Evening Express

PRESBYTERIANS AND XMAS I An Act of the General Assembly of the Qhurch of Scotland relating to the obser- vance of Gfcristmae Day may be recalled with interest. It has never been repealed, but ie now almost forgotten. It enjoins "that whatsoever person or persons, after the da.te of this Act (13th of February, 1645) should be found guilty of keeping Yule-day and other I superstitious days, be proceeded against by Kirk Censures and ohall make publick re- pentance therefor in the face in the congre- gation where the offence is committed; and I that Presbyteries and Provincial Synods take particula.r notice how minieterrs try and cen- sure delinquents oj this kind within the several parishes; and scholars or students being found guilty be severely disciplined and chastised therefor by their master." The Bev. Jacob Primmer, of Dundee, who objects to school holidays falling so as to include Christmas Day, will now discover that he has an Act of Assembly behind his I vagariee.

"YOUR TIME HAS COME." I A son's alleged attack on his father was I described at Brentford yesterday when Henry Everett (35), son of a publican of Hounslow, was charged with wouiidimg- his father, with intent to murder him. A shoemaker stated that he was called to the pfoeecutor's house, and found that the aooused, who had broken up the furniture, had his father on the floor, kicking him. The eon rushed out with a oarviag-kneife, shouting-, Your time has oome." He struck his fa.ther, amd a. desperate struggle for possession of the knife eneaed. The father's condition wae reported to be critical, and a remand was ordered.

LADY'S LEAP BEFORE EXPRESS. I Suicide during temporary insanity wa-b I the verdiat at an inquest yesterday on the lady who threw herself in front of a.n express train at Spring Vale, Darwen. It will be remembered that she left a mysterious mes- sage in her diary. Mr. W. Millingtom, of Forest Hill, Londoan, who had identified doempeid as his Bister, Mrs. White, of Ballater. said a letter of a religious nature, which he received from her, gave him the impression tihat she was unsettled. The coroner said Mrs. White's husband was an invalid. Why she came to Darwen was a mystery which remained to be solved.

HOSPITAL-SHY POOR Dr. Waldo, reeuomng yesterday in London the inquiry inrto the death of a little girl, M&ibel Smith, who died in St. Bartholomew's Hospital of & fracture, asked the meaning of the phrase, "No experimeaits 0111 patients." It occurred in the report of the Battersea Anti-Vivisection Hospital, whoee secretary explained that many poor people were very superstitiom and &hy of hoaptta?s. He advised all hospital to use the re-assuring phrase, which meant that operations were performed for the sake of the patient rather tham for the sake of adding to surgical know- ledge.

FORTUNE LOST IN SPECULATION. I I fORTUNE LOS SPEO UL TJON, A fortune of £ 170,000 has been lost by a man who underwent has public examiination in bankruptcy at Carlisle yesterday. This sum was left to Edwin Hodges Banks, late of Highmoor, Cumberland, aDd now of the Oari- ton Club. London, and it was stated that he had become bankrupt through losses sustained in underwriting sipeeulations. The Official Beoeiver said they could account for the L' expenditure and loss of 2120,000. but could „ not ascertain where the other XKOW had gone to. The examination, however, was oloeed.

The Man in the Street » Though it would be a dangerous thing to preach, death and disease lurk in soap and water when too frequently applied without sufficient and proper thought. None will ever know the number of tragedies that couild be put down to a rash indulgence in the morning tub when the ice has to be broken to get to the water. The begin- ning can only be traced to what looked like an ordinary bad cold, and the fatal diseases which succeed the influenza fiend are laid at almost any but the right door. It is possible that we mourn many a friend who would be with us still had he or she) possessed less dainty scruples as to the efficacy of the scrubbing brush. Anyhow, our friends and acquaintances who wash their necks every Saturday, and skip a week when the keenness of the air makes the operation too risky and un- comfortable, have an uncanny air of hardi- ness about them, and their red cheeks, sparkling eyes, and general appearance or robust health speak well for the doctrine of letting well alone. Assuredly soap is a iTiwiern contrivance, and leaders of society may yet have to admit that the old system of painting dirt into the flesh had better results generally than those we sometimes see from the latter-day system of washing it out. Unfortunately, perhaps, there is a dead prejudice against dirt. People who believe in it, especially during the colder i]! ;>n ths of the year, have to invent excuses to go fox^th in search of the North or South Pole. They never succeed in discovering the ostensible object of their expeditions, but they are able to live for an entire happy year cy: more without washing, and they return to the Old Country thoroughly well set. up in health. The dirt cure has established their constitutions beyond the encroach- ments of the best soap ever made, and they are able to indulge in the luxury of the bath to the end of their lengthened lives. But, unluckily, we are not all able to follow the example of Ngnsen, who has told us of the comfort and luxury of a properly-seasoned coat of warm dirt. Some of us have to go down in the coal mines, stand behind counters, cast up endless figures in ledgers, buy and sell, 'and "even write to the newspapers. The ties of life are too onerous for those made of common clay, and the recognised ethics of cleanliness are as manacles to the limbs that would become encased in microbes and other riotous joys which flee before the energy that inspires the well- used towel and sponge. But hope cannot be dead when we read of the man who went unwashed for twenty vears. What one man has accom- plished others can do. At least, so we were taught at school when kings, prime ministers, and presidents were held up as patterns on which to feed ambition. On a foot of this unhappy man was dis- covered an embedded key. When one ca.n go through life without washing, what treasures will be discovered on those who leave to their heirs their suits of dirt and all therein contained! The pro- spect is more exciting than a lottery, and it has the additional charm that here may be the means of evading the death duty. The man generously encased in the dirt of ages will not have to trouble his tailor much, with the like- lihood that he will have the more trea-I sure to leave to grateful posterity. These suits of nature will also have an appre- ciable effect on the coal bill, and all round the outlook is an abundance of pro- mise. Unhappily, it oa.n be no more than this for some time to come. Only poets and dukes can afford to be different to their fellows. Those of us who have some self-respect left will continue for some years to come to keep ourselves as clean as the needs of inconsiderate society require. The widening of Ny Bridge and the straightening of the road which leads to it from the railway arch are still bother- ing the Llandaff District Council, as well! as the County Council and the Cardiff Corporation. It is to be hoped that it is not a case of too many oooks, though it can be easily imagined that if the matter rested entirely with any one of these three public bodies it would not have occupied half the time that has been wasted upon it since the moment there was agreement that the spot is really one of the most dangerous in the county. This particular portion of the highway is well used by motor-cars and other vehicles, and the number of children who have to pass over the bridge makes it a matter for wonder that it has not been the scene of more than one fatality. Neither Mr. Robert Forrest nor Mr. Richard Williams has lostany opportunity o<f spurring on the powers that be, and it is to be hoped that their endeavours will be crowned with success before any- thing serious occurs to make the long drawn-out delay lamentable. Blizzards, snow, hail, sleet, bursting water pipes, thaw, fog, and miat have marked the failing-in of the Old Year, and, whatever the New Year has in store for us, it cam scarcely have much worse than the trials of the fleeting one. Worried waiting for trains and trams that seem as though they win never come is among the ligEtesit of the troubles which have been besetting us since the Christ- mas festivities. However, there are con- solations. These things cannot last for ever) and it may be far worse at sea, and so forth. Well, there is nothing for it now but to look forward to the coming of the New Year. Fortunately, the future is seaded. Some things that will occur are best unknown until the fit moment of revelation. But we all hope for times of prosperity, good health, and all things that are good for us. I only hope that our expectations may be realised in a generous manner, though it is always wise to remember the old proverb "&lssed is he who expects little." In any case, I have great pleasure in wishing my readers a very happy New Year, and I hope that their experiences will come up somewhere near the standard of their hopes.

