The Cardiff Times

CARDIFF PRISON. Annual Report. The report of the Commissioners of Prisons for the year ended March 31st last, and just issued as a Blue Book, contains extracts from the governor's report with regard to Cardiff Prison, showing that the state and discipline of the prison have been satisfactory. The provision for the remission of sentences "continues to work most satisfactorily, and the more experience I have of it the more it is evident that it is a powerful factor for good conduct and hopefulness. a quality which must render any efforts towards reclamation of the greatest service. The number of part payments of fines is proportionately large, and this is principally due to the fact that most employers (colliery owners) have a practice of keeping in hand a week's wages for the purpose of some form of security, and employees sent- enced to fine or imprisonment have always this lund to draw on. The princiule of fines as a form of punishment is many sided, and it is within my knowledge that it is, as it fre- quently must be, the means of depriving a prisoner's family and punishing them while the jseal delinquent congratulates himself on having got out of an awkward corner.' The conduct of the subordinate officers has been good, parti- cularly among the older officers, who have worked with zeal and loyalty. The male staff has been put to a severe strain owing to the increased daily average of prisoners (50 males and five females). The conduct of the prisoners has been imlisfactory there have been no cases of violence or of escape or attempted suicide. Asso- ciated labour has been carried out as far as prac- ticable. Under certain circumstances it works well. That there is much to say in its favour from a humanitarian point of view is unquestion- able, but I am unable to advocate it wholly on account of the unavoidable contamination by Xeaspn of the contact which it must, I think, tiring. The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society has met regularly, and a large number of pri- soners have been afforded timely assistance." JESxtracts from the chaplain's and the medical officer's reports are also of a satisfactory character.

UNITED IRISH LEAGUE, Mr J. Devlin, M.P., at Brynmawr. Mr Joseph Devlin, M.P. for North Kilkenny, addressed a meeting at Brvnmawr Market Hall 9B Monday evening under the auspices of the Michael Davitt (Brvnmawr) Branch of the United Irish League of Great Britain. Mr J. F. McGairy, organiser of she League, Who presided, said there could be no doubt as to the meaning of Mr Chamberlain's move." "With increased national expenditure, a phantom army, national credit lower than it had been for man; years, a discredited foreign policy, a disastrous and grossly mismanaged war which bad increased the National Debt by no less than 250 millions, and an agita- tion against the Education Act, it was little wonder that the Government did not wish to fight the next General Election on those lines, and there could be little doubt why Mr Chamber- lain had launched his scheme upon the country, mThe result of his scheme upon the working of the Irish Land Act would be that the landlords maid demand increased purchase. What Inland wanted was not Protection, but better transit and transport for cattle. The Irish party was the only solid political party in this country, and consequently had secared measures from Parliament they conld not otherwise have Obtained so readily. Every measure on behalf Of the workers of this countrv had had the un- liivided support of the Irish party, which would maintain its independent position in Parliament so long as it was to the best interests of Ireland. (Applause.) Mr R. Eddy, president of the branch, Bryn- mawr, proposed a resolution declaring confidence In the Iristi Parliamentary party. Mr M. Macdonald, secretary, seconded. Mr J. Devlin, M,P., who was besrcily received, Aid he was glad to be able to express gratitude to the people of Wales for their hearty support in vomeof Ireland's most fateful moments. His bus! Kteea there that night was to appeal to his fellow- eoontrymen to join the League which stood to work out the national emancipation of Ireland— to preach the unconquerable principle of Ireland for the Irish the right of a free-born people to govern themselves on their own soil. guided by their own convictions and moved by tbeir own passions. (Applause.) After a battle of self- government for nearly 750 years they were still contesting this principle. To maintain this spirit was the object of the League, which should especially commend itself to Irishmen out of Iceland. (Applause.) The resolution was adopted.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. Llandaff Branch and the Compensation Question. At a special meeting of the Executive of the I/landaff Diocesan Branch of the Church of Eng- land Temperance Society, over which the new chairman, the Rev. J. Pritchard Hughes, vicar of Llantrisant, presided, the question of the policy of the society on the subject of compensa- tion was fully considered. The following reso- lution was unanimously passed That in view of Mr Balfour's promise to introduce during the next Session of Parliament a Bill to provide com- peasation for the non-renewal of licences, this committee, without admitting that there is any moral or legal claim for compensation for the note-renewal, in the interests of the public, of licences granted for one year only, urges that in any such measure (1) the whole of the money re- quire-I must be raised by levies on the trade itself (2) it must not be made more difficult at any time to further reduce licences or abolish them altogether (3) a speedy and considerable induction in the number of licensed premises must be secured; and full control over all classes of licences must be given to the justices (4) a time must be fixed when the compensation scheme will terminate (5) new licences must not be allowed to acquire any claim for compensa- tion." A resolution was also passed expressing the opinion that, believing places where people may meet indoors for recreation and social intercourse are » necessity of our modern life, the committee steongly urges on the branches of the society in the diocese the desirability of establishing clubs where every provision is made for reading r and recreation, but no intoxicating liquors are allowed, as a counter attraction to the public- home.

EtSTEDDFOD AT MORRISTON. The annual eisteddfod in connection with Qalfaria Baptist Chapel, Morriston, was held on Betardg,v. The Mayor of Swansea f (Mr Griffith Thomas) presided. Awards :—Chief choral-I, Ainon Choir, Morriston (conductor, Mr Mathew Pisher, Morriston). Fife band—1, St. John's Church. Clydach (conductor, Mr W. Griffiths) 2, Bonymaen (Swansea) Industrial School (con- ductor, Mr Thos. Griffiths). Juvenile choir- Ainon Choir, Morriston (conductor, Mr J. Phillips LleweUyn, Morristonr. Fife trio-Brynamman Friends. Tenor solo-Tvlr Samuel Jenkins, Idanelly. Bass solo-M.r Jno. Hopkins, Clydach. Oontralto solo—Miss Maggie Ann Grey, Mor- riston. Duet—Messrs J. and S. Jenkins, Llanelly. Recitation (adults)—Mr Aneuryn Morris, Gorseinoa. Violin solo—1, Master Hector Leysbon, Llansamlet 2, D. Lewis Hill, Morriston. Pianoforte solo-I, Master Stanley Owen. Swansea 2. Miss Ivy Bennett, Swansea. Solo (Rirls)-Miss Edith Jones, Landore. Recita- tion (juvenile)—Miss Hanmw J. Hit!. Graig, Morriston, Drawing skctch —1, T. J. Morgan, Morii.°ton 2, D. J. Hov/e'Ss, Morriston 3, Geo. Phillips.

BRIDGEND LICENSING CASE. At Bridge mi Police Court on Saturday Mrs Rhoda Brooks. licensee of the Cross Keys, Bridg- end, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on her licensed rzomi-w on Sunday, the 18th imt. '.Villiam Flyra, who took possession of the previses on the .13tb; and bad given notice to the police that he would apply for temporary transfer on was summoned for aiding and abetting. Jame* HowelJa, 'jollier, Maesteg, was summoned for being drnnk on the premises. Aid. T. J. Ho gbea defended Mrs Brooks, and Mi- David Llewellyn defended Flynn, who pleaded guilty. P.C. Idris Evans gave evidence. Flynn was fined i2. and Howells 30s. The case against Mrs Brooks was adjourned for a medical witness to be called, a doator's certificate having been pat in stating iHal she was suffering from soft- ening of the br%in and was not responsible for her actions.

