Evening Express

The Man in the Street Not quite so quickly, but on a much more magnificent scale, there is rising in rural Whitchurch an Aladdin's Palace, which, for wondrous beauty and costly stateliness, has not previously found existence outsi.de the fertile minds -4-1 _1-1- T 1 U1 l•ijose gentlemen wnose cnarming Arabian Nights Tales delighted our childhood days. The mantle of those imaginative writers has fallen on the shoulders of the Cardiff Corporation Asylums Committee, with the important difference that, whereas the former were content to put their wonders on parch- ment, the latter have given them life and shape in good stone, red brick, and mortar. The words of the old magicians have been coined by their successors into veritable palaces, surpassing all the combined splendours of existing institu- tions, and there is mortification in the camp of the modern conjurers with other people's money when it transpires that the humble ratepayers of Cardiff have descended to such a practical, every-day custom as to debate the cost I The Asylums Committee have incurred a very grave responsibility in pouring out raites like water, as in this case, and it looks like wilful extravagance or inex- cusable carelessness or neglect. It is perfectly clear their notions on the manner of spending money are altogether on too large a scale for the ordinary ratepayers who have to foot the bill. It is hardly conceivable that the new Whit.church Asylum has already swallowed £ 302,000, and that yesterday an application for another C.50,500 was considered. It is not surprising that the ratepayers have woke up sufficiently to begin inquiring as to the why and where- fore these huge sums are considered necessary, especially when one remembers that the original estimate for the entire concern was E244,728-tall enough, any ordinary person would think. There are many items to which exception can be taken. A house to coat L600 for a gardener who is to receive 33s. a week, for instance. An ordinary tenant would expect to pay about jE60 a year rent for such a substantial residence. In another case, a gentleman who is to receiv-e C4 a week will have a house that costs £ 1,500. But the most amazing thing of all is the medical superintendent's house, which is to cost the ratepayers of Cardiff E4,0001 To make way for this costly structure, a handsome country residence, Velindra, was pulled down. The only reason, it appears, because it was infested with rat-s. This seems to be on a par with he ancient Chinese custom, when the natives roasted their pork by burning down their pig-styes! Velindra was good enough for a very old Glamorgan county family, and for that well-known commercial magnate, Mr. Vyvyan Robin- son, who lived in it up to the time it was taken over by the corporation. But because there were rats i nit, or for other equally ridiculous reasons, it had to be pulled down to make way for the E4,000 palace! I am afraid it is too late in the day to make effectual protest. The mis- chief is done. But having regard to the haphazard way in which great works are carried out by a corporation committee, it is somewhat consoling to know that Mr. Allk, the corporation accountant, was appointed about eighteen months ago. It is very unlikely that the city will be landed into such huge expendi- ture in tho future without being aware of it, for Mr. Allcock prepares a balance- sheet very frequently; and the entire council will be able to see in full detail the financial proposals of each com- mittee. The magniifcence of the new house for the medical superintendent can be best gauged, perhaps, by a comparative note or two. This house will probably be rated at L200 a year—incidentally, Whitchurch will have the benefit of this —and there are not a dozen houses in Cardiff rated at more than JE160. Roughly, the only houses in Cardiff estimated at anywhere near the value would be two in Cathedral-road, viz., an empty one belonging to Mr. Thacke- ray, and the next door but one, occu- pied by Mr. Gething Lewis; Mr. James Howlls's house, in The Walk; an (? Vos- sibly, one or two up Penylan way. Ordi- rrarily, no one with an income of less than £4,000 a year would dream of taking over such a costly residence, which could only be thought of by people wanting and able to maintain a rountry resi- dence. It is quite beyond the great bulk of* the most successful commercial people in Cardiff. There is another phase: A doctor who could earn P,1,000 to £1,500 would never think of taking over such an appointment; also, a medi- cal superintendent with a salary of L600 a year would never be able, in the ordi- nary way, to keep up an establishment of that kind. No matter in what way the affair is looked at, it is entirely out of proportion with everything that is reason- able or usual, and commonsense seems as completely disregarded as are the interests of the ratepayers. This newest type of corporation extravagance is really outside the pale of Cardiff, but I have shown the diffi- culty of fixing on a dozen houses to equal it in the city itself. If other things connected with the new asylum are provided on the same handsome scale—as it is presumed they are, the I pig palaces, for instance—the only chance for ratepayers to see value for their money is to qualify as inmates 3illd be waited upon by the princely atten- dants, possibly in apparel of gold. The lordly appointments might be fully appre- ciated by those who are able to lounge luxuriously in the theatre fit for king. to say nothing of the attentons to be received from the gentleman of the £ 4,000 house and his assis- tants with corresponding emoluments. Most of us have to cut our suits accord- ing to the cloth, and the fifth part of a man's income is a very fair proportion to pay in rent, unless one is lucky enough to obtain the assistance of the ratepayers. No one likes to throw his money away in rent, and it would be unlikely that the medical superintendent, if he had to select his own house, would come to Car- diff and take a residence which was rated at zC200 a year—he would probably be unable to find it, unless it happened that Cardiff Castle was to let. This unex- ampled extravagance must open the eyes of the ratepayers, and the lesson taught by such haphazard work on the corpora- tion will doubtless be thoroughly learned. But the pity of it all is that it should be purchased so dearly, when a few level heads and a little common- sense might have provided very different reading.

MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL AS I MAGDA." FINE ACTING AND MAGNIFICENT I DRESSES. Louis N. Parker's translation of Mr. Hermann glidermann's drama of Magd-a had an excellent representation at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on Tuesday nigtit. The story is not new, but it may interest play- goers, as it will be again presented to-night (Wednesday) to know that it is weaved airowiid certain indiscretions of Mag-da" (Mrs. Patrick Campbell), who in the zenith of her fame as an operatic artiste has returned to her father's house, but for a long time refuses to give up her wild ways." She is eventually converted -to a sense of her posi- tion, and at the same time develops loathing of her former lover. Mrs. Campbell haa evidently appreciated the author's ideas, and her acting on Tuesday was perfect. The part gives her opportunities for pathos and frivolity jn turns, and it was the change of moods brought about by good and evil counsellors which really made the play. Mrs. Campbell wears delightful dresses. In one scene on Tuesday she wore, a, very handsome cloak of gold gauze, lined with silk and bor- dered and yoked with black velvet. When this was discarded there was disclosed a beautifully-built Empire gown of cream satin, cut low, with a corsage elaborately trimmed with sparkling crystals. Miss Stella Patrick Campbell, as the sister of "Magda"; Mr. Charles Gorry, "Leopold Schwartze," as the father of both, and Mr. Julian J>oyœ, as the pastor whose spiritual advioe saves Magda," are, perhaps, the pick of a very excellent cast.