THE USES OF APPLES The year 1908 has been a memora.bl year for aipples in Frajice. During the past inantn the lines of the Goiapagme de l'ouera were blocked with tra^s entirely filled with i aippiefc, traffic was deranged, and the staitaous enoumbered with, trains corryamg nothing out apples. It is estimated that 50,000 wiugoii loads of the fruit passed orrer the permanent way. In 1907 6,000 wagons sufficed for the trahic, but. laet yea.r's crop was particularly ba.cl What, asks a Partis oointeniiporary, becomes of this prodagicms quantity ctf apples? Are they used to maike the cider which supplies tbo' wbole of France? No, says a. ccHBtemjparary, aaiewering its own conundrum, the producers ditepoae of a great part of their cider to be transformed into eaa de vie.

FROM ALL QUARTERS Tliis year's French cider harvest is 353,000,000 gallons, or nearly eight times the amount pressed last year. <- Colonel Parkinson yesterday vacated the command of the 1st Welsh Regiment. He has served in four campaigns. During the past year no less a sum than £ 7,742,916 has been contributed to 707 charit- able institutions in London. The d'river of the Leeds to London express. leaving Leeds at 8.8 this morning, fell off hie engine at Normanton and was killed. Mr. D. Saunderson, son of the late Colonel Saunderson, M.P., was selected yesterday as the Unionist candidate for East Tyrone. Mr. George Reynolds, of St. Agnes, Corn- wall, has obtained three crops of potatoes from the same plot of ground during the past year. The King has approved the admission of officers of the Territorial Force to his Majesty's Convalescent Home for Officers at Osborne. Miss Viola Tree, who hae decided to desert drama for grand opera, will embark on her new career as soon as the run of "Pinkie and the Fairies" is ended. Two schoolboys have been sentenoed to four years' penal servitude and one to exile for belonging to a Social Democratic Schoolboys' Association at Mitaxi, Russia. Found in Whi, E., after navitig been deported under the Aliens Act, an alien woman was sentenoed to three months' hard labour yesterday at Thames Police-court. According to "Votes for Women," seventeen rooms are now occupied in London alone by the staff of the Women's Social and Political Union, the most militant of the suffragist bodies. Excursion fares on the Great Central Rail- way will be slightly raised after to-morrow. For instance, passengers between Notting- ham and Sheffield will be charged an addi- tional threepence. Burglars took advantage of the death of an old woman named Emma Owen yesterday to break into her house at Anslow, near Burton-on-Trent. They ransaoked the place, but found no valuables.. The death of George Key, who died sud- denly at the Tottenham Hotspur football ground during the progress of a match on Saturday, was found at the inquest yester- day to have been due to heart disease, and not to crushing. Major-General Sir P?rcy Lake, Inspector- General of the Canadian Militia, whose period of service in Canada has been ex- tended by two years, has heen gazetted military adviser to the Minister of Militia, with a seat on the Military Council.

NOT A TRANQIUL PLACE John Smith, a brickworks labourer, of j Cwmibran, was summoned at Caerleon to-day for assaulting his wife, Edith Smith, on Christmas Day. Prosecutrix, in reply to the clerk, said that she lived at No. 4, Tranquil- place, Cwmbran. The Chairman: You had better change the name of it. (Laughter.) The Clerk: The tranquillity of the place was upe&t for the time, sir. (Renewed laughter.) Mrs Smith said tha.t her husband was jealous of her because she had a bottle of port wane, and he struck her with his fist in the eye. She retaliated by striking him with a shovel, and after he had struck her again she threw the shovel at him. The bench bound detendant and his wife over to keep the peace for twelve months.

CURRAGH CAMP TRAGEDY Sapper Tajaffe, 59th RoyaJ Engineers, was committed. for trial at The Ourragh yester- day on a charge of murdering Serge ajit- major Theobold by shooting him with a rifle at the Ourragh Camp on DecemJOOr 21. Lance- corporal Colbourn, of the same regiment, said tha.t on Decemtber 19 he delievered a message to the accused fram deoeased order- ing him to be confined to barracks for seven days. Sapper Clifford gave evidence as to a conversation he had with Taaffe. The accused told him he had got seven days' confinement, and did not think he had been treated fairly. He intended seeding the colonel about it, he added. Prisoner reserved his defence.

THE WELSH LIBRARIAN I A 'arg-e gathering of corporation officials and members of the municipal libraries etaff met in the luncheon-room in the Cardiff City-hall on Wednesday evening to present Mr. John Bailinger with a solid silver tea and coffee service as a token of their admira- tion and regard for him as an old colleague, and of their pleasure at his appointment ad first libra-riaii of the Welsh National Library at Aberystwyth. The town-clerk (MT. J. L. Wheatley) presided, and he was supported on the platform by Mr. John Allcock (city trea- surer and controller), Mr. W. Harpur (city engineer), Mr. J. J. Jackson (director of education), Mr. W. W. Pettigrew (parks super- intendent), and Messrs. O. H. Priestley (water- works engineer) and Harry Farr (chief librarian), who had acted all joint hon. secre- taries of the testimonial fund.

ISSUE OF RAILROAD BONDS I Messrs. Speyer and Co., of New York, offer for public subscription thirty million dollars ( £ 6,172,756) worth of Five per Cent. Bondt of the St. Louie and San Francisco Rail- road Company. The issue prioe is an attractive one, and the bonds are offered in New York and in Europe simultaneously. The advance sales have already been very large. The new issue is for providing funds for liquidating the debt I of the St. Louis and San. Francisco Railroad Company. A ProeP-t-us appears in another column.

