Weekly Mail

COLLIERY BLAST. SEVERAL MINERS BURNT. In the early hours of Thursday an explo- sion of coal gas occurred at Berthllwyd Colliery, Penolawdd. One man—John Wil- liams, of Brynrrow—was severely burnt about the arms and face. Several other miners were also injured by the fire. The colliery is owned by Mr. D. Williams, Oefn- golau Park. The names of the other injured men, whoso injuries are, fortunately, but slight, < are:— Joseph Grey. fireman, injuries to arm and Thomas Joseph Reea, collier, arm and hands. J. H Williams, trammer, arms, neck, and.- face. Edward DaJlimore, arms, neck, and face. D. Rees, collier, hands and face. J. Williams, collier, hands and W Howell, neck and face The men. who all live at Pencl&wiri, were attended by Dr. D. J. Hushes. =========

COTTON BREAK. j PANIC-STRICKEN LIQUIDATION IN WALL-STREET. NEW YORK, Wednesday. There was a. sensational break in the cotton i 1 market both here and at New Orleans, i -wring the last hour July slumped 66 here ..0 and 78 in the Louisiana City. There was a f n of panio-sTHcken liquidation on weak- 11 ness in Wall-street and rumours that Mr. } patten and other leading bulls had unloaded 1068 closed at about the lowest.—Renter.

SWISS CHEFS LOVE LETTERS. GOOD ALWAYS TO MY DEAR GOOD DORIS." A chef's love affairs were before the London Sheriff's Court on Wednesday, when Doris Cooper, a minor, suing by her next friend, claimed damages for breach of promise of marriage from Marcel Theus, of Curzon-street, Mayfair. The oase, which was undefended, had been remitted from the High Court for assessment of damages. Mr. R. c. Saunders, in opening the case for the plaintiff, said that Miss Cooper, who was under age, was now living at Lavender-hill, Battersea. In November, 1908, she was work- ing in an umbrella shop in Southend, and there met the defendant, a Swiss, who was then engaged as a chef at the Victoria Hotel, Southend. In February, 1909, the defendant proposed marriage, and, with the consent of the plaintiff's mother, they became engaged. In August the defendant wM. appointed chef at the Cur 0o n Hotel, Mayfair. It was arranged that the parties should be married on September 15, and in August the plaintiff gave up her employment. The defendant, in gave up her employment. The defendant, in November, obtained the return of his photo- graph under some pretext, and a few days later he wrote—not to the. plaintiff, but to her mother-a letter which he could only designate as unscrupulous. In that letter he suggested that the girl had not behaved her- self properly. If that insinuation had been true the defendant might have come forward when this action wa.s commenced and said that he had good grounds for breaking the engagement, but he had made no defence, LOVER'S LETTERS. Counsel proceeded to read letters written by defendant to plaintiff. One wae as follows front the Hotel Victoria, Broadway, Southend- on-Sea: — My Dear Doris,—With pleasure, my dear Doris, I write to you these few lines. I will be good always to my dearest good Doris. Doris, dear, I wish it wa.s September so as I could be with you; don't my dear Doris. You wiiU never be sorry for it. as I will only live for you. my dear, and I come out to-night for a nice kiss. It doesn't matter if it is nine o'clock. I see soon my dear Doris oomee. I like to see you my darling. Dear Doris, do you feel lonely? Hope yoa are more well. Doris, good-bye for the present, with love, from your dear Marcel Theue. On April 12, 1909, he wrote:— My own dear Doris,—With pleasure I write to you so as you don't get tired, Doris. I do think you are very kind and good to me, and I will never forget you. dear, as long as I live, and I will always be good to yoin. and, darling, Doris, you keep your word with me, won't you? I will live only for you. dear. September will soon be here, dea.r. Won't that be a. happy day for us when we get to Paris. On October 22 he wrote: — Dear Doris,—I hope you are not ()1"08Ø about this letter to send me photos, and eend as soon as you can; if nOlt, I must going away. Please send. I am leaving hotel about my brother you knowed very well, and he wants to see these what I told him. Hope it will come soon my photos. Good-bye and love, from M. T. The last lette'r was as follows:— To Mrs. Cooper. Miss Doris—I am very hwp-py here in Pa.ris, a.nd I hope you will soon have another to keep you. I have speak to Joseph Gregoritsoh, and he tells me he had a happy night last Easter with you. 1 believe him, and you always tell me stories. I am sorry, as I have been so good to you and you are not good for me. I am leaving Paris at Christmas to Italy. I am very sorry to send this letter to your mother, but Mrs. Cooper shall see as Doris isn't good to a young man. Well, Mrs. Cooper, you shall see this letter as Doris sent it to me. It is ashame of Miss Cooper, and she shall remember it of late she has. I am with Joseph Gregoritsoh. I hope mother and the good Jessie will be better, as Dons she isn't good to me. My last letter to you. and forget me for ever and good. A ROSARY BOUND THiE NECK. Plaintiff, a pretty girl, apparently about eighteen or nineteen years old. went into the witness-box and bore out counsel's statement. She said that in June defendant told her lie had jE300 in the bank. In August he put a rosary round her neck and said, I will always live for you. We are one now." The statement made in his last letteT was abso- lutely unfounded. Mrs. Cooper proved the receipt of the letter dated November 9. The Under-sheriff: What interpretation did you put on that letter? Witness: I thought he was a very bad young ma.n to write such a letter, because he has betrayed my daughter under promise of marriage. The jUTy assessed the damages art. £35, and judgment was entered for that amount with coets.

THE DISASTROUS FLOODS IN SPAIN. f PEOPLE TAKE SHELTER IN A TOWN-HALL. MADBID, Monday. The belated reports now arriving from the north-western provinces show that the damage by storm and flood is even worse than was at first supposed. The province cf Zamora appeara to have suffered most severely. All the inhabitants of the village of Villaneuva, d'Aaoalfue were forced to leave their homes and take shelter in tihe Town-hali, and 46 of the 50 bosses in the place have been "fcffected to such an extent that they will have to be demolished. At Puebla de Sana-bria the villagers were for some time faced with starvation owing to a total lack of food and the interruption of communications. At Sitra.ma a dozen houses have collapsed, a.nd as many more threaten to follow suit. The Governor of the province proceeded down the River Tera to make a tour of inspection, but on reaching the spot where the village of Ahrabeces formerly stood could hardly distinguish its site, the houses, for the moet part, having been swept awny. The agricultural outlook throughout the province is hopeless.—Central News.

