Evening Express

CORONATION GIFTS. Medals for Local High Constables. INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT OFFICES. Mr. D. A. Thomas. M.P., has received a com- munication from the Home Secretary to the effect that the difficulties in the way of pre- senting the high-conetables of Merthyr and Aberdare with Coronation medals have been overcome, and that they will shortly be in possession of their medals. Mr. Akers Douglas says lie was happy to get their interesting position recognised in this manner. The following interesting statement in refe- rence to the ofiice of high-constable was pre- pared by Mr. D. M. Richards, of Aberdare. and put before the Home Secretary by Mr. D. A. Thomas: The office of high-constable or constable of the hundred is one of considerable antiquity, but only exists at the present day in three townships, namely, Caerphilly Higher (Merthyr). Miskin Higher (Aberdare), and Gill- ingham (in Kent). The first reference to the office appears in an Act of Edward I., passed in 1285, while the first direct allusion to Wales is in an Act of Henry VIII., passed in 1543, seven years after the jurisdiction of the Lord Marchers of Wales was abolished. This Act extends the provisions of the Act of 1285 to the Principality, and jenacts that "The said jus- tices of the peace shall appoint and name in euery hundred two substan- tial!'gentlemen or yeomen to be Chiefe Con- stables of the hundred wherein they inhabite, which two Constables of euery hundred shall hane a speciall regard to the Conseruation of the Kings peace.' At the commencement of the last century, and probably always, the high-constable was nominated and his name submitted to the Easter Sessions, which he bad to attend. After the creation of the police constabulary the office of parish con- stable and bigh-constable became nominal to a great extent, and an Act was passed in 1872 abolishing the latter office. In 1869, by the passing of the Act (32-33 Victoria, c. 47) it was enacted that the various courts of quarter sessions might abolish the office of high con- stable at the sessions to be held the following January. At that sessions the office was abolished as far as England and Wales were concerned in every hundred with three excep- tions, two of the exceptions being those of Miskin Higher. or Aberdare, and Caerphilly Higher, or Merthyr. As far as these two are concerned, at the sessions named when the others were abolished in accordance with the Act, the iate Messrs. G. T. Clark, of Dowlais, and Rhys H. Rhys, of Aberdare, pleaded that aA Merthyr and Aberdare were not corporate towns, and that the high-constables had from time immemorial acted the parts of mayors in convening meetings, opening funds for the relief of distress, Ac., the' office be not abolished. This was agreed to, and it is believed that it could not now be abolished except by a special Act of Parliament. The present function of the office is to act-as the mouthpiece of the town in all matters of public interest-in fact, to represent the town in its corporate capacity, if that is possible in a non-incorporated town. The high-con- stable convenes also all public meetings, issues appeals on behalf of the town for subscrip- tions in cases of distress, and generally acts a9 the mayor of the town and district. The high-constable i3 ciected on the second Tues- day in May in each year, the form of election being for the outgoing high-constable to sub- mit. to the magistrates the names of three gentlemen, from whom they select his succes- sor. Although the magistrates have the right of going outside that list, the right has never been' exercised. The present holders of the office are—in Merthyr, Dr. Biddle; and in Aberdare, Mr. A. S. Pleace.

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Telephone: Nat. 502. Post Office, 95 Telegrams: h Express, Cardiff."

EISTEDDFOD DISCOURTESY. The" Daily Chrcnicle" has some remarks on this subject which ought not to pass without a word of refutation. With what it says of the boxing up of the adjudicators at Llanelly we do not quarrel; but why rake up the conduct of the audience when the late Lord Bute delivered an address ? A very similar state of things prevailed at Aberdare in 1885. It was the day of the great choral competition. Intense excitement pre- vailed throughout the length and breadth of South Wales. It was a miserable, rainy day, yet for all that a huge crowd came together; the pavilion was inade- quate to their accommodation portions had to be knocked down and the people in the back were early irritated because they were crushed like sardines in a tin and could see nothing whatever. They were all eager for the choirs, yet the stupidity of the arrangements brought in several learned disquisitions by the late Lord Aberdare, the late Matthew Arnold, and others. Now, we ask in all fairness, bearing in mind, the character of the crowd, the object of their assembling, and the feverish excitement, is there any marvel that they rebelled against the items that intervened between them and the great competition ? No disrespect was mst-nt to the distinguished men who read the papers—it was only a natural protest against the way in which the pro- gramme was disposed. The same thing has happened at other times and in other places, and mostly with the same result. With the adoption of common-sense measures, we shall soon hear the last of Eisteddfod discourtesy. We hope, indeed, that the last has been heard about it. DISSATISFIED BOERS. So far as the British Empire is con- cerned, the Vereeniging Agreement is final. There must be no going back on its terms. The Boers have, surely, understood this all along, especially after our past experience of generously" treating them, and it is all the more remarkable, therefore, that the leaders should have put forward such extra- ordinary demands. Magnanimity having been so persistently mistaken for weak- ness, we may be tolerably certain that in future sound statesmanship alone will commend itself to the country as the only proper policy for South Africa. That Mr. Chamberlain is sound his interview with Generals Botha, De Wet, and Delarey made perfectly clear. As it happens, sound statesmanship is the best thing for South Africa—and, indeed, for the Boers themselves—just now. For what would happen if the remarkable demands of the three generals were con- ceded? The country would have to pay many, many millions of money, in addi- tion to what the war has already cost; a premium would be practically placed on disloyalty; loyalists in the older Colonies would be dissatisfied, and even justifiably alarmed; the plums of official life in the new Colonies would be given to the very men who made war the only possible solution of the disabilities from which the Outlanders suffered and the rush of returning Boers would make the present congestion in South Africa, although bad enough as it is, quite unbearable. The terms of the Vereenig- ing surrender were so generous that one would never have expected the Boer generals to suggest their extension, and we are led to believe that General Botha laid the requests before Mr. Chamberlain simply in order to satisfy a few dissatisfied persons, who are better outside South Africa than in. The terms and the spirit of the surrender are being properly carried out, as was evidenced by more than one fact that came to light in the discussion, and when the Boers see this we hope the last will be heard of dissatis- faction with the settlement." It is sheer nonsense for the Boers to be dissatisfied.

The Cardiff Infirmary is still badly in want of funds. The Blaina District of the South Wales Miners' Federation are setting a splendid example, in the hope that others will follow suit, and endeavour to place the finances of the institution on a sound basis. They have just contri- buted £80, and m December they will make another collection. The example is worthy of emulation by all working men.

My surname's Jenkins and my first is John, A point, please note, that I insist upon. Long years for Grangetown I have member been. And yet the same old game goes on, goes on. My Grange, but late a marsh, to-day's a town. At which more favoured districts scoff and frown. And anything they do not want themselves They bring to Grange and straightway dump it down. My face is pale and worn as I disclope Unto my colleagues all my wants and woes. There's Walford. I have got him by the ear. And Woosey of the smells he knows, he knows. The Bute have got a monstrous bonfire lit, Not joy but refuse is the cause of it, And wretched residents who breathe the fumes Do nothing else but grumble, cough, and spit. From every part of Cardiff mark the load Of refuse foisted on the Tanyard-road. The gas mephijtic rises to the heavens, And yet my colleagues: "Jenkins, you be blowed!" I stood upon the corner of the street Where the Salvationists in conclave meet; The sewer gas so overpowering proved That e'en the Army had to beat retreat. These are but incidents upon my way. If you our ward continue to betray, Beware in time—I boss the working man. And we will vengeance take some day, some day. IDRIS.

