The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

MR. BALFOUR AT SALISBURY. Mr A. J. Balfour, last week, addressed a public meeting in the Market House, Salisbury, in con- nection with the Western Division of the National Union of Conservative Associations. He was received by the Earl of Pembroke, whose guest the Chief Secretary was during his stay. The Duke of Beaufort, who presided, said Mr Balfour's name was a household word among those who loved law and order, and he had become endeared to the country by the manner in which he had conducted the difficult business which had fallen to his lot. Mr Halse, M.P., moved—"That this annual meeting of the Western Division of the National Union of Conservative Associations wish to express their continued confidence in her Majesty's Government, and especially their ad- miration of the firm and judicious manner in which Mr Balfour has maintained the authority of the law in Ireland, whilst, at the same time, extending Imperial assistance and relief to those parts of the country which stand most in need of it."—The resolution was seconded by Mr H. M. Terry, and carried unanimously. Mr Balfour, on rising to acknowledge the vote, was received with great cheering. He said that, speaking as a Minister responsible for the Go- vernment of Ireland-speaking as a colleague of other Ministers responsible for departments of the State even mere important-they had nothing but congratulations to offer to the country and to themselves for the general spirit of rest which, for the moment, at all events, appeared to have settled down upon the embattled political Parties. Though there were no great things to talk about, there were several things of much interest, though in the second rank of interest. He sup- posed that at that very hour Mr Labouchere (hisses and laughter) was probably in the House of Commons attacking the grants to the grand- children of her Majesty (shame). He (the speaker) was always rather taken by surprise when he noticed the peculiar directions taken by Radical economy (hear, and laughter). When it was a question of providing great public works for Ireland out of the Imperial Exchequer, their Radical friends, who deafened them all the rest of the year with the. cry that the Government had no positive policy with regard to Ireland, that they did not care for her interests, and that all they aimed at was coercing her by repressive legislation these very gentlemen came down to the House of Commons and did their very best to prevent a measure being passed with regard to which the great mass, not merely of English, but of Irish opinion was agreed, and with regard to which he would only say at that moment that he believed more was to be looked for by cultivating the material resources of Ireland than could be looked for in any other legislative direction whatever, with the exception, perhaps, of land purchase, for im- proving the condition of the people (cheers). Again, when it was a question of increasing armaments—not for purpose of aggressive war- fare, but for purposes of defence-they found their Radical critics holding up their hands in horror and amazement at the reckless ex- travagance of the Tory Government (laughter). Again, when it came to providing funds, in accordance with universal precedent, in order to support the dignity of the Throne, they found the same gentleman coming forward and using the 3ame kind of arguments, in order to convince the House of Commons, and, if possible, the English people, that the Crown was a luxury too costly for the English people to pay for (hear, hear). But when it came to the question of payinc members of Parliament (latighter)-when it came to providing funds, out of which those very orators were to draw their share—a change came over the spirit of the dream (laughter). He con- fessed that he watched these controversies about the Royal grants with much pain and disgust (cheers). The Queen had done for her grand- children not only more than any Sovereign who had ever sat on the English Throne, but, in his opinion, far more than she was called upon to do under the arrangements come to with Parliament at the beginning of her reign (cheers). And what was the measure of gratitude which she re- ceived for this action ? Mr Labouchere and his friends approached the question, not in the spirit of politicians, but in the spirit of hucksters, and he (Mr Balfour) confessed he should have thought that not merely fidelity to the implied engage- ment into which the House of Commons and Parliament had entered with her Majesty would have stopped them in the course they were pursuing, but that the mere feeling of chivalry for one of the greatest and most popular Sovereigns that had ever sat upon the English Throne would have checked these sordid and ill- timed attempts to protect what they were pleased to term the interests of the British taxpayer (cheers). He did not know whether, in passing, it was worth while taking note of one other subject which was exciting considerable interest, at all events in the Separatist Press, he meant the so- called new movement initiated by Mr Parnell and the Irish members under the name of the Tenants' Defence League. He confessed that when he studied the circumstances under which that scheme had been floated-when he read the particular proposals embodied in