Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

PRESENTATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. DAN DAVIES. On Monday night the members of the Merthyr Choral Society attended at Bentley's Central Hall, Merthyr, to do hono:ir to their talented conductor and his estiaralile witf, Mr. mid Mrs. Dan Davies. There were pro-Kent a 1<:1'1.; nuu.ber of the ladies and gentlemen of t'c town, whose pleasure it has !> t;a to interest them^-Ive-s in the welfare of the invin- cibles." For a long time past it was felt that the time had come vlna some appreciation should be shown Mr. DA\ i's for the admirable manner in which he had cunduetod t!i>s .«o.n:ty, mid in recognition of the honours he had brought to the town. During the three years the «oci.-ty has been in existence Mr. Davies has led his 11 soldiers to war no less than seven times. Six times the Merthyr Choir has been victorious, and on the last occasion, when at LLmelly, the prize was divided. As the result or their suect-si the choir has won no less a sum than J32,500, besides many gold and silver trophies, and gold and silver- mounted batons. This, surely, is an honour of which any town might be proud, and the inhabitants, upon being appealed to, responded liberally, the subscrip- tion fund reaching the suui of £ 120 15s. Out of this the Choral Society subscribed £ 50, which prove? beyond doubt the groat love they have for their chief. The programme for the evening announced that a soiree would precede the presentation meeting. The soiree took the form of a substantial tea, served in a first-class style by Mr. Thomas Bentley and his able assistants. The room was crowded, as were the tables, and the good things were much enjoyed. The tables were presided over by the following ladies :— Mrs. Jones (Zion), Miss Emma Williams, Miss Lizzie Jones, Mrs. A. T. Johns, Mrs. D. Nicholas, Mir. Williams (Court-street), Mrs. Thomas (Mary-str.-et^, Mrs. David Hughes, Miss Maggie Jones, Miss Lizzia Evans, Miss Tudor, Miss A. Kelly, Miss Gwen Evans, Cefn; Miss Eleanor Evans, Penydarren Miss Louise Lewis, Miss Maggie Williams, Miss Maggie Morgan (Taff Vale House), Miss Minnie Morgan (Plymouth- street) and a number of young ladies from the Central Hotel. Mr. Sandford Jonec was entrusted with the general superintendence of the soiree and subsequent meeting, and carried out the duties in a satisfactory manner. During the evening Mr. and Mrs. Davies were the recipients of hearty congratulations, and on more than one occasion both were quite overcome with the loud praises sung of them. After tea, Mr. William Harris (president of the society), Col. D. Rees Lewis, Mr. William Griffiths (Taff Vale Brewery), and Mr. John Vaughan entered the hall, and were received enthusiastically. The chair was occupied by the president, and among others present were Mr. Beynon (secretary of the society), Mr. Sandford Jones, and other officials. The hall was crowded to overflowing, a large number of those pre- sent being obliged to stand in the doorway. Suspended above the chairman was a beautifully-executed life-size painting of Mrs. Davies, in a heavy gold frame, while upon the table was a beautiful gilt striking clock and f;old ornaments (under glass), a gold-mounted baton presented by Mr. W. Pritchard Morgan, M.P.), a splendid gold watch, and a purse of gold (£4-3 10s.). The first item on the programme was a chorus by the choir, which was rendered in an admirable manner, Mr. Davies conducting. Loud applause followed the rendition, and it was many minutes before the chair- < man could explain the object of the meetinsr. The Chairman said they had met that night to do honour to whom honour was due (applause). Mr. Davies' position as a successful conductor was un- equalled in Wales, and do greater proof of this was needed than the fact that in three years his choir tad won in competitions ro 18"1' a sum than £2,500 (cheers). The choir had eom- Gted seven times under Mr. Davies' baton they d won six prizes and divided the other at Llanelly (loud applause). He was glad to bear testimony to the manner in which the choir united themselves together, and he wished them great success in toe future (cheers). Colonel Lewis, upon rising to present Mr?. Davies with the oil painting of herself, was received with enthusiastic cheering. He said they were met upon a most important occasion. He did not think, although they had come there in such numbers, particularly the ohoir, that it was within their power to do Mr. and Mrs. Davies all the honour they deserved (applause). He had seen Mr. Davies leading his choir so often in such a manner that he could not help thinking that the country had lost the services of a great soldier (applause). A man who had to guide and fight with an army had to possess two or three peculiar qualifi- cations. He had first of all to have an extraordinary knowledge of the subject with which he had to deal. He had to have the skill and genius to apply that knowledge, and lastly to have the will and power to make those who had to obey him do so to the last letter and to the last note. They had in Mr. Davies those three characteristics. Noone had seen him handle his choir who had not said that he had every power over his singers (applause). No one had seen him conduct but who said that he had the genius and skill to make the choir carry out his thoughts and idea-—^applause)—so that in gaining a great choral leader they JurI lust a ureat soldier. It was a wonderful thing that during the Whole of his life and hi>; leadership Mr. Davies had scarcely known defeat. When the