The Glamorgan Gazette

LOCAL GOSSIP. Rev. J. Evans, B.A., in his interesting il Lettrs written during a tour through South Wales in the year 1803," has the following reference to the Vale of Gla- morgan — We proceeded to Penmarck, where on the verge of a deep ravine stand the ruins of its castle. This with the manour was bestowed by Fitzhamon on one of his adventurous knights, Gilbert Humphreville; aud was one of the thirteen celebrated in Anglo-Norman story. But alas! what is wealth and power and transitory fame? In this instance, its vanity is striking. The seat of it is anni- hilated, the family is extinct; and the very name obliterated from the records of the time. The church is a good structure, standing on the high land adjoining; and three large venerable yews in the church- yard point out its antiquity. About half a mile to the west, on the verge of another ravine, through which runs a small stream called Kenfon, is the castle of Fonmon. This is a large but irregular pile; built as a noble residence and place of de- fence; which is evident from the thickness of the walls, the flat embattled roof, and a high watch-tower at a small distance from it. The founder was John St. John, one of the twelve knights to whom the lordship of Fonmon or FenvoTh, was allotted. It con- tinued in this family till the civil wars, when its owner was cruelly ousted for his loyalty; and the seignory, with its castle, bestowed by Oliver Cromwell upon Mr Jones, a colonel in the Parliament Army, the par- ticular friend and brother-m-law of the Pro- tector. In this family it remains, being the residence of Robert Jones, Esq., the present sheriff of the county. The castle has been modernised, the windows sashed, and the rooms decorated in the style of the time when the alterations were made. Many of the rooms are lofty and spacious, particu- larly the saloon, or, as it is called, the banqueting room. Some fine paintings by various masters, possess sufficient merit to attract the attention of a connoisseur; par- ticularly a portrait of the Protector, thought the most striking likeness extant of that ex- traordinary man, presented by himself to the ancestor of the family. At a small distance on the coast jets a foreland, called Break-sea Point, often fatal to mariners. Indeed, the whole coast is the terror of those who navigate the Bristol Channel. Sunk rocks and dangerous shoals lie in every direction, and numerous vessels are frequently wrecked on this insidious shore. You will blush for humanity, my friend, when you are informed that the cruelties exercised by the inhabitants of this coast to- wards the children of misfortune, surpasses the ruthless storm or raging ocean. No- thing can exceed the distress that persons must feel when driven in a moment on treacherous rocks, with nothing before their eyes but a certain and shocking death! Or should they survive, it will be with the loss of property and friends, and perhaps every- thing that makes it desiraule to live! But the conduct of those miscreants called wreckers, adds pain to sorrow and poignancy to distress. We had heard much of the rapine and cruelty of these human vultures; but as everything that tends to degrade the moral character of man has a retrospect to ourselves, and tends also to lessen our own consequence, we were unwilling to admit, but very partially, the reiterated testimony. A short period, however, furnished an oppor- tunity to some of the party for conviction. A large vessel, the Csesar brig, outward bound from Bristol to Santa Cruz in the West Indies, deeply laden, came ashore, in a dark night, on the rocks above-mentioned. The news that a fine prize was off Break-sea Point was quickly circulated. Numbers in- stantly flocked down to the coast for the pur- poses of plunder; and, oh! what were the sensations of the passengers and crew, when by the dawning light they discovered their situation! Not only that it was impossible to get off the vessel, but that she would soon go to pieces! "Meanwhile these harpies, by hundreds, were assembled, and boarding in all direc- tions; staving in casks and packages for the more easy conveyance of their contents to shore; breaking open lockers, rifling the un- fortunate passengers, and knocking down everyone opposing their designs or standing in their way! Some gentlemen in the neighbourhood came down with what strength they could collect, with a view to hinder their depredations; but showers of poplers, the large pebbles on the beach, soon convinced them that to attack or defend was in vain, and that the safety of their own lives depended upon a precipitate retreat. Indeed, their aim in the onset is often to murder the persons on board, that there may be no survivors to become evidence against them. So totally lost are they to those feelings generally discoverable in the com- mon robber, that neither age nor sex appears to make the least impression on their obdur- ate hearts. They strip even children and females, when dead, cut off their fingers and tear their ears for the sake of the clothes and jewels! and leave their naked bodies exposed on the beach, for interment to the returning ocean! It is affirmed that they frequently kindle fires on the various eminences, to allure vessels to the fatal shore; but, as we never witnessed this, we will stop at this point, where humanity shudders at the recol- lection, and nature recoils at the rehearsal. "These people, in other respects, are for the most part harmless and inoffensive; they act their different parts in society like other men, and are even esteemed industrious and honest; but when a wreck occurs, which they call a God-send, looking upon it as a special favour sent to them in the course of provi- dence, their nature seems changed, and they seize with rapacity and defend with ferocity what they conceive to be peculiarly their own. This idea must have originated in those barbarous laws that for- merly prevailed over all the northern coun- tries of Europe; and a few years ago subsisted on the shores of the Baltic; per- mitting the inhabitants to seize on whatever they could recover from vessels wrecked, as lawful prize. Ever since the time of Edward I. humane regulations have from time to time been made; and the law of wrecks gradually softened in favour of the dis- tressed proprietors and passengers; and a statute of the late reign puts the property under the charge of the sheriff, recoverable by the owner paying a reasonable salvage, and making it felonious to steal anything from a vessel, whether wrecked or not; everything seems to have been done that can be done by human laws, for the prevention of so foul a crime. But the most whole- same laws are unavailable for their end, un- less they are regularly executed; were num- bers to suffer for this crime, there cannot exist a doubt but it would be less frequent. But it too often happens, from the negli- gence and inattention of ship-owners and underwriters, that the force of the laws is weakened, and the desirable effects they were intended to produce completely ob- structed; as in the present case, by the ex- ertions of the sheriff and some of his friends, two of the ringleaders were secured, and committed for trial to Hereford gaol; but at the ensuing assizes, no prosecutor appear- ing, the culprits were discharged.

