The Cardiff Times

'? x. CL,AD", C'6- TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. f (By MABON, M.P.) ROMANCE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT. JE40,000,000 a Year. d Some 64 years ago, in a small house in Roch- g ei 28 weavers met, together and founded the co-operative store. From that small Z^Qning the co-operative movement has ^Ppead till to-day it is international in its out- q5 and the total turnover of the European cc-Operative Wholesale Societies last year was £ 40,000,000. Of this over £ 32,000,000 a Presents the movement in England, Wales Scotland. This week, from Wednesday to ^turday, the great Co-operative Exhibition p Y estival are to be held at the Crystal i a'ace, London, and thousands of Co-opera- froi.n all parts of Great Britain will meet ^Pleasure and business. ine 28 pioneers, fired with the ideals our countryman Robert Owen, and r )cuJar]y so with regard to the co-opera- k e communities, were all men of stable positions. They had no collective t> ^P^al; but at last they saved £ 170 between em, and the store was started. At first, like aQT of its humble followers, it was only ^Pe*ied in the evenings; the founders were taking at their looms during the day, and in e evening giving thei" spare time to serve in e Hew venture. But to-day one can see that 0 of the finest buildings in Rochdale are in^uPied by Co-operators and from its cradle -Lancashire the movement has spread far Wide. l'esltoughly speaking, the movement has now olved itself into three branches ji The distributing store, or retail shop, with t Members chiefly the artisan classes of ^,Qgland land the miners of Wales, who buy provisions there'and 'share the profits. QS' The wholesale society, making nearly o ^ything in its own factories and supplying ■? retail stores, which also share the profits, ev The co-partnership factories, in which. ery worker is a shareholder. the Broader Movement and its Chain of Societies 0_ptuting all these efforts together are the ^rPP^ative Union and the Co-operative Inter- ^wonal Alliance. Of British retail societies .j. the Union there were last year 1,443, with es exceeding £ 68,000,000 and profits of nearly v 1,000,000 to be divided among 2,323,378 mem- Lancashire is yet the stronghold of the eDfVernent as well as being its cradle. But the CorPrise is extending rapidly all over the ^try—north, south, east and west. The Wholesale Societies. ,^e wholesale societies there were last ar in England and Scotland 1,407, with sales <*eding £ 32,000,000. Amongst European tli u a'e societies Scotland stands easily at j) e head of the list with sales,; England and ^nrnark tie for the. second place. Among st jnental Co-operative Societies Germany it^+ S ^ea<^ f°r 1907, with sales amount- 8i|to nearly three millions. The most progres- jt^e country seems to be Finland, for, though adv s. 'as year were only £ 355,394, they are j.eaancing at the rate of 100 per cent, every la^^ing to co-partnership factories in Eng- w an<A Scotland, I find that they number W' ej^bracirig such trades as textile, agricul- ? (including dairy work)", boot making, Ujjg trades, building, printing, and such an (^Pected development as a Cab-drivers' *<J°PJerative Society in London, which last did over £ 5,000 trade. Factory Co-partnership Pioneers. thirtv c°'°perative ideavin factories is between the TT^ forty years old, the pioneer being it orimv, ,eb^en Bridge Fustian Works. This in a very small way as well. A WQfker»fii.rroipg,a aiglf and-. Can't i decided to use their idle Rp ih starting a co-operative factory even men at first formed the total staff of Qe first works, but there are employed at Present no less than 350 men, and the trade a j do is worth about £ 50,COO per annum, the profits made are over £ 4,000. « n fact one may see in these apparently dry one of the greatest romances of modern jjp es, and must now tliink in millions to {e5^P the outcome of the little venture of the -j^ochdale pioneers. To-dav I find their copied all over the Continent, {k mills, factories, warehouses, and even estates belonging to the Co-operative in<> ° Sa^e Societies show how successful work- leer?1611 ^ave been in supplying their own When the products of the factories, set a^most every article of daily use, are ^ej, efore the public at, the exhibition now tjj one in addition realises that tjj 's no ordinary trading concern existing V aPProaches this effort in magnitude, qv.? °ne will marvel afresh at the gigantic wfl0rri0 of the meeting of the 28 good and Rochdale weavers, only 64 years ago. t^p tlesa one of the greatest, as well as tj,, ^°hlest, means of ameliorating and eleva- sc>ci-al and industrial condition s of the P'e is to be found in this direction. 'l' Deceiving the Unemployed. ^arifT Reform has proposed numerous reme- *°r unemployment, but' perhaps the most if not the most unreasonable, was the ^or more warships of the Dreadnought ^olri v°te for Dreadnoughts, we were lately ig a> Was a vote for more employment. There tjj n° doubt on that point, any more there is in the old saying that broken is s ,°ws are good for trade—the glaziers. It when the Chinese learned to appre- c0t) the taste for roast pork it was by them h0.Sl*ered necessary to burn down the whole so that the live pig should be properly Uj^ted. It had not then dawned upon their that the process was doubly wasteful— p u ^teful of property and in the provision of t^j?e roast pork than could be consumed. If iUg country can provide the money for build- Of *Hojre Dreadnoughts than are required tr,o Can be manned, what is to stop us nutting the unemployed to the build- railways, improving canals, protec- the coast line from the ravages of the .^claiming waste land and planting our yr°S with forest trees In fact, it would be asier of easier of accomplishment, for the general °^. the unemployed would not be able to ^iPs °f any value, but they could be on work which would help to create industries and add to our capital. t^e t it is with work for the unemployed that aciv°cates of Protection and Dreadnoughts ''at CorLcer'ned. I don't think so. They really intelligence of the working man very I ^deed when they seek to play on his fears ^ftK- als' ^or which they care not a brass so h>ng as he aonsent to a further of taxation. But when it comes to ^ev g Pensions to the worn-out sons .of toil P'ea(f that it is our country's duty to pre- ^or war with Germany, with whom we f;itjce not a single cause for quarrel. How in- c0^ere—nay,infamous—all these, professions of Mt £ >ee^n tor the unemployed are may be seen ^ift reahsed that either the suggested %var or the military and naval war they to provoke would ultimately entail tho(indred times more unemployment and a the^Sanfl times more misery than that which to » So thoughtlessly assure us they are going

MURDER OF A PARAMOUR. Execution at Perth. atK^ard Johnstone, mine brushor.was hanged of aeltb on Wednesday morning for the murder ^?Un^ woman, Jane Wallace Withers, the t-'imfer'mline- Johnstone cohabited with °Han, and on June 7th caught her round apparently in a friendly embrace, fof her throat. Jealousy was the motive crime, it being alleged that another had kissed Withers. Prior to being' Gta.j-^cted to the scaffold, Johnstone made a -enk in which he said he was perfectly l*ieet<u^ec' to his fate, and was prepared t-o f God. He walked steadily up the stairs^ „he room to the scaffold. The execution <*ed out Ellis, of London, assisted

