Evening Express

A HOLLOW DEMAND. I At a time when most of their consti- tuents were thinking about going to bed the Welsh members at Westminster were indulging in their annual debating enter- tainment on the subject of Welsh Home Rale. When their constituents opened their papers this morning they, probably, thought the Welsh members would have been better employed if they also had gone to bed. But it is thankful to feel that, after all, we are not going to have a Welsh House of Commons in Cardiff as well as a Welsh Museum. The debate came to the usual nothing, of course. Just enough members stayed in the House to give the motion for self-government an emphatic negative. The thing was wrongly conceived altogether. Just be- cause Wales has been treated to a few separate Acts of Parliament, it does not constitute a claim to separation any mors than the repeated Land Acts of Ireland constitute a claim to Home Rule. A very good case can be made out for devolution in Private Bill legislation, not only for Wales, but for every other part of Eng- land. Westminster ii too over-crowded with work now to make the process of Bill-promoting expeditious or econo- mical but in any devolution of duties it would be necessary for Westminster to expressly limit the functions of the new authority whic4i may be created. It would be humble credulity to suppose that the authority so set up would satiety the ambitions of the Welsh members, who desire to form a little Cabinet of their own, and draw up little schemes of their own for making life more blessed on this unblest planet. For instance, one member pointed out what incalculable good would be done if the Welsh people were allowed to deal with the Church question, temperance reform, and the land question! Others lauded the capa- city that Wales had shown for self- government. But what arrant nonsense this is whan one of the leading Welsh members of Parliament struts about the country exhorting county councils and other aut horities not to administer an Act according to its express provisions!

Thero is now some hope of finding the missing Army Corps. The War Office are having a flying machine made for them, so the president of the Aeronautical Institute informs us. Forbearing to quote Tennyson's observations about grappling in the central blue, would remind Mr". Brodrick that the clouds arc a virgin recruiting field.

Publicans don't always get the en- couragement they ought for trying to keep their premises respectable. A Pont- ypridd Bonifaco ejected a drunken man, and the latter afterwards set on him and gave him a sad mauling. The fellow got a month's hard labour, and deserved it thoroughly.

An irreverent Radical rings us up to say all the Tories seem to be making Rye f aces!

Brief life is here the portion of the Cardiff Municipal Fish Market. A month ago the second anniversary of its open- ing was allowed to pass without celebra- tion, and yesterday the committee fore- shadowed its doom. As a fish market it has been a wretched and costly failure, and the corporation will be well advised to devote the building to other purposes more useful and less expensive. m

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Notwithstanding the pressure of Football News and Xvte. 110 Advertisements ordered for insertion in the EVENING EXPRESS on Saturdays are omitted from the Football Editions

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS I The M:ow!c? an, th« readings !jnc "?; o'clock last ovebin?. ? ?r 'v? n by t(> barometer in t;HI veslibu; ? of tb, Brewing FxP-?ftL' St. 21ary.4tret?t, Cardja, which I

PICTURE. PUZZLES. I Five Pounds for 12 Solutions. AWARD IN FIRST COMPETITION. Nine competitors gave the correct solutions in our first week's picture puzzles, and the X5 will be divided between them, 11a. Id. being sent to each. Their names and addresses are:- M. Edwards, 209, Richmond-road, Cardiff. David Burnie, St. George's-terrace, Swansea. D. Griffiths, John-street, Porthcawl. Owen Fox. Castle-street, Tredegar. M. Parry, -Ullswater, Caerleon-road, Newport. T. R. I. Powell. 16. Northcote-street, Cardiff. C. Harbottle, 14, Dc Burgh-street, Cardiff. Ernie Hunt. 1S5, Mackintosh-place, Cardiff. M. Jenkins. 49, Tallis-street, Cwmpark. List of Correct Solutions. 1. Boots. 2. Gabe. Winfield, 4. Pearson. 5. Percy Bu3h. 6. Willie Trew. 7. Frank Gordon. 8. J. Hares. 9. Alby Davies. 10. Bill Jowett. 11. Bancroft. 12. W. Llewellvu. I 2nd COMPETITION. Our Second Competition opened on Satur- day. and will close on Friday. March 20. Two pictures appear each day, represent- ing the names of well-known Welsh foot- ballers, and a prize of JE5 is offered for the best set of solutions. If more than ace set is correct the prize will be divided. All you have to do is to write under- neath each picture the name you think it represents, and send the whole of the twelve pictures to Picture Puzzles Depart- ment, "Evening Express," Cardiff, to reach here not later than Twelve noon on MONDAY. March 23. Put your name and address at the foot of cach couple of pictures. The day's pictures must not be sent separately, but the whole twelve must come in one envelope, marked outside. "Picture Puzzles." As a guide to competitors, we may state that practically the whole of the names of Welsh footballers are found in the list of teams in the Evening Express" on Fridays from the third edition onwards. In case of dispute, the decision of the Editor of the Evening Express must be accepted as final. On Saturday (March 20) another 15 will be offered for a. third set of solutions. Notes to Competitors. As already stated, competitors are not limited to one try, but each set of solu- solutions must be on separate forms. Some competitors in No. 1 tried putting two solutions on one form, and were, of course, disqualified. Others delayed sending in till after closing time, and these letters were not opened. No. 9 Xo. 10 Addre,s

