Evening Express

.The Man in the Street —— + Only the most perverse, wilful blind- ness—the kind of cultivated disease which afflicts people who will not see things more than an inch off their-noses —will enable the Postmaster-General to abstain from admitting the obvious advantages ofttie South Wales route for the American mail. On Saturday the Booth liner Ambrose dropped anchor in Fishguard Harbour, and about half-an- hour after the express was on its way to London. Though it is something to go on w ith until more is conceded, to have two of tnese liners calling at Fishgnard twice a month, it is important that every influence should be exerted to impress the Government with the fact that there is an opportunity to effect a great saving of time and an important, if not vital, commercial improvement. A saving of eighteen hours to Cardiff and South Wales and more than half-a-day to the West of England centres, with corres- ponding advantages for parts of the Mid- lands, &c., demand consideration. If the Welsh members, for constituencies in and out of Wales, are not equal to taking the tide at the flood, the cham- bers of commerce, town and district councils, and other bodies should seize every opportunity to spur the sleeping ones into immediate and intense activity. Every Government is open to conviction, but it cannot be done by keeping our lips closed and our hands in our pockets. The effort demanded does not oourt disaster if only because of the supreme benefit which would accrue to London, the boasted "heart of the Empire." No London commercial magnate will object to getting his letters half-a-day sooner, and this one point should give the Welsh members a big lever in getting the greater advantage for South Wales. It would be an immense service to this part of the world if Cardiff could be made a distributing centre for the t'nited States jnail. Altogether, there is something worth striving for. and it is astonishing that. up to the present the representa- tives of the Principality have done so little to advance the cause which should go far to making Wales a more impor- tant part of the United Kingdom. It makes one sigh for a h-andful of Irish members, of the .'Ort who have obtained manifold benefits for the distressful country purely by persisftent, never-dying agitation. The silence of the Welsh members evidently impresses the Govern- ment with the idea that Wales desires nothing. The sooner this impression is shattered the better it will be for our general well-being. Now, sons of Wales, take thp bit between your teeth and do not slack speed until you have obtained this important concession for your country. Ladies are evidently finding that their [arms are all-too short for the scores of, bracelets with which it is the desire of the feminine heart that they should be, loaded. Many leaders of fashion have sent up lamentations that the advance- ment of civilisation has been the means of materially taking away from the length of the upper limbs. In the good old day, when our ancestors gaily disported among the topmost branches of the forest trees, the arm was as long as the leg, if not longer. It was very necessary then, for nightmares demanded lengthy appendages, so that their timely use enabled them to avoid disastrous falls. They were also useful for shying cokernuts at rash invaders. However, it is vain to sigh for what is lost, though it would seem that some of the attributes of our ancestors of the tree period are still with us. For it is announced that, failing the lamented long arm, the ladies of Washington have taken to wearing belts of gold just below the knee. Of course, these are leglets, though they are called "bracelets," and the fair Yankees are holding at homes—for women only —at which the merits of individual possessions in this newest line in fads are discussed. If this fashion spreads beyond the immediate precincts of -White House, it will be about time for some people to return to the primitive life in the forests. Perhaps the world would be less into- lerant if more people followed the example of Dr. Clifford, who bad "a Sunday off" last week. The veteran leader of Nonconformity, it is stated, attended a meeting of the Christian Scientists, a Roman Catholic service, and a gathering of the Kensington Ethical Society on one day. It cannot be said that the genial pastor has been much in love with either of these bodies, and it would be interesting to see what would become of his present views if Dr. Clifford indulged this truly catholic taste regularly. He might become, like the despised pencil-pushers, a journalist," which is supposed to be a religion on its own account. In a lifetime a newspaper- man takes part in ao many different functions and mixes with so great a variety of thought and belief that he becomes to those who have got accus- tomed to labelling their fellows '"nothing" —or a journalist. Mr. W. T. Stead claimed both Cardinal Manning and General Booth as his friends, and the story is told that at a revival meeting a man, asked if he was saved, was tact- fully passed by on replying, '• I am a reporter." Dr. Clifford has probably started too late to attain such distinc- tion, but this way of spending a Sun- day off" must help to attune him to a broader outlook. Only a few weeks have elapsed since j I called attention to the fact that the Cardiff Board of Guardians had suc- ceeded in saving 8s. 4d. in the taxing of a bill for solicitors' fees. While still wishing to give the board every credit for effecting that stupendous feat and withdrawing nothing already said in that connection, it would be a splendid thing for the ratepayers if the guar- dians could be persuaded to give as much care and attention to big matters as to small. It is not every assessment com- mittee that cares to boast of the spend- ing of 1:20,000 to secure a reduction of £ 7,000 in the valuation of properties which members do not themselves feel equal to dealing with, and while one has the utmost admiration for solicitors and others engaged to assist the amateur valuers it does seem hard on inoffensive ratepayers that they should be called I upon to bear the burden. Compared with £ 20,000, 8s. 4d. is but a drop in the ocean, and those who contend that the board is not numerically strong enough may have to come round to the opinion that a reduction in the total of 89 mem- bers might be beneficial if the result was a better quality in the financial attri- butes of those selected to serve on the assessment committee. There is something thorough about I Mr. G. L. Norris, Penarth's newest councillor, which compels attention. It seems that an injustice was done this gentleman the other day when it was stated that he would move only 46 reso- lutions at the next meeting of the Pen- arth Council. This modest total -lias already increased to 54, with a list of 36 questions as make-weight, and it would not be unreasonable to assume I that the new law-giver will not be satis- fied with scoring anything under a cen- tury. What will happen when Mr. Norris gets into full swing is beyond the ordinary imagination. Saturday's meet- ing, which Mr. Norris kept going until close on midnight, followed by another of an impromptu nature, was merely net practice. It remains to be seen how "G. L." will stand up to the" lobs" and "expresses" of the council's best bowlers, and it must be said that those who seek to catch him out in the slips" or from "a skier" must be exceedingly smart. Indeed, Mr. Norris can be relied upon to work hard in the field," as well as at "the wicket," and at present it looks very much as though the Penarth Council can be dissolved straightaway, and that the author of 54 resolutions should be constituted a special commis- sioner to run the affairs of Penarth. Apparently nothing less will be likely to exhaust Mr. Norris's overflowing energy —until he gets a fair chance of running the Cardiff Board of Guardians entirely on his own."

