The Cardiff Times

^raSTUICTIONS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. £ abi?ined meeting of farmers, graziers, and el, voders was at the King's Head >UsideH?ort' on Wednesday, for the purpose •Wp ^le vexatious restrictions place L°u"tv !l°u of Irish stock, and to memorialise • fiakr ve authority to relax the same, ^tiv! ')resided, and there was a good re- ciUor ni^therin& of those interested. Mr Uve e> the chairman, and several mem- Rf^ject nc eommittee having charge K pa.ttle disease were also present. i,,ee'i cher> Maindee, expressed the sense i s'i-ed ?ln saying that the county authoii- h Wis ° rac.t honestly by the farmers, J° acLalafraid they were not aware tea lit facts of the case. Many S,?Irish stS £ 50' £ 60- or £ 100 a year by 1 i(,«s l, i ,p 011 the old grass, but since the •of e-Jf f en in force there had been no coni^g au-V sheep. The only cattle, lf%l>0ol jri^ Purchased were those known *J (A i e^or(^f?J which were worth noth- iIf^b-J-Mr Maddock laid before «f ,eWan onnation obtained from Cork ,i t;ittle lJUrsued in regard to the trans- h a 21 that port to Glasgow, iii rnt^S stay in a non-infected Irish j. Ti,- ,e a condition antecedent to ex- iVe a'lor>tP2 which worked satisfactorily, J coSt?at Newport. -Mr Blake stated lin c°nimin Cxecut've committee an<^ ? n?5' '"id had had a conference that Ss to former had expressed their a^,0r^onurlran«,i that cattle landed »r«r es ^nrl nioved into the county if nin could iregulations to those adopted at »,-e ''adh"e ^forced. (Hear, hear.) A a?|ll appointed to make the if Hutl1<n,j.; Mr Hoskins added that til tluCl'-VUHntf,S from the first had endeavoured now M ey Could to assist the farmers es of that there was no disease within "en ,T1' (H>i' jsh cattle should be allowed 2>aCa £ >r.> Tlie county authon- thaU^'ns for ?? should, on landing,be kept c°nimif-f ays and one of the duties T i!lei'e fnn would be to obtain a /rv- Jacoh lne could be enforced.- <) i v'iew i sPeaking from a consumers Out relaxed 0 urged that the restrictions °f evp' County Kerry, from which y-ic at New.y ^en auinials came which were at0 a'So surw°r iWas a non-infected county, etc} dixf,.J|U! ic^ by a large area of other ^'larantin„ C's<Mr T. James said a 11 uld beohf ?leant 20s per head, and no hear tkDe from Ireland or elsewhere Imposed extra charge.-The Chair- -u is h.T at in the opinion of this „ -v should ,n y desirable that the county the coun r cattle to pass from New- 'c'ent sim^ lyoni non-infected districts, |Connnitt ^perv^ion and inspection and !ret'nR befr.t aPP°inted to bring the views Mr 'j> j)u,^e the said authority." (Hear, /led, tho seconded the motion, and t t!)e cha;v0mmittee being nominated to ran' n?^arris mAn' and Messrs J. Hall, T. I I"' T-Jont' A- Baker, T. Dutfield, C. f,^0 the chaiI'and S. Baker.—A vote of I eedingSi ^an for presiding concluded

I Small — i °wn at and two warehouses were !x!nrt-Js «5,00orshot on Thursday morning. a'tion of T' if 'as 8l'«htlv70rd Hertford on Thursday nou''«hm41f,proved. He had taken lc during thn mi/lifc. r

