The Cardiff Times

Welsh Exams. T WARNING BY A HEADMASTER. A Headmaster writes :—The outcry against Laminations has of late assumed such pro- portions in Wales as to constitute a real dan- ger to the cause of education and to the future Welfare of the children of the poorer classes in the Principality. The results of the abolition of the individual examinations from the etemen- «a»y schools.are only too well known to those close toueh with the educational system, in Wales. Ever since there has been a steady de- terioration in the work of the elementary Schools. The pupils from the elementary schools who enter the county schools to-day are not to be compared either in attainments or in application with the average boyorsriri hi an fcpper standard 20 years ago. w There ought to be an annual examination of all pupils in the fifth or sixth standard of an elementary school, especially in reading, Writing, and arithmetic, and the entrance Scholarships to the county schools should be ranted mainly upon the results of this ex- amination. This would at least ensure that the pupils had received a good grounding in the three R's before entering the county I Schools, and that a solid foundation had been -id for their subseauent education. Wales, is at present in danger of being led to Repeat in the intermediate schoolS the blunder •Iready perpetrated in the case of the elemen- tary schools. There is a tendency in some tuarters to attach too much importance to the Recent seatixing report apon the work of the Welah Intermediate Schools issued by the Board of Education and to join. in the Bosrd's Otlkry against the Central Welsh Board ex- tew nations. In a democratic country like Wales, where the bulk of the secondary school pupils are drawn from the poorer classes, it is of the Utmost importance to remember that it is only through examinations that the children of t*a-renis in humble circumstances can prove their worth and ability, and thus place them- selves on equal terms with more fortunately Situated competitors, whose parents are in a Position to exercise personal influence and Patronage for the advancement of their children. Welshmen will do well, therefore, to hesitate before giving their support to any jQovementi which has for its object the be- etling of the importance of examination tests. *heir efforts should rather be directed towards removing the present system of dual control ^hich is doing so much to paralyse the efforts of the Central Welsh Board to cairy out that further programme of differentiation of schools ^hich the chief inspector and the Executive known to be so anxious to put into opera- tion.

.Thomas Rae, marine fireman, charged at Newport on Monday with sleeping in a G.W.R. van, when asked by the clerk what he had been jfrinking, replied, indifferently, Oh beer, beer, beer," and with the same unconcern Vent below forseven days as an alternative to fine of 5s.

STRUCK BY FALLING SLATE. Newport Lady's Danger. When proceeding home on Sunday evening after Divine service, Mrs Howell, wife of the Rev. T. B. Howell, London-street Congrega- tional Church, Maindee, Newport, was struck on the jiead by a slate falling off a roof. Her umbrella, which was open, and her hat were damaged, Mrs Howell sustained a nasty scalp wOmld.

STORM DAMAGE AT SWANSEA. A gale which suddenly arose on Sunday night and as quickly subsided was responsible for a good deal of minor damage, some win- dows having been blown in, slates displaced, telephone and telegraph wires bit down, and trees uprooted.

SERIOUS DAMAGE AT LLANELLY. A heavy gale was experienced at Llanelly on Sunday night-, and the damage to property his been serious. In the case of Mr Bowen's chemical works, where extensive alterations and additions are being carried out, the scaffolding and other structures were blown away, with the result that the work has been delayed. A portion of the roof of the new tin- plate works that is being erected by Messrs Richard Thomas and Co., Ltd., near the More- woods Memorial, was also blown off.

BARGITLOST. On Monday morning the Hayiing Island lifeboat proceeded to the assistance oi the barge Sylvia, of Grays, which was in distress off Selsey Bill. The lifeboatmen found the bargees had left their vessel, which sank soon after the lifeboat arrived. It is believed the bargees' boot must have been swamped, as a body has been picked up near.

GOOLE BARGE IN DIFFICULTIES. A westerly gale sprang up off Yarmouth4 on Monday merning, and the Goole barge Lord Nelson, from Hull to Bradwell, Essex, with coal, parted from her anchors. In re- sponse to distress signals the Gorleston life- boat was launched in a furious squall, and went to her assistance. The Lord Nelson was driving ashore, but with the aid of the lifeboat- men and the tug Fastnet the vessel was secured and safely brought into Yarmouth Harbour.

ALL NIGHT IN SMALL BOAT. A violent gale prevailed in the English Chan- nel throughout Sunday night, and very heavy seas were running on Monday. Capt. Alexander and Lieut. Cox, Royal ArtjMery, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, landed at Stebbington, near Portsmouth, after being cuot all night in the Solent in a email sailing boat.

Y.M.C.A. CAMP WRECKED. Durin the heavy gale on Monday morning the Wellington Y.M.CLA. camp at Chester House, by the bank of the Nene, was wrecked, tent poles being snapped like matchwood. The occupants hastily sought shelter elsewhere. A north-westerly gale, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and heavy rain, visited the Cleveland district of North Yorkshire on Mon- day morning.

