The Cardiff Times

South Wales Coal Trade, j PONTYPRIDD AND RHONDDA DISTRICT. Tha monthly meeting of the Pontypridd and Rhondda I-No. 2) District of the South Wales Miners' Federation was held on Monday at the Park Hotel, Pontypridd. Mr Ben Davies, the tgent, reported that owing to a misunderstand- ing between the secretary of the Federation and Mr Dalziel the dispute at the Coedcae house coal jolliery, with reference to the explosives question. was omitted from the ageuda of the last sitting of the joint board. The South Cambria Colliery was stopped on September 19th after.a notice of 24 hoars. The manager had intimated that if the men would accept a reduction of 20 per cent. he would recommend his directors to meet a deputation, but nothing further had been done In the matter, and the colliery was still idle. A arrant of £ 180 was voted to the men idle owing to Hie prolonged dispute at the Hetty Colliery. Aberdare Valley Disputes. The monthly meeting of the Aberdare District 9f the Miners' Federation was held on Monday tt the Bate Arms, Aberdare, ldr John ProwJe in the chair. The agent (Mr C. B. Stanton) re- ported with reference to the fixing of a price list In the Red Seam, Cwmaman Colliery, ;th"t Mr Hepnell, the agent, had submitted the matter to the Consiliacion Board, with the result that Mr Vernon Hartshorn bad been appointed on the workmen's side, and Mr Griffiths on the owners' side, to deal with the matter. With reference to the non-Unionipt dispute at Hirwain, it was reported that the whole of the Federation mem- bers working at the Tower Collieries, owned by the Marquis of Bute, tendered notices on Septem- ber 1st. During the month every effort was made to bring the defaulters into line, and there remained at the end of the month 38 outside the Federation. It was therefore resolved to bring the tools. out. On Monday, October.5th, the whole of the 38 had been cleared off the list, and deputation was sent from the meeting to the manager, Mr Isaac H. Jones, to inform him that the men were prepared to return to work next 3ayt_ To this Mr Jones said he had no power to allow them to restart, and that according to biB :insÚílctions.. from Sir W. T. Lewis the collieries were to be stepped, The following morning (Tuesday) a deputation called at The Mardy, but were unable to see Sir William. A letter was sent him the same day asking for an interview. To this no reply was received. On the following Wednesday, however, Mr Picton, cashier at the colliery, saw one of the old work- men and asked him if he thought any of them would like to see Sir William that afternoon if so a meeting could be arranged, bat that those bo came must not be membra of the committee. The workman referred to got three others to Accompany him, and without consulting the body of the workmen proceeded to the Tower Colliery offices, and met Sir William, who was prepared to allow the men to resume work, but only on condition, of their agreeing to pay damages for the loss sustained during the first four days they had been idle. This condition, in face of the fact that the men bad worked a legal month's notice, could, Mr Stanton said, never be entertained. The men therefore were still oat. JEIO was voted to the Penrhyn Quarrymen's Strike Fund. Sir W. T. Lewis's Attitude. The state of affairs at Hirwain on Tuesday was unchanged. Mr C. B. Stanton, the Aberdare miners' agent, in the morning received a letter from Sir W. T. Lewis declining to grant him an interview. The matter was discussed at the j •jxecntive meeting of the Aberdare district in the evening/but no formal resolution was passed. To-day strike pay will be paid to the men at Hirwain. It is probable that the opportunity will be taken on that occasion to either hold a mass 'I meeting or arrange for one. Statement by Mr C. B. Stanton. —occasion was taken of the payment of the strike pay to the men of the Marquis of Bute's Col- lieries, Hirwain, to hold a mass meeting at the Victoria Hotel. Mr John Prowle, the chairman of the district, presided. Mr C. B. Stanton, the miners' agent, reported that at a meeting .1. the Executive of the district, held the previous evening, the whole matter iîiía, thoroughly .discussed. The men were ao doubt aware that Sir William Thomas Lewis -1addeclined to meet him, and also the depu- tation appointed by the men, and the district ■ txesotive had passed a resolution as follows That we deeply regret the action of Sir William Thomas Lewis in preventing the men from returning to work, there being no dispute between the men and Lord Bute, the owner of the colliery. They also deprecate his refusal to meet the agent and the deputation appointed to diseuss the matters, and seeing that by such refusal he declines to recognise the Fed- eration." It was further resolved that any settlement or arrangement of the question must be carried out through the medium of the agent. Mr Stanton pointed out that Sir William was a member of the Coalowners' Association—a Trade Union in every sense of the term and it ill became him to support and back up non-Unionists, seeing that the representatives of the coalowners met the representatives of the Federation at the Conciliation Board, thus recognising the Federation as a Trade Union. He regretted for the sake of all people in Hirwpin the atti- tude taken by Sir William, ana be (Mr Stanton) iiad held off time after time from interfering -in regard, to the conditions of employment of the workmen at the Steam and Tower Col- lieries, which were shameful. (Applause.) As an instance he stated that the day rate paid at these collieries to practical colliers was as low Jf.15 3s 7id and the percentages, as against 4s 9d and percentages paid throughout the district. ICries of "Shame.") Sir. Wm. Thomas Lewis also made it a condition of employment at these Viollieries that the men should contract out o ahe Workmen's Compensation Act by joining the Miners' Provident Fund, and this was detri-f mental to the men's best intetests. He felt, conscientiously that they couid IIOtonger ignore Sir William's constant attempts to crush out the spirit of combination among the workersy not-only in that district, bat through- out the whole coalfield. No doubt he was a great man commercially, but he (Mr Stanton) won- dared that Sir William should take up such an attitude and refuse to meet a duly-accredited agent of the workmen to discuss a matter of this kind. He held him direetlv responsible for the stoppage at these collieries, seeing that the work- men had now to a man agreed to pay their just liability towards the Federation, which had prevented through its machinery a reduction of wages during the last few months, and which would continue to safeguard the interests of its members as a whole. At the close of Mr Stanton's speech the men were asked to express their approval of the action of the Executive, and this was done unanimously. Mr Stanton then advised the men to seek em. ployment elsewhere, and a large number of men got up in the meeting and stated that their packs were ready, and as soon as they had received their strike pay they would go to seek employ- ment elsewhere. Our corrospondeit was informed that strike pay wm paid to each man up to Saturday last, and that all who cannot obtain employment will receive strike pay uutil they are able to get it. It