The Cambrian

SWANSEA AND THE CANADIAN TRADE. Mr. W. L. Griffith, the Canadian agent for wares, m tne and highly pugges- tive lecture he delivered at the Library on Saturday evening, expressed, he opinion that Swansea could not be indifferent to thd enormous development which wn taking place in the food-producing capacity of Wes- tern Canada, and he hinted that the posses- sion of the anthracite deposits lying within close reach of Swansea was bound to be a factor in determining the part which the Bris- tol Channel ports were likely to play in re- ceiving and distributing Canadian produce. We desire to emphasise the point, thus casu- intrdouced by a responsible official of the Dominion Government, in utterances ad- visedly non-committal, in so far as inter-port competition is concerned. Swansea is the nearest practical port available on the main- land of the United Kingdom for receiving and kudling Canadian produce; it is, by reason of the fact that the only British coal likely to be acceptable to the Canadian consumer must find its outlet here, and that it is the natural outlet for Welsh tinplates, the Bristol Channel port most capable of furnishing the exports to Canada that the latter must have unless the eastword cargoes are to pay the freightage for the double voyage. Furthermore circumstances are working to magnify, in Oiner respects the importance of Swansea to Canada. Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Co.'s works at Clydach are devoted to the treatment of nickel, a metal of which the Dominion has, so far, the monopoly. The promoters of the industry had special inducements offered them to select Caruiff for the venture, but the na- tural advantages of Clyda.ch, with its easy access to the sea. through Swansea were too great, and in the result they decided in favour of the latter. Messrs. Weaver and Co., who have convincingly proved by their commercial success, the suitableness of Swansea as a dis- tributing centre, obtain the bulk of their North American wheat, etc., from Canada, but through New York and other United States ports. Their business would be mater- iall enlarged if facilities were provided for the direct shipment of Canadian produce through Canadian ports to Swansea. Im- ports help exports, and vice versa.. The pos- sibilities of Canada are boundless. Manitoba, which, sixteen or seventeen years ago bought it- food supplies in the States, will, this year, send to Europe a hundred millions of bushels of wheat. And only five per cent. of its soil is, as yet, under cultivation. The selection of a terminal port for the fast ocean service about to be established between the Dominion and England has not yet been made, though some indications have been given that seem to favour Liverpool. In the Bristol Channel, Barry has hitherto appeared to fare best in the competition; the fact that the proprietors of its docks and railways and the colliery owners interested in "fostering an import trade are for all practical purposes the same people has given Barry a substantial advantage in the negotiations. But even it the larger object in view has passed beyond our reach—and that is by no means certain- there remains the fact that outside the traffic concentrated in the terminal port selected, there will be much to pick up, especially for Swansea, with its demand for cereals and various metallic ores which Canada can supply, a.nd with its exclusive supply of an- thracite and tinplates, as well as of bunker coal. It behoves the harbour authorities to be on the alert since great possibilities are onening out. more especially in respect of Canada, which is destined, sooner or later, to challenge in trade and commerce the su- premacy of the United States.

AMERICAN MINERS' RELIEF. Arbitration Proposal Accepted and Cheered. Wilkesbarre, Tuesday.—The United Mine Workers' Convention to-day, by a unanimous viva voce vote and amid great cheers, adopted the report of the resolutions of the committee recommending the acceptance of President Koosevelt's arbitration proposal and the re- sumption of work on Thursday. The strike is thus decided. off.—Reuter.

NEW TAX'S PRODUCE. Chancellor Nets an Extra Three Millions. Sir Henry Fowler has ascertained from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the amounts collected during the first half of the financial vear from the new duties were as follows: — Corn, £ 1.186.337; sugar, £1,991,852; coal. £963,365..

WHAT WILL ROOSEVELT SAY? Irish M.P.'s Threaten American Intervention. The "Irish Daily Independent" says the re- sult of the Devonport election will be received by every Catholic and every defender of de- nominational principle with feelings of pro- found satisfaction. Nothing can be more cer- tain than that, had three hundred Irish and Catholic electors at Devonport voted for Mr. Brassey, he would on Wednesday morning be a, member of Parliament. It was impossible for them to do so. save at a sacrifice too heavy for anyone who possesses even the rudimen- tary conception of obligations which bind Catholics.—The "Irish Times" says the re- markable victory at Devonport may be taken as electors' endorsement of Mr. Balfour's fighting policy. The Premier now shows the vigour so conspicuous during his Irish Secre- taryship.

PATENT FUEL TRADE SET BACK. Germany Secures a Formerly Welsh Order. A large contract which for many years in succession has gone to a local firm for patent fuel has. it is reported, been secured this year by the Germans. The fuel is to be delivered in the Levant and hitherto almost as a mat- ter of course the order has come to South Wales. Now, however the purchasers have been made fully aware of the superiority of the foreign commodity on account of the coal being washed before the fuel is made; and the loss of this contract, may be urged as one more reason why local manufacturers should keep abreast of the times. There are coal washing plants in South Wales, but these are too few in number, and adherence to the old isystem ha.s deprived the district of this parti- cular order and given foreign competitors a foothold from which it may be difficult to oust them. Moreover the circumstance en- courages the further investment of German and Belgian capital in the trade, with the utilisation of the very best modern machin- ery, and so.adds to the intensity in, competi- tion v.-hi h is already very severe.

