South Wales Daily News

PONTYPOOL. Permitting Drunkenness.—On Saturday, at Pontyoool, Philip Gilbert, of the Abersychan Arms, Abersychau, was fiued 40s for permitting drunkenness. Wife Charged with Adultery.—John Williams, veterinary surgeon, Pontypool, was summoned for the non-maintenance of his wife, Laura. In reply Mr William 3 now produced a written confession of adultery with a man named Rees, signed by his wife. Mrs Williams, however, vehemently denied the charge of adultery, and said that the con- fession was signed by her under compulsion. The magistrates dismissed the case.

MONMOUTH. Alleged Indecent Assault.—At the County 'Police Court on Saturday (before Mr J. T. Price and Col. Waiwyn) Thomas George (50), labourer, was charged in custody with attempting to have carnal knowledge cf Emily Sirith, aged seven, daughter of George Henry Smith, the Mill, Trelleck Grange. It was alleged that the little girl lost her way home and that the prisoner de- coyed her into a shed, where the alleged offence was committed. John Pask, haulier, Tintern, gave evidence in support of the charge. Prisoner was committed to the Assizes for triftl] bail not being applied for.

BRIDGEND. Muzzling Order.—Samuel Badman and Sarah Mustoe, of Bridgend, were fined 58 each for not having their dogs muzzled. Alleged Cruelty. tvilliam Thomas, farmer, of Llangan, appeared to an adjourned summons for causing cruelty to a cow. Mr Hughes de- fended. Case dismissed.

BAND OF HOPE WORK. PROPOSED UNION FOR SOUTH WALES. On Saturday, in connection with the Onited Kingdom Band of Hope Union, a conference of Hand of Hone workers and others interested in juvenile temperance work was he)d at the Lowar Cory Hall to consider the desirability of forming a Band of Hope Union for the combined counties I of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Alderman W. Sanders presided, and representatives were present from Swansea, Pontypridd, Cardiff, Lln- dovery, Merthyr, and other centres. Mr Charles Wakely, secretary of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, sketched the work which such an organisation could accomplish, while Mr Atkins ¡ who had visited the several centres throughout the distrist. spoke of the cordial support that was promised the movement. After a long discussion, in which the bilingual, the financial, and other difficulties were touched upon, a resolution I affirming the desirableness of forming such a Union was adopted.

TRADE REPORTS. TINPLATES. ¡ Liverpool, Saturday.—The market lias been slower this wevk. probab'y because of the higher prices jYÚDg asked by sellers. Tin continues firm at Jan abnormally high rate, while there is a strong upward tendency in hematites, so that makers are naturally cautious in selling tinplate«. Fair inquiries have been made for mixed specifi- cations on account of Canadian, Continental, and other markets, but the estimate of values by buyers is so different to that of sellers that trad- ing has been restricted. Black plate has been inquired for rather freely, but little or no business has come. The home trade buyers are still busy, but being fairly well bought show no disposition to pay the advance. The following are the cur- rent prices :—Bessemer cokes—C 14 by 20, 14s 10d to 15s lid C 18l and 19% by 14, 14s 10-id to 153 lid squares and odd sizes, 15s 3d basis Siemens cokes-C 14 by 20, 15s 3d; C 10 by 20, 22s 3d; squares and odd sizes, I 15s 6d basis charcoal tius, 16s 6d and upwards, according to quality and finish and ternes, 303 3d per double box, all f.o.b. Wales. 1 f"T_s..J-C

THE CASUAL WARD. A CASE BEFORE CARDIFF GUARDIANS. LIVELY DISCUSSION. At a meeting of Cardiff Guardians on Saturday, the Rev. J.R. Buckley presiding, Mr M.J. Pearce ..sked if there was any arrangement for the resi- dent doctor to visit the tramp ward of a, morning or any time during the day. The Resident Doctor (Dr. Cumobsll Jenkins) ttid he generally went round the ward in the morning, but whenever he received a note from She ward .superintendent in reference to a. special case he went down at once. In reply to the Chairman. the Doctor said he went round the ward as a. general thing five days per week. Mr M. J. Pearce said that on Sunday last he visited the tramp ward at midday, and he saw a a.3e needing the attention of the doctor, although ha did not say the doctor was at fault. At half- past 10 the same night he visited the case with Dr. Brooks, but he did not feel disposed to des- sribe now the conditions he found or the circum- i stances under which they got in, but evidently it J", was a case for investigation. The Chairman remarked that no doubt the 'i The Chairman remarked that no doubt the ~W committee would inquire into it. it Dr. Brooks said that be went round the ward V on Tuesday afternoon, and noticing a great dis- I parity in the heaps of stones he asked the man 1 who had done only a small quantity why it was. f The man said he was suffering from an ulcer on v she finger. He examined it, and found that it was a very bad one. The man Wjjus certainly not In a. condition to be breaking stones. Instead of j; |oing down five days a week, he thought the r Soctor should visit the ward every day. F Dr. Campbell Jenkins asked whether Dr. Brooks 3| realised the effect of what he had just said, as it fl amounted to an encouragement to those in the M jaaaal ward to say they were ill. That had been Ti jus experience in other Unions, and he had been H ionnected with five. As a matter of fact the man B was suffering from a contagious disease i? md having spent a fortnight in the House had |l ihen left. Phere was an ulcer on his right hand 'Fi little less in size than one halfpenny, the result )f his original disease, and he was quite | jatisfied ]with his treatment. The man after- I Yards sought admission into the casual ward at 9 )'clock at night, although he knew perfectly well I ie could have been readmitted into the House, i but he preferred to go into the I sasu&l ward at that hour of the I Bigbt. He (the speaker) did not shirffe the man had been ill-treated by following the practice of stone-breaking. The inmate in question broke 7cwt., but it he came in again he would probably have to do the 13 required by the board. The Master said he was informed by the superintendent of the ward that the man made no complaint, and that he (the superintendent) did not observe anything the matter with the in- mate's hand. The Resident Doctor said that on the following morning he admitted the man into the house. tn the afternoon the inmate wanted his discharge without staying the statutory period. The man was now working on a tip at the Roath Dock. The Master observed that in reply to his question the man said be got the ulcer through fighting. Dr. Brooka said it did not matter how the man got the nicer. It was their duty to see that no man worked who wasn't fit to do so. The Chairiran said he could not allow the dis- cussion to proceed further. If a member wished to bring a complaint against an official the matter would be brought before the committee. Mr Price Jones thought that when matters of ( this kind came under the notics oi gaardians it was prudent at all times that they should make i themselves thoroughly conversant with the cir- cums tances. r The Chairman remarked that IVJjr Pearce was Inite within his rights in bringing the matter forward that day. Mr Cross urged that the matter should be referred to the committee for investigation. It would ce reported jn the newspapers, and people would conclude that the casuals were treated in an inhuman way. (" No, no. ') He moved that. Mr J. Pearcs seconded, and said that there were Dther irregularities which the committee should investigate. Usoa a vote being taken, the motion to refer ihe matter to a committee for investigation was negatived by 30 to 13. Mr M. J. Pearce said he would not let the ques tion drop, and he complained that those guar- dians who had voted him down were those rarely wen at the House. Mr Price Janes, Air Frank Beavan, and Mr Sutherland objected to the observation made by Mr Pearce, stating that they visited the house a little oftener than Mr Pearce, aud yet they votsd against the motion.

SOUTH WALES PRINTING WORKS SICK AND PROVIDENT FUND. The thirty-second half-yearlv meeting of this society was held in the South Wales Damj News Office on Saturday evening. Mr J. Duncan, J.P., the president, occupied the chair. The report for the half-year ending June 30tb, 1899. showed that sickness for that period amounted to £30, and this had been met by a deduction oi 2s 2d per share. With- drawals from the Provident Fnnd had been heavy, amounting to JE549 3s 4d, but the income had been well mainatained, and from all sources amounted to 1328 ISs lid. The result of the half-year's working had been a reduction of 198 3s Id in the capital of the society, which now amounted to iEl 907 8z; 3d. There had beeun one death (Mr E. David) during the half-year. Interest amount- ing to £ 32 18s 3d had been added to Provident Fund accounts. This was less than the amount realised by the society's investments, and the surplus is to be apportioned next half-year. The report and accouuts were adopted on the motion of the chairman. The revised rules of the society were submitted by the committee and adopted. OfficeH and committee for the ensuing yea.r were then elected, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Messrs Duncan for their assistance to the society, and to Mr J. Duncan for his pre- sence in the chair.

GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. LOYAL CRADDOCK WELLS LODGE. The annual dinner of this Lod?e was held at the Graddock Hotel. Eldon-road, Cardiff, on Fri- day, Bro. Councillor Lewis Morgan in the chaii, and Bro. Councillor W. Symonds in the vice-chair, supported by Bros. J. Samuels, T. W. Warren, D.M.. P. W. Rimes. D.D.M., T. O. Powl- son, P.D.M., and J. Chick, P.D.M. During the ¡ avening some capital songs were given by Bros. [ Evans, Richards. Phillips. Warren, Codd, Tay- ior, Coombs. Newby Laws, Haughton. arid I- others. The Chairman gave the toast of The f Grand United Order aud the Cardiff District." The District Master responded, and made a !•■ statement as to the position of the Order and dia- ls, trict. which is in a flourishing condition. Bro. I Councillor Symonds gave "The Loyal Craddock I Wells Lodge," urging those.present who did not belong to any friendly society to join one. Bro. Samueis gave The Officers, Past and Present," which was responded to by Bro. J. ChJck, P.D.M,, T. O. Powlson, P.D.M., and Bro. F. W. Rimes, D-D.M. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair- 'nan for presiding, to Bro. Jenkins, the host, and to Bro. Sid Evans, of the Loyal Earl of Dumfries Lodge, for presiding at the piano, brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

HEALTH OF CARDIFF. Analysis of births and deaths registered in v Cardiff during the week ended Saturday, Sep- tember 23rd. 1899. Total births 96 Hate per 1,000 per annum 2&S Total deaths 80 Kate per 1,000 per annum 167 Kate 01 morcality from zymotic diseases. 3"6 Died ander one year old 24 Aged 60 years and upwards. 10 Diphtheria 2 Enteric Fever 1 Diarrhoea and Dysentery. 10 Violence 2 Other causes 45 Inquest ca,ses. 3 In Public Institutions Cardiff Infirmary ■ ■ 4 Hama-dryad Hospital Ship 1 Sanitary Authority's Fever Hospitals 2 c r Cardiff Workhouse 7 The returns are calculated on an estimated population of 185,82b. E. WALFORD, Medical Officer of Health. 1>

WENTWOOD GIRL'S THEFT. t It At Newport County Police Court on Saturday, Ada Jones, a young woman of readectable appeax- ance, stood in the dock to answer a charge of L having stolen 3d and a two-ounce packet of tobacco from the shop oi Richard Saddler, of Wentwood. on Fridav night tbegirl went into the shop and finding that Mi Saddler was temporarily absent she took 3s from the till and a packet of tobacco, and put the latter into a bundle which she was carrying. On Mr Saddler returning he missed the tobacco and questioned the prisoner. who said that she had purchased it at another shop. When given into custody she repeated her statement, but subsequently said that she had taken the tobacco, but denied having taken the money, but wheu about to be searched by the officer's wife she took a florin from her stocking and said that she had taken the money. The pri- soner, who had hitherto borne a good character, was liiiid 10s, or seven days' imprisonment. The mother paid over the mousy, and the girl left the conrt by the liberty door.

CONSIDERATION FOR NEWPORT POOR. The Newport Board of Guardians at their meet- in," on Saturday approved a report of the Work- house Visiting Committee, which recommended a more liberal diet for the inmates of the Work- house and an alteration of the hours of rising in the morning an:1 of breakfast. Should the Local Government Board approve of the proposals the inmates will in the future during the winter months rise at 7 a.m. instead of 6a.m., and break- fast at 8 o'clock instead of 6.30. Grual is to be dis- continued for breakfast for able-bodied inmates, Dd 7oz. bread, ioz. of butter, and 1 pint of tea substituted for it, and the Saturday's dinner will consist of 4oz. bacon, 3oz. bread, and I0oz3. potatoes for each person, instead of ^ea soup and bread.

D' y (3y) has golie to Collins's place at nrtsumably to be schooled for jump- htccKcri ,t!nfoot (4y) has left -J. Cannon's ..ieltijnnam. .vtU!) LAMBEBT AND BCTUTR'S FLAKED GOLD liEJUf Honeydew,inPffieetand*h"»Tobacco Biste McI dealers throughout tie Kingdom 3575

MERTHYR RESERVOIR, PENTWYN WORKS CRITICISED. On Saturday the South Wales District of the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers, of which Mr W. Harpur, M.Inst.C.E., is president, and Mr W. E. Clason Thomas, A.M.Inst.C.E., Neath, is hon secre- tary. a.nd Mr Thomas Cole.A.M.Inat. <J.E" Lon- don, secretary, held their session at the Town Hall, Merthyr, where they were formally received and welcomed by Mr Joseph Owen. J.P., chair- man of the Merthyr Urban District Council, high constable, and Mr Norman F. Hankey, chairman of the Water Committee. Mr Harvey read an elaborate paper on the Merthyr Water Works, which hs regarded historically and technically treating particularly with the Pentwyn, Lower Neuadd, and the Upper Neuadd reservoirs, the latter being now in course of construction. Re- garding Pentwyn, he said the site was no doubt selected on account of its cheapness, and although the embankment was only a shallow one, the top water area was 96 acres and the capacity 346,000,000 gallons. Unfortunately the carbon- iferous limestone overlaid the old red sandstone where the embankment was made, with the result that a serious leakage through the fissures of the limestone rock had always existed, and bad caused much expense and anxiety to the Authority. This leakage however was measured over the gauge below the dam as compensation water to the riparian owners. It was seldom that a firmer site for an impounding reservoir was seen than this, and it was unfortu- nate for the ratepayers that its natural advant- ages should have been only so partially utilised, for if the embankment had been made 500 yards further north the foundation would have been OIl the old red sandstone, and if its height had been doubled the reservoir would have had a top water area of 190 acres and a capacity of at least 1,500 million gallons, and, moreover, the cost of such an embankment would have been absurdly small for the volume of water which would have been impounded. Such a reset voir would have done away with the necessity of the additional storage now being provided, and of other works, which he proceeded to describe.

RECENT VISIT TO THE TRANSVAAL. IMPRESSIONS OF A SOUTH WALIAN. A well-known South Wales gentleman, who desires for professional reasons that his name may not be revealed, has recently returned from a sojourn in Sonth Africa, and while there he spent some time in the Transvaal. In giving some impressions of his visit to one of our repre- sentatives this gentleman said I went out to the Cape first of all, and then along the coast to Durban thence into Moritzburg, where it ap- peared doubtful whether we should be able to get up into the Transvaal, as matters were even at that time looking serious. However, I went on to Johannesourg and also visited Pretoria, and went about the Rand a good deal, visiting several of the mines. 1 was determined to see all I could, and to form my own impressions as to the present condition of the Transvaal, so I mixed with every class of people I could, and chatted with them as to their views on the present crisis." With what result ?"—l: Well, I thoroughly appreciate the grievances of the Uitlandecs. It really is abominable the way the Boers behave. At every turn you meet ons of these Boer police- men armed to the teeth, and a surly lot of cus- todians of the law they are. They are ignorant, and very few can speak English. Indeed, I am told that when vacancies arise ignorance of Eng- lish counts in their favour. While they are thus armed no Uitlander is allowed even to carry a aix-shooter. One hears a good deal about this fort in Johannesburg. Well, I found that front a tactical point of visw it is quite worthless, and that within a short distance is a ridge from which it could quickly be demolished. This to my mind shows that the Boers only erected it for the purpose of insulting British residents, by whose taxes the Boers axe growing fat. Thanks to the kind offices of a friend I was able to be present at a sitting of the Raad, but everywhere I went-and I claim that I went everywhere with an unbiassed mind-I formed the same impressions of the Boers, and I only wish that I could have stayed to be down at the butt end of a Lee Metford, and have a go at them. They are aa ignorant lot. In the course of a chat one Boer aolecnnly told me that they were going to defeat the English, drive them to the Cape, secure the whole of South Africa, and then take ship:; and make war on England. Now, what can you say to such an idiotic state- ment as that ?

SOME DETAILS OF THE INCENSE TRADE. There seems to be little doubt (writes a Daily Graphic correspondent) that th recent decision of the Archbishops with rcg a d to the use of incense in Anglican churches will have no appre- ciable effect on the trade in that commodity. That there has been an enormous increase in the number of churches in which incense is used during the past few years is proved by the pub- lished statistics. In 1882 there were only nine Anglican chur:hes in which incense was med, while in 1896 there were 307. At most of these churches, however, incense wonld be usei only four times a year. A very small quantity of incense is required for an entire service. It is not expensive, and if it were used at a church on every Sunday in the year the expenses of that church would not be materially increased. Roughly speaking, a church in which the most I extreme ritualistic practices were in vogue would not require mo re than five pounds weight of incease in a year. There are various qualities of in- f cense, and it can be bought at all prices from one shilling and ninepence up to two guineas a pound. The kind that is generally used costs about ten shillings a pound the higher prices are on account of the attar of roses with which incense is sometimes perfumed. As far as can be ascer- tained. no Anglican church would spend more than £5 a year on incense, and the entire tcade is probably not worth more than £600 a year. When it is remembered that there are several firms who I deal in incense it will be seen that its prohibition by the Archbishops will not materially affect any- one. It is popularly supposed that there is ,.t trade secret in the making of incense, but m most cases it is composed simply of gum olibanum. Siam benjamin, cascarilla bark, myrrh, and copal varnish. Our correspondent, who made inquiries of one of the largest firms in London, adds that since the Archbishops' decision regarding the use of incense in churches there has been a marked increase in the business of supplying church candles for altar lights. -■ H ■' ———

BRISTOL CENTENARIAN. Bristol's oldest citizen is John Lane, an Irish- man, who is over 100 years old, but whether 101 or 104 it is not possible to ascertain. For some time he has been an inmate of St Joseph's Horns (Catholic) at Cotham, in the suburbs of Bristol, but having met with an acci- dent he was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary, whence in November of last year he was conveyed to the Barton Rsgis Workhouse, where he is spending his last days. At the Workhouse the following entry appears in the admission book ";J ohn Lane, no occupa- tion. Catholic, born 1798." This of course gives John's age ar> 101. but frequently he refers to matters that stamp him as born in 1795. Though a centenarian, he is on many days quite young and sprightly in his general bearing. Only the other day he said to one of his attendants, If I had a new pair of legs I should be :1.11 right." Concerning matters of long ago be is not very talkative, but he often says, Yes I remember the battle of Waterloo very well. It was fought when I was a lad at work." Not long ago, when a visitor pointed out to him the wanders of the telephone, the electric light, and electric trauis-al-L recent imports to Bristol —he reflected a moment, and then remarked, Begorra, we did widout 'em when I was abhoy, and I can do wiiout 'em to-day."