society was first formed, and he heard from their conductor that they were within six weeks of their formation, going tu compete for a first-class prize at a tirst-class eistedd- fod, he thought it was a daring step to take. But when ho heard them sing the Sunday before they went to battle, he was not at all surprised to receive a telegram from Forth stating that the choir had won the j3100 prizo (cheers). It showed the remaikable abihty and skill of Mr. Davies when he led a practi- cally untrained choir to Forth. After that the choir went on winning, and now they were, as had been said, invincible (cheers). And ho believed that if it were not for some few facts the Merthyr Choir would have come from Llanelly victorious, for 11'\ • (the speaker) thought the prize was really and truly theirs (cheers). Therefore, it was fitting that they should meet together that night to present Mr. and Mrs. Davies with testimonials as appreciation of his labours, memorials which he trusted they would live long to enjoy, and which would be handed down to their successors reminding them of Mr. Davies1 good work in this life, and probably spur them on to similar triumphs (applause). The Colonel then presented r Mrs. Davies with the portrait. Mr. Davies, he said, H devoted a good deal of his time to the choir, and was | taken away during that time from the company of his !J- good wife (laughter, and hear, hear). There could be J no doubt that as was the man so was the wife, and K when they saw the extraordinary success which had |> been won through the efforts of Mr. Davies, he thought thay could show, in a great measure, that the I success was due to Mrs. Davies (applause). He trusted they would live long to see the portrait hung g. upon their walls, and after they had passed away it p would be handed down to their children, their e, children's children, and their children, to lie looked < Upon with pleasure and pride—(applause)—and it would bring to their minds that Merthyr thought fit ■to honour one of its best sons and daughters. <• Miss Eliza Jones then presented Mr. Davies with if the gold watch, bearing the following inscription L Presented to Mr. Dan Davies, conductor of the Merthyr Choral Society, by his musical friends in recognition of his valuable services to the cause of music. Merthyr Tydfil, December, 1895." A duet, Sol-fa Lesson," was next rendered by Madame Mary Miles-Beynon and Mr. Sandford Jones. We need hardly say that the item was rendered with H great taste, and was encored. H Mr. William Griffiths then rose to present the clock |. and ornaments to Mrs. Davies. He said he felt sure |b they were all delighted to see that that occasion had | been the means of bringing together such a large num- I ber of friends and admirers of music. They ought to | feel proud that their town could compare with any | Other in the Principality for its renown, not only in f music, but in science and art (applause). They were £ proud to think that Merthyr was the birthplace of 1 many distinguished men, who had added lustre to all "*■ branches of art, science and literature, prose and veree-(applause)-and it had been the birthplace and the home of many eminent and distin- guished vocalists. It was not surprising that they were proud of their distinguished connec- tions, but if they could make a boast of one class of artistes more than another, it was the very many I ohoir conductors who had wielded batons in this town jr for 60 or 60 years (applause). His memory of choral sincing went back to the fifties, when he was a very small boy indeed (laughter) He remembered Rosser I*. Beynon (Zoar), Robert James, and David Francis ? (Zoar), leading choirs into competitions, and he re" collected how those choirs delighted their admirable audiences with their splendid singing (applause). At Oweet 'Berdare was born Griffith Jones, better known as Caradog (cheers). They all knew the in- fluence of Caradog, and the splendid achievements at the Crystal Palace, and the universal 'jjopularity Which he enjoyed. The success gained in those days had been well sustained ever since, and to-day Welsh choral singing was known all over the world. Only recently they gave their Ameiican cousins a treat such as they never enjoyed liefore, and later on thay were privileged to enjoy the proud distinction of appearing before Her Majesty the Queen and the B )fa! lamily at Windsor Castle (cheers). The speaker then paid a high compliment to the con- ductors, who, he said, not only read, marked, learnt, and iuwardly digested the music of the great com- posers, but they trained the choirs to such a state of perfection that they sang the compositions as the great composers wished them to be sung (applause). That night it was his duty to sing the praises of a most able conductor, a conductor who had won great victories. He trusted that both Mr. and Mrs. Davies would live long to enjoy the presents, and the choir would continue to pour into their ears that glorious music which made life worth living for—" Beautiful .Wales, the Land of Song (cheers). [&"■ Mr?. W. Price, on behalf of the choir, then pre- jg, sented Mr. Davies with a pur=e containing £ 43 10s. §f; She extended to the conductor the (>est wishes of the II Choir for a long and prosperous life, and trusted that p* m the future, as in the past, the choir would be suc- il cessful under his baton (applause). |» Miss Beatrice Evans delighted the audience with a f: Song, and she was vociferously encored. If- Mr. John Vaughan, on behalf of Air. Pritchard i|: Morgan (who is m Australia), then presented Mr. | Davies