Evening Express

I Frontier Trouble SATISFACTORY ATTITUDE OF THE AMIR i Reuter's Agency is informed that the assurances given to the Government by the Amir concerning the frontier have caused the greatest satisfaction in official quarters, confirming, as they do. the view prevailing as to his loyalty. The latest development of the Mohmand j situation has given rise to Borne surprise, as it was hoped the tribe had received a sufficiently severe lesson. Some sections of the Mohmands, however, having refused to come in, punishment of the offenders hae become necessary. It is pointed out that the operations which have been sanctioned will be limited strictly I to th) punishment of rl;calcitts, and that no occupation oT territory is intended, and it is not believed in well-informed quarters that a further spread of trouble is to be apprehended, especially in view of the known attitude of the Amir of Afghanistan. j Sedition inbengal j CALCUTTA, Monday. At meetings of Br-bar and Darjiling planters and public meetings held at Muzaf- farpur on Saturday the speakers, both native as well as European, urged the Government to take firm action to suppress what was characterised as the nascent anarchy in India," and to put a stop to inflammatory writings and speeches, inciting the people to the defiance of authority and breaches of law and order. The enactment of an efficient, press la.w was also demanded.—Renter.

OBITUARY. I ME. J. W. C. SCHROETER, CARDIFF. Mr. Johann Wm. Cone-tan tine Schroeter (of the arm of C. Sahroeter and Co., ship- brokers and importers of Baltic timber, of Cardiff) died in London on Monday after a lengthy illness. Deceased, a highly resp-ectedi gentleman of Norwegian nationality, had been in business at Cardiff Docks for .>5 year3, starting under the name of C. Schroeter and &on?. Deceased, who was 681 years of age, underwent an operation last, Tuesday, to which he succumbed, and he leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter. One son, Mr. H. L. Schroeter, is a partner j in the firm, and another partner is Mr. Thomas Thomas. Deceased took little inte- rest in public affairs, but was an active member of the Hamadryad Hospital com- mittee. MR. T. MATTHEWS, FONTTGARY. I I.- The deatn is announceu 01 jit. rnoma-s Matthews, late of Fontigary. at the age of 68. Mr. Matthews was a member of an old Vale of Glamorgan family. He was a gaarcliau, far Penm-ark, and a churchwarden. Lately he had lived at Penartb.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. I WESTERN VALLEYS DISTRICT. j The Western Valleys Miners' Council met at Aberiillery, Mr. II. Coles. Vivian I/odge, presiding. Mi. W. Roach tagent< in hi,8 rei>ort referred to a number 01 cases in dispute in the district. Ke said that the Powetl'? Tit?ry CO-PanY had wreed t,>!l revert, as a further trial, to the system under which the daymen were paid at the name time as the nig-htmen were paid. Ifr -I Roach also stated that various colliery com- panies had a-gTeeU to arrange for the prompt payment of compensation allowances on application being made. Mr. Roach was appointed to represent the district at the International Miners' Con- gress, which opens in Paris on June 3. ?O.N-r?IOXLSM 1? THE MERTRYH DISTRICt\ At a, conference ot the M-Prthi r District of Miners? held on Monday it wsts decided to bave a f4hoNv of cards on th3 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of June. The position as regards the prevalence of tMn-U?nonism in the district is far from sa-ti?f?ctOTy, and T??ss ?be chow of cards results in some iMDMVeMeBt it ie not loi-probaole that notices to terminate con-- ? tr.??Will ?a the le ? of-Juue.

THE CHOICE OF SPECTACLES. The fact should be more widely known that satisfaction never follows the hap- hazard choice of spectacles. It is very rare, indeed, to find a, person with eyes of equal power, and it is folly to attempt to suit the eyes with ready-made glasses having both leneee of equal strength. This adjustment of spectacles to suit the human eye is a matter that should only be entrusted to a fully quaJifted op-t-icia-n. My services are always at your disposal, and I shall be glad, on application, to send my illustrated booklot. BONNER MORGAN. QUALIFIED OPHTHALMIC OPTICIAN, 101, QUEEN-STREET, CARDIFF. HOE S SAUCE If you would know the pleasure of good appetite and digestion buy Hoe's Sauce and use it daily.

