Evening Express

The Man in the Street v There are committees and committees. There are good, bad, and indifferent oommittees; committees in which rr-t-mbers seem afraid to breathe freely; othtTS at which smiles are particularly tabooed; some have ladies upon them, and the members strive to appear at their gallant best; and others are jovial committees, with jolly members ready to crack a joke out of business and generally to extract all they can out of the passing peep-show of life. Such a committee is the Cardiff Mental Hos- pital Visiting Committee, now so busy in preparing their brand new institu- tion for habitation. It is proving a costly affair, and some must reap a little benefit, or why its existence? When I hopped in at their meeting yesterday the members were engaged in the exhilarating pastime of appointing chaplains and other officials. There was at once apparent the beautiful per- fume thrown out by choice cigars and good tobacco, there was the sound of good honest laughing, and the members wore the sort of smile that does not come off for an hour or two. There could be no doubt about the matter—it was the Asylum Corrfmittee. I cannot help thinking that these characteristics arc largely due to the' fact that three doctors are there to provide the spice which mixes so well with the ordinary, sober traits of mere laymen. With the addition of another medical man in the superintendent of the Mental Hospital, there is no getting away from the influence of gentlemen who so freely and so gallantly come out of their shells to show ail who may learn that the royal road to good health and long life is occasional relaxation in loo-k- ing at the light side of matters with fuii-breasted laughs following witty repartee. Thus it happened mat one candidate for a post was regarded with more favour in at least- one quarter because his family tree was a branch better than his competitor.. True, the smiles disappeared for a time while oMtpla-ins were discussed, and this one matter was too 6erious to be disposed of at a single sitting. Another postponed appointment was that of chief jester to the institution. A certain doctor noted for his humorous asides in council chamber and committee room was nominated for the office, but withdrew with the assertion that he was bent on acquiring a new character for serious- ness. Another medical man, who has no thoughts of immediate retirement from the lighter interjections of debate, suggested that, as the cost per head would be reduced by a larger number of patients, several members of the com- mittee might qualify for residence with benefit to the ratepayers. In the end it was found that as much real business ha,d been transacted as if the members had set themselves to their task with grim brows and sour fronts, and very soon all will be ready for the opening ceremony early next monh. "Postage stamps worth a fortune" is a title of a book of interest to others than collectors of perforated and coloured patches of gummed paper. Of special interest is that portion which illustrates the world's rarest stamps, including the great rarities of the Imperial Stamp Exhibition at Caxton-hall, Westminster. One of these is a two cent. stamp of British Guiana, a pair of which sold for the enormous sum of £ 1,000. A George- town. lady discovered a pair of these stamps amongst some old papers, and she, thinking them to be of some little value, placed them in the offertory at Christ Church. The incumbent, Canon Josa, was able to sell them for £ 205. That was in 1896. A year later a similar pair changed hands for L650. A London dealer had a big haul a few years ago. A stranger entered his shop with a blook of eight old 5s. English stamps. He explained that 'he had been looking through some of his late father's corres- pondence, and he had found that a remit- tance of L2 in eight 5s. stamps had been overlooked many years before. Wanting to cash them, he had taken these old stamps into a post-office. How- ever, as they differed from the 5s. stamps in current use, the clerk told the man that he would have to take them to Somerset House before he could get them exchanged for cash. It was while he was on his way to Somerset House that he noticed a s-tamp dealer's shop. On the impulse of the moment he. entered the establishment aud asked the proprietor if the stamps were worth their face value of X2. The dealer gladly exchanged them for cash, and promptly sold them at E9 each. The most renowned of all rare stamps are the Post-office" Mauritius, thus styled on account of the two words £ Post-office appearing in the border of the stamps at the left. Very crude in workmanship, the stamps had been engraved by a watchmaker on the island. They were printed one at a time, and it is believed that one thousand were pro- duced in this laborious manner. Yet there are only about 26 specimens known to col- lectors. Forty years ago they were selling at E4 each, and twelve years ago a pair realised £ 1,680. The Prince of Wales has a fine copy of each of the stamps, purchasing the penny red one for £ 850, and the twopenny blue one at public auction for £ 1,450. The illness of the Prime Minister is a reminder of how the health of men in responsible positions has had a serious bearing on public affairs. Mr. Gladstone was ill in bed during a most critical stage of the Soudan question, and he was absent from the meetings of Ministers at which it was decided to send out General Gordon. Lord Cromer, in his recently published book, gives it as his opinion that during the Egyptian Conference which sat in London in 1885 the course of events was influenced a good deal by the fact that Lord Granville, the Foreign Secretary, was suffering from gout. Lord Cromer himself was afflicted with a severe sore throat which well-nigh deprived him of all powers of speech when General Gordon and Colonel Stewart were in Cairo in January, 1884, on their way to Khartoum. The committee of visitors for the Joint Counties Asylum at Carmarthen appear to uphold the traditions of these bodies, and Mr. E. Robinson (the new Pembrokeshire chairman) made the happy suggestion that the representatives of the three counties might come to an amicable settlement of the vexed dispute concerning the burden of maintenance in triple shares by dining together. There is no doubt that this would be by far the best way, and its adoption would save a lot of time, not to say ill-feeling, in the future. In the same way the Aberystwyth Council could find a path out of their difficulties, though it might be found desirable that their conciliatory dinners should be held more -frequently, say an hour before each council meeting. Other local bodies could act on the 4me sug- gestion with advantage to themselves and those sacrificed wives who have grown weary of night vigils on account of the lengthy debates which detain their word- consumed husbands. In other cases, tea parties would be more acceptable, though I cannot commend the idea of those members of the Cardiff Council who think the bread and butter business should take place during actual discussion.

