The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

THE CASE OF MRS. WATERS. How long is Mr. Wride to be allowed to abuse the patience of the public 1 How long are the poor people who lie so completely at his mercy to suffer from the cruel neglect of his duty] These are questions which must occur to everybody who has watched his career as a Relieving Officer. The patience of our readers must be well nigh worn out by the repeated complaints brought against Mr. Wride,— complaints of no light nature. Charges have been brought home to him from time to time which, if he did not bear a charmed official life, would long ago have resulted in his dismissal from his post. The case of Ann Arnott, with all the heart-rending circumstances connected with it, cannot be forgotten by our readers. How the poor woman—for woman she was, although she had forgotten the pride of her womanhood- was driven from pillar to post, from the house of the relieving officer to the station of the police, whilst in the pangs of child-birth, until at last, failing to find a refuge, she gave birth to the off- spring of her shame in the public streets. The blame that lay at Mr. Wride's door in that case may have been rightly appraised and in tempering judg- ment with mercy, the Guardians may have felt that one offence, however grievous, might still be atoned for by attention to the lesson it taught. Mr. Wride however appears to be utterly inca- pable of profiting by any correction, however sharply administered. He seems impervious to any rebuke. Repeatedly warned, and re- peatedly cautioned, he goes on blundering in a way that is utterly unaccountable except on the supposition that he is determined to make it incumbent on the Board to insist upon his resigna- tion. On Saturday last Dr. Paine called the attention of the Board to the case of a woman named Waters, who came from Bristol to Cardiff with a baby in her arms. On the passage the child was taken ill, and when she arrived at Cardiff she applied to a druggist for some medicine. He gave her some but finding when she came to him the second time that the child was worse, he advised her to apply to the Relieving Officer for a medical order. The woman proceeded to Mr. Wride's office on Monday night, and was told by the person in attendance to call next morning. Next mornino- however her child was so ill that she could not leave it. At from one to two o'clock on the Tues- day she again went to the office, and saw Mr. Wride, who refused her an order at that time, telling her to come again at nine the following morning. Before that time arrived the order was needless—the child was dead. Mr. Wride's answer to all this simply amounts to the statement that he did not think that the case required urgent atten- tion, and he denies in the face of all probability that the woman told him how ill the child was. Now we cannot for a moment believe that the mother, whose devotion to her child was so marked in other respects, could have been content with a simple refusal, and have gone away from Mr. Wride's office without urging upon him the necessity of immediate attention to the case. She in short declared on oath before the Coro- ner, and Mr. Wride, who was present, allowed her statement to pass unchallenged at the time, that she did represent the urgency of the case to the officer. Mr. Wride, it appears, tries to take shelter under a rule of his office, which provides that medical orders are only to be granted, except in urgent cases at 9 a.m.—a piece of red-tapism, fruitful in mischievous consequences, and one for which we are glad to find the Board is not respon- sible, it being only, as the Clerk remarked, a tradition of the relieving officer's. To show our readers the operation of such a rule in Mr. Wride's hands, we have only to state that a very short time ago an application was made to him for a medical order for a woman who was in labour on a Saturday night. The person who applied was told that it could not be had until Monday morn- ing. In this case the child was happily only born before the time appointed, and therefore no com- plaint was brought against Mr. Wride. Mrs. Waters' child however died, and we have it on the authority of Dr. Paine, who made a post mortem examination of the body, that had the child been attended to in time it might have been saved, and that even on Tuesday, when Mr. Wride refused the order, the case was not hopeless. It is for- tunate indeed for Mr. Wride that Dr. Paine does not speak very strongly with regard to the child's prospect of recovery at the last named time, other- wise Mr. Wride would, by his refusal, have laid himself open to a charge of a very serious com- plexion indeed. The case is serious enough as it stands, and we are somewhat at a loss to ac- count for the mildness of the resolution arrived at by the Board. We think, however, that we can put our readers in possession of the true reason of it. The public cannot fail to have noticed how, that Avhen any charge is brought against Mr. Wride, the sheltering aegis of a very powerful protector is always held over him. Even Caesar's wife could not have had more sturdy champions of her reputation than has Mr. Wride amongst a section of the Guardians of his. It has therefore come to this that to bring a charge of any kind against Mr. Wride is well nigh use- less. Right or wrong, he comes scatheless out of the trial. He may be indeed gently rebuked, and bid to sin no more but confident of impunity, whatever blunder he may commit, he goes on sin- ning, and sometimes, as on the present occasion, with a veritable cart rope. The Board of Guardians cannot, however, long resist the cumulative pressure of numerous charges brought against him, and brought home to him. The extreme limit of for- giveness must soon arrive—seventy times seven must soon be reached and then, if the Board of Guardians refuses to do its obvious duty, the public must take the matter into its own hands.

