The Cardiff Times

SHAFT ACCIDENTS. Collapse of an Arch. Eight Men Injured at Blackwood. As briefly reported in our sixth edition last evening, a serious accident occurred in connec- tion with the sinking of the new Oakdale Col- liery. Blackwood, yesterday afternoon. A num- her of masons were engaged in building a stone arch at the mouth oi the shaft., which has been sunk to a depth of about 30 feet. The masonry was supported in the usual way by a wooden frame, and when the men left for dinner the arch had been practically com- pleted with the exception that the keystone had not been properly fixed. After dinner tho men resumed their task. and had not been on the staging for many minutes when one of the iron bars supporting the framework got out of place, and without any warning the structure collapsed. A large quantity of masonry fell upon the staging on which the men were standing. This gave way under the great weight, and the men were precipitated in a heap a distance of about 16 feet, and a quan- tity of masonry fell upon them. Fortunately there was plenty of help avail- able. and the whole of the men were extricated within 20 minutes. Dr. Evans, Blackwood, was speedily in attendance, and he was quickly followed hy Drs. Griffithand Watkins, who rendered aid. Most of the men were sent home on stretchers, but some of them were able to walk., The names and addresses of th" Mired men as fol Low: Wm. James, foreman mason, Abertysswg. Win- Davey, Sirhowy Cottage, Blackwood. Patsy Durgan, Blackwood. James Smith, Argoed- Thomas Lloyd. Hall-street. Blackwood. James Payne, Ynysddu. John Williams, Church-street, Blackwood. Thomas Wills, Oak-street, Blackwood. The injured men were again examined by the doctors at their respective homes, and when interviewed late last night by one of our repre- sentatives one of the doctors declared that the men had bad wonderful escapes. They had recovered from shock, and beyond bruises and superficial cuts none was seriously injured, although Lloyd and Durgan were not out of danger, as they seemed to be suffering from injuries to the chest. Wm. Davey, one of the injured workmen, stated that as soon as they returned to work after dinner the arch collapsed. Only that morning he said in a jesting mood to a com- rade, I wouldn't be surprised to find our- selves at the bottom," although he had no particular reason for saying so. Davey said the weight of the stone which fell would be about 4 cwt., but a quantity of other material feD with the masonry. But ior the protection afforded by some iron bars he thought several of the men would have been killed.

THE PONTYPOOL EPIDEMIC. Local Government Board Report. The report of Dr. Johnson, who was ap- pointed by the Local Government Board to inquire into the causes of the typhoid epidemic which occurred at Pontypool and surrounding districts last year, is to hand. Dr. Johnson skates that in face of the facts before him there can be little doubt that enteric fever was spread in Pontypool by the polluted water from the gas works well. In Panteg a. few houses were no doubt infected by local supplies of polluted water, but infec- tion in the main body of houses at Panteg was difficult to account for except on the assump- tion that polluted water from the gas works spring occasionally gained access to the Pan- teg water supply. Personal infection also played a considerable part in the outbreak, and the home conditions at Pontypool, and in a lesser degree at Abersy- ehan, were such that little attempt could be made at isolation of the sick. In Panteg the houses as a whole had larger and additional rooms. In such circumstances some attempt at isolation could be and was made. In regard to the water supply of the district, Dr. Johnson reports that in dry weather the supply was perforce intermittent. In some of the higher part.s of the district filtration was almost completely absent, although by the provisions of the Act under which the Water Company worked all the water should be effectually filtered before passing into the pipes for distribution. Filtration was only attempted on a small scale, and the bulk of the water delivered to the consumers was un- filtered. So far as he could ascertain, there was no probability or danger of pollution at any of the water company's sources of supply, except the gas works aprine, and in a lesser degree the well at Cwmavon. As to Pontypool Dr. Johnson says there was considerable crowding of houses upon a given &rI- and many dwellings were without thorough ventilation a-in,- been built against banks, Many dwell/Os were old and dilapi- date jl; the rooms weie small, roofs low, and the alls bad. Yards or gardens were limited, and liitirely absent In a large part of the town. At Abersycban the houses had plenty of space, both front and back. On the Tranch the free circulation of air in and around the dwellings was prevented, the houses having been built too close to bank5-

WEDDINGS. Edwards-Currey. The weddingtookplaceatSt. Mary s Church, Ross, on Wednesday afternoon, of Major Launcelot Edwards, of the Lincolnshire Regi- ment, son of the late Mr J. Edwards, of East- leigh, Hants, and Miss Francis Helen Currey, second daughter of Lieut.-Col. Currey, Ash- field Park, Ross (late 4th Dragoon Guards). The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a dress of ivory satin with long train trimmed with sprays of orange blossom and old lace. Her eldest sister was brides- maid, and Mr J. Edwards, brother of the bridegroom, was best man. The Rev. Preb. E- H. Winington Ingram, rector of Ross, was the officiating clergyman. A reception was held after the ceremony at the Royal Hotel. Winks-dacobs. The wedcling was solemnised on Wednesday at Bethany Chapel, Cardiff, of Mr Lewis F. Winks, youngest son of the Rev. W. E. Winks, and Miss Ethel Jacobs, daughter of Alderman T. Windsor Jacobs, J-P. The bride was attired in ivory chiffon satin, trimmed with point de Milan lace. the bridal veil of Brussels net being worn over a wreath of orange blossoms. Shealso carried a bouquet of lilies and white heather. iMiss Gwla.dys Jacobs (sister of the bride) and Miss Alice Winks (sister of the bridegroom) were the bridesmaids, and Mr T. Windsor Jacobs, jun.. acted all best man. The bride Was given away by her father, and the mar- riage ceremony was performed by the bride- groom's father (the Rev. W. E. Winks), who was assisted by the Rev. John Evans (brother- in-law of the bridegroom). Subsequent to the wedding breakfast, served at the residence of the bride's parents. Cathedral-road, the couple Jeft for Torquay for their honeymoon.

AN UNDESIRABLE LODGER. At the Old Bailey yesterday Douglas Dixey, 29. a tailor's cutter, pleaded guilty to a charge of feloniously demanding money with meaaces- Dixey took apartments in the house of Mrs Emily Cooper, a widow, residing at Clapham. and on July 31 he called and asked to be allowed to take possession of his room earlier than agreed. While speaking to her he sud- denly produced a revolver and said, I will thank you for your purse, madame." The weapon was pointed at the lady's head. Mrs Cooper closed with the prisoner, and her daughter came downstairs to her assistance, but the man succeeded in breaking away. He got out of the room into the passage, and locked and chained the door upon the pro- secutrix and her daughter. The police were called and an entrance was gained to the bpuse through one of the windows, and the prisoner was discovered secreted in another part of the premises with the loaded revolver in his possession. The Recorder said it-could not be tolerated in a civilised country that a man should pre- sent a loaded revolver at a defenceless woman. In view, however, of the man's previous good character, he should sentence him to threb months' imprisonment in the second division.

I DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. r Liberation Society's Views. The committee of Liberation Society at their last meeting passeda resolution rejoicing at the passage of the Deceased Wife's Sister Act. but regretting the amendment which relieves the clergy 1 rom the compulsory obli- gations of their office as State officials. The resolution proceeded: The committee re- cognise the amendment as anadmissiiMi on the part of the Anglican Church of the irksome- ness of the State connection, and trust that this concession to troubled consciences may point the way to freedom from the fetters of estate and control of the non-spiritual authority."

THE ALIEN CHURCH IN WALES. Speloh by Mr Llewelyn Williams, M.P. Disestablishment of the Church in Wales "Was the subject of an address delivered by Mr Llewelyn Williams. M.P., at a public meeting held at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelly, on Saturda. y might under the auspices of the Free Church Council- The Rev. Thomas Johns, IXD. pre- aided Mr Williams said one thing the English never realised was that the Welsh were a distinct nationality. The Englishman was willing to admit that the question of Dis- establishment in Wales differed in a. degree from, the question of Disestablishment in England, but he (the speaker) ventured to say that the question of Disestablishment in Wales was different in kind. There was no such thing in any other country in the world 96 an established religion, vhieh had been forced upon an unwilling people for the last lew centuries. Such a thir g could not be tolerated in any other country in the wodQ. ^■xcptizitius law-abiding-coo try.

TRASIC SEQUEL AT CARDIFF. Hans Meyer (29), captain of the steamship Harald Horn, who was arrested in Cardiff on Friday evening on a charge of causing the death of Reuben Cox, an accountant in the employment of Messrs Jenkins Bros., ship- owners, Cardiff, was brought up on Saturday (before Messrs F. J. Beavan and J. II. HaDett) and charged for that he on the 21st day of August, 1907, at Cardiff, did feloniously kill and slay one Reuben Cox." Prisoner, a tall, fine-looking man, with fair hair, slight moustache and beard, wearing a fancy waistcoat, appeared to feel his position. The police asked for a remand. Mr Morgan Rees, who appeared to def end, said he thought the Bench, when they bad heard the evidence, would come to the conclu- sion that prisoner acted entirely in seif- defence, and that there was no case whatever for the jury. The deceased man attacked de- fendant first, and be struck him back. The blow. however, was not a violent one, and deceased went to business afterwards. Un- fortunately erysipelas set in, and he died. Prisoner was a man of good position, being captain of a German steamer, and he made a strong application for bail. Of course, the charge was a serious one, but, he felt very con- fident from what he had heard not only from his client, but from the prosecution, that it was not a case in which the man would he sent for trial. He could find substantial bail. Prisoner traded regularly to Cardiff, coming either to that port or to Swansea once a week, and there was no fear whatever that he would not appear to answer the charge. Detective-Sergeant Harris said the police objected to bail till the inquest had been held. Mr Rees. in reply to Mr Hallett, said pri- soner's ship was due to leave Cardiff that night for Rouen, but he had telegraphed to the owners to arrange for the mate to take charge. The Bench said they could not at the present stage grant bail, and remanded prisoner till Tuesday.

THE INQUEST. Barmaid and Origin of Quarrel. Mr Ll. B. Recce held an inquest upon the body on Saturday. Mr Morgan liees ap- peared on behalf of Meyer. Elsie Counsell, a barmaid at the Bute Dock Hotel, said that she had been keeping com- pany withthe deceased for about three months. He was in the bar at 8 o'clock on Wednesday, August the 21st. The pri- soner and a Mr Empsall were carrying on a conversation in French, and Cox took ex- ception to some remarks made by the prisoner. Two hours afterwards the prisoner and the deceased left the bar together, and witness immediately afterwards heard a scuffle out- side. She went to the road at once, and saw deceased bleeding from the nose and just in the act of getting up. She heard the prisoner remarking that Cox had F *uck him, but as she did not see the prisoner Ler she could not say if he had a mark. Cox was brought back to the house, and remained there until the bleeding stopped, and then it was about closing time. Mr Rees Did the prisonersay that if he had said anything that was wrong he would apolo- gise ?-Yes. And did he ask Mr Cox to make it up ?—He asked him to have a drink, and Mr Cox re- fused. Witness then added that Captain Meyer left the bar, but came back, and when she was talking to Mr Cox in the passage he came out of the bar. Mr Cox asked him to apologise, and the prisoner said, If I have upset the young lady I apologise." Captain Meyer and Cox then left the house together, walking side by side. Did you hear Captain Meyer shout that he had been struck f-He shouted, "He struck me first." Did you hear any shouting beforcyou went out 1-1 heard the cabman shouting that there was fighting. Did Cox make an attempt to go at Mever ?— He was kept back by the landlord and myself. He said he would fight, and he wanted to go for Meyer. Mr Morgan Rees And he had a tap on the nose ? The Coroner: A tap! Something worse than a tap. Witness He got a blow. Evidence of the Landlord. The next witness was Walter Empsall, the landlord of the Bute Dock Hotel, who said he knew deceased as a customer and a friend. Prisoner was speaking with him and others when Cox took exception to what he had said. Prisoner had not addressed his remarks to Miss Counsell, but to the company generally. He afterwards apologised. About an hour and a half afterwards witness's attention was directed to a row outside. Witness went out, and saw Captain Meyer holding deceased at arm's length to prevent another blow. The Coroner But Misg Counsell said he was on the ground. Witness: Miss Counsell was not there then, and I saw no one holding the captain. In reply to Mr Rees, witness said Captain Meyer apologised most humbly, and said that if he had offended the young lady be was very sorry for it, but Cox did not seem to accept the apology. Matters then simmered down, and witness said he looked upon it as a most trivial affair. When he went outside he found Mr Cox attempting to go for Captain Meyer, and trying to strike him. Witness separated-them, and got Cox back to the house. Detective-Sergeant Wm. Gretton deposed to the arr vo of Captain Meyer, who in reply to the charge said, "lie struck me twice first, and I pushed him and struck him once." The inquest was at this stage adjourned-till Monday, as the medical gentlet-nen had not,had time to complete the post-mortem examina- tion. The inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Reuben Charles Cox, a ship- owners' accountant, who died, it was alleged, from the effects of a blow inflicted during a fight with Hans Meyer, a German.ship master, at Cardiff ocks, was resumed on Mooday by Mr E. LI. B. Reece, deputy coroner. Cap- tain Meyer was present in custody, he having been remanded on the charge of manslaughter by the magistrates, and he was represented by Mr H. Morgan Bees, solicitor. There was a large attendance of interested persons, amongst them being a number of Germain friends-of Captain Meyer. Dr. G. N.. Montgomery, who had made a post-mortem examination of the, dt-,ceased, said he had found signs which confirmed the ante- morte-m diagnosis of general blood poisoning. The membrane of the brain were slightly in- named- There were also signs of peritonitis,, the result of the inflammation of the mem- brane. Further, there were signs of pleurisy. The body was in an advanced state of decom- position. The blood poisoning, arose through the absorption of poisons from the naeal. cavity. By Mr Morgan Rees: In the.case of a. person receiving a blow on the nose, witness would, not expect any evil results to follow. i, The Coroner, having briefly summed up, the- jury returned a verdict of Justifiable homi- cide." adding that they attached no blamc^to; anyone.

