The Cardiff Times

COMPLETE STORY. An Old Maid's Love Story j BY KATHARINE COX (Author of Love's Lottery," etc.) Miss Priscilla, Cresswell adored Romance— Pelt with a capita) R—and had always dreamed Ij some day, it would come to her. From th' ear^'est years she had devoured novels—not j 8 •tealistio or problematic ones, oh, dear, no, ..r «er Bimple mind wonld not have nnderstood ?tn"—but the sentimental, mildly sensational L 08 that dealt with love and hatred, with bro- 'o hearts, and troths plighted, with handsome jj^iand exquisitely lovely women, and some she mused, some day in the not vary far II en, and exquisitely lovely women, and some dkyi she mused, some day in the not very far ''pre she hoped, one of those bitter-sweet ex- igences, that so often crossed the paths of the L**ut8ona heroines in the novels would come to j f: And at last, after many, many years of "'•lent waiting, the one romance of her little, lonely life came. Ihrt met h'ra a* Rectory garden-party— ? Rlthonph she never cared particularly for i 5'dR to the Rectory, the Rector's two young "Rhters, Maudie and Phyllis, being rather apt »h i k clown BP0U her—-07 weeks afterwards 8 looked back upon that day as haviucr been the Kmning of a new era in her JiTe. From the (j'y first moment that she bad entored the »wiog-room, he bad paid notioeable attention her- her, the little, faded, middle-aged spin- et> whom nobody had ever noticed before, and j i starved heart went out to him in affectionate | ?*'tude at once. j fc. • Was the only man who nad ever admired '"—no wonder her head was turned. .rUe, the incongruity between them was al- ''d'00!01". he was so young and stroag °d bandeome. and Bho—well, of course, tbeie lb' Co'bing to admiie in her personal appear- jj but more incongruous things than that £ happened sometimes ia the novels. Why, Sn 8 daughters had eloped with penniless t*tes, and Dukes had married kitchen-maids ..a&3 it was well known that fact was stranger "J* fiction. t when Lientenant Cayley-Claveriog, aged indefinitely quartered with his ^•"ttent at Mudminater, asked Miss PriseiHa •"well, aged tbirty-aoven, and definitely at Mudminster until some Prince Hj^'Biing rode by to take her away, if he 'bef i Ca" 80me^meB at ^ot bouse and see her, OQa '"tie lady was thrown into an almost danger- Btste of nervous excitement. It's awfully kind of you to let me come and Wm^00'" l^e y°DDR Lientenant said, good- (l.~aoi,redly on the occasion of his first visit to l'to ^kby drawing-room. You see, MthD8w 'n Mudminster, and hardly know any 'He people here at pieBent. But the first mo- ot 1 BKW you I took a fancy to you—you looked HId." ,Wj*n laughed — a good, hearty, boyish 'On spoke well for the condition of his 1^a—and took another slice of the chocolate 1^a—and took another slice of the chocolate which she was banding to him. ie y°a havo r'PPiDK cakeB here, tco," genially, with his mouth full. By but they're infinitely better than that j^P.v stuff they give you at the Hall and the Y4 ctDIY." And dear little Miss Priscilla1 who the cakes with her own dainty hands every 'he ancl v^6l!nGsd*5 morning, looked upon l&8Qt llBr temtik as a great personal compli- handsome he is." she thought, as she ic. ched bim devouring, wtib the appetite of a j)l °°lb°y, tbo tempting morsels which she |0 before him. And bow polite and kind Iklid so Li Quite » flattBre." tj^ d so Lientenant Cavley-Clavering con- pay her insidious visits—and it was the love of the cakes alone, either, as berS! Priscilla, who had been browsing amongst n°vels more than aver lately, persistently J*ed herself. *0iiti^ and there came a letter, an 0, « which sent her into the seventh heaven flighted excitement. "ltDear Miss Cresswell,tbe letter ran, I come this afternoon at fonr o'clock, do V8( .'nk you could see me ? I have something 'mpoitant to say to you. Yours very sincerely, R. Cayley-Claveriog. Iw -S. — I wiote this because I am so very Jons that you should be in." l^d she see him 1 Miss Priscilla kissed the i0 ,8ri and folded it away in a private drawer "11 er escritoire-a drawer wb,cb was already to a laded bunch of violets that had one day from the button-hole of his K(, 'a her drawing-room, and a midget pboto- y&u of himself as a boy at Eton, that he had ber. She had had ono taken of herself iu ^rea8> bought oa purpose, to give to o *tl return. she Bee him ? She sat down at once at lij,Siting table, and dashed off a note, in her A.Prim, old-fashioned handwriting. "ear Mr Cayley-Clavering, p,eaBe ca" th'a afternoon at four i shall be delighted to see you. Yours very sincerely, x Priscilla Cresewell." scribbled tbe wards, Priscilla Cayley- fUlj across her bloitiug-paper, just for | £ < and to see how it looked—then blushed and threw tbe blotting-paper into the tv'e-paper basket. nnnDBideDly I How disgraceful of her how could she h*ve done it T litt,Qt she was smiling all the time, and once, a WVater, took the blotting-paper out again, A *|9 have another look at it. »Bat when, at fonr o'clock precisely, the ,ttle maid-of-all-work came up to Miss t(jB c,'la's bedroom with a visiting-card bearing of Lreutenant Cnyley-Clavering, she her mistress in a perfect flutter of tremu- ,eXcitement. the young gentleman to wait in the **id ?^-room«I will be down in a minute," IQ a- e little lady, endeavouring to speak with unconcern, which, however, she was far lie feeljn-an endeavour which, it is almost ^titi t0 wae ft complete failure, for Miss ^'iah"^a waa not 'D {he modern acoom- »fent ot CODCea,1DR the emotions-— tell it i^at I will be down in a minute." YOF. miss," and the maid withdrew. that she was alone again. Miss *1*8 a tnrne^t woman-like, to her looking- the 1' was not vaiQ> poor dear— no one m ^C8a 80—kat wbeu one is eoing to keep 4iiJst with on6's lover, well it is only in human for A daughter of Eve to wish to look her "beat. Ofj "■'iscilla, my dear," she said aloud, she W ialfeed aloud to herself, a habit frequently 0| J*'rei by people who are accustomed to lives b#c 6at loneliness. Priscilla, my dear, it has tlle the fashion for men to marry women 8 c'der than themselves, and I believe you jjiactnally going to be fashionable at last. b^l^hionable. It seemed an incongruous ap. "'coi °n when applied to tbe quaint, almost ti- ^itr y Pr'm little figure reflected in the %t tv°E i a°d the smart, tailor-made young ladies 8 Rectory, who had Kneered for so manv M iiias Prisc'lla for bBing a a dowdy would have laughed aloud if they had to Miss Priecilla herself, gazing *.aoently at the mild blue eyes, meekly bjr,e" hiir, and faded cheeks of her connter- there WSB nothing laughable about it. as Perhaps just as well, after all, (hat God OtK Riren us the gift of seeiDg ourselves as .,6'8 see us. Uiy now, what alterations can I make in 88?" She tripped about tbe room, nicking **iy. 'st one thing, and then another. There is ^"4 T blouse—no, that ia too bright a pink, know be does not care for pink. Ah, this 'old Ue cbiffon scarf, he always liked blue, he once that it matched my eyes I" she V>tj at recollection of the compliment, S K^U8.inK again before tbe glass, arranged °f finery round her neck. "There, I think 8h a" rig t now." kQq gave one more glance over ber shoulder, 'ha dQon, smiling to herself, tenderly, opened °°r, and tripped downatairs. eQtenant Cayley-Clavering rose from the 'aR-room sofa as Miss Priscilla entered. He and fair, and boyish-looking, with bsndsome features, and rather a weak 1|gc "■ Tbe type of man who, a person with kiwtrtltnrjut would have seen at a glance, would 58 be afraid to act upon his own initiative, "ho infinitely preferred to have some arm ?»ig -han his own to leiin upon. But Miss ^cl Wa3 not £ ''see,t,jn^> anc' thought b ■'e^er and strong and wonderful. bl1 came forward to meet her witb outstretched e. Her heart beat a little faster at she saw 3gerness in bis eyes. ^sar Miss Cresswell, he said boyishly, "I 0 awfully glad you were able to see me." big elzed both ber little trembling banda in his ^Bterfal ones — how she loved the master- tile tea of them—and dragged her down on to where he Bat beside^ ber. I am not *»o0tlr,,Pting you, you are not bu»y this after- ■ I bopu ?" be continued. She laughed, although the laugh was °he, at the bare suggestion. What occu- 4 sh bByor,cl ber flt0P,cl household duties to fill up her empty days ? It IN NO, she answered, a little tremulously, Ito, 1-1 am not busy." tu SlRbed, and leant his arm across the back 9°fa behind her. A thrill ran through ber 8 felt the contact of his arm. How big he his gay young soldier, how beautiful, and and strong I And to think that he should love with ber— her, the insignifi- 'e spinster, whom those borrid fast girls lec'o:y called a dowdy ftump 1" Bat 'HQ Granger thingB even than that sometimes '< yQe? ,D 'he novels. Je 8AJJU'VO always been PO awfully good to me," Seutly. Ever since we met I—I've '«in rt°»d of you. You remember our first meet- -L you T" bBa- Of course she remembered it. It ikely that sbe shoud forget the Rectory ''ii? ^ar'y» was lhe only social function, an occahional scbcol (reat that she was 4ot invited to. InsiguiticoLntoid maids were M \'t sought after in Muc-minster society. ». she repeated softly, I—I remember." ain, and bant forward in his seat, fixed rather moodily on the ground. Nrj ^a thought beseemed denressed and but then men aKvavsweie decreBsed on '« ^ccasions-at leaBt, so it said iivthe novels. been good pais ever since, We he continued. he pat out h'9 hind with an eager, t'tjg Resture, and laid1 it in her lap. &Ii89 V^ ,Hlr°ked it genlly with bo>- own. Bhe said, smiling, 11 we've—we've >i been good pals." ve allv,lJs confided in you, baveu't you c.ll my troubles and my joja f" V t I Yes, yon'çe always told me everything." She remembered the day when he bad almost broken down in telling ber how he missed his dead father and mother, and how her heart, for she war an orphan herself, had sympathised with his loneliness. Poor boy I