Evening Express

Mother and Her Baby STORY OF A WONDERFUL RESCUE A marvellous rescue of a woman and a boiby from the cabin of a capsized vessel ca.me to light on the arrival of the liner Oceanic at Plymouth yesterday. While twelve miles from Ruatan Island the British schooner Annie, commanded by Cap- tain C. M. Decker, was capsized by a whirl- wind acccanipanyiing a waterspout which formed immediately over the ship. When the vessel turned over, Captain Decker and the crew climbed over the side and clung to the keel. Mrs. Decker was in the cabin, and her baby w,as lying in its cradle at the moment of the accident. She was thrown down, and pitched through tihe door of her cabin into the com- panion-way. Although severely cut and bruised, she managed to crawl back to the crib, and threw her husband's oilskins over it to protect the child from being hurt by the debris. By that time her husband and the crew had climbed around the broadside of the sinking vessel. Disenrtanigling the two boats as quickly as possible, they went through a Silllallporthole to the rescue of Mr. Decker and the infant. Meanwhile Mrs. Decker, with admirable p-resence of mind, hurriedly knotited a rope out of (t.n oil-coat and other things, and for a few momeajfts there was a desperate battle for the lives ofthe two imixriscned ones. The vessel was raipidly filling with water, and the cabin was half-full, when the plucky mother managed to make a rope basket for the ba,by and saw tihat the infant was safely hoisted through the aperture. Then he husband and the others succeeded in pulling her, more dead thaai alive, from the cabin.

DISPUTE IN THE WOOLLEN TRADE. A serious dispute, which is likely to affect the whole of the woollen trade, has arisen at Huddersfield, where the warpers at the Union Mills are under notice to cease work to-day The trouble has arisen out of the teaching of a learner, who wae out of em- ployment. to warp, this being contrary to the shop rule of the Warpers' Union, which holds that no outsider shall be taug-ht whilst one of their number is out of employment The manufacturers offered to consider the whole question of learners, on the condition that the particular learner referred to is allowed to continue. The Warpers' Union declined to accede to this, notwithstanding that the executive of the General Union of Weavers and Textile Workers, representing fully 60,000 mill operatives, who will be affected in the event of a strike, condemned their action. If the notices lapse to-day it will mean that Z5,000 mill operators will have to cease work on the 1st of January, and subse- quently all engaged in the woollen trade.

FIRE ON A STEAMER AT CARDIFF. An outbreak of fire was discovered on the Glasgow steamer Strathblane, lying in the Queen Alexandra Dock, Cardiff, late on Wed- nesday night. The Bute Dock Brigade was quickly in attendance, but experienced con- siderable difficulty in getting at the fire, which was rag-ing in the port bunker. A gang of coal-trimmers was summoned, and the brigade broke a hoJe in the bulkhead in order to facilitate matters. up to late at night they were still engaged in the work, and it was not known what the extent of the damage was likely to be. The Strathblane is a steel steamer 04 between 7,000 and 8.000 toils.

THE CRUISER SQUADRON. I SIR PERCY SCOTT FETED AT MONTE VIDEO. At Monte Video on Wednesday President Williman, with the leave of the Chamber, visited Sir Percy Scott, and asked the admiral to remain with the cruiser squadron over Christmas end to receive further hos- pitality. The Government of Uruguay has treated the officers and men of the squadron with exceptional and unbounded courtesy. Mr. Kennedy, the British Minister, has received many compliments on the men's behaviour. The visit is tending to give an impetus to British trade. Sir Percy Scott has been received with great warmth by I Government, officials, and public. -Reuter.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN SEAMEN'S I HOSPITAL. I The annual Christmas concert arranged by Miss Maclean at the Hamadryad Seamen's Hospital was given on Wednesday, and was greatly enjoyed by the patients, composed of many nationalities The various wards were ably decorated by the staff of the hoe- pital. A feature of this year's concert was the illustrating of the gongti and recitations by limelight views. The prograimme waa contributed to by the followingMadame Ethel Thomas-Fairburn, Miss Kate Saw Ie, Miss Hilda Evans, Miss Mabel Silcox, Mr. Harry Perkins, Mr. Shapiand Dobbs, and Vr. D. H. Meredith. The lantern was managed by Mr. F. W. Thomas and Mr. Frank War- ren, of the John Cory Sailors and Soldier"s' Rest. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Moore, andpeoonded by Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P., and a distribu- tion of presents to the patients.

SLATE CLUB TREASURER'S SUICIDE. A verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity was returned a.t an inquest at Chatham on Wednesday on Robert John Garwood (34), landlord of the Darnley Arms, Gravesend. It was sta,ted that deoeaeed acted as treasurer to a slate cahih, and, owing to bad trade, wae PA4 in arrears. He went to Chatham to see some relzti-ves, but his efforts to raise money were unsuccessful. He became depressed, and ended his life at his mother's house by taking a quantity 01 spirits of salts.

COAL CARGO SHIFTED. I At Liverpool on Wednesday judgment was given in the Board of Trade inquiry into the kloes of the stea.mer Nicaraguan, with 44 yiands, on or about the 8th of June, 1907, while a voyage from Norfolk (Virginia) to Dublin. The Court said that there was no evidence sufficient to declare what was t¥ actual cause of the loss, but there was ii ,Ilreet evi- dence. It was probable that in the heavy wea.t.her the coal portion of the cargo shifted, causing the Nicaraguan to broach aaid to I founder- before she could be again trimmed upright. The court added that the vessel was probably not over-insured.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE I ABERDARE REGISTRATION AGENT. I The result of the ballot taken in the Aber- dare district of the Miners' Federation for a candidate as registration agent is as fol- lows:-Illtyd Hopkins, general secretary to the district, 2,352; P. D. Rees, checkweigher, Aberaman, 1,057; John Browne, check- weigher, Trecynon, 1.034; Edmund Stonelake, collier and Labour member of Aberdare Die- trict Council, 644; Isaac R. Jones, collier, Mountain Ash, 511; and Isaac Williams, col- lier, Aberaman, 259. It will be seen that the number of votes recorded was 5,857, there being 75 spoilt votes. CWMTILLEJlY NOTICES EXPIRE. I The notices which were given to about 300 men of the Rose Heyworth and Cwmtillery Collieries will term mate to-day. Messrs. Lancaster Spier (Limited) have taken this step, owing to some of the underground places being worked at a great loss, and the men would not come to terms with the man- agement when asked to make a concession.

DOWLALS MAN'S APPOINTMENT. I Mr. T. Stanley Price, of the Dowlais clerical staff of Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Nettlefolds (Limited), has been offered a,nd akloopted the im.portant and lucrative appointment as sales agent on the Glasgow Exchange to the Glasgow Iron and Steel Compa,ny (Limited), Wishaw. Mr. Price, although yet a young man, has had a long and varied experience at the Dowlais offices, where he started as a lad, a.nd subsequently worked his way upward." through the various departments, enjoying a moet successful career. He has also been prominently identified with local affairs, as secretary for twelve years of the Court "Ifor Guest" of the Ancient Order of Foresters, as successor to Mr. Owen Rogers, of ILhymney, to the secretaryship of the Mer- thyr District of the fraternity, besides acting in a similar capacity to the Wimborne Club and Institute foT Working Men, and to LibaJHLS Welsh Oalvinistic Methodist Church. Mr. Price, who will be missed in many cdroles, taies his leave of his native Dowlais early in February.

BOY'S RECORD SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. I At the Park Institute, Cwmparc, on Wed- nesday a silver watch was presented to David Thomas, Jones, 7, SunTly Bank, as a recogni- tion of a record attendance at school. The presentation was made by Mrs. W. P. Nicholas, The Garth^ Trealaw, the only lady member of the P-hondda Education Com- jnittee. Jones entered the infants' depart- ment in lr"6, and in four years made 1,706 attendances. Passing to the boys' school in September, 1902, he had at the end of six 2,696 alteodaaeas to HIS UMBO.

