Evening Express

"ALL RIGHT, IT'S A FAIR COP." CARDIFF POLICE MAKE AN EARLY MORNING ARREST. The Cardiff magistrates (Messrs. J. B. Kprrier and Isaac Samuel) were on Monday occupied for gome time in trying: a charge againt-t, John Fisher, 25, and William Goakley, 21, for having, between nine p.m. on the 2nd and 1.40 a.m. on the 3rd, broken and entered the biscuit factory and ware- house in Moorland-road, in the ocoupaiion of Spillers Nephews (Limited), and stolen therefrom ten keys, value 5s. Mr. Tom John defended Fisher. Acting-sergeant Charles King and Police- constable Harry Green, who was with him, on Sunday morning:, at 1 40, according to custom, examined the factory, and saw prisoners standing1 againH the wall outside the storeroom. Coakley, "ii being informed that he would be taken irro custody? replied, "All right; it's a fair cop; we are bagged." They were both sent, to the quarter sessions. Bail was aecept.ed for their appear- ance.

THE MAJOR'S TRIAL RUN. CAP, SMASHED: BRECON DOCTOR GETS DAMAGES. Dr. David Valentine Rees, Brecon, sued Major James H. Gwyune, Sandhurst Lodge, Little Common, Sussex, at Brecon Oounty- court on Monday fcr X50, damage to plain- titt's motor-car. Mr. W. G. Spickernell (of the firm of Jeffreys and Powell), who appeared for the plaintiff, said the defendant had applied to several local solicitors to conduct his case, but without success, and that morning he had forwarded a medical certificate. His Honour decided to hear the case in the defendant's absence. Evidence was to the effect that defendant, with a view to purchasing a car, went for a trial run. When the car was about to start defendant insisted on driving, remark- ing that he had had experience of cars in India; but he allowed the car to run into the ditch. The occupants were thrown out and the car was (smashed so badly that it would take about 130 to repair it. His Honour gave judgment for the plain- tiff for 440 and cost6.

DISTRICT COUNCILS. ABERDARE. NEW HATE: ELECTRIC LIGHT. At a special meeting on Monday (Mr. Wm. Sees presiding) it was resolved that the general di-trict rate for the ensuring year be Is. 6d. in the £ It was also decided to give effect to the resolution of the council for the installa.tion of electric lighting in the district. MYNYDDISLWYN. A GAS COMPANY WARNED. Mr. W. S. Nash pretsided.-It was resolved that the clerk write to the Western Valleys Gas and Water Company saying that unless they take isteps to supply gas to the district within three months the council will take other steps to secure a supply for the Sirhowy Valley portion of the district.— Steps had been taken to secure a site, free- hoid if possible, for council offices. The council had inspected a certain site. and a resolution was peeked to acquire it.—The rate of 23. ld. for the Sirhowy part of ti.e valley (5d. of this being for .sewerage) and Is. 8d. for the other part of the district was sealed.

UNITED METHODIST DELEGATES AT NEWPORT. The first meeting of the Bristol and South Wales District of the United Methodist Church was begun at Newport on Monday with a civic reception by the mayor and mayoress at the Town-ball. The Rev. C. Stedeford, of Cardiff, is the district con- vener, and the Rev. W. Vivian, of Newport, the local secretary, and the meeting will be continued till Thursday. The Brist-ol and South Wales District is one of the largest in the new Church, with a membership of about 10,000. To-day sessional meetings will begin at Hill-street Church. There will be about 200 delegates [ Ja attendance.

I The Ian in the Street I T There is probably no city in the four countries better off for parks than Car- diff. And these recreation grounds and gardens of the people are now to be seen approaching their loveliest. The new tint of green that has accompanied the sudden arrival of summer is most restful to the eyes of worried business men, and the charming boldness of the blazingi tulips, with the contributing hueis of other blooms, adds the touch of beauty that colours and completes the nature pictures that point Cardiff as an ideal residential centre. With bathing, boat- ing, tennis, cricket, bowls, and other pastimes claiming the affections of the active. music in store for the more staid, walks for all, and tfven a free aoo, it must be said that the citizen's are uncommonly well off in the matter of choice for the I spending of leisure hours. The pity oi it all is that greater and more sustaine d efforts are not made to advertise Cardiff the Beautiful. The Welsh Metropolis is something more than the Coal City, and it is time that the South rivalled the North more definitely in its claim for a share of tourist patronage. Where is the much-vaunted Development Com- mittee? What can it be doing? And why its silence of the tomb while Nature is thus busy in completing its part in a meritorious call to all the world to come and see what a. favoured spot of creation is South Wales ? From that fertile city of new ideas, Chicago, comes the latest in advertise- ments. The successful business man over the Atlantic follows up his advertise- ment in the newspapers with a big enve- lope containing, say, a left leg sock, with the intimation that its fellow can be pur- chased at 2.5 cents, from Smith and Brown's Store's. The temptation to examine the sock and send on the cash for its mate is tremendous, to say nothing of the gambling spirit inspired between two neighbours to "toss" for both or none. The other alternative is to cut off a leg and save oneself the expense of buying socks in the immediate future. It is a safer Experiment with boots, perhaps, for there are few citizen's, even lovers of the diive box, who would care to be seen with a right-foot boot on the left pedal extremity. It would be more difficult to send out with any degree of safety one leg of a pair of trousers, for thrifty housewives have been known to transform apparently impossible gar- ments into ideal suits and dresses for the deaif little cherubs who cannot be expected to appreciate novelties in adver- tising. Free drinks in half quantities also present possibilities, and there are l other ways and means by which the pro- blem of living economically can be reduced to a delightfully attractive nrininium. I suppose it would be too unuch like I the Millennium to expect the servants of the public to be as economical with the ratepayers' money as they are with their own. The electors themselves do not take an overwhelmingly discriminat- ing interest in local affairs, and this is probably the reason why we have occa- sion ally an audit like that which took place in connection with the Cardiff Union accounts yesterday. Perhaps one day the ratepayers will wake up to a sense of tofe fact that the pounds do not always take care of themselves afk? the pence have been saved. This "ponce- pounds" fallacy has a peculiar relation to local government. Tradespeople and commercial magnates may look after the pence, only to find that they mount up into pounds, to enable the Cardiff guar- dians (or any other public body) to pay several times more than the amount necessary to get expert advice regarding assessments, etc. No one can be found to say that, if the Cardiff Union could have been formed into a limited Ilability company, with a body of hard-headed directors, money could have been thrown away with the prodigality that was revealed at yesterday's audit. No court of law asks for more than corroborative evidence, and two expert witnesses are as good as a dozen to prove a fact-and very much better, if only to prevent un- necessarily confusing the minds of jurors. It is to be hoped that electors are learn- ing a lesson in these high costs with a view to deeper interest and more thorough representation in the future. The members of the Penarth Council are experiencing the time of their lives, and as long as Mr. Norris remains a member it1 is improbable that they will be restored to the bosoms of their anxious families much before midnight after council meetings. At lawt night's meeting the fighting member proved what one man can do off his own bat, and Mr. Norris occupied so much of the even- ing that there was very little left for other councillors to do. Indeed, Mr. Norris did not present anything like the whole of his 54 motions, and only a small moiety of his numerous questions, but those he did put forward fully occupied the time spent in debate. An adjourn- ment had to be made until Wednesday, when it is probable that the meeting will again have to be postponed. It looks very much like what I suggested the other day, that the council will have to meet at least once a week if anyone is to have a fair opportunity of tongue exercise. It must be very disquieting to other eloquent members to have to sit still, or fidget in their seats, while one of their number occupies the whole of the time. Perhaps a way may be found out of the difficulty by balloting for places on the agenda, a rule to limit a member to one resolution an evening and ten minutes for speeches. If something of the kind is not soon done, it may be as well to hand over everything to Mr. Norris early as late. The whole of South Wales is looking towards Penarth.