Gower Petty Sessions. The Petty heMons were held at Penmaen on Tuesday—before Admiral Lyons, Capt. Bostock, and Colonel Benson. Row- 'and Rees, q wUs* B. Jone, T. Jones, W. Beynon, and S. Williams were each fined 5s. and costs for allowing their dogs to remain unmuzzled.—Mathda Morris, W. Da\ ies, \Y. Pritchard, W. Davies, Sarah Tucker, and W. Taylor were fined 6d. and costs for allowing their ponies to stray on the highway.—John Jones, for allowing ponies to stray similarly in September, was fined Is. od and costs, and in October, 2s. and costs. William Davits, for the same offence, paid Is. ccL and costs.— Thomas Thomas, charged by Richard Veall. with trespassing for game on lands in the occupation of W. Jones, at Kittle Hill, on October 5th, was fined 10s. and coste.—Ad- mind Lyons retired during the hearing of this case.

i EAST AFRICAN WAR, 1 Mad Mullah's Determined j Onslaught. I Serious Encounter: 154 British 1 Casualties. Colonel Swayne's Column in Retreat. Serious fighting has occurred in So'&u.'lilaiid. A Reuter message from Aden,- dated Satur- day, states that the force of Colonel Swayne, his Majesty's Commissioner in the Somaliland Protectorate, had been heavily en^a^ed against the Mad Mullah, and that Ahljor Phillips and Captain Angus had been killed and Colonel Cobbe wounded. Confirmation of the news came to hand on Sunday, when the Foreign Office issued the subjoined statement: The following telegram has been received at the Foroiegn Office from his Majesty's Vice- Consul at Berbera, dated October 7 Colonel Cobbe, Chief Staff-officer to Col. Swayne, has sent the following message (un- dated) — The force reached Erego this morning about one day's march north of Mudug, and was attacked in thick bush on advancing. Twice the enemy were beaten jack in the morning. Their losses were 9 heavy, and we captured 100 rifles. Our torce proceeded to collect the transport, and from a zaraba in the afternoon a re- cotnnaisance was made, and the eiieiiiv again driven off after sharp fighting. Deeply regret to report the following casualties Colonel Phillips and Captain Angus and 50 men killed; about 100 wounded, among whom are Captain Ho- ward and Lieutenant Everett, who, how- ever, are doing well. The 2nd Battalion •king's African Rifles had five men wounded Severe losses among transport and ridin<r camels. The force will zareba to-morrow and advance to attack the enemv Telegram from his Majesty's Vice-Consul:- ^KBHRA, October 17. The following is the substance of a further message received from Colonel Swayne:- oJtoVrTXhV?1'i,ls ot Er<ig\r c„, i-i •' uaicn was verv severe, the Mullah wieS-lre c:ousiderably shaken. The with' V. I T LS ^Ucl to ')e in communication | Wp'nh i) iu the direction of the from -m ?' 1S brinSillS UP reinforcements humif r CoL Swayne, being much o S i ?1 0Tnng to tlie "ecessity of trans- V> w ounded and water, is retirino- on Bohotle. He asks that the remainder Of the ? Battalion King's African Rifles 11 R. s ^espatched to Berbera at once C('ir?vv? 7 fm;tber relkble troops.—(Reuter)'. COLONEL «WAYNE AXD THE WELSF REGIMENT. Sw?vUtl3naint"coIonel Eric John Eagles swayne, who is m command of the expedition agamst the Mad Mullah, is a soldier of forty years of age. He received his commision as Oltff ,in.the Welsh Regiment on March h-ittir ™he dK? loug reniaiu in that battalion. The regiment was at the time 111 ?°utii Africa, and in Xovember of the follow- ™g 3rear Colonel Swavne was transferred in the Indian Staff tVpS: To this been attached ever since, joining the staff as an intelligence officer in 1895,

COL. SWAYNE IN SAFETY. Not Attacked: Intense Official Satisfaction. FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE. The Pr ess Association says The following I telegram has been received at the Foreign Office from General Manning, dated Berbera, October 22.—"Arrived Berbera ten this morn- ing, October 22. Swayne has reached Bo- hotle in safety. Force was not attacked dur- ing retirement. Situation consequently more satisfactory, but do not cancel orders warning Punjaub Regiment from hldia. for service, in case they have been given, as further develop- ments must be awaited. Wounded all doing very well. Xo anxiety concerning wounded officers need be felt; Howard's wound slight; Everitt's wound severe (shoulder), but able to ride. Aden detachment will arrive to- day, and go forward to posts to-morrow morning." The Press Association adds: The good news contained in the foreoon^r message has caused intense satisfaction' qiiitr- ters. Ihe message was promptly forwarded to the King at Buckingham Palace. Whole Brigade Required. Smila, Wednesday.—Four Maxims accom- pany the 2nd Bombay Grenadiers to Aden. It is tully expected here that the whole brigade will be required as reinforcements in Soiiiali- land

CAMPAIGN ON A BIG SCALE. Experienced Officer is Pessimistic The Central Xews representative had an interview yesterday at Aldershot with a dis- tinguished officer who, previous to going to South Africa, held a commission in the Somali- land expeditionary force, and is most inti- mately acquainted with the country through which Colonel Swayne travelled in his pur- suit of the Mullah. He said that as far as he f could see we were face to face with a cam- paign as great as that of the Soudan. Great Britain had been caught napping again, and. as usual, had under-estimated the .strength of her enemy, with the result that a grotesquely inadequate force had been sent to hunt down the Mullah, who had at his command many thousands of splendid fighting men. The re- verse suffered by Colonel Swayne's force had undoubtedly done our cause an incalculable amount of harm. There were always numer- ous tribes armed and readv for war, and only waiting to join the victorious side. These or' initial disasters would rallv these wavering warriors^ to the standard of the Mullah. "I am glad," continued the officer, 1 that they are sending Indians to reinforce Colonel Swayne. They are the only troops I know who can deal satisfactorily with these fanatics," The officer said two important factors which oper- ate against the British are the peculiar nature of the country, which is practically a, water- less uesert. while scouting is almost impos- sible, for the native is an adept at concealing himself, and can trap and shoot down his enemies pretty much as he likes. This is the sort of warfare, however, in which the Indian soldier will excel. and the Mullah's forces will encounter men who can fight them at their own game.

