Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION MEETING AT TREHARRIS. On Tuesday night, at the Public Hall, Trdiarris, a public meeting was held to bear an address from Mr. W. M. Evans, Fox-street, who offers himself as a can- didate at the forthcoming School Board Llection. The meeting was largely attended, and there was a great deal of enthusiasm. The chair was occupied by Mr. H. Davies, who spoke in favour of Mr. Evans' candidature. Addressfa were delivered by a large numlier of speaker", including Councillor Prosper and W. Lewis. A resolution was passed approving of the candidature of Mr. Evans, ana two dozen canvassers were appointed to visit the electors. Mr. Evans is an. old member of the Board, but at the last election he was unsuccessful at the poll. He comes out now as an independent candidate, and not as the nominee of any denomination. Another probable candidate is Mr. Henry Davies, County Council lecturer. Plumper writes Kindly permit me, as an elector in the Merthyr district, to call attention to the approaching School Board Election, more par- ticularly as it concerns the Treharris district. On Tuesday last I was presented with Mr. Henry Davies' election address, which I find contains ridiculous and inconsistent statements. school Hoard Kate. Is it not a fact that the rates of the County Council and School Board were con- siderably increased last year ? Mr. Henry Davies, as a public official, is partly responsible for much of that increase. First we find his salary has considerably increased, and that he is now in the enjoyment of the handsome salary of JE250 per annum and travelling expanses. He has also had increased assistance. Having received increased salary and assistance he has thereby contributed towards increasing public rates, and still he advocates a reduction of rates if returned on the Merthvr School Board. It would interest us to learn how Mr. Davies proposes bring- ing about this reduction of which, oy the way, are so heavy a burden upon the working classes? Will Mr. Davies commence at home by proposing a reduc- tion of his own salary, which if considerably higher than that of any teacher employed by the School Board, and who work more hours every day than he does. We alto find he is thrusting himself upon the electors in an indiscreet and irregular manner, and not by beine selected at a meeting publicly convened, like that of Mr. W. M. Evans, who has lieen unani- mously selected by a public meeting. Mr. Evans' claims are two fold-he is experienced in School Board affairs., as he is an old member he is a large ratepayer, lives in the most central part of the dis- trict, and always is approachable, which i3 an important consideration for the working men and their families. Mr. Evans has always taken deep interest in educational matters at Treharris, and is eminently suited as a member to represent Treharris on the Merthyr Tydfil School Board. I sincerely hope the electors of the Treharris district will give their whole support by plumping for Mr. Evans at the coming election, and thus secure a Treharris representative on the Merthyr School Board. RAINFALL IN 1894. At Wednesday's meeting of the Merthyr Council, Mr. Harvey, the engineer and surveyor, presented the following rei>ort showing the rainfall in 1394 ;— PKNTWTN' RESKRVOI*. Gauge 1,120 feet above sea-level. Xumber of days on Greatest fall in 24 which 01 Total depth hours. or more Mouth, in inches. Depth. Date. fell. January 8-5-9 l-04 8 27 February.. 9-23 1-02 10 24 March 6-05 1-35 12 15 April 3-55 -60 27.. 13 Mav 3-68 -83 S 19 June. 3-29 -84 3 18 July 5-58 2-12 24 22 August 4-69 -91 r/5 22 September". 2-42 -67 24 9 October 8'69 1-74 26 17 November.. 10-22 1-76 13 19 December.. 6*25 1-01 21 21 Totai ..72-24 231 NKCADP RESERVOIR. No. 1 gauge 1,462 above sea-level. January 7-33 '66 8 24 Febnfarv.. 8*57 1-13 17 20 March 6-08 1-33 5 14 April 3-31 -72 25 17 May 4-21 -87 8 19 June 4-07 -84 3 18 July 6-02 2-15 ?4 23 Aupust 5*92 1-05 25 22 September. 3-25 1-02 7 10 October. 8.38 1-72 26 15 November.. 10-34 1-89 12 20 December.. 7'15 1-34 17 20 Total ..74-63 222 I Aumno.vvi, MOXTIII.T <4.vn.ra AT SITUS XORTH OF NKCU»I» ILKSKTTRONT KMBANKHKXT. No. 2 Xo. 3 Xo. 4 Xo. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 No. 9 West of East of North-east Near Near River West- Near East of Kiver. River. of 01.1 River. at foot of of River. River. <rau;;e. Beacons. Kiver. Height in feet ajtove sea-level 1993 1343 1486 1515 2099 201& 1723 1996 January 9'01 5-00 "This reading; is approximate, the gauge Having heen tampere* February 12*69 5'34 witb, March 6-85 3-65 April 4-10.. 3-39 May 5-76 4-47 5-15 5-4,1 June 5-17 3-94 4-92 5-35 5-93 July 6-35 6-M.. 6-12 6-40 710 Att,,tist i)-78 5-92 6-41 6'95 7-04 September.. 3-02 4-18 3 "06 2-17 3,65 October 9*90 7-15 9'4o 10-34 11-33 November 11-68 7-73..11-50 ..12-38 ..13-15 12-46 12-74 8.16 December 8*42 515 3-23 3-95 9*30 7-50 9-30 5-14 Tcar's tottt 89-73 62-37 .besides the ai>ove-mentn>ned granges, twelve new daily gauges have been set up near the Neuadd Reser- voir, at short distances apart, on a line running in a north-easterly direction through the s'te of the old Xo. 1 gauge and new No. 4, the minimum and maxi- mum readings for the last two months being: Novem- her, 10-30 and 11'74 inches December, 6*00 and 8*25 inches. It will be observed that the results of the different gaugings are dissimilar, and that taking the whole year. No. 2 gausre gives 89'73 inches of rainfall, while No. 3 gi ves 62'97 inches only. I may state that the rainfall for 1894 was about 30 per cent, higher than in 1893, but scarcely so high as in 1891.

