Evening Express

LOOKING FORWARD. Where's Wales to Get Good Players P BY HARRY BOWEN. I The above title is not of my creation, I 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 -%i- I operate very greatly in the future, tind that my correspondent will have fnaltY more sleepless nights for his jountry's football good. I should dearly ke 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 po or, lonely one nught, 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. Now we'll give you him in thought. ON FORWARDS. I What prospects are in front of Wales in the immdiate future? And is it possible to extend -?he choice or 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, an d especially to members of the Welsh Union, to whose judgment and fore- sight the success of Wales has been due in recent veare. When one scans I 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 season 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 tho&e five. I only express an opinion that neither of them was as good as in previous years. The slight falling off this year was probably due to the fact that they are a year older. This defect, unfortunately, v 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 pjrnesjxntdeat' 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 suggested, can be gathered later. Meanwhile, let us get back to the sleepless one's further writings. HA Lj-BACKS, 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 budding half, let him watch him with care, as the Northern Union vultures are onlv 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. When we come to the three-quarter line, the pain becomes acute when we see during the same year the exit of Gwyn Xicholls, 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 follows a. few observations in the direct inquiry style. Thus: Did any of the men that took part in tne trial match show any signs that in time 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 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. -1 BOY FOOTBALL. otartmg 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 in, and with it the prickly point of the football hereafter of the boy himself/ that period of his foot- ball life following directly after t,he after- fourteen age, and in this connection the writer urges what needs argiilg-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 encouraoed ? 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 Metropolis. 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. 'Varsity 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, as all the matches would be played in Oxford or Cambridge 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 he had to play two or three matches with the London Welsh before he could get back to his proper fomn. He always played below his form w hen 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 ewr thought of the number of Welshmen that have played for Eng- land in recent years ? S. G Williams, 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 hare had his Welsh cap this year. At the present time there are Welshmen playing for Devonport Albion, Ply- mouth, Bristol, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, etc. At the latter place1 a team called 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 Welsh 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 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. Four fifteens play regularly. The record of the first fiftoon is probably known to you they have only been beaten five times this season, three defeats being by Welsh clubs. The team has been successful against all -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 nearly 450 points against. 82. 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 mv 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- liminary 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 am told there has been some dis- oussion 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 be. 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 la.rge number of Welshmen resident in it. Who knows 'that in time an Anglo-Welsh fifteen will not defeat the rest of Wales in a trial match? In any case, I believe the experiment is worthy of trial, as 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 pfoposal 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 above? Welsh players living outside 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. Meanwhile, this is thinking time; let us thiait.

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. HALI-TIXE s ;'bRt CARDIFF, PiiF nAu. r >: « NIL. ){.. ;iJ1' J" {,, c. 1' J i: ).( .T!Î; ç:q: 3: i. S :Al;;v rau. Ha.irate aai C'itiia?.. TO READERS, &c. THE "EVENING EXPRESS" WILL BE PUBLISHED AS USUAL ON EASTER MONDAY.

Babies Getting Scarcer. AN OUTSPOKEN REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR. In a report extending to one hnntired 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 ill England and Wales during the year 1904. The outstanding totals for 1904 are:— Birt-lis 945,339 I Marriages 257,856 Deaths 549,784 A -1 -anu. iu wurieouon with these it may be stated, briefly, -that (1) the birth-rate, 0.5 per 1,000 te-Low 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; land (3) as to the death-rate, only in one yeajr—1903—has a lower rate been recorded since the establishment of civil registration. Later Marriages. I Bot-ti bachelors and widowers, and spin- Bters and widows, it seems, have been affected by the continuous decrease in the marriage-rate, which has, however, been greater among widows and widowers than ajnong the unmarried of either sex. If the marriage-rate in each county is compared with the rate in 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 cent.; in fourteen mainly agri- cultural counties the deerl-ases ranged from 2 to 9 per cent.; while in the remadning 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. 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 tha-t people marry la,ter 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. -1 I  ? orne report is most empnauc on lae suojecl of the declining birth-rate. Calculated on the total population, the rate decreased during the past 35 years by 21 per cent.; but if it be caloalat,ed-as seems reasonable --on the proportion of total births to the total women living at child-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 thi6 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, 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 1,155,000, instead of the 907,715 actually recorded. Infant Mortality. HI 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 i 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 ag-ss. The births of males numbered 481,322, and of females 464,067. The mala births were, therefore, to the female births in the pro- portion of 1,037 to 1,000. Among the deaths registered during tha 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 oompared with 132 in the preceding year. Tuberculous phthisis was returned as the cause of 16,386 deaths, and phthisis" not otherwise defined of*25,465. To the cause of alcoholism the deaths of 2,358 persons, of whom 962 were women, were attributed. ——