FIRE IN SHIP'S HOLD. PITWOOD ABLAZE AT BARRY D9CK, What might have been a serious outbreak of fire occurred on board the stea.mship Spurt, a vessel of 655 tons register, belonging to N. A. P. Stambo, of Sandefjord, Norway, whilst lying a,longsidea pitwood wharf in Barry No. 1 Dook on Tuesday. A part of the vessel's cargo of pitprops ignited at the bottom of one of the holds. The Barry Com- pany's tag Archibald Hood, which was near at hand, immediately rendered assistance with fire hoses, and the combined crews of both vessels, after about an hour's strenuous work, succeeded in getting the blaze under control. The Spurt only arrived from Bor- deaux on Monday. The local agents are Messrs: J. P. Thomas and Co.. Cardiff. The damage wae comparatively slight.

BARRY Y.M.C.A. OPENING OF THE NEW GYM- NASIUM-HALL. The latest addition to the premises of the Barry Young Men's Christian Association in New land-street, Barry Dock, is a commodious gymnasium-hall, which was opened with a eocial gathering on Wednesday evening. The new hall is 76ft. long (nearly twice the length of the old lecture-room). 24ft. in breadth, and 51ft. high to the eaves. A platform has "been constructed a-t one end, with access to the billiard-room. In addition to the gymnastic appliances which are shortly to be fitted, a skittle-alley will be laid down, and on cer- tain days the hall will be used as an indoor tennis court and for cricket practice. The hall was built by Messrs. Vickery Bros. at a total cost of £!7.0, of which half has already been subscribed. At the opening there was a large attendance, and the oeremony was per- formed by Mr. Edgar Jones,. JK.A., the chair- man of the amooiuttoa committee. 1 .A

A, YOUNG WELSHMAN'S SUCCESS. RECORD IN COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTANCY. Mr. Frederick J. Alban, the deputy-accoun- tant to the Pontypridd Urban District Counoil, has just achieved a brilliant, and, indeed, unequalled distinction in accountancy circles, and on Plriday he was the recipient of congratulatory messages from all parts of the country when the announcement was made that as the result of examinations held on November 30 amd December 1 and 2 last. he was awarded the first prize and first certifi- cate of merit by the Sooiety of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors. By taking first position in both the Incorporated the Municipal Accountants' examinations he has Municipal Accountants' examinations be has created for himself a record which has never previously been equalled, and which, obviously, it is a matter of impossibility to surpass. The examination of the In<»i«lPorat<ed Accountants and Auditors is recognised as not <mly exceedingly difficult, but very com- preheneive in its Character. This certificate is recognised as the highesrt position which can be obtained in the com- mercial accountancy world, and is keenly 8ought for by prospective accountant. In the in-termediate examination of the society Mr. AI'ba.n also took the first pla result very gratifying to the South Walee and Mon- mouthshire District Society of Incorporated Accountants, of which Mir. John AUcock, F.S.A.A. city treasurer of Cardiff, is presi- dent, aa the society had for. many years failed to produce any honours" student. In 1907 Mr. Alban took the first prize and certificate of merit in the final examination of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Aoooumbante (Incorporated), this being the highest position obtainable in the world of municipal accountancy. At that time he obtained a record, whioh he still bolde, of being the only urban district council official to ever obtain the coveted position. Pre- viously he had taken the second position in the a ntermediate examination of the institute, Mr. Alban also holds the, firot, certificate of merit of the Chartered Institute of Secre- taries, and some time ago broke all previous records of the Royal Society of Arts by taking the double silver medal and doulble first certificate of merit- (out of many thousands of ca.ndid'atee) in advanced book- keeping and advanced accounting and bank- ing. Mr. Alban is quite a young man, beinlg well on the right aide of thirty. He has figured ME. F. J. ALBAN, Pontypridd. prominently as prize essayist in competitions in local government law and finance, and is the author, among other books, of "Notes on Property Law for Finance Students," "Notes on Corporation Contracts," Some Phases of Municipal Accountancy," Ac., while he was the collaborateur, with Mr. Arthur Collins, A.S.A.A., in the preparaltion of "The Organi- sation and Audit of Local Authorities' Accoii-nts"-tbe recognised text-book for municipal treasurers' examinations.

OTHER SUCCESSES. The following students passed the examina- tions of the Society of Incorporated Accoun- tants lately held in London: — Final examination: Mr. F.. J. Alban, Pontypridd, prize and first certificate of merit; Mr. R. W. Bartlett, Newport, sixth certificate of merit; Mr. H. W. Baddeley, Newport; and Mr. A. H. Fisher, Newport. Intermediate examination Mr. G. E. Saun- ders, Cardiff, fifth certificate of merit.

WELSH FESTIVAL SERVICE AT ST. PAUL'S, Arrangements for the annxial Welsh Festival service at St. Paul's Cathedral on. February 28 are now complete. The special preacher is to be the Rev. D. Grimaldi Davies, D.D., of Welshpool. As usual the band of the Grenadier Guards (conducted by Lieutenant A. Williams, M.V.O., Mus.Doc., Oxon) will take part, and the organists are to be Messrs. R. Meyrick Roberts and David J. Thomas. Owing to deaths there are changes in the other offices Mr. Richard Davies succeeding ILt £ 48 ohairman of committee, and nr.- j. E. Davies undertaking the duties of hon. organising secretary in plaoe of the late Mr. David Williams. The Hallelujah Chorus," from The Notmiah," is to be sung ae the anthem.

A DREADNOUGHT ORDER. The shareholders of the Thames Ironworks, ™ j Engineering Company nday carried resolutions increasing the company's financial resources m view of the provisional order placed bv Th f0Ftb€><x>natruotionof aauper- k

