Barry Dock News

SLANDERCASÈ FROM CADOX- TON-BARRY. ACTION BY THE CLERK TO THE DISTRICT COUNCIL. DAMAGING STATEMENTS BY A LOCAL CONTRACTOR. HEARING AT THE ASSIZES. A't' £ he Glamorgan Assizes, at Cardiff, on Thurs. day, the 7th inst. (before Mr Justice Vaughan Williams), the case of Hughes v. Brock was heard. This was enaction for slander, brought by Mr J. A. Hughes, solicitor and clerk to the Barry Urban District Council, against Mr Jenkin Brock, con- tractor, Barry road, Cadoxton.— Mr Bowen Rowlands, Q.C., M.P., and Mr John Sankey ap- peared for the plaintiff, and Mr Abel Thomas, 'Q.C., M.P., and Mr Arthur Lewis were for the defendant. Mr Bowen Rowlands, in opening the case, stated that the slander complained of was uttered on several occasions in 1892 and 1894, and to different people, and consisted of an accusation against the plaintiff that he bad misappropriated a certain cheque, which ought to have been paid to the urban authority. Mr Brock took a contract under the authority for making certain streets in the district. Various sums were paid to him on account in the usual way. The cheque on the final certificate amounted to £52138 lid, but it appears that some mistake was made by the authority, and that defendant was indebted to the board in the amount of J336 lis lid. The cheque for the first amount was handed to defendant by the plaintiff, who received in return a cheque for the latter -sum. In 1892 the defendant, it was alleged, made a statement to Dr O'Donnell, which conveyed an imputation upon the plaintiff. This was brought under the notice of Mr Hughes, who, however, allowed the matter to rest. In 1894 Mr Morgan Davies, clerk in the employ of plaintiff, went to Mr Brock to collect certain ground rents for the Church estate, of which Mr Hughes had the lease. It was alleged that on this occasion defendant said it was a shame that plaintiff should have the -Church estate or any other estat60tnd that he had taken a cheque for jB36 from him (defendant), ef which he had given no account. He stated, in fact (said Mr Rowlands), that whatever had been done with the cheque since, and however the books of the Local Board had afterwards been put right, the cheque at the time it was given to Mr Hughes was appropriated by him or divided between him and the surveyor (Mr Pardoe). A similar suggestion was made to Mr Willett, managing clerk to Mr Hughes, who then wrote to the defendant, pointing out the serious imputa- tions he had cast upon him, and demanding an apology, to be published in the local papers and read to the Local Board, defendant also to con- tribute d620 towards the local intermediate school fund. This the defendant refused to do, hence the action. Defendant in the pleadings denied having spoken the words imputed to him, and added that Mr Hughes was a public official and a professional man, and had to be jealous, and rightly so, of his reputation for integrity. His only course under the circumstances was to commence this action. The plaintiff was then sworn, and corroborated his counsel's opening remarks, and stated that he had brought this action in order to clear his character, as he believed that the defendant had teen making these statements to a great many people. Plaintiff also stated that the cheque of 1.36 paid by Mr Brock had been handed upon its receipt to. the collector of the Local Board, and paid by him to the treasurer of the Board, and appeared in the Board's accounts which had been audited by a Government auditor, and could be inspected by any ratepayer at any time. Plaintiff was cross-examined by Mr Thomas with the object of showing that he was well-known at Barry, and could not be injured by the state- ments alleged to have been made by defendant. riia TxtfOBuxp:—iuiiiitninJaareaarQUyaiin for me and the jury. You hear what MrThonuM sayB—that the plaintiff in a man of such good character that he could not be damaged. I thought we were going to have a good wholesome blander. (Laughter ) I Mr Abel Thomas There is.no chance of. it in this case. His Lordship: It is as dull as ditch water. People, you know, do like a good slander. (Laughter.) Mr Bowen Rowlands Yes, my Lord, they are paying now what if they said in the beginning would not have caused an action. Mr Abel Thomas I object to that. We have simply been saying that all along. Mr Bowen Rowlands: Then why did you not Teply to our letter ? Mr Abel Thomas: That's a different matter. We may not have had the £20. The case then proceeded, Dr O'Donnell being .