BRIDGEND POLICE COURT. I Saturday.—Before Messrs. R. W. Llewellyn (in the chair), R. L. Knight, W. Llewellyn, Jacob Edwards, and W. J. Griffin. MISCELLANEOUS. Temporary authority was granted Edward Rees, publican, Cymmer, of the Globe Inn, Newton, from Moses John. Rosser Hopkins and Thomas Davis, colliers of Pontycymmer, were each fined 15s. for fighting. John Morgan, Garth, collier, charged with being drunk and disorderly at Pontrhydy- cyff, was fined 15s. An ejectment order was granted against Gomer John, in respect of premises at 46 Ogwy-street, Pricetown, Nantymoel, the pro- perty of Margaret Jones. Stephen H. Webster, of Caedu Shop, Og- more Vale, was granted a certificate to exempt his child from vaccination. OGMORE STRIKERS FINED. William Slocombe, 92 High-street, Tyne- wydd, and Harry Humphries and Thomas Humphries, of 7 Nantymoel-row, Nantymoel, colliers, were charged with trespassing on land in the occupation of William Pritchard at Blackmill in search of conies. All the defendants appeared and pleaded not guilty. Frederick Perkins, a platelayer, said he saw the three defendants on the mountain ferreting. They picked up a net with a rabbit in it and killed it. They had a dog with them. He was about 50 yards away. Slocombe said the dog went to the rabbit holes; he would not come away when they called him, and they went to fetch him. They had been ratting all the way down the river from Mr. Curtis's slaughter-house to Blackmill. They were on strike and thought they could earn a little money in this way, as they could sell rats' tails for Id. or 2d. each. Defendants were fined 10s. each. Four Maesteg colliers--John Jones, Brick- row Stephen Bosanko, Llwydarth-road; David Rees. Garnlwyd; and George Thomas, White Hart—were summoned for poaching on David Rees Mazey's land at Llangynwyd, and were each fined 15s. COAL PILFERERS. John Terrell, 11 High-street, Nantyffyllon, labourer, was charged with stealing a quan- tity of coal, value 9d., the property of Messrs North's Navigation Collieries, Ltd.—Mr. R. Scale represented the company.-P.C. Culle- ton said he met defendant between Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg, about 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday, with a large lump of coal on his shoulder. He admitted taking the coal from a siding, and said he had no coal in the house. Witness went to the house and found about 8 cwt. in the coal house.—De- fendant made the excuse that on the previ- ous day he had only small coal in the house. A load, which had been paid for, was de- livered during the day. but his wife did not mention it to him.—Defendant was mulcted in a fine of JE1. Mr. Scale also prosecuted in a similar charge against i-'eter Austin, of 19 Corona- tion-street, Nantyffyllon, labourer.—Defend- ant said he had ordered coal three weeks pre- viously, and it had not been delivered. He had no coal in the house, and two men were waiting for hot water in order to wash be- fore going to bed.—Mr. Scale said he did not admit that the coal had been ordered three weeks.—Fined Ll. CHRISTMAS EVE QUARREL. Reuben Loosemore, of Bridgend, labourer, was charged with assaulting Rhy; Jones, junr., Coychurch, contractor, on December 24th. Complainant stated that between eight and half-past on the evening in o testion he was at the Dunraven Hotel, Bridgend. There was a fight, and he was asked to help put outside the men who were making the disturbance. Defendant was not taking part, but as witness was assisting to put one of the men out, he came up and said, "Are you the chucker out?" Witness said he was not, but that he had been asked to assist the management. Defendant then struck him in the face. After he had been put out he challenged witness to come out and fight. Defendant: You came out of the front bar and chucked me out. Witness: No, I did not. Miss Sheriff, manageress, spoke to request- ing the complainant to come to their assist- ance in stopping the disturbance. P.C. Walter Phillips said he saw Loose- more almost thrown out of the Dunraven. Defendant told him there had been a quarrel in the bar between a man named Green and another named Pickard. His brother went to separate them, when Rhys Jones came up and tried to throw him out. Rhys Jones was bleeding from an injuiry on the face. A fine of E2, or ten days, was imposed. Monday.—Before Mr. J. G. Jenkins. SEVEN DAYS HARD. Jane Dawson, no fixed abode, was sum- moned for being drunk and disorderly at Maesteg on Saturday night. Sergt. Rees Davies proved the case. The prisoner, he said, interfered with witness and another officer when taking a prisoner to the Police-station. A fine of 15s. was imposed, with an alter- native of seven days. Prisoner choose the latter. THEFT OF A HORSE. Griffith Griffiths, a haulier, of Treherbert, was brought up in custody charged with the theft of a horse, value £2iJ, the property of Edward Morgan, 48 Hermon-road, Caerau, an overman at the Coegnant Colliery, on October 9th. Sergt. Rees Davies deposed that, in conse- quence of information received on October 10th, he made inquiries and found that the prisoner had sold the horse to a grocer named Morgan Hicks, of Porth, for tl;5, and that he had also offered to sell the horse to four other men residing at Porth. Witness received the prisoner into custody from the Canton Police that morning and charged him with stealing the horse from a field at Caerau on October 9th. He replied, I and another man stole the horse about 10 o'clock at night. I sold the horse for £ 15, shared the money, and went to Cardiff. The other man is gone to South Africa." Supt. John Davis applied for a remand of prisoner until Saturday, which was granted. MAESTEG STREET SCENE. James Vicerman, ostler, of Maesteg, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Maesteg and assaulting Sergt. Rees Davies and P.C. Williams in the execution of their duty. P.C. Williams deposed that he had occa- sion to speak to the prisoner in Commercial- street, he being in a drunken condition. Prisoner became very abusive and refused to give his name and address. Witness, who was accompanied by P.C. Daniels, arrested Vicerman and proceeded to take him to the Police-station. After they had proceeded about 100 yards, the prisoner tripped wit- ness up and he fell. Prisoner then kicked him deliberately in the ribs. v Inspector John Sansome and Sergt. Rees Davies came on the scene, but prisoner struggled and said It would take 40 of your sort to take me to the station." He kicked Sergt. Davies several times, but, being over- powered. was taken to the Police-station. Prisoner was remanded in custody until Saturday.

