Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

RESOLVEN FARMER CHARGED I WITH CRUELTY. I Ear-marking a pig at the Neath Public Slaughter-house was the basis of a some. what extraordinary charge of cruelty against 'Edward tiichar^e, a well-known Resolven farmer, before the Neath magis- trates on Monday. David Hughes, the caretaker, said that on Monday last, defendant, brought a pig to the slaughterhouse. He subsequently j heard it squealing in the pen, and when be went to ascertain the cause, he saw I the pig bleeding profusely from a two- I inch slit on the right ear. In reply to the chairman, witness said! he heard one of the attendants call the j defendant's attention to the fact that the pig was not marked, and lie replied Oh, never miud.I will slit the pig's ear." lie was told not to do it. Dr. J. M. Morris said his attention was called to the pig. A, portion was cut off the ear and blood was fiowing from it freely. The pig was extremely restless,! and suffering great pain. The Afagistrate, Clerk: You do not' think it was necessary to mark the pig in that way? Witness: Certainly not. In my opinion it was gross cruelty. I have never seen it done before. The Chairman (Mr. W. B. Trick) re- marked that the case was a serious one. but having regard to the'respectability of defendant, a fine of £ 1 and costs would be II imposed.

PATHETIC STORY OF TRAGEDY. I Mrs. Branfill, wife of Mr. Capel lisle 1 Aylett Branfill, of Evesham, Worcester- I shire, formerly of Ynistawe. Clydach, Glamorgan, an officer in the Glamorgan Yeomanry, was found drowned,, with iur child, in a pond at Kempsey, Worcester- shire, near the home of her father, Mr. P. S. Williams, a well known magistrate. At tho inquest yesterday Lieutenant Branfill said his wife was worried at his going to the front. Ho could not find: her on Sunday, and searching round I about her father's house, where she hadi been staying, he found her and the four-! nionths'-oid baby in a pond. She was in! her nightdress and dressing gown. Arti- ficial resxiiration was unavailing. A docfor said deceased was very sensi- tive. and the least anxiety would caue II acute mental aberration. She was un- I doubtedly of unsound mind at the time.1 Her husband going to the front would be a great factor. A verdict of Suicide whilst of uu. I sound mind in the case of tha mother, and Murder" against the mother in tho case of tho child, was returned. The deceased lady's father. Mr. Philip Sevmour Williams, is a J.P. of Wor- cestershire, and her grandfather on the maternal side was the Itev. Caleb White- foord, rector of Whitton, Salop. Lieu- tenant Aylett Brantiii, who holds a com- mission in the Glamorgan Imperial Yeo- manry, was gazetted on 8th August last as second-lieutenant. Lieutenant Branfill is a member of a well-known family, long established in the Swansea Valley. The Eraniills wore interested in the Miers estate, which some time ago was sold for £ 350,000. He is the son of a miring engineer, and his taster is the master of the Llangyfelach Harriers—one of the few lady masters in the country. Lieutenant Branfill went to live in Worcestershire on his marri- age. and was recently, appointed agent i for the estates of his fathM-m-iaw. Mrs. Branfill was a charming personality, and was vefy. popular in the Swansea district, j

< A boy of lb, named Herbert Pridmcre, of li, Powell-street, Swansea, was the re- cipient, at the bivaiisea Police Court on Saturday, of a certificate for bravery in savins life. Mr. Charles Bower Fernihough, of Woodford, Slretty-road, Swansea,, retired Dank manager, who died on December 11th last, ic-it, estate of the gross value,of ^9,377, with not Pro- i bate has ?een granted to h? sous, Mr. j WTJIiam Arthur Fernihongh, Penallt" -.?yl'holitvh, Penal,'Lt. Plumstead, Kent, and iir. Percy Ferni- hough, of Doncaster.