Death of Mr Richard Crawshay. Information reached Merthyr on Monday of the death on Sunday night at Boscombe, Bournemouth, of Mr Richard Frederick Craw- shay, youngest member of the firm of Messrs Crawshay Bros.. the famous ironmasters of Cyfarthfa. The deceased gentleman took up his residence some years ago at Ty Mawr, Aber- gavenny, but on account of ill-health had been sojourning at Boscombe. The deceased gentleman had suffered for a considerable time from lung complaint, and had been in the habit of visiting various places at home and abroad, more especially Switzerland, for the good of his health. The majority of his eldest son was celebrated a short time since at Abergavenny. Deceased was the third son of the late Robert Thompson Crawsbay, of Cyfart hfa, who, as owner of the great iron works at Merthyr from 1867 to 1879, was associated with the decline and the end of the iron age and of Mrs RoVe Mary Craw- shay, who is still alive, and whose reign at Cyfarthfa Castle in the middle of the last century is still recalled with gratitude for the great work she achieved for the moral and mental uplifting — ————————————————————————————— of the community. When Mr Robert Thompson Crawshay died in 1879 he left the Cyfarthfa Works to his three sons—Messrs William Thomp- son Crawsbay, now of Caversham Park, Oxon Robert Thompson Crawshay, and Richard Frederick Crawsbay, the deceased. Mr W. T. Crawshay was the only one of the three brothers who took any active interest in the practical details of iron making, and it will be remem- bered that it was in the time of the Crawshay Brothers that the Cyfarthfa Iron Works were converted into steel works at an expenditure of £ 150,000. The deceased, who was born at Cyfar- thfa in 1859, married in 1880 Miss Temple Isabella, eldest daughter of Colonel Teddy Oakes of Cheltenham, and resided at Ty Mawr, County Brecon, of which he was J.P. and D.L. and High-Sheriff in 1887. The coming of age of his eldest son, Mr Richard Oakes Crawshay, born in 1882, was celebrated last year. Mr R. F. Crawshay resided at Cyfarthfa Castle in his earlier days. He afterwards went to live I at Ty-Mawr, Abergavenny, which his father had purchased of Mr John Maund, and became an I I expert sportsman. Be had for some time been the first captain of the Cefn Volunteers and was then reputed to be a very good shot I It is a sad coincidence that at this moment ¡ Mr W. T., Crawehay is lying ill in the North of Scotland. I

CILFYNYDD COLLIERS DEATH. !¡I y Accident to a Hauling Rope. An inquiry was held before Mr E. B. Reece. I coroner, at Cilfjnydd Police Station on Monday ) as to the circumstances attending the death of Noah David (37), collier, Howell-street, Who succumbed on Friday morning to injuries sus- tained the previous day at the Dowlais-Cardiff Colliery, Abercynon. Mr Dyer Lewis, mines inspector, and Mr Ben Davies: agent for No. 21 district of the Miners' Federation, were in attendance. Theophilus Sbanklona, fireman, said the accident occurred about one o'clock on Thursday owing to an accident to a hauling wire rope. During the morning a rider told him that I there was a flaw in the rope, and he sent for the spliceman," or rope examiner, who sent back from another district in the mine to say that he was too busy to'attend to it just then. Witness then proceeded to repair it, and found two of the strands broken. About a yard was cut off, and after a reefed knot had been made it was tested and found apparently all right. The accident occurred on the first journey after the knot had been made, and whilst two full trams and an empty were going down a dip with a gradient of eight inches in the yard. The knot slipped, and witness thought it was caused Uy one of the two four-inch ends of the rope at the knot having caught in something on the road. Deceased was injured by the passing trams, and was conveyed home to Cilfynvad. Witness -was questioned as to why he had made the knot instead of waiting for the" spliceman," and replied that the latter could not come, and that he (witness) had tied ropes several times bsfore. Replying to the manager, witness said deceased had no need to be where he was, about five yards from his working place, at the time of the accident, but he might have been there eating his food. Mr Bruce Jones, manager, said he examined the rope almost immediately aftr the accident, and found that the knot had slipped. It did not follow that the rope had not been properly tied, and he believed it slipped through one of the ends catching in one of the points of the next I roadway. Asked by the Coroner if the fireman should not have waited until the splicer I appeared, witness said that Shaukland was the official in charge, and used his discretion. He I had seen hundreds of these knots, and ho did not I object to the practice of tying ropss, but after this accident be would not care to be responsible for tying a knot in a rope on a gradient of this kind again. He had seen them tied in similar I dips many times, but had never seen an acciaent before. The ropehad been in use for 12 months, and similar ropes lasted good for several years. The ends of tbe knot were sometimes tied by wire to prevent them catching, but not always. Dr. Griffith, Abercynon, said deceased's left thigh was fraotured, and there were several con- tusions on his right side. Death was due to shock. Replying to the Coroner, Mr Dyer Lewis aid not think the fireman should have tied the rope, but should have waited until the splice- man came, as the gradient was too steep for a knot. The Coroner said the fireman had acted to the best of his skill and knowledge. The accident, however, showed that it was not safe to make a knot in this case. The jury returned a verdict ot Accidental death," adding that they did not approve of the system ot making knots in the way this one had been done.

VALUABLE SALVAGE For a Cardiff-Laden Steamer. The s.s. Fairmead, bound from Cardiff to Dakar, has put into Cascaes (PortugaJ), having in tow the disabled London s.s, Bnluwayo, which she picked up at sea in a helpless condition. It appears that the Buluwayo was bound from East London and Table Bay to London, and when steaming up the Portuguese coast in the Atlantic Ocean the vessel trembled trom stem to stern, and without a moment's warning came to a sudden stop. The engines wera quickly stopped, and on an examination beipg made by the engin- eere it was found that the tunnel shaft had broken and the vessel thus left at the mercy of the waves. After drifting for some time the s.s. Fairmead hove in sight, and seeing the signals bore down upon the disabled vessel. It was then decided between the respective captains to tow the Bulawayo into Lisbon, and accordingly hawsers were passed and towage commenced. The towing operations were attended with great difficulty owing to the helpless state of the dis- abled vessel, but eventually Captain Lewer had the satisfaction of towing the lame duck into the harbour of Lisbon. After leaving the Bulu- wayo at a safe anchorage the Fairmead proceeded on her voyage to Dakar. No agreement was made between the captains for the salvage ser- vices. and that matter will probably be settled between the respective owners, but the towmg in should prove a, valuable prize for the owners, cantain, officers, and crew of the Fairmead, as the Buluwayo is a steel screw steamer of 4,412 tons gross and 2,803 tons net register, built in 1895 by Messrs Armstrong, Mitchell and Co.. and owned by Messrs Bucknall Bros., of London.

"ROYAL MAIL" CONTRACTS. Another 200,000 Tons Placed. We understand that the Royal Mail Steam ship Co.'s contract for the supply of 200,000 tons of best large Cardiff steam coals has been just nlaced with the Great Western, Cambrian, Powell- Duffryn,Ocean,and Lewis- MertbyrCollieries. The price has not been disclosed, but we understand that it is slightly under that paid last year. Fach of the collieries, it is reported, gets 50.000 tons. The report of the placing of the Egyptian Rail- way contract for the supply of 220,000 tons with Messrs Lindsay, Gracie, and Co. and Messrs W. Millner and Co. is confirmed, and the price is given approximately as between 12s 6d and 13s.

