Barry Dock News

BARRY TRADES' AND LABOUR COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held on Friday evening last at the Victoria Hotel, Barry Dock, present—Messrs J. Rees (president), W. Burns (vice-president), T. S. Thomas (secretary), J. M'Hill, U, Nicholas, T. J. Chamberlain. F. Davies, F. Walls. M. Shepherd, G. Motton, S. II. Rendell, T. Griffiths, J. Dunn, C. Brewer, F. J. Warren, A. Brown, C. Tilley, &c. THE BOGUS CREDENTIAL QUESTION AGAIN RAISED. After the usual preliminaries, the president said he desired to make a remark with reference to the supposed bogus representatives of the Council, and in doing so he would remind the Press that it was a well-known fact that this society, although a semi-public one, was not a public body in the same sense as the recognised public bodies of the district, and that, therefore, the Council had a right to state what portion of its transactions should be made public. It was a public body because it had to do with the public, and it was a private body because it had to do with the different organi- sations of labour of which it was representative. The majority of capitalists conducted their busi- ness in private, and it was-equally necessary that the Trades' Council should keep private as much of their business as was deemed necessary. At the previous meeting of the Council the then president directed the representatives of the Press not to publish a report of the proceedings in con- nection with the bogus representation question, but, he was sorry to find that the request had been ignored. He would also point out that there was a disparity between the report published in different local papers, one stating that the Council had not attempted to deny the allegation raised by Mr Makepeace, and the other declaring that Mr Nicholas had done so. Mr Rees proceeded to read extracts of the reports and comments on the discussion at the previous meet- ing, published in the Western Mail and the Barry Dock News, and he should like to know what the members of the Council had to say on the matter. -Mr T. S. Thomas said the discussion at the previous meeting took place against his will. He did request the Press representatives not to report the proceedings, but inasmuch as the discussion was reported and comments made thereon, he con- sidered there had been a direct breach of confidence on the part of the Western Mail and Barry Dock Nt!ws. The Council were responsible to those who elected them, and to trades' unionists only, and he considered they had a perfect right to dictate as to what should be allowed to transpire of their business. There had, he repeated, been a gross breach of confidence. The matter was only a trivial one, but a mountain out of a mole-hill had been made of the same, and he considered the attitude of the representative of the papera named had been derogatory to the interests of journalism, and was not, he maintained, in any way creditable. -Mr M'Hill was of opinion that the matter should not have been brought before the Council at all, for the Railway Servants' Society had decided that no further notice should be taken of the same. The mistake made at first was only a trivial one, the provisional delegates concerned being described in the credentials submitted to the Council as having been duly elected, instead of duly ap- pointed. He maintained that the secretary of any society had power vested in him to send a pro- visional delegate to the Council to take the place of a delegate who could not be present. The proceeding was not a manly one from beginning to end. — Mr Morgan Nicholas ex- plained that, being one of those principally affected in the matter, he brought the question again before his branch after the previous meeting of the Council, but inasmuch as no resolution was passed, approving or cendemning his action, he felt that as his conduct had not been cleared by his brother members it was his duty to resign his seat on the Burial Board, and he had accordingly done so. At the same time he felt deeply the remark made in the editorial comments published in the Barry Dock News, that it was of no consequence what- ever whether he (Mr Nicholas) had been a party or not to the intrigue of which he was the unhappy victim. He thought it was of ths utmost con- sequence that he should point out that he had taken no part whatever in his appointment as provisional delegate, neither had he been in collu- sion in any way to secure his appointment. So facfts he was personally concerned, he was quite wfliiAg that the whole matter should be thoroughly sifted.—The President reminded the Couueil that Mr Shepherd had acted under the direction of the late secretary of the Council.