County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

CAERLEON. Agent-Miss M. A. Evans, Newsagent, Oross-street, U.D.C. MEETING. This authority met at the Endowed Schools on Tuesday evening, Rev. D. B. Jones in the chair. The Clerk reported the receipt of X58 from the County Council on account of the sum of E116 due for the year ending March. This would put the District Council in credit. It was stated that the lighting of Ccerleon was generally unsatisfactory, and on the motion of Mr. Crease, seconded by Mr. Parry, it was decided to .direct the Gas Company's attention to the matter. It Was agreed to re-elect Mr. D. W. Jenkins as a ,scholarship manager for Magor and St. Mellon's district. The Collector reported having collected £10 8s 3d since the last meeting, making E207 19s. 9d. secured out of a total of S-325. The Surveyor reported that he was pleased to see the improvement in the sanitary arrangements of the Industrial Schools.—The Chairman said that several hundred pounds had been 6xpended there. The Medical Officer reported that there were no iresh cases of scarlet fever or other infectious disease in the district. The Clerk read a leng letter from Mr. J. L. 'Wilkinson with reference to the Board's request that the G.W.R. should improve the local train ervice. Mr. Wilkinson expressed regret that the Company were unable, for reasons stated, to accede -to the Council's wishes, but assured the members .H that although under present conditions it is found to be impracticable to give effect to their wishes, ;the Company will not overlook the representations which have been made, and should any change in -the circumstances arise as would permit of or justify .ADy alteration in or addition to the train service in the direction desired they will not fail to take advantage of it." Mr. W. Welsford directed attention to the impor- tance of dealing with the question of the road in -the neighbourhood of Goldcroft Common, in view .of the contemplated building of the As) lum near Caerleon.

CHEPSTOW. Agent.-Miss Clark -U.D.C.-At the Chepstow Urban District -Council meeting on Monday the projected widening -of Horse-lane was further discussed, and plans .-showing the part of the churchyard proposed to be -taken in were before the meeting. It was decided ,to substitute for the old wall bounding the lane 'low wall with iron railings on top, a:?d also to <aet back and re-erect the churchyard gates to the satisfaction of the church authorities. A

GROSMONT. PERIODICAL STOCK SALES.—We are informed "that it is intended to establish periodical stock sale8 at Grosmont at an early date. Mr. Montague Harris, auctioneer, Abergavenny, has been secured -for conducting the sales and Mr. A. W. Thomas, ithe new and enterprising landlord of the Duke of "York Inn, Grosmont, is making extensive .srrangements to ensure for the forthcoming 'fixtures a great success. These auctions will supply a long pressing want, and Mr. Thomas is to be heartily congratulated for taking the matter up in the public spirit he has.

LLANDENNY. Agent.-Afrs. Preece, The Shop. CHURCH RESTORATION.—Probably them are but few outside the parish of Llandenny who are aware that the ancient Church of St. John the Divine at Llandenny is being restored. The Vicar has been quietly at work effecting improvements, Mr. G. Halliday, F.R.I.B.A., the Diocesan Surveyor, &c., being the architect, and Mr. T. Ballinger, of Dingestow, the builder. The old lych gate at the entrance to the Churchyard has already been restored, :and the workmen are now engaged on the tower of the Church, which is in a rather bad state. It is hoped to be able to remove the plaster from the inside walls of the Church, to get the stone-work pointed, and to effect other improvements. The bells also require re-banging. With regard to these the story is told that some 70 or 80 years ago they were in the tower of Raglan Church, and that an old lady objecting to them, by some means got them removed to Llandenny, out of her hearing. The .Church is of the 13th century, the nave being the .oldest part. All interested in Church work- especialiy all who know the genial Yicar and his wife, and have experienced their characteristic hospitality-will wish success to the undertaking to which they have put their hands. INVITATION DANCB.—An invitation dance was held in Llandenny Schoolroom on Wednesday night, when, notwithstanding the wet and boisterous weather, there was an excellent attendance. A ,dance at Llandenny is always a most enjoyable ■affair this was no exception—and invitations are accepted for miles round. The Vicar (Rev. C. H. Fardell) and Mrs. Fardell, who always take an active interest in everything interesting to their parishioners, were present, and helped to promote the ,social spirit of the evening. The Schoolmistress (Miss Elwell) had transformed the Schoolroom into a very comfortable little ballroom. Miss E. Lewis i(Raglan) efficiently presided at the pianoforte Mr. W. Jones made a capable M.a.; and the Committee were as follows Messrs. R. James, A. Herbert, W. E. Parker, W. Trotman, D. O. Davies, H. Haggett, and W. W. Jones. The refreshments were in charge of Mrs. Preece and her daughters, who, needless to say, maintained the general all-round -excellence. Dancing was kept up with spirit until --the morning, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The balance, after paying expenses, will go to the -Church Restoration Fund.