CASTRO'S RULE I Sensational Developments I I NEW GOVERNMENT I To Settle European Disputes I Renter's Agency learns that private advices received in London state that General Gomez repudiated es-President Castro on December 15. A telegram from Caracas, sent via Willein- staod on Wednesday, i-oportis that complete anarchy prevailed in the Venezuelan capita!. CASTRO'S CAREER ENDED. I NEW YORK, Wednesday. The latest dispatches from Caracas make it clear that President Castro's rule is now definitely ended, and that the new regime is yetting to work with an energy which seems likely to prove productive of sensa- tional developments. The arrest by General Gomez of a nHmber of distinguished persons charged with con- spiring to kill the general himself and the newly appointed jiinisters has been followed by the announcement that President Castro is to be impeached, and preliminary step;. have already been taken in connection with the impeachment. The unlimited letter of credit which the President carried with him has been officially canoelled. Orders have been issued for the liberation of all political prisoners. The first step towards a read justment of the many international complications which have for so long past harassed Venezuela I-as been taken, it having been decided that Dr. Jose Paul shall leave for Europe this week with the object of making a tour of the Euro- pean capitals and doing all that is possible to secure a lasting settlement of the disputes with foreign Powers. An im.provement in the commercial outlook may now be anticipated in the near future. The embargo on the Venezuelan ports has been raised, and the Dutch warships have re- ceived orders to suspend all operation&- Central News. "NOW OR NEVER." CARACAS, Monday (via Willemstad). The Minister of the Interior, Senor Alcan- tara., has sent a proclamation to the State Governors in which, after praising the new Government, he saya:- Now or never Venezuela can and must I prove tha.t it possesses the ability to govern itself well and indefinitely improve. We have p-end-idg international complica- tions, of which the country knows through the recent Government announcements. This demands imperiously from Venezuelans the obligation to unite in the common cause. Let us show that we are worthy and strong in the defence and honour of the flag." Each State, says Senor Alcantara, will dis- pose of a share of its income, according to the Constitution. The Government will study economic questions, agriculture, and cattle- raising, and give particular attention to Venezuela's credit. The proclamation con- tinues :— Venezuela knows to what is principally due the poverty of the working classes, and the Government will take steps to remedy it. Venezuela wishes for fraatk and continuous friendship with all nations. We must, there- fore, try to come to eome definite conclusion regarding qu?wtions at issue, always consult- ing, however, the dignity of the nation and its miaJiem&Me rights."—Press Association Foreign Special. VENEZUELA'S COMMUNICATION TO AMERICA. WASHINGTON, Wednesday. An official communication from General Gomez ha? been received at the State Depart- ment, through the Brazilian Munster (Ltl Oaru,08? in which the Actdn?-Presidect of Venezuela expresses a wish to settle in a manner satisfactory to both Governments all points at issue between Venezuela and the United States. General Gomez also desires the presence of an Ameiricau warship at La G-uayna. Mr. W. J. Buchanan, who was first United I States Minister to Panama, has been appointed Special Ootmmissioner to repre- sent the United States in any negotiations that may take place.—Reuter.

LANGUAGE STUDY FOR BOYS. UNIVERSITY STUDENT AND THE STARS. HEADMASTER'S SAMPLE OF I CRAgS IGNORANCE. The conference of headmasters at the Merchant Taylors' School was resumed on Wednesday, Dr. J. Arbuthnot Nairn pre- siding. Mr. R. C. Gilson (Birmingham) submitted a resolution in three parts. The first laid it down that, in the opinion of the conference, the average boy could not undertake the study of more than two languages besides English before attaining the age of fourteen without detrimetlt. to his general education. The speaker said he knew a university scholar some years ago who at the age of Z1 did not know that the stars alteired their position in the night. (Laughter.) When it was suggested to him that it was so he said that oould not be, because the stars stood a.t an infinite distance from the earth. Mr. Gilson could only describe the condition of that main's mind as craas, impenetrable, swinish ignorance," for which hiB tutor deserved a flogging. (Renewed laughter.) His contention was that if a boy had to give a considerable time to learning two languages or more he could not be expected to observe properly the things in the world in which he lived. The second part of the resolution Waul that it wac desdra-btbe that no candidate of the ordinary age for admission should be allowed to offer more than two foreign lan- guages in the entrance and entrance scholar- ship examinations of the public schools, and that, provided Latin wae taken, Greek. French, and German should be alternatives. carrying equal weight. The third part stated that, as experience showed it to be possible for a boy to attain a high standard of Greek scholarship by the age of eighteen or nineteeta, even though he might not have begun Greek till fourteen, or even later, it was the duty of the public schools to pro- vide a class or classes in which the study of that language could be begun. Dr. Upcott seconded. The Headmaster of Eton moved a rider that a committee be appointed to confer with the preparatory achoolmusterB as to a scheme of studies for schoolboys from the age of nine to about sixteen and to draw up a report on the subject. He maintained that it was time headmasters showed the country that they had made up their minds as to what the curriculum in the schools should be. If they wished to remove the reproach that they were undecided on the subject it must be by such a scheme as he suggested, to which one school or another might gradually con- form. The time had come for them to recog- nise that they were so looked together that the only way to make a progressive move- ment must be the result of persuading the differeilt authorities by a careful statement of principles on which they agreed. Dr. James (Rug-by) did not wish to be di& respectful to Mr. Gilson, but in all his life he had never listened to such unmitigated rubbish as Mr. Gileon's statement that the man who was ignorant of the movement of the stars was incompetent to form just views of sesthetics, ethics, and religion. (Laughter.) The deterioration of our statesmanship, poetry, and oratory was due to the decay of claasicat studies. If the resolution were adopted they would sacrifice Greek entirely; it would fall to the position which Hebrew now occupied. An ame-ndment by Mr. W. G. Rushibrooke (St. Olave's) to substitute thirteen years as the age instead of fourteen in the first clause of the resolution was adopted. The second clause was defea.ted and the third adopted. In regard to his rider (which was also agreed to), the Headmaster of Eton said there was a deplorable congestion of sub- jects, and as long as they took no steps to diminish them they were playing about with wise Oduc&tmw--ftiid something worse.

BODY FOUND IN A CANAL. I BRISTOL WOMAN'S VISIT TO PONT- YPRIDD. The mystery of the disappearance of a young married woman, Mrs. Ida Brown, of Bristol. was cleared up on Wednesday, when her body was discovered in the Bristol Feeder Canal. Mrs. Brown had been missing since Novem- ber 28, the day after she had returned from a visit of some week.3' duration to relatives at Pontypridd for the benefit. of her health. A description and photograph of her had been circulated throughout South Wales. She bad suffered from depression, and on the evening of November 28, although seemingly better after the change, went ostensibly to see her baby. She was never seen or heard of again until ber body was found. It was apparent that the body had been in the water for some time. Nothing was found on the body to indicate her IoteoUoa of ulkiag ber life.

To Foster Cardiff Trade -0 AFFORESTATION AN URGENT MATTER A meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of Qotromerce was held at the Exchange on Wednesday, Mr. Trevor S. Jones in the chair. The Chairman said that they would re-call that they were asked by the Cardiff Corpora- tion to name three meombere to serve on the development committee. Before doing so the secretary (Mr. W. R. Hawkins) was inistrueted to write to the town-clerk to ask whether tile i duties of the committee were to apply to Cardiff city only or to the port of Cardiff, j and an ajiswer had now been received. Mr. H. Wood-Davey read the reply o<f the! town-clerk, who stated that the questiOll i whether the committee should work foir the city or port of Cardiff had been discussed :1.t! an informal meeting of the committee,, but no vote was taken on the subject. No j recommendation arising out 01 that meeting, had been submitted to the council, as the. meeting was not complete. The question, I however, would again come up for dL:Cu..s,¡on. Mr. Wood-Davey <iid not think they siiouid j withhold the representation asked lor by the city oounicil, and he proposed tuat Moisxs. I Trevor S. Jones, J. Â. Jones, and A. J. Grimths be delegated to attend the next meeting. Mr. C. V. Harrison seconded, saying that it was most important that something should be done. as both Swansea and Newport were going strongly in a similar direction. Mr. E. ?M-hoU hoped that the chamber wowd give an expl'en of opinion as -to whether the development committee should confine itself to the boundaries of Cardiff or to the port, including Barry. The Chairman thought tfle chamber had already expressed its opinion on the subject. His own views were that the port of Car- diff, including Penaxth and Barry, should be embraced, and he oeiieved that those were the views of the other two gentlemen named ab deleg. Mr. A. J. Griffiths said it had already been stated tha.t tilQbe were the views of tlle* ohamber, and tnat was the rea.son why they had not appointed members beiore. Tne motion was agreed to. AFFORESTATION. Mr. A. J. Griffiths said that it had been suggested by Mr. Harrison that the question ot afforestation snouid be brought before the Associated Chambers of Commerce at their meeting in Loudon in Marcfi next. The position was somewhat different now to what it was when they discussed the matter a month ago, when they passed a strong reso- lution asking for an extensive scheme of afforestation by the Government. It appeared tal,a.t the question, of afforestation had been submitted to une Coast Erosion (.Vll1lllksioll, with special reference to the question of the unemployed, and a letter had been received from the Hon. Ivor Guest, M.P., chairman of that Commission, which sta.ted that he had great hopes that the report of the Commis- sion would be issued shortly in the New Year, and, perhaps, that it would form the subject of discussion at the next meeting of the Associated Chambers. It had bn takd that the report had already been presented, but not officially, amd if that was correct there was no doubt the Commission ha-d reported very strongly in favour of afforestation. They wanted to go further than associating this matter with the subject of un-employ-ment. It was a matter of too great importance to wait for the question of unemployment. He proposed that a motion on the subject, to be framed by the oounoil, and to be taken charge of by the Cardiff representatives, be put upon the agenda paper of the spring meeting of the Associated Chambers. Mr. C. V. Harrison seconded, and said the d anct %id t- e matter was of the utmost importance to that district, and he did not know of any cham- her which was in a better position to present the subject to the Associated Chambers than Oardiff. The motion was agreed to. OPEN DOOR IN THE CONGO. ine (secretary reau a letter from the New- castle Chamber of Commerce asking for the co-operation of the Cardiff Chamber in a., deputation to Sir Edward Grey on the sub- ject of the Congo question. The Newcastle Chamber pointed out that it. was desirable to urge that no settlement of the Congo ques- tion which did not place the freedom of the native population upon a footing of per- manent security and which did not ensure the open door for international commerce thi-oug-hout the Congo territory would be satisfactory to the commercial community of this country. Mr. J. J. Neale thought they should all try to get restored to this country the Lado Enclave, which was at present leased to the King of the Belgians, and which, instead of doing good, had done harm to the natives. It was agreed that Sir Clifford J. Cory, M.P., Mr. Neale, and Mr. Lester Jones should meet the Newcastle Chamber in London.

NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE. IMPORTANT OOLLIERY POINT AT BRIDGEND. THROUGH" V. LARGE COAL PAYMENT. A case of some importance to colliers came before Judge Roberts at Bridgend on Wednesday. John Griffiths and Thomas I Griffiths, colliere, Maes teg, sued North's Navigation Collieries Company claiming 16s. 6d balance of wages due for two fortnights ending October 10 and October 24 respec- tively. Mr. Evan E. Davies, Maesteg, acted for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Charles Kenshole, Aberdare, for defendants. Mr. Davies said the case was an off-shoot, if not the direct result, of the very important judgment delivered by his honour in an action between the same parties in May of laot year, in which the mem claimed the right to be paid for the ooal they sent out as thro-ugh coal, and not on the large coal basis, the price for the former being 1.5., and for the latter—calculated after deducting the small omi-lo. 5d. In that case the company attempted to set up a custom that the manager had the power to decide whether ooal should be treated ae "through" or "large," but his honour held that the custom had not be-an proved, amd that, even if it were shown to exist, it would be unreasonable and uncertain. The management, however, had continued to pay on the large coal tonnage, but the men had been prevented, from coming to court before because the management had made an allow- ance to bring the wagee up to what they would have come to on the through" basis. In the fortnights in question (Mr. Davies coEitinued) the men worked night shifts, 11.00 it was a custom that colliers should be paid 2d. a ton extra for working on the night shift. The company had paid the men the allowance, but calculated the amount on the large coal tonnage. The men contended that they should be paid the allowance on the gross weight of the coal. Plaintiffs in the period in question sent out 19b tons of through coal, which wae reduced to 126 tons Large in the Billy." Mr. Kenshole stated that during the periods for which the claim wac; made, the plaintiffs would have earned less on the throug-h coal basis than on the large coal basis. He contended that as there was nothing in the price-list relating to the payment of the allowance for through coal, and no evidenoe as to custom, he had no case to answer. Mx. Davies: Unfortunately, the miners' agent, who oould prove the custom, is not present. Mr. Kenshole: He cannot prove the custom. The Judge said it was for the plaintiffs to establish a. custom, and a custom must be universally recognised. He could not come to the conclusion that an important point codTTl be met on the evidence of the plaintiffs, who admitted they had not worked nights before. It really mode no difference, his honour went on, whether one party calculated the wages in one way and another party in a different way. The question was, What is the result?" It did not matter how the employer made up his account, but if the man found that hie docket did not come up to his due for through ooal, he could bring an action. But he oould not do so if he eairned more than if -the calculation was made by the xwoper method. He failed to see, however, how that question affected the present case, which did not depend upon the dispute respecting through coal, but on which was the actual p in the colliery. On the evidence before him it wae olear that he could Dot hold that a custom had been proved. Judgment was accordingly entered for the company, with costs. Mr. Kenshole: If there had been a custom they would have called 50 witnesses, your honour. Mr. Davies: I give my friend formal notice that we shall brinog another ease. Mr. Kenshole: I don't mind.

LEGISLATION ON SPITTING I At a meeting of the Chinese Commercial Union at Hong Kong it was decided to petition the Secretary of State against recent legislation making expectoration in public places puniehaile aa nusdemeaooor. --geutow.

Buried by Fal I of Cement I Burled by F I of Cement ONE MAN KILLED, SEVERAL I-NJURED A serioos accident, resulting in the death of one man and serious injuries to seven others, occurred at the MillwaJa Docks on Wednesday afternoon. A number of men were engaged in moving a cargo of oertnent into the steamship North- flint, belongin.g to Messrs. Westcott and Lawrence, which was to have sailed on Wednesday everting. When the hold had been partially filled the bags of cement, which had been piled up to some height, slipped and eompl-3<tely buried eight men. The accident immediately attracted the attention of the men working on the ship, a-Td em gring into the hold they heard muffled groans coming from beneath the ton*, of cement. The unfortunate men were extricated as quickly as pose i hie, and one by one they wt-rc placed in the braeket of the crane ,ijid hoisted to the ckx-ksioe, where they were examined b, a doctor. Life in one case was found to be extinct, while all the others, with the exception cf one man, were so seriously injured that they had to be removed at once to the hospital. Trip name of the dead man, who was suffocated, is Ernest Cobbin. The names of the six injured men were J Solomom, Billings, J. Williams, Oox. Kenmedy, and Marney.

THE LATE VISCOUNT WINDSOR The Earl and Countess of Plymouth and family loft their London residence in Mount- street on Wednesday afternoon, and arrived at St. Fagan's Castle in the evening, where they will stay over the Christmas, Nothing has yet been settled as to the bringing home of the body of Visoount Windsor, or as to the Naœ of interment.

"GRAFT" SCANDAL. 11 GRAFT "SCANDAL STARTLING KEVELATIONS AT PITTSBURG. During the hearing of the latest "graft" scandal at Pittsburg evidence was given that 60 members of the city council recel-ved zE9,300 as hribe money for authorising the con- struction of a filtration plant. One witness stated on oath that he bad been informed by a member of the city council that only six members were unapproachable." A sensa,tional feature of the oase was the production of a flashlight photograph off a member of the oouncil in the act of receiv- ing a bribe for his vote in conaiection with the paving of a certain street with wood. In corineotion wit-h 4feis case seven councillors and two bankers have been arrested, and six other councillors who are wanted have disappeared. It is alleged that they received warning from the chief detective officer of the city, who has been dismissed in consequence.—Reuter.

EARL AND LADY GREY. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION IN II MONTREAL. A Óvic reception of Earl Grey, Governor- General, and Lady Grey on Wednesday formed a fitting termination to a month spent by their ExoeHt?cJes in Montreal. There is not a single public institution or industry cf importance in the city that Earl and lady Grey have not honoured with their presence during their stay, and the dis- tinguished visitors have made themselves acquainted with every phase of life in Mon- I treal. The enthusiasm to wliich the visit has given rise finds utterance in most killily PTess comments, especially in the French- Canadian journals. In presenting the Princess of Wales's banner to the Ville Marie Convent. Earl Grey, alluding to the device of St. George and the Dragon; said it typified the suppres- sion of vioe by virtue, which should be the aim of every woman passing through the institution. Earl and Lady Grey will leave for Ottawa to-day.Reuter. —— !U

ARMED, MASKED MEN. I CHARGE OF BREAKING INTO A HOUSE. The sensational affair of maeked men at Hampftea.d was further investigated at Marylebone Police-court on Wednesday. The accused, Lucas Garcia (33), a ship's fireman, and Dennis White (30), a ship's steward, are charged with having presented a fully-loaded revolver at a coachman, named Thomas Wood, and at Detective Young, with intent to murder. They were brought to the court from Brixton in the ordinary prison van, and to avoid a repetition of the attempt to escape made by White the previous week they were conveyed into the enclosed courtyard before being removed. Mr. Herbert Muskett. solicitor, now appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, and preferred a further charge against the two men of being concerned together in breaking and entering No. 23, Old Oak-road, Acton, on Sunday, December 13, and stealing two overcoats, two hats, an umbrella, metal watch, 85 blank cheques, a revolver, 35 blank cartridges, four paire of ?loveB (one Mack), of the total value of C131 166., the property of Mr. Leonard George Clayton, a builder. They were aLo accused of receiving the property with a guilty know- ledge. Neither of them was now handcuffed. The prisoners were remanded for seven days.

BICYCLES AND HORSES. I PUBLICANS CHARGED WITH I CONSPIRACY. The extraordin.ary case in which ThomM Burgess and Ernest Burgess, the manager and licensee respectively of the Old Welsh Harp, Hendon, along with a third prisoner, Henry Albert Barker, are charged with ooca- spiraoy in connection with an enormous quantity of goods of various descriptions, was aguin before the magistrates at Edgware oil Wednesday. The specific charges at the pre- vious hearing concerned 52 bicycles, which it is alleged the prisoners Burgess and a.nother man, not in custody, obtained from the Wearweil Cycle Company. Mr. Rawson, of a City auction fir", who -%old most of the 901d most of the\cyeles, said Thomas Bu" seemed to t-ake the leading part in the transaction, and a Soho publican spoke to pasting a cheque for £103 8e. 6d. for Thomas Burgess, to whom he paid the money. The three defendants and the man not in custody were then accused of conspiring to obtained by faJse pretences eight horses from two farmers, named Herons and Busby, at Rugby Horse Fair. Evidence having been called as to the delivery of the horses, prisoners were I remanded.

