Evening Express

LOOKING fORWARD. Where's Wales to Get Good PlayersP BY HARRY BOWEN. I i The above title is not of my creation, I Ibot is one sent on in connection with a number of written thoughts supplied by I 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 l?Lle j?ii6t fi ,Ls. 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 sl eep, and I trust that the same cause ;will operate very greatly in the future, jand. that my correspondent will have inany more sleepless nights for his toantry's football good. I should dearly like to give my readers the same of the sieepiets one, but, except to call him ''Anglo-Welsh," it would never tdo. Being unmarried, handsome, and 3aden 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 It subject for pathetic and well-meaning iaquiry. But, much though the name would help, itJ must not. be given, an fcnusttally big promise not to publish same Standing bang in the way. Now we'll 1\ Jive you him in thought. ON FORWARDS. I What prospects are in front of Wales j in the immediate future? And is it possible to extend the choiceoi 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 tore- j sight the success of Wales has been 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 oi them will not be candidates in future, for more have retired last year than in any siugle year for a number of years. I cannot help thinking that Hod ges, Joseph, Harding, Tnwers, and D. Jones were fAr fro-m being as good this season as ¡ in previous years; but I do not for one l moment sug?e&t that it would have been possible to get five better for-! wards to represent Wales this year than those five. I only express ?n opinion that neither of them was as good as in previous years. The slight falling off this year was prohably due to the fact that they are a year older. This defect, unfortunately, cannot be mmiedied, and they will, of course, be a. year older next seawn, whicll will isecessar.ily ca-use t-helr filling-off to 'be more marked still. Was there a HeHings, Brice, or Boots among this year's debutants ? I am afraid not. j1 So much for the forwards. It will be seen that the question of feature forwards takes nrst place in our n1thcHighte, and ia this j particular he but emphasizes what the I Express" has referred to over and over j 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 suggested, can be gathered later. Meanwhile, let us get back to the sleepless one's further writings. HALF-BACKS. The Welsh Union have failed to dis- aever an outside half of the Llovd or Dick Jones standard. If anyone thinks that he has discovered such a buddinf half, let him watch him with care, as the Northern Union vultures arc 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. THREE-QUARTERS. I Wllen we come to the threo-quarter line, the pain becomes acute when we see during the same year the exit of Gwyn Nidiolis, Willie Llewellvn, 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 follows a few observations in the direct inquiry style. Thus Did.any of the men that took part in the trial match show .any signs that in tune they will re-place the above veterans with credit to themselves and honour 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 thi-s 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. BOY FOOTBALL. f Starting under this heading the writer proceeds to the discussion of ways and 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 ill, and with it the prickly point of the football hereafter of the boy himself, that period of his foot- hall life following directly after the after- fourteen age, and in this connection the writer urges what needs urging-a bridg- ing over of the football gap by an inter- mediate stage, which shall carry the lad easily and naturally to the preparation for the higher football flights. I admit frankly that the encourage- ment of boys' football seems a sten in the right direction. The success of the boys' .international last. Saturday must be a source of pride to those who 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, doubtless, leave their native land to enter schools in Eng- land, or to fight the battle of life in provincial towns or in the MetroDolis. FRESH GROUND UNIVERSITY FOOT-I BALL Lnder 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 be quite easy to form Oxford Welsh and Cambridge Welsh fifteens. IVarsity students have the afternoons free to themselves, and football matches are played by the various colleges on week- days Why could not a Welsh fifteen be formed to play .one of the colleges every week? There would hardly be any expense attached, to such a club, all the matches would be played in Oxford or Ciiiiibrid-e respectively. It would not interfere with the univer- 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 style. If a Welsh three-quarter be fortunate to get his blue, and adopts their style, 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 be had to play two or three matches with the London Welsh before he could get back to .his proper form. He always played below his 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, 1 and touches at many points. He proceeds thus: ILwe you ev..l' thought of the number of Wel,shmen that have played for Eng- land in recent years? S. G Willial-nsl Jewett, Mathias, and Gent are four that have played against their native land during the last five years. Had Powell not left, Devonport for Cardiff, it is exceedingly probable that he would not have had his Welsh cap this* year. It the present time there are Welshmen playing for Devonport Albion, Ply- mouth, Bristol, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, etc. At the latter place a team ca.Ued the Manchester Welsh was formed a few years ago. Last year it became defunct. With a little en- couragement it may be resuscitated. THE LONDON WELSH. I It must not be forgotten that at one time the London Weish became defunct. Luckily, the team was re-animated, and gradually during the last few years it has steadily advanced in the right direc- tion. Thanks mainiy 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 Metropotita-n team. Four fifteens play regularly. The record of the first fifteen is probably known to you; they ha-ve only been beaten five times this season, three defeats being by Welsh clubs. The team has been successful against ail Metropolitan teams, including the Old Merchant Taylors, Harlequins, London Scottish, Blackheath, as well as defeating Cam- bridge, Devonport Albion, Bristol, and Gloucester. The third fifteen have been successful in all their matches, scoring I nearly 450 points against 32. Every- one knows 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 encouragement as well as the recogni- tion received from the Welsh Union. Now come to the moral, or, rather, to the suggestion that I want to make in order to answer the second of my two questions. Is it possible, for the Welsh Union to have a larger choice of players than from the men that are seen play- ing every Saturday in Wales ? That is, is it possible to have an extra pre- liininary trial match, one side to consist of Welshmen resident in England, in the same way that there is an Anglo- Scots match? There would be a good nucleus among the players of the London Welsh, and these would be sup- plemented by players from the clubs mentioned above. A match could then be arranged between such a team and Glamorgan, Monmouth, Carmarthen County, or the Rest of Wales. ON NEW OFFICIALS. I I .am told there has been some dis- cussion unofficially among members of the Welsh Union as to appointing a vice-president from the London Welsh. The objection to this course is that it is not right that a team should he represented on the Welsh Union. I think the objection is a fatal one, and I personally quite agree with it. My suggestion, however, is that there may be a possibility to appoint a represen- tative for the various districts outside of Wales to act exactly on the same lines as Mr. Macgregcr does on the Scotch Union. If the representative be a good organiser he could arrange for the formation of Welsh teams in Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, and wherever there is a college with a largo number of Welshmen resident in it. Who knows that in time an Anglo-Welsh nfteen will not defeat the rest of Wales in a trial match? In any case, I believe the experiment is worthy of trial, ns no harm can come of it, even if no material benefit results for several years. It must not be thought for a minute that I am trying to dictate to the Welsh Union. I consider any such intention would be presumptuous on my part, and nothing is further from my mind. I have written the above partly because I noticed on the agenda of the English Rugby Union a notice of motion, pro- posed by the Devon County Rugby Club, that no one shall take part in any county fixture unless he is eligible and willing to play for England if selected. The proposal is supported extensively, and if not carried on this occasion I am perfectly convinced that it will be eventually adopted. When adopted it will ,have a prejudicial effect on the minds of Welshmen playing out- side Wales, as it will take away one of the principal ladders that in the past has enabled them to bring themselves into prominence in the Rugby world, or they will in future throw in their lot with England. Does the Welsh Union think the latter course advisable, or will the members thereof take the necessary steps on the lines suggested alw>ve? Welsh players living uutside the Prin- cipality may then rest assured that their interests are officially looked after by a representative appointed by the union, who will periodically watch their playing, and, if considered good enough, will find places for them in an Anglo- Welsh team versus a representative Welsh team. This last point is a most important one, and in connection with it what is written re future provision for our men in England assumes quite a serious aspect. If the English Union pass such a resolution something must assuredly be done on the lines suggested by our correspondent. Me.an while, this is thinking time; let us ItAiuk.

