Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

AN EXAMPLE FROM CANADA. A message from Canada received on Thursday is very gratifying. It states that the Canadian Department of Agri- rsulture is alert to the supreme necessity of producing next year the largest grain yield in the history of the Dominion. Where farmers, from any cause, are un- able to provide their own seed, the Gov- ernment will see that no acreage remains untilled on this account. The fine weather experienced this autumn in Canada has enabled the farmers to pre- pare much more than the usual quantity of ground, and this will be an important factor towards increasing the area seeded in the spring. There will be no difficulty in obtaining a. market for the crop. To this end the Canadian Government is completing storage elevators as rapidly as possible, and there will be sufficient capacity to provide for the increased yield. Europe will produce comparatively little grain next year, and must, there- fore, necessarily look chieity to Canada and the United States for her supplies. Everything produced on the farm will thus realise an increased price. English, agriculturalists should take the hint Hand do likewise. THE EAST COAST BOMBARDMENT. I At hrst sight the news of Wednesday's zaW on the East Coast is not very plpa"ani; For tbp fi?"t ttm? sin-P Tron- -viUe's tel. £ re i# -lie4.ziIL -'? 11690, has the British coast been bom- i harded, cnd now we have to face the fact that an enemy whose fleet was supposed to be bottled up effectively has been able to come across, subject three of our towns to a hot fire, and then retire with prao- tically no loss or damage. Added to that, we have the fact that for the first time for several hundreds of years a number oi pople have been killed in war on British soil by a foreign enemy. Those are the hard facts. It is to be hoped that the lesson will not be lost. The lesson is that the war we are now engaged upon is a more serious affair than home people seem"to imagine. The greatest possible mistake is the feeling expressed by some people that it is all gOIlg to be over in a short time, that the troops already under arms are enough to cope with the job in hand, and that we here at home can afford to go on as if very little were happening. The affair of yesterday should have the effect of pulling the slackers up to scratch. They must realise that the nation's defence alone should compel them to listen to the warning of the leaders amongst our states- men of all parties, now united happily in a commo-i. effort. There ought to be no talk of slackness of recruiting amongst those able to bear arms; no talk of false economy amongst those who are left- at home; no talk of leaving trade and commerce to take care of itself; no talk of men who are doing the work with the Colours (either at home or abroad) going short of necessary comforts; no talk of panic or collapse should an incident like that of yesterday come along to rufDa us for the moment. On the contrary, the event should be one more lesson to all grades and sections of the community to brace themselves to meet the stress of conflict with calmness and fortitude.

I LOCAL NOTES. I ABERAVON & PORT TALBOT. I Local tradesmen in Aberavon and Port Talbot are showing commendable enter- prise in keeping their premises bang up- to-date for Chriatmastide. The grocers, butchers, confectioners, toy and novelty vendors, clothiers, gent's mercers, fruit- erers, fishmongers, game and poultry dealers, milliners, costumiers, drapers, etc., have on sale a magnificent show of everything which appeals to the aesthetic and gastronomic faculties. The various establishments are laid out with artistic taste, and are all worthy of careful inspec- tion. They are a distinct credit to the enterprise and scrupulously good taste of our local tradesmen, and will compare with any other town in the whole of the country. There is an abundance of every- thing, and the inhabitants of Aberavon and Port Talbot should in fairness and I justice support home enterprise by pur-1 chasing their necessities feorn those who have taken care, and trouble to procure the best of everything to make Christmas —even with the war-cloud—bright and joyful to all. See our advertising columns. In matters of entertainment during the Yuletide season, first-class productions will be put ou at the Port Talbot New Theatre, the Abcravon Grand Theatre, the Port Talbot Forge Road Electric Theatre, the Aberavon Picturodrome, and the Aber- avon Public Hall. The programmes ar- ranged should meet with the approval and hearty support of the pleasure-loving com- munity. The members of the Margam District Council, as is their custom to, at this period of the year made a round-table col- lection at Monday's meeting for the pur- pose of purchasing Christmas niceties and toys for the children inmates at the Sana- torium. The collection realised two guineas. Local inhabitants a.re not likely to for- get last Saturday, which was itag day, organised for the local Soldiers' and Sailors' Christmas Comforts Fund. The organisers of this event-U-rs. Percy Jacob and Miss Olive Richards—did their duty well. They got together an aniiy of ven- dors, whose insistency and charm posi- tively over-rode all refusals, and none were j more ertthueiistic and indefatigable in their efforts than a number of lady Bel- gian refugees who are in the district. The day's efforts realised the splendid sum of £60. Tx-vt week. a.t the Aberavon recruiting office, the fifth son of a Cymmer family joined the Colours. 