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ONE OF MANY IN BRIDGEND. Whenever we are suffering from any trouble or illness, it is surprising to find how many of our neighbours have suffered in the same way. Then the feeling of loneliness goes. If also we hear from neighbours how they were able to overcome their trouble, there comes a sense of hopefulness, and we determine to follow the course which they pursued so successfully. This Bridgend story will help many of us. Off and on for years I had trouble with my kidneys," says Mr. William Edmunds, 11 Elder-street, Bridgend, which I believe was caused by the sudden changes of tempera- ture to which I am exposed (I am a gas- worker). I had very severe pains in the small of my back—such sharp, cutting pains that sometimes after stooping I could scarcely get up again for a while. I also suffered with urinary troubles, the secretions being scanty and highly-coloured. "A short time after commencing with Doan's Backache Kidney Pills I found they were doing me good, and this encouraged me to continue with them. The pills have now quite cured me of the backache, and set the urinary system right. I have indeed de- rived great benefit from Doan's pills. (Signed), William Edmunds." Do you have to keep hard at work, day after day, though you feel more fit for bed ? Does your back ache? Are you afraid to stoop ? Are there pains in your muscles and stiffness in your joints? Are your nerves on edge? Does every change of the weather upset you ? Are some or all these troubles yours ? Take them in time; they are seri- ous warnings of still more serious kidney dis- eases. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are recommended for all forms of kidney and bladder troubles. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shil- lings and ninepence per box (six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence). Of all chemists and stores, or post free, direct from Foster-McClellan Co., 8 Wells-street, Oxford- street, London, W. Doan's are the pills that cured Mr. Edmunds.

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BRIDGEND COUNTY COURT. January 10th.—Before His Honour Judge f Bryn Roberts. MAESTEG SUBSIDENCES. Alderman T. J. Hughes appeared for Mary Yorwerth, Mary Ann Morgan, and Hannah Thomas, all of Maesteg, who sought to re- cover damages from Messrs. Elders Naviga- tion Collieries Co., Ltd., for injury to various house properties in Alma-road, caused by subsidence. Mr. H. J. Randall, junr. (Messrs. Randall and Co.) appeared for the respondents. Alderman Hughes stated that the plaintiffs were the owners of property in Alma-road, and, owing to the underground workings car- ried on by the defendants, considerable dam- age had been caused to the property. It had been arranged that the three claims— £100, £50, and £10 respectively—should be treated as one for the purpose of that appli- cation to His Honour. Full detailed par- ticulars had been supplied to the respon- dents, and copies had been delivered to the Court. There were a great many items and he thought it would be hopeless to ask His Honour to deal with the matter, and to hear expert evidence on both sides. He therefore suggested that the cases should be referred to an arbitrator, who, after viewing the property, should report to His Honour, the arbitrator to be agreed upon by the parties within three days, or, failing this, by the registrar of the Court. His Honour What is the arbitrator to re- port upon ? Alderman Hughes As to the quantum of damages. Mr. Randall said that, while he agreed with the appointment of some architect as arbitrator, he thought His Honour should give some direction as to the principle to be adopted in fixing the quantum of dam- ages. Alderman Hughes did not think Mr. Ran- dall should shout before he was hurt. He suggested that the architect should merely report as to the detailed items. The pro- perty in question consisted of cottages, and the defendants had admitted liability in one case by taking down the house altogether for the purpose of re-building it. In that case plaintiff contended that the work had not been done satisfactorily, and that the respondents should have had it re-built pro- perly. Mr. Randall stated that owing to the underground workings, so plaintiff alleged. the pine end of one of the houses had bulged out, and the top was overhanging, while the floors were slipping to a certain ex- tent. According to the details of the claims the plaintiffs asked that these premises should be quitted, and that the respondents should re-build them. He considered that the claim was mis-conceived, and he con- tended that the measure of damages should be the difference between the selling value before and after the subsidence. He asked His Honour to say that this should be the principle upon which the damage should be calculated, and if this direction were given, threequarters of the items need not be con- sidered. Alderman Hughes pointed out that if His Honour was going to direct the arbitrator at all, the directions should include the ques- tion of future subsidence as well. The houses were almost. uninhabitable—in fact, his clients had had to leave—and one im- portant point was that, in some cases, ac- cording to the leases which had but a few years to run, the plaintiffs were under a covenant to keep and give up the property in substantial repair. After a lengthy legal argument. His Hon- our referred the cases to an arbitrator, "who should decide, as the measure of damages. the difference between the selling value of the houses at present, and what it would have been had no subsidence taken place, having regard to the obligations of the lease to restore the place, and their liability for damages for breach of such covenant at the end of the lease: plaintiffs to be also en- titled to recover for loss of rent and incon- venience during the re-building operations." A COMPENSATION POINT. Mr. Evan E. Davies, solicitor to the Maes- teg District of the Miners' Federation, ap- plied for the appointment of Thomas Murphy of Commercial-street, Maesteg, as the person to receive compensation money for the two children of Mrs. Margaret Murphy, who died suddenly on December 18th. Mrs. Murphy had been in receipt of compensation for the death of her husband and was also appointed as the person to receive the weekly sums for ) the two youngest children. Thomas Murphy was a brother of the children, and would undertake to look after them. His Honour: It is very important that someone should be present who can speak as to the parties and the usual notice should be given. Mr. Davies: 1 know of the family, and His Honour: I must proceed on lines that will never land me in trouble. A relative may come here and ask to be appointed as the person to receive the money and I might appoint that relative. Then it might tran- spire that the other relatives were not satis- fied and that the wrong relative had been appointed. An affidavit should be put in, setting forth the facts. Mr. Davies I act for the Miners' Federa- tion. His Honour: I think I should know what relatives have been served with notice. Mr. Davies: Do you lay that