AN INSANE PRISONER. ^•Handed to Newport Workhouse. ^ocfe31*, Henry Riyers, when he entered the *est, at.Newport on Wednesday, sat down for a up," cried the Clerk. Did you ^Ward Bridge in the-casual ward on fclaJ^y night ?" "Yes, sir, because he was fidtt na^Q8 nae/' answered Rivers. Edward L^tioif' CoraPlainant, said without any provo- j~' Prisoner rushed into his cell and struck 0^ the eye, saying, "-Take that." f'tjt rrS to defendant's conduct, the Bench ^^dican case back 111 or(ier that hs might be JOMicS"" examined. Dr. Edwards (deputy said that on examination he let'0U.sPllisoner was of unsound mind and dan- *^4^»to himself and others. The Bench ed him to the Workhouse Hospital. I

Russian Prison Horrors. MUTINY AT KISHISNEFF. Many Convicts Injured. Kishisneff, Wednesday.—The mutiny which occurred in the local prison recently was quelled without loss of life. Including politi- cals, there are 520 prisoners. At six o'clock in the evening the chief inspector, whilst making his rounds, was felled and stunned by one of the prisoners with a bedstead post. The prisoners broke loose from their cells, collected beds and bidding, and after drench- ing the heap with petroleum from the cell lamps, set fire to it. This was the signal for a general escape. The prison infirmary and re- fectory were quickly filled with smoke, win- dows were smashed and the window bars torn from their sockets, whilj the sacred ikons and the portraits of the Czar were trampled under- foot. The mural stores were smashed in, this giving the mutineers access to the corri- dors and furnishing them with bricks with which to assail the guards. Two hundred of the prisoners, including ten women, had fought their way to the prison courtyard when the military made their appearance. The officer in command Was humane enough to order a few volleys to be fired into the air and this had the desired effect of deterring the mutinous prisoners from further attempt to escape. There were many severely injured but no fatalities, and order was restored. The chief complaint of the rebellious prisoners, is the overcrowded state of the prison and the hardships accruing therefrom. The Assistant Minister of Justice arrived here yesterday. After inspecting the prison he will proceed to make a tour of all South Russian prisons. Overcrowding to a frightful extent prevails in all the prisons and the inmates are all more or less ripe for mutiny for that reason.—Central News.

Family Burnt at Stake. TERRIBLE RACIAL FEUD. New York, Wednesday^—A telegram from Knoxville. Illinois, reports that the racial troubles are spreading in many of the mining districts, and that. despite the efforts of the authorities, serious rioting continues. The negroes are fleeing from the towns and taking refuge in the open country. It is reported at Knoxville that a black woman and her five children were yesterday seized by the mob and burned alive a little distance out of the town.—Central News. Knoxville, Illinois, Wednesday.—Last night an armed band in a mining camp near Jellico drove out the negroes and served notices that negroes within a radius of 30 miles were to leave. The sheriff arrested five members of the band, who are believed to be leaders. This is one of many similar unimportant manifesta- tions of race feeling throughout the country following upon the Springfield outbreaks.— Reuter.

NEW ERA IN TURKEY. Punishment of Peccant Ministers. Constantinople, Wednesday.—Yesterday the Grand Vizier and Tewfik Pasha visited the Khedive, and to-day his Highness called upon Sir Gerard Lowther, the British Ambassador. There is a questoin of exiling to different parts of the Empire prominent officials under the old Palace regime, who are at present detained at the Ministry of War, although such a proceeding is deprecated in many quar- ters, and the hope is expressed that a more equitable solution of the difficulty may be found. The procedure adopted in the case of the ex-Minister of War and the ex-Grand Master of Artillery, who were made to refund to the State money they bad appropriated before they were allowed to return to their homes, is likewise disapproved. According 'to a statement appearing in the Press about 30,000 Albanians at Dibra, of various clans, and the Bulgarian Metropolitan have issued a proclamation in favour of re- spect for the Constitution.—Reuter. Constantinople Dockers' Strike. Constantinople, Wednesday Evening.—The printers' strike has ended. The coalheavers on strike are still obdurate, notwithstanding < advantageous terms offered them. Neverthe-' less, it is believed that in the end they will accept the advice of the Young Turkey Com- is resolute, and. if necessary, will proceed to strong measures.—Reuter. PrwpeMd Revision of Concessions. Paris, Weduesday.—The Turkish Embassy in Paris has been charged with the somewhat difficult task of arriving at a friendly under- standing with those French companies who are alleged to hold contracts disadvantageous to Turkish finance, such concessions having been obtained by a liberal distribution of backsheesh. It is understood that the Turkish Government intend to make a com- plete revision of all foreign concessions which have been illegally obtained, and that if International disputes should result, the matters in question will be submitted to the Hague tribunal.—Central News. Constitution for Egypt. Cairo, Wednesday.—The Lewa and other newspapers have addressed telegrams to the Sultan humbly begging his Majesty to advise the Khedive to grant -a Constitution to Egypt. —Reuter. „ Austro-Hungary's Approval. Vienna, Wednesday. — The Politische Korrespondenz learns that the Austro- Hungarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in its reply to the Russian Note concerning Mace- donian -affairs, says that tne Austro-Hun- garian Government takes note with satisfac- tion of the decision of the Russian Govern- ment temporarily to withdraw the reform scheme, as it fully agrees with the motives for this decision as set forth in the Russian Note. —Reuter. Another Invitation to King Edward. Constantinople, Wednesday.—The Ikdarft says that there is no longer any obstJlucle in the way of a visit of King Edward to Con- stantinople. Such a visit would meet with a general warm welcome. The article adds that the Ottoman people have for a lpng time desired solemnly to express their traditional sentiments of amity to Great Britain, but unfortunately the late regime prevented the Ottoman Press from echoing those feelings.—Reuter.

