Evening Express

The Man in the Street I « If the Great Auks who have gone to their happy hunting grounds could have returned across the space of time and have looked in at a London auction room the other day they would have wept copious and bitter tears in wretched shame, and they would have registered a pious wish that their noble and charm- ing ancestress had never condescended to Jay an egg which could fetch but a paltry LIIO. It is said that there are only seventy Great Auk's eggs in existence, and that the supply of new- laid specimens ran short long ago. A billionaire might offer a million pounds in order to have the luxurious delight of scooping out a fresh Great Auk's egg at breakfast; but he would find that this was one of the few articles that money cannot buy. It is questionable if he could get a Great Auk's egg to eat in any case, even if he possessed the Chinese taste and preferred the luscious dainty in a well-preserved state, fresh from the British Museum, with the chicken ready to march out to astonish, with its proud, infantile cock-a-doodle, a I wonder-satiated world. This particular egg that was knocked down for only £ 110 was bought by its previous possessor for L315 nineteen years ago, and the big fall in Great Auks' egg prices is only consoling when one remembers the proportionate increase in the cost of new-laid British hens' eggs. True, there is consolation in the thought, "How are the mighty fallen," inspired at the same sale by the disposal of a skull and thigh bones of a mammoth for 24s., the price of a Nubian slave in the days of the Pharaohs. And birds of paradise, with the appearance of having arrived fresh from their observa- tions on the topmost branches of the tree of knowledge, could not command the price of a decent lady's modern hat, while a Roc egg was absolutely given away (to use auctioneers' language) for £36. These ridiculously low prices are no encouragement to dealers, and any who are thinking of entering upon the Great Auk's egg trade may well think twice before embarking upon the ven- ture. The Great Auk was a bird which always commanded respect in the aerial world, and, with the possible exception of the big Roc of Arabian mythology, far exceeded the glories and fame of all other creatures in the world of feathers and claws. It would have been infinitely better if that Great Auk's egg had been duly hatched in the far-away days of its I innocent infancy, and, with other equally lucky members of the family, it could have founded a colony and have saved the ancient tribe this last and crushing indignity. The seventy existing Great Auk's eggs have no virtue in themselves. They are the (lucky or unlucky) survival of seons when giants stalked the earth. In those days the eight feet high head of the family called for his hot rashers of mammoth and Great Auk's eggs, and tradition has it that the feast was washed down with gallons of blood, with a fine, fat baby or two for dessert. This egg proved such a delectable dainty that insufficient birds in embryo were left in the nests to ca-rry on the race- hence the present scarcity. The surviv- ing Great Auk's eggs are as empty as the heads of the Southampton and Lhore- ditch brainless babies. They contain no rich, red yolk that makes appetising the surrounding desert of virginal white- ness they contain no tender chicken to tempt the Asiatic epicusrean. They are empty shells which any toy manufac- turer could make for a penny each; but as there are only seventy of them they are dirt cheap at £ 100 each. Probably, the ladies of the glacial and preceding agee used the feathers of the Great Auk for the decoration of their picture ba.ts, and thia? with the ?bnoanm? taste for ?Great Al&s eM baoom? aocogmts j for the present scarcity of the article. Fea-thered ladies who now set and follow the fashion should take warning. A few hundred years hence lark's eggs will be knocked down at three figures, and fashion will have to fall back on the plumage cf sparrows. Bishops in Mashonaland evidently have a high old time. Bishop Gaul relates how a thoughtful native chief sent him a bull, in order that he might have a comfortable ride. He confesses that he would rather have hopped on one leg all the way:— In the first pla-ce, I didn't know how to get on iL, for there were no stirrups or any- thing cf that kind, so I took a running leap, and when I got en I stuck there like Biondin. When I got to my journey's end there was the chief and his family wait- ing for me, and, of course, being a bishop, I had to get off with the greatest dignity. After dinner of boiled crocodile OT some- thing of that sort I found that I had to get on tha-t bull again, so I spat on my hands, and with a hop, skip, and a jump managed to get on it. But it took me a fortnight to get over that ride. The Visiting Committee to the Joint Counties Asylum at Carmarthen have thirty-five patients on their hands who ought to have been discharged a month ago. They come from asylumiess Cardiff, and, though it was pointed out that a. clear profit of L9 is made on them, it was resolved that the Metropolitans should be removed at once. Here corner the puzzle, Where are they to be taken to? According to present arrangements, the new asylum will not be opened until All Fools' Day next. The magnificent mansion, with its theatre, church, and all the up-to-date requirements of mad people, is still in the hands of the con- tractors, and imaginative people can see the Commissioners in Lunacy chasing these 35 lunatics from county to county when the joint authority shortly releases them, to forego the pleasure of their society and the JE9 profit they bring to the exchequer. But this is where the ingenuity of the Cardiff Committee should come in. If rne asylum itself is not yet finished, what of the doctor's mansion and the zel,000 piggeries? Surely, temporary lodging could be found in one of these handsome buildings for the 35 unwel- come guests now at Carmarthen. Failing the acquiescence of the doctor, there are the pigs' palaces, though, judging from the reported glories of those buildings, they appear to be too good for human beings. The only other alternative is to board the 35 out with members of the committee, who could take home two or three lunatics each. The result would be meretoriously good, and the com- mittee would be better able, after their studies in close social conclave, to deal with the aberrations of the mentally weak.

