Evening Express

I The Man in the Street. I -—— —— Perhaps no man has a more difficult task to perform to-day than the hel- met-ted gentleman ot stern demanour, upright carriage, and a dignity to maintain commensurate with an overwhelming sense of that duty which can only be expected from those who wear the gilt buttons and the dark blue coat of official law and order. You and 1. dear reader, can run up to London and pass half a hundred of M.Ps. in the neigh- bourhood of Westminster without feeling the displacement of a single hair of our eyebrows. But the House of Commons policeman must know every member of Parliament by sight, unless by chance he might commit the heinous crime of salut- ing a gentleman who might look like one of our chosen legislators, but who, as a matter of fact, might merely be some- body's hatter or grocer. The time has not come when an M.P. may be known, as the old salts say, by the cut of his jib. With the possible exception that his head has swollen considerably, the ordinary member of Parliament is much like other men—silk hat. frock coat, shiny boots, usual nose and chin, and that innate sense of self-importance which marks the successful man who cannot forget his latest achievement. Perhaps it is this last trait and unvary- ing sign of human nature that help the policeman to spot his M.P., and certainly some of the illustrated papers have done their level best to help him. For four brief years tho House of Commons policeman had been learning his sí llundred odd members of Parlia- ment, and he had just got them all by face, when, lo! the General Election cam I along and knocked his dearly-won know- ledge overboard. True, many of the Old ¡ Crew have come back, and the H.C.P. may know his Prime Minister and Chan- cellor of the Exchequer as well as Mrs. Pankhurst does, while old boys from the previous Parliament have returned to the school from which they were expelled in 1906. But there are many new faces to learn, and it would never do for our gentleman in blue to by any chance salute a person who might look like an M.P.. who might even want to be one of the exalted ones of the earth, but who is actually anything but the genuine article. And on top of this trouble there .comes the prophecy that we shall have another General Election before Easter, if not sooner. Really, there ought to be more consideration for this important class in a great country. At the least, every member of Parliament ought to wear a big number, like the players sometimes do in big football matches. Or they might all be made to live in one big House, like a school, and marched up every morning and home eve-ry evening by the headmasters, the Premier and the Leader of the Opposi, tion, or their senior assistants. Under such conditions there could be no possi- bility of making a mistake, and really something ought to be done to relieve the pdliceman of his enormous responsibility. Nothing can be easier for the public than to think their representatives on public bodies have very pleasant and even merry work to do. "Whenever aldermen and councillors say anything worthy to promote a laugh, the matter is reported fully and faithfully, and all the world knows everything about it. While if a real live mayor, in or out of his robes, should be rash enough amidst his overwhelming dignity to crack a. joke I —then the fun has a guide pcM put up, and it is made impossible for the public to miss a good thing it black head- lines count for anything. At opening ceremonies, dinners, and other functions, the servants of the ratepayers come out on show, and they are very much admired. But what is necessary in these degenerate days is to see the Lord Mayor, his aldermen and councillors actually at work. I say Lord Mayor because the example I am about to give is taken from the Parks Committee of the great city that can boast of almost everything but a Lord Mayor's carriage. Yesterday the Chief Magistrate on Taffside eat in his chairman's seat and talked about esti- mates, with columns of ifgures showing that the maintenance of the lovely Car- diff Parks this year will cost only a little more than during the previous twelve months. Naturally, loans, instalments and interest, bank stock, repairs, paint- ing. and similar interesting matters are not the liveliest subjects in the world. They are not of the kind usually repro- duced on the music-hall stage and in musical comedy at the theatre. Some idea of the unfortunate condition of the City Fathers may be gathered when it is said that about the most inte- resting subject on which these poor committeemen could talk yesterday con- cerned the old cemetery horse, which, according to the solemn evidence of the superintendent. only had three legs, and neither of them good ones. The Lord Mayor said they bad ordered the poor beoct to be shot twice, but as in the eaae of Colonel Lynch, M.P., it requires more than the death sentence to kill a  her" that is so faminar with the Garden I of t? Dead. When Mr. Good had Mtis. ? fied himself that it wa? possible to get another animal to take Ahe place of the three-legged one at E40, the matter passed away with a reference to the Roath Park pony, which long ago finished its working flays, and which is still doing as well as possible under the circumstances. Fully three members of the committee were present during the whole of the proceedings, and there was a tense feeling of hushed breathing when Mr. Allcoek announced that an M.P. was putting a question in Parliament about the corporation hay contracts. The Lord Mayor explained that, though they might sell their hay at E3 2s. Cd. a ton and buy it at £ 4 2s. 6d., it must not be forgotten that it cost 12s. a ton for trussing, cutting, and binding, and that the council would not buy tops, bottoms, and side ''—terms which relate to haystacks, for the special information of lay readers. Anyhow, the excitement died down in time, Mr. Willis remarking that the corporation would be making their own hay this summer. It is to be hoped that the sun will shine for the suc- cess of the civic haymakers, and,, if the council, in their wisdom, see fit to permit the holding of pic-nics in their hayfields -,A-ell, the world will be none the worse off for the experience, always understand- ing, of course, that most of thr aldermen and councillors succeed in escaping that malignant disease known as hay fever. Scarcely any visitor to South Wales is known better or appreciated more than Van Biene, who is this week performing a.t the Cardiff Empire Theatre. On previous occasions this eminent musician- actor has stirred very deeply among the emotions of his hearers in tragedies where the mournful, yet stirring, cadence of his wonderful 'cello selection has had full sway. Now it is the amusing sketch, '•Van Biene's Baby," and, though un- restrained mirth naturally accompanies the entire production, the principal retains his dignity throughout. The impression conveyed is that of remark- ably fine and wholesome humour, and at the end the audience are more in love with their Van Biene than ever they were. With Miss Ada Colley, the Aus- tralian nightingale, and her beautiful voice of high and wide range, and a variety of other performers to suit all tastes, the Empire management retain their claim to set a tempting dish for eye and ear before the large houses that nightly mark the opening of the we ll- L known Queen-street music-hall.

STOP PRESS —— + —— Latest Telegrams. < I < j I

Girl Dressed' as a Boy Gil'l Dresse2' as a Boy I CAPTURED AFTER SMASHING WINDOW 1 At Botti-aham. near Cambridge, on Monday Winifred Bousor 1171. daughter of an archi- tect, was charged with damaging the window of Fen Ditton Parish Church on the 8thinst. For the prosecution it was alleged that, in consequence of acts of petty damage to the church, a watch was undertaken by a con- stable and two gentlemen. About 4.15 a.m. on the 8th inst. the constable heard tie smash- ing of giass, and on going round the church found Miss Bonsor. dressed as a boy, hitting the window with a knobbed cudgel. She ran away, but was captured, and said she was not sorry she broke the glass, but was gorry that she was caught. She was not the only one in it. but she should not give others away. She denied writing any flithy lan- guage on the church porch. Defendant's father said that his daughter had sometimes been rather strange in manner, but he could not account for her behaviour in the case. She had on severa 1, occasions .-aid that the was tired of life. She had once threatened to take her life when punished. Dr. Webb said that he considered Hiss Ponsor ei mind unbalanced. She had nothing to occupy her. The Bench hound the defendant over in JE50 to come up for judgment if called upon, and accepted surety of £50. She was also ordered to pay 40s. damages and 40s. costs.

+ I GREAT WESTERN COMPANY AND THE BUTE. As a result of inquiries made hy one of our representatives on Monday, we have the best possible authority for stating that there is not a vestige of truth in the rumour reported in a local contemporary on Monday morning that the Great Western Railway Comr.aayare negotiating for the acquisition of the Cardiff Railway Company's properties, including the Bute Docks. There is absolutely no founda- tion for the rumour.