He was young to be an orphan, and he missed bis anther dread- fully --rhe had always been his confidante in everything. His ayes scanned her face anxiously. And if I tell you something now you won't laugh at me, will you ? or-or-" Laugh at him I She looked at him with shining tender eyes. I won't laugb," she answered gently. Ot—or call me a, fool, will you 7" his ringing boyish voice was fall of wistful anxiety. Call him a fool I Was it foolish to be in love ? She Disced her hand on his arm. You can trust me," she Faid simply. He gave her band an affectionate squeeze. Forgive me for doubting you, my best friend," he answered repentantly. Then, suddenly, he ga\e anercous little laugh. Her heart began to beat quickly. She knew instinctively what was coming. I wonder what you will say to me when I tell you that I have been silly enough to fall in love r" The words were jerked ont awkwardly, his hands shoolc. hiii checks grew crimson. He was evidently boyishly ashamed of his confes- sion. And Miss PrisciUa ? The blood rushed up into her cheeks, her eyes grew dim, her head swam- she stretched out her other banc, and laid it on his knee. 1, Tell me, tell me her name," she whispered. Tell me --tell me what on call her," Her voice was so faint that he had to bend his j' head down to hear. He laughed again be was very nervous. j Her nametT I think HIO koow it," be anowered shyly. Miss Pxiseilla's beatt began I'Q beat so qnickly that she felt tie if it would rrffocate her, and I there was a loud singing in b: ear.. Know it. 1 Why, of course, she did bad ftia uo! known it Ifor thirty-seven years ? j But she would not. let him gaesi that she j knew beforehand what he wa* poing to tell her r soon. She must be bashful, she must be coy. Tbav was what they alwuys wer? in the novels You must be more explicit," she said, with her Jittle fain, sweetly wistful smile. The boy drew a deep breatb. He came a little I closer to her side. It begins with a P," be said in an awe- struck whisper, as if mentioning something Isacred. something to be spoken of with bated breath, 11 a I P.' 11 & Ip 1 11 Mine Priscilla's cheeks were burning with such a vivid crimeon now that they harmonised but sadly with the pale blue chiffon ronnd her neck. But, good gracious, what a long time the boy was in coming to the point. Dear me. then it is ante to be some- thing nice. Lots of pretty Damep begin with a P you know." He looked delighted. I'm awfully glad to hear you say that. I think it's a pretty name myself, the prettiest in the world, though some people art stupid enough to think it is old-fashioned. Yes Fiiscilla was rather old-fashioned, cow she came to think of it, but, oh dear I what did that matter so long as he liked it, and be thought it was the prettiest nntna n the world. Where did you meet ber first ? she ventured again shyly knowing perfectly well, little hypocrite, and yet longing to hear him say the words. At the Rectory garden party, two months ago. I—I loved her the first moment 1 saw her. There is snch a thing as love at first sight, although I know I used to laugh at it." I Yes, there was such a thing. she knew it her- i,.elf, for had she not fallen t. willing victim to Lieutenant Oayley-Clavering's charms the very first time that sho had sean*,hjm ? And to think that he had loved her at first sight, too I Really, she felt quite like a heroine in one of the novels. But what a long time the dear fellow was in still coming to tbe point. It was absurd to shilly-shally like this any longer, the moment bad come for her to help him out with his con. fession at last. "I was at the Rectory garden party," she said bravely. It was a bold stroke, and she was ready to sink into the ground with maidenly modesty and confusion the moment she bad made it. But the bait bad been taken be drew nearer to her on the sola—he spoke. "Ah, yes, i remember now. of course, yon were there, too. Then you saw my Phyllis—" Phyllis. Mislf Priscilla's eyes blanched, her little pinched, faded face grew grey ail the pretty colour died from her cheeks. Her bands were cold as she drew them away fron his clasp. •' Phyllis." Her voice sounded strangely quavering and oid. Phyllis, did you say ?" Yes, dear Miss Creiiawall. Phyllis Aveling, the rector's youngest daughter. Oh—" noticiug the pallor of her face, "you are looking quite ill. I knew I should only worry you and bore you with my beastly confidences-what a fool I am." He jumped up from his seat, fall of repent- ance at once, boyishly angry with himself for Laving, as be considered, worried his kind friend. What a young fool I am," he repeated. II What a—" No, it is I who am the fool --and an old fool. my dear bov, is worse than L young one." Miss Priscilla's voice was calm again, some of the colour had come back into her cheeks-her lips were even parted in a faint smile. You see, her heart was broken, but the, death wound must be bidden somehow, the disgraceful scar must be pat away out of sight. She was not a soldier, or a person of distinction, or gifted with any pairticulac brains, but she was a woman- and women are brave. It is I who am a fool, an old fool," she re- peated. The boy's eyes opened wide in astonish- ment.. Wby are you a fool, Miss Cresswell ?" Sbe laughed quite carelessly she WSB able to She laughed quite carelessly she was able to manage even that now, and put her hand to ber head. s- A touch of the sun, I think. I was out in the garden early this morning, acd I daiesay that made me feel faint. I was very foolish to do it, I am old enough to know bet- ter," She caught her breath with k. strange little sigh. She felt that Ehe had grown very old in the last few minutes. "I am very old," she said, rather wistfully. Then with a sudden briskness. Come 1 tell me more about your interesting love affair. I wish yon good luck with all my heart." He smiled his face had recovered itt radiance. He had forgotten his concern &t ber altered looks already, in the remembrance of the secret joy which he was hugging to his heart. Hap- piness is always selfiuh. I knew you would sympathise with me," he criea impetuously that's why I came to con- fide in you. You sse." His N-oice quivered a little. I always used to tell &>! my secrets to my mother, but now you seem t r, rj,) instead. I really think that I first took to you because you reminded me so much of her. ^ou va both got the same, sweet, gentle manner, and the same wavy hair." His mother. And so that was the real light iu which he looked upon her—a& a mother. Miss Priscilla had no sense of humour, but something within her impelled her to smile. Truly the one romance of her life was rich in irony. Through the dim mist, which in spite of her brave efforts to quell it, was shadowing her eyes, she could see him drawing on bis gloves. Now that he had unburdened himself of his secret, be was impatient to be off. I am glad that I told you about it," he said simply; It's a relief off my mind. I'm a queer sort of chap-—much too confidential, and all that kind of thing, but I like to let somebody else into a secret when its got too big to carry about alone. And you wish me luck, don't you. Do you think she will have me ?" He looked at her with a hungry love-light in his eyes—a love-fight which was not for her, but for pretty, golden-haired PbyJisa Aveling. Phyliss, who, brave in bar own Bond-street finery, had so often laughed at the poor, shabby little spinster, and called her an old maid." Miss Priscilla felt as if she could have screamed aloud in her jealous misery. But, being a woman, and therefore brave, of course she really did nothing of the Bort. I am sure she will." one said promptly. His face fairly lit up with smiles. That's awfully sweet of you—you do put heart into a fellow. I know voa'd sympathise and back me np. I don't think," tugging jm- paitently at bis gloves, "that if 1 badn't come to you first I should have had the courage to go on to the Rectory, and—and ask Phyllis "—-his boyish face reddened np to the roots 01" his hair —" it seemed such awful cheek, you know, and -and she's so pretty, and fascinating, and gay, and such a ripping girl, altogether, and has such a lot of fellows after her." He paused for breath. Yes, Phyllis certainly had a lot of fellows after her—some women had so much love in their lives, while others had —none. But now," be went on again, everything seems to look pretty plain sailing—you've cheered me up such a lot. Since yon have told me so, I think somehow that she will accept me." I am sure she will," repeated that plucky little heroine, Miss Priscilla. He had reached the door now. Almost me- chanically, as if hardly conscious of what she was doing, she had risen from ber seat, and fol- lowed him across the room. At the door they stopped. She looked up at him, question- mgly, from her foolish little height of five feet three. He glanced down at her from his superior altitude of six feet two. May I ?" he said. suddenly. May you what ?" Miss Frisci Ih:i! heart be- gan to thump wildly against her ribs-Ob, why in Heaven's name, was the coy looking at her like that ? He laughr-d--t Lion, without a word, suddenly bent down, and kissed her reverently on the lirs. Good.byc- mother." The door opened, shut Pgain-he was gone. I The Oue Romance of Miss Priscilla's life was ended.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH IN JAPAN. Tokio, Saturday.-The Hocbi publishes an interview which its correspondeut has bsd wiih Sn Michattl ilicks-Beach at Nikko. Sir Micbaul is Yeprotionted as adniittitig ibe smftit- noes of Japan's gains at the Portsmouth Confer- ence. He ie said to have added that Japau would do well to devote the energy now so earnestly directed towards tbe breaking off of the peace treaty to pioduciive works of benefit to uuiional development. Papers continue to publish lending articles wtlcomiiig Sir Michael llicks-Beach, and pay iiibuto to his achievements iu the domain of finance,Rooter.