I LOCAL POLICE COURTS. I I SWANSEA. I I Friday.-Before Messrs. H. A. Chap- man, Cwilym Morgan, J. Devonald. David. Griffiths, and Dr. el son Jones. I Married Fifteen Months. I William Ivor Lewis, a carpenter, was I summoned for deserting his wife, Mar- garet A. Lewis. Mr. Edward Harris, for the defendant, offered a sum of 10 s. weekly, but this was refused by the complainant. Complainant, giving her evidence, said that they had been married for hfteen months, and there was one child. Tho Bench made an order of 15s. per week. Saturday.—Before Messrs. A. H. Thomas. and J. ,fl. Kosf-er. Enii Yenden (3o), a Swedish fireman, was charged with being drunk and in- capable' in High-street. Fined 5s. Ellen O'Shea (27), a married woman, was charged with attempting to commit nuicide by jumping into the North Dock j Basin early this morning.—On the appii- cation of the police, she was remanded until Wednesday next. t Young Girl's Fall. Ada Dunstan (JO), was charged on re-I mand with stealing and receiving, on I January 13th. a coat, searf, hat, and a purse containing 3s. yd. aud lOd., value in rlll £2 8s. lid., the property of Elizabeth, Whelan.—She was sent down for one month. COUNTY CASES. A temporary transfer of the license of the West End Hotel, Gorseinon, was granted from the late Mrs. Edith Florence Evans to Mrs. Llewellyn. A Bath for Phillip. A very much begrimed individual whose name was given as PhiHip Phillips (M), a labourer of no fixed abode, was charged with sleeping out at GorBemon on Friday night. P.O. Johnson said that lie searched Phillips and found nothing in his posses- sion but a small candle. Mr. J. H. Rosser: Did you find any ¡ soap?—No, sir. The Chairman: Phillips, you will go down for one month, and have a bath. When It Was Dark. Thomas Jones, farmer, Treboeth, was silmmone(I for driving a horse and cart with only one light.—He was ordered to pay costs. Monday.—Before Messrs. R. Martin, R. M. Jones, J. Wigna.ll, and Hyam Gold- berg. Isaac Richards (40), a labourer, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. -Fized 7s. 6d. or 7 days. Military Absentees. I Roger Dennis (22), James Henry Ed-I wards (23), Thomas Hicks (21), azidi James Jones (19), were charged with! being absentees without leave from the' 1st Welsh R.F.Â. Howitzer Brigade at Cambridge since the 16th inst. On the application of the police, prisoners were remanded to await an escort. Repented Too Late. I JSrnest Pric-e (29), a ship breaker, and Sarah Lewis (45) were charged with in- decency in Burrows-place on Saturday. P.O. (72) Williams said that when he arrested the prisoners Price said, For- give me this time. What will my mother and my wife say? Both denied the offence. They were fined 20s. or 14 days' im- prisonment each. Scratched the Constable. I c-nas. lamier, a labourer. was charged with being drunk on licensed premises, to wit, the Alexandra Hotel, Oxford-street, on Saturday night, and refusing to quit when requested by the landlord and P.C. Gunstone. Tanner was also charged with assaulting P.C. Gunstone in the execution of his duty. P.C. Gunstone said that he was in plain clothes in Oxford-street, and. in conse- qnence of a. noise proceeding from the Alexandra Hotel he entered the pre- mises, where he saw the prisoner, who was very disorderly. He eventually went out, but returned through another door. He again became very disorderly, and re- fused to quit. The landlord asked P.C. Gunstone to assist him to get prisoner outside. Witness attempted to do so, and was struck in the face by prisoner, who also scratched witness with his nails. With assistance he was taken to the Oxford-street Police Station. Tanner was fined -tfts., or in default one month's imprisonment. Fellow Workers. I Edwin Hewson Richards summoned Thomas Evans, a shipwright, for assault. It was alleged by complainant that on January 15th, they were working together at the Albion JJry Dock. He told the de- fendant not to make use of his name in public-houses, and as a result Evans struck him between the eyes, on the jaw and 3n the back of the head. He nearly fell 30 feet into a sluice. Defendant alleged that the complainant accused him of telling the foreman that he was away from his work. He was very sorry for what had happened. The Bench imposed a penalty of 40s., or one month's imprisonment. Desertion. Louisa Ann Rees summoned her hus- ¡' band Edwin Rees (23), a spelterman, for desertion. The parties had been married i three years, and there were two children.  An order of 12s. 6d. per week was made. Horse untit. I Robert Greenslade (35). carrier, was I summoned for cruelty to a horse by v>-ork.:tK it in an unlit state. The ca-e was adjourned from Monday last to al- low a veterinary surgeon to see the animal. Mr. Stewart, the veterinary surgeon, said that the animal was quite unable t0 v/ork, and it had been in that condition for at least EÍx months. Gieenslade was fined 50s. inclusive. Tuesday.-Before Messrs J. W. Jone!1 Richard Lewis, J. Devonald, David  Meager. T. Morris, and John Thomas. Guiseppe Pelosi, confectioner, 11^9 Neath-road, Landore, was summoned for unlawfully selling cigarettes to a per&on under the age of H. years, to wit, Stanley Williams, aged 11, on January 17th.— P.C. Inman proved the case, and a fine of 7s. fid. was imposed. Violet Lewis (12), and Hester French (12). were charged with stealing a flannel shirt, value 9s. 6d., from a clothes line at No. 2, Lee-street, St. Thomas, on the 1.9th inst., the property of Frederick George Pickwick. The defendant, Lewis subsequently pawned the shirt, receiving 3s. 3d.—Both girls and their parents I were bound over for twelve months in (he i sum of .25 each under the Probation Act. Pearce Mendelson, pawnbroker, was summoned for unlawfully receiving shirt in pawn from a person under the I age of 14 years, to wit, Viclet Lewis — The case, after explanations, was dis- missed. Wednesday.—Before Messrs. A. H.I Thomas. J. H. Rosser, and F. E. Beer. Abraham Anderson (37), a fireman, Was charged with being drunk and in- capable in Quay Parade.—Fined 58. Alfred Shaw (54), a labourer, was i fined 7s. 6d. for being drunk. Ellen O'Shea (27), a married woman, I was charged on remaurl 'with attempting to commit suicide by attempting to jump into the North Dock basin, on Jauuary I 23rd.—The Bench decided to adjourn. the case for twelve months. COUNTY CASES. Thomas Bevan (OS), a farmer, of D?B* vant. was Summoned for selling milk which was alleged to be deHcient in butter fat to the citent of six fici,? enmt ilk on December 16th, 1914. Evidence was given to the effect that the milk was bought from defendant's sou., who was selling milk from a cart. Questioned by defendant, the in- spector said that he did take two samples. one of which was quite in order. Mr. Bovan said that he could only ascribe the deficiency to the fact that the milk had been standing. The Bench accepted this explanation, and ordered the payment of costs only. Done in Jest. John Mamwinng (25), a collier, of Pontardulais, was charged with stealing and receiving a gun, value 4:3. on Janu- ary 23rd, from a shooting gallery on the Fair Field, Pontardulais, the property of Thomas Danter. Mainwaring described the affair as a joke," and the Bench decided to accept the explanation, but warned the de- fendant against such jokes. Mainwaring was then discharged Rees Hughes (22), farmer, Penclawdd, was fined 20s., summoned for furiously driving a hcrse and trap. Charles Elliott (45), a grocer, of Dun- vant, was fined 208. for selling vinegar, which was alleged to be 25 per cent. de- ficient in acetic acid. Defendant pleaded that he sold the vinegar as he bought it. He had not re- ceived a warranty. Drunkenness. The following were each fined 10s. for drunkenness :-Wm. Price (31), bucket ma&er, no fixed abode; Elijah Evans (33), hawker, no fixed abode; Edward Peppral (32), labourer, Dunvant; Jacob Davies (27), collier, Llangyfelach. I Won't Do It" Florence Kirkhope, Oystermouth, sum- monod her husband, Alexander Kirkhope (35), a travelling draper, of Swansea, for desertion. Complainant said that I shn had been married nearly two years. He left her on 2nd January, giving no cause. The Bench made an order of 10s. per week, Defendant: Well, I won't do it,"

