The Merthyr Express

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Merihyr Spiritualists' New Hall. The Merthyr Spiritualist Society has for a long period hold its meetings at different rooms in the town for want of a suitable place of its own; but this deficiency has at length been met and the members have provided themselves with a spacious and comfortably new hall on Tramroadside North, at the rear of the Mor- lais Castle. The building is constructed of cor- rugated iron upon stone foundations, and lined with match-boarding stained and varnished. It is well lighted on three sides, heated by a cen- tral stove, lighted by electricity, and has satis- factory arrangements for ventilation. There is a side room, or vestry, with stairs therefrom leading down to a store .room in the basement, and communicating with a lavatory. The new halJ provides comfortable seating for from 200 to 230 persons, and is very well adapted for the conduct of services or for the holding of en- tertainments. The side room, or vestry, will be available for seances, if that may be found desirable. The opening services were held on Sunday week last when, we are informed, there were large congregations, and some remarkable clairvoyant phenomena were obtained. Last Sunday was to have been a great day with the Society, as arrangements had been made for a visit, by Archdeacon Colley, Rector of Stockton, in Warwickshire, who has publish- ed a number of details of extraordinary per- sonal experiences in occult phenomena. The Archdeacon, it will be remembered, had a fam- ous action against Maskelyne, the well-known exponent of sleight of hand, over an offer to pay £ 1,000 if the conjuror could produce the phenomena described by the Archdeacon. The Archdeacon won his case. He was to have con- ducted the Sunday services, and to have lectured on Monday night upon "Psychic Science," with a number of slides of spiritualistic photographs to illustrate the same. Unfortunately for all concerned, during the week the Archdeacon was prostrated by an attack of appendicitis, from which he was not sufficiently recovered to travel on Saturday, and the result was a great disappointment to tha Merthyr Spiritu- alists and some others who attended on Monday night in anticipation of hearing and seeing something new to them in connection with this subject. Mr. H. W Southey, who had promised to preside, Bad to explain the circumstances under which the lecture could not be given. and Professor Timson, of Leicester, who had conducted the service on Sunday, afterwards gave a lecture on phrenology and the relations of the brain and nervous system to certain oc- cult phenomena-illustrated by a number of lantern views. He also submitted for inspec- tion about twenty photographs belonging to Archdeacon Colley, purporting to be the pho- tos of spiritual personalities. He read also a remarkable letter, of which the original is in the Archdeacon's possession, from Mr. Maske- lyne himself, in which the great conjuror stated that his own performances in imitation of spirit- ualistic phenomena were tricks up to a certain point, but beyond that there was something in them which went beyond his comprehension and control. The spectators thought it was all trick-but he (Mr. Maskelyne) know better. At the close the Chairman expressed a hope that the Archdeacon would experience a. perfect recovery from his illness, and soon be able to fulfil his engagement. Psychic science, in his opinion had long passed the phase of a subject for ridicule, though there were still a vast num- ber of persons who sniffed at it as matter un- worthy of a moment's attention. But that at- titude was being forced to the ground by the earnest and serious investigations made and still being carried on by gentlemen of the highest scientific attainments in Europe and America. Dr. Hewitt, a well-known French investigator, in his work on the subject, re- marked that there was nothing So tremendous as a fact. It was indestructible. There were facts, said the Chairman, beyond estimation attesting to the existence of a force, and an in- telligence directing the force, beyond anything that present physical science could account for. They could not be got rid of by denial. The question was whether they were of such a na- ture as to be worthy of any amount of investi- gation upon critical scientific lines in order to ascertain their real origin and meaning. He thought they were, and that any serious, in- telligent, and sustained efforts to discover the truth were worthy of all. encouragement. Physical science was making new discoveries every day—some of them of so sensational a character, such as wireless television, that he hardly thought that the marvels of spiritualis- tic phenomena could be much more incredible when properly attested. Besides that they contained the kernel of the supreme question for every human being—whether there was a life beyond the present, and whether there was a survival of human personality after the death of the body Votes of thanks to the lecturer and the chairman closed the proceedings. I