The Man in the Street ♦ Members of the National Deposit I Society who had foregathered from all parts of the United Kingdom under- went a unique experience when they visited the Cardiff Council Chamber at the time of the City Fathers' monthly assembly yesterday. Had the visit taken place five years ago, when there were not so many subjects for debate, the delegates might have found the council risen and that the aldermen and councillors had returned to their" busi- nesses and homes as conscious that they had performed the whole duty of man as their successors now are after an entire day's sitting. These visitors were able to participate in the somewhat rare pleasure of hearing a speech from Dr. Smith, who is regarded by some of his colleagues as the council's very happy jester. The people of Grangetowl1 are well acquainted with their representa- tive's special brand of wit, and that he originally came to them from humour- loving Cork City does not detract from their full measure of appreciation. Dr. Smith was not successful in persuading the council that it should meet twice a month instead of once—for two three- quarters of a day in place of one com- plete round of the clock—but he scored richly in his command of descriptive terms by which he divided his colleagues into sheep and goats, i.e., "bewers of wood an d drawers of water," and those who toiled uAt, neither did they spin." Dr. Smith bad observed what others had seen, that the members worked better after lunch., subsequent to their enjoy- ment of the Lord Mayor's hospitality. But it was all in vain. Even the prospect held out by Mr. Forsdike of two teas a month for one dinner was not sufficiently enticing, and the council will continue to hold its usual all-day meetings. Quite as interesting a subject was that brought forward by Mr. John I Chappell, who has become an ardent and an eloquent supporter of the Day- light Saving Bill. Though he failed to wholly convert the council to his way of thinking, "Honest John" succeeded in persuading many of his colleagues to commence a train of thought which may lead them into following in the footsteps of such eminent men as Sir Robert Ball, the Bishops of London and Bristol, Sir John Oorst, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Lord Kinnaird, Lord Roberts, etc. He made it perfectly clear that he did not propose to alter the rising of the sun, but merely by Act of Parliament to persuade businel-s men to get to work earlier in the summer, save their gas bills, and obtain more leisure after office and shop hours. The matter is a laughable one as many members evi- dently tbou,(Tht-until it is gone into pretty deeply. But the arguments against the wholesale waste of daylight merely because of custom and an un- changing clock were very cogently put by Mr. Chappell, who pointed out that the people in one part of the United Kingdom felt no hardship in starting work half an hour sooner than those in other parts. The time of nine a.m. is merely nominal, and this universally popular time for starting work meant that some people got up earlier than others without grumbling. However, the Cardiff Council will have none of it. The members prefer to remain slaves of the clock, and it will be left to Wins- ford and other councils to support the Bill. f One of the first harvests that succeed Arctic April shows that the snows and blizzards which followed Easter wrought little damage among the modest cowslips, who-se belated appearance seems all the more vigorous for the unappreciated delay in summer's arrival. There is a record crop of the fragrant blossoms which school children still call "paigles" or "peggles" in spite of the rebukes of learned teachers. In many districts in South Wales there is not much effort made to turn the cowslip to ifn-ilicial use, and in some districts the pretty flower is allowed to bloom and fade away, unpicked, uncaml for, and useless as a comforter of "Little Marys" in the form erf delectable wine. This is not so round Worcester, where the villagers find a pleasant and lucrative occupation in picking the yellow blooms, whiclf they; sell to the manufacturers of home-made wine?. Robert Montgomery, upon whom Mac&ulay lavished his warmest compli- ments. alludes to the process of "dis- tilling" wine from the flowers, and "cow- slip cup" was a favourite beverage with Miss Auxin's heroes and heroines. To all acquainted with the history ofl Merthyr and its own peculiar black I stain, it is a real pleasure to note the progress that is being made with the housing problem. The need of decent cottages does not need emphasising. No number of nasty ill-tistratiotii could equal Lhe one fact reportcd__ to- lh&. JiouBiDgJ committee yesterday, that for the fifty council houses erected at Twynyrodyn there were three hundred applicants. Giving these the low average of five members to each family, this represents the strong need of improved conditions for fifteen hundred persons. As it is only possible to accommodate two hun- dred and fifty of these, it can easily be seen that there is still much to be done. It must also be remembered that these applicants come chiefly from only one part of the district. In other neighbour- hoods the need is quite as urgent. What Merthyr wants now is a good friend or two who will make a present to the old town of a good building site—the council will do the rest. The flogging sentences at the recent Glamorgan Assize have been debated up and down the country until the subject has absolutely arrived at the House of Commons. The ponderous State machine that is chiefly used as a talking shop does nothing in a. hurry, and perhaps it is a good thing for the people that nearly every matter taken up by it has to filter through the country first. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that the Home Secretary has confirmed the general feeling throughout the United Kingdom that "the only way" with cowardly rufifans who rob with violence is by the medium of the cat. It is to be hoped that for the safety of the community everywhere the example of Mr. Justice Lawrence will be univer- sally followed. It is bad enough to lose one's purse, but the risk of loss of life and limb is needless when there is this cure to apply—the only one that has been proved to be eiffcacious.

Spotted Fever OUTBREAK AT SWANSEA It is reported that one case of spotted fever has occurred at the isolation hospital, Swan- sea, and also that there have been four deaths in the town from cerebrospinal meningitis, which is akin to spotted fever. It is stated that there are at present eight cases of the cerebral disorder in the town. We learn that a number of suspicious cases of illness have occurred recently at Swansea, but attention was more seriously called to the matter when four children were attacked with simiLar symptoms in one house. In this case three recovered, but a cousin who had come on a visit from Devonshire wa,, attacked by the illness and died. Dr. D. J. Morgan, in conversation with our representative, said that although there was no immediate cause for alarm, the subject required watching. The disease was not yet very well known, and careful investigation would be required. Spots were observed on the man who died, but that was the only case in which they had been seen. It was im-possible to say whether the disease as developed at .Swansea was the acute kind which elfewhere had resulted in such a large proportion of deaths.

THE FIGHTING CURATE. HELD HIS CHILD OVER TIM, I FIRE. I In the Divorce Court on Monday Mrs. Mary Bailey Hannan, nee Adair, formerly of Dublin, wat3 granted a judicial separation from the Rev. Edward Champion Wade Hannan, formerly curate at St. Stephen's Church, Dublin, bec-aus.e of his cruelty. The suit was undefended. Petitioner stated she was married to respon- dent in 1888, and he afterwards gave way to drink. When he was drunk he was some- times quite insane, and in 1898 was artested for fighting the police. He had when drunk held their child over the fire, and tbe dared not interfere. After she had undergone an operation, respondent treated her with great indifference, and wae very violent.

HIGH-CONSTABLESHIP OF MERTHYR. Mr. F. Sydney Simons. ex-Mayor of Mer- thyr, attended at Merthyr Police-court on i Monday to deliver up to the justices his ¡ insignia of the office of High-oonstable of Caerphilly Higher, which he has held for the past twelve months. He explained that the office had now been merged in that of mayor, and in handing in a list of three genftlemeil from whom his successor might be appointed, he placed the name of the present mayor firnt. The Bench, with Mr. John Plews in the ohair, unanimously appointed his worship. Mr. D. W. Jones made the usual oath, and took formal possession of the high-constable's staff and baton. He suz-gested to the Bench that in future it would be preferable that the appodntanerlt should be made in Novem. ber instead of in May, so that the year should coincide with that of the mayor's term rsf office, and Mr. Plews promised that the justices' clerk should look the matter up to see if this could be arranged.