GREAT FUNERAL AT MERTHYR. ♦ COLONEL REES LEWIS LAID TO REST. Never, possibly, in its whole history has Merthyr witnessed such an imposing funeral as that of the late Colonel D Rees Lewis, V.D., colonel commandant of the 5th Battalion Welsh Regiment, which took plaoe on Wednesday afternoon. He was buried with military and public honours, and the tribute of respect paid to his memory will be for ever remembered in the annaJe of his native town. And it was not the people of Merthyr only who joined in signifying their desire to demonstrate their pen&e of his worthiness; from fax and near Came men who were anxious to show how great- wag their appreciation of his noble character. No national hero could have had a more eplendid funeral than the modest colonel, for thA procession which accompanied his remains to the cemetery at Oefn was in itself considerably over a mile in length, and its progress from Plas Penydarren was watched by many thousands of persons, the whole line of route being densely packed; whilst every other point of 'vantage wae utilised by those who did not care to occapy the streets. There was a general suspension of business in thetrading establishments during the time of the funeral, and in almost every private house the blinds were drawn. Before the cortege left the residence there was a short service in the house, conducted by the Rev. Daniel lewis, rector of Mer- thyr, and the body was afterwards carried out by the sergeants of the Merthyr Detach- ment of Territorials, and deposited upon a gun carriage brought from Cardiff, drawn by six horses, the team being in com- mand of Sergeant-major-instructor Sealy. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, upon which were placed the gallant officer's sword and helmet. It was of polished oal with massive brass fittings, and on the plate, which was engraved by Mr. David Evans, was the following inscription: Colonel David Rees Lewis, V.D., J.P., born 28th December, 1943; died 31st December, 1909." Then a procession was formed, the chief marshal being Mr. J. A. Wilson, the chief- constable of the borough police, who was assisted by Mr. T. Elias, Mr. J. D. Parry, THE LATE OCXLQNEL D. REES LEWIS. Mr. Washington Morgan, and Mr. T. Gunter. Three mounted members of the borough police rode at the head, and then came the firing party, consisting of about 95 officers and men of the Merthyr Detachment, in charge of Captain D. C. Harris. The band of the 5th Battalion Welsh Regiment and the band of the Breoonshire Regiment of Territorials followed, and on the way to the cemetery the former played Beethoven's Funeral March," and the latter alternat-ely Chopin's March Funebre and the Dead March" from Saul." The gun carriage came next, Colonel Banfield, Colonel M. Mor- gan, Colonel J. J. David, Colonel Wilson- Surgeon-colonel Thompson, Major Phillips, Major Davies, Major Gittings, and Maior Dyke acting as pall-bearers. Behind strode the colonel's horse, with the jack boots slung reversed, the animal being led by Corporal Poles and Private James, the late colonel's orderly. Then marched the officers and men of the 5th Battalion, under the command of Colonel A. P. Jaanes. and those of the Breoon- shire Regiment, under the command of Cap- tain Ruthven, there being present severai officers and men of other regiments, the names including Major Gaskell, Major Pritr chard. Major Bramwell Jones, and Captain E. Jones. In the absence of Captain Richards Lieutenant H. H. Southey fulfilled the duties of aotinsf adjutant. Succeeding the soldiers came first tne borough police, about 60 strong, under the command of Chief-inspector Phillips, the other inspectors present being Inspectors Roberts and Lamb, and then the county police over 80 in strength, emmanded by Captain Lindsay, the chief-con stable, Superin- 'n tendent Gill and Inspectors Nott. Oanton, and Morris beito also on parade. The boro-ugh ambulance brigade and the Boy Soorote were along with the constabulary. The mourning carriages came after, and they were thus oocupied: First qarriage: Mr. L. F. C. Lewis. Mr. W. T. Rees, and Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart. Second carriage: Mr. H. C. Lewis. Mr. Trevor Lewis, Mr. Robert T. Rees, and Mr. Herbert Rees. Third Carriage: Mr. Daniel Reee (Sully), Mr. Ivor Rees, Mr. B. Francis-Williams, K.C., and Mr. Cecil Williams. Fourth carriage: Mr. H. L. White, Mr. W. L White, Mr. E. T. Richards, and the Rev. C. Green. Fifth oarriage: Mr. Parry de Winton Colonel Forrest. Mr. Salmon, and Mr. W. S. Corbett. c Sixth carriage: Sir Marchant Williams, Colonel-J. J. Jones, and Mr. Sutcliffe. Seventh carriage: The Rector of Merthyr. the Rev. D. Jones (curate). Dr. Ward, and Dr. Ernest Ward. Eighth carriage: Mr. E. P. Martin and H W. Martin. The clerks and employes of the colonel marched next, and members of the magis- tracy and tfce corporation and various other public bodies and institutions followed, the general public bringing up the rear. MAGISTRATES' LAST TRIBUTE. Among the justices present were rs. J H Thomas, C. H. Jamee, W. L. Daniel, A. Daniel, M. Troran. J. Plews, A. J. Howfield, John Evans, J. Price. D. Prosser, W Jones, L. N. Williams, D. W. Jones (Aberdare), Dr. Webster, Dr. Brennan, Dr. Cromwell Jones, Dr.' S. Cresswell. and Dr. Biddle. The oor- poration and their chief officials were repre- sented by the Mayor (Councillor F. T. James), wearing his chain of office; Aldermen Enoch Morrell, T. J. Evans, A. Wilson, Ivor Abrar ham, D. W. Jonee, and J. M. Berry, and Coun- cillors J. W. Lewis, W. Lewis (Penydarren), W. Lewis (Treharris), John Davies (George- town) Dan Thomas, David John, H. M. Lloyd, and N. F. Hankey, Mr. T. A. Reee (town-clerki, Mr. J. E. Biddle (deputy-town-clerk), Mr. W. Harris (borough controller), Mr. Harvey (boroug-h engineer), Mi. Thackeray (deputy- surveyor) Dr. Duncan (medical officer of' health) Dr. Walsh (medical inspector of Sebool-childrell), Mr. E. Stephens (clerk to the education committee), Mr. Probert (deputy- clerk to the education committee), and Mr. J. T. Owen (chief sanitary inspector). The Merthyr and Aberdare Incorporated Law Society was represented by Mr JteeeiTO liame, Mr.Llywaroh Reynolds Mr W. MLur? Phillips, Mr. G- C. B. James, Mr. John Daviee /-t the firm of Messrs. Gwilym James, Charles, and Davies), Mr. T. W. Griffil3is, Sir. w. R. Edwards, Mr. J. D. Thoanas, Mr. G. T. Davies, MI. J. A. Daniel, Mr. Pulliblank. Mr. W. P Nicholas, Mr. A. T. James, Mr. Aneurin Jones, Mr. W. W. Meredith, Mr. P. L. Thomas, Mr VV. R. Edmunds, Mr. Martin Evans, Mr. t r> naVips. Mr, E. P. Hughes, and Mr. VV Griffiths. Representing the various denomi- nations were the -Revs. Ll. M. Williams (rector of Dow 1 ais), J. Davies (Llanfabon), LI. Jenkin^ (rector of Penderyn), T. Lloyd (Llanfechan). Llewelyn Davies (Merthyr), Father Hind (Mer- thyr), Father O'Reilly (Aberdare) the Bera. Sac Aarons aiid E. Bloom (of the Merthyr HebTew congregation), H. Kirkhouso (CTfarthfa), John. Thomas (Zoar), p. Q- Evanfi, Jacob Jonee, and H. O. Hughes (Merthyr). Mr. A. Yoon*. with others, represented the Young Men's Christian Association. In front of the members ox the Merthyr Constitutional lb were Mr. A. C. Fox-Davies Umonist oaa- didate for the Merthyr Boroughs, and Mr. W, Griffith president of the Merthyr Borough Conservative Association. Mr. W. B. Edwards and Mr James Davies represented the Breconshire Conservative Association Following were several Buffalo Lodges, including the Prince Llewelyn, the Sir W. T. Lewis and the Morlais Castle Lodges. A number of Lodges of Oddfellows and insur. ance societies also sent representatives. Mr. A. J. Perman, M.A. (headmaster), headed a large number of the old and present boys of the Merthyr County School, in which institution the deceased took great interest. Mr. H. Green represented the Merthyr and Doirtais Licensed Victuallers' Association, and there were also present Mr. Propert (dis- trict auditor), Mr. Ellis Owen (official receiver), Alderman R. Hughes, J.P., Cardiff; Mr. L. Llewelyn, Cardiff (manager of the Glamorgan Canal), Mr. Daniel Jones (Mar- quees of Bute's Colliery, Hirwain), Mr. Tudor Lewis (engineer, ditto), Mr. S. T. Lewis (Bute- Merthyr Colliery, Treforest), Mr. Williams (chief conetable of Breconshire), Dr. Llewelyn Jonee. Mr. R. T. Phillips (of the Cardiff Rail- way Company), Mr. Tudor Williams, Aber. da.re, and a host of other gentlemen wAoøe names it was impossible to collect. There was a very large attendance of the masonic fraternity. SCENE AT THE CEMETERY. A tre.:aettdo<ua «rowd of peo^ the cemetery to await the procession, and upon arrival at the chapel the coffin was taken off the gun-carriage, put on a bier, and carried into the little sanctuary, where the first portion of the Burial Service was con- ducted by the Rector of Merthyr, the Rev. D. Jones. and the Rev. C. A. H. Green, the hymn, "Saints of God, their conflict past," being sung, led by the St. David's Church Choir, under Mr. Percy Birmingham. At the grave- side, to which the body was shoulder-borne, the same rev. gentlemen officiated, and after the hymn, Now the labourer's taek is o'er," had been sung, the firing party discharged three volleys, and the buglers sounded The Last Post." The Masonic ritual, < iducted by the Rev. Peter Williams, was subsequently carried out, darkness setting in as the final rites conoluded amid a meet impressive and affecting scene.

