Weekly Mail

THE IRISH COUNCIL I; BILL REJECTED BY THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. The National Convention for the purposo of considering the Irish Council Bill opened in the Mansion Hou&e, Dublin, oil Tuesday, Mr. John Redmond, M.P., presiding. The hall "W'a^ unable to accommodate the gathering. There was a large attendance of priests, and in the gallery were many ladies. The Chairman said that before opening the business of the convention a. melancholy duty devolved upon him. There -was not an Irishman whose heart did not go out in eym-1 Pathy to Mr. John Dillon in the affliction that had fallen on him, and that prevented his presence there that day. A vote of condolence was then passed to Mr. Dillon, and a similar resolution was Passed with the widow a.nd children of Mr. Davitt, expressing the deep sorrow of Irish- men a.t the loss of one of the most successful vindicators of Irish rights. The Chairman appealed to the delegates to deal with any differences of opinion in a spirit Of toleration, a,nd to preserve good order, ae it would be by their conduct that the fitness the Irish people for self-government would be judged. Numerous messages were read promising to *Upi>ort the decision of the convention, and /^Pressing' confidence in the Irish Parliamen- tary party. MR. REDMOND'S RESOLUTION. lIr. Redmond on rising to move the first 5esolution was loudly cheered. The resolu- tion read as follows: — That this convention, representative of Irish national opinion, emphatically places <>n recy^xd its profoxwul conviction tutit nothing can satisfy the national aspira t.ons of Ireland or bring peace and con- tentment to our people but a measure of self-government which will give to the Irish people complete controi of their own domestic affairs; That while we have never wavered in our belief that it was an impossibility to yro- ^Texaten«ioT^ rkable for ^ower -.n-i development of popular the Sno POnSibility 111 Iroland short same r; 011 of Home Rale, at the me time, in accordance with the resolu- ^°^r'r the National Directory of February and with public declarations made time to time on our behalf, we have Willing to give fair consideration to WScheme prepared by British Ministers in their opinion, would be consis. Jojj with and lead up to the larger to which they were pledged; having considered the Irish Council d^,ja lntroduced by the Government, we 8ocvw.re that it is utterly inadequate in its 8^CuiJ<aud un&atisfactory in its details, and *6 r rejected by the Irish nation, and V an d ttH; Production of such a measure -^ntish Government pledged to Home f °°nflrmation of the position we »Jt!iVays ta^ea 11 P> that any attempt the Irish problem by half &Ud ^'eS would be entirely unsuccessful, T*iiiC- uP°n the Irish p-arty to oppose m t'ie House of Commons, and to ttrTnJ1;1*0" }hi3 Government with all their fx>>, ? and power to introduce a measure *the establishment of a native Parlia- «nt, with a responsible Executive, having ,v'er over all purely Irish affairs- j^nd at this crisis in the fortunes' of Ire- tv we lnvlte the Nationalist forces of « country to unite in support of our rep- in Parliament, so as to enable eenuin? pr^ for a speedy and settlement of the Irish question. ^tion1>,the chairman was reading the reso- iBg. ^1. were frequent crutburetsof cheer- ^^°ns whiVh t|latH bt'OTe.,ht came to the th« <* £ „ 1>ad 1TI<iu«"d him to give to ^iution111,'011 the, advlce contained in the „ £ ?. h« wish<'d to refer shortly to preliminary points. 4 eyg.^1'^ DUN OWEN'S BIIjL. >h?d *? mad« in Quarters th*1 aid m tv'm 10 Na'fclona'list party Jeaders o^th ? aJld some others of r^^itted tJ ?arty in some way j^t. Thetv» and 10 l'le Govern- ^'Oq for ?R»WAS Dot one s^ow of foun- M.fr^ers o statement. On the contrary, s^*06 which 1 entirely refused the basic. be .grave them as to the only th* ,Qodv the constitution of this 8? ifitrLhw be They voted for t,Uctlon and printing of the Bill p; UK'y desired to fulfil the public ^IHitt(VTtn to Ireland, that the Bill would be &.gain -•?" to à national convention. Them, had been said he ouf*it to have pre- tho introduction of the Bill. It was 0^bl« whether he had any such it but if he had it, and had exercised j' th« critics of the Irish party would have glared that he stood between Ireland and great -unknown boon. It had been said the National party three yeai-s ago j) 'Used a better scheme which was offer^l ^rthe Tor. Governmem. Whatever the the present Bill might be, and everyone knew that it was Tin jitter than the scheme put IZL Dunraven, for it was a 0llTths of whicih were elected » ^8e<J f t' r^e devolution scheme was th* ty, worse one, but it was not T ata' because it was never offered 0^„ K> 8 *'t was a calumny of the worst + that tliey rejeofced a better Bill J"a at, them by the Tories three j.^y6r so. The proposal of Lord Doin- j a considerable influence on the CeJ situation. It was hailed with delight Nationalist quarters in Ireland ,that account the idea that Irelanrt ssna ^plbera]s'. who for the last twenty but, Home Rule StblicIy^ted^J WCre indeed to a themselves that they would «heQte. a settlement by the policy of instal- re?ardlilED.MOlSri> S OBJECTIONS. th^lters- He' wL^j11' delegates were the 66^ was ?Ut 13 Ti€ws before to bring Dr, rigjt, but he would not J €I" the mos? Ure °n any man- feit, ^U°n, that thV ^°US and m^tui-e delibe- ^j. was unw>rk;,f,<, n,6 was unworkable. If Sf^ter and tlK>u must end in &Z, 6 would an<1' undoubtedly, ^iust the as au argument J^rnQlent of Irishmen for eelf- o? never 4dd/n°lthe prini;>d Bill-aod J, lh« full and fin i Possession a print C^r if- wM l^al complete Bill until Jtamons-had ln the House of «Up.k he had n^ade to th« J^Very objection >ht. He object^ 0n the flrst ^Oiling departments bv r Kysteni of con- ^ru-Lieutenant's power o?^tteee- the J^cner in which it Waa prl^'J'ad to the 3 Education Department create w Bili v'a £ utterly inadequate of Jo of the Lord-Lieutenant redue4d ?l the &'uroI over auy department of Irish T^Iri'sh to the level of a-n absolute faroe U^Jn" c]^ circumstances, lie had come to the con"* that it wa« his duty to advise the ^tion to reject the Bill. One matter Vjh ^en seriously occupying his attention, ^at wiis whether it would be eafe for w'Wi0 allow the discussion of the Bill to in the hope of obtaining^ amend- 0n these points. (Cries of »>5al Point—the constitution of the body e^dment was possible. Therefore, t e of the question, so far as cjt Concerned, and the wisest thing under t0cUmsta.nces for the convention to do, i w^ject the Bill. Oh >o ,i, STANDARD OF GLADSTONE. atiH ^uture' the Liberal party must i for ^r°P the Eoseberyite idea, 'e ba<:k to the standard of Gladstone. Hty Do alliance between the Irish ■«>t .tiji] any English party that did not Home Iiulo in the forefront th J,rogramme. The Irish party! tb 'Su back 10 Parliament and press Cf tk'r biVernment, an immediate fulfilment lVi>'8. ge in rc^rd to the re-inatatement ^niv^ted tenants, the introduction of 'a,Q(i H. ty Bill> and an amended Land Act. Xfr1*! a. l"S 'stron^ «u°ttgh, if she chose, to a ^land ^ttlement of the great question. really united government on impossible. He, tbem to show English chieve theiP rights Were determined to v A- J- KetUe. XT ~a resolution. the The Rev. Father Hnmnv. Supported the resolution, xeferrcwi8'* who r^Ueation clauses of the Bill, jr the J'.equently interrupted with cries (rfe„ is dead," "Join the league," "Time." jr delegate rose and moved thait Father be no longer heard. 