The Cardiff Times

"WHITE CLOUD" RECALLED. Divorce Decree Rescinded. In the Divorce Court on Monday the Presi- dent, Sir John Bigham, upon the application of the King's Proctor, rescinded the decree nisi for divorce granted to Mr John Greeb, known as M Marx," the Strong Man," by reason of his wife's adultery with a North American Indian, The White Cloud," who appeared at Earl's Corajb exhibition some years ago. The King's Proctor alleged that the petitioner him- self had been guilty of misconduct. Counsel said that the marriage took place in October, 1894, and the decree nisi was granted in July, 1909. The decree was rescinded and the petition dismissed with costs.

ABEftSYCHAN WORKINGMEN'S INSTITUTE. The fifth annual meeting of the Aberyschan District Workingmen's Institute was held on Monday, Mr F. A. Smith presiding. Mr William Jones reported that during the year 2,895 books had been in circulation. There was a balance in hand of JE51 6s 2d, and a dividend of Is per share was recommended. Both the report and financial statement were adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow --President, Mr S. T. Daniel secre- tarv, Mr G. T. Pritchard treasurer, Mr F. A. Smith librarian, Mr W. B. Cooke auditors, Messrs F. Powell and E. Miles.

At Swansea Guildhall on Monday the Mavor (Alderman Matthews), at the instance of the Royal Humane Society, presented Herbert Nicholls with a certificate for rescuing a woman, Susan Brown, from drowning. His Worship emphasised the necessity of everybody learn- ing how to swim.

HOW TO GET WORK. LABOUR EXCHANGES ST ARJ. New Social Era. (SPECIALLY CONTRIBUTED.) The Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, was brought into practical operation on Tuesday. Of course it took legal effect on January 1st last. But the Board of Trade authorities very wisely decided that the actual opening of the exchanges should be deferred till after the General Election. The past month has, con- sequently, been spent in perfecting prepara- tions, completing the organisation generally, finishing the alteration and adaption of build- ings, effecting engagements with the large new staff of civil servanta for a two years' pro- bationary term, and generally setting up a State Market for labour, hitherto the one great, commodity which lias been without any recognised mart in this country. To-day and within the next week or two some 150 exchanges, mostly of the first and second class, will be opened in the industrial centres of the United Kingdom. Probably before the year is out, the total number of exchanges, over 220, will be doing their bene- ficent work in gi (ring that mobility to British labour which it has hitherto conspicuously lacked. The exchanges will, broadly, be divided into 40 first-class, 40 second-class, and 150 third class and sub-ofilces. First-class bureaux will be set up in towns over 100,000 population, and second-class in those under 100,000 and over 50,000. Divisional Districts. I The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland will, for the purpose of Labour Ex- change information, be divided into eleven districts, in charge of as many divisional chiefs, as follow South-East England, with London as its centre and a divisional clearing- house there situate South-West. Bristol; East Midlands, Nottingham West Midlands, Birmingham; North-East Coast, Newcastle- upon-Tyne Yorkshire, Leeds South-East Lancashire, Manchester; North-West Coast, Liverpool; Wales, Cardiff; Scotland, Glasgow; Ireland, Dublin. According to the statement submitted to Par- liament before the second reading of the Labour Exchange Bill, £ 56,455 was to be ex- pended this year on the adapting and furnish- ing of hired premises for a National Clearing House (located at Caxton House, Westminster), 10 divisional clearing houses, 32 first-class ex- changes, 43 second-class exchanges, 20 third lass exchanges, and 20 sub-offices, the com-* bined rent and maintenance of which for a year will be ELO-MO. Five sites in London and the provinces will be purchased in 1910. Next year will see the adapting and furnishing of 100 third-class ex- changes and sub-offices, the establishment of the London Docitm system of exchanges, the erection of fine divisional clearing houses, and the purchase of a few more sites. At a cost of about Mo.= annually, tmm 1910-11 to the eleventh year of their existence 1919-20, the complete organisation and housing of the ex- changes will proceed side by side with what it, is hoped will be the increasing national demand for increasingly efficient service which the new Board of Trade sub-department will thus be enabled to give to our great State interests of Labour and capital, which stand to mvtoaUy profit by this wise regulation and facilitation of." employment. The bureaux which will to-day hang oat their banners on the outward walls," an- nouncing the State institution of Labour Ex- changes by this sign E.R. Labour Exchange (Board of Trade)," will have something of the appearance of the penny banks with which our more thrifty industrial populations are happily familiar. The frontage or window of each exchange will exhibit the official bills and notices indicating situations open, class of workpeople required, etc. What the Applicant Will Find. Entering the typical bureau, the applicant J will face a semi-circular counter, behind which stand the registering clerks. Forming queues in the busier part of, the day. say between 9 and 10 in the morning, the applicants win, for the sake of more rapid attention, be separated in the larger exchanges into two sections, skilled and unskilled workmen. Their names, occupations and addresses will be taken down and entered in the live register to which reference will be made whenever an intimation is received, by telephone, word of mouth, post card or letter, that employers require this or that class of workman. If there is a demand for the type of employee who is registering, be will at once be dispatched with card to the factory, works, yard or workshop and may be fortunate enough to receive immediate employ- ment. If he fails to find puch an earty opening, he must be constant in his calls at the exchange or his name will automatically pass on to th e dead register sad the entry will requir e renewal before he receives attention. If h is morning visit to the bureau produces no resul t, he may have the good luck to receive a post card In the afternoon or evening with the agreeable instruction, Please present this card to Messrs Jones and Smith, at Perfecta Works, ProVidence-street, to-xnorrew morning, pro-pt- ly at 8 o'clock." Separate roorps will, in the larger exchanges, also be provided for women and young persons of both sexes, and this department will be in charge of a woman superintendent or sub- manager. There will also be an employers* room, in which they may interview likely ap- plicants for situations. Whilst in no øenøe luxurious, the waiting rooms will be decently furnished, with semi-circtes of chairs for work- men to spend an hour or two awaiting possible calk for men over the telephone, or by other means of communication during the busier hours. An Initial Advantage. The system which was publicly inaugurated on Tuesday has this important initial advant- age over municipal labour bureaux, which have eked out, in a handicapping connection with distress committees, a more or less pre- carious existence in some of our larger towns in recent years. AJ1 the exchanges will be linked up throughout the kingdom, individual bureaux to the Divisional Clearing HouaI. and the 11 divisional clearing houses with the National Clearing House, at Westminster. Returns of situations unfilled and workpeople disengaged will be sent from the exchanges to the clearing houses, and these in turn will dis- tribute the information to the exchanges in other areas, so that situations open and workmen seeking employment may reach the favourable labour market. Supply and demand will meet each other—to the great advantage of both, and the consequential national gain. The work and the worker will be brought into touch throughout the United Kingdom. The Labour Exchanges Act authorised advances to be made, by way of loan, towards meeting the expenses of work- people travelling to places where anployment has been found for them through a Labour Ex- change. A railway ticket will be purchased for the worker who is without adequate means for getting to his new situation and starting work, and the cast will be collected fram mm, in instalments if necessary, when he has once more become a wage-earner. A New Hope for All. It will, therefore, be seen that. in abnast every respect the new institutions start to- day under most favourable circumstances, and. we are assured, with the hopes and good wishes of all who desire to see the casual labotrrer converted into a regulariy employed workman, the problem of juvenile employ- ment in som^degree solved, and the first great step taken roward the elimination from our industrial system of- (1) The honest workman who wants employ- ment and cannot find it; (2) The young of both sexes who take blind alley employment for the sake of the immediate earnings, and then arc thrown out to fill the unskilled labour market to over- flowing; (3) The docker who works two days in a week, and is semi-starved for the rest of the seven (4) The loafer and the work-shirker, always seeking a job with a strong determination not to and it; and (5) The unfit, for whom the public infirmary is the right place.