with an ivory baton, mounted with gold from t Mr. Morgan's Welsh gold mines. He said that pre- vious speakers had quoted ancient history (laughter), p Colonel Lewis had referred to the time of Adam and Eve; Mr. W. Griffiths had referred to the time of ;v JuliusCa\sar—(loud laughter)—and he (Mr. Vaughan) fe would come down to modern times (laughter). He pedieved that Mr. Lewis Morgan and himself were the s-only two surviving members of the "Old Court Llewelyn." Mr. Pritchard Morgan, though 12,000 miles away, was present that evening in tho spirit— (applause)—and he would continue to take an interest in the society. Mr. Griffiths had referred to musical notabilities, but he had not said a word about Dick y Crydd (applause). He was one of the best bassos that Merthyr ever possessed (with the exception perhaps, of John Thomas), and he applied the same remark toHopkins Bach (applause). ThenPhillip Jones, Ynysgau, was one of the finest altos that ever God created (applause). David Rosser, if he had made the stage his profession, would have made a second 8ima Reeves, and Mrs. Watts-Hughes, of Dowlaia, would have made a second Madame Patti (applausel Then, as regards conductor;, David Lloyd—(applause) —had the houour of conducting a choir in Australia before the Princr of Wales. The speaker went on to refer to the old Cyfarthfa Band, which won the prize Ut the Crystal Palace for tho best brass bund I i!= (applause). But the old members of the band had fone, and other bands were rising up equal to them, n handing the bat6n to the recipient, he said he hoped Mr. Davies would long be spared to wield it in per- forming the glorious works of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Brinley Richards, John Thomas, Dr. Parry, the late lamented Haydn Parry, and last, but not least, Tom Price (applause). Mr. Johns read several Welsh verses apropos to the occasion, after which Madame Miles-Beynon and Gwyn Alaw sang Sir Howell and Blodwen very admirably. They were loudly encored, and repeated the duet. Mr. Dan Davies, on rising to respond on his own behalf and that of his good wife, was visibly moved to tears. He said he did not know what to say in resjionse to the great honour they had conferred upon himself and Mrs. Davies. His feelings would not allow him to make a speech. He felt tliankful to the choir and his many other friends for the handsome manner in which they had treated him. He might say that since he had lived in Merthyr he had received every encouragement from the townspeople (applause). If ever he gave up the conductorship it would not be for the want of encouragement. The three gentlemen on the platform (Mr. Harris, Col. Lewis, and Mr. Griffiths) had always stood by him-(cheers) -and had encouraged him to lead the choir to what proved to be victory in almost every competition. He was sure the townspeople must be proud of the fact that they had in the town such an excellent body of singers (applause). A good many people all over the country had an idea that the Merthyr Choral Society was dead (a smile). They found that night that it was not quite dead (laughter and loud cheers). There was as much life in the Society now as ever there had been. They had a big programme before them for this year—(applmse)—and they were giving concerts in various parts of South Wales. They had received pressing and encouraging invitations to go to Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, and London, but not having mEt till the previous week they had not been able to accept the invitations. He was proud to announce that evening that one or two invitations had been accepted within the la-it few days (applause). The choir had also thought of entering into competition this year, and if the choir e.itered lie had every belief. if the members remained faithful, that they would be successful. He might say that he had never experi- enced any trouble with his soldiers on the battlefield (cheers). He had always found them ready to fight for the glory of their town,and he was sure they would act similarly in the future. He assured the subscribers that he would never forget their great kindness. He was pleased to see Mr. W. P. Thomas there that night, and also his old friend, Mr. Edwaid Williams, who was one of his old soldiers in Dowlais. He was also pleased to see his old friend, Gwyn Alaw, present (applause). Mr. Lewis Morgan proposed, and Mr. Ballard seconded, a hearty \"ot" of thanks to Colonel Lewis and Mr. Griffiths for the manner in which they had supported the choir from the time of its establish- ment. Colonel Lewis, in responding, referred to the pride it gave him to know that the choir h-Id won so many victories. He would always do all in his power to support them (cheers).—Mr. Griffiths also responded. Mr. Sandford Jones proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. William Harris, the president, for presiding. He referred to the part the president had taken in the woik and success of the choir. I he subscript ions for the testimonial amounted to JE120 15s., of which the society subscribed JB50 (applause).—Mr. Evan Evans seconded, and the proposition was carried with acclamation. The President responded. A hearty vote of thanks was then given for Mr. Pritchard Morgan for his generous gift, after which Gwyn Alaw sang a song in capital style. The choir then rendered a chorus very admirably, Mr. Davies conducting with the new baton, and the singing of the National Anthem, Madam Beynon taking the solo, concluded a pleasing gathering. Mr. D. C. Williams accompanied on the pianoforte with much taste.