MOTHER OF THE MAYOR. DEATH OF MRS. JAMES, TYGWYN, MERTHYR. The gloom which hovers over Merthyr through the death of Colonel D. Rees Lewis, V.D., has become deepened by the sudden passing away on Sunday morning of Mrs. James, of Tygwyn, Church-street, widow of the late Mr. Prajik James, and mother of Mr. Frank T. James, Mayor of Merthyr, and of Colonel A. P. James, of Walnut Tree Bridge, colonel-commandant of the 5th Battalion Welsh Regiment. The deceased lady, who was a daughter of Mr. William Wil- liams, a former agent at the Cyfarthfa Works, attained her seventy-eighth birthday last Christmas Eve. For some time past she had been ailing, but she was able to get up as usual on Sunday, and partook of break- fast. She afterwards went upstairs to her bedrobm, and was engaged in conversation with her companion, Mrs. Evans, when she wa-s seized with a fainting fit whilst seated in a chair. Dr. Webster, who occupies the adjoining house, did not happen to be in at the time of the eeisure, but Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Davis. near neighbours and friends, were fetched, but she died after their atrrivaJ. There was a kinship between Mrs. James and Colonel Lewis, for whom she entertained the deepest affection, and there is no doabt that his demise operated to hasten her own end. The deceased wa.s a lady of great benignity, much beloved by all who knew how amiably good she was in every aspect of her charac- ter. Much sympathy will go out to the family, there bein-g seven daughters left to njourn 06 well as the two sons. The dead colonel, besides being a relative, was the mayor's meet intimate friend, and especially will there be a feeling of commiseration towards his worship now that ie has been called to bear so saddening a donWe bereave- ment whilst still on the threshold of his year of office.

PAYMENT OF LABOUR M.P.'S. TRADES UNIONS AND A.S.K.S. JUDGMENT. At the offices of the General Federation of Trades Unions, London, on Friday a confer- ence took plaoe between the representatives of that, body, of the Parliamentary com- mittee of the Trades Union Congress, and of the Labour party to consider the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Osborne v. the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, by which it is illegal to pay the salaries of members of Parliament out of the funds of Trades Unions. Mr. D. J. Shackleton, M.P., presided over a very large gathering, at which, amongst others, the following M.P.'s were present:— Messrs. T. F. Richards, James O'Grady, Alex. A likie, Pete Curran, Stephen Walsh, Richard Bell, J. A Seddon, James Haslam, Walter Hudson, Philip Snowden, Arthur Henderson, J. R. Clynes, and Keir Hardie. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., Mr. W, C. Steadman, M.P., and Mr W A Appleton, the secretaries of the three organisations, were also present. The proceedings were private, but at the close it was officially announced that the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :— (1) That we agree to declare for an altera- tion in the definition of a Trades Union as given by the House of Lords in the Osborne Y. Amalgamated Society ot Railway Ser- vants' case so as to allow the Unions to engage in the political activities they have pursued since 1868 up to the preeert time, provided that their members agree that such activities are specified in the Unions' rules as part of their declared objects, as has been the case hitherto. (2) That a circular be issued to all loeal organisations, with a memorandum on poli- tical activities of the Unions prior to 1866, and that questions be put to Parliamen- tary candidates at the impending elections. (3) That a special conference be held at Newport (Mon.) on February 8. Mr. Appleton stated that the effect of the decision would be a motion in the House of Commons at an early date for an alteration in the definition of a Trades Union.

