Evening Express

sTOP PRESS. IS lUUTB r»K JTBTfl » AFTa3t wi I1T1 S*B T» PUUS. IL —

H1 NTING FATALITY. The Central New-i C'iiatham correspondent telegraphs on Monday:—A sad accident occurred during a, run of the Hundred of Hoo Foxhounds, near Rochester, on Saturday. Colonel Bernard Heygate, of the Army Service Corps, deputy assistant adjutant-general of the staff of Major-General Fraser, commanding the Thames District, was thrown from his horse upon his head, and sustained severe injuries. He was conveyed to his residence in Rochester, where he expired on Sunday night.

GAMEKEEPERS DEATH. ARREST NEAR HEXHAM. A young man was arrested late on Sunday Eight near Hexham in connection with the murder of George Scholick, gamekeeper to Captain Lowes, whose body was found on the Yarridge-road, Hexham, on Thursday last.

A MYSTERY OF THE LIXÐ. 7-- On Saturday morning a shocking discovery W,ts made on the Great Western Railway near Chirk Station, North Wales. While a points- man. named Matthew Williams, was walking along the line, he saw the body of a man lying on the rails. The body was frightfully mangled, the head being cut in several pieces. up to the present the body. which is evidently that of a man between 50 and 40, has not been identified.

THE DBEYFUS CASE. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Monday Says:—According to the "Sucle." M. Charles Dupuy has informed MM. Poincare and Barthon that if the Court of Cassation were to ask for his evidence he would re-affirm his declaration that he had never heard from Cap- tain Lebrun Renaud that Dreyfus made any concessions. The Lanterne says:—M. Labori had a long interview with Colonel Picquart at Charche Midi Prison yesterday. "M. Lobori," adds the journal, "afterwards declared that nothing had occurred to indicate that Colonel Picquart would be released." The "Journal" and "Eclair" state that the report of the Anarchist plot to blow up the Opera Comique is absolutely false.

Dreyfus Scandal. IS THE EXILE RETURNING? A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Sunday says:—The "Soir" says it is in a position to state that the return of Captain Dreyfus has been actually decided upon, and that a detach- ment of 150 dragoons from Libourne garrison has already been told off to escort the pri- soner from the port of landing to Paris. A Central News telegram from Paris on Sunday night says:—A rumour is afloat to-night that Captain Dreyfus will arrive in Paris to-morrow by way of the Gare Mont- parnasse. Nothing has as yet come to hand in confirmation of the story, but it is known that the Prefecture of Police had taken extra- ordinary measures of precaution for to-morrow morning in the neighbourhood of this parti- cular terminus. On the other hand, M. Paul Deroulede has convened a gathering of the League of Patriots for to-morrow morning, in aid of a great nationalist movement of protest.

In the Police Courts NOTES AND NEWS OF THE SEÁHY SIDE. CARDIFF. A CONDITIONAL PROMISE. William Webb, 40, a public character, who neciuently creates street scenes when brought into collision with the police, was brought up iw ,lff Police-court on Monday charged Lir,°je,1srs' R- Hooper and R. Bird) with in sa°nw80rderly and using obscene language has fro "r°,ad on the 10th inst. Prisoner, who and an y, been in trouble, is a trucman and one to coxnmericial travellers, Inspector r> ,arity about him, according to himself in iS that he always commits tern RaiiLlL^e^road. near the Great Wes- mise not Station.— Asked if he would pro- Prisoner sairl C"i$e th,ere again if discharged, in. (Lauo-vw.o' 10,J unless the police bring me you and know if they catch hold clothes off „ r0Il t come they will pull your —Mr. Hoonor U v ,and don't want that." —Mr. Bird- :zno?k the drink, man aliye. drunk.—^ 's not charged with being cause nf 1 know that; but drink is OI 11 —Discharged. Certain ofi?^ DEINK" are ou termor *nmate,s °f Cardiff Workhouse in tJie outer wn!? with acquaintances C BUardians offer^em* Weekly meeting Catherine arnh-T, m ereat opportunity. Wonian, who • a young, able-bodied a "heavy family » shew as the mother a refractory paunVr charged with being °''derly manneTwht, f and. be^ving in a dis- war(i-—The sunerint^nrq111 ,lnmate of the casual ln^ given evidence r.r 8n of the warda hav- aud -aid «he had soner denied the offence, nad. no opportunity of setting "4 in reLS;,ftr.te,'de"t »,a« "toZE Person in as to how a £ "es3 to drink Pnsm°n could obtain j tor the'-n-i H6 Sa,les were opened on *f ^he inmates convenience. Some \nd ,the master^ applications to the board. ia"aed to them Vr <°Wnion that drink was t Mr- R. Bird VH ? fnends outside- Bacurday? Uld she go before the board on g?neS8; No be^' Bird:. Itlew!iVeft the wasllhouse. Wit6 Cllristmas5 fTnot the Christmas drink Witness; No LauShter.) Mr. Bird: I the6sond fTlittle on"accountb°P"' they migilt Pined o (Lau-hter.) Unt- or something of 6d- and costs

E;«BTo»ISE5-iS POUCE. pahtNARY stoey or A PARIS EOBBEEY. most inrl "——— S? 111 robbery has been perpe- dav IWple' M. and M,fXPense of a voting mar- ^Votrrtly *ter V?™* Lftveque. On Thurs- apartm VVork, two nP^f que had left home to the v'*6nt' which rang tlxe bell of his ■what th18 e°uple do' nn?SilVer6d by 1x18 wife- as they w6' Wanted the ep a servant- Asked and hia'e tlle district r,vlsitors replied that :dii £ dse-far;:trtdCossry of r?e si on of that thev t „ bemS statement u!rell-wwrant T! fie ,ln posse9" enter T Mdme. LRVWI ferr;fied at this seized h^ly they* al^ed. th.e men to arm-chair' 5aegPd her, and th '1° they in a trifo 0 which shp f ew her into an rial which ^^h?tv112 striP« cf^ontT^ b°nIld As she r.^ thlev stout linen mate- dreirde^-ed to st^ Prep-ed in advance. with a load«rtr tw,"° vi°lent bin 1116 scotm- Leveque ot stick. *w^lows on the head ants vansacl thd° llotlimg but wT^h^8' Mdme. they had iaid b apartment in a^ her aaH>a-il' .nd Jo„h,S» °» >»„<U\i zz*rt'< sum. With tiii, y worth a T vame <t iZy 12SSL Z2 £ ">« »«or o, ,he '» «i» 25J o* found brokea into two In two

