Weekly Mail

MARKETS. CORN. Oartfeff, Saturday (from the Cardiff Grain Company, Limited).—Trade quiet. Most descrip- tions of wheat were 3d per quarter cheaper. Grinding barley firm at an advance of 3d. Round maize was also 3d better. Flat maize was a trifle easier. Oats and beans were steady at unchanged quotations. CATTLE. Monmouth, Monday.—Moderate supply of beei. mostly of secondary quality. Mutton in short supply, with brisk demand. Veal in short supply. Store cattle were numerous. Cows and calves changed hands at from £10 5s to L18 15s; trade in ether store cattle quiet. The store sheep penned attracted but little attention. There was a better supply of pigs, 2nd trade was distinctly looking up. Sows and pigs made from £ 7 10s to JE11 14s. One sow and litter of fourteen, reached jE12 15s. A few lambs on offer made up to lid per lb. Quotations:- Prime beef. 61d to 6Jd; other qualities, 5d to 6d; veal, 7d to '/id: wether mutton, 8!d to 83d; nile ditto, 7d to 7 £ d per lb.; pork, 10s to 10s 6d per score—some small ones reached 11s per score; baconers, 9s to 9s bd per score. Auction prices:—The following prices were realised under the hammers of Messrs. Nelnies. Poole. and Atkins. Monmouth and Newnham, and Messrs. Dampier and Wigmore, Ross and Monmouth: -Bulls, JEM to JE24 1,Q8; heifers. JB11 10s to £16 10s; bullocks, from £.14 to JB21; calves, zL2 14s to JB5; milch cows. JE13 to £19; fat wethers, 44s to 49s 6d; ewes, 30d to 52s; porkers, from -37s to 52s; baconera. z64 5s to £7 2s 6d. Roath (Cardiff). Tuesday.—'The supply of cattle on offar at this markft to-da,y was rather limited, although, apparently, there were sufficient to meet .he demand, which continues slow. Best quality steers and heifers were purchasable at from 62s to 65s per cwt; second quality ditto from 58s to 60s. Fat cows were a moderate srapply, and were quoted at from 52s to 56s per cwt. choioe quality light weights and not too fat being in most demand. Sheep were a short supply; consequently, late high rates were fully maintained, viz., best wethers "d to Sd per lb, secondary sorts from 8d to 8id; tegs of good quality from 8id to 9d. Irish yearlings were in good demand at from 8id to Bid; ewes, nice quality, handy weights, and not too fat. made up to 7Jd; other sorts about 6id per lb. The supply of lambs was some- what limited, those on offer selling freely at about Is per lb. The supply of calves was considerably larger to-day than has been the case of late; quotations, of course, varied with the quality; a large number changed hands at from 8d to 9d per lb, a few extra choice making just a shade more money. The supply of pigs was again of the most limited description, scarcely sufficient being penned to meet the requirements of the pork trade; there if, nothing new to quote re prices from last report, viz., choice, small, selected Pembrokes realised lie 6d per score, heavy-weight porkers lis to 11e 3d; porkers other than Welsh about its; bacon pigs extremely scarce, the few on offer being sold early at from 10s 3d to 10s 9d per score. The attendance of buyers was certainty below the average for a Tuesday's market, the consequence being trade ruled stow, and at the close of business several lots were left unsold. Trade in the carcase market showed a slight improvement from last report. The wholesale butchers had again provided a very prime lot of meat for their patrons to select from. There were hundreds of sides of beef of magnificent quality, the choicest of which commanded from 5id to 5gd per lb; second quality sides (ox or heifer) were quoted at from 6id to 6Jd, the demand being very slow; best hindquarters of ox or heifer beef sold fairly well at from 6id to 6 £ d, second quality tiitta from 61d to 6id; best fore- quarters of beef realised from 4id to 5d, secon- dary sorts 4id to 4jd. Carcases of choice wether mutton were in good demand at from 7id to 71d per Ib; carcases of ewe mntton made from 6:\d to 7d. only the very choioest, however, touching the higher figure. Veal was a moderate supply, the quotations being from nd to 9d per lb. Lamb scarce, a clear- ance being effected at about Is per lb. As stated above, there was more business done in this department than last week; yet although a considerable quantity of meat changed hands, a clearance was not effected at the close. Chepstow. Tuesday.—To-day's market waa well attended, and there was a good supply, n utton being rather in exoess of the demand Best beef made from 6id to" 7d per lb, with 6d to 6id per lb for seoond quality. Veal was uearer, nice weights making fully 10d per lb with 8d to 9d pe-- lb for heavier and coarser meat. Light weight mutton fetched from 81d to 9d per lb. heavier about 8d per lb. and ewes and tups from 6d to 7d per lb. Nice weight porkers made up to 10s per soore, and baconers 8s 6d to 9s per score. Most of the stock was disposed of under the hammers of Messrs. Davis, Newland, and Hunt. the following being the auction prices:—Fat stock: Bulls..815 15s to £ 20; bullocks. JElG 126 6d to JB21 10s; heifers. £ 15 158 to £ 23; calves, zE2 16a to L6 5s; tegs, 35e to 55a; wethers. 38a 6d to 47s; ewes, 43s 6d to 48s; porkers, 37s 6d to 60s. Store stock: Steers and heifers, JB10 10s to L,23 5s per pair: cows and calves. £12 to JB16 2s 6d; calves, £ 110s to L2 12s; pigs, 17s 6d to 35e 6d. Salford, Tuesday.—A smaller supply of cattle, with a good demand at late rates. The supply of sheep was also larger, and last week's prices ▼■ere maintained. The supply of calves was about the same as last Tuesday. Quotations: -Cattle. 5d to 6Ad; sheep, 6d to 9id; calves, 6d to 9d per lb. BUTTER. Carmarthen. Saturday.—There was a fair supply of butter in the market, which realised from Is OJd to 1s Id per lb. basket butter Is Id to Is ljd per lb; cheese 27s to 29s per cwt. Cork. Tuesday.—Seconds, 99s; thirds, 84s per cwt. In market: 39 firkins. FISH. Cardiff. Tuesday.—Supplies very scarce, and prioes advancing. Quotations: --Salmon, 2s 4d; tarbot. Is 2d; soles, 2s 6d; lemon soles, 8d; halibut. lOd; and brill. lOd per lb.; cod, 2s 6d to 3s 3d; hake, 3s; best plaice, 3s 6d to 5s 3d small. 3s; whitches. 3s; gurnet. Is 2d; skate, "s: haddock, 2s 6d to 3s; conger, 2s 6d; and finnons. 3s to 4s 9d per stone; kippers. Is 10d to j??rrin*B' ls 9d to 2s per box of f0, 3s 6d to 4s; bloaters, 8s 6d; and I herrings, 8s per 100. HOPS. Worcester. Saturday (from Messrs. Piercy and Co. s report).-Trade has been very S on our market this week. and few orders have come in. These have to be executed from mer- chants stocks, which are held for late rates. CORN AVERAGES. Statement showing the quantities sold and average price of British corn per quarter of eight bushels, Iaiperial measure, as received from the inspectors and offtrrvy8 Rxcjge ;n the week ended March 9. 1901, pursuant to the Corn Returns Act. *832:— Quantities »»i>i. Average [H-icii? Org. Has. s i Wheat, 6 \7!4 5 ;5 9 Parley 5',125 5 4 Oats 19,4.0 5 17 7 Comparative statement for rnc correspond- ing week in each of the year3 from 1897 to 1300: Whest,. Average. BarW. Average Out*. Avffe- Qi*. Bns. s. d. Qrs. Bus. s d. Qr«. Bus. s. 18Q7-43,630 3 27 11 34,894 2 22 U 7 Jo a 1893-52,875 1 8 5b P5'> 1 i.7 10 b 17 u 1PW—79.274 t> 25 10 44,196 0 26 7 20,43t> 2 16 1] 1900-58,703 4 25 11 44.921 4 24 8 lb.sitt 0 lb H