'His name was Wm. Thomas, and he enlisted in the 2nd Bat- talion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The other four brothers are J. lL, Stanley, Aaron, and. Stephen, and previously joined re- spectively the South Wales Borderers, 6th Welsh, Royal Garrison Artillery, and the Devons. All are the sons of Mr. Morgan Thomas, collier, Cymmer, Afan Valley, Truly a noble contribution to the cause of King and country. Mr. J. Rees, proprietor of the Aberavon Picturodrome, has from the start of the war given material assistance to the local war funds by contributing 5s. per night out of the takings. Added to this generous and patriotic cond uct, a special benefit night was given on Wednesday, the entire proceeds being devoted to the Mayor's Fund for sending parcels of Christmas comforts to local boys serving with the Colours. Amongst a splendid audience were the Mayor and a num ber of aldermen and counci liors and leading residents of I the town and district. The Mayor paid a high tribute to the proprietor for his generosity. Mr. Edward Furneavi, lessee-manager of the Port Talbot New Theatre, is making arrangements to hold a concert at his theatre on Christmas night, the proceeds to be devoted to the Sailors' Comforts Fund. Mr. J. H. Moody is arranging a Sunday night's concert at the tUlliø theatre, by the kind permission of Mr. Furneau. The committee of the Taibach second patriotic concert, in the Drill Hall, is to be congratulated upon another splendid achievement. The proceeds realised £ 20, which it is intended to hand over to the local Soldiers" and Sailow' Comforts Fund. On Saturday night, the local fistic champion and ex-bantam weight champion of England and Lonsdale belt holder—Bill Beynon, of Taibach—met Tom Lewis, of Merthyr. The contest was brought off at the OJympic Eink, Merthyr, before 4,000 spectators. The contest was a very dis- appointing one by reason of too much hogging. The contestants went the full 15 rounds, and the referee gave it a-s a I draw." Thi,3 decision did not meet with the approval of a large section of the audience, who decVared that Bernon won easily. The i n tarnation that the Mansel 'rin-I plate Works were going to close down in consequence of war?depreasion came as 1).\ nasty thud to the district, as although these works were only working part-?hift, they continued to provide consddera.Me employment in the district. It is rumoured in the distriet that Mr. By ass, who has taken a lease of the old Afan Vale Works site, intends erecting vhereon a works for the manufacture of enforcing metal w-ePcl in ferro-concrpte work. Fo.rtap.it?y .for the d?tri<-t. the port! Stechvorlfts. 'continue at full pres- n sure. It is interesting to note in connec- tion with the steel works that the exten- sive new wharves connecting the works with the docks are now practically com- plcted. The Aberavon, Port Talbot, and District Literary and Debating Society, which hokls its meetings each week at Ellis' Cafe, Port Talbot, the subject for discus- sion being Which has the greater in- fluence upon public opinion: the Press or Oratory: The affirmative side was ably handled by Air. E. B. Lloyd, and the opposition effectively upheld by Mr. E. T. Rees. 'rha debate was ably contributed to by Miss A. M. Hamilton, Miss P. Cox, Messrs. T. J. Davies, W. iL Thomas, Karl Wehrle, Cuthbert lloweil, Tudor Jones, and the balance of the arguments were weighed up with skill by Councillor Lewis M. Thomas, the chairman and president j of the society. The vote went in favour of the P ress, and we breathe again. There should be a boom in bacon shortly in the Port Talbot and Margam district, as the Council has decided to reduce the distance for pig-keeping from 100 to 50 feet from a residence, but this applies i only to stipulated localities of the uut- I skirts and rural portions of the town, and not the more congested areas. Mr. Stanley Henry, son of Mr. Ll. H^ enry, Ii), At aesy c w r t te r r a e e, Port T'iil- bot, who was one of the Rhondda Male Voice Choir who won the champion prize at the Pittsburg International Eisteddfod, and who remaintxl in the Suites with an aunt at Carnegie, has been honoured with a leading position in the first operatic company in the United States. Before leaving Port Talbor, Mr. llenry's line baritone voice was greatly admired, and a big success in American operatic circles was foreshadowed for him in these columns. Mr. Henry is one of the many j successful prcd ucts of the Port Talbot Moody School of Music. All friends wish him still higher flights in his profession. Sapper W. Hugheg. who waa employe on tne Mai"gam ?tats, and was a member of the Margam I ire Brigade, stationed at present at Button, attached to the Royal Engineers, with whom he volunteered at the start of the war, has been specially selected to assist the Buxton Derby Fire Brigade on occasions of necessity. Cupt. Tom Hughes and his fixe-fighters are l proud of this honour. Lucifer. I

