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- SWANSEA TELEPHONES.|
SWANSEA TELEPHONES. MAJOR CARDEW'S REPORT. BEFORE COURT OF APPEAL. OPPOSITE VIEWS OF IT. nailv (Special Telegram to the D y Corpora- London, Wednesday.— aii^e ^—T(!- tion v. The National justices day this case came before b01 C Vjzeu'i .Yaughan Williams, Stirling fcg~iv *-on Hardy in the Court of Appea' -or 1:. v: in relerence to the report of •* Court dew, vvruo had been appointed J jnter-coni- to ascertain the requirement aQ(] con- .The report having been Nation and the Ditmication between the OorP° ^-waiis^a- company's telephone systems a t.oped side red their lordships said sitting, "to be able to give judgment >»lr, ii. Mr. Buckmaster, K.L. ° ora,uon) 6s J. Parker appeared for the clilhculty that they found themselves 111 60111 tliey could in dealiug with the report, u? ^ueStions aris- ask Major Cardew a series ot 1 made this ing out of the answers giv^n- rt might not statement in order that thc without think the Corporation pa £ ^~t0 what were comment. The question was a to be given the proper facilities t.J:1a\ we In his report ior inter-commuoication' 't was now Major Cardew stated that, uoniC circuits common practice that all te j a return wire, should consist of a "line' ,ar' rw customary in place of using, as was for ,etmg the cir- a single lino wire, and w'c had in his cuit by means of the eal\y'bmitted by the answers to the questions s ciion circuit, Court, used the term J {0 delude two ■which must be understood cjr,uecJtecl wires properly erected a11^^ follows — Answer 1 of the report laitl between "Junction circuits &houId anj the Cona- the Corporation's exchang -.Between Cor- pany's exchanges as foliov-^ and Com- poration exchange at ISVi one junction cir- pany's exchange at Skew. circuits; be- cuit, Gorsemon two luft n(re at Morrison tween Corporation's ex^ Clydach one and Company's eX j„vo one junction junction circuit, Pontai. ^sii be all circuit. These junction ^ed for calls 'one way junctions, ) 6Ubscribers to the from the Corporation s 6 TheY may be .company's subscribers. £ ets, 0r erected j either enclosed in cao -way, partly in ["overhead, or partly ia the other." vrnitted that it was Mr. Buckmaster suDI^ in that answer v quite clear the Edification in order •.•wanted considerable too<i. "that it might be und j> "Whether the The second quest^nf ^miction wires be- laying down of of the Corpora- 'tween the several ^a°espectively at (I) ;tion and the g, au<i (3) Mormton. bwansea, proper faculties for the will afford a ,/telephonic messages between transmission o tlw (Company's system and ;:persons usics, Corporation's system m persons llslf°FvChange area," The answer the Swansea ^wa8;L««No further f^ties t0-n ^qreauired to provide for what may S»oSbly> as »Si"ds interoom- ^Wtetta, in order that ,j such proper facilities as aforesaid should be afforded, it is necessary that there should be provided junction circuits to directly connect the Corporation principal exchange in Swansea with each of the fol- lowing exchanges of the Company, viz., Swansea, Blackpill, Fiorestiach, Pontardu- lais, Pontardawe, Sketty, ballav, Gorsemon, Ciydach and Llansamkt, or and any ot which œ such places?" The answer was "At present junction circuits should be pro- vided to directly connect the Corporation principal exchange in Swansea mtn eacji of the following exchanges oi the Company viz- • Sketty and Gorseinon; additional junction circuits to other exchanges may oe reouired later, when the traffic has sufficien^ ;.ty increased." Mr. Buckmaster said that he attached Vgreat importance to that answer, because ''the judgment appealed from involved the •very question as to coming back to the Court when the traffic had sufficiently increased f- require further communications, such as I those the learned Judge directed. In answer to the fourth question as to whether any, and what, additional or other -DS ought to be ta.ken to aliord all proper fad'Hies, Major Cardew reported:—(a) The Corporation should make such arrangements S at Morriston as will best provide for calls from their subscribers to Clydach and Pon- i'tar da we by the junction circuits to be pre vided and their ^xating junction circuits io [ Morriston. (b) The junction circuits to be provided may pass through the company's exchanges at Swansea and Morriston respec- tively, but should not be brought to the switchboard :n those exchanges for operating purposes, (c) Besides the junction circuits specified above, which should be laid at once, additional junction circuits should be provided as and when required by the traffic as follows:—When the number 01 calls in any one hour from subscribers on the Corporation's system to an exchange on the Company s system not at present to be connected directly with the Corporation's system, has exceeded five on three or more occasions in one month, a direct junction circuit should be provided from one Corpora- tion exchange to the Company's exchange, and by this circuit the calls should be trans- mitted from the Corporation's system to the Ccmpany's exchange, (d) Similarly when tii'i number cf calls in any cue hour from subscribers on the Compaxiy s system to nn exchange on the Corporation's system has «J"ceeded the same limit a direct junction cir- cuit should be provided from one of the Company's exchanges to the Corporation's Exchange, and by this circuit the call shou d be transroitted from the Company's system, t) this exchange of the Corporation. (e) FlOro and after the time when one or more junction circuits have been provided *or the purpose of transmitting calls from the Corporation's system to any exchange on the Company's system or from the Com panv's system to any exchange on the Cor poration's system, all such calls should be no transmitted, and these junction circuits should be added to as may be required, to provide adequately for this service." Major Cardew added that should the above answers appear in any way incomplete, or shou'd I further information be required, he was en- tirely at their Lordships' disposal. Mr. Buckmaster, proceeding, said it was m> part of his duty to re-argue the case, which had already been heard at great length. Taking the report in the most un- favourable manner to his contention, it yet did not defeat the position the Corporation took 1 up before .Mr. Justice Buckley, and which they had maintained in the Court of Appeal. The Company demanded that the Corporation should lay wires Irom the Cell- fcri! Exchange to all the Company's sur, exchanges with wh'ch inter-commumcatbn vas necessiry. The answer to that was: "No, our system ha-s been constructed so that when :nter-communication takes placs our system is efficient, and will take t.be Y/hele* of the extra traffic without furth-a wires bavuig to be laid down." The report of Major Cardew justified everything the Corporation had said. b Mr. Astbury, K.C., for the Company, said they took p.n entirely different view of the report, which, he submitted, completely affirmed the Company's views as to infcer- Ct-mnjunication. Major Cardew absolutely disagreed with the judgment of the Court below. Mr. DaDckwerts, K.C., followed on the came side, and said his views coincided with Major Cardew's report. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams: I think wo understand your arguments. We are anxious, if we can, to deliver judgment thit- sitting.
WHAT STEEL DROPS WERE LIKE
WHAT STEEL DROPS WERE LIKE NEATH MAN'S ALLEGED AT- TEMPTED SUICIDE. Morgan ReetS, labourer, No. 17, Ethel- street, .Neath, is in custody, charged with attempting to .-ommit suicide by taking a quantity of poison (steel drops). b Dr. Morris, who was called in on Monday, administered an emetic with satisfactory re- sults. When chargpd at the police-station, the accused said he had seen his wife take steel drops from a bottle, and he wanted to know what they were like. On Monday Bees was remanded for a.1 < £ »ek for medical ttqarines.,
I CWMAVON COLLIER'S AFFAIRS.
