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

WjEDNESDAY.— (Before A De Rutzen, Esq.) A JUVEHILE OFFENDER. Mary Duggan, 12, was summoned for having stolen 371bs of coal, the property of the Rhymney Iron Company (Limited), on the 20th ult. The case was a remanded once, his Worship having adopted the course of adjourning it rather than commit the girl at the previous hearing to gaol for non-payment of the penalty. A fine of 3s. 6d. which was now illl posed, was paid over by her father. TRESPASSING IN SEARCH OF GAME.—Jacob Clayton and Seth Griffiths. puddlers, Dowlais, were summoned for this offeDce. George Lucas, gamekeeper to Mr. n. T. Crawshay, stated that on this (Wednesday) morning, about eight o'clock, he saw defendants behind Llwyn- raolgoch wood. Clayton had a greyhound with him, and he and the other defendant were beating the gorse and brushwood for rabbits. His Worship ordered Clayton to pay a, fine of £1 and the costs, or a month's imprisonment, and Griffiths 10s. and the costs, or four- teen days. Allowed until Monday to pay. THEFT FROM THE ABERDARE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.— Thomas Christmas and Edward Davics, alias Neddy Tommy, puddlers, well-known characters, were brought up charged with stealing a sheep's head, the property of Messrs. Lewis and Marsh, butchers, Aber- dare. Previous convictions for felony being shown to exist against each of them, they were now committed for trial at the adjourned sessions. COAL STEALING AGAIN.—Ann Williams, married, another well-known customer, was brought up charged with stealing 311bs. of coal, the property of the Dowlais Co., on the previous Monday, and was committed for trial at the adjourned sessions. ALLEGED BIG\MT.—Charles Finch Bellamy, described as a labourer, a decently-dressed young fellow, was placed in the docl, charged under a warrant executed at St. Helen's, Lancashire, by P.S. Davies, with feloniously marrying Mary Phillips, his former wife, Margaret Bellamy, being then alive. The only witness examined was Elizabeth James, a married woman, residing at Quarry-row, who stated that her daughter Margaret left the house with the prison3r to be married at the Regis- trar's Office, Merthyr, some day in April, 1871. They lived together at Georgetown as husband and wife for a couple of months afterwards. Prisoner left his wife there, and went away to the North of England, whither she, however, followed him. They lived there for some time, but prisoner again deserted her, and came back to this neighbourhood. She came after him in May, 1874, but he refused to live with her or have anything to do with her. Witness saw him in High- street, and told him that if be did not live with her daughter she (witness) would make him support her or get a divorce from him. Prisoner, however, would not undertake to do either, and the next thing witness heard of him was that he had gone to live to the Rhondda Valley, and that he had got married to the woman Phillips at Sardis Chapel, Pontypridd. Sergt. Olding now applied for a remand until Saturday for the production of other witnesses necessary to complete the case. An application was made on the prisoner's behalf by a clerk from the office of Mr. Thomas Phillips, solicitor, Aberdare, that he be admitted to bail. Mr. De Rutzen consented to take the prisoner's recognizances in JE50, and one surety in a like sum. In default of finding the required security, the prisoner was removed in custody.

