Evening Express

TEMPERATURE. RAINFALL Max. Min Mean. 9 a.m.|9 p.m. Total Thursday. 16i 57 43 152-5 "12 -00 -12 Friday 17 53 45 49*0 -02 "CO 02 Saturday 18 47 40 43*5 "00 '00 "00 Sunday 19 46 39 42 5 "00 "00 -CO Monday 20 45 36 40'5 'HO "00 *00 Tuesday 21 40 34 37'0 "00 '00 *00 Wodnesday. '22 '00

Telephone: National, 502; Post-office, 95. Telegrams: Express," Cardiff.

SEASONABLE FACILITIES. This is an appropriate day on which to poke a little reminder at the world. This is the first Christmas season when the postal authorities have given us all the facilities we want for exchanging seasonable greetings—at the cost of a very considerable decrease of revenue. The postal authorities (under a Conservative Government, be it noted) will lose many thou- sands during this Christmas, and the public are just so much in pocket. In Cardiff alone over a thousand pounds, on a very rough estimate, has betn saved to the public by the very nappy innovation of which everyone will, for the iirst time, use the benefit to its fullest extent. During this Christmas season it is possible for a 4oz. letter to be sent for the postage of a penny, and the book-rate now ceases at a half-penny for 2oz. The parcel postage has been reduced, the rate being 3d. for the first pound and a penny a pound afterwards up to a maximum of 101b., for which weight and for an 11-lb. parcel the charge is -Is. Christmas cards and other printed master intended for transmission by the book-post should be made up in such a manner that the contents can be easily withdrawn for examina- tion. Such correspondence if posted in covers with simply small slits cut in the end are liable to the letter rate of postage. To avoid danger of delay, letters and parcels should be posted early in the day on th", 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. There will be special collections from the town offices and pillar and wall boxes at frequent intervals. The senders of parcels using tie- on labels are cautioned to write the address on some part of the cover of the parcel as well, as labels often become detachea from the parcels, which in consequence cannot be deli- vered. Letters for India, China, and Australia should be posted early in the day on Thursday, the 23rd inst., and for the Uniced States and South Africa early on Friday, the 24th inst.

POWDER AND SHOT. Weather prophets tell us we shall have a damp cool Christmas. This means that we can look forward to the damp cool Christmas with the p" mute. It is likely that before the New Year we shall be skating elsewhere than on the Panopticon rink. Clywch, clywch! *••••• There is more scope for Christmas philan- thropists in Wales this year than ever there was. We do not allude to ourselves this journey, but to the Rhondda, Landore, Dafen, Kidwelly, Llanelly, and so on. A shilling or so from everyone who has it to spare would raise a fund big enough to make this Yuletide real all over Wales. It has nearly broken our hearts to-day to see the number of poor little anxious children popping into the editorial rooms to say, Please have you got a 'Santa Claus' ticket for us?" With heavy heart we tell them all the tickets have already gone. They are the waifs still in the outer darkness. The fund must be extended by this time next year. If nothing else is Christmassy the G.W.R. Station at Cardiff looks it at least to-day. The, trc-cops of blue-nosed home-comers, with their piles of luggage and their ocean of questions, keep fifty porters hard at it already. The sweet sound of osculatir.n fills the station till a man who isn't meeting anybody wants to kick himself. What will it be to-morrbw and Fri- day? The Rev. Henry Norris, Roman Catholic priest at Tamworth, has achieved singular distinctions, which are specially interesting to Cardiffians, inas- much as Father Norris is brother-in-law of an old and respected Cardiffian (Mr. Francis W. Lock), and has officiated on occasions at St. Peter's, Roath, and at other churches in Cardiff in union with the See of Rome. The Rev. Father Norris is the only priest in the British Empire who has been elected as chairman of a school board, and the Queen has just been pleased to accept a copy of a work the rev. gen'leman has just issued, which is one of the latest and most valued contri- butions to historical literature. The Park-hall is a sight for the gods to-day. Heaven has blessed the day with its most season- ably sunny smile. A horde of boyish youngsters assembled to watch their bright-eyed little sisters in misfortune trooping in to their only Christmas treat. The childish mouths were watering at this vision of the boys' day to-morrow, but the boyish lungs were lusty and the boyish eyes were glad. And the boys were gallant escorts, in their own boisterous way. It may seem hard to believe by those who do not aptually know the fact, but for every one of the two thousand little ones regaled there is another little girl or boy in Cardiff alone- who is compelled to go without a Christmas. • » • • • There's a peculiar omission in this par from the "South Wales Daily Post":—Mr. G. W. Hall, an old Swansea pressman, will be among us in the next five or six weeks. He has struck ile, or, to speak by the book, gold, in West Australia. The Lemora.Mine, worked by him in conjunction with Mr. Pritchard Morgan, about 150 miles from Coolgardie, is a perfect Welsh colony. About 150 sons of Gwalia are employed there, and their singing has passed into a by-word for scores of miles around." We are always interested in the doings of Welshmen abroad, but there's a ques- tion or two here that should be asked: Is this Welsh colony digging gold or singing for a living ? .9 Does it raise its voice because it's got the gold or because it wants it ? Can't the colony help singing? Is that the place where all our Welsh vocalists have gone off to recently? Is it necessary to be either a vocalist or to be hung out there? There's some mystery in this. • • • We have been noticing how long it generally takes to bring a big thing introduced in London down to Cardiff. We seem to be exceedingjy well off here 'in that respect. Look at the Veritoscope or cinematograph pictures which detail the Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight for the world's championship. The fight has not been over many months. It is still fresh. The pic- tured details were only brought across to,, London the other day. And here Mr. Stoll has brought us the whole thing to the Cardiff Panopticon next week. The fight is the biggest thing yet attempted by the new photographic marvel. It takes an hour and forty minutes to go through, and we shall see the minutest details just as they occurred. There are a couple of miles of living pictures. » < < "What is a club?" asked an excited vege- tarian, prancing into the literary zoo this morn- ing. We showed him one which we always keep for visitors with insanitary questions. "Ah!" he observed, "I was told by an executive Liberal just now that if the party means to win in Wales it must go in for clubs and bring their powerful influence to bear." "Yes," we agreed, "something in the nature of coercion seems necessary to drive the Liberal voters into the fold, and the party will stop at nothing." "But I'm told of the power the Conservative clubs exert!" "Oh, that's not the same kind of club," we hastened to reply "Wales has been clubbed and buffeted by the Liberal party in a totally different sense. The Tory clubs are social insti- tutions designed for the suppression of tyranny, and for developing the reasoning powers of Welsh voters." k "But the Liberal club "Is a weapon just like this!" And we showed him our beautiful blackthorn again. It's wonderful how much some folk need education! A jolly old grey-haired gentleman hopped into the "Express" Ojces this morning, and handed us this challenge to the world: — "T. Donovan, who was the celebrated owner of the Maid of Killarney, will take upon him- seif to walk, run, jump, lift weights, carry weights, and fight any man in the world, age and weight. The age is 73. He is a second cousin to Patsy Redan, also second cousin to John O'Brien, and first cousin to Donovan O'Ross. Native of Clonaki/tv, in the county of Cork. Donovan Capeena by his father, and by mother the O'Neills, in the neighbourhood of Clonakilty." "Are you Mr. Donovan?" we inquired, for form's sake. "Yes, I am—an' a. broth of a boy for me age. I've bin 65 year in Cardiff-came when I was eight—been all over the counthry—can speak English, Irish, Welsh, and Scotch, and trans- late anything into Welsh—and I can't read nor write, mind you." "That's a bit of good blood, Mr. Donovan!" "Hah, me boy! I've got the blood ov 'em! I'm not saying anything in this paper I can't do. I've bin tested with two only last week- and one of 'em fourteen stone, and me only 9st. 61b. as I stand, an' I can fight at 8st 71b. Look at me arm now! Would ye take that to be the arm of an old man?" "Bless me, no!" The old sport's forearm was as white and full and unwrinkled as a young footballer's. "All the blood of the family is in me. There's my uncle down in Clonakilty—six sons he had, and they wete terrors!" he continued, adding a string of family herces, who were all of them good enough for anything going. "An' you'll put that challenge in the paper?" "Yes, Mr. Donovan—you'll find it there." Now let the world come on! The warrior's waiting.

