The Cardiff Times

DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA A LUXURY I Within the Reach of All. PuttWeightwithout Wrapper. 1248 ——————-——

ALJ C THE TRY IT. "■

-WORKMEN'S TOPICS. (IV MABON, M.P.). TRADE PROGRESS AND CHECKS. The Board of Trade figures for the month of December last, and for the year 1907, though not so good as the record for some previous months, show a substantial increase in both imports and exports. For the twelve months the results are very striking, in the imports an increase of no kess than £ 38,015,676 over the previous year, and of S80,884,259 over 1905, while the exports were 150,629,258 in excess of the total of 1906 and iE96,387,982 more than our total shipments in 1905. It would be. indeed, difficult for the most ingenious of our tariff reforming friends to find evidence of the disastrous effects of Free Trade in these figures. They reveal an increase of at least 9 per cent. in the total trade of the year, which should make us more happy and content with the year's business. And I dare- say most people would be, and we want to say nothing about it but for certain memories of the original Tariff Reformers' arguments that was to have swept the country, and the other fact that those that are left of the same crowd are endeavouring to excite the country again by the use of similar false arguments. It is only four years and a few months since we had the privilege of listening to Mr Chamberlain's famous though extremely fallacious speech in I Glasgow, our annual Federation Conference being held in the same place that year. We heard him arguing out his pronouncement, say- ing, I tell you that it is not well with British industry. What is my case ? What are the objections of my opponents ? Well, my case is that the trade of the country is measured, and I think it ousht to be mainly measured, by the exports of this country to foreign coun- tries and to British possessions, and has during the last 20 years been practically stationary that our export trade to all these foreign countries which have arranged tariffs with us has enormously diminished, and at the same time the exports to us have enormously in- creased." We all well remember how this con- tention was supported by the ill-considered and fallacious comparisons between 1872 and 1892, and how various Tariff Reformers brushed aside, or attempted to, the suggestion that home trade also ought to be allowed for, and how they insisted that by exports should the country's trade be mainly measured, and that exports were far more important than imports, and how they warned us that the days of our prosperity as exporters were over, since staple trades were gone or going. But, most strange to say, the bounding figures of the last four years have totally refused to bear out these gloomy prognostications, but have very much to the contrary. If we take the famous 30 years' comparison—1907 as against 1877—we have reached a point which shows that British exports have in the period of time doubled theeoselves. Moreover, in 1907, not only the records have been broken all round, but our exports have once more shown a much greater gain than imports, wtutt • is the use of Tariff Reformers telling us that all is not well, when by any one of their tests the facts refuse to disclose the impending doom, and there is not one of Mr Chamberlain's." I dying indus- tries" that has not grown t The leaders of the Tariff Reform orchestra have piped a dirge,but British trade has absolutely refused to dance to their measure. Not only that all trades have participated in bringing about the remarkable figures of the year. The one-thousand millions of 1907 have been passed. In 1907 our imports and exports amounted to the extraordinary total of £ 1,164,000,000. Notwithstanding that all trades have contributed to the remarkable success of the year.it is worthy of note thatour cotton exports made the magnificent contri- bution of £ 110,438.316. Iron and steel, in all forms, from pig iron to ships, made a worthy second of a, total exportation of about £ 100,000, 00. Even our coal export trade, not- withstanding that the price per ton exported if; very small as compared with the other materials named, increased some £ 10,614,703. But, some people shake their heads over this they forget that the exported coal fills the hulls which bring back the raw material for all manufactures, and thus keeps down the rate of freight and supports tthe shipping industry. After Boems Came Slumps. Whether the secret wishes for trade weaken- ing so that Tariff Reformers may have some excuse for their threatening prognostications or not one cannot say. But the reports of trade returns for December separately seem to show that the lean years are on their way towards us, for our" exports for that month alone as compared with the yearly exports in many important branches have decreased. These decreases will have been in the iron and steel and other metals-the textiles respecting woollens, linen, jute, and cottons, all of these, though differing in degree, have experienced some checks. The depression upon which we I am afraid, then entered upon is evidently worldwide and, happily, here we need not fear anything like the depression that has overcome America. There it has been terrific. In October last, only four months ago, the American blast furnaces were producing pig iron at the rate of 28,000,000 tons per annum-a production doubtless on a most phenomenal scale, I admit. But at the present time they only produce at the rate of from 14,000,000 to 15,000,000 tons, or about one- half- what it was in October. Such changes are terrible even for America. In a small degree that will surely affect us, for we suffer when they suffer, they .being such good cus- tomers. We need not fear anything approach- ing the Americans' set back. Still there can be little doubt that in this coming year, generally Speaking, we shall have much difficulty in sustaining our great records of eleven hundred million pdunds worth of external trade.

