The Aberdare Times

UNPAID MAGISTRATES. A rather ee-ere s ntence recently pissed by the justices of Chipping Noiton upon some women charged itith an offenc; under the Criminal Law Amend mat Act, has directed public attention to the comparative advantages of paid and unpaid magistrates. On several previous occasions the extraurflinary decisions of country magistrates have awakened the same enquiry, and there is little doubt that the question will be raised again by similar cases. It is admitted on all sides that •*a tribunal composed of squires and clergymen is a serious and great evil, and that the employ- ment bf them as judges in important criminal cases ia fraught with the danger of mal-adminis- tration of the law, and it should be remembered that the gentlemen who are selected as the dis- p-niers of justice in the rural districts are, as a rule, ignorant of the law. Nor is this the only blot upou the system. Every magistrate who sits" in terrible show" is more or less influenced by local traditions and prejudices, and the un- fortunate prisoner who may go contrary to either the one or other must not expect much leniency extended to him. As an example of this, the public press have had, on so many occasions, to record tt-arfuily harsh sentences passed upon old wome n caught gathering two or three sticks from the squire's park, or starving labourers surprised in the act of "annexing," to use a diplomatic expression, a few turnips from an ad- jacent field. Indeed, justices'justice has become a subject of ridicule and reproach thioughout the co Lntry, and the appointment of stipendiary magistrates would most probably be welcomed the most heartily by the great unpaid, whom they would supplant. Fortunately for this dis- trict, such appointments have been made, and the manner in which the business of our police courts is conducted cannot fail to give general satisfac- tion. Such an act of legislation as this, sweeping though it must necessarily be, would have at last one good effect, namely, that of relieving a body of estimable gentlemen from the onerous and thankless duties they are at present called I upon to perform.

TABERNACLE CHAPEL.—An interesting social ,tea meeting was held at the above place of wor- ship on Thursday evening, the 12th inst., when thi re was a large attendance. Considerable busi- ness was transact, d. The singing was good. We ure pleased to report that the friends at the tabernacle bad arranged to present Mr Farr, t, (heir much resp< ct* d minister, with a receipt which entitles him to the b» npfit of the Pastor's Retiring Fund. Mr Farr has been very suc- CL-safut during his 12 months' pastorate in Aber- dare. We trust he may continue to prosper. MISSIOXAKT WORK AT ABEKDAP.E.—A!any of ( ur readers are awaro that considerable feeling 1 as been lately manifested in connection with missionary work in this town, the Nooconformist churches feeling that they need together put forth greater energy, and with better system in the matter. Our readers will be glad to hear that the matter is ripening into a more practical form. The feeling at tirst was that it would be well to employ a special town missionary and there are many who still continue to be of that ieeling. But the majority of the churches are more in favour of uniting to do the work them- nelves—to visit the streets systematically, with a view to find out those who may require encour to attt-nd the "means of grace." Ac- cordingly the place has been divided into dis- tricts, each district oiganising within itself to do the work. The town district, including Aber- ar.t, ;it a meeting held tnis week at Siloa school- I')<IIJ), has determined to commence with a gener- al praye r-meeting, to be held at Nazareth Chapel iitxi Monday evening. And it has been thought advisable to request all the churches in this (the town and Abernaut) district to seek among them- Alves by next Monday a number of persons- s me thin,; like ten per cent. who will be pre. 1 .red to undertake the work of visiting the tin. [S, according to a division of them intended to he submitted at a committee which will be held at Nazareth at the close of the general prayer-meeting. It is to be hoped that this movement will result in much good. ABERDARE BURIAL P)OA usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Clerk's Office on Wednesday, when there w,re present— The Rtv Dr Price, in the cbair, Messrs J. W. Jones, Evan Griffiths, and Morgan Edwards z, The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk stated that the body of a child had been interred at the cemetery, the death not having been registered. It was re- solved that in all caSt s in future the sexton re- quire the production of the registrar's certificate. The sexton's report was read, which referred to the body of David Jones lately exhumed at the cemetery by order of the Secretary of State. It also referred to the practice of erecting monu- ments, &c over unbricked graves in contraven- tion ot the 9th rule of the Board that two sur- plices were required that the contract for dig- ging graves terminated on the 15th July; and recommended that tenders for grass be advertised for, and contained an application for increase of salary. It was resolved that in future nothing but a head-stone or tablet, according to rule 9, be put over a common grave unbricked, whether the same be purchased or not. It was resolved that the surplices be ordered, and that the Clerk advertise for tenders fot digging graves. It was also resolved that the sexton's salary be increased to 30s. A grant of a grave space in favour of David Jones was duly signed and sealed, and grants in favour of Mr Lonie, Mr J. W. Jones Mr John Morgan, and Mr Stephen Thomas wer, ordered to be prepared by next meeting. The tenders for draining the north east end of the cemetery were opened. They were from Mr J. Hill and Messrs Jeanes and Hicks. Tho latter being the lowest was accepted subject to the con- tractors providing proper sureties. The consider- ation of obtaining a loan to carry out the drain- age work was ordered to stand over. ABERDARE SCHOOL BOARD.