POLICE V BEGGAR I Albert Sloman, 44, a sturdily built vagrant, was ch-arged at Cardiff to-day with begging in City-road on the 30th inst. There was a further charge of assaulting Police-constables John John and Williaim Lewis in the execu- tion of their duty. Prisoner was extremely violent and used offensive language to the officers. The magistrates (Sir W. S. Oroes- man and Mr. Isaac Samuel) sent Sloma,n to the city quarter sessions to be dealt with by the learned Recorder ae an incorrigible rogue, and to be set to hard labour in the meantime.

"I WAS NOT THERE JJ At Cardiff to-day Jaimes Kitchen, alias James Russell (42', was charged on a. war- rant with having on the 20th inst. broken a,nd entered the dwelling-hcuse of William Albert titanbuxy, Albany-road and stolen four gold rings, gold bangle, a gold pin, and other articles, the property of Clara Stan- bury. Detective-sergeant Dicks stated that he received prisoner into custody from the Birmingham police. When charged, prisoner said, "I was not there." The case was ad. journed until Tuesday.

ACTRESS IN SIX PARTS A novel curtain-raiser was provided at the matinee of "Lady Epping's Lawsuit" yester- day, when Miss Greta. Hahin made her first appearance cm the Criterion stage in a clever monologue called "Yœ, Papa," wherein she plays six character parts, viz.: An Irish ser- vant, a Cockney servant, a French maid, a German girl, a Spanish "heroine," and ail American. The monologue, which is of her own writing, was well received for its bright humouir ajul clever acting.

PITY AND PAYMENT A novel excuse, which did not wholly suo- ceed, was made by Frederick John Whittle, a fireman, when charged at Caerleon to-day with keeping a dog without a licence on December 19. The exouse was that the dog was a stray one, and had given it a little attention, as the children in the village had frightened it. The Bench advised him to hand. the dog over to the police, and Ordered him to pay costs, 4s. 6d.

RUFfiAN STUS POSTMISTRESG At Rook ferry, Birkenhead, this morning, a maan tried to commit a daring robbery at the fcramah post-office, d.foxd-road. He followed Miss M'C--her, the poetmietoefes, into the office and gave her a heavy blow on the head with a piece of iron, cutting her severefly. The ruffian them instantly made off, but a policeman gave chase amd oaught him- The man, undoubtedly, intended to stun Miss M'Carraherr and rifle the place. He was la-tar remanded.

CLARKE'S BLOOD MIXTURE This taiooos medietas wm deaase the blood from aU impa- rit,isafrolp whatever cau.se arl. to*. A Mle remedy tot tE<?i.. PoitM, 6«Ma Af aU Umds, BoUt S*4 t. ?'?' 90*tW&, Blood Eruptiona, Ct?tM, Gla"uU, BWGIUDP, &a. 0< an SUWON ??? M?M. ??,

LEAPS FOR LIFE EXCITING PORTH FIRE SCENES Old Woman Burned to Death Exciting scenes were witnessed at a fire which broke out at 7, Morgan-terrace, Porth, about eight o'clock this morning, by which an elderly woman, Mrs. Evan Thomas, unfor- tunately, lost her life under singularly sad circumstances. At the time named the neighbours became alarmed by observing smoke issuing from the iU-fated prem]LS, and the police and briga,de were notified by some workmen close by. Police-sergeant 3forris and Poliee-constables Ryan and Crowley were soon on the spot, followed by the fire brigade. In the mean- time heroic efforts were, with one exception, suooeastfully made to save life. Screams were heard in the neighbouring streeta and assistance was quickly at hand. The inmates of the house were Mrs. Thomas, the deoeased, Mrs. Jones, whose husband was at work, and her little daughteT, thirteen years of age, who bad been sleeping with her grandmother. One of the first to arrive on the Bcene was Mr. Howell Dairies, of the ImperiaJ Hotel, close by, and with others he secured a lad- der, and with difficulty rescued Mrs. Jones, who was in her nightdress. She wais taken to a house next door, and attended to by the landlady, Mrs. Thontts, where she now re- mains overcome with the shock. The little girl appealed on the window-sill, and George Price, a toember of the fire bri- gade, called to her to jump, which she aid, and he caught her ii hie arms. The child was almost distracted by the fact that her grandmother was in dan- ger, and rushed intc the house, but was removed by Mr. Howell Daviee, who took her to a place of safety- There were two lodfers in the house, who I had been working al night at the Cymmor, Colliery, and OóIl returning home they washed and want up to bed after extinguishing the lamp and making up the fire. One was an old collier, named EoveTt Honeyfieild, and the other was his son. learing a crackling of wood shortly a.ftea retiring, they soon realised the danger of their position, being almost suffocated by smolse. They jumped from the window, filling a.moneat the bit- terly cold saiow. It vwas then thouglt that all persons were out of the hoqise, Ind it was only when Captain Thomas forod his way upstairs into the back bedroom tlat the remains of the old lady were found harred beyond recogni- tion. her legs falling off as she was lifted from the bed. whee she met with her terrible end. The regains were removed to the fire staitrom, no public mortuary being available. Later information tiates that the fire must have originated in tie kitchen. The lodgers, as reported, earlier in the morning were washing, but when tiey went to bod every- thing wiae all right. It is evident that the staircase waB about he first thing destroyed by the flames, so that escape in that direc- tion was cut off. Deceased was ajbou165, and was the* widow of Mr. Evan Thomas, a mechanic at Oymmer, who, curiously enough, also met his death at Ohristnuas time, five feairs ago. Chief of Brgade's View Ca/ptain E. Thoinas says he received the alarm. at 7.40. There was no hope of saving the house when theb-igade arrived, and, as the flames were spreading along the rafters to adjoining property they Sbt about con- fining the fire to its )rigin, wiich with the water they were able to do. fipeakixug with deep feeling, the captain of th* fire brigade said it was a terrible shook to urn when he discovered Mrs. Thoonas hal perished. Although badly birn" she must, he thought, have been overcome by smoke. The captain desiirad to aeknowledte the good work of the neighbours. Heroic Fireman I George Price, the fijemtn who rescued the little girl, is an elderly nian, ani well-known in the district. He was one of the first on the scene, and is not likely to forget the beseeching look of the child on the window sill. She at first hesitated to leive her posi- tion, but at last consented, aJd when on terra firma her cries were mQt touching, a.nd she ran back, as reported abye, into the house to seek for some means Of saving her "graonny." David Lewis, a carpenter, of 6, Morgan- terrace, &tates that he was in lid when he heard cries of "Granny, oh, my ganny." He at once arose and assisted Mr. Howell Davies to rescue the little child afte she had returned to the house. STORIES OF SURVIVES I HonoeyfieId and his son, the idgers, are Bristol people. The elder, in a. interview with an "Evening Express" repesentative, said he could not give any reatm for the outbreak. He and his son. wio worked together at Cymmer, returned tc their lodg- ings as usula. They took their bali, and had something to eat, then retdri^ to bed. Prior to this they put out the ltaip. There was no fire-guard in the kitohonbut at the same time this could not have led to th-e disaster, as there was no article >f clothing of any kind that the cinders ii the grate couild igaaite if they fell out. Tfey lost all their belongings, but they were glad that they had escaped with their live. Many theories are propounded as to the origin of the fire, but until ie inquest nothing definite can be alSOerWM, if even then. Mrs. Jones, who was in a, higly nervous condition when seen by our repesentatirve, said her husbamd, Evan John Tones, was working last night. When she lotthe kitchen she put a bit of coal on the firnd left a bucket of water on the hearth. Ifuere was nothing near the firegrate ly to be ignited by falling coal. The first ie knew of the outbreak was her mother, A deceased woman, exclai/miiinig, "Fire. fire. Rushing from her bedroom, she found tt staircase ablaze and th&t iit was quite isiible to escape tha-t way. She jumped rrC1 the bed- room window, aaid thus saved he life. The whole of the back portion of thehouse was buirnft odiit, but she oould not acoumt, for t.he front parlour .being almost xatouehed by the flames,

