Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL. By Jet Haumsehmith. I eee that a great deal of abusp has been heaped of late upon the men who abstain from alcoholic liquors. A number of licensed victuallers met together at the Bush Hotel. and after a. big feast, washed down probably with something stronger than lemon squash, they went for the poor "teetotaler.' They called him a faddist, a crank, a lunatic, a busybody, a fanatic, a spy, and heaven knows what besides. Thpre are a few abstainers, I suppose, even in Merthyr. How are they going to survive this attack ? The teetotaler may be all that the publi anssaidjhe was. He may be a fanatic, with his poor head full of fads. And yet he is not altogether devoid of virtue. As a rule he goes to work regularly he does not spend his earnings on selfish pleasures, leaving his family to starve he does not beat his wife, or drive his hungry children out of the house; he does not have to pay visits to Mr. North at the Police-court on Monday mornings, and there are no ten shillings or ten days" in his history hs is respected by his neighbours, and looked uiw>n as a reliable man; he plays his part as a citizen honeatly and well, refusing to sell his birthright for a pot of beer. These tilings oan hardly be said of every drunkard. Low as he is, vulgar and despicable all he is repre- sented to be, the teetotaler can yet give a few points, I venture to think, to the drunkard. If I wanted some- one to do an important bit of work foi me, I think I would choose a teetotaler to d o i t rat her than a d ru n kard. You can trust a teetotaler, as a rule you cannot always place absolute confidence in a drunkard. Did anyone ever hear of a teetotaler being'urged to liecome a drunkard ? We are continually exhorting drunkards to become abstainers. Does any father advise his son to take to drink and grow up a drunken sot ? Does any mother recommend her daughter to cultivate a thirsty soul, and make a gin-sponge of herself ? On the whole, and looking at the subject from every possible point of view, I cannot resist the conclusion that the abstainer, with all his fads, is a better man than the drunkard. If I were a publican I don't think I would abu-e the ahstainer. It is bad business form. I never pay any- thing derogatory of tbe people who do not pation'se my Smithy. If I did, people would soon attribute motive", and insinuate that I spoke evil things of them simply becHiise they did not favour me with their custom. The public would side with them, and go against me. And the public would bo right. The abstainers do not indulge in personal abuse of the publicans. It is not the publicans they blame, but; the habit of drinking. And when the publicans pour the vials of their ridicule on the abstainers, they may rest assured that the sympathy of the community is given not to them, but to those they denounce. The Rctelery meeting aCCardiff was a sight to remember to one's dying hour. I have seen many big meetings in my time, but never have these weary eyes of mine witnessed a night comparable to the central portion of the Canton pavilion, the standing area," as it was called. It was one solid, compact mass of humanity. Never, in the annals of the race, I veritably believe, were so many human beings wedged in the same area of space. I do not think that a single one of them could have turned round to save his life. How they managed to inhale enough oxygen to shout Mahon is a mystery that will never be solved bv mortal intellect. And what an army of pressmen I should say there were enough of them to make up a eouple of Tory smoking concerts. The audience, before the meeting proper com- menced, took the reins of government into their own hands, and bade this man do one thing and that man another thing. They ordered Mabon to sing, and told him what to sing. Like a wise man, Ma!>on obeyed the orders of the sovereign people. They commanded Mr. Lloyd George to make a speech. Which incident, duly considered, is an instructive one. There were several Welsh M.P's on the plat- form. Sir George Osborne Morgan was there, a man who was a veteran almost before Lloyd George was born. Some South Wales members were there, who were in Parliament years before Lloyd George was heard of. Tom Ellis was there, the hope and pride of his nation three years ago, then the Parnell of Wales." And yet Lloyd Geonge was the man whom those ten thousand people in Canton commanded to mount the rostrum and make a speech. Four years ago his name would have been known to but very few of them. They would then have called for Tom Ellis, or Sam Evans, or some other South Wales member. But now they call for a man from the extreme end of North \I: ..les, a young solici- tor with neither money nor influential family connec- tions to help him fight the battle. He has conquered by the might of his own intellect, by the exalted ardour of patriotism, by the charm of eloquence. He has done things which but few other M.P's would have dared to do. There is in him the courage and pluck to lose his life so that he may save it. The retention of his seat is not the paramount object in his view. He acts according to nis conviction, come what may of the seat. Will he be the leader of the Welsh party in the future ? Time will show. Perhaps he had better not be leader. Possibly lie may serve his country more effectively hy being a freelance. At all events, he has won the love and confidence of his fellow country- men in all parts of the Principality. The incident referred to at the Rosebery meeting bears witness to the place lie occupies in the hearts of the Welsh people. Though the poorest of our M.P.'s, he has not sacri- ficed his nation on the altar of personal advancement. Three years ago the one we all looked to as the deliverer of Israel was Tom Ellis. Tom is now lost to us. He will make his mark in imperial politics, and I wish him success from the bottom of my heart. But to Wales he is for ever lost. He cannot be to his countrymen what they thought and hoped he would be. Intellectually he is by far the ablest of our members. His defection is one of the saddest trag- edies in our modern history. Concerning Rosebery's speech, we of the Smithy fraternity do not all agree. Of course we all regard the Premier's pronoi>;cement on Disestablishment as completely satisfactory. But the question is, will the speech, as a whoh', Strengthen his position as Prime Minister and leader cf the Liberal Party'! Some say it will, and that all his detractors have been silenced for ever. Others shake their heads, and doubt whether the f peech was one of those "large utterances" which we expect from first rank statesmen. They say it was too academic, that it was smart and clever rather than great. For my own part, I take a neutral jxjsition. Time only will show whether Lord Rose- bery is strong enough to lead his party. He is a man of many good qualities, and I sincerely and heartily h >pe that he will prove equal to the task imposed upon him. On Monday morning the postman handed me a letter addressed as follows: "Joe Hammersmith, Esq., The Merthyr Smithy, Merthyr." It is fiom my brother Bill, who is a youth of great promise and many virtues. He writes thus:- Dear Joe,—I am your little brother, Bill 'Ham- mersmith but until I saw you occupying a prominent seat at Lord Rosebery's meeting at Cardiff last Friday I did not know that you were doing such good work, the result of your Sparks in, as well as out of, the thickly-populated coal metropolis of gallant little Wales, Merthyr. How you have grown since last we met Doesn't that sound a bit thick ? I mean dramatically thick. Being the recipient of a free copy (keep it dark) of the Merthyr Times each week, I wander through the Sparks 'very greedily, appreciating the good advice that is meted out to the weak enjoying the pills that are cast at the heads of the strong but reckless beings who help to make up the important local governing bodies. If your readers would hut follow your advice, much good work could be accomplished in the future, but the attention and labour of individuals are required to do it. There is a danger of thinking, dear Joe, that the affairs of the towns in which we live do not concern us, that they are matters with which we have nothing in common. But we have everything to do with wnat is going on we have everything to do with what has been going on, politically as well as socially, from the very beginning of the world. As a result of the interest whicn men take in such matters, people are more enlightened, more happy, more near perfection. And believe me, Joe, your columns of advice and comment will have a beneticial effect upon your readers as wall as the general community. You have a splendid correspondence column, Joe, through which the .people may air their grievances and upbraid the men whom they have elected to legislate locally, or to doll out parish relief, if they fail in their duty; that is, providing correspondents conform to the rules of your smithy. Without intending to imply that there are any shortcomings on the part of the new District Council, it is a healthy sign when the ratepayers interest themselves in the manner in which their representatives