SAVED BY COASTGUARDS. The Norwegian full-rigged ship Patria, of Grinstad, was wrecked during the gale on Monday on the Chesil Beach, Portland. She was laden with timber. Her crew, 12 in number, were all saved, 11 of them by the rocket apparatus, and the others by jumping into the sea. Although the ship came bow on the beach, she was soon broadside on, and her main and mizzen masts were quickly carried away.

UNPROVOKED ASSAULT AT NEATH. Jane Jones, wife of John Jones, collier, Llantwit roAd, Neath, summoned Edward Keef, labourer, of 8. Jonkin's-court, for assault at Neath Borough Police Court on Monday. The evidence showed that defendant struck Mrs Jones two violent blows, one knocking two of her teeth out, and that the assault was unprovoked. De- fendant was fined £ i and costs.

Dogma in the Schools. VOLUNTARY TEACHERS' PETITION. Alleged Undue Clerical Pressure. Some sensation was caused at the meeting of the Carnarvonshire Education Committee by the report by the secretary of numerous complaints made by the teachers in Voluntary schools that they were being asked to sign under the new Education Act by the clerical managers of their schools the agreements issued by the National Society, under which, the Clerk explained, there | would be imposed upon them certain duties which they were not compelled, under the Act itself, to perform and to teach certain specific dogmas. Replying to questions, the Clerk said these complaints had been voluntarily sent to him by the teachers,who sought the assistance of the committee in protecting them from what they regarded as unwarranted and oppressive de- mands. The National Union of Teachers had had these agreements under consideration, and had unhesitatingly condemned them as distinctly unfair to the teachers and contravening the spirit, if not the letter, of the Education Act. Mr T. J. WiiHuns, headniaster oi the St. Paul's School, Bangor, the representative on the committee of the elementary school teachers, said this question had been earnestly considered at a special meeting of the elementary school teachers of the county, including of course the teachers of Voluntary schools, and that meeting without a dissentient voice had condemned the proposed agreements, and urged all the Volun- tary school teachers not to sign them. He earnestly appealed to the committee for protec- tion for the teachers.. He distinctly and em. phatically wished the committee to understand that possibly some teachers might be forced against their will to sign these agreements. He knew as a matter of fact that something more than moral suasion was being brought to bear upon teachers to sign. The Chairman said that the Finance Com mittee bad already considered the matter, and recommended that an intimation be sent to every National school that the Education Com- mittee would not recognise the agreements. After further discussion the committee, in view of the importance of the principle involved, resolved to postpone consideration of the whole matter for fuller inquiry, and also unanimously I resolved, on the motion of Mr AUanson Picton, that the clerk be instructed to send a letter to the managers of all National schools in the county requesting them meanwhile not to require the signature of any teacher to these agreements until the committee arrived at some i definite and final decision thereon. Mr T.J. Williams asked whether he could take it that the whole strength and authority of that committee would be behind any teacher who i meanwhile declined to sign. The Chairman remarked that he could not {con- j ceive the possibility of any managers of National schools in the county disregarding the clearly expressed wishes of the committee on the matter, and he ventured to say that any body of managers who did so disregard the officially expressed wishes of that committee in this respect would not benefit thereby.

BURNED TO DEATH AT CARDIFF Infirm Woman's Terrible Plight. A sad incident, having nnfortunately a fatal termination, occurred at 57, Railway-street, The Moors, Cardiff, on Saturday evening. The victim was an old woman,named Catherine Warne, aged 75, a widow. She was in the kitchen, making the tea for her lodgers, and while stooping over the fire her apron became ignited. She got down on her knees to try and put it out, bat could not do so, and the remainder of her clothing was soon alight. Beiug a cripple and very feeble, she could not get on to her feet again to give an alarm. There was an old man in the kitchen at the time, but he was too infirm to render any assistance. A young man named Edwaid Broom, who occupies rooms in the front of the house, happened to go to the back, and he observed the old lady lying on the floor in flames with a chair over her. With assistance he managed to put out the^flames, but not before the unfortunate woman's clothes had almost been burned off her. She was wrapped in blankets, and placed on a chair, and retaining consciousness was able to say that her apron caught fire when she was near the grate. Sh6 was frightfully burned all over the body, particularly the lower part. She was placed in a cab and taken to the Infirmary, but died a few hours after admission. On Monday, Mr E. B. Reece inquired into the circumstances of the death of Mrs Catherine Warne, an elderly widow, of 54, Railway-street, Cardiff, who died from severe barns received at her home on Saturday last. A verdict of Accidental death was returned. y

ALLEGED PERJURY. Summons Applied for at Swansea. At Swansea on Monday Mr C. R Trueman, of Neath, applied for a summons against Mr David Rees Knoyle. an accountant, of Swansea. for perjury alleged to be sworn in an affidavit on October 2nd at Swansea. Applicant put in various documents, and said that the pro- posed defendant was the liquidator of the Cwm- rbydyceirw Colliery Company, and inquiries were being pursued with a view to his removal from that post. The alleged perjury lay in the statement that a cer- tain Mr Nicholas Sampson, the largest share- holder and creditor of the colliery companv, was not in fact a large holder. Other alleged false statements were that Mrs Trueman, the wife of applicant, was not a creditor over X4, when she really was a creditor to the extent of JE58, and claimed JE150 I' Mr Trueman added that Mr Knoyle bad sworn that at the general meeting of the company be never had certain books in his possession. That was also false, and their Worships cohld see the materiality of such evidence. After half-an-hour's hearing the Bench granted a summons, returnable on Monday week.

SOUTH MONMOUTH LIBERALISM. Banquet to Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P. A very well attended meeting of the Executive Committee of the South Monmouthshire Liberal Association was held at Newport on Saturday afternoon, when Colonel Ivor Herbert presided in the absence of Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P,, the president. Mr Lewis Davies presented the report of the work done in the Revision Courts, and it was of a most satisfactorv nature. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Davies, Mr E. A. Pryer (the registration agent), and the local secretaries for the good work accomplished. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., Colonel Ivor Herbert, Messrs J. R. Jacob, and R. Lockhart-Ross were selected to represent the association on the General Purposes Committee of the National Liberal Federation at the meeting at Liverpool on November 18th. It was decided to entertain Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., at a complimentary banquet on the 21st November as a token of the appreciation ot the Liberals of the division of the services rendered by Mr Thomas to the cause of Liberalism in South Monmouth. A sub-com- mittee was appointed to carry out the necessary arrangements, and from the enthusiasm shown at the meeting the function seems destined to be a great success.

FREE LABOUR ASSOCIATION. Retrograde Resolution. The Free Labour Association opened its annual congress in London on Monday. The report showed the association had enrolled during its 11 years' existence 500,000 members, Forty-one thousand were enrolled last year. Inquiries from employers all over the country for free labour men were constantly increasing. Respecting Trade Union disputes it was evident that the better the workmen's wages the greater his dis- content. Mr Chandler, the president, reaffirmed his adherence to the system of free bargaining with employers. The meeting adopted, by 24 votes against 18, a resolution bailing with delight Mr Chamberlain's fiscal proposals, and pledging the congress to further the policy of preferential tariffs, believing such to be in the best interests of the working classes, and calculated to ensure the future prosperity of the United Kingdom and its Colonies, The president advocated profit sharing as the only way to produce better relations between capital and labour. A resolution against legalisation of picketing was adopted.-

EISTEDDFOD AT NANTYM0EL. On Monday Hope English Congregatianal Church, Nantymoel, held their second annual eisteddfod at the Workmen's Hall. Adjudi- cators :—Messrs Harry Is vans, Dowlais J. Bowen, Cilfynydd and D. C. Williams, Ogmore Vale. Chief awards Recitations, Master Gregory and Mr E. Cole, Ireherbert violin solo, Mr R. Morgan, Nantymoel piano- forte solos, Miss Mabel Davies, Swansea, and Master T. J. Jenkins, Neath soprano solo, Miss Annie Davies, Maesteg contralto solo, Miss M. Edmunds, Gilfach tenor solos, Mr D. Thomas, Garw, and Mr J. Hughes, Nanty- moel Mr D. J. Kinsley, Llanharran, won both bass and baritone solos, and Mr Morgan Griffiths, bass and baritone solos, and Mr Morgan Griffiths, Nantymoel, the bass and baritone solos open to the valley quartette, Gwilym Taf and party, Maesteg; children's choir, Blaenogvvy (con- ductor, Mr J. Isaac) mixed choir, Blaenogwy (conductor, Mr J. Isaac) male voice competi- tion, Cwmavon party (conductor. Mr T. George).