DR. WALTERS ACOUITTED. MURDER CHARGE AT THE ASSIZES FAILS. SECOND CASE BREAKS DOWN. At the Glamorgan Assizes last Friday, Ar- thur Preece Waiters (47), a surgeon, of Ponty- pridd, was charged with the wiliul murder of a single woman named Mary Florence Lewis, of Dowlais, by means of an alleged illegal opera- tion, on December 21st last. Mr. Abel Thomas, C..C., M.P., appeared to prosecute for the rown, and with him him was Mr. W. T.leweiyn lilianis, M.P (instructed by Mi Jv. P. Carles, Merthyr). Mr. Ivor liowen ad Mr. 1. N. W. Thomas (instructed by Mr. Harold Lloyd) conducted the defence. Mr. Abel Thomas, in his opening address, ■gave in detail the story of the circumstances which ended in the death of Florence Lewis The girl lived with her parents at Balaciava- .oad, Dowlais, and she was engaged as a cashier at one of Messrs. Lipton's shops. In December she confided her condition to Mr->. Lizzie Jane Roes, with the result that a few days, later she journeyed to? Pontypridd, and, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Ann Lewis (Mrs. Itees's sister), went to Dr. Arthur Preece Wal- ters at Taff-street. The girl returned home to her parents on December 13th, and "lied (n December 21st. Tho law is quite clear," said Mr. Thomas. "If a man commits an illegal act which results in death—although he has lie intention of killing—he is, in this country, guilty of wilful murder. All you have to do is to consider the facts. If you are sal.ijirx' thst the prisoner re a; 'y brought about the dea'i of this poor girl by ai Illegal operario.-i—never mind what tho re.^ilt may be, that is your business—it will be your duty to bn in a verdict of wilful murder." Mrs. Mary Ann Lewis was the first wit She tearfuily said that Florence-foe de-id girJ —was her daugLter. One day early in Deoani- ( bor she did not return home, but ro-ippeared 1 some d3.ys later. She resumed her work at Messrs. Lipton's on December 20th, wh!n (and here Mrs. Lewis cried) "she came home looking very bad," and died next day. Mrs. Mary Ann Lewis, Coedpenmaen-road. Pontypridd, the chief witness in the case, to!(! how Florence Lewis was very excited and wor- ried when she went to see the prisoner at Pont- ypridd. Witness accompanied her. At the out- set the prisoner said there was no danger. He asked for, and was paid, a sovereign by the deceased, and he subsequently received another sovereign. David Lewis (Pontypridd), Inspector Lamb, Ernest Hoskins, and Albert Wiggins also gave evidence. Dr. Llewellyn Jones, of Merthyr, entered the witness-box, and the prisoner intimated to one of the warders that he wished to consult his solicitor, Mr. Harold Lloyd. The message was conveyed to Mr. Lloyd, who at once went to the dock and had a whispered conversation with the accused. j Dr. Jones -aid that in his opinion Florence Lewis died from blood poisoning after a con- finement. Lord Coleridge: Your evidence, doctor, comes to this: This girl came to you suffering from blood poisoning and peritonitis, and there was nothing in either of these two symptoms to connect with an unlawful operation?- Yes, my lord. The Chief Constable of Merthyr (Mr. J. A. Wilson) said that when arrested and charged the prisoner said, "I don't say anything. I don't know them." Mr .Abel Thomas, after asking witness to re- peat the prisoner's full name, said, "Have you looked at the medical directory."—I have. "Did you see Mr. Ivor Bowen objected, and the Judge up- held the objection. Dr. Wilcox, senior scientific analyst to the Home Office, said he examined certain parts of the deceased's bodv which were sent to London by Inspector Phillips. He ag-ree.d that death was due to blood poisoning, which originated in the genital parts. His view was that some septic germs had been introduced before the rhild was born. The instruments produced (be- longing to prisoner) were common.y used for the performance of illegal operations. He d.d not find the slightest sign of a wound or of perfo;'ati on., Unch- cross-examination by Mr. Ivor Bowen, Dr. Wilcox said the instruments referred to were the usual stock-in-trade of medical men, and their possession was not necessarily evi- dence of criminal acts. The girl had done a dangerously riskv thing in travelling from Pont- ypridd to Merthyr shortly after the confine- ment, and in attending to her duties. In such circumstances she was much less likely to resist blood poisoning than a woman who adopted the usual precautions after confinement. I Dr. Wilcox was subjected to a long- examina- tion by the Judge, a.fter which Mr. Abel Tho- mas said After hearing your Lordship's exam- ination of the witness, I think I am not justi- fied in pressing the case against the prisoner on the charge of wilful murder. The Judsre: I quite agree with you. On the direction of the Judcre, the jury then j returned a verdict of not guilty. Mr. Ab?l Thomas said he proposed to proceed with tho charge against the prisoner of illegally j using co-tain instruments upon Florence Lewis. The Judge pointed out that the evidence the j prosecution relied upon was that of accomplices, j whereupon Mr. Thomas said he would not press this charge, and the jury. on direction, return- j ed a verdict of "Not guilty." j SECOND CASE BREAKS DOWN. j A charge was then proceeded with against the prisoner of performing an illegal operation upon Mrs. Hannah Pulsford, of Abercynon. After being sworn, Mrs. Pulsford said, "I I don't approve of giving evidence." j The Judge: What is your reason?—I went, for some medicine I don't wish to incriminate myself. *Th« Judge said they could not compel Mrs. Pulsford to give evidence, and she thereupon left the witness-box. 1 Mrs. Lydia Davies, who said she aocompanied Mrs. Pulsford to see the prisoner at Pontypridd, 1 gave evidence very reluctantly, and Mr. Abci i Thomas asked that she should be treated as a hostile witness. The Judge (to witness): You are not bound to give evidenoo that will incriminate you, but Witness: I don't wish to say any more. i Mr. Abel Thomas: Then I cannot proceed any further. The Judge pointed out that a person who might be regarded as the accomplice of the per- 60n charged could not be compelled to give .1 evidence. The jury then returned a verdict of "Not guiltv," and the prisoner was discharged. As he left the court, he cordially shook hands with his solicitor, Mr. Harold Lloyd.