"t The helplessness of the onlookers at Llandaff on Sunday calls to mind an almost equally sad incident down the line which has not been reported. A breakful of excursiouists was overturned, and most of the occupants were injured, dirt and

BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS. The following are the readings since five o'clock last evening, as glve-n hy the barometer In the Hstlbule of the "Evening Express," St. Mary-atreet, Cardiff, which is 33ft. above mean sea level. I' 5 p."i. Mian't. I) a.m. 11.(111." y.i.i 3Cr5 -i- 30-0jisss"—•••• —••»••••••«•• -c| | j" blood covering everything. Amongst those who hurried up were several persons who had gone through an ambulance course, yet they were so unnerved by the sight that not one of them ventured to stir a finger!

Mainly About People. The King first spoke of the late Prince Henry of Battenberg as Liko, just as he dubbed the late Sir Charles Hall Charlie Cor- ridor, and Lord Ribblesdale the "Ancestor." His Majesty's name for the Queen has always been Alix, which was the name used also by Queen Victoria for her. Pedestrian: What's all that fuss about in that house—wedding? Resident: No. A new baby arrived last night, and all the women in the neighbour- hood are going into ecstasies over it. "Who is that tall man all the women are crowding around?" "He is a minister, come to fix a date for the christening." "And who is the short man that attracts so much attention?" "He is the doctor." "Ah! I see. That no-account fellow, who is being pushed out of the way or run over, is the hired man, I presume?" "No; he's the father." A little-known episode in the life of King Edward VII. is contributed by E. J. H. Sel- lingham to the "Ledger Monthly." During the early manhood of Albert, Prince of Wales, now Edward VII.. King of England, the Royal yacht containing him and several of his com- rades was cruising off the coast of Cornwall, waiting for something new to turn up for their amusement. The sturdy fishermen along the coast were not so lightly employed. They were a brawny, good-natured set who started out that summer morning, their rough, untrained voices chanting some loyal melody, to haul in the nets. They saw their Prince's ship in the offing. The pushing out of the fisher boat was noted on board the yacht, where interest was quite at a stand- still, and aroused a quickening desire to join the party and examine the supply of fish. A few minutes later, and a small boat put out from the vessel's side and approached the busy fishermen. On board the heavy boat all was not going well. The seines hauled with unusual diffi- culty. A heavy swell had tangled them in snags on the bottom, tearing them in places as they came up. The supply of fish was small and discouraging, but they must be re- set nevertheless, so the work went on. The largest net seemed moat firmly lodged, and many efforts failed to bring it to the surface. With stubborn patience they loosened and pulled in vain. Finally, after many attempts extricate it, they decided upon a steady. united pull at the net's own risk, and ranged themselves accordingly. "One, two. three- pull!" Suddenly the thing gave way, so sud- denly that the foremost man, barely keeping his feet. was hurled with some violence against a stranger who had just stepped on board from a small boat alongside. The collapse was a surprise to the fisher- man, who had not seen the approaching boat and knew not whence It came. The shock added fuel to his already worn-out patience. Without a glance at the intruder, he drew up his arm and sent his brawny elbow with no particularly gentle force into the stranger's side, exclaiming roughly—"Get out of my way! What are you doing here, any- how?" There was an instant's ominous pause. Both faces were a study. Slowly the wrath of the fisherman had faded with wonder as no reply came, and he glanced about him in a mute. unconscious appeal for an explanation. In his companion's faces he read a horrified surprise that found an echo in his own bosom as his gaze fell on the yacht which lay with- in range of his eye. But before he could fully realise the truth the deep tones of the intruder had broken the silence. Anger aug- mented by the pain of the blow had been his first impulse, but the very ridiculousness Of the situation, suggested to him by the mean- ing smiles of his companions in the boat was borne home, and after a moment of self-con- quest he turned to his lowly antagonist. "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, in as gentle a tone as he could command—"I did not mean to get in your way. We came over to see your fish." "And who may you be?" gasped the fisherman, with a sudden painful quickening of the imagination. "Only Albert, Prince of Wales, and heir to your country's throne, my good sir," was the calm reply. Then there jvere other apologies and a gene- rous present of fish to repay the rudeness, and in all his realm to-day Albert Edward has no more devoted subject than the aged fisher- man. still living on the Cornwall coast, whose wrath he appeased by the mild reply of a gentleman when there seemed ample excuse for another sort of revenge. A well-known artist overheard a countryman and his wife ridiculing his picture, which pre- sented a farm scene. He was so indignant that he at last interposed with the remark: "That painting is valued at a hundred pounds. Allow me to ask if you are familiar with works of art?" "Not very familiar with art," replied the farmer; "but I know something about nature, young man. When you make a cow that gets up from the ground by putting her fore feet first, you do something that nature never did." Brodrick Castle is usually let—Sir Thomas Glen-Coats has been tenant—and Lady Mary. her mother, and stepfather reside at Dough- rey. on the other side of the island. They are greatly beloved by the inhabitants, whom the duchess first won on her pilgrimages through the island on an Iceland pony, with a shawl draped across her knees in the native fashion. The duchess, who was one of Their Majesties' guests at the Coronation, is a daughter of the Duchees of Devonshire, and as Lady Mary Montagu possessed her full share of the beauty of the Manchester family. She married as her second husband Mr. Car- naby Foster, one of the best-known and most popular followers of the Quorn and the Cottes- more. The duchess and her daughter are both enthusiastic followers of hounds and keen all-round sportswomen. Lady Mary Douglas-Hamilton. who was informally pre- sented to the King and Qaeen in Arran, will be the most important debutante at next season's Courts. She is not only the greatest heiress in the kingdom, but a pretty, acconu plished, and charmingly unaffected girl.

SWANSEA DRAINAGE SCHEME DISAPPROVED The- Local Government Board have intimated to the Swansea Corporation that they can see no object to be gained by holding the further inquiry suggested by the council as to the council's favourite pcheme of having a sewage outlet at Brynmill, and the pierbead scheme, which will coat about £80,000. seems now inevitable.

CARDIFF TRAMWAYS PURCHASE Negotiations between the Cardiff Tramways Committee and the tramways company as to the price to be paid the laiter for the old horse depots arc still proceeding. The com- pany have now named the minimum figure which they are prepared to accept, and.-this is abcut £4,000 in excess of the last sum which the tramwaya committee were authorised to offer, namely. £ 21.000.

