The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

f TO ADVERTISERS. THE PONTYPRIDD CHRONICLE AND WOBEMAN'S NEWS, A LIBERAL JOURNAL FOR THE TAFF AND RHONDDA YALLEY-4, IS an excellent medium for Advertisements. It has been established to meet a want long feltf for a popular newspaper. Published in the eentre of a large mining and Industrial district of 40,000 to 50,000 inhabitants, and within 12 miles only ef Cardiff, Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert, its value as an advertiser cannot fail to be recog- nised, and as he charges are as low as those of any other rerpectable paper in South Wales the Pro- prietor hopes to secure extensive patronage and support. SCALE OF CHARGES FOB SlfALti PRE-PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. Far the following classes of Advertisements only :— Situations Wanted, Sitnations Offered, Apartments to Let, Apartments Oflcred, Money Wanted, Partnerships W anted, Businesses for Sale, Lost and Found. MISCVLLAIKOUS WANTS. Bouses, 6hops, Offices^ Houses to Let, Specific a Articles for Sale by Private Contract or Exchanges, If not paid for in advance the ordinary oredit rate will beebarr-ed. IWoada. One Thrse T Insertion. Insertion 8. Insertions. s. d. a. d. a. d. 18 0 6 1 0 1 6 27 0 9 2 3 86 1 0 2 0 3 0 46 1 < 2 6 3 9 64 1 6 3 0 4 6 63 1 9 3 6 5 3 72 2. 4 0 6 0 81 2 3 4 0 6 9 Each line 9 words extra. N.B.—This scale does not apply to advertisements from Public Bodies. from Public Bodiee. SITUATIONS WANTED. WANTED a Situation for a Lad in every Book-seller's Shop in the Taff and Rhondda Valleys to sell the Chronicle. WANTED a Situation for a Boy in every Stationers' Shop to sell the Pontypridd Chronicle." SITUATIONS VACANT. WANTED Boys to Sell the Pontypridd Chroniole" everywhere on Fridays and Saturdays. ANTED.-Men with spare time to Sell W this Paper evejw Friday and Saturday. WANTED TO SELL AND BUY. GENTS required to Sell the '• Pontypridd Chronicle. The usual commission. 1 THOUSANDS of People required to Buy JL and Read the Pontypridd Chroniole." Price ONB PBHHT Weekly.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. BIRTH. SPRACtll-Jgn- 12th, at Hazlewood House. Ponty- pridd, the wife of Mr J. Sprague of a daughter. DEATH. WILLIAMB-ON the 2nd inst., Miss Mary Williams, Blaenhrnwyaz Farm, at the age of 18 years. Interred at Llanwono Parish Church, on the 6th instant.

SEASON 1881. SEEDS. SEEDS. W. H. KEY BEGS to inform the inhabitants of Pontypridd and Neighbourhood that he has received a supply of this* season's Saeds, viz.: BEANS, PEAS, ONIONS, LEEKS, CARROTS, PARSNIPS, LETTUCES, RADDISH, PARSLEY, 4c. A detailed Catalogue to be had on application. 89 A 90, TAFF STREET, POJTTYPRIDD