MONMOUTH. I Agent*—Mr, Caifrey. Bookseller, Monmouth I INQUEST.—Mr. B. H. Deakin (district coroner) ilield an inquiry on Tuesday at the Monmouth Workhouse touching the death of Richard Powell, aged 66, an inmate of the house, whose dead body was found hanging from a beam in the summer- iiouse the previous evening.—A verdict of "Suicide 3by hanging while temporarily insane" was ^recorded. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.—The mayor (Coun- cillor H. T. Baillie), presided at the monthly meeting of the Monmouth Town Council on Monday. It was decided that the Christmas meat and poultry market be held on Friday, December "21st. A discussion arose regarding correspondence with the Local Government Board, on the question •of sewage disposal, in which the Board insisted ?.Provision of extra pumps and an engine for the disposal of storm water. Alderman Vizard said he understood that the Board had accented the plans for sewage disposal without extra provision for the storm water. He thought the Local Government Board had not acted fairlv them in accepting the scheme without proviL,, for storm water, and now insisting on extra machinery for that purpose. After a Jons ,.discussioi), Alderman Vizard moved, and Alderman Tippins seconded, that the Corporation petition the President of the Local Government Board against the Board requiring the Corporation to provide additional pumping power for the storm water and that the petition be forwarded through the local Member of Parliament, Dr. Harris, and that ■ Lord Llangattock be asked to support it. This was agreed to unanimously, and the clerk was -directed to instruct Messrs. Conyers Kirby, -engineers, to prepare an estimate for the extra ;pumping power in accordance with the demand of the Local Government Board, and another for the pumping alone without the engine, and also to ask them whether or not an extra engine for pumpmg LPurposes is a part of the septic system as a system.

SERIOUS FIRE. At about nine o'clock on Tuesday night, smoke and sparks were seen to be coming from the lock-up shop of the Public Benefit Boot Company at the bottom of Stow-hill. The shop, along with that of Mr Andrews Jones, draper and milliner, occupies the ground floor of a big block of four-storey buildings. Messrs H. A. Smith and Son, wine and spirit mer- chants, have offices at the back, and over the shops are the offices known as Central Chambers, occupied by Mr F. P. Robjent, stockbroker; Mr C. E. Parsons, auctioneer and accountant; Mr Charles Miles, surveyor, &o.; and Mr A. G. S. Batchelor, solicitor. When the alarm was first raised the manual engine and half a dozen members of the fire brigade set to work. Captain Lyne,, Lieutenant Boucher, and a great many other members of the fire brigade speedily arrived with the steam fire engine, and water was poured on the building from three sides. A fire escape was placed against the front windows, and the premises were searched for inmates, but there were, happily, none in the place. Mr Spittle, the manager of the Public Benefit Boot Shop, and his family were out. The flames quickly spread, and practically gutted the boot shop, and, extending to Mr Andrews Jones's premises, did almost as much damage there. The upper rooms were a good deal injured by fire and water. A panic was narrowly averted in the Tredegar- hall, a short remove distant, where the band of the Grenadier Guards was giving a concert. The damage cannot easily be estimated in all the premises, but it will probably run up to some thousands of pounds. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.

Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture. A general meeting of this Chamber took place at the Beaufort Arms Hotel, Chepstow, on Tuesday. Mr. Alfred Addams Williams, Ponty- pool, the president, occupied the chair and there was a good attendance of members. Referring to a communication received from the Clerk of the Monmouthshire County Council respecting the action of the Council in dealing with sheep scab, Mr. H. Williams contended that there should be some uniform regulation in all counties. If that were the case it would remove many of the difficulties they had to contend with at the present time. In Monmouthshire there were certain regulations which were far different from those in Herefordshire, and Herefordshire's regulations were different from Glamorganshire's. It was the universal opinion that an order should be issued to ensure some kind of compulsory dipping once a year. That to a great extent would meet the difficulty, and would eventually do away with sheep scab. Mr. Stratton said that a deputation of Glamorganshire farmers had waited upon Mr. C. D. Phillips, himself, and other gentlemen, respecting the formation of a chamber of agriculture for that county, and they considered it would be of great assistance to the Central Chamber. Mr. C. D. Phillips pointed out that the Mon- mouthshire Chamber had increased in membership from 80 to 617. There was not the slightest doubt that the formation of a chamber for Glamorgan- shire would benefit landowners and farmers and agriculture generally. This was agreed to. A communication was received with respect to the Agricultural Rates Act of 1896, and the Chaitman said the Act had benefited the tenant farmer. The farmer had derived the whole of the benefit of the Act, and he did not know a case where the landlord had taken advantage of it; and he thought it advisabls that the Act should be renewed next year. He, therefore, proposed the following resolution That, pending the settlement of the whole question of local taxation on a more equitable basis than the present system this meeting recognises the Agricultural Rates Act of the last Parliament as a small instalment of A»ft0-i. i? aSricultural ratepayers, and hopes the Act will be renewed." Mr. H. Williams seconded, and the resolution was carried. A motion was carried to the effect that a uniform system of dealing with swine fever should operate, and that the Central Chamber should be asked to further such action by the Board of Agriculture. Mr. Stratton referred to tuberculosis, and pointed out that it would be unfair to destroy cows that simply suffered from the disease in the udder. He, therefore, proposed the following resolution:- "That this meeting supports the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee of the Chamber of Agriculture on tuberculosis in dairy cows in which only such cows as give evidence of disease in the udder should be condemned, and their milk prohibited from being sold." The Chairman seconded the resolution, and it was carried.