rule down for the future, or is it to operate in the present case ? His Honour I think I must enforce it in the present case. I will order that the com- pensation be paid to you up to the next court and you can apply it for the benefit of the children. You can have an affidavit pre- pared for the next court, so that I may have a record of the grounds for the application. You may make a statement quite bona fide so far as you are concerned, and then it might transpire, owing to your instructions being incorrect, that the statement was without foundation. GILFACH COLLIER'S ACCIDENT. The Dinas Main Colliery Co., Gilfach Goch, applied that the amount of compensa- tion money payable by them to William J. Williams, Abercerdyn-road, Gilfach Goch, should be reduced from 5s. a week to a nominal sum, on the grounds that having re- covered from his injuries, he was capable of earning as large an amount as that received by him prior to the accident. The defence was that Williams was still suffering from the effects of the injuries and was incapable of earning as much as he previously re- ceived. Mr. L. M. Richards was for the ap- plicants, and Mr. A. T. James (Messrs. W. Morgan, Bruce and Nicholas, Pontypridd) for the respondent. Mr. Richards said the respondent met with an accident on October 5th, 1905, re- ceiving a strain, and previous to that he earned 22s. 2d. a week. He was paid at the the rate lis. Id. a week until February, 1906. In April an application was made to the judge, who made an order for the pay- ment of lis. Id. up to May 23rd, when the amount should be reduced to 5s. 6d. a week. Counsel submitted that the defendant, should not be allowed 5s. 6d. compensation weekly. David Rowlands, cashier of the Dinas Main Colliery, gave evidence as to the earn- ings of the defendant. He had earned in the fortnight ended November 24th £2 Is. 3d. and in the following fortnight £2 2s. lid. He had only worked two days in the ensuing fortnight', but he did not know whether it was owing to illness. Williams said he was still suffering from the effects of the accident. Asked why he had only worked two days in one fortnight, respondent said that as he was returning home from work he fainted from weakness. He was now engaged as a shackler and his wages were not more than what he earned before the accident. Mr. James contended that if it had not been for the accident respondent would now have been working on the coal and earning much higher wages. This handicap should be taken into consideration by His Honour in settling what was equitaole. His Honour reduced the weekly compen- sation to 2s. 6d. a week, each party to pay their own costs. BRIDGEND JOINER'S CLAIM. William Griffiths, 10 Brackla-street, Bridgend, sued his late employer, Philip Gaylard, contractor, under the Compensa- tion Act. Mr. Sidney Jones, Llanelly (in- structed by Messrs. Randall, Saunders, and Randall) was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Ivor Bowen (instructed by Messrs. Stephens, David and Co., Cardiff) for the respondent. Mr. Jones asked His Honour, to record an agreement, under which plaintiff had been paid full compensation from September 21st, 1904, to May 28th, 1905. Mr. Bowen agreed that the plaintiff had been paid compensation, but he saw no necessity for the application. His client, 1h. Gaylard, admitted that he was liable to pay some compensation, and His Honour had to determine the amount. Mr. Jones, proceeding, said the plaintiff had been employed by Mr. Gaylard as a joiner, and in September, 1904, he lost three fingers, and had a fourth badly damaged, as the result of an accident arising out of his employment. Prior to the accident he had earned 38s. a week, including overtime pay. From the 21st September. 1904, to May 27th, 1905, the respondent paid him 19s. a week compensation, and then he went back to work at his old rate of wages—7d. an hour. Subsequently, Mr. Gaylard told the respon- dent that he was no longer worth 5d. an hour. There was a difference of 2d. an hour in his earning- capacity, and he claimed that difference-10s. lOd. a week. Mr. Bowen said there had been a curious mistake as to the compensation paid the plaintiff: he had received more than he was entitled to. Plaintiff, replying to Mr. Bowen, ad- mited that his average earnings were 34s. a week. How do you arrive at the 34s. a week ? -—I am not sure. He admitted that he was not a first-class craftsman. Mr. Bowen said the question for His Hon- our was as to what proportion of the differ- ence in the plaintiff's earning capacity His Honour would allow. Plaintiff was not en- titled to the full difference. Mr. Gaylard having given evidence as to the plaintiff's earnings, His Honour gave judgment for 7s. 6d. a week with costs. GARW PROPERTY DISPUTE. Eli Harding, 7 Gloucester-buildings, Pont- ycymmer, collier, applied for an injunction to restrain Samuel Jones, a Púntycymmer builder, from using a boundary wall belong- ing to the plaintiff as a support for a roof of a stable, and plaintiff also claimed JE1 Is. as damages. Alderman T. J. Hughes appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. J. T. Howell for the defendant. Plaintiff stated that on December 12th, 1902, he purchased two houses from the de- fendant—the house he lived in and the one adjoining. The two premises were lease- hold, the lease having been granted by Mr. Blandy Jenkins to the defendant. The plan upon the lease gave to the lessee a total depth of 79 feet from the public road, and the assignment which was prepared by Mr. J. T. Howell, who, at that time, acted for both the parties, conveyed to the plaintiff all that piece of land. Subsequently the defendant bought some land from Mr Blandy Jenkins adjoining the property of plaintiff, and separated therefrom by a boundary wall. Jones was proceeding to erect a shed against the wall, and plaintiff asked him, To whom does the wall belong?" He replied, "Nine inches is mine, and nine inches is yours." When the shed was completede witness found that not only did the roof rest on the wall. but it projected six inches over his garden. He was not able to plant anything near the wall for a distance of 42ft., as the rainwater poured into his garden. Mr. Howell I nut it to you that you did not complain to Mr. Jones when he was erecting the shed?—I did complain to Mr. Jones; perhaps I didn't to you. County Councillor Wm. Evans. Pencoed. agent to Mr. Blandy Jenkins, deposed that the lease showed that plaintiff was entitled to 79 feet of land. Mr. Howell submitted that plaintiff had acouiesced in the use of the wall by not com- plaining to his client. His Honour remarked that it was such a small matter and the shed could be erected in such a short stvace of time. that he could not sav there had been acouiesoence, even if the plaintiff had not complained. Mr. Howell said defendant had always readv to settle with the plaintiff, but Harding had evidentlv been spoiling for a ficrht. The whole matter was very trivial, and he hoped His Honour would allow no darners in tho circumstances. His Honour fave judgment for the plain- tiff. defendant to pav Is. damages and costs, and to remove the shed in a month.

