Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

THE NEW PUBLIC OFFICES AT MERTHYR. THE "BUNCH OF GRAPES" LICENCE. At the ordinary meeting of th» Merthyr District Council held oa Wednesday, Mr. T. H. Bailey, J,P., presiding, Mr. Dan Thomas moved—"That having regard to the fact that no provision has been made for including the licence of the Bunch of Grapes Inn in the public buildings proposed to be erected by the District Council, and having regard to the valuable character of the existing property, which will not be utilised, it is expedient that the said licence be offered for public competition, the Council pledging itself not to oppose the purchaser in any application that may be made to the Licensing Justices, either for the removal of the said licenee to other existing premises, or to any new building to be erected in the parish. Mr. Thomas stated that no provision had been made in the scheme to deal with the property, whish would be vacant after erecting the building. The total area of the ground belonging- to the Council was 2,1&Q square yards, and the portion intended to be utilized by the new Public Offices was 1,676 sq. yds., leaviug with the roadway a vacant piece of ground of 277 square yards He found that for the property adjoining the Board had paid £ 5 per square yard, and they would be throwing away £ 1,335 unless 'they uti- lised this site. He suggested that in seme way or other they should make use of it for the public benefit. Much 95 he would like to see a large number of public houses in Merthyr done away with, provided that they did not do away with hLA own (laughter), still they ought to deal with thii property as public property. This was almost the only freehold public-house in the Valley, and he had every reason to believe that a very large sum could be obtained from the licenea if it was shifted down to Treharris or Mer- thyr Vale. If they did their duty to the ratepayers they might spend a thousand ponnds in building premises, and then they could sell it at a 99 years lease for jE3,000, making a clear profit of £2,000. This money could bo used as nucleus for a fund for the building of a free library. He understood that Mr. Frank James had generously offered a valuable site if the Council could find the money to erect the building. Surely they were not going to see this valuable property in tho middle of the town thrown away. They should not allow their personal feelings to enter into this matter, and he knew that the personal feelings of some people had not entered into it.—Mr. Bell said he would not like to have the money lost to the ratepayers, but he should be sorry to see the Council and the public generally becoming public builders of hotels.—Mr. Dan Thomas said that his resolution simply meant that this valuable property should not be thrown away when they could make JB3,000 from it.—Mr. Evan Lewis seconded. He said it was very well for some people to giggle, but it was a matter of too great importance to be trivially dealt with. Every private man in the room, if be had the chance of selling sneh property, would dispose of it to the best advantage. They would never allow a valuable licence to lapse.—The Chairman You must speak for yourself, Mr. Lewis.—Mr. Lewis I will never be a party to do away with it.—Mr. Bell having apokeninfavour of retaining tbe money, but protesting against the Council speculating.—Mn D. Davies rose to move a direct negative, and said that no doubt the old Board .had gone fully into the matter. He was ashamed that Merthyr did not have public offices.-The Chairman pointed out that Mr. Davies was hardly speaking to the motion.—Mr. Davies My impression is that we are going to speculate.—CoundHor Thomas Thomas expressed himself in favour of the motion, as also did Mr. Harpur, who agreed with the view taken by Mr. Bell.—Mr. Wills also supported the motion, and remarked that Mr. D. Davies was not acting con- scientiously, for he could not deny that he was the owner of two public-houses, and had sold them as sueh. He ought to act as such towards the rate- payers as he had done for himself.—The Chairman said that he cluld not consistently vote in favour of the motion, for if the licenco was in his hands he would allow it to lapse but he wished them to do what they thought best for the benefit of the public at large (hear, hear). He had very strong feelings on the matter, not that he believed the use of alcoholic drink to be as dangerous as the misuse and the abuse of it (hear, hear).—The motion was then put to the Council, and all the members, with the ex- ception of Mr. David Davies, voted in favour of it.- Mr. W. Lewis agreed to adjourn, until the next meet- ing, a notice of motion standing in his name for deal- ing with the qnestion of public offices.