South Wales Weekly Post

I INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY. WALES' GAME AT SCOTLAND.! At Aberdeen to-day Scotland entered the hockey inbernataottai lisle against Wales. The Welshmen made the Jouruey wüh h?h bopee in the a.bihty of their Ka.m to im- rvar their record against the Scotsman. iar out of eleven matches Scotland j have won seven, Wales two, and two have beer\ drawn. The Principality were beaten by three goals to one at Wrexham last Year. The teame were— WALE?.-<?a.L W Burke (East C&rdiC); b ks, H. c. Stephens (Li&nj&hen) and 0. T. MOrns-D&vies (Rugby a.nd Abery&twYth,; ha??Qa, P. G. ShM (Llandudno), J. D. Kno,vito,2 (Swameea and Durham), and It. wt-ratton (Newport); forwards, R. C. Cooke 1 ?stMn). <?. M. Tucker ("nishon), b. (?riibuU (Cardiff), W. Hunter (St. ? W. J. P?? (Whit?huroh) 800 J.1,AND. 'f.l. F. MeRaoo (.high- l^Inelis^East^' h"r°!n (West) and G. ,,Bu H. A. CookBon     (F,&8t), (HihLainds). forw&rdol  Kffi? (NnriSf'ad ???? ?<???. '? H. £ S. Walk? (West) and J M. Qliott_ (Eaat). HALF-ITME SCORE: I W ALES-I goal. SCOfLAND-l goal. FINAL Scopz P: WALES—3 goals. SCOTI-kND-1 9".

SANSINENA SALESMAN. SERIOUS ALLEGATION AT SWANSEA. SURRENDERS AND ADMITS I THE CHARGE. Swansea Bench on Saturday committed to the Assizes Alexander Thomas Duck- house (24), manager, who -as charged with ot-eal-ing 991 4s. 6d., the property! of the Sansmena Frozen Meat. Co., at Swans6az on August 11th last. Defenaant, in reply to the charge, said: I had the money. I spent it. I will pay it back, every penny of it." Mr. Ernest E. Green, of Cardiff, who prosecuted, said he thought it was un- doubtedly a case of embezzlement. It was stated that defendant went away with money, including sums of flo 16s. 2d., paid him on behaif of the company for whom he was sub-manager at Swan-' sea, by Mr. T. Stephens, a customer; Lio 188. 2d., from Mr. T. J. Wright and two sums of L15 and Pll Is. 6d. j paid by Mr. E. Jones to whom receipts' were given by defendant, the money,; however, not being p&iW into LI.Y,i however, defendant, as his instructions ordered he should do. Detective Barry received defendant Duckhouse into custody from the Cardiff' police—to whom he had surrendered—-on riday. i