-caned, and stated that defendant told him he did not know what the cheque for J636 was for, but he believed it was divided between Mr Hughes and Mr Pardoe. Mr William Thomas, auctioneer, said defendant spoke to him about the cheque which he had to give. Witness asked him what he thought had become of the cheque, and defendant said, "I don't know I leave you to guess." Mr Benjamin Lewis gave confirmatory evidence, the impression left on his mind being that defen- dant made a serious charge against Mr Hughes. Mr Morgan Davies, a clerk in the plaintiff's office, stated that on the 12th of September, 1894, he went to collect ground rents from the defen- .dant, who commenced making complaints against Mr Hughes. Witness said Mr Hughes had treated him (defendant) straightforwardly and with courtesy. Yes," said defendant, very nice, by taking a cheque from me for J636, and not furnishing me with an account of the same." Witness asked him what cheque he alluded to, and defendant said, The cheque I had to pay over to Mr Hughes in connection with private improvements before I could have my cheque." Witness said, "You do not mean to say Mr Hughes had the cheque himself?" and defendant replied that Mr Hughes and Mr Pardoe had acted very wrong to him." Witness then said, You don't mean to say that Mr Hughes and Mr Pardoe have appropriated this cheque?" and Mr Brock replied, "I don't know what has become of it; I have not seen any account of it" (referring to "the Local Board accounts). Witness repeated the question, and defendant then said, Whatever lias become of the cheque now, I know very well what was intended to be done with it. It is quite possible for the Local Board books to have been put right by this time." Witness said defendant was making a serious charge, and he would have to report it to Mr Hughes. Mr George F. Willett stated that on the 13th of September defendant went to Mr Hughes' office to pay the rent. The previous days' conversation came up, and defendant said, I thought practi- cally Hughes and Pardoe were doing me out of my money, as I don't know what has become of it." This concluded the plaintiff's case. .Mr Abel Thomas, in addressing the jury, Ridiculed the idea that the plaintiff had suffered "Y damage. Mr Hughes was a gentleman with very large practice at Barry, who seemed to be "Olerk to every public body there. There was not member of any of these public bodies who did .jot look up to him with respect or did not desire *0 keep him in office, and yet, for some unaccount- '^reason, he came down upon this poor man. jwx Hughes, his managing clerk, and Mr Pardoe actions against the defendant, and whatever verdict of the jury might be, Mr Brock would ruined. He accused the witnesses, and espe- ent Morgan Davies, of endeavouring to defendant into a statement upon an action for slander might be laid, bo* ^e*en<*ant was then put in thej witness- is a^. exami^d by Mr Arthur Lewis. He his*" *^terate man, only being able to write oour?W° -»ame' an<* cau8e" much amusement in He denied categorically the allegations »» L against him. Mr Hughes," he said, u-: v8 «one a lot for me for nothing, and I have him well for." (Laughter.) When Mr Davies went to him for the. rent he provoked him very much, and he (defendant) said it was a pity Mr Hughes should take rent for a house half of which was built on the common, he (Brock) being a commoner. Mr Davies then said, "You may as well say Mr Hughes copped that cheque you have been talking about." Defendant got so aggravated that he went away. When he went to pay the rent the following day they tried to pump him, but he wanted to get away. The conversation of the previous day ^as mentioned. It was William Thomas who had worked up all this business. He would not have said a word about the cheque in 1894 if he had been left alone, but they were bothering him for twelve months about it. They were hunting after him. Mr Arthur Lewis Have you ever intended sug- gesting that Mr Hughes had kept back moneys due to you for his own purposes?—No, I never have, sir. I didn't say such a thing before, and I don't say it now, and I have never said such a thing to anyone. Cross-examined by Mr Bowen Rowlands, witness said there was money still due to him by the Local Board. Mr Rowlands Who has got it 1-1 don't know. I have not been paid, but I don't know who has got the money. His Lordship How much are you short ?—I don't think this £315 is ever coming back te me. (Laughter.) Mr Rowlands: I took down these wordtf from your examination-in-chief, that Mr Davies safd he would tell Mr Hughes that you accused him of copping the cheque whether you said it or not. Do you say that 1—res. Do you suggest he mentioned the d636 before you said anything about it ?—Yes; he spoke first. Was that the case with anybody else with whom you spoke about it in 1894 ?—Yes, sir. So that whenever there was a conversation the person to whom you were talking began it ?—Yes, air. You never commenced ?-No, sir. Although you are of opinion that j636 is due to you now ?