The Cardiff Times

REMARKABLE SiORY, Some further particulars are to hand of the remarkable exploit of a passenger by the steamer Gwalia, of the Red Funnel Line, from Ilfracombe to Barry, on Saturday night. It will be remembered that when the steamer was near the Foreland the passenger in question— George Wood, a ship's painter, of Queen- 6treet, Barry—was suddenly missed from the deck. The Gwalia stopped, lowered her boats, and swept the soa around with her search- lights. Nothing was seen of the man, and after a time the steamer proceeded on her passage. The man, however, as soon as he found him- self in the water, struck out for the shore. which was about a mile distant. There is here a, remarkably strong set of the tide towards the shore, and whilst the men in the lifeboat were looking for him Wood was being rapidly carried to the land. Reaching the heavy surf. he man- aged, with considerable difficulty, to get safely through on to the sands, where for a time he 1ay eXhausted.. His troubles, however, were not yet by any means over, for above him were the towering cliffs, surmounted by the light- house. As soon as he had recovered sum- ciently, Wood tried, with the aid of the light given by the moon, which had just risen, to acale the cliff to the lighthouse, but when he had ascended about 125 feet his strength failed him and he could not go farther. Wet through \0 the skin, the cold evening did not add to the unfortunate man's comfort, and lie was in perilous situation. All he could do was to hold on and cry and groan with pain. His cries were heard after some time by the light- house keepers above, but they could do nothing to help him. However, they telephoned to the Lynmouth coastguard station for assistance. Chief Boatman Wootton promptly informed the coxswain of the lifeboat, Mr John Cro- eombe, and with Mr R. Ridler, the bowman, otLllù Mr R. Jarvis proceeded with ropes in a gig to the place where Wood, only partially conscious, was in danger. With creat difficulty they secured him and lowered him by means of ropes to the beach, the men running con- siderable risk in letting him down. He was then placed in* the boat, which returned to Lynmouth with all speed. Arrived at the latter place, Wood was handed over to the care of Mr Cecil N. Bevan, of the Lynn Valley Hotel, the local agent to the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. Mr Bevan at once got m blankets and food for the man, and dis- covering that be had a nasty cut on the head eent for Dr. Warren, who dressed the wound •nd administered restoratives. Wood recovered consciousness later, and, notwithstanding the sufferings he had gone -throngh, he left for his home by the steamer fca the afternoon. Joyful Home-Coming. There was on Monday quite a scene of rejoic- ing in the old home at Barry on the return of the lost one. Accompanying him on the Journey from Lynmouth were his brother and J. O. Beddoe, of Abe.rdare. a relative. On their arrival at Lynmouth they were surprised to hear that Wood had been out of doors for ♦ short walk on the Sunday night, but at the 1 informed thft h& waaihen ill J bed, and had evinced considerable anxiety respecting his mother and family. The wound on his bead was giving him pain, and on Dr. W -irren's advice he consented to remain quiet. L 1 Jon the appearance of his brother in the room, however, he at once got up and talked of going back to Barrv by the evening boat, and insisted upon doing so. To escape a crowd of friends who had assembled on the railway station platform at Barry he walked home across the dock. At his home his mother broke down at the sight of her son, who, as she afterwards said, had returned from the grave." Wood was dazed, and after greeting his friends retired to bed. ill. To his brother he had, however, confid4?d his experience. Directly he leached the water (he said) he felt the seriousness of his conduct- Thoughts of his mother, his home, his friends, came before his minri. and made life appear dear to him. Thus impressed, he determined to strike out for the shore- The water was chilly and the night cold, but being a very competent swimmer he struck out valiantly towards the black head- land, above which the lights of the Foreland lighthouse gleamed out over the water. The task seemed to be greater and greater a.<> be progressed, and the awful suspense caused by the knowledge that he must strike desperately for life or go under, caused him to put forth almost superhuman effort. The time seemed like days. but the tide assisted to carry him landward- WTien he got to the rocks the waves threatened to dash the life out of him, and indeed he was wounded, but dung tenaciously to a ledge and clambered ashore- Then began another terrible task. viz.. to climb the cliffs, which at that spot are almost perpendicular. When he ascended about 80 feet he shouted from a ledge, from which he was unable to move either up or down- At last the sound of voices came from above—from the lighthouse. Still, it was a long time before he felt the wel- come arms of a rescuer around him. and with that he relapsed into unconsciousness, from which he never recovered until he found him- self in bed at the Lyn Valley Hotel.

CURIOUS CHARGE OF THEFT. Ann Jones. Barry Dock, was charged at Barry Court on Monday with stealing four glasses, value Is, from the passenger steamer Gwalia, on the previous Saturday evening, on the occasion of its trip from Ilfracombe to Barry. Mary Kant, wife of one of the crew, said she sat next to the defendant, whom she saw take up the three glasses and place them in her bag. This was half an hour before the steamer arrived at Barry. At Barry Dock Station Dock Constable Cooling stopped defendant and asked her if she had any glasses in her bag, and she denied that she had them at first. On opening the bag, however, they were found inside. Mr Hughes (to witness): Was there not a great deal of drunkenness and disorder on the boat'■—I was not on deck. There were about 60 persons drunk, and some of the crew and passengers had to be put in irons ?—I could not say. Mr J. A. Hughes, for the defence, called de- fendant, who was a. respectable woman, and she said that owing to the crowd on board, and the row, her son asked her to keep the glasses ready for another drink, as they had difficulty in getting the glasses in the first instance. She did not think any more about it. but owing to the incident of a man overboard," she forgot about the glasses, and denied to the constable that she had them. Rev. T. Pandv John said he had known de- fendant 19 years, and she had always borne an excellent character, being most industrious, honest, and respectable. The Bench considered that it was a doubtful case, and on account of defendant's good char- acter they gave her the benefit of the doubt.

THE STRONG MAN'S SECRET. Padoubny in Cardiff. The strong man is inevitably interviewed about his secret just as the centenarian is asked how he has managed to live longer than other people. Ivan Padonbny, the world's champion wrestler, who appears at Cardiff Empire this week, is a man of culture no less than a man of muscle and aked as to his gigantic proportions he laughed and said he was "always Strang." Be temperate in all things is his motto. Be regular in your diet; don't drink alcohol; smoke the less the better. Padoubny is a rich Russian, the personal friend of Father Gapon and Maxim Gorky, and his knowledge of Russian and French literature is remarkable. He is an accomplished linguist— and a Revolutionary. Have your upheavals in summer, he tells his compatriots. Bombs won't work properly in snow It will interest those concerned in physical development to know that Padoubny's chest measurement is 58 inches; height, 6ft. lin. biceps, 17iin. forearm, 17in.; calf. 19in. thigh. 30jin. I alone," says Padoubny," can represent myself as being the world's champion because I threw Paul Pons on the 28th April, 1903 Laurent Je Bancairois and Petersen in 1905." Padonbny has deposited £200 in his challenge to all comers, and if he be thrown once he not only loses the £200 but his contracts made with Mr Stoll are cancelled on the spot. Padoubnv thus stands to lose over £3,000 in cash if Hackenschmidt or any other man can throw him—no one barred and no time limit. Padoubny's aim in life is to go back to Russia and give his services to the great cause near his heart—the freedom of his fellow- countrymen.