-The usuil fort- nightly meeting was huld on Thursday when there were present—jDr. Price, vice-chairman, in the chair. Rev. J. Evans, M.A., Messrs J. Williams and J. Wilkinson. Communications from the Education Department in reference to the Pen- ywain and Llwydcoed schools were read. The Clerk also produced copy of agreemenf between the Aberdare, Penywain, and Rhigos School Boards, which was approved of. The rest of the business was unimportant. UNLAWFUL WOUNDING.—At the Merthyr police-court, on Wednesday (Oefore Mr A. de Kutzen), three labourers residing at Aberaman, named David Davies, David Price, and Joseph Howells, were charged with maliciously wound. iag Thomas Longman, a navvy, at Aberaman, on the lOth inst. The otfence took place at the Royal Oak during a quarrel. They were arrested by Police-sergeant Melhuish, and committed for trial. THE MILITIA.—The recruits of the Royal Gla- morgan :Light Infantry Militia assembled on Monday, in Cardiff, for their annual training. Unlike the practice in former years, they are this year billetted in private houses, and a great num- ber of them accordingly have taken up their abode in private houses. ARKIVAL OF THE PEMBROKE AT CABDIFF.-The Pembroke left New York on the 28th of May, and arrived in Cardiff after the passage of 12 days, with 20 cabin and 12 steerage passengers, and a full cargo of American produce. During the voyage the weather was fine but occasionally foggy, Ihe following is a list of the cabin pas- sengers :-Mr and Miss T.N. James, Mrs Thomp- son and infant, Mr Francis Ward, Miss M. Rich- ards, Mrs Simon IbsJ, Vlr and Mrs George Cal- vert and Master Calvert, Mr and Mrs J. Q. A. Butler, Mr and Mrs C. L. Woodoridge, Mr and Mrs R. J. Richards, Mr Skuppell, Mr T. Mac- kenzie, Captain Sedley, Mrs Ellen Thorpe, Mr G. H. Thompson, Mr C. A. Becker. RIFLE CONTEST.—A friendly contest came off between an equal number of members of the Cowbridge and Aberdare Volunteer corps last week, which resulted in favour of the latter, not- withstanding that they shot with borrowed rifles. We append the score;- ABERDARE. tOo Yds. 500 Yds. Total. Capt. T. B. Powell. 17 17 34 Priv. F. Howell 22 18 40 Corpl. Thos. Phillips 18 20 38 Priv. John Aubrey. 21 21 42 it S. Oxenbam 18 23 41 E.Shannon 21 25 46 „ John James 17 19 36 1 Robert Brown. 20 22 42 Albert Howells.. 20 15 35 John Davies 20 11 31 335 COWBRIDGE. Lieut. S. I). Evans 18 21 39 Quartmstr. Jno. Thomas 16 11 27 Corpl. Jno. Thomas. 23 18 41 Priv. M. Thomas 19 22 41 „ Jno. Perkins 18 14 32 Col.-Sgt. E. Williams 18 21 39 Sergt. Jno. Williams ,.19 ..14. 33 Priv Walter Knapton,. 19 18 37 „ Fred. Miles 22 23 45 „ Thos. Xhonas. 16.22.38 372

MERTHYR BOARD OF GUARDIANS. -The ordinary weekly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, at the Board-room of the Workhouse. Mr G. T. Clark, (chairman,) pre- sided and there was a very largfi attendance of Gaurdians, Mr Fothergill, M.P., being also present. The minutes of the last me' ting were read and confirmed. 0 APPOINTMENT OF PAY OFFICKR. In accordance with notice duly given, Mr R. H. Rhys moved that in the 01>1111011 of this Board it is expedient that a pay officer should be appointed for the purpose of adminis- tering relief to the paupers of the Union." The speaker pointed out that sooner or later th y would be compilled by the Local Government Board to increase the number of their officers for the purpose of being able to obtain better infor- mation as to various persons in receipt of relief, and he thought this could best be done by the appointment of an officer whose duty it w 'utd be to pay the paupers as well as all orders made by the relieving officers. Iu consequence of the great railway accommodation of the district, there would be no difficulty in accomplishing this. He believed that there would be an objection made by some members of the Board on the ground that it would be an increase in the number of officers, and thereby entail a greater charge on the Union, but as he had previously mentioned, sooner or later they would be compelled to do this. It has also been stated as another objection that thj officers did not like to be r lieved from this duty, but he did not see why they should object to be relieved of so onerous a duty, and that could be no valid objection whatever. Mr Jenkin Matthew seconded the motion. Mr W. Gould rose to propose an amendment He set his face altogether against any further increase of officers, for by and bye there would be more officers than there were people to look after. The speaker then went into statistics, showing the decrease in the amount of out-door relief since the year 1870, showing that while for tho: six months ending March of that year, the amount of out-door relief for the parish of Merthyr (upper and lower) was £4,584 los. in the corresponding six months ending March, 1873, it was only £3,447 12s. 6d. He thought that as the officers were dsing ther duty in such a sitiafactory man- ner, with such assistance as could be given by the Board in the way of occasional revisions, tli, re was no need for any increase in the number of officers. Besides, he argued, it would destroy their means of obtaining information when the people found that the relieving officers no long r gave them money, but mer ly came among them for the purpose of obtaining information, they would begin to look upon them as a sort of spy or detFctives. The speaker thought that inu.ad of creating any more officers, the Board should congratulate itself on the great success which it had already met with in reducing the amount of out-door relief so far, and not throw a stigma upon the officers by making them into Poor- law detectives." He begged to move—" That in the opinion of this Board it is in xp.'dient at pre sent to make any i'1 the method of his tributing out-door relief. Mr Thomas Williams seconded this, lie did not look upon the relieving officers in the same light as Mr Rhys appeared to do. It was not they who gave the relie f, but the Board and he fully agreed with Mr Gould in saying that if the power of payment was taken out of tliu hands, they would be looked upon as mere spies and detectives whereas thay were no-, to a certain extent, locked upon as friends lie was glaa indeed that sue 1 an amount of reduction in the out-door relief had taken place, and he be- lieved this would continue to be the c ise. He agreed that paupers should be visited as often as possible, but this reduction which was going on would give the present ollicjrs niure timj to L (I e vote to