its prospectus, he did not think it a subject of any serious public interest (hear, hear). If the new association pro- ceeded upon legal lines, for his own part he wished it God-speed (hear. hear): if nn fl. other hand, it used those- methods too long familiar in the history of Irish politics, then it mattered not with what profession it started, they would judge it not by what it said it was goini to do, but by what it did, and he doubted not that the powers of the law would be equal to dealing with it should it attempt to interfere with the administration of the law. He sus- pected the leaders of the Irish Party had found that interest in their movement was flagging in Ireland that the Irish Party in America was not only beginning to look upon their proceed- 9 0 ings in this country with a want of interest, but in some cases with positive hostility and that as a natural consequence of these two facts' funds were beginning to fall off (hear, hear and laughter). He took it that, under those circum- stances, it had occurred to those gentlemen that the best thing they could do was to make a collec- tion (hear, hear). He turned to one other topic, which was, he thought, the most interesting or. at all events, the most entertaining which had occurred within the last few days he meant Mr Parnell's visit to Edinburgh. In the course of his remarks he touched upon one of the most difficult problems that could tax the ingenuity of any statesman who was unfortunate enough to have to bring in a Home Rule measure. He meant the protection of the loyal minority in Ireland (cheers). He suggested that the loyal minority might protect each other (laughter). Now, he apprehended that Mr Parnell was nothing if not a serious statesman, and how the loyal minority were to protect themselves, except by force of arms-how they were to protect them- selves within the limits of the Constitution against the tyranny of a Home Rule Parliament the ingenuity of man had not yet been able to discover. To tell them that the Loyalists in the south would be safe because, forsooth, there were Loyalists in the north was a mere mockery of argument (cheers). For the rest, with regard to Home Rule, Mr Parnell appeared to have ap- proached the question in a spirit of faith. He did not know what the Home Rule scheme was going to be-natural enough, because nobody did know (laughter)-but he was quite content to put his interests into the hands of Mr Glad- stone. Mr Parnell was well convinced-and he professed in this matter to speak not for himself alone, but for the whole Irish race in the United Kingdom and in America—he was quite prepared to hold the opinion that it was impossible so good a man as Mr Gladstone could do otherwise than propound a good scheme for Ireland. But Mr Gladstone had already failed in finding a good scheme, and all his critics who had pointed out the errors in his scheme would probably not be prepared to admit that Mr Gladstone's excellen- cies, great as they might be, were a sufficient guarantee that hit. particular method of cutting up the Empire would prove satisfactory to all concerned (cheers). The most remarkable, the most entertaining, episode at the Edinburgh meeting was that it afforded an admirable exam- ple of that method of interchanging testimonials between the two branches of the Separatist Party, which formed so large a part of their pre- sent policy. Mr Parnell was perfectly prepared to assure the world that there never was such a great and such a good man as the eminent politician who put him in prison five years ago. Mr Glad- stone, on the other hand, was perfectly prepared to write out testimonials without end, which had, he (Mr Balfour) feared, as little accuracy, and and formed as slight a basis for a solid judg- ment of Mr Parnell's character, as many of the testimonials they knew of in private life (laughter and cheers). He (Mr Balfour) did not believe the British public would be taken in by these mutual laudations. They might as well expect two bankrupts to make a fortune by backing each other's bills (laughter). Mr Parnell chose his visit to Edinburgh as an occasion on which to make an attack on the Government based upon certain recent proceedings of the Special Com- mission. Mr Parnell declared that the reference to the Commission was so drawn up that it was impossible for the Judges to make an adequate investigation into what he regarded as the most important part of the case. But did not the action of the Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union, in offering the Judges the fullest right to investigate their books, cover the whole ground? ("yes.") Mr Parnell, at Edinburgh, gave his audience to understand that the Land League had produced their cash books, and that he had spent his time in searching for those cash books until he found them. Unfortunately for Mr Parnell, he not only spoke at Edinburgh on Friday, but he was examined before the Special Commission on Tuesday, and the evidence which the witness gave on oath afforded the most curious and interesting commentary upon the speech of the new citizen in the Edin- burgh Corn Exchange (laughter and cheers). Anybody who read the evidence given on Mon- day would see, in the first place, that the Land League books were not produced that, in the second place, Mr Parnell knew, and had known for