STEALING WEARING APPAREL. Mary Ann Brian was charged, at the Tredegar Police-court, on Tuesday, with having stolen two jacket bodices and a skirt, the property of Philip Samuel, Bridge-street. It appears that the goods were pledged in Octo!)er last, and when called for to lie redeemed were found to lie missing. The goods had been pledged with Mr. Guppy.—The Bench took a lenient view of the case, and treated the defendant under the First Offenders' Act with a caution.

A COWARDLY ASSAULT. At the Tredegar Police-court, on Tuesday, Frederick Dean was sent to Usk for a month, with hard labour, with the option of a fine, for having committed a cowardly assault upon P.C. Day at Abertillery on Sunday last. The constable appeared in court with his face severely cut, and his hand, which had been bit by defendant, was landaged up. The defendant was censured severely by their worships for the cowardly act.

SPARKS FROM THE. AXVIL. BY JOE HAVUBRSUITH. To Mr. Thomas Williams, Gwaelodvgarth.—Dear Alderman,—One of these next days you are setting itail for the Land of Canaan, the wonderful country that gave the religion which has sustained you aud comforted you through a long life. May your pil- grimage be pleasant and interesting, and may you return to its with health invigorated and youth renewed like the eagle's Rumour also hath it that you are about to seek another Canaan, the Canaan of retirement from public Life. A pang ot grief fehot through my heart when I heard of this. I hope the rumour is not true, not the whole truth at all events. You have served us faithfully and well. You deserve rest, if ever man did. And yet I fancy it would not be well for you to ffive up everything, or to cut yourself off entirely from puhlic affairs. You would never he happy if you did that. Stick to some one Iward, jost to hare your hand in, as it were. For you and for us com- plete parting would l>e very painiul. Let not the Canaan of retirement be for you a land of lotus- eaters. You can look back on a long and honourable t,ecord of public servioe. A born leader of men, gifted with strong intellectual powers, clear reason, and a singu- larly well-balanced mind, you have played a prominent part in our affairs. After many years of strenuous fighting there is not a blot on your 'scutcheon, nor has your sword lost its mettle. Your integrity is at'ove suspicion. Mistakes you may have made, not being infallible but no one has ever doubted your probity. Always and everywhere 3011 did that which you thought waa be«t. We have amongst us those whose chief and only aim is to win favour with the crowd. You have never been a popularity-hunter. Whatever you did was done because, in your opinion, it was light not because you sought the applause of the multitude. You have always been guided by the most exalted motives. As a leader you are good all round," not strong in one direction and weak in another. This accounts, in a great measure, for your influence. A consistent Literal, a sturdy Nonconformist, ft pronounced advo- cate of Temperance and of Education, you have been a leader in everything that makes for progress and the uplifting of the masses. Your retirement from public life will leave not one but many gaps which it will he very difficult to till. You have stood in the forefront of the army, and we looked upon you and followed you with absolute confidence and the tenderest love. How shall we fight our battles with- out you ? tour defeat in the renydarreu Ward at the recent District Council election has caused grief unspeakable to the general public. I do not think there is a single Tory, unless excessive bigotry lias withered and damned his soul, who rejoiced in your fall. The result must have been due to some mistake or other on the part of the electors. At all events, the said elec- tors protest mo earnestly that they would not for worlds have left you out in the cold, and they have not yet ceased to deplore the unfortunate occurrence. Nor will they cea.se for many a day. Though guided by the highest principles and most exalted convictions, and never wavering in your fidelity to the truth as you understand it, yet you display a sweet reasonableness" which is not found in all men of your type. You look to the actual a.s well as itio ideal, and consider not only what should be done but what can be done. You do not set up a code of rules for yourself, and hurl anathemas at everybody and everything that do not come up to your arbitrary standards. You look on the world, consider men and things, and then find out what is liest and wi-est under the circumstances. Long experience has given yon a ripe judgment and a wonderful know- ledge of your fellow-men. I should like very much, dear Alderman, More you go to Palestine, to have a chat with you alxiut the future of Merthyr politics, imperial and local. Some of my friends here think there's a change coming over the spirit of our dream, and that those who led us in the past will not he our leaders in the future. Merthyr Liberals, like the human race in genera!, may be divided into two classes, Puritans and Cavaliers. ]-or many years the Puritans held sway, and grand men they were. Now it is thought the turn of the Cavaliers has come, and that a reaction has set is