BUSINESS FAILURES. Long years of experience haVe demonstrated to the seekers after the underlying causes of business failure, +he fact that, generally speak- ing, four-fifths of all failures are due to faolfo inherent in the person, while about one-fifth are due to causes outside and beyond his own control. This proportion, a writer in the "Cen- tury points out, varies slightly in some years of stress, but on the whole the percentages are so constant, that in themselves they consti- tute a virtual guarantee of statistical accuracy. Under the head of faults due to the subject himself, the following causes are grouped by Bradstreet's Incompetence (irrespective of other causes) inexperience (without other in- competence) lack of capital unwise grant- ing of credits; speculation (outside regular business) neglect of business (due to doubtful habits); personal extravagance; fraudulent. disposition of property. On the other hand, the following causes are classed as not pro- ceeding from the faults of those failing Speci- fic conditions (disaster, panic, etc.) failures of others (of apparently solvent debtors); com- petition.

PATHETIC CARDIFF CASE. A distressingly -pathetic story was told to Mr T. H. Stephens, at the Cardiff Police Court on Monday, when Edith Dugmore (23). was charged with disorderly conduct in Wharton-lane on Sunday night. She appeared in the dock carrying a very young baby in her arms. Inspector Bingham stated that defendant, who was the daughter of very respectable parents, had been engaged at a large business establishment in Cardiff. She was betrayed and then deserted, the result being that she went to Mary Ann-street, where her baby was born a month ago. Defendant was now willing to enter the Salvation Army Home, and her people desired that she should be botmd over undtfr the care of the probation officer. She was bound over accordingly.

I WRECKAGE OF THE BRIGHTON-TO-LONDON EXPRESS. • y.. .< View of the wrecked coach in which most of the fatalities occurred. Our photographs was taken by flashlight soon after the accident, when the wreckage was being removed by a powerful crane. (Photos by London News Agency and World's Graphic Press.)