TO OUR READERS. In making our first appearance we feel in duty bound to to lay before our readers at least an outline of the course we intend to pursue in these columns. Starting in the midst of a densely populated district, which has, we consider, hitherto, had no organ re- presenting the views and interests of the people, we are confident of success, as our endeavour shall always be to supply a want long felt and frequently expressed. A great change has taken plaee in this portion of Glamorganshire during the past twenty years or so. The population has rapidly increased, and continue* growing. There was a time, within our memory, when the neighbourhood was nothing more than on- of the ideal sylvan glades of the poets, with but a farmhouse studded here and there, and the few inhabi- tants of the Vale of the Rhondda, Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife," might gaze upon some magnificent bits of the scenery of "Wild Wales" and revel in the sound of gurgling brooks and the music of the feathered choirs. Later on, when Pontypridd had grown into a comparatively important town, the roads in the Valley were next to impassable, and, closed in by trees and over- hanging bushes, were dark even at mid-day. These things have passed away, and the Valley can boast of some thirty thousand inhabitants. We have lost our scenery, but in its plroe we have trade and commerce flourishing to a marvellous extent when compared with those days, And when one considers the short period it 4os taken to create the huge industries of the district. But literary pro- gress haa not kept pace with the industrial prosperity, and it is to aid in this necessary advance that the Pontypridd Chr&nicle is established. The numerous population we bave yuntioi^d is composed of men whp are decidedly Liberal in politics, and the majority of whom, to say the least of it, are favourable to religion and to Nonconformity. We frankly admit that morality has not reached that high standard amongst us which is wor.hy of the land of the Puritans—worthy of the efFoits of Thomas Llewelyn, of Hht grn s, an I his associates upwards of two centuries ago. But it is very unfair to deal heavy b'oirs! t's -rcasm and slander upon the Bethels" and the "Ebenezers" of the people, simply because crime has not been eradicated and molality established upon its throne. Yet this has been done. But such deolaimers forget that the principles of Dissent are not changed be- cause their progress may be slow. It is by a gradual process that the most important changes are effected in nature, in politics and religion. The formation of the strata of coal so largely worked around us occupied a period of thousands of years. It took many cen- turies to preach the doctrine of liberty of conscience ere the Act of Toleration obtained the seal of the crown of England. It was only after very many years of fearless advocacy and careful tutoring that the repeal ofjthe crushing Corn Laws of Great Britain wns brought about. It cost a hard struggle for a long period before the consecrated burial grounds of the parish churches were thrown open to Non- conformist ministers. And if it take a long period again for the miners and colliers of Glamorganshire to erect their places of worship and support a ministry by. the sweat of their brow, the glorious results will only rebound the more to their honour and faithfulness. Just as the labours of Walter Craddock, Vavasor Powell, William Wroth, and William Erbury are crowned with success in the present state of Noncon- formity in Wales, so will a future day res- pond to the efforts of the labouring classes who build and have erected their Bethels and their Ebenezers." The recent com- mission appointed by Government to inquire into the state of Education in Wales elicited the fact that these same working men will compare favourably, morally and mentally, with their brethren across the border; and the mere fact that crime is lower in the Principality than in other parts of the Kingdom proves that these men take a lively interest in all matters affecting their welfare—whether they relate to trade, com- merce, education, morality, or religion. These things also prove that the institutions which are here so highly regarded as to ex- cite the envy and elicit the jeers of those who cannot understand them, or sympathise with them, have had their elevating influen- ces. The interests of the great mass of tho mining and industrial classes by whom we are surrounded must of necessity be our interests, too, and for that reson we claim their support and shall open our columns to the free discussion of topics which they desire to ventilate. There is, at present, so far as we are aware, not a single English Newspaper in the Principality which fairly represents the views of the men, and now- when fresh laws which seriously affect em- loyern and employed come into operation, when important projects are set on foot for the prevention of the disastrous explosions which periodically occur in the South Wales Collieries, and when suggestions are so rife as to the formation of Societies of various kinds-now, we think, is an opportune mo- ment to enter the field. We shall give the news of the district minutely and impar- tially, and in our comments on local events we shall endeavour to adhere to the principle laid down by the immortal Bard of Avon, "Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it." We intend giving Parliamentary, home and foreign news also, and whenever matters concerning Cambria and the Cambrians may be dealt with in quarters high or low we will give special attention to them, but we wish it to be distinctly understood that the Pontypridd Chronicle is to be pre-eminently a local joarnaL, and "A PAPEK FOR THE PKOPLE."

WALK AND TALK. (By Daylight.") Jonw Good evening, Morgan; how are you, and what is the news up in the Valley? MORCKAN I am glad to see you, old friend. All the talk now in, the Valley is about some new paper that is to be started this week. They call it the Pontypridd Chronicle. What do you think about it, John ? Do tell us, for you are a good judge of these kind of things. You know well what the Rhondda Valley is, and you ought to be able to say what kind of paper would do best. JOHN Well, Morgan, I see you are rather fond of complimenting an old friend. I wonder where did you get such soft soap. I, too, have heard about the new paper, and I will tell you the truth- I think from what I have heard that it will be on' of the best papers we can get, and the most suitable to our wants. Mono AN What makes you think so ? JOHN: I have been told that the very beat writers have been engaged to write different articles upon all matters belonging to our interest. I know the editor and proprietor is just the man for the work. For who knows the district better, or so well as he does ? But I should be glad to hear what has David Jones got to say about it. JONES Well, I do not know muc). abont your politics, nor care a pin about such things; but I know one thing very well-we want a paper to give a true account of our meetings, and to tell us all about the coal trade, and they saf that will be done in the Chronicle. DAFYDD BACH: Father, I hope the Chronicle will come out 'fore long, for they saf it will tell us all about the Sunday Schools, ani all the big meetings, and treats, and everytHng else. I should like to see it, father. FATHER: You shall see the Chroiicle, my boy, and then you shall see the account dt the Sunday Schools and all the big meetings rouad about. TWM O'R NANT: Hey, I say, look bhind, do you see who is coming? Let me see. Yes; I know apme of them. Here they are-old gion Dafydd, Lewis Pobman, Fred the tailor, md Farmer. Jackson. Let us wait and hear wbLt they say Thoy -.ro in some hot discussion. I fonder what it's about. Hush! Silence! Do jbu hear old Shon Dafydd, he is full of the old Wflah fire ? Snoq DAFYDD Dywedwch a fynoh, mynaf y Chronicle pe bai ddim ond er mwym ySolofn Gym- raeg. Bydd y beirdd yn canu yno mfV11 hwyl yn yr hiii iaith anwyl. Ao nid iaith 3ymraeg air Fi»e\v*»d gawn ni chwaith. LEwis POPMAN Yr ydyoh yn ddonio iawn Shon, oaf! o tol irg y fath iaith oedd iaithsir Besyfed flyn- yddan yn 01. Sao* DAFTDD Rhyw gymysgfa rlyfedd iawn fel hyn dyweddodd an farmwr wrth eiwas John go to the field i 'mofyn y gwartheg. Wiat shall I do os na cha i hwynt? Come b&ok hebdiynt my boy.