CWMAVON COLLIER'S AFFAIRS. SAYS HIS WIFE RAN HIM INTO DEBT. At Neath Bankruptcy Court, on Tuesday, John Stephens, PwllgJaw, Cwmavon, collier, had liabilities of £197. and deficiency JB191. He gave cause of bankruptcy as "My wife running me into debt." Official Receiver read out seme facts—25 drapers' bills, amounting to £54; 18 grocers' bills (one for £83), amounting to £119: ? butchers' bills, £4: 5 boot dealers' bills, £5 and 17 miscellaneous purchases, J617. Official Receiver: What do voa mean by t;¡ V Defendant: I left it all to my wife. Official Receiver: The greater portion of the household furniture is on the hire sys- tem. AivJ I see there is a contingent lia- bility of £14. What made you become liable for t' Conservative Club? Dec«or: Well, I was led into it by others. Who were the drapers?—Packmen, 1 sup- posj>. How much money has gone in drink?—I can't say. It is an awkward question to answer?— Ves, very awkward. But I have not spent anything in drink during the last 18 months. You have haen a. teetotaler for the last 18 months?—Yes, sir. Official Receiver: I think this is a dis- graceful state of things that a man in your position should come here with all these debts. Who is the creditor for £ 83?—Mr. Michael Morris. All for grocery?—Yes, sir. Official Receiver: It is a surprise to me that any man should trust you this amount. Crofs-examined by Mr. Moses Thomas, for creditors, debtor admitted that he had gone to Mr. Morris and said he had become a. teetotaller, promised to pay, and obtained more goods on credit. Registrar: Your children have been bene- fitted, but upon the backs of your creditors. It looks like it, doesn't it?—Debtor: Yes it looks like it, sir. Now your boys are earning money, have yon any offer to make to your creditors? i think you certainly ought to.—I agree. But 1 have not been allowed time. Mr. Moses Thomas: Are you prepared toO pay the amount in full at 10s. a month ?—No tir. Do you make any offer at all?—No sir Mv!+MKTh<;maS jested that the case ought to be adjourned sine die. Registrar: We will consider that text Court.
TO ELUDE THE MONEY LENDER.
TO ELUDE THE MONEY LENDER. SWANSEA SOamiHAT MEETS A Tiie second annual dinner of the Swansea Permanent Money Society estahl^wi < iW' *•»>. be their own borrower* anA lu ^!i°n Wednesday evSnflt Mackwortn Hotel Mr T *t av ° president, m lbs cS. T" J' WlU»=». °De solicitors of £ b^rSrM8' the tos" of t-U. o • eclUlJed; in proposing vmrN worl- U ^V>gave <>f laj Aro« £ 1-387 had been re- Slh L W artisans. With for those claLes r^rW rf^°n money knd^ e6°rt tne usurious En e:r. Samuel Jo' -I ThOV' had] t ,1es, &scretary, rccponded. 4™, ien+ h6 ™ ^11 £ 1,500, and tronhl^ <i. 1,V4?;'e toming in without any u-ct'ss for the society during this • as^ure,d, as new members weTe join- J" ° Month 65 had joined in the first, qwter. (Applause.) rT^I8 W?re "The Town and Trade," i -'lr• C. D. Tliomas responded rT^I8 W?re "The Town and Trade," proposed by Mr. C. D. Tliomas responded .0 b) Mr. A. H. Francis; "Officials," pro- posed by Mr. Pike, responded to in an elo- quent and convincing address from the chair- '-pin' Ir!en^OI,ed that- 3s. per quarter per v" share had "been regularly paid s;nce the lormafion of the society, and urged that if ad working men belonged to such an organi- sation there would be no necessity for so many collections. (Applause.) Musioa.1 interludes were provided by the irrcedrjtablo local comedian, Mr. Tom Jones, by Mr. W. Turner (tenor), Mr. W. Thomas (a new baritone from the Rhondda Valley), and Mr. R. J. Mx. Hytruaa Jones accompanied.
STEPPED OUT INTO ETERNITY.
STEPPED OUT INTO ETERNITY. LANDORE WOMAN'S DEATH IN A RAILWAY TUNNEL. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson (coroner), held an inquest on Wednesday at Ledbury on the body of Mary Ann Higgs, 51, wife of Wm. Higgs, night foreman at Baldwin's Steeli Works, Swansea, who was killed in Colwali Tunnel, on the Great Western Railway, b- Herefordshire, on Sunday morning. William Higgs, the husband, No. 19, My- sydd-strcet, Sw^insea, said that on Sunday morning he was returning by excursion train from Wolverhampton with his wife and children. Witness and his wife and son John sat, facing the engine, and on the other side were witness's little girl and Mr, O'Conneli. At Stourbridge witness got out to inquire the next stopping pfiace. He was t-jld not till Hereford. Ail stretched them- selves out and wont to sleep. The windows were up when they went to sleep. By a Juryman The door she fell out of was not the one he got out of. The guard woke them up at Hereford, and told him that a woman was missing. He couid not realise that it was his wife. His wife must have got up to the door and fallen out. That was all he could say. Here witness was overcome, and was allowed by t,he coroner to leave the room. Patrick O'Connell, Skinner-street, Swan- sea, said th..t his wife and child and him- s.eii were in the compartment. Witness went to sleep as soon as he got into the train and knew nothing of what happened until he got to Hereford about 2.30, when the guard woke them up. The guard said, "What is this door open for? Is there any- body missing?" His wife looked round and said, Mrs. Higgs is missing." Mrs. Higgs's bonnet and cape were left in the carriage. W it.news could not remember whether the window was up or down when they got to Hereford. Witness had been about enjoying himself during the day. They had not been to bed since Thursday night so were very sleepy. Deceased was very jolly all day, ssid was of a jovial dis- position. Sue was not a woman of suicidal tendencies by any means. Witness went on by the train to Swansea. A juror asked if either of the doors was locked, and the Coroner said No," as the Board of Trade would no- allow it. Albert Edward Richav^ foreman porter, Stourbridge, said that he went up and down the platforms on both sides of the train, and was positive that ,11 the doors were shut and the handles right. Witness remembered one man getting out at Stourbridge and asking if he had to change for Swansea. William John Wiggins, porter at Stour- bridge, also said that the handles of the doors were all fastened on both sides when he inspected the train just on its starting. James Bolt, signalman on the Maseru side of Colwali Tunnel, .aid that he saw the Swansea excursion pass by the signal- boxw All the dcors of the train were closed. There were some points near the box, and if the door had not been fastened the jolting over would cause the door I;) open. Charles Edward Criffin, Cardiff, in charge of the train, said thit he was first awal" of the carriage door being open when run ning into Hereford. He found all the occti pants asleep and woke them up. The win dow was down. He looked oof his N)30JI up and down the train between Malvern and Ledbury, and sa-.v nothing unusual. No doors were open. William Thomas Davies, Great Western Railway driver, said that he was in charge of an engine and brake-van running fro;n Worcester to Brecon. From information Îè received he Looked through Colwali Tunnel, and about three-parts of the way through found the dead body near the wall. De- ceased was dreadfully cut about. The Coroner said that no doubt the do ceased wa.s greatly fatigued, and in a had dazed condition went to the carriage-door I How she fell out it was not clear. The jury found that death resulted frou. accidentally falling o-t of the carriage Ul the-tonnei, \] >
DON'T NEGLECT YOUR SKIN!