Deafness Cured. A gentleman who has cured himself after suffer- ing for 14 years from Deafness and Noises in the Head, will be pleased to forward full particulars of his Remedy, post free. Write, H. Clifton, 82, Somerset Chambers, 151, Strand, London, W.C.

I —= The German Reichstag on Tuesday resolved to demand the presentation of a Bill making the Imperial Chancellor really responsible to Parliament. Eleven firemen narrowly escaped suffocation during a fire which occurred on Monday on the Quecn's-road premises of Messrs. William Whiteley, Ltd. According to the fifty-first balance-sheet just ksued of the Ovstermouth Castle Lodge of Oddfellows, one of the strongest in Wales, the value of the lodge's funds is 26 604-

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MERTHYR POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.—Before Sir T Marchant Williams (Stipendiary) and Mr. John Evans (Iscoed). .His CHILDREN.—Morris Connors was sent to prison for three months for neglecting hischil- dren in such a. manner as to, cause them un- necessary suffering and injury to their health. Defendant lived in a lodging-house, and his wife lived with her mother and father v. P. Charles prosecuted for the •CONSCIENCE TROUBLED HIM.—Thomas Brown was charged with breaking "and entering the Constitutional. Club ..at Trehatris.—P.S., Dove gave formal evidence, and defendant was re- manded. Defendant gave himself up, and said, "I want to clear my conscience. It would not have happened if he had given me my ohango back. I had been working there. I intended setting firo to the place, but the matches would not burn." He also said he stole seven bottles of wines and spirits, and 21bs. of tobacco. ANNOYED.—John Col man, father of Redmond Colman, was fined 5s. for using bad language in George-street, Merthyr'.—Colman said he was annoyed. ■ SUIXIVAN.—Francis OlBrien and' John Sulli- van, for fighting in High-street, Dowlafc; .-4)D March 5th, were fined 40s. and costs.—The Sti- pendiary: Is this the John L. Sullivan we see so much about in the papers? (laughter). AFTER HOURS. —John Jones, hairdresser, Troedyrhiw, was summoned for keeping uis I shop open at twelve o'clock on the night of the 5th of March.—Defendant said the two men in the shop were there at ten to eleven, and one of them became faint.—Fined 5s. DOGs: A CAUTION.. — Fred CUlis, Aberfan, was summoned for not tying up his dog, which was found to BO loose between sunset and sun- rise.—The Chief Constable said there'were com- I plaints from farmers that dogs were after the sheep, which were lambing.—Fined 5s. Sam- uel Macdonald, Edwardsville, was summoned I because there was no name on his dog's collar. DISMISSED.—John Rees was summoned for I assaulting Thomas Lyons.—Mr. J. T. Vaughan WAS for the defence.—Complainant alleged that when in the Red Cow be was struck by a spring ball, carried up the sleeve.—There were no witnesses to corroborate his evidence, how- | ever, and the case was; dismissed, J AN ITALIAN ASBAULTEP.—F. Giovanni sum- moned Patrick Connelly, Dowlais for assault.— j Mr. W. E. Thomas appeared for the com- piainant, and Mr. F, P Charles for the de- i'endant.—Complainant said he was an assist- ant at Messrs. Berni Bros'. Shop at Dowlais. I On the, 2nd March, the defendant commenced I teasing him, and when lie was asked to leave the shop, he refused to do so, and wanted to fight. He then struck complainant several times, and as a result of the blows, his eye bled.—The complainant's statement was cor- roborated by another Italian witness.—Defend- ant denied that he was the aggressor.—In reply to the Stipendiary, defendant could give no satisfactory explanation how the complainant's j eye became damaged.—Sir Marchant character- I ised the assault as a serious one, and said that although the complainant was a foreigner, he was entitled to be protected. He fined defend- ant 40s., or one month. The Stipendiary added that if the defendapt cam there again on such a charge, he would deal more severely with him. DEAR RIDE.—Albert Thomas, Dowlais, was fined 10s. and costa for riding a horse furiously in High-street, Dowlais. THE CINEMATOGRAPH. — James Haggar was summoned for allowing a cinematograph to be used at the Public Hall, Trehatris, without being placed in a proper enclosure, and withoOt proper fire appliances, a box of sand.—A fine of 10s. and costs in each case was imposed. DEAR WOOD.—John Jones, of Pentrebach, was summoned for stealing a piece of wood, value Is. 9d., the property of the Hill's Ply- mouth Company.P.C. Martin proved the case, and defendant was fined 10s. FIRST CASE FOR THE RECORDER. Emily West and Mary Murphy were charged with stealing a pair of boots from the shop of Messrs. Ba.ker, High-street, Merthyr; a lady's skirt, value 6s. lid., from Waterloo Houfe, the property of Mrs. M. A. Evans; and also a child's frock from the shop of Ada Bond, Glebeland-street.