against the inflexible sternness of the Puritan?. These tilings are on the knees of the gals, and our poor peculations concerning them are not of much value. Still it is only too evident that there is some change going on. The liquor paity eeem to be gain- n ing ground, a calamity due no doubt to the miserable dissensions in the Liberal ranks. A new class of men are slowly working their way to the front. Of aome of them it may be predicted that their period of power will be brief, and the briefer the better. Others have come to stay and to make their mark. They do not rely on taproom popularity. Of sterner stuff are they made than the heroes of alcohol, and they will wear better. But even they are not of the old school of Puritans. They have not the denominational senti- ment of our Puritan leaders. Sympathising more pro- foundly with modern ideas, they have none of the littleness of the day? gone by, none ot the narrowness and bigotry. They have a wider, more generous, and more human way of looking at things, and their minds have a bent which is more practical and, perhaps, more immediately progressive. Ijed by these men the Liberalism of the Merthyr Boroughs will yet be a united organic power which cannot be resisted, and against which the alcohol party, no.v enjoying a brief spell of popularity, will battle in vain. But whatever changes we are destined to undergo, and whatever transitions there may be in store for us, the names of the old leaders will be remembered with pleasure and with gratitude. Chief among these names will be that of Thomas Williams, Gwaelody- garth." It is, and long will be, a household name from one end of the Principality to the other, and will be lovingly cherished as tbename of a true and devoted democrat, of a man who served his generation with intense fidelity, who counted it a privilege to &pend and be spent in the noble cause of progress. A brave and valiant warrior in the battle of reform, a staunch, unyielding advocate of equality, a. bold champion of the advancement of the masses, and of the rights of the Cymric natiorality, the name of Thomas Williams will be handed down to otir ciiidren an(i olir children's children as that of a faithful lwtiefa(.' or of hit ture. May your days. dear Alderman, be long in the land; may the remainder ot your !ife, whether spent in retirement or in active public service, be ftitt of sweetness and happiness. And may we who come after you 1)13 enabled to follow in your footsteps, and be as true, as loyal, and as faithful as you have been. I am, dear Alderman, yours sincerely, JoK H.YMMKK- 8111TH. "Commodore," dating from Dowlais, writes as follows: "Dear Joe, Last Thursday I travelled all the way to Cardiff to see and hear Paderewski, the famous pianist. Though I arrived at the Park Hall before the advertised time for starting oblations, I failed to get in. That was a bitter disappointment, as you may imagine. I had set my heart on Paderewski, and had looked forward for weeks to the pleasure of hearing him play. I arn 110 musician. Yet I wanted to see Paderewski. It would be some- thing to be able to telt my grandchildren, when I had drifted to my anecdotage, that I was present at the first concert given in Wales by Paderewski. That privilege, alas cannot now be mine. I had studied the programme carefully, before hand. In the silent watches of the night I had pictured to myself what the various items would he like. There was the Variatio F minor,' for instance must be a rare treat, this," I said to my- self. But of all the items the one that took my fancy most was the 'Cracovienne op 14.' Ravishing delights lurked behind this title, I thought, and joy of the most heavenly tenderness. Yef. Joe, I was dying to hear that Cracovienne op 14.' But, as I have said, I was disappointed. To be told by next morning's paper that the Cracov ienne op 14 was an arpeggio etude' added to my sorrow. It was a case of deep calling unto deep. It was bitterly cold at Cardiff. I was shivering all the time I was there, :tnd have had the ague ever since. A thick Scotch mist, issuing, it was con- jectured, from the office of the South Walts Daihi hung over the town, and worked its wav through one's clothes to one's lxmes and marrow. I was very glad to get back again to the dry atmos- phere of the hills, and to see good old Dov. lais once more. Hurrah for Dowlais, cradle of song By the way, t met some Dowlais friends in Cardiff, and we had some rare talk. They bad been reading the Book ot Samuel-heg pardon, the Book of the Chronicles of Dowlais, and many were the questions they asked me. Coming back in the train two men fell into argu- ment. One had been to hea<- Paderewski, and the other had not. The latter thought Paderewski the greatest pianist that ever on this earth did dwell, while the former thought a certain deputy-organist he named could have given him points. Funny, but just like musicians. The two went on quarrelling about another chap they knew would this other chap have enjoyed Paderewski if he had heard Paderewski play? Curious question that, but these two men, otherwise rational enough to all appearance, argued it out with a vengeance. They are still arguing, for aught I know." The Bishop of Meaux is in trouble. Unbacked the bill of a gunpowder manufacturer to the tune of £3,000, and also a bill of a hop merchant for £ 5,000. The bills have been dishonoured, and this illustrious successor of the ajiostles has been ordered to pay up. So he's in a. nice fix. The bishop who patronizes and helps a hop merchant and a mnker of gunpowder must have curious notions about the religion of Jesus. It is rumoured that he will resign his episcopal office, I and seek a canonry. That is as it should be. A bishop who is sweet on gunpowder, should certainly be made a ean(n)on. Perhaps lie vvill al.