DON'T NEGLECT YOUR SKIN! A sudden chill, contact with disease germs during perspiration, dirt in a cold crack or small abrasion, and skin-weakness are all likely to lead to trouble. Neglected chafing, chaps from exposure to March winds and April showers, blotches, pimples, rashes or I cut", may also cause more serious disease in the shape of festering wounds, ulcers <_ t itching sores, and even chronic eczema is often traceable to neglect m the early stages of a simple Spring eruption. ° Zam-Buk, a balm made of the gums Met juices of rare medicinal herbs, is the ideal application for the skin at this season Smearing the skin with Za.m-Buk W ,n almost instantaneous cleansing and r^t tave effect. So pure are the veget^^e juices in Zam-Buk that they Slnk dJp "nto the pores, permeating •,] +. 1 1X"° "machinery" of the t-ksue,1 and'thev^T^ work right awav -i •- 3° l° thoroughly and permanently. trQulA' as befits it'sWT^kuraiao1illh^jWith^Nature pels all that ks retarding?^, CX of the skin. Having everyday work lated the natural fnn t attcl stlmu- tivity, Zam-Bnk aC" jured or diseased V the m and healthy tissuJ jL3^horouShly sound Zam-Buk ar*> „ V ,tl3e applications oi inflammation ar/quSlv' if1 an<1 sores cease to torturl BurmnS drv ut) inr! u'cors and eruptions to Zam-Buk' °™J€sf> ar'd in the end, thanks tuent is fnr 5 ,ea' method, all disfigure- for ever banished. cocWl 'fr^mai'V °"1t-ments ar salves, con irntini-e m la?CK^ animal fats or mineral Buk tisCa".d? lh° *in .UZ- iiarpi-i/%r, coarse and harmful pre- thf^f -nCVOr Sivo, lasting satisfaction- »ni. f 01 ^tisfaction that is undoubtedly T rU!,hmS Zam-Buk. enfr mi °°^S a<> Well—or is, in fact, so fit"' "iUn' rta<^ healthy throughout—as the 7 ID P 'las ^a,<^ lre<iuent dressings ot arn-byk. A nd this perfection is more than skin-deep." a healthy skin exerts a who.esome influence upon all the rest of tho >oay, and it is doubly important that your n should be made and kept healthy by Zam-Buk just now, because it has to do a lot of Spring cleaning for the body. Keep Zam-Buk handy for frequent use. It protects and corrects the skin, and is excellent alike for breadwinner, housewife, mother, and the children.
PRISONER'S PROPERTY.
PRISONER'S PROPERTY. SWANSEA CASE RESUMED IN THE COURTS. The Master of the L.,(Ybes and Lords Jus- tices Romer and Cozens Hardy had before them in the Court of Appeal on Wednes- day, in the interlocutory list, the appeal by a vendor from an order of Mr. Justice Keke- wich in a Swansea purchasers' summons re Gaskeii and Waiters, a contract which was a summons taken out under the Vendor and Purchaser Act, 1870. The summons In- volved a question where a person appoint-ed under the. Forfeiture Act of 1870, adminis- trator of property of a convict, was com- petent to disentail property of which the con- vict was seized for estates tail. Whan the h taring was resumed on Thurs- day, Mr. Buckmaster, for appellant, in reply to Lord Justitce Romer, said. that there was a willing purchaser. Mr. Tyldesley Jones: I appear for the wil ling purchaser as I am prepared to take any title which your lordships say is a good title under the Act. Lord Justice Romer: The Act intended to give and administrate the benefit of the estate tail if it could, but I do not see how it can. Mr. Buckmaster If it is not a power and it is not a. property to which the Act refers, it cannot be a third thing. Lord Cozens Hardy said the right to de- vise propertv was not itself the property. Mr. Buckmaster It is an incident of the estate and involves the right of dealing with it. lytrd Justice Romer In whom is the es- tate taal? Either the felon is tenant in tail or the r.<i:nin.'V,tratoT is, and the administrator cannot'say that he is. Mr. h- your lordsiiip caxuibt say that the convict is. Lord Justice Rotaer said that his power was gone, but it was not veMed in the ap- p ellant. If the estate tail was not vested in the convict, it was not vested in any one. Could anybody in eyisteiue say who had 4 The admins iratcr h&d not said either the convict had or nobody has. M'r. Buckmaster submitted that the ad- ministrator was under the Act tenant of the estate tail. Mr. Earle, following on tha same side, submitted tha.t having regard to Sections 8 and 10 of the Act of 1870, the language used was sufficient to vest in the adminis- trator all t.he estate and interest of the convict. Alternatively, he submitted that if the right to bar was not in the hands of the administrator, it remained in the hands of the convict. Mr. Justice Kekewich had de- cided in effect that, the power was suspended, which he (counsel) submitted was contrary to the scope and policy of the Act of 1870. He further contended that the estate had passed to the administrator, and that he had a right to bar the estate tail. Mr. Tyldesley Jones submitted, on behalf of the respondent purchaser, that the order made by Mr. Justice Kekewich was right, and ousrht not to be disturbed. Mr. Earlo replied upon the whole case, and the court- reserved judemerit.
FRIENDLESS AND FATHERLESS,
FRIENDLESS AND FATHERLESS, WORK OF THE SWANSEA ORPHAN HOMES. ANNUAL MEETING AT ST. JAMES'S HALL. The care of the fatherless and the mother- less, and the brightening of darkened young lives! Could charity or purpose be nobler or better than this? And the work of the controllers of the Swansea Home for Orphan and Fxiendless Girls is a record of splendid work. The 46th annual report submitted at the meeting at St. James's Hall, Swansea, on Thursday afternoon, was a. document that spoke volumes. The annual financial statment showed a balance in treasurer's hands of Lio Is. 8d. Subscriptions and donations amounted to £ 118 15s. 7d. bazaar proceeds, J3206 11s 8d. payments for children. J6152 14s. 6d. by Guardians, £ 71 16s. 6d. and other items totalling receipts to £ 652 2s. 6d. ex- penditure amounted to £ 622 Os. 8d. L Total number of girls at commencement 1)£ year, 53; left., 7: admitted, 8; present number, 54. The health of the children has been remarkably good, and efficiency high, thanks to the matron's care. It was reported that a claim bv the Cor- poration of L78 15s. 6d. for the making of a new road hiad been withdrawn, and thanks of the Board of Management goes out to the "City Fathers." During the year the pur- chase of the treenold interest of the Home was completed by the hon. solicitor, whose fjratutious work is warmly appredated. A legacy of £ 100 from Mrs. Maria Daniel has been received. The presentation to Miss Walliker, the matron, during the year, was a notable event. The following ladies and gentlemen were on Thursday elected on the Board of Man- agement for 1906: Mr. G. C. Chalk, Dr. Eben. Davies, Mr. Joseph Hall, Mr. H. Macdonnell, Col. W. Ll. Morgan, Rev. James Owen, Rev. G. F. Packer, Rev. J. Watkin Jones, the Rev. and Hon. Talbot Rice, the Very Rev. Dean of St. David's, in Rev. Oscar Soelling, Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. iili Clarke, Mrs. D. Arthur Davies, Mrs. Eccles, Mrs. W. H. Essery, Mrs. T. D. Griffiths. Mrs. Latimer, Miss Gladys Llewelyn, Mrs Trevor Owen, Mrs. C. H. Jerkins, the Hon. Mrs. Talbot Rice, Mrs. T. Picton Richards, Mrs. Oscar Snelling, >r.s. Aeron Thomas, Mrs. Picton TurbervilL, Mrs. Wm. Walters, Mies Glascodine, and Mrs. E. Austin Williams.
Advertising
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IGOWEH GUARDIANS.