Y,350,000,000 DROP IN TRUST SHARES. The financial situation in New York is causing alarm. It is estimated that the shrinkages in values of the piincipal industrial securities from the boom prices of a short time ago amounts to no less than S350,000,000, and of this huge amount the fall in Steel Trust securities pro- bably accounts for one-fifth. Trust finance is now thoroughly discredited in America (says the "Express" correspondent). Happily tor them- selves, the public disappointed the financiers, who created paper securities on an enormous scale, by refusing to buy the shares in the over- capitalised trusts, and these were accordingly left in the hands of the professional capitalists. Mr James Smith, receiver of the bankrupt Ship- building Trust, wilIfile his report on the reasons that led up to the failure of the corporation on Monday. Forecasts of the report indicate that it will attack the questionable conduct of the organisers of the Trust, and will condemn the policy of appointing dummy directors, and also the over-valuation of the constituent companies of the organisations.

LLANELLY DOCK PROBLEM. Proposals for Solution. Now that the long vacation is over an intima- tion will soon be given of the date when the case of the Bank of Englaqd v. the Llanelly Harbour Commission will come on for hearing. Appear- ance has been duly entered. It is quite possible, however, that when the intentions ot the Com- missioners are made known proceedings will be withdrawn, say, for six months. When the dock is opened the position of the Commissioners will be much strengthened, and the fact that the shipping trade for the past six months has been greater in volume than for any corresponding period sheds a ray of hope into the gloomy out- look. Many inaccurate statements are being circu- lated, There was a rumour only on Saturday that the Bank of England were seizing the market tolls. This is a self-evident misstatement. Not only has the application for the appointment of a receiver not been heard, but the receiver, if appointed, would have no right to touch the mar- ket tolls. The revenues which he could receive are clearly defined by Act of Parliament, and even if the Harbour Commissioners are short of funds owing to a closed dock the finances of the town, generally speaking, are in a flourishing state, and there is no ground at all for these panic stories. Much that has appeared in print in regard to the outcome of th joint conference between the Llanelly Harbour Commissioners and the Cham- ber of Commerce is not based upon fact, and the report which appeared in the" South WalesDaily News on Friday as to the practical upshot of their deliberations is the correct position of affairs. A committee IS to be appointed to pro- mote a Bill to obtain further borrowing powers to a maximum of £ 30,000 on the security of a rate not exceeding 6d in the £ Other powers will also be sought, such as the creation of a Harbour Trust, and Parliament will be asked to I adjast the differences between the Commissioners and the Mynydd Mawr Railway Company. PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY BILL. Meeting of the Harbour Commissioners. A special meeting of the Llanelly Harbour Commissioners was held on Monday. Mr W. Wilkins, who presided, said they had been called .together to appoint six members to confer with a committee appointed by the Chamber of Com- merce and draw up a scheme with a view to pro- moting a Bill in Parliament for the solution of the dock diiffculties. Mr W. H. Ludford asked whether the recom- mendation of the joint committee would first be submitted to the Commissioners as a body and then to the ratepayers. The Chairman That is what I have under. stood. Mr Ludford There is one other matter. I am informed that we have commenced dredging operations to carry out a scheme that will in- volve an expenditure of zE8,000 per annum. The Chairman I am not aware of it. The Harbour Superintendent also contra- dicted the statement. Mr Ludford I was challenged with it. Mr Joseph Williams Your answer is that nothing has been done outside the lighthouse. The Chairman So far as I know the plant has been engaged between the dock entrance and the harbour lighthouse. After further discussion the Chairman moved that six members be appointed to confer with six members of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr T. Hughes seconded, and it was unani- mously carried. Several names were suggested, including that of Mr Richard Guest. Mr Guest, however, said he could not possibly act on the committee, as he had voted against the resolution at the previous joint conference of the Commissioners and Chamber. He dis- approved entirely of the proposed scheme. The proposals were laid before them, and the vote was taken without ample consideration. He told them aV the time that in his opinion the scheme was too circumscribed. Mr Joseph Williams took it that the scheme would come before them again. Mr Maybery hoped Mr Guest would consent to act. Mr Guest said he could not see the use of sitting on the committee to consider the scheme, which was limited to certain things which were quite inadequate as a solution of their present difficulties. Mr T. Hughes remarked that it was no use shirking their responsibility, even if there was a difference of opinion as to the mode of procedure and the scone of the scheme. It was a matter for further consideration. Mr Guest You cannot enlarge the scope of it that is the difficulty. Mr Hughes thought they should meet the diffi- culties and abide by the views of the majority. The Chairman said they had a sitting of four hours last Wednesday, and in his opinion the matter was sufficiently ventilated. There was no alternative scheme placed before the meeting. He agreed that they should go in for the larger scheme, but the majority had decided to go in for the other. The following were then appointed :-The Chairman, Messrs Joseph Williams, T. Hughes, J. Maybery, J. S. Tregoning, jun., R. Guest, and the vice-chairman (Mr D. J. Davie). The Chairman said the clerk had not heard anything farther from Mr Freshfield or the Bank of England. At the laat meeting they would remember the clerk reported that he had written them, and he was still awaiting a reply. A sug- gestion had been made to him, which ho was anxious should be made to them as a Commis- sion, that someone should be appointed to see the Bank of England and inform them what was in- tended to be done in regard to promoting a Bill in Parliament. In other words, that the sug- gested scheme should be submitted to the Bank in rough draft, and that this should be done as quickly as possible, in order to ascertain whether it would satisfy the Bank of England. The suggestion came from one who was present at the joint conference last Wednesday. Mr John Thomas said the Commission had already instructed the chairman and Mr J. S. Tregoning to wait on the Bank of England directors, should it be deemed advisable. Mr Joseph Williams thoroughly approved of the idea, and remarked that he had suggested that the chairman and the president of the Chamber should see the directors and ask them to st&y their hands until this scheme had been set on foot. The suggestion was favourably received, but it was pointed out that the previous resolution authorised the chairman and Mr Treganing to take the journey if necessary.

A FATAL FAREWELL. Italian's Death at Barry. Mr E. B. Llewellyn Reece, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the Police Station. Barry Dock, on Monday on the body of Golfredo Sotgin (32), a marine fireman, who died at the Accident Hospital on Friday evening after a i fall into tbe deep sea lock the previous evening. Captain R. Davies, dockmascer, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Barry Railway Co. Captain Morris Jones said he saw deceased standing on the edge of the quay wall talking to a fellow-countryman on board the ss. New- nolme as the vessel was ready to proceed to sea. Witness warned deceased to keep back to avoid accident. Two or three minutes afterwards he heard the cry that deceased had fallen in, and a dock gateman named Joseph Friar climbed down the gate and pulled him out. Friar said deceased appeared to be trying to shake hands with someone on board when be slipped down between the quay wall and the ship. and after- wards into the water. On the way to hospital deceased told Dock Constable Harpur that he got too nsar the edge of the quay wall and slipped in, Dr. King said deceased had several wounds upon him, probablv through having been crushed between the ship and the quay wall. A verdict of 11 Accidental death was returned.