TRADE REPORTS. CARDIFF. EXCHANGE. Wednesday. There is very little change to chronicle in connection with the staple industries of the port, with the exception that the succession of sterms which prevailed last week adversely affected the coal trade in all departments, and, owing to the non-arrival of overdue ton- nage, steam coalowners more particularly suffered considerable inconvenience. Tempo- rarily, the market then showed unmistakable signs of weakness, but. with the return of favourable weather, speedily recovered its buoyancy. To-day a healthy tone generally prevailed, and, as the stocks which accumu- lated have since undergone rapid depletion, sellers were quoting firmly for prompt and early shipment. Veity best steams were firmly held at 178 3d to 17s 6d, seconds from los to 16s 9d, and drys 148 3d to 15s 3d per ton. The demand for small steam coal was un:1bated, and from now on to the Easier holidays in- creased shipments may be anticipated—best qualities quoted at 7s to 7s 6d. seconds 5s 9d to 68 6d, and inferior sorts, including drys, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per ton f.o.b. The market for Monmouthshire semi-bituminous coal COll- tinues active, and current prices are well maintained. Best Western Valleys realise 15s 6d, and Eastern Valleys 14s 3d to 14s 6d per ton f.o.b. House coal sellers are still disposing of their output without any serious difficulty, but the sensitive nature of this market is indi- cated by the fact that since milder weather set in inquiries have perceptibly decreased. Best households ranged'from 18s to 20s, and seconds from 14s to 15s per ton f.o.b.. but these figures are not likely to be maintained over the month. No. 3 Ehondda huge was worth about 15s 6d to 16s, and No. 2 Rhondda large 138 to 13s 6d per ton f.o.b. Patent fuel manufac- turers are experiencing a dull market, but nominally last quotations remain, viz., best brands 15s 6d to 16s. and seconds from 14a per ton. The position of the coke trade is most unsatisfactory, the "slump" still continuing. Good foundry to-day was on offer at 18s to 20s. and foundry from 168 to 17s per ton, wilile it is an open secret that some manufacturers were accepting prompt orders below these figures. Pitwood stocks continue low, and im- porters are obtaining for ordinary sizes 18s per ton less 21 per cent. Owing to the slack- ness in the iron trade, there has been recently a falling off in the quantity of foreign iron imported into South Wales, the market quota- tions, in sympathy, being also easier. Best Rubio is quoted at 14s 6d c.LL Cardiff or New- port. The demand for finished iron and steel continues indifferent, and some steel- makers are stated to be running very short of orders. The tin-plate industry, however, has an improving tone. There is a better inquiry, and, as the stocks held by merchants are phenomenally low. any appreciable increase in the demand is calculated to force up the prices of plates. In the freight market outward chartering has been. and is now, moderately active. Rates for Italy remain firm, Egypt steady, Plate and the Brazils firm and advancing. Bay ports steady, and coasting quiet. SWANSEA. The trade of the port continued very quiet during the past week, and the returns are in striking contrast to the briskness which ruled ill the corresponding period of last year. A large decrease is shown in the import trade, due to some extent to the bad weather which prevailed, and in shipments of ccal for France. The imports include:—France 590 tons pit' wood. Spain 1.800 tons iron ore, 390 tons arseni- cal ore, and 315 tons pyrites, Portugal 1,320 tons iron ore. Germany 400 tons general. Bel- gium 30 tons general, and United States 727 leads timber, 400 tons grain, and 30 tons general. The coal shipments include:—-I'rance 15,840 tons, Germany 3,430 tons, Italy 3,547 tons, Denmark 1,200 tons, Algeria 1,300 tons, Limbed States 1.926 tons, and home ports 3,683 tons. Patent fuel:—France 3,775 tons. Italy 110 tons, Austria 3,500 tons, and Algeria 750 tons. Imports 8,174 tons, exports 43,793 tons, and total trade 51.967 tons. compared with 64,656 tonsttie previous week and 92,266 tons last J'ear. ip- ments of ccal 32,626 tons, patent ^el 8435 tons, and tin-plates and general good? 3,032 tons, the latter for:-France 283 tons, Germany 4*) tons, Holland 450 tone, New York 419 tons, and home ports 1,430 tons. Shipments of tm-plates, 30 264 boxes, and receipts from works 41,014 boxes. Stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 86 811 boxes, compared with 76,061 boxes the previous week, and 191.240 boxes at the cor- responding date last year. The following vessels are expected to load ijjfthis trade in the current week:—Exeter City for New York, Dardanus for Chinese ports, Pendennis for Batoum and Odeesa, Tyria, and Samaria for Mediterranean ports, Alstad and Giralda for Lisbon and Oporto. Princess Alexandra for Reval, City of Cadiz for Hamburg, Echo, Jan Van Ryswyck. and Nigel for Holland and Belgium, and Hector for Nantes and Bordeaux. Vessels in dock:—Steam, 23; sail, 67—total, 90. Imports:—Pig iron, 435 tons; steel scrap, 60 tons; zinc ashes, 10 tons; iron ore. 3.120 tons; pyrites, 315 tons; arsenical ore, Ac., 392; pit- wood. 590 tons; timber, 727 tons; building material, 100 tons; pitch, 440 tons; grain, 430 tons; sundries, 1.555 tons. Exports:—Coal, 32,626 tons; patent fuel, 8.135 tons; and tin- plates and general goods, 3,032 tons. SWANSEA VALLEY. Employment at the collieries continues very erratic. During the week five days were made at Cwrtybettws, a couple at Foxhole, and a similar number of turns at Birehgrove Old Pit. At Velinfran work is very slack, but the price of house coal remains unchanged at 20s per ton. Owing to a dispute with respect to the price for cutting in the Three-foot Seam the whole of the men employed at the Copper Pit, Morriston, have been out on strike since Wednesday last, the total number of hands affected by the dispute being 152. The coal has been reached by the Lewis-GraigoUo Colliery, and the output is increasing most satisfac- torily. In the staple trade matters are wear- ing a blighter aspect than they did at the beginning of the year. It is anticipated that, with the exception of three mills at the Beau- fort and the three at Foxhole, all the tin-plate and sheet mills in the Morriston group will be in active operation before the close of the week. Morriston Chemical Works is also busy, as well as the adjacent foundries and engineer- ing sheds. The steel-making departments in the neighbourhood were productive of fair results during the past week, the chief drawback to an average output being that art the Swansea Hematite Company's works three only of the five furnaces were smelting. Owing, possibly, to the continued stoppage of the Dowlais bar mill, the present supplies are scarcely equal to the demand. By the re- starting of the Dyffryn bar mill this week the pressure will be Somewhat eased. Here a. large stock of ingots has accumulated owing to the re-placing of flywheel of the engine, which has now been completed. The reports from many of the tin-houses are more encouraging than has been the case for a long while past. Patents aTe, however, almost supersed- ing the old style of brushing, thus saving at least 3d on every box of plates turned out. Both refineries and the mills at the three chief copper establishments are working satisfactorily. The usual activity is observable at the spelter refineries of Vivian's, Dillwyn's, Middle Bank, and Swansea Vale. The refractory ore trade, however, seems to have gone very quiet. Just now everything is at a standstill at the large concern at Llan- samlet Lower. The sulphate of copper works of Messrs. Porteous and Co. is going as briskly as need be. A regular supply or sulphuric acid is sent forth from the Swansea Chemical Factory. Minor works generally are also doing fairly well just now. DOWLAIS. A well-sustained activity prevailed at the iron and steel works during the past week. Notwithstanding temporary trade disabilities, the turnover in mos-t branches was distinctly good, and they were as far as possible regu- larly employed. For steel rails and plates a satlsfaotory demand continues to be main. tained, a fact substantiated by the works' returns and the big freights wagoned to the seaboard. Several new contracts, too, have been secured in these particular lines. Other departments were moderately productive, and, on the whole, fully realised general expecta- tions. Preparations are now in an advanced stage for. the erection in the Old Works of the new "Morgan" mill imported from the United States, and the site is almost ready for its reception. Much is expected of the inven- tion. which should prove a valuable addition to the existing plant and re-pay the large outlay. An early visit from the directors of Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Co. (Limited) is spoken of. which has direct connection with the extensions and developments now in pro- gress at the works. Nothing of incident occurred at the collieries, where the output was up to the average.