Mainly About People. Priore Francis of Teck, the handsome youngest brother of the Princess of Wales, is the most blithe and debonair of Princes. Though he celebrated his thirty-third birth- day in January, he has remained a boy in heart and in looks, and he is. from a social point of view. the most popular member of his popular family. Like his eldest brother, the present Duke of Teck, Prince Francis was educated at Wellington, going afterwards to Cheltenham. Ho was his mother's special darling, and in her "Life" is published (says the "Sketch") a. charming letter addressed by her to him when ho was first ordered to Egypt. Prince Francis, who went through the South African War, is about, it has been rumoured, to take up some form of business enterprise. He is among the few remaining great partis of society, but, as yet his engage- ment has never even been rutnonred, and he would appear to be the most confirmed of bachelors. The story goes (says our contemporary named in foregoing paragraph) that, some tweuty years ago, a French bishop, on taking leave of the Pope, observed, with emotion, "Adieu. We shall not meet on this side of the grave, for, though I have hopes of coming I back to Rome in twelve years from now, it is not likely that I shall find your holiness still here to greet me." The Pope looked at hira amiably, and, shaking his head, observed, If your emmcnce should, indeed, come back, you will ??d me here ready to receive you." And wbat j, perhaps, more extraordinary, I the deterred meeting actually did take place some years ago; but. whereas the bishop had become an extremely aged and tottering oid man, the Pope seemed to have scarcely altered in the interval which had elapsed. Mrs. Stubbfl: They have captured the cleverest hotel thief in the country, my dear. Mr. Stubbs: Indeed! What hotel did he keep ? Mr. Alfred Clunies-Koss, one of the family which leases and governs; the Cooos and Keel- ing Islands, in the Indian Ocean, died there a lew dars ago. The superintendent, or "King," of this interesting archipelago is Mr. George CInniea-Roea. who is under th? juris- diction of the Government at Singapore. The islands lie 700 miles away from Batav-ia-the nearest point of eiviiisation-and the largest of them is only five miles long by a few hun- dred yards wide, so that, with the exception perhaps of Botumah, this is about the lone- liest dependency of the Empire. The cable was linked up with the group a few months ago. The islands, which export little else besides cocoa-nuts, which grow there in enormous numbers, are of coral reef formation, and have been rendered classic by Darwin's visit in I the Beagle in 1856. It was on his observations here that Darwin founded his theory as to the growth of atols or ring-shaped islands built hy the tireless industry of the minute coral iMect. A curious feature of the group is Itofth Keeling Island, which is uninhabited, and which can only be reached in very excep- tionally calm weather. It is visited two or three times a year by Mr. Cluniea-Roas, but otherwise the birds which breed there in countless thousands are left undisturbed. Mr. Brodrick's "Confessions," M recorded by "Books of To-day," are delightfully humorous. Here they are:—Your favourite flower, rag- wort your favourite hero in real life. General Booth; your favourite heroine, Joan of Arc; your favourite date. April 1; your favourite recruiting ground, the Society for Promoting Psychical Resea;rch; your favourite fruit, all fruits with a core; your favourite historical incident, the murder of Becket; your favourite quotation, "And did you once see Salisbury Plain?" your motto, pax nobiscum; if not yourself who would you wish to be, Winston Churchill's senior subaltern. In his life of Bret Harte fPearsoni, Mr. I Edgar Pemberton tells an amusing story of that writer's embarrassment over the tre- mendous popularity of the "Heathen Chinee." Soon after Bret Harte's first arrival in Lon- don his acquaintance was sought by a certain noble lord of high literary reputation, and he was invited to dine at the grea,t man's house. Always anxious to escape being lionised, he told a friend, who was to be of the party, that he should not go if he thought "The Heathen Chinee" would be quoted at table. The well-meaning friend sent a note of warning to their host; but his lordship loved a joke, and, giving hia other guests a hint. they talked "Heathen Chinee" and nothing else! At first perplexed and annoyed, Bret Harte soon saw through the little plot, and heartily joined in the Jaugh he had helped to raise against himself. Earl Granville, who is thirty-one. is son of the Earl Granville who played such a leading part in Liberal politics during the palmy days of Mr. Gladstone. The present carl is in the diplomatic service, where he has done much useful work, being endowed with much of his late father's political gifts. His friends are fond of saying that "Granville always carries half-a-crown about with him wherever he goes." This is quite true, and it might even be added that he takes the precious coin to bed with him at night. The fact is that he accidentally swallowed it while performing a conjuring trick, and ever since the coin and the diplomat have been inseparable. Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson, V.C., C.B., is sixty-one. He has been one of our leading torpedo experts during the past twenty-five years; in fact, ever since the adoption of the automobile torpedo in our service. The admiral won his V.C. in the Soudan in 1884, with the Naval Brigade at the battle of El Teb, by one of the finest acts of gallantry on record. At the most critical moment of the action a gap was made in our square, and half-a-dozen Dervishes rushed at it. to break in. Captain Wilson, who was near the spot, moved out alone to meet them, and, although he had already broken his sword in cutting one man down, he held his ground, knocking down the Dervishes one by one with his fists. Perhapa the reason we are so prone to find fault with our neighbours is that it helps ne I to forget our own shortcomings. Senator J. T. Morgan, of Alabama, is nearly eighty years of age, but he is credited with having spoken some 200,000 words in the United States Senate in opposition to the Panama Canal Bill. His last speech, delivered in instal- ments, amounted to about 50,COO words, the senator having to be on guard all the time the senate was sitting ready to resume the discussion at any moment. The longest speech ever made in the House of Commons was that oration of "Joe" Biggar's, which lasted for four hours. It was purely obstruc- tive, and was largely composed of extracts from Blue Books. One of the longest speeches ever delivered was that made at his trial by one of the Fenian prisoners in Ireland at the time of the '48 rebellion. The prisoner-the notorious O'Donovan Rossa-exercised his right to speak from the dock after the verdict of the jury, and kept hard at it for eight hours. He then requested that the court might adjourn, but the judge naturally re- fused. and the orator was compelled by sheer physical exhaustion to bring his speech to a close. He had claimed to read all the evi- dence put in against him, including the file of a newspaper for several years, but he con- sented as a compromise to leave out the advertisements. St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, known to ribald undergraduates as "Teddy," which has just successfully resisted annexation by Queen's College, was founded by Edmund Rich, an Archbishop of Canterbury, who was. despite his patronymic, "the poor man's friend," and deservedly canonised as St. Edmund. Oxford men retain pleasant memories of the little hostel by reason of the Titanic contests waged annually by "Teddy" Hall eight with Jesus College and other small fry, for the proud position of bottom of the river.

I OOAL STEALING AT CARDIFF Fdward Lee, John Williams, and William Yorath. three diminutive lads, under twelve years of age. were brought up at Cardiff Police-court, thia morning (before Messrs. J. Allen ajid E. W. Shackell) charged with steal- ing a quantity of coal, value 6d., the property of the Taff Vale Railway Company, from a truck standing on the harbour branch of the Taff Vale Railway at Grungetown on March 18.-Police.-const,i,ble J. Jenkins was in "Ferry- road on Wednesday, and saw Williams throw- ing coal from a truck and the other lads putting it into ba,A Taff Vale Railway official, who gave evidence, added that a great deal of coal stealing went on there, mostly by children, who were endangering their lives by eroding the line to get to the trucks.— The Bench dealt with the lads under the First Offenders Act, and ordered them to receive each five strokes with the birch. The Bench added that they considered others were im- plicated with the lads in the offence. An opinion wa3 also expressed that the Taff Vale Railway Company should take more stringent means to protect their property.

CARDIFF AND PENARTH TRAMS I I The matter of the proposed electric tramway between Cardiff and Penarth was re-opened at the meeting of the Parliamentary committee of the Cardiff Corporation, as the result of a communication received from the syndicate proposing to lay down a line. It was decided ) to communicate with the Penarth District Council, asking them if they had made any progress in their negotiations for freeing the ruad.