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MERTHYR- BOARD OF HEALTH. The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday, when Mr. T. Jenkins presided, and there were also present Messrs. Wm. Harris, T. Lloyd. B. Kirkhouse, J. W. James, T. H. Hosgood, W. L. Daniel, and Dr. J. L. Probert. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and passed, the following business was transacted DRAINAGE ACCOUNTS. The Clerk read the following letter :— To the Chairman and Members of the Merthyr Board of Health. "GENTLEMEN,—I beg to report that I have dissectecl the cost of four filtering areas, according to your in- structions. Mr. Harpur expended in constructing deep drainage and forming, the sum of £1,569 2s. Nearly the whole of the work was executed at Mr- Sutherland's contract prices. Mr. Bailey Denton expended for con- structing sub-areas, forming and levelling, the sum: of £3,03710s.4d. (Signed) THOS. HAVABI >. "4th January, 1876." The total cost, as shown on an annexed particularised sheet, amounted to E4,606 12s. 4d. The statement was received. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Clerk read the following report To the Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health. GENTLEMEN, —1 beg to submit a statement of the consumption of water by meter and for special purposes during the fourth quarter of the year 1875, shewing that 3.331,000 gallons of the value of A'118,8s. 9d., w ere used for machinery and motive yower, and 2,271, 000 gallons of the value of 196 10s. for other purposes, of trade and manufacture that the special charges for water not measured amount to £ 6 Is., and meter rents to Xii lis. 4d., making together a total for the quarter of £2;32 Is. lid. For the corresponding quarter of the year 1874 the total amount was B291 11s. 9d. I beg to submit an estimate of the expenditure and income of your Board for waterworks and general pur- poses for the months of February, March, April, and May, 1876. I beg to lay before you thirteen notices of nuisances arising from the want of drainage works and closets to eighteen houses in Merthyr, and I beg to recommend that proceedings be taken against the respective owners of the said houses or their respective agents under the Public Health Act, 1875, for tb.c abatement of the said nuisances. I beg to report that in many towns it has been found advantageous And economical in making and re-coating macadamized roads to use a steam roller, whereby the road material is Consolidated before it becomes damaged by friction, an\ the annoyance of travelling over loose stones is avoided. I would, therefore, suggest the pur- chase of sJjch a machine for your district. I beg '.0 report that on the 18th ult a lamp-post and lamp \a Courtland-terrace were broken, by whom, or by Nvhat means, I have been unable to discover. I beg to report that 1 have received the following building plans and notices, to which I see no objection, viz. c I.-From Henry Jones, Union-street, Dowlais. of a house behind the houses No. 11 and 11a, Victoria- street, Dowlais, for himself. 2.-From John Howells, Mackworth Arms, Dowlais, of a house in Walter-street, Dowlais, for himself. Appended hereunto are reports ot your nuisance in- spectors. Your Merthyr inspector reports 18 nuisances and the service of nine notices your Dowlais inspectoi reports three nuisances. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, SAMUEL HARPUR, Surveyor. Merthyr Tydfil, January 5th, 1876. THE ESTIMATES—A NEW RATE. The Chairman was about to read the Surveyor s esti- mate of expenditure at the waterworks for the months of February, March, April, and May next, when Mr. Harris said that the Finance Committee had met the previous night, and had had a long discussion on the matter. They agreed to recommend the Board to make a rate up to the end of the financial year, amounting to V, one shilling in the 9. This would prevent them run- ning into another year. Mr. Kirkhouse And would fiaish the present year Mr. Harris Yes, up to the 2ath March. Mr. Williams (to the clerk) Suppose we make a rate up to the 25th March. Mr. Goodfellow says he cannot get it in by that time, for it will only give him 14 days; now the question is, can he go on collecting this after- wards, and paying it in to the credit of the year ending ^Xhe^Cle^k. did not sco any logo,!I difficulty, but con firmed the statement of Mr. Goodfellow. Supposing the rate to be made on the first Wednesday in Feb. Mr Harris said it was thought by the committee on the previous night that it would be better to make a small rate just to carry them on till thp. end of the financial year, and he repeated the only difficulty they feared was the legal question. The Chairman What Mr. Harpur has made an esti- mate for would carry us on till May. Mr. Harpur (the Surveyor): Yes, but that would re- quire an eighteenpenny rate. The Chairman Well, I think it is a very good sug- gestion that we should have a shilling rate. People would always ratner pay less than more. Mr. Harris Then I propose that we make a shilling rate, to carry us till the end of the financial year. But if we do that, these estimates are to no purpose. Dr. James I thought they were estimates for four months. We do not want estimates for four months, only for two. INIR. Harpur All that we shall have to do is to reduce th^jr^j'ames: I think if we made up our minds that we do not want estimates for four months these should D Afbtergs0ometurdLf'jesultory conversation, the Clerk- said by the next meeting Mr. Harpur will be able to make up another estimate. Mr. Harris I don't think the membeis of tne Board are to blame in this matter. We have been leaning on the £ 5,000 we are to borrow. Dr. Probert: I thought a two-shilling rate was to be made in cjse you find there might be a failure to borrow the money. VoicfS So it was. Mr. Daniel What rate do you calculate, Mr. Harpur, wouid be sufficient for the four months, as prepared in your estimate ? Mr. Harpur An eighteenpenny rate. Mr. Harris I think the best thing we can do is to have rate to close the financial year. 9 A general concurrence appeared to be given to this view, and it was decided that a shilling rate be made accordingly. A STREET AND ROAD ROLLER. With regard to the suggestion contained in the above ?ePort, Dr. James asked whether it would not be better to refer this matter to the stone-dressing machine com- mittee, if it was still in existence ? Mr. Daniel, after it had been stated that there was no such committee now, Fuargestcd that the matter be referred to a committee of the whole Board. Mr. Kirkhouse: There is no doubt that it would be a very good thing. Mr. Daniel: What is the price, Mr. Chairman ? The Chairman About j2600. He thought the matter had better be handled by a committee. Mr. Harris I think a committee had better be named for it, then. Dr. James: Better let it go to a cornmitttee of the whole Board. This course was agreed to. TRIAL OF COAL. The Surveyor read the following :— PENBRYN ENGINES—COAL TEST. John Morgan, Dowlais coal-35 hours. 5 tons 3 cwt. 0 qrs. at 7s. 9d. Bl 19 11 1 ton 2 cwt. 0 qrs. at 13 6d. 14 10 Equal to Is. 6fd. per hour. je2 14 9 4 John Watts, mixed coal-30 hours. 6 tons 5 cwt. 3 qrs. at 7s. 6d. £2 7 2 Equal to Is. 6fd. per hour. 4 Graig coal—36 hours. 3 tons 16 cwt. 0 qrs. at 6s Bl 2 10 1 ton 3 cwt. 3 qrs. at 128. 14 3 Equal to Is. Oid. per hour. £1 17 1 D. Davies, Galon Uchaf, mixed- 36 hours. 6 tons 4 cwt. 1 qr. at 6s. 6d £ 2 0 5 Equal to Is. lfd. per hour. He added that Mr. Davies offered to adhere to this contract, which he left because the place was flooded. He suggested that the two lowest be accepted. Dr. James The Graig is small coal, is it not? Mr. Harpur: No sir. Mr. Harris: These firms are so much per hour for burning ? Mr. Harpur: Yes, sir. Mr. Daniel: Do they deliver at the prices named? Mr. Harpur replied in the affirmative. Mr. Harris How would you divide the contract, if we choose these two ? Mr. Harpur said Mr. Lewis would see to that being done. Mr. Lloyd expressed his belief that the differerces brought about by these prices would pay for two fire- men. The suggestion of the Surveyor was agreed to. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.—IMPROVING HEALTH. The Clerk read the following report, which had been forwarded by the Medical Oifiuejr of Health (Dr. Dyke) as follows:- "The Chairman and Members ,of the Local Board of Health. GENTLEMEN,-—The births recorded during the fourth quarter of the year 1875, numbered 436, and the deaths 274. The birth-rate I estimate fit 32. and the death- rate at 20 per 1,000. The rainfall during the same period amounted to 18 inches. During the year ended the 31st December, 1875, 2,008 births, and 1,191 deaths were registered. I cal- culate the birth-rate to have been 36. and the death- rate 21 per 1,000. The rainfall on 177 days was 571 inches. "In a letter da.ted the 15th December, 1875. Dr. William Farr, of the Office of the Registrar-General, enquired of me to what causes I attributed the marked reduction in the death-rate in Merthyr Tydfil in the three decennial periods from 1841 to 1870." These rates were, according to the official returns, 1841 to 1850, 28; 1851 to 1860, 29; 1861 tc 1870, 25 per 1,000. I may now add that the rate from 1871 to 1875 was 26 per 1,000. The epidemic of smallpox in 1872 greatly increased the mortality in that year. The causes that have contributed to this marked reduction" have been the following — Tn the four years 1847 to 1850, the death-rate in Merthyr averaged 37 in the thousand annually. This extreme unhealthiness was due to foul smells from putrefying refuse, to a scanty and polluted water supply, and to the entire absence of scavenging. In 1850 the Local Board was formed in 1851 and thenceforward the streets and lanes were scavenged daily the death-rate fell by the end of 1855 to 28 in the thousand. Next an unlimited supply of pure water was brought to the town in the ten years, 1856 to 1865 the rate of deaths fell :0 26 in the thousand. "In 1866 the main sewers were commenced, and in due time completed. By the end of the next ten years. 1875, the mortality has been reduced to an average of 25 in the thousand. "In addition to the construction of waterworks and main sewers, and the purchase and formation of more than 30) acres of land for the clarification of sewage, a thorough system for the daily removal of refuse, and a complete inspection for the discovery of nuisances were organized the due registration of houses lot in lodgings, and of common lodging houses was enforced markets have been regularly visited fever hospitals and efficient modes of disinfection provided. What have been the fruits? As the wcrk of sani- tary improvement was being carried on, so step by step the health of the community was bettered.. Preventible diseases have become less rife. Typhus has disappeared. Enteric fever now only occurs when nuisances and choked drains are neglected. Since the subsoil of houses has been drained, consumption is less frequent. The proportionate mortality of young children is now 40, instead of 62 per per cent. of all deaths a large num- ber of persons attain the age of 70 and upwards, while the average duration of life is increased from 17i to 251 years. The cost of the vnrioua structural wo:rks, and of the land and house property purchased cannot be less than a quarter of a million of money. The present value of the waterworks,'the irrigation farms, and the freehold and leasehold property of the Board, would be equal to three-fifths of that sum. The rich rewards of the money expended have been better health and longer life. "I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, "T. J. DTKE, Medical Officer of Health. <' Mertbyr, 3rd January, 1876." Mr. Harris remarked that this would make fewer orphans. Mr. Kirkhouse It makes the inhabitants increase more rapidly. (A laugh.) The Clerk then read a report from the Inspector of Lodging-houses, which was simply to the effect that they were in a very satisfactory condition. Both reports were unanimously adopted. THE CONDITION OF THE STREETS. A letter was read from a Mr. James complaining of the wretched condition of the streets adjoinining his property at Troedyrhiw, and requesting that his com- munication be handed to the Surveyor. The Clerk I hand that letter to the Surveyor. Mr. Harpur The streets are not recognised as public highways by the Board. A Member What is the reason ? Mr. Harpur. They have never been declared as such., or passed, or entered in the books. Dr. James How about streets that have been iii existence long before the Board ? Mr. Harpur was understood to reply that they had been recognized as highways. The Chairman: There are streets in Dowlais not; recogniscd. Mr. Lloyd: Like Ivor-street, the houses there have been built for over 40 years, and it has only lately com/a into che hands of the Board. Dr. James Is it not the duty of the Board to see to this? and have you not, Mr. Harpur, been ordered to put all the streets in the town in repair ? Mr. Harpur: The Board sometimes orders me to do what I cannot possibly do, and as to putting all the streets in the town in repair we cannot do it. We are doing now as much as we possibly can do. The Chairman Yes, and a very heavy job it is. Mr. Harris The owners will not do it, and we have to do it for them. Dr. James We get the money back there is very little thrt we don't get. There are several streets that I iutendud to mention, one in my own ward, Lower Town &c. There ia John-street; if you go there on a dark night I am sure you will break your leg, through the pavement being in such a bad state, and the road is so filthy and dirty it is really dangerous for a passenger to go through the place. The Clerk Neither of these streets has been men- tioned. Dr. James: No, but whose duty is it to look after them? The owners will not, so we must. Mr. Harris How much would it take to do them all? Mr. Harpur £300uO. Mr. Daniel: Mr. Harpur says it will take ten years to do them all. Mr. Harris We have ten in hand now. Mr. Daniel: We have some in Penydarren in hand. Mr. Harpur We began with the worst. The subject here dropped and the letter from Mr. James was handed over to the surveyor to be dealt with. FINANCE.