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION. The following is a list showing the number of electors in the different local County Council Divisions for 1895, as compared with the number of voters in 1894 and 1892. Sinco last election several alterations have been made in the boundaries of dif- ferent wards, with the result that the number of elec- tions bad been either increased or decreased, one division receiving an addition at the expense of the other, or virt versa. These changes have led to considerable re-arrangement, especially in the Aberdare and Hirwain districts, and this will account for the great difloienca in the figures. In some instances divisions that existed in 1892 have been amalgamated with others, and on the other hand uew ones have been created. Number of Voters. IMvis^on. 1893. 1894. 1892. Plymouth 1,262 1,707 1,739 Merthyr Tpwn 2,051 1,484 1,507 Caeharris 1,137 1,107 1. M, Powlals! 1,037 1,059 1,044 Cyfarthfa 1,710 1,699 1,742 Gellifaelog 76S 760 790 PeD.ydarreo 1,564 1,301 1,592 Pontlottyo 1.128 1,109 1,037 Penrhiweeiber 1,356 1,487 1,462 Aberaman 1,332 1,775 1,758 Blaenjpvawr 1,550 —— -— Aberditre Town 1,396 1,654 1,651 Llvrrdceed 1,311 670 655 Gadi.vs 1,410 1.601 1,553 Ihiffrjn 1,615 1,598 1,211 Merthyr Vale 1,560 l,g58 1,226 Gelligacr 1,530 1,330 1,221 Hirwain —- 1,010 1'002 TREHARRIS. At last there M a move being made in the Merthyr Vale Ward as regards the forthcoming County Council election, Councillor Prosser, the pre- sent representative, having issued his address as a Liberal candidate. He promisee to give an account of his stewardship ehortly, and to secure the presence of prominent Liberal members of the Council to address the meeting. It is felt that Councillor Prosser would do much better by facing his consti- tuents single handed. It is not known yet whether Major Bell, Merthyr Vale, will come forward as an independent candidate or not. He ran pretty close at the last election, Councillor Prosser only beating him by 15 votes. On Tuesday «vening a meetiug of Mr. W. M. I Evans' supporters was held at Quakers' Yard. Several speeches were delivered, and a resolution was 1 passed pledging those present to support tho candi- dature of Mr. Evans. The same evening a meeting of Mr. Evans' committee was held at Treharris, when arrangements as to canvassing were made. The rumour is circulated that Mr. Henry Davies will probably retire from the contest. Mr. Prosser, the present member, is the only candi- date so far. A deputation has waited on Major Bell, asking him to stand, but ho has not yet given his reply. It is rumoured that another Liberal candidate may come out, but it is not likely, there is any truth in the rumour. NELSON. On Wednesday se'nnight a public meeting was held at Calvaria Baptist Chapel in support of the Candida- tute of (Captain Hill-Male, solicitor, Pontypridd, for the Caerphilly Electoral Division of the County Council. Mr. Williams, Ton Tilor, was voted to the chair, and after a few preliminary remarks, called npon Captain Hill-Male to address the meeting. The tindidate said be stood before theelectorsas a Liberal and Labour candidate, and intended at a future meet- ing to go into matters more fully than ho should that night. It was truo he was once a Conservative, but finding his way of thinking did not agree with the Tory Party, he had for a long time past thrown in hi-* lot with the Liberal Party. He had been in Wales for 20 years, and had invested his all on the top of one of our Welsh hills. He promised that if returned on the 4th of March next, the electors should have no cause to regret their choice. Councillor Morgan, Nel- son, then addressed the meeting, and advised his hearers not to abuse the other side, but to carry on the campaign in a perfectly fair manner. Councillor Prosser, Treharris, said he could bear testimony to Captain Hill-Male's worth on the County Council. He had always voted Liberal. Councillor Morgan, proposed, and Mr. T. Morgan seconded, a vote of confidence in Captain Hill-Male, which was unani- mously carried. A vote of thanks to Councillor Prosser for attending, and to the Chairman, concluded a very enthusiastic meeting. MERTHYR. For the Town Ward there are already two candi. dates in the field. Mr. Alfred Edmonds has issued his address, which is of a non-political colour. The other candidate is Mr. J. W. Lewis, solicitor to the Licensed Victualler*' Association. In the Cyfarthfa Ward, Mr. Thomas Thomas will be opposed by Mr. Watkin Moss, and it is not improbable that a Tory will also enter the lists. Alderman Thomas Williams, whose term of aldermanship expires, will again seek the suffrages of the Penvdarren electors. Up to the present he has no opponent.

