The Cardiff Times

Voluntary Schools. CARMARTHENSHIRE CONFLICT. Managers' Bitter Complaint. NO-RATE AID POLICY REVIEWED At the meeting of the Carmarthenshire County Council on Wednesday, Mr J. W. Qwynne-Hughes, Tregib, presiding, a. suggestion to introduce scientific temperance teach- ing in the elementary schools was re- ferred to the Education Committee. It was decided to revise the coontv rate basis. Professor Jones, Presbyterian College, Carmar- then, presented the report of the Edneation Com- mittee, and it was decided to borrow £ J ,530 for enlarging Penygicea Council School, the parish to bear three-fourths of the coat of repayment, and to refer back to the committee the question J sf the erection ot a new school near Parkyihyn- fach. Ammanford. During the further consideration of thaEduca- j lion Committee-s report Mr T. P. Wilkins (Bnrry I Port) stated tbac the managers had hardly any- I thing to do, and the committee ought to delegate more duties to them. They could not get an ounce of coal or deal with dirty towels without I referring it to the Education Committee. Several letters from correspondents of various < "Voluntary schools applying for school require- ments, covl, <fec., having been referred to the Coanty Council, Mr Wm. David said it was a perfect farce to have the committee referring back little ques- tions from time to time. The Council had adopted a certain policy with regard to Voluntary lehools, and the position was simply this-that If the committee were not prepared to carry out She policy of the Council they ought to resign en bloc (bear. hear) and let the Roads Committee take their place. (Laughter.) Mr John Johns (Parcethyn) moved that the letters be laid on the table. f Mr John Williams (Llanginning) asked whether the managers could not order coal and such necessaries without getting the permission of the Education Committee. -Toe Chairman No, they cannot. Mr John Williams Are the managers entirely fettered to the sanction of the Education Com- mittee ? The Chairman Yes, they are. Mr Alfred Stephens (Kidwelly) Can they not get these requirements out of the grants I' they earn in the ordinary way. The Rev. Wm. Davies (Llandilo) The only course we can consistently follow, in face of one j resolution, is to have nothing to do with the Voluntary schools. (Hear, hear.) Colonel 1 ewes (Liysnewydd) pointed out that the Voluntary schools were to be carried on by the Council, and they were bound, according to their duty as loyal subjects, to carry out the Act. If the Council did not provide necessaries, then the Board of Education would be obliged to enforce their powers. Mr John Lloyd said be should like a modifica- tion of the resolution of the Council for humani- tarian reasons —if they were responsible for anpplving the Voluntary schools with coal. If they were not going to supply coal the children would be starved during the winter months, un- less their parents prevented them from going to school. The Rev. A. Fuller Mills (Carmarthen) I should like to ask where they had coal in the past 1 Mr John Lloyd said he had visited a British school, on the previous day, on the top of Panteg, and there was not a bit of fire there. 8ir James Hills-Johns said he thought they were I going out of their way to do a great injustice to the children, a great many of whom were Non- conformists. Mr John Johns said that the only possible course for Mr Lloyd and the others to follow waa to propose the rescission of tbe special resolu- tions passed by the Council. Mr W. N. Jones (Tirydail) pointed out that The resolution of the Council referred to aid out of the rates the things asked for could be paid for out of the grants earned. ( No, no.") Mr T. F. Wilkins moved and Mr D. L. Jones (Derlwyn) seconded that during the current quarter only so much ?rant shall be paid to each Voluntary school as is received from the Board of Education in respect of such school. Mr J. S. Tregoniug (Llanelly) Are you going to say to the managers of the Voluntary schools, You shall have the giants, buy your own coal and sticks and do whatever you like with the grants as if no such institution as the County Council existed ? In other words, what is pro- posed is to hand over to the managers of the Voluntary schools the entire control of the grants earned bv those schools, but no rates. (" Yes.") Well, that is a clear issue. Whether it is a wise or just issue is another matter. Sir James Hills-Johns moved, and Mr Alfred Stephens seconded, as an amendment, that the total amount of grants received during the quar- ter in respect of the Voluntary schools through- out the coiinty be pooled and divided among them irrespective of the amount earned by each school. The Clerk pointed out that the Act contem- plated that the grants for all schools should be paid into the connty fund and that all schools should be maintained out of the common fund. If the motion was adopted several small schools would only have a few pounds to carry them- selves on with necessaries until April or May next, but the amendment would obviate this to a great extent. On a division the motion was carried, five Voting for the amendment. The clerk, in answer to questions, said that the future administration of seven charities in the county awaited the decision of the Board of Education. Mr W. N. Jones asked whether sanction had been received to borrow £ 5,000 which the Council had decided upon as the sum necessary to be procured as a working balance for carrying on the Council schools. The Clerk said there had been lengthy corre- spondence of a technical character with the Board of Education on the matteT of the sanction of the loan, and he might say that, judging by the tenor of the letters he had received, it was quite probable that, in view of all the schools in the county not being dealt with equally, the loan would be refused. That was what he inferred from the letters, which he then read to the Council. Mr W. N. Jones If, after this correspondence is concluded, the Board of Education reply that they will not sanction the loan as a working balance for the Council schools would it be wise for the Education Committee to call a special meeting of the Council to consider the matter ? Several Members Yes. A number of British schools were formally transferred to the control of the Council, and representative managers were appointed.

-0_ PROBLEM OF AERIAL FLIGHT. A Welshman's Investigations. At the hatf-veafly meeting of the Governors of the North Wales University College on Wed- nesday Lord Kenyon referred to the investiga- tes made by Mr W. C. Williams on the longi- tudinal stability of aerial gliders, and said that Professor Bryan had stated that he was in a posi- tion to assert that Mr WHHams investigations contained the clue to the solution of the problem of aerial flight.

LOSS OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. Master's Certificate Suspended. The Court gave j udgment at Newcastle yesterday in the inquiry into the circumstances attending the foundering of the Newcastle steamship Firth of Forth. The master (James Russell Brady) was found in default, and his certificate was suspended for twelve months.

"NOTHING CHEAPER OR BETTER THAN VI-COCOA. Thousands of men and women say this. Ex- perience has told them that a 6d packet or 9d or Is 6d tin of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa is the best value in the world. Experience also tells them that Vi-Cocoa affects beneficially both the old and the young, and possesses properties equally valuable to the weary brain worker and to the man or woman whose labours aie more particularly manual. In faet there is no cocoa like Vi-Cocoa, and if you bave not tried it the Proprietors will willingly tend yon a dainty sample tin free upon receipt of a postcard addressed to60, Bunhill Bow- London, B.O.

