Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

LIBELING MRS. ASQUITH LOMDON NEWSPAPER'S UNFOUNDED STATEMENTS. 111 the Chancery Division on Tuesday, Mr. Justice Peterson had before him a motion by Mrs. Asquith against the pro- prietors of the" Globe" newspaper to reslraim the publication of alleged libel- lous statements. Mr. Duke, K.C., and Mr. MoGardia appeared for Mrs. Asquith, and Mr. Gordon Hewart, K.C.. and Mr. Alex- ander Neilson for the defendant. Mrs. Asquith, with her daughter, was in court beside her solicitor, the Hon. Charles Russell. Mr. Duke said since the beginning of the year there had been a persistent cir- culation of reports attributing to Mrs. Asquith disloyalty to the national cause— disloyal and, indeed, heartless association with enemy prisoners, and a want of de- cent feeling which might be expected to animate any English woman, whether the wife of the Prime Minister or any other pewen. These rumours found expression in a newspaper called the London Mail in the spring. That was a publication which published a paragraph Mrs. Asquith at Donnington Hall. Can it be proved? I have heard it from several sources that Mrs. Asquith has recently been playing tennis with German officers at Donnington Hall. Several of them were also, I believe, former acquaintances of Mrs. Asquith. But it will not add to her popularity." There was not a shadow of truth, said Mr. Duke, in a statement of that kind. Mrs. Asquith had. in fact, never been to Donnington Hall. She had never seen Donnington Hall, nor had she ever had any communication with any of the in- mates. An apology was offered by the London Mail," who also paid Æl00 to an institution. Subsequently an anonymous letter, signed Patriot," appeared in the "Globe," saying:- I was told by a very reliable friend that we have a Cabinet Minister's wife sending a large and choice selection of comestibles from a well-known firm in Piccadily to interned German officers in Doncingtou Hall. Is this fair and just when our in- ierned ofifcers in Germany are suffering so terribly? Is not this misplaced charity? Mr. Duke contended that in conjunction, with what had already occurred there could be no doubt that this was intended to apply to Mrs. Asquith. Presents for the Huns" the letter was headed. Mr. Duke then quoted a series of letters which subsequently appeared in the Globe." signed Disgusted English- man," Indignant," and others signed with the names of the writers, in which the attitude of the Cabinet Minister's wife was denounced. Amongst the ex- pressions used in these letters were, "She is a disgrace to England." We now know why so many Boches are allowed to be at large, Truly the country is in the hands of Bosches," "We do not want traitors in our innermost councils," 'Patriot's' letter makes my blood boil," "It is amazing that people are so de- based as to pajnper Hunnish swine." There was no doubt that the people who wrote the letters were of the opinion that they referred to Mrs. Asquith, owing to what had gone before. The idea that they could be attributed to Mrs. Asquith or the wife of any other Cabinet Minister was absolutely untrue and without the slightest foundation. It was not only a most outrageohs attack on an English woman, but it was a matter of most serious public gravity. It was designed to strike at the confidence of the country in the present Government and to inspire in the minds of those outside the coun- try who read publications of this kind the opinion that the efforts of our enemy might hope to prevail. It was, therefore, not only a personal outrage, but a grievous public wrong and mischief. The whole business had been a long aeries of malevolent fabrications. Counsel then read an affidavit from Mrs. Asquith, in which she stated that she 'had never been at Donington House in her life, and that there was not the slightest ground for the suggestions, and that she had never supplied anything to tli- inmates. She had no doubt that the libel referred to her. and she had been spoken to on the subject by many of her friends. She had also received grossly abusive end insulting communications of an anonymous character relating to the allegations. Mr. Duke net read affidavits from Sir Robert Hudson, the Duke of Rutland Mr. Arthur Stanley, M.P., and othersex-i pressing the opinion that they believedl the references to a Cabinet Ministers, wife to be directed at Mrs. Asquith. An affidavit, proceeded c 0 ?d ??l' had been made by Mr. Edward a ?t r. manager of the Globe." In it he stated that he alone was responsible for publica- tion. of the letters, but he denied that they referred to Mrs. Asquith; in fact, he did not know now who was aimed at in the letter signed Patriot." He had never heard of the publication which had previously been made of allegations against Mis. Asquith, and "had never rt-ad the "London Mail." Mr. Foster also contended that the paper took no responsibility for the opinion of corre- i! gpondents. There is," proceeded Mr. Duke. U a criminal irresponsibility, and this gentle- j man may learn some day that there is I also criminal responsibility. If anything could aggravate the grave course of abuse and insult to which the wife of the Prime M inisfcer has been subjected, it is that there should be anybody who could say to a Court of Justice, as Mr. Foster had, 'I take no responsibility; I have done it, and that is all I know about it/ Such an affidavit insults the plaintiff and insults the Court. It is an insolent declaration. What aa expression of regret from such a person in such circumstances would be worth, those who are engaged in the case are well qualified to judge." He concluded by asking for an injunc- tion. Mr. Gordon Hewart said the defendants desired to tender to plaintiff their very sincere and unqualified regret. Hie learned friend 'had spoken with extreme severity, and he (Mr. Hewart) was not going to condemn those expressions. Mr. Foster now recognised that what he had stated in his affidavit did not constitute a defence. The defendants realised now that the test was not what was intended in the opinion of the writers, but what was the reasonable meaning to be as- signed to the words employed. They were not permitted to take shelter behind the letters, and the astonishing thing was they should ever have found thedr way onto this newspaper. He desirect to say that it was well-known that the "Globe" !had just passed through a critical period, and that there had been some internal dislocation. He was sorry to hear Mr. Duke swy the affidavit was an insult to the coait. He again expressed his sincere and unqualified regret for the publica- tion of the letters, and defendants wou.ld suSwoit to any injunction which, the court might think proper. The Judge said lie thought Mr. Gordon Hewart had taken the only course pos- sible. "These libels," he added, "are serious and gross libel*. and libels for wisich a6 is now admitted, there is abso- lutely no foundation whatever. There is in my minfl not a shadow of doubt that tlt-e libels were in fact directed at Mrs. Asquith. And I grant an injune-Lon against the defendants in any way writing or publishing that the plaintiff has been, or is, sending food or other things to the German officers, or from writing or ptablisfcing any similar de- famatory statements." Mrs- Asquith then kit tbe court with hor solicited*