FIERCE WHIRLWIND. Havoc in Pembrokeshire. On Sunday morning; about 9.30, the Pem- brokeshire coast, between Newgate and Solva, from St. Bride's Bay, travelling in a northerly direction towards Trevine, was visited by a destructive whirlwind. At Lochvane. near Solva, large trees were up- rooted. Hay guards were completely levelled and a dwelling house, occupied by Mr Young, had its roof completely blown off, the timber being broken into splinters. The roof was a compara- tively new one, having baen lut on about eight years a&o. The whirlwind can easily be traced across the coantry, its course being about 50 yards wide. Furze bushes, etc., were torn up by the roots. A farmhouse caUed Tresewig was also completely unroofed. Travine as well suffered to a great extent. The windows of the Baptist Chapel there were broken, as also were the lamps on the pulpit, owing to vibration. Several houses also were unroofed. Such an occurrence is most unusual in this neighbourhood.

ABERDARE DISTRICT COUNCIL. On Monday afternoon, at the meeting of Aber- dare District Council, Mr E. M. Hann, J.P., in the chair, a rate of Is 5d in the £ was sealed. A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr D. Jackson Thomas, seconded by Mr John Howell, was accorded the clerk for the admirable manner in which he had prepared the case for the increase of members. The Medical Officer (Dr. D. Davies, J.P.) reported that there had been no deaths irom infectious disease during the fort- night. A communication from the Cwmaman Chamber of Trade asking the Council to effect improvements in that district was referred to the Roads and Streets Committee to deal with. Mr John Howell moved that the footway between Aberaman and Cwmbach be lit and repaired. This was seconded by Mr Morgan John. The question was ultimately referred to the Roads and Streets Committee.

THE BARRY ASSAULT CASE. George Bartholomew, the Greek fireman who on Saturday last was remanded at Barry on a charge of unlawfully wounding a fellow country- man, Demetrius Cavonus, was brought up at the local Police Court on Monday. Cavonus described how in the early hours of the morning, in Travis- street, prisoner and himself, who had been drink- ing together, quarrelled. Bartholomew tried to hit him, and be restrained him by holding both his hands. Bartholomew then bit him on the right jaw and also on the fingeis. Dr. Cook said the wound on the jaw was about the size of a shilling his hands. Bartholomew then bit him on the right jaw and also on the fingeis. Dr. Cook said the wound on the jaw was about the size of a shilling and deep, but was not aerioua. The magistrates reduced the charge to one of assault, and sent Bartholomew to prison for 14 days with hard abour.

FifTY RABBITS IN A CART. POLluE SEARCH AT ELY. Cardiff Haulier's Early Order. At Llandaff on Monday David Rees, haulier, was summoned for being in the unlawfnl posses- sion of rabbits on the 23rd inst. Mr J. H. Jones defended. P.C. Herbert Evans said that at 10.15 on the morning of the 23rd inst. he stopped defendant, who was driving horse and trap, on Cowbridge-road, near Elv. Asked what he had in the trap, he replied, A bit of stuff." Witness examined some sacks, and found they contained rabbits. They do not belong to me, but to two men," said defendant, who, when told he would have to go to Llandaff Police Station on suspi- cion, added. I am no poacher. Mv mother is a widow she has two crippled children, and I have to keep them." The sacks in defendant's trap were examined at Llandaff. One contained 24, and the other 26 rabbits, together with 200 yards of netting. When told he would be re- ported, defendant said, Don't go hard against me." Cross-txamined by Mr J. H. Jones, P.C. Evans said he did not see two men slip out of defendant's trap and run away, and defendant did not teU hi m of them. Did he not say he was asked by Jack Bell to go to Cowbridge-road that morning to get some sacks ?—No, sir. j Did he not say he was asked to take the sacks I to Gough street, and then to a store in Mary Ann-street ?—Nothing of the kind, sir. He told me he was asked by a man to do a hobble, and he did it. Defendant laid no claim to tbe rabbits, ¡ and biq clothes and boots appeared to be perfectly dry. Witness suspected Rees, who had previously been seen in the company of poachers. Defendant went into the witness-box, and said he had no suspicion what the contents of the sacks were until one of the men casually told him. as they neared Elv. that they had a few rabbits. The two men jumped out of the trap j and ran away as soon as they saw the police- man. By Dr. Taylor (presiding magistrate) He ) left Cardiff at 5.30 a.m., and left Bonvilstone on the return journey about 7. Dr. Taylor Why were you ao long in going from Bonvilstone to Ely ? Defendant I left the horse go as it iiked.^i You see, sir, it is an Argentine, and if I drive it | fast it sweats. i Dr. Taylor Argentines are rather high bred, are they not ? In the end defendant was fined JE5 and costs, rr, amonth. )

FELL FROM AN EXPRESS, j NEWPORT SEAMAN'S DEATH. j As the fast north express ran through Leo. v minster Station at 9.58 on Friday night, going I at a speed of probably 60 miles an hour, a sea- i faring man fell from the first carriage of the I train on to the line, and was instantly killed. I The body of the unfortunate passenger was dis- j covered shortly afterwards, by the Big- j nalman on duty in the cabin above the ( platform, his attention being attracted by some- J thing burning on the main line between theupsi and down rails. Having put his signals at f danger, he went down with his band lamp and v bucket of water, and found the body of a man, whose clothes had been ignited by matches, of which he had about a dozen boxes in his pocket. the matches having been set alight by tbe impact of his fall from the train. After putting out the fire, he called the stationmaster, Mr R. McNaught, who telephoned to Ludlow to stop th6 train and make inquiries. The officials at I Ludlow found that a man who had beon travel.; ling with three other sailors was missing from « the second compartment of the first carriage. 1 which was a composite corridor coach. At the inquest on Saturday, held at Leomin- ster, the body was identified as that of William Sigerson, seaman, who had been paid off at Newport. Ivor Anderson said he had been on i board the same vessel with deceased. They were i discharged from the steamship Amy at New- I port on the 22nd of this month, and i they left Newport on the 23rd at i 8 p.m., having booked through to Glasgow, i They were drunk when they got into the train. He did not know how deceased came to fall from the train. Dr. Octavius Edwards said he examined the body of the deceased. His injuries were of a most serious character. The whole of I the top of the skull at the back of the head was torn off and the bones crushed and shattered a great deal of brain was missing the left shoulder was smashed and also the left arm. í These were the principal injuries. The jacket on the right side was charred and wet. The wheels~must have gone over the back of the head | and shoulder of the deceased. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death, caused by the deceased in mistake opening the door of the car- I riage."

