Evening Express

A GRATIFYING RESULT. As a result of the "Evening Express" collecting scheme the Cardiff Infirmary has benefited to the extent of 71,443 pennies, or nearly £ 3C0. This is a very satisfactory result, not only because of the material amount which has been handed over to the splendid institution so much in need of support, but also because it shows how useful an agency the nimble I penny is in arousing a practical interest in the infirmary amongst people who have, probably, never before contributed to its funds. From the very commence- ment children have been interested in the scheme, and up to the very last they have taken a keen interest and delight in sell- ing the stamps. If the Express" Fund had had no other result than to interest the rising generation in the infirmary it would still have more than justified itself. The results, however, have been substan- tial, and we have to tender our thanks to the numerous cllectors and to the still more numerous givers.

,Americans love nothing better than doing things on a vast and colossal scale. The latest thing in bigness is surely the amunt of damages claimed by a New York widow from a local millionaire, viz., £ 50,000! The case is built up, partly, on 250 love-letters, a pretty considerable order in itseli. But C.50,000 is a sum so terrific that the average Briton jould, probably, incline to the belief that no possible disappointment, however sad or romantic, could ever require so vast a calve to rectify the wound. But then, we arc not in America, and our juries sel- dom give verdicts which run into more than a few modest hundreds.

Mainly About People. Mr. Willie Redmond, whom the Evening News" calls the chartered inter- rupter of the Commons, has this Session raised his reputation by his repartees, which he throws off with a coolness equalled by nobody in Parliament. He succeeded the other day in putting Mr. Chamberlain out of countenance by suggesting that the Government might refuse to collect Ger- many's debts in future if the Fatherland grew nasty over Canada. When, a few days later he advised Mr. Middlemore to embrace Lord Goschen in the Peers' Gallery, the House rocked with laughter as it has not done for many a day. Mr. Redmond himself has not escaped the practical joker, however. When Queen Vic- toria was in Dublin, he was one of the Nationalist band who inveighed against any official reception to the "Famine Queen," a graceful epithet that issued from the Maud Gonne mint. One night some unknown per- sons, justifiably suspected to be Trinity College students, visited Mr. Redmond's front door, and decorated it with an enormous Union Jack, executed in the most enduring of oil paints. Next day all Dublin wore a broad smile, crowds visited tne member for East Clare's house, and if nobody was arres- ted it was because the Dublin police can appreciate a joke fully as much as the rate- payers who support them. The novel sight of an earl serving hot fried fish and chip potatoes was witnessed a few evenings ago at Yarmouth. The occasion was the closing meeting of a Church institute, at which the Earl of Chichester, as vicar of I the parish, presided. It was the members idea to close the session by this unique repast, and they invited the vicar to be I' present. Having seen the wants of all the guests attended to, the earl himself indulged in a dish of this popular fare. Mr. John Sharp, oboe and English horn maker, Pudsley, who has just died, was well known in the musical world, and was a re- markable man in many ways. He was abso- lutely self-taught in his trade, but so pro- ficient had he become that the market value of his instruments ranged from £ 18 to X30, each. He carried on his business single- handed for over thirty years, never having an apprentice or any assistance whatever. Every part of an instrument was made by his own hand, even to the shaping of the keys, and he leaves behind him many remark- able tools of his own invention for use in the making of oboes. In early youth Cardinal Vaughan had the then, if not still, rather invidious position of being an English boy in a French school. Looking backwards, during later years, the Cardinal was constrained to confess that he was not one of the order of good boys who, for instance, smitten on one cheek, turn the other to the smiter. Surrounded by 400 French boys, the British lion was occasion- ally aroused, and roared within him. "I fought many a French fellow with my two English fists," was his own admission, made not without honest pride in that brace of articles of distinctly English manufacture. Victor or not, the Cardinal, at the time of the Dreyfus case, revived old memories that prevented him (says the Daily Chronicle ") igreeing with those who wrote and spoke as f sportsmanlike honour were non-existent in french nature. The nickname of Bishop of Trastevere was jiven to Cardinal Vaughan. when Bishop of Aalfonk b* Pius IX. himself. The Bisboft 4- wished to close the college conducted by the Jesuits in Manchester, and to replace it by one of his own. The cause went to nome. and Pius IX., desirous to earn the blessings pro- mised to the peacemaker, asked the Bishop whether he would not give way about Man- j Chester, and carry out his own plan in Salford, a place where the Jesuits would not be in his way. and had no objection to his :oing. On his explaining that Manchester; and Salford were one city, like Rome and tne Trastevere, and that the Jesuits wished to confine him, as it were, to the Traste,ere, the Holy Father enjoyed the joke, and hence- forward called the Bishop of Salford the Bishop of Trastevere. She spends a great deal of money each season in entertaining, doesn't she?" in boring." Beppo Bruzoni, a Neapolitan sailor, is a living proof of the fact that a man can be his own grandfather. I married," he said, a widow, and she had by her first husband a handsome girl named Silvietta, with whom my father fell in love, and who became his second wife. Thus my father became my son-in-law, and my step-daughter became my mother, since she had married my father. Soon afterwards my wife gave birth to a1 son, who became my father's step-brother,' and at the same time my uncle, since he was my step-mother's brother. But that was not all. for in due time my father's wife n'ro gave birth to a boy, who was my brother and also my 3tep-son, since he was the son of my daughter. My wife was also my grandmother,; for she was the mother of my mother, and thus I was my wife's husband and at the same time her grandson. Finally, as the husband of a person's grandmother is natur- ally that person's grandfather, I am my own grandfather." Lord and Lady Windsor's house in M.mt, street is a medium-sized marble palace,, which remains a terra incognita to the out-! side world. The decorations are of interest as being derived from the rich produce of; the owner's native domain. Penarth alabas- ter (says "M.A.P.") forms the columns and facet the walls of the square entrance hall, and its floor is laid with coloured marbles also quarried in Wales. The Countess of Cottenham, who has just given birth to her second son. was Lady Rose Nevill, one of Lord Abergavenny's lovely twin-daughters, and married Lord Cottenham in 1899. She is fair, blue-eyed, very pretty, and has an extraordinary likeness to her twin-sister, Violet Lady Cowley. Lady! Cottenham cares little for London, but is devoted to animals, and to a quiet life in the country. Her elder boy, the little Lnd Crowhurst, is now two years old. IcTdi Cottenham is a man of twenty-nine, a bIJud shot and rider to hounds, and owns many valuable horses. Lady Cottenham's cyred; father, Lord Abergavenny, is an inte^tiag I relic of the now almost extinct race of old- fashioned English nobles. He has a reserved j manner, but is essentially bon garcon. is a rigid Conservative, a pillar of the Ca.'lton Club, and known to his intimates as Lor,-l I "A." Eridge Castle, his place in Sussex, is famed for its duck-shooting, and for Jie thirty miles of grass rides in the park. Lord Abergavenny not long ago made an atfQmrt to start a heronry on the Eridge pr )perty. For several months (says the "Onlooker") there have been stories circulated about the King's health, with circumstantial accounts of how the wound which was made when he was operated on for apendicitis was still open; and a' that be was suffering from insomnia. Neither of these stories has any foundation in fact. The King is so well that the wound has healed perfectly: and he sleeps quite well-indeed, very often supplements his night's rest with a short sleep in the middle of the day. Mr. Alexander MacMorran, K.C., the new Bencher of the Middle Temple, is one of the leading authorities on all questions of local government, and especially of matters con- nected with the Public Health Acts and rat- ing. He has been editor of the "Justice of the Peace" since 1379, and several editions of Lumley's "Public Health" have been broughti out under his supervision. In recent years his practice at the Parliamentary Bar has been considerable. Among pedestrians (savs "M.A.P." in its "Society" columns this week) no one is more indefatigable than the King of the Belgians. In Brussels he is to be met sauntering in the Bois, and in Paris he is a familiar figure on the boulevards; but it is chiefly in Ostend, where he has built a palatial villa, that he does his walking. As early as nine o'clock in the morning Leopold II. is abroad in a white waistcoat, straw hat, black coat, and light striped trousers; and, quite unattended, he strolls on the sands or paces the esplanade, pausing now and again to watch the workmen who are hastily putting up new villas. In fact, Leopold II. loves his liberty; and once. while in Paris, on seeing a large crowd assembled before the private entrance of the Hotel Bristol, he approached an idler on the outskirts of the crowd and asked what the people were waiting for. "To see Leopold," waa the reply. "Well," said the King, "take my advice and go away. He's not worth wait- ing for." And with that Leopold II. betook himself to the boulevards. The New York papers discussing the Rev. R. F. Campbell as a preacher agree that he is "not an orator, but has a quiet, earnest, manner of conveying his thoughts that bring3 his hearers in sympathy with his every word."