TRADES UNION MANIFESTO LABOUR MEMBERS AND JUDGE- MADE LAW. In pursuance of the resolution passed at the conference of delegates of the Labour party, the General Federation of Trades Unionists and the Parliamentary committee of the T-axles Union Congress on the House of Lords' judgment in tihe Osborne v. Amal- g,ama,t-ed Society of Railway Servants case, the joint board representing those three organisations have issued a manifesto, which will be sent to the secretaries of kindred societies throughout the United Kingdom. The manifesto is signed by Mr. W. C. Stead- man, M.P., Mr. W. A. Appleton, and Mr. J. R. Macdonald, M.P., the secretaries of the organisations which held that conference. It asks that the following question be put to all candidates at the coming eleotion Will you Bupport an amendment to the Trades Union Acts (1871-1876) which will enable Undone to continue the political activities in which they have been engaged since 1868? It may be as well to explain to you that the decision of the law lords will probably be held in other courts to mean tha/t trOA" councils cannot be supported (such is the advice already given to branches of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants), and it is doubtful if any expenditure in con- nection with political deputations and the Trades Union Congress (so far as it deals with politics) is now quite legal. It is, there- fore, Trades Unionism, and not merely Labour representation, that is hit by the recent decision, and we hope your members win appreciate the full meaning of the situation which they have now to face in consequence of the most recent eounple of judge-made law. We ask for a restoration of liberties which have been enjoyed and pursued by Trades Unions ever since they became flrmly, established in this country; a.nd, further than that, we do not ask that these liberties should be exercised until, in the firfft instance, the question has been placed before the members and has been voted upon, and then embodied in the rules as a declared object of the society. Our united bodies. therefore, appeal to you to leave no stone unturned to secure once more for Trades Unionism that liberty of action which it has found by experience to be eo necessary to its efficiency and so beneficial to its members"

REMARKABLE APATHY OF STAF- FORD ENGINEERS. The Stafford branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers has taken one of the ostrileat votes in the country on the question of the membership levy of ls. for Parliamen- tary propaganda. The result shows considerable apathy, as out of a branch membership of 280 only 28 voted. Of these three only favoured the pro- poeed levy, the remaining 25 being against it.

MR. BELL'S FUTURE, MR. THOMAS AND THE SECRR. TARYSHIP OF THE A.S.R.S. to Mr. Richard Bell offioe of Profit under tiS Crown. ugl1, as he has stated, he has not been approached in the matter, I have Mr ffi„wm5>etMt authority for anticipating Mr. Bells promotion to the post of ner manent Government official in connection with the new Labour Exchanges (writes tne London correspondent of the DiaiW Dispatch ''). The post reserved for Mr. Bell "LaSJr°Id' 18 °*le with a commencing salary 01 *-400 and increasing to £ 600. The Amalgamated Society of Railway JIT* Mr' Bel1 left thSf will proceed to send in nominations with a view to an ultimate ballot for a successor in the secretaryship. Mr. Thomas, the Labour w De^bT< won5d- 1 aTT1 t«ld, havl been elected, in all probability, if he nad mu accepted candidature for Derby lhera way workers require a secretary who mil give his full time and eiM>m t/ *v 1 Thoma« will not need a secretary? Ilarv- hemll go upon the Pay-sheet of the La^r Mr. Bell was formerly a eniarrf „ timn, and Mr. Thoanas (th?lTth« wrwDosing secretary at Cardiff) wag an wrwDosing secretary at Cardiff) wag an 88d loc8,ted. at Swindon. =

MURDER OF A Rica WIDO PARTS, Tr A sensation was caused' arrest of two soldiers of the Regiment, named Graby and with the recent murder r wife at a fonxmr cover-- France, who wae Jdr near Montargis, the line. It if the vioti-

YOUNG WIFE SUCCUMBS TO BULLET WOUND. A terrible tragedy took place on Tuesday evening at Twynypodyn, Merthyr, a man named Walter Mayes, of 14. Jamee-street.one the houses erected by the corporation, shooting his wife fat/ally and turning the weapon upon himself with such effect that he died in the hospital on Wednesday morn- ing. The parties were young: people, the ma.n being 27 and the woman two years his senior. They were married in 1907. It appears that about six p.m. on Tuesday some neighbours heard two successive shots emanating from the house, and Oliver Lewis and William Henry Jones, who reside opposite, at once went there with a view of ascertaining the cause. They found both the front and the back doors fastened, but they effected an entrance. b smashing one of the panes of glass bf the front window and pulling back the catch. On getting inside they discovered Mr. and Mrs. Mayes stretched out on the kitohen floor in front of the fire. The woman was lying on the hearthrug, with her head and shoulders resting on the fender, inside of which was a. pool of blood, and the man was lying close by with his head towaids the door. Between them was the only child of the marriage, a baby fourteen months old, which, happily, was uninjured. On the floor by the side of the maa was a five-chambered revolver. BULLET wournxs. An alarm was a.t once raised, which naturally created considerable commotion in the neighbourhood, and the police were sent for. Acting-sergeant Edward Jones. Police- sergeant Hansel Davies, Detective Evans, and Police-oorMstable Wilton a.t once hastened to the scene, and upon examination it was found that Mrs. Mayes had a bullet wound in the left temple, and the husband a bullet wound at the back of the right ea.r. Dr. Hadden. assistant to Dr. Llewellyn Jones, presently arrived, a.nd at seven o'clock, juat after he came, the woman (who-, it is stated, was expecting shortly to become a mother) expired. The man -was at once taken to the Merthyr Gene ml Hospital a.nd the body of the deceased woman was conveyed to the mortuary. Mayes had formerly been engaged as a. haulier at the PIymon th M e rfch y r Gra.ig Pit, but he had recently had no regular employ- ment. tihough daring Christmas he was taken on as an auxiliary letter carrier at the post- office. He and his wife wore to have lived happily totrether. and the only cause to which the tragedy is ascribed is that he was seized with a sudden frenzy. The revolver was discovered to be fully loaded, though two cartridges had been dis- charged. NEVER ANY QUARRELS." Mrs. Daviee. of 13, James-street, stated: Mayes was a very clean, tidy woman, and to me the whole thing is a mystery, because she and her husband always lived very oouifortably, and there were never a.ny quarrels between them. In the course of the afternoon, between three a.nd four o'clock, I saw them both in the garden together—he weeding, and she hanging up clothes, and at that time there wae nothing at all to indicate the possibility of the grim tragedy which was impending. Shortly after six o'olock I heard shots in the house. I thought nothing of them. fancying that it might have been a rumbling in the street." NEIGHBOUR'S DISCOVERY. Oliver Lewis, of 6, James-street, who was one of the two men who first entered the house, in the course of an interview, said: — About six o'olock I heard two shots, the sound of which came from the opposite side of the street, but I did not take particular notice of them, because I thought it was boys letting off fireworks. I went to Mr. Jonee, who lives next door, and told him J. had heard the shots, and Mr. Jones said the sound had come from the Mayes' house. We went over, but could not get in. We hea.rd groans, and also a child crying. We broke in the window a.nd went in, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Mayea lying on the floor bleeding from their heads. There wae a revolver by the mast's left foot. The child was lying face down- wards, and I handed it to Mrs. Hughe*, next door." Richard Daviee, who lives with his step- father, Isaac Hughes, at 15, James-street, said:—"I was reading at the table, when 1 heard two shots, and my step-father went to the door to see if he could see anything, Seeing nothing, he came in again. Mrs. Meeker, from over the way. ran across and said something had happened at the Mayes bouse, and she a.nd my mother tried to get I in. Both doors were locked, and it was not until Mr. Lewis a.nd Mr. Jones had forced an entrance that we realised the awful nature of Jfk&t had taken place." Th MAN S ANTECEDENTS. ford, man was a native of Long Mil- been a E-h and up to two Jrea,rs ago had tions. j* ^kman'e valet in various situa- wifei ^v6 Diade the acquaintance of nis ■was'a Wae a Miss M'Pherson, whilst she heard domestic servant in Dublin. Having liery f the high wages earned in the cdl. to ifertk r'CTa of South Wales he came Graig and obtained employment at the regui V but of late bad not been in "'a ar work. He was disappointed with the Won fanc^ dissatisfied with the new ocoupa- *er of a colliery workman, and he was not tu y much enamoured of the part of lot °°Untry in which he had cast his ♦ l However, he went to Dublin for ^wmg lady to whom he had. become ^JPaged, and they were married at St. Church. i-fww esi>°1Ised the Socialist cauee, and at a meeting at Merthyr addressed by Mr. •A. Thomas he put a question to the hon In.elnber on the question of land Rationalisation. He was keenly interested JJl tihe candidature of Mr. Keir Hardie. We never heard a better spoken man cr man more devoted to his wife and baby," the neighbours declare. The patios of the tra«g6dy is intensified by the faot that in about a month's time the deceased hAd expected to give birth to another ohild. Ma.yes has a brother, Mark, now employed at a bottling stores at Aberdare, who until his own marriage lived with him, and on Wednesday the brother came over i to Merthyr with his wife, and saw the fellow at the hospital. Mark stated to one of our reporters that he was utterly unable to give any reason for the tragedy, but it is pretty certain that the man's mind must have been unbalanced before its occurrence, inasmuch as, although oh Monday he started work for Mr. Brown, a wholesale fruit and agetable merchant in the market, on an engagement which was promised to last a fortnight or three weeks, he failed to present himself on Tuesday morning, although he was in needy circuA- stances.

