The Cardiff Times

Grappling With the Lords. There is a belief in some well-informed quar- ters that the Prime Minister contemplates dividing the question of the privileges of the Bouse of Lords into two parts :— First-The question of the constitutional Eight of the House of Lords to interfere in finance at all, and especially to reject a Finance Bill^may be dealt with byresolution, to which the House of Lords will be asked to Conform. Second—A Bill to prevent the House of Lords vetoing any legislation. The latter question must, in accordance with the Prime Minister's own statements, form the subject of a Bill, and the main feature of this measure will be the famous plan proposed to the House of Commons by Sir Henry Camp- bell- Bannerman, and known generally as **C.-B.'s plan." Comfortable Working Majority. Was will be the principal measure in the King's Speech. The Liberals do not anticipate that they will have any difficulty in passing this through the House of Commons. The results of the elections which are now test drawing to a conclusion show that the liberal Government will have a majority of about 120, made up of a combination of all the non-Unionist parties in the House. This will be a comfortable working majority in all Ibatters where the Nationalists and the Labour members side with the Government. This they are expected to do with regard to the House of Lords, although the Labour party has pledged itself to the policy of total abolition. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. Though the Cabinet has come out of the election intact there are bound to be some changes in the Ministry. There is one vacant seat in the Cabinet caused by the appointment of Mr Herbert Gladstone as Governor-General of United South Africa. It is also understood that one or two of the elder Ministers desire to lay aside the responsibilities of office. Then in the election Mi Pease, Patronage Secretary to the Treasury Colonel Seely. Under Secretary for the Colonies Mr T. W. Russell, vice-Presi- dent of the Department of Agriculture in Ire- land Mr Acland. Parliamentary Secretary to tbeWarOffice Sir Henry Norman, the newly- Spointed Assistant Post master-General, and r Caustfrrii, th £ Paviriaster-Gehersd, lost their Beats. It is understood that Mr Pease has already been offered more than one seat which is considered safe." His services to the party are valued so highly by the Prime Minister that there Is little doubt he will ultimately be seen in the new Parliament. The appointments held by the other defeated Ministers, together with the position of Treasurer of his Majesty's Household, which is held at present by Sir Edward Strachey, who has been appointed to the new post of Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, will have to be filled, and as some of these positions are positions of profit under the Crown those who receive them will have to seek re-election. REVIEWIN6 THE SITUATION. The British Weekly says We are back again with no false promises to our t. We have not claimed magical or tniracalcms powers. We have not pretended that we can bring in the golden age by a stroke of the pen. Nothing has been promised that Progressives are not able and ready to fulfil if they are not thwarted in their work. A great programme of social reform which would renew Mid fertilise the lot of the poor, which has been tested in every article, will be passed if the House of Lords is dealt with. We are back ngain with an army, with leaders, with a great cause, with unity, with resolution, and with boundless enthusiasm. In these circumstances the Progresives must not be overmuch dis- couraged by losses. We do not deny that the reverses in the counties give solid ground for mortification. • We do not care to hear Ministers talking about another election within a year. One of our opponents has told us that if the Protectionists had but five of a majority they would stay in for six years and get the Bouse of Lords to execute their will. We do not doubt it. Imagine Mr Balfour with a majority of a hundred! We must get rid at once and for ever of the idea that a Liberal majority means nothing and that a Protec- tionist majority means six years. We have first to pass the Budget, and the operation of the Budget will open the eyes of the nation. Mr Balfour tells us that the Budget has made Tariff Reform necessary We were told before the election that the Budget involved the in, definite postponement of Tariff Reform, ana otie of the Chamberlain missives declared that this was the last chance of Protection. We Shall see what the Budget will bring." IRISH PARTY ATTITUDE. In some quarters stress is laid on the point that the presence of nine Independents in the Nationalists' ranks, strongly critical of Mr Redmond and his chief followers, might prevent an open alliance with the Liberals such as es- ited in 1892. Liberals, however, while admit- ting the difficulties, believe that the Govern- ment can maintain its ascendancy by pushing forward after the Budget measures on which the three parties are heartily agreed, and thus minimising differences on matters of adminis- tration which might otherwise prove acute.

PROPOSEDNEWTHOROUGHFARE A Cardiff Improvement. The question of the making of a road trom Queen-street, near St. John's Schools, through to Cathays' Park, was again considered by the Cardiff Public Works Committee on Thursday, Ctegncillor Jabez Jones presiding. The syndicate which was purchasing the St- John s School site wished to make the road- way 20ft. wide, bnt the committee had that, according to the bye-laws, the width ot the road should be 40ft. The committee now had before them the opinion of the town clerk, who considered that the road-way must be 40ft. wide. c After a long discussion Councillor C. F. San- ders (who had retired during the discus- sion) and his' brother, Mr Win. Sanders, came before the committee as a deputation. Councillor Sanders stated that they might show the roadway as a private one m their plans, and maintain control of it by arrangement with the owners of the 'arid. K they had to make a 40ft. road, they would have to give up a quarter of-the site they were purchasing. The Corporation, if they consented to a 20ft. road, would only be doing what they had already agreed to in several parts of the city, notably Tudor-lane. Finally the committee decided that Messrs William Sanders and Son and Mr R. Y. Evans be informed that the Corporation have, no power to waive compliance with bye-law No. 4 of the building hye-Iaws, which requires the Ðew street to be 40ft. in width.

NEWPORT RATES. A quarterly meeting of Newport Ratepayers Association was held on Wednesday, A. J. Stevens, J.P., presiding. The report stated that within the six years preceding, Michael- mas, 1908, the assessable value has shown an average yearly increase of £10,000, but was yearly showing smaller proportionate increase, and it was evident that a large part of the m. creased revenue expenditure and additional charges for interest and sinking funds couid only be met by considerable and continuous *>sc' in the rates. The V-ommittee considered there would be a difference in favour of the ratepj^-vers equal to a 6d rate if the electricity weeks were in the hands of a private company, 1 while the Corporation retained the tramways.