MANACLED NEGRO. CAPTAIN'S DILEMMA AT SWANSEA. At Swansea Police Court on Monday the captain of thess. Iser, of London, which reached Swansea that morning, asked the magistrates what he was to do with a man who had been in irons on board his ship since August 24th. The man, he said, was a lusty American negro, who was certainly dangerous, and when at Varna stabbed one of the crew three times in the back. He was for this put into irons. The man who was stabbed had declined to pro- escute, and applicant wished the ad vice of the magistrates as to the course he should follow. The Clerk said it was certainly his duty to take the man out of irons now port was reached The captain replied that it was a dangerous thing to do, as the man had threatened several other members of the crew, and he (the cap- tain) would not give twopence" for the life of any of them with this man knocking about. During the voyage the man was once released, but he became so violent that it took five of the crew to get him back into irons. The Clerk Well, what are you going to do ? You cannot keep him in chains for ever. You had better pay him off with the rest. The\ captain said it would certainly be dan- gerous to take him with the rest of the crew to the Shipping Office for the purpose. Eventually the magistrates decided it would be best for the captain to put himself into com- munication with the police, and ask them to send an officer to his ship when he released the man from the irons.

POSTMEN IN BETTING FRAUD. According to the prosecution three men who appeared at the Bow-street Police Court on Saturday were the parties to an ingenious plot to get the better of a bookmaker. Their names were Albert Henson and Joseph Miller, post- men, and James Sa.unders, ostler, and they were charged with being concerned in forging and uttering three post letters with intent to cheat. Mr Mclntyre, who prosecuted, said that the 'three men appeared to have ascertained the winner of the 1.15 race at York, and at once sent three letters to the bookmaker, backing the horse in question. The envelopes had been stamped with 11.45 stamp, and the letters should have been delivered at 2 o'clock, but they were not handed to the bookmaker until two hours later. Had the bets been genuine they would have brought in £5 2s 6d. When questioned by a Post Office official, Henson said :—" The fraud was planned by Saunders and myself. The three envelopes were all received by me, addressed to Mr Butler—the bookmaker—and bearing penny stamps The envelopes were empty, and it was arranged that I should procure date stamps on the covers, and that Miller should put them in for the 3.30 delivery. I was to keep them until we met after the race had been run." The three men were remanded in custody.

AWKWARD MISTAKE. SOUTH WALES TRAVELLER'S ORDEAL. Richard Williams, of Merthyr Tydfil, a tra- velling canvassing photographer for a well- known South Wales firm, on Saturday visited the house of Mrs Baker, wife of Mr Charley Baker, the well-known champion cyclist, of Carmarthen, for the purpose of transacting business. After he had left a gold locket con- taining photographs of Mr and Mrs Baker, and valued at £5. was missed. Mrs Baker at once gave information to the police, and two hours subsequently Williams was arrested. A short time afterwards, however, he was liberated, as the trinket was found in Mrs Baker's house. When the case came on at the Police Court on Monday the Chairman (Mr John Lewis) expressed the deep regret of the Bench that Mr Williams should have been wrongly accused. He would, however, leave the court without a stain or blemish upon his character. Williams Ah, sir, that's all very well. Where does my firm's name come in ? The Chairman observed that the firm's name had not been mentioned.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT MAESTEG. Young Pianist's Rash Act. About 5.30 on Sunday evening a girl named Cassie Hopkins, employed at the Crown Hotel, Maesteg, as a pianist, attempted suicide in a deep pool known as the" Maesteg Patch." Luckily she was seen by a man named Bert James, living at 30. Homfray-street, who was walking with a young lady in the vicinity. James succeeded in getting the girl out, and sent his companion to the surgery of Dr. Sinclair, near by. The doctor was soon in attendance, and took her to the surgery, where she was detained until the arrival of the police, who took her to the station. No reason can be assigned for the rash act. The girl's parents live at Bridgend. While being pulled out of the pond she exclaimed to her rescuer, Why don't you let me drown ?" She was able to walk to the surgery, litUe. the woøe for tier tfamwnwaw

