Evening Express

The Man in the Street _01. --T- A very important suggestion was made to the Cardiff Parliamentary Com- j mittee yesterday by Alderman Lewis "Morgan, and it is hoped by all good citizens that the idea of a. high sheriff will assume practical shape in a very short time. The city's population is much bigger than that of several counties, and larger than some two or three of them grouped. But size and population are not everything, for it will be found that smaller county boroughs have their sheriffs, but 4hel growing importance of the Coal City as a commercial centre cannot be disputed. j The present arrangement has nothing but custom to advocate its continuance, and the delay often occasioned is quite .enough to justify a change in the direc- tion indicated. The provision of judges should naturally follow, and the vexa- tious and frequent journeys to London, with the terrible waste of time involved, would thus be avoided. The able town-clerk (Mr. J. L. Wheatley) is to provide a. report which will form a good basis for a working scheme. The appearance of this will be awaited with considerable interest by the great body of people who would like to see the status of Cardiff enhanced. There is another 'Don't" to be added j to the list of warnings for the various public authorities in South Wales, espe- cially those happy localities that enjoy posseesiou of public playgrounds. The members of the Manchester Parks Com- mittee have been asking themselves, How can we spend more money?" Then came the diabolical suggestion, "Buy some gramophones and let them loose in the recreation grounds!" It is not known yet what great sins have been committed by the unfortunate Mancunian's, but they have the heartfelt pity or the whole civihsed world in this their last affliction. It is expected that the whole of the Manchester popu- lation wiH soon be in lunatic asylums. One cannot stay at home always, and when people are driven off the roads by motor-cars and the evils that ply with them in choking clouds, are they to be seat mad by "Little Annie Laurie" and "Stop your tickling, Jock," in brassy gasps and splutterings? Manchester is mourning its lost peace, and it is to be hoped that a great stand will be made. in this part of the world before the last ditfh is surrendered to the gramophone. We cannot say we haven't been warned, anyhow. "The fight for clothes" is the newest text for women. Many will agree with the gifted author of "The Heavenly Twins" that the art of living is the greatest art of all, especially as it may be claimed that so comprehensive a term t must necessarily include other art,, scientific and sociological, each important in themselves. Madame Sarah Grand has always spoken with trumpet voice for r .down-trodden woman, and when it comes to dealing with the shortcomings of sex -it is always advisable to have one of j t.ir own order to act as a reforming "med ium. There is less change, therefore, x»f contradiction when it is known that this high, indisputable authority declares that women squander their strength in the never-ceasing "fight for clothes." Never his it been more true than in the present day that "fine feathers make fine birds." The sober, plain, almost universal Quaker-illa,- appearance of our grand- mothers in their prime, with their good silks, satins, and clothes, has given place to a bewildering exhibition of "preHy knick-knacks, and every housemaid and shop girl tries to beggar her neighbour in a profuse display of jewellery—genuine when possible, baubles in anv case. Rare birds and animals are slaughtered to meet the cruel demand for decorations in feathers and furs, and the new disease, kleptomania, had to be invented to excuse the overwhelming vicious craze for the ultra-fashionable ornamentation of woman's divine form. This struggle for clothes robs women of the vitality to compete with men- according to Madame Sarah Grand, who oomes to the point in characteristic style by saying:- Women are not satisfied with the imacge of God. Th-ey think they can improve upon it by tying it up in the middle, and r--duc- ing it as far as possible to the vanishing point. This "tying it up in the middle" is a decidedly novel way of describing the operation by which a woman fixes the laces cf her stays to the bed rails and forces her 26in. figure into 22in. corsets. How can the dear creatures expect to have the strength, t.o say notning of the vitality, to compete with waist-free men? However, I do not believe the tight waist has such a hold upon women as Madame Sarah Grand would persuade us. Our most beautiful actresses and postcard idols go in for the substantial "middle," and few men care for the thin and pointed faces which generally follow upon tight-lacing. A red nose from indigestion i or rouge as a substitute for Nature's roses render ladies distasteful rather than attractive, and this alone is sufficient to work for common sense. Men also like to see ladies well dressed. But there is no excuse for the indulgence in. over-dretssing which victimises so manv fair ones, and this, with the weird meals which women regard as sufficient by which to maintain vitality, provide much food for thought by suffragettes—and others. By all means let us have the healthy woman, well, but not over-dressed, and with plenty of room for digestion. La M'ilo has appeared at Swansea, and the purists who witnessed her first local performance last night were con- fronted with a spectacle in every way fit for their modest eyes. They found it was a scene which their children could have looked at without offending their innocent eyes, and in the respect that it fell short of their expectations it must have proved rather disappointing. The chief-constable and other police officers were alsor present, and the friends of the coldly -statuesque lady were relieved to find that at the fall of the curtain these guardians of Swansea's precious morals did not proceed to the rear of the scenes to arrest the charming entertainer- I and that even her pretty' pink ears are safe from molestation at the hands of I the easily-ruffled municipal dignitaries. The whole affair has proved "much ado about nothing, and the offended ones may be considered fortunate if they wit- ness nothing worse in the drawing-rooms of their best friends. La. Milo needs no apology, and the great majority of those who have seen her will go on stating that her appearance is more an aid to one of the best forms of art than anything else. Mr. G. L. Norris has been overwhelmed with an embarrassment of riches. After tackling the whole of the Cardiff Board of Guardians single-handed, and coming off entirely a victor in the fact that not one member would accept his challenge to! a public debate, he has created a record by simultaneously contesting the whole of the four wards in the Penarth District Council election. His aggressive policy has been rewarded by the favour of the electorate in his return for the west and north wards. Mr. Norris would have liked nothing better than that he might exchange one of his two victories for a seat among his friends the guardians, but as that cannot be he has decided to sit for the north ward, where he obtained his smallest majority. The other honour is in the lap of the gods, and will come in good time. Meanwhile, his constituents! will await with interest the behaviour of Penarth's newest councillor.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE COLLIERY DEVELOPMENT AT TRIMS ARAN. The old-e&ta.blishea colliery at Trimsaran is being further developed. A new seam is being opened up. and a new works laid down. The shaft will be eome 200 yards louver down the valley than the present works at Waun. hir. The owner is Mr. Clarke, of London, and the local manager Mr. W. J. Graham.