U.S. FI*EET OFF SYDNEY. Wireless Welcome. Sydney, Wednesday.—The U.S. Fleet was sighted off here at six o'clock this morning. Lord Northcote has despatched the follow- ing wireless telegram to Rear-Admiral Sperry, commanding the United States battleship fleet, oh behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia :— I tender, from the whole of its people, hearty welcome to the American fleet, which represents so magnificently our friends and kinsmen of the United States..1 hope you have had a good voyage from New Zealand. On your arrival here you swill receive enthu- siastic greeting from this part of his Majesty's Empire." Rear-Admiral Sperry replied by wireless telegram :— On behalf of the Government of the United States and of Atlantic Fleet, I thank you most heartily, and, through-you, the people of the Commonwealth of Australia, for your gracious message of welcome to the American fleet, the officers and men of which are lqoking for- ward with most pleasurable anticipations to making the acquaintance of their kinsmen residing in this great member of the British Empire." Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, has forwarded the following message of welcome to the fleet :j— The crinfson thread of kinship, our chief bond of union within the Empire, .extends throughout the great Republic whose sailors we are about to welcome as guests, and th« honoured representatives of this mighty nation are thrice welcome as blood relatives. Continuing, Mr Deakin says that for months past the hearts of the people of New South Wales have throbbed with pleasurable anticipa- tions of the visit, and the whole Common- wealth was honoured when President Roose- velt consented to the proposal that the battle- ship fleet should visit Australia. He expresses the hope that the visit will be fraught with the blessing of grace and will tend to the in- dissoluble linion of the English-speaking race. —Reuter.

HEMMED IN BY CANNIBALS. Senegalese Treops' Peril. ,Refines, Wednesday.—The Nouvelliste-de, Bretagne publishes the following statement, which it has received from a private source —i Captain Fahiani, commanding the Second Company of Senegalese Tiralleura and com- mandant of the military district of Upper Joindo Gaboon (French West Africa) is at present surrounded by the Babaudois, a can- nibal tribe, at Veil. Ten tirailleurs were killed and wounded in the last sortie.^ In the Ogoue region a French official cara- van on its way to Njole has been attacked and pillaged by the natives, who lost six killed. The situation is bad throughout the Ogoue country. The Europeans are very anxious, and many are leaving for France.—Reuter.

I Chancellor Indignant. '^CAMPAIGN OF SLANDER." The Daily Chronicle correspondent at Baden Baden has been authorised to send the following communication from Mr Lloyd George in reference to the recently-published statement that the Cliancellor of the Ex- chequer and Mr Winston Clmrchill were con- spiring to drive Sir E. Grey out of office, and that the former's declaration at Carlsbad and the latter's speech at Swansea deprecating efforts to foment ill-feeling regarding Ger- many, were evidences of this purpose :— This is only part of the general campaign of slander and scurrility to which Mr Winston Churchill and myself have been subjected ever since we were supposed to be Working to direct the national expenditure from an en- deavour to increase apparatus of slaughter, and to turn it in the direction of improving the machinery of social regeneration. We have been charged with disloyalty to our colleagues, which is the bluntest and clumsiest of the numerous and obsolete weapons which arebeingusedagainstus. This kind of warfare merely served A.o show that the malignity of their spirit is only matched by the poverty of their armoury. No two men in the Cabinet have a greater ad- miration for Sir Edward Grey, or more un- bounded confidence in his great capacity for dealing with all the complex and difficult problems which are now confronting Great Britain. I would not have thought it worth con- tradicting had it not been cabled to and widely published in Germany, and used to create the impression of a divided British Cabinet."

NAVY LIMITATION. The German View.—Mr, Lloyd- I George's Advocacy. The Berlin correspondent of the Globe wires :—From conversations which 1 have had with several diplomatic and political Derson- ages it is clear that the visit of Mr Lloyd George to Germany is the one supreme topic of interest at the present moment, and it is' equally clear that there are very few people ready to believe that the British Chancellor's sole object in view is the study of the German system of old age pensions. The current talk of Navy limitation is not, however, received with enthusiasm, and the opinion expressed is that the moment has not yet arrived for any agreement on the subject. The Navy League contends that statements made in the English Press to the effect that Germany is building faster than'Great Britain arejribt substantiated by facts, and expresses absolute confidence that whatever proposals, if any, nAy be put forward for limitation, Germany will carry out her naval programme as laid down until 1911. The only question which arises is whether within that period the Reichstag may with- hold further increases. It is said that Mr Lloyd will meeti other important personages besides Admiral von Tirpitz, and it is quite possible that he may have an interview with Prince Bulow, but it is not looked upon as possible that so important a topic can be definitely discussed at these informal meetings. But while the present time is not held auspi- cious for talk of limitation, some of those with whom I have conversed suggest that by the time King Edward and Queen Alexandra pay their State visit to Berlin matters may have advanced to a stage that shall ^render an understanding possible. By then, the new Budgets for 1909 wilf be known, or, at any rate, the financial position of the two countries will be made clear. Germany ex- pects to have to face a very heavy deficit, which may be a more important factor than Press talk and Ministerial interviews.

BRUTAL NEW YORK POLICE. American policemen have big revolvers, which they carry,' usually, in their pockets, and a big club which they carry in the right handiy Occasionally these policemen use both weapons rather indiscriminately. Magis- trate Crane, of New York, spoke on that point on Monday, and denounced Policemen Parnell ancl Larryman for beating two boys, whom they found playimg cards in th^sta;eet, and particularly Larryman for firing his pistol at a lad, who tried to escape. The bullet nar- rowly missed the boy, as well as several chil- drenplaying in the street. "This prisoner r&n into a woman's house after I shot at lum," said Larryman. I want to make a charge of unlawful entry against him." t Officer, jipu're talking ridiculously," broke in Magistrate Crane. You call it a crime to try to escape death at your hands. Ridicu- lous Theytrouble with you policemen is that you forget citizens have rights. What right had you i to fir, at this boy in a crowded thoroughfare ? What murderous crime were they committing by playing cards in front of their own door

NEW AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY. Sir Edward Gosohen, whose appointment as British Ambassador to Germany has been announced, has had a most distinguished career. He was appointed first to Madrid in 1870, and after experience gained in Buenolt Ayres, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris, he was^at- tached to the late Lord Goschen's Special Embassy to Constantinople in 1880. He remained at Constantinople as Second Secre- tary until his promotion to be First Secretary atthePeking Legation inl885. Threeyearslater he was transferred to Copenhagen, and in 1890 to Lisbon. In 1893 he was promoted to bo Secretary of Legation at Washington, and was transferred to St. Petersburg, in the following year. He was given the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary at St. Petersburg during the absence of the Ambassador in 1997 and 18984 In the latter year he was promoted to be Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- tentiary at Belgrade, and was transferred-to Copenhagen in 1900. His appointment as Ambassador at Vienna was dated May 7th, 1905. Sir Edward Goschen's distinctions include the Jubilee Medal in 1897, K.C.M.G. 1901, the Coronation Medal 1902. KlC.V.O. 1904, and G.C.V.O. 1905, in which year he was also sworn of the Privy Council. »

DECEASED WIFE'S SiSTER. The Order on Canon Thompson. The order of ths Court of Arches calling upon Canon Thompson, of Eaton, Norwich, to refrain from refusing to administer the Com- munion to Mr Banister and his wife has been duly served, and it :s understood the Canon has signified that he has no intention of obey- ing it. In this attitude he is believed to be supported by the Bishop of Norwich. <■ The nèxf move must come from Mr Banister. That gentleman is at the moment away from Norwich, but he has stated that upon his return he will write to Canon Thompson and inform him that, in accordance with the ruling of the Coittt of Arches, he intends to assert his right ks a parishioner to receive the CommunioA at the parish church. It the reply is not satisfactory, Mr Banister will present himself. As a matter of fact, the rector of a neighbouring church, which Mr Banister has been attending of late, has inti- maled that he will have no objection tfr ad- minister the Communion to him.