EDUCATION AND CRIME. There are proofs in the Prison Commis- sioners' report that our education taxes and racing are likely to be repaid to us in the diminu- tion of the criminal population. The percentage of prisoners who could neither read nor write is still 20 per ceut. It was nearly 34 per cent. in 1870. Ouly two-and-P.-fifth per eeut. of all our prisoners can read and write well. The prison population has a preference for the reading of periodiettl., like, the Boy & Own Paper. The Visit- ing Chaplain of Prisons (Mr Merrick) says that one of the prisoners has said that he preferred the Boy's Own Paper to such a child's book aa Shake- pea-re s. Daily News."

THE OLD MAN AND HIS VOTE. William Evans, a venerable resident of Henllis, ocar Newport, felt anuoved because his name had oven left. off the list of voters, so that when Mr Thomas Stephens, the assistant over- seer, called upon him to collect the ra,tes Evans upbraided him, and pushed him out of the house, and Stephens declared that he a.imed a blow at his face. Stephent3 charged Eviviis with assault at Saturday's meeting of the Newport County Police Court, and explained Evans had not paid the whole of the r.ttes on the 15th of July, and his uame had not therefore been eatered upon the list of voters. The magis- trates considered that the matter was a trivial one, and dismissed the case.

Lord Peel tines that he will not be able to speak at the demonstration of the Church of England Temperance Society to be held at the time of the Church Congress. The vacancy in the list of speakers will be filled by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of British Honduras. LL- Those deiegaces and otner memoex's oc tuc Church of England Temperance Society who in- tend to attend the demonstration at the time of the Church Congress are asked to note that the railway companies have very kindly granted re- turn tickets to London, available from October 7th to 10th, at one and a quarter fares, minimum: 9d. Those other than duly appointed delegates who wish to avail themselves of this privilege should apply forthwith. for a certificarte to be presented at their railway station, which will entitle them to the reduction. Applications to be addressed to Mr F, Eardley-Wilmot, 4, The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, S.W. Applica- tions should give name of station and line to be travelled by. In the September Handicap at New Barns on Friday Othery showed a lot of her old dash, and looked like running away with the race. Inside the distance, however, she came back to her horses, and London and Le Blizon battled out the end of the race, London pulling through in fine style. Americus v/as left at the po.ii, uod I' I walked in last. North Britain was hard ridden for a long way, but did not answer any too generously till towards the close, when be ran [urtafoKii* place* r

THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. A great attraction is provided at the Cardiff Theatre Royal this week, M r Bedford having been fortauate enough to secure the presence of Mr George Edwardes's company in The Greek Slave." The cast, which includes such well- known names as those of Miss Louie Collier, Miss Maud Danks, Miss Gracie Leigh, Mr Arthur Appleby, and Mr Harry Gratton, is, all round, a capital one. A special feature is also provided by the presence of that delightful dancer, Miss Alice Lethbridge, who has been specially en- gaged.

GRAND THEATRE, CARDIFF. The boards of the Grand Theatre, Cardiff, will this week be occupied by a stirring melodrama. entitled Voices of London." The play is one of strong emotions and powerful dramatic situa- tions, and is one that is certain to attract big houses throughout the week.

THE LYCEUM, NEWPORT. The splendidly-appointed theatre of Mr Clarence Sounes will this week be occupied by- Mr W. S. Penley and his company in A Little Ray of Sunshine." Mr Penley, who is so weil known as Charley's Aunt," is in the front rank of actor-comedians, and as Gerard Lord Mark- ham he will have ample scope to demonstrate his splendid powers to Newport audiences. The piece has had a good run at the Royalty Theatre, London,where it has been played 200 times. Each evening A Little Ray of Sunshine" will be preceded by the one-act play In the Eyes cf, the World."

GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA. Mr John F. Preston's company appears this week in a. romantic drama, entitled Lady Godiva," which is founded on Tennyson's famous poem-'Playgoers are promised a very realistic pro- duction, with plenty of exciting incidents,

THE EMPIRES. CARDIFF, No less conspicuous a star than Miss Marie Loftus appears at the Cardiff Empire this week in her famous skit upon the evolution of the variety artiste. Another star is Charles Bignell, with the refrain of whose latest song all London is now ringing. Other turrts are by Levardos, Harry Wenburn, Kitty Esplett, the Glenroy Dancers, Labakan and Omar and the Riccobonos, with their famous educated horses. All round, the programme is a very strong one. SWANSEA, At Swansea also Mr Oswald Stoll has provided a splendid programme for his patrons. The three Albions and the Sisters Jessie and Georgina Preston top the bill, and turns will also be given by Baroni and Kemp, the Three Sisters Stater, Lydia Dudley, the Three Victorias, Miss Lillie Williams, and Fred Hallam. NEWPORT. There are some capital tnrns announced for the Newport Empire this week. The animated photographs are a special feature, representing Savage South Africa. The famous clowns, the Kroneman Brothers, from the Palace Theatre, will also appear, and a fine programme is completed by the inclusion of Hill and Hull, Fred Lincoln. Cordelly and Hersleb, Cora Caselli, fletty Collins, and the Three Delevantis.

A POOR GIRL'S SAD FATE. Emeline Buckle, a young domestic servant, employed at Charville road, West Kensington, where, according to her mistress, she gave entire satisfaction, drowned herself in the Thames at Barnes. On her dressing table in her mistress's house she had left the following pathetic letter, up- braiding a young man named Austin, an em- ployee of the Gas Light and Coke Company: Sept. 12, 1899. Tom,—When yon get this letter I shall be gone, never to see you again, so perhaps you will be satisfied. You have proved yourself simply heartless, after I begged of you to come and see me, to take no notice whatever of my letters, also to ruin my life, and then when you know of my intention not to say a word or pat out a hand to prevent me. It would have made a difference had you stood by me. I think if I were you I should leave girls alone, since ycu only intend to wreck their lives, and then cast them aside. You may be sorry some day that you did not prove yourself more worthy of the love I had for you. May God forgive me for what I am going to do. I cannot be made unhappy, whatever happens. The hardest of all is never to see my family again. Good-bye for ever.-Yours, E.B." Austin wa3 one of the witnesses, and the Coroner asked him to explain what this very pitiful letter meant, but his replies and denials threw no light on it Finally the jury declared their belief that Austin had not told the Court all he knew.

MONKEYS AND POCKET.PICKING. When the monkey house at th3 Crystal Palace was crowded with pjopie on Thursday one of the keepers remarked that several simians were taking great interest in the proceedings of four Oriental looking personages, and now and agÚn smiled and chattered to each other knowingly, indulging in movements that suggested they were picking each other's pockets. This caused attention to be directed to the actions of the quartette, and ultimately Detective-Sergeant Pike arrested them on a charge of purloining a watch which was found on one of them. The monkeys seemed quite crestfallen when their mentors were taken away, bnt 2onfcinued to artfully steal each other's nuts for the rest of the day. Thus are simple minds corrupted by ex- ample. The foar parsons arrested, who proved to be Russian Jews from Whitechnpcl, were brought before the Penge Bench and remanded in enstody for inquiries, It was stated that the monkey house was a favourite resort of pick- pockets on festivals, for visitors were, as a rule, so interested in the antics of the crtatare3 that they quite forgot to look after their jewellery. But the light-fingered should remember that the monkeys themselves are on the side of law and order.

"THE FUDGE-BOX." In the Fudge Friday night's Wescminster --that ie, in the space reserved for news coming in after the paper is in the press-the fol- owing singular juxtaposition of late items arrests attention The Central news learn3 that Cabinet considered that the resources of negotia- tion are not yet exhausted. Man.. 5.0.—Violence wou. The blank space left for fudge while the evening paper is being printed off is causod by the presence of an empty fudge-box. At one time there was no fudge-box, but types were fixed in with a good deal of trouble after the plates were in the press. The awkward or clumsy fixing of these types was, with etymological accuracy, called fudging." The technical language of the printing office is generally intelligent and even scholarly. The insertion naturally became the fudge. The fudge-box is a contrivance which permits the easy and expeditious insertion of the fudge, which therefore is no longer a real process of fudging. But the name survives, like the but tons at the back of a coat, to tell the fashion of the past.—" Daily Néws."

THE PRICE OF COAL. A large number of colliery proprietors in the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire districts on Saturday decided to advance the pricea of coal and slack from 6d to Is per ton, and as the demand is expected to be exceptionally great during the coming winter it is anticipated that further advances will take place. The miners throughout the districts are organising, and are demanding advances in wages, contend- ing that they are fully entitled to a good propor- tion of the extra money now being obtained.

