Barry Dock News

THE CASTLE LINE FOR THE GOLDFIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA Royal Mail Steamers. WEEKLY PASSENGER SERVICE London, Southampton, Flush- ing, Hamburg, Madeira, Grand Canary, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Algoa Bay, Port Alfred, East London, Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Calling at ST. HELENA and ASCENSION at stated intervals. The Goldfields of South Africa. The principal gold-mining districts are the De Kaa'p (chief town, Barberton), the Komati, and the Witwatersrand (chief town, Johannesberg), in the Southern portion the Eersteling (Pieters- burg) Fields in the Northern part of the Trans- vaal and the Swarzieland Mines. Gold is also being worked near Zeerust and Malmani (on the River Tugela), on the Natal border of Zululand, at Umzinto, on the Coast of Natal, near Goschen in Becnuanaland, and at Millwood-the centre of the Kynsna gold-bearing district. A descriptive article on the Gold Fields will be found in South Africa and How to reach it by the Castle Line." The Rates of Passage Money— from 10 Guineas- Includes a liberal table, and the use of beds, bed ding, and all cabin linen and furniture. ROUTES TO THE GOLD FIELDS. Via BLOEMFONTEIN AND VEREENGIXG OR via KIMBERLEY AND VRYBURG.—This is a very com- fortable and expeditious means of reaching the fields. From Cape Town or Algoa Bay travellers orocecd by rail via Colesberg, and Bloemfontein to Vereeniging, which is within 34 miles of Johannes- oerg, and then by coach or waggon. This line is oeing extended and is expected to be open to Johannesberg in July. There is also another route by rail via Kimberley to Vryburg and thence by ''1'C'oA I" Via NATAL.-This -is a convenient route to the I Transvaal Gold Fields; and occupies about 50 hours. The journey is performed by rail fsom Durban to Ladysmith, 189 miles-, or Charlestown, 303 miles, and thence by post-cart, coach or waggon to Barberton, Johannesberg, Moodies (De Kaap), or the other mining centres. This line is also being extended towards Johannesberg. The following table will show approximately the distances, time occupied, and cost of travelling by these routes. The fares by coach vary consider- ably from time to time. Beside the coaches much cheaper means of travelling are afforded by waggons. KIMBERLEY & VRYBURG ROUTE. Miles Hours. Capetown to Kimberley by rail 647 321 Capetown to Vryburg by rail 774 39 Capetown to Vereeniging via Bloem- fontein 963 51 Algoa Bay to Kimberley by rail 485 27 Vereenigingto Johannesbergby coach 34 6 Kimberley to Johannesberg by coach 298 53 Vryburg to Johannesberg by coach 240 36 Kimberley to Pretoria by coach 340 60 Kimberley to Barberton by coach 524 132 NATAL ROUTE. Durban to Ladysmith by rail 189 15 Durban to Biggarsburg — — Durban to Charlestown 303 211 Charlestown to Johannesberg 130 29 Ladysmith to Johannesberg by coach 245 60 Ladysmith to Pretoria by coach 310 80 Biggarsburg to Barberton by coach 280 90 Ladysmith to Eersteling by wagon from Pretoria 480 — Tickets for the Railway Journey from Cape Town or Durban can be obtained from Messrs. DONALD CURRIE & CO. 0 THE MASHONALAND GOLD- FIELDS AND THE TERRITORY OF THE CHARTERED BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY. The route to this Territory is by Rail from Cape Town to Vryburg (see above), and thence by Waggon or Coach. The Railway is being rapidly extended towards Mafeking and Shoshong. Another route is also being opened via Beira. Further Particulars apply to the Managers- Donald Currie & Co., 2, 3 and 4, Fenchurch-street, London, E.C.; 15, Cross-street, Manchester; 25, Castle-street, Liverpool; and40, St. Enoch-square, Glasgow. Or