Evening Express

LOOKING FORWARD. Where's Wales to Get Good Players P I I BY HARRY BOW/EN* I The above title is not of my creation, but is one sent on in connection with a number of written thoughts supplied by one who has experience to help him in the opinions he expresses below, and which opinions run in the direction which a "Looking Forward" title just fits. I may say that the opinions are the out- come of a night of sleeplessness. Worry about Wales was the cause of the loss of sleep, and I trust that the same cause will operate very greatly in the future, and that my correspondent will have many more sfoepless nights for his country's football good. I should dearly like to give my readers the name of the sleepless one, but, except to call him "Anglo-Welsh," it would never do. Being unmarried, handsome, and laden with this world's riches, lady readers would set his sleeplessness down to otherwises, and so the poor, lonely one might, were his name disclosed, become a subject for pathetic and well-meaning inquiry. But, much though the name would help, it must not be given, an unusually big promise not to publish same standing bang in the way. Xow we'll give you him in thought. I ON FORWARDS. I What prospects are in front of Wales in the immediate future? And is it possible to extend the choice of players so as to prevent Wales having "lean" years? The above two questions must give anxiety to all Welshmen who have Welsh Rugby football at heart, and especially to members of the Welsh Union, to whose judgment and fore- sight the success of Wales has been I due in recent years. When one scans the names of the players who have taken part in this year's inter- nationals, one cannot help feeling that a larger number of them will not be candidates in future, for more have retired last year than in any single year for a number of years. I cannot help thinking that Hodges. Joseph, Harding, Travers, and D. Jones were far from being as good this sea-son as in previous years; but I do not for one moment suggest that it would have been possible to get five better for- wards to represent Wales this year than those ifve. I only express -in opinion that neither of them was as good as in previous years. The slight failing off this year was probably due to the fact that they are a year older. This defect, unfortunately, cannot be remedied, and they will, of course, be a year older next season, which will necessarily cause their falling-off to be more marked still. Was there a Hellings. Brice, or Boots among this year's debutants? I am afraid not. So much for the forwards. It will be seen that the question of future forwards takes first place in our correspondent's thoughts, and in this particular he but emphasizes what the Express" has referred to over and over again. The man who supplies the wrinkles —the year-older man—must, whether we like it or not, make himself felt some time or other, and, as is pointed out, the men who have held us up for so long can- not be expected to go on for ever. What remedy there is for this, or rather what remedy is suggestedj can be gathered later. Meanwhile, let us get back to the sleepless one's further writings. I HALF-BACKS. I The Welsh Union have failed to dis- cover an outside half of the Lloyd or Dick Jones standard. If anyone thinks that he has discovered such a buddin" half, let him Tfatch him with C3re, as the Northern Union vultures are only too ready to pounce on such. Owen is also not getting younger, and it will be a long time before anyone suitable takes his place. I THREE-QUARTERS. I When we come to the three-quarter line, the pain becomes acute when we see during the same year the exit of Owrn Nicholls, "Willie Llewellyn, and, probably, Teddy Morgan as well.- Again, no one can say that Gabe is as good as he was before he went to the Antipodes. We hope that the falling off is only temporary, and that he will next year be as good as ever. Then tollows a few observations in the direct inquiry style. Thus Dld iuly1of th? men that took P? in the trial match show any signs that m time they will re-place the-above veterans with credit to themselves and ■u on our to their country? Was there a plethora of reserves this season? The fact that some men occupied two posi- tions on the reserve list disproves this emphatically. The construction placed upon the Union's selection of the same men for more than one position is a fair one, and, as is pointed out, it showed that there was, at any rate, in the committee's opinion a dearth of capable players in the several positions. I BOY FOOTBALL I t starting under this heading the writer j proeeds to the discussion of ways and I means for the future, and touches upon ¡ what already is, and also on what he hopes will be. In the first connection Boy football comes on) and with it the prickly point of the football hereafter of the boy himself, that period of his foot- ball life following directly after the aftJr fourteen age, and in this connection urges what needs urging, a bridging over of the iootoail gap by an intermediate stage, which shall carry the lad easily and natur- ally to the preparation for the higher foot- ball flights. I- admit frankly that the encourage- ment of boy's football seems a step in the right direction. The success of the boy's international last Saturday must a source of pride to those that have worked in this direction. There is, however, a long interval of years between the time that a boy plays in his international game, and the period when he can be seriously considered by the Welsh Union for his other cap. In the meantime what becomes of him ? Is he watched and suitably encouraged ? A large number, dobutless, leave their native land to enter schools in Eng- land, or to fight the battle of life in provincial towns or in the Metropolis. FRESH GROUND UNIVERSITY FOOT-I BALL. Uncier this heading our correspondent sends quite a, number of fresh thoughts along, as you can judge from the follow- ing: Is it, possible to consider the number of Welshmen that go to Oxford and Cambridge every year? It would bo quite easy to form Oxford Welsh and Cambridge Welsh fifteens. 'Varsity students have the afternoons free to themselves, and football matches are played hy the various colleges on week- days Why could not a Welsh fifteen be formed to plav one of the colleges every week? There would hardly be any expense attached, to such a club, as all the matches would be played in Oxford or Cambridge respectively. It would not interfere with the uni ver- sity team—should any member have his blue-as the matches would be played, as I have stated before, on week-days. The Welsh style of play could be cultivated and matured. It is admitted that the style of the three- quarter play in the universities is quite different from the Welsh stvle. If a Welsh three-quarter be fortunate to get his blue, and adopts their stvle. he is bound to deteriorate from a. Welsh point of view. E. D. Evans, who was the last man to get his blue, as a three- quarter, says that he had to play two or three matches with the London Welsh before he could get back to his proper form. He always played below Iris form when he played regularly for Cambridge The passing system is not played in the same way. It will be admitted at once that there is much truth in what is given above, but whether what is suggested can be well wrought is a matter which needs discus- sion in many quarters. OTHER GROUND: FRESH AND OTHER- I WISE. Leaving the Universities, our writer starts a roaming for his country's good, and touches at many points. He proceeds thus: Have you ev'or thought of the number of Wehhlllfll that have played for Eng- land in recent years ? G. S. Williams, Jewett, Mathias, and Geii-, a-i-e, four that have played against their native land during tne last five years. Hicl Powell not left Devonport for Cardiff, it is exceedingly probable that he v,-ou ld not have had his Welsh cap this year. At tho present time there are Welshmen playing for Devonport Albion, Ply- mouth, Bristol, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, etc. At the latter place a team called the Manchester Welsh formed a few years ago. Last year it became defunct. With a little en- couragement it may be resuscitated. THE LONDON WELSH. I It lutist not be forgotten that at one time the London W ei^h became defunct. LiickI *lx-. tfle te_all, and gradually during the last. few years it h a, steadily advanced in the right direc- tion. Taanks mainly to the encourage- ment of the Welsh Union, it has this year reached a very enviable position, being recognised by all the London press as the premier Metropolitan team. our fifteens play. regularly. The record of the first fifteen is probablv known to you they have only been beaten five rimes t his season, three defeats being by Welsh clubs. The team has been successful against all Metropolitan teams, including the Old Merchant Taylors, Harlequins, London Scottish, Blackneath, as well as defeating Cam- bridge, Devonport Albion, Bristol, and Gloucester. The third fifteen have been successful in all their matches, scoring nearly 430 points against 32. Every- one kIlows the number of representa- tives the team had in the international matches this season, and how they acquitted themselves. My object is, however, not to praise the London Welsh, but to show what is possible to be done with good organisation and I encouragement as well as the recogni- tion received from the Welsh 1-nion kFOft CONTINUATION- SEE XEXT EDITIOX.)

