The Aberdare Times

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES. The question of a University for Wales was lucidly and intelligently placed before the pub- lic meeting on Friday night, by the Rev. D. Charies, Rev. Kilsby Jones, Rev. Dr Price, and Gohebydd. The necessity for the existence of such an institution was demonstrated to the satisfaction of the audience the evidence was, indeed, sufficient to satisfy any unprejudiced mind. Mr. Charles showed moreover that in endeavouring to promote the establishment of an unsectarian educational institution, he was playing no losing game. He has before him almost a guarantee of success. He and his fellow la- bourers have won the sympathy of many liberal minds, not only in Wales but in various parts of England. Gentlemen of high reputation in the national council and government have ex- pressed themselves disposed favourably towards the movement, and given reason to believe that at the proper moment help from the public purse will not be withheld. As the speakers showed, each division of the kingdom, England, Scot- land, and Ireland, have flourishing universities, the advantages of wbieh are apparent in the education of the people. If universities are essential in the other departments of the king- dom, why should not the Principality also benefit by the existence of similar educational influences and privileges in her midst? We Wish Mr. Charles and his friends a hearty suc- (m

DESPERATE CASE. TXaaatmuB is the event upon which it is our Jiainful duty to make a few remarks in our nurnal of to-day. We do not refer to the death struggle going on around Paris, or in the valley of the Loire. These events are cad enough to awaken the sympathies of every humane being. At home, too, incidents are occurring that wear to ominous aspect, and forewara us that mischief in ahead. Our local anxieties and calamities do 1'ot attain their magnitude df almost every day events on the- oontinent, at any rate, during the last few montba. Still they have features in eommon; thus one touch of nature makes the whole world kin. What can be more momentous than the fact that Napoleon the Great is a pri- soner in the land of Prussia? But equally momentous is it for Aberdare that the Great Pugh is confined to the advettising columns of the Mertltlr Telegraph. A strong parallel exists between the two incidents. Betrayal, deceit, and desertion are promineut features in both. In one case a plebiscite of the people of France de- clared by acclamation, a few months ago, that Uonapartism was the will of the nation on the other, a plebiscite of two wards in Aberdare that Pugilism was the one thing needful. The first commanded nations; kings bowed to his will, prir ces courted bis smile and favour, and the world trembled at the voice of his wrath. The second commanded space for his contributions in several papers. Editors bowed to his will, basked beneath his smile, sought his help and eagerly aougbt his approval, and feared his hate. But how are the mighty fallen P One an exile from his country, the other an outcast from the cor- respondents' column. Alas! ungrateful, fickle, perfidious world. There ie. however, one point of dissimilarity between the august parsonages we are noticing. Napoleon voluntarily and ig- nobly surrendered. His compeer yielded only to compulsion, and while retiring a prisoner fired a terrific volley of defiance and scorn from his nnequalled battery, with the praiseworthy inten- tion of annihilating the whole- staff of the Aberdare Timet. But Japiter and the Fates forbade. Mr Pugh repeats his Btories that have been told twenty times, without a shadow of proof. In reading them we are strongly remind- ed of the man who could not do right, even by accident. We would cot say that lfr~|Pugh eould not speak the truth even by accident. We have a strong conviction that in the latter con- tingency be might be successful. We do not in- tend to follow him through themassof misrepresen- tations contained in his parting ulley, but shall fto'icl" two points only. He has before him a documt nt disclosing the entire vile plot" agains* himself. This may be, but let him remember that the pious king of Prussia was shot at the other day. But what astonishes us is the com- pleteness of that precious document" which disclose the entire plot." Many times has Mr Pugh been informed upon good authority con- cerning our private arrangements. Many times has he exposed the villainous" writers VI bo have favoured us with their correspondence. Now be lias a document which is so complete that no- thing is left unexposed. Surely, he is like the ;ctd king who was informed by the prophet of the words spoken in his enemy's bedchamber. "This document bears tfiree names, and indicates a fourth." Tremendous document" that which beart and indicatet. How prolific to bear three I What a progeny of nameil What a startling phenomenon in the history of documents." It .radieøu.- We give up; we are bewHdercd! We suggest that the document be sent to the firitigb Museum. Two of his revilers are daily employed in connection with our paper. Did the statement come from any other source we would accept it as a compliment to the intelli- gence of our workmen. But we must tell the vwbhlng Mr Pugh that his document is as false «)Mtt our contributors as all his previous state- ments were, though made on good authority. It is vain that he should writhe bis serpentine foim and spit his venom, because it doth not stick. He is the only sufferer. His document is false and its contents villainous attacks upon innocent men. The climax of Mr Pugh's advertised French folieh is that he invites us to meet him "at a pub) o meeting" Meet HIM! We have too much self-respect. Bandy words at a meeting of the Watch Committee with their ohampiou in falsehood with the man whose advertised letter contains but one substantial truth—that he is the owner of the next property to the Aberaman gutter, of which he makes so much, and is so anxious to have kept in good repair. Impossible. Mr Pugh calmly asks us to play, for public amusement, the part of Balaam, while he plays his accustomed part of Balaam's Joral Jutelligeiuc.

DISTRESS AT HIRWAUT. -We understand that considerable distress prevails amongst many of the unemployed workpeople, lately employed at the Hixwain collieries, in consequence of the stoppage of the works. Several charitable per- sons are, however, kindly exerting themselves In collecting aid in behalf of those in want. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES.—A public meeting for the purpose of explaining the ob- jects of the above national institution, and advocating its claims, was held at the Temper- ance Hall, on Friday se'nnight. The Revs. D. Charles, A.B. (Oxon.), B. Kilsby Jones, Dr. Price, and Gohebydd, attended as a deputation, and addressed the meeting, which was not so well attended as we should have wished. D. Davis, Esq., Maesyffynoo, presided. Want of apace precludes our giving a fuU notice of the proceedings. We understand that it is intended to hold another meeting in the early part of next year. W, UK PUTtCtL EvifTjoNs.—At the last election, the Mnbtu«h)og manner in which C?o»»ervativ.- landlords, evicted their tenant* for voting in the Liberal interest, created great indignation throughout the Principality, lIoj it was determined to raise a fund for the relief of those who had suffered pecuniarily. The move- pient is now almost cumpl te, about 3,834)1. have been collected in Wales, Liverpool, Manchester, London; and 20s in the pounds have b, en paid 1 In all cases where satisfactory proof has been given that an eviction for political feeling has been made. It. C rdiganshire 63 claimants have been compensated b. a grant of 2,0901, in Uaru»arthn • s»hire, 21 elaimnnts have received 69->f. in i Carnarvonshire, 4501 has bppn distributed amongst 25 applicants one cl*iipant in Denbighshire has received 151. and two in Merionethshire, 1501. There wf-re personal subscriptions to thej amount of 1.9161. tho rest was collected in the Noncon- formist chapels of the Principality.

