Evening Express

The Man in the Street. The Man in !b3 SM. It would bo a <Iifficu!c task to find any- Dne wit-hin a dozen m:lt>" er LlandatI who :iad not heard 0- Can0J! Buckley. But nowhere is lie be iter known iiian at tiie Kly Homos for Chi kin n, whore in- is al frequent visitor as the I-le governing commitL: However, before the canon became a dian bad made himself known at the old Ely j Schools, where the children wore located before the present -cat'ered hom^s were erected. Indeed, on Christmas Day liei made his thirtieth annua! appearance at the youngsters' dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. ami Lht) 11;k the event was celebrated by a iKwistatiou organ- Lsed by Air. and Mrs. Walton and their j colleagues. The girt was 3 silver ink- stand. but the canon knew i .vat behind this was the esteem which is inspired in all who come into contact with his genial personality. And. to add to the i-al-ael vi the occasion, the. presentat,ion was a great surprise, almost ab big as that which gripped him one fine morning when lie discovered by his "Wetefil 1fail" that he had been advanced as a candi- date for a seat on the board of guardians. How he got to the top of the poll and how none have been sorry in conse- quence, is now almost ancient history. In his speech last night Canon Buckley referred to the bad old times when chil- Iren were herded in workhouses and tranded with pauperism. The result of the improved system was before his eyes in the apple-checked young women who were "home" for the New dear's re- union. These happy-looking girls, having '){>'en in the homes, had been sent out to service in all directions, and were glad to return, to show their interest in the old place which had made for them a good start in the world possible. It was not surprising that these young people looked almost as joyous as the canon him- self, and the picture presented was one that every ratepayer should see, if only to learn that the extra* cost incurred in .thus bringing up forsaken children paid I in the real sense. In the old times the 3it?!e ones ran a considerable risk of <«)?ing down as paupers tor Ilie. Now they are able to go out from these homes and begin Ijfe' battt? wreh no bigger ihandicap than that expei-ienced by almost (every other girl. Canon Buckley, Mr. Richard Williams (who was present to warmly eulogise his colleague), and ntherg are doing a. magnificen i work in this direction, and it is nice to have tAis • ncrrUraf £ e.Tient along an otherwise some- what dreary road. t In every community there are a tew people who take an exceptional interest in the neighbourhood of their resiùeneè. They get into the thick of social life, they wield a great influence in public affairs, and hardly anything can happen unless they net "a finger in the pic." In life they are considered indispensable in a variety of directions. When "the last post" is sounded, and they go the way of all flesh, people wake up to discover what a great, almost irreparable loss has fallen upon the district. Such is the feel- ing in Merthyr to-day, where the late Coon el Lewi s was universally esteemed for very many good qualitias and much downright hard work on behalf of the general good. Colonel Lewis was one of the busiest of men. but always funnd time to do more. and it would he exceedingly difficult to pick out another public man who would be misled as much, in the Volunteer movement he was a particularly enthusiastic worker, and his example in working up from the lowly birt respected rank of private to commander of his regi- ment should be a lesson to the young men of the present day. His influence in and round Merthyr will be felt for jnany yeat-s to come. While other departments of the cor- poration are still in the midst of theif holiday-making, the Cardiff Distress Committee find that they must continue to meet in their pathetic task to alleviate the sufferings of the unemployed poor. Sir William Crossmau and Jus colleagues Jound yesterday that an enormous amount of work is waiting to be done, and if they had not been long hardened to affairs of the kind they must have been considerably distressed by the am-f-u I tales of woe which continue to be poured into their sympathetic ears. On all hands charitable organisations are exhausting their means of relief, and still the cry goes up for more assistance. Of yesterday's applicants 79 were described as "married and of good character." Seveilty-nine dramas in actual life! It seems like mockery to wish them a happy new year. Hope must be nearly dead in many of these despairing breasts. The response to the recent appeal by the Lord Mayor headed with his lordship's own je-TC) was but poor in comparison with this ^appalling distress. But, surely, in this present .season of goodwill, peace, and hope. a few more will think of the distress evident on all hands, and help with money or employment the uphill task of this handicapped committee. TheN) can be no doubt that the New Year has been duly and thoroughly let in." Last night the male members of families were to be observed at the witch- ing hour going to the front door to give free access to the newocmer. Poe- sibly every other front door in the coun- try was opened just after inklrli-ht-and, lo, the New YVLR has arrived Whether it is a weakness or an attribute of human nature, there can be no doubt that the charm of these proceedings consists mostly in the fact that very inanv of us regard the arrival of each year in a ppr- sonal light. As I heard it put yesterday lo J*poured few? twins may be sent? la a,,IA4oured few, twing nwy be sent, out \v<? all receive the New Yeflt". It ib bound up with ail our liopes and expec- tations. and as the future cannot deal worse 'a ith us than the past we are all hoping for bappines", health, prosperity, and all th<j oti.er good tilings that may be iiivi--n away during this newly-started •"ear. May we get all we expect, at tie ;"1n>, Lô1lt:' 1't'J1]lllh,¡ng. "Ies;"ed '?s he ¡ (or he; who expecteth nothing.

I A Romantic Quest I ■ — CAVE, I SEARCHI _VALLÙ CAVE. I The el:ff-s overlooking the River Wye, near L'hcp.-io .v Castle. have recently been the scare of a lomuutio search by two Ameri- can-, ]>;•. Pc«rr\ it, of Boston, and Dr. Owen, of IK'tt iit. In one of the many caves ii.t-re, almost hidden under masses of and ivy, the Americans and tlieir assistants have tor novae weeks past been busy with r'. n and shove!, searching for something as to which close secrecy was observed. it ha- now been definitely ascertained that, upon good evidence, they expected to unearth accniuents of great historical, interest and 'raportartce, which have not seen the light Jor. over three hundred yeat-. The cave was searched first to the ;ght, then to tiie left, then straight, on, and utter- v.ardj downwards toward the tide line of the ?'ye. the cixracion? being Gn a somewhat extensive sca'e, and arousing the cuii?hy of ?.. o whole countryside. No papers were dt-cover?d, but the "ex- plorers have not given up the belief tb?t Lhe documents sought are tbere. Drs. Owen and Fre«eott have return?l to America, but have ?nitied their intention to renew the search, and for this purpose have obtained trie cxciusive light oi boring and delving in ) the caves.