YOU MUST NOT MISS THE CHARMING SKETCHES By Mr. T. Richards, M.P. (Secretary of the South Wales Miners* Federation), Who is exclusively giving to the Evening Express" a series of wonderfully attrac- tive articles, entitled, PICTURESQUE PERSONALITIES OF THE PIT, The Sketches appear every Thursday, and the series commenced on January 16.

GELLIGAER RATE COLLECTORS I To fill the vacancy created by the appoint- ment of Mr. A. E. Jones (collector) being revoked, the Gelligaer Parish Council decided to advertise for two persons at L120 each, and a special meeting was held at Hengoed on Thursday, when 49 applications were announced. Among these was Councillor D. C. Sniill, stationmaster, Tirpthil, who took a prominent part in ventilating the affairs of the old council, amd who now sent a letter resigning his seat. The final figures were:— Mr. William Daniel Davies (Bargoed), 11; Mr. W. R. Beddoe (Poaatlottyn), 11; and Mr. Berkeley Angel (Foohriw), 4.

LIVING-IN PROTEST I The Pontypridd branch of the Shop I Assistants' Union organised a demonstration on Thursday against the living-in system. A public meeting was held at the Tabernacle Chapel, under the presidency of Mr. Ithys Morgan, M.A.—Mr. J. A. Seddon, M.P., said that the living-in system was being per- petuated on account of the profit which the employers made upon the backs of the assistants. The system wafs not only inequit- able, but was calculated to destroy all inde- pendence and manhood, and also the morale of youths, who were made to fraternise with men of lewd talk and lax morals.

ALLEGED THIEF ARRESTED j A mam named Frank Miller, who was arrested by Police-constable Jones at Owm- taff, Breconshire, was handed over to the Hereford1 police on Thursday on a charge of breaking and entering a clothier's shop in the city of Hereford, and stealing various articles of wearing apparel. The prisoner was wearing two pairs of trousers at the time of his apprehension, besides other garments alleged to form part of the stolen I property.

LATE MR. G. WOODS, CARDIFFI Mr. George Arthur Woods, of 41. Shirley- road, Iftoath Park, Cardiff, who died on the 17th of February, left estate of the gross value of 2952, with net personalty £ 754, and probate of his will has been granted to Mrs. Ellen Mary Woods, of 41, Shirley-road, and Mr. George Frederick Charles Woods, of 9, Tedlo-street, Cardiff, commercial traveller.

UNIONIST M.P. TO RETIRE I At a meeting of the executive committee of the Strand Conservative Association cu Thursday evening the Hon. W. F. D. Smith, M.P., announced that, for private reasons, he would not seek re-eleotion.

Comedy of the Corset AMUSING CASE IN COUNTY-COURT There was a light interlude on Thursday at Bloomsbury County-court. Before hie Honour Judge Bacon, Mrs. Jennie Shem- monds, a stylishly-dressed lady, of Bedford- road, Clapham, sued Mme. M. Jacques, of Oxford-street, W., for the sum of CID. The claim was for salary in lieu of notice and for damage to a silk chiffon dress entrusted to the defendant by the plaintiff. Plaintiff said she had been engaged by the defendant as a lecturer and demonstra- tor of It corset during Mme. Jacques's absence -in America at a salary of £4 a week, but defendant wrote cancelling the engagement. The second part of the claim arose through defendant asking plaintiff to accompany her to a ball for the purpose of wearing one of the special corsets, and it was necessary to have her dress altered. When the dress was returned it was "irretrievably" spoiled. Judge Bacon: How do you "demonstrate" corsets ? You cannot lecture on a pair of st-ays.-Plaintiff: I was engaged as her repre- sentative. Plaintiff's Solicitor: I may tell your honour these corsets are for the cure of embonpoint. or, in legal phraseology, "suppressio veri." (Laughter.) Plaintiff said defendant wrote saying she cancelled the arrangement because plaintiff "did not in the least understand the corsets." Unless plaintiff "loved and appreciated" tho corsets, she could not possibly go into thfc matter heart and sou!. (Loud laughter.) Judge Bacon (to plaintiff): What are you? —Plaintiff: I am lady consultant to a vCwPy well-known physical culturist. #Judge Bacon: What on earth does that mean ?-Plaintiff (loftily): Exercise for the improvement of the body. Judge Bacon: Seduction of fat?—Plaintiff (with dignity): And other things-not reduc- tion of embonpoint alone. (Laughter.) Judge Bacon said that plaintiff was only entitled to a week's notice "for such rub- bish," and allowed five guineas for damage done to her dress.

LOADING & STCWING TARIFF A conference of freighters, shipowners, and others was held at the Alexandra Dock Offices, Newport, on Thursday for the pur- pose of considering the questions which have been raised in respect to charges for the loading and stowing of cargoes. The question has become urgent in consequence of the determined attitude of the men engaged in the work of loading amd stowing cargoes at Newport, who on Monday, the 9th inst., ceased work for half a day as a protest against what they considered to be an unfair condition of employment. It appears that a number of vessels make Newport their first port of call on the out- ward voyage, taking in bunkers and part cargo, and proceeding to Glasgow or Liver- pool to complete cargo. In consequence, the Newport stevedores and their helpers assert that they have to perform extra work in getting the cargo stowed, as it has in many cases to be placed or carried to points furthest from the hatchways. They, there- fore. think themselves entitled to considera- tion. A committee was appointed to make inquiries, and the conference was adjourned.