—SOLICITOR'S FEES. The report of the Finance Committee recommending the payment of several accounts was read. The only item of interest contained therein was the unpaid ac- count of Air. Williams (the clerk.) Mr. Daniel thought it high time that the clerk should be paid. M r. Harris said the committee had considered that Mr. Williams might have put down a few shillings too much, and that the account might be cut down a little. Mr. Lewis (solicitor), of Dowlais, had sent in an account for JE14. and it was settled for X8 or X8 8s. Dr. Probert: What was the charge for ? The Clerk said it was in connection with the purchase of a piece of land at the bottom of thi road to Dowlais. Mr. Lewis was family solicitor to the owners of the property. Dr. Probert: Well, I think it is too bad that such things should be done. Mr. Lloyd Yes, settled for about one half. Dr. James suggested that the clerk should try to bring in his bill for 1874 by next Finance day, and for 1875 for the following meeting of the Finance Com- mittee. Tho Clerk There Is one other matter that I men- tioned to the committee last evening, that was with regard to all lawyers' bills submitted for the future. i suggested that they go through the formality of being taxed, if it is only formality, and with reference to my own bills that they be submitted to the same process. There is a clause in the new Act which provIdcl3 that the Clerk of the Peace for the county should perform that duty, and 1 would suggest that this in all cases should be done. Mr. Daniel: But it is as well Mr. Chairman that they should be considered by the committee because there are certain duties which have to be performed without any charge, and the committee would be better able tu judge of these than the Clerk of the Peace, Tne Clerk I don't think I explained myself properly. What I meant was as to the mere legality of the charges. Yau can get first of all to the legality of the charges, and then you can see what is not to be charged or what is not legal. Mr Kirkhouse That will bo the best way. Submit them to Mr. Dal ton. Mr. Harris That will cost money I should say. Mr. Kirkhouse Not much would it ? Mr. Harris He will not do it for nothing. I should suggest that the accounts come first before the com- mittee, and then if we think it is necessary to have them taxed they can go on. This course was agreed to, and the finance report was adopted. A CONTRACTOR AND THE BOARD. The Book-keeper (Mr. Havard) addressed a letter complaining that he could not get the paper for the rate book frcm Mr. Jones, (printer, Troedyrhiw,) the Board s contractor. Mr. Harris did not think they should allow the Board's business to be interrupted because the con- tractor did not supply them with what they wanted. He proposed that a new contract be taken out. Mr. Daniel: His sureties should make it good. Mr. Harris Then I move that we bny the paper. Mr. Kirkhouse I think the clerk ought to write to him, and say that unless he can find the paper in time we shall take other steps. Mr. Daniel: I think the clerk of the Board had better see him. Mr. Harris 1 am still of the same opinion. If the man cannot surply the Board let him throw the con- tract up and we will get someone else. Dr. James I do not think we can do that Mr Harris. Mr. Harris; I think he will prove a troublesome customer. Mr. Lloyd Can we get him to give up the contract. Mr. Daniel pointed out that if he could not supply the goods required in time he certainly violated the contract, and by his own action he forfeited any claim he might have against the Board. The Chairman asked if it were the wish of the Board that Mr. Williams should see Mr. Jones, and if he found he could not get the paper that he should purchase it elsewhere A general concurrence was given to this and the matter ended. THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE BOARD'S DEBTS. The Clerk reported that the Finance Committee thought it desirable to make some arrangements to con- solidate all existing loans by a new loan with the Public Works Loan Commissioners, and to be extended over a period of 6') years. Mr. Harris said tl ey had had several discussions about the repayment of this money but he had never seen the thing in shape. They had an Act of Parlia- ment which allowed the Government to lend them money, and now they could only go to their various lenders of the money they had borrowed and ask them what they would accept if they paid off. The Board would then nee the condition of the thing, and when they reborrowed they could do so for ">0 years, to repay in that time instead of in 25 or 15 years. This arrange- ment would relieve the ratepayers considerably, at any rate it would cost nothing to try it. While they might gain by the system of repayment, however, he did not expect the lenders would let them gain much'in iuterest. Dr James said that the amount of animal re-pay- ment for the new loan would he less than B3,000 for 60 rears, instead of f 5,000 for 16 years. Mr. Daniel: But that is a very great difference. We must take care that we do not take a leap in the dark. Several members here said the repayment of the government loan would be considerably less than JE3 000 yearly. Mr. Kirkhouse: We can only do as Mr. Harris says, and get the lenders terms to allow us to redeem. Mr. Harris Then we can consider the whole question. Dr. James Don't yon think Mr. Havard should be consulted he is a man of figures. Mr. Harris After we get the figures. Mr. Daniel: Does the Act give us special powers to compel the lenders to take back the money ? The Clerk No. Mr. Daniel: That is the difficulty, some might take it and some might not. Dr. James Well, say that we have twelve loans if we can get rid of five we shall gain by it. I should suggest that before Mr. Williams send these letters he should keep copies and let us see them. The Clerk There is not a single memorandum which I have made since my connection with the Board of which I have not a copy. Mr. Daniel: Every letter I suppose may be seen down below ? The Clerk Yes. Mr. Daniel thought the whole question should be handed over to a committee, to report by next Board day. The matter should be fully discussed before the letters were sent away. The Clerk We cannot get the money this year, so we have plenty of time. Mr. Harris: I would suggest that the matter be fully discussed by the full Board, so that each may have a share of the responsibility. Mr. Daniel: I am anxious before any communica- tion is made public, and before any are sent by the clerk, that the whole question be considered in com- mittee, that we consider the whole bearings of the question. It is not well that the lenders should see any of our debates before we lik- decided what to do, and I don't think it would V4e, the advantage of this Board that any communication should be made until we have thoroughly considered the whole question, and this could be done before next Board day. Dr. James I do not exactly agree with Mr. Daniel. I think that discussions on these matters really cannot be too public. I think the more the public know about our financial affairs the more likely we are to have advice, for I do not mean to say that this Board is so wise that it cannot take any advise. I have brought the question up before, and I believe the Board unanimously agreed that our clerk should report on the desirability of re-borrowing, and the legality of it. He has done this, but I would rather it had been in writing, and I should request that the clerk give his opinion in writing upon this subject. I quite agree with Mr. Daniel that there should be a full discussion on the matter, but I do not think it is necessary that it should be in committee. I think, as I said before, that it should be in open daylight, and that the whole of the ratepayers in the town should see that we take an interest in the affair, and that we wish to have as much light upon it as possible. Mr. Daniel: I have no objection at all!, and did not object to the ratepayers knowing all about this, but I should like to have some guarontee that those parties with whom we shall negociate shall not know all about it. If the ratepayers know, they will know, and that I seek to avoid. Mr Harris said there had been an Act of Parliament passed which would enable them to reborrow the money and now if they wanted to keep a knowledge of their (the Boards) own matters away from the present lenders, his view of the case was, let their terms be asked, and then they could have a dissension on them. Mr. Kirkhouse Yes, I quite agree with you, Mr. Harris. J Mr. Harris If we don't like the mattter we can let it drop. The Clerk Perhaps you will allow me to make a remark about Mr. James's observations. At the last meeting 1 was asked to make a report on this subject, and Dr. James finds fault with me that I did not write it. Dr. James I did not find fault. The Clerk He thinks I ought to have written on it but I might write a volume about it. I expressed niy- self very definitely on this matter last evening, and I did not think there would be any necessity to repeat it in writing. Mr. Daniel suggested that the Clerk make a report as to what should be done, to be presented at the next meeting. The Clerk said he could say now what he thought should be done. He should write at once to the lenders to enquire the terms on which the loans could be redeemed. Dr. James suggested that only a portion of them be written to. Mr. Harris said this was merely a business matter, and he really thought all should be written to together This course was agreed to, and instructions were given to the clerk accordingly. MISCELLANEOUS. A petition was presented from several inhabitants in Union-place, calling attention to the ill-paved condition of that thoroughfare. This was handed over to the Su rveyor. A letter was read asking on behalf of the owners of a Mr. Boyle s property at Abercanaid for a remission of the rates. The Board decided that they could not do anything in this matter. A letter was received from the owner of some property known as Pottery-row, near the Drill Hall askitio- whether some arrangement could not be made for the lighting of the lamp belonging to the Hall for the con- venieuce of the inhabitants of the row. Handed over to the Surveyor. Two letters were read from the Clerk to the Board of Guardians respecting the early payment of sums w'rr THe Clerk was instructed to reply that the Board of Health would make arrangements for the payment of the same as early as possible. 1 wo communications were also read from the Rev. Tr°e;Jyrl;lW' meeting a bridge to be made at Abercanoid In answer to the various ques- tions put, the Clerk was instructed to state that the matter stood adjourned till February, that the Board hart i arliamentary powers to construct the bridge, and that the Clerk of the School Board had no right to say hat the matter bad been indefinitely postponed. In answer to a question, the Surveyor stated that every effort had been made to discover who had knocked kown ihe lamp referred to in his report, but in vain. u Pr?P°sition> seconded by Mr. Lloyd, it was agreed that lists of overdue accounts come from time to time before the Finance Committee. The seal and signatures of the Board were appended to the petition to the Local Government Board, for an additional water supply. This concluded the business, and the Board adjourned atier a. lengthy sitting.

