The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

ABERDARE INTELLIGENCE. LOCAL TALENT. —Among the list of successful candidates for the Queen's scholarship in Wales of the first class we observe the name of Mr D. Evans, pupil teacher at the British School. COUNTY COURT.—His Honour Judge Falconer com nienced his monthly sitting on Monday. There were set down for hearing twenty adjourned plaints, 529 fresh plaints,.70 judgment summonses, two adjourned, and appli- cation for new trial. SCHOOL EXAMINATION.—The ordinary annual examina- tion of the teachers came off on Saturday. Mr Maggs, assistant to Mr Waddington, one of her Majesty's inspec- tors of schools, was the examiner. The Rev Canon Jenkins paid a visit during the day, and aeveral schoolmasters and others connected with the education of the district were also present. STREET ACCIDENT.-On Saturday an accident occurred in Cardiff-street through the baneful habit of furious driving. A girl about eight years of age was in the act of crossing the street near the Boot Inn, when a cart driven by a youth of fourteen or more, dashed up. The child be- came confused and turned about. The "cart knocked her down, and was brought to a stand-still, the wheel resting on her chest. As soon as relieved from her painful posi- tion she was carried home. Great indignation was mani- fested by those who witnessed the accident, and the recklessness that caused it. NARROW ESCAPE.—An accident happened on Friday night on the Great Western Railway, which resulted in a narrow escape of a man being killed. It appeared that on the night in question a haulier was driving a horse with a tram of cinders to cross the Great Western Railway. A man is employed in a lodge in close proximity to the railway to shut a gate against any trams being run across the rail- way while any of the engines are in the way. It transpired that the gate was not shut, and the horse and tram came down the tramway, and as they were on the line a loco- motive came up, and struck the horse down, which was killed instantaneously, and dragged for some distance on the line. The haulier had a narrow escape. It is said that there will be a prosecution in this case, as the horee which was killed was valued by a veterinary surgeon at £50. ACTION FOR LOSS A COW KILLED ON THE TAFF VALE RAILWAY.—DAVID V. THE TAFF YALE RAILWAY.—This was an action to recover the sum of £20, being the value of a cow killed at one of the crossings of the Taff Vale Railway on the 25th October last. Mr Beddoe appeared for the claimant, and Mr Stephens, of Cardiff, for the de- fendants.-The plaintiff is a farmer, snd occupies the Abergwawr Farm, and in his evidence said he occupied grazing lands near Cwmbach. Upon being informed, on the morning of the 25th October, by one of his servants that his cow had been killed on the railway near one of the Powell's Duffryn sidings, he proceeded with Messrs Law- rence, Howells, and Lloyd to make an inspection of the spot. The footmarks of the animal were visible, thereby demonstrating free ingress to the railroad.-Evidence having been given on both sides, the learned gentlemen addressed his Honour, Mr Beddoe contending that there was no impediment to free access to the railway, as proved by the footmarks of the beast, and quoting several decisions in the Superior Courts bearing upon the case whilst Mr Stephens argued that there was no obligation on the part of the company to see that gates were closed, and cited a case to show that the duty of doing this must be statutory. After quoting a number of other cases, he contended that there should be evidence of neglect on the part of the railway company, which there had not been as yet.-His Honour deferred judgment till next court. How SMALL-POX IS SPREAD.—A few days ago, a collier, who came from Cardiganshire, died of small-pox in this neighbourhood. During his illness his wife came to attend him. After his death she returned, taking his clothes with her. Information has just been received that she is dead of the same disease, and that the small-pox is raging in the neighbourhood in which she died. She is supposed to have carried the poison with her, as no sinall-pox cases were there until after her return from Aberdare. IMPORTANT MEETINGS.—The English Congregational Association Quarterly Meetings for Glamorgansbire and Carmarthenshire were commenced on Wednesday evening, at the English Congregational Chapel, Aberdare, when a sermon was preached by the Rev D. Rowlands, B.A., of Carmarthen. A devotional meeting was held at half- .past nine on Thursday morning, and the ministers and .delegates from the churches held a Conference at 11 o'clock. In the evening, at seven o'clock, a public meeting was held, when addresseslon various subjects were delivered by the Revs J. Waite, B.A., of Cardiff; J. C. Davits, Mumbles; F. S. Johnstone, Merthyr; and Mr Thos. Webber, of Cardiff. The various public meetings were largely attended, and a spirit of great liberality was shown in the town to the strangers who were induced to attend the meetings.

ABERDARE POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.—(Before J. C. Fowler, J. Lewis, and D. E. Williams, Esqrs.) V AGRÁNCY. Two men, named James Wilson and Richard Jenkins, for sleeping in an uninhabited building near the Forge Pit, and being unable to give an account of themselves, were sent to Swansea Gaol for ten days. COAL STEALING.—An elderly woman named Mary Thomas, well known in the neighbourhood, was charged ■with stealing 451bs. of coal, value 2d., the property of Mr George Elliott and others, at Abergwawr, on Sunday morn- ing last.—Police-constable Edmunds proved detecting the prisoner in the act of taking the coal at a quarter-past three m the morning.-Sent to Swansea gaol for ten days. STEALING AN APRON.— Rachel Williams was charged with stealing an apron value 3s., the property of Benjamin Evans, of Aberaman. It appeared from the evidence that THE apron was placed oR a hedge at the back of her house by the prosecutrix, on Saturday fortnight, for the purpose of drying, and during the day it was stolen by the prisoner. Margaret wife of prosecutor, identified the stolen property, and Police-sergeant Melhuish proved finding it in prisoner's houae.-Sent to Swansea gaol for twenty-one days with hard labour. PERMITTING DRUKENNESS.—David Jones, landlord of the Mount Pleasant, Mountain Ash, was summoned for per- mitting drunkenness in his house on the 5th of February.- Sergeant Thorney proved visiting the house on the day in question, and discovering nine men in the front room, four of whom were drunk. As soon as witness complained of what he saw, the landlord's son immediately removed the cups, and the tipplers at once left. Fined 50s and costs. REFUSING TO QUIT.—John Gwillim and John Phillips, for being drunk and refusing to quit the Earl of Windsor when ordered to do so on the 5th of Feb., were fined 20s and costs. DARING ASSAULT.—Henry Jenkins and Richard Thomas were summoned for assaulting Meyrick Jones, landlord of the Lifeboat, Cwmbach. It appeared from the evidence of prosecutor that accused behaved in a most violent manner, and struck him because they should not be supplied with liquor. They also threatened him, so that witness was in fear of bodily harm. Neither of the accused appeared conse- quently warrants were issued for their apprehension. ALLEGED POACHING AT MOUNTAIN ASH.—Three men, named Joseph Partitt, Henry Probert, and George Ball, were charged with poaching on the lands of Mr J. Bruce Pryce, at Mountain Ash, but the evidence being insufficient, the case was adjourned for a week. THE HiRWAiN COMMON ENCLOSURE.—Mr Linton ap- peared before the court and said Mr Games (solicitor, Brecon), who had hitherto acted for the defence in this matter, had written to say that the case had been abandoned. The course would now be to send to Mr Games the amount of expenses his clients would be liable to. It was agreed that a communication should be made to the defence on this point. DRUNKENNESS.—A large number of persons were charged with drunkenness, and fined in the usual amount and costs. THE POWELL'S DUFFRYN STEAM COAL COMPANY V. THE TAFF VALE RAILWAY COMPANY.