The Cardiff Times

MR LLOYD GEORGE. Scathing Speech. VETO BILL ONLY THE BEfilNNfNG. Tory Fullback and Committee. LEAD OF CELTIC TWILIGHT. Mr Lloyd George on Thursday addressed a meeting, numbering nearly 4,000, in the East Ham Town Hall, in support of Sir John Bethell, Liberal candidate for the Romford Division. Mr Lloyd George had a rousing reception on rising to speak. (There were shouts for the right bon. gentleman to stand on the table so that he could be better seen). Alluding to the suggestion he laughingly said I would will- ingly mount this tab! were it not that it is rocky as the veto of the Lords—(cheers)—and will come down just as soon. (Hear, bear.) I have come to tell you that the victory is won," he added amit cheers. We already have a majority which is greater than the majority which abolished the Corn Laws in this country. By Saturday night we will have a majority which will be twice that which kept Mr Disraeli in power for six years. (Hear, hear.) All the same the Tory Press say we are beaten. (Laughter.) When our majority was about 20 or 30 they said, you are beaten.' (Laughter.) When it went up to 60, they said, Beaten worse than ever.' (More laughter.) When it went up to 80, they said, You are routed.' (Great laughter.) And when it goes up to 400 they will tell you there is nothing left of us. (Loud laughter and cheers.) The interpretation of the Tory Press is this, that a Democratic victory never counted except when it carried out the will of the aristocracy. It was that interpretation that they were going to put an end to. (Cheers.) Full-back, Umpire and Committee. The House of Lords was the full-back of the Tory party. But in addition to being a, full- back, it was also the umpire. In addition to being the umpire, it was also the committee which settled the rules of the game. I have never heard of a game of that kind before, and we cannot allow it any longer. (Cheers.) The victory is a fact which they will realise in a few weeks. We are not going to have any more futile victories. (Cheers, and a Voice I hope not.") Oh, you need not worry about it. It is going through this time. (Cheers.) It was the French writers who claimed that France really won the battle of Waterloo, and who said that if it had not been for the arrival of the allies— (A Voice: Bill Adams," and laughter)— they would have remained in possession of the field. Well, the course of Napoleon was put to an end and he was sent to St. Helena. You carry that parallel out and you will see what is going to happen with the House of Lords. (Cheers.) The money of Ireland counted, their taxes counted, their soldiers counted—(hear, bear)— and their dollars counted in paying rent to Irish landlords. But their votes were not to count unless they were Tory. (Cheers.) That was a thoroughly despicable policy. It was ungenerous, unchivalrous, unfair, and un- English. (Cheers.) Why should they disparage Scotland in calculating the majority? The only man of brains the Tories had got in their party was a Scotsman. They had got a great Scotsman leading their party, and he was the one man who lent intellectual distinction to them. (Hear, hear.) Who was the man who settled them with ideas? (A Voice: Garvin.) What nationality was he ? (Shouts of Irish."( The Tories were led by a great Scotsman; their ideas were supplied to them by a great Irishman; and they were the people who were turning up their noses at what they called the Celtic twilight. (Laughter.) The Celtic Twilight I am afraid in this case," said Mr George, the Celtic twilight is going to lead them into darkness. (Laughter and cheers.) I believe their second best man is a Scotsman, but as for the rest they are the sorriest crew that ever ran a ship aground. (Laughter and cheers.) He himself happened to be a Welshman born in England, and to that extent he was a better Englishman than Lord Milner. Whilst Wales was Tory it was gallant little Wales." They had no leading articles in the Times saying Welsh votes must not ?ount. (Hear, hear.) Their oppo- nents'latest was that the Liberal part- was so incompetent, incapable, and consisted of such a large number of thoroughly ignorant, ill-informed, untrained men that they could not produce, when the necessity arose, five hundred men fit to sit in the Second Chamber. The Liberal party consisted of twenty-five millions of people* and yet they were asked to believe that they could not produce from them five hundred men sufficiently educated, intel- ligent, and of sufficient experience in com- mercial and municipal affairs to sit side by side with Lord Willoughby de Broke. (Laughter.) If it ever came to that he did not despair of finding five huntlrodmen as intelligent as those who were now in the House of Lords. (Hear, hear.) It depended' on what they were looking for. Were they look- ing for legislators or swells? (Cheers.) There was no difficulty, in finding 500 much better men in both political parties than the 500 who claimed for themselves they were so superior as to be unmotchable in any part of the kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Mr Balfour talked about the Government veto resolutions as though they were the end of the Liberal pro- gramme. They were only the beginning. The people had won this battle by every rule of the Constitution, and," he concluded, they meant to reap the harvest which had been sown amidst so much toil." (Cheers.) Mr Lloyd George later addressed a meeting of 4,000 people at Iltord Town Hall, where he was received with great enthusiasm, both outside and inside the meeting.

MR BALFOUR'S LEADERSHIP. Will It Be Coritimisd ? Discussing the question as to whether Mr Balfour's leadership of the Conservative party will continue, Mr T. P. O'Connor, in this week's Reynolds's Newspaper "says On the whole, r. think s it will, unless either ill health or disgust induce Mr Balfour himself to throw up the hopeless job of bringing an in- sensate party to sense." On the subject of the Crown and guarantees, Mr O'Connor writes Liberals felt them- selves constrained to use language ef reserve, and even reticence, with regard to guarantees for they have always felt that it would be un- fair, even ungenerous, to mix up the Sovereign unneccessarily in this acute part of "the contro- versy. But I have never had the least doubt that the Sovereign would follow scrupulously the constitutional traditions in which he has been brought up and thoroughly educated, especially by his late father, who had a keener sense of the duties and limitations of the throne than almost- any of his predecessors."