I < If your line i of health is ? weaMy held I strengthen your forces I' with Bovril BRITISH TO THE S.H.ft. BACKBONE 1. 1

YSTRADGYNLAIS. Tueeda,y.-Before Messrs. E. G. Benthall, Morgan Price, J. D. Morgan. W. Walters, Baron Cederstrom, and Dr. Richards. COLLiERY EXPLOSIVES. The International Colliery Co., Abe- crave, were summoned for unlawfully Keeping explosives esoeeding the amouni authorised to be kept in an authorised place. Mr. Lewis Jones (Brecon), proecAted, and Mr. Trevor Hunter (inetructeri by Mr. Hy. Thompson), defended. The evidence was that the explosives weighed some 6601 be. in ail, the authorised quantity being 6Qlbs. The defence was that the explosives had, by order of the police, been removed from the mountain magazine to the store in the colliery at the outbreak of war. The case was dismissed. Margaret Ann Davies, of Oddfellowe-st», Tstradgynlais, applied that a maintenance order made against her husband, Bowen Davies, should be varied. Roderick Evane, of the N.S.P.C.C. said the complainant could not possibly keep her children properly on 9s. per week. They were sadly in need of clothing and boots. The order was increased to 12s. per week. Thomas Jones, contractor, Yetradgynlaif>, was ordered to pay costs for abstracting water, the property of the District Coun- cil, without entering into a. proper agree-

NORTH SEA NAVAL VICTORY. British Warships Splendid Work. On Sunday morning, in foggy and misty weather, German cruisers, which, included three of those previously in the British coast raids—the Derffliner, Seydlitz. and Moltke-substituted by the Blucher for the Von der Tann, steamed at a fast pace for the British coast, everything ready for fighting. Suddenly out of the haze loomed the huge. form of Admiral Beatty's big flagship, the Lion, Isading the British line, and betraying the arrival of British battle cruisers. Behind her came into view the yet larger hulk of the Tiger, the Princess Royal, and the Indomitable. The German ships immediately, turned their course and made for home; tlgain at top speed. Thr E'nglish warships immediately gave chase, and succeeded in sinking the Blucher and badly damaging the others. The fullowing Admiralty statement was. ibued by the Press Bureau on Tuesday j xnjng:-  All the .Btiti? ships and d?royers engaged in Sunday's action have relumed safely to port. ■ Tht Lion, which had some of her for-! ?afd compartments flooded by a sh«U j be!o? tht water )inc, was taken in tow! by the Indomitable. The destroyer Meteor, which was alsc! disabled, was taken in tow by the de- i itroyer Liberty. Bot" vessels were guarded by strong morts of destroyers. The repairs to both vessels can speedily be affected. The totfcl 'number or 'casualties among njtieerJt and men reported by the Admi- raltv i5:- • Killed. Wounded. OHkers. M<>n Meii — ?i ;;r 1 l^gftr '•••• 1 9 "3 Meteor — 4 I Metm. r ? !C 3 ?6, 1\ is n-t believed that any other casual- 'mmodiately published. As soon as Sir David B catty's report. is received a fullerl account will be given. I Mr. John Fr.v. d: C'?U?ry Hois". Pen- ?. ria^-di. rece-ved ac ('Sc.?L"?uuaticj; rp(-v.rrd an s<?i W??a.w t""? !<? killed during*the action in the North r He* on Sunday.

