Evening Express

The Man in the Street It is a pleasure to be able to congra- tulate the Cardiff kSchooLs Management Committee upon possessing the courage to tackle the probl-em of how to produce chaos out of the disorder which afflicts our national seminaries of learning. There is plenty of scope in the modifica- tion of subjects—taught or crammed—in elementary schools, and Mr. Evans (ohief inspector) has been able to suggest several very decided improvements for adoption by the committee. The advantage of a 45-minute daily reading lesson is obvious, while a similar opportunity for the taking in and thorough digestion of arithmetic is even more, important. One may easily pick up reading after leaving school, but few are able, or feel disposed, to master dihe intricacies that wait on the student to baffle the would-be deft manipulator of xfigures. It is essentially a school subject, and this fact has not been recog- nised sufficiently in the past. It is also a subject that requires much individual attention, for the large arithmetic class has proved impossible. Other sugges- tions by Mr. Evane also deserve oon- sideration, and if the committee go into it as they may (and should) they have the splendid opportunity of becoming the pioneers in a very impotant reform. The result of their deliberations will be awaited with much interest by everybody interested in education. How to be happy though hanged" may be a question fit for the silly sea- son; but Is hanging merciful Y" has proved sufficiently important to deftand the attention of Dr. Dabbs. This gentle- man, who is one of the most interesting of writers on health and stray topics, has some doubts as to hanging being merci- ful. It certainly is not much of a plea- sure, and there are people (if placed in such an unfortunate position of choice between evils) who would prefer the cleaner work of the French guillotine. Dr. Daibbs thinks the lethal chamber better than either. But of that more anon. It is stated that after the drop falls emancipation by death is not so quick as some people like to fancy, and that the surgeon who descends into the pit of the gallows has often discovered that the pulse of the "deaà" man can be felt for some full sixty-second minutes. It seems as strange as it is true that, while tlie spine is broken and strangula- j tion prevents air going into the lungs, the heart continues to beat. The significance of this is grasped when it is remeimbered that while it works blood is sent to the brnin. Dr. Dabbs asks, Is that un- aerated blood sterile as to thought produc- tion?"; and answers, "I doubt not." The experience of a living hanged man must be as bad (if not worse) as that of the poor creature who wakes up for a few minutes to realise that he has been buried aJive.. It would be difficult to get convincing testimony as to the actual experiences of a person while undergoing the extreme penalty, but Dr. Dabbs got some first- hand experience on a memorable occasion when he helped to cut down a man who had attempted to take his own life by hanging. The rescue was timely—just before strangulation-and the poor fellow said he knew much that was going on while suspended between life and his nar- rowly-escaped death. It is the opinion of the doctor that "Till the heart stops beating, some gradually lessening power is still retained by the still blood-fed brain." Presuming that this idea is correct, there is much to be said in favour of the lethal chamber taking the place of all other methods for the extinc- tion of undesirable human life. For it is generally conceded that the penalty paid by the murderer lies not in the pain of the actual death prescribed for him by law, but by the knowledge spread over some weeks-or days, that on a. particular date, at a pre-arranged hour, he must take his ghastly leap into an unknown state. If the, horror of "life in death" is to be added to this, then a humane public will be unanimous in saying that this is over-punishment even for the ruffian who killed a fellow-being in the heat of mad- ness or passion. Torture of this kind savours too much of the dark past. It is a horribly fascinating subject, as Dr. Dabbs points out, the death that begins at the lungs in such a matter as carbolic acid poisoning must be merciful. That is known by charcoal accidents, The disordered chemistry of life," as put by Weir-Mitchell, invariably finds its own narcotics. This is evidenced in natural, every-day deaths where the lungs are concerned. If it is conceded that the main and sole desire is to extin- guish life, why not adopt the most merci- ful means at one's disposal? The discus- sion of this subject must lead sooner or later to the provision of a national lethal chamber. Hanging and beheading belong to the centuries that have rolled by. The machinery for all things pertaining to our industries has been improved out of knowledge. The science of shuffling off the murderer's "mortal coil" has escaped notice, for the obvious reason that the me of such an art is so limited, and, perhaps, because there is not "money in it." But as it is never too late to mend in other directions, it should be considered desirable to effect a lasting and beneficial change in favour of the lethal chamber on the principle of "Better late than never!" to say nothing of mercy to those whose days are num- bered. Conscription is not the sort of thing that the average shop-keeping Briton likes to think about. He likes to be free to give full rein to his ambition without having to sifce out of his life a few years as a soldier in the literal sense. To avoid the possibility of something in this nature, it is essential that the Territorial Army should be strengthened, and it is a pleasure to observe that both employers and men in all directions are doing their best to fall in with the expectations form-ed. of them. But this "oc-st" can be very considerably improved upon. Men are wanted in almost every district to bring the various branches of the service up to full strength. The Terri- torial Army should be joined by young men, as they would attach themselves to football or cricket clubs. The cry of the day is for exercise and recreation, and the hundreds of thousands of young fellows whose sole attempt at assisting sport is the enervating effort of looking on should find in this direction an oppor- tunity of building up and maintaining their health, while at the same time it should provide them with a hobby and relaxation from the more serious things of life. Besides the idea that a large Volunteer Army is the best prevention of invasion, there is the honour of wear- ing the King's uniform, and the public should do their part by so honouring the service that, in plaoe of appealing for men, there should be severe competitions everywhere for vacancies as they arise.