AN IDLE FATHER: N.S.P.C.C. PROSECUTION. Edward Kelly. a labourer, of 8 South- street, Bridgend, was charged at Bridgend, on Saturday, with neglecting his four child- ren—Fanny Powell (aged 9 years), Frances Powell (7), Agnes Catherine Kelly (2), and Edward Kelly (6 months). Alderman T. J. Hughes, who appeared to prosecute under instructions from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, described the defendant as an idle, worthless, drunken scamp. He did not get violently drunk, but soaked. Richard Best, inspector of the N.S.P.C.C., stated that when he visited No. 8 South- street, on January 4th, there was no food in the house and no fire. There was no furni- ture in the front room, and only a table and two chairs, one of which was broken, in the kitchen. Upstairs there was a bed in the front room, and an iron bedstead in the back room on which was an old flock mattress, which did not cover it. The case had been under the society's observation for two years. Harriet Powell, widow, 76 Newcastle-hill, said Kelly was married to her step-daughter. He was always drunk when she saw him, and the children were in a bad condition for want of clothes, boots, and food. He for- merly lodged with her, and had made state- ments that he was at work, though she after- wards found he was drinking, and he had come home drunk and not paid her. Defendant: How many times did I not pay you? Witness Many. Defendant: Only once, I believe. William Simmonds, contractor, deposed that Kelly was in his employ, at a remuner- ation of 6d. per hour, to the end of Septem- ber, when he ceased work of his own free will. He was not asked to leave. In reply to Kelly, witness said he did not put another man on in his place until he had been absent some days. Sergt. W. David said defendant was given to drink, and was verv lazy. He did not try to get work. His wife was a clean woman, and went out to work, but did not earn enough to keep the children. Three of the children were very well nourished, but the boy was not. Kelly, in defence, said he had tried to get work, and had failed. He tried Mr. Hughes's gardener. He had worked for Mr. Thomas, fruiterer, for five years, but he stopped him this winter because there was not enough work for him. Defendant was sent to prison for 14 days. TRAMPS AT PONTYRHIL. On the application of Alderman Hughes, the Bench issued a warrant for the removal of two children from a house at Station- road, Pontyrhil, to the Workhouse. Mr. Hughes said the parents were tramps, and arrived at Pontyrhil from Ogmore Vale. The man was ill and unable to work, but refused to go to the workhouse, saying he would rather go to prison. Inspector Best gave evidence bearing out these statements.

THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE MINE. According to the preliminary report issued on Tuesday by the Home Office the fatal ac- cidents which occurred in the mines and quarries of the United Kingdom in 1906 were more in number than in 1905, but the deaths resulting therefrom were fewer. The most frequent form of fatal accident is shown to be falls of ground." In the mines under the Coal Mines Regula- tion Act the falls of ground were 531 in number, and accounted for 547 deaths, or more than half the total in this section. There were 16 explosions of firedamp or coal- dust resulting in 64 deaths; 65 shaft acci- dents, and 68 deaths; miscellaneous under- ground faltalities involved the loss of 329 lives, while 135 more lives were lost from sur- face accidents.