conduct the business of the district. In the absence of the sym- pathy or criticism of their constituents the coun- cillors may do too little or too much. As liberty in national affairs has to be preserved by eternal vigilance,' healthiness in local government can only be achieved by cordial co-operation between those who be achieved by cordial co-operation between those who provide the money and those who spend it. I T J ^OW I Potest against the idea that is'taking root, I do not say in Merthyr especially, that increased concern in lo^al affairs must hear a political hue. There was too much of this spirit infused into the District Council election, and it's unhealthy. In some places contests are being fought by one political party against another. The Conservatives, I need hardly sav, particularly are the offenders in this respect. They set up as indeper d nt;<, and use all the local Conservative, I beg pardon, dear Joe, I mean unionist'organization, such as it is, and influence to support a candidate simply because he is a Con. servative and to defeat another candidate simply because he is a Liberal. Some of the pamphlets sent cut within the past few weeks stunk of politics, to say nothing of a perfume called 'Bung.' Such a proceeding is calculated to sap the vitality of local government, and to bring about a political deadlock in which the real business of a District Council ffoes to the wall. I am thankful, dear Joe, that you are fighting against this spirit; all conscientious men are rtound to support your views. Allow me to suggest, dear Joe, that a word of wi. rn mg m tins respect may be specially useful at the pre- sent time, when candidates are being sought for the County Council. The men wanted to form County Councils, District Councils, Boards of Guardians. &:c are those who are ablf! to take a common sense view of such questions as sewerage, lighting, water suppiv the safety and cunvemence of buildings, financial, and other, affairs. What connection a man's views on these matters has with Disestablishment, Home Fvule tor Ireland, or Local eto, it is difficult to see. Thecandidatesfor the District Council whooppor-ed the old and tried hands contend that the rat4 are tQO lush, and that there has been extravagant expeu- f diture, the water coming in for a good criticism. If the new candidates, whose only programme was the half-crown rate, put forward thie contention simply to gain votes for themselves, they did not act on the square. If they really believe the money of tbe rate- payers is spent extra vaeajitly, where was the need to claim the support of the "Unionist" organisation? But has there been any extravagance? A pure and ample water supply is the greatest need of any com- munity. There is, as you Know, dear Joe, such a thing as false economy, and care should be taken that this mistaken jjolicy does not come to prevail in Mer- J thyr. Though I do not say that the present rate could not have been lightened to some extent by a ) committee composed of good financiers, I contend that ¡ if low rates be synonymous with bad drainage, ¡ defective lighting, insufficient and impure water, then surely all sensible members of the community will wish to avoid falling into this error. I Now, dear Joe, I must olose, trusting you will do I your btat to put down the wrangling that was characteristic of the meetings of the now defunct I Local Board, and which has already shown itself to t be present in the new Council. Why, how now, Billy Bowles i Sure the priest is maudlin How can you, d d your eouls, Listen to his twaddling.' I (Btrox.") I

FLASH-LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE MERTHYR THEATRE. For the first time within the recollection of most of the inhabitants of Merthyr, on Friday night last, at the Merthyr Theatre Royal, a flash-light photograph was taken of one of the scenes in the "Slave Girl" by Mr, Fred Betts, High-street. Merthyr. In the fourth Act Esther," a white slave girl, was tied to a stake for the purpose of being whipped by the over- seer of the negro plantation. The son of the owner of the slave, who Is an officer in the South American Army, is in love with Esther," and he, with sword in hand, rushes on to the tragic scene in her defence. The overseer is knocked over, and Esther is safely guarded. When the drop-scene was pulled up a second time all lights had he!"n put out, the theatre being in darkness. Mr. Edwin Bett* manipulated the flash-light at one of the side wings, while his brother, with the camera, was lopated in a private box on the "prompt side. At a given signal, the l>eau- tiful light illumined the whole building, lasting for about two seconds. The portrait was most success- fully taken iu one-fiftieth pr.rt of a second. Mr. Lockhart. the proprietor of the piece, and the whole of the ladies and gentlemen forming the company, on seeing the proof on Saturday were highly delighted at the result. Tbey expressed the opinion that if they had only known such perfection in flash-light photo- graphy could have been obtained in Metthyr they would have had each act photographed. Mr. Lock- hart said that both in and out of London many photo- graphers had trie! the experiment, but in each instance they had failed to secure a picture to their satisfaction. He war.nly congratulated our respected townsman upon his success. We should state that not the slightest hitch occurred in the performance in fact, those of the audience'who did not know of the experiment that was being tried, could not but lielieve that the light was a part of the ordinary play, so admirably did it fit in to bring about a lrotter reali- sation of tbe tragic occurrence. The light was under Mr. Betts' own command, he himself being the inven- tor of an apparatus through which the light was obtained. Mr. Betts, whose chief aim is to have per- fection in this work, is very pleased with the results of his trial, and the townspeople should feel proud of the fact that a Merthyr boy Itorn and bred has suc- ceeded in doing what other? have failed to do. We congratulate Mr. Betts oil his success, and wish him continued prosperity in his profession.

INDIGESTION. — The MEDICAL REFORM ± SOCIETY will send 1' REE to all applicants an excellent BOTANIC CURE for Indigestion, Bilious- ness, Liver Complaints, riles, Rheumatism, Gout and Bronchitis. Address—The Secretary, BOTANIC INSTITUTE, NOTTINGHAM. [2828, The "Mkbtntr Times" is delivered to Suhsmlmrs at and addrfgs in Mertihvr and DoilJais. Country subscribers can 'na>-e their copies posted on Thursday morning in time for the first delivery on Friday mcrning.

I THE ALLEGED OUTRAGE AT CAEDRAW. An inquest was held before Mr. R. J. Rhys, coroner, at the Merthyr Police-court on Friday afler- the death of Ellen Connors, wbo died on Wednesday morning from the result, it was thought, of injuries received on Christmas E\ e. Mr, Thomas Flooks was the foreman of the jury. The coroner addressed the jury, and asked them to be very careful in listening to the evidence. The first witness called was Kate Sullivan, who said she was a daughter of the deceased. Her father, 1 James Connors, was an assistant-tiinberuian, and lived with her mother at 19, Upper Taff-street. The deceased was 52 years of ace. and died on Wednesday morning. She was struck about nine o'clock on Christmas evening, and had been ill ever since. She was stnick in the first place by Thomas Dri^coll in the middle of the street, near the Corner House, Mary Ann Barry, Driscoll's a.unt, also struck and drew off some of her hair. No one else touched her. She fell to the ground when Driscoll struck her, and whilst on the ground Mrs. Barry etruck her. After the was picked up, two policemen took DriscolL, and Mrs. Barry attack her again. Driscoll only struck one blow. 1> £ c$&3 £ 4 fell after being struck the second time by Mrs. Barry, but witness could not say that j her mother's Tiead knocked against the pavement. A neighbour, named Mrs. McGuire, took her home, but the doctor was not sent for until the following Friday. Deceased was able to go out on the day after she had been assaulted and was about during the week. The row begau by Driscoll fighting with witness's husband. Witness went to part them, whereupon Driscoll struck her (witness). Her mother then came on and told him "Don't kill my child." Driscoll replied "Oh.ycuarahere, you grey-headed old cow," and struck her. Driscoll was not very drunk, but be had bad a drop. Deceased did not touch him before he struck her. Mrs. Connors had taken a few glasses of beer, and was not quite sober. She used to take a glass of lm now and again, but was not a habitual drunkard. in reply to a juror, witness &aid her mother was struck on the head by Driscoll. Until that day shs had never been ill, bnt had complained of her head continually ever nince that day. Her mother was not uueonscious all the time. There was no mark on the head, but one side of her bead was quite bald, because Mrs. Barry had pulled her hair. Mary Marshall, wife of Jeremiah Marshall, said I live at No. 1, Pietoti-square, Caedraw. I was standing in the street when Mrs. Connors caught hold of me by the arm Driscoll followed her, anS struck her on the left side. I did not see Mrs. Suliivan because there was a large crowd around. Deceased did not fall to the ground after she had been struck by Driscoll, who was then taken into custody. Mrs. McGuire and I took her to ttue house. I did not see Mrs. Barry btrike her. She was complaining of pains in the head. The left side of bar face was dirty when she took hold of my arm as if she had fallen to the ground. I did not see Mrs. Barry in the crowd.Bv r. Flooks: I cannot say if she had been beaten before she took bold of my arm, but she was covered with mud. Annie McGuire, sworn, said I am the wite of John McGuire, and live at 10, Picton-square. 