"800'S CuhsE UPON It." {Folkestone, with its thousands of visitors, had just slept off the effects of the Beauty Show when it was provided with another sen- sation in the form of a letter addressed by Rev. A. E. Glover, vicar of Emmanuel Church, addressed to the Folkestone Herald," con- demning Miss Maud Dennis's Salome" which she had been performing before crowded houses at tbe Pleasure Gardens Theatre. The letter was in the following terms :— The photo ,which you published in your issue of the 8th inst as an advertisement for the infamous Salome dance is an outrage upon the moral sense of the whole com- munity. The performance in question has in it every element of corruption. It is at once in- decent in mode of presentation^ vicious in suggestion, blasphemous in conception, and devilish in origination. I warn you from God that His curse is upon it, and that His most sure judgment will overtake you and all who connive at it except you repent.

9UEEN OF SPAIN'S VJSIT, The Queen of Spain, accompanied by Princess Henry of Battenberg and her eldest brother, Prince Alexander, walked Whip • pingham Church this morning, and her Majesty deposited a wreath on the tomb of her father in tW Battenberg Memorial Chapel at the church. The party called upon Rev. Canon Clement Smith ajidMrs Smith at Whip- pingham Rectory before returning to Osborn^ Cottage. In the afternoon the Queen, Princess Henry, Princess Christian, Princess Victoria, and the three ""Princes of Battenberg went for a cruise in her yacht Sheila and steamed round the sunken cruiser Gladiator, returning to East •Cowes just after 7. Her Majesty walked back to Osborne Cottage.

Lord Abcrdare is the tenant of Kinrara, on Speyside. He has taken the shooting, which extends to about 16,000 acres, from the Duke of Richmond.

Madge Kirby's Slayer. THE LETTER OF CONFESSION. The text of the letter, which purports to come from the murderer of the little girl Madge Kirby, .whose body was. found in a sack at Liverpool, last TMesday, has been communicated by the Weal police. The writer says :— I should tike to throw a little light on the murder of my victim, Maggie Kirby. Some years ago I was lodger in 15, Great Newton- street, so I know the house thoroughly. I am still in possession of the key of the front door, which I used in those days. On the night of January 6th, at 8.45, Itook the girl through the front door, and it was then quite dark. Wo had been over two hours at the World's Fair before then. After some cither words the communication proceeds: I then did away with her. The way I killed her you will, no doubt, find out to-day. At 5.35 on Tuesday morning )ast I entered the house once again with my key, not with the intention of removing the body for good, but with the intention of letting the world know what became of the child. If I had not been drunk.! don't suppose I would have attempted the task. It may lead to my arrest, but I have only the drink to thank for it. I am going to give you a clue to work on' I am a regular customer at a public-house (giving an address}. Since I have made this confession I will be obliged to say good-bye to I suppose they have been good friends to me. I have given you a chance for your money now, so do your best, but I am afraid your man-hunt will be in vain. No signature was attached to the, letter. Bloodhoupd Trail. The bloodbound hunt was continued on Sun- day morning, and though as yet the long trail has not led to the criminal; the police have gained much valuable information which has harrowed down the field of search, and con- firmed them in their belief that the man Is still in Liverpool and in a certain small area of it. The scene in the little dark cellar where the body had been, and where the dog was first put on thq scent, was a weird one. To give the dog a start the dead child's clothes were placed upon the cellar floor. The hound nosed eagerly through the bundle, and at length drew out and held a while in his mouth a stocking which it is thought probable the man handled in lifting the body. Then he sniffed at every crevice, picking out the murderer's every movement. The hunt was greatly im- peded by a crowd which, would not be dis- suaded from following.. "If the public had given us a fair chance," said Inspector Moor, we should have got the man in an hour or two." One official was sure that •the murderer was actually in the crowd which gathered at the police station on Saturday evening. The bloodhound's chase for the Liverpool murderer, whom the police believed to be still in the district, terminated dramatically on Tuesday. The dog picked up b trail rn the Edge Lane district, which it had followed four nights. He followed this trail some distance towards the outskirts of Liverpool, doubled back again, and led the detectives confidently at a run into the London and North-Western Station at Edge Hill. Both doj and detectives were greatly excited. The animal |iosed at the booking-office, ran up fbeinward platform, and refused tg go further. Your man has gone back to Liverpool by train," said Mr Pakenham, the dog's owner. The detectives promptly took the dog in a cab to Lime-street Station, where the animal in a moment or two picked up a .9Cent and fol- lowed it to No. 8 arrival platform. There the dog stopped aIltl gave up the trail. His owner and the detectives appear certain, from their experience of the dog s sagacity, that the mur- derer left Liverpool on Monday night by the Birmingham excursioij train, which left at 9.30 from the platform where the hound ended its search. Inquiries in Birmingham show that no official intimation has been received concern- ing the theory-that the murderer has jour- neyed to the Midlands. There is, however, un- official information pointing to the inference that attempts are being made or are in con- templation to hit the trail in the Black Country. The train indicated in the Liverpool message had no appointed stop between Edge Hill and Wolverhampton, but from there tp Birmingham it dischargeq passengers at most of the wayside stations. Another Discovery. The Liverpool police have obtained a state- ment from a 'man wh5 bii.-the morning the body of the murdered^ir|k ifadge Kirby was found saw a mysterious person, attired in' woman's clothing, bdt whom he believed to be a man, emerge cautiously and hurriedly from the yard door of the house adjoining that in which the body had lain. It was not one of the occupants of the house. There is no yard door to the hóuse in which the murder is sup- posed to have been committed, and- the wall between the two houses has marks showing that it bad recently been climbed over.