REMARKABLE MOTOR-CAR ACCI DENT I An exciting motor-car incident occurred on Thursday at the ferry by wuich the Clyde is crossed at Renfrew. A car containing two gentlemen and a. chaffeur was proceeding down the incline leading to the ferry, when the brake failed to act. The car ran on to the ferry boat, and, dashing uiirough its back gates, fell into the river. The car imme- diately sank, leaving the occupants struggling in the water, whence all three were, happily, rescued.

PONTYPRIDD TRAVELLING DRAPERS SUMMONED At Porth Petty Sessions on Thursday (before the stipendiary. Mr. J. Ignatius Williams, and Mr. T. P. Jenkins) Allen Ireland, travelling draper. Pontypridd, was summoned for peddling without a licence at Blaenllechau on the 17th ult. Mr. J. Sankey, barrister-at-law (instructed by Mr. D. Rees. of Messrs. W. R. Daviee and Co., Pontypridd), defended. Poiice-constabie Cole deposed that defendant had exposed several pieces of dpapery on some chairs at the Mountain Huts. Blaenllechau. Replying to the stipendiary, witness said he did not hear any bargaining, but he presumed they were exposed for sale. Mr. Sankey said it was unfortunate for the constable that he could not go further in his evidence and say that the goods were for sale. as he had come up to test the case. His case was that the goods were exposed for sale, but he could not put that fat against himself. The Stipendiary: The question is whether the goods were exposed for immediate sale or taken there as Mr. Sankey; You have anticipated the point. your worship, but I have no case to answer. The case was dismissed.

SWANSEA CHiLDS MIRACULOUS I ESCAPE A seventeen-months-old child, named Wm. Samuel Thomas, fell from an upstairs window in Foxhole-road. Swansea, on Wednesday after- noon. Dr. E. B. Evans afterwards saw the child, and said it was suffering from the shock and bruises on the crown of the head, but otherwise escaped miraculously.

CHEPSTOW RIFLE CLUB. I The first monthly club shoot of the Chep- stow and District Rifle Club took place at the miniature range on Wednesday, when the ranges were 50 yards and 100 yards respec- tively, seven rounds and a sighter at each. There was some excellent shooting. J. Hollins beat the previous record of the club with a total of 64 out of a possible 70, and secured the National Rifle Association bronze badge, the silver spoon for the highest aggregate, and also the silver spoon for the best finish at 100 yards, W. C. Thomas winning the spoon for the best finish at 50 yards. The National Rifle Association badge in 1901 was won by R. J. Grassby with a total of 56, whilst last year G. W. Sargent was the winner with 50. The highest score last year in any competi- tion was 58.