WELSH EISTEDDFOD, Great Gathering at Bangor. DETAILED LIST OF YESTER- DAY'S AWARDS. The Wr elsh Eisteddfod was continued at Bangor yesterday. Lord Castletown, of Ossory, being the president, and one of the most interesting features of the morning proceedings was the public reception accorded to the Pan-Celtic delegates, on whose behalf Mr. Fournier addressed the audience in Irish, Welsh, and English. Several of to- day's prizes have gone to South Wales, the awards including the following:—Senior violin LORD CASTLETOWN. solo, Mr. Ben George. Tredegar; tenor sole, Mr.. Harry Lewis, Nelson; history of any pariah in Wales or Monmouthshire (prize JE15), Mr. A. Morris, F.R.H.S., Newport. Of the prizes offered by the Welsh Industries Associa- tion, some were won by S. Morris, Carmar- then; Mrs. Ruth Williams, Carmarthen; and Miss Ellen Harries, Dafen, near Llanelly. The Awards. The awards were as follow:- Wool Spinning and Dyeing.-The Welsh Industries Association offered several prizes in this division. In every class there was keen competition. The winners were:- Three pounds of white wool, suitable for making soft material, from any kind of sheep bred in Wales: Miss S. Morris, Catherine- street, Carmarthen. One pound of machine-spun yarn: Hughes and Son, Denbigh. Twelve skeins of yarn, each skein dyed a different colour: Hughes and Son, Denbigh. White flannel hand-loom Welsh wool (prize given by the Breconshire branch): Divided between J. Williams and Son, Trefriw, and S. Morris, Carmarthen. Art Needlework and Embroidery.-In this class, also, several prizes were offered by the Welsh Industries Association, the awards being :— Hand-sewn babies' long flannel: "Llwydd. iant," who did not respond. Flannel petticoat: Miss Katie Foulkes-Jones, Bangor. Workman's shirt (machine-made): Miss Ruth Williams, Glandwr Cottages, Carmarthen. Workman's shirt (hand-made): Miss Maggie Griffiths, Parciau Gleision, Cwmyglo, Carnar- von. Child's smocked frock: Miss Mary Grace Jones, Menai Bridge. Hand-quilted quilt: Miss Ellen Harries, Dafen, near Llanelly. Re-production of old crewel work on linen: Miss Lewis, Stanley-terrace, Holyhead. Sampler on fine canvas with floral designs: Miss Ellen Grace Jones, Menai Bridge. Senior violin solo competition.—Lieutenant Miller delivered the adjudication of Dr. Rogers, Dr. Parry, and himself. There were thirteen competitors, but Lieutenant Miller expressed his disappointment that the entries were not more numerous in a musical country like Wales, where the tinker blows the horn and the cobbler plays the flute, and everyone was a member of some musical organisation or other. It was, therefore, surprising that violin-playing was not more popular. SIR ALFRED JONES. especially as the violin was historically connected with Wales. The violin belonged to Wales some thousands of years before it belonged to Italy, or was called a violin at all. The successful candidate, added Lieutenant Miller, had given a mo3t masterly performance-a finished and artistic rendering, such as they would have expected to hear at an evening concert, rather than at a morning competition. (Hear, hear.) The winner was Mr. Ben George, of Tredegar, whose sister, Miss Adelina George, won in the senior pianoforte competition of the pre- vious day. Tenor solo contest.-Out of sixty candidates in the tenor solo contest, three were selected to appear on the platform, all pupils of Mr. Harry Evans, of Dowlais. Dr. Parry. Dr. Cowaxd, and Mr. E. Hurren Harding adjudi- cated. and. of the two test pieces, Waguar's "Preislied" was selected to be sung ;n the final test. The winner was Mr. Harry Lewis, of Nelson, Glamorganshire. The two or her candidates also hailed from South Wales, viz., Mr. Owen Treharne, Treorky, and Mi. Richard Thomas. Llanelly. Essay on the history of any parish in Wales, including Monmouthshire, Welsh or English: Eleven esays were received for the Ll5 prize, and Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, Swansea, pnd Mr. A. N. Palmer. Wrexham, who adjudi- cated, gave their award in favour of "John Lelande," who turned out to be Mr. A. Morris. F.R.H.S., schoolmaster, Newport. Welsh triple harp contest.-Next came the competition for the best performance on the Welsh triple harp, the prize being a triple- stringed Welsh "Llanover" harp, given by the Hon. Mrs. Herbert, of Llanover, who her- self drafted the rules of the competition. These provided that no one should compete who had played in public on the pedal harp, the object being to restore to its proper posi- tion the national instrument of Wales and to encourage the cultivation of the pure and simple style in which ancient Welsh music ought to be played. The air selected for the competition was Y Bardd yn ei Awen," with variations, from John Perry's "Welsh Harper." Although the contest was open to the whole of Wales and Monmouthshire, only two competitors appeared on the platform, the first being a young Llanover maid, who was dressed in the quaint maid, who was dressed in the quaint national costume of Wales. Dr. Joseph Parry, who was the sole adjudicator, proceeded to give something in the nature of a short his- tory of the harp, when" Gwynedd," as con- ductor, pulled him up to his time limit, but the doctor was going on so nicely that he insisted upon being further heard, and the audience was with him. The winner was declared to be Robert Jones ("Telynor Cym- raeg"), Llanerchymedd, with special com- mendation for the little girl in Welsh cos- tume. The Hon. Mrs. Herbert handed over the harp to the winner and was loudly cheered on stepping forward to the front of the plat- form. Tenor and bass duet.—An excellent competi- tion was witnessed for the tenor and bass duet.—Of the four parties who sang on the platform, three were from South Wales, viz., Messrs. R. Thomas (Llanelly) and Jonah Thomas; Mr. G. T. Llewellyn and "Eos Keufig"; and Mr. D. Davtes and "Gyynalaw," Ferndale. The winners, however, hailed from North Wales, viz., "Gutyn Eifion." Garn, Dol- benmaen, and R. Brotherton Jones, Llan- frothen. Woodwork.—British bread-plate with carved border.-Thomas Williames, Bangor. Traceried panel —J. D. H. Jones, Penrhyn- Deudraeth. Three-fold carved oak ecreen.—Herbert Wil- liams, Bangor. Six wooden spoons.—D. Thomas. Brechfa, Nantgaredig, South Wales. Oak tea-tray with fretted border.—E. Jones. Trefanna. Embossed or incised leather chair seat.— Miss M. C. Baker, 8. Ninian-road, Cardiff. Drawing, painting, and design. Study of child-life, water-colour.—Miss Mary Hughes, Amlwch. Welsh landscape, any medium. — Hubert Coop. Conway. Six illustrations for "Ceirloif's" "Myfanwy Fychan." In wash or line.—Beg. Devon- shire-road. Bristol. Design for a wall-paper.—Miss F. A. Jones, Port Dinoryic. Relief map of Snowdon.—A £7 10s. prize for this attracted only one entry, and £5 was awarded as an encouragement. The competi- tor was Mr. Ben Lewis, Rhydyslafdy, Pwll- heli. Three dramatic cantatas, to consist of choruses and solos, with pianoforte accom- paniment only, on a Welsh subject, were received in competition for the £ 20 prize offered. The composer of the successful work was Mr. J. Haydn Morris, New York, United States of America. Organ solo competition.—Two only of the four candidates appeared in this contest. The winner was Mr. Arthur Sims. of Newport. Bass solo competition.—Handel's "The Lord Worketh Wonders" was selected as the test piece, and the best singer was declared to be Mr. David Davies, of Pontypridd, a pupil of Mr. Harry Evans, of Dowlais. Needlework, portiere Embroidered.—1st, Mrs. B. Jackson, Colwyn Bay; 2nd, Mrs. Pritchard. Llwydiark Esgot, Llanerchymedd. Orchestral competition: Mozart's Finale. G Minor, Symphony No. 1; prize, £ 21—There were five entries, but only one band, the Mid- Rhondda Orchestral Society (Mr. Arthur A. Leek) appeared, and their performance was adjudged fully worthy of the premium. The competition for string quartettes fell through for want of entries. The Male Voice Choral Contest.