visiting. Mr D. E. Williams also supported the amend- ment, and for this reason He believed taey had the Lest set of officers in the county, who had served the Board for a great number of years, and he thought they were certainly entitled to greater consideration :it the hands of the Board. He found, upon reference, that as a rule the ap- plications did not exceed fifty per waek, and the present staff could easily do all that. He could see no reasoa in continually harassing the old paupers by visitations. Their circumstances changod but little from year to year, but the casuals should be visited, and the present officers had plenty of ti ue for that. He could not see that the change was advisable, for they had good officers now, who, while distributing relief, con- sulted the interests of the ratepayers, and did not forget the wants of the poor. Mr William Harris could notooncur at all with the amendment, and be thought the strongest evidence of the want of more officers was given during the recent revision (hear, hear.) He did not know any argument stronger in favour of the proposed scheme than the fact that they found relief going into houses in which the family was earning as much as 40s per week, and if that was thought by the Board sufficient evidence of the full and proper discharge of their duties'by the present officers he would be silent for ever. This fact was a sufficient warrant, in his opinion to justify him in voting for the change. The Chairman considered this a very impor- tant motion, and one that would be very much discussed out of doors, and would be the subject of considerable difference of opinion. He was opposed as much as anyone could well be to the multiplication of officers, for he had seen the ill effects of it in other countries. In Germany and France, fur instance, it was carried to such an extent that in the latter country it gave the Government a power at elections which was used very much to the detriment of the country. It follows as a matter of course that if every other man was an officer, he would vote for some one who put him iu position. But the abuse did not take away the use, and it was necessary to have a sufficient staff to enable them to see their way clear to act justly. The whole system of < poor-law relief was a violation of the laws of political economy. There were reasons why this shculd he done, but care should be taken to act cautiously and manly. They should look with suspicion upon every person who applied to them for relief, and find out as much as possible of their circumstances. He did not think the duties of the present staff wonld enable them to do this adequately. The speaker expressed sympathy with the poor, but be had no sympatliy with pauperism, looking upon it as a canker that was eating out the vitals or the country. They should endeavour as much as possible to raise the char- acter of those who came before them, so that in future they might become hardworking and in- dustrious. To know properly how to act with discrimination they must be acquainted as far as possible with the circumstances of the applicants for relief. Those who had been honest and in- dustrious, trying to do their best, but who through misfortune had fallen into poverty, should be carefully and liberally dealt with, but the B lard should be hard upon those who were simply idle and thriftless. The speaker thought the Board wanted relieving officers as detectives they wanted men who could detect crime and shams. (Hear, hear.) The Board should be just; it should be able to discriminate between the real and unreal, so as to turn no real case of distress harshly away, or not to be taken in by any sham, and to do this effectually they must have information as to the character and circum- stances of the applicants who came before them Then, again, it was necessary that the officer should himself pay into the hands of each man the money that was allowed by the Board. By the present system the officers saw some of the paupers only once a year, and the money was sent to them weekly by some messenger. In one instance it had been discovered that such mes- senger (another pauper) taking 2s Gd a week to a pauper received 3d. commission out of it. There should be no intermediate, but the money be paid at once into the hands of the recipient. This was a time of great wealth and prosperity, so people could very well afford to be economicpl. The wealth was also healthily divided, so that the poorest ratepayers could afford to pay his quota as well as the richest. By degrees there wouldbeadintinution in the pauper class, the standard world be raised, and then it would be found that rates would diminish. Mr R. H. Rhys replied to some of the ob- jections which had been raised to his motion. He attributed the reduction in the amount of re- lief alluded to by Mr Gould to the severity of recent revisions, and thought that increased supervision would lead to increased reduction. His object was to raise the character 01 the peo- ple and rely upon it this was the time to begin. By Mr Gould's own showing there was about X716,000 expended half yearly in out door rdief, and out of this sum the salaries paid to officers was only £ 414 per annum, a most inadequate sum, The speaker hid no desire to be hard or harsh to the infirm or old (hear, hear), but he wanted to trample out all impositiun and do away with the d' e'it which had b-en s) long practised. He felt sure that many now in receipt of relief had no right to be so, and by keeping a good supervision a grent deal of imposition would bo discovered. He beli. veri the motion would have a salutary effect, and trusted the Board Would concur in his views. The Board then divided, with the following result.:—For the motion The Chairman, Messrs. Fothergill, the Rector, R. n. Rliys, Jeukiu Rees, R. Williams, Dr. Price, George Martin, A. Sutherland, D Watkins, T. Hosgood, W m. Harris J. W. James, Jenkin Mathew, John Williams, W. Williams, (Penderyn), and B. Kirkhouse— 18. For the amendment: Messrs. D. P. Davies, Thomas Williams, M. Edwards, D. E. Williams, T. W. Evam, P. Ree-3, J. Ritsou, R -e. Lewis, W. Williams, (Plymouth), RJv. W. Divi^s, W. Guild, D. Evans, J. W. Jones, aud M. Morgans — 11. Dr. Davies, who was present, did not vote. Tne motion was thereupon declared duly car- ried.

