Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

SALES BY AUCTION. PORT TALBOT. T. W. MANCHIP & SON ??11/L SELL BY AUCTION at the t WALNLT TREE HOTEL, ABEK- Ay V ON. at M?ven o'clock tlii, )n TlIFHDAY. 3rd MAY, 1!)17, the under- mentioned BUSINESS PROPERTY and DWELLING HOUSES. Lot 1.—10, Afan-street. in tli- occupa- tion of Mr. William Salter. Weekly ren- tal, 10s. Accommodation: Two sitting rooms, three bedrooms, bath-room, usual kitchen and offices. Lot 2.—1-. Afan-street, in the occupa- tion ot Air. John Moore. Same accommo- dation and rental. Lot 3.—Tydraw-street. Late in the occupation of Mr. R. Chamberlain de- ceased. The wliole of tlie trade fixtures will be- included in the sale For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers, Cornhill Chambers, Bridg- water; or to MOSES THOMAS, Solicitor, A bera von. FOR SALE. FOR SALE. Cole Breeze. suitable for 1. steam raising purposes. F.O.R. Pontar- dawe 3s. per tori.-Tawe Valley Gas Com- pany, Pontardawe. A 4-21  POULTRY EGGS, &c. TTULL Egg Baskets follow use of Karswcod F Spice containing ground insects; Ed., 6d.. Is.-Hobbs. Corn Merchant, High-street, Neath. 273A4-28 THE best by test Karswood Chick-Rearing T Meal tSutMe? (rround). ?-lb. bag 1Jd.. and Karswood Chickeu Powder containing ground insects. Jackets 2d.. "G is.-Hobbs, Corn Merchant, High-street. Neath. 275A4-21 MONEY. THE SWANSEA MERCANTILE CO. (Ltd.) 18, PARK STREET, SWANSEA, Make Cash Advances Daily, from 2 10 to 11 000. No Charge unless Business done. Strictly Private and Confidential. For further particulars, apply H. B. JONES, Manager. SA I L I N G S. South & East Africa. IUINmIfUlN R- ROYAL MAIL ROUTE. CASTLE The CaPe> Natal, KtST"L"E Transvaal. Rhodesia, I IUP East African Ports, UHL Mauritius, &c. For Sailings and Other Information, apply to the Head Office, 3, Fenchurch Street. London; or to Swansea to 1. R W Mason & Co.. or Bertie Perkins & Co. WHITE STAR LINE. Liverpool to Australia. Fares: To Australia, S21 to £32; to Cape Town, JE15 15s to S21 3a. These steamers are twin screw, fitted with bilge keels, and have been specially constructed for the Colonial trade. The accommodation comprises Smoking. Read- ing, and Dining Rooms. Surgeon and Stewardesses carried. For further particulars -apply to the Local Agents: WHITE STAR LINE. Liverpool; 1. Cockspur-street, S.W.; and 38, Leadenhall-street, E.C., London. Â-. NO DEAD CHICKS.-To make your poultry pay, you must rear every chick, and the only sure way to do this is to feed them for the Erst three wt-ek-, exclusively on Armitage's No. 1 Original Dry Chick Food, and follow on with Armitage's No. 2 Grcw-on Chicken Mixture and Armitage's No. 3 Small Chicken Corn Manufactured by ARMIT- U.:E BROTHERS. LTD., Poultry Food Specialists, NOTTINGHAM. Sold by., l-'red J. Parker, Plymouth-street; Thomas Hardware Co., Swansea; John Bowden, Neath; Thomas Richard, Cefn Garth Stores, Glais: C. Ponlet and Co., 29, Wood- held-street, Morriston; P-en Davies, 23, Mrulrre-street. Neath; Majrgs Bros., 14, Winri-street, Swansea. KILL THAT INSECT, TOMMY! £ eji.l your pals "out yonder" some tins of HARRISON'S NURSERY POMADE —they'll be very acceptable, When you haven't time to wash there's a big chance have coTDpaniono A little HAR- i ItJfeON'.S POMADE KILLS EVERY INSECT on hair and boily. Imist on having FAR- j KI«OX'S POIIADE. Tins of Cûõufort" at I)y Cle-.xjists-(,r )-y .t. fr&iii IIAESUiJON Ohemw. Beading. t