—Yes, sir. This was all the evidence, and, council hav- ing addressed the jury, the judge summoned up, reviewing the evidence at length. In conclusion, he said that if the jury thought defendant had been guilty of slander, and had to consider the question of damages-well, he did not suppose Mr Hughes had been damaged at all pecuniarily or in character -they would have to fix the amount. If there was a real intent to impute misconduct in his office to Mr Hughes, they would give real damages. He did not think a man had a right to insult another by charging him with gross misconduct, and then go to him and say, What's the matter; your character is so good that it cannot be damaged." The jury returned a verdict for the defendant. Mr Bawen Rowlands There are two other qises (in whicn Mr Pardoe and Mr Willett are plaintiffs, and Mr Brock defendant), and, in regard to them, if we had a different jury, I should anticipate a different result. The Judge: Well, go on. Mr Abel Thomas I am ready to say there is not, and never has been, any imputation made against these men. After a consultation between the counsel engaged, Mr Bowen Rowlands said: I think, under the circumstances it would be better that the other actions should drop, subject to certain arrange- ments between my learned friend and myself. I don't think I should be justified in pressing after the verdict given, although I don't agree with that verdict, I think it is unrea- sonable. I am quite willing to consent to judg. ment for the defendants in the cases. In the case of Mr Pardoe, a juror will be withdrawn, and each party will pay his own costs. The Judge (addressing the jury): It is not sufficient that Mr Abel Thomas Ehould say that there have been no imputations cast upon the plaintiff's character. You and I have to be con- sulted, and we say there is no ground, and never has been ground for any imputation in any one of these cases, as far as the character of these gentle- men is concerned, and Mr Hughes 'and the other plaintiffs have secured the result they came here for. It is proclaimed to all the world that their »h mmoiMva aro-goodjronly it 4ros cost them a little bib of money.

STRIKE AT BARRY GRAVING DOCK. BOILERMAKERS' HELPERS SEEK AN ADVANCE OF WAGES. The whole of the boilermaker's helpers em. ployed at Barry Graving Dock and engineering works came out on strike on Tuesday last in con- sequence of their unsuccessful demand for an advance in wages. The men directly affected number about forty, and their demand was for an increase of sixpence per day. Mr Thomas Davies, of Cardiff, one of the men's Union representatives, had an interview with the general manager of the Graving Dock, Mr J. Lowdon, J.P., on Tuesday afternoon, but the latter gentleman declined to grant their request. The men on strike held a meeting at Andrews' Coffee Tavern on Tuesday evening, and after a lengthy discussion decided to return to work till Saturday on piece work, and at the close of the week they will again come out unless the demand is conceded in the meanwhile. Under the system which the men are working for the remainder of this week they receive an additional sixpence per day allowed for what is known in the trade as dirty money," and they feel they are fairly entitled to the' extra sixpence in wages which they are seeking.

» RISK LIMITED. PROFIT UNLIMITED. SPECULATION BY OPTIONS. Speculation by Options is of all methods of speculation the most prudent Arthur Crump (late Financial Editor of the Times). Stocks and Shares says :—"Large profits, averag- ing JB88 15s for every JB11 5s invested, have accrued Stock Exchange Times says :—" In 17 days, each subscriber of £ 5 12s 6d received a profit of JB44 7s 6d. Messrs Smith and Beresford have an ample capital for the conduct of a very large business. The firm is the largest in Option Dealing in England Birmingham Daily Gaztttt says Large profits, averaging 288 15s for every Bll 5s invested, have accrued to those who have acted on their advice Capitalist says: I Messrs Smith and Beresford give some very sensible advice about Options, which they recommend. May be con- sulted to advantage." Stock Exchange says :—" Messrs Smith and Beresford have been very fortunate in recent transactions." Financial World says :—" Messrs Smith and Beresford have a thorough grasp of the subject, and a careful perusal of their work will well repay speculators." Civil Service Gazette says: U Our readers cannot do better than take Messrs Smith and Bereeford as their financial guides, philosophers, and friends Citizen says :—" The only safe way of making money on the London Stock Exchange." UNITED OPTIONS.—Opened every Monday and Thursday on the System advocated above. Any number of Shares at £5 12s 6d each, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER LIABILITY WHATEVER, may be secured by letter or tele- gram. SOLE CONTROL of all United Options taken on behalf of Subscribers, thereby securing a manifest advantage. Stamped contract for- warded. Send for Revised Pamphlet and Full Particulars of our next United Option to SMITH & BERESFORD, Stock & Share Dealers, 53 and 54, Chancery Lane, London. ESTABLISHED 1888. Telegrams: "Clerkship, Londdn." Telephone: No. 2588. Agents wanted everywhere.

