Evening Express

SCHOONER WRECKED Off Stackpoie Head CREW'S TERRIBLE SUFFERING! Old Man Dies of Exposure Another was added on Christmas Eve to j the long list of wrecks on the Pembroke- shire coast. About seven o'clock the Dublin! schooner Enterprise, laden with coal, from Swansea to New Rose, ran ashore at Barra^ j fundle Bay., The crew, numbering three, j took to the rhrging as the breakers dashed j over the ship, and spent a terrible night. One man, John Builger, aged 60, a native of Dublin, became exhausted, and, falling from the rigging to the deck, died there. Tho master and mate, Thomas Grattan and James Grattan, of Arklow, who are also the joint owners of the craft, clung to the rigging until the tide receded, and about midnight dropped on to the sanda and walked ashore. Our Pembroke Dock representative inter- viewed the survivors, who aro staying at the King's Arms, Pembroke, pending the inquest j on Builger. whose body lies at the Homo Farm, Stackpole. Both men were suffering from the terrible hardships they had endured, a.nd Thomas Grattan said that he had not yet fully recovered the use of his left leg. Asked to deecribe the wreck, he said they left Swansea on Tuesday morning. When they sighted land at Stackpoie it was very dark and foggy. The sea was very rough, and, as the vessel refused to steer, she could not clear the land, and was driven on to the sandy beach at Rarrafundle. That was about 7.30 p.m., and it was as dark as the grave when she struck. The breakers dashed right over her. and the men took to the rigging. We had no chance of making any signals," explained Grattan, as until past midnight we dare not go to the deck. About half-past two the tide went down, and then we got ashore. Before that Builger, who is an old man, dropped from the rigging. He could not stand the cold. and died after about twenty minutes. When we got ashore we couldn't see a light anywhere, and did net know where there was a house; so we took refuge in a. ditch until daylight. When it got iight we saw a farm and went there, and Mr. Marsh took us in and treated us very kindly." Speaking ilotor, Captain Thomas Grattan said:—We left Swansea on a freshening breeze. As we got out it increased, and the night became inky black. The lights of the Elswick lightship were the last thing I saw before Stackpole Head loomed up in the dark- ness. She was then running free. I tried to weather Stackpoie Head, but could not, and was jammed back on the land, which I could just faintly see. I knew I had struck sand. As soon as she settled the heavy seas began to break over her fore and aft, and forced us to take to the rigging. it battered D3 about severely and tore the clothing off our backs. We clung on desperately until twelve o'clock, when the tide receded, and we dropped back on to the deck. "The old man Builger was in a pitiable plight, and the three of us huddled together for warmth, bat soon he died. My brother and I then dropped over the bow on to the beach. It was a fearful night, the cold being frightful. "Yes, sir, it was a terrible experience, one of the worst I have ever had, and I have spent nearly all my life on the sea." On Christmas Day Lord Cawdor called at the farm, and offered the survivors any assistance they might desire. The same: afternoon the body of the old sailor. was recovered. It lies at the farm. pending the' inquiry. I The vessel was not insured.

CONCERT AT TONYPANDY I i A concert was given before a crowded audience at Jerusalem Chapel by the Tony- pandy and District Harmonic Society, of which Mr David Evans is conductor. The choir gave a fine rendering of Handel's1 Acis and Galatea," and particular interest attached to the performance, inasmuch as Mr. E. T. Davies, F.R.C.O., Merthyr, had been specially invited to conduct the work. The choir excelled itself under Mr. Davies s skilful baton, and the rendering of the chorus, Wretched lovers," had to be repeated. The artistae were Miss Emily Breare, Mr. Gwilym Richards, and Mr. j Willey Richards, who were well support-ldi by an orchestra under the leadership of Ap 1 Tydfil, with Mr. David Lloyd presiding at the organ. In a miscellaneous selection the choir aD6 Cherubim's "Dlea Irae," Wagner's Hail, bright abode," and Gwilym Gwent's "Yr Haf," under the leadership of Mr. David Evans. Mr. W. W. Hood, Glynoornel, presided, and the proceeds of the ooncert are to be devoted to the Distriot Nurses' Aeft,.iatian.

WHAT IS WHISKY P I An article on Scotch Whisky" in the World's Work" gives Eome interesting figures respecting the production of this, ubiquitous beverage. In Scotland there are altogether 164 whisky distilleries, although only 150 of these were in actual operation during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1907. Of these 164 producing works eleven are equipped for the production of grain whisky only, three for both grain and malt, 98 for Highland malt, 23 for Lowland malt, nine for Way malt, and 21 'for Campbeltown malt. The exact quantity of malt whisky made in Scotland is not recorded, but, broadly speaking, it may be said that two- thirds of the entire product are made by the patent still and one-third by the pot still. And all the malt whisky is made by the pot still, with the exception of one distillery. But in Scotland the majority of people do not drink either all-malt or all-grain spirit, but a judicious mixture of both, and the mixing is the art of the blenders, whose name is legion and whose collective opera- tions aare eoocrmoug.

I Miners' Levies i SHOULD EMPLOYERS ACT AS I COLLECTORS P The Scottish Miners' Federation, annual conference in Glasgow to-day discussed a proijosal that employers should by law be forced to collect the men's Union organisa- tion funds at the colliery offices. It was stated that the most bitter stage of warfare was now past, and that the change would save the men's Unions thousands per annum. An a intendment was strongly spoken to, as the pro-pos-tion was unjust and inconsistent, and was asking employers to forge a weapon which would be used against themselves. It was a sign of weakness, and would damage Trades Unionism. It would mean that the Miners' Union would become a mere adjunct of the Coal Masters' Federation. It was a kind of conscription to force non- Union men into the Miners' Union. After a prolonged discussion the motion j was defeated by 58 to 43. j

The Duke is Silent I CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE INCIDENT I The Press Association this morning tele- graphed as follows to the Duke of West- minster:—"May we circulate any statement from you regarding the Gholmondeley Castle ¡ incident?" To the foregoing his grace sent the accom- panying reply:- Have nothing- to say." [Details of the'affair will be found on Page 4]

Suffocated by Gas I FOUR MORE VICTIMS I Four members of a, family, named \Nult, were suffoca,ted this morning by an escape I of gas at 20, Gray-street, bilvertown, near I tne Royal Albert Dock, London. The deceased are:- Charles Henry Mult, aged 65, occupier of the house; 1. William Nult, 26; Charles Nult, 22; and Albert Nult, aged 15.

I Killed Her Husband I FRENCH COURT ACQUITS THE WIFE A case which has attracted a good deal of attention on both sides of the Channel, owing to the connection of two of the persons concerned in it with London, was concluded in the Seine Assize Court in Paris on Thurs- day, when Mine. Jeanne rdaigry was acquitted on a charge of killing her husband. Th: accused woman was born in London in 1881. S'e was the daughter of a wine merchant who did business between France and England, and in 1902 married a dyer named Margry, who bad a shop in Paris. The husband later on brought from London a girl of fifteen, who was apprenticed to the business. Mada.me Margry soon found that the girl had become her husband's mistress, and. after a soene with M. Margry, she pro- duced a revolver and shot him through the neck and lungs with fatal effeot.-Bieuter.

HERR HARDEN'S TRIAL Illness of a Lady Witness The trial of Herr Harden on a charge of criminally libelling Count Kuno Von Moltke, wa-s resumed at Berlin this morning. A medical certificate was produced stating that Fmu Von Elbe was seriously ill, and had a high temperature, and that she would be unable to appear before next week. Dr. Bernstein, the defending counsel, also referred to the precarious starte of health of Herr Harden, who attended the court under the protest of his doctor. The aefenoe then read a statement of questions to b-e put to Professor Schweninger, when his evidence is taken on commission to- morrow. The object of the questions is to show Herr Harden took up Frau Von Elbe at, the Pro- fessor'e request. The Public Prosecutor submitted questions that he wished to put to Professor Schweninger assailing the reliability of Frau Von Elbe's depositions.

HISTORIC BETS The dearth of ideas which, as recently noted, characterises the wagers recorded in the old betting-cook, of White's Club may be contrasted with Sir George Trevelyan's tribute in his" Early Hi-story of Charles James Fox io the betting-book at Brooiks's, which, he tells n6, "has an interest of its own which resembles nothing in any library or museum in the country." The entries in its pages, he says, are "uniform in their general character, but with a variety of detail as inexhaustible as the circumstances of our national history or the changes in our national manners." Here are some of Charles Fox's bets. He laid 200 guineas that Lord North would be First Lord of the Treasury in March, 1773, and twenty guineas that he would be First Lord of the Treasury in MklJrch, 1776, bar death": 150 to 50 that the Tea Act was not repealed in the winter session of 1774; ten guineas down to receive 500 whenever Turkey in Europe belonged to a European Power or Powers.