FOUND DEAD I HIS BUNK. A Chinaman employed as carpenter on board the turret Eastern trader ss. Suther- land, lying in the Cardiff Commercial Dt*y Dock, was found"dead in'his bunk at"11.30 on Sunday morning. He was last seen alive late on Saturday night, when he was spoken to by the ship's chief officer, and was then appa- rently in excellent health. He retired about midnight, but was not seen as usual during breakfast: and on a search being made of his bunk in the forecastle his body was discovered lying stiff and cold in bed. Dr. Walker, James- street, waS immediately summoned, and pro- nounced life extinct, the immediate cause of death being unknown. There was a fire alight in the room, and it was at one time thought that the deceased had been suffocated by its fames, but when the bunk was entered at 11.30 the porthole was open, giving the place ample ventilation. It is also surmised that opium habits might haye brought on syncope, but it was not known to the crew, that the deceased was addicted to opium habits, and the exact cause of death will probably not be disclosed till the inquest, which will be held to-day (Monday). The body remained on board the vessel on Sunday, and will be removed to the Mortuary this morning.

VISED TO NAKED LIGHTS. ■ A Aberavon on MondayOliver Bailey, cojlier, td Abergwynfi, was summoned by the Great Western Railway Avon Colliery Company for having a candle and match in his pocket in the miM on the 7th instant. 'A. Lewis, time- keeper, deposed to finding the- match and candle. Defendant said he had been used to house coal whare they used candles and matches. The rnjitch fell out of the box when he took it out at the top of the mine. He did" not know it was there. Defendant was lined 5s and costs. —■———*■—*■—

On Friday afternoon Mrs John, a resident of 8t. Athan,, Vale of Glamorgan, Killed a snake about 18 inches long. The reptile was of the kind aammonly found in the district in the summer moaths, and had turned black. In the bright amiMfeine which prevailed it was irawling aaraw tMe roadway, I 1

EXPRESSES COLLIDE- Crash at Hudctersfield. SEVERAL PEOPLE INJURED. A serious railway collision occurred at Huddersfield on Monday afternoon. The one o'clock London and North- Western passenger express from Liver- pool to Leeds had just moved, after being held up by signal at Hillhouse siding, when a Lancashire and Yorkshire express from Huddersfield to Bradford dashed up and caught the rear part of the Leeds train as it was crossing the loop line. The engine of the Lancashire and York- shire train crashed through the guard's van in the foremost train, telescoping it. The guard was thrown on to the ledge in the van and only slightly injured. Some of the compart- ments at the rear of the train were badly damaged, and several passengers were injured. A thick fog prevailed at the time. The noise of the impact soon brought helpers to the spot, and the work of attending to the injured persons was quickly taken in hand. Drs. F. W. Robinson and Hoist were soon in attendance, and after first aid had been rendered, the injured persons were taken to the Infirmary in motor-cars and ambulances. Their names are Mrs Foster J ones, 150, Firs-lane, Leigh. Sybil Foster Jones, aged five, daughter of above. Mrs Mary Riley, High Barnes, Sunderland. Mr John Riley, husband of above. Mr G. A. Pilling, Fair View House, Bawten- stall, Lanes. Mr H. Greenhalgh, St. Paul's-avenue, Fair- haven, Lytham. Mr John Maugham, Jervaulx, Middleham, Yorks. His son, John Maugham, jun. Mr William Gregory, 274, Blackburn-road, Bolton. Mr William Lord Kaye, Lansdown-road, West Didsbury, Manchester. Mr Edgar Horst, East Thorp, Miffiekl. Mr Thomas Hamnett, Roslyn House, Chorl- ton-cum Hardy, Manchester. Early in the evening Mr Pilling and Mr Greenhalgh were discharged from the infir- mary, but the others are detained. Their in- juries, however, are not of'a dangerous nature, most of the patients suffering from severe pains in the face and shock. The Lancashire and Yorkshire engine was badly damaged, but the driver was not seri- ously hurt. The permanent way was also badly torn up, and traffic during the afternoon was almost entirely suspended, the accident occurring at a spot where the points of two sets of rails cross. Passenger's Story. In an interview Mr Pilling, one of the pas- sengers who were injured, said that the colli- sion occurred directly after the Liverpool train had started after being held up by the signal at the siding. He received a fearful blow on the back, which dazed him, and he only remembered seeing the window glass fly- ing about the compartment. Mr Pilling left for home by a later train from Huddersfield to see his own medical man. Mr John Riley, who was taken to the In- firmary, has also been able to proceed home. Mr Maugham and his son are among the more seriously injured,the former's nose having been broken. Mr A. dickering was seriously injured about the head. The guard of the Liverpool express, who was either hurled or climbed into the luggage rack, and thus escaped injury in spite of the fact that the engine ploughed its way half through his van, though dazed, was able to walk about after the accident.