Parting of the Ways. FRANCE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND GERMANY. THE PROPOSED FRENCH ALLIANCE. OPINIONS OF PROMINENT MEN. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Monday says:—The Gaulois to-day publishes the opinions of a certain number of prominent hen regarding the idea of a rapprochement between Germany and France, which has leen put forward by M. Jules Lemaitre and M. Auguste Lalance, a former member for Alsace- Lorraine in the Reichstag. M. Waddington, senator, asks whether this is the time to think of drawing nearer to Germany, when the Triple Alliance finds itself weakened as regards Italy. He expresses the opinion that a conflict with England would be the most disastrous thing that could happen to France, and declares that if they are not to seek an alliance with England they should have confidence in the Russian Alliance, and, while careful to offend no one, wait for an opportunity, even should it be with the Emperor William. M. Wad- dington adds"Profiting by the real improve- ment in feeling which has followed the Fashoda incident, notwithstanding the susceptibilities which have been rather inopportunely emphasised by an ambassadorial speech, let. us settle once for all important or secondary questions. I do not refer to the Egyptian question, which is not on the tapis. Let us approach, then, as they do, like busi- ness men, and we shall find an issue, as we did in Siam, in the Soudan, and on the Niger." A TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Baron d'Estournelles, ex-Minister Plenipoten- tiary, says he believes that an agreement between France, Russia, and Germany is inevi- table. "Germany," he says, "has the same inte- rests as we have, and we must recognise that the very existence of Europe is subordinated to a pacific and honourable solution for both countries of this problem." He, however, con- demns the proposed agreement if it is to be directed against England, declaring that the exclusion of England from such an understand- ing would not be conducive to peace. M. Albert Vandal, of the French Academy, de- clares that he would be greatly surprised if the condition to which M. Jules Lemaitre and M. Lalance subordinate the new triple alliance, nameiy, an exchange of Alsace-Lorraine for one of the f-nest French colonies, could for a. moment be regarded seriously in Germany. A FRENCHMAN OF METZ.. M. Alfred Mezieres says that, as a native of Metz, he cannot solve the question. Like all his fellow-countrymen, he is inflexible in his claims, and he remains loyal to the spirit of French love of his country. The Due De Broglie expresses doubts as to the value of the proposed solution. The Comte de Chaudordy is of opinion that a colonial policy is the worst of police. "Of two great evil?," he says, "we must choose the less. We can have Great Britain and Germany for enemies at a given moment. To remain strong on the Continent—the sole hope for France in the future—we must condemn ourselves to be adversaries of the latter power, and by a natural consequence we must be tactful in our dealings with the former. We made a serious mistake in going to Fashoda. That gave Eng- land the pretext for mobilising her fleet, and now, when she is ready, she says to us in a threatening tone, 'Let us settle up.' That was, unfortunately, to be looked for." DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. Like the Comte De Chaudordy, General Jacquey declares himself to be an enemy of the policy of colonial adventure, which, sooner or later, he says. will lead France into conflict with England. General Jacquey says he does not see how it is possible to have a frank and loyal alliance with Germany so long as Alsace- Lorraine is not French, and he points out that the Emperor William would lose all his prestige if he restored the conquered provinces to France. M. Paul Leroy Beaulieu says he thinks that the constitution of the united states of Con- tinental Europe is becoming a necessity. He admits that difficulties will be encountered in forming a solid and living federation of the hitherto so much divided peoples of the European Continent, but declares it to be the task to which all foreseeing men should hence- forward devote their efforts, DRUMMOND CASTLE MEDALS RETURNED. A Central News telegram from Paris on Saturday says:—The "Petit Journal" to-day says that many of the Ushant islanders who received medals front the British Government for the help they afforded to survivors of the Drummond Castle and their sympathy for the dead have sent their medals to Sir Edmund Monson as a protest against his speech.

LLWYNYPIA CONSEiRYATIYE (LIB. THE STEWARD FINED. At Ystrad Police-court on Monday (before the stipendiary, Mr. J. Ignatius Williams and Mr. E. H. Davies), Fred Davies, steward of the Llwynypia Conservative Club, was summoned for an alleged illegal sale of beer. The case was tried a month ago. and it was then adjourned in order that the magistrates could examine the books of the club, which, after doing, they called upon the defence to explain some irregularities they had discovered. Mr. James Phillips, Pontypridd, prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr. B. F. Williams, Q.C., defended. After hearing further evidence, the Bench decided that the club was a bona fide one with regard to the accounts, but that some irregu- larities with regard to the election of members had been committed, and they fined defendant JS10 and costs.

SUICIDE OF AN ACTRESS. FOUND BY HER FATHER HANGED IN HER BEDROOM. A voung actress, named Miss Katie Graves, committed suicide on Sunday morning at her parents' home. 101. Cornwall-road, Westbourne- park. The deceased was only 24 years of age, and her professional career was full of pro. mise. For three years she took part with Mr. Penley in the production of "Charley's Amt, and has also appeared at Drury-lane. Lately she had suffered considerably from melan- cholia. and her friends did their best to cheer her, but she did not improve, although, as far as is known, there was nothing to sadden her life. The depression increased, and there was no improvement, even after she had accepted an engagement to appear in the Manchester Theatre Royal pantomime. Miss Graves was to have gone to Manchester on Sunday morning. She ordered breakfast for 8.30, and a cab for 10.20. As she did not come downstairs at the appointed time the servant knocked at her bed- room door. There was no response, and her father was informed. He at once burst open the door, and, entering the dressing-room, found that his daughter had hanged herself near the window. He cut the rope and sent for Dr. Wilkin of Talbot-road. but life was already extinct Mr. Graves has many friends in the profession, and when Mr. William Terriss was murdered in December last Mr. Graves seized the assailant, Prince, and handed him over to the police.

AGRICULTURE FOR WOMEN. The Countess of Warwick gave an "at home at Reading College, on Saturday afternoon, in connection with her hostel at Reading and her agricultural scheme for women.—Lord war- wick, presiding at a formal meeting wnicn preceded the reception, and in the presence of a distinguished company, said Lady War- wick had recognised the importance ot the opening for women in the field of agriculture in its various lighter branches. and the en- lightened spirit with which she had approached the subject had led her to found the hostel. He anticipated much good result from the undertaking, which would bring together women interested in a common course of study, thereby promoting wholeeale emulation and an interchange of ideas and thought. He predicted for the hostel a career of much utility and success —Lady Warwick considered that a hostel started under such pleasant auspices was meant to be a credit to Reading College and a centre of light for earnest women who had a definite aim in view. Openings for women were growing daily, and they meant to run fairly in competition with men. and to clam the same privileges and to payment. It was acknowledged thaf 'L pursuit of horticulture women couldbc as successful as men, and in dairy work thdey had surpassed the men.-Miss Bradley, warden of the hostel, having read the annualr po other speeches were delivered, and. company ^subsequently inspected the premises.