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. "EXPRESS OFFICE,* 11.15 a.m. LATE TIPS. CHZ FEOPLE.— John Shark, Rifi2 San- gar, and Little Garstou,

FUNERAL OF MR. WILLIAM HALE, AT I WHITCHURCH. I The funeral took place at Whitchurch on Friday of Mr. William Hale, son of the late Mr. William Hale, an old inhabitant of the village. The d+'Ceased, who was only 40 years of age. had resided at Liverpool for sometime, where at the. eud of last week he died suddenly from phthiisis. He was born and educated at Whitchurch, and before removing to Liverpool' h-e-iU a position of responsibility at Ca.rdiff. He was gonial and larso-hea.rted, and W<18 highly respected. His remains were brought from Liverpool a.nd deposited in the family I.,a.alt at St. Mary's Church, a, largo Dumber of tbs) leadi n g inhabita-nte attending the obsequi* Messrs. G. Stone and Co.. 11, Working-street, carried out the funeral arrangement.

SECTARIAN FIGHTS IN WARSAW. On Friday morning, in the villages of I Lii.,bice, Bialuta, Le^zii:?. and Plewniki, m I the government of Wan-aw, the sectarians a-ttaoked the Catholics for refusing to join their movement. A nsht. in which clubs, txsytihes, and pitchforks were qsed, ensued, three men being kmed. t*?ta.Uy wounded, and twelve seriously injured.- Bwter,

Thousands at Stake. KEEN STRUGGLE FOR WORLD'S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP The forthcoming wrestling contest between Hackenschmidt and Madrali for the world's championship will be the most tremendous struggle of its kind ever seen in England. Seats at Olympia, where the famous wrestlers will meet on April 28, are already being booked in large numbers daily. Hackensehmidt is the present world's cham- pion, and as such he hor; immense odds at stake in the coming contest. The Ru ';cial is probably the most highly-paid pereon on the variety stage at present, his earnings varving fram X150 to L200 a week. He is booked it, halls in London and the provinces every week without exception up to the end of September, 1907, and every ona of his contracts contains a clause making the engagement terminable if he loses the world's championship. Some idea of what that Iciss would mean to the Kwsian may be gathered from the fact that Madrali, who, if he wins, will step into Hackensehmidt s shoes, has computed tha.t. he would thereby gain about £5,000 a year for three years. When the two last met at Olympia, thc ma.tch was decided under CraecrRoma-n rules, and Madrali being injured and disabled in a throw, Haekenschmiat was declared the winner. The forthcoming ma.tch will be decided under catch-as-catch-can rules, with which Madrali is familia.r, and in which the Russian is practically a novice. Many experts think that Hackensehmidt has made a mis- ta-ke in meeting the Turk at his own game. After all expenses of the great match have been paid it is estimated that the winner will receive about £ 2,000 and the loser about Si,ooo.

INSURANCE QUARREL. "Mutual Co. & British Policy- holders. Mr. Peabody, president of the Mutual Life Insura.nce Company, having been informed that the British policy-holders would not be satisfied without the retire- ment from t,he management of the com- pany of those interests identified with Mr. M Curdy a interests, replied that- if British policy-holders would say which trustees ought, in their opinion, to resign, thoee trustees would resign or expla.in why they did not do so. Mr. Peabody expressed a doubt whether the British policy-holders really made ruch demands. It appears that what the British policy-holders actually did request is, firstly, that a British actuary should verify the computation of the reserve to meet liabilities. To this the Mutual cheerfully consented. Secondly, they demanded the election of one or more British trustees. This the board would gladly do. but wants the British interests to suggest names. Thirdly, they suggest that the whole British business should be turned over to a new compajiy to be formed in London, the Xew York board at the same time delivering the total reserves held against British policies. This the board does not see its way lawfully to do, for which and for other reasons it considers this suggestion impracticable. Mr. Choate is now examining the legal questions involved in the above dema-iid.-Reute-r. A telegram from Albany (New York), dated Friday, says the Governor of New York State has signed the Life Insurance Bills passed by the State Legislature prohibiting the grant of rebates and limiting insurance companies' real estate hollings.-Router.