SWAKS TWO SIDES t FOR MARDY AND WALSALL. IMIOLANDERS AT VETCH: I FIELD. i GOOD GAME: HOMESTERS' COMFORTABLE WIN. At the Vetch Field the Swans A team oni-ertained Walsall. The visitors, I who pay their first visit locally are a stirorig combination occupying a prominent position in the Birmingham and District League, and it was anticipated that they would give the homesters a good game and the spectators their money's wortn. Considerable interest was manifested in the debut of Batten in goal, ior the Swans, and Atwell in the ror. wards. The latter has rendered yeoman servioe for Ystalyfera and his inclusion in to-day's match was proof positive that the Town directors are not above utilising looal talent when discovered. Mitohell made his first appearance in the half-back line. Teww SWANSEA TOWN.—Goal, Sutherland; backs, Parke and Mitchell; half-backs, Kyfe, Jepp and P. B. Jonas; forwards, Tucker, Brazell, Atwell, Wait and Swar- brick. WALSALL.—Goal, Rushton; back., Camipey and Chance; half-backs, Mollors, Moss, and Price; ioi wards, Horton, Dyke, Price, Green and Saunders. Referee—Mr. D. E. Wilson (Sketty). The issue of the official programme re- vealed wholesale changes in the team se- lected earlier in the week. Sutherland had charge of the goal while Mitchell displaced Cloverley in the full-back line. Fyfe and Jepp deputised for Duffy and Hamilton, and P. B. Jones took up Mitchell's position. Drazell appeared at forward in place of Ball. There was a moderate attendance at the opening of play, and in consequence of the overnight's torrential rain the ground resembled pretty nigh all over a regular quagmire. It was at once evident that the players would experience considerable diffi- oulty in maiml-sining a foothold. The viai- tors, who fielded in Scarlet, looked a buai- ness like lot of men and compared favour- ably with the home contingent in physique and weight. Swarbrick captained the home team and the spin of the coin being in hie favour he placed his side with the sun at their backs. Price set the "I in motion and Parke fail- ing to check the home goad was placed in darger, but Parke retrieved his mistake with a huge kick to Brazell- Play was liven- ing up and a gharp transfer from Mitchell, via Braaell, saw Swaibrick in possession. The outside left diddled the Walsall right I back and centred nicely, when Atwell was fouled just near the line. Syd Jepp took the kick but sent the leather sailing over I the bar. Swarbrick wa-s in his element in the mud and delighted onlookers with his deft touches and clever manipulation of the ball. An interception by Walsall's right winger placed them on the attack, but a timely rush by Parke saw the ball travel to his own man. Pretty play between Warr and Atwell gaw the former drive go4w&rds, but Rushton, although he had to go to his knees to negotiate the ehot, saved h18 charge The Town were playing a nice game not- withstanding the ch-ge,, and once when well placed, and with Rushton unsighted, a goal seemed imminent, but Swarorick s shot went a yard wide. The home men kept on the aggressive and Tucker, from a neat pass by Brazell, shot instead of centreing I and a little later he was again found w&nt- ing, his attempt striking the side of the net. The Walsall men were able to act on the offensive, following a nice transfer from Price to Sandem, but Parke cut across "d l? averted danger by placing to touch. Im- mediately following this the town were again ¡ premuig, and Atwell, who w" playing a sterling game, NETTED THE SWANS' FIRST GOAL, I although aMtdwiched between the visitmg) fuH-b&cke. The home men now appeared to have the measure of their opponents, and Ruehton, the Walsall custodian, was Kept busy <kfending. Once he ?aved a hot drive by Warr, who received & euperb centre from Swarbrick. A corner to the homesters proved abortive. The attendance, which had now increased to quite 3,000, was being given a 3plendid exhibition, despite the condition of the ground. Mitchell was defending resolutely at right-back and contrived to frequently outwit the visitors' left wing. A sensa- I tional incident followed, as from the next pass by Price to Dyke the latter steadying himself 1 SHOT WITH THE UTMOST COOLNFSS past Sutherland, thus equalising. Tne Swansea men were still monopolising the l play, but Walsall had proved themselves opportunists of the first water. Swansea were given a corner kick, which Tucker placed with the acme of judgment, and Sid Jepp I PLACED HIS SIDE AHEAD I with a low shot at barely a yard range. Soon afterwards Swarbrick, with a lightliiig-: like shot grazed the upright. There were thrilling momenta when Atwell fell juft in the act of shooting, and Warr was similarly titu?t?d while in a good position. Rushton elicited applause with a wen-timed punch out from a shot by Jepp. An ialvasion by the Walsall forwards saw Sutherland I handle. Back travelled the Swans, and when the playing conditions are borne in; mind the pace at which the game was being contested was simply terrific. The difplay of the visiting goalkeeper frequently evoked rounds of well-merited applause. He ap- peared to know instinctively the flight of each shot, and he handled on no fewer than half a dozen occuiona within a couple of minutes. Shots from all angles were di- rected to him, but he negotiated them in superb manner. It was a case of brilliant goalke-eping against determined marksman- ship. The visitors made a surprise raid on the Swans' citadel,' only to be foiled by Sutherland. Play continued fast and inter- esting, and the display of the recruits waa indeed gratifying. Atwell in particulr proving a player of remarkable dash and de- termination, allied to neat and tricky foot- work. HALF-TIME SCORE SWANSEA W AL8ALL.-1 goal. On emerging from the pavilion the Wal- sall goalie came in for an ovation, but h( W,M modeet. No tim? WM lost and Swansea at once attacked through the medium of At- well, but Chance changed the venue of the play and Saunders drove well across, but Sutherland fisted clear in the mck of time Warr next secured and passed out wide to Tucker, who after securing a position shot hard and low, but his atten/pt struck the side of the net. THE MEN IN SCARLET I were up and doing ae the home backs soon found, and Mitchell, being beaten, Green centred to Saunders, but the tttex ballooned instead of driving. Rnshtcn was soon in the limelight effecting a illics clearance from a dangerously placed centre by Swarbriok. Percy Jones in heading the ball was seen to collapse, but immediate attention soon put him all right. Clever play by Warr aroused enthuai&sm, and a duel between Atwel1 aivJ a couple of the opposing halves terminated in the Swansea man outwitting the Walsall men. The home men attacked vigorously, and whilst splendidly placed Atwell was fouled in the danger zone. The referee's whistle blew but Brasell had netted. At- well, however, too the penalty and de- ceived Rushton WITH A NICELY PLACED SHOT I to the top of the net. Jimmy Swarbrick caused the crowd to roar with amusement when he cleverly eluded a corple of W al- sall men and then standing snll kept the visiting balf-backa dancing in front of him not knowing what the elusive Jimmy was going to do. The standard of football displayed and undoubtedly equal to that ad moments. The Scarlets goalkeeper demon- strated his activity when he dived across and cleared from Tucker, and the latter a mo- ment later drove well but somewhat mis- directed. A rapid raid by Walsall saw Fyfe head clear out of danger barely a yard out. The first oorner to Wfclsall followed when Mitchell dribled over, but Parke I cleared even when Tucker carried the ball over his own line. Rushton was aga n prominent with a delightful save, and he was cheered to the echo for the manner in whielt he anticipated a clever cross-shot. Walsall were by no means a spent force, and with the aid of their splendad full-backs Green secured with Mitchell in close pur- put. Loud lafnghtar greeted the antics of the man with the ruddy hair, but he stuck to his man like a limpet to a rock, and was rewarded when he prevented Saunders from testing Sutherland. The visiting goal- keeper kept his charge grandly, and he was loudly applauded time after time. FINAL SCORE: SWANSEA TOWN-3 goeu. WALSALL—1 goal.