CARDINAL AND PEERAGE. STRONG PROTEST FROM: DR. GUINNESS ROGERS. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Writing in this week's Independent and Non- conformist," on the rumoured elevation of Car. dinal Vaughan to the peerage, Dr. Guinness Rogers saY3:- Sensational rumours are so easily "evolved," especially at times when there is a lack of news, that I should certainly wait for some corro- borative evidence before giving implicit cre- dence to the story that the Duke of Norfolk is moving Lord Salisbury to elevate Cardinal Vaughan to the peerage. What particular advantage would accrue to the Romish Church from such a privilege? It is not in Lord Salis- bury's power to make a Roman Catholic Arch- bishop of Westminster a peer of Parliament. The honour would be for Cardinal Vaughan personally, and would die with him. The Car- dinal would simply be another unit added to the small company of Roman Catholic peers. On the other side, Lord Salisbury might well pause once-twice-thrice before madly rushing into such a hornets' nest as so mad non exercise of his patronage would prepare for him. I, in common with all Nonconformists, would refuse no civil or political'right to the Roman Cathclic which I would claim for myself. I have not the slightest sympathy with the No Popery" cry. and yet I should join with the party who believe in it in opposing any special favour to the Church of Rome. It has some- times been proposed that the equality should be secured by a system of "levelling up." and that Nonconformist ministers should sit by the side of the Anglican prelates in Parliament. The idea is only too grotesque. What we desire is to see all such distinctions for ministers of religion swept away. Bishops are not good legislators, and I for one have no desire to legislators, and I for one have no desire to experiment in Nonconformist peers in the hope that they may possibly be better.

ARCHER AT HOLLO-WAY. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. UNDER THE CONSTANT OBSEB. VATION OF THE AUTHORITIES. At the request of the Treasury the man Archer, who is now under remand for the mur- der of Mr. William Terriss, has been placed under particular observation by the officials of Holloway Gaol. A report will, it is expected, be made to th3 Public Prosecutor, who has taken the matter in hand, as to Archer's de- meanour since his arrival at Holloway, but it is understood that, eo far, it has undergone no material change. Jn order that Archer may be better observed he-lias been removed from the cell in the usual remand wing of the prison to the prison infirmary, where the arrangements are such that the accused man is in constant companionship of an officer and directly under the care of the medical officer, and, while every change of demeanour can be noted and reported upon immediately, the possibility of him attempting to injure himself is reduced to a minimum. The prosecutor appear to attach considerable importance to the reference made by the prisoner as to his relations with his victim regarding the Actors' Benevolent Fund, and Inspector Leach, at the request of the authorities, is continuing his search and inves- tigations for documents that may have passed between the deceased actor and his assassin.

CONSERVATIVE SMOKER. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. A very successful smoker was held on Tues- day night at the Grangetown Conservative Club, under the presidency of Mr. Baker, who was supported by Mr. Hall (chairman of the club), Mr. Waddington (agent), and other in- fluential members of the party. The speaker of the evening was Mr. Waddington, who con- gratulated those present on the success of their new club. They had recently had two interest- ing meetings in Cardiff—one a dinner to Coun- cillor Chappell, at which he noticed Councillors Jenkins and Fox had posed as Labour repre- sentatives. (Laughter.) They were not bona fide Labour representatives, inasmuch as they were candidates of the official Liberal organisa- tion. (Hear, hear.) Could they serve two mas- tere-the Trades Union and the Liberal Caucus? ("No.) He also noticed they had Mr. Pickers- gill, M.P., here, and he was announced to mix up and amalgamate Liberalism and Labour. His speech was a very curious composition, and very amusing to those who were acquainted with the way Trades Unionism had been treated by the Liberal party in the past, some of the leaders of which had denounced Trades Unionism in the strongest possible language. (Cheers.) Mr. Waddington having dealt at some length with other topics, including organisation, the meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT DOWLAIS WORKS. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENINQ EXPRESS. A man named Edward William Rowell, em- ployed at the Dowlais Upper Works, was run over by some wagons on Tuesday afternoon, one of his legs being cut completely off. It appears that some shunting operations were being engaged in by one of the Rhymney Rail- way Company's locomotives, and the unfortunate fellow, who was standing near some of the empty trucks, did not notice the approach of the en- gine, with the result already stated. He was taken immediately to the Merthyr and Dowlais General Hospital for treatment. His condition, at the time of writing is such, however, that little hope for his recovery is entertained. He ib about 60 years of age.