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. T7CEFIELD SELLING EE-STI.T f; Bi £ -"crf« Maori Queea II » j. t: Poiehamproa's Mo-sier.ous t :A" :1; r, Eé::l;:L: .lll' r en )1.al): tIf;ll Ii.: url 5 to agst E.s-'i! ii. Clayton selling, Result Walk In < TO READERS, &c. THE "EVENING EXPRESS" WILL BE PrBLISilED AS USUAL ON EASTER MONDAY.

Babies Getting Scarcer. I AN OUTSPOKEN REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR. In a report extending to one hundrc-d pages, accompanied by no fewer than 450 pages of statistics, the .Registrar-General presents to I Mr. John Burns, as President of the Laoall Government Board, and the public an analysis of the births, marriages, and deaths in England and Wales d-urin- the yoar 1904. The outstanding totals for 1904 are:— Births o?gg 1 Marriages 257,856 !:?. H! I And in connection with it may be stated, briefly, that (1) the biri h-ratp, 0.5 per 1,000 flelow 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 on 9 year—1903—has a lower rate been I recorded since the establishment of civil I registration. Later Marriages. I Both bachelors and widowers, and spin- sters and widows, it seems, have been affected by the continuous decrease in the marria-ge-rate, which has, however, been greater among widows and widowers th-an among the unmarried of either sex. If the marriage-rato in each oounty'is. compared with the ra,te iu 1870-2, the only counties which showed an increase were the three counties of Surrey, Middlesex, and Essex. The decrease in the marriage-rate in London was 21 per cant.; in fourteen mainly agri- cultural counties the decreases ranged from 2 to 9 per cent.; while in the regaining counties the decreases ranged from 10 to as much as 29 per cent. Of the 515,712 persons who married during the year, 578 were described in the register as having been previously divorced. In 29 cases divorced men married divorced women. I Of the total, also, 46 per 1,000 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- ria.ges was the lowest on record. Cause of Falling Birth-Rats, I 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 calcula.tcd-aD seems reasonable --on the proportion of total births to the total women living at ohiid-bearing age, it 9 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 t,he mean age at marriage, it would appear that the fertility of married women decreased during the 35 years by about one-fifth, and 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,CC(J, instead of the 907,715 actually recorded. Infant Mortality. I Broadly speaking, proceeds the report, it may be said that approximately 70 per cent. of the decrease in the birth-rate during the pa3t 35 years (based on the proportion of births to the female population aged 15-45 years) results from the decreased fertility oi married women (which is due in part to changes in their age constitution), about 10 per oent. 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 4t4,067. The male births were, therefore, to the female births in the pro- portion of 1,037 to 1,01,0. 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, 56, and 53 respectively. The deaths of infants under one year of age were in the proportion of 145 per 1,000 births, as compared with 132 in the preceding year. Tuberculous phthisis was returned as the cause of 16,586 deaths, and phthisis" not otherwise defined of 25,465. To h-e cause of I alcoholism the deaths of 2,358 persons, of whom 962 were women, were attributed.