-——-— ———- MARDY'S a MUD-HEAP. SWANS' SOUTHERN LEAGUE TASK. PAST RESULTS. PAST RESULTS. Southern league- Jan. 18, 1913-(Home)-Swans, 1; Mardy, 0. April 1, 1913—(Away)—Mardy, 4; Swans, 0. Dec. 6, 19U-(Homer-Bw8J15, a; Mardy, 0. Welsh League- April 3. 2; Mardy, 0. Sept. 1. 1915—(Away)-—Swans, 4; Mardy, 1. Oct. 9, Mardy, 0. (By "AJAX.") I The oorreeponding match with Mardy last sermon was the turning point in the Swans race fcr promotion. The Rhondda team's surprising victory put the Swans out of the running at the moment when such a disaster was least expected. All those who saw that game will never forget it. It was played under the most f3arful canditionf. that i' if. possible to imagine. Their old. ground was a miserable little enclosure at the best of times. It was absurdly small and this made scientific football very difficult, be- cause the 22 players were always in each other's way. That day the fates were dead against the Swans. A long period of rain —and it can rain in the Rhondda Valley- transformed the ground into something far worse than a bog or quagmire. The players simply floundered about almost up to their knees in mud, and as Mardy were expert mud-larkers they won easily, but it waa decidedly not a "football" match that was played. A heavy hailstorm added to the eneral discomfort and the referee very wisefy controlled the game from a compara- tively dry patch on the touch-line. At the beginning of this eeason the Srwana, by vir- tue of the fact that the ground was dry, were able to wipe off that defeat, but it wals questionable whether they would suc- ceed on the new ground to-day. The visi- tors strongest team did not travel, Storey, Allman and Bassett beinsc amongst the ab- sentees, and the lack of their presence wea- kened the defence. The teams were:- SWANSEA TOWN.—Goal, Fisher; backs, CleveTley and Duffy; half-backs, Williams, Hamilton and Cuberley; forwards, Measer, Coleman, Anderson, Bah and Greer. MARDY.—Goal, Thomas; backs, Jones and Jenkins; half-backs, Davies, Tebbett and Pinney; forwards, P. N-i-, Hopgood, H. Jones, Bladen and Lockett. Referee-Mr. Neall (Bristol). Despite the heavy rain of the morning the afternoon turned out to be dry, but the ground was very heavy and likely to 1m a considerable handicap to the Swans The i visitors' back division was I- I. COMPLETELY DISORGANISED by the stanamg down of LIew. Morns, the amateur international back, who was un- able to make the journey to Mardy. Duffv, who travelled as first reserve, was called upon to fill the vacancy, but he and Clever- j ley did not inspire one with much con- fidence. The kick-off did not take pk<* until four o'clock. FINAL SCORE t SW ANS-3 goals, MATIDY-1 goa