SOME NEW BRITONS 1 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 ex-istence of many weirdly-sounding names. A few of the more uncommon are as follow: Kevork Arabian (subject of no nationality). Israel Candleshine (Russia). Hyman Coonfadruck (Russia). Hrant Iplicjian (Turkey). Ghristlieb Traugott Lipshytz (Russia). Ely Lopchitz (Russia). Harris Pushinsky (known as H. Harris) (Russia). Demosthenes Tehaoussoglou (Turkey). One of the new juntisn subjects is a Venezuelan, and another comes from Morocco.

ATHLETES INJURED BY WAVE The steamer Barbarossa has reported at Gibraltar having been struck by a gigantio wave on April 4. Mr. Mitehel, 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 escaped 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 Bornaman received minor injuries.

FINED 1230,000. 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 LJZO,000, but fled to Canada. They were extradited after a long series of legal battles, which cost them over £ 50,000 and the Ameri- can Government 140,000.

Bake at fyome and make what the Chil- dren like best. Whether it's the wholesome "Little 21reak, fasI 9 Scones" of the dainty MM "London Huns" ??M or those delicious WB Tea Caker," ^31 or Big Cakes or Tarts, —they're all equally whole- t some and equally easy to make with Brown & Poison's raising powder 'Paisley Floor' (Trade Mark) And recipes are contained in every 7 d. and 3^<L packet

[ Royalty in Difficulties l PRINCES LOUISE.& THE CANNY SCOT I 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 Roytt lady found it hard to get credit for two dollars and 50 cents, are inci- dents that return to t,he memory of the Hon. D. W. Higgirls, 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 Eritish 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- quees of Lorne and Princess Louise, the sculptor-duchess. While the marquess was on a shooting expedition the princess and her suite were invited by the mayor and aldermen to visit the cit! y watclw.qrks, 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 dam, the party were escorted to the hotel by the mayor, but to his disgust luncheon was not ready. Inquiry coon 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 comfprt it, caring not at, all if all the princesses in Christendom. hav to- :go without luncheon! The Victoria people felt chagrined, but what was to be done? Princess Louisa sootn settled that. She took the suffering child in her. arjus, cooed to-it, talked to"it,"an'<f"sari-g to it 1 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 small shop" on Port-street, ■ Vic- toria. The Princess entered the, BLorto, in- quired about some dolls, and said she would take two. Then, as Gorie was wrapping them up, she realised she had forgotten her purse. Yos'll have to trust me till to-morrow. I have no money \yith me." said the Princess, smilingly. My terms are cash," said the canny Scot suspiciously; "I never sell anything except cash down." But I will pay you in the morning," said the Princesa. (iorie looked hard at the Princess, and after a short mental sf>ufegle, he replied— "Well, you don't seem like a lady that would swindle a poor man out of two dollars and a half, but just mind ye bring the money, in the morn' "Address the package, please, to the Princess Louifee, .Government House," directed the lady, sweetly. Gcrie'sr eyes almost- started from their sockets! In the mOrnilig an equerry brought the money, but haddilliculty in getting the old man ta accept,it., "The daughter of my Queen," the old man said, "is welcome to everything in the store, and to think I nearly refused her credit!"