I BALLOON ON A COMMON I While cricket was in full swfftgr, in the presence of some thousands of spectators, on Claptiam Common on Saturday afternoon unusual excitement was created by the appearance of a laxge balloon. There was ecaroely any wind, and after hovering over the common for some time it descended near the Long Pond. The occu- pants of the car threw out a rope, which many of the crowd seized. Thus assisted, the balloon landed easily. It appeared that the balloon was the Val- kyrie, which had left Hurlingham an hour and a half earlier. The aeronauts were the Hon. C. S. Rolle, the Hon. Mrs. Assheton Harbord, Lord Boyston, and Mr. A. E. W. Maeon, M.P. for Coventry.

MOTOR-CAR COLLIDES WITH TRAIN Mr. Samuel Bailey, president of the Oilcloth Company, was motoring on Saturday with his wife in Atlantic City (U.8.), when, owing. it is believed, to something going wrong with the brakes, the car g-ot on to the Electric Railway line, which runs for some distance by the side of the road. Before the occupants could ceca-pe a train dashed into the motor-car. Mr. Bailey was instantly killed, while Mm Bailey and the chauffeur were both badly. injured. The train was very little damaged. Three other fatal accidents caused by motor-care were reported in America on Saturday, a child being the victim in each case. Two disasters occurred in Brooklyn, and ra the third case—at New Haven, Con- necticut—the oar was occupied by six students of Tale Ciollege.C-en,tral Newe.

l DOTCN an, a?M' Qoma-etrest Station, one of j qaalat- m th* world. Afternoon T- with our I deUdoo* Bread Md BatW, S?TtM, C<m{eeti<men, >Ualttd..OKdlO. 'Ha

A 4-HOUR MEETING Penarth's Enlivener I GETS TO WORK WITH VIGOUR Councillor G. L. Norris hired Andrews' Lesser-hall, Pena.rth, for Saturday evening, named the building "my parlour," a.nd invited his supporters and friends to spend the evemri-g with him. The hall was crowded. The mee-tiing started at 7.30, and for more than four hoars. Mr. Xorris explained his views on the work of the Penarth District Council, putting forth his intentions as to the future. Mr. Norris had mounted the plat- form with his arms full of papers, one of which he held up, and in a dramatic manner exclaimed, "Gentlemen, this is not a writ." He had some resolutions, which numbered 54, which he would put to the meeting, and he would read 36 questions which he had given notice he would put at the council meeting this (Monday) evening. (A Voice: "Are you going to keep as here all night?") He com- plained that he had been kept off the finance committee. Would the Great Western Rail- way Company put a man on the engine plate who knew nothing about an engine? No. Then why put men on a finance committee who did not know how to sign a cheque? (Laughter.) Mr. Xorris then shouted, "I will be up at that meeting on Monday, pulverise all arguments and suggestions, and make mince-meat of them." (Loud Laughter.) Con- tinuing, he said the "Western Mail" and "Evening Express" had paid him a great compliment by giving publicity to what he had said sillee he took his seat on the council. Other p.a,pUr3 had followed. Mr. Norris then started to put his long list of resolutions to the meeting..Some were received with loud applause, others with laughter, and a num- ber in silence. Several questions relating to the rate col- lector were read, one being as to the time when. four councillors (who were not named) paid their rates. Among other questions was one to "ask the clezk wIRit amount had been spent in hunting a septic tank bogey." (Laughter.) After reading one resolution Mr. Norris exclaimed, That's my text; what is the use of going up the pole?" The chairman of the council was at home, and knew wha.t was going on. Mr. Ralph Thomas retorted: You would not like to make a bet, Mr. Norris," which brought the reply, "No, my boy, I would not like to titke your money." An argument at the end of the room caused Mr. Norris to exclaim: "Look here, this is my parlour; if you wa-nt to argue go out- side." In regard to the outbreak of diphtheria and fever at Cogan, Mr. Norris blamed the heaps of refuse, manure, and filth accumu- lated on land near the people's houses. If this nuisance was done away with it would save hundreds of pounds. Mr. Norris, con- tinuing, said: You gentleman who are fond of land, and want it, send your applications to me and you will get it. If you put your- selves into the haiids of the council you won't get it. (Loud applause.) If you put yourself into communication with me, you shall have ■five, ten, or fifteen acres, and the Earl cf Plymouth can't atop me. If we can't deal with it, the county council shall; and if they can't, two men shall come down from Lon- don. If you want land, come to me. Lor' bless my soul, the Earl of Plymouth is only a man, the same as myself. (Laughter.) I am not afraid of him, now am I afraid of Lord Bute. If the Penarth District Coumcil are afraid (.f him, I'm not!" Other interrogatories referred to the state of the council's backyard, the stable and blacksmith's shop, why our reporter had been ordered off the premises, if a cask of chemicals impiroved by having t-he lid off, and whet,her the chemicals were expected to put the lid on.. CLaughter.) An Interruption There was an interruption) at this stage, whereupon Councillor Norris remarked, "If you don't agree with me you must go out- side. You are a mean fellow to come into my room." Intermptor: I do not dispute it. Councillor Norris (shouting): Get out., sir. I am not here to talk to you. I know what you have been doing. You ought to be bound ha.nd and foot and put into an icehouse. You have been living on the ratepayers for years. When the little hubbub had subsided some- what Councillor Norris remarked: They want me to put a placard opposite the trap- door of the rat trap and explain the mechanical workings of the trap, and tell the rat what will happen to it when it is let out to ijace that plucky little terrier named elector. (Laughter.) Mr. Norris explained that the chairman and clerk had asked him not to bring up all the resolutions at the same meeting, but bring them up "a few at a time," and he had selected the best for a start. One resolution covered a request to the E,arl of Plymouth for a piece of land, "at a PeTxper-c-orn rent," at Cogan as a recreation ground. A proposal which found favour was that the scavengers and horsemen be provided with oilskin capes. Officials and Holidays Another proposal was to prevent offioials of the council from going electioneering and being employed in the polling booths. Was it right? ("No.") "Then it shall not be done in future." (Laughter.) As he was now a servant of the ratepayers himself, he wanted all to be treated alike in the way of holidays, and if a man wanted a half-day to attend a funeral or go to visit a sick friend, let him come to him. At present they could not have it without deductions being made from their pay. ("Shame.") They could put another word in front of that. (Laughter.) Other motions dealt with alleged inequality of assessments. Here's a pretty thing for you," said Mr. Norris. New lead piping is lying alongside of the old scrap iron in the council yard. This is putting temptation in people's way." A further resolution was: "That all old lumber belonging to other persons be removed out of the oouncil sheds, &c., that is to say, all large milk-cans, tea trays, babies' cots, washstands, easy chairs, iireirons, tongs and shovels, boxes and sundries, onions, and all other miscellaneous articles too numerous to mention, so as to make room for the council stores, which are lay- ing out in the open." No. 53 was to the effect that all the horse- men be instructed to be extra careful with their horses, out of the stable into the yard, and vice versa, until such time as all heaps of scrap iron accumulated near the stable doors and other parts of the ya.rd are removed, otherwise the ratepayers will have six valuable horses lamed or with their legs broken, or killed. Mr. Norris kept his meeting lively until 11.30 p.m. On leaving the hall he was sur- rounded by a crowd, and several questions were asked of hdm, and he was kept going until oloise upon one o'clock on Sunday morn- mg.