I WALKED ON ITS HEELS. Robert Jacob, haulier, Cadoxton, was sum- moned at Barry OR Monday for working a horse in an unfit state. Inspector Barra-ek (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said that on April 21 defe-ndan-t was in oharge of a horae which was drawing a load of flour from Cadoxton Station. Thy animal appealed to be in pain, and upon examination he found it was suffering from ringrbone, and seemed to walk on its heels. Defendant was fined ios.. and the owner, William Rue, was fined 20e. and costs. A further fine of 2b. a.nd oomw was imposed on Rue for working two other barvee in an unfit camditwn.

"Electric Snuff" I REWARD OFFERED AT CARDIFF i Complaints are abroad that the "electric fmuff" nuisance is again coming1 to the fore in South. Wales. A vafct quantity of the irritant stuff was recently detected anti destroyed in London, where doctors certified to its having produced severe cases of cellulitis. In Swansea last week an unfortunate man was Icaught in the eye by a puff of the stuff, and i is still in a bad way in consequence; while for the last three weeks evil-doers or idiotic I practical jokers have been tormenting1 people by scattering the powder in various shops, &c., in Cardiff. Apparently, the police are unable to help the auffererc, who are now I taking steps to help themselves by offering rewatrd for the capture of the miscreants, and it is to be hoped that the bait held out will induce some of them to betray their friends. The following is a copy of uch a notice of reward that bar, been issued by one firm, Messrs. G. H. Thomas and Co., Morgan's Aroade i2 REWARD. For some weeks past some person or ¡ persons have been distributing sneezing snuff, much to the detriment and causing great inconvenience to our customers. We will pay £2 to anyone who can give any information which will lead to the conviction of the person or persons con- cerned.

A STATION PROWLER. DETECTED FISHING FROM A SACK I AT CARDIFF. ¡ A man, who gave his na.me as David Davies, was seen prowling near some fish at the Great Western Railway Station at Cardiff late on Monday night. Inspector Cullen kept watch, and saw him cut open a sack and make off with some lemon soles. The inspec- tor promptly caught the man with eight fish in his possession, and handed him over to the custody of the police. Davies, who is stay- ing at a, lodging-house in Cardiff, said he was a native of Carmarthenshire, and it is said that he is well connected.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE, j POXTYPOOL MIXERS AND THE L.R.C. A meeting of miners was held at Ponty- pool, when addresses on the subjects of the Labour Representation Committee ballot and the Miners' Eight Hours Bill were delivered by Mr. W. C. Wat kins, Garnumaith, and Mr. W. L. Cook, Blaenavon.— A resolution in favour of joining the Labour Representation Committee was adopted. 8TOPPAGE AT BRYNCOCH. The Bryncoch Colliery, Aeath, wa-s on stop on Monday because several of the non- Unionists had not complied with the condi- tions. In the course of a conversation which our Neath representative had with some col- liers engaged at the pit on Monday he was informed that several of these men ha.d actually raised the money from the manage- ment for the purpose, and yet had not paid their contributions. Meetings are being held at Skewen, and it was hoped that the diffi- culty will be settled and work resumed t-o-day (Tuesday).

HORRORS OF THE CONGO. I BASKETS FILLED WITH SEVERED HANDS. The debate on the annexation of the Congo was restimed in the Belgian Chamber on Monday. M. Lorand asked if the Government denied the stories of natives having their hands cut off. The Minister of Justice, interrupting: These are native practices. The Congo Free has never bad hands cut off. M. Lorand: Quite so. but that practice was tolerated. The blacks under the charge of the State brought to white officers basketa filled with severed hands. He admitted that these practices had disappeared, but added that nowadays they went the length of preventing native women from having children. M. Lorand paid a tribute to the mission- aries in the Congo, especially the Protestant workers.—Renter.

INDIANA HOTEL FIRE. i THIRTY PERSONS BURNED TO DEATH. As briefly reported yesterday, a terrible fire occurred on Saturday night at the Avalane Hotel, Port Wayne, Indiana, in which over 30 persons were burned to death, and nearly 40 injured. The building was gutted, and all records of the guests staying at the hotel were destroyed, so that it is not yet possible to state the number of victims. Twelve persons, however, were taken dead out of the ruins or died of their injuries shortly afterwards, while over 30 were injured. It its calculated. that twenty bodies at least will be found incinerated when the debris has been cleared away.-Central News.

1ISS1NG FROM THE GATES- GA RTH: ¡ In the Probate Court on Monday an appli. cation was made for leave to presume the death of John Richards, of Cardiff, a donkey- niftD on board the steamship Gatesgarth, which mailed on December 3, 1907, from liver- pool for Penarth. Mr. A. J. Darid, counsel for the applicant (the widow of the presumed deoeased), stated that on the 4th of December the vessel was seen in Carmurvcn Bay, and had not since been heard of. The vessel had been posted a.t Lloyd's as missing. Mr. Justice Bargrave Deane save leave to presume the death on the 4th of December last.