UNCONSCIOUS ALL NIGHT. CARDIFF MAX KNOCKED DOWN BY UNKNOWN MOTOR-CAR. Mr. John Jones (48), of 3Z, Cathay s- terrace. Cardiff, was knocked down by an unknown motor-car on the Penarth side of the turnpike on the Penarth-road about eleven o'clock at night, receiving injuries to his right arm, left leg, and a gash over his right eye. He was found in a dazed condition on Wednesday by Mr. E. Kenny, of Tynant-street. Grangetown, who informed oar representa- tive that at 10.30 he was walking to Barry in searclf of work, when he assisted Mr. Jones towards the Railway Inn, Oogan. Mr. ones said he remembered nothing since he was kupcked down by the car until he recovered consciousness about 6.30 that morn- ing in the roadway nea. the Llandough motor station. A Penarth policeman came on the scene, amd took the man in a cab to the Railway Inn. Oagan, where his injuries were examined and first aid was rendered.

MISS AMY EVANS'S DEBUT IN OPERA. LONDON, Tuesday Night. Welsh singers are, of course, no strangers to the operatic stage of the West End, but it is not easy to recall a more interesting event than that at the Savoy last night. when Miss Amy Evans made her formal stage debut in Sir W. S. Gilbert's opera, Fallen Fairies." Headers of the "Weekly Mail" will scarcely need to be told that Miss Evans is a child of the Eisteddfod, and but for her success at the Cardiff ga-thering in 1899 she might still have been among the hundreds of gifted musical aspirants who are to-day unable to get into the great world beyond Males. When only fourteen years of age she gained the first prize at Cardiff, when Mr. Ben Daviee adjudicated, and, thanks to an amiable concatenation of circumstances, not with- out an element of romance, she may to-day be numbered among the culti- vated artistes of England, since her vocal attainments are Strengthened by other attri- butes which make for the realisation of all that is best in art. Miss Evans's earliest teacher was Mr. David Lloyd, of Tonypandy, while for the past six years she has been under the guidance of Signer Kandegger. Her successful appearance^t the Cardiff Musical Festival of 1904, and again of 1907, formed a stepping- stone to the promenade concerts in the Qneen's-hali, and to Mr. Robert Newman's enthusiasm her passage to the Savoy is largely due. To pass from the serene atmosphere of the concert platform to the exactions of the operatic stage with no dramatic experience would be notable, even if only in a minor part at an ordinary theatre. Miss Evans at a bound becomes the exponent of what is virtually the principal role in Fallen Fairies" and at a theatre with unequalled English traditions, so that it would have been no surprise if she had been oversha,dawed by such experienced col- leagues as Miss Jessi Rose and Miss Maidie Hope. It is safe to say that few, if any, of those present to-night,pa.rt, of course, from the critics—-g-ueseed that Miss Evans was making her first appearance away from the concert _< MISS AlY EVANS. [Photo. Owen, Merthyr. platform, so admirably did she acquit herself. That she was nervous go without saying, but only in the smallest degree was it to be detected in her sinking, her intonation being practically faultless, and her enunciation excellent. As Selene, the Queen of the Fairies, she made an exqu i site picture, and if her movements and general manner were not as spontaneous or subtle as they will be she, nevertheless, made a certain appeal both to the eittger and actress. Miss Nancy MTntoab, her pgpedeoeesor in the part of Selene, the Queen of the Fairies, gave distinction to her work by the charm of her diction, amd in this important direction MÍits Eva-ns was almost equally effective. From the outset she sang with refreshing clearness, her top C in the «>ng, "With All the Misery," being gained with enviable ease. Broadly speaking, *Mias Evans suggested the style and charm of Miss Isabel Jay during the closing days of the Savoy's halcyon period. Her reception left no doubt as to the young artiste's success, and "Fallen Fairies" can scarcely fail to profit by her aooession to the caste. Among those present were Sir Vincent Evans, Mr Robert Forrest, and Mr. Ben. Davies. IL G. T.