BARRY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. '1 MONTHLY MEETING AT CADOXTON. The monthly meeting of the Barry Urban District Council was held on Friday evening last at the Council Chamber, Cadoxton, present- Alderman J. C. Meggitt (chairman), Captain Murrell, Dr Treharne, Dr O'Donnell, Messrs B. Lewis, D. Morgan, F. P. Jones-Lloyd, W. Thomas, W. Paterson, and M. Jones, with Messrs J. A. Hughes (clerk), J. C. Pardoe (surveyor), A. E. Leyshon (inspector), and T. W. Lewis (colleotor). —TJie minutes of the previous monthly meeting were re»d and confirmed also the report of the Gas and Water Committee. THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION". In connection with the report of the Public Works Committee, Mr W. Thomas remarked that a third person should be added to the special committee, consisting of Messrs B. Lewis and D. Morgan, appointed to inspect the buildings and back lanes, with regard to which complaints had been made by Mr Milward. The committee, as at present constituted, Mr Thomas pointed out, might agree to differ," and he would propose that the chairman be added to the committee not that he doubted the efficiency of Messrs Lewis and Morgan in the matter, but if they should differ on any point a third person should be present to settle the question.—Mr D. Morgan seconded.—The Chair- man I would prefer not to act on this committee. -Mr Lewis I should be pleased for the chairman to join us for this is an important matter.—The motion was agreed to. NO NOTICE TO BE TAKEN OF LETTERS IN THE PRESS. Captain Murrell drew attention to a letter in the Barry Dock Netos making complaints with regard to a certain thoroughfare,—The Chairman re- marked he did not think the Council should take notice of letters in the Press. Complaints should be made direct to the Council. THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT OF MOORS'-BOAD. Mr Morris Jones said he was unable to attend the last meeting of the Public Works Committee, but he had noticed that the surveyor submitted plans, sections, &c., of the-proposed improvements in Moors', road. He thought it was quite time that something should be done there. It was most dangerous to the occupiers of houses in that locality to have to step on to a road 18in. or 2ft. below the doorstep. He considered that a path- way of some kind should be laid so as to form easier access to the bouses.—The Chairman re- marked this matter had been discussed at length at the meeting, but the committee took into con- sideration the expense and high rates of the town., At the same time if it was the wish of the Council, the surveyor might be directed to lay a footpath there.—Mr Jones thought it was very hard of the Council to compel owners to build bouses at a certain level, and how several years had passed and the improvements were still undone. He would imove that the surveyor be instructed to report on the cost of raising the level of the Moors-road and the alternative scheme of providing a footpath.-Dr O'Donnell seconded, and the motion was agreed to. A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE. Dr O'Donnell drew attention to a paragraph in the report of the Finance Committee That for the future bills relating to the gas and water department be not placed before the Finance Committee. "-Mr B. Lewis pointed out that nearly all the members of the Gas and Water Committee were also members of the Finance Committee, and it was, therefore, thought that the bills in question need not be gone through twice owing to the slight difference in the membership of the two bodies referred to.-Dr O'Donnell said it was a question of principle. He should like to ask what was the good of electing a finance committee if these accounts were not to be presented to them. He would move that the paragraph be omitted.— Mr Paterson seconded, and it was carried. HEALTH COMMITTEE. The adoption of the minutes of the Health Com* mittee was proposed by Dr O'Donnell, seconded by Mr Paterson, and approved. PUBLIC OFFICES COMMITTEE. It was stated that a meeting of the Public Offices Committee had been held that evening at 6.15.—The Chairman remarked there was practi- cally no report to present to the Council, but the committee had decided to inspect some suitable buildings in the district and make a recommendation thereon.—Dr O'Donnell objected to the meeting being called for 6.15, which he considered was a very inconvenient time. Most of the committee meetings were held at 7.15, but although that time did not suit him he always endeavoured to attend. THE MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL. After some discussion, it was decided to hold the meetings of the Council on the first Friday in the month, at 7.15 p.m.—Dr O'Donnell gave notice to move at the next meeting that the resolution just passed be rescinded, his objection being to the time of meeting, being of opinion that 7.30 was more convenient than 7.15. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The Clerk pointed out that the annual meeting of the Council was fixed for April 15, which was bank holiday, and it would, perhaps, be incon- venient to hold the meeting on that day.