Pembrokeshire Assizes. FtSHGUARD SOLICITOR FELLED. r The Pembrokeshire Assizes were opened at Haverfordwest on Monday before Mr Justice Lawrence. There were three prisoners for trial. k Addressing the grand' jury for the county of Pembroke, of which Sir Owen Scourfield was foreman, the Judge congratulated them upon the state of the county, which deserved its, (high character for freedom from crime. There was only one case requiring investigation, but that was one of some brutality the cause of it was the almost universal cause-drink. To the grand jury for the town, and cpunty of Haverfordwest, of which Alderman T. L. James was foreman/ his Lordship said there were two prisoners for trial. One of the charges was Qf a most serious nature because it involved the use of the knife. Goodwick Labourer Discharged. Edward Purcell, labourer, Dyffryn, Good- wick, pleaded not guilty to a charge of wound- ing with intent Mr W. J. Vaugii an, solicitor, Fishguard. Mr Marlay Samson prosecuted, and Mr Meager, Swansea, defended. Mr Yaughan, who appeared with his head bandaged, told the Court that while returning from Goodwick to Fisbguard on the night of January 1st he was felled to the ground. He had previously, noticed three men and a woman approaching him, and said that prisoner was the one nearest to him. When he regained consciousness prisoner was standing over him. and prosecutor shouted, You coward," and added, For God's sake, send for a doctor." Prisoner muttered something about a doctor, and dISappeared., He made no response on being called a coward. Dr. O'Connell described the wound as a cut about two inches long. Prisoner entered the box, and said that the assault was committed by his brother-in-law, John Balfe, but Balfe, who was also called, denied it. Prisoner's wife said she was walking alorfg with Balfe. and she saw no one strike Mi; Vaughan over the head with a kettle. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. In discharging prisoner, the Judge said he hoped this would be a warning to him. If he was brought up again, and a similar charge was proved against him, he would be sentenced to a long period of penal servitude. Drink the Sole Cause. 'Albert Osman Cole (25), described as a. tele- graphist. of Neyland, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a gold diamond ring and other articles of jewellery, of the total value of £ 18, from the house of Mr Elson Williams, Bridgend-square, Haverfordwest. For the prisoner, Mr Meager mentioned that Cole had previously held a good position in life, having been a telfegraphist on the Great Western Rail- way. He was subsequently in the Royal Engineers and committed various trivial offences with a view to getting discharged. Drink was the one cause of the prisoner's downfall. Counsel said he did not know whether the Judge would consider this a case to be dealt with under the Probation Act. His Lordship said he was anxious to do his best for the prisoner, but having regard to his past career he believed a little confinement would giye him the chance of recovering hid- mental balance. He would be imprisoned in. the second division for twelve months.

MERTHYR POLICE FORCE. The long-expected reply of the Home Sec- retary to the Merthyr Town Council relative to the establishment of a separate police force for the,borough was laid before the Watch Committee oyf Monday at a meeting, over which the Mayor (Alderman D. W. Jones) presided. The letter was as follows :— I" Sir,—With reference to correspondence relative to the proposed separate police force for the borough of Merthyr Tydfil, I am directed by the Secretary of State to say that he will not withhold his consent to the deter- mination of the agreement between the borough and the county of Glamorgan, pro- vided that reasonable arrangements are first > made as to— I (1) The taking over of county con- stables. (2) The police stations in the borough. (3) The borough's share of any deficit in the county police pension fund. I am, sir, your obedient servant, "MyD. Chalmers." On the motion of the ex-Mayor (Mr Sidney Simons), it was decided to write- to the Home Secretory saying that they were prepared to enter into reasonable arrangements of the nature suggested. It was further decided to ask the HOlne Secretary for authority to adverse for a cHief constable, so that the forma. ~>n -of the new force could be proceeded D with proihptly. It was explained that the notice given by the borough to the county -to terminate the police agreement expired in November, and that the new force could now be formed without fresh notice being given.,

CAMMELL LAIRD & SWANSEA. ¡- It is stated that the Earl of Jersey, with his agent, Mr A. T. Williams, of Neath, will during the present week have an interview with repre- sentatives of Messrs Cammell, Laird and Co. at Sheffield, with a view to securing a definite announcement as to that firm's intentions re- lative to the proposed acquisition of a site be- longing to his Lordship on the Crumlin Burrows, near Swansea, for the erection of steel works.

and horticulture are studies which the Welsh people care but little for. As a matter of fact the number of books on these subjects published in the language of the I Principality is very small. This is somewhat to be wondered at, tooggeeing that most Welsh people like their bit at tneamb and take a delight init.