LIBEL ACTION AGAINST THE SPORTSMAN." In the King's Bench on Monday (before Mr. Justice Lawrance) the case of Sharpe versus Ashley and Smith was mentioned. Mr. Duke said the action was brought by Mrs. Sharpe in respect of a libel published on her by the "Sportsman." Plaintiff was the wife of a well-known jockey on the Con- tinent. The correspondent of the "Sports- map." in describing the jockeys riding in the Hamburg Derby, suggested that Sharpe had made an unhappy marriage, which had driven him to drirk. The lady naturally lesented the statement, and the defendants then found that their correspondent was misinformed. They had {.'r.> .¡¡;) into court, and now pub-j licly apologised and retracted the statement, j withdrawing every imputation. The lady's II costs would also be paid. Dr. Blake Odgers for the lady said he was glad to hear it'was a foreigner who bad nrade the siatfinon against u lady cf unblemished reputation.

The Rev. M. LVvd. t.M. miniver. LlnnlwiC was on Mom!1; evrrjin~ olccte.-J chairman «>f Ihc :k'w s'h'«)l i;<>avd at. i>lan: wi! Vardre, and Mr. Tbomac Lewis vice-chairman.

BETTWSYCOED BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. POSTMISTRESS JILTED BY A LOCAL CONTRACTOR. At Chester Assizes on Monday (before Mr. Justice Bruce) Miss Jane Jones, postmistress of Bettwsycoed, brought an action to recover damages for breach of promise of marriage from David Matthew Davies, contractor, of the same villag-j. Plaintiff is 53 years of age, and it appeared from the statement of her counsel, Mr. Ellis Griffith, M.P., that there was none of the fun met with in some of these cases. The parties had kept company since 1867, and for 27 years things went on without a hitch. He used to take her about, and they were regarded by every- body as engaged. He used to go to the post- office, where there was a parlour upstairs, which was very convenient for them to speak to one anothjr in. He must have paid her thousands of visits. In January, 1876, plain- tiff wrote to defendant, whom she addressed as "My dear David." expressing her delight at his promise to keep faithful to her. In a subsequent letter she became more affec- tionate, and ended her letter "I remain, dear David, "Yours affectionately. "JENNY JONES." .After this there came not the ordinary crosses, but in writing "two or three kisses- real ones." Those letters showed that as fai back as 1876 they were keeping company with one another. In 1889, when his sister got mar- ried, defendant said to plaintiff, "We must get married now," and in 1891, when another wed- ding took place, he remarked to her. "Our wedding will not be like that." In the autumn of 1899 there was some little difference bc-tween them, as there was often between lovers, and he accused her of hav- ing walked out with someone else. She was very indignant at the accusation, and he wrote a lett" apologising for the accusation, and stating. "I intend to marry you, and promise to keep myself faithful to you from now until death." (Laughter.) Defendant continued. "You may rest satisfied that I will not go after anyone else, as I have done lately." Afterwards plaintiff noticed that he was cooler in his manner, and she taxed him with it, whereupon he said be would not marry her. Plaintiff in cross-examination said she believed her conduct was onoe orought before the pastor of the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Bettwsycoed, in consequence of an untrue rumour about an illness she had. Her illness, however, was pleurisy. Mr Moss, M.P., on behalf of defendant, con- tended that the suit was dissolved by mutual consent.' Defendant, in his evidence, said that, in con- sequence of the statement he made concern- ing plaintiff and a male lodger of hers, be received a letter from plaintiff's solicitor. He afterwards wrote a letter, at plaintiff's dicta- tion, apologising for the statement and pro- mising to marry her. Afterwards she a-sked him to come and see her as before. She said she did not want to get married, and she would be an old maid and he an old bachelor. (Laughter.) Cross-examined: When he wrote this letter promising to be faithful to plaintiff until death he meant it. If nothing bad happened after then he would have married her. The jury awarded the plaintiff £50.