GARW MATRICIDE. ACCUSED SON IN THE DOCK. Story of an Awful Crime. A special sitting of the Bridgend Bench was held on Monday (Mr R. W. Llewelyn presiding) to hear the charge against George Stills, colliery haulier, of Pontveymmer, for the wilful murder of bis mother. Raehael Hannah Stills, an old woman aged 70, at 7. Bridgend-road. Ponty- cymmer. on September 10th. Prisoner, who had been kept. at Bridgend since the formal remand on Friday, was newly shaved, and presented It fairly smart, appearance. He fidgeltcd about restlessly in the dock. and kept on biting the ends of his thick brown. mous- tache nervously. but he seemed by no means dejected. He followed the evidence with evi- dent interest, and—judging by the continual changing expressions passing over his face- with intelligent appreciation of the points. Occasionally during the evidence of the little girls who looked through the window of the front parlour, and saw him attacking his mother, he smiled a weak, flickering smile. Now and then he would cast a glance behind him to where his white-haired father and broLher sat. Mr T. J- Hughes (of Messrs Hughes and Lewis, Bridgend) prosecuted on instructions from the Public Prosecutor, and Mr David Llewelyn, solicitor. Bridgend. defended. Mr Hughes said that no single blow appeared to have been the cause of death. Life seemed to have been literally battered out of the de- ceased woman. Irs Margaret Stoke, of Bridgend-road, said that about half-past 11 on the 10th September she spokfe to Mrs Stills outside her house in Bridgcnd-road. Mrs Stills had several bruises on her face and around the eye, These were all bruises. She was then quite sober. Mr David Llewelyn: You knew her very well ?—Yes. Hadn't she a bad reputation for drunken- ness ?— Well, I have seen her drnnk,and I have seen her sober, but she was quite sober that morning. Have you ever heard she had bruised herself by falling about when drunk ?—No. Thomas Jones, Green-hill, Pontycymmer, said that about 12.50 mid-day on the 10th inst. he was standing on the railway bridge near the Ffaldau Hotel, when George Stills, the pri- soner, came out. and passed close to him. As prisoner passed he said, How are you this morning, boys ?" He had been drinking. He did not stagger, but his speech showed he had been drinking. Seen Through the Window. Rebecca lieyson, a schoolgirl, said that about 1.30 on the afternoon of the 10th inst., she and her sister Maggie looked through the front window of the Stills' house. She saw George Stills and his mother in the room. Mrs Stills was lying in the corner of the room, and over her chest was a large rag which was covered with blood. Prisoner was kneeling by his mother. He came to the door with his hands covered with blood and said something in Welsh to Mrs Pyror which witness did not understand. Mr Llewelyn You did not say anything of the rag on the chest at the inquest. Lily Delihah Harris, another school girl, said that she also looked through the front window and saw George Stills kneeling by his mother and clutching her by the throat. Mrs Pyror. a neighbour of the Stills, said that she looked through the window and saw George Stills heating his mother. She went; to the door and said to him." For shame, beating an old woman like that." He came to the door with his hands covered with blood, and told her in Welsh that if she did not go away he would treat her the same. He then went in and slammed the door. Afterwards he came out and put the body of the old woman.on the pavement and pulled her clothes up over her head. Mr Llewelyn: You wouldn't like to say she was not drunk ?—I cannot say. Did you know Mrs Stills well ?—Yes. Wasn't she a woman of very drunken habits ? —I cannot say. Perhaps she might take a glass, as two pennyworth would knock over an old woman like that. Have you seen her bruised ?—Yes. She was generally bruised. Have you helped to put her to bed because she was drunk ?—T was never up in her bed- room. Prisoner (excitedly) Excuse me, Mrs Pyror. The policeman in charge of the prisoner (checked his further speech. i Mrs Ann Davies stated that she sa.w prisoner drag his mother out and put her down on the pavement. Then he went in and slammed the door. Terrible Injuries. Dr. John Bowen Jones, assistant to Dr. Parry, described the injuries to the deceased. She had a cut on the chin, another above the eye, a lacerated wound inside the cheek, and one side of her jaw fractured and the other side dislocated. Death was due to the mul- tiple injuries. In cross-examination, witness said he thought the most serious injuries might have been carised by kicks. Dr.,Parry gave corroborative evidence. After police evidenc-c had been given by Sergt, Lane and P.C. Edward Price Evans similar to that tendered at the inquest, Dr. Bowen Jones was recalled. He said that when he arrived at the house George Stills seemed sober. Prisoner, who reserved his defence, was com- mitted to the Assizes on the capital charge.

BRAVE FRANK O.NEILL. LEAVE ME & SAVE YOURSELVES." At Nantyffyllon on Monday Mr Howel Cuth- bertson held an inquest on the body of Francis O'Neill, aged 39, a night repairer, of Cambrian Cottages, Maesteg, who met his death at Messrs North's Navigation Company's Coeg- nant Colliery on Saturday morning through a fall of roof, under circumstances reported- It will be recalled that as he lay pinned under the debris he called to bis would-be rescuers to leave him lest there was another fall, and that they having reluctantly com- plied with his request, a second fall did occur, burying the unfortunate fellow still further in the rubbish, and doubtless killing him outright. By his warning other lives were saved. Deceased had worked underground for about eight years, and leaves a widow and four chil- dren- Edward Jones, 94. Tonna-road,Nantyffyllon, colliery repairer, said the fireman had drawn witness's attention to the bad top, and warned him to be careful. Witness sounded the top several times, but found it apparently good. About 2.45 on Saturday morning he sent for O'Neill to come and assist in putting up a collar, when without the slightest warning a heavy fall occrrred. O'Neill was pinned down with the first fall, but before he could be rescued a second fall took place which com- pletely covered him. Witness and several others had very narrow escape* with their lives. The body was got out at 7.30 a.m. Dr. Thomas Gregg, assistant to Dr. Sinclair. said he examined the deceased. His right ankle was dislocated and two ribs were fractured. Deceased also had an incised wound on the right arm and on the right side of his head. The cause of death, however, was asphyxia, due to the fall. The cause of death was given as asphyxia, due to the fall, and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental death."

CARDIFF TECHNICAL SCHOOL Candidates for the Position tf Superintendent. Thirty-five applications for the post of super- intendent of technical instruction for the city of Cardiff, carrying a salary of jE300 a year, were considered by a sub-committee of the local education authority on Monday. The committee, after sitting for two and half hours, selected the following six candidates to appear for final selection before the Education Com- mittee :— Edgar M. Andrews, Glenlynn, Enfield, N. (40)" now organising sec. for tech- inst. Edmonston and Wood Green dist-, Middlesex Ed Com. (4 years). Previously assist- sec. Lanes. and Cheshire Union Institutes, and Evening Ss. Dep, Manchester Sc. Bd. George F. Chell, Municipal Science and Tech. Sch-, Wolverhampton (38), sec- of the Science and Tech- Sch. (5 yrs.). Previously assist- sec. forlOyrs- Responsible organisation and in- struction of the branch tech. classes and evening continuation schools. Charles Coles, 29, Moira-terrace, Cardiff (29), B.Sc. Lond., senior science master Mun. Sec- Sch., Cardiff (over 3 yrs.) double first class teacher's cert- qualified to teach and earn grants in 16 adv. science subjects Page prize winner Cardiff Tech, Sch. 3 yrs. in succes- sion; shorthand cert., 140 words per min. assist. Cardiff Tech. Sch. 13 years student of Tech. Sch.. Cardiff, from 1890 sec. Cardiff and District Educational Society since its start in 1902- C. L. Eclair-Heath, Mun. Tech. Sch-, Park- st., Hull (40), A.M.I.M.E., head of engineering dept., Hull Tech. Sch., 10 yrs. educated at Dockyard Sch., Devonport (5 yrs.), Royal Coll. of Science, Lond. (3 yrs.) obtained a Whit- worth exhibition and Royal exhibition at Coll. of Science spent 8 yrs. in engineering in Dockyard, Devonport, and in drawing offices 2 yrs. 2 yrs. teaching at Young People's Inst., Hull lecturer on elect, and mech. engineering at Central Science Sch., Sheffield (over 3 yrs.). James Quick, Tech. Inst., Folkestone (36), Inter-Science Lond., M.I.E.E., director of tech. instn. Ashford and Folkestone, and prin. of the Teèh. Inst.. Folkestone 1 yr. demonstrator in physics Univ. Coll., Bristol, formerly prin. of Tech. Sch., Limerick, and organising sec. to Limerick Tech. Instn. Comm., prin. assist, higher education deft., Kent Edu. Comm. 2 yrs. prepared a scheme of technical instruc- tion for Kent Edu. Comm., which has been approved. Robert Toms, 1, Stoke-villas, Old Tiverton- road. Exeter (41). A.M.I.M.E., organiser of manual training and tech. instructor at Royal Albert Mem. Coll.. Exeter, 6 yrs. prepared a scheme of co-ordination of evening continua- tion and evening tech. classes for Exeter for 10 yrs. instructor of manual training and tech. instn. London Sch. Bd. for several years draughtsman and engineering!oceoaaiL&t l&Cg& rn I