OUR FOOTBALL COMPETITION I AWARD OF PRIZES IN LAST WEEK'S CONTEST. A CARDIFF PUBLICAN CARRIES OFF THE CONSOLATION PRIZE. But Though the Non-Playing of the Abercarn-Ebbw Vale Match Rendered the Task More Easy Than Usual No Coupon Is Absolutely Correct. There is a steady, growth in the "Evening Express" jE25 Football Competition, and this week we have nearly 8,000 coupons, an increase of nearly a thousand since last week. Out of the five matches set out only four were played, the prizes being awarded upon the results of those four only. Although so many coupons were received, only 83 bore the forecast for the correct winning and drawing teams. About 40 gave one absolutely correct score, as well is placing all the teams, and eleven gave two cor- rect scores, whilst only two coupons gave three. The match which proved to be the greatest stumbling-block was that between Gloucester and Swansea, the great majority of our com- petitors expecting that the 'Cestrians would win. The Abervaon v. Llwynypia game, too, resulted exactly contrary to the forecasts of the majority of our readers, many expecting that Aberavon would have won, whilst others thought the match would have resulted in a draw. A great many forgot to sign their names on their coupons, and we have been obliged to disqualify them, because we had no possible means of finding out for certain who were the senders. One of the winners in the appended list-Mr. H. C. Parsons—omitted to write in his address, and we must &sk him to send it in, together with a copy of his coupon, in order that we may compare it with the one for which we have awarded the prize. The winning coupon was only two points off win- ning the JE25 prize, and no coupon for which a prize has been awarded was more than twelve points out, so our readers can judge for them- selves what a very close thing it was this week. The Consolation Prize of one guinea we have awarded to Mr. THOMAS WILLIAMS, Oxford Hotel, The Hayes, Cardiff. to whom a cheque for that amount will be for- warded. The supplementary prizes have been awarded as follow: I.—Mr. J. ABRAHAM, 44, George-street, Car- diff, an Original Cartoon from the "Evening Express," by Mr. J. M. Staniforth, framed by Mr. Freke, Duke-street, Cardiff. 2.—Mr. W. J. MOOR, 4, Crwys-place, Cardiff, 31bs. of tea, given by Messrs. Phillips and Co., Queen-street, Cardiff. 3.—Mr. T. J. LEWIS, 269, Cardiff-road, Aber- aman, pair ol dumb-bells, given by Mr. Septimus Chambers, 21, Castle-street, Car- diff. diff. 4.—Mr. HERBERT MANDRY, 2, Mardy Cot- tages, Mardy, gent's hat, given by the South Wales Clothiers, Working-street, Cardiff. 5.—Mr. W. W. EVANS, 10, Clifton-street, Car- diff, Ilb. of "Golden Returns," given by Messrs. Archer and Co., wholesale tobacconists, London. 6.—Mr. W. C. MORGAN, 18, Portmanmoor- road, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works, cloth- bound. 7.—Mr. J. RICHARDS, 43, Elm-street, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works. 8.—Mr. C. A. EVATT, 23, Morden-road, Newport (Mon.), Shakspeare's Works. 9.—Mr. JAMES POOLE, Baroness of Windsor Hotel, Penarth-road, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works. 10.—Mr. C. JACKSON, 17, Constellation-street, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works. II.—Mr. HENRY DAVIES, 18, Gordon-road, Cardiff, Shakspeare's Works. 12.—Mr. J. J. THOMAS? 5, Angel-street, Bridgend, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 13.—Mr. H. C. PARSONS, "Western Mail" Music Folio. M.—Mr. 1. L. JONES, 20, The Hayes, Cardiff, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 15.—Mr. F. SHEIMER, 4, Cornwall-road, Car- diff, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 16.—Mr. W. SNOOK, 62, Oakfield-terrace, Nant- ymoel, "Western Mail" Music Folio. 17.—Mr. W. LANE, 47, Richards-street, Cathays, "Western Mail" Music Folio.

MORE LOCKWOOD JOKES. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. Many good stories have been told about Sir I Frank Lockwood, but the raconteurs, says the London coacspolldent of the "Yorkshire Post," have missed one which for a time was a source of some entertainment in society. The incident which furnished the opening occurred at the re- ception at Lady Jeune's some two or three sea- sons ago. There was, &s usual, a tremendous crush, and in the throng Sir Frank and Lady Lockwood were temporarily separated. Sir Francis Jeune at this moment came up, and Sir Frank comically protested to him, "Really Jeune," he said, "it is too bad. Here I have lost my wife. You spend all your days in separating husbands and wives; you ought not to occupy your nights in parting them." A curious incident of Sir Frank Lockwood's gift of repartee occurred in a law action be- tween vinegar manufacturers, heard before Jus- tice Hawkins, on April 4, 1894. "At what time," said Justice Hawkins, "is the consumption of vinegar greatest?" "That, my lord," said Sir F. Lockwood, "depends upon the supply of oysters.' One night he was defending a Government Bill for allowing prisoners to give evidence on their own behalf. "It's a dodge," interrupted Mr. Healy. "My hon. and learned friend," went on Sir F. Lockwood, without a moment's pause, "speaks of it as a dodge. My hon. and learned friend is a good judge of a dodge," but he could not proceed any further. The tempest of laughter which the retort created made him perforce pause for many seconds. Of his early dramatic days, the late Sir Frank Lockwood once said, "I made my first appearance on any stage in the old theatre at Bath. This theatre was the cradle of many a great reputation, as surely as it was the coffin of mine. I was cast for the part of a servant—one of those faithful creatures to whom wages are not so much an object as a comfortable home. Through five acts I tracked a mysterious child, until that myste- rious child must have been heartily sick of me. It was an Irish part, and for its delineation I had studied, and thought I had acquired, a real brogue, racy of the Emerald Isle. 'We have been wondering subsequently said the manager, 'what dialect you have been playing the part in. Some say it is Scotch, some say it is Irish, but the gas- man, who tells me he has often played the part, says it is Ziimerset. Some time ago Sir Frank received an invita- tion to stay at a friend's country house in a re- mote district. But he thought of taking a short holiday, and, as the invitation mentioned no length of stay, he telegraphed, "May I stay six days?" The message was duly delivered to his friend, who had to pay six shillings to the mes- senger, and his reply was, "Yes, of course, but don't telegraph." Here was an excellent oppor- tunity for a joke, and Sir Frank was not slow to saize it. As evening was falling another mounted messenger arrived at the country house, and delivering a telegram demanded a further six shillings. The telegram ran—"Why not?— six shillings. The telegram ran—"Why not?— Lockwood."