SIR ALFRED MJND'S SCHEME I I BILL TO AID THE MIjlL~CLASS BHfiUITS I The proposals of Sir Alfred Mond, Bart., M-P., which, appeared in the "Daily Sketch" on Monday, for lightening the iinancial burdens of men who have joined the Army and find themselves faced by heavy liabilities which, unaided, they will be unable to meet, has created great interest, says the .Dailv Sketcb. Sir Alfred has drafted a Bill to enable any man in the forces to apply for relief from any contract entered into prior to his joining if his liabilities have arisen directly or indirectly in consequence of his military service. Their country has called them and they have answered the call, so they are looking to their country to see that the family left behind is all right. And so Sir Alfred is coming along with a Bill proposing a Court which may, after hearing both sides, order- ) (A) The suspension of any obligation or payment for a period not later than six months after the termination of » the war. (B) The reduction of any periodical payments, including rent. (C) The cancellation or assignment of any lease, tenancy, or ccntract. Sir Alfred Mond's proposals have the ¡ warm approval of ihe .tLaiiio Classes' Pro- tection Association. That body some days ago passed a resolution on linefi similar to those detailed in the Bill. "As we sent that resolution to all M.P.'s," said Mr. Neighbour, one of the secretaries, I am able to think that we may have been of assistance to Sir Alfred. Our experience is that there are a very large number of men who are seriously hampered by financial commitments ot the kind it is desired to find relief from. Probably the most frequent cases are where men have taken houses on leases, and cannot get relieved by the landlord. "Another important point concerns building societies. Many men are only just able to meet the payments to these for houses in which they live.. If they join the Army it becomes impossible. We also tackled the life insurance problem in the proposal we drew up, al- though our limit was not qLiite4the same I as in the Bill." Sir Alfred Mond has put his finger upon a spot which needed touching," was I the comment made by Mrs. George Lans- bury, who with Miss Sylvia Pankhurst runs the League of Eight in East London, The League is a kind of general adviser and practical help to the soldiers' familie6 who live round about. The point is," Mrs. Lansbury said, that the pay of the soldier who has come from the working-classes, and whose family are used to working-class condi- tions, is little enough, but the case of the middle-class recruit is much harder. Suppose that before the war the wife was accustomed to handling an income of j £ 150, ?200. or more, and now has to com« down to a separation allowance, and what her husband can allow her, she will feel it enormously." What about the creditors ?" asked a representative of another society which is in clo-se touch with the kind of man it is hoped to help. There is something in the query. Land- I lords are not all rich men, and cannot always afford to wait for their rent, and the same applies sometimes to other people to whom the recruit may have financially committed himself. Will the Govern- ment loan them anything to prevent their becoming bankrupt before the debtor gets ¡ back from the war?