THE ATLANTIC STEAMSHIP COMPANIES THE GUION LINE. The peculiarity of the Guion Company among those ot the P)rt of Liverpool engaged in the Iransatlantic trade is, that it is almo-.t exclu- sively owned by Americans, and if), in fact, the result altogether of the enterprise of an American gentleman, Mr Stephen Barker Guion, of Liver- pool, and of the firm of Williams and Guion of New York. The Company is technically known as the Liverpool and Great Western Steamship Company (Limited); but its shares are in very few bauds, and are not o taiiiabi upon the Stock Exchanges either of Liverpool or New York. In fact, for all practical purposes, MrS B. Guion is the Liverpool and Great Western Steamship Company, the ordinary designation of which is the Guion Line of the United States Mail Steam- ers. The history of the Guion Line is a little curious. It did not start into existence as a full- fledged Steamship Company at the time when the Passenger Trade across the Atlantic began to be developed but, as a matter of fact, the firm created the Emigrant Passenger Trade for the Cunard Company and tha National Line to this extent at least, that it conducted that line of bu- siness for each of those Companies before they took it into their own hands. So to speak, they opened the Emigrant Trade for those who are now their competitors. About 21 years since, the firm of William* and Guioa was in possession of a fine line of sailing ships, widely known as The Old Black Star Line," wbich were engaged in the conveyance of emigrants weekly from Liverpool to New York. The great development of the Trade which took place at that time led to the establishment of the firm of S. B. Guion and Company, of Liverpool, an offshoot of the Am rican firm Und rthe direction of Mr S. B. Guion, the Old Black Star Line of sailing packets soon became known as tho Guion Line, which then consisted of some 20 of the fastest ships sailing between Great Britain and the United States. It will hardly be believed at this time that these Guion sailing ships carried no 1 ss than 1,000 emigrants to America every week ia the summer season. Th it is con-dd-rid a vjry Urge number, even in th. se days of steamer, for vessels sailing only once a week From this fact alone it is obvious that the Guion Company had turned the steam into their own channel, and that, when th. sup roession of sailing ships had become an ac- complished fact, they had a splendid opportunity bt fore them of founding a greatly successful Steamship Line. The first st'1P- of the Guion Company in regard to steam were of a somewhat tentative character. The highly sucrvs-ful sailing traffic did not, per- haps appear at the time a matter to be hurriedly dealt, with. Besides, there were at this tirne- about the yenr 1863-two powerful Companies in successful working, and another had just been in process of formation. In this year, accordingly, Messrs Guion undertook the agency for pas sengersandeargotothedrstattafnersofwhttis now known as the National Line. From 1863 to 1866 their great influence in the Emigration Trade on b dialf of these vessels, and in the latter year the National Line, took over the entire ma- nagement of the passengers and cargo business which had been so successfully de HI oped for them. The Guion Company also act d for the Cunard Company in the same way with reference only to emigrant steerage passengers. It may, therefore, be credited with having first organised that important branch of the business of the great Cunard Company. It is no impeachment of the enterprise of either of these Companies that it thought best to intrust the Messrs Guion with this Plrticular dapartment of its busines; for the fact was, the Guion Company had its immense experience and connection from its sailing line, and posesses information of the manner of work- ing the emigrant business which could not be known to these who had started as Steamship Owners without previous sailing experience. Messrs Guion were, it may be assumed, soon thoroughly convinced by their experience, not only that steamships alone would for the future carry the great bulk of the Emigrant Passenger Trade, but that, unless they wished to see the other Companies have a monopoly of the Trade, it was necessary for them to protect their inter- ests by entering actively into it for themselves. They accordingly communicated with the great Shipbuilding firm of Messrs Palmer, of Jarrow, and ordered them to construct four vessels, which should be among the strongest afiiat, and, in re- gard to speed, second to none. It must be con- fessed by any one who has inspected a Guion steamship that as concerns strength, there is no- thing to be desir d, while as to conveniences and appointments they are among the best of the steamers leaving the Mersey. The determination to enter into the Steamship Trade was the pre- liminary to the formation of the Limited Com- pany known as the Liverpool and Great Western Steamship Company. The pioneer vessel of the Guion Steamship Line was the Manhattan, a vessel "f 2,90(1 tons, r which has just left the Mersey on its 55th voyage between Great Britain and the United States. The Manhattan sailed in the month of August, 1SGG; and by April, in the following year, the fine vessel, the Minnesota, of the same tonnage was added to the line. The next vessel was the Nebraska, of 3,500 tons, which left in the suc- ceeding June. The fourth vessel, the Colorado, was added in June, 18G8 In the two following years the Guion Company increased their line by four more vessel,; -the Idaho, the Nevada, the Wisconsin, and Wyoming — vessels of 3,100 tons register. Another vessel, the Montana, of 3,500 tons, is just coming round, and is intended to sail during this month. This is a truly magnifi- cent vessel, and as regards her passenger carrying capacity is, perhaps, without an equal as yet among the Transatlantic steam fleet. It should be mentioned, in reference to the Montana, that her saloons are to be amidships, which is consid- ered to be an improvement upon the practice of having them aft; for, as everyone knows, the place where the rolling is least is the centre of the vessel. The Guion Company, on all their ships, have saloons upon the upper deck, with the cabins communicating with them —an arrange- ment which gives great advantages as regards both ventilation and convenience, and is esteemed as such by the passengers. This arrangement, by the rules of the Passenger Act, excludes the company from carrying more than a certain num- ber of saloon passengers. Another vessel, the Dakota, of 3,500 tons, will also be shortly de- livered by the builders, who likewise have in hand the California, of 3,300 tons, and the Utah, of 3,400 tons. The following is a complete list of the Guion Fleet, finished aud building :— Name. Captains. Tons. Horse-power. Nevada Forsyth 3,100 500 Wyoming Price, sen. 3,100 900 Minnesota T. F. Freeman 2,900 500 Idaho Morgan 3,100 600 Wisconsin.. T. W. Freeman 3,100 900 Nebraska Guard 3,500 500 Manhattan.. Price, jun. 2,900 500 Dakota Dewar 3,500 1,000 Montana Harris 3,500 1,000 California Beverly 3,300 1,000 Utah Mack 3,400 1,000 3").400 With tileso vessels a weekly service between Liverpool and New York is maintained. They leave Liverpo d every Wednesday, and Qiieen- stown every Thursday, and New York every Wednesday. It is quite evident that the grent additions which Messrs. Guion are making to their fleet point to a much more frequent service; and it is, in fact, contemplated, as soon as the Dakota is finished, to maintain a bi-weekly service both ways, the vessels leaving the Ports of Liver- pool and New York every Wednesday and Satur- day. It must be confessed that suv h a scheme as this displays a great bolduess of