SALE OF RHONDDx VALLEY COLLERIBE The old Penygraig Colliery as a few daya ago sold by publi6 auction, at CaiiifF, the purchasers being Mr W. Thomas Lewis (the Marquess of Bute's agent) and Mr W. Wilams, one of the old proprietors. It is announce that the Marine Rhor(ida Colleries have just btn sold to a London oompany, formed by Mr FranfaWillis Bird, of Lon. don. These important eollieris have been idle for upwar is of half a year. Ilis stated, however, that the workings have been ept in thorough re- pair, nnd that work can be rtumed with but little del-iy, after the necessary preminaries have been competed. The take of ecl is 800 acres.

LANCASHIRE COLLI RS AND THE EMPLOYERE LIAELITY ACT. At a mass meeting on Satulay, of colliers em- ployed at Bridgewater, Dear Manchester, it was resolved to stay from work mtil the employers withdrtw the notices compellig the workmen to contrast out of the Employ ers"liability Act. About 6,000 men are on strike. At Pendlebury, where notici were also up, the men determined to abide by t), Act. About 6,000 vrork men were also affected inthe latter instance. A pditioll to Parliament to make the Act com- pulsory it being extensively sigad. About 20,009 miners in theBolton and Wigan districts have refused to worklather than contract out of the Act, and a general trike in that district is apprehended.

VEHICULAR ACCIDENT X PONTYPRIDD. On Thursday evening, as MrCoombes' bread cart was being driven from Uniontreet to the High- street hill, the cart was oveurned and slightly damaged, but strange to say, te horse kept on its feet. The driver was scrabohe by the fall, but not seriously injured.

NODION CYMEEIG. ATOLYGYDD Y "PONTYPRIDD CHRONICLE." Blwyddyn newydd dda i chwi, sir, ar gyohwyniad eich newyddiadur newydd yn ein tref- Credaf fod gwir augen am newyddiadur gwir ryddfrydig yu ein cymydogaeth, a thrwy y Cwm yn gygredinol; ao mae yn dda genyf gael ar ddeall mai newyddiadur yn ateb i'r cymeriad a nodwyd yW y Pontypridd Chronicle. Bellach dyma gyfleustra i ha"b o rydd- frydwyr a garant ysgrifenu ar anrhyw bwnc teilwng i anfon en oynyrobion i mown. Credaf y telir nylw manwl i bob gohebiaeth yn nglyn a gwaithydd glo, a pheb trafodaeth yn mhlith y Glowyr trwy y Cwm yn gyffredinel. Credaf fod hyn yn gaffaeliad mawr i'r dosbarth gweithiol i <idodi eu materion o flaen y wlad, a hyny yn eithaf didnedd. Mae yn dda genyf fod eia parchus Olygydd yn rhoddi gwahoddiad i'r Belrfld a Lien- orion ein cymydogaeth, trwy roddi Colofo Gymreig yn ei newyddiadyr at eu gwajaaaeth, a rhagor mae yn ddigon tebyg, 08 bydd angen. Gobeithiaf y rhoddir pob cefaogaeth i berohen y newyddiadui hwn. Gwyr pawb fod y perchenog yn Gymro parohns yn ein tref er's llawer o flynyddao, a chred- af y dylem ni fel Cymry roddi pob cefnogaeth ag sydd yn ein gallu lddo. R. GWYNGTLL HOQHIia.