-o rim a pub," on the lines recommended by t!io Bishop of Chester. The weather :s cold just now, bitterly cold. Those who are surrounded with plenty, whose eupliourds and whose grates are full, should remember their less fortunate brethn-n. The Guardians, bless theirliearts! have agreed to increase the doles of the paupers. He kind to the poor tramps. They, too, are our brothers and the children of the Great All-Father. Let us not harden our hearts against them. They are weak and erring, and circumstances have proved too strong for them. Tn the language of science, they have reversed to the.type." The nomad in them has grained the upper hand, and reduced them to the condition which waa ilia natui-iil condition of our earliest human ancestor?. At any rat. they are entitled to our com- passion and help. Life must by exceptionally hard for thern theae week: Pity them, dear reader, and hold forth thine hand to them with that sympathy to whicfj evyry human being ha* a natural right.

Corrceponftence. I NEGLECTED ABERAMAN. SiE,—" Tyro and your Aberaman cor respondent must try ana l» a little patient. It is too bad to go for the new Council like bnlls at a gate. Let the Council have a few weeks' breathing time, so that they may look around their district and see how the various localities fare. We should not jump on them too soon. I agree with both your correspondents that many improvements are needed in the lower end of the parish, and I hope the new Council will do all it the parish, and I hope the new Council will do all it can to carry them out. But they taust have time. If I at the end, say, of six or nine months they will have done nothing, then your correspondents will lie justi- tied in denouncing them to the utmost extent of their voeabtil try. -Yotirs, ke., AMI N EDM. I LIVE AND LET LIVE. SIR,—There is much written in regard to tbe theatre, daiainsr, drinking, &c- bui there is more that remains uftsaid about other forms of worldliness, that remains uftsaid about other forms of worldliness, too cotnrot n iq our time, and which we are { rone to pass by unheeded, through being habituated to it by daily experience. But suffice it to say, we are living in an a^fe wherein is much pomp and vanity, a large part being mere outward show and pretension, while inwardly there is moch rottenness. There is too much of the grabbing element plainly discernible everywhere, permeating every department of life, everywhere, permeating every department of life. irrespective of rank or creed. Greed of gain is the distinguishing feature of to-day, everything being sacrificed to it, even honour and principle being scattered to the winds to gratify the insatiable thirst for wealth. In our social life we see it in the distinc- ¡ tion between the classes and the masses, forming a barrier undividable, and in the commercial life we I have it in the monopolies which are being created everywhere lJy:onr Jay Goulds of finance. There is lacking that broad-minded Christianity of "live and let live," which looks on everyone as a htother, ready to lend a helping hand where needed, and making one another's burdens 0.11 the lighter to bear. There is much to fear in this rivalry aud jealousy which is I sapping the life blood of the nation, displacing as it necessarily must all other virtues, causing employer and employed to look at each other in the light of veritable enemies, whereas by the exercise of a little forbearance, together with a "more equitable spirit of fairness, things would lie all the better, and tend to promote the welfare of the common good.-I am, sir, PHILANTHROPIST. DOWLAIS CONDUCTORS. Sf Havin- read in your last issue a report of the recent general meeting of the Dowlais Philharmonic Society, I wish to correct one small paragraph in your very able correspondent's report. It is tnere said that I paid a very hi^h tribute to the ability of Mr. Harry Evans, whom I pronounced without hesitation, to lie the best conductor Dowlais ever had." Now I confers that I was astounded at my assumption and indiscretion, when I read this passage and questioned myself what bad I really said on that occasion. I remember that I praised the choir and its conductor, and said that I considered the present conductor was "one of the best that Dowlais ever bad": and that we had every reason to lie proud of him. I meant my remarks to be complimentary to Mr Harry Evans, and I lielieve fully deserved all the praise T gave him. But I believe I did not say that he was the liest con- ductor that Dowlais ever had. People occasionally say in public what they did not intend saying; ajid if your report iu this particular is correct—which I do not believe— then I did