—A lengthy and heated discussion followed, the principal point under consideration being whether the president had a right to dictate to the Press without con- sulting the members present, Mr T. S. Thomas stating that a resolution giving this power to the president had been passed a few months ago but Mr Fred. Walls doubted whether such a resolution existed, and maintained, therefore, that the president had no right to state what should, or should not, be published without appealing to the Council, and if he had done so he (Mr Walls) would have voted in favour of the discussion being reported. He felt that what had been reported would do the Council no harm whatever. Besides, it would have the effect of making societies more careful as to how delegates were sent to the Council, and he was of opinion that Mr Makepeace was quite justified in bringing the question before the Trades' Council. Proceeding, Mr Walls said the Press had not in any way taken unfair advantage of the Council, and he hoped the members would not take the matter so seriously to heart.-A delegate expressed an opinion that the power of the Press should not be vetoed until the members present had been consulted.—Mr Walls. said the Press reports had always been very fair and accurate, and if reports of the proceedings were not to be given, whv invite the Press to be present at all ? Mr Walls went on to say that the meetings of the Council had been thrown open to the Press to meet the wishes of certain members who were anxious to bring their names before the public with ths view of securing public honours. (Cries of Oh.")—Mr Chamberlain said he expressed the opinion of his branch, as well as himself, when he said that the comments pub- lished in the Barry Dock Neivs were scarcely warranted, and his fellow members and himself were surprised to see the article that had ap- peared.—Mr J. R. Llewellyn (Barry Dock Neits), replying to the discussion at the invitation of the president, said that, to his mind, the question was not whether the Press had done what was right or wrong in exposing the matter. The question was whether bogus members had been introduced into the Trades' Council, and he still maintained that no attempt at denial was made by the Council at the previous meeting. He would go further, and say that neither had the smallest attempt been made that evening to repudiate the allegations raised by Mr Makepeace, so that the question still remained to be cleared. He felt, in the circum- stances, Mr Morgan Nicholas had acted manfully and honestly in taking steps to rid himself of an ignominy which would cling to him and the Council had he not resigned his seat on the Burial Board. The bogus credentials, even upon the admission of the Council themselves, had 'been issued, and no member present would attempt to deny the fact. Mr Thomas had stated that he (Mr Llewellyn) had been twice requested at the pre- vious meeting not to report the proceedings. His reply to that was that the assertion was untrue. Mr Thomas did ask him once, but no promise whatever was given to co.mply with the request. The matter was a public one, and inasmuch as a member of the Council had been elected on the Burial Board by indirect means, it was due to the public that the facts should be known. He (Mr Llewellyn) did not know until that evening that the president of the Council had a right to dictate to the Press as to what should be public without consulting the meeting. He was willing to state that he felt Mr Morgan Nicholas was not to be blamed in this matter. He did not think he had been in league in any way with those who had been the means of sending him to the Council, but what the Press maintained on behalf of the public was that Mr Nicholas, having been so elected to the Burial Board, it was his duty to resign in vindication of his own honour and the credit of the Council, and he was glad to find that Mr Nicholas had accepted the advice offered to him. -The discussion continued, and a resolution was put to the meeting as to whether the Press was justified io r.^poHinsr -the proceedings of the previous meeting, when two voted in the affirma- tive and nine in the negative, Mr M'Hill stating he remained neutral because he felt, after hearing the remarks tor uud aguinst, lie was not able to determine whether Mr Llewellyn was justified or not in reporting the meeting.-At a later stage of the meeting, the president asked Mr Llewellyn to submit to the meeting the report which he in- tended supplying to the Press, but Mr Llewellyn declined to do so, stating it was a most unusual thing to do. He would, however, accept the ruling of the Council as to whether the discussion was to be reported or not.-After another somewhat lively discussion, Mr T. Griffiths moved, and it was unanimously carried that full liberty be given to the Press to report the entire proceedings that evening. RESIGNATION OF THE ASSISTANT-SECRETARY. Mr W. Harper sent a letter resigning his position as assistant-secretary on the ground that he had tendered to his society his resignation as delegate to the Council in consequence of dissatisfaction having been expressed at his attitude in counec- tion with certain matters at the previous meeting of the Council.