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Those who are impatient for sen- sational events to happen on the Western Front may be asked to remember the Somme Battles. We did not reap the friuts of victory un- til eight months after its start; and then when they came some people did not recognise them! The battles now raging between Loos and Mor- onvillers exceed in magnitude the Sommo conflicts even as the latter did the thrust at Neuve Ghapello, and when it is considered that al- ready 28,000 prisoners have been captured and not less than 250 guns —including the French gains—we may rest perfectly content. Modem campaigns can be compared with the waves on the sea-shore. Ia stormy weather all do damage, but there comes one which sweeps everything in front of it. The ninth wave will come on the Western front, and when it does Hindenburg will not be left much time to pack "P- Memories are short, and country ->ver which tho British fought nearly three years ago has become un- familiar ground to us. Soissons, Craonne and Rheims have become but names, until -this week, when the achievements of our Allies have reminded us that where now they are gaining triumphs we fought after the retreat of the Marne. Mr. John Buchan—now looking after British propaganda work—has de- scribed the characteristics of the theatre in which the French are driving back the foe. The Aisne, which enters the Oise at Compiegne, has on its north side, at an average of a. mile 6r more from the stream, a line of steep ridges, the scarp of a great plateau. The valley floor 18 like much other French scenery—a sluggish stream, resembling v the Trent, villages, farmhouses, un- fenced fields of crops, poplar-lined roads, and a few little towns, the chief of which is Soissons, with its twelfth-century cathedral, the scene (of many great doings in France's history. On the north the hills stand like a wall, and the spurs dip down sharply to the vale while between them the short and rapid brooks have cut steep re-entrant combes in the plateau's edge. The height of the scarp varies from some 200 feet, where the uplands begin on the west above Compiegne from the Forest of the Eagle, to more than 450 feet thirty miles east in the high bluffs of Craonne. Beyond this latter place the Aisne takes a wide sweep to the north-east to- wards its source in the Argonne, and the banks fall to the lower level characteristic of the shallow dales of Champagne. The section from Com- piegne to Craonne is everywhere of the same type, with sometimes a bolder spur and sometimes a deeper ravine. The top of the plateau cannot be seen from the valley, nor even from the high ground to the south. It is muffled everywhere by a cloak of woods—what are called in Hampshire hangers "—which dip over the edge and descend for some distance towards the river. The lower slopes are, for the most part, steep and grassy, with en- closed coppices here and there. The plateau stretches back for some miles, till at La Fere and Laon it break s down into the plains of north- eastern France. Seven miles east of Soissons as the crow flies the river Vesle enters the Aisne on the south bank. It is the stream on which stands the city of Rheims, and its valley is a re- plica in miniature of the Aisne. At Neufchatel-on-Aisne the River Suippe comes in from the south, flowing from the Argonne. It rolls its muddy white waters through a shallow depression in the chalk of Northern Champagne. Both its banks are long, gentle slopes of open ploughland, with a few raw new plantations to break the monotony. Beyond the southern slope and over the watershed we descend to where Rheims lies beautifully in its cincture of bold a.nd forested hills. As evidence of the difficulty which even the well-to-do in Germany ex- perience in obtaining an adequate amount of food may be mentioned the fact that the Spanish Govern- men has sent instructions to the dis- tributing department of the Nor- thern Railway Company for the de- spatch of postal parcels containing food for the Spanish Embassy and consulates in Germany. That fact by itself reveals the desperation of the position. But, speeches of Batocki, who is the Lord Devonport of Germany, are equally startling. Batocki a month ago designated tlflb position as very serious," stating that provisions had become "extra- ordinarily scarce. The effects of the food shortage on the public health have been dis- cussed by the Medical Board of Greater Berlin, which has sent a petition to the Chancellor criticising the long standing for food, the butter polonaises, etc., from the Health point of view. Another petition pointed out .the lamentable want of albumen in the food of large classes of the population, and especially called for a more abundant supply of skim milk, skim-milk cheese, and fish, but so far with no result. And the difficulties a.re intensified by the fradulent practices in food stuffs now prevailing. A belated copy of the" Hotel- Reyue" (Jan. 25) contains an article on such substitutes which mentions some hair-raising mixtures, such as soup-substitute tablets containing 97 per cent. of cooking salt with a little colouring matter cheese relish composed almost entirely of cook- ing salt and paprika powder, with some additions to give it a "cheesy" smell; lemon, almond, and rasp- berry puddings made of coloured potato-flour, with neither scent nor taste of the fruits whose name they bear; cream powder made of coloured starch, maize, and potato- starch slightly perfumed with van- illa; etc. When the Germans had the inspiration of success, or at least the hope of it, the inducement to hold cut under these grim internal circumstances could be understood. But what will happen when the population realise the true state of affairs in the West? The nervous- ness of the Government is plainly shown in the wordihg of its reports from the seat of war. They are written with an eye to unhappy de- velopments. Allotment holders in the Vale of Neath will cultivate with all the more zest now that tlie vexed ques- tion of mountain sheep trespass has been decided by the local justices. In the past the mountain farmer has been giycn so much latitude as regards his sheep that he has HS- sumed common practice to be his and refused to accept responsi- bility for the wanderings of his sheep. As the result of a recent test case the onus of responsibility has been placed upon the- owners of I the sheep, and they will be wise in future to fence their holdings. The difficulties are great in the colliery districts where the inclines are open, and the remedy will be found ex- pensive, but in these home-produc- ing food days the mountain farmer must smile at the cost in his endea- vour to protect the cabbages and potatoes against the destruction of his nomadic sheep. At the same time allotment holders should—and j we know they will—assist the far- mers in ever. possible way., i J.  j Another destructive pest is the ?rook whom nobody owns. They have already set their mark upon broad beans which have just com- menced to introduce themselves on the municipal allotments at Neath. According to complaints received a number of drills have been abso- lutely destroyed by the rooks who snip off the leader and probe for the bean. The destruction of rookeries—and there are a number in X eath-is countenanced under the Defence of the Realm, and we would suggest that immediate steps he taken to have them destroyed. Here is work for the members of the G.V.R., to surround the rookeries and shoot the birds in flight. It would be excellent target practice!