Miniature Bisley. MEETING AT'CAERLEON. Welsh Championship and Inter, national Competitions. The miniature Bisley held at Caerleon on I Saturday was a great success both from a shoot- ing point of view and in respect of the large number rf entries. No less than 600 entries were recorded, the actual number of competitors being ¡ considerably less, ag many entered for abvertil events. This was the first competition held by the I:ocip: v of Miniature Rifle Club.- in South Walee or Monmouthshire, and the results achieves will no doubt encourage the society to arrange fk similar meeting nexl yeai in South Wales. The society wai established to carry on the work begun by the Society of Working Men and the British Rifle League, and their first annual meeting^as held at the Crystal Palace in 1903, and at Olympia, London, in 1904. The society hsr now arranged to have local meetings, and bar, already bad co-O patitiolis at Tavistock and SovthfieldB this year. The local Rau?- Committee, whose chairman is Colonel Sir A. Mackwortb, C.B., are to be conpratnlated on the success of their efforts. On So, I arday those officers and local gentlemen who gave their eerviccs as range officers bad a long and tiring day, being on duty from 8.30 a.m. to C p.m. I The Society's Origin. One imtnediate outcome of the Soufh African Wat war the establishment of rifle and miniature rifle olaM pIJ over the kingdom. Unfortunately the i,-territ taken iu them in man; p'ell was but tri-iiitorv, and they died a nalnrx^ dfath. Lessons ere soon forgotten, and nil bough every- one kDe¡-ç that British marksmanship in the Boer war WIT often veiy faulty, yet as soon as the nov»Jty war over the rifle was discarded. It was thei> fhat the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs I stepped into the arena, and offering a champion- ship shield and other valuable prizet. stimulated and leviv'fied interest in shooting. fcufle clubs and instruction on the Swiss p-irciple were strongly actvocated, and the Army experimented with the Swiss system of screen ranges whereby shootin,- op a range of limited extent could be carried oat with safety in the.open, bat these did not prove satisfactory, and owing to the diffi- culty of procuring sites for outdoor ranges owing to the great range of the modern lifle attention was turned to miniature ranges. For years the Army, Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteers had used miniature ranges on the Morris tube system, under which a rifled tube taking a minia-, ture cartridge was inserted in tbe bairol of an ordinary service rifle, thns accustoming tbe firers to the v-eight of the Lse-Metford rifle, a great point in its favour. One thing certainly detracts from the value of shooting with a miniature riflo, that is; its extreme lightness ip many cases. Practically anyone, even a. cliili, cm boJrf one of I these light weanons, weighingpe^hapsonly 3jlbs. It is quite another pair of shoes firing with ? service rifle weighing Slbs. plus Plift Morris tube I There are those who think, and no doubt wisely, that half a loaf is better than no bread, and that it is better to hiive men trained to the use of it rifle, even if it be only a. minia'ure one, than none at all. Undoubtedly it would be better to adopt the service rifle with the Morris tube, for the user would get ased to thp weapon ho wonld have to use in time of actual need, and it would ensure the muscles of the Rom being developed more or less, for otherwise the rifle could not be held steady. After all, the whole raison d'etre of miniature aud other litb clubs is to provide riflemen to be relied upon in case of an emergency, and though a person rna7 be a good shot with a feather-weight riflo, does not follow that he will be even a decent shot with p. i heavy weapon, with no ne slight recoii when fired with a service cordite charge. } Rifles, Sights, Sighting ShDts. It was for this reason that more Volunteers did not onter at the Caerleon meeting on Satur- day, for they had only their rifles fitted with Morris I nbe, and would have been seriously handisr.pprd competing with miniature rifies. It is to be hoped that some compromise may be arrived at before next miniature rifle meeting, for it would b& a retrograde movement for the Volun'eer competitors to adopt miniature rifles, and yet it is nnfair to keep them out of the com- petition by handicapping them so severely. Another important question is why should fancy sights bo used at these competitions ? Snrely the sights fitted to the Army rifle are good enough. The rules of the society forbid the use of magni- fying glasses, telescopes, orspirit levels on rifles, but nothing is said about the use of peep-hole and other sishts, which are freely used. Say what you will the use of these sights .savoora rather of the pot-hn^ter than those of the practical rifle shot. Nc, sighting shots were allowed, which is a step in the right direction. Bnt unfortu- nately there were two pool targets close alongside the targets to be used for team and individual competitions, and at the emme distance, viz., 20 yards, eo en^-rDrising competitors paici their 6d for six allots and thus sighted their rijHen. The ranges comprised two sets ol stationary ranges (each of five targets) of tbe E.D.L." pattern, and one Luard disappearing target as well its two Marksman's pool targets. These wero in a field close to the Drill Hall, !'nd all the targets were worked from the tiring point, so giving absolute safety. At the Drill Liall dis- appearing and moving targets were provided, and General Lance, one of the founders of the sooiety, superintended the firing. There were eight competitions on the programme, two of which included shooting at moving, disappear- ing, and scationary targets at 20 yards distance, while in two others the firer had to aim at a dis- appearing target which was exposed for three seconds and then hidden for six seconds. The moving targets moved at the rate of 8 and 10 feet in 32 seconds respectively, and it was neces- sary to fire foar shots in that period of time. Mach interest was centred in the moving and vanishing targets and these are the competi- tons to cncourage, for it is comparativelv easy to make good scores when firiug at stationary objects, but. the successful snap-sbotter is the uieful and efficient marksman for service. New Method. The novelty competition was a welcome addi- tion to the events. The idea of the society was, as the name implies, a novel one — i>o introduce a new method of awarding prizes with a view to giving a chance to those who doabt their capa- bilitv to make the highest score. Thus the win- nor of the first prize took 1st priz", .10 per cont. of entrance fees. 2nd „ 15 3rd t, 40 u I, 4th 5. 11 .1 5th 5 „ 6th „ 25 Often at. nfle meetings beginners find they are handicapped too sevevrely, and never seeing a cbance of securing a prize their interest flafs, and thej either drop rifle sbooting altogether or at best take to it spasmodially. This novel competition was a great success. The Welsh championship competition, divided into three stages, was a useful test, as it required competitors to fire both standing and lying down at 20yards. Only the 20 men making the highest aggregate proceeded to the second stage, where each man tired four shots at a moving target and eight shots at a disappearing one. The final £ tag<s was reached by those only who were among the first ton in the second stage, and these fired 10 shots at a stationary target. In No. 4 competition the special conditions were of a very practical character. r, iri ng wits at a special range at miniature figures, similar to those in the Army Musketry Regulations, and consisted of a horse and rider which were ex- posed for three second* and then hidden for six seconds. Generally the shooting was of a good charac- ter, and in many cases really of a high order. It was very noticeable that the posesors of Win- chester and other repeating rifles scored greatly over those who had to load singly each shot, and in the disappearing and moving events this made a great difference, for tbe marksman with maga- zine rifle had plenty of time to take a steady aim, whereas his rival with an ordinary Army rifle, fitted with Morris tube, bad bat littlo time to spare. This of course applied equally to the single-loader miniature rifle. A good many missfires took place, and rifles jammed rather too Ol ten. Competitors were rather slow in appearing to shoot oft semi-finals and finals, and EO Itept rauge officers waiting aunecessarily. There can be no doubt that the Caerleoti meeting was a great success, and gatherings of this sort do much to foster shooting, and perhaps induce youog men to enter tbe Volunteers—a service which at least the King thinks well of, as shown by his graeious words at the Edinburgh review. Lord Tredegar on the Society's Alms. There WAS a large attendance on Saturday at the annual miniature Bisley meeting held at Caerleon, und&r the auspices of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, the patron of which is; his Royal Highness the Duke of Connsught, and the president Field Alarsbal Lord Boberts. The competitors included Sergeant A. J. Comber, of the 2nd East Surrey Regiment; Private A. P. Berry, Metthyr Mr G. D. Taylor, Newport Corporal Tom Lewis, Bridgend and a number of other well-known marksmen. Excellent arrangements bad been made for the meeting by the local committee, which was composed of the ndjutants of local Volunteer and Militia corps. In a field opposite the Drill Hall of the Caerleon Corps of the 2nd V.B. South Wales Borderers 24 stationary and three figure disappearing targets had been erected, whilst the competitions at the ordinary moving and disappoaring targets were tired off in the Orill Hall. At the open air ranges the marksmen had to contend with a strong tricky wind whi-il was blowiug across the line of fire. The members of the Societv of Miniature llifle CJnbs in attendance durincr the day were General F. Lance, Major-General W. Vv. Briscoe, Co!oncl Prescot Deci, Colonel Sir Arthur Mackworth (chairman of the local com- mittee), ani Lieutenant Q. Marks, secretary, Lord Tredegar, lord lieutenant of tbe county, arrived at Caerleon about four o'clock, and WI." met outside the Drill Hall by the members of the District Council and R number of ladies and gentlemeu. the guard of honour being composed of 50 mem- bers of the Caerleon Company of the 2nd Sonth Wales Borderers, under the command of Capt. L. Foster Stedman and Lieut. Williams. Having inspected the q;riard of honour, bis Lordship was ttaked by Capt. Foster Stedman, as chairman of the District Ccuncil, to plant a purple beech tree in commemoration of the occasion. His Lordship planted the tree, and in respond- ing to a vote of thanks, moved t>v Councillor Williams, vice-chairman of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Furry.said it was a gteat pleasure to plunt the tree on such a memorable ucciision-■ tbe first visit to Monmouthshire of the liociety of Miniature Rifie Clubs, which WIIIJ the beginning of a gieat Iceliug which was running I throughout the country. Some people said they coatd not teach their countrymen to use a ser- vice rifle by means of miniature rifles. He Honld I like to point out that a peiaon could be taught the svtord exercise as well Tith & walking-stick as with a sharp-edged sword. The same thing applied with reference to the miniature and nor. vice rifles. (Cheare.) His Lordship subsequently visited the ranges | and witnessed the contest between Sergeant Comber ana Private Berry, both contestants beinc introduced to his Lordship.