Year of Largest Trade ONE MILLION TONS PER MONTH. Official statistics of the trade and registered tonnage of the Bute Docks for 1909, together with comparative figures for the year previous, show that while exports have increased, im- ports have fallen off, but the former more than balance the latter to the extent of 498,435 tons. It is interesting, too, to note that last year's trade was the largest on record and averaged more than one million tons per month, and the probability is that but for the dislocation of trade and the reduction of the coal out- put attributed to the Eight Hours Act, the figures would have been very much higher. The net decrease in imports is 164,184 tons. Iron ore dropped to the extent of 80,951 tons, and pitwood and mining timber was less by 153,366 tons, pitwood alone falling off by 192,000 tons. compared with the previous year. On the other hand deals and deal ends show an increase of 21 per cent., and grain and flour improved by 15,019 tons. Classified under general merchandise is frozen meat, the amount imported being greater than in any other year, and Cardiff now ranks as the third largest port in its importation, while in the quantity of potatoes imported, Cardiff is first in the United Kingdom. Exports in every department have increased, more particularly in coal and coke, including bunkers, Cardiff continuing to maintain its leading position in the matter of exports. The following are the comparative figares:- IMPORTS. t Increase k 1906. 1909. or dec. Iron ore—tang 732^360 651,409 80,951 Iron and steel (includ- ing tinplate bats. billets. girders, and pig iron, Ac.)—tons.. 66,015 88,474 + 22,459 Timber & deals—loads 139,329 169,025 + 29,696 Pitwood and mining timber-tons. 458,092 304,726 -153,366 Grain and flour-tons.. 318,047 333,066 + 15,019 Ghai. merchandise—t'ns 279,560 282,519 + 2,959 Total mipoits-fns 1,993,403 1,829,219 -164,184 EXPORTS. CoaJ and coke (inetad- ing bnnker(lal)-t'as 9,017,603 9.614,950 +597,347 Patent fuel—tons 563,204 580,092 + 16,888 Iron and steel railsand ironwork-tow 158,267 191,191 + 32.924 Gen. merchandise—fns 154,844 170,304 + 15,460 Total exports-tons 9,893,918 10,556,537 +662,619 Total imports and ex- pcyrt&(togetheer-to- 11,887,321 12,385,756 +498,435 REGISTERED TONNAGE. 1908. 1909. Increase. No. of vessels 8,739 8,921 182 Registered tonnage.. 5,163,199 5,388,427 225,228

The Fusion Surprise. ABANDONED RHYMNEY PURCHASE. The announcement that the promotion of the Taff-Rbymney Fusion Bill has been definitely abandoned for the present Session has not occa- sioned much surprise in local financial and commercial circles, as the opinion had been held by some observers all through, that the action of the promoters in reviving the scheme was largely influenced by the prospect of a return of a Conser- vative Government to power and the appoint- ment of a new Committee in greater sympathy with the principle of railway amalgamation. Apparently the fate of the Taff-Cardiff Bill is still in the balance, but it is not yet made known whether this Bill will also be withdrawn or if a new scheme will be proposed with the object of securing a closer working arrangement either between the Cardiff and Taff or between the three companies without the necessity of obtaining Parliamentary sanction. How far the determined opposition of the Freighters' Association and of the recent un- favourable decision of the Shipowners' Associa- tion have influenced the withdrawal of the Taff-Rbymney Bill is a matter of conjecture, but it is believed that the threatened opposition of these two important bodies have exercised some weight with the promoters, and probably has accelerated their decision to drop one scheme for the present. It was felt that in the face of this opposition the task of the pro- moters would be a very difficult one to pilot the scheme through Parliament, if not an im- possibility. The announcement that the Taff-Bhymney Bill was to be withdrawn had no apparent effect on the Cardiff Stock Market yesterday. Prices were easier, but closing quotations were nominally unaltered, the explanation being that hardly any rise took place when the amalgamation scheme was revived in October last. On the London Stock Exchange, how- ever, Rhymney Undivided and Deferred dropped four points. BEFORE THE COMMONS FIRST. Last Year's Order Reversed. The Press Association stated there was a conference on Thursday between Lord Onslow, chairman of the House of Lords Com- mittees, Mr Moon, the Speakers counsel, and the Parliamentary agents as to the House in which local Parliamentary Bills will commence in the ensuing Session of Parliament. As to the Fusion Bills, both Cardiff Railway Vesting and Rhymney Railway Vesting, it was agreed that they should originate in the House of Commons. Last year the Fusion Billls originated in the House of Lords and passed through that House. The Bills were, however, rejected by the House of Commons Committee, ofwhich Sir George Doughty (the defeated Unionist candidate at Great Grimsby) was chairman. The following Bills will also originate in the House of Commons Barry Railway Cardiff Railway Great Western Railway Mountain Ash Water; Pontypridd and Rhondda Joint Board; Pontypridd Water (Extension of Time) Rhondda Urban District Council. The following Bills will be commenced in the House of LordsAbertallery and District Water Board Ammanford Gas Garnant Gas, and Gowerton Gas. Barry Council's Attitude. The Barry District Council, ataspecially-con- vened meeting on Thursday, decided to oppose the Rhondda and Pontypridd District Council's Bill to acquire the Pontypridd Water Works a Bill to extend the time of the completion of certain works under the Pontypridd Water Works and Tramroad Act, 1908; and the Cardiff-Bute-Rhymney group of Fusion Bills.

CARDIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. The Cardiff Mental Hospital Committee, meeting at the institution at Whitchurch {on Thursday afternoon, under the chairmanship of Councillor Morgan Thomas, had the satisfac- tion of hearing an excellent report concerning the institution from the Lunacy Commissioners- Thee ommittee first, however, gave considera- tion to the estimates for the ensuing year. The total amount required is E6,M, the principal item being £ 2,879 for maintenance of city patien ts. Last year the total amount required was £ 5,253. The estimate was approved less iClIO taken from an amount of M10 put down for alterations to buildings. The report of the Lunacy Commissioners (Messrs 8. J. Fraser Macleod and E. Marriott Cooke), after speaking of the great difficulties of the organisation, and administration of such an institution made reference to the energy and capacity displayed by those responsible for the direction of the asylum. Although the institution was opened as recently as May, 1908, they found everything in an admirable state of efficiency. Only two complaints were received, and each upon in- vestigation proved groundless. On the other band there were many expressions of grati- tude for the kindness and attention that had been shown them by the medical and nursing staffs. Since July, 1900, there had been 95 admis- sions, 59 discharges or renewajs, 37 instances of recovery, and 38 deaths., There remain in the institution 343 males and 328 females, of whom 16 are private and 12 out county patients. The maintenance charges per head per week are Home patients, 15s lid out county patients, 14s private patients, 21s. All the deaths were due to natural causes, and there had been no serious casualty. The general health of the institution is at present good. The Commissioners, commended the com- mittee upon the departure of adding a patho- logical chemist to the medical staff for the purpose of facilitating-research work.