to the Local Agent Lewis Lewis, AUCTION MART, lIOLTON-ROAD, BARRY DOCK. 23, DUKE-STBEET, CARDIFF, 137, COMMERCIAL-STREET, NEWPORT. Lewis & Lewis Beer to remind those who are about to furnish that they are Practical Manufacturers, and rank foremost in South Wales as CABINET MAKERS AND UPHOLSTERERS Their aim is not only to gain New Customers, but to retain them afterwards by supplying goods of a RELIABLE AND DURABLE QUALITY, thereby securing the confidenee of the Public Purchasers are respectfully requested to examine for themselves the extensive stocks of FURNITURE, CARPETS, CURTAINS, DECORATIONS Artistic and inexpensive, suitable for any residence. All orders are subject to our personal supervision ESTIMATES [GIVEN AND REMOVALS EFFECTED. WINDOW BLINDS, CORNICE POLES, LINOLEUMS, FLOOR CLOTHS Of Every Description. Lewis & Lewis 23, DUKE-STREET, CARDIFF, 137, COMMERCIAL-STREET, NEWPORT. HIGH-CLASS TEAS HIGH-CLASS TEAS MAZAWATTEE HIGH-CLASS TEAS HIGH-CLASS TEAS MAZAWATTEE Nothing of late years m seems to have escaped the craze for cheapness at the sacrifice of Real Qaulity. AZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE TEA has been singled m out as fair game for the onslaught of advertisers, who have vied with each MAZAWATTEE other to deprave the taste m of the public by appealing to their pockets at the expense of their palates. j^j"AZAWTATTEE MAZAWATTEE The public, nauseated with the rubbish that has been so persistently forced upon them, have hailed with gratitude the advent MAZAWATTEE of the MAZAWATTEE TEAS. MAZAWATTEE These high-class Teas LvJ have met a long-felt want, and it is universally acknowledged that they AZAWATTEE "MAZAWATTEE RECALL THE jLVJL DELICIOUS CHINA TEAS OF THIRTY YEARS AGO. M AZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE "The standard brand I for 'fine quality.' Dis- tinctly tea of the highest character elevating the j^J~ AZAWATTEE public taste." MAZAWATTEE Prices-1/10, 2/ 2/4, m 2/10, and 4/- per lb in 1-lb, -g-lb, and I-lb packets; 2 and also 3-lb and 6-lb Tins. "MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE TEAS iVI are skilfully blended by experienced specialists, and can be absolutely relied upon for their un- ]yj~AZAWATTEE varying excellence. AZAWATTEE MAZA W ATTEE.-Thb m brand on the packet is a guarantee of purity, MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE is ad mittect to be Tea in per- fection. MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE is sold J onlv in air-tight Lead < Packets and in her- metically-sealed Tins. The colossal sales total to con- MAZAWATTEE siderably over 14,000,000 m (fourteen millions) packets yearly. MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE TEA is a boon to Dyspeptics. It is recommended by the Medical Press for persons 1YJAZAWATTEE of weak digestion. MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE TEA is sold throughout the United Kingdom by over 5,000 (five thousand) speci- ally appointed Agents, MAZAWATTEE leading local Family Gro- cers. MAZAWATTEE MAZAWATTEE TEA J3'JL is retailed in 1-lb i-lb., and å-lb. Lead Packets, 4 and in handsome 3, 6, and MAZAWATTEE 10-lb. Tins at 1/10,2/ 2/4, 2/10 and 4/- per lb. "MAZAWATTEE HIGH-CLASS TEAS IVi HIGH-CLASS TEAS HIGH-CLASS TEAS HIGH-CLASS TEAS m AZAWATTEE RECALL THE MAZAWATTEE DELICIOUS CHINA m TEAS OF THIRTY YEARS AGO AZAWATTEE HIGH-CLASS TEAS MAZAWATTEE HIGH-CLASS TEAS m HIGH-CLASS TEAS HIGH-CLASS TEAS ^j" AZAWATTEE SOLD BY LEADING GROCERS ^AZAWATTEE d^S°SGI"OM. Sold by :— & GRIFFIN & DAVIES.Vere-street, Cadoxton. C. J. THOMAS, 92, High-street, Barry. GRIFFIN & DAVIES, South Wales Pro- vision Stores, Holton-Barry. THOMAS WALTERS, 17, Main-street, Cadoxton.