FUNDS FOR ARMY VE'ERANS There are still among us man Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans, asnd t this fes- tive season of the year it is plea-Sg to note that something is being done t comfort them in the fasitrfieeeting days othei rlife by providing them with money b<ond their well-earned pensions by which tip will be able to obtain very many little ecessaries now beyond their reach. In add ofuch funds there will be a "military night" athe second performance of the Cardiff Empi'. on New Year's Day, to which the Lord liyor and Lady Mayoress (Alderman Lewis Nrgan and Mrs. Morgan), Colonel Gaskell, CGnel J. J. David, Major Prothero, Major Will.m Sheen. Major Oaple, and officers of the fctl Terri- torials have given their patronag At this performance Mr. Gilbert Deyton vil present his military ecena, "The Last Jester," in which ten of Cardiff veterans wi appear, and then the artist s collection ofongs will be sold-as at all other Empire pebrmances during the week—and the proeeei handed over to the Veterans' Fund. In ail r. Leyton has collected in this way L3,289, odo and has been thanked for his efforts by Lot Roberts, Lieutenant-General Sir Jannes His-Johnes, and other famous military officers

MIDNIGHT VISITO. I Harry Newbtury (30), was at CaTff to-day charged with being found in theoalbouse attached to No. 2, Fitzalani-Place, intent to commit a felony. The oecupiermr. Her- bert Reynolds) said that at ten tnates to twelves at night he was in bed,and was awakened by the crash of glass, loceeding downstairs, he heard outside a, SÐC\d crash, and walked round the conservator to the second door, which was secure, prisoner, who waa sitting in the ooalhous asked, "Are you a policeman?" "Oonu out at once," said Mr. Reynolds, but :p..er made no reply. Mrs. Reynolds went f°1a police- man, to whotm prisoner was Vcn into custody, and to whom, when olj-g-ed he said, "I don't care. I should bargot into the house if the window had yt been locked." Several panes of glass w^ broken in the ro<? of the conaervatory. ?lice-con- staMe Obariee, Morgan (P.?;;k4 hee-con. a pt?wims conviction for larcenyt,t Swan- am AB?MS OÐ October 16. 1906.. tOO. for six anontfee.

I Workhouse Explosion IINMATES t-LUNG ABOUT & INJURED This morning two explosions took place at Wrexhami Workhouse, the first, shortly after ,seven o'clock, in the men's day room, and the second, an hour later, in the master's room. Fortunately, the sixty men who break- fa.st in the day room had not sa-t down when the explosion occurred, and the damage was Confined to the partial destruction of the windows, crockery, floors, and walls, and in the dormitories above and adjacent the men were flung about and injured, and had to be removed to the mew infirmary for treat- ment. One of the men was hurled from one end of the dormitory to the other end. The windows were blown out in the day room, and the windows of the master's room were also destroyed, and the walls, floor, and f urniture greatly damaged. The explosions I are believed to be due to leakages in the gas mains.

CAGE DOWN A PIT SHAFT Twenty Men in Peril at Ynysybwl Rather an alarming accident, which, how- ever, was not attended by serious conse- quences, took place this morning at the Lady Windsor Coiliery, Ynysybwl. While a party of about twenty men were being lowered the ascending, cage, it is said, through the failure of the brake to act, was slightly overwound, with the result that the descend- ing one containing the men was thrown to the bottom with great force. The score of men were knocked together into a heap, but, fcit-unately, only one inan-John Owen. of Graig-terra.ee, Ynysybwl, who sustained a broken leg — sustained serious injuries. Three other men—G. Tovey, Robert- street; James Pritoband, New-road, and Richard Price, G1 ynm y na ch-s; treat—also received minor injuries, while half a dozen suffered from shook. All the men were taken up, and went home afterwards. The management state that the accident was a very slight one, a,nd all the men, with the exception of Owen, escaped without any injury, except shook, consequent upon the sudtden imipact.

ROMANCE OF AMBER I The romance of aanber was associated with tha.t very modern matter-of-fact inducement I to honesty, the Merchandise Marks Act, in a case heard at Marlborough-street yesterday. L. Ajshenfarl, of Christopher-s«treet, i insbury- square, E.C., was summoned at the instance oi Mr. Jacobsom, of Konigsberg, Germany, on behalf of the Royal Amber IV orks, Konigs- berg, for selling "copal" with a false trade dttscription, Mr. John Harris prosecuted, and said that the defendant in July last called upon Mr. WeingO't.t, a meerschaum pipe manufacturer, and sold him somethmg purporting to be amber; but oca being tested is proved to be "copal." Defendant said that he sold the gum to Mr. Weingott as he bought it and for what he bought it, namely, amber. Mr. J. S. Weingott stated that he was not prosecuting in tile case, but was appearing as a witness for the German Governmeint. The defendant sold him the article in ques- tion, which looked like gen-uine amhr, and was, in fact, the best imitation outwardly ever seelll in the trade. There was oo amber in it. Genuine amber was found on the shores exf the Baltic a.nd the Mediterranean, the la?Mer being the more valuable as it was very scarce, and it consisted of ibsaUiaed pine-tree gum. The particular tree which it came i^om was now extinct, and used to grow on cliffs which were washed away by the sea, and the wood eventually disappeared, leaving the gum cm the shore, which gum in t,ime became fossilised by the action of the sea. In proof of his assertion he might men- tion that if a piece of genuine aamber were rubbed on the sleeve it would give off the smell of ptine. Mr. Denman tried the experiment, and re- marked, "Yes, it is quite plain." In cross-examination, the witness said that the Greeks called amber "etaktron," and that the defendant used that name when he was at his establishment. It was called that name by the Greeks four or five thousand years ago. In giving his verdict the magistrate said that beyond question the defenda-ut sold for amber a substance which was not amber, and the uncotntradicted evidence was that it was copal gum worth about 5d. a pound. A fine of £10, with five guineas costs, would be imposed, with the alternative, in default of payment, of a month's imprisonment. I