HOME MISSION GRANTS I The Additional Curates' Society has just issued notices to the inoumbents of the poor parishes which have been receiving grants that, the total grant liability muet be reduced by C8,000, and that the midsummer quarterly payments will accordingly be at a diminished rate, unless contributions are I received by the society in the meantime to render a more favourable arran.-emeint.pos, sible. I In a circular to their supporters the com- mittee explain the causes for this step. The contributions received in 1907 were, with one exception, the highest ever reached, and yet the needs of p-oor parishes increased so greatly that the account closed with a dciicit of £ 1,363. The committee emphasise the fact that home mission needs a^e growing very grave. The continuance of present grants would mean an expenditure of about C64,000 in 1903, and the committee consider they can- not make promises for more than L56,000, un- less generous and prompt donations are forthcoming. It is to be hoped the com- mittee's appeal will meet with a ready response.

I NO PASSENGER TRAINS I The last of the series of meetings which have been held throughout the Gwendraeth Valley in connection with the railway ques- tion wa-s at the Public-hall. Pontyberem, when Mr. T. Greville. Maesderwen, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. E. Griffiths, Chelsea, presided. The Chairman moved a resolution viewing with disappointment and regret the manner in which the repeated appeals made to the directors of the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway for improved travelling facilities on their system have been ignored, and claiming that the growth and development of the industries and population of the valleys are very seriously retarded. Gentlemen from Llangendeirne, Ponty- berem, Cwmmawr, Gorslas, Pontyeates, and Llanddarog supported. The resolution was carried amid great enthusiasm. It is understood that the matter came recently before the directors of the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway Com- pany, and the decision was postponed for further information.

NEWPORT MUTINY VETERAN The death occurred in Newport County Hospital on Thursday of Mr. James Baker, of New Cottages, Marshlield. a-fter a long illness. Deceased served through the Indian Mutiny, amd was present at the relief of L/ucknow. He was in his seventy-third year, and was in receipt of a pension, having been discharged from the artillery as a bombardier. The funeral, which takes place at Marehfield to-morrow (Saturday), will be of a military character. A detachment of the artillery stationed at Newport Barracks will be present, and besides the firing party, trumpeters will be present to sound the Last Post."

SANITARY CONGRESS Dr. Kobinson presided on Thursday after- noon at a meeting of the reception com- mittee in connection with the visit to Car- diff of the congress of the Sanitary Institute in July next. Sir Clifford Cory, M.P., presi- dent of the chamber of commerce, was appointed chairman of the committee, with Dr. Robinson as viee-chairman. It was decided that the public luncheon on the opening day should be held in the Assembly-hall of the City-hall, and that the Lord Mayor be asked to preside. It was also decided to ask the Lord Mayor to give a con- versazione and reception to the congress, as has usually been done by the municipality when it has been held in other towns.

NATURALISTS' LECTURE I A former Cardifftan. Mr. Samuel Aitken (now of Gloucester), lectured to the Cardiff Naturalists' Society on Thursday on Some Alpine Experiences." The experiences were not oonfihed to the Alps, but extended -0 Mount St. Elias, the Himalayas, the Moun- tains of the Moon, &c. They were illus- trated by a series of superb photographs, somo of which were now shown, for the first time in the provinces. A hearty vote of thanks was paased to Mr. Aitken, who has climbed every peak in the Alps worthy of the mountaineer's attention, and does not look the worse for it.

I RUSSIAN OFFICER SUICIDES I The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Petit Journal" telegraphs that Lieutenant Sadykoff. an artillery officer, committed suicide by shooting himself in the regimental mess at Vilkosir. The lieutenant, who went through the siege of Port Arthur, wae one of the witnesses in the recent trial of General StoeeseJ, and his suicide is believed to be due to the condemnation of his former chief, for whom he entertained the highest admiration. —Central News.

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY An attractive display was given at Cardiff Corporation Gymnasium on Thursday even- ing by the pupil teachers' centre. A varied programme included an Indian club solo by Miss May, the clubs being electrically illu- minated, which, with a darkened room, enhanced the effect of a graceful item. The performer was encored jby a large audience, as was also a skipping ADIO by Miss Thoma.s.