is feared that the strike at Hirwain will be a very long one. Dowlais Miners. j Mr D. Jbnkins (president) occupied the chair I at the monthly meeting of the Dowlais District of the South Wales Miners' Federation, held at the Clarenc e Hotel, East-street, on Monday. Seven members on behalf of the district, the Doctor's Committee of the Colliers' Sick Fund, were appointed to a conference with the Govern- ing Board of the Merthyr General Hospital, to be held on the 15th nit. It was agreed to have show cards next week, and with a view to an amicable settlement of the non-Unionist question all minerstoutsid6 the pale of the Federation were urged to join at once. An application for support from Senghenydd was favourably recommended to the lodges. Tynybedw Summonses Issued, We understand that Mr C. Kenshole, the soli- citor to the South Wales Coalowners'Association, on Monday obtained some 120 summonses against workmen at the Tynybedw Colliery, Rhondda Valley, for damages for breach of contract for having absented themselves from work on the 1st of October without having given notice. The large proportion of the workmen had given notice on the Unionist and non-Unionist ques- tion, and after remaining out for a day return?' r to work, bnt the men now summoned had not given notice in proper time. The cases will come on for hearing at Ystrad Police Court on the 26th inst. There are close upon 700 men employed at the colliery.. Difficulty at Cefn Slip. Difficulty at Cefn Slip. Over 4.500 miners were represented at theGarw District meeting at the Llanharian Hotel. Pontycymmer, on Monday, Mr Jenkin Williams presiding. The agent. Alderman John Thomas, reported that on October 2nd, when the work men at Cefn Slip Colliery should have received a fortnight's pay. no money was forthcoming. They continued to work until Thursday morning last. when on his instructions they stopped with the exception of the enginemen and stokers. He estimated that the total wages due to the men would exceed £ 2,000. He intended taking action to recover the money. Sub-contracting was reported from the Darren Colliery, and a. re- solution was passed calling forthe discontinuance of the practice. Non-Uniomst Question in the Garw. As a result of notices being Served on the 1st October practically all the non-Unionists em- ployed at Ffaldau Colliery, Pontycymmer, have joined the Federation, and the notices will pro- bably be withdrawn in a few days. At the other collieries in the Garw district where similar action has been taken-- the Ocean and Inter- national at Blaengarw, and the South Rhondda at Pencoed-there is every probability that a stoppage will be avoided. Western Miners' Meeting I' On Monday the Western District miners' meet- ing was held at the Coliseum Hotel, Swansea. Mr David Jones, president of the association, re- ferred to Labour representation, and strongly j impressed on those present the necessity of securing direct Labour representation, and not to allow their object to be set aside by the creation of difficulties over persons. It was decided to vote XI eMh to aged workmen out of employment. A deputation from Tryston and Weldale Collieries, Yorkshire, where a strike has been going on for 12 months, appealed for assistance. S5 was voted, and it was reported that the lodges of the Western District had already collected JE70 to assi 3t the men. A miner employed at the Commercial Colliery, Killav, having been sum- moned for trespass on ground said to have been exchanged for a public pathway, it was resolved to call the attention of the Parish Council to the case. The question of giving notices at Gendros was referred to the Executive Com- mittee and agents (Mr J. Williams and Mr W. E. Morgan), Matters in dispute at Cwrt-Herbert and Main Collieries, Mr Williams reported had been referred for settlement to Mr C. H. Eden and Mr Enoch Morell. The notices tendered by the owners at the Morfa Colliery to terminate contracts were, he considered, a violation of Clause 5 of the new Conciliation Board agree- ment. The matter in dispute at Broadoak Col- liery had been relegated to the respective chairmen of the Conciliation Board for settlement. The notice to terminate contracts at Craigydigoed Colliery, Clydach, is still running, .bat Jte, had seen Mr John Roberts, with the result that Mr I Abraham Thomas, J.P, had been appointed umpire in the dispute. The notice at Avonmouth Colliery, Cymmer, would terminate at the end of this month, but he was hopefnl that before then a settlement would be effected. A series of meet- ings had been arranged throughout the district to deal with the non-Unionist question. The report of Mr Ben Davies and Mr W. Hood showed that arrangements had been made to re- start the Grovesend Colliery, which has been idle for two years. Merthyr Miners' Treasurer. As the result of the first ballot, Mr Frank Arscott and Mr Samuel Thomas head the list, ¡ and their names will be submitted to a second ballot. Blaina. The monthly meeting of the Blaina District of the Miners' Federation was held on Monday, Mr Edward Davies presiding. It was decided to strongly recommend the lodges to support Castleford mineis, and to forward JE10 at once. The questions of rib-catting in stalls and an imnroved tram were discussed, and a deputation appointed to interview the management respect- ing same. It was leported that the dispute at the colliery was still unsettled, and that the Llyn Colliery, Nantyglo, was under notice. These matters were left to the agent (Mr Jas. Manning), and, failing a satisfactory settlement by him, it was decided to support the men from the dis- trict funds. EBBW VALE COLLIERS SUED. Amicable Arrangement Probable. At Tredegar Police Court on Tuesday, before Mr E. Jones-Williams and other magistrates, 41 men employed in the Ebbw Vale collieries were summoned for absenting themselves from work on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th September, and 12 damages were claimed from each. Mr W. Kenshole, Aberdare, represented the prose- cutors, and Mr W. Vyce, miners' agent, appeared on behalf of the men. Mr Kenshole applied for an adjournment and said that in all nrobability an arrangement would be arrived at.- The Clerk (Mr E. H. Davies) May we take it that the cases are practically at an end ?--Mr Kenshole I think'so.—The Beech granted an adjournment for a week. Park Slip Colliery Closing. It has been decided to stop the Park Slip Colliery at Tonda. owing to the taking beings practically worked out, and operations will pro- bably be entirely suspended bv tbe end of the year. Three hundred men are employed. The colliery, which is the chief industry at Tonda, belongs to North's Navigation Collieries Com pany, and work may be found for the men at the company's collieries at Maesteg, and a workmen s train run between that place and Tondu. Cwmtillery Hauliers Summoned. It was announced at Abertillery Police Court on Wednesday that the 43 summonses against hanliers at No. 1 Pit, Cwmtillery, for absenting themselves on September 21st and 22nd without notice had been adjourned by consent. The Lancaster Steam Coal Collieries Co., Ltd., claim X3 damages from each of the men, but as one of the company's chief witnesses was unable to attend both sides had agreed that the hearing should be adjourned to a. date to be hereafter arranged.