BARRY AND CADOXTON GAS AND WATER BILL. EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST THE LOCAL BOARD'S BILL. TERMS OF THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. SPECIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. The Barry and Cadoxton Local Board Bill came before a Select Committee of the House of Com- mons on Tuesday, the 14th instant. Mr H. J. Roby presided, and there were present Sir James Kitson, Sir George Chesney, and Mr Mildmay. The object of the Bill is to authorise the Local Board to acquire the undertakings of the Gas and Water Companies, and Mr Pembroke Stephens and Mr Baggallay, instructed by Mr J. A. Hughes, solicitor, Cadoxton, appeared for the promoters (the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board), and the opponents of the Bill were represented by Mr Cripps, Q.C., and Mr Robson, Q.C., instructed by Messrs Downing and Hancock, solicitors, Cardiff. Amongst those present were Alderman J. C. Meggitt, Mr J. C. Pardoe, General Lee, Mr George Thomas, Mr H. Snell (Lord Windsor's surveyor), Mr A. J. Harris (clerk to the Cardiff Board of Guardians), Mr J. A. Hughes (clerk to the Local Board), Mr G. C. Downing (solicitor to the Company), Mr Linton (Aberdare), Mr J. A. B. Williams (the Company's consulting engineer), Mr Edmund Handcock, Mr J. B. Ferricr, Mr Lewis Williams, Mr F. M. Harris (secretary and engineer of the Company), Mr Waite, Mr Brown, Mr H. L. Grover, Mr J. Robinson (the chairman of the Local Board), and Mr C. A. Walker, C.E. (the Board's consulting engineer) Mr Pembroke Stephens explained that the Barry district was one which had sprung up of late years. By the census of 1881 the population was 496. It was then a mere viliage on the sea- shore. In 1891 the population had risen to 12,671, and in the present year it was estimated at considerably over 14,000. In 1836 the ratable value amounted to JB2,220, in 1887 it had grown to £ 10,949, in 1883 to £ 15,400, in 1889 to £17,600, in 1890 to J355,900, in 1891 to £114,400, in 1892 to £127,000, and in the present year, as nearly as could be made out, to £ 132,000, so that whether they took population IlJr ratable value, the growth of the district had beta excellent, and the in- crease in the number of houses told the same story. In 1884 there were 80 houses in district, last year 2,500, and this year it was calculated there were about 3,400 houses. Uvder any head whatever the rise was simply unprecedented. In recent years the opinion had grown up, and been more and more accepted by the public, that the management of certain matters, such as water, should be entrusted to the local authorities and taken out of private hands. For this reason- that since the passing of the Public Health Act, the duty had been laid upon the local authority of seeing that all the houses in the district had a proper supply of water. Of course there was machinery to enforce this requirement now, but it was obvious that the power of supply should be in the hands of the local authority. The local Board for Barry and Cadoxton was formed in 1888, but before that the Barry Dock Company had obtained its Act in 1884, authorising it to execute certain works in the district, and very soon afterwards—viz. ,1886—the Gas and Water Company was formed, and precured an Act for gas and water purposes. In 1889 the company came to Parliament for new and different powers, and in that Bill the company inserted a clause—a voluntary, not a compulsory clause—enabling them to sell and enabling the Local Board to buy on terms, and distinrt^.lv<ropniryiiain.'jro»-h £ .n»i!»ijw^«w of purchase. The Local Board at that time was not in the position it is now to go into the matter, and it petitioned a Government Bill. Under the Act of 1886 the Gas and Water Company was authorised to raise £36,000 share capital and £ 9,000 borrowing powers, in all a share and loan capital of £ 85,000. In 1891 the com- pany seemed to have ccnsidered that they were getting near the end of their resources, and in 1892 they introduced a Bill for conferring further powers upon them to enable them to ex- tend their operations. The reason for that Bill as given by the directors in their report v as that the business was increasing and that they were extending their ma ns to Cadoxton and other portions of the district, euabling them to supply new houses with gas and water, and to provide a better supply for the purposes of public lighting. Mr Stephens said that when the company was promoting its Bill in 1892 a considerable amount of correspondence took plac3 between the Local Board, the solicitors of the Gas and Water Com- pany, and the officials of the company. The solicitors seemed to have recognised the existence of the desire and the possibility of purchase, but,, the officials acted in a very prevaricating way. In reply to a letter from the solicitors, the clerk to the Local Board wrote that the Parliamentary Committe of the Local Board would be prepared to recommend the Board to apply for the inser- tion of a clause giving the