A PLEDGE TO TEETOTALISIVl In reference to the fining of Mr. Pete Curran for drunkenness, the following official statement was issued at the weekly meeting of the Labour party on Thursday at the House of Commonss. Mr. Henderson p res id- ing"The unfortunate incident in oonnec- tion with Mr. Curran was considered, and a letteir to the chairman, was read, in which the member for Jarrow stated that he recog- nised his duty in this important matter to the movement with which he had been so lon? connected, and fe that it was due to the Labour I rta?, n-d f I that it was due to the Labour party that he should give de?- nite aB5Ur..e as to hI personal conduct in the future. He requested the chairman to convey to the party the fact that it W34! his strict intention to totally abstain from the use of alcohol in future. He also expressed the wish that the party should give the fullest publicity to this statement of his posi- tion. Mr. Curran, who was present at the meet- ing, amplified his letter by the intimation that he proposed at once to arrange a meeting of the divisional association in his constitu- ency a.nd a series of meetings, to which he should fully state his regret at what had occurred, and also declare his intention for the ftlture as set forth in the letter. A resolution was unanimously carried in which the party expressed its satisfaction at the line of policy which Mr. Curran had determined to adopt, and, in view of the definite stand he had decided to take, the party expressed its willingness to render all possible help in the meetings at which Mr. Curran would place his position before his constituents."

LAST OF THE COCKFIGHTERS Over 60 years ago Will Gilliver, the last of the cock-fighters, fought a main with the Earl of Berkeley for V.50, and won it, too. This oame off at Battersea Fields, and great was Will Gilliver's surprise to be told after- wards that the Prince Consort bad been a spectator at three of the battles. Years afterwards Will Gillirer was opakn to by the present King at Newmarket, and told his Majesty of the incident. The King was much surprised to hear that his august father had even on a solitary occasion patronised cock-fighting. Gilliver replied tihat he did not think any man need be ashamed of seeing two cocks fight, and expressed the hope that the Prince—he was Prinoe of Wales then—would oome and see a main. "Yes," replied the Prince, "and if it were known it would be in every paper in Eng- land." Will Gilliver speaks with pride of the fact that he has had several conversa- tions with the King on Newmarket Heath. Once his Majesty asked Gilliver how he liked a certain horse, and when Gilliver replied, rather shortly, "Not muüh!" the King laughed and said, "I suppose you like to back a gamecock bc-ot.From "Fry's Magazine," March.

THE PERPETUAL FIANCEE The belief is common around Pont l'Ahbe to the effect that no marriage will turn out a happy one unless the fiancee deposits a sum of money, varying from fifty to five hundred francs, according to his social posi- tion. with his intended. A certain shrewd Breton maiden, whom the inhabitants of the little town still call "the perpetual fiancee," got herself engaged no fewer than seven times in succession, and each time she suc- ceeded in forcing her li-ance to break the en- gagement. In this way she collected close on one thousand francs. After the seventh young man of Pont-l'Abbe. had been cast aside she could not succeed in finding an eighth, for everybody fought shy of her. One day, however, the announcement went forth, to everybody's amazement, that "the perpetual fiancee" was to be married. The fortunate. or unfortunate. bridegroom turned out to be a sailor of the neighbour- ing port of Loctudy, who had been away on a long voyage, and to whom, people said, the girl had been engaged all the time. Dur- ing his absence she had simply been collect- ing a little dowry for the man of her heart! —From "The Land of Superstition," in the "Wide World Magazine."

BALLOT AGAINST A DOCTOR I A ballot of the members of the Tredegar I Doctors' Fund was taken on Thursday, on 1 the request of Dr. G. A. Brown, the chief surgeon, that his tion be appointed as his i general assistant and to take charge of the hospital, as against the proposal of the inves- tigation committee that the chief doctor take charge of the hospital and that an additional qualified assistant be appointed to take charge of the district at a salary of £"00 per annum. The result was as follows: For the committee's proposal. 3,332; for Dr. Brown's request, 860,majority, 2,472. Dr. Brown has intimated that in the event of his request being refused he will tender his resignation.

CARDIFF LABOUR CANDIDATEl «■— Cardiff Trades Council on Thursday night adopted Mr. T. J. Clat-worthy as candidate for the Park Ward &t the ensuing guardians' elec'iion.

w oo&' Great Peppermint 'ure for =1 Md Uolda owar f&US- 1? 4X6499 J

FROM ALL QUARTERSI Worthing Pier Company have prepared a scheme for a new pavilion and arcade, to cost £ 8,500. The Hon. E. Cadogan has been adopted as Unionist candidate for King's Lynn at the general election. Slipping while swinging his club on the Castle Bromwich golf course yesterday, Mr. G. E. Bilson sustained a fractured leg. According to the New York "Tribune" the number of people per thousand who survive the age of forty in London is 835, while in New York the number is only 770. A Bill providir.g that no man with two con- victions for drankeri-Eess agaiH^t him in a yca.r shall be allowed to marry has been introduced into the Illinois State Legislature. For ruahing from a heated bakehouse and plunging below ice to the rescue of a boy, the Royal Humane Society has awarded a bronze medal to Mr. A. V. Marriott, of Peny- wern A mad wolf which entered a Spanish town in the Sierra Morena killed two men and bit several other persons. It is feared that it had bitten ether wolves, and a number of mountaineers have taken refuge in the town. While a rat-trap was being set in a Wood- ridge wheelwright's shop on Wednesday night by the light of a paraffin lamp a rat darted cut of a hole and upset the lamp. The premises were set on fire, and damage to the extent of £ 2G0 was done. Deal Chamber of Commerce decided yester- day to impress upon the Government the necessity of providing a landing jetty for the use -of naval men from the fleets when an chared in the Downs. The mayor (Alder- ma.u Chapman) estimated the cost at £ 60,000. In the course of a discussian on school- children's teeth at yesterday's meeting of the West Suffolk Education Committee, the Marquess of Bristol said he was informed that when girls went out to service from the country they spent all the little money they earned in buying false teeth.