A PARISIAN TRAGEDY. SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A NEW- PORT WOMAN. M. Eugene Labbay. accountant at a mer. chant s, lived for four years in a flat in the Rue Saint Sulpice, Paris (says a correspon- dent of the "Daily Mail"). His wife was an Englishwoman, whose maiden name is said to have been Florence Smith. He made about £250 a year, and seemed in fairly easy circum- stances. Sinoe Tuesday last neither he nor his wife had been seen by the concierge of the house, and after ringing many times the police were called in, tne aoor was oroken Opeh, and in the bedroom the two young people ware found dead side by side. At the inquest very little was revealed, save that M. Labbay was very fond of racing, and that most of his salary was spent in betting. It appeared also that the unhappy pair, after having been fairly well off, had gradually become very poor indeed. With a view to establishing identity, the Paris police authorities desire the "Daily Mail" to state that the name of the English woman is unknown, but is supposed to have been Smith. She was born in London, and had been a hospital nurse at Newport, Mon- mouth. She and her husband committed suicide on March 5, and on March 7 the following tele- gram arrived from Cardiff:—"Come to me. Cash wanted. Smith, Bishpool, Newport, Mon. mouth." Their bodies were discovered on March 8. They were buried on Sunday. The result of inquiries locally shows that the young lady in the sad caøe appears to be Miss Florence Greener, a sister-in-law to Mr. Fred Smith, corn merchant, of Newport, to whom (or his wife, the deceased's sister) the message was evidently intended, to he sent. She had been in Paris, and it is thought that she may have been keeping house for M. Paul Labbe, who formerly lived at Newport. M. Labbe, who was a native of Nantes, lived at Newport some eighteen or twenty years, a.nd occupied a confidential position in the businese of a Dock-street firm of merchants and ship- pers. He was a gentleman between 50 and 60 years of age, who before arriving at Newport, had married a widow (a French lady) some years older than himself. This may be the gentleman referred to in the message from Paris, though the Christian name of Eugene does not quite tally. Hie stepson's Christian name was Eugene, but he had left his stepfather a long time.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT NAPLES. Rome, Saturday.—The Naples papers contain accounts of a terrible crime which has just been discovered. Five years ago Giovanni Miccio married a young woman named Marie Ingino. After- wards Miccio became the lover of his wife's sister, Gelsomina, and Mme. Ingino, his mother-in-law. A feeling of intense jealousy sprang up between Gelsomina and her mother, and the girl instigated Miccio to murder the elder woman. Mme. Ingino was decoyed to Miccio's house, where Miccio killed her with a sabre. Miccio and Gelsomina placed the body in a sack and bid it in a cave on Vesuvius. The tragedy was revealed by a sorceress Ingino, the husband of the murdered woman, consulted as to her whereabouts. He had been told she had gone to America, but he had had no replies to his letters. The sorceress told him that hie wife was not in America, but that she had been murdered and her body hidden on Vesuvius. He made a. search, and discovered his wife's remains. The sorceress has been arrested, as well as Miccio and Gelsomina—Central News.

CHARGE AGAINST A STOCK- BROKER. Walter Basil Cochrane, stockbroker, was charged at Bow-street on Monday morning with receiving securities, knowing them to be stolen, and with perjury. Accused was arrested on Saturday night, and evidence of arrest only was given. The securities in ques- tion were worth between £7,OCIJ and £8,000. Accused was remanded, bail being refused. Accused carried on business as an outside stockbroker as Cochrane and Co.. in Cornhill.

AMERICA CUP RACE. The launch of the Shamrock haofl been post- poned until tli3 second week in April owing to the difficulty in working the manganese-bronze plates. The American challenger being now well forward there is no need of strict secrecy, and more men will be put on the work. It is said that the design of the boat is so novel that had the Americans obtained the know- ledge the defender would have been built to the same design.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER cnu. MITS SUICIDE. An inquest was held at Peterborough on Monday on the body of a com- mercial traveller, named Burkitt, who committed suicide by taking vermin poison. Business had been bad, and deceased, in a letter to his wife, said letters and telegrams from his firm bad driven, him mad. A verdict of. "Suicide whilst of unsound mind" was returned'.

TROUBLE THREATENED. So the Speaker of the House of Commons has not yet heard the last- of the Erse tongue. According to a correspondent of the "New York Herald," the doughty Mr. O'Donnell has declared that he will claim the attention of the Speaker periodically and incessantly, each time speaking in Irish. Not until he is sus- pended for disorderly conduct will he desist. When the House's Serjeant-at-Arms appears on the scene the entire membership of the Irish Party will, he declares, come to bis sup- port. and the chances for trouble are fair.

Caerphilly District Council on Tuesday decided In negotiate for the price of land for a public ccrnclevy at Tuff's Well, and for a road from Nelson to Senghenydd.

A GREAT NONCONFORMIST DEAD. REV. URIJAH R. THOMAS PASSES AWAY. The Congregational body throughout England and Wales will learn with unfeigned sorrow of the death on Friday of the Rev. Urijah R. Thomas, of Redland Park, Bristol, one of the most prominent divines in the denomination. The rev. gentleman up to a recent pe»-'od had enjoyed his usual health, and hw decease is attributed to an attack of pleuro-pneu- monia. For many years he had been asso- ciated with Bristol, and was, indeed, one t4)1. The Late Rev. URIJAH R. THOMAS, Bristol. I of the most conspicuous citizens of the great city of -the West. A man of towering ability, a strong platform speaker, and a man of great individual power and in- fluence, he was a powerful lever in the intellectual, moral, and social life of the city of his adoption. There was hardly a movement in Bristol with which he was not identified and to which his name did not lend influence and weight. Imme- diately on the formation of the school hoard he was elected a member, a position which lie greatly appreciated and filled with distinction for many years. After a career of faithful service for twenty-four vears he was selected as chairman in 1898, a, post which he held until the time of his death. Great, however, as Mr. Urijah Thomas was as a citizen and public leader in education and politics, the sphere in which he was pre-eminent was the ministry. No man occupied a more prominent position in Bristol than the venerated minister of Redland Park Chapel, and not only in Bristol was he a man among men, but also in Non- conformist circles 0 throughout England. He never courted popularity, never appealed to the gallerv still, there was no man who wielded greater influence in his denomination or did more to inspire Congregationalism with high ideals. As an acknowledgment of his position as a divine and leadet and the eminent services he had rendered to tJiQ denomination, he was elected to the presidency of the Con- gregational Union of England and Wales in 1898. His addresses 011 that occasion rank among the most notable effusions ever delivered from the chair, and were the theme of general admiration and praise. His addresses and sermons were always looked upon as models of their kind. Probably no man of this generation did more to mould the English and Welsh pulpit than Urijah Thomas. His dis- courses and sketches in 'the "Homilist" were common property, and were re-pro- duced in thousands of pulpits, not only in his own denomination, but throughout England and Wales generally. Mr. Thomas came of a good Noncon- formist family of Welsh extraction. He was born at Tenby. His father, who passed away at a ripe age on the eve of his son's assumption of his duties as chairman of the Congregational Union, was the cele- brated Dr. David Thomas, of Stockwell, the editor of the "Homilist," and a fore- most preacher of the last century. With I the advantage of a strong Nonconfoi .nist heredity, Mr. Thomas entered Cheshunt College to receive his theological training, and from there in 1862 he went direct to Redland Park Church, to become its first and as yet its only minister.