Swns;-S:ons II Swansea Sessions BOCUS CAPTAIN SENTENCED I The quartei- sessions for the county borough of Swanse-a. were opened at the Town-hall, Swansea, on Friday before Mr. J. LJoyd Morgan, K.C., M.P., recorder. In charging the grand jury the Recorder said there were only five cabes for trial, and be was happy to see such a light calendar in a. borough where the population was so large and where it consisted to a great extent of seafaring people. BOGUS CAPTAIX SENTENCED. kidney Skeats, 35, seaman, pleaded guilty I to two charges, viz., obtaining food value f. 10s. 7d. from Wm. James G. Marchsnt, Neath, and a bicycle value £4 from John l Williams at Swansea, by false pretences. Mr. Bo wen Davies i-'o?ecuted. The defendant, who vas said to have borne a bad charac- ter at Aberdeen, had also defrauded the Mack worth Hotel proprietors by represent- ing himself as a. capt.ain. and there were at pre-ent warrants out against him at Bristol. Worthing, Tunbridge Wells, and Grimsby. These, it was desired, should be dealt with by the recorder at Swansea, if prisoner pleaded guilty. This prisoner did to all the -charges.—The Recorder said that it appeared that the only time prisoner led a honest life was wen at sea He was not sure whether ho ought not to send him to penal servitude. He would, however, sentence him to eighteen months, to cover all the offences. A DIFFICULT CASE. Rohrt Simpson, 01. marine store dealer, on bail, was charged with JÐloniously TocciTlng a quantity cf brass, the property of the Cwmfeim Steel and Tin-plate Company (Limited), knowing it to have been stolen, at i>wan<oa, on September 6. Mr. Llewelyn Williams. M.P. (instructed by Mr. T. W. James) appeared for the prosecution, and MYJ Bowen Davies (instructed by Mr. Thomp- son; for the defence. The prisoner kept a marine store at Pa ntyglasdwr-street, and purchased from two boys 731b. of brass for 17s. 6d. The boyis were arrested and bound over by the magis- tral tee for stealing the brass from Cwmfelin Works. The prisoner had kept a book properly recording the transactions, and a&sisted the police in every way. He had had other transactions with the boys previously. The question really was as to the proper value of the brass.—The jury .retired for over two hours, and then were unable to a,zree --The Foreman, in re-ply to the recorder, said there seemed no chance of agreement. The jury were eleven to one.— The Recorder, after sending them back for a while, and then re-calling them, said it was not probable they would agree if one of the number took such a strong view, and he would, therefore, discharge them. The oonusei in the ca.e conferred and applied to the recorder as to what was to be done as to a. further trial. The Recorder said I b should offer no suggestion. Subsequently, Mr. Gaskell said the prosecution were desirous to offer no evidence if the recorder approved of that course. The Recorder agreed to this, a,nd re-calling the jur^ directed them to return a verdict of acquituil Prwoner was discharged. I VANISHING SPIRITS. William Greon (411, labourer, pleaded, guilty t > charge of stealing four bottles of spirits from the Cardiff Arms Public-house, Strand, and wa<s bound over to be of good behaviour. John Carr (41), labourer, was tried on the same charge, and was found not guilty and discharged. Mr Griffith -Jo-ne- prosecuted. I r. FICORD-FA'S PROMISE FULFILLED. William Nurse (29), fireman, was tried and sentenced to twelve months' hard labour for stealing two skirts of the value of 15s., ihe II property of Susannah Jones, on November 50. Thomas Carpenter (36'. labourer, who was joined in the charge was also found guilty, and the Recorder said that when he was last before him he (the recorder) assured him he I would git penal servitude next time, and be t t-me, ,xnd bp, would keep his word. He would sentence him to threa years' penal servitude, promising him that next time he would get a long period of detention in addition Both prisoners were I given very bad chiiracters as idle, immoral, and dishonest. I This concluded the business.

RELIED ON HIS MEMORY REt:.IED 01+ S MEMORY' Charles Cecil. of the Victoria Tnn, Skewen, was at Neath on Friday summoned for selling beer at a place where he was not authorised 1 to do so on December 11. Mr. A. J. Jeffreys defended. Police-constable Higginson said that defen- dant was in charge of a horse and cart at Lonlas, and he saw his daughter deliver a oase containing four quart bottles of beer at a house. There were four other cases in the cgrt, but defendant said he did not know who thev were for. Witness asked the daughter, and she replied, I don't know the name of the people, but I know where to goo," The- cases were not numbered or labelled and defendant sa.id that his order and delivery books were in the house. Witness afterwards saw defendant at the inn, where he produced a book which contained some name?. [ Police-sergeant J..Tones also gave evidence, defendant having told him tihat he did not ken the orders, but relied on his memory, Defendant aaid he received the orders for beer on Wednesday in each week. The cases were afterwards marked a,nd set aside in his cellar and (ioliverc-d on Saturday. rri", wad borne out in evidence by two other witnesses who were called for the defence. Defendant was ftued ki and costs.

I RINKING AT CARDIFF At a nr?t-cla?s rink, such as the American I Skating Ring in Westgate-trt. Cardiff, the' aspirant to skating honours and distinctions has excellent opportunities for indulging bis or her fancy. Instructors ale constantly in attendance, and arc happy to shdw/.begin- r.ers how to preserve, their balaBCè, and ¡ "hold" themselves so as to be able to, under- take the, exercise with grace and freedom. The military band, with its bright music, i* I very n!elh.ing feature, and enhances the enjoyment. Rinking won many new devotee* during the Yuletide. and at no place were they more delifrhted than at the Centra' Skating Rink I at the Hayes. Cardiff, where the management cater carefully for beginners, and, at the same time, do not fail to provide the best I of facilities for the most expert of rinkers.

t I POLICE PROMOTIONS The following officers in the Glamorgan Police Force have been promoted:— Police-constables J. L. Rees (Pontypddrl), H. South (Treharris). J. Snow fBridgend), W. Thomas (Neath), and J. Protheroe (Barry Dock) to be- acting sergeants. Police-constables J. Ingo (Eastbrook)..T. H. Folland fPenpedairheol). J. Richards (Cymmer), and F. Skelly (Ferndale) to merit class Promotions date from to-day (Saturday).

I GRAVE NOT READY A large number of relatives and friends attended the fnneral of Mr. Aneurin George, of Bailey, Llandugwydd, formerly a clerk at the National Provincial Bank, Newcastle Emlyn. Whilst the cortege wended its way towards Cilrowit- Chapel, where the body was to be interred, a messenger approachcd and stated that the ^ceremony would have to he postponed, as t1(" grave had not been com- pleted. The body was dopcait? inid() the chapel, but the interment WM wstponed, aud to-day.

STOP PRESS I 4 — Latest Telegrams. I I I I I I I I i I I I i I I

The Argentine CREAT EXHIBIT ION NEXT YEAR Britain of all countries can afford to be magnanimous in recognising the progress made by other nations of the world, and in this regard no country can produce stronger claims th&n the Argentine RopuMic. The growth and 4vEl? 'rment of the Republic is I especially interesting to Cardiff, if only for the reason that it holds fourth place among the 97 countries that consume coal sLinti-ed from the premier Welsh port. Another fact which serves to bring the Argentine into I prominence is that next year she will cele- brate on an elaborate scale the centenary of her independence. This will. be done not merely with transitory feasts, but by the holding of a great industrial exhibition, to- I gether with political, scientific, and social congresses, athletic sports, and flue arts exhi- I bitions. These will symbolise not only the progress made by the country, but its solidity, industrially and commercially, and also the social and domestic prosperity and happiness of its people and the excellence of its insti- tutions. The Argentine can boast of vast terntoiWal possessions and illimitable natural wealth and resources, and with these advantages the country is, undoubtedly, destined to occupy in the near future a prominent place among the nations of the world. Already it exer- cises a material influence in the principal markets, commercial houses, and banks of Europe. The British Government will be represented at the forthcoming centenary celebrations by Mr. Charles Akera, who has filled important appointments under the Foreign Office and the Bciird of Trade. An indication of the greatness of the Argen- tine is to be found in the fact that the rail- way lines exceed 21,312 kilometres, and, in addition, there are over 10,000 kilometres in course of construction. It may be explained that two kilometres are practically equal to a mile and a quarter. Two railway com- panies jointly own 5,105 miles of railways. <lnd had an income in 1908-9 of £ 9,578,8o9, of which -fc 1,600,000 was placed to the reserve (fund, leaving a dividend of 11 per cent. Buenos Avres, the capital of the Republic, had population of 1,214.646 up to (September 31 last, and it is regarded as one of the healthiest cities in the world. The value of agricultural machinery imported in 1908 was nearly a million sterling, and the following were the livo stock in the country in the Hume year: — Cattle. 29,116,8^5; Sheep, 67,211,754, lepresenting a total value of £ 126,000,000. Tha following is the tonnage of the port of Buenos Ayres (vessels entering and sailing; compared with other large ports:— Tons- London 19,759,346 )Iarseilles 16,616.273 Buenos Ayres. 14,559,873 Southampton 7,348,690 Bordeaux 4,904,604 The frozen meat im Dorts to the United Kingdom from different countries in the year 1908 are shown in t.he following compara- tive figures:— Tons- Argentine Republic 266,327 Aii,,t,ralia 141,705 United States 78.365 The corn exports in the year 1908 were:— Tons- Wbeftt 3.540,000 Maize, 1,773,000 Linseed. 1,056,000 That the Argentine is not backward in the general culture and education of the people is paxeved by the faot that continual visits ,are paid to the Republic by some of the most eminent personalties of Europe for the pur-, pose of addressing political, social, literary, and other conferences, and Dr. Iloque rfaens Pena, one of the Argentine statesmen, was honoured by being appointed arbitrator on the questions in dispute betwreen Venezuela and the United States, and Dr. Luis M. Drago has also been appointed arbitrator by Great Britain and the United States on the great fisheries question. The newspapers paiblished in the Repwblic arc thoroughly up-to-date, and contain from ten to twenty-five pagers, with a daily tele- giaphic service recording all the principal events happening in all parts of the world. The laws of the co-ntry are based upon thoee of England and North America. The Caja de Conversion, which is the national exchequer of the State, contains to-day about £ 35,000,000 in solid, effective gold coins. The English residents of the Argentine will demon- strate their respect and affection for the country of their adoption and its people by erecting a monumental tower in one of the mast bfxmtiftil parks in Buenos Ayres. 4