WEDDING COACH SMASHED I Mr. Dauncey, deputy-coroner, held an inquest at Ebbw Vale touching the. death of Edwin Harris (39), a hitchetr employed under the Ebbw Vale Oompany, who was killed near the Ebbw Vade Cemetery on Thursday last. It appears that a couple named Mrs Ricfcetts and Mr. Selway, both over sixty years of age, had left Ebbw Vale that morn- ing to be married at Brynmawr. On the return journey when approaching the cross- ing past the Ebbw Vale Cemetery, the car- riage came into contact with a mineral train which was crossing the main road at the same time. The front papt of the carriage was smashed, one of the horses terribly injured by a splintered shaft, and the deoeased, who was sitting on the front "buffer," by some means got under the wheele and was killed on the spot. Mr. T. Hughes, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the Ebbw Vale Company, and Mr. D. J. Vaughan, the owner of the carriage, was also in attend- ance. Edward Jones, the engine-driver, said his engime was in the middle of a journey. He whist,led three times before reaching the crossing, but the hedge obscured the view of the road on which the carriage was coming. The first he saw of deceased was when he was under the train. Jaxaes George, the driver of the ooach, could give very few details of the accident. It was blowing hard, he said, and he had his head against the wind. He was within a few yards of the trucks before he could see them. He tried to pull the horses around. He had had two glasses of whisky, one before start- ing and another at Beaufort. In reply to Inspector Price, he, however. admitted that he had whisky again at Beau- fort coming back, but was not drunk. Inspector Wilmott (Tredegar) said he saw the driver after the accident, and he found him slightly under the influence of drink. Mr. D. J. Vaughan, the owner of the coach and homses, said the driver was certainly under the influence of drink, but was quite capable of managing horses. He wished to enter a protest against people treating drivers. The Coroner: That does not affect a, coroner's court. A verdict of Accidental death" was returned, but the jury considered that the driver was guilty of negligence, and he was oensured accordingly, they being of the opinion that he was under the influence of drink.

LEAP FROM A TRAIN I A sensational affair is reported to-day from Naas, County Kildare. On the arrival I of the Dublin train last night a lady informed the stationmaeter that during the journey between Ballinia and Naas a well- I dressed man, who was in the same compart- ment, opened the carriage door and jumped out. It appears the man had travelled from Dublin. Search parties, with lanterns, imme- diately proceeded along the line from Naas to Ballina, bat, notwithstanding a most care- ful search, no trace of the unknown traveller has yet been ifound

LADY MAYOR AND THE FAIRY In spite of the heavy snow Mrs. Anderson, the lady mayor of Aldebnrgh, attended a fairy play petformed by Aldeburgh children under Mrs. R. Andre's direction. A fairy's speech made the mayor laugh. It contained the following:- But stop, I lose my temper so I When I recall the lengths new women go. Girls want to vote, so masculine the race is, They even try to wield mayoral maces.. I

CRUSHED TO A PULP I At noon to-day an accident occurred a.t No. 1 Tip, Queen Alexandra Dock, Cardiff. An unknown man was walking under the tip when a cradle ell on him and crushed him to a pulp. He was instantly killed. In appearance he appears to be a fireman, and his age is about 40. He has not yet been iden- tified.

FRUIT SAUCE FOR PUDDINGS I Had a pint of any kmd of juicy fruits, iJb. of loaf sugar, and a wincgLasBful of water; boil and skim till the juice is a ricih syrup, then strain it over the pudding; jam or jelly may be dissolved and strained, which would also answer the purpose.

THE CANTON SENSATION I Henrietta Veall (45) again stood in the dock at Cardiff to-day (before Messrs. T. H. Step- hens and Joseph Howard) on a charge of performing an illegal operation upon Clara Lamprey. Superintendent Yelland said Mrs. Lamprey was progressing favourably, but was not yet able to appear. The case Was again adjourned for a week for her attendance.

Gas Main Bursts I I ROAD WRECKED AND BOY KILLED I A disastrous explosion occurred shortly after eight o'clock yesterday evening in Grange-road, Bermondsey, resulting in one child being killed, while a number of persons sustained injuries. There were three separate explosions, caused, it is supposed, by the gas main bursting. The first caused a gap in the road 12ft. long and 5ft. deep, and was fol- lowed about twenty minutes later by a second explosion less violent. The thirr1 occurred in the Mason Arms Public-house, where glasses and windows were shattered, and several persons badly cut by the flying glass. On investigation the bodies of two little boys were found lying in the road near the spot where the first explosion took place. One body was headless, but the other boy was still alive. People living in the vicinity became alarmed as 1¡o their safety, and a number of women rushed about panic-stricken. The fi brigade and the officials of the Metropo- litan Gas Company, who had been sum- moned, decided after a hurried consultation that the best thing was to light the escap- ing gas. This was accordingly done, the snow-covered road and houses presenting a strange and lurid spectacle.