THE WEARDALE PURCHASE. The Noi-thern Dail, Guardian announces that Sir C. Furness has finally completed the purchase of the Weardale Iron anu Goal f 'ompany's pro- perty. The capital of the company was 1500,000 fully paid up. The purchase price paid by Sir Christopher and others is 1750,000. The same journal states that it is Sir Christopher's intention, as soon as certain im- provements have been effected in the works, to offer the undertaking for public subscription, the capital to be fixed at one million and a quarter. The property purchased includes the ironworks at Spennymoor and thg whole of the collieries owned by the Weardale Company, ten in number, all of which are situate in the county of Durham.

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. SEPTEMBER 25tb. 1843-Sir Wood, Lord Mayor of Loc- don 1816-7, died, aged 75. 1845—Monster Repeal demonstration at Cashel. O'Connel made a long address in his usual style, and collected £ ^00 in name of rent, 1854—William Henry Bartlett, topographical artist, died, aged 45. I880-Lord Mountmarrss wa.s waylaid and shot near Cloobar, to Gal way. 1895—Daring ro'obsry of silver ingots, valued at £ 4,500, from a railway van outside St, Pancras Station.

A REMARKABLE FIND. A little girl of Wooburn, Bocks, has just found a gold watch in one of the fields of the neigh- bourhood of the railway station in that village. it has been identified by Mr Cnpps, of Mariow, as the one he lost some 16 years ago, while hnnt- ing in the locaJity. The watch had lost its face, but the works were almost intact. A gold chain that was attached has not been found. Mr Cripps is secretary to the Old Berkeley Hunt (West), and a keen sportsman.

BRIDGEND COUNTY SCHOOL. At a meeting of the Governors of the Bridgend Coanty School, Mr J. I. D. Nicholl in the chair, Mr Harry Lewis, solicitor, Bridgend, was At a meeting of the Governors of the Bridgend County School, Mr J. I. D. Nicholl in the chair, Mr Harry Lewis, solicitor, Bridgend, was appointed clerk to the Goyernors out of five applicants.

A Maid Mo'na," by loiweitl.. y.w.l Eisteddfod Prize Story, is uow appeal: in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly riews," the brightest and best weekly published ia fxiaci- ,RIib ¡,

SWANSEA. Trampled to Death.—A boy of 14 named David Davies has met with a shocking death at Waunarlwydd, near Swansea. He was employed at Waunarlwydd laha Farm, and was sent to fetch a horse that was out grazing. As he was catching the animal it made a rush at him, knocked him down, and trampled on his head, causing fracture of the skull and other severe injuries. Fire at Killay. -On Friday two thatched cot- tages at Killay, near Swansea, the property of Sir Robert Morris, caught fire, but owing to lack of water the flames could not be extinguished, and the cottages were burnt to the ground. The cause is said to be some sparks falling on the thatching.

BRIDGEND. County School.—At a meeting of the governors on Saturday Mr Harry Lewis, solicitor, Bridgend, was appointed successor of the late Mr William Cooke as clerk to the governors.

YST RAD- RHON DD A. Colliery Accident.—On Saturday Thomas Jones (16), Victoria-street, had his feet and back injured by a fall of roof in the BodriDgallt Colliery.

KID WELL. Y.« Home-coming.—A hearty reception was ac- corded Mr and Mrs Alfred Stephens on their return to Kidwelly on Friday after spending their honeymoon on the Continent. The railway station was prettily decorated, and the streets were quite gay with flags and garlands. The Llansaint Brass Band preceded the carriage, which was drawn by enthusiastic admirers of the young couple to their residence at Broomhill, and they were saluted on the way by the firing of detonators and guns. Speeches of welcome were made by Messrs Alderman Stephens, John Jones (chairman of the School Board), and T. Jones (Mountain School), and Mr Stephens ex- pressed the thanks of himself and Mrs Stephens.

THE VOLUNTEERS. COMPETITION AT BAGLAN RANGE. On Saturday afternoon the annual carbine com- petition of the Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 Companies of the 1st G.V.A. took place at Baglan, at 200 and 500 yards. The officers present were Captains Davy, Thompson, and Kernpthorne, Lieutenants Stone and Davies. The chief scores were :— Sergeant Best, 24 Bomb. Williams. 22 Gunner James Owen, 20; Gunner C. May, 19; Sergeant 15. Donovan, 18; Gunner E. Morgan, 18 I Armoury-Sergeant Thomas, 18.

SALE OF WELSH ESTATES. Messrs David Burnett ond Co., of London, held an important sale at Portmadoc of the estates of Mrs Bankes-Price at Llanbedr, Talsarnau, and Harlech, Merionethshire, on Thursday last, in 60 lots. All the lots were sold, realising a total of upwards of £ 35,000. Many of the holdings and smaller farms were acquired by the tenants, several of whom had been in occupation from father to son for over 200 years. _r.Jf.¡:

THE EARL OF DYSART'S ESTATES. The Earl of Dysart on Saturday took over the control of his extensive ecta-tes at Backminster and Ham, i" accordance with the provisions of the will of his grandfather that they should become the property of the present Earl 21 years after his grandfather's decease. On the dea-th of I th Ead the estates, which were iu a somewhat irregular condition, were vested in a body of the Dysart trustees, whose efforts have resulted in the property becoming of very great value. The Earl of Dysart is at present at Buckminster Hall, but the workmen on both estates observed Satur- day as a holiday.

BAZAAR AT PENARTH. On September 26th au.d 27tb, at the Drill Hall, Peuarth, a bazaar is to be held in connection with Cogan Church. It is to be opened on Tuesday, at 2.30, by Major-General Lee, and on Yv'ediies- day by Mia W. Shirley. There are 10 attractive stall, tents of mystery, gramophone, Mr Paul Draper's string band. Madame Mariska, from the Alexandra, Palace, London, will hold chiromaotic receptions throughout each day. Cafe chantant from 5 to 7 p.m. Mr'Alfred Capper will give his thought reading seances twice daiiy, at 4 ani 8 o'clock. Suppers will be provided at a moderate price at the cafe.