JUBILEE COIN AS (SLUE. A Pontypridd Burglary. On Saturday the Pontypridd police arrested George Grant (27), married man, living at Pentrobach-road, on a charge of having bur- glariousiy broken into the house of Mr Peast, builder. The Parade, Pontypridd. It appears that entry was effected into the house early on Friday mojning through a back window, and a number of Jubilee coins valued at 30s and some rings were stolen, two or three drawers having been forced open. The matter was reported to the police station, and following up the clue of one of the coins supposed to have been taken from the house being circulated, P.S. Rees and P.S. Jones arrested the accused, who is a haulier. The police have traced a number of the coins, and the accused will probably be brought before an occasional Court to-day.

SOUTH MEATH POLL. The result of the poll in South Meath for the filling of the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Carew was declared on Saturday as follows ;— Sheehy UN.J..L./ 2,245 Parnell (Ind.N.) i,Q31 Majority for League cand 214 Previous elections have resulted as follows 1895 (Bye-election). Mr E. Shiel (N) un- Mr J. Jordan (A.P). 2,707 opposed. Mr J. J. Dalton CP).. 2,633 Mr E Shiel (N) on* Anti-Parnellifcemaj. 69 opposed. 1895. 1892. Mr J. H. ParneU (P) 2^80 MrP.Pulham(AP) 2,212 Mr J. Jordan (A P).. 2,337 Mr J.J. Dalton (P). 2,129 Z —T,! -Parnellite majority. 43 Anti-Parnellite maj. 83 1900. I Mr J. L. Carew, nn- opposed. Abercarn Bye-Election. -n' u

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| THE TINPLATE TRADE. MR BRYNMOR JONES, M.P., AND MR CHAMBERLAIN. Mr Brynmor Jones, M.P., ha3 ths following letter in Monday's Times Sir,—Mr Chamberlain is reported by you to have said in his sneech at Glasgow on Tuesday last, in referring to the American tariff — but until recent times even this immoderate tariff left to us a great trade. It left a3 the tinplate trade, and the tinplate trade amounted to millions per annum, and gave employment to thousands of Rritish workpeople," and went on to suggest that if we had negotiated with America 10 or 20 years ago we should have kept the tin- plate trade." His words are general, but they are such as to convey the idea that our tinplate trade no longer amounts to millions per annum and no longer gives employment to thousands of British, work- people in short, that the American tariff has killed the tinplate trade. Any such impression is false, as will be seen from a reference to the Blue Book on British and Foreign Trade and Industry recently published. It so happens that a special table is given in that book dealing with the statistics of the tinplate trade (see pp. 131 2). Perhaps you will permit me to give a few facts gathered therefrom. For the four years before the McKinley Tariff came into operation (1887- 90) the average annual exports of tinplate from the United Kingdom to all destina- tions amounted to £5,682.641, or 399.329 tons. In 1902 (with the Dingley Tariff in force in the United States) our exports to all destinations amounted to JE4,535,166, or 311,869 tons. It is true, as stated by the compiler of the statistics, that our exports of tinplate to the United States are now practically confined to drawback plate, and that there has been a very large diminution in thejr amount. The figures as to the exports to that country are these. In 1887-90 the average annual exports amounted S4,278,677, or 304 695 tons. In 1902 the exports were only £887,432, or 65,142 tons. They show that the percentage of our total exports of tinplate taken by the United States has declined from 76 per cent. in 1887-90 to 21 per cent, in 1902. The Board of '.Trade returns, however, disclose the fact that the average number of mills work- ing in the United Kingdom has increased from 318 in 1896 to 397 in 1902—a circumstance which proves that capitalists still have confidence in this trade, Let me add also that Sir J. J. Jen- kins (lately member for the Carmarthen Bor- oughs), who has a knowledge of it rivalled by few, if any. said at the recent annual meeting of the Metal Exchange at Swansea that during the 15 months ending March last more tinplates were milled than in any similar period in the history of the trade. These are the facts. They prove, what any- one might have easily anticipated, that the operation of the McKinley, the Wilson, and Dingley tariffs had enormously diminished our tinplate trade with the United States but they do not support the implied assertion of Mr Cham- berlain that the tinplate trade is a ruined in dustry, or justify his using its actual condition as a bit of evidence in favour of the propositions he advanced at Glasgow.—I am, air, your obedient servant, D. Brynmor Jones. 27, Bryauston-square W., October 8tb. Secretaryship of ihe Sheet Milimen's Union. Tinplaters will learn with regiet that, owing to the continued ill-health of Mr Thomas Phil- lips, the veteran tinplate leader, the Tin and Sheet Milimen's Union, of which he is secretary. has been obliged to consider the advisability of appointing a successor. For some time the work has been done by Mr Ivor Gwynne, of Briton Ferry. The question was considered at a. council meeting at Swansea on Saturday, when it was decided to appoint a new secretary, applications to be confined to members of the Tin and Sheet Milimen's Union.