NEWPORT FEAR DISPELLED. Mr Lyndon Moore, Newport borough coroner, resumed the inquiry on Monday into the mysterious death of an infant, eight months old, daughter of Mr Christopher Verrinder, 15, Jeddo-street. The infant fell out of bed on Christmas Day, and was taken to the hospital, where she died 10 days later. At the initial inquiry Dr. Wright, the house surgeon, who had made a post-mortem examination, said he considered death was not due to the fall, but to heart failure following meningitis. Asked by the Coroner what kind of meningitis, and if of a contagious character,, lie said he was unable to state, bu he had sent a sample of fluid; from the child's brain to the Local Government Board for analysis. The inquiry was then adjournedy in order to give Dr. Howard Jones, the medical officer of health, opportunity to make inquiries in the neighbour- hood and to receive the certificate of analysis, there being special reason for this course, as three children had died within ten qays in the same neighbourhood, and it was feared the disease might be spotted fever. Dr. Howard Jones now submitted the analysis, which stated that no germ dr spotted fever was found in the fluid." A verdict was then returned of "Death from heart failure following meningitis."

■i CREDULOUS COLLIERS. Very considerable excitement prevails in the Trimsaran district over the irresponsible babbling of a professional fortune-teller who is allowed to practise in the neighbourhood, to the effect that a dire accident will take place in the colliery workings there shortly, at which numerous workmen will be killed and maimed. The seer (?) first said that the accident would occur by a fire, but afterwards changed the cause to wates." A great many of the workmen in consequence have refused to go down to the pit again, and very great loss and inconvenience are being caused to the owners thereby* It is remarkable that in these days people can be found so credulous. Trimsaran Colliery is stated to be a particu- larly safe one to work, there being no gas present except in very small quantities, and there is absolutely no fear of any danger by water.

ACTRESS CHAR8ED. At Harlesden Police Court fn Monday fur- ther evidence was heard against Lily Clowes, aged 18, an actress, of Messina-avenue, Kil- burn, and Frederick Harry Plumb, aged 23, of Brewer-street, Regent-street, on a charge of Child-stealing. Child-stealing. After going carefully through the evidence, Detective-Inspector Pollard withdrew the charge against Plumb, who then left the dock. Clowes was committed for triaL

v DEATH OF MR T. W. H. PLAIN, Y CARDIFF. It is with regret that we have to announce the death of Mr Thomas William Hart Plain, who died at his residence, 30, Park-place, Cardiff, early on Sunday morning. The de- ceased gentleman, who was 80 years of age, had a long illness last spring, and though he made what seemed a fairly good recovery it left its traces upon his constitution. He was again taken ill in October, and pneumonia and bronchitis developed. There were other com- plications but to these he eventually suc- plications but to these he eventually suc- cumbed after having been confined to his bed for 11 weeks. The deceased gentleman who came of an old Worcestershire family/ was born near Pem- broke, and came to Cardiff about 60 years ago. He started in business in the ship-repairing trade, but eventually became a shipowner, and was one of the first to develop the timber trade with Quebec. IJe retired from business about 18 years ago. During the greater part of his long residence in Cardiff he resided at 30, Pa £ k-place. The deceased took an active interest in poor law administration, and was for more than 20 years a very useful member of the Cardiff Board of Guardians. He was a director of the Glamorgan Building Society. In politics he Tho Late Mr THOMAS W. H. PLAIN. (Photo. Long, Cardiff.) was a Conservative, A staunch Churchman, he was for many vears prominently connected with St. John's Church. The deceased gentle- man married Miss Davies, a Cardiff lady, who pre-de6e4" him by many years. He leaves a son, Dr. Plain, and five daughters, in addition to a large circle of friends, to mourn their loss. Of the daughters, three are married, Mrs Krifcger, of Penarth; Mrs Herbert Hill, of Treherbert, and Mrs H. J. Thatcher, of Cardiff.

WELSH WORKMAN'S WILL. Nonconformist Endowments. The late Mr Evan J. Evans, of Penybryn, Bethesda, who died in December last, aged 77 years, first a quarry man, and in later years ail overlooker at the Pefcrhyn Quarries,who for 41 years had filled the office of deacon in Bethesda and Salem Churches, being the secretary of the latter church, devised by his will from the accumulations of a life of hard work and fru- gal living the following bequests :-To the Congregational Church at Waen Pentir, E20 Congregational Church at Bethesda, £50; Con- gregational Chnrcb!at Salem towards the erec- tion of a manse, M Bala Bangor Congre- gational College, EIOO British and Foreign Bible Society, £ 100; London Missionary Society, XIW North Carnarvonshire Welsh Congregational Association, X150 Bethesda County School (1) an immediate payment of ilOO towards the foundation of a "John Evans Scholsbip"; (2) from the residue of the estate after the demise of his widow a further unde- termined sum to found an Evan John Evan Scholarship."

CLAUvTrollALF A MILLION. A Bristol telegram says a claim to estates worth half a million sterling is made by Edwatd Swymmer Radford, an elderly ex- cutler, of Bristol, as heir to the Swymmer family, which was well known in the city two centuries ago. Radford,questioned on Sunday, said his mother was daughter of John Swymmer, who belonged g families in Galway and Bristol. The extinction of both lines leaves him the sole legatee to properties in I both countries, the Galway estate having been in Chancery two centuries.