FAMOUS HOPE DIAMOND. I SOLD IN PARIS TO THE SULTAN OF TURKEY. The famous Blue Hope diamond, which weighs 44j carats, and which was the prin- cipal jewel in the Frenoh crown in the tim of Louis XVI., was sold in Paris on Monday for over £ 80,000, being purchased by a dealer acting, it is said, on behalf of the Sultan of Turkey.—Central News.

EIGHT HOURS BILL NOT TO BE DROPPED. Mr. Gladstone (Home Secretary), in reply to a question put to him on Monday in the House of Commons by Captain Craig (U., Devon, E.), said the Government had no in- tention of dropping the Cool Mines (Eight Hours) Bill.

KILLED TWO DAUGHTERS. THEN CUT HER THROAT. I A shocking tragedy is reported from the village of Hartford, near Northwich. Mrs. Charles Gerrard, who occupies a cottage, sent three of her children to school on Mon- day morning, and on their return home at noon they were una/ble to get into the house. The door was forced, and Mrs. Gerrard was found dea4 with her throat cut, while two of her little girls, aged two and four years, were discovered drowned in a tub. Mrs. Gerrard is said to have been somewhat peculiar in her mauner of late.

ALLEGED THEIT AT CYM-MER. George Morgan Powys, Ilaulier, employed at the Co-operative Stores, Cymmer, Afon Valley, and David Lewis, grocer, Post-office- buildings, Cymmer, surrendered to their bail at Aberavou on Monday charged with steal- ing Indian corn, tlour. and paper bags, the property of the Cymmer Co-operative Stores, on April 16. Mr. Edward Powell prosecuted, and Mr. Trevor Hunter defended. Both prisoners, who pleaded Not guilty," were oomraitted for trial at the quarter sessions, bail being allowed. FATAL FALL AT ABERYSTWYTH. An adv&nce agent for a theatrical com- pany, named George M. Barbam, died at the Aberystwyth Infirmary as the result of II irrjuries received the previous night. He was retiring to bed at his lodgings at the Sf. George's Hotel, when he fell downstairs aud BttStaia?d a fracture of the ?kuli. He was rMnov?d to the infirmary. Deceased was 33 years of age. An inquest was conducted by Mr. John EvaBe. wh?a a verdict of "Acci- dental death" w-Am returned. LODGRRS INGRATITUDE. A mean theft was disclosed at Yetrad on Monday, where Michael O'Connor, Pentre, was charged with stealing a silver watch and chain belonging to his landlord, William Marshall. The Presiding Magistrate (Mr. T. Pascoe Jenkins) strongly commented on O'Connor's ingswtitiide. A toe of JBl yae mtpoeed.

I ESTATE SWORN AT S,375,085 I X5,000 For Cardiff College I HELP FOR THE INFIRMARY Full particulars are now available of the will of the late Mr. Thomas Webb, one of the merchant prfnoes 'of Cardiff, and chair- man of the Ocean Collieries Company (Limited'. The date of the will is November 6, 1906, and of the codicil October 31, 1907. The executors and trustees are Messrs. Henry Webb, Hugh Murray Ingledew, and Herbert Rees Jones, all of Cardiff. Private Legacies His nephew Henry Webb, LIO,OW. Mrs. Crespi, of Wimborne, sister of testa- tor's deceased wife—(a) £3,000; (b) the income of an invested sum of 1;5,000; Ie) such furni ture as she may select to the value of -LI C% His niece Miss Mary Williams, of Cardiff, £ 2,000. His niece Miss Alice Williams, of Cardiff, £2,000. Miti. Emily Baub, of Birmingham, 1500. Miss iiouisa Baugh, £1,000. William Baugh, of Birmingham, L500. Miss Mabel Kent, of Birmingham, S2,000. Arthur Williams and Charles Williams, of to be divided between them in equal shares. Mrs. Muriel Caudle (daughter of Mrs. Capper, late of Cardiff;, £500. His nephew William Webb, of Bristol—(a) the -sum of £ 2,000; (h) an annuity of JE,500 to the said William Webb and his present wife and the survivor of them during their joint lives, and on the death of the said William Webb and his wife a, legacy of £ 500 to their daughter. His nieces Annie Isabel Webb and Mary Webb, of Bristol, £ 4,000, to be divided between them in equal shares. Harry Allason Alderson, of Norwich, £ 1,000. Miss Winifred White and Miss Mildred White, of each. Mrs. Harriett Kent, of Sheffield, the income cn an invested sum of £ 2,0C0 during her life, and after her d-eceaso one-third of the capi- tal and income to her daughter Mary Emily Kent, and the remaining two-thirds to her daughter Harriett Sophia Kent. To each domestic servant, including his coachman and gardener, in his employment at the time of his death the sum of Y-10, free of duty, for each entire year he or she shall have been continuously in his employment prior to his death, in addition to any wages then owing. Mrs. Ann Jenner, of Lewisham (for many years in deceased's employ as parlourmaid), the sum of £ 100. To his present cook and parlourmaid, the sum of 11%, in addition to the £ 10 a year before-mentioned, and to Minnie Crawford, his parlourmaid, an additional sum of £ 100. William JJUok, his coachman, a sum of £ 400, in addition to the sum of £10 before- mentioned. William Austin, his gardener, the sum of L100, in addition to the X10 a year before- mentioned. George Holmes, his personal attendant, the sum of LIOO. Sarah Greggs. hie housekeeper, the sum of £30J, in addition to the £ 10 a year before- mentioned. James Osborne, the porter at Albert Hall- mansions. the sum of £ 50. Each of the trustees who shall act, the sum of Public Legacies The Cardiff Infirmary, subject to the directions in the will contained, the sum of £ 500, free of legacy duty. The General Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, the sum of £500. free cf legacy duty. The University College of Monmouthshire and South Wales, the sum of L5,000, to be used and applied by them so far as practi- cable for the purposeq of physical research. The University College, London, the sum of £ 5,000, to be used and applied by them so far as practicable for the purposes of physical research. The sum of XI,OW, -to be applied by the trustees on some object or scheme of a public, and non-sectarian character for the benefit of the inhabitants of deceased's native place, Kington, Herefordshire, with power to the trustees, if they shall think fit, to employ the money in founding a scholar- ship to be competed for from time to time by natives of Kington, and to pay the said sum of C.1,000 to any public body or public officials to be held for any such object or scheme. Residue of Estate I To his nephew Henry Webb, absolutely. The deceased gave power to his trnstees in their discretion to continue his business as a colliery owner or any other business or undertaking in which he mig-ht be con- cerned at the time of his death, either alone or in partnership. The estate has been sworn for the purpose of probate as follow,Groes, L375,085 lis. Id.; net, £ 374,651 8e. lOd. ■ ■ -■ ■■ —