—THE MAGISTRATES' DECISION. Mr Matthews, of Cardiff, was present in behalf of the Railway Company; Mr Charles Herbert James, of Mer- thyr, for the Colliery Company. Mr Fowler said: This is an application to the Bench to sanction the construction of certain works for the purpose of connecting lands on either side of the Tafi Vale Railway, of which the Powell's Duffryn Steam Coal Company are owners and occupiers. In the present case we cannot deal with this application under the Railway Clauses Act alone. We are bound to examine also the Local Railway Act which authorised the construction of this line, and is to be combined and read with the Railway Clauses Act as one entire Act. By the 21st section of the special Act it is enacted that the owners of land adjoining the railway may make and use any good, sufficient, and proper bridge or tunnel over or under the said railway at their own expense, for taking and hauling any materials or things, provided that such communications shall not be used for the purpose of diverting the traffic frem this to any other railway. The question 1>1, what effect this proviso ought to have on our decision? For this end it is necessary to call in aid the established rules for the construction of statutes. Applying those rules of construction to the Act before us, we are of opinion that while the railway clauses seem, by the 71st section, to give us an unfettered authority to authorise certain accommodation works, the intention of the Legislature was to protect the railway company from diversion of traffic under the name of accommodation works. We think that our jurisdiction is limited and controlled by the 21st section of the Aberdare Railway Act. That section seems to resemble in principle a saving clause and though it qualifies and narrows the operation of section 71, may yet be construed with it without any violation of legal or common sense. The Aberdare Railway Act was passed subsequently to the Railway Clauses Act; the 21st section was enacted by Parliament with proper knowledge of the general Act, and it is almost impossible to suppose that it was not contemplated as a limitation of accommodation works. If that is the correct view of the sec- tion, it is very probable that au injunction would be granted to restrain the use of such a bridge as is now proposed. For it is freely admitted by the applicants that the effect would be to take a considerable portion of traffic from the Taff Vale line on to another line. Believing us we dll, that our jurisdiction is not unfettered in this matter, and that the diversion of traffic must not be in harmony with the true spirit and intention of the amalgamated statutes, we hold that we ought to decline to authorise the bridge. There is another consideration which also has some weight. The land over which the proposed bridge is to ciosswas not taken under compulsory power. It was sold by Mr Crawshay Bailey to the Aberdarc Railway Company, under an ordinary contract of sale, and the dr'ed of conveyance was executed some time afterwards. By that deed. he reserved to himself his "heirs and assigns full and free liberty on foot, and with horses and carts. &c.. at all times, and in such manner as shall be necessary for the agricultural and other purposes of himself, &c., to cross and recross over the said railway from the lands on the one side of said railway to the lands on the other side as often us occasion shall require, causing to the Aberdare Railway Company lie greater interruption than is absolutely neces- sarr III the exercise of such. rights of way or crossiugs, and which crossings, being four in number, are more particularly delineated and marked on the plan." There is also a cove- nant for quiet enjoyment, subject to the reservation of rights, and also of the minerals subjacent. By tbis con- tract and conveyance, which was perfedly free and sponta- neous on the the part of Mr. Bailey, it seems to u.s that, for a valuable consideration fixed by himself, he parted to the railway company all his other rights of crossing and deal- ing with the line except by the company's consent. The lands in favour of which he reserved these four crossings are the very same lands which we are now asked to connect with a bridge for the purpose of turning the traffic in another direction. Mr Bailey subsequently sold those identical pieces of land to the present applicants. But as he himself possessed no greater rights of crossing than he had expressly reserved, so we are unable to see how lie could assign any larger rights to them. Mr Hughes has argued that there is nothing to prevent them, notwithstand- ing this state of things, from calling to their aid the pro- visions of the Railway Clauses Act. But it occurs to us very forcibly that Mr Bailey, by that voluntary contract, put it out of his pnwer to demand more or different crossings than he expressly reserved, and that the holders of the lands on either side which were referred to in the reserva- tion, who are Mr Bailey's assigns, are in the same situation as he was prior to the sale, and are stopped by the acts of the party from whom they purchased. Mr Rhys is not able to be here to-day, but I know that this point occurred to him very forcibly, and he also concurs in all the grounds of this decision. For these reasons, which I abstain from setting forth more fully, we regret that we must decline to authorise the proposed bridge, and leave the parties inter- ested in its construction to make it under the 21st section, subject to all contingencies, or to satisfy us by the opinion of a higher tribunal that we shall be legally justified in authorising it. Mr Charles James applied on behalf of the Powells Duffryn Company for a case to the Queen's Bench, which was at once granted. MOUNTAIN ASH. THE PRICE OF GAS.—At the Board of Health meeting on Monday, Mr Brown stated that the Gas Company (Messrs. Nixon, Taylor, and Cory) had consented to reduce the price of gas supplied to the Board for public lighting purposes 6d. per 1,000 feet. This reduction will effect a saving to the Local Board of JE16 10s. per annum. LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.—Great interest is taken by the ratepayers of this place in what can be termed the annual contest for seats on the Board. Five of the members retire every year, which gives occasion to rival parties to stir the whole district to a state of excitement—no less than fifteen gentlemen have been nominated this year, house to house canvassing being the order of the day, and groups of work- in" men are to be seen in our streets discussing the merits of°the respective candidates. Unfortunately for some of them the nominator of five of the new candidates has since written to the Clerk of the Board asking him to withdraw such nominations, as it was only done under the enthus- asm of an innocent joke." ENTERTAINMENT.-On Thursday evening an entertain- ment was held at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. The chairman was the Rev Thomas C. Phillips accompanyist, Mr James James. The following was the programme :— Address, the Chairman; glee, the Choir; recitations, children; address, Mr W. Williams song, "Ring the bell, watchman," H. Sage: dialogue, 1. Davies, E. Phil- lips, D. Amos a round song. the Tonic Sol-fa class solo, llyd; dialogue, Messrs. Evan Williams, Jones, and Davies duet, Miss Lizzie James and Eos llyd song and chorus, D. Davies and party address, Mr T. Williams solo, "Fairer far than evening stars," Miss James. The friends availed themselves of the opportunity of making a presentation to Mr James for his valuable services as precentor in this meeting. The testimonial was made up of various things pertaining to music, viz scarlet morocco music holder, ebony silver-mounted baton. The folio ving books were presented to him alsoDon Giovani," (Mozart), "Fidelio" (Beethoven). "Creation" (Haydn), "Twelfth Mass" (Mozart), "St. Paul" (Mendelssohn), "Seasons" (Haydn), Messiah (Handel). At the pre- sentation the Chairman read an address to Mr James. Then Mr James acknowledged the receipt of the handsome present in a very thankful and appropriate manner. All seemed to enjoy themselves to their hearts' content. PONTYPRIDD INTELLIGENCE. SMALL-POX.—We regret to announce another death from this disease, viz., Mrs Davies, wife of Mr T. Davies, of the Ton farm, after a brief illness of one week. MEDICAL APPOINTMENT. — Messrs Cooke and Leckie, surgeons of this town, have been appointed surgeons to the new iron works and blast furnaces, Treforest. The above gentlemen also attended the employes of the Taff Vale Iron Works. Treforest, of which works Dr Cooke was the medical officer for many years. PONTYPRIDD DISTRICT STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE BILL. —This Bill was on Tuesday before Mr Examiner Robinson in the House of Commons, and there was no opposition. The necessary proofs of compliance with standing, orders were tendered, and the Examiner advanced the Bill a stage. SMALL-POX AT GILFACH GOCH. This much.dreaded disease has made its appearance in this locality but so far we only know of one, William Samuel, of the Glyncoch public-house, having fallen a victim, after a brief illness of ten days. His remains were interred at Llandyfodwg parish church on Monday last. FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE PENYGRAIG COLLIERY.—A man named William Samuel, 48 years of age, was kiiled at the above colliery on Tuesday. The unfortunate man was at work, when a large stone fell upon him, killing him on the spot. The deceased had his son working with him at the time of the accident. With great difficulty the stone was removed, and another ghastly procession wended its way through the colliery village. The Rhondda Valley is getting notorious for fatal accidents in its pits and levels. A FOOLISH FREAK.—NARROW ESCAPE.—Four gentlemen of Dinas, who came up in a trap from Pontypridd, had a narrow escape on Saturday. They met the Dinas dentist opposite the Dinas bouse coal level. They were all pretty hilarious, and one suggested that the mare suffered from tooth-ache, and asked the dentist to extract her tooth. That gentleman being anxious to practice his art upon eervy description of teeth, undertook the task. The mare naturally became very restless, and the trap, mare, and the four men, together with the humane dentist, fell over a cliff, a height of several yards. Fortunately all escaped with their lives, although they were seriously injured, the trap and harness and a trough used in conveying water over the Dinaa tram-road were smashed to pieces. A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT TREORKY.