UNDERFED SCHOOL CHILDREN AT NEWPORT. Mr. Peter Wright at Tuesday's meeting of the Newport Education Committee, moved a resolution asking that provision be made out of the ratea for underfed children attending the elementary schools. Having dwelt on the compulsory form that elemaeutary education took tinder the lata, Mr.' Wright asked whether it was reasonable or just to compel children to exercise their brains while insufficiently fed. That had been, in his estimation, •• the blaokeet spot on our civilization." So long," he continued, as anything with trousers on, or wearing petti- coats were allowed to marry and produce offeprins the local authority had to look after that offspring and see that it was not a consenting party to suoTi neglect as those In Newport the Act of 1906 permitted them to utilise X750 in that manner. An amendment was proposed by Mr. Hunt thfut full inquiries be made before applica- tion be made to the Board of Education, and this was unanimously carried.

A DOG TOO WEAK TO BARK. II I have enough to do to keep my children without keeping a dog," excitedly cried Mrs. Lottie Price at Caerphilly on Tuesday, where she was summoned by Police-constable John Thomas, of Bargoed, for keeping a dog without a licence. Police-constable W. H. Williams said he had heard the dog bark from the bedroom, and had seen the animal around the house in Heoldd-u-road. Defendant: Why, it hasn't got a bark in It. (Loud laughter.) The poor thing is kicked about Cram house to house. I don't want the dog. Why, I offered a man a shilling to take it away the other night. The Chairman: Oh, you can get rid of it for a shilling, I daresay. (Laughter.) Your I will be dismissed this time, but get rid of i*.

CARELESS POLICE. I In the course of a case at North London Police-court Mr. Fordham, the magistrate, expressed a strong wish that the police would be more careful in giving evidence. Referring to the testimony of a constable, Mr. Forttham eadd: "This constable heard the first officer give his evidence, and thought it did not much matter what he said. I don't think the officer wilfully kept back a, part of the fa<ot, but it was careless- ness. A great many policemen give their evidence with great care, whilst others are very much the other way, and give their evidence in quite a casual mariner. Perhaps they won't improve until some punishment is meted out to them."

"OONSIDERA TE SAM" AS A MOTOR DRIVER. Samuel Cttnningham, of Cairns-street, Car- diff, was summoned at Bromley (Kent) for exceeding the speed limit while driving a motor-car at Bromley Common, the speed he was travelling at being over 28 miles per hour. The defendant did not appe?a?,.7 M' waa represented by his employer, Councillor Seocombe, who apologised to the bench, and said that the speed travelled at was without their knowledge and was unintentional. Defendant had been in his employ for thirteen years, and was a man of exemplary character. He had been complimented over and over again for the consideration he showed to other traffic, and that was so thoroughly well known in Cardiff as to have eaxned for him the nickname of Con- siderate Sa.m.The Bench fined defendant 40B. and 10s. costs.

FOOD FOR SWANSEA POOR I CHILDREN. The Srwansea Schools C-Anteen Committee on Tuesday decided to recommend the authority to a.pply to the Board of Education for power to levy a halfpenny rate for the purpoee of providing food for poor children.

STEVENS' DRYAD- Consumers say ta Derfection. *5958—1 CARDIFF QUEEN'S NURSES' INSTITUTE. The following are the statistics of the work done during September by the Cardiff. Braaioh of the Queen Victoria Jubilee InBti. tute for Nurses for nursing the sick poor in tlwia- own homes: -Omvalement, 91; died, 24; transferred to hospital, Ac., 17; still on books, 163-t-otal, 295; number of visits paid, 4,755; Llandaff and Whitchurch, visits paid, 111 (by Cardiff nurse, Llandaff nurse away for holi- days). STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. I I

J A BISHOP'S JUBILEE At the annual dinner of the Cardiff Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday night the letters of apology for non-attendance included one from the Ven. Dr. J. C. Hedley, O.S.B., Roman Catholic Bishop of Newport. In the course of the evening Coun- cillor A. J. Stone, in proposing the health of the bishop and clergy, said his lordship would have been there, but unfortunately—or fortunately, rather—he was away at Bel- moiir "(Hereford) .celebrating.-the jubilee of his entrance 50 years ago into the Order of St. Benedict. (Cheers.) The President (Mr. B. T. Holtham) inti- mated that he would, on behalf of the mem- bers, communicate with his lordship, tender- ing him the heartiest congratulations and sentiments of warmest affection on the auspicious event.

CORPORATION AUDITORS There was an unusual amount of interest taken in the poll for the appointment of corporation elective auditors which took place at Oardiff on Tuesday, and a total of 2,440 votes, of which 78 were spoilt, was recorded. The result was as follows:- -John Stephenson Taylor (registrar). 836 Oswald Coleman (auditor) 642 .John Dudley Edwards (auditor) 484 Hy. Edward Sweeting (auditor) 400 Spoilt votes 78 Retiring auditors. The first two were declared elected by the Lord Mayor, who presided at the count. This is the fifth time for Mr. Taylor to head the poll, which shows that the public appreciate the fact that he was tihe first elective auditor to publish an annual report. ======

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT A proposal is on foot for the establishment in Cardiff of a society whose object shall be the advocacy of the abolition of capital punishment. Professor Roberts, M.A., of Cardiff University College, is one of the prime movers in the matter, and he lately had an interview in London with the officials of the National Abolition Society— a branch of which will be the proposed car-I diff aasociation-when details were discussed and arranged. Mr. J. Tudor Rees, solicitor, Cardiff, is also taking an active part in the formation of the society, and an informal meeting for geneml discussion is to take place at his omoes, 3, Dumfries-place, to-morrow (Thursday) a.t eigiit p.m., and all those interested in the matter are invited to attend.

BEER FLOWING IN THE STREET A loud crash was heard in Graving Dock- street, off Holton-road. Barry Dock, on Tuoo- day afternoon, caused by the capsizing of a beer lorry, owned by Messrs. S. A. Brain and Co.. the Old Brewery, Cardiff. The lorry, heavily laden with oases of bottled beer, had been left standing about a yard from the kerb outside the Windsor Hotel. It is alleged that three or four boys. in a spirit of mis- chief, turned the front wheels round, causing the lorry to run down the slight gradient, and, ooming in contact with the kerb, it completely capsized, the cases being thrown in all directions and hundreds of bottles smashed to atoms, their contents flowing over the street. Happily, no persons were on the pavement at the time.