THE nARBY RAILWAY BILL I SHIPOWNERS AND CORPORATION OPPOSITION. The question of the attitude of the Cardiff Corporation towards the Barry Railway Bill, was discussed by the Cardiff Shipowners' Association on Monday, Mr. T. E. Morel presiding. The chief point of. the Bill wae to secure the abolition of Clause 23 of the 1907 Act, which provides that the charge on the Sirliowy branch of the Barry Railway shall be the same per ton per ndle,1 ";1 all traffic, whether destined for Car- diff. Penarth. or Barry. It i" desired to substitute a througu rate from pit to port. so as to piace Barry, with its greater mileage, on the same basis as Cardiff. The Cardiff Corporation have taken the same attitude as adopted by the Cardiff Railway and other competing companies of opposing the altera- tion of the clause. The Cardiff shipowners' Association and the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce fear that if the clause is not altered the Barry Rail- way Company will not proceed with the con- struction of the line, which means that the traffic fiom the Sirhow;- Valley, which is rapidly increasing, will continue to be carried via Bassaleg and the Great Western Railway, giving Newport a decided advan- I tage. It was decide that the association should join the Cardiff Chamber of Com- merce in sending representatives to the Car- I diff Corporation with the object of inducing the corporation to withdraw their opposition to the Bill. An invitation was read from the Board of Trade asking the Shipowners' Association to .submit evidence before the Departmental Committee on Pilotage Law and Administra- tion, which ha-s for some time past been investigating the conditions of pilotage in the United Kingdom. The pilots have already given their evidence. Mr. Edmund Hancock, chairman of the Cardiff Pilotage Board. and Mr. E. R. Care were appointed to appear before the Committee and give the views of the shipowners on the various points. The Russian Government having recently given notice that in future the carriage of salt from the Black EYcl. and the Sea of Azof to the Baltic ports will be restricted to Russian veesete, the matter was considered. It is a, question materially affecting ship- owners. but no action was taken in view of the fact that Sir Edward Grey. the British Minister for Foreign Affairs, i" making repre- sentation to the authorities at St. Peters- burg. The question of the unification of maritime law was also brought forward, but no aotion was taken pending the report of Mi-. Norman Hill. of the Liverpool Shipowners' Associa- tion. It will be remembered that at the Brussels Convention in September la-¡t cer- tain proposals were submitted in regard to collisions between vessels, salvage, limitation of shipowners' liability, and the operation of maritime mortgages and liens. The Parliamentary Bill of the Wear Navi- gation and Sunderland Doek", authorities was considered, and it was decided to relei- the matter to the Sunderland Shipowners' Asso- ciation. The promoters of -the Bill seek power to vary the rated, dues, and charges of the 1877 Act.

CROPS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE I HOPES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS OF FARMERS. Mr. Clement Lipscombe, of The Hendre. near Monmouth, presided at a meeting of the Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture at the King's Head Hotel, Monmouth, on Monday. The President mentioned that the Monmouthshire Chamber had a record, as their membership was now 705. This was" something to be proud of. It was due in a great measure to the energy of the secre- tary (Mr. T. Morris Prosser). During the past year the fanning interests in the Monmouth district had experienced hopes and dis- appointments. The winter crops were got in in splendid condition, and farmers had been able to sell wheat at from 4s. 6d. to 5s. per bushel and grow from 44 to 45 bushels to the acre. However, the spring crops were not good, nor were the .hay crops. Consequently, the year had been rather a poor one. He looked upon the Agricultural Holdings Act, 19-6, as now a dead letter. Ha hoped the Agricultural Rates Act would be renewed and made permanent. Anything they could do for the benefit of the members would depend greatly upon their delegates, and in I this conneotion they were fortunate in having Mr. C. D. Pirillips to bring their ideas before the Central Chamber. Mr. W. A. Cox. of lJOndon, gave a lantern lecture on "The Place and Possibilities of Basic Slag in Spring Manuring," and this was followed by a discussion.  Mr. C. D. Phillips pointed out that the l Glamorgan Chamber of Agriculture were considering the question of a Minister of Agriculture for Wales. Many thought Mon- mouthshire—as they had the opening of public-houses in Monmouthshire—was apart from Wales. When there was advantage in it Monmouthshire generally joined Wales, and in this instance the two chambers would join. The following new members were proposed: —Mr. H. Talbot, The Meeds, Chepstow; Mr. Daniel Bowen, The Xant. near Monmouth; the Rev. D. J. Sproule, Llangovern: Mr. J. E. Berrow, The Newbolds; Mr. J. T. Vizard, Monmouth; and Mr. John Price, The Red House. Llangattock.

LATE MR. JOHN OWEN. I IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE AT I NANTYMOEL. The funeraJ of the late Mr. John Owen, of The Villa, Nantymoel. agent of the Ocean, Ogmore, and Ganv Collieries, who died at the age of 79, took place on Monday after- noon at the Blaenogwr Cemetery, Nanty- moel. There was a large and represciitative attendance from all parts of the county at the obsequies, which were of an impressive character. After a solemn service at the house, conducted by the Rev. W. James, Swansea, the cortege proceeded to the ceme- tery. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Owen, Nantymoel, son and daughter- in-law: Dr. and Mrs. Morley Thomas, Maes- teg, son-iivlaw and daughter; Mrs. Hopkins, Miss Hopktns, Mr. E. Hopkins, Mr. C. E. Dauncey, Gloucester, Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Price, Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomas, and Mr. T. Evans, Bargoed. There was a large muster of ministers and clergy, as well as of colliery managers and agents and the general public. The singing of the Welsh hymn. "O fryniau Caersalem," brought the' obsequies to a eicee.

I BOON TO THE NAVAL COLLIERY WORKMEN. After years of agitation by the Penygraig and Tonypandy Trades and labour Council, the Great Western Railway have decided to extend the footbridge across the. line at Nantgwyn Siding. This will prove a/ boon both to the 800 workmen employed at the Nantgwyn Pit cf t.he Naval Colliery and to the inhabitants of Wyndham road, who will thus be Mle to get to Tonypandy at least fifteen minutes sooner. Tne new bridge will be opened this week.

Work of a Madman POLICE OPINION ON CEFN OUTRACE I ) Other Graves Found to be Tampered With j Another graveyard outrage has been dis- J covered at Cefn. In the churchyard attached to the old Urtitariaii Chapel in the village two graves have been ta.mpered with. In one in at a nee a large slab has been moved several inohes, and in t.he ot,her the panel of-i the tomb has been broken and the headstone thrown on one side. Early Oil Saturday morning a man living close to the church- ya.rd heard the noise of a bar of iron being used, but did not attach, any importance to it. The police are now said to be of opi nioll that what was done at the Cefn Cemetery and a.t the churchyard is the work of one man, and that he must be a madman. Corporation DiscussioA At a meeting of the Merthyr Corporation Ion Monday, Mr. Andrew Wilson referred to what he called the appalling outrage com- mitted at Cefn Cemetery, when the sanctity of the grave of Lady Lewis was violated, and said he hoped steps would be taken to pre- vent a recurrence of such an atrocity and to bring the offenders to justice. f Mr. Enoch Morrell, J.P., said they were all I very much grieved at the occurrence, and deeply sympathised with Sir William I.-P, IN- i c. Mr. D. W. Jones, chairman of the parks and cemeteries committee, said he had heard that some graves were also desecrated at the Unit.arian burial ground at Cefn, so that it looked as if the outrage at the cemetery was the work of a madman. He had asked the town-clerk to call a special meeting of the committee this week to go into the whole of the facts. The chief-constable of the borough had visited the cemetery, and every effort would be made to find out the delin- quents.