MR. HENRY WEBB. Mr. Henry Webb, the happy inheritor of a splendid fortune, was apprenticed to Messrs. Forster Brown and Rees, and quali- fied as a mining engineer under Mr. William Jenkins at the Ocean Collieries. He was then transferx-ed to the company's offices a.t Cardiff, where he received his commercial training under the late Mr. Rees Jones. Ten years ago he was a,ppointed to the respon- sible position of secretary to the company, and he has held that position ever since. Mr. Webb, who is married and has jne child, a boy, is 42 years of age. He is a genial, kindly man, who has inherited not only his uncle's wealth, but also his generous instincts, and those who know him best feel no apprehension that he will use his money wisely and well. Mr. Webb has never taken any active part in public affairs, but lavst year he was appointed justice of the peace for the county of Monmouth. Mr. Webb is a keen motorist, and a strong supporter of cricket. At one time he held the rank of captain in the Severn Division of Submarine Miners. One of his hobbies is the collection of pewter and Sheffield plate, and another is gardening. Mr. Webb is a capital linguist, part of his education having been received near Paris. MR. OWEN DAVIES, TROEDYPuACR. Mr. Owen Davies. of ifynongwy, Troed- yraur, Cardigan, who died on April 1, left estate of the gross value of PI,458, with net personalty zL470, and administration thereof has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Frances Davies, the residuary legatee named in his will, Mr. David Henry Davies, the executor named therein, having died in the lifetime of the testatrix.

KING HOME AGAIN Rousing Welcome Given His Majesty The King and Queen, accompanied by Prmcesg Victoria, returned to London on Monday evening on the conclusion of their State visits to Denmark, Sweden, and Nor- way. Their Majesties crossed from Calais to Dover by the special steamer Victoria, arriving there at four o'clock. They were met at Dover by the Marquess Camden and others, and left by special train for London. A large crowd assembled at Victoria Station to witness t,he arrival of the Royal party there. The King stepped from the train just after his Consort, and a rousing cheer welcomed his appearance. He looked thoroughly well and hearty. After warmly greeting the Prince a.nd Princess, and while her Majesty was chatting with the diplomatists, the King entered into earnest conversation with the Premier, with whotn he had cordially shaken hands. At the conclusion of a conversation considerably longer than is usual on such occasions, his Majesty had a talk with Sir E. Grey, Mr. Herbert Gladstone, and Sir John Fisher. Princess Victoria bad joined the grotil) on the platform, and while her Royal Highness was engaged in the exchange of greetings, the Queen talked in an animated fashion with Mr. Asquith. When at length the entire round of recep- tions was completed their Majesties, followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Victoria, passed through the waiting-j room to their carriages. Crowds of people lined the short route to Buckingham Palace and heartily cheered their Majesties, the welcome reaching a culminating point out- side the Palace, where the crowd was thickest.

BARRY MAN SENTENCED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT. A respect ably-dressed man, named Alfred Puilen, was sentenced to 21 days at Barry Police-court on WondaY afternoon on a charge of embezzling s-umis of money of 8s. each on three separate occasions, the pro- perty of Mr. Evan Williams. Victoria HoteL Barry Dock, for 'whom Mr. A. Jackson, goiici- i tor* appeared. ) I

The Territorial Forces PERMISSION TO ENLIST EX- ARTILLERYMEN ——— In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr. ASHLEY (U., Blackpool) asked the Sec- retary for- War why, in the oath which the Territorial soldier has to take on joining, the words defining the limits within which he has undertaken to serve have not been inserted, in view of the fact that such words were inserted in the old Volunteer oath. Mr. HALDANE: A member of the Volun- teer force enrolled under the old oath, if volunteering for service abroad, was obliged to be regularly enlisted for such service. This gave rise to considerable difficulties during the South African war. The new form of oath has been drawn up to avoid the necessity for such re-attestation. It has been made quite clear in the form of attes- tation that the liability undertaken extends to the United Kingdom only, and not to any place outside it, except by voluntary undertaking. Replying to Major Anstfruther-Gray (U., St. Andrews Burghs), Mr. HALDANE stated that permission had recently been granted to county associations to enlist ex-soldier» of horse and field artillery up to the age of 36. It was hoped that the ranks of the field bat- teries would thereby be stiffened with expe"t drivers and gunners, who would also assist in the instruction of the ordinary Territorial soldier. The members already granted for the permanent staff to be found from the regular horse and field artillery amounted to 378. It was' not proposed to make any alteration in this, and it would be time enough to tiscuss it wheu the scheme had received a fair trial. Answering Mr. Ashley, Mr. HALDANE stated that an infantry battalion of the Territorial force included sixteen bandsmen, who would act as stretcher-bearers in the field, and also sixteen, drummers and buglers. Mr. HALDANE informed Mr. H. H. Marks (U., Thanet, Kent) that the strength of the Volunteer force, exclusive of the permanent staff and the Honourable Artillery Company, on the 1st of April was: — OSicers. 8,645 Volunteers 215,572 1 Total. 224,217 Iu reply to Mr. Gretton (D., hutlana) mr. HALDANE said that on embodiment all married privates of the Territorial Force would receive separation allowances. As regards camp, the grant to non-commis- sioned officers was made specially in order to give them special encouragement, and it was not proposed to extend this concession to the privates, a concession which would involve the State in an expenditure of £ 50,000 a year at the very least. Status of Mr John Burns The PRIME mxISTEE. rel)lying to Mr Harold Cox (E" Preston), said the whole question of the functions and status of the President of the Local Government Board I was at present the. subject of ic??y by a Committee of the Cabinet, and 3v waa not then able to state what proals they would be in a poeition to make to Parliament. Recent Naval Disasters Mr. M'KENNA (First Lord of the Admiralty), II answering Mr. Arthur Lee (U., Fareham, Hants), said salvage operations on his Majesty's ship Gladiator were being carried out, but no opinion could yet be formed as to whether the vessel could be restored to a con- dition of fighting efficiency. It was not posed to attempt to salve his Majesty's ships Tiger and Gala. While our ship construction was; not on so narrow a margin as to render I any immediate action imperative, yet, in view of the present opportunity of re-placing theee vessels on advantageous terma this question I was now being considered by the Admiralty.

