South Wales Daily News

THE GASWORKERS' STRIKE AT LLANELLY. SERIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH BUSINESS. The manager of the Llanelly Gas Works kept the town in darkness on Friday night in the hope that on the chief business evening of the week ne would be able to dispense just enough light to prevent any serious inconvenience to the trades- men and the public. As a matter of fact, the town continued in darkness. When the promise was made it was taken for granted that a dozen r men engaged by the Masters' Federation would be increasing the height of the gasometers by inches during the day. As before stated, only two of them came, and before 3 o'clock on Satur- day afternoon these were in the hands of the enemy." How the secretary of the National Union of Labourers and Gas Stokers came to have direct communication with the men who were locked inside the works, which was guarded on the outside by the doorkeeper and several Eolicemen, remains a secret. Anyway, the door- eeper had not turned his back to take a brief rest from his tiresome task many minutes before the big door swung open and the two men made their appearance. They went round the back of the Clarence Hotel and in the presence of the strikers they unfolded their tale. Their names were William Hart and Fred Garrett, of Fulham, London. The secre- tary of the men's Union offered to pay their train fare home, and they left Llanelly by an excursion train starting at half-past 11 o'clock on Saturday night. As both sides are determined it is probable that no settlement will be arrived at for a couple of days. In the meantime the tradesmen and the public of Llanelly are seriously inconvenienced. The indigna- tion of the townspeople is intense. The Union's secretary says that it is a custom in all the gas works in the kingdom to recognise this rule of rotation. On the other hand, the manager of the Gas Works thinks that he ought to be able to employ whoever he likes. It is impossible to conceive the loss to tradesmen on Saturday night. They had very few customers indeed, and they had to go to the1 expense of pro- coring lamps and candles for the purpose of illumination. Fortunately the moon gave light on the streets, but the shop windows were dis- mally supplied, and candle grease must have spoiled a large quantity of goods. Credit is due to the town surveyor (Mr George Watkeys) for the manner in which the market was lighted up on Saturday evening. A number of naphtha lamps made the open spaces glare with light, and only the interior of the stalls suffered from poor illumination. Lamps had been fixed in some of them, but for the most part candles wers used. A tremendous impetus has been given to the lamp oil and candle trades since the strike began. It was feared that a disturbance would occur, or that, aided by the darkness, wholesade looting would be carried on, but-so far nothing serious ,ba3 transpired beyond the burglai-y at the steam laundry, as -reported in another column. Contrary to the situiaon on the previous night, the exterior of- the gas works presented a deserted appearance, aa. it was thought that the ruse of the Masters* TPetkration had-ended in a miserable failure. The gravest anxiety is felt in the town lest the strike should be protracted for days. No effort was made apparently during Saturday to come to a settle- 1ment,which seems-as far oN as ever. A DARK SABBATH EVENING. There was scarcely any gas in the holders onsanday -moming,amd-if an attempt were made rtoflight.cp-the places of worship in the town the infinitesimal quantity existing would at once be spent in leakages. The authorities were there- fore at their wit's end. At Park Congregational Church and Greenfield Baptist Chapel it was arranged that the services should commence at 6 instead of6.30,a.nd in the Presbyterian Church at 5.30 instead of 6.30, Special anniversary services were held.in Zion Baptist Chapel, and as two preachers are in the habit of occupying the pulpit on snch occasions, it was here that the inconvenhmce was mostly felt. The deacons thought the best way out of the difficulty was to commence at an earlier hour than usual", and the people assembled in Zion before S o'clock in the evening. Similar arrangements were made in the other churches and chapels, the lighting up j > of candles in the latter to enable the organist to jplay the closing hymn giving a resemblance to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Chnrch. i In Bark Church a very appropriate liymn.'was >aung?with-the following words:— "I pray thee that offenceless The hourrof dark may -be."

LBANELLY TEACHERS' CENTRE. SIR JOHl^ JONES JENKINS ON EDUCATION. There was a fairly good attendance of pupils i And friends at the LlaneSy Pupil Teachers' Centre on Saturday evening, when the annual distribution of prizes took place. Mr Allen Wil- liams presided, and Sir John Jones Jenkins, TVT-P., distributed the prizes. After alluding to the pleasure h,& had been. afforded in the doty he had iast discharged, Sir John Jones Jenkins re- ferred to the efforts which Mr Duckworth, the principal, was making to bring Llanelly into the front rank in educational matters, technical and scientific. One gratifying feature was that the female pupils at the centre had done so well, and the boys, from whom a great .deal was always expected,, would have to look to-their laurels in the future. At the centre the mental training was exceedingly good, and he could see from their actiou-as they stepped forth to-receive their prizes that the pupils had not-neglected their physical training. Sir John went on to speak of i- the great strides that had been made during the r past few years in the interests of education, and thoroughly approved of the-Act of 1870. Techni- cal education had taken a prominent place, and as i, com ercial nation we were advancing. For many centuries we had taken the foremost'place, but for some time paat tbe competition from Germany had been greatly felt. The Germans were very painstaking in the acquisition of other languages, and that,with.good business qualities, was very helpful. There was,.however, no need to fear German competition very much. (Ap- plause.) It was well sometimes to have competi- tion, for it banished all apathetic inclinations'and roused them to a sense of their duty. Sir John dealt with old age pensions, which lie was strongly m favour of. —

MARQiHS OF CAMDBN AT.fi BRECON. OnJStMjayafternoon the Marquis and' Mar- Vcinonesa-of Camden visited Brecon for the first time after their marriage and entertained at lnncheon at the Cbstte Hotel over 200 of their Bceconshire tenantry and others. After luncneon ,there was a short, toast list^fmd the remainder of I the afternoon^was pleasantly spent in the Castle grounds. Lord and Lady Camden, who were accompanied by the Marcinis-of Abergavenny, subsequently drove to Keville Court, Aber- gavenny. The church bells were rung and hand- some arches-erected in honour of their visit tod Brecon.