Welsh Railway Outrage ATTEMPT TO THROW A TRAIN dNTOI 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 Ru&bon 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- r \d', near .the Woodlands. Looking over t.1whedge he saw two men busy laying obstructions across-the metals, and knowing-that a. down train was due in a. quarter <of ..tu. -hour he leapt the fene.e 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--whesu fall- ing, scars on his throat bearing evidence to the fact. When he came to himself the assailants had deoomped,. but heavy obstacles of sleepera^and feme In g poles lay across the lines. Imagining that .these were too heavy for him to. more, 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- tan-ce signal at Woodlands to danger.. Then,, remembering that a driver is instructed opiy to slow up and take oarc when tbedigtamce signal is at danger, and ascertaining that a train had left Acrifair, 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 meta.ls 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 ccllapsedj 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 th, ttlain; which was crowded with Easter excursionists to Llan- gollen from Manchester, Liverpool, and parts of the Midlands, been derailed, it might have overturned into the river. 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 rote of their appearance, and so far no clue has been obtained. A correspondent says :-A curious fact dis- covered on Friday nighb was that Evans: bore no bruises, although he emphatically declared that he was bludgeoned.

I Thousands at Stake. I KEEN STRUGGLE FOR WORLD'S WRESTLI RG- CHAMP IONSKI P The forthcoming wrestling contest between I Hackenschmidt and Madrali for the world's championship will 00 the most tremendous; struggle of its kind ever eeen. in. England. Seats at Olympia, where the Fa-mous wrestlers will meet on April 28, are already being booked in large numbers daily. Haokenschmidt ig.t-he present world's Cham- pion, and as such he hs»s,. immense odde, at stake in the coming contest. The Russian is probably the most highly-paid person on the variety stage at present, hisearnin,gs varying from £ 150 to £ 200 a v.ec-k. 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 what that toes would mean to the Rnssian may be gathered from the fact that Madrali, who, if he wins, will step into Hackenschmidt's shoes, has computed that he 1 would thereby gain about £ 5,000 a year for three years. When the two last met at Olympia, the match was decided under Grseco-Roman rules, and Madrali being injured and disabled in a throw,. Hackenschmidt was declared the winner. The forth-coming match will be decided under catch-as.-mteh-can rules, with which Madrali is'familiar,- and in which the Rustsian is practically a novice. Many experts think that Hackenschmidt has made a mis- j take in meeting the Tu-rk at his own game. After all expenses of the great match have been paid it is estimated that the winner will I receive about XI.),000 and the loeer about £ 1,000.

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KtNGINACOLUStON DRUNKEN PEASANTS RUN l DOWN. ;] '¡- j:¡ ,I Royal Aid for the Sufferers, j ?l I King Edward and Queen Alexandra, had- an exciting experience in the Btreets of Corfu yesterday. While driving through the;, town their carriage collided with a cart in which were several drunken peasants. The driver of the 1 royal carriage was unable to avert the. col- 1. ¡ lision, and the peasants were.thrown out, violently, one of them falling under the i wheels.. The King and Queen immediately left their I seats and helped to rescue the man, who had. an arm and a leg broken. Despite injuries (says the Daily Express" correspondent), the peasant," who was. in- 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. had to be stopped by a mem- ber of the royal suite. Another occupant of the oart was badly j bruised. After ascertaining that the men were not fatally injured the King and Queen resumed their drive. 1 At the King's desire a doctor' from the j British flagship was sent to,attend the I injured.