A COLLIERY TO BE CLOSED I 353 Men Discharged at Abernant I In connection with the notloes served at Abernant Collieries, Aberdare, which expire to-day (Thursday), a deputation of the work- men waited upon Sir William Thomas Lewis, and stated that they had been induced to wait upon Sir William owing to certain rumours they had heard that there was a possibility of the pits not being closed. Sir William informed them that, unfortu- nately, it was impossible to keep No. 9 Pit going any longer. The seams in that pit were practically exhausted, and, while prices had fallen very considerably—something like 4«. 6d. per ton during the last twelve months— wages rema,ined at the highest possible level, .and, owing to a oonstant reduction of out- Put, the pit had been working at an enor- mous. loss. Had it not been for his (Sir William's) desire to carry it on to the last possible moment for the benefit of the work- men and the district it would have been stopped long ago. The deputation warmly thanked Sir Wil- liam for the manner in which they had been received, as well as for his sympathetic remarks generally, and they then withdrew. The number of men employed at No. 9 Pit is about 3. I Disputes at Cwmaman Colliery Negotiations have failed for the establish- ment of a price list in connection with the Yard Seam at the Cwmaman Colliery, Cwm- aman. It may he stated that the matter has been considered by the Conciliation Board, but without any result. At the beginning of the present month the company gave notices to the men, who number about 300, to termi- nate contracts to-day. and the workmen will cease work this evening. The conditions pre- vailing in the seam are identical with those in which are paid to tne men working in the the s'ame vein at the Aberaman Colliery, and we are informed that the men have bee,n earn- ing about 93. 6d. a day on an average upon these conditions. We learn on credible authority that the company intend giving notice to-morrow morning to the workmen employed in another seam at the colliery owing to a failure on the part of the manage- ment amd the workmen to come to terms as to the cutting price. The number of hands affec-ted will be over 100. Notices Withdrawn I Much to the relief of the inhabitants, the notices which the management handed to the workmen employed at Morris' Pit. Cwm- aman, at the beginning of the month for a termination ef contracts to-day (Thursday) have been withdrawn. On Wednesday morn- ing a notice was posted up at the pit-top, which stated that, in consequence of some- what improved prospects," the company had decided to keep the colliery going. There is a strong probability of increased .activity at the Aberaman pits of Messrs. the Powell Duffryn Company, which have been working very irregularly for some time.

S2003000 FOR THE POOR I A gift for the relief of the 20,000 unemployed in Liverpool has been made by Sir Peter Carlaw Walker, of the firm of Walker and Sons, brewers. He has placed a sum not to exceed R,200,000 at the disposal of the Food and Betterment Association, which has been working amiong the poor of the city for twelve years, for the purpose of supplying meals and clothing to the poor. Hot-pot dinners have already been distributed among men, women, and boys. In cases of sickness or distressed families a small fleet of motor- vehicles will take food and clothes to the sufferers' homes. Sir Peter is the eldest son of the late Sir Andrew Walker, who died leaving a fortune of three millions sterling, and to whom Liverpool owes the Walker Art Gallery.

THE ROMANCE OF A GEM I Professor Sketchley, the eminent geologist, once visited a remote mining camp in North Queensland. His attention was arrested by a crystal which lay exposed to view on a box, and he was surprised to be told by a miner that it was kept as a missile ready to be thrown at a dog which might steal some meat. The miner responded to the profes- sor's expression of surprise by laughingly telling him to put the stone in his pocket. He did eo, and this is the gem which, after being cut, was pronounced to be the largest blue topaz of last century, and is now in the possession of the Queensland Government at their Btrand office.

ACTORS SENT TO PRISON I When Harry Saunders and James Harding, I said to have acted in musical comedy on tour and to be now on the halls, appeared at Highgate yesterday on a charge of stealing shoes, the police said there was no previous oonvictians agaimst tihem a,nd that every one spoke well of them. It was stated that they went inito a shop with a woman, and while she was being fitted with boots, which she did not purchase, they lift-ed a pair of shoes. Sir Francis Oory sent them to prison for six vjeeks.

OLD BOYS' DINNER I The Old Boys of the Merthyr County School held a suocesslnl dinner and reunion at the Bush Hotel, Merthyr. With the excep- tion of Mr. A. J. Perman, M.A., headmaster of the school, and Colonel D. Rees Lewis, everybody present waj a former pupil of the school. The chair ovas occupied by Mr. D Brynmor Morgans, B.Sc., Dowlais, who proposed the toast of "Alma Mater." Owing to a recent bereavement, the Mayor of Mer- thyr was unable to be present, as had been anticipated.

THE ABSENT-MINDED VICAR I An amusing incident took place in connec- tion with a Christmas wedding held in a Welsh church. Just before the ceremony wias timed to take place it was discovered that by an unfortunate oversight the vicar of the parish, in which the bride resided, had for- gotten to publish the banns. The difficulty was surmounted, so it is said, by the reverend gentleman obtaining at his own expense a marriage licence, fortified with which the happy pair faced the altar, where they were speedily made man and wife.

I COST OF THE PARIS POLICE During the discussion of the police esti- mates at the Paris Municipal Council yester- day M. Lopine explained that owing to the rise in the prioe of wool the cloth,iug allow- a.nce made to each member of the police would have to be increased from. X4 16s. to 16 per annum. The Paris police force will cost the city nearly forty million francs ( £ 1,600,000) in 1909, an increase of £ 56,000 on tibe present year.

I MINING STUDENT'S SUCCESS Mr. James E. Phelps, son of Mr. L. J. Phelps, New Inn. Ross, has passed first class in honours at the Boa.rd of Education ex-ami- nation in the principles of mining this year, and has been presented with a medal hy the board. At the Glamorgan County Council examination at Aberdare he was placed first in the olaas in Stage IV. of mining.

I A DUCHESS'S SIXPENCE A sixpence paid by th-e Duchess of Portland for a programme of a charity matinee has been instrumental in providing a breakfast for more than 300 poor children in Mainefield. The coon was raffled, and more than 500 peo,ple bomghit tickets.

I AUSTRALIAN CRICKET [ The Australian Board of Control refuses ip bold a. conference with the players on the siibjeot of the financial dispu e, but is pre- Waavd to consider euggestionfl

IVet Another Koepenick SACKS OF LETTERS STOLEN "Captain" Koepenick little thought when he conceived and carried out his huge practical joke that he would set a fashion which would endure for a considerable time, but that was probably due to the fact that even he had not fully grasped the enormous influence of the uniform. The lateab exponent of the hoax laid his scene of action in Munich, a,nd selected for his victim the posit-office. A day or two ago a man dressed in the post-office uniform pre- sented himself at the central office, and asked for the mail for the city of Nurem- berg. One would have thought that the officials would have asked for his authority for mak- ing that demand, but they did nothing of the kind. It was true that none of the officials knew him. but he wore the uniform! They handed over to the man two heavy sacks of letters and parcels, containing articles of the total value of 10,000 francs and 8,125 francs respectively. With oome little trouble our joker put these sacks on his shoulders and went out of the office, and since then nothing has been heard of him, and the Munich police have been un- able to find any trace of him. un! the prestige of the uniform!