BATTLE DESCRIBED. DerffiingoF on Fire when Safety Zone Keached, XrpubUobcxi a if.riiiing story of auaaay i> encounter in the .'Mjfuu Sea fxoiii' h«cii extract the toLioving narrative. !jom the p'm;} which tJ¡t> r'Jidin I .?'adr?n v?s encountered -on SlITHla'j ,rÙJrnl!1, il app?r? pracnc&Hy ce-?ic 'b.st th"ir obie?tire was ,wcastlel ?rim.m?. ?nd tuar the Hartlepoels aho ?cr? to b* called upon to ?uSer a repeu- ::ou ,,i ?he attack delivered i? mid- December. The ar??-e destroyer .?.rpcn of he Battle Squadron lighted the eneaay j morning, as has been. iiKiwd, made known in the official state- ¡ mc.r.t. The s* i*?ngth ajad composition of the raiding iorees tra? quick!)- a,C in (.,I as the de?*rovers .sped into action, and within 5 few minutes of the sighting of 'h e 6''at German ve&-?'; ?b?rc wa a scene I nev,r k tach a* the Nfrtb S?a had never kro?n. f;, Vi";¡A<; each to hip kind." deftroyej to •ioytT&ver. "ight cruiser to light, cruiser, battle-cruifvr to battle-cruiser. The entire raiding fnrre sheered off at ->pre. l^id-the srraiRhtest courf* possible tor the shelter of th«*ir mine fields..forts, and harbour, and bolted at full speed- There were about DO miles of open Fea ¡"'tL.lr them, and an eager, vengeful fle<>r hefejnd them. The chase was a long one ?forf tb? CQB?, began ?o talk. ror n?rly ff?y fjile? the raring T-e? -<)*. r.jfhed along on tbp shortest way to! Heligoland before the glinf- c-ail to do any real damage. The Lion led the British lu?^. and following her. came the j mighty Tiger. A? third ship in the line the Privcss. Royal wr.<. close on the heels -,f bpz. tpadpr". with the Indomitable next, ilnù I:li4-!i i he. New Zealand. Soon t.b e Lion overhauled the I plow Blucher, and in passing, $ave her 3 broadside. "vhicb j caujsed frightful damage on board, but: :be L'on'? quarry was further ahead i:1! the fleeing Derfflinger, Seydlitz, a-nd Moltke—units or the notorious squadron which took, part in the previous raid. the Tiger hit u t a t i;? 13, out at the Blucher as she passed, and I >be sped in the wake of the leading ships the Princess Royal aleo- let go at th> Blucher a terrific broadside, it was cvi- iiem at thi* stage that the Blucher TOS a loomod ship. After the chas*» had. continued orer i period or two hours, witli (,.a, pluck the U?bt er?ii?'? of the ? enemy did their hc?t 1? cover t e ???tng battl I <fuis''r?. and wheD tna1:: e bopel, m the bigger ships were being steadily ,¡.rhalÜd and pounded by the British j battle cruise re, the German hgh? cru?ri:. ?Uy?cd the ewD/'le their bigger ships, and devoted ail their powers 'to ?efting away. Then the Lion, which had i^eThau'ed and smashed the seCond .•miser in the-German line, saw that tli« igbt would likely be prolonged right to be minefields. The Tiger, th« Princess Royal, and the Tr-domitable were by this tiuie within mng-cl 0-" rifp large vessels of the enemy, and it seemed to those who saw the en- ?agc.meiit that those three ships would do I the maximum amount of damage that o«>uld possibly be iTtSifted on the fleeing having regard to his start at the out- ¡ jet. and the ever lessening distance be-I ttfeeu him and the .mine-sown area. Within half an hour's run of the mined area the Dcrfflinger wa& onfirè forwiixcl. Masses of flames were sweeping her fore- deck; her decks were strewn "»ith tie trr«ckagc of shattered upper' wdrku, iind when she got within the shelter c." the tliined area she had no answer to give I from her guns "to the hail of projectiles After dealing with the loss of tno I Blucher the nari-at+iro P-QceOds to f-hel rescue scenes. To this work the British I Uch t (;iÙsers and destroyers devoted themselves with the utmost energy, and I hundreds o; oien v-ere. picked np, Tt is possible th,at ma>I}j more men of the anejnj" aiight have be-en saved but for &[ factor witich appeared in the fight at tljs poi--t. frrun the direction, of Heligo- land came a huge Zeppelin airship and a j number of ip-roplano- The aerial trait: beamed to avoid carefully those vessels of the British fleet possessing the latest anti. aircraft guas. Pissing th« battle-cruiser*. | ué giving: th* light cruisers aswid.e a | berrii as possible, the attacked i rhe torpedo destroyr-rs, which were at I t;t'- P MI) thAt time afopped and busily engaged in rescuing the survivors of the Bluchsy. The work' of rescue con Id not be earned on in face of sach an attack, and the destroyers, each with its contingent. of rescued men, promptly scattered. Tie ajrshipa, did not prolong" their I attack, btir turned liomevards,$nd. fol- lowed the disabled raiders towards BEehgo- land. Witi regard to th« genéral course of action, it may be taken- as*cokrta-in-tltlf if the German lfeet It&d permitted itself to be dcilecteid Ir, an absolutely straight cjmrse m i.ts &i?ht nothing MuM have !t3,VM t. fhtht 'hil&tioe. Naval dis- t fr,%m iiini fw»<atioB* rnaSf that <n2r" A stcry is told by one of the paen en- 2;&gM m rescuing the survivors of the BIneiw»r which indicated the axtra- g i lio,- ) WT n ie!h in I •M-dir^arr. bitte-pTiftse of feehivg entertained J,- -rnle of t'*« eaetav. One of the mea ;-r.r! on» r,f crater, was evidently! b. hi? dre-f-s a svneripfficer. He wasl immU^ bttArd and, recognising an officer, one of those in coiiuiiand on the British vessel ad- vanced to greet him with that courtesy and seamanliko cousideration which distinguishes his Majesty's Fleet. The German oificor just rescued from drown- ing spat in the face of his welcomer. A graphic story of the North Sea figlit was gleaned at Grimsby on Monday, w hi ther some of the smaller vessels re- tu rned after the action. The enemy, it is stated, were sighted off the tail ut the Digger Bank on Sunday morning. Their force comprised battle cruisers, light cruisers, and torpedo craft. They were • detected by. a torpedo destroyer, which signalled her discovery to the parent ship, and other British vessels at once rlo«ed up. The tire of tb^-British battle cruisers was deadly, and the rearmost German craft was hit several times. She caught firr. capsized, and sank. Some of the Britiib torpedo craft stood by to pick up the survivors. Wltiic the big- ships liad been engaged there had been fighting between the small vessels and it i3 Mated that one German light cruiser and two torpedo boats were sunk. A shell from one of the enemy cruisere struck a British destroyer, and pene- trating stoXe-hold caused the deaths of two stokers and tyio petty-officers. A shell splinter injnred a seaman on the aeek of the same craft. Several of the dertroyers and cruiser* were struck by shrapnel, of which the Germans fired a considerable quantity, but none of the vessels as rarjly damaged. Many Danes Aboard. Copenhagen, 'Tuesday, Jan. 26.—The. sinking of the Bin .her wiil c-a-ase sorrow -1 in many Danish homes, as a large num-! her of her cre-w. were Danes from SChle*- I T-ig.—Exchange. j ¡