LODGER'S ABERRATION. REMARKABLE CASE AT YSTRAD. An unusual case was before the Ystrad magistrates on Monday when a pale, thin- looking| man, Walter H. Ishmael, was charged with burglariously leaving the premises of life landlord, Daniel E. Davies, colliery repairer,, 24, Cross-street, Ystrad, Rhondda, and stealing a missionary box containing £110s and £ 1 from a purse left in the kitchen. The evidence of Davies was that the prisoner had lodged with him for four months. On the 4th January, about 4.30 a.m., he was aroused by his wife, who smelt burning. He hurried downstairs and found curtains, a Bible, and a sewing machine on fire. Prisoner assisted him I to extinguish the flames and then went away, leaving the back door open. The box and money were then missed, and the police in- formed. When charged by P.C. Jones the man took him to a builder's yard where he had hidden the money, which was eventually returned. The Rev. L. Davies gave Ishmael a good character and said he could only account for his action as being done in a fit of temporary insanity. He added, on being recalled, that a relative of, the prisoner had committed suicide. Inspector John Williams, after tracing pri- soner's previous history, informed the Bench that he did not think he was in proper health. Taking these facts into consideration, the Stipendiary (Mr Arthur Lewis) took a lenient view apd ordered prisoner to find .£5 in his own recognisances and X5 surety to come up for judgment when called upon. A charge of arson was dismissed.

DEAD IN HIS CABIN. The British steamer Hillmere has arrived at Bremerhaven in charge of the chief officer, and reports that on December 22nd, while passing down Wilmington, North Caro- lina, river in charge of a pilot, on her way to, sea, her commander, Ckptain Thomas Lake, was found lying dead on the cabin settee. He had been suffering for some days from acute nervousness, and it is believed that he had taken small doses of carbolic acid as an opiate, and on this occasion by misadventure he had taken an overdose, which had caused his death. The Hillmere put back and landed the body. The Rillmere left Penarth in September last. Captain Lake was well-known at Barry, Penarth and Cardiff, and had served for ,a long period with the Papayanni line to the Mediterranean,-and he entered the service of the owners of the Hillmere in March, 1905, as commander of the Hillgrove, and was transferred to the Hiilrnere about 12 months ago.

LABOUR M.P.'s SALARIES. Legality of Payment to be Tested. The important, and far-reaching point as to whether it is legal for Trade Unions to make a levy on thteir members for the purpose of con- tributing to the funds of the Labour party will shortly be determined in the courts of law. An action has been commenced \in which the secretary of an important London branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is the plaintiff, and the Amalgamated-Society and the trustees are the defendants. Should the plaintiff succeed in obtaining what he claims, Trade Unions will in future be prevented from contributing to the funds of the Labour party or other political organisa- tion outsid<? the Union. Mr Stewart Bevan is for the plaintiff, and the defendants will be represented by Mr S. T. Evans, K.C., M.P., Mr Edmond Browne, and Mr Abrahams.

HEATH TRAPS FOR CHILDREN. At Aberbargoed Police Station on Monday evening, Mr W. R. Dauncey, the deputy coroner for North Monmfcuthshirc, held an inquest on George Henry Fench, aged 2 years and -10 months, of 24, Neauddwen-street. The mother stated that she had placed a pan of boiling water upon the floor, and left it for a couple of minutes to attend to some other duties, and the child fell into the water,, from the effects of which iV died in a couple taf honps. The Coroner com- mented upon such acts of carelessness by parents. The jury returned a verdict of Death by misadventure."

,NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. Our London Welsh correspondent writes :— The various sub-committees appointed by the Executive Committee of the National Eistedd- fod of 1909 (London) are gradually organ- ising themselves for the duties com- mitted to their charge, but the proceedings up to the present are merely tentative, and are entirely subject to discussion and decision by the executive.

A BAD CASE OF CRUELTY. I I I -r-- -1. P.C. John Bull: Now then, what are you doing with that piece of anatomy ? Mr Chaplin Don't go callin' 'im names, mister—'e's a race-oss, 'e-is, goin' to run for the Derby. We're just takin' 'im out for a bit of exercise to keep m from gettin' stiff. P.C. John Bull: Stdf! Why, he can hardlJ stand It's absolute craelty,-take him to the knackers'. Cartoon bT- Sir F. C. GouhJi t.Publishby arrangement with the Westminster Gazette.") «.