AMMANFORD. I "Emblem Day" at Ammanford next Saturday will afford an interesting oppor- tunity for the people to help, in a sub- stantial way, tb Queen's" Work for Women Iw, Several ladies met this week, in response to an invitation issued by the Magistrates' Clerk, lir. W. L. Smitli, to consider what could be done, and the method mentioned, of selling pretty button-holes in tho streets and around the houses, was decided upon. Mry. i Herbert., Brynrnarlais, was elected chair- man of the committee, and other promi- nent ladies are talcing a keen interest in the work. Ammanford has once more been beaten in the competition for Belgian refugees. I referred last week to Llandilo's proud position. Xow, it is Llandebie that scores, for seven of the Belgians arrived on Mon- day, and are now housed in a substantial residence over which their national flag floats. Only one of the little party under- stands English, but the welcome accorded them was rendered more homely to them by the fact that Mr. Alan Stepney Gulston, of Derwvdd, was able to converse with them in their own language. With Mr. Stepney Gulston, meeting the refugees, was Miss Gulston, Rev. W. D. Thomas, the Vicar of Llandebie, and Mrs. Noyes-Thomas, Rev. J. LI. Thomas (curate), Revs. P. O. Evans, J. Davies, J. Crwys Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Noves (Woodl?nd?), Mr. W. Llewelyn (Piode), and others. The refugees came from Nieuport, Bains, and their journey to Llandebie occupied seven days, as they travelled via Fumes, Dunkirk, Calais, Folkestone and London. Ammanfard's turn will, doubtless, come next. Meanwhile, I may be permitted to congratulate Mr. Gwilyin Jones and his male voice choir on the admirable patriotic concert which they gave at the Palace Theatre on Thursday evening. Mr. T. M. Evans, M.A., presided, and there was a good house," the proceeds amount- ing to over JS50. More prisoners of war! Irlwyn in- forms me that Fred Bonnell, of Margaret- street, Ammanford; is now a prisoner of war in Germany. He was a reserve man, well-known in the town and neigh- bourhood. But, just now, the prisoner in whose welfare the Bettws people are interested is Postman Hughes, whose pathetic letter was published in last week's Herald," declaring that he could not accept gifts as he had no money to pay the duty chargeable in Germany. My appeal for 1 shillings to give him a Christmas Box has already met with a fair.response, ond I am told that there are other shillings to come. The more the merrier to cheer him in his II enforced exile. Miss Beatrice kA I" sending him a I donation last night, and, as I happened to call when she was about to post it, I joined her in sending a few shillings, 4md added a note (which she enclosed in her Ie! ten promising to send more in a few days. In less than !ialf-an-hour after that letter had been ;posted I had 5s. more given me as Christmas boxes for the- post- man prisoner of war, and I am certainly expecting more to follow. Any friend may drop a note addressed < Awstin,' 22, Pen- twvn-rónd, Ammanford." and the money will be forwarded to Hughes in Germany. A letter card which reached me this morning, from Mr. Fred Treavett, junior (now a reporter at Graveeend, Kent), con- tained an enclosure of 2s. and a cheering message Having been informed that you are getting up a fund, the proceeds" of which you are sending to the Bettws post- man, W. W. Hughes, who was a great I friend of mine when at Ammanford, I am enclosing 2s. to you. I know from p.e. I had from him that he has NOT a penny to spend, and I am sure that the Christ- mas gift from Ammanford will cheer him np. 11 Beit-8 residents, Ammanford friends, and others may fake the hint and follow Mr. Fred Treavott's example. Awstin.

I NEATH SERGEANT'S DEATH. With astonishment and sorrow the In- habitants of Neath were acquainted with the sad news on Wednesday night that Police-sergeant Ben Davies, of the Borough Constabulary, had passed away at Swansea Hospital. lie had been ailing for some months past, but was able to continue his duties. Internal pains were so acute at times that he decidpd, after consultation with his medical advisor, to undergo an operation. This took place on Sunday, but he never rallied from the effects, and died on Wednesday afternoon. Sergeant Ben," as ho was popularly called, had been connected with the force for ttventv years, and was a most con- scientions and genial officer. Everybody held him in the highest esteem, and his can be gauged by the general sorrow which prevailed in the town when the news berapie known. lie was 45 years of age, and leaves a widow, resident at Leonard-street, to wllom the sympathy of the townspeople is extended. Only a fortnight ago ICS. Davies attended the funera l of his father. Deceased has a broihein the iorce.—P.C.; II ui>kin J Davies. J, a

JEWISH DIVORCE. INTERESTING SWANSEA CASE. lu the. Divorce Court on Wednesday— boiore Mr. Justice Hargrave i)eiine-a case came on for healing in which Mr. Solomon Freetiman, pawnbroker, of Page- street. Swansea, sued his wife, Mrs Rachel Freedman, of Albany-load, Cardiff, for a decrew of restitution ot conjugal rights, and she' in reply, claimed a decree of nullity cf mariiage. I M?. Inn' Bowe?. K.C., and Mr. W. O. Willis (in.8trndoo OV M?ssr?. Smiles and Co., London, agents for Mr Harold Lloyd, solicitor, Cardin/ applied for the hus- band; and Mr liarnaid, K.C., Mr. Framp- ton, and Mr. D. CoLes Preedy (instructed by Measrs: Smith, Ruadell and Co., Ion- don, agen-tis ior Le wis, ii organ and Co., of Cardiff) appeared for the wife. Mr. Barnard having to show cause why there should not be a. decree of restitution, opened the case on behalf oi the wifp,. He said the wife alleged that her husband had treated her with coldness and neglect; that on the marriage day he said he had no desire to go away with her, a.nd threatened to leave her; that he had in May, 1912, said he would not live with her; and ahe also alleged that the mar- ri-age had not been consummated. Changes of Mind. Mr. Freedman was a pawnbroker in Swansea, and he went through the cere- mony of marriage with the lady on the ■27th December, HJ1 1. at the Synagogue at Cardiff. For some years they had known each other, and in August, 1911, they be- came engaged to be married. He was then 36 years of age, and the lady was 30. In November, 1911, after the marriage had been fixed for the 27th December, the petitioner suddenly said he was not p I-e, pared to get married. Tho result was that the respondent's father and mother went over and saw Mr. Freedman at Swansea. They could get from him no reason why he wanted to get out of the marriage, and after considerable con- versation ho said he was not particular about whether he was married or not. In the end they asked him. Shall we go on with the wedding?" The prepard.