SOME NEW BRITONS I Certificates of naturalisation were granted to 684 aliens during 1905, according to a Home Office return. Of these 65Z 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 namca. A few of the more uncommon are as follow: Kevork Arabian (subject of no nationality). K,Bv,ork Arab-hi.? Hyman Coonfadruck (Russia). Hrant Iplicjian (Turkey). Ghristlieb Traugott Lipshytz (Russia). Ely Lopchitz (Russia). Harris Pushinsky (known as H. Harris) (Russia). Demosthenes Tchaonssoglou (Turkey). One of the new British subjects is a Venezuelan, and another comes from Morocco.

ATHLETES INJURED BY WAVEI The steamer Barbarossa- has reported at Gibraltar having been struck by a gigantic wave on April 4. Mr. Mitchel, one of the team of American athletes who are on board their way to Athens to take part in the Olympic Games, states that six members of the team narrowly esca-ped being washed overboard. Mr. Hillman suffered a laceration of the right knee, Mr. Mitchel was lifted off his feet, causing a dislocation of the left shoul- der, and Messrs. Sheridan, Kerrigan, and Bornaraan received minor injuries.

FINED 1230,000.. I John F. Gaymor and Benjamin D. Greene have been sentenced to four years' impri- sonment at New York, and each was fined £ 115,000, for swindling the Federal Govern- ment in connection with the Savannah Har- bour works. They were indicted several years ago on the charge of defrauding the Government of £ 120,000, but fled to Canada. They were extradited after a long series of legal battles, which cost them over L50,000 and the Ameri- can Government £ 40,000.

T iniirmi iMiiiini inn imil mi—iiwii iii ii I Bake af Yyome and make what the Chil- dren like best. Whether it' s the wholesome "Little BreaKfa^t | I Scenes" or the dainty | j??j ?I.?n?y: 3???" j ???Nt or those dehcious VH "r?cc?? or Big Cakes or Tarts, I -they're all equally whole- 1 w some and equally easy to | I make with Brown & Poison's | raising powder I 'Paisley Floor' | (Trade Mark) | And recipes are contained | in every 7d. and 3d. paciet. !N M.. B

Royalty in Difficulties PRINCES LOUISE & THE CANNY SCOT I When a Queen's daughter had to wait the convenience of an innkeeper's wife, and when the same Royal lady found it hard to get credit for two dollars and 50 cents, are inci- dents that return to the memory of the Hon. D. W. Higgins, owing to the visit of Prince Arthur of Connaught. Mr. Higgins, besides being ex-Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, is the doyen of the newspaper colony of British Columbia, and is about the only newspaper man in active harness who reported the visit to British Columbia, over twenty years ago, of the Mar- quess of Lorne and Princess Louise, the sculptor-duchess. While the marquass was on a shooting expedition the princess and her suite were invited by the mayor and aldermen to visit the cit,y waterworks, and six miles from town (says the Vancouver correspondent of the "Morning Leader"). A luncheon fit for royalty was ordered at Steve's Hotel, a well- known way side house. After inspecting the dam, the party were escorted to the hotel by the mayor, but to his disgust luncheon was not ready. Inquiry soon changed disgust to commise- ration. One of the children of the hotel family had fallen and broken an arm, the landlord had ridden to the town to get a doctor, and the mother sat with the child, trying to comfort it, caring not at all if all the princesses in Christendom hat- to go without luncheon! The Victoria people felt chagrined, but what was to be done? Princess Louise soon settled that. She took the suffering child in her arms, cooed to it, talked to it, and sang to it while the parents prepared the meal and until the doctor arrived. Luncheon came late, but it was thoroughly enjoyed. The veteran journalist's other yarn con- cerns a loyal old Scot named Tom Gorie, who kept a tmall shop on Fort-street, Vic- toria. The Princess entered the store, in- quired about some dolls, and said she would take two. Then, as Gorie was wrapping them up, she realised she had forgotten herpnrse. Yos'll have to trust me till to-morrow. I have no money with me," said the Princess, smilingly. My terms arc cash," said the canny Soot suspiciously; "I never sell anything except cash down." But I will pay you in the morning," said 'the Princess. Gorie looked hard at the Princess, and after a short mental struggle, he replied- "Well, you don't seem like a lady that would swiudle a poor man out of two dollars and [t half, but just mind ye bring the money in the morn' "Address the package, please, to the Princess Louise, Government House," directed the lady, sweetly. Gorie's eyes almost started from their eockets! In the morning an equerry brought the money, but had difficulty in getting the old man ta accept it. "The daughter of my Queen," the old man sa.id, "L welcome to everything in the store, and to think I nearly refused her credit!"