EDUCATION IN WALES. In the course of the debate on the Add ress in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Sir G. Osborne Morgan said that he had placed on the paper an amendment relating to education in Wales, but it had been ruled out of order. He, therefore, wished to make a few general observations on the subjeet. The grievance of the Welsh with regard to education was that, while four-fifths of the population were Non- conformists, and in favour of undenominational educa- tion, there were none but Church schools in 627 dis- tricts, and the children were thus placed under pressure to desert the faith of their fathers No, r»o"). He appealed to the Vice-President of the Council to consider this grievance of Wales in anv legislation which he might introduce on the subject of education. Mr. Lloyd George contended that Wales was as much entitled to separate educational treatmeut as Scotland and Ireland. Mr. lIowellsaid that, as a Welshman, speaking hill own language, he was greatly amused at the state- ments made by^the right hou. baronet opposite. In the iKiuie of Welsh Unionism lie protested against any separate educational treatment of Wales. If Wales remained as was said, a nation of Noncon- formists, it was clear that the alleged proselvtism in Church Schools had not done much harm (hear, hear). After some remarks from Mr. Herbert Lewis, the Address was then agreed to.

A FINGER AND A THUMB. The careers of Mr. Gladstone and President Kruger have been, in one respect at least, analogous. Mr. Gladstone has been deprived by accident of a finger, and President Kruger has lost a thumb. Mr. Gladstone, who lost his finger early in life by a shoot- ing misadventure, has only once, so fat as we are aware, referred in public to the disaster. On the 23rd November, 1877, in a speoch in the schoolroom at Hawarden in denunciation of the Bulgarian e trocities, Mr. Gladstone observed The absence of nain some- times amounts to pleasure. It was once niv fate to have a finger cut off, and I recollect perfectly well that when the surgeons ceased to hack me about I was more delighted than I can express. I thought I never experienced so lively a pleasure." When° Pre- sident Kruger lost his left thumb (which was shattered when he was a lad, by the bursting1 of a. gun) no surgeons "ha :ked him about," for there was none in the remote settlement where his parents lived. The future President took out his pocket-knife and unflinchingly cut off the thumb himself at the joint.

THE NEW PHOTOGRAPHY. The [highly rarefied Crookes' tubes used for pro- ducing the mysterious X rays are at a premium, and it is hopeless for enthusiastic scientists to attempt to make them with the ordinary air pumo, the valves of which do not sufficiently check the rush back of air when the vacuum is becoming at all complete. A Ciookes radiant matter tulis contains somewhere about a millioneth of an atmosphere. Big induction coils, used for transforming the electrical current into the requisite high tension, are also difficult to pro- cure. Mr. J. W. Gifford, in his lecture at Bristol the other day, said he was almost overwhelmed with applications from people who desired their bones photographed so that the disease supposed to be there might be made apparent. Unable to dissociate their ideas from the ordinary photographic methods, some hid assured him that their rooms were admir- ably lighted, and one added that there was a capital sea view for a background.

