South Wales Echo

I t\ Peate ig bowling in mag-nificent style at the I ELzelit li-e and there is no talk now of leaving hUUout of the YorkshirQ toam. as waii the case o.

p I Death of the Rev. J. Griffith, Rector of Merthyr. The Rev. John Griffith, rector of Merthyr, died at his residence between seven and eight o'clock on Friday evening, the cause of death being failure of the heart's action. The rev. gentleman had been suffering for some years past from angina pectoris, and latterly the attacks :0£ this disease had become more frequent. He was attended in his last illness, which commenced about 16 hours before its fatal termination, by Dr Ward and Dr Dyke. The news of his decease came upon the inhabi- tants with surprise, and universal regret is felt at his loss. Another correspondent says :-The rector went to London on Monday, and returned on Wednes- day, after seeing Sir Andrew Clarke, who prescribed for him. The rector was first seized at 12 on Thursday night, and never properly rallied i i-oni the attack. The interment, which is expected to be r. public one, will take place in Thomastown churchyard. The intelligence of tha death of the Rev. John Griffith, rector of Merthyr, will cause a thrill 01 regret throughout, the Principality. A11 enthusiastic Welshman, ever ready to come to the front on behaif of his fellow countrymen, the good recto: will be greatly missed. A man of very strong individuality, never hesitating to express his opinions, and careless whether his friends coin- cided with him or not, he was alike esteemed and re- spected evenby those who could not agree with him. The late rector was the son of the late Mr Thomas Griffith, and was born at Aberystwith about the year 1819. He was educated at the Grammar School, Swansea, and subsequently at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1811, his degree of M.A. being taken three years later. He was ordained deacon in 1842. In the followin year he received priest's orders at the hands of the Bishop of Chester. From 1842 to 1844 he was curate of Astbury, near Congleton. In 1846 he was appointed to the vicar- age of Aberdare, and in the following year he married Sarah Frances King, daughter of Mr William King, a West India merchant. In 1850 he succeeded to the estate of Braichycelyn, near Aberdovey, where he spent the summer months of nearly every succeeding year of his life, his favourite occupation being yachting. In 1859 he succeeded Dr Campbell as rector of Merthyr, on the promotion of the latter to the bishopric of Bangor. The gross income of the living is £ 675, with a house attached, the patron being the Marquis of Bute. He was appointed surrogate of the diocese, of which he was also one of the rural deans, in the same year. In 1863 he married a second time to Louisa Stuart, a daughter of Mr Alexander Stuart, of the Isle of Bute, who survives him. Of two sons and three daughters born to him, the eldest, Charles, has been brought up to the Church like his father. The rector was greatly beloved in Merthyr. His action during the great strike in 1875 will long be remembered, for it may safely be said that but for thechildren's dinner fund, far the snpportof which he wrote touching appeals to the London and local papers, many of the children of Merthyr and Dowlais would have suffered the pangs of semi starvation. At the time of the Tynewydd explosion, too, when the whole of England was stirred by the dauntless courage and endurance of the Welsh miner, the Rector stood forth as the mouthpiece of his countrymen in asking for a national recognition of the deeds done by the late Mr Daniel Thomas and his fellow heroes. But probably his greatest work of philanthropy has been in connection with the institution popularly known as the Llandaff House of Mercy. As hon. sec. to that aedn-iirable agency for rescuing fallen women, the rector has been "instant in season and out of season" in obtain- ing funds for carrying on its work, and having succeeded in building a new "House of Mercy" at Penarth, the rector regarded his work as accom- plished, and at the last annual meeting, resigned his position as hon. sec., which he bad held since the origin of the movement. He was one of the oldest clergymen of the diocese, and was present at the consecration of the late Bishop of Llandaff, the Ven. Archdeacon Crawley being, we are in- formed, the only clergyman now living who was also present. The living of Merthyr being in the patronage of the Marquis of Bute, it is the general belief that a High Churchman will be appointed as successor to the late Rector, and this opinion has probably caused the Rector to be so outspoken in his denunciations of Ritualism.

THE EXPLOSION AT THE ADMIRALTY. The Press Associays :—The authorities at Scotland Yard still remain without the slightest clue as to the origin of the explosion at the Admiralty, The conviction strengthens that the outrage was the work of some one intimately con- nected with the department. Mr Swainson is out of danger, and is making rapid progress towards recovery. Dr Butler's bulletin issued this morning says Mr Swainson has passed a pood night, and is progressing favourably. No visitors can be permitted to see him."

LIBELLING A WELSH BARONET. At the Central Criminal Court, to-day, the charge against Marion Taylor (41), of having pub- lished a number of false and scurrilous libels upon Sir Grenville Williams and his wife, was further proceeded with. Defendant, who was found guilty yesterday, stated that she wrote the letters complained of in a fit of jealousy and anger, and was very sorry for what had taken place. The prosecution expressed itself satisfied, and the defendant was liberated to coma up for judgment when called upon.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN ON LABOUR REPRESENTATION. Mr Chamberlain, M.P., answering a Durham elector respecting the labour representation, says that while he would not choose any man because of his class, he thinks it important that some direct representatives of labour should enter Parliament, and would stretch points in their favour when Possible.

THE WILTSHIRE DYNAMITE EXPLOSIONS. Another Arrest. I The Press Association Salisbury correspondent telegraphs:—The police have to-day made another arrest in connection with the Wiltshire dynamite explosions. This makes the fifth man in custody. Other arrests may follow.