DRINK AND COMPENSATION II IINERS' AGENT AND EXEMPLARY I CONDUCT. A meeting of the East Glamorgan miners was held at the Clive Hotel. Caerphilly, on M,onday, Mr. Owen Parry presiding. In his report, the Agent (Mr. Hubert Jen- kins, (".C.) referred to a, ease of compensa- tion which had been heard before his Honour Judge Bryn Roberts, at Pontypridd County-j court. Mr. Jenkins said he wished to draw the attention of workmen while in receipt of compensation in respect, cf injury to the importance and necessity of their refraining from indulging in strong drink. In the case referred to the man admitted taking strong, drink on every possible occasion, and the judge reduced the compensation, holding i that the man had retarded the progress of his recovery. Mr. Jenkins felt it his duty to direct the attention of injured workmen to the case, for exemplary conduct would not prejudice their chance if the case were referred to the law courts. Dealing with the wage agreement, Mr. J-eaki 116 elaptlasisoo the necessity of an arrangement on th? question of abnormal places. The last proposal by the workmen's representatives he felt ought to have met the coalowner.s' objection. It was proposed that the basis of payment should be on the average wage earned by the men during the three months prior to the place becoming abnormal. The owners had contended that in some cases there was malingering on the part of the workmen. The men's repreaeuta- tives felt, however, that the majority of the men should not be penalised for the m-iscon- duct of the few. In case of an unsatisfactory I workman it was suggested that the owners should have the right to remove him to a normal place. The question must be settled, concluded the agent, for it was common c()m plaint that men were miserably paid at present for working in acnormal places. Dealing with the complaint of the owners of reduction of output, the agent slated that this wias largely due to the refusal of the owners to endeavour to settle the afternoon, or traffic, shift question. There were com- plaints from colliers of insufficient clearance, and if this were given there would be no reduction of output. Although matters looked strange at present, he was of opinion that a settlement, fair and honourable to both eide?. should be arrived at without I cessation of operations. Referring to the proposal by the men to raise the standard rate of labourers, Mr. Jenkins declared it was notorious that in many collieries able-bodied men were work-, ing for 2s. 6d., 2s. 8d.. and 2s. I0d., plus per- centage. How those men manoged to live in face of the high cost of living surpassed the I agent's com prehension. He felt it right that this aspect of the question should be put before the public.

CHRISTMAS PAY TIIOUBLE.1 I COLLIERY HAULIERS IX cOCET: AT THEDEGAR. I Thirty-eight hauliers employed by the Ebhw Vale Company were summoned at Tredegar i on Monday for a breach of contract by leav- ing their work without notice. and damages, amounting to 9s., were claimed. Mr. Charles Kenshole (Aberdare) was for the company, and Mr. Lincoln Reed (instructed by Mr. T. H. Edwards, Newport) was for the men. The men were alleged to have stepped work at No. 2 Waunllwyd Colliery on Friday, December 23 last, because their pay tickets were not issued on the Thursday evening or Friday morning. They had been previously informed that it was impossible to get the tickets ready. It had always been a custom to issue the pay tickets at that particular colliery on Christmas Eve. Tho defence was that the men had reason- able excuse for not going down the pit, ail any error on their tickets could not be adjusted until after the holiday owing to the! t-Lkets not being issued until the Friday even- ing. and they had asked for an earlier issue. The Bench made an order for the payment of 3s. 6d. each damages and Is. 6d. each as court expenses. Three stokers were also summoned for a similar offence oil October 26. The prosecu- tion alleged that the men refused to go on with their work at the coke ovens, stating that they would use up all the coal, and have none for the next day. The defence was that there was not sufficient coal for the men, as the colliery and the washery were idle. The Bench stated they were not satisfied that there was sufficient coa.l for the men, and the summonses failed.

THE LIGHTING OF DOWLAIS PROPOSED USE OF OVERHEAD I ELECTRIC WIRES. The monthly meeting of the Merthyr 001'-1 poration was held on Monday, the mayor <Mr. F. T. James) pniding. With reference to a petition presented to the Board of Trade from the Dowlais Chamber of Trade in regard to the lighting of the streets of Dowlais by means of onerhead clec.trie wires, it was i-P?olTcd to reply to the Board of Trade, Who had asked the corporation for their observa- tions, saying that the council would see that the regulations of the department were duly carried out. The Mayor moved the adoption of the Museums and Gymnasiums Act. 1891, in eo far as the Act relates to museums only, with the view to tMe establishment of a Permanent museum and art gallery at Cyfarthfa Castle. Mr. D. W. Jones seconded t,he motion, and it was carried, it being mentioned that the cMt would involve only a halfpenny rate. Upon the motion of Mr. Andrew Wilson. seconded by Mr. Dan Thomas, it was decided that the watch committee be asked to report upon the advisability a-nd the cost to be incurred thereby in the event of all mem- bers of the Merthyr Borough Police Force being allowed one day of rest each week. The county powers committee recommended the council to agree with Swansea in pro- viding and maintaining a joint asylum, and I the recommendation was adopted.

VIOLENT CARDIFF YOUTH. I I ATTACKS MASTERS AT LITTLE I MILL REFORMATORY. John Charles Kurtohncr (16), a Cardiffian, who bad beer: committed from the city quarter sessionc to the Little Mill Reforma- tory School, was charged at Pontypool on Monday with assaulting Frederick Ephraim Jones. the superintendent of the school, and Edward John Nicheon, another officer. The superintendent stated that defendant and two other boys broke the rank and attempted to abscond whilst returning from Church on Sunday, and when he attempted to punish defendant for his conduct he seized a heavy iron bar and made a vicious stroke at wit- ness. Nichson intervened to prevent the boy from doing him in jury, and received a very I severe blow with the bar over the left eye. Witness had to handcuff the boy and give him into custody in consequence of his mis- conduct. Defendant pleaded guilty to both offences, and declared that if he had to go hack to the school he would do the same thing again. The Bench sentenced him to one month's Imprisonment for each offeuce, the terms to run concurrently.

CARDIFF PROSECUTING I SOLICITOR. Mr. Trevor Bhackell WM at the Cardiff Finance Committee on Monday appointed I prosecuting solicitor at the oity quarter sessions for the next two years.