"GOOD-BYE FOR EVER." PQntypridd Wife's Maintenance. Counter-accusations were made by husband and wife at Pontypridd on Wednesday, when Harry Wilkinson, described as4 a plumber, of Newport,was charged with deserting his family and allowing them to become chargeable to the Pontypridd Union. Mr Ack Llewelyn, warrant officer, stated that defendant's wife and two children were admitted to the Work- house on the 20th of June, and their cost of maintenance was £6 14s 7d. Defendant had deserted his wife since April, 1907. Asked for an explanation, defendant stated, that he was ordered away from the house by his wife and mother-in-law. He could hot live with the wife without ner mother.—Mr Ack Llewelyn: The, Vife has a very different story.-MrRichard Lewis: Didn't you think it your duty towards your wife to support her T Defendant: She said she wanted to give me my freedom, and wanted to get married again. The wife, Mrs Agnes Wilkinson, alleged that her husband and his brother were in busi- ness together in the Swansea Valley,. and went into debt. When he left the house he said to her Good-bye for ever," and this shortly after her confinement. N Defendant was bound over in two sureties of £10 to appear next week, and was informed that unless he paid the cost of the wife's main- tepance in the WdtkhousC and took her out he would probably be sent to prison for three months. • ■ ■

BEER ADULTERATION. Alleged Conspiracy to Defraud. At Tottenham on Tuesday Edward Ives (40), a traveller, and W. Ives (30), a general agent, of Clissold-road, Stoke Newington, were charged with conspiring with another person not in custody to defraud his Majesty of the duties on certain vquantities of beer, and also with soliciting and inciting divers publicans to defraud his Majesty of such duties between s June and November, 1^06. The warrants for the arrest of the prisoners were granted in December, 1906, but i,t was not until Monday that the prisoners were apprehended in a public-house in Lincoln's Inn-fields. The prisoner Edward Ives said when accused they had finished with the game now. Upon the application of Mr Davies, of the Excise department, prisoners were remanded. The allegation against them is that they were concerned in supplying a certain sugar pre- paration for the purpose of -screening the dilution of beer, representations being made to purchasers that ny using.it they were able to add so many gallons to a cask.

ANTI-SUICIDE BUREAU. The Anti-Suicide Bureau of the Salvation Army has recently cpmpleted 18 months of existence, during which the value of some such scheme has been made evident. tin the first year of the life of the-bureau 1,125 applications were received, and since then it is stated that people have been seeking aid at the rate of about 20 a week. The bureau have' several ex-soldiers on the books for whom they are trying to get work through the military em- ( ployment organisation while the clients of the bureau during the 18 months have com- prised clergymen, missionaries,, military om. cers, doctors, solicitors, chief constables, old sea captains, journalists, architects and sur. veyors, company promoters, builders and con. tractors, actors, schoolmasters, tradesmen, bank clerks, hotel proprietors and publicans, and mechanics.

COWBOY BARONET. Sir feenille Cave-Brown-Cave, the cowboy baronet, now contradicts the statement that he was engaged to be married. It was true, he, said to a New York correspondent, that he had returned to America last Saturday, travel- ling' steerage, but he hoped to resume his place in Leicestershire county society before Christmas, yoing home first-class. In the meanftme, he was proceeding to Denver, Colo- rado, to see some old friends. He had with him photographs of his ancestral home, Stretton Hall, Leicestershire, and outside was a horse with a rider m the saddle. That's me," said the cowboy baronet. It's a real buck- jumper I took to England with, me. Nearly everything that has been printed about me is untrue. Some of the English papers are get- ting almost as bad as the American papery for incorrect fashionable itepas." j

Cambrian Antiquaries. ■ ———— FORAY OVER THE BORDER. FASCINATIONS oFwELSH NEWTON. The. Cambrian Archaeological Society is this year meeting atMonmouth, and the old county town of Gwent was on Monday invaded by nearly 140 racombers of the organisation. Early on Tuesday morning the archaeologists drove in carriages southwards, over Monnow Bridge past Troy, Cwmcarvin, and Craig-y Dorth. to the once fashionable watering place Trelleck^ now a half-deserted village. The visitors assembled -in the parish church, where a*paper was read by the Venerable ArchdeaconThomas. The architectural peculiarities of -the fabric, the curious 17th century dial, the two fonts- one much older than the other—the cross, and the mysterious trilithic monument were pointed out, as well as the interesting lych- gate. The local secretaries (Mr A. J. H. Bowen and Mr Hobson Matthews) then led the way to the mound known as Trelleck Castle. This was briefly described in an interesting address by Colonel Morgan, who 'expressed the opinion that in this earthwork we have no pre-Norman castle, as generally supposed, buta simple Nor- man moated mound. After the famous wells of Trelleck had beeft visited, the party drove to Tintern. Gre^ enthusiasm was shown by those who gaaad on the beautiful abbey for the first time. A lecture descriptive of the whole building was given by Mr Wood. Lunch was provided at the Anchor Inn, and a fresh start. was made for Stow Camp, near St. Briavels, which was explained by Colonel Morgan. A further drive brought the Cambrians to Newland. In the parish church there, called the Cathedral of the Forest of Dean, a paper was read by Mr Palmer. Staunton jChurch was subsequently visited, and a paper was read by the rector, the Rev. C. C. Mills., The church was quite filled by the visitors, who examined with great interest the unique font in the south aisle, and the curious carving of the Norman capitals. The party then renamed to Monmouth, where, at the Shire Hail, the Mayor (the Hon. J. M. Rolls, J.P.) publicly received thej archae- ologists, and welcomed them to the county town. His Worship regretted the unavoidable absence of Lord Llangattock, who, he said, took great interest I in local archaeology, and would hear with pleasure of the success of this gathering. The next item was the installation of the new president, Professor Sayce, the renowned Assyriologist and Oriental scholar. Professor Sayce delivered his presidential address, his subject £ being Welsh Archaeology. At the conclusion of the address refresh- ments were served, "after which Mr J. Hobson Matthews, one of the local secretaries, read a paperdnOld Monmouth, illustrated by means of limelight views. The paper was well received and won warm commendation from Professor Sayce. Among those present, together with those already named, were the Rev. Canon Morris, Rev. C. Chidlow (general secretary), Mr and Mrs Ivor Thotnas, Mr Pepyat Evans, Pro- fessor Anwyl" Mr Edward Owen, Mr Egerton Phillimore, Mr Brigstocke, Rev. Hartwell Jones, Professor Bosanquet, Mr Aneuryn Williams, and Mr John Rennie. On Wednesday the m<$toberf of the Cam- brian Arcbiffological Society continued their annual meeting at Monmouth, making an ex- cursion to the country which lies to the north of the town. The start was from Agincourt- square at 9 a..m. in half a dozen brakes. The archaeologists were driven to Rockfield. turn- ing northwards to Newcastle, where they caught a glimpse of the remains of the castle and of the witch oak. The first halt was made at Skenfrith. Here the party gathered in the church and listened to a description of the fabric by the vicar, the Rev. C. L. Garde. A visit was then made to the neighbouring castle, ot which Mr Illtyd Gardiner gave an 'interesting account. The parish stocks pre- served here aroused much interest. The party's next move was to Grosmont, and again the meetings took place in the parish church. Instructive addresses were here given by Archdeacon Thomas, Sir Henry Howarth, and Mr Edward Laws. Mr Hobson Matthews made • some remarks upon the chantry of St. Mary's, which anciently exited in this church. After an inspection had been made of the castle, the members enjoyed a cold luncheon in the upper room of Grosmont Town Hall, the number of visitors being 94. At 3 <j).m. a start wassmade for Garway, at the church of which parish they arrived an hour later. The interesting features were described by the vicar, the Rev. E. F. Powys. The President of the society, Professor A. H. Sayce, pointed out what might be regarded as a tr%co of £ a»tem influence in details of the remains of the fine Norman chancel arch. Many members walked to the farmhouse near the church, and saw the 14th century dove- cojbe, built by the Knights of Hospitalers, Who had a preceptory there. The party having once more seated them selves in the brakes, the journey was con- tinued to Pembridge Castle, where some of the members entered, and were shown the dun- geons under the tower and the room where Father John Kemble, a victim of Titus Oates, was arrested in 1679, being subsequently executed for saying mass. After reaching the church of Walsh Newton, a halt was made to enable the party to see the famous Early Eng- lish rood-screen, thEÝfrithstool, and Father Kemble's grave in the churchyard. It was here that the octogenarian martyr priest was in- terred by his relatives after he had been exe- cuted at Hereford. The Rev. D. W. Abbott, vicar of Welsh Newton, described the church, and Sir Henry Howarth gave an able address on the rood-screen of the Decorated period. Tl^e -late 17th century communion cup, with its cutious Chinese ornaments, excited much curi- osity. It was 7 o'clock before the society could tear itself away from the antiquarian attrac- tions of Welsh Newton, and in a few minutes they had crossed the border of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire and were soon in their hotels a.t).d lodgings at Monmouth after a tour of about 25 miles in perfect weather. "—