A VOCALIST'S SUBSTITUTE Mr. W. H. Protheroe, a professional soloist, Station-road, Llanelly, on Wednesday (before his Honour Judge Bishop), sued the Machynlleth Choral Society, Machynlleth, North WaJes, for X4 4s. Mr. J. Lewis Phillips a-p-peared for t.he plaintiff, and Mr. D. R. Edmunds defended. Mr. Phillips explained that Mr. Riobard Thomas, Llanelly, was engaged as a tenor to take part in the performance of The Captivity' on December 25, but owing to his suffering from a. severe cold he got Mr. Protheroe to consent to act as his substitute. Plaintiff said Mr. Thomas did not undertake to pay him, as it was not customary. Cross-examined by Mr. Edmunds, witness said he knew nothing about the part until Mr. Thomas spoke to him. The secretary of the society had forwarded a cheque for 12 2s. to Mr. Thomas, and had written to say that the committee were unanimous in sending this fee because the substitute was entirely unsatisfactory." Mr. Edmunds: Your evidence might not be so persuasive as your singing, and the judge might go against you? Plaintiff: I do not think his honour will do that. His Honour: Do you want a solo? Mr. Edmunds: The two tenors are here, and. perhaps, we can get a sample. (Laughter.) Re-examined: Plaintiff said he had the honour of being the tenor soloist in the Llanelly Choir which sang before the King and the German Emperor. Mr. Edmunds: The reporters of Llanelly sang before the King as well, and a couple of solicitors did so also. (laughter.) Let them have a share of the honour. Mr. Richard Thomas, tenor soloist, gave evidence, and said he was satisfied that Mr. Protheroe would do justice to the part. He did not think he was personally responsible to Mr. Protheroe, as the society had accepted his services as a substitute. Mr. John Thomas, conductor of the Llanelly RoyaJ Choir, said Mr. Protheroe had ample time to get up the part in a day, as he was an excellent reader of music. It was the custom to pay a substitute direct. Mr. Trevor Jones, secretary of the society, sa-id the society had suffered a lose of £10 owing to the failure of Mr. Richard Thomas to fulfil his engagement His Honour gave judgment for the full amount claimed with costs.

BILLS IN PARLIAMENT I In the House of Commons on Monday the Rhymney Railway Bill was read a second time. In the House of Lords the Cardiff Railway Bill was read a third time and passed. The Cambrian Railways Bill was in the list on Monday for consideration by the Examiners' Committee of the House of Lords, but was postponed until May 5. MERTHYR TYDFIL CORPORATION. n-rt. T't:11 _1 't 1IJIS 7 Dlll, oy tne Corporation of Merthyr Tydfil, seeking Parliamentary powers for the construction of various street works, to provide recreation grounds, and to make further and better provision with regard to the health, improvement, and good government of the borough, and for other purposes, came on Monday before the Exami- Committee of the House of Commons for proof of compliance with Standing Orders. There being no opposition at this stage, the Bill was ordered to be reported for second reading. FISHGUARD AND ROSSLARE RAILWAYS AND HARBOURS BILL. The same Committee had before them the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Har- bours Bill. promoted by the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and liarbours Company for the purpose of obtaining powers for the construction of harbour works at Fishguard in substitution for certain authorised har- bour works and railways in connection therewith, and for other purposes. The Bill was ordered to be reported for second read- ing. PONTYPRIDD WATER COMPANY. The Pontypridd Water Company's Bill, seeking a further extension of powers for their water undertaking in connection with the supply of water to the town and district, was also examined. There was no opposition, and this Bill was ordered for second reading.

SELECTING A SCHOOL DOCTOR I A meeting of the Merthyr Education Autho- rity was held on Monday, Mr. Enoch Mor- rell (chairman) pr-idiar--A lenarthy discus- sion took place upon a letter from the Rev. Peter Williams, vicar of Troedyrhiw, offer- ing on his own part and on behalf of his co-trustees to sell to the authority the site and buildings of Pentrebach School for a sum of £ 1,250.—A motion was made that the offer be accepted, but it was eventually resolved to refer the matter back to the school management committee to report fully upon the facts. There were six applicants for the post of medical inspector of school-children 7 it (),f commencing salary of -0200 a year, rising by annual increments OT zElO to £300. and it was decided to ask Dr. J. LI. Pritchard (Llan- elly;. Dr. Brinley R. Lloyd (Merthyr), and Dr. R. A. Asking (Dublin) to appear before a special meeting, to be held next Monday evening, when'tho appointment will be made, The authority approved of new 'bye-laws, which provided that every parent wt. o neglected or violated them should upon con- viction be liable to a penalty not exceeding. with the costs, 20s. for each offence. Up to the present the maximum penalty has been only as- Mr. Andrew Wilson moved that the authdQ rity approve of the Government Education Bill now before Parliament, and the motion was seconded by Mr. Rowland Evan.3.—Mr. F. T. James proposed, as an amendment, a direct negative, saying that it was a, sweep- ing measure of sheer robbery, because it pro- posed to take thousands of Church of Eng- land schools throughout the country without payment.—The amendment was seconded by Mr. F. S. Simons, but upon a division it was defeated.

RISCA PRESENTATION. There was a large attendance (JOI tone officials and men of the Pontymister Tin- works at the E-isca House Hotel for the purpose of presenting Mr. William Thomas, mill manager, with a dressing-case on the occasion of his leaving the district for Moscow. Mr. J. Knight, one of the roll- turners, made the presentation, and spoke in high terms of Mr. Thomas as an official. Mr. J. H. Lones, the works manager, presided.

Coke Ovens Scandal D!SGRACEFUL DISCLOSURES AT MERTHYR • Shocking disclosures as to the scenes which are occasionally enacted at the Yny-sfacli Coke Ovens, Mcithyr, were made at the local police-court on Monday. James Oates was charged with assaulting Mary Ann Green, a cripple, on Saturuay night la" The woman alleged that -tvhilst lying down in an empty oven between eleven and twelve o'clock the prisoner went through her pockets, then caught her by the throat and nearly strangled her. The prisoner was sent to gaol for two months. There was another ease, in which David John Daiiezg, of Cofcin's-court. and Daniel Ma-honey, Grawen, who were defended by Mr. F P. Charles, were charged with robbery with violence from two other women. It was alleged that the men with another not known followed Rachel Thomas along the canal bank as she was on her way to the coke ovens on the night of Saturday, the 25 h of March; that Davies knocked out some food which she was carrying in her apron; that he stole a pocket-handkerchief contain- ing as. 6d., which she had inside her dress, and capped it all by throwing her into the canal, from which she was taken by Mahoney when someone was heard to- be coming. It was further alleged that,-subsequent- to this episode they went to an empty oveii where Mary AIm Sees had gone to spend the night; that Mahoney struck her in the side and 4ook from inside her dress a purse con- taining 3". 6d., and that Mahoney hit and tainin,7 3,,? 6(l., and th- kicked a man, named David Harris, who inter- fered for her protection. This David Harris was committed last Thursday for three months far living upon the immoral earnings of the woman Rachel Thomas, but Thomas, who did not then appear, now denied tnat he eked out his existence in this infamous way. Both prisoners were sent for trial.