Briton Ferry Mystery. DEATH FROM IRRITANT POISON Steelworker's Fate. The mysterious death of a steelworker from an irritant poison is reported from Briton Ferry, the victim being Christopher Williams. who resided at 45. Hunter-street. Williams. died suddenly on Friday last. At the inquest on Monday JaneHopkins, sister, gave evidence of identification. Witness said deceased had not been well and had not worked for three weeks. He left home at 7 o'clock on Friday morning and returned about 9 a.m., complain- ing of great pain in the bowels. He said he had not taken anything but water. By the Coroner There was no poison in the house. Dr. E- V. Pegge said he saw deceased before he died. and found him in a state of collapse and in great pain. Dr. Pegge stated that with his assistant. Dr. Martin, he conducted a post- mortem examination on Sunday. He found deceased's brain quite normal. There were no external marks of violence. The tongue was quite hard and leathery. The passage between the mouth and stomach was constricted, and the stomach and intestines were greatly con- tracted. The. cause of death was irritant poisoning. A juryman suggested it might have lead poison through drinking water from the taps in the early morning. Dr. Pegge: T do not think it could have been lead poisoning. Joseph Watkins, a nephew, said he saw deceased on Friday about 6.30 a.m. Witness had just risen from bed. Deceased was then walking to and fro at the back of the house.— By the Coroner Deceased was not in the habit of walkingahout like that.—The Coroner There must have been something troubling him. The jury recommended that the contents of the stomach be sent to the Home Office for analysis. The Coroner agreed, and the inquest was adjourned for a fortnight.

THE CURSE OF DRINK. MERTHYR FISH SELLER'S REMORSE. I am not sure whether I am writing under the correct date or not. but that does not matter. If I succeed in my attempt, I shall commit suicide to-night by gas. Mill (wife) has left me. I cannot live without her. I don't blame her. I only hope she will for- give and forget. I love her more than my own soul, but God has cursed me with drink. For over fifteen years I have been a victim. Good- bye all. My last prayer is, God save Cyril and Mill from drink. This was the pathetic letter written by Edward Flower, an oyster merchant, before he loeked birnself in a. berlroom above his shop in Glebeland-street, Merthyr, on Thursday last, and turned on the gas. Before the gas had had time to take full effect, P.C. John entered the room. and Flower was restored to life by the timely arrival of Dr. Ernest Ward and Dr. Duncan. It will be remembered that the pre- mises had been entered by the sanitary authorities on Thursday afternoon under power of a warrant, because the shop had been cl<\sed for some days. and the fish had so de- cayed as to cause a. nuisance. P.C. John and Sanitary Inspector Thomas effected an entrance through a fanlight. Rt the back. After the fishba.d heen removed, it occurred to the constable that it was strange that the kev of the front door should be inside the shop- He returned to the premises, and found Flower strenched out on a bed chair, with the gas turned full on, and the door bolted and plugged up with a towel. Tbe Sanitary Inspector, who was with the constable, turned off the gas, and the constable threw open the windows to clear the room of the gas t hat filled it, and medical aid was summoned. Dr. Ernest Ward found Flower unconscious, his pupils dilated, and his pulse feeble, and ordered his removal to the Workhouse. When Flower was before the magistrates at Merthyr on Monday charged with attempting to commit suicide, be asked the doctor whether his unconsciousness was not partly due to drink, but the doctor said that he could not say so. Defendant, when charged, said it was all due to drink. The Chairman said that it was a most serious case. too serious for the magistrates to deal with, and defendant must take his trial at the Quarter Sessions. Defendant's father, Mr Edward Flower, oyster merchant, Swansea, applied for bail, and the magistrates granted it, in two sureties of £25 each, entered into by defendants father and Mr T. B. Davies, hairdresser, Glebeland-street, who were warned by the chairman to take care of defendant.

TOOTHACHE AND FRENZY. Bridgend Girl's Rash Act. At a special Police CourtbeJd at Bridgend on Monday (before Mr R. W. TJewelyn and other I magistrates) Margaret Hopkins (19), employed at the Crown Hotel. Maesteg, was charged with attempting to commit, suicide. The de- fendant was smartly dressed as she stood in the dock, but her left cheek was very much swollen from toothache. Mrs Mary Ann Jones, Crown Hotel. Maesteg, said that defendant had been in her serviee seven months. Witness had never heard her complain of any trouble, except that she suf- fered a lot from her bead and from toothache. Witness had some words with her on Saturday because she was a long time away on a mes- sage, but they were very good friends on the Sunday. Defendant was a good girl. Bertie James, a collier, of Humphrey-street, Maesteg, said that on Sunday afternoon he was walking up the incline near the Maesteg Deep Colliery, when he heard cries coming from the pond near by. He ran to the pond, and there saw Hopkins floating in the water about three yards from the side- He waded in and dragged her out by the hair, but she wanted to go back into the water, saying, I want to die." He took her to Dr. Sinclair's surgery. The Chairman(to defendant): Have you any. thing to say why you did this ? Defendant: I had toothache, and it went to my head. John Hopkins, father of the girl. who lives at Bridgend, told the magistrates that he was prepared to take charge of his daughter and look after her. Superintendent John Davies said that the parents of the girl were very respectable people. Defendant was remanded in custody until Saturday next. The decision df the Bench seemed to come as a staggering surprise to the girl and her parents. She began to sob violently, and her mother threw her arms around her neck, also crying bitterly. The father appealed to the magistrates to allow bail, but mother and daughter were gently removed from the court, clinging to each other and sobbing loudly. Afterwards the magistrates stated that the girl was remanded to the workhouse.