AIRSHIP CAUSES A PANIC A large crowd of Parisians gathered on Saturday afternoon to see Mr. Delagrange and Mr. Fa-rman compete for the £400 prize which was to go to either of them who should remain in the air for a quarter of an hour. Mr. Parman after a couple of trials re- signed, but Mr. Delagrang.e flew 500 yards close to the ground, turned, and, running straight at the crowd, caused a panic. The crowd rushed in every direction, but a motor-car, for some unexp. ined reason, drove right at the aeroplane. Mr. Dela- grange just missed it, but smashed a lamp, ,and his aeroplane crashed to the ground. Mr. Delagrange was not hurt at all, but the repairs necessary to his aeroplane ivill take some weeks.

MINERS V. NEWSVENDOfiS I A fatal street brawl occurred at Ivens to-day. A dispute arose between four news- vendois and a number of miners, who reproached them for selling a journal which is opposed to M. Lamendin, the socialist deputy for Bethune. Blows followed, and one of the newsvendors received blows from I which lie has since died.

HOSTILE RECEPTION A large tribe of gipsies with their show vans, Ac., tried to effect an entry into a field at Burgess Hill on Saturday, declaring that the meadow had been sublet to them. Owing to the opposition of the people of the district, however, the gipsie6 left the town at night.

THE DOBOTHT CHOOOLATES. Thirty. eight varieties and ttivaurs. Made trtah every hour, pro- nounced to be pecftct chocolates. Certificate of merit &xiot time axJvhKing; in Loudon. Only 2*. per lb. Fr.. O,wmT hDur. FMee-? poet. 3rro=h CanfAo UOMT. CMtM. '<t!H

The Budget I TAXATION REDUCTION IMPROBABLE Rumours are rife with regard to the Budget, which Mr. Asquith is to introduce in the1 House of Commons on Thursday. Although he has vacated the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, Mr. Asquith will present his financial proposals to the House, the task of carrying them out being relegated to Mr. Lloyd George, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. All statements regarding the Budget pro- posals are necessarily solely conjecture, because, since the Government's intentions regarding leaf tobacco a few years ago by some means became prematurely disclosed, Ministers guard the Budget secrets more carefully than ever. Old-age pensions will be the principal sub- ject of the Budget, and on this question the prophecies of those near to the fountain- head are in singular agreement as to the system to be proposed. For instance, it is unanimously considered that Mr. Asquith will start the system of pensions within twelve months. It may come into operation with the beginning of the New Year. An Old-age Pension Act will be necessary to set up the machinery for administration, after the funds have been provided in the Budget; and it is hoped that this Bill will be intro- duced by Mr. Lloyd George. The pension proposals, it is generally believed, will be on the following basis: A State pension of 5s. a week for necessi- tous persons above the age of 70. An income test of 10s. a week; no persion to exceed 5s. a week, and no pension to bring the weekly income of the recipient above 10s. a week. Convicted criminals and lunatics to be barred from the benefits oi the scheme. No inquisitorial or humiliating inquiries to be made as to the character of an applicant. No relieving officer administration, brand- ing the recipient with the taint of pauperism. No specific contribution to the scheme by potential beneficiaries, and, therefore, no corresponding contributions by employers of labour. Exclusion from the scheme of those who already receive pensions from the com- munity-that is, soldiers, sailors, civil officers, and people who have been pensioned by municipalities and other public bodies. No acceptance of the suggestion of the Chaplin Committee, that people who have received Poor-law relief within a period of 20 years should thereby forfeit their claim to a pension. In consequence of this introduction of a pension scheme, there is not much probabi- lity of any reduction or remission of taxa- tion to gladden the heart of the taxpayer. The sugar tax, which produces six millions a year, will remain, in spite of pledges by Liberal candidates. The Government is committed to a re-consideration of the finan- cial arrangements between the Treasury and the municipalities, so that such duties as those on drink-selling licences and motor- cars can be revised for the benefit of the State. As to the former duties, however, it is considered that the Prime Minister, in view of the irritation and opposition aroused by the Licensing Bill, will not lay the Government open to further bad odour through increasing the licence duties.