T It .is; WTtinmpb of the Tea BStendrng Arfc, and 3B distinctly LIAXKST ItEwa HROM THR TRANSVAAL.—A Gentle- man travelllng-in BechuanaJand en route for Bulu- wayo -writes.:—I have been very bad with leaxful headache for over a week. I took two doses of Munday'e titrorPflls, and rfttitei»*again."—Sold in boacea, 1st. Is 6d. and -4» 6d. Ixtt JryXpost—3. >Mastey. Chemist, Hlgh-staeeV^Janita. ^ZZS Munday'e titorrPflls, and mn.An "-&' in boxaf), 1st. Is 6d. >Mastey. Chemist, Hlgh-staeeV^Janita. TNB

ANIMATED DEBATE. AGREEMENT RATIFIED. OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. MABON'S DAY DIFFICULTY. WORK RESUMED. Saturday's conference of miners' delegates ratified with an overwhelming majority—94 to 25 —the agreement whereby the stoppage-is ended and work is to be resumed at the associated col- lieries at the earliest possible moment. This is very welcome news, the more so as indications were that the delegates, irritated beyond measure by the action of the employers in abolishing the monthly holiday without conceding a quid pro quo, might in their resentment adopt a -very belli- cose attitude. The reports of meetings through- out the colliery districts which we publish to-day demonstrate that there was ample ground for these fears. Happily, however, after having heard from its representatives full particulars of: the negotiations, and the noble stand they made for the retention of the holiday, the conference let reason prevail, and the agreement was ratified-- not however without protest, and one form which this protest assumed was the decision not to re- sume work before to-morrow (Tuesday) morning. To-day (Monday) would in the ordinary course have been a monthly holiday, and so far as the ( resolution of conference goes it shall be Observed as such. Whether this shall really be the last of a long series of Mabon's Days time alone can show. The decision of conference on this point—if deci- sion there was-has not been made public. Saturday being an adjourned conference Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), as a matter of course, took the chair, and as on Wednesday the vice-chair was left vacant as a mark of sympathy with Alderman Morgan, and a protest against his conviction. The attendance of delegates was large, and it was easily seen from their demean- our that the proceedings would not prove quite so tranquil as was the case on the day before the set- tlement. In marked contrast to Wednesday, and as showing how public interest had died away, there was on this occasion not a single I individual in the precincts of the building to keep. -company with the Pressman who were outside .awaiting results. The official report given below sufficiently indi- cates the course of the proceedings. As has been usual from the commencement of the dispute the delegates deliberated in private, and on this, occasion—owing doubtless to the failure of the- conference to permit its decisions at the previ- ous meeting from leaking out—extraordinary pre- cautions were adopted to keep the proceedings strictly private. It would appear as if, while con- ference sat, delegates were not permitted to leave the building lest the slightest intimation of what was going on'should reach the Pressmen out- side. To the evening papers however this appers to have made no difference, for the fact of the agreement having been ratified by an over- whelming majority was published in the earlier editions of the Be to, even before conference re- sumed its proceedings after luncheon, much to the astonishment of the puzzled delegates. The first hour of the conference was devoted to the discus- sion of the question of the admission of the Press and kindred subjects, and it was well past midday before the real business of the day was entered upon. The report of the-negotiations was sub- mitted in English by Mr Alfred Onions, and in Welsh by Mr Daronwv Isaac, and these and other leaders lucidly explained the agreement arrived at. The four leaders who had declined to sign the agreement gave the reasons which led them to adopt that course, and found among the audi- ence many who approved and many who con- demned their action. Some of the delegates complained bitterly of the abolition of Mabon's Day, and the conference at one time seemed very much divided as to whether the agreement should be confirmed, a large section favouring its total rejection and a continuation of the stop- page. On a division, however, as already said, a resolution confirming the agreement arrived at was carried by an overwhelming majority. The division was by show of hands, and the majority was so great' that the result was not challenged, and a roll-call rendered unnecessary. After luncheon the conference dealt with the question of the election of the new Sliding Scale Committee, and afterwards discussed future organisation. It was decided that the eleven members of the Provisional Committee who signed the agreeement should continue to act as e' the Sliding Scale Committee until the end of October, when the ordinary election of theJSliding Scale Committee will take place. Meanwhile, with reference to the four who declined to sign the agreement, it was agreed that should they, at the request of their constituents, affix their signatures to that agreement, they also should take their seats upon the Sliding Scale Committee until October. Con- siderable discussion took place afterwards with reference to the Compensation Act, and resolutions were carried with the view of securing uniform action at all collieries. Notices were ordered to be printed setting forth how colliery committees should act in the case of accidents and measures were taken to form a code of rules for the same purpose. Theae notices and rules will in the ordinary course be forwarded to the colliery committees. Questions of procedure at local collieries, of cases of alleged victimising," and other matters, also ocupied the attention of the delegates for a considerable time. It is grati- fying to learn that the inestimable services of-' Mabon- in this crisis were recognised by confer- venee with a special vote of thanks, and the dele- gates acknowledged also in very generousterma what they termed the valiant servictsaorendered the workmen during this struggle by the South Wales Daily News &nd the South Wales Echo." SLIDING SCALE JOINT COMMITTEE. We understand that as no reply from the Pro- visional Committee had been received at the Coalownera' Ofoceauptol o'clock onSaturday, the proposed joint conference between the Em- ployers' Emergency Committee and the Work- men's Provisional Committee to-day (Monday) will not now be held. Mr Dalziel had written to Mr Lewis Miles on Friday suggesting that such a meeting sbonld be held in order to draft the form of contracts to be signed individually by the workmen before resuming work. The Provisional Committee, however, had an opportunity to con- sider that communication until the conclusion of Saturday's conference. Pending the conclu- sion of the formality in regard to signing the contlact. book, the men resuming work at the several-collieries will ina.U proba.bilitybeenga;ged; on day-to-day contracts. On Saturday Mr Gascoyne DaJziel again wrote to Mr Miles asking: for a joint conference—without specifying the object thereof—and the Provisibnal Committee1 instructed Mr Mileato-arrangefora. joint confer- >ence>-tO!be held, ifipossible,-on Wednesday next OFFICIAL REPORT. The .proceedings terminated* about half-past 5, Jand the-following ofELcialreport was furnished to thPressby Mr T. Evans, Naval;Colliery :— "An adjourned conference of delegates was /held-to-day at the Cory Memorial Hall, and Mr 01 m W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), was unanimously elected to the chair, the vice-chair baing left vacant for the same reason as at the last conference. Other members of the Provisional Committee present were Messrs Alfred Onions, T. Richards, T. Daronwy Isaac, J. Williams, J. Davies, E. Thomas, D. Beynon, D, Thomas, J. Eynon, J. Woodward, D. Morgan, Wattstown J, Thomas, J. Morgan, Anthracite P. D. Rees, and Lewis Miles, Messrs W. Brace, .8. Davies, and W. Evans, miners' agents, were also present. .The colliers appointed were Messrs J. Powell, J.P., Mountain Ash, and E. Morrell, Merthyr Vale; and the Credential and Business Com- mittee consisted of Messrs B. J. Davies, Skewen Tom Evans, Naval Colliery; B Jones, J.P., Rhymney: and Hy. Williams, Coedcae Colliery. The report of last Thursday's joint meet- ing was given in English by Mr Alfred Onions, and in Welsh by Mr T. D. Isaac. Mr Onions explained in the re- port that everything possibly had been said and done for the retention of Mabon-s Day, but the employers were immovable. The Provi- sional Committee then submitted another pro- posal for a stop week, which should take place In August or September every year for the par- pose of arresting the downward tendency in prices and for other purposes, but this was also refused. The following question was asked by a delegate— What about those men who bavo fooght faithfully for their principles during this-struggle, and who are now victimised ? The reply from Mr Onions was that all the workmen shall bo reinstated in their former employment, as far and as soon as practicable. A question as to signing different books before resuming work elicited tre following reply-that nothing has been agreed upon re signing except the terms issued on the 18th July, together, of coarse, with the additional protection clause that was put forward last Satur- day with reference to the 12j percent, on the standard rates of 1879. The workmen are advised not to sign any other books that might-contain anything different to the above, such, for -example, as contracting out of the Compensation Act„, or anything else. After the report nad been ,given the conference voted as to whether it should be accepted or rejected. A show of hands was taken, ana 94 voted for accepting tbe report and 25 against. This was not challenged, It was decided that the Provisional Committee shall remain in power until the end of October, 'and in the raeantimea vote by ballot shall be Maken in the usual electoral districts as to who shall constitute the Sliding Scale Committee in future. Workmen, it appears, have beeu aeked in some collieries to sign a book which would be tantamount to contracting out of the Com- pensation Act, and would be a direct violation of that Act. Such a course was strongly con- demned. TI, resolution was passed:- 5' That this conference desires each colliery to select at least one representative to attend the demonstration on the day of the release of Alderman David Morgan from prison, viz., on September 29th next.' Tbe following was also adopted:—' That this conference desires to thank the employees in the non-associated collieries for their splendid and generous support to the Central Fund, and reminds them of the urgent necessity there is for continuing to pay theirper- centages until and including Saturday, September 10th. We also wish to give a hearty vote of thanks to all who have assisted us during the strike.' A rhearty vote of thanks was given to the South Daily News and the South Wales Echo for the services rendered by them to the workmen during this struggle. The meeting closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman for his able services in the past as well as in the present." WORK TO BE RESUMED NEXT TUESDAY. The question of the resumption of work was considered at the conference, but though no reso- lution was passed it was generally understood /that work should be resumed next Tuesday.