THE TINPLATE TRADE. Tynewydd Arbitration Favourable to the Men. Mr Askwltb, the barrister appointed by the Board of Trade to alt at Newport on Friday last to arbitrate on the question of payment for the sizes 30 by 21 three L's, at the Tynewydd and Pontuewydd TinplateWorks,has given his award. It is to the effect that the men are to be paid by the area on the order mentioned, and not by the weight. This is what the men claimed. Patent Mill Furnaces. Ten patent beating furnaces have for some time been at worn at the 3henaneo Works. Newcastle, Pa., owned by the American Trust. They have proved so successful that the whole of the 30 mills have been temporarily closed down, so that the remaining heating furnaces a* this, the largest tinplate works in the world, may be conformed to the new requirements. Welsh people who have friends and relations at Demmler, Pa., will regret to learn that the American.Tinplate Co. have closed down their plant there for an indefinite period. American Sheet Mills Idle. The American steel sheet trade is in a depressed condition, it being reported that 50 per cent. of the sheet mills are idle. A reduction of wages at non-Union mills is contemplated.

A MERTHYR SUICIDE. Second Attempt Successful. John Evans i45),40, Aberfan-crescent, Merthyr Vale, died on Wednesday at the Merthyr Work- house from self-inflicted injuries. Deceased was employed on the 3rd inst. as labourer at the pit top, Dowlais Collieries, Abercynon. About 8 that morning he went to breakfast with another man, and about 10 o'clock he was found by Thomas Nash in the arch way with bis throat cut by a pocket knife, which he still had in his band. He became very violent, and was removed to the Merthyr Infirmary. Deceased twelve months ago attempted suicide by cutting bis throat. On Wednesday evening Mr R. J. Jihys held an inquest upon the body. Police sergeant Evans stated that when he arrested deceased in an acchway at the colliery deceased rushed at him with the knife. A \erdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.

KILLAY RIGHT OF WAY. Judgment in Favour. At Swansea County Court on Wednesday (before Judge Gwilym Williams and a jury) William Williams, tenant under Sir Robert Morris, of Corner House Farm, Killay, brought an action against Robert Tucker, sen., collier, for damages for trespass and aiso for an injunc- tion against a repetition of the trespass. Mr Villiers Meager appeELred for plaintiff, and Mr L. M. Richards for the defence. The question has excited much interest in the neighbourhood because of a contention that colliers bad a right to cross fields in the occupation of the plain- j till to reach a shaft constructed by Mr Philip Richard three or four years ago. Ihe question of right of way was now to be decided. In defence Mr Richards urged that the path in question had been used since the time when the Caergynyth Colliery was work- ing, 30 vears ago, Several witnesses were called in support, and the jury returned a verdict for defendant.

NORTH WALES COLLEGE. Valuable Bequests. At the half-yearly meeting of the Governors of the North Wales University College on Wed- nesday Lord Kenyon stated that 45,000 bad been received from the trustees of the late Mr Jno. Hughes, formerly Lord Mayor of Liverpool, for the benefit of Carnarvon and Anglesey boys. It was likely that a. similar sum would be received from the trustees of Dr. Evan Thomas, which the Council had deaided to allocate to the new building fund, and call whatever part of the College it was devoted to after his name. Mr J. Bryn Roberts, M.P., was elected treasurer. Laly Verney Winslow, Dr. Lloyd Roberts, Manchester Mr J. L. Muspratt, Rhyl; Mr T. Rowlands Hughes, Liverpool; and Mr J. Prit- chard Jones, Hampstead, London, were ap- pointed on the Council for five years.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT. Four Workmen Injured. A serious accident involving injury to four workmen occurred at Messrs Armstrong, Whit- worth and Co.'s gun works, Manchester, on Wednesday. A gang of men were hoisting an armour plate weighing 30 tons over the furnace, when tbe supporting hand of the crane gave way, the bnge piece of steel falling and pinnjpg four men to the ground. One man's foot was cnt off, the legs of two others were smashed, while a fourth sustained a crushed foot. _F_

ALLEGED THEFT WITH VIOLENCE AT NANTYGLO. Prisoner Prefers Trial by Jury. Thomas Baker (31), a single collier, living at Humphrey Hughes's houses, Nantyglo. was brought up in custody at a special police court at Brynmawr on Wednesday (before Messrs A. Gage ana J. Watkins), charged with stealing a suit of clothes from Mary Powell, widow, resid- ing at Forge-row, Nantyglo, on Saturday night last. Mr J. G. Bishop (clerk), in order to facili- tate the procedure, said that at this stage be would ask prisoner whether he would elect to be dealt with summarily or to go to Brecon Assizes before a jury. Prisoner replied that he would go before a jury. Mr T. G. Powell, Brynmawr, who appeared to | prosecute for complainant, said that bad prisoner decided to be dealt with summarily only the charge of larceny wonld have been preferred against him, but now that he had elected to go before a jury he (Mr Powell) would prefer a charge of stealing with violence, and would only call sufficient evidence to justify a remand for witnesses to be called as to the violence. Mary Powell, the complainant, stated that she left Brynmawr to return home about 11 o'clock on Saturday night last, and when near Nantyglo Church a man rushed up to her, struck her on the shoulder with his closed fists, knocking her down, and then dragged a parcel containing a suit of clothes from her arm, and made off with it. She identified prisoner as her assailant. Baker was remanded in custody till Friday.

CHILD'S DEATH AT DOWLAIS. Parents Censured. The adjourned inquest on James Thomas Jones, six weeks old, was resumed by the coroner, Mr R. J. Rhys, on Wednesday afternoon at the Clarence Hotel, Dowlais. Dr. Stnart Cresswell said that since the adjournment he had made a post-mortem examination, and found that the child, which was well nourished and appeared to have been well-cared for had nomark8 of violence on the body. He found that the child died from suffocation, due to overylaying. The jury re- turned a verdict accordingly, but requited the Coroner to censure the parents for their drunken conduct on this and other occasions. The Coro- ner, in censuring them, said that such conduct if persisted in might lead to their committal to the Assizes.

JEOPARDISING CHEDDAR CLIFFS. At a meeting of the Somerset County Council held on October 20th it was resolved That the Somerset County Council have, with much regret, received information that great damage has been, and is being, caused to the Cheddar Cliffs by extensive quarrying operations on both sides of the gorge. Also that stone crushing machines are a great nuisance to foot passen- gers, and a cause of danger to vehicular traffic. The Council would strongly urge upon the owners of the cliffs the importance to themselves, the country, and the general public ot preserving such a unique natural gorge, as far as possible, in its original eondition." Similar resolutions have been passed by the Wells City Council and the Urban District Councils of Frome and Weston. super. Man. 1