—Defendants were committed for trial at Merthyr Quarter Sessions. "Let the Recorder be introduced to Emily West," said the Stipendiary. WIFE AND HER HUSBAND'S I CABBAGES. A man appeared in the witness-box and ap- ¡ pli-ed for a summons against his wife for steal- ing cabbed « from his garden.—Stipendiary: Come here day month. It is absurd what I you ask.—Applicant: Three weeks ago she was. told she had no right, in the garden.—Stipend- iary: She wants to come back to you. perhaps (laughter;.—Applicant said his wife lived with friends.— Tho Clerk: Put her in the County Court, and let the Judge settle it.—The appli- cation was refused. ] MERTHYR COLLIER'S DISMISSAL. Jsrcres Darren View, formerly a collier in Civile Pit, sued Messrs. Crawshay Bros., 1 L; J., ior £ iif damages, for wrongful dismissal. --Air. Nicholas (Mvssrs. Morgan, Bruoe, olid ) NvcfcoW, Voiitypridd} was for complainant; and I Mv. F. P. Charles (Messrs. James, Charles, and Dav.eesj for the defendant*- Rees said that whilst at work he m. with an accident. On j UK Ctb of .Janua.rv. "h! h ciatted tu work j again, be found a -working place, but he worked that OIID U>E- TIA-Y. Charles Woodward, th9 overman, h:<o to repair tJ place. He was aifcferwn.rus .nrited to join | another man, but seeing t-N«> condition of the PLACE he asked the overman YVWN H:S own place would be ready He replied THAI it would be right the next day. Witness consented to 'go to H S place, and next day HO wen* there and J WAITED three hours for timber. > None came, and h3 went out of the pit. In doing 60, he ;NERT the manager, who said that he could go to the surface at one o'clock. A cage always ascended at that hour. He intended eoing to work the next day, but he over-slept. The next day he went to the pit and got his lamp, but the overman said the lamp would not be i "blowed." He then said that he felt the man- agement were against him. He had not work- ed since, though he had applied at all the neighbouring collieries.—Mr. Charles cross-ex- I amined witness as to his losing time. He said the manager had netfor cotnplained to him ",tout his losing time.—-A witness said there was no timber in the place for the man to mend his working place.—Mr. John Williams I (miners' agent) said he asked the reason for the man's dismissal, aoid was told it was because he had disobeyed orders. Not a. murmur was said about the complainant working irregularly.— Mr. Charles: Assuming that a collier's work- ing place becomes unworkable by a squeeze, is it usual for him to go and work in another place?—Witness: Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.—Mr. Charles: What depends upon .it?—Witness: Upon the condition of the place they are sent to. For the deJenoe, Robert Jenkins, day fere man, said the defendant had not worked regu- larly sinoe last August.—The Stipendiary said that perhaps the man was said that in that case the man SHOULD ha.ve sent a medical certificate.—Jenkins said he had spoken to Rees about losing time, and he said he had been ill. Witness told him to bring a. doc- tor's paper, but he did not do so. The Stipendiary held that defendants were liable, and it was now a question of damages.— Mr. Nicholas said that notice must be given on the 1st of the month, but hero the man was dismissed on the 15th of the month.—Judgment was given for £8 and cofcts. WATER IN THE MILK COMPANY FINED FIFTY POUNDS. The National Park Dairy Company were summoned for selling milk at Aberfan, which Ilpon analyai6 found to contain 10.6 per cent. of added water.—Mr. F. P. Charles was for the defence.—Inspector Roberts proved the purchase, and produced the certificate. — Mr. Charles said that Mr. Conway, the man- ager of the Company, was in court, and would R-AY that since his appointment 200 samples of milk had been taken in the Merthyr district, and there had not been a conviction. Last year 350 samples wero taken, and there was no conviction. The company, he said, were really in the hands of a third party.—Two previous convictions (one in Mountain Ash and the other at Aberdare) were proved.—Tho Stipend- iary said that at Aberdare the milk was deficient in butter fat. In this case he would impose a fine of £5{]. "1 won't have milk tampered with," said Sir Marchant. MESSRS. Berni Bros., Aberfan, were summon- ed far selling milk which contained 10.6 per oent. of added water.—Mr. W. E. Thomas said the milk was purchased from the agent of the Park Company.—The Stipendiary said that peo- ple must be careful. He imposed a fine of 20s. and costs. Thomas Davies was summoned for selling milk at Dowlais, which contained 11.3 per cent, of added water.—Inspector Lamb bought the milk.—Defendant said he purchased the milk from another person.—He was fined £5 and costs. SENDING CHILDREN FOR BEER. STIPENDIARY'S WARNING. David Morgan, landlord of the Farmers' Arms, Mountain Hare, WAS summoned for sell- ing drink to a child fourteen years of ag without sealing THE bottle; and Cook- • SEV, the mother of the child, WAS summoned I for tending her to tho house.