5E LIME JUICE CORDIAL, ROSE'S. BOSE S with hot water, forms a ROSE'S. wholesome warming drink ROSE'S! TV/SO in Assessing ROSE'S." ROSE S. valuable blood- ROSE'S. ROSE'S purifying properties. ROSE'S. HOSE'S LIME JUICE CORDIAL, ROSE'S.

| DEVONPORT ELECTION. -&- An Education Bill Contest. Seat Gained by the Conservatives The _Devonport- election, fought on the '-dueation Bill, has resulted in a magnificent wm lor the Unionist party, and a loss of (_eattotheLibera!s. Polling took place on Yv edlifsday, the candidates being lr. John -jockie (Unionist), shipowner, who unsuccess- fully contested the division ;it the last elec- tion, and the Hon. Thomas Allnutt Brassey (Radical), eldest son of Lord Brassey. The borough includes the adjacent township of Stonehouse, and ilie two towns were divided int-o nineteen polling districts. Party colours were freely worn, but until the close of the day there was an utter absence of excitement. Mi. Liassey drove round the borough in a carnage and pair, while Mr. Lockie also made a tour 011 a four-horse drag. Carriages were freely used, r.nd the Liberals had the use of II dockyard voters were given a halt-holiday, thus relieving the pressure 011 t ie polling booths. During Tuesday night the Iront 01 a- Conservative committee-room was plastered over with Liberal posters. The result was declared about ten o'clock ;>*■■ fol- lows L°ckle (U.) 3.785 Brassey (L.) 3,757 Unionist majority 28 RESULT OF PREVIOUS ELECTIOX 1900. H. E. Ivearley (R.) 3.626 E. J. C. Morton (R.) 5.568 J. Lockie (U.) 5.458 F. Cc-C. Goodhart (U.) 3 305

LLANSAMLET PARISH COUNCIL. A Lively Meeting-: Papers Flying About. The Llansanilet Higher Parish Council, at their last meeting, decided that as such a, small number of ratepayers at the recent parish meeting voted for the reduction of public houses in the place, the clerk be in- structed not to write the licensing justices on the matter. Mr. Ikl. Price (A lonawr) when the motion was being brought forward, left the meeting, Mr. Price being- a strong tern, perance advocate. Coun. Dd. Harries' motion for a, re-arrangement of the, 1 tolling districts, whereby those people residing above the Parish Church right on to the Ynisallau-road. will be able to record their votes in futuiv at Peniel Green Station instead of Birchgrove, which is at least a mile and a half away, was adopted. The meeting was one of the liveliest yet seen since the Council carne into existence. The table was abused, and parsers flew abnut. At one period of the meeting Mr. Donne would not let business proceed till Mr. E. R. Thomas withdrew a remark as to the former holding a brief for the publicans. Mr. Thomas. eventually withdrew the statement, and a slight calm subsequently set in.

<I: 1 MR. JOHN WILLIAMS ANSWERS HIS CRITICS. Miners' Association Wants an Understanding. Mr. John, Williams, miners' agent, Xenth. writes:—In reply to the remarks of "La- bour," reported in yonr issue of Monday evening last, I beg to state that "La.bour" is not in possession of the whole of the facts in connection with the resolution passed by the delegates assembled at the district meeting which was held on the preceding Monday. The resolution contains the essence of the ad- vice tendered by "Labour" at the close of his letter. Steps have already been taken to convene a. representative meeting of all Trades Unions in the electorate to discuss the situation, and it is the ardent desire of the Western District Miners' Association to come to an honourable understanding with other Trades Unions re- specting the Gower Division, and a committee will be duly elected to carry out that step. Further, the instructions of the South Wales Miners' Federation in that direction will also be carried out, and steps are already being taken to secure a meeting between Mr. Rodge and myself, and I am sure an amicable ar- rangement will be arrived at, whereby the cause of labour shall not suffer. I am not going to deal with the other re- marks made by Labour" at the present moment, as to do so would no doubt engender bad feeling, but I shall be prepared at the conference to go fully into the action of the Western Miners Association and that of myself, in connection with Mr. Hodge's can- didature at the last General Election. Further, I desire to point out that no steps whatever had reen taken by me personally to secure the passing of the resolution referred to above. So doubt my association are de- sirous that I should run as a direct Labour representative at the next General Election; hence the passing of the recommendatory re- solution. Also, permit me to point out to your readers that mv association is fully aware that I have the cause Of lab-our at heart, and that no man could have done more for the cause of labour, co-operation ;nd socialism in the short time 1 have been 111 +he Western District, and there is no doubt but that the consciousness of this fact instigated them to pass a resolution to the effect that I should be nominated as a direct Labour candidate for the next General Election. This nomination is to be subject to the in- structions gr\e!i by tTies Executive Council of the South v\ ales Miners' Federation in that behalf.

GOWER BOROUGH'S CONTRO- VERSY. Mr. John Williams and Aeron Thomas, M.P. Suggested Choice of Another Candidate. "Toiler" writes; —Labour," hi his episfe to t's Dailj_^ost'' 0f iionday, in reference to the Gower Division in the next Parliament- ary election 1 gives room to the outsider to infer that h6 13 110 other than a "Hodgeite," and his interference by offering an advice 10 the mining portion of the division is totally uncalled for. Re:tlil- between the lines one cannot help nOLIClllg the malignant feeling that unfortunately underlies the question of who is to be or not to be th- future represent- ative of thLS important constituency. Evi- dently lir. Jolui Williams, miner's agent- in I the event of s aJIowrig himself to contest the ieat, woula receive but little support from that portwii of the constituency of which "Labour'' defends. (jn the other hand the same danger :ppreheiids the minds of the miners tosV;11"^ Mr. John Hodge. To the minds of all reasonable thinking electors, no- thing could be inoit damaging towards weak- ening the cause of labour representation than the running of Massrs. Williams and Hodge. Since, hovrver, the Unions to which tne gent'emeii referred to have the honour to be at the heúd, cannot fee eye to eye, and until •such differences have been sunk, I would sug- gest that a labour man be chosen from out- ride the folds of Associations, and one cap. able of watching the interests of the workrrg man with tacl and ability within the pale of St. Stephen s- it- need hardly be pointed out that in the mg area of Gower Division, young }:){'l\ of brilliant t al._nt^<, and who have the caiite of the woi^ng man at heart, but owing to circumstances are not members of a.ny par- tu-uLtr uiricit, woul j willingly come forward, provided a pC'irnary consideration is extend- ed as would lieoe.-sanly occur in the case of Messrs. Hodge and Williams. Wil-h the in- cuaie of work now falling upon the shoulders of the he-ads of unlj0.I\s> with prospects of stili increasing resp01^-1 '^ilitie.s, it would be unwrse to fix either )f. the two, as it is impossible to .f I I serve with satisfaction two masters—one or the other must inevitabdy fall Let the elec- tors give this the-r serious consideration