ABANDONED PARENTS, Miserable Hound and Guzzler." Inspector Bingham at Cardiff on Wed- nesday alleged a shocking state of affairs in Milton-street. It was in a case of child neglect preferred against Michael and Mary Hayes. Mr Lewis Williams and Mr Isaac Samuel were the magistrates. The defendants had three children, aged five and two years, and nine months. When the inspector saw them they were, he said, in a verminous state. The family lived and slept in one room, and the whole place was inde- scribably dirty. There was no food in the house on the occasions > he/visited the place, and the inspector said he had seen the eldest child asleep under the table. The defendants were alleged to be drunken, disorderly, viqlent people. It transpired in the course of the hearing that the three children had been taken from defendants' custody. Three other children were in a reformatory, one was in a common lodging-house, and a daughter of 17 had gone away. The case was adjourned so that the prisoners, who denied the charge, might call witnesses. Later in the day the case was proceeded with, but the witnesses called for the defence could only state that they had not seen the defendants drunk except on Saturday nights." P.C. Thompson proved several pre- vious convictions. The Magistrates, in sentencing each to six months' imprisonment with hard labour- de- scribed the male prisoner as a "'miserable hound and a guzzler." The magistrates de- sired to compliment Inspector Bingham for the wav in which he had conducted the case and the interest he* had taken in the children. The whole affair was a credit to the inspector.

MERTHYR "mGHWAYMAN." Why 13 is a Lucky Number, Tramps are numerous upon the road in these fine days* and Mfertliyr is a popular re- sort witK the fraternity. The casual ward of the Wonthouse only accommodates a dozen, and the remainder who apply for relief obtain tickets entitling them to a bed at a common lodging-house. To the number of 75 a night tftese modern highwaymen enjoy the hospitality of the Board of Guardians, at a cost of 3d each. Those who are unlucky enough to be among the first dozen have to perform a task in feturn for the entertainment they receive, but those who come after the casual ward has been filled enoy their night's rspose with the sweet thought that they may resume their journeying without any return in labour being exacted from them. In this as in other matters expedience is of value, and the wise wait out. side the police station until the 12 innocents have arrived and been sent to the Workhouse. Thirteen may/thus be considered to the tramp a lucky number, for number 13 obtains the first choice of the beds in the common lodging- house.

NEW ROYAL FRAIN, A new Royal train is being built jointly by the Great Northern and North-Eastern Rail- way Companies, and it is hoped that it will be ready in time for his Majesty's visit to Don- caster for the races. The furnishings and decorations are to be of the most I elaborate character. Nothing is being spared in order to provide their Majesties with the most com- fortable travellling accommodation possible. Each of the companies are furnishing a saloon, the Great Northern tlxS J&OA'At t*Mi Gr^at Eastern the Queen'p.

Congress of Commerce. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS AT CARDIFF. The Preliminary Programme. The arrangements for the annual meetings of the Association of Chambers of Commerce, to be held at Cardiff on September 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th, are being rapidly completed, and the convention promises to be one of the most successful in the history of the associa- tion. Sir Clifford Cory, M.P., president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, the Council of that body, and the secretary, Mr W. R. Hawkins, have been .able to arrange a pro- gramme which will prAbably prove socially as interesting to the visiters as the association's programme of subjects to be discussed will prove educationally ¡ and it is fully expected that the gathering will include many of the most distinguished commercial men of the present day. The business sittings of the aaiociation will take place during the mornings ani afternoons of September 15th and Sept«nher 16th, and the preliminary programme of exoQHteBRJBd social functions ÍI as follows :— Tuesday, September 15th. 9.J 8.Illl.-Introduction of the President (Spord Brassey) and members of the associa- tiflai to the Lord Mayor o| Cardiff. 1 p.m.—Luncheon by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Cathays Park. 4 p.m.—Electric car trip arotfnd the city. 5 p.m.—Tea at the Electric Power Station, by the invitation of the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor H. C. Vivian). 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.—Reception and dance, by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, City Hall, Cathays Park. Wednesday, 16th September. 1 p.m.—Luncheon by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Cathays Park. 3.30 p.m.—Garden par^r, by the invitation of Lord and Lady Ninian Stuart, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 7.30 p.m.—The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce banquet, City Hall, Cathays Park. 7 p.m.—Ladiesi night at the New Theatre, Cardiff. ,II Thursday, 17th September. 10 a.m.—Visit to the Bargoed Collieries. vil p.m.—Luncheon at Bargoed, by the in- tation ot the chairman and directors of the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Co. 10 a.m.—Visit to the Penrikyber Collieries. 1 p.m.—Luncheon at Mountain Ash, by the invitation of the chairman and directors of the Penrikyber Navigation Colliery Co. 10 a.m.—Visit to the Barry Docks, Barry. 1 p.m.—Luncheon at Barry, by the invita- tion of the chairman and directors of the Barry Railway Co. 10 a.m.—Visit to the Cardiff Docks and Dowlais Works. 1 p.m.—Luncheon by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce at the Whitehall Rooms, Pack Hotel, Cardiff. 3.30 p.m.—Garden party, by the invitation of Mrs H. C. Vivian, at the Windsor Gardens, Penarth. 9 p.m.—Dance, by the president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce (Sir Clifford J. Cory, Bart., M.P.), City Hall, Cathays Park. Friday, 18th September. 9.30 a.m*.—Steamer trip to Newport and up the River Usk. 11 a.m.—Visit to the Newport/Docks. 1 p.m.—Luncheon at Newport, by the in- itation of the Right Hon. Visdount Tredegar.