BERLIN'S FURY. j Stories of Battle by Blue- i jacket and Trawlermen. i Copenb agon, Monday. I According to private reports, Berlin has II been driven into almost ungovernable fury by the British. success in the North Sea. The most rosy construction the news- papers so far put on Von Behnky» report.! is that, th.e fight ended in a draw, with] honours divided, but the oiticial uncer- ta.iDty as to the supposed loss of a British ..hip ,1S generally, interpreted as indicating a German defeat in the ,Iwo of a numeri- cally stronger force. ¡ Them is a growing fooling that a.n open fight in the North Sea between the t'l Navies would result only in a British vie t nry, Vice-Admiral Beatty's victory, read- ing between the lines of the German paper comments, -tiia had an enormously de- moralising effect on Berlin. It means the biggest blow to German arms iinco the war began, a bigger dis- appointment than the failure to reach Paris or Calais, for while Germany still hopes 1 reach thosp objectives, she can- j not <X pect a decisive sea victory. Peeling against England has increased beyond all ) bounds. The German people were expect- j in? ?omp ?-?ctf)?y tn ?!?hrat.e the KalrJ birthday on Wednesday. Ttip riewthat the German defpat was hailed in London places of amusement on Sunday evening with cheers has lashed Berlin into a mad fary. Amsterdam!. Monlay.-The, captain of the strain trawler Erica, which to-day re- turned to Ymttidèn. witnessed the naval action., Captain C. Langbroek, inter- viewed by a representative of the Han- dftlsblad," gave the following interesting account of the eventsOn Sunday morning about ten o'clock we were fishing 12(1 mjlcs south-west of Heligoland, when my mate cams and reported that cannon- ading was going on. We at once went on deck, and suddenly we caw a German fleet of some six cruisers and 20 torpedo boats lD it short time, from the opposite side. four big British cruisers and a number n; destroyers steamed up at full speed and oon a hail of shells that came from the British- ships was passing over our The Germau 'ships responded, at the same time retreating. One of the British cruisers hit (Jtl of the big Ger man ships, which sank while the German fleet was disappearing. Our ship was about three hundred yards (from bmtb fleets when the battle starred, and we could easily observe all that happened. Two more trawlers from Ymnider) were near the ?ceae of battle I and also one merchantman. Gigantic v/atereponts sprang up, and it was a Grange 5?ht to observe tha flight of the I German €eet aud the pinking of one of the cruisers. We could f-ee how the British iJeet pursued the German ships and then they vanished from our sight I nntl we returned to Yicuideru"—Eeuter. T!? Labour Press Agency circulates the following story, told in a letter I FrotK A Hwsrt .Miimis. a bluejacket on] H.M.?. bon. to his parents at Be- w:? Juet a line to say I am all right ?ftfr the 4it:? of which you have no? doubt hMrd. We b?Te been waiting for this for weehs. Wo were on patrol duty wheJ\ a message, reached the flagship that the. Huns were at last on the move. Shortly after that we sighted them, and about the. "Me time they sighted us. i They turned tail as quickly as they e-ouirl t-timitpt- t.beir course, and we were I after them like mad. We had reason to believe that their squadron was (lie same as had done the damage at Scar- borough and other East Coast places, and we m6de up our minds to give them Sfuuething To. remember-. "The gunners were at their posts, and as sf?n M" w? ?t ithiJ1 Tn:Dr of t.. i ,9ying 5h:p the Lis roar 'a? heard loud enough to put the fear of God into the hearts of the baby-killers. Tlieir biggest, vessel was nearest to us, a.nd though she was steaming like inrj we ) nerer. lo-O. her. She was a splendid target for our guns, which sent shot after shot! into her. The other ships were blazing at ■ the rest of the enemy. Our first shots fell. short, but when we did get the right range the sliip we were engaging was soon1 done for. The first shot to tj £ ke effect sent] one o? her goni flying into the air, and. tM nxt tor e a hole in h er &idê jmt about the water luM, big anongb? for a destroyer to get In. i You can bet we are glad to have given j them it this time." ) From all parts of the Empire Mme I news of rei?ckng over tLe defeat of tk.l German squo.n in the North S, 'When the V!ctory announced in! the chnrch es of Toronto m Sunday j JÚght, utrain appltwe broke ou? l in many. I It i6 e" that a?noc? the Mrvrroe? landed at Leith ?M th? captain of the! Blucher. Special payn forth Navy j were oCered up in some Edmbnrgn' chJ1lCh on Sunday' during the pro- J ?r?ss of th baltle. V of thet bea-tle. 'I Am- e-,dam..Tue,,?-dav,Am a of the British battle cruisers was sunk in the North Sea. One of our torpedo boats," states the telegram, "sent two. tarpedos into the battle cruiser after the 1 vessel had already suffered heavily from the gunfire of the German warships. The sinking of the British ship was observed by an airship which followed the battle closely. According^ to available reports, j the engagement prcgTe^sed in two iiues. i I which developed in an Eastern direction." This cour?p, adds the telegram, was I chosen by the GeTman commander with ",I! view to tactical and artillery congider?' i Hons."