GOWERTON MEN ARRESTEDI As the result of investigations set cn foot! by Superintendent Saunders, of the Grfoeaott Wet tern Railway Police (Paddington), Fore. man-shunter Albert Newman and Under- ehunter Richard Silk, employed at Gower- ton Station, situated between Swansea and Llanelly, are in custody, and will be charged jointly before the county magis- trates at Swansea to-day (Saturday) with stealing a sack of flour, a case of tea, and a case containing 350 eggs. For the last two months robberies have been reported from goods trucks in transit from London, Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff, Merthyr, and Swansea, and going througn stations west of the latter point. Following upon elaborate inN-e-stiga;tione, Superinten- dent Saunders last week visited Soutti Wales. He was assisted by Detective- inspector Matthews (Cardiff) and Detective- inspector Townsend (Swansea). These two officers kept observation at Gowerton Station on Thursday night, with the result that New- man and Silk were arrested. Inspector Williams (Gowerton), of the Glamorganshire Constabulary, on receiving information, went to the men's houses. Newman is 24 years of age, and joined the company's service on November 23, 1895. as a porter at Dynevor. He was rapidly promoted. He had charge in the night time of the traffic and shunting operations. He was recently married, and lives at 5, Evans- terrace, Waunarlwyd. Silk is aged 27. Ht joined the company's eervice on February 13 1903, having previously pnt in more than eight years in the Welsh Regiment, besides having served in the South African Campaign. He is married, has three chIldren, and resides at Gorwydd Villas, Gowerton.

THE CURE OF INEBRIETY. Dr. Donald, of the Inverneith Lodge Sana- torium, issues a serious warning to tho^e who treat inebriety by hypodermic injec- tions. He points out in his annual rtport, which is referred to in the "British Medical Jour- nal," that a. hypodermic needle was an unknown article to a great many of the patients when they entered one of the institutions. But in undergoing the treat- ment they got accustomed to it, and after they left it was a, simple step for them to inject such drugs as morphine and cocaine. Dr. Donald says he has had several cases ot patients who became narcomaniacs by this means. The doctor has something to say, too, about the method of curing by giving drugs which are said to act as sjjecifics in remov- ing the desire for alcohol, and thus curing the patient of his habit. The trend of public opinion, he remarks, seems at present to be in favour of a short cut or royal road to cure a. disease of long standing. The cure of inebriety is, to a great extent, prophylactic, and Dr. Donald, having tried the .short and drug methods himself, expresses the belief that they not only fail to do good, but often do actual harm.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. The annual conference of the Gloucester- shire, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire Association of Sunday School Unions was held at the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, Ilontypool, on Friday. The morning j conference was presided over by Mr. T. A. King (Hereford), president of the association. In his presidential address he deplored the fact that Sunday School work did not receive the recognition from the churches that if deserved, but h.> wae pleased to not,, that generally the tcacbers were fully aiivo to the responsibilities imposed upon them as trainers of the young. They should a.1! eldeavüur to set the t??-t example P()8sibl'1 and refrain from intoxicants of all kinds, a? well as tobacco, and, above aU, should not. under any consideration, lose control of their temper during the time they were teaching.—An addnvs was delivered by tho Rev. Frank James, London, upon the subject of "Control of Class a.nd Desk," and at the evening meeting, which was presided over by Councillor J. Liscombe, J.P. (the Mayor of Newport, addresses were delivered by the Rev. Frank Jimf" on Fa-rees in Teaching," and the Rev. J. B. Paton, M.A., D.D>y on "The Redemptive Social Mission of the Church."

I WANT HOLDROYD'S, PLEASE. JAMES SWIFT, AUereiifle, Sheffield, says:—" The first dose save me great relief. I can confidently say that one box of tlie.-a Pilid has done rr, a wore rood than all tbe medicine I have t-akcr." SiLffsren from Gravel, Lunibago, Pains in t bc Buck, Propsy, ])ie3.es of the Kidn<èYS, Sciatica, Rheumatism., and tiout will fled » positive euro iu fl();drcy d's Gravel Pills'. Try Small Box. li not satisfied, money returned. la. lid., all Chemists. Post free. twelve stamp»—HOLJ3.BOYI>'3 HEDIOAL BALL, «1297—J.