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MOTOR CAR DERBY. German Competitor Wins the Cup. I KEEN AND EXCITING CONTEST IN IRELAND. As reported in yesterday's Evening Express." the great motor-car race for the Gordon-Bennett Cup took place yesterday over a course measuring 3703 miles. which lay about 27 miles south-west of Dublin. The following was the order of starting — Ccun'rv. Car. Driver. 1.—Great Britain Napier Mr. Edge. 2.-Frau-c Pan hard Che, R. de Knytr. 3.—America Winton Mr. Owen 4.-Germany Mercedes Baron Jenatzv. 5.—Gr?at Britain Napier Mr. C. Perrott. 6.—France MO,? M. Gabriel. 6.—FraD'.e. Mor< M.Gabriel. 8.-Germany Mercedes Baron de Caters. 9.-Grc,tt Britain Napier Mr. Stoe?s. 10.-Fre??cc Panhard Mr. Farman. 11.—Germany Mercedes Mr. Foxhall-Kaene. 12.-zkin,.rica A-inion Mr. Winton. A cheer went up as Edge, the winner of last year's cup, took his seat in his nicely-built Napier to try to uphold the prestige of Eng- land. He shook hands with several of his friends, and promptly on the stroke of seven o'clock moved away somewhat slowly. After a lapse of 7mins. the famous Chevalier De Knyff made a start. He got under way with a swing, and his departure was marked by the loud acclamations of his fellow-country- men and others who had congregated at the starting-post. Owen did not show to adva-n- tag; in leaving, but the word "away" was no sooner given to Germany than Jenatzy literally jumped off in magnificent style. Jarrott did fairly well at the opening, but for the second time America showed badly at the commencement; indeed, Mooers had not re- moved his brake, and his car dragged slowly for 5secs. or 6secs. Baron De Caters lost no time in moving forward, but on the contrary Stocks was at a very bad figure at the initial stage, while Farman even did worse by losing no fewer than some lOsecs. or 12sec. before he seemed to get a grip on his machine. Foxhall -eene, who was carrying Germany's colours, did satisfactorily at the start. Winton should have mounted his big machine the eleventh in order, but at the last moment it was found that the petrol could not be got into his carburetter. The result was that, instead of getting on his journey at ten minutes past eight, he did not take his departure till ten minutes to nine. Han- dicapped as he was by this mishap, he never stood a chance, though, indeed, it is exceed- ingly doubtful whether his position would have been worth taking into account in any event. Each of the competitors went off to the vigorous cheers of the big crowd, who showed their goodwill impartially to all the nationali- ties engaged in the encounter. As the race was gauged by time which was largely deter- minable by what occurred at the different "controls" on the route, even experts at the headquarters were not able accurately to say how the position stood when the cars passed the starting points on the route. Edge immediately after starting got up a tremen- dous speed, and at the end of the small Eastern circuit had gained no fewer than 4min. on the Panhard car, driven by Chevalier De Knyff. The record, however, for this distance was made bv Mr. Foxhall- Keene, piloting a Mercedes, who for the first round steered his machine in a brilliant manner at a terrific pace. Edge continued to lead for about 60 miles, when De Knyff, riding in masterly fashion, began to forge ahead. and upon the completion of about a hundred miles was leading the English driver by 52sec. Of the others, Gabriel and Jenatzy were per- forming the best. When 149 miles had been registered, Jenatzy took command, and, passing the grand stand, was two miles in advance of De Knyff, with Gabriel, who had been steadily improving his position, drawing into third place. Accidents to Englishmen. Shortly before this a report had reached the automobile headquarters that the Eng- lish driver, Stocks, had met with a mishap. In the first instance the nature of it was not indicated, but it eventually transpired that in negotiating an awkward turn at Castle Dermot, his front wheel came into contact with wire fencing. The wheel was twisted and smashed, with the result that the rider had to retire. He was ot much injured. Thus the initial misadventure of the day happened to an Englishman. Unfortu- nately, however, it was not long before another Englishman was rendered hors de combat. In this case. Jarrott, the famous automobilist, was the victim. News was received that he had met with an accident which was likely to have grave consequences, and this untoward report was fostered by the knowledge that a telegram was despatched to headquarters from Stradbally asking for a doctor to be sent at once. as Jarrott was in a very bad way. A painful sensation was created by the reception of this intelligence, and, unfortunately, the lugubrious anticipa- tions were largely borne out by facts. Jarrott was attended by Mr. Ormsby (presi- dent of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland), who found that he was suffering from a fracture of the collar-bone and was much bruised. The boy, Bianchi, who was travelling with him, also received some nasty injuries about the legs and arms. Mr. Jar- rott at the time of the accident was travel- ling down Stradbally Hill, when, owing to the steering gear going wrong, the car snapped right in two. The boy fell under it, and had a miraculous escape, and Jarrott was flung on the side of the road. He was, neverthe- less, able to recover himself, and to drag a portion of the vehicle off the boy. He also succeeded in pushing what was left of the car out of the track of the other competitors, and having done this he collapsed. Though his injuries are of a painful character, he is not likely to suffer permanently from them. When racing had been in progress about five hours it was exceedingly difficult to extricate from the mass of perplexing figures which were continuously exposed on the scoring board how the different contestants stood. But one fact was established beyond question that the Americans had been hopelessly beaten. They started badly find never figured conspicuously in the race, and were soon outdistanced by their more experienced rivals from the Conti- nent of Europe and Great Britain. But, with the exception of Mooers, they continued to struggle valiantly. Mooers only passed the post once after completing a circuit, and entirely dropped out of the contest, where and under what circumstances was not known for four hours. Then information was volunteered to the press representatives that his car had been found lying in a ditch by the side of the ro 1 between Maryborough and Strad- bally. What had become of Mooers no one professed to know. The Finish. I The contest was continued to be keenly fought by Jenatzy and De Knyff, and at 203 miles the former held an advantage of 9min. over the Frenchman. Farman was now steering a brilliant race, and bad drawn within 2min. of the second man. Foxhall Keone at this time was doing excellently, although not in the first three, and much surprise was manifested when, approaching the grandstand, it was seen, that the popular American slackened speed and gave up the contest. The reason for Mr. Keene's withdrawal was his suspicion of a flaw in the axle of his car. The company was now reduced to half a dozen competitors, namely. Jenatzy, Chevalier de Knyff. Henry Farman. Baron de Caters, M. Gabriel, and Mr. Edge. Despite the fact that the last-named had punctured the tyre of the left-hand behind wheel, he continued the struggle bravely, but eventually fell well behind the rest of his competitors. At 250 miles Jenatzy was driving stronger than ever. and had increased his lead of De Knyff by one minute, Farman still occupying third position. The last hour resolved itself practically into a race between Jenatzy, De Knyff, and Farman. The last two were-, indeed, making a very close fight, whilst the re- mainder were, on the timing at the post, a long way behind. The seventh and last circuit was finished by De Knyff first, at 5.39, and within two minutes of him came Jenatzy. who, having fourteen minutes in hand on the start, became the winner by about ten minutes. Far- man was some fonr minutes longer than De Knyff. When all the times have been col- lected from the controls this result is liable to alteration. The maximum speed attained waa about 80 miles an hour. Interview with the Winner. Interviewed by a press representative Baron Jenatzy, who is a Belgian, said he did not object to the Irish course. It was an exceed- ingly pretty one, but had several nasty corners which were far from easy to get round. Shortly after eight o'clock Jenatzy was declared the winner by the judges. His time for the race. with deductions, was 6h. 36min. 9sec. There is only, at the outside, a minute between Chevalier de Knyff and Mr. Farman for second place, and until the registers of controls have been examined closely no announcement will be given as to who came in second. Gabriel was fourth, a long way behind, and Edge, the English winner of 1902, was last, but a great distance behind. In the concluding circuit the axle of Baron De Cater's car was broken, so that out of the twelve who started only five passed the post.

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I XI 00 fora Paragraph 1 I COUPON. No. 3. 3-7 03.

YOU CAN NOW BEGIN The Easy Competition I for 100 Sovereigns, IN WHICH EVERYONE MAY TAKE A HAND. On July 1 began the easy competition of which details will be found on Page 4 in the "Evening Express" every day. In this effort every one may take part. Pick out the paragraph which you think the most interesting on any date in the three months in either of the two columns named in the notice on the said Page 4. For convenience' sake paste this paragraph on the top of a good-sized piece of paper (say a foolscap sheet), and underneath the paragraph write the date upon wnich it appeared in the "Evening Express." Then, day by day, paste on to the same sheet 60 of the coupons which will appear in the "Evening Express" every day for the next three months (see above). Seventy-nine coupons will appear during the three months, but it will be sufficient if you send in 60 of diffe- rent dates with each paragraph selected. You thus have a margin of nineteen days in case you happen to miss a few days through being away on holidays or other causes. With the 60th and every later coupon will appear a form, having lines on which you will write, very plainly, your name and full postal address. If you have any questions, send them along to the Editor of the "Evening Express," Cardiff.

BRITISH SHIPS. T he Employment of Foreigners as Officers. In the House of Lords yesterday, Lord MUSKERRY moved the second reading of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, Amendment Bill, the object of which is to prevent aliens from obtaining dole control of British ships and property by forbidding their employment as masters or mates on board British regis- tered ships. The measure also provides that pilotage certificates for British pilotage waters shall only be granted to subjects of his Majesty. He declared that there was every sign that ere long foreigners would entirely out the British officer from British ships unless something was done. It waa impossible to exaggerate the danger that such a state of affairs would present in time of war with a Continental Power. Lord WOLVERTON, speaking for the Board of Trade, asked the House not to agree to the second reading of the measure. The avowed object of its promoters would not, in his opinion, be secured by the provisions of the Bill. The real object of the Bill was to restrict competition, and to form a sort of close cor- poration in the interests of certificated British officers. As a matter of fact, the number of foreign officers employed in British vessels had decreased from 130 in 1897 to 76 in 1902. More- over, such a proposal as was contained in the Bill had been twice previously re jected by their lordships' House. On a division the second reading waa negatived by 74 votes to 8.