months, that they had not been produced that, in the third place, he had long suspected wjiere they were namely, in the possession of Mr Egan and that, in the fourth place, he had neither written for them nor asked Mr Labouchere or Mr Lewis to do so (hear, hear). This was the man who gave his Edinburgh audience to understand, amidst cheers, not only that the Land League books had all been pro- duced, but that it was through his labours, forsooth, that the production of them had been secured. Mr Shaw-Lefevre was a Statesman whose chief aim at the present moment appeared to be that he might be regarded as a faithful follower of Mr Parnell. He was always beating his wings, like some weather-beaten Peri, at the gates of the Parnellites' paradise, but they had not so far condescended to admit him, and he (Mr Balfour) thought they were well advised (laughter). Parliament had legislated, was legis- lating, and, he hoped, would legislate most suit- ably for the Irish people (cheers). Whatever might be said of the land measures passed by Parliament, at all events it could not be said that the English Parliament had been unduly moved, in its consideration of those measures, by any prejudice in favour of the English practice as regarded land (hear, hear). It had not been alleged, and it could not be alleged, that either the Land Purchase Bills that they had passed or the Land Purchase Bill which he hoped they would pass were otherwise than most suitable to Ireland (cheers). In some of the most important measures, which, he hoped, might be passed for the benefit of Ireland, Im- perial assistance was absolutely necessary (cheers). He appealed to them whether it was not their duty to prevent that consummation, fatal alike to the Empire and to Ireland's prosperity, which would be embodied in any scheme, however ingenious, for carrying into effect the principle of Home Rule (loud cheers). On the motion of Lord Pembroke, Mr Balfour was thanked for his address.

LLANDOVERY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians was held at the Town-haH. Llan- dovery. on Friday last, under the presidency of Mr Geo. Jones, Ystrad. There were also present his Honour Judge Beresford, Col. D. E. Jones, Velindre; Messrs. W. N. Lewis, Cefngornoth, vice-chairman; Daniel Williams, Pentre Houee J. R. Price, Plasydderwen James Rees, Tal- garth; David James, Yscyborfawr; Morgan Davies, Gorllwn Williams, Cwmllynfe; D. Morgans, Talog; W. Griffiths, Nautgwern; Rees Thomas, Gwynfe Evan Williams, Evans, Mount; Wm. Davies, Llangadock; T. Evans, Llanwrtyd, &c. TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. The treasurer's account showed a balance in hand of 2412 Os 7d. SUNDAY CLOSING (ENGLAND). With regard to the petition praying for the extension of the Sunday Closing Act to England, copies of which, it will be within the recollection of our readers,were signed,in accordance with the wish of the Board, by the chairman for presenta- tion in the two Houses of Parliament at the last meeting, the clerk pointed out that so far as the 0 House of Lords was concerned, it would be use- less sending a copy for presentation by Lord Cawdor, as he would not be back this season. Mr J. R. Price exclaimed very warmly that he thought it was a great mistake to petition at all. The Clerk interposed, and reminded him that the matter had been settled. A short debate followed as to whom the peti- tion should now be sent to for presentation in the upper House, which resulted in the unanimous acceptance of the clerk's suggestion that it should be forwarded to Lord Kensington, as most pro- bably he would be in London. RELIEVING OFFICERS' REPORTS. Mr Williams reported that the number relieved in his (No. 1) district during the week ending July 18th was 216, at a cost of JE25 Is 8d, against 221 iu the corresponding week last year, at a cost of 226 2s Id for the week ending July 25th 216, at a cost of 924 13s; corresponding week last year 221, at a cost of E25 8s 6d. Mr Powell's report showed the number in his (No. 2) district during the week ending July 18th to be 184, at a cost of zC19 Os Gd corresponding week last year 170, at a cost of 221 during the week ending July 25th 184, at a cost of 219 Os 6d; corresponding week last year 170, at a cost of £ 18 12s 6d. MASTER'S REPORT. 1 he Master reported that the number of in- mates were last week 33, against 28 in the cor- responding week last year, being an increase of 5 this week 32, against 29 in the corresponding week last year, being an increase of 3. Tramps last week 12, against 11 in the corresponding week last year, being an increase of 1, this week 11, against 19 in the corresponding week last year, being a decrease of 8 Children attending school, 8. The total expenditure incurred in connection with the alterations in the sick ward was an- nounced to be 225 2s 9d. The contractor was Mr George Anthony, Stone-street. A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER FOR MOTHVEY. Mr D. James, the parish guardian, again drew the attention of the Hoard to the requirement of a school attendance officer at Mothvey. After a little discussion, it was resolved that such an official should be appointed. The Chairman impressed on Mr James that the salary of such an officer would be a local charge on the parish of Mothvey, and that it would not be a charge on the Union.