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BRIDGEND HOSPITAL BALL. The tenth annual ball, in aid of the funds of the Bridgend Cottage Hospital, was held on Thursday night, last week, at the Town- hall. This annual event is regarded as one of the leading social functions in the district, but unfortunately the attendance this year fell short of the average for some years past. Apart from this, the ball was as successful as any of its i.-reuelessors, and the arrange- ments were carried out in a manner which reflected the greatest credit upon those re- sponsible. The hall presented a picturesque appearance, an elaborate scheme of decora- tion having been carried out by Messrs. Jas. Howell and Co., Cardiff. The floor of the hall was again in excellent condition. A capital programme of music was executed by Mr. Fred G. Roberts's (Cardiff) Band, and to their bright strains dancing was kept up vigorously until 4 o'clock a.m. Mr. V»7. A. Williams (Tremains) acted as hon. secretary, and received valuable assistance from Mrs. Herdman and Mrs. G. F. Lambert. The catering was in the hands of Mr. W. H. John, of the Cafe Royal, Bridgend. The committee desire to tender thanks to those who kindly lent articles of furniture and who assisted in making the arrangements, and to Messrs. Charles Jenkins and Sons, Bridgend, for erecting an awning from the side en- trance to the roadway. The following were among the guests:- Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Byass, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Byass. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bruce, Miss Etta Booker, Miss Dulcie Booker, Mr. Lisle Bramfill, Miss Brereton. Captain Cope, Mr. G. H. Clarke, Mr. Nicholl-Carne, Miss Nicholl-Carne, Mr. Owen Crawshay. Major Edmondes. Mr. F. E. K. Fortesque. Mr. R. W. E. Knox. Mr. W. E. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. G. Lips- comb, Miss Sibyl Leatham, Mr. Miles Lampson. Lampson. Mr. Angus Mackintosh. Mr. and Mrs. J. I. i>. Nicholl and party from Merthyrmawr, including Miss Lyons, Miss Campbell, Mr. Monteith, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Nicholl and Mr. C. Campbell; the Misses Nicholl. Mr. R. K. Prichard, Miss Prichard, Mr. G. M. Prichard, Mr. R. G. Prichard. Mrs. Speir. Miss Tennant. The Hon. Odo Vivian. Mr. W. A. Williams, Mr. Idris Williams, and Mr. Wauchone. CHILDREN'S PARTY. A pleasant innovation in connection with the ball this year was a children's party held on the following day, and such was the suc- cess attending this event that it is more than likely to become an annual affair. The ini- tiative in this matter was taken by Mrs. T. G. Smith, who set to work with characteris- tic energy. She was assisted by a strong committee of local ladies, including Mrs. J. C. Coath, Mrs. E. T. David, Mrs. Herdman, Mrs. G. F. Lambert, Mrs. D. Phillips (The Vicarage), Mrs. C. H. Price, Mrs. W. R. Randall, Mrs. Simons, Mrs. Spencer, and Mrs. W. A. Williams. The guests arrived at four o'clock, and it was gratifying to the committee that over 120 attended. After tea, children's games and dances were in- dulged ia, the programme including a polka, march, musical flop, marioneetes, two's and three's, nuts in May, mulberry bush, filling the gap, Scottishe, Swedish dance, ring on the string, reins and whips, etc. Cotillon figures commenced at 6 o'clock and lasted until 7.30. Various other amusements were provided for the guests, one of the most in- testing being Gretna Green races, for prizes kindly provided by Mrs. W. A. Williams. A giant cracker, containing sweets, was pulled by Miss Sunbeam Phillips and Master Cecil Hughes. The children were given some "Bridgend Cottage Hospital Cake," contain- ing packets of toys, etc. Mrs. Byass kindly sent 50 boxes of chocolates and, in response to the appeals of the committee, contributions of crackers, nuts, oranges, toys, etc., were made by Miss Stuchbery, Miss Hewett, Messrs. David Williams (Wyndham-street), Thomas Edwards, H. Woodward, J. and C. Sankey, Bevan and Lloyd, G. Sims (International Stores), D. Williams (stationer), and Guttridge. The stewards—Messrs. H. P. Herdman, F. Jen- kins, and H. F. Lambert—worked indefatig- ably to add to the enjoyment of the juvenile guests. A capital selection of music was dis- coursed by the Bridgend Excelsior String Band, ably conducted by Mr. Tom Hopkins. Mrs. John supplied the refreshments. After the children dispel sed a large num- ber of adults assembled for a dance. Music was again supplied by Mr. Tom Hopkins's band, and the stewards were Messrs. Herd- man, Jenkins, and Lambert.

THREE M.P. OFFICIALS INDISPOSED. A meeting of the Executive Council of the Miners' Federation was held on Monday. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), the presi- dent, is still confined to his room owing to illness, and it transpired that Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P., the general secretary, had, owing to influenza and inflammation of the throat, been unable to leave his home at Beaufort during the past week. Mr. W. Brace, M.P., the vice-president, is away on Federation business, and Mr. John Williams, M.P., is on the sick list. Mr. Evan Thomas presided, and Mr. A. Onions, the treasurer, acted as secretary. LORD MAYOR'S INVITATION. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff wrote inviting the members of the Executive Council to visit the new City Hall buildings in Cathays Park on a date to be again fixed. The Lord Mayor s invitation was heartily accepted. INSURANCE OF CHECKWEIGHERS. The Council had under consideration the question of the insurance of checkweighers, sub-checkweighers, and colliery examiners under general rule 38 of the Coal Mines Re- gulation Act, this being deemed necessary owing to the passing of the Workmen's Com- pensation Act. It was resolved that th,. general secretary be instructed to write to the several districts inquiring what insur- ance policies, if any, had been taken out. It is suggested that this matter be dealt with generally, when the new Act comes intu operation on July 1st. THE WAGE QUESTION. It was resolved that the sub-committee fur dealing with the general wage question should meet at an early day to consider this matter and to report thereon to the next meeting of the Executive Council. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Arrangements were made to hold the an- nual conference of the Federation at Cardiff on Monday, March 18th. Among the mat- ters to be dealt with on that occasion will be the advisability or otherwise of affiliating the Federation with the Labour Representa- tion Committee. Possibly the matter will be discussed in two aspects—(1) Whether the Miners' Federation of Great Britain shall be asked to order another ballot on the question and (2) whether the South Wales Miners' Federation shall be directed to take a ballot of its own with the view to action apart from the M.F.G.B. The question of centralising the funds of the Federation will also be placed on the agenda. PROPOSED REVISION OF RULES. Mr. Alfred Onions gave a report of the de- cision given on Saturday last in the King's Bench Division in favour of the Federation I in the Steele v. Federation" appeal against the Parliamentary levy. The one lesson to be drawn from these proceedings, said Mr. Onions, was that the Federation rules needed revising and remodelling. It was resolved that this matter be placed on the agenda for discussion at the next conference with the view to empowering the Council to proceed with such revision under legal advice.

St. Pagans Land Agent's Will. Mr. Robert Charles Roper, of Scubar Vawr, St. Fagan's, land agent, head of the Windsor Estate Office at Cardiff, assistant- overseer and clerk to the Parish Council at St. Fagan's, and a churchwarden of the Parish Church, who went through the Ameri- can Civil War with the Northern Army, and who died on November 24th last, aged 67 years, intestate, left estate of the gross value of 9466 Is. 7d., with net personalty 9128 15s. lOd. Letters of administration of his pro- perty have been granted to his widow, Mrs. Ann Roper, of Scubar Vawr, St. Fagan's, Cardiff.