GREAT SOUTH AFRICANS PRETORIA, Thursday. Addreseing a mass meeting here last night. General Botha vigorously defended the work of the National Convention. He warned his hearers of the dangers 01 rejecting the Con- stitution, declaring that the only alternative was disunion, which might involve bloodshed or the intervention of the Imperial Govern- ment. They who had suffered in the past did not wa.nt to revert to such, a condition of strife. Gen-eral Botha warmly testified to the broadmindedness of the English delegates regarding the language question. He appealed to the Dutch to show a similar spirit. Mr. Smuts, Colonial Secretary. addressing a.n overflow meeting, said that forces had grown below the political surface, impelling the Colonies to Union, which might in a few years extend to the Congo. The system of provincial governmemts was design-ed to meet such an extension. He emphasised the faot. tha.t the clause dealing with equality of language was proposed by an English dele- ga.te.-Reut,er.

SHOT ON THE STAGE Adolphus Stuenkel, a popular actor, acci- dentally shot himself on the stage in the Luisen Theatre, Berlin, yesterday evening. during a perfomance of the melodrama. "An Erring Woman." In the first act the hus- band's role. played by Stuenkel, is to attempt suicide when he learns that. his wife has deceived him. Stucnkel pressel his revolver to his forehead' as usual, and pulled the trig- ger, when he fell headlong to the stage bl?ag: ing profusely. The horrified audience rea- lised that a real tragedy had been enacted before their eyes. Owing to a blunder of a stage employe, Stuenkel had been provided with a leaded revolver instead of one un- leaded, and was ignorant of the mistake when he fired. Fortunately, the bullet, instead of entering his head, only cut the mistake when he fired. Fortunately, the bullet, instead of entering his head, only cut the f-orehead, but inflicted a serious wound, j from which, however, he is expected to re- i cover.

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT A meeting under the auspices of the Welsh Tabernacle Temperance Society was held in the Welsh Congregational Church, King's Cross, London, on Thursday night. Mrs. Lloyd George was announced to be present, but a communication WM re ed stating that she regretted not bcin? able to address the meeting, owing to so ma.ny other engage- mente. Mr. T. E. Morris presided. Mr. Lief Jones. M.P., said, as temperance people, they were engaged in the worldwide struggle against the drink traffio. It was a contest between that traffic and the national life, and he hoped the time had come in this country when every man and every woman would range themselves on one side or the other. There was no doubt their cause had made rapid strides during the last I fifteen years, and public opinion was rapidly ripening. (Cheers.) He should be glad when temperance teaching became compulsory in their elementary schools. (Cheers.) Regard- ing temiperance reform, the Government had amply fulfilled its pledges, and the country should not allow its will to be flouted by the Lords. (Applause.)

BANKSIAN ROSES Although very tender and only suitable for a few situations, these are exceptionally charming where they thrive, and there is scarcely a better place for them than in the cool conservatory-like hall found in some old houses. Hardly any pruning is neces- sary; it suffices to out out old wood arudthin when overcrowded. The- are two white varieties, and we wish to call attention to their difference, as several have complained who had the variety Portunei instead of Banksia alba. The first is a pure white with flowers a little larger than a shilling and borne singly. Banksia alba, on the other hand, produces its flowers in large trusses, the individual blooms of which are not much larger than a sixpence. It is by far the better variety, as Fortunei is not only single flowered, but a very shy bloomer. Banksia lutea is the same as B. alba, except that the colour is deep yellow. Both, but especially the white variety, are very sweetly scented.—"The Garden."

"WIRELESS" FOR ALL SHIPS Interpellation will be shortly addressed in the German Reichstag to the Imperial Government, asking whether the Secretary of State for the Interior is prepared to intro- duce a Bill making it compulsory for ships of the German mercantile marine to carry wireless telegraphy apparatus. Supplement- ing this demand, it is proposed that it shall also be made compulsory for German shias to ,arry apparatus of German raanufac?.ik, that is. either the Arco-Slaby system or the Lorenz system. It is pointed out that, al- though the German mercantile marine in eludes more than 1,2CO large steamships, only forty-four of them carry wireless teLegrapihy apparatus. Twenty of the forty-four are equip.perl with German systems of wireless telegraphy and the remaining twenty-fovr carry the Marconi apparatus. The wireless stations on the twenty-four German ships equipped with the Marconi apparatus are worked by British subjects.

CONSCRIPTION OR PATRIOTISM pi Members of rife clubs generally are not sufficiently enthusiastic nor are they in many case. sufficiently patriotic to sacrifice a por- tion of their ordinary recreation to become efficient as rifle shots and' qualify themselves to take part in the defence of their country should occasion ever rise. Yet it would cause them considerable alarm if the Government ever compelled all eligible youths between a certain age to qualify as marksmen. Yet, why not? This by no means can be called conscription. It would certainly bring some of the young men to their senses, who now think more of football than of patriotism.- E. M. Leman in "Fry's Magazine."

RIVAL TO RADIUM I Drs. Blackburn and Bailey, of the Hahne- mann Medical OoHege at Chicago, announce the discovery of a new su?tance wMch they call Hadiothor. It has a basis of pitch- blende, mingled with other substances which I are kept secret, and it is said to possess pro- perties similar to radium, though the rays do not act so quickly, and are consequently less harmfully caustic. Rtudiothor has been used successfully at the Hahnemann College for fourteen months. It can be produced much chea.per than radium.

PONTYPOOHOSTAL I At a special meeting of the Pontypool and Distriot Hospital Committee on Thursday night the tender of Mr. E. Sainabury at £ 2,593 16s. Id. for building a new wing, given by Mr. J. C. Banbury, J.P., D.L., was I accepted, and it was resolved to advertise for a clerk of works.

For Children's Hacking CV=h at nightyJ) rw.:ooda'Gr.Peppermin.tOw'e. 1/li. 2/9.