I St, Mellon's Murder, CORONER'S INQUIRY AND VERDICT. The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances of the death of Hannah Williams, who was murdered at Mullen Cottage, St. Mellon's, was held at the White Hart Hotel, St. Mellon's, on Monday, before Mr. W. J. Everett, deputy coroner. The sitting was one of the longest on record, occupying from 10.15 a.m. until nearly an hour after midnight, when a verdict was given. Morris Evans, the accused, was conveyed from Usk to Newport by the 8.6 a.m. train, aud thence to St. Mellon's in a cab drawn by two grey horses, and in charge of two warders from Usk Prison and Superintendent James. The jurymen were in their places early, and Mr. Horace Lyne again appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Treasury, and Mr Harold Lloyd appeared for the prisoner. All witnesses were ordered out of Court. Elizabeth Williams, daughter of the deceased, was the first witness called, The only new features in her evidence were that Morris Evans on two occasions, when a Mrs. Radoliffe, a neighbour, called at Mullen Cottage, hurried into the adjoining room, stating as a reason that he did not wish Mrs. Radcliffe to see him there too frequently, and that during the fortnight preceding the murder Morris Evans asked Mrs. Hannah Williams and her daughter which was his shortest cut home from Mullen Cottage. Cross-examined by Mr. Lloyd, witness said she knew how much money her mother had upstairs, but did not know how much she had altogether. Questioned as to who knew that there was money in their house, witness said her niece knew it. They had lodgers about ten years ago. Pressed on this point witness said they had a couple of lodgers for a week or so about two years ago. Mr. Lloyd then asked her whether one of those two lodgers met her on the road to Cardiff on the day of the murder. "This is very important," sfid Mr. Lyne, "and we ought to have this question and answer written down." The Coroner concurred, and Mr. Lloyd &aid he was quite willing, and quite realised the significance of the question. Mr. Everett then wrote the question, and Mr. Lloyd obtained from the witness the answer that she did not remember meeting one of their former lodgers near the Carpenters' Arms on the day of the murder. She afterwards said that she did remember passing a man, but he was not one of their former lodgers. Replying to a juryman, witness said she was surprised that Morris Evans left the room when Mrs. Radcliffe called, but she did not ask him why he did so, nor did her mother. George Morris, a farm labourer, was the next witness called, and said he was hauling swedes from a field 200 yards from Mullen Cottage on the day of the murder. He had a dog with him, and at about two o'clock the animal went to a gate opposite the cottage and barked furionsiy. Charles Rowland, farmer. Began, said that on the day of the murder he was with a labourer named Tom Bodman on the Began Road, about 400 yards from the Mullen Cottage, and met Morris Evans going in the direction of the cottage. Evans was walking fast, and he passed the time of day to witness and Bodman. This was a little after three o'clock. About ten minutes after Evans had passed, ha came back and called out to witness, adding that there was an awful sight at the Mullen, that the old woman was murdered, and her head was battered in," Witness then told him to fetch Bodman, which he did, and the three of them proceeded to the cottage. Witness then described the position of the deceased's body and the condition of the cottage generally, and went on to sa.y that they sent Morris Evans for the police. Witness also described his meeting with Miss Williams, stating that she had heard what had happened, and was clean done up." They did not therefore say any- thing to her, but took her to Ratcliffe's house. Thos. Bodman corroborated in detail the evidence of Rowiand, and added that he first passed the Mullen Cottage on the day of the murdor at 25 past 1, but there was nothing there to attract his atten- tion. Witness also detailed a conversation he had with Morris Evans after the latter had told him of the discovery, one important point of which was that Evans told him that he only went to the top of the stairs-meauing the steps leading from the kitchen to the room where deceased's body was found- when he first made the discovery, and that was enough for him." P.O. Norris, St. Mellon's, said it was 4.15 on the day of the murder when Morris Evans came to the police station and gave information of the crime, stating that he was afraid it was a case of murder and robbery. Evans alo told him what he had seen, and described the position of the body, the state of the doors and the blinds, and what be had done in the house, giving his statement verbatim. Inspector Levis narrated what he did after receiving information at Newport of tha murder, at 7 p.m. George Robert Scott, a painter from Barry Dock Spoke as to the finding of the razor. Superintendent W. James, Pontvpool, said he visited Mullen Cottage, on Sunday November llth, and, after making enquiries there, went with the chief-constable, Supt. Porter, Inspector Lewis and P.C. Norris to the home of Morris Evans. He was there with his mother-in-law, wife, and her brother, and was asked where he worked. He replied at the Pentwyn Colliery, Rudry. He then described the finding of the body. Cross-examined by Mr Lloyd, witness said that Morris Fvans said I am innocent' when he was charged with the crime. Evans further stated that he did not leave the house on Saturday until three p.m. He said "In the afternoon 