NOT A CASE FOR COMMITTAL." At Cardiff on Tuesday (before Messrs T. H. Stephens and F. J. Beavan) Hans Meyer, master of the German steamship Harald Horn, was charged with the manslaughter of Reuben Charles Cox, a shipowners' accountant. The faot;w.of the case will be fresh in the minds of our readers. On August 21st the accused and the deceased had a quarrel inside the Bute Dock Hotel. and afterwards adjourned to West Bute-street, where a fight took place. In the fight the deceased received a. blow on the nose, and a fortnight later he died. Tbe accused was arrested on the charge of having caused his death, but at the adjourned coroner's inquest, held on Monday, the evidence was such that the jury reported a verdict of Justifiable homicide." When CaptainMeyer was broughtjbefore ths magistrates on Tuesday there was some doubt whether the prosecution would tender any evidence, but subsequently it was decided to proceed with the case. Mr H. Morgan Rees appeared for the defence. Elsie Counsell, barmaid at the Bute Dock Hotel, repeated the evidenc she gave at the last hearing. Replying to Mr Morgan Rees, witness said the quarrel arose through the deceased taking umbrage at, a remark made by the prisoner. This remark was made by someone else, and was in French, and witness did not understand. it. When the deceased challenged prisoner about the remark he had made, the pris- oner replied that if he had said anything to hurt witness's feelings, he would apologise to her. The deceased, however, was not satisfied with this, and after further words the two of them went out. Mr Empsall, manager of the Bute Dock Hotel, having given similar evidence to that which he tendered at the inquest, Dr. G. N. Montgomery (locum tenens for Dr. Biggs), who first saw the deceased at hjs home on Sept. 3rd, said he found him suffering from erysipelas and blood poisoning. Death occurred on Friday, and on Saturday witness made a post-mortem examination of the body. The cause of death was blood poisoning. Witness and another medical man had previously lanced an abscess in deceased's nose, and this abscess was the result of direct violence. The abscess, however, was not the cause of death. Deceased was generally in a low condition. By Mr Morgan Rees When witness saw him first, deceased was suffering from periton- itis, and there were also signs of pleurisy. If he had been a healthy man,, the abscess in the nose would not necessarily have been fatal. It would be most unusual for such an abscess to lead to evil results. Detective-Sergeant Gretton having, given formal evidence of arrest, The magistrates, without calling upon Mr Rees, decided that this was not a ease for com- mittal, and discharged the prisoner.

SUBMARINE MANOEUVRES. Following the departure for Torbay of the cruiser Bonaventure, the seagc ng depot ship for submarines; which left. Portsmouth on Tuesday, four submarines,, accompanied by a torpedo boat, are und^r orders to sail from Portsmouth to.r1' ,1' the aaru- destination. Exercises t manceuv have been srranp ,:mes which I not been .10ii-o.J.n" AI,

-_u PONTYCYMMER MATRICIDE CHARGE. The Inquest. {I. Mr Howell Cuthbertson (coroner) opened the inquest on Thursday at Pontycymmer on the body of Rachel Hannah Stills, aged 70, of Bridgend-road, Pontycyrnmer, in connection with whose death her son, George Stills, a colliery haulier, is in custody on the charge of murder. George Stills. the prisoner, was present at the inquest. He wa.s removed from Bridcnd thi." morning by the 9 o'clock train, in cha rge of Inspector Benjamin Evans, to whom he was handcuffed. At the Bridgend Railway Station a crowd quickly gathered, but the inspector hurried his man into a reserve compartment and drew down the blind, biding his prisoner from the gaze of the curious spectators who had col- lected around the carriage. A large number of people also gathered at Pontycymmer in the vicinity of the railway station to see the arrival of the prisoner. Inspector Evans hur- ried the prisoner through the street at a smart pace to the Ffaldau Institute, where the in- quest was held, while Sergeant Lane and P.C. Price Evans kept the crowd from coming too near. Mr David Llewellyn, Bridgend, watched the proceedings on behalf of the accused. Tne first witness called was George Stills, a xvhite-hain-d old man, husband of the deceased, and father of the accused, who displayed con- siderable emotion. He gave evidence of identi- fication, and said he was in the Ffaldau Hotel on the morning 6f the tragedy, his sons John and George being with him. John left the hotel about a minute or two before George. When witness got back to the house, some time after 1 o'clock, he found his wife up- stairs dead. George was not sober when he left the hotel—he had something to drink-but he was not drunk. What Peering Schoolgirls Saw. Maggie J. Leyshon, a schoolgirl (12), living at 24, Bridgend-road, said thaton Tuesday last some timo after 1 o'clock she passed No. 7, Bridgend-road, where the Stills lived. She heard a row in the house. She looked in at the window and saw George Stills beating his mother, who was lying on the ground. George was on his knees on the floor and was hitting his mother with his fists in the face. Wit- ness did not see anything in his hands. Then he came out to the door and witness ran across the street. There was blood on his hands when he came to the door. He went back into the house and shut the door, and witness went away. Rebecca Leyshon, sister of the last witness, said that her sister called her to look through the window, saying, Oh, look at this man he is killing the woman". When they looked through the window George Stills came to the door with his Hands Covered with Bload. He said to Mrs Evans and Mrs Piyor, who were standing there. "If you don't go away I will do the same to you." He then went back into the house and slammed the door. Later, witness saw him come out carrying Mrs Stills. He put her down on the pavement and pulled her clothes up over her head. Then he went back into the house and shut the door again. When Mrs Stills was put on the pavement she was bleeding. George Stills had his coat off and his shirt sleeves tucked up. He put the body down on the pavement quietly. Lily Deliliah Harris, another schoolgirl, said that she, too, saw the man beating Mrs Stills in the room. They were making no noise.

NEIGHBOUR'S STORY. Son Covers His Mother's Face. Mrs Sarah Pi yor said that about 1.30 on Tues- day she saw a lot of children peeping into Mrs Still's window. She went and looked in, and saw an old woman lying in the corner of the room. Witness did not think anything very serious was the matter. There was no one else in the room. Witness opened the door, and she saw George Stills, who said," Go away from here or I will give you the same." His hands were covered with blood. Later on George Stills brought his mother out in his arms and put her down on the pavement, and pulled her clothes up over her head. A Mrs Davies and witness then tried to carry the old woman into the house, but George Stills slammed the door in their faces. Mrs Davies and witness remained with the body until the police-came and took it into the house. George Stills put the body down on the pavement quietly. Witness had seen Mrs Stills about 7,30 that morning, and she was* sober then. Mrs Ann Davies said that Mrs Piyor shouted to her, Mrs Davies, come at once. Mrs Stills'son is washing his hands in her blood." When witness got to the house, George Stills was putting his mother down on the pavement. George then pulled her clothes up over her head. She did not) see him kick the old woman's feet. from the-door step.