STUPENDOUS LAW-SUIT I The action brought by Mr. Isidore Wyler and the Ibo and Nyass'a Corporation against Messrs. Lewis and Marks and others for damages in respect of loss of contract giving concessions in Nyaesa territory came to an end in the King's Bench Division on Saturday, after having occupied 33 days. The jury found in favour of the plaintiffs, who were awarded L55,472 damages. All the defendants, except Sir Robert Edgecumbe, were affected. Plaintiffs alleged conspiracy against the defendants, by which they sub- mitted they had lost concessions estimated to be worth a quarter of a million pounds. Notice of appeal was given, and stay of execution was granted on defendants pay- ing a considerable sum into court as security for costs. During the hearing the jury exonerated Mr. Weatherby, the liquidator of the Investment Trust, from blame. The case did not attract general public interest, but the feature is the enormous amount of costs involved, the total being put at over £ 70,000. The counsel engaged in the case, with their fees, were:- Daily Retainer. Refresher. £ £ Sir Edward Carson, K.C. 1,000 100 Mr. Isaacs, K.C. 1,000 100 Mr. Eldon Bankes, K.C. 1,000 100 Mr. LlJEb, K.C. 750 75 Mr. Hohler, K.C. 750 75 Mr. Joseph 400 30 Mr. Walla.ce 400 30 Mr. Lloyd 300 20 Mr. Oohen 150 10 The special fees for the jury, nearly all of whom were shopkeepers, and are excueed from further attendance for twelve years, came to X350, while the shorthand-writers, who have been working practically day and night, will present a bill for about £ 1,500. Nearly everyone concerned in the case felt the strain of the long hearing. One of the jurors proved unequal to the strain, and retired ill at the end of the first fortnight. The opening speeches of counsel, which took seven days, contained 285,000 words, while Mr. Justice Phillimore'a summing up occupied eight hours.

I REFORM IN EGYPT Sir Eldon Gorst's first annual report as British Agent and Consul-General on affairs in India and the Soudan was issued by the Foreign Office on Saturday night. In regard to Egypt the report states that the normal rate of progress has been maintained through- out the different branches of the administra- tion, and the main features of the policy of gradual administrative reform, which has received the approval of successive British Governments, have not been changed. Sir Eldon Gorst says that the meet important problem for the future is to devise a system which will render all the inhabitants of the country equally subject to the same laws and regulations and will at the same time provide a practical method of legislating for them. Sir Eldon remarks that, so far, there has been no sign of unanimity on the sub- ject on the part of local public opinion, either European or native, but whatevo:- scheme may ultimately be adopted, it seems clear to him that it must embody the main principle underlying the suggestions made by his predecessor, Lord Cromer, and be based upon some local method of legislating for all classes of the Population. In Sir Eldon Gorst's opinion, Exypt ie not ripe for complete constitutional government. The gradual development and extension of the municipalities and the provincial council would, the British Agent considers, provide the classes which aspire to autonomy with a suitable outlet for their activity and pre- pare them for the exercise of more respon- sible functions hereafter. With the view to giving practical effect to these considerations a draft decree is now under discussion.

I DINAS MAIN EXPLOSION Mr. W. N. Atkinson, superintendent inspector of mines for South Wales, and Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, inspector for the Swansea district, entered into recognisances at Bridgend Police-court on Saturday in the sum of £ 50 each to prosecute an appeal against the decision of the Bridgend bench lruit Tuesday, when the bench dismissed summonses against the manager of theDinas Main Colliery for alleged breaches of the Mines Regulations Act in connection with shot-firing, the cases arising out of the explosion in December, at which seven men were killed. Mr. Powell (Messrs. Cufch'bertson and Powell, Neath) was for the appellants.

I LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR I SOUTH MONMOUTH At a conference of district representatives of the Miners' Federation at Newport on Saturday the question of selecting a Labour candidate under the Federation Parliamen- tary scheme, having been carefully con- sidered, it was decided to conven.6 a con- ference of lodge representatives in the con- stituency to decide the question. Mr. Evan Thomas, iiii»c™' agent, Rhymney Valley, was elected chairman, and Mr. Wm. Thomas, Sirhowy Valley District, secretary pro tem.

"DUMPED IN THE RIVER "I As the sequel to a, jewel robbery from a New York mansion William Wilson was brought itp at Bow-street on Saturday for extradition on the charge of larceny in the United States. Detective-sergeant Bex said the prisoner, in reply to the warrant, stated: "The Louis XVI. collar-slide was broken up a.ud dumped in the rive-i- at, 138th street. together with sundry other articles. We sold some stones in An/twerp fo- 1.250 francs." Witness added that some of the jewellery sold in Liverpool had boon recovered, and fourteen diamonds were found on the Der. A remarnd VB6 ordered.

Late Mr Webb's Fortune .—— 0- —.— ICOMPUTED TO BE NEARLYI-MILLI-ON The proving is expected to ta.ke place in the course of the next few days of the will of the la.te Mr. Thomas Webb, chairman of the Ocean Coal Company (Limited), director of Wilaon, Sons, and Co. (Limited), and also of the new re-formed Ocean-Wilsons Com- pany. Details are not yet available, but it is understood that the fortune of the deceased is computed to be between £ 400,000 and half a million sterling. The principal 1_- MR. HENRY WEBB. v legatee will be Mr. Henry Webb, nephew, who has for some twenty years or so acted as secretary 4>f the Ocean Company. The share of that gentlei-nan will probably amount to between £ 250,000 and £ 300,000. Mr. Henry Webb, who resides at Llwynarthen, St. Mellon's, where the late Mr. Thomas Webb stayed during his visits to South Wales, will, of course, be a very large shareholder in the Ocean Company, and will, no doubt, fill the vacancy on the directorate of the Ocean and associated companies caused by his uncle's death. The late Mr. Thomas Webb, who in early life was the private secretary of the late Mr. David Da vies, founder of the Ocean Collieries, was a very charitable man, and was especially kind to the Cardiff Infirmary. The real extent of his munificence will probably never be known, but it is understood that among the numerous legacies is a substantial one to that institution.

TWO ODD BOOTS I Two odd boots were found on the feet of Daniel Sullivan, and these being indentified as belonging to Mr. Nelson Braithwaite, solicitor, of Hyde-park-terrace, from whose house JE40 worth of goods were stolen on April 3, Sullivan was arrested. After the burglary an overcoat, two coats, two pairs of trousers, a vest, and two pairs of boots were found in the dressing-room, none of which garments belonged to Mr. Braithwaite. When they were sh??n Sullivan (according to police evidence at West London on Saturday) he said: "I am glad you have got my overcoat. I am very cold. Those are my boots. Good! You have got that vest, too! Now I feel more comfortable. Asked where the other property was, he said: "That's on the Continent. You won't get that. The other chap with me had all the lot. I only had these boots as my share." The magistrate committed him for trial.