THE FIRST GARDEN CITY. The First Garden City, Limited," as the Utopian township which is beginmng to take shape in Hertfordshire is* commercially known, occupies about 380 acres between Hitchiri and Baldock, and is in the heart of some of the most charming rustic scenery within 100 miles of London. What prospective residents, work- men and manufacturers wish to know, however, The Garden City from Baldock. I is the practical side of the enterprise, and this, I as far as Y. has been possible to determine up to the present, was shown in speeches delivered by Earl Grey, Viscount Peel, Mr W. H. Lever, of Port Sunlight, Mr George Cadbury, of Bourneville, and others. The population will be limited to about 30.000 people, a provision which at once does away with any prospect of overcrowding. In the actual town area not more than 10 houses to the acre are to be allowed. The Garden City Company will be the ground landlords, leasing houses and plots for a period of ninety-nine years. The profits of share- holders in the company are limited to a cumulative dividend of the per cent. per annum. All profits beyond this will be applied for the benefit of the town and its inhabitants. These benefits will take the form of libraries and concert halls, the laying out of parks and gardens, the introduction of electric tramways and lighting, and other conveniences and attrac- tions. Schools and churches, according to the requirements of the inhabitants, are to be built by the company on land purchased at agricultural prices. Provision is made for cheap provisions and reasonable railway rates, and the liquor traffic will be under public control. Until public- houses are required by the people they are not to be bnilt but the profits on any that may subsequently be erected are to be devoted to beautifying the town. Rents will be low, and a plentiful supply of water and motive power for manufacture is a feature of the scheme.

WASHED ASHORE. Found near Southerndown. The body of a man, nude, except for one stock- ing, was found on the shore near Whitmore Stairs, about midway between Dunraven Castle and Nash Lighthouse, on Monday atternoon. There were no marks of violence on the body, which is believed to be that of a sailor. It had apparently been in the water for about a fort- night, and was removed to Wick Church, to await the inquest. Identification at Barry. The body of the man lying at Barry Island mortuary awaiting interment, which was washed ashore at "Whitmore Bay on the previous Tues- day, has been identified by Mr Patrick Burgen. mason, of Waterford, as that of his brother in- law, Edward Corcoran (32), a ship's steward, who left Waterford for Barry on the 25th of Septem- ber in search of employment.

A capital smoking concert was held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel, Whitchurdh, on Saturday evening on the occasion of departure ot Mr Henry R. Taylor for South Africa. Mr J. Jen kins, Uplands, presided over a large attendance. During the evening Mr R. C. Phelps presented to Mr Taylor-who has secured a good position under the Cape railways—with a handsome cigarette case, suitably inscribed. An interesting musical programme had been arranged, towards which Messrs W. E. Lewis, W. Richards, George Bonnet J. L. Williams, Cbavers, Ac., contri bated.

Sailors' Union. MR J. HAVELOCK WILSON AND THE WASTERS. An enthusiastic meeting of the National Sailors and Firemen's Union was held on Sunday in St. David's Hall, Bute-terrace, Cardiff, with reference to the wages dispute in the Bristol Channel ports. Mr E. Cathery presiled, sup- ported by Mr J. R. Bell (Barry) Mr, G. Jackson (Newport), and delegates from Penarth, Swansea., and Bristol. Important resolutions were sub- mitted, the men bqing firm in their determination to stand for the port rate. An appeal from Mr J. Havelock Wilson was submitted and unani- mously and enthusiastically agreed to. The appeal referred to in the above paragraph is in the following terms :— Fellow Seamen,—Since the year 1899 to the i year 1903 I had many appeals made to me by seafaring men asking that I should come to Cardiff and other Bristol Channel ports, to j organise the seamen with a view of obtaining for 1 them a port rate of wages of £4 10s per month. I declined to do so on the grounds that when I last established a good port rate of wages many seamen failed 'to support the Union. I there- fore resolved that if they could maintain wages without an organisation it was no use for me to waste my time in Cardiff. The result was that the wages fell to a very low rate, in the case of one steamer to £2 15s for A.B.'s and £3 for fire- men. It was with considerable reluctance that I consented to come to Cardiff. No one will deny that I have been fairly successful in obiain- ing for the men a proper rate of wages since the 1st of September, over 2bO ships having signed on at the rate of £4 10s per month. Having done this I naturally expect that the seamen will show some gratitude for the work done, and that they will appreciate the fact that. if they ask their employers to give batter wages, they should in return give better work, be more prompt in joining their ships at the time appointed, and above all things be sober. I am disgusted to have to complain that during the past week a number of men who have signed on at £4 IDs per mouth have failed to join their ships, causing loss of time and incon- venience .0 the owners, robbing their fellow workmen of the chance of obtaining employment, and bringing discredit on myself and the whole movement. Such conduct I will not tolerate. I therefore give warning to all sailors and firemen who sign on at £4 10s per month, and fail to join, if they present themselves at any shipping office in the Bristol Channel, I shall take upon myself the responsibility of warning the officers that such men are not to be depended upon. I will further call on all Union men to refuse to sign on in any vessel with such men. Such conduct as that complained of above is doing injury to the men's cause. I What can be more discreditable than the fol- I lowing Two seamen were kept at the expense i of the Union for over two weeks, their fare was i paid to Barry by the Union, the officia,lat Barry I helped them to obtain employment, their ad- vance notes were cashed by the Union, thev I were given the money to go and purchase their j own clothes, as the Union was anxious to con- vinoe these men that they trusted them, that they were willing to help them, and expected { them to play an honourable part. They had 24 hours in which to get aboard their ship, and they deliberately failed to join. There are one or two others who have acted in the same manner, and their names will appear in a list which will be published from time to time. Such men are a pest to society, and there should be no room for them aboard of ships. Those who join ships hours after the proper time or go on board drunk are not much better. If seamen expect shipowners to act fairly by them they will have to show that they appreciate the importance of being recognised as men. I have devoted my life to the cause of the seamen j in fighting their battles, but I want them to j understand that I can be just as resolnte in fighting the wasters. We want honourable dealing on both sides. I When we act on this principle we shall not only have the respect of shipowners, but the respect I of the world at large. I trust that this warning will be sufficient. J. HAVELOCK WILSON, General President. "T"