MR. McDONALD, M.P., ON THE EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACT. At the National Conference of Miners* Dellogstef4 at Manchester, Tuesday, the Chairman MrJio UonaUl, jW.P., urged that for the men to contract themselves <Stat of the Act. as desired by m*ny of -hs employers, especially in Lancashire, wouid amount to an ac- knowledgement that they had been wrong in their 20 years' agitatiou. If it were merely a monetary measuie there might be some reasonableness in the employers' proposal, but the miners and Ie. gisiolturs, had all along considered thu the prim" object of the Act was to promote snfgty. He op- posed contracting out of the Act on the grunnd that such a Bourse was contrary to good morajg slid that it favoured the idea that life was to be bjught and sold inJSngland to-day as much as it used to be in the plantations of Old Virginia. If the meif con- tracted out of the Act they could not with a good grace approach Parliament for any further protec- tive legislation. If tho Act did not fit the owners with the responsibilities which some of their advo- cates said rested upon the contractors, Ae., why were the employers making such a fuqø about it ? He argued that when contractors undertook certain work the owners required it to be done under cer- tain conditions, and that, consequently, the contrac- tors wert merely agents in the matter: and he pointed cut that under the Mines Rogaiation Aot contractors could have no power in the management of a mine. The same remark applied to the work- men, and he heldrthat, with regard to tSe trimmers, the emplcyers were bound to protect them in the roadways; and that when at the face they had the protectior of the special rules. Whatever moot points there might be, tho men ought not to bind their hancs down so that they could not raise their voice agaiist any unjust decision. He locked upon the actioi of the masters who were making it a sine qua non of employment in their pits that the men mus; contract themselves out of the .Act. as being something worse than Boycottism." Unless the men were prepared to evade the law, they were told a effect that they must starve. (Shame.) Possibly tie employers might triumph in dictating to the men starvation or a broken lav but if they did h. warned them that they would eventually raise some.hing that would tell against them with tenfold force. What< ver they might do, they eould not kill theaspirations of the people. Several resolutions were passed, and atuong the speakers was Mr. David Morgan, of fountain Ash, who seconded the resolution in favour of making a law to make ',it illegal for either employers or em- ployed to contract out of the Act.

MARKET. PONTYPRIDD, Wednesdty. -Fairly stocked with pigs, rangiBg from 20s. to 26; cows and calves S15 to JE18. An excellent supply of vegetables, Ipples and Potatoes were brought up early. J The readf made clothes department was well re- Lpresented, and we particularly noticed our home /manufactured Flannels in a great variety of patterns. The supply of meat small compared with past Markets, but good in quality. Fresh Butter Is. 6d. I pet lb. Cheese 8d & 9d. per lb. Ducks 7a. a oouple. Fowls 3s. 6d. to 6s. a oouple. Turkeys la. 2d. per lb; eggs Is 4d. per doz. Cream Cheese best quality 10d. per lb. Beef, beat joint lod & 8d. per lb. Mutton, very good quality 8d. to 10d. per lb. A good assortment of Sewing Machines by Singer.