MUNITIONS TRIBUNAL. Refusal to Obey a Reasonable I Command. At the Pout li-West Wales Munitions Court on Wednesday, before Mr. J. Vaughan Edwards, in the case of (53 workers in employ in a steel mills who claimed compensation because they had been forced to remain idle, Mr. P. Was<?e ll, for the men, now asked leave to withdraw the cases as a settlement had l'n come to. A Y. agor, repairer aeked the court to grant him a leaving certificate on the ground that he had been offered work of a similar nature and at a higher rate of wage*, at a colliery which supplied Government works. Owing to a discre- pancy in tlie summons, the court granted an adjournment. A labourer was charged with failing to obey a reasonable command of a fore- man. Defendant had been employed some five months, and earned £ 2 8s. Gel. per week. The defendant suggested that he had told witness ha was not well. The witness denied tliio. The engineer said defendant told him, I wouldn't do the work for £ o per shift." The court held the command to bo reasonable, held the defendant guilty of the offence, and lined him Uls.

SUED HER FATHER-IN-LAW. At the resumed hearing of the case in the King's Bench Division on Wednesday, in which. Mrs. Marjorie Augusta Raphael, the widow of an Army officer killed in France, sued her father-in-law, Mr. Wal- ter Raphael, and Mr. Louis Hooker, of the Pc-trograd Hotel, London, for damages for alleged malicious prosecution, counsel for defendants mentioned that after the proceedings eve-r at the Old Bailey, Ifr. Wa Itcr "Raphael paid the Petrograd Hotel the amount of their bill. As a matter of fart, he had paid over 75 per cent, of the big bills of his son, and the whole of liis small bills. Evidence having been given regarding the bankruptcy of Mr. Norman Raphael, plaintiff's cace closed. A long legal argument followed, after which his Lords-hip ruled that there was reasonable and probable cause on the part of botli defendants, for the prosecution find entered judgment for the defenflaiits with costf. A stay of execution was granted on the usutl terms.

RENT -9. AISING LI I t C -1' C l' J. Llansamlet Councillor's Complaint, The annual meeting of the Llansamlet Council was held on Wednesday evening. Councillor Aeurin Rees was elected chair- man, and Councillor T. W. Watkins vice- chairman, for the ensuing year. Coun- cillors Wm. John, Daniel Evans, T. J. Bodycombe, and T. W. Watkins were re- elected overseers, and Councillor Rees and Thos. Morgau trustees of charities. Mr. T. T. Rees gave his report re dis- posal of seed potatoes. Eight hundred and eighty bags were distributed, and the amount of money collected for the same was oSHOO. It was decided to send a fur- ther order for 15 tons of potatoes. Councillor John Williams stated that some persons in the locality had been complaining to him that owners of the houses they occupied had raised their rents. He would like to know if the Council could do something in the matter. The Clerk answered that the com- plninants could find a remedy in the Rent Act which the Government had recently passed.

— SWANSEA MAN'S FATAL FALL. Edward Podjer G, EvanS-terrace, The Graig, who was admitted to the Swama, Hospital on the 18th inst., with a com-j pound fracture of the arm, a cut arm and a fractured pelvis, sustained through fall- ing out of the bedroom window, died at i the Institution at 3.30 p.m.

Official intimation has been received by his parents. Mr. and Mrs. G. Griffiths, Glanyrafon-road, Pontardulais, that Pte. Ivor Griffiths, Welsh Regiment, was wounded at the battle of Gaza. i