SOUTH WALES ENGINEERS. MR, DUNDAS WIGHT. PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE. WHAT CIVILISATION OWES TO ENGINEERING. The annual meeting of the South Wales Institute of Ifngineers was held at Cardiff on Monday. The out-going president (Mr. T. II. Deakin, M.Inst.C.E.). occupied the chair at j the com mem cement of the proceedings, and presented the president's gold medal and certificate for 1908 to Mr. E. M. Hann for his p-aper on A Eecent, Plant for the Utilisation of Small Coal," this being adjudged the best paper read before the institute during the past tio years. (Applause.) Mr. Hann said the presentation of the presi- dent's gold medal was the greatest honour which had fallen upon him during the period of nearly thirty years that he had been con- nected with the institute. The Chairman then introduced Mr. W. Dun- das v\ ight, the president-elect, who will preside oter the institute for the next two years. Xfr. Wight, he eaid, was a mechanical as well as a mining: engineer, and was able to express his views in a forcible manner. Ou tiie motion cf Mr. Wight, who then took the chair amidst applause, a vote of thanks to the retiring president, seconded by Mr. Hann, was adopted. Very complimentary references were made to the able manner in which Mr. Deakin had discharged his duties, and Mr. Deakin replied. Mr. Wight then delivered his address, in which he alluded in detail to the progress made in engineering during the present cen- tury, young1 as it was. They could only be astounded at engineering having accom- plished so much in the cause of civilisation when other profession* had done so little. He referred to the use of turbines whore high speeds were required, but this was really not a new thing, as a patent was taken out in 1851. After referring to the general use now made of ferro-concrete, to motors and aeronautics, the president stated that the new Patent Act had been received with general approval, inasmuch as it protected the patentee, the manufacturer, W well as the consumer. 1 t would require time and decisions in the law courts, however, before an understanding would be arrived at as to how the new power- could be applied. (Applause.) The result of the ballot for other office- bearers showed that the following had a majority of votes:—Vice-presidents, Mr. Robert Jordan, Mr. Henry T. ivales, and Principal E. H. Griffiths; members of the council, Messrs. John Vaug-han (Dowlais), John Fox Tallis (Ehhw Vale), Thomas Arnold (Llanelly), Theodore Vac he 11 (Newport), W. W. Hood (Llwynypia), Leonard W. Llewelyn (Clydaoli Vale), W A Chamen (Cardiff), and W. J. Ileppell (Aberdare). A discussion took place upon rescue work in mines and the various patents for self- contained breathing apparatus, after which Mr. Hann's paper on a plant for the utilisa- tion of small coal came under consideration. A vote of thanks to Mr. Hann was passed, and the discussion adiourned. ANNUAL DINNER. INVITATION TO THE MARINE ENGINEERS. mere was an unusually large attendance at the annual dinner held in the Whitehall Rooms of the Park Hotel in the evening, under the chairmanship of the new presi- dent, Mr. William D. Wight. Amongst others who supported the chairman were the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Councillor Illtyd Thomas), t,he High Sheriff (Mr. Walter Rdce Evans), Principal E. H. Griffiths, Mr. Henry W. Martin, the Mayor of Newport (Councillor T. Parry), and Mr. J. Fox Tallis (chairman of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coalowners' Association). The High Sheriff, in proposing "The South Wales Institute of Engineers," said that the institute had about six hundred enrolled members, and among them were some of the most emin-ent men in the country. The President, in replying, alluded to the growth of the mining and other engineering institutes. The mechanical engineers num- bered 5,JCO members, the president oi which was Mr. T. Hurry Riches, a past-president of the South Wales Institute, and so satisfied were they with him that they had elected him for a second year. Another president of thb M.Inst.C.E. was Mr. Edward P. Martin, 80 that it looked as if South Wales were a training ground for institutes of a wider scope. (Applause.) He would like to see the marine engineers coming in, and then the institute would be representative of all branches of the profession in South Wales. (Applause.) Mr. T. H. Deakin gave "The City and Commerce of Cardiff." lIe said that, although he thought there was a great future for Swansea, at present Cardiff was the Chicago of this country, the only differ- once being that it had kept its hands clean and its escutcheon unsmndged. (Applause.) Cardiff would become still greater than it was at present if the men who had control of public affairs were equal to those who held the reins of power in the past. (Applause.) The Lord Mayor in replying referred to the engineering achievements of Cardiff. many of which were due to the skill of Mr. Harpur, the city engineer. He attributed the healthy cs-tate of the city to the sanitary arrange- ments. Mr. T. A. Johnson, who also responded, stated that after the invitation given by the chairman he guaranteed that 50 marine engineers would join the institute this year. (Applause.) Mr. Patchell (London) gave The, Industries of 'the District and of the Ports of the Bristol Channel," to which Mr. James Hur- man responded. The latter stated that the imports in the port of Cardiff were increas- ing, and two new industries were being estab- lished, one of which was the coal washery fit the Bute Doeks.

FIGHT IN THE CHANNEL. A German ship's stoker, named Joseph Paschke, of the steamship Elna, was brought up in custody at Newport on Monday for violently assaulting and inflicting grievous harm upon Laurito Peter Laursen, a second engineer. Mr. Hunter appeared for the prosecution. Prosecutor, who is a Dane, stated that in the English Channel, on a voyage from Grangemouth to Newport, he found urieoner was not on duty when he ought to have been He (the second engineer) went forward and told him to go to his work, but he replied that there was no hurry, as there was 1301b. of steam on the boiler. A scuffle ensued, and prisoner hit the engineer on the head with a heavy iron poker. Dr. Gratte found four wounds on the front of the head, one two inches long. Prisoner alleged that the engineer struck him first with an iron valve spanner, but there were no marks upon his head. The Bench fined him C5, or a month's imprisonment.

TRESPASS ON THE T.V.R. Mr. Cyril Brown (Messrs. Ingledew and sons, Cardiff) prosecuted D. Watkins, labourer, Troherbert, at Ystrad on Monday for trespassing on the Taff Vale Railway, on the Blaenrhoudda- branch. The trespass was proved by John Price, foreman platelayer, who had previously warned the defendant.- The Bench imposed a fine of Ll.