GOWEH GUARDIANS. MASTER AND MATRON APPOINTED ^EMBERS WHO HADMADE UP THEIR MINDS. Gower Guardians considered on Tuesday the appointment of a master and matron for the Gower Union at Penmaen, caused t>y the resignation of Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, who have held the position for 20 years. Rev. T. V. Roberts presided. Clerk- There are 114 applicants. Mr. Morris (Mumbles) I propose we ad- journ for lunch. (Laughter.) Chairman suggested that a committee be formed to go through the apph^ions and submit the names of a few suitebfe persons and that a special meeting be called to make the final selection. Rev. Thomas Davies objected to the se- lection being given to few J^r ) opened the door to unfairness. > Mr. Morris (Mumbles) said the majority had made up their minds whom they were g1teSvU,TCi°rD»vies rose to pom.^ order. The resolution was lbat the master and matron be appointed tba day. Several members Let s finish it to-day. A member: I have made up my mind. Mr Pritchard The majority of you have made' up your minds who you are going to vote for It sounds very funny fo- the impartiality of this Board. (Hear bear.) Mr. Bevnon: The chairman has told us he has made up his mind. Chairman No I have not. It was then moved by Mx. Vv oolacott, and seconded by Rev. T. Davies, that the whole Board go through the applications. The Clerk then brought in the applica- tions, and laid them on the table neatly tied in four large bundles. The members ^Chairman still thought it would be better to appoint a small committee to go through the applications- Why," he said perempt- torily, we wilt. be here until eeven or ei"bt o'clock. Look here," he continued, gazing at the pile of applications. gev. T. Davies: Twenty-four gentlemen sit around the table and I say they can do the work better than three or four. Chairman: But we cannot omit the other work. Mr. G. E. Gordon proposed also an amend- ment that a committee be formed to consider the applications. Mr. Morris seconded. On a vote being taken 14 voted for the amendment and six for the proposition. A committee, consisting of Rev. T. Davies, Messrs. H. L. Pritchard, Wm. Bey- non, Capt. Bostock, G. E Gordon, Tucker and Morgan then retired to consider the applications. The committee, having returned, sub- mitted five applicants foe consideration by the whole board as fellows Mr. and Mrs. Robt. J. Wiiliams, Pontypridd Workhouse P.C. and Mrs. Valiance, Police Station, Newton Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dunn, Rey- noldston; Mr. and -.irs. Thomas Davies, Penmaen and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Finch, Penclawdd. Tlie voting resulted as follows Dunn (13), Valiance (5), Williams (4), Finch (3). Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, who were then for- mally appointed, are the son and daughter- in-law of the resigning master and matron.
THE SWANSEA FEE QUESTION.
THE SWANSEA FEE QUESTION. MR. BIRRELL'S DECISION. We learn that a communication has been received by the Swansea Education Author- ity on the subject of the appeal made to the Boa.rd of Education to set aside the pre- vioufs apportionment made by the latter of "0 the fees at the National Higher Grade Schools. It will be recalled that before the change of Government the Board of Educa- tion decided that the Local Education Au- thority was entitled to 60 per cent. and the school managers to 40 per oent. When the Corporation deputation waited upon Mr. Birrell the latter said he would require a very strong case to be made out before he would alter the dec'sion of the Board. Af- terwards the case against the award was forwarded to the Board of Education, and the reply has now been received to the ef. fect that the previous decision is re- affirmed. In the meanwhile an action has been entered by the managers for the re- covery of the money due to them under the award. In view of the decision of the Board of Education twice affirmed, it is reasonable to conclude that the Local Edu- cation Committee will consent to pay over the sum due and not waste public money upon useless and expensive litigation.
INEATH BANKRUPTCY COURT.
NEATH BANKRUPTCY COURT. Before Registrar Charles. ABOUT A BRITON FERRY GROCER. B. W. Lewis, Cadoxton, -jrmerly grocer, Briton Ferry, had not submitted his goods account as directed.—CScial Receiver Why haven't you?—I have no material to go upon.—Onicial Receiver That's your own fault. I ask for an adjournment.—Mr. Jef- freys said debtor had done his best, but had no proper books. It was no use adjourning. —Registrar Then I'll adjourn it sine die.— Official Receiver Do you make that applica- tion?—Mr. Jeffreys No.—Onicia! Receiver Then I will.—Eventually the case was ad- journed. HAY MERCHANT'S LACK OF CAPITAL. Charles Edward Abbott, Pentlyn, and High-street, Aberavon, hay merchant, had liabilities £6:44, and deficiency £374. In- sufficient capital was given as cause of fail- ure. The case was adjourned for an amended deficiency account.—Mr. Hunter represented debtor. NEATH MAN'S LOW WAGES. "Insufficient wages" was the alleged cause of the failure of Gus Levering Beimett, Church-place, Neath, insurance agent, whose deficiency was JB52. Debtor's average earn- ings were 7B. 6d. a week, and he abo earned 12s. 6d. as caretaker of a chapel. He had been insolvent for years past.—Mx. Jef- freys represented Mr. E. Law, a creditor.— Case adjourned. PUBLICAN'S BIG DEFICIENCY. Thomas Jeffreys, licensed victualler, Tiger Inn, Neath, deficiency £ 654.—Case closed, subject to signing of notes. SEVEN SISTERS COLLIER'S FA Lb L RE. William DanieL Jones, collier, Seven Sis- ters, deficiency £ 158, case adjourned. GAVE THEM ALL A TURN. William Daniel Jones, collier, 13, Cbmrch- street, Seven Sisters, had a deficiency cf £158. He said the causes of his failure were illness and death in family and out of employment through strikes and changing places." There were in this case eleven grocers' accounts, amounting to £ 99; 11 drapers' aoconnte, £ 29 three tailors' bills, £ 16; seven boat dealers' bills, JE6; and five butohers' bills, JB11. The case was ad journed EX-NEATH LANDLORD'S AFFAIRS. Thomas Jeffreys, formerly of the Tiger Inn, Neath, had liabilities of £ 564 5s. 4d,. ne a' and deficiency P,5,54 5s. 4d. The allege i causes of his failure were bad trade through stoppage of works in the district and heavy rates and taxes. He started as landlord of the Market Vaults, without any capital, n Maroh, 1900, paying £ 90 ingoing borrowed ¡ capital, <000 from December. 1900 to Octo- ber. 1905, he traded as the Tiger Inn, pay ing for ingoing JB50. On the last mentioned date his effects were sold for distress for rent. He had been insolvent for three years and had contracted debts with that know- ledge. Th? case was closed subject to the sisjning of the notes. PORT TALBOT PHOTOGRAPHER. John Wii'jian>s Powell, of 6, Prior-street, Port Talbot. photographer, came into court with a defkietfiey of L52 10B. 6d. He al- leged as the caose of his fajure, Bad trade.' Case was closed subject to the sign- ing of the notes. B
SWANSEA SCHOOLS OFFICIAL.
SWANSEA SCHOOLS OFFICIAL. SERIOUS CONDITION OF MR. T. H. JONES, MORRISTON. Mr. T. H. Jones, Building Superintendent to the Swansea Education Authority, is lying seriously ill at Uplands House, Morris ton. Inquiries on Thursday elicited the infor- ma.tion that Mr. Jones' condition was some- what improved.