BAS8ALLEG FARMERS' SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW AND PLOUGHING MATCH. Speech by Lord Tredegar. The annual ploughing match and ahow of the Bassalleg Farmers' Association took place on Tyn-y-Brwyn Farm, Coedkernew, on Tuesday. Rain at one time threatened to put a stop to the meeting, but fortunately the weather cleared, and throughout the afternoon there was a good attendance. The only falling off in the entries was in the waggoners' class. The ploughing competitions were keen, and the work done was of excellent merit. A special feature was the superior quality of the cart colts indeed, the general quality of the horses was superior to that usually met with at these gatherings. The root crops were mnch better than the judges ex- pectad in view of the unfavourable season. The luncheon, which was held in a marquee on the farm, was presided over by Lord Tredegar, the association president, and be was supported by Captain Roland Forestier Walker, Mr L. Forestier Walker, Mr R. Stratton, Mr F. Stratton, Mr W. John, Tydu, and the Vicars of Michaelstone-y-Vedw and Coedkernew. I In submitting the toast of the Bassalleg Farmers' Association, Lord Tredegar said that a success was the test of merit. Their society, he was glad to say, had been a success, and with I other similar organisations it had con- tributed most materially to the improvement and cultivation of root crops, ploughing. &c. I There were nearly 430,000 acres less available land in the county now compared with last year, I but there were other benefits. There were now about 400,000 more horses in the county than this time last year, and without being conceited he must confess he had had something to do with that. The interest in horse-breeding bad been got up within the last 25 years, and it was due to the work of such societies as theirs and of the Shire Horse and Hunters Improvement Socie- ties. Mr Thomas Williams, Church Farm,responded. and Mr Rees Thomas, Cowbridge replied to the toast of the judges, submitted by Mr R. Stratton. Mr W. John gave the health of Lord Tredegar, who made a characteristice reply, concluding by observing that as farmers and agriculturists they must unite together and see to it that the agricultural interest was protected, though he admitted protected was a dangerous word to use just now. (Laughter.)

RECOVERY OF A STOLEN WATCH Havannah Boy's Story. At Cardiff last week a curious story of the recovery of a stolen watch was related, and a further stage in the legal proceedings following upon the recovery was reached at Cardiff Qaarter Sessions on Wednesday. The watch was stolen by a boy named Webb on Coronation day last year. from a house where its owner, Edgar George, was lodging. George is an assistant in the employ of Mr Barnett Jacobs, pawnbroker, and he beard nothing more about his watch till the 7th of this month, when a Greek, named George Michali, a ship's carpenter, brought it into Mr Jacob's shop and asked for a key for it. George at once recognised it as the watch that had been stolen, and this led to the arrest of Michali, The boy Webb was brought from the training ship Havannah, and said on the day he stole the watch he sold it to Michali in Bute-street for 2s 6d. Michali did not know he had stolen it. Michali, on the other hand said h3 bad never seen the boy before. Ha bought the watch off a man whom he did not said h3 bad never seen the boy before. He bought the watch off a man whom he did not know for 6s 6d. When formally charged at the police station Michali said, Do you think I would have taken the watch to the owner if I had known it had been stolen?" The question j the jury had to decide w is whether Michali bought the watch well knowing it to have been stolen, that being the indictment against him. Mr Pepyat Evam prosecuted and Mr Ivor Bowen (instructed by Mr Morgan Rees) defended. The I jury found prisoner not guilty, and he was dis- charged.

FIRE AT A CARDifF DENTIST'S. A dentist's workshop, occupied*by Mr Shellard at 4, High-street, Cardiff, was practically de- stroyed by fire on Wednesday. The alarm reached the Central Police Station at 4 a.m., and when Supt. Geen, with the fire brigade, arrived they found the workshop well alight. The room was on the second floor of the premises occupied in High-street by Messrs Colle, tailors. The brigade succeeded in confining the outbreak to the one room, and it was not extinguished be- fore considerable damage was done by fire and water. The partition, the ceiling, and the joists were burnt through. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDES AT CARDIfF. AtiCardiff on Wednesday Annie Thomas (39) was charged on remand with attempting to commit suicide by throwing herself into the Glamorgan- shire Canal, near the bridge, Bute-street, on the 6th inst. Prisoner, who is an inmate of the Cardiff Workhouse, expressed her regret for her rash conduct. Asked what induced her to jump into the canal, she said she had lost the Work- house shawl, and was afraid to go back.— Councillor Crosaman They are not so severe that you need have been afraid to go back.— Prisoner expressed her willingness to return to the Workhouse, and was then discharged. She was rescued by a man named Edward Jenkins, and the magistrates tendered him thanks for his promptitude. Joseph Butler (24) was charged with taking a quantity of rat poison with intent to commit suicide at Eldon-road on the 6th inst. Prisoner, it was stated by the court missionary (Mr .Devereaux), had served in the South African campaign, aud had suffered from enteric fever. He bad not been the same since, The magistrates discharged prisoner with a caution, and he then left the oourt in company with his sister.

PoHillg took plaee on Wednesday in the South Ward, Abercarn, to fill the Council vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr George Barker. The candidates were Albert 'Meredith, nominee of the Abercarn Colliery workmen, and Ambrose Edwards, Cwmcarn (Independent). Result;— Meredith. 227 Edwards, 162.

THE OPEN COUNCIL. The above is the Lion of St. Mark. Venice. Oppo Rite the Doge's Chamber in the Palace was a head of his Won, with mouth open. into which person?- secretly threw whatever was tc meet the eye of the Doge. We place it at the head of this column to indicate that public letters are received by us. and also letters requiring answers on legal and general topics. r LEGALTADVICE. By a Cardiff Solicitor. Assault (M.J.).—You should have sued in the county court for damages against the person or persons who assaulted you. Divorce (E.S.).-You had better consult a local solicitor, and if you swear that you are not worth £25 after payment of your debts you may obtain an order to sue in forma pauperis. Intestate (L.I.F.E.).—By the terms of the will all the children will inherit share and share alike. Debt (T.L.).-The widow is liable to the extent of any assets she has obtained, and you should at once sue and get judgment, Sublet (Joachim).—You may sublet, but will be per- sonally liable to your landlord until the end of your tenancy. Rent (D.E.).-As you did not take actual possession we don't think you are liable. Engagement (B.H.).—Without particulars as to the alleged contract we Cannot possibly advise you. Gale (Mechanic).—A should get a deposit of JE50 from B and an undertaking from the building society's solicitor to hand him the £25C mortgage money on completion of the mortgage, or in de- fault the society's solicitor's undertaking to re- turn the deeds. A short contract for sale em- bodying these terms should be signed by the parties. Will (C.B.A.).- The Probate Registry officials will prepare the necessary papers. Prevention.—Your letter is libellous.