Dock at Dover I STRANCE ACTION BY ADMIRALTY I The extraordinary methods of the Admiralty are exposed in a letter published to-day by the "Dover Standard" from Mr. George Perks solicitor to the Dover Graving Docks Company. After protracted negotiations this company in 1908 obtained an Act, 'with the consent of the Admiralty and other Govern- ment departments, for the construction of a graving dock at Dover, which Act duly I received the Royal Assent. The company proposed to spend between £ 300,000 and £ 400,000 on this dock. which was to be con- structed in the Dover commercial harbour, I not the, naval harbour, within limits agreed upon by the Admiralty. A graving dock has for many years been recognised in shipping I circles as an urgent necessity at this poiut in tha English Channel, in a vicinity where so many shipping collisions occur, and it was proposed to make it sufficiently large that, in case of necessity, the largest warship t afloat could be docked there. Notwithstanding that the Admiralty are making no provision on this part of the coast for the much-required docking accommoda- tion, they have for some inconceivable reason suddenly notified the company that they will not allow this dock to be constructed. The action of the Admiralty has caused the greatest surprise and resentment in Dover, as, apart from all other considera- tions, the mousy spent on the construction of the dock and in building workshops would have led to the employment of many hun- dreds of workmen who are now out of work. The reasons given by the Admiralty for preveati::g the work are still more extraordi- nary. The following are two of them:— (1) The exposed position of the dock, which might render it dangerous in war time to a ship docked thei-e. (2) The absence of facilities for repairs on a. large scale. Mr. Perks points out that it the hrsi. reason is valid, then the adjoining naval harbour, which has been constructed by the Admiralty at a cost of several millions sterling, should never have been made. As to the second, he points out the absurdity of supposing that commercial company would go to the expense of constructing a graving dock without making proper provi- sion for workshops and repairing plant. But an ironical jest in the matter is that another department of the Government, the Inland Revenue authorities, have, according to Mr. Perks, now commenced an action for duty on tho company's capital and penalties I for non-payment thereof, whilst the Admi- ralty are blocking the company in the man- ner stated.

I CARDIFF INFIRMARY BALLS Final arTang^Tn-ents have been made for the Cardiff Infirmary balls. Mr. J. A. Jones will act as M.C. and the members of the executive committe as stewards. Mr. Roberts's band will supply the music. The progra.mme for the first night comprises twenty dances, and dancing begins at nine p.m. The children's dance (second night) lasts from seven to eleven, instead of six to I ten as last year. The secretaries reported I that contributions towards the refreshments were coming in well, and in every way the balls promise to be a great success. The tickets as shown in the advertisement columns, are on sale at several shops in the town, and may also he obtained at the infir- mary and from the secretaries.

CANON BUCKLEY HONOURED Canon Buokley on Christmas Day paid his thirtieth visit to the Cardiff Union Children's Homes and Ely Schools, and to mark this anniversary the rev. gentleman was on Friday the centre of a picturesque function, when Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wat-ton (superin- tendent and matron), on behalf of themselves and their fellow-officials, presented the callon with a silver inkstand and illuminated address. Mr. Richard Willia.ms (vice-chair- man of the homes committee) said that th"1 canon was generous, refined, merciful, and scrupulously just in all things. Canon Buckley, in response, said that during his term of office he had observed great improvement in the treatment of children.

I FORKIBUS, CARTIBU3, ET MANURiBUS A farmer, whose son had been for a long time ostensibly studying I.ati i1 iu a popular academy, not being satisfied with the course and the conduct of the young fellow, recalled him from school, and. pacing him by the side of a cart one day, thus ad- dressed him: Now, Joseph, here is a pitchfork, and here is a heap of manure and a cart. What do you call them in Latin?" Forkibus, cartibus, et manunbus," said Weit. HOW:' æid the old man, '? yu Joet?p?h. <),'<I rraii, i,? y4u don't take that forkibus pretty quickibus, and pitch that iiianuribus into the cartibus, I I'll break your lazy b-a^kibus." Joseph went to work icrthwithibus.

I I INDIGNANT MAGISTRATE There was a scene at a special sitting of the Aberystwyth magistrates on Friday. Mr. Perks, licensee of the skating rink, applied for two-and-a-half hours' extension on Xew Year's Eve on the occasion Ci a dance. Cap- tain Doughton strongly objected to the grant- ing of the application, stating that the magistrates had passed a resolution that the place should not be kept open after ten o'clock, saving also that the ex-mayor (Mr. J. T. Davies) was not legally entitled to sit as a magistrate. He rose from his chair and left the court. The other t,wo magistrates present granted the application

I ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY Owner: So you think you have a customer for my farm? Agent: I've been negotiating with a man who says he used to own one. Owner: Don't have anything to do with him. He's a fraud. No one who ever owned a farm wouid want to buy another. I

TREASURY BILLS I The "London Gazette" gives notice of tenders for loans on Treasury bills to the a.mount of £ 4,000,000, of which £ 3,000,000 will be in re-placement of bills falling due op January 10, and £ 1,CC!),000 will be a further issue.

SCOTTISH MINERS' WAGES The annual conference of the Scottish Miners' Federation was concluded at Edin- burgh on Friday. The session was private, but at the close it was officially communicated that the conference had adopted a resolution in favour of a weekly or monthly newspaper to voice the interests of Scottish miners and remitted to the executive to report on the proposal. It wa £ agreed by districts that all underground workers should contribute 6d. per week to the Federation funds, and that the executive should bring before the coal masters a proposal to raise the standard wage of workers by establishing a minimum rate of wages for all grades of workers llot paid piece wages. Office bearers were then elected for the ensuing year, Mr. Robert Smillie being re- I eleoted president. EIGHT HOURS AND ADVANCED PRICE OF COAL. It is officially announced that throughout Lancashire there will, with the opening of the Xew Year, be an advance of Is. per ton in the price of coal. A similar advance has also been decided upon in Yorkshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire. The reason assigned is that there is a greater demand for coal, supplies of which are short, partly due to the decreased output consequent on the eight hours' day. Colliery proprietors state they are losing money at the present price. EIGHT HOURS TROUBLE. NORTHUMBERLAND PITS "WILL BE STOPPED. At a meeting in Nowca&tle of the caa1- I owners' and miners' representatives on Fri- day -he provisional agreement recently come to for working the Eight Hours Act was duly ratified. At wme <Mm€ries. ho'vever, both in ?orthumberlaud and Durham, there is trouble in arranging the working systems, and in Northumberland it is said that several pits will be stopped, affecting between 6,000 and 7,000 men and boys. At many collieries no agreement has yet bêoen come to for working under the new Act, while at some a. two-shift system of hewing has been arranged. TRECYXOX DISPUTE SMOOTHED OVER. The management of Sgnborwcn Colliery, Trecynon, after receiving a deputation from the men, have decided not to carry out tnpir intentkm or reducing tbe cutiing price by 4d. per ton for another month. The men will thus work tOodoa-y piaturday). L