CURE or A COUGH. Her Ma- ?i ? T-, 0ar, -Netley,' Wick, North East Coast ot bcotlaiid. Dear Sir,—Having had a most distressing Cough, which caused me many sleepless nights and restless days, I was recommended, by His Lordship the Earl of Caithuess, to try your most invaluable Balsam of Aniseed, and I can assure you, with the first dose I found immediate relief even without having to suspend my various duties and the first small Bottle completely cured me, therefore I have the greatest confidence in fully recommending it to the million. Most respectfuliy yours, W. Linzell, H.M.G.B. 'NetJey.'—To Mr Powell." Powell's Balsam of Aniseed can be had of all Chemists. In Bottles at Is lid and 2s 3d. Warehouse, lilackfriars Road, London, Ask for Powell's Balsam of Aniseed." 7382

ABEBDARE POLICE CCWRT. TUESDAY —{Before A. De Rutzen and R. H. Rhys, Esqrs.) INEBRIATES.—Lewis Daniel, collier, charged by P.C. Parker with drunken and riotous conduct at Com- mercial-places on the 28th ult., was fined 5s. and the costs.—Job Smout, collier, his 7th appearance, sum- moned at the instance of P.C. Williams, for drunken and disorderly conduct at Jeffrey's-street. Mountain Ash, on the 18th ult., was fined 1:1 10s. 5d., costs in. cluded.—Wm. Davies, haulier, and David Jones, collier, summoned at the instance of P.S. Johns for nearly similar behaviour at Mill-street, Trecynon, on the 12th ult., were fined 15s. each and the costs, each having made a previous appearance. John Davies, collier, his first appearance, and Daniel Jenkins, labourer, his first appearance, summoned by P.C. Smale for drunkenness and rioting at John-street, Cap- coch, on the 18th ult., were fined 15s. and 53., and the costs respectively.—Edmund Griffiths, collier, charged by P.C. Whitney with an jffence of a precisely similar character, at Kingsbury-place, Cwmaman, on the 26th ult., was fined 5s. and thecosts.—John Phillips, collier, for similar conduct at Gadlys-road, on the 1st instant, was, upon the evidence of P.C. Rees, also fined 5s. and the costs. ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION.—Edward Lewis and David Crib, labourers, were summoned at the instance of P.C. Williams, for obstructing the high way at Cardiff-road, Mountain Ash, on the IS1 h ult. The offence appeared rather to have been committed by the crowd which sur- rounded the defendants, who were engaged in a game of fisticuffs. The Bench considering the charge proved, imposed upon each a fine of 5s. and the costs. AN INTERMEDDLER. — John Saxby, labourer, was summoned for having resisted P.S. Rodman in the exe- cution of his duty. It appeared that that officer, whilst engaged in taking the names of the defendants in the previous case, heard Saxby shout out to the young fellows not to give the sergeant any information. Defendant not only refused to give his own name, but caught hold of P.C. Williams, and threatened him and Rodman. The Bench, who advised defendant to eschew proceedings of this kind in future, said that the sum- mons, which applied more to P.C. Williams than to the officer whom the defendant was charged with resisting, and dismissed the case. THE BAKING DAY.-Janet Evans, single, was sum- moned for having assaulted Mary Jones, single. Com- plainant stated that she lived at Cynon-row, Mill- street, where also lived the defendant. On the 21st ult. defendant's mother causrht hold of witness's mother by the neck, and witness went on to release her. Before she could get up to them. however, Mrs. Evans let her a opponent go. Then defendant beat her (witness) about the sides with a stick, after which she (defendant) threw a pan of water over her.—Defendant: Weren't you catching hold of my mother, and didn't I tell you before I struck you that I would do so? — Witness Yon didn't, for you gave me four blows without saying a word. I hadn't hold of your mother; I never said nor did anything to you or your mother.—Mr. Rhys: Well, have you any witnesses?—Defendant: I have none here.—Complainant: I have some too. but they are not here.—Mr. De Rutzen: Well, we adjourn the case for a week, in order that^ you might get witnesses. By that time, perhaps, you will have the good sense to make the quarrel up. ANOTHER ASSAULT CASE. -Thomas Owen v. Thomas Davies. These parties reside at Mason-street, Aber- aman, and defendant was charged with having thrown a number of stones at his opponent, who, by the way, is old enough to be his grandfather, on tho 27th ult. Complainant stated that he and his wife had kept house for defendant's father, who had a short time asro turned defendant out, ever since which defendant had a grudge against him (witness). Defendant, who gave utterance to an imputation of impropriety against his father and complainant's wife, denied having thrown more than one stone, and that that was not thrown at complainant at all, but at the door.-The Bench, believing the missile was not hurled at the complainant, dismissed the summons. LICENCING MATTERS.—Upon the application of Mr. David Richards, the B-ncli, upon the understanding that a new tenant was to be found for the house as soon as practicable, granted an endorsement of the license of the Globe Inn, Commercial-street, from John Jones, deceased, to Mary Jones, his daughter.—Mr. T. Phillips applied on behalf of the landlord of the Cardiff Castle Hotel, Cardiff-street, for an extension of the hours of closing on the night of Thursday, the 6th hours of closing on the night of Thursday, the 6th inst. The application was made under the provisions of the 29th section of the Licensing Act, which enables justices to grant such a favour in certain cases, of which the present—the annual ball given by members of a quadrille party—was one. Their Worships granted an extension over the usual closing time of two hours. COAL STEALING.George Morgan, collier, was sum- moned for stealing 211bs. coal, the property of Sir George Elliott, Bart., and others, from a tram at Cwmneol Colliery. Cwmaman, on the 17ch ult. The charge was proved by P.C. Whitney. The Powell Duffryn Co., who prosecuted, were represented by a clerk named Jacob Thomas. Defendant's excuse was that he had delivered the usual order at the office for the supply of coal to him, but that it had not been at- tended to. He thought that having done this there was no harm in his taking a lump of coal, inasmuch as he had none at home.—Mr- De Ru'zen thought this was one of the evils with which the peculiar system in vogue at these works, of supplying men with coal, was fraught. He had talked upon the subject until he had got tired. In a case which he bad before him at Merthyr the other day, the proprietors supplied their men with coal as soon as the latter choose to bring a c-irt to fetch it. In the majority of instances, however, the masters took upon themselves the onus of deliver- ing coal regularly to the men. When this was not done — and it was very often the case—the men, having no coal at home, went and helped themselves from trams and other places. It was a miserable system.- Mr. Thomas here stated that the men in the employ of the Powell Duffryn Co were allowed to take coal from underground in bag-s if they were deficient.—Mr. De Rutzen: That certainly alters the case somewhat. Defendant was eventually sentenced to seven days' im- prisonment with hard labour at Swansea House of Correction.