DISGUISED AS A MAN De Wet's Dispatch Runner An extraordinary story was told by a woman named Lily Whiterose, who was charged with drunkenness at Bradford yes- terday. She declared that she was a circus rider by profession, and had become cracko shot and expert riJer whilst with Buffalo Bill's Show. She went to South Africa, and after selling information about the British Army, was engaged by De Wet as dispatch runner. She added that she wore military attire and passed as a man. She subsequently deserted and joined the British at Modder RiYer, and later on acted as a nurse. She told the Bench her father and husband were both Army officers. She was fined ?:ls., including costs, or three weeks.

WORKMEN'S TRAINS I Mr. Lloyd George Explains a Difficulty I Mr. Lloyd George, replying in London to- day to the Trades' Union deputation, which called attention to the want of uniformity in ru-nning workmen's trains, complained that his real weakness in railway matters at present was that there was an appeal to the Eailway Commissioners, which made him practically powerless, and frequently cost thousands of pounds. He was convinoed no progress at all would be made so long as there was an ultimate appeal to that body.

WIFE'S QUEER STORY The charges of bigamy against Jack Langton, of Willesden Green, were further heard at Harlesden on Wednesday. The prisoner is alleged to have married Miss Florence Smith at Brondcsbnry and Miss Ethel Knapp at Kensington, his wife being alive at the time. A cab proprietor named Alfred Griswood said he was present at the Lambeth Registry Office in 1901 at the marriage of-Jack Clinton and Florence Day, and he believed the prisoner was the man. Miss Florence Smith spoke to her marriage with Langton, who declared that the mar- riage was to be kept secret for fear his father might stop his allowance. He only spent three nights weekly at the house, say- ing that he visited his brother on the other occasions. On two occasions he threatened her with a revolver, and the only momey he ever gave her was 8s. 6d. The case> was again adjourned. Miss Maud Kna1>p is a stationer's assis- tant, and is stated to be a native of Cardiff.

A POSER I A professor in philosophy was lecturing upon "Identity," and had just argued that part-s of a whole might be subtracted and other matter substituted, yet the whole would remain the same, instancing the fact that, although every part of our bodies is changed in seven years, we remain the same individuals. "Then," said a student, "if I hid a knife and lost the blade and had a new blade put in it, it would still be the identical knife?" "Certainly," was the reply. "Then, if I should lose the handle from the new blade, and have another handle made to fit it, the knife would still be the same?" "That is so," said the professor. "Then, in that case," once more queried the student, "if I should find the old blade and the old handle, and have the original parts put together, what knife would that be?"

I TALES OF PREMATURE BURIAL Disquieting statements were again made at the annual meeting of the Association for the Prevention of Premature Burial at Anderton's Hotel, London, yesterday. The secretary stated that thirteen cases ot premature burial had been notified, and 1ll 47 cases premature burial had been pro- vented. It seemed probable that hundreds of persons were buried in a state of sus- pended animation. Dr. Brindley James mentioned a case in which he was asked to see the body of a woman who was certified as dead. The executors, however, would not pay the fees, and he did not go. Some time after the funeral he was told that as the coffin was being screwed down a perspiration broke out on the woman. That seemed clear indica- tion that the woman was alive.