NATIONAL 006 SHOW. The championship prizes in connection with the National Dog Show at Birmingham were decided on Thursday in the Dresence of a large crowd. The Spratt's challenge cup for the best sporting dog or bitch in the show was won by Birchfield Lill, the fine Borzoi shown by Mr E. B. Allport, Birmingham and the challenge cup for the best non-sporting dog or bitch by Champion Destiny Duffryn. a rougb-eoated St. Bernard from the kennels of Mr D. W. Davies T^rnewydd, Barry. These animals also secured the National prizes in their respective sections. The cup for the best team of sporting dogs went to a trio of bloodhounds shown by Mrs Oliphant, Shrewton, Wilts, and that for the best non-sporting team to three Italian greyhounds exhibited by Mrs Alice Stafford Smith, Glasgow. The president's cup for the best brace in the sporting section was awarded to Mrs E. L. Borman, Billericay, Essex, for a couple of Borzois and the Lord Mayor's cup for the beet brace in the non-sporting section to Miss Eleanor Goodall. Sparbreck, near Harro- gate for her Newfoundland. The local cham- pionship fell to Mr J. F. Hayres for a pointer bitch bred at Hampton in Arden.

BRUTAL MURDER IN WALES. At Beaumaris (Anglesey) on Wednesday an Irish labourer named Murphy was tried for the' murder of a married woman named Ellen Jones at Holyhead on Christmas Day. It was stated that prisoner had been heard to make use of threatening language, and later the woman was found strangled with a knifq wound five inches long in the neck. For the defence a plea of insanity was set up. The jury, after a brief absence, returned a verdict of guilty, and sentence of death was passed on prisoner by Mr Justacc Pickford.