Deluge of Rain. FLOODS IN NORTH WALES. Heavy Losses at Carnarvon. An enormous amount of damae has been caused in Carnarvon and surrounding districts by floods. Experienced seamen declare the sud- den, prolonged, and unprecedentedly heavy down- Eour of Tuesday is only comparable to cloud nrsts experienced in the tropics. It swept the western side of Snowdonia, swelling rivsrs in a few minutes, until they spread over thousands of acres of low-lying land. Cadmant River, ordi- narily a small stream flowing through the centre of Carnarvon, which is bridged over, business premises being built upon the superstructure, | reached such proportions that the subterranean course could not accommodate one-fourth of the volume of water, which therefore rushed in an ungovernable torrent through the chief business part of the town. Shop cellars were filled, and men were working up to their necks in water: endeavouring to save goods. The force of water was enormous, washing up shop steps, sweeping goods from shop floors, and driving attendants from the counters. The railway, including the tunnel and half-mile beyond, was submerged from four to 15 feet deep, completely blocking a II traffic. The loss to shopkeepers is very heavy, while household furniture in streets occupied by the working classes has been ruined. The art- face of the streets is torn up. A heavy snow storm followed, and at midnight the Snowdonian Range was covered. Rescued through the Hoof. The main Holyhead road between Chester and Bagillt is entirely blocked to traffic at Flint. At Mold the entire valley of the river Alyn is under water. Near Wrexbam at one house the occupant was rescued through the roof. Great damage has been effected in Denbigh- shire. Between Trevor and Llangollen the main road is impassable for over a mile. Bridges have been washed away and large numbers of sheep drowned. Walls were dashed down at Llangollen and railway traffic somewhat inter- rupted. Bangor-is-y-coed, Bear Ruabon, is com- pletely isolated, and the horses are seriously flooded. At Chirk Councillor Rowley, the North Wales Miners' Federation president, I through his house being flooded slept in a neighbouring chapel. All Records Beaten with One Exception. This year's rainfall, according to information obtained at the Meteorological Offices in j Victoria-street, London, has, so far, beaten all records since 1852. Up till eight o'clock on Mon- day morning 33'45 inches had been registered in official London," which for meteorological purposes is at Brixton. In 1852, for the whole of the year, the rainfall was 34 2 inches, or only about half an inch more than for a period of less than ten months of the present year. Even that record is likely to be washed away before the end of the month, and by the end of the yesl it is expected to be hopelessly out of the running. The only other two years that approach 1903 during the past half-century ara 1860, when the rainfall at GreenwIch was 32'Oin., and 1879, when 31'99in. was registered in London. As a natural result of the wet weather the United Kingdom has had less sunshine in 1903 than in any similar period during the past 20 years, and witnone exception—England, N.W.— the sunshine in every district has been con- siderably below the average. Curiously enough, the exception has had sixty-one hoars more sun- shine than the mean record. Rainfall at Barry. At a meeting of the Barry Gas and Water Committee, held on Monday evening, Mr E. W. Waite, the water engineer, reported that the rainfall for September was 2*80 inches. In view of the exceptional rainfall of the present year it was reported that tbe total fall up to October 23rd was 38*11 inches. The highest totals recorded are for the years 1886 and 1894 with total falls of 40 68 inches and 38'85 Miches re- spectively. It is anticipated that the fall this year will exceed that of 1886. 200 Houses Inundated. A heavy rain storm on Sunday evening occa- sioned sericu3 damage at Bar/oed. Owing to the lack of storm water drainage in new streets no adequate means are available for diverting into safe channels the torrents which pour down the mountain side during severe wet weather. It is alleged that the Gelligaer District Council have persistently turned a deaf ear to all appeals of too Bargoed representatives to have adequate drainage provided on the McDonald and Hanbmy I estates before the building of new streets is completed. On Sunday evening, whilst the majority of people were in places of worship there was a very heavy downpour of rain, and in I a short space of time water was rushing like a millrace through the streets. The ordinary I drains were choked immediately, and in places I miniature lakes soon formed. The facf that moat of the people were away from home made matters worse, for there were consequently many houses, which might have been protected from inundation, into which the water found access. Altogether about 200 houses were flooded at depths varying from 18 inches to 4ft. 6in. Houses which suffered worst were in Greenfield- terrace, FranciB-street, Elsie-road, and Bristol- tertace. A. number of business places were flooded in High-street and Hanbury-coad, and the pre- mises of Mr Gus Jones, jeweller, Messrs Wil- liams and Sou, ironmongers, and the Conservative Ciub fared badly. Much damage was dona to the roadways, in which at some points holes a yard deep were washed. TRAINS STOPPED. The total quantity of rain that bad fallen in Cardiff during the present month at Trade-street Depot up to 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning wag 8'88 inches, which represents the heaviest rainfall for many years past. The rainfall at the Beacons Reservoir during October up lo 9 o'clock on Monday morning represented 16'51 inches. During the past 2t hours considerably over half an inch must have fallen, which would bring tbe total thus far over 17 inches, which ia the heaviest recorded in a single month in the Toff Vawr. Serious Mishap at Blaenavon. On Tuesday night, about 9 o'clock, the rear portion of the Griffin Hotel, Blaenavon, owned by Messrs Webb, of Aberbeeg, and in the occu- pation of Mr A. Walker, collapsed. Torrents of rain had fallen during the day andsewers became choked. The main culvert runs from the top of the town through Broad-street, to the river. and over this culvert the hotel is built. It is suppoeed that the vast volumes of water caused the cuivert to give way, and so induced f be collapse of the hotel. The inmates had some warning, and fortunately no one was hurt, though the young daughter of the landlord had a marvellous escape. She was sleeping in the back- room when the rear of the building fell, and was picked up uninjured. The front part of the pre- mises remained intact, but fears were entertained that turtber subsidence of the culvert might occur and again affect the hotel. Adjoining the hotel are the Blaenavon Co-operative Stores, which are also built over the culvert. North Wales Deluged. The western coast of North Wales was on Tuesday visited by a rainfall of unprecedented violence and lasting hours without intermission. Carnarvon main streets were swept by roaring torrents, shops being flooded and great quantities of goods ruined. In the lower parts of the town boats were plying through the strsets and people sheltering in upner rooms. The London and North-Western Railway beyond the town was 4ft. under water, which, reaching the engine fires, brought the trains to a standstill. The railway authorities had to stop the trains beyond the submerged portion and transfer passengers and mails. No such quantity of rain has fallen within living memory. Pantyffynon Under Water. The rivers Amman and Loughor have over- flowed their banks, and the villages of Tirydail and Pantyffynon at the time of writing were under water, At Pantyffynon the lower rooms were flooded to a height of six to eight feet, Several houses in Quay-street, Ammanford, were also flooded, and the road to the station was impassable. Such a flood has not been known for the last 40 years. Shropshire Farmer Engulphed. On Wednesday William Roberts, farmer, of Upton Magna,near Shrewsbury, who went though the South African campaign with the Shropshire Yeomanry, loet bis life while attempting to rescue some cattle from flooded land. His horse got into a bog and he was thrown into it and dis- appeared from sight. Efforts to find the body have been unsuccessful. Agriculturists have suffered severely throughout Shropshire. Hun- dreds of acres of grain are rotting in the fields and miles of land are under water. Thames Rising. Rain again fell heavily in the Thames Valley during the early hours ot Wednesday irorning, and thousands of acres of land are submerged at Marlow. The river is rising with alarming rapidity. Lighting Station Flooded. Some extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Wrexham on Tuesday evening owing to the heavy rainfall. Many bouses were flooded, and in some districts the inhabitants were imprisoned in the bedrooms for several hours. The machinery at the electric light station was partly covered with water; and much consternation was caused when the electric light went out. It was soon re- started, however. The electric trams had to cease runuing for a considerable time. Railway Embankment Destroyed. The rainstorm in the Chester district on Tuesday night was the severest in living memory. About 8 o'clock a flood of water struck the railway em- bankment near Pentre, on the Chester and Holyhead Railway, and swept it away and flooded the line. Traffic had to be suspended and was afterwards worked on the single line. Gwendraeth Valley. The low-lying districts between Burry Port and Kidwelly are completely inundated. Parts of tbe Gwendraeth Valley are also covered with water, and trains were blocked at Pontyates and Pontnewydd on Tuesday night by the overflow of the river Gwendraeth. Twenty Hours' Deluge in Scotland. For 20 hoars rain fell generally in Scot- land without a break. At times it came down like whole water. The crops remaining standing I are absolutely ruined, and can only be utilised for manure. Following the long weeks of rain. the land is sodden, and with the overflowing rivers the districts of the Tweed, Tay, and Spey ttrw in a heavy flooded state.