"Trade" & Government. ALLEGED 0PPRE8SIVE DUTIES. Association Meeting at Cardiff. At the Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Thursday the annual meeting of delegates from the associations in the district affiliated to the National Trade Defence Association was held. Prior to this meeting the delegates to the number of about 60 were entertained to luncheon by the chairman, Colonel J. Gaekell (Hancock and Co.), in whose absence through indisposition Mr J. H. Brain (S. Ä. Brain and Co.), presided. A toast lint was gone through, and the speeches generally were couched in a gloomy vein. Responding to The National Defence Association," the Chairman (Mr J. H. Brain) said the Trade had passed through a crisis, and it seemed to him they were speaking out of the valley of the shadows." They could be thankful for the emancipation of Cardiff by the return to Parliament of Lord Ninian Stuart, and also for the impropability of the late Government going back with a. large enough majority to fasten any fresh legisla- tion upon their trade. (Applause.) But the increased licensing duties were pressing very hardly upon the licence holders, and the result was a state of chaos. In one case in Cardiff- that of a house rented at £ 52—the old assess- ment was rated at JE87. On an appeal about 11 months ago the tenant got it reduced to but after the famous Crown and Shuttle case the licence duty had been fixed upon an assess- ment of JE150. (Shame.) It was a most wicked thing. (A Voice: It is robbery!) They must fight against this, and look forward to getting government placed in the hands of honest, responsible statesmen. (Applaose.) Mr lasac George (Ely Brewery), in proposing The Retail Associations," said he had never known a time when things looked so gloomy for them as they did to-day. Mr George Chamberlain (Cardiff), responding, spoke in a similar strain, and referred to the Shop (No. 2) Bill as being more oppressive than the outrageous attacks the Trade had now to meet." The Liberals of the old days were in most things consistent, but the Liberals of to-day were robbers. (Applause.) Mr J. Gibbins (Cwmbran), who also re- sponded, said retail traders had .been brought to the verge of bankruptcy, and in some cases ruined. It was time they threw aside their motto: Defence, not defiance." They should go to the new Government and demand a redress of their grievances. (Applause.) Mr P. Williams (Llanelly) further responded, and urged the necessity of seeing that every licence holder in the district became affiliated to the association. Mr W. Tarr (Swansea) having proposed "The Chairman "-—Which was accorded musical honours—Mr Taliesin Morgan (the organiser) announced the results of the nominations of representatives for the different districts.

The 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, now at Chatham, leave for South Africa next Wednesday. The battalion will go to Pretoria, and be relieved at their old station on the same day by the 1st battaJion on return from India, Captain I. L. O. Robins, 2nd Welsh Regi- ment, has been appointed adjutant of the 9th Territorial Battalion Durham,"Light Infantry t at Gateshead. v.

STRIKE RIOT. VICTIM. THE STORY AT THE INQUEST. Desperate Conflict Described, JIJRYIS VERDICT. The adjourned inquest was held at Porth on Thursday (before Mr R. J. Rhys) on Samuel Hayes, Partridge-road, Trealaw, who was in- j ured during the rioting near theLlwvnypiaCol- lieries on November 8th. Mr W. P. Nicholas appeared for the relatives. The Coroner said he had endeavoured to ascertain the time and place of deceased re- ceiving the injury. Mr Keir Hardie, in a speech at Aberaman, declared that the man was killed by a policeman. He (the coroner) had written to Mr Hardie asking if he had any evidence to show how the man came by his death, and Mr Hardie had re- plied that the statement was made on infor- mation supplied by members of the Strike Committee. He then got into communication with the chairman and secretary of that com- mittee, who informed him that Mr George Burton, check weigher, had been appointed to go into the matter. Mr Burton was present that dav. y- 'W""Io vr. w. isurton, assistant to vr. morgan, Tonypandy, said deceased was brought to the surgery between 6 and 7 o'clock by two men. He seemed rather drowhy. and suffered from three incised wounds -n the scalp. One Was about two inches long, and the other two were not quite so long, but all extended to the bone. The wounds were stitched, and deceased was after- wards taken home, and subsequently con- veyed to the Porth Cottage-Hos-pital, where he died on the following Friday. The post-mor- tem examination showed (witness continued) that the skull was fractured in two places. Death resulted from the pressure of a clot of blood on the brain. The fractures did not correspond with any of the cuts on the head, although they might have been caused by blows. Some blunt instrument caused them- possibly a policeman's truncheon. Aliout 100 men were treated at the surgery that evening. Police Version. A number,of weapons were now produced by the police, which had been picked up in the roadway after the riots. Inspector Parfitt, Bristol, said he was in charge of 18 mounted policemen. Shortly after 4 o'clock he saw a large crowd of strikers throwinrr stones at the windows of the power station. He and his men went to the spot, and on the way were met with a shower of stones. As the strikers refused to desist, he charged the crowd. The men ran along the main road in the direction of Tonypandy, and others went up the hill towards the Llwynypia Baths. Later the stone-throwing became so heavy that they had to retire towards the colliery. Fourteen of his men were struck and injured. Five horses were injured, one rather severely. None of his men used their trun- cheons. Sergeant S. Smith said he and his men failed to dislodge the striker3, who were in the plantation and the gardens on the hillside. They did not use their truncheons, as they were unable to get within reach of the men. Deputy Chief Constable Cole said that about 4 o'clock a huge procession passed the Llwyny- pia Collieries, and a large number of men stepped at the entrance. They were rather noisy,and the Chief Constable went out and advised them to be peaceful, and read to them a telegram which liW been received from Mr Ask with, of the Board of Trade. A little later the crowd commenced throwing stones at the power station, and pulling down the hoarding around the colliery yard. Mounted men were sent to move them on, and when they returned they appeared to be so badly injured that they were ordered to stable their horses. A number of the Cardiff City police, under Inspector Lewis, were sent, and these, while on their way from the Court Hotel, where they were quartered, were stoned by the strikers. A number suffered from scalp wounds, several had blood running down their faces, and one had lost his helmet. When darkhess set in the crowd attacked the colliery entrance from either side. Nearly all of them were hrmed with sticks, and some were using bad lan- guage. He heard shouts of We will show the how we did them in South Africa." The crowd took no heed of the advice to go away, but closed around the police. The situation became so critical that the order to charge was given. Batons were drawn, and in the rush a number of strikers and policemen were knocked down. They had about 40 policemen in the road, and about the same number were in the colliery yard. Stone- throwing continued the whole time, and wit- ness was struck twice Thirty-seven police- men were injured, and some had to be sent home. It was a well-organised crowd. Mr Nicholas suggested that they were not there "'to white-wash the police." The coroner replied that it was necessary, in view of the doctor's evidence, to fold out in what circumstances the hatons were drawn; so as to see if the police were justified. Inspector Lewis, of the Cardiff City R)Gee, said that seven of his men were injured, three of them having to be sent home the following morning. During the stone-throwing he was struck several times about the body. Chief Constable's Opinion. Captain Lionel Lindsay, Chief Constable, said that the was standing at the colliery entrance when the procession passed. The crowd was very threatening. Desultory attacks Were made during the afternoon but it was after dusk that the serious onslaught bagan. The mounted police were then so helpless that he called them in. The police were huddled up behind a wall, sheltering from the stones, and it was then realised that a charge would have to be made on the crowd The Coroner: In your opinion, was it im- perative for the police to use their truncheons on that occasion ? The Chief Constable: It was the only method ói defence the police had. They were defenceless, for they had no missiles to repel the attack. The Chief Constable added that large stones were thrown and that in each charge six or eight policemen were injured and had to be assisted to a place of safety. The deputy chief constable himself had to be carried into the office. The Coroner: Did the police have great diffi- catty in repelling these attacks ?—At one time it was touch-and-go." The crowd gave blow for blow, and it was a question whether the police would succeed or not. Some of the policemen's truncheons were broken in coming into contact with the weapons used by the crowd, and one officer asked him, What's the good of a thing like this against a mandril shaft ?" In reply to Mr Nicholas, the Chief Constablr said it was a desperate affair. He had never seen a crowd attack the police like it before. The crowd was so menacing during the after- noon that no one could tell what was going to happen. Inspector Hole said the stones came down like hail." His left leg was badly injured. Superintendent Thomas, Canton, said the crowd wouid certainly have taken the col- liery but for the charge of the police. Mrs Coneily, with whom deceased lodged Edward Garland, and Abraham Thomas, col- liery workers, said that the deceased told them that he was knocked down by a policeman.