MR JOHN CORY. I DEATH OF NOTABLE CITIZEN. A Great Career. With deep regret we announce the death of Mr John Cory, J.P., D.L., who passed peace- fully away at his residence, The Duffryn, St. Nicholas, near Cardiff, at 10-30 on Thursday morning in his 82nd year. For the past two years Mr Cory's health has been gradually failing. At the funeral of Mrs Cory, who died in August of last year, he caught a chill which resulted in his illness taking a more serious torn. He was attended by Dr. Brierley, and for a time his health im- proved sufficiently for him to enjoy and benefit by outings round his grounds in a bath chair, and short drives in the beautiful country round his residence. Shortly after nine aan. on Thursday Mr Cory was assisted to rise, and he remained for some time sitting on the bedside chatting with Miss Cory, who has shown exemplary devotion to her father. A nurse was also in the room, and Mr Reginald Cory had also been present. Mr Cory seemed so well that he actually returned to bed unassisted, and lay for a few minutes, when, as if the effort had ex- hausted the enfeebled body, he was seen to hold up his hand. He then passed Calmly into unconsciousness before those around him had realised that it was anything more than an ordinary sleep. Syhfcope was the immediate cause of death. The late Mr JOHN CORY. (Photo, by Russell and Sons.) Miss Cory and Mr Reginald Cory were present when the end came. Unfortun- ately Sir Clifford Cory was absent, conducting his political campaign at St. Ives, Cornwall, where polling took place on Thursday. On Cardiff 'Change- Mr A. J. Griffiths, the president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, speaking from the bal- cony at the Cardiff Exchange on Thursday, s aid it was vtery largely owing to the energy, foresight, and genius of the late Mr John Cory that the firm of Cory Bros, occupied the high and proud position of being the largest coal- exporting firm in the world. But the late Mr Cory was not only a great business man, but a great philanthropist, and his philanthropy could be termed equally as world-wide as his firm's commercial operations. As representing the commercial community of Cardiff, he (Mr Griffiths) felt that they could do nothing less than pass a vote of condolence and sincere regret with the family in the great low they had sustained. Every member on the floor of the Exchange raised his hat in silent tribute. Mr A. J. Griffiths subsequently despatched the following telegram to Miss Cory, of The Duffryn:- v The members of the Cardiff Exchange, assembled to-day, deeply regret to hear of the lamented death of your. beloved father, Cardiff's greatest citizen, and they offer you and your family their respectful sympathy in the great and irreparable loss you have sustained. Civic Gatidetonces. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, presiding at the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Thursday, made feeling reference to the death of Mr John Cory. AM. F. J. Beavan, in moving a vote of condolence, mentioned that deceased f or ashort time was amember ofthe Corporation Mr H. C. Vivian, in seconding, regretted Mr Cory was not numbered amongst the freemen of the city, and added that it was a distressing fact that Sir Clifford Cory should be engaged in a Parliamentary contest upon the day of his father's death. The resolution was passed in silence- At the Barry Education Authority meeting last night Councillor D. Lloyd, J -P.. who pre- sided, referred to the death of Mr Cory, and moved a resolution, which was passed in silence, of deepest sympathy with the family. Ireat Commercial Career. Mtr John Cory was ihe detest sbn of the late Captain R. Cory, of Bideford. For a number of years his father used to trade with Cardiff in small vessels, until at last he settled in t town, and opened a store for supplying the craft plying on the Glamorgan Canal, then the only dock in Cardiff. The deceased gentleman, together with his brother, Mr Richard Cory, J.P., joined their father in business in 1844, the firm being carried on under the title of Richard Cory and Sons. The business was then con- fined to shipbroking, but later the firm became agents for Messrs Wayne and Co., colliery pro- prietors. Subsequently the agency was ter- minated, and Messrs Cory became coal shippers on their own account. Up to 1857 the offices were at 106, Bute-street, but in that year, owing to the need for extra accommodation, they were removed to a building on the site of that now occupied by the London City and Midland Bank, at the corner of James-street— Cory's Corner." The commercial import- ance of Cardiff was at this time asserting itself, and the business extended rapidly. The father, Captain Richard Cory, retired from the firm at the end of 1859, when the business was continued under the title of Cory Brothers and Co." During the next 20 or 30 years the business continued to in- crease to a remarakable extent. This great development was, of course, rendered possible by the rapid developments in the mining valleys, but that the trade thus produced passed into the bands of Cory Brothers Was due largely to the energy and enterprise of the deceased gentleman. Mr John Cory's far- sighted policy resulted in the idea of estab- lishing depots- for the supply of Cardiff coal in all parts of the world. Depots Everywhere. It was on the occasion of the opening-of the, Suez Canal in 1869 that this branch of the business, which was destined to play such a great part in the future of the concern, was started, and there are now large depots at Aden, Alexandria, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ber- muda, Bombay, Buenos Ayres, Colombo, Con- stantinople, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Genoa, Gibraltar, Hamburg, Havre, Las Palmas, Malta, Marseilles, Mauritius, Monte Video, Naples, New Orleans, New York, Odessa, Port Said", Rio Janerio, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Singapore, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Cape de V-erde, Teneriffe, Zanzibar, and other im- portant ports in all parts of the world. In all there were about 80 depots. In 1875, owing to the great increase of business and the conse- quent growth of the office staff, it became necessary to build new offices, and it, is eloquent of the still further development of their trade that fifteen years later these premises, in torn became so overcrowded that they were utterly' inadequate. In the meantime, in 1888 the title of the firm was changed from Cory Bros. and Co." to Cory Bros. and Co., Ltd., the mem- of the firm at that time including Mr J. Cory, J-P., Aid. R. Cory, J.P., Messrs. S. C." Cory, H. B. Cory, C. J. Cory, and the late E. R. Moxey, J-P. It was in the year 1890 that the present offices were built in Bute-street, adjoining the Docks Post Office^and at theopposite comer of Bute-street to the home of the old firm. The building is one of the finest of its kind in the country, being quite palatial in character, and providing notable and visible testimony to the magnitude of the firm's trade. As Colliery Proprietor. The firm also became proprietors of some of thelaxg" collieries in the coalfield, amongst them ing Gelli, Tyrrybedw, and Pentm in, the R' iundda Valley; the Wyndham, Aber, and new pits in the Ogmore Valley the largest proprietors in the Penrhiwceiber, in the Aber- dare Valley the Cardiff and Swansea, in the Neath Valley and of other pits. The firm exports nearly four million tons of coal per annum. In 1883 Mr Cory associated himself with the late Mr David Davies, of Llandinam the late Mr Lewis Davis, Ferndale; the late Mr Archi- bald Hood, J.P., and others in promoting the Barry Dock scheme, and he was one of the original directors of the Barry Railway Company and a very large shareholder. He was also director of Miller and Cory's, Cap*- Verde Islands (Ltd.), of the Pen- rikyber Navigation Colliery Co., Ltd., and of the Vale of Glamorgan Railway. Mr John Cory married in 1854 Miss Anna, M. Bey- non, the daughter of Mr J. Beynon, colliery proprietor, of Newport, a lady who from that time was always actively associated with her husband in his philanthropic work,, and her death in August, 1909, proved a severe blow to him. By her Mr Cory had a family of three sons and one daughter. Miss Florence Cory, the sons being Mr Herbert Beynon Cory, Sir Clifford Cory, M.P., Mr Reginald Cory. For many years past Mr John Cory has resided at Duffryn, St. Nicholas, near Cardiff, a beautifully wooded estate which many years ago belonged to the Button family, chief among whom was Admiral Button, the famous Welsh navigator of the Elizabethan age.

THE LABOUR EXCHANGES. Mr Bell's Duties. Mr Richard Bell, ex-M.P. and ex-secretary of h RaIlway Servants' Union, who has just joined the staff of the Labour Exchanges, is to fulfil the functions in London of general adviser to the director and manager of the ex- chsMryjai on OU labour questions.

¡ ARCTIC GRIP. 12 Degrees Below Zero. UNPRECEDENTED COLD., i MILK SOLD IN BLOCKS. A severe frost prevails throughout the greater part of Scotland, Wales, and England, and heavy falls of snow are reported from North Wales and the North of England, as well as from most parts of Scotland. NO FISH FOR FOUR DAYS. The wildest weather has been experienced at Scarborough. The fishing vessels have been unable to leave the harbour, and no Ha-a been landed for four days. ICICLED PIER WORKS. At Dover meteorological station 11 degrees of frost were recorded on Wednesday. The Admiralty Pier widening works at Dover pre- sented a very wintry appearance, immense icicles depending from the girders where the sea had frozen as the waves swept the works, TWEED BLOCKED BY ICE. The Tweed was on Wednesday blocked with ice from shore to shore. Heavy-seas prevail off the coast, and there is some anxiety res- pecting the Norwegian steamer Uto, which was off Berwick in Monday's storm and has not since been reported. CHANNEL SERVfCE RESUMED. The South-Eastern Railway Company's Continental service, which had to be suspended on Tuesday owing to heavy weather, was re- sumed late on Tuesday night, and yesterday morning the company were able to run the boats as usual, the full service being now in operation once more. SNOW PLOUGHS AT WORK; • Following another heavy fall on Wednesday snow now lies two feet deep on the Cleveland Hills, Yorkshire, and all outdoor and shipyard work in the district is suspended. There are from six to ten inches of snow in the streets at Saltburn, Guisbrough, and other places, and snow ploughs are still at work clearing the country roads of drifts, which in some places are 30 inches deep. BAD "WEATHER IN ITALY. Lloyd's agentat Naples, telegraphing Wednes- day, states that very bad weather prevails, and the departure of the steamer Admiral, belonging to the German East Africa line, bound for East Africa. with the Duke of Connaught on board, has been delayed. FROZEN TOES REMOVED. New York, Wednes&-ty-At the hospital of Sir Francis Harford, Connecticut, yesterday four frozen toes were removed from a patient, whose leg was successfully anaesthetised by means of 54 volt electrical current.—Central News. WASHED OVERBOARD. Disabled Cardiff Steamer. A Lloyd's Falmouth message states that the Dutch steamer Teutoria, Cardiff for Genoa, with coal, arrived damaged and with a heavy list, caused by the s torm. The second mate and boatswain. were washed overboard and drowned. The Teutonia is a Dutch vessel belonging to Messrs W. H. Muller and Co., of Rotterdam, and had a Dutch crew on board. The vessel left Cardiff on Saturday. Messrs R. E. Morel and Co., the local agents, have received no communication with regard to the mishap. SKATIN6 IN THE FENS. Fifteen degrees of frost were registered in the Lincolnshire Fens on Wednesday, and skating commenced on shallow water, during the day.