MR JCSTIN MCCARTHY'S NEW STORT, entitled Camiola a Girl with a Fortune," is now appear ing in the "CARDIFF IlMES aad SOUTH WALES WEEKLY NEWj.\

The Suppression of the i Bosphore Egyptien." Sepious Difficulty Between France and England. [F.EUTER'S TELEGRAM.] CAIRO, Saturday Morning.—It is rumoured that the expected proposal of the Egyptian Govern- ment for a compromise in the affair of the Bosphore Egyptien has not been made, and that no arrangement has yet been arrived at. The Egyptian Government maintains a firm attitude, but there are still hopes of an amicable settlement CAIRO, Saturday, 12.15 p.m.—The French diplomatic agent has not yet left this city, but he states that he will start for Alexandria. at s.x o'clock this afternoon. It is believed that he has not yet received instructions from his Govern- ment to leave Egypt, and that a compromise in the nature of the proposal telegraphed yesterday will be agreed upm. L" STANDARD" TELEGRAM.] CAIRO, Friday.—Cairo has been ths scene of intense excitement to-day—an excitement chiefly confined to the foreign residents—in consequence of the formal hauling down of the French flag from the consulate. Nubar Pasha gives no sign of yielding. To-day's Standard ,:ays :The withdrawal of France from the financial convention would be received by our Government with great equani- mity. There is a belief in some quarters that the French Government are taking this method to get rid of the guarantee, because they fear that it will not be sanctioned by the Assembly." To-day's Morning Post understands that in the instructions transmitted by the Government to Sir Evelyn Baring at Cairo the opinion was ex- pressed that the closing of M. Larriere's printing office was illegal, and that due satisfaction should be 'ven to France. The suppression of the Bosphore E, gliptitit was, however, to be maintained. To-day's Times, on the Franco-Egyptian question, says The compromise proposed by the Egyptian Government oller-, full reparation for any offence that may be held to have been committed against France, and what remains is strictly a civil question, which would be appropriately settled in a civil court. We shall not believe, until undeniable evidence is forth- coming, that the French Government will reject an arrangement of this kind. To do so would be to convict itself of having deliberately sought a quarrel. As to the threat to refuse its sanction to the financ.al convention, we can hardly suppose that it is seriously made." To-day's Daily News has reason to believe that interchanges of correspondence between her Majesty's Government and France respecting the Bosphore Egyptien points to an early friendly settlement of the matter.

The Rebellion in Canada. -0- GZNERAL MIDDLETON'S FORCE IN AN AMBUSH. A SMART ENGAGEMENT. The Rebels Surrounded. [RKUTER'S TELEGRAM.] OTTAWA, Friday.-The massacre, at Frog Lake by the Indians, is now fully confirmed. The particulars show that the Indians burned all the buildings, and compelled the people to attend church. After service had been held, they shot ten of the heipless whites. Two priests were beaten to death, and their bodies afterwards burned. Details of the fight at Fort Pitt are also to hand. It appears that in consequence of the growing hostility against the whites, manifested by the Indians, the factor, Mr McLean, became alarmed, and visited the camp of the Indian Chief, Big Bear, to confer with him and claim his protection. Big Bear forced Mr McLean to write a letter to the civilians at Fort Pitt, telling them to join the chief or he (McLean) would be killed. The civilians complied, but the police refused to surrender. A fight ensued, in which the police drove back the Indians, killing and wounding several of them. OTTAWA, Friday.—At noon to-day Genera Middleton's force, while on the march, fell into an ambush in a ravine fifteen miles above Battouche. An engagement ensued, in which several of his men were killed and fifty wounded. The rebels set fire to the prairie, but the flames were extinguished by the rain. General Middleton's force subsequently succeeded in surrounding the ravins, and it is hoped that none of the rebels have escaped.

1 MONEY MARKET. Latest Prices To-day. 1.20 p.m. The demand i\r uioa-y is extremely I.n;it,-d, and snort Loans are qnot-d J to 1 per cent. Disci "nt »•!>•.at li' c:.nt. for the best three months' paper. Business is sui-ivst at u standstill in the Stock Market, ant: prices exhioit vary alteration. The settlement clinmence, 0:1 Monuav. Consols have recovered gi to 94i to" 94-J: New an i Reduced, 8t to 64J. W Two-and-HaK, 84- to 85i. Russian 1 £ 73 Loan has rocovereu i., S5i to 86: çud Egyptian Uniaed to to CD2 Tribute Loans are weaker, 1371V, to 601; Defence Loan, 70| to 71" Turkish Thirds and Fourths, 15 £ to 151; Spanish, 56i to56|; Argen- tine Loan, 53 to 59. Ll Home Jla-bways Brighton Deferred and South Eastern Deferred are siight y firmer at 82 to 82f, and 7981 to BQ I espective.y Chatham Preferences are also firmer, at 78i to 204- American Securities are quite «::= senary, \,>11 tiie exception (if a further decline in Virginia Funded Loan to 52 to 53. Grand Trunk flailv, ay Canada Stocks remain steady. First Preference. 49 to Mexican Railways n&g!aoce,d. First l-heferer.oe,' 55 to 85 £ oecond. 4r to 45 £ Telegraphs remain dud. R-io Tinto Shares remain at Si to £ |. -f'