"CHARLEY'S AUNT" AT THE CARDIFF THEATRE ROYAL. The pantomime season at the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, has been followed by the return of Charley's Ami- ono of the most amusing pieces which have been written in recent years. The company is very much the same as that which first visited tho town, and, if it were possible, it has improved in theintcrval. Crowded houses are the ordor, and the comic situations simply draw roaw of laughter, even from the occu- pants of the dress circle. Mr. Stanley, as the spurious auut, is more funny than ever, and Mr. Sydnev Cosby and Mr. Lausjdon Bruce could scarcely be more perfect in their representation of the love-stricken collegians. The ladies, all of whom are favourites of Cardiff audiences, enter into tho spirit of the piece with a natural conception of their separate partp, and with cnarming dresses and excellent scenery, Charley s Aunt seems to bo more popular than on its first ^isit to Cardiff. Those visiting Cardiff should go and see where tho nuts come from." [2858 go and see where the nuts come from." [2858

THE STARVING rooit OFMERTHYR. We understand that a movement has been set on i?° through the instrumentality of ;\1T8. Bedooe, to establish a soup kitchen for the relief of the rttarwng poor of Merthyr. Several leading towns- men are rendering assistance, and an appeal to the puolio for pecuniary help will, it h "thought, be re?pon'leu to with promptness and f^-nerosity The movement is a mmt, deserving one, and will command the hearty sympathy of the public.

I MERTHYR COUNCIL. Wednesday Present, Messrs. T. H. Bail«v, J.P., D. W. Jones (vice-chairman), w. Bell, » »' Lewis. Henry Ltwis, D. Davies, T. Thomas, J. Robert?, w. Lewis, J. LI. Atkins, E\fia Lewis, H. W. Lewis, J. Harpur, Joseph Ow»n, V. A. Wills, Dan Thomas, tod David James. B. W. Lewis, J. Harpur, Joseph Owen, V. A. Wills, Dan Thomas, tod David James. THE BRECON RoAn HOMtTAL.—A deputation con- sisting of Messrs. W. Scott, Jonah Lewis, J. Owen, .D. Jones, W. Harris, J. Gillelaod, and T. J. Price, waited upon the Board on behalf of the inhabitants of Brecon-road aud tie neighbourhood to a"le for the removal of tho Fever Hospital from that district. Several of tb6 members of the deputation epoke on the subject, and at the close of the meeting the matter was referred to the Fever's Arrangement Committee.—A deputation wasreewved from Troedy- rhiw who waited upon the Board asking them to provide the place with a hose and reel.—The Couucil promised to give the matter their consideration. THE OFFICIALS AND THEIR SALARIES.—In accor- dance to notice given, Mr. Eran Lewis moved that a committee he appointed representing the various wards to .consider the officials duties and salaries. Most of the new members were entirely ignorant of what the duties of the officers were and what salaries they His motion was not to deal with the salaries at present, but the roads were going to be taken over by the County Council, and they ought to consider something with regard to the workmen employed by the Board. He had received a very serious complaint from a magistrate resident in the lower part of the parish that there were too many workmen on tbo road, and that they did uot do their work. It was full time the Council looked into tho I, matter. There were other matters which would crop up which he would have to explain at the time. He should be very sorry to see any workman paid off, j and he should like to see them receive trades' union wages.—Mr. Dan Thomas seconded, and said it was necessary that at the outset the members should be on thoruogh terras with the officers and their duties. Some of them sometimes did thinsrs which thoruogh terras with the officers and their duties. Home of them sometimes did thinsrs which I were not exactly just what the rate- payers required of tbem.—Mr. Henry Lewis differed, and objected strongly to any of these com- mittees. This was a matter which the Board ought to face. This was an important matter, and he had always v>ted for having big committees. It was absurd that such an important thing as this should be relegated to a small committee.