Constable and Invalid. REMARKABLE TONYPANDY CASE A case that aroused much interest was heard at Ystrad on Monday, Chas Harrison, a police- man, stationed at Tonypandy, being charged with assaulting Mrs Joanna Stephens, Tony- pandy, and her invalid son, Richard Stephens. Mr James Phillips, Pontypridd, appeared to prosecute, and Mr Stanley Jones, Pontypridd, defended. Prior to hearing the case, Mr Phillips said that he had endeavoured as far as possible to come to terms, but had failed. The Stipendiary (Mr Lleufer Thomas): If there is a charge against the police I think it should be investigated in open court. We want to maintain public confidence in the police, and we don't want anything hushed up. Mrs Stephens said defendant called at her house on the 14th September about 10.30 at night, and asked to see her son. She told him that he was very ill in bed, and that he could not be seen. Defendant said that he was bound to see her son, and followed witness into her son's bedroom. When her son saw the police- man he asked him what he wanted. The officer replied that he was bringing a summons in respect of a dis- turbance at Tonypandy on Federation day, August 29th. Her son said that he waa ill, and that he had not been out for a long time. Witness also drew the policemen's atten- tion to her son's condition, but defendant said, I am certain of him," and placed the sum- mons in her son's hand. Tbe poKceman then sat down on & chair. and a few minutes later said, Oh, I have made a mistake, but it isn't too late to withdraw it." He asked for the return of the summons, but her son refused to comply with the request, and endeavoured to put it under the mattress. Defendant caught hold of him, saying, I will have it." Witness screamed and her son also screamed as the policeman shook him. Wit- ness grabbed at the constable's coat tail, and tried to pull him back. The policeman then left her son, and gripping her wrists threw her against a wall, causing a lump upon her head. He again turned his. attention to her son, saying that he would have the summons before he left the house. Just then a lodger named Hurley .attracted by the screams, came into the room, followed a minute later by a neighbour. Witness complained of the treatment thafc she and her son had had at the hands of the policeman, and he (defendant) made no reply. A doctor had to be sent for, as her son bled very freely during the night. Next day P-C. James called at the house and said that he wished to apologise on behalf of defen- dant, and asking them to look it over. Witness retorted that if her son had assaulted the police ]je would have had three months, and she t (witness) declared her intention of making a case of it. On the following day P-S. Moras called and informed them that the summons had been withdrawn. Corroborative evidence was given by the eon, Richard Stephens William Hurley, a neighbour; and Richard Hurley, a lodger. Then the defendant, Constable Harrison, gave his version of the affair. He said he saw his mistake assoon as he went into tiae parlour, where Richard Stephens was lying in bed. He knew that Stephens was not the person-he was in search of. Witness alleged he was standing by the bedside, and Stephens snatched the summons from his hand ana pot it under the mattress. He refused to return the summons, and Mrs Stephens pushed witness about the room, but he did not push either the son or the mother. The Bench found that both cases had been made out, but regarded the assaults as being of a technical character. A conviction must be recorded in each cose, but defendant would be discharged on the payment of costs.

THAMES AS PLEASURE RESORT. At Monday's meeting of the Thames Con- servancy, Mr J. Bogwood, who presided in the absence of Lord Desborough, said that in view of the first year's working of that newly con- stituted body he would like to refer to the im- presskro on his mind after going up and down the river. The first was that all their servants on the river had recognised that they were for the public, and exercised every consideration for those who used that pleasurable highway. The that they were for the public, and exercised every consideration for those who used that pleasurable highway. The second impression was that the public evinced a ready aMpnescence in observing the rules and regtdations, recognising that they were for their benefit. Particularly was it the ease in regard to regattas, and their officials had received notes of commendation from university and other authorities, showing that all looked upon the Thames Conservancy as their best friend, without which body the river would not be rendered so enjoyable. T PLANNING CONFERENCE.

South Wales win be well represented at the town planning conference, which is to be held in London from the 10th to the 15th inst., and which will be opened by the Right Hon. John Burns, M.P. Thedelegates and representatives from the Principality who have expressed their in- tention to be present are as follow :—Aber- tillery Urban District Council—Councillor George Jones, J.P. (chairman of the Council), Mr Lionel D. Lewis (engineer to the Council), and Dr. F. E. Remmetfc Weaver, M.D. (medical officer of health). Cardiff—Councillor Jabez A. Jones (chairman of the Public Works Com- mittee), Mr Wm. Harpur (city engineer). Mon- mouthshire Architects' Association—Mr Cecil Wilson (president). Mountain Ash—Mr John Charles (chairman of the Urban District Council). Newport—Councillor Alfred Swash and Mr C. F. Ward (architect). Nantvglo and Blainar-The chairman of the Urban District Council and the •surveyor*

I WANTED-ANOTHER PLANK. j ,,r I MR F. E. SMITH Hurry up, Goulding it's no use waiting for Arthur. We must get this plank under or the whole thing will collapse. (Two prominent Unionist members, Mr F. E. Smith and Mr E. A. Goulding, are advocating the poHcy of Pay- ment of Members.) Cartoon by F. C. Gould. Published by arrangement with the Westminster Gazette."

—————BM Deadly Motor Race. FOUR KILLED, OVER 40 INJURED The Vanderbilt Cup motor-car race at Long Island, New York, on Saturday was attended with a series of. accidents. Two mechanicians were killed, two competitors injured, it is feared fatally, a driver killed on the way to the meeting, and several spectators badly hurt, one dying shortly afterwards, the total num- ber of injured being placed at over 40. New York, Saturday.—Mr Grant has won j the Vanderbilt Cup. Last year in the same ¡ event Mr Grant broke-the record for speed be- sides winning the cup. The winner's time was 4h. 16mm. 23 51-100 sec. Dawson was second and Aitken third. It was thought at first that Harold Stone, one of the competitors, had been killed by an accident, in which his car turned turtle, but this is happily untrue. He is lying in hospital j seriously injured, both legs being broken. He is also suffering from internal injuries, and his re- covery is regarded as doubtful. Mr Stone was driving a Columbia car. His mechanic named Bacon was picked up unconscious and died in I hospital. M. Chevrolet's Buick left the course and smashed into a touring car drawn up at the roadside. His mechanic was instantly killed. smashed into a touring car drawn up at the roadside. His mechanic was instantly killed. M. Chevrolet and the oecupant of the -touring car escaped with minor injuries. A driver named Padula in one of the secondary raees struck a telegraph pole and was injured, probably fatally. A mechanician named Kittodl in another-car is in a critical-condition as the result of a similar accident.. Mr Thomas Miller, a spectator, who rushed on to the course to pick up a tyre-shoe dropped by a passing car. was struck squarely by Mr Fleming's Pope-Hatford car and thrown half- way across the course. He had a fractured skull, a broken leg, and internal injuries. He was rushed to the hospital and died there. The car did not stop. In addition to the mishapson the course it- self, Mr Ferdinand Dzubia, the New York agent of the Pope Hartford Autocar Company, was killed through his car being smashed up wh;le on the way to the race.—Router, j Next Race May be Probiblted. New York, Saturday.—The annual race for the Vanderbilt Cup has earned for itself such a terrfhie reputation in regard to casualties that it i« improbable the meeting will ever be held agam, certainly not under the conditions at present ruling the contest. The doing away with the banking which aroused numerous pro- tests from all quarters would appear to have been responsible for a good share of the casual- ties, but others were in the nature of pure acci- dents which no precautions could have pre- vented. The race attracted fully half a million spec- tators, and thousands of automobiles were to be seen on the ground when the race com- menced. The crush was tremendous, and many persons had to be treated for injuries sustained during the rushes to different spots where accidents had happened.