TO-DAY'B MARKETS. CORN. GLOUCESTER, Saturday.—Farmers asked r,.i :tdvan E of to 2s pjv on r^nglisii whG'ii over c ■ week's pnce-, which mvlers deci.ne'i TO g.ve. Foreign b wheal may be quoted is per quarter highe:, with t.uil trade, tiriudias barley and maize, cli per Quarter dearer. Oats, firm. tjatber, unsettled- PRODUCE. Lo.i'G.N, >acur iay.Su:»,r—refined market steady, sei.ers of oee:r8'T asking i2s lojtl for April er.d M'->y. Coffee quiet and unaltered. Kice steady. itufn stionii; dvinand set.in^ in, and holders asking more money. Cotton nnritet doll. Jule v. ry qui.t Ta.roAS-, Y.C., 4is fc.t on the srjot. I'etroieum, 11 to 9-Ivd. Turpentine, 23s to 23s 3d. Linseed oii, 22s to 22s -id. Ripe oil unchanged. BUTTE" CORK, Saturday. — Firs: 338s seconds, lODs thirds, 64s fourchs, 42s fifths, «1«. Kegs—Thirds, 60s. Mild cured rivkms—Mild, 102s. In marker—1,000 firkins, 18 kegs, 23 mild. SI GAR GLASGOW, :aturde.y,lcr" doin, at rather stea.dy prices. The official renort states :—Market closes with a better tone, and good bu-dne-s done at firal prices, since -aturduy last ye'oovs and mediums show fed to 9d advance nrer sorts, 3d to 6d. DEAD MEAT. LONDON, Saturday.—Moderate supplies on offer, and trade rather SJOW. Lamb, however, s quoted consider- ably uearsr. Beef, 2s 6:1 to 4s 2d; prime Scotch do., 4s 4d to -is 6d: mutton. 2s 8d to 4s 8d; ,aI, 3s 8d ts bs large pork. 3s to 5s lOd; small do., 4s to 4s id lamb, 7s to os per 8 lbs.

I TO-DA V'S _SHIPPING. Lloyds' Casualty Telegrams. The schooner Corsa.r, of Arklow, is ashore near Courtowu. Crew saved. The Norwegian barque St Haivard, from Barrow for Gefle, is ashore at the entrance tj strangford Lough with mainmast gone and full oi water. The German brigaatme Clementine, from Eio Janeiro, is ashore near Galve ton, and will probably The German brigaatme Clementine, from Rio Janeiro, is ashore near Galve ton, ani will probably become a wreck. The Br.tish brig Somerville, which has arrived at Genoa from Savannah, jettisoned a portion of her car.-o on the voyage. THE WEATHER AND NAVIGATION. A. telegram from Lloyd's agent at St Petersburg states th ,t the river i? free of ice. A cablegram nom Lloyd's agent at Picton, Nova Scotia, states that navigation is open. THE STOPPAGE IN THE SUEZ CANAL. A telegram from Lloyd's agnt at Isinailia states that the transport steamer Persian Monarch, from A telegram from Lloyd's a^ent at Isinailia states that the transport steamer Persian Monarch, from Suez for Bevrout, which grouuded in the Suez Canal, has floated and proceeded, ana the Canal is again open for tiaffic. MOVEMENTS OF LOCAL VESSELS. -rta,ekiior passed Constantinople for Gibraltar for orders 24th Rhiwderin passed Constantinople for Gibraltar for orders 24th Roksby pn^sfcid 31&lt £ i from the S^uck ftts, ^1 Bedlin°'Eon left. Cork for CKidifi 24tli ( K Wood passed Malta for Cardiff Mm Carina aiva Loudon ircm Xew iou ¿jih Ciyinene left .sew ior H&;i)our £ 23ih Alce.ster passed the Lizard for Cardiff G:Jtl1 Aberdare arvil Cagiiari from Cfxraiif 24ta Rhymney arvd ili.L'&o from Gibraltar i-rih CARDIFF-ARRIVALS. ROATH BA-,i-N-April 24. Dunholme ss, 1141, Rouen, light Hart ss, oSO, Rouen, light KOATH BASIN—April 2o. AViiliam, 66, Briditwater, light vUTE April Reindeer ss, -,b, rtouen, lisot Gabalva ss, 467, Dieppe, li¡::ll ¡ L ii L'hanewoud ss, o4/, Bilbao, non ore Ringdove, 68, Swansea, burnt oio EAST iiuxii 2o. Wynnstav ss, lOOu, Liverpool, li^ut Lufra ss, 1134, Loudon, iignt WESX BUIE iJoCK—Aorii 24. Jeune St Vincent, 118, Rocue Bernard, pitwood Favourite, o3, Auray, pit^ oo" Pechciies Francaises, \anue. pitwood lare There.-e, 70, N-aniles, pitv, ooa Alma, 47, Bristol, burnt ore Robert Brown, *07, tfubhu. burnt ore Alpha, 87, Penzance, broken stones and iiour Earl Cairns, 93, Onester, -'4_

THE FRAUDS BY A NEWPORT INSURANCE AGENT. The South Waies Tontine Section.1' At the Newport county police-court to-day, William T. James, insurance agent., 4, New Bristol-street, Maindee, was charged on remand with obtaining £ 10 by false pretences from John Musgrove and Sarah "Wilks, at Maindee, on the 31st December last. Tiie prosecutors, who reside 3, Church-road. Maindee, had known prisoner for some months as the agent of the Swansea Royal Insurance Society, and on the last day of the year each entrusted him with a £ 5 note to invest in the South Wales Tontine section, as they supposed, and were given to understand, in connection with the Swauser. society. Mrs Wilks remarked to prisoner upon the high interest paid by the tontine section, and he replied that it was in connection with two building societies.—The Magistrates' Clerk: Swansea is a good place for building societies, isn't it?—Mrs Wiiks said that prisoner also tola her, as she appeared dissatisfied, that he woul,j bring a gentleman from the office in BrIstol: Her brother afterwards gave formal notice to pr to withdraw the money, but it fwaS coming. Mr W. N. Johns,. « ,i v .,f his 06ii6i prisODfei proved tnat to tne m form- gave him an order m Section. On tha. tor the" South W aies T.mt the manascer torm the prisoner was de. pecretary_ Whe„ and told p.s. Willmott that apprehende p wag in conneCtion with the V ^hl^Liife Assurance Society of the United States ^>f which Mr de Riddei, of White Ladies'- Sad Bristol, was the principal agent; but Mrde Ridd'er proved that although the society issued a tontine life assurance poiicy, the prisoner was not the manager, nor did he know Robert Wright" to be the secretary. Prisoner was, however, appointed sub-agent by him to negotiate business in June last. No application to insure either of the prosecutors had been received, and prisoner was superseded oil the 5th December.—Charles Gould, brother-in-law of prisoner, was called to pllJye that there was no tuntine section in con- nection with the Swansea Royal.—Mr F. Gardner prosecuted, and Mr Parker defended.— The bench decided that there was a pritnd facie L case, and commute prisoner for trial,