HAVE YOU KNOWN A WORSE CASE OF JuDIGESTIO.11 THAill THIS ? For over 8 months I was laid up with Indigestion, with pains under shoulder blados, and agony in the stomach. In the mornings, after a very sleepless night, I would rise feeling dull, heavy and de- pressed, with no appetite for breakfast. I was so bilious that the very sight of food made me sick. A friend brought me a bottle of your Seigel's Syrup. I found that after a few doses I was able to cat a little food, with some show of enjoyment. I continued until my appetite was re- stored. The stomach was so relieved that meal,ci became a time of pleasure. When I remember the doctor's words that he could do no more for me, and that my working days were over, I consider that your Syrup has worked a real miracle. I have now been at work for some years a real healthy man, and consider that this is entirely due to Seigel's Syrup." Letter from Mr. John Channing, of 1, Sydney Cottage, Whipton, Exeter. July 12th, 1915.

BRYNAMMAN ROYAL ENGINEER I WOUNDED. Mr. and Jktrs. David Thomas, Tany- mynydcl Villas. Brynamman, have re- ceived news that their son, Sapper D. J. Thomas, R.E. has been wounded in action in Galli- poli, a shrapnel bullet having pene- trated one leg and lodged in the other. Sapper Thomas was employed at Rugby electrical works a3 an elec- trician, where his brother also is now engaged. He writes to his uncle (our correspondent) say- ing that he is slowly recovering. but very weak. He is being treated at < Malta military hospital.

THE LESSON Of LOOS u What you spare in money you spill in blood," said Mr. Lloyd George in Par- liament on Monday evening. I have a very remarkable photograph—I don't think I ought to say where I got it from —of the battlefield of Loos, taken imme- dia-telv after. There was barbed wire, which had not been destroyed. There was one machine-gun emplacement which was intaet-ouly one; the others had been destroyed. There, in front of the barbed wire, lay hundreds of gallant men. One machine-gun! These are the acci- dents that you can obviate if you have enough. How? Every soldier tells me there is but one way of doing it. Have enough ammunition to crush every trench where an enemy lurks, to destroy every concrete emplacement, to shatter every machine-gun, to rend and tear every yard of barbed wire, so that if the enemy wants to resist he will have to do it in the open, face to face with better men than himself. That is tho secret-plenty of ammunition."

DIED AFTER OPERATION The funeral took place on Thursday at the Mumbles Cemetery of Mr. Albert Luke Parry, the youngest son of Mrs. Dd. Parry, Worcester^teri-ace, Newton, Mumbles. The deceased, who was 32 years of age, recently tried to join the King's Royal Rifles, but was not accepted on accourt of a slight internal complaint. his medical examiner express- ing the opinion that provided he under- went a Elight operation they would be able to accept him. He visited the hos- pital, and the operation was duly per- formed on Monday of last week. Unfor- tunately, a sudden relapse set in on the following Saturday, and lie passed away —• "Mmday morI1iD&.