TREORKY CHOIR'S VISIT TO IRELAND. The Treorky Male Voice Choir gave the first of a series of concerts at Belfast on Friday in aid of the Albert Bridge Con- gregational Church funds. They arrived in Belfast on Friday from Fleetwood after a pleasant passage, and were entertained to breakfast in the Young Men's Christian Association's parlour. Their first concert was a splendid success. The "Belfast News Letter" refers to the choir as follows — "The choir, which made its first appear- ance in Ireland yesterday, enjoys an enviable reputation across the Channel. Its history, though it can be briefly told, is a record of perseverance in the face ef diffi- culties, crowned with a success which is well merited. The choir was formed some sixteen years ago, when a number of hard- working miners in the little town of Treorky, twenty miles from Cardiff, banded themselves together for the study and practice of music in their leisure hours. Prompted by a laudable ambition, they entered one of the Eisteddfod contests, and carried off a prize. This victory naturally stimulated them to renewed efforts, with the gratifying result that they achieved still greater triumphs, and soon established a reputation which they have maintained ever since, and are likely long to maintain. The personnel of the choir has naturally changed somewhat since its inauguration, but it has been practically the same for the last seven years. It com- prises close on thirty members, all of whom are miners, following their arduous calling for the greater portion of every week, and devoting their spare time to the musical pursuits they love so well. It may be men- tioned that all the choir were working in the mines on Wednesday last, and their Irish trip comes as a welcome holiday, to which, we understand, they have looked forward with pleasurable anticipations. They have won golden opinions from all classes, and critics of the highest standing have praised their singing in no measured terms. The choir had the honour of appearing befeig the late Queen Victoria at Windsor, antt her Majesty graciously expressed her appreciation, and presented to the conductor, Mr. William Thomas, a beautiful baton as a souvenir of the occa- sion. The good opinion entertained of them in their native land and in England will, as an outcome of the present visit, be shared in Ireland, and it is very probable that they will be invited to 'come back to Erin.' "The concert was of a most enjoyable character throughout, and the frequent and hearty plaudits testified to the appre- ciation of the audience. Indeed, the tokens of appreciation were in one respect too marked-there were too many encores, in spite of the generous length of the pro- gramme, and bad they all been complied with the concert would have been pro- tracted to a very late hour. These indis- criminate encores, though well meant, are not fair to the artistes themselves, and should be discouraged. Undoubtedly, the most interesting items on the programme were the choruses sung by the choir. Better singing was never heard in Belfast. The clear enunciation, the marvellous blending of voices, the artistic expression, the purity of tone-all combined to give a charm to the rendering of the various selec- tions which it is impossible to describe adequately. The descriptive pieces were especially fine, the attention given to light and shade bearing evidence to the choir's careful training:

LONG FIRM FRAUDS. The trial was concluded at the Old Bailey on Monday of Charles Matusch, Richard Harvey, and Hermann Schneider for conspiracy to defraud a number of provincial firms by long firm methods. Schneider showed he was not a party to the conspiracy, and was dis- charged. Matusch was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, and Harvey to eighteen months' hard labour. The latter became very violent on hearing the sentence, and had to be forcibly removed.

At the meeting of the Porthcawl Council on Monday it was resolved that a cordial invita- ] tiori be giveti the Severn Brigade to camp at Porthcawl during the coming season. 1

LIBERAL UNIONIST PARTY. LETTER FROM THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. At a meeting of the Leeds, Pudsey, and Barkston Liberal Unionist Associa- tion held at Leeds on Monday afternoon the following letter from the Dnke of Devonshire upon the subject of Liberal Unionist organisation was read — "Devonshire House, Piccadilly, W., March 1. "My dear Sir,—I have to thank you for the notice of the meeting of the Leeds and Pudsey Liberal Unionist Association, aud trust that your organisation continues t > exercise a beneficial effect upon the sur- rounding constituencies. I take this oppor- tunity of expressing my confident hope that your association and many others having similar aims will in no way relax their efforts to improve and extend the efficient organisation of the forces of the Liberal Unionist party throughout the United Kingdom. "In a letter to Lord James of Hereford early in the year 1696 I gave it as my opinion that nothing should be done to create unnecessary distinctions among, Unionists, nor to discourage the amalgama- tion of their organisations in special cases, where it was dreired by their local leaders or appeared to be suitable in any given constituency, but, on the other hand, I strongly urged that in the majority of cases any advantage or convenience that plight be thus obtained could only be gained 'at risk of loss in the numerical and moral strength of the Liberal Unionist party.' I adhere to the opinions that I then expressed, and think they are applicable to the present political situation. The results of the general election last year prove, to my great satisfaction, that Liberal Unionists responded most loyally to the can that their leaders made upon them, and it is evident that the vigour and activity of our organisations, in co-operation with those of the Conservative party, largely contri- buted to the significant majority returned to support the policy of the Government, "It is of the utmost importance, on every public ground, that the position which has been won should be strenuously defended and strengthened. No effort should be spared to maintain the vitality and efficiency of the Liberal Unionist party, and to attach more permanently to our organisations those Liberal electors. whose votes were recorded in our favour in the autumn of last year. Mr. Cham- berlain cordially concurs in these views, which I earnestly press upon your con- sideration, and I am assured that the leaders of the Conservative party fully recognise the value of a well-organised Liberal Unionist party as an efficient auxi- liary for the defence of Unionist prin- ciples. "The management committee of the Liberal Unionist Association at West- minster, of which, as vou are aware, Mr. Powell Williams has resumed the chair- manship, will at all times be ready to assist vour efforts, and I have asked Mr. Bora- st^U £ e secretary of the association and chief agent of the party, to attend your meeting in order to give you any help and advice that may be in his power. "I remain, yours sincerelv, "(Signed) DEVONSHIRE." The meeting was private, but we are informed that the recommendations con- tained in the letter of his grace were unanimously adopted.