—It was two o clock when the great event of the second day was reached. At this time the vacant places of the morning had nearly all been filled, and though, the assemblage was con- siderably less in proportion than that which listened to the chief choral on Tuesday, an estimate of 9,000 would not be wide of the mark. The two test pieces were The word went forth," Festgesang (Mendelssohn), and The long day closes" (Sullivan), unaccom- panied. The number of voices was limited to between 40 and 50, and the prize offered was JE50 and a gold medal to the successful con- ductor. The adjudicators were Dr. Parry, Mr. Emlyn Evans. Dr. Coward, Mr. T. Westlake Morgan, and Lieutenant Miller. There was a record number of entries—nineteen. Four of these dropped out. namely, the Isle of Man, Tallre, Runcorn and District, and Llanfair- fechan. Thus fifteen wer$left, the following being the order in which they sang: — 1. Cardiff Male Voice (Mr. Roderick Williams). 2. Darlington Male Voice Choir (Mr. W. Bethell). 3. Porth and Cymmer Male Voice Choir (Mr. Rhys Evans). 4. The Llanrwst and Trefriw Male Voice Choir (Mr. T. R. Williams). 5. Wigan Harmonic Male Voice Choir (Mr. A. Knight). 6. The Amlwch Male Voice Choir (Miss Paynter). 7. The Southport Vocal Union (Mr. J. Charles Clarke). 8. The Moelwyn Male Voice Party (Mr. Cadwaladr Roberts). 9. The Garw Male Voice Society (Mr. Evan Anthony). 10. The Manchester Orpheus Prize Glee Society (Mr. W. S., Nesbitt). 11. Meibion Glan Nedd (Mr. G. T. Davies). 12. Llanelly Male Voice Choir (Mr. John Thomas). 13. Port Talbot Glee Society (Mr. John Phillips). 14. Padarn Male Voice Choir (Mr. M. Orwig Williams). 15. The Coalpit Hill Male Voice Prize Choir (Mr. A. F. Charlsworth). The last choir came on the platform at 4.30. and completed their performance—rather an indifferent one—by a quarter to five. Before the adjudication was given Mr. William Davies, of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, sang the beautiful Welsh song of his own composi- tion, 0 na byddai'n haf o hyd." Dr. Joseph Parry was entrusted with the task of delivering the award, and this he did in the course of a somewhat lengthy speech which was eagerly followed- by an excited audiencc. The bilingual difficulty was got over by the unique device of commenting in Welsh on the performances of the Welsh choirs, and in English with reference to the choirs from England. That the prize had been fairly won. and that no compromise would be made, was made evident. by the doctor's open- ing remark that the adjudicators were per- fectly Unanimous not only in the selection of the best choir, but also as to the five best choirs out of the fifteen. Proceeding to com- ment in detail on the respective performances, the adjudicator declared that the first choir (Cardiff) opened full and strong, the har- monies and the phrasing being especially good in the Mendelssohn piece, though in page 13 they were a little flat. Their rendering of the Sullivan piece was a most finished per- formance. They kept perfectly in time all through the work, and this was the on'ly choir in the competition that had done this. No. 2 (Darlington) made a good start, but were not 80 good in their tone and quality of voice, and lacked the breadth of the tone which charac- terised Cardiff—an ordinary performance on the whole. No. 3 (Porth and Cymmer) exagge- rated the staccato, and the harmonies were not pure. In the Sullivaa piece they fell half a tone in pitch. No. -r4 (Llaifrwst) had good vocal material, which was not properly disci- plined. and their style was ordinary. No. 5 (Wigan) started well. They went out of tune, and partly came back; their tone was some- what woolly, the intonation and harmonies were occasionally impure, and they ended the Sullivan piece almost a tone out of tune. No. 6 (Amlwch) was a young choir, and the adjudicators specially commended the courage of the young lady who conducted them. They were specially good in the tender passages of Sullivan's piece, but went down half-a-tone. No. 7 (Southport) kept excellent time, and the voices were very resonant, and they sang the Mendelssohn piece with much verve. In the Sullivan piece their tempo was quite accurate, and they were the only choir so far with accurate tempo. The phrasing was also good, and the'tone balance excellent, but they dropped a third of a tone. No. 8 (Moplwjn) went out of time at the beginning of the Mendelssohn piece, and, though they improved slightly, they remained out of time throughout the piece. In the Sullivan piece they were heard to better effect, but they went down nearly a tone. No. 9 (Garw) began badly in the Mendelssohn piece, and the voices were not so good as some of the other choirs. They went down a whole tone, and missed some of the most important points. No. 10 (Manchester) gave the fullest, richest, and the most tuneful opening of any of the preceding choirs. In the Mendelssohn piece they kept good time, were always in perfect tune, broad and majestic in style. and the voices were the most organ-like of all. The climax was grand. In the Sulli- van chorus the harmonies were pure. the beautiful chromatic concords and die- cords perfect and their total gradations beautiful. They were equally successful in both pieces, though in the Sullivan piece they fell half a tone. No. 11 (Glan Nedd) made a poor beginning, and in the Sullivan piece fell a whole tone. No. 12 (Llanelly) had good, rich voices, and their phrasing was good. In the Sullivan piece the first tenors were some- what mixed on the G sharp, and the harmonies were somewhat impure. No. 13 (Port Talbot) madu an excellent start. Their tone was a little out through the whole of the Mendels- sohn piece. This choir again somewhat exag- gerated the staccato; their tempo in the Sulli- van chorus was somewhat too quick, and they fell half a tone. No. 14 (Padarn) began rather indifferently; the Mendelssohn piece was rather cloudy, and the voices rather metallic. The Sullivan piece was better and more balanced. The crescendo and double fortes were very good. This choir fell nearly a tone. No 15 (Coalpit Hill) made a good start in the Mendelssohn piece, but the two tempos were too much alike. The harmonies and voices were good. and so was their tonal elasticity. In the Sullivan piece they fell half a tone in pitch. In conclusion. Dr. Parry said that, though the adjudicators were agreed as to the best five choirs, they thought it better to announce only the name of the winning choir, and that was No. Iff (Manchester.) (Loud cheers.) The winner of the prize in the needlework class for an afternoon tea cloth, drawn thread. was Miss N. Summers. Cadoxton, near Cardiff. The Evening Concert. At the evening concert a fine audience assembled and enjoyed an inspiring perform- ance by the eisteddfod choir of 250 voices of Sir Arthur Sullivan's The Golden Legend." The conductor was Dr. Rogers, and the band was supplied by Riviere's Orchestra. The Marquess of Anglesea presided. The artistes, all of whom were heard at their best, were: — Mies Evangeline Florence. Miss Lalla Parry, Mr. Gwilym Richards, Mr. Emlyn Davies, and Mr. D. Ffrangcon-Davies. The Receipts. Definite information as to Wednesday's takings is not available as yet, but the fol- lowing official figures are given with respect to Tuesday's:—Season tickets, £250; day receipts, £569,10s. 3d.; concert receipts. JB256 6s. lid.— total for the day..61.075 16s. 4d. Wednesday's receipts are roughly estimated at £600, includ- ing the evening's concert. Add to this the £1.0:>0 received in subscriptions, and it will be seen that out of the £4.(0) required £2,675 has already been obtained. leaving a balance of £1.325 still to be taken during the next two days.