—It appears that the Tylacoch Coal Company permit the poor to gather coal on their tips. On Tuesday a woman uamed Elizabeth Davies, 38 years of age, who was the wife of a carpenter working at Tylacoch Colliery, was at the foot of the tip gathering coal, when the engine was pushing some empty waggons towards the siding. As soon as the driver caught dight of the woman be set on the whistle, but she did not appear to hear it, aud it is stated that she was rather deaf. The empty waggons rushed forward, a wheel of the front one catching her and driving her before it, crushing her in a shocking manner, and killing her on the spot. Dr. Phillips found, on examination, that her breast-bone was crushed and several of her ribs fractured. She has left three little girls to mourn her loss. Her husband is an aged man, and much sympathy is felt for him and the poor children, THF COLLIERS AND THE PROPOSED FUND.—AS there have been so many hard words written about the refusal of the men to adopt the proposal of the masters and make the whole of the arbitration money the nucleus of an accident fund, it may perhaps be only justice to the colliers to make known to the public the reason why they have not coincided with their employers on that one point. It is stated that the proposal, although good in theory, cannot well be called equitable. The men say, if we accept the offer we shall not be giving equally, some of us having worked the whole six months, and others probably only as many weeks. There- fore, they would prefer some arrangement being made so that all might pay alike, as all are to benefit alike. The objact the employers had in view in making the proposition is, beyond doubt, highly appreciated by the thinking and provident section of the men, and it is to be hoped some arrangement will be concluded to develop the principle of self-help so liberally encouraged by the masters. It will be seen the men do not in the abstract object to the formation of a fund (to which they would no doubt contribute liber- ally), but to the manner in which it has been proposed to start the same. As the interests of both parties are identi- cal, it is devoutly to be wished a scheme may be speedily suggested to weld all discordant theories in one harmoni- ous and practical whole. MEETING OF DELEGATES.— On Monday a meeting of De- legates from the Steam Coal Collieries was held in the Colliers Arms, Pontypridd. The proceedings commenced at half-past eleven, and were not brought to a close till half- past six o'clock in the evening. There were 35 delegates present, representing 12.000 colliers. Mr W. Morgan, of Mountain Ash, was elected to the chair, and Mr Samuel Morgan occupied the vice-chair.—The question for discus- sion was the consideration of the compromise recently agreed to at the late arbitration meeting at Cardiff, whereby the masters consented to give an advance of 10 per cent, and a further advance of 2A per cent for the last six months. This 2A per cent ta be added to the same sum given by the mas- ters to form the nuclueus of a death and accident insurance fund. The majority of the delegates present were averse to such a disposition of the 2A per cent, and insisted that the amount should be paid to the men in money. A resolu- tion was agreed to that three delegates should be appointed to state the views of the meeting to the public, in order to remove the erroneous impressions as to the motives of the men in insisting on the payment of the IL per cent circu- lated in the other papers published in the district. It was further unanimously resolved that the decision of the arbi- tration should be accepted, with the exception embodied in the previous resolution and that a demand be made in a courteous and conciliatory manner for an additional 2h per ccnt advance, making in al}-!) per cent on the prices existing before the strike.—There was a large amount of business of a routine character transacted, but of no particular interest to the public. SMALL-POX not only continues to rage with unabated virulence in Pontypridd, but it actually appears to be ex- tenaing its area of operations, and attacking subjects hitherto deeming themselves safe from its influence. Never was there so general a desire to be vaccinated, and for that purpose never were the different surgeries and vaccination stations in the town and neighbourhood so numerously and continuously thronged. It is, doubtless, to this general appreciation of the gravity of the malady, and to the recourse to vaccination as conferring an immunity against the attack of this loathsome disease that so few deaths may be ascribed, and that the type of the disease itself has been se much modified, and its traces so imperceptible in the town. Still, when it is remembered that no contagion is so powerful and so certain as that of smalj-pox," it is a matter of the utmost importance tb&t the disease should not only be localised, but as far as possi ble isolated until it has been stamped out. The small-pox was introduced into Pontypridd some months ago, by a tramp, a wonan, who found lodgings in Llanganna-—a favourite tramp quarter—who was treated for it by Dr Waterhouse. If we remember rightly, the woman recovered from the attack, and after some sanit try precautionary measures were adopted in connection with the lodging-house wlur; the woman stayed, nothing more was heard of the disease in this town. Subsequently other cases arose, clearly importations, for they existed in "the lodgings for travel- lers" kind of tenements, patronised only by tramps. The nomadic life led bv this social excrescence may possibly account for the diffusion of the disease now so generally prevailing. Tramps have to undergo no quarantine nor sub- mit to any medical examination. It seems, however, to have been a lamentable instance of want of foresight somewhere that so many cases should have occurred in Llanganna with- out the authorities making any effort to intervene in any way. It was only last Board day, some six weeks or two months after the disease had settled in the town, that a proposition was made to provide hospital accommodation away from human habitations for persons stricken with the disease. It appears that so tenderly does the law regard the health of the community that it allows no power to the Guardians to do anything of the kind. There remains the infirmary, a spacious edifice in the rear of the Workhouse. SCIENCE AND ART CLASS.—On Monday a meeting was held at the New Inn Hotel, to hear Mr Buckmaster's (of the South Kensington Science and Art Department) pro- posal to establish in this town a class, or classes, aided by Government, for teaching the highest grades of technical education. A number of the most influential gentlemen in the town came together, and Mr Charles Bassett was elected to the chair. Mr Bassett briefly introduced Mr Buckmaster, who in a very interesting and eloquent speech expounded the Government proposal, of which the follow- ing is a brief summary:—A sum of £ 160,000 is annually voted by Parliament for the promotion of the arts and sciences throughout the country. It may be increased, de- creased, or withdrawn. The latter contingency is not pro- bable, for the more democratic the form of Government the larger become the demands of the people for educational assistance. The educational business of the Science and Art Department is to promote instruction in science and draw- ing by the establishing of special technical or science schools and evening classes throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Pecuniary assistance is dven towards instruction in the following sciences |—Practical, plane, and solid geometry machine construction and drawing building construction, or naval architecture pure mathematics—which is divided into seven stages theoretical mechanics, applied mechanics, acoustics, light and heat, magnetism and electricity, in organic chemistry, organic chemistry, geology, mineralogy, animal physiology, zoology, vegetable physiology, systema- tic botany, principles of mining, metallurgy, navigation, nautical astronomy, steam, and physical geography. In eveiy place where a science class or school exists receiving aid from the Department, there must be a local committee ot not less than five persons, one of whom must act as the secretary and be correspondent between the committee and the Science and Art Department. The chief duty of the committee will be to promote the diffusion of scientific knowledge, to encourage the teacher, to take charge of all apparatus and diagrams theDepattment has assieted to purchase, sign the register of attendance and the teacher's claims for payment, receive the examination papers from the Department, and superintend the annual examinations. As large grants of public money depend on the faithfulness of the examinations, it is of the utmost importance that the committee should not neglect this duty. These examina- tions are held in May, one evening being devoted to each t uCk reSu'iltion is laid down as to the age or sex of the pupils or the fees paid for the instruction. What is said is that it must not be so high as to exclude apprentices or young men who live by manual labour. (Hear, hear.) The pupils are encouraged by prizes of books, certificates, gold, silver, and bronze medals, exhibitions and scholarships. These encouragements should be sup- plemented by local prizes and exhibitions. The prizes given by Government amount to £ 5, £10, JE15, a't1d are available every year till the pupil is 16 years of age, but he must pass every year in some branch of science and art, or in a more advanced stage of the same subject. The object of these scholarships is to encourage the best pupils to remain longer at school, to find out what talent exists among the children of the industrial