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HELD TO BE LEGAL. Judgment was delivered on Saturday in a divisional court of the King's Bench in the action by a miner which raised a question of the right of the South Wales Miners' Federa- tion to make levies on its members for the payment of election expenses and maintain- ing Labour Members in Parliament. Mr. Justice Darling, in delivering judg- ment, said the plaintiff, a miner named Steele, complained that he had as a member of the Federation been compelled to pay 4s. towards the election expenses of a Labour M.P. with whose political opinions he did not agree, and he sought an injunction to re- strain the Federation from devoting its funds to political purposes. His contention was that the rule authorising such levies was absolutely illegal and against the purposes for which the Federation existed. It was further contended that the provi- sion of funds for the return and mainten- ance of Members of Parliament was some- thing altogether outside what a Trade Union was allowed to do under Section 16 of the Trade Union Act, 1876. His lordship could not see that himself. Outside the rules of the Federation there was nothing contrary to the general law in providing funds for such a purpose and it seemed to him that one way of regulating the relations between masters and workmen, masters and masters, and workmen and workmen was to get laws passed in Parliament. The first step to take was to get representatives sent to Par- liament. It was impossible that any man should be represented in Parliament by a Member who agreed with every one of his views. It was difficult to see how the piaintiff could say that it was against natural justice that he should be asked to pay when he had agreed to do so by joining the Federation. Plain- tiff said he had been compelled and coerced to pay the contribution, and as to that, if the coercion had been illegal, a very different question would have arisen. But the County Court judge before whom the case originally came. found as a fact that plain- tiff was not coerced. The money could not be got back, and now he came to the ques- tion of the injunction. With regard to that, the first thing that struck one was that al- though it was perfectly obvious the money levied was for the purpose of returning and maintaining Members of Parliament, yet there was no definite machinery provided in any of the rules for the levying of the money. Still, he could not say it was done in an illegal or fraudulent manner, nor in a manner which prevented the plaintiff from exercising any sort of control over the levy which he might have got by the making of a rule. There was a ballot at a conference as to whether there should be a levy or not, and the plaintiff voted against it, but a very large majority were in favour of it. In these circumstances it did not appear that anything illegal or oppressive was done. He thought that what had been done here was perfectly consistent with the objects of the Federation and particular purposes for which it was founded. Therefore the plain- tiff's appeal must be dismissed. Mr. Justice Phillimore concurred, and the appeal was dismissed with costs, and leave to appeal further was granted.

The capture is reported of a large pike in a tributary stream of the Thames near Ox- ford. The fist scaled 29!lb8., and was landed after forty minutes' play by Mr. Bowles, a local angler. This is the finest pike caught in the Thames for a long time. A King's Bench jury on Tuesday awarded Mr. T. Williams, a Neath solicitor, B300 against the Midland Railway Company, the value of a pedigree bitch which was burnt to death while i. eitarge of the defendants. Notice of appeal was given.

LLANTHISANT DOCTOR'S FINANCIAL POSITION. Mr. Justice Bucknill, in the King's Bench Division on Saturday, had before him the case of Gubb v. Salmon. Mr. Neilson ap- peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Merlin for the defendant. Mr. Neilson said Mr. Sey- mour Jackson Gubb, a schoolmaster, claimed as the assignee of a debt, which was assigned to him by Wm. Wm. Salmon, a brother of the defendant, Dr. Albert Salmon, of Tyn- y-Cae, Llantrisant. The amount claimed was zC250 5s., made up of sums advanced by Mr. William Salmon to his brother between 1901 and 1906. This money was lent in order to enable defendant's brother to qualify himself as a doctor. There was no question as to the money owing, and the sole dispute between the parties seemed to be that defendant said there was an agreement between him and his brother, before the money was lent, that the amount should not be repaid until two years after defendant had qualified as a medical man. But in the letters which had passed between the parties no reference was made to such a term. The plaintiff, Mr. Gubb, proved purchas- ing the debt in October last for £50. In cross-examination he said William Salmon had told him that in the event of his brother dying or being unable to pay lie should not suffer. Mr. Merlin: You are an intimate friend of Mr. William Salmon. Was the assignment of the debt with the view of forcing defend- ant to give up his fiancee?—I do not know what he had in his mind. Mr. William Salmon said he was a school- master at Balham. He began lending his brother money in 1901. He agreed that directly he was qualified as a doctor and be- gan earning money, his first effort would be to repay him. At this time witness was earning £ 155 a year. He lent his brother money at the rate of over £.30 a year. They were great friends—brothers in a real sense at that time. Witness took no interest for the money and had no security for the loan. He never agreed not to ask for the money until two years after his brother qualified as a doctor. His brother qualified in April, 1906, and since that time he had paid off some of the loan. He held a branch prac- tice at Llantrisant from which he received zC200 a year. When he went to South Wales and obtained this permanent appointment he wrote to witness telling him he was en- gaged and intended to get married. Mr. Neilson read a letter from witness to defendant on the matter, in which he said among other things, "I hope you have told the lady your financial position." In answer to this defendant forwarded a long communi- cation. It began, "Why you sent me an- other rotten letter I do not know." Defen- dant added that if he remained at Llantri- sant he must live in a house of his own. and he added, "My fiancee knows my affairs quite well and is willing to help me." During the cross-examination of the wit- ness it transpired that owing to efforts having been made at a settlement, through Dr. Roberts, a mutual friend, defendant had been unintentionally misled as to the case being in the paper that day, and was there- fore not present. Mr. Justice Bucknill said in these circum- stances it was obvious the case could not be proceeded with now. It would adjourned until some day convenient to the parties.