SWANSEA PilOTAGE  PM?ESi?S ASAi?SI P?I T AlGOT P?LCI A case of much interest in shipping Lii-cles Aas ll-eard at Swansea Police Court on Thursday, when Abraham Crofts, of Port Talbot, was charged with unlawfully pi toting a steamer into the Swansea HarboTir, ho not being a licensed pilot for the district of Swansea. Mr. D. Vil- liers Meager prosecuted on behalf of the Swansea Harbour Trust, whilst Mr. Dan Perkins defended. Mr. Meager explained th-it the com- plaint WJS made under Section 37 of the liiotage Act of 1913. The defendant was a licensed pilot for the Port Talbot dis- trict. but not lor Swansea. On March ]-Hh) tho harbour pilot took charge of the ship in question, which left Port Talbot tor Swansea, and Croft subsequently boarded che vessel and took her into Swansea. Mr. Meager submitted that what was done by the defendant was done deliberately and with the object of earn- ing 5. due to the pilotage from the roads into Swansea. The captain of the steamer in question, a neutral, was questioned with reference to what transpired in the Grand Hotel. Port Talbot, on the night preceding the alleged offence, and Mr. Dan Perkins suc- ceeded in his objection to any examina- tion respecting a day apart from that upon which the offence was alleged to have been committed. The master repeated c-'rr.sel'a opening statement regarding the boarding of Croft, and he added that on the passage to Swan- sea he did not hoist the customary signals for a Swansea pilot as he already had a pilot on boa I'd. In reply to Mr. Perkins, witness said he did not observe tho Swausea pilot cutter on the jourrjey to Swansea. W. Phillips, a clerk in the employ of Messrs. E. W. Cook, Swansea, related a conversation he overheard between tho captain and the defendant in the ship's cabin. Croft, he said, asked for his bill, as there was no Swansea pilot in the bay at the time to bring the boat into Swan- sea. A Swansea licensed pilot named Wm. Watlnns, stated that en the morning of March 14th, ho was on board the Swan- sea pilot cutter Beaufort in the roads. and was on rota keeping a look-out for the steamer in question, which was due to leave Port Talbot by that fid". The "tearner eventually passed the cutter, and the latter followed the ship into Swansea. When witness approached the defendant later, Croft said he did not see a Swan- sea pilot on the journey, and added that he would not wait for a pilot in any place m tho Channel. Defendant said he had- been a pilot at Port Talbct for the past IS yea re. On the day in question he was on the dock at Port Talbot, and it was his turn to take the first boat out. He boarded the vessel in the lock, with the intention of piloting her to the Swansea Belle Buoy, but when he arrived at that spot he did not see a Swansea pilot., so he brought the chip into Pocketts' Wharf at Swansea. He did not intend, he said, to participate in the payment of 30s. for piloting the ship into port. The Bench fined defendant 95, and al- lf)weil E.5 os. towards the costs.

AFTER TEN HAPPY YEARS. WI Known Actress's Suit for Restitution. In the Divorce Court on Thursday Mrs. Lillah Barker, well kr.ovrn as Miss Lillah McCarthy, the actress, petitioned for a decreo of restitution of conjugal rights against het husband, Mr. Harlev Gran- ville Barker, the author, and Mr. Justice Hill granted the petition, ordering re- stitution within 14 days. Counsel f01 Mrs. Barker said the first years of the marriage were passed in complete happi- ness. In December, 19!4, the parties went to America, and whilst there respondent made the acquaintance of a lady to whom he became attached. The result was that his conduct towards his wife entirely changed. He ultimately informed his wife he had formed another attachment with someone else, which lie was good enough to say he thought would not last. In June, 1915, the parties returned to England, and in September Mr. Barker went back to the United States, and in January, 1916, he wrote to his wife in- forming her definitely that the attach- ment he had formed was still existing, that he would not break it off, and that he did not propose to return. Mr. Barker returned from the States, and efforts made to induce him to return to his wife were without avail. Finally, the wife wrote to him, saying: H During our wonderful ten years of mar- ried happiness and partnership and work we were such real true companions to each other that I can scarcely believe you have definitely made up your mind to cast it all aside. Is our work together to amount to nothing, or our deep under- standing for one another? Come back and let us live togetiiqr, Again the husband replied: I have your letter asking me to come back to you. I cannot do it. It is generous of i you after our estrangement to ask me, but as I see it I should be wrong to come. I cannot, think lightly of all that was good in our life and work together. The much I have to thank you for I do thank yon for, and always shall, but things change. It is no use trying to patch it up. I can see why you think it is your duty to try, and I can assure you sincerely I feel we could, but I feel equally sure that it would be wrong for me to let you. One cannot recreate things in such a way, and the attempt would indeed spoil the past and all good memories of it. 60 it is for both our sakes I have quite made up my mind I cannot come back to you, and this must bo mv final word/ Mrs. Lillah Barker gave evidence bear- ing out counsel's opening, and his lord- ship made the order stated.