BISHOP OF LLANDAFF ON HOME LIFE. In connection with the dedication festival a sermon was prettched in St. John's Church, Car- diff. on Snnday evening, by the Bishop of Llan- daff. The church was filled some time before [ the commencement of the service. Many were unable to g,io admission, and a large number stood in the pisJos throughout the service. His Lordship °p<\ke chiefly about home life, which, 1 be said, w.s af the very root of all well being, of sndividup; health, happiness, usefulness and nofbtlT. Ir. WQ8 also a" the root of national wel. fare, temporal as well a" spiritual. The mother was the most important factor in the home. If the mother fs right there was hope that other things would be well. But the father inloo had a responsibility ho mp«t belp the mother to keep the family pore, and sacred and hitPDY. What could the mother do if the husband "pa'led the other way ? Nor must the ebild be force;ten. How many mothers there were in thef»r dLiys who did not r"fI,!iae, who did not think, of the tre-^ mendous responsibilities that lay upon them fcr their children. The mother had in her bands the moulding of tbe character of the chiUl mo**} ,-tban anyone elaa, far more than the father, the school, or compa-jions. We did not pay the attention we should in this country to the family life. There wa. a. great deal in modttn oondi- tions of life which made itjifficnlt to kegr, op the old sacred, sweet character of the homs, vet a great deal more might be done to make the borne brighter and happier. Sunday con'cl be made a day of home life. WIipo the home life began to fall to piece* it wa* a sure sign of national degradation. Those who had read his- j tory knew that nearly evely nation that had" fallen in the scale of nations, nearly every nation that had declined in prosperity had shown first of all a falling way in the family life. It W8I" so with the sncient nations of Greece and Rome; it had been BO with some modern nations in our own dry. One of tbesureec ai of national I degradation was the loosening of the home and familytie.