A Genuine Paralytic" I RICH ENOUGH TO EAT OYSTERS I Cecil Brown De Smitlh, described as a voca- list, wa-s charged at South WtcTn Court yesterday with the non-payment of L20 due frcm him to his wife under an order of the court. Prisoner, better known, perhaips, und-er the name of Charles George Henry Clifford, who for a long time succeeded in securing a sub- stantial income by drsiggdng himself pain- fully along tihe busy thoroughfares of the city with a tray of matches, from the sals of which he was s ucpposed to have eked out a miserable, sordid existence. lie was to the sympathetic observer a genuine paralytic, head hanging on one side, face painfully dis- torted, right arm limp, withered, and useless. A City detocltiv-e took special nOlte of him and discovered that when his "business" was over the cripple became a nimMe young man, strong erugh to mown! the steep steps of the Crystal Palace Railway Station two at a time. rich enough to eat oysters, and genteel enough to live in a nice villa at Nor- wood. He has represented himself to be a, graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, aind at the time of his previous arrest was a > public speaker, discussing, on Clapham Common, political, religious, and social ques- tions, having succeeded in enlisting among his acquaintances many prominent local men who were more than surprised on ascertain- ing the antecedents of their new friend. Prisoner said it was impossible for him to pay his wife Li a week. Mr. Paul Tayllor ordered him to pa.y the money claimed, or six weeks' imprisonment in default. Mr. Wrigley, the c^urt missionary, said he was informed that the prisoner had been living with two young women at Reading. Their mother was in court.

Found Dead in a Bath I NEWPORT TRAGIC DEATH I A well-known Newport tradesman in the I person of Mr. J. F. C. Phillips, member of l the firm of John Phillips and Son, corn merchants. Commercial-street and Shaftesbury-street, died with tragic sudden- ness on Thursday night. He was found dead in a bath at his residence, Thornton, Serpentine-road. The deceased leaves a widow and one child.

SUNDAY SCHOLARS' PENCE I A peculiar ease was heard at Merthyr County-court on ?lUMday, in which the plAintifF was John Roberts, an ex-alderman, and the defendants Howell Jarman, Stephen Dairies, and Hugh Jones, the claim being one to recover the sum of JE37 12a. lid. Mr. F. S. Simons (acting for Mr. F. P. Charles) appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. W. R. Edmunds appeared for Jarman and Davies, and Hugh Jones was represented by Mr. Hugh Jones (instructed by Messrs. Harold Lloyd and Cross, of Cardiff). The plaintiff's case was that Jarman, as treasurer, received pence from the ohildren of the Oalvinistic Methodist Welsh Chapel Sunday School at Aberfan, and when the time for distribution oame it was found the money had not been deposited in tho savings' bank. In order that the children should not be disappointed, plaintiff, who was a deacon, paid the deficiency, having first obtained from Davies and Jones, who were relatives of Jarman, a document whereby they agreed to become responsible for the amount of the deficiency. The plaintiff, in cross-examination by Mr. Edmunds, said that at the time of the execu- tion of the agreement Jarman represented tha.t he was in expectation of receiving money on the following day. It was pleaded for the defence that the consideration for the agreement was illegal, but his r Honour gave judgment for the plain- tiff, with costs. I

A SPURIOUS RAPHAEL I Count Andrasey, a well-known art collector, has ta-ken action against a picture dealer in Florence to recover jE8,000 which the count paid for a Raphael which is now declared to be spurious. While in Florence a year ago a picture dealer offered the count a genuine Raphael representing Adam and Eve. The count paid the price asked. As the Italian law forbids the exportation of art treasures the picture was removed to Count Andrassy's house in Munich in a box which contained a secret compartment. It was the count's int-entdon to present the picture to the Budapest Museum. Art experts saw the canvas and declared that the picture was a fraud, as Raphael had never painted Adam and Eve. The count has now invoked the assistance of diplomats in order to get back his money, but there is some doubt as to whether he will succeed in his object.

THE MILKSOP YOUNG MAN I No one is more anxious to advocate the virtue of temperance than I (says "Lady Phyllis" in "The Bystander"), but no one is more keenly alive to the absurdities of Mrs. Nation's campaign. She makes goodness silly, and that is bad enough, but, worse still, she makes it funny. Mrs. Carrie Nation's virtuous young man is a. funny person. He is a milksop of the old-fashioned type, the sort of character who might be introduced (in a comedy) as a, foil to the more intellectual. Not that I am quarrelling with non-smokers or with those who practise total abstinence from alcoholic liquors. On the contrary, I greatly honour the strong man OT woman who chooses to preach by example; but that cigarettes, or wine, or spirits should lie labelled as wrong in them- selves, or wrong in moderate use, is an absur- dity.

RECKLESS SPECULATION I At the London Bankruptcy-court on Thurs- day the registrar suspended the discharge of Mr. G. H. H. Freeman, of Beak-street, London, for two and a half years. The debtor, when he became of age in 1993, was entitled to X240,000, all of which had been spent. These are some of the chief items of expenditure:- I Running racehorses £ 30,000 Betting .n.n. 22.700 Stock Exchange 32.800 Theatrical ventures 5,900 Debtor also stated that his household and personal expenditure had amounted to between -11,11, and £ 10,000 a year. The Registrar said the debtor's specula- tions had been extraordinarily reckless and foolish.

DECOYING A DOG I George Coblan, 31, and William Scoble, 26. described as hojsekeepera, were placed in the dock before Mr. Hopkins, at Westminster yee- terday, charged with stealing an Irish ter- ricr and its leather collar at Lambeth. The arrest of the prisoners was cleverly effected by Detectives Stevens and Riddiford, who fol- lowed them a considerable distance whilst they endeavoured to decoy the animal the j subject of the charge. Prisoners in turn dropped pieces of liver, and at length, hav- ing got the dog to foHow th?m to a public- house, Scoble took a lead from his pocket and attached it to the animaL; collar. At Scoble's address the detectives found a num- ber of dog-collars, with names and addresses filed out. Mr. Hopkins remanded prisoners in custody.

GIRL CASHIER CHARGED I A distressing scene was witnessed at the North London Police-court yesterday when a young cashier named, Ella Robins was charged with having embezzled £ 6 Os. M. from her employer, an Islington manufac- turer. The latter stated that he thought the scoundrel who had been blackmailing the accused should be traoed. The young woman burst into tears, and said she didn't know what she had done with the money, and on being told that she would be remanded had to be assisted from the dock. Just previous to this some one amongst the public in court had called out "Speak up."