o NEW POLAR VOYAGE. 1 British Officers' Antarctic .Expedition: ?? -1 Much lias been, heard lately of schemes for reaching the North and 'Soiitdt', Poled -by balloon i\nd motor-car. But in -the inea<ntinije of a-much less speculative' nattiire for a new -Antarctic expedition, ifave been formulated by a, young British p.av. officer, Lieutenant Michael Bar lie, Lieutenant B-arrie has already had valuable, experience of exploring work in the South Polar regions at; a member of the recent National Antarctic expedition, "v The region which Lieutenant Bar no now proposes to explore is the unknown ar<;a -to the south of Graham Land, on the opposite side of the Antarctic to that explored by tqie Discovery expedition. His plan is to proceed by ship down the:east coast of Graham Land, along which Captain Larsen penetrated, in 1893, as far as latitude 68deg., lOmin., S. If this point can- be reached about the beginning of Janua--pytbat is, afc the heigh.t of the Antarctic summer— Lieutenant Barne hopes to be able .to pu-i-i still further, south, and ultimately, should Graham L-and prove to be a the coast of the. Antarctic continent east- wards to Coats Land, the country discovered in 1904 by the Scottish expedition tinder Mr. W. S. Bruce. If, however, instead of finally trending eastwards, the coast .of Graham Land be found to tarn to. the west, and Graham. Land itself be proved to be an island, the .expedition, after establishing that I^ct, would seek to penetrate southwards to the- continental' coast-line, or to any ice carrier which may defend the coast from approach. It is impossible to determine beforehand precisely the course which, might beadopted with most advantage. In any case Lieute- nant B-arne purposes to spend the winter irt, the Antarctic. As on the Discovery expedi- tion, every effort wpuld be made to explore as much as possible by means of sledge expe- ditions undertaken Trom the winter Quarters; both" in the autumn of' ,the first .season, and the spring of tfee second. Explorat'i^sniwp;uld be continued in the ^hip afte^h^p xelease1 from the ice, and the expedition, might, be expected home again after an absence, ?f: nearly two years.

NO MORE BURIAL-ALIVE, 1 I "1 Considerable importance is .attached, by I American doctors to a Washington pro- fessor's discovery of the wide utility of. the invisible light of the ultra-violet ra-y. tTbia is not the violet, of the Rontgen ray, but th-di glow produced in a' vacuum t^u^ Ij^ft.n. elec- trie spark. The pc,.kibili,tieis of' utilising -the invisiblci rays to discover, the pr-ocsss of thought in. the human brain cells is the startling pj-opo^ sition. One doctor anticipates the possibility of the employment of the octaves above the ultra-violet ray as a "means for'detecting the approach, or act-ual fact, of death. The horrible risk of burying- people who are merely in a state of involuntary cat- lepsy would,- under the Washington test-, be obviated. The employment of the ultra- violet ray would detennino -whether -there still existed in the body any oirèulati, elec- trical energy, whfch wouJd men the pre- sence of life. 1

A GOOD GOLF STORY. At a dinner party, not Ion? itgb, a certain youth (an enthusiastic golfer) started to enumerate to his partner the details of a golf match that he had been playrng that, day. It was not until the dessert was brought1 on that he suddenly bethought htTuself that he had been doing all the talking; indeed, the young lady at his side had not said single word during the progress of the meal. It was possible that she was not interested in the subject-inere(lible, but still possible. I am afraid I have been boring you with this talk," he said, in half a,pology: 6h{ 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 Stacey-road Hail, when about 500 i:at down to a (rapital'tea. In the evening there wa?i a capttal 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 Sociot-y Orphan Fund. At the end of 1905 there were 1,865 children on the fund, at a weekly cost of £180 16s. 6d., or z69,403 -for the year, and during the same period the proceeds of fetes and entertainments, subscriptions,^ and ^col- lections realised £ 6,309 66. 9d. Exclusive of special grants," regular weekly" paynl'euta have been made to 2,029 families. »

LASCARS' CLAIM FOR WAGES r"- • II There was a small <!olomy 'of Lasc'a.rg 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 ships 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 conclusion 'of which they were to be returned to the Indian pfort." The Lasoars have been in Cardiff a. few days, and they now demand the payment of their wages and their conveyajicq back to Cal- cutta.

