The Aberdare Times

PAUL DANFORD'S LAST DAYS. Paul Danford, from the first to the last of his career, was not one of fortune's favourites. His ex- perienceoflifewas a positive denial of the truth of all those proverbs and axioms which attest that suc- cesses alternate with failures and joy with sorrow, and that everything comes as the result of working and waiting. His case was one which proves exist- enoe to be somewhat an unequal thing, and might have occasioned a debate upon the exact where- fore some possess so much without any exertion of their own, and others so very little despite honest, unremitting effort. Even in his earliest years Paul Danford had no personal experience of childhood's pleasures. Parents, and a fair sprinkling of near relatives, had not been denied him, but their selfishness was so intense that they had no feeling left which should pass on to others who ought to have been dear as well as near." Mr. Danford had always given Paul to understand that after he was sixteen he must take care of him- self—which he did to the best of his ability. At twenty he married and set up a home in a meagre lodging; before he was twenty-five he pos- sessed three ailing children; and it is scarcely matter for surprise that on his thirtieth birthday his hair was streaked with grey, and his cheeks were hollow and sunken. He had chosen as hia wife a pretty and gentle orphan girl, who had gono through the hard ex- perience of what it is to be a Durserv governess. She had chosen poverty and Paul Danford's love in preference to the advertised salary and the unadver- tised items of hard work, unkind looks and con- temptuous treatment which had been earned in a gentleman's family. Even at the very worst—say when money was short and the three children were down with scarlet fever—I am not sure that Nelly did not rejoice in being Paul's wife instead of a governess drudge, for despite their troubles, they always loved one another. j She was a domesticated little woman who would have been the thriftiest and cheeriest mistress of some pretty home; not the least of her trials was that of bringing up her babies in the discomfort of London lodgings, with the first floor" noting and complaining of every disturbed night, and the land- lady sharp after rent and relentless in the matter of damages. In the golden days which, though a long way off, they tried to believe must dawn at last for them, Paul and his pretty, pale wife talked of some cottage in a garden, -where the children might laugh or scream without anyone to complain of the disturb- ance. He was a clerk at a small salaiy; worth more, his employers would probably have admitted, but then, as men can always be had at a small salary, why should more be given ? Fortunately for Paul, he was not without talent, as well as education, and managed to supplement his income by occasional papers and short stories which he might get published in journals and magazines when he had a little good luck. j Still, work as he might, and pinch as he might, life was very hard, and many and many a night, after cheering Nellie with hope, though his heart was sink- ing, he sat over his manuscripts "returned with thanks," or those in progress of completion, with tears in his eyes, as he thought of the dear ones who depended on him, yet for whom he seemed so power- less to provide. All through the year of 188— things had gone particularly ill with the Danfords. The winter had been unusually cold, necessitating either more fuel than ordinary or more than ordinary suffering. Nellie herself had a long bout of sickness severe enough to require the visits of a doctor; the children had whooping-cough in its worst form and Paul began to realise that work, worry and poor fare were telling seriously on his own store of strength. That one misfortune brings others in its train has crystallised into a proverb, and to all these evils were added the evil of a rise in the price of many essential articles of food, the loss by post of a manuscript story, by which the poor clerk had hoped to gain a trifle, and other minor troubles far too numerous to be set down here. The following summer was an unhealthy one, and brought to the neighbourhood where the Danfords lodged some fever of an infectious kind, and Lilla, bheir youngest child, sickened and died of it. Paul Danford had known many a heartache before this, but he fancied nothing had ever pierced him so sharply as the sight of Nelly crying over the small xomn the loss seemed worse to bear, because they both felt that could they have afforded all that rich parents can give to sick children, Lilla might have struggled back to life and health. The doctor who had visited the little thing spoke a svord of warning to the father. "You must not neglect yourself,"he said, Ie and a,void all great fatigue or sudden emotions. J per- "eive that you. Mr. Danford. are not a stroog man. I Paul smiled—a melanenoly smile it was, too. I cannot afford to take care of myself," he said, M and I suppose the constitutions of poor men must be expected to resist illness." Oh, do take care, Paul!" pleaded his wife, after- wards. You work hard at the office, and then you come home and weary yourself out writing half the night. I wish yon had