——-——- ABERAVON V. LLAN- ELLY. Aboravon met Llanelly on the Port Tal- I bot Athletic Ground on Saturday in the third match of the season. The ground was in a deplorable state after i the heavy storm which raged during the night, and, indeed, during the early morning it was debated in certain quar- ters as to whether it would be possible to play on it. The match has been looked forward to, as indeed are all fixtures be- tween Aberavon and the Scarlets, and whilst the former were fairly confident of retaining their ground record, Uiey were forced to realise the fact that the Scarlets would make a bold bid for the coveted trophy. There was nothing in I the first two matches. The first, at Stradey, resulted in a draw, and the re- turn match, on the Port Talbot Ground, l was only a win for Aberavon by a con- I -verted goal to nil. Aberavon, furthermore, were playing this afternoon without the services of I i Johnny Davies--the first really import- I ant match they have played since his de- l parture. Pandy Rees came out as full- back in his place. The teams fielded as follows:— ABERAVCN.—Back, Pandy Bees; three-quarters, Ivor Hopkins, E. B. Rees. P. C. Hurford and J. Jenkins; half-backs, Will Jones and Fred Potter; forwards, Willie Hopkins, Tom Ponsford, C. Jones, Atkinson, Dai Rees, Dai Ran- dall, Dan Tobin and Webber. LLANELLY.-Back, Burchell; three- quarters, Lewis, Davies, Thomas, and Watts; halves, Fcwler and Lewis; for- wards, Rev. T. Havard, Rev. Thomas, A. Howells, Syd Phillips, Dai Huggleston. Rhys Davies, B. Evans, and Rees. Referee, Mr. W. B. Rees. The weather, which all the day had been threatening, cleared off beautifully, but the ground was still in a wretched condition. There was a* change in the Aberavon team at the last moment, Ponsford going into the three-quarter line instead of Ivor Hopkins, and Jim Jones taking Ponsford's place in the pack. There was the usual late start of half-an- hour, the teams fielding after four o'clock Aberavon started with a rush, and took play into the Llanelly 25, where the SlAr. leta were awarded a free." Very UttJo territory was gained. Aberavon aecuTmg the ball made a rush for the line, and Jack Jonet appeared to get over, but the referee called him back. From the ensuing scrum a fine pass by Potter re.sulted in the latter rushing < ver with a try after five minutes' play. POD3ford failed to convert Aberavon were having the beet of the game so far, and a nioa kick by Potter found touch near the line, bnt Llarelly had the advjuntiafre ot the throw-out. One of the visiting forwards made a fine meh. and th* crowd judgied he had crossed, but the re- feree, after consultation with the touch judge, gavs an adverse decision. Aberavon made a fine burst, and drlbblinsr to witMn a few yarde of the line, enabled Charley Jones to score the second try, Potter falling at the kiek. HALF-TIME SCORE: ABERA VON-2t.-ies. T,T.AN-ELT,Y-Nil. FINAL SOORB: ABF.RA VON—3 trim, LLANELLI—Mil.