MISS AMY EVANS'S CAREER. Miss Amy Evans was one of the successes of the Cardiff Festival of 1907. She took Miss Gleeson-Whit-e's place at a few hours' notice, and of her performance one of the ablest of critics present at the festival wrote: Miss Evans' singing in place of Miss Glee- gon-White created a marked impression, and she will bless the happy fortune which afforded her so rar-Ð a chance." Miss Evans is the daughter of a Tonypandy colliery fire- man. As a soloist she took a prize at Oa.r- diff National Eisteddfod, and it was then that her great ability was recognised by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Forreet, who under- took to provide the best possible tuition for her, with the result tha.t ehe soon claimed the close attention of the critics, and in 1907 had a most successful recital at, Beohstein-hall, in Ixxndon. At the time of her appearance at Cardiff Festival she was a young lady of exception- ally brilliant promise, and, being of local parentage, the promptitude with which she filled the breach was highly commended and appreciated on all hands. Mr. Robert Forrest, who was chairman of the executive of the festival, was warmly congratulated after the concert upon the fine performance of his protege. and he was probably the proudest man in the hall. When Miss Evans came on the platform in company with Madame Kirkby I,unn, Mr. John Coatee, Mr. John Harrison, and Mr. Ffrangcon Daviee, she was singled out for a special greeting, and the applause was renewed still more heartily at the conclusion of the work.

MR. BEN DAVIES S PROPHECY HOW A WONDERFUL VOICE WAS PRODUCED. It was Mr. Ben Daviee who, adjudicating at the Welsh National Eisteddfod at Car. diff several years ago, foretold a great future for Miss Amy Evans, then a mere child competing with many others for the prize. Friends came forward and undertook the training of the child, and, as stated above, a few yeairs ago, her musical studies practically completed, Miss Amy JJvans appeared at the Cardiff Musical Festival. It was her first endeavour in serious concert work. and that she acquitted herself with the hiig'hest credit is shown by, the References that were made to her by the leading critics of the day. It is interesting to recall a few of the press notices on that occasion:- "In the difllcult air 'Patron des Mooht Wind' Miss Amy Evans, who replaced Miss G1 t+e.^o.)i- Vv hite at. little more than a moment's notice, made an excellent impression, which she confirmed by her singing in Schubert's 'Mass.' "—"Tribune." "Miss Amy Evans, a young newcomer, for whom I am inclined to prophesy a, great future, has a natural pure-toned soprano voice, and sings with a-n unaffected, but quietly telling, straightforwardness."—"Daily Mail." Solos were excellently sung by Miss Amy Evans."—"Morning Leader." Interviewed at the time by the "Daily Chronicle'' critic, Miss Evans said, "I was born in Glamorgan, where my father was a.n ordinary miner. He is now a fireman at the Naval Collieries at Penygraig. In our family there are four girls and three boys, and my eldest brother is a miner, like my father. We are all intensely musical, my father often going miles to listen to a good concert. When I was about eight I used to attend various local eisteddfodau a.nd compete for the soprano prizes, and I am very proud to be able to relate that I carried off many first prizes. At last, when I was fourteen years old, I competed at the National Eisteddfod at Cardiff in the ohief soprano class, the test piece being 'Hear, ye Israel,' from 'Elijah.' There were 78 entries, and the prize was awarded to me. Mr. Ben Davies wa<? the principal adjudicator, and said that, as I had the making of a magnificent voice I ought w be sent away to have a good education, general and musical, and tha.t afterwards, if I was properly taken care of. I should become the crreatest sopTa.no Wales had ever produced. All this was very moe, but the question arose as to where the money was to come from to make this dream at all possible or practical. Then Mr. Robert Forrest, who is Lord Plymouth's agent, most genefonsOy accepted the responsibility. since happened is due to his S^naturea^d boundless generosity. I have, bee* etocate £ and flow 1 am continuing my in London under Stenor B*nd<*S»r. whatever enccess I meet, with in after life is due to my noble benefactor entirely. I am still young—only 23-and I Am going to be married next month (October, 1907) to a, Londoner, and intend then. to take up my peirmanent residence in London." Will you then retire from the musical profession?" aeked the critic. O'h, no," she replied, with a laugh. 1 am going to do my best to realise the prophecy of Mr. Ben Daviee." The future career of Miss Evans," went on the writer, certainly looks very roey, for not only does she sing well, but she has a good platform appearance, being tall and handsome." Mr. Ben Davies, who spoke so highly of Miss Evans at the Cardiff National Eisteddfod, was, by the way, himself a working mason, and has had an equally remarkable career.

MISS AMY EVANS DESCRIBES HER FIRST APPEARANCE. Yes, I did fool nervous, and perhaps it is not to be wondered at." This confession—made charmingly, with a flash of a pair of expressive brown eyes—came from Mias Amy Evans, the yoting soprano who has left tne concert platform, and, at the tavoy Theatre, as Queen of the Fairies, has appeared for the first time on the stage. There is a great difference between sing- ing at concerts and in opera," the new Savoy eoprj.no went on to tell a press representative on Wednesday What it. ie exactly I can-not describe. For one thing, you feel lees lonely on the stage, and I found this fact very helpful. The presence of the people immediately about me soomed to give me strength and to act as a sort of tofflio in my nervy' condition. "Although T thoroughly enjoyed my first appearance on the stage, I do not propose to desert the concert platform. I have several months' engagements yet to fulfil. But my principal object in embarking upon light opera is that it ie' regarded as a good training for grand opera, which is my ultimate aim."

ARRIVAL OF WU TING FANG AT FISHGUARD. • 7 HIS IMPRESSIONS OF EAST AND WEST. His Excellency Wu Ting Fang, late Chinese Ambassador at Washington, was aboard the Lusitania, which called at Fishguard on Monday night. Interviewed, he declined emphatically to admit, that he disapproved of Yankee hustle. Americans were, of course, busy and active, but that was necessary, as their country was only Partially developed. With an increased Population would come an accession of pros- Perity and of world power, for America had a great future before her. Turning to his native land, he said that Western nations had been progreftsmig for the past two or three cen- turieg, a-nd had opened un Asiatic countries, with the result that Japan was already a great Power. China now was also fully aroused and many reforms were being introduced, including preparations for the grant of full constitutional govern- ment. In the course of time she would become a great nation, and it would then be found that her influence amongst the other Powers would be cast on the side of peace, for she had no warlike aspirations. The fact that at am isolated port like Fishguard a press representative was waiting specially t" interview him proved that England was going ahead. "You must not be beaten in. the race," he concluded.