MERTHYR POLICE-COURT. I THURSDAY. Before Mr. W. M. North (stipendiary) SUNDAY DRiNKlXG.—WiIhum Phillips, landlord of the White Horse, Twynyrodyn, was charged with selling beer on a Sunday. Mr. Thomas Phillips, Aberdare, was for the defence, and Mr. W. Beddoe appeared for the owners.—P.C. Stevens stated the facts of the case, which were not disputed, but Mr. T. Phillips put in a plea of extenuation of the offence.- The Stipendiary said that it was gentlemen like the defendant who should try to keep up the standing of public-houses, so that publicans on a lesser scale might have a good example to follow.-Fined B2 10s. and costs, the licence not being endorsed. AFFILIATION.—Mary Jane Lewis, Dowlais, sum- moned Thomas John Kemp to show cause, ic.-Mr. Jones was for the complainant, and Mr. J. W. Lewis for the defendant.—Tne allegation was not disputed, and an order was made for 2s. 6d. a week, with £ 2 2s. expenses. ASSAULT. — Margaret Lewis was summoned by Charlotte Yend for assault on Monday night.—Mr. Beddoe, who prosecuted, said the parties lived next door to each other in Canal-square. Defendant was in a case recently in which the complainant's mother gave evidence against her. Since then the defendant had continually taunted the complainant, and on Monday night assaulted her by striking her in the mouth and using very vulgar language towards her. Mr. Beddoe added that the defendant was a terror to everyone in High-street of an evening.—The Com- plainant gave evidence in support of her advocate's statement, adding that the defendant took off her jacket, and striking witness in the mouth, invited her to go into Castle-street and have a fight.—The Defen- dant called a witness to say that she did nothing at all, but the witness said she would have done the s ime had she been in defendant's place.—The Stipendiary fined defendant 10s. or 10 days. MONDAY.—Before Messrs. W. M. North (stipen- diary), Thomas Williams, W. Morgan, and Thomas Jenkins. Alleged UNLAWFUL WOUNDING.—Frank Wilson was charged with unlawfully wounding Patrick Donelly, a founder, on February 16th.—Complainant deposed that on Sunday lie was working in the Dow- lais Works. Defendant was working near him. Witness had occasion to remonstrate with him for throwing the iron all over the place. Upon this defendant got excited, and threatened to strike him. After dinner he was very quarrelsome, and got hold of an iron bar and struck witness on the top of the head with it.—Cross-examined by the defendant He did not throw water on him by turning a water hose in his direction -Edward Connelly also gave evidence to the same effect, after which the case was sent to the next Assizes for trial. ASSAULT. -Wi Ilia ni John Bond and Catherine Ellen Jones were summoned for assaulting Mary Ann Jones on 7th February.—Mr. W. W. Meredith appeared for complainant.—The charge arose out of a county-court case which complainant had taken against her husband, who was the female defendant's brother-in-law, and the male defendant's adopted brother. Several wit- nesses were called for the complainant, after which a cross-summons was proceeded with. Ultimately Catherine Jones and Bond were fined 5s. and costs and 10s. and costs respectively. All the parties were also bound over to keep the peace- ALLEGED LARCENY.—David Jones was charged with stealing a watch, the property of Thomas Davies, on 10th February.—Mr. Beddoe prosecuted.—Com- plainant said that he went to the Canford Inn, and fell asleep there. When he awoke his chain was hanging down, and his watch gone. He subsequently informed t'le po) ce about the matter.—James Evans said he saw defendant in the back of the Cauford Inn. He (defendant) offered to sell him the watch (pro- duced) for Is.—Acting-Sergeant Davies said that defendant came to the station and said that he had been told by the landlord of the Canford that the watch had been found at the back of the house.- Prisoner pleaded Not guilty and the case was dismissed. OBSCENE LANGUAGE.—William Edwards was fined 5s. and costs or seven days for using obscene language. MATCHES IN A COLLIERY.—George Hall, ostler, was charged with having matches in his possession in Merthyr Vale Colliery, and was fined 10s. and costs or 10 days. COAL Pn.FERp.Rs.-Mary Rees and Mary Francis were charged with stealing coal,'the property of the Dowlais Iron Company.—A fine of 5s. each was inflicted. ALLEGED ASSAULT AT BEDLINOG. — W. Webb Dekthay was summoned for assaulting Timothy Leary on February 6th, at Bedlinog.—Mr. Beddoe defended, —Complainant, who had a very black eye, gave evi- dence in support of the summons.—Several witnesses were called for the defence, and eventually the case was dismissed. ENDORSEMENT or LICENCE.—On the application of Mr. D. W. Jones, the licence of the Prince Llewellin Inn, Dowlais, was endorsed from Miss Jane James to Miss M. J. Thomas. ILLICIT SALE OF BEER.—Timothy Cahill, Queen's Arms, Cae|iantwyll, was summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of beer on 9th February.— Mr. Bedd oe defended.—P.C. Lamb said that on the date mentioned, at about ten past three in the after- noon, he was passing the Queen's Arms in company with P.C. Stevens, when they heard a noise like a bolt being drawn. They hurried to the corner of the street to see who would come out. A woman then came out of the back door of the Queen's Arms with a can of beer under her apron. She proceeded to 10, Queen-street, a few door- away, and witness followed. He went in after her, and saw her just putting down the can (produced), which contained half a gallon of freshly-drawn beer. There were a number of men there drinking. He then took Mrs. Collins (the woman mentioned) back with him to the Queen's Arms. The landlord denied knowing anything about the beçr. The woman also said that she had not had the beer from the Queen's Arms.—Cross-examined The beer was not on the table when he went in, but the woman was just putting it on the ground.—P.C. Stevens corroborated.