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SERIOUS FIRE AT PENARTH, Grocers' Premises Gutted. About 8.30 on Wednesday, an alarming fire with Berious consequences, occurred on the premises of Messrs Hayter and Sons, grocers and provision merchants. Arcot and Plassev-streets, Penarth. Smoke was seen issuing from the cellar underneath the shop, which was stored with a large quantity of empty boxes. These being dry, and many more or less filled with straw were highly inflammable, and within a few minutes the cellar was a mass of fire. Large crowds were attracted by the conflagration, but it was at least ten minutes before the local brigade arrived with reel and bose, and by this time the fire bad obtained a firm hold. Two lengths of hose were promptly brought into play, and the fire appeared quickly to abate, but ere long it was discovered that the blaze had ex- tended to the shop, and burst forth with in- creased intensity, the result being one of the most extensive fires seen in Penarth for a long time past. The floor of the shop fell with a crash, the whole of the contents of the premises being destroyed, including a large quantity of the furniture in the dwelling-house adjoining. Miss Ethel Voisey was the first to raise the alarm of fire,-and sent some boys to the house, but all the family were out at an entertainment at the Arcot-street Wesleyan Chapel. They were, however, quickly communicated with, and were soon on the scene. The premises and its contents a.-e fully covered by insurance. The fire is supposed to have originated by some boys letting off some fireworks, as it was known that only a few minutes previously four boys were thus engaged. The estimated damage is between 1400 and S500. In conversation with Captain Morris, of the Fire Brigade, one of our representatives was informed that, in their efforts to get the upper hand of the outbreak, the brigade were for- tunately able to drpw upon an ample supply of water, and an enormous volume was poured into the burning mass through three lengths of hose. It was not found necessary to utilise the fire engine. The conflagration was extinguished within two hours. -J.

GALLANT SWANSEA MAN. Award for Distinguished Conduct. At Swansea Liberal Club 11 smoker" on Wednes. day evening Sic George Newne3, M.P., presented to Sergeant Tom Francis, of the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, the medal for distinguished conduct on the field. Francis, during the war, while a trooper, volunteered when his company of 140 men wore in danger of annihilation to carry despatches. His captain endeavoured to dissuade him because of the danger, but he persisted, and being given the best horse in the regiment, pro- ceeded right through the enemy's lines. His horse was shot under him after he had gone but u short distance, but, undismayed, the gallant trooper crawled the remainder of the distance, about seven miles, eventually reaching the main body, where he was again in perilt for the British, mis- taking him for a Boer, shot at but failed to hit him. l'he result of his gallantry was that succour was obtained aejd the beleaguered men relieved. For this he was instantly promoted to the rank of corporal, subsequently obtaining a sergeantcy and the medal for distinguished con- duct on the field.

SENSATIONAL INCIDENT AT BRISTOL. Attempted Suicide in a Cell. There was a sensational incident at Bristol Police Court on Wednesday. A middle-aged man named Charles Flower, alias Tucker, was apprehended on" & charge of stealing a fox terrier dog, and was placed in the cells pending the hearing of the case. Whilst there he made a desperate attempt to commit snicide. He had in his possession a dog chain, and with this he hanged himself to the gas bracket in his cell. In this position he was discovered by the court officials at almost the eleventh hour. and was promptly taken down, but it was with difficulty that he was brought round. He recovered, bow- ever, to a sufficient extent to answer the charge of theft, but when the magistrates, having been informed of the occurrence, intimated their in- tention of adjourning the caee, he became ^er^ excited, exclaiming, I will never aDpear alive." As he was being removed by the constable he I said, I wilt sever an artery in my body with my teeth."