Strange Barry Affair. ) END OF PLEASURE PARTY'S DRIVE. A strange affair was reported at Barry in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It ap- pearsthatonTuesdayafternoon James Pyecroft, Kingsland-crescent, Barry Dock, drove a party of adults down the Vale of Glamorgan in a phaeton. About 3 on Wednesday morning a local railway man, in going to work, discovered the conveyance overturned and smashed at the junction of Gladstone-road and Buttrill's- road, Barry Dock, thtf latter being a very steep hill connecting the Barry main road with Barry Dock. He at once gave information to the police, and Inspector Thomas and other officers pro- ceeded to the spot. Pyecroft was found insen- sible on the road, and some of the party were with him. The horse, which was practically uninjured, was discovered" a little later, the harness being missing. Precise details of the affair are, so far, unob- tainable, but from the position of the trap it would appear that the party, returning from the Vale down Buttrill's Hill, were upset in trying to turn the sharp curve into Gladstone- road. The vehicle was completely wrecked. Our representative called at Mr Pyecroft's home on Wednesday morning, Mr Pye- croft having been taken „ there on an ambulance by the police. Mrs Pyecroft said her husband had not regained con- sciousness. He is under the treatment of Dr. Gabe, and is suffering • from bad cuts on the head, bruises on the thigh, and other in- juries. The other occupants of the wrecked vehicle escaped practically without hurt. From what can be gathered the accident hap- pened just previous to the discovery-of the overturned vehicle by the railwayman. Mr Pyecroft was slightly better last night, and had regained consciousness. He was. however, too ill to give any details of the' accident. That the other occupant of the trap escaped so lightly while Mr Pyecrbft was so seriously injured is accounted for i>y the fact that he was driving and was seated a good deal higher in the vehicle than the others.

YOUNG WIFE'S COMPLAINT. Merthyr Man Bound Over. At Merthyr on Tuesday Jane Taylor sum- moned her father-in-law, John Henry Taylor, of Pentrebach, for assault. The evidence showed that the complainant was married to Archibald Taylor, defendant's son, four months ago. The young couple lived at Poplar-terrace for a time, until the husband missed 10s from some money he had put aside. His wife explained tftat she had paid the grocer and the baker. Ho then told her that if she touched his money again he would break her neck." She left him and returned to her father's house. She consented to return to her husband, and went to live with him at Greenfield-terrace, and defendant, who lived at Cinderford. went to lodge there with them. Defendant's wife arrived on a visit, and pecaulle complain- ant did not come quickly enough when she called her to brealefast from some work she was doing the mother-in-law losther temper and sent her son for her husband. When defendant arrived he found his wife crying, and, seizing complainant by the arm, he threw her down the steps. The Stipendiary said that the best plan in the circumstances would be for the defendant to be bound over to keep the peace

AVERSION TO APARTMENTS. Sarah A. McGillwas broughtup on remand, at Merthyr on Tuesday, charged with exposing her three children. Mr Gwilymj James appeared to prosecute on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C. The woman is the wife of Wm. McGill, a Corpora- tion labourer earning 24s per week. It was stated that he had provided several homes for her and the children, but she was of drunken habits, and the dirty way in which she kept the houses caused her to receive notice. She was found by Sergt. Lamb sleeping with her three children in an outbuilding at the back of a house in Cross-street, where she had been living. Defendant's husband now §jKd that as long as he had a house of his own his wife behaved well. Inspector Starr said it was very difficult to get a house in Merthyr. Defendant was sent 14 the Workhouse for another fortnight. As she left the dock she said she would not come out until her husbaild had found her a house. She would not live in apartments again. J

REMARKABLE SUICIDES. On Monday afternoon two bodies were re- covered from the river Thames, one at Millwall —that of a woman about 50, very shabbily dressed—and the other that of a man aged about 35, close to Tower Bridge. He has the appearance of being a seaman or bargeman, and has tattooed on his arms a number of devices, besides the words, Love is ruin." At Brighouse on Monday the body of, Thomas Coates (55), a railway platelayer, was found in an upright position in the Calder and Hebble Canal. By holding his head up Coates could easily have averted death. His hat and cgat were found on the towing-path. The body was warm, and artificial respiration was tried; but without avail. Coates had been ill and depressed for some time.

ALPINE TRAGEDIES. Innsbruck, Tuesday.—The Polish actress, Leontinc Romar, and the violin virtuoso, Posselt, while ascending the Gerlos Peak fell over a precipice. The actress was killed and the violinist injured.—Reuter. Berne, Tuesday.—A telegram from Lucerne states :—The mutilated remains of a workman named Xavier Zemp have been found ab the foot of a. precipice in Schwarzenberg district.. Zemp set out on Sunday to look for berries, and it is surmised he lost his way in a fog.— Reuter. r