classes, and direct it to useful national results. (Hear, hear.) For more ad- vanced instruction the Department offers grants of money, termed exhibitions, to young men, of the value of £25, and these may be held for one, two, and three years. The locality is also expected to contribute a similar sum to enable the student to proceed to some college or school where more advanced scientific instruction can be obtained. If the candidate select a Government institution—such as the School of Mines—the fees for his instruction are remit- ted. Nine Royal exhibitions of the value of £5 I, without any local conditions, are given to pupils of merit under 21. Sir Joseph Whitworth's scholarships of £100 a-year are also given in competition at the May examinations. Aid is also given towards buildings erected under the provisions of the Free Libraries' Act. Such is aD outline of the scheme. In England 300 schools, with 18,00li pupils, have been established, which have received Government aid. J n Ire- land, 130 with 8000 pupils but in Wales—excluding the pupils of navigation schools and pupils receiving instruction in drawing- you have only 14 of such schools, with 150 pupils. Do you think this a creditable state of things ? Are you not drooping behind in the educational work which is now attracting so much attention in other countries ? It is to be feared you have nothing in most of your towns to at- tractyoung men but public-houses. When I look around and see the growing industries of these valleys, all more or less dependent on a knowledge of geology, mining, mechanics, chemistry, metallurgy, & other sciences, it is a matter of sur- prise and regret that there is no opportunity for learning any of those subjects without which these industries would have been impossible. The progress of every industrial art is the progress of applied science, and although the men engaged in these industries are frequently ignorant of sciences, they must remember that impruved methods of manufacture are frequently the result of investigations mitdc by men who have no practical connection with work. You have appro- priated the intellectual labour and thought of others, and I venture to think that you would not find an analogous state of indifference to scientific knowledge in any other country. If you believe that God has given men a nature differing from that of dumb cattle, then I appeal to those who have been blessed with greater advantages of education, or wealth, or influence to extend their kindly help and assis- tance to their less fortunate fellow-creatures and if, in the pride of self-satisfaction and suspicion, we refuse this help, a time will come when those who have been neglected will in some uncomfortable way help themselves. We propose bringing into the district a qualified science teacher, whose duty it will be to visit various places and organise and in- struct such classes as it may appear desirable to establish. It is also proposed, where opportunity offers, to give in- struction in the elementary and middle schools, so as to lay the foundation for that more advanced (but still elementary) knowleege which wecontemplatebymeansofeveningclasses, to form one unbroken chain between the lowest and highest education of the country, so that no child blessed by God with any natural gifts, shall, by reason of his social posi- tion, be prevented from raising to the highest distinction. We want a guarantee fund of £100 a year towards this fund. At Merthyr Tydfil Mr Crawshay, Mr Sitnonss, Mr C. H. James, and others have liberally contributed. The Govern- ment, by payments, prizes, and grants of apparatus will contribute to this effort as much or more than is raised by local subscriptions, while the entire management and direc- tion of the work will be left in your own hands. It is not my business, even if I had the power, to urge this subject unreasonably on your attention. I have accomplished my work in bringing the subject before you, and the result must be left to local circumstances. (Loud applause.)—Mr Bassett expressed himself much pleased with the excellent speech they had just heard, and fully concurred in the great necessity for a school of the kind in this locality. Although his spare time was very limited, he would gladly contribute what he could both in time and money for so desirable an object as the establishing of such a school in the town. It was the duty of all to do what was within their power to elevate their fellow-men. (Hear, hear.)—Mr Price, solicitor, said he would gladly enter into the matter with heart and soul. After seme conversation, Price proposed the Hon. Judge Falconer as chairman of the Institute, with the following gentlemen as a com- mitter, with power to add to their number:—Mr D Davies Maesyffynon Mr Thomas Joseph, Tydraw Messrs. G Penn Ruscoe, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Leckie, Rev. E. Roberts Smythe, James; D. Roberts, Taff Vale Ironworks; A Chivers George Griffiths, Mill-street; D. Morgan Sur- veyor Roberts, Bridge-house T. D. Griffiths, "p. Jones and James llees as secretary. At the request of the meeting, Mr Price appended his own name. The above were all elected, and it was agreed to take the necessary measures without delay to establish an Arts and Science School in the town. After the usual votes the meeting terminated. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held on Wednesday.—The Clerk called attention to a bill received to the amount of £5 7s Id, for the destruction of clothing, &c., for small-pox patients recently deceased in Ystradyfodwg. The order for the de- struction of the clothing was given by Dr Phillips, Treorki. After some observations the amount was ordered to be paid, less the sum for articles which could not be allowed.—A letter from Dr Simons, medical department of the Local Government Board, was read, referring to a communica- tion received by the department from Dr Davies, Cymmer, complaining of the danger arising out of the want of privy accommodation at Cymmer. There were very few con- veniences existing, and these were constructed in an imper- fect manner. Dr Simons recommended that action should be taken by the vestry in the matter.—Mr G. Williams thought the Board of Guardians had sufficient power with- out having recourse to a vestry meeting. He must refer to Dinas, which was lamentably wanting in that respect. Mr J. Lewis and Mr L. Williams concurred.—The Inspector said he had little to complain of as to the sanitary condition of Cymmer, but he had repeatedly referred to the disgrace- ful state of Dinas.—Mr Lewis said the deficiency in Dinas was owing to the difficulty of obtaining ground. The High- way Board had the matter under consideration, and it had been decided to build privies at the place.—The vaccination otiicer of Llantrissant, Mr R Thomas, reported that there were 14 cases of small pox in his district-10 in the Bute Mines village, 1 at New Mill, and 3 in Llantnssant. In the Bute Mines village the disease had seized six persons in the same house. He had served notices where required. The Clerk read a communication from the Local Govern- ment Board, sanctioning as exceptional expenditure the erection of a new hospital for small-pox patients. The Master reported that there was a lunatic in the House, who of late had manifested such violence as to become danger- ous. All order was made to send the unfortunate pauper to the asylum. — The Local Government Loard assented to the increase of two guardians to represent the parish of Yystradyfodwg, in addition to those already sitting at the Board.— Mr G wilym Williams (Miskin), called attention to the circumstances attending the introduction of small-pox into New Mill, a district till then unaffected. The Ystrauy- fodgwg Sewage Board had issued instructions for the in- formation and guidance of the ratepayers in that parish, and thought that something of the same kind should be done in Llanwonno.—The Chairman regretted that proper care had not been exercised in the case referred to, and hoped that through the medium of the press the public would be made acquainted with the importance of the matter. He was sorry the girl was not at once brought to Infirmary where there was plenty of room for her. After a few observations from Mr Penn and Mr J. Williams, in favour of restrictive measures being adopted, it was moved by Mr Penn and seconded by Mr Fowler that bills be printed containing instructions and minatory clauses, and circulated in the district.—The contract for building the new hospital was let to Mr T. Evans for £265, the highest was JE360. SUSPECTED ARSON,—On Sunday evening, about six o'clock, indications of fire were observed in the premises known as the Bristol House, in the main street, by the Tabernacle Chapel. As no one appeared to be in the house the door was burst open, and a conflagration in its incipient stages was arrested. The premises are in the occupation of a D, Pavjee, who vends toys and fancy articles of various kinds. From the fact that one of the boards of the upstairs floor had been raided and a quantity of light and inflammable materials placed under it, as well as a similar provision down stairs, the suspicions of the police were aroused, and when Davies reached bis residence, about eleven o'clock, he was apprehended and taken to the police station. His wife was also ta'<en into custody at the same time, but subsequently set at liberty.' The prisoner had insured his stock for an amount more than sufficient apparently to ccver a total loss by fire.

PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.—(Before Messrs. E. Williami and W. Prichard.) ASSAULT.—John Loughor, of Llantrissant, was charged with having assaulted Ann Phillips, with whom he lodged, by taking hold of her by the throat, at Llantrissant, on the 16th January. The defendant was fined 20s and costs, or 28 days. ASSAULTING A PUBLICAN AND HIS WIFE.—Thomas Davies and Thomas Jenkins, two respectable-looking young colliers, were charged with assaulting Mr. and M rs J enkinll, landlord and landlady of the Pandy Inn, Ystrad, and also with assaulting their little girl, for refusing to serve them with beer Thomas Davies was fined 20s and costs, and Thomas Jenkins 10s and costs. Boy TIPPLERS.- Thomas Charles. Lewis Hughes (mere boys), and John Jones, of Treherbert, were summoned for being drunk and riotous. Jones was fined 10s and costs, and the boys were liberated on payment of costs, but were warned by their worships not to come before them again. PUBLIC-HOUSE OFFENCES.—Henry Jones, Caatella, was ordered to pay costs for having his honse open before half- past twelve on Sunday, the 4th February.—Samuel Harry, Railway Inn, Llantwit Vardre, was charged with selling beer during illegal hours. Fined 10s and costs.—Richard Aston, Ivor Arms, Trallwm, was charged with having his house open during illegal hours on Sunday, the 4th inst. Defendant was at chapel when the offence took place. Fined Is and costs. A DRUNKEN WOMAN.—Elizabeth Tucker, a well-known drunkard and noisy woman was summoned for being drunk and riotous on the 10th in*t.—P.C. Osmonde said defendant was making a great noise on Saturday night about eleven o'clock opposite the Colliers' Arms. She was drunk. Fined 5s and costs. CHARGE OF ARSON.—J. Davies, respectably attired, a toy and fancy dealer, Bristol House, Pontypritid, was charged with having attempted to set his house and stock on fire for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining the insurance amount. It was stated that the house and pre- mises had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire, and it is probable that the whole block of some eight or ten houses would have been destroyed had the fire obtained the mastery. Mr Morgan, of Cardiff, now appeared for pri- soner, and on the application of Supt. Mathews he was remanded for a fortnight, hail being accepted, himself in £200, and a surety in a like amount. RHYMNEY INTELLIGENCE. ZION INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.—Collection meetings were held at the above chapel on Sunday last, when three able sermons were delivered by the Rev. T. M. Thomas, a missionary. The services Jwere numerously attended, and the collections very good. On Monday evening, Mr Thomas delivered a lecture in the same place of worship on his "Missionary enterprises in Africa." The proceeds were devoted towards liquidating the debt on the chapel. MORlAR CHAPEL.—On Sunday afternoon last, the Rev T. L. Jones, Machen, delivered an English sermon at the above chapel, having immediate reference to the life and death of the late Rev E. C. Jenkius. His text was taken from the 12th verse of the 2nd chapter of the 2 Book of Kings. There was a very fair attendance at the service. WELSH WESLEYAN CHAPEL.—The friends who met at the above chapel for divine worship, resolved about a year ago to erect a new and commodious chapel, ss the old one was out of repair. Their resolution has been carried into effect by building a chapel a few yards from the Rhymney Church. The building is a very neat one, and underneath is a vestry for holding services on week days, &c. On Sunday last they met there for the first time, when sermons were delivered by the Revs Griffiths and Morgans, Wes- leyan ministers. There was a good attendance. TREDEGAR INTELLIGENCE. SMALL-POX.—The disease seems now to betspreading towards the north part of the town and Sirhowy, a district hitherto comparatively free. It appears there exists a great number of dangerous cases. FATAL ACCIDENT.—At No. 8 pit, a man named William Dai is, met his death on Tuesdayby a fall coming down on him. The deceased was a haulier, and while going in an empty tram. a fall came down and caused instant death. No marks were te be seen on his body, except a little bruise above his right ear. He has left a widow and orphan to mourn after him. EXAGGERATED STATISTICS.—I" a local daily paper of the 12th inst., we observe that in Tredegar alone 20 deaths from small-pox are reported to have taken place during the week. On inquiry, we find that the total death rate from this disease in the parish for the fortnight ending last Saturday is 22—12 occurred in Tredegar, and the others occurred at Ebbw Vale, Sirhowy, &c., so that the correct figures for Tredegar are less than the half of 20. It is bad enough to have such a malady in our midst, at the same time there is no necessity to spread alarm by doubling the rate of mortality. DRIVEN Fnmr HOME.—SHOCKING SCENE IN THE CIRCLE.' —On Tuesday a man made his appearance in the streets covered with small-pox eruptions, and crowds gathered around him as he sat un the clock steps waiting to know where he could find a refuge. The relieving-officer had been appealed to, but he had no power to send the man to tbe union, and there is not yet any hospitatal accommoda- tion provided in the parish. Superintendent Fowler was applied to, and he soon discovered the man was one of three vagrants recently discharged by the magistrates. The man had been sleeping out on Monday night, and the eruption making its appearance he scarcely knew where to go but Mr Fowler found temporary lodgings in Iron-street, and. after giving the poor fellow a good basin of soup, he was safely housed and bedded. This shows how urgent it is that the parish should at once have hospital accommodation. VESTRY MEETING.—A vestry meeting was called of the ratepayers of the parish of Bedwellty at the Castle Hotel oil Friday evening, to consider the propriety of providing hospitals for the reception of persons attacked by the small-pox, which direful malady seems to be gaining ground throughout the parish, no fewer than about 1,500 persons having been attacked since June, and of 'this number 1G!J have died up to Saturday last. The first resolution was moved to build three temporary hospitals, one for Tredegar and Sirhowy, one for Rhymney, and one for Ebbw Vale. It was thought this would be more expedient and cheaper than to have one large hospital at Tredegar alone. It was next moved that the Board of Guardians, in conjunction with a few of the leading men, form a committee to carry out the necessary requirements of those hospitals. The fol- lowing persons were appointed to act with the guardians — At Tredegar, Messrs Brown, James Phillips, Hunter, Tapson, E. Evans, and Hall; at Rhymney, Messrs Lay- bourne, Owen, Dixon, Jones, &c. at Ebbw Vale, Messrs Henry, W. Evans, &c. at New Tredegar, Messrs J. Jeremiah and Thomas Thomas. The medical gentlemen of each district are also to form the committee. Whether or not this will prove efficacious to stamp out the disease time will prove. The appointment of a public vaccinator and inspector of nuisances is to be made by the committee. MEETING OF THE BEDWELLTY SCHOOL BOARD.—On Wed- nesday the Bedwellty School Board held their monthly meeting at Tredegar. The Rev J. Jones (Mathetes) had sent a printed letter, the very day before, to each of the other members of the Board, on the subject of compulsory attendance proposed in the bye-laws, which were to be con- sidered at the meeting. Mathetes takes the lead on the Board in dealing with all matters affecting liberty of con- science, from a Nonconformist point of view, a point which bears relation to the whole question of religious liberty throughout the world. I he letter of Mathetes is too long for insertion verbatim 1Q our columns but the lucid and close argument it contains—such an argument as Mathetes is well known to be capable of giving—will, no doubt, have a wide and deep impression. He quotes from Mr Holdsworth's (barrister) work on Mr Forster's Act, to show that School Boards have nothing to do with schools founded and supported. by voluntary effort," but in case the 25th clause be put in force. He also quotes the words of Mr Gladstone, who said, June, 1870, that local boards shall cease to have any connection with volun- tary schools." Mathetes says that, as the Bedwellty School Board proposes not to put the 25th clause in force, it cannot connect itself to denominational schools by com- pelling children to attend those schools. He proves that it is totally out of the province of the Board to compel any class of children to attend any school but a School Board school. He