Pwllheli Harbour Project. STONE-LAYING CEREMONY. Mr Ritchie and Mr Lloyd George Honoured. Mr Ritchie and Mr Lloyd George were on Tues- day presented with the freedom of Pwllheli in recognition of their valuable services in Parlia- ment in furtherance of the great scheme of har bour improvement of the town. Mr Ritchie laid the foundation stone of the new harbour works and attended the opening of the Intermediate Schools, and was afterwards entertained, with Mr lovd George.at a banquet. The gorgeous decora- tions of the town and all the open-air functions were completelv spoiled by the tropical downpour of rain. Both distinguished visitors were, how- ever, accorded an enthusiastic reception. The first meeting was held in the Town Hall, where the freedom of the borough, in magnificent caskets, was presented to Mr Ritchie and Mr Lloyd George. Mr Ritchie, in acknowledging the honour, said he felt it now incumbent on bim to learn at least I enough of the Welsh language to correctly pro- nounce the word Pwllheli. (Laughter.) When President of the Board of Trade he had always been anxious to develop the Bshinp industry of this country. (Applause.) Though one of the greatest industries of this country it had never been adequately looked after by the Government, not from unwillingness, but because Parliament had never fully realised its enormous importance and placed it in the hands of a responsible Department to be safeguarded and developed. When the question of the Government giving more assistance to fishing harbours and harbours 1 of refuge was mooted he pressed on the Chancellor of the Exchequer that something might be done for them on the same lines as light railways had been assisted, of course with proper safeguards as to judicious application of money granted in aid, and he was authorised by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach to say in Parliament that when a good case was made out for such projects similar assistance would be forthcoming from the Government. (Applause.) Three conditions imposed were that the locality interested should find a large pro- portion of the money required that some local authority should undertake the maintenance of such harbours when constructed and that the locality must be unable itself to provide the whole cost of such scheme and when the pro- posal was made in Parliament by Mr Herbert Lewis for a grant in aid of the present scheme he made a promise on behalf of the Government, and that promise was received with great satis- faction. (Applause.) The first proposal put forward, however, was not satisfactory, and he rejected it, but cordially sanctioned a later one when at the Board of' Trade. Not only would this harbour be of enormous service to the fishing industry of Pwllheli, but it would also serve a very large stretch of coast in addition. He trusted that would be the case, and that the work would contribute in no small degree to increase the general prosperity of the town. (Cheers.) Mr Lloyd George, who was cordially received, also expressed his sense of the honour of being enrolled on the burgess list of the town, whilst escaning being placed on the rate books. (Laugh- ter.) He paid Mr Ritchie a high compliment on the manifold services he had rendered to the community in the various high offices he had held, and maintained that the construction of harbours of refuge was a service to a fleet whose men were drawn from tbe ranks of fisherfolk. (Cheters.) Mr Humphreys Owen, M.P., as chairman of the Cambrian Railways, also spoke, and inci- dentally made the important statement that the fulfilment of the project of the railway to Nevin and Porthdinllaen, which would give the Great Western Railway a port on the west coast of Wales, was now in sight. iCheers.) Mr Ritchie afterwards, in drenching rain, laid the foundation stone of the new works, and after- wards took part in the opening of the Inter mediate Schools, the ceremony being presided over by Lord Lieutenant Greaves. Mr Ritohie, in the course of a, short address, said he had been impressed by the fact that greater interests had always been shown in education in Wales and Scotland than in Eng- land. (Cheers.) He ventured to say that tbe condition of education in this country was respon- sible for the fact that oar trale in aniline and other dyes was being beaten by other countries. We were beaten not because of any question of tariff, but because of the lack of instruction. He knew the Board of Education was surprised at the great advance made by Wales educationally, and this he believed to be due in great measure to a well-known Welsh M.P., Mr Bruce. (Applause.) Mr Lloyd George also spoke, and said the reason why elementary education in Wales was more backward than higher education was that the people had not had the shaping of the system at the outset. Banquet at Night. In the evening Mr Ritchie and Mr Lloyd George were entertained to dinner at the Town Hall, where a representative gathering assembled under the presidency of the Mayor, supported by Lord-Lieutenant Humphreys Owen, *M P., and others. Responding to the toast of 'The New Freemen," Mr Ritchie said he had been informed that one advantage of being a freeman in the old days was that you could not be hanged. (Great laughter.) But he knew of one special privilege of freemen in the old days, and that was the privilege of trading in the town and that all foreigners were rigidlv excluded. That was good for the trader, but he was not sure it was to the interest of the consumer. (Applause.) He was glad they did not live in the old days, and that the open door -(prolonged cheering) —was maintained, and that the consumer occupied a much more favour- able position than in the days of old, and he hoped nothing he should ever do would interfere with that most desirable stateof things. (Cheers.) Reference had been made to the Local Govern- ment Act, and no Act he bad ever been connected with gave him more satisfaction than tbat- (cheers)—and many who opposed now approved it. It came into force practically as at first drafted, because it was based on the great principle of trust in the people. (Cheers.) He had great assist- ance in preparing the Bill from a Welsh- man, Sir Hugh Owen—(applause.)—than whom in all the offices he bad occupied he had never found a more capable man. (Cheera.) Mr Lloyd George also responded to the toast, and said one of great Howell Dda's laws ran— A stranger who rendered a service to Wales shall no longer be regarded as a stranger, bat as a citizen." (Cheers.) Mr Ritchie had rendered Wales great service, and must hence- forth be regarded as a Welshman. (Great cheer- ing.) Mr J. E. Greaves, Lord-Lieutenant of Carnar- vonshire a prominent Unionist, in proposing the toast. "The New Harbour Scheme," spoke at length of its advantages to the town. and added with much emphasis. I hope the day may be far distant—I hope the day may never dawn—when a senseless and selfish tariff wall shall lay waste its wharves and warehouses and starve its stevedores." (Loud and long continued applause.) Other speakers followed.

ON A BARRY LEVEL CROSSING. Motor Car Smashed. At the Docks at Barry on Tuesday a motor car was smashed by a locomotive at a crossing and the occupants of the car had a narrow escape of being run over. It appears tbat one of Mr C. H. Bailey's motor cars was approaching the caisson between the Nos. 1 and 2 docks, at the time when a mineral train was being shunted. The train was then standing on the caisson, and the motor car driver made a signal which was evidently misunderstood, for the train was shunted back, catching the car at the rear. It was occupied at the time by two of Mr Bailey's officials—Mr Davidson and Mr Dobbs. They and the chauffeur jumped out of the car just as it was being struck, and they sustained no injury.

BARMAID'S TRAGIC END. Murderer Sentenced to Death, At Wilts Assizes, at Devizes, on Wednesday, Edward Richard Palmer was found guilty of the murder of his sweetheart, Esther Swinford, a barmaid at Swindon, and sentenced to death. The prisoner bad promised to marry the girl but failed to keep his promise and went away from Swindon, saying ho was going to Caitada. He returned, however, and on September 18th shot the young woman dead in the bar at which she was serving.

CHARGEOF FALSE PRETENCE. Peculiar Case at Llanelly. At LlaneHv Police Conrt on Wednesday George Davies, Stoke NeWington, London, charged Solomon Chinn, late of Cowell-street, Llanelly, with false pretences. Mr D. Rees Edmunds, who appeared for defendant, said the charge was brought about at the instigation of a man now in gaol, having been convicted last Friday at Carmarthen for tbe theft of six watches from the defendant m the present case. He was the local man called Riechaelieu, who had con- cocted a story and induced this man, who was a London manufacturer, to be a tool in his bands to place Chinn in a difficult position. Other persons no doubt would be brought upon similar charges if unscrupulous men, like Riechaelieu, were allowed to be about. The prosecutor did not appear, but the magistrates' clerk said the not appear, bat the magistrates' clerk said the case could not be withdrawn. They had no alternative but to communicate with the Public Prosecutor. _——————— u-

CILFYNYDD BOY'S ESCAPADE. And its Termination in Bristol. A twelve year old boy. giving the name of William Morris, appeared at Bristol Police Court on Wednesday. He was found by a constable wandering in Bath-road at 12.50 a.m., and said his father.having Drought him from Cardiff to Bristol, I' had gone on to Weston-super-Mare, and was coming back to fetch him. The officer did not believe this story, and took him to the Police Station, where he had a different story to tell. He now said he lived at 107. Cilfynydd-road, Cilfynydd, near Pontypridd, and had been sent by his mother to the post office with jbl 7a to purchase a money order for that amount. Instead of doing so, however, he bought a railway ticket ( for Bristol. The yonthful traveller was I ntoandod.