—The President said Mr Harper had been a very faithful member of the Council, and he would propose that his resignation be accepted with regret, at the same time asking the Council to tender a vote of thanks to Mr Harper for his valuable services in the past.-This was duly seconded, and unanimously carried. LABOUR MEMBER'S REPORT. Mr J. Rees (the president) tendered a report as labour member of the School Board. Referring to the evening classes conducted in the district last winter, he remarked the attendance had fallen to a ridiculously low ebb, and said that although the standard of work done, as shown by the Govern- ment examination, was very creditable, still the results were most unsatisfactory in consequence of the want of interest shown therein by the public. The amount of grant earned at Holton-road School was A36 3s Barry, A15 9s 6d and Cadoxton, J67. The total expenditure in connection with the evening schools amounted to JS147, so that a direct loss to the ratepayers, to the extent of :£90, had been entailed. The members of the Board felt very acutely the deplorable state of things which these figures implied, and something more than a mere sentimental desire must be shown before the Board would again launch out upon a system of evening schools. Mr Rees proceeded to deliver an interesting and enlightening address on the subject of thrift, and the school saving bank system, in the course of which he explained the remarkable progress made by school banks in France, Belgium, &c. Referring to Mr Nicholas' resignation of his seat on the Burial Board, Mr Rees said he con- sidered a manly and unselfih action had been taken, and he trusted that the society which he represented, as well as the Trades' Council and the ratepayers of Barry, would rally round Mr Nicholas and re-elect him by a large majority. (Hear, hear.) MR. FRED. WALLS AND THE LABOUR MEMBERS. Mr Fred Walls proposed that in future no labour member of the public bodies of the district be granted a seat on the Council in his capacity as such. Mr Walls said he urged this question because of the growing number of labour members on the public bodies, and he did not consider the rule which applied to Mr Rees last year need operate in future with the other members.—Mr M,Hill seconded with the the view of enabling the matter to be discussed.—Mr T. S. Thomas said he would oppose the motion to some extent, and suggested that labour members should not be admitted to the Council meetings except at the invitation of the Council.-After a discussion the motion was withdrawn.

THE WRECK OF THE NEATH ABBEY. The steamer Neath Abbey went ashore off Xash Point on Wednesday week last, and became a total wreck. Four bodies were washed ashore and identified. The bodies of Captain Morgan, of Mr Thomas, the engineer, and Goody, an able seamen, were picked up on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning the body of Llewellyn, fireman, was found. The bodies lay at Maroross Parish Church awaiting the inquest on Friday. It appears that at the time of the disaster the mate, who is one of the survivors and lives at St. Thomas, was in charge. Describing the operations of the rocket apparatus crew from Llantwit Major, at the scene of the wreck, a cor- respondent writes :-The vessel was fast breaking up, and the whole of the crew with the exception of two men were in the water. A line was thrown across the vessel, but two men in the bows were swept off by a wave. By the aid of lines these and five others of the crew were saved. The mate and a boy who were attempting to get out a kedge were unable to return to the vessei and were carried up channel. The captain who when the foremast went over was cast into the sea, swam within 30 yards of he shore, and one of the rocket apparatus crew, Alfred Chatterton, bravely attempted to go to his assistance, but the heavy ground-sea prevented him reaching the captain, who was carried against the Point and dashed to pieces within ten yards of the rescue party, his cries for help being pitiful to hear. The Porth- cawl apparatus arrived about mid-day some two hours after the last man, Tublaw, who was a passenger, was rescued, but were, of course, too late to be of any service. There were four passengera on board, all of whom were saved. The captain and first and second engineers were Swansea men, and, with one of the sailors, were all drowned. The captain's body was picked up about 11 o'clock by the rescue party from Llantwit. Dr. Simpson, of Llantwit, bravely decended the cliff-ladder, and rendered valuable assistance in restoring Tublaw to consciousness, and under his care the whole of the rescued men are doing well. Messrs Isadore and Earnest Vachell also rendered valuable help. The chief coastguard officer from Penarth was present, and Mr James Thomas, of Channel View represented Lloyds.