Tri-Car or Yacht P BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. An action for alleged breach of promise of marriage came before r Justice Sutton and a common jury in the King's Bench Division on Monday, the plaintiff being Miss Grace Prickett, The Elms, Stubbington-avenue, Portsmouth, and the defendant NEarold J. Lamvon, Ordnance-road, Portsea. The defen- dant denied the breach, and said there was a mutual agreement to rescind on the terms that Dkshould be paid by defendant in respect of money expended by plaintiff. Mr Waddy appeared for the plaintiff; Mr Hugo Young, K.C., and Mr Emanuel represented the defen-' dant. Mr Waddy, in opening the case, said the re- lations between the parties extended over a long period. The plaintiff was a lady of 31 years, and was the only child of Arthur Thomas Prickett, a recently retired chief con- stable of Portsmouth, while the defendant was a young man of 28 years, the son of a jeweller of Portsmouth. Defendant was a civil assis- tant in the Admiralty Department of Ports- mouth, with a salary of zE275 a year. Plaintiff said that the defendant, after the engagement, promised to settle £1,000 on her two years after marriage. She had put the money she had expended at £ 20, but it came to more. Defendant was cool after Christmas, 1906. In cross-examination by Mr Hugo YoUDg, K.C., plaintiff said that the defendant always led her to believe that his position was a secure one as an assistant surveyor.—Did he send you a newspaper cutting containing the expression of a man who was prominent in politics, and who had separated from his young lady, to this effect: ",I think it is better to be a little unhappy for a short tofcild rather than be bound together and be unhappy for a long time. At least, that was the conclusion I arrived at ?"—Yes, but I did not agree with it. Witness said the defendant's mother disap- proved of the engagement, and as a result her father had an interview with defendant's father, but she did not say to defendant as the result that the engagement should be ended. At this time the defendant had the engagement ring, but the engagement was not broken off. You Had got ideas as to what you were to do after marriage ? No.—You suggested that he should buy a tri-motor car ? Yes, but he suggested a yacht. (Laughter.) His Lordship at this stage told the jury that the only question for them was as to the amount of damages. Ultimately the parties came to terms, defen- dant consenting to judgment for JE150 dam- ages, and plfintiff to return the engagement ring.

= Drummed Out. • ELOPEMENT DENOUEMENT. Considerable excitement was ereated at Ystradgynlais when it became known that an extraordinary elopement sequel was being enacted in the place. Weeks ago A couple, who had two little children, en- gaged apartments in the village, and lived apparently quite happily. The man was en- gaged working at night at a neighbouring colliery. On Friday morning P,S. Jarrett called and asked the woman, Where is your husbandJ" Oh, he is in bed; he is working nights," cheerfully answered she. Well," said the sergeant, your right husband is outside." With these words a man rushed into the house, and was greeted by the children with cries of Dada dada It seems that the man is a respectable tradesman of Newcastle. on-Tyne, and that three weeks ago the woman left her home with a previous lodger. A few days later the husband received a postcard bearing the York postmark, stating that she had gone to London, adding that, if he wanted her, he could come there to fetch her back. The husband, however, knew that the, lodger had been down in South Wales aonaewhere near Swansea, and got into communication with the police, and P.S. Jarrett sent him in. formation of his wife's whereabouts. The husband directly started in pursuit of his un- faithful wife, and found her as doondbed above. The scene at the house was most pathetic, the children clinging to their father, who pleaded with his erring wife to return, promis- ing complete forgiveness. She refused, and the childrenF—(?ne. about three and the other five years old—were prepared to make their journey back to the Nprth. Meanwhile the man had gone out of the house, but was keep- ing sentry close by. A large crowd soon gathered and hooted him, but he seemed quite unmoved, and when the father and the children had left he returned to the house. The landlady, however., ordered them off at once, and when they went a crowd outside drummed them away from the place with tin kettles and other domestic utensils.

Asleep at Their Posts. strrls OF COLLIERY OFFENCES. When Sergeant Lewis went dn his rounds a the Ocean Colliery, TrehahiB, on the night of December 29th, he discovered some of the, workmen asleep. Thomas Richards was sleep- ing whilst in cha ge of the ventilating fan engine, and David Evans, who had charge of the stokers and was responsible for the feed of water to the boilers, was asleep in the donkey house. William G. Bray, a young man of 21, who had charge of a machinery conveying coal to the boilers.Jay sleeping near the boilers with a cloth over his face.At Merthyron Monday the three men were summoned for breaches of the special rules, Mr W. Kenshole appearing for the Colliery Company, and Mr D. W. Jones defending. It appeared that Richards and Bray had to work 14 hours every night. The former was fined 20s and costs, and the latter58 and costs, while Evans was fined 20s and costs. A young collier named Nathaniel Jones was fined 20s and costs for sleeping in the mine at Treharris, and William E. Jones was fined a similar sum for not reporting damage to his lamp. In the south pit of the same colliery Isaac a quarrel with another collier, and throwing a stone at him broke his lamp. When charged with the offence Hopkins denied any intention to do damage, and the' Stipendiary, advising him to be more careful, imposed a fine of 10s and costs. After hearing these cases the Stipendiary drew Mr Kenshole's attention to the quality of the Welsh in the copy of the special rules handed up to him. He said it contained nisny mistakes in spelling and grammar. If we are to have Welsh," said Sir Marchant, let us have good Welsh." Fintd at Ystrad. For sleeping in the Cwmparc ColMery on December 31st Edward Gittins and Evan Jones, colliers, were at Ystrad- on'Monday fined £ 1 each. The men had lighted lamps by their side.