LLWYNYPIA LADY'S CURE. f Rheumatism and Indigestion ended by Dr. Slater's Tablets. | My Blood was all Running to Water." The condition of Mrs Mary Ann Jones, of 8. Cwrt-terrace, Llwynypia, the weIl-knONI1 octogenarian of tbat town, was indeed serious, and her remarkable recovery from a dangerous and complicated illness is wonderful proof of the efficacy of Dr. Slater's Blood-Making Tablets in even the most stubborn cases. To a Cardiff reporter Mrs Jones said My illness came on with my advance of years, for I am now 84. My strength and vitality seemed to decline and in a while I was too weak to do anything. I could eat nothing without indigestion. Sometimes fits of giddiness seized me, my sight, -r i -rTed, rbeumatW pains shots through my limbs, and my chest hurt i me so much that I feared I should smother. My ^SrvMfc j agony was increased by shocking headaches, which seemed at times like something hammering on the top of my head. Eventually I grew so weak and wasted that I could not even raiBe my arm and ■jf a professional nurse had to remain with me a month. Sometimes my bearing failed me, and I was made so hoarse by a bronchial cough that I X P? lost my voice. Several doctors gave me up. They ft told me my blood was all running to water, and in ML view of my great age could hold out little or no hope. Day by day, week by week, my strength A seemed to be ebbing away. It even got abont /A1 ate\ S twice that I was dead. At any rate I know I 1 would sooner die than have to suffer again as I did then." One day a neighbour picked up a boop f ■ olBfe&S.W'. mL One day a neighbour picked up a bookJjpHp^* f olBfe&S.W'. mL describing some remarkable cures by Dr Slater a |•/?* A ''J Blood Making Tablets. She read it aloud from /fl Effir' cover to cover, and I made up my mind to try /m JL 'HBXv that medicine feeling that it might afford me y /1 ffi some relief and possibly bring me back to health. I was not so sanguine about that. fearing that my case was too far gone for really successful treatment." However I determined to persevere, and take the doses exactly as the directions I ordered. In a couple of weeks I was clearly regaining my strength. and felt better of myself- I took my food, and found good came instead of the pains of indigestion. I was less troubled with the cough. and my chest scarcely pained me at all. The general debility Was slowly but surely turned out from my system, as the result of the rich warm blood created in my veins." The distressing symptoms I had before left me altogether. I have regained the strength of limb and body, my blood is purified and enriched, and my nerves thoroughly restxengtibened, and this I attribute to Dr. Slater's Tablets and no other." Dr. Slater's Blood Making Tablets mm 0 (|g| Wig are unrivalled as a natural tonic, a tissue ^jjjranE builder, blood purifier, and nerve iilnf Hi 4% strengthened For anasmia (whicb often MS Jfc&sfe aL M m 'ea<^3110 consumption), wasting, cbest fiiiillBw fflBi jBraH BP wl W weakness, female ailments, pale and l§ VliilS ■ jHHeBti If 1 sallow complexions, indigestion, heart H W Mrm itflJf weakness, shortness of breadth, palpita* hiftw wJw" *M!lt tion, neuralgia, nervous headache, loss Cost 2s 9d per bo: Vsc I Is ( of appetite, debility, paralysis, locomo- I 5 times the quantity at She cost of 4; ol all cbeui tor ataxia, St. Vitus' dance,rheumatisnii ists or direct from the 31ater Laboratories, sciatica, lumbago, and as a preventive of Greek-street, Leeds. influenza they are invaluable.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. Merthyr Miners' District. The votes for the two final candidates fot the treasurership of the Mertbyr Miners' District were counted on Monday night at the Globe Hotel, Merthyr. Mr Samuel Thomas (elected) polled 380 votes, and Mr Frank Arscott 241. Miners' Meeting at Ferndale. The Ferndale collieries were idle on Monday owing to stop trucks," and the miners took advantaged of the occasion to hold a mass meet- ing. Mr D. Ratts-Morgan, speaking nponjthe fiscal question, said it was found that more coal was always sold in countries where the crops were good, and no section of the community in this country would be bit harder than the miners if the proposed fiscal changes were carried into effect. Addresses were also delivered by Councillor Daniel Evans and Mr T. George. Great Western Colliery. The Great Western Colliery Company con- template reopening a seam which has been closed for » period ot 20 years. Terms have been offered to the men who are now idle owing to the Hetty Pit dispute, and negotiations are pending. The men ask for a higher standard than that which is offered by the company. No settlement has been effected, and should the seam, which is in the No. 2 Pit, and not the Hetty Pit, be re- opened, employment will probably be found for a number of the men affected by the Hetty dis- pute. Mr Bramwell, agent ot the Great Western Colliery Company, informed our representative on Wednesday night that the paragraph to the effect that it was proposed to re-open the 9ft. seam in the No. 2 Pit was incorrect and gave a wrong impression of the position. The negotiations simply were that the company wanted to restart work in this seam, but the men had refused, and the company could not think of restarting it on the men's conditions. Instead of reopening the seam the company were considering whether they would stop the pit altogether. The information contained in the paragraph was furnished our representative by a prominent workman, who said that terms had been offered by the company and that they hoped if the seam were reopened some of the men now idle would find employment there. Bad Outlook at Merthyr. It was recently stated there woulcl be means adopted to clear the water froni one of tbe Ply- mouth (Merthyr) Collieries in order to work | from this colliery the coal of the Abercanaid Colliery. Our Merthyr reporter ascertains that so far from this being the case there is a fear that tbe whole of tbe collieries of the Messrs Hill's Plymouth Company may have to be closed if the conditions of trade do not improve. It is stated that for some years very heavy losses have been sustained. Notices at Wern Hill. The notices served to the workmen.at the Wern Hill Colliery, Pontypool, expire on Satur. day next. Up to the present no arrangements have been made for carrying on the work. About 30 men are affected. Work Resumed at Cwmtillery. The No. 1 Pit, Cwmtillery, which was idle on Monday and Tuesday, restarted work on Wednes- day. A deputation met the company on Tuesday, and it is stated that an offer was made by the colliers to do the hauliers' work on the condition that they should be paid the wages of colliers. This the company would not grant, as it has always been the custom to pay hauliers' rate to any colliers driving, the colliers in addition being allowed an extra tram. The offer was made by the management to allow all the hauliers who finished on Saturday last to resume work on Wednesday, but only a few of the43 accepted the offer. In spite of this the management have re- started the pit, the hauling being carried on by men transferred from the company's other col- lieries. Much satisfaction is expressed in the district at work having been resumed. Damages Claimed Against Colliers. \t Mountain Ash Police Court on Wednesdav there were eight cases down for hearing in which Messrs Guest, Keen and Co., of the Dowlais- Cardiff Colleries,claimed damages against certain colliers for refusing to do work on certain dates, namely, to unload rubbish in their stalls, and also for absenting themselves from work on other dates. The amount claimed from each man was ES odd. The cases, however, were ad- journed by consent., Non-Unionists and Notices. On October 1st the workmen at the Llanerch and Blaensychan Collieries, Abersychan, owned by Messrs Partridge, Jones, and Co., numbering about 1,000, tendered notices as a protest against the employment of a few non-Unionists at the collieries.. Some of the men have since joined, and the others are expected to do so by Saturday next, when the notices terminate, and thereby avert a stoppage of work. Position at Dowlais. Notices were given by the Dowlais Colliery workmen to terminate their engagement at the end of this month as a protest against the non- Unionists and members of the Dowlais district of the Federation who were out of compliance. In the meantime one of the 11 non-Unionists has left the locality, and the remaining 10 have joined, and out of 150 out of compliance all with the exception of six or seven have now paid up their arrears. The position has, therefore, under- gone a considerable improvement, but no specific decision to withdraw the notices has yet been come to. come to. I