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY—{Before J C. FOfcle", R. IT. /(hys, James Lewis, and D. E. H i?Hums, Esqrs.) TRAVHFKR.— The license of tfce Carpenter's Arms. Canon street, was transferred from Mr J. Cowell to Mi W. Bosgood. DRUNK Axo RIOTOTTS. — John Owen WM charged with being drunk and Tiotoua in f)are- conrt. The constable being absent, the Bench gave defendant an opportunity of admitting the offence, and paying a tine of 5s. The fine was paid accordingly.—John Williams was charged with a similar offence in Bute-street, on the 4th instant. P.O. Cross saw him at half-past twelve o'olock at night, drunk, and kicking at people's doors. Fined 101. and costs, or 14 days impri- sonment in default of payment.—James Voyle was charged with a similar offence. P C. Jen- kins found him in Commercial-place, drunk, and challenging to fight. A similar fine wis im- posed.—John Edwards was charged with a simi- lar offence in Commercial-place, on the 4th inst. P.C. Evans saw him at a quarter to 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, very drunk, and challenging to fight. He refused to go away, and, on being taken into custody, was very violent, and resisted all the way to the action Fined 10s and costs. -Thowsa Bray was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk and riotous in Dare-court. BSSI*TINO THR POLICE —John Hughes was charged with resisting P.C. D. Evans acting in the execution of his duty on the 4th lust. The con- stable stated that whiie he had John Edwards in custody, on a charge of being drunk and riot- ous, the prisoner came on and told him in Welsh not to go. He alsooaught hold of Edwards, and said he should not take him to the station. He pushed prisoner off, and at the corner of Station. street prisoner took hold of him a^ain, and swore he should not take him. He was obliged to have assistance to take the man to the station. Fined 20s. and cost*, or 21 days. UNLAWFULLY WOUNDIXG.—Catherine Connor, a married woman, who had a bad black eye, was charged with unlawfully wounding Mary Lewis, also with assaulting her. A medical certificate was handed to the Bench stating that the prose- cutrix was suffering from a Bevere scalp wound, and not in a fit state to appear -Harriet Close, living at Taidraw, Abernant, said she knew the prosecutrix. On Saturday night, about half- past twelve, she heard the prosecutrix screaming at the back of the house where the prisoner lodged. She went round to see what was the matter, and as she was giving on prisoner picked up a stone and struck the prosecutrix on the forehead till she fell. Witness ran on and picked her up. Prisoner ran away.—The Bench asked if she knew how prisoner came by the black eye.—Witness said she had been told she had been fighting with her husband,-P.C. Evins arrested the prisoner. She was under the influ- ence of drink at the time. He charged her with wounding Mary Lewis on the forehead. She replied, I did not; it was she that struck me with a brick." Prisoner was then remanded for a week to Swansea gaol. AIVSURNED AFFILIATION CA«E.—In the oaseof Jane Rees against Rees Price, the particulars of which appeared in our last, the Bench made an order for 2s. Gd, a week tor the first twelve weeks, Is. 61. after, 3s. midwife, and costs. The Bench considered the case a very immoral and unsatisfactory one in every way. ROBBERY BY A SERVANT GIRL.—Jaue Hughes, • young girl, late in the employ of Mr Kdward Williams, Prince of Wales, Cap Cocb, as a do- mestic servant, was brought up charged with stealing £ 20, the property of Mr-Charles Locke. Air F. J a lies appeared for the prosecution, and M r Simons for the defence.—Mary Locke, wife of prosecutor, said: My husband is employed on the Powell's Duffryn's Co.'s Farm. I live at the Cefnpennar Inn, and am the mother of Mrs. Edward Williams, Prince of Wales Inn, Cap Coch. On Wednesday, the 2nd November, I went to visit my daughter during her confine- ment. I took a purse with me containing 80 sovereigns, including E13 10s. screwed up in paper. I gave the purse to my son-in-law, Mr Edward Williams He put it into a drawer. I remained from Wednesday till the following Tuesday morning. 1 got the purse back from my son in law when I left, and I put it into my pocket. He took me home in a trap. He gave me the purse in the same room. I reckoned the money when I got home. Mr Williams had then left. I found twenty sovereigns missing. I did not communicate the fact to my daughter for a fortnight, fearing it would injure her, owing to her illness. I reck- oned the money the same night that I gave it to my hon-in-law. In about a fortnight after I lost my money I went to my daughter's. Prisoner had left. Saw prisoner afterwards at ray daugh- ter's houie; she having been sent for. I said, Jane, did you have my money P" She said, No, I did not see your money nor your purse." I said, My dear girl, tell me what you have done with them." Then she said, I did take them, and screwed them up in a paper, and by drawing my pocket handkerchief out, by Aber- cwmboy road, 1 lost them." Cioss-examined by Mr Simons Ttlat was not half the conversation I had with her. We began the conversation at one or two o'clock. I to)d her, «• Let me know about the money, and I will not tell the police anything at all about it." I was with her nearly two hours, and Mrs Williams was in and out. She confessed it first to me. The girl had gone for the police before I spoke to her. I spoke very kindly to her. The girl was not very firm in denying it. She was not long before she con- fessed. I did not say -I would not send for a policeman, but I did say that no one should put his hand upon her if she gave me the money or told me where tuey were." We resolved to send for the girl and to speak kindly to her, and I did not speak cross to her. At the beginning I told her I did not want to do anything to her only to know where the money was. She, in answer to that, deoied knowing anything about it. I told her before there was any talk of the money being lost I would not take any proceed- ings against her, I only wanted to know where the money was. I addressed her as my dear girl," I thought I should melt her better by that. I said 1 had children of my own, and I did not wish anything to come to them more than to her. I be only thing I told her after she said she lost the money was That's nonsense, Jane." We had been two hours at her before the policeman came in. Mr Williams did not ask me if 1 was sure I had got the money. Did not tell any one that the reason I said nothing about its was because I WAI afraid Mr Williams had taken it. The policeman came into the room twice while the conversation was going on. I told him to go out. I he girl did not faint, but nearly fainted. She did not get into a stupifieil state. Mr Edward Williams, landlord of the Prince of Wales, corroborated tYirs Locke'* statements 10 reference to the purso. The pri- soner left the week after Mrs Locke returned home. One day bis wife abked hicn to go ur)- stairs aud examine the prisoner's dress. lie did so and found a sovereign in the pocket. On the 14th Movember prisoner wanted to go to the Aberdare fair, but was not allowed. On the following Tuesday she went to Mountain Ash, and did not return till the following night. She was dismissed after that. Mrs Williams, wife ot the last witness, deposed: I remember my mother coming to visit me. Prisoner was in my servioe at the time, and had been with me about three weeks. After she had been there about a week her father asked for 59. on account of wages. Remember my husband giving me the keya on Monday, the 7th of latt month, the day before my mothet left. I was in bed at the time, but got up that day. That night 1 returned the keys to my husband. Prisoner gave me the keys about middle day. She said, ll^re are the keys, mistress, 1 had them from Juliana" (my little girl). I did not go to the drawer during the time mv mother re- mained. i saw my husband took the purse in the drawer. Fnna information I received, I want to prisoner's bedroom to see after a pair of stockings that I had missed. In searctving for the 8tockiugs I found a sovereign in her dress. I drew my husband's attention to it. Did not speak to prisouer about it until I sent for her after she left in two or three days. I told her there wes money missed in the house, and that I bad seen a sovereign in her pocket. She said, I found it on the door-step." I replied that if she had been honest she would have brought it to me, and if DO one came to own it, it would be hers. 1 tw¡,k her into the parlour, and told her some money bad been missed. She said she knew nothing about it. I told her about a falsa- hood about some shoes.