I CHERTSEY ELECTION I I Mr. Hubert. A. Longman (Radical) and Mr. G. A. Tyler (Unionist) were nominated for the I Chertsey Division to-day.

WELSHMEN IN TROUBLE. Thousands of Welsiiniou are in pain and trouble- every day throujh Backsclie. Lumbago, Gravel, Kidc?.' D:st:a5. Dropsy, Wind, \Vat?r Com- plaints. All th"e will find a positive cure in HoMroyd'a Gravel Pills. Money returned If not satisfied. la. lid. aU Chemists. Poet free twelve stamps. SOLBHOYIYS MEDICAL HALL, CLEGKttEATOS, YOKKfl. elKW-4

THE LONDON PRESS. Examples of Their Views I To-day. BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM LEADING ARTICLES. The Less of Rye I Rightly, or wrongly, it is assumed by many I that there is no longer anything to fear on the side of Home Rule; and the war is not only at an end, but the payment of the bills is naturally found irksome. These things, together with local and personal elements upon which it is not necessary or gracious to dwell, may be held to account in a fairly satisfactory manner for the lose of the seat by the Unionists.Times." I Crusade Against the Publican As Mr. Balfour said yesterday gross injus- tice has been done to a large number of individuals. What was regarded as a legiti- mate investment is regarded so no longer. AU sense of security has been shattered, and pro- perty which was taxable and which had been taxed-not lightly, bnt he-avily-is now treated as though it were not property at all. This argument will make no appeal to the fanatic, who regards what he calls the liquor traffic as a thing accursed.—"Daily Telegraph." i Alien Criminals I The Chief Rabbi has stated to a correspon- dent that the Jewish community would wel- come a. measure for the exclusion of criminal aliens; and the Gentile taxpayer would pro- bably acquiesce in so business-like a, view.- "Daily Chronicle." Panama Canal I The oanal wiu be very costly in both lite and money, but it will be an achievement worthy of the American Union, and one the advantages of which will be shared in a very large degree by the British Empire.—"Morning Leader." The French Army I In France the military death-rate is enor- mously high, simply because weaklings who would be rejected here are swept into the barracks in order tp keep up the numerical standard.—"Standard." A Double Warning .1 Woolwich and Eye warn both S,t¡eS to set their houses in ortkr: and vhe Government, if they would oul/ realise it. have certainly not the harder takk.Daily Express." Defence of the Country I Though Cabinet Ministers still hesitate, the man in the street has long ago made up his mind that the defence of the country rests, not upon an overgrown army, but on a well- appointed navy.Daily Graphic." Mr Balfour and the Trade I We confess to a, feeling of astonishment at I the effusiveness with which the Prime Minister I has thrown himself into the arms of the Trade. I —"Daily News."

WALES V. IRELAND. I What Will England Do Against Scotland ? Commenting upon the Wales v. Ireland match on Saturday, Oval" writes in the "Morning Leader" as follows:—Before going to some slight comparison of the rival teams for the final international of the year, the crown of the season's football, it is worth while to look for a little while at the outcome OT the Cardiff game of last. Saturday, and at the circumstances which accompanied the hollow defeat of the Irishmen. I write hollow defeat advisedly. For the Irishmen, going off in the same way as they did at Inverleith and playing their game for all it was worth, were pitlled up much sooner than the Scots could do it. I admire the national pride which seeks to show that in bad weather at Cardiff Ireland could not play their game, whilst in bad weather at Edinburgh they did so well as to keep out, save for a single occasion in an hour and a half's play, the Scotch side which beat Wales. I appreciate the clannish feeling which tries to prove that the conditions of ground and storm had no effect on the Wales- Scotland match, and actually helped Wales against Ireland. But, when we find Scotland- once over the line against Ireland and once against Wales, whilst Wales run in six times against Ireland, we begin to see that if com- parative form proves anything. it certainly proves that the general criticism on the Welsh defeat is the correct one, and that Wales lost a very excellent chance of the triple crown through the horrible weather which spoilt their efforts against Scolatnd. If this is not so, if Scotland really have a better team than Wales, it is a very poor look out for us on Saturday. In each of her two victories Wales has had the luck to lose a man early in the game, and yet scored five times in the one and six times in the other. On that showing, what ought Scotland, bar accidents, to regis- ter at Richmond? The margin between the Scottish and Eng- lish sides must have its weight in the formar tion of one opinion as to the real worth of the Welsh team. If Scotland is better than Wales, as testified by the Edinburgh game, then in view of Swansea and Cardiff the margin of Scotland's success on Saturday should be twenty points or so. It may be, and yet bad as our side may be, I can't think it will be so severely beaten. I The Scottish Captain Retires I Keen disappointment will be felt at the news that Mark Morrison, the captain of the Scot- tiah, Rugby fifteen, will not be able to play in the Scotland v. England match, at Richmond. It is unnecessary to point out what his loss means to Bcotlandt for, though he has played in 21 international contests, he is still Scotland's greatest forward. The va-caaicy has not yet been filled up, and we are officially informed that it probably will not be until Saturday morning.

VIOLENT CARDIFF PRISONERI I Has to be Driven to the Station I in a Cab. At Cardiff Police-court this morning John Graig, 30, was charged (before Messrs. James Allen and E. W. Shackell) with using filthy language and assaulting Police-constable Arthur MOBS, in Margaret-street, on March 13. The Police-constable said he found the man in Margaret-street behaving in a most disorderly manner. He refused to go away when told to. and, as a consequence, he was arrested. He offered a most violent resistance, and addi- tional police aid had to be obtained before he could be taken into custody. On the way to the police-station defendant three times rolled the officers in the road, and eventually he had to be placed in a cab.—He was ordered to pay 10s. and costs.

I TORTURING A MONKEY I At Bristol yesterday a young Italian was charged with ill-treating a monkey, which I he exhibited in the streets. The defendant was in the habit of pretending to teach the monkey to smoke. He put a pipe in its mouth and in its paws a piece of lighted paper. Wh-en the monkey did not apply the paper to the pipa its paws were no burnt that it writhed in pain. The defendant assumed ignorance of English, but he used robust lan- guage towards an officer who remonstrated with him on the cruelty, He was fined 10s. and costs. I

I BACILLI THAT SWAM 300 MILES In the course of an inquiry which is pro- ceeding in the Supreme Court at. St. Louis Dr. Armand Ravold made a, startling state- ment as to the endurance of bacilli. Speci- men which he placed in the eanai fifteen miles below Chicago he traced through the Illinois and Mississippi to St. Louis. They were more active and deadly after their j mile swim than before he ralaued them.