LOCAL WILLS. j Mr F. J. Selliok, Milford Haven. j Mr Frederick Joseph Sellick, of Murray- Mr Frederick Joseph Sellick, of Murray- crescent, Milford Haven, Pembroke. manager of the Steamship Hirda. Company, Ltd., and steam trawler owner, who died on the 16th September last at the Grand Hotel, Harrogate, Yorkshire, left estate which has been valued at £ 34,044. Probate of his will, dated 16tb May, 1902, has been granted to Dr. Frederick Robert Greenish, of The Grove, Haverfordwest. Mus.Doc., and II Mr Edward Gerrish, of 26, Thorn-street, Bris- tol, solicitor, member of the firm of Messrs Fus- sell and Co. The testator bequeathed his furni- ture and personal effects and the income of his residuary estate to his daughter, Mrs Ellen Elizabeth Ann Greenish, wife of the said Dr. Frederick Robert Greenish. He left X200 each, to the said executors, X20 each to the clerks in his firm's employment, and £10 to ?ach domestic and outdoor servant who has been in his employ for one year. and he left X4,000 each to his grand- children, Hilda, Gwendoline, and Harold Greenish, at their respective attainment of 21 years, and he left the ultimate residue of his estate in trust subject to Mrs Greenish's life in- terest, for her children in equal shares. Miss Mary t. Thomas, St. David's. Probate of the will, dated 29th March, 1895, with a codicil of the 11th June, 1896, ot Miss Mary Elizabeth Thomas, of the Cathedral Close, St. David's. Pembroke, who died on the 7th August last, aged 69 years, only daughter of the late Canon Thomas, has been granted to the sole executor, her cousin. the Rev. Daniel George Thomas, of Hamerton, Huntingdon, by wboru her estate has been valued at iEZ4,548 6s 2d gross, with net personalty Y,19,388 8s 8d The testatrix bequeathed to her cousins, Mary Elizabeth and Frances Joanna Thomas and Mrs Charles Perkins, £ 500 each to her cousin Martha Beach Thomas, £1,000 and her household effects, sub- ject to some specific bequests of plate and jewel- lery, and she devised real estate at Haverford- west to her said cousin. She bequeathed an annuity of X20 to her old servant Ann Davis, and ( she left the residue of her property to her eoushi, j tbe said Rev. Daniel George Thomas.

I THE WEEK'S MARKETS. I „ COBN Cardiff, Saturday.—At our market to-day, better news from the East, markets found an feeling, and last quotations are hardly Spot, parcels against sellers, though little quotations. Maize ruled easy. Other grains i altered since last advice. Gloucester, Saturday.—English wheat—reds, to 28s whites, 28s to 29s per quarter. ForeigE wheat—Plates, 30s 6d to 32s; Russians, 28s 9d K 6d. Bound maize, 20s to 26s 6d. Grinding *rarley, IN 6d to 16s per quarter. Weather unsettled. Newport, Wednesday.—There was a fair at dance and an average business was done. There a few samples of English wheat and oats on Barley was 3d dearer on the week, maize easier, oats firm fines floar 24s 6d per sack. CATTLE. Monmouth,Monday.-Shortsupply of beef, second quality. Sheep fairly numerous. Pigs ful owing to removal of restrictions. Small atteBJg ance of buyers owing to Raglan stock sale. | trade good. Trade in sheep dragging at slight reduced prices. Veal and lamb sold better. Pork&j** bacon a shade dearer than at last market. tions :—Prime beef, 7d to 7}d coarse qualities 5Jd veal, 8d to 8%d wether mutton, 8d to 8}d 0,ff ditto, 7d to 7^d lamb, about 9d per lb pori £ 108. to lis 6d bacon, 9s 6d to 10s per score. Auction prices Fat beasts, £ 15 to £ 17 10s calves, £ 2 9s J" £ 3 10s wethers, 40s to 45s ewes, 39s to 43s 6tt i lambs, 24s to 28s 6d porkers, 31s 6d baconers, 3s to JE5. Roath, Cardiff, Tuesday.—There was a fair suppl1 of cattle on offer, meeting a middling demand. SW* and lambs were a good supply, in slow request. ™jj?J were enough for requirements. Quotations steers and heifers, 56s to 60s per cwt. second 50s to 54s per cwt.; cows aDd bulls, 46s to 48s per Sheep—choice wethers, 7d to 7 £ d ner lb. ewes, 60 to 6%d per lb. Lambs, 7d to, 71/4 d per Ib, Pigs-: choice porkers, 10s 3d to 10s 9d per score second lo*j (heavy weights), 9s 6d to 10s per cwt. baconers, 98 •* 9s 3d per score. In the carcase market there w*8 fair supply of beef in slow request, prices easy* Mutton and lamb was a choice supply. A few cat* cases of pork. Prices :-Sides of ox or heifer bee*. 534d to 5d per lb. second lots, 5d to 5 id per lb., hind quarters, 6d to 63id per lb. fores, 4d to 43id pg lb. wether mutton, 7d per lb. ewe per lb. lamb, 7d to 7%d per lb. pork, 6d to 6 PO lb. Chepstow, Tuesday.—There was a fair supply Tuesday's market, but trade was dull. Best b«tf* made 6d to 6fvdper lb. second quality, 5|d to 6°, veal, 7d wether mutton, 7 Ad to 8d ewe, 6d lamb. 8d per lb. porkers realised from 9s to 9s 6d per score and baconers from 8s to 8s 6d. Newport, Wednesday.—There was a large supply all stock at to-day's market, and business was brisk- | Beat beef sold at 6d, seconds 5^d to 5?4d, cows 5d 5,¡;d. wether mutton 7id to 8d, ewes 6d to 6jd, lain'' 8d, veal 6d to 8d per lb. porker pigs 10s to 10s 6A baconers 9s per score. FAIR. Neath, Wednesday.—Business was quiet. The supply of horses was very poor, and in other de- partments lifelessness prevailed. The following were the ruling rates Best beef, 10s 6d okhe* qualities, 9s to 10s bulls, 7s 6d to 9s sheep (light!. 7Jd to 8d heavy, 6d to 7d pigs, 9s to 10s 6d calves. 7d to 7id cows and calves, £ 12 to £ 15 store cattle -two-year-olds, £ 8 to £ 10 store sheep and sma*1 lambs, 6s to 12s each good wethers, 6d to Gid. HUTTEK. Carmarthen. Saturday.—There was a fair supply at our market for the month of October. The de- mand was much above the supply. The price up fullv Id per lb., at 'om Is to Is Id per lb. closed firm. CHEESE. Carmarthen, Saturday.—Very few dairies on oftøt. A few were sold at 32s per cwt. Newport, Wednesday.—Good supply fair demaDcL Average attendance. Caerphillies, 48s to 56s fancf dairies, 57s to 58s; truckles, 58s to 64s Derbies 60s to 66s; doubles, 54s to 56s Cheddars, 56s to HIDE, SKIN, FAT, AND WOOL. The Rhondda, Pontypridd, and Aberdare Bid-. Tallow, and Wool Company, Limited, Trefore^ Friday.—Hides—Ox hides, 951bs and upwards, 4^d* 4§d 851bs to Mlbs, 4d, 4Jd 751bs to 841bs, 3Sd, 4ja I 65Ibs to 74Ibs, 3|d, 4d 561bs to 641bs, 3gd, 4a 55IW and under, 3|d, 3|d. Heavy cows, 3Jd, 3*d ligh* do., 3Jd, 3Jd bulls, 2Jd, 2fd cuts and warbled, to 3M. Horses, 12s, 10s, 8s, 5s. Calf—171bs and UP" wards, 4d; 91bs to 161bs, 5Jd light, 5d; flawed, 4a. Lambs, 4s ld, 3s5d, 2s lOd, 2s 4d, Is lOd, Is 7d,; pelts. 4d, 2s 4d, Is 5d, Is. Fat—best sweet clean beef, 2d J seconds, lid; mutton, 2d; common. Id. Salt, is 3" per cwt.