IDL' MM- Qnean-ttMet Station, one et the auajmte?t in the worid. Afternoon T- with oui delicious Bread Md Bwttar.-etevMM, Ooaleotkmen, -Limited, Cardiff. e4260

I Six New Justices GLAMORGAN COMMISSION The following additional names have been added to the commission of the peace for the county of Glamor.-an:- JOHN CROOK THOMAS, Boverton Court, Lilantwit Major. One of the most successful agriculturists in the Vale of Glamorgan, and winner of a large number of prizes at shows. Mr. Thomas is a Liberal and Noncon- formist. ELIOT CRAWSHAY-WILMAMS, Plas Coedy- mwstwr, Bridgend. Son of Mr. Arthur J. Williams, who repre- sented South Glamorgan in Parliament from 1885 to 1695, and grandson of the late Mr. R. T. Crawshay, of Cyfarthfa Castle. Like his father, Mr. Crawshay- Williams is a Liberal in politics. Mr. CrawKhay-Williams contested the Chor- ley Division of Laneashirt, in the Liberal interest at the last general election, but was defeated. Mr. Crawshay-Williams, who acts as private secretary to Mr. Churchill, has travelled a good deal, more particularly in India. He com- menced his career in the Army, but recently relinquished his conimdssioin. Dr. ELEAZAR DA VIES, Ifor Houre, Foohriw. Dr. Davies is a very popular gentleman in the district, amd was married about a year ago. It is that he will sit at Hengoed, and so augment the short list of justices there. Dr. IVOR HENRY DAVIES, Danygraig, Llan- trisacat. Dr. Davies is a member of a well-known Rhondda family; is a Churchman and Liberal. He is a brother to Dr. Norton Davies, J.P., and Major J. S. Davies, magistrates' clerk, Pontypridd. RHYS SAMUEL GRIFFITHS, Brynawel, Cly- dach' Vale. Mr. Griffiths is an architect and surveyor by profession, and a Liberal and Non- conformist. He is a prominent member of the Calvinistic Methodist body and also of the Rh,ondda. District Council. JOHN HOLBEIN ROSSER, Dysgwylfa, Sketty.

I LUGGAGE ROBBERIES James Charles Williams. 32, clerk, pleaded guilty at Clerkenwell Sessions yesterday to having stolen a kit bWg, a portmanteau, and other articles, and a bag and two umbrellas, I the property of the Great Western Eailway Company, and a Gladstone bag, a handbag, and a hat box, containing jewellery and pther articles, value LISO, the property of Edgar L. Waterlow, of Paterson Court, Nutfield. Mr. J. P. Grain, prosecuting for the Great Western Eailway, said on March 6 a porter saw the prisoner standing near some luggage at Paddington Station. The prisoner said the property was his, and offered the porter a shilling to put it on a cab. The porter was suspicious, and refused. Prisoner then said he would give him 10s. This led to the man's I arrest, and he was found carrying an umbrella which had been stolen. Superintendent Saunders (Great Western Railway) said that at the prisoner's lodgings the proceeds of ten other luggage robberies were found. Detective-sergeant Keyes proved the follow- ing convictions against the prisoner foT theft: 1&39—21 p.ays' hard labour. 1891-9 days' hard labour. 1892—Bound over. 1892-1 month. 1893-18 months. 1897-3 years' penal servitude. 1900—23 months' hard labour. 1902—4 years' penal servitude. L .vrisoner was released on ticKeL-oi-ieavo in 1905, and had not reported himself to the police. Mr. Wallace said prisoner would undergo 21 months' hard labour.

TRACED BY A PHOTOGRAPH While the Rev. R. J. Walker, Kensin?tou, was talking to a detective about E?al L -1c?, h that had been stolen, the latter produced a r. umber of police photographs and asked him, to see if the suepect was among them. Strange to relate, said Mr. Bodkin, at West London Police-court yesterday, the clergy- man saw a photograph of a man who had borrowed a sovereign from him the night before on the security of a promissory note in the name of Hall for a sum of CZI) and dfawn on the Boston Banking Company. Lin- coln. As the borrower never returned with the sovereign and. inquiries showed that ttte pro- missory note was not a genuine document, said counsel, a wa.rra.nt was issued for the arrest of Cyril Blackwell Cutler, aged 40. the man in the photograph. Cutler was com- mitted for trial on a charge of obtaining 20s. by false pretences.

I COUNTERFEIT SIXPENCES The arrest in the street of two alleged coiners was deeoribed at Lambeth yesterday. when Arthur a,nd Alfred Whitlair, 20 a,nd 22 respectively, were committed for trial, Charged with being concerned together in poe^teseing ooining implememts, and sixteen base sixpences. After tlhe arrest Inspector Ferrett found in a back room in Sturge-iSLTect, occupied by Arthur Whitlair, a Panall mould for sixpences of 1903 date, wrapped in rag and paper, hidden behind a picture; a packet of silrver sand behind a coal scuttle; a spoon, and a small tin that had been used as a melting pot, in a wooden box; some plaster of paris, and some small pieces of lead. After the charge had been preferred Alfred exclaimed: "We shall ha-ve to let mother know now."

BURGLARS' BIG BREAKFAST Nort-hbury House," which stands in its own grounds on the borders of Ilford a.nd Barking, was raided by burgla.rs on Wednes- day night, and the whole suite of rooms on the ground floor were pillaged while Mr. E. A. Davies, the owner, and his family were asleep. The burglaa-s afterwards breakfasted in the kitchen, consuming seven hen's eggs, two duck's eggs, nearly the whole of a joint of beef, a piece of boiled ham, and a quantity of biscuits, apples, and bananas. Their drinks included a whole bottle of whisky, haJf a bottle of sherry, four bottles of stout, two of soda-water, and two of lemonade. Clean linen which had been left to air before the kitchen fire was. used as serviettes, and the remains of the feast were strewn about the floor.