STUDDED MOTOR TYRES I Speaking broadly. it may be said that a studded tyre has not more than two-thirds the life of a plain tyre. No doubt, exceptions can be quoted which will contradict this, but from our own experience (says the Auto- car ") and the experience of a large number of our readers we are convinced that this is about a fair estimate, and that a car which will run, say, 3,000 miles on a pair of plain back tyres before they arrive at the re-treading stage will only do about 2,000 mdles on studded tyres before they are in urgent need of repair, if, indeed, they do not fail utterly. Not only so, but compara- tively few studded covers can be used again on the back wheels; they are only fit ° for front wheels after they have been re-treaded. With re-treaded plain tyres it is generally I possible, if the repairing is undertaken in time. to run them at least far enough on the back wheels to make the re-treading cheaper than buying new covers. Therefore, there is no doubt that the wholo motor world would be glad if studded tyres could be dispensed with, particularly aa it is I alleged by some road authorities and others ¡ that they do more damage to the roads than plain tyres.

SOME XMAS SUPERSTITIONS I There are superstitions anent Christmas in all countries, but probabljT t-he following are a few cf the most extraordinary. In North Germany a person must not spin during the Twelve Nights of Christmas lest he or she Mould walk after death, nor after sunset on Saturday, for then mice will eat I the work. If it is desired to have money and luck all the year round, one must not fail to eat herrings pit New Year's Day; nor, i if you wish to be lucky, must you rook an empty cradle or spill salt wantonly, or cross knives, or point at the sta-re. If a dirty cloth is left on the table over Christmas night it will make the angels weep; if you point upwards to the rainbow it will make t-he angels' feet bleed; and if you talk of cabbages while looking at the moon you will hurt the feelings of the man in it. &ear Raleigh, in Nottinghamshire, there is a valley said to have been caused by an earthquake several hundreds of years ago, and it is now usual on Christmas morning for old men and women to tell their chil- dre.n and young friends to go to the valley, stoop down, and hear the bells ringing merrily in the ruins of the church under the ground. At KilgTimol, near Blackpool, a very com- mon superstition prevails that the bells of a hidden church may be heard by anyone who bonds his ear to the ground. In Berk- shire it was at one time a popular belief that could be heard ringing in the groanr Christmas Eve, a.nd in some parts or Bng .ui!(l miners have been heard to say that bells could be heard merrily pealing in the most distant parts of the mine. The most popular supe-tition in many i parts of England is tha.t every remnant of Christmas decoration must be removed before Candlemas Day. Should a sprig of holly or other evergreen be left in any house one of its occupants will die within the year.

PONTYPRIDD MAN'S SUDDEN DEATH I A Pontypridd navyy, C. Morgan, of Mari- time-street, died very suddenly on Thursday afternoon. Deceased was proceeding to the garden, when he was seen to fall on his bock. He was taken into the house, and died in a few minutes. Heart failure ie sup- posed to be the oanee of death, k

Girl's Singular Death FOUND WITH NIGHTDRESS BURNT There was an air of mystery surrounding the death of Beatrice M. Kiff, the thirteen months' old child of William Kill, a collier, 99, Trebanog Cottages, Forth, as disclosed at an inquest held by Mr. D. Eees, coroner, at Forth Police-court to-day. The evidence of the father, was that he went to bed at 10.50 p.m. oa December 23, taking the deceased with him. He left a lighted candle on a tlible near the bed for his wife, who had gone out shopping. Beatrice had on a flannelette night gown. At ten minutes to eleven Mrs. Kiff went to the room and found her daughter standing by the side of the bed crying, the back part of her night- dress being burnt. Mrs. Kiff deposed that it was not unusual for her husband to go to bed before she had done her shopping at Tonypandy. She found a candle in the middle of the bed, but the clothing was not burnt. Her husband was asleep. She could not account for the burning. The child was only able to creep, and she had no idea how the candle had been removed. The Coroner re-called Riff, remarking, "I want you to tell me the whole truth. You say the candle was on the table. The evidenco of your wife is that it was on the bed, and the child was too young to remove it." The witness stated that he left work at the Oilely Colliery at four o'clock in the after- noon, had food, washed, and went to his mother-in-law's house. lie had previously called at tihe Black Diamond Public- house, and only partook of two gla-sses of beer. He had also been to the Treba,nog Inn. He was eu.re that when he went to bed the candle was on the table, and he could not account for its removal. I Dr. Munro attributed dea,th to shock, result- I ing from the burns. The Coroner, in summing up, said it was to him extraordinary that Kiff should have gone to bed before his wife. The Foreman of the Jury: It is not at all unusual in this district. Mr. Rees: I have known the custom of colliers in this locality for many years. It seems strange that at 10.30 the father went to. bed, leaving a lighted candle on the ta-ble. The child was covered up, and at 10.50 the mother returned home, finding the candle in the middle of the bed, and her daughter burnt to such an extent that death resulted. It would foe for the jury to decide the cause, but much must be left to the imagination. It w-as strange how the child removed the candle. He felt sure that no one could be mo BOny than Kiff, and if he was drunk whenTie went to rest he hoped it would be a lesson to him. The jury decided that the child's death was accidental, adding that in their opinion she had take-a the light from the table.

In the Police-courts At Cardiff to-day the Stipendiary fined James Brown, 33, 40s. and cosis, or a month, for assaulting Police-constable Frank Brooks in Somerset-street on the night of the 27th inst. George Spelman, a einart-looking young fellow, pleaded guilty at New Tredegar to- day to deserting from the 2nd Liverpool Regimemt. Poiice-sergeant Jones (Black- wood) said that the man walked into the police-station and gave himself up. Prisoner was remanded far an escort. Wyndham Harding, a Tirphil boy, appeared at New Tredegar Police-court to-day full of remorse. It appeared that he stole 5s. 9d. from a drawer in a shop, and then treated his chums to fleh and chips. The mother promised to look after him in future, and he was treated as a first offender. Wihen Evan Jenkins, 41, an Aberbargoed collier, appeared at New Tredegar to-day to answer a charge of drunkenness, brought by Police-constable Thomas, he presented a curious defence. He alleged that he was. simiply making for the Bargoed Town-hall to see the Wreck of the Argosy," when he observed one of his friends (a man named James Foley) fighting. As he endeavoured to take him auay he was struck. The Bench, however, fined him 10s.

OCEAN STEAMBOATS I It is a curious fact that the Mauretania Is the first, Teally swift ocean passenger steamer ever built in England. The Great Eastern for many years enjoyed the, distinction of being- She largfest and most costly steamer -in- the world, but she was never the swiftest. Twiy. of the Cunard steamers which were running on the Atlantic when the Great Eastern was launched were swifter than she, and, after the launch of the Great Eastern, many years passed before a single Atlantic liner with any pretensions to high speed was launched from a shipbuilding yard in Eng- I land. And when at length, in 1888, there did come one steamer of fairly high speed, the Columbia, built at Birkenhead, she was for foreign owners, the Hamburg-America line. Yet the speed of the Columbia was only about eighteen knots, while the City of New York and the City of Pans, both equal to twenty knots ocean speed or a little more, were running when the Columbia was built. Scotland was the birthplace of the swiftest British ocean steamers up to 1871, when Ire- land took the lead with the first steamers of the White Star Line. Then, from 1871 to 1893, Scotland and Ireland contended for the mastery in building swift Atlantic liners. A victory by one of the two was soon followed by a defeat. But in 1893 Ireland ceased to strive, and Scotland went on alone till now, in 1907, England has all at once come to the front with the swiftest ocean steamer in the world, and, as if that were not sufficient e-vi- dence of her supremacy in speed, the Mohawk, on her trial trip, has proved her- self the swiftest steamer in the world, and she, was built in England. England and supremacy in speed was long of coming, but it was worth waiting for.