NAVAL BOAT DISASTER. New York, Sunday.—It is believed that over ten naval men were drowned in an accident in the Hudson River last night. A large party of men were returning from shore leave to the battleship New Hampshire, which was anchored with the fleet, when the tender was swamped. Over 16 men were rescued. No official statement as to the number of drowned has been issued pending the result of inquiry, which is now in progress. No bodies have been recovered.-Reuter. New York, Sunday Night.—According to an official statement, it is believed that 29 men lost their lives in the boat accident in the Hud- son River, whilst 18 others who are missing may also have been on the lost tender-Iteuter. According to a New York correspondent the men were in a rollicking mood, and crowded in the bow of the barge. Without warning two or three huge waves struck the craft, which was in tow of a steam launch. It was completely overwhelmed, the men being precipitated into the swift tide.

HAMBURG CONSULATE AFFRAY Hamburg, Monday.—A negro who visited the British Consular Offices here to-day made a savage attack upon Mr F. A. Oliver, Vice- Consul, with a carpenter's axe. Mr Oliver, eluding his assailant. gained the street. The negro followed in hot pursuit, still ueing the axe, and before he could be arrested he had inflicted several wounds upon the Vice-ConsoL Mr Oliver's wounds, however, are not of a nature to cause any fears to be entertained for his life.—Central News. Hamburg, Monday.—The British vice-consul here, Mr Oliver, was attacked this afternoon by a negro, whom he had occasion to repri- mand, with a mallet. He had several teeth knocked out, and received some bad cuts and bruises on the face. The assaflzyrt was arrested.—Renter. Hamburg, Monday Night.—An official account of the incident at the British Con- sulate, just issued, states that the victim of the attack was Mr W. R. Gandell, Mr Oliver's deputy, and that the weapon used by his negro assailant was a hammer.—Central News.

GRUMBLERS' CLUBS. Paris, Monday.—The disorganisation of the State-owned Western Railway has called into being a general Confederation of Grum- blers," formed of local associations of discon- tented regular passengers on that line. The object of these clubs is to take up every case of damage caused by the defects of the Western Railway and sue the railway authorities. Such grumblers' clubs already exist in the wes- tern suburbs of Paris and in Normandy and Brittany. At a.meeting of malcontents yester- day a report was read of observations made at the St. Lazare Station, the Paris terminus of the line, showing that of 110 trains reaching the station only four arrived punctually.

MR JOHN WIWAMS, M.P. Mr John Williams, X.P., was on Saturday suffering from stiffness as the result ot a fall from a horse. The genial Labour member for Gower on Friday decided to combine a desire for healthy exercise with an increased know- ledge of the rural portion of his constituency. He accordingly went foe a gallop on Rairwood Common. While, however, crossing the bog the horse got stuck and coming to a sudden stop sent its rider flying over its head on to* his back. As he fell into the swamp the njifmn.1 trod on bim. Mr Williams was able to extricate himself, to remount, and proceed home, happily little the worse for his exciting experience.

THE PANTYFFYNON CAGE ACCIDENT. Mr W. W. Brodie (Deputy Coroner) held au inquest on Saturday on D. Jenkins. hitcher, of Tycroes, who was injured on Wednesday and died on Friday. Sid Cellard said he was within five or six yards from the cage and deceased was under it. Philip Williams and witness immediately went to his assistance. J. Adams and Rees Price and the manager (Lewis Jenkins) testified to the fact that the signals were working properly. A verdict of Accidental death was re- turned, and Mr Price, on behalf of the Rhos Colliery Company, expressed sympathy with the bereaPFedi _0 .J.O>Ic

Gold-Blooded Murder. r P0LI6E CHIEF BROUGHT TO BOOK. As recently briefly reported the court- martial at Ekaterinodar, Russia, passed sen- tence of death upon M. Golovko, ex-assistant Chief of Police for the Ekaterinodar district, ¡ on a charge of having in 1906 ordered the murder in cold blood of three young brothers, I named Ugniveuk. The Central News St. j Petersburg correspondent supplies the startling details of the case. Golovko, at the time of the affair which formed the subject of the charge, j was superintendent in one of the smaller dis- j tricts of the town. He suspected the three brothers of connection with the revolutionaries, and taking with him a number of policemen and Cossacks arrested them at their father's house. The young men, as the evidence showed, were in no way involved in revolutionary intrigues, but they submitted cheerfully to the arrest. doubtless believing that they would have little difficulty in establishing their innocence. Hardly had the party reached the open street, however, when Golovko ordered his men to shoot the 'prisoners down. The brutal order was obeyed, and as the shots rang out two of the trio fell dead. The third dropped to the ground in mortal agony. Golovko saw that the man was dying slowly, and drawing his revolver pointed it at him, whereupon the poor fellow making an ineffective attempt to shelter himself gasped out, In the name of Christ why do you want my life 7" Golovko apparently was little moved, and quickly put an end to such protestation with a bullet* When martial law was proclaimed in Ekate- rinodar Golovko was promoted to the tank of Assistant Chief of Police, and it was only upon the city's return this year to a normal state of affairs that he was called to account by the civic authorities. The poliee who acted under his orders were also arraigned,' but were acquitted as having only obeyed the instruc- tions of a superior. J Golovko in his defence declared that the prisoners tried to escape, and that that was the reason for the order to fire being given. Bye-witnesses were called, however, who pro- nounced the statement false.—Central News.