Alexandra Park Meeting. q y Al.SXAJf ijJKA j'AUK, e.v.ia. uae ndle. air Baron's Falham. Sy, 7st?ib G. Barrett 1 Air u tj. S:even.v's i.>r«yil:,s, 5y, 71o..C. Laates j .Mr 'lor-s'ns's Az*t> oy." 7-a A. While 3 .Maiv^rn (Luke), .^nriwi.lwtu vJesso;j). and Jin-ling | JoliniiiB (RAW lasun) ai.i ran. J:>1":k!f;a to 4 i-'tilhaiu, Zt.i 1 a$3c c»hiivcjiha.n, 7 to 1 aest-Gruyhng, U to lag-t Jingui,» Jjiuude. I'jC to 3 as«.- any ether. >Von by two iciigih- ;i:aie was ft tu tu, and Malvern la- Lie TILLING TON Pi A E n li.3 sovs; i, .,tit ior asr« eiL og allo'.vinc"s. Gap mil,}. Mr Mumior.1V: u^ea. it'-u .C. Loatex 1 Mr Lawrences Lid liose, oy, oat 2 Mr i> ion's Veiia, ,ly. 3-r .Li. Ea.rre!.t 5 Miss n (A. White) also | ran. 1 Setting—7 10 4 on Recent, and £ > ro J agtr Ve'ds. Bebeek led from Vein* ana li«ei»t, witu Lady liose last, fur half tiie journey, when Vol:a took the lead, followed by Lauy iwose and Begei.s, the latter oi wn >m oame to the fro*u at tiie r.alf di>ta.;ce, and wou by two eugths; turee pari.» of a ,eur:h oef.veen iie second aid -Iii e FL TWO YOB CLlv PLATK of OYA colt, st alb, tillie< and .dín!!s 8,t llio se'lin^ al'-w iitees. Five ltr:ül: jurÚ Oaraross's ¡"lUL..u..i..ic, ost 713 u. ilaIr.:LL 1 '.•iv Mackenzie's Leap Fro#, osl -li.. J. U'ooi .ar Hcmiry's Tit-hit. Gst +.0 '1. V, hit" Little J.in (S. Loates), .1 angle (i\ aaa riric (E. Martin) also ran.tettiug—5 to 4 on r Itictu&tion, 0 to 1 Lean Frog, 7 to 1 alzsc Tit-bit and 1 ag-t any otii(-r. Tlt.j-lt leufrtm L!ttL- oiin and :Fll.tCotD.,t;(;n fur p. quarter 01 aiuiie, wLsn Little «.iiu took the lead. ',>ut I'iuctuaiion aad Leap Fro^ headed iiiai at the distance, the favourite winning; V neck a b;i ttiiro'; J :1ú' e was f. 1Jr..L. Tne ALEXAXI>RA HANDICAP o: winners •-•x:a. Five lura.njrs. Mr Bartons D.uaiti Ca.:rd, dy, est 2il> „ C. Wood 1 Mr C. Lane's V.i^it, cy^est .S. Loates 2 Mr Arcker's, 1 ore^s Dance, 3y, 7st 71 i> .Martin 3 Panic (C. L.atesj and Princt-ss V.ttoiia (Jessop) also ran. lieti.ng—i->en- on Don;.id t'aird, 4 to I a? c ¡\{f[}:fitlf Victoria, 8tul agst i orcat IXuce, aau 10 to 1, at nrsi 4 10 1, ayst Panic. Wrigsie silo wed the waj, clcar 01 i o.est Dance, with D;11a :t C..ird next, to 111 distance, wuerethe i«.vourlMs dosed up, and tak.ng tUo fead ^oon i.fter, won easily by a length and a half: baa third. Princess Victoria was last.