EISTEDDFOD AT PENYGRAIG I A successful eisteddfod was held at Peny- graig under the presidency of Dr. E. N. j Davies. J.P. Awards:— I Pianoforte solo: D. M. Ham mon, Trealaw. Children's choirs: Class A, "Sweet and low," Dims Boys; Class B, "Telynau Plant," Ty- newydd. Tenor solo, "If with, all your hearts"; Tom Bonnell, Pentre. Bass solo, Cymru, fy Ngwlad," Aneurin Edwards, Treorky. Recitation, "Ciharge of the Light Brigade": Prize divided between "Casteilydd" and Eppynt-fron-eppynt." Mixed choirs, Yr Haf": Penygraig Cihoir (Mr. Dan Thomas). Male voice competition: Olaes A, "Spartan Heroes"; 1st, Mountain Ash; 2nd, Mid, Rhondda.

THREE CHILDREN KILLED .1 At Nottingham St€?en R?ow, a ?rdencr. I a?ed 40, 'was committed for trial on a. 1 ch&r?e of murdering his three youngest ohil- drem, aged seven, three, and twelve months, and attempting to xhurder his eldest boy, aged eigtit. Prisoner, it was alleged, on the night of August 13 killed the three children outright by cutting their throats with a razor, the mother being temporarily absent from home.

FATAL SLEEPING DRAUGHT Frederick Hubert Wheeler, a barrister, of Freehford, near Bath, died ou Tuesday from the effects of an overdose of a drug talsen for sleeplessness. He was found in the bath- room unconscious, and, after lingering for 36 hours, expired.

I Boating Disaster. I FIVE LIVES LOST IN THE ORKNEYS Five persons-John Bruce, of Cellardyke, Burray, James Copland, postman, Mr. and Mrs. David Petrie, junr., and James Bruce, of Leith, were drowned in a boting accident in Holm Sound, Orkney. They sailed from the village of St. Mary's for the Island of Burray at seven in the evening, the weather being dark and foggy, but how the accident occurred is not known. The boat has been washed ashore at Ness Holm. The Killarney Accident The lady drowned in the boating aoci- dent in Lower Lake, Killarney, waa a. Miss Townshend, of Pirbright, Surrey, and not the wife of Mr. Hodgson, aa was stated in previous reports. The bodies of the three I victims have not yet been recovered.

— IN THE REVISION COURTS At tho revision court held at Hengoed on Tuesday Mr. Ivor Bowen congratulated the overseers and assistant-overseer (Mr. W. H. Harris) for the wonderful improvement that had been made in the list of voters since last year. It had taken the overseers 110 little time to get the ownership right from previous times, and the people of Gelligaer ought to be very thankful that these gentle- men had evinced such public spirit and taken this thankless task in hand. The work this year had been done nearly as well as it was done in the Eastern Division of Glamorgan, I ABER BUILDING CLUB CLAIMS. I Lodger claims for Rudry fared badly I before Mr. Ivor Bowen at Caerphilly on Tuesday, where he sat to revise the lists. "There were no lodger claims last year," said the barrister, as he tore up a list, so how can there be old lodger claims n<iw?" I "Three years ago there were," was the response. I "I can't allow them," drily put in Mr. Bowen. "They are all bad. They must claim each year, and not from the time of the flood." (Laughter.) Mr. W. T. Davies, solicitor, Porth, appeared to support the ownership claims of the members of the Windsor Building Club, Aber. —Mr. Bowen held the opinion that by being a club they were not the actual owners. There were far too many cases of a similar nature in the district. He would disallow the 39 claims. He was perfeotly willing to state a ease if Mr. Davies and others wished it. The three points he had against them were ;-(1) They were not the aot.ua.l lessees; (2) they were not in actual occupation, but had tenants; and (3) it was impossible to estimate a value until the club was wound uP. AN OVERSEER'S FEE. I At the revision court proceedings held at Caerphilly on Tuesday the Eglwysilan over- seers asked for a reduction iij the amount allowed to Mr. Tom Joueg, Oaerrphilly (assistant overseer).—Mr. Ivor Bowen said that in his opinion L70 was not an adequate amount for the work done, which was much more difficult than, the overseers thought. This year there was an increase of 201 names on the list, and he should make a certificate for the same amount as last year. Had there been no oontroversy between the over- seers and their assistant he should have allowed more.

I BAPTISTS IN CONFERENCE I The autumnal assembly of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland was opened at Liverpool on Tuesday, Principal Henderson, the president, presiding. There were over 1,900 delegates. Principal Henderson in his presidential address said that their contribution to the ranks of paupers, prisoners, and peers was remarkably small. They frankly recognised that there was a pause in denominational success. The theological and philosophical atmosphere, too, contained elements that lov/cred spiritual tone. The Bishop of Liverpool, who was cordially welcomed by the president, said that he was present to assert his belief in the existence of their common Christianity. In the dust and the turmoil and the bitterness of ohe educational controversy tfoere had been a tendency to deny that tihere was any extoh thing. He was there to affirm that it did exist, and he trusted it would exist increasingly. The points on which they differed might be great, but those on which they agreed were far greater. On the suggestion of the President, the whole assembly rose and repeated, after the bisfyop the Apostles' preed., Resolutions were adopted urging dis- establishment and disendowment of the Episcopal Church in Wales, welcoming regu- lations for opening denominational training colleges to candidate teachers irrespective of creed or denomination, demanding that in the new Education Bill the will of the people should be made to prevail and no tests imposed, and asking for a temperance measure early next session. Bradford's invitation for next year's con- ference was accepted.

I SIR J. D. MILBURN'S WILLI Sir John Davison Milburn. of Newcastle, Cardiff, Hull, and London, who died on t.he 10th of August last, aged 55 years, left estate valued at £ 391,339 gross, with net personalty £ 318,360. Probate of his will. dated December 17, 1906. with three codicils, has been granted I to his.sons, Sir Charles Stamp Milburn, Bart., of Barnhill, Guyzance, and Mr. Leonard John Milburn, merchant, of Milburn House, New- castle, and his brother, Mr. Charles Thomas Milburn, of 130. Fenchuroh-street. London, E.C. The testator bequeathed £.500 to his clerk, Thomas Davison, and £ 30 to his wait- ing-maid, Mary Ferguson. He also left L30 to Elken Loughran, LI,OW and his household and personal effects to his widow, with the use of Barnhill and an annuity of £ 2,300, or without Barnhill an annuity of .E2,5C0, during widowhood, and in the event of her re- marriage a life annuity of EW. He left 140,000 upon trust for his daughter Mrs. Boulton ard her issue, investments in the joint names or his wife and himself to his wife, and the residue of hie property, as to one-sixth upon trust to follow the baronet-cy, and one-sixth to each of his sons Charles, John, Archibald, Anthony, and Leonard.