LON IK>N LETTEI». LONDON, Monday Night. Two or three weeks since I informed wo ffi 11 your readers that although not officially announced, it was exceedingly improbable that the Queen would open Parliament, and after the announcement made from Osborne to-day, it may be taken as certain that this prognostication will prove coriect. Hei Majesty has not completely recovered from the fall she sustained a good while since, i and not only is she not able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time, but unusual exertion in any other form speedily tires her. You may, therefore, ex- pect in a few days the official announce- ment that owing to continued indisposition the Queen will not open the session. Even when her Majesty's health has been fairly good she has shrunk of late years from taking part in a State ceremonial of some length, and which necessitates a long carriage drive in the opening days of one of the bleakest of months, and therefore it is little to be wondered at that now, in her weakened state, she declines to face the cold winds of February on her way from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parlia- ment. The fact that Mr Gladstone was enabled to-day to defer his return to London from Hawarden until to-morrow is regarded in some circles here as indicating that the state of affairs is a little less tense than it was a few days since. The Premier will, however, be in town sufficiently early to preside at the Cabinet Council which will decide to- morrow afternoon some details of foreign policy, as well as of home business. General Gordon will soon be in the Soudan, but by himself he will be able to do little. He will have to be backed up energetically or his mission must end in failure. The Cabinet to-morrow will resolve upon what measures to take in this direction, and the result of their deliberations is anxiously awaited. The announcement of the intended with- drawal of Mr William Holms from the repre- sentation of Paisley has not surprised those who know anything of the condition of the hon. member's health. Last session he did his best, in the face of manifest weakness to discharge his Parliamentary duties, and had, as he stated in his retiring address, hoped to have by this time regained his strength, so as to have attended to his engagements in the session which opens to- morrow fortnight. But as this seems impos- sible, and as the next session will be un- usually heavy and important, he deems it only justice to his constituents to enable them to be fairly and fully represented in the stirring times that are before us. Should Mr Lalor carry out his intention of retiring from the representation of Queen's County, there will be five writs to be moved for on the first night of the session through the same cause—namely, Meath, Cork City, Queen's County, West Somerset, and Paisley. The Patriotic Association, the political weight of which may be gauged by the fact that Mr Ashmead-Bartlett is its guiding spirit, is calling upon the Lord Mayor to forthwith summon a meeting at the Guild- hall to protest against evacuating the Soudan. As Mr Fowler was chosen for the mayoralty simply on the ground that he would obey the Conservative behests, it is not impossible that this particular one, though commanded by such a very minor Tory light as Mr Bartlett, will be agreed to. But city "jingoes will not have quite the chance of distinguishing themselves over the Soudan as they had over the Eastern question in j the glorious days when Sir T. Owden was Lord Mayor, and it was regarded as "good form to break up all metropolitan Liberal meetings by violence. Business men within the city are willing just now to wait before definitely pronouncing upon such a com- plicated question as the future of the Soudan. The results of General Gordon's mission cannot yet be predicted, and it is too early to raise any party cry on one side or the other with regard to the matter. There is some hope at last of an improve- ment in the art of colour printing, which for a long time seems to have been almost at a standstill. Messrs Goupil have just pro- duced, by the photogravure process, a fac simile of a water-colour drawing by M. E. Detaille, representing a company of French troopers, and a piece by M. Adam, entitled "May and December," with a skill that surpasses any previous work of the kind. Every detail has been adhered to with pre- cison, and the transparency of effect which is so rare and almost impossible in chromo- hthography has been faithfully imitated. The photogravure process in black and white, which originated with Messrs Goupil, con- tinues to be a great success. Many of Sir Frederick Leighton's choicest pictures have been reproduced in such a manner as to give perfect satisfaction to the painter himself, as well as to admirers of his works. The next subject to be taken in hand is The Sum- mer Moon," one of his earlier paintings, and the property of Mr Alfred Morrison. ■ A water-colour painter of very great ability has just died very suddenly. Mr Bnttain Willia was a well-known member of j the Water-Colour Society, and in old days a constant contributor to its exhibitions. His cattle pieces, in which the shaggy-coated animals of Scotland were the favourite models, have always been held at high values in private collections, and a calamity which happened some years ago has added to their worth. No one suffered more severely than Mr Willis in the fire which destroyed so much property stored at the Pantechnicon. There had been deposited a number of the painter's drawings and studies, and it is only an artist who can appreciate how great was the loss to their owner. His death was from congestion of the lungs. It must have been very sudden. I saw him at the private view of the Grosvener, wander- ing amongst the Sir Joshua's, and enjoying them with a true artist's pleasure. 0 The difficulties which a paper like Vanity ■tair has to contend with lies in the exhaus- tion of the catalogue of great men. At first the hard thing was to choose, now it is to end out. The caricatures that bear the monogram Spy are the work of Mr Leslie wF wilV3 a son of the late E. M. Ward, I^A., and who succeeded the original illustrator of Vanity Fair, Pele- grini. Pclegrini's work was the best. The caricature is happier and the likenesses better, too. I am glad to hear that arrange- ments have been made for the old signature Ape once more to appear occasionally on the margin of the cartoons. A curious fact is stated to be the case about the diocese of Bath and Wells. The map of the county is the map of the dio- cese, or very nearly so. As a rule English bishoprics are quite independent of English counties. The geography book is an unsafe guide. I suppose everyone has heard how the two sees, now going to be severed, came to be united. A dignitary in King James s time was asked which see he would prefer. Both were vacant. He said he thought Bath best. Scotch pronunciation made this sound like baith—and he got baith. There are epidemics of crime in London, just as there are epidemics of disease. We are apparently entering on one that is very grave. Scarcely a day passes but reports are made at the police offices of robberies in the streets by gangs of ruffians. There have been plenty of letters in the papers, but I am told these do not represent a tithe of the actual cases. The wayfarer who wisely runs away or makes terms with his assailants, the timorous man who prudently delivers the moment he is desired to stand is not likely to address the editor of the Times on the subject of his grievance. The gravest view of the matter is the extent over which this terrorism is spread. A year ago we heard about the Thames Embankment, but it was always possible for the wayfarer to avoid that resort of thieves, or for the police to garrison it. But now at every police office the same story is told. Hamp- stead, Seven Dials, Kensington, Newington. The new whistles for the police have been ordered, but have not yet arrived. It has been suggested that doctors, actors, and persons who must necessarily be about the streets by night should be supplied with them. There was just such an epidemic in Paris four years ago, only there the thieves were more systematic. They knew that a certain actor was sure to pass along a given street every evening just about midnight, and he was watched till a favour- able opportunity came, and robbed in a systematic and well-considered way. LONDON, Tuesday Night. The statement circulated a few days ago to the effect that telegraphic communication between Khartoum and Cairo had been de- stroyed proves to have been unfounded, and .it, Cabinet, Onnp^il flm .iFt.ovnooii Minis- ters were enabled to consider communica- tions of very late date from Colonel Coetlo- gon, received through Sir Evelyn Baring. It is understood that these were of not quite so despondent a character as might have been expected a few days since, and although it is too early to have ascertained what effect the news of General Gordon's mission was likely to have upon the popula- tion around Khartoum, as well as within the town itself, it is thought that' when once the whole of its probable consequences are realised, Colonel Coet- logon's difficulties will be somewhat bright- ened. It is further believed that, with the most recent information in their hands, Ministers have come to the conclusion that an immediate evacuation of Khartoum is not to be expected. Further than that nothing definite can yet be said. After disposing of foreign affairs at to- day's meeting, the Cabinet commenced their detailed discussion of the principal measures to be laid before Parliament upon its re- assembling. The City Guilds Bill, which will be introduced into the House of Lords, and the London Municipal Reform Bill, which will first see the light in the Commons, have practically taken the shape in which the world will see them, and will not require much further debate on the part of the Cabinet. Mr Chamberlain's measure with reference to merchant shipping is not so far advauced by a stage, and will not improbably require further revision at the hands of its author before it is sub- mitted to the inner council of Ministers, and, therefore, it is really the Reform Bill which is now occupying attention, and will continue to do so for more than one of the series of councils to be held between this time and the opening of Parliament. The forty shilling freeholder" is one of the minor points of difficulty waiting to be settled. The main lines of the measure have already been agreed upon. A great amount of sympathy has been ex- pressed here to-day with the Duke of West- minster in the loss of his |eldest son, Earl Grosvenor. The noble earl was not as well known to the general public as he would have been had he followed in the footsteps of his father, and taken a strong interest in politics but although he never endeavoured to enter the House .of Commons, and ap- peared quite content to await his ascending to the hereditary chamber before taking any part in the government of his country, there were many here who felt much interest in him as the prospective landlord of a very large portion of Western London. Like the Duke of Sutherland, the late Earl Gros, enor was an expert engine driver, and in the sporting world he was not altogether un- known. The world, however, moves on heedless of the loss of those who have been taken from it, and there could not have been a more active illustration of this than the fast which came under my notice this afternoon. The contents bills of the evening papers contained as their largest line Death of Earl Grosvenor"; but this did not at all interfere with the assembling of a full meet- ing at the Kensington Vestry-hall, at half- past four, to learn an account of the work of the local branch of the Charity Organi- zation Society. The Hon. Robert Grosvenor, eldest son of Lord Ebury, a.nd second cousin of the young nobleman now lying dead at Saighton Towers, is the chairman of the Kensington branch of this society, and as such it had been arranged that he should deliver an address on the operations of the branch. He did so to the extent of about three- quarters of an hour. I doubt, however, if it was the prospect of Captain Grosvenor's speech which drew together such a con- siderable number of ladies. The attraction was the Marquis of Lorne, who since his return from Canada has been much sought after at such interesting gatherings as these. There also was the Vicar of Kensington, the Hon. and Rev. E. Carr-Glyn, who, a little while ago, was married to Lord Lome's sister, and contributed a practical little speech to the business of the day. In connection with Sir Charles Dilke's presence at the annual meeting of the Chel- sea Liberal Association, at Kensington Town- hall to-night, I must tell you a story which last week came within my own knowledge. Sir Charles was down for two engagements one night, and a reporter from a morning paper went to him to know which he meant to attend. He was not aware that he was promised for either, but elected to go to the dinner of the tricyclists at the Holborn Res- taurant, and sent his secretary with the reporter back to the office to ascer- tain-the precise whereabouts of the other engagement, so as to telegraph to say he could not come. This arises out of a well- meant effort to perform the impossible in a vast constituency like Chelsea, having a population of 380,000, with over 30,000 electors. The visit of the Barnum elephant has been attended with one quite strange and unex- pected result. Of course the public have gone, not in crowds, but in mobs to see him. They have assembled in their thousands round his house, and if the directors of the Zoo have charged nothing for board or resi- dence, their hospitality has been most judi- cious. The public will gape at anything that has cost a great deal and been well advertised, but the class who are most practically interested in Toung are the London skin doctors. Perhaps it is a nasty idea, but the divinity of this elephant and his value in the eyes of the judicious Barnum is due to his suffering from skin disease. It was expected he would be a kind of Albino, a sort of white blackbird, a freak of nature, and in that sense an object of worship. But it seems that his proper place is not so much in an Indian shrine as in a London hospital. He is a leuco- dermatous patient, and I am told Barnum's agent was perfectly horror- stricken at the proposal of an en- thusiastic medical student to cure him in a month. It was something like the offer of a traveller in fancy soaps to take the stain of Rizzio's murder out of the boards of that little dreary room. inHolyrood Palace. But I am told Barnum need be under no alarm. All anxieties for the elephant are unfounded. He's quite in- curable. I hear that one abuse of long standing is likely soon to be remedied. The Home Circuit was intelligible enough in the days of coaches and post chaises. The judge went through the country with all the dignity and importance of the sovereign, and, indeed, a justice in eyre—which is simply in itinere or on circuit—took the same rank as a lord- lieutenant in Ireland, and would have pre- cedence of the Prince of Wales and of" every subject in the land. So it is still, but then the Home Circuit has beenabsorbed,1into the south-eastern. Kingston on Thames is, however, still an assize town. It is only twelve miles from London it is almost practically London, and it has been allowed a provincial importance to which it has no claim. It is an absurdity to have the judges and the bar visiting this suburb, to which a dozen trains a day would take litigants up to London in forty minutes. Kingston has long been threatened, but local influence diligently exerted I has hitherto saved it. I understand that its next assize will be its last. There are such constant changes in the British soldier's dress that an army tailor seems to be as much governed by fashion as if war were under the control of M. Worth. Headquarters have decided that the Scotch regiments are not any morefto wear feathers in their caps. ".Structural alterations "in a soldier's dress are intelligible enough when there is a good reason for the alteration. But what can possibly be said against the feathers ? I see that a great deal can be said in their favour, and that it is going to be said. Civilians and military men seem agreed on this point. The conduct of some of the Scotch regiments in action has been a feather in our cap, and the feather should certainly not be removed from theirs with- out sufficient reason.)i LONDON, Wednesday Night. The manufacture of "scares" having been a-little less active than usual of late, it has apparently been thought necessary to revive it. Yesterday London was startled with a marvellous tale of the discovery of various packages of dynamite in the Primrose-hill Tunnel, immediately in front of the Prince of Wales's train; and no sooner had it been found that the basis for this story was exceedingly unsubstantial than another fabje was started, it being "this time asserted that the Scotland Yard detectives were busily engaged in hunting after a trifling sum of three or four thousand dollars which Patrick Ford and his outrage- making friends had sent across to England, apparently in one easily recognisable packet. This tale has this evening been found to rest upon an event of more shadowy foundation than the other, and it may be hoped that after f.hn prompt 0'(1'1)'11"'0 "of tlitwo canards, no more of the sort will, for some time at least, be forthcoming. A good many sympathisers with disestab- lishment are to be met with this evening who commend the attitude taken to-day by the leading speaker at the annual meeting of the Scottish Liberation Society. Mr Peddie, of whose devotion to disestablish- ment no one can entertain a doubt, ex- plained that as it was probable the next dissolution might turn upon the extension of the franchise, it was not thought desirable to divide the Liberal party by unduly pressing the question of the Church. This is held to be sound wisdom, and to be a policy which will materially aid in the movement which the Scottish Liberation Society is trying to pro- mote. English Liberals might be repelled from it if, at the next election, Scotland was lost to the cause by reason of dissensions in the party concerning disestablishment,and if the meantime is used by Scottish Libera- tionists to educate the people on both sides of the border, they may expect such an In- crease of strength in the new Parliament as will enable them to carry their point. Even the most determined opponent of Mr Henry George could not deny him the virtue of courage, and that virtue has again been strikingly displayed in his new work "Social Problems," early copies of which were to be obtained to-day. It may be doubted whether, clever as the book un- doubtedly is, and brilliantly as in some parts it is written, it will have anything like the vogue obtained by Poverty and Progress." Like the St. James's Hall lecture, the new book goes much further than advocating the application of a policy of confiscation to the owners of land, and this should be noted by Mr Hyndman and his friends of the Demo- cratic Federation, who had been making ready to denounce Mr George because he was not apparently prepared to plunder all who possessed means. As far as London is concerned, it seems doubtful if Mr George's influence is as great as it was. A good many who had no objection to join in a crusade against the ownership of land, hesitate very considerably before under- taking a similar campaign against all kinds of property. The Cabinet Council summoned for to- morrow is one of the series which usually precedes the opening of the session when the date is so near as we are approaching it now. The informal meeting of the Minis- ters this afternoon, which was attended by the Premier, the Home, War, and Indian Secretaries, and the President of the Local Government Board, was one of those consul- tations which are so frequently held in Mr Gladstone's private room in the House of Commons during the session. It waJ long a reproach to London that it had no chamber of commerce, thereby being placed at a great disadvantage as compared with the great trading provincial centres. From the second annual meeting jheld this afternoon, it is clear enough that more especially in the candid manner in which Mr Magniac placed before M. de Lesseps the views of the commercial community in November, it has done very efficient service. This of itself quite entitled Mr Magniac to the honour which was accorded to him, that of an unanimous re-election as president. It is clear that whatever statues are des- tined to fill the vacant pedestals on Black- friars Bridge, they will need to be of con- siderable size, as well as expressive in charac- ter. The equestrian figure of Francis I., cost from the original in the Crystal Palace, in order that the public might have an oppor- tunity of studying its effects, as now erected on the north west pier. In size it looks in- significant, though not sufficiently so to prevent an artistic eye from appreciating the architectural improvement that will be effected by a similar group. It only shows what might be done in the way of embel- lishing our city, if there were as much taste shown there as in some of the continental towns abroad, [where the works of the most talented sculptors are constantly employed in beautifying streets, squares, bridges, and parks, while the best English talent is hidden away in museums and galleries. However, it will be some advance if even one of our many bridges is adorned with monuments of artistic labour, provided that the subjects are appropriately chosen. We have had so much amateur inspection of East-end London, and so many 'prentice hands have been tried on the improvement of the condition of poor men's houses that matters seemed almost hopeless. In Red- cross-street, Soutliwark, matters have come to a climax. The houses there are delapi- dated, so that they are very likely to tumble down, and, what is more, they are in such a state of filth that fever may be ex- pected at any moment. The magistrate was consulted, so was the medical officer, and so was the sanitary inspector. The houses are condemned, and the poor tenants will practically be turned out in as short a time as can be possibly managed. This is the state of things that must be faced in all parts of London, and it wants very practical advice to know how to deal with such diffi- culties. The mildness of the weather, which has been so beneficial to pulmonary patients, has made fever more prevalent, and when fever gets an innings in a London rookery, it is nearly impossible to run it out. An effort, I am told, is going to be made this spring to create or revive an Irish in- dustry. We all know the fame of Balbrig- gan hosiery. But all the north of Ireland is more or less famous for this kind of work. The name, especially when it is derived from a locality, often throws very little light upon the character of an industry or a commodity. I believe, for instance, no cheeses are or ever were made at that Stilton which has given its name to them. The York coach stopped at the little village of Stilton on its way up to town, and there was loaded with Leicestershire cheeses that were sold in town by the name of Stilton cheeses. It is so probably with Balbriggan hosiery. The scheme now in contemplation is to bring the Donegal peasantry into direct communication with the Regent-street and Bond-street hosiers, and thus secure to the former the full profits of their industry. For this purpose the agency of the parish priests throughout the country will be re- sorted to. The knickerbocker conflict seems likely to be revived. Several of the papers have taken it up as a topic, finding their text in the Philadelphia convention to be held next month, when the leading tailors are to meet in solemn conclave and settle the important matter finally. The Americans will probably influence us, while in the meantime there is a bitter cry of outcast Parisian trousers-cutters who can get no work to do in their own city. The masher trousers has come in on the boulevards in all its lanky narrowness. French gommeux are even learning the English refinement of hav- ing the trousers band very high, and then, in the case of evening dress, dispensing entirely with a waistcoat. It seems this masterpiece of man millinery can only be contrived and executed by an English- man. Ordinary readers may think the mat- ter a very small one. The syndicate of French tailors.thought it important enough to hold a meeting on. The most discourag- ing statistics were announced to that assem- bly. In less than ten years the number of English tailors doing big businesses in Parisian centres has trebled itself, and things are going from bad to worse. In the days of the Emperor dandies ordered London coats. In the days of the Republic London firms have opened Parisian maisons-succur- sales. The trade is in despair.