A RMY WASTRELS tA Physique and Character of Recruits. SLASHING ATTACK IN THE COMMONS. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Wednesday. The Speaker took the Chair at two o'clock. MR. CHAMBERLAIN: NO STATEMENT. In reply to Mr. Buxton (E., Poplar), Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said that a mistake had arisen with respect to the Colonial Office debate on Thursday. It was not his (Mr. Cham- berlain's) intention to make a statement as to his tour—his recent proceedings should have been fully before the public and the House; but he would, of course, be ready to give any further explanation or to extend the information already in possession of the House. Wastrels in the Army: A I Slashing Attack. On the report of the Tote ofz.35,761 men ot all ranks for the Army. Mr. VICARY GIBBS (U., St. Albans) moved a reduction of 3,000 men in order to call atten- tion to the remissness which existed as to character of recruits. What he desired to con- sider, he said, was how far the country got value for its money in the matter of recruits. He alleged that there were accepted and expelled within a short time of their accep- tance an nnduly large proportion of men. (Hear, hear., The Secretary for War. when defending the army corps scheme, had declared with obvious complacency that he had got his men. But how? He had got them at the expense of introducing into his army a lot of wastrels who were not only bad, but 'were not cheap. Indeed, what with their diseases and their courts-martial they cost more than good men. (Cheers.) Was it economy to clothe and feed men who would be useless in war? He meant boys, who imposed upon a singularly credulous medical officer as to their age; illiterates who could neither read nor write; weaklings; and last and worst the bad 'uns "—those bad sheep who infected the flock. He asked the Secretary for War to give the House the num- ber of men now actually with the colours whr, were available for foreign service to-day. (Hear, hear.) He was sure the right hon. gentleman would give these numbers. (Ironi- cal Opposition laughter.) Mr. Brodrick was fond of numbers; he liked numbers; he revelled in numbers; he flooded the House with numbers. (Loud laughter and cheers.) Therefore, he was sure to give these numbers. (Renewed laughter.) There were 25,000 men in the Army who were inefficient, and would never do a hand's turn for us in time of war. These men should be got rid of. for they cost at least £60 a year each, and the country would thus save one and a half millions. (Cheers.) Many of our disasters in the late war were due to the presence of this unsatis- factory minority. (Hear, hear.) These paper armies, this stage army, had never imposed on our potential enemies. It did not impose upon the members of the House of Commons. Then was it really worth while keeping it up merely for the sake of imposing upon the poor taxpayer? (Loud Opposition cheers and laughter.) Mr. ERNEST BECKETT (U., Whitby), in seconding the reduction of the vote, claimed that on the information now before them every impartial man must be convinced that in recruiting, at all events, the country was not getting value for its money. There was no wish to reduce the fighting strength of the Army, but to weed out the inefficients." Mr. Brodrick might pile up inefficients as much as he liked, but he would not add to our fighting strength. (Hear, hear.) If Mr. Brodrick wanted to know what was the real feeling of the Army upon his new scheme, let, him get outside the atmosphere of the War Office and make his inquiries amongst Army men who did not know him. (Hear, hear.) He would find a very strong feeling existed against his scheme, and that feeling was so strong in the Army itself that sooner or later it would be adopted by the nation. (Cheers.) Mr. ARTHUR ELLIOT (U.. Durham) said that members of the House of Commons ought to take a serious view of their responsibilities. They ought to give a right lead to the people and endeavour to obtain some steadiness in the politics of this country. (Ministerial cheer3.) These swings of the pendulum from one extreme to the other bat weakened the position of the country, and ho would not go into the lobby with the member who would now make this ill-considered reduction. (Loud cheers.) Mr. BRODRICK remarked that the views just expressed by Mr. Elliot were shared by a large majority in the House, and the numbers of letters which had been received at the War Office in the last few day showed that the samo view prevailed outside. Mr. Beckett had shown the old cloven hoof. This reduc- tion of 5,000 was only an offshoot of the reduction of 27.000 which Mr. Beckett and his friends ineffectually tried to force upon the House last week. There was no shadow of foundation for the saying that we failed in the late war because there was not one of our battalions prepared for war. With regard to the demand for the exact numberg of men now available for foreign service, he would be able to furnish them in three weeks' time, when the trooping season, which was now going on, would be over. He challenged Mr. Beckett to cite any military officer of high authority who was willing to vouch that these 27,000 men could be knocked off without re- ducing the fighting strength. It wae the opinion of the military advisers, past and present, at the War Office—men who had served under both Governments, men selected as being the best representatives of the Army, and who had seen most service-that these 27.000 could not be knocked off. The opinion of these experts ought not to bo set aside for any anonymous opinion. lie challenged hon. members to get up and tell the House if any office-r of position would vouch that the Army could be reduced by 27,000. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr. YERBURGH (U., Chester): I am in a position to name an officer whose authority would be recognised by everyone in this House, who is of opinion th»t the Army could be reduced very largely indeed. (Opposition cheers.) That officer bas given me discretion to use his name, and 1. therefore, propose to give his name to the Prime Minister. (Ironical laughter and cheers.) Mr. BRODRICK said he would await the result of this action with great complacency. With regard to the physique of our Army as compared with Continental armies, there was the greatest possible misconception. We got much better men physically than any other army in Europe. No one who had walked through a French garrison town would require statistics on that point. (Hear, hear.) Theie was no standard of height in France, and in Germany men were accepted who were in all respects physically inferior to our men. Almost every officer was in favour of taking youths because youths were more amenable to discipline and learnt their training quicker. The question of character must not be pressed too far. They did not want men who had been in gaol or drunkards, or men likely to demoralise their comrades, but he should object to laying down a number of Sunday School rules that would exclude any- boy who had been expelled from school for impertinence or had left his situation with- out cause. Recruiting must always depend upon the state of the labour market, the popularity of the Army, and other causes. Mr. BRYN ROBERTS (R., Carnarvon, Eifion) would have supported a still larger reduction. Mr. GIBBS asked leave to withdraw his motion to reduce the Vote. Mr. ASQUITH congratulated the hon. mem- ber upon having induced the Secretary for War to make admissions and to give under- takings. Leave to withdraw was refused, and on a division the motion was negatived by 246 votes to 73. The report of the vote was then agreed to. The vote of £ 9,078,000 for the pay of the Army at home and abroad was confirmed. The vote for half-pay and retired allow- ances was also confirmed. Brodricks "—Dwarf Soldiers at the Cape. A Bloemfontein correspondent says that the officers of the British Army complain bitterly of the class of recruits who are now arriving. In one draft the average age of the soldiers was eighteen, and there were a few who were far younger—mere boys—although they were enlisted as being of proper age. The officers say that it is impossible to train these grow- ing lads, as they are unable to bear the strain of hard work in a new climate. The Dutch openly scoff at the youthful appear- ance of the recruits, while the older soldiers christen their boy comrades after the Secre- tary of War, whose name has become a generic term for them.—Press Association Foreign Special.