The Easter Manoeuvres ¡The Easter. Manœuvresj I A MIMIC RAID ON CARDIFF. I To Destroy the Railways and I Stores. Field operation" of an interesting and instructive character were conducted on Caerphilly Mountain by the C" (Cardiff) and D" (Pontypridd) Squadrons of the Glamorgan Imperial YeoAanry on Good Fri- day. The weather was all that could be desired for the manoeuvres, but as they were only known to a few the spectators were limited in number. The general idea of the scheme, which was set by Captain Williams, of the 11th Hussars (who a few days ago took up his duties as adjutant of the regiment) was that a hostile cavalry force (" D" Squadron) was reported to have bivouacked on Thursday night near Bedwas. Its intention was supposed to be to destroy railways and stores at Cardiff, which were occupied by a defending force, G" Squad- ron forming a. portion of the outpost line and covering the city from Nantgarw (including the Barry Railway line) to the Travellers' Rest at Thornhill, a front of about two miles. This squadron fell in at North-road, Cardiff, at 9.30 on Friday morning, and the main body moved along the Rhiwbina. road past Blaengwynlais Farm to the Black Cock Inn, where they threw out a patrol to the right to meet No. 1 patrol, which proceeded along the main Caerphilly road past the Travellers' Rest, and to the left to meet No. 3 patrol, which moved along the Tongwynlais road, and watched the Barry Railway line between Walnut Tree and Nantgarw. C" Squadron, with Sergeant-major Giddens in command, was in position by 12.15. its centre being on the hills north of the Black Cock, with out- posts extending from the Barry Railway on tne west to the Ca.rdiff and Caerphilly main road on the east, these being the boundaries within which operations were confined. The opposing sides were distinquished by the Pontypridd men wearing slouch hate, and the Cardiff Squadron forage caps. In the meantime- "D," the raiding squadron from Pontypridd, assembled at Eglwysilan Church, under the- command of Sergeant- major Knowles, and marched to the Nantgarw road, whey they waited until 12.15, when they threw out their patrols and advanced on the positions taken up by the defenders. As events proved it was the intention of the commander of D" squadron to break through on the right of C's" line in the neighbourhood of the Travellers' Rest. but at the same time a feint attack was made on the centre of the defenders' position. A fairly strong body was seen moving down from the village of Groeswen. They came along the Tymelin-road which leads almost in a direct line to the Black Cock, and affords plenty of cover along the greater part of its distance. Fire was opened upon them from a com- manding hill near the Black Cock, and, dis- mounting, they replied with volleys and independent firing from a small plantation and a farmhouse where they were well screened. There was not the slightest sus- picion of smoke to be seen, and, therefore, it was difficult to locate the enemy." As their advanced patrol was creeping near the Black Cock, evidently with the intention of getting in the rear of "C's" centre, a section, under the command of Corporal Evans, was sent round to bar their progress. So cleverly was this movement executed that the enemy's patrol was cut off, and found itself between two fires. The entrapped men, how- ever, refused to surrender, and galloped off, although every saddle must have been emptied in real warfare. No further development took place in this part of the field, but the main body of the enemy in the meantime delivered their attack on the right flank of the defenders, who were superior to them in numbers, and held strong positions. "D" Squadron suffered from a heavy fire, commencing at 700 yards' ramge, but continued to push forward, making use of every available bit of cover, until they found they were enfiladed by a strong patrol on the Cardiff-Caerphilly road. The result was that the D" Squadron failed to break through, and the railways and stores at Cardiff are still eafe. It is only fair to say that in numbers the Cardiff Squadron was stronger than the Pontypridd, but, on' the other hand, the commander of the attacking party was not compelled to spread his men out over a front of about two miles. "C" had no moans of knowing, until the enemy appeared in view, where he was likely to be attacked, while "D" knew exactly at which point of the line of out- posts he hoped to break through. When the mimic battle was over Captain Williams called the two squadrons together and addressed them upon the day's work. Patrols, he said, should look behind as well as in front. He followed within fifty yards of one patrol for about a quarter of a mile and they did not know it. If he had had a section of men they must have been captured. He also advised the men forming a patrol on a road to allow a considerable distance between each, so that if a trap were set they would not all fall into it. The com- manders of both sides and other members of the Yeomanry were encouraged to express their opinions, and Captain Williams, in thanking them for turning up so well on a holiday, said he hoped to see more opera- tions of the same description, because on every occasion officers and men learnt some- thing. Newport Volunteers' Manoeuvres. I Successful and instructive held operations were carried out by the headquarter companies of the 4th V.B. South Wales Bor- derers, Newport, on Good Friday morning. The venue chosen was the country lying between Caerleon, Ponthir, Llantarnam, and Malpas. Accompanied by the battalion band under Bandmaster E. Gabb, upwards of 200 men turned out in command of Lieutenant- colonel A. H. Laybourne, V-D.. assisted by Major E. A. Willey, Captain E. Fawckner, Captain Allan Deivies, Captain and Quarter- master A. Rich, and Lieutenant R. C. Slade.

A VOLCANO OF GAS. I Capping the Crater with an Iron I Hood. A thrilling account of thÐ "capping" of. a flaming gas volcano in the Caney field, Kansas, is given in the" Petroleum World." The fire was caused by lightning. As the electric fluid came in contact with the gas there was a. blinding flash, and the I earth shook with the roar that followed. The lightning had transformed the six-inch stream of vapour into a raging volcano. The gas well is known as the Vanderpod No. 1, and belongs to the New York Oil and Gas Company. It is one of the greatest gushers ever discovered. Its shaft leads into a vast depository of gas, whose force, pent up for ages, exerts a. terrific pressure. A manifestatioryof the power that lay under- neath the flame was seen when an iron hood weighing 73,000lb. was dropped on the hole. It was flipped off as a boy shoots a paper wad with his thumb. A few days later the hood was repaired, its weight was increased, and it was again clapped over the hole. The mass of iron stuck, but within twelve hours the sand blast that poured out of the shaft had riddled the great iron cap till it was full of holes. Out of every hole shot a flame, and the whole looked like an infernal bouquet of fire spray. So fierce was the heat that an inch steel cable was burned in two directly it touched the flames. The task of removing the wrecked hood from the well to make way for another was a difficult problem. A cannon was taken to the ecene, and solid shot were fired into the white-hot mass. Only part of the obstruction was moved in this way, when the workers, becoming impatient, lifted the remainder with a specially rigged derrick. The flames shot from the earth with such I tremendous pressure that the roar could be heard at Independence. Kansas, twenty miles away. Conversation was impossible within 300ft. The light it shed at night was such that a newspaper could be read a mile away, and a brook running close to the fire was converted into steam. After the failure with the first hood a, now and heavier one was obtained, with I which the well was finally capped and the flames subdued.

SPORTS AT CARMARTHEN I The programme arranged by the Carmar- then Attractions Committee tor Easter Monda,y, a;\lhe Carmarthen Park, is now meeting witu the success it deserves, and has brought in a record entry for the sporting events, including some of the London champions, and all the local cracks.

"?PARE WSJ,L AXD SPEND WE?L." When you buy EX?f??D'S GIORY MATCHES you "spa.rc" Time, Pat.inoe, and Money, and "Spmd" well bo"L% .? got Lbe Acme of Vajue. Bvery match 8triJœe. I?Chta. Md BunM petly. Made &\ "Ens')Md'< 1 Lights" -Mttoh Wofte? OlouotfUr* tIM?-? 

IYOLine Mother's Crime INTEREST AROUSED IN CARDIFF. Some interest has been aroused in Cardiff by the news of the murder of a child at Isle- worth by a young mother (who then com- mitted suicide) owing to the similarity of the name of the husband (Camillo Fontana) to that of an Italian family who were re.sidents of Cardiff some six or seven years ago. A man named Camillo Fontana formerly lived in the town, and was well-known by his I fellow-countrymen of the Italian colony in the city. The father of Camillo came to Cardiff from Bordeaux, and worked as a sculptor off Castle-road. He was very skilful at his work. and was assisted in business by Camillo. Fontana, senior, used to lodge with Mr. Burinetti. bcarding-house-keeper, 126, Bute-road. The two left for Paris, where the elder Fontvua, died some five or six years ago. Camillo when in Cardiff was Ul- married.