married a clever woman, who could help you." "You do help me, Nelly, for you are brave and patiert through all our troubles. And as for work, the children are enough for you." Need you work so hard, Paul ?" My dear. Need I ? You know that I ought to work harder—if only I could get paid for it." Nelly sighed. There would be a doctor's bill coming in as an unwelcome extra; how were they to exist ? Paul," she said, one day, you have some rela- tions, though I have none. Would not one among them do something to help you ?" Danford shook his head. Can't they, Paul ?" They are not rich, but I suppose it is a case of won't rather than can't, Nelly. My relations have always taken as a family motto Every one for him- self.' Mrs. Danford sighed. "We have hardly any money after little Lilla's ill- ness—and Frank and Fred are weak still." I know it. Oh, Nelly, I would give my heart's blood, were it of any use, to make things easier for you God knows I try, and only God knows, my dear. why I do not succeed." You will—you must, in time, Paul," and his wife tried to smile through her tears. You are so good, and brave and patient, that surely all will get easier and better for us by-and-bye." A few more weeks passed, winter promised to set in early and with severity, and the poor clerk often went dinnerless and supperless, so as to lessen the cost of living, in the hope of finding needful food and fuel for Nelly and the two delicate boys. How long can I hold out against all this ?" he I was beginning to ask himself, for not the least of his troubles was that of realising, only too surely, that he was getting weaker, and that the risk of leaving a widow and orphans to the world's mercilessness was becoming greater. He had often thought of insuring his life, but could never spare the money for the premium; I when, wearied out by the work of the day, he threw himself on his bed, thoughts of Nelly's future came to torture him and to banish sleep. There is disinterested kindness in the world there do exist those who would give a man like me ;i ] helping hand, if I knew where to find them, but I do not know," he reflected. 'I Looking back and remembering the names of his few friends and acquaintances, poor Paul Danford's heart sank within him in regard to any help coming from them. Two, yes, of two he felt absolutely sure that they would if they could, but could not—and for the good reason that they were as hardly beset as himself. Of the others—well, had they the will ? One had been a school friend, and was now a wealthy man his name was often seen on public subscription lists, and for no small sums. But though Danford was not a bitter judge of his fellowmen, some knowledge seemed given him to understand that John Rolfe was not likely to take an interest in the sorrows and struggles of a private individual whose case would never appear in the columns of the daily papers. His employers—well, he might risk asking an advance of his salary, but there would not be much practical good in having it for the moment and going without later; besides, they were already grumbling about hard times and threatening to reduce their number of clerks, and any appeal might result in the loss of his situation. By his pen a trifle here and there would be coming in, but it was against all rule to pay before publica- tion, and even if it were granted it would be as a favour which ought not to have been asked. "We must struggle on," said the poor fellow to himself, and perhaps I shall see my way to work which will brine in money. They aav Gcd helps ihose who help themselves, but sometimes one feels inclined to doubt if it is true nowadays, whatever it may have been in the past." The winter deepened. Christmas came and went. Little Fred and Frank cried to see sc much prepare- tion for making children happy, in which there was nothing for them. In January Paul Danford broke down utterly, and could not drag himself to the office during all one week on his re-appearance there he received a cheque and his dismissal. Not for any fault, so the head partner explained, but they had been long wishing to reduce their clerks, and of course one must look at things in a business way, and employ those who could do the most work for the lowest remuneration—notably, younger and unmarried men. Danford did not grieve Nelly by telling her what had happened—it should be kept as his own trouble at least for a few days. He showed her the cheque, told her he was going to take a week's rest, and saw her in consequence happier and more hopeful than she had been for many a day. A cheque for a small sum, however welcome, is not an inexhaustible mine. There was rent to pay; bread and tea formed the chief items of the Danfords' daily food, but even that, and milk for the children, runs into money, and boots had t ecome so necessary that the day of purchase could no longer be postponed. I must go out and inquire for employment," said poor Paul one soaking wet morning when he ought to have been by a good fire, and then he made full con- fession of the sorrowful secret. During five days he answered advertisements, called at different offices, offered himself in almost any capacity—in vain. On the sixth day he was so ill that Nelly sent for the