Welsh Railway Outragel ATTEMPT TO THROW A TRAIN INTOI THE DEE. A dastardly attempt at train-wrecking is reported from Llangollen. A signalman, Rowland Ellis Evans, of Corwen, who is stationed at Llangollen, was walking along the Ruabon road shortly before eleven o'clock on Thursday night when his notice was attracted by noises on the railway line, which runs parallel with the road, near the Woodlands. Looking over the hedge he saw two men busy laying obstructions across the metals, and knowing that a, down train was duo in a quarter of an hour he leapt the fence to investigate. Two men armed with bludgeons closed with him, felling him to the ground, and Evans states that he was struck with a sharp instrument when fall- ing, scars on his throat bearing evidence to the fact. When he came to himself the assailants had decamped, but heavy obstacles of sleepers and fencing poles lay across the lines. Imagining that these were too heavy for him to move, he started at full speed for Llangollen along the perma- nent way to signal an incoming train to stop. Bursting hurriedly into the signal-box at Llangollen platform, he turned the dis- tance signal at Woodlands to danger. Then, remembering that a driver is instructed only to slow up and take eare when the distance signal is at danger, and ascertaining tha;t a train had left Acriiair, and there were no means of stopping it before reaching the place where the line was blocked, he caught up a. guard's lantern, and swinging the red light to and fro, dashed off down the line past the obstacles on the metals towards Trevor, succeeding in arresting the atten- tion of the driver of the oncoming train, which pulled up a few hundred feet from the danger. Evans then collapsed, the exertion having been too much for him. He was lifted into a compartment of the train, which, when the line was cleared, proceeded to Llangollen. There Evans was removed on a stretcher to the waiting-room and atten- ded by Dr. Williams. He Lay during Thurs- day night in a semi-conscious state, but on Friday was sufficiently recovered to make a statement. But for Ellis Evans' prompt action a terrible calamity would have occurred. The line at this point runs close beside the River Dee, so that had the' train, which was crowded with Easter excursionists to LLlUl- gollen from Manchester, Liverpool, and parts of the Midlands, been derailed, it might have overturned into the rivsr. The police are scouring the country in search of the miscreants. So sudden was the attack upon Evans that he had no time to take special note of their appearance, and so far no clue has been obtained. A correspondent says:—A curious fact dis- covered on Friday night was that Evans bore no bruises, although he emphatically declared that he was bludgeoned.

Thousands at Stake. I KEEN STRUGGLE FOR WORLD'S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP The forthcoming wrestling contest between I Hackenechinidt and biadrali 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. Hackenschmidt is the present world's cham- pion, and as such he has immense odds at stake ia the c-oming contest. The Russian is probably the most highly-paid person on the variety stage at present, his earnings varying from. £150 to £ 200 a week. He is booked at halls in London and the provinces every week without exception up to the end of September, 1907, and every one of his contracts contains a clause making the engagement terminable if he loses the world's championship. Some idea of wha.t that Ices would mean to the Russian may be gathered from the fact that Madrali, who, if he wins, will step into Haokenschmidt's shoes, has computed that he would thereby gain about £5,000 a year for three years. When the two la^t met at Olympia, the was decided under Graeoo-Roman rules, and Madrali being injured and disabled in a throw, Hackenschmidt was declared the winner. The forthcoming match will be decided under catch-as-catch-can rules, with which Madrali is familiar, and in which the Russian is practically a. no-vice. Many experts think that Hackenschmidt has made a mis- take in meeting the Turk at, his own game. After all expenses of the great match have been paid it is eetimated that the winner will N'CeiVJ: tb()nt r,.000 ¡¡,nd the loser about £ 1,000.

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DRUNKEN PEASANTS RUN DOWN. Royal Aid for the Sufferers. King Edward and Que-n Alexandra had an exciting experience in the streets of Corfu yesterday. While driving through the town their carriage collided with a cart in which were several drunken peasants. The driver of the royal carriage was unable to avert the col- [ lision, and the. peasants were thrown out violently, one of them falling under the wheels. The King and Queen immediately left their seats and helped to rescue the man, who had an a.rm and a leg broken. Despite injuries (says the Daily Express correspondent), the peasant, who was lu- formed of the identity of his rescuers by a man in the crowd, showed his gratitude by trying to kiss the King's feet. His Majesty moved away, but the peasant was so per- sistent that he bad to be stopped by a mem- ber of the royal suite. Another occupant of the cart was badly bruised. After ascertaining that the men were not fatally injured the King and Queen resumed their drive. At the King's desire a doctor from the British flagship was sent to attend the injured.

NEW POLAR VOYAGE. British Officers' Antarctic Expedition. Muc-h has been hea-rd lately of schemes for reaching the North and South Poles by balloon and motor-car. But in the meamt,ime proposals of a. much less speculative nature for a new Antarctic expedition have been formulated by a young British naval officer, Lieu tenant Michael Barne. Lieutenant Barne has already had valuable experience of exploring work in the South Polar regions as a member of the recent National Antarctic expedition. The region which Lieutenant Barne now proposes to explore is the unknown ara to j the south of Graham Laud, on the oppooit.e side of the Ant.arctio to that explored by the Discovery expedition. His plan is to proceed by ship down the east coast of Graham Land, along which Captain Lar^en penetra.ted, in 1893, as far as latitude 68deg., lOmin., S. If this point can be reached about the beginning of January-t'a at is, at the height of the Antarctic summer— Lieutenant Barne hope to be able to pui-i still further south, and ultimately, should Graham Land prove to be a peninsula, trace the coast of the Antarctic continent east- wards to Coats Land, the country discovered in 1904 by the Scottish expedition under Mr. I W. S. Bruce. If, however, instead of finally trending eastwards, the coast of Graham Land be found to turn to the west, and Graham Land itself be proved to bs an island, the expedition, ,after establishing that fact, would seek to penetrate southwards to the continental coast-line, or to any ice barrier which may defend the coast from approach. It is impossible to determine beforehand precisely the course which might be adopted with most advantage. In any case Liente- nant Barne purposes to spend the winter in the Antarctic. As on the Discovery expedi- tion, every effort would be made to explore as much as possible by means of sledge expe- ditious undertaken from the winter quarters, both in the autumn of the first season and the spring of tihe second. Explorations would be continued in the ship after her release from the ice, and the expedition might be expected home again after an absence cf nearly two years.