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RHYMNEY INTELLIGENOE. NEW YEAR'S EVE. As IS the old custom, midnight service was held at the church. Although the weather was very wet and stormy, there was a large congrega- tion. The service was of the usual character, which consisted of prayers and hymns suitable for the occa- sion. A pause was made a few minutes before twelve, to allow the congregation to ]oin in prayer The Revs' W. Evans, vicar; J. W. Roberts, and E. James, curates, officiated. The church was beautifully deco- rated, and great credit is due to the young ladie3 who took part in the same. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.—On Friday evening the fifth of the winter series of popular entertainments took place at the National Schoolroom under the auspices of the Rhymney United Ohoir, before a large audience. Mr. W.Pritchard prosided; accompanist, Miss E. Red- wood. After a pertinent address by the chairman, the following programme was gone through -Song, Beth sy'n hardd," by Miss M. Jones recitation, "Yni," by Mr. Samuel Jones; song Come birdie, come," by Mr. D. Lewis recitation, Cariad Mamol," by Master Willie Davies song, bachden dewr," or The noble boy of truth," by Mr. D. B. Evans; duet, "Starboard Watch, essrs. W. Jones, and John Thomas; recitation, 1 lie drunken husband," by Mr. J. H. Jones; song, -^{arwell-y-telynwr i'w wlad enedigol," by Eos Nantymelyn selections on the con- certina, by Mr. Isaac Ricnarils song, One morning, Oh. so early," by Mrs. brands; song, Mentra Gwen," by Mr. John Thomas; recitation, "Ac felly yn-y-blaen," by Master Willie Davies; glee, Sailors' chorus," by Mr. D. B. Evaus and party. The proceed- ings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman and Miss Redwood for their services, followed by the National Anthem. CH \RGrK OF ASSAULTING A CHILD. At the Treherbert petty sessions, on Monday, before Mr. G. vVilliams Stipeudl.)r )) John Joneg (Gwaloh) Ferndale, was indecently assaulting Elizabeth Ann g.rl, not quite five years old, at Treorky, last Wednesday. Mr. Rosser defended. Margaret Philhps said that about four o'clock in the afternoon on the (ay n question, she heard a child scream in the baCK premises. She went to the top of the garden and saw le prisoner with a little girl in an indecent position. caught hold of him by the shoulder, flung him aside, and took the child to her mother. J. Hylan.d' ass^tant t„ Dr. Phillips, said he examined the cm d n the evening in question and saw nothing wrong. P.C. Price said the mother of the child made a sta^e^le^ to ,hlm, and just at the time the prisoner passed down and was called in. Witness charged him with indecently assauitiug Elizabeth A. Thomas. He rephed, Dear me, no, nothing of the kind. I went to the back, and the child was there, and asked me for a Christmas box, and I gave her a penny, and told e -iif0 away." The witness then sent for Margaret Phillips, who made a statement, which prisoner then said, Did I not catch hold of you and push you away ?" to which he replied that she did. The man was drunk at the time. In goin=>, P 0 'he station he said he knew nothing about the c e » as he was drunk. He be- lieved the woman to spite him for something. Prisoner now pleade guilty; and he was committed to take his trial at the sessions.