A SOENE." Coroner and Mr Nicholas. The Coroner again pointed out that he had no evidence before him to show how deceased hid been engaged from the time he left his lodgings till be was taken to the surgery. So far, all the evidence on that point had been hearsay. The deceased's own statement-oould not be taken as evidence. Mr Nicholas disagreed. The Coroner You may dissent as much as you like. Mr Nicholas It has been held that such evidence is permissible. The Coroner Please be quiet, will you ? Mr NiCholais I protest against the implied reflection on the relatives of the deceased. The Coroner I am addressing the jury. I must ask you to hold your tongue, if you please. You be silent! Mr Nicholas again protested and said the Coroner was attacking people who had in- structed him. The Coroner: I must ask you to hold your -tongue, and let me go on. The Coroner afterwards reviewed the evidence, and said the points the jury had to consider were by what instrument the injuries were caused, and if by a policeman's truncheon, were the police justified in using force to repel force, in order to preserve order. The Verdict The jury- found that deceased died from in- juries received on the evening of November 8, caused by some blunt instrument, but the evi- dence was not sufficiently clear to them how he received the injuries.

FOOTBALL AND CHURCH WORK. Cardiff Deputy-Lord Mayor's Contrast Mr T. J. Richards, Cardiff, Deputy-Lord 'Mayor, on Thursday formally re-opened the bazaar held in aid of the funds of the Miskin- street United Methodist Church, Caihays. The chair was occupied by Mr A. T. Gaae, the chairman of the Bazaar Committee, and there were also present among others Councillor A. Good, and some of the leading members of the church. The Deputy-Lord Mayor said the friends at Cathays were very energetic in their efforts to clear off the debts upon their chapels. It was a matter of regret to find that people in Cardiff spent far more on amusements than they did upon church and chapel work, and they would often find that whereas a man gave 6d a month towards chapel purposes he paid Is 6d a week for a seat on the football ground. (Hear, bear.) Mr Richards said he had to hand over a cheque on behalf of the Lord Mayor, who was absent owing to a domestic bereave- ment, and to desire that the money be spent in the bazaar on articles litelv to benefit the poor of the locality, and he left it to them to distribute the articles as they thought fit. (Hear, hear.) The proceeds of the first day's j bazaar amounted to about E60.

-n FOOTBALL.. Those who wish for fair dealing | and full payments should send Id Postcard to Douglas,. P and Smith, Flushing, Hott&nd. 19&

Bank Manager's Marriage & CHARGES OF FRAUD AT CARDIFF. Accused Committed for Trial. Four charges under the Bankruptcy Act were preferred against John Pottinger, for- merly manager of the Roath branch of the Wilts and Dorset Bank, at Cardiff on Wednesday, before the Stipendiary (Mr T. W. Lewis). De- fendant was charged that having been adjudi- cated a bankrupt he, with intent to de- fraud his creditors, executed on or about February 10th, a bill of sale, where- by his chattels were assigned to Mar- garet Rose Davies that on March 9th hei executed an indenture of marriage settlement purporting to be made between himself and Margaret Rose Davies, assigned goods to his wife described as Magraret Rose Davies, spinster, and that within four months before the presentation of a bank- ruptcy petition he made or was privy to the ipaiirtg of a false, entry in a document re- lating to his property, and falsified an inden- ture of marriage settlement between himself and Margaret Rose Da vies by the insertion of a false date. Mr Walter Scott (for the prosecution) said that defendant was adjudged a bankrupt on Julv 22nd last. For some years prior to January he was manager of the Wilts and Dorset Bank at Roath. He was then residing in Marlborough-road, with hisMirst wife. In November, 1908, apparently because his wife became an invalid, he took into his service a Miss Margaret Rose Davies. She was en- gaged at a salary of E20 a year. Early in 1909 his first wife died. Soon afterwards Mr Pottinger resigned the managership of the bank, and on February 10th he executed a bilhof sale to Margaret Rose Davies. This expressed to be in consideration for money lent, and made over household effects to 1-iss Davies, and also in consideration of Miss Davies remaining in his service as housekeeper. On the same day as that was executed Mr Pottinger and Miss Davies left Cardiff, and proceeded to Paignton.They first of all went into lodgings and having obtained a licence were married on February 26th. On the following day he would prove Mr Pottinger wrote a letter to his solici- tor in Cardiff, Mr D. J. Davies, in which he said some doubts had been expressed to him as to the validity of the bill of sale. Then on March 5th Mr Davies, in compliance with a re- quest, went to Paignton to prepare a marriage settlement, which made over Mr Pottinger's goods and chattels to Miss Davies. This stated that a marriage was intended. That was pre- pared by Mr Davies on March 8th, and sent to Mr Pottinger. The deed was signed on March 8th, and on March 9th was executed by Mr Pottinger and his wife. The peculiarity of it was that although it was executed on March 8th and the parties had been married in February, it was made out as between John Pottinger and Margaret Rose Davies and signed in those names. A petition in bank- ruptcy was filed and be was adjudged a bank- rupt on July 22nd. The Official Receiver became trustee, and subsequently received a claim from the wife to the whole of the house- hold furniture and effects by virtue of a settle- ment. The Official Receiver then brought a motion in the County Court to set aside the bill of sale a <1 settlement, and an order was made. Mr- Pottinger had previously had a letter sent to the Official Receiver, consenting to order the setting aside of the deeds. Mr Davies, giving evidence, said that at the time the marriage settlement deed was prepared, he did not know that the parties were married. Formal evidence was given of the marriage on February 26th. Mr George David (official receiver) said that Pottinger stated to him, when asked if he had executed a bill of sale on his effects. Yes, on Feburuary 10th, to Margaret Rose Davies," and added that he had received no money. Inspector Charles Jones said that, when arrested, Pottinger replied, 11 1 have a satis- factory reply. I have written to my solicitor." With regard to the settlement deed be said, I did not date that deed. It was undated when I signed it, as far as I can remember." Mr Sidney Jenkins appeared for the defence. Pottinger pleaded not guilty, and was com- mitted for trial to the Quarter Sessions, bail being allowed, himself in IC50and one surety of JE50 or two sureties of £25. each.

UNITED STATES TARIFF. Washington, Wednesday. Yesterday's debate in both Houses of Congress on the revision of the tariff, though lengthy, proved inconclusive. Mr Payne himself spoke in favour of revision schedule by schedule, and in the-Senate Mr Aldrich was among those who expressed similar views.—Central News.