Board power to pur- chase the whole undertaking by arbitration, the the Board paying the cost. On the 10th February, 1892, the engineer of the company wrote regret- ting that the company could not accede to the Local Board because the Bill had been deposited. That was really no difficulty, said Mr Stephens, because the Board had offered to defray the entire cost of the proceedings before the Standing Orders Committee. Then followed a letter on behalf of the company, asking how the Local Board justified its departure from a resolution arrived at in L888. There was no suggestion that there was anything harsh or unusual in the Board being prepared to take over the undertak- ing in in 1892 and not in 1888 because in the latter year the main drainage system was incom- plete. The Local Board then summoned a meet- ing of ratepayers, who cordially approved of the action taken by the Board. Mr Stephens added that the company were manufacturing gas on lands which they were prohibited from using by their own Act of 1886, and the company was liable to an injunction fur doing what they were prohibited from doing by their own Act. The company was also in default as regarded the separate accounts which they were required by Act of Parliament to keep, and he argued that if ever there was a company ready for transfer according to all ordinary precedents this company was. Mr J. C. Meggitt, an alderman of the Glamor- gan County Council, said he had been a member of the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board since its formation. During the last ten years Barry had developed into an exceedingly active commercial place. Barry hcid, however, suffered severely from an inadequate supply of water—in 1887 there was something like a water panic -and considerable extensions were required in the interests of the town, which the Local Board would be prepared to undertake. Since the present Bill had been introduced the locality had petitioned in its favour. In cross-examination by Mr Robson, the witness I said he agreed with the opening statement of Mr I Stephens that the water companies had always been willing to sell their undertakings. At the meeting of ratepayers he was reported to have spoken in a contrary sense, but he must have been misreported. Of course, in that speech he meant they were not anxious to sell except on their own terms. In its earlier stages the Gas and Water Company had great ditiiculty with its system, and he remembered that 1887 was one of the driest years within living memory. During the great drought they sank wells and gave the inhabitants a free supply, but refused to pay the cost of the water carts. Up to 1889 the company was in difficulties with regard to sources of supply. It was a hilly district, and the roads were poor, but notwithstanding these and many other difficulties, the Local Board thought the requirements of the district would increase and the Gas and Water Company would turn out well. At present the rate of Barry was Is 6d in the L, and there was an indebtedness of something like £ 50.000, but he did not hear it stated at the meeting of ratepayers by Mr Lewis Lewis that it they acquired the gas and water undertakings the rate would go up to 5s in the L. The company had agreed to the purchase of the undertakings by agreement. Mr George Thomas, an architect and surveyor at Cardiff, said he was a member of the Barry and Cadoxton Local Board and chairman of the Public Works Committee of that body. He had long known the district of Barry, and had noticed its surprising development. At the present time the company was not supplying either gas or water on the sides of the local Board area. At the pre- sent time there was an apprehension in the dis- trict of a reoccurrence of the dearth of water of 1887, and there was a very strong feeling in the district in favour of the Local board possessing the powers of supply, and it was felt that it was a question of now or never, because if the com- pany got increased borrowing powers the purchase price would run up beyond what the Local Board could give. It was felt that the undertakings could be bought cheaper now than when they had been developed, but that was not the reason why they asked for unique powers. Their application was based on public policy. Major-General Lee (retired Major-General) said besides belonging to many public bodies in Glamorganshire, he was a member of the Barry Local Board, and most thoroughly concurred in all that had been said by previous witnesses with regard to the gas and water undertakings. The only difference between the company and the Local Board was that the former desired a clause enabling them to sell, and the Local Board required a clause desiring them to sell. Mr Joseph Charles Pardoe, surveyor to the Local Board, said that portions of the company's works had been constructed on unauthorised lands. He agreed with the evidence of the previous witnesses. At this stage the Committee adjourned till (Wednesday). WEDNESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The