LEECH, OF SOOTLAND YARD Superintendent Alfred Leech, of the Con. vict Supervision Department, Scotland Yard. has retired owing to ill-health after a, famous career as a detective. He arrested and established the case against James Cansham Reed for the South- end murder. He traced Bennett, the Yar. mouth murderer, to Woolwich, where he effected his arrest; and he also discovered and brought home to the brothers Adams tne brutal murder of on old female shop-keeper in Deptford. No other officer at Scotland Yard equals Mr. Leech's record for the detection of criminals of all classes, and perhaps his most daring exploit was when, with the aid of one uniformed constable, he effected the arrest of a gang of notorious housebreakers and burglars in a public- houso in City-road, London—eight of whom were sent to penal servitude- and recovered whole vanloads of stolen property.

ORATORIOS AT PORTH On Thursday afternoon and evening two fine performances of Mendelssohn's Hymn of Pi-alge" and Haydn's OreatioTi were given at Sa-lem Chapel, Forth, by the Port.h Harmonic Society, under the conductor-ship of Mr. Rhys Evans. Crowded audiences greeted the artistee—Miss Bethel Lister (Lon- don), Mr. David Hughes, and\ Mr. Spencer Thomas, R.A.M., the last-named being a highly promising Rhondda man, who recently took part as principal tenor in the Leeds Festival. The choir sang the heavy choruses with magnificent effect. At the close of The Hymn of Praise" a short miscellaneous programme was given, when Miss Ethel Lister gave a good rendering ol Hear ye, Israel." In the evening the choir performed The Creation," and again acquit Led itself with illuoh credit. Mr. Rhys Evans and Professor T. D. Edwards were warmly received by the huge audience Mr. David Hughes was quite in his old form, and showed his custo nary ability in the rendering of the solos allotted to him. Mr. Spenoer Thomas and Miss Lister, who were making their first appear- ances in Porth. created a great impression Councillor T. Griffiths, J.P., and Dr. R. D. Ohalke, M.A., presided at the afternoon a,nd evening performances respectively, whilst the secretarial duties were carried out by Mr. William Evans.

FELL BACK AND DIED Mrc; Mary Vicary. aged 49, a coffee house- keeper, of John-street, Porthcawl, died with painful suddenness at her residence last night. It appears that Mrs. Vicary retired to rest early last evening, and during the night was taken ill, and got out of bed. A little girl, who was staying with Mrs. Vicary, awoke juet in time to see her fall back on the bed. Mrs. Langdon. a neighbour, who answered the call for help, found that Mrs. Vicary had expired. Mrs. Vimry was a widow, and a putlivp. of Bangor.

8.W. Mineral Railwayi r TAKEN OVER BY PORT TALBOT I' COMPANY I IMPORTANT AGREEMENT I A special meeting of the directors and shareholders of the Port Talbot Railway and Dock Company was held at the offices, Port Talbot, to-day for the purpose of sanctioning the agreement entered into with the South Wales Mineral Railway Company. Colonel Wright presided, and there were present., Mr. Godfrey Li ps com be. J.P. (director), Mr. E. Lowt.her (general manager', Mr. E. Knott (secretary), and the follo..ving: shareholders, Dr. Lloyd Davies (Newport), Mr. W. Thomas ILIngyl,-Ih), Mr. A. J. ISt<Jwe (Port Talbot), Mr. E. W. Jones (Aber- avon.). and Mr. W. L. Parsons (Port Talbot). The Chairman said that the meeting I had been called to approve of the agreement entered into, and which took effect from the 1st of January, 1908, for the working, user, and maintenance of the South Wales Mineral Railway by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Compa. The South Wales Mineral Railway had a length of thirteen miles, and ran from Briton Ferry to &Iynoorrwg, the latter pla?ce,? being the centre of a large and valuable; mineral area now being developed. This! railway, with which they already had a connection at a place called Ton Mawr, would act as a valuable feeder to their rail- ways and docks. The agreement the! diirectors oomsidered would be distinctly advantageous to their company, and WM in perpetuity. The South Wales Mineral Rail- way would be worked en?ixely by the Port j Talbot Company, with an allowance for working expenses of 67? per oent., of the gross revenue. He did not consider it necessary to I go further into the arrangement come to, but the agreement was on the table for I inspection, if necessary. He then moved:- That the agreement entered into between the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Com- pany and the South Wales Mineral Railway Company, under Section 31 of the Port TaJbot Railway and Docks (South Wales I Mineral Junction Railway) Act of 1897, for the maintenance, working, and user by the Port Talbot B-ailway and Docks Company of the South Wales Mineral Railway, and of the works connected therewith, be, and i.3 hereby, approved. lrr. Godfrey Lipsoombe eeoonded, and it was carried une-nimously. 'The meeting then terminated.

Newport Ciergyman DROPS DEAD AT CARDIFF I Cannon Woods, of Newport, died with tragic suddenness while walking along Cathays- terrace, Cardiff, this morning. Doath is believed to be due to heart failure. Canon Woods was about 72 years of age, and was born in Blundellsands, Lancashire. He was in perfect health on Chrietmas Day, and was to have met one of the reverned fathers this evening. The news came as a great shock to the occupants of St. David's Presbytery, Charles- street, Cardiff, where he was well-known and much esteemed.

Shy Justices' Clerk TAKES A BIRTHDAY GIFT & BLUSHES I In private life Mr. E. Homfray Daviee, the ma gistrates' -clerk to the Monmouthshire bench, is just as rapid in manner as in the police-court, but he is extremely modest, and when after to-day's police-court at New Tre- degar the bench invited him to a private room in the Tredegar Arms extraordinary persuasion bad to be adopted. It was all part of a plot by his chum, Dr. -R. T. E. Davies, J.P., and the other justices, for the genial medico suddenly whipped out of his pocket a box cop-taining a silver ciga- rette case, and asked leave to gire away the secret that th-eir clerk was 52 to-day, and they desired him to accept the gift, not so much for the value as for the givers. Mr. E. Jones-Williams (chairman of the bench), Captain W. R. Jackson. Mr. D. W. Evans, and Mr. R. H. Spencer (solicitor) ha,ving spoken, the reporters were asked to spea-k. M.K. Joseph Miles, on benalf of the other' members of the press, then said that, though they were not invited to join in the subscrip- tion, they had great pleasure in testifying to the recipient's skill. In fact, they had some- thing to do to keep up with him—(laughter)— and under his tuition they could safely challenge any reporters in the kingdom for speed in police-court work. (Laughter.) As Mr. Davi-es accepted the gift he blushed perceptibly, and said that it was of no use denying the fact—he was born on December 27, 1855. Had he known what was coming off he would have caught hi3 train. (Laugi> ter.) The gift was unexpected, but, coming; from his old friend Dr. Davies and the I others, he valued it all the more. (Applause.) j

I SPRANG A LEAK j Vessel Abandoned in ChannelI The Norwegian steamer Helene Lohden arrived at Swansea to-day with six men a-board, who had been picked up about nine ¡ miles off Trevose Head yesterday. The six men had formed the crew of the. brigantine Sam Weller, which was bound from London to Briton Ferry with a cargo of scrap iron. The vessel sprang a slight leak on Christ- mas Day, and yesterday morning this became very serious. All bands were engaged at the pumps for seven hours until they signalled the Helene Lohden, which took them aboard. There was about five feet of water in the Sam Weller at the time and with a strong wind she was sinking fast.

INDIAN RAILWAY DISASTER I 4 Europeans and 16 Natives Killed I LAHORE, Friday. Two passenger trains, which, were travel- I ling in opposite directions at a speed of 30 miles an hour, collided to-day on bhe North Western Railway, near Libhiana, India. Twenty persons were killed, including four Europeans. The stationinaeter has been arrested, bail being refused.

A BLOODLESS EXPEDITION I Two reconnoitring forces sent out from I' Casa Blanca on Wednesday effected a junc- tion at Taddert, where they encountered a large caanp of apparently friendly Moors. The French scouts were fired on by a few Moors, who at once took to flight. I The troops then carried out a combined movement on the plateau beyond Taddert, in the direction of the Mediuna country, but as the enemy's cavalry appeared in force the two reconnoitring Pities retired with- out en?agdng them.-ute. As & result of the interviews M. Eegnault j has had with the k?ul an of Morooco at I Raba,t, General Drude has received instruc-! tions to take poseession of Kasbah of the, Mediunas, whose occupation by the rebeis constitutes an obstacle to the pacification of I the Chaouit tribes, and the handing over of ¡ Casa Blanca to the Shereefian authorities. If necessary General Crude will be re-enforced. ) -F.euter.