PENTRE POLICE COURT. Monday-before Messrs. F. R. crftwshay and E. Lewis. RIMPUSING TO MAINTAIN 4 WIFB.—JOHU Cattell, collier, Trealaw, was brought before the Bench for not maintaining his wife, Hannah Cattell. bhe had been chargeablt3 to the guardians for six weeks. Ordered to pay 2s 6d weekly. JoHii DONNOVAN was summoned to show cause why he should not contribute towards the support of bis daughter, who is in a reformatory school at Bristol. Ordered to pay Is a week. THREATENING THE POLIO$,, Willi,trh Harris, Treherbert, was fined Is. and costs for beV drunk and |riotous at Ynysfeio, and with threatening to split the constable's head open FIGHTING.—Joseph Richards and Richard Drvieq both of Ferndale, were charged with fighting on the road on Saturday, 1st int P. C.ijeiaki,48 said he w them fighting in High.street. jyrndal,, wjth a crowd of about 300 people around them- Davies waS fined 6s and costs, and Richards Ilj. and OO-ts. FIFTY YEARS OF WEnDED Liiric.-JOSePli Reall- ing, Gilfaoh Goch, who is seventy-two yeara of age, refused to comply with an order to Maintain his wiff.1, who is 64, on the ground that she had deserted him no less than four times duTjng the last five years and a half. lie could 00t lee the propriety of taking her back, 80 he said, as the had gone away of her own free will aud besides he was too old to keep himself although he had hen her for better or for worse." He was (,rdered to pay 2s 6d. a week. THOS. WILLIAMS, f armer, Bw'ohgwyu> whs sum- moned, for refusing to pay for repairs dtne to a privy attached to a house of which he Was the owner, by the Ystradyfodwg Uibau Sanitary Autho- rity. The defendant had had a notice serVt^ on him by Mr Jones, tbe Surveyor, on the 12tb Mrr Jh, 1879, and he did not comply with it. The Surveyor therefore inptructed Messrs. Thomas & Edwards, bailders, Pontypr dd, to do the said repairs. The bill amounted to zCl2 17s., which he refused to pay. The Bench said he had been very foolish to allow the case be to brought to the court, and ordtred the bill to be paid. Coci FIGHTING.—Richard Jones and Herbert Wigley were brought up charged with cr^y to a cock. P.C. Harrison said he saw the deftudanti, and others at half past two, on Snnday, 2nd. inst., in a field behind the Gelli Jnn, Ton Ystrad, putting two cocks to fight. The constable had previously seen Richard James ranning after one of the oooks, which was a strange one, trying to catch it. Defen- dants denied putting the cocks to fight, and said they were fighting when they saw them first. Jones said he went there wit4 the intention of stopping them, as he did not like to see fighting on Sunday. Wigly was the owner of one of the oocks, and the owner of the other hnd not been discovered. Jones was fined 6s and costs, and Wigly 7s 6d and costs. BACCHANALIAN LIsT.-Edward Collins was fined 5s and costs for being drunk and riotous on the road at Ton Ystrad, on the 29th of last month CATHKKINE COLLINS was fined Us. and costs for being drunk and cursing and swearing on the road at Ystrad, on the 28th of last month, at half past ten o'clock at night.—ELIJAH WATKINS was fined lis. including costs for being drunk and wanting to fight any man on the road at Penygraig on Christmas night.-REFs DAVIES was fined 1B. and oosts, amounting in all to 9u 8d for being drunk and wanting to fight on the road at Dinas, on the night of the 1st. inst.—ANN DULLEY, Ferndale, was fined 5s. and costs for amusing herself by creating a disturbance while in a state of intoxi- cation, on Saturday night, 1st. inst.-WILLIAM REYNOLDS, Ferndale, was fined 10s and oosts for the tiame offence. > A, !.e

PONTYPRIDD POLICE COURT. Wedneaday-BQfore Mr Gwilym Williams, Stipendiary Magistrate. CONCEALMENT OF BIRTII.-Mary Mahoney, of Pontyprid l, was reported by Sergeant Jones to the llenh to be very ill, suffering from bronchitis, and ho applied for a further remand, and the same bails were accepted for a fortnight. DKU.SK. Gamer Williams, of Rickard-street, Pontypridd, was summoned by Sergeant Jenkins for being drunk and riotous, on Christmas-eve. He was fined 10s and costs.—Patrick Hurley, of Hafod, was summoned for being drunk and re- fusing to quit the Porth Hotel, on Christmas-eve. Fined 10s and costs —Michael Murphy and John O'Connor, of Treforest, were summoned by Ser- geant Oliver for being drunk and riotous, at Tre- forest, on the 2nd inst. Fined 10s each and costs. ARSON BY BOYS AT DrNAS. Evan Thomas, Timothy Thomas and Alfred Buckley, of Dinas, three little boys, about twelve years of age, were charged with setting fire to a rick of hay, the property of Colonel Hunt and others, at Dinas, on the 7th inst. IMr Galloway, the manager of Dinas Colliery, did not wish to press the charge, so his Worship dismissed the lads on the payment of 38 4 costs)

PONTYPRIDD RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY. The monthly meeting of this body wns held on Wednesday, vit the Workhouse, under thd presidency of Mr Josi.ih Lewis, Tynycymmer. Replying to a communication sent by the Autho- rity, the Local Government Board wrote that they had communicated with I)r Anfus Smith, the I11- Npictor, bnt they did not find thitt that gentleman had impressed any opinion to the, (,fr,-ct that the dis- charge of the sewage at Caerphilly into the brook was not a pollution of the stream within tho meaning of the Rivers Pollution Preservation Act 1876, aiid Eli,) Board must remind tho Authority of their ,.t'POI sibilities under that, Act. It transpired that. Dr Angus was uldei-sto, d byllOme to have mudo remarks to the purport indicated by some gentlemen at Cardiff. After discussion it was agreed that a Board Com- mittee should visit the place reftrred to, and report to the Board. Dr. Lei»h, medical officer for the Llanvabon dis- trict, presented his report for tho quarter en^ed Decemoor 31st. There had been eight deaths and 32 births; the death-rate was 12-3 per 1,000 per annum, against 20 per 1,000 in the corresponding quarter. The birth-rate was 42*9 against 43 0 7 There had been four cases of typhoid fever. Dr.. Leigh spoke in approving terms of the vigilance of the District Inspector, Mr Rnbeft B ans. The Medical Offers of the district were re.ap. pointed on the motion of the Chairman.