I LEGAL MIX-UP AT PORT TALBOT. There was a. curious incident at Aberavon County Police-court on Monday, when Mr. Lewis M. Thomas, in connection with a charge of assaulting the police brought against Samuel Evans. said that he had been instructed that Morning to appear for Evans in a charge of neglecting his children. %Vben he came to court he found that the charge agiainst defendant was for assaulting the police. (Daughter.) The Clerk: Is he compos mentis? (Laugh- ter.) Mr. Thomas: I am prepared to meet a charge of cruelty to children, but not of assaulting the police. (Laughter.) Poilice-sergeant Davies, Cwmavon, said that he had read the charge over to defendant, who siarid he could understand English and Welsh. (Laughter.) The case was adjourned for a, week.

I NEWPORT TRIMMING TARIFF A settlement has been practically arrived at with reference to an outstandinig point left over when the Newport trimming tJairiff was settled early last mouth, viz., the rate at which the outside foremen shall be paid. Hitherto they h-a-ve drawn one man's share of each gang (whether large or small) engaged in trimming the ships paid from particular offices. The offer of the employers, which, it is understood, the men have accepted, is that the foremen shall hence- forth receive 5 per cent, of the trimming charges.

NEWS OF THE CHURCHES. LORD TREDEGAR'S GENEROSITY AT IIAAN- I VACHES. Ixird Tredegar, as patron of Llanvachea Rectory, has supplementL-n his generous gifts to tha church and parish (the restora- tion of the church and the provision of a parish hail) by augmenting the endowment up to the annual \alue of jEZOO. HONORARY CAN O.N iti OF PETER- BOROUGH. The Bishop of Peterborough has conferred the honorary canonry vacant by the death of Canon Hopkins on the Rev. Patrick Murray Smyth-e, rector of Kettering.

DUMPING INCREASE AT NEWPORT. Dumping i6 in full swin? at Xwport'l Last month the record of imports showed a I higher tmal ol dumped "ted and iron bars, billets, and ingots than had taken place for some years, the figures being:-Z5,263 tons as compared with 10.006 tons in April, 1907. The import has been rising, as the figures for three months show-viz., February, 6,077 tons; March. 18,863 tons, and April. 25,263 tons.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY I AT CARDIFF. A novel feature of the Sunday school anni- versary of AVood-street Chapel on Monday night was a lecture on "Oriental Towns and Customs." by Inspector H. Seaborn, who appeared in an impressive Eastern dress. The lecture was further illustrated by a dozen other costumes worn by Wood-street mem- bers. The inspector spoke for an hour and a quarter, a-nd the interesting lecture was mnch appreciated. Mr. J. E. Oowley pre- sided. A special musical programme was rendered, prizes were distributed, and the j whole of the anniversary proceedings were | very iucceeefui.

All Coupons must be sent in on or before the date mentioned upon them. [NOT AVAILABLE AFTER MAY 30, 1908.] Evening Express" Holidays. ONE VOTE IN FAVOUR OF  1 of ..?.?. .—— N "EVENING EXPRESS" HOLIDAYS. A FORTNIGHT'S FREE HOLIDAY AT THE SEASIDE FOR SIX LADY READERS. The 6 nominees who receive the most Votes on the Coupons which will appear on Page 2 daily in the Evening Express" until July 31 Next will be entitled to the Free Holidays. The nominees must be of not lesS than 18 years of age, and must be nominated on the form given below. The Coupons should be sent In in batches about once a week, neatly fastened together, with a slip stating the number. No Coupons will be received after MONDAY, August I 3, 1903, and the award will be made on THURSDAY, August 6. Only one Nomination Form is necessary for each Candidate. Readers who prefer to send in their Subscription; in advance at the usual rates will be entitled to the fol- lowing Extra Votes, which they may give to any person or persons duly nominated, by writing to the Editor. SUBSCRIPTIONS. I If delivered by a Newsagent:— 3 Months 3!3 2;50 Extra Votes. j 6 6/6 500 91 12 „ .13/- 1,000 „ „ I lr posted:— 3 Months 6/6 250 Extra Votes. 6 „ .13/- 500 11 12 „ .26j- 1,000 „ The Winners may select the Place or Places to be' Visited and the Date6 They will receive Railway Fares and Hotel Expenses, the total expense to be limited to £10 per head. There will be no obligation for the Holida.Y-lll8kers to travel together, or to go a3 a party, or at aNy par- ticular time, but should any winner prefer to join a personally-conducted party for the sake of company arrangements will be made accordingly. A winner who desires to be accompanied by her husband or another lady may arrange to do 80 by economising- on hotel expenses, &c. The state of the POLL will be announced from time to time in the Evening Express." If any question arises as to the competition, the Editor's decision will be final. I Employes of the Evening Express," Newsagents, j and members of their lajnilios are not eligible to enter this competition. "Evening Express" Holiday Nomination Form. [To be forwarded to the Editor, Evening Express," Cardiff.] With her consent I hereby Nominate Miss Or Mrs. of "J and certify that she is not less than 18 years of age, and is a respectable person. Name Houeeiiolder. Address Please write name and address of Nominee in full. SUBSCRIBERS can either send us the money, or, if they prefer, pay their regular newsagent in advance, in which latter case the newsagent's receipt must be sent to us, accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope for its return, and the name of the candidate to whom the votes are to be credited. SUBSCRIPTION FORM. I [To be used by persons desiring to pay their soibscriptions in advance.] I herewith send you being price of months' sub. ecription to the EVENING EXPRESS," to be .posted, or delivered, to me through Mr. of Newsagent. Name Address Strike this out if to be delivered.