== I PROFESSIONAL CYCLING. I A Cardiff Man's Success. j At the meeting of the Southern Counties' Cycling Union, which attracted 9,000 specta- tors to Herne Hill, an international profes- sional match was won by S. Jenkins, Cardiff, who finished first in the quarter and half mile races, and second in the 505 yards race, thereby scoring four points. C. Piard (Paris) finished first in the last-mentioned race, and second in the other two, thus scoring five points, and being second in the match. A. Shrnbb was to have attacked the three miles record, but owing to a. recent illness ran only two miles at a moderate pace.

SOME NEW BRITONS I Certificates of naturalisation were granted to 684 aliens during 1905, according to a Home Office return. Of these 652 came from European countries and thirteen from the United States, while another thirteen do not know their real nationality. A full list of the recipients of certificates is given in the return, which reveals the existence of many weirdly-sounding names. A few of the more uncommon are as ,.rollow:- Kevork Arabian (subject of no nationality). Israel Candlesbine (Russia). Hyman Coonf.adruck (Russia-). Hrant Iplicjian (Turkey). Christlieb Traugott Lipshytz (Russia). Ely Lopchitz (Russia). Harris Pushinsky (known as H. Harris) (Russia). Demosthenes Tchaoussoglou (Turkey). One of the new British subjects is a Venezuelan, and another comes from Morocco.

SOCIAL DEMOCRACY. The annual conference of the Social Demo- cratic Federation opened at Bradford on Friday. The Southwark Branch secured the adoption of a resolution instructing the executive council to bring about by every means in their power a cordial understand- ing and co-operation for political purposes with other Socialist organisations. The con- ference negatived a proposal from the East Liverpool Branch that the time has come when the Federation should affiliate to the Labour Representation Committee, but adopted a proposal of Mr. Hyndman pro- claiming the readiness of the Federation to affiliate to the Labour party and the Labour Representation Committee so soon as that combination publicly accepted the principles of Socialism.

MARTYR OF MOTORING. I Once more the Hon. Stephen Coleridge has come before the courts for an infringement of the Motoring Act. At Parnhain he was fined JE5 for driving a motor-car beyond the speed limit at Camberley on March 4. Mr. Coleridge, according to the police, covered three-quarters of a mile at the rate of 31 miles an hour. He said he was absolutely certain he was not going anything like that rate. The Act, he added, was never intended ¡ as an instrument for collecting large sums 1 from innocent wayfarers.

SUICIDE IN PRISON CELL. ———— Thomas M'Mullin, warehouseman, of Lau- rieeton, near Falkirk, who was on Thursday remanded on a charge of attempted wife murder and stabbing three persons who went to the woman's assistance, was found on Friday morning by the police, on their entering the cell in which he was confined, to have committed suicide. The cell window was smashed, and in his hand M'Mullin held a piece of glass, with which he had evidently cut his throat. M'Mullin, who was an ex- soldier, had suffered from sunstroke.

ACCIDENT TO SIR C. NUGENT A Cranborne telegram states that while Sir Charles Nugent was riding on Friday aft-ernoan his iliack put a foot in a bole and rolled completely over its rider. The inju.ry sustained by Sir Charles was, fortu- nately, northing more serious than a deep scalp wound, which necessitated several I otitohes.

DEATH OF DR. STANTIAL. j —— t. The Rev. Thomas Stantial, D.C.L., vicar of St. John's, Bury St. Edmunds, since 1884, died un Thursday night in his eightieth year. He was formerly headmaster of Bridgwater Gra-mtnar School, and subsequently of Rams- gate College School. He was several years vicar of St. John's, Clapbam Rise.

FERNDALE 00LLIER CRUSHED TO DEATH. David Evans, collier, of 65, Lake-street, Ferndale, was killed on Friday morning. Evans was engaged working at the Xo. 5 Pit when a fall of coal took place, squeezing him against a post, with the result that he died almost immediately.

STATE-MINED COAL. I A telegram from Wellington (New Zeala-nd), I dated Friday, says:—The Government has entered business as a retail distributor of State-mined coal.-Reut.er.

CZAR'SPORTRAI TDESEC RATED I Two workmen have been executed at War- saw for an attempt to destroy a communal offico a.nd for desecration of the Czar's por- trait.—Reuter.

WALKING RECORD BEATEN. On Good Friday the Middlesex Walking Club's walking race from London to Oxford, a distance of 54, miles, was won by J. R. Barnes in the record time of 9h. 59min. 16sec. The previous b&t was G. D. Nicholas's llh. 53min. 5scc., accomplished on January 2, 1899. The second man in the race was F. R Leatherby, who took lOh. 26min. 15sec.

FIERY MINE TO BE FLOODED The directors of the three northern mines at Broken Hill, New South Wales, have decided to flood the Junction Min.e, owing1 to the slow progress made in repressing the fire there.—Reuter.