i MOTHERS Never Neglect n a Cold, however slight, 'or it may prove- the beginning of a long and serious illness, end- ing iu deith. At the first symptom give -at. once a dose of I DEA,KINÇ;SdOgiIÍ"&" icouGH & m LUNG HEALER f 1 Which wHI immediately arrest tJ:e- course M of the disease & e'Mrdaeaunt.?im?aeett f  WHAT A MINISTER ?ATS- M I beg to add my t<?timooy to your H  J invaluable -preparatm, Deakin's Lung )N V Healer. It possesses marvellous pmper-  i ttea, and gives. IiMtamt liet to Coughs, )M Colds, Hoarseness, DIMeWty in Breath- M lug, Ac. It ie very beaeacial, and bm N proved for many Y4:QI1I a BOON TO THJB WORKING CLASSES." M PrieM, lilt and 2/3 of all <?p«n{Ble and Drt&gltfs. if. a £ y difficulty. !Oi obtaining write direct, '.enclosing of- 2/6, to itbs Mr 80? PtoprietM? and Iitvoato > v N a;OlEAkl" & HU6?Ba?Dept.??e.< T"'R-mation Bemedleø Ce.? "'Blaen?v<)m. JZ

 u rids I 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. 1906, so that- the performances of the latest fast German steamships are not taken into consideration. During the twelve months ending in June, .1905, the North German Lloyd steamships Kaiser Wilhelm It., Kronprinz Wilhelm, and Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse made nine, ten, and eleven Transatlantic trips respectively, which enabled the. mails to be conveyed from yew 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 hoars, 145.6 hours, and 146.3 hours respectively. The performances of the Hamburg-Ameri- can liner Deutschland were equally good. This steamer made eight-Transatlantic trips, ivhi(,Ii enabled the mails to be conveyed from JVew York to London in an average time of 150.6 hours, the quickest conveyance of mails occupyiug only 147.2 bours. The steamships of the Cunard 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 mail's by the Campania, occu- pied 163.4 hours. The Lucania is tjw, only-, one of the remaining ifve-Citnard fast steam-: ships which can show a similar record. The fastest steamship, of the White Stan Line, the Oceanic, made eleven Transatlantic trips., ,ow-hiGh enabled tho mails to "bo con-, Wyed "from New York to London in average time of 165.1 hours, the quickest j cQjiyeyauce 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 I .houjs.

MARQUESS OF ANGLESEY Reaches His Majority To-day. The Marquess of Anglesey reaches his majority to-day. In four years' time he will come into something like 1-1009,000 a year. $y that time the vast Anglesey estates will iave recovered from the extravagance of the the late Ma, whose profligate career came to such a, d:iea3trous 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- li ain Paget, the favourite of Henry VIII. They weregiyen him by his Royal master after having been seized from the Bishopric of Lichfield and the Collegiate Church of B u rt»n-on-T rent. 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. r

CHARACTER BY THE CHIN. 1 In reading character by the chin," says a. writer in "McCall's Magazine," "physiog- nomists divide. chin., into five separate )::lat!f.'1,!3s, ,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 na,rrow chinnignmes a nature not easily satisfied, and longing 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- -TOgn&Vtft. desire for affection. They are in love with"'tftein. nThe'^narrow, chin also signifies, a 'St'roMg nature. The woman. with this chin will marry a .pw.rt-man if she loves him, although she may toave suitors of boundless wealth'and ,-of fw higher social position. r" "The broad, square chin shows tremendous strength of feeling. The woman with this ,etin. is capable of the most devoted love. Slid is-sometimes jealous. The broad, round chin also accompanies capacity for ardent love and for great gtcadfst.stness. The broad-chinned woman is faitliful."

I THE EDITOR'S WEDDING. I Country editors all' have to "write up" I many weddings. There is one wedding they rail seem to enjoy describing. Here is an instance of literary and personal felicity from the "Leona (Kan.) Hnstlier"The bride wore a beautiful dress of French lawn, at least that's what they said it was. The groom j'Ufiat means we) wore the customary black- hand-me-down, and was about scared to death. There were no br.cmaids or best inån. 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, and 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 Le.ona 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 not in the penitentiary either."