ANOTHER BERLIN it RIPPER" I The Berliij police have juat caught a ripper of another kimd. During the last two years numerous complaints had reached the authorities concerning a man who had a mania for snipping pieces from, women's and girls' clothes. He operated on a suburban railway, and only ga.v-e up the practice after the police had i..)'Cued placards putting women on their guard. The "ripper" rooently resumed operations on a tram-car line. .Scores of women complained, and the police watohed the ca.rs with tdie result that the man warf caught. He is a clerk, 24 years of age, and married.

A proposal to bnild a "garden city" at Ilford will be discussed m th-e local council chamber to-night at a conference summoned by the East London Garden City and Town Planning Association. For Influenze take Woods' Great Pepper mint ure. Never fails. lilt. 2iP. CL549* Labour members of Parliament have decided to visit German industrial centres daring the Whitsuntide recess. «• WASTE NOT. WAST NOT." If you take cm to boy EyOLAND'S GLORY MATCHES you "wart*" BOtbtog. Every match Lights and Burns well to the end. You "want" DO others after a trial. All English Mada at 11 Zrgland's Glory" Matcb Weeks. Glououter. •tiH <

Fighting Round Tabriz. SHAH TO RESTORE CONSTITUTION I A telegram from Tabriz to St. Petersburg I states that early on Thursday morning the Shah's troops advanced upon the town from three sides. Artillery and rifle firing wa3 still going on at the time of telegraphing. The telegram adds that a hundred revolu- tionaries have hoen taken prisoner near the village of Sofran. A Constantinople message states that the Shah on Thursday telegraphed to the Per- sian Ambassador at Paris promising to restore the Constitution if his life be guaran- teed. and instructing the Ambassador to negotiate with the revolutionaries.-Reuter. TEHERAN, Thursday. A telegram from Tabriz reports a Royalist attack in earnest on the east and south sides of the town. The Royalist-3 were everywhere: repulsed with loss.—Reuter.

BASUTOS AND THE KING The Basuto chiefs went to the Colonial Office by appointment on Thursday after- noon to receive from the Earl of Crewe the King's reply to their petitions. Lord Crewe handed them replies to the petitions to his Majesty to be conveyed to the paramount chief, and informed them that the Kinjr would be graciously pleased to accept the Bae-uto pony which the Para- mount Chief Letsie wished to present to his Majesty on behalf of the Basuto people. The pony will be selected upon the return of the chiefs to Basutoland. Ijord Crewe also informed the chiefs that his Majesty had been pleased to present each member of the deputation with a por- trait of himself, and desired them to take back another with them for the paramount chief, and that these would be handed to them this morning by Mr. Murray. The Colonial Secretary road the terms of the King's reply, which was interpreted by a native member of the deputation, and appeared to afford the chiefs very lively satisfaction.

WELSH INDUSTRIES I Mrs. Ellis J. Griffith was the hostess at Thursday's "At Home" at the London Depot of the Welsh Industries Association, 5a, Grosvenor-gardens. At times during the afternoon the rooms were crowded, the response to Mrs. Ellis Griffith's invitation being unusually large. Mr. Ellis J. Griffith, M.P., arrived early. and actively assisted in pushing the sale. Among those who attended and showed practical sympathy with the object of the gathering were Mrs. Lloyd George, Lady Brynmor Jones. Lady Edwards, Mrs. Alfred Mond, Mrs. W. Llewelyn Wil- liams, Mre. Bailey Guthrie, Mrs. Brenton, Mrs. Timothy Davies, Mr. H. C. Davenport, Miss Maggie Davies, Mr. T. H. Parry, Mrs. D. H. Evans. and Mrs. Charles Henry. trelsh lace attracted many admirers and buyers, the improvement in the quality being gene- rally remarked..Pottery was, as usual, popu- lar, while a green homespun is likely to find extensive use. The general supply of goods indicated a flourishing business. Mrs. Richard Helme, the hon. secretary, intimated that Mrs. Lloyd George had kindly under- taken to give a tea and act as hostess next I month.

THE NUN'S "ESCAPADE." I The "Cat/holic Herald," in an official state- ment from the Rev. Mother Priorces of St. Mary's Convent, East Bergholt, states that 'the allegations aooltt what is erroneously alluded to as the "escaped" nun are entirely misleadin.g and largely unti-ne. What hap- pened was that Sister Maurus left the pre- cincts of the convent for the purpose of seeing her mother, and that, instead of get- ting the permission of the bishop of tlis diocese before leaving, as-required by the rules of the order, the nun applied for per- mission after she had left. This permission has been granted. The statements a boat a scuffle having taken place wiP> other nuns at the railway station are entirely devoid of foundation (the Catholic Herald" states), and the statements that the nuns attempted to bring back the sister forcibly to the con- vent are equally untrue.

ROWDY BEAUFORT COLLIERS At Cefn on Thursday Willia,m Watkins, Wil-I liam Loughlin, and Llewellyn Phillips were summoned for disorderly behaviour and annoylirg passengers in a London and North Western Railway train, ilr. C. D. Jones, Bryn- mawr, appeared to prosecute for the railway company. The defendants are Beaufort colliers, and on the night of Saturday the 12th of December they were returning home after a. football match at Merthyr. A qua.rrel, resulting in a fight, occurred after the train had left Oefn Station, and the rumpus was renewed at Dowlaie Top, the I train having to be pulled up twice. Tihe case against Loughlin Was dismissed; Watkins was fined 15s. and coats, and Phillips 10s. a-nd costs.