Rememoer that the blood, whetber pure or imrmre, circulates throngh the orffans of the human body-Luiigs, Heart, Stoma.ch. Kidneys, Brain. If it is laden with poisonous matter it spreads disease on its course. "If the blood is d" l d the body is diseased." In cases of Scrofula. Scurvy. Eczema, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood Diseases, Pimples, and Sores of all kinds the effecta of Clarke's Blood Mixture are mar- vellous. Thousands of wonderful cures have been affected by it. Clarke's Blood Mixture is sold everywhere at 2a. 9d. per bottle. Beware of worthless imitations and substitutes. L •3939—10

ST. PATRICK'S DAY. 1sT. PATRCK'S DAY. Amusing Case in the Police-courts, A BLACKLISTER'S NOVEL EXCUSE. Patrick Quail. a weather-beaten labourer, was charged, at Marylebone Police-court, London, yesterday, with being drunk and disorderly and using obsceme lamguage, also with obtaining intoxicating liquor while on the Black List. The charges having been proved Quail urged in extenuation that he had been working in Piccadilly at the house of an Irishman, and "being Irish myself, your honour, and it being St. Patrick's Day. I was tempted." (Laughter.) Mr. Plowden: But you are on the Black List. What would St. Patrick say to that, do yon suppose? (Laughter.) Quail: Well, yer honour, I'm Irish. Being on the Black List, you had no right to have any drink at all.—But it wasn't in the neighbourhood where I'm known. (Great laughter.) I tell you you had no right to get dtmnk.- Well, yer honour, St. Patrick. (Laughter.) Mr. Plowden: I cannot help that. St. Patrick's Day comes every year. However, for the sake of your saint I will merely fine you 10s. or seven days. Thank your Saint and thank your stars. (Laughter.) A men. not of Irish birth, was accused at the same court of behtg drunk while in charge j of a, horse and van. He said he met some Irish friends, who were celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a. bottle of whisky, and, alas! he took too much. Mr. Plowden: You are not an Irishman? Prisoner: No. but they were. Mr. Plowden: You have nothing to do with St. Patrick, and he is not going to help you. (Laughter.) A constable intervened to say that the van the prisoner was driving waa full of mineral waters. Mr. Plowden: To be drunk in the midst of mineral waters—what a. position! (Laughter.) Prisoner: I give you my word I'll drink that in future. (More laughter.) Mr. Plowden: It is stretching a great point in your favour to let you derive any advantage from St. Patrick, for you are not Irish, but you may go this time.

WELSH COAL TRADE The Garth Colliery Dispute Settled. The dispute at the Garth Merthyr Colliery Maesteg, has been settled by Professor Gallo way and Mr. Wardlow, the representatives the Elder Navigation Company, and Messrs. D. Beynon, miners' agent; T. G. James, Gil- fach; and Vernon Hartshorn, Risca. who represented the men. The dispute was in reference to the working of the six-feet seam Several men re-started work last night.

CANADIAN FAST STEAMSHIP SERVICE The Central News Glasgow correspondent says that the Canadian Pacific Railway Com- pany, intend to start a service of steamships between London and Montreal with the vessels recently acquired from the Beaver Line.

THE COAL COMMISSION The Royal Commission on Coal Supplies sat again at Westminster on Wednesday. Mr. Gordon Miller, C.B., Director of Con- tracts for the Royal Navy, spoke as to the requirements of the Navy, the present area. of supply, and the attempts which have been made and are being made to widen that area. He also gave an account of the experi- ments made by the Admiralty with regard to oil, patent fuel. improved furnaces, <tc. Sir George Livesey, chairman of the South Metropolitan Gas Company, dealt with the progress of the gas industry for many years. the various views taken, and the economies effected in the consumption of ooal by the increasing use of water-gae and incandescent mantles. Mr. Stromeycr, engineer-in-chief to the Manchester Steam Users' Association, gave an account of the economies in steam engines during the last 25 years, and indicated that, in his view, much could yet be done by double combustion and the further use of hot-air blasts, by which inferior qualities of coal might be used to advantage. The Commission adjourned.

-===- IRISH DYNAMITE OUTRAGE Dynamite was yesterday exploded outside Rosemont Barracks, Londonderry, a consider- able quantity of glass being broken. Fortu- nately, eome of the exploeive missed fire, and it was found outside the barracks. One arrest has been made, but the authorities refuse information, and nothing is known of the object of the outrage.

ORATORIO AT CARDIFF A large audience assembled at the Cory-hall, Cardiff, on Wednesday evening to listen to a performance of Haydn's oratorio The Crea- tion by the Crwys-road Welsh Chapel Choir. There was an oroheatra of over 30 performers, and the piano accompanist was Miss Maggie Thomas. The principal artistes (all of whom were in excellent voice) were Miss S. M. Lewis, R.A.M.. contralto; Mr. A. Dunlop (Llandaff Cathedral Choir), tenor; and Mr. David Hughes, R.A.M., bass. Mr. Jenkyn Thomas wielded the baton. Farmer's oratorio "Christ and His Soldiers" and the "Hallelujah Chorus." from the "Messiah," were rendered by a full band and chorus of 120 performers at the Roath Park Wesleyan Church, in Albany-road. Cardiff, on Wednesday evening, and attracted a large audience. The conductor was Mr. W. A. San- day, and the principal artistes were Miss Tilly Richards, soprano; Madame Mills, eon- tralto; Mr. E. W. Carston, tenor; and Mr. Harry Miller, baritone.

DESERTED HIS WIFE AND FAMILY 1 At Cardiff Police-court this morning (before Alderman P. Carey and Messrs. J. Allan and E. W. Shackell) Robert Allison, 42, was sent to prison for two months for neglecting to maintain his wife and four children. Prisoner deserted his family in January last, and they were compelled to eeek relief at the Cardiff Union. The wife had since died, and it waa not until prisoner was arrested at Chester- field that he was made aware of the faot. He was considerably shocked when he heard the news.—Mr. Pritchard, who detailed this evi- dence to the court, added that the man was a mason by trade, and well able to follow his employment. His excuse for deserting his family was that he and his wife did not get on very well together.