8 Hours Act Observance 1 WORKMEN & CHECKING OF OWNERS' REGISTERS The monthly meeting of the Rhondda (No, 1) District of Miners was held at the Porth Hotel, Porth, on Monday, Mr. J. Trehame (Lewitr-Merthyr Collieries) presiding. Grati- tude was generally expressed at the partial recovery of Mr. D. Watts Morgan, the miners' agent, who has recently been the victim of I a. serious illness. The .district further granted Mr. Morgan leave of absence for a fortnight, or for a longer time if his medical adviser I thought desirable, in order to give him an l opportunity to recruit his health. At the suggestion of the officials, who expressed approval of the proposal, it was agreed to refer to the lodges the question of the appointment of a chartered accountant to audit the accounts of the district. The question was aked as to what had been done in the direction of providing register#, so as to check those used by the colliery companies, with the view to the stricter observances of the Miners' Eight Hours Act. Mr. D. Watts Morgan explained ¡ that Mr. F. A. Gray, the chief inspector of mines, had been very ill, and had not, there- fore. been abie to fulfil his promise to send i a copy of the registers approved by the Home Office. "TIlE OUTLOOK VERY I MR. B. DA VIES QUESTIONS THE OWNERS' SERIOUSNESS. The Pontypridd and Rhondda (No. 2) Dis- trict of Miners met on Monday at the Federa- tion Offices, Pontypridd. Mr., George Havard (Glamorgan Surface Lodge, Llwynypia) pre- siding. Dealing with the present crisis in the coal trade, Mr. B. Davies, who is a member of the South Wales Federation Executive Council, said that as a matter of fact t.he outlook at the present moment appeared very dark. He could not bring himself to believe that the employers were serious in asking the men s representatives to become parties to the reduction of the present minimum of .30 per cent, to 20 per cent. above the stan- dard of 1879, and the raising of the equivalent at the same time to 12s. 4d. per ton. This would be tantamount to such a material reduction in the men's wages that they would undoubtedly secure the support of the Miners' Federation of Great Brita-in in resisting such a demand. Very strong opinions were expressed by several of the delegates, who contended that a.t all co?ts tl? new agreemnt must contain satisfactory provision for dealing with this vexed it?ue, and the agent was c-ordiaHy thank?I kr his report, and approved of tho I "tl.nd taken by him in the present negotia- tions. DOWLAIS MINERS. The monthly meeting of the Dowlais Dis- trict was held on Monday, Mr. A. Williams (the president) in the chair. Mr. Williams having made a charge against a lodge secre- tary, a committee was appointed to investi- gate it. but at-, the committee found that the statement made was incorrect, the Chairman apologised and withdrew the statement he had made. The workmen's-liali scheme having bean referred to the various lod.?. the reports from the I o? d' t 's to the meel???l-l?4 were in favour ol proceeding with the scheme. FHOPÓSALS ODTRAGEOlJS." RHYMNEY VALLEY AGEST AND I THE OWNERS. Mr. J. Jvevern presided over the monthly meeting of delegates of the Rhymney Valley District of the Miners' Federation at Bargoed on Monday.—Councillor Walter Lewis, the I cgen-t, referring to the crisis in the South Wales coal trade, said that in his opinion the owners were raising quite an impassible posi- tion for the men to deal with. He considered that the present proposals were outrageous. Several disputes had arisen out of the prac- tice of men in the coalfield deciding at the end of the fortnight what allowances should be given to them—after they had sold their labour.—The Agent considered it high time that the collier, when selling his labour, should have the same privilege as the person selling commodities to know the terms of the sale of his labour before he had actually done the work.

MORAL EDUCATION The twelfth annual meeting of the Moral Education League was held on Monday even- ing at Essex-hali. Strand, Professor J. S. Mackenzie (Cardiff) in the chair. The annual report recorded substantial progress. The President delivered a short address on "Moral Education in delation to the Univer- sities." and stated that the Moral Education League had already done a. great work for the schools by drawing up plans of stndy. preparing text-books, and providing moral lessons. It was now important that an effort should be made to connect this work with that of the universities. Everyone should have some knowledge of the general condi- tionR of health, and this should, consequently, be taught in schools; but only a limited num- ber .coulrl be expectcil to make a scientific study of physiology as it was taugTit in the universities. So, also, everyone should have some knowledge of the constitution and his- tory of his country, and this knowledge ought to be impacted in schools. But only the few would make a special study of Con- stitutional law and history in the universi- ties. Everyone should have well-formed moral ideas and moral habits, and should be taught to recognise his chief obligations as a citizen, and this kind of education ought to be given in the schools; but only the few oould be expected to work out d-efinite theories about morality, politics, and social philosophy, and this was the work of the universities. It was very important, how- ever, even in the interests of the schools, that subjects of this kind should have a promi- nent place among the studies of all our universities. It was al&o of importance that, in addftion to the systematic study of ethics and politics and other related -subjects by the few, opportunities should be given to the many of keeping in touch with them. Occasional addresses on moral and I)olitiml qU1ionB by .reccgni8w authorities should be regarded as an essential part of the life of a university. It was very desirable also that discussion societies dealing with such sub- jects should be encouraged.

DISAPPROVAL OF A POSTEH I SWANSEA WATCH COMMITTEE IN I A MORAL MOOD. i-I A special meeting of the Swansea. Watch I Committee was held in camera on Monday to discuss an objection raised by a well-known citizen to a theatrical poster at present dis- I played at Swansea in connection with a drama, entitled, Can a Woman be Good?" The citizen in question had asked the chief- constable to take action in the matter of the poster, which he regarded as immoral, and the latter, after conferring with the town- clerk, determined to refer it to his commit- tee. The committee d'acu?ed the poster (a photo of which was produced) for about an hour. It depicts a bedroom scene in which all important issue iu the plot is transacted, a false accusation of immorality being levelled at the hero. The committee decided to take no legal action, but to instruct the head-constable to see Mr. Coutts, licensee of the Star Theatre, and express to him their strong disapproval of pictorial displays of the kind. — —

DISHONEST NEWPORT FOLK I Jeremiah Haggerty, of 21. Mellon-street, who was charged at cwport on Monday with wil- fully breaking a large plate-glass window in the shop of Mr. S. G. Stinnucks, jeweller, at 2, Commercial-street, on Saturday night, told the magistrates that he did not do it wilfully, but by accidentally stumbling against it. About £6 worth of damage was done to the glass, and some obesp watoiies, which fell out into the street, were appropriated by the crowd. Defendant said he was sorry for what oc<mrrcd. and would do his best to make up the 1065 by instalments of half a crown a week. The Bench said they would accept this as a settlement if it were faith- fully carried out.

THEFT FROM A MOTHER At Doncaster on Monday Fra.nk, patTkk'l and John Skinnon, three brothers, of New Oonisborough, were each ??nt to prison for three months for stealing a £100 bank-note from their mother. It was stated that the money was misled subsequent to the Hocused disappearing, and the mother received a post- card stating that they were a,t Liverpool. They were arrested aboard the Laurentic, having booked for America. They stated that the money belonged to the family. The mother was greatly distressed on hearing the sentence. Ninety pounds were recovered, i

J66,000 WORTH OF COPPER SUNK ) ———— I A barge laden with 130 tons of copper bars, ex the French liner Amiral Duperre, has been I swamped in tho Prince of Wales's Dock, Swansea, and sank near the entrance. It belonged to Messrs. Williams, Foster, and Co.'s Morfa Copper Works, and the value of I the ca-rgo is ab-out .£.6,c.

I ALL AFFECTED I Sprigg went to a noted physician to ask advice a.s to his health. In pompous tones he addressed the doctor. I—ah—have come to-ah-ask you—ah—what—what is—ah—the doosid mattwnv with me—ah!" "I find your hart ig affected," said the physician, gravely. Oh—ah—^anything else—ah?" "Yes; your lungs .a.re affocted too." Anytbrimg— ab--olse-ah F" Yes; your -maunars are also affected."