A FLYING GROUND I The committee of the Aero Club of the United Kingdom, after a careful search, have acquired a flying ground at Shalbeaoh, in the Island of Sheppey. The ground is very suitable for the purpose, and gives an lindnt-errupted flight of oyer ton miles in a straight line, with a considerable expadise of country for circling. Immediate steps are being taken to erect sheds, and works hops are now being constructed by the club's aeronautical engineers. Many memLeirs are already construct- ing machines which will malte flight triaJs on the olub ground very shortly. It is anti- cipated that the acquisition of this flying I ground will give a great impetus to the development of aviation in this country.

THEFT OF £ 2,700 His Majesty's armoured cruiser Indomit- able was boarded on Thursday off Margate by Chief-inspector Collins and a detective- sergeant from Scotland Yard, who had been sent down to assist the naval authorities in the investigation of the roWbery of £2,700 from the ship's money chest. No further particulars have transpired, except that the treasury chest was not forcibly opened. A naval court of inquiry sat on the Indomitable to take the statements of all who could in any way throw light on the mysterious occurrence. The sitting was private.

NATIONAL GALLERY TRAGEDY Mr. John Dawson, who killed his wife and then committed suicide at the National Por- trait Gallery in London, was for 25 years one of the best known business men of Montreal After his second marriage he decided to live in England and settle in Brighton, but spent most of his time in Continental centres. The tragedy has caused great sensation in Moc- tre-al.-B,euter.

MARRIED IN THE WRONG NAMEI A young woman informed the North Lon-I don magistrate yesterday that since her mar- r?&se she had found that the man married her in his wrong surname. Does it stand good?" she asked anxiously. Mr. d'Eyncourt: Yes; you are married to the man, not to the naroe. You cannot change the Christian name, but the surname does not matter. The reply evidently afforded the young woman much relief.

HOW TO KEEP FURS I If it is not giving- away a trade secret will you tell me how you manage to keep moth out of furs?" asked counsel of an expert furrier giving evidence at the West London County-court yesterday. Witness; You spread tissue-paper in a box and then sprinkle powdered charcoal over it. as if you were salting pork, aod then place a piece of tissue-paper on the top. Wrap the box in IbrQWJb pa-per.

INCREASE OF CANCER I Speaking yesterday Dr. T>azanis Barlow said there was a definite increase in the amount of cancer nowadays, and the 30,000 deaths from cancer in England and Vales reported by the Registrar-General would go on incraesing. Referring to heredity in can- cer, lie said that examination of the records of 8,000 causes showed no evidence that the disease is inherited.

GENERAL BOOTH CHEERED I General Bootlf arrivel at Aarhtrus (Den- mark) on Thursday evening. He was received and enthusiastically cheered by members of the Salvation Army and by a great crowd of the general public. The general will leave for Odense and Copen- hagen.Reuter.

"Work! What's that?'' said a man who was sentenced at the London Sessions yes- terday for theft "I don't intend doing any —no me." He will learn during he next nine months. DUTCH CAFE, near Queen-street Station, one ot tb* quaintest ir. the world. Afternoon Teas with our delicious Bread and Butter. £ tev«n>. Confectioner IT A- Cirdifl. <4Mt

Spreading Sedition INDIAN SCHOOLBOYS AS REBELS A startling revelation of the systematic spread of sedition in the United Provinces of Agra, and Oudh has been made by Sir John P. Hewett, the Lieutenant-Governor. Schoolboys are being educated as rebels (says the Daily Express ''), and in order to stamp out this movement the Government has been forced to assume control of the district board scllool". This announce,ment wa.s made by the Lieutenant-Governor at a durbar held at Meerut. He stated that all the district board schools throughout the division would be taken over by the Government, owing to the sedition preaehed by the school-masters. One schoolmaster recently attempted to induce the boys in his care to enlist them- selves as volunteers under the political association of the Punjaub. Another decorated his classroom with medallions of men notorio.us for their hostility to the British Government. Referring to the recent case of sedition at Aligarh, the Lieutenant-Governor said that it was startling to find that certain residents in Meerut had given shelter to a. notorious political agitator. This agitator, he said, tised an inflam- matory pamphlet published in Europe to instil into schoolboys the idea that it would be a meritorious deed to murder Europeans. [Meerut, which is a centre of the sedi- tious movement in the United Provinces, w-as the scene of the first outbreak in the Mutiny of 1857.]

TRADES UNION DEMANDS The Prime Minister received at the House of Commons on Thursday evening a Trades Union deputation, who placed before him a resolution passed by the Trades Union Congress demanding the abolition of the House of Lords, electoral reform, and grants to Trades Unions for the relief of unemploy- ment. Mr. Asquith said the Government would not be slack in giving effect to the settled policy of the Government, as embraced in the views he expressed in the speech made this week in the House of Commons. They were agreed that the question of grants to Trades Union funds for the relief of unem- ployment was new and tentative, the obvious difliculty being the fact that Trades Unions generally were not in favour of separating the general from their benevolent funds. The whole question of unemployment was receiv- ing the fullest consideration of the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade, and the Labour Exchange Bill was but the first instalment of legisla- tion under consideration to mitigate the evil. The Premier said that with regard to the franchise amendment and registration, his views and theirs were identical on most points. Some public officers should be appointed to see that qualified people were put on the register. He had for twenty yéars expressed the opinion that it was unfair to exact from q? candidate returning o r ?o expenses. Regarding the payment of mem- bers, he had been much struck by the change of opinion latterly among many of those whom the deputation represented. Many people who some years ago were in favour of it did not favour it now.

A DIFFICULT PROFESSION Needless to say, the Aiiimal catcher's t.a,k Ls much more difficult than that of the ordinary hunter; from first to last every quest is one long period of anxiety. The simplest part of tlie work, in many cases, is the capture of the beasts. Thereafter h is chief concern is their welfare. He has to attend to their many and varied wants, doctor thein when they are sick, and trans- port them safely for many thousands of miles—often across trackless and practically unexplored country. Not only must he know how to deal with the savage beast, but with the Savage man as well. for to accomplish his purpose he has frequently to rely upon the natives to assist him, and he can only do this efficiently by knowing how to handle them. Indeed, there are few callings demanding more qualifications than that of the seeker after live wild animals. JPhe modern collector is a hunter, explorer, and zoologist rolled into one.—From The Romance of Wild Animal Catching," in the "Wide World Magazine."