—The Stipendiary said that when the Act came into fores in 3904, he fined overy person 5s. and costs for this offenoe, and he later on gave a warning that he j would increase the fine to 20s. and costs. Then these cases died out. But they were cropping i up again, and ho gave warning that in future j the fine would be 40s. and costs.—Defendants were fined 10s. and costs each. j j "TWO SILLY WOMEN.* IRUILTC Nil-TELLING AT ABERFAN. ¡ ALICE i'rios, Co gipsy, WAS CLIAR^L^ with ftcal- itiji 2;¡., tho snonsy oi Olive John, of Jchn, [I, The (Uove, Aberfan, on Saturday.— 1 1I.h" (SftiU the dsiendaat cam? to .r J house selling lace, and she bought some. De- fendant then offered to tell her fortune, and told her to tie a. handkerchief and put it in her hand. Defendant said, "If you don't think I am telling the truth, open your hand." Wit- ness did so, and found that the knot had gone. Deifendant then offered to tell her fortune if she would produce two silver coins. Witness said she had no money. The woman said, "Yes, you have money upstairs in a purse in a drawer." Defendant said she would witchcraft the witness if she did not get the money, 60 she went upstairs and brought down two shil- ling pieces.—The Stipendiary What did she mean by witchcraft' Do you know?—Witness: Nó, sir. She said to me, will lose your husband."—The Stipendiary: You would be very glad of that, I suppose (laughter).—Wit- ness: Oh, no, sir.—Stipendiary: You gave her two shillings after that, I suppose ?—Witness: She told me something about my husband and my children, and then she wanted to keep 2s. She gave mo one of the coins back. I was not willing for her to keep the money, because; it belonged to my. husband. She would not give me the money, but said she would bring it back on Tuesday morning, as she had to do the same for a woman next door. She said when sho brought back the-two shillings, I must give her a shilling. She left the house with tho two shillings, and I told the police.—The Stipend- iary This woman would do to collect money for the Cardiff College (laughter). He added that it was a case of one silly woman dealing with another silly woman,' and dismissed the case. THE STIPENDIARY AND GUARDIANS. ORDERS OF THE COURT MUST NOT BE VARIED. Mr. F. T. James, as clerk to the Merthyr Itioard of Guardians, mentioned that on Friday last Mr. Llewelyn Richards, warrant officer to the Board, asked the Bench to make orders against men who had been summoned to con- tribute towards the maintenance of their de- pendents, and he understood that the Bench refused to hear the evidence.—Stipendiary Tho Board disregards the orders.—Mr. James: I am here to admit that the Board has, in certain cases, made reductions. I say the Guardians have a right to give a defendant time.—Sti- pendiary: To vary the amount of the order?— Mr. James: No, but to instruct tha warrant officer not to press for arrears.—Stipendiary: You varied the order. You reduced the order. If you want to do that, you must send some- body to this court with evidence.—Mr James: If it is your wish, in tha case of variation of an order, that we must come back to the magistrates, then I will lay that before the Board. I cannot admit that the Board have no jurisdiction to give a defendant time to pay off arrears.—The Stipendiary: We don't mind that. But we dispute their right to fix the amount If the Guardians' decision differs from ours, then they should come to court and ask for a variation, and state their reasons. The court have no objection to vary an order. We said that a certain man ought to pay 5s. a weak. He goes back to the Board of Guard- ians; he has a friend on the Board (who does not mind what the Clerk to the Guardians says), and, perhaps, he has a minister or clergy- man to support him, and the order is reduced. I say that is an insult to the Bench; it is illegal and irregular. If the Board want to reduce an order, we have no objection, but the proper course is to come here. I have no doubt it is don-e by wire-pulling.—Mr. James: I cannot admit that.—The Stipendiary: One poor man has to pay the full amount of the order made bv the court, while another poor man, who has friends on the Board, gets the order reduced by one-half. That's the way of the world, and I do not suppose the Board of Guardians here are better than they are in other places. This man was a publican, we were told, and had a motor-oar, and was able to pull the wires on the Board of Guardians.— Mr. James: The man said he was not the owner of a 'motor-car, and had. never been in one. "ADVICE TO MOTHERS."—Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth Go at once to a chemist, and get a bottle of MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It produces a natura!. quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." Contains no Poisonous Ingre- dient. Of all Chemists. Is. 12d. per bottle.