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VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS. On Wednesday, July 17th, at a meeting of the Convocation of the Northern Province, the Bishop of Chester (Dr. Jayne) introduced the subject of voluntary Schools, and delivered a remarkably telling speech, from which we make the following extracts :—I suppose the natural starting-point for treating the matter of elementary education will be the report of the Royal Commission on Education. I am not certain whether any refer- ence has been made in this House to the work of that Commission, but I imagine that it has not received any very definite recognition, and yet we cannot but feel that a most valuable work was done in all respects, and one for which Church- men are grateful, and that at the same time significant testimony was borne to the voluntary school system generally, and of course in a great measure to the schools of the Church of England and it is, I suppose, understood that any new Code or legislation will at all events to some ex- tent move upon the lines laid down in the recem- mendations of the Royal Commission. Now the complaint that we have against the recent Code is that those recommendations of the Royal Commission were only taken up and utilised in part; and the parts which were used were such as to put a heavy burden on the voluntary schools, without any real assistance being given to help them to bear that burden. What we, therefore, hope is that in future both sides of the matter will be regarded, and that the assistance J. L! 1. 11. & io me voluntary scnools, which has been recom- mended by the Royal Commission, will be taken well into account, as well as the improvements which entail additional expense. The Royal Commission bore testimony not only to the value but to the necessity of the maintenance of volun- tary schools. The Commission, as a whole, say that in the future, as in the past, the voluntary and board schools must together be regarded as making the national provision for elementary education and even the minority speak the same language, and apparently contemplate not merely the maintenance, but the further development of the voluntary system. If I am not mistaken, they contemplate the establishment of new volun- tary schools where it can be shown that there is a reasonable appearance of need for them and, in addition to that, we all remember the noteworthy testimony of Mr Chamberlain at Birmingham, where he said that a place must be given to our voluntary schools in the elementary education of the people. And so, looking at the position of our voluntary schools, even in the view of those who we may fairly assume would look upon them with a less favourable eye, they are at the very least necessary and it is surely sound policy if a thing is necessary to make it as effective as pos- sible, and not to keep it in existence in a hampered and enfeebled condition. But to us, and to the friends of voluntary schools generally, those schools occupy of course a much more worthy and important position than that, whether we look upon them from the point of view of economy, and remember what a very serious addition to the rates of the country would be caused by the ruin of the voluntary schools or whether we look at them from an educational point of view, and remember how serious a thing it would be, in the present tentative condition of elementary education, if the voluntary schools as in a friendly way a rival system, were to be abolished, and we were all to be brought suddenly under one iron educational regime; or still more, when welook at the matter from the point of view of patriotism, and of national interests in the deepest sense. The Commission in both of its sections has shown quite plainly that the importance of religious and moral educa- tion cannot be over-estimated. We believe that the religious education of the people is very largely indeed bound up with the existence of our voluntary schools, not merely that they them- selves represent definite religious teaching but that they are a very valuable stimulus and help in an indirect way to the board schools as well and we believe that their abolition, at all events for many years to come, would be a most serious blow to the religious and moral life of our nation. Then we cannot help regarding the matter from the point of view of civil and religious liberty. Such liberty can hardly be said to exist when we are not free to teach religion but that is what it would practically come to if our voluntary schools were abolished. And then if we regard it from the point of view of the interests of the Church, the friends of voluntary schools, and, I would venture to say, all the best friends of our nation must be deeply stirred when they see our voluntary schools so seriously threatened. We claim for them that they are not merely to be maintained, but that equity and wisdom and previous engagements require that they should be fairly developed. And is it not desirable that we should remind ourselves from time to time of some