1 changed my clothes after I had my dinner, and put on my dark suit. I was wearing my working clothes in the morning-cord trousers and blue slop." Evans then made a statement about Miss Williams informing him that her mother was ill, and that the money was in the chest up- stairs. On the following Monday the superintendent asked Miss Williams in Evans's presence if she had made such a statement, aud she replied, "I don't remember telling him anything about it." Evans said, "You told me on Sunday morning." Evans was again asked why he left the kitchen of Mullen Cottage when Mrs. Radcliffe came in, and he repeated his answer, after some hesitation, that he did not wish to be seen there too often. On Wed- nesday, the 14th, witness had an interview with Johanna Lewis, the mother-in-law of Morris Evans, at Cefn Mlibly Cottages, and took a jacket, on the left sleeve of which he noticed something which ap- peared to be a bloodstain that looked as if it had been sponged. On the inside pocket of the coat there were distinct bloodstains. On the way back to Mullen Cottage he met Morris Evans and his wife. He asked them to return with him to the cottage, and they did. He asked Evans if the jacket which be (witness) then produced, belonged to him, and after looking at it Evans replied, "Yes it is mine, but I did not wear it on Saturday." The chief-constable then came on the scene, and the officers entered the house. They asked him if be could account for the bloodstains on the sleeve of the coat. He replied, Yes, I can my nose bled when I was at the colliery about three weeks ago. I had no handkerchief, and I wiped my nose with my sleeve. I cut my hand on the same day." Evans then showed a cut on the palm. Asked whether the hand was tied up, Evans replied, No, it didn't bleed much; the dirt stopped it." Super- intendent James then had an interview with the wife, and subsequently saw Evans again. He told Evans that he had said he was at home on the Saturday morning, and that he afterwards said he had been to work, and again put the question, and again Evans replied, Yes I was at home." "Did you go to work?" repeated the officer. After a pause the reply was, •« I did go to work, but I didn't work." Superintendent James was also pre- sent when Evans was charged with the wilful murder, and after he had been cautioned he replied, "I am innocent." Going back to the interview on the Sunday evening, Superintendent James said that Evans showed him a slop jacket which he said he wore on Saturday morning. Dr. Shiach, of Llanishen. said that on the evening of November 10 he was called to Mullen Cottage, a ad there he saw the body of a woman lying on the right side, partly on the face, and with the arms underneath. The clothing was disarranged, the head lay in a large pool of blood that was streaming from all directions. Inter- mixed with the blood were pieces of solid and semi- solid material, which he found to be undigested food. Two feet in front of the legs there were signs of recent vomiting. The hair on the head was matted, and the head was lacerated from the middle to its lower point. There was a wound ou the scalp an inch and a quarter long, and on the top of the head there was an incised wound where a fracture could be felt by the finger. At the back of the head there were two similar lacerated incised wounds, reaching to the bone, and here a fracture could also be felt. On the left side of the head each wound measured an inch and a quarter in length. Prominent, below the left ear, stretching downwards and inwards, there was a clean incised wound four inches in length. There was a slight niche in the wound, the lower part of which was clean cut. The margins of the wound were not everted, and there was very little blood in the wound. The deeper vessels of the neck were exposed, one of which was cut. The lower extremities of the body were cold, the pupils of the eye dilated, the right hand was partly clenched, and the left hand clenched. There were no wounds or bruises. The clothing was disarranged, but there was no mark of criminal assault. He thought that the injuries on the head were the blows sustained first. In his opinion the throat was cut by some sharp instrument—not necessarily a razor. It was quite possible that it could have been done with an ordinary knife. The niche in the wound was probably due to a shake of the hand of the person who did it. The wouuas on the head were produced by some blunt instrument used with great violence. It was quite possible that they were caused by the coal-hammer (produced). He saw the body at seven o'clock, and his opinion was that it had been lying there from five to six hours. Inspector Saunders also gave evidence, and a long description of the locality. Mrs Grace Radcliffe said that she had known the deceased for seven yeats, and used to go to her house three times a week for bread. She last saw the old lady alive on Friday night before the murder. She passed Mullen Cottage at a quarter pist two on the day of the crime, and noticed the blinds drawn half- way across the window and the door closed. She had never seen this before. Returning from St. Mellon's at 3.30, she noticed that the blinds were in the same condition, and the door still closed. At 4.30 Elizabeth Williams was brought to her (witness's) house in a very distressed condition, and could not speak. She poured out a cup of tea, but Miss Williams could not drink it. Subsequently she accompanied Miss Williams to the cottage, where they saw the body. She had seen Mortis Evans twice, the first time being a fortnight to the day before