WELSH GLEANINGS. News and Views in Lighter Vein. Messrs Hutchinson announce for early pub- lication All in a Month," by Allen Raine— probably the talented Welsh authoress's last book. Festiniog is perhaps the Welshiest of all Welsh towns, yet at the last meeting of the District Council not a single Welsh book was included in the list recommended for purchase for the free library. Extract from a report of Saturday's cricket :—" With over two hours to play, were given a sanguinary opportunity for achieving victory." These are certainly the „daysj)f strenuous sport. The Church is in dife, straits in North Wa.1^3 "V ery few of the members of the committee of. the Bangor Church Building Society were eligible for re-election, for. according to the secretary, there arc not 25 who have sub- tfWSi0dL»,j»kiea." it iø evMcnt that the Welsh Monuments Hoyal Commission intends commencing upon its work without delay for the secretary has already communicated with the members ask- ing them to acquaint him with their move- ments in case he has need to summon them together. A Cowbridgc correspondent is anxious to know all about a cockatoo recently shot in Glamorganshire, and says^that from the de- scription the bird seemed\o be one lost from the neighbourhood of Cowbridge in June last. If so, it would be interesting to know how far. it had flown and how it had subsisted during such a long time. The education question and the instilling of the love of tongue and country seem to be the burning topics of the day in Brittany as they are in Wales. M. Calan is writing a popular history of Brittany for the use of schools, a.nd it is hoped that it will. prove an effective in- strument in the educational del iverancq^r the new generation. Arwest Glan Geirionydd," revived by Gwilym -Cowlyd," in opposition to the National Eisteddfod, is falling into the rut and copying the failings of the national gathering. There was a meeting of bards last week, with Elis o'r Nant in charge "of the proceedings. The chief business seems to have been the confer- ring of degrees, the recipients being English- men, Welshmen, and Scotchmen. There will be no dull moments at the Richfield Springs Eisteddfod," is the way in which the comftiittee (Americans of course) advertise that gathering. The announcement goes on to sing the praises of Canadarago Lake and its great white sulphur springs and. the fishing, and closes with side trips to Otsego Lake and Cooperstown, the home of J. Feni- more Cooper, will be popular with ihany." I The Drych," in a leader 'defending the purity of the Welsh language, condemns in- strong terms the action of pulpiteers, literateurs and bards who use hybrid Welsh words, and declares that many, ignorant of the scientific basis of Welsh, tike upon themselves to coin words which are afterwards adopted by others equally ignorant and reckless. One of the great needs of the nation to-day (it adds) is a journal to examine the evolution of the language and to care for its utility and purity. Miss Richard, the eldest daughter of Rev. Dr. Timothy Richard, Lit.D.D., Shanghai, the .well known missionary, is now in England, and intends visiting Ffaldybrenin,Carmarthen- shire, her father's native place, some time in October, for. the purpose of collecting reminis- cences of his life. The doctor sailed for China in the year 1869, when only 24 years of age, and was from the start crowned with success. Some time ago he was made Chancellor of the Imperial University of Shantung and a Man- darin of the Chinese Empire, with Red Button of the first rank. His only brother is still alive and hearty and in his 80th year—Mr Evan Richards, Farmers, Cayo. Following the example of the Rev. Father Kane, who will be invested as a Druid at the Llangollen National Eisteddfod next month, the Rev. Father O'Gorman, now at the Irish College in Paris, has given notice of his inten- tion to apply for the honour next year. Then an erudite Dutchmafi, Van Hamel, ha9 mastered the Welsh language and the cynghaneddion, and has fallen in love with Dafydd ap Edmwnt; and Herr Pokorny, an Austrian, is spending his holidays in the heart of Eryri talking Welsh with the natives, who know no English, and giving the finishing touch to his Celtic education by attending the Irish summer school at Dublin. An American paper spesits of the Mauretania -as The Queen of the Seals," and her captain, John Pritchard, of Carnarvon, the king of captains." I Nobility_and. graciousness are found in all that pertains to the ship, and her captain is the embodiment of the ideal man, both in physique and temperament. He has the faculty of making one feel comfortable m his presence, and on board the vessel he makes people understand that he is sovereign of his domain, and official dignity compels him to remain somewhat aloof. In private life the captain is an admirable qompamon and a Welshman to the finger tips. Lord and Lady Powis and Lord Clive are at present in residence at Powis Castle, the ancestral home in Montgomeryshire. The old castle, with its four massive round towers, la an excellent example of the military architec- ture of the early 14th century. Within there has been much modernisation, but externally the feudal character is well maintained, and the embattled wing on the left of the approach to the keep is an unusual example of a great hall. Powis Castle stands high up on a rocky eminence, and those who visit the castle, climbing the steep ascent, are forcibly re- minded how strong a position-this is when they reach the crest and survey the outlook. Rhos-on-Sea is the abomination of ft name applied to a pretty little watering plau in North Wales, and an analysis of the name shows how ridiculous people are who attempt to Anglicise Welsh place names. A rhos is a flat plain or meadow. How could it be on-sea" ? The term is found in many parts of Wales—Rhosfawr (great meadow), Rhosgoch (red meadow), Rhosllanerchgrugog (the meadow on the heathery place). They are all pretty, pleasant, and euphonious. The. proper name of Rhos-on-Sea is Llandrillct (St. Trillo's Church). If a change was re- quired why not call it Rhos TriUo,"or better still revert to the old name Rhos Fynach". The marsh used to be the fishing ponds of the monks at the Cistercian Abbey about 600 years ago. Aberdare, which used to have its Abemant. Gadlys, and Llwydcoed Works, is now only a great colliery town, but from Hirwain tot Mountain Ash it teems with a mass of popu- lation. Merthyr has lost its iron trade. Where arc Penydarren, Plymouth? And. now; Cyfarthfa is a blank. The collieries* do not appear to be in such a thriving state as in Aberdare. The Bwllfa, Nantmelyn, the Dare, and Powell's Pit have coal to last for a hun- dred veafrs, to say nothing of Blaengwawr and Gadlys. Merthyr had an opportunity one time of starting in tinplate, and Cyfarthfa would have bQen a good basis for the new industry. Among an area of virgin mineral land an effort should be made to get a new industry. A tin- plate expert said the other day that Cyfarthfa steel was the finest in the world to make tin- plate with, and now, before the qld hands of Cyfarthfa are scattered, is the time to utilise them. Art is a subject which has not often met with its due recognition in th £ work of the element- ary schools. In the majority of these schools it may be said to have Tjeen almost wholly neglected, and in otherstonave been indiffer- ently taught by stiff, unnatural methods-. {There are now signs of a welcome change. An interesting exhibition was recently held at Bridgend of specimens of crayon and pencil work by the children at the non-provided school. The headmaster and headmistress, Mr and Mis W. Rees, take the greatest interest in the instruction ofl the children in art, from the infants up to the higher standards. Special lessons arc given the children of this school by the art master, Mr G. Howell Baker, whose methods are not to force the chil<*en to render with rigid correctness the stiff outlines of a geometrical figure, but to develop in them their natural sense* of beauty and form, and also to encourage originality of design. Some of the original designs shown by boys and girls of 12 and 13 in the exhibition held at the school recentlv were remarkably well conceived and executed. The children take the keenest interest in the work, and it no doubt has a refining influence on their characters.

V BRIGANDS BETRAYED.. Smart Police Ruse in Sardinia. Rome, Thursday.—The police have effected a smart capture of 100 of the brigands who in. fested the province of Sassari in Sardinia™ Suspecting certain prominent inhabitants of one of the smaller villages, the police set te work methodically. One of their numbej approached suspected pet^ons and succeeded' in getting himself enrolled as a member of th", band. with the result that practically all wer; arrested.—Central News.