A JUDGE WHO KNOWS. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. The wife of a railway porter named Morris 011 Tuesday appeared on behalf of her husband at the Lambeth County-court, in an action in which a furniture remover claimed for trans- ferring his furniture from Loughborough Junc- tion to Bromley. Judgment went against the defendant, but Mrs. Morris said her husband could only pay in small instalments, as Christ- mas was very near, and their circumstances were less flourishing than usual. Judge Emden: What! I should like to give evidence against you. (Laughter.) I am regu- larly at Bromley Station, and last Christmas I was simply astonished at the amdunt that was subscribed as Christmas boxes for the station staff. It ought to be the best time of the year for railway .porters.—The Judge ordered payment in two monthly instalments.

THE COST OF A WIFE. 9PECIALCY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. There is a list of goods which was recently paid by a young man in our employ (says the "Church at Home and Abroad") to a. father-in-law who had an eye for business before the young man secured his wife. And the time will never come when his father-in-law will not regard it as his perfect right to ask. his sonin-law for anything more he may want. The list is thus-Eigity neptunes, five guns, 32 marks (about 8dols.) worth of cloth, three goats, five cases of gin, three kegs of powder, two einc trunks, two umbrellas, one coat, two chairs, two tall hats, three felt haLs, one -flag, four shirts, one tin of sugar, eight drinking glasses, twelve plates, one lamp, two brass kettles, four small iron pots, one knife, 25 pipes, two jugs, one large iron pot, 30 brass wires, four pairs of scissors, and about 23 marks in cash (5.75dols.). Quite a long, costly list for this country, when it is remembered that this youm; man receives but 20 marks (about 5dols.) per month for his wa.ges. When the father-in-law concludes that the son-in-law has paid him enough, for the time being, for his daughter, he then gives her over to the young man, and she becomes his wife.

THE MAYORS BLUNDER. SPECIALLY 8ET FOR THE EVENING EXPRtSS. An amusing story is told in the "World" Of the late Sir John Smith, of Derby. The worthy brassfounder and ex-mayor went to the Paris Exhibition in 1878 with a company of civil engi- neers. They were entertained by the chocolate manufacturer M. Memer, who at the banquet pro- posed the toast of the Queen. To the dismay of the English present, Mr. Smith got up and said that, having been Mayor of Derby when the Prince and Princess of Wales had visited the town, he thought it right to return thanks on j bchfttf -'f the tloyal Family. The French people did r.ot at first understand it, but presently there was a burst of inextinguishable laughter, amid which the speech came to au end.

Extraordinary Letter. A MAX WHO LIKENED HIM- SELF TO CHRIST. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE tVENING tXPRESS. At Birmingham Police-court on Tuesday Messrs. Goodman and Holding had before them a case in which Howard Gibbs, gardener, 2 house, 6 Court, Lee .Hank-road, was summoned by his bruther-in-law, Thomas Dobbs, describing himself aa a property agent, of 1, Colville-road, Spark- brook, for wilful damage. There was a second summons issued against defendant at the instance of his wife, for persistant cruelty, a separation crder being applied for. Mr. Mutlow was for the complainants in each case, and Mr. Philip Baker defended.—In support of the complaint of wilful damage, Thomas Dobbs said that on December 14 defendant's wife sought refuge in his house, and subsequently defendant himself made his appearance. He made himself so ob- jectionable that complainant sent for the police, who ejected defendant repeatedly. About three o'clock the next morning he (Dobbs) heard "three projectiles" thrown through the window, and found that damage had been done to the value of 6s. Dobbs was cross-examined by Mr. Baker as to whether he had represented himself as Christ, and whether he wrote a letter in which he said: -"You requested to see the marks of the nails and cross upon my body (which until that moment I did not know that I possessed). I granted your request, and showed you the prints of the nailE-ye then cast me out. But the publicans, the drunkards, and the harlots, and the common people of Rea-street lodging- house received me gladly, and offered me, with- out money, without price, the needs of a weary body, and would have washed my feet had I let thein. Yes, ye stout-hearted onesl ye self- righteous ones! Ye covered me with shame and reproach, and smote me with your drawn swords; with adder's poison under your lips ye trampled upon and cast out your head!" "Have you any marks on your hands ?" inquired Mr. Baker. Dobbs Yes. Mr. Baker: Are they the marks of the nails? Dobbs: What has it to do with the broken windows ? One was made some years ago, and one last Tuesday. Mr. Baker: Are you the gentleman who wrote this remark- able epistle? Dobbs: Decidedly I am. I am not ashamed or it, but it is years ago now. Mr. Baker: Have you attracted defendant's wife from her home under some foolish religious belief that you are carrying out a mission in !ife ?—Dobbs No, decidedly not; I work hard.—Mr. Baker: Wasn't defen- dant trying to get through the window to his wife on the night in question ?-Dobbs: Well, he thrust a flower-pot. and two pieces of coal through first; anyhow.—The only other evi- dence against defendant was that of Beatrice Dobbs, who spoke to seeing defendant run across Colville-road about the time of the alleged outrage.—The case was dismissed. In the second case Elizabeth Gibbs, an excitable little woman, went into the box and declaimed vehemently against the ill-treatment to which her husband had subjected her during her ten years of married life, but she was unable to speak to any specific act of cruelty beyond an occasion some years ago, when defendant bit her whilst in bed. He had, however, threatened to behead her and her three children, and then to perform the happy despatch on himself. She had never considered him quite sane, and had, therefore, hidden his faults.—The Magistrates said they could not take the serious step of divorcing a man and his wife 011 such evidence as they had before them, and the case would be dismissed.

