temperance reformers as to the immediate and ultimate beneficial results to accrue from the passing of the Act seem justified.”

The action, which went in favour of the Club, was heard at the Glamorgan Assizes at Swansea during August 1904 and, despite the judgement going against him, the villagers of Fochriw gave him an enthusiastic reception on his arrival at Fochriw from Swansea. Mr Rees reached Fochriw about seven o'clock, and was met at the railway station by the majority of the residents, headed by the Fochriw Brass Band. A procession was formed, and having paraded the principal streets, wended its way over the mountain to Pontlottyn, where the reverend gentleman was again received enthusiastically. A public meeting was held in The Square, in the centre of the town. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Rees and Mr. Tertius Phillips, Cardiff.

As a direct result of the slander action, the Rev Rees had to file a petition of bankruptcy at Merthyr during February 1905. The Conservative Club Company caused an execution to be levied on the 30th January1905, but the debtor filed the petition on the 3rd inst., and the sheriff's officers withdrew on the following day. The result of the libel action was to award the plaintiffs, the Cardiff Conservative Club Company (Limited), damages of £2 plus costs. The statement of affairs showed the Rev.Rees’ liabilities amounting to £627-8s-2d., with assets at nil; £326-12s was due to the Cardiff Conservative Club (Limited) and £250 was due to Mr. J. A. Hughes, Cardiff and Barry, in respect of costs for defending him in the action; £51-5s was owed as a fully secured debt to Mr. David Prothero, furniture dealer, Bargoed, to whom the debtor had given a bill of sale on the whole of his household effects, including his library, in respect of money borrowed and interest. The bankrupt's stipend was only £120 per annum with no other income.

The public examination was fixed to take place at Merthyr Court on 22nd March 1905. In his deficiency account, the debtor stated that his expenses other than law costs in connection with the slander action amounted to only £23-15s.

During the Bankruptcy Hearing, the Rev. Rees was asked about the money raised by Mr. Tertius Phillips of the United Kingdom Alliance to finance his defence, and whether it was correct that Mr. Phillips had given a guarantee to the solicitor for £150 costs. Rev. Rees stated that no money had been passed to him, but that he believed that £80 had been paid to the solicitor by Mr. Phillips. He also believed that Mr. Phillips had given a guarantee to the solicitor for the amount stated, but he did not have certain knowledge of this. After brief questioning the Rev Rees