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr B. Lewis, it was decided to hold the annual meeting on Friday, April 19. THE NAME OF THE COUNCIL. A letter was read from the Glamorgan. County Council approving of the alteration of the name of the Council to that of the Barry Urban District Council, thus eliminating the name of Cadoxton. PROPOSED PRIVATE IMPROVEMENTS NEAR STATION-STUB ET. The following resolution appeared on the ageuda to be proposed by Mr F. P. Jones-Lloyd That the private improvements in the short road- way leading from Kingsland-crescent to Station-street, or of so much as can be legally executed by the Council, be forthwith executed and charged to the frontagers. -Mr Jones-Lloyd said there was some dispute with regard to the ground forming this road. It was a very important roadway, and he would ask the Council to allow him to move that a com- mittee, with the surveyor, be appointed to see Mr George Thomas and the secretaries of the two syndicates interested, and that, subject to a settle- ment being arrived at, that the surveyor prepare plans and specifications of the private improve- ments of this road.—The Chairman seconded.-Dr O'Donnell pointed out there was not a single frontage to this road, and said he knew that for the past five or six years there had been a dispute between the two syndi- cates with reference to the land. Under these circumstances the re-payment of the money would be doubtful, and he would move that a committee be appointed to confer with the repre. sentatives of both syndicates, and report to- the Council.—Mr W. Thomas seconded.—Mr Jones. Lloyd said he was quite willing to that portion only of his resolution being adopted, but he thought to get the matter through, as the improvements were badly needed.—The motion was passed in the amended form. SEAMEN'S BOARDING-HOUSES. 'Application was made by Mrs Coleman, Barry Dock, for a licence to keep a seamen's boarding- house. The applicant urged in support of her application her desire to earn an honest liveli- hood, and not to create a breach of the law in the matter, and pointed out that she was an old resident of the district.—The Chairman directed Mrs Coleman to repeat her application to the licensing committee of the Council, which would meet in the course of a fortnight. THE ADOPTIVE SECTIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERN- MENT ACT. Mr Jones-Lloyd brought forward his. notice of motion with reference to taking over the powers, duties, and liabilities of the Burial Board, and remarked he was of opinion that the defrayal of the expenses of the Burial Board under such arrangement would fall as at present, and not apon the general district rate.—Dr O'Donnell asked was not this one of the questions in con. nection with the Act which the clerk had been directed to report upon to the CounciL-The Chairman replied he did not think so, and said Mr Jones-Lloyd was quite in order.-Dr O'Donnell: I propose that the matter be referred to the Local Government Committee.—Mr Paterson Would any benefit accrue to the Council by adopting Mr Jones-Lloyd's suggestion?—The Clerk recom- mended that the matter be referred for con- sideration to the committee as proposed by Dr O'Donnell. At one time he (Mr Hughes) was inclined to the opinion that the expenses of the Burial Board, if adopted by the Council, would come out of the general district rate, but he had since altered his opinion somewhat. — Dr O'Donnell's suggestion was agreed to. BILLS ANI- LICENSES. An account of £2 from the Local Government Board with respect to the expenses of a public inquiry recently held at Cadoxton was ordered to be paid, and several licenses were granted for the storage and hawking of petroleum, and for the storage of gunpowder. THE PROPOSED CHOLERA HOSPITAL. The Clerk reported that the Local Government Board would hold an inquiry at Cadoxton on the 20th inst., at 10.45 a.m., with reference to an application which had been made by the local authority for the acquirement of a site on the Flat Holm for the erection of a cholera hospital, and Mr Hughes intimated that it was probable one of the inspectors would hold an inquiry on the same occasion into five applications for loan which had been made by the District Council. BARRY HARBOUR DRAINAGE SCHEME. Mr C. R. Walker, C.E., trent in a report as engineer of the Barry Harbour drainage scheme, pointing out that the period of Mr Butter's maintenance would expire on the 15tb inst. The total cost of the works would be a little more than the estimated amount, reaching in all to about £ 13,054. Mr Walker suggested that, inasmuch as there would be a balance of JB750 due to Mr Rutter, a cheque for JB725 be drawn, leaving 225 in hand.—Agreed to. THE GAS AND WATER PURCHASE. A statement having been presented by the clerk of sundry items in connection with the purchase of the gas and water undertakings which had not been included in the amount of loan, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Jones-Lloyd, seconded by Mr B. Lewis, that application be made to the Local Government Board for power to borrow de2,000, in addition to the JE190,000 already obtained.—A letter was read from Messrs Barclay and Company, London, with reference to the gas and water stock, and at their suggestion a resolu- tion was adopted enabling holders of iltook to transfer the same in amounts other than in multiples of .£1. APPLICATION FOR GARDEN ALLOTMENTS. A petition was read from a number of ratepayers of the east ward asking the Council to take steps to provide allotment gardens for the Cadoxton district, and the question was referred to the Allotments Committee, Mr W. Thomas urging the members of the committee to distinguish them- selves and redeem their promises. LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY. The Clerk read a letter from the National Telephone Company asking for power to run their lines over certain of the roads in the district, but the matter was deferred until the clerk had an opportunity of applying to the company to connect the Gas and Water and the District Council offices by means of the telephone. The remainder of the report of the District Council meeting will be found in another column.