1 saw the fight lietween Driscoll and Sullivan the latter was taken away, and Driscoll was left b«hind. Mrs. Barry then came up and began to beat Kate Sullivan. Soon afterwards I saw Driscoll striking Ellen Connors, who was covered with mud, and standing against the wall with Mrs. Marshall. Deceased did not fall. Driscoll struck her on the side of the face. I did not see her abused afterwards. I cleaned the mud off her face when we went to the house, Rud she said, "Oh, Annie, 't;llle' and his aunt have killed me." Mrs. Connors showed rue a bald patch on her head and complained of pains in the head. The blow given was somewhere about the temple. Driscoll was striped to the waist and was drunk.—In reply to a juror witness said that deceased's bead migtit have struck against the wall, but she did not ftee it. George Smith said that he was a liihonrer residing at No. 2, Taff-street. He "w Mrs. Connors lyinsf in the gutter, picked her up, and placed her to lean against the wall, He saw DriBColl arrested, but did not see him strike her. He might have struck her without witness seeing him do so. When arrested by the police he had his arm upraised as if in the act of striking. Mary Tooniey swore that Driscoll did not strike Mrs. Connors, but Mrs. Barry and deceased had a fight and had hold of each other's hair. Deceased fell down, and Mrs. Barrv fell on top of her. Mrs. Connors was then taken home. This was after Driscoll had been taken into custody—about ten minutefe afterwards. P.C. Dove proved the arrest of Driscoll. Driscoll was standing in the middle of a crowd, stripped to the waist, and challenging people to tight. Witness did not see him assaulting any one. The crowd num- bered about 150. Driscoll made no statement. Dr. Benjamin Pope Viret said he was a fully qualified medical practitioner, and waa an assistant to Dr. Ward. He first saw deceased on January 4th at her residence. She was in bed and complained of severe headache. She was perfectly conscious, and there were no pigtls of bruises. Late on Tuesday wit- ness saw her asain, and she was in a semi-conscious state. During the night she became paralysed on her left side. On the 15th she was quite unconscious, and died about eight o'clock on Wednesday morning. At three o'clock in the afternoon witness made a post- mortem examination in company with Dr. Ward. There were no external marks of violence, and on turning back the scalp there was no sign of bruises and no fracture. On moving the skull cap Iia found that the outer membrane of the brain on the left side was bulging. On removing this outer membrane there was a hemorrhage occupying the whole of that side of the brain about half an incu thick all the way. The brain was very much flattened on that side, and the whole of the brain was soft. Oil cutting i.ito the brain there was no sign of hemorrhage into the brain substance, but all the arteries were degenerated. The heart was pale aud flabby, and on the right side of the chest there were signs of o!d pVtn\v. The organs were pale and soft, and theotherarteries were degene- rated. The cause of death was hemorrhage from the membrane of the brain pressing out the brain, and the hemorrhage might have been natural, judging from the degenerate condition of the vessel*. This mi^ht have been possible in any woman of full habit ana of that age, and the hemorrhage might have been caused by excitement (|uite apart from v iolence. At the same time it might have L-vcn caused by general violence. The hemorrhage must have come on gradually, and the slightest tnp showing no mark at all might have caused it. The Coroner dw*ltat length upon the discrepancies in the evidence of thepiinei|)al witnesses, but Jwlieved that after the medical testimony as to the cause of death, no jury in the woild would couvi jt. The jury conferred for a short while, and brought in a verdict of Death from natural causes." On Saturday, Thomas Drisscoll was brought up before the magistrates, and Inspector Coles having informed the bench that the coroner? verdict was one of natural causes," was discharged.

PRESENTATION TO A MERTHYR FOOTBALLER. On Saturdav night a very interesting gathering took place at the Bdle Vue Hotel, the occasion being the presentation to Mr. W. Harris, of Aberdare, a member of the Merthyr Football Club, of a gold watch-chain, and shield (xmdant. Mr. Harris is about to leave the district in order to undergo a coutv.e of study at Culhaui College, near Oxford, and the reeni- !>ers of the club, together with a few outside friends, determined that he should not tje j>erniitted to take his departure without carrying with him some tangible token of their esteem. Tllfl presentation of ¡' the gift,which was purchased from Mr. C. H. Flooks, ofPontmorhiis.wasmadeby Mr. Alfred Edmonds, who. in addressing the assemblage, said they had met for the puriHjse of recognising the merits and services of a young gentleman who had devoted himself in the most self-sacrificing manner to the interests of fnot- ball at Merthyr. For many years football in Merthyr seemed to be under a cloud, but recently, under more favourable auspices, the national winter game had revived considerably, and a good deal of that revival ¡' he thought might be attributed to the gentleman whom they had met to honour. He could venture to say that no footballer in the whole district had I thrown himself more thoroughly into the game, or had devoted more time to it than Mr. Willie Harris. There were some footballers who would only turn up on a fine day there were others who would only play when they thought they might distinguish themselves and there were others again who always played a distinctly selfish game, and never tried to sink their individuality. None of these charges could be brought against Mr. Harris. He was 120 fair weather footballer, and on every occasion on which they had seen him play in one or other of the three rear lines they had recognised that he always played a plucky, straightforward, unselfish and clever game. To him was due a large measure of the success which the Merthyr club had attained during the current season. He was sorry that there were not present a larger numljer of the first fifteen, to bid Goa-spewd to their old comrade. Mr. Harris was laying himself out for the w.-vrk of education, which was one of the noblest undertakings upon which any man could enter and he was sure that all Mr. Harris' friends wished him every success in his new career. Mr. Edmonds then handed the chain to Mr. Harris amid loud applause, and in acknowledging the gift the recipient said he felt very grateful for the handsome way in which his services on the football field had been appreciated. He had always found the Merthyr men as good and as jolly a lot of fellows r.s it was possible to meet, aud if the members only stuck j together he lnilieved the Merthyr club would "l>e one of the best around the hills. He had always tried to do his I)e,,t with every team in which he had played, and if everyone was animated by the same spirit much better results might sometimes IJtI secured. Mr. E. D. Evans, Mr. David Harris (Abercanaid), Mr. Harry Davies, Mr. Percy Ward, Mr. Jones (secretary of the second fifteen), Mr. T. Jones, and Mr. Baities -the laM; two being the gentlemen by whom the presentation had Ix-en originated—also" spoke a few words, conveying their good wishes for Mr. Harris' future welfare. rrr ■ m •

ALLEGED ASSAULT AT DOWLAIS. John Bryan was charged at the Merthyr Police- court with unlawfully wounding Mary Minnahan.— Mary Minnahan said that defendant broke her window with a poker, and when she went outside to see who it was, he struck her with the poker.— l-Äward Linnahan said that he saw defendant strike Minnahan with the poker.—Michael Minnahan corroborated.—Dr. John Evans examined prosecutrix's head, and found a wound an inch-and-a-quarter Ion?, on the top of the head, exposing the bone. It could have been produced by a blow of the jx>ker (produced). It might have been caused by a violent fall against the wall. -Sergeant O'Neil said lIe charged the prisoner, and he said She broke our windows and struck the old man with a stone I don't say I didn't use the poker. I threw the poker through the broken window. I will swing for her."—Defendant called I for the defence, John Griffin. 21, Plough-court, Dow- lais.—Defendant was committed for trial to th" Assizes. All kinds of printing rvin be done noa<lv. f-beaply and e»- peditiously at, Hie T'?/.rs Printin; AVorls. Merthyr. Every attention is paid to the smallest as well a the largest job, Apply to the Manager.

i METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER, Recorded at Brynteg. Approximate height abo\e sea level, 6S5 feet. P-itf. DirwtrioD of Rain- Thermometer Readings. Wind flail- Max. Min. Wet. Prv. Jan. 17 NW >23 41 23 55 35 ,,18 SW -OS 43 51 M 34 » S -70 44 37 43 43 ,,20 VE -75 43 37M 09 „ 21 XW « 37 34 M 35 .• 22 w -0 39 27 33 33 2.3 NW -16 42 35 40 41 Total, 2-87. ■-11L L.i — ■

PLAIN POLITICS. [Br Maenhiil] At the invitation of the Editor of the Mtrlbitr Tbntv, I have agreed to write a few notes from time to time on current polities. In 1"0 doing I shall endeavour to free myself from some of the restrictions which hamper the ordinary party press. The unwise and unfair attempts of certain South Wales Liberal organs to crush the Welsh Revolt, in the interests of the Scotch Cabinet, furnish a useful lesson as to the ev ils of official journalism, and the dangers of trust- ing to its voice. I had intended to made the great National Liberal Demonstrations the subject of my notes this week. Bnt after all, those demonstrations did not amount to very much. It was simply the full-dress parade of official Liberalism a good deal of blank cartridge was fired, but not much shot, and the general feeling left behind is one of emptiness. Lord Roseljery's jibes at Mr. D. A. Thorns were amusing, but hardly stimulating to the party at large. The Premier stated that he desired to hare no enthusiasm in the party, and his speech was admirably calculated to achieve the wished for result. j An event of far more practical importance is the announcement, of course through the Tory organ, of I Sir Edward Reed s long-threatened resignation. ¡ Though by no means the first time that the resigna- tion has been handed in, this is the first time that the gallant knight has refused to withdraw it. Even the offer of £ 2.000 towards his next election expenses has failed to induce him to change his mind, and to abandon the constituency with which rumour savs that he has provided himself, in a quarter nearer London. The Litperalt3 of Cardiff are certainly to be pitied at this moment. The late Caucus in the Merthyr Boroughs was a broad and democratic institution by the side of the tiny millionaire clique by which the party in Cardiff ia run. Some half-dozen of these persons, several of whom are actually not members of the Thousand, and in municipal contests openly rank themselves with the Tory Party, have, it is said, already met and chosen a candidate hehind the backs of the dumb, dri\en herd who form the rank and file of the party. Benighted Swansea District has the opportunity of choosing its own candidate, after ample opportunities for discussion, and for bearing the iews of the various aspirants to the seat but the proud metro;olis of Wales is, it seems, to .1' bought, sold, and delivered in a closet by the least Libers) Li beta!" ill the constituency. I do not know who is the fortunate person honoured with the confidence of the quasi-Unionist clique in qustion. Whoever it turns out to be. he will have to encounter a very bitter and determined opposition from the democracy. Of this opposition you will hear nothing in the official press, which has its own candidate for the vacancy but I will, with the permission of the Editor of the Mcrth>/r Thn>t, keep the public informed as to the iiittigue-- which are secretly in progress. The various local inanie.. which have been mentioned may be dismissed as not likely to assume t-erioua importance. A local candidate ia very seldom found to unite all action: of his party. On the other hand I think the distinguished stranger policy is dis- counted. The unfortunate experiment made sometime ago with regard to Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice was not calculated to encourage that sort of thing. More importance may be attached to the rumour freely current in the best-informed circles that Mr. I D. A. Thomas's name will lie one of those submitted to the Thousand. T am not in a position to say whether Mr. Thomas stand* well with the alleged leaders of the party, but I know he is far from un- popular with the party generally, aud he stands I rather well just at present with the working men. So far as uniting all sections of the party goes, he is as good a candidate as could lie found, though of course I as a platform speaker, lie must suffer by comparison with Sir Ldward Reed. The remarkable faetti iii tht. situatiou are two: First, the general feeling of relief at Sir Edward's depicture it is as if a cloud had rolled away and secondly, the equally general apprehension that unfair trickery ha,- been resorted to. and that the con- stituency will have no real voice in the selection of Sir Edward's successor. I have just beard that a memorial is receiving numerous signatures, calling upon Mr. I) A. Thomas to allow his name to be submitted to the Cardiff Lilieral Association. I understand this is being done wholly without previous consultation with Mr. Thomas, so that I am quite ignorant of how it will be J received by him. It is unfortunate that he should be away at this crisis. It is a relief to find the barren monotony of Tory politics diversified by an actual difference of opinion. I have just been made the recipient of twodocuments from which I gather that there is a strong, and even bitter antagonism between the views of the Cardiff Conservative Working Men's Club, and those of the Cardiff Conservative candidate, on pauper immi- gration. The first document is a blue and yellow bill, oil the back of which the club denounces the landing of pauper aliens in violent terms, and honourably dis- tinguishes Mr. Havelock Wilson. M.P., from the ruck of Radicals, for his support to Mr. Lowther's resolution on the subject. The second document is a blue leprint of a speech by Mr. J. M. Maclean, in which that gentleman bad a good deal to say about pauper immigiytion.' He pronounced it a ticklish subject," and said that anything in the way of legisla- tion should be done reluctantly and with ( great circumspection." He did not think a man was necessarily a bad immigrant be- cause he was a poor man." And further on be in the chaste language of the editor of the speech, rough on Wilson. But in order to bring out the contrast between these expressions of opinion I must really resort to double co]umns Th" Coiwrrrativc Club's The Conferral tie Crrildi, 1 Vie! There are 50,000 Ger- mans, 45,000 Russians and Poles, 20,000 French, besides nearly 100,000 other foreigners, includ- ing 35,000 in the textile districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Fellow Workmen, du not support the party that defeated the Bill brought in by Lord Salis- bury to stop thew shoals of foreiguers coming here to sweat down our la- bour. date's Vina;. } The population of England has heen éll- ricbed in resources and variety by all those ele- j uieuts which had come to us from France, Flanders j and Holland, and even j from Poland, and hadj l.oeeu incorporated in the great j>eople :;f this coun- try. j He, for his part, ,m ntild If sorry to see this country lose the character j it had tthtayabaduf offer- ing lil>eral aud sracious hospitality to persecuted people from other eOUD- tries. If he (the j poor immigrant) had a clear brain and a strong pair of arms, he thought him a. very desirable man to have." It is a lilt]. difficult to understand the object of the Tury organisation in sending out these hostile pro- nouncement in same wrapjter. The voter is perhaps invited to pay his money and to take his choice. rer- j sonally, my sympathies on th's question art. wholly with the Working Men's Club, and Mr. Maclean must look elsewhere for support.

DOWLAIS MECHANICS. The Dowlais mechanics seem to have taken it as & matter of oonrse that information regarding their intention to abolish the aliding-scale sboola iiave found its way into the columns of this journal, and there was a toel absence of that feverish anxiety to I know who wa" our informant that was so markedly shown a few months ago. The situation, we under- j stand, remains unchanged, no fresh development baring taken place during the week. This is not to be wondered at, seeing that the time for handing in the notices lia, not arr, willnotarrivefor another week. But there are not wanting indications that the men are not united, and it is certain that all of them who broke away from the old lodge and established the new one will not hand in the notice to terminate the scale. We have seen some of the men who will not do so, and they declare that not one balf of the 600 men who may be said to be included in the scope of the new lodge will hand in the notices. How* h*r this statement is true or false we are unable to say, and probably thf full extent of the-defeetion will not be known until the day for handing in the notices has actually arrived.