ANOTHER WAR COMMISSION. The King has been pleased to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the military preparations for the war in South Africa and into the supply of men, ammunition, equip- ment, and transport by sea and land" in con- nection with the campaign, and into the mili- tary operations up to the occupation of Pre- toria, and to report thereon. The Commission is constituted as follows:—The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine (chairman). Viscount Esher, the Right Hon. Sir George Dashwood Taubman- Goldie, Field-marshal Sir Henry Wylie Nor- man. Admiral Sir John Ommaney Hopkins, Sir John Edze. and Sir John Jackson.

THE JAPANESE WARSHIPS. The Japanese cmisers Asama (the flagship of Admiral Goro linin) and Tnkusasro left Gib. raltar on Wednesday for Naples.—Bettter. ,1M.

EDUCATION BILL. Interesting Remarks at Aberystwith. CONFERENCE OF DIOCESE OF ST. DAVID'S. Yesterday morning a meeting was held in connection with the Diocesan Conference of St. David's at the University College-hall, Aberystwith. Bishop Owen presided, and said the revival of religious controversy in connection with the Education Bill, he said, must be deplored by both Churchmen and Nonconfor- mists, as it cannot but do serious injury to the cause of our common Christianity. It behoved them to consider carefully whether the contention in regard to Church schools was just; secondly, whether any points of possible agreement were without sacrifice of principle discernible which may go some way to mitigate controversy; thirdly, what prin- ciple or principles were at stake; and, lastly, what action and spirit they ought to cultivate if. unhappily, a prolonged controversy proved to be unavoidable. The centre of the contro- versy appeared to be the appointment of the teacher in denominational schools. The first fact was that the teacher in Church schools has two duties to discharge: he has to instruct all the children in secular subjects and he has to instruct Church children in the faith of the Church. The second fact was that under the Bill the teacher in Church I YEN. ARCHDEACON EVANS. schools is to be paid from two sources. for teaching secular subjects by the public authorities representing the State, and for teaching the faith of the Church by the Church. The share of the Church was less apparent because indirect in form. No serious challenge can be given to the statement that the fair rent of her school buildings which represents the Church's contribution to the payment of the teacher is greater than the share of his salary calcula- ted in proportion to the share of his time occupied in teaching Church children the faith of the Church." Two facts governed the position of the teacher in Church schools: he had two duties to discharge-one to the State and one to the Church. Now in the face of his twofold duties and of his twofold pay- ment, what did justice require in regard to the method of the teacher's appointment? That each of the two parties to the teacher's payment ought to be allowed to satisfy them- selves that he is a fit and proper person to discharge each of the two duties that devolve upon him. That in point of principle was what had been provided in that part of the seventh clause of the Bill which has passed through the Committee of the House of Com- mons. The Fitness of the Teacher. The veto of the local education autho- rity guarantees to the State the fitness of the teacher for his secular duties, while the limited authority given in the matter to Church managers guarantees to the Church his fitness for his religious duties. That principle of the seventh clause was sound. The two-fold modification of this principle on either side did not invalidate its justice. On one side the managers were given the initia- tive in the selection of the teacher; but since the veto of the local education authority on educational grounds was absolute, the power of the managers in this matter was, in sub- stance, no more than that of nomination to the higher authority, and the full guarantee to the State for the fitness of the teacher for his duties to the State remained unimpaired. The principle was. however, qualified on the other side to quite as large an extent in prac- tice by the addition to four Church managers of two representatives of the State. It there- fore became their duty to keep the real ques- tion at issue clear and straight before the country. The issue was not a mere question of theory, but a practical question of essential importance, for without an adequate guaran- tee for the personal faith of the teacher—that he will be an earnest religious Churchman, really believing in what he has to teach—the original object of the Church schools as places of religious education for Church children would be gone. Churchmen were not guilty of either injustice or lack of charity towards others in insisting that so long as Church schools are retained at all they shall be retained in reality and not merely in name. Ear-Marking of Rates. In some countries ratepayers are allowed to ear-mark their education rates in favour of the type of school which they happen to prefer. There was no reason why such a course should not have been as just in this country as it is in others. For the consciences of those who pre- fer Church schools were as much entitled to consideration as the consciences of those who prefer schools of another type. A policy of ear-marking rates was for many reasons impracticable in this country; but the fact that this was impracticable was no reason why the large contributions of Church people towards both the local and central depart- ments of the common education fund of the country should be calmly ignored. It was likewise a mistake to suppose that under the Bill the secular instruction in Church schools will be controlled by the Church. What the Bill did. while it gave to the Church four out! of six members of the committee of manage- ment, was to enact plainly, in Clause 6, that the local education authority shall throughout their area have the powers and duties of a school board and school attend- ance committee, under the Elementary Educa- tion Acts, 1870 to 1900, and any other Acts, including local Acts. and shall be responsible for and have the control of all secular instruction in public elementary schools, not provided by them." His lordship was certain that time would show that the Prime Minister was right in pledging his word that the local education authority would be the absolute master of the situation 'as far as the secular instruction of Church schools was concerned. It was deplor- able that, misconceptions of this sort should have made possible a suicidal proposal that county councils should sap the moral founda- tions of their own authority by a threat of deliberate disobedience to the law of the land. The solution of the grievance in question offered by the Prime Minister last July was to secure in the Bill for single school areas of either type liberty for alternative forms of religious instruction in accordance with the wishes of parents. The principle of this policy of an "open door" for alternative forms of religious instruction was the sound prin- ciple of religious liberty. Prepared to meet Nonconformists If Nonconformists were disposed to give favourable consideration to the principle of the Government's offer, Churchmen would meet them in a fair spirit of good- will in regard to some particulars of impor- tance for its smooth and effective application. It might naturally be asked, if Mr. Balfour's offer were placed on the statute book, would it then be the duty of the Church to continue her efforts for the maintenance of Church schools, Eeeing that the just and necessary insistence for that purpose upon the Seventh Clause provoked serious opposition and con- troversy. He was certain that this would con- tinue to be their-duty. "I gladly acknowledge," added his lordship, that board schools. with their large resources, have stimulated Church schools to educational progress. On the other hand, it may be truly i, claimed that the stubborti vitality of Church schools during the last thirty years has had a material influence upon the advance of religious education in board schools. Religious education is too vital a condition of national welfare to make it right to let go this well-attested guarantee' for it which we now have in our Church Schools, condition of national welfare to make it right to let go this well-attested guarantee' for it which we now have in our Church Schools, until, at any rate, it becomes much clearer11 than it is to-day that it would be re-placed by the broader guarantee of the settled convic- tion of the nation as a whole of the national necessity of religious education. The day may come when public conviction in this country will be as firmly settled about religious education as it is about slavery. There has been a hopeful advance of general public opinion in favour of I religious education since 1870. At that ¡ time the policy of restricting the con- c-ern of the State to secular education received very influential support. Now. however, it has ceased to command the support of any large section o £ religious men on either side, though it is associated vrlth. some revered names, section of religious men on either side, though it is associated with some revered names, though some of the theoretic arguments for it' are logically plausible, and though it offers a tempting short cut out of the wilderness of controversy to those on both sides who long for educational peace at almost any price. The alarming growth of national indifference since 1870 is too weighty a fact to be ignored for the sake of mere logic, ecclesiastical or political; and the risk of national secularism in the course of this century is too large a price for Christian believers to pay for the spiritual luxury of shaking off one of the many painful burdens laid upon the shoulders of this generation by the inheritance of our unhappy religious divisions." Though a moderate relaxation of the rigidity of the Cowper-Temple Clause would be a benefit to the large number of Church children in board schools, yet the distinction between religious education and mere religious instruction was so real as to make the continuance of Church schools a factor, valuable not only to the Church, but also to the nation, in the training of national character. The history of the Church had more than one significant caution for the nation against seeking unity of cor- porate object by too mechanical a uniformity of method. It would make in the long run for both breadth and depth of national righteousness for denominational and unde- nominational schools to go on co-operating for their common national object—each in its own way equitably adjusted for the future under the impartial and common control of the local education authorities. At the conclusion of the address there was loud and continued applause, and the Bishop, rising, said that he took their kind applause to be a pledge that that conference stood by the principles of the paper. (Applause.) Sunday Observance. This formed the subject of a paper which was introduced by Colonel Davies-Evans, who after reviewing the ancient form of Sunday observance, said that it was impossible to keep Sunday as a holy day unless the mind was free from the worry and anxiety of week- day affairs. The servants could not attend'the church services if they were obliged to per- form the usual daily toil. and the business man would derive no benefit from the sermon in the pulpit if his mind was divided between the sermon and a slump in the Kamr Market. (Laughter.) A little forethought would reduce Winday work in the home to a minimum, and I going on to deal with the servant question, he had a thrust at the county families, who for the sake of appearances drove to church in carriage and pair, though the distance was a short one. Apart from games of chance, he saw no harm in innocent recreation. Cycling, for instancefcwaa a most invigorating pastime, and those who said tnat it set up a thirst should remember that the man who had to wheel himself home was more likely to keep temperate than the one who had a horse and carriage to bring him home. (Laughter.) Instead of condemning the cyclists, as some clergy did, they should try to make their ser- vices attractive for cyclists. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. E. L. Bevan, of Brecon, and Mr. De Winton also spoke, and other speakers were the Rev. D. Davies (Defynoek), Rev. —. Fulford (Llanbister), and Principal Bebb (Lampeter). After luncheon the Archdeacon of Carmar- then (the Rev. Owen Evans) read a paper on the present position of the education question.