101aiiiorgan Hunt Balli OLD YEAR MERRILY DANCED OUT The old year was merrily danced out at the City-hall, Cardiff, on Friday, when the I¡ Glamorgan Hunt Annual BaU was held. Nearly every family of note in the county wa.s represented, and many also came from over the borders. The programme consisted of 23 dances, and the music was played by Mr. Fred G. Roberts' Band. Messrs. James Howell and Co. surpassed themselves this yea i- with the decorations, which revealed taste and art. Mr. Walter Shirley carried out the duties of hou. secretary with great abiiity. Among the 250 guests were:—Colonel ard Mrs. Homfray and party, The Mackintosh of | Mackintosh, and party, General Tyler and j party, Mr. O. H. Jones (Fonmon Castle) and party, Colonel M. Lindsay and party, Colonel Henry Lewis and party, Mr. R. R. II (Bryntirion) and party, Mr. and Mrs. h J. Williams and party, Captain Godfrey Masters and party. Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Llewellyn, and party, Mr. and Mrs. Nichali i Merihy i-mav\ i ), and party, Mr.. Mi s., and Miss Insole, Miss Hughes (The Palace, Llan- daft;, Mr. and the Misses Robert Forrest, Mrs. Nieholl Came, Captain Lindsay, Alderman J-ewjs Morgan and Miss Lewis Morgan, and Mrs..and Miss Edmondes. Many of the dresses worn by the ladies were very beautiful and striking. Miss Rogers- Harrison, of Cheltenham, wore a striking dress of full orange silk. Miss Hughes, The Palace, was attired in white net, trimmed with snowdrops and silver. Mrs. \Y. E. 0. Williams looked very becoming in a dress of whits and silver panels over white satin. Mrs. Tompkins (Lkindaffl was attractive in a mauve tunic over a velvet skirt in two shades of purple. Mrs. Robert Forrest wore peacock green silk. Mrs. O. H. Jones wag charmingly attired in a black net overdress on emeraid green, with gold Oriental embroideries, and an Oriental gold ornament in her hair. Mrs Insole had a curiously draped pink dress over a sequin petticoat. Mrs. E. U. David wore a striking brocade dress. Mrs. Percy Carey- Thomas was much admired in her dress of white satin. Mr. J. Linton (Llandaff) looked well in a spangled riiver bodice over white tulle. Mrs. Alien (St. Hilary) was well dressed in claret-coloured ninon over w hite. Mrs. Lawrence Williams (Bonvilstone) wore green with pearl trimming, and carried a bouquet of pink roses. Mrs. Condon, the wife of Msvjor Condon, was garbed in grey brocade cnt in very simple style, there being no trimmings except a silver bodice. Mrs. T. Morris (Swansea) had a novel cream satin dress caught in, round the knees in a new | style, with a band of coloured embroidery.

Jay Williams' Affairs STATEMENT BY OFF C!AL RECEIVER STATEMENT BY OFF.CIAL RECEIVER The official receiver at Swansea (Mr. Henry Rees) has issued a statement respecting John Jay Williams, lately residing at 169, Queen's- gate, South Kensington, formerly of Beau- manor Mansions, Queen's-ioad, Bayswater, and now serving a term of penal servitude in Wormwood Scrubbs Prison. The gross liabilities are returned at £ 35,524; expected to rank, £ 29,977; and defi- ciency, £ 20,137. In the liabilities (as stated and estimated by debtor), 229 unsecured creditors figure for 126,977; one creditor fully secured, £ 3,540; estimated value of f5curities, £ 10.800; contingent Uabilit.y. £ 1,000; four creditors for rent recoverable by' distress, £ 540j 206 creditors for rates, taxes, wages, & payable in full, ?1.465. The assets include the following:—Ca?h at bank, ?141; ?tock-in-trada, £ 297; trade fix- tures, fittings, utensils. Ac., £ 1,350; farming stock, horses at oilliar-y, 1-71: furniture, .461c,6: life policies, books debts £ 2,396; surplus from securities in the hands of creditors fully secured (per contra), £ 7,259; total, £ 11,846; deduct 210 creditors for dis- trainable rent and preferential rates, taxes, waget-, &c. (per contra), £ 2,006; total, £ 9,840; and deficiency, £ 20.137. The causes of failure alleged by debtor are want of capital, expenses of development of the colliery, the closing of the colliery, and the loss in value as estimated for rooti-A, tion." The claim for breach of contract for supply of coal and for employ of workmen is 12.346. Expenses re appmntment of receiver of New Lynch Colliery ?etimated), ?705. The official receiver's observa.tio?? are:—"On the 17th May, 1909, the debtor was arrested a.t the instance of Messrs. Raphael Tuck and Sons j Company (Limited) on certain charges of for- geries, and on J UIle 22, 1909, he was convicted at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to three years' penal servitude. The debtor (aged 45) describes himself as an accountant, and manager to Messrs. Raphael Tuck and Co. (Limited). During the last two years he was in their employ his salary was £ 300 a year. In 1907 he acquired a coal mine at Jilanxnorlais, which he states he contracted to purchase for He states that for some time before his failure the colliery was Irtnng worked at a profit. "A proof of debt has been lodged by Messrs. Raphael Tuck and Sons Company (Limited) against this estate for £ 24,736. being, it is alleged, the proceeds of 45 cheques which debtor forged. The gre-ater portion of these moneys it seems was spent in connection with the development of the New Lynch Colliery On the 24th of November last the colliery was sold by auction by the trustees for £ 10 550; at the same time he also dispos-er1 of the colliery plant, < £ c. for £ 1,350. Out of the proceeds of the sale the claim of the debtor's bankers, who are the fully secured creditors referred to in the summary of debtor's statement of affairs, will have to be discharged, and the sum required for that purpose, including costs and expenses, is expected to exceed the amount of £ 3,540. The debtor had a pravious failure. From 1337 to 1838 he carried on business as a grocec in partnership with another at Olydach, trading as J. W. and L. Jones," and as a member of that firm he was adjudged bankrupt oil the 6th of July. 18S3. That bank- ruptcy. however, was annulled on the 20th of November, 1905, debtor having paid the debts in full. Tn October, 1906, debtor fought a 'mock' election in the Gower Parliamen- ts ry Division, the expenses in connection ¡ with which he states amounted to about £ 400; the record of these expenses debtor has destroyed His donations and subscriptions to various philanthropic and other objects between 1905 and 1909, he says, amounted approximately to ,t315. His books of account, however, contain no record of such expendi- ture. The debtor's books of account con- taine.d no capital, trading, or profit and loss account, neither were they balanced at any time during the period of his trading. The adjourned public examination will be held at Bankruptcy-buildings, Ca,rey-stroot, London. AN-.C.. ou January 11, at eleven a.m." The Lynch Colliery I The negotiations In connection with the -aj43 of the Lynch Colliery were completed on December 23, when th.. concern was taken over by the new company. Arrangements for the resumption of work will be made almost immediately.

LATE MR. EVAN JOHN Mr. Evan John, of Tynsella, Margam, farmer, who died on November 9, left estate of the ?ros? value of 11,491, with n?t personality ?1,273. and probate of his will dated the 9th of September. 1909, haa been srranted to Mr. William Morgan, of ',Zker? Farm, Margam, and Mr. Thoma-s Morgan, of I Cwmlang Farm, Margam, farmer. The testa- tor left two-thirds of his estate upon trust for his niece. Jessie Be-,3n Morgan, and one- third of his estate upon trust for his niece Elizabeth Annie Be van Ford.

THIS FARM FOR SAIL I Smith was riding, and saw a board nailed up on a post in the yard of a farmhouse, with a sign painted on it:—'This farm for sail." Always ready for a littla pleasantry, and soeing a woman picking up chips at the 1 wood pile in front of the house, he stopped and asked her ver- politely when the farm was to sail. She went on with her work, but replied to his question instantar—"Just as soon as the, man comes along who can raise th. "Ainrl!P tho wind!"