Town councillors and magistrates are not very attentive to their duties at Llanelly. Im- portant meetings of the Council held during the past week have only been poorly attended, and on Wednesday tnorning there was some difficulty in getting magistrates, the court being delayed for forty minutes. ;;If.

j NEATH NOTES AND NEWS. "Observer" Interviewed by A Spooks. I Who Refuted Statements Regarding the Candidates. "You don't believe in Spooks? No of course you don't. SO one ever does till he is brought fact to face with some semi tan- gible results ot their work. Like vou. 1 j would have laughed at the suggestion that 1, the very material "Observer," could be- come a believer in these supposed products of the imaginations of others. But I am a him believer in the existence of these ethereal visitants. And why Because they have deigned to \isit me. j ou are surprised'' No doubt, but not nearly so much as I am. I am painfully conscious that at times I have been a source of annoyance to those mundane cieatuies who pace this world on two legs ,e when nature should have given them four. But the spirits!—What had I done to them? I will relate to you, and then you will be belter able to judge. I arrived home late one evening this week I is m, e c,, z not my habit I can assure vou-and sat oown to supper. While feastint; on Caer- itn(i tile, usual tiirnmings. I heard a flutter. It was not my heart. That has ceased to flutter since I v.*ell, no matter. I looked up like a good Scotchman, but could sec nothing. then I looked down, and, would you believe, it, array out in front of me were a number oi flimsy documents. es, there tie,, were. A Message from Spookland. 1 gingerly picked one up. and, to my in- tense surprise, the first one bore the fo'llow- ing in bold, handwriting (you would have expected a, thin, effeminate style for a Spook, iie wouldn't you?)—"The King of the Welsh Spooks gives you greeting. 0 'Observer. ( How grateful J was that it hadn't come from tile nueen, for I suppose there must be Queens, or in the course of time Spooks would cease to exist. Ah. but perhaps they ar > different from us poor mortals). Well, the message went on:—ou have been guilty of gross indiscretions, and I and niv subjects have ordered to put. you right. Look beneath, and puolish what you see there, or tll" Spook-blight shall fall upon you and 'The Cambrian' Now, its all very well to say you are not nervous. Under ordinary circumstances I am not. but a. midnight communion with spirits of ttiis kind is not calculated to make .you comfortable. See. you have nothing to strike at. You can't use a revolver and be effective. Why, even Mr. Law could not shoot a Spook. So I agitatingiy obeyed. In other words. I looked beneath. i And what greeted my \hv. a d..c- ument signed by a Spook who called himself 44 Niknuh, It bepan thux: '"Observer," thou hast' perverted the truth. 1 never met you at Melyn, and you never met me. I never wore a white butcher s smock; I always dress in black in the evenings. I am not a wealthy man, and I have spent a good deal more on other people than on myself. Thou hast portrayed me as an extremely self-opiniated man, nav. even a bumptious man. thou hast indicated that I wished to jib at the Housing of the Working Classes question. Now all these things are wrong. Shall 1 tell you who and what I, Harry "Niknuh," am I will. I am a straight man; one who speaks his mind, and is not afraid to face the consequences. I own a little pro- perty. but I treat my tenants well Ask them. I am a teetotaler, but not a bigot. I am always wiiiing to help the needy, but woe to him who seeks by imposition to ex- tort money or sausages from me. Thou may'.st. smile. I am proud of my sausages. TlJere are no better in the town. X 0, not even my brother Tom's. I do all the good I can, but recognise that man's tirst duty is to Uod. to his family, and himself. With re- gard to the housing of the working classes. 1 am in sympathy with the movement. Show me how 'the existing conditions can be im- proved I want the Melyn people not only to buv my meat, but to read, for good liter- ature is better than my genuine bull beef. To that end have I placed on my addres a- line in favour of a public reading-room for the .Melyn. Read it I And the paper fluttered upwards and van- ished. I looked beneath, and the next document bore the signature— 41 Senoj." "Do not seek. 0 'Observer, it began, "to ridicule Labour. Especially thou, who hast never laboured. Thou may'.st have brains, but have I not switches. Thou may'st be in principle Conservative, and cannot grasp the glorious truths which form the funda- mental bases of Labour. Thou hast put into mv mouth bywords But no words are big eiiougli to express the acute and predomin- ant disabilities under which Labour exists. Speak simply? Why should I speak simply? Was Carlyle not a great man? And didn't he use great and meaning words. I want to educate the masses, and I have not read Socialistic pamphlets for nothing. Whether the, description of the complaint which I am supposed to have accused the Town Coun- cil of suffering from be correct or not—Latin's one of the few accomplishments I am not master of-yet thou must admit that a little Socialistic leaven is wanted to make the dough assume a concrete and effective form. I am that leaven." And the paper flutt-ered upwards. The Spook signature beneath was a fearful tei-ri and terrible thing. Look at it.