THE RESUMPTION OF WORK. MERTHYR. Over 1,000 men were at work in the Plymouth Collieries on Saturday, and in the other local pits there was an amplitude of labour. Work cannot yet be found for all who require it. The night as well as the day shifts have been numerously attended. LLWYNYPIA COLLIERY. Between 120 and 130 men resumed work at the above colliery on Friday morning. On Saturday morning 520 men entered the mine, and at the time of writing (noon) over 1,300 names had been registered. The colliery officials are confident that the full complement (about 2,000) will have registered by this (Monday) morning. The above numbers do not include the surface work- men. THE STRIKE OF HAULIERS AT MAIN COLLIERIES. The hauliers of the Main Collieries, Neath, are more determined than ever not to re- turn to work unless five per cent, advance is granted. They have the full sympathy of the colliers, who in plain terms express their disgust at the character of the Cardiff agreement. Mr John Williams is much praised for the firmness of his attitude throughout the negotiations. A mass meeting of Main Colliery men will be held to-day. NEW TREDEGAR. A large number of the horses has been let down the pits, and the remainder required arrived here from Aberaman on Saturday. In the Old New Tredegar pits about MO men were at work on Satnrdayr but whether a general resumption of work will take place to-day is some- what doubtful. A meeting was held at the Workmen's Hall on Saturday evening at which Mr W. P. O'Sl>ea presided, when Mr Sydney Extance, the delegate to the Cardiff Conference, rendered an account of the proceedings at the meetings of that body on Thursday and Satur- day last. Discussion ensued upon the question of the retention of Mabon's Day, considerable feeling being expressed with regard thereto. No formal decision was, however, arrived at on the point. It was surmised that as a result of the Cardiff Conference there would have been some suggestion thrown out as to the general action to be taken throughout the collieries. In its absence it appears that an independent course will have to be adopted at the respective collieries. A large number of workmen have returned to the district in anticipation of being able to resume work. ACTIVITY IN THE RHONDDA. HOW COLLIERY HORSES ARE RETURNED TO THE PITS. A Rhondda correspondent writes :—Thereare 37 pits raising coal in the Rhondda Valleys, all of them being large, with the exception of three or four, and most of them raising from 800 to 1,000 tons of coal per day when they are going at full swing. The number of repairers and labourers and hauliers as a gross average that have resumed operations at each pit is about 100. The number ia increasing a.t:t;he beginning of each shift. It was predicted by myself, amongst others who are judging things from experience, that the bulk of the men would not restart work before Tuesday. One conspicuous feature, as one travels through the valleys, is the absence of the colliery horses in the fields and on the mountain sides. A week ago thousands of them were grazing in the pasture lands, and apparently they were the only creatures enjoying the effects of the terrible struggle between the employers and the men. But nearly all of them have been conducted back to the stalls underground. I witnessed a number of them being led into the pit cages on Saturday, and I shall never forget the scene on the top of the pits. It was hard work to get some of the old veterans into the cages. They would walk slowly to within a yard of the cage, which was fitted up as a horse-box, one side of the cage being boarded up and the other open, the flap-door being down over which they had to pass or tread in entering. They halted abruptly when they came to one flap- door. They knew apparently whither they were destined. In one or two instances violent struggles occurred. In a fortnight matters will, it is anticipated, begin to resume their normal condition. IMMIGRATION OF THE MEN. Hundreds of colliers bearing their pocks arrived in Aberdare and Merthyr from Carmar- thenshire and Pembrokeshire on Saturday. The afternoon trains from every direction at Ponty- pridd too were overfilled, and the platform on the arrival of the trains were literally packed. Never so many colliers WÍth ks on their shoulders were seen at Pontypridd. WORKMEN'S TRAINS RE- COMMENCED. The workmen's trams on the Taff Vale Rail- way, which were stopped soon after the commence- ment of the strike, will re-commence running to- day, placards to that effect having been posted up dining the last couple of days. MAESTEG. The horses in North's collieries have been taken down, and men ae resuming work as rapidly as possible in No. 9 level and Caerau and Coegnant Pits. On Friday evening at the Board School, Ewenny-rcad, a general meeting of the Maestog-Merthyr workmen was held. Mr W. Bevan presided, and the schoolroom was crowded. A vote of censure was passed upon the II of the Provisional Committee who signed the recent document, more especially in reference to Mabon's Day ,and a vote of approbation was passed upon the fonr who refused to sign. At this colliery Mabon's Day will be regarded as hereto- fore. It was further unanimously resolved to oppose the scheme of the Provisional Committee respecting future organisation, and to invite Mr Ben Davies, Pentre, and Mr Brace to address a public meeting at Maesteg with a view of joining the Federation. An executive committee was appointed to carry out the above resolutions. The workmen at Maesteg-Merthyr Colliery con- tributed over £2,000 to the Central Committee, as well as local add to various committees. YNYSYBWL. On Saturday great ;activity was observable on the surface ofthe collieryafc Ynysybwl. one of the large collieries owned by the Ocean Coal Com- pany, Limited, in preparation for resumption of work. Horses had been brought from the fields on Friday, and on Saturday 40 were lowered into the mines.

MABON'S DAY. MASS MEETING AT MERTHYR. On Saturday evening, after the return from 1 the conference-'of colliers' delegates at Cardiff qf the local delegates, a mass meeting was held on ;.the Thomastown tips,Merthyr,ofthe Dowlais, Plymouth, and'Cyfarthfa GolUery workmen, Mr .•Thomas Thomas,,C.C., in the chair. Reports 'were.presented by Mr Win. Williams, Dowlais, and Mr A. Bobbins upon the proceedings 1 up to date at Cardiff, and doling the discussions-there were many interruptions, arising chiefly from objectors to the proposed abolition of Mabon's and others "who required more information with reference to the position of the men with regard to the Compensa- tion Act. Various suggestions, it seemed, had been made to the conference that day, and it was resolved that the Provisional Committee should remain inpower until tbeendof October, bywhich time the various districts would appoint repre- sentative men on the Sliding Scale Committee. So within the next two months they would have to act on the Sliding Scale Committee, and not on the Provisional Committee as at present, It was now understood that all the workmen should be reinstated in their former working places as far'as it was practicable, aud the workmen were advised.to support each other and act together as one man in maintaining those rights. Nothing, said Mr Bobbins, in answer to a question, was to be signed at any of the coHieries excepting what was -contained in the agreement drawn up on Thursday between the Provisional Committee and the employers*; and if any employer would ;be guilty of now plaoing any book before any .workmen to sign to co1Itr&ct out of the Compensa- tion Act, ths,t would be' a breach of the agrae- ment entirely. It was also maintained that the general understanding in the conference that day was that Mabon's Day in future was to be left as 'it-had been for tho last eight years. (Applause.) Already some collieries had decided not to give it up.