A NITRATE TRUST I NEW YORK, Friday. According to a New York Herald tele- gram from Valparaiso (Chili), it is reported there that Ur J. Pierpont Morgan, in asso- ciation with the Deutsche Bank and a power- ful British syndicate, has formed a nitrate trust, with a capital of £ 50,000,000, with the object of securing control of the world's nitrate supply.—Central .\ews.

DEATH OF MRS. MANVILLE I Mrs. Manville, eldest daughter of Colonel C. T. Wailis and Atrs. Wailis. of Chester- holme, Newport, has died in London. Mr. Manville was regarded as one of the leading authorities on motors and motoring, and Mrs. Manville, who was also interested in the subject, had written some article4 on it.

ZOMERZET SPEECH At, a. rellit aiidit iii Somersetshire, the oldest tenant on the estate had to propose the health of the landlord. He did so in these terms. After rising, looking helplessly around, and scratching his head, he said: Wull, z;ir, all I can s<ay is, Yer's t<) y-er good health: end if all tlio landlords 'ud do us you do. tena-at va-rmera '-00 do better than tbor do do:" "I

Lydney Park Explosion SERIOUS CONDITION OF INJURED The condition of the girl Pearoe, one of the victims of the disastrous gas explosion at the residence of Mr. Bat hurst at Lydney Park. which occurred on Thursday, was such on Friday that there was only the faintest hope that she would pull through. The poor girls is only sixteen years of age, and had only been at the Park a month. Mrs. Pearce, who was early informoo of the accident to her daughter, arrived at, Lydney, and was permitted to sec her at the hospital and remain with her a short while. Mrs. Pearce was greatly distressed. The other domestics—Rose Smith and Ger- trude Jaiues—experienced a very fair night, and there is no reason, unless something nn- locked for intervenes, to anticipate that they witt do otherwise than make rapid progress. Ernest Bailey, who is being treated at his home at Aylburton, and wholie courageous conduct alone saved Pearce from instan- taneous doeath, sllffers considerable pain from 'I is badly burnt hands, but is doing fairly well. The little pageboy. Goodwill, who is the patient of Dr. Monsell, remains also in a rather precarious sta.te. At their particular request, Mr. and the Hon. Mi's. Bathurst are being frequently informed of the condition of their unfortu- nate servants. They arc most solicitous for their recovery, and desire that everything tba.t can be suggested as calculated to do good should be resorted to. There are a, great many callers at the hospital, and the greatest possible sympathy is felt towards the sufferers.

THE VICAR'S VISITOR William Robert Dale, otherwise "Arden," 3,1 butcher, of no fixed abode, was committed for trial at Neath on Friday on a charge of obtaining 10s from the Rev. T. C. Phillips, vicar of Skewen, by riaeaais of false pretences on December 7. Prosecutor said that the prisoner came to the vicarage in the evening e.md asked him to sign his pension papers, which he did. Pri- soner said he had to go to Chester that night to be examined with a view to starting work on the Great Western Railway at Xeath Abbey. He said he had been a ser- geant in the Royal Engineers. Prisoner asked him for an advance of i7 li);i., the amount of his pension, but he refused, even- tually advaneinig him 10s. Some days later he received a reply from the Record Office of the Royal Engineers at Chatham stating that the man who had presented the docu- ment to him was either an impostor or a fit subject for medical examination. (Laug-hter.) The Rev. J D. James (vicar of Cadoxton) said that prisoner told him a similar tale, on the strength of which he lent him 4s. 3d. Quartermaster-sergeant Tic km an, of the Royal Engineers, Chatham, said the forms produced had not been issued by any Army department. Traffic Inspector Stone, Chester, said he had received no application from the prisoner for employment, neither had he sent him a letter asking him to come to Chester. PMice-sergeant W. E. Rees said the prisoner when charged, replied, That'is eo; I am guilty."

SEQUEL TO DOG FIGHT Dicky Price, an ex-boxer, was summoned before the Cardiff stipendiary on Friday with cruelly ill-treating a dog. Mrs. Charlotte Bell, of Gough-street, said that on the night of December 2J her black lurcher dog was engaged in a fight with defendan-t's dog, which was a smaller dog, but of the fighting bread," when flcfendaut hit her dog three blows with a poker. Defendant: I hit it with a stick. I'm not going to put my band in a dog's mouth-a dog what is used to killing men. You takes him out poaching every night. Inspector John Barrack, of the N.S.P.C.A., said the dog had a swelling on the baok next day and walked slowly and stilly. He was fined £4 and costs, or one month's hard labour. For threatening Mrs. Bell defendant was bound over for twelve months in a sum of X20, and to find a surety of £20, or go to prison for throe months. lie was led to the cells.

aji i— .:4. —a DYNAMITE EXPLOSION An inquest was held on Friday at St. Dennis, near St. Austeli, Cornwall, into the circum- stances of the dynamite explosion at the Hendra China Stone Quarry on Thursday, which resulted in the death of William Allen and William Flamank. The evidence show,ed that the deceased, with a man named Ivellow, were working on a ledge near the surface of the quarry when an explosion occurred. Allen and Flamank received the full force of it, both being terribly mutilated. A hole had been blasted at the L-pc)t last week, and it was suggested that the last charge was unexploded. The Coroner said that there was no evi- dence of negligence. A verdict of "Death from injuries caused by an explosion" was returned.

SHOTS FROM A WARSHIP The captain of the steamboat Quaysider, which arrived at Ipswich on Friday evening from Colchester, reported a startling experi- ence. He discovered through the searchlight of a warship that he was nearing a floating- target, and immediately afterwards the warship opened fire, several of the shots entering the water near the Quaysider. One passed so close over the captain's head that he jumped dowu frm the bridge in alarm. The steamboat was hen sighted by the war- vessel, which approached and asked by megaphone if it were all right. You just missed me," the captain replied.

REVENUE APPOINTMENT The Board of Inland Revenue have appointed Mr. E. H. Bowers to be Chief In- spector of Stomps and Taxes, in succession to Sir J. E. Thrift, who retires under the age rule at the end of January. 1910.

SECRET ARYTO COM MISSION ERS The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for Eng- land have appointed Mr. Stanford Edwin Downiug as their secretary as from to-day, in succession to Mr. Robert Carr Selfe, retired.

ASTRONOMICAL NOTES. At the beginning of 1910 the most interest- ing celestial sight is that of the planets ■Saturn and Mars in cio-e contiguity in the heavens. fniey cross the njeridian about seven p.m., and the contrast between the colour of the two objects is well marked, Mars being ruddy a.nd Satura of a pale leaden hue. A small telescope can now do nothing with Mars, but if good it will afford a, c'harming miniature view of Saturn end his ring- system. I hope I may he forgiven here for mention- ing that the above conjunction, in the sign Aries, is considered by those who believe in planetary influence to he of insidious import. For Aries has for many centuries been under- stood to ruia both England and Germany, and the synchronisation of the greater and lesser malefic in evil aspect in Aries with the present bitter and uneasy feeling is just one of those numberless "coincidences" which sceptics find it a good deel easier to scoff at than to explain. Veous is still a splendid object in the pouth-west after sunset, arriving at greatest- brilliancy on the 7th inst., after which we shall soon lose her from the evening heavens. Mercury, too, will be an evening star about t-he 10th inst,, not eo far from Venus, but somewhat nearer to the horizon and a little further north, and much fainter than Venus, of course. Jupiter is a fine object in the morning "heavens. f The Moon is new on the lltli, fun on tbe 25th; close to Saturn on the afternoon of the 17th. I have hea-rd of no further local observa- tion- of Halley's Comet: but Dr. Billups, of Barry, while searching with his telescope in the constellation Auriga picked up Daniel's Comet before he had seen the announcement of its discovery. It is always on the cards that the indefatigable amateur may spot a, r.ew comet, as d.id Mr. Edwin Holmes, in Ijondon, some years ago, the obiect being quite close to the great nebula in Andro- meda, at which he had been looking with his large telescope. The Cardiff Astrological Society holds its annual meeting next Wednesday evening, and the Astronomical Society of Wales the following Friday evening; both meetings at the Cardiff Nautical Academy, by kind per- mission of Captain Jutsum, F,R..A.S. I should be grateful to any correspondents who observe meteors, aurora borealis, bales, or any other interesting phenomena if they wiU kindiv -end me a note of the same care of the editor of this journal. Many pheno- mena are unrecorded because those who see them do not ma-ke a note upon the spot. A" M"