FELL DOWN DRY DOCK I A sailor, na.med. W. Jeffels, aged 38,- employed as a do< itoyman on the steamship Åltto. at Port Talbot Dock, and living a.t 90, S-juth Palmerston, South Shields, acciden- tally fell into the Port Talbot Dry Dock last j night, amd wm killed. i It appears that Jewels had spent the even- ) ing at a tea party and concert at the men's Mission-room, and was returning to his boat. Instead of taking the pontoon bridge he entered the yard, and fell head- long into the dook. His body ww found to-day. j

PILOT-BOAT DAMAGED The Newport pilot-boat Spero, belonging to; Mr. Pry, was damaged off Barry this morn- ing. Mr. Pry had boarded a Spanish steamer in rry Roads, and the cutter ar i punti were attached to the stern of the steamer, when the propeller caught the punt and! smashed it, and also did considerable damage to the cutter. The latter diifted away, but was after-; wards towed into Barry Harbour, where she now lies. The crow-two men and a boy- were taken on board the steamer. j

I STEVENS' BRE- In groat nqaeefc, >5958 I

FROM ALL QUARTERSI A yorug lady who is attending the Paris Polytechnic is studying motor-car construc- tion. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught left; Victoria this morning by the boat express for Paris en route to Malta. A white blackbird has recently been seen at Bos tall Heath. Plume tead, one of thel London County Council's open spaces. Groat ravages are being caused at Mecca, Medina, and Yambo by a cholera outbreak. Deaths number over one hundred daily. A fine diamond of 96i carats has been found by a digger in the river diggings at Long- lands, near the Kimberley diamond fields. Julia Marchioness of Tweedda-le, who was injured yesterday through being knocked down by a cyclist at Chielehurst. is going on very well. Owing to the serious illness of General Drude from malarial fever, the French command at Casa Bianoa has been taken I over by Colonel Boutegourd. When requested to kill a mad cat which was terrifying the residents of a house, a. Ci<» eiand policeman pointed out that it was ¡ l^Mr.ay, the loth, and respectfully declioed the task. The "Echo de Paris" declares that there is no foundation for the report that Emperor William will visit Monaooo as the gueet ef the Prince during his forthcoming tour in the Mediterranean. The betrothal is announced of Princess Beatrice, youngest daughter of the late Duke of Saxe-Cobuig and Gotha and Duke of Edin- burgh, to Prince Alfonso of Bourbon Orleans, Infante of Spain. While riding to the meet of the Sdnnington HUllt yesterday Lord Helraeley, M.P., was thrown from his horse, which was frightened by ;.0, traction engine. The animal fell upon Lord Helmsley, but he was ubde to extricate himself, and escaped with only a few bruises. A short time ago his lordship's horse fell I with him into a deep stream.

I THE GENTLE BABOO AGAIN I Some very fine examples of B-aiboo English have just been placed at our disposal by a correspondent. This wag the form taken by a round-robin for a-a increase of pay:- Pleas3 Mr. ——.— I only wount to tell you that the money is to little we eat all the moay before the moth is fineeed Dry sir you beet and give us a little more money. It was, doubtless, another hard-up D.3ot.1"'e who stated that he had seven children, the youngest of whom wae still milking the maternal chest"! Here is another moving- appeal:- Most honoured &r.-Underotandimg that there are several hands wanting in your honour's department, I beg to offer my hand as to adjustment. I appmred for the Matric: examination in Ooty, but failed, the reason for whdoh I shall describe begin with, my writing was illegible this was due to climatic reason, for naving come from a warm to a oold climate I found my fingers stiff and very die- obedient to my wishes. Father [further] I bA received great shock to my mental system, in the shape of the dearth of my only fond brother Mr. besides honoured Sir, I beg to state that I am in very uncomfortable circumstances being the soul means of support of my fond brother's seven issues consisting of three Adults amd four adultreesee, the latte-r being boain of my existence owing to my hw. iug to -upport two of my own wives a? weM 3? their issnee, of which by God's misfortune the feminine gender predomi- nates. If by wonderful good fortune the j few humble lines meet, with your benign i kindness and favourable turn of mind, 1 the poor menial shall ever pray for the l long life and prospeirity of youreen as I well your honour's posthumous olive branches. It is not everybody who oould tell off-hand what is the feminine of adult!

1 fl.-H.UJ =g MOTOR-CAR THIEVES A gang of thieves in London appears to be oper-at-ing upon motor-cars at the preeen t time. Quite a number of thefts have occurred lately. In one caae a Stepney wheel with tyre was out from a taxicab; in another case a spare tube was taken out of the back of a oar; ia still another case a spare cover in a waterproof case was cut from a doctor's car while standing outside his house; and a fourth case, which has the merit of having a humorous side, was the clever theft of a large acetylene head light. A motor-car was standing ontside a house the other night (says the Autocar"), and a stranger informed the chauffeur that his tail lamp was out. The chauffeur, cordially thanking the stranger for the information, went to the back of the car, and proceeded to light the tail lamp. While thus engaged the thief calmly took the large valuable head ligbt off and disappeared.

ABNORMAL PLUMAGE IN BIRDS I Has our last-e summer of eccentric notoriety had anything to do with the unusual number of birde with irregular plumage at prese;n,t to be observed in different parts of the kingdom? Numerous white" sparrows have been reported this season-the term here ueed not to be taken quite literally in all casts, but there is nothing very remark- able in that, fact, because the sparrow is always given to developing abnormal plumage, especially in the wings and tail. But partially white birds of other aorte are quite common this season, and a single correspondent informs us that within the part few weeks he has came aoroes a star- ling, a blackbird, and a woodcock, neither of which had more than a few feathers of its ¡ proper plumage about it, the bird in each I case being nearly pure white.

A WHISKERS CLUB I The editor of the Waynesfzeld Chronicle j ■hae started a whiskers club. which already numbers 50 members. Meetings will be held at which whiskers will be measured and experiences exchanged, and a prize will be I given after the first yea.r to the young man with the longest whiskers.

MAN DIES IN A TRAIN I A tragic death occurred on the Swansea j to Pontypool branch of the Great Western Railway on Boxing Day. When some passengers boarded the train at Mountain Ash they discovered an aged gentleman in agony He complained of severe stomachic pains, and ere the train reached Hengoed the sufforer lapsed into unconsciousness, and Dr. C. Reidy. of Bargoed, who happened to be there, pronounced life to be extinct. About XI 58. was found on the body, and it was identified as tha.t of a dispeneer named William Johns, in the employ of Dr. T. W. Thomas, J.P., Caerphilly. He was about 65. The .body was later conveyed to the resi- de-nee of deceased at Goodrich-street, Caer- philly, by Poiice-constable Rees Price. An inquest will be held.

THE LONDON TRAIN SMASH I The inquiry into the London County Council tramcar collision at King's Cross on Wednesday evening will be. slightly delayed on account of the Christmas holidays. The tramway department was closed on Thurs- day, but as the drivers and conductors of the cars concerned were not seriously injured, their reports to the head office will be presented as early as possible. The conductor of the stationary car, John Burg-ass, suffered most injury with leg bruises, but he, like 'the other victims, was able to walk about and wa.s not detainer a.t the hospital.

"OH, MY BONNIE LADDIE I" I At Glasgow on Boxing Day Joseph M'Aree, 25, was charged with murdering his wife, who, before her death, said: He trailed me I out of bed, kicked me, and smashed me." On account of his youth the capital oh"ge was not pressed, and prisoner was gentonced to eight years' penal servitude. When he- was sentenced, accused's mother, who was crying bitterly, shouted: Oh, my bonnie laddie! My bonny Josey!" I

FATAL FALL OFF A WALL I After lying at Newport Hospital for ahom.l two months, a middle-aged man, nmed Robert Vincent, died there on Christmas Da,y from a. fractured spine. He was a I native of Chepstow, but had been li;i Cwmbran for some tmM. On 0ct0beI 27 he tell off a wall, aod received ooDSidteNble l inianes.