DOCK EQUIPMENT. Cardiff Railway Co.'s Intentions. The progress of the new South Dook at Cardiff has alreaidy reaohed such a stage that the question of equipment has become a matter of public interest, the chief point discussed being j the question whether the Cardiff Railway Com- ) pany will so far anticipate the needs of the trade j as to provide tips capable of dealing with trucks [ much larger than those now in use. The bulk of the colliery wagons are eight to ten tons, bnt I already some companies are building 20 ton vehicles, and what the dock owners have to do is I to meet the requirements of handling trucks of from 10 to 20 tons capacity. With many of the J existing tips scarcely any alteration is required for dealing with 12-ton tmcks, and with these a saving of 20 per cent. in time and handling would be secured. But the Cardiff Railway Com- I pany are determined that in no respect shaH I their property lack the very beat facilities for handling coal, or. indeed, for meeting any of the requirments which will come upon them with re- gard to imports as well as exports. They will therefore equip the new South Dock with the very latest appliances, and both the cranes and the tips will be able to deal with wagons carry- ing up to twice the present load, i.e., up to 20 tons. It will be seen thereforo that the I management have not only clear perception of the prospective requirements, but that they are preparing to meet them fully.

WELSH ESTATE CLAIMANTS. Case Down for Hearing. The most interesting Welsh case set down for decision in the Chancery Court is that which involves a Cardiff man's claim to the NAnt Pen. I nant and Nant Pennar estates situate in North Wales, the value of which is estimated at close I upon a quarter of a million sterling. The case will come before Mr Justice Byrne, and it is intended to make an application to the Judge to fix a suitable date for the hearing. During the past few days Messrs Lloyd George and George, solicitors, Carnarvon, who throughout the pro- ceedings have represented Mr Jones, Beda-road, the Cardiff claimant, have issued instructions to all the witnesses to hold themselves in readiness to make the journey to London. Eminent counsel have been retained by both parties. The witnesses concerned in the matter number close on 60, inciuding veteran parish clerks, farmers, and a number of old inhabitants in North Wales.

WOMEN'S CLUB AT BARRY. A Twentieth Century Innovation. Chiefly through the instrumentality of Miss E. P. Hughes, M.A., a women's club been started at Barry, the name being the Twentieth Century Club. The first monthly meeting was held on Monday afternoon, when Miss Hughes read a paper on The Hidden Life of Women in Japan," a small collection of exhibits from that interesting country being also on view. Miss Hugbes, who is president of the club, gave a very entertaining account of the life of Japanese women. Mrs Pardoe and Mrs Murrell, Barry, are the hon. secretaries of the club, which, in the words of Miss Hughes, will be a meeting-place for all that is most earnest and vigorous and progressive among tbe women of Barry. The promoters cordially welcome any woman who is ready to contribute a certain amount of time and energy to improving herself and developing such powers as she possesses, and doing what she can for the development of her fellow-women and for the town of Barry. -'I

UNION OF TEACHERS. At a meeting of this association, held at the Higher Grade School on Saturday, Mr Tom John was nominated for the vice-presidency of the N.U.T., and Mr Hamilton (London) was. nominated treasurer. A discussion took place on the scheme for the formation of a Glamorgan County Association, and it was decided that the Cardiff Association should join subject to certain conditions.

PATHETIC INCIDENT. In London on Saturday an inquest took place on the body of Rose Marian Castle, aged 48, the wife of a marine store dealer, residing at Oxford- street, Mile End. George Castle said the deceased, his wife, had suffered with her heart for some years. On Tuesday night he took her to the Paragon Music Hall, and she sat out the whole of the performance, and evidently enjoyed it. They were leaving at the close, when the deceased suddenly rushed to aseat and exclaimed, Oh, God, I think 2 shall die I" Assistance was rendered, and a doctor who was sent for pro- nounced life extinct. Dr. Matthew Cursham Corner deposed that ueath was due to syncope, following an epileptic seizure, and possibly accelr ted by the evening's excitement.The jury retulh- j a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

BORN ON LANTERN HILL. The death is announced of Mrs Clogg, daughter of the late Mr John Davie, formerly Lloyd's agent at llfracombe, who resided at the bouse on Lantern Hill, now used as a light- house. The deceased—Ellen Davie—was born at Lantern Hill, llfracombe, on August 5th, X843, she being one of a family of 13 children, most of whom were also born on Lantern Hill, and only two survive her. Mrs M. Summerhill, of Fore-street, Ilfracomb e, and Mrs Buckingham, of Greensbury, Ohio. Deceased w^nt to Cleve- land, America, in 1873, and married Mr George H. Clogg, also of an old Ilfracombe family, in 1878. She died recently at Strongsville, leaving a husband and a large circle of friends.

ABERDARE COUNCIL AND COUNTY CLERK. MR FRANKLEN'S LETTERS CRITICISED. Strong Remarks. At a meeting of the Aberdare Urban District Council on Monday, Mr E. Hann, J.P., in the chair, the clerk read certain correspondence which had passed between him and Mr Franklen, clerk of the County Council. He (the District Council clerk) in accordance with instructions of the Council, wrote Mr Franklen, calling attention to the need of telephonic communica- tion between Cwmaman Police Station and Aberdare Police Station. In the coarse of his letter he pointed out that in the case of a fire 9-t Cwmaman the constable there had no means of communicating with the inspector or the tire station at Aberdare. Mr Franklen wrote a curt reply, ignoring the general subject of the request, and merely stating that the County Council were not authorised to expend moneys in the prevention of fires, which was entirely a matter for the District Council. In answer, he (Mr Phillips) wrote stating that he was perfectly aware that the County Council had nothing to do with the prevention of fires, which was men- tioned only in illustration of the great need of some means of communication between Cwm- aman and Aberdare Police Stations. He added that the suggestion to write him had emanated from members of the County Council who were also members of the District Council. He had received no further reply from Mr Franklen. Mr Rhys Llewellyn, who is a member of the County Council as well as of the District Council, said he thought they should pass a resolution instruct- ing their clerk to write again to Mr Franklen, stating that his reply was no reply at all. The Chairman, who is also a member of the County Council, said he thought the last letter from their clerk was sufficient. Mr Llewellyn said, It appears to me that he wants to rule this Council as well as the County Council. He does that already." The matter then dropped pending a further reply from Mr Fsanklen.

COUNTY COURT RULES. LOCAL HIGH BAILIFF'S TAXED COSTS. Important Point Raised. In the King's Bench Division on Monday Mr Justice Wright, sitting in bankruptcy, had before him the case of Rhys Morgan, of the Travellers' Rest Inn, Abercynon, Glamorgan. arising out of taxed" costs of Mr R. Williams, high bailiff, for a review of the taxation. It appeared that the debtor, Rhys Morgan, had three executions issued against him by creditors, under two of which the high bailiff was iu possession seven days, and under the third five days, and upon the taxation under the bankruptcy proceedings he was allowed costs at the rate of 109 a day each upon the three executions, each ot which was carried out upon different goods, the assets of the estate being valued -4L t SMO. The allowance on taxation was opposed in the court below by the Board of Trade, as teing in excess of that allowed by the.County Court Act, but waIJ un- successfully disputed, and the Board of Trade now applied for a review of the taxation, urging that only the costs of one execution at 10s a day could be allowed. Mr Muir Mackenzie appeared for the Board of Trade, and Mr Mellor for the high bailiff. It was submitted that the high bailiff could not under the Act be allowed the costs for more than one execution. It was pointed out that in this case the executions were issued against three different lota of goods, and that the whole of the goods were not seized under the first executions, but only the amount of the goods set out in the warrants. His Lordship said that the case was one of some importance, and it might be that it would eventually lead to an alteration in the rules. It was laid down that upon the execution being issued a sum not ex- ceeding 10s a day should be allowed under certain circumstances. In this case the executions had been issued upon three different parcels of goods, and that being so the case came within the higher scale. If they were the same goods dis- trained upon it would be a. different matter, and upon that only one charge would be allowed. The practice, rightly or wrongly, must continue until the rule was altered. The motion failed, and would be dismissed with costs. Leave was given to appeal.