NEW YORK PRICES. (Renter's Tele,grll,ms.1 New York, Saiurday.—Stocks advanced early tc-day on the hope of a peaceful adjustment of the Transvaal affair, but later relapsed, then recovered on tha first reading of the Bank state- ment. Another reaction followed oa selling on the Transvaal affair, but later relapsed, then recovered on the first reading of the Bank state- ment. Another reaction followed on selling on fears of the continued depletion of cash necessitating further loan contractions. A. rally of a point in Brooklyn Rapid Transit and Sugar Trust checked the decline, but the closing was rather easy and near the lowest figures. Govern- ment Bonds were easier and Rsnlroad Bonds strong. Erie Geu&ial Lien advanced I; and Northern Preferred, f. Canada Southern, Delaware, Hudson, and Missouri Pacific declined New Jersey, 1 Quincy and New York Central, J North-Western Preferred, 2 Milwaukee Com- mon, Reading First Preference, and Union Pacific Preferred, Rock Island, M; and Lacka- wanna, 2%. Money easier. Sterling Exchange steady. Silver bars unchanged. Imports,-The merchandise into New York during the past week amounted in value to 10,333,517 dollars, including 2,079,522 dollars worth of dry goods. The weekly return of the New York Associated Banks shows the following aggregate changes compared with the previous return Loans discounts, 17,860,000 dollars decrease; specie, 1,270,000 dollars decrease; circulation, 80,000 dollars increase net deposits, 20,790,000 dollars decrease; legal tenders, 1,240,000 dollars decrease. Cotton—near months declined under local bear selling, but distant deliveries adyanced owing to local investment buying; bad crop advices had a sustaining effect, and the market closed firm spot quiet. Cotton oil steady—crude nominal; yellow, 27c. Petroleum—refined firm and unal- tered. Lard—cash steady at late rates. Wtioat declined on realisations and closed weak spot. sasy. Flour steady. Corn receded in sympathy declined on realisations and closed weak spot sasy. Flour steady. Com receded in sympathy with wheat and finished easy spot steady. Sugar closed barely steady. Coffee was depressed by disappointing cables, but closed steady spot dull. Tin steady without quotable change. Iron firm and unchanged. Copper auiet at late rates. by disappointing cables, but closed steady spot dull. Tin steady without quotable change. Iron firm and unchanged. Copper auiet at late rates. I Sept. 23 Sept. 22 e»U Money U.S. GOY, Beads 3 p.. 6 p.c. Eitto, other Securities 3 6 p.c. BSxeUangeonliondoB, SO days'sight f,.81-4 1:.81% Ditto, Cable Transfers 4 >:6 Exchange Paris, CD days' sight ["X 5.23% Exchange on licrlin o&ya 1 S4& FenrperCent. U.S. 02 313 Western Union Tolegraph 8h esi 63% 87ir. Atchison Topecfa, and S. Ft- ZOVs Do. Do. 4 p.c. Mor .11 102 De. Do, 5 p.c. Preferr.. 63% Salfciznore »ni O&o 5;% 5 Do. Do. S.W. 4 r. — — Canada Southern Shares 53 f;32 Canadian Pacific 2, 92 Central New Jersey ngji j20J.G Central Pacific Shares S 5&2 Chesapeake and Ohio CoinajDa. :7)4 Chesapeake and Ohio CoinajDa. Z7% 'j7} £ Chicago, Burlington and IZ1% ]32 Chicago aud North-Western 0 (i. ie8% 168^ Chicago and N-"Wcstem Prefe i-ivd 205 207 Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. P trJ i23 ] 28% Chicago and Rock Island 113^ IlH Cieverd. Cill., Ch, -Jc St. L. 0".1.. 55% 55f Hudson 123 1232 Delaware liaekawanna 187 199% Eenver ana Rio Grande Sha a. 21% 22 'erre Denver Preferred 7 75% Iiiinoi3 Central Shares 113113% bake Shore & Michigan So-it, i ii 202 202 Louisville and Naelmlle Sh ■ 79 79% Michigan Central Shares 12 Missouri Kan&as, aud Texas 12% 12 > £ Missouri Pacific 45% 43% Mew York.LakeErie.andNVe r A3>i 131/ Ditto, Wen 71 10y_ New ¥«rk Central and HudsoiU 135% 136« New Yoi'ii Ontario* Western 25% 25y, Norshern Pacific Common 53 53y, Northern Pacific Preferred 75>* 74% Nar'olk and Western Preferi- i 69% 69-% Pennsylvania and PkiladelpU u HSyi 65>i Philadelphia and Reading SU-j ?. 21*$21% piifladelpntatfcBeadingSpx.lsiT 58% 58% DO, do. 4p.c. VI 36l 87 UaionPacifac Shares 45 45% t Do. Preferred 76% 77% Wabash, St. Louis, and Pacitto 7 Hi 1% Wabaah St. Louis, etc. Pref.Srir; 22 nx Silver Bulhon 5%: 58%; COTTON AND MIODUOE KTS. Cotton, day*sreceipts atU.S.poris; 17.009 16,009 Cotton,day'sreceipt,satG-ulf p > 19.3M 17,009 Cotton,day's export to' G.Brio V 9,03) 18,003 Cotton,day's export to Contiu-y .i! 5,030 Cotton future Oct. delivery 6 29 6.24 Celtaii future Dec. delivery "j 6.42 S.38 Cotton middling upland N. Y i.k .l 6% <uYa cottonilliddling.e"'Orlc",i' 6?"4 6 Petroleum, reflned, in case-s. i 185 10.5 Petroleum,sta'dard WhiteN.Yorl,- ?, 3>0 8.80 Petroleum,st'awnlljePhlla.dJph;'t: 375 8.75 Petroleuro. Pipe Line Cart, 18 118 Spirits of Turpentine SOW 50*$ Lard, Wilcox's spot. 5^5 5.55 Tallow, Prime City j 5% 5 Sugar, fair reifningMoscovado 3% 3% Do. 96 p.c. Centrifugal j 4% Corn, Newrnixed, Western s i, 40% 40% Corn futures Sept 39 39% Do. Dec 36% 37% Spring Wheat, No. 1 spot 80% WJaeat»ied winter on the sp. 75% 75% Wheat delivery Sept 74 74!.E Wheat deli very Dec 76% 71% 5t\ 5ft Ceflee Bio No. 7 Low Ord. Oct 4.15 4.15 C»See ditto delivery Dee 4.45 4.45 Flour ex State Shipping 13rt: i I I 2.75 2.75 Iron, No. 2 Northern 1 21,50 21.50 Tin, Australian — 32.25 32.25 Copper 1850 Steel Bails 32 32 FreightG-rainLiverpoolsii-J'. ) 3 1 3d Freight Grain steamersLoa t ju. 3%d 3V4a f reight, Cotton to Liverp J^1 a->2 5-32 Wheat-, Chicago, Dec, delivery 72>a 72% C*rn,Chicago, Oct. delivery 31% 32/ £ miii ?,

PRIZE FIGHTING. THE COMBINATION AGAINST BIG PRIZES. Commenting on the prize fighting syndicate in course of being arranged in New York, the Daily Telegraph says The world outside the ropes finds it difficult aud repugnant to credit that sane men can taka such serious measures about the economics of fisticuffs. Bat there it is. This is not only an "industry" like any other, but a most popular and paying one. A vast public hall in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco can be more surely filled to witness Kid McCoy pound his man, or Pedlar Palmer, the invincible English light-weight, knocked out of time ill one round by a Yankee "png." than it would if Patti sang, or Paderewski played, or Henry Irving acted or lectured. Some years ago a well-known British poet, passing through a middle-sized town of the States, was approached by a local manager, who invited him to read from his works, saying, I can offer you 500 dollars for two nights, and that is more, Mister, than I could say to any other man living except John L. Sullivan." Mr Sullivan's lustre as a combatant has since suffered eclipse, but there are plenty of these bullet-headed and mutton-fisted cham- pions who think little of one or two thousand pounds sterling as the prize of their prowess, while the enormous public attendance and the heavy entrance price have made it possible, with a ays- tem of subscription, to furnish extravagant purses." It is against these that the seven managements of the City of New York have solemnly made their compact, and a grievous blow it will doubtless prove to many of the profes- sional gentlemen who have been living in clover upon the proceeds of the big fights. It may be thought, indeed, a precarious method of pursuing fortune, since a rattling I- chin-blow," or a swing into the ribs," may, and often does, bring low the champion and his speculative fortune together. Generally speaking, how- ever, the loser finds profit and solace somehow or other, and there is, indeed, a dark and sinister rumour current that the ring at New York will defeat the arrangements of the managers by a syndicate on their own account. What if they, or some of them, should secretly agree to sell a big fight or two ? Such things have been seen and known-there have been contests, it is whispcrad, where the defeated hero has been heard to murmur complacently, Well, I lost that fight-but I won my money." We ourselves know nothing of the truth or possibility of such doings, but the morality of the prize ring, even with its modern refinements and the Marquis of Queensberry's rules, is not held so spotless that a counter-combination of the kind mentioned should seem absolutely out of the question. Obviously a good dapl of interest would depert from the stricken field if, instead of the some- times xeally sincere and thrilling combats of the days of the great purses, the disgusted public be- held their favourites playing the coon in dis- dain of the diminished prizes, and quietly arrang- ing between themselves, with a keen eye to the current odds, which man was to be victor and which was to be knocked out quietly and pleasantly.

N.C.U. CHAMPIONSHIPS. Nearly 3,000 people assembled at Palmer Park on Saturday to witness this meeting, which proved a success in every way. The two open champion- ships were decided. Results:—Two Miles Tandem Amateur Championship.—Final—1, A. S. Ingram and R Jansou, Polytechnic C.C. 2, H. W. Payne, West Roads C.C., and J. E. Wells, Putney A.C.; 3, E. Nicholis and C. E. Jenkins, CLLrdiff time, 5min. 4 1-5sec. Fifty Miles Amateur Championship.—1, J P. Payne, West Roads C.C. 2, J. E. Harter, Polytechnic C.C. 3. G. W. Bishop, Thames Ironworks C.C. Won by a mile and a half haif a mile dividing second and third. Time, 2h. 3min. 36 4-5sac.

A LADY'S TOUR ROUND THE WORLD Miss L. L. M. Coote, who had intended start- ing on her cycling tour round the world on Tues- day, has postponed her departure for five or six weeks.

QUOITS. WEST WALES LEAGUE. PRESENTATION OF THE SHIELD BY SIR JOHN LLEWELYN, BART., M.P. An exhibition game of quoits was played at the Merriston United Quoit ground on Saturday, between the Morristou United team (winners of the West Wales Challenge Shield) and picked players of the West Wales Quoit League. The score was as follows :—Morriston United, 94 League, 101. The game Wlkl drawn, darkness setting in and preventing play. During the progress of the game Sir John T. D Llesvelyn. Bart., M.P., presented the challenge shield to the winners, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his presence and his gift of the shield. In the evening a smoker was held, and the president of the West Wales League (Mr David Davies, Swansea) presented the players of the Morriston United Club with a gold medal each on behalf of the League Committee.

GLAMORGAN GOLF CLUB. AUTUMN MEETING. The second autumn meeting of the Glamorgan- shire Golf Club was held at Penarth on Friday and Saturday. In the first event, singles bogey, Mr J, Pitchford !12) was first with a return of one up. Mr A. M. Ingledew (7) and Mr K. R. Marley (11) tied for the second place, their scores being one down. in the medal siugles the returns were first Captain Schuyler, 3-15: 78 and eoual seconds Mr W. H. M Tucker, 90 S-81. and Mr E. Nicholl 95-15=81. In the medal singles on Saturday the first two returns were Mr J. Pitchford, 96-16=80, and Mr W. S Vivian 90-8=82. la event four the first return was made by Messrs W. Pvman and K. R- Marley (12). one down. The Gottwaltz Bowl for the best net score was won by Mr J. Pitchford. The weather was stormy and made good play difficult. The weather was stormy and made good play difficult.

NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY. Early this wtek a letter signed by the Mar- quis of Tweeddale and Sir Charles Tennant, Ban., iato chairniau nd deputy-chairman of the North British Railway, will deal with some of the statements in the report of the company and the circumstances of Mr Conasher'a dismissal. At next Thursday's meeting a demand will be made for an inquiry into the circumstances attending Mr Conacher's dismissal and other matters.