"I AM THE MAN." P. C. Edward Price Evans said he was called to the scene about 1.30 and saw a crowd of people standing around Mrs Stills, who was lying on her back in the centre of the pavement apposite her own door She was then apparently dead. She was bleed- ing from the nose, mouth, and left ear. On entering the house witness saw George Stills sitting on a chair in the. kitchen. He was wiping his hands in a linen bodice. There was blood on his bands and on his waistcpat, shirt, and trousers. The brother John was there, and he said to witness, I have done nothing. George then said, I have done it; I am the man you want." Witness said he should take him into custody on a charge of causing the death of his mother. He then cautioned ,the prisoner, who made no reply. Sergeant CL G. Lane, who took the prisoner to Pontycyrnmer Police Station, said that on the way prisoner said, I only gave her one blow." Witness stopped him and cautioned him, «,nd Stills further said, I did carry her out for fear I should do her further injury." Witness afterwards examined the front-room of No. 7, Bridgend-road, and found much blood about. There was a broken flowcr pot under the window, which appeared to have been recently broken. In the room a hatchet was found mixed up with a lot of clean linen, which appeared to have I)een, over -Wrned in a struggle. There were, however, no signs of blood on it. Witness also found a pair of scissors, but no blood stains upon them. Wit- ness produced the clothes of deceased, which. boperaany marks of blood, the bodice and: apron being saturated- The clothes which, the accused was wearingat the time were also-pro- duced. The trousers, waistcoat, and-shirt bore a number of blood marks. A towel found in the scullery also bore blood stains. Witness said he charged George Stills; with the murder; of hismother,amthc replied, "Not guilty."

NATURE OF INJURIES. DrJ Bowen Jones, assistmt to Dr. E. J. Parry, J.P~> said he saw the body at five- minutes past 2 on Tuesday. The wom was: then dead, and had been dead about a.- quaxtert of an hour. Her face was covered with blood,, and she had been bleeding from the mouth and nose. There was a cut under the chin about two inches long, down to the bone. There was an irregular cut above the right eyebrow, about an inch and a half long. This also was down to the bone. There was another cut above the upper lip, about an inch long, through the lips into the month. The left side of the face was swollen and discoloured. There was a cut about three-quarters of an inch long on the cheek, and inside the cheek was a wound which went right up in the direction of the eye and back to the angle of the jaw. The Lower Jaw was Fractured on the right side and dislocated on the left. He made a post-mortem yesterday and found ex- tensive bruises on the body. The liver was much enlarged, which was probably due to drink. Death was causoo by the multiple in juries. The injuries to the body could have been caused by kicks, but great violence must have been used. Helen Jane Weeks, another little girl. who looked through the window, said she saw George Stills kicking the old woman. George was on the ground at the time. The Coroner: I cannot accept this little girl's evidence. I don't think he could have kicked the woman if he was on the floor. She is very young—only eight years—and her evi- dence had better not be taken. The Coroner, summing up, said it was quite clear Mrs Stills had received her fatal injuries at the hands of George Stills, her son, and he advised the jury to return a verdict of Wil- ful murder against him.

DON'T TOUCH ME, FATHER I" The jury asked that the room might be cleared for them to consider their verdict. As prisoner was being removed his white- haired old father went up to him, sobbing bitterly, and taking his son by one of his hands kissed him passionately on the cheek, muttering what sounded like, Oh, my poor boy The accused man seemed much affected, and said, Don't touch me now, father, lor God's sake." He was then hurried away by the police to await the verdict. "WILFUL MURDER:" After deliberating in private for about five minutes the jury returned a verdict of Wil. ful murder against the accused.

CROP PROSPECTS. Earl Carrington's Review. Earl Carrington, presiding at an. agricultural luncheon at High Wycombe on Wednesday, said that notwithstanding the bad season the yield of corn crops generally in Great Britain would not be far short of an average in bulk. The quaJity left much to be desired. A good deal of hay was spoilt. Roots were promising. but potatoes were an indifferent crop. The re- turns of live stock were satisfactory. The demand for milk was increasing by about six million gaBon; yearly. The demand for horses .showed a falling off. The demand for land had I increased. In spite of croakers and prophets of evil British agriculturists, were not yet played out.,

Insanity Increasing. APPALLING FIGURES. The 61st report, of the Commissioners in Eunacy was issued on Wednesday. It states that the number of certified insane person in England and Wales under care on the 1st January, 1907, was 123,988, a number exceeding that recorded on the 1st January. 1S06. by 2,009. This increase for 1906 mav be contrasted with that of 2,150 for 1905, of 2,630 for 1904, and of 3,235 for 190:). The annual average increase for the ten years ending 31st December. 1906, was 2.462, and that. for the five years ending on the same date, 2.655. The increase for 1906 was, therefore, less by 453 than the annual average of the and by 646 than the quinqmennial average. On the 1st January. 1907. the total number of notified insane persons in England and Wales stood to the estimated population in the proportion of one to 2,2. or 35-48 pex 10,OW. This gives an increase on the ratio of the preceding year of 0'48 per cent-, white the actual numeri- cal increase has been 1-64 per cent. On the 1st January. 1897, this ratio was 31-89. so that in the ten years it hasi-tiereasei by ) 1"3 per cent., the proportion of such insane persons in the whole community having risen from one in 314. to one in 232. The actual increase in the whole population during the same period has been 121 per cent.. and in the numbers of the certified insane 248 per cent. The ratio for all insane was 18"67 per 10,000 of population in 1859. so that it has increased by 90 per cent. since that year. The largest proportionate increase of the ratio was in the first decade, 1859-1869. The proportion of males and females in the insa.ne community, as respects at least those who are known to be under \'a.rp on January 1, 1907. was precisely the same as that obtaining in the previous year's returns, namely, males 461, females 53*9 per cent. But the average annual admission rate. (1901 to 1905) gives 49'0 and 51 "0 per cent, as the male and female dis- tribution. The latter figures closely approxi- mate to the relative distribution of the sexes in the general community, and tbe explanation of the:disproport,ionate excess of females among the total in-sane under care is doubtless in great measure due to the lower death rate of the female insane as compared with males, namely, males 11*55, females 8"63, being the average death rates for the past ten years. The returns show that below the age of 35 years the males preponderato'over the females, the numbers under care on December 31st, 1905, giving a proportion of the former to the latter sex at these ages of 53 to 47. Between 35 and 65 this proportion is reversed, namely, males 45*4 to females 54"4, while at 65 and up- wards there is astill greater disproportion, viz., males 38*7 to females 61'3. From the same source we learn that about one-fourth of both sexes were below the age of 35, and nearly one- eighth above that of 65, the actual percentage of those over 65 who were under care on that date being males 11-0 and females 14'8 per cent. The average admissions for the years 1901 to 1905 of persons of these advar -ed years was for both sexes 15-2 per 10,000 of population, which is in advance of the rate on the pr ceding five years. m The criminal lunatics, all of whom are at present in either county or borough asylums, or in the State criminal asylums of Broadmoor and Parkhurst., numbered on the 1st January la.st 736 males and 227 females. Of them 610 males and 206 females were in the State criminal asylums. The largest increase in pauper lunatics was in the county of London, the number being 356 over last year's total. There was also a large increase in the county of Middlesex, namely, 138" -_u.<