—The Bench said they had heard nothing about that.—Witne»« con- j tinued: She told me her father bought some shoes for her at Mountain Ash, whereas the shoes were bonjjht at 'he co-operative stores for 7s. 6d and she changed half a sovereign to pay for them. ] then aski-(t her about the sovereign, and she said she found it on the door sfeo. —Cr^ss-examined The shoes were bousr'it slier I saw the sovereign in her p1 ick^t. — P C. W-»irn- y, stationed at Cap Cooh, said: I was sent for to the prisoner on Sunday, the 23rJ of 1 i-t tnoruli. Saw prisoner h the paejour with 4rs L<-ck'. Mrs Locks? was -speaking to her. P.-n^rer -A she knc- nothing b-Ut t)- moncv. I w- nt out and returned, and saw prisoner r.via. I afterwards charged her with stealing £ 20, the orjperty of Mrs Locke, between the 2nd and 8th uf fast month, from a drawer in the P iuc" of Wales public-house. I told her to be cautious what she should s,ty in regard tr. the eharge-thqt it would came against her again. She sai l nothing then. I took her into custody.—By Mr Simons: Mrs Locke was in the room at the time—Mr Simons contended that in point of law the consta- ble's statement could not be taken as evidence, the prosecutor being present at the time. After a warm discussion between the learned advocates on the point raised by Mr Simons, the Beuoh agreed to accept the evidence subject to Mr Simons's objectioQ.- Witness continued Mrs Locke said nothing then. Prisoner afterwards said, "I found the sovereign in a vacant space between the flag and the front door, on Sunday morning after the last pay." I then took her away to the Mountain Ash station. On the road she said voluntarily, I did take the money, and put it into my pocket. I wrapped it up in a piece of paper, and by this stream I pulled my handkerchief out, and lost the money here. I lost EI9 here." She told me she bought these shoes (produced) out of the other sovereign.— Cross-examined I saw the girl in bvsterics in the Mountain Ash station. A surgeon was sent for, and she continued in a very queer state all the time she remainediat the station—trembling, and her eyes roili n bout. Did not see her in hysterics at Cap Coch. Was told she had a fit t iere. She seemei to be rather queer before ste started* tor (Mountain Ash, and said she, was ashamed to go with^me 1—Mr Fowler said this witness's evi(ience was entirely separate from that given by the other^witness, and must be a accepted. MroSimoDs addressed the Bench in defence. He remarked that the only evidence against the prisoner was her statement to the policeman on the road to the station; but in point of law he conteuded it was not admissible. The^promisefthat £ if she confessed «H about the matter nothing would be done to her, still held good until it had been withdrawn. Any induce- ment which :had not been withdrawn Wy'/ithe major person or by the justices was still in furce1 and she was therefore entitled to dismissal -Mr Fowler thought, after the caution given by the constable, the oonfession she subsequently made was admissible in that court; ana as a primafacie case had been made out, it was their duty to send her^for trial. She was then com- mitted for trial, bail being accepted.

MOUNTAIN ASH LOCAL BOARD. The usual meeting of the Board was hel-lat the Board-room, Workman's Hall, on Monday last. Present: Messrs GJ Wilkinson, (chair- man), J. Griffiths, D. Coleman, T. Edwards, E. Thomas, Ll. Llewelyn, and the iievs. J. W. Williams, and D. Jones. The minutes of the last meeting were read'and confirmed. THR SURVEYOR. A letter was read from Mr Harpur, that he would not be able to be present owiug to in- disposition. PETITION FROM FABWKRS. Mr GriffitS is stated that he had seen Mr Edwards, Penrhiwoeibr, in reference to the pe- tition sent in at the last meeting concerning the improvement of tho parish road near laii farm. Mr Edwards informed him that it the Board would do half the work this 'year and the" other half next year, the Board of Guardians would pay half the expense and if the Board required money, he would advance it till'the end of May next without charging interest. The Chairman proposed, and !the Rev. J. W. Williams seconded, that the resolution passed at the last meeting be confirmed. The Clerk drew attention to the fact that the whole of the petitioners only paid X2 15s. per year in rates to the Board, while the expense that would have to be incurred would amount to about J680. The whole of the farmrs, including those held by Messrs Nixon & Co., only paid six guineas a year. The Chairman said they could not afford to do any extra work this winter. They had only 1:22 in the bank and owed about £.500. SUKVEYOR'S REPORT. To the Mountain Ash Local Board. Gentlemen,—In accordance with orders^made at your last meeting, I accompanied the Roads Com- mittee (on Thursday last. the 1st Dec.) to inspect and examine the improvements in Oxford-street. A report of the proceedings of the Roads Commit- tee will be laid before you. I beg to lay before you an estimate of the'eost of laying gas mains and^fixing public lamps in the localities and places which have already been brought before your notice by the Gas Committee viz Woodland-street, Darran-road, Duffryn School, Oxford-street, and High-street. I beg to report that I have not had an opportu- nity of ascertaining the value of the curb and channelling and paving laid down in front of and adjoining Bethania Chapel, Caegarw, and the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Bruce-street, but will lay the same before you at your next meeting I have received a plan from the Rev J. W. Williams, of additions and alterations to Nazareth Chapel, Cardiff-road, which I beg to lay before you and to which I do not see any objection.-I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, S. O. HABPTTB, Surveyor. Mountain Ash, Dec. 5th, 1870. PUBLIC LAMPS. The Surveyor's estimate for additional public lights was produced, the total cost amounting to £ 79 4s. 4a. The Board determined to allow the matter to stand over for the present. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Inspector of Nuisances report was read. Complaint was made of the want of a drain at the back of Phillip.street to carry off the sur- face water. It was stated that several cases of typhus fever had occurred in the neighbourhood in consequence. The Surveyor was ordered to report thereon. Several of the public lights were stated to have been out during the last fortnight. Ordered that the company's attention be called to it. INSUFFICIENT DRAIN. Attention haviog been called to the insuffici- ency of the duiu at the back of the Bailey's Arms and Thomas Williams's property in Bailey- street, the Surveyor was ordered to inspect the spot. EDUC4TION. Mr Edwards asked whether it was not the duty of the Board, as the only representative body in the place, to do something with regard to Educational Act, Being situate between t.o\'O parishes they were placed in a.i awkward position. The Clerk said the Board had no power to act, but he would render any assistance in his power. It was proposed by Mr Edwards, and seconded hy Mr Williams, that the Clerc write to the Educational Department and to the Home Seoretary in referanoe to the formation of a School Board for the diatrict. The Finance report having been passed the board separated.