CENTRAL WELSH BOARD. Sixth Annual Report. The sixth annual report of the Central Welsh Board (1902-1903), with statement of accounts, estimates, and appendices, has just been issued. There are now 95 intermediate schools opened throughout the Principality, 91 of them being in permanent buildings, and there is each year an increase in the number of pupil3, the figures for 1902 being, 8,322, as against 7,668 in 1901, and 7,445 in 1900. It is gratifying to observe that, of the 8,322 pupils as many au 6,038 came from public elementary schools. The permanent school staff numbers 488 teachers (an increase of 18 on the previous year), and of these 325 hold a degree or equivalent certificate. The Board express the opinion that the omission for the year of the usual complete and furmal inspection has in no way lessened the energy of the work of the schools, while it has relieved the gchools and the governing bodies of some strain. The cessation of the examination of the lowcrforms took effect last July, and this relieves the Board of an ex- penditure of about £ 700. The report now issued is dated May 15th last, and a good deal of its contents has already been made public in the re- ports of the Board's proceedings. While there was a substantial increase in the number of candidates entered for the three stages of the Board's examination, the percentage of passes in each case reveals itreduction. Thus, as regards the honours' certificate, the percentage of passes was 69 5, as against 79-1 per cent. in 1900, and 83-5 per cent. in 1901 for the senior certificate the passes were 56'25 per cent.. as against 75-3 per cent. in 1900, and for the junior certificate 62'05 per cent., as against 70'6 in 190 0. No ex- planation is offered as to the cause of this reduc- tion. Referring to the abolition by the Educa- tion Act of the county governing bodies, lind the transfer of.their function to the County Councils, the Board venture to expless the hope that they may welcome as representatives of the County Councils those of their body who have hitherto been the representatives of the county governing bodies, and that the more direct representation of the County Councils thaigiven will strengthen the relations between the Board and the rate- payers of Wales." Only nine counties and county borongbs have adopted the superannuation scheme. The Board regret this, and fear that the education authorities will in no long time be confronted with the alternative of retaining in their service teachers whose powers no longer enable them to do justice to the pupils, or of dis- missing, uncared and unprovided for, those who have given them efficient service during the best years of their lives. The financial statement shows that for the year ended March 31, 1903, the total expenditure of the Board (including cost of examination, inspection, and administra- tion) was S6,593 lis 5d, which works out to an average co st of R69 8s Id per school, and an average cost of 15s lOd ner pupil on the books. The excess of expenditure over income was M83 3s .1d.

POLICE-SERGT. MALTREATED. Cowardly Crowd at Ynysybwl. John Brown, Ynysybwl, was charged at Merthyr Police Court on Monday with assaulting Police-sergeant Weeks at Ynysybwl on Satur- day. The sergeant stated that on Saturday ho was assaulted oy a number of rough young fellows and beaten very badly about the head and face. He had occasion to use his staff to defend himself. He had a couple of teeth knocked out, and was beaten by a man who came behind him, and was assaulted while on the ground. The crowd was very violent, and he had to make his escape through the rear of a shop. He had never before experienced such rough treatment. The crowd cried Hurrah when he was down. P.C. W. Richards corro- borated. Prisoner was fined £ 20, or two months' hard labour.

NEWPORT GUARDSMAN'S PHILOSOPHY You've got to tell lies sometimes," said Thomas Llewellyn, of the Scots Guards, who wore the South African medal, to the justices at Newport on Monday. Llewellyn is on furlough at Newport, and on Wednesday he was cycling down High-street and ran into Mr C. H. Adams, knocking him down and bruising his leg. Llewellyn, who did not ring his bell. was thrown from his machine and was badly shaken. He gave the police a false name and address, and when ipoken to on Sunday he declared that he had never ridden a bicycle. Defendant was fined 21s. _———

LET HIS CHILD FALL. Tonypandy Collier at Cardiff. Thomas Davies (36), well-dressed, collier, of Tonvpand V I mude his first appearance in the Police Court at Cardiff on Monday, He was charged with being drunk while in charge of two children under the age of seven. It was stated that prisoner was going down Wood-street shortly after 5 o'clock on Sunday evening carrying one of the children in his arms. He let it drop on the I footway, and but for the intervention of a young man would have fallen over it. He was fined 10s and costs, the presiding magistrate remarking that if it had not been his first offence the tine would have been much heavier.

HIGH BAILIFF'S FEES. In the King's Bench Division in Bankruptcy on Monday Mr Justice Wright disposed of the case of R. Morgan, in which R. Williams, high bailiff of the Glamorgan County Court, succeeded upon a reviewal of his costs bv the Board of Trade. It appeared that costs at a rate not exceeding 10s a day for seven days were allowed under three different executions against one estate, but upon three different sets of goods. These charges the Boa.rd of Trade took exception to on the ground that they were exorbitant, submitting that the I County Court Act limited the fee to 10s a day on one or more executions. His Lordship was of opinion that the fees were not exorbitant under the particular circumstances of the case, and must continue until the present law was altered I The motion was dismissed.

At a public meeting ot the Penarth Public Health Committee on Monday night the medica officer reported that the births for Septembe: I corresponded to an annual birth-rate of 29 pe: 11,000, and the deatbato 12 per 1,000.

r BEDWELLTY COUNCIL Alleged Evasion of Building The Bedwellty District Council held l^oii meeting at their new offices at New Tredegar^ Monday. The premises were acquired Rechabites Society, the price of tra0S'eJ9in jo £ 470. The Council have spent about alterations and furniture. Dr. R. T. E. Dft J.P., who occupied the chair, complimented members upon the new premises. --g The surveyor (Mr J. H. Lewis) reported ha received for approval from the District Council the plan of a proposed bridgo Bargoed which was not in accordance wJtn resolution adopted by the Joint Conanntte the two Councils at Bargoed on Fobraaxy when it was decided that the present ot should be widened with girders on the souti -j«e, whereas the plan showed an entirely new bri The Clerk (Mr J. A. Shepard) was 'n3truc'ethftt write to the Gelligaer authority pointing out the conditions had not been carried oat, an ing for a further meeting between the respec parties. tj.er The surveyor reported that he bad made f&r .fl inquiries respecting the damp courses of ce'.()0S houses in course of erection. Since a visit narrow strips of felt, varying from 4 in to 4$inches, had been inserted on the outer of the 14 inch walls of slope, and under tbe •> walls tha strips of felt varied from 2 to 3 in width. Under the 9 inch wall of one h only was tbe damp course satisfasto No damp course had been on the pine end of other !l0n!jjd a) builder often sold houses to poor peop^ n\6& A was consequently a serious matter. Th^e Mr J. A. Shepard) in reply to Mr .jja said offenders could be summoned before Council to show cause why the houses not be pulled down or removed, or they con1 summoned before the local magistrates. Mr Lewis said no amount of patching up remedy a matter of that nature, and some p fellow who had bought a house might be pn" a lot of expense to get his property in J It .was decided to take magisterial r)rocoediu in the matter, aud also in a case of a breach of bye-laws by commencing tbe ereew of houses before plans had been passed. ease A new rate of Is 4d in the £ being 2d ineroo, upon that of the previous six months.was s-tÆ1 lhe medical officer (Dr. H. T. Evans) reP° «j6 that during the past quarter there births, or 39'86 per 1,000, and 32 deaths,1"?^ per 1,000, which, he said, was the lowest rate of any local authority he was aware of.. It was decided to continue the all-night ing of the street lamps at New Tredega1 Blackwood, and committees were inspect the several districts regarding ot lights. x Rhymney and Aber Gaa and Water Co. reported that they hoped to have their new works pleted within thiee months, after which would be in aposition to give an adequate sOpP1' of water to all parts within their area. It was reported that the taxed costs Council's opposition to the Western Vallw" I main sewerage scheme was LM 13s 3d.