BLUE POOL TRAGEDY. I DOWLAIS COLLIER'S GRIEF FOR A I FRIEND. A week ago a collier, named Thomas Castor, aged 58, lodging at No. 8, Gellifaelog- eteps, Dowlais, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Eventually the body of the deceased was recovered from the Blue Pool. PoTKtearn, that sylvan spot where so uiany sad tragedies have been enacted. At the inquest (before Mr. R. J. Rhys, oorcmer) on Wednesday afternoon Emma Reed. with whom deceased had lodged, said her husband had died on the previous Sun- day, and Castor, who was liis close friend, they having been brought up as boys together, appeared to be greatly grieved a-nd affected on that aooount, and did not work regularly afterwards. Margaret Ann Davies, of No. 1, Gas-row, Gellifaelog, said she saw Castor on the nigh of the 16th inst. about 11.30 o'clock past het stables and go right up the rooky road that led to Ponlsarn. Police-sergeant D. W. Howells (stationed in charge of Geilifae&og), who recovered the body, stated that Castor s hands were bruised and his forehead bore a clean cut to the bone. 111n. long. From inquiries he had made- it appealed that the deceased went to Cae- harris on the 16th inst., and took the coilicv train, to Bedlinog, and was seen at the pit- head. Nothing further concerning his move mcnts could be traced, other than what Mrs. Davies had stated. The jury returned a. verdict of "Found drowned.' The Coroner inquired incidentally at the close as to the number of persons who had met their f&te in the Blue Pool. a juryman rejoining. As many a6 would blot it out,"

CRUELTY TO A HORSE AT LLANDOVERY. Inspector Roberts ait Llandovery Petty- eesfetons on Wednesday oharged Thomas Wil- liams, of Rhock Llandovery, with cruelty to a horre.—Defendant, who did not appear, was far 4 £ 1, 3meaudme OOOUL

I The following matches, with the exception ot thotse piayed on Christmas Day, will be fully reported in the "Evening Express": — WELSH UNION REFEREES. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24. Pontypool T. itryiimawr—Air. IL Pollock, 'l'alywain y. Pooitypool Reserves—Mr T. Probert. Newport v. Aberrtillery—Mr. H. J. Taylor. I Cii":1.w.¡ 1M.AS DAY. Blaenavon v. Tajy waui. Poiitycymmer v. Blaengajrw—Mr. T. Davies. Neain v. Breton i<errry—Mr. D. B. Jones. Nea.th Second Y Skewen—Mr. W. D<?wm. ?crUiyr v. P?nLardaw?—Mr. B. L?wM-. Aberarc-n v. A oonillen'- Mr. W. M. Jones. .M&€??? v. Gi'?i?o?ow?ii—Mr. 1. Evans. Gaerpuilly v. M^achen—Mr. W. Gamiin. LLaneLiy v. London Irish—Mr. A. R. Ball. Y. Le. W Beet. Foiuypridd v. Bryficeithin—Mr. C. R. Crawley. P>eni"Taig v. Llwynypia United—Mr. L LLoyd. 'Ireorky y. Llwynypia—Mr. E. John. BOXING DAY. Swansea v. Lustra,Ur W. Best.. Pill Hia-rricji; v. Llwynypaa Limed—Mr. G. R. Jones Btlaenavon v. Bream—Mr. T. Jones. P'ontypool v. Racing Ciuy doe Fram-ce-Mr. J. E. Webb. Neath v. London Webh-MT. W. M. Jores. Neath Seconds v. ly-en-Mr. P. Lock. man. Bridgend v Pon.ta.r<iawe—Mr. D. L. Evans. Ri- v. Blackwood—-Kr. L. H. Lloyd. Aiberavon v. Penygra-ig—Mr. E. E. Bailev?. Che^etow v. Cwin>btra.n Ajbioa—Mr. R. H. Smith. Taiywain v. Ynisygerion—Mr. J. White. Dianygraig v Hospital Eajigers—Mr. F. Scale. Llan.gen.neoh v. Dtimm&nt-Mir. J. Davies. Tenby v. Briton Ferry—Mr. J. O'live. Caerphilly v. Y-pestc,!q-M-r. IV. J. Briley. Tredegar v. Pontroridd-Mr. \V. Best. Newpoirt. v. Watsonians—Mr V. Reynolds. C. & D. R. U. CHRISTMAS MORNING. ToagwynLajs v. Whitchurah Oresoenits, at Whitchurch—Mr. C. L. Price. ¡ Mackintosh Pad Y. Present, a.t Roath PUrk (11.0 a*m.)—Mr. D. L. Evans (Cardiff F.C.). Whitchurch v. Birohgrove, at Whi ?iurZ- Mr. J. Morris. I SATURDAY. Grange Windsors v. Grange Barbarians, at the Marl-llr. W. Jones. Wanderers v. Romiliy, at Jubilee Park-Mr. D. b-N ans. St. Paul's v. Canton United, at Sophia Gardens—Mr. C. R. Harding. Birchgrove v. TongwynLais, at BirchgTove- Mr. T. M. Smith. Whitchurch v. Portlicawl, at Whitcburc-h- Mr. G. W. Dix. CARDIFF OLD BOYS' RUGBY LEAGUE. Ca-thays Rovers v. Uy Rovers iPenygraig), at Ro<a.th Park—Mr. 8. Woods. Oan.ton Crescents v. Grange Hewellites, &t Llandaff Fi.eloe-MT. T. Smith. Central Stars v. Gantoii Crusadetrs, at Sophia Gardens—Mr. T. Dite. WESTERN LEAGUE. CHRISTMAS DAY. Bristol City Reserves Y. Barry District. RHYMNEY V-KLLEY AND DISTRICT LEAGUE—DIVISION L Treohl3..rris v. Merthyr Town—Mr. J. Jarman f Lla,n bradach'. Aberdare v. Mardy—Mr. M. Morgan (Nelson). PRIENDLIES. Ton-Pentre v. Leicester Nomads—Mr. H. Williams (Brithdix). Abergavenny Y. Abergavenny Rangers. Ynysddu v. Abertillery. Pembroke Dock v. Ebbw Vale. M'ivv;OUTII SHIRE LEAGUE—DIVISION I. Oaerleon v. 53rd Battery—Mr. Moss (-Newport.L- FOXING DAY. WESTERN LEAGUE. Staple Hill v. Treharris. Aberaare v. Paultoii Bcvers. Kingtswood Rovers v. Barry District. RHYMNEY VALLEY AND DISTRICT LEAGUE—DIVISION 1. Ton-Pentre v. Cwmparc—Mr. E. J. Morgan fPoatlottyn). RHYMNEY VALLEY AND DISTRICT LEAGUE—DIVISION III. Pon tlottyn v. Brithdir-M.r: D. Hughes (Rhymney). FBERNDL-IE-S. M„ erthv yr Town v. L&ioester Nomads. Gilfach v. Aberbargoed. IIONMOUTKSHIBE LFAGUF-DTVISTON I. Caerleoii v. E'laina—Mr. Moes (Newport). SOUTH WALES LEAGUE. Milford L nited v. Ebbw Vale. Mardy v. Swansea—Mr. Batty (Merthyr). SATURDAY AND MONDAY, lyuTeament at Treharris. Tournament at CAT in. IVura-ain-ent at Troodriiiwfwch.

RUGBY. I Christmas Day Matches. MERTHYR V. ABERDARE (N.U.) I TOO Mertcyr Northern Union team Oppose A-berdaTe in a Welsh League match to- morrow (Christmas Day). The team, after their fine victory at Barrow, are expected to do well, but most ol the cra-cks will stand down in wajt for the Ebbw Vale match onH Boxing Day. Tb.e Aberdare team will be selected from:- Gordon Thomas, Tom Walton. Whitte, Arn?l<i Lucimore, Bayliss. HopkiM, D. J. Keee. W. Ho?kine (captain), J. Jomw, D?n Fryer, Dick Thomas. J. Thomas, Phil Richards. Ike Taylor, Bowea, and J. Mairuare. Aberavon v. Abertillery. Mackintosh Past T. Mackintosh Present, at Roath Pk; kick-off 11 a.m, sharp. Maciss Paeft: Bac, J. Matthias; 4hree-quarter backs, r..Lfwie. w. LewLs, T. Da-vis, and E. Arnott; naJf-ba^.ks, M„ Davis and E. Thoma; for- T?a-rds, G North.more (captaini, R. Shepherd, E. Smith, J. Ward, T. Buck, P. Lamey, R SEn. ell, R. John, and C. E?wy?r. Preeent: Back, R. Lav is • three-quarter backs, A Phillii)g D. Timothy, J. Rogers, amd M, Harris; half-backs, M. Morgan and F. Jones; forwards, M. O'Brien (captain 1, J. Chorloy, A. Lewis, c. Tustin, L. Atty. S. Steven*, M. Le-athy, F. Carter, and W. Mitcha-m. Oa.rd.iff City Wednesdays v. St Paul's, at the M.arl Pits. wedaegdayc- v. St Newpcj-t Combination v. Barnardtown, at Somertoin. Boxing Day Matches. I COVENTRY V. PENARTH. I J. C. M. Dyke, t? ex-Penarth full-back, £ ho is now pjayin? for Coventry, will not be assisting the latter dub a,??in?t Penarth on S?turda-y n?xt. as he has pronn?ed to !?ay fof tbp BarMri&ns ag-amt Cardiff. The Coventry team for the Penart,h match will be, with this exception, the same that which defeated Leicester on Saturday last by twelve points to nil, and will be as I -ollows:—Back, C. E. Alexander; three- quarter backs, K. Wareham, R. W. Dakin. H. L. Gilbert, and E. Goodman; half-backs, H. Laxont and A. Elton; forwards, W. L. Oldham, A. P. Moeby, J. P. Oldham, J. Tomec, L. F. S. Beaver, W. Hutt, T. Cooper, and T. Pollard. Abesravon v. Penygraig.