STRUGGLE WITH SUSPECT I An exciting tussle and chase after two suspects was described at Mortlake on Satur- day, when two men, named Smith and Jones, were remanded charged with burglary at East Sheen. Seeing a jemmy mark on the door of a house, a constable said he blew his whistle, and then saw the men come out on the roof and enter an empty house through the sky- light. Smith was seized as he was escaping through a trap-door, and a tussle ensued, during which he sprang to the open window, but was held down until assistance arrived. Jones was caught after a long chase over fences and gardens. I

NO HOLIDAY ON SHOW DAY I It being considered to involve a question of finance, the Lord Mayor (Mr. Illtyd Thomas) brought before the Cardiff Finance Committee to-day, the suggestion made to him that he should grant a holiday to the City-hall staff on May Day show day. His lordship said he had decided to seek the view of that committee before coming to a decision. The Chairman (Alderman F. J. Beavan) said he was dead against such a holiday, and he did not think the committee ought to coun- tenance it. If holidays were to be multiplied they must ask the salaries committee to consider what bearing it would have on the question of salaries. This view was adopted by the committee, and the Lord Mayor said he would adopt the committee's opinion and act accordingly.

CHILD ATTEMPTS SUICIDE The sequel to the finding of little Henry and Daisy Gee, aged thirteen and eleven respectively, asleep in a pigsty on Ham Common was the committal for trial of the father, Robert Gee, 48, of Lock-road, Ham, by the Kingston magistrates on Saturday. He was charged with ill-treatment and neglect. The girl told an inspector of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children that she had at,tempted to cut her threat with her father's razor on account of his cruelty, and the boy and another child gave evidence of violent usage. Asked what ho had to say, prisoner replied: "I want to get right away out of it, and I don't care what you do with me."

A MISSING CARDIFF MAN In the Probate Court to-day an application was made for leave to presume the death of I Mr. John Rochards, of Cardiff, a donkeyman, on board the steamship Gatesgarth, which sailed on December 3, 1907, from Liverpool for Penarth. Mr. A. J. David, counsel for the applicant (the widow of the presumed deceased), stated that on the 4th of December, the vessel was seen in Carnarvon Bay, and had not since- been heard of. The vessel had been posted at Lloyd's as missing. Mr. Justice Bargrave Deane gave leave to presume the death on the 4th of Deoember

DEPUTIES DEPORTED The Deputies of the Second Duma, who were sentenced to Siberian exile, are now en route to the Irkutsk Government. They will be distributed to Northern parts of the Government, as fa,r as possible from the rail- way and ma.in roads, and will be separated from each other by 150 verets. They will not be able to acquire any land for them- selves. The deputies have been sent to Siberia in prisoners' wagons under a strong guaird. Many are accompanied by their wives and children. =

SWANSEA WOUNDING CHARGE Thomas Morris, 61, bricklayer, was charged at Swansea to-day with cutting and wound- ing Annie Griffiths, lodging-house keeper, 12, Strand. Prosecutrix stated that prisoner came to her house and asked for lodgings, which she could not give him. He then asked for his change, although he had not given any I money, and he drew a knife from a basket and stabbed her in the breast, inflicting a slight wound. The catie was adjourned.

A 2,000 YEAR-OLD CEREMONY I The dominating element in the Jewish calendar for som<> weeks to come is the counting of the Onior. A ceremony inti- mately associated with the laud of Pales- tine and with the Temple service, it has been nothing more than a mere historic reflection since the days of the Temple, that is to say, roughly speaking, for close upon 2.0CO years. But it has held its firill place in the Jewish ritual, and inevitably there have clustered around it associations somewhat different from its original purpose. — "Jewish Chronicle."

Mrs. Jones: It is strange that a strong man like you cannot get work. The Tramp: Well, you see, mum, people wants references from me laat employer, an' ,he's been dead twenty years.

I INDIA RAIDED I Big Afghan Force Repulsed AHACK ON A BLOCKHOUSE Two Sniping Casualties Reported I SIMLA, Sunday. An Afghan lashkar, about 13,000 to 20,000 strong, crossed from the Afghan side of the border on Friday night, and divided into two parties, the larger and better armed going to Landikotal, and the other, under Sufi Sahib, going to the rppoer Bamian Valley. During Saturday the enemy were plainly seen to the west of Landikotal. On Saturday evening they delivered their main attack upon the Michni Kandach Blockhouse, which was held by a detachment of the Khaibar Rifles. The enemy made very determined efforts to capture the blockhouse, and heavy firing continued until eight o'clock this morning. The attack failed, however, and the garri- son, under Subadar Tor Khan, inflicted some loss upon the enemy. At ten o'clock last night, also, constant efforts were made to capture a caravan- serai, but the attempt was defeated by heavy fire from the blockhouse. The Afghans have now withdrawn to the south by the liandikhana road. They also attacked the Loargai Shinwarie, but these villagers repelled all their efforts. In the meantime, Zakka Khel elders came in, and offered their services to Colonel Roos-Keppel. They rojjorted that no Afridis had joined Sufi Sahib. General Sir James Willcocks, with the Third Brigade, under Brigadier-general Ramsay, together with eight guns and a squadron of cavalry, reached Landikotal at two o'clock to-day. A few of the enemy were seen on the hills, and a few shots were fired. General Barrett, with another brigade, is timed to reach Ali Mas j id this evening. All is quiet on the Mohmand border.-Press Asso- ciation Foreign Special. JAMRUDt, Saturday. General Willcocks, it is reported, is leaving Shankarga.rh immediately for Jainrad, as the large lashkars which are reported to be moving from the direction of Afghanistan appear likely to attack. The Khaibar Pass brigade is now com- plete, and is starting from Peshawar for Jamrud. Two battalions have aleo left Shan- kargarh for the Khaibar.—Press Association Foreign Special. Sniping Casualties We are officially informed that General "dioocks, in a telegram of the 3rd of May. has reported that during the firing into ?-h? camp at Jamrud on Saturday night the fol- lowing casualties occurred in the 1st Batta- lion Royal Munster Fusiliers:- No. 5736 Colour-sergeant J. Brown, gunshot wound in shoulder (severe). No. 6582 Private T. T. Carroll, gunshot wound in arm (alight).