I Mr. Herring's Will —————— -0 —————— TROUBLE OVER GIFT TO A LADY ) f The will of the late Mr. George Herring, who died on November 2, 1906. leaving an estate of the value of £ 1,371,152, was men- tioned before Mr. Justice Joyce on Monday. A summon" taken out by Mrs. Roma Ray- mond Murray, to have determined certain points arising up,on a gift to her under the will, came on for hearing. The defendants were the Metropolitan Hospital Sunday Fund, who are large bene- ficiaries under the will, of which Mrs. Murray is one of the executors. Clause 9 of the will ran:- I bequeath to Mrs. Roma Raymond Murray my bourse and its gardens, stables, outhouses, and appurtenances, known as Bridge House, Maidenhead, together with a-11 the furniture and contents thereof. Also, all my debentures and preferred and deferred stock in the Municipal Trust Company (Limited), and all my shares and interest in the Twentieth Century Club, Stanley-gardens, Notting-hill. and in two Mysore gold companies. The first point was whether the gift cf Bridge House included a cottage immediately adjoining. The second was whether a steam launch passed with the house. The next question involved a very substan- tial sum in the Municipal Trust Company. Mrs. Murray submitted that the intention of Mr. Herring was to give her all his hold- ing in that company. Another point was whether "my shares and interest" in the Twentieth Century Club included a loan of £ 500 made to the club after the date of the will The remaining point arose in this way. After Mr. Herring's death the executors kept up Bridge House on a scale not extravagant, having regard to the amount of the estate, but a good deal more expensively than Mrs. Murray would have done. Cost of Upkeep They refused to hand the house over until they had advertised for creditors and ascer- tained whether the estate was solvent. It was rather an amusing view, said coun- sel, for they now wanted Mrs. Murray to pay over L485 for the upkeep of the house, but she was only willing to pay the rates and expenses of that kind. Mrs. Rose Theobald, sister of the plaintiff, in an affidavit stated that she was at Bridge House in the summer of 1906. During dinner a conversation arose about a cottage, and she said, Why not have the cottage belonging to this? You could not have anything prettier." frs. Murray assented, and Mr. Herring said, I cannot very well do that this year, but before next year I shall, probably, be gone, and it will be yours (Mrs. Murray's), as well as Bridge House." The hearing was adjourned.

NOT BOTH TO BLAME- I CARDIFF SHIPPING DECISION REVERSED. The Court of Appeal on Monday gave judg- ment allowing an appeal by the owners of the steamship Roanoke, of West Hartlepool, against a decision of -Air. Justioe Buokniil in the Admiralty Division, whereby his lord- ship pronounced both the Roanoke and the Cardiff steamship Windsor to blame for a collision which occurred between them in the English Channel, off Dungenees, on the 3rd of October last. Tilcir Lordships considered Mr. Justice Bucknill's judgment erroneous, and reversed nis decision in &o far that he found the Roa,noke to blame. The Lord Chief Justice said that both vessels were approaching a Rotterdam pilot cutter off Dungeneas, and were on converging courses, and the Windsor was admittedly to blame in that she, having the Roanoke on her starboard bow, failed in her obligation to take steps to keep clear of that vessel. With regard to the Roanoke, that vessel had been found also to blame for having reduced her speed, but, in his opinion, no blame ,atta-ohed to her in this respect, because those 0.1 the Windsor ought to have seen that she must so reduce her speed in order to pick up her pilot. Lord Justice Farwell said that it was the duty of tho Windsor to keep out of the way and the duty of the Roanoke to keep her course and speed, but this latter obligation was not absolutely binding. If there was nothing to indicate otherwise to the giving way ship, she was entitled to assume that the other boat would keep her course and speed, but the picking up of a pilot was a recognised and legitimate manoeuvre. Lord Justice Kennedy also concurred. It was not suggested that those on board the Windsor did not perfectly appreciate, or, at all events, did not have an opportunity of appreciating what the Roanoke was doing. The locality was one in which boats bound for Patt-erdam picked up Rotterdam pilots, and the Roanoke was exhibiting the lights for a Rotterdam pilot. That being so, those on the Windsor ought to have assumed that the course and speed which the Roancoke would keep would be that which would enable her to approach the pilot-boat and pick up her pilot. The appeal was, accordingly, allowed, with costs, and the Windsor pronounced alone to blame for the collision.

FOURTEEN BROKEN RIBS. An inquiry was held on Monday into the death of Rees Davies (72), labourer, Spenoers- place, Hawthorn, Pontypridd, whose body was run over by a motor-oar last Friday night.-The evidence was that a motor-car belonging to the Electric Power Company, driven by Spencer Haines, of Upper Boat, ran over deceased. The latter must have been lying in the road, otherwise the driver would have Be-an him in time. The latter was unaware that anything had happened until he felt a jerk. Dr. Edward Evans attributed death to shock following the injuries received, which included fourteen fractured ribs.—The jury returned a verdict of Accident," and exonerated the driver from blame.

KNOCKED DOWN AT THE SPORTS. Theresa Goulding, New-road, sued J. R. Thomas, Towyn Farm, Kidwelly, at Llanelly County-court on Monday for z622 8s. 6d. in respect of damages. Mr. T. R. Ludford appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Bridg- water (instructed by Mr. D. R. Edmuiwls) defended. Mrs. Goulding said she was at Burry Port sports with her daughters. Her daughter Theresa was knocked down by a horse, which darted out of the course. Her collar-bone was fractured. His Honour adjourned the case until to- day. so as to call evidence to prove owner- ship.

NEWPORT WOMAN'S DEATH FROM BURNS. An inquest was held at Newport Asylum, Caerleon, on the body of Mary Biggins, 56, who was admitted to the institution from Newport Hospital on March 27.—Thomas Biggins, a son of the deceased, stated that his mother had been subject to fits, having as many as three or four a week.—Dr. Oswald Wright gave evidence as to the deceased being admitted to Newport Hospital suffering from burns. The burns were sufficient to cause death. He judged by her conduct that she was insane, and &he was sent to the asylum.—A ver-uict that death was caused by exhaustion, from burns," was returned.