4_ STAGNATION IN SOUTH AFRICA Commercial Depression. Pretoria., Wednesday.—The continued drongbt and the unsettled condition of the native Iabofl* question are producing alarming commercial and industrial depression and serious shrinkage in all sources of the public revenue. The registration of new companies is almost at a standsti11,- Central News. Coal in the Transvaal. Johannesburg, Wednesday.—The annual general meeting of the Transvaal and DelagOO Bay Investment Company was held here yester- day, under the presidency of Mr Black. An e?* cellent statement of the affairs of the company was laid before tbe shareholders. The financial position showed that cash and equivalent asseW amounted to £ 99,000. In spite of the arrestee condition of the gold mining industry the net profit for the year, after writing off £ 8,622 0* depreciation, amounted to £ 60,017. The total to the credit side of the profit and loss account stands at £ 106.368.. A dividend of 25 per cent- was declared, absorbing £ 46,250. The output of coal from the company's collieries (the TraD and Delagoa Bay Collieries) during the past yeal totalled 332,000 tons.-Reiiter. Labour Commission Report. Johannesburg, Wednesday.—Delay in issuing the report of the Labour Commission is unciej" stood to be due to efforts which are being made to obtain unanimity among the Commissioners- Should these efforts prove unsuccessful the majority report, with possibly two dissentientS, will be published in the course of a week or sOj There is reason to believe than the report *»Jl| deal with the labour supply of the whole ofiSout» Africa, and will show that Cape Colony is bope lessly short of labour for all requirements that farmers of the Orange River Colony cannot to obtain labour at the prices now ruling th»* all willing workers in Basutoland can obtalll employment in Cape Colony ports, Kimberlef^ and Orange River Colony without coming work in the mines and that Natal, after many years, has had to resort to the importation ot Asiatics, upon whom it isalmost aolely^dependeo for labour. Finally, it is understood that the re- port will declare that the Transvaal, with its enormous requirements in the matter of killgd labour, has to depend upon a supply from Bechuanaland, Portuguese territory, its own area^ and Swaziland, and that if all able-bodied in these territories were available there would still be a deficiency as regards the requirement of the whole country.—Press Association TeJe" gram.

ALLEGED HORSE STEALING. Smart Capture at Aberdare. On Friday evening P.C. Thomas, AberdarOt saw a man riding a horse in Monk-street, and, SOS' pec ting tbat the animal was not the man's ow»» property, he questioned him. The answers not regarded as satisfactory and the coast* took fche man to the station. It then tra^P'^J that the horse was the property of Mr Dan^ Jones, butcher, Aberaman, and had been ta*^ from a field on Hirwain Common, where out tacking. The man was therefore in custody, and will be brought up before* magistrates on Tuesday. He is said to s North Walian, but has been about South Wale for some time past.

Mr E. B. Llewellyn Reece, depnty.co held an inquest on Ttresday on tbe body of rz^.a Ann Short, a widow (62), who died suddenly Sunday evening at 143, Holton-road, Dock, where she was on a visit to her The deceased lady wis preparing to go to home at Regent-street. when she fell down 1 pt. passage, and died in about an hour's time. W. Lloyd Edwards was of opinion that deatlJ due to hemorrhage on the brain, injury to the back of the head received 19 fall. Verdict aomdinow-

The floods in Warwickshire are the worst since 1899. Miles of country are inundated, and con- siderable damage has been done. At Swansea all the low lying parts of the town were flooded. On the Strand the greatest difficulty was found inpreventing the water from extinguishing the furnaces at the Electric Light- ing Works. Brynhyfryd was reported to be under water, and at Landore the Mill Brook Works were flooded. Wellington-street as usual was in a bad plight, those of the houses which are below the level of the road being knee deep. So far this year the rainfall recorded by Mr Webber, of Oxford-street, is 56 398 inches. The main road from Kidwelly to Carmarthen, or at least a large portion of it laying between Glanmorlais and Llandefeilog, has been utterly ruinecl- and vehicular traffic over it has to be entirely suspended. Although there is no actual flooding of houses in the Newport district, it is expected that if the rain continues a number of houses in Corpora- tion and Malpas-roads will be flooded before the evening. The Elwy and Avonllwyd Rivers are nearly bank bigb, and parts of the land are sub- merged. In the Caerleon district a good deal of damage has been done to crops. The damage to the sea walls, which causes the tide to run over the land on the marshes, has not yet been repaired. The continuous downpour of rain on Tuesday flooded the river Cvnon to an unusual extent. The low-lying lands between Cwmbach and Aberaman are completely submerged, but no exceptional damage so far has been reported. In Aberavon and the surrounding district the rain caused the River Avon to rise to an abnor- mal height, and the Baglan moors resemble a largo lake. Farmers have to drive home their cattle on horseback. Though the rain abated somewhat after the dinner hour, the wind blew with great violence, and all outdoor work was suspended The Taff River in the Merthyr Valley is very much swollen. The Troedyrbiw football field is almost completely submerged, and water on Tues- day flowed over the river embankment atJAberfan. The embankment was being repaired when the recent stcrm came on. and men are now engaged in trying to stop the breach which still remains to be mended. Meanwhile the fields near Nixon's Collieries have become covered once more to a considerable extent with water. UNUSUALLY COLD AT DAVOS. Cold weather more severe than has been known in October for some years prevails at Davos. The thermometer registered 13deg. Fahr. on Monday night last, and there had been about half a foot of snow since the previous Sunday. The weather, however, bad become beautifully fine, with a cloudless sky. A large number of Eng- lish visitors are expected this year. Not a flat is to be obtained in the Engiish quarter, and the hotels are almost full.