mvself a great injnstice, and spoke very indiscreetly. I do not believe in pitting one Dowlais conductor against, another, and especially in placing one above the others. I have had tne good fortune of close contact with all the principal cho:r leaders of Dowlais, past and present, and no town in Wales can show so many conductors of the first order, j I honour them all, aud 1 value their friendship, and I am content to leave the delicate task of determining which is the liest of them to musical men, people more qualified for such work than I am. I am not a musical critic, and have never received the necessary training to become one and therefore it would be sheer presumption on my part to be R judge of con- ductors. My only reason for writing is to extricate myself from a false po-ition.—I am, yours etc., WILLIAM MORGAN. The Pant, Jan. 15th, 1895. THE GRIEVANCES OF SOME SHOP ASSISTANTS. S!R,—ThMe has been a great deal snid concerning shop assistants in the past, but lately all the agitation seems to have died away. This, however, is a reminder. I may state at the outset of these remarks that life hehind the counter I" auch a painful trial in many places as would make many who have a regard for humanity shudder. In most drapers' establish- ments there are nuisances whic h young men have to put up with, and young ladies also. Allow nie to enumerate some through personal experience 1st, long hours 2nd. hadly ventilated departments 3rd, scanty living 4th, unfit ttpdrooms, &c. The reason for most of these is not bad trade, as most trades- people make for but the avaricious greed to accumulate wealth. One instance is worthy of pro- mulgation, and will astonish many when it becomes known that it happened in the employment of people who seemingly follow religion to a great extent, and who try to be present at nearly every religions ner- vice, Sundays and week-days. They "take part in every philanthropic work in the vicinity, such as J temiiemnce movements, evangelical services, and are greatly interested in the poor. At this establishment an experienced young m:in was engaged at a salary of JC26 a year for this salary he was engaged from morn till night, which meant 66 hour" per week on an average and when bed-time came there was always a doubling up resorted to before the room could be reached, and when readied, no room to stand upright without bending, thedumber room situated at the top of the house (commonly called garret), being only four feet high in some places. Surely if this is an instance in this our nineteenth century, it is high time that such things should cease. Where* are the sanitary inspector* ? I am sure these are rooms that are unfit f6r habitation find should he condemned, especially for sleeping purposes.— 1 ani, JiSTK K. LABOUR ORGANIZATION. SIR,—The timely and important letter of "Thucy- dides" on "Labour Organization," which appeared in last week's issue of the Merthyr Times, has implied me to glean from various sources the opinions of dis- appointed memljers of trade unions, iu order to give an opportunity to those who still lielieve in and uphold Trade Unionism, to have their say 011 this vital question. The items, num'oered as they are for the convenience of future reference, are iz follow- 1. Trade Unionism has not prevented the miners and their families from starving on a wage of less than 10s. per week it does not prevent it to-day among the miners of Lancashire, although they pay & y their leader about £10 per week; it cannot compel the master to allow the men to work (only on the masters' terms), nor present the rich from eating up the poor, and the poor from eating up each other. 2. The Amalgamated Society of Tailors" has been referred to as a miserable failure. It appears that only a small percentage of the tailors of Great Britain and Ireland are connec ted with this society. The reason for this is that the men who govern it cannot lie convinced that it would be to the interest of the Society to have all the "black-legs" trans- formed into Trade Unionists. 3. An old member of the "Amalgamated Engin- eers "i*! of opinion that trade unions are of nothing like the value to working-men they were twenty years ago. A great many of the railway companies and large corporati ms in the engineeringandshipbuildiug trades will not give employment to a man if he is over forty. The result is that large numbers of memliers are thrown on the funds of their Society a very great deal oftenfr than was the (asea few veal's ago. What- ever branch you go to; there are so many signing the vacant books, that a strange member is looked upon more as an interloper than anything else. If he happens to be a man that does not mix with his shop- mates in the pub," his chance of getting work is bad indeed. Stranire as it may appear, though the unions were formed for the express purpose of getting members work, it is the votaries of the pub" some- how who seem to get hold of the news first. 