I A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY The anniversary of the execution of King Charles I. being yesterday, the equestrian statue of the deceased monarch in White- hall was, in accordance with custom, deco- rated by Legitimists from various parts of the country. The Legitimist Order of St. Germain sent a laurel wreath, tied with the Royal Stuart tartan, and bearing a card with the words, "In memory of H.R.H. Prince Charles Edward Stewart, great-grandson of King Charles 1. Died January 31, 1788: Who would not follow thee, Who would not die for thee, King of all Highland hearte- Bonnie Prince Charlie pH

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Acquittal for Thaw P I SPEECH FOR THE PROSECUTION Another great crowd assembled at the New York Criminal Court yesterday eager to hear the closing speech of Mr. Jerome, the district attorney, in the Thaw case. Mr Jerome claimed that jealousy and hatred, and not insanity, were the motives for the murder of Stanford White. The developinecst cf this claim was the keynote of the speech. The district attorney showed a change of attitude 00 far as Stanford White's charac- ter was concerned. At the first trial he was inclined to defend White; now he ad- mitted that he believed the stories of gross immorality which were told about him. If I were not an officer of tihe law," he declared, I should be tempted to say that Stanford White deserved death." The general interpretation of the speech, especially in view of the absence of denun- ciation of Thaw, is that Mr. Jerome would welcome a verdict of "Not guilty on the ground of insanity," for it is known that Judge Dowling would, in such event, take measures to keep Tha.w under restraint.

BUTE STREET AFFRAY I Dominoes End in a Row I Some swarth-y sons of "Araby the Blest" made their debut at Cardiff Police-court to- day a.nd kissed the Koran and went through the orthodox ceremonies, and if they had heard of the book before it was obvious that this was their first introduction to the formalities. Madji Maliome, 24, was charged with out- ting and wounding Hafiam Ahmet on the right leg and left hand with a knife with intent in Bute-street last night. Eveu with the add of an interpreter owing to the acoustic defects, which are a constant source of judicial complaint, it was not easy to string together a consecutive account of what happened. On Thursday night the parties, who are of the seafaring class, were peacefully engaged in a game of dominoes, and some- where about nine o'clock hostilities began. Complainant's story was that he was sitting in the kitchen, when prisoner attacked him, and with a knife in his hand invited him outside. Poliee-oonstable Kermode was called to the struggling pair, and formally charged the accused, who made no reply, though cautioned, in the form set forth in the statute. Dr. J. J. Buist (police surgeon) was called to the Bute-street Police-station to attend the injured Arab, whose two clean-cut wounds, he said, might have been caused by the knife produced. The Stipendiary sent the case to the assizes.

CARDIFF LAW SUIT r To-day, in the King's Bench Division, Mr. Justice Sutton gave judgment in the case of Thomas v. Palmer, he-ard before him recently at Cardiff. Mr. B. Francis-Williams, K.C., and Mr. Parsons were for the plaiptiff, and Mr. Samkey for the defendant. In this case Mr. Henry Wooloott Thomas, of Llan fair-road, Cardiff, was the plaintiff, and Mr. Charles Palmer, aJso of Cardiff, defendant. The dispute arose in regard to a piece of land situate in Llandaff. Plaintiff's case was that his predecessor in title, Henry Perdue, had erected a certain fence on the land in question, which had been maintained in accordance with the usual covenants. He complained that the defendant had built a shed on adjoining land which projected four inches over plaintiff's ground, and said he entered on a certain part of the land on the went side which he claimed to be entitled to. Plaintiff claimed an injunction and damages. Defendant denied all plaintiff's allegations. His Lordship, having reviewed the evi- dence, gave judgment for the plaintiff.

GAMBLING IN STOCKS I There is great excitement in Wall-street, New York, owing to a report, which appears to be well founded, to the effect that Presi- dent Roosevelt intends to make in a forth- coming Message to Congress a, bitter denun- cia.tion of SUJock gambling and the financial operations of the big corporations. The whole te-nour of the Message is of an extremely sensational character, denouncing, as it does, several well-known trust com- panies, recommending amendmffllts to the anti-trust law, and proposing legislation to prevent the using of Government wires and property for the facilitating of illegal gambling. The Message is expected in the course of the next few days.

THEFT AT A POST OFFICE I At Carmarthen Post-office yesterday even- ing, a man, snatched a packet of 40 Li postal orders which were on the counter and dis- appeared. A search was made for the man, but no trace could be found of him. The postal authorities will sustain no loss, as the orders were unstamped. The postal orders were recovered in a remarkable manner this morning. Upon clearing the letter-box one of the postmen discovered the whole of the orders had been deposited therein. They were folded up and somewhat soiled. The thief evidently found out that the orders were not negotiable, and parted with them before he was caught trying to frank any of them.

LITTLE BIT OF JEALOUSY I Mrs. Ajanie Rock told the Newport magis- trates to-day tha.t her husband, a docker, to whom she had been married 25 years, ha-d many times ill-used her, and was in the habit of taking a chopper to her, as well as a c-oaitrimmer's shovel. Defendant said it was all due to a little bit of joalousy. The partie.s were advised to make a further I trial of their mutual affections, and the case was adjourned for a month. I

KING'S GERMAN REGIMENT I The 5th Hussars (Prince Bluecher Von Wahletaff) at Berlin have received the fol- lowing telegram in reply to a message of homage despatched to King Edward, t'heir honorary oolonc-1: Your kind congratulations on the occa- sion of my regimental jubilee have deeply moved me. I am very proud to have been for Z5 years your honorary colonel, and I wish. my gallant and esteemed regi- ment good luck and blessing. —EDWARD.