Four more fugitives from the reformatory shid Clarence have been captured. The remains of the late Earl of Bantry were interred at Bantry on Tuesday. Half the men at Newton and Blochaim Steel Works have resumed work upon the masters' terms. Mr John May, ot Farningham, was on Tues- day chosen the Farmers'Alliance candidate for West Kent at the general election. The Cleveland mine owners met a deputation of miners at Middlesborough on Tuesday, and after a lengthy and friendly discussion, a new wages 'scale was agreed to and signed on behalf of employers and employed. An inquest was held at Guernsey on Tuesday on "the body of Mr Asquith, treasurer of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Evidence was given that the deceased died from the effects of narcotic poisoning, and the jury returned a verdict of suicide while in a state of mental de- pression. The Bishop of Lincoln, at Nottingham, on Tuesday, bade farewell to the churchmen of the Notts portion of his diocese, consequent on the formation of the Southwell Bishopric. In re- viewing his fourteen years' experience of the diocese, he said he had felt the burden increasing upon him. He urged the extension of Christian teaching as the best safeguard of capital and land against threatened attacks. No woman really practices economy unless she uses the Diamond Dyes. Many pounds can be saved I <«••»« A vwtv (1-M.yonly 6rl. Sos 1V97

THE CRISIS IN EGYPT. [REUIER'S TELEGRAM.] CAIRO, Thursday.—General Gordon has arrived at Port Said, where he was received by Sir Evelyn Wood. In consequence of information that the road to Khartoum via Korogo is the only practical one at present, General Gordon has abandoned his intention of proceeding direct to Khartoum via Suakim, and will reach Cairo to- night. A teleg-ram dated Cairo, Thursday, published in the second edition of the Daily News, says that news is confidentially given that a large part of General Hicks' army is at Lake Rahad. It was probably left there by him when he went on to make a strong reconnaissance when attacked at Lake Melbeis. General Coetlogen telegraphs for instructions respecting the retreat. The Central News learns that the Government have taken preliminary steps for holding 10,000 troops in readiness for embarkation, should a sudden emergency arise in Egypt. Transports have also been prepared these measures arc, however, only precautionary.

FATAL RAFT ACCIDENT. NINE PERSONS DROWNED. [REUTEIL'A TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Thursday.—A raft has been drawr into a whirlpool on the Cumberland river, and nine persons drowned.J

THE FRENCH AND MADAGASCAR. (REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) PARIS, Tnursday.—A telegram has been re- ceived Ly the Minister of Marine from Admiral Galibert, dated Tamatave, December 24th, stating that two companies of the Creole troops, from Bourbon, were rendering good service, one at Tamatave, and the other at Majunga, where it had repulsed the attack from th3 enemy.

THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR AT VIENNA. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] LIJNNA, Thursday.— Sir Augustus Paget, the new British Ambassador, had an interview with his Majesty the Emperor at one o'clock this after- noon, and presented his credentials.