"Shtiffirg." "Surely." said 1 to myself, "this must be the worst Spook of all." But it w-asn't. It was such a meek and mild little document. I", read 'Observer,' please correct. I never -So long And it fluttered away without even saying "So long The next was signed :—- "Nikpoh-Senoj It. read.—"In future, 0 thou mundane tiling, thou can'st always find me at regular hours in my shop." (Then there were a few blurred lines, as if tears had fallen.) And then the following:—"J command thee to r.'ublish that. I, 'Senoj-Nikpoh.' am prepared to serve my town as well in the future as I have done in the past. And would lie not be a bold. yea, and an untruthful man, who would venture to accuse me of failure For twelve years have I sacrificed myself at the altar of public service. And I am prepared t> sacrifice my self. Forbear to associate me with woollen stuffs, or your fate is sealed." And the Spook message vanished in the smoke cloud which issued from mv pipe. I looked below and aw- 44 Nytsej-Syerffej." The document read :Thv poetry be- speaks a weak mind. Thou. hast not the brains of a 'Syerffej-Nytsej." (No, neither the name, muttered I with a sigh of relief.) "Thy story about the tea-kettle broth was a pure invention." (I hope the brotli "1 never partook of broth. Contradict it, or thy next meeting with 'Syerffej,' etc-, may be worse than this." And "Syerffej, etc., floated away. But one document remained. was signed H Nagrom-Nikpoh. "I am," ran the message, "a terrible thing I am the keeper of the Xonconformist con- science. Ah! Well thou niiiy'st quail. _\t times, I quail myself whe-n I think of my great responsibility. It's good to have one conscience. But to be the keeper of thou- sands Methinks I had been happier had I been born a. Conservative. This conscience -it. haunts me by day, it pervades my dreams bv night. Now and again I think am I cor- I poreal or ethereal ? Then I tap Iny chest and find I am a real, living man. Thou hast not been kind to me. But I forgive thee. Hush! That's what the Nonconformist con- science when offended never does. It is bit- terly vindictive thing—like an octopus, it spreads its tentacles abroad and seeks to gather in its deadly embrace all those who oppose it. Don't mention this. Sometimes even that conscience is helpful." Sll,! I Sh And the document vanished. (And I went to bed.) Now that the Municipal Elections are nearl- unon us, it is well to pause and con- sider our duty, as ratepayers, but not only ns ratepayers, but as components parts of a township which all honest citizens wish to be progressive an dsuccessful. the voice of Labour cries from the South Ward Uo these gentlemen think that Labour re- presentai ion on the Town Council will bring tnem nearer their ideals!' If thev do. then eir desire to return Mr. J. R. ".Jones is a Ycrv laudable one. But I-m much afraid -<iat thevj. ClieVl- t|)e cud of bitter disappoint- ment. later on. Mr. Jones may be a very aorjiinible man in many respects, but he is absolutely an unknown quantity, and it ap ¡¡e;¡rs to me. from the httle I know of the' gentleman .that- he i« not likely to render he Labour laity any material assistance. I he does ie 11 have to do a great deal more than Mr. Dd. Davies has. The better housing of the working closes is one of the tilings that the Labour Party profess to be striving for. But are the'v reahy -n earnest? ihey may be. but the tacts suggest otherwise. I we]l remember How Atr .Dei. Davies gave this subject ruddv prominence on his election address. 1 re- member the Trades' Council approaching the Corporation on the matter. The Corpora- tion replied to the effect that they were will- ing to consider any scheme. That was months ago. Where is the scheme? Xow isn t tiiere really a. lot of bunkum about the Wittler Before 1 go any further, don't in your minds accuse me of being unsympa- luetic. ine existing conditions at Neath j are they not infinitely worse in the North j than in the South Ward. Take a sti-oil of an evening along the Canal Bank, from tJ]., ork!wue to the Bridge. What do you >ce. Houses! No -)vel, which I are partly submerged from time to time. Bv all means cry for the better housing of the working classes, but let there be a little sin- cent- in the <rv. tile The other candidates in the :-ie/uth \Yard are Councillor Ben Griffiths and Mr. Hurry Tiunidn Mr. Griffiths has proved a cap- able and attentive member. He can say more than any other member of the Council, and that is that lie has not missed a single meeting during the three years he has sat on the Council. Further, I;e is as fully sym- pathetic with the voice of Labour, as the unknown man the party are running. Then what is the objection to him? Perhaps there is none. Mr. Harry Hunkin is a man who I has made himself by strict attention to busi- ness. He is cool and level-headed, and any- one who knows him. cannot fail to see much in him to admire. Personally. I am sure that he Wdiild make an excellent member. lie convictions, and both the ability and moiu! courage to express them. In the North Ward, the contest is also a. thrce-corneiedone. Councillor Hopkin Mor- gan. for reasons best known to himself. has lei. his old -loi-e-tite fiery South—and has come up to the North to challenge the return of the old members. Councillors Hopkin nes and Jeffreys. lie takes upon himself to fling tile Nonconfromist conscience at his colleagues, b- that means hoping to secure the Nonconformist- vote :the means to the end being the Education Bill. Now the average- elector does not care two-pennith of gin about the Education Bill. But the Coun cillor's support of the mea:,ure-;md I c;m