COLLIERIES CEASE WORK In the early hours of Tuesday it was reported that a man, named David Williams, residing at Cwmtwrch, aged 41, a carpenter, who has for some twelve months past been in delicate health, had been missing since the previous evening, alid it was feared that some ill had befallen him. Search parties were organised, and several collieries oeaBed work for the day in ortfcetr that the workmen might take part in the search. They were ably assisted by Sergeant Jarrett and Police-constable Ja.tnes Williams, and a.t mid-day the poor fellow was discovered wandering aimlessly about at Clydach-on- Tawe, and brought ba;ck home by the first available train.

FUNERAL OF MR. EVAN HARRIS I The remains of Mr. Evan Harris, Heol-las Farm, Penderyn, the well-known horse and cattle dealer, were buried on Tuesday after- noon at St. Cynog's Churchyard, Hirwain. Representatives of all classes of the com- munity were present. The Rev. Gra.wys Jones (Aberdare). and the Rev. Samlet Davies (Llwydcoed) officiated at the house. At St. Cynog's Church a large congregation had assembled, the servi6e being- conducted by the Rev. Ll. Jenkins, rector of Penderyn. The mourners were the deceased's children, Mr. and Mrs. John Harris, nud family, Trebanog Farm; Mr. and Mrs. Llewetfrn Harris, and Mr. and Mrs. David Harris.

SINGULAR CARDIFF ACCIDENT A peculiar accident occurred on Tuesday on the Cardiff tramways. A car proceedin-g from Canton to the town centre was passing the Canton Memorial-hall, when the tnplley-rod swung off the wire, and, crashing against one of the are lamp0 attached to the standard, hurled it on to the pavement. Several persons who were passing had nar- row escapee, the lamp falling v/ithin a yard of them.

THE LATE MR. ALFRED DAVIES The funeral of Mr. Alfred Davies, ex-M.P. i for the Carmarthen and Llanelly Boroughs, who died on Friday, took place on Tuesday at the Hampetead Cemetery. Prior to the interment a service was held at the Lynd- hurst-road Congregational Church. Among the mourners were the widow, three eons, and a daug'hter.

I WORKMEN TO BE HANGED The Military Court at St. Petersburg on Tuesday sentenced eight workmen belonging to the Narva flax spinning mills, to be hanged for the murder of M. Otto Pelier, the manager of the niills.-lteuter.

1 STEVENS' BRJLM3— X. great reaueat. SAIN-4

j Well-dressed Rogues 1 » I, BIND AND GAG A LADY AD ROB HER HOUSE I ( A sensational story is reported from Croydon. The house of Mr. Savery, St. Johm's-grove, WM visited by two well-dressed men, who represented that they were detectives. Mrs. Savery states t-hat after a brief conversation they gagged and bound her, amd then searched the house. In an interview with a press representa- tive Mr. Savery indicated the facts of the case. The men stifled Mrs. Savery's cries with their caps, then gagged and bound her. She fainted, but after a while recovered consciousness, and, loosening her bonds, managed to struggle outside the house, her screams attracting some of her neighbours to the spot. The men ransacked the house. Five watches were t-aken-two gold and three silver. Several other pieces of jewellery were also taken, the stolen property being worth about L50. Mrs. Savery is prostrate through shock, and ia under medical care.

THE COATBRIDGE ACCIDENT. About fifty persons were injured in a rail- way aocident at Coatbridge, reported in our later editions yesterday. A light engine was travelling alone on the North British Railway when an excursion train from Edin- burgh dashed into its rear. The front of the passenger engine was knocked into pieces. An inspection of the scene of the collision shows the serious nature of the accident. For a distance of 255 yards the permanent way wa; torn up in all directions, while the chairs were torn from the sleepers. When the driver of the light engine saw th3 accident was about to occur he applied all the steam possible, but before the speed could be got up the passenger train dashed into the rear of the engine. Driver Pender and Fireman M'Kinlay of the light engine are the most seriously injured, having been thrown with great force from the footplate on to the coals in the tender. Their injuries consist of severe scalp wounds and bruises. The other persons injured are stated to be going on well. The injuries are not believed to be serious, although ma.ny of the travellers were in a sta4e of collapse.

SHIP-REPAIRING TRADE The fact that the shipbuilding yards in the North are not doing so well is being reflected in South Wales by the keen competition for the repair of steamers lying at the Welsh ports. When work is slack in ship construc- tion the builders compete for repair work, with the object of keepin.g their hands toget.her, so as to enable them to have labour ready for more prosperous conditions. In such cases there is not much idea of making a profit, and the builders are satisfied if the job yields a little over cost. On Tuesday tondeirs were considered at Cardiff for exten- sive repairs to the steamship Wood burn. The lowest tender was from Messrs Cammell, Laird, and Co., of Birkenhead, and the vessel will accordingly go to the Mersey. Such competition is, of course, very unfair to the Bristol Channel dry dock owners, who, not having building work to do, have to depend for profit on repairing, and cannot afford to cut prices. For a long while pa&t the dry dock owners in the Bristol Channel have been able to beat thoee of the North in competition, and several vessels have been sent to Cardiff and Newport from North Country ports to be repaired.

NEWPORT BLIND AID SOCIETY The annual meeting of the Newport and Monmout/hehire Blind Aid Society was held at the Y.M.C.A.-rooms, Newport, on Tuesday, Dr. J. Lloyd Davies, J.P., presiding. The Chairman, as a member of the local educa- tion authority, pointed out that the grant had been withdrawn from the Newport Blind School in Charles-street, the Government inspector being of the opinion that they were unafble to carry on the work with efficiency. Hf was pleased to say that five children had been sent to the Cardiff Blind Institute, where better facilities were obtainable for their education. The forty-second annual report, and the first, in w.hioh the whole of Monmouthshire had been included in the society's work, was presented by the Rev. J. Swinnerton, in the course of which he stated that there were now 300 members practically blind on the books of the society who had receivfcd edu- cational appliances as a result of the efforts of the society.—The report was adopted.

"AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE" Under the auspices of the National Society, Mr. Harry Phillips, J.P., late alderman for West Haon, addressed a. public meeting at St. Mary's-haU, Barry Dook, on Tuesday on Education, True or False." Major-general H. H. Lee, R.E., J.P., occupied the chair. Mr. Phillips said he was opposed to the Disestablishment of the Ghurch, but there was a greater danger to face in the establishment of a religion that did not grip. There was a pre- valent idea that the Church was turning out the little hooligans of the streets, and the Nonconformists the moral and respectable children. The Church was producing 50 per cent, of the best of the young men and women amongst the working classes. Church- people had to face a serious outlook in the unholy alliance of earnest Christian Noncon- formists and the extreme Socialists of to-day. Preachers and Socialists had pledged them- selves up to the hilt for a purely secular education, but they were not going to get it.

CARDIFF SCHOOL LIBRARIES I At a meeting of Cardiff Composite School Libraries Committee on Tuesday Mr. J. Ballinger (chief librarian) presented a state- ment in reference to the school libraries during the year ending August, 1907. The number of books lent was as follows :-DounoiJ. schools, 1907, 210,592, as compared with 218,199 in 1906. In the ijon-provided schools the number of works lent was 42,179 in 1907, againttt 35,966 in 1905.—Mr. H. M. Thompson a,nd other members expressed the view that the report was very satisfactory, and Mr. Ballinger said the condition of the books in the past year showed distinct improve-ent,- It was resolved to aek the education commit- tee for a special grant of X60 (£30 for the boys and JE30 for the girls), in order to assist in furnishing the new elementary school at Canton with the foundation of a library. It w-zo further decided to ask Mr. Ballinger to report to the next meeting as to the decreased circulation of books in the boys' schools.

FURNACE BURST AT DOWLAISI At ten o'clock on Tuesday night Dowlais was greatly alarmed. Two loud reports startled the townsfolk, who, fearful of danger, rushed from their homes into the streets. Large numbers, anticipating that some accident had happened, besieged the entrance gates of the iron and steel works. There it was found that the molten metal had broken out at the back of No. 11 furnace, and coming into contact with water caused a thunder-like explosion. The mishap was unattended by any injury to the men employed at the furnace.

CARDIFF FESTIVAL I It has now been ascertained that the total reoeipts from the sale of tickets at the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival amounted to £ 2,700, and in addition to this will be the profits from the sale of programmes, Ac. The net expenditure was slightly under XZ,000, and it will be a matter of general satisfao- tion to know that there will be no call en the guarantors.

SUFFRAGETTES' CIVIL WAR The split in the Women's Social and Poli- tical Union seems to be healing, as at a meet- ing held in Aberdeen on Tuesday Mrs. Deapard, Miss Ohristabel Pankhurst, Mrs. Pethiok-Laurenoe, Mrs. Billington-Grelg, and Miss Helen Fraser were among the principal speakers.

MERTHYR RATES REDUCED The ratepayers odf Merthyr will be gratified to learn that the rates for the half-year ending March 31 next will be 2d. in the £ less than they were during the half-year ended September. The poor-rate will be 26. 5d., as against 2s. 8d., and the general dis- trict rate ls. 7d., as against Is. 6d., making j in all 4s., as compared with 4e. 2d.

I  DUTCH CAFE Mar Quem-etreet Station, one 01 j the quaintest in the world. Afternoon Teas with our I delicious Br"d wd Buttet.—St?ens, Confectioners, Âd. Cardiff. 04260

Poor-Law Scandal II MORE DISCLOSURES AT MILE-END INQUIRY At Mile End. London, on Tuesday, the Local Government Board inquiry into the administration of the Poor-la-w by the Mile End Board of Guardians was resumed by Mr. F. J. Willis. Before evidence was called, Mr. Robb said he had in his pogsession a letter from a very eminent firm, in which they said they had in their employ a person who could give definite evidence of corruption, but they refused to let him attend the inquiry on the; ground that his evidenoe might have a damaging effect on their business with other unions in the country. That," said Mr. Robb, is a very deplorable state of things." Mr. Henry Elwig, architect and surveyor, of Tunbridge Wells, who had inspected some of the work done by Mr. Galcutt and who gave evidence on Monday, was re-oalled, and proceeded to give details of what he alleged were excessive charges for tiling work done in the scattered homes. In one case L6 lis. 7Jd. was charged for work for which £ 1 6s. would be a fair charge. In another case the sum of 3s. was charged for carting half a yard of rubbish. (Laughter.) In sixteen homes the total charge for tiling work was £ 71 13s. 3 £ d. j Mr. Robb: And wha-t would be a fair I price?— £ 25 18s. 6d. The Inspector: Mr. Worsley has also reported that there has Deen gross and systematic overcharging in these accounts. Mr. Harry Stonehurst, a partner in the firm of Messrs. Eaton and Co., of Castle- street, E., builders and contractors, said that in some oases it was a query whether the work had been done at ail at ti.v tame mentioned in the bill. The varnish was cnocked with age, like crocodile skin, and it would take four or five years from the last Tarnishing for that to show. Some of the old work was in better condition than any of the new he had seen. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. Robb: That, perhaps, is what is J• charged for. (Renewed laughter.) I The inquiry was adjourned.

COAL EXPORTERS' AFFAIRS I The creditors of Messrs. Powley, Thomas, f and Co. (Limited), the large Cardiff firm of coal exporters who failed over two years ago, on Tuesday received from the liquida- tors a first dividend of 2s. in the £ The admitted claims total £ 166,651 15s. 2d. At the first meeting of the creditors the dis- j closed debts were stated at £ 70,807 is. 4d., but it was then pointed out that contingent liabilities might reach a further LSOIODOI including damages for breach of contract. The estate cannot yet be wound up, because actions are pending in the French courts against French buyers for coal delivered. When these are disposed of there are some life assurance policies which will be realised, and with these it is expected the liquidators will be able to distribute another Is. in the E. Pending the settlement of these matters, no detailed statement of liabilities and afeets has been made.

DEATH OF SIR JOHN ARDAGH I I General Sir John Ardagh, K.C.M.G-, has died at Carnarvon. Sir John had been lying ill at Glynllifon Park, for several days, as the result of hemorrhage on the brain. He was born in 1843, and was educated at Trinity College, Duolin, and entered the! Royal Engineers in 1859, attaining the rank of major-general in 1898. He attended the1 Congreiss of Berlin in 1878, and was head of the Intelligence Department in the Soudan Expedition of 1884. Sir John was senior staff officer in the Nile Expedition of 1886, private seoreta.ry to Lord Lansdowne from 1888 to 1394, and for a short time to Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India. He was Director of Military Intelligence at the War Office from 1896 to 1901, and British delegate to The Hague Peace Conference of 1899, and the Government director of the Suez Canal Company in 1903. He took part m the battles of Alexandria,: Tel-el-Kebir, El Teb, Tamai, and Gin its. In 1896 he married Susan Countess of I Malmesbury, widow of the third earl.