of the more dangerous features and appearances which are more or less telling upon the minds of our people and about which they require further enlightenment and explanation ? Do the people of the country sufficiently realize-do our Nonconformist friends, for instance, sufficiently realise-what is an undoubted and momentous fact, that the State has practically established and endowed a new religion, which we call undenominational religion ? That is surely the fact. And with regard to what is termed undenominational religion I am sure you will bear me out in saying that in a certain sense we should all be disposed to meet it in a frieudly spirit. In itself as first established it was of a modest demeanour. It practically said, and those who carried the settlement of 1870 said, I presume "The Christian people of this country in their numerous divisions cannot agree upon one creed, and therefore at least let us teach our young people that amount of religion which we are fairly well agreed upon." And so, I suppose, we should alt have been inclined to look upon such an attitude and explan- ation as reasonable. But undenominationalism has for some time been passing out of that modest phase. It is, in fact, claiming to be—a large number of its advocates from whatever motive are practically claiming for it that it will be-the religion of the future, and the one religion that the State is justified in establishing and in endowing. And it is a very remarkable phase of thought and opinion, is it not, that our Nonconformist friends should be so eagerly supporting the establishment and endowment of what is practically a new religion ? Then again the exaggerated account which is given in many quarters of Sunday-school teaching deserves, 1 think, to have attention pointbdly called to'it The report of the minority of the Education Commission dwells on the admirable provision made in our Sunday-schools. Well, none of us would wish to under-rate the value of our Sunday-schools but on the other hand, while we speak with the deepest respect and gratitude of those who spend so much of their time, and thought, and energy upon our Sunday-schools, must it not be said with emphasis that the idea of cur Sunday-schools being anything like an adequate substitute for the religious tone and definite teaching of our day-schools is altogether a delusion ? I can only say that I myself feel that most strongly, and that our Sunday-schools will really be turned to the most mischievous purpose ii we allow them to be regarded in that light. It will practically mean that they are being made to assist in the destruction of religious education in our day-schools. Then i what can be done to strengthen the position of t our voluntary schools ? Much, no doubt, can be s done by the Church, and something must be done 1 bythe State. By the Church herself it has, I think, a Deen very generally ten that much more can and oughtbedoneintheway of organisation in our rural deaneries, and archdeaconries, and dioceses, and also extending right up to the centre—by the National Society, for instance, opening itself out into a new life and applying itself to this much- needed and essential work. I do not think that too much stress can be laid upon this matter. Attention has been called to it recently from many quarters, and some of us have had practical experience of the value of such associations as those which have been at work at Leeds, Hud- dersfield, Sheffield, and elsewhere. They deserve the most complete recognition and I am sure that all of us will feel that that spirit of petty and selfish parochialism and Congregationalism which does so much to thwart and cramp the work of the Church in regard to elementary education as in other ways is a thing which we want as far as possible to get rid of. Then, again, I should like to mention how much difference it makes in a parish if the clergyman himself takes a?ilVing and systematic interest in his schools. I suppose there is no greater danger to be appre- hended than that the clergy should cease to attend to what is the very foundation of their parochial work. So that we are all prepared, I believe, to see the Church organising herself for defensive purposes, and also, and still more, for the improvement of elementary education within her own borders, and we must endeavour, by every mode of insistance, to make our just claims known in high places. The Royal Commission in their report suggest various means by which the voluntary and board schools should be enabled to meet the new responsibilities it is proposed to place upon their shoulders. What- ever is to be said as to any assistance from the rates to voluntary schools, we shall all agree that the time is not ripe for it at present. There is a further proposal, not included, if I remember rightly, in the recommendations of the Royal Commission, but one which has attracted a good deal of attention in the country and among the friends of voluntary schools—the idea of a re- bate, the subscriptions to voluntary schools being deducted from the rates payable for