4. A niemljer of the Amalgamated Society of Car- jienters and Joiners" have expressed himself in this manner. There is a growing spirit of discontent at the constitution, management, and increasing cost to each member. It is time the present secretaries and executors were sent about their business, especl:1.1h- those of the building trades, and replaced by men who have newer ideas of organization. Take the last London strike. It cost j626,771, and ever since we of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenter- and Joiners obtained it, the levies we have continually paid to keep up the funds have kept our wages down below the former ninepence per hour. Therefore, we have no monetary gain. Ronle of the members have not even bad a rise in their wages for twenty years. The Society spent £ 44,944 in three years 011 strikes. Surt-ly a half penny per hour will never redeem this amount. If the Unionists wish to show their valonr, let them speud their next amount in taking over the machinery and means of production. I am a Trade Unionist, but only belong to it for the sake of organ- ization." 5 The sweater sweats his workers, and the miuers are killed at the rate of 1,200 every year. They work faster, and suffer themselves to he robbed more sys- tematically and more easily than they did even before Trade Unionism was known. 6. Trade Unionism has no remedy for the partially employed miners of Lancashire, who work and starve on short time. They have accepted charity, have tried registration, neglect, the limitation of the out- put. the creation of stocks but all of no avail. 7. Miners and others whose |K>licy was strike and Unionism, may be interested in the following state- ment taken from the Official Receiver's report of the Balfour group of companies, rr Hocklfy Hall Colliery: It is estimated that the trading for the nine months ended December 31, 1893, will show a net profit of over £ 11,000. A considerable pottion of this profit is, however, due to increased prices caused by the late strike." Moral The capitalist profits, while the workers suffer, from strikes. 8. "We hear," wails a postman in reference to the "I'o;¡tmen'¡.; Federation," of delegates being Rent to attend meetings in different parts of the country, but not one of their speeches contains a word concerning the sweating of telegraph boys, who are compelled to work in times of pressure for 15s.. when another would receive 21s. I think this will prove to the minor branches of the service that the chief ambition of the Federation is to benefit those who already receive sufficient." 9. Having asked an old Trade Unionist why he had ceased to be a member of a certain society, his reply was this Because I discovered that T was only contributing my hard-earned money towards main- taining a trade union whose chief tendency was to promote incompetence, indolence, audacity, and extravagant expenditure of money on delegated luxurious holiday-conferences, held at a conveniently remote locality, where they can freely give way to their hitherto suppressed desirer, without- fear of being detected by a familiar eye." Let the above-mentioned items for the nonce suffice as arguments against supporting Trade Unionism, and now let us learn what the true believers in such an institution have to ay in favour of supporting tt. The question of labour organization appears to be rampant at present, and it i:, to be h"¡"d that the merits or demerits of trad", union, wiilbs probed to their uttermost recesses.—I am, etc..

A TREDEGAR POETESS. The charming poetess of Cwrn Clydacli, Miss Maggie Griffiths (Glynferch), has issued a collection of her poems in hook form under the title of Howcrs of the Vale." It may interest our readers to know that this distinguished writer has prefaced her collec- tion by the insertion of a dedicatory poem from the pe.i of Mr. J. L. Evans, A ale-terrace, Tredegar. Many of our readers will rememljer Miss Maggie Griffiths' and Mr. J. L. Evans' poems gracing the columns of {this paper and other weeklies. In the January nnmher of Wnlcx, Miss Griffiths has a poem entitled Evening charms," of which the following is the concluding stanza :— Oh, bewitching evening h1cndin;- All thy charm* in harmony. And to listening mortals sending SONIJSOF sweetest melody; Hrr.venly voices, 10'1\111<1 my .-lie In each brook and fairy wind. Filling earth with joyous music- Soothing every weary riiind.

PROPOSED COLLIERS" ASSOCIATION FOR MERTHYR AND DOWLAIS. A c-onfereuce of the works' committee of the Dow- lais, Cyfarthfa, and Plymouth colliers was held at$ie Prince of Wale- Inn, Georgetown, on Saturday even- ing, under the presidency of Councillor Thomas Thomas, for the purpose of discussing what steps should be taken towards organising the men. —The Dowlais delegate stated that as far as the men employed in that pit were concerned they seemed totally unready to take any steps. The Plymouth and Cyfarthfa men, on the other hand, were reported to be willing and anxious to organise on condition that a new Association should I*, formed for the Merthyr and Dowlais District. A long discussion took place, after which it wa-s resolved that a confer- ence, to which as many delegates from each pit a* desired to attend, should be held that day fortnight at the Clarence Hotel, Dowlais, to decide what further steps should he taken towards forming the new asso- ciation. It was recommended that in the meanwhile the work of organisation tte carried on at each colliery which should be associated with the new South Wales Amalgamation.