-I tions had been made for the wedding, He replied. "Yes? go on with it" Another incident took place. In Decem- ber the wife wrote a letter to her father. signing herself Raie," and the peti- tioner took some objection to that letter. The result was that the lady's mother went over to see the petitioner and again could get no reason why he did not want to get married. In tha end he said he would be carried, and the marriage ceremony accordingly took place at Cardiff on December 27th. Wedding Night Scene. After the ceremony there was a recep- tion at the Royal Hotel, followed by a dance. That night ho threatened to g,) away from his wife. The next day they went to Bournemouth and stayed at the Boscombo Private Boarding House from December 28th io January 4th. He treated his wife indifferently, hardly speaking to her, and the marriage was not consummated, although they stayed at Swansea together for a couple of months. On 30tli April, 1912, the hus- band wrote the following letter te his wife's father and mother:— "I am sorry to say I have been feeling very unhappy and depressed, in fuct matters have now reached a crisis. Within a week's time something very much out of the common is about to happen. What it is I cannot at pre&- ent disclose, as there are a few pre- liminaries to arrange. When completed I shall let you know. In the meantime please mention nothing to anyone, Hoping you aro quite well, I remain, yours sincerely, Sol." Insult Still Fresh." On the Mh. May, 1912, he wrote to the father of the young lady:— Dear Dad,;—This is the letter I pro- mised you last weeld About ten months ago it was with a feeling of pleasure and pride that I wrote to you announc- ing the tact that Raie and I had agreed to be engaged to he married. You are awaro that following our engage- ment I had occasion many times to speak to you about Raie's conduct, which was anything but what a man should expect from his' future wife. I asked you several times if Raie really cared for lue, and each time you re- assured me that she did. We now come to the wedding night. No doubt the insult she gave me is still fresh in your memory. Anyhow, I have not forgotten it. If it had not been for a threat that ma made use of in the presenco of Aunt Becky, I should have parted from Raia that night: what with the memories of that night and anything but proper treatment since—plenty of sneers and hints—life, I can assure you, has become intolerabla. So much so that Raie and I have agreed to separate. My Misfortune." Of course, you must have expected this. You did yur best for many years to get rid of Raie, but you did not meet with amy success. Alas, it has been my misfortune to have her. Why I deserve such a punishment I cannot tell. I want you to come over to claim all that Raie is entitled to according to the marriage ceremony. One regret is that I cannot make you recompense me for ruining my life. The fnther was rather astonished to get that letter, and he sent over Mr. Fins- berg to the respondent to get from him the reasons of t.he bother, but he gave some trivial answer. Next morning, the father of the lady and Mr. Finsberg saw him and lie gave them reasons which they would relate. The father said to him, You are not cu t out t, cut out to be a marrie-d man," and then the petitioner said he had been to see a doctor bcfo?Q the marriage cere- mony, and that the doctor said he was all right. The only t',Iiiiig! the father could get from him was that tliis man wished to part from the lady on the 12th May. The lady left with her mother, and consulted Mr. Lewis Morgan, who had since died, and tok proceedings for desertion. The matter came before the magistrates on several occasions, and it was snggested, that it was a matter for the High Court. A Doctor's Evidence. A medical witness having given evi- dence, Mrs. Freedman went into the witness- box, and guvo evidence in support of her Counsel's statement. She said that on the honeymoon at Bournemouth, her husband hardly spoke to her all the time. She said he had never accomplished the marriage. She! first became aware that sho could have the marriage annulled after the police court proceedings. Cross-examined by Mr. Ivor Bowen, K.C., Mrs. Freedman said that Mr. Freed- man was a quiet and reserved sort of I man, and he would not, after the mar-I riage, speak to her unless she addressed: him. At the wedding reception there were 300 guests. When you married him were you in love with him?—I cannot say I was in love with him. Perhaps you are not in love with him now?—No, I am not. Sweetheart or Acquaintance? Mr. Ivor Bowen: I see; there is no- I thing like knowing it. At the wedding! dance, did you dance with an old sweet- heart?—No; an old acquaintance.* I think your husband did not like it r— I do not know about liking it. As u lnaiter Tact, who did you dunco with first?