Cardiff County Council. MR.GOOD R AISES A QUESTION OF RELIGION. NONCONFORMISTS AND THE SIRDAR'S VISIT. A monthly meeting of the Cardiff County Council was held on Monday, when the mayor (Alderman Thomas Morel) presided. THE SIRDAR'S VISIT. Mr. Good put a question with reference to the representation of Nonconformity at the banquet to the Sirdar, but very few of the members were able to hear the effect of the question, and Alderman Sanders asked that Mr. Good should repeat it. Mr. Good: It you are rather deaf, that is not my fault. If you like to come nearer you can; I don't want to shout. My question is, "Why, since the visit of the Sirdar was made a national gathering, the represtntatives of Nonconformity, which embodies three-fourths of the religious faith and sentiment of the nation were excluded, while Conformity, which expresses only cue- fourth of the faith and sentiment of the nation, was specially represented by a spiritual lord—the Bishop of Llandaff and his hierarchy." The Mayor replied that the committee had nothing to do with the invitations. Thev were sent out by him, and if Mr. Good would look over the list hoe would see that some repre- sentatives of Nonconformist bodies were invited. Mr. Good asked whether it would not be better to divert the fund now being raised at Cardiff towards the establishment of a college at Khartoum towards the erection of a new sailors' hospital, the delay in regard to which was a scandal to the borough. The Mayor stated that the sailors' hospital would not suffer by the raising of a fund towarus the erection of-a. college at Khartum He hoped that when the question of erecting- a sailors' hospital was next brought forward Mr. Good would give his able support to the scneme. GRANGETOWN GARDENS. Mr. Mildon called attention to the fact that during the recent heavy rains the footpaths in Granget-own-gardens were covered with two or three inches of water, and Mr. Pettigrew, the supenntndent gardener, stated that steps were being taken to improve the drainage. In answer to another question, Mr. Pettigrew stated that there were sub-soil drains there now.-Mr. Mildon: That is what I wanted to know, THE LIGHT THAT FAILED. Mr. Good asked what was the cause of the temporary extinction of the electric light on Tuesday night.-Alderman Jacobs thought it advisable that the matter should be discussed in committee. STIPENDIARY'S SALARY. The Town-clerk read a letter from the Secre- tary of State fixing- the salary of the stipendiary magistrate at £1,250 per annum. PUBLICATION OF TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. The finance committee recommended that an epitome of the treasurer's annual accounts for the year ended 31st of March, 1898, be inserted in the two local papers, but Alderman Trounce did not think this was necessary, inasmuch as the accounts could be seen a.t the libraries. The amendment was seconded and agreed to. CONSTITUTION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. Mr. Good moved the following resolution.— That in order to alter the unfair and partial constitution of the Parliamentary Committee and to provide for each ward being represented thereon, it is hereby resolved tha the said com- mittee be dissolved and forthwith re-constituted on the basis of a representative for each ward." Mr. Crossman seconded, and immediately afterwards a division was taken, with the result that the motion was lost, the mover and seconder only voting for it. HEALTH OF ALDERMAN CAREY. On the minutes of the Lighting committee coming up for confirmation, Mr. E. Thomas asked for information about the health of Alderman Carey.—Alderman J. Ramsdale said he was able to state that Alderman Carey was improving very slowly, and would not be able to be with them again for about three months. MESSRS. FERRANTI'S ENGINE AND ACCOUNTS. Mr. Courtis asked whether the alterations suggested by Messrs. Ferranti to their electrical plant were to be carried out under the con- tract, as part of the contract, or whether the corporation expected to pay for them? Mr. Mildon asked how much of the original engine was now left on their premises? The Town-clerk said he was considering the matter, but there were over a hundred letters to go through, which were now being copied. Alderman Jacobs said he thought it was un- wise to discuss this question now. They had some excellent machinery at the station. Cer- tainly there had been a deviation from the original contract, and that had been permitted by the committee. Therefore, the less said at present the better. Mr. Mildon said he hoped they would not be told afterwards that they passed certain reso. lutions whereby the contractor became free, and would not be responsible to the corpora- tion. The matter then dropped. On the minutes of the Finance Committee being considered, Mr. Good objected to the pay- ment of a. sum of £885 to Messrs. Ferranti on certificates one and four of their contracts, Owing to the delay in completing the work he contended that the corporation had lost £3,000 in revenue, and if they paid this money it would leave the corporation without remedy, inasmuch as the amount of penalty was so large. Mr. R. Hughes said this matter had been thrashed out before, and it was not relevant to bring it up again. Alderman Jacobs said this payment had been ordered by the Lighting Committee, who had certified that certain work had been done. Mr. Good maintained that he was perfectly in order. This was a minute of the Finance Committee, and he had a right to make any observations he chose. The engine in ques- tion had been two years and eight months in course of erection, and he asked that the pay- ment should not be made until the comple- tion of the contract. Mr. Mildon asked whether the proper reten- tion money had been kept, and whether the work had been satisfactorily done to which this JE885 alluded? Mr. Applebee, the engineer, said he was per. fectly satisfied with the construction of the machine, and it Wag doing good work at present. There were certain details which he suggested to Ferranti could be improved, and he decided to carry them oat. The usual 10 per cent. retention money had been reserved. Mr. Mildon asked whether these alterations were to be made at Ferranti's expense, and Mr. Applebee replied in the affirmative. In answer to Mr. J. Jenkins he stated that the work was not carried out according to specification. This had been departed from be- cause, in his judgment, there were certain alterations which might be made with advan- tage. Mr. J. Tucker: What will the alterations cost the corporation? Mr. Applebee: Nothing. You have £325 in hand. You will keep the retention money for twelve months, and the alterations will be made during that time. Mr. Mildon: Really we have broken our con- tract? Mr. Andrews: That is so. Mr. Chappell said they had broken their own contract. and, therefore, they could not enforce the penalty clauses. He thought it was high time that a special committee should be appointed to inquire into all contracts to see how they stood, because he did not approve of a contract being departed from without the consent of the corporation being obtained. He was told that the 10 per cent. retention money was not a thirtieth part of the money due to the corporation. Mr. Andrews said there was evidently a legal difficulty, and they ought to know their posi- tion. If the money was due it should be paid. If not, it should be withheld. The Mayor said the certificate was equal to cash. and when once granted, the corporation could be sued immediately. He did not wish it to go out that the corporation acted differently to other people, because in almost every con- tract that was made, there were variations by consent, and that was exactly what had taken place in this instance. On a vote being takes, Mr. Good's resolution was defeated.

CONCERT AT ST. PAGAN S. Under the auspices of the St. Fagan's Read- ing-room Association, a highly successful con- cert was held in the schoolroom on Friday last, under the presidency of Mr. Robert Forrest, J.P. The singing of Mrs. Arthur Treseder and Miss Lottie Wakelin was particularly appre- ciated by an enthusiastic audience, while the efforts of Messrs. Riefel, Rasmaren, Evans, and Arthur Treseder were heartily applauded. Miss Alice S. Cardell, L.R.A.M., presided, at the pianoforte, and gave two solos from Thalberg and Chopin, which were much appreciated. The Misses J. and C. Lamb's performance was delightful, and Mr. M'Kirdy's (Lord harpist) playing on the Welsh harp so charmed that, though encoring was debarred, an excep- tion had to be made in his case. Miss Wonna- cott's recitations were rendered in realistic style. Votes of thanks to the artistes and [ chairman terminated a most enjoyable evening-

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The annual meeting of the Rhymney and Western Valleys Teachers' Association was held at Beaufort on Saturday, Mr. D. Jones Pont- lottyn, presiding, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :-PreBi.iem. Mr. J. Evans, Tredegar; vice-president Afr. Lewie, Brynmawr; secretary, Mr. Prank Parsons,