RUSKIN'S PUBLISHER. The announcement of the death of Mr George Allen, the well-known publisher, at his residence at Orpington, Kent, in his 76th year, will have been seen with g; <;at regre' by his many friends and by all lovers of Ru^kin's books. Mr Allen began life as a mechanic, hut he had that innate love of things beaut: ful which belonged to the older class of craftsme v. This led him to study wood-engraving, and his work attracted the attention of John Ruskin, who first met his future publisher at the Workingmen's College, then in Great Ormond- street. In 1870 Ruskin established a priuting press at his own house, and George Allen pub- lished Fors Clavigera" for his master-, who. Mr George Allen. was also his friend. There were many diffi- culties to encounter of expense and distribu- tion and publicity, and Ruskin, though a lovable inanwas himself difficult at times. But Mr Allen devoted himself to the task of carrying out the ideals of his employer, and his admirable taste, his immense industry, bis splendid honesty, his shrewd common sense made 3 success of enterprise which at first seemed doomed to fail. From Orpington the publisher removed to London, and from that date the business had increasing prosperity, Ruskin receiving a profit from his arrangement with Mr Allen amounting to an annual income, .of £ 4,000.

If TRAINING BOY SAILORS. The nlain feature of the report of the Depart- mental Committee appointed by the Board of Trade toinquire into the supply of boy seamen of British nationality for the mercantile marine is a recommendation in favour of a State grant to approved training ships and schools. The sum of 120 per boy is mentioned as the amount of the gran t, and as it is believed that5,000 boys could he trained it will be seen that an axpenditure of about £ 100,000 annually is con- templated by the Committee. Mr H. E. I Mr H. E. Kearley, M.P. I Kearley. the chairman of the Committee, is itheParliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. As the head of Kearley and Tonge he commands one of the most successful provi- sion businesses in the country. He entered Parliament as a Liberal for Devonport in 1892. He has applied his business knowledge to the legislative prevention of food adulteration, and his constituents supplied him with hints that led to his successful attacks on the ROYal Patriotic Fund, and the ultimate reconstruc- tion of that institution.

DEMOCRACY AND THE ARMY. Swiss-Prosidenf s Speech to British M.P's. The British members of Parliament and others who are visiting Switzerland to examine the Swiss military system were on Tuesday interested spectators of the manoeuvres of the First Army Corps, says Renter's Frci bur correspondent. They were presented to the commanding officers,and the majority of them attended the subsequent criticism of the manoeuvres by M. Forrer, the Minister for War. At the luncheon given in their honour by the Federal Council, M. Muller, the President of the Confederation, welcomed the visitors and declared that Switzerland was honoured by their visit. Our military institutions," he said, form one of the bases of our democracy. They are a school for the civic virtues, devo- tion to the fatherland and fidelity to duty. We like England because she represents to us the idea of individual liberty. We admire the strength, courage, firmness, and spirit of initial tive in the British character. The visit of the British committee will assist in strengthening the feelings of friendship that have always existed between the two nations." M. Muller then proposed the toast of King Edward, the British people, and its Govern- ment." Lord Ampthill, replying in German for the visitors, thanked the President in a. felicitous speech for the friendly reception accorded them, and eulogised the, military institutions of the Swiss pepole and their patriotism. Mr H. F. B. Lynch, M.P., and Mr J. R. Seddon, M.P-, also spoke. M. Frey, ex-member of the Federal Council, recalled the great services rendered to Switzerland by Lord Palmerston at the time of the Sonderbund civil wer. The greatest-cordiality Drevailed throughout the luncheon. The British visitors afterwards proceeded by motor-car to Paveme to inspect the commissariat department of the First Army Corps.

SHARKS IN CARDIGAN BAY, Great shoals of herrings are at present in Cardigan Bay, and this accounts for the appearance of sharks there also. Several boats went out from St. Dogmeils on Tuesday even- ing to catch herrings, and came back with a good supply. Two of the boats, however, captured.a shark each, one niessuring,. about,-

Wedcling Stopped. ELEVENTH-HOUR HITCH. I End of a Holiday Romance. Ie the London Sheriff's Court on Wednesday, before Mr Under-Sheriff Burcheil and a jury, M iss Gertrude Annie Ashton. a rlressmaker, I sued William Moore, a cartridge maker, both residing in London, for damages ior breach of promise of marriage. Mr Hugh Sturges, for the plaintiff, said the case wa,- a, particularly clist ,ne. From 1903 there was a continuous courtship until May, 1907, when suddenly at the last moment, after the banns had been published and the carriages for the wedding ordered, defendant broke off the engagement, leaving the unfor- tunate lady the laughing-stock of many of her friends. It was to be a double marriage. Defendant's brother and he had met plaintiff and a friend of rJPrs while on a holiday at Teignmouth, and the attachments which re- sulted were to have culminated in a. double wedding in May. During the whole time of that courtship there was never any strife or quarrel, but on May 10th defendant said he would not marry her, the wedding being fixed for May 18th. On Sunday, May 12th. he relented and said he was going to carry out his woro and marry her. Then he wrote a letter on the Monday, I am not going to marry you Miss Ashton had given up herposition, spent the whole of her savirgs in preparation for the wedding, and was left the Ir.nghirg stock of the t neighbourhood. Plaintiff wa,4 a dress- maker earning her living in London, and m the summer of 1903 she went to her parents' home at Teignmouth for a, holiday. While she was there defendant and his brothers came to lodge a.t the house during their holidays. A friend- ship and courtship sprang up between the parties. They returned to London, defendant being employed by a firm of cartridge makers, and for that time they spent most of their leisure time and holidays together. In 1905 there was a definite engagement, and defen- dant gave Miss Moore a ring. The following Christmas it was agreed that plaintiff and defendant should be married on the same day as Moore's brother and a friend of plaintiff. The wedding was fixed for May. Defendant told Miss Ashton to put. up the banns, which she did to order carriages which she did and a house was actually taken. Plaintiff had spent f20 on house linen, had given up her occupation, where she was earning 30s a week. Then on Friday, May 10th, be said he would not marry her, and added, I have bought furniture, but that does not matter. I can sell it again. I shall not lose anything," On the Sunday be relented. He cried and said he did not know what made him do it, that be would marry her and was certain they would be happy ever after. Then on the Monday he wrote to her, "I regret I cannot marry you on Saturday. Please take this for final, as I feel certain I cannot be happy with you. Your non-appreciation of my greatest efforts, manifested as it was at the eleventh hour, has nearly turned me mad. I have not slept for six long, weary nights, and things must change, or I shall become a physical wreck or a lunatic." .Plaintiff, on oath, said she was out of em- ployment from Easter to the middle of June. On May 10th she noticed a coldness on defendant's part, and asked the reason. He replied that he had changed his mind and could not possibly marry her. He felt he was going mad, and was feeling very much having to leave his home and people. Cross-examined. witness denied that defendant asked to be released from the en- gagement in September, 1906. Mr M. Brice, in addressing the jury for the defendant, suggested that the case was quite an ordinary one. There were constant quarrels and obviously the parties were not suited to each other. When be broke off the engage- ment defendant offered plaintiff all the money he had as compensation, but she said it was not enough, and she would go .to law. Defendant gave evidence on his own behalf. He said quarrels were frequent, and in September, 1906, he asked plaintiff to release him, but she would not. When he told her in May that he could not marry her, she said at first that she could not live, but within a quarter of an hpur she was asking what he was going to pay her. The jury awarded plaintiff £50 damages, and judgment was entered for tkat amount. "'y'