ASSOCIATION. I Christmas Day Matches. I TON-PENTRE V. LEICESTER NOMADS. Ton-Pen.tre: Goal, Coleman; backs, Thorn- ton and BilLngton; half-backs, Jones, Wil- liams (captain), and Grant; forwards. Wil- liams, Rees, Davies, Connor, and Parry. Leicester Nomads: Goal, E. W. Darby (cap- tain); backs, C. Kirk and A. Nixon; half- backs, J. Scattergood, H. Burton, and H. Wait; forwards, H. Kiff, S. Spencer, R. Ea.bry, O. Yates, and F. L. Simpson. OWMPARK V. BUILTH WELLS, at Cwmparc. Cwmparc: Goal, J. Davies; backs. J. Owen and J. Parton; half-backs, A. Davies, Dan Price, and T. Kisrby; forwards, J. Hughes. D. Hughes, W. J. Edwards, A. Morgan, and R. Joces. ABERDARE V. MARDY, at Aberdare. Aberdare: Goal, H. Carter; backs, Alf. Goodwin and Pritchard; haif-backs, Parker (captain). Ta.rrington, and Watts; forwards, Dix, A. Groves, Evan Jone<s, T. D. Jones, and Hawkins. Rhymney Valiey League.

WALLABIES V CARDIFF I To the Editor of the "Bvenin? Express." Sir,—Permit me to add my ipral?7 against the unfair t.raa.Mn<?t of working m?n ticket- holders to those already 'published in your paiper. It seems to me thea the principle adopted with regard to this martxah strikes at the very root erf amateurism in football. To my mind, the eo-oalled amateur team at present tour- ing here are simply' after the money. The very fact of their willingness to arrange extra. matches, a policy which the two pre- vious Colonial tennis we had the pleasure of enitertaimmg refused to adopt, and also their demand tha.t all ticket-holders, whether dub memioere or not (oommittee men probatbiy excepted), should pap to see them play go a lorng way to prove my contention. No such a dranamd came from either the New Zeal-aud team or that grand sporting team of SoutJh Africans, and why should we stand it from our present visitors? I agree with "Disgusted One" as to the aelhalmess of the club members. Where were the friends of working men, club member or committee men, at the annual general meeting-? We claim it as our right to be admitted to every club m&tch, and, if it is oorreat thai the Cardiff Club is bound by ainrajigeroenit with Lord Bute to issue work- men's tickets I trust immediate steps will be taken to bring the matter before the Bute; authorities, with a view to having ,a definite opinion as to the right of the Cardiff Oom- miitiUjo to exclude us from the match unless we pay the entrance money. Last season tne gu-te aad ticket receipts amounted to nearly fA.500, out of whicl-i the miserable sum of Z-,75 was doled out to ües. It would be interesting to know what the jaunts, junketings, &c., of the com- mittee &nd players have cost. I am. afraid charity would be a poor second. Yet. despite t'he faot that the receipts v. ere ao high, the j committee are desirous of screwing an extra shilling out of the working man. What for3 Is it to pay for the \i«t to France in tie new future? In addition to endeavouring to wrest a time-houcured privilege from working men, we find that the all-powerful ones, at a time when work is scarce and Christmas is on us- which means a short week and extra ex pease for those of us who art- fortunate enough to be in work—have decided that we are to find lE. instead of the usual 6d. charged for' admission to dub marches. Working moot, don't rt-ftm1 it. Boycott the game. it neces- sary, AiDId let the amaitearB dieport tbam- eelvem for the benet fof the fsvoured omw In the meantime R, Ipm will be taken to lay the whole of the faote before Lord Bute, and I venture to say that his lordshi-p will in future see that the working men who follow football in Cardiff get juatice from the "nuts."—I am, &c., I BOYCOTT,

I WALLABIES AT SWANSEA, PUBLIC WELCOME BY THE MAYOR The Wallabies arrived at Swa,nowa from Cardiff at 4.20 on Wednesdny, and proceeded to the Hotel Cameron, where they were met by the Mayor of Swansea !Mr. M. Tutton;, the ex-mayor 'Alderman I.), and other pro- minent townsfolk. The Mayor offered them a few words of welcome, and hoped they would have a pleasurable stay in Swansea. I (Mr Tutton) at one time went re'j g-'Ollfwl to the football matches, hut of late had fallen avrsy in that particular. He did not know much of the prospects of next Satur- day's match, but someone would have to eat the leek. He hoped there wo-aid he no acci- dent of any kind, and it would be greatly r^p-retted if ham came to the (Vwonials. rP,a mayor then Invited them to take wine with him. Councillor D. Davies remarked t,b q they entertained thp deeipest affect'on for the Colonial* and these visits would help to brin? about the dominie*tion of the Anglo- Saxon race, which would moan universal peace. Mr. M'Mahon, the mamaeer of the team, expressed thNr warm thanks, and said their visit was of 'P<dtic:al importance, and he would see that the mayor's .remarks were conveyed to the Australian "eopie. He testi- fied to the kindly feelini? which prevailed in ? n Australia towards Wel^h people. a,r, d remarked on the names of New South Wales. Cardiff, Swansea, Newport. Aberdare, Ac., which they ha,d also in Australia. They would always remember tb,:t they had been treated as kinemeu end count rymen. ENGLAND V. FRANCE. -1 The English Rugby Union have arranged with the Leicester Club that the •international match England v. France shall be nlayed on the Weiford-road enclosure. Leicester, oc January 30. The niatel Leicester v. North- ampton fixed for that date will be postponed until April 24. RHYMNEY YALLEY REFEREE MARRIED. Mr E. J. Morgan, Pontlottyn, the well- known Soccer referee, and secretary of the Bbymney Valley As^XTiation Leajrue was on Wednesday married at Gelligacr Parish Church to Miss Agnes Prothero. Rhymnev Bridge, the rector performing the eoremcnY.

EFFECT OF ETGHT HOURS ACT. j « COALOWNERS ANTICIPATE LOWER WAGES. STOPPAGE OF COLLIERIES FORECASTED. The operation of the Mines Eight Hours Bill in Durham and Northumberland is, in official circles, expected to vitally affect the welfare of all person-s dependent upon the coaJ mines of the district. Although the operation of the Act so far as it applies to the two Northern counties has been deferred until the beginning- of the year 1910, it is felt that the time allowed is none too gTeat, seeing- that the reorganisation of the industry is expected to be of the moet radical kind. A conference between the representatives of the Coaiowners' Association and the repre- sentatives of the Miners' Association (thf "Newcastle Daily Chronicle" understands'1 is to be convened as early as practicable after the New Year to consider the situation. Aeoordmg to the views of the Coaiowners' Association officially communicated to the Miners' Association, the following are amongst the most important of the changes which they declare are rendered necessary by the passing of the Act :1.1 The hours of the hewers will have to be lengthened to eight per shift. (2. The system of free houses and coals will have to be abolished, and the work- men will have to pay their own rents. rates and taxes, and provide their own nre coal. (3.) The wages of boys and all other classes now working more thaHi tht hours will have to be reduced proportionately. (4.) The hewers will have to do the face stone work and a considerable proportion of the put-ting, and this will result in a loss of employment to a large number of older men now employed as hewers and shifters, who will be physically unable to undertake the more arduouF labour. (5.) In order to minimise the loss of out- put as much as possible, it will be neoes- sary to work on the pay Saturdays, as in other districts. In their communication the coaiowners added that generally largely increased oost would be involved, and, therefore. mutst result in lower wages and the stoppage of some of the older and more extensively worked collieries.

ALLSOPP'S DIRECTORATE i Mr. F. Taylor has resigned his seat on the board 0If Messrs. Samuel AIlsopp and Sons CLimited), on account of ill-health.