the tragedy. She next saw him on the following Monday in Mullen Cottage, and they were then in the same room. These were the only occasions upon which she had seen him and had never been on unfriendly terms with him, nor with Evans's wife. On the Wednesday before the Saturday of the murder she was going down the garden path leading to the front entrance of Mullen Cottage when she heard a noise similar to that of a chair being moved. When she entered the house she noticed a chair partly taken away from the table, and a cup and saucer on the corner of the table. On the Thursday she again went to Mullen Cottage, and was met by Elizabeth Williams, who pointed over her shoulder in the direction of the I kitchen. Mra Anne Davies, wife of a labourer living next door to prisoner's house, said she did not see him on Saturday, but heard him coming home. She heard a little girl call out Dadda." That was at twenty minutes to three o'clock, and he went away again at three o'clock. He was dressed on leaving in his evening clothes, and went down the St Mellon's road. If Morris Evans had been at home the whole of the morning, she must have seen him, unless he stayed indoors the whole time. In answer to Mr Lloyd, witness said she did not think it was any other man, though she did not see him. The brother-in-law had gone to work before that. She knew prisoner's footsteps quite well. Mrs. Johanna Lewis, mother-in-law of Morris Evans, said that she lived at Cefn Mably Cottages with her daughter and Evans. Between five and six o'clock on the morning of the murder, Evans brought up a cup of tea for her and her daughter. He was wearing a pair of cord trousers and a blnck "slop" jacket, with a black vest, and a muffler round his neck. On leaving the house Evans said that he was going to look for work. When he returned it was between twenty minutes and a quarter to three o'clock, and he made a remark about the old lady (deceased) being very ill on the previous Monday morning, and likely to "dropoff." He also said that Elizabeth Williams had told him that her mother had told her whore certain things were kept in the house, but she did not tell him where they were. On the Thursday morning before the day of the murder she asked Morris Evans to go down to Mullen Cottage and stop Elizabeth Williams coming up to wash, as it was so late in the week. When be returned home at twenty minutes to three on the Saturday afternoon he did not seem to be I excited. After dinner Evans changed, and at her (witness's) request he went down to Mullen Cottage to see the old lady. She did not know whether Evans washed his hands or not before taking dinner this day, but he usually did. It was not within her knowledge that Evans ever bought pigs or inspected them for anybody. She remembered one day that Evans asked for a handkerchief, and that same day his nose bled, but he had not taken the handkerchief with him. Evans was subject to bleeding of the nose. She did not know that the deceased had money in the house, and was surprised when told that she had £30. Evans's children had been taken to meet him on his way down from Newport on Monday morning, and the eldest little one, Mabel, who is three years of age, stared blankly at him as if she did not remember the face. The child's mother asked her if she did not know him, and added, "That is dadda!" Yes," said the little one, "I think it is dadda." [Evans seemed to be touched by the recital of the incident, and bowed his head.] Mrs. Lewis herself rarely went to see deceased. Edward Lewis, brother-in-law, said he left the house at 2.30 on the eventful Saturday. He did not see Evans then. Alfred Owen, labourer, of Rudry, said he and Morris Evans worked together. Evans did not work much more than four days a week. The last time he saw Evans was on the Saturday previous to the murder. During that week he did not work at the Pentwyn Colliery. On the Friday preceding the murder Evans came to him at the colliery, and when asked by his mate, John Gardner, why he had not been to work lately, Evans replied that he had been ill. He said, however, that he would be at work on the following Monday. The witness had never seen Evans's nose bleeding, but he added it might have many timps without his knowledge, nor had he seen his hand bleeding. Owen could not identify any clothing. Edmund Morgan, fireman, Rudry, said that he acted as timekeeper also. Evans lost thirteen days out of 40 possible working days. He was at the office on Friday, which was pay day. Morris Evans did not call at the colliery on Saturday. Though the colliery was not working that day the work of excavation, on which Evans had been en- gaged, was in full swing. There was no night work at the Pentwyn Colliery, and if Evans said he was engaged on the nights of the 3rd and 5th it was untrue. Mr. G. Rudde Thompson, Newport, county analyst, said that he examined the clothing and razor handed to him by the police. They were given at different dates. He was specially instructed to examine for the presence or otherwise of bloodstains. He had examined 87 patches of stains. The razor and the boots showed no trace of blood. 