shows the absurdity of compelling children to attend denominational schools by the Board, as the Board is disposed to have the Bible read in its own schools. To compel one class of children to attend a school in which the Bible is read, and compel another class of children to attend a school in which the authorised version is regarded as a heretical dangerous book, would prove the Board to be hypocritical in its zeal for the authorised version of the Bible being read in school. He shows the abaurdity of the cry about charity in this matter. He says, h It is not charity for a man to say, either in words or actions, that no opposite creed is so good and true as his own, because by stating that an antagonistic faith is as good as mine, he plainly says that he has no faith in it at all. No man can make identity out of palpable difference. To sup- port either or all creeds by money and law, is to violate each faith, for every opposing creed aims at the extinc- tion of its opposite." Mathetes also shows that it is un- businesslike for the Board to be merely the director of force In the service of schools over the education in which the Board will not have the slightest control. The Board in taking such a position would be unlike other Boards, such as Boards of Guardians, who manage their business over which they employ force. By many such unanswer- able arguments Mathetes aims to induce the Bedwellty .uoarii, of which be is a member, against connecting itself TA denominational schools, by compelling children to attend them. His letter ought to be in the hands of all rt is a masterly, powerful, and highly {etter.—Very little business was done at the meeting on Wednesday. Mr Darby had signified that he could not attend, and he thought that the discission on the bye- aws might be postponed with advantage, as the educa- lon measure would come before Parliament for amend- ment.—Ihe friends of unsectarian education cannot con- sisten tly regret that there is a disposition to delay putting r f orster's measure in practice among those whom Mr orster does\all he can to please.—Mathetes read a resolu- ion passed at the Monmouthshire quarterly meeting of the aptist denomination, held at Newport lately. This resolu- tion, which he read at the Bedwellty School Board on Wed- nesday, was put down on the minutes of the Board. The resolution was a follows :—" That this conference deeply deplores the disposition manifested by some of the Schoel .boards, established in Wales, to avail themselves of those objectionable clauses of the Elementary Education Act, by which they are enabled to introduce sectarian teaching into ►school Board schools. It deems such a proceeding unwise and unnecessary, in itself oppressive to the parent, unjuit towards the ratepayer, pregnant with elements of jealousy, animosity, and strife, and a great stumbling-block in the way of national education. It also ventures to affirm that no system of National teaching can suit the Principality, free wkich is undenomianational, compulsory, and

TREDEGAR POLICE COURT. TUESDAY.—(Before J. G. James, Esq., and Dr Coates.) ASSAULT.—Cooney v. Etberidge.—Mr Lane appeared for complainant, a railman, and Mr C. R. Harris for defendant, a rougher atEbbwVale.—Etheridge lodges at the Harp InD, Cooney bad pent out a report that the house W&II Dot properly conducted, and on the defendant going to the house of John Lloyd, & collier, to have the matter cleared up with Cooney, who would have it that a noise in the street pro- ceeded from the Harp. Lloyd told him the noise was caused in turning Williams, who was drunk, nut of bis (Lloyd's) house. Cooney wa* drunk, and in eoin? out fMl down ti e steps against the wall and hurt his sid'\ and he attribrted the fall to a push from defendant.—Witnesses were c-dled on both sides, and the Bench considering it an even ha' d d affair said the case would be dismissed, each party to pay his own witnesses. A RUNAWAY APPRENTICE.—Emmanuel Nash was charged with absenting himself from the employm'-nt of Elias Hutchings, with whom he was bound apprentice ss n shoe- maker.—Mr Plews prosecuted, and Mr Harris defended.— Elilll Hutchings sworn Defendant was apprenticed tn me in May, as stated in the agreement. He went away on 2Sfh October last.—By Mr Harris I am now living at Rristol and carry on the business of a marine store dealer. 1 have not given up my shoemaking business at Tredecar. I come over here when it suits me. I have two managers. Pearce is over the department in which defendant was eneatred Pearce was a tinman by trade, but has been Ion? enough at the shoemaking to be able to make a boot.—By Mr Plews I don't remember defendant sayinsr Pearce was not, a cnm. petent man. ChRrlell Pearce sworn I ms natre the business at Tredegar for Mr Hutchings I spent three years at the tin trade and more than that in thp other. Nash said to me he would not stay unless he had a competent man to teach him be had other privile^ps for extra work besides his was;es.—By Mr Harris He had to do a certain amount of work per day. Knew nothing of any fines.—Mr Harris addressed the Bench, and contended the r gr-ement was not a proper indenture. — Mr Plews replied and held that the document was as binding as any indenture could be. and the Bench having consulted decided that Nash was bound to finish the term of his apprenticeship, and ordered him to return and find one surety for the due performance of his contract.—Nash said he would rather work every hour in prison than go back. LEAVING WORK —John MeGrath. labourer, was charged as above by the Tredegar Iron Co. Defendant had to attend to the boilers in the puddling and blast engine, and had stayed away from Monday to Friday. Thos. Price, foreman, gave evidence of the neglect, and defendant was ordered to resume work and pay a fine of 2s 6d and costs. — An engine driver named Evan James was charged by the Tredegar Iron Ce. with neglect of duty. Mr C. R. Harris and Mr Plews were engaged in the case, and by request of the latter the case was adjourned for a week. WANTON ACT.—Abraham Mitchell and Daniel Jones were ordered to pay 20s each damage, apd a fine of Is and costs for wilfully driving a locomotive engine through a shed door at Rhymney. # — BRYNMAWK. POLICE.—The list for Monday cantained only four cases, one being a charge of larceny, and the others for assault and drunkenness, mostly amongst the Irish. On Monday next a ease of some importance will be heard. The land- lady of a public-house, by inadvertence, it is hoped, altered the figures on her brewing paper from four to two. The defence will be that she intended brewing the former quantity, but changing her mind she halved it. Mr Bolgar has taken the matter Uf), and be will assuredly see that the affair is thoroughly sifted. BLAINA. FTTNERAL OBSEQUIES.—On Saturday afternoon every shop in the village of Blaina was partially closed, and in every house the blinds were lowered out of respect to Mr LI. Williams, who was buried on that day. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr Chas. Jones, of Blaina. The Odd Fellows' club headed the cortege, and Messrs Gunter, J. Jones ("Cymro Bach"), and a few picked vocalists, conducted by Mr D. Bowen, sang some of the old fashioned Welsh tunes -n the way to the graveyard, which was distant about M miles. The procession started for Blaina Gwent Chapel at 3.20, and reached its destination at 4.45. The Rev Mr Michael having addressed a few words of consolation to the relatives and friends, the body was lowered into the vault amidst the sobs and sighs ef all pre- sent. The body was carried the whole distance, a fact which speaks for the respect entertained for the deceased by the several bearers, who would not bear of a hearse being used. A special train convey e 1 the whole party back to Blaina, Nantyglo, &c., at six o el ck. BEAUFORT. BENEFIT CONCKRT.—On Friday evening a grand concert was given in the British Schoolroom, which, we are happy to state, passed aC to the mutual satisfaction of both audience and proij iters. The programme, which w as a thorough good al) Taried one, was strictly adhered to, and was very creditably got through by all who took part in it. The proceeds, we understand, are to be handed over to the widow of the late Francis Williams, who came by his death through falling over a bridge on the Ebbw Yale and Trevil limestone road. The principal performers were Misses Watkins and Smith, Messrs Bowen, Glanville, Roberts, the Beaufort Philharmonic Band, Mr J. Gullivet and party, and Mr Golding, pianist, nearly all of whom gave their services gratuitously. Mr Daniel Gwillim, grocer, presided, and succeeded in getting through his duties very comfortably iudecd.