NEW ZEALAND. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Doubtless some little account of the location of your late respected neighbours, Major and Mrs. Wily and family, will be interesting; and who can give it better or more truthfully than one of their pre- sent neighbours, a settler of about 12 years in the very same neighbourhood, and an 18 years' settler in New Zealand? Well, then, after this long experience I fed bound to say that I never knew a family so thoroughly, sensibly, and well conform to the ways and habits of the new life, than the family of Major Wily, and I speak or rather write of one and all, for it doubtless is a totally new life, and wo have to bend to circum- stances to which we were never accustomed before, and to do things which we never did before, and per- haps never thought we were able to do. In fact in all respects we become more independent, and thus more rational creatures. But this does not by any means imply that we should neglect any of the re- finements of life. I have ever found the best edu- cated classes turn best to whatever they may have to conform to, and it is almost invariably your ignorant classes who make a great stir about their hardships, and what they have and have not been used to before. To use a colonid expression, Mrs. Wily seeins all at once to have fitted into her groove, no one thing that she has to do seems to come amiss; and not only so, but all teems to be done so well and so cheerfully. Then again at our pretty little church, on Sundays, Mrs. Wily presides at the harmonium for al- though athinly populated and scattered district, ourorigi- nal settlers have not been contented without a church, and having a church they were not contented without a harmonium. A bell and sundry other requirements will doubtless be supplied as means enable them to do so. A clergyman visits the district once a month, and the other Sundays are filled up by lay readers, which fortunately the neighbourhood can supply. The Major seems thoroughly to enjoy his quiet, peaceable, homely, and comfortable life. The house in which our friends are located is a right good one—not a bit the worse for its late proprietor having squandered a few hundred ^pounds more than it was wise to do upon its improvements. It stands in a com- manding position, and not far off is a waterfall of about sixty feet. But Dr., now Baron Hock- steller, in his most valuable work on the geology of New Zealand, has so well described some of the scenes here, that I cannot do better than quote an ex- tract of that work "Jan. 27th. From Waniku we set out to Manku, and found hospitable quarters at Major Speedy's, a. late officer in the Bengal army, who now has settled down as a farmer in New Zealaud. By the banks of the Manku we have fixed our abode, Where the serpentine current runs down to the sea Through the bush and the fern we have opened a road, And made up our minds to live happy and free. The world's cares and pleasures are easily seen To be fretful and vain as the foam of the sea We care not for cither-our minds are serene By the banks of the Manku we live happy and free. Thus sings the merry settlers of Manku, the happy neigh- bours of Manku. Let him who intends writing novels about the farmer's life of the colonies of New Zealand take up his quarters here, let him make himself at home in the farm-houses of the Manku district, so abundantly blessed with rosy daughters, and he will never want matter to suit his purpose. There lived the Speedys, the Vickers, and the Crispes, and what- ever the names are of all tbe amiable families in that neighbourhood quite romantic is the situation of their snug and comfortable country seats at the edge of the bush bush alternates with meadows, gardens and fields waving their rich luxuriant growth upon fertile basaltic ground. Upon the heights charming views open to the Manku gulph, and as far as the volcanic caves on the Isthmus of Auckland. In the valley there are fresh water brooks, which, as they plunge over columnar rocks of basalt, form cascades, bordered most beautifully with the richest vegetation of New Zealand ferns and whoever happens to be as fortunate as I, will be accompanied through the woods and fields by pretty young maidens, the choicest flowers of Manku, mounted on their fast steeds; and when he takes leave, a blue gum tree will be planted for him in remembrance of the many days and hours spent in idyllic bliss and merriment. From Manku a speedy but rather fatiguing ride across uniform fern land brought us to Drury, and thence we returned by the Great South Road to Auckland." Thus writes Dr. Hocksteller, but how has the scene changed by the lapse of a few years Out of the five or six original settlers in 1856 and 1857, the pioneers who bore the brunt and roughing necessary in the foundation of a new bush settlement, but one family remains. The heads of three families have been gathered to their fathers, two have left the dis- trict, and the Crispes, of Stattbke-who seem to have taken root in the rich soil spoken of by the doctor- are the only remnant of the first settlers. The ravages of war scattered and devastated their peace- ful abodes and uprooted the work of years, but since then some truly valuable settlers have been added to the district. The Lusks, Hills, Wheelers, Crawfords, Matthews, Coxes, Smarts, and, though last, bv no means least, the Yt ilys, who bid fair to keep up the Manku settlers reputation for rosy daughters and happy abodes. The happy contentedness of a district so inuchdepends upon the minds and dispositionsof the people themselves if a people determine to be happy and contented, it is not a little of hardship or difficulty which will disturb their equanimity, and our new neighbours are quite of this class and although I am myself an old man, yet, by God's blessing, I hope to enjoy many happy hours with our friends, for a musical evening with Mrs. and Miss Wily is a treat. At the time I am writing this, the Major is daily bagging his two or three ° brace of splendid pheasants on his own farm, very rarely missing his bird. The emigrant settlement close at hand, where the Maories were formerly located, is now quite an industrial and thriving population of 150. to 200 people, and the Patuma'iae settlement is assuming the aspect of a country village at home. Our luxu- rious wants seem to become less as we accustom our- selves to do without them but there are few things which money cannot procure by sending to Auckland for them. Farming is by no means a fortune-making business, or even a profitable life but a man with his own paddocks of grass, his own cattle, with milk butter, pork, vegetables, and with a crop of wheat, can soon become self-supporting, and very little hard cash is required. But then, go back to the more primitive times, and we are told in God's unerring word, that contentment is great riches, and this is within our reach. The younger branches of the Major's family bid fair to become right good colonists. One great charm in Manku district is that we have a few good, valuable, and agreeable neighbours, of our own station in society.

THE IRISH CHURCH BILL. ■ -♦ It was confidently stated last (Thursday) evening in Cardiff, on the authority of a special telegram, that in that evening's sitting of the House of Lords, Earl Granville stated that the Government in- tended to proceed with the Irish Church Bill; and Lord Cairns also announced that he had had a conference with Earl Granville, and that a com- promise had been come to.