I PRIZE DAY AT SWANSEA WHAT THE STIMHIS OWE TO THE LuidAiijitklfi. It was Speech Day at the Swansea Grammar School on Monday, when the I certificates were distributed by the Mayoress (Mrs. T. Merrells). The Mayor (Aid. T. Merrells) presided, and, besides the Mayoress, was supported by Mr. Ivor Gwynne (chairman of the Education Com- mit £ ee)> Mrs. Gwynne, the headmaster (Mr. Trevor Owen) the Secretary (Mr. Wm. James) and others. The Mayor, in an interesting speech, re- gretted that owing to the teriibie war which was waging the parents of the studuuts were not present that morning. ¡ That was ono thing the boys would j '"c?.'e? the? terrible Huns in the future, and he hoped they would not for- get it. They had also deprived the boys uf substantial prizes sucii as they hau received in past years.. Proceeding, his Worship told the students he had never had the opportunity which had coma their way, and he wished to impress upon ilium the value of the education they were receiving. He wanted them to understand that when I they finished their term at the school, and even it' they went to college, their edu- cation was not finished. Some had a fake idea that when their scholastic days were over their education was completed. But their education was only then about to commence. They were being supplied to-day with what he would call a mental tool, which would enable them to carve out or build their fucure life. That tool would always 00 better by keeping it in active use. They had got to keep their minds active or else they would lose the benefit of their education. When they were really launched out in life, the Mayor continued, they would owe something first of all to the school, some- thing more to the town of Swansea, and something greater to the nation to which they belonged. Whatever success the studenht attained in after-life, they must remember that the success would not entirely belong to them. They would owe I it partly to the efforts of the community which had enabled them to receive their mental equipment, and it was only pofisible for the community to do this because the nation -as a whole desired it. He urged them not to be selfish, but to put forth their best efforts for the nation I to which they belonged. The most impressive thing in the head- master's report was the fact that 310 old boys were preoarfed to lay down their lives for -their country. (Applause.) Of these. 110 had receired commissions. But for the fact that they had been old boys, these would probably not have received com- missions. In conclusion, the Mayor wished the boys a happy Christ !1135. a prosperous New Year, and a splendid finish-off of their education at the school. The Headmaster, in a brief statement on the work of the yea r, said the words of advice given by the Mayor had gone home." The number of certificates ga.ined under the Central Welsh Board was a record, and that spoke well for the earnestness of the boys and the staff during the year when it was extremely difficult to concentrate the mind on school work. Every member of the 6taff of military age had been attested under Lord Derby's scheme, lie continued. Owing to the war it had been decided not to give prizes this year, but thanks to the generosity of Mr. Joseph Hall, special prizes were available for the boys in French in the upper paTt of the school. Mr. Hall offered prizes in Russian, but there were limitations even to the Swan- sea Grammar School—(Laughter)—and they had to decline them. He wished to thank Mr. Hall for remembering the school, and for his public spirited action at the present time in encouraging the study of modern languages. He (Mr. Owen) was convinced that when the war was over the study of modern languages was bound to come to the fore. French, even German, Spanish, and other langu- ages would be in big demand, and English -boys who were not equipped in this re- spect would be seriously at a discount 2wheu they had to compete with the boys from Germany, France, and other countries. The Mayoress then distributed the prizes and certificates. University of Oxford.—Scholarship of the annual value of XSO at Jesus College, Oxford: E. Trefor Davies. University of London.—Inter. Science: R. T. Davies. Matriculation Examination: A. M. Daniels, C. H. Harden, V. Parsons (1st Division), G. R. Davies, N. P. Davies, L. Esmond, S. Harwin. F. D. Jam, E. E. Price, T. J. F. Oldham. Scholarships Tenable at the Swansea Technical College.—Senior Scholarships: C. H. Davies, T. J. F. Oldham, E. E. Price. Leaving Exhibition of £ 25.—R. T. Davies—Jesus College, Oxford (Sir G. Thomas' King's Scholarship: previously awarded—J. W. G. Morris, G. L. Boyle, D. H. Bangham (all these are postponed). Permanent Commission in the Royal Marines.