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THE hECTUR OF MKRTHYK ON CHUHCH REFORM. Preaching at St. David's Church on Sunday evening, the Rector took a retrospective and prospective view of things." The text was 2 Cor. v. 17 —" Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." With regard to the former, he said he earnestly prayed that they might never see them again—that there was an end to all "the old things" that had agitated the country for so many years-the old strikes, the old locks out, and all the old questions between capital and labour. He trusted they were now buried, and never to rise any more. Master and men were reconciled. Let them pray that the reconciliation might last for ever and ever. At the same time let us not deceive ourselves, and think that all vexatious questions are yet at an end. Unfortunately the world teems with them. There is one especially affecting us, in which labour will eventually take a great part. I mean the vexatious one of Church and State. Let us look it in the face as thoughtfully and as early as we can. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. For you may rest assured of this, now that man has settled with his master, his next pro- gramme will be to settle with his God. There are many earnest minds among working-men—men who believe thoroughly there is a God, who will eventually make all "things" square. And when they come to look about them, and see into the inside of "things" which concern them spiritually and materially, will they not, think you, demand of us, the Church, to give an account of our stewardship ? And what account can we give when things are as they are? Here we are, professedly the Church of the people, the Church of the poor, the Church of the nation. Yet where are the people? Where are the poor? How much of the nation can we call our own ? God knows, there is no man who dreads disestablishment more than I do. But if the Church does not make more efforts than she does to get the people and the poor within her folds, I do not see what there is that can prevent it. Look the case, I say, fairly in the face, as thoughtful men should. Here we are indisputably the richest church in the world. Our revenues are enormous so is our prestige. We call ourselves emphatically the Church of the poor" We pride ourselves on that title; but what is our claim to it ? The poor man, certainly the very poorest man, is never seen within our walls. Rags and tatters have no room here. Velvet and fur, silk and satin, these have their abiding places in our chambers. Poverty, unless well clad, is never seen in the Church of England. Ask the poor man to church, any of you. Press the duty on him and what is his answer? Master, I have no clothes He beliovt-s it is not for the like of him that the church exists but for the rich and respectable, the well-dressed and well-to-do. He has no other notion of the church than this. Now go into Catholic countries, and more especially into Catholic Ireland, what do you see in Churches there? The poor, the people, the ragamuffins, and even the roughs are as numerous in the congregation as any. That Church has a thorough hold on the people and she in turn is held by them. I shall never, to the end of my days, forget a sight I saw once in Dublin, in the grandest of all churches there, even Cardinal Cullen's own church, the Roman Catholic Cathedral. It was a great festal day. The church was crowded with rich and poor, the poor far out-numbering the rich. They reached to the door, out of the door, and even on the broad pavement outside, where scores of them lay prostrate, groaning and moaning for their sins. Their ragged, motley character could never be seen elsewhere than in Ireland. Men with coats and breeches of a thousand patches, men with hats and no brims, men with brims and no hats-so full of holes were they men with brogues and no stockings, and men with stockings and no brogues, and men with neither. I do not believe that the whole lot there had a pair of stock- ings among them. I never saw such a sight in my life. It was a grand sight for a Christian to look at, for here was religion, according to her light, doing her work in earnest. No one could say there that the poor had not the Gospel preached to them. Compare this with our own churches—our cathedrals and churches in great towns and fashionable places, for this was the most fashionable church in all Ireland, Cardinal Legate Cullen's own church. No wonder Lord Aberdare said in his address at Brighton that "Irishmen, compara- tively free from crime at home, fell so readily victims to its seductions in England. Scotland, and America. The only explanation I can offer is that the Irishman differs from being removed from his home, and the many safe- guards, social and religious, which there environ him." Whatever we may think of the system as Protestants, no man can deny that here is a Church doing the work to which she is specially called. Why cannot we do the same work ? With our enormous revenues, our great wealth, and our prestige, how is it that we have no hold in these days on the working classes? When Sacheverell, a High Churchman, was laid hold of in the last century, the people rose en masse to defend him. When the Seven Bishops were taken to the Tower in the century previous, the whole country was in a state of ferment, and nothing but the strongest hand kept them down from breaking into open rebellion. But if the whole bench of bishops, and all the clergy with them, were taken to the Tower to-morrow, I do not honestly believe the people anywhere would leave their workshop except to see the pageant, and, possibly rejoice over it. Why is this ? The burden of proof lies with us. We have to answer for it. It is by our own fault we have lost our hold on the people. As I said here the other evening, we shoot above them. We seek to please the upper and the middle classes more than we care for the people. We foster their taste be- cause it is so congenial to our own. We convert our churches into temples of fashion, instead of making them houses of God-where God's word is to be preached in a manner understood by the people. We think more of aesthetic beauty—which the people do not understand—than of saving souls, which many of them believe they have; and more would, perhaps all would, if we were only a little more earnest about them. The Bishop of London, in his charge the other day—and, for that matter, all bishops harp on the same strine-his lordship deplored that the number of churches in his diocese was lamentably small compared with the population. My answer to them all is Fill those churches that you already have. Find the means of doing that, and ever so many as you want after are sure to follow. The common people are not infidels, as your lordships commonly suppose. Give them preachers who will preach to them about things they understand, and not dogmas which even you yourselves have not yet agreed upon. Go into every church in every diocese, and see what a very large proportion of them are crowded with empty benches. Go even into those in your great City of London, where the poorest live as thick as ants in a hill, and see how many of the poor are in them ? Are they not all thronged with dandies and fribbles from the West End, belles from ball-rooms, coquettes from the opera, and all sorts of carriage people? Look at the line of chariots, and coaches, and broughams seen in streets, where, on every day except Sunday, you see nothing but costermongers' carts aud brewers' drays Will not that tell you what churches in great cities are mostly now built for? They are the enly places of amusement open on Sunday. In the same way visit town and country churches. Do you not see twenty women for one man ? And in the country itself you ask in vain—Where are the young men ? You rarely see anybody there now but old people and children. If the country were at war, and all the men mobilised," there could not then be fewer of those present who make up the bone and sinew of the nation. Ask the men why they do not go, and they will tell you they do not see the good of going. They do not care abour 'shows." They do r.ot understand dogmas, and parsons never preach anything else. They have no tAste for religion, when parsons themselves fight about it, and cannot agree as to what it is. They will tell you that even the bishops who ought to know everything do not seem to know what the right thing is to teach. One says one thing and another says another, and neither one nor the other says what the Bible says—that all this puzzles them to know what even the Church is, or what she would wish to be. Therefore, they will keep clear of her altogether. Let the parsons fight it out in Church themselves. They see fights enough at home. All this is very true. Take, for example, the last episcopal utterance, the pastoral of the Bishop of Winchester; a more flabby production it is impossible to read. In spite of the passing of the Public Worship Act—in spite of the great excitement both in the Lords and in the Commons, during the session of 1873 -and in spite of the Prime Minister himself saying in support of that Act that tlnre was one party in the Church which held nothing else than "the mass in masquerade!"—yet, here we have one of the first of English bishops coming forward to say just but a few weeks before that Act is about to begin work Be quiet; do yourselves no harm. Be not troubled about parties. The Church of England has always had parties she cannot exist with- out them bear and forbear; shake hands all round. It is the Ritualists that have tke upper hand now. It was you Evangelicals who had it the other day. It is all a matter of see-saw Be still, 1 pray you." Now, I ask any sane man, under these circumstances, to tell me how long can the Church of England last as the Church of the nation if she does not do the nation's work ? If she practically is nothing more than a Church for parsons and bishops to squabble in. can she be [expected or will she be endured—to exist much longer? A National Church should be the Church of the whole nation but if she is the Church of the middle and upper classes, what right has she to be called the National Church ? If she were the Church of the lower classes only, and the upper and the middle classes went to some other church, her right then would be much stronger, and her position much more solid. She would be strong because the lower classes have the power, and if they were attached to her. or held by her, they could do as they pleased, for whether it be to support her or destroy her, it is their sole voice that can do it. They are now our masters. Is it not wise, then, to be reconciled to our masters -to do all we can to take them by the ears? As a matter of mere worldly policy this should be our obvious ccurse, but as a matter of spiritual duty there can be no two opinions what course we ought to take. We ought to regard the Church as a mighty engine of police, a huge social manufactory, where God is the Great Master, and we his workmen, his policemen, his keepers of social order: and, instead of quarrelling among ourselves, allay the quarrels of others. Whatever is necessary unto salvation I will fight for to the death and quarrel about as much as any one. But no human being out of an asylum can say that "candles on the altar," or a long or a short surplice, or the colour of a vestment are articles necessary unto salvation. Let our chief object be to humanise the people, to sober them, and to bring them into social order, and make them believe that they are responsible beings. If we succeed in doing this I will defy all the powers of the Liberation Society, and MialI, and Bright, and Henry Richard, and all the Non- conformist ministers in the world to disestablish the Church. It is for this we are paid. If we do rot this, the ship will be condemned her timber will be found rotten; and the first gale, or even half a gale, will swamp her. The question is very simple: Church reform and no Disestablishment; or else—and that at I no very remote period—the Deluge? This is as plain as the handwriting on the wall; once the people take the question up, Parliament cannot choose but legislate on it. I would urse, therefore that every Church pulpit throughout the land enlighten the people show them the interest they and the:r children have in the Church. Also prove to them that if the Church were once reorganised, and thoroughly reformed from top to bottom, they would be of all pecple the very last to seek her destruction. They would then see that the Church is the greatest Commonwealth on earth, because God and not man founded her.