Amazing Divorce Story. WtfP UFE WITH TWO BROTHERS. A topsy-turvy divorce came before Sir John Bighaan Wednesday. The proceedings arose out of an undefended suit which came before the late President of the court. John Thomas Howe. a laundry foreman, then obtained a decree from his wife Kate, on the ground of her misconduct with his brother William, a first-class petty officer in the Navy. Mr Murphy, who yesterday sought to have this decree set aside on the ground of con- nivance, told a remarkable story. The young woman, he said, met the sailor Will first. She walked out with him at Leigh-on-Sea. She then met the sailor's brother Jack, and "walkedout" with him too. They became engaged, were married, and lived in Kennington. To their house the sailor came as a guest when he was on leave, and re- sumed his love making with Mrs Howe. One morning the husband came upon them as they were kissing, and after this husband and wife parted for a time. My husband," declared Mrs Howe, when she came to give evidence; told me that if I would be happier with his brother I could go. I told my husband I was going to live with his brother. When the brother went to sea, continued Mr Murphy, the husband Jack was in the habit of visiting his wife, passing himself off as her brother-in-law to the landlord. Giving evidence, Mrs Howe described her double life. The sailor used to come from Saturday to Monday, when he got leave. She ilescribed an occaeian when the sailor came home unexpectedly one night. He said to his brother, who was visiting, lt Good evening, Jack." Jack got up, Put on his coat, and walked out of the house. Counsel Did the sailor know that your hus- band bad resumed his relations with you ?—No. So yon were deceiving the -ador T-Yes. The witness added that subsequently she and her husband lived together again at the same house where she had lived with the sailor. Finally, concluded Mrs Howe, she again separated from her husband and went to live with saüor. She had lived with him since. Questions were put about an agreement which Mrs Howe said was written out by herself and her husband. Do yqjd mean," asked counsel, that it gave you*permigsion to go and live with his brother f — Yes. Was it m yonr handwriting ?—I wrote my and. OB wrote his. We used tpen aDd ink. The. hearing was adjourned.

516 CROYDON FIRE, Newspaper Office Burned Out. Damage" to the extent of several thousand pounds was done by fire to the premises of Messrs Smith, Crotch, and Co., Limited, prin- ters and publishers, whose Surrey Evening Bcho died a natural death some days ago, and who are now publishers of the Croydon Chronicle." Shortly after midnight the building, which is four storeys high, was seen to be ablaze. Throughout the cold night the firemen worked with the water freezing on their uniforms. The. firemen were able to Sitve one side of Ebbutt's big furniture depository. The newspaper building was severely damaged, scarcely a part escaping from the ravages of the fire. The printing machinery, plant, &ct, was destroyed. The damage is estimated at £ 25,000. Interviewed yesterday. Mr Walter Crotch, the managing director of Messrs Smith, Crotch and Co., Ltd., and editor of the '1 Croydon Chronicle," said-" I was in London late last night when I received information of the fire by telephone, and I at once hurried to Croy- don. So far as I know the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, but it is stated to have originated in some outhouses. The place is completely destroyed as well as its valuable contents and new machinery. I estimate the damage at about £ 25,000. Amongst the machi- nery destroyed were six linotype machines, a rotary, and the fitho. plant."

POOR LAW REFORM. The Society of Poor Law Workers is cir- ,cularising Boards of Guardians throughout the country in a memorandum on proposed re- forms in the Poor Laws. The memorandum has been under consideration by the Com- mittee of the Islington Board of Guardians, and they recommend that the majority of the pro- posals be supported. Acquiescence is given to the proposal that the Central Authority should assume a more direct position of guidance and initiative in regard to local authorities and that a separate Poor Law Department of the Local Government Board should be formed. The Committee does not favour the proposal that the Local Government Board should have the same power of suspending recalcitrant Boards of Guardians as.isnow possessed by the Irish Board, nor is it agreeable that Guardians should no longer be the vaccination authority. The Committee is further of opinion that feeble minded persons should be placed under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. The majority of the remaining proposals for reform are re- commended for support.

MERTHYR COMPENSATIONS. In KingVBench Division onThursdav,befor the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Phillimore and Buclpiell, sitting as a Divisional Court, rules calling upon the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to shbw cause why a. mandamus should not issue, commanding them to hand over £ 3,000 compensation money received by them under the Licencing Act, 1904/ to the Gla morganCompensation Authority was men- tioned. There were also rules calling upon the justices of Glamorgan to show cause why they should not pay the compensation allowances due in the cases of five, public-houses, the re- newal of licences having been refused. The Lord Chief Justice held that the rule against the Commissioners of Inland Revenue must be discharged. The other rules were made abso- lute, the compensation money to be paid with- in six weeks.