SOCIETY'S NEWEST STANDARD I Ever since soei-ety was first constituted certain standards have existed, to which its members have been supposed to conform. With successive generations these standards have varied, "The Ladies' Field reminds ns. VaJour, which at one time was the test of distinction, in a later development gave way to birth, which in its turn was super- seded by culture and genius, these having been absorbed in our own day by the most determining of all social factors—namely, money

I SHRUBB AND SPRINTING I Alfred Shrubb, the long distance runner, arrived in Liverpool from New York on the Mauretania to-day. In an interview h. stated that, whilst A.merica. possessed some good sprinters, half-mile and quarter men. she could npt compare with England in long I distance talent. They looked a.fter the long stride too much.

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Struggle With a Madman -—— 0- ——- I FIENDISH STRENGTH DISPLAYED A thrilling story of a. struggle between a lunatic and two constables was told yester- day in Belfast Police-court, where a man, named Jamee Doug-an, was committed to an asylum. Police-constables West and Moran went to Dougan's on Wednesday to effect his arrest on a warrant. Although warned that the man had a razor in his possession, the officers proceeded to the pantry, where he was Mirdealed. The moment the pantry door was opened Dougan sprang out with an open razor in one hand and a large jug in the other. He dashed the jug in the face of West, smashing it to pieces. West closed with his assailant, who made frantic efforts to get at the officer's throat with the razor. Moran went to his brother officer's assist- ance, seizing the hand of Dougan that held the razor. In doing so he received a ter- rible gash on the hand, two fingers being cut to the bone. Fortunately, however, ne succeeded in securing the razor, thereby saving the life of West. For over an hour there was a struggle for the mastery in the kitchen. Dougan dis- played fiendish strength, and tossed the offioers off him like ninepins. However, the constables stuck to their man. At one moment the constables seemed as if they had secured the prisoner, but the next Dougan was master. In the struggle the officers and man became interlocked twice, and they rolled over towards the Are, which was blazing in the kitchen, but fortunately West and Moran were unable to reoover themselves before any further injuries resulted. Meantime the demented man's moth-er looked on in despair, and her anxiety was certainly not lessened as she saw practically every article of household furniture in the kitchen destroyed in the desperate struggle. At last Dougan fell exhausted, and he was quickly bound with ropes and conveyed to the workhouse. Yesterday he was in such a mental state that medical officers refused to permit his removal to the police-court.

I. FOOL, AM I P" A well-known baronet, who is now dead, was long the member for a country con- stituency similar to that of South Hereford, which polls to-day. A Tory of the old school, his resolute opposition to all reform. gave him a reputation for folly and obstinacy which was not really indicative of his true character. On one occasion he was canvassing with a party of friends, and on asking a heavy- looking farmer for his vote, the man replied:- I'd vote fur ye, Sir Henry, as usual, only you're such a fool!" Fool, am I?" retorted Sir Henry, with a smile; "then I'm the very man to represent ..von." This diamoud shaft of wdt went to the farmer's heart, and with a. guffaw he exclaimed. Sir Henry, I'll gie ye my vote again!"

SNAILS THAT SNORE I A naturalist, whose name, the Paris cor- respondent of the "Telegraph says, is with- held. but it may be Munchausen, has dis- covered a deplorable habit in snails. He has a few pet gasteropoda, which he keeps in glass cages. He was writing at his table while his snails rested in their quarters on the mantelpiece, when a strange, regular noise disturbed him. It was a long, low hum, followed by a short, louder treble note. The nauralist got up to trace the noise. He found that it came undoubtedly from the mantelpiece. Could the snails be snoring? He knocked sharply at the glass cages. The snails woke up, the noise ceased, and thus the naturalist made his discovery that snails snore. He found on closer observation that snails bred on vines snore loudest, presum- ably under Bacchic influence.

MISUSE OF TELEPHONE I Will there soon be a reaction against the ever ubiquitous telephone? It strikes me there may, because I hear on all sides complaints of its misuse, especially by the younger members of the community. A lady of note, who is very good-natured in ha-ving girls to stay with her in town, was found complaining bitterly the other day that she could never get near the instrument herself because her young guestB were exchanging confidences all day long with their girl- friends as to their frocks and young men.— I Gentlewoman."