AN INGENIOUS STRAPHANGER I Htf&pTTyhgiug heed no longer be a terror "to 'tra-,vollers' on the underground ?failways. All they hftve to do is to follow the example 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 càrry. in his overcoat pocket a-flat piece of board, to the end's of which foiir, ropes are attached. He adjusts the hooks attached to the end of each rope to the board from which tho straps are suspended.' Then in the improvised swing he takes his seat and rides to town, while admiring pas sengers gaze at him in wonder.

CHARGE AGAINST SWANSEA II 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 tryck on the Great Western Railway. Police-inspector 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 I BARGOED. A ballot for the appointment of an addi. tional checkweigher for the Bargoed Colliery of the Powell D'uffryn Company resulted in Mr; J. Thomas, West-street, Bargoed, being elected by 361 votes to his opponent's iMr. GouJd's) 212. The company, however, object to the extra man being with the machine.

<-CMpets Beaten and Keturned Same Day.—Send postcard to 1, Minny-street, Cathays. Tel. 741. c2ioo 2 l ,« niTPiy Tbi3 famous Med¡c¡n wm 'C L AR' KE S c]e!M? the blood fro? ?U Impu- rities from whatever caiiie arising-. A safe remedy for Eczema, B&d BLOO D L??' Sc?°??. Blood Poison, Sores of all icmda, &i1s. Brup- t.$.' doera, Gl*nd &WW- lfTTTTTDP tfngs, ?- Of ? st"oo, &<- MIXTURE. Fottyye?e.'? MccMa. Bew?? TmtUtVf. )

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 serge, 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 appe,arance of the body at the time of the discovery it seemed that death had taken place some hours previously, and 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 Aberbar- goed, and diligent inquiries by the Bargoed and Aberbargoed police resulted late on Fri- ,day night in the identification of the body "s that of Eunice Thomas, àd about 21, daughter of Silas Thomas, >a-Collier living at Henry-«treet, 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 Commsrcial- street, New Tredegar. It appears that M-iss Thomas left 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 hoars at the confectioner s shop kept by Miss Roberts. It was noticed that she wai 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 tho station approach, and this was the last that her friends saw of her. ..The M<)t-lier,,of the young woman visited the Dynevor Arms late in" the evening, and confirmed the identification by Miss Roberts. The deceased took a prominent part in the revival movement in connection with Bethania Welsh Congregational Chapel, Bar- goed, and her earnestness in leading in prayer attracted vmuch 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 MOOD A Miraole to be Performed. 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, rpcovered from his prostration and declared himself in perfect trim for a fight to the end. The Zionists have now with- drawn from any. attempt to pacify thpir old leader, .and will carry the contest to the law conrte. Oversegc Voliva to Dr. Dowie that a board of ten deacons be appointed to hereafter rule Zion City. Ila-If of the deacons were to be selected by Dr. Dawie .and half by Mr. Voliva. This proposal has been rejected by Dr. Dowie, who has privately sent notices to a number of Zionists, who he thinks arc still favourably inclined towards him. In these notices he informs his late fol- lowers that a miracle will &hortly be* per- formed which will prove to them that he is the true leader of Zionism. He instructs there.to a^Efcit the miracle, and declares that it probably will be made manifest on Easter Day.

A. CURIOUS MAUSOLEUM. Sittfkted at about a mile from Ilford, in ex, is a curious structure Imown locally as The Castle." It was built about 150 years ago by -an eccentric man named Rai- ment, who intendédit to be used as a toi-no 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, bnt 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 bill, can be seen for many miles round.

7,000 ROMAN COINS FOUND During ploughing operations on a farm at Stanley, Yorkshire, a terra-cot ta jar, con- taining 7,000 Roman bronze coins, was un. earthed. Mr. Aquilla Dodg,-on, of Headingley, hap, 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 BOW I It is three weeks ago since the baby boy ixjonard 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 fined £5 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. I A telegram from Wellington (New Zealand), da.ted Friday, says:—The Government has entered business as a retail distributor of State-mined cx)al.-Feuter.