I OFF DOGGER BANK. Superior British Tactics. I Amsterdam, Tuesday.—A highly in- teresting and straightforward account of the naval battle in the North Sea is published here to-day. The skipper of the Dutch trawler Mini, who at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning found his ship between two hostile fleets, gave the following details to the TijdV corres- poncient at Ymuiden:— I We were homeward bound," he said, j when far away in the distance we,sud- denly saw cloud- of smoke rising, which quickly came nearer and nearer, and in a short time wo sighted .¡onH warships, and later some torpedo boati accompany-1 ing them. Before we could mabe out the nation- ality of the fleet, the thundering or guns; began, which made the whole ship shake. Ik-n.,e clouds of smoke soon cnvelc-ped the fighting ships. We continued our course,: thinking soon to be out of danger, but the cannonade came dangerously nearer and nearer till suddenly, without warn- ing. we were surrounded by a great number of British torpedo boats, which dashed past us firing and manoeuvring as they went. Meanwhile shells from a distant fle-f. exploded close to our ship- We jwere frightened to death, and kept as quiet as mice, nobody even (bring to speaK. Time after time a, torpedo boat would rush past us like a shadow keeping up a fierce fire on the German Seer. When the smoke, lifted we saw one big battleship burning and another of ¡ the same size surrounded by torpedo l boats listing heavily. The latter ship! we could see was Aprciallv tinder the fire j of the British guns, as big water spouts from the exploding shells were springing J up on all sides of her. For some time we rould still see lfashes of the guns. Then tL* distance became greater, and soc, n everything was enveloped in dense smoke." The battle was witnessed by the CTew I of the trawler Octavia, which vessel ar- rived at Hull yesterday. Benjamin Stead, one of the crew, said they were fishing on the Dogger Bank when, at i about 9-30 on Sunday morning, they I heard terrific cannonading. Fishing operations were immediatply stopped. A few minutes later a large number of Ger- | man warabips. probably about ?5. and j including battle er11 isr, hove in 6ight. travelling at great Id. Some distance behind them. a160 steaming at full speed, came the British vessels all in line. "The Germans," be said, were firing wild from their stern guns as they passed along and they m to us. The Blucher was their rear ship. She was considerably crippled at that time, and we could see her funnel and bridge were damaged. The British shells were constantly strik- J ing the German ships, despite the speed at which they were going. Some of the Ii shells dropped near us, but we were not hit. The British ships were driving the Germans southwards, and preventing them from returning to their side of the North Sea. Other German ships besides the Bleueher were badly damaged. It I was a very clear day. and we watched the running fight for about 20 miles. It was grand the way the British ships, with their guns belching forth shells without cessation, gave those German boats the lessen of their lives." Had it not been for the speed of the German ships, he was sure nothing would have saved them, as the tactics of the British, together with their firing, were I far superior to the enemy's. The noise of the firing was deafening.

ARMED SHIP LOST. I H.M.S. Viknor Presumed Struck by Mine J The Secretary of the Admiralty re- grets to announce that the artped mar- i chant vessel H.M.S. Viknor, which has been missing for some days. must nowi be accepted as lost with all ofifcers and men. The cause of her loss is uncertain. but as some bodies and wreckage have been washed ashore oe. the North Coast oi Ireland it is presumed that during the recent bad weather she either foundered, or, being carried out of her ('OUl'. struck a mine m 'ch? 6as vhere the. Germans %ic kflowa to have laid the 47.?ei=ans 4re Lo-iFu to

FOUGHT IN CRIMEA, I < PORT TALBOT'S LAST VETERAN I PASSES AWAY. The death is announced of Mr. William Bendall, of Port Talbot. a Crimean veteran, at f-he age of 88 years. He had lived for many years a.t Taibach, and car- ried on the business of painter and deco- rator. and was also in the employ of Messrs. Vivian and Sens. Latterly, how- ever, be had lived with his daughter at I 28, George-street, Port Talbot. 'Mr. Ben- daJI wa?i a native of Stroud, Gloucester, but had lived in Port Talbot for 60 years. He was justjy proud of his Crimea and Turkinh medals, the former having bars tor Alma, Balaclava, Iukennan, and Sebastopol, where he served as a private with the Scots Guards. He was one of I l f he special escort sent home from the Crimea to England with the body of Lord 11 Radian. J The deceased was one of the founders of the Taibach Wesleyau Chapel. Ho took an active part: in friendly society and public work and once unsuccessfully con- tested a seat on the Margam District County and the, school board. lie was predecea-sed by his Trife nineteen years ago. and leaves several grown-up children. Whilst on his deathbed he demanded that a message should be sent to the Port Talbot recruiting officer to ask if he could be of any service at the front. tIe was humoured by a, reply in the affirmative when he recovered," and was very joy- ful over the prospect. The deceased will be buried with, mili- tary honours this (Monday) afternoon at the Chapel-of-Ease burial ground. The Funeral, I Impressive to a degree was the honour I paid to the memory of the late Mr. Wm. Bendall, the Port Talbot Crimean veteran, whose burial took pkoa with military honours on Monday afternoon, at the Chapel-of-Eate burial ground, Port Talbot. The streets leading to the burial-ground were crowded with the general public. A ehort service was conducted at the house, by Major W. S. J. Bra.y and Mr. W. Wast/on, B.Sc., two of deoeesed old Sunday School ClaAa leaders at the Wesley an Church. The coffin was placed in a hearse, and overthrown. with a "Union Jack," the special firing party of the Pembrokeshire National Beesrvee standing at "Present Arms." On the top of the hea-rse w-Ðl'e displayed a number of beautiful floral tributes from relatives ajid friends. The procession was led by the firing party with reversed arms, under the com- mand of Sergeant Ayreg. Nest came the ba,nd. in charge. of Sergeant, Lucas, with muffle-d drums, preceding the cortege. Following the hearse wa-s a. full company of dlÐ 5th Welsh Kegiment, under the com- mand of Capt. Jenkins, half a. company of the 6th Welsh R-sgiment, under the com- man of Capt. Williams, and other officers.^ present, were Lieut. Kilpatrick and Lieut. Wed dell. The buriaJ rites were performed by tlJfe B-ev. Jones (curate), a bugler sounded tie "Lest Call," and three volleys were fired over the gra-ve.