WAGES AND COST OF LIVING. POSITION OF THE BRITISH WORKMAN. Effective Speech by Mr McKenna Mr Reginald McKenna, M.P. for North Mon- mouthshire, addressed a well-atended meeting of Liberals at the Merchants' Hill Baptist Chapel, Pontnewynydd, on Tuesday evening. M" Tom: Morgan presided. Mr McKenna said that at Blaenavon the previous week be had ventured to predict that the revenue raised by taxes on imported goods would be used to get rid of the income tax. The previous night the new Chan- cellor of the Exchequer had unburdened his soul. His first effort in finance was to be to reduce the income tax. The burden of taxation, then, was to be shifted from the comparatively well-to-do income tax payers on to the shoulders of the masses of the people. There thay had true Tory finance, It had been pointed out to him that, when argning the case for Free Trade at Blaen- avon, he had not referred to the high wages paid J in tbe Protectionist United States. That was true. He had taken a comparison between the United Kingdom and Germany, because these j two countries entered into the industrial competi- tion ander more or less similar conditions, and j he had shown that while Germany had been in no way handicapped by want of natural resources, i intelligence, or education, wages had not during the quarter of a century it bad oeenProtectionist increased as much as in the United Kingdom, 11 the hours of labour were longer, and that the cost of living had fallen much less there than here. Now. as to a comparison between them- selves and the United States, theconditions under which the two countries started in industrial competition were wholly different. Twenty 1 vears ago wages in the United States were on a j far higher level than in the United Kingdom, ( and the unparalleled natural resources gave the 1 country an overwhelming advantage, but, never- theless, what had ^been the. experience of the I two countries since 1881, the first date for which official figures were given ? From that time wages in theUnited Kingdom had risen 20 per cent. in the United States under Protection they had > only risen 13 per cent. But there was something else to be taken into account. Twenty years ago the cost of living in the United States was far less than here, and each successive year prices were increasing to the American workman, but falling to the British, and to-day the cost of living was actually higher in the United States than in the United Kingdom. They must a'so remember that tbe hours of labour were longer I there. Thus, again, by comparison with the United States on the three tests, of wages, hours of labour, and cost of living, Free Trade meant that wages rose faster in the United Kingdom, that hours of labour were shorter, and that the j cost of living was less.

LEGS CUT OFF. Distressing Troedyrhiw Accident. I Sidney Wakeley (42), of 6, Victoria-terrace. Quaker's Yard, was run over at the Castle Pit. 1 Troedyrhiw, by five wagons, three of which were loaded. Both legs were almost severed above the knee. He sustained other severe injuries, and died shortly afterwards. The body was re- moved to deceased's home at Treharris. At the inquest on Wednesday after- noon it was stated that deceased was engaged in clearing a grating near the line to permit of a quicker disposal of water. A witness named Tasker, who saw the accident from an engine-house, some distance away, said at the spot where deceased was working there was a sharp carve in the line. Deceased was using a shovel, and could not see tbe train of trucks approach. It was the custom for a man to pro- ceed in front of the train at the curve and warn anyone near. Thomas Havard did so on this occasion, but did not see deceased. A verdict of Accidental death was returned. Mr Dyer Lewis, R.M. Inspector of Mines, appeared for the Home Office, and Mr Howell Jones repre- sented Messrs Craws hay Bros., who employed deceased as spare hand stoker. The Great Western Railway and Rhymney Railway were also represented.

GROSS PERJURY AT CARDIFF. Polyglot Contradictions. A peculiar case was decided at Cardiff Quarter Sessions on Wednesday. The defendant was Arden Eganouff an Armenian. A large number of witnesses were called both by the prosecution and the defence, and during the course of the case evidence was given in the Italian, Spanish, and French languages, which were interpreted into English. Among the witnesses were Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, and French men and women. The chaige against Eganoaff was one ot stealing a I bicycle, the property of Charles Thompson, and receiving it, well knowing it to have been stolen. Mr Harold Stowe (instructed by Mr Harley Downsl was for the prosecution, and Mr Ivor Bowen (instructed by Messrs Meyrick and Davies) for the defence. The evidence was very conflict- ing. The prosecutor was Mr Thompson, one of the managing directors of Messrs Spiller and Baker, and the bicycle was stolen from his office between the 6th and 13th days of December. At that time Egancuff was a board- ing-house keeper, but he is now a runner. Nothing was heard of the bicycle from Decem- ber, 1901, till the 17th of last month, when Mr Blanchard, who keeps a seamen's outfitters' shop in Bute-street, rode up to the police station with it. Detective Harris thought the bicycle answered the description of one that had been stolen from Mr Thompson in 1901, and asked Mr Blanchard where he got it from. He at once replied I bought it from a man named Eganouff Blanchard told the Court that he and his wife came to Cardiff from France to open a business, and went to lodge with Eganouff. Upstairs they saw a bicycle, and he remarked to Eganouff, That is a nice bicycle." Eganouff replied It is not mine I don't ride a bicycle, bat a man left it me for some money he owed. Do you ride a bicycle ?" Blanchard replied, Yes, in Lon- don bat I soli it becanse I thought of going to San Francisco." Eganouff then said. If yon want to buy a bioycle you can have it for £2 lOs, but if the man comes back you will have to return it. and I will give you back a sum of money." When Blanchard gave Eganouff the money he asked for a receipt, but Eganouff replied that he need not give him a receipt as he was not selling him the bicycle absolutely, but under an arrange- ment. On the other hand, Eganouff told the police when arrested, and he repeated it to the court, that he had never had the bicycle that be never sold it to Blanchard or anybody else, and that Blanchard was his enemy. The latter, in reply to the Recorder, admitted there was bad blood between him and Eganouff, and thought it was becanse they used to be in the same line of business. The Recorder, in addreseing the jury, said it was quite clear that on one side or the other there was gross perjury. If Blanchard had insisted upon a receipt there would have been an end of the case. Nearly four hours were taken up in hearing the case, and the jury retired to consider their verdict. After an absence of 50 minutes the inry brought in a verdict that Eganouff was guili^ of receiving the bicycle knowing it to have been stolen. Eganouff, who had not been in tronble before. and had five children dependent upon him, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. On hearing the sentence he broke down, sobbing violently.