CHILD MURDER. AT TRECYNON. At the Merthyr police-court on Saturday (be- fore Mr J. C. Fowler,) Kachael Davies was charged with the wilful murder ot her illegitimate child on the night of the 25th November. Mr IJ. It. Lewis (from the firm of Smith, Lewis, ard Joues) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Piewa defended the prisoner. The first witness called was James Moore, collier, Roberts-town, Aberdare, who said: I re- member Sunday, the 26th of November. I was passing ovr the Cynon Bridge, from Roiierts- town, when I saw an object in the water. It was a child. It was partly in and partly out of the water. I dil not touch it; I went for the police. Police-eonstible Prothero- oame there, and a man named David Williams took the body out of the water and carried it up to the Gadlys Arms. It was about half past seven in the morning. The next witness called was Mary Phillips, who said I am the wife of Samuel Phillips, of Mill- street. I know prisoner. She was at my house on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November. She left my house on the Saturday night about half past eight. I noticed that she was stouter than she is at present, and told her that she was prearnant. but she denied it several times. I have not seen her sine* till now. Arabella Traharne said: I am the wife of James Traharne, labourer. I don't know the prisoner, I saw h"r a fortnight to—day oil the Cynon Bridge, at the bottom of Mill-street. It was between nine and ten o'clock in the evening. Sh* was standing under the lamp-post near the corner of the hedge. 1 noticed she had a baby in her arms. The baby was crying, and I thought it bad fits. I did not notice anybody else with her. Margaret Emery, living at Morgan-stre-t, Aher- dare, said She was at our house sleeping on the night of the 19th November. It was about a quarter past twelve when she came in. She looked very wild. She had an umbrella with her. It was covered with mud. There was mul on her jacket and skirt. I did not notice dirt on any of her clothes. Her hands were covered with blood and spots of dirt. I asked her how she came to be in such a state, and she said she fell on the tramroad coming down from ilirwain. She slept on the sofa. I saw her lying on the sofa next morning, and her skirt was drying before the fire By Mr Fowler: I did not ask her how she got the hlood on her hands. Examination continued I saw her going to the closet that morning. 8h. stayed there about an hour. She went out about half-past two. I noticed before this that she was very stout, but I did not mark the difference on the morning spoken of, By MrPlews: Prisoner had never slept at our house before this occasion. She 'old me she had nowlvre to go to sleep, sfltd so I let her in. It was about half-past twelve when I let her in. Her clothes appeared as if she had boen on the ground. She did not complain of cold. I allowed her to sleep on the sofa,because it was near the fire. Her appearance attraoted my attention; she ap- peared so wild. It was about half past eleven the next morning when she went out to the back. Before then I had given her breakfast. It was between eight and nine o'clock when I came down stairs. and the prisoner was then lying on the sofa. She continued to lie there for some time afterward". Ann Greeslade, living at 39, Harriet-street, Aberdare, said Prisoner ea.ne to my bouse about half-past eleven on the night of the 19th. She knocked at the door, and my husband opened it. She said, Please let me in, I am very wet and cold." She had an umbrella. She said she had come from Hirwain. I refused to let her in, and she went away. I saw her on the Sun- day following between two and three o'clock. She asked to come in, as it was raining very heavily, and my husband aaid, "Corne in my dear, and dry yonrself." I noticed nothing the matter with her clothes except that they wer- wet. She could not sit down, but stood at the fire drying her elothes. She immediately com- menced a conversation about the child which had b*?an found under the hedgp, Stie said it was about five weeks old, and it might have been carreid down from Hirwain. I said, I hope whoever threw it in the water will be found out, not thinking it was prisoner. The same day Jeonette Beales came iu and said there was a bjtby found in the river, and that her brother had seen it, and that if it were alive he should have taken it home and reared it it was such a beatiful child." I live near the bridge, not many yards from where the Arabella Treherne saw her. By Mr Plews: I don't live the length of this room from the bridge. My husband is a labourer. I did not hear anything of the child before prisoner told me herself on the Sunday Another woman (Mary Williams) was in my house when prisoner ca ne in. She stayed at our house that night sleeping by the fire. The next morning she wts about to leave tha house, when Police-s rgeant Thorney arrived, and subs-quently a doctor was sent for. After the doctor had left our house the prisoner said, I hav- to go to prison." I said, "What for ? Prisoner said, About the baby -it is mine." I then asked "Was the baby alive, and if so, how did yon ca:ne to do such a thing ? She said, 1 threw it in, and heard it scream after. That was the last thing I heard her say. Police-sergeant Thorn y, stationed a: Milt-street Aberdare, said: On Sunday, the 2 )Ut of November, I went to the Gadlys Arms, Roberts- tOWII, where I saw a new-born child, which I w't-< told had been found in the river that morning On Monday I was passing (ireendade's hou<e and I saw prisoner there. I knrw sh" was a stranger at tiiat hou^e, and I asked her nam". She said, Rachel Davies." I said,"How long have you been he-Ir ? She said, I have 'been a srvant at the Co-operative Stores, but lately I have been sewing about the houses. There was something strange about her appearance, she appeared weak, and I sent for the doctor. She then attempted to go out, but I said, 1 shall detain you in custody on suspicion of throwing the child into the river:" She said, "No, it is not mine. I had twins at N-ath oil Good Friday last, and it can't be mine." The doctor th-m arriv d, and I left the room. The doctor called me- hack and told me she was about to make a statement. I said to her, You are charged with murdering your child by throwing it into the river on Saturday night, whi-re I w is found on Sunday morning." tne said, Ytfs, I was sewing at the turnpike gate." I said, What you tell me I shall give in evidence again. Mr Plews here lodged an objection against the caution made by the police-officer as informal. Mr Fowler, however, decided to reserve his opinion upon the point for the present until Nr Plews produced precedent. Witness continued Sbe said, I left the turnpike gate about half-past eight on Saturday night. When I came down by those new houses, below the Llwyucelyn, I felt myself ill. I went down by the new hoses, and I had a child there. I