Cardiff Shipowners AND COAL TRADE SHADOWS. The annual meeting of the members of the Cardiff Incorporated Shipowners' Association was held at the Exchange, Cardiff, on Monday afternoon, Mr J. T. Duncan presiding. The annual statement of accounts and report having been adopted, Mr T. E. Morel was unanimously chosen as chairman for the en- suing year. Acknowledging his election, Mr Morel said the depression which for a number of years had been so acutely felt by the shipping in- dustry of the world appeared to be passing away, but he feared that a very serious dislo- cation of the local shipping trade and conse- quent loss to shipowners would follow as a result of the threatened stoppage in the South Wales coalfield at the end of March. The shipping trade had to bear the whole brunt of the dislocation and interruption of trade, and even now shipowners were attempting to MrT. E. MOREL, the New President of the Association. diverttheir totmage and so arrange the dis- posal of it that it should not be in the Bristol Chsdhnel at the end of March or early in April. As they were aware, it was most difficult when once the usual routine of steamers was in- terrupted to get them back into their regular trades, and it was common knowledge that shipowners, dry docks, and railways, and, indeed, the whole trade of South Wales, had not yet recovered from the effect of the dis- posal of tonnage consequent upon the threat- ened stoppage in June last. He urged upon the Oosiowners' Association and Miners' Federa- tion to bear in mind the fact that an eleventh hoar settlement caused almost as much loss to the trade of the port and district as an actual stoppage. Subsequeently Mr W. H. Jones was elected vix-chatrman of the Association, Mr E. W. IL Cowtan treasurer, Mr C. E. Stallybrass auditor, and Mr W. R- Hawkins secretary. Mr Dan Radcliffe was selected as the Association representative on the Executive of the Cham- ber of Shipping, and the six representatives on the Barry Pilotage Board were re-elected, with the exception that Mr T. E. Morel takes the place of Mr E. R. Care, who resigned. Mr T. E. Morel and Mr W. H. Jones were ap- pointed delegates to the annual meeting of the Central Chamber of Shipping, and Messrs E. Hancock and W. H. Jones were nominated as representatives for the Shipowners' Parlia- mentary Committee. A vote of condolence with the family of the late Mr John Cory was passed, and feeling reference was made to his death. It was stated that in view of the situation in the South Wales coalfield local shipowners were being circularised by German coal ex- porters asking for tonnage to convey caal to the Islands and Mediterranean ports between now and the end of March.

•' IN WANT OF EVERYTHING." An inquest was held at Islington on Monday on Jacob Vogt (37), public-house and restaurant manager, Courtney-road, Islington, who cut his throat on Friday morning. Laura Elizabeth Vogt, the widow, said owing to illness her hosbahd was out of work for 17 months, and had lately become greatly de- pressed. Early on Friday morning he was discovered in his bedroom with his throat cut. On the dressing table was found the following note in German, written by deceased :— Dear Sister and Brother-in-Law, and Children,—I am sorry to tell you I could not get the situation, and I have no money what- ever. We have to give up our rooms and got nothin to live on and nothing to eat, no shelter before us. It is shocking that I am leav- ing you. I have run my legs off looking for work, and I cannot find any. We are in want of everything. Please have pity and look after the children till we can get in a position to take both back again. My wife sold everything what did belong to her to live upon. Her friends did help us when they could. They could do no more. Dear Brother-in-Law and Sister—We beg of you to keep the children with you and when naughty and they do not behave them- selves, please punish them and make them better. Am sorry to hear my brother is not well-not in good health himself—but thank God he writes to say he is a bit better. I lose my head, and being ill the last few days. My wife's health is bad. I hope she will be better soon Many greetings to you and sister and my wife Hilda.—Jacob Vogt". A verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned.

LARGEST IN THE WORLD. A profusely illustrated article on floating docks is an outstanding feature of the February istme of The Magazine of Com- merce." The largest floating dock in the world is the one at Hamburg, which was built by Messrs Blohm and Voss, the Hamburg ship- building firm, for their own use. It has a lift- ing power of about 35,000 tons, and was com- Dieted in 1909. The floating dock equipment of Hamburg is probably superior to that of any other port in the world. Besides that just mentioned, it has seventeen iron and steel floating docks, ranging from 320 feet in length, built in 1882, to 595 feet in length, built in 1903. Two of these docks have a lifting power of 17,500 tons. There is also an offshore dock 508 feet in length, with a lifting ccpacity of 11.000 tons. Stettin is also well provided. Though it seems like a contradiction in terms, it is possible for a floating dock to tackle a ship of a greater weight than its own lifting capacity. One of the most notable instances of this being done was when, a few years ago, the Barrow dock lifted the steamship Em- press of China, which was nearly double its own length, sufficiently to permit of the ad- justment of the propellers, thus avoiding the time and cost of a voyage to Liverpool for dry docking. Every floating dock is also calculated to receive a vessel considerably exceeding its own length.

JUSTICES' DEPUTY CLERK. Mr R. Edwards James, solicitor, Cardiff and Abercynon, has been appointed deputy clerk to the stipendiary and the justices of Merthyr, Aberdare, Mountain Ash, and Abercynon. Mr James is an old student of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He won an entrance exhibition, and became an Under- graduate of the University of London. He has Sassed the intermediate examination for the egree of Bachelor of Law in the same University. During his career in Cardiff Mr James has identified himself with many public movements, such as the National Eisteddfod and the Cardiff Cymmrodorion. For two years he held the post of prosecuting solicitor for the city at Quarter Sessions, and has acted on the Abercynon, has been appointed deputy clerk to the stipendiary and the justices of Merthyr, Aberdare, Mountain Ash, and Abercynon. Mr James is an old student of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He won an entrance exhibition, and became an Under- graduate of the University of London. He has Sassed the intermediate examination for the egree of Bachelor of Law in the same University. During his career in Cardiff Mr James has identified himself with many public movements, such as the National Eisteddfod and the Cardiff Cymmrodorion. For two years he held the post of prosecuting solicitor for the city at Quarter Sessions, and has acted on the rota of solicitors for prosecutions at the Assizes. The appointment was made by Mr Elias. who succeeded the late Colonel D. Rees Lewis as justices' clerk.