Merthyr Free Libraries. A meeting of the Merthyr Free Libraries Committee was held on Monday night, Coun. Dd. Phillips presiding. A sub-committee recommended that the sal- aries of branch librarians from Merthyr to Aberfan be increased 2s. 6d. a week.—Coun. Dan Thomas moved that the recommendation be not granted, on the ground that the expenses of the Council were exceedingly heavy at pro- sent, and that the next rate was likely to be high. He asked whether all the district li- brarians had applied for an increase.—Mr. Biddle (Deputy Town Clerk) replied that one of the librarians applied, and the committee thought all should be treated alike.—Coun. D. J. Lewis said the branch librarians received only lis. 6d. a week.—On the motion of Coun. D. Jones, seconded by Coun. F. Pedler, the re- port was adopted. The Dowlais Librarian, who receives :£78 a year, had applied for an increase, as be had to do all the cleaning and provide materials. A sub-committee recommended that the request 00 not entertained.—Coun. Dan Thomas: In Dow- lais, there is a valuable collection of books; the others who applied are only caretakers of reading-rooms.—On the motion of Coun. W. Griffiths, seconded by Coun. W. Jones, the salary was increased 2s. 6d. a week. The same sub-committee recommended that the application of Mr. Parry, Arcade Library, for an increase, be not entertained.—It was stated that Mr. Parry was paid 25s. a week, and the Council provided the cleaners.—Coun. D. J. Lewis proposed that he be given an ad- vance of 2s. 6d. if he would forego his half-hol- iday.—Coun. Dan Thomas: You, who work eight hours a day, want to deprive a man who works 13 hours of a half-holiday.—Coun. D. J. Lewis said he certainly agreed that 13 hours a day were too many. He thought there would be no hardship if the libraries were closed at nine instead of ten o'clock.—Coun. Thomas re- plied that it would not be fair to so deprive the workmen of an opportunity of seeing the papers.—Coun. D. J. Lewis moved, and it was agreed, that the opinions of the librarians be asked for on this question. Mr. Thomas J. Evans, 42, Yew-street, Troed- yrlllw, was, on the motion of Coun. D. J. Lewis, appointed librarian at Troedyrhiw. An offer from Mr. W. J. Francis to supply a copy of the "Labour Leader," free, to the Abercanaid Library, was accepted. The reports from the librarians showed the average daily attendance to be: Penydarren, 78; Thomastown, 41; Arcade, 506; Aber- canaid, 150; Troedyrhiw, 176; Aberfan, 121; Treharris, 367. A sub-committee recommended that addi- tional radiators be placed in Treharris Library at an estimated cost of £10.-Coun. Dan Tho- mas again referred to the heavy expenditure of the Corporation, and moved that the matter be deferred until the beginning of next winter.— Coun. R. P. Rees seconded.—Coun. D. J. Lewis moved the adoption of the report, which the Mayor seconded.—It was agreed by 5 to 4 votes to defer the expense. Coun. R. P. Rees moved that the Committee give consent to tho cutting out of coupons in all "Western Mails" supplied to the libraries for Miss Annie Rees, of Dowlais, candidate for the "Mail" musical scholarship.—The Mayor seconded. He said the Council should do all they could to assist a local songstress. The motion was carried. It was stated that Miss Rees's committee would see to the collection of the coupons.

WHOS= FAULT? If you are Suffering in any Way, you can read what follows to your great advantage Are you sensible ? Are you reasonable ? Whose fault is thiq illness, this severe dis- ease ? Own up. Look back upon the past few weeks, or months, or, it may be, jears of your life. Have you not been overdrawing upon your account with Nature ? Yes, you know you have. You are, therefore, and for no other reason, ill and useless and a burden. This is surely not sense. Now, what should you have done to avoid this state of things and keep in vigorous good health ? You should have fed up to your heavy require. ments. Yes, but you went off your food for some time past. Quite so, but you cannot do without your food. You know that. But you say you have tried to eat even when you had no inclination. Now, that is the sad part of it. "Why Don't You Drink Vi-Cocoa?" Every working ma.n and woman should be asked this question daily. The opinion of the Rev. F. F. Taylor, of Suddenham, near Manchester, who writes :— I like Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa very much, and have used it every day. I believe it is all you represent it to be. It is far away to be preferred to tea, coffee, and other cocoas," is the opinion of thousands. You must have read the striking testimony that is being published daily respecting the merits of Vi-Cocoa. And yet you have net tried it. Wc ;vdvise you to do so at once, for the price is moderate. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa can, in fact, be ob- tained in 6d. packets 9d. and Is. Gd. tins from all grocers and stores. Do not ask your grocer for cocoa. Ask for

0 ef is »ftéocoa

-it makes all the difference. Every grocsr cells Vi-Cocoa in 6d. packets and ûd. and i. 6d.. tLas.