—W. A. Hanson. Central Welsh Board Certificates. Honours Certificate,-Charle-s Hamlyn 1 Harden (Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.) Higher Certificate. Clement Hugh Pavies (F.C., P., C.); Glyn Rees Davies OU.C., A.M., P., C.); Noel Parry Davies (F.C., G.C., P.); Sidney Harwin (H., L., G.); Thomas John Fred Oldham (F.C., A.M., P.D., C.); Evan Emrya Price (F.C., P., C.); Arthur Walter Sneyd (H., L., G., A.M.). Senior Certificate. Hedley Graham Arnold (A.)-. Ronald Dunn Bevan (A.. B.): Charles Gra ham Causton; Cuthbert Cheg- widden: David George Davies (D.); Ifor Gwynne Eiias (A., M., F.); Harry Gregory; Roy William Jenkins (A., M., C.); Richard Lewis Jones (C.); David John Lake (A.); Benjamin Emrys Lewis (A.); David Arthur Lewis (A., C., D.); Cecil Herbert Richard Morris (A., M., F.); John lorwerth Trevor Owrai (A., C.); NVarron Thomas R. Richards; Harry Travis. Supplementary Certificate.-David John Grey (U., L.). Junior Certificate. William Harold Ashmole (D., W.); John Paton Blain (E.L.L., L., C.); John Reginald Horder Coutts (E.L. L., A., F., C.); Gordon Davies (A., D.); Herbert Thomas Evans; Xiel Evans (A.. IT., Thcnr.a-,q David Evans (D., W.); Arthur Llewellyn (Iloijjzb (W.); Donald Gregory (C.): Clfnide Lionel Gun- ner; Arthur Seymour Kavard: Leonard Herniman (D.): Brinley Richards Hooper (W.): Thomas Harold Hooper OL, F., B., W.); Evan John Hopkins (M., C.); William Clifford Hopkins (A., D.); Robert John Howard; Islwyn James; Ronald James (D., W.); Albert John Jeanes; Brinley Iorwerth John; Harding Richard Jones (D.. W.); Herbert Sidney Jordan (D., W.); William Levy (A.); Herrick Gladstone Leyden; John Gwynne Morgan (W.); Cyril William Oliver; Leslie Faulkner Phillips (A., W.); Reginald David Phillips; John Dolbv Skirrow (A., M., F., D., W.V Philip Wilson Skirrow (F.); Edmund Ronald Tucker (A.. M., L., F.); Arthur Raymond Way (A.. M., L., F., C.); (jarfiøld Attwood Watkins (W.); Wilfred Cromack Wheelhouse; David Williams (C., W.); William Her Williams; William Reginald Williams (A., C., D. W .) Note.—A. staudp for Arithmetic; A.M., Additional Mathematics; B., Book-keep- ing: C., Chemistry; D., Drawing; E.L.L., English Language and Literature; F., French; F.C., French with conversational power; G.. Greek; G.C.. German with con- versational power; M., History; T, Latin; -If., Mathematics; P., Physics; W., Wood- work. School Prizes. I Honours Certificate.—C. H. Harden. Headmaster's Reading Prize, C. H. Harden. Form Via.—Mathematics Physics, and Chemistry. C. H. Harden. Form VIb.—Latin, S. Harwin; French T. J. Oldham; German, D. B. Barbour; Greek. S. Harwin; Mathematics, G. R. Davies: Physics, T. J. Oldham; Chemistry, G. R. Davies. Form V.—English, Latin, and Greek, C. H. R. Morris; French, 1. G. Eli as and C. H. R. Morris; German, L. Topham; Mathematics and Physicss I. G. Elias; Chemistry, R. W. Jenkins; Geography, H. Travis; Book-keeping. R. D. Bevan. Form IVa.—English, J. P. Blain; Latin, E. R.'Tucker; French, A. R. Wav and E. R. Tucker: Greek, Mathematics, and R. Tucker: C-,rep k Science, A. R. Way. Form IV., -Nfod.-Fiiglirb, r- rench, and Science, J. R. H. Coutts; German, Mathe- matics, and Book-keeping, T. H. Hooper; Geography, H. G. Leyden. Form Rem. A.—1st priw, T. D. Jones; 2nd, W. J. P. Webber: 3rd, L. D. Evans. Form Rem. Mod.—1st prize, J. W. Thomas; 2nd. R. W. Leyden; 3rd, A. Evans. Form ITIa.—1st prize, W. Bird; 2nd, A. E. Dalton. Form Illb.Ist prize, C. F. Delamare; 2nd, W. S. Davies and J. Williams. Form inc.—1st prize, D. W. Jones; 2nd, W. A. Rees. Form H.-1st prize, H. N. Kirk; 2nd, G. Howell. Woodwork.—Senior, 1. James; junior, R. W. Leyden. Drawing.—Senior, H. G. Leyden; junior, R. W. Leyden. Postcard Competition.—E. R. Tucker. Hobbies Competition.—1, B. Couch; 2, H. X. Kirk. Mr. Ivor Gwynne, after moving a vote of thanks to Mayor. and Mayoress, said Education Committee were very pleased with the results of the Grammar School during the past year. He was afraid it would be necessary to make greater sacri- fices in the future in order to maintain our system of education. At tins j uncture in our national iiivtory it was necessary for all to make sacrifices. Mr. Trevor Owen (the headmaster) put the vote to the assembly, and it was car- ried with three lusty cheers. The Mayor, in response, said the best way the boys could thank the Mayoress and himself was to so equip themselves that when they came to take their place in the economic battle of life they would be able to compete successfully at least against the Germans, and he hoped every other nation on earth. (Applause.) 3fr. Ivor Gwynno announced that the Education Committee had decided to give the boys a half-holiday on Wednesday morning, so the Christmas vacation would start from Tuesday afternoon. This an- nouncement was gretted with a volley of hurrahs.