RhY":1.ney:lron Company. DIRECTORS ON DARRAN'DISASTER. The interim report for the half-year ended 2nd October, 1909, of the Rhymney Iron Com- ny Limited, states that the output of coal for the half-year (27 weeks) was 505,118 tons: compared with 449,894 tons in the half-year (26 weeks) to 26th September, 1908, an increase of 55,224 tons. Some 20,009 tons of this increase was due to the additional week in • the half- year, and the balance to increased outputs from the new pits at Groosfaen and Pengam. The quantity of coke made was 23,700 tons, com- pared with 20,198 tons, an increase of 3,502 tons. A number of the older ovens are being, rebuilt. During the latter part of 1909 the market for Welsh steam coal improved, and the directors placed a considerable quantity of coal for delivery over 1910 at satisfactory prices. The directors refer with regret to the serious explosion of coaJ dust at the company's Dan an Pit on the 29th October, invol ving a loss of 29 li res, and feel assured that the share- holders will readily confirm the allowances which the board have deemed it just and right to make to the btereaved families of Mr W. .Bowen. the agent and manager a Groesfaen, and Mr Dd. Lewis, under manager of the house coal pits, who were among the five rescuers killed. The Darran Pit had been worked by the company for over 40 years, and this was the first time-that such a catastrophe had occurred in one of the company's pits. The Beath of so many workmen will involve pay- ment of a considerable sum by way of com- I pensation. Certain of the claims have already been satisfied, but with regard to the majority it is probable they will iorm the subject of legal proceedings. In accordance with the promise made at the last annual general meeting of shareholders, the board have had under consideration the question of the, abolition of the restriction im- posed by No. 125 of the company's regulations as altere-d on the 23rd November, 1881, as to the amount of an interim dividend, which the re- sults of working during the first half of any financial year may appear to justify. Under existing circumstances, the board are not in a position to declare an interim dividend on the present occasion; but they will take the necessary steps for convening, at the conclu- sion of the next annual ordinary general meet- ing, an extraordinary general meeting of the company to sanction the omission from Regu- lation 125 of the words not exceeding the rates per annum sanctioned by the share- holders, at the then last annual ordinary general meeting."

WELSH LADY'S DISTINCTION. Miss Mary Williams has won the coveted distinction of the Doctorate of the University DR. MARY WILLIAMS. II (Photo by Gyde, Aberystwyth.) I of Paris. Miss Williams is the daughter of the late Rev. John Williams, C.M. minister, of Aberystwyth;

THE DEVELOPMENT ACT. Addreatfnga. meeting of the Fanners' Club, held at the Whitehall Rooms on Monday, with reference to the Development and Road Im- provement Act of 1909, Mr H. Trustram Eve said the Consolidated. Fund for the year ending 31st March, 1911. and each of the next succeed- ing torn yeen was charged with a sum of £ 500,OOOper annum towards the purpose of the Act. It would appear, therefore, that the next Parliament had only tg> appoint the Commis- sioners, and the Act cOuldthen at once be pot in operation. He ventured to say that no more important Act had been passed affecting the welfare of agriculture. The general impression seemed to be that there would be a competi- tion and scramble for the/money voted under the Act, first of all between various parts of the United Kingdom, secondly between various industries concerned, and thirdly between various locali- ties, even if their interests were identical. It was quite certain that unless the agricultural organisations used their influence many other interests would obtain more than their fair share of the money, and agriculture would be left in the cold, in view of the fact that a promise had been given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that at least £ 256,000 should be earmarked annually for agriculture, he thought they were entitled to ask that two of the five Commissioners should have a special know- ledge of agriculture. Seeing that the Develop- ment Act was purely non-political, they must ask the members, new and old, who repre- sented the 150 agricultural constituencies, to work together irrespective of party, and see that the Development Act was administered largely for the benefit of agricutune. They must not forget the members representing Ire- land would also be in a very strong position in the next Parliament, and as they had a happy knack of getting their own way, English agri- culturists must see that each part of the United Kingdom had fair share.

YSTRAD INSOMNIA VICTIM. Mr R. J. Rhya, coroner, held an inquest at Ystrad Rhonddaon Monday touching the dteath of Mr John Herbert Churchill (45), landlord of the Ystrad Hotel. Mrs Churchill said her hus- band had suffered from insomnia consequent upon an accident. She had constantly watched him, as at times he had become light headed. On Thursday night they were together in the him. as at times he had become light headed. On Thursday night they were. together in the sitting-room, and she doted. Missing him when she awoke she called to him. Before she could stop him he had opened a window, and evidently from a conversation they had had previously he was under the impression he was going by train, and was opening the carriage door. He fell a distance of 3ome 30 feet on to a wash tub in the adjoining premises. He died the following day. Dr. N. Sherlow, assistant to Dr. W. E. Thomas, attributed death to pressure of blood on the brain caused bv the accident. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

FATHER OF SIR DANIEL MORRIS The death is announced of Mr Henry Morris, father of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., D.C.L., I and ot the Rev. Henry Morris, vicar of Uantwit Major. The deceased gentleman, who had attained his 90th year, passed away at Hafod, Swansea. In his earlier years he had charge of the patternmaking and carpentry department of the old Morfa Copper Works, and retired about 20 years ago. He was a native of the patternmaking and carpentry department of the old Morfa Copper Works, and retired about 20 years ago. He was a native of Loughor, where his eldest son. Sir Daniel, was born. Sir Daniel has won distinction as a botanist. He has rendered great service to West Indian agriculture, having, in conjunc- I tion with the late Sir Alfred Jones, been th#i means of reviving the prosperity of this im- portant part of the Britisli-poss(tssions. As an Imperial commissioner to fee West Indies he sailed from England only a few weeks ago. j