\VI:LL PLAYED, HOMUURA." A friend writing a personal letter concludes with the following: "This is from one of my small school boys, after describing all his walks and runs on Saturday last,"—"My hocks (or whatever they call the the back of the knees), got stiffer and stiller, and when I was getting into bed I found I could hardly move, and so I managed feebly to reach the place where the Homocea lives, and put some on my leg, and to-day it is perfectly well. Well played, Homocea I" HOMOCEA T. BRUISES. Mr. Thomas Lydiatt, of the Liverpool EvangaH- sation Society, residing at Clifton-terrace, Birkenhead, says his son got a severe blow just over the eye with a cricket ball, causing much swelling and discoloura- tion. He had it at once rubbed well with Homocea, afterwards applying it as a plaster. This was at night. Next morning the swelling was greatly reduced, and by the evening there was hardly a sign of the bruise. "RASH ON FACE." Gentlemen,-For three years I suffered very much from some painful rash on my face. I tried doctors and ointment, but was at last advised by a friend to try Homocea, and I am thankful to say it has quite cured me. I felt it my duty to send you a testimonial, and remain yours most respectfully, AMELIA JONES. INFLAMED FOOT AND ANKLE. NORTHMARSTON VICARAGE, BUCKS. Sir,—Your "Homocea" has cured an inflamed foot of mine, which caused me great pain and almost lamed me for a while. It has since com- pletely relieved a friend's ankle, owing to which, till he tried your Ointment, he walked with extreme difficulty. Yours sincerely, Yours sincerely, S. B. JAMBS, D.D. LORD COMBERMERE says HOMOCEA did him more good than any embrocation he had ever used for rheumatism. LORD CARRICK writes: "I wish to testify to the good hand of God my Father upon me, in blessing your Homocea' in healing me of bleeding piles." Remember that "HOMOCEA INSTANTLY TOUCHES THE SPOT." All wholesale houses stock HOMOCEA. It can be obtained from Chemists and others at Is. lj £ .d or 2s. 9d. per box, or will be sent by post for Is. 3d. uid 3s. from the wholesale agency, 21, HMMitea Ultra, Birkenhead.

i I j A CAERPHILLY GIRL ATTEMPTS SUICIDE AT BARRY. FOUND ON THE ROCKS IX A PITIABLE STATE. A motherless girl, aged 15 years last birthday, named Catherine Jones, daughter of James JoneF, labourer, living near the King's Arms. Caerphilly, was found in a pitiable condition lying moaning on the rocks in Whitmore Bay, off Barry Island, on Friday night last. It subsequently transpired that the girl had attempted to commit suicide, and her escape from death had been most providential. It appears from what has been gleaned by the police that Catherine Jones was brought up by her matural grandmother, a Mrs Ford, who has since died. Her aunt, Miss Ford, a cripple, after- wards took charge of the child, and some time ago they removed to the Barry district, where Miss Ford gained a livelihood by doing sewing work for different families. Both lived in apartments with Nurse Gunning, at 170, Holton-road, Barry Docks, but latterly Catherine has been in service with Mr W. Thomas, auctioneer, 1, Romilly-road. Barry, who describes her as a clean, industrious, and thoroughly respectable child, and during her leisure spent most of her time in prayer or reading her Prayer Book, and as she was a member of a confirmation class at St Mary's Church, Holton- road, it is believed that the poor girl developed religious mania. On Friday she did not go to service at Mr Thomas', as usual, but it seems she went instead towards evening to Barry Island, and, to repeat her own words, feeling miserable, and Satan driving me to it," she drank some spirits of nitre out of a bottle she carried with her, and deliberately walked into the water in Whitmore Bay with the intention of drowning herself. Becoming alarmed, however, she managed to crawl back, and fell on the rocks, where she lay moan- ing for some time. At dusk, the tide coming in rapidly, her moans were heard by two coach painters named Albert Morgan, 8, Vale-street, and Frank Davies, 20, Lewis-street, Barry, who were taking a (walk on the sands at the time, and going up to the girl they carried her away from her dangerous position. Information was given to the police, and Sergeant Weeks, and Constables Tucker, Thompson, and Smith, with Dock-con- stables Light and John, carried her to the Barry Police Station on a stretcher, and being in a critical condition Dr Powell was sent for. During the night she gradually recovered, and on Saturday she was taken to her home in Holton-road, where she was attended to by Dr Livingstone. On being questioned as to her reason for attempting such a rash act, the girl said she could not account for her actions. Everybody, she said, had been very kind to her, but still she felt very miserable, and wanted to do away with herself.

THE YOUNG WOMAN BEFORE A MAGISTRATE. On Saturday afternoon, Catherine Jones was brought before Mr J. Lowdon at Barry Dock Police Court on a charge of attempting suicide, and Sergeant Weeks having given evidence she was remanded on bail till Thursday at the same place. It is believed the young woman's mind for some reason or other has become unhinged.