—In reply to a question, the Chairman stated that the Union now being organised was baaed on Trades Union principles, and the-contributiohs would not be arranged to be kept back at the colliery offices. The remedy for any grievances arising in; connection with any possible turning,ad rift by the employers of partially disabled or old'work- men in fear of the Compensation Act would 'be to join together in one good Union for pro- tective poipoaea. It wsua resolved, That we retain Mabon's Day, and that we do not work on Monday next." It-was further agreed, to go to work on Tuesday, workmen to have their old working places. It was mentioned by the chairman that at Cyfarthfa "strike pay "Jor that week had been stopped in the case of men who had gone back to work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning, before the agreement was actually signed. TREDEGAR MEN AND MABON'S DAY. A crowded and lively meeting of colliery work- men was held at the Temperance Hall, Tredegar, on Friday, under the presidency of Mr John Jones, to decide upon future action with reference to Mabon's Day." The Chairman announced that large numbers of men had already resumed work, and it was important that uniform action should be taken. It was for the meeting to decide whether as many as possible would return to work on Monday morning. (Loud cries of dissent.) Mr John Eynon, a member of the Provisional Committee, said that the workmen's representa- tives had madia*, most determined effort to retain Mabon's Day or obtain its equivalent, but the employers had proved obdurate to all iheirappeals. Ha, however, wished it to be clearly understood that the Provisional Committee informed the employers that it was the intention of the work- men to retain Mabon's Day, and the Provisional Committee would decline all responsibility for any action taken by the men in this respect. £ ir I W. T. Lewis told them they could do as they wished, but be reminded them that hundreds of men had already returned to work, and that worse terms, including the discharge note, would be substituted. In his (the speaker's) opinion the Provisional Committee had adopted the best course open to them. Many of those who were the loudest in their condemnation of the abandon- ment of Mabon's Day were the first to return to work immediately the pits were opened. He- wished to emphatically reiterate his statement J that the Provisional Committee absolutely i declined to accept any responsibility for whate-vei-T action the men might decide upon with reference to Mabon's Day. Alderman H. Bowen ridiculed the-idea of a section of the men remaining idle while others were working. They had made a good fight, but the terms upon which work was resumed were no better than they were five months ago. The lesson the South Wales workmen had been taught during that prolonged struggle should have the effect of making them anxious to return to work so that they might improve their position. After some further discussion it was decided almost unanimously not to commence work until Tuesday morning. A public meeting will be held on Monday morning to hear the result of to- day's conference. The future of Mabon's Day was discussed in a very lively manner, and as the debate proceeded matters became exciting. Various side issues were introduced, and the different speakers levelled recriminations at each other until at last the meeting became quite uproarious. Half- dozen men stood up simultaneously in the hall to address the meeting, while those on the platform exerted themselves to restore order. When something like quietness was secured the chairman said he must decline to take the voice of the meeting upon the future of Mabon's Day until aiter the conference on Saturday. A free fight took place in the body of the hall about this time, but the combatants were speedily separated before any serious blows were struck. Again the meeting gave itself up to disorder, and the chairman shouting at the top of his voice declared the meeting closed. This was met by wild cries of No, no," Shame," Sit down," and two or three men from the body of the hall sprang upon the vacated platform and attempted to address the disorderly mass of men below. Two prominent men on the platform endeavoured to force their arguments upon each other by the use of their fists, but were promptly pinioned by those around them. The excitement then began to ebb and the audience trooped out, and one of the most exciting meetings ever held in the hall terminated. POSITION AT BLAINA. Work at Blaina is not to be resumed until Tuesday. Mabon's Day is still to be observed at Blaina. Amass meeting is to be held on Monday, when important muttexs are to be brought forward. A number of "horses were put down the pits this morning. NON-ASSOCIATED COLLIERS AND THE HOLIDAY. There is no doubt but that a very strong fight will be made by the workmen engaged at the non- associated colheries in this valley for the retention of Mabon's Day. There are at present some 5,000 working at Bwllfa, Nantmelyn, Gadlys, Werfa, and Llettyshenkin on the 20 per cent. advance. The Bwllfa and Nantmelyn men are working on an agreement securing them a three months' notice, and they will keep the advance of 321 per cent. till the 1st of October, which the others probably will not. All of them, however, have declared for the retention of Mabon's Day. The whole of the repairers, numbering some 40 to 50, are-working to-day at Lord Bute's'Collieries at Hirwain. PONTYCYMMER. On Friday evening a. mass meeting was held in the Public Hall, over which Messrs J. B. Grant and D. Jones presided. The attendance was cal- culated at abovit 1,000. Alderman John Thomas (miners' agent) gave a detailed report of the agreement between employers and employees, for -which be was accorded an unanimous vote of econfidence for refusing to sign the agreement. A vote of condemnation was also passed upon the ll who signed the agreement, especially inrespect of the abolition of Mabon's Day, after the conference of delegates on Wednesday, having decided to retain it as heretofore. The following resolution was unanimously adopted Inasmuch as Mr Thomas refused to sign the agreement arrived at, and which agreement stipulates that the holiday known as Mabon's Day, and every other day of like manner, are to be abolished, this mass meeting of miners further instructs him not to sign it, as it is the con- templation of the Garw miners to adhere to the monthly holiday as heretofore." Mr Thomas urged them to be careful on what condition they resume work. He had no objection to them commencing operations providing it was on daily contract. He also warned the Oecan workmen against resuming work before the blackleg bad been expelled. GADLYS COLLIERY, ABERDARE. The hauliers at the Graig and Victoria. Pits, Gadlys, owned by the Wayne's Merthyr Col- liery, have unanimously decided to maintain Mabon's Day. NIXON'S COLLIERY. During a conversation one of our correspon- dents had with one of the workmen at Nixon's Colliery on Friday morning, he asked him, When are yon going to start working ?'•- On Tuesday," was the reply. We are going to keep next Mabon's Day in spite of Sir William or anybody else." WESTERN DISTRICT MINERS. MINERS' MEETING AT SWANSEA. COLLIERIES AFFILIATING. The monthly meeting of the Western District Associa.tion of Miners was held at the Working Men's Club, Swansea, on Saturday. There was a larg attendance, but Mr John W illiams, miners' agent, being engaged elsewhere, was unable to be present. Application was made for the admit- tance of the following collieries in the Ogmore Valley into the Western District Association:- Wyndham (North's Navigation), Western Pit (Ocean Colliery), Tynewydd Level, and the Aber Colliery (Cory Bros.) The application was readily granted in each case. The number of collieries now affiliated with the association named is 36. A resolution was unanimously carried warmly approving of the stand made by Mr John Wil- liams at the Cardiff Conference -and of hie con- sistent refusal to sign the agreement. The meet- ing without a dissentient resolved to. ad here to the monthly holiday, to-be in ^future known, not as Mabon's Day, but as Miners' Holiday.