SIR JOHN KIRK IN CARDIFF. S-ir Jobn Kirk, the Ragged School Union knight, visited Cardiff on behalf of Mr. Pearson's Fresh-air Fund, and held a meeting at the Young Men's Christian Association- rooms. Alderman W. J. Trounce presided. Sir John Kirk described Mr. Pearson's extended scheme for providing a proportion of the poor children who especially needed it with a fortnight's holiday in the country, a,nd for this purpose they needed £ 10,00) for the fund.

MONMOUTHSHIRE SCHOOLS ARCHITECT. The sites and buildings committee of the Monmouthshire Education Confmittee on Monday further reduced the list of applicants for the post of schools arcnitect for the county to three, viz.:—Mr. IV. V. Morgan, Carmarthen; Mr. W. H. Williams. Mountain Ash; and Mr. Lonbridge, Staffordshire Edu- cation Authority.

1 CARPETS BEATEN IN A FEW HOURS.-I, Minny- swreet, Catfcays. Biaff up 741 National. eIi029

Painful Newport Case GIRL'S REMARKABLE LETTER TO MARRIED MAN A painful story of the relations between 1 William Williams and his wife, Ellen Wil- liams, who recently lived at Main dee-para do, Newport, was unfolded to the local bench on Monday, when the wife, Ellen Williams, who is now living with her mmher at Canon- street, made an application for a separation order on iiie grounds of her husband's per- eistent cruelty. Mr. Llewellyn Lloyd appeared in sup.port of the application. The wife, a smartly-dressed, I.md.emure- looking woman, said she married defendant in September, 1903, when she was not quite seventeen years of age, and he at the time was 32. lilhey had had three children, but only one, aged- three mouths, was now living. The week following her marriage defendant toon her to Car dill, but he was out of work and could not keep her. They subsequently tramped the country, going nortn, south, eaet, and west. Defendant did very little work, but, as he was a Freemason., he got grants from the brotherhood. On re- turning to Newport deiendant took up insurance work, and earned sometimes as much as £4 and L5 a week, but only gave her 15s. a weeK to keep herself and the bouse. Shortly before her last child was born defendant suggested that she should get a girl, seventeen years of age, named Lily Probert, to attend her. She agreed, but the girl Probert used to go out, uolU ing with defendant, and they had been seen arm in arm together. Witness remonstrated with I hm as to his conduct with the girl, and | aoked him to send her home. On February 14 she told him the girl was to go. but he replied that she should not go, anti that it was her (witness's) place to go. Defendant alleged that his wife had ruined h m, and called the girl Probert as a wit- ness. "I TRUST YOU IMPLICITLY." Lily Probert said Williama had been very kind to his wife, and that Mrs. Williams had told her (Probert) to put her arms around his neck and run her fingers through his hair, as she liked to see it. Alderman Bear (the chairman) then showed a piece of paper to the witness, and asked if it was her writing. She replied, "Yes." "Then I will read it," said the alderman. He then read the following remarkable letter Dearest Darling—It is weeks since I saw you, and I am longing to see you again. You are my life, and how can I part with you, dearest? Will you go away and forget me? If you did I should never forget you. I could never love man as 1 love you. Be true to me, my handsome. Every part of you I love equally. Don't give way"o your passions. I trust you implicitly. I will follow you to the end of the world. I will beg for you, lie for you, die for you, if you wish. I tremble with emotion when I write to you, and can write no more.—Ever your broken LILY. After the reading of this letter the Bench made an order, assessing alimony at 10s. per week, defendant to pay costs and to allow hie wife to have the custody of the child. Considerable excitement was caused when the girl Probert was seen to leave the court with Williams

CRIMEAN VETERAN'S FUNERAL The funeral took place on Monday at Cardiff Cemetery of J amcs Bradshaw, a ¡ former private and pensioner of the 68th Durham Light Infantry, who died on Friday, on his eightieth bi-rth-cray, at his residence, 32, Radnor-road, Can-ton. The declease-d served in the Crimea and in the Maori campaigns, and was in possession of four bars, for Alma, Balaclava, Imkerman, and Sevastopol. He also possessed the Turkish medal and the medal for the New Zealand campaign, One of his sons, Fred Bradshaw, served in the RJyal Meld Artillery throughout the cam- paign in South Africa, and his other eon, John Bradshaw, also served in another corps in the same campaign. The veterans in the city paid a last tribute of respect to their dead comrade, about twenty meeting the cor- tege in North-road and accompanying the remains to the place of interment. A carry- ing party of twelve, under the command of a sergeant, were present from the Welsh Regiment, along with a bugler, who sounded the Last Post" as the remains were being lowered into the grave. The service was condueted by the Rev. R. J. B. Lewis.

PYLE COMMONERS' RIGHTS Judge Roberts delivered judgment at Bridg- end on Monday in the case in which Mrs. llary Rees, of Cornelly, claimed L3 from E. Rowland ThGmas, proprietor of the Pant Mawr Quarries, for the loss of a ram, which was killed by a, locomotive belonging to the defendant. It was contended by Mr. T. J. Hughes, for the plaintiff, that the defendant was liable for any injury which his locomotive might cause to the commoners' stock. His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, with costs. He held that the defendant had no statutory powers to bring a locomotive through the unfenced common, and the very fact of bringing it there was an act of negli- gence. Mr. J. R. Snarpe (who appeared for Mr. Edmund Herne) gtave notice of appeal.

GOLD-SPREAD DEATH-BED I A Dunkirk dispatch to the "Petit Parisien" gives extraordinary details as to the death of a man named Albert Vanhaege, who was mortally wounded at Capellebronck by a robber who was in search of Vanhaege's savings. When the police arrived in order t) make the necessary inquiries as to the crime, the dying man, who had the reputa- tion of being a miser, asked them to spread upon his bed all the money he possessed, which he had hidden in a cellar. Search was made for the money, which was found under a cask, and shortly afterwards the police spread upon Vanhaege's bed 8,000 francs in gold and 1,2LO francs in 5-franc pieces. After looking at his money, the miser suspiciously asked the police, "You have not taken any?" A few hours later Vanhaege died.-Peuter.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S SOCIETY An enthusiastic meeting of men was held at the Temperanoe-hall, Newport, on Monday, under the auspices of the Church of England Men's Society. Archdeacon Bruce had intended to take the chair, but an intimation was received to the effect that he was unwell. His place was taken by Colonel C. T. Wallis, J.P., who said that the object of the society was to create brotherhood in all things. The Rev. S. Gordon Savile (clerical secre- tary of the society) said that the points of the society were prayer, sacrament, and brotherhood. He was sorry to say that men generally shunned the service which was most brotherly—the service of Holy Com- munion. When the other day he was adminis- tering the sacrament at the altar rail, he first administered it to a peer of the realm, and then to a butcher boy, whom he had prepared for confirmation-. (Hear, hear.)