THE FRONTIER WAR. DO THE AFRIDIS CONSIDER THEMSELVES OUR MATCH? SPECIALLY SET FOR THE tVENING EXPRESS. Among the prisoners of the rebel Afridis is a sergeant of the Scots Eusiliers named Walker, who, if thi efforts to obtain his release are successful, should be able to tell a stirring story of the race who have proved themselves such able warriors during the Indian frontier campaign. He might also be enabled to bring information as to the spirit and attitude of the race, and let us know whether they admit defeat or whether they consider they have been more than a match for the white men. Such informa- tion is seriously needed, for, if the special cor- respondent of the "Times" is to be credited, the Afridis remain totally unsubdued. He says — "If we go through the record of our three weeks at Maidan,and total up our gains and losses, moral as well as physical, and estimate what theirs have been, and then strike a. balance, I have no hesitation in saying it will not be in our favour. Our actual casualties in battle up to the present time, including those sustained by the Peshawur and Kuram columns (an insignificant pe/centage), are well over 650, and he would be a bold mail who would assert that an equal number of the enemy have been put liors de combat by us. And when we consider, in addi- tion, the rifles and ammunition we have lost, the baggage that has been raided, and the trans- port animals, &c., that have been carried off, then it becomes obvious and outside argument that in the class of warfare involved by sitting down in a stationary camp and trying to keep open a long and difficult line of communications, and to live (to a great extent) by forage, we are at a great disadvantage compared with our savage foe." This (says the "Birmingham Gazette") is serious news to ponder over. It suggests that, although for the moment the Afridis are quiescent, or nearly so, they may be expected tQ take the next opportunity to resume hostilities. It suggests also that victory on our part is by no means assured, and that the task undertaken is more than the troops in the affected district can accomplish.

International Dispute. FOOTBALL A SPORT AND NOT A BUSINESS. An Appeal to the Board to Bury the Hatchet and Allow Each Nation to Meet Once More. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. We arc of opinion (says the "Sporting Life") that the International Board do not appreciate the gravity of the issues involved in the non- settlement of the dispute with Wales. If they aid, they would hardly let matters drift along in the present listless manner. It is important to take a comprehensive view, not only of the present situation, but of the ulti- mate effects of the abandonment of the fixture. If it occurs this season it must !je regarded as a permanent one, for if the board at the present time are of opinion that these games should not be renewed nothing can possibly occur between now and next season to alt.).. this view. As we have remarked before, A. J. Gould, whose cci tii'uance on the field of play was deemed to be the only stumbling block to a renewal of negotiations, has permanently retired. What elsa can rOEsibiy be done:" Absolutely nothiig; and if his retirement is no good then nothing elsj 011 earth possibly can be. Whether it be a desire to bring Wales to Whether it be a desire to bring Wales to their feet or not in supplication we do not know, but we have not the smallest hesitation in saying that if they are the genuine sportsmen we hope and believe them to be the board ought not to haggle over minutiæ, but shake hands straight away, bury the hatchet, and agree that each nation shall once again meet as friendly foes. They are in effect the governors of one of our great winter pastimes, and not a board of guordians or vestrymen, and their transactions should be guided by the chivalry of the field of play, and not the red tapeism of a solicitor's office. The nobility of sport consists in the fact that it is so wholly different from the hum-drum business of life, where most of us insist on our pound of flesh and the fulfilment of the letter of the law. The rivalry is keen enough while it lasts, but the friendship, which is inspired by it, is strong and fast. Now we put it to the IntemationaJ Board whether they are acting in accordance with the true spirit of this splendid nobility of sport when they answer the Welshmen, as has been stated they have done, by requesting them to state the points of their case. Why, everybody knows them by heart. They are, of course, in a word, a desire to resume International matches. It does not require any great acumen to see that they cannot possibly be anything else. Is it therefore, right, or is it in the interests of the game that an international fixture should be abandoned for the sake of a diemand of a state- ment of claim which might form part of the pleadings as though the matter were to be con- ducted by legal procedure. Who is blocking the way we do not know, but we would remind the English representatives that on the question of the continuance of inter- club matches between England anfl Wales they consulted their constituents, who, by a large majority, declared in favour of their still being played. If inter-club games, then a for- their international fixtures restored to them they fore, from our point of view, by implication clearly entrusted by the electorate, whom they represent, and whose wishes they are put m power to carry out, with a mandate to vote in favour of a renewal of these games. With regard to the Irishmen and Scotchmen, we would point out—and we hone without offence—that in this matter their interests are offence—that in this matter their interests are not in the same degree affected, and that there- fore they are not able to appreciate how vitally the abandonment of this gttitie is bound to affect English football, for it is in the highest degree important that the ulterior effects, which arc bound to er.sue, should not be lost sight cf. When Newport played Blackheath, a. high offi- cial told us that the present state of affairs could net long continue, and unless Wales had their international fixtures restored to them they would l'e bound to come to the formation of a league between their foremost clubs. Now, all past history shows that a league, where the contestants are largely composed of wcrting men, inevitably leads to I he introduc- tion of professionalism, and in Weles, wli,-re their clubs are being almost weekly depleted by the migrations of their prominent players to the Northern Union, this without any doubt whatever, come .about. This would then mean a discontinuance of inter-club matches with England, a result which would tremendously affect the West of England and Midlands, who rely on Wales for some of their best fixtures. They would then have to consider their line of action, and Mr. Hugh Fox has already publicly stated that he is by no means certain that the West would not join with Wales and the Midlands to form a combination. It is hinted that unless their demands are conceded the Yorkshiremen may form a separate union of their own, and if these events came about we should see the Rugby Union narrowed down to clubs of the London district, a veritable skeleton of its former self. These are grave considerations indeed, and it is alarming to think Lhat such a bad cycle of cveuts may be brought about by the board not renewing this fixture, simply because they have declared to be professional one single man, who has now definilely retired from the game, and that for this trivial reason they might possibly drive to professionalism the whole of another county, and a large part of their own. That any level-headed body of men would pursue such a policy, which might end in disintegration, is almost past belief.