Joatl Jnteltigena. —■» LLANDAFf CATHEDRAL.—Ninth Sunday after Trinity. —Morning Prayer at 11 a.m.: Venite, 150; Daily psalms, 134; Te Deum, 1C, 20; Jubilate, 83; Introit, 258 Kyrie, Rogers in D Hymn, 265. Evening Prayer at 3.30 p.m.: Daily psalms, 136; Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Rogers in D Anthem, "0 praise the Lord," Goss Hymn, 2G3. The Litany at 7 p.m.; Hymns, 169, 255, 256. Holy Communion at 8 a.m. CARDIFF GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANK.—Open every Saturday from 10 till 2 and on Saturday and Monday evenings from 7 till half-past 8. The gentlemen to be in attendance are on Saturday, Mr. John Rowe and Mr. William Rose Harvey; on Saturday evening, Mr. Pride on Monday evening, the Rev. Vincent Saulez, Rector of Canton. GLAMORGANSHIRE AND MONMOUTHSHIRE INFIRMARY. —Remaining by last week, 35; admitted since, 6 discharged, 5'; died, 1; remaining, 33. Number of out- patients on the book, 390. Medical officers for the week: Physician, W. T. Edwards, Esq., M.D.; Surgeon, J. R. Reece, Esq. Gentlemen visitors: Messrs. J. Bird, H. Bowen, J. Cory, W. J. Gaskell, W. Vachell present, Mr. J. Bird—A. P. Fiddian, M.B., house-surgeon. HAMADRYAD HOSPITAL SHIP, CARDIFF.—Report for the week ending the 22nd day of July, 1869 Number of patients remaining last week, 16 admitted since, 6 discharged cured, 8 discharged relieved, 0 died, 1 out-patients treated, 22; remaining on board, 13.— H. M. Dixon, medical superintendent. CARDIFF BATHS.—Number of bathers during the week ending 17th July, 1869: In the Turkish bath, 79 in the hot water baths, 172; in the swimming baths, 883. LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL.—A new arrangement has been made by which the non-residential canons should take their turn in preaching at the Cathedral. The practice commenced on Sunday last, when two excel- lent sermons were preached by Canon Jenkins, of Welshpool. LLANTRISANT CHURCH.—An advertisement appeared in our columns some weeks ago, issued by the com- mittee, asking for plans for the restoration of this church. We understand that several architects re- sponded to the Advertisement, but that the committee have decided in favour of the designs sent in by Mr. J. Prichard, the architect. The archaeological features of the church are considered interesting, but of a very perplexing character. The age of the arcades is a question of doubt; some think them Norman, but others consider them modern work. Mr. Prichard, with the majority of the competitors, adopted the latter hypothesis. The age of the tower is certain it is perpendicular, and belongs to the 15th century. The woodwork of the nave roof, which is much admired and is in a good state of preservation, is pronounced by Mr. Prichard to be "second pointed," and consequently to be older than the tower. Another competitor agreed with him in this view, but a third differed from both, and pronounced the roof to be of the same age as the tower. The chancel is cleverly modern, and gives the archaeologist no assistance in his diagnosis. Mr. Prichard considers that the whole nave—the outer walls and the internal masonry—excepting the but- tresses, is modern work, and takes the roof as the basis of his designs for the restoration of the church. He thus intends to re-produce a church of the "second pointed" period with suitable arcades and windows, preserving the present roof and the outer walls. The font is considered Norman. The church is evidently an interesting object of archaeological inquiry, and it is to be liopecl that it will receive the attention of the Archaeological Association, which is to hold its meet- ing next month at Bridgend. We are persuaded that the architect and the restoration committee of the church will be glad if such will be the case. THE BARONESS WINDSOR.—The Right Hon. Baroness Windsor and Lady Mary Windsor Clive attended Divine service at Penarth Church on last Sunday morn- ing. Both ladies expressed themselves greatly pleased with the church and the service. This is the first time that the Baroness Windsor has been able to visit this beautiful church, which she erected at a cost of several thousands of pounds. IRISH CHURCH MEETING.—A meeting of Liberals in support of the Government with respect to the altera- tions made by the Lords in their amendments of the Irish Church Bill, was held at the Stuart Hall on Monday evening. Dr. Edwards was called to the chair. At the time announced for opening the meeting the Hall was not half filled, and the proceedings were delayed for more than half an hour to allow of a larger attendance. During the evening a letter was read from Colonel Stuart, M.P., expressing his regret that he was unable to attend. Resolutions were also passed calling on the Government to reject the Lords' Amend- ments, and to restore the bill to its original condition. It was also resolved that a letter, signed on behalf of the meeting by the chairman, be sent to Mr. Gladstone, expressing the pleasure of the meeting at the position he had taken with regard to the bill. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. CONSULAR APPOINTMENTS.—Tuesday night's Gazette contains the appointment of Mr. Maximilian Kriegh as consul at Cardiff; Mr. Bernhard Hermann, as Vice- Consul at Swansea; and Mr. R. W. Stonehouse, as Vice-Consul for Newport and Chepstow for the North German Confederation. TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.—Llandudno was on Sunday the scene of a terrible accident. About five o'clock, a jeweller named Griffiths, aged 35 years, left his resi- dence with a friend for a walk round the Ormshead. When about two miles round Mr. Griffiths dropped his walking-stick down the bank, and while descending in search of it he lost his hold and began rolling down. His companion went to his aid, and found him clinging to a piece of a rock that overhangs a precipice. He gave Mr. Griffiths his handkerchief as a support until aid could be received, but the poor man could not re- tain his hold many moments, and letting go, he was dashed on the rocks nearly twenty yards below. The body was found dreadfully mangled. THE ABDUCTION CASE.—Miss Lyons, the principal witness in the cause of Lyons v. Thomas, arrived in Cardiff on Tuesday. It was anticipated that some little disturbance would be created by her friends, who were anxious to secure her and convey her to her home, and the assistance of the police was applied for. A body of police under the command of Superintendent Stockdale were in attendance at the railway station. A large number of the friends of Mr. Lyons were present, and the police were requested by them to hand her over to the charge of her parents. They however declined to interfere, except for the prevention of a breach of the peace. Miss Lyons was conveyed in a cab to the residence of the Rev. N. Thomas. STABBING CASE AT PENARTH.