2>r his was seconded, but Father Humphreys jji^cded to address the convention. 0rder <^lu^rm'a'11 eventually ru-led Mm oat of V ME. DEVLIN'S OPINION. mot;' •'O^Ph Devlin, M.P., supported the the V-arLd ''wated the introduction into which6 '"ations of that sectarian spirit curs0 the country. Mr. "'iol^nti Peoently stated that, he was as in opposed to the nominated element ^ati^D-^Ction with the Bill as any Irish j^onanst^ and, surely, it was their duty to greaf an with honest dermoora.t-e in the 8i3pDn^l5Sk t. °f national salvation. He oppocnJiT j reeoixition because he was Torino T devolution, whether it oame from subLpf°r liberals. If they aooepted the Bill **tferlht i oertaul amendments, the Liberals s^t claim their acceptance af? the high- ot,hf.S ?arj of th,e Irish demand. If, on the Won, K they rej^ted it, the Liberals uiq be compelled to introduce a measure by utl 00,T1stitntjioaal oheoke and "Baits to the Irish democracy, but a Bill that iu transfer the entire domestic oonduot Irish affairs to tite people of the* country 1 md saddle Ireland with a responsibility which no country in the world was ever more capable of discharging. A VOICE FROM AMERICA. Mr. John O'Oallaghan, secretary of the United Irish League of America, said the decision of the convention would be the decision of the Irish race in America. He did not come to volunteer an opinion as to what their duty should be. The Irish in America would now, as always, stand at their back, and support them in any conflict they might enter on in the future. Now that the verdict on the Bill had been nronounoed by Mr. Redmond, he expressed the views of the Irish organisation in America when he sadd that he felt all the more confident for the future because Ire- land had been courageous enough to say that the day of doles had gone by. They in America would support them if Irish senti- ment was driven to open and active hostility against Etagland and the English Govern- ment They gave Ireland a peaoeful country for the past five years, and if on that account it was thought the national spirit wae ae- England was destined to a rude awakening. British statesmen who had not risen to tht. r responsibility, and who had not carried out tho pledges of their dead leader, had made the crisis with which they were brought face to face. Did they think that the ta«k of Mr B^yce in America was going to be made auv the more easy because his colleagues had flung in the face of the Irish people the measure which was going to be rejected there that day? Was the alliance which England was so desirous of procuring with the United States made more certain because this little, miserable measure was introduced when a Bill of national proportions that would have esltisficd the reasonable aspirations at least of the Irish people should have been in.tro- duced? Was it going to make American sentiment tha.t was not Irish at all more friendly to the country that gave the Beers who fought them three years ago home rule complete and absolute and denied it to this old nation that was at the height of its fame and power when England herself was steeped in darkness? Mr. T. B. Fitzpatrio, treasurer of the United Irish league of America, and the Hon. Frank Connor, Australia, also spoke in support of the motion. MR. T. P. O'OONNOE. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., said they in Great Britain had co^>e to the conclusion that the Bill would, if accepted, do more harm than good. If the Bill was a dead one, the responsibility should be placed where it ought properly lie. It did not lie with the Irish party, and much less with the Irish people thenwelves. He rejoiced that Ireland now told all whom it might concern, In Ireland and outside of Ireland, in Dublin Castle and in Downing-street, that the Irish members truly represented Irish feeling when they warned the Government that Ireland would rise up and reject such a compromise. If the Irish party had come before the convention and tried to force the Bill down their throate, the delegates might, in loyalty to the chairman and to the move- ment, have allowed their better judgments to be overcome. (Cries of Question.") Everybody knew that if they had done 80 they would have gone back with sore and sorry hearts, and they would have been received by their own people with the eaane spirit, and if they had saved the Bill they would have destroyed the movement by destroying the enthusiasm of the people. Dr. Timmons, Boston; Mr. Peter Bradley, Newcastle, and other speakers having addressed the convention, the Chairman put the resolution to the meeting. It was carried with enthusiasm, the delegates rising to their feet and cheering loudly. The convention then proceeded to discuss the other matters on the agenda. Resolu- tions relative to the amendment of the Land Act of 1903, the reinstatement of the evicted tenants, the improvement of the Laibonners (Ireland) Act of 1906, amd other questions were passed. MORE DEMANDS. On the motion of Mr. T. Kettle, M.P.. the following resolution was adopted: — That we express pleasure at the fact that the Government have promised to deal immediately with the problem of univer- sity education in Ireland on lines accept- able to the people of this country, and that we oall upon the Government not to let the present session pass without making a really serious effort to realise the high hopes raised in the minds of the people by the declarations of the present and the late Chief Secretaries; That the prasent system of intermediate and primary education stands in need of serious and immediate amendment, and that we desire to urge on the Government in the strongest possible manner the necessity of. bringing it into consonance with the wants of the people and the requirements of tha country, and of extending to it more generous and just financial assistance than it has yet received. The business of the convention then closed.