Fired by Lightning CASTLE DINAS BRAN RUINS IN DANCER A furious gale prevailed over North Wales, accompanied by storms of thunder, light- ning, hail, and heavy rains. Trees and tele- graph poles were torn up in many places, and the Rivers Dee, C'lwydd, and Severn over- flowed their banks, thousands of acres of land being under water and con,siderahle damage being done to property. An alarming fire broke out in the lar-iamed ruins of Castle Dinas Bran, on the summit of the mountain cone at Llangollen, one of the oldest ruins in the kingdom. It is believed that lightning set fire to the camera ohsoura building in the castle ruins. The beacon was ablaze and the flames could be seen lor many miles around. It looked as though the c,astli, would be destroyed. The building, howeveri com- pletely burnt itself out, leaving nothing but h. I Narrow Escape from Falling Stack A high stack at the back of Messrs. George Prioe and Sons, bu-tchers, Talgarth, was blown, down, and crashed through the roof of the adjoining house, occupied by Mr. John Pany. Joan Watkins, a servant in the employ of Mr. Parry, bad only just left the room, or she would undoubtedly have been, killed. The road between Talgarth and Bronliys was impassable. A large covercd-in motor-car was brought to a standstill twice while travelling from Talgarth to Brecon. In the height of the gaie early on Monday a kitchen at the back of the Bailey's Arms. Hotel, Pentre, was blown in, the crash causing some alarm. The force of the gale caught the slate roof of Calvaria Welsh Baptist Chapel, Merthyr Va-Ie, and ripped one half of it clean off the beams, together with the roof of the vestry, which is a !ea.n-to builing. Two new houses, built on the breast cf the mountain on the east side of the valley, had their roofs dislodged, and three win- dows, with the frames, detached completely. Sea Encroachment in Pembrey During the recent heavy gale considerable damage has been done at the Pembrey Old Harbour and it» surroundings, the high sand banks on the west side having been com- pletely washed away. For some time the sea has been making some heavy encroachments a,t this point, and a- breach has very nearly been made at the butt of the West Pier. Strenuous efferots. have, however, been made to prevent this, as. in the event of its taking place the district would soon b3 flooded, to the great danger of the houses end, possibly, of the Ashbumham Tin-plate Works and the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway. Fortunately, the tides at the time of the I storm happened to be the lowest of the year cr the damage wo-uld ha-,e been considerably more. A large steamer was seen on Sunday night I with lici- ma-eiiinei-y broken do-wn off the Ber- wickshire coast between St. Abbs and Thorn- ton IJOch. A terrible gale was blowing, and when last seen the steamer was drifting off I May Island. The German vessel Ravensburg has put i into the King's Bock, Swansea, with part of her bulwarks washed away and her boats damaged by the gale. She has been anchored oft' Llanelly since Wednesday last. Notice to mariners was given at Ports- icouth on Monday of obstruction near the entrance to Spithead, caused by the gale washing away a portion of the breakwater erected to prevent the harbour being rushed by torpedo craft. Effects of the Cale As a result ol the gale, which continued with una,ba,ted strength on Sunday night, telegraphic and telephonic communication between the various towns of South Wales was carried on during Monday only under the greatest difficulties, while in the morn- ing a large number of places were cut off entirely. The dislocation of these services appears to have been general throughout the United Kingdom. Communication was possible between Ireland and the mainland on Monday—it was stated on Sunday that, for once in a way. the Emerald Isle was enjoying complete severance from England- but. the unsatisfactory nature of the service is indicated by the fact tjiat during the day the Cardiff office had to: assist Dublin in the transmission of messages to and from London. Though the greatest promptitude was exercised by the Post Office employes in remedying the havoc wrought by the gale, there was great delay in the transmission of messages from London to the provinces, which increased during the afternoon in con- sequence of the heavy Parliamentary messages to bo dealt with. Cardiff messages to London were delayed to the extent of about ha.lf"an-hour. but the delay was six times as great in the case of many telegrams despatched from lymdon to the Welsh Metropolis. For instance, messages handed in at 3.56 p.m. and 3.59 p.m. respectively were received at Cardiff, at 7.31 and 7.35. There was also much delay between Cardiff and Bristol, the Midlands, and the North gene- rally, but there being underground wires between Cardiff and Newport there was no interruption of the telegraphic business between those towns. By the evening the wires throughout the country were reported to be generally "right," and at the Cardiff office the work was up to date at nine o'clock, thanks to the commendable energyt which those concerned displayed in working under the extreme difaculties. Having regard to the inconvenience and loss which the continued interference with the telegraphic services causes to business men of an important city like Cardiff-and particularly to those engaged at the Docks- there is a general feeling that the time has come when underground wires should be pro- vided at any rate between Cardiff and Lon- don, although hitherto no action has been taken to bring about this improvement. Effect on Shipping and Trade The effect of the great gale of the past few days is shown in the great reduction in the number of vessels in the docks at the, various South Wales ports. Steamers proceeding in ballast have been prevented from reaching dock, having to lie in places of shelter on the South Coast, unable in their light condition to faoe the tempestuous seas around Land's End. At Cardiff on Monday there were only 80 vessels in dock, whilst the normal num- ber is from 100 to 120. The position at Barry was even worse, there being only 33, or con- siderably less than half the usual total of 70 to 80. Seventeen was the full number at Penarth, and in the Newport Alexandrtt Dock only 23, as compared with the normal aver- age of about 35. The effect of this shortage of steamers, the numbers in dock including those under repair and discharging, may be imagined, work to a very great extent being suspended. With the enormous accumula- tion of coal at the various sidings, and col- lieries unable to get empty wagons, the depression in the coalfield h" been made more acute. I

WITNESS AND COUNSEL I The further hearing of the case of the Electrical Company (Limited) v. Messrs. Thomas, Son, and Co., owners cf the Llynfl ■Ooal Mine, near Bridgend, was resumed by the official referee, Mr. Pollock, in the Law Courts on Monday. Plaintiffs claimed a con- siderable sum for plant and material supplied to the mine, and the defendants counter-claimed for some on the ground that the plant and material supplied were defective and caused loss and damage. Mr. Abel Thomas, K.C., and Mr, San-key, K.C. (instructed by Messrs. Michael Abrahams), were for the plaintiffs, and Mr. B. Francis-Williamae, K.C., and Mr. Meager (instructed by Messrs. Collins and Woods) for the defendants. In the course of further cross-examination, Mr. H W. Thomas said the first counter-claim was made "by defendants 011 April 22,1907, and the last one on January 26, 1909. He made a survey in September, and difficulties arose with tihe men in October, as they wanted a minimum wage. Further cross-examined, Mr. Thomas said he could not say whether or not the average number of people working in that pert were five colliers and five collier's boys. The difficulty with the men was that they wanted 5s. 4d. per day, plus the percentages. Mr. ;Sankey was further cross-examining witness, and was referring to the map, when witness said: If you will put your question properly I will answer it." The Official Referee (to witness): Don't you tilink you can tell the learned counsel how to put his questions, because you can't. That was a very improper observation, and I won't allow it. Mr. Thomas was then re-examined by Mr. Francis- Williams., and the hearing was adjourned.

I. MERTHYR COAL OUTPUT. Mr. T. Gilbert Evans, the assistant overseer for the paa-ish of Merthyr, hasN prepared a return showing that for the year ended tho 31st of December last there were 1,844,680 tons (long weight) of large and 335,426 tons of small coal raised in the parish, these figures as com- pared with the output for the yea,r ended the 50th of June, 1909, showing a decrease on large coal of 31,674 tons and on small cf 14,401 tons. The coal worked in other parishes and brought to bank in the parish of Merthyr during the past year mmou-ilited to 17,734 t-ons of Ia.Tge a.nd 3,309 tons of small coal. the I' decrease in comparison with the year ended the 30th of June. 1909,4being in the first case 451 tous, and in the otler 575 tons. I