QUEEN MAUD I Queen Maud has in a marked degree the womanly gift of making a home beautiful, and signs of this are to be seen everywhere in the Padace, especially in the private apartments of the Royal Family; The decorations show her refined sense of colour, and, while the fine old Norwegian furniture has been retained, the rooms have an air of comfort suggestive of the young Queen's English home, Appleton House, where part of her early married life was spent, and the home of her girlhood, Samdrim-ighom.- Sunday Strand."

"AT HOME" TO BABIES I A novel function took plaoe last night in I the Town-hall, Batley, when the "Town Matron," Miss Terry, was "at home" to the babies born in the town since she commenced work as health visitor in Batley last August. Over 220 proud and happy mothers attended, and were received by Miss Terry and the mayor and mayoress. The babies the visi- tors brought with them appeared to enjoy themselves immensely. Tea was provided and a short entertainment followed.

S. HEREFORDSHIRE POLLING Polling in the South Herefordshire Divi- sion opened this morning, the weather being fine. The Unionist candidate, Captain Clive, has arranged a motor drive of 170 miles to enable him to visit many of the districts. Everything was very quiet in the early rcorning around the polling stations, of which there are 34 scattered throughout a wide rural area. A large number of motor-care and other vehicles have been lent each condidate.

BARMAID'S FALL OR JUMP P I Shortly after midnight ]¡aet night a Chatham policeman patrolling his beat was startled by hearing a heavy thud, and going to the spot found a young woman, named Maud Meager, barmaid at the Old Barn Public-iiouse, lying on the pavement. She had jumped or fallen from the top window, about 40ft. from the ground. She was removed to hospital in a proca-rious condition.

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY I The man who gets the most cut of life, who makes the biggest success in a broad way, is not the one who devotes his every waking moment to business. He works hard, says the "Reader," when he works, but it is not all toil and trouble with him. He has business hours, and he keeps them.

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I Broken Engagement I MARRIED MAN'S PROMISE I The very important question whether damages can be awarded in an action for breaoh of promise wthen one of the parties is married, to the knowledge of the other, at the time the promise is made, was raised in an appeal yesterday. The appeal was by Mr. Sydney Basalgette Oarnley, of Alford, Lincoln, against whom an action for breaoh of promise had been brought by Miss Florence Wilson, of Bleak House, Alford, and damages in Lloo awarded, a.t the trial before Mr. Justice Coleridge and a jury at Lincoln Assizes. There was a counter-claim by the defendant for damages for libel, and one farthing damages was awarded, also an injunction order restrain- ing Miss Wilson froon further publishing the libels alleged. Mr. Hugo Young stated that when the alleged promiee was made Miss Wilson was a spinster and Mr. Caraley was living with his wife, to the knowledge of Miss Wilson. The promise was dependent upon the death of the defendant's wife. The action was brought some years after the promise had been made and the engagement broken off. After the death of the defendant's wife the plaintiff began a series of annoyances, and the actions were commenced. The point counsel now raised was that, the promise having been made when the defendant had a wife living to the knowledge of the plaintiff, it was void and not binding in law, being con-trary to public morality. Counsel did not dispute that if a married man gave a promise whilst hiB wife was alive, and her existence was un- known to the person to whom the promise was given, an aotion would lie when the wife died, but instead of being an action for breach of promise it would be an action for breaoh of warranty of capacity to marry. The law had always guarded very strictly against any sort of contract which looked forward to any future separation between husband and wife. The hearing was adjourned.

"A HAUNTED HOUSE" Sued in respect of rent due, a labouring man told Judge Willis at Southwark County- court yesterday that he had had no luck since he had been in the place. "There's been a murder in the house," he added in a sepulchral voice. His Honour: The ghost hasn't disturbed you, has it? (Laughter.) Defendant: Well, things have fallen down and a screen's got broken. (Laughter.) His Honour: A haunted screen! That sounds poetical! (Laughter.) Defendant: Well, how would you like to live in a house where murder has been committed? (Loud laughter.) His Honour: I have never yet been called upon to do so, but if I were, and the walls spoke, I might hear something that was not pleasant! (Laughter.) Well, get out of the house in a week, and in the meantime speak pleasantly to the ghostly gentleman if he should' visit yon. (Loud laughter.)

MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL I What is the most dangerous of aJl the wild animals that I have encountered? The rhinoceros," repeats Mr. John R. Bradley, one of the big game hunters of the world, in the "Chicago Journal." "In equatorial Afrioa you will find the rfiinoceros almost everywhere, in the high land and in the low land, in the open country and in the brush. You will find him when you least expect him, and most often when stalking through his habitat, wholly uneon- Ecious of his presence, you suddenly hear his 'Ohug. chug!' Then Heaven help you if you are not provided with a rifle of large calihro and carrying steel bullets. Your only chance is to do a swift sidestep, and even then you have only three shots that will count—the brain, the neck, and heart shot. When he is charging head on it is impossible for you to reach either one."