FISH AS FOOD. Relative Importance of Munitions and Salmon. At a, meeting of the Towy Board of Con- ser'-ator-s at Carmarthen on Wednesday, Mr. Oliver Jones presiding, Aid. Wm Evans pointed out that as a number of the coracle fishermen had gone to work ;n munition works, there were only eight nets fishing the Towy out of 50 to 60 before the wa.r. As the Food Controller wanted every fisherman to do his utmost to in- crease the food sunnlv by catching fish. lir. Evans suggested that the Board should make a recommendation to tho proper quarter to release some of the men from the mimitions works, so that they might fish in thp Towy during the sea son from April to August 31st. They would still be doing notional servioe. All the, fishermen on munitions were over mili- tarv age. Col. Lloyd Harries (Lhvyndewi): Ton seem to forget titi,t munitions are wanted in France than salmon is wanted here. Aid. Evans said he was guided by what, the Food Controller said. Mv H S. Holmes: Another point iE-- what sort cf people is the salmon going to reach when it is caught? The matter dropped. -=-

Private V. Collins, of a Manchester Regiment, fon-in-law cf Mr. and Mrs. Richard Edwards, Hendy, Pontardulais, is reported killed in action. G. S. Chynoweth (son$f Mr. Chyno- weth. 3, Cr a dock-street),, of the Pembroke Yeomanry, has been granted a commission in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

I LOCAL BREAD PRICES. I ARE Tt¡EY TOO HIGH? I The Swansea Katepayers' Federation met on Wednesday evening to discuss the price of bread and the Mayor's appeal for the Red Cross. Ma.ster bakers had been specially invited, but none turned up. Three operative bakers were present.. Mr. W. H. Brown (in the chair) said they had come together to discuss in a friendly way whether anything could be done in respect of the price of bread. He had gone into the question, and found that the Co-operative Society at A bera von was selling bread at 9d. If they could do so, so should we The Trouble was that millers were prohibiting the sale of flour. This was a matter which concerned the ratepayers of Swansea. He thought they should take it up, and strongly. Every baker was entitled to a fair wage, and every master baker to a fair profit, but they ought to be reasonable, and not bear more hardly than was necessary on the poorer classes who were struggling hard to make both ends meet. It was said that in Cardiff 90 loaves could be made out of a sack. If that was Eo-he did not know—it meant a greater profit than any before the war. If these things were true, then he certainly thought something ought to be done. Perhaps seme espens-e could be curtailed and bakers helped V delivery depots, from which people could fetch their own bread. That might be considered. He thought it would help the bakers and the people. If there was any- thing to be done, he thought the Rate- payers' Association should take the initia- tive. Mr. John Harvey thought the establish- meit of bread depo-ts would be a great benefit, especially for those with large families. He thought it was the dlltv of bakers, if possible, to do as much as thO!'y could for the public in the present circum- stances. A public meeting might be called. Mr. Ben Jones said if bread He made and Rold at 9d in Aberavon, he didn't see whv it couldn't be done in Swansea. Mr. J. Lloyd did net believe bakers were getting the profit as stated. If w. m't.1Y of rhem would be becoming mil- lio latresl The C'hdrman nggê:;ted that a few of t&e ma?r bakers should be asked to me?t I fel%, of the Ratepayers' Federation to di-s- cues the question, and see where they were. That would put the matter to the test. If the price of bread could not be reduced, they would have to gri-n and bear it. I Mr. W. H. Herbert -aid a question was who dominated the prices of bread in this town? When the Government decided to adulterate bread the manager or a local miller came out with an article in the Press, in which he caid that, tlio-ugh adul- teration took place, the public must not expect bread to be any cheaper. He pointed out that Swansea bakers were sub- scribing mmber of the Master Bakers' Association, ancl that ir voices had a printed notice that all bread must be sold at rates fixed by the local Bakers' Asso- ciation. There was a baker in Swansea selling at lid., and the millersS had told him that till he came into Ine they would stop his supplies of flour. He maintained that the millers had no moral or legal right to impose on the public in such times as they were living in to-day. Mr. C. J. Rudder (Co.-op. baker) said there had been no increase in operatives' wages for the last seven months, and the operatives could not understand why the bakers wanted such abnormal profit. The Chairman &aid if the operative bakesr had the benefit, the position would not be so glaring; but the master bakers seemed to be getting the extra profit out of the poor people. He was speaking on behalf of the pooi people who really had to suffer, for whom they ought to appeal strongly. Mr. Rudder explained that the Co-op- erative Societies got the bulk of their I lfour from the Co-operative Whnlesale A-e- sociation, but had to eke out insufficient supply from local 1 millers. The same I thing applied to Woolwich, Edmonton, and Leicester, as to AI feravon. The chairman proposed that the bakers be asked that three or five of their num- ber-IS ehould meet three or five of the Rate- payers' Federation, in order to discuss the extra cost ol bread. Mr. J. Harvey seconded, and the resolu- tion was adopted On the question of the Mayor's appeal, the chairman sai'J he was, determined that the Ratepayers' Federation should pro- vide one bed- He would give a guinea, and two. if necessary. He thought it was their duty to do something as a Federa- tion. A sum of about two and a half guineas was immediately promised at the meeting, and the secretary was instructed to collect from the members.