doctor, who ordered him to stay within doors. I must get my living, doctor," said the patient. If you go out you will get your death," was the reply. Doctor Donne was not a rich man, and his work lay more among the poor than among the wealthy, but a large hamper of goods was delivered at Paul Danford's lodging that day, the sender thereof un- known, and—to his honour be it told—the cost thereof had come out of the medical man's not too well-lined purse.. Now, Paul, I can nurse you up cried his wife. Tins of soup, a fowl, a joint of beef, tea, cocoa, sugar, and some oranges—it must have come from your old employers." I doubt it," said Paul, thoughtfully; and it never occurred to him to connect that welcome present with the somewhat bluff, abrupt doctor, to whom he still owed a bill, though it had never been sent in. But despite Nelly's care and the food which she prepared for him, Danford did not improve. Was it that some voice within was warning him of his end ? He seemed at least more troubled about the future of his wife than even about the actual present, and more than once she saw the tears in his eyes as they fol- lowed the movements of the little boys. If you will give me paper and ink, I want to write two letters, dear," he said, later in the after- noon. And for once we must afford two stamps, as my letters are important." Nellie hastened to arrange what he wanted on a little table drawn up to the sofa on which he was lying. She looked at his white, drawn face, and the dark eyes which were too brilliant, and begged him not to tire himself. When the letters were written and posted, Paul Danford seemed better and happier. After the chil- dren fell asleep, he talked quite cheerfully. Perhaps everything is going to be better for us, and I do believe a little happiness would do more for me than the doctor, Nelly! Those letters-well, they are my bread cast on the waters. I have sent them in faith and trust, and now we must await the reply. One is to a man for whom I did a service long ago, and he told me if the time ever came whea he could serve me in return, I was to lei him know. He has large means now, but I have never appealed to him. I have ventured at last to ask him for a loan. I saved his child's life. He wanted to do something for me then, but I was young and proud, and I refused. So he bade me consider him indebted to me for the rest of his life, and I was not to hesitate to let him know if he could serve me at any future time." Then it is certain he will do this—and in his place I should do more for you," and Nelly brightened with happiest anticipations. Oh, Paul, perhaps the turning in the long lane has come to us at last! A little help to get you strong and see us through the bad weather, and you may get a better situation than the last. Our happiness is to begin through this Mr. Percival, and how glad he will be to think it should be so." My other letter was to Dick Carroll, my first cousin, you know. We have never seen much of each other, but when we met we were very good friends. So, as he has been luckier than I, and has got on in the world, I have asked him to look a little to you and the children—if I should have a long illness." But you will not. You are to get better when the money comes from Mr. Percival. Confess, now, Paul! Would not money make you well ?" It would take a load from my mind and make me well, if anything can—or help me to die easy," added Paul to himself. Nelly was very bright and cheery for the next day or two, looking out for the postman, yet admitting that replies could not be expected by return." Paul seemed sadly weak, but he was hopeful; happen what mig at to himself, he felt he had now secured friends for his wife and children. On the third morning Nelly was busy preparing the breakfast after helping her husband to his sofa, and it was the landlady herself who carried him a letter which had just arrived. It might have been a quarter of an hour later—it certainly was not more—that the children's voices, calling, Mother, mother as if in terror, brought Nelly in haste from the kitchen. I am here; what is it, dears ? she said, breath- lessly, as she gained the passage. ■ Ah! What was it? Only Paul, her husband, stretched lifeless upon the floor, while a stream of blood had issued from his lips, falling on a letter he still held in his stiffening fingers. j Mr. Percival presents his compliments, and re- 1 grets that the many drains upon his purse prevent his acceding to the request contained in Mr. Dan- ford's note of the 21st inst." That was what Nelly read when the firetehockwaa over, and she could understand that coming as it did in Paul's weak state, it had killed him. j The widow's case was taken up by eome of the bnsy workers in the world who can only interest themselves too late, and she was put into a business house, and her little ones into asylums for fatherless children, every mother not being expected to mind such separations. I; Poor Paul's cousin Dick was neither seen nor heard of, and so the hope of his last days proved as futile as other hopes. Mr. Percival's letter, stained with her husband's life-blood, is still preserved by Nelly Danford as a proof of how much value may be attached to professions of gratitude.