TO-DAY'S FOOTBALL I Baa-Baas v Newport There were a oouple of changes in the Barbarians' side which turned out at New- port to-day, before a fairly good holiday crowd. The ground was in crisp conditio, and a keen wind was blowing. Teams: — Barbarians: Back, J. C. M. Dyke; three- quarter backs, S. F. Coopper, W. C. Wilson (captain), L. M. Dyke, and A. C. Palmer; h-alf-back- R. H. Williamson and W. il. Fleming; forwards, J. L. C. Partridge, S. N. Cronje, W. B. Odgere, F. W. Odgers, R. D. Cox, N. T. White, J. F. Sirauaghan, and J. R. Upson. Newport: Back, F. W. Burt; three-quarter backs, Reg. Pliunmer, W. J. Winfield, K. B, Griffiths, and Stanley Williams; hail-backs, T. H. Vile and W. J. Martin; iorwards, C. M. Pritchard, Geo. Boots. F. Jenkins, J. I. Hodges, E. Jenkins, T. Lewis, R. J. Pritcaard, W. Webb. Referee, MI. T. L. Williams ;Pontyprid For a long time the order of play wa-s loose forward rushes, which ended without j a,dnantzg.e to either side, yet served to warm up the combatants. Eventually, the ball was sent out from a scrum to Winiieid, who broke through nicely, but spoilt a chance by kick- ing over Dyke's hsa-d when a mt of deter- j mination would have carried him over the line. The ball was, however, kicked dca-d. Breaking up a scrum smartly near mid-field Hodges started passing, and after all the backs had handled Reg Piuziimer showed good speed and scored, R. B." failed with the jiick. Scrambling play folloffed to the interval. HjaSf-tisme score: G. T. P'ts. NOWPOot 0 1 3 Bejtbatrians 0 0 0 Final soore: G. T. Pts. y?wpcM't  1 3 Barbarians .——? 000 1

BREAM V PONTNEWYDD At Bream to-day, before a fair attendance. Both teams were not at full strength. Hm.- ever, a good game resulted. In the Lmt"L" Kilby, Baker, and Hubert James scred tries for Bream, one being converted. After the interval Padden scored two tries for Pont- newydd, one being oonverted. Final score. G. T. P'ts. Bream 1 1 11 j Pontnewydd .— — 118

Northern Union Game MERTHYR V BROUGHTON RANGEHS Freeh with holiday triumphs over Sacford and Halifax, the famous Broughton Eangers reached Merthyr to-day, and met the locals before a crowd numbering fully 9,000. Not- witstanding the hard irast, the College field was in perfect condition, the having been protected and rolled. Merthyr were weii represented, but the Hangers came down without the Brothers Jameb. Teame:- Merthyr: Back, Paddison (captain); three- quarter back., Page Jenkins, "Ponty" Thomas, Ce-wines-dow, and W. Smith; half- backs, s Bees and J. Harrison; forwards, Dai Joiicc, W. D. Thomas, Dai Thomas, W. Be van, Moles, and Ted Jenkins. Broaghton iia-ngers: ilad, Monkhouse; three-quarter backs, Hardymaa, HTelhaxn, W. Harris, and Dickenson; TlalT-backs, Hortoa and Oliver; forwards, Wyiey, Scott, H. Ciara- pitt, R. Ciampiu, Kardesiey, and Mo ran. Beferee; Mr. Wood (Huddersfield). Haltf-time score: G. T. P'tB. Merthyr 2 2 10 Broughton Bangers 0 0 0

LLANELLY V CARDIFF ROW London Critic Favours Tin-platers Commenting upon the quarrel between the Llanelly and Cardiff Football dubs, the London" Daily Express" thinks that in the present disturbed oCondiition of the Principality such a dispute must act -injuriously upon aniat-e-ur football. That foul play took place is undoubtable, but there is reason to believe that both sides were guilty of unfair tactics, and each team charges the otlicr with starting them. The referee seems inclined to blame Llanelly for being the first to introduce Ulld-u roughness into the play. The Cardiff touch-judge also asserted that insulting observations were addressed to him, and eimphaeised by clod throwing. It remains to be seen what the Llanelly committee will have to say in reply. Ll-a-neily charge Cardiff with taking their beating in an unsportsmanlike manner, and —with truth—point out that this is not the first time for the Welsh metropolis to whine. Some years ago Cardiff and Lianelly quarrelled over a similar matter, aad for many seasons no fixtures were mads, with the resuit that two of the best teams in Walee did not try conclusions with each other. At that time, too, Llanelly defeated Cardiff, and the present complaint does j savour of the cry of a disappointed team which had hoped to go through the season with unbroken record. .1.0 say tne leasv, "D vrulU pacss are not a flock of lambs. There are a few rough ones among them, and there ip no doubt that the "rinplat-ers" have a very good case. The pity of it is that at a time when unity is absolutely necessary among Welsh amateur Bugby footballers a miserable squabble like this should be introduced, The team which <)cf?at?d we ?uth Africans i might be expected to be above makmg trivial complaints atgainst their oppomentc,, and true sportsmen must regard this churlish exhibition of temper with contempt. In the interest of the game, and at a time when the Northern Union is m:akip rapid inroads into Wales, the Welsh Union should be able to step in and prevent i damaging wrangles between players and teams. This miserable quarrel will harm the Cardiff club far more than the lose of a dozen matches.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. is. M Uutcneon ai-a not play for Waies; apaAnet England in 18?5. The Welsh tiuree- Qiaartere were Pearson, A. J. Gould, O. |j Eadper, and W. L. Thomas. Constant Header (Pontypridd;. We axe? much O'Wigc for cK)q--actio,,ri' I I

BOXING I What was, perhaps, the best content seen since the famous Bradley-Southwar fight was witnessed on Thursday night at the Merthyr National Athletic Club, when Oharlie Taylor, of Liverpool, met Jack Ward in a ten two-minute-round contest for £ 50 i a-side. There was a crowded attendance when the two lads took the ring, the referee being Sergeant M'Nally, of Merthyr. In the opening rounds both men went "all in," and matters were fairly even. lAter, however, Wa-rd forced the lighting, and certaJDi" v, on points, scored heavily. The contest. how- ¡ ever, went the stipulated ten rounds, ajid at the end the referee gave his decision in favour of Ward, which was a very popular I verdict. I

HOCKEY i CARMARTHEN V. LLANELLY I The St. Peter's Boys gave the Llanellvites a surprise at Carmarthen on Boxing Day by defeating them by thre? goals to nil. 'i-L, c tame was It fasl and scientific one all through, the homesters showing that they were a greatly improved team.

"BACHELOR GIRLS" ORDEAL The Bachelor Girls' Club in Alton, Illinois. has oqered a, silk dres worth £ 40 to the girl who can prove next month that she has refused more proposals of marriage than any other mem-ber of the club. The bachelor girls' a-im in life ie to make men propose, so that they ca.n reject them, and thus prove woman's independence of me-roe man. The competition is to be decided at the beginoniag of the aomual ball held in January, when every memlber experts to have at least three refusals to her credit. But next year is leap year, and the bachelor girls remain discreetly silent concerninug the fate of their dancing partners after the prize has been award.

BALLOON ASCENT AT MONMOUTH: There was a balloon ascent at Monmouth on Thursday, the aeronauts being the Hon. Charles Bolls. Captain H. W. lioya; Engineers), and Mr. Philip Gardner of the balloon, which is called the Satellite). The oa;iacity of the balloon is 2S,JOO The ascent took place from the gasworks. • where the balloon had been inflated during the morning. It rose to about 4.000 feet. and then, travelled rapidly in a north-westerly direction. It could be seen for more thaii half-an-hour still travelling in the opme I direction.

AN ANCIENT CEREMONY. The ancient ceremony of bringing in the boar's head was duly observed on Christmas evening at Queen's College, Oxford fhe had. which weighed 75ilb., was from a boar purchased at the Smithfield Show As it was carried to the high table the college choir headed the prooession, singinj iThe Boar's Head" Carol.

For some time pafit the police of Paris have 'been on the look out for a person who, .ie- quenting the underground railway and large shops, has cut off the long treeses of a young ladies. He was caught t.Le other day in the BiUe de Bivoli with scissors in hand when just about to repeat the offence. At his home a large number of plaits of hair were found, and the mam. seemed to bane a prefer- ence for golden tresses.

Weather Forecast The British Meteorological Office this morning issued the following forecast of tne weather likely in South Walee from 10.30 a.m. to-day till 10.30 a.m. to- morrow e Easterly winds, strong to a rale in plaoes; cold; changeable; some snow showers.