LATEST HOME TELEGRAMS. A Cabinet Council was held at noon on Thurs- day at the Premier's official residence. Fourteen valuable horses were burnt to death in a lire at Lord Norrey's stud farm, near Ox- ford, on Thursday. The Manchester Ship Canal Bill came, on Thursday, before the examiner. The scheme is similar to that of last year, and the total cost is estimated at £7,000,000. The Hon. R. Milnes, son of Lord Houghton, was selected on Wednesday night as the second Liberal caudidate for Pontefract at the next election. Robert Wheeler, a local Methodist preacher, was committed fur trial on Thursday by the Malmesbury magistrates on a charge of setting fire to a rick of hay. The Court of Appeal on Thursday dismissed with costs the appeal of the defendant in the Bournemouth breach of promise case against the refusal of the Divisional Court to grant a new trial. Dr. Payne, of St. Leonard's, Sussex, was on Thursday morning committed to prison by Justice Pearson for contempt of court, in receiving a ward of Chancery into his house while living with a married woman not his wife. Placards were posted m Newry on Thursday morning, signed by Lord Arthur Hill, calling on the Orangemen to attend a counter demonstration next Tuesday at Castlewellan. The Nationalists tore down the placards. The Queen's Bench on Thursday granted a rule nisi calling upon Mr Colledgo to show cause why the trial of his charge of alleged libel against tha Globe newspaper should not be removed into that court. At a meeting of the Dumfriesshire Liberal Association, on Wednesday, it was stated that Mr Robert Janline, the present representative, had consented to stand again at the general election. Lord Eskdaill will be the Conserva- tive candidate. The Press Association learns that her Majesty will not leave Osborne for Windsor before the second week in April. The usual Privy Council meeting the day before the opening of Parliament will be held at Osborne on February 4th. The Press Association states that the Marquis of Normanby has expressed his desire to the Government to be allowed to retire from the Governor-Generalship of Victoria, which he has held since 1879. ) Lord Rossinore, acknowledging the sympathy of the Blackburn Orangemen, says their senti- ments make him feel that the part he took at Rosslea was a step in the right direction. He hopes the same business will have been stopped by a Conservative Government before reaching England. The Press Association is informed that the French transport Point, which has just left Toulon for China, has on board a complete military balloon equipment. The corps consists of 100 men, including a colonel and two captains. A complete photographic apparatus is attached to each car, which is also fitted with the most recent scientific instruments. During the storm at Darlington, on Wednes- day evening, Mr Brebner, a well-known local tradesman, whilst attempting to ford the Tees, which was very much swollen, was swept away, together with his horse and trap. The vehicle was found several miles down the river, but the body has not yet been recovered. At Belfast, on Wednesday afternoon, a foundry chimney was blown down, and WI upon the roof of a mill, in which a number of workpeople were engaged. A married woman na8'3d Eliza Paxton, of 4, Telfair-street, was killed on the spot, and several girls were injured. The latter were re- moved to the Royal Hospital. The steamer St. Finbar, which arrived at Queenstown on Thursday morning, reports having passed the overdue White Star liner Germanic, 40 miles south of Miuehead, at eight o'clock on Thursday morning. The captain declined as- sistance, stating that he expected tugs. A later telegram says that the Germanic has arrived off Waterford, flying signals for assistance. Within the last few days a respectable young girl, the daughter of a police-sergeant, has mys teriously disappeared in Dublin. A club-house waiter has been arrested. It appears the girl left her home about seven o'clock in the evening, on some pretext, and the accused was observed to meet and walk away with her. The prisoner is a married man with two children. The City Press states that the Grocers' Com- pany, with a view to encourage the making of exact researches into the causes of important diseases, and the means by which they may be prevented or obviated, have decided to offer for competition three research scholarships, each of £250 per annum, tenable for one year, with eligi- bility for re-appointment. -Judgment was given in the Queen's Bench, on Tuesday morning, in the action brought by Sir Percival Haywood against the Bishop of Man- chester, in consequence of the Iatter's refusal to institute the Rev. H. Cowgill to the living of Miles Platting1, on the presentation of plaintiff, owing to Mr Cowgill's alleged ritualistic prac- tices. Baron Pollock gave judgment for the Bishop. The coroner's inquiry into the late fatal boiler explosion at Messrs Spicer's paper mills, near Godalming, was concluded on Tuesday at Guild- ford. Mr P. Samson, assistant to the chief engi- neer of the Board of Trade, attributed the explo- sion to the plugging of the escape pipe with straw. The jury returned a verdict of Acci- dental death," and expressed the opinion that the working of the boilers and steam valves showed carelessness on the part of those having charge of them.

THE LIBEL ACTION AGAINST THE "GLOBE." THE PROPRIETOR COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At Bow-street police-court, on Monday, Capt. Armstrong, proprietor of the Globe newspaper, was further charged with publishing a libel on Mr Coll^dge, late British Vice-Consul at Kertch. Evidence for the defence was adduced* Ihojving that drafts had been drawn by MrColledgein connection with the stranding of several vessels near Kertch. A Foreign Office clerk produced a telegram from Consul-General Fawcett to Lord Granville, stating that the Russian Govern- ment pressed for Colledge's arrest on a charge of fraud, and Mr Thomas Sutton deposed to pro- ceeding to Kertch to inquire into repeated strandings of vessels near that plsce. After fur- ther evidence, defendant was committed for trial.

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT AT PLYMOUTH. < A distressing boat accident, resulting in the loss of three lives, occurred on Wednesday even- ing at Plymouth. A boat, containing four men named Caseley, Blewett, Howell, and Hingston, who- had been working on board the steam dredge in Stonehouse Pool, put off from the dredge with the intention of securing the vessel before leaving her for the night. Whilst so engaged the boat was struck by the dredge, and at the same moment a heavy sea caught and capsized her. The four men were seen clinging: to the wreck, and boats were put out to their assist- ance but before they could reach the scene of the accident, three of the men had disappeared, Hingston alone was saved.

THE POLICE AND THE PUBLICAN. A LANDLORD FINED m0 AT SWAN. SEA. At the police-court, Swansea, on Thursday, before Mr Fowler, stipendiary, and Mr Par- minter, John Hosgood, of the Old Compass Inn, Pentre, was summoned for allowing beer to be consumed on his promises at illegal hours on the 12th of January. — Police con- stables Nicholas Lloyd and Johns visited the defendant's premises at a quarter to two in the morning, after hearing persons talking within. They found in the house two men, one of whom, as well as the landlord, was drunk. In the cellar there were two glasses half filled with beer. One of the constables told the landlord that he should report him, whereupon the latter said, "All right, I have a cousin on the bench, and if you report m;, I'll have your coat off, if it costs me £ 40."—Mr Fowler here asked the officer giving evidence whether defendant mentioned the name of his cousin, to which a reply in the negative was given. The constables went outside of the house, and put their ears near the keyhole, when they heard the defendant say to the two men, Mind and swear you had nothing to drink here to-night. You can say that my wife and I were quarrelling, and that you were called in to pacify us. One of the men (whose name was Grey-) replied, "All right; I'll swear that. I am the man who can do it." (Laughter.) The police then went away, and reported the case. In de- fence evidence was produced to show that the two men remained behind after closing time, in order to help the landlord in the cellar, and, it was said that they had nothing at all to drink. —Mr Fowler told the defendant plainly that he did not believe the witnesses for the defence. The learned magistrate also remarked that the defendant had insulted the bench by an allusion ti some influence which he thought he might exercise through a relative, though, he said, that insult would not be taken into consideration in the penalty. He then fined defendant £10, and ordered the licence to be endorsed.

PRACTICAL JOKING, In the Lord Mayor's Court, on Tuesday, before the assistant-judge and a common jury, an action was brought by Mr Edward Dring against Mr Perry Judd, the part proprietor with Mr Joseph Simmons of the Cogers Hall public house, Little Bride-lane, to recover compensation in damages for an assault he alleged the defendant had com- mitted upon him, and also for the value of his clothes, which were damaged at the time.—Mr Sims was counsel for the plaintiff Mr Wildey Wright for the defendant.—-The plaintiff said that on October 27 last year he went into the defen- dant's house with a friend named Green at about eight o'clock in the evening, and was looking through the door which leads from the bar to the billiard room when the defendant, who was fond of practical jokes, threw a bag of flour at him. It struck him on the hat, and fell all over his clothes, causing jeers to be bandied about, such as Old Father Christmas," "Old booser,"&c. (Laughter.) On turning round to see where it came from, he was met with a second bag of flour and a dirty swab full in the face, delivered by the defendant from behind his bar, he having taken the trouble to stand on a settle to do so, immediately after duckiug under the table and running out into the street. The plaintiff followed him out, when a third bag y/.i-s thrown at him, but missed him, catching his friend, and placing him in a similar plight. That gentleman, on returning into the house, was attended to and brushed down by the billiard-marker, but he was a laughing- stock for all. (Laughter.) He was over 60 years of age, and did not like such a joke being played upon him. He therefore instructed his solicitors to claim £5 for the damage done, and an apology but the defendant refused to take any notice of their letter, and the present action was brought.—The defendant, his partner, aud several witnesses were called, who swore that he (the defendant) was not in the house at the time of the throwing of the swabs and flour.— One of the witnesses said all the flour that was actually thrown was thrown by himself. When the plaintiff came into the house some one said, Here comes old born drunk." (Roars of laugh- ter.) Almost immediately someone took his hat off his head, and, after putting a lot of flour in it, replaced it on his head. The old gentleman at once pulled it off, and the flour fell all over his clothes-in fact, he was smothered with it from head to foot. Witness's clothes were covered with it also, and he took up a hand- ful and threw it at the old man— (laughter)—who rushed out into the street amidst a shower of swabs, and returned with a large stone, saying if ho knew who it was that had played the jake on him, he would "put it through his eye." (renewed, laughter.) The stone was taken away from him and ultimately he departed. —Mr Wildey Wright How did he look when he discoverd the flour—savage ?—Witness I can't say. He looked remarkably white. (Loud laughter.) —Mr W. Wright Perhaps that was the outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual belief. (Roars of laughter.)—Witness That I know nothing about. — The learned assistant- judge, in summing up, said the question for the jury to decide was whether the evidence suppor- ted the plaintiff's case that the defendant com- mitted the assault, if so he was entitled to sub- stantial damages. If they believed the defendant's witnesses he could not have committed it.—The jury found a verdict for the defendant.