SUICIDE OF MRS CARNEGIE'S AUNT. New York, Saturday Morning.—Mrs Mary Bridgens, the aunt of Mrs Carnegie, committed suicide yesterday by drowning. She male an attempt upon her life on Tuesday last by taking poison, but remedies were applied, and she then recovered-—Central News.

I COMMERCIAL FAILURES. According to Kemp's Mercantile Gazette the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ended Scpttember 23rd was 74. The number in the corresponding week oof last year was 90, showing a decrease of 16, being a net decreast: in 1899, to date, of 120.

Best Cbbameby Buttbb is only a Shilling a at an th&Direct CG.'a BiwciMW. j

THE TRANSVAAL CRISIS. TO THE EDITOR. Si.r,-Among the letters which have appeared in the South Wales Daily News upon this subject, I consider that in your Saturday's issue, signed J. Rowlands," to be the most misleading and crude. "Fairplay is a jewel," and I should like to submit a few notes on tha Boer side to Mr Rowlands' consideration. He makes a good deal of Mr Kramer's supposed ignorance, and volun- teers to give him some advice as to his conduct. Now, let us examine this statement in as few words as possible. Mr Kruger is a Boer of the Boers, has no book-learning, but has what no one else possesses-vast experience and know- ledge of the Boers, in addition to great natural gifts. Mr Kruger is assisted in all delicate mat- ters by two gentlemen to whom no exception can be taken, namely, Messrs Reitz and Smuts, as State Secr etary and Attorney-General respec- tively. These gentlemen will compare favourably with the members of any British or American Administration, and may safely ba trusted to guide the destinies of the South African Re- public. Mr Rowlands also makes a somewhat uncalled-for allusion to the protection offered to the Transvaal by Great Britain. President Kruger and the Boers do not require this protec- tion and have repudiated it, as also the greater life mentioned by Mr Rowlands. However, to come to the point, it cannot be too oftaa im- pressed upon the British people that the only possible and sound line of settlement is that pro- posed by Sir Wm. Harcourt. That is right and statesmanlike, and should by all means be adopted, less the language proposal. To understand the language question, it is necessary to remember that the Trans- vaal is a Dutch Republic founded by Dutchmen, and Dutch is the official language. Therefore the new members admitted to the Volksraad must speak Dutch. Englishmen should understand that though the English lan- guage and political institutions are excellent Dutchmen neverthelesss prefer their own, and that in the Transvaal the Uitlanders, being aliens, must accept such conditions as the Presi- dent and Volksraad can,having due regard to their own-so,fety, grant them. These privileges- viz., a five years' franchise and a vote for the Presi- dent—are now offered in exchange for a suzer- ainty which England since 1884 has renounced. The independence of the Boers and the position of their language have been bought at a price which renders it impossible for them to endure British and Uitlander pretensions. The history of the Boers from the Great Trek is one long record of British oppression and meddlesome- neSê. Natal belongs to the Boers by international law, for it was ceded to them by the Zulu chief Dingaan, and President Kruger now holds the deed of cession, for which Pieter Retrif and 40 companions gave their lives. We have seen maay extravagant eulogies upon Mr Gladstone, Mr Chamberlain, Lord Derby, and Lord Carnarvon in connection with South Africa, but let the public read the lives of the men who will be remembered among Afrikanders in the colony long after these have been forgotten—namely, P. Retrif, Andries and M. W. Pritorius, and Paul Kruger, of their journeys into the wilderness in search of a home, of the massacre at Weenan, and the battles with Mosilikutze and Dingaan. When these circumstances are borne in mind, and when it is known that the Dutch population forms the permanent and reliable element in the country, can it be wondered at that the Boer is determined to stick to President Paul liruger and the Volksraad, come what will ? It is to be hoped that all Englishmen will see the absolute fairness bf Sir Wm. Harcourt's observations on Mr Kruger's terms, and that by adopting them the British -Government will avoid a rupture, the consequences of which the All-knowing alone can tores-.e.-I am, &c,, PLATT-DEUTSCH,

THE LATE CARDIFF REGATTA. TO THE EDITOB. Sir,—Will you please allow me a small space in your valuable paper in justice to myself as owner of the pilot cutter Marguerite, to show the public some of the facts concerning my sails7 My racing sails had been laying by for two years, and as the Racing Committee restricts the open race to working sails they were practically useless to me. So I had to cut tham to make working sails of them. I used them after for three months for working in 1898, and I am prepared to prove it. This summer I did not work them, having two other suits of sails, and having taken on a young apprentice who had only been in the service seven months before he came with me. I won the race, and afterwards four of the 10 boats lodged a protest against me I as regards my 8ails--Elsie J. (W. Jenkins), Cymro (J. Clare), Irene (T. Thomas), and Vic- toria (C. Dalton). The other five boats did not do so. Now I have been disqualified for not having my sails bent for two months before the race, a rule which was inserted in a programme sent on board my boat one hour before the race. Therefore I did not set: it. I paid my entrance money accoiding to what was published on the posters all over the town, no such restrictions being, on them. Had I known it as soon as it was passed on board my boat it would not have given me sufficient time to change my sails and spars that I had worked for the last two months. It is here that the inj cist-ice to me comes in; also in giving of the first prize to the second boat Elsie J. Others had borrowed sails; then why dis- qualify one more than another ? Hoping this statement will give the public a clearer under- Standing of how the race was managed,—I am, &c., F. TiiOTT, Owner of Marguerite. --=-

INTERNATIONAL WATER POLO. TO-NIGHT'S CONTEST AT PENARTH, Great interest is being evinced locally in to- night's water polo match at Peuarth Baths, when representative teams of Scotland and Wales will contest for supremacy. The Scottish team will turn out as selected, with the exception that Johnstone Edwards is replaced in the forwards by Stirling, of the Polokshields Baths. This alteration, Scottish critics aver, will tend to strengthen the side, which has the reputation of being a very fast one, especially in the front rank. On the Welsh side Rowan, who was a failure when opposing England at Warrington recently, is substituted among the backs by D. A. Suther- land, of Swansea. The match will no doubt be keenly contested, as both sides will strive their utmost to attain victory. Two previous matches have taken place between the countries. The first, played at Newport in 1897, resulted in a victory for Scotland by 3 goals to 2, while last year's game at Aberdeen was left drawnt neither side being able to score. The teams are Scotland—Gotd, F Marshall (Warrender, cap- tain) backs, W. C. S. Taylor (Western Baths), J Martin (Northern), and L. McKenzie (Edin- burgh Hibernians); forwards, W. L. Russell (Western), W. Dick (Belmoat), and Stirling (Pololrshields Baths). Viales-Goal, G. C. Lane (Newport, captain) backs, J. Herbert (Newport), P. C. Lee (Penarth). and D. A. Sutherland (Swansea) forwards, W. Doherty (Swanseaj, J. Wallace (Penarth), and E. A. Fry (Penartb).

RECORD BREAKING BY ELKES. New York, Sunday.—In a 50 miles motor-paced race at Philadelphia Elkes defeated three com- petitors m 84min. 31 3..5see., breaking all records from 20 to 50 miles.—Renter.

.o8iI;ôIL"'Jn SWIMMING. 500 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP. The 500 yards swimming championship of England was decide^ at the Victoria Baths, Nottingham, on Saturday, in the presence of a large gathering of spectators. There were four entries, viz. :—Lane (East Sydney S.C.), Jarvis (Leicester), Lister (Manchester), Osborne Gilbert (Walsall). The Australian wired from Blackpool that he was unable to travel owing to a cold, and the boy champion was also debarred from com- peting by a similar indisposition. The race resulted in an easy victory for Jarvis, who covered the distance in 6min. 5isec.

ROATH HARRIERS. I The annual general meeting of the RoaSh fCardiff) Harriers was held on Friday evening at "le Hoyai Oak Hotel, Roath, Mr W. Fairlamb presiding. The balance-sheet having been sub- mitted and adopted, the following officials were elected far the coming season :-President, Lord Tredegar vice-presidents, Messrs W. Fairlamb, W. R. G. M. Gerhold, R. R. White, C. H. Bird, and J. H. Hallett captain, George P. Elliott; vice-captains, T. W. White and E. R. Thomas hon. sec. and treasurer, B. H. Townley Johnson, 175, Castle-road, Cardiff assistant hon. sec., E. S. Farthing handicapper, R. H. T. Johnson committee, C. P. Hgiley, R. Ambrose, R. J. Leyshon, and R. Stowe representatives on W.C.C.A., C. P. Hailey and G. P. Elliott; hon. auditor, A. H. Williams

HAMMER- i HKO WING RECORD BROKEN. New York, Sunday.-Flansgau twice broke the hammer-throwing record yesterday, covering 166ft. 9in. and 167ft. 8in.-Reater.

The idiosyncrasies of certain prominent pro- feaaiona-ls in or about the ring a.nd paddock are amusing. There is actually one of the Americans who neither smoke?, chews, nor uses even the smallest swear word. Sloan takes his champagne or whisky-and-soda, and gets behind an enormous cigar just as often as he pleases. Aburriedwhiff of a cigarette is about the extremity of Morny Gannon's indulgence while out. Tom Loates has heen known in very hot weather to get his valet I tobring him a claret and soda. Martin (the American) must be continually smoking or chew- Î:}g, but he is an extremely temperate man. Owing to the continued prevalence of fever in 1itac Bedford Lodge training establishment, New- market, Nouvoau lliclie, Hadrian, Ruritana, Manston, St. Gall, and Ormskirk were despatched to Sksgness for a change of air, in the hope of 1 tfcew EQOnd for autumn liabilities.