ARRESTED AT ILFRACOMBE. At Sligo yesterday" Thomas William Banka* CuPtoms superintendent, was charged on remand with embezzling £5,625 Customs duties received by him between December, 1901, and August, 1903, and paid into bis private banking account without any entry being made in the official records. Defendant was. committed for trial, being being refused.

At a meeting of tbe Swansea Sanitary Com- mittee on Tuesday, :the medical officer recom. mended that phthisis should be classed as a noti- fiable disease. This was agreed to. The com- mittee also decided to advise the Corporation to adopt a bye-law prohibiting spitting in pabltc halls, theatres, eto.

0 Lung Diseases. The 'Purest and Most Efficient Remedy procurable is YENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE, (Approved of and Recommended by the following English Authorities W. TASCELLES-SCOTT, F.R.M.S., Chemical Analyst; GRANVILrJ H. SHARPE, F.C.S., Analyst; Rev. W. W. TULLOCH, D.D.. Mrs ADA S. BALLIN, Editor "Womanhood", GEO. KNOX, M.D., and many others. The following discourse by Mr VENO will interest sufferers COUGHS AND BRONCHITIS. 1 Bronchitis has two stages vroper-; the acnte j and the chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused in much the same tvay as a common cold. There is acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi and the air passages of the lungs. It may either affect the large or small tubes if tbe small tabes the danger is greater, The breathing becomes short and laboured, with J feverishness, headache, pains and aches in the 1 chest and limbs, weakness and lassitude there I is a sense of soreness %nd rawness of the bron- chial surface, wth a spasmodic or dry hard oougb. In the early stages the cough is accom- panied by a frothy expectoration of mucus, which becomes yellow and thick as the disease pro- I gresses. If acute bronchitis is neglected or badly treated, it gradually advances to the chronic stage the cough may then be hard and dry, or I loose with copious expectoration, a rattling in the bronchial tubes, a sense of suffocation, and a. choked-up feeling. The bronchial tubes conduct the air to the lungs. It is only a. sbort step from the bronchial tabes to the lungs the latter may become affected through the close proximity of the inflammation existing in the bronchi. CORRECT TREATMENT FOR BRONCHITIS. Take VENO'S LIGHT- NING COUGH CURE every two hours for the fust two or three days, then every three hours during the day only, and continue until cured. This preparation is an absolute specific, and acts as follows —Bronchitis being caused by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, it must necesaarily follow that to cure the disease the inflammation must be first cured when that is done the disease must cease to exist. This is exactly what VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE does. It subdues the bronchial irritation by caring the inflammation, the cough then stops naturally, and the mucus ceases to be secreted, because there is no longer any exciting cause. That is why VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE is so universally successful in acute and chronic bronchitis. For overwhelming proof of its efficacy in long-standing and difficult cases that had been considered beyond cure, read the follow- ing letters: Mrs MARTIN HILL, THE HEM, SHIFNAL, SALOP, writes "I have had what the doctor called bronchial asthma, and he said I should never be 'cured; but, thanks be to God and VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE, I am better now than I have been for six years, and since I have been taking your Cough Care I can lie down and have a good night's rest-it seems a godsend to me. I have recommended your Cough Cure to several of my friends, and shall keep on doing so I am sure it will be a great blessing to sufferers. I tried everything that people told 1 me of, hut nothing did me a bit of good. Daring the winters I had to sit three months at a time in a. chair because of the shortness of breath and choking sensation. But all that is gone now, and I am looking very well. If this is of any use to you, you are at liberty to use it." REV. W. DACRE, 5. COLLEGE VILLAS- ROAD, SOUTH HAMPSTEAD, LONDON, writes June 17th-I have a high opinion of VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. I have used it with mach benefit to myself, and have recommended it to othera." CATARRH. EVER f FOURTH PERSON YOU MEET HAS IT. AN INSIDIOUS AND DAN. GEROUS DISEASE WORSE THAN BRONCHITIS. Most people commit the common error of calling catarrh a cold. It is not a cold, but a disease of the mucous membrane, the result of one uncured cold on top of another. It com- j mences frequently by running at the nose, which sets up inflammation of the mucous mem- brane of the nose aud throat, accompanied by severe frontal headache, followed by a stopped- up feeling in the nose and dropping of mucus in the throat. It partially stops up the air vesicles of the lungs, inflames the bronchial surface, and sets up catarrhal bronchitis, or catarrhal asthma, accompanied by a dry or loose cough, difficulty in breathing, with an unpleasant hawking and expectorating. The mucus thus secreted works its way down the alimentary canal to the stomach, catarrh of the stomach and intestines following. í It then becomes a persistent constitutional disease, both dangerous and disagreeable, leaving the patient very sasceptible to cold, and every additional cold aggravates tbe symptoms until it affects the hearing, and gradually tbe sense of I smell and taste. I I CORRECT TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC CATARRH. I Being a progressive disease, a I thorough constitutional treat- | ment is necessary as a funda- mental requisite for its per ma nent enre. First of all a remedy is required to clear the catarrhal secretions from the throat, bronchi, and air cells of the langs, and restore the mucous membrane to its natural and normal condition. VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE is the remedy that will accomplish this with great efficiency, The next consideration is to purify the blood and clear the system of the poisonous catarrhal matter and protect the stomach and intestines. This is done by. VENO'S SEAWEED TONIC. VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE should be taken three times daily in teaspoonful doses between meals, with or without water, and VENO'S SEAWEED TONIC at bedtime only, in one or two teaspoonful doses, according to the condition of the bowels. This combined treat- ment is absolutely necessary if Catarrh is to be thoroughly and permanently cured. It forms the most effective local and constitutional treatment