BRECON GIRL THIEF i A pretty twelve-year-old girl, named Annie j Evans, was placed in the dock at Brecon on Monday on a charge of stealing various articles, including pictures, vases, books, and a teapot, from several houses in Llaitfaes. Her mother, Sarah Lloyd, a. frail-looking ] woman, carrying a two-month-old baby, was charged with receiving the goods knowing them to have been stolen, and her step- father, William Lloyd, a mason's labourer, was charged with aiding a<nd abetting his wife. The girl admitted the thefts, but both the step-father and mother strenuously denied that they were aware that the articles had been stolen. It was stated that Mrs. Lloyd admitted that the girl had brought the articles home, but had said she bought I them from an old man for threepence. I Articles had been Ftoic-n from several houses, I and a thorough search was made of the Lloyds' house. The stolen goods were found concealed in different places, and Mrs. Lloyd admitted to the police that she had hidden them in order that her child should not be disgraced. The Mayor (Dr. G. P. Francis) said the bench haA determined to remove the girl¡ from, her unhealthy surroundings, and she would be sent to a reformatory until she was sixteen yeaTS of age. The mother had evidently encouraged the child to steal, and would have to go to gaol for a month in the second division. The case against the step- father was very suspicions, but there was not sufficient evidence to convict, and he would be digcbarged. Both the mother and child cried bitterly as they were removed to the cells. The ma.n subsequently went to gaol for fourteen days for keeping a dog without a. licence.

LABORATORY FOR SCHOOL DOCTORS A monthly meeting of the Swansea Edu- cation Committee was held on Monday after- noon, Mr. R. Martin presiding.—It was decided by eight votes 4° foui to re-consider the recent decision of the authority, and to observe Empire Day in the schools, and a sub-committee was appointed to arrange a scheme. A circular was read from the Cardiff Educa- tion Authority respecting the grants to the Welsh, university colleges, and a resolution was passed, to bo forwarded to the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, in favour of increas- ing the grants. The resolution a-lso requested that, in case of any re-arrangement, the claims of the Swansea Technical College should be taken into consideration. A report was presented by the borough medical officer of health on t,he scheme for the inspection of children. He reported that the two medical officers at present attached to the schools could carry out 3,000 examina- tions per annum, and for the additional 6,000 children one medical inspector might be appointed. As au alternative schema, he sug- gested that two medical officers, to devote their whole timo to the work, should be appointed': He also rooommende.d. that a properly equipped laboratory should be set up for chemical, bacteriological, and patho- logical examinations in connection with the schools, and such laboratory might be utilised also for the purposes of the public health department and the borough fever hospital, and should be in charge of the medical officer of health. A sub-committee was appointed to bring up a concrete scheme to the next meeting.

GOLD FOR LABOUR LEADER I Mr. Harry Williams, general secretary of the National Amalgamated Labourers' Union, has been presented with a purse of gold by coaltrimmers and other docks employes at Swansea. The presentation was made by Mr. J Evan Rowlands, solicitor to the Union, who said that Mr. Williams's services were such ¡I as no amount of money could recompense, and which the town in the future alone would be able to adequately appreciate. In conneotion with the Swansea Harbour Bill Mr. Williams had secured a charter of liberty and independence to the workmen at the docks. Mr. Williams, in replying, said he had hie own methods of conducting his Union, and if many did not agree with those methods he thought it was because they were not always thoroughly realised.

A CAPITAL IDEA. I Au old lady one day while passing a book- seller's shop suddenly re me mix Ted that she had promised a young relative a birthday present. After spending some time in scanning the titles of the various books in the window, &lie selecte da volume, entitled Cricket on the Hearth." Can you recommend .this book?" she de- manded of the shopman. "Oh. yes ,Tuad,,am," replied the attendant, I am sure you will 00 pleased with it. It's by Charles Dickens, one of the most famous writers of his time." Very good," said the lady, as she pro-: ceeded to leave; and I must say it's a capital idea arranging these outdoor games so that they can be played indoors during rainy days and bad weather. If this 'Cricket o-u. the Heartili' only turns out half as success- ful as ping-pong I shall be satisfied."

I CARPETS BBATEK TN A FEW nOUBS.-4 J4.lroIr.j L»trfret, Cathaj s. Bins *>P 741. National. <6023 I

PARODIED ANTHEMS A Blue Book was issued on Monday night I containing oificda-l correspondence relating to native affairs in Natal. It deals almost exclu- sively with the trial of Dinizulu. in regard to which many points were raised by the home Government in dispatches to the Natal authorities. These included the questions of the exact oha-rge preferred against him. the right of the Natal Government to suspend his salary pending the result of the trial, and the provision of suitable counsel for the prisoner. The latest dispatches from the home Government on the subject include inquiries by Lord Crewe as to the treatment Dinizulu is now receiving, and whether an approximate date could be named for the conclusion of the preliminary examination into his case. 'Replying on these points, the Governor of Natal informed the Colonial Secretary that "Dinizulu is being dealt with liberally, in a manner befitting his state of health," and that it was -not possible yet to give a date for the conclusion of the preliminary exami- nation, which was being conducted without avoidable delay. As soon as the witnesses for the prosecution had all been heard, the Government would obtain, without ajiy delay, any witnesses from Zululand that the defence might desire to call. If-he suggestion that Dinizulu's salary should be withheld pending the result of the trial was made by the Natal Ministers, but it was negatived by Lord Elgin. Another matter on which some informa- tion is given in the Blue Book is the refusal to allow Miss Coleneo to interview Dinizulu. Newspaper reports of the evidence and of the proceedings in connection with this matter are given, including the text of an affidavit by Mr. Carter, Minister of Justice for Natal, from which the following is an ertr-ao Miss Colenso, to further the political! influence of the prisoner, according to in- formation in the possession of the Govern- ment, has taught the natives at Bi?hopetcwe Schools to sing the NV?icnat Anthem in t.he I native language, but amended so as to intro- duce the nanne of Dinizulu in place of that of the reigning Monarch. The sacred anthem, • There is a green hill far away,' has been parodied, and is being taught to local natives in terms as follows:- There is a big gaol far away, Outside the city walL. There our dear chief is incarcerated, Who was ready to die for us all."