Obituary. I MAJOR-GENERAL WHITEHEAD, PENYBONT. The death occurred on Sunday morning, after a brief illness, of Major-General White- head, CJ3-, J.P., of Penybont Hall, Radnor- shire. Major-General Whitehead succeeded to the Penybont Hall estate on the death of Miss Severn a few years ago, and had since resided at Pcnybont Hall, leading a quiet and un- eventful life. He was highly respected, and much sympathy will go forth to the bereaved widow. Major-General Whitehead had served in the office of High Sheriff of Radnorshire (1903) and also that of president of the Radnorshire Agricaftural Society, of which organisation he was a liberal supporter. He entertained the school children of Llanbadarn-fawr and Llan- degley Schools to an annual tea, and was a willing supporter of all good work going on in the district. He was a Churchman and a Conservative. He was 77 years of age. Major-General Whitehead was born in 1833. He was with the 97th Foot in the Crimea. In the Zulu war he was in command of the 58th Foot at the battle of Ulindi. He was in com- mand of the 48th regimental district from 1883 to 1886. He was colonel of the Nortbants Regiment, and retired on pension in 1892. IR. S. J. RODERICK, LLANELLY. Dr. Sydney James Roderick, of Llanelly, passed away at his residence, Vauxhall House, LLanellv, early yesterday morning. Dr. Rod- erick has been in indifferent health for some time past, but it was not until last month that he was compelled to relinquish bis duties. He was held in the highest esteem by people of all classes and shades of opinion in LLineily owing to his unfailing courtesy and sympathetic nature. His loss will be felt nowhere more than in the homes of the workers of Llfmelly. He was the son of the late Mr William Roderick, manager of the London and Plovincial f;an.k:, and was a brother of t-7jc- late Colonel W. Buckley Roderick. He was educated at Batt" Marlborough and Edinburgh, :ti be took the M.B. and C.M. degrees in },887. Dr. Roderick carried on an extensive practice at I&ineJ!y in succession to his uncle, the late Dr. Buckley, and held the appointments of raedical officer of heaJth, niedical inspector of schotxis, niedical inspector of factories, Hwdical oSJicer i o the I police, as well as to work in the town and district.Dr. Roderick was the pioneer of the X-ray and radium treatment in t-he town. He married in 1896 Gertrude Louise, daughter of Mr James Barclay, late of Buch- romb, Dufftown, N who with two-children survive him.

Earthquake Activity. RECORDS AT CARDIFF. A severe earth disturbance was recorded by I el the Cardiff seismograph at Penylan on Tuesday. The first indication was at 12 noon and the maximum movement occurred at 12.18. About two hours elapsed before the instrument re- gained its eliquilibrium. A violent earthquake was recorded on Tueq day both in this country and on the Conti- nent. Professor Belar telegraphed from Lai- bach, Austria: "To-dAy again a catastrophic earthquake shock was recorded. It com- menced at 11.46, attaine<i' a maximum at 12.17, when the range of motion was 39 milli- metres (about liin-). The txjocjon lasted about three hours. The distance of the origin was nearly 4,500 miles. The earth distu-rbances during the last two days have been enormously strong. Further shocks are iciminrnt." Mr J. P. Shaw, of Hill Top, West Bromwich, states that the shock was recorded on his seismo- graph at about eleven o'clock, and was that of an exceptionally large earthquake. Reuter's Agency states :—The Eastern Telegraph Co. report that an earthquake shock was distinctly felt at Zanzibar yesterday I at UAO am. Greenwich time. The disturb- ance evidently extends over a large area as ) far as four of the Company's cables between Zanzibar and Durban were broken about the same time.- ReutR..r.

MOTOR CYCLIST'S FATE. Before Judge Hill Kelly at Newport on Thurs- day a compensation claimwas heard inwhich the plaintiff was the widow of Prank Dyer, motor cyclist, who was killed at Birchgrove, near Cardiff, in June. Deceased had attended the hill-climbing contests at Rhubina on Satur- day, June 4th, and whilst proceeding towards Cardiff collided with another cyclist, and met with injuries from which he died the following day. Deceased was an .employee of Messrs R. Alger and Son, Newport, and was at the time of the accident riding upon one of de- fendants' machines On this particular day deceased had visited Cardiff to do business with a certain gentleman, and Mr F. B. Metcalfe (Bristol) for the defence sub mitted that although Dyer's attendance at the Rhubina hill-climb may have been known to his employers, it was quite outside the requirementi of his business, which re- quired deceased's presence at Cardiff only. At the time of the accident Dyer wae on the road from Rhubina to Cardiff. Had he turned on to the road leading to Newport the case might have been different, as lie would then have been proceeding homewards from Cardiff, the place of his business Appointment. Mr A. Parsons, for the applicant, argued that deceased bad gone to Whitchurch to further the business of his employers, and, having done all that was possible, was return- ing to Newport by the most direct road. His Honour concurred with- Mr Parsons' view, and gave judgment for applicant (Mrs Dyer) for £ 300, stay of exsention tor 21 days to be granted, the widow to receive 15s w*ekly meanwhile. Doctors' Divergent Views. Injuries to a seamen's leg were the subjeet of some difference of medical opinion. A sea- man named N ielson had been receiving c-am pensa.on from Messrs R. W. Jones and Co. for a compound leg fracture received on the ss. Alassio, but defendants had now ceased to pay. Mr Lincoln Reed, applying that the payments be renewed. called Dr. Conellon, of the Newport Hospital, who stated that owing to a shortening of the leg by three-quarters of an inch, and to the adhesion of the sear to the fracture, it was extremely dangeroos for Nielson to proceed tensea, ae any accident to the scar would, lacking immediate medical attention, have very serious consequences. Mr Parsqns (defending) called Dr. Earle Marsh, who'stated that the scar would nO interfere with the man's safety. Dr. Hurley (medic&l officer to the Shipping Federation) and Dr. Seager agreed with the last witness. His Honour ultimately referred the-case to the Medical Referee.

G.B. SHAW & THE REFERENDUM In the-current issue of the M Clarion the opinion of Mr G. Bernard Shasr is given on the referendum. G.BJ3." says :— Under government by referendum I shonld expect the first year's legislation to include the following measures, carried by over- whelming majorities of the people: 1. Ten years penal servitude for all avowed Socialists. 2. Imprisonment for life of all avowed Atheists. 3. Establishment of a triumvirate with com- plete dictatorial powers, consisting of the King, Lord Roberts, and Sir Herbert Beer- bohm Tree. 4. Abolition of all rates and taxes. 5. Execution of Robert Blatchford for blasphemy,ami hisappointment as commander- in-chief of the Army (under the impression that he is two different persons). 6. Abolition of sanitary inspection. 7. Reduction of the age for f-timers to six years, except in special cases, reducible by magisterial qrder to two and a half years. 8. Burning alive of Bernard Shaw. 9. Expulsion of all foreigners from the British Islands and exclusion of all foreign goods except tobacco. 10. Disfranchisement of all low, common people without carriages and servants. 11. War on Germany. 12. War on America. 13. Martial law in Ireland. 14. War on Japan. 15. Reduction of the fleet and substitution of the personal prowess of Lord Chartes Beresford for costly armaments. 16. England will have ceased to exist before they get to No. 16. P.S.—This is not a joke.