To-day's Racing KEMPTON PARK, FI*he WATfiSIjOC> SELLING STEE- 1.0 PLiiCiiAcjiij of iuu bovs. Two miles. a j; j-u Mr R Cecil s jL&igitt ol toe Oiarwr ..Cowiev 1 a-ii. i Ju Pa-Tier's Jxuiais Hi K Meazic* £ b. xi i Mies Ji ,\1 v» ooai&iiu' o nmpria £ I Jkjtui rn iayjoiv, ilortuag Ltw thil Lut;), lItoatcil"ae V..ÎWIlt."fi. anti TDe <>!lOUlh keob. Well). Winner tanned by wore. ■JtSfUiujf—5 to L -gwt ikijiexiaL. c to 1 agpt DoUaj- III., 7 to 2 ngst Knight 0: the oii ter, j a 1 agsi Cynique, ajid 6 too 1 east ag.& "ill's cnjtij.ii, inoramt Dew, <umi .Maai/Obene. wan ii itoee ¡.e14.t-ÍJti; one ierigUs «v&rased the eecoad aad tmrd. Uiace started ) Á.lHg"1I ot tut Garter was oougm. ia for 175gL "j OA—The KEW R&UjmG RAXNCAP R?OK of 100 eo?, win- ners extra. Two miies. 4 11 li Air F C Paiter's jici .W8iUd.Dgl.on 1 4 11 10 Air ALark Finn's hpecifio»i Ihtnn 2 6 ii 12 Mr t* Daw-rey e .X Mason 5 Aj £ C> on—Tebl JSWoii (T FlUoiij, VftM t-, „j- rmgLjiii, uroei iMatuMwa* Jarvitj, Myri- ieruras ■ E Idorg QJ), Caaiire Ca.m toil (V\ lay lor,, a,¡. taioo vilUTpiiy;, joxi at iwi-tnm ( Winner l.ra.ae<i 0)' Keiiy. &t;ng-E-= iiysterjous, 3 to 1 &get Jack, 6 to 1 t-pecifcoM, 10 to 1 agss Piici HuJ and 100 to b ¡¡,t<1. any o-iit: woa u .nwo iengiis; a neck separatee tbe Q ami Mind, uiace at 1..>1..} Jack, was bougiu in ior 223ge. ') O-The i- UNBUitY STEEPLECHASE —HANDICAP PI/ATii of u eovs; winners extra Two inile6. ? ? l?,K?i GosweU 1 b li 4 Y?r Jbn.?e C?%UD, K Mason 2 U ¿ A Ctw"- i.!Ir?OL i AiSu -TUV— Aw Fwin. (Mae. Bajoa Gjwftcn lO'lirreai. aad .Denmark (.Dunn). •> iaaer trained by Maiter. too i agst iiartui Oraitoti, 4 to 1 &pit •Baejili, & to 1 eacn agA IXsnmatrk a.nci G aaa o W 1 eaon agst IAZT Pjtot and Oaubeea. Woa by fcbrtje iocgtns; mx lecgtiis separated the BeOOIId and thlit. War Pamt tel". iKaoe started at 2.) O OA—The MOBTL?KI: THREE-YF,4TL. I ?<? .C?U <j.U) HANDICAP BUm/? itAc? L"L-LE of 100 SOVB winners extra. One mile and a half, over six bights 01 hardies. 11 4 Mr H Dixon,e St O'Brian Mr Waist 1 Ü eMr R 'Prii.i?r't Koggie .vA! T"J lQr 2 W T? ..?r  M 1 MT S?rr?T. i? Ctoupe T Dunn 3 A4r- -k?.-led -y (0nLœ¡, DM ODMN (.bu. MT.T), i,r ? umotj, Ag??M ? OMi?,, ?om? rm ) i?c-li*,?l,,u ?.p Ag,"or (11 ?titon, (11" iltú!'d>, MMad (R T-Yl- -d Ayrcaa? Winner trained by Halt. Batttng—9 to 4 agfcl Bentboo, 5 to i eac bagst Agua- ccr ? El OTO '6 to ? a?Bt 110man &jugM. 8 to 1 98L f????, 10 to 1 e? ?st Eagerness Md L? agst Juggle, 100 to & agst aay outer. <-«up?, &ad 10C to & ?gat a?v otber. ?on by two l?gtaf; M? a le&M SoParaid tb?, MomM -d thcd. (R-M &t&rMa ? ?.?.) Q A—The KEMFTON PARK 8TEEPLE- 3. CHAb? PLATE 01 1D? 80Te; winners exira. Three miles. 5 11 1t Mr ] £ Jlatooinison s Mousi prspm",s Fortune (i 1 a ii ? Mr W B i?MJ-idg'?6 TTiBo?y TUu,, 1 Ikmbeny 2 4 D & Mr F Bib?-e Mj?y O?e?? .??? 3 W inner trained by Maber Batting—5 to 4 OlD Mou-sit Prospect's Fortune, 5 to 4 agst Timothy Titus, and 20 to 1 agbt KigiLt) Goean. rtca easily by one length; a bed uurd. otaoe started at i.L j O OA—The TWICKENHAM MAIDEN 0»0V/ HURDLE RACE of 100 som; win- nert3 extra. Two milee. 3 10 5 Sir ii Baodall'e feoirmac's Way J Murphy 1 4 11 7 Mr W Jam la's Lady Cringle .J Jarv» 2 o ii) 12 Lord Carnarvon's Sintram J vbrien 3 Also rao—Brwkwood (E Moeej, Creaingate (Mason) Old Nick (J Walsh, junJ Ante (T Duan), IlIIà OrtJj- SQt&Oe i^iliCTl. > W inner tr?"nrd by B!. Betting—Me tID 8?aeL4 Solimao'e ?&y6 ta 1 a??s?t Laidi Ormgie, and 2 to 1 agst Sintram. ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS THIS MOBynfG. OTb?, Jaok, M"vmenous, 1>.km &y, W:?M&' w-, ot. Swrtiiin, 1-1 Match, Ch?-eetnct?n Pay- ?ter, The Compa», St. (YBn&n, Roman &ni? El Oro -Mlt-, P"ted La?y, P?b?Mh, Do be Quicx. m?t€iM,jTtrh&e OM Nic4 &c.;imeme Way, &Dd tftbM&??.

WOLVERHAMPTON. l.a.-The BUSHBCBY HtTEDLE of 100 sovs; winners extra. Two miles, over hurdles. 3 10 1 Lord Allendale's OaOO.¡:la.bra ..1!.æ.dd' 1 j W 9 31r G Gunter's Merrythought 2 AlOMMj J F iia?ick'c Stepfather  Waid 5 Mikado \A ?' ?? uill (G "?? ?! The Cherub ('Ierrnta). Winner trained by G Chaloner. Betting-—5 to 4 agst U&cdai»bra, c to 1 agm The Cherub, 4 to 1 agbt Stepf&ther, S to 2 gast Merr" v- .noug-n!, acd 10 to 1 agtS aa-y other. woo by a ierngth ami a half; eig-ht lengths separated too eeoocd aiid third. (R-,e starte- dat 1.2., 1.33.—The BEE WOOD HUE.I>i,E cf 70 aovs; winners extra. Two miles, over hurdles. 3 W 6Mr B Biatehe's NiDepiaa Waikdac 1 a u 6 1IU J Vinson Paase Chadik 2 Ui .5 Mr AA H Millard's Gruurard East 5 Aiao ran—To-iwiok (W BissiL., Neutrality (IL- Sura- Honsoni (A Box), Postscript (Paime.r, ,Merry. As?ne (i?ue.?. Mart C?-mp rv, Payne), Locktiiuitia (lexr,mu). Samm ?r W?t<?hcr?, Md M? Sparrow (G Wilson). Winner trained by Thornton. Brt-tiag_-2 to 1 agst Mias Sparrow, 6 to 1 agst Poet- ^_ppt, & W 1 ea? a?t Mer? A, Qruina?, and -S mapi?, and 10 to 1 i?st acy other. I by tbme l; fcm ?en?Mte aeo?M? tted the secoRd aDd third. (Race started as. L.34., 2.0.he KlitLET HURDLE of 50 BOTE; win- ners extra. Two miles, over hurdlee. 4 15 Mr w Harcourt's Cliaker aPrk^on 1 a J) 6 Mr C Hartley's Tern pernors ItonDclir 2 4 ly 14 Mr F Taylor's Swereifcn &' wdeon 3 Aiso raa—OMecradle (Mr Ferguson,. Tilda (Vatiem) criuEtw (Sewey. PreasniAn kMr J Anthony;, auo St-tdoa Prinoe (Orrae-r). Winner trained priTafcejy. Bettinj-e to 4 agvt Bp^r, 3 to i agBt Soveregu, 5 to 1 agat Ilreeman, 6 to 1 aget Caeoateila, 7 to 1 ■est Cii.nker, and 10 to 1 agst any other Won by six lengths; a ien^fc" between the second and -in.ra. (Race started at 2.3.) 2-30,-The CHRISTMAS STEEPLECHASE, of 110 50vs; winners extra. Two miles. a  dr C T ',??udd,-u Ri? .? ?onnt? 1 ? ?? 1 2Ctt.pt for-f-?Mr-?-??FT's ApeUœ A Jt?v 2' a 12 .?r p Wa.;?? Fiuti?r Mr Fe?? 3 a.12 .) ¡;ir \H:eè7 I Anson Fe!YU8On ttin¡;-6 to 5 m Fitn?'w, H to 6 aM &Idd- I IKse, ?<i 6 to 1 a?st Apeilee. Won by two lengths; three tengths separated the secone and third. (Race farted at 2.32.) 3,0-The ALBEIGHTON t3l'FEPLWHASP of 73 8<?vg; winners extia. Three miles of 5 11 3 C&.p. rore-?l?-W?ttccr'e ?.Mtrr A ?rj-. 1 a -2 10 Mr &reewoid&y iLijams-s Bed Momt &??' 2 5 11 iM? F C Stenfs AMaooe ,aor'k>n 3 Aiso ?-?rrict (Mr Chmw?). Ro+? (??dw?k) C?affM? ?? AR?, Y.U., Cha?e «?nen ??hn  ,Zl,? Quano (G L?. and P"nch Bet:tiD. 1 a.-t TR>ac> 5 a.to 1 Zgm P.-d Moik, a??l?'J???- ? l? ???: 3.25. The INGESTRE STEEPLECHASE of 70 sovs; winners extra. Two milee. 5 10 5 Mr B Will!am6's Let Go the yAJD?r P&vne i 5 ? 1 <.?pt Noa Monev'e Titterstone Ten-ètt.. 2 5 10 5 Mr J HLU??- Bet? .Mr ??? %I A? ran—Theodocion (A Newe, ? Winner \ramed by i?a, BetMng—6 to 4 &W Let Go the r?.mter. ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS THIS MCORNTN-G. Pressman. Sudden Rise. Flutter. Apeilw, Rati, Radyr Parnun, and Blunderbuss. Snow Ü falling fa&t, bw not euougt. to stop rac-Es;