DISTRESS AND RELIEF. CENTRAL RELIEF FUND. The following sums among others which will bo acknowledged in due course have been received towards the Central Fund ™ £ 3- d" Werndomen Colliery, Caerphilly 2 19 6 Wentloodge Colliery, Caerphilly 3 7 3 Wernddu Colliery, Caerphilly 110 0 Pontypridd Typographical Society 15 0 0 Miners' Federation of Great Britain.. 600 0 0 Islwyn Colliery, Pontllanfraith 10 7 1 West Durham Lodge 16 0 10 Brick Yard Level, Sirhowy 7 7 0 Llety Shenkin enginemen, stokers, and outside fitters 8.10 0 Blaendare Slope, Pontypool 36 18 8 Abertwswg sinkers 4 1 5 Stokers at East and West Elliot Collieries 0 14- 6 Darandei rCoLliery 0 13 0 Cumberland Miners' Association 11 0 0 Marsden Lodge, Durham 6 0 0 EElh Colliery, Durham 2 18 0 Fife and Kinross miners, Scotland 115 0 0 W. Buck. boilermaker, South Shields 0 5 0 Eastern Bannock, Scotland 7 0 0 Blimpley Miners, Lanark 2 11 0 Birmingham Water Works Brass Band 17 0 Oldhill and District Miners' Associa- tic)n 35 0 0 Coalville and District Miners' Associa- tion 20 0 0 Clydeside Preserve Works, Scotland 2 18 8 Woolwich Trades and Labour Council 14 0 0 Mrs Wickham, The Deanery, Lincoln, per Daily Chronicle 0" 4 0 0 Plumstead Radical Club 1 1 0 J. Lloyd, Portsea- 0 8 9k Durham Miners' Association 500 0 0 Northumberland Miners' Association 200 0 0 Onward Lodge, Yorkshire 1 11 3 Scottish Central Miners' Association 18 0 0 A. Griffiths, North Finchley, London 0 10 0 Acton Colliery, Wrexham 3 18 0 Greaseley Colliery,South Staffordshire 2 14 0' Amalgamated Toolmakers' Society, Laicester Branch 0 5 0 Waunclawcld Colliery, Abercrave 7 19 7 No. 1 Branch, A.S.R.S., Belfast. 0 4 0 Stone's North Blaina Colliery 222 0 0 Glynantddu Colliery, Abersychan 8 15 0 Marcbhowell Colliery, Pontardawe 1 7 6 Brynhenllya Colliery, Cwmtwrch 12 0 0 Flint Glassmakers Society, Edin- burgh District. 5 0 0 Annesley Colliery, Notts. 8 0 0 Cinderhill Colliery, Notts 8 5 0v Newcastle Colliery, Notts 1 0 0' Selaton Colliery, Notts 0 7 6 Stanton Hill Colliery, Notts 9 5 5' East Kirkby Colliery,Notts 0.14 2 -New ltonclou,Calliery,-Notts 9 17 0 Bottom LaueCoHiery. Notts. 112 Ucknall No. 1 Colliery, Notts. 0,10 3 Pinkstone Colliery. Notts. 1 4 5 Wat nail Colliery, Notts. 7 18 5 Langton Colliery, Notts. 2 0 0* Craigend Miners, Sterlingshire 3 3 0 New Lodge Colliery, Burry Port 117 Easter Jaw Colliery, Glanmanan 2 6 0 Seven Sisters Colliery, Glynneath 17 0 0 Ellwood Colliery, Brynmawr 17 18 0 Glyn Cymmer Colliery, Cymmer, Workmen, percentages. 50 17 ft. Workmen not receiving percentages 0 10 or- Liverpool Trades Coauell 11 4 6 Mynyddbach CoUAories, Resolven. 0 5 9 Enginemen and Stokors, Colyuen. 3 18 0 Interna.tionaJ Colliery, Abercravo. 5 1 6 T. Davies, South Rank, Yorks. 0-11 0 Stradey Colliery, Llanelly 2 0 0 Albion Colliery, PontypoOl. 2 5 0 Ynysfeio Colliery, Trenerbert 12 10 3 Gadlys Colliery, Aberdare 10 0 0 DyfEryn Rhondda Colliery, Part Talbot 62 17 2 Golden Vein Colliery, Port Talbot 19 12 6 CwmgorseColliery.Gwaen-cae-gurwen 4 11 s: Surfacemen Llwynypia Colliery 1 6 0 Collected at Yeovil, per W. Lewis. 019 & West Bromwich Miners' Association.. 40 0 0" East London Operative Tin and Iron Plate Workers' Society 411 9 Castle Colliery, Llanelly 5 0 0 Cwmmawr Colliery, Llanelly 3 18 0 Northumberland Colliery Mechanics' Mutual Protection Association 8 0 0 Evenwood Lodge; Durham 2 3 6 Derbyshire Miners' Association. 50 1 Blaen-cae-gurwen Colliery 20 J North of England Glass Bottle 5 Makers' Society 2 Havod, Bersham, andVanxhall Col- lieries, Rhos 16 Lambton Lodge, Durham 1 If Collected at Loughborough 9 0 *J Celynen Colliery— Undergroundmen 360 H Lamproom men 1 0 Surfacemen Oil » Carpenters 0 § ft Nine Enginemen and 10 Splicers 3 1* 9 Cokers 1 10 Little Lever Miners' Association, Lan- Jj cashire 15 0 | Granville Colliery, South Derby 2 3 SYMPATHY FROM THE CAE. J Mr Walter E. Rees, of Neath. has juslI reoei a letter from his uncle, Mr T. R. Prioe, traffic manager of the Cape Government ways, enclosing a. copy of resolution passed the Cape Cambrian Society, and asking Mr NM to forward a cheque for £20 to the South Jf Daily News Relief Fund, together with a. lid the names of the subscribers. We append a oOffi of the resolution, together with the list subscribers :— Resolution.—The Cape Cambrian Soc»*» desires to record its satisfaction that sill Imperial Government has decided to appoint conciliator for the purpose of terminating differences that have resulted in the re< £ ^| prolonged coal strike in South Wales, which caused disastrous financial consequences employers and employed alike. The sociift trusts that such measures will be taken as ensure the satisfactory adjustment of all ences between masters and men in the furei without the loss and suffering a strike enttfj The society further desires to express its tion, on the one hand, at the fortitude, order, •P quietness of our countrymen and countrywou>* under trial and privation for so lengthened period • and, on the other hand, at the modej tion and, so far as is known in South Africa, absence of attempts at undue pressure or coerof on the part of the masters. It was also resold that a copy of the foregoing resolution be tra# mitted to the Right Honourable the President' the Board of Trade, and to the secretaries of masters and of the workmen's aaaociatMCS- (Signed) J. C. Evans, hon. secretary; W- Thomas, president. Subscriptions were invited for transmission J the associations formed and now in operation South Wales for relieving distress among wott> £ and children who are a.t present suffering as t" outcome of the dispute between masters and v workmen employed at the South Wales collieri and the following response was made :—Mr R. Price, chief traffic manager Cape Governm1 Railway, £2 2s Miss G. M. Price, Glynnea Cape Town, £118; Mr W. O. Davies, forma of Llandudno, Messrs James and Willial grooers, formerly Aberystwyth and Swansea, JE1 Mr W. Tborne, of Thorne, Stuttaford, JE1 W. J. Spracklan, draper, 10a Mr David Davi formerly Ferndale, 10s; Captain J. Let DJE.O.V. Rifles, 10s; Mr T. Williams, W maker, formerly Neath, 10s Mr T. Bellis, < merly Mold, 7s 6d Mr D. D. Thomas, fornC Tregaron, 5s Mr Evan Evans, formerly L sawel, Llandilo, 5s; Mr T. H. Hug«| formerly Llanelly, 5s; Mr Lewis, manag c/o Thome, Stuttaford, and Co., 5a; Mi B. Williams, formerly Newcastle Emlyn, ■ Mr A. Davies. draper, formerly NewcaUl Emlyn, 5s Mr T. S. Davies, draper, formd Newcastle Emlyn, 5s Mr John Jones, fornid Merthyr, 5s; Mr and Mrs Brewer, formd South Wales, 5s Mr Fonlks Jones, for Oswestry, 5s; Mr Thomas Williams, for