NO MORE BURIAL ALIVE. I Considerable importance is attached by American doctors to a, Washington pro- fessor's discovery of the wide utility of the invisible light of the ultra-violet ray. This is not tihe violet of the Ro-ntgen ray, but the glow produced in a vacuum tube by an elec- tric spark. T'he possibilities of utilising the invisible rays to discover the process of thought in the human brlain cells is the startling propo- sition. One doctor .anticipates the possibility of the employment of the ootaves above the ultra-violet ray as a. means for detecting the approach, or actual fact, of death. The horrible risk Cof burying people who are merely in a state of involuntary ca.t- lepsy would, under the Washington test, be obviated. The employment of the ultra- violet ray would determine whether there still existed in the body any circulating elec- trical energy, which would mean the pre- sence of life. I

A GOOD GOLF STORY. ] At a dinner party, not long ago, a. certain youth (ain enthusiastic golfer) started to enumerate to his partner the details of a golf match that, he had been playing that day. It was not until the dessert was brought on that he suddenly bethought himself that he had been doing all the talking; indeed, the young lady at his side had not said a single word during the progress of the meal. It was possible that she was not interested in the subject—incredible, but still possible. I am afraid I have been boring you with this talk," lfb said, in half apology. Oh, no, not at all," was the polite response. "Only, what is golf?"

A.S.R.S. CONCERT. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants held their annual tea and concert on Good Friday at the Staoey-road Hall, when about 500 fat down to a capital tea. In the evening there was a capital concert, when the following programme was rendered. Mr. J. Holmes, in the absence of Mr. Richard Davies, presided, and in the course of an excellent address gave the following figures about the Amalgamated Society Orphan Fund. lAt the end of 1905 there were 1,865 children on the fund, at a weekly cost of £ 180 16s. 6d., or Y,9,403 for the year, and during the same period the proceeds of fetes and entertainments, subscriptions, and col- lections realised £ 6,309 6s. 9d. Exclusive of special grants, regular weekly payments have been made to 2,029 families.

LASCARS' CLAIM FOR WAGES 1 There was a small colony of Lascars in Cardiff Police-court this morning. They numbered 38 in all, and Mr. Harold Lloyd, on their behalf, applied for summonses against the captain and owners of the ship of which they formed part of the crew, claiming sixteen months' wages. The men signed on at Calcutta, for a twelve months' voyage, at the conflusicn of whioh they were to be returned to the Indian port. The Lascars have been in Cardiff a few days, and they now demand the payment of their wages and their conveyance back to Cal- cutta.

JIUNa- Ij MOTHERS _n; eglectl a Cold, however slight, or it may prove the beginning of a long and erions illness, end- ing in death. At the fiut symptom give at | once a dose of I DEAKfÑ;SdOggir ? ILUNG HE'ALER' Which will immediately arrest te jeorae of the disease & guard against all Ui-?aTecta. i WHAT A MINISTER SAYS- j "I beg to add my tsetlmony to your I I JfJI: iavalua?Le prepaJtti<m, Deaita'» L?ng B W Healer. It pcseessea m&rve::oua proper- tie?, and gives Instant Belief to Coughs, I Colds, Hoarseness, Difficulty ta Erath- ing, &c. It !s very beneficial, and has proved for many years a BOON TO THE WOKKIXG CLASSES." ■ Pricee, IjH and 2/3 df all Chemists and ¡ Druggists. If any dimculty in obtaining H| write direct, enclosing 1/3 or 2/8, to the B| Sols Proprietors and Invent or a:— « C. DEAKIN & HUGHES (Dcpt 8). The Bt lnfta.m=tion RemediC3 Co., Blaenavon. p

The Ocean Greyhounds I I GERMAN LINERS LEAD EASILY I An official German report just issued regarding the respective speeds of steam- ships carrying the mails between Great Britain and America shows the marked superiority of the German liners over their British rivals. The figures given refer to the twelve months ending June 30, 1905, so that the performances of the latest fast German steamships are not taken into consideration. During the twelve months ending in June, 1905, the Xorth German Lloyd steamships Kaiser Wilhelm II., Kronprinz Wilhelm, and Kaiser Withelm. cler Grosse made nine, ten, and eleven Transatla-itic trips > respectively, which enabled tho mails to be conveyed from New York to London in average times of 149.5 hours, 150.9 hours, and 152.5 hours respectively. The quickest conveyance of mails from New York to London by each steamer occupied only 144.1 hours, 145.6 hours, and 146.3 hours respectively. The performances of the Hamburg-Ameri- can liner Beutscbland were equally good. This steamer made eight Transatlantic trips, which enabled the mails to be conveyed from New York to London in an average time of 150.6 hours, the quickest conveyance of mails occupying only 147.2 hours. The steamships of the Cuna.rd Line were, in most cases, almost a day behind their German rivals. The best trips were made by the Campania., which in twelve Trans- atlantic trips enabled the mails to be con- veyed from New York to London in an average time of 167.6 hours. The quickest conveyance of mails by the Ca.mpania. occu- pied 163.4 hours. The Lucania is the only one of the remaining five Cuna.rd fast steam- ships which can show a similar record. The fastest steamship of the White Sta.r Line, the Oceanic, made eleven Transatlantic trips, which enabled tho mails to bo con- veyed from New York to London in an average time of 165.1 hours, the quickest conveyance being 163.4 hours. The convey- ance of mails by the next best White Star liner showed an .average of 185.2 hours from New York to London. The conveyance of mails by the fastest steamship of the American Line, the Phila- delphia., showed an average time of 177.6 hours.