THE NEW WOMAN. UNAFFECTED BY CAVALRY CHARGES. Telegrams from Terni state that the town haa been in a state of uproar since Wednes- day morning owing to rioting by womeci strikers. Pickets of females persuaded large numbers of male workers to stay away from their employment, and as a consequence many business establishments had to close for the day. So much disorder prevailed that detach- ments of cavalry were called out. and made several charges on the women, though with- out much effect In view of the serious aspect of affairs the garrison was reinforced by 1,900 men, but the troops were chiefly used to safeguard the banks and other like premises. In many caeca women boarded the trMne and violently assaulted workmen riding thereon who declimed to associate themselves with their movement.—Central News.

THAT IS BRECON JUSTICE." j EX-POLICE-SEUGEANT CHALLENGES A DECISION. Stephen Payne, Morriston, ex-sergeant in the Swansea Constabulary, and lately land- lord of the King's Arms, Brecon, was brought up in custody at Brecon Borough Police- court on Wednesday on a warrant to show cause why ho should not contribute the sum of £1 10s. towards his wife's in-ajinteiianoe.— Police-constable David Lewis, who gave evi- denoe of arrest, said the prisoner told him he would not pay.—Mrs. Payne said that her husband obtained a separation order on the 5th of November last, and the Bemoh ordered ihim to contribute 12s. 6d. a week towards her maintenance. He was now two weeks in arrear. Prisoner said he did not wish to question his wife. The Mayor: We are sorry to see you here, Mr. Payne. We have no alternative but to order you to pay the amount or go to gaol IOT a month. the^jlT (exc'tedly): I don't think you have amount t>i? s*7e me a month—not oil the J.nat is Brecon justice.

VICAR'S 'IMPROPER LETTER.' OBSERVARPJQ AT ABERGAVENNY POLICE-COURT. Louisa Williams employ of the ReV on?f8tic servant in the Llanellen, was charged Jones, vicar of Wednesday with ute^-f^ Abergavenny on value 4s., the property of Idif^ nnder-skirt, assistant-mistress at Llaneiw, Bailey, T Bishop appeared for tn* 8cho°1- Mr. Evan Davies, Cardiff, fo^S!?,ution. and ^Tee witnesses swore to seein* £ ? defence. firing the skirt, which had accus«d wearing in the schoolroorr, taken "»» » DroWcd. was aXSbJhe was not P white plaid, with as ot a mauve ^ndbottom.-The accused ,rl118 round the bo & plain> light said she was wearing named by tbl ?r petticoat, on the y^h* wit nesses, was com^ and a £ 5Utt™d bai that a very improper letter lTie Clerk said^tha by the emplo^ had been sent to d to influence th of the accused, inte°" i9e of their public magistrates in the exercise v one conduct. ]