Bridgend, 5s; Mr R. G. Jack, Cape 5s; Mr Arthur Plint, Cape Town, 2s Mr Titus Davies, Cape Town, 2s < Mr Spencer Jones, late of Lampeter, 2s 6 donation voted from Welsh Sunday 8cWj Funds, £ 2. Subscription by Welsh Sun^ School members as follows :—Miss Daf formerly Aberystwyth, 2s 6d f Jenkins, formerly Clynderwen, 2s 6d; Jj Stephens, formerly Llanstephan, 2s Miss Parry, formerly Anglesea, 2s Miss Jennie Kendrick, formerly Mold, 2s J Mr John Robers, formerly Pwllheli, 3s; John Harris, formerly Porth, 10s; Mr jj. Morris, formerly Clynderwen, 10s; Mr J Jenkins, formerly Clynderwen, 10s Mr Ceredig Rees, formerly Aberystwyth, 10s; D. M. Evans, formerly Llandovery, 10s Mr T, Morgan, formerly Morriston, 5s; Mr E-, Arnold, formerly Morriston, 5s; Mr J Evans, formerly Resolven, 5s; Prof. j H. Mills, formerly Pontypridd, 5s; rli David Anthony, formerly Llandovery, Mr Edwin T. Evans, formerly Aberdare, 5s jfim W. Owen, formerly Wrexham, 5s; Mr H. wards, formerly Pembrey, 3s; Mr J. E«SS formerly Morriston, 2s 6d Mr John S. ATD^ST formerly Morriston, 2a 6d; Mr J. Cadw»»*jJ Evans, formerly Dolgelly, 2s 6d.; Mr Tho^ja formerly Llanegwad, 2s 6d Mr D. J. formerly Gwnfe, Llandilo, 2a 6d; Mr J. MoiK formerly Morriston, 2s; total, £ 8. In divide Welshmen of Cape Town, as per list, JE12 £ 20.—D. M. Evans, collector. MERTHYR TOWN RELIEF. ] A COMMITTEE OF ONE I On Saturday, at 5 o'clock, a meeting of ? Merthyr Town Committee was summoned Public Offices, Merthyr, but the only corr.nai'^ man who put in an appearance beside0 secretary, treasures, and reporter, w.vO Jl regarded as er-officio members, -was «Hc G. Evans. However, Mr Evans took the cb*J and considerable business ways done. Mr J^J Morgan stated that the number of chil»j* fed at the Drill Hall during the wa 8,086; at Penrheolgerrig, 595; Jid Clwvdvfagwr, 839 total, 9,520—a deerjjj of 729 on the previous week. in kind had been received as follows:—Mr J Grey, 2cwts. potatoes and lewt. of onions. Samuel Phillips, Mr T. Rich, Mr T. E. Jo Mr D. P. Davies, and Mr J. Jones had e* contributed 50 loaves of bread. Easing Limited, had sent in 601b3. of meat; NelsoØ Limited, one sheep, and Mr J. Milward, øt He reported also he had received from Ladies' District Visiting Committee expres^ thanks for the gifts of tea and sugar which J" been 'received from Sir T. J. Lipton, undertaking to see that they were pro distributed. He also had received a letter Mr Richard Price, schoolmaster, Penrb undertaking to collect sufficient funds to c* on the Penrheol Soup Kitchen, for the last tb £ days of the week, which had been do"j Mr Rowlands reported the receipt several subscriptions, including contribuw^^ from Mr Charles Morse, Pembroke D ojgg Mr M'Carthy, Abercanaid, fireman; Weston, Mr Z. Williams, Mrs Middlesbrough, per Mr Matthew Trur*Ss Mr Keir Hardie £2, and no from Mr S-gg Beard, Hampstead, London, per Rev. J. *3 Jones. After allowing JE16 19s lid for due up to date, there was an available balanc^jB hand of JE11 18s 3d. Mr Morgan said be further to state that the Cyfarthfa Male V^jSg Party had made arrangements to give a sitfjjp concert on Sunday evening in aid of the kitchen fund. He was deeply grieved and Yjjjir much surprised to find that after having un gone so much during the strike, and when were getting towards the close of the wort relieving the children, that only one member j the committee should have come there that d He must say that was a little bit hard still, having borne so much during the last 135 of the soup kitchen, he thought perhaps could bear this disappointment also, as, after the children could be fed a few days longr thanks to the additional subscriptions reoel He recommended that they should go on *J as possible with the soup kitchen next week, *jj that when their funds were exhausted they sfao^ stop. He had given the treasurer his word honour that there should be -no difficulty. regard to the accounts, but he thought it ^2 haidlv fair to Mr James or himself that attendance should be 90 small.—The remarked that they felt very glad the strike over at last, and he hoped there would be no at hitch to upset matters after such a long strn He knew the feeling of the other members of JJ committee—had they been present—was *»5 they would not have a.noher such strike long time.—The meeting then concluded. RELIEF FROM AMERICA. Mr Charles Elerch Jones, Box 47, Aragft R.O., San Juan, co. Colorado, has sent Mr liarn Rowlands, Cwmaman, the following scriptions in aid of the timbennen and repairers present on strike in the Aberdare Valley :—R-JJM Pierce, 5 dollars Job A. Williams, 2 Charles Eleroh Jones. 2 dollars; Jones, 2 dollars; Arthur Jenkins, 1 dol Robert Ellis, 2 dollars B. A. Williams, 2 lars; John Meyrick, 2 dollars 5 cents; Thomas, 1 dollar William Mason, 2 David O. Mason, 1 dollar John E. JenkiP^a dollars Harry Lewis, 1 dollar Thomas 2 dollars; Hiram Bates, 1 dollar; T Griffiths, 1 dollar J. W Jones, 2 dollars J^jj C. Morgan, 2 dollars John Beyers, 1 doU*\jj| John Roberts, 2 dollars; Joseph Lloyd, 2 B-ichard Lloyd, 2 dollars J. D. Owens, 1 doll**j' Peter Williams, 1 dollar; W. E. MorriSi dollar total, 43 dollars 50 cents.

OYMMER COLLIERY AND THS AGREEMENT. J The workmen of Cymmer Colliery have a resolntion condemning the action of those 'bers of the Provisional Committee who gig0 J the agreement with the employers at Cardiff- Ja .PROBABLE RESTART OF THE BtT^j COLLIERY, TREHERBERT. J COLLIERY, TREHERBERT. J It.is stated that the Old Bute Colliery, bert, the property of the Marquis of Bute, *5'' which was sunk a couple of years ago to lower measures, v/ill be restarted shortly, iug employment when it will be opened ant M .about 600 or 800 men. RUMOURED STOPPAGE OF A I RHONDDA COLLIERY. J[ It is rumoured officially that the Merthyr Colliery, Tynewydd, near TV('ber^jB employing about 300 miners at present, wu'JB closed up or abandoned on the 26th or month. A portion of the underground already been raised. The colliery, wh:ci1 never been very flourishing has exchanged !•••" several times, and now belongs to Mr chief owner of Penygralg Collieries, 5* Rhondda, which employ about 2,000 men. INSURANCE CLAIMS. ;,1 AMerman Joseph Ramsdale, mayor of shortly after the commencement of the sttl, suggested to the Prudential Assurance CoinP.jjji that they should pay during the strike all cl in full in cases of the deaths of persons policies had lapsed in consequence of the efJ'iJ. of the stoppage of the collieries. In the Rbo° J alone the claims by Mr Joseph Williams, Intendant, amounted to ,&nd have promptiypaid. if if