SLANDERED SOLDIERS. WELSH WAR CORRESPONDENTS STIRRING DEFENCE. A long letter, strong, but moderate in its terms, from the pen of Mr. H. A. Gwynne, of Swansea, one of Reuter's special correspondents at the front, was published on Monday, replying to the charges which have been brought against 11 the British troops in South Africa in some of the anti-war pamphlets and papers. Mr. Gwynne denies with indignation that our soldiers have been guilty of the brutalities imputed to them. As to the farm-burnings, he writes.—- I "To say that these burnings of farms were carried out with pleasure or satisfaction by the officers and men is a downright untruth. Times out of number officers charged with this unpleasant duty have confessed to me their 1 hatred of it. And to see the gentle. way in I which both officers and men helped the women and children showed that they were full of 1 sympathy and loving kindness, and not I monsters of cruelty. The vast majority of officers openly stated that they were of opinion that the burning of farmhouses in retaliation for the destructioif of the railway line was an unjust measure, and I know of many cases where orders were actually disobeyed. I think now, though I confess I did not at the time, that such a measure was a. mistake. It will never again be enacted, and I am glad of it. But to tell the British public that the carrying out of such severe orders ras to the liking of the officers and men seems to me an insult to their own senre of honour and to their faith in the honour of their fellow- 1 countrymen." i As to the treatment of Boer women, he says: — "If the "Stop the War* publications do not says: — "If the 'Stop the War' publications do not say in so many words that women have been dishonoured, they hint at it pretty plainly. In page 18 of the pamphlet, 'The New War in South Africa.' I find the following lines, apropos of Boer women having to beglfor food in camp: 'When women live on the charity of a camp it is needless to describe to what depths of infamy necessity soon "educes them.' 1 Now, I am perfectly certain that the crime hinted at in these words ha" never been com- ] mitted. I hav3 taken the trouble to inquire i into the behaviour of our army to the Boer ] women, and I have never been able to ( find a single instance of a verbal insult even. ] On this point I have the testimony of one of De Wet's men, taken prisoner at Bothaville. ( He said to me, 'The war is a hard war enough. 1 but, thank God, we can leave our wives and daughters with the full confidence that no harm will befall them at the hands of the English." He contradicts absolutely also the statement that correspondents have been prevented from saying what they chose in their letters home, ] remarking: "Letters from correspondents to i their papers at home are never even seen by 1 the censor, and as for the exclusion of r foreigners, how does the author account for] the presence of M. Jean Carrere, the talented ( correspondent of the Paris 'Matin,' who was 1 given every facility, and whose letters were ( never censored?" ] ——.——

CROWN LAND AT LLANELLY. MR. ALFRED DAVIESS ACTION CRITICISED. Resentment has been aroused in Llanelly by the action taken by Mr. Alfred I Davies, the local M.P.. in connection with z the advent to the town of a powerful Belgian syndicate, who have acquired a 3 coal-taking cn the Morfa Marsh. This 1 company is going to spend £150,000 in proving the lower coal measures, but Mr. 1 Davies asked the Government to cancel the lease In commercial circles the r action of Mr. Davies is strongly denounced, and it is not unlikely that a meeting of the chamber of commerce will be called to protest against his interfe- rence, which is calculated to hinder the development of the mineral resources of the town. The taking in question has t been in the hands of a number of local gentlemen for some years, 1. and they have made repeated attempts a to secure local capital for the neces- sary development. All their efforts, however, have failed. The annual banquet of the chamber of commerce is to be held t on Friday,, and it is expected that several ? local gentlemen will take an opportunity there of protesting against the action of Mr. Davies.

Al REMARKABLE WEDDING; 1 The "Independence Beige" states that a ? curious marriage was recently celebrated at Grocholetz, in Poland, where a peasant of the age of 88 years led to the altar a maiden of Î eighteen summer3. Among the 200 guests. invited to the wedding were eleven sons of the 1 bridegroom by former marriages, the eldest ? being 60 years old and the youngest 41. There 1 were also 63 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchil- dren, twenty-one children of the fourth gene- ration, and four of the fifth.

MURDERERS REPENTANCE. c 1 The ex-soldier Parker, who is lying under j sentence of death for the South-Western Rail- g way murder, was seen on Saturday by two j friends at the Wandsworth Gaol. r He appeared to be resigned to his fate, ex- t friends at the Wandsworth Gaol. r He appeared to be resigned to his fate. ex- t i>reseed sorrow for having shot Mr. Pearson. ¡ t Mid added, "It is only right that I should suffer t [or what I have done." I

I | Soothes the Aching Part | IN > Bruises, Chilblains; Scratches, > Blisters, Chapped Hands, Sore" i> ] Burns, Cuts, 9; Scalds, etc. UNRIVALLED FOR PILES. || S A PEER'S TESTIMONY. r "I suffered from this distressing malady for five months, duvine which time I tried rarior* remedies, and hAd caustic C applied tnic s, Lmt wi¡!I.JUt any relief. At I tried Hoinocea, and In two or tLire- I f. i:n<l the healing had baRiin. t and in ¡j. 101 tnigbt 1 w» £ cured. I strongly advise an who sutler from tfcis most distressint; malady to give Uomocea a trial." J i "I gave some to a Ir.hoirre.r who lmd a Imd hoil on liis sid»*, and a stone fell on his above the knee, and then on his r instep. 90 that he wa-s quite hmitu To-day I saw him after fonr days, and I said, 'Wi.at did the Homocea do for you V ();; j' said, I am entirely cured, and not oniv that, but my wife has had a pain in b'T eibow. so that »i;e <■]id not bend J )ler 1for a y«ar. and it has cured that.' J also gave some to a unman with scurvy on the ley, and it is doing her good, ? j ? I wall, a Vox for each of thorn. It ia the m03t wonderful lituff I eve. came aCPOIi8." )

BUTTERFLIES FOR PARKS. SUGGESTION FOR CARDIFF CORPORATION. The parks committee of the London County Council is considering an interesting proposal, namely, the introduction of butterflies into the- enclosures under its jurisdiction. The suggestion was made by Mr. C. J. Loug- man. of Paternoster-row. His plan of action seems quite workable, and he has wisely chosen three butterflies to begin with whose requirements are not very great, which are very prolific, and which are among the most handsome of our more common species. Tlie insects in question are the "red admiral." with its velvety black wings, bor- dered with red and white, the "peacock," with its famous "eyes," and the pretty little "tor- toiseshell." toiseshell." All that will be required at first will be plantations of nettles, enclosed for protection sake, upon which a host of eggiJ or young grubs will be placed. The caterpillars are of the hairy kind, unpalatable to many birds, but it would be wise if precautions were adopted to prevent the ubiquitous sparrow from acquiring a taste for them, as he has done for many of the plants cultivated in the parks. It may be objected (remarks the "Daily Mail") that many of the butterflies will make use of their wings and betake themselves to the country. Possibly a number will, but it will be easy, in all probability, to raise them in great quantities. When they from time to time 'emerge from their chrysalides they are bound to fly about the parks for some time and take advantage of any honey-producing floweps that- they may meet upon their way out..