I PAUPERS AND PENSIONS 1- Mr. SOARES (R., Barnstaple) asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on Monday what was the position of a pauper aged 70 with regard to an old-age pension. Would such a person be entitled to receive a pension if he ceased from being a charge on the rates, and would the same rules apply to both outdoor and indoor relief? Mr. ASQUITH: As I stated in my Budget speech, it is not the intention, at any rate during the first year, to extend the benefits of the scheme to existing paupers. Actual receipt of* Poor-law relief, whether outdoor or indoor, at the time of application or within a time which I will not at present definitely fix, but which will not be unduly long, will be a disqualification. It is neces- sary that some such provision should be made to prevent the transfer of the cost of Poor-law relief from the rates to the taxes, and to keep entirely separate the Poor-law and pension administration. As I pointed out. this part of the scheme is necessarily provisional, and without prejudice to changes in the law and administration of poor relief which may result from the recom- mendations of the Poor-law Commission. Mr. Lloyd George and the Nest-Egg In reply to a question by Mr. Bottom ley as to how it was riropoised to deal with the sum of one and a half millions placed last year to the new Sinking Fund and ear- marked for the purposes of old-age pensions, Mr. Lloyd George (Chancellor of the Exchequer) writes:—My hon. friend is under a misapprehension. What was descr-iibed as a nucleus, or nest-egg," for old-a^e pensions was not the sum of £ 1,500,000 added to the new Sinking Fund of last Year, but the pro- duce in future years of the taxation which produced that amount in 19C7-8. The sum of £ 1,500,000 referred to in the question has been applied in accordance with the provisions of the Finance Act of 1907 to the redemption of the Debt.

I EX-SOLDIER KILLED Thp adjourned inquest on John Bryan, ex- soldier, of Aldershot, who was killed by a motor-car near Ripley early in the morning of April 25, was concluded at Guildford on Monday evening. Mr. Forrest Fulton appeared for the chauffeur, Arthur Rock Mctsou. who has been arrested in connection with Bryan's death. Two occupants of the car driven by 3retson said they noticed a slight jar when near Ripley. The jury returned an open verdict, and said they were of opinion that Bryan was ?truck by the car in question. They strongly condemned the reckless driving of the vehicle and the cowardly behaviour of the driver and the witness Whitmoor in not stppping when they felt a jar.

No bevara" in the world Is &t anoe so refreshing anrt healthful as "Montserrat" lame Juice Cordial. j It allays thirst, cools the blood, and makes one.feel ia good-form. A splendid drialt for tile Eviieg.

[Shipping Trade Dispute THE PROPOSED TERMS OF SETTLE- MENT Mr. Churchill resumed at the Board of Trade on Monday afternoon his efforts to effect an adjournment of the dispute in the shipbuilding trade on the North-east Coast. He arrived aJxiut 4.30 from the House of Commons and conferred with the depart- mental officials. The men's representatives appeared on the scene at a few minutes to five o'clock. The conferences lasted till nine o'clock on Monday night, and at about 9.15 the follow- ing official statement was communicated by Mr. Wilson Fox, of the Labour Department, on behalf of Mr. Churchill:- "A further informal conference with regard to the dispute in the shipbuilding trade took place to-day at the Board of Trade Offices between the President and the representatives of the Shipbuilding Employers" Association. Conferences were also held between the President and the representa- tives of the men affected by the dispute. "Besides Mr. Winston Churchill, there were present Mr. Llewellyn Smith and Mr. Wiltwn Fox, of the Board of Trade. There attended on behalf of the employers Mr. George Jones, chairman, and Mr. Henderson, vice-chairman of the federation, and Mr. Booids, and also Mr. Bigg-art an.d Mr. Robinson, joint secre- taries. On behalf of the men there were present Mr. S. Hunter, chairman of the Amal- gamated Carpenters and Joiners; Mr. Stark, general secretary of the Associated Car- penters and Joiners; Mr. Matkin, general secretary otf the General Union of Carpenters and Joiners; Mr. O'Grady, M.P., organiser of the Furnishing Trades; Mr. D. Ander- son, chairman of the Associated Ship- wrights; Mr. Butterworth, technical adviser of the DriHers' ])e¡par;t.llien>t, ShIP wr'l ghts Mr. Park, general secretary of the Woodworking Machinists; Mr, M'Donie, general secretary of the Wear Shipwrights; Mr. F. Smith, general secretary of the Amalgamated Cabinet Makers; and Mr. M'Laren, general secretary of the Scottish Mill Sawyers; also Mr. A. Henderson, M.P., and Mr. Pete Ourran, M.P., of the Joint Labour Board. The proposed terms of settlement were further discussed, and various amendments agreed to. The repi•«-:entatives of the men undertook to submit these proposals to a ballot of their members with as little delay ,,ts possible." An im-r)ort,%nt move towardssettling the strike was announced at N^ ewcastle on Monday, when it transpired that at a meeting rapresem<ting the whole district it had been decided to seek an interview with the employers with a.' view to arranging terms on which the men could return to work. A mass meeting of members of the Amalga- mated Society of Engineers was held in New- castle on Monday, when a resolution was carried resenting the aotaoai of the federated employers in seeking a reduction in wages, a.nd urging the varioras societies to unite to take steps for the general amalgamation of all trades. Engineers' Pickets Fined I lave engineers picxeis aL Newcastle on Monday on a charge of intimi- dation arising out of t.hc present strikes. The prosecution- alleged that the defen-I dant.s followed the workers homo along with a large crowd. They did not use physical violence, but persistently followed the com- pI a.Ïn:antR. Mr. Clark, for the defence, admitted the j facts, and said but for the Act of 1906 they could not be defended. Mr. Lee said offensive and threatening lan- guage was used, and under the 1905 Act only peaceful persuasion vvas legal. Ultimately three of the defendants were fined JE,20 or two months, and the other two were bound over in £20 each and two sure- ties of £10 each.