"SANTA CLAUS." A LONESOME CHILDHOOD- MS. J. M. BARBIE'S PATHETIC WORD PICTURE. One of the most pathetic pictures of a child's misery is told by Mr. J. M. Barrie in "Senti- mental Tommy," a novel that has already won a good place in the literature of the century. Mr. Barrie has very kindly given "Santa Claus" permission to use extracts from the first and second chapters of the novel named. The com- mencement of the book naturally deals with the early days of the hero of the story, and the two extracts that we have given show the child as he lived out of doors and inside his home. Such pictures might be painted of Car- diff homes, and "Santa Claus" appeals on behalf of the chhdren that live in them. The extracts are: — From Chapter I. The celebrated Tommy first comes into view on a dirty London stair, and he was in sexless garments, which were all he had, and he was five, and so, though we are looking at him, we must do it sideways, lest he should sit down hurriedly to hide them. That inscrutable face, which made the clubmen of his later days uneasy and even puzzled the ladies while he was making love to them, was already his, except when he leered at one of his pretty thoughts or stopped at an open door to sniff a potful; note, too, the "noble" forehead, which has been so much admired. On his way uu and down the stair he often paused to sniff, but he never asked for anything; his mother had warned him against it, and he carried out her injunction with almost unnecessary spirit, declining offers before they were made. as when passing a room, whence came the smell of fried fish, he might call in. "1 don't not want none of your fish," or, "My mother says I don't not want the littlest bit," or wistfully, I ain't hungry," or more wistfully still, My mother says I ain't hungry." His mother heard of this and was angry, crying that tie had iet the neighbours know something she was anxious to conceal, but what he had revealed to them Tommy could not make out, and when he questioned her artlessly, she took him with sudden passion to her flat breast, and often after that she looked at him long and wofully and wrung her hands. The only other pleasant smell known to Tommy was when the water-carts passed the mouth of his little street. His street, which ended in a dead wall. was near the river, but on the doleful side of it, opening off a longer street where the cabs of a bewildering station sometimes found themselves when they took the wrong turning; his home was at the top of a house of four floors, each with accommoda- tions for at least two families, and here he had lived with his mother since his father's death six months ago. There was oilcloth on the stair as far as the first floor; there had been oilcloth between the first floor and the second—Tommy could point out pieces of it still adhering to the wood, like remnants of a plaster, but above all was bare. This stair was nursery to all the children whose homes opened on it, not so safe as nur- series in the part of London that is chiefly inhabited by boys in sailor suits, but preferable as a centre of adventure, and here on an after- noon sat two. They were very busy boasting. but only the smaller had imagination, and as he used it recklessly, their positions soon changed; sexless garments was now prone on a step, breeches sitting on him. [After this the author tells the story of the arrival of a sister, whose existence has brought down upon Tommy the derision of some of his older yard companions.] From Chapter II. She had a present for him, she said, and Tommy replied, "I knows," with averted face. "Such a bonny thirg." "Bonny enough," he said, bitterly. "Look at her, laddie." But he shrank from the ordeal, crying, "No, no, keep her covered up! The little traitor seemed to be asleep, and so .he ventured to say eageriy, "It would not take long to carry all our things to another house, would it? Me and Shovel could near do it ourselves." "And that's God's truth," the woman said, with a look round the room. "But what for should we do that?" "Do you no see, mother?" he whispered, excitedly. "Then you and me could slip away, jxnd—and leave her—in the press." The feeble smile with which his mother re- ceived this he interpreted thus, "Wherever we go'd to she would be there before us." "The little besom!" he cried, helpleagly. His mother saw that mischievous boys had been mounting him on his horse, which needed only one slap to make it go a mile; but she was a spiritless woman, and replied, indiffe- rently, "You're a funny litlin." Presently a dry sob broke from her, and, thinking the child was the cause, soft-hearted Tommy said, "It can't not be helped, mother; don't cry, mother. I'm fond on yer yet, mother; I—I took her away. I found another woman- but she would come." "She's God's gift, man," his mother said, but she added, in a different tone, "Ay, but He hasna sent her keep." "God's gift!" Tommy shuddered, but he said, sourly, "I wish He would take her back. Do you wish that, too, mother?" The weary woman almost said she did, but her arms—they gripped the baby as if frigh- tened that He had sent for it. Jealous Tommy, suddenly deprived of his mother's hand, cried, "It's true what Shovel says, you don't not love me never again; you jest loves that little linimer!" "Na, na," the mother answered, passionate at last, "she can never be to me what you hae been, my laddie, for you came to me when my ha.me was in hell, and we thoied it thegither, you and me." This bewildered though it comforted him. Hitherto he had slept at the back of his mother's bed, but to-night she could not have him there, the place being occupied, and rather sulkily he consented to lie crosswise at her feet, undressing- by the feeble fire, and taking care, as he got into ted, not to look at the usurper. His mother watched him furtively, and was relieved to read in his face that he had no recollection of ever having slept at the foot of a bed before. But soon after he fell asleep he awoke, and was afraid to move lest his father should kick him. He opened his eyes stealthily, and this was neither the room nor the bed he had expected to see. The floor was bare save for a sheepskin beside the bed. Tommy always stood on the sheepskin while he was dressing because it was warm to the feet, though risky, as your toes sometimes caught in knots in it. There was a deal table in the middle of the floor with some dirty crockery on it and a kettle that would leave a mark, but they had been left there by Shovel's old girl, for Mrs. Sandys usually kept her house clean. The chairs were of the commonest, and the press door would not remain shut unless you stuck a knife between its halves; but there was a gay blue wardrobe, spotted white where Tommy's mother had scraped off the mud that had once bespattered it during a lengthy sojourn at the door of a shop; a.ad on the mantelpiece was a clock in a little brown and yellow house, and on the clock a Bible that had been in Thrums. But what Tommy was proudest of was his mother's kist, to which the chests of Londoners are not to be compared, though like it in appearance. On the inside of the lid of this kist was pasted, after a Thrums custom, something that his mother called her marriage lines, which she forced Shovel's mother to come up and look at one day, when that lady had made an innuendo Tommy did not understand, and Shovel's mother had looked and, though she could not read, was con- vinced, knowing them by the shape. Tommy lay at the foot of the bed looking at this room, which was his home now, and try- ing to think of the other one, and by and by the fire helped him by falling to ashes, when darkness came in, and, packing the furniture in grotesque cloths, removed it piece by piece, all but the clock. Then the room took a new shape. The fire-place was over there instead of here, the torn yeilow blind gave way to one made of spars of green wood, that were bunched up at one side, like a lady out for a walk. On a round table there was a beauti- ful blue cloth, with very few gravy marks, and here a man ate beef when a woman and a boy ate bread, and near the lire was the man's big soft chair, out of which you could pull hairs, just as jf it were Shovel's sister. Of this man who was his father he could get no hold. He could feel his presence, but never see him. Yet he had a face. It sometimes pressed Tommy's face against it in order to hurt him which it could do, being all short needles at the chin. But the boy had one vivid recollection of how his mother received the news of his father's death. An old man with a white beard and gentle ways, who often came to give the invalid physic, was standing at the bedside, and Tommy and his mother were sitting on the fender. The old man came to her and said, "It is all over," and put her softly into the big chair. She covered her face with her hands. and he must have thought she was crying, for he tried to comfort her. But as soon as he was gone she rose, with such a queer face, and went on tiptoe to the bed, and looked intently at her husband, and then she clapped her hands joyously three times. At last Tommy fell asleep. TO-DAY'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Miss Viva Taverner. Howell's School, Llandaff 0 2 6 Mr. H. T. Box, Birdefield, Cathedral- road. Cardiff 0 10 6 Bowl in Western Mail Vestibule 0 1 04 Acknowledgments of gifts in kind and of ,h clothing will be foand on Page 4. A full sub- scription list, to date will appear to-morrow UTnasday).