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PANIC LEGISLATION AT HAND. The Parliamentary session of 1876 promises to be one of military panic legislation. For months past the Duke of Cambridge has been "stumping" about at public banquets and elsewhere, proclaiming that more money-still more money-much more money, must positively be voted for the army, although the British tax-payers already raise fifteen millions a year for this purpose, which is just the precise amount on which the German Empire maintains its vast military forces whilst France supports her legions for a little more, or about twenty millions. But, then, in Germany and France, the money granted for defence is not mainly devoted to supporting hundreds of sinecure generals and thousands of subordinate needless officers, as in this country. Mr. John Holms, M.P. (who is to our military abuses what Mr. Plimsoll is to the rotten ship question) declares, as a competent authority, that money enough is already granted by the nation for an efficient army, if there was only an able and economic administration of it. (England already pays .£100 per annum for each soldier, on an average.) But so fearfully bad is the behaviour of the army (under the Duke of Cambridge as chief manager, be it observed) that, during the past four years, the propor- tion of deserters in the army and militia, has amounted to the astounding number of 6.3.780 At Woolwich it was announced (December 7, 1875), that the prisoners charged at the police-court with desertion are about equal in number with the recruits sworn in And yet it is this very Commander-in-Chief, under whom things are allowed to reach this pass, who goes shouting round the Our gallant troops are being starved for want of money." But he does not confess that the sinecurists, the pensioners and the blunderers, are swal- lowing up as much as supports that great army of Ger- many which he so much envies. And independently of all this, there surely never was a time, in modern British history, when panic legisla- tion was less called for. France has received a quietus for many a year and when she does seize the sword, it will be to attack Germany and wrench back her lost Provinces. Germany herself has to maintain too vigi- lantly her watch on the Rhine (and 011 the Vistula also) to have any opportunity for an invasion of distant England. Holland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal are either too small, too friendly, or too much bound to home affairs, to go to war with us. Russia may, indeed, possibly tak« Turkey (that nest of all moral and finan^ cial rottenness), but this event, so far from calling for a war by England, would greatly increase the probabilities of peace between the two nations. For it follows that if Russia gets Turkey, she will, for many a long year thereafter, have her hands too full to allow of her push- ing further forward into Central Asia, or agitating dangers to India in that direction. Poor Austria has as much as ever she can do to hold her own complex and diversely constituted Empire in unity. Then, things b.:ing so, whatever is there for England to be afraid of? And how immeasurably absurd and untimely is the panic-call for legislation now raised But it is raised so loudiy, and repeated so persistently by the military chiefs, and by their "claquers," always ready to work the pcess when more pay and promotion are likely to be forthcoming in consequence—and it has so infected even the sober heads of leading Statesmen, such as Lord Salisbury and Mr. Hardy that it is now certain that the Government (with a majority to back it up) will bring forward alarmist measures for adoption in the ensuing session. And it is not likely that these will be limited to the army. For the navy is under a Minister (Mr. Ward Hunt) whose administration has been no more success- ful than the Duke of Cambridge, with his scores of thousands of deserters. Costly ironclads, standin?-in half a million apiece to the taxpayers, cannot," of course, desert; but if blunderingly managed, they can sink each other, like the Iron Duke running down the Vanguard." So that, as Punch puts it, the motto for the navy under Mr. Hunt's regime has become One down—t'other come on?" The same Minister, by the way, is responsible for the loss-producing purchase of national telegraphs by the Government, at a high rate, and without the necessary proviso (which common sense would have dictated) that henceforth the Government should have a monopoly of telegraphic service, as it has of the profitable letter-carrying business. Yet it is under such mal-administration as all this- and by the very chief mal-administrators themselves and at a time when a war with any Continental Power (unless sought for on our part) is more of an impossi- bility than at any period for 500 years past—it is now, of all occasions, that the burdened taxpayers are c.illed upon to squander more millions in the bottomless gulf of War Office and Admiralty extravagance ° The Duke of Cambridge has had the hardihood to exclaim I am not at all clear that the Militia Service is not one in which, to a certain extent, conscription or in oiher terms the ballot, ought not, at once to be em- ployed. At this moment, it is the law of the land and cnly suspended r Even the Marquis of Salisbury (wise minister though he is, as to Indian matters) seems to have been rendered so nervous by th-se noisy panic cries, that he also has intimated that "that terrible blood-tax of conscription," so thoroughly un-English as it M, can only be obviated by heavy additional burdens upon the merchant and the taxpayer, at the very period when British exports are falling off; when the great iron trade is almost paralysed when coal and other mineral industries are similarly depressed and when foreign competition is increasingly weighing upon tlie commercial and labouring classes, to their loss and suffering. The present juncture is therefore one of great impor- tance to the people of this country. It is not probable that any efforts that can now be made, will wholly obviate the Parliamentary success of the panic-mongers, powerful as they are with the Government and the press. But still, something considerable may be done to lessen the mischief, if the working classes (the habitual "food for cannon" when war does break out) and the middle classes, upon whom the pinch of taxa- tion mainly falls, bestir themselvespromply to influence, at least in degree, their Parliamentary representatives, who, for the most part, belong to ranks in life largely interested in increasing the expenditure on armaments, and intimately allied with those who always obtain the chief share of the honours and emoluments, with the least proportion of the perils, of warfare. Bat to early panic legislation, in some form, it appears that the country is certainly doomed. DARING ROBBERY FROM AN EXPRESS TRAIN. A despatch frrm St. Louis states that between four and five o'clock on the morning of the 18th ult., the United States express car on the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Northern train, was entered between Fer- guson and Jennings' stations, some ten or twelve miles from St. Louis, the messenger, Charles Kincaid, thrown into a large package chest and locked up, and the safe robbed of from 10,000 dols. to 20,000 dols. in money and bonds. Kinoaid says he was lying on one of the package boxes in the car, half asleep, when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, and, on turning his head round, was confronted by a pistol in the hands of a masked man. Before he could speak he was seized by the collar of his coat from behind, and, under cover of two more pistols in the hands of another masked man, was thrust into a large box, which had been emptied of its packages by the robbers, and the lid closed on him, and locked. He does not know what occurred after that until the train reached St. Louis, where he was released, except that he heard the men working at the safe, and supposed they were robbing it. He says the doors of the cars, besides being locked with the ordi- nary snaplock, are secured by chains fastened loosely on the inside, so that they can be opened a few inches, but still so secure that nobody can enter the car. Kincaid, on taking charge of the car at Kansas City, observed that one of the staples on the rear door had been drawn out, and that the chain on that door was useless. After leaving Mexico the messenger has nothing to do, and usually takes short naps on that end of the route. When Kincaid laid down on the package Vox he took the precaution to lay his heaviest trunk, weighing about loOlbs., against the door, so that, even if it were unlocked from the outside, it could not be opened without pushing this trunk away. This was done, but so noiselessly that the messenger, in his half-asleep con- dition, did not heir it. When released he was in a nearly smothered condition, The safe was rifled of all valuables. It is thought that the robbers started east immediately after the arrival'of the train, so that they left the train as soon as they finished the robbery.

OB.IGI N A T t T N E S. SCO' LA.v'D. Isle of beauty, isle of worth- My heart thrills to its core, When I recall youth's happy diys, Bright golden days of yore. 'Twas there I roamed a careless child, From pain and sorrow free, When all the world was bright and glad, For all was bright to me. But now I live in a fairer clime, On brighter skies I guze, Where goigeous fl, Iwes. anl richer f i u* ts, And hotter suns do blaze. Still, still my heart beats true to thee, As bound by magic spell; Bright deeds of virtue, valour, truth, My native land can tell. Not England with her choicest stores, Her mountains, lakes, and fells, Can equal Scotia's grand old hills, And story-telling glens. Her frowning cliffa, and gloomy cavef. Her foaming rills, and gowan leas, Her shaggy woods, and verdant vales, All, all are dear to me. And dear those legends of her sons, Her sons so brave and free, Whose glorious deeds so oft are sung, Bright deeds of chivalry. Her hearth-clad moss, and rude built cairns, Tell where her martyrs lie A dauntless, faithful, noble band, Who dared to do or die. I love her as my native land, And for her deeds of might, For all in her that's good and true, And for her faith so bright. Merthyr, 1875. J. K.