THE MINES REGULATION ACT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. The following measure affecting the interest of our mining population was brought before the attention of Parliament on Monday last. The most important points of the proposed bill, as introduced by Government, will be gleaned from a perrsal of Mr Bruce's speech, which we publish at length. Mr BRUCE, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend and consolidate the Acts for the regulation of mines, expressed his regret that a measure of so much importance had been so long delayed. The Bill had been in possession of the House for two successive sessions, but the attention of the House was occupied by measures of greater political importance. He hoped the time had now come when they would be able to devote their attention to questions of social importance. (Hear, hear.) This was an instalment in that direction, and too important to be dealt with in the small hours of the night. As he had twice before intro- duced the Bill, he would confine himself to the changes in- troduced in its provisions. He ha.d given his best attention not only to the amendments placed on the paper last session, but to the suggestions of working men. The present Bill is somewhat larger in scope than the last one. It applied not only to coal and ironstone mines, but to stratified iron and shale mines. With respect to the employment of boys, the Bill was the same as that of last year, with a single exception. In all previous Bills the age for admission was ten, but in this he proposed to adopt the principle of the Factory Act. Last year he pro- posed that boys of that age should only be allowed to work a limited number of hours, but now he adopted the more elastic system of six half-days wherever it could be usefully introduced. With regard to children under thirteen, there was a change from twelve to ten hours. As to educa- tion, the provisions were practically unaltered. He had left in the Bill the clauses respecting the payment of wages, but many questions on this subject would be better dealt with in the Bill relating to the Truck Act which would be introduced by the Government. It had been strongly urged upon him by working men that a uniform system of weigh- ing coal should be adopted. There was much to recom- mend this practice but where the system of measuring was adopted, the chanpe would put proprietors to creat expense. He hardly thought it right, therefore, to enforce the change. The Bill therefore proposed to adopt the sys- tem of weighing but where a case was made out, a power was reserved to the Secretary of State to sanction the other system. He had adopted the amendment of the hon. member for Wigan as to the use of a uniform wei 'ht. (Hear, hear.) The next point had reference to the shafts' When two shafts were necessary the communications be. tween then* were to be 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. With regard to the most important feature of the Bill-praven. tion .f aCCldentll-lt was found that the average of deaths in the year amounted to 1,000, besides accidents of more or less gravity. It was a popular error to suppose that these deaths and accidents arose exclusively from explosions owing to defective ventilation for which owners and agents were responsible. As a matter of fact the average deaths caused by explosions in collieries was about one-fourth of the whole. Last year the number of deaths was 991, and °K only 185 were due to explosions. In some years the average was as 10 per cent. In one year, in conse- quence of the great number of explosions, it rose to 43 per cent but that was an exceptional year. The greater part of the accidents arose from carelessness on the part of the men and the want of rigorous discipline on the part of the managers. Last year 411 deaths and numerous accidents occurred from the falling of maseesof stone on the work- men. If the collieries were properly overlooked, these ac- cidents would not have taken place. It was the opinion of the inspectors that if greater responsibility were thrown on the managers of collieries, a great saving of life would he effected. No doubt the House was loath to interfere with the manner in which traders conducted their business but when it was one which involved great danger to life, Parlia- ment was justified in interfering. What he proposed was, that in every colliery a manager should be appointed by the owner—he might appoint himself if he wished—a»d that such manager should be registered. At present any breach of duty was punishable by a fine which was invaria- bly paid by the master, and no neglect of any duty which led to any accident short of death was otherwise punishable by law. Wherever a manager was found guilty by a cor- oner's jury of manslaughter, the bill was invariably thrown out by the grand jury, and he doubted whether there was an example of a single conviction of a manager, however gross and patent his negligence. The manager would now be vested with responsibility. He proposed that every manager of a colliery, who was not a manager on the 1st of January, 1872, should be subject to examination. (Hear, hear.) Although the existing managers would not be sub. ject to examination they would be required to h»ve a certi- ficate. The examination would be of a strictly practical character. Attheaame time the owner would be responsible for selecting a manager of sobriety, experience, ability, and general good conduct. The manager would for misconduct be liable to have his certificate cancelled or suspended after an inqniry held before a stipendiary magistrate, a county court judge, or a barrister named by the Secretary of State. The examining board would be constituted by the Secretary of State. It would be a local board, composed generally of an inspector and a person practically acquainted with the mining of the district. He now came to the general rules; and first, with regard to the roofs and sidings of roadways and working places, obligations were thrown on the owner and manager to keep them in a proper condition. Anether rule, introduced for the first time, had reference to the use of gunpowder. (Hear.) A large proportion of the accidents in mines was due to the rash use of that agent. It was provided as a general rule that no powder should be taken into a pit except in cartridges. Under no plea or shape whatever would powder be allowed to be used for blasting coal, but it might be used in those mines for blasting rock, and this under the direction of a com- petent person. Another general rule was the embodiment of the amendment of his hon. friend the member for Ayrshire with regard to ventilation. There were other provisions for the purpose of inspecting mines every 24 hours to see if there was any appearance of danger, to provide for the due warning of the men, and one in par- ticular which empowered the men to appoint two of their number to inspect and examine every part of the mine once a month. There was also a provision for the more efficient covering of the men when ascending or descending, and for promptly bringing men to the surface. When the recom- mendation of the Select Committee appeared to provide for efficient ventilation of the mine, the words used were that the owners should be bound to apply proper ventilation to reader the sotoe ?afe wder orduiary circuujfrtances, aud ) it was objected to those words that they placed the owners in a different position to any or.e else, because it cast on them ihe duty of proving a negative, but it wns really unavoidable, and i" would be quite opt-n to the owi,er.« to ( prove that the accident ccrurrt-d from sudden fall of r<vk. or from some mi15chi,.vuu s 1 Ii) rs"n removing something The difficulty was tint when an accidcnt occurred every trice of the cause of the accident w..s des'royed. »t,d there were no me"ns of proving that the mine was properly ventilated. In his view it should be f.ir the employers to show that the ventilation was sufficient in the ordi- nary statc of the mine, and if they could do thai it would tie at once assumed that the accident was due to some temporary cause, such as collieri's we-e gut j»c* to. A large proportion rf the accidents in mines i:r«-se from the state of the roadways, and in order to obviate that the Bill contained a provision that the tram A ays should be placed all on the same side, because it frequmtly occurred that there was an accident in crossing tile road. lie now cnine to a special subject of great interest to tie nu n. What they wanted was that once in every quarter all the mines in the country should be thoroughly inspected by the Government inspectors, and that there should be a responsible Minister to control the inspectors. But that was utterly opposed to all the policy of Parliament, and wou]d net really be to the interest of the nieti themselves Their stfrty depended, not on a thorough quarterly inspection, but on a thorough d^ilv inspection, which^ this Bill would provide, and which would very much increase the responsibility of the niana- gers. Besides which, the Bill would enable them to control the inspection infinitely better than it could be done hy any machinery of Government. At the same time, he did not say that the number of Government inspectors was sufficient, for in point of fact they were utterly insufficient to make such an inspection as the Bill proposed. Accumula- tions of gas or other causes of danger to the mine took place in far less time than a quarter, and he thought in making this suggestion the men had not hit upon the right remedy, but that the plan of the Government was infinitely better. They proposed to make some increase in the inspectors, such as the increasing number of the collieries demanded, but they were altogether opposed to transfer the responsibility of the colliery owners and managers to the State. He mnetted the delay that had tiiken place in legislating on this subject, and concluded by expressing his conviction that the delay would be com- pensated by the improved provisions of the present measure for