TRADES UNION CONGRESS. CLOSING MEETING. The sittings of the Trades Union Congress were ooncluded on Saturday at the Town Hall, Newcastle, Mr. T. Burt, M.P.. in the chair. After the confirmation of the minutes for the pre- vious day, Mr. John Ward, London, asked whether a delegate was justified in making a charge to the Standing Orders Committee that a fellow delegate of the Congress was not a bona Sde representative of his trade, and whether the Standing Orders Committee was justified in secretly calling thqt member forward upon the evidence of another delegate who dared not give his name. He also wanted to know, as he con- sidered himself insulted in this instance, whether the President would ask the Standing Orders Committee to give the name of the delegate who made what he | described as a sneaking and cowardly charge. j Subsequently Mr. John Wilson, chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, said that Mr. Ward was brought into the room not on the report of any one delegate. He appeared to be a striking man. They brought him before the committee, and in answer to a question, he said that he had been a navvy up to a year last August. Mr. Ward had an idea himself that there was something striking in his appearance, because he said it must be his eloquent manner that led them to doubt him. ^r- -P- J- King (London) complained that a charge had been made against him. Mr. John Wilson, in reply, said that the charge against Mr. King was that for 15 or 20 years he had been a lecturer. Mr. King was called in before the committee, and he said he had been a lecturer eight years. They at once accepted his statement. Mr. Snelling (one of the scrutineers) reported that for the election of the Parliamentary committee 527 ballot papers were returned, one of which was in- formal. It was possible to have 5260 votes recorded, but the total recorded was 3625, or about 69 per cent. The following were the members elected: John Wilson, M.P., Miners' National Union, 318; J. H. Wilson, Seamen's Union, 282; S. Birtwhistle, Amalgamated Weavers, 247; William Inskip, Boot and Shoe Operatives, 239: Edward Harford, Amalga- mated Railway Servants, 200 T. R. Threlfall, South- port Trades Council (compositor), 182; James Maudsley, Cotton Spinners, 181; J. D. Kelly, Litho- graph Printers, 147 William Matkin, General Union of Carpenters and Joiners, 147 J. Inglis, Associated Blacksmiths, 143. Three men failed to get into the list simply because they were the lower in the list of two members of the same trade. These were Mr. Pickard, M.P., Union Federation, who had 199; Mr. C. J. Drummond, London Compositors, who had 178; and Mr. F. Chandler, Carpenters, Manchester, who had 146. Mr. Whitfield, Bristol, asked whether Mr. Charles Fenwick, M.P., having been unanimously re-elected Parliamentary secretary, would carry out the behests of the Congress, and push the Eight Hours Bill in the House of Commons. The President said Mr. Fenwick would endeavoui to perform the duties of the office of secretary entirely independent of his own private opinions as member for the Wansbeck division, being responsible there to his own constituents. Mr. Fenwick would decide for himself. Mr. Tait, Glasgow, presented the financial state- ment. The income, including a balance of £1001 15s. 4d., had been £1152 7s. 4d., and the expenditure £72 8s. 8d. The report was adopted. It was agreed that all resolutions on the agenda not reached at the rising of the Congress should be handed over to the Parliamentary Committee to be dealt with. Mr. T. R. Threlfall moved, and Mr. Snelling seconded, the following resolution: That this Con- gress condemns the continued neglect of labour ques- tions by the House of Commons, and regards drastic industrial reform as impossible until, by concerted action, a strong and vigorous Labour party has been returned to Parliament; and, in view of an early general election, this Congress urges the united trades of the country to seize every opportunity to select, nominate, and return Labour representatives to the House of Commons. This Congress further advisee that a vigorous effort be made to return working men to all local bodies." Mr. Keir Hardy proposed an amendment in favour of establishing a Central Congress fund, to be ad- ministered by the Parliamentary Congress in the elec- tion and maintenance of Labour representatives, whose duty it should be to support the Parliamentary Committees' programme. This was lost by a large majority. An amendment to add after Labour party the words "Independent of party politics," was carried by a great majority. The resolution was then adopted. Several other resolutions were adopted, and a number relegated to the Parliamentary Committee. Votes of thanks concluded the proceedings. The close of the Congress was fittingly celebrated on Saturday afternoon by a monster gathering of the trade societies in Newcastle and district. The day was observed as almost a general holiday, and at an early hour contingents of unionists from the outlying districts, headed by bands and banners, arrived in the town. These, with the local societies and delegates, formed up near the cattle market and marched in procession to the Town moor. In point of numbers alone the spectacle was of an imposing character, something like 40,000 taking part in the procession. There were 32 sections, each headed by a banner, and the chief constable of the borough rode at the head. Each trade was represented by banners and emblems, those of the shipwrights ranging from a miniaturs Noah's ark to a model of the latest liner. The whole of the streets leading to the moor were crowded with people, and the weather being delightfully fine the demonstration has been an immense success. Four official platforms were set up on the moor, at the first of which Mr. T. Burt presided, the speakers including Messrs. Pickard, J. Wilson, and Fenwick. The resolution adopted was: That in the opinion of this meeting a greatly-improved social condition of the people is principally due to trade combination, and as the further improvement of the working-classes will largely depend on the complete organisation of all branches of industry, we hereby call upon all workers to at once affiliate themselves with the societies of their respective trades." In consequence of the exclusion from this resolu- tion of reference to the eight hours question, the Legal Eight Hours Committee had three platforms, their speakers including Messrs. C. Graham, John Burns, Keir-Hardie, Quelch, Macdonald, and others. A resolution was adopted pledging the meeting to make the legal eight hours day in the form agreed upon at the Congress a test question at every elec- tion, and to aid by any means in its power the forma- tion of a Labour party in Parliament separate and distinct from each of the political parties now in existence, pledged to bring about collective ownership of all the means of production.