A BARRY LABOURER CLAIMS THE GIBBON ESTATES. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAMILY. As reported in the Barry Bach News last week Edward Samuel, late of Blackton, Penmark, but now a labourer at Barry, has determined to itdvance his claim as heir to the estates of the late Mr J. S. Gibbon, J.P., of Newton House, Cow- bridge, who died recently intestate. Messrs John Morris and Sons, solicitors, Cardiff, are acting on Samuel's behalf, and to all appearances he is the next-of-kin of the deceased gentleman's family. It appears that about the close of last century there were two brothers, Edward Samuel, of Blaokton, and David Saaiael,-of Boa vile tone. The first-named, at his death, left, with other children, an eldest son. also named Edward, who died about the year 1824, being succeeded by his eldest sen, likewise named Edward. This Edward Samuel died about eight or ten years ago, his eldest son being the present claimant to the estates of Mr John Samuel Gibbon. David Samuel, of Bonvil- stone (already referred to as the brother of Edward Samuel, of Blackstone) had two or more sons. Two of the sons were named John and Evan. John Samuel married Miss Williams, of Newton, and had two sons, John and David. David died un- married, but not before he had succeeded to the property of his uncle (Mr Evan Samuel). John Samuel, therefore, succeeded to the Newton Estate after his cousin, Mr John Williams, and to the Trecastle property after Mr Robert Savours, of Cowbridge, as well as to the Pendoylan (or Bonvil- stone) Estate, in succession to his second cousin, Mr Edward Williams. The Bonvllstone or Pen- doylan property belonged to the Samuel family, but the Newton and Trecastle Estates were inherited by the Samuels through marriage ties. Edward Samuel, the present claimant to the Gibbon Estates, is a poor man, who has worked for years about the farms in the neighbourbood of Penmark as labourer, attending threshing machines and doing other odd jobs. His father, Edward Samuel, who died, as stated, within the last decade, was tenant for life of Blackton Farm. under the provisions of a lease, with the option of renewal of the same to his successor upon payment of a prescribed fine, but this condition was not taken advantage of, and, consequently, the pro- perty reverted to Sir Arthur Mackwortb. Mr David Samuel, brother to the late Mr J. S. Gibbon, of Newton, recognising the kinship which existed between himself and the late Edward Samuel, father to the new claimant, frequently visited his relative at Blackton, and used to shoot over the Blackton and the neighbouring Romilly preserves. Although in very humble circumstances, and possessing practically no social influence, there seems to be every determination on the part of Messrs Morris and Son. the solicitors, to press forward Edward Samuel's claims, believing he is the rightful heir to the valuable property of the deceased gentleman, which fieems now to be going a-begging an owner. The friends of the claimant, who are interesting themselves in the endeavour to establish his right to the estates as heir-at-law, are naturally reticent as to the course they intend adopting in the matter, but they are leaving no stone unturned to clear up, without any further delay, the mystery which has thus unfortunately arisen.

AN ADVENTUROUS STOW- AWAY AT BARRY DOCKS. A YOUNG IRISHMAN PLEADS IGNORANCE AT PENARTH. Charles Patrick Byrne, a stowaway from Ireland, imported to the dock on Friday, was arrested at Barry Docks on Saturday night last charged with stealing a watch and chain and other articles from William Heady, labourer, of Regrent-street, Barry Docks, from a building in course of erection in Kingsland-crescent. The evidence of the prosecutor and Acting-sergeant H. Evans before the Penarth magistrates (Messrs J. Pyke Thomp- son and LI. Wood) on Monday showed that on Saturday morning prisoner went to the building referred to and applied for work. Failing to get this, prisoner took a watch, chain, tobacco box, knife, &c., from Heady's pocket, and ran away, being arrested near the Victoria Hotel the same night. Sergeant Evans said the accused belonged toanumberof stowaways who had just come to the port, and were quite a pest to the neighbourhood. Prisoner, in reply to questions, said he never had been on a jury," and, therefore, had doubts as to the desirability of sending the cafe for trial. The Bench eent the man to prison for a month's hard labour.