MABON CRITICISES I.L.P. ■■ T tb,e anntl»l meeting of the l Labour and Liberal Association, on y Mr. Morris Morris, Ferndale. ] President, and Mr. John Kemp, Ynysln1", President Mr. W. Abraham (Ma-bon), M ] was. heartily thanked for his Parliamentary and a hope was expressed that he would still serve them for many years to 1 (Applause.) ^the Hon. Member, touching upon tfce present Position of labour in the House of Parlia^ r>n« >L-8a^ there were two Labour poxties, one oeing- known as the Trades Union group the LL P who welcomed ail, ride? th^°h °r P007' To^ "beraJ, P«v nart v °*rned out the behests of the oW^ot of the Rhondda Asso- Sends ia-bonr, and their Liberal friends had never objected.

A MORRISTON HERO. 1 — 1 William Parton, aged six, of 4, Globe-street, Morriston, Swansea, was on Thursday rescued from the by Thomas Davies, 518, Neath-road. This was Davies's four- teenth rescue during the past three years.

LOYAL SIKHS DENOUNCE AGITATION. The Sikh community has issued an official manifesto, dated from the Golden Temple at Amritsar, expressing oontempt for political agitators and Proclaiming the loyalty of the Sikhs. The manifesto declares that British rule, compa.red with, all previous, has brought peace, wealth, knowledge, and religious: liberty, and adjures all Sikhs to abstain from participation in or counten.ancing any political movement embarrassing to the Government.—Renter. A NATIVE PROTEST. The Bombay correspondent of "India," states that the following telegram has been despa o ed to the Secretary of State for [ndia t -0' the Bombay Presidency ttfit t.Ko i^ 'Pea earnestly to represent -I ™ tl^ Public are intensely grieved T Virmt R by the deportation of Lrla a al er an Act nearly a century eld, pa m times jvhen British power was not *°. 2™1/ established as now. To their e of British power shoudl, at resortpreclude all attempts ino- to methods capable of perpetrat- QyJ!4+• 086 ln justice on individuals, and excltm.g unneoassary apprehensions as to the liberty of the subject Err<wi^L!!jPatuRai8 ca6e> the peo"P]e are SSSe lPn^en«Ve of tbe P^bability of n tbe Punjab various Government Allraat?™ ST 85 Colonisation and Land Amendment Acts, increase of • rates, increase of the land revenue, f a obvions causes for a great deal of excitement and unrest. And, unfortu- ^10 violent Utterances of several Anglo-Indian organs, the information placed beiore the authorities has been exaggerated. The council of the association prays that a public pronouncement should be made of the sources, character, and eubstanoe of the information on which so grave a step has been taken, a.nd that a representative commission of inquiry should be appointed to report on the present excited etate ..f important parte of the country."

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST AN INDIAN EDITOR. Mr. Pindi Dass, editor and proprietor of the native newspaper "India," published at Gujranwala, in the Punjab was arrested at sunrise on Monday and brought into Lahore. He was taken immediately before the district magistrate on the grave charges of exciting disaffection against the Government and inciting the native armv to mutiny. The charges do not admit of bail being allowed. At a great Rajput meeting held at Patiala a resolution was paS8ed gtrcmgly condemn- ing the disaffected speeches and writings, and adjuring the Itajput« to keep aloof from the odium of disloyal The resolution further' thanked the Govern- ment for suppressing the sedition. "With one strong action," it id" the Govern- ment saved many who would have put them- iVff' The whole nation owes a great debt to Sir Denzij Ibbetson, and prays continuously for his speST recovery. Beuter. Beuter.

GOYERNMENT «POISONING THE WELLS." H^bdara%i^tement JJ the Punjab, in congenT, near -tatement that there is no su^h of 1 KUt that the Government .i^aaons, hae been despa.tchin r dastardly the Punjab to Poiso^f5ari€S /^hereby killing 100 (XX) r>c^ drinking wells, tnereoy r~k,r "SSS about 75,000 a week ia)P a,glw having -ie police have thi8 His accomplice, "ho actually dropped mysterious balls into w-elte, aJleging that he did so by order of the Govern jnent, has been sentenced to eighteen months' rigoroiiB im- prisonment. These reports of 1fell-poisoning by the Government halve beea in circulation a lomg time, seriously men^j^ tbe public tran- quillity, but. hitherto the nolioe have been unable to discover their origin -Renter. -= =