ICardiff Rival Exchanges] I NEW BUILDING TO COST £ 30,000 The question oi a new Coal and Shipping I Exchange at Cardiff was advanced a step on Monday, when a meeting of the subscribers of the fund for the proposed new building-, under the presidency of Mr. A. J. Griffiths, president of the Cardiff Chamber of Com- merce, decidcd to at once enter into negotia-1 tions to proceed with the crcction o; the buildings. It. was reported that the subscrip- tions promised totalled 111,300, 01; more than sufficient to pro-vide the ordinary share capital, it being proposed to raise £ 20,000 of the £ 30,000 to lie spent by way of mortgage. The subscribers include the various under- takings in and associated with the Cambiran Combine, Cyry Bros. and Co. (Limited), Lewis Mer:hyr Consolidated Collieries, North's Navi- ?Ktion Collieries, Deutsohes Kohicn Depot, HH)a Piyiaouth Coi!-?r:€g, D. Davis and I I lusoleis, Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, Morgan, -WaklE.L Crown Preserved Ooal Company, H. C. Vivian and Co., R. and J. H. Rea, Messrs. J. A. Jones, H. Watts, W. J. Tatem, W. James Thomas (Ynisbir), Edward Nicholl, H. J. Hill, A. E. Morgan, W. A or til Lewis, T. Griffiths (Port hi, V> Harry, and othej-e. The proposal is to erect a new exchange and offices on a site in Bute-street between the N ational Provincial Bank and the Custom House. The building, which it is sug- gested stiould be controlled by the chamber of commerce, is to provide accommodation fV-r the chamber and a number of suites of offices. Possibly, the Shipowners' Association ana the Shipping Federation may bo iuussd in the same building. The estimated cost is £ 30,00j, the ordinary shares of a bout £lO,()í)J to carry a maximum dividend of 6 or 7 per cent., all profit in excess to be spent in improvements. It is calculated that the income will be £ 3,072, and the working expenses £ 1,200, leaving £1,8,2 to provide debenture interest and dividend of 7 per cent. The promoters, it is understood, desire to carry on the new premises on. more exclusive thun those at the present exchange. The plans fur the new buildings have been pre- pared by 2ir. B. W. M. Corbett. 'ihe provision of a new exchange has been discus?d for ? number of years, as the alternative to the chamber of commerce securing control of the existing exchange, and the subject has proved of a controversial nature, a considerable number of Docksmen being against the establishment of a rival building. For pome weeks past negotiations have been proceeding between the two sides with a. view to preventing a split, but these appear to have be-on abortive. ¡ The present exchange i.s owned bj; the Cardiff Exchange and Office Company (Limited:, and has a membership of about I,400. It has been complained that while tho main business of the exchange is the coal trade and shipping, a very large number of members belong to other branches of industry and commerce. The chamber of commerce has no authority over the lloor, 1 and the owners, beyond seeing that the persons admitted as members are not objec- l tionable persons and that the proceedings are orderly, have framed no regulations. Besides the floor of the building, which covers a space of over 4,COO square feet. the Exchange Company provide for the members I a reading-room, supplied with newspapers and periodicals, a daily service of telegrams, a I telephone-room, and a private room. The gentlemen who desired to avoid a split sought to devise an alternative scheme, pro- posing that the floor and a number of offices should be leased, that the telephone boxes on the floor should be cleared away, and that the offices should be thrown into the Exchange, giving extra accommodation, while the news, telegraphic, and telephonic services were to be improved, and other changes to meet the wishes of members effected. VIEWS OF AN EXCHANGE SHAREHOLDER. A leading shareholder of the company owning the existing Exchange in the course of conversation with one of our representa- tives said he did not think that the Exchange Company had in any way acted unreasonably. For the facilities provided the company cha.rged only the moderate sub- scription of a guinea, a.nd the total income, inol uding that from advertisements and telephone boxes, was about £ 1,800. The com- pany did not object to the management of the Exchange floor by any committee the members liked to appoint. The membership of the chamber of commerce not embrace more than one-third of the members of the Exchange, a.nd it had formerly been found that the management by the chamber had not been any more effective than that at present existing. In fact, the Exchange Com- pany since taking the concern into their own hands had considerably extended the facilities to t,he members. There were no complaints from the general body of members. At the same time the Exchange Company had no objection to the chamber of com- merce. taking over the management. They had offered to let the floor of the Exchange to that body at £800 per annum, or El,ooo less than the gross revenue, and the chamber could then make any alterations they liked. They could remove the telephone boxes and advertisements, restrict the membership, or pursue any course the members deemed desirable. The chamber declined this offer, and had not re-opened negotiations. A number of gentle- men who thought that the starting of a rival Exchange would not be a wise policy, and would considerably depreciate the value of property both on the Exchange and in Mount Stuart-square, where a. very large uumber of offices had been established, had, however, approached the company, and nego- tiated for the lease of the Exchange on the same basis as rejected by the chamber, viz., £ 803 a year. That body had negotiated with t,he promoters of the new Exchange with the view to securing their co-opera- tion in improving the present building. Although these negotiations had failed, he, for one, felt that the Exchange Company had acted in a very reasonable spirit, a rd that if the chamber of commerce were deter. mined to pursue the policy of a separate and exclusive Exchange the fault was not on the side cf the company. Seeing that so many firms were against t.he new project and that a large numher (Jf the members would remain, especially as their offices were situated in the Exchange building or close at hand, he did not think his company could be asked to reduce their terms r)f SSM a year (net). When this sum was compared with the X3,000 a year that would have to be raised to meet the expenses and reasonable dividend on the capital of the new building, it would be seen that the company had made a very fair offer indeed.

TravellingToward8 River WELSH LANDSLIDE IN PROGRESS Owing to the possibility of a conside-ra-ble portion of the Rhymmey Railway Company's permanent way being' interfered with by the Troedyrhiwfu.wch landslide, efforts are being made to temporarily check the slide by bank- ing ballast at Troedyrhiwfuwch. On. Monday the station a.t that village was closed to the general public, and a large gang of work- men were busily employed in removing the platforms. About 100 yards of line at this spot, is seriously affected, and it is statoo that since Thursday lalSlt the embank- ment has been pushed a yard nearer the river. At this point the close proximity of the river offers the most serious problem to t.he railway company, for should the slide assume a more serious aspect the permanent way for some considerable distance will be blocked, and it will be impossible too make any deviation except at an enormous cost. After the last disturbance, a few years ago, tho bridge at Sebastopol was demolished, and a second wooden bridge was erected, but even this structure appears to be doomed to share the same fate. "What is infi- nitely more serious is the fact that at Troedyrhiwfuwoh Halt a huge stone bridge, over which the railway lines pass, appears to be endangered, and should this come to pass both mineral and passenger traffic .vill be entirely suspended. The main road, which is used by pedestrians, runs along the breast of the mountain, and here a gang of workmen are constantly employed clearing the road. Fortunately, the slide is, and has been, almost imperceptible, and the inhabi- tants of the cottages in the immediate neigh- bourhood have accustomed themselves to the novelty and evince no signs of alarm.

SALARY OF CARDIFF PARKS j SUPERINTENDENT. Mr. Alfred Good presided at a meeting of the Cardiff Parks Committee on Monday, when Mr. II. M. Thompson brought forward the subject of the park superintendent's salary. He said he was afraid they would lose the services of Mr. Pettigrew by another authority placing a higher value on his services. He gave notice to move that Mr. Pettigrew should receive an increase. The Chairman thought they were not bound to march alongside the higher salaries of other authorities. Mr. W. Grey said it seemed strange to him that an increase should be granted before an application was received, Mr. J. Allcock, city treasurer, said he believed Mr. Pettigrew was on the point of making an application.

SHIPOWNER'S ESTATE, Mr. William Watson, of Brorn bo rough, Cheshire, chairman of the Ounard Steaanshiy Company, who died on October 4 laet, left £159,íJJT gross, with Lllg.248 net personalty.