WELSHMAN IN SPAIN Honoured by King Alfonso. As the result of a visit paidby King Alfonso to the works of the Sociedad Altos Hornos de Vizcaya," at Bilbao in the autumn, which was followed by a visit by the Minister of Marine, Senor Ferrandiz, several members of the staff have been presented with, the Cross of the Merito Naval 1st and 2nd Class, as a token of the satisfaction given to his Majesty upon the industrial progress made in the pro- vince. The Merito Naval is the class of decoration usually awarded for special services in this category. Among those thus honoured was Mr Jenkin Lewis, a native of Aberdare, who resided in Cardiff for about eight years. Mr Lewis first became connected with the Sociedad Altos Hdrnos de Vizcaya in 1883 when he took charge of the erection of entirely new plant, blast furnaces, Bessemer and rolling mills under the direction of Mr E. Windsor Richards, the designer. He returned to this country in 1886 and in 1888 became resi- dent engineer at the Dowlais Cardiff Works. Five years afterwards he settled down -.oA a consulting engineer at the Rotunda Buildings. He returned to Bilbao in 1896 and joined the staff of his old employers,, undertaking some more new works, and when the manager re- signed in 1901 Mr Lewis was appointed to the position, which he still retains.

FERNDALE WOMAN'S SUICIDE. I The Discovery in iarron Lake. An inquest was held at Ferndale on Monday by Mr R. J. Rhys (coroner) on the body of Mrs Elizabeth Barry, Baptist-square, Blaemlechau. She had been missing since the 12th of Decem- I ber, and on Friday her body was discovered in the Darren Like, Fermi ale by a lad, Leo Rogers. Whilst skating he was startled to see the dead woman's face through the ice. Dr. Parry stated that he had attended the woman, and though de- pressed she appeared quite rational. He had. however, advised the relatives. to be vigilant with her. The husband said he returned from work a month ago, and had his dinner prepared by his wife, who then went out osteiisibly for a walk, but never returned. A verdict, of Suicide during temporary insanity was returned.

The promotion of Chief Gunner Edward Walker to be a lieutenant in the Navy is an,. -nouned in the London Gazette,"