elementary education. But this proposition is perhaps hardly within range, and there may'be consider- able difference of opinion on the subject. Still there are points on which agreement is easy, and I venture to call attention to a valuable paper on the subject, read at the Manchester Church Con- gress, by the Rev. J. W. Diggle, m which he says :— The fifth plan for the better maintenance of voluntary schools is an increase of the Government grant, together with a public statement of accounts and a Government audit, in order that both the country and the Government may ascertain that none of the money granted for educational purposes is diverted to other uses. This plan has also received the combined support of both sections of the Royal Commission, the majority of whom re- commended that the fixed grants be increased to 10s per child in average attendance, besides making the average amount of the variable grant not less than 10s; and the minority of whom recommend that a larger fixed grant be given in considera- tion of increased requirements in the matter of staff, premises, and curriculum; that more money be given to wards,,specific education objects; that farther aid be given to small rural schools which specially need such aid, and must be costly." This appears to me to be the most hopeful of all sug- gested plans; it involves the adoption of no new principle, it tends to place all schools upon a more equal footing; it is open to none of the objections besetting the other plans, and is equally applicable to board and voluntary schools alike. There are other directions in which voluntary schools may justly claim from the Legislature a more equitable consideration of their rights of maintenance. Small schools may claim larger aid, and all schools the abolition of the deteriorating and unequal 17s 6d limit of grant. To school buildings for which no rent is paid exemption should be accorded from local rates and better plans should be adopted by boards of guardians for the payment of fees in the case of the honest and independent poor. Now these propositions are really household words with us, and I think that one of the most im- portant of them has been completely overlooked by the Government up to the present time- namely, the removal of what is there called the deteriorating and unequal 17s. 6d. limit of grant." We all know the history of the limit, and how thoroughly it is out of date and we know almn how very hardly it falls on the voluntas -CMOOIS. Sir Francis Sandford stated the other day that the fines under that limit last year amounted to E32,000, and of that amount 216,000 fell upon the voluntary schools of the Church of England. We all know what a very serious damage that is; and I imagine that every one here present would from every side be hear- ing of instances of the mischief and unfairness of this limitation. I can only say that in the diocese of Chester I hardly ever come asross a thoroughly well worked school which has earned, for instance, the excellent merit grant in a poor district, worked under disadvanteges, which has not to report that it has lost some £30 or R50, or even £ 70. That is the universal experience. The Bill which had been introduced into the House of Commons by Mr F. S. Powell, and which wovld substitute a £1 limit for the 17s. Gd. limit, has, I believe, been withdrawn. But here again it is surely none the less necessary that we should in all legitimate ways press upon the Governmentand theErlucation Department the im- portance of the removal of this most mischievous limit. Those who have been working so zealouslv at Huddersneld, and Leeds, and S-heffield, and elsewhere, as at Liverpool and Birkenhead and Stockp(,rt, will be the first to say-" We cannot possibly stand any more pressure." I have had some little experience, and, indeed, very inter- esting experience, of this matter at Leeds and I am quite sure that the persons there who do the most zealous and generous and large-minded work in connection with the Leeds Church Day- school Association will be the first to say-" We must get that 17s. 6d. limit removed at once, and we must obtain some further assistance from the Government, otherwise we can no longer go on with this work. And therefore I would urge that this respite, or reprieve, which has been granted to us by the withdrawal of the new Code should be utilized in every possible way-first for the better organisation of our Church schools and also for bringing pressure to bear, in every 0 legitimate way, upon those who have the power to give us these simple forms of assistance, in demanding which we have at our back not only the recommendations of the majority but also of the minority of the Royal Commission. Perhaps I am wrong in saying that we have the support of the minority in regard to the removal of the 17s. 6d. limit. They are cold upon the subject but, at all events, from every other quarter it seems to be agreed that limit has simply nothing to say for itself, and that in fairness and equity there is everything to lie said against its re- tention.