Remarkable disappearance of aU mud, grime, and d'.r' fact! The washerwoman in Glasgow say that Fœo is a. splendid powder." Foamo is 1\ pure special soap for very heavy WaSbing. Powerful. Easy and safe. Leaves no emeil. Ask your grooor for a peony packet — tbreo for twopence half- jiamy, Ali*

Babies Getting Scarcer. -0 OUTSPOKEN REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR. In a report extending to one hundred pages, accompanied by no fewer than 450 pages of statistics, the Registrar-General presents to Mr. John Burns, as President of the Local Government. Board, and the public an analysis of the births, marriages, and deaths in England and Wales during the year 1904. It is truly an astonishing compilation. In every conceivable way has the population been sectionised. Among the parties to matrimonial alliances, spinsters and bache- lois, widows and widowers, are duly ta.bu. lated. Concealed in unromantic numbers are the romances of a year. Where marriages are few and where they are ma.ny is set forth, and it was discovered that eiglitel-a out of every thousand bride- grooms and twenty-ono out of every thou- sand brides were illiterate, and had to sign a ma.rk instead of a name. Ages have supplied opportunity for much tabular ingenuity, exercised, however, with the reservation "if the recorded ages are a true sample. Births and deaths are subjects of not less keen analysis, and, not satisfied with this feast of figures, the Registrar-General throws in a few pages of the vital statistics of foreign countries. The outstanding totals for 1904 are:— Births 945,389 Marriages 257,856 meatus 549,784 na in connection with these it may bo sta,ted, briefly, that (1) the birth-rate, 0.5 per 1,000 below that of 1903, was the lowest on record; (2) the marriage-rate was 0.4 per 1,000 below that of 1903, and the lowest since 1895; and (3) as to the death-rate, only in one year-1903-has a. lower rate been recorded since the establishment of civil registration. Later Marriaefes. Both bachelors ajid widowers, and spin- sters a.nd widows, it seems, have been .a.ifooted by the continuous decrea&e in the marriage-rate, which has, however, been greater among widows and widowers than a.mo.ng the unmarried of either sex. If the marriage-rate in each county is compared with t.he rate in 1870-2, the only counties which snowed an increase were the three counties of Surrey, Middlesex, and Essex. The decrease in the marriage-rate in London was 21 per cent.; in fourteen mainly agri- cultural counties the decreases ranged from 2 to 9 per cent.; while in the rema.ining counties the decreases ranged from 10 to as much as 29 per cent. Of the 515,712 persons who married during the year, 573 were described in the register as having bean previously divorced. In 29 cases divorced men married divorced women. Of the total, also, 46 per 1,OOC of the hus- bands and 153 per 1,000 of the wives were minors. The report confirms the impression that people marry later in life than formerly, an almost continuous rise having been made in the mean age of both sexes. The proportion of Established Church mar- riages was the lowest on record. Cause of Falling Birth-Rate. The report is most emphatic on the subject of t,he declining birth-rate. Calculated on the total population, the rate decreased during the past 35 years by 21 per cent.; but if it be oalculated—as seems reasonable -on the proportion of total births to the total women living at ohild-bearing age, it is found that the rate decreased in the same period by as much as 27.3 per cent. Disregarding any part of this decrease which may be due to increase of the mean age at marriage, it would appear that the fertility of married women decreased during the 35 years by about one-fifth, a.nd this decreased fertility is the main cause of the fall in the birth-rate. If the fertility of the married women in proportion to their num- bers had been identical in 1870-2 and 1904, the legitimate births registered in the latter year would have numbered over 1,155,000, instead of the 907,715 actually recorded. Infant Mortality. Broadly speaking, proceeds the report, it may be said that approximately 70 per cent. of the decrease in the birth-rate during the past 35 years (based on the proportion of births to the female population aged 15-45 years) results from the decreased fertility of married women (which is due in part to changes in their age constitution), about 10 per cent. may be ascribed to the decrease of illegitimacy, while the remaining 20 per cent. is due to the decrease in the propor- tion of married women in the female popu- lation of conceptive ages. The births of males numbered 481,322, and of females 464,067. The male births were, therefore, to the female births in tha pro- portion of 1,037 to 1,000. In some "final conclusions" the Registrar- General suggests that it would be advan- tageous to have the English birth registers improved- ou the lines adopted by those countries more advanced in this respect in their statistical methods. Meanwhile, he adds, so long as the fall in the birth-rate in this country continues to be balanced by reduced mortality, there, would hardly appear to be serious cauee for alarm. In view of the fact that little can probably be done by legislation to arrest the decline in the birth-rate, effective measures to mini- mise the infant mortality- should be regarded as one of the master-keys to the situation. Among the deaths registered during the year there were 59 of reputed centenarians, seventeen of whom were males and 42 females. In the preceding three years the number had been 61, 5d, and 53 respectively, rhe deaths of infants under one year of ago were in the proportion of 145 per 1,000 births. as compared with 432 in the preceding year. Tuberculous phthisis was returned as the cause of 16,385 death?, and" phthisis" not otherwise defined of 25,465. To the cause of alcohplism the deaths of 2,358 persons, of I, whom 962 were women, were attributed.

HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES I The Housing of the Working Classes Acts Amendment Bill, presented by Mr. Mackar- ness, has been framed with the object of facilitating the housing of the working classes in rural districts. The principal amendments made by Part 1. are as follows: —The rural district council is enabled (like other district councils) to adopt this part of the Act without the leave of the county council. A power of initiative is given to four householders and to the medical officer of health. The power of purchase of land, enjoyed at present by parish councils, and a power of compulsory hiring of land arc given. The compulsion on district councils to eject any tenant or occupier who received parochial relief is not re-enacted, and rail- way and tramway companies are empowered to hold land and build houses for the work- ing classes, not merely for their own employes.

RAILROAD RATE LEGISLATION. I An lmpoiiuno aii-iuitsiuu rt-jra-rai ng the pending railroad rate legislation took place at White House on Friday. President. Roose- velt suggested the wisdom of adopting one or other of the amendments proposed by Senators Simmons and Vallary to the Hep- ,burn Rate Bill. Both are designed to prevent unusual delay in the consideration of appli- cations for temporary injunctions against unlawful rates. It is regarded as Iftely that such amendilieiit may be adopted.—Reuter.

RECORD COAL OUTPUT. I At the Bargocd Colliery of the Powell Duffryn Company on Wednesday a record output was made of 2,245 tOil". and on Thurs- day this was increased to 2,563 tons. The latter is claimed as a record for South Wales.

I CLARKE'S BLOOD MIXTURE. Tills famous Medicine will cleanse the blood from all impu- rities from whatever cause arising. A safe remedy for Eczema, Bad Legs, Scrofula, Blood Poison, Sores of aU kinds, Boils, Erup- tions, Ulcers, Glandular Swel- lings, Ac. Oi ail tttotea, "Co Forty YO&W ercrw. JWware at ttamtta).