securing the safety of the men. Mr Elliot expressed his opinion that the provisions for prohibiting the use of gunpowder to the extent proposed would not work well, and that it would lead to the miners doing without the safety lamp where they could, in order to use the powder; and thus accidents would be caused by the very means that were adopted to repress them. He had had an experience of thirty years as a representative of mining, and had always insisted on the use of the safety lamp wherever there were the slightest indications of danger from the accumulation of gas. He admitted that there was an enormous number of accidents from the too free use of gunpowder, and was not without hope that some substitute would eventulolly be found which would have the effect of diminishing them but. do what they could, they would never enjoy a. complete immunity from accidents so long as the naked light was used. A great number of the road accidents arose from improper timbering and in the north of England, where the timber was placed and taken away by experienced workmen, they rarely occurred. He was not averse to the general provisions of th". Bin, but thought care ought to be taken in giving the men power at their will to appoint workmen to inspect the mines, pointing out that anything which would operate to diminish discipline would be dangerous, and to the fact that very often 50;1 or 600 men had to work below ground. where they were away from control and if questions arose about price there would be some danger in giving too much power of this kind to the men. He did not wish to say a hard word of any one, but it often happened that accidents in mines were due to the men themselves. Lord Elcho denied that the House was responsible for the delay that took place in regard to the Dili last year, and expressed his satisfaction with the change from mea- surement to weight. Mr Liddell was glad that no time bad been kst in bring- ing forward this important measure, and be knew from a telegram which he had received that afternoort that the large body of coal owners in the north of England i shared in that satisfaction. Dr L. Playfair remarked that the present measure was a very great improvement on the previous legislation offend ■ the in. and was likely largely to benefit the miners. After a few words from Mr Wheelbouse, Mr Plinisoll expressed his belief that some owners made expense a consideration rather than the safety of the miners. After a few words from Mr Bruce, in reply, Leave was given to bring in the Bill. Mr Bruce also obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the Regulation of Metalliferous Mines. WEDNESDAY.—THE BURIALS DILL. Mr Osborne Morgan moved the second reading of the Burials Bill, the object of which, he explained, was to allow Nonconformists to have their own burial service read by their own ministers when obliged to resort to the parish churchyard. He strong'v characterised this disability as a relic of bigotry and intolerance, and powerfully urged the House, especially those members attached to the Established Church, to concede so simple a measure of justice and civil right. Mr Birley reluctantly moved that the Bill be-read a second time that day six months. He regarded the nIll as the first attack in the agitation for the separation of Church and State, and believed that it would do much to per- petuate religious dissensions and jalousies, ins;ead of healing them. Mr S. Morley thought that nine out of ten of the thinking men of the country would be glad to s:je the question settled on the basis of this Bill. Mr Mowbray could not see the slightest hope that this Bill wouH settle the question. If there was the smallest probability of the Bill effecting an amicable settlement, he would not have opposed it, and he was afraid that it was impossible to expect fairness from the promoters of this Bill. He, however, hoped that they would still consent to a fair compromise, which be, for one, was quite ready to accept. Mr Hinde Palmer denied that the Dissenters were opposed to a fair compromise. It was the other side who refused all concession. Mr Beresford Hope considered that there was just as fair a claim to celebrate Nonconformist marriages at the altars of the Church. Mr Miall contended that, as the Church was a national one, the Nonconformists claimed what was only their right, and desired neither concession nor compromise. After some further discussion, the House divided, when there pppeared for the second reading-178; ag<limt-h8; majority 70.—lhe Bill was then read a second time, amid loud cheering.

w S CHOCOLATE.—La in an article entitled France et Angleterre." says —" Nous n'vons en France qu une seule usine ou la preparation du Cacao euiploie un materiel et un personnel aussi considerables que ceux que nous avons vus dans l'usine de Messieurs Epps. C'est une veritable curiosite dans sou genre que cette irnmenso fabrtque. The wrapper of each cake of Chocolate pre- pared by this firm is labelled JAMES Epps & Co.. Homoe- opathic Chemists, London." Also, makers of Epps's Milky Cho-.olate (Chocolate and Condensed Milk). 4715 "THE LION, THE NKT, AND THE MorsE. — To prevent Pirates, and unprincipled Traders from deceiving thcpubiic, the proprietor of PowELL'S BALSAM OF ASJSEED has been compelled to adopt the above Trade Mark (Lion, Net, and Mouse), nnd this design will in future continue 10 appear upon the wrapper of each genuine bottle, and any one imi- tating it. will render themselves liable to fine or imprison- ment. The folio -viug letter will bear testimony to the wonderful curative properties of this old Cough Medicine. —" Her Majesty's Gun Boat, Ketley; Wick, North-East Coast of Scotland, 7th September, 1868.—DearSir,—Having had a most distressing and Severe Cough, which caused me many sleepless nights and restless days, I was recommended by His Lordship the Earl of Caithness, to try your most invaluable Balsam of Aniseed, and I can assure you with the first dose I found iximediate relief, even without having to suspend my various duties and the first small bottle com- pletely cured me, therefore I have the greatest confidence in fully recommending it to the million. Most respectfully yours, W. Linzell, H. M.G.B. Netley.'—To Mr Powell." Prepared and sold by Themas Powell, lG, Blackfriars Road, London :wd sold by Chemists and Medicine Vendors throught the World. In bottles only, at Is. lAd. aud 2.. 8d. each. Ask for POWELL'S BALSAM OF ANISEED." [4,39 BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES, for the cure of Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Bronchitis, Asthma, Catarrh, or any irritation or sorvness of the throat, are now imported and sold in this country at Is Ud per box, put up in the form of a "ltJzenge," It is the most convenient, pleasant, safe and sure remedy for clearing and strengthening the voice in the world. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher says I have i often recommended them to friends who were public speakers, and m many cases they have proved extremely serviceable." The genuine have the words "Brown's Bronchial Trocbes" on the Government Stamp around each box. Sold by all medicine vendors.—London Depot 4fl: Oxford Street. 4S31 MRS WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP FOR CHILDREN should always be used when Children are cutiiug teeth it relieves the little sufferers at once, it produces natural quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes as bright as a button." It is perfectly harmless, and very pleasant to taste. It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best- known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by thousands of Medicine dealers in all parts of the world at Is 1 Ad per bottle, and Millions ef Mothers can testify to its virtue.— Manufactory, 493 Oxford Street, London. 4831 NEW METAL POCKET YESTA Box WITH PATENT SPRING COVER.—Bryant and May have recently intro duced a. very useful little Pocket: esta Box with a most ingenious and simple spring cover it is a novelty in every way. and will soon come into very general use—being of metal instead of card. and retailed, filled with vestas, at one penn Any Tobacconist, Grocer, Chemist, or Chandler will supply it. 4818 THOSE LADIES who have not yet used the GLENFIELI: STARCH, are respectfully solicited to give it a trial, and care fully follow out the directions printed on every packagi. and if this is done, they will say, like the Queen's Laun dress, that it is the finest Starch they ever used. AVhpt you ask for Glenfield Starch, see that yon get it, as inferic- kinds arc often substituted for the sake of e-yti-i profits. FLORILINE '.—For the TEETH and BREATH.—A few drops of the Fragrant Floriline on a wet tooth brush produces a delightful fonrn, which cleanses the j.eeth from all impu- rities, strengthens and hardens the gurus, prevents tartar, arrests the progress of decay. It gives to the Teeth a peculiar and beautiful whiteness, and imparts a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour arising from decayed teeth, a disordered stomach, or tobacco smoke. The Fragrant FIonline is purely vegetable, and equally adapted to old and young. It is the greatest Toilet discovery of the age. Sold at 2s Cod hy all Chemists and Perfumers. Prepared only by H. C. GALLUP, 403 Oxford Street, London. The word '• Floriline" is a "Trade Mark." 4331 YALUABLE DISCOVERY FOR THE HAIR ;—A very nicely perfumed hair dressing called The Mexican Hair Renewer," now being sold by most Chemists and Per- fumers at 3s Gd per bottle, is fast superseding all Hair Restorers ''—for it will positivelu venture in ercrll case Grw or White hair to its original colour, by a few applications, without diicinp it, or leaving the disagreeable smell of most Restorers." It makes the hair charmingly beauti- ful, ns well as promoting the growth on bald spots, where the hair glands are not decryed. Certificate from Dr Vers- mann on every bottle, with full particulars. Ask for "THE MEXICAN HAIR RENEWER," prepared by H. C. GALLUP, 493 Ox-ford Street, London, 4831 |