—For the defence Mr. Beddoe called Sarah Collins, who s-.vore that she obtained the beer at the Three Cup- on Saturday night. It was bought in order to celebrate the third anni- versary of the birth of a neighbour's child (laughter). She had nothing under her apron whatever.—Patrick Donovan said he was at 10, Queen-street, on the day in question. His brother was also there. Mrs. Collins was there when he went in, but presently went out. She came back shortly after, closely followed by P.C. Lamb, who, when he got inside, caught hold of Mrs. Collins and said, "Sow I've got you, Mrs. Collins." He (Lamb) took hold of t'le beer, which was on the table, and went out as; a in, taking Mrs. Collins with him.—Cioss-examiiud There was nolxxly drunk in the house. Thi beer was there when he went in.—Edward Mackenzie, a boy about 14 years old, an adopted son of the defendant, said that P.C. Lamb came to the back door and shouted out to open it. He went and asked Mr. Cahill who gave him permission, and he thereupon opened the door. He never handed any beer to any- one —Cro-s-examined Mr. Cahill had told him never to open the door without his consent.—The defendant then went into the box, and denied having served anyone with beer that day. It was not the first time for Lamb to wrongfully accuse him.—Cross-examined: He considered himself badly treated by Lamb.—1This closed the case for the defence.—The Bench, after a consultation, decided to inflict a fine on Cahill of £3 and costs, without endorsement of the licence. REFUSING TO AIHHT THE POLIOE.—Mrs. Price, landlady of the Pengarnddu Hare, Dowlais, was charged with refusing to admit the police on Sunday, 2nd February.—Mr. J. W. Lewis defended.—P.C. JLamb .-aid that on the date in question, in company with P.C. Steven", lx>th being in plain clothes, he visited Pengarnddu Hare at about half-past four in the afternoon. He went to the front and Stevens to the back. In about a minute after he had knocked someone came and asked who was there. He said, Policemen, open the door." Soon after he heard footsteps coming along the passage. He again knocked, .t- and asked them to open the door. Then there was a sound of someone running upstairs. A few minutes after the door was opened, and he, on going in, at once ran upstairs into the longroom, the door of which was open. There was a man in the room just about jumping out. The lower part of the window had been taken out, and when he looked he saw that there was another man down on the ground. One of the panes of glass had been broken by the men in jumping down. He then went downstairs and told the landlady. He went into the kitchen, and found two men who came from Abercanaid. Cross-examined: He was at the front door for five minute3. He did not know whether Stevens knocked the same time as he did. He heard a lot of scuffling iu the passage.—P.C. Stevens deposed to going to the back door and knocking. A girl came to the door and asked who was there. He said, Policemen." She then ran back to the house. He I knocked several times. He was at the door about four minutes. Then the landlady opened the door. He went into the kitchen, and saw two men with beer in front of them. He saw the two men jump down in front of the window of the kitchen.— Cross-examined: The men in the kitchen said they came frem Abercanaid.—Mr. J. W. Lewis then opened the case for the defence, and called Mrs. Price, who said that she had lived at Pengarnddu for 16 years. There were four men in the house when the police knocked. Two had come to Pengarnddu in order to see a relative, but the other two she did not know. They told her they came from A ber- canaid, and she was just about to serve them with refreshments when the servant girl ran in from the back and said "Police." The men thereupon ran into the passage. She told them to stay in the kitchen, for as long as they had said the truth they ] need fear nothing. They, however, would not do so, and ran upstairs. She subsequently admitted P.C. j Stevens through the back door, and P.C. Lamb through the front.—Cross-exam ined The bolt of the back door was rather stiff, and that was the reason of the delay in opening the door.—Mary James, the servant, was also called.—The Bench decided to con- vict, and fined the defendant LS and costs, without endorsement of licence. NEGLECTFUL PARENTS.—John Evans, puddler, and Sarah Evans, his wife, Well-street, Dowlais, were B-osecuted for neglecting their four children at owlais, the eldest aged eight and the youngest three, Mr. Spickett, Pontypridd, prosecuted on behalf of the R.S.P.C.C.—Inspector Cook said he had known the defendants for about three years. He had noticed the children from time to time. The clothing they wore was of a very scanty nature, and in a very filthy condition. Both defendent? were addicted to drink, and he had seen them from time to time in a drunken state. On January 31st the two children attended school, and had only a single garment on. Mr. lloulson sent for him, and showed them to him. They had been given clothes in school, but only wore them once.—Inspector Ruff, the inspector for the society at Pontypridd, said he had called at the defendant's house in Dowlais on the 5th January, and saw Mrs. Evans and the youngest child. This child had one garment on, and was covered with vermin. Ho asked her where the others were, and was told that the husband had taken them to Merthyr. — Mrs. O'Connel, Mrs. Winibdon, neigh- liours, and Mr. James Lewis, attendance officer, gave evidence as to the dirty state in which they had seen the children, and the scanty clothing in which they had been attired.-The Bench said it was a clear case of negligence on the part of the parents. They deserved, the woman even more than her husband, to be sent to prison without the option of a fine. This time, however, they would give them a chance, and fine the woman 20s. and costs, or three weeks, and the man, 10s. and costs, or 10 days. The defendant were then taken down, the female as she left the box exclaiming, "I am going in, John, you take care of the children."