S; Fishguard Mysteries. I SrRANGE STORY OF AN EMPTY BOAT. No new light has been thrown on the mys- No new light has been thrown on the mys- terious disappearance-of the servan,.giri lice Barwell (27) from Ileathercrop, Goodwick, a week ago. Search has been made by the police along the cliffs, whithe r the girl was seen hurrying on the night of her disappearance, and last week 300 of the harbour works employees ceased work and made an organised tour of the ponds, woods and coves of the neighbourhood, but in vain. A postcard was received at Heathercrop for the missing girl from a friend, who was evidently unaware of anything untoward ha-virg occurred. The girl told a neighbour that she had pains in her head, and if anything happened she directed that 30s, which was in.her box, should be paid to her medical adviser and another person to, whom she, was indebted. Another incident enshrouded in mystery occurred early on Saturday morning. A man went to tbe-small jetty at-the Fishguard har- bour, and taking a-boat belonging to Mr J. R. Davies, Hope and Anchor Hotel, he rowed, hatless and coatless, around the point of the breakwater and away past Strumble Head, from which point he was observed by the coastguards. He was soon lost to view, and early on Sunday morning the boat was found shattered and the oars missing, in Pwilderry, under Trevasser Pencaer. Nothing has since -beendieard of the man-

STABBED W-HILE ASLEEP. A Cardiff Street Mystery. Karl Olsen, a young seaman, walked to Dr. Buist's surgery on Wednesday and complained that whilst sleeping in the street last night he was stabbed. The doctor found a big stab in the stomach and two cute on the fingers. The man could give no explanation as to how he came by the wounds save that when he woke he found that be had been stabbed. The police were communiaated with, and. they are making investigations. Fortunately the injuries are not-of a dan. gerous character.

STRANDED ON DOCK MUD. Porthcawl Visitors' Predicament. Two young visitors to Porthcawl on Tuesday mornin g got a boat and rowed about the dock to their hearts' content. About 11.30, however, there came a sudden end to their merriment. The boat struck a high silted bank of mud-in the centre- of the dock, and there it stuck. As the tide ebbed away the youths were left sur- rounded by cockle-strewn banks of impassable mud, beyond reach until the tide returned at 4.30. As they sat with rueful countenance in the boat, they caused-much laughter among the crowdson the quay.

BEARD WORTH £ 400. Washington, Wednesday.—A wealthy farmer named Palmer has brought a suit in the Supreme Court for £ 400 damages against the proprietor of a barber's bhop. Palmer's griev- ance is that his beard, of which he was quite proud, was cut off by one of the barber's em- ployees. Palmer fell asleep in the barber's chair, he says, after having told the man simply to trim his whiskers, but the barber stupidly sheared off all the whiskers and shaved his face. The application of a wet towel on Palmer's face awoke him, and when he realised t ha this beard was gone he sought. a lawyer and had a suit brought at once.

PASSIVE RESISTER'S VOTE At the Revising Barrister's Court, North- ampton, the name of the Rev. William Pierce, pastor of Doddridge Congregational Church and a prominent passive resister, was objected to by the Conservatives on the ground that he had not paid the rates up to January. The Barrister Is the rate paid or not ? If not, he must come off. Mr Pierce I submit I paid by going to gaol. I was given a task while in gaol, but I don't know what profit there was on my labour. (Laughter-) The Barrister I am afraid it did not get to the rate collector. The name must come off.

MICROBE OF APPENDICITIS. Paris, Wednesday. -Professor Metchnikoff, of the Pasteur Institute, who for some time past has been engaged in researches into the cause and cure of appendicitis, announces that it has been proved beyond doubt that the malady is caused by a microbe. Experiments are now being made on chimpanzees, which have been inoculated with t he microbe,to ascer- tain whether it is possible to effect a cure with an a nti appendicitis serum. The professor states, however, that the experiments so far made ace of an element2* ry- cha=,cOa.Ceu". .Nenac-

Canton-Crossing Horror. LONDON MAN'S AWFUL FATE. ROMANTIC & PATHETIC STORY. The body of a middle-aged man was found with head severed on th,, G-W.B.line near the crossing opposite Victoria park, Canton, early on Thursday morning. The police have not yet been able to defi- nitely ascertain his idr-ntity, but the body is supposed t'j be that of a jeweiler'f traveller from London, who is alleged to have spent most of his time since Tuesday in the compa ny of two women, Who live in Saltmead, Grange- town. The body is that of a tall man of say 40 years of age. with fair f'omplpxion. wearing spectacles. It was found soon after 5 o'clock this morning by William Workman, a railway porter- The head layinside- the rails and the trunk was close to the outside. Appearances suggestsuicidc. The body was quite warm when found, so that death. which must have been instan- taneous, can be estimated with fair accuracy to ha.ve taken place just at The severed corpse was taken to the city niortuary. If the deceased is the man he is presumed hy the police to be he registered at the Angel Hotel. Cardiff, on the 9th inst. He brought no luggage, and was not a regular guest at the hotel. An address found on the body i= that of a lady living in Kentish Town, London. She has been communicated with- The inquest has been fixed for 4 o'clock to- morrow afternoon. Our London representative telegraphs :—The body found on the line at Cardiff is that o £ a man named Charles Panther. This afternoon I called at 21, Montpelier-roa-d, Kentish Town, the address on the postcard in the possession of the deceased man. I there saw the landlady J -whos,- name by request is suppressed—and she was dumbfounded at the information I imparted. She stated that a few weeks ago a lady- Miss F. K. Appleton—who was called by a pet name, was brought there by Mr Charles Panther, and they engaged a fiat prior to their marriage. Mr Panther was in a situation at a jeweller's, and resided with hi" parents at 40. Lessingham- avenue, Upper Tooting, S.W., and was a man about 32 years of age. Some furniture was put in at once, and then Miss Appleton, who was an orphan, and a pleasant, attractive girl, came to stay in the rooms to qualify for the marriage, which was to take place on Saturday next at Holy Trinity Church, Kentish Town. "They were here on the mostlovicgterms," I sajd the landlady," and on Sunday were to- gether at his mother's at Tooting. Only one ¡ thing remained to be done, and that was the purchasing of the drawicg-room suite, and he arranged to come on the Monday for that, but ¡ he never turned up. The girl went to his mother's, and then on Tuesday to Scotland I Yard. Nothing had been heard there. Certainly he has been worried on account of extra work, but he was a jovial and kind fellow. He has bad extra work on account of the holidays. To show that nobbing is thought of his absence only yesterday a present arrived for them from a brother of Miss Appleton. Oh, yes. they had many beautiful presents. Mr Panther was a most popular man, a popular member of the St. John Ambulance Association, and held several medals in connection with that and draughts. Miss Appleton thought he might, in the excite- ment, have wandered away, just have lost his mind. for a moment, when he did not keep his appointment on Monday." You arc going to Tooting to sec her 7" said the landlady to our representative. Yes," he replied. Well, break it to the mother first. Perhaps she will take it more courageously. It all seems a dream to me but now I recollect her sister Cissie has been staying with her h er and on Saturday he would not go out with Miss Appleton. He said. No, I am overdone with work. You go with Cissie.' And they went."