MYSTERY OF A TOMBSTONE A Paris contemporary gives a curious ac- count of the ody-ssey of a tombstone. \Ve read that at Bender Abbas, in the Persian Gulf, on the stone which forms the seat of the Customs official, can be read:—"Here lies Capt. Crespet, of the Belgian Infantry, who died at Zanziliar in January, 1878." This officer, who commanded the first Belgian ex- pedition into Africa, was a native of Tour- nay, and was about 40 years of age at the time of his death. The question arises how should the gravestone have travelled from Zanzibar to the Persian Gulf. An explana- tion suggested is that ev £ ry year ships go from Zanzibar to the Persian Gulf, and for the most part bring back wood for building purposes. It is thought that a sailor, seeing the stone detached from its plinth, brought it away as ballast.

A RAINLESS MONTH Even for February this has been an excep- tionally rainless montfh. Weather experts have often wondered how the second month of the year came to be termed February Fill-dyke. As a matter of fact, February lias, on the average, the Ereccnd least amount of rain of any month of the year, even adding a perce nit age for the fact that it has few-er days than any other month. Tlie 25 days of the present monith have only yielded a very few showers. Sunshine in London ha3 only exceeded that of last Feb- ruary by a few hours, but in the country ÎIt, is in many oases nearly double what it was last season and about 40 per oent. above the average. Yet February has not been by any means a mild month, and is going out in an ilil-bumour, with easterly winds, denge olo-a" and occasional snow.

CARDIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL i The Oardiff Mental Hbspital Committee on Thursday considered the estimates for the ensuing year, Mr. Morgan Thomas in t-lie chair. It was estimated that ?6.102 198. 4d. would be rQuired for maintenanœ of lunatics, farm and garden expenses, and expenditure on buildings, as against .E8,450 16s. 4d. estimated for the year ending March 31. 1909, and an actual expenditure i of X14,104 19is. 2d. spent the previous year. The estimated amount required for the loan charges accounts was L16,394 19s. 4d., compared with L15,179 Is. last year, and £ 14,357 15s. lOd. actually spent in the previous year. The estimates were approved.

WIRELESS AND PIGEONS As the taxioabman is fast dethroning the old cabby, so wireless telgraphy is crowding out the pigeon as a carrier of messages. As each of the important waxshipe of France • baa now installed a wireless apparatus, there is no longer any use for the pigeons, which up to the present occupy an important posi- tion at Rochefort. The Minister of Marine has intimated that after next New Year's Day the maritime dovecote at Rochefort will be no longer maintained.

MUFFS AS KENNELS Although Paris continues to deserve the reproach of being1 an inferno for horses, it is equally true (says to-day's Paris Daily Mail") that it is the Paradise of dogs. A canine pet of some kind is just as much a part of the elegant Parisienne's outfit when, paying visits, sho-pipiner, or walking in the Bo is .as her hat or muff. Indeed, one of the reasons why muffs are so eaipaciome this winter is to provide cosy quarters for the inevitable small dog.

SECONDTRIALOFMRSHASKELL The second trial of Mrs. Haskell, for the murder of her crippled son, necessitated by the disagreement of the jury, at Salisbury Assizes, will take place at the close of the present Bristol Assizes, early in Ajpril. A judge will be specially sent to Salisbury for the purpose. This arrangement has been made in order to prevent the accused woman remaining in prison until the next assizes, which., will not be held for another three months.

TELEPHONE AND BAD TRADE I At the general meeting of the National Telephone Company (Limited), yesterday, Mr. George Franklin, the president, poiuted out thajt the rate of increase last year was not bo great as in previous years. The depression in trade was shown by t-he number of telephone subscribers compelled to discon- tinue subscibing. In 1906 there were 21,181 such per&)i.-i- in 1907, 25,115, while last year there were 29,281.

"ADVICE TO MOTHERS. "-Are you broken in your rest by a sick ctoiid sufforinpf with the pain by outting t.eeth? Go at onc<» to a Chemist and get a bottle of Mrs. Winalow's Soothing Syrup. It will raitove the poor soffarer Immediately. It is pleasant to taste. It prodU0e5 natural, quiet ekep by TeliArl!W the child from pain, and the little cherub aw&It as bcigbt-as t'?t?''<M°?U C?mista. t?<L ??3?% ? ?.

14,000 Buildings I EXTENSION OF COWBRIDGE SCHOOL. The extensions which have been effected at the Cowbridge County School for Girls were formally opened on Thursday afternoon by Mrs. T. Mansel Franklen, in the presence of a large company. Alderman Edward John (chairman of the governors) presented Mrs. Franklen with a commemorative key on behalf of the governors, the headmistress (Miss Renauti, and the clerk (Mr. W. T. Gwyn). Mrs. Franklen also received a beau- tiful bouquet from the scholars, and a similar compliment was paid to the headmistress. Alderman Edward John proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Franklen, which, having been seconded by Mr. John Williams, was carried with enthusiasm. The Chairman, ij6 a subsequent address. said Mrs. Franklen and her husband had taken a great deal of interest in the school, and it was appropriate that she should carry out the opening ceremony. Ho also paid a high tribute to the work of Miss Renaut a9 headmistress. The headmistress, in her annual report, said the scholars totalled between 70 and 80,, while in 1900 the number was only sixteen. The prizes were subsequently distributed by Mrs. Franklen, who delivered a graceful address to the pupils. The Rev. W. F. Evand (headmaster of the Grammar School), Mr. John Williams (vice-chairman of the gover- nors), and Miss James headmistress of the Hengocd County School) also spoke, and the pupils carried out a musical programme* under the conduetorship of Mr. Tom Price. The additions to the sehool, which comprise three spacious class-rooms, gymnasium, laboratory, and a dormitory added to the hostel, have been erected at a cost of £ 4.000. the contract being let to Mr. W. H. Evans, of Cardiff. The architect was Mr. R. S. Griffiths, Tonypandy.