SERIOUS FIRE AT THE MUMBLES. In the early hours of Saturday morning one of the most serious tires that has occurred at the Mumbles broke out at the Ship and Castle Hotel, kept by Mr. A. Parkman, a well-known local artist. The Swansea Fire Brigade were summoned to the spot, and arrived by road, with the manual engine, as soon as the cir- cumstances permitted. The fire had by this time taken a great hold on the building, and the whole of the inmates escaped with the greatest difficulty, some in their nightdresses. The brigade experienced con- siderable trouble in getting water, and at last resorted to the sea, the tide being at its height. The firemen rushed into the sea and pumped the salt water over the burning building. It was, however, impossible to save the pile, which was completely gutted, whilst the neighbouring bouses on either side were considerably damaged. The occupants lost practically the whole of their belongings, and amongst the property destroyed were a number of valuable pictures owned by Mr. Parkman. J

BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. Best Baking BOr WICK'S BAKING POWDER. Powaer in the BOF; WICK'S BAKING POWDER. wiS?" BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. and FrU BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. rom Alum.

ABERDARE COUNCIL. Friday: Present, Messrs R. H. Rhys, J.P. (chair- man), D. P. Davies, J.P. (vice-chairman), Rev. B. Evans, Rev. T. Humphreys, Mr. G. George, J.P., Mr. J. Howell (Aberaman), Mr. Owen Harries, Mr. E. Morgan, Mr. R. Llewellyn, Mr. W. Hann (clerk), Mr. Owen Williams (surveyor), and Mr. John Evans (sanitary inspector). ROADS COMMITTEE.—The report of the Roads Com- mittee was adopted. SANITARY INSPECTOR'S REPORT.—Mr. J. Evans, sanitary inspector, presented his usual monthly report. There had been two cases of small- pox. and the utmost precautions had been taken to prevent the disease from spreading.— Mr. George asked whether it had come to their know- ledge as to how the disease had been contracted ?— Chairman: The last case was brought from Ponty- &ndd.—Mr. George It was here for some days pfore it was reported.—Chairman All the cases have come from Cardiff or Pontypridd, and the victims are tramps.—The Surveyor also reported that several nuisances in the town had been abated since the previous meeting. There was a complaint from residents at Wood land-terrace as to the nuisance caused by killing pigs (laughter).—The Clerk I suppose that the squeaking is the nuisance ?— Inspector Yes.-The report was adopted. THE SUSPENSION OF A CABDP.IVER.—Mr. Evan Jones, a calidri ver,^ whose licence had been suspended, attended the Board and applied for the restoration of the licence.—Mr. J. Howell asked as to what period the licence had been suspended.—The Vice-chairman replied that it was for three months.—The Chairman said that they could not rescind the notice of suspen- sion.—No action was taken in the matter. POLLING STATIONS.—A letter was received from the assistant-overseers respecting the polling stations and the necessity of making application to the County Council for a rearrangement of the boundaries.—The Chairman said that it ought to be done. The polling stations should be altered so as to suit the present arrangement of wards.—Mr. D. P. Davies endorsed the chairman's remarks.—It was decided to petition the County Council as suggested.—The Chairman remarked that all the streets should also be classified separately, and the list of all householders living in a particular street placed together. SURVEYOR'S REPORT.—This report was :t- follows:— Mount-atrcct Culvert.—Having been instructed by the Roads and Streets Committee to inquire when, and by whom, the open culvert in Mount-street was constructed, I l>ej to report that I have made inquiries and also examined the minute book of the Locat Board of Health, and found that the culvert was constructed jointly by the County Roads Board and the Local Board of Health, in February. 1877, I recom- mend that the open portion of the culvert, beinpf a distance of 34 lineal yards, be covered over with rouuh pavinc, at an estimated cost of S6 16s. Ynyahvyd-road. —In compliance with the instructions of the committee, I be? to report that the cost of levelling the strip of waste land in Ynyslwyd-road, between Curre-street and Henry-street, and hauling awav the surplus earth, will be £258. t Water Main Extension, Hirwain.—Application has been received for a supply of water to the new houses erected near the Old Foundry, off Brecon-road, Ilirwain. I beg to recom- mend that the 3-inch main in Brecon-road be extended up the road in front of the houses for a distance of 70 vards, at an estiniated cost of £1115::1. RainfaU.