PONTYPRIDD COUITTT COURT. Thursday-Before His Honour Judge Falconer. There were no cases of importance to-day, with the exception of the followidg DAVIES v, JoN irs.-Mr D. Passer for the plaintiff, and Mr Walter H. Morgan for defendant. The plaintiff is a cabinet-make living at Ystrad Rhondda, and the defendant a grocer, residing at the same place, The claim was for £2 ftg, for work alleged to be done to the interest of the defendant. It seemed that the plaintiff rented a cottage off the defendant, at Ystrad, and to answer the purpose of plantiff's business it requited a little alteration in the premises—such as fittint in a large window, building a wooden shed, as workshop, and other suadry items. In March, 1579, the defendant dis- trained npon the goods of the plaintiff for £9 9s, being rent due, and Mr tlias H. Davies, auc- tioneer, of Ystrad, sold to civer rent and exponses. The present plaintiff made a set-off against the de- fendant's claim for these alleged alterations, but the defendant would not allow t, and sold for the full amount of his claim; hence the present action to re- cover the value of the alterations. The deforce set up was, that the house (although used as a shop) was rented to the plaintiff It the same rent as the adjoining houses. The alte-ations the plaintiff had made were to suit his own convenience, and he was at liberty to take them a%y, only to make good the damage he had done by taking such alterations. His Honour ruled against paintiff and granted de- fendant oosts. DAVID ROSSER V HAVARP.-Phis was an action seeking to recover the nam 0; JE2 2s, for professional services rendered to the defendant's daughter in conducting a bastardy case, about two years ago. Mr Kosser conducted his wn case. The defence was that the defendant's daughter was liable her- self, and n t her parents, as she was of age when the case came off, and had since been married.— His Honour found that the defendant was liable in- asmuch as it was he who retained Mr Kosser to act for his daughter.—Verdict for plaintiff with costs.

THE PLOTS AGAINST THE CZAR. A Birmingham oorrespondent telegraphs that a working clockmaker named Hutchinson, resident in that town, has communicated with the Russian Embassy in London with respect to an alleged nlot to aonstruct infernal machines in thts country for Nihilist purposes. He states that in April, 1879, he was in London en business, and in a restau- rant in Cheapside he met with two strangers, with whom he entered into conversation. One of the men was a Russian, and the other a German. The same evening, in the coune of some more conversation, Hutchinson happened to state that he was a Birmingham clock-maker, and shewed the men some of his patterns. The men then asked him If he could make all sorts of clockwork and work to designs, and on an affirmative reply being given the strangers produced some rough de- •lgrns, and from their explanation of them Hut- chinson had no hesitation in concluding that they were for a destructive purpose. One infernal machine had to be arranged so that it could he fixed under the ground a little way, and from where the crutch was fixed over the pendulum wire a contrivance was to be constructed by which a small lead pipe could be attached, and through the pipe a wire had to be carried. A second machine was to be arranged with sharp hooks to drive it into the bottom of a railway carriage, the clockwork movement being made to explode the charge at any time from one minute to 48 or more hours. A third machine was to be more simple, having to be so constructed that it could be put under a garden walk or any other path. Another was a dynamite bomb to be affixed, und ;r the seat of a private carriage. The last machine sketched out by tlje conspirators was the most diabolical of all. It was to be of miniature size, so that it might be easily placed within a bouquet. Hutchinson suspects the object of the men was to be present at some demonstration in honour of the Czar, and throw the bouquet containing the deadly charge at the Royal carriage. The stranger seemed particularly anxious that Hutchinson should enter Into an agreement there and then tor the comple- tion of the articles, but he asked time to consider, and at a second Interview the foreigners brought an agreement for Hutchinson to sign, en- joining the strictest secrecy on penalty of death and promising £100 on the completion of the work. Hutchinson, however, told the men he had made up his mind not to undertake the work. The men had previously told him of an attempt which would ■hortly*be made to wreck the Royal train on the Moscow journey, and, failing in that attempt, they would blow up the Winter Palace. The foreigners were greatly exasperated when he expressed his final determination not to be mixed up in any such diabolical business, and one of them threatened to murder him for deceiving them. An attaché of the Russian Embassy has since had several interviewa with Hutchinson.