I A Famous Scholar. DEATH OF DR RICHARD GARNETT Dr. Richard Garnett, C.B., died at his Hampstead residence at five o'clock on Good Friday morning from internal hemorrhage, aged 71 years. Deceased was for many years connected with the British Museum, having been an assistant in the library in 1851, superinten-1 dent of the reading-room in 1875, and keeper of the printed books from 1890 to 1899. Be was the author of a large number of publi- cations, including works dealing with the lives of Carlyle, Emerson, and Milton. Dr. Garnett contributed to the" Encycloprodia Britannica," and was editor of the Interna- tional Library of Famous Literature. He had been president of the Library Associa- tion, the Modern Language Association, and the Bibliographical Society, and was vice- president of the Royal Society of Literature, and also a member of the Dante Society, The late Dr. Garnett took a prominent part in the annual confercnce of the Library Association held in Cardiff in the autumn of 1895, and somo of his speeches on that occasion created a notable impression. One memorable occasion was the lavish enter- tainment of the members by the late Marquess of Bute at Caerphilly Castle, when Dr. Garnett gave an address distinguished for its learning and high literary merit. He was on the occasion of that visit the guest of Mr. Louis Tyler, Cathedral-road, Cardiff. Among those who have special ground for deploring the death of Dr. Garnett is Mr. J. Ballinger, the Cardiff City Librarian, with whom the deceased had been for years on terms of intimate friendship, and between whom there had been a considerable degree of co-operation in matters appertaining to library development. Mr. Ballinger, in an interview with a representative of the "Western Mail," declared that he had heard of the death with much sorrow, as it involved the loss of a valued personal friend. He never went to London without visiting Dr. Garnett, and found him the pleasantest and most interesting of companions. Dr. Garnett took a great interest in the prosperity of the Cardiff Free Library, with which he was very familiar, and upon which he looked with a very kindly eye He also took a very keen interest in the children's department of I library work in Cardiff, carried on at the school?, and now under the education com- mittee. He looked upon it as one of the most important developments of library work. He was, without doubt, the most distinguished librarian of the nineteenth century. In addi- tion to his eminence as a man of letters, his knowledge of English literature was pro- found, and he was frequently consulted even by learned men. Mr. Ballinger related that he visited Dr. Garnett at the latter's house in the autumn of last year, and was informed that the doctor was sometimes besieged by visitors from America, who came cut of regard for his great learning, and just to look at him.

I CARDIFF Y.W.C.A. I The annual business meeting of the Cardiff Young Women's Christian Association was held at the Institute, 31, Charles-street, Mrs. Turbervill (Bridgend), the district referee, taking the chair. The secretary gave a favourable report of the working of the asso- ciation, which is increasing in numbers 76 new members having joined during the last six months.-The trea-surer reported new sub- scriptions for the past year, so that the deficit was jE77 instead of £ 145 as expected — Among the officers re-elected were Mrô. John Cory, president, and Dr. H. C. Ensor, treasurer, and the latter will be glad to receive donations to cover the deficit in last year's expenses. The public annual meeting will be held on Wednesday next in the Cory-hall, when tho Bishop of Llandaif and the Rev. James Baillie have promised to address the meeting.

I BURGLARY AT BRITON FERRY. I Between the hours of ten o'clock on Thursday uight and six on Friday morning an entry was effected into the residence of Mr. Goldwire, Baglan, but up to the present the police are unable to ascertain if any- thing has been taken, as Mr. Goldwire is away from home. The drawers in several articles of furniture had been ransacked, and a painstaking scrutiny had been given to a11 likely recesses. The police, who were apprised of the fact by the caretaker, dis- covered in the works nearby an old pair of boots and some garments which had appa- rently been exchanged for clothing stolen from the caretaker. The burglary is attri- buted to one of the tramp class. The police are actively engaged in searching for the burglar.

RESCUE FROM THE RIVER AT NEWPORT. A boy named Emmett Logan, six years of age, residing at 49, Lyne-road, was playing on a, stage on the east side of the River Usk at Newport, near the harbour commis- sioners' cottages, on Friday, when he over- balanced and fell into the water. Matthew Barry, a man who happened to be passing at the time, waded in the water up to his waist and got th,e boy out. Other than having a. good wetting, he did not appear to be any the worse for hia experience,

CHECKWEIGHER'S QUESTION AT BARGOED. A ballot for the appointment of an addi- tional checkweigher for the Bargoed Colliery of the Powell Duffryn Company resulted in Mr. J. Thomas, West-street, Bargoed, being elected by 381 votes to his opponent's (Mr. Gould's) 212. The company, however, object to the extra man being with the machine*

INSTITUTE FOR PONTARDULAIS. I Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart.. Penllergaer, will open the handsome new building of the Pontardulais Mechanics' Institute on Satur- day, May 5.

Russia (says a Baltimore telegram) has ordered six Lake submarines and Germany four, 150ft. long and 18-knots speed. They are to contain the largest ga.solene engines ever built.—Renter.

Bake at ijome and make what the Chil- dren like best. Whether it's the wholesoin* "Little lireaftfaft •Scones, .< m or the dainty MKm London 21anrv- JBSO or those delicious Tea CaKes," or Big Cakes or Tarts, t -they're all equally whole- some and equally easy to make with Brown & Poison's^ raising powder 'Paisley Floap* (Trade Mark) And recipes are contained in every 7d. and 3id. packet.