wrapped it up in my petticoat, and went down through the fi Id to the bridge over the river. I stood there a little while considering what to do, and then went down to the water side and threw the child in. I went up the Llwydcoed road a little way, and put my petticoat on again. Came back again, and went to the water and looked, but the ohild was gooe. I went to Aberdare, and stopped that night." From where she said she had be^n confined to .were she said she threw the child in is a^out a quarter of a mile. The bridg the child was found at and that where she was seen have lIeen pointed out to me. They are nearly three-quarters of a mile apart. Mrs. Greensladf lives about fifteen yards from the bridge on one side, and Mrs, Treberne about twenty yards from it on the other. About 200 yards from the bridge where the child was found there is a road skirting the river leading to Roberts-town. The night of Saturday, 19th November, was a very stormy one, and the river was quited flooded. Evan Jones S'ii..t: I am a surgeon, practising at A ><-rdare, 0:1 the 21st November I was sent for to see prisoner. I examined her, and found she had been confined. That was in Greenslade's bouse. B fore I examined her she was sitting on the bed, and I think I said, How did this came to pass P" and she said, I will tell you every- thing." I held out no inducement to her to make it, except that question which I put. Just as I was going to examine her she said, I was coming from the turnpike-gat", and by Mr Curtis's new house, and I was taken ill, and the child was born." I said, -1 Was it alive," and she said, I don't know." I carried it by the river side, and placed it on the bank. I then went towards Llwydcoed and put my petticoat on." I did not examine her then, as the place was not fit, and called in the police-sergeant to inquire for a better place. I saw a child in the Gadlys Arms on Sunday, November 20th. It was a full-grown female child. Since then I have made a post- mortem examination of the body. The lungs were inflated, and floated freely ,m water The organs were healthy, but the stomach intestines contained no nourishment. It must have lived. I think exposure was the cause of death. Ihere were no signs of suffocation or drowning. At this stage, the proceedings were adjourned until Monday.

THOSE LADIES who have not yet used GLEN- FIELD STARCH, are respeotfully s dicited to give it a trial, and carefully follow out the dinic- ti.ms printed on every package, and, if this is done, tney will say, like the Queen's LumdresH, that it istue fi est Starch til y aver n.s W.ieu you as Glen ifi 11 St<xri.i, -.03 tiiat, y> i ggt it, as interior kinds are often aubstuuvod or the sake of extraprofitø.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "ABERDARE TIMES. Sm,—One great question now agitates tha greater part of the United Kingdom, and unless Aberdare is to remain behind the age, it ought not to be overlooked by UR. The state of educa- tion in this valley, notwithstanding the existing schools, is fAr from satisfactory. Under the Educational Act of the last session of Partiantent, I think we are bound to take some steps to in- crease the means of instruction for the working clas-es. It is quite time some movement should be made to continue that system of unsectarian education which characterises the greater part of our present schools. It is stated that a move- ment is on foot to erect sectarian schools in etosw proximity to this parish, though outside it. One place nnmed is Penderyn. In these semi-agri- cultural districts the friends of unseetarun edQ- cation and of Nonconformity will in all probability have a march stolen upon them. They may be assured that a similar step will be taken with it the parivk by their opponents, unless they are wise in time to prevent it. The question then Is thi. :-h an educational board to be formed la Aberd-tref I understand that like toother com- mittee in town, the British schools' eommlttoae have been consulting in silent conelave upen this grave and important su' jeot. I, fer one, matt protest against all hola-and-corner work on sa^- thing of such vital interest. It b the ratepayef* that should deliberate, and not the school eoflt* mittees alone. If a board be elected the rale- payers will have to pay the piper, henee U to for them to decide whether they shall be taxed. It is not for the committees to say the people shall be taxed to support their schools. We do not want the re-establishment of the old church- rate system in any form. I am informed that a conference of British School supporters was held in the Temperance Hall, on Friday week, whett the question above mooted was under discussioov If I am correctly informed, their doings in Some instances were ludicrous in the extieme. It should be stated that the masters of cburetfc schools were invited to be present, but the invi- tation was not accepted a fact that seems to con- firm representations made above. At the Tem. perance Hall a resolution was proposed to the- effect that those present should petition the over, seers to call a vestry meeting to decide the ques- tion which the delegates had under consideratioav But a hitch occurred. Some of the delegate found they could not vote on the proposition simply because they were delegates. They must wait for instructions from head quarters. Very diplomatic this. The difficulty was met br closing the proceedings. But immediately the same chairman and the same two score persons or less, formed themselves into a public me"ting Cool this What a transformation I The celebrated tailors of Tooley-street a^ain r. suscitated f Is- competent before, but competent after the trans- formation, the public meeting passed the resolu- tion to petition the overseers. I deny that thie conference, however excellent the members, was a public meeting. A public meeting may resolve itself into a committee, but a committee cannet resolve itself into a public meeting. The greater may contain the less, but the less cannot contain the greater. Nor is a vestry meeting, which sol* dom consists of more, than thirty folk, the proper initiating authority. The united schools commit- tees might well have initiated a requisition to the high constatde to call a public meeting, wbicW public meeting might legitimately request or authorise the overseers (if the overseers are the proper persons) to take the necessary preceeJinge for electing an Educational Board. These re- mark-t are not intended in the least to throw any obstacle in the way of obtaining an Educational Board. Let us have one by all means. 8titllet the movement originate with the sanction and by the will of the people, and not be thrust upoa them. I object to these midday meetings to de- cide public matters. They seem expressly In- tended to exclude the people, the great mase of whom, it is well known, cannot attend before six o'clock at night. We have no town council dele- gated to act for the ratepayers, who may at a public meeting elect a cominiltee to carry out their wishes. The question is an important one, and the time for discussing it is short. Let me then ur^e immediate action by those who have pnblie education at heart. Unless the friends of un- sectarian education do take up the matter shortly,, they may find a flank movement carried out with disastrous effect, con fusion spread in their raake, and the field they have loug held securely taken from thetn--I am, &c., GROONAIXX. (

BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.—GIATSFOI, AtW COMFORTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favevrttew lhe Civil Service Gaxette remarks:—" The eiag&- lar success^ which Mr. Epps attained by ais Homoeopathic preparation o^ oocoa has never beta surpassed by any experimentalist. By a thoreapk knowledge of the natural laws which govrra the operations of digestion' and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties ef weU- seUcted cocoa, Mr- ICppi has provided oar break* fast taules with a delicately Savoured beverage which may sava ui many heavy doctor's bills." Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in il.}., Jib., and lib. tin-lined packets, labelled.—JAMBS Epps & Co., Hemasepathie Chemists, London. ADVICE TO MOTHERS.— \re you broken of year rest t) y a sick chili, suffering with the pain of eottiag teeth ? Go at once to a chemist, and get a battle or Mas. WiNLow'a SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor sutWer immediately; it is perfectly harmless i itproduces IllltlUal quiet sleep, by relieving the child; froiu, and the little cherub awakes as "bright as a button." It has been long in use in America, sod i* highly rect)mlnen(fied by medical men; it is very pleasant to take; it soot bos the child; it softens tü. gums, allays all patn, relieves wind, repnUte* the bowels, and is the beat known remedy for dyaenters and diarrhoea, wbethet arising from teething or etbee causes. Be sure an,1 ask for MRS. WINLOW'S SooT"- ttoe Svaep, and see that Curtis and Perkins, New York and Lo-idon," ii on the outside wrapper. No mother should ba without it.-Sold by all inedisiee dealers at Is. I id. per Bottle. London Depet, 493 Oxford-street. LUXURIANT AND BEAUTIRUT HAIR.—MRS. 8. A. ALLEN'S WORLD'S HAIH RKSTORKB on DasssiNs never fails to q nckty restore GrCJI or laded Hair to its jouttiful colour and beanty. and with the first applicati on beautiful gloss and delightful fra^nanea is give,, to the Hair. It stops the Hair from falling off it prevents baldness. It pro notes luxuriant growth. It causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all dandrulf. It contains neither oil nor dye In large Bottles-Prie. Six Shillings. Sold by Chemist and Perfumers. Depot, 266, High Holbera, L)ndou.-FoR CHILDRKN'S HAIR.—MRS. ALLBU'a ZTLOB\LSAMUM far excels any pomade or hair oil, and is a delightful Hair Dressing it is a distinct and separate preparation from the Restorer, and its ttw not required with it. Holloway s Ointment and Pills.—Bowel Com- plaints, Diarrhoea.—When these diseases prevail immediate recourse should be had to this Oint- ment, which should be well rubbed two or three times a day upon the abdomen, and the inalnitste irritation wili gradually subside. All inflamation will be subdued a ijf excessive action restrained. This treatment, assisted "y judicious doses of Holloway's PiMjt, ia applicable to all forms of diarrhoea and dysentery, attended by heart sick- nraa. griping, flatulence, and other distressing and dangerous symptoms. ABERDAKli Printed and Publish^ by JOHTAH THOKA* Joirns ari l TrtBopHlLUf LlNc. J->*li-f at th-- ABSHDABJB I COLU.U. ma -place, Ai«erdanev ia the County or Guraorgari. BAIUIUJAJ", DBCKMBEK 10,

-==- BIRTH. J Nov. 30th, the wife of Mr D. Williams, i draper, Conaptou House, Aberdare, of a daugh- ter. MARTIIAGES. On Sunday last, at Hiarh-sfmt, Baptist Chapel, Merthyr, by the Rev T. Williams, B.A., Mr David Carter, Merthyr Express Office, to Margaret, daughtw of I:Mr Edward Koberts, deceased. November 29th, at Siloah Chapel, Aberdare, Mr EVBn Bevan, furnace:manager, Llwydcoed, to Miss Margaret Jane Meredith, Aberdare. 40

GLAMORGANSHIRE WINTER ASSIZES. Oardiff- Wednesday-Before Baron Bramwell. MURDER AT ABERDARE. Morgan Davies, (alias Mocyn y Cart") 28, of no education, Morgan Richards, (alias Mo- cyn y Felin ") 27, of imperfect education, John Lewis, 23, ditto, and Thomas Jenkins, 28, ditto, all of whom were colliers, were charged with having murdered Richard Ellis, at Aberdare, on the 17th September last. The prisoners, all pleaded not guilty. Mr H. Aliea aud Mr B. F. Williams pro- secuted Mr Bowen appeared for the defenoa of Richards; Mr Michael defended Lewis and Thomas Jenkins and Mr do Rutzen defended Davies. Mr Allen, at some lengbt, opened the case. The deceased was a collier, named Ellis, and cohabited with a widow named Martha Bowen, and both of them lived at a row of houses oalled Kingsbury-plaoe, Cwmaman, a village contain- ing a coliiery population, situated between Aber- dare and Mountain Ash. On the night of the day referred to, he entered a house of a person named Watkins, and saw the woman Bowea sitting on the lan of another collier, Morgan Davies, one of the prisoner*, with h,'r arms around his oeck. Kllis had bot?n drinking, but was not what might be called intoxioated, and asked the woman to come home. She said she would not c(¡me then, but would follow him in a a short time. Ellis left the house where tho\ were, and Mrs Bowen auk *d D ivies if he would soeor^panv ¡"'r, to which hp answered, I'll come, and I'll settle hirn" It would appear from this that thA woman either feared iU. l assure, or th3t Flli-i had threatened her. At this t/irv', before$• I is left, Morgan Divit-s also paid i "hI> should ,t go home with him, and rose up and hit the deceased with his fist in the face and in the stomaeh It was then Ellis left them, and as he went up the road he pulled out a knife and exclaimed, I'll put it in M.irtha for sitting on a marriel man's knee." The woman Bowen and the prisoner Davi-s and others went to the 11".1 Bush, when Davies went out for about ten minutes and returned, saving, in Welsh "YIIU can gro hI"" quiet enou?'