¡SWANSEA LICENSE APPEAL CASE
¡ SWANSEA LICENSE APPEAL CASE I GLAMORGAN QUARTER SESSIONS HEARING. BRIDGE INN GETS ITS LICENSE BACK. At Glamorganshire Quarter Sessions on Thursday the appeal of the owners of the Bridge Inn, near the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Station, St. Thomas, Swansea, against I t the refusal by the borough Bench to renew the^license was heard. Air. B. F. Williams ana -Mr. Stanley Griffith Jones (instructed by Messrs. Strick, Bellingham and Hanson) appeared for the appellants, the Rhondda. and Swansea Bay Railway Co., the owners Mr. Lleafer 1 horn as and Mr. Plews (in- structed by Mr. Ley son), for the licensee, Frederick John Walters; and Mr. Villiers Merger appea-red for the respondents. Mr. Meager said the premises were struc- turally deficient and unsuitable, the house being too small for the carrying on of the business. The house at one time appeared to be larger but it seemed to have been affected by the making of the railway and the licensee had taken one of the arches and 0 fitted it up as a residence. Mr: Portsmouth, architect, described the premises, and said the house, over a portion of which the high level railway ran, was there before the railway was made, and In his opinion, when the railway was put there it cut off a part of the back premises A few yards away from the licensed premises was the arch, which had been bricked, and in which was a sitting room and a kitchen behind. At the rear was a sma.1b yard, but to get from the arch to the licensed premises one had to pass through a few feet of the open. In the witness opinion the premises were unfit for licensed premises. In answer to Mr. Oliver Henry Jon-s (chairman), Mr. Meager said the private premises were separately assessed from the licensed premises. By Mr. Williams: The bar was a long one; there would be no difficulty in throw- ing the smoke-room into the bar, but lie did not think that would he an improvement. The distance between the back of the house and the arch was 6 feet. "Two regulation steps," observed Mr. Williams, wiio then proceeded to ask what was the objection to the two steps when many other kitchens were much further away. I^J6 is off the licensed premises, replied the witness. And tie food has to be taken across." "Do you think d makes the food taste any better—by giving it a licensed flavour, so to speak?"—The licensed premises are not complete without a kitchen. I should say it would be objectionable to take the food across into the bar. But," persisted Mr. B. F. Williams, "that is just where men who bring their meat with them eat it with a cup of tea, or whatever they want. The witness did not tiiink it agreeable to a party of women to stand there. Amidst a titter, 3Ir. Willian's remarked, "They don't have old ladies' tea parties in these housas^ you know." Supt. Gill did not consider the premises suitable; the sanitary arrangersents were cramped. The archWy accommodation was an objection, there being no kitchen, scul- lery or cooking conveniences in the licensed part. The witness did not think there could be proper viior, under the cir- cumstances He ga'. the house a good char- acter. Mr. Williams: And a respecta-ble trade? W itcess A working class trade. Don t you suggest they are not re- spectable people or else vou will catch it," said Mr. Williams: Mr. Lieufer Thomas: No one has sug gested the house is not required?—No. They haven't got any ccoking arra.nge- I ments at Pultons?—! don't know about that. The "Bridge does a °-cod trade. Supt. D. J. Davies did not think ft pos- sible to make the house structurally fit. Mr. Williams (who in cross-examination had referred to Capt. Colquhoun's (chief constable) previous evidence, and who was not present in court) inquired "I hoct Capt. Cclquhoun is well? "—Yes, he'o ir the affice. Chairman You can caN him as a witness for your side if you .^e, Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams I was not called to the Bar yesterday. (Laughter.) Further Sergt. Davies said in his opinion the house was not required. The Red House, nearly opposite, was rated at nearly three times as much. Too limited, no possibility of making pro- vision for refreshments; not required. and sanitary arrangements not sufficient (though the best that could be put in S'JVKC) were the points of Mr. Richard Watkins" evidence. Inspector Williams spoke of a nuisance in the passage leading to the station a few years ago, and also said there was better accommodation at the Red House. People had got, into the Bridge" and come out again stating they were full arid could not be served. "Better tap over the road," opined Mr. Williams.—Better accooimodation. The house is weIll conducted. Mr. Ernest Leeder, estate agent, gave evi- denoe for appellants. He t,hought the house was not structurally unfit. He saw no éJb- jcction to the sanitary arrangements, and generally the house compared favourabiv with others in St. Thomas. When he was giving evidence befyre with regard to the sanitary arrangements he heard the cha r- man pasB a remark which led the witness to believe that the Bench were satisfied with the sanitary acoommodation Mr. J. p. Rowlands, architect, and the licensee, Frederick Waiters, gave evidence A foreman blacksmith, in the employ uf the New Dock contractors, said the men got more convenience ¡.t, the "Bridge" than other liouses- Thus. Norman, who has used the house 14 years, found the accommodation satisfac- tory. John Leonard Rees, shipping clerk in the emnloy of the Cape Copper Go., said the house was largely used The witness had heard so complaints. Mr. Hugh Bellingham (Messrs. Strick, Be31ingha.m And Hanson), solicitor to the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Co., said the latter were the freeholders of the licensed premises. They had the use of the arch in perpetuity and the honse was per- fectly free. Mr. B. F. Willkwns, for the appellants, said objections were made that day whicn had not been made before the licensing jus- tices. The owners were prepared to alter the sanitary arrangements, and the Bench had heard the house compared favourably with others. There had been no complaints made about th-e itouse, and the spaoe be tween the house and the rcli did not make the slightest difference, there being thou- sands of caees where the kitchens were fur- ther off. The objections had been piled up so that the license should be taken away, but there was no tittle of evidence beiors the justices of the non-necessity of the b,e. The evidence showed that the bouso wa;; E+. the class of trade. Any suggestion of alteration that, the Bench offered would be carried out. Mr. LJeufex Thomas said the people -At the docks found the honse-which perhaps Was not gorgeously uphd) stored—a very great convenience. The Chaiiman, after retiring, said they had considered the case carefully, and thought it their duty to allow the appeal. Each party willi pay its own costs.
CHAPELS REBUFF A REQUEST.
CHAPELS REBUFF A REQUEST. CARMARTHEN FREE CHURCHES AND THE LIQUOR TRADE. The request made by Carmarthen Free Chnrch Council to the various chapeis to withhold membership from persons con- nected with the trade, or even to moderate drinkers, has met with rebuff. In not a single instance has the resolu- tion been adopted, and the few pastors who have dared to broach the matter have re- ceived no thanks from their congregations. In the case of one chapel a resolution was passed adopting the recommendation, but a number of letters from influential suppor ters threatening withdrawal of contributions led to a hasty recision of the motion.
.. FIELD FORCE DRIVEN BACK.
FIELD FORCE DRIVEN BACK. (Renter's Special Telegram.) Durban, Thursday.— Greytown rebels have attacked a-nd cut off a portion of the field force operating against them. Five men of the force, including Inspector Dimmick, have been wounded. GRAVE XEWS FROM THE FRONT. (Renter's Special Telegram). Durban, Thursday.—The field force at Impanza has been compelled to ret/ire on Greytown, after heavy fighting. A portion of Mansell's force returning from Kea.te's Drift, after rescuing a party or women a.nd children, has been isolated. They were attacked, and a running fight ensued, three policemen being killed and eoroe wounded. The remainder reached Greytown.
"NO SERIOUS IMPORTANCE."
"NO SERIOUS IMPORTANCE." NATAL AGENT-GENERAL OPTIMISTIC In an interview on Thursday, Sir William Arbuckle, agent-general for Natal, said he was not inclined to attach serious importance: to the slight success of Bambaata, whose men, he pointed out, had chosen a portion of the country which would render easy the cutting off a section of the British forces. The ground was v,'ry uneven, and the Bambaata men, being probably unmounted, would b& able to take advantage of any in- equality of the ground to ambush their pur- suers. Sir William added that the troubles had not. in his opinion, any connection with the recent execution of natives, as at the time Bambaata carried off his uncle he couid not have bp:tI'd of the shooting. Ba.mbaata's influence was very slight, his followers being less than 200 men, though, of eourse, he might obtain the support of some other of the natives.
SWANSEA TRAMWAYS CO.
SWANSEA TRAMWAYS CO. SHAREHOLDERS' ANNUAL MEETING IN LONDON. MR. TEGETMEIER ON THE BURDEN OF LOCAL RATES. (Special to the 'Daily Post.") London, Thursday.—The sixty-third or- dinary general meeting of the Swansea Im- provements and Tramways Company was held to-day, Mr. Tegetmeier presiding. In moving the adoption of the report the Chairman referred to the subject of local taxation, the totaJ amount on the two un- dertakings being J55,991, which was more than 6 per cent. of the total gross takings. That was a very large proportion of their earnings to contribute to the general funds of the community. The Mumbles Railway and Pier undertaking showed a deficiency of £ 2,925. The result was disappointing, but it was due to the depressed condition of trade and the bad weather which prevail- ed during the summer months, especially on of trade and the bad weather which prevail- ed during the summer months, especially on Saturdays and holidays. Mr. Bond seconded. Mr. Wm. Fisher, an old sahreholder, said the Mumbles Railway Company had had the best of the bargain, unless this com- pany could get a fresh lease of life of, sav, fifty years. He also expressed disappoint- ment that the extensions were only paying working expenses. He did net know whe° ther the Corporation had had the best of the bargain, but time would prove. He hoped for a better state of things during the present year. The Chairman, in reply, said it should be clearly understood that the t ramways un- dertaking was only interested in any profit that might be made on the Railway and Pier undertaking. It did not share in any loss. As to a Icngcr lease of life, the ar- rangements with the Railway and Pier un- dertaking wTas for 999 years, which was fairly long enough for all practical purposes. (Laughter.) He considered that the results of the past year had been as satisfactory as they were entitled LO expect. The traffic on the extensions must have some time to de- velop, and it could not be ascertained imme- diately what adius-tmerrts were necessary. He thought even better results would be shown this year. The report was adopted.