—About one o'clock on Sunday morning, Inspector Stephen Adams, of the Glamorgan County Constabulary, was on duty on the hill at Penarth, accompanied by two policemen—Wil- liams, No. 64, and Frederick Weston, No. 159. Three men (two Spanish sailors belonging to a barque now lying in the Penarth Harbour, and an Englishman, a rigger,) all rather the worse for drink, were creating a disturbance, trying to get into the Ship public-house. The Englishman had been very noisy for some time before this, and had been repeatedly told by the police to go home. He was then by himself, but he after- wards joined the two sailors and a woman in knocking at the door of the Ship Inn. Inspector Adams, seeing that it was of no use remonstrating with the English- man any further, directed his men to take him into custody. This was at once done, and the Inspector told the two Spaniards to go quietly down to their ship, as it was too late for them to get anything to drink. The two constables walked away with their prisoner, and the inspector remained behind a second or two, and then followed them. Just afterwards the Spaniards ran up to them, and, drawing their knives, demanded that they should let the prisoner go. The inspector ordered his men to seize the Spaniards, as the more serious offenders, for the rigger was known and could be taken afterwards. The Spaniards, with their knives drawn, walked towards one of the policemen. Inspector Adams had a thin walking stick in his hand, and as the sailors approached he struck one of them. The sailor struck at once rushed upon the officer and stabbed him just below the left breast. The wounded officer called out to his men, "Use your staves; they ve stabbed me." But the two policemen said, Their knives are out," and did not attempt to cope with them, with their staves. The inspector and his men went back to the station for cutlasses, and thus armed they returned to the place, accompanied by Mr. Lovett, of the Windsor Hotel, who got out of bed to assist them. Though the blood was running down to the inspector's shoes, in the excitement of the moment he did not feel any pain. The party went as far as the Plymouth Arms, and then they saw the two sailors running away as hard as they could. The inspector and his assistants followed, and set a dog in chase of them. The animal brought up the man who had stabbed the inspector Mr. Lovett tried to seize him, but receiving a stab in the breast, he turned back groaning. Another man, named William Howell, who by this time had also come to the assistance of the police, struck the Spaniard on the head with a stick, and knocked him down. He was up, however, instantly, knife in hand but before he could use it again, a policeman gave him a blow with a cutlass, which stunned him, and he was secured. The other Spaniard had escaped; and the Englishman had walked quietly off at the commeijcement of the affray. The inspector returned to the station, and his strength, which had sustained him thus far, gave way, and he became insensible from loss of blood. At about half- past three Dr. Paine arrived,-and attended to both of the sufferers. The wound is not dangerous in either case. The sheath knife, which is that ordinarily used by seamen, was found on the ground near where the prisoner was captured. The prisoner, who gives his name as Ocesco Francesco, was brought before the ¡ magistrates at the Penarth Petty Sessions on Monday, but was remanded for a week.. ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.—Some time since an organ was erected at this Church, and although the church- wardens have been most zealous in their exertions, a sum of jE30 still remains due to the builders. To re- move this debt special sermons will be preached at the Church next Sunday, when full choral services will be given. The musical part of the service will be under the direction of Mr. Hopkinson, the organist of Dews- bury Church, Yorkshire. The churchwardens deserve great praise for their efforts to place this tine organ in St. Andrew's Church, and they express a hope that the public will co-operate with them in removing the debt still remaining. GLAMORGAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. — The seventh annual flower show in connection with this society, will be held on the 25th of next month. Should the weather prove fine. there is no doubt that it will be the most attractive show that has been held, several professional horticulturists of the highest reputation having expressed their intention to send some of their finest specimens for competition. The Coldstream Guards Band, conducted by Mr. F. Godfrey, and the Cyfarthfa Band, conducted by Mr. Livesy, will be in attendance, and perform a choice programme of music. One piece to be played by the Coldstream Guards Band has been arranged expressly for the occasion by Mr. F. Godfrey. The piece, Selections from Barbe Bleue," includes solos for all the principal performers. The number of entries of plants up to the present time is very large. LORD BUTE.—A Roman Catholic paper says "We learn, on reliable authority, that the Marquis of Bute has promised the munificent sum of two thousand pounds to a Catholic literary society which is about to be formed." BENEVOLENCE.