enterprise, which is deserving of thorough success. The Guion Company, as a Steamship Conip my, has ha 1 but an existence of seven years, ami it is already contemplating the despatch of two steamers weekly each way In the history of the Steam- ship Trade I know of no development so rapid, and at the same time so genuine. Oie cannot help thinking of the Yankee go-a-headitiveness which must be at the bottom of it. Tho Guion Company were late in entering the Steamship race, but they are running the early horses hard. They have the advantage of being the only officially recognised American line, the Owners on both sides b'ing citizens of the United States. They have likewise the prestige of the oarrying of the United States mails but the grand secret of their amazing success is, without doubt the splendid passenger organisation which the Guion Company maintained iu the old sailing days; and which they alone have, up to the present time, been able to carry into their steamship experience. I have had au o portunity of examining the steamship Manhattan, the pioneer ship of the Company, aud in must respects the vessel to-day is up to the latest requirements, although it has been cm the line for seven years, which, ill the life of a steamahi is almost a generation as re- gards the rate of improvement. It has one of the loftiest and airiest steerage compartment;? I have seen. Upon the lower deck the heig it ii several fret more than the Act requires; and if soace is a desideratum, then the steerage department of the Manila tan is not to be surpassed. The Guion Company is noted for the large number of steerage passengers it carries upon each of its vessels and, as a proof of this, it may be mentioned that up to the present time it has carried nearly 20'),000 passengers of all descriptions, without JOilS of life frolll aoeilellt, The Guion ships, al- though their chief features of construction are strength and solidi y, can, when it is necessiry, show their capacities o( speed, as ia the case of the Wisconsin, which this year made the passage from dock to dock both ways under 10 diys. It is really much more interesting than l' im- agined it would be when I first undertook this task to notice the restless activity of the Atlantic steamship Managers and Owners. Every year is almost an epoch. Every voyage is an event in the race of progress. There is not a vessel clear- ed from the Mersey which has not taught its lesson to the experienced and able men who have the conduct of these lines, and I can honestly say their object is always to push forward, without consideration of expense or trouble. As I have said, the Guion Company has had a steam-ship- ping existence of less than seven years yet it has three younger brothers. It is an ambitious Company. It has men at the head of it who are determined to make it still better known than it is and its American origin might perhaps excuse tho hope that it will be honourably heard of in tho immense future which U, beyond question waiting lot- the Transatlantic Steamship Com- panies. — Shipping and Mercantile Gazette.

THE COAL COMMISSION. The Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the cause of the present dearm ss and scarcity of coal reassembled 011 Mond iy, Mr Avrton in the chair. Mr Lothian Bell was called, and in reply to the chairman, stated that he was connected with va- riou^ iron works on the riv r Ryne a )d Tees, and 11 with iron mines in Yorkshire. He w is also one of the directors of the North-Eastern Railway, lie was aware that th price of coal had increased 1-irgely within the past two years. He believed it was absurd to attribute the present high price of coil to any combination on the part ol the masters, or to any independmt action on the part of the m *11. The real cause was the excessive demand which had been made upon the coal producers of iate for coal for manufacturing purposes. The wages cf the men employed had increas d largely, whilst the number of hours worked per day had been decreased so that the men were earning the same amount of money per week now that they did when they worked longer hours. He attributed the excessive demand for coal to the iron trade, but throughout the whole of England the manufacturing industries had in- creased very largely. Iron was not got on the Tees until 1853 or 1854. When they first began to smelt iron on the Tees, they bought large quantities of cohI for 6-t. 6d. per ton. Pricei had however risen greatly since that time. Running contracts were made to supply ironmasters with coal, generally for one year out sometimes for five. He had prepared a table of the quantity of coal rais:d in Durha:n and Northumberland during the last ten years, the figures of which he quoted and placed alongside of the amount used in the manufacture of iron. Th. returns for last year were taken from the evidence given before the Committee. He believed that during the last four years the output of the Durham coal-fields had considerably diminished because of the de- crease in the hours of th J workmen In 1871 15s, a ton was paid for pig-iron, it rose in price, and last July had reached the sum of 110s. per ton. Coke has also risen considerably. The ex- portation of iron had greatly increased of late ir w iS chiefly imported to Germany and Holland, a very little was sent to America. There had been complaint made of the difficulty of send- ing coal by rail; it was caused by the extraor- dinary deuund for the traffic. The Committee, at the conclusion of the witnesses' examination, adjourned until Thursday. ——————————-

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF MONEY FROM "CARADOG." At the Pontypryd.) petty sessions, on Wednes- day (before Mr E. Williams, Dyffryntfrwd, aud the Rev. D. W. Williams, Fairfield), William White, Cardiff, was charged witn stealing from the bouse ot "Caradog." the Treorki Hotel, a cashbox, containing £ 82 lis. 7d. Mr J. E. Price appeared for the prisoner. Caralog- said that hat Monday b^ing Treorki fair day he was busy in his bar. el Mr Stnckwood Did yon lose any money that day ? Yes, sir; but I had it back. (Laughter.) I About two o'clock in the a named Richard Lewis and Jot me. Davies had hold of the p carried my cash-box. Lewis cash-box, we saw this fellow didn't see him take it or I wou at the prisoner). The cash-b table within the bar. I had utes before this. It was loc in to the bar to drink, but no box was kept. The prisoner a barrel by tae bar door to re he had some one to knock for doing this to draw our attenti was orammed, and he watohe pose. Mr Stock wood Was it brought back you reckoned tl Caradog He had not tim< did not touch the money till The Bench Was it locke< Witness Oh, yes sir. W money in the box all day, bul that day. (Laughter.) Whe the prisoner pretended to be no more drunk than I am th Cross-examined: Cannot I drinking in my house that d the South Wales Choral U also. That is kept in a safct more care of my music than do more than one thing, do y The prisoner appear d to b the crowd gathered round h ever, were sober enough. H but his eyes. (Laughter ) Mr Price Was he drunk Caradog We are wastir laughter.) I did not make line to see if he were sober; John Davies, collier, Treoi ployed that day by Caradc about two o'clock, happen passage speaking to Mr Lewi er coming out of the bar wit his coat, a small portion of i after him, and found him house, near the booth tha seized him, and Lewis to< Asked him wiiere he yot tl made no reply. Witness tol to come ba; k to the bar, v well, Vtry well, all right." and handed him over to Car Polic -constable Davies sa er into charge, when he sa thought it was a cigar-box sober at the time. This prisoner now said b in defence, and he was co trial at the quarter sessions.