MARQUESS OF ANGLESEY To-day. I Reaches His Majority To-day. I The (Marquess of Anglesey- reaches his majority to-day. In four years' time be will come into something like £1000,000 a year. By that time the vast Anglesey estates will have recovered from the extravagance of the the late Marquess, whose profligate career came to such a disastrous end. The new marquess will then control 14,344 acres in Staffordshire and 8,495 acres in Anglesey, the former having come down to the successive peers of Anglesey from Wil- liam Paget, the favourite of Henry VIII. They were given him by his Koyal master after having been seized from the Bishopric of Lichfield and the Collegiate Church of Burton-on-Trent. It is only just over twelve months ago that the young marquess, then an officer in the Guards, woke up to find himself a peer and the owner of one of the finest estates in the country.

CHARACTER BY THE CHIN. r In reading character by the chin," says a writer in McCall's Magazine," physiog- nomists divide the chin into five separate classes, as follows:— The pointed or narrow, round chin. The indented chin. The narrow, square chin. The broad, square chin. And the broad, round chin. The pointed or narrow chin signifies a nature not easily satisfied, and longimg for an ideal. Many spinsters have this chin. "The indented chin must not be confounded with the dimpled chin. "Women with the indented chin have tre- mendous desire for afftiioii. They are miserable unless a man is in love with them. The narrow, square chin also signifies a strong nature. The woman with this chin will marry a poor man if she loves him, although she may have suitors of boundless wealth and of far higher social position. "The broad, square* chin show r e m en do us strength of feeling. The womith with this chin is capable of the most devoted love. She is sometimes jealous. The broad, round chin also accompanies a. capacity for ardent love and for great steadfastness. The broad-chinned woman is faithful."

THE EDITOR'S WEDDING. I Country editors all have to "write up" many weddings. There is one wedding they all seem to enjoy describing. Here is an instance of literary and personal felicity from the "Leona (Kan.) Hustler":—"The bride wore a beautiful dress of French lawn, at least that's what they said it was. The groom (that means we) wore the customary black- hand-me-down, and was about scared to death. There were no br.-emaids or best man, because the groom did not think he could find a better man than himself. Miss Randolph is a peach; most of her beauty is natural, and she looks good to us; she is one of our schoolmates, aud we know can throw a brick with remarkable accuracy. A sample of her rare nerve is shown by her vowing to 'love, honour, &c.' The other interested party is a joke; he came to Leona in the fall of '83, without clothes or money, and is now free from all financial debt. There arc others just as bad, and they are I' not in the penitentiary either."

AN INGENIOUS STRAPHANGER I StrapTTanging need no longer be a terror to travellers on the underground railways. All they have to do is to follow the example J of Mr. George Flake, of Cincinnati, who has solved the problem in an ingenious manner. Mr. Flake's method, according to the New York correspondent of the" Daily Express," is to carry in his overcoat pocket a flat piece of board, to the ends of which four ropes are attached. He adjusts the hooks attached to the end of each rope to the board from which the straps are suspended. Then in the imprcjvised swing he takes his seat and rides to town, while admiring pas- sengers gaze at him in wonder.

CHARGE AGAINST SWANSEA SHUNTERS. At the County Police-court, Swansea, to-! day, Albert Newman and Richard Silk, two shunters employed on the Great Western Railway, were brought up charged with steal- ing a quantity of flour and a box of tea from a truck on the Great Western Railway. Pol ice -i nsp.ee tor Williams (Gowerton) said he received the articles named from Railway Detective-inspector Matthews, and then searched the prisoners' houses and found a quantity of other goods. Prisoners were remanded till Wednesday.

CHECKWEIGHER'S QUESTION AT BARGOED. A ballot for the appointment. of an addi- tional checkweighor 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, hDivc-vei-, object to the extra man being with the machine.

Carpet3 Beaten and Kot.iirncd ?anie D;¡y.i'cud I poatcard to 1, Minny-street, Ca.thys. Tel. 71. ?2100-2 "I"_1_1_- CLA RKE'S BLOOD MIXTURE. i uu J<.1UI\}Il,) aieuiuino W1U cleanse the blood f,om aJl impu- ritiœ from whatcH'r cause rii?ing. r*,tiZa remedy (or Eczema, Bad Legs, Scrofula, Blood Poison, Sores of all kinds, Boils, Erup. J tions, Ulcers, Glandular Swel- lings, k. Of &U *tores, &c. Forty years' Me«M. BewLe 01 lsOMiM. (