COSTLY SILVER A fine collection of old English silver, com- prising pieces of the beet periods, was bold at Christie's auction rooms yesterday. Competition was keenest for a smal-I Charles II. porringer, with shaped sides and repoussse work of flowers and foliage, and with moulded scroll handles, which was finally sold for the high price of 155s. per ounce. Other pieces fetching good prices were a William III. porringer, two-handled and wit-h spiral fluting, dated 1698, 80s. per ounce; and a George II. plain tumbler-cup, 78s. per ounce; whilst 60s. per ounce was realised for a Queen Anne sugar-castor and a small wire sugar-basin with twisted borders and handles. I >

LLANELLY'S PROBATION I OFFICER The Llanelly bench of magistrates have appointed Captain Davies, the local Salva- tion Army officer, as probation officer under the new Probation Act, and a number of con- victed drunkards have been discharged on condition that they enter no licensed house for three months and during that time be under the supervision of the probationary officer.

MR BURNS AND THE I.L.P. There is no man in the Government of to- day who approaches the arms and purposes of the Independent Labour Party more than does John Burns, and there is no man who is more cordially detested by them and whoso detestation is more abundantly reci- proca-ted by him.—"P.T.O."

TO HELP THE CRIPPLED I The floiral exhibition and Bale in of the blind and crippled girls of Mr. J. A. Groom's Industrial Training Homes, which was opened by Lord Tredegar in the Park- hall, Cardiff, on Monday, remains open all this week. including to-morrow (Saturday).

CARDIFF EISTEDDFOD ESSAYIST At the eisteddfod held at Salem, Cardiff, on Tuesday the prize for the best essay on The Right of the Welsh Language to Live was awarded to Mr. William Thomas (Gw-armfa), of Cardiff, and not as stated.

I Typist Sues Lawyer I IS AWARDED zP,1,100 FOR MONEY LENT AND SALARY In the Court of King's Bench in Dublin on Thursday Miss Lizzie Firman, of Beech- more-road, Battersea Park, London, sued Mr. John Walker, solicitor, Dublin, in whose employ she had been as a shorthand-writer and typist, for £ 1,100. The claim was for arrears of salary, zC83, and for money lent. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed.

PROFIT OF '120 PER CENT I An arbitration was held on Thursday at the Guildhall, Swansea, before Mr. Douglas Young, as to the value of No. 4, College-street, required by the Swansea Corporation for street impTovements. Mr. Sankey (instructed by Messrs. Harris and Meager) represented Mrs. Harris, the owner of the shop; and Mr. E. Morton represented the corporation. The original claim of £ 3,830 had been reduced to £ 2,746 4s., of which £2,126 4s. was claimed for two years' net profits. Mr. E. Irlares, son of the claimant, said that the profit on the sale of fish was 120 per cent., and about £ 1,000 a year was taken at the shop. Mrs. Bluett, daughter of the claimant, said that lemon soles and hake were often bought at ld. a pound and sold to the public at 4d. A number of auctioneers and valuers, in- cluding Mr. W. J..Itees- Mr. David Roberts, Mr. J. H. T. Green (London), and Mr. Frank Tunbridge were called. Mr. Thomas Andrews, fish merchant, said that 30 per cent. would be a fair profit on the sale of fish in Swansea. The award will be made later.

INFANT LIFE PROTECTION I The Select Committee- on Infant Life Pro- tection, in their report issued on Thursday nht, recommend that, having regard to the serious amount of evil brought to their notice by witnesses who appeared before them, the provisions of the Infant Life Pro- tection Act, 1897, should be extended to houses in which not more than one infant is kept in consideration of periodical pay- ments. The Committee recognise that there are a large number of cases where the infant is received from motives of a real affection for children in general, and con- sider that the local authority should have s,D,mo power to exempt from inspection, or make arrangements for any such inspection to be made by a properly constituted bene- volent society, of any particular home where the local authority are satisfied that the inte- rests of thochild are safeguarded. The Com- mittee favour the raising of the age to seven years.

I RUSSIAN FINANCES A sensation was created in Government cireles in Russin. on Thursday by a etriking speech delivered by Count Witte at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the State Council. For no less than two hours Count Witte s'poke on the financial situation of Russia, which he declared to be exceedingly critical. He 1Å'ged that in view of the country's heavy indebtedness it was inadvis- able for the Government to embark upon any extensive naval expenditure at the present time, and gave it as his opinion that there was no pressing need for the construc- tion of new warships.—Central News.

ABRUZZI MYSTERY I When the Duke of Abruzzi left for Europe aboard the Lusitania the ,ew York "Ameri- can" was careful he did not go unattended, and a member of the staff sailed with in- structions to obtain from his Royal High- ness a definite statement as to his engage- ment with Miss Elkins. This the reporter seems to have done. In a wireless message to the "American he says the duke has admitted to him the existence of a "tentative" engagement, 'though, he added, there were many matters still open to arrangement. His Royal Highness also indicated from his conversation that the wedding would take place in Rome.—Central News.

11 CAREER OF A CAR." I According to our report of this case in Thursday's "Evening Express," it appears that the accident to the woman and child occurred wheij the car was travelling at a fast rate. This is not so, as at the time of the accident the car was travelling very elowly, and several independent witnesses testified to the fact that the accident was unavoidable, owing to the child running out immediately in front of the car.

TWO DEFENDANTS DIE I Police-constable Jones, Llanybyther, ap- peared at Llanfihangel-ar-Arth Petty Sessions with a list of fourteen persons who claimed to be exempt from paying for dog licences. On this list were the names of two persons who had in the meantime died. Police-con- stable Jones asked leave to withdraw his objection to these two, and, after some dis- cussion, and the bench having no precedent to guide them, leave was granted.