NEW TEN CMMANDMENT8 I Count Tolstoy has caused to be published in the local newspapers of Toula, near where he resides, the following ten oommandments of hygiene;- 1. Live in fresh air day and night. 2. Take open-air exercise every day, work- ing or walking, etc. 3. Eat and drink moderately and simply. Milk in lieu of alcohol. 4. Get hardened to cold by washing in ice- water. Hot bath every Monday. 5. Wear light, loose clothing. 6. Live in a dry, spacious, sunny house. Be your own landlord. 7. Rigorous cleanliness—morally as well- a remedy against epidemics. 8. Regular, strenuous work, a consoler in misfortune, a "joy-oure," a preserva- tive against the sicknesses of mind and body. 9. After work avoid noisy distraction; spend your leisure time at home. The night is for sleep. 10. To enjoy good health work and do good actions.

SQUIRE'S TEURFCT MARRIAGE Early in the present month took place the death of Captain Thomas Freke Lewis, of Moynes Court, near Ohepstow, arnd Abbey D-aro Court, Herefordsiure. Captain Lewis was born in 1831, and, therefore, at the time off his death was 77 years of age. He ma-rried in 18o3, and was left a widower in 1899. There was no issue of this marriage, and Captain Lewis was generally regarded as a widower and childleas at the time of his dea.th. This, however, was not the case. Some years ago Captain Lewis married a Miss Morgan, resid- ing in the neighbourhood of his Hereford- shire oeat, and there are two children, who, with the widow, become entitled by the will to a considerable part of his property, con- sisting of estates at Abbey Dore, in the Golden Valley, St. Pierre, &c.

DEMAND FOR INCO E-TAX Persons liable for income-tax who dad Dot receive before Christmas Day the familiar; buff-coloured demand note" from the Inland Revenue Office, with its briefly woirded intimation that the payment of the amount specified is due on or before January 1, are certain to receive these unpleasant reminders within the next day otr two. The officers of the department in the various districts were busily engaged yesterday in making out and despatching hundreds of thousands of the forms. In accordance with the rule intro- duced two years ago, it is understood that this year again the income-tax collectors will make every effort to secure early payment.

FATAL SJ.IP IN THE SNOW I A deplorable shooting accident occurred yesterday at Kearsney, near Dover, as a consequence of the slippery state of the snow-covered ground. Mr. George Gibbs, a tradesman, and his friend, Mr. Browning, were out shooting in a wood. The informa- tion obtained is that after they separated Mr. Browning heard the report of a gunshot, and thinking his friend had shot some game went to him. He found Mr. Gibbs lying dead on the ground, shot in. the head. Apparently he had slipped on the snow, the gun struck the ground and went off, and the discharge entered near the ear.

MAN IN THE RIVER TAFF I Robert Minmard, labourer, late of Beaufort, a native of Liverpool, is said to have con- diuoted himself in an extraordinary manner at Treforest on Wednesday. It is stated that after tying his legs with a muffler he jumped into the Taff River, where he was observed in about 4ft. of water by Police- constable Evans. The officer immediately rushed towards the embankment and called I upon Minnard to come out. Minnard obeyed, and was taken into custody on the charge of attempting to commit sruicide.

CHILD BURNT TO DEATH I A shocking burning fatality occurred at I Abertridwr, Thomas George Neate, aged four, the eon of George Neate, 107, Ilan-road, being I found by his father, who had been ill in bed, enveloped in a mass of flames. Although the father and a neighbour put out the blaze and Dr. Watson quickly attended, the child expired. It appears that the mother went to do some shopping, and left the boy in charge of a sister, aged ten.

MARKSMAN'S SUCCESS I The Militia Rifle Association's Victofria Cup has been won by Captain W. Elwy-Jones, of the 3rd Battalion King's Regiment, who is a son of Mr. R. E. Jones, of Messrs. R. E. Jones (Limited), Cardiff. The competition was for the best score made by a company officer of the Militia in his annual course, and was open to the whole of the Militia. The winner's score was 205, out of a possible I 220 points.

LEGACY TOO LATE I Found unconscious near the wall of the Britghtoin Workhouse, a home-less man, maimed Joseph Thomas (58), was taken wide, but stuiocuimbed on Christmas morning, death, said the doctor at the inquest yesterday, being due to exposure. Since the man's death his mother has died, and in her will she had left him C700.

THE HUMBER SCHEME I At the annual meeting at Coventry on Wed- nesday of Humber (Limited), a loss on the year's working of £ 23,000 was reported, and I the directors submitted a scheme of re-con- struotiom for raising £ 150,000 more capital, the present preference shares to stand at 13s. 4d. (paid up) and the ordinacry shares at 15s.

I SIR R. LITTLER'S SUCCESSOR Mr. A. Macmorran, K.C., who has been in- vited by the Middlesex justices to take the chairmanship of the Middlesex Sessions, in, succession togir BiaJph Littler, says he will consent willingly if the uest is absolutely unanimous. Mr. Macmdirrran was called at the Middle Temple in 1875, and is a member of the South-Eastern Circuit.

BRIDGEND BABY BURNT I An inquest was held by Mr. David Rees at Bridgend on Wednesday on the body of Evan Daniel, aged one year and nine months, son of Mr. Richard Daniel, who was badly burnt on Sunday. The Coroner said that ere long people would be compelled to use fire- guards for the protection of children. A ver- j diet of "Accidental death" was returned.

I TAX ON CRICKET BALLS Mr. John Loder, whose death has occurred at Romford, lived next the Romford cricket and football ground. He established a toll of sixpence on behalf of the London Hospital for every ball that caire into his garden, and the hospital has ted for years from this source.

WAR OFFICE ECONOMY Commanding officers and heads of depart- ments have been instructed by the War Office to furnish reports showiDg the cases in which motor-cars have been hired by them during the year, and their reasons for hiring 1 these vehicles.

KEIR HARDIE ON TOUR I Mr. Keir Hardie leaves on Saturday for a ¡four weeks' stay in the United States, where he will address several Socialistic gatherings.

I Gallant Jewel Thief LADY ROBBED BY POLITE STRANGER I Mrs. Helen Kelly, mother-in-law of Mr. Frank J. Gould, bemo,anred to the New York pol.ice yesterday the loss of LL,OW worth of jewellery, the result of her touching confi- denoo in a fashionably-dressed stranger who recommended himself in the guise of a knight-errant. Owing to a breakdown in her i motor-car, Mrs. Kelly was obliged to return to her h,otel with Mrs. Carroll, the wife of a banker, in a tramway-car. The passengers in the public vehicle were so rowdy that the todies sought a cab. The cabman drove them through a maze of streets, and suddenly there was a violent jerk, and the driver announced, "Can't go any further, mum; the old horse is dead." Bewildered by the shock, the two ladies were looking vainly for a second cab, when a geai/tleman in frock coat and silk hat approached and offered to escort them to their hotel. They accepted, and found the stranger charming. He left them at the main entrance to the hotel. A few moments later Mrs. Kelly discovered that her beautiful reticule had been slit and jewels to the value of £1,000 stolen. The police are now searching for the gentleman thief.