not saying it is not genuine as far as lie is concerned—will probably enlist the assistance of the chapel screw which may produce the result he desires at the hustings. The other candidates have not taken up the Education gauntlet. Mr. Jones is reiving upon his past service—and good service it has been too-while Mr. Jeffreys opens out a social and industrial programme which might well make even the Labour candidate green with envy. Mr. Jeffreys, like Mr. Jones is a Con- servative. but he holds that politics have nothing to do with municipal affairs, urges that he possesses both the youth and energy ti assure the success of principles which he strongly supports. That shortly is the posi- tion. May the ratepayers carefully exer- cise their prerogative and return the. men whose presence in the Council will be most conducive to the welfare of the town. There is jut it flutter in the cl(ive- cote. which may develop into something seri- "us later on. And it is all on account of the decision of Messrs. Eastman and Co. not to close up on Thursday afternoons. It appears that some months ago the X eath and District Butchers' Association came to the con. iiooon that it would be to their mutual advantage to close on Thursdays at 2 o'clcck. Now an edict has come from the wise men from the east to Neath's "Young" butch v. t «• < >j»g bun that he must no longer shut the shop. The members of the association are anncved. So. probably, is Mr. Young. From what I can gather .it seems that the whole ot Messrs. Last-man and Co.'s establishments close on Mondays, and that when the Neatii got an extra half-day there were cr: -iblings which soon grew in volume, and uvent-ially fell with a, bang on the official ear Bcsvlt, -dA ,)If Thursdays on-not Titur, Now what do you think 01 a genuem; n of this sort. He thought he would like co become a member oi the Town Council. Of course, he had been called upon by the usual large and influential number of ratepayers, and lie prepared his address as follows :*— NOVEMBER 1st, 1902. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE NORTH WARD. Ladies and Gem lemen.- Having been waited upon by a large j and influential body of ratepayers, I have decided to place myself at your disposal. Mv record as a citizen is well known to you. I am a successful man of business, and my wealth of intellect, which I possess, will be placed at your disposal. I am, as vou are aware, a political econ- omist of no mean order. I have studied John Stuart Mill till I know more about him than it. did himself. I am a Radical-an advanced Radical. Yet I am in favour of the Education Bill. Hard t) believe, isn't it. But it is none the less true. Having accumulat,ed plenty of "brass." I can well afford the time to serve vou. Wll you have me? If so place one vote in my favour on the bdlot. paper. I am. Ladies and Gentlemen. Yours faithfully, He took the address to the pruiteres. only b find that his name was not on the bur- gess roll. Fact' •List- what- I anticipated lias happened, the baiting process has already begun. But I think Mr. John, Williams will be quite equal to the occasion. I have made inquiry, and this is the result:—"All the necessary consti- tutional machinery is being rapidly put in motion by the supporters of Mr. John Wil- liams to meet any exigencies whMi may arise. All kindred trades are to be consulted, a,d every effort will be made to. solidify La- bour. No stone will be left unturned as far as Mr. Williams is concerned to bring all La- bour forces into touch for the next election, whdher he himself will be the nominee of the conference or not. Mr. Williams has publicly stated that he will, in any circum- stances. do his utmost to secure the return of the selected Labour <;andadate." There are storms ahead in Gower, but with a. little tact, the exercise of a little. give-and-take. Labour may succeed. One thing is certain-Labour divided will be as ineffective as the breakers which ureak upon a rock-bound coast, only to be dashed ba-ck in impotent fury. During the week the candidates for Cor- poration honours hnye been, very busy at. Neath. Good meetings have been held by all the candidates in the North Ward, al- though that of Councillor Hopkin Morgan on Tuesday evening was not as robust as he expected. "We must stir the Liberal party up, lie said. What's the matter? Isn't the Education Bid wheeze catching on? Cer- tainly Councillor Morgan is a Gladstonian Liberal of the first w. iter. So a speaker down west said this week. But he also added words to the effect that the Education Bill is> the west said this week. But he also added words to the effect that the Education Bill L-. the best measure the Conservative Government ever introduced. Now. which is the Glad- stomaii Liberal <>f the first water? Or are there several Gladstoai-.ua Liberal waters? Seems like it. does-rr't it? 4 I am delighted to see that the Neath Nurs- ] ing Association continues to do excellent t work,and I shall be most happy to do all in my power to further that really beneficent 1 institution. MrR. Gibbins, one of the hon. ( secretaries, lias kindly sent me a. detailed ac- count, whr.?Il I give below: —Xuree Thorpe's Report, September 1st to 30th.-Number of j patients Oil books last day of month, 29; ] number taken off books. 4; new cases, 14; ( I 1 nursing visits pgkl. 244: convalescent*. 15 death.*). 1. Nurse Jerv.^llS Report.—Number of patients on books JaC* day of month. 10: taken' off books. 8: Ciuses nursed- 10 nursing pitid, 205 r -and convalescents. 8. Gifts received during nionth:-—Nursing appliances, Miss Gibbins Xinex1- -Mrs. Stone tojiv. Airs. Colvile.