Football Notes and News THE SUSPENSION OF FITZ- GERALD. Payment of Welshmen in the North. "Old Ebor." writing in the "Athletic News" says:—The talk of the week in Yorkshire foot- ball circles has been the suspension of Fitz- gerald, and the fine of 160 imposed on the Bat- ley Club for breach of the employment clause of the professional rules. In Batley the feel- ing is one of indignation at the Investigation Committee, and all their ways. But that need occasion no surprise. Whenever a. popular player is "strung up," and his club punished, it is the authorities who become the object of public denunciation. It does not seem to strike rabid enthusiasts to inquire whether the punish- ment is just, vly more than it does to consider whether a referee is right before they hoot him. This unreasoning attitude of the mob is one ot the curses of football. Those who know the facts cannot believe that Fitzgerald has been unfairly convicted. He has been in receipt of £2 per week from the Batley Club, and for the whole of the past three months as a "coal agent" his earnings amount to a total of 92 6s. The "employment" may have been bona fide enough, but what the committee found was that it had not been followed in a bona fide manner. In other words Fitzgerald's efforts to earn a living: at anything but football were considered by the committee to be mere make- belief. They also considered that the Batley Club had not assured themselves that he was following his employment within the spirit of the law; hence, the fine of £ 60. The whole inci- dent should'convey useful lessons to other clubs if they care to take warning. In the first place, it shows that the managers of the union means what they say when they state they are going to carry out the principle of "No work. no play." It is the club's duty, too, to satisfy themselves that their professionals do work. and to prohibit them from playing if they do not work. If the offending club had been in the habit of taking large gates, it would have had to pay a gteat deal more than £ 60. In the personal case, the failure to show a zeal for labour causes Fitzgerald to lose both football and the E2 per week he received for playing it until May 1, 1900. His experience ought to make players realise that when they have a good football berth they are fools to endanger it by declining more serious work. I am not quite sure that the effect of the exposure on the Bat- ley Club will pass away with the punishment, severe though that may be. Very few persons seem to have known the sum that the club were paying Fitzgerald. There is another Welshman in the team. a much cleverer player, in my opinion, than Fitzgerald ever was, and, whether rightly or wrongly, people will infer that he must be well paid, too. But the local players, who have built up. and are the main- stay of the team, cannot get £2 per week. or anything like it; indeed, it has been often said, of late, that Batley had very few funds with which to pay their players at all. If Fitz- gerald was worth £ 2 per week, Gath is worth at least as much. What Gath does actually get it is not my province to inquire, though it is permissible to remember that he wants his transfer to Bradford, and cannot get it. The sum and substance of it all is that a club which brings in outside talent, and pays a high price for it, pursues an unwise policy, unless it is able to pay the local talent 011 the same basis. If it cannot do this, jealousy and dis- content are bound to develop sooner or later. Feeling in South Wales. The drastic penalising --f Fitzgerald quite staggered the lengthy three-quarter's many friends in South Wales (says the "Bard"). The decision should about knock the stuffing out of those players who consider football ability a passport to a more or less period of pampered idleness, while it can hardly be encouraging to a few in South Wales, who, to my knowledge, are prepared to swear the peace against hard labour at the slightest provocation—or, per- haps, to put it better—encouragement. The silly antics of the responsible officials of the Torquay Club were brought under the notice of the Welsh Union, and. judging from the let- ters, &c., produced, it seems that the gullible qualities of the said officials were worked npon to the fullest extent. The English Union, it is to be hoped, will rel jve such "innocents at large" from their responsibilities, and at the same time may come to see that Welshmen have good grounds for their suspicions of the bona fides of more than one South of England club. The Torquay Club Case. With respect to the charges of poaching for- mulated by the Welsh Union against Torquay Athletic, a Devonshire correspondent writes:- "The impeachment of the Torquay club has naturally created a great sensation in the county, but after vha.t has gone before of a similar nature it would be well to suspend criticism and judgment until the other side of the story has been heard. This cannot be given until the English Union has taken the matter up and called upon the club for an explana- tion. It should not be forgotten that the Welsh Union Committee was just as positive that it had a clear case against Devonport Albion last season, but the evidence then produced was found to be insufficient to convince the pro- fessional sub-committee of the Albion's guilt, and that club was fully exonerated from the charges. At the present juncture I will not commit myself to an opinion on the case, but may say that the Torquay officials assert that they have a complete and satisfactory answer to the charges made, and that if any offence has been committed in respect to the profes- sional rules the culprit must be an irrespon- sible member of whose action they had no knowledge whatever." The English Trial Match. Next Saturday the great Rugby Union trial match between the North and South takes place at. Bristol. After the game at Liverpool on Saturday the selection committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Thorpe, the president of the Rugby Union, met and picked the follow- ing team:—Back, W^ard (Yorkshire); three-quar- ter backs, Robinson (Northumberland) and Bret- targh (Lancashire) (wings), and Anderson (Nor- thumberland) and Taylor (Yorkshire) (centred; half-backs, Taylor and Lockerby (Northumber- land); forwards. Oakes (Durham), James David- son, Joseph Davidson, and Blacklock (Cumber- land), Pierce (Lancashire), Nesbitt and Dudgeon (Northumberland), and Shuter (Yorkshire). It will be noticed that Northumberland have six representatives, Yorkshire three, Cumberland three, Lancashire, two, and Durham one. The team has given great satisfaction generally, though Lancashire men rather resent the idea of BrevCargh being put on the wing, when his place is centre three-quarter. It is like making the ordeal doubly difficult for this very pro- mising and clever player. He may probably come out with flying colours. Paid For Playing. We hear of a football player, in fall attire, having to pay admittance to the very game in which he was himself engaged. The match was between two Staffordshire junior teams, and the gatekeeper the chairman of one of the clubs engaged—needless to say, not the par- ticular club to which the player referred to belonged. That man would cut the toe-nails off a flea. At any rate, we feel sure he would charge a corpse for the privilege of being at its own funeral, and send the bill to the other world after it. Another Welshman in the North. Kruger (says the "Athletic News") is another valuable acquisition made during last week by the Rochdale Club. He has been unable to satisfy the Yorkshire Investigation Committee that he was doing the requisite amount of work, and so, loth as the Huddersfield Club were to part with him, there was no alterna- tive. He is said to have been provided with plenty of work in Rochdale, and if it can only be kept up there ought to be no further diffi- culty with him. Strange to say, Kruger, who is only 21, was born at Manchester, but along with his parents he went to Cardiff when just over a year old. It was from Llwynypia that he journeyed to Huddersfield. ?The League Ladder- The following is the revised table of the League Division 1. 0, IR L. D. Pts. I.-A-,toii Villa 14 u 1 3.23 2.—Everton 17 9 4 4 22 3.—Burnley 16 8 3 5 21 4.—Notts County 15 6 3 6 18 5.—Sheffield United 1? 4 3 10 18 6.-Blackburn Rovers 16 7 6 3 17 7.—Bury 15 7 5 3 17 8.—Sunderland 15 7 6 2. 16 g.-West Brom. Albion 16 6 7 3. 15 10.—Liverpool 15 7 7 1 15 11.-Wúlverhampton W. 16 6 7 3 15 12.—Derby County. 16 4 5 7 15 13.—Stoke 17 5 8 4 14 14.-Pre.gton North End 19 4 9 6 14 15.-NottE! Forest 16 4 7 5. 13 16.-Sheffield Wednesday 15 5 7 3 13 17.—Newcastle United. 16 3 9 4 10 18.—Bolton Wanderers. 15 3 8 4. 10 The Aston Villa v. Sheffield Wednesday match was stopped before time owing to darkness, and. being the subject of an appeaJ, is not included in the above table.