NEWMARKET NOTES. (FROM OUB OWN OOBBBSPCWDENT.L "TvwlLARKxr, Tbur.& A cold morning, and some snow. M?jor ?ea.tty'e oeutm Bcwd (J Ca4* and P?dv Brown, ?ood mik ? h?f OB th<.a? glrpp?d. A B ???dleT'a Adoo? III. a gmd two milee stripped. T I-eader'6 Pretty Dick, J, Cape Verde, Phidmp- pides, a niœ mile. Laach's Gal ley pot, a useful mle and a half A?-s &Wfern and Y<? & nice seven furl.n? ?a?tia A:rapaQ?m, Luie? and ?oh? CM?d. UHELTEWHAM MEETING. SELECTIONS FOR SA TURDA T. Priory Stepieohall,IOIB-fTA. Hilkxxurt Hurdle—BOMAXY RTJt. ChT:stma« Hurdle Juveailt Hujxfl(^TYmi>Lfc Cleveland Hurdle-BUCKLER.

RUSSIA AND FINLAND. EXPRESSIONS OF UNWAVERING LOYALTY. The lnnnic-h Senate have decided (says a. telegram received at St. Peters-burg- from Helsingfors) to eend Senator Mehelin to Sot. Petersburg- to seek an audience of the Oza.r for the purpose of transmitting- to hie Majesty, in the name of the Senate, an expression of Finland's unwavering loyalty to the Throne. The telegram. adds that if the audience is granted by the Czar popular manifestations will be org-anised throughout the whole of! Finland a.jra-in.^t the retirement of M. Ghrd, the Governor^-General. —Central News. A military deitoohimjfet of various arms from the St. Petersburg district has been sent to the Finnish frontier. Thirty railway wagome were required to convey them from the capital. According to the Enseky IDhd." the object ot the move is to aid the frontier g-uards to control the passage 00 persons over the frontier. Part of the troops quaroored M Tsarakoe Selo aire now practising ski-running.—Reitfter. PROBABLE PERSIAN LOAN. I A Persian loan, guaranteed by Russia and England, is quite a possibility of the near future. At the recent meeting of the Lmipe- ri&l Baimk of Persia Sir Lepel Griffin, indeed, foreshadowed it. S-ucth an issue shouild, of course, he made under t'mob guarantees as would ensure the proceeds being expended on objeete in the intesreefcs cf the oo«unt-ry. If England amd Russia should guarantee suoh a loan it will probably be made a charge on the revenues of the entire country. Under such amspdoee, and 80 fKxrured, there could ] be no dowbt ae to the enocess of tlp- issue. Up to the pneeent the Imperial Bank eeeme i to have been doing What has been foand necessary from time to time in tbe way of adranoing money. It has made advances to the Government amounting in all to; £ 400,600. The bami seems to have the field very much to iteeflf, the German bank scheme, of which bo mmoh hef; been written, having- not yet been given definite form aad shape.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS AND IN BKMORtAM. Charge for inserting MiwtiBemecte under this bee*. 1I11;' ;-a. for SO Worda and Id. ior Every Two ZaAft ordll. No notice of tills description wj; be inexrted uniaai autaeotioeted by tie nan>« aDd zxxL-cm at Uu> aeodftr. Telegrams and teiepuonjc cannot be aceei j on until connnxiad in wntjn*.

II AUGUTIN J. slOJSjb,, fUKKiULL DIBBCTOB. Personal baperrieion to All Orders. X«U Tel. Carriifl, Ko. 70s. I -P-Mee Teh: No 912. Catd?a. Teteerwmcf. AUG-UST1XE M OXK, Card ill. 5> WoaKIaG-s'r-. 0AKDIFF. XMA?TpREsE?Ts7 For ??Bea Selection at ?oMr&te Fnco? go to SEATON'S. 14 and 16. THE MORGAN ARCADE, ST. MARY-STREET, CARDIFF. Initials or Namee Engraved Free of UnAive upon Articles Purchased. e4643 v

To-day's Finance WKDO; Friday, 2% pin. Cal: Moaey is at 5t to 6 per :ont., and ti!Tee ruOlltlillt bills « 6 to e. per oeuit- Bomtay tran«f<s-j H la-ISd, Ciocutta holiday, Bio 15 7-5<id, Valpa-razgo ¡¡ 15-).&4. baonos Ayrec 46 15-16d- The Stock Elxotiaiige is extremely quiei. atteivuon dwect-ed to tÍN œrry-o-çcI. :rn; i\ looos are obtajtutule at 6b to ôâ per otiit. Coiitiiigos rang* tram II to j on Home Rails. General rate on Aineri- Coils is 6 to 7 per oent. Consols are steady at szi for Money and S3 for the Account. Home JBaiit are firm. Great NurtOO1T "A." Gieft Weetem, and Jvortii Baetarn are i Lpi Eriglitoa "A" li, and oth t to j. Ammciis ar-e haa-ry. New York Central aad NCIIr- fttlk Common are li down. Southerr. Pretfs Z. and others i to 1, except Denver ajic South-en Pacific^ which are i up. Canadian PaciSo. arp unaltered. Trunk Thirds are i dwn oc docrease oi 5,000 doiUzs im trafiSc. Mexican Ei.i.fs are i tc 1 up. Foreigners are firm. Mines are idle, and almost unattered. Tiatoe. 66 CARDIFF. Frkiav. There was very little doing oc th- jscii Stock Markat tJiis momin^i. there g a dearth ol orders GO soon after the holidays. Ttie Exchange and offices were cl aJt mid-day. The only T;iovfiijeiit £ in prices were a rise of 4 to 141 in Metropol Banit aim < fall Of i to Si in Albion Coal Ordinary.

i TO-DAY'S CHARTER* NSiS. L*(XN DON, Fridav. The attendance on the Fwigiit MarKet is e-nail. and there is lit4je tequi-ry for tenure in &x\y direcLion. Tbe different d«paj-t,merjt5 reniaiu nomnialiy unciiangadf a-id no tLZvUibb are ILS yo

"nrt.S. .JJtfJO.. iff *v \>=ri, ,;¡, &:I..u;,) ), .Á, \rC" \v.iroI\ -II. '¿¡'.L CI., .¡.,¡. ,.ÀwI''o''U. ■iX-- X.4*. ■» ■ iAiC..1 —ictlvt, -0, V»w fat A1.1.II!J. U-ttc^OfW, 1- iavlcaa, Stub .t11L10,. V. i»L ili V.-istfi lAJCiL iMG. 2 ia^a.— t onaiie, ti, (v^it wrlght;, Livar- pOOi, fa, io-i Å.t..hY;' 6"(1; xic.yi., o, V(j.¡.œ.t. QtKE-S A N Dec. 27 \a.a4.—Jitviuui, :0. tub \u!c:u" .cacb.xa., pitwood.