TO COST £ 189,QCG. SWANSE A-MERTHYR ASYLUM. THE QUESTION OF WATER SUPPLY. A meeting of the Joint Asylum Com- mittee, composed of representatives of Swansea and Merthyr, -was held at Swansea on Friday, to further consider the scheme for the erection of a joint asylum at Cefn (Joed, near Swansea, at a oast estimated at about The Mayor of Swansea (Aid. T. T. Corker) presided. The architects (Messrs. T. Hine and Pegg) presented detailed sr iications of the pro- posed building. This committee had decided PO- 2 building. Tiits that the structure shall be generally of brickwork, ai i the Lunacy Commissioners had appioved of thia, but said that nothing more costly than the picked common bridi shall be use d for facing purposes. They (the architects) proposed when putting in Lhe foundations to set up some examples of brick- work for the inspection and approval of the oommittee with bricks which would satisfy the Lunacy Commissioners on the score of economy. The architects asked for an early consideration of the report, so that the foundations could be put in during the com- ing summer. Ihe Building Sub-Committee, having considered the report, recommended that TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATIONS be aavertised and to be received by MarcH 20th next, and that the tender of M-sserrs. Kortin Bros., of London, for heating the asylum be accepted, amounting to L j 160. It was further recommended that a clerk ot th., works be advertised for at a salary of four guineas per week. The report was ad- opted. The Town Clerk (Mr. Lang Coath) said that a question had arisen with regard to the water supply to the proposed building. The site was just outside the borough boun- dary, and within the area of the Swansea Rural District Council. There was an agreement between the two authorities, whereby the District Council took their water from the Swansea Corporation, and the effect of that agreement waa that the District Council had a monopoly of supply within their own area, and therefore the Corporation could not go into their district except by amLngement. Now it appeared that tb?e ma;rs from which th? Uistriet Council got their supply would not give a sufficient head of water to reach the tower of the proposed asylum, and in conjunction with the Borough Engineer (Mr. Wyrill) he had suggested that THE ONLY WAY OUT Of the aimculty was for the Corporation to lay another roam to the asylum 6ite. If, however, that were done, the Corporation would be supplying within the area of the District Council which they had no right to do, but he had communicated the suigges- ticjn to the clerk to the District Council pointing out that tibe Corporation wetne pro- viding water far a public institution and de- j aired to MAKE NO PROFIT out of it. The District Council would con- aider the matter next week, and thfte it av-od for the moment. Aid. D&vid Davies (Swansea) said he did not think the District Council would offer any objections, and the Town Clerk agreed. In reply to Mr. Dan Thomas (Merthyr) t-be Town Clerk stated the necessary notices to acquire possessi on of the land had been duly served, and them was now no difficulty about getting on ait any time. The question of compensating the tenants, how- ever, was left in the hands of Mr. Wra James, the valuer. Possession of the quarry now let to Messrs. Lloyd Bros, could not be got till June 24th next. j Mz. Pegg (architect) asked far an instruc- tion in regard to the use of local Pemnant atone in some of the work, whether it was to be got from the q uany 1 During some discussion A.M. Daivid Davie* said he waa sum Messrs. Lloyd Bros. would be prtp-ed to give up possomion at onoe and if so, that would relieve the position enormously. He got into emnmunication with Messrs. Lloyd Biros., who agreed to this oounee, except as to a small strip upon which stood fibe plant and which will not affeot the asylum contractors having use of tthe quarry immediately the foundations of the building are begun. The architect's estimated cost of £ 190.700 for the asyllbn includes foundations, sniper- structure, architects' commission, and oostf 01 heating, machinery, eto.-enerything ex- eept kying out of grounds and enclosing; the eetaie.

I THE FRENCH XV. ITEAM TO MEET WALES AT SWANSEA. The French Rugby Union has selected the following team to meet Wales at Swansea on March 2:— FR.' NTCE.—Back, Caujolles (Tarbes); three-quar&ers, Lacoste (Tarbes), Poey- dobasquo (Bavonne), Lasseira I and Andre (Paris) half-backs, iarribau (Biarritz) and Porteau (Taroe3); for- wards, Lebrere (Toulouse), lguinitz: (Baycnne), De Beysaac (Bordeaux), Des-' vouges (Paris), Arnal (Paris), Lavaud (Carcassonne), i euvielle (cspt.) (Bor- deaux), and Legrain (Paris). -&

NEGRO PUGILIST. I "ROUND" WITH THE SWAN- 1 SEA GUARDIANS. "KID" DAYIES' WIFE AND I FAMILY. At Swansea Police Court on Friday, Lloyd Davies (2U). mechanic, a niuii 01 cc luur, was charged with leaving his wile and six children chargeable to the union, JB6 17s. 6d. being due fo the Guardians. It was elicited that defendant had just returned from abroad, and had paid P,2 on account. Defendant, it was stated by Mr. Vtrley Price, who represented him, was a pugilist; lu had been in very decent busii-ess. He had been across to France off and on for the last ten years, and his wife more than one I c.:i«t-ron had accompanied him. He had gone to France to follow his employment last October. H" had sent rums of money to his wife, and learning that she had be- come chargeable to the Union, he came over I and went straight to the Guardians and paid the L2. A little later lie was arrested. There was employment waiting for him at Newport, and the money (L4 17s. 6d. and costs) would be paid On that understanding the warrant of ar- rest was withdrawn. Note.-Defendrnt popularly known as Kid Davies in sporting circles.