011 the hammer produced both the head and the shaft were bloodstained. Portions of the coat, vest, trousers, and neck-scarf gave conclusive evidence of blood. On the trousers there were two stains only, one on the right leg, and one, larger and smeared, on the other leg, at the back. Three portions from the vest were examined, and a diagram, showing as nearly as possible the size of the stain. One patch in particular stood out with six stains, the largest of which was especially noticeable. The nap of the cloth had been quite removed, leaving the warp and weft exposed. In the centre there was a single red thread, one end of which was well felted in the groundwork of the cloth. The other two stains, one of which was on the left hand lapel of the vest, and the other on the right-hand pocket, did not afford indication of blood. On the coat there were three very minute stains, and these also did not show evidence of blood. Another stain was taken from under the right armpit, another was taken from the right sleeve, and the third from the left pocket. These, though very distinct, did not show any blood marks. The largest patch, taken from the lining I of the left pocket, did not give satisfactory proof of blood. A group of five other staius, comprising nearly the whole of the left inside of the coat, showed not less than thirty distinct spots. This group afforded unmistakable evidences of blood. The remaining four stains were all taken from the inside liuiug and pocket, but were not blood. The coat in the region of the stains had been treated locally. By that he meant that friction and damp had been applied. As a whole, the coat was not wet. The scarf—of white cotton-showed a stain of three spots at the corner, and, judging by the folds, parallel with that were two more small stains, and these were unmistakably blood. He could not say definitely whether it was human blood, nor how long they had been there. Several had been recently treated, and the most unmistakable evidences of blood bad been given by those portions which had been most severely treated. In answer to Mr. Lloyd, the analyst said that he was assisted by Mr. Stoddart, the public analyst of Bristol, in the examination, but the stains were so small that they could not define them as human blood. If a bleeding nose had been wiped with the sleeve, there would have been evidence of the stain. Answering further questions, Mr. Thompson said that the spots were more horizontal than vertical in position, as they wonld presumably be had they been caused by a ii'cf.iiiig nose. Coroner (to Mr Lloyd): Do you tender your eliHl t for evidence. Mr Lloyd: No. At eleven o'clock at night the coroner commenced summing up. He said there were important con- tradictions in the evidence, and proof of who com- mitted the crime would cause them great difficulty. Morris Evans was there on the police warrant. So far they had no direct evidence that he was at Mullen Cottage on the day of the murder. He directed attention to certain discrepancies in the statements made by the prisoner, but he left it to the jury to decide whether that was due to a natural agitation in such circumstances. He specially dwelt on the analysts' evidence and then gave the points in favour of Morris Evans. No proof had been given of his having entered or left the Mullen Cottage prior to his discovery of the body. If robbery was the cause it was strange why so much money was left in the house. At 11.45 the court was cleared for the jury to deliberate. An hour later, all interested were called back, and the foreman of the jury, answering the formal question of whether they bad come to a true verdict, answered, "The verdict is 'guilty." Evans appeared quite unmoved when he heard the verdict, apart from a subsequent nervous twitching and twirling of his hat, which he held in front with both his hands. Prisoner was- then taken to Usk Gaol by road, arriving about 3 a.m., and left Uk by the 8.6 train on Tuesday morning for the Magisterial Inquiry at Newport. MORRIS EVANS BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES, At eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning Morris Evans was brought before the magistrates at New- port County Police Court charged with the wilful murder of Hannah Williams, at Mullen Cottage, on November 10th. The magistrates on the bench were Mr. E. Lewis, Mr. Pugsley, Mr. T. Parry, Mr. W. Edwards, Mr. G. B. T. Nicholl, Mr. M. Mordey, Mr. T. Golds- worthy, Mr. W. E. Heard, and Mr. J. Dakers. Mr. Horace Lyne appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Harold Lloyd for the prisoner. There was a great rush to get into court im- mediately the doors were opened. Sir Henry Jackson and the chief-constable (Mr. Bosanquet) were in the court during the opening of the case. The Chairman addressing Mr Lyne, intimated that the Bench would sit the case right through, but hoped that the advocate would be as concise as possible consistent with the gravity of the case. Mr Lyne, speaking on behalf of himself and Mr Lloyd, said that neither of them thought that there would be the least chance of the case being finished until late that evening. They quite agreed with the remarks of the chairman as to the seriousness of the case and the desirability of conciseness, but that made it all the more imcumbeot on them to enter into details. There was no waste of time at the inquest, and the result was that they did not get home nntil three o'clock in the morning. At the police-court inquiry it was not sufficient to call a witness and simply put down on the depositions that he corroborated the preceding witness, because the depositions had to go before a judge, who would expect all particulars to be set down. Mr Lloyd asked if the prisoner might sit down and the chairman consented saying he must stand when called upon to do so. Mr. Horace Lyne then rose to make his opening statement for the prosecution. He mentioned that he now proposed to put the complete case before the court, though he did not suggest that there was no possibility of further