A Terrible Experience. I BURIED UP TO THE NECK IN MUD An elderly woman dwelling in the Ternesr district, Paris, has just had a most extra- ordinary experience, and she now lies ia the Beaujou hospital more dead than alive— indeed, she is almost in a state of delirium produced by terror. Her escape (writes the, Paris correspondent of tho Daily Tele- graph ") has been marvellous, and is dua rather to happy chance than to anything else, as but for the fact that two residents, at Courbevoie happened to be in her neigh- bourhood at the early hour of five in tho morning she must inevitably have perished in an awful manner, sinking in the mud of the Seine, in which she had become engulfed until only her neck and head were Kiriible above it. The two men who saved the poor1 woman were on their way to their daily toil, when they heard groans emanating from tho wet soil below the quay along which they were walking. They hurried to the bank, and after looking about them for a. whilu they caught sight of a haggard face, whence low cries proceeded. Several policemen wcro passing at the time, and they assisted in the work of rescue. Spades a.nd ropes were called into requisition, but it took upwards of half an hour to free the poor creaturoi from the mud into which she had sunk. A. litter was brought, and she was conveyed to the nearest relief station, where she was carefully tended, and at last she had re- gained sufficient strength to give an account of her awful adventure. She had started alone for Courbevoio on the previous even- ing, and when she had reached the river bank had lost her way in the darkness, which had in the meanwhile como on. The more she tried to get back on to the usual' path the worse had her position become. In tho course of her wanderings she plunged riglib into the thick mud, and every effort to return to firm ground proved vain. From eight o'clock that evening until five on tho following morning she had gradually eunlj lower and lower, with a lingering death before her all the time. It is thought that but for the fortunate appearance of the two workmen near the scene at the latter hour, the poor woman must have perished fifteen minutes later. Whether she can recover front the terrible shock that she has sustained is a, question which the doctors who are attend- ing her are still unable to answer. The chief dread is that her mind may be utterly unhinged.

Pembroke Dockyard IS THE ESTABLISHMENT TO 6. WIPED OUT P Pembroke has become a "white elephant" in the naval dockyard organisation, and the Admiralty has decided that this establish- ment shall be permitted to fall into disusew. Two armoured cruisers-the Warrior and th-s- Defence-are at present being built there, and botii will be finished about the end of the year. There is no prospect of any further construction for this yard-with the excep- tion of a couple of submarines, which will be constructed there under the current esti- mates. At the beginning of the present year (says the London "Daily Express") nearly 3,000 shipwrights and mechanics of various- ratings were employed at Pembroke Dock. Discharges have reduced this number to about 2,500. A small percentage of the dis- charged men have been eent to Gibraltar wit a the plant, and re-engaged in the naval works there. But the great bulk of them are thrown on their own resources. Many are known to have gone to America and Germany to placa their skill and knowledge at the disposal ofi the naval authorities of those countries. Considerable distress is being caused i". the district as the result, for Pembroke ia entirely dependent upon the naval interest for its existence as a township. The only- other industry of any note in Milford Havei* is the repair depot of the Trinity House where the lightships are docked and theia defects made good. The Navy Estimates foe 1906-7 provide for a, total personnel in ti-io home dockyards of 25,240, ae against 30,300 for last year. It is intended that the largest relative proportion of this reduction shall ba borne by Pembroke. The curtailment in the number of units of our shipbuilding programmes, consequent, upon the great growth of displacement, ia one of the primary factors in the decline of Pembroke. It is essentially a conr-tructiva yard. and is not equipped with the facilities for carrying out repair and re-fit work, like the other home dockyards. The re-disposi, tion of our naval forces has also been the means of generally restricting dockyard work at home. There is every indication that constructive work will in the future be confined to Ports- mouth and Devonport, to the detriment of Chatham and Pembroke. The building ot submarines at Pembroke is only a temporary expedient, and even if all the submarines ins, the aunual programme were laid down there it would only mean employment for about 400 men. »

GAS EXPLOSION. Peculiar Accident Resulting from Mishap to an Engine. Late on Thursday night, owing to a South Eastern engine-driver driving his engine ten far at Belvedere-road, near Charing Cros; Station, two of the wlleels were taken off at the catch point, and these, dropping off,' caused a fracture in the gaspipe supplying light to Hungerford Bridge. A relief party, sent to restore the engine wheels, detected an escape of gas, and by searching for the escape with a light caused a tremendous explosion, which resulted in three men being badly burnt about the face and arms. Two of them sustained such severe injury that they had to be detained in Chariug Cross Hospital.

A CURIOUS MAUSOLEUM. Situated at about a mile from Ilford, 111 Essex, is a curious structure known locally as The Castle." It was built about 150 years ago by an eccentric man named Rai- ment, who intended it to be used as a tomb for himself and his descendants. From the building a brick passage leads to the Manor House, where Raiment lived. Under "The Castle" is a vault intended as the final resting-place of the builder, but it is now filled with farm implements. In the house, which is occupied by a farm labourer and his family, can be seen traces of a private chapel. Raiment's wishes as to the disposal of his remains were not observed, as the ground had not been consecrated, but his mausoleum still remains to form a monu- ment to the man who built it. The build- ing. being on the top of a hill, can be seen for many miles round.

7,000 ROMAN COINS FOUND During ploughing operations on a farm at Stanley, Yorkshire, a terra-cotta jar, con- taining 7,000 Roman bronze coins, was u-a. earthed. Mr. Aquilla, Dodgson, of Headingley, has, on behalf of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, carefully examined tho coins. Sixty of them are to be exhibited in the museum of the society, while many others have been sold with a view of their being converted into bracelets. v M'r. Dodgson surmises that the coins formed part, of a war-chest, and that they were hidden by a body of soldiers who were flee- ing from an opposing army.

AMERICAN COAL DISPUTE. In spite of the pessimistic expressions of some of the minors and scale committeemen, Mr. Mitohell. president of the miners' asso^ ciation, is hopeful that a peaceful settlement will be reached in the controversy with the. anthracite operators. He will send an answer to the masters permitting a can. tinuance of the negotiations.—Reuter.

The Emperor and Empress of Germany, with their young family, arrive at Hombur^ on the 16th of April to taJke the cure. BOOTS and SHOES Whole-ale.-Sh oe *Sellers should Visit Boyle and Co.'s (Ltd.) Ware- house—Womanby-street, Cardiff. Every eort, of Boots, Shoes, and Slippers in Stock, and can be despatched same day. Carpets Beaten and Returned Same wmcard to JU .Mirmv-street, Cat bays. Tel. 741. V