WELSH CHAPEL DYNAMITED CULPRITS SENTENCED AFTER TWO YEARS. Two years ago an explosion of dynamite startled the people of Kdwardsdsale and Kingston, Pennsylvania, the report being ijeard three miles away. The explosion •xcurred between two and three o'clock on a Saturday morning, and obdldren are said to have been thrown out of bed by the severity of the shook, while many windows in tbe neighbourhood were shattered. The inhabi- tants of the place awoke fearing that a disaster had occurred at one of the neigh- bouring collieries, but it was found that the explosion wa6 at the Welsh Congregational Ohapel, where the well-known poet-preacher, 1)1". Cynonfardd Edwards is pastor. Before four o'oiock in the morning a la.rge crowd of people had gathered together, a.nd a little later dozens of willing hands were at work clearing the debris brought down by the explosion. Doors, windows, and masonry were blown down, but the large organ was undamaged. One of the windows alone cost over 300 dollars. Notwitnatanding that the chapel was more or lees wrecked, service was held as usual next day. Inquiries were made everywhere in order to bring the perpetrators of the outrage to justice, and rewards totalling 2,500 dollars were offered for information. According to Pennsylvanian law the charge must4 be formally preferred against the accused with- in two years of the date of the offence before iction is possible, and consequently eomo anxiety was felt when the tinS limit drew a^ontlf "° *rrest been made. Within a month of the expiration of the time how TorT^ Tre arrest€d- nam«ly 'Peter St Jaruszeuwicz) and Joe Ohar- are Lithuanians. Their trial wished^o ™tWv d'ayS When Sava*« 6aid he wished to make a confession. He declared Sal? 3 A" <«" for ^e work T 150 dollars bad em' a Pnbl^-bouse keeper and If! um the chapel, Saramoi f' ^rew€ry d^'tor would WM iS ll k m0ney" ™8' 6aid Savage, ti^ to '^UenCe of the Cbarch'e opposi- On.^1, \gi'a'ntirig of a ii^nce. bad exnireri two years' time-limit to thre« accused were sentenced labou^lnJ^8 lmpri8onment with hard a'"d they were also ordered to pay The ehanil triajl a:nd a fin« of 500 dollars. 0001 ^'OOO dollars, and the at a "?a's<rd by the explosion was repaired t a o^t of between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars. p. OYXONPAUDD'S CO-PASTQR. J T^°i+i 1^ haa not 1)0611 eI1 joying the besrt VA j j ^ome time, and his church at hd wardsditle, Kingston, Pa., has decided to lessen his pastoral labours by appointing the v. O. Lloyd Morns, A.T.S., as his co-pastor, r. Morns is a. na/tive of Pembrokeahire, { being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, the Mill, Llanglydwen. He was educa'ted in Car- marthen, Cardiff University College and Brecon Memorial College.

STORM IN A TEACUP. LLANELLY CAPTAIN AND LEC- TURER. Mr. William Bowen delivered a lantern lecture to the members of the Llanelly Har- bour Trust on Wednesday. Several slides were thrown on the screen showing the various parts of the harbour, and Mr. Bowen made numerous suggestions with regard to its improvement. After a vote of thanks had been aocorded tite lecturer. Captain Thomas aaked: If there o^pT of water on one side of a vessel and 24rt. of water on the other side, would one aide go faster than the other? (Laughter.) Mr. Bo wen: Ha*ve you ever known "that-, Ga]> taan Thomas. Captain Thomas: Answer the question. I have sailed back and fore at Llanelly for the last 40 or 50 years, and I am not going to be taught how to command a ship by shipbrokers like you. Mr. Bowen (approaching Captain Thomas): I have not come here to be insulted by you. Captain Thomas: I remember you going < about for the first time in Llanelly. It is a good job for you that there are captains Mr. Bowen: What do you mean? Captain Thomas: Don't interrupt me. You can speak until to-morrow night after I have finished. 11 The incident then ended. <