ATLANTIC LINER IN COLLISION. A report has been (Reuter says) freely circulated in Queenstown that the steamer Arizona, which haa arrived in that port, had been in collision the night she left New York, but no official report of the matter was made by the commander of the steamer, and the particulars being circulated are those of passengers. It appears that the Arizona left New York at about eight a.m. on Saturday, the 5th inst. The weather was hazy, and as night set in a fog was experienced. At midnight the steamer was supposed to be about 180 miles from New York, every precaution being taken as she proceded to avoid danger, the regulation signals when experiencing fog at sea being carried out. Somewhere about midnight the passengers were alarmed by a sudden shock to the steamer, and there was no doubt but that she had been struck, the blow being a glancing one. The passengers in alarm rushed to the deck. The fog at the time was dense, but some of the passengers say that a vessel, supposed to be a barque, was seen, and that it was the fact of colliding with her that caused the Arizona to tremble so. The vessel, they say, was lost sight of very soon, and although the steamer was stopped for about an hour, nothing was seen of the barque afterwards. The Arizona suffered some damage on the port side to her rails, and some stanchions and two boats were also damaged. The passengers say that the crew of the Arizona reported that the damage to the sailing vessel could not have been of a serious nature, and that no doubt the vessel reached port all right, but of course this is only supposition.

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JJittASTEH TO A STEAM LAUNCH. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Intelligence was received in London on Saturday morning of a collision in the River Foyle, about twc miles below Londonderry, between a steamer and a steam launch, which resulted in the swamping of the latter and great loss of life. Mr. Graeme Hunter, a Scotch gentleman, who had brought about 150 men tc work at the quay during a strike of local quaj labourers, on Friday evening took 23 men and hi* two children down the river for an excursion. With him was Francis M'Keever, a ferryman, who owned the launch. They had gone several miles, and were returning about eight o'clock through a narrow part of the river when Messrs. Steel and Benniell steamer Albatross came into collision with the craft The launch, it appears, came bow on to the steamer, struck her sponson, and shortly afterwards sank. The captain of the Albatross lowered boats and picked up a number of men. Several others swam ashore, and one man, named Herbert Smith, of Bel- fast, brought with him one of Mr. Graeme Hunter'i children. The other was lost. The Albatross was on her way to Moville for her morning passengers having left her excursion passengers at the quay. She left the quay a few minutes after eight o'clock, and within 10 minutes the melancholy affair occurred The river was comparatively narrow at the place, but the night, though cloudless and starry, was very dark. The alarm was sounded just a second before the collision, but it was then too late to save the launch. As soon as the news reached Londonderry grappling parties were sent out to recover the bodies, and .they were at work all day on Saturday. At half-past six the last of them returned, and then it was ascertained that 11 bodies had been recovered, so that the total loss of life is 15. The scene at the quay was most impressive, a vast crowd looking on whilst the re- mains were being wrapped in rugs aad borne to the Morgue. Some of the deceased had an arm rigidly extended above the head, the attitude in which the death struggle ended. It is stated that several men got within a few strokes of the shore. Mr. Graeme Hunter gives the following account of the catastrophe: I was in the stern with a little girl on each knee. Mr. M'Keever himself was at the helm, and one of his men was keeping a look out. We had lights out, I am perfectly sure of that. The crash was the first warning I got. I dashed forward through my men, and a glance showed me that we were sinking. The launch's boats were clean stove in, and the water was rushing in. All was excitement, and I knew the seconds were precious. I feared we might get into the steamer's paddles, which I could now see so clearly. I called to M'Keever, and our engines were backed, in the hope that we nught reaeh the shore before she sank. My men divided my thoughts with my little