RECRUITS FOR GLOUCESTER. Our Gloucester correspondent is informed that W. G. Bunting, the English international three- quarter, now engaged at Bromsgrove School, has promised to assist Gloucester if he plays for any club this season after the Christmas holi- days, but he does not'expect to play at all unless in international matches. G. T. Unwin, the 'Varsity, Blackheath, and South half, has just come to live near Chelten- ham, and will quite probably be seen in the Gloucester ranks ere long.

„pENc°ED FOOTBALL CLUB Want Home Match on Boxing Day. Half Gate Given- Griffiths. Secretary, Penylan, Pencoed. ex23j A fiSOCI ATION. —Intern a tional Trial Match.- BAST V. WEST—Quins' Ground, Cardiff, BOXING DAY. December 27th. Kick-off 11.15 a.m. Stand. Is; Ground. 6d. el0574z24

UNDER THE RUSSIAN FLAG. ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT .OF ENGLISH' BOYS. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. At Newcastle Police-court on Tuesday John Rip Ken and Moses Morris, of North Shields, were charged with having illegally supplied three boys as seamen for the Russian ship Bravo. The charge against Morris was first taken, and it was stated that he illegally supplied two boys named John- son 3lid Grey to the Bravo last June. Johnson deserted, and Alexander Steel was sent in Jus place. The vessel went to Archiugel and on the voyage home to Glasgow Steel died. William Edward Lewerdowiez, master of the Bravo, said the weather from Archangel to Glasgow was rough and cold, and the crew were repeatedly wet through. He was told Steel was ill, and tha boy was put in blankets, but died the same night. He did not know whether the crew ill-treated the boy. The body was kept eight or nine days, and then buried at sea. John Grey said that the crew badly used Steel, and ijevcr allowed him to leave the pumps. The boy dropped dead when they were lashing him with ropes in the forecastle. The defence was that supplying seamen to foreign ships was a recognised and lesal custom. The hearing of both cases was adjourned for a week.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCHYARD, FACULTY GRANTED FOR A PUBLIC FOOTPATH. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENINO EXPRESS, On Wednesday morning the Rev. Minor Canon Skrimsliire, acting as surrogate for the chancellor of the diocese, Mr. Joseph Earle Ollivant, read the judgment in the application of the vicar and churchwardens of St. John the Baptist, Cardiff, for permission to enter into an agreement with the corporation to make a footpath connecting Trinity-street with Work- ing-street. Mr. T. II. Stephens and Mr. Sar- geaunt, churchwardens of St. John's; the diocesan registrar, Mr. Arthur Lewis, barrister- at-law; the deputy town-clerk, Mr. W. J. Board, and others were present. The chan- cellor granted the faculty on certain conditions, the most important of these being that the P,500 to be paid by the corporation should be invested in Queen Anne's Bounty, and that the path should be closed on Good Friday in every year from ten a.m. to 3 p.m. The vicar and churchwardens asked that the money should be devoted to the maintenance of the edifice, but the chancellor held that the vicar had no power to bind his successors. The other conditions insisted upon by the chancellor prevent cyclists using the path, and refer also to order being uiaintai-W by those who use the path.

Bute-street Tragedy. ACCUSED AGAIN BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. No Fresh Evidence is Given and the Case is Once More Adjourned for a Week. SPECIALLY SET FOll THE EVENING EXPRESS. The cases at Cardiff Police-court on Wednes- day in both courts were of trifling importance, and in the lesser court occupied only half an hour. Then a rush was made to the other court in anticipation of the trial of Francis Ludwig Hultstrom, 33, who was charged on remand for that he on the 15th of December, 1897, at No. 190, Bute-street, Cardiff, did feloniously and of malice aforethought kill and murder one Mary Ann Hultstrom by shooting her with a revolver leaded with ball cartridges. The attendance iA court was somewhat larger than usual, but there were not the crush and sensational interest which are generally incidental to cases of this character. The court assembled at 1J.30, as usual, and Hultstrom almost immediately was brought in, closely guarded, in charge of Inspector Dur- ston, who unbolted the handcuffs from the pri- soner's wrists and &at rext to him in the seats from which solicitors instruct counsel. Several cases were disposed of in the hearing of Hult- strom, who seemed to take a casual interest in everything that transpired, and when his own case came 011 he betrayed no signs of emotion. The proceedings were of the briefest. Mr. D. W. Evans (Messrs. George David and Evans), addressing the stipendiary (Mr. T. W. ijewis;, who was on the bench, said he bad been in- structed for the prosecution, and he applied for a remand for the case to be fully completed. Prisoner had already been committed on the coroner's warrant, and it was not advisable that the evidence against him should be taken piece- meal. Mr. Morgan Rees: x nppear for the prisoner. I do not ouject to the reward, and I do not think it necessary to call evidence to-day. The Stipendiary: Is prisoner in custody or ur.der a warrant? Mr. Hees In custody. The Stipendiary: Then give evidence of arrest. Police-constable George Hinge stated that on the night of December 15 he was in Bute-street, and was cal'ed to No. 190, which was occupied by the prisoner and his wife. Witness saw a sister of the deceased, and deceased herself lying dead in the middle bedroom upstairs. Prisoner was also present. Witness spoke to him and cautioned him. Then he told him he would have to take him to the station, on suspicion of killing his wife. Prisoner, throwing up his hands, said, "I'm always in trouble." In his left-hand coat pocket witness found the "spindle" of a revolver, which he produced with the re- volver, which shone brightly in the witness's hands, and was, apparently, a new weapon. The Stipendiary (to Mr. Rees): Do'you defer your examination? Mr. Rees: Yes. The Stipendiary (to Mr. Evans): What re- mand do you ask for? Mr. Evans: Until this day week. The Stipendiary then formally adjourned the case for a week, and prisoner was removed in custody.