Driving Orders Abroad —— COMPLAINT AT COLLIERY MEETING The general meeting of The Glamorgan Coal Company (Limited) was held in London on Monday, Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., presiding. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that under the circumstances the report, and balance- sheet might be regarded as satisfactory, for the year had not been at all a good one for the coa.l trade of South Wales. LOSS ON STEAM COAL PITS. Only a very small portion of the profit wa.s out of the working of the steam coal col- lieries, their principal assets. In fact, had provision been made for the redemption of the leases, and had such provision been charged against revenue, the balance would have I)--eii on the wrong side of the steam ccal account. The result was that with a turnover of several hundred thousand pounds they had found regular employment for from 3.000 to 4,000 workmen, and had; incurred all the risks incident upon colliery working, not only without any return to the ordinary shareholders on the large capital sunk in the steam coal collieries, but really at some loss to them. EIGHT HOURS ACT ltEDUCES OUTPUT. The Eight Hours Act had affected both the output and the cost of pr0duQtion more I seriously than the board anticipated, ?e refusal of the meh to work a cieamnce. or aftemoon. 6bift unless paid a bonus or .1t.,?. -turn per week without working it had added to their difficulties. This action of the hauliers, while it had prejudiced the com- pany, had proved even more detrimental to the earning capacity of the men, who were dependent upon the clearances to keep them going. NEW AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS. Little or no progress had been made with the negotiations for the renewal of the Con- ciliation Board agreement. a.nd the outlook at the moment in that direction was not favourable. Whilst he hoped that a.n amicable settlement would be arrived at which won. avoid a cessation of work, they had oeen bound to admit that hope was not .shared very generally by his friends in South Wales. WELSH ORDERS GO TO GERMANY. The prolonged negotiations now proceeding, and those of last summer, had by the uncer- tainty they created in the minds of forcign buyers driven buyers to look for their sup- plies in Germany and elsevvhere, and the result had been most harmful to the coal trade of South Waies. They were as a con- sequence suffering severely in the price3 obtainable, particularly for small coal. The exports of coal from Germany to France by sea showed a considerable increase—and France was their best customer—whilst those from South Wales were falling off. But whatever the immediate future might have in store, the Gla-morgan shareholders might feel sure that they possessed a valuable pro- perty, which would not fail to yield good returns in years to come. In 1908 they paid their first dividend of 2j per cent, on the ordi- nary shares. That was the first for eighteen years. For 1909 the "dividend would be 5 p-er cent., and in future years, if they had no labour troubles and no unforeseen circum- stances, he hoped the dividend would be higher still. They had a good deal of leeway in those eighteen years, but the prospects were better now than they had been for some time, and he thought the relations between them- selves and their workmen had been founded upon a sound and practical footing. The dis- appointing results of past years were due to the fact that so large a portion of their collieries were working upon what was known as the consideration system, i.e., the price- lists had been adhered to. but the working places treated as abnormal. OBJECTION TO MINIMUM AVAGE. Their experience in the Glamorgan Col- liery formed a strong argument against the principal of a guaranteed mini- mum wage to colliers in any .shape o form. The improved prospects of the company were to be attributed to the sound financial position in which Mr. W. w. Hood and his colleagues had placed the com. pany when it was handed over to the control of the present board, and it enabled th-em to clear off the remaining arrears of the preference dividends and prepare the ground i for the regular payment of dividends upon the ordinary shares. Mr. P. H. Thomas seconded, and the report and balance-sheet was adopted and the dividends passed. Mr. J. H. Thomas waf re-elected a director.

STOLL'S PANOPTICON, CARDIFF Stoll's Panopticon, Philharmonic-hall, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, again illustrates this week the wonderful development of the bioscope and the infinite variety to which this form of amusement and of instruction lends itself to the crowds- attracted to the hall in ever-increasing numbers. The pic- torial productions on Monday night were by com,moll consent reckoned to be about the best for artistic merit and originality and for the facility with which every phase of human emotion is evoked in one way or another; A perfect feast from this point of view was afforded by M'te Grandsire" illustration* by Jean RicUppin, the distin- guished savant of the French Academy, whose genius has a reputation in two continents. The story delineated is a romantic tale of the sea, with many weird vicissitudes. The general effect is superb, the scenery and sur- roundings realistic, and the movements of the -participants life-like and natural. The experiences of Foolshead at the Ba.,Il were highly diverting, illustrating the versatility pf a popular young comedian who, down on his luck, poses at a high-class ball and gets into bewildering situations and fearful scrapes. His escapades provoke roars of rollicking laughter. The exploits of the crack shot are also most amusing. His hand never failed. and one who studies his exploits is at a. lose to know which is most to he avoided-the expert, who never misses or the novice who always does, and yet is possessed of a fearful facility for doing damage. Other sketches include "The Romantic Young Lady," by the inimi- table Max Linder; wonderful scenes from the School for the Blind at Melbourne; the amusing ordeals of the inevitable mother-in- law; and tiie educational study of the cocoa- iiiit tree industry in Singapore. This is the last week of Mr. R. T. Chinn, the famous concert,inilt. The vocalists—Messrs. James Hope and Fred Dyer—receive the welcome that is of right accorded to old favourites.

PASTORS AND SUNDAY GOLFi The spring meetings cf the East Glamorgan English Congregational Association were i held at Christ Church Congregational Chapel, j Stan well-road, Penarth, 011 Monday.—A reso- lution was passed in appreciation of the I services rendered to the association by the Hev. J. Morris, Star-street, Oardiff, during t.he ipast twenty-five years, and the s.um of X5 was voted from the funds towards the testimonial which is about to be presented to t,hiat gentleman. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. B. P. Evans, Edwardsville, a resolu- tion was unanimously passed in support of the creation of a AVelsh Minister of State, who should enjoy the same status and have the same responsibilities as the Irish and Scottish Secretaries of Sta,te. A paper was read by the Rev. E. W Thomas, Tonypandy, ON The Obligation of Church Attendance." The address was followed by an interesting discussion. The delegates were evidently strongly opposed to the growing popularity of Sunday golf, which one speaker said was mostly indulged in by people who had little to do during the rest of the week. Another speaker made the startling assertion that at one local club ladies were not. allowed to play on week- days. At the afternoon conference the Rev. D. Tyssul Evans, M.A Proper of Hebrew at the University College, Cardiff, delivered his valedictory address on r. The Use of the Bible to the Modern Preacher." A service was afterwards heltf. at which the Rev. J. D. Jones, M.A., Bournemouth, tirfe president of the English Association, occu- pied t'he pulpit. A public meeting, which was largely attended, was held in the evening, the chair being occupied by Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, M.A., LL.B., the Pontypridd stipendiary magistrate.

I MOORISH PIRACY A sailing vessel from Gibraltar has been attacked by natives near Bccoya, Morocco. The natives fled on the approach of a gun- boat, taking away only twelve bags of tobacco. The attack is said to have been due to a grudge against the owners of the Shlp.-Reut-er. 4

I NOT TIRED NOW John and Mary had been sharing one chair all the evening. John sat on the chai. and Mary sat on John. After about three hours of this Mary suddenly exclaimed: "Oh, John, aren't you tired?" John smiled a brave, patient smile..3Not now," he said, gently. No; not now. I was about an hour ago, but now I'm only paralysed!"

Mrs. Butts (evenly): John, dear, if you j should give me five pounds for a new hat i don't you know it would be a blessing? Mr. Butts: U'rn! Maria, I shoukl say it would be a miracle.