SUNDAY DRINKING. Police Coup at Haverfordwest. Sixteen defendants were summoned at Haverfordwest on Monday for Sunday drinking, and Thomas Rees, of the Swan Hotel, for un- lawful sale of liquor, on Sunday, September 15th, P-S. Parry and P.S. James, who were concealed near the hotel at the time, gave evi- dence. Mr Rees asked where they were con- cealed, but the police declined to say, and in this they were supported by the magistrates. Mr Bees said in that case be should decline to give evidence and refuse to pay any fine that might be imposed. Superintendent James mentioned that he had received several complaints about Mr Rees going round the houses in the locality trying to find out where the police were concealed. He even threatened one woman. Mr Rees, who did not give evidence on oath, or call any witnesses, was fined JE3 and costs and the following defendants who visited the premises were fined 10s each including costs :— Ellen Johnson, Prospect-place Martha Poole, Old Bridge; William Arran, Castle Back; William Jones, Castle Back; Charles Jones, Castle Back; Thomas John, North-street; Arthur Bowen, Quarry Cottage Arthur Jen- kins, The Kennels George Rogers, Tower Hill: James Nicholls, senior, Old Bridge Frederick Denniss, Prendergast; Edward George, Castle Back David E. Thomas, Gloucester-terrace Thomas Williams, Quay- street and Edward Bowles, Salutation-s quare.

RHONDDA SUNDAY GAMBLING. No t wi th standing the determined efforts made by the Rhondda police to stamp out Sunday gaming on the mountains big batches of young men appear each week befoje the local magistrates charged with play" nap and banker for money. Monday, at Ystrad, 38 summonses were dealt with. Nine youngsters were from Treherbert, and one of them, John Jones, successfully established an alibi. A constable caused some merriment in court by describing the game of nap to the Bench. P.S. Baker, in giving evidence against 25 Gelli young men, said he got in among them on the Gelli Mountain like a football scrum." (Laughter.) Inspector John Williams. Ton, informed the magistrates that numerous com- plaints had been received, and the police had been obliged to take stringent measures. Mr T. P. Jenkins, in imnosing fines ranging from 15s t030s,rcmarked that the practice of Sunday card playing on the mountains was becoming a perfect scandal. It appeared to him that the young men were. getting too much money, and it was a pity that they idled their time away on Sunday in such a manner.

LODGER AND LANDLADY. A case of attempted murder and suicide occurred at Nottingham on Monday night. A young man, who recently resigned his position in the Nottingham city police met Mrs Jack- son, the wife of a man with when he had lodged, and after an altercation be produced a revolver and fired. The first shot missed her, but a second shot struck her in the neck. The man then placed the barrel of the revolver in his own mouth and fired, killing himself in- stantly. Mrs Jackson wasi removed to the,

CLOSING SCENES. Leaders Interviewed. (From Our Special Correspondent.) SALZBURG, Saturday- The closing scene of the Miners' Interna- tional Congress has been one to live in the memory. It has been a scene of song and enthusiasm- The French section sang their new song. rinternationale." Then the British delegation, joining hands, sang Auld Lang Sync." The Austrians followed with the singing of the Austrian Socialists' march. The greatest musical treat came last. Mabon sang the Welsh National Anthem—" The Land of My Fathers "—as only Mabon can sing it, and the whole congress gave the chorus with a heartiness and a fervour which would not have brought discredit on a Welsh choir. Then with hand-shakings and hearty good wishes the delegates separated to return to their various countries. The International Committee for the com- ing year has been selected as follows Great Britain—Messrs E. Edwards, M.P., T. Ashton, W. Abraham. M.P. (Mabon). and J- Wilson, M.P. France—M. Bevant and M. Lamendin, M.P. Germany—H. Sachse. O. Hue, M.P., and H. Schroder. Austria—P. Cinzr. M.P.. and F. Ebert- Belgium—Jean Calla- weart, M.P.. Denis Maroille, M.P., and F. Cavrot- Th< ■ International Committee met after the close of the congress. Mr Enoch Edwards, M.P.. was re-elected chairman, and Mr T. Ashton (Manchester) treneral secretary. The committee considered the circumstances of the miners' strike at Liege, where the men have been fighting since December, 1S06, for the right to form a Trade Union, and decided that an appeal be issued to each country for financial help to the men in their struggle. Immediately following the close of the con- gress interviews were granted me on the pro- gress of the international movement and the work of the Salzburg Congress. "I am satisfied," said Mr T. Glover, the member for St. Helens, that this has been the best and most succeggfnl international congress which has yet been held." In my opinion." said Mr J. Wradsworth, the member for HallaID3hire," considerable advance has been made. There is not one- tenth of the misunderstanding now which existed in the earlier congresses. The interna- tional movement has heen of benefit to the miners of aJl the countries which have taken part. and particularly to Germany, France and Belgium. One remarkable thing I have noticed jn our discussions is that the miners on the Continent have had to meet the same argu- ment from the employers as have the miners' leaders at home. The bogey of foreign com- petition has been made the excuse for not con- ceding higher wages and better conditions of work. International action on the part of the miners has done much to effectually lay tbat bogey." There are few movements," said Mr Fred Hall, the member for Normanton. which b3,v had 3 more beneficial influence (m the mining industry throughout Europe than the international congress. It has helped to level up the standard of wages and conditions of work, and by raising the status of the men in the more backward countries it haB streng- thened the position of the miners in our own country. The Continental miners have had to learn much from us of Trade Union organisa- tion. I think we can learn something from them a to timbering in the mines." I think," said Mr Albert Stanley, the mem- ber for North-West Staffordshire, that the greatest success of the international movement has been the educational influence and the Trade Union atmosphere created in the various countries. The earlier opinion on the Continent was that to encourage the Trade Union move- ment was to spread the worst form of revolu- tionary force, but the governing authorities in Europe are now beginning to realise what was long cigo realised in England, that if you trust the people and give them wider powers, they become, not a revolutionary force, but a safe- guard to the nation." Tw-entyyears ago," said ]\fr W. Johnson, the member for the Nuneaton Division, the position of international Trade Unionism was chaotic- Personal intercourse, courtesy, and mutual forbearance have cleared the atmos- phere of national 'antipathies, and to-day good feelings, comradeship, and confidence between the miners of the countries of Europe pre- vail." From the information given by delegates on the question of demanding legislative enactments," remarked Mr R. Smillie, presi- dent of the Scottish Miners' Federation, it has been clearly proved that the Govern- ments of the various countries are watching each other very closely in the matter of mining legislation, both as to working hours and regulation of mines. The proposals in the Government Bill iniroduced by l\1r Gladstone with reference to working overtime for a certain number of days, and for the suspen- sion of its operation in certain circumstances. have already been anticipated by proposed legislation on the Continent. It may be frankly admitted that Great Britain is still far ahead of any of the Continental countries in its mining legis"1a.tion. and wages and conditions of employment are better at home than in the best of the Continental countries."