LOCAL 'VEDDING GIBBOX-DA VIES. A very quiet but pretty wedding took place at St. Woolos Churoh, Newport, the contraotii>g parties being Mr. Harry M. Gibbon. of the firm of Harry Gibbon and Sons, builders' merchants. Cardiff, and Miss Emailv Mabel Davies, second daughter of Mr. Thomas Davies, of St Dunstan's, Newport. Only immediate relatives of either side were present. The officiating clergy wwre the vicar, the Rev. D. H. GriOtths, and the Bev. J. D&TM&. Th? bride, who w??a given ?w?y by bw father, was attired in a cream co?u-me, with ha.t w match. Mr. Waiter S. Gibbon acted as best man. During the afternoon the happy couple left for London and the South Coast. The presents were numerous aond costly, one being a handsome timepiece from. the.! employes of the above firm. GWY-BAILEY. The marriage of Mr. Alfred Gwyn, cashier aad inspector of the Merthyr Electric Trac- i tion Company, to Miss Jennie Bailey, elder daughter of Mr. Henry Bailey, 6t. Andries, Tliomastown, Merthyr, took place on WOO- nesday at St. Johns Churoh, Penydarren. The vicar (the Rev. D. Evansi and the Bev. D. D. Eachards officiated. The happy couple left by the 8.45 Great Western train for the Gower coast, where the honeymoon will be spent.

RECKLESS CROSS-SWEARING MAESTEG RELATIVES GO TO LAW. I Judge Bryn Boberts had to decide the ownership of a pianoforte at Bridgend on Wednesday. William Cookesley. Bridge-nd- road, Maesteg, sued his sister, Mrs. Sarah Thomas, and her husband, William Thomas 'licensee of the Ma-&ct? Inn. Ma?stcg for the return of the pianofoMe or. in th? alter- native, for damages for wrongful detention. Mr. E. E. Davies, Maesteg, appealed for plaintiff, wnd Mr. Harold Lloyd, Cardiff, for the defendants. Plaintiff stated that he had lent the instrument to his sister for use at the public-house during the Christmas season of 1905, and as his children were too small to learn it. he allowed it to remain there for two years. Hie sister contended that the pianoforte v, as a gift to her, because she had been a g-ood sister to him." After hearing the evidence of several relatives, his Honour, who commented on the reckless cross-swearing in the case, entered judgment for the plaintiff, resnartone that the probabilities were in his favour.

GOLF. SOUTHERNDOW MONTHLY BOGEY. T?e monthly bog?y of ?i? Southerndown Club was contcat?d on WedM?day. ?b? kuwiag being the be6t cards returned: — Strokes received. D. O. Evans  3 3 down.. J. P. R?weU 7 3 H. laviere 14 5 R. I _-wis 11 5 P. Thomas 14 8 1. ROYALTY ON THE L-XS. His Roy;a;, Highness Prince Albert of Schies- wig-Holstem and J. H. Taylor 1 Mid-Surrey,, j the ex-opem champion. 011 Wednesday after- noon engaged in a foursome with 3di. P. J. de Paj^avmoini, the old Cambridge, :M iddx. and Bucks cricketer, and A. W. Rutchart. the local professional, at Bramsho*, the macil I ending all square. In the forenoon tlw P-riiiee ¡' played fourteen holes with Tayiotr, and shewed excellent golf throughout.

CRICKET. I NOBLE AND THE AUSTRALIAN TIFIT. I N obl OEOFCA-ROE UNAR 11 the ANS&RAJAA-N I Board declines to modify its financial scheme it is absolutely certain thai the leading Aue- trajian piayers wtLi decline to join the team wtuoh it to wait England next Year.-BRuter.

I BIRTHS, MARPIAGES & DEATHS IN Charge for loseriing -ertau -new tbli hirrt ? ,?- ?? ? V.?de ?,W ?. lox Every Two t?tr? Warda. No notioe of this description will be maerwd adien autherticated by the cam. and address ol the aendK. 1 1 j teiephonic rae<i&&gi>s C4H.U&; Oe ac'.4 oq contrmed iu writing. DEATHS. rwr— the 22Dd iD6t., at 86, Cocnan?ht-T??d. C- -L', Jam% ic hi! 8=th y?r. Funeral T <C"bG" 1, proiupt. F: ¡oaods J>tea?b "CCrfpt tins tUe CLdy iuuiafctiou. No a, rs bY1b Rpw-i' requt. DP&LAX.—F-u.cr.U of Thomas Dulan. Mouut&m am, to ?"e Pe;irh;wc<ti?r cmUon. 0 Decen.-<f 26th, ? ?'?'? Station, ? o'clock, fw Trea^w Cemetery l ~(!U "nr- December, at BrooUa?tde, 7??-??-.road. CarcL:a. C:?:r;f Hubert, w?ow of tÍ1<3 iaie Ki:'oort. of Widge.d, ?.d ?.f t???, ''?Ctpr o: .? ?. Ti?.:? Cr, o. Eieca, ed 61. T> r J\: '¡'rrR,On 20th inflt.. at the Tœi<ienœ W ber M!,E, po?U. Bryum?vE. r.?r ErM?.nd, Mary nVs v' 7 acQ^ er, fur?iiy 0: D?e-atreet, Ct?dia. ??'?r?'? ?y?c?y?d Far?, 0? ???ut- d.y, l'iith *Mt- Morgan, ?oun?eat wr r,f r-j '-?!?m MOUl, J.P., Tynewyad, Tre- ?rt?t ??? 46 y?"?- t?ofraJ Taursday, 24Ui m?. «t 9 v „av;(r for Tr?rchy Cec.et?rv. Gent?- ,!le

H AUG Chi IM* >IUSL rCKKBA-L DIRECTOR. ? Per?rwa? supervision w Ail (>rdem Xat. Tp' C&rè I. Nos. 10* a.n? ?Mt. I Po»t-o«j. Xc ei £ Cardlfi. Telegrams ATu fSTI>rF 6Tu.V £ Ctrdlfl, f 5, W ORKING-ST.: CAilDIFF. I TH-S CAPITAULA^OUR ROLD A REPUTATION FOR FAiUlLv iwOURhlNG. An Irnmc hck f.T i;r.mediate Wew. i SUITS TO MEASUR.E L, 12 ROLU. ¡-1M, L, bC 69 and 61. QUEEX-STEEET, C FP. r""c,_£_- "$IIII8.oi. XMAS PKEShjSTS# If yon are thinking of maidng your Purchases uiis year at E A T 0 X S 14 and Ib, nll; 10nGAS ARCADE, ST. MARY-STREET. CARDIFF, May we respectfully impress upon you the advisability ■ f Shopping Eariy? Lam yøal hundreds wer? unable UJ get served. e4742

TERRITORIALS' SHOOTING, CHRISTMAS MEETING AT AEER- EA llLTü£.D. The first anronaJ Ohiri^Ta* prize shoot ot the Aberbargoed Territorial? took pla-e? laet vcoi:, and the aiitriouuen of the prizee was ma-ac amid much enth^asia at the Grev- hpund Hot?! on Wadneeday enmmg. Tbo chief s'ores wore:- Jbanoe-eorpora-3 S. Hall 41 Colour-swsreajvt J. Perc-v Bees 40 ferg-ea-nt £ HolifieJd 40 40 Sergeant VT. G. Wirnstoue 40 1st BATTALION MOXMOUTIiSIIIES REG i:, TEXT. The annual cistribution of tradesmeB% pc-iz.os for shooting in ooanoc-tion with the head/quarter c^mpa.ujes 1st PeTtR.lion Moo* mouthsibire Regiment, Newpoirt, took plaae on vt eiuiOttday night. Captain T. Summers, president of the pa-ize commit toe. who presided, empha.=iised the necessity of good fhcotirjgr, and saad there had l a',1 imIrr8Ve::1ient during the paat year. The twenty gcorfc were:—Ser £ >eairt i. Burns (45:, iys,n.oe-forpor&l C. Clispold (44). Ij&nce-5>erg-.?a.iiT F. J. Abbott \42" Serpent IL Le VercoTiite 42,, Ivif miLan A. Lewie Rifle- m'coJ1 C. C. Herbert ,3(). Sergeaant F. J. Perrett :39:, Lanee-corporaJ V> E. Plorrid* ?). Sop?t.?t E. J. Levies 37' I^ajrwlsmaa V> T (37;, IM3eaxua..i V". E. #ame"%Mlan Co'Io'nr-s<'?p<?r'T l?-. E. Joh-noon sergeam E. A. Vcrret (c?h Cuarter-iraster- sergearat F. J. Sun^rcers 36). Se^c-oajit J. C. Ford 36:, Kif;onf,a.n H. E. Home too), SergeaJMt C. H. Hopkins ,.)5;. Corporal J. Beavau i36). Sea,nt E. J. Foreman ,.)5:, Lz.¡0e- P. D. Powell There wc-e ab.~u<t 360 entriee. sergeant J. K. G-crld made a.n excellent ho-n. seer<-ta--y. and with his committee got, together a splendid and u&efnl collection of Dfiaes. SIRHmvy. The distribution of tChristmas prises ro D OOTD pan y (6:rhowy) 3rd M onmouth-sbine Kejrimen-t took place on Wednesday. Captain V.T. A. prc'idinc. The commanding officer said tv.8t the F'1,g toe of the company compared very Tavourahiy with former years. Out of a strength of 105 men. 101 attended camp. There were 26 marksmen, a-n-d ttx. number wa-s ccntit)',iaJly increasing:, this beany larsrely due to tSe ewovrasrement vexi bIT local gentlemen in offering medal* for com. petition, no less -hzr tweive ha'ir.gr been she* for durirs the year. The Rev T. Theophilus. R.T> presented tfc< medals. The ion?-wrop medal WaE premutet to Oolour-ser?€act Phce by Mr. A. Qndon^ J.P.. a. member of the County Assoc.ation. In doing so he said he hoped tbe young- men would rally round the mov«ment and maJ&e oOTScri-jytion u'nn(,(,?YT, RHYMXEY. The arn-nal distribution of prizes to thr G Company, 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Besrime-nt, took place at the Boyal Arms Hotel, Rhyrnnoy, on Wednesday evening. Tn. kite SiI Henry Tyler f silver cup was won. by Rifleman AV. M. IK vies. Cither prize- winners included Privates A. Purha.ni, W, Grayson. A. W;jams, E. H. 0-onpton, aZ)4 W". Lester. S'-etion prizes were won h] sections represented by Sergrea.M J. Shield* and Sergeant D. Hughes; sisrnailing' prizes by Darasre, Ihirham, and Hughes; and prizes for we'l-k^pt tents at ea.mp by (1) Lance- corjiora1 Batting, (2, Corporal James, and (2) CorporaJ. W. Lewis.