IRISH UNIVERSITY BILL Mr. Birrell has drafted his Irish University Bill, which provides for a reoonst-itution of the Royal University as s teaching as well as an examining institution, upon which the Government are ready to confer an endow- ment of L30,000 per annum, apart from the £20.000 already given. The Queen's Colleges of Cork and GaJway, together with University College, Dublin, are to be affiliated to it, while Queen's College, Belfast. will be at liberty to either join or be elevated to the status of a separate university.

TRANSVAAL ASIAT'CS The settlement of the Asiatic question in the Transvaal come at an opportune moment (Slays the Times "). We congratulate all who have taken part in it. More especially does it seem to us that praise is due to Mr. Gandhi and his friends for the victory which they have won for their cause, as they have consistently refused to aocept any settlement which did not meet the case of their humbler compatriots as well as of those in more influential positions.

TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP I The march of the Manchester unemployed to London practically terminated this morning. Controversy at Bedford concerning finances led to the leader, Mr. Williams, declaring he would have nothing more to do with them, and Mr. Gray took charge. The Salvation Army paid the fares of 56 back to Manchester, and the other seventeen started for Hitchin under Mr. Gray, who expressed the hope of the march ending successfully. in «|»

JUST LIKE PAPA I Robinson took his small nephew to the Zoo, and when he saw the tiger, to re-assure the child, he said: Do not be frightened, Robert, the tigtc is waiting for his dinner; that is why he growls so." Oh, I am not afraid," said Robert. "Papa does just the same."

BRITISH EMBASSY IN ROME I The retirement is announced of the Right Hon. Sir E. H. Egerton. British Ambassador to the Quirinal, who has reached the age limit. He will. it is stated, be succeeded by Sir J. Rennell Rodd., British Minister to Sweden. Sir Hemiell Rodd is well known and highly esteemieid in Rome, as in 1391-92 he was Seooad Secretary at the British lshnhmy^

Wife's Savings Not Hers APPEAL COUHT GIVES THE HUSBAND THE BANK BOOK Is a wife protected by the Married Woman's Property Act against a demand by her husband for money which she has saved out of her maintenance allowance? The County-court judge at Whitehaven says "Yes '-and the point was put anew to Justices Phillimore and Walton in the Divi- sional Court yesterday in an appeal. The facts on which the question was based were that Joseph William Birkett, an engine driver, of Frizington, Cumberland, went to South Africa, leaving his wife and two children behind. He found work in the Colony and was able to send his wife on an average C2 15s. per week, but on his eventual return to this country he accused his wife of having been unfaithful and declined to live with her. He discovered that his wife had a Post- office savings book, and that L135 stood to her credit in the Post-office Bank. He claimed it as his, but the County-court judge held that his remittances were a gift, and that he had no claim on the hoard. Mr. Justice Phillimore differed. His lord- ship, giving judgment, said, the husband admitted that the remittances were sent to the wife to do what she liked with, and that the amount in the bank was the wife's savings. But, in his view, except possibly in some exceptional cases, such money was the property of the husband. It was true that the husband went some distauoe a-way from his wife, but he only went for temporary purposes, and any savings made by the wife were to be treated just as if the husband had only left home for the harvest or for a week. The husba-nd was entitled to a declaration that the money in the bank belonged to him, and the appeal would be allowed with costs. Mr. Justice Walton concurred.

POLICE CHARGES FAIL I When two men, named Stead and Lloyd, were charged at Tottenham yesterday with being drunk and disorderly, the latter made grave allegations of violence against certain of the officers concerned in the case. Lloyd said he was following a Vanguard 'bus from Shepherd's Bush to Walthamstow, and when t-he police were taking Stead, who was the driver of the 'bus, into custody he went up to take the constable's number. A constable shoved him down and knocked him into the gutter. He was taken to the station, and, after being charged, was led from the dock to the cells by three police- men. In the narrow passage leading to the cells (he said) two policemen struck him on each side of the head, and he had the marks of their ill-usage still on him. The third constable kicked him into the cell. Alderman Huggett made Stead pay for a lamppost which he admitted breaking, but dismissed the other charges,. Lloyd was dis- charged. 1

MISTAKEN FOR A MAN A curious incident occurred at the Strat- ford Police-court yesterday. Sitting in court was a lady doctor wearing a straw sailor hat and a tailor-made cloth costume. She wore her hair cut short, giving her a mascu- line appearance, and when the justices, fol- lowed by the clerk, entered the court the latter gentleman impetuously exclaimed, "Take your hat off, sir." He looked straight at the doctor, who obeyed the order and removed her headgear. Business was on the point of being com- menced when one of the warrant officers, smiling broadly, informed the clerk that th, doctor was a lady. Apologies followed and .were smilingly received by the lady.