—The Treasurer of the Infirmary, W. D. Bushell, Esq., has received the sum of £3 Ss: 3d., collected by workmen in the employment of Mr. Sneezum. A JEWISH MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—This somewhat rare and attractive ceremony took place in the Synagogue, East-terrace, on Wednesday, the principal parties being Mr. J. Davies, a clothier and draper, Bute-street, and Miss Harries, the eldest daughter of Mr. Harries, outfitter, of the same street. The cere- mony, which in Christian churches is a public one, was here conducted in private, admission to Christians being only obtained by means of ticket. The interior of the Synagogue was prettily decorated with tlowers, and a crimson carpet extended from the entrance to the in- terior part of the edifice. At the time appointed the building was filled with visitors, the female portion of the members of the Hebrew community being very fashionably attired. In front of the entrance to the "Holy of Holies," a silk canopy was erected, and beneath it the whole of the ceremony was conducted. The bride was led in by her mother, her train being borne by a relative. She was dressed in a white moire robe trimmed with pale blue satin ribband while on her head was a massive veil, de- scending all round her, and a bridal wreath. The brides- maids were attired in white grenadines, and bore in their hands choice wedding bouquets. The ceremony, which was entirely in Hebrew, was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Isaacs, of Manchester, assisted by the Rev. N. Jacobs, the rabbi at Cardiff, and the Rev. N. Marks. The ring was placed on the finger of the bride, the plate broken in pieces by the officiating priest, and the bride and bridegroom each drank out of two vases a liquor to symbolize the sweets and sorrows of life. The Rev. Dr. Isaacs then delivered in English an address to the newly-wedded pair, in which he exhorted them to have confidence in each other, and to feel that the word love, which was symbolized by the ring on the finger, was from that time to have no end. He also expressed great pleasure that the bridegroom was one of whom his relatives had spoken in the highest terms, and the bride was one who had been carefully nurtured by a mother in Israel, who was well grounded in the faith of their fathers. He concluded with a pathetic benediction, and a hope that, though they might not escape all adversity, yet that the God of their fathers would give them courage to pass triumphantly through it. The ceremony being concluded, the whole party drove to the Cardiff Arms Hotel, where a sumptuous dinner was provided for the relatives and guests. A ball in the evening concluded the proceedings. THEATRE ROYAL.—Miss Amy Roselle takes her benefit this (Friday) evening, under the patronage of the Barristers of the South Wales Circuit. As a popular and pleasing actress Miss Amy Roselle de- serves a good house, and we hope that, despite these warm summer evenings, she will meet with the en- couragement she deserves. The pieces in the programme are "The School for Scandal" and "Handy Andy." To-morrow (Saturday) evening Mr. Gardiner Coyne appears for the last time in Cardiff. THE GRAND JURY.—At the Assizes on Monday Mr. G. T. Clark, the foreman of the grand jury, complained before his Lordship, Baron Channell, that some of the most important witnesses in the cases before them could not be found, and in one or two cases there was no doubt that the parties had been bribed and had ab- sconded, by this means frustrating the ends of justice, as in one case the evidence for the prosecution broke down, in consequence of the absence of the principal witness. In one or two other cases the bill was nearly being thrown out from the same cause. His Lordship regretted that such a course should have been taken by any person bound over to prosecute, and intimated that the recognizances of the absent witnesses would be estreated if no satisfactory reason could be given for their absence. FIRE.—Early on Sunday morning an alarm of fire was given. A man walking along Caroline-street saw flames issuing from the bedroom window of the Welcome Home beerhouse, and it appeared that the window- blind, curtains, and table-cover had caught fire, it is supposed from a candle placed on the table. The in- mates pulled the curtains down and extinguished the fire. The Fire Brigade and reel were in attendance, but their services were not required. FIRE AT TON COLLIERY.—On Saturday night a fire broke out in the outbuildings of the Ton Colliery, situated at Pentre Ystrad, Rhondda Valley. The carpenter's shop and a small office, together with the lamp-room, with about from 300 to 400 lamps, were burned to the ground. About 200 lamps were only partly destroyed, because the workmen as usual, took the top part of their lamp home. No one was at the colliery when the fire took place, and it cannot be ascertained how the fire originated. As soon as it was discovered, a great many people hastened to the spot, through whose efforts the fire was extinguished. Fortunately, there was not much oil of any kind in the lamp-room at the time, and the account books having been conveyed, as usual, to the office at Cwmpark, were all saved. At ten o'clock on Monday morning the pit was in working order, lamps having been ob- tained from Aberdare, and some from Pentre Colliery. The damage is estimated to be about £200. The works belong to Messrs. Davies and Co., Llandingam. THE FERNDALE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.—On Monday, the eight day of the inquest, some additional evidence was heard, and the court adjourned to Friday next. CARDIFF COUNTY COURT.—The monthly meeting of this court was opened on Wednesday at the Town Hall before Judge Herbert. There were 370 summonses, 25 judgment summonses, and 2 interpleaders for hear- ing* but none of them contained anything of public interest, a very large number of cases being tradesmen's accounts. There was only one bankruptcy case, re J. W. Moorhead, adjourned from last court, to enable the bankrupt to file a cash account. Mr. Mosely, of the firm of Clifton and Mosely, of Bristol, now appeared on behalf of Mr. Pearce, of Cardiff, one of the principal opposing creditors. The bankrupt was subjected to a severe examination from Mr. Mosely with respect to the borrowing of £115 from Mr. F. Pearce in March last, and which the bankrupt stated he borrowed on his own security. He admitted that he had been living beyond his income, which appeared to be only about £100 ayear, butthis he accounted for by sayingthat he hoped to borrow£150 from an insurance company on a security for £200, which security he expected a friend at Cork, and another at Cardiff, would undertake. Several items, as of £8 for the hire of a pianoforte, and other accounts of a similar character, were referred to by Mr. Mosely, as instances of extravagant living. Mr. F. H. Pearce, shoe warehouse, of High-street, was next called, and proved that he had advanced the bank- rupt the sum of £115, not on his own personal secu- rity, but on the understanding that the bankrupt had had £200 worth of bacon consigned to him, which was to be deposited in his cellar as a security. The bankrupt showed him the invoice of the bacon, but the bacon had never arrived. Mr. Mosely contended that there was abundant evidence to show that the bank- rupt had brought himself within the 159th section of the Bankruptcy Act, that he had not only been extra- vagant, but that he had borrowed money when he knew that he was insolvent, and had no probable chances of repayment. His Honour thought that there was evidence of undue extravagance, and that he had. obtained money without a reasonable chance of repay- ment. He adjourned the case for four months without protection. SUDDEN DEATH.