ROYAL COMMISSION ON TRADE DISPUTES In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr. KEIR HARDIE (R., Merthyr) elicited from Mr. Balfour that he was well aware that various opinions had been expresSied in connection with the appointment of and reference to the Royal Commission on Trades Disputes, and he had more than once explained the nature of the choice open to the Govern- ment, which was, apparently, whether the Commission should be large and representa- tive or small and specially legally qualified, and the advantages appeared to attach to the latter alternative. The temporary Commi sion's vote had already been und-er discussion for a ishort time, and, although he had no objection to the vote being again discussed, he was afraid in the present condition of supply he could give no pledge on the sub- ject. In further reply to Mr. Keir Hardie, Mr. BALFOUR said he did say that every member of the Commission should be a lawyer. That, he thought, would be most unfortunate. (Laughter.)

MR. ARTHUR CHAMBERLAIN CLIMBS DOWN. At the Birmingham Licensing Sessions three months ago Mr. Arthur Chamberlain and the bench refused to transfer a licence owned by Allsopps (Limited) because Mr. Bedford, the company's manager, declined to alter the. term of notice in the agreement with the tenant from three to six months. The case was adjourned to allow Mr. Bedford to consult his principals, and on Thursday that gentle- man said the company could not consent to the six months' notice, as the quarter's notice was common in the trade. If the magistrates still refused the transfer, he asked for a case for appeal. Mr. Bedford argued that it would be a most objectionable state of things if the tenant neglected or injured the business and could not be removed for six months, and Mr. Chamberlain replied that it would also be objectionable if the tenancy was made depen- dent on the quantity of drink sold. The magistrates eventual4- decided to grant the transfer, and in several ther cases of similar character the transfers were granted.

BISHOP HEDLEY AT CARDIFF. Bishop Hedley attended at Nazareth House, Cardiff, on Thursday evening to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to a consider- able number of candidates, of whom a large percentage were adult converts. Bishop Hedley, who looked remarkably well, was attended by the Rev. Fathers Van den Heovel, Rose, Kennedy, and Mason. He explained to the candidates the nature of the Sacrament, and urged them to an unfaltering adherence to their faith. Mr. M. Walsh and Miss Joyce stood as sponsors for the candidates. Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament con- cluded the service. I ——————

FATALITY AT FLEMINGSTONE. At Flemingstone on Thursday afternoon a party of haymakers were at work in Mr. David Spencers' field, Arthur Wright, aged ten years, was riding on the shaft of a wagon from a hayrick to the centre of the field, when the horse bolted. The boy was thrown off, and the wagon passing over him, he died in about three minutes. His brother was killed in a similar way some time ago.

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NAVY ESTIMATES. Subsidies Paid to Shipping Companies. THE NATURE OF MODERN MARITIME WARFARE. In the House of Commons yesterday the! House went into Committee of Supply on the Navy Estimates. Mr. GIBSON BOWLES (U., King's Lynn), referring to the subsidies paid to shipping companies for merchant cruisers, objected very strongly to the principle, a.nd especially to the sum given to ships which really formed part of the Morgan combine. (Hear, hear.) They were paying large sums of money for rights they already possessed, and were wasting public money in hiring greyhounds to catch bulldogs. (Laughter.) In time of war the White Star vessels certainly could be of no use to this country, because they belonged to the United States. He moved a reduction by £ 28,000, the amount of the subsidy to the White Star boats. Mr. ARNOLD FOSTER said the Admiralty had long been considering the wisdom of the policy generally of subsidising merchant cruisers, and their deliberations had been made easier by the report of the Committee. Exercising their own judgment and fortified by the opinion of the Committee, it was not intended by the Admiralty at the termination of the existing contracts to renew them. (Hear, hear.) Whilst he agreed with much the hon. member for King's Lynn had said, his announcement must not be taken to mean that I under no circumstances would subsidies be justified. He was speaking generally of sub- sidies to merchant cruisers. Mr. WINSTON CHJURCHILL (U., Oldham) asked whether it was now admitted that the money paid all those years had been thrown away. (Hear. hear.) Mr. ARNOLD FORSTER: No, sir. I think it is quite clear that the whole nature of modern maritime warfare is changing. (Hear, hear.) Notice will be given on the first occa- J sion possible to terminate the contracts. Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL: When is that? Mr. ARNOLD FORSTER: The 1st of April next year. Mr. ROBERTSON said that was a most im- portant and unexpected announcement, and he thought those on that side would concur in the new policy. Mr. CALDWELL (R., Lanark, Mid) expressed approval of the announcement. Mr. EVELYN CECIL (LT., Aston Manor), as chairman of the Subsidies Committee, wel- comed the policy of the Admiralty, but thought that something might be done in the case of vessels of a high speed. Mr. ARNOLD FORSTER wished to emphasise that he had spoken of subsidies for military purposes only. Sir J. COLOMB (TT., Great Yarmouth) was heartily glad to hear that the Admiralty had abandoned a foolish policy. Sir E. CAYZER agreed with the Admiralty's policy. There was abundant evidence before the Subsidies Committee to show that the zC77,000 paid in subsidies was an entire waste of public money. Mr. GIBSON ROWLES expressed his surprise and gratification at the annormcement by the Admiralty, and withdrew his motion. Mr. ARNOLD FORSTER, replying upon the general discussion, said the changing condi- tions of maritime equipment made other changes necessary. When mercantile cruisers were adopted they were the fastest ships afloat, and their own cruisers could not com- pete with them in endurance or speed. More- over, at the time there were no armoured cruisers in existence. The vote was passed, and the remaining Navy votes, including the vote of L409,500 for miscellaneous services and £ 506,400 for the expenses of the Admiralty Office, were rapidly disposed of. CIVIL SERVICE VOTES. The Committee then proceeded to pass in quick succession thirteen Civil Service votes without discussion.

OUR LEGISLATORS. British Trade with Foreign Countries. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-Thursdav. The Speaker took the Chair shortly after two o'clock. PREFERENTIAL TRADE. On the motion of Sir EDGAR VINCENT (U., Exeter), a return was granted show- ing. with regard. to those countries where we do not enjoy de jure or de facto the most favoured nation treat- ment, the character, and amount of the advan- tages granted to other countries, showing also the amount of British trade with such coun- tries for the five years preceding the date when the differentiation came into force in each case. THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY. Mr. ROSE (R., Newmarket) asked the Colonial Secretary whether the recent negotiations between the Government of the Dominion of Canada and the United States for the renewal of a reciprocity treaty were suspended on account of the desire of the Dominion Government to await the decision of the Alaska Boundary Tribunal before proceeding further, and, if not, could he state why these negotiations were sus- pended. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said he had no official information on the subject since the negotia- tions were interrupted, but he had seen a statement in the papers that the Canadian Government had recently informed the Government of the United States that they did not wish to resume negotiations at the present time. COMMERCIAL RETALIATION. Sir EDGAR VINCENT asked the Lord of the Treasury if he would consider the desira- bility of appointing a Select Committee to ascertain the results of the commercial retali- tion as applied in recent years between the larger foreign Powers, notably between France and Italy, France and Switzerland, and Ger- many and Russia. Mr. BALFOOR did not think the inquiry which the bon. member suggested was really a pr-toticable one. After all, what they meant by commercial retaliation was the power to give or withhold something from a Power with which we were bargaining, but he did not see how they could discuss the points raised in the question, or what kind of witnesses could be called before the Select Committee. He was having a report prepared on the his- tory of the negotiations, and that would be at the service of his hon. friend or any others who desired information on the subject. COURSE OF BUSINESS. Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN asked what business would be taken after Committee on the Irish Land Bill had been disposed of, which seemed to be coming within sight. Mr. BALFOUR said they would proceed im- mediately with the second reading of the South African Loan Bill, and the second read- ing of the Naval Works Bill. In answer to Mr. Lough (R., Islington, W.), Mr. BALFOUR added that the London Edu- cation Bill would be taken before the Sugar Convention Bill, but he did not give an abso- lute pledge.