THE UNEMPLOYED IN EAST LONDON.—At a time when much thought is being given to this matter a practical suggestion may be of service. Last year more than Y,300,000 worth of foreign matches were pnrchased by inconsiderate consumers in the country, to the great injury of our own working people, so true is it that evil is wrought by want of thought, as well as want of heart If all con- sumers would purchase Bryant and May's matches that firm would be enabled to pay £ 1,000 a week .nore in wages. THE TUDOR EXHIBITION.—Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales have graciously consented to be patron and vjqe- patron respectively of the Tudor Exhibition, which will be held at the New Gallery, 121, Regent-street, in the first months of next year. The Exhibition will consist of pictures, personal relics, arms and armour, embroidery, carvings coins, medals and seals, etc., and besides the portraits of the sovereigns of the House of Tudor, Henry VIL, Elizabeth, will comprise those of the chief soldiers, statesmen, and men of letters of that interesting period. It is hoped that, as in the case of the Stuart Exhibition, many objects connected with the House of Tudor and its tunes will be brought to public notice for the first time. Any information in connection with the above will be gladly received by the Secretary of the Exhibition, the Hon. Harold Dillon. "SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH" is a phrase often heard, especially in reference to the extraordinary cures wrought by the miraculous specifics of the Alofas Compamy. These are safe Verbal specialities which apply to almost every I lilment of everyday life, and their effect has be- come one of the wonders of the honr. Consumption, mos that most fell disease which can afflict man, is found to yield to the powers of Alofas Tincture in a greater degree than any other medicine, and Alofas is a perfect charm in cases of Bronchitis and Throat diseases. For Brain weariness it is, in the form of a powder, invigorating and refreshing, and promotes sound sleep. The Alofas Stomachic is a veritable foe to Indigestion, Flatulence, Kidney and Heart Complaints while the Alofas Pills are the most reliable in the world for the Liver, that source of so much misery. The Alofas Specifics for outward application are a perfect medicine chest and portable surgeon rolled into one, as they are equally effective for Spraind, Rheumatism, or Ulcers. The Alofas Company, whose establishment of 20, Oxford Street, London, id rapidly becoming world-famous, pride themselves in the fact that their Specifics are Pure, Exotic and English Herbal productions, and contain none of the deadly mineral poisons which send so many persons to the grave, instead of curing them. The prices are Is. l £ d.' 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d. Can be obtained from all Chemists, or post free from the Alofas Company. I

CARMARTHEN COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY. -Before Messrs J. Lewis Pliilipps, C. Jones, and W. J. Stokes. FURIOUS DRIVING. Thomas Walters, solicitor, Carmarthen, chared James Davies, Blaenpant, Llanllawddog (1) with furious driving and (2) with bein<, drunk while in charge of a horse and cart. Defendant did not appear, and it was stated that he had been s milar" off °n at LIa«<*ilo for similar offences, but had been informed that arrangements had been made to hear the Carmar- then case first. Complainant saii he was driving to Felingwm with the present member for the county, on the evening of the 10th July, about half-past six o clock, and when passing the New Inn, Nant- garedtg, he saw defendant in a cart standing opposite the public-house. After complainant drov« v.1-0 the corner to Yelingwm, the man he AaP a'ter him, knocking, as .h,nd,.»hcel of complainant's ?u Th^ d°,ng f 1""° dam"S« to the mud out tin. Af, r°»™ <° P»» »ith- SJf 5 ^ftor going on for about 50 yards defendant stopped, and wnuM <■ I• AM ffimnliii'n.nt k j would not continue until defendant passed him. After passing, defendant came on again at a full gallop, passing and again stopping This he did once more, so complainant got down to reason with him. While doing so a postman came up and offered to hold the cart. Complainant, therefore, went on, W deJ.endant farted whipping the mare, and at nnl* nearly drivlng QVer the who down A7 J"mPIn8 OVer the wall, he dashed down the road at full gallop, and again drove up d«f,n7lt n ?ama?e- Both complainant and defendant now stopped until another trap came up. Defendant refused to go on until both traps had passed him, and while the second trap was passing him complainant put some distance between them. Defendant was fined RI and 8s costs for furious driving, and 5s and 8s costs for being drunk. NEGLECTING TO SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. Isaac Jones, Ystradfach, Llandefeilog John Edwards, Duck Lodge, Ferryside; and Edward Hughes, Ferryside, were fined 5s including costs for neglecting to send their children to schoel. DRUNKENNESS. Evan Jones, Llethermole, charged by P.C. Daniels with being drunk in the parish of Conwil, on the 19th ult., was fined 10s and 8s costs. SUNDAY DRINKING. John Thomas, Red Lion Inn, Llangendeirne, w-is