POOR MILK AT PONTYPRIDD. Heavy Fine on a Refreshment Caterer. Before Messrs. T. P. Jenkins, W. H. Mathias, and R. Lewis, and Dr. Davies at Pontypridd on Wednesday, a charge of selling adulterated milk was preferred against Rd. John, refresh- ment-house keeper, Treforest.—Superintendent Cole &aid he visited defendant's shop and .bought a pint of milk, for which he paid 2d. He told the defendant's wife that the sample was for the purpose of being analysed. The analyst's certificate showed that the sample was deficient in butter fat to the extent of 31 per cent. The defendant was not a regular milk vendor, but bought small quantities occa- sionally.—John said that he sold the milk as he bought it.—Mr. T. P. Jenkins said that, as there was nothing else against the defendant, and as he bought the milk in very small quantities, he would be let off on payment of £1 18s. 3d., inclusive of costs. John Williams, the refreshment caterer at the Pontypridd sports, was charged with a similar offence. Mr. C. W. Matthews, Ponty- pridd, defended.—Superintendent Cole said he visited the defendant's refreshment booth in the Taff Vale Park on August 4 and bought a sample of milk. He sent it to the public analyst, and his certificate showed that the milk was deficient in butter fat to the extent of 93 per cent. The sample contained, in addition .05 per cant. of boric acid. Witness then visited another tent kept in the same field by the defendant. He bought a sample from an attendant. Mr. Williams himself then came up and told the superintendent that the milk was machine-skimmed. There was no label to this effect prominently displayed. The certificate from the analyst stated that in the sample there was a deficiency of 91 per cent. of butter fat, and it contained in addi- tion .05 of boric acid.—Mr. T. P. Jenkins said this was as bad a cas» as one could imagine. He did not believe they were too severe in fining the defendant £3 and costs in each case, and 7a. in each case for the use of boric acid.

THE CARDIFF INFIRMARY. Serious Financial Straits of the Institution. The board of management of the Cardiff Infirmary met on Wednesday, Mr. J. B. Ferrier presiding. In the list of patients awaiting admission, the largest number was 110 males for the surgical wards. The number of patients in the institution was 132. The finance committee's report showed a net balance in hand of JE743 8s. lid. That sum was in addition to the JS500 not yet collected remaining on the subscription list. That, the Chairman explained, was only sufficient to pay the way of the infirmary for September, while for the rest of the year they would have to live in expectation of donations. A legacy from the executors of the late Mr. Richard Lewie, Hereford, amounting to jB200, was received, making a total from that source of JE700. For the post of honorary anaesthetist to the infirmary there were four applicants, all from Cardiff, viz., Drs. Robert Cameron, Llan- Nbddian-gardens; Edward W. Joscelyne, The Parade; Cyril Lewis, Newport-road; and Owen L. Rhys, the Infirmary. The first vote resulted:—Cameron, 2; Joscelyne. 23; Lewis, 35; and Rhys, 15. The final ballot was:—Lewis, 46 votes; Joscelyne, 33 votes. One vote was spoiled. Dr. Lewis was, therefore, declared elected. His qualifications were M.B.. C.M. (Edin.). and M.D. (Edin.). He is 33 years of age. In anaesthetic experience he has 550 cases recorded. Mr. James Granville. Llwynypia, brought forward a suggestion that the railway com- panies be approached to grant reduced fares to patients visiting the infirmary weekly. The matter was left for the secretary to report upon. A vote of thankg was carried to BIaina dis- trict of the South Wales Miners' Federation for a cheque of £80. The secretary wrote: The miners here have decided to make another subscription in the month of Decem- ber; hoping that others would do the same, and place the finances of the infirmary on a sound basis."