I A NOBLE ERITAGE. PRINCE OF WALES ON TIES OF EMPIRE. The Prince of Wales on Monday night presided at the annual dinner of the Royal Colonial Institute in London, and, respond- ing to a loyal toast, said he was looking forward with pleasure to visiting Quebec on the occasion of the great national com- memoration. His visits to the Dominion had enabled him to form an idea. of our Empire and realise its vaetneas, resources, and latent strength. Proposing "The British Dominions Beyond the Seas," his Royal Highness referred to the enormous progress made in the means of communication between the different parts of the Empire sinoe the accession of Queen Victoria. Undoubtedly, there had been a great im. provement in co-operation for our mutual interests. He earnestly hoped that progress might be ma-de in thoroughly grappling with Imperial defence and in strengthening the military organisation in time of peace no less than war. He also commended to their consideration the importance of reciprocity in educational matters. He urged the importance of strengthening our social rela- tions with the Colonies. We must foster the strongest feelings of mutual confidence and reepect by methods of education and unity of action in everything that led to civilisa- tion. We must preserve for future genera- tions a noble heritage founded on the highest patriotism and sympathy.

EXCITEMENT OF A RUNAWAY NEWPORT MAN DIES FROM j HEART FAILURE. Mr. Lyndon Moore held an inquest at New- port on Monday respecting the death of Mr Charles James (71), a retired coal merchant, of Duckpool Cottage, Caerleon-road, who died suddenly on Friday, as previously reported, in endeavouring to evade a runaway horse. Mr. 1.1. Lloyd appeared for Mr. Pinnell. and Mr. A. A. Newman (town-clerk) watched the case for the corporation. Fred Dowdall, Railway-street, said the cause of the horse trotting off was due to another horse and cart upsetting a hand- truck, which struck Pinnell's horse. William Baker, the carter referred to. said his horse was startled by a newly- painted tramcar which overtook him coming up High-street. (laughter.) Dr. Linnell said death was due to heart failure, probably brought on by the excite- ment, and a verdict in accordance with this evidence was returned.

THE LONDON WELSH CLUB:, NEW QUARTERS. 4* A meeting of the Welsh Club in London was held on Monday evening for the purpose of considering certain recommendations of the general committee with a view to further improving the character of the accommodation and facilities offered. Mr. J. Prichard Jones presided over a large attendance, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic. The suggestion brought forward was that the club should take a set of rooms in Whitehall Court, ille same block as they occupy now, but on the first floor. This would give a better set of rooms, and also greater advantages in catering, Ac. The i proposal was discussed in ill its bearings, and was adopted by a unanimous vote. The new arrangement, which will make the club of more use to members, especially those from the provinces who need a home n the Metropolis, is to come into operation on and after midsummer next. A suggestion that met with general accept- ance was that the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George should be invited as the guest at the next house tanner held by the club.

GORSEDD PROCLAMATION IN LONDON. According to the proposition that will be, placed before the executive committee of the London National Eisteddfod at an early date, the Gorsedd proclamation will take place on June 10. The arrangements are that the ceremony will be held (by permis- sion of the Benchers) in the beautiful grounds of the Temple, and the usual pro- gramme will be 'followed. In the evening there is to be a banquet, at which the presi- dent of the committee of guarantors (Lord Aberdare) will preside. The details of the arrangements, however, are still under con- sideration, and are subject to the approval of the executive.

A CARDIFF OFFICE ABLAZE A fire which broke out at the offioe of Mr. Edmund Mandconk, shipbroker, Stuart-street, Cardiff, late on Monday night wa-s promptly extinguished by the brigade under Superin- tendent Geen, and. altiiough the damage was not greater than about jElSC. considerable danger was averted, 3IS the office is situated in the middle of a block of buildings.

CLA RKE'S MIXTURE. I BLOOD Thla famous medicine will e'a&sn the blood from all Impa .ltj- from whateer canie arl. In(. A W,- :emedy for Eœema. Bad Legs, Scroful&, Blood Poison, Soru of all kinds, BOiJ8, Bruptiam, Uleexs, Glandular S-OWngs, &e. Of all stores, *o. Forty mctw B?w&ft 8f imltatloa.

Judge Bishopcfc Solicitor IINCIDENT AT LLANELLY COUNTY COURT An applicat,ion was made under the Work- men's Compensation Act before Judge Bishop at Llanelly County-court on Mon- day by Messrs. Elliott's Metal Company, Burry Port, in respect of compensation paid to Thomas and Sarah Bowen, Seaview- terrace, Burry Port. Mr. Bowen Davies repre- sented the applicants, and Lord Tiverton (instructed by Mr. William Howell) opposed the application on behalf of the respondents. Mr. Bo wen Davies explained that his honour at the last court made an award of £ 100 compensation to Thomas and Sarah Bowen. The wum of L16 15s. Id. had be-en previously paid into court. His Honour: Why did you not mention that when I made the award? Mr. Bowen Davies: It was not necessary then; but since, Mr. Howell, the solicitor for Thomas and Sarah Bowen, wrote to my solicitors to say that if the L100 was not paid in full he would put a distress in to recover the whole amount. Rather than allow him to do that, my solicitors paid the £ 100, and mentioned that Ll6 las. should be deducted from the amount, but the other side refused to do this. We were threatened that unless the zcioo was paid at once an order for dis- tress would be put in. His Honour: That was a bit of sharp prac- tice. A mistake has been made, and the solicitor who received the money should have paid £ 16 odd back. Mr. Howell: But I never had the money, your honour. His Honour: I shall have to keep my eye on Mr, Howell in future if he is going to take up such a stand as that. Mr. Howell: But I never had the money-- His Honour: I do not want to hear you Mr. Howell. Lord Tiverton: I am instructed that the money has not only been paid out of court, but has been spent. His Honour: What was dome by the solici- tor was not creditable. He knew that Messr Elliott's Company was a solvent body, and yet he threatened to put in an order for distress to recover the £ 100 at once, which I say again was a bit of sharp practice. The solicitor ought to have known that the £ 100 was not to be paid in full, but that the A;15 odd in court had to be deducted. Mr. Howell: Can I say a word? His Honour: I think not. Mr. Howell: There appears to be a contro-l versy over the facts, and I must have an affidavit. Lord Tiverton: The money having been paid in full in mistake of law, no order caj be made for its return. His Honour: It was a mistake of fact, and not of law. If the solicitor had not insisted upon being paid at once, this mistake would not have occurred. Mr. Howell again asked that he should be allowed to explain his position. His Honour: No: I will not allow you. Mr. Bowen Davies &aid he was not asking for a rectification of the award, but for hie irightis under the Workman's Compensation Act. His Honour: Have you not the right of action against someone for appropriating more money than they were entitled to? The person who received it should pay it back. After further argument, his honour and counsel retired, and, returning into court after luncheon, Lord Tivertou applied that the case be adjourned to see what could be done. Mr. Howell had instructed him to say that he was entirely under the belief that the j516 odd in dispute was owing to his clients under the judgment. As soon as he realised his honour's view, he with- drew from the position, and was prepared to offer the money back, which fairly belonged to Messrs. Elliotts. If his honour would adjourn the case, Mr. Howell would exercise his jnfluenee with his clients and get them to refund tne £16 odd as soon as possible. Mr. Bowen Davies agreed to this. His Honour: I think that should be done. A solicitor in a case is always to take care, and it might have been an inadvertence in this case. I agree that it is the best thing I to adjourn the case, so that the solicitor can do the best he can.