I MONTIGNOSO ROMANCE The EclaireuT de Nice" prints without details a. report that an unsuccessful attempt was made on Tuesday to seize the Princess Monica Pia, the five-year-old daughter of Signora Toselll, the former Crown Princess of Saxony. The paper states that the Princess had been placed in a religious establishment in the neighbourhood of Bordighera, and that the attempt was made with the connivance of one of the inmates of the establishment and a young musician belonging to Nice.— Central News. Another report states that the Princess has been sent to a nunnery school a.t San Remo or Bordighera.

NAPIER V. DARRACQ CARS Mr. HmmtTey Walker writes that he is will- ing to accept Mr. Edge's challenge to mm his team of Napier racing oars against any other team for X10,000 a-side. Mr. Walker proposes that there shall be two raom-one for a mile and the other for 500 miles-the stakes to be divided, and that each raoe shaJl be run under the interna- tional racing rules. The whole of Mr. Huntley Walker's team would be Darracq cars, and he thinks the event would settle for aJl the question whether the Napier or the Darracq are the fastest in the world. In regard to time- keeping, he proposes that the official time- keepers of the French and English Auto- mobile OlUtbs should be engaged.

MOTOR DEATH-ROLL I A fatal motor-oar accident occurred at the' village of La Oapelle, between Calais and Boulogne. M. Guerlin, lace manufacturer, left Calais in his oar for Boulogne, taking with him his wife, his two sons, and his brother-in-law, M. Barton, and his wife. During the journey M. Guerlin asked M. Barton if he would like to drive, and the offer was aocepted. The car bad just crossed the Jean Marc Bridge, when it crashed into a telegrajph pole. The pole was snapped im two, and the oar turned a. somer- sault. M. Guerlin was pim,ned down by the heavy car, which weighs two tons, amd died while being conveyed to hospital at Boulogne. Mme. Guerlin, who has a severe wound in the neck, is not expected to live. M. Guer- j lin's eons and Mme. 13artou were injured about the head, and M. Barton bad several II ribs broken.Central Neim.

PONTYPRIDD Y.M.C.A. I Btoremuoos efforts are now being made toj provide fluids for the projected new building for the Pontypridd Y.M.C.A., which involves an expenditure of X12,000, the freehold site for which has been very generously given by Visoounjt Tredegar, and on Tuesday a five days' scientific exhibition and bazaar to augment the existing fund was opened at the Town-hall, Pontypridd. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. H. M. Gregory, J.P., Ynysyngharad, Pontypridd, who remarked that, whilst three years ago: the Y.M.C.A. was started in the town with amembership of only 50, the number of mem- bers now totalled between 300 and 400.

Your natural interest in the welfare of your teeth will lead you to appre- ,i ciate the value of K (?htert? ?etht?mdef <' i Lfor making them clean and 11 ? kping them bright. j) Of all Chemists, in ttM, 6d., ( 1/- & 1/6. New glass jar with sprinkler stopper, 1/- nett. i! Sample free if you send penny ttamp to F. C. Calvert & Co.  (D.P. Dcpt)^ MMchMter. ? j