CHORAL RIVALRY AT RHYMNEY. "SPLIT" WHICH PRODUCED A KEEN CONTEST. I Pleasant recollections, no doubt, induced Sir Henry W. Tyler, head of the iron com- pany, to again visit Rhymney on Tuesday for the ninth annual Gwent chair eisteddfod, aEd he appeared with his son, Colonel Tyl^i', and Mr. J. B. Saunders. secretary to the com- pany, in the procession of the officials and others which paraded the strsets, headed oy the Hbymney Band (under Mr. Walker) and ) the fire brigade (controlled by Captain Fither) This year the chief choral contest attracted only two choirs, but as they were rivals hailing from Rhymney this quite made up for the numerical deficiency. The success of the eisteddfod has been phenomenal. Last year JE203 was cleared, and that, contrasted with the deplorable result at Caerphilly on Monday, makes it all the more striking. Sir Henry was again the president, and the conductor was the Rev. George Griffiths (Rhymney). The ohairman 01 the general committee Wa6 Mr. Edward Thomas, and the secretary, Mr. Iorwerth Edwards, with Mr. Reee Harris, treasurer. The adjudicators' lict was a popular one, and was as under:- Music, Dr. Thomas Hutchinson (St. Cufil- bert's Lodge. Darljngton), Mr. J. E. Deacon (Cardiff), and Mr. W. Dan Richards, A.R.A.M. (Tredegar); literature, the Rev. D. Cadfan Davies (Aberystwyth); recitations, the Rev. W. Ccinfryn Thomas (Dov.-la.is); and mining, Messrs. William Smith (Rhymney), John Evans (Aberty&swg), and William Morgan (Rhymney). Messrs. D. Haydn Richards, R.A.M., D. Jones, A.C., and Sam Lewis. A.V.C.M., all of Kliymney, were the accompanists. There was considerable rivalry between the chief choral competitors. Both choirs who entered hailed from Rhymney, a.nd the male members were drawn from what was hitherto knowlI as the Royal Rhymney Male Voice Party. Bad blocd has been engendered over the split, The rival choirs were led by Mr Dan Owen and Mr. John Price. Sir Henry Tyler briefly touched upon the friotion in his presidential address, whilst Dr. Hutchin- son, tho adjudicator, laughingly told the audience, when introduced, that he had been informed by a friend tha.t he would not get home safely. Mourning cards had been prepared by the supporters of one of the choirs. Delivering his presidential speech Sir Henry Tyler said that during the past few days he had mixed with all classes in his perambula- tions of the town. He noted the improve- ments with pleasure, and did not know of any other mining town so well provided with Places of worship. Rhymney he had always spoken of as a town most thrifty and well- behaved. Out of 1,553 houses on his com- pany's freehold, no fewer than 669 of them were owned by colliers. (Applause.) He hoped the example would be emulated. Referring to the visit of the male voice party to Buckingham Palace, Sir Henry declared that the King, Queen, and the other members of the Royal Family were all delighted with the performance, as he also was. He was told that the harmony in the choir had since been disturbed, and, whilst he recognised that a spirit of rivalry must prevail at eis- teddfodau, he hoped the harmony would not be disturbed that day. RESULTS. Contralto solo, "As God will''—Miss Marion Lewis, Aberdare. Dr. Hutchinson, who was at his first eis- teddfod in Wales, said one serious fault with the competition was the trembling of the voices. If one wanted to sing G, why sing G sharp or G flat? Novice tenor solo, "Pluck not the tender flowers "-Mr. Llewellyn Davies, Swansea. Recitation (under sixteen years), "Y Lili"- Master Ben Davies, Newton, Rhymney. Novice bass solo, "Can y Marchog"—Mr. D. E. Davies, Ebbw Vale. Boys' choirs, "The flag of Britain hold"-tst Llandaff Boys (conductor. Mr. X. W. Harper), 49 marks; 2nd, Miskin Schoolboyt (Miss L. Morris), 45 marks; 3rd, Tabernacle Boys (Mr. J. K. Davies). 44 marks. Two other choire competed, namely, Twyn Carno Minstrels and Young Musicians. Dr. Hutchinson described the singing as most creditable. Paraphrase, "Gwlad Gwen t "Jr. J. G. Jones. Rhiwlas, Llansilin, Oewestry. Ont of 41 competitors for the englyn, "Afal," the prize was won by "Abel." Tenor solo. "Why does the God of Israel sleep"—Mr. Gwilym Prioe, Cardiff. Welsh drama-Mr. E. R. Evans, Cardiff, whose subject was "Owen a Nest." Congregational choirs, "I will praise+hee, 0 Lord"—There were two entries, Penuel, Rhymney (conducted by Mr. W. J. Jon«=)i and Moriah, Dowlais (led by M-r. D. P. Jones)! No. 1 choir received 52 marks and No. 2"hoir 48. Recitation, Be kind (thirteen entries)— 1st, Miss Blodwen Davies, Rhymney; 2nd, Miss Emma Davies, Abertysswg. Welsh recitation, Y Mynydd" (twelve entries)—J. Percy Thomas, Mountain Ash. OKAERING OF THE BARD. A quaint and picturesque ceremony waa the chairing of the bard. The successful ocwnipetrtor was Mr. Gwilym Jones (Gwilvm Morfydd), Ammanford. Congratulatory stan- zaa were read out by numerous bards a few topical hits being made. Juvenile choirs, "Hear me, when I call"— Three choirs sang in this order —Llandiff Juveniles (Mr. ]ST. W. Harner) ak! 6ychan gained 46 mark«. Duw bydd drugarog" (Dr Parrvi M*. Isaac Doughton F.bbw vvi^ V7-' w Vr>T,o £ ,D1)* vale; Miss Maggie Xrds.' 7Shlr' and Ted Smith, Tre- n*vm^/»nr.i»iCOni/><i_s^on "Andonicus," whos« tKp xp'n gleaned, was pronounced rw. '"Tbe Sun is Rising," which "^tchinson said was "rather advanced, the changes being clever." Recitation, "The Ocean"—J. Percy Thomas Mountain Ash. Male voice contest, Lovely Maiden By the time the first choir appeared4the great pavilion was crowded to its utmost limits, the rain having driven the visitors in, and umbrellas were employed to cover the piano and accompanist. The two choirs were Barry (conductor, Mr. D. J. Thomas) and Treorky (conductor, Mr. D. H. Davies). Dr. Hutchin- son said that to adjudicate between the choirs was like splitting hairs. The first sang daintily, with beautiful quality, blend, and precision of attack, whilst there was a unanimity of feeling. The second was like- wise beautiful and fanciful, and a shade better than the first. Treorky, therefore, had 54 marks, and Barry 52. Welsh drama, Mr. E. R. Evans. Cardiff, whose subject was "Owen a Nest. There were six contributions. Bass solo, She alone charmeth my sad- ness" (Gounod)—Mr. Isaac T. Doughton, Ebbw Vale. Duet, Two Heroes "—Mr. Isaac Doughton and Mr. E. Smith. Treharris. SopTano solo. I will sing unto the Lord —Mrs. Davidson, Pontypool. Poem, "The Well "-Mr. G. M. Howelle, Pentre. Essay, "Observation''—Mr. W. E. Griffiths, Cardiff. Recitation—Blodwen Davies, Rhymney Welàh recitation—J. Percy Thomas, Moun- tain Ash. The chair was won by Mr. Gwilym Jones (Gwilym Morfydd), of Ammanford. Answers to coal-mining questions: Mr. Joshua Thomas, Abertysswg, received 119 marks out of 150. and won the prize. For the chief choral competition the com- mittee had chosen as test-s The nations are now the Lord's" ("St. Paul"), and "How sweet the moonlight sleeps (Leslie), and the prize was £100 and a framed portrait of the con- ductor. During a scene of "much excitement the. Rev. George Griffiths was heard to remark that the piano had been spoilt by the rain, so he proposed that the competition should be adjourned for twelve months. (Loud laughter.) Hardly had he uttered the suggestion, how ever, ere Mr. John Price's choir (Rhymeny and'Pontlottyn United) ascended the plat- form. After both choirs had run- Dr. Hntchinson epoke of his long experience a« choirmaster, and said that the singing was so beautiful that he never enjoyed himself more except on his honeymoon. (Laughter.) The singing was magnificent. It really exceeded what be expected—and he expected a lot. He under- stood that there was a good deal of rivalry -and this was very natural, if it was only friendly rivalry. No. 1 choir's opening in the first piece was electrical. The introduc- tion was fine. In the. fugue the rhythm was well marked, and the leads were taken up splendidly. The second piece brought out very beautiful singing. No. 2 choir was also a splendid specimen. The introduction was grand and noble, though not quite so noble or sonorous as No. 1. The fugue was splendidly sung, but it seemed to him that at the words "All thejjentiles." in the second piece, they were a little too staccato. Technically, this choir was every bit the equal of the first, but in general effect No. 1 was better and slightly—a shade —better in tone. The marks were as fol- lows — —better in tone. The marks were as fol. lows:- 0 Mr. Price's Choir 54 and 56—110 Mr. Owen's Choir » and 54—107 The result brought forth an outburst of delight from the supporters of the veteran, whilst one indignant supporter of the losers attempted to :.rgue with the adjudicator Mr Price was carried by the crowd and intro^- cluced to Dr. Hntchinson, and the excitement lasted for some time after, the cheering being renewed outside the house of the suo- Besefcl leader.