DOG "QUALIFIED FOR OLD AGE I PENSION." I At the Aberavon County Police Court!, on Monday, Bill Lane, of Cwmavon, the old pugilistic champion, was charged with poaching on the Tylafcdyn Farm, Baglan, on which the game right were held by Mr. A. T. Williams. Mr. Arthur Deer prosecuted. Keeper Frean deposed that on the 17th inst., he saw defendant on the farm with two greyhounds working the hedges. De- fendant was himself kicking the hedges. Defendant, when approached, said that he wat3 only out for a walk v-ith the dogs, and had not any intention or catch- ing anything. I Defendant: One of the doge; was a pap, and the other was old enough to qualify for Lloyd George'6 old age pension. (Laughter). Keeper Bavliss corroborated. Defendant denied having any intention of poaching. I The Bench gave defendant the benefit I of the doubt, and dismissed the case. I

SWANSEA LADY'S APPEAL. Mrs- Gertrude A. D. Girvin, Ashbourne, Lawrie Park Gardens, Sydenham, Lon- don, who is the daughter of the late Mr. E. Bice Daniel, Cwmgelly, Swansea, writes as follows; I have been asked by a member of the Territorial Committee to collect old kid I or suede gloves, of any size. It does not matter how soiled they are. These are pieced together into vdiid-prccf under- coats for soldiers and sailors in exposed situations- They arc stitched on to a stout material, and being leather form a good protection against cold and damp. There are a number of women employed turning out these. Any trifling donation of M. or Is. will grc-atiy forward th? work, 1 vdll gratefully receive this or any old 1 jslov-es.

SKEWEN ALDERMAN. FUNERAL OF MR WILLIAM HOWELL The funeral of the late Alderman William Hoy/ell, J.P., tools place a,t bkewan on Mon- day. 'there was a large assembly, gathered from ail parts of S-mth Wales. A snort fn ice was couductea at the :ie. ce&ied's residence, by the Rev. T. H. Jones and tlie Key. T. C. V3wi. of Llausamlet. The funeral cortege, of great length, was headed by a force of the "D" Division of the Uiamorgaa County Constabulary, under Supt. Ben. tvans (Aeath) and Inspectors Gill (Skewcn), W. E. Kees (Port Talbot), and D. Morris (Britoriferry;. lwwediat,Iy fol- lowing were the etunr> and borough magis- trates, the members and official, of the Glamorgan County Council, the Neath Kural Disti ict Coun;il, tho Meatb Board off Guardians, the Neath Town Council, lie Neath Education Committee, the jSeath Oroup of School Managers, tho Neath County School Governors, ministers, and general jjublic. 1 Tn-e hearse vras escorted by police-ser- geauts of the county constabulary, who also acted as bearers. A service was held at the Skew en Church, where the vicar (the RH. T. C. Phillips) oificiated, assisted by the Rev. J. C. Bey- non and A. T. Jonts, while at the gravo- side proceedings were conducted by itie Kev. T. it. Thomas, Llansamlet. The principal mourners were:—Mrs. Howell (wiaow). Mr. John Howell (brother), Mi*. Howell Morgan (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Evan Lewis, Glaic (sister and brother-in-law), Mr. LI. Howell (brother) and Mrs. Howell, Mr. Ogwen Lewis, and Miss Lena Lewis (nephew an.1 niece), Glais; Mr. Kidney Thomas (nephsw), Miss Ethel Thomas (uiece), and Messrs. G. and D. Lloyd (uncles), Llcw. D. Howell, Aberdu- lais (cousin), and Dr. Samuel, Steven. Amongat the sympathisers present were Mr. J. Hugh Edwards, lLP, (Mid-Glamor- Xr. J. l? ga.n), Mr. F. W. Gibbins, J.P. (Neath), Mr W. J. Percy Player, J-11, (Clyd.ich), County Alderman John Thomas (Toridu), M.r. V. in. Llewellyn, J.P. COgmore Vale), Mr. Ree", Llewellyn (Aberdare), Mr. Eva.n E. Daviefi (Maesfceg), Mr. J. M. Smith, J.P. (Aberavon), Mr. Riehaj'd Lewis (Bargoed). Mr. Kichard Harris (Pontypridd), Mr A. T. Williams, J.P. (chairman of the Neath Rural District Council), Mr. D. Daniels, J.P. (Crynant), Mr. D. Daniels, J.P. (Crynant), Mr. J. P. Gibbon (Maesteg), Mr. W. R. Davies (Sadie), Mr. T. Gwyn (Britonferry), the Rev. W. SaurfQers (Pontycymmer), Dr. James (Director of Edll- cation), Mr. Henry Pavies (County Mining Lecturer), Mr. F. Fox (county accountant), Mr. G. W. Phillipe (county surveyor;, M.t- Wm. Davies', J-P. (Pl.oeyfeiin), Dr. Pochard, J.P. (Resolven), Mr John Jchn, J.P. (LoulaB), Mr. W. B. Trick, J.P. (Neath), Mr. Matthew Arnold (Mayor ef Neath), Alderman Hopkin Morgan, J.P. (Neath), Alderman Dd. Davies (Neath), Mr E Curtis (town clerk, Neath), Mr. E. Evans-Bev.m, J.P. (Neath), Mr. T. Jeremiah Williams (Morriston), lir. L. J- Kempthorne (County Justices' clerk. Neath), 1 Mr. Edward Powell (clerk. Neath Board çf I Guardians and Neath District Council), Mr. J. Clements (Skewen), and Mr. Ed- ward Hopkins (Aberkenfig), representing the Mid-Glamorgan Liberal Association; Mr. M. G. Eobcrts (Britonferry), Mr. J. G. Davies (headmaster Neath County School), Mr. D. E. Jenkins (representing the Clerk Neath County School); Mr. E. J. HOT-kinsj (rice-chairman Neath Board of Guardians), Mr. W. J. Nash (county architect), Mr. Evans and staff of the Coedffranc Schools, Mr. Samuel Jones (Cape Copper Works Co.), Mr. D. M. I)aiie- (surveyor Neath District Council), MT. Thompson (Neath Electric Works manager), Mr. A- W. Leyshon (soli- citor, Neath), the Rev. J. L1. Thomas, M.A. (vicar of Abcrpergwm), Rev. W. Williams (vicar of Blaongwynfi), David Hughes (Glyn-neath), E. Davies f"?even Sisters), J. Evans-Jones (Skewen), D. Davies (Cilfrew), J. Griffiths (Seven Sisters), T. H. Jone-s (Llansamlet), T. C. Lewis (Llansainlet), and others. Among the wre.atha were tributes from the following :Rir S. T: Evans and his sis- ter (Mrs, Edward Powell), the Neath Rural. District Council and Board of Guardians, the officials and otaff of the Neath Rural District Council ,Nea th Abbey Liberal and Labour Association,, members of the Glam- organ County Council, the mining students of Skewen, Mayor end Corporation of Neath, officials and staff of the County Council, Neath District Council Electrical Department, and boys and girls of Neath Abbey and Bkewen Infants' Schools. Expressions of Sympathy. Before commencing the business of The Court. at Neath County Sessions, on Friday, the presiding magistrate (Mr. E- L. Evan Thomas) referred to the death of Mr. Wm. Howell, Skewen. "We cannot commence the business," he, said, "without expressing the great borrow we have suffered by his death. He has been a member of this Bench for many years, and we all know his extreme usefulness to the public in this capacity. It is not our place to mention his other scenes of V, wd usefulness, but we think that his deatla is a great loss to the public." Mr. ^Edward Powell endorsed the senti- ments of the Bench on behalf of the legal profession, and read a telegram bQ had just received from Sir S. T. Evans aa fol- lows:—"I am very grieved to hear the sad news.