At a, dinner given to tenants on an estate in Berkshire a few days ago, the steward in the chair, a discussion came on with refer- ence to farming. "Mr. Green," said the rteward, "you have got that ten-acre field in c.apital order. What do you think of plant- ing it with?" sir," replied Mr. Green. "I have hardly made np my mind yet, I)uel don't think I could do better than plant it with geutleman stewards, as they appear to thrive as well as amYtbiBir ou the land, now." i

A Toll Gate in 191UI CARDIFF, PENARTH AND THE COUNTY One of the subjects at present occupying the attention of the Parliamentary com- mittee of the Cardiff Corporation is the advisability of taking steps to secure the abolition of the toll-gate on the Penartb- road. By all classes of the community it is regarded as an anomaly and a relic of a< bygone age, which is altogether out of keep- ing with modern ideas. Those people who use the road to any appreciable extent, espe- cially motorist. carting contractors, and tradesmen whose business involves vehicular traffic between Cardiff and Penarth, would all like to see the toll-gate done away with, but the quest,iou is, How is it to be done, I and by whom?" The toll-gate is outside the Cardiff boundary, and is within the Penarth Urban area, and attempts have been made from time to time to promote joint action bet,ween the Cardiff Corporation, the Penarth District Council, and the Glamorgan County Council, but, on the ground that the road is not a main or county road, the county autho- rities have ret used to join in a movement which would harden them with a consider- able share of expense. The toll-gate is privately owned by the Marquess of Bute and the Earl of Plymouth, who have to maintain the. road on which the gate is fixed. It is estimated that in the fii-st place it would cost a sum of £30,000 to purchase the toll rights and the adjacent property. So far, the Penarth people, when sounded on the subject by the Cardiff Corporation, have declined to' contribute towards the cost of purchase, and have contended that the cost should fall upon Cardiff. The reply of the city council can be summed up in these words: "Why should we do it? The removal of the toll-gate would be uo advantage to Cardiff, but it would, be an immense advantage to Penarth and other outeide districts, as it would probably result in' Cogan and Leek with Hill, for instance, developing into residential dis- tricts. In addition to the capital cost of £ 30,030 which Las been stated as the value, there would be a standing charge of £800 to £ 1,000 a year in maintaining the road, and some thousands of pounds would have to be spent in re-building the bridges over the Ely and Taff. Besides, it is to the advantage of Cardiff to keep the gate there, for the reason that motor-car owners who have to pay from £ 10 to per annum in tolls I hesitate before deciding to go and live at Penarth. They prefer to make their homes in the R-oath Park district or out in the direction of Llandaff. Another reason is that Penarth-road is very dull and unattrac- tive. and while Penarth would benefit mostly, they will not pay what we consider to be their fair share.' That, in a summarised form, is the atti- tude taken up in the matter by the Cardiff Corporation. The Earl of Plymouth and the Marquess of Bute could not be compelled to sell the toll- gate except under a special Act of Parlia- rnent, but it is not expected that there would be any serious difficulty on that score pro- vided the parties concerned could make common, oause in a real businesslike effort to purchase the toll-gate at a fair' valuation. Up to about fourteen years ago the toll- %ate was leased by Messrs. Solomon Andrews led &on at about £ 2,COO a year, but they found it did not pay, and the lease was given up. —i

I NO NEW YEAR'S HONOURS No list of political honours was issued by the Premier on Friday night, and, except for isolated honours, no New Year list is to be looked for in future, the lists being instead isrred at the official celebration of the King's birthday in June, and on the actual birthday in November. In regard to the dissolution honours, nothing will be done until after the dissolu- tion. CONFERMENT OF INDIAN HONOURS. A special supplement of the London Gazette," issued on Friday night, contained a sbort list of New Year honours, with two exceptions being Orders conferred on Indian officials. They include the followin, ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER. To be Commander.—The Hon. Ar thur Walsh, the King's Master of the Ceremonies. I of the Foiith Chi.-s.—Colonel John I Morrison, of the Seaforth Highlanders. Amongst the Indian honours were:— I KNIGHTHOODS. Ifr. Robert Smith Ail mar, lately a, judge I of the High Court, North-west Provinces. Mr. Alexander i £ 'Robert, managing" direc- tor of the Woollen Mills, Cawnpore. I STAR, OF INDIA. I To be Knight Commanders:— Sir James Lyle Mackay, member of the Conucil of the Secretary for India. Sir Harvey A damson, Indian Civil Service. Lieutenant-general Sir Beauchamp Duff, secretary in the military department, India Office. Lieu tenant-colonel Dunlop Smith, private secretary to the Viceroy of India. ORDER OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE To be Knight Commander—M r. Theodore Mopri?m, a, member of the Indian Secretary's COUTK.U. All the other recipients were Indians, among them bein? her Highness the Begam of Bhopal, who wHs elected Knight Grand Commander or the tar (,T India.

THE LATE EARL PERCY Tbe body of Earl Pescy, which was placed in a. special carriage at the Gare du Xord, Paris, on Friday night, will arrive at Char- ing Cross this morning. Lcrd Henry Percy and Loird Eustace Percy, brolher-, of the deceased, travelled by the same train. Immediately on arrival at London the body will be re-entrained for Elswick, where the interment will ta-ke place on Tuesday. The Duke of Northumberland and other roem- bers of the family have left Grosvenor-place for Elswick. PARIS, Friday. The remains of the late Earl Percy were quietly transferred from the hotel to the train this evening without attracting any attention, though thousands of holiday excursionists were thronging the station. The train conveying the coffin left for England at 9.15.—Reuter.

I BARRY'S POOR AND AGED I As a result of subscriptions by local licensees and collections by Adjutant Eli Searie, the officer in charge of the Salvation Army at Barry Dock, 200 poor and aged men and women from the Barry district were entertained to a substantial hot dinner at the headquarters and barracks of the Army in Thompson-street on Friday evening. The majority were infirm, and one or two had to be wheeled in bath chairs, but without exception they were perfectly happy, and were profuse in their gratitude for the roast beet", vegetables, plhm-piidding, sweetmeats, and other goed things provided. The mem- bers of the Army waited at the tables, and after the dinner a musical entertainment, was given. Adjutant Searle presiding in the ateence, through indisposition, of Councillor D. Lloyd, J.P. Telegrams of New Year's greetings were sent from the old people to Qusen Alexandra. and General BoOth.

RAILWAY FLOODED The North British main line on thfe Waver- ley route was completely blocked on Fri- day near Carlisle through the River Lyue bursting its bank after the heavy rain. All traffic between England and Scotland on that route was stopped, the metuls being six foot under water. One train which had started from Carlisle had to return. During the (morning arrangements were made for convey- ing traffic over the Caledonian line, via Gretna, to Longtown, but this entailed much delay to the North British trains.

MR. R. BELL AND LABOUR EXCHANGES. The announcement which was exclusively made by the "Western Mail" recently that Mr. Richard Bell had been offered a post under the Labour Exchanges Act is now stated to be substantially correct. The appointment will shortly be announced officially. 1

I ST. DAVID'S CATHEDRAL All lovers of this old cathedral will he pleased to learn that the ia-st portion to be restored (mainly, King Edwtrd Chapel) is now being proceeded with. It is now roofed in. and in a short time will be completed. The work is being done under the supervision of Mr. Edwin Thomas.