STRENUOUS SUICIDE John Harvey, a well-known Sandwich licensed victualler, committed suicide in a, remarkable manner on Monday morning. He drowned himself in a tub of water in his stable yard, placing a water pipe in his mouth. =====

THAW DIVORCE CASE Mr. Robert E. Dego has been appointed referee to take evidence in the suit which Mrs. Evelyn Thaw is bringing to annul her marriage on the ground that Harry Thaw was insane when the marriage took place.— Reuter.

I THE GRANTS IMPERILLED The Cardiff School Buildings and Sites Committee met on Monday and considered the a.mended draft plans of the proposed additions at the new Canton Secondary Schools. It will be remembered that the Board of Education has threatened to deprive the new schools of grants, because of the alleged delay in the provision of laboratories, &c. On an old plan it was thought desirable to put the art room above the laboratories, but plans were now approved with the art room on the ground floor, in front of the approved laboratories, to accommodate thirty scholars, and it was resolved to instruct the architect to amend the plans accordingly for the director of education (Mr. J. J. Jackson) to immediately forward to the Board of Education. The Chairman ,1Ir. Caple) said placing the art room on the ground floor and reducing the proposed 16ft. wall to 12ft., Ac., would easily save them Pl,OW compared with the old plans, in connection with which the esti- mated cost was fixed at £ 4,000. Mr. Sessions said they might save money by the a.ltered plans, but he thought £ 1,000 was a stiff estimate..

("WILFUL MURDER." I CARDIFF BABY IN PARCEL Found in a Chapel Yard Mr. W. L. Yorath (city coroner) held an inquest at Cardiff on Monday on the body of the newly-born male child was dis- covered on Saturday afternoon near the Congregational Church, Stacey-roa-d. Roa-th. Frederick Chard, a lad. of 43, H el-en-street, son of a bricklayer, said that about two o'clock on Saturday he and others were playing football, and a boy kicked the ball tow the back of the chapel. Witness ran after it, and said, "Hullo! I have a 'clue,' refer- ring to a parcel, wrapped in a white apron, and which en being opened was found to contain the dead body of a newly-born male child. Police-sergeant Samuel deposed that from what the boy told him he went to the spot, and in the space betwe-en the chapel wall and tho maii' wall he saw the body as described. There was nothing in the wrap, pings to shed light upon the point of identifi- cation. Dr. W. E. Williams gave the result of his examination at Roath Station on Saturday afternoon. There were no marks of violence. A post-mortem showed that the child had had a separate existence, and was fully- matured and well-nourished. Existence had not exceeded twelve hours. The cause of death was hemorrhage. The Coroner in summing up said the police inquiries had so far proved unsuccessful. The jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against some person unknown.

CARDIGANSHIRE POLICE The committee appointed to inquire into the sweeping charges made by Mr. Vaughan Davies. M.P., against the Cardiganshire police will submit the following findings to the standing joint committee at Lampeter on Thursday:- (1) That the police made every inquiry in reference to Mr. Davies's complaint of drunken tramps in August last, as well as into complaints made by him as to an iilll; (2) As to the charges that the members of the police force are idle and good for nothin.r and take no notice of drunken tramps, thf committee call attention to the Government returns of crimes for the year 1906, from which it will be seen that the police in the county are at. least as active as the police in the other counties which are compared, and they further point out that the number of tramps apprehended for begging in Cardi- ganshire is greater than any county in Wales (except Merioneth); (3) As to the cost of the police and the number of policemen employed, the com- mittee point out that the number of con- stables employed, viz., 41. is the number required by his Majesty's inslJoector: Com- pared with Brecon and Merioneth, the num- ber of constables is less per thousand of population and the cost per constable is less; (4) It is not a fact that ten policemen are stationed in Aberystwyth. as Mr. Vaughan Davies alleges. The number shown in the return is nine, including the staff. The committee, in conclusion, find that the charges must have been made under a mis- apprehension, and that no blame is attached to the chief-constable or Superintendent Jones or the constables accused; and, fur- ther, they consider that the police force does its work efficiently and compares favourably witb any police force in the Principality.

ART IN THE SCHOOLS During the coming summer an Interna- tional Art Congress is to be held in London in connection with elementary and inter- mediate schools, and in common with other educational bodies the Carmarthenshire Education Authority invited the head teachers of all their schools to send in speci- mens of drawings done by the children. These were exhibited last week at the Art School, Carmarthen, and the specimens repre- sented some 150 schools in the county. Miss Spiller, of the education department, who is the secretary of the forthcoming congress, has made selections of work to be sent to London to represent Carmarthenshire at the congress. The selections were ma-de from the Kidwelly National School, Carmarthen Model and Practising School (National), Carmar- then Intermediate (Girls') School, and Llan- elly Intermediate (Boys') School.

WANTED A MORTUARY The need of a mortuary for Pontypridd was emphasised at an inquest held on Mon- day by Mr. D. Rees, the coroner, on the body of Thomas Williams, labourer, Penwal Farm, Ynyeybwl, whose body was found in the Glamorganshire Canal on Saturday morn- ing.—The Coroner said, at the request of the jury, he would again make representations to the authority referred to. There being no evidence forthcoming as to how deceased came into the canal, the jury returned a verdict of Found drowned."

POPE & MR. PIERPONT MORGAN Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan arrived at Perugia o,ii Monday, and appeared to be in excellent health. On Saturday, accompanied by his daughter, Mr. Pierpont Morgan had an audience of the Pope, and during the audience he took from his pocket paper and a pen, and asked the Pope to write him a few words. Complying with the request, the Pope wrote:—"We offer the best wishes for Mr. Morgan and his family, and we pray that God may grant him every happiness."— Central News.

PRESUMED TO BE DEAD I The Probate Court on Monday granted leave to presume the death of Mr. William Henry Fowler, sen., solicitor, formerly clerk to the West Ham justices, who disappeared from a steamer in the Channel while cross- ing in a cargo boat last December from Boulogne to Folkestone. Deceased, who had had some dispute with the West Ham Corporation, left an affec- tiona.te latter to his son. in which he said he would never reach Folkestone.