I3BS\KF\ST. COCOA..—QA —'• By a thorough knowledge of govern tlio operations of diffestioi careful applieation of the flna pi cocoa, Air Epp. has provided our delicately flavoured hevemge which doctors' bills." — Cioil Service Oct: Boiling Water or ,*ilk. Each pa Eppj & Co., HouKeopbthie Cbeinist; ot tOpps's Gacoine, a vtery tlyn bevoi Manufacture of Cocoq, QAcaoiae, i now _;ive an account of ttíe process a Kpp-i and (Jo., mvnufacturers of wurksinthe Huston ito 11, t CiinseU'a LTmsehold Quitle. CAUTIOX.—In calling the ai to a recent decision in the Ho case of "\V others? Ion v. Ullrrit elusive right to the use of the connection with Starch is indi would also intimate that thi$-- sale of the starch made by/tl and will subject the seller" of £ l(),00<). YVe beg to inornate have been induced to^uy it, from total loss we wilt allow the Glentield ^arclv Works, P for the genuine \u^(cle at the will entail a loss upon oursel v be broken up and sold for Wn, at the sa ne time be the mca Article useless for further deci ation th ic will leal to convict — II WOTEHRSPOON & Co. Beautiful ILiir.—The Plai will only use Mrs. S. A. Alien will have no trouble about the World's flair Restorer will po restore the natural original co greyness, no matter from wha Hair is stimuli ed to haturat balsamu.n," as a Hair Dressin is tlu best article that can IJ gloss all I vig)rous appear m beautiful to see. The Restore, mum, :5s., in large bottles 0 parations—not at all necessary — Depot, 2GG, High Holborn, I Chemists and Perfumers. VALUABLE Drsc )ygRY Po very nicely perfume i hair di Alexican Ilair Itenewer," now Chemists and Perfumers at 31. superseding all Hair liestojre tivehj restore, in every casqf 6 its original colour by a few dyeing it, or leavi,n< the flisa;r "Restorers." It makej the hi tiful, as well as prompting the bald spots, where t\1, glands ai tificate from Dr. Vfrsmann o full particulars. Ask for "1 RENEWEn," prepared by H. C, I Street, London. FLOBILINE -For the Teotb drops of the liquid Floriline' tooth-brush produces a pleasa, roughly cleanses the Teeth ft impurities, hardens the gtw stops decay, gives to the Tee whiteness, aud a.delighfcful fra It removes all\unple^'ant od< cayed teeth or tpbaeeb smoke, line being compg^a in part 0 herbs, it sometimes turns clou to the taste, and is the greater the age. Price 2s. <5d. for per jar for the Floriline POWI and Perfumers. Prepared by Oxford-street, London. rl^llK 11 iI It.—Por 4rt yenrs Mr< I Hair lt £ sronKii hii received t-tvourof the public, and co itribiitt te is of thousands ot persons whtlia ptvp,iratio > and th.e assur uceit of U It IS an unf.nhii;j specific to revivrf,' Original Natural Col ,t*r of t*es It aud iuvi^orscs irie a id ind ices a t»ealthy aiiT JSxuri prep trations cm pra luce tire same uy ait Ulxemnts and t'erfumers, Hit). Shillings- Depot,*260, High Holbcu THROAT AFFECTIOXa AND suffering from irritation of the ness will be agreeably surprise mediate relief afforded by tl: Bronchial Troches." Those fai now sold by most respectab country at Is. IJ44. per box F a hacking cough," a "iiii{ht ztffcccions,, cannot \try them t troubles, if allowe^L4;6 prog re: Pulmonary and Asthmatic affe words Brown's Bronchial T Government Stamp around Depot, 4M. Oxford-street. FOIt THIS COMPLEXION.—H gives a pure bloomia^ eompk ful beauty. Its tjlfcctll are gradual removes redness, blotches, pimples les, and mak s a lady of thirty 2 Magnolia Balm make^the skin appearance to th^ coudfteuancor 1 1 ist twenty five years. ~<SoldM alt in bottles at I'hroe ShilfcagV^ fiui Holborn, Londau. -3^ Holloway's Pills,-Weake sultry summer days strain tb and decrepit, and disease ma ome restorative such as these to correct the disord 1ril oway's medicine gives ease to which is the source of all vit presides over every action v growth and well-heing of the over estimate the uectssity ol well strung, or the'««se with complish that end. They an antidote to indigestion, irregi pitation, sick headache, and c th refore attained the largest putation. ADVICE TO MOTHEBS I- SOOTHING SYRUP roa OHII ways be used when Children it relieves the little sufferei duces natural qllÍet sleep by from pain, and the little chetti as a button." It is perfectly pleasant to taste. It aotOtAea a', the gums, allay\ all painV relic the bowels, aniA is thd best dyseuteryaud dia\rh<»^ wheth< d seateryaa(idi4 rii,e-.i y wliethe illg or other ca Mrs. Syrup is sold by trrbusauds of all parts of the woriq at ls., Millions of Mothers can test Manufactory, 493, Oxford-stfee ABERDAR Printed and Published by RI Tni3)PHrLUs LINKS Jones, riiiBS OPFrcu, Com nercial- the County of Glamorgan. SATUCBAT, June