Revivalist Decapitated. » TRAGEDY ON THE RHYMNEY RAILWAY A shocking discovery was made about six o'clock in the morning of Good Friday on the Rhymney Railway at Coedcae, New Tredegar, the decapitated body of a young woman being found on the line. The head was on one side of the rail, and the trunk on the other. The deceased, who was of respectable appearance, was apparently about twenty years of age, proportionately built, and about 5ft. in height. The features were full, and the hair light. She was dressed in a skirt and bodice of dark blue eerge, white straw hat trimmed with black material, blue underskirt, black corset, black stockings, and lace-up boots. She wore an imitation pearl brooch, and in the pocket of her skirt was a halfpenny and a white handkerchief with black flowers at the corners. Alongside the body was a pair of light kid gloves with brass buttons. The corpse was removed to the Dynever Arms Inn, New Tredegar, to await identification. The discovery was made by James Lewis- while on the way to work. From the appearance of the body at tho time of the discovery it seemed that death had taken place some hourin previously, und a number of mineral trains had passed that way over the remains. When the discovery was made the Glamorgan and Monmouth- shire police made inquiries with a view to establishing the identity of the body. A rumour spread along the valley in the after- noon that the victim came from Aberoo-r- goed, and diligent inquiries by the Bargoed and Aberbargoed police resulted late on Fri- day night in the identification of the body as that of Eunice Thomas, aged about 21, daughter of Silas Thomas, a collier living at Henry-street, Bargoed. The identification was made by Miss Roberts, confectioner, of New Tredegar, and some friends. The deceased was a servant in the employ of William Jones, mason, living in Commercial- street, New Tredegar. It appears that Miss Thomas left New Tre- degar on Thursday morning for Bargoed, intending to see her parents there, but if she went to that place at all she must have wan- dered about, for her parents say she never called. In the evening, at five o'clock, she returned to New Tredegar, and stayed for some hours at the confectioner's shop kept by Miss Roberts. It was noticed tha.t she was very depressed. She said that she in- tended travelling back to Bargoed by the mail train at ten p.m., and was escorted towards Tirphil Station by a young man of her acquaintance. She would not, however, permit him to accompany her after reaching the station approach, and this was the last that her friends saw of her. The mother of the young woman visited the Dynevor Arms late in the evening, a.nd confirmed the identification by Miss Roberts. The deceased took a prominent part in the revival movement in connection witii Bethania Welsh Congregational Chapel, Bar- goed, and her earnestness in leading in prayer attracted much interest. So far nothing has transpired to show for a. certainty whether her death was due to suicide, or to throw light on a possible motive for such an act.

DOWIE IN A FIGHTING MOODI A Miracle to be Performed. I Overseer Voliva, the new leader of the Zionists, has made overtures to Dr. Dowie, who still remains in Chicago, suggesting a compromise if the ex-"prophet" would accept the new situation. This so enraged Dr. Dowie that he has recovered from his prostration and declared himself in perfect trim for a fi??ht to the end. The fight to the end, The ZiOinistg have now with- drawn from any attempt to pacify their old leader, and will carry the contest to the law courts. Overseer Yoliva has proposed to Dr. Dowie that a board of ten deacons be appointed to here-after rule Zicn City. Half cf the deacons were to bo selected by Dr. Dowie and half by Mr. Voliva. This propogaJ has been rejected by Dir. Dowie, who has privately s'ent notices to a number of Zionists, who he thinks are still fa.voura.bly inclined towards him. In these noticesi he informs his late fol- lowers that a miracle will shortly be per- formed which will prove to them that he is the true leader of Zionism. He instructs them to await the miracle, and declares tha.t it probably will be made manifest on Easter Day.

A CURIOUS MAUSOLEUM. I Situated at about a mile from Ilford, in 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 bo 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 I During ploughing operations on a farm at Stanley, Yorkshire, a terra-cot ba jar, con- taining 7,000 Roman bronze coins, was un- earthed. I Mr. Aquilla Dodgson, of Headingley, has, on behalf of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, carefully examined the 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. Mr. 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.

MISSING BABY BOY. I It is three weeks ago since the baby boy Leonard Bentley disappeared from his nome at Watford, and, in spite of unremitting search, nothing has been seen or heard of him. The child, who is only two and a half years old, is believed to have been kidnapped. It was at first thought that the little fellow might have fallen into the Colne, which flows near his home, at Watford. But the river has been carefully dragged several times without success. Every pond in the locality into which it was possible for the boy to fall has also been examined with the utmost care.

MARTYR OF MOTORING. I Once more the Hon. Stephen Coleridge has come before the courts for an infringement of the Motoring Act. At Farnham he was I fined P,7, 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 from innocent wayfarers.

STATE-MINED COAL. A telegram from WeIlington (New Zealand), dated Friday, says:—The Govern meat has entered business a-s a retail distributor of State-mined coal.—Reuter.

AMERICAN BEEP I Is bought by the best, butchers ill London a.ud throughout the country, but rarely sold openly and fraukly and honestly for what it is. It is as good a.s, and usually in better condition for the table tbaii prime English or Scotch. That is the truth, and the con- sumers are bound to find it out some day. Then prime American will be called for a.nd furnished under its own name, e2196