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MINERS' 8-HOURS DAY. COMMITTEE NOT IN FAVOUR OF THE PROPOSAL. After giving all reasonable credit to every consideration put forward, the committee appointed to inquire. into the probaible economio effect of a limit of eight hours to the working day of coal miners" have come to the conclusion that the idea is not wholly satisfactory. The committee's repotrt states "that the establishment of a fixed eight hours day, whether introduced suddenly, or gradually, by anuua! reductions of half an hour, cannot but result in a temporary contraction of out- put, and a consequent, period of embarass- ment and low to the country at large. "The extent and the duration of this period will depend chiefly upon the intelligent and willing oo-operation of both employers and workmen to reduce it to a minimum, both in the immediate interest of the public and the ultimate interest of the coal industry. "Should suoh co-operation be lacking, and an interval of national inoonvenienoe be extended and aggravated by the contro- versies to which the situation might probably give rise. respecting wages or other domestic arrangements, an industrial crisis of serious importance might ensue, whidh would, in our opinion, juffify and call for the intervention of public authority." The committee, believe, however, that a portion of the 13 per cent, of time lost to production under present conditions would be utilised under an eight hours system, and that by effecting various improvements both in methods and machinery, the total effect would probably tend towards the mainte- nance of an equilibrium between supply and demand. OPINION AT THE DOCKS. The report of the Royal Commission on the eight hours' question was generally dis- cussed at the Cardiff Docks on Thursday. The concensus of opinion among colliery men and merchants was tha.t the scheme is to a certain extent impracticable, for the reasons stated in the report, and that the price of coal would be raised abnormally. A great factor is the question ol finding sufficient labour for a double shift. At the present time it is stated there are not more than suffici-ent men to work single shifts. From the men's point of view also they though the question when properly explained would not be entertained, for the reason that the earnings of the men would be reduced somewhat, and unless an a.,ivance in wages was conceded the men would fmd their weekly earnings reduced. Of course, an advance of wages would put up the price of coal to such an extent hamPer Oie trade in view of foreign competition. It i» not forgotten that some years ago the Cam- brian Collieries, Limited introduced eight lioura' labour In their pits, but m a wry sSt while the men themeelv^ asked to revert to the old system of working.

ROBBED HIS EMPLOYER. A haulier, named William Walters, was brought up in custody at Pontypool Police- court and charged with breaking into the house of his employer, Mr. Charles Court, Mamhilad, near Pontypool. on the previous Tuesday.-It was stated that prisoner was sent by his employer to Christchurch to fetch a dead horse. A couple of hours later Mr. Court and his family left home for Abergavenny Fair. Prisoner returned between three and four o'clock, and was later seen by George Starling, an ostler, to enter the house through the parlour window. Ten minutes later he came out, and then offered a sovereign to Starling, which the latter refused. Later Mrs. Court missed a sovereign and some silver coins. Police-constable Tiley found prisoner drunk in a meadow at nine o'clock in the evening. -He was sent to Usk Gaol for one month.