CARRIAGE ACCIDENT NEAR DINAS POWIS. DMVBR SURMED iENTO THE DITCH AND INJURED. -I At an early hour on Friday morning last a cab belonging to Mr W. Chick, Angel Mews, Cardiff, was being driven along the road towards Dinas Powis, on the return journey from Barry, when the horse became affrighted and in attempting to run furiously off the animal fell heavily on the frozen road, throwing the driver headlong into the ditch. The driver was severely injured about the bead and other parts ot the body, and was quite stunned. The carriage, too, was much damaged. The horse and vehicle were afterwards found on the road by some persons passing by, and on looking for the driver he was found lying on the roadside, and in a dangerous condition of exhaustion owing to the excessive cold and his injuries. The unfortunate fellow was conveyed to the Three Horse Shoes Inn, Dinas Powis, where he lay under kindly treat- ment till Sunday afternoon, when he was taken home. The man's name is Pomeroy, and on recovering consciousness he attributed the accident to collision with what he describes as a Barry boarding-master's trap, which drove by after midnight carrying one light only, the accident taking place in the narrow part of the road near the Arms River. The man was dis- covered in his perilous position lying in a state of insensibility on the ice by William Moore, in the employ of Mrs Harry, Southra Farm, and great praise is due to Mr and Mrs J. Rimron, of the Three Horse Shoes, for their tender solicitude towards the unfortunate sufferer during Sunday.

RUFFIANISM AT BARRY DOCKS. TWO MEN SENTENCED FOR HIGHWAY ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE. At the Glamorganshire Assizes on Saturday last, William Daley, 25, single, and William Doyle, 25, married, both painters, were indicted for robbery with violence at Barry Docks, on the 26th January. Mr Pepyat Evans prosecuted, and Mr C. J. Jackson appeared for the defence. The evidence was to the effect that an old man. an engine driver, named William Knox, of 23, Brook- street, was returning home through Holton-road, Barry Docks, on the night of January 26th, when he was knocked down by three men, whom he did not know. Subsequently the two prisoners dragged him into a back lane and rifled his pockets of two half-sovereigns, seven shillings, and other artices.—The defence of Mr Jackson was that prisoners were very drunk on the night in question, and remembered nothing more than that they heard a scuffle and saw some men run away, and then they found themselves arrested. The prisoners had hitherto borne excellent characters. —The jury found the prisoners guilty, and the learned Judge took into consideration their previous good characters, but sentenced them to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour.

EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORTING —"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected COCOA, Mr. Epps has provided for our breakfast and supper a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a consti- tution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame. Civil Service Gazette. — Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in packets, by Grocers, labelled-—" JAMES EPPS and Co., Ltd., Homoeopathic Chemists, Loudon." Also Makers of Epps's Cocoaine or Cocoa Nib-Extract: A thin beverage of full flavour, now with many beneficially taking the plaoe of tea.