MERTHYR. Colovkl Howaep Yjvcrnt, M.P.—Mr Valentine W atson, Conservative agent, would be pleased to receive names of those intending to be present to-morrow (Friday) at tbe meeting at tbe Temperance Hall, Aberdare. A few seats reserved. [2835 J. Jkeehlah, the only ag-ent for Samuel Mason's Frize Bar Fittings and Bar Engines, for Merthyr, Dowlais Alierdare. Pontypridd, Mountain Ash, Rhondda Valley, Rhytnnev, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Bryumavvr, Blackwood, &e.. &c.—Address, J. Jere- miah, Bar Fitter, Plumber, and Decorator, 36, High street, Merthyr. and 2, North-street, Dowkis. Estimates free distance no object. Fre=h fish daily from all parts of the coast. D. Price, of Dowlais, begs to inform his numerous friends and patrons that he has commenced business at No. 54, Giebeland-street, Merthyr, and he hopes to be favoured with a share of their patronage. Fresh oysters daily. A II kinds of fish in season. Families waited upon, with bill of fare, every morning. Note the address 54, Glebeland-street, Merthyr. 2575 J. F. DOCTON, Sanitaiv Plumlter, Hot-water Engineer, Bar-fitter, Gas-fitter, Bell-fitter, and General House Decorator, has just received a choice and well-assorted stock of Paperhangings—sale price from 214L per piece. Hundreds of job lots of paper- hangings must he cleared out regardle-ss of price to make room fur our new stock uf paperhangings. Our gold paperhangings, from 9d. per piece, i- a marvel of cheapness. A staff of experienced workmen regularly employed. [ADTT. lJÛRU Roskbehy AT Cardivi .—Our readers will be glad to know that in view of the above visit, a large stock of Roseliery Collars ready for Disestablishment have just arrived, and are now selling at J. W. Morris's, 10, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. Special lines in winter suitings and overcoatings are being offered at great reductions in order to effect a clearance for our new Spring Goods. Specialities, 39s. 6d. Overcoats and suits, 38s. 6d. All orders executed on the 6remises by experienced workmen. Don't forget the OMebery Collars in 4 fold linen, and the address, J, W. Morris, 10, Pontmorlais. Hallo! What's this Genuine sale of hats, caps, shirts, ties, collars, gloves, mufflers, umbrellas, etc etc., at Edviwds", 35, High-street, Merthyr. On Saturday next and to continue for 14 days. Every article reduced. The stock of Gents' Mercery—of the best manufacture—which is comparatively new, must be decreased to make room for the latest production of the British looms. Saic quotation being oftentimes misleading, no enumerations of the various bargains will be made, but customers will find a genuine and honest reductiou all round. No job lots bought for sale purposes. J. Edmunds, vfhe Hattery and Hosiery, 35, High-street, Merthyr. I.O.G.T.—The usual weekly meeting of the Hope of Merthyr Lodge of Good Templars was held on Monday. A love letter competition caused much merriment, and was followed by impromptu speaking. School Boakd Report.— The Eighth Triennial Report of this Board is now ready, and any rat-e- payer mav have a copy on application at the office of tbe Board, 13 Courtland Terrace, Merthvr. THP. Old CnrscH. — It appears that the work of restoring the old chureh at Merthyr. and of erecting ¡ the long-talked-of peal of I )ellg in the town, is to bw I proceeded with forthwith. Women's Liberal Association.—As will be setn from our advertisement column, a meeting of the Merthyr and District Women's Association will 1 e held at Zoar Vestry, on Monday evening next, at half-past seven. Tht atkical.—We understand that Mr. Will Smithson, who at all times endeavour* to please the Merthyr public, has made arrangements whereby the famous Turner Opera Company will visit Merthyr in March next. Unionist Meeting.—Mr. J. M. Mack-an, Con. servative candidate for Cardiff, has written to Mr. Valentine Watson, the Unionist agent, saying he will address a meeting at Merthyr in the third week of February, providW that a dissolution does not occur in the meantime. Mkhthtr Working MexV Building Swiett.— An appropriation by sale in connection with tiiic society took place la*t Mondav, the buver being th« owner of registered No. 85, who holds four shares at a premium of £ 30yer share, making a profit of JB120 to the society. ote of thanks to Mr. J. T. Docton, for presiding and conducting the sale, was passed. Yntsgau Y.P.S.C.E.—The usual weekly meeting of the above society was held on Wednesday evening when the Rev. P. W. Hough, pastor, presided. A most interesting and instructive paper was read by Mr. Richard Jones on The life of David." The paper was followed by short addresses bv sev eral of the memlters. Tabernacle Tkmteramk Societv. — On Monday evening a competitive meeting was held in Tabernacle Schoolroom under the auspice." of the Tabernacle Temperance Society. The Rev. D. Price, pastor, was the chairman, and a v ery lengthy and interesting pro- gramme was gone through. The schoolroom was crowded. District Rkgistkv FOr. Mei;thti;.—We under- stand that the application for making Merthvr Tydfil a District Registra of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice has been under the consideration of the Lord Chancellor, and it i* understood that it has been very favourably received. A reply mav shortly be expected. Hope Mutual Improvement SOCIETY. -The usual weekly meeting was held on Thursday, when Mr. T. David lead a paper "Did Cromwell confer any lasting benefit upon thie countrytaking the affirma- tive. Mr. W. Edwards, M.A., Mr. D. T>avies. Mr. F. Beddoe, and Mr. H. M. Lloyd also addressed the meeting. On a vote being taken 19 were for the reader and four against, several remaining neutral. Next Thursday Mr. John Evans, F.L.S.. will iead a pap*sr on Mute Sermons." Social Gatheiung and Presentation.-On Wed nesday evening a very interesting gitbering of ths Church Choir, was held in the St. David's School- room, the object being to present Mii-s Aunie Davie* with a hymu book, ancient and modern, on the occa- sion her lea^ ing the town for Resolven. The Rev. Mr. Davies, curate-in-charge, handed the book to the recipient, who is a member of the choir, and accom- panied it with a few „j. «i, ThH evening was afterwards spent in a verv convivial fafhion. Irish National League.—At the usual weekly meeting of the 4'TW. E. Gladstone" Branch last Sun day, the President, Mr. Humphry Coughlau, in the chair, an acknowledgment for k9 sent last week by the branch to the executive was read to the meeting". The following resolution was pas-ed in deep silenc* That we s;ncerHy regret the death of Mrs. Ellen Coonor-, and tender a vote of deep sympalbv aud condolence to her husband, Mr. James l'onnorb. and family in their sad bereavement, and we all the more readily gi'.e this vote because the entire family are. and have been, staunch supporters for sev eral "veais of the Home Rule cause." Umtakianism.—The Unitarian Church at Tvvynv- rodyn have given » call to the Rev. T. G. "William" of Newark, Nottingham, which ha^ been accepted! The new pastor will preach ou the 1st Sunday in February, aud enter upon his new duties in April, lie is -aid to be a young gentlemen of exceptronal ability, and it:" to be hoped "hat the selection will be one of mutual advantage to looth congregation and pa.stor. He is anati veof Lampeter. Cardiganshire, and went through the Unitarian College at Manchester. On Sunday last the Rev. William Robinson. F.G.S., of Londou preached morning and evening. Sunday Evening Sacked Sekvk'es. Ti). usual Sunday evening service was held on Sunday m the Temperance Hall, there being, as u.ual a larg-m attendance. Mr. H. W. Souther, Afrrth ur h*prr$s, occupied the chair, and Miss l'ollie Jones. A.L.C.M.] accompanied. Mr. Joseph Maurice conducted th« singing, and the Abercanaid Drum and Fife Band, under the baton of Mr. J. W. Radnedge, were present and rendered selections. The service commenced with the marcli Gloria by tbe band, followed by tbe hymn "Safe iu the arms of Jesus. A reading and prayer came next after with the solo Call them In was sung by Mrs. Chambers, and the band gave a selection Gospel messenger," The Welsh bymJl O gariad, O priad," was suug by the audience,'and an English address was delivered bv the Rev. E. George Thomas, M.nrlais. The recit. and air. If with all your hearts" was relldel ed by l'lr. H. Morris. The band having given the selection. "Gospel Trumpet," M)ss BJodwen Maurice recited The lu-t shilling. The popular solo '• Flee a- a bird wa treated to a capital rendition by Miss Annie Rees and the hymn "Stand up fur Jesus" hav ing Ijeen sung the Ijenedict.on was pronounced and the service termina- ted. Police Court.