NEW CARDIFF PARISH HALL There was a good attendance on Thursday evening when the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Alder- man Bird), opened the new parish hall of St. Stephen's Church, in Evelyn-street, Doeks. The dedication prayers were offered by the rural dean. Canon Beck. The Lord Mayor said the hall would be much appreciated by the Docks people. The Rev. C. C. Dobaon said the new institute not only met a much felt social want, but was also a step towards the comple- tion of the new St. Stephen's Church, which was being erected on the site where the old institute formerly stood. The land on which the new institute stood had been presented by Lord Bute, and was exactly in the centre of the paris4. A cottage next door had also been purchased, and would be used when ah extension was required. Towards the new church £1,200 had been collected. During the evening a bouquet was presented to the Lady Mayoress by the Girls' Friendly Society, and items of music were rendered.

CHINA'S BIG LOAN, Peking, Tuesdav.-Th(- appointment of an American financial adviser, which formed part of the American loan proposals, has been waived. It is considered in consequence that the question of supervision of expenditure of the new £ 10,000,000 loan may be arranged. The request of the Assembly for a Cabinet has been referred to the Government Council. The Assembly is memorialising the Throne for s the release of political offenders imprisoned in 1SS&.—lieuter.

The XI 0,000 Claim. ARCHITECT & CORPORATION. Plaintiff Continues His Evidence. Mr Muir Mackenzie, in the Official Referee's Court in London, resumed the hearing of the claim for £ 10,000 made by Mr Seward, the architect, against the Mayor and Corporation of Cardiff for the preparation of plans in con- nection with the Welsh National Museum. Plaintiff again went into the witness box and was further cross-examined by Mr B. Francis Williams, K.C. Mr Williams com- menced by reminding the plaintiff that last night they were discussing the plans for the 17th January, 1901, and he had suggested these were tentative, and Mr Seward had admitted some of them were. Mr Williams What is the good of tentative plans if they are not approved 1-It would be a rough plan in the first instance, and you would call it tentative. If the Corporation did not fall in with the Slans you would hav*» to draw fresh ones ?—■ iot necessarily. Suppose you submitted tentative plans to a client and he wholh- disapproved of them, would you charg" for t—It depends upon circumstances. There is the question of the amount of work it might involve. If he were an unbusinesslike man he might cause many months of harr) work- I should then charge. Continuing, ^iaintifi' said 5 per cent, was mentioned in the schedule of the British Architects' Society supposing the work went on, but not unnecessary work such as he had just alluded to, which a client might make them do. Mr Williams then read a letter of December, 1901, written by plaintiff to Mr Ward in which he used the expression that he had by no means forgotten to run through the tentative plans. Did the witness still say that the plans were tentative ? Plaintiff: I say the moment they were sub- mitted they were tentative but when they were neatly finished they were not. Those plans had been used since. Mr Williams then took the plaintiff through his statement of claim. Witness said he should like to amend tb e date of his claim for MW from May of 1902 to March 13th, 1903. The Referee said be was afraid that plaintiff was not doing justice to his own case in mak- ing the alterations. Mr Francis Williams Was there any order given subsequent to the 13th March, 19031 -Plakntiff replied in the affirmative, and sa id that was shown by a letter dated January, 1904. He had been working all through the year 1903, and the fact was duly recognised in the Committee's annual report to the Corporation. It was desired to economise, and this meant much fresh work. These gentlemen were keeping one eye on the plans-of the block -imd tba-otber eyeoil the expenditure involved. An Art-Loving Section. Mr Williams They were winking the other eye. (Laughter.) Counsel suggested to the plaintiff there was no further work done in these plans after January, 1902, but witness pointed out there had been several modifica- tions. He described the progress of thearrange- menfcs made with regard to the proposed heating apparatus for the museum. He pre- pared a set of plans, but after discussion it was decided to take plans from another firm. After- wards, in consequence of alterations, he was asked to consult with the architects of the Law Court? and the Town Hall wifch a view to adopting that system. Mr Williams: Had there always been a difficulty with regard to the Corporation in getting them to spend money on the museum? Plaintiff I think that may be said to be so. The position was this, was it not ? Whereas the balk of the Corporation were opposed to spending money on the museum, there was a section like yourself, lovers of art.. who wanted to go on ?—Witness Early in its history it was very prominently so later it was not. Continuing, the witness said he had never submitted an estimate of over £!IJpYJ to the Corporation or the Committee, but he had mentioned it often to the Committee. He was in constant touch with the scheme. Mr Williams We should all like to be in touch with £ 150,000. (Laughter.) Mr Seward said, in further reply to Mr B. Francis Williams, that there was a shortage in the lainutes relating to the S150,000 to £ 160,000 contract- Mr Williams: Do you not think the fact that you had a contract for a building of this class' and at such a figure. would not even be worth while recording on the minutes ? Plaintiff j-eplied that this was recognised by the Corporation, the committee, the curators, by himself, and in short by everyone be knew. Mr Williams I wajit, in order that I may grapple with the subject, for you to say what constituted your appointm«nt as architect to a building of £ 150,000 or £ 160,000 ?—Plaintiff I shall refer you to the agreement of December 1901. Continuing, he said the paragraph he relied upon was what might be called the preamble to that agreement, and Ire considered that he was to be the architect for the building under that. He relied upon the general attitude of the members towards him in the matter, as well as the agreement. Mr Francis Williams May I suggest to you, as an architect, that is not a good ground for building on ?—The scheme was growing very well then. Proceeding, the witness said the sending of his plans to the Treasury was one of the best steps taken by the Corporation in regard to this matter, as they recognised his position. The town clerk asked him to send plans and such documents as were necessary, and clearly and definitely attached to which was the cost. By the Meree The plans showed the cost of the earlier scheme—the 816 scheme. Mr Williams, harwlmg the plaintiff a pain, asked how much the building of that plan would involve. Plaintiff I reply by saying £ 154,000. Do you pledge yourself that this plan for the £150,600 was ever before-the committee ?—I do, sir. I took ail tbe .plans .away with me as was my custom. Mr Seward instanced the activityof various. public men in Cardiff in raising funds to show there was substantial hope of the Corporation having more funds at tbeir disposal than they had actually in hand. He himself had written to Sir William Thomas Lewis, and he claimed be broke the ice on this question to him, resulting a little later in a gift of £ 4,000. Mr Illtyd Thomas exercised his activities, too. Mr B. Francis Williams: He was on the, rampage was your expression. Plaintiff I do not think he is now. Proceed- ing, he said Mr Illtyd Thomas wrote to the son of a millionaire in South Wales. He had forwarded plaintiff a printed report for the consideration of this gentleman, resalting, he thought, in JE500 later. The hearing was again adjourned.