NEWPORT APPOINTMENT For the position of assistant solicitor in the town-olerk's office at Newport Mr. O. T. Morgan (Cardiff) was one of the three candi. dates selected by the Newport General Pur- poses Committee on Thursday. The other candidates are Messrs. A. G. Broome (St. Helens) and H. Garrett (Burnley). The I salary is P,150, rising to £ 250, and there were sixty applicants.

RELIEF FOR VfELSBY'S WIDOW I The Hamstead Relief Fund Committee have decided to make an immediate grant of 100 guineas to Mrs. Welsby, the widow of t.he Yorkshire-man who lost his life whilst endeavouring to reaoh the entombed miners, and to present to each of the other members of the Yorkshire rescue party a suitable gold wotoch and £ 25. The relief fund amounts to E10,300.

I. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES ACT It was announced at a committee meeting of t the National Friendly Societies Confer- ence, held in London, on Thursday, that the Government had promised to introduce this session the Bill of the National Conference to amend the FriEmdly Societies Act of 1896 advocated by the recent conference.

RACE-TRACK GAMBLING I I The State Assembly of America on Thurs- day passed by an overwhelming majority Bills desig-ned to abolish the legal protection of race-track gambling in New York State, in accordance with the recommendation of I Governor Hu,ghes.-Reuter »

I SUFFOCATED BY GAS Glasgow police on Thursday afternoon dis- covered two foreigners dead in a lodging- house in Clyde-place, Glasgow. They have been identified as Anton Gulstad (61), lodging- house-keeper, and his eon, Alexander (25j Gas-poisoning was the cauee of death. «

I SHIP-REPAIR CONTRACT I After keen competition among ship-repair- ing firms, the contract for putting new boilers in the Spanish steamer Camargo and effecting other repairs has been secured by the Tyneside Engineering Company, Cardiff. The work will occupy about six weeks. I I

I 18 PERSONS DROWNED I AI river steamboat, with excursionists on board, sank in the river at Marietta. Ohio, and eighteen persons were drowned.

THE DOBOTHT cnOCOLATES. Thirty. etght varieties and flavours. Made trash every hour. Pro- nounced to be perfect ohooolatee. Certificate of merit first time exhibiting in London. Only 28. per lb. Freeh every hour. rarceb post. — Stereos, FTearA Confeo 1 Uooer. Oawlilfc tiaii

I Ingenious Swindle I I TWO MEN MAKE A GOOD HAUL I About 200 Paris chemists have been taken in by some swindlers, who tendered a pre- scription in the following words: "First, sulphate of quinine, so many grammes; secondly, a bottle of Neriot's ferment (Dr. Henri's formula). Depot 129, Rue Mont- martre." j No chemist had or kn-ew anything of sttch a ferment. Each, therefore, sent his assis- tant to get it. For 12 francs (98. 7d.) the man was given a small bottle labelled, "Treat- meant of ?a?tro-intestmaJ maJadies; Neriot's ferment. Dr. Henri's formula. Dose, one wine- glassful after meals." Finally, compladnts began to pour in on the commissary of police of the quarter. The commissa.ry found on inquiry that the shop at 129, Rue Montmartre, had been let two days ago to two young men of excellent exterior. The rush of chemists' men in front of the shop was so intense yesterday after- coon that the police had to interfere to keep order. The swindlers got wind of the complaints that had been made to the police, and cleared out before they could be arrested. They had made hundreds of francs by their ingenious swindle. Neriot's ferment was found, on analysis, to be nothing but water.—"Morning Loader."

I LAING AND BANKERS In the Chancery Division to-d-ay the peti- tion of Barclay and Co., bankers, for the oompulsory winding up of Sir James Laing and Sons (Limited) was settled. Mr. Duke, for the petitioner, said that since the adjournment yesterday he had discussed the matter with Mr. Gore Browne, who appe,ued on the other side, and 'in the light of .information both sides had got, they had beein a.Me to arrive at an arrange- ment which would decide the manner in which the liquidation should be carried out. The bank was now satisfied that the balance sheets of 1906 were prepared in the ordinary way, and when it was put forward in the autumn of 1906 there was not present to Mr. Hu-gh Laing's mind the difficulties that sub- sequently arose. They created an entirely different state of things in 1907. The suspen- sion on February 8 was taken without con- sultation with the bank, and the bank regarded that as a matter of the utmost im- portance.

I ELECTRICITY V. PETROL I Arthur John Burgess, the driver of an electric omnibus, which was said to have travelled at a rate of over sixteen miles an hour, was summoned at Marylebone Police-court yesterday for exceeding the I speed limit. Mr. Ball, traffic manager to the Electro-bus Company, said that the company had eleven electric omnibuses running. Mr. Taylor: I think the electro-buses ought to be supported, and I hope that they will be a success, and that electricity will even- tually drive petroleum from the streets. Mr. Ball contended that the omnibuses could not exceed a speed of twelve miles an hour unless running free wheel, which waa not so in the present instance, but the magistrate inflicted a fine of 10s., with as. costs.