=-=. Rv iajpro'eraents ill the wireliiaa of H M.S. preadno-jji-ht, th? xvUl be able tv it.WU to Pojt^.VU.&

MERTHYR FIRE BRIGADE. FIRE APPLIANCES KEPT IN DIFFERENT PLACES COST OF AN EFFICIENT BRIGADE. At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Com- mittee on Friday, the Mayor (Coun. F. T. James) presiding, Chief Constable Wilson sub- mitted a. report giving particulars of the con- stitution, pay, etc., of police fire brigades in various boroughs, a return of fire appliances owned by the Corporation, showing wb- ro such appliances are stored, etc.—Mr Wilson, in the course of his report, seated:—"The question of placing the Fire Brigade on a proper basis is one that the importance and rateable value of the Borough certainly demands, and which for the saving of life and property from fire risks is absolutely essential. After careful consider- ation, I am of opinion that the needs of the district would be best and mos* economically served by the establishment of a Police Fire Brigade, and provision for such is legalised by the Polioe Act, 1893, which provides:—'Sec. IL The Council of a Borough may, by resolution, delegate to the Watch Committee its power, under Sections 32 and 33 of the Towns Polioe Clauses Act, 1347, or under similar enactments in any local Acts, and where such resolution has been passed, the Watch Committee may employ constables wholly or partially as fire- men, provided that no constable who, at the passing of this Act, is not employed to act as a fireman, shall be so employed without his con- sent. The pay of constables exclusively so em- ployed and the allowacoee of constables par- tially so employed shall be defrayed from the fund or rate which is applicable to the purpose of the Fire Brigade or Fire Police.' As will be seen from the return of fire applianocs, with the exception of an obsolete hand-drawn manual engine, the supply of water is entirely depend- ent on the various mains through hydrants. During the past eighteen months, a systematic inspection of these hydrants has been made by tho police every month, and with few excep- tions, the water supply for fire-extinguishing purposes has averaged about pressure. I have been in communication with the Bor- ough Engineer, and further hydrants have been ordered for the centre of the town. These will, I think, afford a sufficient volume of water in case of a serious outbreak of fire. It is neces-arv, however, that steps should be taken to reduce the time between an alarm of- fire and the arrival of the Brigade at the so,no of the fire. The first few minutes are of vital im- portance, and it naturally follows that the Cen- tral Fire Station, and the members of the Bri- gade should be contiguous. At the present tinM, owing to the lack of room, two hose caj-ts an3 escape are kept at the Town Hall, and the Council pay;E2D a year also for other appliances stored at Picton-street. The fact of the police having to leave the Police-station, and then run to the Town Hall, and from thence to out- break, of fire is a great loss of time, and an outbreak, which ordinarily might be extinguish- ed in a few seconds with a chemical extinguish- er, would in many cases becomo a serious con- flagration by the time water was delivered from the mains. This question of obviating such loss of time can only be overcome by your Council providing an up-to-date first-aid engine, capable of ing propelled under its own power. I am placing communications before you which I have received from the Chief Constables of Grimsby and Bradford, with respect to their motor first-aid machines, and I would respect- fully submit that the purchasing of an appliance of this kind, capable of ascending any of the gradients in the Borough would be to the ad- vantage of the Borough. Such a machine would be less costly to maintain than a horse- drawn vehicle, and while the initial cost would be more, the purchase money could be obtain- ed by loan over a period of years, its advan- tages always being ready to start, in its carry- ing capacity, and its rate of travelling would be such that it would be able to turn out with advantage to every alarm of fire in the Bor- ough. "The whole of the Borough Polioe (tih« re- port continued) have attended fire drills sinoe the formation of the force, and much useful work has been done at fires as the result of such drills. The energy displayed by all ranks in carrying out theso Extraneous duties at drills and firea should, I think, commend itself to your committee as worthy of remuneration, as in nearly every instance the time employed is an addition to the ordinary hours of duty. If your committee decide to adopt my recom- mendation to form a Police Fire Brigade, I would recommend that the whole force (after obtaining the individual consent of the men in writing) be employed as auxiliary firemen, and that the brigade of say 12 men be stationed at the Central Police Station, Merthyr. These men would comprise various trades and would be always oil fire beats in proximity to the Central Station. Tho single men would reside at the Police Station and the Watch Com- mittee's houses in Albert-sireet could 00 used with advantage for married quarters. In tha event of an alarm of fire from any part of the borough, at least six of the brigade would be available to accompany the first turn out machine, and they would be able and properly equipped to take charge of all operations at the scane of the fire. The officer in charge of an outlying station in the borough would, on an alarm of fire being given, immediatelv cause a telephone message I to be sent for the brigade. He would at once proceed with the officers under him and with the appliances under their cha-rgs to the soene of the fire and faek such step3 pend- ing the arrival of the brigade for the pro- tection of life and property. On the arrival of the brigade, the offioer in charge- of the brigade would be able to detain the local constables to assist- or to prevent the crowd hampering the work of tba brigade, etc. In conclusion I would pectrullv stats that I feel that your committee should be fully j cognizant of the danger of an inefficient fire i brigade, as in the event of a serious fire | proving the brigade to be inefficient, the re- sponsibility should not rest upon the police ? unless the briagde is properly established and th-a necessary appliances provide(J.Alr. Wil'-C": estimated the expenditure upon a ? properly equipped polioe fire brigade to be j ;S:F6 4, a year. I Tho report was referred to a sub-committee Ito be fully dealt with.