FACTORY ACT PROSECUTION « SPECIALLY SET FOH THE EVENING EXPRESS. Before the Stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday, Andrew Kendrick, 16, Ludlow-street, was summoned, at the instance of Mr. Augustus Lewis, inspector of factories, for allowing his son Andrew, aged 11, to be employed in the general stores at the Mount Stuart Dry Dock. The proceedings were taken under Section 94 of the Factory Act of 1873.—Mr. Lewis said this was the first. case under that section he had been directed by the department to bripg before the court. Upon representations made the child was em- ployed from the 25th of October to the 15th of November last, and employed as a "full timer." under the impression that he was thirteen years of age, and educationally qualified. The sec- tion provided that a parent, in such case, was liable to a fine of not exceeding 20s. for each offence. Employment was obtained upon the presentation of a tampered certificate of birth, so that the company themselves were misled.— After further evidence, defendant said he was not aware the child had gone to work, he (defendant) being at Barry at the time.—Fined 20s. and costs, or fourteen days.

FOR ELEVEN YEARS. KEPT HIS WIFE IN IGNORANCE OF HIS ILLICIT ATTACHMENT. SPECIALLY SET FOIt THE EVENING EXPRESS. In the Divorce Court on Tuesday Sir Francis Jev-ne had before him the undefended petition of i Ellena llogets for a dissolution of her marriage with Thomas Grove Rogers, a com- mercial traveller, on the usual grounds. The parties were married in November, 1886, at Trinity Church, Southwark, and afterwards lived at Brixton and other places. There were three children of the marriage. Before the marriage respondent informed his wife that he knew a lady named Mason, with whom he had lived. He, however, promised to give her up. and petitioner down to last September believed be had done so. The marriage, however, was an unhappy one. The husband was frequently away from home, and on several occasions assaulted his wife. Some time ago petitioner received information that her husband had on numerous occasions lived with Mrs. Mason. His Lordship granted a decree nisi, with costs.

DEATH OF A CARDIFF POLICE-SERGEANT. SPECIALLY SET FOR IHE EVENING EXPRtSS. With deep regret we record the death of Police- sergeant Henry Aplin, which took place on Wed- nesday morning at his residence, 18, Wells- street, Cardiff, after a few days' illness. Last Friday he complained of a severe pain in the throat, and, acting on the advice of the police surgeon, he laid up for a few days, but no serious consequences were then entertained. On Monday, however, he became much worse, and died at 4.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Police-ser- geant Aplin, who at the time of his death was 43 years of age, joined the Cardiff Police Force about fourteen years ago. He was a genial, capable constable, and was held in high esteem by his superior officers and the force generally. He leaves a widow and four children to mourn his loss.

A WORKHOUSE RECORD. ySPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. At Tuesday's meeting of the West Ham Board of Guardians it was reported that one of the casual inmates had broken fourteen bushels of stones :n one day, and had asked for more —A Guardian: Quite a record break. (Laughter.)—Another Guardian: He is a "cham- pion striker." (Laughter.) We punish men if they don't do enough. This man ought to be rewarded for doing too much.

COUNCILLOR AND CORONER. SPECIALLY -SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. At an inquest held at Tamworth on Tues- day afternoon, the Deputy-coroner (Mr. A. A. Betliam) did not arrive until nearly twenty minutes after the appointed time, and one of the jury, Mr. A. Brown (a member of Tam- wortti iown Council) asked the coroner what time the jury were summoned to attend.—The Coroner: 4.20.—Mr. Brown Time is time. I was summoned for 4.15, and we are twenty minutes late in starting.-The Coroner: My train was a little late.—Mr. Brown: Why don't the police allow for the trains being late? -Inspector Marson: Why don't the railway company tell us that they will be late?—Mr. Brown: You should give us a margin for the coroner being late. Every juryman is liable to be fined if he is not here according to his time, and I think the coroner should be here equally as punctual as the jury.-The Coroner: Can you make the trains run punctually?—Mr. Brown: You should take the time for that un- punctuality, and allow us the same latitude.- The Coroner: Suppose the train is punctual, how then? Am I to waste my time in Tam- worth?—Mr. Brown: Are thirteen of the jury to waste their time for you?—The Coroner (to the police inspector): Get me another juryman in place of this one.—Mr. Brown: Thank you. -The Coroner: Hold your peace. I don't want you.—Mr. Brown: If there is no gentleman who can speak his mind in an independent manner I-The Coroner: Don't let me have this gentleman any more. You can go. Good day! —Mr. Brown: If there is no man who can speak his mind as freely, I would The Coroner: You speak it too freely; I can dispense with your services.-Mr. Brown: I hope you will dispense with the whole of the others in the mme way.—The Coroner: I want no imperti- nence, sir.—Mr. Brown: It is no impertinence; it is a bit of truth.—He then left the room, and the landlord of the inn was added to the iun-