MERTHYR. MEKTHYR_WORKIXG MEN S LIRILINX<; SOCIETY.— An appropriation, by sale, in connection with this, society, will take place on Monday next. [2819 UNITARIAN GHAPEL.—The Rev. Win. Robinson, late of London, will preach next Sunday at the morning and evening services. All seats free. [2821 SALE To DAY.—Mr. J. F. Seal, auctioneer, Castle- street, will sell by public auction o-day (Thursday), at the Drill Hall, at 1.30 o'clock, the household fur- niture and effects, the property of Dr. Dyke, Medical Officer of Health. [2820 J. JEREMIAH, the only agent for Samuel Mason's I)i, E! Bar Fittings and Bar Engines, for Merthyr. Dowlais, Alwrdare. Pontypridd, Mountain Af-h, Rhondda Valley, Rhymney, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Brvnmawr, Blackwood, &c., &c.— Address, J. Jere- miah, Bar Fitter, Plumber, and Decoratoi, 36, High- street, Merthyr. and 2, North-street, Dowlais. Estimates free distance 110 object. Fresh fish dcily from all parts of the coast. D. Price, of Dowlais, l>egs to inform his numerous friends and patrons that he has commenced business at No. 54, Glebeland-street, Merthyr, and he hopee to be favoured with a share of their patronage. Freati oysters daily. All kinds of fish in season. Families waited upon, with bill of fare, every morning. Note the address 54, Glebeland-street, Mertl yr. ° 257b J. F. DOCTOX, Sanitary Plumber, Hot-water Engineer, Bar-fitter, Gas-fitter, Bell-fitter, and General House Decorator, has just received a choice and well-assorted stock of Paperhangings—sale price from 221-d. per piece. Hundreds of job lot,, of paper- hangings must be cleared out regardless of price to ma.ke room for our new stock of paper-hangings. Onr gold paperhangings, from 9d. per piece, is a marvel of cheapness. A staff of experienced workmen regularly employed. [ADVT. LORn ROSKEERY AT CAROTFK.—Our readers will La glad to know that in view of the above visit a large stock of Rosebery Collars ready for Disestablishment have just arrived, and are now selling at J. W. Mooifs's. 10, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. Special lines in winter suitings and overcoatings are being offered at great reductions in order to effect a clearance for our new Spring Goods. Specialities, 39s. 6d. Overcoat« and suits, 38s. 6d. All order-; executed on tLe premises by experienced workmen. Don't forget tie Rosebery Collars in 4 fold linen, and the address J. W. MORRIS, 10, Pontmorlais. Hallo! What's this Genuine sale of hats, caps shirts, ties, collars, gloves, mufflers, umbrellas, etc etc., at EDMINDS', 35, High-street, Merthyr. On Saturday next and to continue for 14 davs." Every article reduced. The stock of Gents' Mercery—of the best manufacture—which is comparatively new, mu t be decreased to make room for the latest production of the British looms. Sale quotation being oftentimes misleading, no enumerations of the various bargains will he made, but customers will find a genuine and honest reduction all round. No job lots bought for sale purposes. J. EDMINDS, The Hattery and Hosiery, 55, High-street, Merthyr. NON-COMMISSIONED OEKICERS' BALL.—The non- commissioned officers of the Merthyr detachment will hold their second annual ball at the Drill Hall on the 30th inst. We trust that the forthcoming ball will be as successful as last year's ball. I.O.G.T.—The usual weekly meeting of the Hope Lodge was held on Monday, when Bro. J. Taylor pre* sided. A miscellaneous programme was gone through Sisters M. E. Price, Eva Brown and M. Thomastakim' part. ° MARKET SorAEE MI TI AI. IMPROVEMENT SOCTETT The usual meeting of the above society was held on Monday, when Mr. H. A. Hooper pVesided. Mr Henry Davies read a paper on Prohibition," ard Mr. W. Hughes read a paper on "Moral Suasion." An interesting discussion ensued, and a large nmnbt r of members addressed the meeting. CnlRe FYDD LEAGEK.—Owing to Lord Rosebery's meeting at Cardiff on l'riday, the usual meeting of the above will be held on IVIondiiv next, at the ante-room of the Temperance Hall, when a paper will be read by Councillor ibomas i homas, on Laliour representa- tion and payment of members." A hearty invitation is extended to all who feel interested. COLLIERY MANAC.