—Monday, before Messrs. W. M. North (stipendiary), Thomas. Williams, and C, H. James. Tiriu,ei:s.—The following is "a list of the boozers for the week ending Sunday, 20th Jatr.iarv, 1395 -Ellen Sciivens, David Morri*. Daniel Hogan.' lieniainin Jones. Evan John. Thos. lludden, J*. Buckford. T. Price, and W. Jono. Gwih trt Llewellyn, l«-sidi .< facing the I ¡Ii t charge, had to answ er another^chaige of a.-vaulting P.G.oie s in the execution oi his duty, and fined i,2 and cost. or month.^—Okscene Language. Emma Davie.- way charged with us:ug obneene language in Piautatiuii- scprirc, on 12th Jauuaty.— P.C. Adam-* said he heard her using bad language aud calling out to a neighlionr. She was .standing oil her owu doorstep. ~A fine of 5. and costs or seven days was iutlit:teù. E'; J ixting Woek.—John Connor was charged with neglectin? his vvoik without leave on 12th Januaiy at the Dowlais Gas: Works.—Michael Huiley said that (i e fend at I tI I u did not appeal) began iiix turn ahvdit but during a temporary absence of witness mana,r»-d to get drunk. Mr. Griffiths (fiom the office uf M). Gwilym C. Jaiucsl prosecuted and stated that the Company claimed £3 a- damages. Judgment for that amount in eash. S*v.»w '-ai i ;vg. -Several bov were summoned lor throwing .-nowbaHn and fined '=!«. tvJ. each, including -just.. A number of lad w-re ako summoned foi -lidiitg and mukted in tht: aui6 pvualty, (L'v utivurd ee A'crf Tvje.j

which would cling to them all their life, and make them more useful and more intelligent citizens. Now the question is, should the State step in and raise the age-limit, compelling all children to ramain in school longer than is the case at present! There is only one answer to be given to that ques- tion, and that answer is "yee." That ia what it will have to come to eventually, and the sooner the better for the sake of the commonweal. The cry of "tyranny" will probably be raised. But so far from being tyranny it would really be the greatest kindness both to parents and children. Mr. Price, one of the Merthyr Board staff of teachers, and the new president of the Teachers' Union, is of opinion that the curriculum is over-crowded. If t), the problem we have to face is this our chil- dren do not remain long enough in school, and during the time they are there they get a smatter- ing of many things and learn nothing thoroughly. It would seem that, in education as well as in other things, we have our work cut out for us. Sm Edward Feed is leaving Cardiff, and Mf. D. A. Thomas is one of those named as probable.'$fudi- dateste succeed him. Cardiff can be retaiiiSd for the Liberal Party only by a very strong candidate. Mr. Thomas is beyond question the strongest man We have, and he would weld together into a. harmonious whole all the different sections of Liberalism in Cardiff. His commercial oonnectiona with the town are many and influential. Speaking generally, it would be very difficult indeed to find a stronger Liberal candidate for Cardiff than Mr. Thomas. At the same time, his present constitu- ency would regret very much to lose him. His popularity here is now greater probably than it ever Was. He is esteemed and loved as a man, and trusted aa a representative. There is not a Liberal In the borough who would not be exceedingly sorry tO see him leaving us. But if he, and he alone, is the man to hold the fort at Cardiff, then we are loyal enough to the party to lose our hold of him and give him permission to go, however deeply we might regret the parting. His whole political career has been associated with the Merthyr Boroughs. Here he launched his barque on the stormy waters of politics. Here lie has gone on from strength to strength, steadily gaining influence bj^dint of quiet, hard work, until to-day he is the most potent factor in Welsh politics. To part with him will be a painful wrench. Were it any other constituency than Cardiff we would not hear ot his going. Instead of taking him we wish Cardiff would relieve us either of the junior member, or of some of the ambitious candidates who cleave to us with such embarrassing persistence. Cardiff can have any or all of them and wclcome. Alas that cannot be. And if Mr. Thomas decides to go, pitiable and woeful will our plight be then. Liberal candidates will descend upon us like manna from heaven, each backed up by his own clique, and each tugging away with might and Ulan. at his own little wire. There is no one, no authority, no organization, to pick and choose, and We shall be entirely at the mercy of candidates and committees and cliques, of drawers of beer and Pullers of wire.

MERTHYR SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES. INTERESTING SPEECHES. Dn Saturday evening, the distribution of certificates successful students of the Merthyr Science and Classes, took place at the Penydarren Schools, the chair being occupied by Mr. C. H. James, J.P., the chairman of the Science and Art Committee, con- nected with the School Board. There were a'-so Present, Alderman Thomas Williams, J.P. (chairman °f tlie School Board), Councillor D. Davies, Mr. Rees Price, Mr. W. Edwards, H.M.I.S., Mr. E. Stephens Herk of the School Board and secretary of the Classes), and Mr. W. L. Daniel (official receiver). Mr, Stephens presented the annual report as follows;— These claBses-20 in science and 12 in art—com- menced the session in October, 1893, and closed with the examinations at the end of May, 1894. 559 stu- dents enrolled themselves in the several classes ^gaintt 644 in the previous year 445 were presented •or examination against 568 in the previous year and passed against 175 in the previous year, showing a percentage of passes on number presented of 36 per mmt. against 30 per cent. in the previous year. A lot of good hard work was done by both teachers and students. The passes merely indicate the success, out the unsuccessful efforts possibly deserve almost equal approval. The numbers for ihe several classes are as follows :— rmnfDARRKN: Presented. Passed. Teacher, Mr. W. 1. Knox. '93-4. '92-3 '93-4. '92-3 Machine construction 18 23 9 13 Applied mechanics 13 21 5 5 Nteam 9 12 3 4 Teacher, Dr. C. E. G. Simons. Theoretical ohemistry 9 12 4 7 l'ractieal advanced 11 17 3 4 Teacher, Mr. G. F. Harris. Art-freehand, model, 5a, 3b, 5b, &c. 101 163 30 50 Art-practical, plane, and solid geo- metry 21 33 8 17 Abermoruis Teaehcr, Mr. W. Moss. 1 r*ncipies of mining 10 15 5 4 Abkrcasaid Teacher, Mr. W. I. Kncx. •ichine construction 4 8..2 1 "actical plane and solid geometry 7 0 4 0 Teacher, Mr. J. E. Trice. r'nc'iples of mining 0 8..0 2 I>OwuII' Teacher, Mr. B. Thomas. Principles of mining 15 19 3 10 Ueology 5 0..2 0 Mkrtiitr VAM Teacher, Mr. Henry Davies. nneiplcs of mining 11 0 7 0 Gctl>sy 5 0 2 0 Advanced Elemkxtart School. Teacher, Mrs. L. Rogers. Human phvsiolosv (eveninsr) 29 10 .• 19 8 Hy-f.ene „ 8 0 7 0 Human plivsioloarv (day) 39 78 23 11 Hygiene 34 48 11 14 Teachev, Miss J. Jenkins. J rt.. (evening) 38 31 12 14 Teacher. Mr. Go I'lemiBg. Sound, light, and heat (day) 10 18 1 0 Mathematics 21 14 4 4 Physiography 26 28 1 4 Practical, plaue, and solid geo- tuetery 6 7..0 0 Total 445 563 161 172 The giant earned during the past session is not yet to hand. A balance-sheet of the receipts and expen- diture cannot, therefore, be prepared at present. puring the session 1893-4 323 students were enrolled in the several ambulance classes, and 208 presented fur examinaiion. Shortly after the commencement of the present session, Dr. Simons resigned the charge of the chemistry classes, and Mr. T. H. Kemp was aPpointed in nis place, and with this exception and the transfer of the Abermorlais mining class to the care of Mr. H. Davies, the county mining lecturer, the classes are continuing this session under the same teachers, but so far with fewer members. Mr. C. H. James delivered an excellent address on education, which is published in another column. The following is a list of the candidates who were successful at the examination and who received certificates :— Abt.