WELSH PROFESSOR'S APPOINTMENT Professor James J. Dobbie. professor of chemistry at the University College, North Wales, haa been appointed director of the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art by the Secretary for Scotland. Professor Dobbie has taken a. great interest in technical and agri- cultural education.

ADEN HINTERLAND Constantinople, Wednesday.—The fresh in- etructiooa sent to the Ottoman Boundary Commissioner on the Aden Hinterland fron- tier mr-p- in accordance with the demands of the British Embassy, which has been informed of their despatch. In consequence of eva- sionx and bad faith of local authorities in tbe Yemen, the Embassy had decided that, in default of a prompt and satisfactory settle- ment, the work of delimitation should he proceeded with independently of Turkey.— Renter. j

CADBCKT'S Cocoa is hiphly nourishing and easily digested, repairing wasta and preserving health. It ill absolutely pure and unnuapemd with, bein? entirely fm from drugs, alkal!w, or any admixture. CAD- ] auars » pedect food, <Mit?tt fM &U am ud f? ? « tM 'W. <MB-* J

IPOST OFFI-CE CASES. & — Offences by Various Officials. SENTENCES PASSED AT THE ASSIZES. At the Glamorgan Assizes at Cardiff this morning (before Mr. Justice Phillimore) Harriet Neste Anghared Howell (25), a postal clerk, who took up her position on a seat in the dock. crying bitterly, was charged with stealing a post-letter containing a pair of gloves, two half-crowns, a sixpenny piece, two halfpenny stamps, a letter, and an addressed envelope, the property of the Postmaster- General, on February 10. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr. W. D. Benson appeared for the prose- cution; Mr. Arthur Lewis defended. Mr. Benson said prisoner was employed by I the postmistress at Llwynypia, who paid her. and for whom she acted as assistant. The Judge asked if this was not the woman who received very small wages. Mr. Benson: She received 5s. a week from the postmistress. She has been twice in the service of the postmistress, first from April, 1900. until May, 1901. She left, and returned in February, 1902. On the 10th of February, in consequence of complaints, a test-letter was made out and posted at Pontypridd, addressed to Mrs. Roberts, and prisoner admitted that she took it, with its contents. His Lordship: This was a test-letter? Mr. Benson: YeH. In consequence of irregularities?—Yes, The woman says it is the only offence, if I remember aright. I should like to know what the irregularities were. How many letters were missing? Mr. Benson replied that two special letters were missing, though he did not say they had been taken by this woman. There had also been many complaints of letters having been lost, and in consequence the test-letter was made up and posted. Mr. Arthur Lewis, for the defence, said this was a very sad case, especially in view of the exceptionally good character of the girl. The past and present vicars of the parish had known the family for the past thirteen years, and prisoner herself was a faithful member of the choir and teacher at the Sunday School. The only explanation he could give was that she yielded to a sudden temptation. The Rev. John James, formerly vicar of Llwynypia for a, period of seven years, gave prisoner the highest character as a faithful, modest, and good girl. The Rev. William Evans, the present incum- bent, gave similar evidence. Mr. George Knill, Cardiff, ex-postmaster at Tonypandy, said he had known the girl from childhood, and was willing to be surety for her good behaviour and to take her into his service. Sentence was deferred for three prisoners already tried and another one yet to be tried lo be dealt with together. THE CARDIFF CASE I Albert Edward Jlolfe (39), a Cardiff postman, pleaded guilty to stealing a certain post- letter containing 9s., a matchbox, and six stamps, the property of the Postmaster. General on February 28. Mr. W. D. Benson, for the prosecution, said prisoner entered the service in 1881, and came in 1899 to Cardiff, where he earned 27s. a week, with a bonus of 4s. a week besides. He had a wife and three children. In consequence of ccmplaints, a test packet was made up and addressed to one O'Connor, of Newtown, Ire- land. Prisoner put in a statement, which his lord- ship looked at and read out one sentence, to the effect that for nineteen years he had only 22s. a week. This case also at an end, Dora Williams (20), and! David John Roberts (28), clerk, and David Phillips, sixteen, an auxiliary postman, were put into the dock to receive sentence. Williams was in trouble for stealing a letter containing a postal order for 20s. at Llan- guicke, Roberts for offences at Cadoxton-juxta- N'eath, and Phillips in respect of three post- office thefts at Swansea. I The Sentences. I Addressing all the prisoners, his Lordship said the crimes they had committed in the discharge of their duties disclosed a very sad and a very shocking state of things. One of the worst points was that it was calculated to lead the public to distruct Post Office ser- vants, and trust was of the essence of the Post Office. He specially referred now to the case of Roberts, which was a savings' bank case, and calculated to discourage poor people in trusting their eartiings to the Post Office Savings' Bank. He could not understand why there should be so many cases, though he did not forget that this was a large and populous county. In two of the cases the wages were low. He had been, he thought, misunderstood. He was supposed to have said that in all cases the wages were low. He did not mean to say that at all, though in the case of the girl Howell her wages were low. The other girl was a learner, and her wages were very small, indeed. He could not say that in the other cases the wages were low at all. He could not understand why there should be such an outbreak. He was aware that not long ago there was the case of a girl at Cardigan who was brought before him at the Carmarthen Autumn Assizes for the three counties, and whom the jury acquitted. He did not say, or wish to say, that she was guilty. The came looked, at any rate, an awkward one for her. It was referred to in the public press a good deal, and the learned judge thought thero were circumstances which may have led other girls to think that if they committed this sort of crime they would have a very good chance of escaping conviction and punishment. If there was any such feeling-however mistaken —he hoped the publicity given to these cases would warn other Post Office servants in this county and in South Wales that detection surely followed, and conviction almost always. He was anxious, at the same time, to dZl as leniently as lie could with these cases; but he must make some warning to prevent this state of things Continuing in the county. Taking Roberts's ot?se first, he said it was in some ways a very bad case of tampering with a savings' bank account. There was this to be said for the prisoner, however, that in other positions of trust he had not failed. A well-known public gentleman in the county was, he understood, ready to take prisoner back into his service and give him another chance. He sentenced prisoner to three months in the second division. Taking together David Phillips and Dora Williams, the learned judge took a lenient view, passing only sentence of imprisonment from the date of the begininuing of the assizes, which meant that prisoners were set at liberty. Addressing Howell, his Lordship said her case was to him, as to the rev. gentlemen who had spoken in her favour and her good friend, Mr. Knill, a very difficult one to understand. She was 25 years of age, and he could not deal with her as he had with the other two. He sentenced her to two months in the second division. The girl OIl receiving sentence swooned away, and was carried below in a state of collapse. In sentencing Rolfe to fifteen months' hard labour, his Lordship said prisoner had been a long time in the service, and he received very good wages. He was detected by a test letter, and he had little doubt that he had stolen before.