LOSS OF THE GLANTIVY. I The Captain's Certificate Suspended. Judgment was delivered at Swansea Town- hall on Thursday afternoon in the inquiry into the loss of the steamship Glantivy. The Court found that no measures were taken at or about six a.m. on May 27 to verify the position of the vessel; when the Cani Rocks were sighted no allowance was made for tide and current, and, although the master and mate were on the bridge, no proper look-out was kept. The master alone was adjudged in default, and they suspended his certificate for three months, granting him a mate's cer- tificate. ——————————

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE. I Mr. Clifford Cory's Candidature I for St. Ives. Mr. Clifford Cory, the Liberal candidate for the St. Ives Parliamentary Division, addressed an overflowing meeting of the constituents on Thursday evening, and was accorded a very hearty reception. In the course of his speech Mi. Cory defended those Nonconformists who contemplated offering passive resistance to the levying of the rate under the Education Act of 1902. To him it was a. monstrous thing that of 14,000 schools in th-e country the Non- conformist teacher could not hope to attain the position of headmaster in 11,000 unless he abandoned the faith in which he had been brought up, became a hypocrite, and was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England. Mr. Cory also dealt with the increase of national expenditure and the Compensation Act.—A resolution approving of Mr. Coir's candidature was carried.

SALE OF WATCHES. A Llanelly Transaction Disputed. EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE I AGAINST A JEWELLER. At Llanelly Police-court yesterday (before Mr. Trubshaw and Mr. H. Wilkins), the charge of stealing six watches preferred by Solomon Chinn against 1. M. Richaelieu, a well-known local jeweller, was resumed. The case was partly heard on the previous day, when the ¡ prosecutor's story was heard. Mr. D. R. Edmunds again appeared to prosecute, Mr. Ludford defending. The defendant went into the box, and was examined by Mr. Ludford. He said he saw the complainant on Sunday, and obtained possession of the six watches. Mr. Ludford: Did you obtain them for your own use?-No. You had an object in securing them?— i'es. Were you at the time under the impres- sion that Solomon Chinn was the owner?— I knew directly I obtained them that they were the sole and absolute prorerty of John Hawley and Sons—a most respectable firm. The Clerk: Directly after yon obtained possession of them?—Yes; I suspected it before. Mr. Ludford: Before you obtained posses- sion of the watches did you see the invoice? —Mo, not till after I had the watches. Was the price a fair, marketable price?— No, it was less than the watches had cost. That, coupled with the invoice, led you to draw a concusion?—Yes. Was it then that you determined to keep the watches?- Yes. From the fact that they were offered you at less than cost'price?—Yes; I decided to retain the watches for the time being. Is the invoice, as produced in court yester- day, in the same condition as it was on Sunday ?-No; the most important part is missing-the slip. Can you say what the slip said?-The effect of it was that the watches were simply sent on appro. and that they remained the sole property of John Hawley. This is a slip that we use in the wholesale trade. It is to prevent watches being pawned. It also contained words asking that the watches should be carefully handled, so as not to scratch them. Is that the note used for watches sent as samples ?—Yes. Under what pretext did you get possession of them?—He came to me, and asked r'e if I would take those watches, and I said I would buy them for L9 on certain condi- tions. Did you, in pursuance of your plan, make out a receipt?—Yes, and I was careful to put down the numbers of the watches and the maker's name. The receipt was now produced. Mr. Edmunds protested against this. The receipt was asked for yesterday, and was refused, but now it was produced. It was not courteous to the court. Mr. Ludford: It* was not the court at all. The court never asked for the receipt. Continuing his evidence, defendant said that immediately after Chinn left him on Sunday afternoon he communicated with Messrs. Hawley. In that letter did you tell Messrs. Hawley that they were the real owners of the watches, and asking them what you should do with them ?-YeB. I had a claim of Llo against Chinn for introducing him to whole- sale firms. In writing to Messrs. Hawley, however, I abandoned that claim. I con- sidered Messrs. Hawley were the owners of the watches, and that was why I wrote. Did you receive a telegram from them the next morning?—Yes. Mr. Edmunds objected to the telegram going in. Proof would have to be given that Messrs. Hawley had sent it. Mr. Ludford said that the telegram was an important link in his defence, and he would have to ask for an adjournment if it could not be put in. Mr. Ludford also sought to put in a letter from Messrs. Hawley, but Mr. Edmunds again objected. Mr. Ludford said that the prosecution were going to greater lengths than prosecutions generally did in larceny charges. His client had a complete answer to the charge, and a technical objection had been taken to the going in of important documents. Mr. Edmunds asked if it were not possible to go as far as possible with this witness that day. Mr. Trubshaw said he did not see how that could be done. Mr. Ludford: There is such a thing as being hoist with your own petard. Mr. Edmunds retorted that he was very anxious to get Hawley down. Mr. Ludford: But you are still more anxious to get a conviction. The case was then adjourned to Saturday, the 11th inst.