LONDON BETTING. THREE P.M. CITY AND bUBUSSAN. One mile and a quarter. Kan Wednesday, Aprii 29th. 9 to 2 Duke of Richmond, 4y St 121b (o, = 5 to 1 w) 5 h0 1 — MacMahon, 5y 7st 21b (t 0 to 1 — Bird of Freedom, 5y ost 41b (o, 13 to 2 w) 100 to 11 — i'liebai a st 71b (o, S to 1 w) io to 1 — Quicklime, 6y 7st 12io <t) 10 to 1 Highlana Chief, 5y7stl<db(t«fco) 10 to 1 — Priiin, 5y 9st 41b (.0,11 to 1 w) 20 to I — Queen Adelaide, 4y 7si 101b (t & w) 35 to 1 — Woodiark,_4.v ost 71b (t) 35 to 1 — Dalmeny, oy 7st 71d (t) TWO THOUSAND G FINE AS. (1 miie 17 yards. Run ednesuay, M«y 6th.) 11 to 10 on Paradox (laid) 1C0 to 8agsl Risingham (0, 100 to 7 w) 2u to 1 langwell {%) THL DERBY. (One mile and a had. Run Wednesday, June S.) 4 to 1 aa'st Paradox (o) to 4 aParadox, with a wm in the Guineas (tal-ei fon P,)¡, I CITY AND SCBGRBAS. 9 to 2 agst Macmahon (t ó: o) g t0 2 — Duite of Richmond (o, 5 to 1 w) 6 to 1 — liir'1 of Fr eaom (.0) 9 to 1 — Prism (o, 10 w) 10 1 — Highland Chief (o, 103 to 9 w) 100 to 9 — yiuckiini- (t ii o) 100 to 6 — Vueen Adelaide & 0) 25 to 1 — Daimeny io, o0 w) 25 to 1 — Woodiark (u, w) 28 to 1 :3 to 1 — Perdita 1L (t TWO THolSAND GUINEAS. 6 to 4 on Paradox 11) 5 to 1 agst Cniid of the Mist (Co) 100 to 8 — Risinga.un (i i: o) 20 to 1 — Langwell (t) 5J to 1 — Lora Charles (t)

Sporting Prophecies. UTi" AND SUBURBAN. Field—Duke oi Richmond and B rd 01 Fieedom. Sporting Life—Duke 01 Richmond and Bird of Free- doni. Bell's .Life-Theb..is aUll13ini of Freedom. Sportsman—Duke of R.c iiioiii and Bird o- Freeci-im Sporting Times—Bird of Freedom. GREAT STAKES. Field—The Lumbkin or Keir. sportsman—Newton and Polemic- Sporting Times—Fornax or Kenny.

DISTRICT NEWS. CARDIFF. SIR E..7. REED.—Sir E iward Used was unable to attend the debate on tne Sunday-closing ques- tion in the House of Commons on Wednesday last, as it occurred during the sitting of the load line committee, of which Sir Edward is chairman, line committee, of which Sir Edward is chairman, CASTLETON. "WELCOME HOMI;—Thursday was memorable at Ca-tietiii as ije,ii, the occasion of the return of Messrs Radzwil <-nd Ivor Waiker (sons of Sir George Waikei,, Bart.) from Ausiralia, where they have oeen successfully engaged for upwards of a iozen years as cattle farmers. The residents of the neighbourhood turne i out in force to give the young men a cordial welcome. The road from Marshfieid-statiou was decked with flags, all the cottagcrs d.»playi:ih' them irom their windows, and at Castleton were numerous tokens of wel- come. Lady Walker treated all tne scnooi children to tea at the Baptist and Wesleyan schoolrooms. On the arrival of the two young men in Lord Tredegar's carriage at W entlloog Castle, the residence of Sir George Wa ker, o le band of the 3rd Monmouttishire oluuteer* plaved several pieces of music on he afterwards adjourned to a field where rustic ,^orts were engaged in. Afterwards an adaress of welcome was read, and. the^ proceedings ter- minated with a display of lire v. oi*.s. MERTHYR. YOUVG CHBISTIAN ASSOCIATIO-N.-The half-yearly district ^me^tmg o: ae^egat^^repre- ScTations in the South Wales Union was held >n Thursday at -Merthyr Mr T. H. bailey nresided Mr Xichois, of Swansea, read an excellent paper on "Bible-ciass Work, upon which a discussion followed. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Abermorlais-hail. CouxxT COURT.-At this court on Thunday- before-Mr Howell Jeffreys snol a juiy-a commis- sion agent named Thomas H. Tnomas, residing at Twvnrodm, sued John Evans, a carrier, &c" living near INew Quay, Cardiganshire, for the recovery ot £1212, Id. Mr T. Puiliiiis appeared for the plaint.2, and Air J. Piews for the deien- dant. In Jiovember plamtitf purchased from Evans several casks of butter at Is Id per lb, and disposed of them to Messrs Price Bros., 01 Troedyrhiw. Alter a time it was found that iour cask, contained butter of very inferior quality, and they were reIUlned to Tnomas and SOld by auction. The jury came to the conclusion that no warranty was given, and returned a verdict for the defendant.

"LOST A'D FOUND-" During the present war in the Soudan, it is continually reported that 611"e 01 our br ae soldiers are missini.% many of them, no aoubt, lost through some iittJS care.essness on th^n part. h, is also o; frequent occurrence that on account of the great scarcity of water, our men are compelled to drink from stagnant pools, and the i consequence often is blood poisoning, requiting in sickness aud deatu. Impurity of the blood is an Uinversal complaint m this country, Y, in every station u: life, causeci by impure food, Lirh-ik, cold, wet, chills, etc., and it requires a special remedy to purify t 'is vital fluid, thereby clean-;na: the system of every disease. It is now ;ii acknowledged fact tha; Hughes's Blood Pills'' is a speci il and powerful medicine for purifying the blood and strengthe ing the system, cur;ng, Scurvy, skin Diseases. Liver ComDlaints, Indigestion, Dys»>eysi HeaAacli U14 Sore, Boils, 1 theum tisin and N>- re Afferti^ns. Itestoring to the System the ptrieet il ,]th wh en was lost. Tnousands yearly testify to tIllS iact,-Sold at Is lid, 2s Sd. and 14s bli m.