BRIDGEND HAULIERS CONVICTED. FOREMAN SENT TO PRISON. At Bridgend Police Court on Saturday, Albert Charles Grey, of Coizy Fields, Bridg- end, brewer's foreman; Henry Purnell, of Oldcastle, Bridgend, haulier, and Frederick Gore, 55 Mackworth-street, Bridgend, haulier, were charged on remand with steal- ing ten bottles of Scotch whiskey, value 35s., on September 11th; Grey and Gore wftre charged with stealing a bottle of Scotch whiskey, value 3s. 6d. on (September 21st; Grey and Purnell were chargea with stealing a quantity of beer, value IUs., on November 26th; and Grey was charged with stealing half a pint of Irish whiskey on November 28th-all the property of Thomas Morgan, of Pontyclun and Bridgend. Mr. David Llewellyn was for the prose- cutor; Alderman T. J. Hughes represented Grey; and Mr. J. Haydn Jones defended Gore'and Purnell; while Mr. Harry Lewis watched the case on behalf of an interested party. In out-lining the charges, Mr. Llewellyn said Mr. Morgan was a wine and spirit mer- chant at Pontyclun, and had a small stores at Bridgend from which he delivered goods in this neighbourhood. The staff at these stores consisted of the three defendants, who were entrusted with the distribution of the goods sent down from Pontyclun. Mr. Mor- gan had occasion a fortnight ago to suspend Gore, and this defendant, thinking Grey, as his superior, must have used some influence with Mr. Morgan, turned round and gave information which led to the charges. Mr. Morgan had missed other things, and had it not been for the admission of Gore on this occasion, he would not have been able to find out who was taking goods. Their worships would see that a wholesale system of robbery was disclosed. On the application of Alderman T. J. Hughes, the Bench decided to deal with the charge of stealing 10 bottles of whiskey first. Mr. Hughes pointed out that under the Larceny Act the magistrates had power to inflict a fine, instead of imprisonment, if the sum was under 40s. All the defendants pleaded guilty. Prosecutor stated that in September he sent out twelve bottles of whiskey to a cus- tomer. They were not of the quality re- quired, and the customer returned ten of them when a second case was delivered. The ten bottles should have been returned to Pontyclun in the course of a day or so, but were not received. On the 22nd September he consigned some goods to Gellifydd Farm, near Blackmill, including a case of Scotch whiskey, and Grey was supposed to deliver the consignment. Afterwards witness re- ceived a complaint from the purchaser that one bottle was missing, and he allowed for it. On November 26th he sent a barrel of beer to Mr. Noah Rees, of the Ancient Briton Public-house, and this was returned as being short. It was delivered by Grey and re- turned by him. By Mr. Hughes Grey came to him well recommended, and bearing a good character from his previous situation. The stock at the Bridgend stores came to several hundred pounds in six months, and there was only a shortage in Grey's accounts of 4s. lOd. at stock-taking, but he might have been able to make up missing goods in other ways. The stock-taker at first found a balance of JE3 in favour of Grey, and Grey voluntarily made an explanation, but he ought to have dis- closed this months before. By Mr. Haydn Jones: Gore and Purnell were subject to Grey's orders. There had been nothing wrong with them previously to this affair. Witness could not fix the things which his solicitor said Had been taken. Some were before and some sinee September 11th. He had been continually obliged to allow for beer shortage. P.C. Phillips deposed that after the three men had been arrested he charged them with stealing the ten bottles of whiskey. Grey said 1 am guilty jointly with these two," pointing to the other defendants. Purnell said I can only say they were sold, except the one bottle given to Fred Gore when he went to Newport. The other nine were sold by Mr. Grey, and I received credit for os. for money due from me to Mr. Grey." Gore said, I cannot say anything more than what Purnell said. I received one bottle from Mr. Grey; also 2s. 6d. in money." Witness subsequently charged Grey and Gore with jointly stealing one bottle of whiskey. In answer Grey said, I left here on the Saturday night (meaning September 22nd) with stuff for Gellifydd. Gore was to meet me at Blackmill to show me the way to the farm, and I met him at the Fox and Hounds. On the way Gore suggested that we should take a bottle from the case. I told him that it would be sure to be missed, and he said It will be all right; I know the old woman that is at the farm.' Gore then opened the case and took out a bottle which he after- wards took home with me." Gore said: That is quite untrue, it was he that first suggested taking a bottle. I dared not sug- gest such a thing to him, as he was in charge. After he suggested it, I agreed. He opened the case, took out the bottle, and gave it to me." Witness also charged Grey and Purnell with stealing the beer. Grey said: We bored a hole together, got the beer out and drank it on the Sunday morn- ing." Purnell said Mr. Grey always kept a gimlet, and it was he who used it on this occasion, but we were both there and drank the stuff together." By Alderman Hughes: Grey had a good character as far as he knew. By Mr. Haydn Jones: Purnell and Gore were thoroughly respectable men. This was all the vidence, and both solici- tors for the defence, made eloquent appeals for mercy.. The Chairman, after consulting with his colleagues, said the charge was a very serious one, particularly in the case of Grey, who was put in a place of trust and who ought at once to have repelled any suggestion of acting dishonestly on the part of the other men; but he seemed to have connived at it, and assisted them. He would be sent to gaol for one month. The other men would be fined £i5, in default 14 days. An application by Alderman Hughes to commit Grey in the second division was re- fused. The other charges were withdrawn.

Primroses are being picked in the hedge- rows at Bishopsnympton, Devon. Before we consent to link Great Britain with the Continent by a land line, and thus increase our national insecurity, leaving Ire- land isolated, would it not be well to en- deavour to link Ireland to Great Britain, and thus increase our national security P- Standard."