TREATY WITH AMERICA I Reuter's Agency is officially informed that a treaty of arbitration between Great Britain and the United States has been signed by Mr. Bryce and Mr. Root at Washington. The chief provision of this treaty is that ques- tions of a legal character or concerning the in to rp rotation of treaties which cannot be settled by diplomatic measures shall be referred to the Hague Coiirt.-Router. I

THE CAPE PARLIAMENT I Vfie final result of the elections to the Cape House of Assembly show the following as the distribution of seats:— Ministerialists, 69 (nineteen gains). Unionists, 33. Independents, 5. The majority is the largest there has-ever I been in the liouse.-Reuter.

WHISKY MANUFACTURE I Giving evidence before the Whisky Co-ylmis- sion on Monday, Mr. Wm. Virtue, managing director of the United Distilleries of BolfdstT, eaid not one man in a hundred knew or cared how whisky was made. A man drank pot still or patent still, or a blend of the two, because it suited his particular taste and because ho liked it. irrespective of its mode of manufacture or the ma.terialB em- ployed. Mr. William H. Ross, of the Distilleries Company, Edinburgh, followed.

TWO BYE-ELECTIONS j In the House of Commons on Monday new writs were ordered to be issued for the election of members for Kincardineshire and West Derby in the room respectively of the late Mr. J. W. Crombie and the Hon. Victor Cavendish, who has succeeded to the peerage on the death of the Duke of Devonshire. —————————

HEAVY SENTENCES George Fl-akey and Philip Lestrange were charged before the Newport bench on Monday with breaking and entering the shop of Albert Kirby, at SO. Malpas-road, and stealing clothing of the value of £10. Prisoners pleaded that they had tramped from Coven- try in search of work, but had failed to find any.—The Bench, having regard to several previous convictions, sent them eacih to prison for six months with hard labour.

I Last Time of Asking IF EIGHT HOURS BILL FAILS, THE MEN VI ILL STRIKE A meeting in support of the Miners' Eight Hours Bill wa,s held at Newport last night. The Chairman (the Rev. C. L. Perry) con- fessed his absolute ignorance of the subject, except in the general sense that he had sympathy with the lot of the working men. Mr. W. Harris, of Abertillery, said the answer to the poin.t that the eight hours day would decrease the output. was the action which Messrs. Partridge, Jones, and Co. had taken to provide for largely increas- ing the output of their Monmouthshire pits. Other colliery owners could do the same. Mr. Alfred Onions contended that the his- tory of the coal trade showed that the con- tention that the output would be diminished, and prices would be raised could not be sus- tained. Mr. W. Brace, M.P., eaid there was only a difference of half an hour a day between the terms offered by the coalowners and the demand of the men in the Government Bill. When the Federation was told that they ought to get their demand by means of their own organisation, it should be remembered that the. coalowners had ref-ased the demands, and the only way, therefore, to get the men's demand would be by striding. Was that what people meant when. they said the organisation ous-ht to gain the point? By legislation it could be got peacefully. But he warned the country that this was the last time that the Federation would ask for the eight hours by legislation. If the Bill was rejected they would take the advice of those who said it ought to be obtained by means of their own organisation—and then those who gave that advice must not gird at them for the results which followed. Having quoted the profits of some of the coal- owners, Mr. Brace assured the meeting that the Bill would not bring inconvenience, loss, or increased cost to the general public. A resolution in favour of the Bill was carried.

THE CARDIFF Y.M.C.A. I Sir Clifford Cory, Bart.. M.P., entertained to a luncheon at the Whitehall Rooms of the Paik Hotel, Cardiff, on Monday a large company of gentlemen interested in the extension scheme of the Cardiff Young Men's Christian Association. Sir Clifford Cory, who presided, was sup- ported by Messrs. H. C. Vivian (deputy- mayor) and Lyman Pierce, Canon Buckley, Major-general Lee, Principal Griffiths, Messrs. Herbert J. Cory, D. T. Alexander. W. North Lewis, Walter Shirley, Richard Cory, Reginald (Tory, and J. Arthur Jones, the Rev. J. illiamson, Mr. Kyte Collett, and Mr. Lewis Williams, and among other guests were AMerman Lewis Morgan, Mr. F. H. Jotham, Alderman Mathias (Porth), Alder- man Trounce, Mr. J. Bell Harrison, Principal Edwards, the Rev. John Morgan Jones, and Messrs. T. M. Heywood, Percy Thomas, H. A. Griffin, F. S. Higman (secretary of the Young Men s Christian Association), and J. E. Turner. Mr. r. M. Heywood (chairman of the Young Men s Christian Association Executive Com- nÜttec and treasurer) gave a detailed ex- planation of the extension scheme, and said that in a city like Cardiff it was a matter of great importance that they should have a centre of this kind for yo-arg lads. The accommodation in the present building was totally inadequate. Therefore, they had deciaed to re-build some cottages in Edwards- piace, and the total cost of building and furnishing would be about £ 4,200. Mr. John Cory, with his usual generosity, had promptly and readily come to their assistance with a first promise of £730, which he had increased to £1.000 conditionally upon the balance being speedily raised. Mr. Rowland E. Rey- nolds had also promised L-100. 111'. Hey wood's appeal was supported by Mr. Lyman Pierce, who has long been prominently identified with Young Men's Christian Association work in all parts of the world. Mr. Pierce g-ave instances of the enormous sums voted to Young Men's Chris- tian Association buildings by railway com- panies in America simply because they pro- duced a higher grade of manhood, and this they regarded as a commercial commodity which re-1),aid their investments. If it was good for big railway corporations to do this, it was also good for cities to do so. ia,fr. North Lewis, in proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, described him as the generous son of a generous father, whose philanthxophy was of world-wide repute. The Chairman said that the movement deserved their support, and he felt that the cost of this new building was very small com- pared -witat-tihe gTtsair-worK wmch M believed" it would accomplish. MR. PIERCE'S LECTURE. .t. At tile i^arit-nail in the evening Mr. Pierce lectured before an appreciative audience, the American Consul, Mr. Lorin Latliorp, pre. isi-cung. ======= 4

SAD DOMESTIC STORIES I Edward Edwards, collier, Tredegar, was I summoned at Tredegar Police-court on Mon- day for neglecting his six children, ranging in age from fifteen to three years. Mr. R. H. Spencer, Tredegar, prosecuted on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The evidence showed that the man was addicted to drink, in con- sequence of which he was irregular at his work and neglected to provide sufficient food for the children, who had to be fed by neigh- bours and relatives. Defendant was also alleged to toa/ve struck his daughter, aged fifteen, in the mouth with his Bet.-Prison-er was cautioned, and bound over under the Probationer Act in the sum of L10 for three months. Martha Webb (33), married. Tredegar, was summoned for neglecting her step-child, eight years of age, Mr. R. H. Spencer pro- secuting for the society. Aooording to the statement of Inspector George Sparkes, the woman's husband, who was engaged as a checkweigber at a local colliery, and was a highly-respectable man, had done every- thing possible to turn his wife from her drinking habits, but without success. She would look the house up and go off drinking all day, and the boy could not get in to his dinner, and had to go to his father at the colliery for food. The woman took her husband's and child's clothes to the pawn- I shop to get money for drink.—She was com- I mitted to prison for a month in Division 2. I