Mr "Dan" Radcliffe. OFFICE BOY TO MERCHANT. PRESENTATION AT CARDIFF. At the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday evening about 150 docksmen and city men sat down to a banquet to celebrate the 50th birth- day of Mr Daniel Radcliffe, J.P., one of the leading and most popular shipowners of Cardiff. It was a remarkable demonstration of the esteem in which the guest of the evening is held, shipowners being present from London and the North of England, while a sheaf of telegrams and congratulatory letters were received from all parts of the world. Mr DANIEL RADCLIFFE, the guest •of the evening. I Mr Dan Radcliffe commenced his career at the docks in the office of Messrs Anning Bros., and later was with Messrs Turnbull Bros. His first ship was the Peterstoil, which turned out to be a most successful boat. In 1892 he joined his brother, Mr Henry Radcliffe, in the well- known firm of Messrs Evan Thomas, Padel iffl- and Co. He is a past president of the Cardiff Shipowners' Association. a director of the West of England Shipowners' Protection Association and has acted in arbitrations in labour dis- putes and those arising between charterers and shippers. He is a member of the Trimming Board, chairman of the Tydvil Engineering and Ship Repairing Company, Limited, director of the Channel Dry Docks, and he started thd first engineering shoo at Barry. which afterwards was amalgamated with the Channel Dry Docks Company. Arrangements for the banquet were mad* by a few of his friends, who formed thamwWfw into a committee with Mr Charles P. Bell as chairman, the hon. secretaries being Messrs T. Sydney Jones and J. W. Taylor. Mr Bell presided at the banquets and among those present were Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., the Lord Mayor (Councillor John Chappell), Messrs W. J. Tatem, J. Frazer, J. T. Duncan, A. I. Griffiths (president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce), r. A. Jones, S. Radcliffe (Peter- ston-suoer-Ely), T. Allan Johnson, W. H. Jones, F. Hinzer, Tom Morel, A. Foa, T. J. Callaghan, Gething Lewis, Wm. Graham, G. W. Moore, Wm. Jones, Trevor S. Jones, Joseph Davies, F. H. Lambert, Ac. Mr Radcliffe was presented with a band- some gold loving cup of Celtic design embossed with pictures of the City Hall and the entrance to the Cardiff Docks, with the Cardiff Railway Company's offices, on the third side being inscribed, To Daniel Radcliffe, Esq., J.P., from his friends on his 50th birthday, January 29th. 1910."

IN A SOUND CONDITION. 2nd Battalion Mon. Regiment. Colonel J. A. Bradney, commanding the 2nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, Territorial Force, has issoed the annual circular letter for 1909 to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. He states that it is highly satisfac- tory that this battalion, which was one of those that had great difficulties to encounter at the outset, on account of the redistribution of companies with another battalion, is in a sound condition both as regards numbers and general efficiency. The authorised strength is 29 officers amd 980 non-commissioned officers and men, and there are only 5 officers and 34 men needed to com- plete the strength. The camp was held at Ammanford from the 25th July to the 8th August. It will long be remembered for the wet weather and the bad condition of the'ground., but, notwithstanding this, it is to the very great credit of all that the discomfort was borne without complaint and was cheerfully endured with true soldier-like spirit. It was a matter of satisfaction that no ackness was caused. Owing to unavoidable circumstances, some men were obliged to attend camp with an insufficient supply of clothing.. The camp was inspected by the G.O.C. in chief, Sir Charles Burnett, K.C.B., K.C.V.O. The manoeuvres were inspected by Major- General F. Lloyd, C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O., who expressed himself as well satisfied with the work. General Lloyd also inspected the bat- talion on 13th March, when he addressed the men in the Drill Hall, congratulating them on their general appearance and large muster. Colonel Bradney congratulates Lieutenant Colonel Griffiths, Major Morris, and Major Sale on receiving a step of honorary rank. This they deserve after so many years of work in the battalion. Major W. H. Pitten, who served for many years in this battalion, has been appointed Divisional Supply Officer of the Welsh Army Service Corps. The regimental colour is of dark green silk, with a circle in the centre, as in the King's colour, surrounded by the Union wreath (the rose, thistle, and shamrock). Underneath is the old motto of the battalion, Gwell Angau na Gwarth (rather death than dishonour), and the words, South Africa, 1900 —02, in commemoration of the services ren- dered by the battalion, when three officers and 128 non-commissioned officers and men went to the war in South Africa. Underneath is the Tudor rose—a red rose surmounted by a smaller white one.

SCHOOLBOY POETRY. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, speaking as the guest of the New Vagabond Club, treated of literature and the literary life. In a spicy speech, he touched on the question of the schoots of literature and observed that at his school they had a school of poetry, where every wretched youth had to write poetry whether he had it in him or not. On one occasion the subject aet was Judith and Holo- fernes, and one budding Byron turned out the couplet: She looked to heaven, her sword she drew, And cut Holoferne's head in two." He was told he must do better than that, and then he produced another She drew her sword, she looked on high, And cut his throat from eye to eye." But sometimes modern subjects were set, the boat race was one, and so astudent wrote: Ah me, it was a noble sight, After the race was run, To see the gallant oarsmen Perspiring in the sun." Those were sbockihg examples of literature attempted without the guiding instinct. Suppose the young aspirant had the instinct, he must take his work seriously granted that he had, the inborn faculty, he must improve it at every turn. There were many things that went to make a great writer. The first was style. No man had an inborn style; all was moulded on preceding style, and the first step was for the aspirant to impregnate himself with the style of the best writers. Then he must cultivate a. vocabulary, for words were the bricks with which he built, and the man with a wonderful vocabulary was one who had taken trouble. Among the weapons of the armoury of the young writer was omnivorous reading and the taking of notes.