TfNPLATE TRADE. I The Government some time ago found j it necessary to Claim large supplies of stoel from the Siemen's Steel Works in South Wales, which brought down the steel allowed to tinplattJ makers to 47 per cent. of the normal. This has now been further reduced by 15 per cent., eo that practically only one-third of the Welsh tinplate mills can be employed. This great change has been brought about so smoothly that comparatively few realise how much this staple industry has been affected by the war. At the beginning of hostilities a very large number of tin- platers voluntarily joined the colours, and many were called up when Conscrip- tion came into force. Now a transference of men is being made from tin works to sleel and spelter works. The export of tinplates has been reduced, and the home supply of tinplate has become so ex- tremely short that Government Depart- ments are advising as to the best sub- stitute. Tho world hafe been depending for its supply of tinplate almost entirely upon Wales and the United States. Vrom American sources we learn that a confer- ence was called by the Government officials of the United States of all lead- ing tinplate manufacturers. It was shown that the demand of can makers this year was abnormally heavy, and that while the output of tinplate in 1917 was -e-,fiiuat?-d at 5,000,000 boxes more than in 1916, there was a fear of shortage. A proposition made by the tinplate makers was that they might under pressure operate their mills seven days a week, getting 20 turns per week instead of the maximum of 16 as at present. The meeting appointed a commitee to gather data and co-operate j with the Government officials in order to meei Government needs.

CHARGE AGAINST SERVANT GIRL. When Gertrude Collins (21), a domestic servant, was brought before the Swansea magistrates on Thursday on a charge of attempted suicide hy endeavouring to strangle herself with a rope at No. lOh, Caswell-lane. Supt. Rol)erts applied for a week's remand. That course was I agreed to.

Captain E. E. Isaac, M.C., R.A.M.C-, who has just received a bar to his Mili- tary Cross, is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Isaac, of Stepney House, Carmarthen. Prior to joining the Army he was a medi- cal oiffcer at Colney Hatch Asylum. He i-s attached to the Royal Fusiliers, and has been in France since September. 1915. Mrs. Wateon, 47, Lammas-street, Car- marthen, received a telegram from the War Office on Wednesday stating that her elder son. See.-lieut. Arthur Watson, R.F.C., is reported missing in France. He was an old pupil of the Gramar School, Carmarthen, and was very popular. An all-round athlete, he was the leading mem- ber of the Ca rth.el1 Harlequins' Rugby [ team*.

TOBAC'U'O ? nib SEEK T08AG88II THE BEER SWANSEA fM FfiiCiiiL'B AND ROBBED At the Swansea police Court, oil Wed- nesday, Bridget Sullivan, a married woman, was charged, on remand, with stealing from John Miles 5;3 8s. lid. while in a private house, 22, Greyhound-street, on April llth. Mr. King prosecuted. John Miles told of how lie went with a companion into the house in Greyhouud- fitreet, where there were ten women and a man playing an accordoon for dancing and singing. Shortly after, the man asked him for half-a-crown, which he gave him, as did also his friend. A woman went out and fetched flagons of beer. which wa* served out by defendant. Later on. de- fendant asked him for another half-a- crown, which he refused to gin. She told him he would have to pay ior the amusement, and got a bit wild. He he- came frightened, and gave the woman the half-crown. She fetched more beer. They were again asked for money. He offered Is., and the woman again got wild." On attempting to leave, lie was stopped by a man at the door, and, being afraid, he paid another hali-a-crown. They had more liter, and both he and his friend smelt tobacco" in the beer. It lllado him feel very wea k, and he had to go out into the fresh air. His money was safe in his pocket then, but after that he sat on the defendant's lap, and found her hand in his pocket. When yet another half-crown was demanded, lie found he had only ¡gel. He told defendant she must have stolen his money. She said he was a liar, the people in the house became hostile to him, and, with dUrieulty, he succeeded in getting out of tho house alx>ut midnight.. j Geo. Davies, munition worker, 4?, ?ea View-terraee, said that he had de- fendant place her hands in John Miles's I waistcoat pocket. Alfred Thos. Nich-olls, barman. Three Crowns public-house, was also ctllefi, Alice Edg'erton, assistant police matron, when she searched defendant found one £ 1 note, two 10s. notes, and £ 1 l&s. in sil- ver. Detective Gubb said that, when charged, defendant denied having stolen tho money, and now sho pleaded not guilty, and ex- plained to the court how sho had the amount of money mentioned in her -pocket. She also called a couple of wit- nesses. The Court having retired, the Chairman said they considered Nrbe case proved. It was a very bad ca&e. and defendant would be sent to prison for six months. I orcl Defendant was much concerned. "Lord save us!" said she, and t*hrcf» little chil- dren, and I as innocent as thus:"