FOOTBALL. I NOTES ON THE GAME. (BY OLD STAGER.") It is many years since the football season in South Wales and Monmouthshire has opened so tamely a this. Seldom has the concluding prac- tices of our chief clubs caused such little interest, and we have had none of usually surprising rumours as to the migration to the North Coun- tree of our principal players. Probably the main reason for the seeming indifference is the long summer we have had and the arrival of the leading winter pastime season before there was sny sign of the breaking of the mild weather. Saturday however proved that there is no general decline in the popularity of the game, and at Cardiff, where there was a powerful counter-attraction in the shape of the best local athletic gathsring of 1899. a large crowd assembled to witness the match against Penarth. Big attendances are reported from most of the other centres, and the compara- tively few spectators at Stradey Park and Neath may fairly be attributed to the knowledge that serious contests were not meditated. Though the weather has changed and is now seasonable enough, it is likely that the absence of enthusiasm at the opening of this season will have a potent influence on our legislators in inducing them to curtail the length of the time in which matches may now be played. The first Saturday in October would be an appropriate date for opening gamea, and the season should be closed with the Saturday following Easter Mon- day, so allowing ample opportunity for the wind- ing up bouts. At present our players seem to bo developing a custom to do practically no training preliminary to the earlier games of the season, with the result that disaster is courted by clubs having men who, if in condition, would be bound to excel. Some justification for this attitude is that owing to the heavy list of matches men trained finely at the opening are likely to stale at a time when probably the hardest games are immediately before them. Newport Club has long appreciated this point, and their season is the latest to stirt in Wales, while they invariably conclude their programme with an Easter Monday match. If the huge scores compiled by Swansea in the two first matches of the season are any cri- terion for future prospects, the Abertawe men have a brilliant season before them; but it should not be forgotten that their opponents have been second class, and one needs to wait until the St. Helen's men meet more doughty op- ponents before doing moie than suggesting that the club will lead the way again this year. They have all their backs available, and as to forwards -well. they are quite up to last season's form. There will be three changes in the front rank— Jackson (who has done yeoinau service for his team;, Fuller, atid Livingstone Davies have dropped out, and Arthur Jones and W. Joseph (late of Morriston) are almost sure of two of the vacancies. The third place so far rests between A. Smith and E. Morgan, two very good, hard- working forwards, and it is intended to give them a few chances before finally deciding. Referring to the match with Bridgend, it only deserves a passing notice. It was a most one- sided game, entirely in favour of Swan- sea, without scarcely a, redeeming fsature to be noticed for the visitors except it be that among their forwards a few showed a bold front. So rapidly was the score put on that many of the spectators left the field- in fact, after the first 10 minutes' play victory was assured for the St. Helen's men. and that with ease. The home three-quarters and halves are in capital fettle, yet they will have to get rid I of some slovenly passing before they meet the cream of Welsh teams. Perhaps finding they had their opponents at their mercy, they were net over-particular to play in first-class form, and thought more of individual scoring than passing out to their confreres. It was a dull, uninteresting game, and football at St. Helen's will have to reach a higher standard to attract the huge crowds which visited the field last season. The one-sideness of Saturday s game made it really uninteresting. It would be hardly fair to judge of the way that the Newoort team will shape wbenjit gets into the thick of the fight by the form wliieh was dis- played on Saturday. Although the club managed to beat the representatives of the District by 32 points to 3, the score does not give a correct indi- cation of the play, for the District forwards played a rattling game, especially in the opening stages of the match, and for the first 20 minutes they fairly beat their opponents, but iu the end superior generalship and combination told their tale-hence the big score. Some of the Uskside forward6 were somewhat off-colour, and did not display much of the dash and science which char- acterised their play in many matches last season, and on the day's form A. G. Brown, of Tredegar, who, by-the-bye, played for Newport on more than one occasion last season, and G. Pritchard showed up better than some of their opponents. As indicated in the remarks on Saturday's game, both the custodians made a good show, and the Newport committee might do very much worse than give R. Jones, of Blaina, a trial on Saturday next. Jones has a good length, fields cleanly, and is quick and cool, and appears to have in him the making of an excellent full-back. The new three-quarters, Pritchard Williams, and D. P. Jones, made a decent show, they evi- dently understand each other's play, and com- bine weil together, but of course they are not up to first-class yet. H. G. Alexander has opened well. One of his tries on Saturday was a beauty. He came up at a swinging pace, took the ball with one hand without appearing to slacken speed, and scored with ease. Lloyd and L. A. Phillips easily outshone their oppouents. D. T. Alexander did one or two smart things, but did not appear to be quite at home. I After passing through vicissitudes which would have daunted less enthusiastic footballers, Peuarth Club shewed at Cardiff that it has the nucleus of a team which ought in the course of a few months to rank with the side the Seasiders" used to pd into the field in the long ago. There was no Garrett or Morgan in the fifteen, but the average standard reached was fairly high, much higher than has been the case for quite a number of seasons. A gratifying feature, too, was the fact that the players are much younger than the majority of those who have representsd the club in the past, and whose continuance in harness after they had passed their prime was one of the causes to which may be attributed the sudden collapse in form. To judge sole! v from the final scores onewoutda,saume that the match had been a runaway affair for Cardiff. Four goals three tries to a solitary try certainly bespeaks such conclnsbn. But final scores are often deceptive, and in the ma.tch under review no one who saw the game could fail to be impressed bv the pluckiness of the much lighter Penarthians, the resourcefulness of manv of them and the promise of the side to win a way to the front if luck favours the club in retaining the services of tl'e bulk of them. Their forwards did sound work throughout against heavy odds, and though these odds were voluntarily increased by their captain's questionable policy in the second half they 1<moiisr.rated that they had entered the contest well ;;renared for a hard light. That it was not as stiff in the scrummages as was to be expected was due in gceat measure to the unpreparedness of several of the Cardiffians, who have not yet got into condition. gre:1t measure to the unpreparedness of several of the Cardiffians, who have not yet got into condition. I Of the bunch Kirbv and Stranaghan struck rue as the pick for all-round usefulness, but though outside the former there was no one worth considering at the present time as a really clever forward. The eight as a pack worked well, and actually shone in comparison to their individually superior opponents. In fact, at an early stage the home backs' superior resourcefulness and extra, speed, and naturally greater combination, were apparent, and it was to these causes alone that the heavy scoring was due. Two u nou three, of the tries were of such a character that the best defence might have been beaten. Among th. visiting backs two stood in relief- ln Wood ie Duncan. Both were often clever in ^ttock aud both were sound in defencc. Woodfield, who has played for Coventry and at Dcvonpor^, is a decided acquisition to Penarth, but Duncan umortuna -ely is only available for a match or two, as he is going to Oxford. Vaughan in the cenibre was^Sood, and watched Ivor Jones well, and the^only man behind the forwards who looked unlikely to develop into a footballer was Dowdeswell. foi whom Peuarth mipht well substitute Yeld, if what is said as to the ability of that youngster be trae. All the Cardiff backs caltic into prominence, ana while none of the old hands seems to have lost his cunning Wins eld and Ivor Jones gave satisfaction, and the dropped goal by Jones was more cleverly brought about tha,u the one he gained the previous week. The outstanding man amol the batch, however, was rHughes, who made one again wish there was just a bit more of him. Every one of th"m did something meritorious, and the number of mistakes wexe unusually few even for a much more advanced period of the season. There was amole raa.son for disappointment at the I mediocre display by the home forwards. They did not pack well, thay failed to last as did Penarth, and they did not get a complete mastery over the ball m the scrummages when their opponents were a, man short. Last week I called the Cardiff team as selected then an experimental one. Unless the scrummage- improve rapidly the experimental stage is likely to be contiuued. Coming off the he I was told that the home were practising under the tuition ot the veteran W. Phillips.. Tnan Phillips 1 know^ tactician in, iu— scrummage w°rK. » afraid 01 is that he has few apt pupi's ■ ™ere t some man who will not be taught. Next Saturday. Peuarth■ has agreed to help on K ass of the relative torm 01 players. The stronc wind that prevailed at Mountain Ash on Saturday had a very prejudicial effect on the ula>y in the match between the nomesters and Crumlin. The game, however, yvas fairly inter- esting, and not a few meritorious bits of play were witnessed. Crumlin, in spite of the slight reverse they met at Mountain Ash, look like coming very prominently to the front this year. Their display on Saturday was most promising on the whole, ttud oue is bound to admit that a draw would have been a more satisfactory issue to the game. Captain Gower has an excellent set of forwards around him, while the ba.cks with a little more I cohesion and better understaudin, should. prove a very effective combination. Mountain Ash among other things will have to insist upon better training, especially among the forwards, if they are to sustain the good repute cf the club this year. On Saturday the Crumlin pack proved far superior to them in the second half- The home three-quarters gave a good aceount d themselves, and it was very refreshing to the crowd to witness several really smart bouts 01 passing bv them. The Deeres are in excellent :Drm, while Ivor Morgan, who is getting very difficult to hold, is going as well as ever, as i,Lvo is