BARONY OF MILFORD The Birmingham Daily Post" London conresjpondent says the peerage which," according to rumour, is to be revived for Mr. Wynfotrd Phi lip-ps, in view of his retirement from the repre- sentation of Pembrokeshire, is the Barony of Milford, which has already been held by two members of the family. Mr. ynford Philipps, the eldest of three brothers of commanding physique, who are all in the House of Commons, is the heir to the baronetcy now held by his father, Oanon Sir James Erasmus PhiliPPS- The seventh baronet, Sir Richard Philippe, was created Baron Milford in 1766, and on his death in 1823 the title became extinct. Tweiity-four years later another Philipps was given the barony, but he died without issue, so that there has been no holder of the title since 1857, thou-gli the widow of this last Lord Mil- ford is still living. The family is one of great antiquity in South Wales, the first baronet having received the honour in 1621.

GOAT EATS OILCLOTH I A youth named John Stevens, of the van- dvveller class, w^s charged at Swansea to-day with cruelty to u. goat and two caged birds by keeping them without food. Police-constable Hackings and other witnesses were called to testify that the birds were left in a -,aii at Cwmbwrla, and the goat tied up beneath it, from Monday morning until Wednesday evening with no food. The goat was released after it had eaten some oilcloth, and it was afterwards seen eating paper. The goat and the birds belonged to the boy's uncle, who had left him in charge of them. A fine of 40s. or one month was imposed.

RICH IN TWO MONTHS Mr. Charles Morse, the "Ice King," who was I indicted in New York in February for grand larceny and perjury, has been gradually pay- jng off his debu, and on Saturday a-n-ul?;? that he was prepared to liquidate bis lia,bi- lities completely. Mr. Anson Beard, Mr. Morse's personal counsel, says that the "Ice King" was penni- less when he landed from Europe two months ago. He borrowed 4100,000 from his relatives, and immediately embarked on speculation in the stock market. where," declares Mr. Beard, "he has made enough to meet all his liabilities and leave two or three million dollars as a balance." ========

NOT A PLEASANT WEEK-END I At Weston-super-Mare Police-court to-day Daivid John Morris; described as a clerk and of Cardiff, was fined 10s, and coots for being drunk and dis?rd?rJy, and Dau?l Meredith, described as an ?l??trical engineer, a?d also of C?rdifF. 20B. and costs foc obstructing the police. The prisoners -went to the Queen's Hotel on ISaturday ovening, and were refused drink. They refused to leave. Morris became abusive, and the police were called in to eject him. Meredith came to the rescue of his friend, with the result that both were removed to the cells until this morning, when they pleaded guilty.

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART I Mr. Lawrence, a well-known retired licensed victualler, of Hunedon, Hertford- shire, on returning to his home after a tem- porary absence, was surprised to find the front door bolted. On obtaining admission he discovered his wife lying dead in a pool of blood, shot through the heart with a rifle by her side. Mrs. Lawrence has been in failing health.' recently, and it is presumed that she placed the rifle against her breast' and released the trigger by the aid of a stick, the bullet pass- ing through the heart.

THE CATTLE KING un tne Australian, mail steamer Asturias. which called at Plymouth for London, is Mr. Sidney Kidman. the Australian cattle king. who controls 50,000 square miles of territory. He conimcnced life with less than the pro- verbial half-crown. At fourteen he was earn- ing ten shilling a week. Now he owns lOQ.OCO cattle and 10,000 horses. He sold a section of the Broken Hills for XIEO. Six months later it was re-sold for 1,450,000.

"THE PROMISED LAND" In the Chancery Division to-day Mr. Justice Eve dismissed a petition of the Jewish Colonial Trust (Limited) asking confirmation by the court of a special resolution altering the provisions of the company's memorandum with respect to the objects of the company by limiting its colonising operations to Pales- tine, as "the Promised Land."

MUMBLES FATALITY A man named Michael Tobin. aged 27, lodging at 122, High-street, Swansea, was run over by a train and killed on the Mumbles Railway late on Saturday night. The tragic affair happened between Bryn- mill and Sketty.

THE" MATINEE" HOSPITAL I Giving evidence at an inquest at South- wark on Saturday, a man said his wife ha,d suffered from ill-health for some time, and had been attending the Matinee" Hospital. The Coroner: You mean the maternity I hospital. He did.

20 PERSONS PERISH IN HOTEL I It is reported from Fort Wayne, Indiana, that between 20 and M persona have perished hotel Are them

Blue Book Extracts JUDGE DECIDES THEY ARE PRIVILEGED The libel action brought by Mr. Alfred Mangena, a law student and a native of Natal, against Edward Lloyd (Limited), pro- prietors of the "Daily Chronicle," came before Mr. Justice Darling for further con- eideration. Mr. Mangena complained that the defendants had puoiished a letter from Sir illiam Arbuoklo, Agent-General for Natal, and an enclosure giving extracts from correspondence laid on the table of the House of Commons by the Colonial Office, which reflected upon him. The jury answered a number of questions to a great extent in the plaiutiff's favour, and assessed the damages at X100. They found, however, that the enclosure referred to was an extract from a paper published by Parliament, and that the defendants published it bona-fide and without malice. This raised the legal question, which stood over for argument, whether under these circumstances the pub- lication was privileged. His Lordship, in giving judgment for the defendants, cited the Plimsoll case, decided in April, 1874, and pointed out that what was done in that case was done in the present proceedings. The judge in that case had directed the jury that the report of the Royal Cosmmiesion came within, the previsions of the Act of Parliament which permitted the pub- lication of printed documents presented by his Majesty's Government, if bona-fide and without malice, sines it was a report which had been adopted by Parliament. The deci- sion in the p/imeoll case seemed to have been accepted 'by the plaintiffs in that case as perfectly satisfactory His lordship went on to pay that, he agreed with the finding of the jury in this case, t,hat the defendants had acted bona-fide and without malice. The press, sinoe 1840, had become more and more accustomed to giving long extracts from Blue- books to justify them in any comments they mig-ht desire to make. He came to the con- clusion that this case was partly covered by authority, and thought he ought to enter judgment for the defendants, as the jury had found that the defendants had acted bona-fide and without malice. In answer to Mr. Jellicoe, his Lordship said that the plaintiff would have the costs on those issues in which the jury had decided in his favour.