THE PONTYPBTDD YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAT. IM- PROVEMENT SOCXETT.—A meeting of the above society was held on Wednesday evening, at the Wesley schoolroom. Among other matters dis- cussed [was the propriety of discontinuing the winter entertainments. A resolution to that effect was passed. A very instructive paper was read by Mr W. Jones on The Telephone," and a discus- sion enused, in which several of the members took part. It would be a great blessing if the young men of Pontypridd in general joined this institu- tion. It would benefit them both morally and mentally. ON THURSDAY a public tea-meeting, in connec- tion with the Welsh Baptist Church, was held in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Treforest. Tea wad pro- vided at three o'clock, the proceeds being devoted to the clearing-off of snme of the floating debt of the ohopel. The arrangements connected with the tea were admirably carried out, and reflected con- siderable credit upon the Welsh Baptist friends A very large nuruber of persons were present. At 7 30 an entertainment was held in Libanns Cllapel, under the presidency of the pastor, the Rov. J. Williams. The entertainment, which consisted of recitations, impromptu speeches, and of several appropriate pieces ef sacred music sung by the choir, was of a very interesting and profitable character, the chapel being crowded to exct a. t

THE NEW PAPER. To the Editor of tho Pontypridd Chronicle. SIR,-It affords the greatest pleasure to under- stand that you have had the courage to start a new paper in our town. This gives me the hope that we shall be in possession of an organ which will truly represent the views and feelings of the town and neighbourhood with candour and impartiality. Your known character and probity are a sufficient guarantee for the expectation that we shall have a paper entirely free from personalities and gratuitous inuendoes, just and impartial in its comments on passing events, and fair and nnfiinchingin its advo oncy of what is pure and true. The want of such g mdium for the free interchange of views and api. nions has been long felt, und many of the inhabi- tants will feel that you have placed them under great obligation to you by your enterprise, and wish you every success in the important undertaking. Many subjects in these days require thorough venti. lation, many matters in the social and political world push themselves to the front for settlement, many changes are likely to be effected soon in Church and State, and the public ought to be thoroughly enlightened on these points. No doubt there are local matters which will be none the worse if they were submitted to a little fair criticism. Under your management I feel confident that all theee matters will have a fair field and no favour in your pap.;r. Allow me, before closing, to make a few sugges- tions as to the mode of conducting the paper so as to secure usefulness and success. Let it contain a faithful record of all the passing events in politics, society and religion, worthy of being reoorded. Ex. clude from its piges all scurrility, backbiting, and elijjhting remarks on efforts to do good, however humble they may be. Give the same prominence to the labours of the weakest of the tribes of Israel to promote virtue and the improvement of society as to the efforts of those who possess a higher social status. Allow all parties to (fire~tt«e exftreaslpn to their views and opinions in your pages; and flhoald any controversy arise, make it a condition, from which you will not swerve, that all disenssions must be short, fair, to the poiut, courteous, and entirely frl e from all vulgarities and personalities. If yon will pursue this course without flinching, as I have no doubt you will, your paper will be a valuable so- quisition to the town and neighbourhood, and can- not f.il to prove a blessing, most of your follow- townsmen will rejoioe in the project, the CXroniele will meet with a cheerful welcome at their firesides, and success will follow the undertaking. This, I fissure you, is the earnest wish and confident expeo. tation of Yours very sincerely, E. ROBERTS. Pentrebaoh, Jan. 10th, 1881.

MR. THOMAS WILLIAMS' TESTIMONIAL. To the Editor of the Pontypridd Chroniclt. SIR,— Your inserting the following would not only gratify numberless people but also do your part in encouraging those who ought to have their good and worthy actions recognised. The individual here alluded to is one aniongst the same, viz Mr Thomas Williams, overman of the Great Western Colliery. On the let of January, 1881, a vast concourse of his friends and a number of highly respectable gentlemen desiring to show approval of true merit being recognised, met in the the long room of the Holly Bush Arms, Hopkina- town, where Mr Williams had to meet them, to te- ceive a testimonial, in the shape of a witchg a chain, with a handsome appendage, all gold, and a beau. tiful puise also a frame, containing that whioh was more valuable than the other articles, thongh they were overE5O, that, as compared with the other, fell into utter insignificance; yes, the written evi- dence cf his having so meritoriously done his daty, far outstripped any pecuniary demonstration. Edwin Randal, Esq. presided at the meeting; the vice.chair was occupied by Mr Phillips. Mr John Thomas occupied the most prominent part. After several had addressed the meeting, and been much cheered, Dr. Leokie also addressed the meet- ing, in English, and was applauded. The meeting was enlivened by Ap Tavonwy, showing how dex- terously he made the pianoforte cheer all, and harmoniously accompany those who sang, the first of whom was Mr D. Jenkins, then Eos Llan, T, Jenkins, Eos Havod, U. G. Hughes, young Phillips, and Dan. Gronwy, all of whom were heartily cheered. Recitations by Ap llhydderch and Gwilym Morgan, really ell worthy of being heard, and were well cheered. The meeting was also addressed by Mr H. Mills. in a humourous and pleasant style; a few words by W. ap Gwilyn, and a line or two, sung in Spanish, but, of course, but little understood-yet it was a little novelty. Let it suffice to say, that the vast concourse heartily enjoyed themselves, and were pleased to see Mr Prosser presenting the gift and testimonial to Mr Thomas Williams. Without taking up more of your valuable space, let me pnbscribe myself as a GALENSEANO.