Some Neath Election CPL £ S. j Who closed the taffy shops? TJ-i10-8 away the most soda water? Who 11 stkk up for us if he'll get- in? » ho,11 stick up for himself? "W ho 11 give the lazy man a house at the ex- pense of the industrious? I'S0'.1,1, €Urb aEd Pllar>neli the Green > Who 11 prov-e better dwellings for the honest- working man? Who'll put me ou the burs-ess roll 1 W ho 9 paying for drinks? 0 no s candidature is pure? By "CANVASSER REFRESHED." j t

Items of Interest Vs not .tn,e Mr. Jestvn Jeffrey's ( ejection cry is "Every man his 0W11 lawyer. "°!,t;rue that ^Councillor Hopkin Mor- b" j-- gli.mg t.ie election on teetotal lines. t'titt tile Lahour candidate audreKS his supporters in Latin. give !UP ^Hany Hunkin will fe twenty oxen at Christmastide. ,!f "Vri the Sv-ans-e., jZ yte L;;bour candidate for bk,n. i^amentary District Divi- It i" not irue that ;■ tile tt ;;)'p in loye \\lth tIle corking lÜ;IJ)-tJJHL i" "J (,¡¡lh- diking man that is Ran r.l"Striie ^'Un^Jor ««'Pkin Mor- mor^r* ':T Mr' 11 Hunkin to -mi•.«! combat. Die rumour is a "misteak T. tme that the Prime Minister has dow]f'1li1rJiUtJlyU,0r H"ijkm Morgan t0 jet him It is not t-nip r- -n 11 ▼ lias promised to -IW^m Jones during the wintei? p0°r f('t,nvi,™'s It is not true that Cotm-i]! TT 1 S*. i. n,t ..ve, ;■ new bind']' ^f* V- 1 11 i 7 1 M iiJCii JiP Ullt hunkin s election paralyser. f notlr'ae ihid Councillor Hopkin Jones ,pJ^-er, a Patent tintack which w-jj] c.-use him .0 jump to ;he top of the poll. o-ir is not true that Councillor Hopkin Mor- t) :,]1 U, >present a woolly lamb ta ail who vote for him. !nil) It is not true that Councillor Je-nyn W Mmganif tJ* Sg i^CoUHtiJor tlie gas manager with a testimonial For Ihe biilliant lighting of Orchard-place. II n°t true that a "single'' penny is be- Neath"ent in 1>eer l'1C lmmidP;l1 %ht at 1L is not true that the Neath electron will b, a pure beer election. Jt IS not true,that- some of the contestants teie^"1'1 al'e U of than in- Uf ^ri i'6 th,'U W-*erver"' lias been ofltepaye^ W Ulid i"fiuemial bt'd^ Neitliej. j" it true that any of the candi ciates are martyrs to the cause of duty. piUd ar°\lin'Ite tbat Mr' PhiL is burg«t roll 0missl0n of llls "'™e from the It Ú; not true tlJa't the ratE'p¿¡:,ers are more annoyed than he. 1 ,not trne ^hai Councillor A. E. Thomas holas the record of attendance at Council and committee meetings. The record is held by Councillor Ben Griffiths, who. this mumeai year, has attended 103 out of a possible ill Hte Mr n P?mt atlenda"se the J- B- Davies. who. m 1889-90. when he wag Mayor, made 123 attendances out of 124 The missing- of one was due to hi sabsence at ,c,aiup. where be was ii) c-omiu,nd ol' a se(-tion of Llw A-oluiiteers. Iu is 1101 title that the temperance meetings ^ere less successful than last year. They were more successful in every respect. mancially, nearly nine pounds more was talien in the collections, which amounted in the aggregate to just over £ 40. It is not true thai- Head-Constable Evan ewis seized the Jew's music because he was in love with "Dolly Gray." Like "Observer" lie is sorry that she was "invented." NEATH COUNTY SCHOOLS. Evening Classes Committee Local Appointments. T Schools' governors met on TiUet ,■ ■ Ir. Hopkin Morgan presiding.- The Clerk reported that Miss Gladys Morgan had accepted a seat on the Evening Classes Committee, and that the headmaster had bef-n appointed by the Glamorgan Technical Li- siruction to act, as a member of the same com- mittee.—The headmaster reported that Prin- cipal Griffiths had accepted the invitation to attend the distribution of prizes The governors decided that the children should be pven a tea after the function. Facsimiles of letters of Dickens. Dryden. Nelson and Tliackeiav were presented to the- schools througii the elsh Central Board.-The head- The ,o7f re*Uef!t*d t0 them framed.- The IK ,1+ f ''>pi>'Ssed their satisfaction at C nt-llv A, cential Welsh Boaro examination.—Applica- tions of increases in salaiy were made Sv Mr. -N(Mii, U;,vie.s (science master) and Mr.'Mike ^,1- -in?iU !U;flstant master). It was re- soh-J that the matter be referred to the finance Committee to report on salaries paid at other chool,A communication from the Central W elsh 130anl was read in reference to the entrance examination and entranre scho- larships exammationus.-—The Clerk was in- sti-uctea to place copies of the resolutions on next meetings agenda.

PIRATED MUSIC AT NEATH. Head Constable Lewis Effects Seizures. TIlt: Neath head-constable, acting upon the powers given under the Musical (summary proceedings) Copyright Act, 1902. ana with the authority of the accredited local agent, on Wednesday visited the Neath Market and seized a number of pirated copies of popular songs, among which were "The Honeysuckle Bee," "Dolly Gray," "I don't know why I love out I do, "Only a Bird in a Cage, and "Motherland," which were being vended by Abraham Levi, son of Pincais Levi, of 13, ^ar<stieet. Swansea. Head-con- stable Lewis will de-al with them according to the provisions of the Act.

MR. JESTYN JEFFREYS' CANDI- DATURE. Satisfactory eeting in Neath. On c°mmittee meeting, attended by a^.t 140 burgesses, was held at tLv h, in eupport of the candidature of Councillor Je*tyn Jeffreys. Mr. '-■ r addr unc* a lengthy and l, ^)oke highly of the candidate. !rV t'nVas worthy of tlie hearty sup. leffrevs w,!6 Uuvn'"men' (APPlau^). Mr. -.ta? POKses.sed of marked ability and irVnnlv 1. retUrn Would only be their gam but the '•om.mtmitv « Appjau^e). Tlie reports of the canva^ri v<i'e received and were very satisfactory An mdi-ess by the candidate who was warmly eceiveu, and a VWC,, of thanks to the chair- nan, concluded the proceedings. irhicL were characterised by great enthusiasm tbroughout.

MEY'SWATGH SPRING CORSETS THE MOST SWAPOILT AS WELL AS THE DtTKABU IN THE TRACK. Owee tried &lw»ys worn. DEPOT BHIPS THOMAS 81, OXFORD STREET, SWANSEA. Lord and La.dy Cawdor, who have arrived :D town from Cawdor Cas le. Nairnshire, in tend to reside during the winter at Stackpile Court, their beautiful seat on the coast Pembrokeshire.

RE-OPENING OF THE NEW STAR. ifirst Play of thd New Regime. RE-OPEXIXG OF A SW--iXSE^_ HOUSE As a relaxation and a tonic to the weary brain after the day's labour, nothing aD proaches sitting in a well-constructed CQ{v theatre, listening to tuneful- music, some times spirited, sometimes lighter, but full of melody; watching quaint dancing, prettv scenery,^ and noting with interest a charming story. This combination is what the play. goer will have on Monday next, for "The of Cairo" pays her first visit to Swansea to open the New Star Theatre. The Belle of Cairo" is a musical play that has had a won- derful success, and the probable secret of this success is the fact that, unlike most musical plays, it has a well written story that runs through the whole play. This story is by Mr. Cecil R.aleigh, and set to music by Mr. F. Ivinsey 1 aife, two names that guarantee an excellent evening's amusement. The cast of "The Belle of Cairo" is somewhat exceptional, 1 numbering some sixty-five artistes, headed by Miss Ada Blanche, a lady so well known that comment is superfluous, also Miss Hettie Lane one of the prettiest and most graceful dancers on the stage, such names as Maud Marriott, m iplT'c-an,d Miss Mi!licent At hoi, with Mr. Fred Sinclair and Mr. Harry Buss go to prove that Mr. Wilson, under whose direction the company is has really got to. gether an excellent cast for the proper repre- sentation of this musical play, whilst Mr. Mor- ton PoweU is to be congratulated on booking & fitting com pa nj. to open his cosy theatre.