that can be offered, and is recommended with every confidence. It should be continued for two or thiee months, or until a complete cure has j been accomplished, j t ASTHMA. There are two varieties of asthma, vifc r humid or catarrhal, and the dry or spasfflfdi In humid or catarrhal there n great f mucus with a loose and ofttimes violent coagbi short and laboured breathing, with great ing and rattling of mucus in the bronchi tubes, find a sense of choking or suffocation. patient, when suffering severely, cannot straight down in bed, but must be propped np. This type of asthma is aggravated by a damp °; cold climate. It is more common in men &ad women of middle or old age, and is frequODS11 associated with bronchitis. POTTERS ASTHMA. While lecturing in flattl$yl Staffordshire, a few years aflo. great demand was made upoø my time to treat sufferers froo asthma; probably every third patient "D visited me was suffering from some respirawt1 complaint. Tbe work and peculiar sarroandip^ of a potter bring him in contact with cheffl'0* fumes and poisonous floating particles which are brought by inspiration into contact with tbo respiratory surface, bringing about what io known as Potter's Asthma, similar to that "blob coal miners suffer from. DRY OR SPASMODIC ASTHMA is the result of the mosealp fibres of the air passages beiØg contracted, inspiration is alool difficult, the breathing and spasmodic. There is !'•" or no mucus owing to the dried and adntr&eled condition of the air vesicles. This asthma affects yoang and old, especially 0 a nervous, high-strung temperament. THE CORRECT TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA Asthma is generally regatcloo by most doctors as and after my experience Witb the complaint I can qui"- understand why so many 0ow sider it so, but I do not Ailii share their views. Dr. tx, bons, of California, is the only physician have ever met who posses3ed a thorough knove Jedge of the true pathology of the disease' To know a disease is half the cure; to know the correct medicine is the whole cure. Vr. Gibbons not only knew the disease, but be kne" the correct remedy, and I freely admit my in, debtedness to him for my knowledge of the COOO and cure of this distressing complaint. I ba" never, of late vears, used any other remedy baG VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE ill' ternally, and VENO'S LIGHTNING FLUlP externally, and I have no recollection of these remedies ever having failed to either cure astbØ or at least to render such valuable assistance tbaG the patient was enabled to follow his Ivocstioa with comfort, except in cases of the aged complete cure cannot then be expected. VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH cUBS should be taken strictly according to the diloo tions in the book of instructions which panics it, and should be persevered with for least two or three months, or even longer, J' necessary. Being a purely vegetable reinedy, cannot injure any part of the body on the coo* trary, it has a beneficial effect upon the stomacb1 The Rev. W. W. TULLOCH, D.D., BotSO Bridge, Sutherlandshire, N.B., writes, JvM 22nd, 1903 :-1 have been a martyr to astbi"* all my life, and lately to chronic winter broB" chitis. I have found VENO'S LIGHTNIO(I COUGH CURE a valuable medicine. CHILDREN'S COUGHS- is the most dangerous of cb^' WHOOPING dren's coughs; it is epidenji' CODGH and contagious. The character ot the affliction rednc* the child's strength to such an extent that oth'. complications often set ia, such as pneomonia, measles, etc. The cough is sbot." with a "whoop" or "kink," terminating ig expectoration of a ropy kind of mucus, 01 vomiting. In very severe cases a medical D200 should be called in immediately, though 1 VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE bt given at first in ten-drop doses every hour "c serious developments will arise, and the ChIld will pull through rapidly if taken pro care of. The fact that VENO'S LIG0* NING COUGH CURE does not con tail morphia, opium, or any dangerous dtO- makes it particularly safe for children indeed, it is the children's friend, and many life has been saled by its timely use. If 006 child in the house has whooping cough, all gb' other children should also be «fiven VENO LIGHTNING COUGH CURE, because of tbt infectious character of the complaint. I nevel receive a testimonial which pleases me beltot (and I recefve thousands in the course oi* year) than one from a mother who me that VENO S LIGHTNING COUGH has saved the life of her child. I know maD1 families who keep this remedy in their homes She winter through because of its brilliant effect i.0 CROUP. children's coughs. Croup JI another scourge of childhoOd. It is an infammation of tb4 mucous membrane of the larynx and wind-pipe' It commences with a. cold, fever, and hoarseness. followed by a peculiar barking cough with diO cult breathing. Croup in some cases is bete^l* tary, but is more often caused by damp, c° sadden changes in temperature, wet feet, sleeping in damp or newly-washed rooms. The treatment should be prompt and because of the danger which follows. The cb» should be kept indoors. As soon as the fl»" symptoms appear, warm clothing, food; and general good care should be taken, VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE in ten-drop doses every hour until cured. vast superiority of VENO'S LIGHTNl^T COUGli CURE over ordinary cough iraissmog or any of the emulsions cannot be estimated, P™. it is exemplified in the following interesSJ case :— WHOOPING COUGH OUREV' Mrs CRESSY, 47. Serpentine-street, Rasen, Lines, writes My little boy sn^e«, terribly from whooping cough for nine mon*ajjt I tried no end of Cough mixtures, bat the? him no good. He could neither sleep nor and was very thin. I noticed an improvement^ him after the first bottle of Veno's Ligb'D^ Cough Cure, and now, sir, your medicine cared him, and I am thankful to tell 7080 1 TV* .t W. LASCELLES-SCOTT, ESQ., Chemical and Microscopical Analyst; Lecturer on Chemistry and Hygiene late Public Analyst for several Counties and Boroughs, &c., &c., Is du his Certificate of Analysis, among other things, says :—" VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE appears to owe its remarkable effectiveness, according to my Analytical results, mainly to the joint action of certain salines and the extract of a peculiar and little-known American Plant. I have pleasure in certifying that, in my opinion, Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is an exceptionally pure, safe, and effective preparation." ASK FOR YENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURB Price 9}4 d1 is ij^d, and 2s 9d per bottle. At ChenMSM and Drug Stores everywhere.