CAMBRIDGE UNDERGRADUATE'S I DEBTS. A Cambridge undergraduate, named Wilfred B. A. Hales, went up to the university yester- day for public examination in bankruptcy. Thw gros liabilities amount to £382 108. There are no amots.-The dehtor Mated that a friend of hiB-a, lady—volunteered to find the means for him to go up to the university. He thought he must have had 11,2,30 from her before her death. Ho was not stinted in any way. He did not. know tha.t ?!01 w&o spent in clothes in 1901 and IW, but he admitted £ 54 on tobacco and 9% on wines and Rpijnte; also ?60 ?on Jew*UO17.-The examinatim wu adjoume&

A WAR BALLOON. Purposes For Which It Is Intended. INTERESTING SPEECH BY DR. BARTON. Speaking in London yesterday evening Dr. F. A. Barton, president of the Aeronautical Institute. gave some interesting particulars respecting the airship which he has just commenced to build at the Alexandra Palace under contract with the War Office. It was a combination of tho "lighter than air" and "heavier than air" systems-that is to say, it was a machinc in which a system of movable aeroplanes was interspersed between the car and the balloon. It would be fitted with motors developing 150 horse-power. If the results obtaineu by this machine should be satisfactory, the War Office would have another airship built by him larger and stronger, with probably 600 horse-power engines. The size and number of the aeroplanes would be increased, and the balloon would be strengthened, but its proportions would be diminished. Thus they hoped to progress step by step, gradually increasing the size and power, but diminishing the ballom until they arrived at the practical commercial airship. He estimated that an airship such as he had foreshadowed would have an independent speed of 60 to 80 miles an hour. The purposes for which such an airship would be useful in the^pommercial economy of the world were in??te and obvious, particularly those having i *ed of 25 to 30 miles an hour only. His own machine would profJably attain 25 miles an hour. Such machines, he thought, would be especially useful in the work of exploration of such countries as the hinterland of the West African Coast, the interior of Brazil and Australia, and the country on each side of large rivers like the Amazon and the Congo, which were almost inaccessible to mankind owing to the difficulty of crossing the fever- laden swamps and dense forests. As to sport, he rather thought that an airship regatta would be almost as exciting as a motor-car race.

COMPENSATION FOR SEAMEN. Proposed Extension of a Recent I Act of Parliament. The question of extending the Workmen's Compensation Act to seamen was introduced to the notice of the Parliamentary Commit- tee of the Cardiff Corporation—(the Mayor (Mr. Edward Thomas, J.P., "Cochfarf") in the chair—this morning in the form of a memorial from the National Sailors, Fire- men's, and Fishermen's Union asking the council to send delegates to strengthen a deputation which will wait upon the Board, of Trade on the 30th inst., with the object of achieving that aim. Mr. Lloyd Meyrick said he knew from expe- rience that numbers of seamen endeavoured to obtain compensation without avail. He knew of one case where, a young seaman had re- ceived such injuries that he would never be able to follow any occupation again. Xow that the question of extending the scope of the Act to other grades of workmen had been mooted, he certainly felt that seamen should receive some consideration, and he was very glad to see that the Mayor had rendered the seamen some service. The more respectable they made seafaring employment the more likely they were to attract Britishers to it. The reason why the maritime service was left to the Lascar and the foreigner was that the conditions were such that Britishers would not take to it if they could get other employ- ment. He moved that they send delegates. Alderman Mildon seconded. The motion having been carried, it was stated that the Mayor, Mr. F. J. Beava-n, and Mr. Meyrick would probably be in London at the time, and it was understood that two of the three would form part of the deputation.

MAGISTRATES' STRANGE ACTION, A singular sequel is reported at Walsall to a case in which a woman named Sarah Walters, of Oxford-street, Pleck, was on Tues- day sentenced by the local magistrates to a month's imprisonment for neglecting her infant child after having been twice put on her good behaviour to give her an opportunity of amending her conduct. It is stated that, s one of the magis- a.fter the court proceedings, one of the magis- trates visited the woman's home, and made a, personal investigation into the circumstances. Whether as a result of this, or otherwise, cannot be stated, but, at any rate, in the afternoon the woman was discharged from custody, and returned home just as the inspec- tor of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, by whom the prosecu- tion was instituted, was making arrange- ments to remove the child during the mother's detention. Her explanation was that the magistrates had decided to allow her to remain on her good behaviour for another month.

LOVER'S FOLLY. t Yesterday, at Yeovil, Walter Neville. 26, was cha-rged with attempting suicide. Prisoner was engaged to be married, but failing to get a. house decided to drown himself. To his sweetheart he wrote: -"Dear Agnes,-I have tried all possible means in this world to get on, but find it is no use. By the time you have this letter I shall be in Sutton River, dead. Good-bye, Agneg.-Your broken-hearted lover." Prisoner had partially undressed, and wa.s about to jump into the river when a. friend caught him. Prisoner's parents promised to look after him, and he was dis- charged.

ASSAULT WITH A LEMONADE BOTTLE Margaret Dawkins. or Thackwell, 29. was fined 40s. and costs, or one month's imprison- ment, at Cardiff Police-court this morning for assaulting Elizabeth Caines in Mary Ann- street on March 17. Mr. 8. Jenkins was for the def,ence.-ProE,ecutrix, who keeps a small shop, said the prisoner came there with a man, and. in consequence of her behaviour, was ordered to leave. She returned in a few minutes and struck prosecutrix in the face with a lemonade bottle.—Prisoner denied the offence, and said prosecutrix threatened her with a carving knife.

ALLEGED POLICE ASSAULT At Cardiff Police-court to-day Owen Harries, a respectable-looking man, whose age was given as 70 years, was charged with being disorderly and assaulting Police-constable William Lewis, in Meteor-street, on March 17. Mr. C. Cadle defended.—Defendant's daughter was driven to their home in a cab on the date given, and it was alleged there was some diffi- culty in getting her out of the vehicle. Police- constable Lewis came on the scene, and, according to his evidence, defendant, after a slight altercation, struck him twice.-Defen- dant gave a total denial to the charge, and called a witness in support of his statement.— The Bench said they were loth to record a conViction against defendant, and ordered him to put 10s. in the poor-box.—Defendant, as he left the court, said he had never been so grossly insulted before in all his 70 years.