LLANELLY COUNTY COURT. A Peculiar Compensation Case. At Llanelly County Court on Monday, before Judge Bishop, E, Clarke, Cwmbach, Llsoeille sued A. E, Sayors and Company, for £ 1114s 6a, on the ground that a bought from them was not according to Several witnesses were heard, and the J0" expressed the opinion that if there had BOOP any defects in the bicycle it should have boo returned. He gave judgment for defendants. Margaret Ann Morgan claimed £ 100 f*1^ Thomas Williams and Sons, Llangennech^ compens\tion for the death of her father,who W*" killed by the fall of a rope at defendant I colliery. Mr Ivor Bowen, who appeared for company, said that the amount had been pal f into court, and it was only a question of apportionment. His Honour decided to let tb parties themselves divide the money. John Lewis, coliier, made a claim against the Great Western Colli^ Company under a verbal agreement. It *? stated that £ 50 wap now due, being arrears the rate of lOa a week from 1901. Mr parsOos, who appeared for the company, said there VVO now a startling attempt on the part of the otbet side to alter an agreement that had long ago settled by his Honour. Mr Saunders, of tbe fi^ of Randell and Sannders, produced the agio, ment, which was filed in Sept., 1901, and said remained on ths file of the conrt until Junei this year. Mr Simons, solicitor, also gave evidence and said that if be thought that Messrs Randell and Sannders would attempt to withdraw from the agreeing he would have had nothing to do with them. 0." Honour said this was an unfortunate misunder" standing between solicitors, and gave a verdict tor defendant with costs on the higher scale, 813" refused to rectify the agreement.

EISTEDDFOD AT FLEUR DELIS. The third annual Eisteddfod in connectiOll [ with Salem Chapel, Fleur-de-lis, was held at I Parish Hall on Monday, and proved a success* The Rev. LI. Jenkins was conductor. Adjudic** J tors :—Mr T. Gabriel, Bargoed Mt W. Edward3 (Gwilym Lon), Machen Mr Powell, Fleurdelis. Awards ;-Pianoforte solo- I Miss Cassie Miles, Nelson. Boys' solo-maswt J. Thomas, Merthyr Vale. Children's recitation — Miss M. A. Harris, Grangetown. Cardiff. G, s solo-Miss Maud Trlbot, Abertillery. Juvenile choir—Merthyr Vale Choir, conductor Mr Idij Jenkins,Machen Blue Ribbon Choir being second. Contralto solo—Divided between Misses P°* James, Abersychan, and Gertrude JoneSi Abertillery, Tenor solo- W. Jones, AberoanaJd. Recitation, Miss M. A. Harris, Griangetovm* Soprano solo, Miss Grunter, Abertillery. tone BOIO, Mr J. Doughton. Ebbw Vale, In male voice competition there were four narVffa viz., New Tredagar and Tirphil, Cambrian ijida Society, Merthyr Vale, and Britannia. Tne adjudicators, in giving their award, said tbl defect of choral work generallv was exaggeration- There was a tendency to strain after effects, which had been the downfall of a numbe of the best choirs. Singers should never lose sight of the fact that to be truly artistic was tG be natural. The pianissimo was too often givoo as a whisper, and the fortissimo as a shout. Tf standard of singing at this Eisteddfod had, they stated, been of a high order, which augured for the future. The award was given in favour o Merthyr Vale (conductor Mr J. H. Morris). concert was held at night.

LLANELLY TRACTION SCHEME. At a meeting of the Estates Committee of Fjlanelly Urban District Council on Monday tj1 question of electric lighting and traction for to town was further considered. The Board °. Trade had threatened to revoke the Provisional Order for the electric lighting of the town, and it was agreed to take steps to prevent this. D. R. Edmunds complained that the case soD* mitted to counsel by their solicitor was not laid befoie them. He had written to the clerks 0 the Dublin and Great Grimsby whose cases weie instanced as a precedent towns which had gone to Parliament to recti*? agreements, and he produced a repjy from tn former stating that they had not sought or of' tamed regulations of this kind. The case<> Great Grimsby was not analogous. Mr Randel • solicitor, in reply, submitted the opinion 0 counsel, Mr Vesey Knox, one of the leading Parliamentary lawyers of the day. He that Mr Vesey Knox quoted three authority and he would prefer taking his opinion even that of Mr Edmunds'.—Mr Edmunds I very glad of that sneering compliment. Randell took jolly good care he did not DUt tn case before us before he submitted it to coaDBlV —There had been other passages between tn two gentlemen, and Mr S. H. Bevau said that > more of this was going on he would leave th room. It was decided, on the proposition of W D. J. Davies, to recommend the Council to go to Parliament to compel the specific of the contract with the British Insulated Wire Company.

GLAMORGAN POLICE AFFAIRS. The Standing Joint Committee of tbo Glamorgan Quarter Sessions and County Couno' met on Monday at Cardiff. Mr O. tl. J011^ presiding. The Chief Constable, in his aBD5^ report, showed the strength of the police ^ot<Z was 467, with 43 constables employed by companies. The approximate population county in September, 1903, was 657,295..1- Chairman expressed the opinion that these f were very much exaggerated. An estimate boi on the number of voters on the new register votes gave a population of 637,000, and t county medical officer's estimate was 638,000. f The Chief Constable made application ^ot-ae increase of the force by two sergeants, one aCVfj. sergeant, and 17 constables. The following tions were gra.nted :—Merthyr Division, j constables (Cwmaman, Mountain Ash, 91 Matthewstown) Pontypridd Division, geantT(for Peutre), and one constable llechan Bridgend Division, one sergeant I Port Talbot), and three constables (T.vnewy Penlline, and Laleston) Barry Dock ^VI9ln)j, three constables (Bargoed, Aber, and Petersto a total addition of 10 constables and two s geants. Qg Sub-committees were appointed to rePorltia{t applications for new police stations at Abergwynfi, aud Cwmavon. It was resolve build new police stations-, at Llanharran Cwmgorse, and sub-committees were appointeo I select sites. After a service of 37 years and three c0<j^y't Inspector Cooke has retired, and at Mono*, meeting he was voted a pension of JE95 6a 3d. _.to .<h..

THE CWMAMAN PUBLIC PARK. At tbe close of the meeting of the Aberd^ Urbun District Council on Monday Mr«» i, Bucknell, on behalf of the Conncil, Pre8^h t the chairman, Mr E. M. Hann, J.P-, gf silver key, bearing an appropriate inscript^ a memento of the opening of Cwmam*n Park, at which he officiated. Mr Hann tn the Council for tbeir gift, which he hitfhly aPe ciated, and expressed a hope that shor^ someone else might have the pleasure of a park at Aberaman. (Loud aDplanse.)

Mr E- Bernard Reece held an inqof^ogji Cardiff on Monday touching the ^eat^^y Davis (25), a coloured seaman, whose bouj^ found in the Glamorgan Canal by P.C- -j- 5 Thomas on Saturday morning. Decease 're#C« 1 formerly lived with a woman in gait* r was last seen alive about a week ago. ff c said death was due to drowning. r"fce turned an open verdict.