Bill again came before the select committee on Wednesday. The evidence of Mr J. C. Pardoe, surveyor to the Local Board, was concluded under the exami- nation of Mr Baggallay. The witness said the area of the site on authorised land was 2 acres, 2 roods, 39 perches, and the area of the site on un- authorised land was 2 acres, 2 roods, 14 perches, so that after making allowance for the limits of deviation, one half of the site of the works was on unauthorised land. He had compared the prices charged for gas in the Barry and Cadoxton dis- trict with prices charged in other districts where circumstances were fairly similar, for purposes of comparison, viz. :—Newport, Cardiff, Bridgwater, Merthyr, Neath, Aberdare, Abergavenny, &c. In Barry 4s 2d per 1,000 feet was charged with a discount for prompt payment. In Newport 3s 2d was charged in Abergavenny, 3s 2d Cardiff, Bridgwater (Somersetshire), and Penarth, 3s; Neath, 3s 4d Merthyr, 3s 8d to the private con- sumer, and 3s 2d to the local authority; and in Aberdare, 4s to the Local Board, and 4s 3d to the private consumer. He had heard complaints as to the quality of the gas, but each time he had tested it he had found it to be above the authorised number of candles. In reply to Mr Cripps, the witness admitted that at a number of other places fairly comparable with the local conditions of Barry, the prices charged were higher than in Barry. ■ Mr H. Snell, M.Inst.C.E., said he lived at Penarth, and was surveyor to Lord Windsor's estate. He had made a survey of the works of the Barry and Cadoxton Company, and verified Mr Pardoe's plans. He found that one-half of the works were constructed on unauthorised lands. Mr J. Arthur Hughes, clerk to the Local Board at Barry, produced the correspondence between the Local Board and the solicitor to the company. Mr Henry Rolfe, civil engineer, was next called. Speaking from the accounts of the company as to the expenditure after the Act of 1889, the witness ) said that at the end of lRQR oc&x:ps&y u,~>a\x spent jM9,961 2s 3d in regard to water, or £ 6,90C odd beyond their authorised capital; and with regard to water and gas they had spent £96,000 odd, or £11,000 beyond the total authorised capital of £ 85,000. Therefore, the company had not a shilling to supply the town with, but was considerably overspent, and it was not in Parlia- ment this year either to cure the over-expenditure or to ask for more money, though they themselves estimated that they would require £ 2,000 a year for ordinary extensions. The company had not been in the habit until 1892 of keeping separate gas and water accounts, as the Act required them to do. The witness spoke of other irregularities in the accounts at some length. Mr Cripps then opened the case against the Bill. What were the suggestions made by the promoters of the Bill, and what were the reasons urged why in this case a special line should be taken by compulsory purchase by the Local Board ? There was an allegation that the com- pany wanted money. But the position was exactly the opposite. Such was the strength of the company, such was their credit, that they had been able to carry ofct their obligations both as regarded gas and water without any serious com- plaint up to the present time and as regarded both their undertakings there was no necessity for any further capital expenditure at the present time beyond the resources of the company. According to Mr Rolfe's evidence as regarded water, they had sufficient for four or five years, but his (Mr Cripps's) evidence would show that they had sufficient for a much longer term. The company had done its duty both as regarded water and gas, and there was not a tittle of evidence or a suggestion that they could not do the same in the future. Mr J. A. B. Williams, chief waterworks engineer to the Corporation at Cardiff, said he was consulting engineer to the Barry and Cadox- ton Gas and Water Company. After very ex- tended examination he chose the present sources of supply for the company. The present sources and means of supply were adequate for the pur- poses of the present population, and even an addition of 60 or 70 per cent. to the present population. The present daily consumption was 17 gallons per head, but theie was a great deal of waste, which he hoped in the future to prevent. In Cardiff the consumption was at the rate of 23 gallons per head per day, but from this should be deducted eight gallons per hepd for trade pur- poses, as distinct from domestic and sanitary purposes. At Penarth, a suburb of Cardiff, the consumption was at the rate of a little over 14 gallons per head per day, and he thought that at Barry it should and could reasonably be reduced to 15 gallons per head per day. The permanent works of the gas and water company were very substantial, and designed with every regard for efficiency and economy. He had never heard it suggested outside the Committee-room that there was a doubt as to the capacity of the company, either financially or with regard to the water supply, to fully