I Fastidious Rats. p- PREFER COOKED POTATOES TO RAW ONES. Some amusing evidence was given in a case heard at Deal County-court, in which Mr,. James Taylor, farmer, claimed C44 from the' Corporation of Deal in respect of the destruction of part of a crop of wheat. Mr. G. Drury, for the plaintiff, stated that; the corporation had acquired land on tha opposite side of the road from Mr. Taylor's; farm, and used it as a refuse heap. From that time rats began to assemble and destroy the crops of the neighbouring farmers. Complaints were made as long ago as 1900. The number of rats was so enormous, counsel said, that last year when Mr. Taylor and others went to inspect the crop of wheat before it was cut the rats came out in such numbers, making their way to the corpora- tion refuse heap, that Mr. Taylor was afraid to get out of the cart. The plaintiff stated that when he com. plained to the corporation three years ago they laughed at him, and said they were not their rats. (Laughter.) He supposed their rats were marked! (Laughter.) The rats had had S,20 worth of barley off the same field. After the barley he planted pota.toes, and the rats did not trouble them. They would not eat raw potatoes when they had got cooked ones over the way. (I.aughter.) His Honour: Were there boiled potatoes on the refuse heap ? Witness: Yes, all sorts of things. (Laugh- ter.) He added that since the case had been begun tho corporation had cleared the refuse away. About three thousand rats were killed last Year, and three hundred more when the tins were removed. Until Late years there were only a few water-rats there, which did no harm. When brown rats came water-rats would not stop with them; they. wero too proud. (Laughter.) His Honour reserved judgment.

CHAMPIONING GIRL'S HONOUR A singular case was investigated at Totten- ham. The accused were Thomas Hill (46) and Rowland Hill (twenty), father and son. and they were charged with assaulting Frederick Gillett, manager of a ,butcher's shop in West Green-road. Soma time ago the eighteen-year-oldl daughter of Mr. Hill, senior, was engagel as cashier at the butcher's shop, and Gillett, it was said, had admitted improper conduct. Last Friday, he told the bench, the Hillii came to his shop. When they were in a back room one of the visitors locked the door, and the younger man said, We are come prepared to settle you." Both of them then struck him several times with slick*, and ho was covered with blood. Questioned a.bout his conduct with Misa Hill, Gillett said she was a. consenting party. Mr. Avory (who defended): Not before you corrupted her morals. Mr. Hill said he was incensed becauso Gillett treated the matter with levity. He and his son did not intend to commit as assault when they went to the shop. The Magistrates, believing that the assault was committed under great provocation, inflicted a fine of 20s. on each of the Hills,

FROM AN AGONY COLUMN. Our own agony advertisements are some- times passionate, often amusing. But they are cold and arctic (comments the "Daily Chronicle") when compared with the torrid fervour which inspires the printed outpour- in-gs of the Southern soul. Here is one from the agony column of an Italian paper;- Yesterday when I saw you I had not then rTeOOived your dear letter. Imagine in what a stiato of desolation I had beem. The day was to me a veritable agony. I could not discover a reason for your silence. You may guess how I suffered. But at last, yei?- terday evening, I again saw your adorabla handwriting. Thanks, thanks, with the- whole of my souL Thus, at any Tate, wa' may p'art with tranquil hearts. But when I think we shall never see one another again my soul freezes. Write to me often. for I have need of your gentleness, and I have a foreboding that I shall succumb to> the pestilential climate of the country I am going to. And I shall write every other day to you. To you all my soul, all my love, sweeteSt a.nd most adorable creature.

KING TO VISIT RUSSIA P Paris, Saturday.-The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Echo" learns tliah there is some talk in the Russian capital of a possible visit to Russia of King Edward. It is stated that the King would go to St. Petersburg after the meeting of the Duma, either towards the end of May or at the beginning of June. Nothing, however, li. been definitely decided, and no officia-I negotiations have as yet been commenced in the matter. It is thought that should his Majesty visit Russia at this juncture it could not be entirely without some politacal motive, and it is considered that one of the objects in view would be the furthering of the British policy of a rapprochement, or- even an entente Ru--sia.-Gentral News.

FLIGHT FROM DEADLY FUMES Considerable alarm was calused yesterday morning by the bursting of a carboy of ammonia at Cadby Hall, Hammersmith-road, London, the head depot of Messrs. Lyons and Co., the well-known refreshment caterers. A numoc-r of workmen were engaged in the basement at the time, and they had great difficulty in escaping before the fumes of the. ammonia overcame them. Two of them, James Davies and Herbert Kav.-rtan, wera badly burned by the liquid, and rema,in in the West London Hospital for treatment. A third workman, Samuel Atkins, was also taken to the hospital in a state of parti a,1 suffocation, but he recovered aft-er a. time, and was able to go home.

THE HARDEST JOB. Every man thinks his own is the really hardest job. The really hardest job, however, is that of the hero in a modern novel. These are the performances of one hero in one chapter of a recent novel: His countenance fell. His voice broke. His heart sank. His hair rose. His eyes blazed. His words burned His blood froze. Now, how would you like to be that neroP

FIRE AT CARDIFF A fire broke out at Mr. J. W. Johnson's sweet factory, Tudor-road, Cardiff, this morn, ing, but was extinguished with a few buckets of wa.t&r. The fire originated through some butter, which was being melted on a. gas stove, becoming ignited. The fire brigade were called out, but their services were not required.,

CZAR'S PORTRAITDESECRATED Two workmen have been executed at War. saw for an attempt to destroy a communal office and for desecration of the Czar's por- tra,it.-Reuter.

DEATH OF A JOCKEY Itieliar(I Woodland, the steeplechase rider, who was injured at the Folkestone Races on Monday, died this morning at tho Folkestone Hospital.

Remarkable disappearance of all mud, gTime, ajifl dirt. -4- fact! The washerwomen in Glasgow say that FoaT1l0 is a splendid powder." Foa.mo is a pure special soap for very heavy washing. Powerful. E&sy and t>afe..Leaves DO smell. Abk your grocor I for a penny packet three for twopence penny. CIPA