ARMY AVIATION. The following official announcement was issued by the War Office on Monday night With the view to meeting Army require- ments consequent on recent developments in aerial science it has been decided to enlarge I the scope of the work hitherto carried out at the Balloon School at Farnborough by affording J opportunities for aeroplaning as well as by developing training m the employment of dirigibles more fully than has hitherto been the case.. dirigibles more fully than has hitherto been the case. The object to be kept in view will be to create Le 0 a body of expert airmen, both officers and other ranks, from which units capable of acting with troops operating in the field can be drawn. Major Sir A Bannerman, Bart., the Royal Engineers, will be at the head of the new organisation, having been selected to succeed Colonel J. E. Capper, C.B., whose ,tenure of appointment as commander of th|fe Balloon School expires on October 7th. Details of establishment and organisation will be published in due course in the Army orders. 1

Uanei ty's Development. 500 NEW HOUSES AND NEW WORKS. At the monthly meeting of the Uanelhr Urban District Council on Monday, Mr E. T. Jones presiding, it was decided to affix the seal of the Council to a general district rate of 2a 6d in the E, as compared with 2s 8d for the corres- ponding six months of last year. The Chairman pointed out that the Council had been able to reduce the rate by 2d in the £ in spite of their having to increase the wages of their employees. The assessable value of the town had increased from JE85,000 to iE87,000 in 12 months, and the outlook for the future was very promising. The Estates Committee, in regard to the applications of Messrs Richard Thomas and Cto. for land for the erection of 500 workmen's dwellings and a works, recommended that the Council offer to the company an area of 241 acres at a rental of E30 per acre per annum for a period of 99 years, subject to a suitably pre- pared covenant and the preservation of a 40ft. road, and if sidings were to be laid proper level crossings were to be prepared and main- tained by the company. The committee further recommended that 311 acres be offered to the company for the erection of houses at a rental of£3p per annum per acre for a period of 99 years, the company to undertake the expense of road-making. After some discussion it was decided to refer the matter back to the Estates Committee, and to invite a representative of the &m to.attend the meeting.

"BREAKING AND ENTERING." Swansea Lover's Predicament. There was a peculiar case at Swansea on Mon- day when Jas. Evans (23), a collier, was charged with breaking and entering a house in North Hill-road for the purpose of committing a felony. The evidence showed that the accused was a lover of Miss Elsie Morgan, who resided at the house with her father. The accused had the entree of his perspective father-in law's abode, and. in fact, had taken care of the home. On Sunday week the young lady and her suitor went together to Divine service at the Albert Hall. As Miss Morgan had no pocket in her dress she asked the accused to take the key of the house. This he did, and when they got into the Albert Hall he complained of pains. He left her, and was later found hy the police in the house. Mr Thompson, for the de £ pnce {to Miss Mor- gan): The young man has been your sweet- heart for some time 1- Y ea.. He has been received at your house Yes. Some day be, hope^ to be, notwithstanding this unfortunate occurrence, a son of the house. I suggest to you that he was as much at home as if he was a son of the house 1- Yes. You were in the habit of enqpsting him with the key 1- Yes. Ladies as a rule have no pockets in their Sunday clothes I—Yes. The defendant's case was that when in the Albert Hall he was suddenly taken ill, and Miss Morgan's house being near at hand and he having the keys in his pocket, he went there until he felt better. The case was dismissed.

New Workmen's Hospital LORD TREDEGAR'S HUMOROOSSPEECH The new workmen's hospital at Abertysswg, which has been erected at a cost of £2,500 on a freehold site given by Viscount Tredegar, was opened on Monday. The village was en fete for the occasion. His Lordship was introduced to the concourse which had assembled by Mr W. Wilcox, chairman of the committee, and Mrs A. A. Taffis presented him with a gold key. At a luncheon given at the McLaren HoteL Alderman Hy. Bowen proposed the toast "The Right Hon. Viscount Trede- gar." His Lordship, he said, stood out by himself among the nobility of the country. He had lived a long, noble, and useful life, which had deeply impressed the hearts of the people. (Hear, hear.) Lord Tredegar, responding, said he thanked them for their reception of the toast. He wished to explain that that morning a large packet arrived at Tredegar. It was about half a ton in weight, and at first be thought it was something for the Welsh industries ex- hibits, in which he was interested, but he was greatly disappointed to find it was merely 50 or 60 returns for land tax. (Laughter.) He was under penalty to return them to the revenue officer witbtn four and twenty hours. For the moment he was perplexed as to whethsr he should sit down and fill them or go to Abertysswg. The opening of a hospital surely was not a very lively proceeding. However, he could not help giving a few reminiscences connected with doctors. He could go back to the real old style of doctors none of their pre- sent day smart young gentleman with the radium light in his pocket—(laughter)—but the old-fushioned gent, who first of all pulled out his watch, as big as a warming pan, and who felt one's pulse and asked one to put out one's tongue, and ended up by saying, Haw!" That meant a tremendous lot, for he said no more. (Laughter.) He remembered a medical friend telling him he lived in a land flowing with rhubaro, magnesia, and black draughts. (Loud laughter.) Dr. Scudamore. Messrs Theophilus Matthews (the builder), Wm. Willcox, M.E., New Tre- degar; Stephen Davies, M.E.. John Edwards, Rhymney; John Evans, M.E., and A. F. Webb (the architect) took part in the proceed- ings. Mr A. S. TaHis, J.P., managing director of the Tredegar Iron Company, referring to the company's experiences of erecting bouses at Abertysswg, said they could not expect to make it a cottage garden village, but they would profit by their experience when they opened out Argoed. (Hear, hear.)