girls. I called to those near the bows to follow me astern, to which I ran, catching up my little girls. I handed one to Mearns, and the other to another of my men, both of whom I knew could swim well. Each jumped from the sinking boat and made for the shore, and I turned to look after my men. A second later we were all in the water, and the launch was gone. I can swim, but knew some of my men could not. When I came to the surface I found myself in the centre of a struggling crowd. The two men nearest me were sinking, and I seized one with each arm, and kept myself and them afloat with my logs. The boat from the Albatross was coming quickly towards us, when I felt my legs seized below the water. I had given myself up for lost, and I was actually being pulled down when my hair, short as it was, was grabbed by a stout hand, and a second later I was hauled into the Albatross's boat with my two men. All this time the rescue work was going on all around us, and we did all men could do. The men of the Albatross could not have done more." Captain Doherty, of the Albatross, says he was re- turning to Moville about eight o'clock. The tide was an hour and a half flood. He observed a small bow light near, and to avoid it sounded two bells. The steamer bore away on the flood towards the south side of the river, and he thought he had cleared, when the launch came on, struck the sponson, and he heard cries. He lowered a boat at once, and picked up as many as possible. The inquest on the bodies early recovered from the wreck was opened on Saturday. The names of the deceased were Roderick Munroe, 19, single, Glasgow; S. Lee, 50, widower, Glasgow; T. P. Kelby, 22, single, Dublin; James Murphy, 28, married, Dublin Michael M'Guinness, 30, married, Dublin Thomas Wilson, 26, single, Dublin William M'Cullum, 33, single, Glasgow; John O'Malley, married, Dublin; Henry Johnston, Kingston; and Jane Graeme Hunter, aged seven. Charles Amison, of Longtown, Staffordshire, and W. K. Bell, of London, who were on board the Albatross, described the disaster. The latter said the launch ran into the tug. The captain of the Albatross did everything to avoid a collision. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned. Francis M'Keever, owner of the launch, was brought before the magistrates on Saturday morning and charged with causing the disaster by mismanage- ment, and a similar charge has been brought agamrt the assistant fireman. The inquiry was adjourned, the accused being admitted to bail. The Mayor of Londonderry has called a town ■ meeting to start a subscription list for the benefit of the relatives of the men drowned. The strikers, on hearing of the disaster, held a meeting and passed resolutions of sympathy with Mr. Graeme Hunter and the victims. A telegram from Londonderry on Sunday night said Two more bodies of victims of the disaster on the Foyle were recovered to-day, those of a youth named Reilly, of Dublin, and William Mearna, married, of Belfast. There are now 13 bodies in the mortuary, and it is believed that 18 lives were lost, two men who were supposed to have been saved having failed to answer the roll call. Local mer- chants and traders are contributing handsomely to the relief fund.

=- FALL OF A CHURCH AT BABMOUTH. Last year, during the Queen's visit to North Walet. Princess Henry of Battenberg, at the invitation of the Dowager Marchioness of Londonderry, visited Barmouth, and laid the foundation of a new church, designed to accommodate the thousands of visitors who resort to that favourite watering place in the summer. The site chosen was an excavation in the huge limestone cliff overlooking the estuary, and a lofty tower formed part of the design. After a considerable portion of the masonry had been erected, it was found that some serious defect rendered the foundation unsafe. Great expense was incurred in trying to strengthen the foundation by means of concrete buttresses, and the building was proceeded with. On Saturday the roof was ready for the slates, and the tower had been built almost to its full height, when suddenly the tower collapsed, and fell into the nave, utterly de- stroying the building. So far as has been ascertained, no lives were lost, but the ruins are being searched. The loss is estimated at £ 10,000. The rector, who is well known as a champion of the Church in Wales, and recently as having been involved in a burial dis- pute with a local Methodist minister, is from home on his holidays.

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