MOULDER AMOK. I GLASS SMASHED AT NEATH I HOTEL. At Neath on Friday, Matthew Murphy. I a travelling moulder, was charged on re- mand, with drunkenness and disorderly be- haviour, and with breaking a number of windows in the Grandison Hotel, doing damage to the extent of £ 2 10s. Defendant said "I believe I broke the windows, but I had my head broken first." Samuel Picton Mugford described the scene &t the Grandison HoW, and said that dtfendant used the worst language he had beard for some time, and hit him in the mouth with a stick, loosening his teeth. P;C. Lloyd atnd that when arresf^d Murphy useid most indecent language, and ecent languat e. an d exclaimed, I am only sorry that I didn't break more." (Laughter.) For the first offence defendant w" fined SII. and costs, and for the secoad 50.. and costs, -or in default. 6 wsales' imprisonment i in all*

BALL OF HRE." 1 I HOUSES STRUCK. I I THUNDERBOLTS IN I SWANSEA AND DISTRICT Swansea was visited by a storm of unusual character early on Saturday morning, and the Brynmill district seems to have suffered more than any other part of the town. Those who were out or Lwake very eany spaak of the wind BLOWING A PERFECT HURRICANE across the channel, and many a window fastening was tested. Then, about 5.30, .ntermittent flashes of lightning UurAiin- pted the whole scene, followed by loud caps of thunder. A terrific hail storm H.110Wed. As stated, Brynmill was particularly a fleeted by the storm cloud, and several residents were roused from their ?eds by the extrtordin?'y force of the w nd. In i?ynmiil-terrace a I BALL OF FIRE WAS SEEN I to trave from the direction of Port Talbot, all d after glancing over the tops of several houses it struck the roof of ;\< 22, and disappeared. A v sit dis- posed the effects of the ball of fire, or tliunofci ..olt, the slates on the ro)f at the b»ck being torn away, and the ?atha and plaster displaced. I Occupauts of neighbouring horn?s were laff-ectect, and speak of a particular ly loud | clap of thunder, which was followed by tne I TREMBLING OF THE FLOCR, j and falling of soot from the chimneys. A "Daily Post" reporter visited Brynmill on Saturday morning and saw the damage one to No. 23, Brvnrrill-buTace street which runs parallel wilih Bryrunill-leae. It I is a high terrace 01 about forty honiees which have not been effected more than five years. Mrs. Barnett, the wife of a ohauffear. re- aides at No. 22, and she told our repre- sent--t;-x,e that si,.e and her husband wera awnken»d abort 5 70 a.m. by & Wid crash and then the fall of masonry. Miicr. alarmed ) they got, up and di °cov«ned a i I LARGE HOLE TN THE ROOF I and a saneli of fire. The top of the etair- J case is on the same land me: as the bedroom ill whidh they slept, but fortunately they I were not tonuoibed. T ""V I | Mj. T03et>h Jenkins, who resides at o. 24, Brynmill-terrace, says be and bis family i were awakened by the extraordinary vivid j flashes of L?h?tnin?. Mrs. Jenkins waa i d?wn?'t?ars pr?pa<nn.? the fire, and said t?e floor of the kitchen was sharing aind she I feared an earthoua-Ve. She I COULD NOT KEEP HER FEET. I Mr. Jenkins, who sileot in the front room, ¡ got out of bed and, as he told cr reporter, he saw a ball of fire coming from th.8 œt I ever the roofs and ther he hPMd a or.vjh. I He did not see whetfe the ball went. Peo- I ple next dioor had a similar tulc to tale. HOUSES STRUCK. I I Lightning Bull's Eyes" at I Pontardawe. I Considerable damage was caused by light- I ning in the Pontardawe district early on Saturday morning. A house occupied by Mr I Jack Thomas, a former secretary of the Pontardawe Football Club, in Gwyn-street, I Alltwen, was struck. The chimney was d-emolisbed and a tion of the roof was stripped off. Mr and Mrs. Thomas occupied a room in front I of the house, and fortunately .o 4chimney fell into the garden. Had i* fallen inwards j 'the consequences would t = .e been serious. As it waa one of the bedrooms was covered with plaster from the roof. Another house, occupied by Mr. David William Thomas, in Gellynuad, was also struck and damage to the extent of about JE30 was done. Reports are to hand of trees being struck dowin by lightning in the Neath district, but I' 1 no casualties are reported.