Cardiff Vicars' Votes. ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICIAL'8 VIEWS. The point argued at the Cardiff Revision Court as to a clergyman being entitled to a freeholder's vote for the county, in addition to an occupier's vote for the borough was the sub- ject of a conversation, our London represen- tative had on Saturday with a high ecclesiasti- cal official. The whole point is," said the official, if the incumbent's occupation of the freehold is such a beneficial occupation as to entitle him to a freeholder's vote. But so many matters have to be considered. To take an extreme case. Supposing as the vicar the freehold of the churchyard is legally vested in him, but there were no burials. There could not then be a valid claim. Then there is the intermediate case of pew rents. As a rule revising barristers do not allow a claim in respect of this, and the Cardiff Revising Barrister is no exception. I believe there was one case where a revising barrister held that that was a beneficial occupa- tion and allowed the vote. Coming to the question of the parsonage house—and that was one of the matters argued at Cardiff—I should have thought there was no doubt on that point. Unquestionably a man in a parsonage house is a freeholder—the free- holder absolutely. If it is only a question of proof there are deeds in existence in connec- tion with every parsonage house which would conclusively establish the claim. I fail to see why the owner of the parsonage house for the time being should differ from an ordinary man who buys a freehold, exercises his right to a freehold vote, then sells his property and the purchaser exercises the same right. The parson- age house is the clergyman's own for the time being, and he can live there or let it. It is immaterial whether he puts curates there or not. So far as the burial ground isconcemed there is one case in which the House of Lords held that, because the incumbent received fees from the burial ground, he was r&t.9.ble-he was re- ceiving fees for allocating burial places. This, you would have thought, would have strengthened his claim to a vote, but it did not. As to pew rents I should feel inclined to agree with the Revising Barrister that the letting of pews is not a valid claim to a free- holder's vote." iS V

TROUBLE, DRINK, & SUICIDE. The Lerwisham coroner held an inquest on Monday on the body of William Buss (59), a sawyer, of 1, Holbeach-road, Catford. The widow stated that the deceased had given way to drink, with the result that he had lost his employment. He had also lost the sight of one eye, which tended to make it more difficult for him to obtain work. On Friday, September 23rd, however, he secured work at Fulham, but came home drunk in the evening. Last Friday night as he went to bed he remarked, It will be all up to-morrow." She did not know what he meant. He occupied a separate room, and when on Saturday morning she entered it, he was lying fully dressed on a conch. There were two cups on a table, and also a message written on a sheet of paper. The Coroner said that on the paper found on the table the deceased had written to his wife, Don't you destroy this. May you enjoy my insurance money if you can get it. Mind the fleas. Now you have got your wish." The Coroner Was his life insured t Witness Yes, for JE26 8s. The Coroner said that deceased left a mass of writing. One paper wound up with what appeared to be a parody of one of Tom Hood's poems, as follows :— Throw out my bones Over these stones, I'm only a lodger Whom none of you owns." The paper continued, Cast lout by my wife, sons, and youngest daughter.—J. Buss." Dr. William Shears, of Rushey Green, attributed death to oxalic acid poisoning. The jury returned a verdict of Jmicide Soring temporary insanity,"

KENTISH TOWN LOFT MYSTERY. Mr Walter Schroder resumed the inquest on Monday at St. Pancras Coroner's Court, relating to the death of William Butler (50), a firewood cutter of Fredericks-place, Kentish Town, who carried on his work in Victoria- road, N .W. On Friday week be was seen at work as usual, but later was found lying near his shed with injuries to his head. Over the shed where deceased worked was a loft, which could only be reached by a ladder, and at the time the deceased was found this ladder was not in position. At the last hearing the deceased's son said he found some marks of hobnail boots in the loft which he could not account for. Yesterday evidence was given by Inspector Cairns, of the Y Division, who said that there was nothing in the loft to show that there had been any struggle. His opinion was that the deceased, in getting into the loft, accidentally fell. The jury-retaraed^a verCct of "Accidental dattth."

LABOUR PARTY PAY. I OSBORNE JUDSMENT CAMPAIGN Opened by Mr Keir Hardie NO CHANGE tN CONSTITUTION. The Labour campaign for the reversal of the Osborne judgment was opened in Scotland on Monday, when Mr Keir Hardie, M.P., was the principal speaker at a demonstration at Paisley. The meeting was held in the Town Hall. A resolution was put declaring that political action had from the earliest days been a recognised function of the Trade Union movement, and demanding that this right, which the Osborne judgment has taken away; shall be restored by Parliament this Session. Mr Keir Hardie, who had a hearty reception, at the outset defended the constitution of the Labour party. The party had now 40 mem- bers in Parliament, and many hundreds of members in the various local elected bodies* It was financed by the working classes, con- trolled by the working classes, in the interest of the working classes. (Applause.) The in- junction restraining the Unions from making the levy for Parliamentary purposes had been made final by the Lords. It was strange how sacred the rights of minorities became under certain circumstances, and yet to carry this plea to its logical conclusion led us straight to anarchy. What was the State founded on but the rule of the majority ? (Applause.) Take the Budget of last year. The minority then honestly believed that the Government was driving the country to destruc- tion, but were still compelled to pay taxes to pay the salaries of those very Ministers. If it was right in the case of the State, why could it be very far wrong in the case of a voluntary organisation ? Accord- ing to the obiter dicta of the Law Lords—Lord's Earwell, Fletcher, Moulton, and Shaw-it would even be illegal to have a voluntary organisation to return Labour members to Parliament. Must Not Continue. The Independent Labour Party was a. purely voluntary Socialist organisation affiliated to the Labour party, and yet, so far as he could read any meaning into the judgment of the three learned Law Lords named, the I.L.P., voluntary though it be. was an illegal con- spiracy because it was supporting the Labour party financially. He submitted that was a condition of affairs which could not be allowed to continue. (Applause.) A Liberal said that as a Liberal he objected to be levied to support a Socialist party. He for- got that the Labour party was not yet a Social- ist party. Out of its one million six hundred thousand financial members one million fiva hundred and twenty thousand were Trade Unionists, and therefore the Labour Party was essentially a Trade Union Party. He did not wonder that the Labour Party had developed strong opposition from all quarters. It was only since 1906 that there had been a Labour Party in the House of Commons, and since that time the whole course and character of British legislation had been fundamentally changed. A beginning had been made with the taxation of land values and big incomes, and therefore he did not wonder that there was a strong desire amongst the upholders of privilege and monopoly to strike a fatal blow at the power which had brought various reforms into being and which would drive them forward to thei* logical conclusion. The Labour party was not yet a Socialist party, but the Labour party was bound to become a Socialist party, (Applause.) There was no alternative course. The building up of the co-operative commonwealth and the British Labour party was a section of a great international movement. The judges, being drawn from the propertied class, were bound to be biassed by opinions and feelings of that class to which they belonged. (Applause.) They had seen that all through history and were.seeing it still. Not Modify Constitution. He added. Don't you believe the Labour party is going to modify its constitution to meet the case. Don't you believe anything of the kind. Our demand was simply that Trades Unions should be legally empowered to spend their money as they pleased." One compromise he would make. If the Labour party was unconstitutional he would alter the itlcand call it the Socialist party. If Liberalism was constitutional; if Conservatism was constitutional, surely Socialism would also be constitutional. At present they were about to be offered payment of members. For him- self, being Scotch, he would accept that gladly. Payment of members, however, did not touch their difficulty. It left the Trade Unions fettered and unable to use their funds or-their powers for political purposes. Both parties declared they would never reverse the Taff Vale judgment, but they did it, and one or the other would be compelled to do for the Osborne judgment what they did for the Taff Vale. If the Osborne judgment had not been reversed before the next General Election then the party which had not kept it in the fore- ground of its programme would go under in A storm of working-class indignation. The resolution was carried unanimously.