meet the requirements of the dis- trict now and for some time to come. In 1888, when the company had spent some £ 3,000 odd only, they offered to hand over the whole concern, with all its rights and privileges, for something like cost price, but he thought it was most unfair that the company should be called upon com- puls rily to part with its undertaking now that it was on theeve of realising its anticipations. The proceedings were adjourned at this stage till Thursday. THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The select committee met again on Thursday at the House of Commons, Mr Roby presiding. On the assembling of the committee, Mr Pem- broke Stephens said I am able to state, with the concurrence of Mr Cripps, who is not for the moment in the room, that the Local Board and the company, since we met last evening, have considered the matter very carefully, and I am happy to say th it the company have met our views, and we have, as far as we reasonably could, I think, fairly and fully met them. The result is that an arrangement has been made which will be submitted to the committee in due course, and which will relieve them of any further trouble in deciding the case. The matter having been settled in that way, some little land must neces- sarily be taken for the purpose of getting the particulars into a satisfactory shape, and having the agreement before you and we hope it will no5 be inconvenient to you to allow the matter to atand over till Monday next, at three o'clock. It is right that I should say that there is a question not in contest between us in any way, but is a question having an important bearing on the town as regards the actual terms on which the money shall be provided for the purpose of the purchase amount paid. In the exceptional cir- cumstances of the Barry district, it is common knowledge on both sides that in recent years (or the early years in the history of the Local Board), the Local Board has had to make very large out- lays and incur great cost in the district in doing the wark incumbent upon it. We are desirous, sir-in fact, it is absolutely necessary, in the cir- cumstances of the town and district—that we should have the most favourable terms which Parliament is entitled to give us in its discretion. We shall not ask for any extreme or unusual terms but, as this is a wholly exceptional case, we think we shall get exceptional terms M r Roby We are very glad to hear the parties have come to an agreement about the case, and only wish they had come to an agreement two days ago. (Laughter.) TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT. The terms mutually arranged between the y 11 parties (as announced by telegram to the Barry Dock Xeics last week) are briefly, the Board to pay to the Company £ 152,000, and JB17,000 deben- tures to remain—total, £ 169,000. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Detailed particulars of the agreements, with comments thereon, appear in our editorial columns in the fourth page.-ED.

MR J. H. WILSON, M.P., AT BARRY DOCK. SPIRITED ADDRESS TO THE SAILORS. On Friday last Mr J. Havelock Wilson, M.P., the general secretary ;f the Sailors' and Firemen's Union, paid a visit to Barry Dock, and, in company with Mr Katharay, the new organiser uf the Bristol Channel ports, and Mr J. Harrison, local secretary of the Union, addressed a largely attended open-air meeting of sailors and tiremen near Culley's Hotel. The pro- ceedings were most enthusiastic throughout, the hon. gentleman being heartily applauded. In the course of his address, Mr Wilson earnestly enjoined the men to rejoin the Union, and thus enable a deter- mined stand to be made against the persistent attempts made by the shipowners to reduce the wages of the sailors and firemen. Some of the men had deserted the Union, and had thus played themselves into the hands of the shipowners through the medium of the Federation ticket, but he believed they bad seen their error all over the country, and were now, prepared to rejoin and again stand by the Union, which meant standing by and upholding their own interests. Last week alone no less than a h jndred new members joinel at Cardiff. Cardiff was the key to the Bristol Channel ports, and if they could only render Cardiff secure—and he was confident they would in a very short time-then they would have the whole of the channel ports under their control. Mr Wilson proceeded to condemn in strong terms the shipmongers or ship-managers, who, he said, robbed not only the men but the shareholders themselves. (" Shame.") Mr Wilson then asked those sailors and firemen present to hold up their hands who were pre- pared to support the Union, and there was at once a unanimous response. Concluding, Mr Wilson said if the men were only true to themselves and to the Union the rates of wages would soon go up again to £ 5 10s and 26 10s a month.—Mr Katharay, the 'organiser, and Mr J. Harrison, the local secretary, also addressed the gathering, and the proceedings closed with ringing cheers for Mr Wilson.