charged with keeping his house open on ^quor/' 'or the sale of intoxicating rJ?,?ifendunl 8aid ifc was not his fault, as the wer« in the house at the time said they were botia fide travellers. P.C. James Sayer said that on the day in question, at about 7.30 p.m., he visited defen- dant's house and found two men in the back kitchen, one of whom was from Pontyeats (about a mile and a half from the house), and well- known by the defendant, while in the front kitchen was another man from Minke (within two miles), and several others from Five Roads, Trimsaran, and Kidwelly. There was an anni- versary meeting on at the Baptist Chapel that day, and the men said they had come to Llan- gendeirne to attend it. The meeting, however, houseeing Whi,e the men Were in khe PuWic* Defendant admitted the men being in the house, but said they were travellers, with the exception of the two men the policeman spoke of, and they had had no beer. Mary Thomas, defendant's daughter, was sworn, and corroborated this. The men Aaid they had been to the chapel, but had had to come away as there was no room there. The man from Pontyeats came in through the back door after the policeman had come in through the front door. 6 Defendant was fined JE1 and 11s 3d costs. A LLANSTEPHAN QUARREL. Ann Griffiths, wife ef John Griffiths, Ferry Koint, Llanstephan, charged Elizabeth John, A..ee.n' klan'tephan, with assaulting her on the20th mst., at Ferryside. Mr Thos. Walters appeared for complainant, and Mr James John for defendant. Ann Griffiths said she attended Carmarthen market on Saturday, and when coming back Elizabeth John struek her at Carmarthen Sta- tion. She went by train to Ferryside, and again met defendant on the beach. Defendant there used bad language and threats, and finally struck her with her fist in the face, so that sh^ could not stand on her feet. Francis Griffiths, witness' son, tried to stop defendant, and received some of the blows for his trouble. Witness did not cross in the same boat as defendant did. In cross-examination, complainant denied an- noying defendant at Llanelly market on the pre- vious Thursday. She did not call defendant names. John Morgan, school-master, Llanstephan, saw complainant and defendant on the beach at Ferryside. He heard words pass between them, and then saw defendant strike complainant with her fist. He did not see complainant strike defendant. Francis Griffiths, complainant's son, a mariner, corroborated, and in cross-examination denied that he threatened to stab defendant with a knife. For the defence defendant's mother was called and deposed that at Carmarthen Station com- plainant provoked her daughter, saying that both she and her mother were very bad people. On the way to the beach at Ferryside complainant's son threatened to stab defendant, and also to strike her with an oar. She saw a knife in Francis Griffiths' hand. Defendant was fined 2s 6d and 19s costs. A cross summons was taken out by Elizabeth John against Ann Griffiths. The same solicitors appeared. Elizabeth John said that at Ferryside defen- dant spoke to her mother, so she said, "Let us alone, or I will give you a clout," and slapped her. On this defendant turned round to her son and said, "Here's a knife, put it into her." Francis Griffiths said, I'll put the knife through her heart, and if that is not enough I'll give her the oar." He then struck her on the face and head, causing a black eye and a cut on her head. She only struck defendant once. Mary John, complainant's mother, corroborated. For the defence, John Morgan repeated the evidence given in the last case. The case was dismissed, complainant to pay the costs, 8s. WILFUL DAMAGE Ar CONWIL. John Owen, Farmers' Arms, Conwil, charged John Griffiths, Tanyard Factory, Conwil, with wilfully damaging complainant's harness on the 18th July. Mr John appeared for the com- plainant. Defendant did not appear. Complainant said that on the 18th July the harness was in a good state. In the evening of that day he saw defendant go towards the stable and remain there some three-minutes. On the following Saturday, requiring the harness for use, he went to the stable and found it badly cut, and damaged to the extent of 21. On Monday he was going down to get out a summons and met defendant near his office. Defendant said he was sorry for what he had done, and wanted to settle the matter. They had been friends, and complainant had lent defendant the harness on certain occasions but about seven weeks ago complainant refused defendant's wife half a sack of flour on credit, and since then defendant had not been so regularly in the house. Margaretta Owens, complainant's daughter, saw defendant on the day in question standing by the stable, with his hands inside, making the harness shake. The jingling of the harness called her attention to him. He was there for about five minutes moving his hands about all the time. c ?Snj}an"? Griffiths, Blaenfynnon, and Hannah Griffiths, his wife, spoke as to defendant admitting to them that he had confessed to complainant about damaging his harness. Defendant was fined 10s and J61 2s costs, with JEl damages.

The Durham coalowners decided on Monday to advance the price of nuts and small coals Is per ton.