A LADY'S SHOPPING. Caroline Sheehan, who said she was thewlfe of Mr Sheehan, ex-M.P. for Cork, was remanded on bail at Bow-street on Monday on a charge of obtaining goods, value £15 odd, by fraud. Mr Willtam Ashleigh Burnett, salesman to Messrs Pellett, Limited. fancy goods dealers, of High Holborn, said that on the 22nd September the accused called and selected goods, and asked for them to be sent to her houte in Tor rington-square for her husband's approval. Mr Sawyer, managing director, said he saw accused, who handed over a portion of the goods, with three pawn-tiekets for the re- mainder. Mr Bryson, of Torrington-square, said he had known the prisoner some months. She was introduced to him as a proposed purchaser for his business. She asked him to take in some parcels, and on 24th September three parcels were delivered there by the prosecutors and subsequently handed over to the prisoner. In answer to Mr Fenn, for the defence, the witness said that Mr Sheehan stayed in his house for about a fortnight twelve mouths ago. At that time the prisoner was not his wife, but he told witness that he was going to marry her. Detective-sergeant Kirchneir said that after the prisoner had been given into his custody, she said I know I was doing wrong in ob- taining the articles, but they need not be so hard on me." She afterwards added, I am the wife of Mr Sheehan, M.P., but my husband is away* at present on account of ill-health." The magistrate agreed to accept bail in two sureties of £25 each.

CHARGES COLLAPSE. John James and Tom James, father and soa, of East Usk-road, Newport, pleaded not guilty at the local court on Monday to a charge of stealing one ton of old iron, value £2, from the wreck of the S.5. Conseil Pere, now lying scrapped in the mouth of the river Usk. The wreck is the property of Messrs T. Wardle and Sons, contractors, Bristol, who had missed various parts of the boiler, besides other pieces of iron, which, they alleged, defendants had taken from the steamer from time to time. Mr Lyndon Moore, for the defendants, elicited that an amount of iron laid in the mud round about the boat, and the Bench inti- mated, without calling the defence, that there was not sufficient evidence to show that the iron had been stolen, and the case was there- fore dismissed. Tom, the younger of the Jameses, was further charged with stealing two pieces of iron from the same vessel, but this case was also dismissed. Edwin Merchant and his son, George Daniel Merchant, were charged with stealing 25cwt. of iron, lead, and copper from the same wreck, valued at £5. Mr Ivor D. Phillips prosecuted, while Mr H. De Felton Machie defended. As in the former cases, the Bench considered that there was not sufficient evidence to show that the property had been stolen, and dis- missed the case.

G.P.O. AND GIRL MESSENGERS. Arrangements for the employment of girIB instead of boys as indoor messengers at the General Post Office and leading provincial offices are now being completed, and it is hoped that the experiment will be made an January 1st at the latest. At St. Martin-le-Grand it is hoped to employ the girls largely in the telephone and tele- graph departments (where women form a con- siderable proportion of the staff), but inquiries are being made of the branches generally to see bow many girls can be employed on the under- standing that there shall be adult situations available for them when they grow up. The intention is to remedy to a certain extent the difficulty of finding places for the hun- dreds of boy messengers who are now working in the offices, and for only a certain proportion of whom adult employment can be provided.

SCIENTIFIC FARM. Sloth Wales Scheme. CONFERENCFAT CARDIFF. ATTITUDE OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. i; An important conference representative of •Glamorgan and Monmouth Coutlfcy Councils, rof the Newport and Cardiff Corporation, and of I'^he University College of Sottth Wales and Motunoutheture met at Cardiff on Monday to congjder the advisability of applying for a. f?raot from the Development Fusaa tawarete the j organisation of an Agricultural Department in ^pTOfecfion with the University College. Mr J. Blandy Jenkins (chairman of the Glamorgan County Council) presided* and Principal E. H. Griffiths was ateo amongst those present- Resolutions have from time to time been Passed by representative bodies erf farmers Hiring the estabKshpient of an experimental Btatiop, a eentee, or bureau, lor prosecuting bearing on chemical, botanical, and 1"ioJogical questions, and providing college and .^University courses of study that will be within ,:tt»e soope and grasp of the drdlnary farmer, &nd be of service generally to the fanning coBununity. The scheme proposed was fully explained at the conference. Certain experiments would be i carried out at the experimental station in con- sultation with an Advisory Board of prswilacal farmers and the Board of Agriculture relative y^o the feeding value of food materials, the (feeding of animals for meat or milk produc- tion, the action of various immures on the soil, plants, ete. It is proposed that this experi- mental statiort would be on the lines of the Royal Agricultural Station at Wobum—a centee for investigating and demonstrating in the field or' feeding yards such questions as Jractical farmers desire to have information .tipon. Seeds, manures, and feeding stuffs Vould be tested at the Agricultural Informa- tion Bureau, or centre, and advice given as to ^eeds, insect pests, and plant diseases, animal And poultry diseases, and report on milk aad tailk products. The college courses would cover agricultural t*nd dairying science, and opportunity would ne afforded those having the qualifications and "the inclination to take up agricultural science professionally. Their aim will be to benefit "those who, having had the experience of farm- ing routine and processes, are desirous of so Equipping themselves as to have a keener out- look and a more intelligent and wider interest In their calling. In order to carry out these proposals a fairly strong staff would be required, consisting of a Professor in Agriculture with general control, lecturer in agricultural chemistry, to reside ^t the station, an assistant lecturer in agri- cultural zoology and bacteriology, an assistant •^cturer in agricultural botany, besides occa- sional lecturers in veterinary hygiene, survey- ing, manual processes, Ac. It is estimated that the cost of such a staff would be about f 1,500 a year, and that 50 acres of land would j be required for an experimental station, the tost of maintaining which would be a.bout J&500 [ Annually. i Several members of the conference criticised j the scheme, but there was a. general consensus *>f opinion that with a total yearly grant of 42,000, the South Wales University College *ould satisfactorily undertake agricultural "-ork. Some of the Monmouthshire representa- tives feared that it would interfere with the Scheme already contemplated for that county, out it was eventually agreed unanimously to Recommend the College Council to further con- sider the matter, and that meantime the public authorities interested be urged to take p the matter. i. ————————'——————'