FEMALE PRISONERS IN WEST WALES. A ————— f —— TO.BE SENT TO SWANSEA IN FUTURE. Mr. TIYOYD MORGAN (R.. West CarmaT- then) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on Monday whether he had received any communication from justices ,t quarter sessions with regard to a proposed order to dispense with female quarters at his Majesty's Prison, Oarmar- then; whether it was proposed to send in future all female prisoners from the three western counties of South Wales to Swansea instead of keeping them at Carmarthen Prison; and whether, before making the order, he would comsider the hardship which the proposed change would entail of sending prisoners to Swansea who were committed for trial from parts of Cardigan- shira and Carmarthenshire, and also the additional cost to the ratepayers. Mr. GLADSTONE: I have received two com- munications to the Effect indicated. The use of Carmarthen now for the detention of female prisoners is found to be inconvenient and costly, and these objections will be obviated by the new arrangement, which will gave money to the taxpayers and throw no burden upon local rates, all the expenses of the conveyance of prisoners being charged to the Imperial Funds, if the new arrange- ment is found to cause any substantial hard- ship to prisoners it can be re-considered, but, in view of the very small number of female prisoners received at Carmarthen from Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, I do not think this will be the case.

CHILDREN AND SUNDAY TRADING. IMPORTANT PROSECUTIONS IN THE HHONDDA. Mr. Arthur Lewis (stipendiary) gave his decision at Ystrad Police-court on Monday in the test case reported last Monday week with reference to the legality of employing a boy under sixteen years of age to sell newspapers during certain hours. It will be remetnbtered the prosecution was against Mr. Reginald Bezzant. the Cardiff represen- tative of the "News of the World," and an important point regarding Sunday street trading was at issue. Mr. W. T. James (Messrs. Morgan, Bruce, and Nicholas) was present to represent the prosecution, and il,ir. Brown (Messrs. Lewis Morgan and Box, Cardiff) appeared for the defendant. The learned Stipendiary held that the Act under which the sumrnons had been taken out was passed to ensure that the hours of rest and recreation of children should not be unduly curtailed or interfered with. The Bench considered it immaterial for the purposes of the dedsionwhether any money passed at the time of the delivery of the newspapers to constitute it "street trading." A nominal line of Is., including costs, was imposed. I

———————————— THREE HORSES KILLED. I RUNAWAY TRAMS AT PONTYPOOL. A serious mishap occurred at Messrs. Partridge, Jonee, and Co.'s Llanerch Col- liery, Pontypool, on Monday, owing to one of the underground haulage ropes breaking The rope had a journey of full trams attached to it, and when the accident occurred the trams raiD backwards down the incline into a number of ho rees. which were following behind on their way to the stables. Three of them were killed, and others were badly injured, but the hauliers who were in charge of them escaped .without injury.

SHOP HOURS AT CARDIFF, MOVEMENT IN THE DRAPERY 1 TRADE. A numerously attended meeting of employes in the drapery trade in Cardiff wta« held at Messrs. James Howell and Co.'s dining rooms on Monday evening. Mr. H. T. Joseph, who presided, stated that certain drapers in the town had generously come to the conclusion to shorten the working hours on (Saturdays by closing their shops at nine o'clock instead of tai o'clock. (Applause.) The meeting was not called for the purpose of creating any agitation, but to discuss the matter in the same generous spirit af3 it h&d been broached. Mr. Watkfes thought the employers might be induced to clos-e earlier than nine o'clock, 3i in the centre of the town the trade practically finished at six o'clock. It was decided unanimously to ask the employers to olose their shops at eight o'clock, and a deputation was appointed to approach them on the subject. cab j ect.

SUITS CLEANED AND PRESSED.—1, Mlnjiy-stroot. (.Catttajra. BlQS u# 741 N&tlpa&L 4S029

I Indian Conspiracy I PLOT TO KILL LORD KITCHENER. CALCUTTA, Monday Night. A full confession of the widespread assassin- ation conspiracy discovered by the police was made to-day to the resident magistrate at Alipore by Birendranath Ghose, one of the men arrested who admitted that he was one of the ringleaders in the organisation of a gang determined to make an effort to achieve revenge by the assassination of highly-placed persons. Ghose confessed to the establishment of j a secret factory for the manufacture of i bombs and to distributing revolvers amongst his followers. He proceeded to describe two abortive attempts which were recently made to blow up a train in which Sir Andrew I'raser. Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, and Lady Fraser were travelling, and also an unsuc- cessful attempt to assassinate the mayor at Chandernagore. He further admitted being implicated in the bomb outrage at Mozufferpore, and stated that attempts upon the lives of the Viceroy and Lord Kitchener were under con- sideration by the gang. Ghose explained that the motives which prompted him to make the confession were reoognition of the futility of the methods of violence and a desire to suve the lives of innocent persons. Therefore it was that he had persuaded his followers to join with him in making a full confession. Several of the prisoners confirmed the story told by BIrendranath Gho&c, but others avowed their complete innocence, declaring that they were in. no way associated with his gang. Gho&e flatly refused to divulge the naraes of those who supplied the funds. Arabjndo Ghose, the native editor who is amongst those arrested, has refused to make any statement. One of the two students arrested in con- nection with the outrage at Mozufferpore was subjected to a hostile demonstration by a dense crowd of natives to-day when he was brought from gao] to identify the body of his companion, who committed suicide after attempting to shoot the policcman by whom he was ai rented.—Central Sews. Farther imp.ortant discoveries have been made by the polite, ajid many more arrests are imminent.—lieuter. Sir Henry Cotton's Views Sir Henry Cotton, M.P., a former member of the Council of the Governor-General of India, i-peaking to a representative of the Central News on Monday evening, aid:- It is extraordinary to re-call that in the thirty-five years tha.t I was in India, and during which I held the post of Commis- sioner of Poli-oe in Calcutta, I never had to go armed, and I never remember any of my colleagues in Bengal going aimed or requiring an escort. The change in the situation is now so great that the Govern- ment of India must recognise that there is ,• a deep-seated cause of discontent, and they must remove that cause."