I CARDIFF BOYS' BRIGADE. Visit of American Representatives, I A jrge muster of members of the Cardiff Boys' I Brigade attended a church parade at St. Paul's Congregational Church, Cowbridge-road, on 1. Sunday evening. The parade was one of & serien of functions that have been arranged in connec- l tion with the visit 10 Cardiff of two United States representatives of the Brigade Council, the iI Rev. J. H. Cndllpp (editor of The Brigalo Boy ") and Lient. R, Stauffer, both belonging to Pennsylvania; who have been attending the snnual meetings of the brigade in Aberdeen, and are visitinir Cardiff before returning to ^rn^iica. The battalion was paraded under the direction of Lieut, and Aojutnnt Martin in the Town Hall Yard, and, accompanied by the band. matched to St. Paul's Church. Twenty companies were represented, and the ambulance section also attended. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Cndlipp. To-day there will be reception at the Great Western Station by the nrenident (Mr T. M. Heywood), after which vieits will be paid to the new Town Hall, New Dock, Dnwlaix Works. Llandaff. St. Fagan's, iVenvop. St, Andrews, Dinas Powis, Sallv, and Ponartb, and in the evening a social takes place at Windsor- place Presbyterian Church. Excursions to places of interest have also been arranged for Tuesday. Newport Boys' Brigade. The Newport Boys' Rrigade held a parade at the Temperance Hall on Sunday, Major G. P. Reynolds being in command. Colonel Cudlipp. who is on a fisit to this country from America, addressed the boys on Heroes and Cowards." The Rev. C. L. Percy atso spoke,

ABERTILLERY PIT ACCIDENT. Fatal Result After Ten Months. Mr R. II. A. DavieB, coroner, held an inquiry on Saturday afternoon at Brvnoiawr us to ¡he death of William Flyman (39). a labourer, who was employpd at the Lancaster Steam Coal Colliery Company's Rose Heyworth Pit. near Abartillery. and lived at Brynmawr. Mr W, Stockwood (Messrs Stocktiood and Williams, solicitors, Bridgend) appeared for the company, and Mr Michael Roach, assistant miners' agen: Pjaqi aojAbertillery district, watched tbe proceed- ings on beht!f of the workmen. Mary Hyman, widow of the deceased, 5, Somerset-street, Brynmawr, atated that her husband suffered from DecemLer2latjaat when he was brought home from work injured. He stated to her that he was lifting a derailed tram on to the line, when his foot slipped, causing him to fall against the tiftm. Dr. Micbul Sheehy, Brynmawr, said he found deceaBot' sufferiug from strain, and there was a slight rupture. Death he attributed to eperal tubercolosis resolting from injury," and Dr. A. Bird, Penarth, who had conducted a post-mortem with witness that murning, had agreed with him aa to the caaae of death. The jury returned a verdict of "Deltth from general tuberculosis, set up by the injuries received."

GLAMORGAN ASYLUM. The 40th annual report of the Glamorgan County Asylnm, jugt issued, states that tho ad- missions for tha year wsre 58 per 10,000 of the population, as compared with 55 in the preceding year, an increase of three. This, says the medi- cal superintendent (Dr. li. S. Stowart), is, from tbe sociological point of view, an unsatisfactory featnre, and it is difficult to find an explanation for its occurrence. Tbeie i" an entire absence during the year of any noteworthy distnrbance affecting the industrial or social conditions of the community. "The apparently increasing prev- j alence of intemperance in drink in the district, as judged by the proportion of persons tried for the offence of drunkenuess, which rose from 1,276 in 190~ to 1,414 in 1903 per 100,000 of tbe popula tion, and tbe enormously greater proportion ol the offence compared with the country generally -the proportion of prosecutions in the county in 1903 was jnat double that of England and fyales -might be thought to be a sufficient explanation, but against this is to be placed the fact that in- temperance was f(,uud in only 16 per cent. of the cases admitted in 1904, as compared with 26 in 1903. So far as figures can show the in- crease cannot be attributed to any material ex- tent to the roliglouii revival which was such a prominent featnre of the last quarter of the year, for in only one per cent, of the admissions was religious excitement deemed to be a contributory factor in causation. Dr. Stewart hopes that the apparent increase for the year under review may prove to be only a temporary feature.

"IoKL FATAL SLIP. Fireman Drowned at Cardiff. Charles Morgan (42), fireman on the as. lolanthe, now lying in Roath Dock, slipped ae he was leaving the vessel on Sunday afternoon, struck bis head against the qnav wall, and fell into the dock. He appeared powerless to help himself, the injury to bis head havingapparently rendered him unconscious, a.nd he quiokty eauk to the bottom. William Parliitjson, the steward, saw bis shipmate's peril, and without hesitation plunged into tbectock and mucie a gallant attempt to save him. But Parkinson also struck some object as he dived, aud it v.as afterwards dis- covered that ue had dif'ocated his shoulder. He was utisblo to help Morgan, who had dis- I appeared he bad, in fact, to be assisted out of the water himself. Ao honr later Morgan's dead bodv W1\!I recovered and taken to the Mor- I' tuary. Dr. Cliave's efforts to restore animation were unsuccessful. Deceased belonged to London, hia address beiDg 10, Dale-street, Ken- nington.

PATTI CARDIFF CONCERT. Dr. Vachell on Saturdav presided over a meeting of the committee of the l'atti concert, to be ginm in aid of the Cardifi infirmary an October 21st. The committee iixe-I tbe following prices for admissiou Fiist row of the sides and first two rows in the horseshoe of the balcony £1 Is rest of the Dalcony, 12 6d area, 10s and 5ii oic)iestra 4.-1 standing room at back, 211 6d. ilr D W. Evans (one of the hon. sees.) said that if the whole of the accommodation was taken at the prices suggested bv the iib-committee, the takings would smout to YPICO and Dr. Rees Howell stated that the laal., Plótli concert yielded X792 2s 3d. Various other matters were delegated to tuu sab committees,

[ Sensational Robbery at Cardiff. _r- LODGING HOUSE KEEPER'S FRIGHT. t A daring outrage was perpetrated on Saturday I evening at 24, Pen-y-Ian road, Cardiff, a dwel- ling-house occupied by Mrs Grant, a widow. Mr« Grant had been «. widow only a few months. Her busband was a chief engineer, aailine out of Cardiff, and when he died Mrs Grant, bad to find means of supporting herself and her children. She was then living I in Angus-street. Sbedecidedtolet apartments, j and moved into r 'argqr bouse in Penylan-road. An advertisement W*B inserted in tbe Echo," and she had various applicants for rooms, most J of which were eventually lot. A fortnlg'5 ago j the advertisement was discontinued. On Satur- { day evening Mrs Grant, was f\IODe in the hou»« j with her children, tbe lodgers having gone ont. Those occupyirg the back rooms had been gona only a few minutes, when a knock came at the door. Mrs Gran t answered and »aw a manatontly built and fairly well dressed. He said he undo* stood she had apartments to let, and had called < to aee ber about them. This was at bRl'-past eight, but the lights in tbe street enabled her to see the man. She lit the gas in the baok rontyi i and invited him inside to ascertain precisely [ what bis reqoirementa were. Her surnrise en; fear can be imagined when the Strang-r [immediately on entering the room whipped out • what appeared to bo a revolver, pointer." it at her bead, and demanded her purse. Mf i Grant was paralysed with fright. She did ao: I know what to do. Her children were too yoting to render her assistance, and she was too frightened to scream for help. In this dilemma —almost in a stats of collapse-she handed the man her purse, which contained half a sovereign. He took out the money, threw the purse behin'l a chair, and then left the honee Mr- Grant swooned and fell on the floor. { On coming to herself she was too frighte- for a time to raise an alarm. Ultimately sbe ventured to the door. bat the man had hn uawd- goad his escape. She informed her -,iE-i;zbboarv of what had occurred, and information v as given to the police, who are now making inquiries. The outrage bad apparently been cat-efull,, planned. The man. had discovered that Mrs Grant let apartments, and bad waited till the J other occupants of the bouse ha J left and M;a I Grant was alone with her children before,i. knocking at the door. j MRS GRANT'SfSTORY. Mrs Grant was seen on Sunday by one of Mr representatives. She was greatly distressect,ittili saffering Xrom the shock of the occurrence. Mrs j Grant is Delow the medium height, is not strongly built, and not at all the kind of wo ma a who could, if she tried, offer effective resistance to a determined ruffian. When seen she bad jast returned from a •'isit in company of two police officers to a person suspected of the outrage, but she had been able to declare that the person suspected was not the man. She was very unwilling to say anything about the affair. It will be noised about enough there is no occasion for me to say any- thing," she said. Two others have been her<* and I told them I would not say anything aboa; it." Our representative convinced ber that be already knew the detail" cf the affair, and »he said, Yon know ss much as I do." What time was it when the man came to the door?" asked the reporter. I don't know exactly somewhere abont 8," Mrs Grant replied. I had been out shopping. It was a quarter to 8 when I came back. Soon after tbat it happened. My three children were in the kitchen the lodgers were out." What did the man eay when be came to the door ?" He said something about the horse show. He asked if I let apartments. I think be sitid, I came clown to the horse Phow. CStn you let me have apartments ?" What did yon eity I asked him in, of course." What was the man like ?—I should know him again. He was dressed in a long black coat, and had whiskers. 1 saw him plainly. Was he what yon would call smartly dressed ? -Yeii I saw he looked very respectable other- wise I wouldn't have asked him in. Which room did you take him into ?,-I took him into the back room. I 4t the gas. What happened next ?—I bardlv know it was such a shock to me. Did he demand your money ? —Yes he said give me your purse, Had be a revolver in his hand ?-Yag he said be would shoot me if I didn't keep qaiet. Did you attempt to scream then ?—I hardly know what I did. Mrs Grant thought a moment then she said. No, I didn't stream I was too frightened." Did you hand him the parse ?-Yp.-i. I don't iemember what happened afterwards. I swooned. When I came to I was lying on the floor, and the room was in darkness. Then you didn't aee the man actually leave ?- No, he must have put the gas out. I think he must have gone out by the back. There is a way out of the back-room into the back-yard. What did you do when you came round ? —I called to my children who were in the kitchen. We informed the neighbours, and the police were sent for. They were here till twelve o'clock last night. I gave them a description. They have been looking all night for the m'). I hope they will catch him. Mrs Grant, in the coarse of further conversa- tiou, assured our representative she was atill very nervous and upset. She hai never before had any nnp'.easantness with regard to letting her ro)m. I will take care there is some one else in the house before I ask another person in," she said in conclusion.