-Z: THE PEOPLE'S VERDICT! THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PROVED j II" MOTHER SEIGEL'S SYRUP ( II ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT IT I | CURES 1 STOMACH AND LIVER DISORDERS When gentlemen of the jury" hear only dear, straightforward j evidence, it is easy for them to find the right verdict, which no I sensible person would question. Now, the value of Mother Seigel's | Syrup; as'a digestive tonic and stomachic remedy, has been tried by j a jury of thousands upon thousands of men and women. They have 2 had "before them the clear, straightforward evidence of their own I j experience. They know, for a fact, that Mother Seigel's Syrup cures, because it has cured iltem-of stomach or liver disorders. That is f J why they give their unanimous verdict that Mother Seigel's Syrup is, ] beyond a doubt, the sure cure for such ailments. Here is typicalj evidence, clear and straightforward :— t U In 1896 I began to suffer from Indiges- tion-a dull, heavy pain at my chest, which gave me no rest night or day. The terrible pain grew worse iratflT at last, I was unfit for work, and very de- jected. I took leas than one bottle of Mother Seigel's Syrup, and in a week the • pain which had tormented me so long was gone. It has never come back."— Mr EDWARD PRESTON, of War- land Farm, Walsden, Todmordeii, Lanes. May 13th, 1909. Last summer I began to be troubled with Indigestion. I am tui >ed 73, and have lost my teeth, so I think my stomach trouble is because I am unable to chew my food. I suffered frequent severe headaches, became very weak, and feD away in flesh Then it occurred tome totry Mother Seigel's Syrup. In the course of a few weeks the headaches entirely left me. My appetite began to pick up, I slept well, and awoke refreshed, ready for the day's work. Mrs MARY GAGG. Ruardean Wood- side, Roardean, Gota.* November 22nd, 1909. My Wneas was Indigestion and Bilious- ness. I was weary and disinclined for work. I had splitting headaches, would vomit, and lost my appetite entirety. After a few doses of Mother SeigePa Syrup the headaches became less severe the buious- sees wait; I had more energy. Sood I won back my lost health completely. For more than twenty years Mother Seigel's Syrup has been our family medwhic. Miss REBECCA TURNER, 7, Fiddea- | street. Accrington-road, Burnley, NOR. | 19th, 1909. j Pour years ago I was forty-one, and suffered from the change common to that I period of a woman's life. Food no longer | agreed with me, but caused terrible pain at my chest and between the shoulders* By the time I had taken four bottles of Mother SeigePs Syrup my need of it Ha<l passed. I was well, and I remain weD to at my chest and between the shoulders* By the time I had taken four bottles of Mother SeigePs Syrup my need of it Ha<l passed. I was well, and I remain weD to this day. The Syrup is the favourite 1 remedy in this part of La.ocashire. Mrs E. MOORHOUSE, 79, Shakes- ] peare-street, Padiham, November 19th, t 1909. 1 It has been proved that the herbal extracts of which Mother Seigel's Syrup is made quickly and surely tone up and strengthen the stomach, and gently stimulate the action of the liver and bowels. It has been proved that pains after eating, wind in the stomach, fulness at the chest, biliousness, constipation, headaches, sleeplessness, languor, nerves," J and low spirits-which result from a disordered state of the stomach, liver, or bowels-are j quickly banished by a short course of Mother Seigel s Syrup. Test it yourself and your ver- r, dict will be that-Mother Seigel's Syrup CUR ES stomach and liver troubles. ———- T

The tweish Hwyl." ] ITS ORIGIN AND TRADITION. On Thursday Dr. Alfred Daniell delivered an address before the Honourable Society of Cymmrodftrion, London, on Vocal Tradition in Wales." Sir John Rhys, chairman of the Council, presided. In regard to Welsh folk melodies, Dr. Daniell said he had come to the conclusion that they were of two classes—those founded on the hannonic scale in what is called true intonation, and others, in the Ray mode, of a scale not coincident with the ordinary scale of tones andsemi-tones. but presenting quarter tones and augmented and grave intervals. The first-mentioned class, which comprised most of the Welsh melodies would appear to have derived their truth of intona- tion from having been the subject of har- monisation from very early dates, running back as far as the alleged date of Cadwalladr's Eisteddfod, A.D. 700. The melodies of the other class did not lend themselves well, or at all to hannotion. and were more the affair of tradition than that of the music school The quarter tone scale also affected the hymn tune singing of Wales before the arrival of the wave of to sol-fa influences in the sixties. If further research established that there was a true tradition of this quarter tone melodic scale in Waies many interesting questions would arise. The nearest analogy appeared to be the melodic scale of the Arab reciters and singers of North Africa, and it might be that further light would be thrown on the con- clusions to be drawn from Professor J. Morris Jones's observations as to the North African derivation of- certain peculiarities of the grammar eoBoqtiial Welsh and the Haamtic origin of some portions of the Welsh and Irish peoples. In any event, the tradition of such a scale must necessarily be older than that of melodies in the true harmonic scale. There was in Wales another tradition, that of the hwyl, which also ooght to be made the subject of accurate study. Its inflexions were those of very primitive meiody it ittoataated an old-world common origin from which the throbbing poetry on the one hand and rhyth- mical melody on the other had sprung. From an origin of this kind might be conceived the development, on the literary side of the tradi- tional art of the ancient reciter, probably with a rhythmical beat, of which the Mabinogion presented notable traces, such as again brought them into touch with the singing manner of the Arab reciters of pemfllkm singing, which was another Welsh traditional art capable of throwing light on many ques- tions of origin, and which, curiously enough, was again a feature of North African life and ultimately of poetry pure and simple. Dr. Daniell, in conclusion, urged the society to use its influence in support of the efforts of the Welsh filolk Song Society to rescue from oblivion the folk melodies of the Principality.

PRODUCTION OF ELEKTRA" AT CONVENT GARDEN. Somethng like MM ts to be expended on the forthcoming three weeks' season of opera at Co vent Garden under the directorship of Mr Thomas Quinfen and the condnctorship of Mr Thomas Beecham. The mounting of the operas to be produced is intended to be worthy of the best Covent Garden traditions, and the bookings are already very heavy. Each of the five performances of Strswiss's Blektra" alone will cost 41,5W. Heavy fees have had to be naid to the managements of the different Fraulein Fassbender. German Royal Opera houses in order to release the principal artistes, and this in addition to their high salaries. It is announced that Fraulein Zdenka Fassbender, one of the principal artistes of the Munich Opera House, will also sing the title role in Elektra'' during the season in addition to Miss Edyth Walker. Franlein Fassbender, who created the part in Munich, will probably make her debut here when Dr. Strauss comes over to conduct the part.