MRS SEWARD AS A WTTNE88. Mr Muir Mackenzie (official referee) con- tinued the hearing of the action brought by Mr Seward, the Cardiff architect, against the Mayor and Corporation of the city to recover E10,000 for the preparation of plans for a library and national museum for Wales. Plaintiff's cross-examination was resumed, and he stated that a resolution passed in January, 1903, clearly showed the specifica- tions were in existence then. Mr Seward's lengthy cro ss-examination was closed shortly before mid-day, and the re- examination of the plaintiff was postponed, Mr Pollock, K.G., not being present. Mrs Edith Jessie Seward said she often helped her husband in his work, and perfectly well remembered helping him with the sepcifi- cation in December, 1904. Mr E. T. Hall, of 54, Bedford-square, the well-known architect, was then called, and stated that lie had. seen the plans prepared by Mr Seward, which showed the whole scheme contemplated by the plaintiff. It was a general gridiron scheme, and it was understood that the cost of the southern portion would be about £ 80,000. The plans indicated the general lay out of the building. Mr Hall added that Mr Seward's plans were comprehensive, and lead up to a good final scheme. His charges were fair, and in accord- ance with custom, and to his mind the specifi- cations bore no sign of hurried drafting. In cross-examination by Mr Francis Wil- liams, K.C be «aid radical changes had been made in the schemes, and these ought to be charged for.

GERMAN VESBELS WRECKED. Berlin, Thursday.—Hamburg and Bremen despatches report the loss of three German steamers, with heavy loss of life. They are the Palermo, wrecked at Corunna, 23 drowned the tank steamer Manhatton, lost on the voyage from New York to Algiers, all hands perished and the fishing steamer Gustav Ober, lost in Icelandic waters. In this case it is hoped that the crew will be picked up.- Reuter. Wilson Liner in Hurricane. Information has been received by wireless that the Wilson liner Galileo is making for Fal- mouth much damaged, as the result of terrific storms. It appears that a hurricane burst upon the liner when she waa about 230 miles west of the Scilly Isles, and the ship was; battered with such force that the controlling shaft of the steering gear was smashed. A huge sea next swept over the almost help- less vessel, carrying away all the boats and an apprentice named Stevenson, son of a Hull contractor, and an able seaman named Carter were washed overboard.

MADE PILES WfTH CARNEGIE. Mr Andrew Carnegie has succeeded not only in making himself the second richest man in the world, but also in enriching several of his fellow-couritrymen. When the star- spangled Scot.' retired from business, his fortune was estimated at E75,000,000, abd he had made about £ 50.000,000 for his friends and partners, a large proporiton of whom are of Scottish birth. These include Mr George Lander, his cousin, who now lives in retire- ment Jit Pittsburg, with at least £ 4,000.000 to j soothe his decling years Mr Thomas Morris- son, also a cousin, and Mr Alexander Peacock, another son of Dumfcrnline, likewise emassed huge fortunes at Pittsburg. Other partners of Mr Carnegie bear undeniably Scottish names, such as McLeod. Kerr, Blackburn, Lin-"

THE DELUGE. •q THIRTEEN RAINY DAYS. HUGE AFIEAS FLOODED. Friday, With the exception of December 6th ant December 7th, rain has fallen on every daj this month, and the result is overflowing riven and floods in all parts of the country. In the City of London the total rainfall for the 15 days is 2.46 inches, while the sun has shone fot. I less than three hours during the whole of that period- Rain continued to fall over the country at intervals yesterday, and the a,mounts were itf several cases the second highest of the month and the tenth highest of the year, the quan- tity in London reaching 37 tons to the acre.. But it has not been so much the heaviness of the rainfall as it persistency which has beet unusual. It almost equal in that respect the 16 successive wet days from February 13th tr February 28th last. Since December 5th there has been a con- tinuous flow of humid Atlantic air from tht south-west across our islands and the greatet part of Western Europe, where the cmditiow have been just as dill, damp, and mild as if this country. Cynon in Fleod. The heavy rains of last night liave agaim caused the Cynon River to overflow its banks.. and the low-lying meadows between A-beravon and Cwmbach are one lake. Fortunately, most of the cattle have been driven off, and so far no losses arc reported. Some pigstyws and fowl < oops highei up the valley, however, fowl < oops highei up the valley, however, have been carried away by the flood. Fortun- ately the Tstff Vale Railway, which has bee& raised several feet, is not impeded. An Inland Sea. Following a steady downpour during aD Thursday night there were heavy land floods in many places in the lowlands all the way from Gloucester downwards to Chepstow, Immense quantities of earth and rubbish have been carried from gardens and land on to the main road- Awre station was only approach- ,a.ble in vehicles as the Blackpool and Forge brooks broke bounds. Enormous areas on both sides of the Severn are submerged and look like an inland sea. Water in Usk Town. With the exception of a couple of horses, there was no 'stock at the Usk Christmas market to-day. This was due to all the main roads leading to the town being flooded by the Usk and its tributaries, and farmers were thug prevented bringing their stock in. Thismom- ing the waters were rising rapidly, and a big flood is anticipated. The mail cart driver from Newport to Usk was delayed about three hours at Little London. The rural postmen had to be taken their rounds in vehicles. Houses in the district are flooded, and many cellars in the town were flooded. At the gas- works the water had to be pumped out from under the furnaces. Thames Still Rising. A Windsor telegram states the Thaanesris still rising, and the water is now 2ft. lOin. above the head having risen nearly a foot since yesterday, and with rain still falling fears are entertained of serious floods. Windsor is more fortunately situated than most Thames side places, but some of the roads in its vicinity are under water. Worst for 30 Years. The gale at Worthinsr was the worst ex- perienced for thirty years. The sea has washed boats from the top beach and in one case haa lifted a craft into the roadway, while the shel- ters round the bandstand have been carried away, the woodwork being reduced to match- wood. There are twelve inches of water in one part of the roadway- The danmga amounts to several thousand pounds. Six Mén Drowned. Lloyd's Arklow agents telegraph to-day that two fishing-boats, the Mary Immaculate and the Fisher Tad,of Arklow, have been losl Thfee were saved, and six men drowned. Damage at Dover. Owing to the fierce Channel gale, the mall service normally carried on between Dover and Calais had to be carried on from Folke- stone to-day. Two of the men engaged in the service at Dover were injured and much dam* age was done at the landing stage. Unable to Dock. Owing to the gale, which was felt with par- ticular force at Cardiff Docks to-day, the s-s. Lorle, in the Queen's Dock, broke adrift, but was very soon fixed up again without doing any damage. During the afternoon one vessel made several attempts to enter Penarth Dock, but owing to the intensity of the wind she was unable to make way, and had to go back into the roads. Thousands of acres of land in West Sussex are flooded as the result of oantmuous rains. The depth of water in many parts is ten or twelve feet. After the very heavy rain last vight the lower parts of the town at Briton Ferry es- pecially in Hunter-street and Little Louther- street, were very badly flooded and in some of the back lanes there was in some parts four feet of water. During the gale this afternoon about thirty feet of hoarding was brown across the pave- ment near the Gladstone School, Cardiff. No one was passing at the time