—The mover and seconder fell in with this suggestion, and it was resolved that the matter l>e referred to a committee of the whole Board. THE ALLOTMENTS ACT.—Mr. W. Lewis, in accord- ance with a notice, moved that a committee, consist- ing of Mr. D. W. Jones, Mr. E. L<swis, Mr. Thomas Thomas, Mr. D. Davies, Mr. H. W. Lewis, and Mr. W. Lewis, be appointed a committee to deal with the question of allotments. This would not mean that tney had power to spend any money in providing allotments, because those who required the land were ready to pay any incidental expense, so that the ratepayer* would not be put to any expense whatever. He believed it was only a fair and reasonable request, and would be a great l>oon to the working-men.—The committee was appointed.—The Clerk said he had also recei ved it memorial from Treharris to the same effect. This 1 was referred to the committee for consideration. THE CorsciL Asn THE NEWSPAPRRS.—A letter was read from the architect of the public buildings, regarding the alleged unfair way in which information regarding the tenders received for tbe public buildings had been sent to the newspa]>ers, and the architect had been sent to the newspa]>ers, and the architect said he had seen the figures first of all in the Wextern Ma-il, and had himself sent the figures to the Bioil(Ur. -The Clerk said that the Western Mail repoiter had promised to make inquiries as to how the information had been received by that paper. ThE ScnvETOB's -REPORT. -The Surveyor's report was then read, and in the course of the report the Surveyor stated that he bad a plan for the conversion of the Georgetown old Roman Catholic Church into three flats for workmen's dwelling*. Ho could not recommend it for approval. The plan showed that it was intended to divide thi height into three floors, or storeys, each floor having seven separate dwellings, or 21 in all. The dwelling would would consist of a bedroom and kitchen, except in one instance, where there were two bedrooms. Somo bedrooms had insufficient cubic capacity even for three persons. There was no provision made for separate entry from the outeide to each flat, no pantries, coal hutches etc. The arrangement for %v c.' was unsatisfactory and insufficient.- znlr. Henry Lewis quite agreed with the Surveyor, and said he was surprised to hear people talk of having flats in Merthyr.—Mr. D. W. Jones said that if the bye-laws were complied with. thoy could not very well refuse to pass the plans. He would propose that the matter be left in the hands of the clerk, the surveyor, and the medical officer.—Mr. E. Lewis agreed, and said he would be I glad to see Merthyr having a modeHodging house. It was sadly wanted, for even the Union Workhouse was over-crowded, and about 40 and 50 people were obliged to sleep on the floor. lIe would second Mr. Jones'motion, and would like to inform the Council that a model lodging house would be an acquisition to the town.—Mr. Wills disagreed with the method of reconstructing this building. lie would not go so far as to say that flats were detrimental, but they should not encourage people to live in a kitchen and ono bed- room with no proner accommodation. It was not proposed that this should be a model lodging house, and they had no right to put the means of over- crowding in the hands of the people, and then prose- eute them. He would move tnat they adopt the re- commendation of the surveyor.—This was eventually agreed upon. MEDICAL OrncKB's REFOnT.-The Medical Officer reported that the number of births during the 33 days ended on the 2nd of February was 233, and the deaths 166. He proposed to adopt the.estimate of the popu- lation of the district for the current quarter :IR ueing 65,750 and on this number, this would be equal to a birth rate of 34, and a death rate of 28 per 1,000. The death rate was excessive, and the large number of fatal cases, one-third of the whole, were due to the deaths of young children through maladies chiefly induced by exposure to cold. Very many persons in advanced years also died, in this case also the extremely cold weather had tended to produce dis- ease. Notifications of 60 new eases of infectious diseases were received. Twenty-one cases of typhoid were reported, and six were removed to the fever hospital. The Medical Officer reported further npon pig-styes, which, he recommeuded, should be placed at a greater distance from the houses. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The report of the Finance Committee was read, in the course of which Finance Committee was read, in the course of which it transpired that Mr G. C. James (clerk) had brought Wore them a letter from his London agents, and pointed out that it would cost about J6250 to have the bill of cost in the law action of Messrs. Crawshay and the Board taxed in the High Courts. Under these circumstances he had stayed the hands of the London agents, and suggested that the Bill be taxed by the Clerk of the Peace, whoso fees would i>e £ 2210s. This matter was discussed by the Board, and the Chairman gave notice to move at the next meeting that the last resolution to have the Bill taxed in London ba rescinded.—Mr. D. Jasnes, who had been elected chairman of the Finance Committee, returned thanks for the honour, but refused to take office. Mr. Harpur was therefore elected chairman. BAD SUPPLY OF WATER.—Mr. David James called attention to the bad supply of water at Pant and Pantseallog.—Mr. D. W. Jones stated that the lower part of Cwmrhydybedd, Dowlais, had been without water for about three week". The Surveyor said that this was due to the bursting of the pipes.—Mr. D. W. Jones thought the matter should be seen to without delay, and the surveyor was instructed to inquire into both matters at once.

MR DAN DAVIES. Merthyr has every occasion to proud of its musical talent, and can easily lay claim to possessing the cream. Mr. Dan Davies, who in 1393 led the largest Congregational choir in Wales, numbering 15,000 voices at the great Pontypridd pavilion, has been engaged for no less than 20 festivals and eistedd- fodau during the present year. He will lead the sing- ing of the Mid-Rhondda Baptists for the twelfth time this year at Tonypandy, and the congregational sing- ing in this part of the Principality is considered to be ing in this part of the Principality is considered to be equal to any other, and the quality of the voices above the average. Other festivals in which Mr. Daviesis engaged are Aberdare, Brecon, Llanidloes, Knighton, Maesteg, and Aberystwith, while his services have I been requisitioned as an adjudicator at eisteddfodau to be held at Brynmawr, Cardiff, Barry, and other places.

OUTSIDE TAPS IN MERTHYR. rI The question of outside taps came up for discussion at the meeting of the District Council on Wednesday, when Mr. Dan Thomas, in accordance with notice given, moved, "That all resolutions or bye-laws affecting, or sanctioning, the use of outeide taps be rescinded with the view of compelling the owners of all houses in the district to place water taps inside their houses, so as to prevent the general waste of water which now prevails." He believed they should do this though it might cause a good deal of incon- venience to small cottage owners.—The Chairman: And to large ones too.—Mr. Dan Thomas thought that large property owners ought to show an example to the others. It was patent to all that a great deal of water was being wasted, and it was a shame that so much was lost. They could have the thing done by spreading the payments ovor a period of two or three years, as they did with the private improve- ments.—Mr. J. Harpur agreed, and said that the waste of water outside taps through the bursting of the pipes, &c., was frightful, and he submitted that the money which the peoplopaid for repairing the pipes would be more than saved by having the taps placed inside the houses.—Mr. Evan' Lewis entirely dis- agreed, and moved, as an amendment, a direct nega- tive, that they should leave those old cottagca whose leases were about to run out at any rate.—Mr. Henry Lewis said that the matter had been discussed by the old Board, and thoy then agreed that, self-closing taps bo placed outside.