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116-0 for a Uady j ALLECED 11,500 FRAJlANK At Mariborough-street Poli Lon- don, oil Friday Charles Wellit" com- mission merehant Bridge-r^jnep. smith; Herbert Miilingtou <2,aster, Bessborough gardens, PiaxlJharles Clarke (24). steward, Carlton-nuvy;lida Vale; and Henry Bevington Ufeoupa- tion, Ladyv.ell Park, Lewishanagain charged with being concerne^rging and uttering a cheque for of Mr. L. Ralli, of Park-street, I-vt the Burlington-gardens branch of lk of England. It was aUeged that 1\ was concocted at the house in Besq-gar- dens where Millington lodged, vhere the other prisoners were visito William Bernard Dwyer. cashi^ssrs. T. Cook and Sons, Ludgate Cirdthat on December 14 a man came 0 1" change some Bank of Englant for German money. There were eigWtes and one for £100. Witness gave slip on which to write his name and; anll the man give the nm-e -of "Oarl hck," and an address at Essn. Asked Lon- don address he gave it as the Cootel. Bayswater. German notes wert in exchange for the English noiethln fiie minutes another man came binge two 110J Bank of England notes -neli money. He gave his name and as Arthur Howard, Cromwell-roal, fyon. These two notes having- been clithe man asked for French gold for ante, and this was given. The second had been drinking. Witness did notify mther of the men. John Arthur Anderson, cashier at-ek- spiir-street branch of Messrs. T. md Son, stated that en December <an a.sked him to change a large iumollel-- man money into English. Witnessin- able to do so, and offered to giv4an English cheque. As they weretng another man appeared, and wantne French money changed into KngfJie first, man then gave witness 10,200 in notes—four of 1,000 marks and 6,200 in one hundred mark notes. Witness a draft on the head office, and the se<Vn advised the first to take it. The 4n a,gre.edto accept the draft, and "is name and address, giving the f%s Herbert Weston." The second mad that his a.ddress ..as Mr. Ralli, te- st rest, W., and that his banking aec<a.s at the Burlington-gardens branc hIe Bank of England. Witness gave the.d cheque. Both men had been drinkiit were perfectly coherent. Witness ha-ti- fied Millington that morning as the Dlo dealt with the German money and wta the draft. Richard Harold Denby, a casbier ats. Cook's office at Ludgate Circus, said ti December. 15 Millington presented tht endorsed with the name Herbert W He had evidently been drinking. s gave him notes for L500 and the baJh cash. Mrs. Thomson, a boarding-bouseke<t Bessborough-ga-rdens, said she knew. ings as a visitor to Millington, whoi at her house. He called six or seven, and somet-imes met Clarke tiherei Millington The latter was a boarders house for about seven weeks, and ga, na,me of Wooton when he first Bevington also visited the house occasii calling to see- witness, and asking tbi- letter came in a name which witness not remember to take it in for hin, thought the name Was Caxton or pax:' I letter came, and she gave it to Bevi On the morning of the 14th she .IiUillgwn, Clarke, and WeUinga in her 1 They left the house togetlher abou o'clock, but at two o'clook they Tetll and she r^rticed them in the sitting- She was aslie(I for some b!ottiug-pap< Millington, and took some to the door < room. AU three were there, and or ktble by the window was a newspaper, she tlhought she saw hanging over t te of the table a cheque-book. Half-an later the men quitted the house. sequeotly she noticed a bottle of ink ir room, but the blotting-paper had disappe: About five o'clock Bevington called, an hour afterwards the other prise came in. had been drinking, an their request she provided glasses and partook of champagne. Later she saw a and pile of gold on a table-protmbly £: £ 300. I had £ 100 given to me as a presi said the witness. It was in gold. They al] intoxioa.te-d, and I was nA surprisec anything. He aid it was for Ohristm Bevington was not in the room then, went out a short distance with them returned. On the day that the other ] were arrested bevington called upon be] Mr. Muir said that since the last hea he had obtained a considerable body evidence to show Clarke's dea,lings with proceeds of the forgery. It was important, aDd conliected Clarke with cashing of t,he money at the Bank of ] land The bearing was again" adjourned. All accused were TeID'.)ved in custody.

DISTRESS IN CARDIFF A meeting of Cardiff Distress Commit1 was held on Friday at the City-ha and in the corridor was a large concourse applicants, women being admitted first substitutes tor their husbands in necessitous circumstan-es. Sir W. S. Grossman was irtt the chair. Mr. Head-constabie McKenaier reported that 108 forms had been received^ for inquiries to be made in the first iii,-tance,t 128 applicants to appear and answer que,i tions, and of the 108 two had found employ-i ment, three could not be found, one was ill, 79 were married and of good character, four--1 teen were single or widowers of good char-f after with persons dependent, and eight were; cases to which he called special attention, i One was living in a common lodging-house. Of the 128 four had good employment; 110 were married, and of this number only eig-ht had found casual employment since last put on by the committee; eleven were sinal- or widowers with persons dependent, and of the number two had found casual occupa- tion. Oue was a widower with none depen- dent. and two, who had found casual employ- ment. were now out of work. Amongst the applicants was a. venerable gentleman, described as a painter and decorator," who was told by the chairman (Sir W. S. Cressmaii) that he would only have to tar railings. Applicant took on the job with alacrity, pocketting in.tlie process his artistic perceptions just as did others, like- wise artists in a sense, who chose to tar rails rather than to use pick and shovel. One hundred and ninety men were engaged to start on public works on Monday at Albany- road, Kitchener-road (Canton), and Cathays Park.

I CARDIFF EXCHANGE I The directors of the Cardiff Exchange have dccidett to reduce the membership of the Exchange, which now is much in excess of tho accommodation, and have determined to refuse the re-issue of membership cards to certain members not personally concerned in the staple trade of the port. 80 the Editor of the "Western Mail." Sir,—I shall feel much obliged if you will kindly insert the enclosed copy of a letter received *this morning by me fi'om the secre- tary of the Cardiff Exchange and Office Com- pany ?Limited):— 'I :!Jo<ilJy [Limited);-Scret,ai'Y' s On?ce, The Exchange, Cardiff, Dec?emb&r 21, 1909. Dear Sir,—I beg to inform yo'? that at a directors' meeting held to-day it was decided not to issue a ticket to you for next year. The membership of the Exchange will in future have to be confined to business relating to trade and commerce, which is the reason for this dedsion.- Yours faith. fully, (Signed), F. de C. HAMILTON, Secretary. Having ln a member of the Exchange ever since it was built, I defy any member of the Exchange to say that I have in any way harassed them. I should like to know how they define" trade and commerce." Is the status of a representative of a good firm of wine, Ac., merchants inferior to that of, say, house and estate agents, printers, tug-boat agents, ship-store and oil merchants, or even stockbrokers? The latter attend 'Change for business purposes.—I am, &c.. F. C. WEBBER. I 20, Alma-road, Card:T?. F. C. WEBBEM

OUTBREAK OF FIRE An outbreak of fire occurred in the Royal- buildings, Park-place, Cardiff, on Friday night, some old timber having become igIwed in the heating apparatus room in the b\se. ment. When the brigade, in charge of Superintendent Geen, arrived they fcfund the room full of smoke, the outbreak havVig by then been partly extinguished by thetcai-e- taker. The smouldering fire was put out with buckets of water before much damage had been done.

I < TWO BOY BANKRUPTS The bankruptcy of two boys, aged fifteen and sixteen respectively, was the subject of inquiry before the Paisley Sheriff's-oourt. The lads, since the death of their father last October, had carried on a business as piano and organ dealers, under the style of Nelson Brothers, and the statement of affair's showed a deficiency of £ 92. It was alleged that after the sequestration of the business they bad out of cash received bought clothing to the amount of 16 10s.