Britishers Incensed. ROW AT NEWPORT SHIPPtNI OFFICE There was a scene at Newport on Thursday on the arrival of a number of Arab seamen from Cardiff. Several of them were injured, and the windows of the Shipping Office were s nashed. The sequel was heard yesterday,when Michael Tomalty, fireman, was charged with breaking two panes at the Board of Trade Offices. Harold Sim ma, ship's steward, said he waa waiting to be signed on the ss. Haddon HaQ. There was a dispute about the signing of some Chinese and Japanese sailors, nine of whom had been brought from Cardiff. A large num- ber of English sailors had assembled outside the offices, and when the foreigners appeared on the seene there was a row, and Tomalty smashed two of the windows. That's quite right," said defendant* They took a lot of Arabs and Chinese inside the office and shut the door, and there were scores of British sailors there waiting for a job. and some of uA all but starving." Alfred S. Hayes, mercantile marine superin- tendent, said ere was a disturbance outside the office owing to the shipping of Arab sailors from Cardiff. The captain attempted to get a Japanese crew, but failed. When the Britishers saw the Arabs coming up the street they went for them. Alderman Wilkinson Why dkfcnt the cap- tain ship the British sailors ? Mr Hayes That I could not say. Per- sonally I like to see the Britishers being signed on, but as officials we don't interfere with the carptains as to whom they employ. Defendant was fined 10s, including thr damage.

Woman and Child. CARtlFF ABANDONMENT CHARGE. Mrs Kate Young (52), who gave an address in Rugby-street. Newport, was brought before the Cardiff Stipendiary (Mr T. W. Lewis) yes- terday on a charge of wilfully abandoning on Thursday in Wyeverne-road Gladys Irene Young, age 6, of whom she had charge, in a manner likely to cause the child unnecessary suffering. P.C. Arthur Smith said he was called to the platform of the Great Western Railway Station last evenipg, and in consequence of what he was told he arrested prisoner, who said :— Tbe women took the child from me, and what could I do ? I thought they would take her to Nazareth House." When charged she replied I did not abandon the child." In- spector Bingham asked for a remand, which was granted for a week, and opposed bail. Prisoner Do please allow me bail. I have had great sorrow. I have lost my husband during the last few months. Bail was refused.

G.W.R. VETERAN RETIRING. Mr Joseph Morris, after 50 years in the service of the Great Western Railway Com- pany, is retiring at the end of the year. He began with the company as a clerk at Oswestry in the year 1861; he leaves the ser- vice as superintendent of the line During the time Mr Morris has been superintendent of the line he has taken part in the improvements which have made the Great Western Railway one of the most pro- gressive and enterprising in England. In- cluded among these is the shortest route to Ireland via Fishguard and Rosslare which was opened August 30, 1906. Opening of the new route between Birmingham and the West of England via Stratford-on-Avon and Chel- tenham, July 1,1908. The first Cunard liner (Mauretania) called at Fishguard on August 30, 1909.

KAISER BELITTLES AVIATION. Paris, Friday.—" The Matin "says that the German Emperor does not regard aviation with enthusiasm, and is quoted as having recently remarked in conversation with friends :—" I am convinced that before long the French will be gravely disappointed in their engines of aerial locomotion. Personally, I have quite made up my mind as to their worth, and if I am adopting them for the German army it is merely to satisfy public (>pinion. "Central News. Curiously enough, the German Admiralty has decided to purchase flying machines for the Navy. and a Commission is now investiga- ting as to which type of aeroplane is most -suitable for maritime warfare

NEW WELSH M.P's. Gathering Progressive Force. The representation of Wales up to Friday was as follows :— ANGLESEY-*MR E. J. Griffith (L.) Un- opposed. BRECONSHIRE-*Sidney Robinson (L.) Majority 1,880. CARDIFF BOROUGHS Lord Ninian Stuart (C.) Majority 299. CARD IG AN SHIRE—*Mr Vaughan Davies (L.) Unopposed. CARMARTHEN BOROUGHS *Mr W. Llewelyn Williams (L.) Unopposed. CARMARTHENSHIRE EAST-*Mr Abel OThomas (L.) Liberal and Labour majority over Conservative 4,686. CARMARTHENSHIRE WEST.—Mr John Hinds (L). Majority 5,040. CARNARVON BOROUGHS—*Right Hon. D. Lloyd George (L.) Majority 1,208. CARNARVONSHIRE NORTH t Arfon Division)—*Mr William Jones (L.) Unopposed. CA-RNARVONSHlUE SOUTH (Eifion Division)—*Mc Ellis W. Davies (L). Un- opposed. DENBIGH BOROUGHS *Hon. W. Ormsby-Gore (C). Majority 9. DENBIGHSHIRE E AST.—Mr Edward T' John (L). Majority 3,263. DENBIGHSHIRE w -Omb J. Herbert Roberts (L). Unopposed. FLINT BOROUGHS—*Mr J. W. Summers (L). Majority 509. FLINTSHIRE-r J. Herbert Lewis (L.) Unopposed. x GLAMORGAN EAST—MrClement Edwards (L.) Liberal and Labour majority over Con- servative 8,160. GLAMORGAN GOWER.—Mr John Wil- liams (Lab.) Majority 953. GLAMORGAN, MID—Mr John Hugh I Edwards (L.) Majority over Labour, 1,522. GLAMORGAN SOUTH.—*Mr William Brace (Lab). Majority 2,938. MERIONETHSHIRE—*Mr Haydn Jones (L.) Unopposed. MERTHYR TYDFIL (two seats)-r Edgar Jones (L.) and *Mr Keir Hardie (Lab.) Liberal and Labour majority over-Conserva- tive, 18,488. MONMOUTH BOROUGHS.Mr Lewis Haslam (L.) Majority 1,098. MONMOUTHSHIRE NORTH. *Right Hon. Reginald McKenna (L.) Majority 3436. MONMOUTHSHIRE SOUTH.—♦Col. Sir Itor Herbert (L). Majority 1,941. MONMOUTHSHIRE WEST.—*Mr Thomas Richards (Lab.) Unopposed. MONTGOMERYSHIRE—♦Mr-David Davies (L.) Unopposed. PEMBROKE & HA VERPOBDWEST- Major Henry Guest (L.) Majority 565. PEMBROKESHIRE—'Mr Walter Roch (L.) Majority 2,633. RADNORSHIRE—Sir Francis Edwards, Bart. (L.) Majority 42. SWANSEA DISTRICT—♦Sir- David Bn-n. vmor Jones (L.) Unopposed. SWANSEA TO WN—♦Sir Alfred Mond, Bart. Majority 2^46. ♦Denotes old member.