THE FINAL SESSION. INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF MINES., Master Crime of Christian Countries." The International Congress of Miners held its final session at. Salzburg on Friday. Herr Hue, M.P.. Germany, was president for the day. On the propositon of the Business Com- mittee a recommendation was adopted that the Federations represented at the congress might render financial support to 1,500 miners at Liege who have been on strike since the 18th of December last for the right to form a Trade Union. Old Age Pensions. Mr Evan Thomas, Rhymney Valley miners' agent. proposed that it be an instruction to each country represented to co-operate with other workers in pressing upon their Govern- ments to make provision for establishing old age pension funds. In Great- Britain the pass- ing of the Compensation Acts of 1897 and 1906 had intensified the need of an old age pension fund. One of the immediate results of the Com- pensation Act in South Wales was the dis- missal of a large number of aged workmen. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had given them a gleam of hope by setting apart, a sum of more than two millions sterling with which to make a beginning. It was the undoubted duty of the State to provide for the declining years of those who had given their best years in build- ing up the State and its wealth. The master crime" of the Christian countries was their neglect of tbe aged and worn-out worker. The congress unanimously adopted the British resolution. Working Men Inspectors. Herr Zimmer (Germany) moved that the only effective reform of mining inspection was the appointment of inspectors out of the ranks of practical miners. Herr Cinzr, M.P. (Austria), seconded the proposition. Mons. Athos (Belgium) moved a resolution in favour of the frequent examination of mines by workmen appointed as inspectors by the men themselves, and paid from the public Exchequer. Mons. Quintin (France), who seconded, said the great disaster at the Courriere Mine had so stirred public opinion that a Bill had been introduced into Parliament which, if cried. would have a great effect not only on the pre- vention of accidents, but on the health of the miners. The French miners had the privilege of appointing workmen inspectors, but these workmen inspectors had not a sufficient wage to make them independent of the employers. Mr E. Edwards, M.P., associated the miners of Great Britain with the spirit of these reso- lutions. They were all agreed that more inspection was needed, and more particularly, inspection by competent trained workmen- He understood Herr Zimmer to say that 30 per cent. of the accidents in Germany were caused by the carelessness of the workmen, which he deplored, but whatever the cause of the accident, whether from carelessness of the workmen, carelessness of an official, or indiffer- enee of the management,it wa.s their duty to see that the law was made sufficiently stringent to protect human life everywhere- The British miners had no desire to appoint the inspector their one desire was that the workmen inspec- tors appointed were sufficiently capable to understand the technique of the duties they were called upon to fulfil. The Government inspectors had decided in their opinion that "inspection by sample" was sufficient- He dissented strongly from this theory of inspec- tion by sample-" The Government ought to appoint inspectors to inspect every part of the mine. Mr Gilday, America, said in many parts of America inspection was a farce. Pennsylvania was in advance of the other States, as in the anthracite mines workmen inspectors were elected by the workmen and naid by the State. The two resolutions were unanimously affirmed. Miners and War. Mons. Govaiux, France, proposed" that this congress decide upon the attitude to be adopted by the International Federation in case of a war breaking out." They would defend, if necessary, their national indepen- dence, but the workers were bound in the cause of humanity and self-interest to leave no stone unturned to prevent war. Therefore, they proposed, whenever the political horizon darkened, and there was a danger of war, that the International Committee should meet and discuss what measures could be taken to pre- vent war. When the miners were solidly organised they could make war impossible. Mons. De Maroille, M.P., Belgium, who seconded, described the Belgians as the fanatic partisans of peace. Herr Hue, M.P., Germany, said the German miners were unanimously in favour of uni- versal peace, but they were not in favour of adopting any resolution. The question of peace and war was a political and not a Trade Union question. Mr W. Brace, MLP-, South Wales, associated himself with France and Germany on this ques- tion, and dissociated himself from the opinions expressed by the president that this was not a matter for the International Congress. He ad- mitted this was a question of high politics, but in deciding as to peace and war, surely no one had more right than the worker to be consulted and to be a consenting party before war was entered upon. No matter who f iood to ganv 4hMeaekmc?cbsses stood to lose «Tecy-time fak- blood and treasure. If they wa nted evidence of the accuracy of that they had only to turn to South Africa., where Britain fought what was called a miner's war," but only a few weeks ago they voted £1,000 to the white miners to help them to fight for the right to live. The question was referred to the Inter- national Committee,

Minimum Wage- The German section brought forward a reso- lution urging the miners to fix a minimum wage by agreements with the employers. The resolutioll was carried. It was decided to hold the next congress in Paris.

DYING MAN'S SUICIDE. Consumptive Patient's Despair. In the Kensington Conner's Court on Mon- day Mr Luxmore Drew held an nquiry with reference to the death of Herbert Clif- ford. aged 27 years, a pastry cook, lately of Amersham, Bucks. who committRd suicide in the Brompton Hospital for Consumptives, under pathetic circumstances. George Clifford. a Queen's Park baker and a brother of the deceased, said the latter had suffered from consumption for 12 months, and since July had been in the hospital. He had beendepre5sed but had never suggestRn suicide. Emily Healey, a nurse, said deceased was in a ward witb two other patients. He was eon. fined to his bed and was dying. An hour before his death he said he wished he was dead, but witness attached no importance to the state- ment When witness went out of the ward deceased's sister was with him and soon after she was called in and saw a quantity oi hemor- rhage and thought he had hroken a blood vessel, but when she got closer she saw his throat cut and a razor fell from the bed. A doctor was called but he died soon after. It was usual for the patients to keep their knife, fork, razor, etc., on a locker at the side of the bed. The Coroner's officer said that one of the other inmates witnessed the act, but he was too ill to come to the court. Dr. Deaiev said death was due to the self- inflicted injury to the throat. The disease from which he was suffering might cause his mind to become unhinged. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind."

MOTOR-CARS AND DUST. Another Conference Suggested. The Highways Committee of the Battersea Borough Council have received a letter from the Bahersea Labour Leaue drawing atten- tion to the growing evils arising out of the in- creasing use of motor vehicles, and suggesting that the Council should devise some method to shift the burden of the cost of the extra road repairing and dust laying on to the proper per- sons. The League aho asked for a conference of Metropolitan Borough Councils to be called to discuss the matter with a view to the owners of motor-cars being taxed to defray the extra cost of road upkeep, &c., which they cause. The League added that they were not sanguine as to the result of such a conference, but they thought that thereby public attention would be drawn to the subject in such a way as might eventually compel action being taken. The committee have come to the conclusion that the other Borough Councils at the present time would not support buch a conference even if it were started, and they believe that very little further can be done until the question of the Metropolitan taffic tribunal is settled. In the committee's opinion the County Council— until another traffic tribunal is established— is the authority who should deal with this matter as far as London is concerned.