POURING OUT RATES I -————— 5 ——————. ANOTHER SENSATION AT CARDIFF. COST OF MENTAL HOSPITALI £108,000 Over Estimate l £4,000 FOR DOCTOR'S HOUSE I Hot Scenes at L.G.B. Inquiry. Application having been made by the Cardiff Corporation to the Looal Government Board for powers to borrow £ 50,500 for purposes of the City Lunatic Asylum at Whitchurch, Mr. H. Shelford Bidwell, M.Inst.C.E., held an inquiry at the council- chAmber on Tuesday. There was an unusually large attendance of ratepayers, among those present being the Lord Mayor (Sir W. S. Grossman), Mr. F. J. Veall (ohairman of the asylums committee), Alderman David Jones, and Messrs. F. H. Gaskoll, S. Hern (secretary of the Cardiff Property-owners and Rate- payers' Association), Wiiliam Jones. G. B. Goodyer, T. Quinlan, S. Milner, and J. J. Amee. Mr. Cecil Brown (deputy town-clerk) stated that the application was for powers to borrow two sums— £ 27,000 in respect of the completion of the asylum generally, and the balance for furnishing and equipment. Three hundred and two thousand pounds had already been sanctioned in respect to the asylum. The Inspector: What were the original esitunates ? the Deputy Town-clerk: £ 244,728. The chairman of the asylums committoo (Mr. F. J. Veall) was subjected to questions by the inspector on the whole position. The first question was why the corporation called this the completion loan when it was stated in evidence that the corporation might make another application for a ciearing-up loan. Mr. Vea.11: Probably owing to the un- certainty of pending litigation. Replying to Councillor F. H. Gaskell, Councillor Veall said the matter not settled was that of Firth and Sons on the question of damages from the corporation determin- ing the con/tract. They claimed loss of profit on work undone and compensation for damages to their reputation, and the round sum claimed was about £ 5,000. Mr. Cecil Brown subsequently corrected this figure to £ 1,700. Mr Gaskeil: Then I would not be putting it too strongly in saying that the corpora- hopelessly lost in the arbitration? The Deputy Town-clerk: Certainly. Mr. Gaskeil: How much did the coroaratinn pay in respect ot this arbitration? Mr. Brown: £ 2,226 7s. Does the £ 5.000 you mentioned cover the whole of Messrs. Firth's claim now?-Cer. tainly. Mr. Gaskeil: Is it the fact that the comple- tion of the contracts is long overdue? Mr. Veall: Yes, they are. I believe the contracts contain penalty cla uses ?—They do. Did you not answer me in the council that there were no penalty clauses?—I did not. Why have you not put these penalty clauses in operation?—Well, Mr. Gaskell, I tell you now, as I told you in the council chamber, when I appealed to the press not to take notice of any remarks, that the Cardiff Corporation could not, in my opinion, for one moment expect to enforce any penalty olauses on Messrs. King and Co. beoause of the delay caused to Messrs. King by Messrs. Firth, and if we gave Messrs King and Co. any notice of time to enforce penalties, the firm would put in a counter- claim for delay caused by Messrs. Firth, which would raise great complications. "You forced it out, and there it is for you," added Mr. Veall; "I think it is against the public interest." Mr. Gaskeil: Do you place the whole of the blame for the delay on Messrs. Firth? Mr. Veall: I do not, but I absolutely refuse to state the other reasons. The Inspector: Why? Mr. Veall: Because it is against the public interest that these matters should be brought before the public. (Cries of Nonsense.") The Inspector: But these penalty olauses could be enforced? Mr. Veall replied that hig experience of 33 years showed him that penalty clauses could not be enforced under circumstances such as had arisen in the present case.. Mr. Veall then proceeded to explain that there was a question as to the commencement of tjie erection of the chapel, and questions as to whether there should be a permanent or temporary infectious hospital. A REFLECTION ON THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE. Mr. Gaskeil: Is it unfair for me to say that the defay has partly been caused, or to a considerable extent caused, by the inability and incompetence of the committee Mid their failure to grip the whole affair? Mr. Veall; It is most unfair to say that. Mr. Gaskell: Very well; I will take your answer, and let the public judge. Velindra? which you took over, was a. country mansion, surrounded by the most beautiful 9TO-unds in the vicinity of Cardiff? Mr. Veall: Yes. Mr. Gaskeil: You pulled down Velindra. and built a house worth 14,000. Mr. Veail: That is a fact. Mr. Gaskell: Why didn't you allow this country residence remain as a residence for the medical supmntendentP Mr. Veall: Because the Lunacy Oommis- sioners absolutely refused to allow it. Mr. Gaskell: Is it not a fact that yon pre- pared plans for a building costing £ 4,000 and put them before the Commissioners in Lunacy without asking them about Velindra? Mr. VeaH t The plans of the medical superintendent's house were included in the competitive designs for the asylum because the Oommissdon^rs in Lunacy refused to &I-IOW Velindra to be used- £ 4,000 NOT EXTRAVAGAN P. Mr. Gaskeil argued for some time on the point that a new building was unnecessary, but Mr. Veall contended that it was abso- lutely necessary. He did not consider that £ 4,000 for the new residenoe was extravagant. He admitted that the cost of the stewards house was £1,500, and he did not think that was extravagant. A Ratepayer: What?—No. Mr. Gaskeil: You don't consider £1,500 extravagant to be spent on a house for a man who gets JB4 a week? Mr. VeaJI: I don't consider it extravagant at all. Mr. Gaskell then put several questions with reference to the farm buildings, and Mr. Veall said that a portion of the house known all Tyclyd was old and infested by rate. To this Mr. Gaskell remarked, "So it is Your opinion that if a house is infested with rats it is better to pull down the house than get rid of the rats?" (Laughter.) Why was it necessary to have stained glass windows in the recreation-room?" was the next question. Mr. Veall: This is all cant. You are only here for purposes of your own and for the purpose of giving me a roasting. You want to work up opposition to mfl. Mr. Gaskell: That is very unfair. Will you answer my question? Why put stained glass windows in that room? Mr. Veall: Why should not these poor people have some brightness? Mr. John Chappell: Hear, hear. Mr. Veall: There is only 440 worth of it altogether, and that kind of glass does not cost as much as plain glass. DINING-ROOM WITH ELABORATE FRIEZES. The number of electric lights wae then discussed. Mr. Gaekell then asked why tnere was any necessity for a dining-room for the committee when the asylum was within a motor-Iras drive of Cardiff. Mr. Veall: I do not consider It is extrava- gant. Mr. Gaskell: Would it not be possible to get a. few sandwiches into the committee- rooan without constructing a special dining- room? I am told tha.t railway directors sometimes lunch on sandwiches. Alderman David Joaes (ironically): No, no. (Laughter.) Mr. Gaskeil: I am sorry to offend the only railway director present. PIGGERIES CHEAP AT £1,000. I m'1. 1" r.—« uauflj a VU5 ociica 01 questions in regard to piggeries. Mr. Veall: 1 think they are cheap when it ip considered that the a.mount includes a slaughter-house and boiling house. There are four breeding pens and accommodation for 80 store pigs, so that at one time we may have 150 there. Mr. Gaskeil: Do you think your pigs should be housed better than your working classes? Mr. Veall: They are not. It is absolute tommy rot" you talking like this. You say the piggeries cost X12 10s. per pig, bat it would be nearer uhe mark if you divided the £ 1,000 by 150 instead of 80. Mr. William Jones, solicitor, then rose '0 question Mr. Veall, and said he represented himself and a large number of clients, whose property had depreciatcd owing to the enor- mous and wilful extravagance of the cor- poration. (A Voice: "That is quite true. ) Mr. Jones: There are, I am told, 100 lights in the medical officer's house. Can you tell me of another private house in the city of Cardiff with 100 electric lights in it? Mr. Veall: Oh, well, I can tell you of one. —a—I Mr. Gething Lewis's house in Cathedral-road has 120 lights. Mr. Veall said that some of the pigsties were semi-detached. Dr. Stevens (to Mr. Veall): Can you tell me what a semi-detached residence for a. pig is? Mr. Veall: That is one of the ratepayers' association's flights of imagination, or the "Western Mail's"-I don't know which. Dr. Stevens: You said that