THE EDUCATION ACT. Welsh Congregationalists'Protest At the quarterly meeting of the East Glamorgan Welsh Congregational Associa- tion, held on Wednesday at Ferndale, the Rev. Evan Richards, Tonypandy, moved the following resolution: That this conference emphatically protests against the iniquities of the Government's new Education Act, and earnestly desires the various councils which will be called upon to administer it to do so upon the lines of the resolution adopted at the recent national conference at Cardiff, and to refuse to levy a rate to support any denominational schools without first of all securing popular control over them. It further unhesitatingly condemns the action of the majority of Carmarthenshire Education Com- mittee in rejecting a resolution upon the lines of the national conference, and especially the uncalled-for remarks of its chairman, who could .not in any way give expression to the opinions and convictions of the Congregational denomination on such an important question." The proposer said that only the previous day he had seen a catechism which was in use in a certain district in East Glamorgan, which stated that the Bishop of Llandaff had the right to ordain ministers, and that Nonconformist ministers were not pro- perly ordained. As Nonconformists, they were not going to tolerate such things to be taught at their expense. (Applause.) There was only one denominational school in the Rnondda, a Catholic school at Tonypandy. Should the district council levy a rate—he did not think they would-to support it, there were thou- sands who would not pay it. The resolution was seconded by the Rev. T. Williams, Clydach Vale, and passed unani- mously, and an addition was made expressing sympathy with those who voluntarily refused to pay rates for the teaching in denomina- tional schools of religious doctrines they did not believe in, and calling upon .parents in the association to withdraw their children from such schools when the so-called religious education was being given, as it was contrary to their convictions, and dangerous to the future of their children. Passive Resisters' Protest at I Barry. Councillor Robert Bird, J.P., of Cardiff, was the principal speaker at a well-attended public meeting held at Bethesda Welsh Con- gregational Chapel, Barry, on Thursday even- ing, for the purpose of protesting against the new Education Act. Mr. W. J. Williams, Paorkside, occupied the chair. A resolution of determined hostility to certain clauses of the Act was submitted, and the Rev. D. H. Wil- liams, M.A., announced that the local Passive Resistance League already had a membership of 100. He had received a communication from the overseers of the poor of Barry intimating that acceptance of part payment of the poor- rate tendered by passive resisters would not be refused. Mr. Robert Bird, supporting the resolution, delivered a caustic, though cautions, criticism of the educational policy of the Government. One of the results of the passing of the Education Act would be the adoption by Free Churchmen throughout the country of a general system of sectarian teaching, but they would protest as vigorously and determinedly as they possibly could, against public money being utilised for this purpose.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE I The report for 1902 of Mr. J. S. Martin, his Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the Southern District, which includes Monmouthshire, shows that in that country 125 mines are being worked. In these 31,447 persons are employed below ground and 5,390 above ground, a total of 36,837. The total output in 1902 was 10,251,617 tons, consisting of 10,176,461 tons of coal, 64,456 tons of fire clay, 9,063 tons of ironstone, and 2.617 tons of ganister. This is an increase of 583.526 tons of mineral, including 577,054 tons of coal. Wages in Monmouthshire at the close of the year stood at 481 per cent. above the standard.

THE MOST FASHIONABLE RESTAURANT & '&AI Booms in Wales.-Varied menu, re&ned coDkwT, and me moderate prloee.—Th?D<MOthy, Hl?-st., CazdW. eUM 'I

CANTON SUICIDES.  Cut? Man and Woman Cut Their Throats CORONER'S INQUESTS AND VERDICTS. At the Town-hall, Cardiff, yesterday Mr.! E. B. Reece held an inquest on the body of William Augustus Wynes, 30. labourer, 29, Market-road, Canton, wno had been ill for some time, and on Wednesday was found dead in bed with his throat cut.—Deceased's father said his son was of sober habits. He suffered from varicose veins, for which an operation was performed some time ago at Cardiff Infirmary. That afforded him no relief, and he had been depressed, though he had never threatened to take his life. On Wedne, ay morning he complained of illness, and said he was going upstairs to sleep, and shortly afterwards he was found on the bed bleed- ing from the wound in his thrwt.-Police- sergeant Bates, who was called, produced a. blood-stained razor, which he found by deceased's left hand.—Dr. Pittard deposed that there were two cuts, extensive and self- inflicted, and the wind-pipe was severed. The jury found that decaaed committed suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity. An inquest was next held touching the death of Emily Jane Gulliford, 11, Craddock-street. Riverside, who cut her throat with a razor, as reported. Edward Gulliford, 11, CraddocK- street, newsagent and stationer, said deceased was his wife, and was aged 53. He had been in business in Bute-street for nineteen years. Latterly deceased had been low-spirited at times. He last saw her alive about half-past twelve on Tuesday. He returned in a few minutes after going out, to find his wife in the bath-room, lying on the floor on her face, with a wound in her throat. She was dead, and had a razor in her hand. The letter produced was sealed up in an envelope, and was pinned to the dressing table. It was in his wife's hand- writing, and the coroner said it was a most affecting letter. He would not read the whole of it, but perhaps he ought to tell them the substance of it. It was addressed to Dear Ted." Deceased in the letter referred to her depressed feeling, and went on: Do forgive me. You have been so kind. I do wish I could live a little longer to help you, as you know I have always tried to do. but my poor mind won't allow me."—Dr. Donovan, who was called in. said the windpipe and large vessels were severed. —A verdict of "Suicide while temporarily insane" was returned in this case. THE ST. NICHOLAS SUICIDE. Mr. E. B. Reece conducted an inquest at The Duffryn, St. Nicholas, on Thursday into the circumstances attending the death of Charles Lenton, gardener, aged 50, who com- mitted suicide the previous day by shooting hi-self.-Araelia Frances Lenton, the widow, stated that lately her husband had been depressed in spirits. On the previous Wed- nesday he attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a pruning knife.—Dr. King said that on the 17th he first saw deceased, who was very depressed. On the 24th he again saw him, when he was suffering from a wound in his throat. He had seen the body that day, and a portion of the head had been blown away.—The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."

EAST GLAMORGAN CONGRE- GATIONALISTS. The Quarterly Meetings at Ferndale. The quarterly meetings of the East Glamor- gan Welsh Congregational Association were held at Tabernacle Chapel, Ferndale. The president, Mr. S. Nicholas, Blaenrhondda, presided. The Rev. E. E. Morgan, Cambria, Wisconsin, and Mr. Anthony John Lewis, a student at Marietta College, America, were introduced to the meeting.—A discussion ensued in respect to granting a donation to Bethel Chapel, Penarth. Several delegates were of the opinion that the association should have a special fund to assist weak Churches to maintain ministers.—It was decided to recommend the Gronfa committee to grant LW, and a similar amount to Bryn Seion Church, Cadoxton. for twelve months.— An application was received for assistance and the loan of a sum of money from the Gronfa from the Churches at Blaenrhondda to build a chapel, which was approved of.—Votes of sympathy were passed with the Revs. Pethiant Davies. Treherbert. and O. H. Hughes, Tylorstown, in their indisposition.— A letter was read from the Rev. A. N. John- son, M.A., secretary of the London Missionary Society, pointing out that the directors had invited the Rev. T. Hughes, Cardiff, to help the society in its present need by undertaking th, organisation and visitation work among tln Welsh Churches in East Glamorgan. The rev. gentleman was invited to undertake the work for twelve jaonths.—It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Dinas.— A resolution was passed, on the motion of the F -T. Mr. Thomas, Ferndale, seconded by the Rev. W. Charles, M.A., Treorlty, approving of the report of the Royal Commission that there were too many licences for the sale of intoxicants in many parts of England and Wales in proportion to the population, and protesting against the attitude of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor with regard t') limiting the power of magistrates over the renewal of licences, and condemning the Compensation Bill of Mr. Butcher and the Bill of Sir W. Hart-Dyke.—In the afternoon and evening services were held, and sermons were delivered by the following ministers:- Dt-. Gurnos Jones. Llanbradach; and the Revs. J. E. Thomas, Pontygwaith; T. Hughes, Cathays, Cardiff; and John Williams, Havod.