TRADE UNIONISTS AT NEWPORT South-Western Counties Federation. The annual meeting of the South- Western Counties Federation of Trades Councils was held at Newport on Saturdav, Councillor J. Chappell of Cardiff. presiding. Mr W, Caclogan, president Newport Trades Couneil, having welcomed the delegates, Mr Carle, Bristol, moved a resolution urging united action on the part of the Trade Union and co-operative societies with the object of aecnring a series of Trade Unionist conditions of employment upon County Council contracts, better housing of the working classes in rural districts, the fall enforcement of the Un- employed Workmen's Act, and greater atten- tion generally by County Councils to the power conferred by Parliament for the benefit of che working classes. The discussion turned mainly upon the introduction of fair wage clauses in contracts. Mr J. Graham; Cardiff, said that unfair labour in the printing trade bad been contracts. Mr J. Graham, Cardiff, said that unfair labour in the printing trade bad been effectively dealt with at Cardiff. The resolu- tion was agreed to. Another proposition urged opon candidates for Parliament the necessity for establishing a safe syetem of old age pensions of not less than 5s per week, the cost to be defrayed out of Imperial taxation. This was carried. An Aberdare Trades Council delegate moved a resolution that as the Federation served no use- fnl end, inasmuch as the existing National Labour Council represented any trades on par- ticular occasions, and all grades of Trade Unionists, it should be dissolved at the end of the present year. Considerable discussion ensued, and after it had been pointed ont that the Fede- ra.tion was only in its infancy the motion was I lost. Mr Harding (Bath) moved that a Labour pro- I gramme be drawn up by this conference to be submitted to all Parliamentary candidates by the affiliated TradeB'Councils. Mr Cadogan (Newoprt) all the execntiva should take the ell matter in band. Mr J. Graham (Cardiff) thought the qaestion should be left to tbe dis- tricts. Their experience at Cardiff was that the candidates on both sides gave them the same answers on Labour questions,with tbe result that they were simply laughed at. Mr Cadogan's motion was carried. Mr Fisher, Cheltenham, moved a resolution pledging the sappcrt of the leapective Councils represented by the Liberal candidates in the various constituencies where no Labour candi- date is running, on condition that the Liberal party withdraw their nominee when opposing Labour candidates. He said that it was of no use drafting out big Labour programmes unless they had the hope of being able to carry them through. As there was no seconder the relolu. tion fell throagh. Mr J. Graham, Cardiff, moved a resolution in favour of asking Parliamentary candidates whether tbey were in favour of a Bill to provide for the extension of workmen's trains and to appeal to local governing bodies to aapport the I same. The motion was carried. Councillor C. Thomas, Newport, submitted a resolution urging upon the delegates the desira- bility of seeing that the,, Act dealing with unem- ployment be used to its utmost capacity in view of the prevailing distress and the likelihood of snch becoming more acute. The present Act on the question was, he said, almost useless. Mr Harding, Bath, Bcouted tha emigration scheme of General Bootbt-g a remedy for the unemployed question. Tbe true remedy was a thorough dealing with the land and the land laws. The resolution was carried. Bristol and Exeter eent invitations for the Federation to bold its next annual meeting, and Bristol was selected. Mr W. Cadogan, Newport, was elected president for the next year, and Mr Carle, Bristol, was re-eleetef secretary.

UNEMPLOYED. BilL. Councillor Chappell and Drum Thumping. In his presidential address at the annual meet- ing of the South-Westeru Counties' b'ederation of Trades Councils at Newport on Saturday, Councillor Chappell referred to the present Un- employed Net. He confessed that there hud bean too much drum thumping on this question amougst Labour people and others instead of meeting CL-DniOg atittestiien:with diplomacy. The result was that the best of the Bills had been withdrawn. By the present Act they would not, at Cardiff for instance. bd able to do (me-tellth the amount of good for the unomployed as they had done without it. They would have the Industrial Fieedcm League or the Ratepayers' Association up against them, and would not spend a penny mo.ro than the Act mentioned. Mr .Chappell also referred to the unnecessary expense in maintaining the several Labour organisation" when thu same work could be done bv a consolidation of these Labour otgauisa- tiona,