HOSPITAL DEADLOCK IN RHYMNEY VALLEY, WORKMEN AND THE POWELL- JI DUFFRYN OFFER. The cottage hospital question m the Rhym- n,y V?Uey has come to a regrettable dead- lock. The Pow;H-Dnffryn Company gener- ously offered to erect and equip a bui'di?s at an expense of £ 5,000, providing the miners supported it by levy, and they have also generously offered a site in Aberbargoed. The miners of New Tredegar claimed that their village should have the build-ing, or that it should be put midway oetween the two l places. This led to a rather stormy meeting on Monday at Xew Tredegar, Mr. Albert Thoinas presiding. Mr. Hammond and Mr. Tom Eynon epoke strongly against Aberbargoed, and the latter also gave the surprising opinion that the reason why injured men were taken tc Cardiff Infirmary was that the medical men were better there. Mr. Evan Thomas, miners' agent, earnestly appealed for New Tredegar men to be more broad-minded, and said that from personal knowledge he could refute the assertion of Mr. Lynon all the skill of medical men. The meeting, by 69 Votes to 46, decided ag'iimst the Aberbargoed site, and the miners must, therefore, remain without a hospital. From a well-informed source we learn that a scheme will probably be evolved by the Ba-rgoed miners which will reverse this decision.

ALL ABOUT A GIRL." "ALL ABOUT A GIHL." SERIOUS AFFRAY AT YSTRAD-! RHONDDA. G-enhoro Ma-rcini. an Italian, collier, was charged on Monday at Yetrad with doing grievous bodily harm to a compatriot, Fran- I cisco Antonio, of 64, Gelligaled-road, Ystrad- Rhondda. Antonio, who had his arm in a. sling, looked ill. He said he and Marcini lad been together all day. and eventually went. to the witness's house, where a quarrel took place, owing to a reference made to the prisoner's sweetheart. Blows were struck, and then Marcini took a razor from his pocket and Out witness four time. He put his arm up to protect his throat, in which he was suc- cessful, but received a severe gueh in the right arm. Prisoner's version was tha/t he acted in self-defence, after Antonio liad seized him by the throat, his finger-marks remaining for some days. Dr. PhiHip(s said he found Antonio in a fainting condition. He had a 5in. incised wound, another superficial wound of the same dimensions, and a cut 2in. across the wrist. Fortunately, the main artery was missed, and the principal danger was the less of blood. Police-constable Swafield stated that the prisoner disappeared. lie was oaptured by the Newport police. When charged he replied: "Yes, I did it with a razor; it was all about a girl at Newport, my sweet- heart." Prisoner was committed for trial, bail I being allowed in two sureties of 120 and the prisoner £50.

GLAMORGAN WATER BOARD II PROPOSAL. A meeting of representatives of local authorities interested in the proposed formation of a water board for the county of Glamorgan was held at the county council offices, Cardiff, on Monday. Mr. J. Blandy Jenkins presided. The decision previously arrived at to oppose the Ponty- pridd Water Bill was confirmed. Another meeting of representatives will be held shortly, and there is every likelihood that a Bill to empower the formation of a water board for Glamorgan will be promoted in the next session of Parliament.

NEWPORT LITTLE GIRL'S STORY. Edward Blirch, who was until recently caretaker of the Boilermakers' Institute, Pill, was charged at Newport on Monday with assaulting Edith May Faulknel, aged teu, Church-street, at the Ga-er on Saturday. The child's story was that she went with her little sister and brother to Belle Vue Park on Saturday, where she met Birch. Later a railwayman came up and asked her what the old man had been doing. The railwayman followed Birch and gave information to the police. Inspector Barry, who arrested Birch, said that when the warrant was read over to him he replied, "Its all right; I was there." Prisoner now pleaded not guilty, and was remanded until Saturday, bail being allowed.

MONMOUTH COUNTY RATING. At the meeting of the Monmouth Board of Guardians a communication was received from the Monmcvuth-shire County Council inti- mating that the call for county purposes would be is. in the J5, for elem<^tary educa- tion Is. 2d., for higher education 2d., and for Welsh intermediate education id.-an in. crease of M.-The Vice-chairman (Mr. Elsom) said thart it would be interesting to know the oa/ase of the frequent rise in the county rates of Monmouth.

BARRY STUDENT'S SUCCESS. At the recent exhibition of art and manual work, held at the Intermediate School, Car- diff, under the auspices of the education com- mittee of the Glamorgan County Council, Mr. Charles P. Lee, a student of machine draw- ing and construction at the Barry Te-clinical Classes, was successful in having ilic, work selected to represent Wales in the Franco- British Exhibition to be opened shortly in London.

George Smith, a. labourer, was charged at Ammanford on Monday with obtaining Ste. 9d. by a, trick with a bright farthing from Mrs. Thomas, the landlady of the Red Cow, J¡landebie.-Pol ice-consta.ble Lewis, of Uandebie, charged prisoner with assault.- He was found guilty and sent down for six w.eeks.