A PITIFUL STORY. Wife's Plea to Judge. The Fremantle divorce case came before Divorce Court again on Tuesday for fur- ther investigation. It was the suit of xaeut. aiireel jbrneet Albert Fremantle, of the Royal Naval Reserve, for a divorce from Gladys Fremantle, described as a lady of Spanish or Russian extraction, wno was accused of misconduct with Mr. Carlos Laborde-y-Bois, a Spaniard. Mrs. Fremantle, the wife, was now present, and appeared to be in a very poor state of health. His Lordship in- quired if she reaused what the proceed- ings were, and she replied that she did. His Lordship also asked if Mrs. Fre- mantle had anything to say. She etood up, but owing to her weak state, was un- able to make his Lordship hear what she said. Later, Mrs. Fremantle stated she was unable to defend her case owing to lack of means. bhe handed his Lordship a written statement, which was read, and in which she stated; I am here by your command only to defend myself against minor inaccurate charges. If I bad desired to defend I could have myself brought charges against my husband. But I had no finan- cial means, and I refrained from opening .up, a case distinctly damaging to the petitioner's future, aud because his father's years beg respect. I beg you to exercise justice on two grounds—one, my son, and secondly, be- cause my financial position is unsecured and absolutely insufficient. I do not wish to repeat further unhappy facts about the petitioner's case. It is at my grave expense that the petitioner, after a great many years, became a decent man." Answering his Lordship, lire. Fre- mantle said her husband disclosed his misconduct, and che forgave him. jLrs. Jvrem an tie's companion stated that Mrs. Fremantle was allowed 30s. a week oy Admiral Fremantle. Hie Lordship said she ought to get 50s weekly. This was a sad case, said his Lordship- lfrs. FremariT!e told him she condoned adultery, but she offered-no objection to the dissolution of the marriage tie. He exercised his discretion and granted the petitioner a decree nisi upon the distinct understanding that her husband secured to the wLe 50s. a week for life. The question of the mother's access to the child would be dealt with in cham- bers. Petitioner's counsel, replying to a sug- gestion by his Lordship, soid that all debts which had been properly incurred by tho wife would be paid.

The Miners' Federation of Great Britain, who have charge of the Wes1 Yorkshire minimum wage dispute, havs published the result of the recent ballot. This gives the roquisite two-thifds majority, 26,67û voting in favour of ten. dering notices and 2,211 against. Con- sidering the fact that the membership in the affected area is 37,812 the batiet is distinctly representative. i I