SOUTH WALES TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION. The executive of the South Wales and Mon- mouthshire Temperance Association held a meeting on Thursday at Moriah Chapel, Cefn- coed, near Merthyr. Mr. T. Rees, D.D., pre- sided. The Rev. Morris Morgan, the agent, presented a voluminous report upon the work of the association during the past quarter, mentioning that there was a balance in hand of X62 5s. 8d. The agent and Mr. Jones Parry, Brynmawr, were appointed to repre- sent the association at the great national convention on the compensation question, which is to be held at the Albert-hall, London, on the 17th inst., and it was decided to issue an appeal to the licensing justices of South Wales and Monmouthshire to do all in their power to attend the convention in order to help to defend their own position. A public conference followed, when the Rev. Hugh Jones (Llanelly) opened a discussion on compensation, forefbly urging that the claims set up by brewers and publicans for the right of compensation for the non-renewal or extinc- tion of liences was utterly untenable. In the course of the discussion, the Rev. J. Tertius Phillips pointed out that under Mr. Butcher's Bill the magistracy would not be able to reduce one-third of the licences during the next 100 years. In the evening three public meetings in connection with the association were held- one at Ebenezer (Cefn), another at Zoar (Mer- thyr), and the third at Horeb (Penydarren).

—- —— NEWPORT AUCTIONEER'S FAILURE; Fred J. Roberts, auctioneer and house agent, appeared at Newport Bankruptcy-court on Thursday (before Mr. Registrar L. H. Hornby) to undergo his adjourned public examination. Mr. Frank Lewis appeared for the trustee; Mr. H. G. Lloyd appeared for the debtor; Mr. W. Lyndon Moore appeared for a number of creditors.—Mr. Moore asked a number of ques- tions upon the debtor's cash account. He asked the debtor if, knowing his position and that he had an overdraft at the bank, he did not think he ought to have paid the rents i collected to his clients in hard cash instead of j paying them into the bank.-Debtor said he did not think he should have done so. In the case of one client, at her request, he paid hard cash. He admitted that he had not k ,t a proper set of books.—Mr. Moore was still examining at to items in the cash account, and was anxious to verify the items by the books, when the Registrar suggested an adjournment for a month to allow of an opportunity of the books being inspected.—This was agreed to.

CARDIGAN ARCHDEACONAL CHORALI FESTIVAL The second triennial festival in connection with the Cardigan archdea,conry for the present season was held at Cardigan on Thursday, and proved a thorough success. Between 500 and 600 choristers, representing about twenty parishes in South Cardigan- shire and North PembrOl,"hire, put in an appearance. The singing all through was of a high order of merit. The anthem was by W. Torrance, "Lord, I have loved the Habita- tion of Thy House," the rendering of which was particularly good. Mr. John Jones, National School master, of St. Dogmael's, was the conductor, and was highly complimented by all upon the musical treat afforded. The secretary of the festival was the Rev. D. Francis, vicar of Llandugwydd. Mr. Llewellyn Davies, the organist of St. Mary's, officiated J at the organ.

"Cochfarf's" Comments. r. -d There is a possibility of a suggestion made in this column as to the need of meeting the dearth of farm hands by the utilisation of the surplus labour in towns taking a practical turn. It is that a tem- porary labour bureau should be opened in Cardiff, and, when a farmer is in need of labour to assist in harvesting, he may bring his wagon or trap into town and take back with him the best available men on trial. If the first trial is dis- appointing, the harm done on either side cannot be very great. The farmer might take the trouble of bringing his unsuccess- ful servant back to town and return with another volunteer, and I am confident that all who may thus be taken on trial will not turn out failures. There must be some forbearance on the part of the experimenting farmer certainly, as there must be a little display of will-power on the part of the town labourer, who may have no previous knowledge of farm work, and the stupid prejudice that exists between the town and country bred must be completely swept away. If there are farmers near Cardiff who are in need of harvest labourers I have the names of persons who will volunteer assistance to get the unemployed and the farmers into touch with one another. The Committee appointed by the Board of Trade recently to inquire into certain questions affecting the mercantile marine touched the question of ambulance certifi- cates and the necessity of officers being able to render first aid where accidents occur to seamen on board ships. But the "Shipping World" states that an end is put to the hopes of a few that first aid or ambulance certificates should form part of the educational equipment of navi- gating officers. The Committee reports that, as regards medical attention, it would be advantageous if masters and officers of vessels were allowed voluntarily to offer themselves for examination, and to receive certificates in the elements of medical knowledge. Further than that the Committee does not think it practi- cable or necessary to go. They say the evidence before them does not show that any strong feeling exists among sailors aa to the want of medical attention, and, with the aid of the book supplied to them and a proper supply of medical stores, masters succeed well in dealing with the ordinary cases of illness or accident. The last opinion is not one that will gain the approval of sailers. A knowledge of first aid is as desirable at sea as on land, and, surely, there is no greater difficulty in forming ambulance classes for officers and other regular hands when on shore than there is in imparting the same informa- tion to railway men, for instance. A fall down the hold, and slipping down through negotiating a coil of rope when in dock have produced ugly accidents, and many of them would be greatly minimised through a better knowledge of ambulance work on board ship. The Western Mail" reviewer of the fourth volume of the Cardiff Records wonders whether Ifor (Hael) and Nest and Morfydd and the latter's immortal lover —the sweetest of all love poets—knew anything of Llewelyn Bren's Gaelic favourite (Roman de la Rose). But if Dafydd ap Gwilym's poems are referred to, it is pretty clear that he was in some way acquainted with Continental contem- poraries. It should be borne in mind that learned ecclesiastics passed to and fro frequently between France land Wales in his time, and Welshmen equally fre- quently took part in fighting expedltiona on the Continent, when they made life- long friends of those who belonged to the armies of other nations. Alas! I have no time to get my "Dafydd ap Gwilym" at the time I am writing; but did. not one of his best-known competitors for a lady's favour "go to the wars in the midst of a literary dispute; and did not Dafydd ap Gwilym write a song of triumph when he heard of the incident? Dafydd ap Gwilym was acquainted with many learned friars, and, although he used a good deal of invective against the clerics, that does not necessarily imply that he was always unfriendly to them. Dafydd, undoubtedly, loved every attrac- tive lass who came into his sight, and, possibly some of his escapades came in for pastoral censure, and, rather than express penitence under such censure, he resented the well-intentioned corrections by saying, unkind things of his spiritual advisers. Gwenycleppa, the home of Ifor the Generous, who was Dafydd ap Gwilym's patron, was the abode of a very high civilisation, otherwise such poetry as he wrote would not be appreciated. Ivor the Generous helped Dafydd ap Gwilym for the most high-minded reasons, and, if the owner of Gwenycleppa had not him- self been a man of wide reading, the poet's efforts would not have attracted his attention. The ruins of Ifor Hael's palace as they appear at the present day are eloquent testimony of the place having been, in its palmiest days, a place of great importance and why any surprise should be expressed at evidence of a high degree of civilisation in his time I cannot under- stand. It is characteristic of Cardiffians that they are always glad to see the faces of old acquaintances, and I know none who is not glad to return when the duties of life do not demand presence in other parts of the Empire. Ten or twelve years ago Mr. L. S. Bickley figured prominently in many movements in this town, but, what- ever brawls disturbed our borough, Mr. Bickley always preserved an equable temper, as if the motto of his life was, "Hail-fellow-well-met." His success with a most useful invention for saving life at sea has not caused him to be at sea in the least in his relationship with old friends, and the short glimpse I have had of him suggests that he has found out the secret of perpetual youth somewhere among the maze of streets which is known by the name of London. The most indifferent to the value of life-saving appliances at sea arre the average sea- going men, but the inventor of the life- saving jacket possesses a good measure of the missionary spirit, and he will not stand idly by and see valuable lives sacri- ficed unnecessarily. In his praiseworthy wxirk I wish him the fullest success. I see that a very serious accident has happened to a young lady who has been hooping the hoop on the motor at Liver- poolpool. My only surprise is that a catastrophe by this amusement" has been so long averted. I have not heard it once said that science" is likely to benefit by so venturesome an invention, and, therefore, the performance of "hoop- ing the hoop" is a regrettable pandering to a morbid disposition to see human beings risk their lives as a sport to others who look on from comfortably-seated chairs. The extraordinary velocity with which the motor rider is hurled into the loop is such that, if the groove in which the wheel of the motor circles the loop became deranged, the concussion from the fall that would necessarily happen would mean, that the performer would come in contact with some neighbouring object and fall a pulverised lump of humanity to the ground. The Liverpool accident, which was brought about by the point by which the motor is turned from the circle describing the loop being unable to take the flanges of the motor wheels, and was a mild accident in comparison with the catastrophe which might happen under the conditions I have just described.