OFFICIAL SECRETS. A „ GOVERNMENT AND PRESS II ENTERPRISE. I ■ Lord James, in the House of Lords on Mon- day, asked for information regarding the Official Secrets Bill. The lorci Chancellor said the Government could not drop the Bill. He had that day received a deputation asking assent to sug- gestions which would have the effect of pre- venting the measure putting a stop to legitimate press enterprise. He (the I-ord Chancellor) desired to meet the wishes of that deputation in every way possible, and he had. therefore, asked those responsible to formulate suggestions.

WHEAT CARGO GOES DOWN I MESSRS. SPILLEBS AND BAKERS I SUED FOR FREIGHT. In the King's Bench Division on Monday (before Mr. Justice WaJton) Mr. Keogh opened an action brought by the Palace Shipping Company, of Liverpool, against' Messrs. Spillers and Bakers, of Cardiff, to recover freight on a Mrgo of wheat from Australia to this country by tfhe steamship Croimpton. Defendants w-cre indorsees and receivers of tihe bill of lading, dated January, 1907. The freight was 23s. 6d. per toll, and defendants paid only on a.. small number of tons of the wheat, and declined to pay on the remainder. It appeared th:lt on the arrival of the Crompton at Queenstown on her way to North Shields -he swnk, and the defendants said that the wheat had been Baturated with wilter, had fermented, and had ceased to be fit for human consumption, or commercially describahle n-s wheat. Mr. Keogh, for the plaintiffs, read corre- spondence that parsed between the parties as to the sale of the cargo. The hearing was adjourned.

THE CRUISER BOADICEA, TO BE LAUNCHED AT PEMBROKE ON THURSDAY. • The launch of the unprotected cruiser Boadicea will t-akû place at Pembroke Dock- yard at 4.15 p.m. on Thursday. The christening- ceremony will be performed by lAldy Kensington, and the band of the Wilts Regiment will be in attendance. One of the tugs from Devonport has already arrived in the Haven. The Boadicea is an unartnoured cruiser. She is 385ft. long and 41ft. in beam, and her displacement is 3,300 tons. The indicated horse-power of her turbine engines will be 18,000, and her speed 25 knots.

JAPAN AND KOREA. DETERMINEiD POLICY WITH THE i INSURGENTS. Japan has announced a new military policy to put down the insurrectionary movement in Korea (says the Paris "Herald's" Tokio correspondent). Reinforcements are being sent to Korea to increase the Japanese strength to two full divisions with four squadrons of cavalry and 2,000 gendarmes. It is estimated that there are several thousand hostile armed I Koreans. Henceforth the insurgents will be treated as bandits.

ANTWERP SENSATION. WEALTHY YOUNG WOMAN FOUND POISONED. A young man who gives his name as Beck, has been arrested at Antwerp on suspicion of administering poison to a woman, aged about 25, who arrived in Antwerp with him a few days ago. The woman, who made his acquaintance at a watering pkice, is stated to he very wealthy, a/nd to have made a will leaving her property to Beck. She became il! soou alter arrival at Ant- Weljl, and wa finülly removed to hospital, where a doctor Jiag-not'led the case as a poisoning, and had Beck arrested.

WALKED IX AND WALKED OUT. Thomas Pearce, a young Sirhowy collier, wa. placed in the dock at Trcde?ar on Mon- day charged with attempting to eozni; suicide.— Police-constable Warburton found him standing on the bank of a pond drenched, but otherwise none the worse for ■his cold bath. The Clerk: He walked in and then walked out? He <?-id?atly didn't like it. (Laughter.) Prisoner told the magistrates that he had had a lot of trouble. Prisoner wa.s hsunded over to his brothers, who promised to look after him.

l LACE CURTAILS CLKAJOSD AS HEW i, MUJUy. J -<ea J

Dinas Main I nqu i ry SERIOUS BREACHES OF THE REGULATIONS The Home Office on Monday Issued the report of his Majesty's inspectors of mines, Messrs. W. N. Atkinson and J. Dyer Lewis, on the circumstances attending the explosion of coal-dust which occurred at Dinas Main Colliery 011 Dec.ember 14 last, whereby seven miners were killed. The inspectors state that in their opinion the true cause of the explosion was the firing of a shot of com- pressed gunpowder, probably stemmed with coal-dust, and the ignition thereby of the coal-dust on the road at the point where the remains of a drill-hole were found in the roof and on stones on the ground in front of it midway between the bodies of J. Jenkins and Richard Evans. The obvious conclusion to be drawn from the position and appearance of the drill marks in the roof amd on the stones on the floor was that they formed part of the eamo hole, and the position of these and other stones on the floor was only consistent with the firing of a shot. • The report declares that it was quite possible for Watkin Evans, the shot-firer, to arrange with J. Jenkins, who was an experienced man, to fire the shot in order to save time. Firing of any of the shots was illegal. Continuing, the report says:—"In order to ascertain under what conditions this shot had probably been fired, the two charged holes nearest to it were cut out, and they were found each to contain two pellets of compressed gunpowder stemmed with coal dust. In all probability, the shot which caused the explosion was of a similar n«.ture, and, if so, we have at ollee a full explanation of the calamity. Suah a shot would be likely to produce a considerable volume of flame. which, coming in contact with the coal-dust on the floor, roof, and sides of the road, would rai--o and ignite it, and the explosion a nd th -e explosion would extend as far as there was a con- tinuous supply of coal-dust to carry it on." In conclusion the inspectors say:—"Serious breaches of the regulations respecting the use of explosives had taken place. The use of gunpowder or any explosive other than a permitted explosive on the main haulage road was illegal, as the mine was not naturally wet throughout.' The require- ments as jto the withdrawal of workmen, or watering were not complied with nor pro- vided for. It is questionable whether the regulation as to the provision of 'clay or other non-inflammabie material' for stem- ming Rhots was complied with. The only requirement of the rules which was shown to have been complied with was that a com- petent person had been appointed by the manager to fire shots."