Shtsimss &ir&«ss*s. Y^TILLXAMS'S, 14: HIGH STREET C  R D IFF. THE LARGEST AND BEST HOUSE FURNISHERS. WILLIAMS'S prices are the lowest possible for sound, reliable goods, and are Jelivered free in their own vans. WltTILLIAMS'S Stock is now exceptionally l( j/ heavy, and you are invited to call and see Williams s goods before purchasing elsewhere. 'yyiTiTJAMS'S prices defy cozapetitiom. wv SUITES in SADDLEBAGS, from £6 6s. SUITES in LEATHER, from £3 10s. BEDROOM SUITES, from JE4 10s. DUCHESSE TOILETS, from £2 2s. GOOD COUCHES, from 17s lid. JPHOLSTERED SPRING MATTRESSES from 17s lid. WOOL MATTRESSES, from 9s 6d. MARBLE CLOCKS, from 8s lid to JE6 6s. AMERICAN ROLL-TOP DESKS, £ 519s 6d MAIL CARTS and PERAMBULATORS in Immense Variety. BEDSTEADS and BEDDING. BRASS CURBS and FENDERS. SIDEBOARDS and CABINETS. CHINA and EARTHENWARE SEVERAL LARGE SIDEBOARDS AT VERY REDUCED PRICES. •^TILLIAMS'S JgMPORIUM HIGH STREET, CARDIFF. 3281—91e J.—Mo connection with any other Address AGENTS FOR PHILLIPS & CO.'S PURE TEAS. I ALF. BLAND & SONS, 153, COMMERCIAL-STREET, I NEWPORT. ALF. BLAND & SONS, SILVER GRILL RESTAURANT, AND THE MIKADO," HIGH-ST., NEWPORT. H. MATTHEWS, 163, MOY-ROAD, CARDIFF. The names and addresses of THREE PRESD AGENTS will appear here every week. FOR AGENCIES APPLY DIRECT TO:— PHILLIPS & CO., TEA SPECIALISTS, 74 QUEEN-STREET, CARDIFF. Me LIPTON LimTED- Customers should Note that our Vans Deliver Goods as under :— CARDIFF and SUBURBS—Three Times Daily. PENARTH, LLAN- DAFF,ELY, & FAIRWATER—Daily. MONDAY.—Dynas Powis, Cadox- ton, Barry, Llantrisant, and Ponfcyclun. TUESDAY.—St. Nicholas, Bonvil- N stone, and Cowbridge. WEDNESDAY.—Caerphilly and Llanbradach. THURSDAY.—Taff's Well, Ton- jL gwynlais, Llanishen, Whitchurch, Dynas Powis, Cadoxton, and Barry. FRIDAY-—Dynas Powis, Cadoxton, Jt' and Barry. All orders by post promptly attended to. Orders of £3 and upwards with remittance Carriage paid. On receipt of postcard traveller will call. LOCAL BRANCHES :— HIGH-ST. AND ST. MARY-ST., CARDIFF. LIPTON LIMITED' CHIEF OFFICES — 6528 CITY-ROAD, LONDON. "VT" ORFO.LK SQUARE JJOTEI,, PADDINGTON STATION, Opposite ArriYal Platform. NEWLY DECORATED AND LUXURIOUSLY FURNISHED By MAPLE A CO. Forty Bedrooms. Splendid Dining, Drawing, and Billiard Booms Private Sitting-rooms. Electric Light throughout Moderate Tariff. Night Potter. BAKER CO., 5677 PBOPKZBSOBB. JGARGAINS IN PIANOS. IMPORTANT TO CASH BUYERS. THOMPSON & gHACKELL, LTD., QUEEN'S MUSIC WAREHOUSE, CARDIFF, Have.had returned on their hands, owing to the cessation of work and wages in the colliery district, SCORES OF PIANOS AND ORGANS That must be Sold at a Sacrifice to provide warehouse room for their regular stock, and an opportunity thus presents itself to cash purchasers of securing an instrument for from FIFTEEN TO TWENTY POUNDS, Snch as is usually sold at from 36 tb 40 guineas.. Every instrument guaranteed to be practically equal to new in every particular, and exchanged within three months if not approved. THIS CHANCE SHOULD NOT BE LOST. Pull particulars, with-Price List, seBt1 free-on Application to the Manager, at Head 0f6œ Queen's Buildings, Cardiff, or to any of the? Company's numerous Branches. 1047 JOHN gMAKT & COMPANY., (Successor F. J. NICH •jne above fjrm are prepared to LET ON HI KB' *ENTS-and MARQUEES SUITABLE for GARDEN • PARTIES. EI8TEDDFODAU. SPORTS, FETES, AND GAEi^S, &c. Apply to F. J. NICHOLL. 41. TALBOT-STBEET, 1232 CATJFFWPB1 EW P OBT OP F I CB'8; OP'THB h SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS, I gttatmgjs T ATE'S SUGAR T ATE'S SUGAR T ATE'S SUGARj THE PUBLIC CAN NOW OBTAIN THE WORLD-FAMED PURE BRITISH REFINED s U G A R S, .LOAF, CRYSTALS, OR GRANULATED IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGES AS PUT UP BY JJENRY rjlATE AND SONS, LIMITED.. SUGAR REFINERS, LIVERPOOL AND LONDON. JJRITISH REFINED SUGAR JgRITISH REFINED SUGAR IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGES. IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGES. 2 lbs. 4 lbs. NET WEIGHT. NET WEIGHT. ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY PURE. PURE. The public are particularly requested to ask at their Grocers and Stores for TATE'S SUGAR IN ORIGINAL PACKAGES. JJENRY rjlATE AND g0NS> LIMITED, SUGAR REFINERS, LIVERPOOL AND LONDON. 6326B 853b c R 0 S S L B Y'S OTTO" GAS AND OIL jgJNGINES CROSSLEY BROTHERS, LTD., SOUTH WALES OFFICE NORTH-ROAD, QUEEN-STREET CARDIFF. SKILLED STAFF FOR REPAIRS, ERECTION, &c. SLIDES REFACED AT ABOVE ADDRESS. STOCK OF SPARE PARTS AND SPECIAL GAS ENGINE OIL KEPT. TBMGBAMS, "OTTO, CARDIFF." TELEPHONE, No. 44. 1098 NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. .Contributions sent to the 3outA Wales Daily New should be plainly written in ink, and invariably on one side of the paper. We desire to urge upon our numerous correspondents the value of conciseness and the desirability of curtailing the length of-their communications. It cannot be too clearly under- stood that brief and pointed letters receive the first attention. All communications intended for inser- tion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publica- tion, but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice will be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected com munications will not be returned.

SUriljs, ;Øtarrlagt5t anil IteatJjs. Notien-of Births, Marriageq, and Deaths, Is each, if not exceeding iO words, and 6d for each extra 10 words. DEATHS. BKELLIJATT.—On the 3rd, at 46, De Burgh-street, Cardiff, Rosa Briillau, aged 65, widow of John Briiliau. Funeral 4 p.m. Thursday, New Cemetery. Gentlemen only. EL&Rm&-On September 3rd, at 25, Moriah-street, Rhymney, Catherine Ann (Kate), Head Mistress of Lower Rhymney Infants' School. Funeral, Wed- nesday next, at 3 o'clock, for the Rhymney Cemetery. RTBTON.—On the 3rd inst., after a long illness, Helena, widow of the late John Ribton, of Roath, aged 71. WILLIAMs.on the 1st instant, at Aberdare, Noah Williams, son of the late Carw Coch," late assis- tant to Dr. David, Tonypandy. Funeral Monday, 3..15, for St. Fagan's Church. Gentlemen only. 728 The LONDON OFFICES of the South Wales Daily News are at 46, Fleet-street (opposite Fetter-lane}, where advertisements are received up to 4.45 p.m. for insertion in the following day's issue. The South Wales Daily News maybe obtained immedi- ately afterthearrival of the 10.15 train at the Offices, 46, Fleet-street; at Messrs W. H. Smith and Sons Bookstall, Paddington Station; at Messrs Everett and Son's, 17, Royal Exchange; and at Messrs Everett. and Son's, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street.

MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 5, 1898. -0 GREAT BATTLE: OMDURMAN CAPTURED. THE confident faith of those who believed that at the close of last week the great Dervish stronghold of Omdurman would be in the hands of the British, and the KHALIFA either a fugitive or a prisoner, has been abundantly justified by results. A more brilliant and daring march of troops through a difficult and hostile country, with a crowning victory at the end, has perhaps never been recorded in' history. In writing this we do not forget XENOPHON'S famous retreat, or the more glorious onward marches of HAVELOCK and OUTRAM for the relief of Lucknow. Omdurman is more than twelve hundred miles from Cairo, and the latter half of the distance was-through a country subject to sudden inundations and blinding sandstorms, and plentifully bestrewn with thick and frequently almost impassable scrub through which the British and Egyptian troops had to force their way and which gave abundant cover and protection to the enemy. There is nothing more harassing and more trying to the patient courage and endurance of trained troops than bush fighting against savages, or semi-savages, whose tactics can never be adequately foreseen. And the Arab can fight. Of whatever other qualities he is destitute he is a born fighter. He is, or at least the Dervish specimen of the type is, a dehuman- ised ruffian without mercy and without pity, possessing only the ferocious instincts of the tiger and the wolf and like the, tiger, and the wolf when driven to bay, he can fight and will die fighting. But like other predatory animals which live by plunder and rapine he is dominated by the instinct of fear, and will not turn his cheek, willingly, to the smiter, when he has once felt the smiter's powerful hand. The splendid victory of General Sir- HERBERT KITCHENER and his troops on the banks of the Atbara, won by matchless skill on the part of the General and by the dauntless bravery of the soldiers—when MAHMUD, the commander of the KHALIFA'S forces, was taken prisoner—taught the. Dervishes a lesson which they did not readily forget. The careful and well' ordered, march of the.British and Egyptian, forces thence onward to Omdnrman, • during winch every possible con- tingency seems to have been foreseen and safely provided for by the SIRDAR, left no opportunity for that im- petuoos and ugly rush which is a- ,characteristic-of.,Arab warfare, and which 'they are so prompt to make whenever they detect an unprotected spot on their enemy's flank or rear. They could find no-chance, however, for such an attack during the many hundreds of miles of General KmwHBxxa!s maaceh through their own difficult and broken country. Hot, the smaBest loop hole of vant- age was given for an a&ack, and as the result of the skilful strategy and tactics of the General, and the soldier- like obedience and endurance of the troops the whole of the British and Egyptian troops arrived in good order, health, and spirits, within fighting distance of-Omdur- man on Friday morning. The skirmishes which occurred en- livened but did not delay their march. Major STUART WORTLEY'S command of friendly Arabs on the Right or East bank of the Nile, and detach- ments of the 21st Lancers and of other regiments on the West side succeeded in clearing both banks of the river of the Dervish patrols, and continuously drove them back upon Omdurman, whilst the gunboats, under the control of Commander KEPPEL, destroyed or rendered practically useless for attack or defence the many Dervish forts along the great river down to and including those of Tuti Island, which lies in the apex of the junction of the Blue and the White Nile right opposite. Omdnrman, which is situated on the left, or West, bank of the White Nile. The way was thus cleared for General KITCHENER'S grand attack upon Omdur- man. He and his forces early on Friday morning reached Egina, a couple of miles south of the strongly fortified Dervish position of Kerreri, which seems to have been abandoned however and is about six miles north of Omdurman. The KHALIFA evidently felt that the British and Egyp- tian troops were approaching too near to his principal stronghold, and at midday on Friday he left Omdurman at the head of about 40,000 troops to meet them. Sir HERBERT KITCHENER then, as he states in his despatch, disposed his force "in a good open position with a clear field of fire. The KHALIFA'S forces have halted three miles south-west of our position and are there now." That was written at five o'clock on Friday afternoon. That dread hush which settles down upon armies on the eve of a great battle continued with slight intermission until daybreak on Saturday morning, when the KHALIFA, evidently unable to bear the suspense and strain of waiting expectation, and such expectation, advanced at the head of his hosts to attack the British forces, which he had so often threatened to drive back discomfited and dismayed into Egypt. The battle commenced at dawn, when 'the Dervishes made a most determined and deadly attack on the British right, but they met with the most unflinching resist- ance from British rifles and bayonets, and were repulsed again and again. The battle lasted from daybreak until hatf-pasteigbt, when the KHALIFA, finding the encounter too hot and destructive to his forces, beat a retreat. Thereupon Sir HERBERT KITCHENER ordered an advance of the whole of the British and Egyptian troops upon Omdurman. The KHALIFA, seeing his mighty stronghold thus threatened, stopped the retreat, and heading his hosts in person, made a second, and a more resolute, desperate, and prolonged attack upon the British troops, and was again met with the same unyielding resistance and with fearful loss to his own forces. This second battle lasted until twelve o'clock air noon, when the Dervishes were driven back in every part of the field, and at length fled in all directions, scattered, defeated, and demoralised. The KHALIFA, finding it impossible to rally his beaten and dismayed forces, and feeling that even hope was lost, fled with the rest, hotly pursued by the British Cavalry. The chances of his capture are soarcely prob- able in a hilly and difficult country unknown to his pursuers, and whose secret hiding-places he and those who accom- panied him must know well. In the earliest report of these Saturday morning battles which reached this office late on Saturday night it was stated that the British and Egyptian loss in killed and wounded was estimated at two thousand, and the Dervish loss at eight thousand. But in a later telegram received at Cairo at a quarter to two yesterday (Sunday) morning from Sir HERBERT KITCHENER himself, and which was promptly des- patched to this country by R HITTER'S Agency, the SIRDAP. states—after giving the details of the battle, as we have condensed them, in brief—"It is impossible now to.. give complete list of casualties, but I estimate British loss at one hundred, and the Egyptian loss is probably a hundred;" The amount of the Dervish loss is unknown as yet, but it must have been fearfully heavy. On Saturday afternoon Sir HERBERT KITCHENER and his troops, took possession of Omdnrman without further fighting or any resistaoce-from the enemy. The first Act of this great and' exciting Drama-has 'been successfully and gloriously accomplished, and now the: curtain will have to rise upon the second Act. What will that be ? Expectation • waits upon tip-toe-to witness it. Witt it equal the glory and* the renown of-the-first Act:?

WHAT NEXT, AND NEXT ? EVEN faintly to apprehend the magnitude of the arduous task which Sir' HERBERT KITCHENER attempted, and which he-has so successfully achieved, and the glorious; victory whicif has crowned his skill and daring, and the gallantry and,.aauntless4 pluck of the brave troops under his" command, it will be necessary, essentially necessary — as Lord SALIS- BURY counselled the British people when referring to Russia's march on Afghanistan—to study big maps, and in this case very big maps. Only in?this way can the colossaldifficultis of the effort be roven approximately estimated. The. end, however, crowns the work, and Sir HERBERT ELITCHEKBR and'Ms gallant'troops have gloriously <a?owned ife by successfully ending it. But the British public jieyer entertained a scintffla of doubt that the military operations would" end in magnificent success, despite the difficulties and labours of the way, the inhospitable climate-—inhospitable' to untried Europeans—and the frenzied courage and dash of hosts of fallatical, Dervishes who believed that Paradise would-open wide to them if they died fight- ing against the Christian infidels. The. doubtltas been all along concerning the. political policy of the undertaking. Over that political policy the veil is closely drawn, and the Government persis- tently and stubbornly resists every attempt of the British-people and of their; Parliamentary representatives to upfi £ tifc«or to pierce behinddt. What have our'troops been sent to Omdnnnan and Khartoum for ? It surely cannot be for the purpose of coming back again,. like to that-mythieal KingofFRANCE whoanarched upihehiliwith twenty "thousand men and then marched down again. Was it only to exterminate., the^power of the KHALIFA, so -znercHessly and so ferociously usedtand abcosed,«over; the whole of the Northern Soudan That woaiid unquestionably be a gain, itodvilization and an untold hfagging to humanity for "the bteached(and:.bleachiiig; bones of the victims of Dervish cruelty, lust, and i-pprnft dot every mite of this desolaterregion as hideous-trophies of thei brutal KHALIFA1 s rule. Or wasifcto.restorei ruined Khartoum once again, io the rnie-o £ the KHEDIVE, aad to oepiace thet. 'Egyptian flag upon its to-<be-- rebuHt walls and towers? This will neefl a strong, a very stroag, Egyptian force, both toum, should the Egyptian authorities resolve to rebuild and-to restore that ruined Nile fortress. Or is there something; beyond of which the British people and the British Parliament are purposely kept in the dark until it is too late to remedy, much less to prevent, political mischief?' We need not say that we have no faith, not an atom of faith, in the sagacity, the prudence, or the; safety of Lord SALISBURY'S Foreign policy. Secrecy is not in itself an evil, but a secret Government policy deliberately and persistently concealed from the British people, whom it so closely concerns, and from their representatives in Parliament, excites the gravest suspicion in the minds of thoughtful and far-seeing politicians. When this Soudan campaign was projected, in 1896, Lord SALISBURY in one House and Mr CtmzON in the other were asked whether it was intended to be a military -expedition only, or had it a political objective. They refused, and almost insolently, to answer a constitutional question which the representatives of the people had a right to ask, and the truthful answer to which the people had a right to have. Their big majority made them arrogant and absolute. It is much to be feared that their political objective beyond the Soudan, together with their exploits in Tunis, West Africa, Madagascar, Siam, I China, and in the Concert of Europe, will presently make the British people rue the day when they, gave Lord SALISBURY that big majority.