I- RAN AWAY FROM SCHOOL Terence Birth (11) and Alymer Spinel (12) were charged on remand at Bristol yester- day with travelling on the Great Western Railway without having paid their fares. From the evidence given on a previous occasion, it appeared that the boys on Mon- day ran away from the Taplow Grammar School, went to London, and travelled by train from Paddington to Bristol. Mr. Cordozo, a master of the school, said the boys were boarders and got away half- an-hour before dinner upon some excuse. He was prepared, he said. to take the lads back to school, and stated that they would be punished. The Bench pointed out that it was a serious thing to run away from echool like that. They had better not do it again, or they would not get off so easily. They- would be handed over to Mr. Cordozo.

A PLEASANT SURPRISE On the ground that she did not know the effect of what she was doing, her relations yesterday contested, before Mr. Justice Buck mil, the will of Mrs. Stephens, of Newton Abbot, Devonshire. Mr. Wolfcrstan, the executor and residuary legatee, said that the deceased lady had been accumulating stocks and m.oney of which he knew nothing, so that the left £ 30,000, of which his share, as residuary legatee, was 15,000, instead of a small sum, as he had expected.^He said that Mrs. St-epheDs was as i'.t,ell?ii t a, woman as he had met, and was thoro,u,g capable of managing her affairs. The case was ultimately settled amicably between the parties, and the will was for- mally pronounced valid.

DOG AS OUT-PATIENT A beautiful little Yorkshire terrier is one of the many hundred out-patients being treated at the London Hospital. The animal has only three legs; its fourth was amputated at the hospital last Thursday week, and at stated intervals the dog is carried there by its owner in order that the operat.ing eurgeon m'ay take off the dressings and see that the wound is healing satisfactorily. One remarkable fact is the surprisingly active way in which the animal already runs, about on its three legs, not only free from pain, but obviously much' relieved by the removal of tfie useless leg, which had been dragged about for three weeks before relief was sought at the London Hospital.

LIME V. LEMON Attention is again drawn to the health- giving properties of the lime in the current issue of the Lancet." Tho lime, it is asserted, although much smaller than the lemon, yields weight for weight a good deal more juice, the average amount of juice frM a lemon being 37.50 per cent. of its weight, and that from the smaller fruit 59 per cent. Again, the lime gives more citric acid and more phosphoric acid. One of the chief diffi- culties against its use in this country is that it will not keep. A lemon as a rule retains it.9 juice long after the lime has shrivelled up.

THE GIRL AND THE PILLS At the Bristol Police-court yesterday Ellen Ferguson (12), was charged with stealing a box of gout pills* from a chemist's shop, 431. Gloucester-road" Horfield. A teacher from the school the girl attended, stated that Ellen had been ill lately, and inquiries being made, it was found that she had been taking pills. At first, she said that she had bought them, then that she had picked them up, but it was afterwards found tat the box of gout pills had been taken from the above address. The girl was sent to Carlton House School until the age of sixteen.

SLATES SOLD AS WELSH Mr. R. Bowton, of Festiniog, has written to the Board of Trade drawing attention to the prosecution of -V merchant at Hawick, resulting in his imprisonment for a month, for selling English cloths as Scotch tweeds, and asking if similar proceedings cannot be instituted against persons selling foreign slates as Welsh slates. The Board of Trade have promised to give the matter their attention.

———— i CLEVER RUSE BY POLICE A Frenchman fined £ 5 by Mr. Plowden yes- terday for keeping a gamblin.g club in Lower John-street, Golden-square, was trapped because the police mounted the dickey of a hansom cab outside the place, and were thus able to see what went on within. Poker was played, and all six nights when observa- tion was kept 23 persons were seen to leave in a drunken condition.

WARSHIP IN COLLISION A telegram from. Invergordon states that his Majesty's ship Topaze collided with the steam trawler Stratherrick No. 115, belonging to Aberdeen, yesterday afternoon. The damage, however, is only slight. The Topaze, it will be remembered, visited Cardiff on the occasion of the visit of tho Prince of Wales to Cardiff some years ago.

TRAMP'S DEATH AT YSTRADFELLTE, The body of a man was on Wednesday found in a hayloft at Wernpica Farm, Ystradfelite, Breconshire. It was afterwards identified as that of Rees Davies, a tramp- ing labourer. y

Railway Horror POLICEMAN'S AWFUL DISCOVERY A singular affair occupied the attention of the railway officials at Snow Hill, Loudon, after midnight last night. The driver of the goods train due at Holborn Viaduct Station at 12.45 reported running over something fur- ther down the line. Investigation revealed a sad tragedy. Between the platforms at Snow Hill Station a policeman discovered Charles Weston, aged 24. understood to be employed on the line, standing up between the metals in the six- foot way with an arm off and shocking injuries to his head. About forty yards distant in the four-foot way on the down road lay the agonised and writhing body of AV-nie Vyse, aged 41, with both legs cut off. She was still conscious, and both sufferers were conveyed to St. Bar- tholomews Hospital, where they re.mained in a very serious condition. It is known that they were not in any train, a.nd it is presumed the two were friends and were conversing on the piatform when the lights were suddenly extinguished and they walked inadvertently on to the perma-cent way before the advancing goods train. Weston is a married man, and his wife came to inquire after her husband at the station. Later inquiries show that Weston and Vyse were still in about the same con- dition. Their injuries are entered in the hospital books as follows:- Weston, amputated arm a,nd head cut. Vyse, leg smashed and head cut.