TIIE DISABLED WHITE STAR STEAMER. A telegram was received on Thursday afternoon by Messrs Ismay, Imrie, and Co., stating that the Germauic had reached Waterford under sail, and was lying in the harbour at anchor. The Ger- manic left Liverpool for New York on the 1st inst. the screw shaft broke on the 8th. The head of the vessel was then turned, and it speaks volumes for her sailing capacity that, notwith- standing the abnormally heavy weather experienced in the Atlantic, she has suc- ceeded in (making the Irish coast without any assistance. Five tugs were despatched in search of the Germanic but have not fallen in with her. This, however, is ac- counted for by a thick fog that has hung over the south coast of Ireland for the last few days. It is not intended to bring the vessel to Liverpool until the weather moderates, but the passengers will be forwarded to Queenstown, there to join the Britannic, which will call at that port to-morrow Friday) on the way to New York.

SUPPOSED CREMATION NEAR SCARBOROUGH. At the North Riding police-court, Scarborough, on Wednesday, Ann Stephenson |and Elizabeth Stephenson, mother and daughter, were charged on remand with the wilful murder (of the ille- gitimate child of the latter.—Mr Hart prosecuted, and Mr Watts defended.—It will be remembered that the child in question died suddenly, and on an inquest being ordered by the coroner, the child's body was stolen, and sub- sequently, it was alleged, burnt. Dr. Scattin- good, of Leeds, had not completed his analysis of certain ashes, consequently the prosecution could not go into the charge of murder, and it was with- drawn. An information was then laid against the two prisoners for feloniously and wickedly disposing of the dead body of a child, with intent to prevent the interment thereof, at Cayton, on the 14th inst. The case was adjourned until Thursday, the 31st inst., the prisoners being libe- rated on their own recognizances of JB25 eaph,

THE LOAD LINE. The Wreck Commissioner, Mr Rofcaery, giving judgment in the case of the steamship Cherubim, of London, which after leaving Sunderland, coal- laden, on the 29th of August last, was not again heard of, said the solicitor for the owners, Mr Roche, had stated that the reason the load line of the vessel had been placed so as to give 3ft. in- stead of 3ft. 9 ll-16in. freeboard, as required by the Board of Trade rules, was to lead the seamen when they came to be engaged to believe that the vessel was lightly laden. It was said that this was a practica commonly followed by shipowners. If that was so the load line became practically a farce, and it certainly appeared to the court to be a matter which ought to engage the attention of those whose duty it was to attend to such matters. There was no evidence in the present case to show that the vessel had been overladen, and, therefore, they could not say what had caused her loss but had she been laden down to the marked load line she certainly would have been grossly overladen,

THE TUZNSYAAL DEPUTA- TION, The Transvaal deputation will leave England in a few days on an official visit to Holland. One of the principal Dutch shipowners has placed a large stejflher at the disposal of the deputation for their conveyance to Holland but they will not leave England until they have received Lord Derby's answer to their latest proposal respecting the Transvaal frontier line. The Press Associa- tion says that before Mr Scanlan, the Cape Pre- mier, left England, he promised Lord Derby that Bechuanaland should be protected by the Cape Colony in the same way as Basutoland is, under a recent agreement with the Colonial Office. It is not yet finally settled whether the British Com- missioners shall be appointed to the territories of Mankoroane and Montsioa, but it is more than likely that such appointments will be made.

CORRUPT PRACTICES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. A deputation from the London and Counties Liberal Union waited upon the Attorney-Genral, on Tuesday afternoon, at the Royal Courts of Justice, to urge upon him the necessity of extend- ing the operation cf ths CoiTd'jil -Jrticticss passed last session,, to municipal elections. In reply, Sir Henry James said he had more than once made an attempt to draw up a bill applicable to both parliamentary and municipal elections, but found difficulties in the way. He hoped, however, during the approaching session to intro- duce a bill applicable to municipal elections. There was a great deal to be said in support of the view they took, and he did not doubt that her Majesty's Government would give their sugges- tion very favourable consideration.

MESSRS BRIGHT AND CHAM- BERLAIN. Our Birmingham correspondent telegraphs :— The demand for tickets for the members' meeting at Birmingham on Tuesday evening, when the Right Hon. John Bright, Mr P. H. Muntz, and the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain will address their constituents, has been universally great, applications having arrived from almost all parts of the kingdom. Several members of Parliament have signified their intention of being present. On the following evening (Wednesday) Messrs Bright and Chamberlain will deliver addresses in the Town-hall, in connection with a political and social gathering of the Forward Liberal, Club, the president pf wWch is Lord Nprthbrook,