GIFT TO WELSH CHAPLAIN The Rev. William Jone3, Aberdulais, ex-moderator of the South Wales Calvin- istic Methodist Association, and other friends, have presented the Rev. Ceitho Davies, chaplain to the forces, with a Communion set for the use of Welsh sol- diers under the chaplain's charge. The Rev. William Jones has received a rressage of ,thanks from Chaplain Ceitho Davies.

FAMOUS WELSH SCHOLAR I SUDDEN DEATH OF SIR JOHN RHVS. We regret to announce the sudden death on Saturday morning of Sir John Rhys, Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. A I native of Cardigan, where he was born in 1840, Sir John Rhys was one of the most distinguished scholars Wales has pro- duced. He has taken an active part in I educational affairs, his views command- ing respect in every quarter. He served I on many Royal Commissions in Wales, and." was a member of the Board of Edu- I cation's Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the Privy Council. His publications embraced an extended I field of research, in particular his con- I tributions to the study of the Celtic people and the Welsh language being of a fruitful nature. Sir John Rhvi; was so well known throughout: Europe that it is a mere | commonplace to say that he was a great Celtic scholar. Few men had greater knownledge of Celtic literature in all its aspects, and the peculiarity of his work was the minute attention he paid to detail in his investigations. His latest work was in connection with the Welsh Antiquities Commission, of which lie was chairman, but he has served on several other Royal Commissions, upon which his love of investigation and knowledge of historical phases of any Welsh subject was of enormous use. Above all, he was a. great Welsh Nationalist—not as a politician, for that lino of life seemed quite foreign to his temperament. But in all things that tended to uplift Wales and 'her people's interests, he was a warm supporter and worker. A somewhat amusing story—the fun of which was enjoyed by Sir John as much as by anyone else—is told of him by Sir David Brynmor Jones. The two were members of the Welsh Land Commission One day, they had to visit an outlandish part of the country. After doing their business, the party were preparing to leave, when Sir John Rhys was "lost." A search was made, and the missing mem- ber found at last. We discovered him, said Sir David. buried in the grass in the churchyard, examining an ancient inscription on an old monument that he had discovered. Sir John had a pleasant touch of Li mour. One evening he prefaced an address he gave before a large audience in I¡onll with an apology for reading his speech. When 1 go to church or chapel (he said1) I wa.it in fear until the preacher comes to his sermon. If he produces a manuscript. I know I am safe, because when he gets to the end of his copy he will be finished. But if he has no manu- j script. I feel that he can go on for hours. Now. I want to show you (and he heM up his own papers) thai you will be ,?afe. When I have got to the end of it, I shall be done for, At the Swansea Public Library lecture on Sat urday evening, a vote of .condolence was passed with the relatives of Sir John Rhys. Alderman D. Davies and Alder- man J. Jordan spoke of Sir John's great services to learning and the Principality. Mr. Lloyd George, in an appreciation, says: He was certainly one of the most distinguished of Welshmen. He won in- ternational fame. His works are as well know^ on the European and American Continents as here. Sir David Brynmor Jones says: He was in my view the greatest scholar Wales has produced for many generations, and his public services to cur country, especially in regard to education, were very great indeed. Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams, M.P., writes: Now he has gone in the fullness of time. in the 75th year of his life, laden with honours from the State and learned bodies all the world over. But to those who knew and loved him, there will abide the. remembrance not of a. great scholar, though he was that. but of one of the kindliest and most loyal gentlemen that England has seen in this genera- tion.

WHY THE TAffERDY MAIL CART CRAWLED At Carmarthen on Monday, William Pomfrev,, Water-street, was charged with ill-treating a horse by working it whilst in an unfit state; James Williams, Harp Inn. was charged with causing the-horse to be worked; and Annie Williams, his wife, owner of the animal, with per- mitting the horse to be worked. Inspector Batten, R.S.P.C.A., spoke to seeing the horse attached to the Golden Grove mail cart at Tanerdy. It was crawling along, and was in a very emaciated condition. It was just a frame- work, and appeared almost too weak to stand. Pomfrey said he did the best he could for the animal, and that when it could not proceed any further he sent on the mail bags with another horse. When seen later, James Williams said it was due to the very bad weather and the heavy roads, and that he had sent the animal out because the other pony had a sprained leg. Jas. Williams said the horse appeared all right when sent out that morning. It was such a stormy and wet day that tho animal must have had the "shivers" and colic. The Bench fined Pomfrey 10s., James Williams £ and Annie Williams 91.

Christmas Gifts for Swansea Battalion Men. The men of the Swansea Battalion will not be forgotten this Christmas. Our photograph shows the packing of the I gifts provided by  Mayor of Swank's Fund, and which are now being d?&patched to the members of the 14th Battalion ST-lu w Welib ReginumL ?Photo by c;b&RJ t

I AN ATTESTATION DISPUTE I HOW Å DOCTOR WAS CONSULTED. At Ammanford Police Court on Monday, Dewi Rees, Penybank, Gianainman, was summoned for being at the Glauamnian Hotel, Glanamman, during illegal hours.— Mr. E. Noyes represented defendant. P.S. Richards said that at 10.10 p.m. on Saturday, December 11th, he saw defen- dant going towards the front door follow- ing a young woman. The front door opened, and defendant was admitted, the door being locked after him. Witness went in and found defendant in a room, and also Dr. Grice and two ladies by the fire. Dr. Grice reading a newspaper to them. Defendant told witness he came there to see the doctor, and the landlady eaid, He has come in to be attested." The Chairman (Aid. W. N. Jones): That was the last night for attestation, too ? Witness added that defendant had pre- viously left the house at stop-tap. He did not see any drink on the table, and he explained that the doctor was the E..n- in-law of the landlady. Cross-examined, tlit* Sergeant said he did not believe defendant was there to get attested, but for a purpose. Defendant had the whole day during which lie could have been attested. Mr. Noyes said defendant kept a lil- liard saloon, and on Saturday night an argument arose as to whether attestation had been extended, and to settle the dis- pute defendant offered to go to see the doctor at the hotel. Defendant gave evidence to this effect, and said he had previously inquired for the doctor before stop-tap. Dr. Grice said defendant inquired if the time for attestation had been extended, and immediately aftejwards the sergeant came in. There was no question of drink at all. Cross-examned, the Doctor admttad that defendant hmr,clf had been attested. Their worships considered the explana.- tion satisfactory, and dismissed the case.