SPOaTiNS ITEMS. Thebes. w-io looks vi-onaerfuiiy putiei :iard for her Lead on Thursday, as she followed Energy in a nice gallop of a little over a mile. Highland Chief all right. Tne opposition whieti broke out. against him was entirely cue to tne v.efeat cf his -table companion, The L'aupiiin, who was in tbe trial with Be.Jot;:n an:i "the Chief.' liie Jockey CluohaE g-jven the three candidate* for toe post of starter a trial at Newmarket dur- 102 tiie week, and, i'Saidtis Custauce, Mi KCoert I'Anson and M. J. j.TGeo:„e, hare oSci- ated with the Sag. Archer reanced dov.j to 3st 60. ro ride Est-eri ng MU Thursday, ana it may prettv well be taken f'.r grange 1 tnat this is about zMe lowm$ wt-igut ,.t wtic;: tne leaa.3g rurseman can .go to scale. Mr Waring, of tue Besa.n.m House Stud, b" s'J?tained a.severe loss in toe death or a magnifi- cent yearling filly by Robert the I >evd out of Strategy,'wno managed to break Her tnign. e c.-mnur.ee vi die Newmarket lioouas have-, dec-idea that .Schemer, who was disqualified for the Farmer's Maiden Piate at Ivjigby, on the ground of insufficient description, is entitled to the bets. riT.. r'.iaiie is in the private list. Every he is soid for should be equally, divided among his many disappointed backer^, Barloiv, the cricketer, lot-is unco-nmoniy well, a.nd even so early as now Has near y every date filled up for more than five months. Next week lie-takes, a very line team, inc.udtng Mr A. N. IL'rnLv, Jjoms Hail, A. Watson, K. P».iing, F. Sugg. E. i'eate, and that arrat.c youth Tom Euiuiett, re play Eig'iteea of K-amsbottoxn and District. At Ensom next week all the ft ve-tuvjong races wid be run on the new course. Maciii.'ihc u has not been scra'cosd Iv: tne City .iu _i in'i. Mottv> ior jjurlington-sfreet— -i In aouut, is.ve our." E.rteriing uears a wooderiui resemblance to Apiu^y, uu. 011 a ruacii larger -scale, and stands, < n a .iv/era. sixteen," to auopt *v orda of ills owner, wno .'as a colt foal by Camballo ^)Ut oi the 0),.] mare, wincu is her only produce since breeding aiiursday's winner. A great improvement has been carried out by wi^eaiug paveimn: 0.1 WE. ^abicripaon iioom side 0: the Hitiu-treet of Newmarket, the -ibour'l(, d of which i., now well lighted at lht, An oifer was made at Newmarket on Thursday t,) take e.ght j.ionkeys about Paradox winning the Iwo Tnousand, and twenty m.mkeys that he wins the Guinea-, Deroy, and Grand Prix de Pans. Had Archer not got home first on Esterling in the Craven Stakes, every jockey's name riding a winner on Tliursaay would have, commenced with a W." Weub was second to Archer on Present Times, and the successtul jockeys wita a W at the beginning of their names were W oou on Zadig, We.don on Counterieit, NViall on Beau Nash. Wood on Miss Westbourue, Weob on Luc, aud Watts on Campanile. Weil, Well Esterling can, it is said by some, oe made a few pouuus better uy the Deroy, and should any- thing go wrong with Meiton, ae may again have Archer on his back. On the otner hand, Esterling has a joint decidedly enlarged, and may stand but little work on hard ground. On Tnursday he wure only a drab cloth over the weak part, and it could instantly be seen that he is not at all adapted to come down the hill for the Derby, a race for which some adventurous people recently backed him. He is a chestnut, with a grand- looking top and plenty of length, but the best of him lies in his tine symmetry and fashionable connections. The following items are gathered from Vanity Fai;Durin.- the thirty years that with more or less chronoliigicai accuracy may be said to have witnessed tne rise and progress of Punchestown Chases, there probably never was such an in- flux of v.-hat the Nationalist Press calls foreigners" into Ireiand as on Sunday and Monday last,—Mr Mauue, who showed such good (if somewhat illegitimate) sport inPau last season, is among the masters of hounds who are about to resign the horn of office. A hard-riding Irish baronet is spoken of as his probable succes- sor.-T.iere, are some very good horses engaged in the City and Suburban this year and it will be a great triumph for the Dowager Duchess should her beautiful mare, Thebais, pull through. She has a tremendous weight to carry, but she has always run well at Epsom, and her victory is not bv any means in-iposs i tile. -The Italians are beginning to take a very keen interest in racing. The rearmg of thoroughbreds is patronised by King Humoert (who founded the Derby), by the Minister of Agriculture, and by many other official personages.

THE FATAL FIRE IN LONDON. The child, Elizabeth Chandler, injured in escaping from the burning oil shop in the borough yesterday, died at Guy's Hospital to-day. The voung woman who threw the cnildren from the window, and afterwards jumped out herself,is not expected to recover.

ARCHIDIACONAL VISITATION. AT CARMARTHEN. On Thursday the Archdeacon of GarmfcrtbWl met the clergy and churcawariens at SL. Peters Church, Carmarthen, for the purpose or deliver- ing his annual charge. He dealt with toe pro- gress of the Churcn 1ll Carmarthenshire since his last visitation. Among tne otner subjects dealt with bv the archdeacon were the use of com- mendatory letters for persons removing frl-Ift one parish to another, the St. David's Diocesan I and, the Incorporated C:mrc, Ie" Building Society, and the Archidiaconal Board of Education.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. The Ocean Collieries' Sliding- scale Audit. One-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Reduction. Our Pontypridd reporter writes on Friday The sliding-scaie audit t.ir the Ocean Collieries. Rbondda and Ogmore Valleys, has been made known. It gives a reduction of wage of one-and- a-quarter per cent. Our Treorky reporter writes:—In accordance with an agreement made between the proprietors of the Ocean Collieries and tneir workmen, dated the 25th September, 1SS2, Messrs J. (2. Kirk and Co., Leeds, attended at the offices of Messrs D. Davies and Co and careiuliy examined their books and accounts for the three months ending the 31st March, 1885, and found that according to the terms of the agreement the rate of wages to be paid for the ensuing three months is the staa- dard or a reduction of 3 i in the £ on that of the previous three months. The employees generally received the announcement with surprise and dis- satisfaction. During the past few months the collieries have worked on an average about five days per week. Tne Gelli-Pentre and Tynybedw Collieries have worked full time for the past five months, although some of the collieries in the surrounding district have been exceedingly slow.