I DEAD IN A CHAIR. I TRAGIC DISCOVERY AT I COCKETT. I Leah Perry (69), a widow, living at 4 Gorse-road, Cockett, wa.s discovered dead sitting on a chair in the kitchen of her home on Friday. I The tragic discovery was made hy John Treoeda, of 1, Percy-street, and Jane Perry, aged seven. There were slight injuries to the deceased woman's mouth, which are supposed to have been caused I by it fall. An inquest will be held.

LIFEBOAT DISASTER. FOURTEEN LIVES LOST IN IRELAND. The Preoe Association's Wexford correspon- dent telegraphs that tte barque "Mexico." which went -sshore there on Friday, remains on the rocks off the Wexford coaPt. The gale has abated, and the onew of ten Norweigane are safe. The Fethurd iifefxxit went to the rescue, and her crew of fou te-sn have bean drowned. A Water-ford telegram states that the Fet- fcard lifeboat put out in the teeth of the g-aia to cross a distance of about eight miles to the "Mexico." It is feared tbet the lifeboat was dashed against the rocks. Four bcdies h.r. HI! been wsehed ashort, and have been identified so lifeboetmen.

STILL WINNING. SWANSEA SALISBURY CLUB CUEISTS IN THE FINAL OF A.C.C. TOURNAMENT. The billiard teams of the Swansea Salis- bury and Porth Conservative Cl.bs met on neutral ground at Port Talbot cu Friday night intLe semi-final of the A.C.C tourna- ment. The Port Talbot Conservative Club wae crowded, there being large contingent of supporter6 of both clubs. Swansea proved far too strong for their opponents, and it was only found necessary to play two gamea out of three. A feature of the evening's play was A VERY FINE BitEAK OF 92 by Mr. Tom Davies, of Swansea, who played a splendid gamo all through, his oppoceni, Alf Evans, only making 99. Lockley beat Jackson, of Porth, by 100, his largest break being 58, of which 36 were off the red. The following- were the scores;- Tom Davies, Swansea 250 Alf Evans, Porth 99 Lockley, Swamea. 250 Jackson, Porth 15J Keen disappointment was felt by those present that Paton and Pearce (the Porth "crack") were r.ot matched in the tourua- ment, and at the request of those present they played a friendly game of 250 up. Both men were evenly matched and ran practically neck and neck up to 220, when Paton !-an out with a nice break. His biggeat break was 87, and he seemed to feel the difference between the composi- tion balls and the "ivories," with which he has been playing his recent cham pionsh-p ajt11.— «»

The members of the St. Illtyd's Church j Band of Hope entertained an appreciative I audienoe to a concert, when the ohoir sang several items. Recitations wara given by Messrs. Iorwerth George, Jack Stevens, and Miss Doris Jamee. in capital style Boloe were finely rendered by Master Harry Bel. lamy and i.he Misses Maud Richards. Elsie May Jenkins, Ed'th Bellamy, RMah A. James. Edna May Jenkins, and Nancy Morgan. TIw dialogue, "A Cure for a Bad Appe its," by Masfter Ivor George and Miss Maud Rich- ards, wa„ a feature of an excellent pro. gramme. The llIev. D. L. Daniel presided.