BARRY RAILWAY DISPUTE The executive of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants held a meeting on Mon- day in London. The sitting lasted from eleven a.m. until late in the evening. At the close Mr. R. Bell, M.P., the general see rotary, issued an official report, which stated that the committee had decided to request the North Eastern Railway Company to enter into negotiations with a view to arranging a satisfactory scheme of concilia- tion. With regard to the Barry dispute, t.he oom- mit t < <■ re-affirmed the resolution on the sub- ject passed at a meeting held at Barry a iew months ago, the effect of which wa, to give the men. power to hand in their notices, but before doing so negotiations are to take place with the company with a view to arranging a satisfactory settlement. Action by the Barry CounciJ .In ice meeting of the Darry district council on Monday the Chairman (Mr. W. J. Williams, J.P.) said that. ir. view of the fact that a great deal of unpleasantness existed at the present time between the Barry railwaymen and their employes, it had occurred to him that as a council they might do something to bring this unsatisfactory state of thIngs to a, close. He proposed a resolution regret- ting the unrest and dissatisfaction, which had a very detrimental effect upon the town; hoping that the director's would find the means whereby the grievances of the men could be remedied; and that im the event of a strike he should be empowered to call a meeting of the townspeople in support of the men. The chairman said the unrest in the town had sent away many .ships.—Dr. O'Don- nell seconded, and the resolution was nnani- mously agreed to.

AN OLD HAND. I Tailor (to applicant for a job): Wc want a good cutter. Have you had much experienco ill the tailoring line? Applicant (with a confident smile): I never bad a suit of clothes ready when I said I would since I have been in the business. Tailor: You'll do. You must be an old hand.

DOCKSMEN'S DEMANDS, I MOTOR SERVICE FROM FAIROAK- ROAD TO THE DOCKS. Mr. Edward Nicholl presented a petition on Monday to Mr. Beasley, general manager of the Taff Vale Railway, asking for a joint motor-car service between the Cardiff Docks on the Taff Vale Railway and Fairoak-road on the Rhymney Railway, with various stopping-places. The petition was signed by over 200 influential Docksmen and Roath I Park residents. Asked if these services would not compete with the corporation electric cars, Mr. Nieholl replied:- Undoubtedly; but it is a question of time and convenience. The electric car takes 35 minutes to run from Fairoak-road to t,be Docks, whereas we can run down by motor- car in much less time. It is a matter of convenience during the dinner hour."

(SOLDIER'S DEATH AFTER A I DISPUTE., At Westminster on Monday James Farley (24), deal porter, was remanded charged with the murder of James Sanderson, a Private in the Coldstream Guards. According to the accused, some soldiere pushed against his wife about midnight on Saturday. One soldier then hit him, and he struck back. Another soldier then made for him, and the prisoner ht him with his fist in the jaw, and he went down. An inspector stated that witnesses would say Earley struck the deceased on the head with a heavy buckle.

ECHO OF GELLIGAER AUDITI DISTRICT COUNCIL WRITE OFF COLLECTOR'S ARREARS. Mr. A. E. Jones, late assistant overseer and I collector for Uelligaer parish, having been surcharged at the recent audit to the amount of over ISO in regard to the arrea-rs in the rents of some cottages belonging to the Gelligaer Rural District Council, appeared at. the ordinary meeting of the Gelligaer Council held ou Monday, and asked that body to pass a resolution writing off the arrears which had accumulated, on the ground that one of the tenants had been ill for a long time, and also on account of the fact that the tenants distrained upon had hardly any effects. Mr. W. Hammonds thought that would be taking the responsibility upon themselves, but the Chairman (Mr. J. Aurelius) and Mr. D. Hopkins said they had nothing to fear in the way suggested. A resolution favouring the writing off of the arrears waR adopted.

MESSRS. P. AND A. CAMPBELL'S CHANNEL TRIPS. Messrs. P. and A. Campbells steamers from Cardiff and Penaith to the de,lightful resorts within easy reach of Cardiff offer splendid facilities to trippers, of which llla will, no doubt, take advantage now that summer weather would seem io have really started. Particular noto should be taken of the special sailings advertised.

CLARKE'S BLOOD MIXTURE. ————————— This famous medicine will r.Iean?e the blood from all impu- rities from whatever caut'e aris- ing. A safe remedy for Ecjiema, H.d legs, Scrofula, Blood Poi'ol1, tfores of all kinds. Boils, Eruptions, Ulcen, Glandular :-weIJlDg, &c. Of all stores, &c. Forty years' success. Beware 01 imitation. J

I Use of the Cat at Cardiff I QUESTIONS ASKED IN PARLIAMENT. I Mr. MACNEILL <N„ Donegal, S.) asked tM Home Secretary in the Hou.,e of Commons on Monday how many convicts at the recent- assizes at Cardiff were sentenced to the punishment of flogging, what was the total number of the lashes inflicted, and what was the greatest number of lashes inflicted oil one individual; whether any, and, if so, which, of the cases in which at these assizes the prisoners were sentenced to be flogged were considered by the Honrs Secretary with c- view to the remission or reduction of the penalty of the lash; whether the fact that these sentences of flogging had been passed came to his knowledge before the floggings were inflicted, and, if so, what steps, if any, did he take, having regard to the moral degradation produced and pain inflicted by such punishment, to satisfy himself of its absolute necessity in the interests of justice and for the preservation of social order. Mr. GLADSTONE .-aid fourteen men wero convicted of robbery with iiol4eiiee at tho recent assizes at Cardiff and sentenced to cor- poral pnnillmcnt, in addition to terms of penal servitude or imprisonment. The corporal punishment was twelve strokes with the cat" in ten of the cases, fifteen strokes in three, and six strokes in one. Some of these cases were brought to his notice by the hon. member at the time, and he obtained particulars of the punishments ordered, but, as he then informed the hon. member, the sentences were passed by humane and careful judges, and lie saw no reason for interference. Three of the men petitioned, a.nd their petitions were considered before the infliction of the punishment, but they disclosed no ground for interference. Au outbreak of these crimes of robbery with violence had recently taken place at Car- diff. The records of all the prisoners showed that all but two of them had been previously convicted, several of them many times, and that ordinary sentences of imprisonment had failed to check their criminal ten- dencies. Mr. MACLEAN (R., Bath) asked whether it was not a fact that crimes of violence had practically disappeared from Cardiff since the imposition of these floggings. Mir. GLADSTONE: I believe t-ha-t is so. Following upon the salutary "cat" sen- tences at Cardiff not a single case of robbery with violence and intimidation has been preferred before the local justices.