FORMATION OF A NATIONAL LAND COMPANY. Lord Carnarvon presided on Friday at Williâ Rooms, London, over a very large and influential meeting, convened for the purpose of establishing a national land company to buy land in large quantities, and to sell it in small lots on ease terms of purchase. His lordship was supported on the plat-orm by the Duke of Argyll, the Marquis of ilipoa, and between 53 and 40 noblfr men and members of Parliament. A lettaf having been read from Lord Derby approving the scheme. Lord Carnarvon said the promoters had 110 desire t,) einbark in farming. Tneir o-ject was to encourage small holdings, and, from per- sonal experience, he could say that if vniall holdings oe well situated, they paid qu well as large ones. The present time was f.vourabln for their undertaking, and mere was no reason that he could see ,v ;,y it should not be crowned with 6ucce-s, Duke of Argyll said it was tne oeject qt the landowner to m ke tsv,, biades o. gra> grow where only one g-rew b»f"re, and tie to see an increase in the miurrt <.r ongagad ni the oenericnt wi)"k.- tit.-in ,(1 support of the scheme and appoaiuug a provisional efNgf mittee were wwwt,

THE SOUDAN WAR. Defeat of the Mahdi. [REUTERIS TELEGRAM.] DOXGOLA, Saturday.-Reporbs have reached here confirming ths defeat of the Mahdi's troups in Kor lofan. Abouanga, one of the Mahdi's lieut- enants, was killed. The troops at Omdurman are wavering in their allegiance to the Mahdi. A paper emanating from air orthodox Mussulman refuting the Mai'di' Cia.r.i- li hein# circulated among the native p";>u:at o by whom it is eagerly read.

The Roya! Visit to Ireland eo. BELFAST, Saturday.—The Prince and Princess of Wales landed from the Osborne this morning at Donegal Quay, and proceeded direct for thd Northern Counties railway station, en route for the Duke of Abercorn's mansion at Baron's Court, and Derry. The scene in the streets was one of an unmixed enthusiasm, the enormous crowds cheering to the echo. All along the lough the ships dipped their flags and fired salutes. Addresses were presented from the Port and Harbour Commissioners and other local bodies, and great crowds surrounded the station, display ing flags and banners, and accompanied by bands from various Orange rnd Conservative lodges. Up to this point the weather had been splendid, but dark clouds began to roll up threatening rain on arrival at Londonderry, it is now arranged that the Prince will depart from Lame on Mon- day, instead of Carrickfurgus, crossing to Stranraer.

South Wales Assizes. Deferred Sentences. At the South Wales Assizes to-day, before Mr Justiee Field, Arthur Winchcombe, clerk, for forgery at Swansea, was sentenced to nine months' imprison ment. Richard Finn. for bigamy, was sentenced to two months' hard labour. William Capel, for indecent assault, was sentenced to two years. The Penarth Manslaughter Case. John Blackboraugh, seaman, was charged with the manslaughter of James Empson at Ponarth 'in March last. Mr B. F. Williams and Mr Abel Thomas prosecuted, and Mr Arthur Lewis defended prisoner. Mr Francis Williams, in opening the case, detailed the facts, and said he believed when the evidence was heard the jury would be of opinion that the use of the knife was, under the circumstances, unjustifiable, and that, therefore, they must find the prisoner guilty of man- slaughter. Inspector King then described his meeting with the deceased in Glebe-street after he had been bounded by the prisoner. Subsequently he charged the prisoner in the presence of the de- ceased. Deceased said to prisoner, You have done for me at last," whereupon the prisoner replied, "You have blackened my eyes and broken my nose on one or two occasions." A knife was subsequently brought to witness, and prisoner admitted it was his. It bore stains of olood. cuts having been shewn in deceased clothes cor- responding with the wounds on his body. The son of the prisoner was called. He is an intelligent boy, and described with the greatest clearness how deceased had been forbidden the house by his father. How he had lodged with his (witness's) mother for nine weeks while the (irisoner was away, paying no money for his odging; how deceased defied prisoner to turn hiin out of the house; how the prisoner then left; and how on his return a few minutes later, he found the door of the house fastened against him. It was sub- sequently opened, and deceased confronted prisoner with a knife in one hand and a bottle in the other, expressing his intention cf killing the prisoner if he attempted to enter. The bottle was taken from the deceased by prisoner's wife, and then deceased struck prisoner a blow on the face. Witness then ran off for a policeman. William Jenkins and Mrs Mary Ann Nelson described the circumstances attending the struggle, after which P.C. Thomas proved apprehending the prisoner, an Mr John Griffiths the finding of the bloodstained kmte. Medical evidence having been given, the case on behalf of the crown was closed, No evidence being called for the defence, Mr Williams addressed the jury for the prose- 'cution, after which Mr Arthur Lewis gave an able address for the defence, first of all conten- ding that the wound was very likely caused through the deceased falling on a knife, and then, that even supposing prisoner did cause the fatal wound, it was in self-defence, and, therefore, justified. The judge summed up apparently in favour of prisoner. A verdict of guilty was returned, and sentence was deferred till Monday. At this stage it was found too late to complete the Cardiff shooting case if it were begun, and I it was decided not to open it till Monday morn- ing.