DREAD OF POVERTY An inquiry was held by Dr. G. Danford Thomas at Marylebone yesterday, concerning the death of John Thomas Stow, aged 59, bachelor, a merchant's clerk, lately lodging at Ifowlatid-street, Totten h am-c(fLirt-road.- Mr. William Stow explained that the deceased, his brother, had been in the service of one firm seventeen years, and recently, through no fault of his own, he lost his situation. During the last nine months be had sought employment- in vain, his age telling against him. and younger men being preferred. Although he had saved a little money, and witness undertook to keep him if need be. the deceased became very despondent and depressed, fear- ing poverty and worrying about, the future. —Other evidence showed that, alter his land- lady had taken the deceased his breakfast on Saturday morning, she discovered him .sus- pended by the neck in the doorwa3- of his room. He was cut down at once, and was conveyed to Middlesex Itoopital, but died on his way there.

I Cocktarr r Comments, The newspaper men have been in just < little too much of a hurry regarding too applications for the Bute Dowry Fund. Candidates are becoming more business like, and before they make applications for the dowry they resort to a good many preliminary inquiries, in order to minimise as much as possible the chances of dis- appointment. The annual dividend arising from the above fund is for a girl of the poorer classes who shall be domiciled in Cardiff, and whose marriage might be facilitated by the receipt of such a fund." Somehow or another, an idea has got abroad that persons who aro already married may participate in this endow- ment, and some have had to be sent away disappointed on that account. Intending applicants should bear in mind that nomi- nations are to be made by any member of the Cardiff Corporation, and the mayor will be glad if this is borne in mind. It may do away with a good deal of fruitless canvassing. The duty devolving upon the mayor is arduous enough without having to undertake endless interviews as well. The annual meeting of the Glamorgan- shire Bee-keepers' Association, which was revived last year, reminds us of a welcome harbinger of the season of the year, when, "the bee is humming." This association takes a very practical view of its duties, as is indicated by the engagement of an expert, who will visit those members who desire it, and whose tour will commence about mid-May. Bee-keepers are advised, in order to prevent the spread of foul brood, to exercise the unost care in pur- chasing bees, and to obtain with the same a clean bill of health. Another excellent provision for the encouragement of bee- keeping is that of having lantern lectures on apiculture and bee demonstrations, Even to those who do not beep bees these lectures are interesting, their habits being of the most instructive kind. Notwith- standing all the glory of Solomon's court, he found in these industrious insects an aid to wisdom and the means of pointing a moral. Foul brood in bees, where it has pre- viously appeared, and has not been effec- tually eradicated, will inevitably show itself in the spring. One naturalist describes it as a horrible disease," and one that quickly spreads unless efforts aro promptly taken to check its progress. If the presence of the disease is suspected in any apiary, careful watch should be made to detect the weakest, and then give them a searching examination at the most con- venient time, which will be on a warm afternoon, "just as flying is ceasing for the day." I warn amateur bee-keepers, however, to be more careful that they hava ceased stinging for the day than that they have ceased flying, for, although many years have elapsed since I ventured to disturb a bee in its stronghold (the hive) I have a lively recollection of their peculiar greeting to meddlesome inquirers, for, like a well-advertised heal-all medicine, they never fail to touch the spot." Dear Sir,—With reference to Judge Phillimore's remarks, and your paragraph of Monday night, re pay of Post Office assistants, and more especially those in the employment of sub-postmasters, I have taken the liberty to enclose a copy of the journal The Sub-Postmaster,' in which you will find that the grievances of the sub-poetnaasters are not less in need of ventilation than those of post-office assis- tants. You will see some very interesting figures, showing the magnificent remunera- tion paid by the State Postal Department; hence is it any wonder that sub-post- masters are compelled to pay their assis- tants such horribly poor salaries? With reference to the responsibility of auxiliary postmen, one of whom was tried on Mon- day. I would like to state a case in point. In Cardiff the most important clearance of letters and bags from sub-post-offices is from 8.10 to 8.30 o'clock every evening, and is almost entirely entrusted to boys just out of the telegraph messenger de- partment, and when I say they have to call at each sub-post-office on their rounds for mail-bags, and that each bag contains large sums of money, the ways of the department must be regarded as not being; sufficiently mindful of the temptations placed in the way of unreflecting boys.—. I am, etc., ONE IN THE KNOW." The above letter lets in a good deal of light upon the difficulties of sub-post- masters, and the consequent ill-payment of some of the Post Office assistants. The periodical referred to by my correspon- dent fully bears out his complaint, not by single instances, but by case after case, but I will quote only one. The total amount of money orders and postal 3rders issued and paid, savings' bank deposits and withdrawals, stamps sold, and licences issued in a year amounted to E22,999, in addition to which nearly 8,000 parcels were despatched, 997 registered letters, and nearly 6,000 telegrams, and for which duties the sub-postmaster is to receive £ 102 Os. 8d. And hero I quote the "■Sub-post- master's" comment upon the above state of things:—"It is utterly impossible to work this office with less than two persons in constant attendance during the twelve hours open to the public. My clerk costs me £ 41 12s. (absorbing my official salary), and she honestly earns it. In addition, I have to pay share of rentt rates, and lighting; also occasional extra help, fire and burglary insurance, bond premium, pens, ink, blotting-paper, wax, &c., counter losses, cleaning offices, interest on cost of fittings, and repairs to same. The result is that I receive a fraction over 2d. per hour for my own services. I don't, of course, know what the department think, but I know that it would be impossible for any but a well- educated man to conduct my office pro- perly, and for such a one 2Jd. per hour cannot be considered a princely remunera- tion. It 's less than half the wage of a bricklayer's or a corporation labourer." Another" sub" gives his turnover as £ 7,000, the remuneration being L25, in- elusive of commissions. The public has very self-denying servants in sub-post- masters, for, miserable as their pay is, they have to almost obliterate their citi- zenship and be as tied to their duties as a dog to a yard-post. I will return to this subject again.

JOAL IN BHITISH BORNEO 1 Reuter's Agency ie informed that the Char* tered Company of British North Borneo haa received a cablegram from Mr. Birch, C.M.G., Governor of British North Borneo, stating that an excellent scam of coal, 6ft. thick, has been discovered in the vicinity of Cowig Harbour. The company has also been informed by the Governor of an important discovery of rich manganese ore at laxi4ant in Marudu Bay.