Cost of Water for Ships. THE CHARGES AT CARDIFF DOCKS. The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce re- cently applied for a reduction in the charges made by the City Corporation for water sup- plied to the shipping in the port, and a com- prehensive report by the City Water En- gineer, Mr J. Parry, has just been issued to the councillors. The Chamber of Commerce complained that the present charge of 2s 6d per 1.000 gallons is excessive and against the best interests of the port." The Water En- gineer appends a statement giving particulars of the water charges in other seaports. From this it appears that witli various local modifi- cations the charges per 1.000 gallons are :—At Aberdeen 2s, Barrow 9s 6d for domestic pur- poses and 4s 9d for boilers, etc., Belfast 2s 6d, Bristol 5s 6d and for boiler purposes 3s 9d, Avonmouth 4s6d, Cardiff 10s, Dublin 2s, Kings- town 6d, Glasgow 2s 6d t6s 8d, Hull Id per minute the water is running, Leith 4s per 1,000 and 9d per 1,000 additional, London old docks per barge 4s and newer docks per rtains 8s to 6s, Manchester 5s lOd for drinking purposes and 2s 6d for boilers and tanks, Newcastle-on- Tyne 4s, Portsmouth 4s 8d, Southampton 2s for large consumers and 4s Sd for small craft, Antwerp 6s 8d, Hamburg 9s Id for drinking water and 6s 9d for boilers. Cardiff's Position Explained. < The Cardiff Corporation's charge for the sup- ply of water at the docks is 6d per 1,000 gallons for all purposes, condithnally upon a million gallons of water per quarter being taken. The Cardiff Railway Companv retail the water to ships in dock at Is per 100 gallons, the com- pany bearing the cost of laying mains and em- ploying men to supply the ships with the water. The charge of Is per 100 gallons for water for ordinary use on board is fixed by Act of Parliament, and is the same for all ports in the Bristol Channel, but reductions can be made for water for ship's boilers. Efforts have been made by the Cardiff Ship- owners' Association to secure a reduction in the charge of Is per 100 gallons for ships' boilers made at the Bute Docks, the price at Penarth and Barry being 6d for 100 gallons. In their annual report the shipowners state :— The matter has been brought to the notice of Sir WiUiam Thomas Lewis, but unfortu- nately he very much regretted that he was unable to comply with the request."

SAVED 38,000 LIVES. Record of British Lifeboatmen. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has issued interesting statistics, compiled from official sources, of casualties which more directly bear on the Institution's life-saving service during the year ending June 30th, 1908. The total number of casualties in the year 1907-8 was 3,863, this total being an increase of 79 as compared with the previous year, and the number of those who perished as the result of the casualties was 318. a small decrease of six from the corresponding total of the year 1906-7. The cases of total loss and serious casualties show a decrease of 113, the total number being 1.153. Of all the casualties 92 resulted in loss of life. Of the 3,863 casualties 3,449 befel British and Colonial vesssels, and 414 foreign vessels. The localities of the casualties, excluding collisions, were --Fast, Coast of England, 655 south coast of England. 390; west coast of England and Scotland and east coast of Ireland, 814: north coast of Scotland, 172 east coast of Scotland, 143 other parts. 200. The total loss of life all classes of casual- ties being included, was East coast of. England. 52 south coast of Engand, 75 west coast of England and Scotland antLeast coast of Ireland, 62 north coast of Scotland, "24 east coast of Scotland, 21 other parts, 84 total, 318. Between the year 1861 and the 30th June, 1908, 6,908 British, foreign, and Col- onial vessels were wrecked on or near the coasts of the United Kingdom, and in every one of these wrecks life was unfortunately lost, the total number of those perishing being 29,335. The number of lives lost from British and Colonial vessels in the year 1907-8 was 256 and 62 from foreign vessels. Of the total of lives lost during the year only 16 were passengers, the remaining 302 being one and all either officers or members of the crews of the vessels shipwrecked. The Board of Trade returns show that during the last 55 years 33,174 lives were lost in shipwrecks on or near the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. It is a matter for great thankfulness, however, that during the same 55 years the lives saved by the lifeboats of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the other means recognised by the Institution exceeded those lost by 4,960, the total of the saved being 38,134, which those who perished numbered, as pre- viously stated, 33,174. «

DESTRUCTIVE SWANSEA FIRE. CABINET FACTORY DESTROYED. A fire broke out on Monday morning at the premises of Messrs W C. Fuller «««* Co., cabinet factory, Francis-street, Swansea, and the building was practically completely destroyed. About 50 men are employed upon the premises, and these are thrown out. Work ceased at 2-30 on Saturday afternoon, and upon the arrival of Mr Harry Wall yesterday morning he saw evidences of an outbreak, and traced it to the back of the building, where a lot of electrical plant is placed. He promptly sent for the police and his principal, and meanwhile, with the assistance of a man named Edwards, he set to work to extinguish the flames. In this the tw o men were largeiy successful, but deeming it necessary to ascend to an upper room for completion of the work, they momentarily left the locale of the outbreak, and during their absence the draught from a broken window rekindled the flames. The fire brigade was promptly on the seen e, but before their efforts succeeded in suppress- ing the outbreak damage to the ex- tent of between iC2,000 and ig3,000 had been done. The fire brigade on their arrival found the fire had so firm a hold of the building that they confined their attention to preventing the spread of the fire to adjoining property. In this they were suc- cessful. Soon afterwards the factory roof fell in, and all that now remains of the factory are the four walls and a smouldering heap of debris.

