WESTERN MAIL THURSDAY DECEMBER 16.  1926.  No. 340. NEWPORT BASEBALLER DEAD.   The death has occurred from double pneumonia of Mr. Alfred HILLMAN (40), 29, Upper Leicester-road, a well-known Newport baseballer and member of the Athletic Club. He had played rugby football for Pill Harriers and Newport " A." Mr. HILLMAN served during the war with the Monmouthshire Territorial Artillery Brigade, both in France and the Near East. He leaves a widow and four children. MRS. A. JENKINS, TREHAFOD.   The death has taken place of Mrs. Ann JENKINS (80), at 48, Trehafod-road, Trehafod. She was the oldest inhabitant and for over half a century had served the locality as a nurse. She was the widow of the late Tom JENKINS (Llew Hafod), a well-known singer and conductor. She leaves a son. Mr. John JENKINS, chief rates inspector, Barry. RETIRED MINISTER-Death Of Rev. J. PETERS, PONTNEWYDD.   The death has occurred at Pontnewydd in his seventy-fourth year of the Rev. John PETERS, a retired Congregational minister. Mr. PETERS was a native of Tranch Pontypool, and his first pastorate was at Siloh, Abersychan. He was the first pastor of the newly-founded Church of Ebenezer, Pontnewydd, where he remained for seven years. For eighteen years he was pastor of a church at King's Teighton, Newton Abbott, and on his retirement three years ago he returned to live at Pontnewydd. In October, 1922. Mr. and Mrs. PETERS celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. PETERS is survived by a widow, two sons and three daughters. Catherine SMITH (11) living at 66, Mary Anns-street was admitted to the Cardiff Royal Infirmary suffering from injuries to her arm. She was carrying a bottle and in running across Bute-terrace she slipped and fell upon the bottle which smashed. THE SEAMEN'S NEW SECRETARY. CAPT. W. J. DAVIES, OF SWANSEA.           A Romantic Career- Commenced As Stowaway In A Barque. From Our Own Correspondent.- LONDON, Wednesday.   Capt. W. J. DAVIES, of Swansea, has been appointed general secretary of the National Union of Seamen, in succession to Mr. Ermund CATHERY, who has retired after thirty-five years' service, having reached the age limit.   Capt. W. J. DAVIES has been appointed on the result of a ballot which has been in progress for three months, in order to enable a large number of men as possible to record their votes.   The candidates were Capt. W. J. DAVIES and Mr. George JACKSON, of Newport, and the result of the ballot was as follows:-            W. J. DAVIES...........  11,556.            George JACKSON......  1,736                  Majority.................. 9,820  There were three spoiled votes.   The new secretary, who takes up his post at the beginning of the New Year, is well-known in the Trade Union world. He was for many years president of the Bristol Channel Pilots Association and is one of the trustees of the Seamen's Union. He is known in South Wales as a capable organiser and public speaker and is au fait with all important questions affecting shipping.   A native of Swansea, he began his career as a stowaway in a barque from his native port, and from an ordinary seaman worked his to the point when he could obtain the highest credentials granted to men to the Mercantile Marine.   His only son is also an officer of the Mercantile Marine.   Capt. DAVIES has at all times exhibited tact and diplomacy in labour disputes and negotiations in which he has taken part, and his appointment will be popular.   Mr. George JACKSON, who has been a member of the Union for 25 years, recently retired from the position of secretary of the Newport Branch in consequence of having reached the age limit. This, how-ever, did not preclude him going forward as a candidate for the general secretaryship as he had not reached the age limit for that position. John Patrick.