STOP PRESS. I

:£1,000 DAMAGE. BIG ABERAVON BLAZE, WIDOW LEFT DESTI- TUTE. Early on Friday morning a disastrous fire broke out in two new shop premises situated in Water-street, Aberavon, as a result of which the buildinga were completely gutted and damage done a" j anting to over 21,000. The pxemises, which had only recently un- dergone alterations, two fine new shop fronts being put in, belonged to Mr. John May, Aberavon, and were just opened as a wall paper she; id a hairdresser's saloon. The alarm was given just before two o'clock and the Aberavon Fire Brigade, m charge of Captain An derson, v-m soon on the sce)8 with THEIR NEW MOTOR ENGINE, but so good a hold had the flames secured I that before three o'clock the whole of the premises were gutted. The fire, it is understood, broke out in the hairdresser's premises, which were unoo- cupied, the intention of the tenant being to open next Thursday, and rapidly spread to the wall paper shop belonging to Mrs. Bar- nard, a widow, who, with her children, were sleeping on the premises. All exits being cut off by way of the stairs, Mrs. Barnard and her family had to be received from the bedroom window into a blanket held by four firemen below. The greatest sympathy is felt locally with rlS. Barnard, who is left practically dee^i-^ tute, her stock not being insured. On Fn- day morning the Mayor (Ald. David hees) opened a fund for her relief which is receiv- ing practical sympathy from all quarters.

PRIZE IGNORAMUS. Quaint Defence at Neath. Richard Jones, a Briton Ferry tin. worker, was summoned at Neath on Fri- day for using indecent language at Briton Ferry on Satuidav night. He was defended by Mr. Dan Perkins. P.S. Walsh gave a description of the in- cident, which happened near the Assenibly Room* Hotel. When witness asked Jo: ea tor his name and address, a companion named Phillips said, Go on, Dick, give him your name. We'll fix it up between UII." Defendant denied the offence, and called his companions, liees Phillips, Jabez Thomas, Wm. John Foster and John An- thony, in support of the denial. Rees Phillips, croes-examinc-d said he and defendant were friendlv they played football I together; Anthony said that the defendant was a gentleman whom he had never heard swear in all his life. And," he added, I we.nt to f-chool with him." Defendant's father sooke to a conversation he had with P.S. Vv.ilsn, who, he alleged, aid, "There woulc not have been much in it, only he (the defendant) was talking -.0 the most ignorant -ian in Briton Fer, v, one who did not know "b" from a bull's I fcot." The Bench imposed a fine of 10s. and costs.

WELSH AND STAMMERING. Metropolitan Periodical's Jest. The surprising statement was made by a member of the Swansea Town Council on Wednesday (says a note in the "Pall Mall Gazette ") that "there was a larger propor- hm of stammerers in Wales than m any other country." Probably the evidence will be found to be no greater than that for sorre other statements made at town council meet- ings. We venture to thirA that this is not the moment at which it will be easy to oou- vince the public that the linguistic cfiarao- teristic of Wales is not rather a fatal fluency than ron^i* "fional reticence. | "SWANSEA CTTTT DREN WHO ALWAYS USED ENGLISH." The "Standard," in a more serious vein, publishes an interview with a I ondon p. v- ician, who says: Possibly the Welsh chil- dren who are suddenly brought irto contact with an utterly alien language such as hsh might hesitate, but in the case of the Swansea children who .i&e English and have always used it, they wovld probably lpp-n Welsh as little Enclrh boVfI learn French. They would not stammer about it. They would just use the words they knew. The first expression that any French boy learns t > use at an English public school h "cih"t up," and he never stammers about it. We must look for the origin of stammering else- where.

SLEEPING OUT. 14 Days' Sentence at Llarally. William Richards, a young man agmrst whom there were many previous Owmctions, was charged with vagrancy at the Llanelly Police Court on Friday. A police officer stated that he found the man sleeping in a tent on the LlanJ ch re- fuse tip. Richards wu sent down for 14 days.

SWKNSEA-MERTHYR ASYLUM. At a joint meeting of the Swansea Merthyr Asylum Committee to-day the architects (Measre. T. Hine and Pegg) pro- vided detailed specifications for the build- ing. which is to be of brick and oost £ 180,700. Estimated tenders for the foundat- ions e.re to he received n March 20. The Town Clerk described the present situation re the supply of water. The institution is in the Swansea Rural District., whose Coun- cil, by -tin agreement with Swansea, have a monopoly of supplying water, but whose mains are inadequate. It is suggested Swansea Corporation shall lay mains to the building.