HOME RULE MEETING AT BARRY DOCKS. SPIRITED ADDRESS BY MR. P. A. McHUGH, M.P. ON THE LEADING POLITICAL QUESTIONS. DETERMINATION TO ADVANCE THE CLAIMS OF IRELAND. MR KEIR HARDIE, M.P., AND THE INDEPENDENT LABOUR PARTY. In connection with the John Mandeville Branch of the Irish National League of Great Britain, a public meeting of Home Rulers and Liberals was held on Saturday evening last at the Roman Catholic School, Barry Docks, for the purpose of hearing an address by Mr P. A. MoHugh, the mayor of Sligo, and Nationalist M.P. for North Leitrim. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather there was a fair and intelligent attend- ance. The chair was occupied by Dr P. J. O'Donnell, president of the branch, and amongst those present were the Rev Father D'Hulst, Rev W. Williams (the official Liberal candidate for County Council for the Cadoxton division), Mr 0. MoCann, Mr J. Mo'Donnell (secretary of the branch), Mr E. J. D. Irish, Mr R. G. Russell (secretary of the Liberal Association), Mr F. Walls, &c. The Chairman, in opening, extended on behalf of the meeting a cordial welcome to Mr McHugh, and spoke of the determination of the Irish party to urge in Parliament the claims of Ireland for legislative independence, notwithstanding the misrepresentations continually published in the Tory press as to dissensions in their ranks. The Irish National party, he maintained, were as determined and steadfast as ever in their adherence to the policy of Home Rule, and appealed to Irish. men all over the country to strengthen the hands of their representatives in Parliament. Dr O'Donnell ooncluded by proposing the following resolution:— That this meeting expresses its unabated confidence in the Irish Parliamentary Party, led by Mr Justin M Carthy, and pledges itself to support it by every means in its power till Home Rule is obtained, and cordially acknowledges the devotion of the Liberal Party to the Home Rule policy as advocated by Mr Gladstone. Mr O. McCann seconded. Mr P. A. McHugh, M.P., supported the resolu- tion in a stirring and reasoning political address, in the course of which the hon. gentleman dealt in a vigorous and exhaustive manner with the leading features of the Radical programme, and urged the uncompromising claims of the Irish party to Home Rule. Mr McHugh felt gratified in paying a visit to Barry to address a meeting of the local branch of the Irish National League and of Liberals, the friends of the Nationalist party. He was instructed to come to Barry on that occa- [name] by Mr J. F. X. O'Brieu, the secretary of the league, and he considered it was the duty of the Irish members to meet their fellow-countrymen as often as possible, and to impress them that the party lay as much stress upon the votes of Irish- men in all parts of the country as upon the votes of their own kith and kin at home, for in this way they would eventually have the voice of the nation generally in favour of Home Rule. (Cheers.) The Prime Minister, on the previous Tuesday evening in the House of Lords, gave them the assurance that Home Rule still occupied a place in the fore- front of the proeramme of the Liberal party and if they wished to see the cause of Irish nationality and independence realised, they mast do ai they did in the past, organise and Btand by the Irish party in the j °L ^°n"Q0l,8> and, until this question was settled, keep themselves absolutely distinct from any other political party in the country, not, however, in a spirit of distrust of the Liberal party, but to impress them with the determination of Irishmen all over the country to secure for their kinsmen at home that position of indepen- dence for which they had so long struggled. (Cheers.) The Irish party entered into a honour- able alliance with the Liberel party, on the understanding that Home Rule would be kept in the forefront of the Liberal programme, and he was of opinion that the Liberal party would perform its part honourably. In his opinion, there was a close relationship between the people of Ireland and the people of Wales, and he felt that none had proved more faithful to the Irish party in the House of Commons than the Welsh members. The Welsh members stood by the Irish members in the struggle for their cause, and the Irish members would now in return stand by their friends in the present movement for the disestabliehment and disendowment of the State Church in Wales. (Cheers.) While they felt that^ the interests of the Irish party were pre* dominant, still they were quite willing to auow the Welsh Bill to be considered, and the Irish members would help the Government to pass the Disestablishment Bill this session, and in return he was confident they would receive the assistance of the Welsh members to pass useful measures of reform for Ireland. (Cheers.) The Irish people had led the way in the matter of British legis- lation. The Irish Church had been disestablished, and now a Bill for a similar measure for Wales was being introduced. The Irish members had introduced a Home Rule agitation, and he was glad to find that one of the members for Wales (Mr Burnie) had given notice of a similar measure for the Principality. (Hear, hear.) He claimed, therefore, the Irish party should have precedence in the matter of the settlement of the question of legislative independence for Ireland. (Cheers.) Mr McHugh, referring to the smallness of the majority of the Government in the House of Commons on the previous night, said he admitted it was small, but it was quite sum. oient, and the bulk of the Irish party would stand by the Liberal party, in spite of the Tories, the Redmondites, and the Unionists. (Cheers.) In referring to the measures which occupied a prominent place on the pro- gramme of the Liberal party, namely, Welsh Disestablishment, the Amendment of the Land Acts for Ireland, and the amendment of the Sufferage System, the hon. gentleman said he hoped there would be introduced into the latter measure of One Man One Vote a clause which would enable a second ballot to be taken in the case of three-cornered fights, and advocated a shorter period of registration qualification, thus giving the poor equal chance with the rich in the matter of the exercise of imperial