DROWNING THE CHILDREN ————— ———.— F MOTHEIRS STORY OF A FIENDISO CRIME. The inquest was held on Monday OIl thW four children of Mr. and Rims, of Twickenham, who were found dead in bed' last Wednesday. The children's named were Elizabeth May, aged 9; Tlkomaa George, aged 6; Albert Edward, aged o; and William Alfred, aged 18 months; and Mrs. Elm-s had been charged with wilfuL murder. The father gave evidence that latterly, his wages did not average more than 16s. i a week. and his wife found it difficult- to make ends meet. This had worried her very much, and in addition ehe had recently recoivexl a summons to appear at Brentford Police Court for sending her little girl to a public-house for beer. On Wednesday evening last he was fetched from his work. ana on reaching home his wife told him she had drowned the four children in the copper. The Coroner read some remarkable letters. One read:— Dear Tom,—You can guess what my feelings are from 6ix o'clock to seven. drowning these dear little children. I done baby first, and Albert next, and when I woke Lizzie up she said. I am tired. I don't want to go to school." I said. Never mind, I am going to bath you," though they didn't know it was1 their last. I am going to try to do my- self in. If I can't I will swing. My darling children, God take them to His' breast. My poor feelings when I done my baby, and then to know I had to do the rest, and, Tom, I have washed and laid them out. I have waited to see if they came to life again, but now I think they are really dead. Curse me now to the bottom of your hea.rt.-Ada.. In another letter the mother wrote:— Your children had all they wished for yesterday-nuts, oranges, and 6weets. They had their Christmas. I did them in at six o'clock this morning. Let them rest in peace In the third letter Mrs. Elms said: My children have been dead eeveov hours. I waited to see if they were dead. It is two o'clock, and I am trying to do myself in. If I don't succeed I must suffer the gallows. Lord help me. In another the woman wrote:— "Thank God they did not struggle much, because I should have dropped, dead. This will be a lotger-ease thati;, one half-pint, of beer. As I could DO!;i cut. my throat, I am gone to drown. myself at Twickenham Ferry, or else give myself up." Mrs. Elms, who was seated in court, sobbed bitterly. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against her.

WATER FOR BETTWS PEOPLE At Saturday's meeting of the Llandilo Rural District Council a deputation, headed by Mr. W. X. Jon. was received; from Ammanford regarding the wateri supply. Mr. Jones said the position was they had communications addressed to them from the lower part of Bettws. which was outside the Ammanford. Urban area, where the Council had ii, large number of houses to which, during the summer months, the Llandilo Coun- cil had been conveying a supply in water carts. These people having failed to gpt satisfaction from Llandilo Council, now went to the Ammanford Council, and begged to let them have water from. them. The Ammanford Council, conldj not trespass on the Llandilo Council's j property without thtsir consent, and they) asked them to he kind enough to takei into consideration the fat that theyJ wre willing to supply them at the aaju? price as they supplied other people, vi. z 88. per house. He wished them to clearly ] understand that this matter was forc" upon them. Speaking off-hand, there vere'ST houses without a drop of water except what w carted. Mr. W. Evans and Mr. Davies, tnvol other members of the deputation also ad-, dressed the meeting. Mr. W. Williams said they had been given to understand that they weta, against a supply from Ammanford, and that they wished to have a supply of their own. Mr. Glyn Jenkins said that at parin. meetings held at Bettws they had decided.. to ha.ve supplies of their own. The matter was referred to the eani tary committee.

CERTIFICATES FOR BRAVERY. At Swansea Police Court on Monday, morning, certificates of the Royal Humane Society were presented to Mr. Charles Morris, Rhyddings Park-road, and to Mr, Campbell Connor, 27, Alexandra-terrace, for saving lives on Swanwe Beoch. The Chairman, Mr. Richard Martin said the information before him was that: a lady, being in danger of drowning, was rescued by Mr. Morris, assisted by three ladies, who had already been pre-qentwif with certificates. This was the earliest opportunity that had presented itself for Mr. Morris to receive the certificate. He had been prevented from going to Aus- tralia, as he had-intended, and that pre- vention enabled him to do a brave deed which all of them were prepared at all times to aclmowledgB. The other man, Mr. Campbell Connor, had rescued a private of the Army Service Corps, also while bathing in Swansea Bay. Fortunately, Mr. Connor was bathing near the same place, and eye- witnesses spoke highly of his bravery oni that occasion. Both men expressed pleasure at receive ing the certificates.