WINDOW-CLEANER SUES EARL An action was brought at Clerkenwell Oounty-oourt yesterday against Earl Russell by Thomas &amler, a window-cleaner, of Clerkenwell, for damages for alleged mali- cious prosecution and false imprisonment. Three sovereigns had been missed from his lordship's dressing-table, and plaintiff was, in mistake, accused of the theft, but acquitted by the magistrate without a stain on his character. Yesterday the jury found there was no malicious prosecution, but awarded plain- tiff El5 damages for false imprisonment. Judge Bray, however, held that the circum- stances were such that Ijord Russell's butler, who prosecuted, had reasonable and pro- bable cause for the action hé took. There- fore, judgment must be entered for defeuv dant. 9

A LONG LAW SUIT The case of Wyler and another v. Lewis promises to be historic both for inordinate length and cost. It reached its fifteenth hear- ing in the law courts yesterday, and at th present rate of progress it will possibly last another thirty or forty days, at a-n estimates cost of nearly L600 a day. The case is, it fact, becoming a severe test of physical e-ndu. ranee. What a humorist has called "the casualty list" includes, so far, compulsory retiremeni for two days of Sir Edward Carson—who wat obliged toit,ah-e a rest-and the indisposition of a juryrh.xu, who fell a victim to influenza. A day's adjournment became necessary owing to another juryman declaring that his busi- ness was in chaos through his long absence, and that it was imperative he should attend, to certain vital matters.

HOW MANY MATCHES IN A BOX P About how many matches are there in an ordinary box of safety matches? This is not a conundrum, but a question that may well be put to test people's observation (says a writer in a London contemporary). Of the interrogated thirteen two said the number of matches in a box was about 50, four said 100, two said 150, while the rest gave the following rising estimates: -ZeD, 237, 350, 400, and 1,C&a! It is curious that, with tho exception of the distinguished artist who gave 237, everybody gave the estimate in figures that suggest we are getting r&ady for the decimal system. How the ordinary person observes things may be gathered by the wide deviations from accuracy in this matter. A number of boxes of matelie:3 having been counted, it wa.3 found that the number in each jaried from 62 to 72.

A STRANGE STORY Accompanied by her father, a tall, hand- some young woman yesterday stepped into the box at Brentford Police-court, and told a sad story. Just before last Christmas, she said, she was travelling in a railway carriage in. which there was a well-dressed gentleman. He got into conversation with her, and at last asked her to sample a new kind of scent which he had on his handkerchief. She smelt it, and became unconscious. The Magistrate advised the young lady to lay the whole facts before the police.

GHOST CATCHERS WANTED Professional ghost catchers in search of cases might, perhaps, turn their attention to the Lewes district, where a house, lonely and remote, is stated to be a hot-bed of super- natural occurrences. Bells set themselves ringing in the deserted rooms, and a figure resembling a malignant grey goblin has been seen. The bell ringing and his appearances take place simulta- neously, say the country people, who give the house a wide berth.

ETHICS OF DEBT "If you have been an honest man never mind owning that you have been a bank- rupt," Judge Willis said yesterday to a debtor at Southwark. "Look people in the face and say, 'Have you been as honest aa I have?' It is a pity to have these debt.s. thoug-h; they go to bed with you and get up with you."

£ 70 FINE FOR BETTING At Clerkenwell to-day James Curtis, of Vifr toria-street, Barnsbury, was fined £70 a..ud costs for using an archway leading into seme buildings for the purposes of betting. Another man was tined LID. It was stated by the prosecution there was no doubt the men were acting for a bookmaker.

MINERS' UNiON TO PAY Negotiations for the settlement, of the Blackball miners' strike, New Zealand, have proved abortive. The Labour Department has been instructed to collect the L75 fine imposed on the Miners' Union by the court. If the Union does not pay the men will be proceeded against individually, each man being liable to LIO.

I EARTHQUAKE Severe earthquakes occurred at Mexico City ■> yesterday afternoon and evening. They were also felt at Guanaquato and Pincon. Four persons were injured. The Calle SIlJl Fran- cisco was cracked for a considerable dis- I tance, and several walls were either cracked or fell. HIe needle of the s-eismograph Lra- versed the entire dial.

I JUDICIAL ZANCiG I In attempting to help a woman witness at Southwark County-court yesterday t< identify a man. Judge Willis asked her, "It that the gentleman who is stroking his chin- that gentleman who is blushing?" When she replied "Xo," he explained, "Well. I generally find that when people stroke their chins they are concerned a.bout something."

I JUSTICE LAWRENCE'S COLD j Mr. Justice A. T. ijawrence, who was tanen suddenly ill with a cold during the course of the week, is making steady progress towards recovery at hia lodgings, the Mansion House, Cardiff. It is expected that his lord- ship will resume his seat in the Crown Court at the assizes on Monday.

I DENIES THAT HE IS DEAD The Rev. Charles Smith Lewis, rector of St. James's Church, Woodstock, Vermont, has been obliged to give public notice that he is not dead, as reported in tho Church Press. The publication of his obituary was due to a confusion of names.

CHILD'S FATAL CALL Little Edwin dark. aged three, whoee j parenta live In Bow Common-lane, went to I the top of the stairs and called, "Daddy. oome to t.ea 1" Then he overbalanced, fell to the bottom, and died. "Accidental death" was the verdict yesterday, j