HAD A BRANCH AT CARDIFF. At London Bankruptcy Court on Wednes- day the public examination was held of Mr B McAllister Bannatyne. In the course of the examination it transpired that the debtor was for some years a member of the Liverpool firm of Peter Sutherland and Co., timber, ship, and insurance brokers, who arranged with their creditors, paying a composition of 2s 6d in the £ upon liabilities to the amount of £ 20,000. Since then he had carried on business as an insurance broker at Billiter-street, E.C., with branches at Newcastle and Cardiff. He had also acted as manager of several underwriting establishments, the chief of which was the Premier Underwriting Association, Ltd., with which was connected the Novocastrian Under- writing Association, Ltd., and the Cardiff Underwriting Association. The first company went into voluntary liquidation in February. 1909. He now owed E6,870, of which 12 0 was unsecured. The assets, consisting of book debts, were valued at £ 9,467. He attributed his failure to th? liquidation of the Premier Association, Ltd., from which he was receiv- ing a remuneration of iC3,000 a year, and to liability as surety for others. In examination debtor stated that the liquidator of the Premier Company had a claim aaainsthim for;C3OO. He had it claim for E2,000 in connection with the exportation of mules and ponies from Buenos Ayres to the Mauritius. There was every prospect of it being paid. Thy examination was concluded.

Steeplejack's Suicide. It ABERDARE SENSATION. A sensational steJryof a steeplejack's dive from a stack at Aberdare was told on Thursday at an inquest held by Mr R. J. Rhys. The vic- tim was Patrick Crowley (52}, and the fatal leap was made on Tuesday at the Bwilfar Col- lieries. Dennis McCarthy, of the arm of McCarthy and Shesn, steeplejacks, said Crowley bad been in the service of the firm a large number of yeam- Last Tuesday they were engaged in demolishing a stack at the Bwllfa Collieries. Deceased got up the stack where witness was at work- The stack was 88 feet high, when they first commenced work; its height on Tuesday was 55 feet. They both sat aarfrfrie on the vralb, deoea-d being opposite him. Snddenly-Croiwley got up and went round the wall, saying, I have done, Dennis." Crow- ley then made a-deiiberatephmge off the stack. No walling gswe way. Witness noticed nothing wrong with deceased when he reached the stack summit. He did not know where Crow- lew had been that morning, but he did not appear to have been drinking. Charles Hall, a mechanic at the coflsery, said he saw Crowley at work on the top of the stack. He saw him topple over. A number of people were watching Crowley at work. Witness was the first to reach deceased after the great fall. Crowley was alive then and, smelt of drink. Evan Williams, a bricklayer, said he was in the Tonhvyd Inn, Cwmdare, on Toesdaymom- ing, when Crowley came in and asked witness to pay for a pint of beer for him. Witness con- sented to this, but the landlady declined to supply him bcaose he appealed to have had too much already. Deceased then left with the remark It is my last tid- eoond, old boy." This occurred about 1030- Hall (recalled) wm asked vdry-thepeopie were waitchinc Orowtey ait work on the stack, and he replied that they bad seen his condition before he went up. The jury returned a. of" ^ukade-dur- ing temporary insanity."

LONDON SAFE FROM FLOODING. No Repetftion of Paris Disaster. Londoners are doubtless wondering if there is any danger of the Metropolitan streets being flooded, as in the case at Paris, should the river Thames follow the example of the Seine and suddenly rise above its normal winter height. They may rest assured that the scenes now witnessed in the French capital will not be enacted in London. for a London News Agency representative had it on the authority of a London County Council mffiran.1 yesterday that the flooding of the Metropolis from the river was practically an impossibility unless the Thames rose to an unprecedented height, IJnder the Metropolitan ;Thames RiverPre- vention of Flooding) Amendment Act of 1839 the London County Council has control over flood prevention wosks in that part of the liver-a distance of 22 miles Which passes through the administrative ana. The total length of the banks to be watched is 43 miles. Banks and various works have been con- structed so as to protect low-lying land, their height being considerably above the point which the Thames has ever been known to reach, and the river would ha to rise to a great height before overflowing. London may also be reckoned sate from flooding after heavy rainfalls. In the summer of 1903 over 1,000 complaints of the flooding of premises were received by the London County Council, and so exceptional was the character of the weather that before the water from one storm had subsided another storm ensued. The Main Drainage Committee at Spring Gardens went thoroughly into the matter, and in Feb- ruary on the following year the London County Council adopted recommendations to construct relief sewers at a cost of £ 737,000. These works are almost completed, and the relief will not be confined to the district in which they are carried out, but will relieve a considerable area.

MUSEUMS AND EDUCATION. Lecture by Dr. Hciyle at Cardiff. Dr. w. E. Hoyle, M..A., D.Sc., director of the National Museum of Wales, delivered a lecture at the Cardiff Intermediate School for Girls on Wednesday, under the auspices of the Cardiff and District Educational Society. Miss Collin presided. The subject of the lecture was "Museums and Education." Dr. Hoyle stated that if the museum was to aid in elevating people, to give them fresh ideas, new visions of beauty and of the glories of art, it must be attractive—it must be a place that people would go into because .it was ples.sant. to go there. It was allowable to-day to take children from school to the museum and count time spent there as time spent in school. That was a most beneficent change if the children were induced to take proper interest in the things which were shown to them. Teaching in the museum must be co- related to the teaching in school and the proper people to give the instruction in the museum were the teachers. The director of the museum knew nothing about the children. Dr. Hoyle spoke of the value of the school museum, and the keen interest of children in objects which should be used to teach them the truths of nature and of science. He sug- gested that if the lesson in the museum were to last for twenty minytes, ten minutes should be allowed for the children to examine the con tents of the cases and observe for themselves. So far as he knew there was no museum in this country which had been specially arranged with the view of interesting children. He showed that such a departure had been made in America with successful results.