THE WEST END FLATS CASE. Application at the Police Court. At Marl borough-street Police Court on Mon- day Mr Cockle, a barrister, appeared before Mr Mead to make application on behalf of Mrs Maud Cooper, who recently successfully re- sisted a charge made against her of using a flat in Romney Mansions for immoral purposes. Mr Cockle, who was instructed by Messrs Radford and Frankland, solicitors, acting for I the police and Public Vigilance Society, said he understood that Mrs Cooper asked the sit- ting magistrate on Saturday to issue a warrant again-t the police officers concerned in the case for perjury. The magistrate told her she must put her complaint in writing, and she was now advi- ed that before taking such a course she should have an opportunity of considering with her solicitors the depositions taken in the case- Mr Mead No depositions were taken it was a summarv case. Mr Cockll: 'I make the application so that we may be sure of our ground before troubling you with any other application. Mr Mead Tf you ask for a copy of the notes which the clerk took. Twill consider tha-t. Mr Cockl* Then tb^twil.1 be my application. » Mr Mead Very well, I no objection to j your having a. copy. )

BARRY WIFE BEATER. j Wm.Woods^a labourer, residiri- >+ Tr. a-n- street. Larry, Wd,8 ".u.ODday sent to prison by the local magistrates (Messrs J. G. Thomas and Claude Thompson) for two months with hard labour for an assault upon his wife- Complainant appeared with her face dis- figured through a black eye. and said that on the 16th inst. her husband attacked her in the back garden at 9.15 in the morning. He first knocked her down and then kicked her several times. Taking up some cabbage stumps from the garden, he belaboured her about the head with them. On the previous Saturday her husband had given her a black eye, and also kicked her about the legs, Defendant said he only gave his wife a slap, that's She might have fallen in con- sequence, but he denied kicking her. Mr J- G. Thomas, in sentencing Woods. reminded him that he had cruellv assaulted the woman whom he had sworn to protect.

SON AND FATHER'S CORPSE. Mr Luxmoore Drew concluded his inquiry on Saturday into the death of Evan Thomas (72), a dyer and cleaner, of Royal-parade, Fulham, who died from blood-poisoning. At the opening of the inquest. Sidney Thomas, at one time a champion athlete, identified the body as that, of his father. Vernon Thomas, brother of Sidney, declared that the body was not that of his father. Elizabeth Brown, a shopkeeper, of Chelsea, was now called, and said that she saw Evan Thomas, her brother-in-law, three weeks ago in his shop- The Coroner What do you know about Vernon ?—WTell, he is my nephew, and I can only say his statement is ridiculous. The Coroner said it was no good going further into the matter. He thought the jury wou Id agree with him that the deceased was Evan Thomas. The jury intimated that they did so, and found a verdict of Accidental death."

MR PLOWDEN AND P.C. Someverystrong comments on a policeman's evidence were made on Saturday by Mr Plow- den. the magistrate at the Maryiebone Police Court. Joseph Thomas Wright, a horse cab driver, was charged with assaulting Ernest William Baker, a tajsicab driver. A taxicab arrived just as Baker was getting the worst of it. and con- cealed in it was P.C- Matthews. When Slat- thews gave evidence be declared that he saw Wright strike Baker three times on the face, and he pulled him into the cab to arrest him. STouhave given two reasons for pulling him into the cab," said Mr Plowden. Which is right ? Do you know that Baker has not said anything about being struck the three blows that you mention ? Is it not extraordi- nary that you saw more than the man who complains of the assault ?" I never saw a case with so much smoke and so little fire," said Mr Plowden as he dis- charged Wright.

CYCLING FATALITIES. Edward Hadland, wagoner, of Berkswell, died at Birmingham on Monday from injuries sustained while cycling on Sunday night. He was found lying unconscious on the roadway with his bicycle near bv. James Periling ton, of Tilston, near Malpas. died on Monday from injuries received whilst cycling last Wednesday. He had to ride through some smoke arising from a smothered fire near the roadside, and came into violent collision with the shaft of a stationary vehicle, receiving severe internal injuries. Barry Man Injured. Wm. Wakeham, a Barry stone mason, whilst descending Cogan-hill towards Cadox- ton, was thrown headlong from his cycle, owing to the wheel coming in contact with a stone. Wakeham sustained a fracture of his ann. and is also suffering from concussion.

WHEN SCOTCH BACHELORS MARRY. In the Blue Book just issued by the Registrar- General for Scotland, it is stated that the deaths of 21 centenarians were registered dur- ing the year 1905 of them seven were men and 14 WQmen. The oldest man was a crofter aged 104. The birth-rate of the year was 28*10, the low- est recorded for the country. Of the entire number of children born 3,238 were twins and 51 triplets. Marriages numbered 31,270, the marriage rate being 6 69 per 1,000, lower than in any year since 1894. The youngest bachelors on the year's marri- age registers were three of 16 years of age. the youngest widowers were 30 of between 21 and 25 years old. the youngest spinsters were one of 14 years of age and five of 15. The youngest widows were one of 17, one of 19. and three of 20. The oldest bachelors married during the year were one between 75 and 80, and one be- J tween 80 and 85- The oldest spinsters married during the year were two of -fund ttnifrOf.beUgBeii

r American Colliers. PROGRESS OF ORGANISATION. Our special correspondent at the Inter- y nat ional Miners'Congress at Salzburg, writes s > —Mr T. Burke, a member of the Executive 1 Board of the United Mine Workers of America," has given me an interview on the work accom- > plished by the Miners' Organisation of America*- Prior to 1897." said Mr Burke," there was no', restriction as to hours worked in the minpo^ Men were kept a-t coal getting for as many hours a day as they were physically capable. I On the 4th of July of that year the miners began a national strike, which was continued for- a period of from five tD seven months, and > the result was a 10 per cent, advance in wage&. The following year they seeured an eight-hours" working day for all the men employed in and ? about tiie mine. In 1899 an advance of 12* ;• per cent, was obtained, and the following year i the men secured another 20 per cent. advance* Wages rem ined at this level for three years, j but in 1900 another 10 per cent, advance was secured—the highest point wages have rea.ched. in America. In 1904 there was a reduction of wages amounting to 5 per cent. on the tonnage, and 12i per cent. on the dead woric'" and the dav wage scale." Was the set-back in wages in 1904 caused^- by any we.akellÍ.1:lg of the organisation, or wa,s1" it. due to depression in trade "It was due entirely to gpneral depres- ,1 sion in trade." replied Mr Burke- The i organisation has continuously grown in mem- 2 bership and power. Wages remained at the 5 same level until a year ago. when we de- manded the restoration of the 1903 wage scale. A After the pits had been shut down for 60 days T our demands were conceded, and wages were" restored to the 1903 scale. i The great hiot upon the Miners' Organisa- tion of America has been the State of Wyom- ing. where for a good many years we had been unable to establish our organisation .1 owing to the opposition of the coaiowners the employment of Asiatic labour, both; Chinese and Japanese. In June of this year we succeeded in organising 10,000 of these C workers, and Mr Mitchell, the president of the > United Mine Workers' Union, has secured them a higher wage for an eight hours day > than they had previously been receiving for i ten hours, with better working conditions. This," concluded Mr Burke. is the ten record of our work as an organisation." Mr Patrick Gilday, the other American | delegate, spoke of the political side of the Union's work. At the last election in.A1nerica. ) he said, national organisation agreed to ? allow its members to enter into the political J :1renD. In Pennyslvania the miners were ? successful in electing 15 miners to the State i Legislature, and six other Labour members were elected. They also secured the election of « two miners to Congress—Mr their secretary and tre asurer ,and President T. j D. Nicholls, both for Pennyslvania. i "Have you anything in the nature of an. Independent Labour Party in America ?" j "No, we support the candidate of any party ? prepared to accept our programme and friendly I to Labour. Mr Wilson was a candidate on the 1 Democratic ticket Mr Nicholls ran as a Re- J publican. We do not ally ourselves to ainyj political party. but support, the candidate who< is friendly to the cause of Labour."