DR. RAWLINGS AND LA MILO I Stinging Reply from Mr. Oswald Stoll. Mr. Oswald St01I. managing director of Moss' Empires (Limited), writes:—"Referring to your issue of Monday, April 27, Dr. Raw- lings is justified in censuring those who in.iuited there were thousands of people who went because one man (himself)—who desired, at any rate, the good of the com- munity, whatever his mistakes might be, and wen: out of his way to make a protest against what was indecent—did eo pretest; they went to see what was indecent, and thronged the place to see it.' The thousands who went to the Empire during La Milo' week did not go to ;ce wha.t was indecent, beca-use they knew quite well that indecent' is a word that dees not apply to the performances given at the Empire. It is not often that reformers afford the oooa-sions whereby their words and ideas can be fittingly measured, and people who are strong-minded enough to know that there is no harm in attending the Empire, but that it is rather an inexpensive and pleasant mode of recreation, are strong-mlind.ed enough also to know when a person who is continually imputing to them ways that lead to perdition has unwittingly afforded them an opportunity of driving home the baselessness of his charges. The foetid mental atmosphere in which Dr. Eawlings appearll to view this female prize ox should excite in the minds of sensible people nothing but ineffable contempt. A mind wallowing in filthy suggestion is surely not a type fit to guide the fortunes of a town. "Livinig statuary has been objected to m some towns, but there is not one member of any authority, even in the one town where living statuary has been absolutely for- biddêll that characterised the performance of La Milo' in the ma.nner of the putrid eloquence indulged in by Dr. Eawlings. The prohibition referred to arose out of per- formances tha.t were never presented at any house controlled by me. 'A man who desires, at any rate, the good of the community, whatever his mistakes may be,' has a fair claim to be fr?g?(.. some mistakes, but not such mistakes as need never be made, such as suggesting filth where there is norc-, accusing thouoands of poople of having their minds im;pregn.ated with the filthy ideas that he himself is insinuating, declaiming against a per- formance in a house which thousands of clean-minded men and pure-minded women in Swansea nightly by their patronage are ready from their knowledge, not from their ignorance, to defend. It is am infamous libel ou the Swansea Empire audiences to oall them gaping, curious people looking for indecency, and the individuals who com- posed those audiences will have spirit enough to icsenit being so libelled."

DEPUTY-CLERK'S SALARY Mr. Cecil Brown, the deputy-town-clerk, sent in an application to the Cardiff Finance Committee this morning for an advance in his salary, which now stands at £ 350. Mr. Brown pointed out that this bum was lower than that paid to his predecessor, and that the salaries paid elsewhere to deputy-town-clerks were:—Birkenhead, £ 450; Bolton, £ 425; Croydon, £ 450; Nottingham, £ 500; Swansea, £ 550. The "Chairman (Alderman F. J. Beavan) said there was no question that Mir. Brown's qualifications and abilities commanded a higher figure, but the point was whether the salary was low for such a man. as they actually required. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Mr. H. C. Vivian) moved that the salary be increased to £ 450; t,tit, at the suggestion of the chairman, Mr. Vivian amended his resolution to £400, and this was carried unanimously.

AFTER MR. HUNNABLE A summons for street obstruction against Arthur Hunuable, of Ilford, was called on at Stratford on Saturday, but the defendant was not in attendance. Mr. Barker appeared for the police, and said: He is rather a difficult gentleman to I reach. I understand he its at Dundee. (Laughter.) The Clerk (Mr. Attwater): Wait till the bye-elections arc over. The summons was adjourned for three weeks, Mr. Barker observing; We will make strenuous efforts to have it served by that time-in Dundee, Wolverhampton, Montrose, or somewhere else. (Laughter.)

POISON PROOF DOG A remarkable story is forwarded by a Bris. tol correspondent. A terrier having bitten a child, the owner of the animal decided to have it destroyed. A chemist syringed prusl3iccid down the dog's throat, but with- out thWf desired result, so a second, and stronger, dose was administered. The ani- mal, however, again suffered no ill effects. The next day it was given a piece of meat containing enough stryc line to kill a dozen dogs, but the poison again proved futile. The dog was then chained up, and is still alive.

GOOD NEWS FOR SOUTHAMPTON The Deutsche Oet Afrika Line of Hamburg have decided that Southampton shall take the place of Boulogne as a port of call fc r their Western route steamers, which lea, Hamburg every three weeks for South Africa. The other port of call is Antwerp, and the alteration will came into effect at the end of May, tho fti-st steamer to call being the Windhoek on May 26.

TREES AT THE NORTH POLE ? "Trees exist in the Siberian forest, where it is colder than iu any other part of the earth's surface," said Professor L. W. Lyde in a lecture at the Royal Society of Arts on Saturday. "Tf trees grow there, why not at the North Pole? The limit of trees is decided by the persistence of dry wind in the cold season, and not by the cold."

PASTOR AND PRESIDENT A sensation has been caused in Denver, Colorado, by the arrest in that city of a well- known local pastor on a. charge of sending through the post certain matter containing defamatory charges against President .Roose- velt.

THE DOBOTHT CROCOLATM.-Thbty-sigM varieties and flavours. Hade fresh PrIlY hour. Pro- nounced to be perfect ehocolates. Certificate of merit J' first time exhibiting- in Londod. OnJy 2s. per lb. Foeab every hour. Parcels soet. — dteveus, French Oonfeo- tiar.ac^ (jejtillt.