HOW TO PAY CABMEN. A cabman was granted two summonses at Highgate on Saturday. His story was remark- able. He said that a fare engaged him at Holloway, and was driven about for three hours. Finally, he was ordered to drive the fare to his house in Colva-street, Highgate. When they arrived there the fare said, Come in and have some supper." Applicant did not accept the invitation, and asked for payment. "I'll show you," said the fare, "how we pay cabmen," and struck him on the head with a big fire-shovel. k

Welsh Mails Destroyed. FIRE ON BOAun A STEAMER. A fire broke out on Saturday morning in the mail-room of the steamer Pembroke when near Waterford. Smoke had been observed coming J from below, and when the hatchways were I removed the names burst forth. These were ultimately extinguished, when it was found that the mail-bags from Cardiff, Pembroke, and South Wales generally, as well as those from Bristol and London, were totally burned. The origin of the fire was unknown. INTERVIEW WITH THE CARDIFF POSTMASTER. No Serious Effect of the Fire. Mr. 11. E.. Spenceley, postmaster of Cardiff, seen by one of our reporters on Monday morn- ing. said that no information had been officialiy received at Cardiff with reference to the reported burning of the South Wales mails in the steamer Pembroke, near Waterford, on Saturday, and no persons had yet complained of the loss of letters. The Cardiff mail was not an important one. It containeTT the letters posted from the Waterford district between seven and half-past nine o'clock on Friday evening, and in all these would not number more than fifty or sixty. There was only one registered letter sent. If cheques or money orders were enclosed in the letters alleged to be burnt there would be no difficulty in tracing them, and this could also be done in regard to postal orders, provided that the senders only complied with instructions, and took the num- bers before sending them away. If the numbers were not ta.ken the senders would have to prove their losses to the satisfaction of the postal officials. The circumstances of the fire, however, were so peculiar as to render the report, open to doubt until official information was received.

Sporting Intelligence. TUFF TALK. Velasquez, it is said, goes to the stud next year. Mr. Dyas's horses are to be trained by Escott at Lewes. Bayard II. lias been scratched for all en- gagements in Mr. P. Lorillard's name. Friary is said to have missed his engage- ment at Leicester, with a view of winning the Maiden Hurdle Race at Windsor this week. James Jewitt will continue to reside at Bedford Cottage, other quarters having been taken for Mr. Beatty, who succeeds him as trainer. At Gatwicl; December Meeting the 141b penalty in the Metropolitan Steeplechase, published in the last issue of the "Racing Calendar." should be 41b. Draco, who was purchased for 520 guineas by the Fon. Reginald Ward. at the Newmarket sales last week. has arrived at Swatton's place at Alresford, to be trained for jumping. On Saturday the medical gentleman attend- ing Mr. Frail stated that the patient's strength was well sustained, and that his health showed a tendency to improvement. Fallon, the Netheravon trainer, is at present in Ireland, and will shortly bring to bis training quarters in England a batch of nine yearlings bred by Mr. Purefoy at his Irish stud. Miss F. E. Norm's four-year-old steeplechaser Gunshot broke her off fore leg in negotiating the open ditch in the Hassocks Steeplechase at Plumpton, on Saturday, and was subse- quently destroyed. Crestfallen, from what has been seen of h m in his schooling, bids fair to make a name at the jumping business, as he is quick and clever at hurdles, whilst his dash of speed must serve him in the run home. Chit Chat, who no doubt had learned the art of leaping before he left Ireland, when scho )led over some few flights of hurdles, flew them in the fashion of an old practitioner, and as the horse is apparently sound upon his limbs now he may make a name for himself both at hurdle-racing and over a country. A sum of 57,300 guineas was realised during the five days' bloodstock sales at Newmarket, last week. This compares unfavourably with last year's results, when upwards of 82,400 guineas was made during the four days. On that occasion, however. M. R. Lebaudy's stud, numbering fifty-three lots, was responsible for nearly 29,000 guineas of the huge total. Although thoroughbred stock in the States has for some time been at a discount, and com. paratively poor prices indeed have been ob- tained at the public sales, our American cousins are none the less anxious to get hold of anything choice when it comes into the market, even if it costs them a bit to do so. That they appreciate the blood of the famous Yardley sire, Sterling, is evident from American exchanges, from which we learn that 20,000 dollars were recently paid for the stallion Top Gallant, who is a son of Mr. Graham's old favourite and Sea Mark.

JOHN ROBERTS' JB. CHAMPION c u E S. BURROUGHES and WATTS (Ltd.) Having Purchased all Rights in above CUES for GREAT BRITAIN, SYDNEY, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Are now prepared TO SELL THESE CELEBRATED CUES TO THE WORLD, APPLY TO:- h, Soho-square. London, W. 104, Deansgate. Manchester. Northumberland-street, Nerwcastle-on-Tyne. 304, Sauchiehall-street, Glasgow. 102, New-street, Birmingham. 21, Church-street, Sheffield. WARNINf. Any Person Manufacturing, Buying, or Selling Cues which are a colorable imitation of this well-known Cue will be proceeded against with all the rigor of the law. CAUTION. None a.re genuine except those obtained from BURROUGHES and WATTS, BEARING the TRADE MARK. e7147 TOPPING AND 8PINDLEB 1 (HARDAWAY AND TOPPING). S.P. ALL RACES DURING THE WINTER. The "Continental Sportsman," published twice daily during the season, containing Latest Market Movements on all Important Events, free on receipt of address. The Oldest Established and Most Extensive Firm of its kind in the World. All Letters to be addressed: — FLUSHING. HOLLAND. e7228

WHY HE SHOOK Mrs. Skelton took in George Stripling, who was friendless and filthy, clothed and washed him according to Biblical command, and gave him work in the house. Last Monday he went off with her purse and 27s., and gave himself up on Friday. At Bow-street on Saturday Sjj- John Bridge asked: Is he half-witted? I see he is shaking very much. Mrs. Skelton: No; he's all there-very much all there. (Laughter.) Sir John But your purse is not all there. (Renewed laughter.) Mrs. Skelton: He always shakes like that when he wants a, little dron of brandy. (More laughter.) Remanded.

POISONOUS OVERCOATS. The effects of the poisoning upon the Bir- mingham scavengers are more serious than was at first anticipated. About 70 men were in- valided in consequence of the poisonous effects of the (,vercoats and the overalls which they were wearing. and it was stated at. the time that the skin eruption which the poisonous dye had caused was only such that in the majority of the cases the men would soon be at work again. Inquiries, however, show that quite half the number of men are still under treatment as out-patients at the hospitals, and that in many cases their injuries have been of a very painful character.