STOP PRESS. .t- « r X 11 'toll Mfcjlirhr "n

VICAR BOUND AND BEATEN. ,+ SEQUEL TO A SENSATIONAL POLICE Ari-gine Out of the extraordtnexy awwaft on the P-v- J. G. lAx, the vicar of State* more, Westmoreland, last September, a com- mission (appointed by the- Bishop of Carlisle* into the scandal sat on Thursday at Kirkby Stephen. The oommiseioners con- sist.ed of Mr. G. A. Rimington <Pefiritl& chairman of the Cumberland Qua-rter See- erons, who presided; Mr. Hey wood Tbompeon, of JNunwick Hall; Mr. Jo-hn Nsnaon, Appleby; Wrety P and Canon Hall, It will be remembered that- on the evening of the 13th of September last a body of young men committed a.n assault on Mr. IAZ whilst he was in the company of Miss Itarr Kemsoo, the village schoolmistress and church orga-nigt, He was bound and mal- treated. Proceedings were taken against the assailants, with the result that eight were subsequently fined £ 5 each by the local magistrates. Mr. H. F. Mellor, K.C., and Mr. IL D. Cnuw- foro rnted the Båøhop of Carlisle^ Mr. Gordon Hewart appeared for Mr. IA*. Mrs Lax, the wife of the vicar, was also egally represented. Mr. L8..x occupied a see* m court near to his counsel. Miss Eennieo*, a demure-loeking a.nd rather pretty girl of 22, sat by tiie rev. gentleman until, with the other witnesses, she was directed to leave the court. The Commissioners were authorised bv the bishop to make the inquiry, on the ground that there existed scandal or evil report regarding Mr. Lax as having offended against the laws ecclesiastical, and as having bee« conduct not becoming a clerk, lioly Orders, and tending to evil example tsoA impurity of life. PRIVATE INQUIRY DESIRED. At the outset Mr. Hewart urged that the inquiry should be conducted in pli-rate owiaf to the actions pending of Mise Reurniw# against some of the men who assaulted Mz Lax. Many of the facts which, would h* Drought out at the inquiry would be tb8 same as in the action. So far, however, a* Mr. Lax himself was concerned, he cororted inquiry. The Chairman said the ooamnias&oraecs thought there was no sufficient reason why the proceedings should be in private. ■u „ THE OASE OPENED. JVir. Meilor, in opening the case, saad fhtrt for some considerable time past rtnnow* of a very grave character affecting the con- doot of Mr. Lax with reference to Mary Ren- noson had been in circulation. Mr. Lax vue a. married man, who was not now living with his wife, and was between 40 a.ad 45 yeare of age. The farmers and otaers in the district strongly objected to the oooouct of their vioar, &nd the result- was that no one attended the, Church services besides Mr. Las. Miss Rennison, and, he thought, another woman. The inhabitants of the district also declined to send their children to the school wrth this taJk about the schoolmistress a.nd the clergyman, and the state of affairs became intolerable in the district. Hhe out- I oomeycf it was that a body of men in I the district on September 13 ooninufcted as assault upon Mr. Lax. Counsel went on to say that in Mjareh l«et i Mr. Lax and the girl were seen together in t such a position as would lead people to the ooncluson that they were courting They V were seen by a man to go to a shed near 1 Barras and stay for ■ Barras and stay for a uarter of an hour 1 or so. seen kissing, and one 1 naturally a^ked what was the meaning of 1 such conduct At two o'clock on' a Sunday afternoon in April, when there was >o vice on. the girl and the vicar were in tie church alone for an hour and a half. What possitly COJlcl a cl-erlyman be dOing with a schoolmistress in a church on a SandaJ afternoon? The couple were seen again and again. They had been wmc £ 5 m teach other s oompany walking in the Thl ly,^d iVh€ woods tfce Wltty! he children had been turned out of school at luncheon time in order tiiat tt/pS r* a,<T tosetbeT' and during the Wiistone met at a ptece called added CounsBI added tha,t 1:be girl's 1a.ndiied. ridTf W ir^ bnt °°'ald t f' Tjax originally a soliei- hil rather prided himself upon 'hi,.q ability to bnily the ^^ryside on tJheøe matters. CLaughter.) THE EVIDENCE. Evidence then called. Chrwtopher Bowrona, railway signalman, stated that in ApnJ. Lax and the girl were in the ehonoh together from two tilla quarter to four on the Snnday afternoon. In Aug«st he watched them walking behind a wall in tie direction of the ncamge On anottter occasion he saw the vicar and the girl go together into the parsonage wood, and Lax stooped down. In croes-erami nation by Mr. Hewart, the witness said his brother John had been fined for the assault on the 13th of September Mr. Hewart: How many illegitimate chil- dren have you? Witness: What hsys that to do with it? The Chairman: Is it necessary to ask question ? Mr. Hewart: Tee; the character of a wit- ness is an important ingredient, having regard to the allegations made asrainst tmø rev. gentleman. The Witness: Well, then, I ha.ve got one illegitimate child, and am not afraid to answer the question. Closely questioned by Mr. Hewart, the wit- ness said there might have been a service on and people in the church at the time. He spoke of when Mr. Lax and Miss Bennaaott were there. Further cross-examined, the witness denied that on one acca^ion wh&n Miss Rennison took him a watch he seized her hand and made an improper suggestion to her. Did ycti suggest that she should go into your oabin at a time when no one was then? —No. You know that Miss lUsnmson was alarmed by your suggestion?—No. I never made such a suggestion, and I never followed her about. Have you never made an improper sug- gestion to berF-Not to my knowledge. Do you know that Miss Rennison sought the protection of the vicar from persons who fol- lowed her about?—I had no knowledge of it. Do you know that the vicar occasionally saw her home on this a-ce-ount and at her request?—I don't know anything about it. WATCHING THE ViOAB. Joseph Hall, farmer, of the Slip Inn, Stain- more, gave evidence that the couple had been alone in the church together in the dark after the evening service. They were to- gether upwards of ail hour. What hapoened was that each returned to the church abouJ twenty minutes after the evening service Mr. Hewart said he was going to ahow that there was an organised system of watching ?f 5ve J10/1 r 811-1 from ^-Pril of last year to the date of the assault. »eax John Bowron, who was one of the trm*, men fined for taking part in the assault^* Mr. Lax next gave evidence. He cor^hS rated Hall with regard to the couple teW the church alone. -Sdnce the assault h^hJS seen them together. Ten minutes after Lax finally left her husband erttered the vicarage and SayeT for time. Witness had several ttnW^ tT* together. Tbe girl had frenn/>nti^vL 6111 the vicarage. He had seen Mr La/ k^Tv, hto say •• Good This was all since tie assault In cross-examination the t*- + i_ ledeed thu U>is a vicar and the girl. against the