MR. BIRCHAM'S WARNING TO NEATH.
MR. BIRCHAM'S WARNING TO NEATH. ALARMING INCREASE IN THE COST OF RELIEF. NECESSITY OF TACKLING AN IMPORTANT TASK, Neath Guardians met on Wednesday The Ghairman (Mr. Hopkin Jones) alluded to the impending resignation of Mr. Bir- cham (who was present) and said that the Guardians w ere about to lose a wise ad- viser, one who had held the scale of justice evenly. (Applause.) His retirement would be a great loss connected wit a the adminis- tration of the Poor Law. (Applause.) Aid. Trick agreed and said that MT. Rircham had never been severe on Guardians or ratepayers. (Applause.) Mr. Bircham, received with krud applause, thanked th- Guardians for their kind e4- pression and dealt 'with his recommendation for a. new workhouse at Neath. He knew the Guardian^ did not like the idea, but it deserved their most serious consideration There were many Guardians who never visited the Workhouse, and they therefore [knew little about it. Out-door paupers were increasing at an alarming rate, notwith- [ standing that trade had been fairly good. Between 1895 and 1005 it had increased 26 per cent. and cost from £ 10,400 to £ 15,780. The Guardians appeared to favour out-door teiief, but it was time they looked where this great increase was going to lead them. Young men did not belong to ckibs as they used to and when they grew old there would be a greater call on the Guardians. He failed to see that any more disgrace at- tached to the indoor than to out-door. A great bill for out-door relief was rolling up; and he foresaw great danger. He advised them for what be considered to be best. Someone might follow him who might use scorpions. (Laughter.) The rate of pauper- ism a.t Neath remained practically the same as ten years ago—5.7—but this was much higher than in many neighbouring Unions. The expenditure had. increased 514 per cent. —or half as much again as it was 10 years ago. It behowed the Guardians to give very careful consideration to the matter he had laid before them. (Applause.) The Chairman thanked Mr. Bireham, wbese suggestions will be considered.
AMERICAN ANTHRACITE MINERS
AMERICAN ANTHRACITE MINERS ARBITRATION MAY AVERT TROUBLE A New York message stains that Mr. George Baer, the chairman of the Anthra- cite Mine-owners, at whose offices the con- ference between the representatives of the miners and mine-owners is being beid, told an interviewer at the dose of Tuesday's sit- ting that he was confident that sevenl points would be submitted to arbitration. On Thursday the habitues of the Swansea coal market bad the aame atory to tell, with variations: "No change in anthracite prices." The chartering of a Lord liner !or Montreal—as reported in the previous even- ing's Post"—was being discussed, and it was stated tbMt there were other freights being quoted for Montreal and Quebec, and rumour had it that there was one inquiry for an American report, but nothing definite could be ascertained. Prices of anthracite averaged Best malt- ing large, 18s. 6d. Big Vein, large, 0(1 • Red Vein, 10s. French nuts, 17s. yd.
"DEATH TO ENGINEERS."
"DEATH TO ENGINEERS." FRENCH PIT SURVIVOR'S RESCUE j FIGHTING WITH RATS: ATE HORSEFLESH. THIRTY-FOUR DAYS IN THE DARK Lens, Wednesday.—Another survivor from the catastrophe of twenty-five days ago was brought up from Shaft No. 4 at feailaununecs at two o'clock this morning. Three miners were working in the 1,000- foot level when they s&w staggering towards them the very spectre of a man. He cried faintly "Help me," and fell unconscious into their arms. The man's name is Auguste Berton. He was immediately brought to the surface and taken to the intirmary, v here 1 interviewed him, and found him able to talk. He told me the story of his entombment in some de- tail. "1 was working on the Marie vein," he said, "when the explosion occurred. It was 'Sauve qui pect, and all the workers fled. i was in company with thirty-five comrades, of whom twenty-four, I know now, were afterwards saved. In the rusn for safety I fell to the ground and fainted, and when I awoke I was alone. I started out to find the Bowette gallery, and took eight days to find my way towards it. "During my wanderings I fell into a pit full of water and was almost drowned. After- wards 1 suffered terribly from the cold, and in despair determined to commit suicide, but my courage revived a.t tne last moment and I decided to stagger on. Soon after- wards I found the body of a horse, from which I cut a large piece of flesh with a hatchet. The flastf, however, was putrid, and I could not eat it. "When I at last succeeded in reaching the Bowette gallery 1 found some bread ly- ing by the corpses of several of my com- rades. I ate this and drank water from the dead men'.s flasks, which were tied to their wasts. Making myself a Led on an over- turned trolley, ,over-ed with the dead men s clothes, I fell asleep and remained uncon- scious for a long time. "I was aroused by sharp pains in the breast, and found that I was covered with rats, which were trying to eat the re- i maxnder of the braad hidden under my coat. I fought desperately with the animals, and at last succeeded in getting rid of them. "Then I began to explore the galleries branching off the Bowette, returning to sleep on the trolley when I was exhausted. 1 wandered for more days than I could count and tried every route without suc- cess, until at last this morning I saw the iamps of my comrades and staggered to- wards them." I had a second interview with Berton this evening, and found him to be making good progress. His wife was at his bedside, a-nd .;oth were cracking jokes. His wife 6truck him lightly by accident, and Berton said, "If I had known you wero going *o start beating me again I should have stayed down in the mine." The doctor who exam- ined bis many flesh wounds thinks that he will very soon te completely cured. I asked him if during his wanderings he j had met any living comrades or had heard signals. He replied, "I was alone in the galleries"and met nobody but dead men. 1 suffered most of all from the ghastiv smell of the bodies, and a great deal from the cold as well. Several times I li^d to take garments from the dead bodies to keep my- self warm." From my long conversation with Berton, I am inclined to agree with Dr. Lecat, who says that the tragic events which marked his living burial had little effect on him, be- cause he is a man without nerves or deep emotions, and !ound everything that oc- curred all but natural. His health is much better than tha.t cf the thirteen survivors who were rescued o-i Friday. His longer stay has had far less effect upon him. A possible cause of this may also be the fart that he lived on bread and water only, and did not eat. the putrid fiesh of the horses. He says tha.t he did not even eat bread when he found it to be decayed. Intense excitement reigned when the news of Berton's rescue got about. The widows of the dead miners formed a great crowd and broke c'own the gates of the pit yard, crying, "Death to the Engineers!" An engineer named Fournier incautiously showed himself, and received a shower of stones. He was in such danger that his only safety lsv in flight. To escape the angry mob all the engineers afterwards went down into the mine, where food was taken to them. They will only return to the surface under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile the great crowd is awaiting the arrival of other survivors who are generally believed to be still living in the galleries. The belief is absolutely un- founded, and there is every reason to think that no further rescues can be made.. The body of the engineer Barrault, who was killed by the explosion, was brought to the surface at Billy Mcntigny to-day. The funeral, however, was postponed through the fear lest riots should result from the general intense excitement.—"Daily Mail.