YSTRADGYNLAIS INQUEST CONCLUDES. The adjourned inquest touching the4 death of Thomas Bradley (42), labourer, of Ystradgynlais, tha -t b o fpli ck vc,.r, tli* Teddy Bear" Bridge, Ystradgynlais, on December 4th. was held on Monday. Evidence was given hy Mr. Jestvn Jeffreys, clerk to the Ystradgynlais Dis- trict Council, that the Council had never accepted responsibility for the bridge. neither had they agreed to take it over. The Council had asked the Local Govern- ment Board for sanction to erect a new bridge, but such sanction had not yet been received. A verdict of accidental death was re- turned, a- rider being added that the Council should be asked to remove the source of danger at once, and that they be further asked to erect, if possible, a new, Wuioa Los form- L j j

INSURANCE COMPANY AND MARE.' In the King's Bench Division on Thursday, Justices Ridley, Avory and Lush heard the appeal of the Legal In sura nee Company against a conyicti m by the Swansea magistrates for aiding and abetting cruelty to a mare--a con- viotiou which they claimed should be set aside. The charge on which the conviction was based was that the company had aided and abetted the owners of ti,e mare (Messrs. Evan Gwilym James and John Howel James, of Llanelly), in caus- ing it unnecessary suffering by nnrea. dr- ably omitting to provide it with proper care while in an injured condition. It was stated that the animal, insured "nith the company for £40. fell" down on Mirr--i 3rd while being driven by Evan James, and was so injured that a Llanelly veterinary surgeon said it should be de-I stroved. The hore?, however, was not then destroyed because the owners thought that the company would not pay the insurance money unless they first agreed to-its destruction. They em- ployed a Gorsciilon man to feed it, and informed the company of the veterinary surgeon's decision. The animal was not destroyed until March 1.5th. Mr. Frampton, for the appellant com- pany, said they were not the owners of the animal, and therefore were not re- quired to sanction the destruction of the animal. Mr. Disturnel. K.C., for the respon- dents, pointed out that the company on being informed of the veterinary sur- geon's report, asked for an independent report, implying that the animal should be kept alive until the examination could be made. Whether that attitude was a reasonable one was a matter for the magistrates. The Justices held that there was no evidence of aiding and abetting by the company, and allowed the appeal, with costs.

CRUSHED TO DEATH BY A FALL I Mr. C. J. C. Wilson, Deputy Coroner, I held an inquest on Friday touching the death of a young miner, Thomas llenry Grey, of Middle-road, Gendros, who ??.. fatally injured at Garngoch Colliery, No. 3, on Thursday. Thomas Grov, father of deceased, said his son was a healthy young man and was 23 years of age. He was brought home on Thursday frfternoon, and passed away at 8.15 p.m. Dr. Peter MacRitchie, M.B., said his right kidney was badly crushed. The actual cause of death was shock. James Brown, Clarence House, Penller- gaer. who worked with deoeased at the time of the accident, said that the stall was properly timliered, and there were no signs of sqeezing anywhere. The fire- man had visited the stall and found everything satisfactory. The fall caught deceased on his right side, knocked him down and rolled upon him. The piece of coal was between five and six cwt. in weight. Deceased complained of severe pain in his right side. Deceased was a very careful workman. Thomas Avery ,fireman at No. 3 col- liery, stated that he visited the ctall at ,5.15 a.m., 10 a.m., and about 1.30 p.m., and he thoroughly examined the place. In* his opinion the fall was due to a bounce in the coal just before the fall. The piece of coal was 5ft. 6in. by 2ft. 9in. in thickness. A verdict of accidental death due to Echoek caused by injuries received whilst following his employment was returned. The jury, through the foreman (Mr. W. Clement) expressed their sympathy with the family in their sad bereavement. I

TIHPIATE AND STEEL MARKET I The; r- was an excellent attendance on t-he Swansea Metal Exchange on Tuesday afternoon. Tinplate ppices are very firm and a good demand. Steel bars are prac- tically unobtainable,

STEEL SMELTERS' WM LOAN SCHEML Members of the Steel Smelters' Union*, at a recent conference at Swansea, ap- pointed a committee to draw up a scheme in connection with the War Loan. The committee lias unanimously decided to recommend the following scal-o of con.tri but ions:— From 20s. to 30s., 2^ per cent. 21, per cent. From 3fts. to 40s., 5 per cent. Fi-om 4N-. to,60., 71 per cent. Above 60s.. 10 per cent. A separate account to he opened in tit& Post Office for each employe, and an ac* count book to be obtained for each, sub- scriber. A member of a firm and a meia- ber appointed by the workmen to act Fxs, joint agents. Any detail or question, arising to be arranged locally between^ the workmen and their managers. Thai matter is to be further considered by the branches.