—An inquest was held on Thursday evening at the Town Hall, before R. L. Reece, Esq., coroner, on the body of Phillippa Searle, a young woman 20 years of age, residing at No. 2, Loudoun- square, who died on the 17th of July. The coroner in opening the case said he had received an anonymous communication on Monday respecting the death of the deceased, which was stated to be one of suspicion. He placed the letter iu the hands of the police, and from inquiries made it was thought that there were some grounds for those suspicions. He then consulted with Mr. R. O. Jones, the stipendiary magistrate, and he was of opinion that the funeral of the deceased should be delayed, and a post mortem examination of the body made. This had been done by Dr. Paine, whom he had seen very soon after the examination, and from his statement he felt that the jury would be satisfied respecting the cause of death from his evi- dence alone, and he therefore had not requested the attendance of any witnesses. Dr. Paine deposed that he made a post mortem examination on the body, and fomd the heart so extensively diseased that it was a wonder to him that she had lived so long, and any un- usual excitement would cause the sudden death as had been the case in this instance. The suspicions that had been raised, and which had been alluded to by the coroner, had been raised without the slightest ground. He examined a bottle of medicine which the deceased had been supplied by Dr. Taylor, and it was a very proper medicine to be administered to a person in the condition of the deceased. The cause of death was disease of the heart. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

IMPORTANT TO ADVERTISERS. 4. THE CARDIFF AND MERTHYR GUARDIAN has been Established upwards of Thirty.seven Years, and has a. highly influential and ever-increasing circulation in South Wales and the West of England. As a Medium for Advertisements the GUARDIAN is unrivalled in the County of Glamorgan or the Town of Cardiff. Post-office orders to be made payable to Mr. R. W. BOYLE. TO CORRESPONDENTS. All letters intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer. We cannot undertake to return rejected communications.

THE IRISH CHURCH BILL. THE Cabinet has again, through Mr. Bright, given expression to its opinion respecting the House of Lords, in the following letter sent to the politicians of Birmingham :— London, July 16, 1869. Dear Sir,—I am sure my friends will excuse me if I do not come down to the meeting. I could not under- take to speak at a large open-air meeting, and I cannot leave town on Saturday. From what is passing in the House of Commons you will see that the Government and the House are anxious to act upon the principles upon which the one was formed and the other elected. It is a grief to me that the House of Lords does not more clearly comprehend the wishes and interests of the country. But I cannot but think it will have learned much from the :discussions which have taken place in both Houses on this Irish Church Bill. To me it seems of first importance that more harmony should be estab- lished between the two branches of the legislature. I hope you will have a large and effective meeting.—I am, sincerely yours, JOHN BRIGHT. Mr. H. B. S. Thompson, Liberal Association, Birmingham. Considering the statesmanlike and free speech of the House of Lords, and the remarkable delibera- tive ability exhibited in that House, the impudence of suggesting that it had learned much from the discussions may excusably spring from a Cabinet which almost silenced free speech in the House of Commons, and which would degrade the House of Lords by bringing it into harmony" with the most submissive and servile majority which has ever been part of a representative system. People must have become fools who do not see the menaces such language expresses. And in what manner has the boasted majority been drilled 7 The following letter is of historical value, and dis- closes the process of wire-pulling in Parliament, and of the management by which votes are secured one way when conscience and duty point in another direction. The disestablishment of the Irish Church, be it remembered, was proposed, not as a philosophical idea, but in order to satisfy the Irish people, as a means to give security and peace and contentment. We were to legislate towards the Roman Catholics in Ireland as an Irish Parlia- ment would legislate, in order to give content- ment :— TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—"Concurrent endowment "—an expression I dislike, as being incorrect—or, rather, the giving of glebes to the Roman Catholics a/nd manses to the Pres- byterians—was rejected last night by the House of Commons, without even a division on clause 27. This will appear strange, considering it is notorious that the bulk of opinion in the House of Commons is favourable to the plan, and that every Irishman, con- nected with the .Administra.tion, would have gladly advocated it. The reasons why it was so readily abandoned are these :—English members would naturally be consi- derably influenced in their course of conduct by Irish opinion on such a measure as this, and Irish Roman Catholic opinion would, in the first instance, be con- sulted. It was apparent that there was much differ- ence among the Irish Roman Catholic representatives, some being favourable, others strongly opposed to the proposal. In order to ascertain the feeling of the Irish Liberal representation a meeting was held yesterday a very large number of Irish members attended it, and the almost unanimous feeling appeared to be that the first object should be to securek the safety of the Bill; that there was an honourable understanding with the English Nonconformist and Scotch members that the spirit of the preamble should be maintained, and that were the Go- vernment to depart from that honourable understanding the result would probably be the disruption of the party and the loss of the Bill. This decision of a large meeting settled the matter, and thus, on the open- ing of the debate, there were found arrayed against Lord Stanhope's amendment the Government and the great portion of the members below the gangway, the Irish Liberal members, with few exceptions, and