strikers.

I "MOURN NOT FOR ME" Neath Suicide's Last Letter William Sterry, aged 58, a labourer, of 46, Walters-road, Melincrythan, Neath, waa found hanging in the cellar of his house late on Monday. He was cut down by his son. in-law, Francis Soames, life then being extinct. Mr. Howel Cuthberscn held an inquest on Tuesday, and the evidence was to the effect that the family, except the deceased, went to Aberavon on Monday, and they returned on Monday night, and subsequently the son-in-law went in search of thedeoeased, and found him hanging by a to a hook. A letter was found in the deceased's pocket, which the coroner read. It was as follows:- April 1, 1907. Good-bye all. Please to wear no mourn- ing after me. Bury me by the canal. None of you to follow me. Give my watch to "G. C. S." (the youngest son). Mourn not for me. Ten Dr. Morris to have a go at me now if he likes. Cannot stand it any longer. Police-constable David Jones said that deceased was, it appears, very annoyed with the medicine the doctor had given him. He used to say that it made his inside black and dirty. A verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was returned.

LORD TREDEGAR'S KINSMAN FUNERAL OF MR. CLARENCE FORESTIER-WALKER The funeral of the late Mr. Clarence Francis Foreetder-Walker, third son of the Late Sir George Walker, of Oas-tleton, brother of the present baronet and nephew of Lord Tredegar, took place on Tuesday afternoon at Malrshfield, where the late Sir George and Lady Forestier-Walker, his parents, are also buried. The deceased gentleman, who wae in hia fiftieth year, died in London on Thursday last from pneumonia, following influenza. The remains were brought from London to Marshficld by the L5 p-m- train. There were a large number of beautiful wreaths from many of the memlTjirs of the deceased's famil-y and the Tredegar family. A very large floral tribute in the form of a Maltese cross— 2ft. 6in. wide—was the most beautiful thing of the kind that has been seen in this dis- trict. In the absence of the vicar (the Rev. H. G. Stanley), the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. J. Harrys, curate. The obsequies were private. Amongst those who attended were Lord Tredcgar, Sir George and Lady Forootier-Walker, Mr. Radzwill Foreetier- Walker, Mr. Ivor Forestier-Walker, Mr. Devereux Fores tier- Walker, Mr. Leolin, Forestier-Walker, Captain Roland Forestier- Walker, and Mr. Charles Forestier-Walker (brothers of the deceased), Miss C. Forestier. Walker, Mr. Edmund Forestier-Walker (cousin) Mr. Godfrey Clark (brother-in-law). Mr. J. W. Beynon, Miss Cruikshank, and the Rev. Wat kin Davies (Coedkernew). The funeral arrangements were in charge of Messrs. G. Stone and Co., Cardiff.

BURGLARS AGAIN BUSY Safe Broken and Money Stolen The offices of Messrs. James Arnott and Son, oil merchants, Dumballs road, Cardiff, were broken into between Saturday and Tuesday morning. The thieves, after ransacking the drawers and desks, turned their attention to the safe. This they removed to the works—a distance of between thirty and forty yards— and with the aid of pickaxes broke it open, and carried away the stamps and the money left-altoogether about 110. Fortunately, the bulk of the money was banked on Saturday morning.

SUEVIC SEVERED. The White Star liner Suevic was success- fully severed at six o'clock on Tuesday morning, and the afterpart was afterwards towed towards Southampton. The tug Herculaneum and the salvage steamer Ranger were astern of the ship, which was on an even keel and made good headway. The heavy swell from the Atlantic increased during the -night, and it was obvious that the turbulence of the water would assist the parting of the Suevic in the morning, as the blasting had been completed right through her keel, and only the main steel deck remained to be separated. This proved to be the case, for with loud sounds of grinding and snapping the afterpart of the Suevio commenced to rise and fan buoyantly in the swell, showing unmistakably that the disunion of the vessel, which had been laboriously attempted for the past fortnight, had at last been achieved. Three tugs were brought into position, and with wonderful skill, but at tremendous risks, hawsers were attached, and the rescued portion of the Suevic was towed clear of the rocks. Then the remarkable character of the work of the salvors excited admiration, for the cleavage was so smooth that it might have been accomplished by a cyclopean guillotine. As the wind and the cross swell of the eea did not seem to diminish, no time was lost in towing the 6alved portion of the liner. Had her condition been critical she would have been towed to the nearest avail- able port, namely. Falmouth, where she would have been run on a sandy beach. The salved portion of the Suevic behaved splendidly when towed stern first to port. The actual length of the vessel remaining on the rooks is 184ft., and this part remains rigid on the rocks. The portion salved is approximately 400ft., and contains the engines and other appointments of fnost value.

TRAGIC TELEGRAM AT BARGOED I Miss Beatrice Williams, a relief lady clerk from Cardiff, now stationed at Bargoed Post- office, was operating at the sounder," when a tra,gic message of her sister's death waa flashed over the wire to her.

BARRY TRADtbMnN DIES SUDDENLY Sidney Smith, greengrocer, 12, Holton-road, Barry Dock, expired suddenly on Tuesday. He had not bad good health for some time. He waa 57 years of age.

Does milk agree with you ? If not, try it boiled with just a little of Brown & Polson's rpatent Corn Flour, enough to give it the consistency of cream. his will render the milk much more easy of digestion and enable it to be enjoyed and retained. Remember this for your children, also.