SWANSEA CHURCH ARMY HOMES
SWANSEA CHURCH ARMY HOMES THIRD ANNUAL MEETING: USEFUL YEARS WORK. The third annual meeting of the St. David's Church Army Labour and Lodging Homes, Swansea, took place at the Institution, Rut- land-street, Swansea, on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. W. Talbot Rice presided, and the attetodance included Lady Lieweiyn, Mrs. A. F. Eden, Mrs. Pontifex, Mrs. Efceneaer Davies (hon. secretary), Rev. G. F. Packer, Messrs. Joseph Kali, J.P., A. F. Eden, E. P. Jones, W*. Turpin, Coi. Ld. Morgan, Dr. E. B. Evans (St. "Tnomas), Mr. and MTS. H. S. Williams, Mrs. Protheroe, and Mrs. Mary Protheroe. The report of the committee for 1905 stated that during the year 149 men had been admitted, which, with 14 in the Home on January 1st from the previous year, made a. totaJ of 163 (compared with 213 in 1904); 79 had obtained situations; 36 left to find work; 22 left within three days without leave; 16 remained in the Home at the end of the year, and 2 emigrated. The average age of the inmates was 33, and their a verage stay in the Home 36 days. Forty of the number had served in the Army; 76 had at some time or other been inmates of a, Workhouse or casual ward, and 38 confessed to having been in prison. During the year the Home found 177 days' work for necessitous cases recommended by the clergy and ot hers, and attention is called to the need of more support and to its emi- gration scheme. During the year Captain Spicar interviewed 704 men in H.M. Prison, and assisted 259 men on discharge. The lodging home bad been well filled with lod- gers. The debit balance at the end of the year was J3195 11s. Id., and the committee appealed for the overdraft at the bank to be wiped out. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, which he said was thoroughly satisfactory, stated that 79 situations had been obtained for men last year compared with 68 in 1904. While 52 left in 1904 within three days without leave, only 22 left last year. The work being done was of a re- markably good character. Mr. Joseph Hall, in seconding, said the work done was most satisfactory, and be paid a tribute to the good offices of Oapt. Spicer, the officer in charge of the Home.- Carried. Mr. Trevor Hunter was elected on the General Committee. Lady Lteweiyn proposed the re-electwc of the committee. Rev. G. F. Packer seconded.—Carried. Col. Morgan proposed thanks to the chair man for presiding, which was carried.
GBAIGOLA COMPANY AND THE NEW…
GBAIGOLA COMPANY AND THE NEW DOCK. Swansea Harbour Executive on Thursday accepted a tender of Mr. E. T. Brown, London, for a new barge and grab. An ap- plication from Graigola Fuel Company for a site at the new King's Dock was deferred for decision until a future meeting. A
NEATH NOTES.I
NEATH NOTES. I The Poor Rate and the Poorer Ratepayers! Mr. Bircham's Words of Warning. Tradesmen's Unlimited Credit to Bankrupts. The Neatli Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday disclosed a pretty sta-te of things. Really, 1 don't know how they manage it. The bank- rupts, I mean One gentleman who is ju?t now engaged in the mteresting feat of 'going througii the hoop" had no fewer thar Z5 drapers' hills and 18 grocers' bills, to s:iy nothing of several butchers' and boot- aeaiers' accoants One of the grocers' bilis n lrx.unted to the very modest- total of £ o3 odd: while the said drapers' accounts n lrx.unted to the very modest- total of £ o3 odd: while the said drapers' accounts reached the hr-r-d&ome total of £ 90 odd. Most of us exi^erienee a little difficulty i.i obtaining credit to any substantia] amount. But it seerrs to nw: that we have only to transform ourselves into coiliers or black- smiths to obtain practically unlimited credit. Anyhow, tha* seems to be t-he les soil to be learned irom the proceedings in bankruptcy referred to. One wonders in such connection what the tradesmen who give such credit can be thinking about. Fancy a grocer allowing a man to owe h;m over £ 80. It reems almost incredible, but it te, none the less true. C; course, when these interesting indi- viduals (the debtors, I mean), arrive at the end of the *ast lap, they scrape together sufficient money to file their petitions. In the next act they pose, or try to po?e, as injured individuals in the Bankruptcy Court. There they get a roasting for which they don't care tuppence, and event- ually their cases arc adjourned sine die. As MT. Registrar Charles pointed out on Tuesday, theee bankrupts have precious j little sympathy with the poor creditors who ars struggling like honest men to pay their, way. l' It may be said, and with a good deal of truth too. 'hat the creditor is to blame -.n certain cases. No doubt he ffi. He fre- quently is Much more lenient than he should be with the result that his "customer" gets deeper and deeper into his debt. Then the crash comes, and the creditor gets nothing for his kindness. Of course., it is not- diffi- cult to understand the position of a grocer iu an industrial district. He is in a some- what similar position to a publican, that is to say he is almost .bound to give "strap." But there should be a limit to this interest- ing institution, and the tradesmaji should learn to say "No." Until he does so he will continue to be bitten. There are many who will say that he deserves to be. Personally, I have no sympathy whatever with packmen—those packmen who, regard- less of consequences, will push tlieir wares upon women folk. The alluring bait is held out that such and such an article w;ll only cost so-and-so, and payments can be made at the rate of a trifle a fortnight. The bait is swallowed over and over again, frequently without the knowledge of the husband, with the almost inevitable result that- both packmen and' husbands have to differ. I have heard it stated that those !"Johnn!e-co m<-fort nights" are the greatest enemies to domestic felicity ;n industrial districts, and no doubt there is a good deal. of truth in the statement. Of course, as in every other ease, there are packmen and packmen. I know some of the genus wno would no more think of trading without tne knowledge ;'nd consent of the husbands than they would think of flying. Unfortu- nately, However, they are in the minority. The Neath Guardians on Wednesday had tbe'r attention called again to the great ex- penditure involved in the payment of vac- cination fees. Since the system of arm-to- arm vacciiiation has been abolished (and rightly ;.o too), the fees paid to medical officers have ranged from six shillings to ten and, to use the words of Alderman Trick, they are being paid "a deuced sight too much." Hundreds ot pounds per an- mim are being paid in this way by the Neath Guardians, and it is quite time that- the seal", of the Local Government Board was considerably modified. The Lee Guard- ians have taken the matter up, and they have approached the various Boards of Guardians in the country with the view of for?nine a representative deputation to wait upon the President of the Local Govern- ment Board. Wisely the Neath Guardians decided to fall into line, and the chairman will represent the Neath Union with a on animous instruction to do all in his power in support of the movement for a reduction in the existing s.ca.' e of fees. When one becomes conversant with the periodically steady increase in Poor Law administration he asks himself the ques- tion, "Where are we getting?" Just take the -Neath Union, for instance. During the ten years ending 1905 the expenditure of the Union ha.s increased 56per cent. And on the back of this we are told that a new workhouse is necessary—a building which could not be eirected in accordance with the wishes of the Board above for less than £ 30,000. True, we have an asset in the ex- isting building. But what's t-hait good for? And what would it realise in the market? Not much. Mr. Bircham, the L.G.B. in- tipector, is very keen on the erection of a new workhouse at Neath. We, who have to pay the piper, are just, the reverse. Some of us'are looking forward to the time when such institutions will be unnecessary. We probably shall never live to see it, but it will come nevertheless. There will, of course, always exist havens of rest for the old and infirm who are unable to support themselves. But now our workhouses con- tain thousands of able-bodied men who are, and always have been, too lazy to work. I By and bv the law will say, "You must work." At present it says, "If you don't care to work you can loaf." Result: Thou- sands of loafers, for whose consistent lazi- ness the nation has to pay scores of thou- sands a year. One useful bit of advice Mr. Bireham gave the Guardians when he drew their attention to the vast sums expended in out-door re- lief. He suggested that the relieving officer should pay surprise visits to those in receipt of out-door relief. Such visits could not be but productive of good results from a ratepayer's point cf view for in my opin- ion-and I am not speaking without my book-there are stores in receipt of out-door relief in the Neaili Union who either do not deserve it, or do not require it. Hundreds of pounds oi public money are wasted in this way every year—money that could be placed to the credit of the long-suffering ratepayer. The County Council of Glamorgan, al- though professedly democratic, is one of the most autocratic bodies in existence. I They make claims upon the parishes of the different unions and in lordly style say, "Pay up!" And at the same time they offer no explanation as to how these de- mands are made up. The Neath Union has kicked, and kicked hard, too. In effect it says "We want to know the financial con- stitution of your demands, and we don't in- tend to move until we do." By the way. the Co-unty Education rate is ll^d. in t,he Pl. This is the price we have to pay for the aggressive and cantankerous policy which the County Council has pur- sued effcr since the Education Act came into operation. Reader, don't Tun awav with the idea that you are getting education for it. You have jj"* an<* 316 g^^S "chaos" for it.. Now here are a few figures which will cheer vou up, if they don't knock vou down. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDING MICHAELMAS, 1906. Common Charges £14,201 County rates 13.780 Contributions—Education Act 2,005 Superannuation 560 Working baLance 2,030 Total J352,576 In 1898 the total calls for a similar period were £ 12,662, and for the half-year ending Lady Day. 1906, the caiUs only amounted to £ 23,391. So we are getting on. *m) Mttnntf Of course we are. Just one reference before I eim, ? 4SI glad to note the growth of B-uilsMaiasi the district, and the useful saanatr a nUA the various lodges are combining for volent purposes. Much good is being doni and done quietly, which is the proper wsgrte do it. A few evenings ago another fine hidgr was opened at Aberdulais, where 26 nam members were enrolled. Primo John Eva.DIIIa of the Alfred-street Mews, was chosen S P. for the initial, and the new lodge ooukfenft be under better guidance. The lodge doawd with a link of 65. "OBSERVER*"
FOOTBALL NOTES.