the Opposition leaders and their followers. To have taken a division would have been ruinous to those who still hope for a measure which would give light and gladness to every parish in Ireland. Bear in mind that the preamble on the division is no bar nor impediment to the giving of glebes and manses. It sets forth that the property of the Church, after satisfying upon principles of equality, as between the several religious denominations in Ireland, all just and equitable claims, should not be applied for the maintenance of any Church or clergy. It is question- able if the giving of gl/ibes could be considered as the maintenance of a clergy; but, even if it be so, the satisfying on principles of equality the just and equi- table claims of the religious denominations in Ireland is the primary condition. How, as you very properly remark, how is the principle of equality maintained so long as comfortable glebes are handed to the Pro- testant clergy at a nominal sum ? They, and the old cathedrals built by Catholic hands, and dear by a thousand recollections and traditions, will be ever an outward and visible sign" of anything but equality in the eyes of the Irish people. The same meeting affirmed that the distribution of the surplus should be deferred until a mature expression of Irish opinion could be obtained. I think it may be interesting to your readers to understand the reasons for the course taken by the Irish members, which naturally caused the collapse of Lord Stanhope's amendment, and which, if not understood, might lead to the impression that Irish opinion was hostile to it, whereas, I am con- fident, it is most favourable.—I remain, Sir, yours obediently, M.P. July 16, 1869. According to the above statement, English Non- conformist and Scotch Members were combined by an honourable understanding" to secure the safety of the Bill," without its connection with a measure which would give light and gladness to every parish in Ireland." This is the step which is to pacify Ireland Is it not obvious that it is a sham, and when carried the people of Ire- land will feel that they have gained no advantage in having the priesthood of all denominations levelled to the beggary of voluntaryism. The Irish fund dedicated, at this moment, to the reli- gious teaching of the Irish people is to be thrown away in order that priests and ministers may have uneasy lives and in order that want among Irish teachers of religion may be as universal as possi- ble. This is modern statesmanship For this Gladstone and Bright are cheered Mr. Melley, M.P., has written to The Times to contradict the above statement of the "M.P. but it is evident he has no information on the subject. "The decision of England, Scotland, and Wales," says he, announced that the age of religious endowments had passed away for ever." Such language can only be applauded by idle fanatics or insane politicians. Men have not changed their habits of thought or thrown their opinions to the wind. They still believe-they desire there shall be teachers of the opinions they believe in; they know that the maintenance of teachers is necessary, and that endowments have provided, ever will provide, for this necessity. At all events, if Protestants prefer volunteers to a standing army of the teachers of opinions which sustained what we believe to be the truth, the Roman Catholics will not fail to prefer a standing army of those who will propagate their doctrines. But the popular opinion of the late elections was meant to affirm that the State will not offend the religious sentiments of the majority of the Irish people that it will not require the preference of one denomination of religious parties in Ireland over another, and that as the people must and will have religious opinions, it is no part of the duty of the State to prevent their teachers from having the enjoyment of that ease and comfort which the Irish religious fund might give to them. A State well governed deals with the religion of the majority as it finds it. The Government con- ciliates Roman Catholics in Canada, and it con- ciliates the Hindoos in India. Civilization, schools, freedom of speech and printing will give supremacy to the Truth. But Truth will not be aided by a law to secure the beggary of the clergy of a people. It is not statesmanship which the majority of the House of Commons is sustaining, but proposals which will breed the most bitter feelings in Ireland against English legislation. Bigotry may triumph, but not religion. The preamble of Bright and Gladstone's Bill declares that the property of the Irish Church shall not go to any Church or any ministry, nor for the teaching of religion." Infidels rejoice over this Parliamentary sentiment. But Earl Russell proposed that in case the amendment by the Lords to Clause 68 be insisted on, he would move the following addition Provided always, that if after the objects of this Act have been fully at- tained, and a declaration to that effect has been laid before Her Majesty by the Commissioners appointed by this Act, Parliament shall not have directed in the course of a year from the date of the declaration in what manner the said property shall be applied, the Commissioners shall then make over the said surplus property to the Commission- ers for National Education in Ireland, to be by them applied- 1. To the increase of the salaries of schoolmasters and schoolmistresses; 2. To the building and maintenance of school-houses; 3. To the building and maintenance of dwellings for the schoolmasters and schoolmistresses in the vicinity of the school-houses; and an account of the sums so applied shall be contained in the yearly report of the Commissioners of National Educa- tion in Ireland." As the Bill was passed by the Commons, Irish landlords were to be bribed by the profits of Church lands to assent to it through being discharged from the county cess for objects to which Church funds were thereafter to be applicable. The honour, also, of Earl Granville was pledged that the amendments of the House of Lords should not be summarily rejected. As the Government has been defeated in the Upper Chamber by an overwhelming majority, on the motion that the House do insist on the amend- ments in the preamble, it remains to be seen what the Cabinet will do. With so arrogant and erratic a Prime Minister it is difficult for the Lords to deal; but we are sure the country will sustain them in the digniiied and temperate course they are pur- suing with regard to the Irish Church Confiscation Bill..