WiLD STORM IN LONDON. Tumultous weather followed sunshine and a bright sky on Sunday, a strong wind getting up in the evening, accompanied by heavy f^Jlsof rain. So strong was the wind that it swept over the more exposed parts of London and the suburbs with almost hurricane force, and loose gables, timber, and decayed brickwork suffered. Many residents were alarmed at the manner in which their houses ware shaken, and sleep in some cases was almost impossible, owing to the incessant rat- tling of the windows. The vestiges of autumn were strewn along the roads and collected in i great masses in rccesses of umbrageous avenues, and when daylight came yesterday it was seen that plane and chestnut were well nigh bare to their branches, while creeper-clad buildings were-denuded of their russet garb.

DAMAGE AT SOUTHEND. Considerable damage to yachts and shipping was done at Southend during Sunday night, several vessels being blown ashore. The pleasure steamer Duke of Abercorn lost her anchors, and was helped by the lifeboat to ground on the foreshore. The vessel narrowly escaped going through Southend Pier.

WATER FROM A WELL. Novel Case at Ammanford. t At Ammanford on Monday F. C. Bright, chair- man of the Liandebie Parish Council was sum- I moned for E5 8s, being the amount of water rate alleged to be due to the Llandllo Rural I District Council. Mr T. R. Ludford, Hanelly, appeared for defendant, whilst Mr T. M. Evans, Ammanford, represented the Council. Mr Ludford said that defendant took water from a well, and did not use the Council's water, The water supply he had was wholesome and ample, and he and his family had used it for five years, and never had illness, whereas the next-door people, who consumed the Council's water, had had a case of typhoid recently. De- I fendant claimed exemption from the rate, in- asmuch as he did not use the Council's water, and had a wholesome and ample supply from a I source other than the Council's standpipe. He contended that their Worships could arrive I at only one decision, because the Council could not legally recover longer than six months' arrears from anyone. After a lengthy discussion, Mr Evaca agreed to waive all except the claim. for the past half- year, which amounted to 16s. Mr Ludford then maintained that the com- plaint on which the summons was issued was bad, and therefore the summons was bad and the proceedings irregular. Dr. Lloyd, medical officer of health to the Llaiwlilo Rural Council, said he reported un- favourably on this well because he claimed it was liable to contamination. The typhoid case next door was an imported case, and had nothing to do with the Council's water. The Bench made an order for the recovery of the six months' rates and costs.

BLACKLISTER'S BEERi At the Guild Hall, Brecon, on Monday, Hy. Kelly, labourer, of the Struet, Brecon, was charged with unlawfully obtaining beer at Brecon whilst on the black list," and Catherine Lewis, a young woman .residing in Dinas-road, Brecon, was charged with aiding and abetting defendant in the commission of the offence on the 10th of last month. Police-sergeant Thomas Evans stated that he saw Lewis coming from the Boar's Head Inn carrying a bottle containing something under her coat. A few minutes later witness, accompanied by P.C. H. Jones, went down Draas-road, and on looking through the window of the house in which the defendant Catherine Lewis resides with her parents, witness saw the defendant Kelly sitting on a stool by the fireside with a bottle in his hand, in the act of drinking. Immediately Kelly t saw witness he put the bottle down on the floor underneath a bed which was by the window. Witness on going in the house found that the bottle contained about half a pint of beer under the bed. Kelly, who had been twice previously convicted of this offence, was fined £2 and costs or one month's imprison- ment with hard labour and Catherine Lewis was fined 5s, including costs, or seven days' im- prisonment.

PONTYPRIDD NUISANCE CASE. Mr Justice Scratton, in the Vacation Court on Monday, had mentioned to him the action in which a perpetual injunction had been granted in the Pontypridd case of Morgan v. Beaton, restraining the defendant from work- ing a mortar mill at Pontypridd in such a way as to cause a nuisance to the plaintiff, a medical practitioner. Mr Galbraith, who represented the defend- ant, said that apparently there was some mis- apprehension in the drawing up of the order. The action was brought to restrain an alleged nuisance by the working of this mortar mill, and the matter was fought out before his Lord- ship upon the interlocutory motion at con- siderable length. His Lordship granted the in- junction then asked for, and before the order was drawn up the defendant agreed that the motkmshould be treated as a trial of the action, and the injunction should be made perpetual. AD he consented to, however, was that the motion should be treated as a trial, but it was proposed to draw up the order as if the defend- ant had consented to the injunction being granted. His Lordship said that the Registrar would see that in drawing up the order it should be expressed as desired by the defendant.