CARDIFF SCHOOL BOARD. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE- CHAIRMAN. OPPOSITION FROM THE SECTARIAN PARTY. The first meeting of the Cardiff School Board, after the recent formal election,was held on Thurs- day arternoon. There were present Mr Lew;s Williams, Dr. Edwards, Mr John Cory, Mr T. Rees, Mr J. Gunn, Mr W. H. Lewis, Mr Rees Jones, and the Revs. C. J. Thompson, G. A. Jones, V. Saulez, Father Richardson, and Father Williams. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Clerk (Mr D. Rees) explained that the first business was to elect a chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Guxx said he had great pleasure in propos- ing the re-election of Mr Lewis Williams. He was sure they must have all recognised the zeal and ability with which that gentleman had discharged his duties, as well as the impartial spirit he always brought to bear on every subject that came under discussion and whatever their differences of opinion might be with regard to some phases of education, he thought all must admit that their esteemed late chairman had given an immense amount of time and attention and careful consideration to the various duties pertaining to the position of chairman of the board. (Hear, hear.) He might add many reasons why Mr Williams should be selected, but he was sure his abilities and good qualities were so well known that he need say no more. Mr Cosv had pleasure in seconding the motion. He endorsed all Mr Gunn had said, and said he was sure, as Mr Williams had done them good service in the past, so he would in the future. (Applause.) Father RICHARDSON said he should have been happy to have seconded the motion had not Mr Cory risen so quickly. In, however, supporting the motion, he would say that Mr Williams was very weU adapted to fill the office to which he had been proposed. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. C. J. THOMPSON said he thought all agreed that Mr Williams was well suited for the office. The motion was then put and carried unani- mously. Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS, on taking his seat, was warmly applauded. Having thanked the board very heartily for the honour they had conferred on him, he promised to endeavour to so discharge the duties of the office as to command their com- plete confidence. With regard to the work, he observed that the board had not by any means completed the provision for school accommoda- tion. Of course during the past three years the duties devolving on the board in that respect had been exceptionally heavy, they having pro- vided accommodation for 5,000 children. So much accommodation would not have to be found during the next three years, but there were two distiicts that would require special attention—the north-east part of Roath and soma part of Canton. He hoped, in concluding, the work of the board would be conducted as harmoniously in the future as in the past. THK ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. Dr WALLACE proposed that Mr T. Rees be re- elected vice-chairman for the ensuing three years. If honour was due to any particular member of the board, they could all truthfully say it was to Mr Rees for the amount of work he had done, and the large amount of time, experience, and energy he gave to all work connected with the success of the schools in the town. (Hear, hear.) Father RICHARDSON said before the motion was seconded he should like to make one remark. They all had a great respect for Mr Rees, but they also remembered his rejection of the Bible at the time its use was proposed in the schools. They had heard a great deal about the unanimity that existed amongst the members of the board, butthat was because the party in a minority had always acceded in a most gentlemanly manner to the majority. But it did not follow that the minority was always to allow the power to remain in the hands of the dominant party, and he would, therefore, propose that the Rev. C. J. Thompson be the vice-chairman, as he thought it would be a graceful act on the part of the board, which would produce unanimity and good feeling. Of all members of the board, Mi-Thompson would be the most proper vice- chairman, as he had given more time than anyone else to the work of the board. (No, no, and hear, hear.) Dr. WALLACE called attention to the fact that Father Richardson was out of order, as the origi- nal motion had not yet been seconded, and On the CHAIRMAN saying this was the case, Father KICHARDSON apologised, but said he had been under the impression that that was the proper time to move an amendment. Dr. EDWARDS seconded the motion, though he admitted feeling a very high respect for the worthy vicar, not only in his official position, but as a member of the board, and, feeling the very great importance of his services in the cause of education in the town, he wished to give expres- sion to his great confidence in him, and his very high esteem for the work he was doing. (Hear, hear.) But at the same time he did feel that the principle of majorities was a constitutional prin- ciple that had been acted on from time im- memorial in this country, and he pointed out that, as had been recently very well expressed by an eminent statesman, where the majority ruled in one place, the minority found its majority in another place. Therefore, while there was a majority, it was necessary that the officials of the board should act in common to support the views of the majority, and that the minority should be as respectful and co-operative as possible. He consequently felt, in the interest of the success of education in the town, the chairman and vice-chairman should be of the same party. (Hear, hear.) There was no concealing the fact that the constitution was divided, and the strength of the board would be seriously affected if, by any false feeling to consult the minority, a vice-chairman were to be chosen who was in direct antagonism to at least some impor- tant principles that guided them. He therefore uggested it would be far more to the interests and the efficient working of the board if the chair- man and vice-chairman were selected from the majority and he could not conceive any man so much entitled to the honour as Mr Thos. Rees. (Hear, hear.) Father RICHARDSON said he supposed now was his time to move his amendment, and, after doing so, said he always thought the policy of the board was concession, kindness, and conciliation. The Rev. G. A. JOXES, in seconding the amend- ment, thought a good opportunity was offered for the majority te show a kindlier feel- ing towards a rather strong minority. According to the theory laid down by his old friend, Dr Edwards—(hear, hear)—he supposed the members of the minority should be excluded from the office of chairmen of committees or any other office of authority. He seconded the amendment, as a protest against Mr Rees opposing Bible and religious teaching in the schools, and also because he thought the miuority had some claim to be heard as a party. Father WILLIAMS,in supporting the amendment said the effect of the principles laid down would be to exclude the minority altogether from the deliberations of the board they might give ad- vice, but could not influence a conclusion in any way whatever, because the whole policy was to be settled by the majority. He thought in a minority like that on the School Board, which was so large that it only just fell short of a majority, the opinions of the town ought to be respected and receive a certain amount of consideration from the board. Mr GUNN, in supporting the original motion, thought it was a healthy rule in the British con- stitution that as long as servants had acted well and faithfully they were never turned adrift. Having spoken briefly of Mr Rees's services, his close attention to the duties and requirements of the schools—he said the efficient working of the schools was mainly due to the exertions of Mr Rees—(hear, hear)—and he hoped the board would hesitate before attempting to cast such a reflection on the vice-chairman as not to re-elect him, for he was sure that if an appeal were made to the people he would, without doubt, be placed in that position. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. C. J. THOMPSON, having thanked his friends for proposing him to the office of vice- chairman for the third time, expressed his opinion that it was never contemplated when school boards were established that they should follow the example of political parties, but rather that there should be combined into one all who had the interest of education at heart, and if that were so it would be an idea that was not opposed, in its practical issue, to the interests of the community. A short time ago they were told ,that there would no longer be any antagon- ism, and there was nothing to do but to work on lines already established for the interests of the town, and he asked any member of the other, whether, that being the case, it would not be a better line of policy if some such idea as that sketched out by Father Richardson were carried into effect. The unanimity existing on the board was due to the complacent spirit of the minority that only just escaped being a minority, and which in some cases had become a majority. He mentioned that all the members of the minority were practical educationalists, and if they wcie looked at qualitatively as well as quanti- tatively, there was much to be said for the amend- ment. In concluding, he entirely conceded that Mr Rees was a more active member in the proceedings of the board than he (the speaker); and no mem- ber had given so much time and so much dis- interested zeal to the work of the board as Mr Rees. (Hear, hear.) Dr. WALLACE said he proposed Mr Rees as vice- chairman, feeling that there could not be any other vice-chairman in accordance with the voice of the ratepayers. He denied that the minority had made concession to the majority, for it seemed as if each side were determined to get all it could. Though, he added, there was only a majority of one, yet if the votes given at the last election were analysed, it would be seen that the majority for the non-sectarian members was very much larger. L. m» -me VHAIRMAN, in supporting vae original motion, said, but for the time devoted to the work of the board by Mr Rees, they would have had to appoint an inspector at a cost of JB200 a year, and even then the work could not be as well done as at present. (Hear, hear.) A division was then taken, when there voted for the amendment—Rev. V. Saulez, Rev. G. A. Jones, Rev. C. J. Thompson, Mr Lewis, Father Richardson, and Father Williams. Against— The Chairman, Mr J. Cory, Dr Edwards, Mr T. Rees, Dr. Wallace, Mr Rees Jones, and Mr Gunn. The amendment was therefore declared lost, and the original motion was then put and carried. Mr REES, after thanking the board for re- electing him, said, in answer to Father Richard- son, that so far from agreeing with him as to the time Mr Ihompson had given to the work of the board, he said, and distinctly challenged contra- diction, that he (the speaker) gave to the service of the board as much time as every other member put together. (Hear, hear.) He could not un- derstand how the minority failed to see the impropriety and unreasonableness of endeavour- ing to elect a. vice-chairman, for if the majority consented to their wish,on anything hap- pening to remove the chairman, the vice would naturally step into his place, and then how could the work of the board be proceeded with ? Father wcoardson had also said he rejected the use of the Bible. He had never done anything of the sort. His reply was, When 1" (The Chairman Never in public.) Herepeatedthathehadnever opposed Bible teaching in the schools in the sense they had decided it should be taught—Bible teaching and explanation—and he was there in favour of that now, as he was nine years ago. (Hear, hear.) I ° APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The CHAIRMAN formally proposed the members of the different committees. Some discussion ensued on the constitution of the school attendance committee, several of the minority being in favour of it consisting of the whole board, but on a division it was decided that it should consist of five members as heretofore. THE GRANGETOWN SCHOOL. Mrs J. S. Lindsay, cf Huddersfiela, was selec- ted as headmistress of the girls' school at Grance- town.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. MR HENRY RICHARD'S PROGRAMME. The Daily Tdtnraph says :—With the approach ot the raniamentary Session the Liberation Society is endeavouring, by means of public meetings in the provinces and otherwise, to stimulate the activity of its friends in support of the triangular attack which is intended to be made upon the system of Church establishments. Mr Henrv Richard is to take charge in the House of Commons of a resolution cMling for the disestablishment of the Church in England, and Mr Peddie and Mr Dilhvyn have undertaken to bring forwartj similar motions in regard to Scotland and Wales re- spectively. Each of these gentlemen will be dependent on the chances of the ballot for an opportunity of submitting his proposals, but it may be anticipated that one or other of them will succeed in obtaining a day. Mr Richard's motion will assert that the esta- blishment of the Church of England by law im- poses upon Parliament duties which it cannot effectually discharge, deprives the Church of the power of managing her own affairs, indicts in- justice on a large section of the community, is injurious to the political and religious interests of the nation, and ought therefore no longer to be maintained. Mr Dilhvyn will rely upon the fact that the Church in Wales ministers to only a small minority of the population, whilst Mr Peddie, in regard to Scotland, formulates the charge that the maintenance of the Church is indefensible on public grounds, and that in the ecclesiastical circumstances of the country it is eminently unjust." The Daily News says that Mr Dilhvyn, M.P., who has recovered from his recent indisposition, has accepted an invitation to speak at a meeting which will be held at Liverpool on Monday, in support of the movement for the disestablishment of the Church in WTales.

CARDIGANSHIRE SPRING ASSIZES. The commission for the Spring. Assizes for this county was opened at the Shire-hall, Cardigan, on Monday evening, before the Right Hon. Sir Edward Fry, Knight, one of her Majesty's Lord Justices of A ppeal, who arrived in town from Haverfordwest, via Fishguard, shortly after four. On Tuesday morning at 10.30 his lordship took his seat in court. The judge briefly addressed the grand jury, a fair number of whom were present. There was only one prisoner for trial, and the grand jury having at length returned with a true bill, the case was proceeded with. CHARGE OF UNLAWFULLY WOUNDING AT LAMPETER. David Jones, of Pwllgravel, near Llanybyther, who surrendered to his bail, was indicted for un- lawfully and feloniously wounding one David Davies, a turner, of Nantfach, Alltblaca, Llan- wenog, on the 1st of January last. The circum- stances of the case were to the following effect. The prosecutor left his home on the evening of the 1st inst, for the purpose of going to Llanybyther, returning in a very friendly manner in company with the prisoner about ten o'clock. As the parties approached the house of the former I a dispute arose as to a certain sum of 2s 6d which prisoner alleged the prosecuter owed him. The dispute led to a scuffle, both being thrown to the ground, and during the melee prisoner, it was alleged, stabbed his companion in the right thigh with a knife or other sharp instrument. Blood flowed profusely from the wound, and prosecutor was subsequently attended by Dr. Davies, of Llanybyther, who, however, now swore that the cut in the trousers worn by prosecutor at the time of the occurrence, and the wound on the thigh, could not have been inflicted by the knife found on the prisoner when apprehended. Mr Dillwyn, instructed by Mr W. H. James, ably defended the prisoner. The jury were absent for nearly an hour, and on their return to court found the pri- soner not guilty, and he was acquitted. Before leaving the box a second charge of felony — unlawfully and maliciously injuring prosecutor on the right finger and thigh, putting him in bodily fear, and attempting to rob him was heard. The same jury were sworn, but as the prosecu tion offered no evidence against the prisoner the jury were directed to bring in a verdict of Not guilty." His Lordship observed that this form- ally was necessary, as the grand jury brought in a true bill on both charges. On the second indictment prisoner was entitled to a verdict. Prisoner was therefore released. This coacluded the business of the assizes.