WANTED, immediately, a LAUN DltKSS. Also, a Kl l'(JH EN iiAll). —Apply at th.* Book Hotel, -u \J P U 13 L I U SOT I L E. ri ^HI" is to give iNO I'lCH titat I will not be JL Responsible for ar.y Debts contracted by imy W I FE, ANN EVANS, after this date. Daltd this l.th day of June, 1873. MOUGAN EVANS, 6, Railway-una. L wllIamaD, near Aberdare. LLWYDCOED BAPTIST CHAPEL. TO BUILDERS. rpHE Committee of the ^bove Chapel are pre- I pared to accept Tenjirs for the Erection of a New (j A LLEH.l ,j to consist of four seats deep in frout, and three fceat^on each side. For par- ticulars apply to AiAJ/eorge Price. Llwydcoed. All Tenders to 0" sent in or before July 1st, 1873. The Committee do not biud themstlves to aocept the lowest or any Tender. Trecynon. W. H \RRLS. TO UUlLDEIiS AND CONTRACTORS. ABEllDARE RHONDDA STEAM COAL COMPANY, LIMITED. THE Directors of this C alffany are prepared to receive Tenders tarthe HJRKCTION of FIFTEEN WORKMEN'S COTTAGES at Hir wain. Tenders to be d essed to the Directors en- dorsed Tenders fdf Cottages," at tlie; registered office of the Company, Bnta i n i i Buildings, Docks, Cardiff, on or before Saturday, June 21st. at 12 o'clock at noon. Plans and specifications m ly be seen and full particulars obtained at the ollice of Mr. Charles Taylor, Architect and Surveyor, Merthyr Tydfil CANON-SLKEEF, A B ii n D A u E IMPORTANT TO CAPITALIST?. MR. T. WHITSUN JONES Has been favoured witii instructions to SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION At the Queen s Hotel, Alcrdare, On WEDNESDAY, the 18|fi day of Jine 1873, at 7 o'clock in the veiiiii6,, all that valuably BUILDING SITE atij^ining the Temperance Hall, Aberdare, cubipricing a frontage of ^7 fe t or thereabout, a d the right of using the whole of one pine-end, so much of the other as is built; with Ciller excavated and walled, fence wall, and other Conveniences. The proper ty"Hs held under lease from the Ecclesiastical Comni si-)riers for England for the term of 99 years from th* 25th of \iarch, 1854, at the apportioned ground relit Of XG 15a. Further particulars muy be obtained on appli- catiun to the Auctioneer; Air. Lewis John, Albert-street or Messrs Linton and Wuliams, Solicitors, Aberdare. A plan ot the ground may b) seen on applica- tion to Mr. J. L. Morris, Arcaitect, Clifton- street, Aberdare. MONEY. SEVERAL SUMS to advance 011 good LEASE- S HOLD SEO|jftfTY. Apply to Mr. liuc D. Rets, Solicitor, Aber- dare.

BIU THS, June 2nd, the wife of the liev. C. Wood, Eag- li-ih VV^leyau M inister, Aberdare, of a son. June 5fd, tho wife of Mr John gvans, Clive Villa, Clifton-street, Abcrdare, of a sou.

MOUNTAIN ASH. GOOD TEMPLARS. — On Monday last the Good Templars of this place celebrated the first anni- versary of the establishment of the Order in the town, by a demonstration and a procession. By one o'clock in the afternoon upwards of three hundred members, including the suboidinate and the juvenile Ldges of the Order, were assembled in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Shortly after a procession was formed, and marched (in full regalia) accompanied by the Pentyrch trass band, through the principal streets. Between five and six o'clock tea was served in the Work- man's-hall. Afterwards a public meeting was held. The chair wns < ccupied by Brother the Rev T. C. Phillips, D.G.W.C.T. The brothers who addressed the meeting were received with much applause. During the internals between the speeches, the members sang several Good Templars' odes on popular Welsh airs, such as Llwyn Onn," Codiad yr Ehedydd," Gwvr Harlech." 1

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.- (Before A. de Rulzen, R, II, Rhys, and D. E. Williams, /squires.) INEBRIATES.—John Watkins was charged with being drunk on Siturday night last. P.C. James found him at half-past 11 o'clock, in High street lying on the road in a helpless state of intoxica- tion. Fined lOs, and costs, or 7 days in default. —David James (late Rose and Crown, Mill-street) was charged with a similar offence. P.C. Ford saw the defendant in Mill-street, very drunk and challenging to fight. He refused to go away and was locked up. Defendant denied being drunk, having only had shares of three or four pints. Mr Williams observed that the defendant had probably taken the greatest share. Fined 15s. and costs, or 14 days. Defendant was taken down.-Sarah Rees, a married woman, was charged with a similar offence, in Station-street, on the 9th inst. P.S. Cross found her at a quarter to 12 o'clock on Monday night, drunk lying full length across the piveimnt. It ap- peared she had been fined 5s and costs so re- cently as the 28th April last, for a similar ( (Fence, and she was now fined 10s. and costs, or 14 day — Silas Pugh was brought up under a warrtnt charged with being drunk and riotous. P.C. Willia ns saw hi.n Oil the night of the 25th ult., in Canal row, Cwmbach, and holloaing at the top of his voice, making use of bad linguage De- fendant, in reply to the Bench as to why lie did not appear to the suinons. said lie was in Carmarthen- shire and lost the train on the privious Tuesday. The Bench took that as an excuse and no. d him 15s. and costs.-(;eorge Bishop, an < Iderly man was charged with Iving drunk at Mountain Ash P.S. Rodman proved seeing him come out of a house in Newtown, in a sta-, e of intoxication. He suspected that b er was sold in th, hou-e without a license he examined it and found beer there but could not make the case clear. Fined 10s. a' d costs.— Robert Prout another old m^n, was charged with a simiL.r offence in Cardiff-road, on Sunday. P.S. i tod am saw defendant drunk in the road as peo.de w,re coming from the Sun- day School. Defendant suid it was his first ap- pearance. Firied 109. aiid Edmonds was charged will, h.h.g dru; k "nd riutous at Mountain Ash. P.C. (Ja?tle saw him at 6 o'clock, on the night of the-2nd inst., in Cardilf'-road, Mountain Ash, drunk and cursing and swearing He also knocked the panels of a door in. FlIlPd 10s. and costs.