WELSH FARMERS And the Small Holdings Act. At the annual meeting of the Vale of Llan- gollen Agricultural Society on Saturday, Mr J. Tinniswood (Oswestry) complained that neither of the great parties had given much consideration to the tenant farmer, and the time had come for fanners to unite and to bring pressure to bear upon legislators to secure their requirements being attended to. The land was their raw material, and yet they were fully taxed upon it. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the Small Holdings Act they should agitate for its amendment in such a way that the out- going tenant should be compensated for dis- turbances should his farm be required for small holdings. He was in favour of small holdings, but would never turn a sitting tenant out and if the County Council turned a tenant out it should find another farm for him or compensate him. Mr Trevor Lloyd Jones (chairman of the Small Holdings Committee of the Denbigh- shire County Council) said in reference to legislation which agriculturists were expecting that many items had been mentioned, but, to his mind, before they could benefit by any one of these they must have security of tenure. They required the land at a fair rent, and also to feel secure in their holdings. They had heard much of the back to the land cry but before the labourer flocked back to the land reforms must be effected which would make it pay the agriculturist to cultivate the land. He urged combination as the best means of having attention paid by Parliament to their requirements. (Applause.)

MUSICAL LAUGHTER. Double Fugue for Are we Downhearted P" The abuse of music in churches and drawing- rooms was not absolutely due to the performer, but largely to the lack of musical intelligence, said Dr. Walford Davies, speaking at the Royal Institution on Music in relation to the other arts." Dr. Walford Davies mentioned that he had heard of a family who found a de- light in laughing together on a common chord. Harmonious laughter of that unique kind might well be cultivated. The reconciliation of musical and poetic design was the great problem of that particular alliance. Any com- poser who could write a successful double fugue to the glad, noisy words, "Are we down- hearted ? with the choral refrain No," would richly deserve a university degree.

WEEKLY DAY OF REST. Newport Watch Committee on Monday adopted a recommendation that the local police be given one day's rest in seven, as well as seven days' leave of absence per annum. The committee decided to put on three additional constables in the town, and the chief constable was given directions with respect to the com- plaints of women being molested after dark.

PORTHCAWL NEW POST OFFICE. m At a meeting of the Porthcawl Urban District Council on Monday Mr J. H. Lambert, J.P., presiding, letters were read from the post- master at Bridgend and the surveyor of the- G.P.O. stating that ample margin for future developments had been made in the plans Cor the new Post, Office at Porthcawl. A letter was read from Mr Loveluck inviting the Council to support an application for a work- men's train, to run from Porthcawl to Pyle. Decision was deferred pending further informa- tion. A letter was read from the Local Govern- ment Board Public Loans department agreeing to a loan to the Council at I per cent. per annum for a period of 29 years. The Swansea Labour Association has passed a resolution thanking Mr Ben Tillett for his spirited rffnrt to win Swansea for Labour at the recent election.