—Mr. E. Lewis stated that tho owners of 12 houses in Ponydarren were compelled somo timo ago to place their taps outride, and now they were being asked to put them in again. Perhaps in another three years they would be asked again to put them out (laughter). It was a great hardship to these poor people. And when the houses belonging to rich owners were compelled to leave the taps inside, the expense would fall upon tho poor tenants, and goodness know that they had to pay high rents enough even now without having them increased. He considered it to be a cruel thing, for it would mean benefitting the landlord at the ex- pense of the poor tenant. — Mr. J. LI. Atkins seconded.—Mr. Thomas Thomas supported the motion, and felt proud that the representative of a large company like Mr. Harpur bad seconded the motion. It was all N cry well for Mr. E. Lewis to riso tho bogey of high rents and the action of unscru- pulous landlords, but they as a Council ought to act as fairly as possible in the matter. It was most dan- gerous during the present frosty weather, to send young children and old people to fetch water to the outside tapp, iu consequence of the ioo which sur- rounded the taps, without saying a word as to the rounded the taps, without saying a word as to the inconvenience caused to the working classes who were obliged to go out to fetch what was necessary ia the bitterest wc-ataer.—Mr. Wills spoke in the same strain in favour of the motion, and the Clerk proceeded to explain the position of the Board in the matter.—Mr. David Davies having spoken in favour of the motion, the Chairman explained that in the case of the colliery company whieh be represented, and who owned abont 300 eottagw with small taps, it would cost them about £400 to have the taps inside. As far as the Plymouth Com pany was concerned. be would be sorry indeed toeompel the tenants to have the water i nside their houses, for the rooms were small, and great inconvenience would be caused but if it was the wish of the Council that this should be done, then they would abide by it but so far as be was concerned be would vote against tbo motion.—Mr. Bell thought that something should be done to prevent thswa-teof water.—Mr. Dan Thomas said he felt surprised that people in the position of Mr. EvanLewisandMr. Atkins should act as thoy had done. They only opposed the motion from interested motives, because "they collected the reuts from the owners and Mr. Lewis That is not right.—Mr. Dan Thomas I come here to serve the interest of the ratepayers at large. Henry Lewis This is too bad, Mr. Chairman to impute motives a* unfair.—Mr. Evan Lewis: I have only out- side tap in the houses whose rents I collect.—The Chairman said tb-yt the Plymouth Company had received no complaints as to the inconvenience of the outside taps and that the cost of placing them inside would be from 25s. to 30s. per house.—A vote was then taken upon the question, with the following result :— For rescinding (11) I J. Lewis W. Bell I D. Davies Thos. Thomas W. Lewis J. Roberts I V. A. Wilis Dan Thomas J. Harpur H. W. Lewi* I>. James Against (6) H. Lewis D. W. JoBM Evan Lewis J. LI. Atkins Joeeph Owen The Chairman —Mr. Dan Thomas suggested that they should give the Clerk instruction to prepare a clause in the Bill to that effect.-It was then agreed tba.t the "Committee appointed for considering the Bill should meeet at an early date, and that in the meantime the reports of the Clerk and book-keeper be printed and sent to the members. o.

Correspondence. MARKET-SQUARE CHAINS. Srs,—May I be allowed, through the medium of the Merthyr Time-a to ventilate a small grievance. It is doubtless within your knowledge that the small market-square behind Messrs. Phillips and Jonea' Drapery Establishment is sunounded with chains, and these chains are the cause of many falls by people crossing the place at night. Tho other 'night a woman with a baby ia her arms fell, being partially stunned, the baby roiling several yards in front. On one occasion the late Rector of Merthyr fell, and every night there are a fsw stumbling. Could not the chains be abolished ? Though a very small matter, I think if the Chamber of Trade took it up they would be doing a service to the public.