"oWuaryT" An Old Capdiffian, The death is announced of Mr John Edwards, who passed away ;t his residence, 12, New- port-road, on Monday at the age of 78. He had a stroke a year or two ago, and had been in failing health for some time. The deceased gentleman was born at Cowbridge.and was the son of Mr Mccgan Edwards, who carried on tht business oc a carriage, builder in St. Mary- street, Cardiff, during the middle and the latter part of the ? a-1, century. The deceased ZL-; connected for many years with this business. but he withdrew frrvm it on his marriage with Mrs i Stephens, who conducted a business in toys and far-c y gooils in one of the arcades in the town The latter business gn>w into a large concern, and is to-day carried on under the style of Stephens an d Co. by three step- sons.of.the deceased. The late ->.r r,dwards was a talented musician. As a lad L- led a singing class at the old Zoar Chapel v h stood-on or near the site of the present Card if. Free Library. As a young man he had a beautiful alto voice, and sang for some years in the Llandaff Cathedral choir. He had been brought un a Methodist, however, and subse- quently became prominently connected with the Frederick-street English C.M. Chapel. He led the choir there, and for many years was an earnest and devoted member of theracongrega* tion. He was a member of the old Cardiff Philharmonic Society. Of a very retiring disposition, he never took any active part in the public life of the town, though he was an ardent Liberal in politics. He had a Very retentive memory and hada rare fund of stories concerning Cardiff morethan half a century ago. Indeed, with the exception of Dr. Edwards and possibly one or two more. he was quite unrivalled in his anecdotes of those early days. He had one brother, Mr Morgan Edwards, who died in America. The deceased gentleman had one daughter, who married the Rev. D. J. Wil- liams. Calvinistic Methodist minister, of Ban- gor. He also leaves a-widow and three stepsons to mourn his loss. Police Inspector Gifeben, Pentarda-wo. Police-Inspector Evan W. Gibbon, of the Glamorganshire County Police, died suddenly near Pontardawe-on Saturday evening. The deceased. who was 41 years of age, was a native of Logan, near Wliitland, Pem. Before going to Pontardawe he was a sergeant at Peatre. He was highly respected by all who knew him. was a member of the TAbernacle Welsh Congregational Church, Pontardawe, and leaves a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. On Saturday evening the de- ceased walked from Pontardawe in company with his brother to meet Sergeant Shilium, of Cwmgorse, at a place about 2 miles from Pontardawe, in-order to give him some in- structions. On arrival deceased complained of pains in the shoulder, and after speaking a few moments with the sergeant fell back and expired almost immediately. The body was conveyed back to Pontardawe, and was seen by Drs. Griiffths and Evans, who pronounced death to be due to syncope. Mr G. Butelitil, G!asbupy-on-Wy«. The death is announced of Air-George But- cher, seed and corn factor, Glasbury-on-Wye. He was a Liberal in politics, a generous sup- porter of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and had occrrpied the presidency of Hay and Dis- trict Free Churches Council.

THE HOTTENTOT MARAUDER. Germany's Generous Terms. Berlin, Wednesday.—A telegram received from the Governor of German South-west Africa states that Morenga., with 12 Kaffirs and eight rifles, is now at Gausib Bay, and has asked to be allowed to become a party to the agreement concluded with the Bondeizwarts. In reply the Governor sent word that be was ready to accept his submission if Morenga would deliver up his arms and would promise to ;live peaceably in the country. Should he do so he would not be called to account for his misdeeds, and would be given an oppor- tunity of earning a livelihood by cattle farm-, ing. The negotiations, the telegram adds, have not yet been concluded.—Reuter.

MAYORESS IN MOTOR CRASH. ore' The Mayoress of Hemel Hempstead (Mrs Orchard) was severely injured in a motor accident on Tuesday afternoon. She was driving in a pony governess car near Boxmoor when at some cross roads a. motor car dashed into the vehicle. Mrs Orchard was thrown out, and the pony bolted with the wrecked trap. Mrs Orchard was removed to a house close by, but after being attended by doctors was able to be taken home. She was cut and bruised badly on the face and arms, and re- ceived a severe blow at the back of the head. Her condition is not dangerous.

THE CRAY WATERWORKS. Swansea Mayor to Perform the Opening Ceremony. At a meeting of the Swansea Corporation on Wednesday afternoon, Alderman Roger Thomas presiding, it was agreed to invite the Mayor to formally open the Cray Waterworks on October 2nd. A long discussion took place on who should be invited to attend the cere- mony, and eventually it was decided to limit the invitations to the Corporation, the Har- bour Trust, the Corporation head officials, and a few others.

'RAILWA,YMEN'S AGITATION. The ? Executive Committee of tho Amalga- m&ted Society of Railway Servants continued their sittings in London on Wednesday. Further ordinary routine business of the quar- terly meeting was disposed of. The question of the refusal of the railway companies to re- cognise the society's officials wa" not formally discussed. Further information on the subject is being received, and it will possibly not be dealt with till Friday.

l Mr Will Crooks, M.P., sat on the Bench with Alderman Edward Thomas at the Cardiff I Police Court on,