THE BOROUGH POLICE. IF there is one thing more gratifying than another to a man whose heart is in his work, it is to find that his efforts are appreciated in the quarter where the greatest discrimination may be supposed to exist. Consequently a feeling of grateful satis- faction may at the present moment be supposed to pervade the breast of the Superintendent of the Police Force of the Borough ef Cardiff; for on Wednesday, the 14th inst., the Government In- spector of the Police Force in Wales, after having inspected the men under Mr. Stockdale's super- vision, paid him the very high compliment of saying that they were the finest body of men he had inspected this year. Captain Willis, the gen- tleman referred to, likewise paid a visit to the Police Station, examined the cells, the books at the office, &c., and said he was very much pleased with the orderly manner in which everything was kept. In fact the prevailing colour which pervades the Inspector's report is decidedly rose; and we should naturally enough conclude that, officially speaking, Mr. Stockdale must be the happiest of men. But alas that it should be so, there is a bitter drop in every cup—a skeleton in every house. The sword of Damocles has lately been suspended, hanging by a very fine hair indeed, over the head of Mr. Stockdale. Our readers can scarcely have forgotten the somewhat incompre- hensible movement which was lately made in the Town Council. A committee was appointed to in- quire into the efficiency of the Police Force of the Borough, and the report of that Committee was substantially to the effect that additional super- vision on the part of the Superintendent was required. What the antecedent negotiations of the Committee with Mr. Stockdale may have been we are not in a position to say, but some such negoti- ations must have taken place, otherwise it could not have happened that concurrently with the presentation of that report Mr. Stockdale should have placed his resignation in the hands of the gentlemen composing it, or rather, to speak more in accordance with the absolute fact, in the hands of the Mayor. Now it appears to us that, although the resignation of Mr. Stockdale was not accepted, he has been somewhat hardly dealt with. It is quite obvious that if there were no complaint of neglect of duty brought against him, he should not have been placed in the position he was. It is equally obvious that if Mr. Stockdale does not discharge his duties efficiently, his resignation should have been at once accepted. As there is no charge brought against Mr. Stock- dale, we need not enter into the question of his efficiency. It is true that he is not as young a man as he was, and advancing years may be fairly alleged as a reason for superannuating him, but it seems a somewhat shabby return for a faithful service of thirty-five years to ask a man to resign without venturing to suggest that his working days are gone by. However much we ourselves might prefer to see a younger man in the post, we must admit that the report of Captain Willis is a triumphant answer ready to Mr. Stockdale's hand if such a suggestion be offered. Now it appears further, that although the services of Mr. Stockdale are in the opinion of the Town Council sufficiently valuable to be worth retaining, the gentlemen who compose that body think it desirable to ap- point an inspector whose duty it shall be to sup- plement those services. And having this object in view, they have advertised in the local and other papers for an active deputy-superintendent. We can have no objection to any step being taken which is calculated to increase the efficiency of the force, but we cannot help thinking that out of the fine body of men referred to on such high terms of praise by Captain Willis, one might be found de- serving of promotion and capable of performing the duties of the post without the necessity of going further a-field in the search. The appoint- ment of one of our local force to assist Mr. Stock- dale would have very obvious advantages. It would prevent the probability of collision, and of giving rise to that jealous irritation which is always the consequence of the introduction of new elements into an already well organized body. The new inspector would either act in harmony with Mr. Stockdale, or he would not. If selected from the present staff, he would have no induce- ment to show his activity and zeal by adopting the proverbial role of a new broom. If a stranger, he would naturally seek to justify his appointment in a manner that might land us in the difficulty of having a divided authority when the absolute control of one man is a paramount necessity. It would indeed require a combination of prudence and firmness, which it would be difficult to find to render the introduction of a stranger appointed independently of Mr. Stockdale, consistent with the preservation of harmonious relations between them. There is another reason which we think should weigh heavily with the Town Council in determining their selection. The prospect of pro- bable promotion is a great inducement to steady good conduct. If this inducement is taken away from the present staff by the appointment of a stranger, it will obviously lead to bad conse- quences as regards the morale of the force. If steady service and good conduct are overlooked, they will no longer be as in all well ordered services they should be, at a premium, and a ready passport to a higher grade.

THE SURVEYOR OF TAXES AND HIS VICTIMS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "GUARDIAN." SIR,—It has been asked me more than once whether the Surveyor of Taxes has the power, according to law, to set a valuation upon country houses, &c., contrary to the valuation of the parishioners and their express judgment. Certainly they ought to know best the value of these houses in their own parishes. How can a perfect stranger looking at a house from a distance give it the right valuation ? It is impossible. Yet such practice is carried on by a certain man who lives not a hundred miles from Swansea. I really think that the Government should look into these matters, and alter the whole system of taxation. As it is at present it is not one of the best, for the Surveyors of Taxes care not what trouble and annoyance they give the people. The people of England and Wales are loyal enough, but they will not long bear imposition with im- punity. Perhaps some of your correspondents will be kind enough to enlighten the people upon these points through the medium of your valuable paper.—I am, Sir, yours truly, LOVER OF JUSTICE. July 20.

SWIMMING MATCH AT PENSANCE.—The 1,000 yards swimming match was won in 172 minutes, by Mitchell beating Dawe, of Plymouth. OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF LORDS.—The scene in the Palace-square on Tuesday night, says the Globe, was of a somewhat exciting character, the assemblage demonstrat- ing in an unmistakeable manner their political sympathies. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who arrived on foot by way of Lambeth Bridge, was greeted with a respectful cheer. The Earl of Derby was early at the House, and the cheering which welcomed the appearance of his car- riage was continued for some time. The Viscountess Beaconsfield was also greeted with hearty applause. Earl Granville, who from his recent attack of gout still walks with difficulty, was allowed to pass in silence. t