Heathfield Again! | SAID TO HAVE BEEN AT BARRY. HAS HE GONE TO AMERICA P We have received information which goea to show that the movements of Heathfield, the man who broke oat of Roat-a Police Station, and has defied all efforts if <he CRrdiff Police to recapture him, are tppareutly known to hi, relatives and to other- ;iving in Cardiff. Our informant itate* that he was on board the steamship Ocean, •vhi^h 'al loading coal in the Roath Dock on Friday night, when he overheard two coal trimmers talking about Heathfield, Although I am stranger to Cardiff," sayi our informant, I »ead about him in the papers, and when I hearr* Heathfield's name mentioned J I listened to what they had to say." What passed between them ?" asked our representative who interviewed him. Ono said to the other that be was talking to a relative of Ha?;hfield the other night, anti bat ha told bim 'he missing man was in Barry III-st Saturday night." Anything else Yea he says tha > he has heaps of monay, -bat be was exceedingly well dressed, that the Marquis of Bate could not be dressed better, and I tba.t he was now on his'way So America." Did you hear them say on what boat he wa" •noposed to go to America ?" I believe they aaia it was the Manhattan, a j big boat that was in the Roath Dock this week, ) bui I am not sure of the name. The Manhattan sailed from Cardiff to America last Wedneadey." j Was anything said about where Heathfield w-i believed to have been ?" Yes, they said he had been knocking abont the Bristol Channel somewhere." j Oar re-iresentative put other gnestione with a view to testing tb", informant's credibility, and was satisfied that he was honest in his state- ments, bnt, of course, wo cannot vouch for the truth of the conversation, which might have "oaqi mere idle talk. j THE FATHER'S THEORY. One of onr representatives had an interview on Saturday gvening with Heathfield's father, who 8;d that, as far ?s he «v9-< -oncerned, 'hate was J absolutely no trnth in the above story. It :i the first I have heard of it," he said. But Mr Heatbfiefd w.s able to tell still moc, j interesting story ir fact, he gave bis theory a^ J to how his Bon piot away from Cardiff, and we j tell it in his own words. tell it in his own words. A newspaper placard, I Escape of a; Cardiff Prisoner,' attracted my attention i on the evening my son escaped from the polico station, and on reading the Echo I learned ) then for the first time that my son bad been locked up. I might sa" that previously wedid not see him very often On the night of bis escape it was jnat getting dark when a man came herf, (Cyfarthfa-street) and said my son had sent him to say fie was on the corner of an adjoinio; street and wanted to "Be one of u-i, but none of p. went. As a matter of fact, three detectives were < here talking to me at the time he was on the corner. There is no doubt that on the Tuesday i evening be got into his own house in Janet-street by aiking permission of a woman living in j Adeline-strset to pass through her back yard, be I I making the excuse tha' he could not get iu through the Irout. A.t that time, I may say, the I woman did not know who he was, but when she "found it out afterwards I she told the police. It was on the following night (Wednesday) that, by ] a ruse, he caused con-io-rable nnmber of police to search for him in the eigtlbonrhood of Roath Dock, and it was on tha' nigbt be undoubtedly got awav." How did be get away ? *>,sked cur cepres-,a. tative. < Well," replied Mr Heathfield, I am only | Riving yon my theory, bat it is based on very j pood information. He walked to Newport, keen- 1 ing to the fields, and -voiding the main road" i as much as possible. We heard afterwards tbat 1 he met a man near Peterstone, and gave him five or six pounds of mushrooms which he bad picked, asking him to bring a message to Cardiff 'o his wife. Then he proceeded to Newport, ana j mv belief is that be got awav from Newport bv a boat, and that he went to America. In all pro- • bability be got away from Newoort a day or two after be arrival thtra." [ Have yon any pecial reason for think- ing that he has gone to America ?" Yes. Some time previous to his arrest he said more than oncp that he intended going there, and tbat when he got there he meant to j stay. Some years ago he made a considerable j number of ^yages to America as engineers' j steward and under-cook. He knew the ropes, and I believe tbat the experience he gained on board the boata enabled him to getaway from Newport j as I have described-" >

CARDIFF UNION EXPENDITURE.! Mr Bircham's Warning. i At a meeting of the Cardiff Board of Gnar- diftDS on Saturday, the Finance Committee sub- milted a report stating that the estimate of the guardians' expenditure for the next balf-year; amounted to £38,600. being practically the same amount as was estimated for the last and corres- I ponding half-years, but inasmuch as the present rateable value was subject to possible snbsltania changes, the rate in the £ could not be definitely ascertained. Mr F, T. Bircham, the Local Government i Board inspector, attended a meeting of the Car- j diff Beard of Guardians Saturday, and called at. tention to the fact that out-relief in the Cardiff Union during the past ten years bad gone up at tbe rate of 77 per cent., wbereas with all tbe J great improvements—the erection of cottage homes aud the increase in the infirmaries—the I indoor relief had only increased 36 per cent. He j would getiously call their attention to the matter with a view to guarding against lavish relief i when times were fairly good. The poor rate was still so low that they hardly felt it, bat their ex- penditure last year wes £ 86,000.Let them remem- i ber that it was their duty to keep down the rates as far as they possibly could, because there were so many people spending in other directions. MERTHYR UNION EXPENDITURE. An estimate of the expenditure for the half- year ending March 30th, 1906, was presented to tho Msrtbyr Guardians on Saturday. The expen- ditnre 3 as set down at ;E44,704, and the receipts £ 6,580, giving a nett estimate of £ 08,124, com- parea with £ 34,257 for tho corresponding half- year. There were increases in the county rates, officers' salaries, and buildings. Mr John Lloyd asked the clerk how he ac- counted for an increase of nearly £1,800 in county rate. The Rev. LI. Williams: He cannot tell ns It's a sealed book as far as he is concerned. The Clerk said that be understood from Mr 1 T. Manse! Fran Hi en that £ 500 wonld be levied on Aberdare parish in respect of secondarv adu. cation which had not been levied last year. The special purposes rate bad also been increased by a penny in Geiligaer and Rhigos parishes. Further discussion was adjourned for a week in order tbat the clerk might supply details. A frelh committee was appointed to deal with the difficulty regarding the division of the lower registration district.

I i SEPTEMBER ORDINATIONS. LLANDAFF. The Lord Bishop of Llandaff held a general ] ordination in Llaudaff Cathedral on Sunday morning when the following were ordained Deacons.—John Silvan Davies, B.A., St. I David's College, Lampeter John Donne, B.A., St. David's College, Lampeter Samuel Evans, St. David's College, Lampeter; John Holt Newell. St. David's College, Lampeter Howell Parry, St. David's College, Lampeter; David Daniel Richards, B.A., University of Wales, L Aberystwyth, and St. Michael's College. Aber- dare John Ravenshaw Wood, St. David's College, Lampeter. By letters request from tbe Bishop of Bristol Reginald Hobert Austin j Browne, Lidsfield Theological College, Priests. -Arthur Cecil Gaul, BA, Keble College, Oxford, and Ely Theological College William Samuel Cave Palmer, B A., University of Oxford (non-collegiate) Artbur James Phillips, B.A., St. David's College, Lampeter, and St. Michael's College, Aberdare Howell i Rosaer, Lic.Div., St. David's College, Lampeter, and St. Michael's College, Aberdare Heniy Russell, Lic.Div.. St. David's College, Lam- peter John George Tyson, Associate of King's I College. London. Mr D. O. Richards was tbe Gospeller, and Mr Gaul the Epistoler. The preacher was the Rev. J. R. Buckley, B.D,, vioar of Llandaff. The bishop afterwards licensed the following curates llev. John Silvan Davies, B.A., to Holy Trinity, Tylorstown Rev. John Donne, B.A.to St. Michael's, Abertillery Rev. Sama lEvans to LJandoagh with Leckwith and Cogan Rev. John Holt Newell to Trevethin Rev. Howell Parry to Dinas and Penygraig RRV. David Daniel Richards, B.A., to St. John, Penydarren Rev. John Ravenshaw Wood to St. George, Cwmparc. St. David's. I At the Parish Church of Llandingat on Snn- dav. Deacons.— Benjamin Davies, B,A., St. David's College, Lampeter, and B.A. Worcester College, a,ud St. Michael's College, Aterdare. licensed to the curacy of Llansyfelacli, Glam. David Davies, B.A. St. David'e College, Lampeter, and St. Michael's Colieg.. Aberdare, to Pembroke Dock John Davies. B.A., S. David's College, Lampeter, and Jesus College, Oxford, to Tal- garht Morgan Evans Davies, B.A.. Jesna Col- lege, Oxford, to St. Paul's, Sketty Evan Jones, I B.A., David's College, Lampe'er, and B.A. Keble Collego, Oxford, to Llandyssilio and Egremoni, Carm. Mr M, E, Ditvies was the Gospeller and the I sermon ws preached by the Rev. W. W. Poole Hushes, Warden of Llandovery College.

LORD TREDEGAR IN A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT. Lord Tredegar was being driven in his carriage and pair to Caerleon on Satnr- day, and when proceeding along Caerleni- road, Newport, the horse on the off-side s'ipped on the tram line nellt ttbeaf- laiir, itil fell, llis Lordship promptly act out "f the carrikize and assisted in getting the animal on to its legs again. The horss, whicb WHS ouly alightly injured, was again harnessed to the cai- tioge, and his Lordebiy proceeded to Caerleon.