evidence being obtained if the Bench decided to commit the accused for trial upon the evidence which he would tender that day. The Bench were probably aware of the result of the inquest, but he was sure that, notwithstanding that verdict, they would judge the case as if no verdict had been given against the prisoner, and treat him as a perfectly free person at the present moment. In justice to the prosecution, he was obliged to make some remarks in explaining the facts of the case, because the whole of the evidence he would call before them was of a circumstantial character. He intended to call before them a large number of witnesses, including relatives and friends of the prisoner, some of whom were not highly intelligent or highly educated, and naturally disinclined to give evidence against their own kith and kin. Mr. Lyne then proceeded to outline the facts of the case, dealing with impurtan t contradictions in the various statements made by the prisoner, who said he discovered the murder. Whoever committed the murder, it must have been by someone who thoroughly understood the premises and the habits of those living at the cottage. Mr. Lyne laid stress upon the accused's statement that the deceased woman's head had been battered in." The doctor would tell them that without a most minute examination a person could not see that Mrs. Williams's head had been battered in. The prose- cution attached practically no value to the finding of the razor, first, because they did not believe that the razor was there until it was put there by someone, and secondly because they did not discover any blood upon it. The advocate dwelt upon the state- ment of the prisoner that he did not leave the house on the morning of Saturday, November 10th —the day of the crime-whereas the evidence of Mrs Lewis, his mother-in-law, would show that he had left the house at a quarter-past six that morning to go to work, aud reached home at twenty to three. The question was if Evans did not go to work, where was he that morning? Reference was made to the analyst's report. Upon the accused's coat, vest, and trousers there were signs of blood, the greater number of the marks being found upon the coat. There was blood upon the back of the trousers. The prisoner explained the presence of the blood by sayinsr that his nose had bled while he was at Pentwyn Colliery, where he worked, but no one so far as they could tell, had seen his nose bleeding. In conclusion, Mr Lyne spoke of the case of suspicion against the prisoner. He said that for six months previous to the murder, Evans had not been to the Mullen Cottage until the week pre- ceding Mrs Williams's death, but in that week he paid three visits, and at very extraordinary times and under very extraordinary pretexts. On two occasions, he was outside the door of the cottage when Mrs Williams and her daughter came down- stairs, at seven o'clock in the morning, and on two occasions he hid himself when a neighbour called to see tho old lady. He (Mr Lyne) contended that this made a strong case of suspicion against the prisoner, aud that, coupled with the facts he should briutf to their notice, would be sufficient to put him on his trial. The Court was then cleared of all witnesses. John Norris was first called and repeated the statement he made at the inquest with regard to his dog's strange behaviour. In reply to Mr. Lloyd witness said he did not now attach any importance to the incident. Elizabeth Williams was the next witness, and in addition to the evidence given at the inquest said the last time she saw the Prudential assurance policy of her mother's life was a month or two before the murder. It was kept in a table drawer iu the kitchen. Witness used to take the premiums to Cardiff once a month, and she knew that her mother's mouey was kept in the rags in the chest of drawers upstairs, and she showed the police where the money was. Dr. Shiach, surgeon, again detailed the result of his examination of the body of the deceased and repeated his opinion that it was impossible for any unprofessional person to say that her head was bat- tered in. In his opinion the throat was cut im- mediately before or just after death, which was due to shock, caused by the four blows on the head, approximately with the coal hammer which the police found. Air. Thompson again detailed the examination of the clothing made by Mr. Stoddart and himself. The places which were wet when the garments were handed to him, and which bore marks of rubbing, were those which most plainly yielded to the test for blood. In cross examination by Mr. Lloyd, he declared that every spot on the clothing that was sufficiently well developed showed that it was blood, which had been damped and rubbed. Mr. Stoddart was then called, and corroborated the evidence given by Air. Thompson. Tom Bodman and Charles Rowland made no fresh statements, and the court adjourned until ten o'clock on Thursday morning. The magisterial inquiry was resumed on Tuesday. Police-constable Norris gave evidence as to going to the cottages on the information of Evans, and finding the body of deceased in a pool of blood. Mr Georze Robert Scott, gave evidence of the finding of a razor near Mullen Cottage. Superintendent James, of Pontypool, gave evi- dence of the statements made by Morris Evans and of the discrepancies in his versions. Inspector Saunders gave corroborative evidence of the statements made by the prisoner. Prisoner could have got from his own house to Mullen Cot- tage without passing any other houses, and that by only crossing the road once. Inspector Lewis gave a description