Sect Without a Name. HOLliNG MEETINGS AT CARDIFF. Acknowledging no denominational title, the band of Christians who held a series of meetings at the Cory Hall. Cardiff, this week, are frequently misunderstood. Out- siders may call them Plymouth Brethren," but they repudiate this and all other titles other than Christians." Their aim is to re- produce primitive Christianity, And among them there is no distinction of clerical and lay "—all are priests. Those who preach and teach are not ordained or appointed by any human authority, though ,the" mighty ordi- nation is gladly recognised where its posses- sion is made evident by ability and result. Although the preachers and missionaries repu- diate all human authority, and do not receive salary or stipend in any form, depending en- tirely on the freewill offerings of Christians interested in their work, they carry on an active propaganda. More than 500 men and women missionaries are carrying on the work in various parts of the world on the principles advocated by the late George Muller, of Bristol, and receive no fixed remuneration for their labours, relying entirely on freewill offerings. The .-rr*hley Down Orphan Homes, Bristol. -Wiiich were founded by Mr Muller, protect and educated some 5,000 children, and are con- dncted on the same lines, depending for their maintenance on spontaneous gifts. In fact, it is that spirit which dominates all the Chris- tians' endeavours. They never make collec- tions or ask for money. The meetings, which ace aapiaa-t, are not of a business character, nor are the people who attend delegates. Each assembly administers its own affairs, and the general meetings are open to all. There is no chairman, for that is against their principles, and the business really consists of reports on missionary and other work. No returns are made as to the numerical strength of the body, for that, too, is against principle, but there are congregations all over the country with thousands of members. It is expected that members trom all parts of the country will attend the meetings, and that, with the local persons interested, the Cory JBall will be crowded each day.

Y.M.C.A- WORK IN THE FAR EAST Distinguished Scholar at Cardiff. Prof. Ah Sou, a distinguished Burmese scholar, paid a visit to Cardiff on Sunday, and delivered an interesting lecture at the Y.M.C-A. on the work of the Y..M.O.A. in the Far Bast. Mr F. S. Higman presided over the afternoon meeting, when Prof. Ah Sou stated that since the establishment of the Y.M.C.A. at Rangoon, 12 years ago, much good work had been done in thewayof reclaiming young men and in raising tite standard of morality in the land. There were several native members, and a branch for the educated natives was being formed. What was required was a young man from the West to teach the cultured young men in the East, who were in danger of going adrift after leaving their old religion and adopting Western, crvitisa- to without embracing the Christian naligiou.

PLAYING THE DETECTIVE. George Mai yon (25) was found guilty at Crovdon Quarter Sessions of housebreaking at Pollards Hill, North Norbury, and stealing JE50 worth of jewellery, the property of George Francis TattersaH. There were six previous convictions, and he was now ordered 15 months' imprisonment with hard labour. Miss Tattersall, who was alone in the bouse one afternoon iv. June, found the prisoner in the hall. The front door had been forced. He fold her he had found it open and had observed two rough-looking fellows outside at the win- dow. He then resourcefully assumed the air of a detective in order that he might escape without any alarm being raised,and played his part so successfully that Miss Tattersall al- lowed him to examine the house and left him alone for a few moments in one of the rooms. When he was gone she discovered that he had utilised this brief time to"seize the jewellery. After his arrest he told the police that he had to invent some tale to keep the lady from. screaming when^shefirst saw him.

Truth is Truth." PAINFUL EVIiENCE AT INQUEST. Remarkable evidence was given at an inquest at Merthyr Hospital on Monday on Catherine James, wife of John James, Chapel-row, Peny bank, Vochriw, who died at the institution on Saturday from bums received a few weeks ago. The husband stated that on going into the house he found his wife leaning against the bars of the fireplace with her two hands in the fire. Her clothes were burning, and in en- deavouring to extinguish the fire he burnt his own hands. She was taken to the Hospital on Wednesday week. Replying to the Coroner, witnessst.a.ted that when he left the house bis wife was lying oh the couch. How long have you been married t—Fifteen years. Then she was only fifteen when you married her ?—Not much more. Was she subject to fits ?—No, sir, but to tell you the truth, this is all through the drink. She was given to drink ?—She was all the week at it. She was drunk on this Saturday night, but I could not say hCfN much drink she had as she was lying on the couch. Truth is truth. Sarah Sheean, a neighbour, said that on the evening of the accident deceased sent for her, and asked her to fetch three pennyworth of something." Rum was obtained. The Coroner Rather fond of rum J—I can- not say. This was the first time for me to fetch her anything. The Coroner You did her no kindness by giving it to her. Mary Walters, another neighbour, stated that she saw deceased prior to the accident. She had given witness half a crown to keep in case she would spend it before the Saturday. On Saturday she was told that deceased was under the influence of drink, and did not give her the half-crown. Witaess spoke to visit- ing the house after the accident and attributed the cause to deceased reaching for a pipe which was on the mantelpiece. She was very fond of smoking," added witness. She had been drinking all the week." Nurse Lister said that she had attended the woman at the Hospital. Dr. Cresswell said that the burns were' very extensive, especially the left breast, and both arms to the elbows were charred. Had she jived, it would have been necessary to have both her arms off. Death was due to blood poisoning. Verdict m accordance with the medical testi- monywas returned.

UNKNOWN ELEMENTS. Prof. Sir Wm. Ramsay described in his first lecture of the session atf University College the latest investigation of scientists in tho search for elements." An entirely new light was thrown upon the subject by the discoveries in connection with radium. These discoveries led to the knowledge that certain elements were not stable and never lasted long enough to allow of examination. No one had created or annihilated matter, but in certain forms it changed its character as quickly as to become unrecognisable. This was the case with radium emanations. Owing to the very small quantity of radium available, experiments to determine the nature of these emanations had to be con- ducted on a microscopic scale. Radium now cost JE420,000 an ounce. It had now been dis- covered that the gases given off were not merely mysterious influences" or "T&mana- tions and that they contained a new element, which had been named niton. Its existence would never have been suspected but for the discovery of radium. There were still blanks to be filled up.