By D. EMLYN EVANS. MUSIC AND THE YOUNG. At no time, probably, has music been at universally taught among us, in the private home and the public school as it is now, and when the facilities for its study are, generally speaking. within the reach of the public at large. Some there are, indeed, who are of the opinion that music in our public schools is arrogating to itself too much time and money. Public school singing is, of course, proper beneficial, as practically all will allow, but when it comes to furnishing more or less ex- pensive musical instruments for the use of schools at the ratepavers' expense, then the economists shake their heads. That, however, is only by the way. The young are always with us and so is the question of their tuition, musical and otherwise. Why children as a body, male and female, should be taught music-which includes piano playing particularly—is a mooe ques- tion. Why music more than other arts in the same degree—painting, sculpture, etc. ? It is quite certain that the ordinarily gifted child has, at least, quite as good an idea or con- ception of form and colour as he has of tone, esperially tone pioduced by striking a key, as in the pianoforte, or by drawing a bow, as in the violin. It is quite certain that much valu- able "time is wasted, and many a child, es- pecially in the case of boys, made miserable duing school life because of being compelled to follow a study for which they have neither talent nor inclination, and at the expense of neglecting another for which they have both the desire and the gift. An Oxford musical professor speaking at a public function lately, stated that some children ought not to touch music except to dust it and dwelt upon musical education being made to follow intelligent lines." If pai-ents did the latter they would often save themselves disap- pointment afterwards, having assisted in directing their children's course aright; or, at least, in securing to them the conditions ft?F running straight. Children that are music- ally gifted are not slow in showing their bent, as a rule. If there is a piano in the house, the future young musician, or music lover, will soon be found pounding at the keys imitating his elders—presuming that such elders are too wise to keep the instrument unplayed, and locked up in a cold, uninviting room. The child whose talents lie in some other direction will also find his diversions, most probably, somewhere or anywhere rather than in the music room. A Radical Error. One of the radical errors in connection with teaching music to the young is to make it a matter of hard labour to them dry and un- attractive. Sir Oliver Lodge, in the course of an address which he recently delivered dealing with the training of children, deprecated methods of teaching which overloaded the mind with a lot of unnecessary details, before there is any frame-work into which they may be put- As an illustration of his meaning he took the game of backgammon for a subject, and said that the way not to teach it-though it may be the systematic "or grammatical way—would be to make the child first learn how to place the pieces and let him learn by rote the colouring of the board, the numbet of the men, the place where each man stands on the board, and so oa method of pro- ceding that would scarcely secure undivided attention or create enthusiasm in the learner. His plan would be to piace the pieces, withool any coment, plunge into a game forthwith, anft trust to practise for an appreciation of tbiq higher points. Similarly with the study ot music. If the poor little pupil has to stick day after day to the stereotyped and monotonoui scales and exercises until the little fingers are utterly wearied, and the little brain dazed and stupefied, the keyboard becomes anythinl but the genial and familiar acquaintance witat inexhaustible sources of entertainment that it ought to be. Let the child be property taught, by all means, in good time. But let hiof literally play with it at first, and then le( stricter rules and exercises follow, little bil little. Five Finger Exercise Fetish. The musical authoity from whom we bavw already quoted above, thought that tilt ordinary five finger exercises done mori damage to art than anything else which had been invented. The training of most children was jeopardised by the laborious procest called reading music, the learning of certain lines and spaces. Technique and tbtt learning of pieces occupied time which would be more profitably devoted to the develop* ment of the musical senses. And, asks the author of the address, what produced more disaster in pianforte playing than pedalling T ..Schools pianos in many easel would produce nothing but the most disaf greeable noise. 1l othing could be more daunt. ing than to play Bach or Mozart on a bad piano. Bad instruments should be destroyed annually—almost the day of their doom might be fixed." The old pianofortes when too infirm for further musical duties become useful aa pieces of furniture—sideboards, and so forth. But the modern article when worn out is useful only as firewood. Nothing is more detrimental to the young student's right growth as a musician than a badly toned instrument. Ear training is receiving somewhat more attention than it did among us, and should receive more still especially in early youth, A correct ear is one of the musician's most valued possessions, whether as an instrumental player, a solo or choral singer, and whether h< follow music/professionally or as an amateur, the person who cannot realise to the utmost nicety what sound and effect he and his col- leagues produce is lacking in one of the chief and fundamental essentials of the art. Thert are the most faithful patrons of "pedalfuag particularly what is called the loud pe —that little piece of pianoforte mechanisa which is so often made to cover such a multa tude of sins, and which has risen the ire of out author, as it has many others of us at th < Eisteddfod and the concert. The capabU instructor, however, knows that pedals hava their particular and legitimate use, and teaches his pupils accordingly-in this as in everything else. Indeed, the greatest disservice a parent can render a child is to entrust hit musical education to a merely" showy teacher rather than to one that is thorough and works on sound and intelligent lines."

Leap from Bridge Girder. SENSATIONAL SUICIDE AT U8K. A sensational suicide is reported from Uskc On Sunday evening as a girl, Elsie Green, waj, going to Kemeys Church she saw a man, wittb. out a hat, coming from the direction of Aber. gavenny, swinging his arms about and acting generally in a strange manner. He jumped on to the iron girder of the Chain Bridge, remark* ing it was money or his life," and then threw himself head foremost into the river. On coming to the surface he shouted, Oh, oh 1M The girl at once informed Mr Stanley Griffiths, at the Bridge Inn, who ran on to the bridgt and saw the man as he disappeared for tlåAl last time. Mr Griffiths then cycled to Usk to inform the police, and Sergeant W. Shoddick and P.C. Caines were quickly on the spot. The body of the man was found yesterday after* noon. He was a man of about 40 years of age, and in his pockets were found tickets indicate ing that he was a member of the Forest oA Dean Miners' Association.

STOLE TO GET FOOD. Newport Bench Sympathetic. The candour of a prisoner was shown at Newport on Monday, when Chas. Rees, of n< fixed abode, pleaded guilty to stealing a mack* [■ intosh from outside a shop. P.C. Redman said the prisoner went up to him and said, Officer. have you had any complaint about a coat thai was stolen T" Witness asked him if he had stolen one, and he replied in the affirmative, stating that he was very hungry, that he had pawned the coat, and that he had bad a good feed. Pirsoner told the Bench that be was a seaman.. but could not get work. Foreigners were given the preference. It seems to me to be a crime to be a Britisher," said prisoner. The Bench said they were sorry for the man. He would be fined 20s, or one day's imprisons ment.

WARM BATH AND INSOMNIA. --r.- The use of the warm bath for inducing sleep is very efficient. The bath should be taken in a room the temperature of which is 65deg. to 75deg. Fahr. The patient i3 made to stan<f with his head over the edge of the bath, and his head and face are then rapidly douched with water at lOOdeg. Fahr. The cooling of thf body by the air and the hot sponging of tbil head send the blood to the head, dilating th. vessels of the entire brain. The whole boar* is then immersed-except, of course, the hea I —in a bath of 98deg. Fahr., which is rapidly raised to a temperature of 105deg. In a few minutes the patient is taken from the bath, wrapped in warm blankets, and taken to hit room, where night clothes are put on, a warn# bottle placed at his feet, and possibly soma liquid food administered. --———

At Barry Licensing Committee on Monday the new regulations for the control of ame" ments were approved. A clause probibitl, the opening of places of amusement- on Sun day, Good Friday: and Christmas Day., Coua cillor Fowler said. You have a floating popu- lation here. You arc tiying to make then goody-g( ody and you are making then have slicbeens and one thing and another."