Not many know that Swansea holds still a sect known as Seventh Day Baptists, or Ad- ventifits. There are 20 of them, and the; met in a private house in Norfolk-street every Saibbath (Saturday) laftenioon. -0- Swansea has a peculiar interest in Trafalgar Day, for it is well known that the late Miss Roteley, daughter of Major Roteley, for a long time had in her possession the vest and other articles Lord Nelson wore on board the Victory during that memorable engagement off Cape Trafalgar — Madame Sbrah Grand must have thrilled the "orthodox" among her audience on Tues- day evening. One of the several allusions calculated to produce this effect was the de- scription of the episode of the Garden of Eden as tin exquisite story; "but un- fortunately they made it a serial- and that spoiled the plot." -0- Kilvey boasts an old gentleman who is nearly a centenarian. He worked for 76 years at the. Copper Works, and now takes his walk- ing-stick or umbrella and runs into town daily. He has all a schoolboy's love of look- ing in at shop windows. Within a short dis- tance of Kilvey Church may be found half a dozen persons whose ages would run to over 500 years. -0- Councillor Morris told a meeting that he has had as many as twenty visits weekly to his house from ratepayers complaining of various things, "and there is no single instance in which I can say I failed to accommodate the person who has come to me." But the councillor did not mention the nature of the accommodation. o How circumstances alter cases. Miss wyn, when she entered tlie Swansea Council greeting not as one of the deputation from the Free Churches, but "as a ratepayer-' was the recipient of many congratulations on her Al- bert Hail speech—from the Liberals. "Ine only thing we want now" she was told, ":s that you should come over to us." Ah. there's the -0- Rev. Penar Griffiths, at the Pentre, on Thursday, was comparing the Hon. Odo Vivian's four years' experience on the Coun- oil with Mr. Miles' position as a new aspirant lor municipal honours, and said, "Old wine is better than new wine, and certainly old wine is better than water." Now, what in the name of the Fates is one to infer from this opinion, from a, minister of the gospel, too. J.. -Or-- "You may be sure there ? a great deal oi good motive power in women, but most 01 it is lost for want of knowledge and means to apply it. Tt works like the sails of a wind- mill not attached to the machinery, which will whirl round and round with incredible veloc- ity, and every evidence of strength, but serve no better purpose than to show which way the wind blows." (Sarah Grand). The humorous proclivities of Mr. Alfred Da vies, M.P., are incorrigible. After a visit to the United States he has worked off upon the public an article on the tinpla.te trade, made up entirely of "chestnuts." With an a.ir suggesting that enlightenment is being served out in solid chunks, Mr. Davies gives a series of what a once famous Master of "Balliol described a.s "glimpses of the obvious. -0- Miss Dillwyn. who was untiring in her efforts on the Conservative plaform at the last election, says the "Western Mail," now bobs up erratically in the Albert Hall against the Education But. The burden of her isong is "Those who pay the piper ought too call the tune. That, we should have thought, is exactly why one should support lie Bill- The Church has been paying the piper and other people trying to call the tune all along. -0- One part steadfastly overlooked by public speakers like Mr. George Colwill, when refer- ring to the discredited Triple Scheme, is that whilst the latter provided for the purchase of the tramways as a. going concern at a prepos- terous price, and leasing them to the vendors, the town has only to wait until the Corpova- tion is in a position to exercise its statutory powers to be able to secure the tramways at their constructed value, without any allm\ alEe for vested interests, good will or any- thing else. --0-- There is general agreement to the injustice inflicted upon the ratepayers by the retros- pective effect of the Poor Law Officers Super- annuation Act, which gives substantial pen- sions to officials appointed without any expec, tation of receiving them. and who have con- tributed next to nothing to the fund created to partly bear the burden. Nevertheless. Uuardians-Swansea Guardians especially— who join in condemning the injustice, are being induced to render it greater by exercis- ing in some eases the power given to them of adding to the number of years' service credited to officers, and theretry increase the retiring allowance. This is doubling the wrong, from the standpoint of the public. -0-- One of the suggestions made to the new Chamber of Trade for Swansea is that it should aim at securing for the town a. morn- in- patK'r. More than one Chamber of Trade is^likelv to rise, flourish, and decay before that object is realised. A morning new;- paper watt «*» £ 800 • «,«» » "ek 40 run- the population to be served from Swan- sea is too small to admit of a great cncula- lion, and a« lor advertisement* it i, only n> CMsary to scan the column, ot the Gari.fi papers to realise how mf » P»port,on o their revenue is derived from Swansea, and wit of Swansea, Furthermore the tram service iron, the town does not favour the latter as a distributing centre fl0,il le news- paper standpoint. -0- Writing to a friend from Centred Afnea, ox-County Councillor David rie;;ces Port, g'ves a description dated with a prospectmg party His lettoi August 28th from Nairobi, Masai extract reads Here there are zebras u t sands, a.id all kinds oi antelope but at n is is a little unplea^nt, as we can lions roar. The river teems rami and crocodiles. Two of our 1* went for water one evening, and as one ot them w; .s stooping to fill his bottle a tioc ,lile caught him and carried lnm a wav. the o^v remains recovered being in/the top part of hto -Ml. T visited the, grave of the late -Ml. a LlfntV «( Sk late Mr. J. P-ussel. «t U» Docks, Hurry Port. Mr. William Williams. Maesvgwernen, owns a considerable landed estate in Grays, Essex, including most of the Thames frontage hetwen Grays and Tilbury. He was recently approached bv the District Council of the loi- ler, who desired to obtain for the place a nerniaiK'nt memorial of the Coronation. As Jhe result of the interview. Mr. Williams in- timated liis readiness to give an acre of land on the river Jrontage as a site for public Ivit.hs and wa.sii-houst\s for the inhabitants of n This gp^roUs offer caused much gratification, and w^ duly sequent1 y however, the Council conceived the idea of" making a P^ure garden.and park along the embankment, and acquired from Mr. Williams four acres of laud at a pnoe Tleemed very moderate, a.nd by arrangement the acre previously off eTe. was added to the four in deference to the wishes of the District Council. The latter have thereby been en- nblcd to secure a park and pleasure garden at I comparatively small public outlay.