MOVEMENTS OF LO^AL VE.SSELS. Eieiraeoy GiixrajlLar for Lne-rpoool 2drd W.111Loi:: t) <fC'iit^t a^~i.i'k^d t /■) <- Ul isad-swi iinwount- a.rn\ea ixom Civtui v 26tn iuan.L»ejiJ5 tell oioraitar for narrow ZCua Asuui*>u> ültç ie: t anpii- foi KTiSLeniije ZHtn Mmuoor arrived Nipoiaael from Odteia ion; Lll:W1(liÜi.JId. a.rrn.ed Barry 24th h,a,udey ledt Suitina f-or -ttotusrdaan 26th v> asuungton ari i\ed Barry 24u; Ito-wJais pafcfced UoneJ^atinopk for H-u-li 22 Wt-nvoe arrived Burkeniiead ZívU Poruuga-leie ifaft ALoute for a Blanca 24th Foretot airrivt-d F-uciva 23rd ColLva-ua arrived. jEuedva &4th Lij-TKiii-arst &,l'.ri'\ e.d t&h Tyne zjyè. Pontyprid.d left Bilbao ior Mew-port 24Q Poanaron armed Newport Z&rd Ijlajiwern armed Barry 26iii Gr.a,na,ua arrived liou-tn 26till C'arra.n left Swansea for Kou-en 24th Inver arrived Roaeai 24th Mioyle arri-ped St. Malo 25th 8fe>k-"s.iey left Kewport for Rouen 24th Burn by arrived Monte Video ir-cxm Glaego-w 23rd Wra-g-by paseed Holtenan for l.ra-tzweach 34 Hawnby arrived Alexandria trom Biych 23rd Gadshy pa-ed jttartmionith for l/uitxx-.k 23rd Coleb-y left Rotterdam for tlw- 'I'ne 24tii Atfcby arrived -,Lulwerp from Port St. Ixnrii 24tih Silver Wings arrived "SVellincrtoii (L'.S.A.) 23rd.

GOLF PORTHCAWL CONTESTS. There were about 40 psay-ere on the links on Boxing Da.y. The weather was dry, but there was an easterly gale blowing, which made scoring very difficult. BSOGXXIiN BOWL. There were many entries, but not many cards were returned. The following were the scores:— Dr. 1VIC :5 cto-WM, Arnold Morgan 6 „ H.M. Ia?d?w. 7  L<&WT? Thomas s „ THE MULI-.EB CUP FOR JUXTOUS. This cap, nwiously held by S. Morgan, was won by C. E. Lynoh-Blos&e. SOUTHERXDOWN MONTHLY BOGEY. Played at Southerndown on Thursday, in a strong gale. B-esult:—R. 0. Irving. S trikes, 9 down; A. T. Howell, 20 strokes, 9 down (tied). OPTIONAL SWEEP. strokes received. E. P. Lambert .iw. 5 do?u. G. Carne < 6 R. H C<) 20 9 „ Price Jones 20 It N. S. Carne 5 12 „ H. Duncan .?. 2 13 „ ARTISANS CUP.  The winner wat R. Heddy, with a fc.ore 106 net. COMPETITIONS AT NEWPORT. waf a good entry for the Boring Day competitions at Newport. In the morning there was a medal sweep, a-i*d the following carde were returned:- Ooa;Vfn>. T. B Jones 99 85 J. P. Gvi-a,tldn 110 25 8a H. L. Phillips 101 14 87 T. G. Skyrme 102 14 88 A. H. Stone 102 13 89 R. E. Hughes roo 9 93 H D. Yorat-h 104 10 94 A. N. Cnllimore 118 16 102 In the afternoon there was a foursome s-weeip, the following ooing the best s coret; Grose. H'cap. Net. C. W. Aiderton and J. P. G-watkin 112 20 98 L. A. Phillips a.nd G. L Lloyd 96 3 93

STEVENS' BREAD- Consumers May ie perleotion. • e5958-4 Cso latr for Classification 1908. BUY YOUR NEW YEAR'S PRESENTS AT SOL. PHILLIPS;. JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMEKTB, 41, ST- MAK1 -BTKJSJST AD 43, CAROLINE-ST., CARDIFF. TEilfi. IS "TEE OLD FHIM." ESTAB. liSQ. &EE VIKDOWS. IT Wl?INT?-E.EST you. GOLD Loeiet, with pliotog-rafli m it. L-, on December 2-i i.na-e.- rewarded.—The D-7,. Vtit- ctourch. 1\.T:KA l':â=Youni-G;;¡lt,za;; Serrajit -v.-a.n'Ce(¡ three ia i.v ia-il3-3&r& H. Kimble, Kockieig- Glwj-road, I Nea5.it. e-i$7oz30 I^VOUXD, December 2th. Fawn Bull Bitch; i; oõt £ c;rned iu tl1ræ days wUl_œ jd,-Appjy 22 Bea<uohamp-strL>e"t, Eiversitte, Card;U. e4M?oz30 'l'-r.NiiEJ.) by ieadlcs Life O&oe?T?t. gupennteo- tf daiite (OIl salary) in Smt? %\ftl?, aire Assistant* and Ag-erite (WllOíc ür spare t1Ul('N<:H: experiosco to Advertiser. 101. ltoplield-streci. Oa.lè.Jtf. e4S:-lz30 TO Let, comfortai.e Lodpict-f; board or otherwise] -L Uath, üIk or two young men.—14. Alfred- 6*. Aluaziy-road, Boath Park. e49TS(2o<) £ 45 Piano: new; good -ker; taker 1'r TenT; A and 1wo seooad-barid icy?c4es; ctu be -z, by appointmc-nt; tost o, -r.-H 6c" Ci?.?.?. ? mimiM COOK-Oen»i»i, thoroughly reliable. w»i;t«i.-Arpijr i.y.'1-wooQ, ivianishe- 2,4 COOK-General or Ge,.dz-, -?Eo )ong -Ho,èr;¡-jo -i4.-Apply, 5-6. ii, Windsor-place. e4&L EXFt-RIENCED Hoaee-Parlorrmaid reqvired, ,mddle Jimunry; knowledge 0/ telcphoce Laser.tial.—Airs. ilHam &baao, 2) &. ind.'s-c.rl't, Caiaifl. ei2 G ENTLI?MA-N requires oaiu:ortable Boiirri-R^r-denoe, with ir< cf bathroom, near LJa/idaff Fi«kis; please 8L&te ?'liel?ive C,-diff. \\7 ANTED, lu Jailu?N, good ?'%orYiug Ga.ro.eÕei; wabst?iner: unmarried; to milk cow,—Pax- tioulars to B 6E, Eveming Eipre«¥. Cardiff" e4e917.30 W- -ANTED, DouMe 4" C-.e,o. P=P, to 9L" isoi 11 also 8 or £ ;nch Turning Lathe.— William K"te, Engineer. ljlandiifT. e4SS5iJ 'r?'R?PCRy.—Da.Td Evan« (Llmitedt,-Queen-st Cardiff, Tequir -e?3p-Lable young Mec ')r .11 depaJtme.-itf. f!9e6z3C A- Good Car. rubber ty,& ptiitabie for A email pony, wanted.—Write, with full particulars and lowest price, to H Err,n.,rig Express, Cardiff. z30 NOTICE—Two Pair? real Old English F?htij)? Game NC?ock?re?. ",nd Pullets, Spar.gl-e?, 7,. 6d. pil; Parrot, silver grey, talker. 2" with Cape, make grand wedding present.—Cobb, 56, Gordor.-road. Dwt- iord. t-4n3i2 BUS IXES S for Sale—llaLrdTee^-er, Fancy. trid BTabacconist: main thorough fare; good 8ØOfI OT Civirig up.—Apply R. K., livening Express. Hewport. e498^12 GEXKRALi -Dt«f;o-dft.n; g?ood rn?*21 fa-1. -& "UI. Y?oot?btc-stMat. ouasga