WELSH GLEANINGS, News and Views in Lighter Vein. Mr Owen Philipps, M.P., has been appointed by the Prince of Walas a member of King Edward's Hospital Fund. Llandilo has been selected as the venue for the next meeting of the South Wales and Mon- mouthshire Poor Law Conference to be held in May. Mr A. P. Graves believes that the most original form of the Welsh air is to be found in Hela'r Sgyfarnog." He further believes that the introduction of slurs is a sign of decadence. Mrs Mary Davies, the well-known Welsh singer, possesses a large selection of Welsh airs in manuscript, andoaany of them have ver been published. There are several otherne manuscript collectionsin the possession of other people which are not included in the Cam-x brian Minstrelsy." When shall we have a com- plete collection published of all these beautiful Welsh airs Chester has just sustained a severe loss by the death of Dr. John Roberts, a magistrate, alderman, and former Mayor of Chester. A native of Blaenau Festiniog, Dr. Roberts was the leading spirit of the Welsh community in Chester during his 40 years' residence in the city. He identified himself actively with medical charities, and founded the skin dis- pensary. He was 66 years of age. In the current Mariner is a very fine portrait of Mr Lloyd George, M.P., and the number gives a review by Major Jones him- self of the industrial year in shipping and shipbuilding-an admirable article full of portraits and pictures of steamers. Amongst other local gentlemen whose portraits appear are Sir William Lewis and Sir Clifford Cory, whilst the pictures and diagrams of tramp steamers show the later type of vessel which naval architects have put at the command of shipowners. The terrible ravages of war are vividly recalled by the death of Mr J. P. Lloyd, of Newcastle Emlyn, late of Penralltybie, Llapdugwydd, the largest farmer in South Cardigan. Three of his children were at the Boer War, and two of the three never returned, viz., Miss Marion Lloyd. lady superintendent of the Welsh Hospital, who died at Pretoria, and Mr A. P. Lloyd, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Yeomanry, who died at Bloemfontein. The third, Miss Constance Lloyd, who was also a sister in the Welsh Hospital, afterwards married/ Capt. Myburgh Ijfruger, and now lives at Middelburg, Cape Colony. The Rev. J. E. Lloyd, seniour curate of St. Michael's, Aberystwyth, is another o# the six children of the deceased. A good story is told of a Methodist dog. He used to attend service with his mistress every Sunday, and lie quietly under the seat, but the mistress quarrelled with some of the other members, left the Nonconformists, and joined the Church of England. On her way to the church she had to pass the chapel every Sun- day, and the faithful dog went with her as far as the chapel, but here he parted company, and allowed his mistress to continue her way to church, whilst the dog went into the chapel and "iay under the same old seat. The faith- ful hound continued ^^conformist to the last. v A Colleague's Tribute. Mr Clement Edwards, M.P., in a lecture on his Parliamentary impressions, has, been telling his constituents at Wrexham that he still feels nervous in getting,up to speak in the Bouse of Commons. He could not explain it, but many other members were affected in the Referring to the members of the rovernmen Sir Edwards said the^ honoured leader of th* Welsh people (Mr Lloyd-George) wastthe Rupert of Debate and a master of plat- form repartee. It was recognised, by friend and foe alike that he had done more in the interests of the trade and commerce \!>f the country since he became President of the Board of Trade than any one of his predeces- sors in that office. Dr. E. E. Chivers..■ Particulars of the deafih of the Rev. E. Eynon Chivers, D.D., of America (an old Maesteg boy) are now to hand. He died on the 2nd of December last, and althoifgh a frail man physically, he was an inveterate worker as secretary of the American Missionary Union. He studied at Haverfordwest Baptist College at the same time as Dr. George Rees, the pastor of the BaPtt Tabernacle, Philadelphia, Dr. J. W. Williams, of the Swansea Memorial Chapel, and others. To judge by the extensive space given to notices of his death in the reli- gious and lay Press of America he had, made to himself an abiding place in the affections of the American people. The Late Mr Lewis Pugh Pugh. Mr Lewis Pugh 'Pugh, news of whose death at Calcutta in his^71st year comes as a shock to those who saw him last year at home, had many interesting associations with Cardigan- shire, which he represented in Parliament as a Liberal from 1880 to 1885. His younger brother, Sir GrifSth Humphrey Pugh Evans, built tp.: mansion at Lovesgrove, and Mr Pugh him- self built a large house on his estate near Glandovey. The two brothers marrifed two sisters, the daughters of Mr James Hilis, of Nuchindepore, one of the principal indigo planters of Bengal in former days. Sir Griffith Evans married the youngest daughter (Hon. Lady Evans, of Lovesgrove), and Mr Lewis Pugh Pugh married Veronica Harriet, another daughter, who also survives. Their brother is General Sir James Hills-Johnes of Dolau- cothi. A daughter of Mr and Mrfc Pugh Pugh was married in 1891 to Mr MacNair 1 of Auche- nech, Stirlingshire, and now lives at Pennal Towers, Machynlleth. Another daughter married Mr Ormond, nbw judge in the High Courts of India, and a third Mr Sellar, an officer in the Army. The eldest son is a barrister in Calcutta, and another son woa the D.S.O. in the South African War. v- •» Maurice Kyffin. The next Welsh text which will be brought out in the series of Welsh reprints under the auspices of the Guild of Graduates of the University of Wales will be Maurice Kytfin's masterpiece, viz., Deffiniad Ffydd Eglwys Loegr," which is to be a reproduction of the original edition of the year 1595, with all its characteristics, letter for letter and space for space. The work is edited by Mr W. Prichard Williams, of Bangor, and he has spent much, labour in solving the problem of the identity of the translator, a work of considerable diffi. culty, as there were four men of the name of Maurice Kyffin contemporaries, and "Deffiniad, Ffydd Eglwys Loegr has been attributed to each one of them. An account is given for the first time, of the life and careet of the real Maurice Kyffin-a soldier of fortune, who served his Queen and country with an inflexi- bility of mind and integrity of purpose that reflect honour on vthe Principality. It is also intended to include in the volume all the authenticated poetry of Maurice Kyffin, col- lected from manuscripts in various libraries. Sir W. T. Lewis Appreciated. Years ago," writes one who was then a frequent passenger on the Taff Vale Railway either on the main line or one of its branches, "I was in the company of a number of colliers at Pontypridd, just after an accident at that place, the result of a collision between a train coming from the Rhondda and one from the main line. At that time there Was an objec- tionable practice of running a train down a siding from the principal road to the Rhondda branch, and upon this occasion the carriages from the Pontypridd Station pierced the centre of the Rhondda carriages with a dis- astroite effect. It was a mercy that the slaughter was not greater. As it was, the very next carriage in which was seated the worthy baronet had the full force of the blow, and then one of the colliers ma4e a remark testifying indirectly to the high opinion of hit services to the coal trade of Wales. Jawks," he exclaimed, the Taff would have had to pay dear enough for killing one of us, but no money would have made good his loss.' It was an involuntary testimony that I nevef forgot.*