RACING INTELLIGENCE. WINDSOR MEETING. ORDER OF RUNNING— MONDAY AND TUESDAY. FIRST DAY. v\ :nueor Maiden Hurdle, 1.0; Kiver Selling Steeplechase, 1.30; Thamts Handicap Hurdle, 2.0; Ciewer Handicap S-teepiecha.se, 2.30; MOllo day Selling Ste pleohaee, 3.0; Forest Maides .Steepiechaee, 5.30. t>KCCNP DAY. Tliree Year Old Hurdle. 1.0; Paddoci, Selling ,s,t<-epkCÚá.e. l.i,; l ulet,u« Handicap Hut die, 2.0; Tuesday ;selUiig College Handicap Steeplechase, 3.0; Dorney Steeplechase, 5.30.

OFFICIAL oCRATCHINGS. The "Sportsman" has beon officially in formed by Messr*. Woatherby of the follow ing jcratchHigs — Hampton Steeplechase. Eenspton—Merry John. Palace Hurdle, Hurst Park anci Tmv-day hurdle, W 'iudsor -Lynch, KioLmoad JBuruk bd1.1 ;lio(;.f.iJ, Hurst i örK- Black Plum. January Steeplechase, iiuy dock—i'.oya' Birth aay. Great Cheshire Steeplechase, liooton—Roysf Birthday and .Lord itivers. All engagements—Yetspera and Joeatrix.

BOX. I. a G. NATIONAL SPOUTING CLUB, MERTHYBi Cliia-iAlAt tvt. Great 20-round contest icr :£5( a-skit- btftweei, tt renowned IKE and JL /lEOf lllifil:i.' l-¿t;'ù>m or Jt; a-side between voung PBilCH PRuJitRTJ iUifiTIiYK, awl r-Aj; ABAiii, PluXYDABtilii. BuiiN'ii MUHT. Great 15-round Coniest betwwn Dies. LES,' < LOXIh>S, alKi JACK W.A..1:W, of GI^OUCEtiiiE, le Lbo a-siiie aiid ciub puree. .WO OTHER COKTEETS. ACmiatiioii, Is., Z. and oe. (, t:4Í,. e74 £10 RABBIT SWEEPS tgjver, by Evan Reel at CAEKPHILI/Y on BOiING DA.Y, 11 o'ciccli Entrance lùb. eaoh uew or many t:lUtTH!6J Reieree, OUariie White, Bri £ U>i. c.71 TOPPING &. SPINDLES. IXV&HJSG, EOLLAND. The Oidast-estabiisiied r.nd Most txteaeive Firm of Tt.rf C,)mwission Agents ;t tint World. Double and reblc Ea1A;. 0 CommisslOl1 of UCIOU whatever on Market, Starting, or Accunat lativet at Starting Price. Our "iear book and Beadj Reckoner," containing Rule$, CoOes. &c., "TbI Continental Sp>>rts'nan," trff oa receipt (J, post-eaa COh:r:liJ.g applicint's adare6S. All Letter: u L, addresiicd— TOPPIKG A KP!Vi)hER. » Ll:>HIKG. UOULAITO. Postiige, 2id.; Po&t-cards. Id. eó8II Cso iiir lar Ci&vautuiui .o «a Lor llLi:(¡¡!.a.t XM A S PRESENT. WliilllE TO BUY IT. SOL. PHILLIPS, JEWELLER, 41, ST. MARY-ST YOU will GET the LEST POSSIBLE VALC1 SEE WINDOWB. DON'T FORGET No. 41. WAST'BD, G^nerai, a^e«i 16—20: one in family. \V I:, g::&iC1f%: !;tm: morciaj-rosvd. A -rt-. e2SZi>z2 £ ?SOMFOB'?ABLK Ap?nM'mt? or &Mj<; ROCIdenoe for \i (M? or L%?6 l7t>nJ; &fior Ca'l-A"nl&Apply 1. CC,WOuuiz -r(od. m "Ll:;ND,-l.clD()[l an,- whiw ?paniQ Bata; 11 ~Mt L' oiaimad m tL?ee day* wW U> -B8R7 W, 146, Wood-Mtd. PentypeAc, eMeS??

IN FURNACE HOLE MERTHYR GIRL'S SAD FATE Awful Crime Confessed LABOURER IN CUSTODY X What appears to have been a deliberate and brutal murder was committed im the early hours of this -morn,ing at Merthyr, the victim being a young woman of the unfor- tunate class, named Maxy Ann Rees. The T>erpetra.tion of the alleged crime ww revealed by a confeesdofn, said to have been made by a man named Joseph Foy, .a labourer, of no fixed home, who fapproaohed Police-sergeant EDumter in Highnsfcreet at two o'clocik this noTmaag and asked to be locked up, saying, "I have thrown Sloppy' (under which name Rees is known) into a hole at the Ynysfaoh Old Works." The sergeant, with Detective Jones and Police-constable Lewis, accompanied the man to the works, and the blast furnace, about 40ft. deep, was pointed out as the hole into which he had flung the girl. Foy was taken to the police-station and locked up, and the officers, with Inspector Phillips, returned to the furnace, in which, entering by an old culvert, they found the woman dead with her head and face Smashed Beyond Recognition the injuries evidently having teen caused by striking a rail at the bottom in the fall. The body, which was still warm, was con- veyed to the police-station and examined by Dr. Ward and Dr. Chisholm, and was after- wards taken to the mortuary. Last night Foy and the woman went to the furnaces to sleep, and from the evidence of a man named Baseett and a woman named Connell, who were near, it appears that they had a quarrel and both went away. Presently Foy returned and told the two that he had thrown the woman into a hole, but they Paid No Heed to his declaration, and it was not until after he had given him&elf up to the police that they knew his etory to be true. On exami- nation at the mouth of the furnace made by Chief-oonstable Wilson, Inspector Phillips, and other officers marks were discovered as if something had been dragged to the top for a distance of about a dozen yards.

A BLOW AND A THIN SKULL Man&laaigrhter was the verdict returned against Thomas Richardson, a Balham labourer, at the inquest at Battersea yester- day into the death of Andrew Mahoncy, a brewery labourer, of Totting. Evidence was given to the effect that Richardson stopped Mahoney in the road, and after speaking to him for a moment knocked him down. Richardson alleged that Mahoney offered to fight him. The medical evidence showed that [M:aJ)()Iny's skull was only half the normaj thickness.

TRAGEDY AFrEK BANKKUPTCY When bafotre the "Bankruptcy Court recently, Mr. W. J. Treleaven, insurance Ibroker, of Finsbury-oircois, claimed to have securities upon which he had made advances to the extent of £ 5,000, but declined to hand them over. He was told he had better con- sult his solicitor, and he went away. Some time afterwards his body was found in the Thames. A resolution for bankruptcy was passed yesterday, and the case was left in the Official Receiver's hand.

INJURED ON CHRIdTMAS EVE A driver in the employ of Messrs: Band- cock and Company, named A. Williams (43), of 36, Planet-street, Cardiff, was admitted into the infirmary this morning suffering from a broken leg.

NEWPORT'S INCREASED COAL EXPORTS. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THANK I MR. JOHN MACAULAY. Mr. W. L. Go.'dfworthy, presiding at a meet- ing of the Newport Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday afternoon, reported upon the work of the deputation appointed to deal with the amendmants to the Eight Houre Bill. He thought the commercial world was very much indebted, to the president of the chamber (Mr. John Macaulay) for the great work which he did as one oft the committee appointed to deal with the amendments in the Houac of Lords. A cordial vote of thantks was passed to the president and Mr. Goldfvworthy for the useful work they bad done. The Proiideut alluded to the very satiefae- tory shipping rctiiros relating to the port in November. There were increases in both imports and exports, and, though the other ports in the Bristol Channel showed decreases in the coal exports, Newport showed aji increase of over 50,000 tone. Mr. W. L. Goldswortliy was nominated as president, with Mr. John Macaulay and Mr. George Gecn as vice-presidents.

THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING. MR. LLOYD GEORGFS TAXATION THREAT. In one of those choa.p and fluent appeals to ignorant sentiment which form so large a part of the Radical stock-in-trade, Air. LlQyd George, at Liverpool, suggested that even the children's Cnristinas pudding was threatened with cruol taxation by the Tariff Reformers. He g-ave his hearers to uiwierstand, moreover, that he and his friends were resolved to defend heroically the free import of all tho good things that make up the said paiddiing. With reference to this question of the taxation of the Christmas dinner and tea table, it may be added, the "Daily Telegraph" observes, that, apart from the sums raised on tobacco, beer, wine, and spirits, the foHowing was the amount produced in the financial year 1907-8 by the taxation of the various articles used in the Christmas pud- ding and generally at the various meals on this day, as on other days of the year, and paid by the poor as well as the rich:- Rate of duty £ per l b. Currants 126,139 id. Plums a.nd prunes 45,532 3d. Raisins 223,821 3d. Figs 60,999 fd. Sugar and sweetening material 6,852,057 id. Tea 5,816.652. 5d. Cocoa 286,928 Id. Coffee an-d chicory 50,255 lid to 2d. It will be seem that met of the commodi- ties which are in such large demand ?.i Christmas Day a.re already very heavily taxed.

CHEERFUL ASPIRATIONS. I When Anmie Oar less, of Jenkins-street, and Bridget Turner, of Fee ring-street, were called in the Magistrates'-court at Newport on Wed- nesday for being drunk and disorderly last Sunday, there was no response. Warrant- officer Grifftn said Carlew told him that she had spent both the last Ohristmases in prison, and she intended to be there this time whatever happened. Both women had bad records. They were fined 40s. ea-ob. or & month.

CHARGE AGAINST A FATHER. I Robert Jones, of 22. Main-street, Ynysboeth, lraa summoned at Aberdare otn Wednesday for an alleged attempt to assault his daughter. Minnie, aged twelve. Mr. William Thomas, Aberdare, prosecuted on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the child, in her evidence, said her father behaved improperly towards her when she got up to make breakfast for him on the morning of the 15th inst. Evidence having also been given by the mother and Dr. R. W. Jones, aooused was coomatbted far trial at the assises.

The Cambrian Trust I TO BUY THE ALBION COLLIERY We have authentic information to the effect that negotiations have been completed by which the Cambrian Trust (Limited) have secured the option of the purchase of a controlling interest in the Albion Steam Goal Company (Limited). Pending the acceptance of the terms by the directors of the Cambrian Trust the details have not been disclosed, but it is of the understood that moot' of the directors of the Albion Company will retire, and nominees of the Cambrian Trust will be appointed in their place. The Cambrian Trust already, through the Cambrian Collieries (Limited), the Glamor- gan Coal Company (Limited), and the Naval Collieries Company (Limited), has an output. of about 31 million tons. The Albion Colliery output is over half a miliion tons a year, and this would ma.ke the produotion of the Cam- brian Trust Collieries nearly four millions per annum—the largest in the coalfield. It is also understood that further purchases are con- templated. The Albion Company has a capital of £ 440,000, half in 6 per cent, cumulative prefer- ence eh a res and the remainder in ordinary. There are now no debentures. The com- pany has been very successful, and the present capital aggregate is the result of the ordinary. shares being split in 1901. In the nine years ended 1907 the company earned no leas than £ 364,434, or more than EI44,000 in excess of the entire share capital as it existed in 1901. when one ordinary share of Ct9 and one preference share of 910 were given for each original ordinary share. These earnings were spent as follows:— Dividends; £ 244,949; 'redemption of debentures, £ 57,750; expended on new pits, £ 58,476. The dividends and profits of the past nine years have been as follows:— Ordinary Preference Pront.. dividend, dividend. 1899 £32,450 10 1900 £93,721 20 1901 £71.315 171 010 3% 1902 £18,759 5 6% 1903 L 9,744 -nil 3% 1904 L29,479 5 9% 1905 £28,378 5 6% 1906 £ 27,664 nil 6% 1907 £53,484 10 6 The colliery is situated at Cilfynydd, and does not adjoin the other combine properties. The area of the takings is about 1,200 acres, held on a 53 years' lease from 1891. The sinking of a new pit was completed in 1906, and of the cost, amounting to over E52,000, L37,194 has already been written off out of profits. The directorate is comprised of Messrs. Matthew Cope (chairman), Alfred D. Cheney (London), Henry Lewis (Tynant), Alderman W. H. Maihias (Porth), and W. Cope (Bridgend). ,The principal shareholder is the chairman, who holds 3,800 each of ordinary and preference shares, representing E76,000 capital. The directors together hold 6,900 ordinary ( £ 69,000) and 6,750 preference shares ( £ 67,,500), together L136,500, out of the total of £ 440,000. On the Cardiff Exchange on Wednesday the ordinary shares advanced from 63 to 8J, closing about 8J. The Cambrian Trust, assuming the option of purchase is exercised, will be more or lees interested in and control the following com- panies:— — — — — i Capital, including debs. Cambrian Collieries (Limited) £500,000 Glamorgan Coal Company (Ltd.). £ 420,000 Naval Colliery (Limited) £170:000 L. Gueret (Limited) £200,000 La Societe Generale des Houilles et Agglomeres £200,000 The selling agencies of Messrs. Thomas and Davey aaid Ly-berg (Limited) (capital £ 20,000) are not included in the above statement, which represents a capitalisation of £ 1,490,000. The Albion Colliery was in 1894 the scene of a disastrous explosion, 286 lives being lost.

SWANSEA'S NEW DOCK. I VALEDICTORY DINNER TO THE WORKS MANAGER. The completion of the new King's Dook undertaking at Swansea is foreshadowed by the departure from the town of Mr. A. M. Smith, Messrs. Tophiam, Jones, and Railtod's manager, who is leaving for Singapore, where his firm are making extensive additions to t,he Government haroour system. The new dock will be completed next year, and Mr. Smith has for the past four years super- in.tended the works. On Monday and Tues- day evenings Mr. Smith was entertained at banquets. That on Tuesday evening at the Hotel Metropole wa4 presided over by Sir Griffith Thomas, chairman of the harbour trust, who testified to the remarkable popu- la-rity of Mr. Smith during his stay in Swam- sea, and his great business capacity and organising power which had resulted in the Swansea dook being completed a year under the contract time. The Mayor of Swansea (Mr. Tutton), in a subsequent speech, said that Mr. Smith, in the great dook works at Swansea, had not only given satisfaction to the eminent firm he represented, but also to the Swansea Har- bour Trust. Considering the number of men engaged, the difficulties of the job, and the quantity of machinery employed, the work had gone oin in a way which reflected the highest credit on Mr. Smith, in whose hands the management of the whole work had beem from the commencement. In going to Singa- pore to superin.tend Government work, he had a high comiplimetit paid him, and he proceeded thither with the hearty good wishes of his many friends in SwiameeeL. Amongst many others who spoke were Alderman Lee (ex-mayor), Mr. T. J. Williams, J.P., Maesygwernen Mr. W. H. Edwards, J.P., Morriston; Councillor D. Davies, Mr. Henty (Mr. Smith's successor), and Mr. R. L. Sails. The guest's reply was brief, but evidently heartfelt.

PONTYPRIDD THEFT CHARGES. I A young man, John A. Hansel, described as a labourer, living at a COlUmon lodging- house, was before the Pon,typridd, magis- trates on Wednda;y charged with stealing two bMycJee. articles of clothing, a\ wa-tch and chain, Ac., the property respectively of William Charles Flood (Trehafod), Justinian Hiskins (Blaencrwm), and Joseph Watkins (Beddau). Ma,nsel was sentenced to one month's imprisonment on eaoh of the thrte charges, the sentences to run consecutively*

A NEW YORK TRAGEDY. i Mr. Fred-eriok A. Burnham, ex-president of I the Mutual Reserve Life Insurance 0000- pany, was found dee-d in bed at New York on Wednesday morning. Death was due to gas poisoning. According to the police, the deceased oommit,t,ed suicide.—Beater.

LADY LAWSON FINED. I A middle-aged, educated woman, dressed in a long, fur-lined ooat, who gave the name of Lady Law son, was charged before Mr. Mar- sham at Bow-street on Wednesday with being drunk and incapable. She gave her age as 45, but refused to give her addreee or any account of herself. A police-constable who arrested her said that a cabman was in court who claimed 2s. for a cab fare. The prisoner was carrying a bag containing over zES 10s. in cash. At the station she denied the charge of drunkenness, but she was seen by the divi- fiional surgeon, who certified that she wa drunk. The Magistrate ordexed her to pay 4s. 6d. to the cabman amd 78. 6d. t-l-te doctor's fee.

A DOCTOR'S OVERDOSE OF I CHLORAL. An inquest was held at Preston on Wed- nesday on Dr. F. T. Walmsley, a councillor of the borough, who was found early on Wed- nesday morning lying dead on the floor of his consulting-room, Moss Cottage, Fyldo- road. Evidenoe was given showing that the deceased had had heart trouble, and had been in the habit of taking chloral bromide to induce sleep. The verdict returned was to the effect that death was due to heart failure, accelerated by an excessive dose of chloral bromide, taken by misadventure.