BOUND AND RUBBED i Miss Louisa James, an elderly lady, who lived alone, was bound, gagged, and robbed yesterday in her home in Shirley-road, West Ham. The outrage was perpetrated in broad daylight by two young men, who escaped with her jewellery and money, after ran. sacking the premises. Miss James, who is of -independent means, occupies a corner house in Shirley-road, a street of neat two- storeyed villas off Vicarage-lane, Stratford. She owns this house and others in the dis- trict, and so-emtimes has a considerable sum of money in the place. The following account of the outrage has been given by Miss James"About half- past eleven in the morning," she said, "a rat- tat-tat came at my front door. I ran down, and on the step were two weil-dressod young men of Jewish appearance. They were clean. shaven, and seemed most gentlemanly. I thought they had come about taking the house, and I let them in. When they were inside and the door was closed, however, they sprang on me suddenly. They lifted me up bodily and carried me up to my bedroom on the first floor, they tied my feet and hands with cords, and piled pillows over my face. Then they started going over my goods. I managed to get my hands free while they were in the room, but I was afraid to stir. I thought they might murder me, they were euch desperate men. I lay on the bed about twenty minutes, until I was j quite sure they had left the house, then I etruggled free, and went for my neighbour next door. She sent for my nephew and the police. The thieves took, among other things, a gold watch and a long chain, and about L12 in money."

COMET'S PATH ROUND THE SUN At a meeting of the British Astronomical Association, held last night at Sion College, Victoria-embankment, Dr. David Smart gave an address on "Halley's Comet in 1910." At the beginning of 1910, he said, Haliey's comet would be an evening star, and would remain oo until lost in the sun's rays about the first week of March. It would then be approach- ing the sun, and would, therefore, grow brighter and he hoped, it would be easily visible by the naked eye. On March 23 the comet would pass a,bout six degrees nearer to the sun, a.nd would then become a morning star. Towards the end of April the comet, which would then be about ninety million mites away, would commence to approach the earth, reaching its nearest point on May 18. On this date it wo,uld be twelve and a half inillione of miles distant, and the tail should then be a splendid object.

POLICE GUARD DIAMONDS A fire broke out in Hatton-garden, London, last night. A toy warehouse, occupied by Mr. John Jaques, caught fire at about 9.15. Adjoining it are a number of buildings occu- pied by diamond merchants, whose valuable wa,res are stored on the premises. To guard this treasure 150 police and thirty or forty detectives were placed on duty. They rigo- rous.ly excluded from the thoroughfaxe all persons who could not prove that they had the right of passage. The owners of busi- nesses in Hiatton-gardem arrived in ra.pid succession by oab, motor-omnibus, and motor-car. More than twenty steam fire- engines were at work, under the control of Captain Hamilton, while Colonel Fox, Chief of the London Salvage Corps, personaJly directed his men. The roof of Mr. Jaques's building fell in about 10.20, and the ftTeIIlOO directed their attention to the adjoining buildings. I

RESCUED BY A COUNTESS The case of a girl with a sad story who has just been rescued from her unhappiness by a benevolent countess was related yesterday to the Lambeth Board of Guardians. The girl, whose mother Is a drunkard, entered the workhouse, where she gave birth to a child. The Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury interested herself in this case, but failed to secure a home for the unfortunate mother and her baby. According to a, report pre- sented to the guardians yesterday, the countess has now agreed, out of her own pocket, to pay the cost of the maintenance of the baby in the workhouse for a period of two years in order' that the mother may go to a home for two years for training.

BURGLARS BTEAL HOUSE-DOG An amusing plea was entered by a man named Charles Cross, charged at King's Heath yesterday with keeping a dog without a. licence. He declared that the dog did not belong to him, nor was it any good to him, for the burglars broke into his house on Tuesday night, and carried off the dog wath more of his property. This recital of out- raged innoolnce amused the Court, but the magistrates held that Cross was liable, and. fined him 7s. 6d. and costs.

STRANGE STORY AT INQUEST At the inquest at Headrng-tom, Oxfordshire, yesterday on a man named Hunt, who was found frozen to death om Monday evening, two women said that they sajw fouir mean lift Hunt down the steps of a public-house amd place him OIl a garden seat, afterwards tilting the seat into a bush by the roadside. The women stated that the landlady amd barmaid of the public-house witnessed the affair, but this was denied. Owing to the discrepancies in the evidence the coxoner adiommed the inquiry.

HOAX ON THE POOR A benevolemft-looking man called recently at a number of houses in Mousehole, Corn- wall—where the ftaherfolk are suffering acute distxess-csked whether the inmates required assistance, and handed them envelopes which apparently contained two half-crowns. Many of the women wept bitterly from disappointment when they dis- covered that the envelopes only contained two pieces of cardboard.

I IT'S AN ILL WIND-" A man summoned for "industrial school arrears" of money, incurred through one of I his children, told Mr. Denman, at Marl- borough Police-court yesterday, that he hoped to be able to settle the whole account I if the frost would only last. He would like it to last a month. Mr. Denman: What are you? The Defendant: A plumber, sir. (Laughter.)

[REFUSAL OF zC300 PENSION I I It is officially announced that the good ser- vice pension of £ 300 a year rendered vacant by the death of Admiral Sir John K. E. Baiird, K.C.B., on December 8, was offered to Admiral Sir Nathaniel Bowden Smith, K.C.B., who requested to be allowed to decline it. The pension has been awarded to Admiral Sir William B. Kennedy, K.C.B

I LONGEVITY IN THE FENS I In an obituary for 1903, covering the Lin. colnshire Fens, there has been one centena- nan, who died at the age of 102, 36 nonage- narians, 130 between 80 and 90 years of age, and 330 over 70 years of age. In the case of one of the nonagenarians, he was wi?hNi &, Iweek of reaching his hundredth year.

PLAGUE OF RATS South Lincolnshire is suffering lrocm 4b plague of rats, which have not only made iha voo in the corn stacks and farm build- ings, but have also plundered mangold and ¡ potato graves, and even have eaten the will- ter beans growing in the fields.

I PORT TALBOT RAILWAY DEBENTURE Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company to-day posted th-o wartants for debenture interest, payable to-morrow.