WHO CONTROLS ?" The Anti-Trust Movement in America. Montgomery (Alabama!. Monday. — The 1 Governor of Alabama has fixed November 7th as the date on which a special session of Legislature will be opened to determine: controls this State, the people or the rail- roads ? "—Reuter. 1 Alabama is one of those States which haw passed laws fixing the maximum passenger rate on railways running through their territories at i Id amile. Against this the railways rebelled, appealing to the "United States Circuit Court. J- which granted an injunction suspending the 1. enforcement of the State law. f. Two of the States, Alabama and Arkat1.sa4.. retaliated by enforcing one of their laws which V forbids a foreign corporation, such as a raik. y way. whose headquarters are in another S to carry a dispute with a State to a Federal J Court. In consonance with this law Althama. j revoked the business licence of the Southern Railway. An appeal has been lodged with the 4 Supreme Court, a modus vivendi havii^ agreed on meanwhile.

THE POPE'S FIAT. Father Tyrrell's Defiance. Rome, Monday.—The Correspondeosft < Romana." which is considered to be inspired by the Holy See, this morning contains a Ions f account of the dispute between the Vatican 'i and Fa ther Tyrrell. The journal quotes a | letter showing Father Tyrrell promised not to 7 publish any ind .u" Otog"iCA.1 work either ? through correspondence or other m. of publication without the necessary a.n .1 tion. Permission was thereupon given to b— to celebrate mass, but on tb«; day foDcVTng it was ascertained he had been wrllxng to the having reused to N"I"pn" the condition that in ¡.. suomit, his cor- 1 "o censorship. As for the conten- tion ♦hf-r the Vaticar wished to control private correspondence, the Correspondenza Ro- mana" declares this was not meant in the i common acceptation of the words. The Vatican merely desired to assure itself that- such correspondence would not take the direct form of the propaganda.—B»euter.

THE SUEZ CANAL.. English and German Traffic. A consular report issued by the Washing* ton Bureau of Manufactures states that in 1904 2,679 British vessels, witha tonnage of 8^33,299. and 542 German vessels, with a tonnage of 1,969,561, passed through the Suez Canal. In 1906 2.333 British, with a tonnage of 8^299,931, and 5S8 German vessels, with a tonnage of 2J65,552, passed through the canal. On tlUø ? basis British shipping has decreased by 346 vessels and 533,998 tons, while Germany h8B increased hcr shipping by 46 vessels a.nd- 185.991 tons within the two years, or British ships and tonnage have decreased 13 and 6 per cent. respectively, while Germany has in. creased 8 and 9 per cent, respectively during that period. This shows that in less than ten years, if Germany maintains her ratio of in- crease, she will be sending through the ^wnl as many ships as Great Britain, and in 19 years the German tonnage passing tbroagh. the canal will equal that of Great Britain.

POLICE-INSPECTOR'S 6ARDEM. Thomas Phœnixand Ephraim Hamer. young men, were charged at the Merthyr PoliceCouzt on Monday with stealing apples and d.a.m.aging a tree and garden wall of Inspector Parryai Pentrehach on Tuesday morning. The inspec- tor found footmarks in his garden, and dis- covered that an apple tree had bean completety strippd. The top of an eight-foot wall had also been pulled down. Inquiries were made., and the defendants were associated with the The defendants now said that some br the apptes and distributed them colliers on the train. The others ha taken to pay part of whatever fines posed that day. Defendants were fined 20s and coste, damage to the tree, or 14 days; i. damaging the wall they were fined 10s ordered to pay Is damage, or seven

MERTHYR BETTING CHARGE. Ernest Fitzrpatrick was brougjit up at Mer- thyr Police Court on Monday charged with loitering about High-street, Merthyr, for tbe- purpose of betting. P.C. John said he saw the defendant on the 18tb inst. receive three dozen slips from. various people and go in and out erf the New Inn several times. When arrested no slips wam found upon him. Defendant protested his innocence, and the Chairman, remarking that the case was very suspicious, said that defendant would be dis- missed. but in future he must be very careful, for the magistrates were determined to put down the betting that was going on in the t district.

ANOTHER LAUNCH FAILURE. St. Nazairc, Monday.—The launch of the mail steamer Charles Roux, which had been fixed to take place here to-day in the presence of three members of the Government, proved a failure. The boat bad h4.lf entered the water when, from some cause at present unknown., she ceased to move, aitid remained with the fore part still on the stocks. Government tugs were sent for to try tow her off. If they do not succeed other means will be employed—Reuter. ^——■—

HEROIC LITTLE BROTHER. r Two children were accidentally drowned at Birmingham on Monday. They were playing on the canal towing path when one of them, a little girl aged four. fell in. Her brother, who was six years old, attempted to save her, but also fell in, and both were drowned.

STRYCHNINE IN TABLOIDS. At Westminster Police Court on Monday, Richard Atkinson Robinson, trading as MaJden and Co" of Brompton-road, London. was sum- moned, on information laid by Messrs Boots* Cash Chemists, Ltd., for contaavening thej Pharmacy Act, 1868. by selling boxes of I Easton's syrup tabloids, which contain minute i portions of strychnine. Nine offences were alleged against defendant, the chief being the > selling of poison without making an entry in/ the book.a.nd sellingpoison to persons unknown to the seller. Prosecutors stated they had) themselves been fined for selling the tabloids* without stating they contained poison, and had ordered similar purchases to be made from de- fendant to test whether they (the P) were not merely following a recognised trade custom. Defendant pleaded guilty, and a nney f 2em.