—John Evans, an old mmi, was charged with being drunK, in Merthyr—road, hirwain. P C Poyuiz s i>v him very drunk and falling tboul ill* street on the 2nd int. Defend- b ant said it was his first of^e eFin i 5s- ai.d costs, DiWSK AND RESISTING TH". P -iicr — David James was charged with being d: T k, and Evan Roberts and John Kobertswera charged with resisting P C. Dyment in the ex jcution of his duty. The officer stated that at half pFst 9 o'clock Oil Sunday uight last, he saw the defendant Jauits in High-street very drunk and challenging to fight. He refused to go away and he took him into custody. The other two men then came on J tried to take James from him. Defendants had nothing to say in defence. The Bench thought they might at least have expressed their legret. James, whohad not been up fur fiireyi-ars, was filled 15s. and costs, or 14 days, and the other defend- i ants 20,. and costs each, or 21 days. LEAVINU A CAln UNPIIOFECTRFD.—Thomas Har- ries, the driver of a horse and cart, was charged with leaving the same on the road without any one in charge. P.S. Rodman said he saw a carl with two horses standing on the road oppo ite the Jeffrey's Arms, Mountain Ash, for some time without any oue in chdlge, The horses moved off and witness stopped them. Defendant was a quarter of all hour before he came tu look after the cart. Defendant's excuse was that he had gone into the house for refreshment. The Bench having dFawn his attention to the danger of leaving his cart on the road unprotected, fined him 10s. and costs. REFUSING TO QUIT.-William Thomas, a pud- dler, was charged with refusing to quit the Star and Railway Inn, on Saturday night last. George Price stated that the defendant came in drunk, about half-past 10 o'cloek, and refused to go out. Witness » nt for a constable to nut him out. De- fendant was not supplied with any beer. Defend- ant said he was too drunk to know what ho was about. The Bench reminded him that he had rendered himself liable to a fine of X5. They would however under the circumstances fine him only 20s. and costs, or 21 days in default. ASSAULTING A STATION- MASTER. — Samuel Davies and Daniel Jones were charged with being drunk and assaulting Mr Marsh, station-master, Mountain Ash, and a railway porter. Alfred Tamplin said the defendants arrived at the Mountain Ash station by the 10.42 p.m. train f: om Aberdare. He asked them for their tickets and they used abusive language, and Davies struck him in the abdomen. The other man did nothing. Mr Marsh also gave evidence implicat- ing the defendant Jones. ihe latter pushed him against the gate and many passen .ers escaped without delivering their tickets. Both defend- ants were given in charge. The Bench fined them 20s. and costs each, or 21 days in default. "SIX OF ONE AND HALF A DOZEN OF THE OTHEU."— M argaret Fry was charged with assault- ing Mary Ann Thomas at Mountain Ash. There were cross-summonses, It appeared from tha evidence that both parties made use of abusive language and afterwards scuffled with each other. The Bench, failing to discriminate between them and considering both liable to blame, fiued them 5s. and costs each. OVERCROWDING.—Michael Fynn and John Vaughan, both of Gwawr-street, Aberaman, were charged at the in,tance of the Board or' Health with heaving their houses overcrowded. Mr Gery appeared to prosecute. In the case of the former it appeared the house was let to two ten- ants, and the summons was withdrawn. It was understood that a fresh summons would be issued against the owner. In the case of Vaughan the number of inmates having been reduced, the case was dismissed on payment of cost of sum- mons. TRANSFER. — On the application of Mr Rosser (Rosser and Phillips) the license of the Rock Inn, Aberaman, was transferred from James Naysmith, now of the Mount Pleasant Inn, to Josiah Eman- uel, late of the Anchor, Aberaman. COAL STEALING. — John Moyle, engineman, and Mary Jane Jenkins, a respectable looking girl, were charged with stealing 301bs of coal, the pro- perty of R. Fothergill. Esq., M.P., and others. Mr Simons, who prosecuted, drew attention to the fact that Moyle had been for many years in the employ of the company. P.C. David Evans stated that on the 29th ult. he was in plain clothes on Mr Davis's tramway, and noticed some signalling from a girl near the river side towards the spot where defendants were. He went on and saw defendants near a coal heap close to the boilers. Mary Jane was piling coal into a heap. She had a bucket in her hand, which she put over a wall on to the tramway When she saw him she commenced running away. He told her it was no good, and she came back. She said in the presence of the other prisoner, I didn't think it was any harm. It was John gave it to me." Moyle answered, Yes," and told witness he had no right on that side of the river. The bucket was filled with coal, with cinders placed on top. Would swear there was 201 ba- weight, value 2d. Moyle was sentenced to six weeks' hard labour, and Jenkins was cautioned and fined £ 1 and costs, or 14 days.