AMERICAN BEEF I Is bought by the best butchers in London itnd throughout the country, but rarely sold openly" and frankly and honestly for what it is. It is as' good as, and usually in better condition for the table than or Scotch. That is the truth, axial tte con- sumers are bound to find it out some day. Then prime American will be called for and furbished under -its-own,.name. e2196

Fastidious Rats. 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 L244 from the Corporation of Deal in respect of the destruction of pa,rt of a crop of wheat. Mr. G. Drury, for the plaintiff, stated that the corporation had acquired land on the, 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 mod'j 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 hey laughed at him, and said they were not their rats. (Laughter.) He fiupposed their rats were marked! (Laughter.) The rats had had £ 20 worth of barley off the same field. After the barley he planted potatoes. and the rats did not trouble them. They would not eat raw potatoes when they had got cooked ones over- the Tay. (Laughter.) 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 the corporation had cleared the refuse away. About three thousand rats wera killed last year, and three hundred more' when the tins: were removed. Until later 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, were 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 Rowkind Hill (twenty), father and son. and they Were charged with assaulting Frederick Gillett, manager of a butcher's shop in West Green-road. Some time a.go the eighteen-year-old daughter of Mr. Hill, senior, was engaged as cashier at the butcher's shop, and Gillett, it was said, had admitted improper conduct. Last Friday, he told the bench, the Hiils came to his shop. When they were in a. back room one of the visitors locked tbe door, and the younger man said, We are come prepared to settle you." Both of them then struck him several times with sticks, and he was covered with blood. Questioned about his conduct with Miss Hill, Gillett said she was a consenting party. Mr. Avory (who defended); Not before J'ot corrupted her morals. Mr. Hill said he was incensed because Gillett treated the matter with levity. He and his son did not intend to commit an assault when. they went to the shop. The Magistrates, believing tha.t 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 (coinmetrts the "Daily Chroniclc") when compared with the torrid fervour which, inspires the printed outpour- ings of the Southern soul. Here, is one from the agony column of an Italian paper:— Yesterday when I saw you I h.ad not then received your dpar letter. Imagine in what a. state of desolation I had been. The day .wa. to nie a veritable agony. I could not discover a reason for your silence. You may guess how I suffered. But at last, yes- terday evening, I again saw your adorable handwriting. Thanks, thanks, with the whole of UlY soul. Thus. a.t any rate, we may part 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 and most adorable creature.

KING TO VISIT RUSSIA ? V Paris, f"kLtUl'da;I St. Petersburg correspondent of the "Echo" learns that there is some talk in the Russian capital of a possible visit to Russia, of King Edwa.rd. 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, has been definitely decided, and no official 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 political 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 Russia—Central News.

I FLIGHT FROM DEADLY FUMES Considerable alarm was caused yesterday morning by the bursting of a. carboy of ammonia. at Cadby Hall, Hammersmith-road, London, the head depot cf Messrs. Lyons and Co., the well-known refreshment caterers. A number of workmen were engaged in the basement at the time, and they had great difficulty in escaping before the fume? of the ammonia overcame them. Two of tham, James Davies and Herbert Kavsnan, were 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 partaa' suffocation, but he. recovered after a time, and w'as able to go home. I.

THE HARDEST JOB. Every man thinks his own is the really hardest job. The really harde-st job, however, is that of the hero in .t 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 hero?

FIRE AT CARDIFF A fire broko out at M-r. J. W. Johnson's sweet factory, Tudor-road, Cardiff, this morn- ing, but was extinguished with a, few buckets of water. The fire origi-nated through some butter, which was being me-ltoed 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- trait.—Reuter.

D-EATH OF A JOCKEY Ilichard Woodland, the steeplechase rider, who was injured at the Folkestone Races on Monday, died this morning at the Folkestone Hospital.

Rwkble disappearance of all mud, grime, and diri.A., fact4 The washerwomen in Glaagowsay that l''oa.*no ia a splendid powder." Foumo is a pure special soa.p for very heavy washing. Powerful. Easy and safe. Leaves no aMOiL AALK your grocec for a penny packet — throe for twopence balf- peany. elM2 i