FOOTBALL NOTES. c m°st popular item on the Swansea lixture card is the Plymouth tour, and every season this trip is anxiously looked forward to by both the players and committee. But • s season the enjoyment has been marred by some o, tlte players receiving accident of a serxous nature, which cast a spell of gioom upon the other members of the party. On Saturday last the fifteen lads in white were merry enough at half-past three, and were sporting thér gay "blazere." But when the game started "Mr. Acci- dents hove in sight., and unfortunately he chose the Swansea team for victims, first suffeTer of all waB Serine, and the tronbte was in tlie old place—in his knee, but he, however, managed to keep on the field of play. Swansea, suptvorters who were wit- nessing the match then began to shout and cheeT, for Harold Thomas. thlSl brilliant young -en,Tp. of the Second fifteen, had burst through on his own initial vve, a-nd was going iikixd io- the Devonport line. He was about getting there, and the excite- ment ran high, when a man in a Cherry and White jersey came along with a rush and pat an < rxi lo Harold s progress. The young Swan><=« player fell awkwardly to the ground, but lie way soon up agsin. How- ever, It WHS when he was about to break t-hrough the defence again that. it, was noticed that things were not as thev sbrvuki be. Young Thomas' leg was noticed to be considerably swollen, and a few movements of the part indicated that the jnjury was ir> the vicinity of the km* He too. had to be assisted to the touch-line, where he had I to remain. It was cruel luck for the youngster, for he was playing a-7 a substi- tute for Phi] Hopkins, who had to go to outside half instead of Trrw. who did not, feel inclined to play. Bnt more was to come. One of our best I forward?, Harry Hunt, was exhibiting fine form, and was dashing across the field in his old sweet way to check the altack of the Dovonport backs when he collided with an opponent, and the result, was that he was lalid out for some I ttle while. He however, was determined to play up. but a few minutes later the spectators raised a cry, and the referee—who, by the way, was Mr. NicholLs, of Leicester—stopped the game. Hunt was hors de combat. It was found that. the brilliant forward was suffering from slight concussion of the Tirain. The game was. however, resumed, but the Swan- sea. men were affected by the misfortune which had befallen two chums, and they seemed to Lack the dash which had been prominent earlier in the* game. Roughness was conspicuous by its absence, and in- luck is the only reason to which the accidents can be a .scribed. The hotel to which the ) injured players were conveyed presented the appearance of a regular hospital, for besides Hunt and Thomas, who were lying side by side, there were Trew, with a. swollen face, and Serine limping about as best he could. The Devonport folk are a. good sporting lot, and many sympathetic I enquiries were made regarding the injured players. I Had Swansea, been able to keep the full complement of players on the field through- out the game there is no doubt but that. victory ,>ld have gone to tin visitors, for duniie -iie time ti i Swansea had thirteen men on th n^.id u»e homesters were only able to score on two occasions. And (for CO a&ffta' and f(>P, t<o ■ t'K ,i-»:v« '.nen <:niy >r. OCCB&KM: rec-r< i sciiwro. iiie Whites, i'ius dc*t. r: ■- volumes for the Albians as opportunists, for surely they had more chances to score. The Albions' drop-goal should have been disallowed, for the bail was fumbled many times before it got to Summers, who bent the bali between the uprights. When the Whites were at lull strength the Albions had an anxious time, but the strength of tlieir battalions told when their opponents were weakened. Owen was doing the work of a couple of men, and Gordon was, on the defence, par excellence. Dai Morgan, one of the recruits, played a clinking game, and I have always regarded him as a man of promise. In defence he is fearless, and the man he lays hold of has got to come down, if strength can do it. He was one of the best forwards on the field. Harry Hiams made his first appearance for the W Whites,^ and, it can be said, with considerable suc- cess. He is barely yet 20 years of age, but he has the making of a great forward. As a scrummager he has few equals in Swansea at the present time. Joe Evans was again a drawback, failing to take the ball from his centre. There was a- rare tussle between Owen and Jago at half, but the little Swansea man always had a. bit in hand. Ivor Morgan played a "dare-devil" game, but he too had a smack on the head, which laid him out for a few minutes. Joseph was in fine form, as was D. J. Thomas, who is on present form one of the best, forwards in W ales. Jack Bancroft used better judgment in kicking than did Liiiicrap, who was inferior all-round to the Swansea man. After the match the com- mit-tee had to set to work to pick a team for the Plymouth meeting, and their task was not an easy one. When the All Whites fielded at Ply- mouth, it was :.een that Hopkin Davies, the veteran International forward, had once more donned the jersey after four years' absence from the field. Hopkin had accompanied Swansea on tour in the cap- acity of linesman, but in consequence of accidents to Hunt, and Serine, he turned out in company with Ernie Morgan, the skipper of the Second fifteen. Swansea also had to have the services of Tommy Bateman, an ex-Swansea player now resid- ing in Devonport, and he "fell in at out-* tiide half, Phil. Hopkins going to the centre. Swansea managed to win thi& mjttch, and IVA all credit to them for doing C-0," for bad luck was again their lot. Willife Arnold had a. kick on the knee and had to retire, and Bancroft also got injured, but plucfcSy stack on tiH the end. But. the Whites eventually managed to win by a try, scored by D. J. Thomas. The players re- I turned home on Tuesday evening, five of them invalids. Next Saturday the Whites have to visit Bristol. Morgan and Hiams will be retained at forward, and here is the chaooe for the committee to try budding talent. talent.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING. CALVINISTIC CHORAL FESTIVAL AT SWANSEA. COMBINED CHOIRS NUMBER 300 VOICES. With the object of further improving cxm- gregational singing, the twelfth annual festi- val of the English CaJ vinistic Methodist, and Presbytenan Churches of Swansea, Neath, Aberavon, and Gower, wa., held at Alexandra-road Chapel, Swansea, on Thurs- day afternoon. Clioirs represented were from Briton Ferry, Aberavon, Neath (2), Morriston, Gower (2), Llaneily and Swansea (6), making a total number of about 300 voiccs. The programme consisted of the a.nthem "0 taste and see" (Goes), chorus "Thanks be to God" (Mendelseohrj), and several hymns. Mr. D. Jenkins (Mus. Bac.), Aberystwyth, the panineni. Welsh composer, conducted, while MiÆ: Lliy Jones (Morriston) presided at the organ. The chairmen of committee- was Mr. J. G. Greatrex: secretary, Mr. Charles Evans; treasurer and music secretary, Mr. Morgan Williams. On Wednesday night Mr. Jenkins rehearsed t.he local chodzB.