Revolt Policy. THE POSITION AT ABERDARE. At a meeting of Aberdare Education Com. mittee on Wednesday, an application by Mr Rcge- H. Thomas, an assistant at the Town National .School, to be put on the same scale as assistants in the provided schools led to a sharp discussion. Mr J. H. James asked whr ther th", school was now be in" maintained withoutanyresource to therates. He proposed t hat the applicant he gi ren a temporary ad- vance of Mr D. Jackson Thomas pro- tested- The committee had repeatedly decided that no money from the rates should be spent i on 1.1, -,se schools, and if they commenced to ¡ grant advances they would have to do so all round. It was stated by the clerk that some of the assistant mistresses at these schools had been advanced. In the course of further dis- cussion Mr James urged that a temporary advance would bind them to -i,)thirg -Mr T. Lewis: Yes. call it temporary to blind the public.—Mr John Howell: ft is altogether a blind move.—Mr T. Lewis There is no policy nbont the thing at ail. Thp whole policy is blown awarv in North Wal^s, and even in Swansea.—It was ultimately resolved to grant the applicant 15 advance An application from the two head mistresses of tho National School at. St Fagan's reopened the whole discussion, Mr T. IRwi" stating that these ladies, most experienced teachers, were only receiving £85 a year, while the minimum under tPlt. committee was 1100 t He moved that both ladies h^ granted an advance not to exceed the minimum paid to head mis- tPs under the Council. It was pre- tending that they were carrying out tbp policy of no rate-aid. They had paid for years scores of pounds in aid of these schools from the rates. He challenged anyone to deny it. Why, therefore. quibble, and deceive the ratepayers in the matter ? Mr John Howell seconded, saying he did not see why the teachers or the children in the non-pronded schools should suffer because of bad legislation- Mr D. Jack- son Thomas moved that, the application be refused. They were all pledged to the policy of no rate-aid. Even Mr Lewis at the last election had promised that.—Mr Lewis No, I have not -Mr Thomas Ha ve you not said so in a public meeting?—Mr Lewis: No. I have not. I challenge you to prove it.—Mrs Richards said if Mr Roger Thomas was entitled to an advance certainly these two applicants were, and she moved they be granted JE5 each. This was carried.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. Disputes in Aberdare District. A meeting of the Aberdare district of miners was held at the Bute Hotel, Aberdare, on Tuesday. Mr M. J. Morgan, Glyn Neath, occupied the chair. The agent (Mr C. B. Stanton) reported that the men at Parish's New Level were again out, having been turned back by the management. It was agreed that unless the old custom as to wages, hours, etc., was allowed. the men should not return to work. The agent re- ported that the men at the Wimber Colliery were taking action to secure the fixing of a price list. Mr D. ii. Llewelyn, the proprietor, had been a^ked for his scale of prices, but he had not yet supplied them. A grievance at the Treaman Black Bend Seam had been practically settled. At the Fforchaman Yard seam the management had fixed a price list without his (the agent's) knowledge. Mr Stanton was instructed to remind the com- pany that the price list in question was not to prejudice any others which he submitted at a later stage. In view of numerous complaints of vexatious medicaJ examination in reference to cases under the CompensAtion Act, the agent was asked to warn the workmen that in case of accident they were to bear in mind that no employers' doctor had the right to exa.mine a man more than once until the chum had been submitted and paid. East Glamorgan Miners. The mom hly meeting of the 'jiust Glamorgan District of Miners was held at the Clive Hotel, Caerphilly, on Saturday evening. Mr E. J. Crew. Caerphilly, presided. The agent (Mr Hubert Jenkins) reported that the grievance as affecting the night men employed at the Llanbradach Colliery was in a fair way of a settlement. The general show cards which was taking place he hoped would show a satisfactory result. Western Miners' Association. On Saturday was held at Swansea a meeting of delegates representing the Western Miners Association, Mr J. Phillips (Abergywnfi) pre- siding, and Mr John Williams, M.P., and Mr W. E. Morgnrn agent) being pre-ent. The non-Unronist question was discussed at length. Although the majority of collieries in the district are free of non there is a very percntage of the mat Groveeead. Louriior Por»^ardulais. Burry Port. and Abergwynfi Collieries, and it was resolved to I make special effort during the present i- and that the question of tenderi'? nnrtioes tlvovthe district be atf^rwards con- sidered i i, ^taj M that er^pkvyer? are in lr. matter agisting j,n." I'eac.ation in some of the co'lieries. and the hope was expressed that this question will tw- taken up in .doe coarse, by the Coalowners Association. It was unanimOUfly resolved'to condemn tlx* action of some collieries m tb" district who were in the habit of doing the work of daynten. It was said that in some collieries men were working from six to 11 days per week. Per- mission was granted to the Foxhole Colliery workmen to tender notices if the..dispute is not settled forthwith- Dowlais. The monthly meeting of the. Dowlais district was held on Saturday evening in the Clarence Hotel, East-street, all lodges, with the excep- tion of Pantywaun, being represented. Mr D. W. Davies" (vice-president) occupied the chair. Messrs John Harris, Thomas Jenkins. C. Wittingham, with Alderman John Davies (miners' agent), were instructed to see Mr H. S. Martin (manager of the local collieries) re the question of dealing in the future with non- Unionists seeking work, after the amicable settlement arrived at the previous Saturday, when notices were withdrawn to terminate con- tracts- As to the application of the 2d received out of the sum of 4d paid towards the Parliamentary levy of the South Wales Miners' Federation, the old committee was appointed to make sugges- tions for utilising the money for propaganda and local purposes. The agent reported that several cases of compensation were under con- sideration with a view to fixing lump sum. in settlement, but the claims of John H oweils had been met, by the payment of L110, and that of .T. M. Thomas with L40. The district I recommended the appeal for financial support towards the Cardiff Infirmary to the different lodges, and that they send a donation from their funds. New Price List at Ynysarwed. A new list- of prices has been arranged between the owners and workmen of Ynvsar- I w.'d Colliery. Resoiven. Mr E. Lewis (colliery agent) acted for the owners, and Mr W. .Tonkins (miners' agent) for the workmen. The list affords a considerable improvement to 1)A workmen.

A TttEFOREST WON'ï-WORK.. I- You do nothing but loaf about and get drunk." was the condemnation of the Ponty- pridd Stipendiary in referring to Evan Thomas, collier, Fothergill-street, Treforest, who was charged at Wednesday's Court with neglecting to provide food for his children. The prose. cution was undertaken by the X.S.P.C.C.. for whom Mr Ernest Roberts appeared, and defen- dant's wife accused her husband of being 1-00 lazy to work. Neighbours spoke to providing the children with food, and ex-P.C. Stihbs stated that he had known defendant for 20 years, and his time was principally spent stand- ing on street corners. Inspector Thomas said that when he chose to work defendant-earned good money. His wife was very industrious, and kept the children very clean. The Sti- pendiary committed Thomas to prison for a month.

A FIREMAN'S DESERTION. Annie Mathias at Cardiff on Wednesday sum- moned her husband, Wm. Mathias, a ship's fire- man, for desertion. She alleged that five or six weeks ago, when living in Oakley-street, defen- dant left her, and she was compelled to go to the Union. Her husband called a fortnight ago, promising to me a home for her. Sho went with him, and he took her down to Clare- road, and then asked her to go to her sister's and he would come for her. He failed to come, however, and she had not seen him from then until now. She bad been married two years, and there was one child at present. Defendant flatly denied desertion. He had been told she had gone to the Salvation Army Home. The Bench made an order for-payment of 8s a week, the wife to have custody of the child.

STRUCK HIS SON WITH A BOOT. At Swansea Police Court on Wednesday Patrick Caine, labourer, of Philip-street, Man- selton, was fined 40s for assaulting his son. Evan John Caine, on various dates. The .,s allegation was that defendant came home when his son was cleaning his boots, took one of the boots from his hand. and struck him on the head with the heel, and on the hip four times. Defendant when arrested said Can't you hush up this little matter ?" His wife told the Bench that her boy was wicked, but her husband had a very violent temper, and she had often warned him to stop beating the boy or he would get into trouble. Defendant said he worked hard for his children and wife. and it was hard to be charged with an offence which was no fault of his. The Chairman said the leniency of the Bench was due to the fact thafe defendant had an excellent character, and had been on active service for his country.

TURBULENT ZULUS. Attempt to Murder a Pel iceman. I Pietermariteburg. Monday.—A number at Zulus yesterday evening attempted to nndcf a police-sergeant at JTlfandhla, firing sevvww shots, but without 't.. TT'&y madft^rxrf heir escape.—ficpfe