MERTHYR COUNT^ COURT. At the Merthyr county-court, his Honour, Judge B. T. Williams, Q.C,, disposed of the fol- lowing cases :— ACTION AGAINST: THE BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY COMPANY. — William Hughes, a fireman of Isha, near Cyfarthfa sued the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Company for the recovery of £7 10s, being the value of a heifer killed on the defendants' line on the 11th October last.—Mr W. Beddoe appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Frank James for the company. The case presented on the part of the plaintiff was that he held the right of grazing cattle on the banks of Messrs Crawshay Brothers' private line from Cyfarthfa to Gethin. This line runs parallel with the Brecon and Merthyr Railway for a distance of about half a mile, being separated therefrom by a fence, and there is a siding (cut off by a gate) which runs into the company's railway at a point near Llwyncelin Bridge, which gate belongs to the company, whose duty it is to see that it is kept closed. On the 11th October plaintiff had some cows and heifers grazing on the sides of this private line, and one of the heifers got on to the Brecon line at night, and was killed by a train below the Llwyncelin bridge. It was sought to be shown that it must have got access to the defendants' railway through the siding gate, which gate must have been left open by the negligence of the company's servants. The case for the defence was that this gate was kept closed on the night of the accident, and that there were several ways in which the calf could have got on to the line without any act of negligent having been been committed by the employes c* the defen- dants. It was hoped that no affirmative oroof of negligence had been given for the plaintrBLand that in the absence of any such proof the dei&c- dants could not be held liable; further, it was contended that the plaintiff was not such a licensee as to be entitled from the company to have a fence put up for the protec- tion ef his cattle. His Honour, after hearing evidence on both sides, gave judgment for the defendants with costs, and he remarked upon the imprudence of letting the banks of the Gethin Line-a, line largely used for traffic—for grazing purposes. He pointed out that such a letting was wrong in every way, and one which involved great danger not only to the animals allowed to graze there by reason of their going on to the line, but to the lives of those who worked the trains by reason of the risk of collision with these animals. CLAIM FOR DAMAGE.—Thomas Jackson v. David Rees.—Plaintiff, who was represented by Mr J. Plews, is a grocer, carrying on business in Dynevor-street, Merthyr and the defendant, fu £ -mir B?Tdoe appeared, is the landlord of the Half-way House Inn, Glyn-Neath. This was a.n action brought to recover £4- 10s for damage done to a dog-cart, and loss sustained during thetimethevehiclewas under repair. Plain- tiff, one evening in October last, (drove to the de- fendant s house, and there put up his horse the dog-cart was left outside, and he alleged that the defendant contracted to put it under cover. Late at night, however, whilst it was standing outside, some young men, who had been holding high revel at the defendant's house, ran it wildly up and down, the result of this proceed- ing being the vehicle was knocked about to ",uch an extent that it had cost £2 10s to repair. The defendant alleged that he did not contract to look after the trap, and that therefore he was not responsible for the mischief done by these voung men. The learned judge suggested that the de- fendant should supply the plaintiff with the names of the people who had done the damage so that they might be added as co-defendants, and this having been done, the case was adjourned until the next court.

GLAMORGAN ENGLISH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Meetings of the Eastern District of the Glamor- gan English Baptist Association were held at Nazareth, Mountain Ash, on Tuesday. There were present, among others, the Revs T W George, Merthyr G. G. Cule, Ferndale J. CaaJ, Pontlottyn T. Jones, Aberdare and E. Aubrey, Ogmore Vale. THe Rev. Mr Aubrev submitted for discussion a paper on Welsh Society Meet- in the afternoon. A public meeting, pre- sided over by the Rev. T. Jones, Aberdare, was held in the evening, and addresses were delivered by many of the ministers present on Home mis- sion work. The inclemency of the weather not- withstanding, the evening meeting was well at- tended.

MR HEALYJVI.P.. AND THE FRANCHISE. Speaking at a meeting of the National League at Dublin, on Wednesday, Mr Healy, M,P., said the only hope of a return to power of the Con- servatives lay in the disgust against Whigs which prevails amongst the Irish electors in England. The extension of the franchise would no doubt destroy the preponderating influence of the Irish vote in England, while in Ireland it would not make a difference of more than four or five ad- ditional Nationalist members. At present they had really returned sufficient members to exercise all the power they could hope to wield in the House of Commons. If the franchise were ex- tended in England, Ireland should be placed on an equality,

MR GLADSTONETND HIS SPEECHES. A correspondent having written Mr Gladstone, ^ggfsting that a cheap edition of his speeches fv!0!1 ™ ™ss?ed' ha;s received a reply to the effect others leaves that to the enterprise of

(sPECIAr, REPORTS FROM OUP. TRADE COIIRESFON'- DENTS AND EXCLUSIVE SOURCES.] CARDIFF TRADE REPORT. [SPECIAL REPORT FROM OUR OWN COESESPONDENT.J CARDIFF. Thursday Night.—Tlicre is not much sign oi any abatement of the pressure upon our coal market and the resources of the port gene aHy. nor any indica- tion of a dminution in the activity of the demand for all classes of fuel. If cases of demurrage are less fre- quent than they were, it is becau-e ship' ei s and char- terers are beginning to see the prudence* of protecting themselTes bv stipulating for more time than usual for the execution of their engagements. The clearances this week give a repetition of last week's hich f. an res, but the amount of tonnage entered outwards at the Custom House fálIs rather short of replacing them. The docks are still full of tonn-i-e, and some of the loaded ships have betm kepi in by the Loisterout weather we have been experiencing just Prices of steam coal continue firm, and good prices are ob- tained for second classes. The fre'ght market is improving as regards the out. ward rates of freight, but homeward employment is still in a depressed stale. Orders are fairly plentiful, but the supply of both steam and sailing tonnage ia only limited. Chartering is consequently quiet. French Ireigats outwards are unimproved. There is a firmer tendency in quotations for Spanish ports. Tlie home- ward iron ore freights from Bilbao and the Mediter- ranean are unchanged. Italian co • i fivights are improving, as are also those for the higher Mediter- lanean and Black Sea, whilst rates for :\Ldta. and Uib- r'lrLar are steady, There is no alteration in the homeward employment offering from t e Black Sci. Tin- outward employment to the Ea ct Indies is unchanged, and there is no improvement in the homeward rates from this quarter, The West Indian coal freights are also with- out alteration. Quotations for Brazilian awl River Plate ports are unchanged. There are no charters to report in connection wita Transatlantic ste.mi charter- ing for coa*lioth the outward and homeward freights to the United State > are unchanged. ° Exports for the week—Coal, 151,3b2 tons patent fuel, 4.109 tons iron, 90 tons c ike, nil Imports for the week—Iron ore. 10,663 tons nit. wood, 6,749 tons. WEST MIDLANDS TRADE RETORT. BJRMI.NGH.VM, Thursday. — 2S umerous enquiries were upon the market this afternoon for sheets and mer- chant descriptions of iron, such as bars and strips bit by no means all the enquiries resulted in orders, since the prices at which purchasers wished to secure supplies were such as had, in many cases, to be abso- Intel* refused by makers. A little giving wav upon quarter-day prices was conceded by sellers to the extent, in some cases, of 2s 6d to 5s p -r to;i, but these were not the makers who, at those meetings, quoted the minimlllll rates. The orders taken away from 'Change were mainly on account of local consumers. Makers of best bars hero and the-e reported more business at about i:7 per ton, but tl'le 'bars for wh'cli there was mo>t sa'e were quoted at to 10s to £ 6 5s per ton. Common bars were as low as £ 6, aud occ asionally even £ 5 17s 6d. Hoops are in fair request for Manchester and Liver- pool merchants, but competition from Lancashire and ISorth Staffordshire makers is increa^i iffly severe Common hoops were So to £6 5s, and suoerioi !0/ £ .6 to £ 6 15s. Strips were £ 6 2s 6d to i/D 7s oa. lyre iron, angles, and tees were in fairly good request. Common angles were £ 6 5s to £ 6 10s, and tees £7 to £7 5s, eas. Sheets again showed most activity, particularly in working-up and stamping sorts. For the former £10 toS 1. and for the latter jE13 was quoted. Ordinary galvanising sheets were £8 t. occasionally £8 5s for doubles, and 15s to £ i additional for lattens. In gal- vanised corrugate.I sheets there was a good deal of underselling, and 24 guage were abundant at £1215. to £13 delivered at Liverpool. The pig market was helped by the continued im- proved condition of the Glasgow and Cleveland ma.r- kets. An advance of bd per ton on the week ws demanded for Clevelau foundry iron, but there wore no sales. Hematites were dull at 57s bel to 60s de- livered at works, and native ail-mine pigs wera also ÓJS, Part mines were 50s to 45s, and cinder pigs 42s ótl to 33s. Derbyshire pigs sold in rather better lots than a week ago. It is indicative that the blowing out of furnaces resolved upon in Cleveland, and which to some extent is also being carried out; in Sc >tland, is extending to other of the piginaking districts, that some representatives of Derbyshire pigmalters this afternoon anuounc d on 'Change that their principals Wi-rs about blowing out some of their funnces. Ironstone and fettling minerals sold rather more satisfactorily, and large supplies are coining into this district from Northampton, Derbyshire, and ,.the" cemres. Good Northampton stone was quoted 6s try 6s 6d per ton delivered a cording to locality. Coalowners reported a lessened demand fur iron works' sorts, and production at the collieries is being curtailed. Domestic coal is also very slow of sale Prices for blast furnace and secmd quality h mse coal range from 9s to 10* per tOIl; best mill coal, 7s 6d to 8s and forge coal, 6s to 6s 6d. Fine slack is an aver age of 2s 9d, and rough slack 3s &d per ton.