—My husbojid. Afterwards with Mr. William Thomas? — Y es. Petitioner replied that she did not love her husband when she married him. And asked why then she married him, sho replied, It was through his mother that 1 married him." Mrs. Rebecca Green, mother of Mrs Freedman, and wife of Mr J. D. Emanuel ,Green, of 243, Albany-road, Cardiff, said she had known Mr. Freedman since he was a boy. Her daughter became en- gaged to him in 1911. About a month before the marriage, when all the ar- rangements for the wedding had been made, in consequence of what "he heard, she and her husband paid Mr. Freedman a visit at Swansea, and he then said that he did not want to get married. They told him that all the dresses had been got, and the wedding expenses incurred and he then said: "Get on with it.'> About a fortnight before the wedding witness and her daughter went to see him in consequence of his having taken ob- jection to a letter which the daughter had written, and he agtin said he would not get married, but eventually he said the wedding was to go on. The wedding took place on December 27th, 1911, and there was a dinner and dance at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff. Mr. Frampton: Did your daughter and Mr. Freedman walk together while the wedding march was played ? Witness: Yes, they walked round dur- ing the wedding march. J think the next item on the programme was a waltz?— Yes. Did voar daughter dance with some- body she knew P-Yes. Sat Alone on the Lounge. Witness said that after that she noticed that Mr. Freedman seemed very strange, and was sitting on the lounge outside the ballroom alone. He would not speak, and he continued like that all the even- I ing. About 11 o'clock, the daughter re- tired to her room- After that witness saw Mr. Freedman with his bags in his hands and he told her lie was going to Swansea. She told him that his wife had gone to bed. 11 > relied: "I don't know where she is guY. I am going to Swansea." Then he said, If you will go up and tell her to came dawn and dance with me I will not go away." She told her daughter, who came downstairs. Witness told her to go I and dance with Mr. Freedman, and when she went to him ho refused to dance with her. They afterwards retired to bed in the hotel. I After the Honeymoon. I The next day they went to Bourne- mouth, and returned on J-anuary 4th, and stayed at witness's house. When they camo in, he would not speak. After that, they went to Swansea. When wit- ness's husband got the letter from Mr. Freedman, witness wrote to her daughter and asked what had happened. Then she got an undated letter from Mr. Freedman in which he said:—■ Dear Ma.—I hear from Raie that you intend to come over here on Monday on account of certain words I used in my last letter. If you were coming on an ordinary visit I should certainly be pleased, but as this is an exceptional case I think you will be acting wisely if you do not come at present. After that her husband got the letter of 9th May, whic-h was read the previous day. On 12tli May witness went over to Swan- sea with her daughter, ond asked why he wrote such a letter, and he replied that "things had come to a climax," and he was going to part with Raie," and did not want her any more. Eventually wit- |j ness took her daughter away to Cardiff. In crass-examination, witness was asked if the trouble between the parties did not arise about money-matters, and she said that was not so. Did you take him by the shonl'^r and give him a shaking?"—No.. I think you called him a blackguard ? —No, I did not. Paint and Powder." Mr. Emanuel Green, father of Mrs. Freedman, said that on 10th May he went to see Mr. Freedman and asked him what the trouble was, and ho said that he could riot live with his wife, and said she had spent his money. lIe asked him on what the money was spent, and he replied, On paint and powder." He th.en told witness to see his mother. The next morning witness again fiaw him and askect him what he wanted, and he snid he wanted to part. Witness told him that he was not fit to get married, and he replied that lie had seen a doctor who told him he was fit to get married. and that ho hoped he would be a good husband. This eonduded the case for the wife. Mr. Freedman's Evidence. Mr. Solomon Freedman then went into the witness-box. He said his marriage was one of affection. The marriage, he | asserted, was eonsumated. Troubles had arisen between him and his wife through nionev matters. She complained that he only allowed her 1;3 per week for house keeping. What) was the trouble between you and your wife during the four and a half months you lived together ?—Money matters. Were you anxious your wife should live with you.-Certainly I was. Witness said that the letters he wrote expressing his willingness to livo with her were genuine. For a fortnight he was turned out of his wife's room. In cross-examination Mr. Freedman was asked what he meant in bis letter read yesterday by Matters have now reached a crisis," and he said that his wife was spiteful, and had ordered him out of the rooiii. and such things as that. He never agreed to live separate from his wife. To Frighten the Parents. His Lordship: You wrote in the letter: "Life, I can assure you has become in- tolerable, so much so that Raie and I have agreed to separate." If you did not agree tovseparate, why did you wri:' that ? Witness: I only put that in the letter to frighten the parents. His Lordship: Then it is not true?