I More Re-Assuring News SITUATION IN INDIA NOT ALARMING Beuter s Agency understands j that in weH. known quarters the situation on the Indian frontier is regarded as by no means alarm- ing, and that the ing, and that the apprehenslci"' expressed with regard to the Afghans are iiotshai-ed by those ill closest touch with the frontier. The attitude of the Afridis and the tribes to the r east of Panjkora is considered to be so satis- factory as to lead to the belief that the rising is not likely to spread. With regard to the bands of Afghans, it is stated that they are the same wild, un- disciplined bands which appea-red at the beginning of t.he Zakka Khel trouble, and that altogether they do not number more than 9.000 men. In high quarters it is declared that there is no reason to believe that these people are acting with the concurrence of the Amir, and that there is no ground whatever for connecting the present situation in any way with the Amir's views on the Anglo-Eussian agreement. It is not thought that there is any proba,- bility of the sphere of operations being extended. A communication has been received from a leading member of the Zakka Khel jirgah stating that there would have been no trouble with them but for rumours which had been spread acrces the frontier that an annexation of territory affecting them was in. contemplation. The letter goes on to say that the tribe is now re-assured upon this point, and that the Zakka Khels intend loyally to carry out the agreement entered into with the British. Renter's Agency is officially informed that there is no truth in the report that the Amir had refused to give his consent to the Anglo-Russian agreement. The position to-clay is the same as it -wais when it was announced in Parliament that no communi- oa,tiou hoafl been received from Kabul. LAXDI KOTAL, Sunday. General Sir James Willcocks' force left Jamrud, marching west, early t.his morning. The troops marched between barren hills ia intense heat, but arrived here in good condi- tion and eager to meet the enemy. On General Willcockjs' arrival, about three o clock in the afternoon, the enemy were firing on the fort. The main body of tlio enemy is reported to be dwinding away. The Sufl Mullah is said to be vainly trying to raise the Afridis. C olonel Pioos-Keppel, with a small force, is now reinforcing the pickets. The enemy in the immediate neighbourhood are estimated to be 1,000 strong. A dust storm has been raging all day, and M I write is turning to heavy raill.-Press AiSfecciatiou Foreign Special. Fighting at Landi Koial SIMLA, Monday. General Sir James Willcocks this morning attacked the remnant of the Afghan lashkar on the hills west of Landi Kotal. The enemy were in poor ctrength, and offered only a slight resistance. The leading Mullah fled on horseback early in the day, and the whole of the enemy was driven over the Afghan frontier. Captain Campbell, of the 48th Pathans, rec-eivqd a gunshot wound in the thigh, and a, private in the Royal Munster Fusiliers and a sepoy of the Khaibar Rifles were also wounded The tiuft Sahib is near the Tsatsobi Pass with a small lashkar. The majority of the Zakka Khels are sowing maize in the Maidan, while thoee in the Bazar Valley threaten to oppose the Sufi Sahib's advance. On tho Mohmard border all is quiet, and the tribesmen are engaged in harvesting. Several Indian Maharajas have made offert; to the Government of Imperial Service trcoCllE. —Renter. Major Renwick, also of the 40th Pathans. had a lucky e_cape. An Afghan, who me-aiit to g-hazi him, had got within Ave yards of the major, when he was struck down by eleven bullets. Anosther fact worthy of record was the little heed the enemy took of our shells. Two grins of the 2&th Mounta-in Battery were told off to deal with a certain part of the esaezay. The Afghans slowly strolled a.way for about 2.000 yards to the top of some blaok rooks, where they took up a position. Shell a-ftea.- sheM dropped on the rocks, but the snipers continued to fire quite undismayed. Press Association Foreign Special. The retreat of t'h(\ Afghans does not remove the grave difficulties of the position, though the saff-ey of the Khybar is secured. The Afghan Government ii practically non- existent as a controlling force, .hence the Mullah will probably rk?iv make desperate efforts to collect even larger forces, thougt oer fore,?s, thoug 'h the failure to induoe AXridis to oommit them- selves will compel them to confine their att,-ntion to Afghanistan and tribal entry to the North. Our military preparations, con- sequently, will not be relaxed.nme-c." per Press Association.

MURDERED BY ARABS Further advices from Khartoum state that the murderers of Mr. Scott Moncrieff belonged to a. band of fanatical D^r-visties led by & self-proc 1 aimed prophet ealied Abul el Kad>eT. Major Dickinson. Bey, Governor of the Blue Nile Province, arrived on the scene of the outrage on the everamg of May 1, when, ss stated in a previous telegram, the Dervishe# rushed. the camp, and were beaten off, leaving 35 dead. The Egyptian casualties were ten killed. A reeoanaiseanoe by the Government force showed that the Derriahes had abandoned their position, while the oorpseis of Mr. Soott Monerioff and Mohamed Sherif Namour, of Mesealaania, wbo WM murdered with him, were found. According to native reports, the hand has broken up. Several of Abd el Kader's fol- lowers have been captured, and he himself is in flight.-Reuter.

S!P J. BRUNNER'S DENIAL. The "Western Daily Mercury," Plymouth, publishes the following telegram from Sir John Brunner on the subject of his speech at the Reform Club;- Please give uoq-valified denial to Tory interpretation of my speech at the Reform Club. I advocate a policy of active State aid to trade as an antidote to the poison of Protection, a system to which I am unalter- ably opposed. My policy will benefit all and injure none. Protection, on the other hand, means robbing the many for the benefit of the few. "JOHN BRUNNER."

ASLEEP ON THE FOOTPLATE CARDIFF RAILWAYMEN AND SHREWSBURY ALLEGATION. Cardiff railwaymen have entered their pro- test against the conclusion arrived at by Colonel Yorke in his report oa the Shrews- bury disaster in the following r-esolu,tion:- That this meeting of the Cardiff jvb, 3 Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Rail. way Servants, having read Colonel Yorke 'e report re the recent disaster at Shrews- bury, feel we should be lacking in our duty as practical railwaymen. if we allowed such a report to pases without comment. In our opinion, we fail to see on what grounds he had to say that our late brother was asleep at his post. We feel that in such remarks as made use of in the reporit mentioned it is a slur on railwaymen generally, and especially on locomo-tive men.

SCHOOL-ATTENDANCE OFFICERS. The quarterly meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Federation of School- attendance Officers was held at Me-rthyr, Mr. W. E. Johns presiding. There was a general discussion on the conference agenda, and the Secretary, who introduced it, thanked Mr. T. C. Plant, the director of education at Blackpool, for the way he spoke of the attendance-officcr and his work. At the mayor's reception he referred to their many difficulties and the wa-nt of sympathy shown in too many eases both by the magistrates and education oommittees. The public should remember they were not whips to drive children to school. He denounced the weaving of uniforms as savouring rather of the policeman, from whom the child naturally shrank. Three gentlemen were nomina.ted for the seat on the S.A.O.N.A. council—Mr. John H. Day (Cardiff), Mr. George Wickos (Newport), a.nd Mr. James Watts (Merthyr). Mr. Day, of Cardiff, was elected by a clear majority, and he will be the representative on the council for the next two years.

l OABPEHS BEATEJf TN A FEW HOCB £ 1, Mlanjr- Litwet. CatIlays. -EWC J"4¡.t\4. -_e6œ8