—The rainfall recorded at Nanthir Reservoir for the month of January was 2'09 inches, being a decrease on the previous month of 3-67 inches, and a decrease of 4'15 inches on the corresponding month of last year. Rain fell on 15 days, the greatest fall being on the 24th, viz., -46 cf an inch. Building Pians.-t have received the follow ins: buildinjj plans, and, being in accordance with the bye-laws, recommend that the same be approved, via. :—From the Glunovnon Build- mg Club, two dwelling-houses at Brook-street, Aberaman from Mr. David Thomas, 144a, Glanaman-road, Cwmaman, two dwcthntf-houaea at Kingsbury-place, Cwmaman from Mr. John Morgan, uuMdcr, Monk-street, shed in rear of No. 36, Penydarren-street from Mr. G. R. Protheroe, Xo. 7, Gadlys-street, washhouse in rear of No. 7, Gadlys-street, Aberdare; from Mr. John Jenkins, Xo. 16, Fforchaman-road, Cwmaman, additions in rear of Xo. 16, Fforchaman-road • from Mr. William K. Thomas, Wayne's Arm*, Aberdare addi- tiyns in rear of Wayne's Arms, Gadtys-road. Aberdare Drainage Plans.-I have received the following drainage plans, and recommend that the same be approved, viz.:— Two dwelling-houses at Brook-street; two dwelling-houses at Kingsbury-place, Cwmaman one dwelling-house at Brecon- road, Hirwain. Number of houses approved as above 5 11 previously approved 7138 Total number of houses approved 7143 -The report was adopted. TAXING GROUSD RENTS AM> VALUES.—The seal of the Council was affixed to a petition in favour of the above, on the proposition of Mr. George. NEW BUILDINGS.—A letter was received from the Cwmdare Vycban Building Club asking the Council to extend the water main to the new houses they had erected at the bottom of Jenki n-street. Six of the houses were now ready, and they asked the Council to inspect the same.—It was also suggested that the new houses should be called Glannant-street.- The Chairman said that lie had an objection to the new name. The houses were practically a continuation of Jenkin-street, and there was no occasion to have a new name. TONLLWVD-ROAM. —A letter was received from Mr. J. Cheap, Cardiff-road, resecting the state of Tonllwyd-road which was over shoes in mud—from six to eight inches deep."—Mr. J. Howell said that he knew the road, which was in a fearful -tate. He had known th^place sinco he had known Aberaman, and he had always known people to go over that way to Cwmaman. He did not know where the respon- sibility lay as to the condition of the road.—Chair- man The surveyor might look over the road and report. Mr. Hann: It would be a great con- venience for people going that way to have a proper road.-Chairman No doubt. So would hundreds of other roads. MEDICAL OFFICER'.S RKPOMT. -The Medical Officer reported two cases of diphtheria. Both had proved fatal. There had also been three fatal cases of croup. There was a. case of small-pox at 3, Dare-street. The patient had been removed to the hospital. RHYMNEY RAILWAY AND TAFF VALE RAILWAY BILLS.—Mr. George proposed that steps be taken to oppose tho Rhymney Railway Bill, 1896, and tho Taff Vale Railway Company's Bill, 1896.—The Clerk read a copy of a petition which it was proposed sending to the proper quarter in opposition to the Bills.—It was unanimously decided tooppose the Bills, and the Chair man said that a public meeting would be held at the conclusion of the Council meeting respecting the same matter. The public meeting was held at the Vestry Hall, Green-street, when Mr. R. H. Rhys, the chairman of the Council, presided. There was but a small atten- dance, and the proceedings were purely formal.-The Chairman proposed that the Merthyr and Aberdare Farm< Management Committee appointed by the Urban District Councils of Merthyr and Aberdare, should in the forthcoming Session of Parliament oppose the passing into law of the following Bills:- (1) A Bill to authorise the Rhymney Railway Com- pany to make a new railway in the county of Gla- morgan and for other purposes. (2) A Bill to empower the Taff Vale Railway Company to con- struct new railways and other works and acquire lands; to amend certain provisions contained in the Acts relating to the Barry Dock and Railway Com- pany, and to the Bute Docks and for other purposes. And that the costs and expenses of or in relation to the opposition of such Bill3 shall be charged on and defrayed out of such of the public funds or rates under the control of the said District Councils as they may at such meeting determine.—Mr. John Morgan seconded the proposition, which was carried unani- mously.

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