) i Member for Newport. THE CORPORATION'S PETITION, Proposed Separate Representation. Newport Corporation are making efforts tCi secure separate representation in Parliament for the borough, and a petition has been formulated for submission to the Committee sppointed to obtain infjrmation for the guidance of the Government in framing a scheme for the redis- tribution of seats. The petitioners point out that the estimated population of the borough is 73,000. I states that the Monmouth District Uoroagb oonBists of the municipal boroughs of Monmouth and Newport (part), and the township of U»k, nnd that the electors on the present Parliamen- tary register are as fol lovv -NTewport, 9,829: Monmouth, 848 Usk, 261 total, 10,968. The petition further states that the number of elec- tors on the burgess lists of the municiprl borough is 10,470, and that the number of Parliamentary electors in the county boroagh, and now assigned to the Southern Division of the County of Mon- mouth, cannot be less, and probably i. rnore, than the difference bat ween the number of the mnncipal and Parliamentary voters, namely, 10,470, 9,829,641, so that if the municipal boroneh of Newport was constituted a separate Parlia- mentary borough, and Monmouth and Usk were added to the Southern Division of the county, '6 would meau an addition of IBSS than 500 voters to that division, and Newport would have an electorate of not toan 10,470, Hnd a population well in excess d the limit proposed hy the Government for single member con- stituencies, namely 65,000, whilat if ttio populit- tion of the United Kingdom in 1901, namely 41,976,827 be divided by the number of the members of Parliament, nameiv 670, it would give a. member for each 62.652 of the population, or 10,000 under the poonlatlon of the county borough of Newport. II Apart from what may be termed the Benti- mental grievance and the detriment to its I prestige as a town and port in not being repre- sented by name in the HOllBe of Commons, under the present arrangement the Mayor of Mon- ) mor.il), being the returning officer for the district borough, nominations take place at Monmoatb, nnd the necessary provision fdr elections is, of -ouriie, made from that place, whilst the ballot | boxes for the numerous polling stations at New- port have to bu taken to Monmouth, a distance of 25 miles, and where there are only two polling districts, in order that the votes may be counted, causing a great deal of inconvenience and waste of time to polling officials, agents, and others, nj additional expense to the candidates and ;heir friends by reason of a special train to carry ";he ballot boxes to Monmonth on the night of 'ha polling day being considered necessary. That tbe character of the population in Mon- 110nth and Usk, which are centres of lago agri- cultural districts, is altogether different to the "'as,V shipping and commercial community of Newport, whilst their inclusion in the electoral area of South Monmouth, which has the largest agricultural area of the county, would be natural itioci appropriate."

Gower Representation ATTITUDE OF THE LIBERALS. Meeting of the Executive Committee. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the newly-revived Gower Liberal Association waft held at the Liberal Club, Swansea, on Saturday afternoon, Dr. Griffiths, Pontardawe, presiding. There was almost a full attendance of delegates. At the oatset a letter was read from Mr Morgan B. Williams, expressing regret that owing to failing health he must, under medical advice, adhere to hia decision not to again act as presi- dent of the Gower Liberal Association. He added, I hope I need not assure you that it would have &fforded me much satisfaction to have continued to take an active part in promot- ing tbe great cause of civil and religions quality, which all true Liberals have at heart." It was decided to leave the electtion of president to the association, which stands adjburned to Geotberl4th. Discussion arose as to the rules, oDd that dealing with Parliamentary reDresen- ation was eventually amended to read ItS fol- lows On any vacancy in the Parliamentary repre- sentation the Exectitive Committee shall pre- pare a list of candidates to be invited to address tbe electors in each of the different districts of tne association, if asked by the district to do so. and that each district in a Dublicly convened meeting of Liberal electors be asked to decide upon the most fit and proper person as Parliamentary candidate, and to then elect delegates to represent the whole of the said meeting before the General Council of the association. Each candidate, before being so invited, shall be reqaired to signify in writing his willingness to abide loyaliv by the Council's decision, and no can- didate shall ba adopted unless he receives the support of a clear majority of the members of the Council present at the meeting. It was resolved that the Liberal member or Parliamentary candidate for tbe division shonld be a member of the Executive Committee and the General Council that a fund be formed for the porpose of recouping Mr Saunders (the late secretary), his ont of pocket expenses in connec- tion with tbe association that tbe General Council be convened for October 14th and that tbe district associations be asked to nominate any candidates before such meeting,whose names will then be sabmitted for selection to the Council.

NEW INDIAN TROOPSHIP From Designs of Sir Edward Reed, M.P. Considerable interest, according to" Enizinear. ing attaches to the tenders which have jost been received by tbe Indian Government for the construction ot a new troopship, principally because of the penalties associated with the work. For tbe deficiency of 01 knot below the specified speed of 16 knots, the penalty is to be £ 175 for 0'2 knot, 14DO 0 3 knot, iE750 0'4 knot, iEI,500 and half a knot. E2,500. In the eveut of the spe3d being leas than 15& knots, the vessel may be rejected. The draught is specified as 18ft., sud for an excess of Sin. the penalty-is £ 3,000 for more than 3iu. and not exceeding 6in., £ 7,500 for more than 6ic. and not exceed- ing 9in., iCI4,000 and for more than 9in. and uot exceeding 12in., £ 25,C00. The ship, though smaller, will resemble it: her fittings the troop- ship Dufferio, bailt somo months ago by Messrs Vickers, Sons and Maxim. Under ordinary con- ditions (says Engineering ") builders mibli demur to tbe acceptance of sach conditions, where there is very little latitude in tbe design of the ship by the prospective contractor, bat with a naval architect of theexperience and ability of Sir Edward Reed, K.C.B., who is the adviser for the Indiafe Government, no diffienlty is apprehended by the arms.

FARMERS' FENCES. Cause of a Serious Assault. At Brynmawr Police Court on Monday Lewis Be,a"; baolier, ranting some land near Brvn- mawr, pleaded gailty to assaulting a neighbour- ing farmer named William Lewis, on September 6tb. Lewis appeared with a long strip of plaster across his forehead. From the evidence it appeared that for some time pest there bad been unpleasantness occa- sioned throagh Lewis drivine stray stock belong- ing to defendant's family off bis land, the fenc- ing being defective. On the night in qaestion the parties met at an inn, and defendant manifested a. desire to quarrel. Lewis and his son thereupon left, but were followed Ly defen: dant and his brother. Defendant approached Lewis with a stone in his bana, and felled him to tbe ground. Dr. Evans Brynmawr, stated that Lewis had sustained a lacerated and contused wound about an inch long over the right eye, penetrating to the bone, and bad it been a little further down be might have lost the sight of his eye, which was possible even now. The Bench considered it a very serious assault, which might have ended in a more serious charge against defendant. A fine of 40s and costs was imposed.

MAN OF CRYPTIC SPEECH Exposed as a Clever Fraud, The youth who has been puzzling amateai philologists and police in Paris by professing tc be a wandering stranger from an unknown land, with a mysterious language, which he called Agrach," has been found out For days the paners hpve been filled with speculations as to Pitard Arnor," as be called himself, and the police magistrate. M. Rotv, has been laboriously compiling a lexicon and grammar of Agrach from the pearls of speech which fell from hia interesting captive's lips. M. Bertillon, by means of his anthropometric resarcbes, has dis- covered that be is a young scamp from the Aus- trian Tyrol. His name ii> Agoatino Kiualdo, and be bar, Buffered terms of imprisonment in Mat- seilles and Saumur. When M. Bertillon con- fronted him on Tharedtiy, he confessed bis fraud. Rinaldo speaks several languages.

CHINESE BOMB OUTRAGE. Perpetrator Blown to Pieoes. Peking, Sunday.—A serious bomb outrage oc- curred to-day at Peking Railway Station as the Reform LJommission was leaving. An explosion, took place inside a private car. Shut was seriously wouuded, and seven others more or less severely injured. Wntingfar was slightly hurt. The perpetrator of the outrage, who was iuside the car, was blown to pieces.—Renter. The Reform Commission referred to is no doubt the commission which was recently ap- pointed by Imperial edict to vieit Europe and America in order to study the various systems of government. The Commission was composed of five members under the presidency of Duke Thai Tabs, a member of the Imperial family, the other inembeis being Shu, a Cabinet Minister Taffong, Governor of Hafeh Talmnyi/.e, Vice-President of tbe Board of Civil Office and Sluwying, Councillor of the, Board of Trado. Wutingfar, wbc was also in. jmed, is no doubt the t-x Minister at WashiDK- ion.