L „ '1 T VITAL STATISTICS Decrease in Births and Deaths The Registrar-General's summary report with regard to marriages, births, and deaths in England and Wales during 1907. issued on Monday night, contains some highly interest- ing and significant figures. The report shows that the marriages 1n England and Wales during the year num- bered 276,088, giving a rate of 15.8 persons married per 1,000 of the population at all ages. This rate was 0.2 above the correspond- ing rate in the previous year and equal to the average rate for the preceding ten years. The births registered during the year num- bered 917,636, being in the proportion of 26.3 per 1,000 of the population. This rate was 0.3 per 1,000 below the rate in the previous year and lower than the rate in any other year on record. Compared with the average tot the preceding ten years the birth-rate for 1907 shows a decrease of 2.1 per 1,000. The death-rate for. the year was J5 per 1,000, the total number registered being 524,311 This rate was 0.4 below that for 1906, and tin lowest death-rate on the record. The rate o infantile mortality during the year was 14 per 1 1,000 below the rate for the previous year, and the lowest rate on record, this fact lX'in'! mainly attributed to the showery and cool weather experienced during the summer. Compared with the average for the preceding ten years, the rate of infantile mortality j last year shows, a decrease of 27 per 1,000. Comparative tables dealing with tlio 76 large towns show that the birth-rate ranged from 16.6 in Hastings and 17.0 in Hornsey to 35.9 in Merthyr Tydfil and 37.1 in the Rhon- dda. The lowest death-rate was that of Hornsey, 8.6, the highest rate being 20.3 in Middlesbrough. The rate of infantile mor- tality ranged from 77 per 1,000 in Hornsey to 165 in Nottingham.

MINERS AND THE I.L.P. The following is the result of the ballot taken in the Merthyr District of MinerJK on the question of joining the Labour Repro- sentation Committee: — PLYMOUTH COLLIERIES. For. Agst. South Duffryn Kb. 2 Pit, 230. 168 South Duffryn No. i Pit 617 281 Graig Pit and Levels 161 116 Clynmill Drift and Level j32 110 CYFARTHFA COLLIERIES. For. Agst. Castle Pit and Li-vel 510 270 Gethin Pit and Levels 158 128 Cwm Pit and Levels 526 201 Cwmdu and Mountain Levels 217 58 Totals 2,551 1,331 Majority for, 1,220. EASTERN VALLEYS DISTRICT. For. Agst« Varteg Charity. 162 65 Garndiffaith Refuge 145 59 Lower Varteg 136 111 Blaendare, Pontypool 87 50 Bla,enser,-ha.ri 327 131 Talywain Red Ash 17 1 Majority for, 457. SCOTTISH MINERS TO JOIN THE LABOUR PARTY. At a. private meeting of the Scottish* Miners' Federation held in Glasgow on Mon- day it was announced that the ballot of miners showed a large majority in favout7 of throwing in their lot with the Labour party. The meeting decided that at bye- eleotions where there were no Labour can- didates the miners should be asked to sup- port those candidates favourable to the Miners' Eight Hours Bill. The action of miners who had been supporting oondidates not favourable to that movement was denounced.

MUNICIPAL HOUSING .A meeting1 of the housing committee of tha Merthyr Borough Council was held on Mon- day.—Mr. W. R. Harris, the borough con- troller. reported that he had received appli- cations from 300 persons for the occupancy of the 50 council houses at Twynyrodyn, and it was referred to a sub-committee, with tho borough controller, the medical officer, and the rent-collector, to go through the list and make a selection to place before the com- mittee at the next meeting. A letter was read from Messrs. Shirley and Sons, an behalf of the owners of the Wing- field a,nd Mackintosh Estates, offering to sell for £ 900 5,411 square yards of land for the building of workmen's dwellings at Heol- gerrig. but the committee considered the prioe exorbitant, and decided not to enter- tain the offer. With regard to the proposal to put up 50 houses at Treharris, Messrs. Lewis and Jones wrote saying that the owners were prepared to let the land at the back of Pritchard- street and Evan-street on lease for 99 years at a rental of 2d. per square yard per annum, the corporation to ma.ke all roads, and sewers The committee directed that inquiry be made as to whether it was intended to charge for the land required for the construction of the roads. The Borough Controller mentioned that had it not been for the amount expended on altering the staircases at the Penydarrea council houses there would have been a profit on those houses last year of SSO. As no difference would be made in the assessment thereby, it was resolved that the houses should be charged with the full water rent instead of half the water rent as hereto- fore.

THEOLOGICAL COLLEGES In addition to the matter of the admission of the students of the Bangor Normal College to the extensions of the university, to which allusion was made in these columns on Mon- day, the meeting of the Court of the Univer- sity of Wales at Llandrindod to-morrow (Wed- nesday) will also have under consideration a proposal to give representation on the court to the theological colleges of Wales which are associated with the university. The work of these institutions for degrees in theology has been so good that it is not likely there will be any opposition whatever to granting them representation on the university court- It is felt, at the same time, that steps should be taken to guarantee that the government of these colleges is satisfactory without exception, a.nd that the rights of all heads of departments in the administration cf each college arc protected. It is thought bY' many educationists that the formation of permanent board of visitors of the theological ooUeges would be well worth the consideMl" tion of the executive committee of the court. having regard to the peculiar position of ^Welsh deaominational colleges.