—Penydarren Classes: Freehand Drawing, elementarystage, first class, Thomas D. Williams, Augustus Houlson second class, David H. Lloyd, Margaret M. Price, Hannah T. Bowen, Samuel Thomas, W illiam E. Thomas. Model Drawing, elementary stage, first class, Thomas D. Williams; second class, James Parry, Augustus Houlson, Hannah T. Bowen, Ceridwen Bowen, John H. Jones, W. H. Murray. Perspective, elementary stage, first class, Phillip V. Jones second class, Polly Jones, W. M. Murray, Eleanor Attwood/David H. Lloyd, Maggie Morgans, Mary Parry, William E. Thomas, Howard T. Sampson. Drawtng in Light and Shade, elementary stage, second class, Edward W. Jenkins. Freehand Drawing, advanced stage, second class, Samuel Thomas, Charles A. P. Harris. Model Drawing, advanced stage, second class, Edward W. Jenkins, Margaret M. Price. Drawing in Light and Shade, advanced stage, second class, Edward W. Jenkins, Charles A. P. Harris.—Merthyr Advanced Elementary School: Freehand Drawing, elementary stage, first class, Lily Macdonald; second class, Edith A. M. Sampson, Jennet Kendley, John Allen. Model Drawing, elementary stage, second class, ¡ James Stroyan, Edith A. M. Sampson, John Allen, Ida Davies," Lily Macdonald, Jennet Kendley, John E. Thomas, George F. Astle. SfJKNCK.—Penydancn Classes Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, pass, John H. Jones, Oswald J. Watkins, James Parry, David H. Hoyd, Joseph James, Elizabeth Davies, Margaret M. Price, Charles A. Angwin fair, Maggie Morgans, William J, T. Couch, Eljen Farrissey, Machine Construc- tion and Drawing, advanced stage, second class, Richard Rawlinson, George E. Know; elemen- tary stage, pass, Frank Skilling, Augustus Honlson, Thomas 1. Thomas; elementary stage, fair, John Edmonds, Thomas W'lliams, David J. Jones, Edgar B. John, Alfred Harwood. Applied Mechanics, advanced stage, second class, William P. Lipsett elementary stagp, pass, Henry A. Phillips elementary stage, fair, Henry J. Lewis, Joseph W. Price, Earnest W. Parsons. Inorganic Chemistry Theoretical, elementary stage, pass, Arthur Lewis, Hugh Morgan, Even L. Jenkins, Albert E. Jenkins elementary stage, fair, Charles A. Angwin, James A. Lewis. Inorganic Chemistry, Practical, elementary stage, pass, Arthur Lewis, Hugh Morgan, Stanley Yaughan elementary stage, fair, Evan •Tone- Evan LI. Jenkins, James A Lewis. Steam, advanced stage, second class, William P. Lip- sett elementary stage, pass, Georee E. Knox, Henry A. Phillips elementary stage, fair, David L. Davies. Book prizes awarded to Stanley Vaughan by Science and Art Department for success in suhjcct 23g in National Art Competition, value Ll.-Do%Iai" Class Principles of Mining, advanced stage, second clasr>, David D. Griffith elementary stage, pass, John Powell elementary stage, fair, John L. Jones, Win. Davies, Caradoc Jones.—Abermorlais Class Princi- ples of Mining, elementary stage, pag", John Jones, John LI. Owen, John Thomas, Rees Hopkins, David Davies elementary stage, fair, Rees Griffiths, Chas. Leonard, David Lloyd, David J. Hughes.—Plymouth Works Bandroom Clashes Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, elementary stage, pass, Peury H. Williams, M. 15. Lowe, E. M. Attwood, Charles P. Bates. Machine Construction and Drawing, advanced stage, second class, Charles P. Bates elementary sta^e, pass, Thomas H. Nash elementary stage, fair, Wm. Nash.—Merthyr Advanced School: Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, elementary stage, fair, H. T. Sampson. Mathematics, sccond stage, second class, Thomas T. Bevan, Howard T. Sampson first stage, pass, George F. As lie, John E. Thomas first stage, fair, James Stroyan, Trevor Parry Idri* Williams, William T. Davies, John Allen, John R. Davies, Christopher Williams. Sound, Lrrht, and 1:hat¡ elementary stage, pass, Howard T. Samp on elementary stage, fair, Thomas T. Bevan, George F. Astle, David Millward, Idris Williams. Human Physiology (day and evening classes), advanced stage, seeond class, Lily Macdonala, Annie M. Price, Martha E. Anthony, Ida M. Dixies elementary stage, pass, Rachel Thomas, Winnifred Clay, Mary Lewre, Rebecca, Mathews, Ethel Wootton, Gertrude Lewis, Clarice S. Wootton, Hannah Morris, Kate Hughea, Katie IWilliams, Winnifred Morgan, J. W. Morgan, Enid F. Radnedge, LalIra E. Lewt?, Pnscilla Roberts, Margaret A. Williams, Sarah A. Probert, Sarah Williams, M. J. O'Neill, Elizabeth Dani-1, Bronwen Williams, Maud Lewis, Sarah Turner, Elizabeth Oriel, J. Evans, Sarah Price, Lizzie A. Evans, Lizzie M. Thomas, Annie Daviea, Ethel Jenkins, Bessie Gwladys Gilleland, Edith M. Sampson, Joan Maliphant; elementary stage, fair, Isidora Astle, Eva G. Brown, Maggie Davies, Margaret L. Davies, Olive S. Evans, Margaret Farrissey, Ada Gould, Bessie John, Mary G. Lewis, Florence S. Lewis, Martha E. Lewis, Sarah B. Powell, (Elizabeth M. Roberts, Mary M. Roberts, Mary E. Rees, Naomi Symon?, Edwyna Williams. Physiography, elementary sfca^e, pass, Idris Williams; elementary stage, fair, \Villiam T. Davies, Dipby Jeremy, James Stroyan, Bertram C. B*sley, William J. Docton, Frederick C. Morgan, John Allen. Metallurgy, elementary stage, fair, Watkm Moss, William Jenkins. Hygiene, advanced stage, first class, Margaret M. Price, Gertrude C. Jones advanced stage, 6econd class, Ida M. Davies, Alice Townsend, Winifred Morgan, Winifred Clay, Katie Williams, Lily Macdonatd elementary stage, pass, Clarice 8. Wootton, Martha E. Anthony, Laura E. Lewis, Maud Lewis, E. A. James, Winifred Walters, Annie Davies, Katie Hughes, Agnes B. Williams, Mary Morgan elementary Rtage. fair, Alice M. Davies, Sally Davies, Olive S. Evans, Alice J. Edwards, Gwladys H. Gilleland, Margaret A. Jones, Ethel Jenkins, Bessie John, Mary Lewis, Florence Lewis, Bessie Marks, Rebecca Matthews, Bessie Phillippe, Sarah A. Rolierts, Mary E. Rees, Mattie Rees, Sarah Thomas, Lizzie M. Thomas, Edwvna Williams. Marv Watts, Isidora Astle. French.—Merthyr Advanced School First class, Edith Francis, Rebecca Matthews, Annie M. Price, Gertie Evans second class, Annie Jones, Joan Maliphant, Rachael Davies, Sarah A. Harry, Jennet Kenaley. J. W. Morgan, Gwladys Gilleland, Emily G. Lewis, Eva Kdwards, Edith Sampson, Laura Lewis, Winnie Clay, Maude Lewis, Katie Williams, Mary E. Jones, Alice J. Edwards, Winuie Morgan, Mary Lewis, Mary Watts.-Peny(brren School Mary Jane Lewis, Martha Ellen- LewiB, Lizzie Ann Evans, Rachel Thomas, Pnscilla Roberts, Mary Williams, Elizabeth Davies, Lizzie Oriel, Rachael Jones, Annie Bowen. Dowlais School: S. William?, M. A. Williams, A. Jones, M. M. Roberts. CITY and Guilds op London Institctk. — Iron and steel manufacture, honours grade, second class, George Foster Martin ordinary grade, first class, Watkin Moss ordinary grade, second class, William Francis. Mechanical engineering, ordinary grade, second class. Stanley A' aughan, William Plews Lipsett. Mr. W. Edwards, H.M.I.S., in the course of an address dealing with elementary education, remarked that be had noticed a slight decrease in the number of scholars presented for examination in Standards IV. and "v., due undoubtedly to the eagerness of pa rents to make use of their sons' labour. Some- thing had already been done with a view of raising the age before which children could not leave school; but be did not think the age could be raised materially. The fault was not due to the adminis- trators of the schools, but to the parents. Con- siderable discussion had lately taken place regarding the staffing of schools, but he would prefer to see a staff with a teacher more than was required than to see one which had a teacher leas than the minimum (hear, hear). It was better for the cause of education that School Boards should spend a little more than was necessary, than that they should economise in such a way as to endanger the efficiency of the schools (applause). An important alteration had also recently been made in the conducting of science schools. There had been a danger that the sciences would be taught to such an extent as to endanger other branches of education; but now it bad been arranged that no grant would be paid to science schools, unions they also taught literary subjects. This was only right in order that the balance might be kept (hear, hear). He was glad to say that Merthyr was Dot behind other School Boards, but they bad been compelled, owing to the laek of atten- dance at the evening continuation classes, to dis- continue them. This was due, perhaps, to some extent to a good deal of competition engendered unwittingly by the various places of worship, who, in order to improve the minds of their young people, had established Christian Endeavour Societies. Far would he be from condemning such institutions, but as matters stood they now proved a barrier to education. In