MERTHYR FEVER HOSPITAL, The health committee of the Merthyr Council met on Wednesday. Mr. T. E. Morgan presiding. A petition for the removal of Pant fever hospital was received from the inhabiants of Dowlais and Pantecallog.—Dr. Thomas said that a Local Government Board inspector would come down to view the site of the proposed isolation hospital on the Mardy Estate, and he would be informed what cases would be treated.—Mr. Samuel Evans said it would be better to defer action until the inspector came down, and this was agreed to.—Messrs. G. C. James, Charles, and Davies, solicitors, on behalf of the owners of the Mardy Estate, wrote offering the freehold site for the hospital at £600 per acre.—Mr. Sidney Simons moved, Mr. Samuel Evans seconded, and it was agreed that the land be purchased.—The Medical Officer reported that during the last four weeks ten cases of small- pox had been notified, and in one .case the father was an anti-vaccinator and refused to have his family re-vaccinated. All the oases were doing welL-The Chairman said that if no fresh cases occurred by Saturday next there would be little fear of a further outbreak.—The Medical Officer mentioned the case of typhus which had been removed from Aberdare to Merthyr, and the Clerk said that the Local Government Board had been com- municated with to get their opinion as to whether the case should not have been kept at Aberdare.

ABERDARE SOLICITOR'S LIBEL CASE. Mr. David Richards, solicitor, visited Merthyr on Wednesday, and took up the award of the arbitrators in the action of. Richards v. Thomas Phillips and Son, which was brought at the recent Cardiff Assizes, for alleged libel, but' was referred to arbitration. The award was in favour of defendants.

CADBTTBY'S Cocoa i« hiphly nourishing: and easily digested, repairing wa.'te and reserving health. It is absolutely jiure and untampered with, hem? ijntirely (tea from drugs. KlVrtvli-tj, or any admixture. CAD- <e a paffpet food, suitable tor all age? and for all seasons of we ysa*. e$435—i

WELSH COAL TRADE. Miners' Demonstration at Gilfach. MR. SMILLIE AND A GENERAL STRIKE. As reported in our Pink Edition yesterday, The miners of the Gilfach district held their annual demonstration at Gilfach Goch on Wed- nesday. Headed by the Gilfach Brass Band and marshalled by Mr. Samuel Thomas (president of the district), Mr. James H. Gardner (secre- tary), and the workmen's committee, they paraded through Gilfach Goch, and afterwards assembled at the Alexandra Theatre, where they were addressed by Mr. Thomas Richards (secretary to the Federation) and Mr. Robert Smillie (president of the Scotch Miners).—A letter was received from Mr. Evan Thomas (Pontlottyn) apologising for non-attendance. Mr. Gardner proposed a resolution declaring full confidence in the Federation and the miners' leaders. The resolution went on to say that the meeting was in favour of the action of the executive in calling the stop- days, and also expressed its approval of the proposed new agreement. It protested against the coal tax, the corn tax, and the Education Bill. It also thanked Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.C., and Mr. Nicholas for their ser- vices in the recent stop-day action. It also favoured the eight hours day from bank to -bank. and promised support to the miners' Parliamentary fund. The resolution having been seconded, Mr. Thomas Richards, the general secretary of the Miners' Federation, next addressed the meeting, and complimented the district upon their great success last year. As one of the officers of the Federation, he would like to point out the advantages of the Federation over those which were in existence some years ago. The persons who wrote to the newspapers ought to have, as Mr. Gardner said, the experience of the collier, and then they would learn to write more sympathetically, even if they did not agree with them. The cartoonist of the "Wes- tern Mail," able man as he was, ought to gain that experience, and then perhaps he would not always picture the collier as a ragamuffin, It was high time they raised their voices and cried out. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the time was near when they would not take hold of that paper. They might as well sometimes picture the collier as a respectable person. The Western Mail had made his blood boil very often. Mr. Richards also denounced the British press for making much of the fact that tobacco was found on a victim of the Aber- tysswg disaster. Eight or nine out of ten colliers, he said, chewed tobacco every time they went underground and left their pipes and matches on the surface. Continuing, Mr. Richards said he was grieved to'find that there were still some non-Unionists in the South Wales coalfield. They caused the last strike. He hoped the last fight of the Welsh miners would go down in history as the strongest and sternest ever fought. From all appearances they were as strong to-day as the employers. (Applause). He concluded by expressing a hope that the Federation would succeed in getting for the collier better social c/nditions. (Loud applause.) Mr. Smillie then addressed the meeting, and said resolutions similar to the one proposed were being passed daily throughout the country. He favoured an international com- bination among workers, so that when there would be a strike every industry in the country would be stopped, and the Govern- ment would have to seriously consider work- ing the collieries themselves, and thus obtain fairplay for the collier. His opinion was that the Compensation Act did not allow sufficient compensation to a man's depen- dants. The resolution was unanimously carried. THE MYNYDD NEWYDD STRIKE Summonses for Intimidation and Assault. At Swansea Police-court on Wednesday Mr. W. Smith applied, on behalf of Messrs. Vivian and Co.. for four summonses in connection with the present strike at Mynydd Newydd Colliery, near Swansea—two for assault and two for intimidation. In the first case David James, watchman at the colliery, testified that Margaret Watts, a. woman living in Mangyfelach. had assaulted him by throw- ing turf at him. Thomas Roberts, another watchman,, Baid he was hit on the back of the neck with a clod, of earth, and Police- constable Walters said he saw a woman named Ann Evans throw it. The summonses were issued. John Evans, underground over- man, then testified against two men named Thomas Davies and David John Davies. that they were ringleaders in a crowd near the pit on Wednesday, that they cursed and swore, and shouted at him, and told him to mind himself, and called him and others blacklegs" and "turncoats." The sum- monses were issued in this case also. The position of the strikers will be discussed at the district miners' meeting to be held at the Hotel Metropole, Swansea, next Saturday. and possibly an arbitration proposal may there be introduced. The miners are said to be arranging another procession for next Saturday. Joint Meeting of Masters' & Men's Representatives at Pontypridd. Our mining correspondent writes:—It will be remembered that when the proposals of the workmen for a conciliation board, Ac., were formally submitted to the employers the coal- owners' representatives undertook to place the various points before the members of the em- ployers' organisation, and September 12 and 13 were then left as open dates for a joint meet- ing of the two sets of representatives. Mr. T. Richards, the workmen's secretary, has since then received a notification to the effect that the coalowners' representatives cannot meet the workmen's representatives on either of those dates. The joint meeting, therefore, stands postponed. The members of the execu- tive of the South Wales Miners' Federation will, however, meet on the 12th. Our correspondent adds that he has reason to believe that the postponement of the joint meeting is not an indication either of apathy or antipathy on the part of the employers, but that the consideration of the workmen's I demand by the employers is much further advanced than is generally supposed. The Abertysswg Disaster. The workmen have decided not to resume work until the inspector of mines declares it would be safe to do so. Price List Difficulty at Treshenkyn. At the Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Wednesday was resumed the arbitration case in connection with the price list difficulty at the Treshenkyn Colliery, a level situated in the Afan Valley. Mr. D. Brynmor Jones, K.C., M.P., sat as umpire, and the arbitrators were Messrs. Hugh Bramwell and Thomas Griffiths, of Pontypridd, representing the colliery company, and Messrs. Evan Thomas, of Rhymney, and Morrell, of Merthyr Vale, the workmen. Messrs. James Williams and W. E. Morgan, miners' agents, were also present in the men's interest. The examination of several wit- nesses for the company, which had been adjourned on Tuesday through the absence of Mr. Evan Thomas, was proceeded with, with the object of showing that the present price list was justified, and eventually the arbitra- tion was adjourned until next Monday week. There are several other witnesses for the com- pany, and the workmen's case has, of course, not yet been opened.