—No. Do you mean to tell me that you honestly wished this woman to come back to live with your—I did, my lord. Why ? —Because I was in a very bad temper when I wrote that letter. Dr. G. Arbour Stephens, M.D^ of Swansea, was called to give medical testi- mony. I Fond of His Wife. I' Mr. Abraham Freedman, an estate agent, of Swansea, said he was a brother I of Mr. Solomon Freedman. Mrs. Freed-. man had spoken to him about her hus- band, and her chief cause of complaint was that her husband did not allow her money enough. Did your brother speak about his wife in her presence?—Yes, he said that he was very fond of her. Mr. J\or Bowen, K.C., a4dressed his Lordship, and contended that Mr. Freed- man was entitled to a decree of restitu- tion. Curious State of Things. Mr. Justice Bargrave Dearie, without calling upon Mr. Barnard. K.C., to reply, gave his decision. He said that the case disclosed a curious state of things. In a matter of this kind it was a case of oaths against oaths, and he had to decide whom ho could believe. Apparently the hus- band was loth to get married, and had twice desired to postjjone the wedding. On the wedding night Mr. Freedman had tried to get away with his luggage, and it did not look as though the relations wero those of a devoted newly-married couple. His Lordship said he accepted the wife's story. Ho accordingly refused Mt, Freedman's petition for restitution and granted the wife a decree of nullity of marriage with costs.,

Next Saturday's English Cup game be- tween Swarrsea Town and Leicester Fosse wjJ1 1)1" refereed bJ' Mi. E. Small, ol lBrÜib

I SWANSEA PRIEST'S CHARGE, RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE RECEIVES EXECUT!VE REPORT. At a meeting of the local Representative Committee in connection with the Prince j of Wales'' National Belief Fund, held at the Guildhall, Swansea, on Thursday afternoon, the Mayor (Alderman Dan Jones), presided. THE REPORT. The Executive Committee reported on i five meetings, and ten of the Sub-Coin- mittee on Women's Employment. Sliqht Increase in Unemployment. The monthly summarised reports of the returns of local employers and. trade union secretaries re state of employment for dates-31st October and 25th Novemoer, j had been sent to the Local Government Board. Speaking generally, the percent- age of unemployment at the beginning or November was 5-2, and at iliu begin- ning of December 5.9. Unemployment, on the whole, had be- come acute in certain branches of indus- try, in which, fortunately, the Committee hoped to be able to organise means of employment. In the building trades the figures for 9th December showed regis- tered as unemployed; 1 bricklayer, 17 J labourers, JW painters and 9 plasterers. In the ship repairing i trade improvement was shown, but in the position and prospects of the tinplate trade an adverse influence had been in- troduced by the embargo laid upon the e?.pormtiou of tinpiates to Holland, Sweden and Denmark. Tbe result had already been felt in the amount of short time worked in the tinplate works. The state of employment of general cargo workers showed a slight improve- ment, but the usual iiuctuation, since tho oommencement of the war, amongst fuel workers, still continues, while a certain amount oi slackness was reported in the II printing trade. Unemployment Among Women. There were 195 women and 103 girls re- gistered as unemployed on the 8th Dec- ember, 1914, as against 113 women and 61 girls, upon the corresponding date in 1912. It would be understood that this volume of unemployment would bo more serious but for the operation of the Mavoress) War Garment f und, which was giving employment to 45 women and girls at the workroom, in addition to 38 liunio workers. The various grades of luiem- j ployed women and girls comprised indoor domestic servants, daily domestic ser- vants, charwomen, laundry workers, clerks, seamstresses, waitresses, barmaids, and shop assiatants. A large number -of women willing to take up "positions as domestic servants were unqualified, be- cause untrained How the Corporation Helps. At the present time there were 35 masons and 110 labourers employed by the Borough Surveyor upon various ex- pedited works and other properties be- longing to the Corporation. Thoro were 21 paintere on optside work at Corpora- tion Houses, and the Committee was en-I deavouring to arrange for inside painting work for the painters still registered as unemployed. ESorta were also made to put into -I ployment a number of pL&steTora, and rh,- Education Authority have beeu ap- proached in the matter. Complete co-operation exist4 between your Executive Committee, the various Corporation departments and the Labour Exchange in the efforts made to give em- ployment to men out of work in the build- ing trade. War Office and Welsh Tinpiates. Representations had again been made to the War Office asking for a definite rolxly concerning the committee's suggestion that South Wales tinpiates should be used for the pking of Chicago meat for Brit- ish troops on the Continent, and the Director of Army Contracts had informed the Committee that the suggestion "that, j a stipulation should be made in future (contracts that Chicago meat should be packed in Welsh tins" had been carefully considered, but he was advised that if | this stipulation could be successfully en- forced it would have the effect of delay- ing supplies, and that. inasmuch as the consideration of ensuring quick deliveries must take precedence of all others, ho. fears that in the circumstances it would not be possible to make the stipulation proposed. Tho Committee was. however, pursuing the matter in the hope that the objections might yet be overcome. I Temporary Postmen. A eommunicatian had been sent to all the ward c-oni-mittees suggesting that