the Rhondda Valley and elsewhere the various ministers of religion had met the School Board, and had so arranged their meetings and classes that they might not clash (hear, hear). He felt pleased that so many pupil teachers had won so many certificates that evening. Since the establishment of the pupil teachers centre, the teachers were much better able to follow their studies, and had done exceedingly well (applause). He wished these classes every success, and hoped that those who had passed in the elementary stage would make up their minds to go on, for unless they went on with the subsequent stages they wouid find that they could not turn their knowledge into much practical advantage (hear, hear). Mr. G. F. Harris urged the students to persevere, and said that one of his students had failed six times before he was successful but that gentleman now held a good appointment under the Birmingham School Board. He hoped there were many embryo artists in Merthyr, and that the town would achieve such a success in the art world as it had in the musical world (hear, hear). Mr. Knox, the teacher of engineering, was not satisfied with last year's passes. It was true that the standard of the examinations had been raised, but with thfe better ground work, and the better privileges which the children now enjoyed, there was no reason why they should not reach the advanced standard. He believed that young children should be taught mathematics and practical geometry before they could expect to succeed in the higher branches (hear. hear). The popular lectures on science lately delivered in the town had done good already, and he believed it would be a good thing if the Science and Art Com- mittee were to try to get another series of Gilchrist lectures. He had read in one of the papers that there was not much hope of their having them this season, but if the Science and Art Committee were to make a good attempt he felt hopeful that they would succeed, and the presence of such distinguished lecturers in the town would tend to popularise the subjects taught (hear, hear). Mr. Watkin Moss, the mining teacher, followed, and said that Mr. C. H. James had at all times been a good friend of the students of mining, and the mining class which that gentleman started many years ago had done a vast amount of good. As a result young students had succeeded in getting excellent situations, which they never would have obtained had it not been for these classes three had won scholarships in the University College, and about a dozen more had been appointed to lucrative posi- tions m neighbouring collieries. He also felt sorry that children left school afc such early apres, and believed that the State should i-top in' and compel children who had left the day schools to continue their education at night schools for a number of years (hear, hear). If people were taught the full value of education their evening continuation schools would be a great success (hear, hear). Mr. W. L. Daniel referred to the proposed retire- ment of Mr. Thomas Williams, J.P., from public life. He felt exceedingly sorry that Mr. Williams and Mr. James took such gloomy views of the future. They could ill afford to lose the services of Mr. Williams from any Board, and more especially from the School Board. He would strongly advise him to keep on the School Board, and hoped that when he was far away in Egypt or Palestine the people of Merthyr would, in his absence, return him triumphantly on the School Board. Mr. James had also taken a pessimistic view of affairs. A great cry was now being raised about the expenses of the School Board but he could assure them that the Merthyr Board had not been guilty of-spending a single penny more than it ought to do. He had to pay a rate equal to anybody else, but he never grumbled when the Merthyr School Board was called upon to spend money in the work of education. He hoped they would not hesitate to do so, for it was for the good of Education (hear, bear). He agreed with Mr. Moss and Mr. Edwards that children were taken from school at too early an age, but lie would prefer to see moral suasion, rather than the State compelling the children to attend school. If that was 80, then young children would not be allowed to drift and become tlfe residum and the scum of the parish, but rather ornaments in society, of which they could be justly proud (applause). He then moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for so ably presiding. Alderman Thomas Williams seconded, and said it would he a calamity if Mr. C. H. James were to retire from the School Board. He hoped be would not follow in his steps. He (Mr. Williams) was a thorough friend of education, and would never fail to take an interest in educational matters. Parents could never do better than give their childien a thorough educa- cation, and he hoped most sincerely that the certifi- cates given that evening would stimulate the students to be more faithful than ever, and to value the, splendid training they received. He would be sadly" disappointed if Mr. James was not returned at the next election, for they could not afford to lose his services (applause). Councillor David Davies, in supporting, said the School Board had endeavoured to perform its duties. Some people said that he would not be returned at the next election, but he ventured to believe he would lie in, notwithstanding the mud that was thrown at him and his colleagues continually. They knew with what object this was done, but as long as lie was on the Board he would not adopt a different course in the future to what he had done in the past. They had not had too many teachers, and only kept as many as were required in the interest of the children sent to be taught. He hoped the electors would not be hood- winked. In conclusion he would couple the name of Mr. Stephens with that of the Chairman in the vote of thanks, for that gentleman was a very faithful and assiduous public servant (applause). Mr. Rees Price supported, and the motion was carried with acclamation.

STEALING A WATKKPIiOOF COAT. Joseph Barret was charged with stealing a water- proof coat on the 19th of Jauuary.—John Williams, outfitter, Pontmorlais, stated that he knew the water- proof produced. It was his, and was worth 35s. About five o'clock in the evening, he was taking in his goods from where they had been exhibited outside, and went in behind the shop. When he came hack to the shop, he found prisoner and Mr. McNeil with the coat in the shop. He gave him in charge.—Mr. McNeil said he was passing up, and thinking the defendant's movements rather suspicious, watched him. Defendant at length took the coat and joined another man across the road. Witness caught defendant, and the other man ran away. Defendant was the worse for drink.-P.C. Dove ^aid he charged irisoner, and he said "Beg pardon, sir, I was walking through the street, and it fell down. I picked it up. I had only gone two yards when I was caught."— Prisoner pleaded guilty,—Fiued £ 1, or 14 days' impiitiourneut.

WHO STOLE THE PIGEONS ? j RhysGardiner was charged on Tuesday at the Al>er- j dare Police-court with stealing tr>e lame pigeon", the projx;rty ot Richard Bevan, Mountain Ash, the 9th January. David Morgan, 132, <(>umrv-road. ( Penrhiwceil»er, said that about 10.10 p.m. u11 the night in question he was returning from Mountain Ash. lie saw defendant going from the road into! Mr. Bevan's garden. He went into the coachhouse through the window. He came out again, and u" d the garden waJl on to the road. He -aw two girl following the prisoner up tiie road. Ntwt morning; witness went to prisoners house, and at nine o'clock j he saw the prisoner and his w ife feathering pigeons. ] Prisoner 1 am surprised that you can stand up there j and tell all those lies.—Sarah Aim Owen, (Quarry- »jad, Penrhiwceiijei, said that about 11 p.m. oil the same night she was standing near Chun k .street. She saw defendant come over the wall from the garden of the Lee Hotel. She followed defendant and -.aw two pigeons hanging out of his ptK.ket.Mr. Bevan deposed that It* kept some pigeouK in the loft over thft coachhou-e. He had missed tne pigeons fr.m the coachhouse, and he valued them at 6d. P.C. Martin said that at 12 p.m. on the arretted pri oner at his house. He tbwe found -on:e feather. -Defendant, in answer to the charge, raid. I know nothing al»ont the pigeons.Deftndani tlirll olll with summarily. He pleaded "not guiltv," and wv. fined £ 2 or a month.