I I CARPETS BBATEJf—U AUnny-street, Catbaro. j

i I I Am a Genius." LADY WHO CAVE 1.0.Us. TO CABMEN Agnes Sarah Wakefield (42), who ha: described herself as the divorced wife of a millionaire and song-writer and composer, surrendered at Westminster Police-court on Friday to her recognisances to further answer chargcs of bilking cabmen by giving them I O U's—which remain unpaid. Prisoner, who was rather fantastically attired, with holly and mistletoe in her dress and large hat; on entering the dock kissed a crucific and waved it backwards and forwards before clasping her bands in an attitude of supplication. Mr. Horace Smith asked her if she was prepared to meet her liabilities. Defendant: I have tried everywhere to get the money; it is due to me to-morrow, LiO. I have pawned my ring: and clothes to subpoena NVilliani Henry Wakefield and other people. Mr. Horcoe Smith: If you can satisfy ma that the claims will be satisfied I may deal with you in a very lenient way. n was a most, improper thing, a wicked thing, to impose on poor cabmen as you have. Prisoner (excitedly): I want justice. Thdre is a conspiracy. I am a genius—one of the most, clever women on earth. I shall apply to the Home Office, and so will several of my friends. Mr. Horace Smith: I have tried to help :von, but really I am forced to the conclusion that you are not in your riht mind, and shall remand you for a week for the doctor to report.

11 WHITE STAR LINE The bygone year was a memorable one in the annals of the White Star Line. Founded no earlier than 1869. this great steamship company to-day boasts the largest aggregate tounage of any British shipping concern, whilst the average tonnage of the vessels comprising its fleet is immeasuably the greatest in the world. The Laurentic a.nd Megan tic, which made their maiden voyage? from Liverpool to Quebec and Montreal in April and June respectively, quickly attracted for themselves an enviable reputa- tion for the comfort of their accommodation; and being the largest steamers in the Cana- dian trade, were handsomely patronised by all classes of travellers. But however impor- tant the claims of the Canadian trade, they did not absorb the energies of the White Star Line managers at the expense of the older service. Constant reference has bene' made in the press of late to the emphatic desire of American travellers to reach Lon- don and Paris at the earliest possible moment after arrival at a Eritisb port. Such a wish has already been met by the mail service of the White Star Line, the steamers of which first touch at Plymouth on the voyage from New York, so enabling pas- sengers to proceed direct to London by special train, and then steam across to Cherbourg, where those who are en route for Paris dis- embark. With a view, therefore, to confer a like boon, So far as London is concerned, on such as patronised the company's New York to Liverpool service, a call at Holyhead on the eastward voyage was initiated in June, and continued throughout the season with ■conspicuous success. The Olympic and Titanic are now TrndM construction at Belfast for the "hite Star Line's mail and passenger service between Southampton, Cherbourg, Queen stow n, and New York. Each of the stupendous tonnage of 45,000, these liners will be the largest in the world. They are not being bnilt pri- marily for speed, although they will steam not less than 21 knots, but to place at the disposal of White Star patrons every oon- ceivable Comfort, whilst crossing the Atlantic. The rapd diminution m tne numner on sailing vessels under the British flag having restricted the area of the best training ground, it was left to Mr. Ismay, the chair, man of the White Star Line. to formulate a scheme by which youths would be efficiently prepared to take their places in due course on the bridge of our ocean liners. In the training ship Mersey, a splendidly equipped sailor of 1,829 tons, which is now about to leave Sydney on her second homeward voyag! e, a much-n??d?d want has ?x?'n sup- plied and the 60 cadets aboard are receiv- ing a. thorough education in all nautical subjects. The new year will see no halt in the whi,te Star Line's porgress. Under the company's sole direction and management an ideal plea- sure cruise has been planned, and another item that calls for mention is, that the splendid Red Star twin-screw steamer Zee- land, 12,000 tons, will be associated with the Cymric from April, and ior the rest of the :year in the White Star line's Liverpool. rQueenstown and Boston service.

ELECTION LITERATURE a A lare collection of leaSets, pamphlet booklets, &c., dealing with the various ques- ..•ions under discussion in connection with the general elect ion is now available in the refe- rence department of the Central Library, .ard-'ff. The following organisations are. tepre.-ented: .nti-oz:-klr:"t Lnjon, Budget rjeaguc, Budget Protest League. Cardiff Con- ervative Association, Cardiff liberal ksiocia- tion Central Small Holdings Society, Cobden t' n English League for the Taxation of and Value*. Free Trade Union, Independent \.c ahLHlr Party, Imperial outn a ation. Imperial Tariff Committee, Irish nionist Alliance, Laoour Party, land Club wue. Land Daw Reform Association ► <tberal Publication Department. Liberal Unionist Council. London Liberal Federation, ojndon Municipal Society. Men's League for aomen's Suffrage, National League of -r',hn_b X'"t;An"1 Tteform Union, ilg  iona.I Service I/eague, National L nion of servative and Constitutional Associations, ional Union of Women's Suffrage s^x-ieties, ional Women's Social and Political Union, 7y ],eague, People's Suffrage Federation, .a,i Labourer's League,. Social Democratic •ty, South Wales and Monmouth Budget test, League,. Tariff Reform League, Luioti eoce League, United Committee for the ation of Land Values, United Irish -ue of Great Britain, West of Scotland ?i.t Unionist A,wei, "-omen's f'i'al Federation, Women's Unionist and Iff Reform Association, and omen s al Government, Society. hoe leaflets are filed ard placed on the les, the booklets and pamphlets are placed the counter for easy reference, and are >ti."o>ed in classified groups on sucb sub- s as Tile Taxation of Land Values,' ee Trade," Tariff Reform," The srct" Ac. Tbe current number of the Libraries' Review contains a list <eœnt niagazilie articles on current poli- A and the November number <aincd a reading list on land ownership £ land taxation.

RIVER TEME MYSTERY arles Gallias, a rabbit catcher, of Adfor t. made a startling discovery on Wednes d,morniiig, when he found the body of a wan in the River Tome near a wooden 1)I,e facing Buckton House, Buckton, Ilere- fehire. the inquest no evidence was tendered wh would help to solve the mystery. Dr. Doll, Leintwardine, the body was tllof a woman of 35 to 40 years of age. Tbnly peculiarity about her was that she ha high forehead. She had prominent foteeth in the upper jaw, a profusion of da hair. 5ft. 6in. in height, she wore good, bl; shoes and stockings, and good clothing. ii-Elin-ger nails were well kept, and the ha was certainly not the band of a woman ofe vagrant type. Over the left eye was a ,ocrated wound 2iin. long leading to throne. The doctor attributed death to ?o?en verdict of "Found drowned" was retotd. _——?—?-———.

BARRELLING AT SUPPER J41 B Soderburg was charged at Barry on -iday with unlawfully wounding Kail Yohsen by stabbing him in the thiah with a cketrknife on board the steamship flesh us at null on December 24. I'recrtoi' said there had been no quarrel, but risoner was the worse for drink. DO'Donnell said he found that prosecutoi Whit had evidently been a severe wound whit could have been caused bY the larg. cla-snife produced. NVii charged bv Police-sergeant Rees nris<fer said the crew were drunk anc quatilling at supper, and he rememberec Hothg of what happened. Hems committed for trial at the quart ci He, -t, C()Ulmitted for trial at the cluartot

COINTY SCHOOL OLD BOYS Tl,eL,t,itial re-uniou and dirlie-r of the Old Boys f the Merthyr County Sohool was held -Lt th'Castle Hotel. Merthyr. The chief guest was r A. J. Perma-n. =11. headmaster of the diool After the toast list, which inched "Alma Mater, The Borough and TradoE lerthyr," a.nd Oitr Visitors, tllero was sverv enjoyable smoking concert, con- tributd to entirely by old ,boys

[EATH AFTER A KICK At al inquest at Standon, Essex, on Friday on Elia-b Doe,, who was found dead in a stable, the Evidence showed that th< decease, who was a bailiff, had been kielie(I on t he ilea by a horse, and had lain deat for thty hours before being discovered. J. verdiotQf Aceidental death" was returned

MOMOUTHSKIRE SESSIONS There are at present ten persons for tria nt MoUn^thshire Sessions, to be held a Usk neit Wednesday.

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