—I am, &e., OBSEBVHI. HEARTS OF OAK BENEFIT SOCIETY. SIB, I should feel obliged if you would insert the following in the next issue of your widely-read paper It has been freely asserted for somo considerable time past that the aboue society would not in future enrol miners as members. The general body of the mem- tiers bad no knowledge of this, and they always denied it when questioned by intending candidates. Now the question is definitely settled, for the members have just received from headquarters rule which exclude miners from future memtarship. In addition to this, no person can join unless he is in receipt of 24«. per week. It is also necessary now to produce a certificate of birth, which waa not the case before. jburther progress of this excellent society in mining districts is consequently very much restricted.—I am, &c., MEMBRR Treharris, Feb. 2nd, 1895. THE POOR AND THE RELIEF FUND. SIB,—Tt will be within the memory of most of the inhabitants of Merthyr that we had severe winters here in the years 1877-8, and that the late lamented and well-beloved rector of this parish, the Rev. John Griffiths, organized a fund for the reliof of the poor during these winters, and especially the winter of 1878. The funds came in liberally from all parts of the country, and thousands of poor children, and a large number of deserving families were fed and clothed from this benevolent fund. A balance of about £ 1,000 was left and invested iu the bank in the name of trustees for future contin- gencies, and this balance ha.s, I presume, through compound interest accumulated considerably. We are having this winter an exceptionally revere one, and there is a large number of poor "starving children about, and moreover the inmates of our Workhouse have increased from 339 to 397 as com- pared with the corresponding period of last year. W ould it not be possible to do something to alleviate this distress through this fund? It would then be utilised for the objects it was origlnallyjgiven for, by the donors; Probably the trustees may consider the matter.—Yours, &e., Gwaelodygarth. J. BOWEN. RECORD COAL RAISING. Sin, In reading o\er the daily and weekh' papers that are puohshed in this neighbourhood, it has been my lot to see the reports of the record coa!-rai«ing at Aberaman Colliery, I see that the record held at Gwmaman Colliery (until broken by AWaman Colliery) had caused a furore. It is reported that some of the windings were done in 25 seconds. This is very good time, and no doubt could be maintained for a considerable period hut, as all those who are connected with collieries know, it is impossible to run all day at top speed. Petty stoppages would prooably red nee the average windings to 24 per minute, and allowing an average of 24 cwt. per tram, with 10 hours continuous winding, tha very respect- able total of 1,610 tons for the day would he tha result. But there are very strong rumoure about that the output recorded was not all that could be desired for I am told that a considerable amount of coal was at the pit top over night, and that coal-tipping was commenced about 5-30 a.m., and that coal was being raised at 6-45 a.m., and was continued until about 5.20 p.m. Also that at Cwmaman no coal was raised before 7 a.m., that there was a stoppage of 20 minutes for dinner, that they have to draw their coal from a greater depth than Aberaman Colliery, and that there was no coal drawn after 5 p.m. Now what I should (and several others) like to know ¡1;, was the coal which was on the bank over night counted in the record output ? Also, does the level coal count in «'c Wf-ight Was the coal-raising continuous from 6-45 a.m. to 5-cO p.m. ? If not, a record of 164 tons per hour has wen broken by the Cwmaman Colliery people, their last trial of the hours duration gnvo 166 tons per hour. So that will require Ideating yet by some other colliery. And if what I am told is true, that Cwuuman coal shaft is deeper bv about 70 to 80 jards, it seems to me that tjie Cwmaman record has not been broken yet. But I should like to know the particulars asketf in the above question"I am, ENGINE FITTER. THE MERTHYR COUNCIL AND ITS OFFICIATE SIB, Appended to your report under above head- ing in your last impression is a letter signed 41 W Lewis. rroiii t|le signature we might safely infer that the writer was a man, but the contents of the letter reveal him a.