THE POSITION OF BlimSII MINERS. [BY ONE OF THIOI,] It seenB to me that the miners of tii s c vuitry are continually seeking in vain for a reme ir for their grievances. Like a man in the dark, thevare se:tuching for something which they certainly cannot obtain, and in their misfortune they often ask the question, Wha.t can be done to better tlie British miner's position v There is no doubt but that they lo ,k a great deal to their leaders to bring them oat of their" di!ii •ulties-. Many suggestions have been ma Ie in answer to their enquiries during the last 20 years. Unity of action has long been the cry, the idea being that if they ha.d unity everything would become "straight. But tt-is has been found to be partially a mistake. We ha> e found that unity in i self cannot do everything unless it is applied in the proper direction. W" applied unity of action to a greater extent than before in the years 1871, 1872, 18/3, 1874, and 1875, but we have been taught by experience that our united measures may be carried to extremes, with the result that there has not followed the same amount of benefit as would have bean obtained by the observation of more mode ation. Still, it is conscientiously believed that the position of the British miner is better now than it was 20 years ago. This should encou. age us to move forward. Our position is not yet satisfactory, and will not probably be so in this or the next generation, for the state of society is ever advancing, and unless the miner keeps his eyes open, and moves forward, too, he will not make a proportionate advance with other sections of socie y. Their opponents may say that they itrea ciass 01 men who are never satisfied. U od forbid that they slould be for if they were satisfied they would never secure peace, retrenchment, and reform. What class of society can be pointed out as being satisfied 1 Not the landlords. But to revert to the question, what can be done to better the position of the British miners 7 I may draw the attention of my fellow miners in South ales to anotuer effort of our English friends to remedy their pos tion but I ill tho go al work of bettering the position of the British workman fail yet to believe that our friends in the North are on the right tiacK to remedy our position. An artificial remedy is no remedy, in my opinion there is a sign of weakness in the several conferences held in the North with the view of restricting the output, with the object of se- curing an advance of wages. I attended several of their conferences, and heard many of the delegates ex- pressing themselves and reporting that their society had gone down in their districts. They believed that if they had some means of getting an advance of wages, the miners would rejoin the unio;" Now I believe that every union man should be stronger in the principles of trade unionism than that. 1 believe that the principle of trade unionism can stand on its own ground, and need not Le carried on the crutches of artificial policy. I understand tha" a conference was held at Manchester lately, which was adjourned to the 28th of this month, at Birmingham, vj hen the question of the over production of coal in if>13 Ci°»"I T w' l>e considered. Several conferences — f .or !*• 1 should think—have been held with the same object during the last two years, at a cost of about toOOeach and that means £ 3,600—and to no purpose or result. 1 argue that it would have bean as well for them to have thrown the money to the wind. It is true that some of them had a 10 per cent, advance at the commencement of their agitation, but this was only equalising their wage ra.te with that of the South Wales miners. We have been working peaceably for • t j eig or nine years. The policy of restriction is bad at the core, and that being so its fruits must be the same. The South Wales district has never beeu more peaceable than at present, and for the last eight or nine years, on the whole, was never more prosper- ous. But I hope that the reader will not believe that I advocate a policy of submitting to every proposition of the employers. I believe that the miners and iron aiatt steel manufacturers should be very cautious in what they are doing, for the iron and steel traded in a critical position and the operators of either section of the producers of iron and steel may commit a great blunder when .they may think that they are doing good to themselves. I suggest this caution to employers and employed. The late revision in the American tariff list has paralysed the British trade of the world to a shght degree. Mr Gladstone, the friend of the British people, did well in his speech in the House of commons a few years ago when he had a debate with the protectionist in producing his facts and argu- ments to convince the American people of their own detrimental tariffs, and the American commissioners -,lj to recommend the suggestion to careful con> sideration of Congress, namely, the ad- Tls*°ility of reducing their tariffs' 25 per cent., and the present American president and his supporters have since carried the suggeston into effect. But it must be admitted that the iron sheet and tin-plate producers in America are threatening the legislators for their action, and the general ¡speculators In that country are afraid to go on, for they don't know what will be the upshot. But it is to be hoped that the congress will determine to adhere to the free trade principle, which will result for the good of their country at large in the end. In my opinion, this country should not be alarmed at the present check in the iron and sheet Itrade, for in a few months everything is likely to go on well again. What we would advise the British miners (especially the South Wales section) to do is to keep together in unity, and apply the principles of the ^nion at all times moderately, always adhering to freo trade principles as far as practicable, clinging to Liberalism and supporting the present Government. At every opportunity let all unite to return Radical members to the House of Commons, in order to purify the present Tory and milk-and-water few now in the House. The men of Monmouthshire would do well if they would have a meeting, say at Tredegar or Aber- tillery, and select one or two of their number as addi- tions to the deputation to Mr Gladstone on the exten- sion of the franchise to the workmen in the counties on the same footing as now prevails in thcioroughs. It is on account of a misunderstanding thlt there is no representative from the Aberdare Valley.

SUNDAY CLOSING IN IRELAND. A largely attended conference of Sunday Closing advocates in the South ot Ireland was held at Cork, on Monday. Resolutions wcro adopted calling upon Government to redeem the pledge given last session, to introduce early next session a bill dealing with the question, and agree- ing that, should the Government not deal in'their bill with the bona fide traveller clause, to endea- vour to have the Government bill amended in this respect. A letter was read from Mr Glad- stone, in which he said the Government were not unmindful of the claims which the advocates of Stlnday closing in Ireland have on Parliament next session. — '»

Ill Hi lYLxvxv^u ajo ui OU0. The Press Association Alcester correspondent telegraphs on Wednesday evening .-—Lord Victor Seymour, youngest son of the Marquis of Hert- ford, this afternoon administered the sacrament to his lordship. During the ceremony his lordship rallied for a few moments and murmured a few words of responses, and again relapsed into in- sensibility. The Queen has again telegraphed in; quiring as to his lordship's co:yJition. Lord Yar- mouth has stated that in his opinion the horse that his lordship was riding was either paralysed or seized with a tit. It fell and rolled completely over, crushing his lordship beneath its weight, and seriously kicking him. The animal will be killed and the body examined.

MUNIFICENT BEQUE^T TO THE POFJS. Our Liverpool correspondent telegraphsWo are informed on good authority that the Hon. Mrs Stapleton Bretherton, of Rainhill, near Liverpool, who died recently, has bequeathed to the Pope the sum of jB400,000, and that Mr Erring Ion, M.P., is to proceed to Rome to formally convey the oews to his Holiness,

Qcll clUj •°k days- «^pUy sigil.s over iu our early copy- »e. rocrastina'vion is the thief of is not j.k Ji the Mayor of Carmarthen l0nias's lYinf- e 'n ,re^using to put Alderman £ es at T i re'a^v'e to the proposed landing ^marthpn^ at ^le meeting of the Arthe m 0Wn Council. It was ludicrous to 'Phttinw „c^ar^e Alderman Thomas with a^ly drawWrS w^en lie himself used a Uy wordpragenc*a PaPer to defeat a care- 6 Council mot'on> which all the members of Sensible 13re.sent suPPorted. The more SollectuH n °es a°tion appear when it is teting t lat f.ully the first half hour of the e ni3J'or P occ^P3e^ in discussing matters which the *lm*i intr°duced, and which were not ■°rd to lo°8n a ^a^er> Carmarthen cannot "^uiiic f-6 a °'iance improving its [mode of- client it 10n W'1 ^lanstephan, and however hi-S mayoi- may be in other re at there Wol,s'1'l) must be taught to understand ftir. j aie ''ra'ts even to the power of the 18 serioi*1 ^ay that the popularity of the mayor S ^mPsl'i^ed by his action. It is not ods of aIone wli'oh is affected, but the thou- person [, d the :Jers?ns from all parts of South Wales C«sar'!0U"tl'y generally who visit Llanstephan. es not n e must be above suspicion," and it tliiitt accord with the eternal fitness Cessi^Pj t'iat two aldermen should be is nllt 6 to remind the mayor that he *Cy^ sen'; to the council board to protect *s not ln?'eresk3> but to represent the public. 'hiartl a report by the surveyor of ltl'umeien' Wr^en oli'-hand, should become the 2e Cl'ushing a proposal of such import- rson- a Sllch material advantage to so many The t l • places* jjew a ^hat with a fair field and the favour of ^the air-" commocli°us place of location, the Car- ole" Grammar iSchool ought now to solve the -hiM whether it is exactly the sort 'the'01 e^Ucational institution which Car- 'wn needs- Hitherto all inferences t by tl rOIn its non-success have been te y tlle cry that the wretched school buildings bottom of the mischief. There is an J* ession abroad that Mr Mundella's promised of higher education for Wales will materi- cllange the character and the future of the ."iar schools of the principality. If this is so, i e at present to speculate as to the future of arlll aiI«arthen school. But apart from this, the of the school will be closely watched j time forth with special reference to the of converting it into a higher grade de6 talk is that Mr W. R. H. Powell, M.P., some very weighty observations at the meeting of the United Counties Irdi Society> an(l his appeal to parents, ift 'atlS' an(^ employers for the promotion of is st deserving of all possible consideration. Uy f to hear of the insolvency of so U a. llendly societies, but it is disreputable, as )QQS stai'tliug, to find tliat South Wales has kr;ct.lll0re Paupers than the Northern poor-law l Si(i'. Nyhich embraces a country and popula- Sout:1 c^rcurastanced and occupied to that a VVales.