* now." The next heard of th,. parties is when the deceased is under the bed at his lod^inus, where it was alleged he was beaten hy the prisoner D^vi'-s with a poker. Two men, who have since been discharged, brought him from under the bed on to the road, and there again it wqs alleged Davies beat him with the poker and kicked him two or three times. After this the deceased went to the hoase of a man named Thomas Davies, about four doors off. Here he, cut and covered with blood, went ont into the back. He waq then dragged into Tho- mas Thomas's where the attack upon the de- ceased was renewed by Davies. From all the injuries which the poor man received he died. What was submitted, Mr Allen said, in con- clusion, on behalf of the prosecution, and about which he believed there would exist no doubt in the minds of the jury when they hard the evidence, was this—that the deceased died at nine o'clock on the morning followiug the beat- ing with the P,)kAr, and the kicking by two of the prisoners; that he was found to have sus- tained two fractures on the skull, and that these fractures, which were the cause of the deceased's death, were occassioned by the use of a deadly instrument uoon his head, most pro- bably a poker and that only one of the pri- soners, Morgan Davies, was seen with a poker, and though he was the only one whJ used the poker, vet it would be shown that the other pri- soners had ill-used th« deceased. The eounsel for the prosecution then called a great number of witnesses, who were examined, but the evidence tendered was of a complicated nature. In the evidence of Elizabeth Rowlands, it was stated by the witness, for the fjrAt time, that Lewis and Jenkins dragged Ellis out of the house, 99 aoross the road, to an ash-pit. She also saw Evans give Ellis, as he lay upon the ash-pit, three kioks. She said, Why kick a man like that ?" He answered that if she did not hold her tongue, he would give her a good kick. CatherinH Davies, the daughter of Catherine Davies the elder, who was also one of the wit- nessess examined for the prosecution, said that on the nitcht Ellis was killed she saw Morgan Davies come over the garden wall of No +, Kingsbury-place, where she resided, and, taking hold of Ellis's head, smashed it against the wall. Ellis was groaning, and Davies said, I will finish thee now, by the d- giving him kicks. After the kicking, Davies said, I have finished thee now, by the d- if I did not finish thee before After some conversation between the counsel for the defence and his lordship the charges against the three prisoners, Le vis, Richards, and Jenkins, were withdrawn by the couusel for the prosecution, the evidence adduced not beini: sufficiently conclusive in showing that the aota of these three prisoners caused the djath of the deceased. Inasmuch as the m 'dical evidence proved that Ellis's death had beeu caused by the pressure of a clot of blood upon the braio, which resulted from a blow by some semi-blunt instrument. Mr D-' Rutzpn then addressed the jury on be- half of the prisoner Dtvi a. submitting th" »:iree following points for their c >nsider.ition—first, was there anything at all in the tvidence before them which went to show that a murder had been committed; secondly, bid anything like man- slaughter been committed and thirdly, did not the evidence point clearly to so gr, at a doubt in this case as to entitle him to be acquitted alto- gether P Witnesses wre then called for the defence of the prisoner Davies, whose testimony was entirely contradictory to that which had been given by the witnesses for the prosecutiort. The judge then summed up, and, in reviewing the whole of the evidence, directed them to wha was the theory of the pros cution—that the de- ceased died fro.n the effects of a blow given by a poker, with which the prisoner was sec-n to strike the deceased; and to what was the theory of th- defence, that the prisoner had not used the poker; that the deceased's death had been caus-'d not from blows which had been given by a poker, but that it resulted from injuries otherwise received. They would have to consider whether, in the first place, the prisoner was guilty of murder; or, in the second place, whether he was guilty of man- slaughter; and, in the third place, whether there was sufficient doubt to justify them in acquitting him altogether. If they considered that the evi- dence satisfactorily showed that the prisoner had used the poker upon the deceased, and that the wound infiictsd by that weapon had caused death then came the question whether it was murder or manslaughter, and her" his lordship pointed out the distinction between the capital crime and th- minor one. A man might be guilty of murd r in two ways—guilty where he intend d to kill and did kill. No matter how simple or unlikely trie means which were used if he intended to take life and did take it, unless there were circuin stances which reduced the crime to that of man. slaughter, the man was a murderer; and a man might be guilty of murder who did not intend to kill, and yet used likely means to kill. The jury r tired to consider their verdict. After an absence of 55 minutes, they returned into court with a verdict of manslaughter against the prisoner Davies. The prisoner had nothing to say why sentence should not he passed upon him. The Judge: The jury have found you guilty of manslaughter, and I can say I don't find any fault with them for having done so, because of the two verdicts which they could have r turned it is the safest; but I must also say that I should not have found any fault with them eithi-r if they had returned a verdict of guilty of murder. You, prisoner, have taken this unhappy man's life, perhaps not with the intention on your part to murder him outright, by means which were emi nently dangerous to human life. I have no doubt in my own mind—and I don't suppose the jury have—that you have beaten this man in a most outrageous and unmerciful manner with that tre- mendous weapon, the poker which has been pro- duced here. And you must have tlt'eu aware that you did it with the greatest of risk and y 'u must have known also that the mischief you had done was most serious and fatal, as your own conduct shows, when you made use of the expr s sions you did about having quieted him. I don't care whether you listen to what I 4.-0 saying or not; but I wish the public to listen to me, as I am anxious that they should know why I pass upon you the sentence I shall do. For, to my mind, there ii not the slightest doubt but thai this man was treated and murdered with the most unheard-of cruelty. When the wretched being was lying on his back, and was scarcely able to move, to raise a hand or utter a word, or do any- t1 ing but groan, you took him, poor wretched being that he was, and beat his head against the wall; for I believe what the girl said was true. You are a young man, and might have spent an honourable and industrious life but thdt has got nothing to do with the unmanly crime you have committed, which but shows the cruelty of your disposition. This was not a premeditated thing, I dare say and some people think that because crimeg are not premeditated they ought not to oe met in the same manner as premeditated crimes are but in my judgment I believe that where a man's natural ferocity of disposition tempts him to commit a crime of this description that natural ferocity must be checked by corresponding pun- ishment. Though I rrgret you are such a young man, I feel myself compelled to sentence you to twenty years' penal servitude. The court rose shortly before eight, this case having lasted the entire (,ay.