DRY CLEA.NING.-I. Mlouy-itreet. Cathaya. I

Orders for Welsh Coal CONTRACTS NOT TO BE RENEWED Our Berlin trade correspondent writes:—"An announcement has been m'ade by the German Admiralty that it will not this yea.r renew its former fixed contracts for Wel,-Il coal for delivery at the fleet's various coaling stations, but leave each captain free to make his own u.rraiigemen.ts Oil the best terms available at t-he time he caps i-or coaling purposes. No reason is given for this order, which is subject to unfavourable criticism from more than. one point of view,"

CARDIFF NEW THEATRE There is consummate acting n Act.) of the enthralling play "The Woman m the Case," staged at the New Theatre, Cardiff, this week by Mr. Herbert Sleath's London com- pany. The central figure is Miss Winifred Pearson, who takes the title role as "Claire lorster," an American demi-mondaine, who is possessed of all the cunning wiles and attractions of 'her class. She is also, how- ever. miserly in temperament and addicted to secret drinking whilst with trueted friends, and it is by playing upon iheie failings and upon her vanity that "Margaret Roue" (Miss Kathle&i Russell) is able to cajole out of her the knowledge that a former lover w as not muiderea, but had committed. suicide whilst in a drunken passion. Mis. HoIfe' husband had persuaded thie lovtr to break away from his infatuation for Claire Forster" by exposing her true character to him, and in revenge she had bolstered up a charge of murder against Ro-lfe." Circumstantial evidence was strong against him, but, believing implicitly in her husband's innocence, the pure-minded, newiy-marriea Mrs. RoOIfe" took UPOIl her- ,o?o k LI)oit het-- self the obnoxious task of renting a. fiat- at the same house as Claire and cuitivatitng her confidence, with the result that she even- tually wheedled the truth from her drunken lips. The gradual working iiip to t-he climax betweeit the two women is as powerful a piece ol acting as it is possible to conceive. and the applause was prolonged as tilo accused man's lawyer and detective emerged from their hiding-place after hearing all that had transpired, and the curtaiu descended on a most effective scene. "Julian Roife" (Mr. William Kershaw), the accused bat innocent man, and Mr. Thompson (Mr. James Lindsay), his lawyer, also interpret their parts with masterly restraint; Mrs. Winifred Hushes" (Mj,, Mary Griffiths), the f 0rmer"s voluble mc th e r- i n-1 aw Louis Klaèlífsky" (Mr. Sydney Palfrey), the foreign roue; "Jimmy O'Neil '• (Mr. Paul Wynteri. the accused man's friend, who assists in the plot at the flat, and all the rest of the cast combine in presenting a truly stirring story in most clever acting, anid the play is certain to attract full houses throughout the week, as well as at Saturday's matinee. The play is preceded by a crisp curtain-raiser entitled, "Her Ladyship's Guest."

"TORMENTS OF EXISTENCE.' A verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned on Monday night by a coroner's jury at AVolverhampton wh > inquired into the death of Mr. Ernest White (55), managing director of the New Brother- ton Tube and Conduits Company (Limited), who shot himself through the head with a revolver. In a letter to his wife the deceased wrote-- I have fought against the horrors torments of my existence, but I am l>eaten. I am a horrible failure. The last six months have been a living death..Vy memory, brain, and judgment are gone. The world has no room for failures. The evidence showed that Mr. White had suffered from insomnia, and, owing to nis health, magnified difficulties and was depressed. He had no pecuniary difficulties, and enjoyed the full confidence of his <0- directors.

ST. DAVID'S DAY BANQUET A meeting of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Committee was held on Monday night at the City-hall to consider the details in connection with the St. fuvid's Day banquet to be held on Saturday next. Dr. R. Prichard (presi- dent) was in the chair. The Hon. Secretary (Mr Huw J. Huws) announced that those who had promised to be present included Lord Tredegar and party, Lord Howard de AA'aldeu, the Lord Mayor of Ca,rdiff (AJderman John < happeH> and the Lady Mayoress. Sir Ma r- chant Williams, the Warden of Llandovery, representatives of tho Bristol Cambrian Society, whose president is Sir Lsambard Owen, and others. The arrangements arc well in hand. Subsequently a meeting wa.s held of Sn, David's Children's Festival Day Committee, when the arrangements were completed for the festival to be held in the Tabernacle, The Hayes.

HOW BOYS ARE CRIPPLED. CARDIFF POLICE OFFICER AND A DANGEROUS CUSTOM. Ernest Wakefield (13) was ctiarged at Cardiff on Monday with stealing coal, value 3d., the property of the Rhymney Railway Company, from Cairns-street sidings. Detective Thoma Lister, who caught the boy, said a mineral train was travelling at the time the ooal was stolen, and, accompanied by others, the boy jumped on a wagon and threw a large quan- tity of coal to the ground. Detective-inspector Hughes, who prosecuted for the company, said about 100wt. to 15cwt. had been thrown off. Inspector Binghaia described the boy as the son of a baker. The lad had previously been charged for damaging tele- graph wiies, and it would be to the advan- tage of the boy and of other boys if he could be sent to a school. There were a largo number of boye in Cardiff with legs and arms off through trespassing in search of coal at this spot. Mr. E. Beavan (chairman) ol,dere(I the lad's detention in an industrial school until he is sixteen, the father being called upon to contribute to his maintenance.

SLEEPING SICKNESS CURE BRUSSELS, Monday. The Apostolic Prefect of the Kasai has sent a letter to the Minister for the Colonies, in which he indicates two remedies for sleeping sickness. The first is the administration, in very strong, continuous doses, of quinine, and tho other is the uae of the Fowler liquid in strong doses, not continuously. The Apoetolio Prefect appeals for funds for the establish- ment of a great hospital to combat the disease, and adds that the medicines are well known. but are administered in a new way,- Renter

THE RED CROSS SOCIETY At a meeting held at the Market-hall, Caerphilly, on Monday evening (Miss Corbett, Pwllypamt House, presiding) a branch of the Glamorgan Divisional Committee of the Red Cross Society for the Caerphilly, Aber Valley, Llanbradach, and Ystradmynach district waa formed. Dr. Lynn Thoma.s, Cardiff, delivered a very 'instructive illustrated .address on the work of the society, urging that it was time they woke up and realised their responsibility a,nd duty in the matter. The County Director i Mr. Herbert Lewis;, in proposing a vote of thanks to Miss Corbett, pointed out the duties of tho voluntary detachment. The motion was carried, and several persons were enrolled.

GREAT METEOR AT CARDIFF Mr. Arthur Mee writes:—Mr. W. F. Denning, F.R.A.S., the great authority on meteors. informs me tha,t the object taken by Mr. Kidd for another twilight comet on the evening of the 17th was really the trail of a splendid meteoric fireball." The trail must have per- sisted remarkably in the twilight sky, and was thus easily mistaken for a comet. Such p-arsdstent trails are almost, if not quite, as rare as naked-eye comets. One such was observed in .South Wale6 only a few months ago, and Mr. Denning says he already has several observations of the splendid pheno- menon seen by Mr. Kidd.

CARDIFF MAY DAY SHOW A fully-attended executive committee in connection with the Cardiff May Day Horse Show a,nd Parade was held on Monday even- ing, Mr. William MoKenzie being in the chair. The, schedule was carefully revised, and the prize-money m the open classes increased.

CANON LEWIS'S VICTORY A bye-election took place on Monday to fill the seat on the Rhondda Urban Council (No. 3 "tard). vacant by the death of Mr. Thomaid Davies, Ton. The result was as follows: Cation Lew-]a (C.) 904 D&vfld Thomas .(L.) 86t 3fajotit-y as I

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