THE BUTE STATUE. As Good as Six Policemen. The suggested removal of the Bute statue from the bottom of St. Mary-street to Cathays Park was mentioned at the Cardiff Publio WorksjCommitteeon Thursday .Councillor Jabez Jones presiding. Mr Harpur (city engineer) said Lord Bute was approached some years ago, and objected to the statue being removed, wishing it to remain in the business part of the city, as his grandfather was associated with its commercial life so closely. Councillor P. V. Collins had brought the matter forward, and had expressed the opinion that the statue in its present position was an obstruction of traf- fic. Councillor J. T. Richards, on the other, hand, had regarded the statue as being as good as half a dozen policemen, helping to divide traffic. Eventually a sub-committee was ap- pointed to inspect and report.

Elsie Bascombe, aged 15 months, of 74, Daniel-street., was admitted to the Cardiff Infirmary on Wednesday suffering from scalds sustained through a kettle of boiling water tipping over upon her. She was detained.

1 Confession of Coining. WELSH MOUNTAIN "FACTORY." Bad Money in Monmoathshirt. At Abertillery on Wednesday William Spiers* labourer, was charged with unlawfully making and uttering counterfeit coins at Abertillery on January 22nd. Inspector Lewis handed in the following voluntary statement, which had been made by prisoner :— I am the coiner and I do not want the innocent to suffer. I have been m airing th* coins and passing them in all the places around here. I have passed the coins at Lian- hilleth, Crumlin, Newbridge, Pontypool, Pontnewynydd, Ebbw Vale, Brynmawr,sand Newport. I broke the moulds this morning and I will show you the pieces, also the afar# I have been using to make them. I did not make them in the lodging house. I made them on the mountain, and I will take you to place and show you where I have hidden the moulds. f have been passing them off in shops in other places, and a woman in, Ebbw Vale detected that they were bad. I wish I had died before the chap, showed me the way to make them. Upon the application of Inspector Levil prisoner was remanded in custody until February 9th.

Revolutionary Battle. TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER. New York, Tuesday.—The "Evening Sun prints the f-ouowing message from BluLefields There are reports of a clash yesterday between La. Libertad and Acokapa. between the mam bodies of the Government and Revolutionary armies. After one hour's fighting the former ffittififBff. It is believed here that General/ Vaeqqaz ordered a feint so as to test General fistruda's strength. General Chamorrp reports that the Revo- lutionists lost 400 killed and wounded ijom the enemy's machine gons, but believes that the Government's losses are-even greater.-Reuter. New York (Bluefields), Later.—Two Englidk* men who were operating a Government machine gun were captured, together with the gun. Word has been sent to General Conmorto to treat the prisoners with consideration in order to avoid compheabon&-Pe-uter.

MERTHYR RAINFALL RECORDS. On Wednesday a meeting of the Waterworks Committee of Merthyr Corporation was held. Councillor J. W. Lewis presiding. The borough engineer presented tables showing the recorded rainfall during 1909. The gauge at the Treharrjs service reservoir, 865 feet above sea level, regis- tered a fall of 46.06 inches the gauge at the Penybryn filter beds, 936 feet above sea level, 55.19 inches the gatoge at the Pentwyn reser- voir, 1,120 feet above sea level, 66.17 inches and the gauge at the Lower Neuadd reservoir. 1,462 feet above sea level, 76.85 inches. The lowest rainfall registered in the waterworks catch- ment area during the year was 61.44 inches at the gauge north of the Upper Neuadd on the mountain slope on the east side of the river, 1,843 feet above sea level, and the highest 91.61 inches, at the gauge at the foot of the Brecon Beacons, near the river on the west side, 2,099 feet above sea level. The greatest rainfall recorded in 24 hours in the catchment area was 4.66 inches at the gauge 230 yards east of the north and of the Lower Neuadd reservoir, 1,524 feet above sea level, ow the 22nd December.

NAVAt EXPENDITURE. A Commercial View. The South of Scotland Chamber of Commerce has given notice to move the following resolu- tion on naval expenditure at the forthcoming public meeting in, London of Associa- tion of Chambers of Commerce :—" That. this association is strongh of opinion that with a view to cheeking the enor- mous and annually increasing expenditure on tie Navy, an effort should be made to enforce the world's peace by the formation of an Inter- national Defence Association to arbitrate be- tween nations, and which could by reason of overwhelming force ensure, its awards being implemented that until the durable result of the certain peace of the. wortd be attained the true intpreste, of Great Britain demand such a fleet as will be able to laintajn her position as mistress of the sea in any emergency and that the Government should be urged to take the necessary steps to carry this resolution; into effect."

JUVENILE DETECTIVE. At the South-Western Police Court on Wed- nasday Frederck Harness, a young man, W88 committed for trial charged with stealing jewellery to the value of JE120 from the pre- mises of Messrs Bond and Kedge, High-street, Putney. The prisoner, it was stated, smashed the shop window with a brick on Tuesday night and made off, after having filled his coat pocket with the rings that were on two trays. He was arrested in the public library a short distance awa-v, being found in the reading- room looking unconcernedly at a newspaper. Richard. Davis, a schoolboy. living in Putney Bridge-road, who saw the clearing of the win- dow, followed the prisoner to the library and later returned to the shop and gave informa- tion. The Magistrate You were the chief detec- tive. .His Worship added that the boy deserved great credit for having acted so well.

THE DISAPPEARING HORSE. Era of the Motor-'Bus. The gradual disappearance of the horse ftcm London streets was strikingly illustrated by the opening unreserved sale yesterday at Fernhead-road, Harrow-road, of omnibus horses belonging to the London General Omni- bus Company, Ltd. The bidding at yesterday's sale was brisk, but prices were comparatively I small, and averaged 110 to E15 for ten year olds, the highest price reached yesterday fore- noon being about £ 27 10s, and the lowest £ 7 10s. The purchasers included farmers, carmen, greengrocers, coal dealers, etc., few, if any, of I the horses going to Continental buyers. The company are disposing by auction of 500 horses during the next few days, and are re- placing the horse-vehicles from time to time with motor omnibuses. Abottt 5,000 horses are now left in the company's omnibus ser- j vice, as compared with about 14,000 regularly 1 I employed before motor competition began.