suitable unemployed men should be re- commended to apply to tho Swansea Labour Exchange for work as temporary sorters and postmen during the pressure I of Christmas work. Army and Navy Contracts. I Efforts had been made, with some suc- cess, to get samples of various Army and Navy requirements deposited at the com- mittee's offices. The samples received had been inspected by many employers i and workpeople, and it was hoped that, within a short time. specimens of every article required would be on view. Con- tracts hid already como into the town for saddlery, wooden articles, and hosiery, which ha-i given an impetus to employ- ment in these trades. The committee was making further efforts to secure ordei-s for local fimls, and. judging by enquiries received, if was anticipated that con- tracts for other articles would be secured. I Free Flour and Cheese. The Government Committee had granted the Executive Committee's appli- cation for 500 bags (of 98lb. each) of the I lfour presented for the relief of distress in this country by the Canadian Govern- ment and the Governments of Manitoba and Ontario. Arrangements are being made for storage, handling, and distrihu-i tion of the flour. Ten of the PØlb. cheeses from the Government of Quebec had been granted. Retail Coa. Prices, The committee was endeavouring to arrange for a conference of local coal merchants to meet Mr. R. L. Sails with a view to, if practicable, fixing a price for household coal such as is used by the pooiy of tho town during the winter. months. Continuing, the report dealt at length j with the scheme of training centres for airls in order to deal with the serious female ullfOfflployment. :md dded that: there was under careful consideration a scheme for the establishment of sickroom helps under the control of the sub-com- mittee on Women's Employment. They recommended that the schemes be sub- mitted to the Central Committee on Women's Employment, London. The committee noted with pleasure the efforts being made by the Mayor and the honorary treasurer to amalgamate tilpl, Sub-Committee on Women's Employment; and the Executive Committee of the Mayoress's War Garment Fund, and thoroughly agreed with the scheme of amalgamation that would be proposed by the Mayor in order to put. the matter in compliance with the regulations of the Central Committee on Women's Employ- ment The honorary treasurer's statement showed that the payments made by the J Corporation for administrative purposes from September ltith to December 4fh (ex- cluding any proportions of the salaries of j the permanent or temporary staff of the Tov-n Clerk or borough treasurer's offices, and also that of Mr. T. L. Jenkins, honorary secretary of the Executive Com-  mittee, who is paid by the local educ?tiol? authority) wort, X91 13s. 6d.. the esti, mated weekly cost to date being X9. Mr. A. F. Eden, moving the report, aI. luded to a reference in it to gifts from the L.S.A. Jason cargo being distributed by: the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Asso- ciation. It was now found that 'ha Association was not dealing with th<s matter, and the Committee would take it I up. The Borough Treasurer (Mr. Edert went on), who kindly undertook the superintendence of relief, now found the work was rather more than he could pos- sibly handle, and asked for some read- justment in regard to the relief depart- ment oT the work. The ^nimittee made a suggestion that the Central Bureau ba brought to the Intelligence Department. He thought the whole matter might best be dealt with by the sub-committees which. the Council had appointed to look into the executive's finances and the trea- surer's duties. He was confident ti,.fv Borough Treasurer woufa continue to give the committee the benefit of his advice. Mr. David Roberts, alluding to the p' .v posed transference of the work to tho Borough Treasurer, and asked if under the new arrangements the investigattons for which Mr. Ashmole had been responsiblo would be continued. The Mayor: We hope so; Wo havrv somo of us, very strong opinions in re- gard to this change. Mr. Roberts should like to know thafi the investigations would continue on tha same lines. The Borough Treasurer said under not proposal would the investigations be diSof continued. The matter was left pending the Sub* Committee's recommendations.—The I"1k port was adopted.. The Rev. Father Harington drew at- tention to eoveral cases of hardship t,y widowed mothers of only sons who had enlisted, and who had received very small amounts weekly instead of the 12is. state<l on the circulars. He pointed out that the responsibility rested considerably with the pension officer in the ward in question, of whose attitude he com- plained, and said that, in plain English, the widowed mothers were being fooled in the matter. Several members spoke warmly on thaf subject, and eventually, on the motion of Ald. D. Davies, Dr. Harington wa. requested to, with the co-operation of the Town Clerk, prepare a memorial setting out the grave hardships of soldiers' de- pendents other than wires and children! under the existing arrangements, tho. statement to be sent to the Prime Minis- ter, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the War OtSco as the Committee's own. On the motion of Mr. T. W. Hughes, it was decided to increase the amounts granted in Christmas week by 25 per cent., and on the motion of Alderman D- Davies, it was decided to take the respon- sibility of breaking the rules in giving where necessary to soldiers' and sailors' dependents other than wives and chil- dren.