of the ap- pearance of the body wheu he arrived. Mrs Radciiffe spoke to going to the deceased's house for her bread on Wednesday and Thurs- day preceding the crime. Miss Williams pointed with her thumb over her shoulder to the lower kitchen, where prisoner had gone to hide himself just before she entered. There was no ill-feeling between prisoner and herself, and she did not knuw of any reason why he should want to hide from her. Mrs Ann Davies. the prisoner's next-door neigh- bour at Cefn Mably Cottages, spoke to hearing prisoner go up the path to his house at 2.40 p.m. on the day of the murder, and beard the little boy shout" Dada to Evans as he entered. When Mrs Lewis, the accused's aged mother-in- law entered the witness-box someone told the bench that she was hard of hearing, whereupon her son took up a position close to the witness-box. and offered to convey the questians to his mother and repeat the answers. He Was told to keep away from the vicinity of the witness-box, and took a seat behind, whereupon Police-inspector Lewi. stood nearrhe witness, NNhile giving her evi- I dence the old lady partially fainted, and her fore- head was bathed with cold water. Amongst those l who gave evidence of prisoner's movements on the day of the murder, were officials from Pentwyn Colliery, who said t^ prisoner did not come to work on Saturday? November 10th. At the close of the evidence the chairman said :— We have given very careful attention to the evi- dence against the prisoner, and we all agree that the chain of circumstantial evidence is so strong that we have no alternative but to commit him for trial at the next assizes on a charge of wilful murder. Mr. Lloyd: In that case I shall reserve my defence. The prisoner was called upon in the usual way to say anything that he desired, and to make answer to the charge if he wished. At the advice of his legal representative, he said, "I reserve my defence. All the witnesses were then bound over to appear to give evidence against Morris Evans at the next assizes for the county of Monmouth, to be held in the town of Monmouth in February next.

Imperial Parliament. HOUSE OF LORDS, Thursday. Their lordships met at 2 o'clock for the pur- pose of reading the Queen's Speech. The Earl of Lathom moved an address in. reply, which was seconded by Lord Monk Bretton. The Earl of Kimberley then called upon the Government to make a declaration of policy. Lord Salisbury laid it down emphati- cally that no shred of independence would be left to the two South African Republics. He agreed withLord Kimberley in denouncing a policy of partition in China. The Earl of Rose- bery devoted his speech to a vigorous criticisia of the Goverment's policy. There was a heated discussion in the Com- mons and Mr. Chamberlain was severely criticised by the Opposition, on the Boer War question and the Bloemfontein letters.

War Telegrams. Lord Kitchener, in a despatch of Tuesday from Bloemfontein, reports that General Knox has engaged De Wet near Bethulie, and driven him from all his positions. Colonel Pilcher made a simultaneous movement on General Knox's left and the general result is that De Wet is once again facing north. Skirmishing is reported from the south of Johannesburg at various points along a line reaching from Potchefstroom to Heidelberg, and thence to Standerton. General French is clearing the central and western parts of this region. 0 Lord Kitchener reports that a determined attack by about 500 of Delarey's men was made on a convoy proceeding from Pretoria to Rustenburg at Buffelspoort on the 3rd inst. The escort fought with great gallantry. The Boers got into the first half of the convoy and burnt the wagons. The second half of the convoy was not touched. On the following morning, when assistance arrived, the Boers had decamped. The British lost fifteen killed and twenty-three wounded, and the Boers suffered considerable loss De Wet has crossed the Caledon, making for Odendal. Charles Knox is in pursuit. Lord Roberts had an enthusiastic reception when he landed at Durban, and in reply to several addresses, said that when the war was over the hand of fellowship would be held out to those who had been their enemies. They honoured them for the fight which they had made, and they were prepared to extend to them the privileges which every Englishman valued. He believed it would not be very long before the refugees would be allowed to return to their homes. DURBAN, Wednesday. Lord Roberts embarked in the afternoon for Cape Towu aboard the transport Callada- Reuter.

The Queen's Speech. The Queen's Speech at the opening of her Majesty's fifteenth Parliament was read by Commissioners in the House of Lords on Thursday, as follows My Lords and Gentlemen,— It has become necessary to make further provision for the expenses incurred by the operations of my armies in South Africa and China. I have summoned you to hold a special session in order that you may give your sanction to the enactments required for this purpose. I will not enter upon other public matters requiring attention until the ordinary meetino- of Parlia- ment in the Spring. ° OLD FALSE TEETH BOUGHT. Many ladies and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which miht as well be turned into money. Messrs. R. D. and J. B. Fraser, of Princes-street, Ipswich (established since 1SS3), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return of post the utmost 'l vnlue or, if preferred, they will make you the best offer, and hold the teeth over for your reply. If reference necessary, apply to Messrs. Bacon & Co., f bankers, Ipswich.