ANOTHER CASE. I Mary Elizabeth Williams, a. single woman 20 years of age, and Fred Re land Ford, bar roller, were then charged with being concerned together in steeling from the person of George Davies .£2 17s. Gel. on the same evening Mr. Hy. Thompson defended the gin. George Davies said that defendant Wil- liams had put her arm around his neck and taken money out of his pocket, and his hands were held by defendant Ford. After that he was thrown out by Mrs. Sul- livan and defendant Ford. Later he com- plained tc. the police and gave defendants in charge. Cross-examined, witness admitted that he had drunk two pints of beer at the Three Crowns before going to Greyhound- street, buc he was not drunk. John Miles gave evidence, as did A. T. Nicholls, who said that defendant Wil- liams went away much earlier than the two men. P.C. UarrU was called and Detective G nbb, who said defendant Williams, when charged, said, No, sir, I am innocent." Defendant Ford denied the charge, and said to prosecutor, I'll corpse you two whe', I come out." Dupng the speech of Mr. Thompson de- fendant burst illt.) tears, and passionately protested her i nnocence. Defendant Williams was bound over for 12 months, and defendant Ford was sent to prison for six weeks.

PROHIBITION FOR WALES. I The Rev. Gwilym Davies. one of the 11 organisers of the campaign to eecure pro- hibition for Wales and Monmouthshire for the duration of the war and six months afterwards, had a further interview with Sir Herbert Roberts on Wednesday, and if it can he arranged the deputation com- ing to see the Prime Minister on the subject will have an interview with the Welsh Parliamentary Party on the same day.

VIOLATION OF TRUCE. I At the Executive Committee at Skewen. on Wednesday, of the Welsh Independ- ents' Gymanfa (Glamorgan), a resolution was passed, on the proposition of the Rev. J. H. Parry (Llansamlet), to the effect that the present attempt to re-open the question of the Disestablishment and rnsendowment of the Church of England in Wales was viewed with apprehension, and looked upon as a violation of the political truce. Also that they regarded the references to harsh treatment as un- just in view of the generous terms the Church had been dealt with under the Act.

BEER PRICES. I Rhonddaites Drinking Rum as a I Substitute. The battle of the beer waging in the Rhondda shows signs of abatement. The existing stock having been exhausted, local licensed victuallers decided a week ago to in erase the price to 8d. per pint. This action was strongly resented, and public-houses were boycotted to such an extent that there was considerable dimi- nution in the consumption of the popular beverage This was very evident on Sat- urday night, when licensees usually ex- perience brisk business. On this evening one Treorky house, which jretnils beer at 4d., va.«i besieged by a. crowd of thirsty individuals, while others were practically empty. This week the price has been fixed at 6d. per pint, with the result that public- houses are more extensively patronised, though not to the same extent as for- m'prly. From the first there has been a lack of unanimity amongst the licensed victual- lers. Tn conversation with a Press representa- { five on Wednesday, one licensed victual- ler suggested that a uniform price should ( be fixed by the Food Controller. One re- sult of the increased price of beer is more drinking of rum, the price of which has not been interfered with. A meeting of the local licensees will be held during the next few dnys to con- sider the positio.i. v

The followingcasualties among Carmar- then non-commissioned officers and men serving in the Welsh Regiment in Egypt a re reported:—Qua rlermaster scrgean c James Lewis (wounded), son of Mr. John Levis. St. Catherine-street; Sei-sPn?t Dd. GriSth? (wounded), ?cn of Mr. John Grif- fiths, St. David's-street; Pte. Tommy E,ans, 1,5, Catherincvstreet (wounde d>; Ptc. Isaiah Evans (wounded), son of Mrs. Evans, 115, Priory-sh'Mt; Pte. Thomas. J. Bowen (mis3.mg); Pte. W. H. Bo wen (wounded). The last two are brothers, and their home is at St. David's-street. Comp-any-Sergt.-Major J. Eva.r? (woundea) whose home is at 66a, Priory-street. Pte. B. Lewis ?-nund?d), son of Mr. D. Lewis, Miil-?treet'? i