LOSS OF A HUSBAND. A. WIDOW'S CLAIM AT MOUNTAIN i A £ H. I At Mountaia Ash County-court 011 Mon- day, before his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, Mrs. Jane Price, for whom Mr. W. P. Nicholas, Pontypridd, appeared, claimed B500 in respect to the death of her husband from the Penrikyber Colliery Company, Mr. Bartram (instructed by Mr. Vazie Simons) being for the respondents, who had paid £ 275 into "court against £ 300 claimed.—The respon- dents asked his honour to say that, inasmuch as deceased had left £ 200, the widow was not totally dependent, and that his honour should reduce the amount payable under the Act proporticnately.-This his Honour declined to do, and gave judgment for JE300, with leave to appeal.

OUR MERCANTILE MARINE. At the London Chamber of Commerce 011 Monday afternoon Lord Brassev pointed out that fifty years ago we had 200,000 British seamen in the mercantile marine. To-day we had not half that number. The situation called for the attention of statesmen. The number of seamen in the mercantile marine must number. The situation called for the attention of statesmen. The number of seamen in the mercantile marine must continue to diminish unless the aid of the I State was afforded in the work of training I them.

SCREENS IN CHURCHES. In the Court of Arches on Monday Sir Arthur Charles, the dear, set aside the decision of Dr. Tristram, who refused to grant the erec- tion in the Church of St. Anselm, Pinner, of a. screen upon which were representations of the Crucified Saviour, with figures of the Vir- gin Mary and John the baptist on either side. Dr. Tristram refused to permit the screen, on the ground that it would conduce to super- stitious reverence, but his Lordship held that that was not sufficient. There must be evi- lence to bear that out.

TRAP ACCIDENT AT BRYNCEITHIN. William Edmunds, butcher, Brynceithin, had a narrow escape on Saturday night. He was returning from Heol-v-Cyw. and had given a lift to three or four other men. The horse was frisky, and the trap came into contact with a post. All the occupants were upset, and Edmunds sustained a broken arm and other injuries. The others were unhurt. The trap was much damaged. I On Sunday the horse was found on the jommon, two miles away, with the shafts of the cart still attached to it.

ABERDARE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. The following have been nominated for the thirteen seats on the Aberdare School Board: -The Revs. C. A. H. Green, H. E. Johnson, it. Powell. T. Davies, W. S. Davies, J. Grif- iths. W. James, R. J. Jones, T. Jones, R. R. Roberts, and R. E. William?. Messrs. W. Charles. D. M. Davies, D. P. Davies, J. W. Evans. F. W. Hall. O. Harris, S. Hawkins, W. r. Heppell, B. Lewie, T. Thomas, W. Thomas Werfa House), W. Thomas (Aberdare), J. Wat- tins, and W. Williams.

RADICALISM AT CARDIFF. The annual meeting of the Canton Ward [liberal Association was held on Monday night n Radnor-road Board School, Mr. F. J. Beavan presiding. Mr. David Davies (ward secretary) •ead his report, after which the Cha.irman "eferrtd sympathetically to the ill-health of Councillor John Norman (chairman of the yard).—Mr. T. Spencer Jones was appointed :hairman of the ward, and took the seat Mr. 3eavan vacated in his favour.—Mr. Davies vas then re-elected as secretary, and six repre- ientatives were selected to act on the central sxecutive.

MUSICIANS' TELEGRAPHY. A telegraphic code for the use of musicians ias been issued by a concert agency. It is i, marvel of compression. Should one, for example, wish to say, "Can rou dine with us to-night? Bring Jones. Don't Iress," "Appetising" is the word required. 'Aggravating" implies "Accompanist incom- M'tent; please send another." While a jleasant picture of an antiquated tin kettle s called up by the word "Pianissimo," which neans "Piano a,t hall impossible to play on Vhat shall I do?

THOUGHTLESS. It is said tha-t a young officer at the front ecently wrote home to his father:- I "Dear Father.—Kindly send me £ 50 at once; ost another leg in a stiff engagement, and nn in hospital without means." The answer was:- "My Dear SonAs this is the fourth leg you Lave lost, according to your letters, you ought 0 be accustomed to it by this time. Try and vobble along on any others you mav have eft."

FOX IN A WASH-HOUSE. II A fox. with the Woodland Pytchley Hound3 n hot chase, sought refuge in a. wash-house at fettering on Saturday, and was caught among he tubs. There wae good sport on Saturday with the vorth Cheshire Hunt. with whom the Duke and )uchess of Westminster were out. His Grace's njured hand was bandaged, but he had dis- arded the sling, and was able to ride without nconvenience.

OLD FALSE TEETH BOUGHT. Many ladiea and gentlemen have by them )ld or disused false teeth, which might as well turned into money. Messrs. R. D. and J. B. Eraser, of Princes-street, Jpswioh (established ince 1833). buy old false teeth. If you send •cur teeth to them they will remit you by 1 eturn post the utmost value; or, if preferred, • hey will make you the best offer, and hold he teeth over for your reply. If reference lecessary, apply to Messrs. Bacon and Co., Sankers, Ipswich. L2190