Struggle on a Roof. REMARKABLE SCENE AT CARUFF. A remarkable and exciting scene was wit- nesged at Grangetown on Wednesday morning. Shortly before 9 o'clock resident.4 in Oakley- street, hearing a woman's screams, ran into the street, and were startled to see on the roof of one of the houses a young married woman clad only in her ni ght attire, and struggling with ber husband, who apparently was trying to hold her down. Amid great excitement several of the neighbours ran to the police station and brought up a fire escape, but as the woman and her husband were on the roof of the kitchen, and the fire escape could not be taken to the back of the premises, a. couple of ladders were requisitioned by Mr T. O. Lewis and Mr Renowden, and the last-named hav- ing fastened one of the ladders, a couple of police ascended and endeavoured to remove the woman from her perilous position. She, however, clung des- perately to the shuting of the roof. and it was with considerable difficulty that the police got her away, and then they had to lower her with ropes to the ground. It appears that the unfortunate young woman had been acting strangely, following her recent illness, and that, in a state of temporary mental aberration, she got out of her bedroom window on to the roof, being fol- lowed by her husband. She was in a pitiable condition when brought to the ground, and her husband was also very exhausted through his trying experience.

NEWPORT IMPROVEMENTS. The Newport Borough Police Athletic Club held their annual dinner at the King's Head Hotel on Thursday. The Chief Constable (Mr A. J. Sinclair) presided, supported by the Mayor (Councillor J. H. Williams), Mr Lewis Haslam, M.P., Mr Mark Mordey, J.P. (chair- man of the Watch Committee), Mr J. Macau- lay, J.P., and others. The Mayor predicted that during his year of office the long-delayed improvement to the Newport Bridge would be commenced, and that the transfer of the Assize Court from Monmouth to Newport would be accomplished. Further, they could not go on much longer without increasing the accommodation, for the police, which was the same to-day for 120 as was provided when there were but 45 men in the force. Mr Lewis Haslam, M.P., responding to the toast of Our Hon. Members and Guests," said the British police were the finest in the world. Proceeding, Mr Haslam said he con- sidered the Army and Navy to be entirely out- side party politics. He thought the Govern- ment would do well to spend more money upon the Territorial Forces. There were many waste tracts of land throughout the country upon which six months or a year's training could be given to young men over the age of 17 who were so minded. This was no new idea, or, d it was roughly estimated that 10.000 men wuld thus receive a year's training, or 20,000 3or six months £ 500,000.

After Three Months. BOILERMAKERS TO RESUME WORK. After having lasted for three months, the boilermakers' lock-out has come to an end, and work, of which there is abundance, was resumed in the various districts on Thursday. The ballot of the men's society on the agree- ment formulated at Edinburgh last week has resulted in its acceptance by a majority of 12,425, the figures being issued on Wednesday. The dispute has been marked by several remarkable features. Declared to express the employers' growing impatience with sectional stoppages—said, in many cases, to be brought about without notice—the lock-out has been the subject of several conferences and a series of ballots. The men's executive came to an agreement quite early in the trouble, but when they appealed te the rank and file to ratify it, the latter contemptuously rejected the proposals, as they have repudi- I ated others since, particularly repelling a sys- tem of fines proposed by the masters. The Board of Trade intervened, and the agreement which has now been accepted is understood to be framed largely on the sug- gestions and ideas of Mr G. R. Askwith, K.C., who is now devoting attention to the ticklish problems in the South Wales coalfield. Under the settlement, matters in dispute have to be referred to a conciliation committee or arhi. trators appointed by it, and where a breach of the agreement is established, masters and men —ae the case may be—have to be dealt with according to the rules of their respective soci- eties. The dispute placed a severe strain on the funds of the Boilermakers' Society and since they became exhausted other Trade Unions have lent or given considerable sums to the strikers.

PENSIONS FOR PAUPERS. As the pauper disqualification as to old age pensions will be removed on the 1st of January next, a correspondent has ascertained from a member of the Merthyr Board of Guardians how many of the outdoor paupers in that Union will be entitled to pensions in January who are now in receipt of parish relief. The figures are as follow :— in receipt of Over 70 outdoor years of relief. age. Aberdare parish, Rhigos, and Penderyn. _44 575 .u 128 GeDygaerparish 310 72 Merthyr parish with Vay-no,r. 987 279 Total 1872 479 In addition, there are in the Workhouse a large number over 70 years of age who will be entitled to pensions, but it is at the moment impossible to say how many of these will be able to take advantage of the pensions. Many of them are bedridden and feeble, and are unable, even with the help of 5s a week, to start life afresh outside the Workhouse. Some will be able to do so with the assistance of their children or other relations.

CANNOT WITHOLD RELIEF. A communication from the Local Govern- ment Board with reference to the removal of the pauper disqualification for an old age pension was read at a meeting of the K: ig's Norton Guardians yesterday. It stated :iat a person would still be disqualified frou" re- ceiving a pension if he, or she, was in receipt of poor relief ottyer than relief of the lrind expressly excepted by the Act. The fact that a person who might be qualified for a pension had not claimed it would not be a ground for withholding poor relief if that person were in need of it.

PUNCH AND ELECTION. 1- A STAR IN ECLIPSE. Miss Budget: Ah, last year I was principal boy, and now I'm not in the bill at all! Candidate (wbo has spent a. precious half hour being pi --ut -to -oM lady): Well, good- bye, Mrs Smith, I hope your husband is all right. Mrs S.: I 'opes so, sir—itfll be-six months come Christmas since he died. Housekeeper at Lord X And which way did you vote, Mr Budd ? ButleKThe 'ole of this election has been fought on class 'atred, Mr8 Tinun, and is directed against hus, and I did my duty ac- cordin'! A Foot Wear firm has been advertising an Election Boot." Its immediate purpose seems to have been achieved with only moderate success, if one may judsro by the comparatively small number of candidates who have been kicked out.

CARDIFF PAGEANT MASTER. Mr George Proctor Hawtrey, of The Cot- tage, Wormley. Hertford, the well-known pageant master, who was responsible for the Cheltenham Pageant, 1908, the Cardiff Pageant 1909, and this year's Chester Pageant, a playwright and brother of Mr Charles Haw- trey, the actor, who died on the 17th August last, aged 64 years, son of the lade Rev. John William Hawtrey, left estate valued at JE378 '15s 3d gross, and letters of actmii,istration with the, will have been granted to his widow,, [the resid-iT-)eWA-.