STOP PRESS., THE QUEEN 'i JOrRXET. Qufeen Alexandra and the PrmasSs Victoria left Borne on Thursday alter- soon for Florence, Their fehort stay in Eome has been of quite a private character, and no visits were exchanged.— Central YewE.

IMPOSING CEREMONIES AT I MADRID. The Prince of the Astnrias was baptised vith grout ceremony at mid-day on Satur- day. The Royal infant was borne in procession I through the richly-decorated galleries of Madrid Palace to the Eoyal chapeL The Spanish cardinal?, attired in their most sumptuous vestments, headed the cortege, and after them came the three Infantes, Alfonso and Carlos of Bourbon and Alfonso of Orleans. I, Then, closely followed by King Alfonso, was borne the Eoyal infant. Then followed repre- J sentativee of foreign allied Houses—the Arch- duke Eugene of Austria, the Duke of Oporto, and Prince Arthur of C-onaaught—and after them, walking together, the Infantes Eulalie II and Isabel'le, Princess Henry of Batten berg. and Princes ilenier and Philippi of Bourbon. At the end of the procession, were high State officials. I The gallery of the Palace was carpeted and hung with rich tapestries, and in the Royal I chapel the baptismal font of Santa Domingo de Guzman was placed in the centre. On the platform, covered with a gold-edged canopy, the high clergy of the Palace, the Vice- Grooms of the King's Bedchamber, and other functionaries awaited the arrival of the pro- cession. In the chapel the insignia of baptism were placed on seven golden salvers on three specia-lly-made tables in the Queen's ante- cha.mber.-Reuter. Cardinal Sancha, Primate of Spain, vrho officiated at the ceremony, intoned a i Deum*. THE PRINCE DECORATED. King Alfonso placed on the Prince of the Asturias the Collar of the Golden Fleece, the Collar of Oarlos III., and the Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic. The Collar of the Golden Fleece was the same as that which the Prince's grandfather, Alfonso XII., received on the occasion of his baptism. While the cardinal was removing his vestments the prooession re-formed and returned to the palace in the same order in which it had arrived. The Prince of the Asturias received the pmes of Alfonso Pio Cristino Eduardo Trancisco Guillermo Carlos Enrique Eugenio Fernando Antonio Venacio.—Renter. POPE MAKES INQUIRIES. The Pope on Saturday received in private audience the Duchess Marie of Saxe-Coburg- Gotha, her daughter, Prinoess Beatrice, and her nephew, Prinoo Leopold of Battenberg, brother of the Queen of Bpain. His Holiness, who was most cordial, showed great interest in the birth of the Prince of the Asturias, speaking affectionately of Queen Victoria. Eugenic and the little Prince, his godchild, and. asking many questions as to their welfare. His Holiness is sending, greetings both to King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugenie.—Reuter.

PRINCE ARTHUR DRINKS TO HIS LONG LIFE. Speaking in French at the banquet at the Royal Palace, Madrid, King Alphonso expressed his gratitude for the proof of affection which our well-beloved uncles, the 4 Sovereigns of Austria, Great Britain, and Portugal, have graciously given to the Queen and myself by sending your Royal Highnesses to represent them as witnesses at the bap- tism of the Heir to the Throne." Prir;co Arthur Of Ccnnaught. replying on 5 of the foreign Princes, and speaking in English, said that the news of the birth of the Prince of the Asturias was received with real joy by the whole of Great Britain, and added:- His Majesty, my august uncle, wished to t-ake pai-t in the ceremony of the baptism. 1 drink to the health of the King and of Queen Victoria Eugenie and Queen Maria Cristina, and to the long and glorious life which we wish to his Royal Highness the Prince of the Asturias for the happiness of the Spanish nation." Prince Arthur and the Archduke Eugene have received the Grand Collar of the Order of Charles III.—Reuter.

GORED BY A BULL. SCENE IN THE STREET AT LLANDILO. • Frederick Wilson, 20 years of age, of Fel- tliam, employed by John Falconer, Breuienda Iaaf, Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire, met with a serious injury on Tuesday whilst lead- ing a bull from Ffairfach Auction Mart to Llandilo. Near the Half Moon Hotel the animal furiously attacked Wilson, and gored him in the right thigh, the horn penetrating the muscles. The wound, which measured 16 inches long and 8 inches deep, eacaped the femoral artery. Ten internal and 28 external sutures were applied. The injured ma,n lost a deal of blood, and is in a critical condition.

DARING OFFICE ROBBERY AT CARDIFF. CaroUikftr of several offices at I?"*1' Cardiff' on Saturday sent nnLl y t'be Salter Typewriting Oihacs, on the ground floor. He went, and saw a man behind the door. When erwken to by Mrs. Parker, this ma.1) said he had been sent to repair the typewriters, and that lLe was waiting for the manager, Later it was discovered tha.t the desk and letter-box had been prised open. and that some postal orders and stamps were missing