LOCAL BILLS IN PARLIAMENT. I At a. rather late hour on Friday evening the following local Railway Bills were grouped before the Lords' Committee, of which Lord Hather- too is the chairman. The other members of the committee are Lords Manners, De Ross, Clifton, and Clifford of Chudleigh. Thes, bill as at present arranged, will be taken in the following order, commencing on Tuesday morning:—Cardiff and Penarth Extension Railway; the Barry Dock and Railway Bill the Bute Dock Amalgamation with the Taff Vale Railway Company; the Rhymney Railway Bill; the Tafi Vale Bill, and the Cardiff and Monmouthshire Railway Bill. As some of the leading counsel are engaged on other bills, » change, to suit their convenience, flaay be made in the order in which the bills are taken.

ENTERTAINING a PROSPECTIVE BURGLAR AT 8T MELLONS. 1-At Newport county police-court, to-day, Charles IntYre, a. yont about 19 years of age, was with being on the premises of Mr for an'"9 Cope, Quarry Hi]} House, St Mellons, fFrida \QlawtuI PurPose- About nine o'clock last I* evening, the Prosecutor's suspicions were • J by the uneasiness of the dogs, and on goin„ to thfl front door he saw the lower Part of Prisoner's body beneath s.fLf t,ttees a. few Paces distant. j f 1 opposed it was one of the dogs which bad got loose, but subsequently he ascertained that it Was prison6r. His man-servant gave chasei. „» Prisoner ultimately captured crouching under a walk He had no shoes or stockings on, but was carrying a good pair of boots.. -V'soner was taken into the kitchen, and as he said he hungry, prosecutor considerately fcave bim some bread anc* cheese and a glass of souer aftervvards admitted that he had ,led the house, which is *wul ,t.nle Welds in order to escape 9bservation, and that he intended to break into it. Police-constable Hole afterwards received the the prisoner into custody, when he repeated the statement that he meant to break into the house if he could not find anything portable outside to take away. lIe did not mean to take anything very valuable; only something to relieve his necessities. Prisoner denied having made this statement, and, on being asked whether he had anything to a.y in answer to the charge, replied in broad scotch, no more to the likes of you." The magistrates sentenced the prisoner to one month's imprisonment.

THE PANAMA INSURRECTION. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] NEW YOUK, Saturday Morning.—OFFICIAL des- patches which have reached here from Panama, state that the rebels having threatened to attack American property, a body of United States troops advanced agajtifit them and opened fire. The rebels were dispMed, one of their number being killed, and three wounded. General Aizpurn and other leaders have been arrested. The French consul have protested against the steps taken by the American commander. The uews has created some excitement here.

CABINET COUNCIL. A Cabinet Council was held to-day at noon at Mr Gladstone's official residence, Downing-street. All the ministers were present excepting Earl Spencer.

TO-DAY'S POLICE. CARDIFF. Nox-MAINTENANCE.—At the police-court to-day -before the }Iay,)r (Sir A. i uiton)—Thomas Henry Walsh, an ironworker, was cnarged, on a warrant with neglecting to maintain his child, Alice, who was now cnargeabie to the Cardiff Union. The case was proved by Mr Pritcfcard, warrant ufficer t.. the Cardiff Guardians. The child was by a former wife. Deiendaut left her and went to Cwmbran, where he married aga n, uad though ivr.tten to by Mr Prit-.aarii, he never took any notice of the' letter. The beach sent, him to prison for fourteen days with hard labour. took any notice of the letter. The bench sent him to prison for fourteen days with hard labour. —

Newmarket Notes. (iv Otil..vrWMAiiMin CoilITILSL'O.N'OENX.> NEWMARKET, Saturday.—On the racecourse side Blanton's Mechlin and Risin:,ha:n galloped one mile I. fcooitrwici aiid 'ineoais a,alloped one mile and a quarter, isherrard's Spectrum and Kinjwood going nearly two mile*. Enoch's Arnaifi, Prism, ana •VarpatU negotiated a mile and a half -t Helena wen one iniie and a quarter. J. Da.vr:ou's, jun., Prince Rudoinh and Uiab:and Chief were sent one mile and a hull s Louis ciOr g ung two niiies Mid a quarter. Cannon Poieauc aa.i L_. netts c-,t galloped one miie and a half. T. Jennings s, .en., Hermitage, XaiiKiaihes, and Arch.(iu!! ci;id useiuimile work, whilst Matthew Dawson's file LainbKin and Langwell gallopea oneniiiranu a quIrLer, Paliadio am! Meiton jiomg a simLar Jùp.J e\nct, yaeen A .eiaioe anu Cnoaecte col: grfbopeu a-ltt.e over a rude, C. Archers Aobots- ford an t illlue As'ts being sent it similar gallop. On tiie Bury side Jarviss astdale, Tue Prii.ce, Gracchus, and Gaiiauo cjuipa-red a miie. J. Daw- son's, sen.. Pe-aita I!, and Child of the Mist went one mile and a quarter; Uurr\ s^ Diss. Orcnid, Leeds and iirocken going one miie Barrister and Itenny galloped two mile". whdst MacMa.Uon only cantereu, .-her > ood's Putcbinan and Florence went one mile and a quarter; Hopper's Bookworm and Hungerford going tne same distance, Kyan's Golden Rav galloped a littb over a mile Golden Light being sent one mile.

ABANDONMENT OF THE RAIL- WAV RATES BILLS. To-day's Standard states that at a meeting of the Railway Association yesterday it was determined to' abandon the nine railway bills now before Parliament