some were semi- detached yourself. (Laughter.) "SHORT PIPES AND CIGARS." Mr. Joseph Milner, St. Andrew'ixsresoent, caused a deal of amusement by his long argumenta,tive question as to the length of the meetings of the committees of the cor- poration. "Is it not a fact," was the gist of the question, "that the meetings are lengthened by the members pulling out short pipes and cigars and going out for refresh- ments and returning again to do the work of the corporation?" Mr. Veall (smiling): I may say that it is an undoubted fact that certain members vI the co,rp-oration-I won't mention names, bul I admit that I do it myself—smoke shor' pipes and cigars, and that, since the introduo tion of tobacco smoking in committees 1 have found the meetings to be shorter, because members do not talk so much. Mr. Milner (thumping the desk): That won't do for me, sir. (Loud laughter, during which Mr. Milner resumed his seat.) Mr. G. H. Oatley and Mr. W. S. Skinner. the architects of the asylum, then submitted statements as to the cost of the buildings, Ac. Mr. Sam Hern asked the former whether it was usual for architects to charge travel- ling expenses (which in this case amounted to £ 250), in addition to the commission of 5 per cent. Mr. Oatley replied that it was, and that usually many more things were charged than was done in this instance. Mr. Hern: Was the original estimate of L7,860 for the recreation hall and stage not an extravagant figure? Would not a much plainer room be muoh more satisfactory Mr. Oatley: It is a much simpler hall than is put up in many other asylums. The hall is the place where the patients have their recreation and are raised out of themselves, so to speak, and it is not at all extrava- gant for the purpose. Mr. Hern: It is a better style of building than the A;olian and Bechstein halls in London. Mr. Voall: But cheaper, I think. Mr. Hern: Oh, no; 1 think not. Mr Skinner stated that the instructions he received from Mr. Veall and the committee were not to waste any space, and in regard to material he was instructed not to put in any rubble stone, as brick was cheaper. In fact, economy was studied in every case. A CHARGE OF DISHONESTY. Mr. Veall; I would like Mr. Skinner to give his opinion on a statement that the more money the committee like to spend on the building the more fees and commiasion go into the architects' pockets." Mr. Skinner: I don't think I need answer that. It is beneath contempt. ¡ Mr. Oatley: May I ask the name of the gentleman who made that statement, as I would like to take proceedings against him? Mr. Veall: The name is Mr. Frank Gaskeil, a member of the council, who made the state- ment in a letter in Saturday's papers. Mr. Oatley: That statement amounts to a oharge of dishonesty. Dr. Goodail, the medical superintendent, was the next witness. He gave evidence on the plans generally, and particularly on the points upon which he had advised the committee. A Ratepayer: Is it reasonable and just to the ratepayers of Cardiff that you should have a house costing £ 4,000? Dr. GoodaJl: Am I called to answer that? I furnish my own house. Mr. GaskeU: The committee asked for that house, and not Dr. Goodall. A Ratepayer: Oh, no. The doctor, I know, would not expect such a thing. (Laughter.) Mr. Gaskeil, who had been absent for some time, said he understood that someone had taken advantage of his absence to make a statement which he did not think wa" quite correct. It had reference to the architect's commission. If the gentlemer who made the statement would repeat it he would be able to answer it. Mr. Veall then repeated the question he had put to Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Skinner repeated his answer, whereupon Mr. Gaskeil said that in the statement made in his letter tl--re was no suggestion that either Mr. Skinner or Mr. Oatley would suggest increased expenditure in order to get increased fees. The fact was that in a previous letter Mr. Veall had thrown the onus of the extravagance on the shoulders of the architects and officials. Mr. Veall said he referred to the impres. sion made upon the public mind by the insinuations of Mr. Gaekell. G1ftkell: That is a ?? unwarrantable steteme Mr. Oatley repeated the statement that he Mould take proceedings against the man who had made the allegation. Mr. Gaskeil: Exactlv. if tho *.• Mr. Veall was correct. But, novP S ^u have rJVed my word that th^ £ l^ suction ?a.iMt the arch?S T  whether you are satisfied? saUsfaS^^ Your explanation is perfectly aatisfa?otory, sir Alderman David Jones: It wanted explain- mg. Mr. G?skeII (ah?rciv). Tn t-m,, warped mind Perham it did. Mr Alderman' ?t in the minds of my friends h J d TOTAL AMOUNT EXPENDED. £ x?q nm -1 Mr. Sam Hem, as ?ce"Otaly of th*. n » Property Owners and Ratepayer^ A • tion, made a long statement in the course of which he said the taotjal had been «pand*d up to the present time on e new asylum, 60 tar J he could > s £ 329'tXf' At Abergavenny an asylum ^or 977S(" ? £ 14M0°' At Cot.sfœxi, near Ta.unton At this point Mr. Hern's attention was called to the faot that by SOMC me-ins ,t  ?tch? had been igalted in M, pooket. Continuing afterwards, he staSte2d t'lh f a£ t *Juf "t of the C?ford ?ylum Was £2,ooo, which ?s very much cheaper than Cardiff' after aJl?vm? for the di?rence in the ost ? land. Me committee thought thev hS to tie Cardiff ratepayers a milch cow?t??' which they could get anything. Mr. Veall (with much heat) I 0bi<vt t-hat. I am nha?d ?h mi/kin? the LtT iZS&e. to get as mU°h ?' ? ?em « poc,slbde. Mr. Hern: I didn't say Mr. Veall did hm IteenatM ? ? eono™u< £ dome so.  ? ? explain to what You mean. A BOLD CHARGE OF EXTRAV.Aa iv™ Mr. H-ern: My explanation i? ?'. .'nat if these gentlemen in their individuaj c?ity had to build an asylum to accommdae these patients, they would not select the most expensive patterns. The Inspector: Do you claim that the asylums you have mentioned are well equipped? Mr. Hern: I am told Abergavenny is well equipped, and one of the most economical in the country, the charge being Sa. 2d per head per week. Yr. Veall: Was not that asylum built as far back as the '60's? Mr. Hern was unaMe to say, but went on quoting figures respecting Bridgend and other asylums to show that the expenditure at Cardiff was extravagant. Mr. W. Jones statoo that the high rates in Cardiff had depreciated property 40 per cent and Mr. Frank H. Gaakell associated himself with the remarks of the two previous speakers. A BOISTEROUS SCENE. Councillor F. J. Beavan asked, heatedly why the gentleman who had been criticising did not compare Cardiff with such towns ae Bristol, Newport, and Swansea. A Ratepayer made some remark across the room, when Mr. Beavan shouted, excitedly. You be quiet; I know you of old." Mr. Bea-van added that the rates in the towns he had mentioned were higher than at Cardiff. Mr. William Jones: That does not improve the position. Mr. Beavan: That may be, but where is the value of your observations? Mr. William Jones: This is not the propei place for it. but I should be quite prepared to meet Mr. Beavan at any other time to discuss this. Mr. Beavan: Oh. and I would be quite pre- pared to meet you, too, at any time. At this stage, several gentlemen rose to their feet and began to address the inspector simultaneously in strident tones. The Inspeotor Will two out of three of you gentlemen sit down. for heaven's sake. Mr. Milnar persisted in standing, and shouted above the din, As a struggling tradesman in this bown at the present moment The Inspector: Do sit down, sir. Councillor Chappell said that the people who had had most to say said they repre- sented a rating capacity of £ 104,000. He was present representing 12,000 organised work- men. in the city who made the money for those gentlemen to pay the rates with. Un- fortunately some of those workmen had relations in the institution, and they looked upon it as a Sacred obligation upon the local authority to provide eovery up-to-date --a for improving the health and giving enter- tainment to the poor patients in order to alleviate their sufferings. Mr. Milner again got up and began to up- braid the corporation in general for extrava- gance. Perhaps the friends of some of the objectors would become inmates of the hos- pital, but he did not object to them sharing in the enjoyment of the Church organ or the recreation-hall or anything else provided for their oomfort, whereupon The Inspector stood up and, in angry tones, insisted upon Mr. Milner resuming his seat. The inquiry was then, closed, and the in- spector drove to Whitchurch to make personal inspection of the buildings.