[ BOKEN PLANS. rpr WHAT HiHDENBORQ INTENDED. Paris, Wednesday.—A special oo-rrew pondent of the "Matin" at the British front; publishes to-day an account of his visit to Lievin. He writes: The artillery Colonel who is showing us round wears on his regimental badge the most significant motto Uhique" (Every- where). The sturdy greyhounds with (heir 1-ong muzzles bark and bite—but wiiat are these guns? We no longer re- cognise our old friends the grave old "Loug Tom" and the petulant 9.2in. Here are clumsy fellows with no elegance whatever. This, however, is not surpris- ing, for they are Boche guns which wera captured by the Canadians and British in the Goulot Wood. These number about 60 all set in line. The ethers, nearly twice as many, are being utilised elsevrhere. One of them :is a naval gun with a. paunch like a Munich burghe.r. The Baches carried their kindness as far as to leave us a store of about 1,000 rounds for each gun. Nothing could have been more thoughtful. So much the worse for them, if some of the ehells in the pile are asphyxiating ones. Such I ,Ifi ng <)-RA_ S Sll?'h nasty thing's are not good to be kept. We return the mall-through the air. This is a perfectly correct, although doubt- procedure. When the [ enemy made a show of replying to the British gunners, the latter have quietly taken refuge in the admirable shelters constructed by the Bodies themselves, and have suffered no casualties. These kind Bodies are being slandered. They are the most thoughtful 1wople i tl the world. Was it not they who, at Givenchy, three days ago, saT- tliat the Canadians had a hot meal already prepared awaiting them? The correspondent adds that the Boches had laid their hands upon Hie Spanish-American Relief Depot, which contained sufficient provisions for three months. Aceordiug to information from a trust- worthy source, it appears that the double offensive of the British, north of Arras, and of the French, on the Airne and in Champagne, 1136 disconcerted the German plans. Marshall Von Hindenbuhg was preparing, on the Eastern front, an opera- tion against Riga, and another against Italy. It seems he interded to push upon Calais on one hand, and upon Paris on the other, taking the French positions at Soissons in the rear, and debouching from Rheims by the Nailly region. He was obliged to bring back to Prance some of his effective6 massed on the Russian front, a.nd to do the same in regard to the Trentino, whence Bavarians and Prussians, who were mustered behind Innsbruck were transferred to the western front between. Arras and the sea. At Innebruck there are now only Bavarian transport troops. The (ierman attack on the north was to be entrusted to Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, which explains his transfer to the supreme command exercised until then by the Crown Prince of Wurtenburg. The latter is now commanding in Alsace. As for the Crown Prince, he was in- tended to make the direct rush on Paris. By our offensive," concludes the infor- mant, wo have forestalled Hindenburg, and have seized the initiative. TOTAL: 227 GUNS. A special Press Association message from France on Wednesday says:- We have advanced our lines between Gouzeaucourt and Villaret, and also pushed forward south-east of Lagnicourt. The tower of Wancourt is again in our bands. Tho last account of guns captured by us since the morning of April 9th is the highly gratifying total of 227. As it is certain that a large number must have been buried, or otherwise des. troyed, during our bombardment, th enemy losses in artillery have been verj serious. Independent of handicapping weather, the pre. sent' lull is the inevitable result of the rapidity of our first advance. In the rear of our advance troops the steady How of the forward movement is going on continuously. Operations are continuing in spite of the most poisonous weather that the old- est soldiers can recall.

RIGHTS OF WELSHMEN. In the West Wales Munilions Court at Swansea on Wednesday, before Mr. J. Vaughan Edwaide, a munition worker was charged with being absent from work on the 27th January and five days 111 February without reasonable cause. De- fendant pleaded not guilty. The manager stated that defendant had produced no certificate stating that he had been ill during this time. Defendant had, how- ever, given a certificate stating he r;-as fit to resume work.—Defendant, who had no- thing to say, was held guilty and fined L'2. A female munition worker claimed com- petisition on the ground that she had been discharged without notice. Mr. James, of the Workers' Union, represented the complainant. The claimant said was employed cleo-ning sieves, and the process necessi- tated dipping in acids. Wheal she left the room for breakfast a number of selves were in the acids. A presser came to her for sieves at this time, but there were none ready. However, witness finished a sieve and threw it on the table, from which it fell to the floor. On the Saturday following, the foreman brought her the notice terminating employment sum- marily. In cross-examination, it WlaB elicited that when the press worker came for the sieves one rolled towards the door where the presser «rtocd. Witness earned S] 7s., and had not found work since. She denied the sug- gestion that she had thrown a sieve at the presser at the door. She also denied throwing a knife. Another sieve cleaner said no knife was thrown. Witness was certain that the first sieve was thrown to the table. Wit- ness said the worker was not agreeable that a conversation should be proceeding in Welsh. A third claimant corroborated the gen- eral story. For the defence the presser was called, and she said sieves and the knife were thrown at her as she stood by the door- way. and she was ill from the shock of it for days. The witness suggested that the alleged animosity arose owing to the fact that hA was Irish. "Thev don't like the Irish" she added. "They suggest that I am flighty, but I have a huehand of nir own." The Chairman said he held it perfectly legal for b. Welshman to spea k Welsh in Wales. It might be discourteous, in the presence of Englishmen, but the Welsh- !!(-■!j■ tie were entitled to do so if they chose, the witness suggesting that the claimant were mocking her in the Wels* language. The chargeman said he \ent to the shed and the claimants clamoured around him. and the three spoke at once, and one asked him if he was going to accept the press-worker's statement about the throwing of the knife, at the same time denying the allegation. The Tribunal was of opinion that the conduct of the claimant was not such as to constitute misconduct in the meaning if tlie not such as to iustify dis- missal without notice, and awarded con, pensation in lieu ot notice, 27s., and 7s. 8o. costs.

Pte. Vernon Wilkins, Welsh Rc-gt., Kid- welly, has t)("!ll w-o-unded in Egypt. He had been in Esj-pt for about 18 months. II