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS I The followinpr are the readings since five o'clock last I even ins;, as given by the barometer in the vestibule of the Evening Express." St. Mary-street, Caridfl, which in Ut. above mean sea leve!

VOCHRIW CLUB. I Answers to the Curate's Charges. ADVANTAGES OF A WELL- CONDUCTED INSTITUTION. Concerning the Vochriw Constitutional Club there was another public meeting yester- day evening in the open air, the conveners this time being the promoters of the club. Again there was a large attendance. The principal speakers were Mr. Robert Hughes, J.P. (Cardiff), Mr. LitMejohns. Mr. Wadding- ton, Mr. Jacobs, the Rev. J. A. Rees, and the Rev. Tertius Phillips, who attended in response to an invitation from Mr. Jacobs as one of the promoters of the club. Mr. Littiejohns. as chairman, was giving the opening speech when the first incident of interest occurred in the shape of a bottle of water being brought forward and placed in front of the speakers. The crowd laughed and cheered derisively. The Chairman said his objection to the action of the curate was that he was tempting the promoters of the club to open its doors on the Sabbath. Mr. Jacobs answered the charge of the curate that he had seen three men coming out of the club in an intoxicated state. He (Mr. Jacobs) spoke to the steward of the club about it, and now he asked why had not the curate reported the matter to the proper authorities and have the club closed. Amid frequent interruptions, Mr. Jacobs described a meeting with the curate ou the station plat- form, when the name of Mr. Robert Hughes cropped up. and the curate expressed a wish to be introduced to Mr. Hughes for the pur- pose of obtaining from him a subscription for the church. The curate, who made his appearance at this stage, amid loud cheers and the singing of "He's a jolly good fellow," denied the truth of this statement in the words "It's a lie." The Chairman appealed to Mr. Rees not to use the word "lie." Mr. Rees: I state the truth unvarnished. I only wished to meet Mr. Robert Hughes as a good Catholic. Mr. Robert Hughes followed, and pointed to the fact that the leaders of the opposition to this club had never opposed the formation of either Conservative or Radical clubs in Cardiff. Both political parties had clubs all over the country. The Rev. J. A. Rees opened for the opposi- tion, and said the reason for his attitude towards the club was the conduct of many of the members of tlie club. One man had been admitted to the club in an intoxicated state. Mr. Jacobs: Name, name. Mr. Rees: You ail know his name, and you can answer, Mr. Jacobs. The Rev. Tertius Phillips explained his position, stating that he opposed the club, not on the ground of its political character, but because of the drink sold there. Mr. E. Waddington, who had to contend with much opposition, asked the Rev. Mr. Rees how long he had been a teetotaler, to which Mr. Rees replied, "That's no business of yours." Mr. Waddington having spoken of the advantages of a well-conducted club, the meeting was declared closed from the chair, the principal speakers being obliged to leave, in order to catch their last train, after walk- ing across the mountain to Pontlottyn. After their departure the anti-clubbites took possession, and carried a resolution of protest against the continued existence of the club.

NEATH TOWN COUNCIL. Site of the New Free Library. The adjourned quarterly meeting of the Neath Town Council was held on Thursday under the presidency of the mayor (Mr. E. Evans Bevan). The Mayor moved, and the ex-Mayor seconded a resolution expressing regret at the sudden demise of Sir Joseph Loftus Wilkinson. A letter was read from Mr. T. R. Price, the general manager of the Central South African Railways, who is home on a short re-visit to Neath, expressing thanks for the cordial manner in which he had been received in the district. A letter from the secretary of the Welsh Con- greational Conference, the terms of which have already been published, was referred tA-) the provisional education committee of the council on the motion of Councillor Hopkin Morgan, seconded by Alderman Edward Davies. As the council had decided to clean and repair the town clock, the mayor asked that the council inquire as to the advisability of having faces on the two blank sides of the tower. The suggestion was adopted. The report of the library committee showed that the town-clerk had inquired into the title of the vendor to the freehold of the plot of ground which the council had decided to purchase, and found it good. It was resolved to complete the purchase. The Surveyor: Have you heard anything from the gentleman-I won't attempt to pro- nounce his name-who is so anxious to give his money to free libraries? Mr. Hopkin Morgan said a second applica- tion had been made, but with no result. Mr. David Davies complained of the manner in which the land had been laid out in Whit- tington-street.—The Surveyor said the plans complied with the bye-l a we. The ex- Mayor said he would like to know what right anyone had to interfere with the manner in which any other persons should lay out their land.—Mr. Hawkins added his protest, and then Mr. J. R. Jones strongly condemned the disposition of the houses in the locality referred to. A memorial was received from several rate- payers asking that the entrance gate near the Church Schools be not closed in future as it is at certain times each day, and, after dis- cussion. it was agreed to give a trial to the "open door" for two months, representations to be made to the head teachers with the view of inducing the children to behave properly when in the gardens. On the motion of Mr. J. R. Jones, seconded by Mr. David Davies, a resolution was unani- mously carried that in all future contracts the council should insert a clause stipulating that the contractor or contractors should pay the Trades TTnion rate of wages and observe the recognised hours of labour, and that, as far as practicable, employ local labour.

PORTHCAWL RIFLE RANGE. I Statement in the House of I Commons. In the House of Commons, Mr. Fuller (R. West bury) asked the Sec- retary for War whether it is proposed to complete the. construction of the Porthcawl Rifle Range, and, if so, whether he can state approximately what the proposed expendi- ture will be. Mr. Brodrick, replying by paper, said the site was available for use as a field-firing range without any expense for construction. The estimated cost of constructing a sectional range was £ 2.500, but, as such a range at Porthcawl would be used principally by the Auxiliary Forces, the construction had been in abeyance, and would not be further con- sidered until the Royal Commission on the Militia and Volunteers had reported.

"PASSIVE RESISTANCE." I A large and enthusiastic demonstration of sympathy with the local passive resisters took place at Hastings on Thursday evening.—The Rev. Dr. Clifford, who was the chief speaker, declared, amid loud cheers, that Mr. Cham- berlain's fiscal proposals were primarily designed to distract popular attention from I the passive resistance movement.