Erarys Griffith- The uew halves d'd 0 I fairly well, but in this department Mountain Ash waits apparently in vain for the arrival of a second Phillips. The two custodians, notably Boots, played a very soend game-6, remark alftt. applicable to the Crumlin backs en bloc, whose defence was very fine all through the game. The play of the Llanelly team on Saturday is not, it is to be hoped, an indication of their form later in the season. No one dreamt, however, how badly the team would play a proper match or that Carmarthen would have a look in at all, for the simple reason that football has not been popular in the county town. In fact no team represent- ing Carmarthen has appeared on first-class fixture cards for many seasons past. About a dozen years ago at least Carmarthen possessed a very fine team, and they could then defeat a representative team from the tinplate town. This was when Charlie Arthur, of Cardiff, was captain of the Carmarthen team and introduced the passing game, in which they attained a fair degree of perfection. The captain, D. J. Davies, has infused a great deal of enthusiasm into the players, and he possesses a team this season which is superior to that which has played for Carmar- then for a long time. The forwards are a particu- larly good lot. The strongest and bbst among them is Trevor John, who pliys a hard and clever game. Their half-backs were very weak, while in the third line they were fairly strong. Alcwyn Jones, of AmmiLnford1 as centre, put in a lot of smart work. He has a rare turn of speed, and would no doubt be an acquisition to the Llanelly team. Llanelly is a good deal nearer Ammanford than Carmarthen, and the transference of Alewyn .Jones to the Scarlet third line is not improbable. The Carmarthen full back was not to be relied upon. In regard to the form displayed by the Llanelly team it was disappointing. As full back Bob Richards came off well. He never failed to put in his return kick, and when he had the opport' nity of collaring he did so, and no mistaking it. Morgan Williams was the star of the quartette. He has opened the season well by appearing before his men in the pink of condi- tion, and if he keep} it up the others will no doubt follow his good example. Evan Lloyd was also in fairly good condition, and played a good game, except for being selfish on one or two occa- sious. The brothers Ayres hardly had a chance, and while Tom Ayres did moderately well at centre, his brother Joe was hardly smart enough on the wing. Ben Davies is in better training this season than he was at the beginning of the last. Dick Francis did the donkey work in a creditable manner. The forwards were com- pletely out of form. They did not pack well, t they did not follow up us they ought to, and their collaring was weak. They were hardly better than the Carmarthen pack, which fact speaks for itself. The game between Neath and Swansea League does not call for much comment. The play was ragged from start to finish, and there were few of those bouts of passing which 90 delight the eye. Captain Davies had much difficulty in getting a team together, and the representatives of the League were much inconvenienced. The reason is this. Some of the members of the club have a grievance, and they, being the antithesis of sportsmen, tried to wreck the club at the start. But they failed, for a fifteen was got together, and victory by 21 points to nil was achieved. The Neath committee would be well advised in drop- ping the malcontents altogether, for there M plenty of promising talent among the surround- ing local clubs. As I have intimated the game needs little discussion, as the score indicates. Neath were the better all round, and were it not for the sterling game played by little Arnold, of Morriston, the score against the League must have been greater. Llwyuypia have played their third match this season, and as confidently expected registered another victory. The game was distinctly in advance of the expositions of the previous Thurs- I day and Saturday, but left a great deal to be de- sired. The Abertillery team was a surprise packet to the homesters, who, perhaps, after de- feating the Rest of League, were a little over-con- fident, and the first half was far advanced before they found out that they had foemen worthy of their steel. In fact, it was only when Laing's well-earned try was converted, thus placing the visitors two points ahead, that they began to warm to their work. Thenceforward they showed a better conception of the game than their anta- gonists. This was palpably evident forward, where Bob Jones, A. F. Harding, and Rhys Jen- kins continually shone. The first-named played >' a remarkably good game, his splendid physique serving him in good stead, especially in the line oui, when he broke through the defence and 80 cleverly put Jenkins in the way of scoring. At half-back lay the homesters' weakness- Wynd. ham Jones, on the day's form, cannot on any account be praised, being too well watched by Gomer Jones. His passes to the outside half, Stephens, were oftentimes very erratic, and on several occasions Gomer Jones completely beat him. If Saturday's be his true half-back form, then the sooner he be sent back to the centre the better. In the latter position he distinguished himself in Rest of League match. On the other hand, his confrere, Stephens, liierits nothing ^but eulogy. The opportunities when he handled the bali from Jones were made the most of, and ground was invariably gained on these occasions. Particularly well-merited was Bowen's try, due solely to an individuali. effort by Stephens. Eluding both Jones and Evans, he traversed a considerable portion of ground, and when confronted by Parsons he very unselfishly transferred to Bowen when he had a i very good chance of scoring himself. Saundera pla.yed a sound, safe game, his lengthy kicking gaining immense slices of gronnd, and on nearly 'j every occasion finding touch. Of the quartette Llewellyn showed glimpses of his true form, and' were there a better centre feeding him the soore would have been undoubtedly greater. Abertillery deserve all praise for the spirited display they made. The forwards packed, .< dribbled, and wheeled well, and their defence was particularly sound. Parsons was not up to Saunders by a long way, or the home forwards would not have showed to such advantage in the closing stages. Goomer Jones at half played a capital game, and outshone both Jones and Evans, though the palm must be given to Stephens. Brimble and Flook played well, but i were lacking in attacking powers, their defence was however above reproach. Laing was the pick of the visiting forwards, and closely following him in merit was P. George. In the League encounter at Treherbert the referee bad evidently been talking to both teams about rigidly enforcing the rules re playing the ball, and it must be confessed that the result was far from being a success, judging by the game, for fully three-parts of the match were nothing but a sheer scramble. Quite three-quarter time had arrived before the homesters seemed to realise that they hadn't scored, but when Han- bui, V broke the ice by dashing under the posts with a neat try everything went all right from a home point of view, two other tries being notched in quick succession, and al were real good tries. But this doss not take away the fact that the homesters at times played like a lot of school- boys, and it bahoves them to set their house in ordei before the serious business of the season commences, and both sides would do well to learn as quickly as possible a better way of playing the game under the new regime. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, the home pack being slightly j better at heeling. The most prominent on either t, side were Jenkins, Morgans, and Thomas for the homesters, and Jack Davies and Mustoe fori the visitors.. At half there was no comparison, d the home pair being streets ahead of their oppo- 1 nents, who oniy possess a very crude idea of the proper way to play half-back. The home qnar- tette started very badiy by frequently knoeking on when the line was at their mercy, bnt to some extent they made amends before the game was finished. Hitchings and Hanbury on the left wing were rather the better pair, but not so very much, and the four have plenty of roonit to improve in combination. The visitors had a fairly speedy quartette, but never once during the afternoon did they try a bout of passing they simplv laid themselves out to try and spoil their opponents doing so. Dan Rees was much tha better back, his vis-a-vis being prone when hard pressed to ny-kick, a most dangerous fault for one in his position. Iu the Pontypridd v, Whitchurch match the, homesters occasionally gave indications of having the making of a strong team, but before they can aspire to League championship honourf, their third line will have to be remodelled. If' was forward that Pontypridd held the g;reatest: advantage. McKenzie, the captain, set his men a good exaiupfe, which the pack endeavoured to emulate. They followed up well, and showed an improvement sn heeling out. The pick were McKenzie, Miller, McGmre, and Warlow. Though Whitchurch were conquered, they were no disgraced. From the start to the final toot of the whistle they stuck to their uphill fight with Rrea-t pluck. Their forwards were hardly good enough for the homesters, though at half they held their own. The three-quarters had a lot of defensive work to :do, and they did it welt- At back the captain, Rowlands, played a great' game, his long kicks being a feature of his play. Llewellyn and Evans were the pick of the thre&' quarters, and Amos, Boyer, and Rudman of the- forsvards. Treorky opened their season in a vary auspiø cions manner, defeating a rather good district team from Pontypridd by 21 points to nil. Grangetown should have been the opponents, and they also appeared. There was some mis, understanding, but according to communication received the Cardiff team had cancelled the game, and no blame attached to the Treorky Becreta.ry- The game uuder notice was fairly interesting for a. start- There ws a splendid crowd, and intense enthusiasm was ceutred in the appearanca of the brothers Muxworthy, who had a good re- ception. Both played a, champion game, and their inclusion will materially improve the backs. Sam Muxwdrtby, n. C. Davies, S. Jones, J. Vaughan, and Tom John scored, while the captain also dropped a. goal. The team played well together, and will surely make matterr lively with alittle improve merit in the front rank. Next Saturday Llwyuypia will be met on thc. Treorky enclosure. In the game againat ri1 Pontymoile ha4 their combination knocked Lstroud by tha aboencc of three three-quarters, but ,th<i excellence ot their forward play, combined with the usefulness of Taylor and Prothero at half-back, did h great deal towards making up the deficiency, Roath were but poorly served at half-back, and therefore their three-quarters hd but littlt opportunity to show their but, neverthe- less, their defence was too sound for the home- kiters to get through. On the whole the game wa* a great improvement on that with Cardiff Romilly. Cwmbran, the runners-up in the Monmouth- shire League for last season, oatplayed Aber- gavenny in their initial game, their baoka butW