FUNERAL OF THE VICAR OF LLANDILO The funeral of the Rev. Lewis Price, R.D., vicar of Llandilo-fawr, will take place at the Llandilo Parish Churchyard to-morrow (Fri- day). The cortege will leave the Vicarage at 2.30 in the afternoon, and will be a public one. The Rev. Connop L. Price, the rector of Caerphilly, is the second son of the deceased.

NO LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR SOUTH MONMOUTHSHIRE The conference between the representativee for the different colliery lodges comprised in the South Monmouthshire Electoral Division met on Wednesday evening at the Newbridge Hotel. Newbridge, to confer with the deputa- tion appointed from the executive council of the Miners' Federation as to the advisability of running a Labour candidate at the next general election in opposition to Colonel the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P. All the collieries comprised in the South Monmouth Division were represented, and there were also present Messrs. W. Brace (vice-president of the Miners' Federation), A. Onions (treasurer), and J. Win- stone. Mr. E. Thomas was unable to be present. The meeting was conducted in private. The following resolution was passed: —"That this meeting of the Llanhilleth. Celynen, Abercarn, Risca. and Pontllanfraith workmen are of opinion, after fully discussing the question, that the present is not an oppor- tune time to run- a candidate in the labour interests to contest South Monmouthshire."

STEVENS' FINE BREAD. STEVENS' FINE CAKES. STEVENS' FINE PASTRY. BRIDAL CARD from 10s. upwards. Gold Medal (London) for Quality.—THE NEW DOROTHY, the Most FasUoosbls Bestattnuat ia Wales.

"Caclifarf's" Comments. There is hope that Welsh choral sing- ing will receive adequate attention in the near future, such as was given it in the days of "Caradog," "Eos Morlais," and some others who are with us to-day, although they have set aside the baton for a time. We need bearing in mind the fable of the blacksmith with the good name for edged tools. Presuming upon a credit which was generally accorded to him for his excellent workmanship, he began working with iron where he pre- viously used steel, and his good name passed away.rToo often nowadays a choi is formed from the first applicants for membership, and the conductor is the one who has most assurance rather than the higher qualification for so onerous a post, and, as for hard work at rehearsals, such a. thing is hardly known as it was when Welsh choral singing was not .so well established as it subsequently was. It is not enough for a mere handful of singers to attend a practice at singing when the whole of the members should be present. We still look back to Mr. G. R. Jones (" Caradog ") as a pattern of a successul conductor, and he would not suffer laggards to remain in any choir in which he was interested. Furthermore, the hour or so which was set apart for choral practice was a time of hard work, and Caradog" was absolute autocrat over the time and movements of every member of a choir when at rehearsal. Genial though he was in general com- pany, he was a severe taskmaster when at the conductor's desk, and, until his example in this respect is again copied, until then we shall hear of the choral honours of the National and other Eisteddfodau going over the border. Thank goodness, the defeat of the Welsh, choirs at Merthyr and at Bangor has taken a good deal of nonsense out of our singers, and nothing but good can coma out of the experience. The cry against increasing municipal financial responsibility notwithstanding, at Cardiff we cannot much longer put off the provision of a refuse destructor. At the recent Exeter meetings of the Royal Institute of Public Health Mr. W. Francis Goodrich read a paper on refuse destructors, in which he stated that more refuse destructors had been adopted within the last three years than had been the case for nine years, and out of the 32 great towns of England and Wales 22 had adopted destructors. He described the practice of tipping refuse a disgusting one. And so it is; but, strangely enough, as he pointed out, manv of the places where tipping is still in practise are towns which are excellently managed in every other respect. The intelligent citizen is beginning to realise that the only absolute purifier of refuse is fire, and it is claimed that the destructor can be erected in the most central positions without causing any nuisance whatever. We have had reports enough on refuse destructors: the time when a practical scheme for putting a destructor or destructors in working order has surely arrived, and another summer should not be allowed to pass by without putting a scheme into operation. I am informed that at Leeds there are not less than five women sanitary inspec- tors engaged. Besides the inspection of factories and workshops where both sexes were employed, the women inspectors undertook the investigation of puerperal fever cases, the visitation of the houses of outworkers; while one of the staff was specially told off for the investigation of the causes of death amongst children of less than two years of age, her investiga- tion involving a minute inquiry into the feeding and general management of the infant. Such appointments cannot be regarded as an addition to the ordinary staff or sanitary inspectors, for many of the duties which women inspectors carry out have to be performed otherwise by men inspectors. Leeds is not the only place where such inspectors have been appointed, but what is done at the York- shire town is a fair example of the work done by women inspectors wherever they have been appointed. It is really very amusing to read of the pressure brought to bear by mem- bers of the Cardiff Council upon the heads of the tramway department to secure employment for the councillors' friends." The veiled manner in which the practice is referred to is a con- temptible way of attempting to fasten blame where done is due. Why are not all the" notes" written by councillors to the tramway officials read at the committee meetings, for they are as much public documents as any other communication which are reported, and the public would be able to judge of the dreadful "coercion" of which timid ratepayers speak with Sated breath. If any undue influence has been exercised by any member of the council, it is a. serious dereliction of duty for the tram- way officials not to make their names known. Every one of the 20.000 rate- payers of Cardiff and more would stand by whoever would "bell the cat." The tramway officials have confided to members of the council that if they knew of really reliable men to act as motorists they would engage them readily. I found two such men, and right glod were the tramway officials to get my note, and the two men. They were not "friends" or "acquaintances of mine, but I learned of them by inquiry. So much for "pressure" and undue influence, and all the rest of the unreal indignation of those who write and speak of this last matter of the silly season. The old complaint against the Cardiff roads was on account of mud, and now the grumble has been renewed, but this time on account of dust. But who is there who would advocate the return to macadam? As to the slipperiness of wood pavements for horses, I think the shoeing should be adapted to the new conditions, as the softest wood will present a slippery surface after a little wear. In London a. battle royal is being waged between the advocates of different woods for road- making, and the Westminster Municipal Association has issued an expensive and well-illustrated history of what is known as the Westminster paving scandal. Into the merits of the proceedings in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice and in the Court of Appeal I cannot enter here, but in the 60 pages of closely-printed matter and twenty large illustrations there is as much instructive information about wood-paving as has been published anywhere, and on that account alone this publication is of con- siderable value. Furthermore, the inci- dents it unravels are scarcely less exciting than the most approved sensational r. ivel. Indeed, I am strongly of opinion that all public men who wish to avoid the oitfalls set for them by unscrupulous traders should digest its contents very carefully. It certainly is not a very encouraging document to those who swear by contract- ing as the only safeguard against scamped wcrk and excessive expense.

Bearing in mind the recent terrible experience in the Metropolis, the Cardiff public will be relieved to learn that the new fire escapes will reach to the top of the highest buildings in the place. As a matter of fact, Cardiffians feel a good deal of pardonable pride in their brigade, but they will be glad when the new premises are under way. It is not fair to expect I the brigade to go on much longer under the present cramped conditions.