Glamorgan County F.C. STRONG FIXTURE LIST ARRANGED. International Match With England Cannot Possibly be Played on Originally Fixed Date. SPECIALLY SET FOR THE EVENING EXPRESS. That usually well-informed journal, the Athletic News," assures its readers in its current issue that international game be- tween Wales and England will certainly not take place on the origdnally-fixed date in January, whatever happens later on in the season. The announcement will not cause any particular surprise. For months past the whole thing has gone on in a shilly-shally manner. The Welsh Union Committee must have had some idea of what was being done. Of late, however, they have grown particularly reserved in their dealings, and have by mysterious pledges to secrecy plainly intimated an un- willingness to give their supporters the faintest idea of what is going on. Indeed, it is only by being allowed to pay their expenses that the general public enjoy the distinction of remote association with the Welsh Union Committee. Although the Glamorgan County Football Club have not issued an official fixture list so far, there are known sufficient of their engage- ments to warrant a large amount of interest being taken. Gloucestershire, Devonshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, East Midlands, and Kent are all to be met this season, and, with quite a number of the games to take place in Wales, we shall certainly see some little repre- sentative football, even though international matches fail us. It seems rather a pity, too, that Cardiff do not come into the county fold. A number of Cardiff players, for example, doubtless, desire to secure county caps. Again, it is hardly likely to be the wish of the majority of members, or even of the players themselves, that the club should hold aloof from the county organisation. Still, that is a matter for the members themselves to decide, and so long as they do not grumble no one else need. For my own part, I should have liked to see one or two games played on the park. That with Lan- cashire, for example, will probably provide some first-class football, and would, no doubt, be very welcome to Cardiff enthusiasts, whilst from the view of the county exchequer it would no doubt be vastly acceptable, as likely to fill their exchequer. Speaking of representative games in South Wales reminds me that the Association people are bestirring themselves with the object of secu- ring one of the Welsh international matches for this district, the proposed venue being Cardiff. With poor Taylor off the council, however, the Welsh F. A. contains no one to urge upon that body the strong claims of the South. Two inter- national games.. are to be played in Wales liiis year, I believe. Surely the Welsh Football Association can spare us one of them. In the meantime, I see the South Wales League have already mooted a scheme for bringing one of the crack English League clubs to the district to play a chosen South Wales eleven. The idea is J'n excellent one, and ought to be well received l y South Wales socker enthusiasts. An exhibition by an English League flub would, doubtless, strengthen the ranks of the supporters of the dribbling code. Association played well is a charming game to see, but played badly it is something shocking and horrible. How some people do love Llanelly! For example, one of their "admirers" chips in with a letter this mornning pointing out that "Morris has been to the North and has now come back, and that he hears that the Llanelly Committee intend to play him in a few weeks time." Well, my dear friend, and what if Morris has been to the North, and what if Llanelly do intend to re-play him, will it do you, or Morris, or the Llanelly Club any harm? Besides, I am not the coon to ask for information on points of this kind. Write to the Welsh Rugby Union and point out that they don't seem to be doing much of late. and, per- haps, they wouldn't mind obliging you, or, better still, go down to Llanelly and see the officials of the club and Morris, and have a talk over the matter with them. I am sure they would be only too glad to find that their existence arises some little curiosity in an Easterner's breast. Poor old Llanelly. Your shortcomings may be many, but they certainly lose nothing in the tell- ing in the hands of the Easterner. By the way, I have not as yet heard how the dispute between Swansea and Llanelly has turned out. Swansea were disposed to give Llanelly two fixtures only for next season, owing, I be- lieve, to alleged rough plav on the part of J,hmelly. I thought that rather clever as coming from Swansea, a team that above all others can- not afford by reason of living in an extremely brittle house in this respect to throw stones at other people. Mark you, I do not say that Llan- elly don't play a trifle rough occasionally, but then so does Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, and most other Welsh teams. Occasionally, no doubt, Llanelly, wishful, like other teams, to win their matches, have made up a possible lack of science by an extra bit of vigour. Still, I have seen 'Varsity men play a heap rougher, and distinctly dirtier, game than I have seen Llanelly play. I am afraid it's a question just now, in the case of Llanelly, of giving a dog a bad name, and it will hang him. You may have observed in Tuesday's "Express" that the esteemed "Banter" has been endeavouring to create some impressions in re my visit to Blackheath. The charge of my shocking the recording angel in an endeavour to find the Blackheath Post-office is absurd, and will not, of course, be listened to fo: a moment by the many readers who have observed my consistent moderation in this respect for years past. The unfortunate thing about my poor colleague is that he gets so fright- fully mixed up in recounting adventures other than his own; worse than all, he does it in such a glaringly absurd manner. For example, will any sane reader think that I should use bad language at Blackheath when, by simply feeling my way up the station steps and then by the railings on the right, I had an uninterrupted course to a hotel, and this after being over three hours in a train enveloped in fog! If it had been necessary to use any language, gentle reader, yoa can imagine it was not upon my relief, but whilst in. the train, far, far from Blackheath. Even then, however, there would be no occasicTu to shock the recording angel, for my language is, and always has been, strictly ecclesiastical. If it had been "Banter" now But there! If the Cardiff team to meet Oxford on the Park to-day turn out as advertised.it is likely that the Dark Blues will have to put up with the third hiding on their tour. With, perhaps, the inclusion of Abbott in the front rank the team is one of the strongest Cardiff have ever put on the field. Behind the scrim- mage there is no team in Wales with more effec- tive combination, whilst of the eight forwards at least half of them are fit for international honours. Oxford will, doubtless, buck up and make a good fight of it, but coming after a couple of defeats and a few days "towering" they can hardly be thought to have a winning chance. In saying so much, however, I may as well point out that the journey to Blackheath may not have been altogether conducive to the staying abilities of some of the Cardiffians. Still, I think they ought on their own ground to pull through all right. A. R. Downer's series of successes In hit matches since he joined the professional ranks appears to have frightened the opposition, judging by his inability to find an opponent. The Scotch- man's latest offer is to run anyone from 150 yards up to and including 440 yards. This should lead to business with Harper. Downer could, and will probably, make a match with Kil- pntrick or Eredin (or both) at 500 yards before the season of 1898 is far advanced. Local fanciers will regret to hear that "Lord. Brassey," the well-known St. Bernard, has beeA disposed of by Mr. Sant, and will leave thi, country for America in a few days. WELSH ATHLETE.