- a shifty weathercock, a poor back- I mortal. Not content with praising and laud- ing Messrs. Dan Thomas and Evan Lewis for their manly and straightforward conduct," he enlarges upon their eftorts, and thereby displays his ignorance and futility by saying that the surveyor's hot so could lie done away with if that gentleman resided in Mev- thj r. What about the journeys to and from the se%age farms, waterworks, and the thousand and one outlying portions of our district ? It was very gratifying to a great number of our townsmen to find that you, sir, bad supplied in your II Notes and Comments" an antidote to the insane bluster that is found over the signature of W. Lewis, and to the extremely questionable conduct of some of our ardent but fatuous newly-elected councillors, whose so.e aim and object appears to be popularity of a"L ? L at .a,uy coet- would question the right of the said councillors to seek for information as to the spending of the Council's money, or tbe doings of the servants of the council, be they of high or low degree, and, with W Lewis, we could wish them more strength so to do, always providing they went about these and all other businesses of the Conucil in which they participate in a gentlemanly and civil manner. Ar ^r'. Lewis seems to be thoroughly converted bv one fell stroke of Messrs. Thomas and Lewis, perhaps IY-i ho will undertake to call their attention to the broad hints in your comments of last week; also to teach them a lesson or two in courtesy and gentlemanly conduct; then perhaps this their first display of puerility would be their last, and culminate in an un- told blessing to the Council, the press, and the rate- payers.— i truly, PRO BONO PCBLICO. P-S.—I purposely discarded the appellation Mr. believm? \V. Lewis" to be a fictitious name

KNOT HICKORY. .Vii-'ii^ 'he worthies that loafed ab: uf i ;<iu r. n w;i* uo Jim Jonee. Ho was cue of U-o- wl-it i.b>ar £ f.uiusc3 who can make anything, fium k to^ tl" log chain, out of a chunk of wood. i i in credit and reputation were not over goul. hut lV n::ir grocery man liaipjiot Icurii'd (:>eso 1M vrhtn Jim sidled into the new store with h i ij .il'.) of siiiCKJtli looking axe h;1t),ùlc!I,tho prtv ?ie'- r iv not long in eldeiug a deal with Lisa, and sell I ing i i;i;rd ca.-ii. Shortly afterwards au old Hcosicr dropped in Ui pa;chase a handle. Thvut 1>j nice lo^kiu' good- WLut mig'd sin p-ie^o c■ i iiose :;ro extra fine hickory, said ths yoaiy/ grocer. Wo shall bare lo charge fifty cei;. a Hpica." sec one. Toe farmer burst into aloud Haw-haw a- J¡,! ilie stick upon his little filler, and wont, o.ti lo tell how green the new grocer Tas. Next day, in the presence of a i irge rrovid vi street corucr loafers, the grocery man tackled Jim Jours. Sir, you are a liar and a robbpr J So* sai(I Jiw. Yes, rir you sold mo these bass-wood hau lleo by fraud VvTali, I guess not. I told ycu the truth MU iuid Jim, cooly. you lie; You said they wore knot hickory," i 'bi!-t;d the over-heated grocery man. F-ggsackly," drawled Jim. "I said thoy w.is not hickory—no more air they

IMPORTANT NOTICE. ( CHANGE OF FIRM. I PHILLIPS AND JONES (Late D. Phillips and Co.), DRAPERS, 12G, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR TYDFIL, Beg to announce that their Great Clearance Sale of GENERAL DRAPERY, Men's Mercery, Woollen Cloths, Mantles and Jackets, Millinery, &c, &c., IS NOW ON. Every article has been re-marked aad reduced to such priccs that must command ? speedy cWancs In consequence of the great sacn6oe made oc all goods sold during tbe SaR Terms will be Sett 6as*h. PRINTING PRINTING ? PRINTING J ARTISTIC PRINTING OF EVER IT DESCRIPTION. r\ND AT REASONABLE PRICES, DONE AT THE TIMES OFFICE, MERTHYR. ESTIMATES GIVEN FOR ALL JOBS. NEATNESS GUARANTEED. ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO GOOD PAPER. GOOD TYPE. GOOD INK. GOOD WORKMANSjji "TIMES" OFFICE, MERTHYR. 'V 1. JOHN MORGAN AND SON, K&TABLISHED 156S. FUNERAL 1 lTNDERTA.KERS A-ND I tt FURlfISHERS. John Morgan and Son's Latest Gla^s.Panelled Hear,v. DEFY COMPETITION IN QUALITY AND PRICK Proprietors of -Hearses and Mourning Caches to suit all classes. A lqr- e section of Shrouds and Trimmings k- Estimates given for Bricked Graves/ i 33, MONK STREET, ABERDARE,