TRAD E H-IN UMAN HAIR Acoording to the British Commercial Attache at Yokohama an item of increasing importance in the trade statistics of Japan is the traffic in human hair. The value of the exports of this "commodity" has risen £ 280 in 1904 to £ 10,421 in the first eleven months of 1907. France appears to be the best foreign customer, for in 1907 she took 115,7101b. of it, valued at £ 5,528, while 38,2531b. weight, worth X2,653, went to the United States. Great Britain's share was only 3,5781b., valued at £170, or less than 2 per cent. of the total.

THE WORST OF THE LOT I A ticket-inspector made an administration application to Judge Emden at Lambeth County-court yesterday in inspect of sum- monses by ten different money-lenders. His Honour: This is the most extraordi. nary administration application I have ever had. You have ten creditors, and they are all money-lenders. We get some foolish people here. but you're the worst. Defendant: I borrowed from one to pay another. I have had several executions. An order for 7s. 6d. in the £ was made.

A CAR'S WALKING PACE I A county-council electric car-driver, giving evidence at Shoreditch County-court yester- day regarding a collision, said he was going not more than five or six miles an hour. Another witness said the cart was proceed- ing at a walking pace in front of the car. His Honour. Do you suggest that gentle- men coming up to town by electric oar are brought at a walking pace? Witness: Oh, yes. I have known a car follow a funeral procession right up to Abney-park. (Laughter.)

PRESENTATION AT CARDIFF At a smoker held at the Canton Parish Church Institute, Cardiff, last evening the members presented Mr. Arthur Phillips with 1 a gold watch. Mr. Tom Harry presided in the unavoidable absence of the rector (the Rev. H. G. Williams). Mr. R. A. Kemp, in a few well-chosen remarks, made the presentation. Mr. Phillips, who is about to take up an important position at Fort William. Canada, suitably responded. I

STAGE ALLUREMENTS That the stage is becoming a marriage market, for aristocratic and well-to-do men shows a curious phase of society. The reason is not far to seek. The young man burdened with money, but not with brains, finds in the musical comedy the entertainment best suited to his intellect. As in the Circassian slave market, the most beautiful girls are here gathered and offered for his approval.— Graphic."

SEAMAN FALLS 30 FEET W. H. Neale, an able seaman on board the steamship Joseph Davies, lying in the Roath Dock, Cardiff, fell down the hold of the vessel last night, a distance of thirty feet. He was picked up and conveyed to the Seamen's Hospital, suffering from concussion of the brain and severe internal injuries, and was detained.

Y,4 FOR A PENNY Four pounds for a pen¡ny! This sum and £3 15s. were paid respectively for Ethelred and Alfred pennies at Messrs. Glendining's sale yesterday of the Murdoch collection. A Henry VIII. sovereign went for £ 7 5e„ add a. sovereign of the reign of Mary for 29.

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YOU MUST NOT MISS PICTURESQUE PERSONALITIES OF THE PITS A SERIES OF CHARMING SKETCHES By Mr. T. Richards, M.P. (Secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation). GRAPHIC NARRATIVES OF WELSH COAL-MINING LIFE Next Thursday Mr. Richards will treat of the Mardy (Rhondda Fach) Collieries, Bryna-wel, Jerry, and others. Previous Sketches appeared in the Evening Express" for January 16, 23, and 30.

COURT DRESS IN A QUEUE Cabinet Minister's Soup In the course of his reply on the unem- ployed debate in the House of Commons yes. terday evening, Mr. Burns related a personal experience by which he put to the test the alleged exploitation of the unemployed funds by persons whom he described as coming to London not to work, but to live on public and private charity. Returning, said the right hon. gentleman, from a reception at Buckingham Palace, he took his place in a long queue of men wait- ing on the Embankment. He remained with them for two or three hours, and was glad to say that no one recognised him. (Laugh- ter.) Turning up his collar to hide his Court dress he pulled his hat-ove p his eyes, and with his £ 2,000 a year looked as miserable as he could. He held out his hand and got a quart of soup and a pound of bread. Mr. Burns drew the conclusion that London was bfeing exploited shamefully.