[Trouble on Barry Line T ¡'tOll ble on Bai'ry Li ne I COMPLAINT BY ENGINEMEN The Barry railwaymen to-day will confer with Mr. J. H. Thomas, the local represents tie of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, in referenc-e t.o further grievances stated to have arisen in the locomotive d'ep'a.rt.mpnt. The men alieg-e that they had each been interviewed by the locomotive superintendent (Mr. Golding) and asked if they had any complaints to make against the company. The workmen contend this action to be tantamount to intimidation. Cardiff Railwayman's Grievance At a meet ing of m-emhers of the Cardiff No. 4 Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, representing alL grades employed under the Cardiff Railway Coin- pany, the following resolution Ni-ac pa,Lzed:- That this meeting of the Amalgamated ■S^ ociety of Railway Servants, Cardiff No. 4 Branch, disapproves of the action of the Cardiff Railway Company in sending a man around inquiring of the. men as to who were in the society and who were not, with a. view to finding out the number of men outside the society, evidently with the object of getting non-Uuiouists nominated to the conciliation boards, their scheme for which the company ie ultimately going to put forward.

BEER AT THE BARBER'S Thomas Henry .Scott, hairdresser, of Leytonstone, was summoned at Stratford on Saturday by the Inland Revenue for selling beer by retail, without having a license, on two .Sunday mornings. The evidence was to the effect that an Inland Revenue officer went to the shop on the morning of February 2. when men wero being shaved, and after seeing some of them receiving beer, he said, I suppose I am all right for a drink if I have a sha-;e. Scott replied. Oh. yes, it is there for customers. An assistant then drew some beer from a cask and handed it round. Mr. W. H. Jones, for the defcnce, pointed out that there was no evidence of money having passed. Ultimately the Bench adjourned the caso to hear evidence for the defence before, deciding the legal point.

SAFETY OF OPERA JEWELS Although jewels to the value of hundreds of thousands of pounds, including priceless heirlooms and world-famed stones, are worn at the opera every night during the season. so elaborate are the precautions taken by the police that jewel robberies at Covent Garden are practically unknown. While the carriages and motor-cars are setting down their occupants, the would-be thief has no possible chance of bringing off a coup. Experienced uniformed officers ara stationed on either side of the principal entrance, and other officers at the entrance and exit of the carriage-way. Inside, in the vestibule, in the vicinity of the cloak rooms, and in the corridors detective officers, attired in immacluate evening-dress, keep unobtrusive but unceasing watch.

CHARITY THAT DOES HARM Mr. Whitelaw Reid, the American Amhaft sador, presiding o-n Saturday at the anniver- sary dinner in London of the Homes fo! Little Boys at Famingham and Swanley, Kent, congratulated those present on having found a charity which did good, and only good. There existed, however, a great field of sen- timental and well-intended, but not always well-directed, organised charities. These weni sometimes capable of doing harm to tho recipient, and of encouraging a general sens of irresponsibility on the part of people wit sought assistance. Every misdirected shilliu' given in charity was not merely wasted, bu it did positive harm.

GUARDING THE GAS METEf Henry Boyoe, of Woodford, was summoned at Stratford yesterday by the West Ham Gas Compa.ny for unlawfully connecting a gas pipe with a meter without giving Cot.foe to the company in writing. It was stated for the company that the defendant, having failed to pay hit, gas bill, the gas pipe was disconnected. On March 27 the defendamt, in a letter to the company intimating that he had re-connected the gas pipe, said:—"I have instructed my dog-án Irish terrier—promptly to sample the legs of. any officials who may emter my house for the purpose of making any examination of my meter." A fine of 10s. and 4s. costs was imposed.

SIR SAMUEL EVANS, M.P. The Incorporated Law Society for Cardiit and District gave a complimentary banquet to the (Sir Samuel Evans, K.C., M.PJ at the Whitehall Rooms, Park Hotel, Cardiff, OIl Saturday evening. Mr. T. Rodwa.y Hunt (president of the society) oecupied the chair, and a large number ot members of the society were present. Sir Samuel Evans came specially from London to attend the function, and was received on his arrival with great enthusiasm. An excellent dinner was served by the Park Hotel Company, and during its progress Mr. Arthur Angle's Orchestral Party rendered an admirable selection of music.

"ABUSIVE" LANGUAGE A man charged at Stratford on Satur- day with using obscene language objected strongly to the adjective. He had "never in his natural" used obeoene language, he said. Magistrate: Well, we'll call it "abusive" language. Prisoner: Yes! I shall prefer that. It is more orthodox and sensible. So he paid up for abusiveuess, and, having apologised to the bench for giving trouble, offered the reporters "two bob" to keep the case out of the papers.

OFFICER'S BROKEN HEART I have deliberately thrown aivay my happiness. I request naval funeral, as it broke my heart to leave the service, and I gave the best of my life to it. The above is an extraot. from a pathetic letter written by Lieutenant Montagu Lister Hulton, a son of the late Sir W. Hulton, Bart., who shot himself at the Park Hotel, Preston, on Friday. At the inquest on Saturday the verdict was that Lieutenant Hulton committed suicide while of uusound mind.

POLICE RAID SEQUEL Michael Marshall, a COnlmissioll agent, was charged, on a warrant at the London Guild- hall on Saturday with keeping an office for betting purposes. Detective-inspector Lyon said the business carried on was that of betting and nothing else When witness with other officers visited the place on Friday he taw seven bets made ranging from. 406. to 2s. Defendant was fined £50. or three months. Seven men found in the office by the polico pleaded guilty to being in a betting house. and were severally bound over.

AN UNPARALLELED APRIL Meteorologists are already busy with their statistics trying to find a, parallel. Not only have they failed so far to discover- an April so wild and fierce, but in many districts the snowstorm has eclipsed in its fury any expe- rienced in 1881, and the worst of it is that ib did not stand alone.—"Country Life."

DEATH SENTENCE The East Sussex coroner was informed on Saturday of the death of Mr. Arthur Ussher, living a.t Woodhurst, Peas Pottage. Deceased, it is stated, had been told that he had not more than a month to live. This apparently so played on his mind that, he shot himself with a revolver. Deceased had recently undergone an operation.

A PROFESSOR'S FALL Professor Ferdinand Loowe, of the Osernowitz University, was killed at Innsbruck on Sunday by a, fall on the Gaisberg near -Safoburg.—Reuter.