DEATH OF AN ABERDARE COLLIERY OWNER. MR. JAMES LEWIS PASSES AWAY. General regret haa been expressed at the death of Mr. James Lewis, formerly of Plas- draw, Aberdare, which took place at Chelten- ham on Tuesday morning, after a period of ill-health extending over two years. He was the third son of Mr. Edward Lewis, a mem- ber of the Lewis family of Michaelstone. St. Fagan's, and commenced his business life at Aberdare, where he became interested in the works and collieries of the neighbourhood in conjunction with Mr. Richard Fothergill. On the stoppage of these works in 1875 Mr. Lewis became mortgagee, and after operations had been carried on by a London firm for some years he reluctantly took possession. His nearest relatives are his brother, Mr. Evan Lewis, J.P., Brynderwen, Llandaff, who for many years managed the shipping business at Cardiff, and two sisters. Mr. J. Lewis was born in 1828, and had been throughout his life connected with the staple industries of the South Wales district, having until recently been sole owner of the Aberdare works and collieries. Little more than a year ago the greater portion of the leasehold reverted to the estate of the Marquess of Bute and Mr. Lewis worked only the De Winton Pit. In 1868 he was elected a member of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, and for many years served on the assessment committee. Tie was also a member of the Aberdare Board of Health, and actively supported Sir W. T. ijewis and the late Mr. R. H. Rhys in obtaining th3 excellent supply of water which the town now possesses. When a school board was formed for the parish Mr. Lewis was placed at the top (t the poll at the first election on March 30, 1871. and unanimously appointed chairman of that body. In 1874 he again secured premier posi- tion, being 1,300 votes in excess of the second on the list, but at the end of that period declined to be again nominated. In 1870 deceased was placed on the commiss on of the peace for the county of Glamorgan, and two years later received a like honour for Brecoushire, and in 1882-83 served as hjgh-sberiff for the latter county. He was a Commissioner of Income-tax, one of the governors of the Howell's Endowed School, Llandaff, and a member of the St. George's Club, Hanover-square. He was elected on the first county council for Glamorganshire, serving on the finance committee, and also as a representative of the magistrates on the joint committee for the control of the police. Mr. Lewis was married in 1867 to Loujsa Cathe- rine, daughter of the late Rev. William Edwards, vicar of Llangollen, and sister of the late Dean Edwards, of St. Asaph, by whom he leaves a son. who is an officer in the 19th Lancers, and an unmarried daughter. During the long period he resided at Aber- dare Mr. Lewis was held in high esteem by the whole community. He was a large employer of labour, and, on the whole, his relations with the men were of an amicable character. Some disputes there were, of course, and it was incident to a strike at the Cwmbaeh Pit that the late Mr David Morgan, miners' agent, was convicted and sent to prison for intimida- tion. The River Level Pit. in which several men lost their lives a few years ago through an inrush of water from the old workings of the Ysguborwen Pit, belonged to him, and as a result of a law suit which he instituted he was awarded heavy damages. He was a st-xanch Churchman, and the Clergy Training College in Abernaut Park, now presided over by Canon Johnson. owes its existence to his philan- thropy. Politically, Mr. Lewis was a Conser- vative, and he was an ardent supporter of the party. He was the owner of a considerable estate in the Glyn Valley, in Breconshire.

DEATH OF MR. BARNETT, CARDIFF. Mr. Solomon Barnett, a- well-known Hebrew resident of Cardiff, died a. little after six o'clock on Tuesday morning at his residence in St. Andrew's-crescent. The immediate cause of death was dropsy, from which the deceased had suffered for nearly a twelvemonth. Mr. Barnett, who was 42 years of age, had up till some time ago been in partnership as a pawnbroker with his father in Caroline-street and Bate-street, Cardiff, but after the dissolu- tion of the partnership he set up in business on his own account at Barry, where he was elected a member of the district council, although be continued to reside at Cardiff, which was his birthplace. -1 Deceased held office 36 an official at the Cardiff Jewish Synagogue. He leaves a widow and five children. The interment takes place to-morrow (Thurs- day), when all the beautiful ceremonial of a, Jewish funeral will be observed. MR. BARNETTS CONNECTION WITH BARET. Mr. Barnett was, as has already been indi- cated, a member of the Barry Urban District Council, having been elected six years ago for the Cadoxton Ward. and it is a singular coincidence that probably the last public act which he performed was to attach his signa- ture to the nomination of Mr. B. G. I)avies, solicitor, one of the candidates for the ejection of a Barry councillor to fill tlft vacancy caused by his retirement in consequence of failing health. The deceased gentleman was popular in the Barry district and at Cadoxton.

THE LLANDAFF CHORAL ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Llandaff Diocesan Choral Association was held at the Prebendal House, Llandaff. on Tuesday afternoon. Dean Davey presiding.—The accounts for the Glamorgan English Division showed that the income of the year was JE84 14s. 9d.. and the expenditure (including an adverse balance of JE44 58. from the preceding year) amounted to zC129 89.. thus showing a deficit of ze44 13s. 3d. The Secretary explained that although the deficit showed a small increase they were really about £ 13 or £14 better off, as their debts at) the beginning of the year, about £17, had been reduced to about. JE3. The accounts for the Monmouthshire division showed an income of 1694 10s. 3d., whilst the outgoings, including the deficit of JE42 3s. 6d. from the previous year were L112 8s. 8d., thus showing a debit balance of jE27 18s. 5d., a reduction of about JE15 during the year. The income of the Welsh divisioa was £ 58 7a. 7 £ d„ and the expenditure (including a debit balance from the preceding year of £ 10 5s. lid.) E72 Is. 74d., thus showing an increase in the adverse balance of about £ 4.— It was decided that the accounts should be printed and circulated.—It was resolved that the festival of the Glamorgan English Divi- sion should be held at Llandaff during the week commencing July 14 next.—The Rev. E. Morgan, secretary of the Glamorgan English Division, having removed from Pec- mark to a Monmouthshire parish, tendered his resignation. — This was accepted, and a vote of thanks passed to him for his services.- Mr. William A. Williams, of Bridg- end, was unanimously elected secretary in his stead.—The names of the Rev. E. Morgan and Minor Canon Price were added to the book committee. Minor Canon Price, the Rev. Jesse Jenes (rector of Gelligaer), and the Rector of Dowlais were elected on the Welsh book com- mittee, and the secretaries were empowered to nominate not more than three conductors of Welsh choirs to that committee.—Mr. Seaton desired that a committee should be appointed to carry out the arrangements for the oratorio to be given in the cathedral on May 2.—On the motion of Archdeacon Edmondes, the follow- ing gentlemen were appointed, on the under- standing that no pecuniary liability should fall upon the association, viz.:—Monmouth- shire, the Hon. Mr. Rolls, Mr. Gaccon (organist of St. Woolos', Newport), Mr. England (Pont- newynydd), and the Rev. W. A. Dowing; Gla- morgan, Mr. E. W. M. Corbett, Mr. Shap- land Dobbs (secretary, Cardiff Musical Society). Minor Canon Price, and Major David, to act with the secretaries, Mr. Seaton and' Mr. Beale, the organist of the cathedral.

DESTRUCTION OF RATS AT CARDIFF. A meeting of the health and port sanitary committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Tuesday, Mr. R. Hughes presiding. A resolution was passed urging the necessity of a joint meeting with the property and marKets committee with the new of perfecting the system of meat inspec- tion in the public markets. The medical officer reported that up to last Saturday 2,387 rats bad been deetroyed, at at cost of .£S4 31. 8d.