sufferage. The motto of the Irish Party was "Ireland for all," and if they had not been satisfied that the Government were sincere in their promises they would not come back from Ireland to vote for reforms for the benefit of England, Scotland, and Wales. (Cheers.) Mr McHugh referred to the Welsh Land agitation, and said that in this respect, too, the Welsh people were following the example set by Ireland some years ago. There were 7,500 evicted tenants in Ireland, and simply because they joined in an agricultural trades' unionism they were cast ignominiously into prison under the terms of the cruel and despotic Coercion Act for which Mr Balfour was responsible. (Hisses.) He (the hon. gentleman) had himself experienced a little of Mr Balfour's tyranny, and under the same Act had been lodged in the prison of which he was a visiting justice in the town of which he was mayor; but when liberated he he was a visiting justice in the town of which he was mayor; but when liberated he felt more convinced than ever of the justice of the cause of which he was an exponent. (Ap- plause.) He felt it was a great anomaly that a system of boycotting, which was permitted in London, was declared illegal in Ireland. Criticis- ing the House of Lords, Mr McHugh said Mr Chamberlain, consistently with the traditions of his political career now, strongly supported a system which some yeard ago he vigorously opposed; and added that the House of Lordlr sitting an it was as a kind of Tory Committee, prevented the country from being properly governed. The Irish party were satisfied with the terms of Mr Gladstone's Home Rule Bill, and nothing short of this would they accept, and until the Home Rule Bill was passed the Irish party would block legislation for the country. (Cheers.) Local Veto, Unification of London, and other measures which had been suggested were, not, he considered, urgent questions, and it would not be fair to ask the Irish party to allow precedence to be given to measures of this description over the question of Home Rule, (Cheers.) Mr McHugh described as a base calumny the accusatioki that the Catholic party would persecute their Protec- tant neighbours under a system of Home Rule, and maintained, on the contrary, that at the present moment an almost intolerable system of persecution was being indulged in towards Catholics by Protestants, notably in his native country. The hon. gentleman concluded a highly practical political address with an appeal to his fellow-countrymen in the Barry district to join theftnks of the National League, and tbus assist in advancing the claims of their native country for Home Rule. (Cheers.) The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr J. McDonnell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr McHugh for his admirable and instructive address, and expressed a hope that it would have the effect of combining his fellow-countrymen in this district and inducing them to join the branch of the National League to help the party which Mr McHugh so ably represented on that occasion. (Cheers.) The Rev W. Williams seconded, and having complimented Mr McHugh upon his excellent address, said he felt in entire sympathy with the remarks of the hon. gentleman as to Home Rule and other political questions dealt with in his address. Mr McHugh had stated that the Irish party had led the way in great reforms, and he (Mr Williams) assured Mr McHugh the Welsh were determined to follow, and he was glad that the Irish party had decided to assist the [Government in securing the passing of the Dises- tablishment Bill. The speaker also referred to the need for unity, and commented upon the necessity for religious equality. The motion having been passed {with acclama- tion, Mr McHugh, M.P., in returning thanks, said that the term Protestant, which applied to the ascendency class in Ireland, would not apply to the Protestants or Puritans of the Principality. He considered that a better term for the Protestant he had referred te would be Tory Orangemen. He concurred with the Rev W. Williams that religion was a question which should be left between matt and his God, and assured his hearers that the Irish Nationalists did not object to any person in Ireland holding office on account of religion. As a matter of fact, a number of members of the Irish party were conspicuous Protestants, notably Mr Jordan, Mr Knox, Captain Donovan, and the late Mr Parnell. Having reiterated the intention of the Irish party to support the measure for Welsh disestablishment, Mr McHugh said the Irish members, though poor in some respects, were rich in the confidence of the people whom they represented. (Cheers.) The hon. gentleman, referring to the Independent Labour Party with Mr Keir Hardie at their head, said there was no doubt the Home Rule and Liberal party would suffer considerably at the next general election owing to the attitude of this new industrial organisation, and he would ask the members of this party was it to their interest to strike against the Liberal party and the Govern- ment that had up to the present initiated and carried out all the measures for the alleviation of distress and the amelioration of the condition of the artisans and working classes generally of the United Kingdom, and had done more to raise the dignity of labour than any previous Govern- ment. (Cheers.) The Liberal party were the driving force of reforms in the country, and he failed, therefore, to understand the extraordinary attitude taken up by the Independent Laboar Party. Mr Keir Hardie, however, was not a leader of labour in the House of Commons, and he was confident his friend Mr John Burns would not countenance the policy of the new movement. (Cheers.) Whatever the Independent Labour Party may do he (Mr McHugh) might assure the country that the Irish party were determined to stand, and fight and defeat any party-whether Liberal, or Tory, or Labour-that would attempt to prevent the passing of salutary reforms for Ireland. (Loud applause.) The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding.

PRINTING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, executed with neatness and dispatch, at the Barry Dock Newt Offices, Holton-road, Barry Docks.