THE EDUCATION QUESTION. IMPORTANT VBSTKY MEETING. A vestry meeting was held at the old Parish Church on Thursday last to take into considera- tton the advisability, or otherwise, of forming a School Board for the di-strict of Aberdare. There was a numerous gathering, some two hundred persons being present. The Rev Canon Jenkins, Vicar of Aberdare, presided. After some pre- liininary discussion as tot e lega ity of the notice conv-«ning the m eting, in which Mr R. H. Rhys, Dr Price, and others, took part, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Rev. W. Edward8, the meeting was adjourned to the churchyard. The Vic-ir having ascended one of the tOlnb- stones near the church, again read the notice c">n- v<ming the meeting, and invited any ratepayer to express an opinion or pass a resolution. Dr. Price came forward and addressed the meeting as follows:- Mr Chairman,—Having met together for the purpose of considering the advisability or other- wise of taking steps for the formation of a School Board for this parish, under the Elementary Edu- cation Act, 1870," in order to bring the question tairly and fully before the Vestry, I will take the liberty of moving a resolution, and by your per- mission and that of the ratepayers present, to offer af w observations explanatory of our present position relative to the requirements of the Ele- mentary Klucatiolt Act, 1870. But before I offer my observations I think that it will be convenient to you, sir, and to the gentlemen present, to have the terms of the resolution before you. I will therefore read the following resolution, which I shall presently submit to this vestry for adoption or otherwise: "That this vestry is of opinion that it is desirable that a School Board should be formed forthwith for this parish, in accordance with the provisions of the Elementary Education Act, t870. and that the Overseers communicate at once with the Education Department for that purpose in accordance with S cti)n 12 of the said Act." Let us now f)r a moment look at the provisions of this Act, and 800 how they will bear upon us in this parish. There are five conditions of things under which School Boards may be formed under this new Act; (a) the City of London and the Metropolitan Boroughs form a distinct district; (b) the Borough of Oxford also forms a separate district; (c) the Municipal Boroughs throughout England and Wales form a distinct class (d) then parishes in England and Wales may be constituted into school dis- tricts; (e) and lastly one or more parish or parishes may be united together and form one school district, and have one united School Board for such district. As the Act now stands the parish of Aberdare may become a school district of itself, pure and simple, or it may have to take in a portion of the parish of Pen- deryn, and also a portion of the parish of Llan- wonno. But taking the parish of Aberdare only for our present purpose, we shall find ourselves in this condition:—We have in this parish 7,100 inhabited houses, and assuming that each house on an average is occupied by 5l persons we shall have a population of—say in round num- bers 39,000 souls, and the Act requires that there shall be provided sufficent, efficient and suitable school accommodation for one-sixth of tho whole population, and we require school room for 6,500 children in the parish of Aber- dare; and taking as our guide the measurement required by the Privy Council of eight super- ficial feet for each child, we find ourselves very far short of what will be required of us by the Elementary Education Act, 1870. The best estimate that we have been able to make un- officially is, that we have now provided in our public schools accommodation for 3,500 child- ren, and that there may be room in all our private schools for 150 more, giving us a total of 3,650 with room provided for, and leaving 2,850 children without any school accommoda tion in the light of the present Act of Parlia- ment. The official returns will be in the hands of the Privy Council by January 1st, 1871, and I doubt not will show the deficiency I have pointed out; and hence it follows that there must be a School Board for the parish of Aber- dare. I put this down as an absolute certainty we must have a School Board for this parish. Then the question comes, how is jthis to be brought about? There are three ways by which a School Board can be formed for this parish. First, — by an application from the Vestry as proposed in the resolution which is now before you. The rate-payers in Vestry have a right to ask the Education Depart- ment to grant them the power of forming a School Board. They may do this even if there was no deficiency of school accommodation in the parish. Secondly,—By a peremptory order from the Privy CouncilJ commanding us to establish a School Board in conse- quence of the present deficiency of school accommodation in the parish. Thirdly, -By an application from the managers of any school ia the parish now receiving capitation grant from Government. Should they be un- able or unwilling to carry on the school, they have the power to yield it up to the ^Education Department, and the department in its turn has a right at once to form a School Board to take up that school. We come next to the cost of these School Boards. This, at first sight, appears a very serious matter, but in our own parish it is not so formidable as it may appear at first sight. If the parish will of its own motion elect its own School Board, such a board will carry out the provisions of the Act with care and ecomony, as far as due regard to the efficiency of the schools will allow. Again, we should bear in. mind that all the present buildings will be made available as far as they will go. The School Boird will either purchase them outright or lease them for a specified time, or make such other arrangements as may be agreed upon between the School Board and the managers existing schools under the sanction of the Privy Council. Then again as to new buildi igs, additions to, or alterations of old buildings, the money can be borrowed from Government at the rate of 3J per cent and the repayment can be extended over a period of time not to exceed fifty years; this is jmt towards *he present ratepayers, and will place a part of the burden on the shoulders of those who shall reap the benefit of th' Act but so light shall be the tax tiiat it will scarcely be felt. Then as to the current expenses after once starting they will not be heavy. Taking tht rateable value of the propprty in the parish at £ 167,201, a p-nny rate will produce the sum of £695 13.1. 5d Now, looking carefully at the whole facts of the C IST and the present cost of working our public schools, I fully believe after the first two years' outlay-the extra c ot of set- ting the machinery in motion-we shall not be called upon to pay more th m three halfpence in the pound, per annum. This will realise 'he sum of £1040 10s. i id., and this sum well and wisely used will prove .trople to provide sound and effi- eient education to every child in the parish, ac- cording to the provisions of the Elementary Education Act, 1870." Now as to our duty in this parish in relation to this new law. Looking at all the surroundings of this Act, and the bear ing it has upon the population of this parish, I would respectfully but most earnestly ask the ratepayers of Aberdare at once to take the initia- tive, and apply for the necessary powers to form a School Board for this parish. This, in my opinion, will be by far the best course for us to pursue. Should we not do this, we shall have to accept one of two alternatives either be com- pelled by Government to establish a School Board, or have one thrust upon us by the Edu- cation Department, whether we like it or not; or we may have to submit to a third alternative —to have a School Board established in the parish at the request of the managers of any one or more of the existing schools. By apply- ing ourselves we shall save a large araouat of ex- pense, a great deal of trouble, and perhaps a large amount of ill-feeling. I may also mention tha* if wo do not get our board bufore Sept. 1st, 1871, we shall require our sohool regulations to be sanotioned by Parliament, which will be a source of trouble and enoumbrance, if not ex- pense again if we allow ourselves to oome in- to the position of a defaulting" parish the Education Department will not only elect a board for us, but will also pay the members for their attendance from moneys taken out of our pockets. By applying ourselves we shall avoid the ungracious act of compelling the mauagors of any one of the present schools to apply for a School Board for the district; which, I doubt not, will be the case if we to-day will not take immediate steps for the formation of a board for the whole parish. I think aud I sineereiy hope that it will be seen by the vestry that of the three modes of obtaining a School Board for Aberdare, the first is by far- the best, and I would thorefore urge all present to agree in at once instructing our overseers to. make the necessary application for the power to form a School Board for the parish of Aberdare. I beg now to move the resolution whioh I have read, to the effect that in the opinion of this vestry immediate application be made to the Educa- tion Department for leave to form a School Board for the parish of Aberdare. Mr R. H. Rhys remarked that if Dr Price would amend his resolution as follows, he would second it, viz. That this vestry is of opinioo that it is desirable that a School Board should be formed forthwith for this parish, and that the j Overseers call a meeting for the purpose of pa^s* 3 i*;g the necessary resolution, according to sectieA j 12 of this Act." A Dr Price assented to the amendment. 1 Mr D. Davis, Miesyffvnon, said he merely Dr Price assented to the amendment. 1 Mr D. Davis, Miesyffvnon, said he merely wished to support the resolution, the particular* of which had been gone into so fully by Dr Price. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr D. E. Williams pronoaed "That the Over. seers be requested to convene a meeting for the 20th December, at 11 o'clock in the foronoon, and that the notice be advertised in the Aberdare Times." The resolution, having been seconded, was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was passed, and the meeting terminated.