THEFT OF CLOTH IN 3 AT PENARTH. THE PRIVILEGES OF "SPRING CLEANING." At PenarLh 1> uncxoourt on Monday last (before Mr V. Trayes a nd Mr J. UuncaA. Annie Kflly, .a woman, was brought up in custody charged on remand with stealing various articles of clothing, household furniture, &c., value 20s, belonging to Louisa John, 3, Salop-street, Penarth, on the 10th ultimo.—The prosecutrix stated that prisoner obtained access to her house and carried away the things, sell- ing them on different occasions to Susannah Annie Johnson, Anrre Buckland (wife of James Buckland), and Emily Williams, making various excuses as to how she got possession of the articles-to Mrs Buck- land that they belonged to her father (who wished to dispose of them), and to Mrs Williams that they were given to her while spring cleaning" in different houses. — Police-constable Ebenezer Rees proved arresting the accused in Cardiff, and, in reply to the charge, she pleaded guilty.—Prisoner had now nothing to say.—Police-sergeant Sansom said nothing was known against the defendant before.—The Bench said the theft was a serious and deliberate one, and the accused would be sent to prison for a fortnight's hard labour, Mr Trayes at the same time strongly commenting upon the reckless conduct of the women named in buying the stolen property from the prisoner.

A STRANGE COMPANION. A story is told of Mr Edward Mayhew, the well-known veterinary surgeon, which well illus- trates the argument that much can be effected by kindness which would otherwise be impossible of accomplishment. Mayhew was of middle-age when he entered as a student at the Royal Veterinary College. His mind became confused by the new sort of com- panions he encountered, by the novel objects which surrounded him, and by the strange kind of knowledge he was expected to master. This confusion was the greater because previous habit had not rendered him familiar with horseflesh. An animal, therefore, was needed, so that refer- ence might be made to its body for an explanation of the books which the pupil was expected to comprehend. At length, in the corner of a back yard, was discovered a lonely loose-box inside there was & quadruped,|and to this place the volume wasdaily taken with various morsels of bread or vegetable. Thus between reading, feeding, examining, and caressing, many an afternoon was most pleasantly whiled away. More than a fortnight's leisure had been thus pleasantly occupied when, as Mr Mayhew was one afternoon stealing to the being which lightened the tedium of his studies, and was in the act of opening the door, a number of fellow-students detected him so engaged. Mayhew, Mayhew the group shouted as with one voice, "where are you going? Don't open thatdoor Van Amburg is there—he's a kicker and a biter You'll be killed lDon't open the door Van Amburg was a notorious racehorse, which had been sent to the college for operation," be- cause of his supposed ferocity. Yet he, a novice, had passed many an hour in his society and could not have desired a more gentle companion. We have often," says Mr Mayhew, laid long together side by side or, as I reclined upon the straw reading, Van's head would rest upon my shoulder, while a full stream of fragrant warmth would salute my cheek. Still, such a creature, so open to advances, so grateful for little kind- nesses, was a reputed savage

Y GATH. Gwrol reddf a theigrol ryw,-o osgo Gyfrwysgall ddigyfryw, Yw'r gath ystwyth, adwyth ydyw, A da'i nod am lygoden yw. MYFTR WYK