ACCIDENT AND ALCOHOL I William Keeffe, Park-street, Miaesteg, collier, sued Elder's Navigation Company at Bridg. end on Monday under the Compensation Act. Mr. Evan E. Davies was for the applicant, and Mr. Lincoln Reed, London (instructed by Mr. Evan Davies, Cardiff) for respondents: Dr Jabez Thomas (the medical referee) Bat i with Judge Roberts. Plaintiff stated that on December 23 he received an injury to his leg through a.stone falling. He had not been able to work since. Dr. Bell Thomas said he did not consider that the man was able to return to work yet. Sergeant Rees Davies, called for the defence, spoke to seeing the applicant under the influence of drink since the datp of the alleged accident. Dr. Joscelyne, Cardiff, thought that if the applioant had abstained from. alcohol the ulcer from which he was suffering would have healed in four or five weeks. His Honour awarded 16s. 3d. a week for i t,en weeks, holding that the man's recovery I had been retarded through his intemperate II habits.

COLD ROLL BOY TO MANAGER I Mr. William Price Lewis, who has been I appointed manager of the Copper Miners Tin-plate Works, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, is at present in charge of a large tin-plate works in Zanesville, Ohio. His connection with the tin-plate trade began when he became a cold roll boy at the Lydney Works. Subsequently he was appointed mill foreman a.t the Melin- griftith Works, and at the same time he was connected with the works at Aberdare. A f few years later Mr. Lewis threw up these positions in order to take cha.rge of a tin- plate plant near Bilbao. After six years there he went to Cincinnattir U.S.A., where Le was soon promoted to the managership of a larger works at Zanesville.

BOYCOTTING THE JAPANESE I Despite torrential rain, over a thousand I women dressed in white. as an emblem of mourning, attended a meeting they had arranged at Canton in support of the boycott of Japanese arising out of the release of the .-teamer Tat mi Maru and the acceptance of Japanese conditions in couiection with the seizure cf the vessel. The addressee delivered nioved the assembly to tears.-Reuter. =—— j

WELSH PROFESt-OR GOING Mr. Ainswortu Davis, pro fee.-or of geology j and zoology aud Dean of the Faculty of Science at t.he University College, Aberyst- wyth, has been appointed principal of the RoyaJ. Agricultural College, Cirencester-

TREDEGAR COLLIERS' DEATHS. Mr. J. B. Wa-lford held two inquests at Tredegar. In the CSLSO of David John Davies (13), who dropped dead at the bottom of Xo. 1 Ty-Tri.st Colliery, Tredegar, the evidence of Dr. H. G. Brown ehowed that the man had valvular disease of the heart. A verdict of "Heai-t disease was returned. In the case of Arthur Henry Roberts (25), collier, who was killed by a fall of roof at No. 2 Ty-Trist Colliery, Tredegar, John Roberts, the father, said that during the night an arm of timber bad moved about two inches, and he asked his son to get a hatchet to knock it into position. A few minutes afterwards the roocf fell, burying his son, who was dead when extricated.—A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

THE GWALIA'S MUTTON. Daniel Murphy, formerly a fireman in the employ of the Red Funnel Line, was charged at Barry with being concerned in the theft of a leg of mutton from the steamship Gwalia on the 19th of September last. Mr. Ivor Downing, who prosecuted, ex- plained that another man had already been convicted in connection with the case, but Murphy did not appear, and had since sur- rendered to a warrant which had been issued for his arrest. In consideration of his previous good character, defendant was fined Xi. or four- teen days' imprisonment.

ELUSIVE PONY AND TRAP. The Coleford police, and, in fact. the entire forces in Gloucestershire. Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire, are on the look-out for a pc-ny. trap, and harness, belonging to Mr. Daniel Williams, grocer, Sling, near Coleford, which have been stolen. The pony and trap has been traced through Coleford. Monmouth, Raglan, and on to Pontypool, but up to the Dreeent no arrest has been effected.

La Milo at Swansea COUNCILLORS ATTEND CHALLENGE TO OK, RAWLINGS La Milo was, of course, the outstanding attraction at Swansea Empire on Monday evening-. The greatest interest had been aroused amongst the public, and the Empire front was the r,ort of sniail crowds all day. In the evening the place was besieged, and even standing room was difficult to obtain. It is unnecessary to describe the La Milo" show,' except to say that it was, so far as the ordi- nary mind is concerned, unexceptionable from the point of view of decency, and the general opinion was that it was a particu- larly artistic and beautiful representation of meritorious studies. She posed in various attitudes, and could scarcely be told from the marble of the sculptor. The following Jnembers of the watch com- mittee accepted the invitation of the management of the Empire to witness the performance of La Milo-.—Aldermen David Williams, Geo. Payne, Howel Lewis, and Wil- liam Morris, and Councillors George Colwili, A. Lovell, George Hemmings, William Owen, Philip Davies, and Ivor Gwynne. Other members put in an appearance. The chief- constable (Captain Colquhoun) and Police- suoerintendent Jame3 Gill were also pre- sent. La Milo's Challenge to Dr Rawlings The following, An Open Letter to Dr. J. A. Rawlings, Swansea," has been written by La Nilo:- Sir,—I have been shown in the Swansea press a refusal by yourself to accept the invitation of Mr. P. C. Rowe (the manager) to attend the Swansea Empire to see for yourself whether my act is what you have designated it—' unspeakably degrading and, feeling that sucll a totally uncalled-for attack on my personal character and reputa- tion, both as artiste and Englishwoman, cannot pass unheeded by myself, I challenge you to either attend the Empire performance this (Monday) evening, or to immedia-tely withdraw, unreservedly, your statement, which is tantamount to a auggestion that my present performance is an offence against public deoency and morality. I further challenge you to repeat the statements made by you at the last meeting of the Swansea Watch Committee in an un- privileged place. so that I may have the op.portunity of protecting myself.—Yours, I Ac., 'LA MILO." I