The Hon. Walter Fitz-Uryan Rice, who was accompanied by his bride, visited Neath on Saturday, and at a meeting of the tenants on his father's Neath Abbey estate, held at the Masonic-hall, Neath, was presented with a Handsome pair of silver candelabra and a. silver cigar-ca^se. An illuminated address was also presented. The chair was occupied by Mr. Griffith Thomas, chairman of the Swansea Harbour Trust. The presentation was made Wr. )(jq Moert. of Longford.

The Hitch in the Sliding-scale. MINERS' CONFERENCE AT CARDIFF. AN IMPORTANT MEETING. A delegate meeting, representing the steam and house coal collieries of South Wales and Monmouthshire, is being held at the Cory Memcrial Hall, Cardiff, to-day (Monday;, in order to decide what course to adopt in view of the objection raised by the coalowners to the recent election of representatives of the workmen on the sliding-scale COElmittee. It will be remembered that at the last meeting of the joint 81idmg-scale committee the employers insisted upon their objection to re- presentatives of the men heing elected indis- criminately by the workmen employed ,It. non- associated, as well as those of the associated, collieries, the employers' contention being that such representatives should be chosen by the workmen of the associated collieries alone It was decided by the leaders to convene to-day's meeting, and submit the matter to the dele- gates. A considerable number of delegates arrived in Cardiff by the early trains from various parts of South Wales, and the meeting is expected to be an important one. THE MASTERS' POINT CEDED. It was decided to re-elect the existing I members of the sliding-scale committee, only the delegates of associated collieries voting.

Tragedy at Llansamlet 0 AN OLD MAN SHOOTS HIM- SELF. A shocking tragedy was revealed on Satur- day afternoon at Liansamlet. near Swansea. It seems that an old man, named William Jone«, living in a cottage close by the Great Western Railway Station, had not been seen for several days. On Saturday, how- ever, the neighbours became suspicious that something might have happened to the old man. and this belief was strengthened when a little boy, the son of Mr. John Thomas, blacksmith, told his father that he could see the key of the cottage door in the lock on the inside. Mr. Thomas and other neighbours obtained an entrance into the kit- chen. and were at once horrified to find the old man dead. leaning back in an armchair by the fire-place. His face had been almost blown away, evidently by the shot from a muzzle-Joad- ing gun, which !,iy across the body, the weapon having been kept in position by the old man's legs, which were resting on another chair, that had been pulled forward for the purpose. The inquest will probably be opened to-day (Mon- day).

Seamen's Wage Dispute The Press Association says:—The Board of Trade have issued correspondence with the Shipping Federation (Limited), in which the department says that Mr. Havelock Wilson, M.P., has applied, enclosing a resolution passed at a meeting of sailors and firemen of the port of Glasgow, for the appointment of an "Inves- tigator" to inquire into certain questions in dispute between the seamen and firemen and the Shipping Federation, with a view to the dis- puted questions being submitted to arbitra- tion. Further application was made to the board that the questions in dispute affecting wages should be settled by arbitration. With regard to the appointment of an investigator, the board says it has been supplied with the state- ments of certain seamen and firemen, making certain allegations against the officials of the federation, and it forwards copies of these to the federation in order that they may gather the general character of the complaints made. The names and addresses of the men making the state- ments are withheld by the board, by request. The letter states that'the Board of Trade take the suggestion that an investigator should be appointed to inquire into the matter to be an application for an inquiry under the Concilia- tion Act of 1896, and ask whether the Ship- ping Federation concur in the proposal that such an inquiry should take place. In reply, Mr. G. A. Laws, general manager of the Ship- ping Federation, states that he has laid the Board of Trade letter before the executive committee of the Shipping Federation, who desire him to reply as follows:- "In their opinion no matter of dispute exists between the Shipping Federation and the Glas- gow seamen within the meaning of the Concilia- tion Act, 1896. The position is, that cer- tain sailors and firemen in the Clyde district, induced by misrepresentations, have refused to take the federation ticket,' which is simply a pledge that they will faithfully carry out their agreements of service, and they have further refused to comply with the necessary formali- ties ccrnected with the issue of the federation benefit certificates, the sreat advantages of which in cases of accident or death are so well known to your board. Whilst members of the Shipping Federation ha re no desire to press their employment, with its benefits and condi- tions. on anyone, they claim to exercise their undoubted right to prefer and engage men who arc- willing to accept service with them on the above conditions. With the free exercise of this right the members of the Shipping Federation can admit of no interference from any quarter, however well intentioned. Secondly, the Shipping Federation does not concern itself with questions of wages, but simply upholds the principle of free-loin of service for all sea- men. whether Union or non-Union men, and the dm recognition of efficient-, punctual, and loyal service. Seamen shipped through our re^nt-y offices are entitled to demand and receive the full wages actually current at the pert 01 engagement. Under these circum- stances, you will see there is no wage question between the Shipping Federation and the Clyde seamen which can be subject to arbitration. Thirdly, as regard the vague allegations or suggestions trade against our Glasgow officials, my executive trust that the Marine Denartment of your board will at all times investigate real and substantial charges of this character, and, shonld any such be proved, prosecute the delinquents. In so doing. your board shall have every assistance from the executive of this federation, as it is their most anxious desire that our registry system shall be purely administered, without any just cause of complaint. They desire, however, to record their belief, upon due inquiry made, that these allegations are as untrue as others that have come from the same source which it has been my duty to carefully investigate." THE POSITION AT CARDIFF. The seamen's agitation at Cardiff appearg to have almost died out. The picKets did not appear in their usual strength on Saturday morning, and men passed in and out of the Shipping Office without being molested. The weekly steamship Dodo signed on a crew at 3211. 8d. The captain of the steamship Mandalay, which was blocked at Penarth. secured a crew at £4 10s. per month. In the case of the George Allen £4 10s. per month was paid, whilst the weekly steamer James Cameron secured a crew at 50s. an round.

NEW MARKET FOR CARDIFF. INCREASED FACILITIES FOB THE SALE OF FISH. At a meeting of the Cardiff Corporation on Monday, under the presidency of the mayor (Alderman T. Morel). Mr. J. M. Gerhold pro. posed that the minute of the property and markets committee, recommending the adop. tion of the tender of Messrs. Turner and Sons, at £12,988, for the erection of a new fish market on The Hayes, be referred back to the com- mittee. He did so for this reason—that it was one of the matters which could be very well deferred at the present time. He had no idea that such a large expenditure was anticipated, and he ventured to remark that it was too heavy. It would require a large income to make the market profitable, and the bulk of it would come from the pockets of the hucksters or outside salesmen. Secondly, it would be an injustice to the fishmongers in the town, who were heavily rated; and. thirdly, it would be an injustice to the poor people who now bought their fish from the hucksters in a very cheap market. In the present market there was plenty of room for fish salesmen, and there were yards and yards of marble slabs idle from one year's end to another, and it was absurd to go to this large expense now.—Mr. TIJtYd Thomas seconded the proposition.—Mr. W Evans asked whether it was intended to aban- don the construction of the fish market alto- gether.—Mr. Gerhold said his idea was to defer the outlay at the present time because it was inopportune.—Mr. W. Evans opposed the reso- lution, on the ground that the proposed market was being erected for the very people on whose behalf Mr. Gerhold opposed it. It was thought necessary that there should be a whole- sale fish and vegetable market in Cardiff, and, whilst they had no intention of interfering with any private business, they thought they ought to provide such facilities as would enable people to obtain their supplies at a cheaper rate. As a matter of fact, owing to the estab- lishment of a fish market at Newport, fish was 2d. per lb. cheaper than in Cardiff.—Mr. Cross- man and Mr. Veall supported the action of the committee, and, on a vote being taken. Mr. Gerhold's proposition was lost by a large ^majority.