INVESTMENT OF GEOK TEPE. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daitf News telegraphs on the 10th inst:The Emperor read a long despatch from General Skobeleff at the close of the weekly review yesterday. The substance, as I am informed, was that Colonel Kuropatkine had effected a junction with General SknbelefFs forces at Patnursk a fortified post at'a distance from Geok; Tepe of 20 versts, from which General Skobeleff started to make a reconnaissance and diversion on December 24. The number of Colonel Kuropatkine's column from Samarkand i officially stated at 500. Having made the necessary arrangements, General Skobeleff, on January 3, directed three columns to dislodge the Tekkes from a fortified outpost about 10 verot- east of Geok Tepe. Starting from Samursk, Colonel Kuro- patkine commanded the column of attack on the southern side. Arriving near the fort, he found it stroijgiy built and protected by a fosse filled with water, requiring him to bring up his artillery. The second column, under Colonel Kozelkoff, made a simultaneous attack on the northern side, whilst General Skobeleff commanded the reserve and intermediate column, well provided with artillery. The Tekkes, finding themselves attacked on two, sides, fled towards Geok Tepe. General Skobeleff dis- charged a raking fire against them during their retreat. Having thus oleared the Tekkes from this outlying position, Geueral Skobeleff during the next two days advanced his forces almost close to Geok Tepe on the east side, at a distance of little more than a mile. He reports that Geok Tepe is now besieged and invented except on the northern, or desert side, with 8,000 men and 58 pieces of artillery. Th«' Russian casual ties are reported one killed, 20 wound. The losses of the Tekkes are said to be enormous." It is possible thtft the final attack may not be made fell- the present, but I understaiicfGeneral Skobelefl re ports hnt he doeaUot want any reinferertnentrf. In a despatch confirming the above, the Standard't correspondent in the Russian capital states that the Turkomans attempted to frustrate General Skobeleff* moVemelits, but were driven back, though not with- out some fighting, in the course of which General Annenkoff and another officer were slightly wounded and a few soldiers were killed. General Pko- beieff is acting cautiously to avoid unnem. wry loss of life, „ and- he hopet to csmpel the enemy to surrender without being forced to storm their stronghold. From another source the correspon- dent henrs that the Russians took some of the out- works of Geok Tepe, and held them in spite ot the desperate efforts of the Turkomans to recover them. —The Daily Telegraph's correspondent says that the General has announced his intention of bombarding the place before delivering the assault.

There is, we are happy to learn, no reason to sup* pose that the fh 0 at the London Custom Hlluie was other than accid. ntal. In a store room which was nearly empty a handful of papers lying in a basket became ignited, and the fire was extinguished by a few buckets of vater. The origin is not definitely known. A reward of £ 0 is offered by the Great Western Railway Compt ny for information leading to the apprehension anc conviction of the person or persons who recently m: iciously placed on the up main line, about half a mil east of West Drayton station, an obstruction calculated to throw a train iff tbe rail". and at the sam time tampered with the down line signals with a view to misguide the driven in charge of trains. During the hearing of a charge of bigamy against a man named Willsher, at the Southwark police- court, an inspector intimated that there was reason to believe prisoner had five or six wives living. A school, to accommodate 300 infants, has been opened at Lambeth by the Archbishop of Canter- bury, assisted by the Lord Mayor 01 London and (the Bishop of Rochester. His Grace contended that this country must uphold the religious education of its youth if it wished to maintain its character as a religious nation. He did not believe that any sensible father or mother would wish to giv« their children secular knowledge alone. Secular knowledge was a very good thing but he did not believe they could train the minds of little children without giving them distinct motives to regulate their oonduct, and these could not be obtained from a purely secular education. About 100 tons of hay, the property of Mr. Michael Nunan, of Mallow, have been burned on his farm at Kilmacoom, and on an adjacent townland a rick of about 150 tons was also burned. Mr. Nunan a few months ago ejected two tenants for non-payment of rent, and lately appeared before the Mallow Land League in inference to these ejectments.