GOWER AUCTION MART. V The first fat stock show and sale watf held at Reynoldston on Tuesday by Mr. William James, F.A.I., of the firm of James and James, of 7, Goat-street, Swan- sea, and was an unqualified success. An exceptionally fine show of tat stock had been got together, especially when it is considered that there was under a month to prppare for it from the meeting pro- posing to establish a mart. The follow- ing stock were disposed of: 57 fat cattle, a calves, 3 cows and calves, 450 lambs and wethers, 70 porkers and baconers. Buyers attended in large numbers from all over South Wales, and prices, espe- cially for beef, ruled very high, but th,5, quality was good. The first prize fat beast, which was & beautiful white pedigree thTee-yew-old shorthorn heifer, exhibited by Messrs. W. II, and A. James, of Parc-le-Breos Farm, made and wa wr-nred by Mrs. T. B. Brown, V first loj made an .»•. !"•• £ 85 each. Lambs made up ï f) 47s. tkt. each, anQ. porkers to 65s. Baconers from ■ £ ."> 5s. to £ 0. The principal buyers were Mis. T. B. Brown, Mr. J. Mabe. Mr. Gordon "Francis, Mr. Robert Morgan (PotrrHlfold), Mr. Daniel Thomas, Mr. A. Wohbern, and Mr. Smale (Swansea), Mr. T. Long and Mr. Griffiths (Gorseinon), Mr. Ilowellr, (pcn- clawdd), Mr. Jones (Dunvant), Mr. Thomas. (Morriston), and Mr. J. Eley (Mumbles). The judges for the show were Mr. W m. Thomas, Trenerbert, and Mr. D. Thorns. Land ore. and their P.-warcis gave complete satisfaction. The Winners. For the best fat beast the finsfc priza went to Mj&«wrs. W. H. and A. James, Parc-le-Breos; 2nd prize. Mrs. Williams, Berry Farm; 3rd prize, Mr. Massel Sevan, Overton. For the best, pen of three lambs the firsfi prize went to Mr. Bevnon. Llithrid; t.ha 2nd prize to Miss Talbot, Pen rice In Jïll the 3rd prize to Messrs. Clement, Scurlage. For the be«t pair of porkers the tirsfc and second prises were secured by Messrs. Clement, of Scnrlage.

NEATH PRISONER OF WAR. How in the world did you know it?" The questioner was Mr. Silvam Phillips, of Victoria-gardens, Neath, who paid a visit to the Leader" Office, in Neath, this morning, when confronted with the news about his son, which was exclusively reported in yesterday'a Leader." H I hadn't the slightest idea where my son Arthur was until I read in the Leader last iigii-t that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. I thought a mistake had been made, but this morning the .p in. tiie postman brought me this letter." Our Neath representative read the* letter, and sure enough, Sergeant Arthur Phillips, of the hit Lancaster Regiment, is a prisoner of war in Cologne. "I came here yestetdav,- he writes, from the hospital at Lille, and I am glad to say that I have almost completely recovered from my wound received on October 2;-). A bullet went through my left shoulder. aikd came out umCr my right shoulder. 1 am able to walk about now, and only feel pain when I move my punctured joint." He asks for cigarettes, and expresses the hope that he will soon bo home again.

CAPE COPPER WORKS. The directors of the Cape Copper Co/a Works, Britonferry, are asking certain of their employes to accept a redaction ot wages to tlve extent of twelve and half per cent. The men in question have held a meeting to consider the pro- posal, but they failed to 8gr""f\, and the matter has Iv/cn placed in the hands of their Union officials. It iiaa been intimated thaf the Com- pany'have lYPII seriously handicapped in getting proper rupplies of copper ore, and with the extra freights and extra war risk insurances of cargoes their profits have dwindled down alarmingly, and unities the workmen concede to a reduction the work s will have to closo down in the New Year until normal con- ditions prevail. The proposed reduction will affecc principally those wh,) are employed under piece-work conditions.

RENOIJNCED." The following resolution was passed by the Neath Trades and Labour Council on Tuesday That this Trades a.nd Labour Coun- cil resolve that, owing to the action takon by .Alderman Davd Drves and Councilor Daniel Harry in acquiescing 'with the Town Oouncil in the importing of blackleg labour, and also in their failure to givp all explanation, wo re- nounce lhcm as representatives of this k council.^