Cardiff Burglaries. ALONG LIST OF CHARGES AGAINST TWO YOUTHS. MRS. BOULD AND HER MIDNIGHT VISITORS. Before the stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis), at CardiffTolice-court on Monda.. Arthur Sill (21). and David Sheen (191, were charged on remand with having, on the 2nd of December, entered a, warehouse, in the occupation of Thomaf Ayliffe and Sons, in Paradise-place, and stolen five bracket wheels and cranks, twelve swing- ing stays, twelve front forks, eight seat pillars, and other bicycle fittings, value in all £ 85;' there was a second charge of entering the ware, house on the 28th of November and stealing articles of a similar description, valued at £2 18s.. and they were also charged with entering on the 25th of November a lock-up room in a building in course of erection at Kingsland-road and stealing a spirit level, smoothing plane, brace and bits, a saw, two chisels, screwdriver, oilstove, compasses, and other articles, valued at £2 15s., the property of William John Dallimore. Prisoners were finally charged, in conjunction witu Frank Wethers, also on remand, with burglariously breaking and entering 138 and 140. Castle-road between the hours of one a.m. and 4.30 a.m. on the 25rd of November, and stealing three watch chains, a bunch of keys, and 10s. in silver, value £1 7s. 6d.. the property of John Bould. They were also charged with using personal violence towards Theresa Bould.

Murder of a Child. SHOCKING OUTRAGE IN A FIELD NEAR ST. HELENS. The Press Association St. Helens correspon- dent telegraphs:—A shocking crime came to light here on Sunday, when the dead body of a little girl, aged six years, who had been out- raged and suffocated, was found in a field near he'' home. The child was the daughter of a collier, named Flaherty, and had been playing the previous evening at the house of a relative close by. She left shortly after nine to go home, and was evidently decoyed and outraged. The police have no clue to the murderer.

Rates of Cardiff. DISCUSSION AT THE COUNCIL MEETING. Among the questions put to chairmen of committees at the Cardiff Corporation meeting on Monday was one by Mr. Jenkins, who asked whether the £800,000 which the finance com- mittee proposed to borrow included any amount for the construction of a new western sewer. Mr. Greeuhill (borough treasurer) stated that the £ 800.000 only inc uded amounts which the corporation had power to raise either by Act of Parliament or under Local Government Board consents. No consent had been obtained for the construction of the western sewer, and. consequently, no amount could be included for that work. When the minutes of the finance committee came up for consideration. When the minutes of the finance committee came up for ccnsideration, Mr. Mildon again raised the question. At the last election he stated to his constituents the t he could foresee a rate of Is. 8d. or Is. 8id., but he was now afraid that it would go up to Is. lOd. or even 2s. He understood that a statement had been 2s. He understood that a statement had been circulated among- the members of the finance committee showing how the 9800,003 was made up. and he moved that the minutes referring to this-matter be'referred back, and that in the meantime a similar statement I- sent to every member of the council. Alderman Sanders urged strongly that the statement should be sent to all the members of the council The Mayor explained that the statement had not been accepted by the finance committee. That committee wanted certain information, which was presented to them in manuscript form at their last meeting. In order that-they might have time to study the list. it was resolved that it be printed, and be brought up for consideration again. Alderman Sanders: I understood the com- mittee had decided. ("No. no.") Mr. Andrews seconded Mr. Mildon's amend, ment. He was afraid the rate would go up to 2s. unless the expenditure was checked. Mr. Jenkins spoke of the necessity of pro- ceeding with the western sewer if other works which were not so urgent were delayed. Referring to the Town-hall, Mr. Jenkins stated that the officials were now very well houSed, and it would be impossible to find a better office in the United Kingdom than that occupied by the borough engineers' staff. After further explanations by Mr. Courtis and Mr. I. Thomas, Mr. Mildon withdrew the amend- ment on the condition that he wa-s assured the council would not be committed by the finance committee minutes to the borrowing of £ 800,000. The Mayor gave the necessary .assurance, and the amendment was withdrawn.

THE RESIGNATION OF DR. BUIST. RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL. At a roeeting of the Cardiff County Council on Monday, the mayor (Alderman T. Morel) pre- siding, the Town-clerk read a letter from Dr. J. J. Buist resigning his position as a chairman of the Adamsdown Ward. He stated that he found he would no longer be able to give his li., to the duties, and, in taking his leave of the council, he wished to say how much he regretted having to sever himself from his col- leagues, whose kindness and friendship he would never forget. He desired at the same time to thank the town-clerk and officials for their (invariable courtesy and kirddness. He enclosed a. cheque for E5, the penalty for resigning office.-The Mayor said he was voicing the feelings of every member of the council when he expressed regret at Councillor Buist's decision. (Hear, hear.)—Mr. E. Thomas pro- posed the following resolutionThat this council, in accepting the resignation of Dr. J. J. Buist as a councillor of the borough of Cardiff, desires to recognise the valuable ser- vices rendered by him to the town during his connection with the corporation, and express the wish that he may be long spared to enjoy the respect and esteem of hi, fellow-townsmen." He stated that in losing Dr. Buist from the council, he was iosing a colleague and personal friend.—Alderman W. J. Trounce seconded the resolution, and it was carried.—Formal resolu- tions declaring a vacancy In the Adamsdown Ward. and also authorising the return of the cheque for £5 were carried, and the subject dropped.

LET 'EM ALL COME. At Clerkenwell on Saturday Pius Kearn. I watchmaker, was charged with threatening U shoot James Dyde. The parties lodged in th, same house, and, hearing a loud crash om night, Dyde ran upstairs and found Keari glaring wildly and flourishing a revolver. H, shouted. "I'll shoot anyone; I don't care who it is. Let 'em all come." A constable wrenched the weapon from prisoner. It was loaded in four chambers with ball cartridges.-The prisoner, in defence, said he was robbed of £20 or £30, and he thoughts burglars were in his room.—Mr. Horace Smith: You will have to find two sureties in £ 300 each for your good behaviour, or go to prison for four months.

ATTAINED HIS PURPOSE. Emile Joubert, a military c-onvict. was triec before a court-martial at Constantinople foi attempting to escape. In the course of the pro ceedings he tore a brass button from his tunit and threw it at the head of the presidini colonel. For this offence the court immediately sentenced him to be shot. Joubert warmly thanked the court, and declared that he had only insulted the president in order to be put out of his misery. He had some 60 more years of penal servitude to serve.

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