-i The Dark Side of Convict Life. [Being the Account of the Career of Hkltps WILLIAMS, a Merthyr Man.] CHAPTER IX. On a Monday morning in the month of May, 1899, I was told off on parade to jcin No. 27 party, and after going through the usual search drill, I was marched out to the stone cutters* yard, situated near tho free men's quarry aA Portland. The distance from the prison to the quarry is not very gicat, and as the last gang passed through the gates, a company of sol- diers, armed with rifles and fixed bayonets, closed in and followed the convicts straight to the quarries, where they break oft into sen-" tries. There were civil guards there also. At the stone yard, I was supplied with a set o £ mason's tools, and instructed in the art o £ masonry, which I took great interest in. I continued this work for nearly four years, anci finally I was pronounced a first-class mason., I helped to build the new stone prison at Port4 land, and also made the circular stones for thai air-shafts of the same. I had several changes ot labour during that time, for I got transferred to the quarry party; I was employed also in: No. 7 party under a warder, who was a good old fatherly eort of a man. and who did not be-i lieve in taking a poor convict's dinner fronl him (reporting him) for the most trivial of fences. In the year 1901. a young convict employed in No. 54 party, in the quarry at Portland, a very quiet chap. who had very little to say, to anyone, one Saturday morning, after sweat* ing and nearly killing himself with hard work^ forfeited his two days' food by simply askingt one comrade to give him a lift with a ston64 which was beyond his strength. The emcee ID charge of the gang reported him to the\ Governor, and he was awarded the dietarv puni -i ishment mentioned. This was not the firew that the officer had taken liberties with^ him. but the convict had made up his mincUj after being driven to desperation, to have hisj revenge. On the following Monday mornings alter suffering his punishment, he came out to the quarry as usual, and said net a single wordi to anyone, and just. as they were taking tho tools out of the box, the officer happened tof turn his head aside, when with a dash and! quite unexpected by anyone, the convict caughtf up an iron drill and brought it with terrifio force down on the head of the officer until was streaming with blood. The whistles wers 1 rW1?^. over the place, and several guards* left their posts, and rushed with fixed bayon-j ete to the rescue, but the convict caught up Mul other drill, and broke several of their bayonets. 1 At last, he was overpowered, and taken back to) the prison. He was tried before the committed and sentenced to two dozen with the "cat." A81 for the offioer he received compensation, and. was dismissed the service. A similar assaults was committed upon an assistant warder by al* youn- "lifer." This officer used his cutlaaij when he was not supposed to hare used it; bo*} also was reduced and was not allowed to wevj side arms for twelve months. g Convicts sometimes met with serious acci-, dents in the quarry I can recollect a seriouic aWr which happened in 1901, when one of tho great stone-lifting cranes (or jibs) fell to thrf ground, and caused serious internal injuries^ t*' poor chaps. Stretchers were broughlf and they were conveyed to the prison infirmary,* and their groans were pitiful in the extreme4 Another case was that of a man who broke hi8 leg, and the only compensation he received wadf six weeks deducted from his sentence of tent years. Sometimes convicts make terrible asA saults upon their fellow convicts. I can well remember a ease of a convict who for beingt called a one-eyed took up a stone pick,, and struck it right underneath the heart of t man. The former convict was taken out, amd tried by civil power, and received the sen* tence of eighteen months. The leniency of hit sentence was owiniz to the great provocation he had received. The chap whom he assaulted was given up by two doctors for dead, but he got round after all, so that was an instance of small faith in medical aid. Sometimes mutinied are threatened among convicts, and a mutiny nearly happened in 1901. when about eighty COD" victs absolutely refused to GO out to the quaw ries owing- to receiving for their breakfast soinj bread. The mutiny was checked by each m.a.1i receiving a ten ounce white loaf apiece. (To be continued.)

DREAOFULJEGZEMA CURED BY DR. MORSE'S INDIAN ROOT PILLS. That torturing and disfiguring disease has its cause in an impure condition of the blood. The impure condition of the blood jften arises from a diseased condition of the stomach and allied organs of digestion and nutrition. When diges- tion is imperfect ths nutrition of the bo<3y is inadequate to its needs. The blood becomes thin, poisons accumulate in it, and these poisons often manifest them. selves in some eruptive disease. Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills cure diseases of the stomach and other organs of diges- tion and nutrition. They eliminate poisonous sub. stances from the blood, purifying it, and increas- ing its quality and rich- ness. They get at the cause and found, tion, they cure poricctly diseases of the blood and other diseases which originate in a diseased stomach. Sold by Chemists and Stores, price 1/1i per bottle, or The W. H. Comstock Co., Ltd., 21, Famngdoa Avenue, I<ondo" R-