BIRTH. On the 24th ult., at 111, High.street, Merthyr, the wife of Mr. E. P. Biddle. jeweller, of a son. On the 24th ult., at High-street, Merthyr, the wife of Mr. Jeremy, draper, of a a son. DEATHS. On the 22nd ult., at Pentre Cottage, near Pontypool, Mon., the residence of her father, Mary Jane, the eldest daughter of Mr. P. Donaldson, divisional superin- tendent, Great Western Railway, deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. On the 3rd inst, at 30, Penydarren-road, Merthyr, Mr Rosser Beynon, ("' Asaph Gian Taf ") aged 60, much respected by a wide circle of friends. On the 19th ulr., aged 6 years and 3 months, at Venn Wood Cottage, Marden. near Hereford. L'zze Myvanwy Parry, daughter of the bard, JRobyii Ddu Eryri- Her last words were-" I am going to Jesus I am safe ia the hands of Jesus."

SOJNINET BY MR. TENNYSON. The following sonnet (says the Scotsman) has been written by the Poet-Laureate for a now work pub- lished by a Boston firm, and entitled cc Laurel Leaves": BLACK EYES. There are three things that fill my heart with aighif And steep my soul in laughter (when I view Fair maiden forms moving like melodies)— Dimples, rose lipg, and eyes of any hue. There are three things beneath the blessed skies For which I live—black eyes, and brown, and bluet I hold them all most dear-but oh! black eyea! I live and die, and only die for you. Of late such eyes looked at me —while I mused At sunset underneath a shadowy plane In old Bayona, nigh the Southern Sea, From a half-open lattiod loolced at me, I saw no more, only those eyes confused, And dazzled to the heart with glorious pain.

THE COMIC ALMANACKS. (From Punch's Almanack.) JANTTABY 1.—Good-resolution-making begins. FOREIGN AFFAIRS.—Natives at five shillings a doses. A TEMPERANCE PUHLIC-HOUSE.—A slop-shop. A TRUISM FOR ALL TIME.-N 0 rooms like Dauh. rooms. THE LITERARY MACHINE.The penny-a-liner. CUPID-ITY.—Marrying for love and—money. LORD OF THE (A)ISLEs.The parish beadle. TRUE POLITENESS; OH, THE CABMAN OF THH FD« TUBE.—Cabby: Four-wheeler, ma'am 'i Old La 1Y( No, thank you; I'm waiting for an Atlas. Cabby I Ah, indeed, ma'am; but won't you step in and take a seat in our shelter till the omlibus comes up, ma'am t (From Judy's Almanack.) SAFE INVESTMENTS.—The English funds and plough shares. VITALS AND DRINK.—Old port, with a crust. NOT TO BE STOPPED.-The teeth of the wind. THE milk of human kindness don't suit the oat." DEVOURING FLAMES."—Eating snapdragon. SONG for a man who has been told by the doctor that he must avoid pastry.—" Good bye, sweet tart, good bye WE call this downright mean!—A servant-of-alI« work happened the other day to craok a joke, aad her missus stopped it out of her wages.

THE BURNING OF THE GOLIATH.-The bodies of two of the Goliath boys were picked up on Saturday and conveyed to Grays. A MILL DESTROYED BY FIRE.-On Saturday the cotton mill of Mr. R. Rosbon, at Edenfield, near Bury, was burnt down. Damage £ 12,000, whteh is covered by insurance. FATAL ACCIDENT IN A CHURCH.—Whilat ser- vice was being conducted in the parish ohurch of Oherrjr Burton, a village near Beverley, on Sunday morning, the olockweight came crashing through the belfry rool. and alighted on a yourfg girl, housemaid at the Rectory, who was iniured beyond hope of recovery. A young man sitting by her was also hurt severely. The rop# on which the weight was hung was renewed only last week. The two injured persons were to be married. CAKES .—To make an excellent cake for tea or luncheon, take ltlb flour, lIb butter, 3 teaspoonfuls of baking powder rubbed in, £ lb sugar, Alb currants, lIb raisins, 1 egg, about a pint of milk. The egg and milk should not be added till just before the oake goes into the oven. To make a sponge cake, take 5 eggs and tlb of loaf sugar sifted; break the eggs upon the sugar, and beat all together with a steel fork for half an houf. Previously take the weight of two eggs and a half in their shells, of flour. After you have beaten the eggv and sugar the time specified, grate in the rind of a lemon (the juice may be added at pleasure), stir in the flour, and immediately pour it into a tin lined with buttered paper, and let it be instantly put into rathef a cool oven. The above receipt has never been knowtii

A REWARD OF zC20 is offered by Messrs. Reckitt and Sons, of Hull and London, for information that shall lead to the convxtion of any person selling im titions of their Paris Blue in Squares. It is easy to detect the cheat, as tue Paris Blue u-ed in he Prince of L -atidry," is only genuine when sold in squares wrapped up in pink paper, bearing 1. Reckitt and Sons' name and trade mark. 7377

THE NEW VICEROY OF JNDIA. The Pall Mall Gazette is informed that Lord North- brook returns to England in Aptil, and that Lord Lytton has been appointed Viceroy of India. The same paper has also received the following official statement from the India Office: At the close of last summer Lord Northbrook intimated that he did not feel able to sustain the heavy labours of his office during another summer in India. He will therefore be relieved in the course of the spring by Lord Lytton, now her Maje sty's Minister at Lisbon. Her Majesty has been pleased to confer an earldom on Lord North- brook in recognition of his distinguished services."

DEATH OF SIR ANTHONY DE ROTHSCHILD. Sir Anthony de Rothschild, head of the eminent banking firm of Messrs. Rothschild and Co., in the City, has died at Southampton. He was the second son of the late Nathan Meyer de Rothschild, and was born in 18 LO. He was a baron of the Austrian Empire, and received an English baronetcy in 1846, with remainder, in default of male issue, to his nephews, the sons of Baron Lionel de Rothschild, M.P. The late baronet was married in 1840 to a daughter of Mr. A. Mcntefiore. The heir presumptive to the baronetcy is Nathaniel Meyer de Rothschild, M.P. for Aylesbury, who was born in 1840.

THE NEW RELIGION. It Is not often that we hear of that small and strug- gling sect called Positivists, but here is an item which may not be without interest. Numerically the followers of the "re'igion of humanity" are by no means strong according to a statement just made by its English hierarcli, Dr. Congreve, at the Positi- vist Temple, in London. In the course of a long address on Saturday Dr. Congreve reviewed the history of the movement for the past two years, describing it as having remained stationary in England during that period and though he re- frained from giving statistics he mentioned that the subscriptions to the sacerdotal fund were insuffi- cient to pay a sum of jE240 demanded by the director of the new faith in Paris. Nevertheless he considered that, compared with the early efforts of Ohristnmity, the new religion of humanity," founded by Auguste Comte only 20 years ago, had made very satisfactory progress. The movement was slowly extending hi France, though it remained stationary in Great Britain and the United States. Dr. Congreve was very hopeful of the future, and expressed his firm con- viction that Positivism would ultimately swallow up Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Islamism, Brah- minism, and all the other religions now existing in the world. Dr. Congreve dwelt with pleasure on the cir- cumstance that during the last two years the acceptance of the sacraments—especially the first two, presenta- tion and initiation—had continued as before, and he expressed an earnest hope that those who as infants or adolescents entered into the service of humanity would remain throughout in that service unless the environments were unfavourable.—Man\hester Guar- dian. -}¡-