¿ I REVEALED AFTER DEATH A ganger on the French Eastern Railway Company's line was terribly injured a week or two ago at Nancy by a train, which knocked him down and crushed his legs. The poor man has just died in hospital, and his death has revealed the unsuspected fact that he was a genuine marquess, and that hia real name was Gaetan d' Aussart.. He had refused offers from America suggesting that he should sell his title. He had never been know to mention his high birth to the people with whom he was brought in daily contact.

FARMER AND THE STRANGER Two surveyors of the Congested Districts Board, which has bought the Callow Farm, a grazing ranch near Frenchpark, County Roscommon, yesterday visited the property to divide it up. A crowd of tenants, who attended in the hope of securing plots. attacked a stranger accompanying the sur- veyors, to whom they thought some of the land might be allotted. He took refuge in a house, but was dragged out and rolled in the niud. He escaped in company with the surveyors, the division of the land not taking place.

BAKED 70 MILES OF PIES "Concentrate your mind on the oven," said Miss Teresa M'Donald, of Boston, in explain- ing the wonders of her art in pastry cools- ing. She has just celebrated her golden anni- versary as a cook. and owns to the proud reoord of 394,000 pies baked in forty years at one restaurant, besides scores of other dainties. If all her pies were laid out in a row, they would reach seventy miles. She has made 2,000,000 doughnuts in twenty-seven years, and 788,400 puddings.—"What to Eat."

TO BE DEPORTED Arrangements have been made by the pro- vincial authorities of Ontario to deport a. disabled Englishman, named Edward Barn- shaw, who arrived in Ontario last May and obtained employment with a farmer in Durham County. One day in July he was walking with the farmer's son, when a gun which the latter was or. 'ing exploded and blew off Baxnsihaw's right hand. Barnshaw received 50 dollars compensation, but, as he cannot work, he will be deported.

"ENCHANTED M COACHMAN The Paris civil-court has dismissed a tuit brought against Professor Raymond and Dr. Menard, two well-known physicians, by coachman who charged them with sorcery. The coachman claimed £1,000 damages because the physicians had enchanted him amd disorganised his nervous system. He received a further shock when the court dis. missed the case and ordered him to pay the costs.

GUESSING TIME "Let us see what ideas you have about time," said counsel to a witness at Shore. ditch County-court yesterday, producing his gold timepiece. "You say the whole acci. dent occurred in two minutes. Now wait- how much time has passed?" Witness: About throe-quarters of a minute. Counsel: Well, it is just ten seconds. (Laughter.)

CONVENT MYSTERY The body of a well-dres&ed man, apparently a foreigner, was found last night inside the boundary of the private grounds of the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Bonchurch, a community of French nuns who settled in the Isle of Wight in 1-904. Death had evidently been caused by a bullet wound. No means of identification have bean, yet discovered.

MUST KEEP YOUR MIND ON IT People talk about the weather because they don't like to think," remarked the man who makes a study of conversation. Not in this climate," answered the con- tradictory person. You've got to keep your mind on it here. The weather's liable to change while. you're talking about it."

OUR OLD MAIDS Girls kspt under too strict tutelage an* supervision by a mother or elder sisters art very apt to remain old maids. Girls, just as much as peaches, neod a sunny wall on whic,h to ripen and come' to maturity.— Home Chat."

DANCING AT 104 Mrs. Mary Nelson, who lias died aft Oarrick-on-Shannon at the age of 104, was one of Miss Nightingale's nursing staff in the Crimea, and witnessed the charge of the Light Brigade. She danoed a jig on her laet birthday.

Messrs. Liptcme have bees appointed tea, coffee* Mtd aoooa ^nerehaats by Rayai Warrant to their Majeetiefl the Tring fm' Quem ot iuay.

MOBILISE Nearly 60 ships com-prised in the Porte. mouth Division of the Home Fleet, were brought up to full strength to-day in a test of mobilisation, which did not involve the vessels leaving their moorings or berths, in pursuance of an order issued a week ago. The seamem. stokers, and marines left the neval depots ashore at eight o'clock, pro- ceeded direct on board with kits, and went to quarters, the ships being cleared for action. By eleven o'olook the vessels were demobi- lised, amd the men back at shore quarters.

SOLDIERS STEAL A CYCLE To-day, at Wrexham, James Foulkes and Eli Thomas, privates in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, were charged with stealing a bicycle, the property of Mr. Walter Roberts, a well-known local comedian. Prosecutor left his machine in the entrance of the Reform Club, and the prisoners made off with it in the direction of Chester, where they intended to sell it. Foulkes, who was given a bad character, was sent to gaol for two months, while Thomas was bound over.