ATTACKED IN A TRAIN i I A remarkable outrage was committed on ft Sheffield clerk named Benjamin Bla-ckwell late on Wednesday night in a railway tunnel between Grindleiord and Totley Stations, near Sheffield. Mr. Blackwell entered the train at Grindleford for Sheffield, seating himself in an empty lavatory compartment. As soon as the train entered Totley tunnel, which is a Ion, one, two men emerged from the lavatory and asked Mr. Blackwell for money, saying they were out of work. He gave them sixpence, and then, 9s they assumed a threatening attitude, he" tried to pull the communication cord. The men then set upon him, and a fearful struggle ensued. His assailants robbed him of Jb5 or L4 in money and left him unconscious, making their escape from the train juat outside the tunnel. The door of the compartment was wide open when the train entered Totley Station, and the railway officials found Mr. Blackwell lying inside unconscious. He his since recovered .his senses, and has been able to give a connected account of what happened, but his assailants are still at large.

LUGGAGE ON THE LINE An alarming accident occurred at Ketter- ing Station on Thursday afternoon. While a porter was wheeling a heavy load of pas- sengers' luggage up the slope of the pla.t- form he was overcome by the weight, and the truck ran back, despite the porter's efforts, and the contents were precipitated on to the line. A Cambridge train was entering the station a.nd dashed into the lug- gage. The engine was derailed, and ploughed the permanent way for about 50 yards. For tunately. the engine did not swerve greatly from the rails, or the consequences would have been disastrous to the Leeds to London express, which dashed through the station the next minute on the adjacent line. The passengers in the forepart of the Cambridge train had a little shaking, but those in the rear were unaware of the mishap. The Leicester express was stopped, and the Northern travellers were transferred to it. Inspector lovett, who was a passenger by the Cambridge train, had the line olea.red in less than an hour. ——— J

NEW SUFFRAGE BILL 1 I The text of the Franchise and Removal of Women's Disabilities Bill, brought in by Sir Charles Dikke, wa-s issued on Thursday. Its operative clauses pro-vide that Every man and woman of full age, whether married or single, shall be qualified to vote at a Parliamentary or local election, who resides in the area for wnich the election is held, and is, duly registered, unless disquali- fied (for a reason other than sex or marriage) by common law or Act of Parliament. No person shall, be returned as a member to serve in Parliament by any university or combination of universities. No person shall .be disqualified by sex or marriage from being elected or being a member of either House of Parliament, or of a borough or county council, or from exercising any public functions whatever.

429 APPLICANTS j A moiltbly meeting of the mental hospital visiting committee was held on Thursday at the City-hall, Cardiff, Mr. Morgan Thomaa presiding. The principal businesa was the appointment of works foreman to discharge his duties at the asylum, also having future extensions in view. As the result of careful scrutiny of the 429 applications received the four selected candidates presented themselvee before the committee, and their testimonials were rea-d and their capabilities and antece- dents were reviewed. The four were Messrs. Thomas Isaac Evans, 21. Meteor-street, Car- diff William Martin, Plymouth; William Noakes, Eastbourne; and David Edgat Turner, Splott, Cardiff. The last-named secured a majority of votes, and was elected. The salary is £UO per annum, with a house

SWALLOWED HIS GOLD Twelve years ago a workman committed suicide in a village near Epinal, France. The children of the deceased man knew that he had saved money, but it was nowhere to be found. Last Sunday the mystery was ex- plained. The tomb was owned in the pre- sence of the eldest son, when, mingled with the bones of the skeleton, a little heap of gold was disclosed. There were 20 louis, valued at 15s. each, and 55 lOf. piecee, worth 8s. each. The father was on bad terms with his chti. drenfi and, in order to prevent them from profiting by his death. be bad swallowed the gold.

BOY KILLED BY MOTOR-CAR At an inquest at Taunton on Thursday on Robert Sidney James, aged ten, who was knocked down on Tuesday by a motor-car driven by Mr. F. M. Lee, of Barley Hill. Chard, the well-known Somerset oricketer, who was conveying Unionist supporters to the poll. the jury returned a verdict of "Death by misadventure," exonerated the driver from blame, and added an expression of opinion that it was a gToo,t mistake to allow school. children a holida.y on election days.

SPANISH PRIMATE'S DEATH Cardinal Sancha, Primate of Spain, died yesterday at Toledo, at the age. of 75. The Cardinal was a great friend of the royal family, and he was chiefly responsible for the bringing over of the Spanish clergy from the support of the Pretender, Doni Carlos, to that of the reigning house. At one time Car. dinal Sanoha aspired to be Pope. but the Jesuit influences against him were too power- ful.

RAILWAY DISASTER I Paris, Friday -The "Petit Journal" states that a serious accident has occurred to the express from CaJaAs to Bale. When near Aulonoye the train ran into a freight train. Several carriages were de-railed. Three per- sons were killed and eighteen injured. — r ——■ a ■ ——

THE "WEEKLY MAIL" cojtT&IgX5« 12 pages and 84 columns, is the Best Weekly Paper published in South Wales and Monmouthshire. S Copfhm-— <0 THE BEST GKNISAL NMW& $) THB MWT HtCAt. UrrKtJ?G?fat. O CAKTOON BT (? Hr"" &Ixmr. & 45) SBORT STORY. <6) IVARXFjtsl PAGL m GAK.U Kit I WO KOTBS. KAfHlOKS. LEGAL ASTT) MEDICAL AJfSWXJSL (lID SPL £ KDII> imJSTHATIOJTS. It is the Best Paper for J Friends Abroad. PRICE, 1D. Pfbtisbed every Friday <fc Saturday.