-EK'S EXAMINATIONS. — Seven of the successful candidates in the first-class examine t)on-, and seven of those in the second-cla. e examinations, held at Nottingham in October last and two successful in the first-class, and ten in the second-class at Bristol in September last, are students of the Universal Mining School Derby, conducted by Mr. T. A. Southern, late H.M. Inspector of Mines. HOPE METEAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. — The ordinary meeting of the above society wa,, held in Hope Hall on Thursday, when the Rev. D. C Edwards, M.A., presided. Mr. H. M. Lloyd F.R.M.S., read a paper on Vivisection," taking the negative view. He was supported by the meeting by a majority of 13 to 2, several remaining neutral. Messrs. David Davies and D. E. Jones and the Rev. D. C. Edwards also spoke. St NDAT :¡f;JIT MISSION .SERVICE. Mr. W. J. Mountjov took the chair at the service on Sunday evening, and the Shiloh choir, under the leadershipof Mr. W. Jones, rendered the musical portion of the service. A Welsh address was delivered by the Rev. R. Emrys Jones, Shiloh. Solos were sung bv Miss Annie Davies and Mr. J. R. Davies. Mrs. W. Price and party .sang a carul and the Rev. J. G. jame-, B.A., closed the meeting with the benediction. TABERNACLE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.—The weekly meeting was held on Monday, when the following officers weie elected for the ensuing session :—Super- intendent, Mr. Morgan Reynolds; chairman, Min AnnieCumtttings; vR-e-chainnan. Miss S. A..Jones; secretary, Mr. James Lloyd; treasurer, Mr. Samuel Morris: chaplain, Mr. Jno. Lewis; guard Mi- Daniel J ones. There was a large attendance of meml bers, and it was resolved t<» hold a literary and com* petitive meeting on Monday next. VOLUNTEER -The members of the Merthyr Detachment of Volunteers turned out in large numbers on Wednesday se'nnight to bid farewell to their adjutant, who was leaving to rejoin his regiment. The om-eri- present at the Drill Hall were Col. D. H. Lewi- (in command), Major L. I*. Jcnes. Capt. 1'. T. James, Capt. Probert, Lieut. Harris, and Lieut. Evans. The men were addressed by Col. Lewis, who asked them to give their departing adjutant three hearty cheers, which was accordingly done. ° J SCHOOL or Mt'.sic.- At the recent examination of the Loudon College of Music, held at the Tow n HaJJ, Cardiff, the following pupils of the above were success- ful l'ianofor te playing, Miss Ellie Edwards, Selinu Maud Rowlands, Master Reginald Powell, its., Theory of Music (elementary): Master Archibald Evans, Miss Lizzie James (junior), Master Enoch Jones, Miss Marv Lewis. Junior (honours), Mi>s Ada Williams. We beg to con- gratutate Mifs Pollie Jones, A.L.C.M., on the suc- cesses of her pupils DITTRIIU-TION or SCIENCE AMI ART CEHTinc vnw -The distribution of ti e cer ificates gained at the last May examinations of the Science and Art Department, held n the .Merthyr Centre, will take place at the Pcnyi'arren Hoys School, on Saturday text. Chart- t-o betaken by Mr. C. Henry Jamc. J;P., chairman of -the committee, at seven o'clock. The committee tru-t that all students who are entitled to certificates, will attend at the time stated, as they cannot be res|)ousible fur the care of the certificates after the distribution. The certifiealls given by the Technical Instruction Committee of the County to those students who passed fair, will also be distributed. LIREUAU.SM.A public meeting of the inhabitants of the district was held at Brecon-road Mission Room on Tuesday evening, Mr. J. Lewis. gro<-er. intheciiair. It was proposed by Mr. W..Tone-, Stuart-street, and seconded by Mr. Richard .Tone-. Brecon-road, and carried unanimously, that we for.11 an association to be called the Brecon-road Li I rend Committee. An animated discussion took place concerning the inability ..f a number of the electors to vote at the last elections on •account of the great distance of the booth and other causes. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Mr. June- and carried without a Li dissentient, that the best thanks of the committee lw tendered to Councillor David Davies and Mr. John Lloyd, Penydarren, for the determined action they took again-t the introduction of the rr-rtfew element Oil the Board of Guardians. It was decided to appoint a deputation to wait on the Merthyr Tydfil School Board respecting the site of the proposed nev,- Infant School the feeling of the meeting being in favour of the school being erected on the main road. T:IISII NATIONAL LEA- CE.- At the n-m.-d weekly meeting of the W. li. Gladstone Branch, held Wt Sunday. a resolution to forward .£:9 to the executive was unanimously adopted. Re-olved That ve ,-i nee rely regivt tiff" death of Mrs. Dora Cuutiuins, and :\11-, Michael Connors, lately deceased, and accord a vote of our deepest sympathy and condolence to their families and relatives in their sad Ijemr.ement. Mr. J.\alcntint- of Bri-tol, visited the officers and cama-e:s at the Oil Sunday night, and bi;rh!v com- plimented them on being able to forward £ 32 to the, executive since the 13th of la-:t May, and said then-, was no bran ;h of the organisation iu Great Britain £ i\ing more loyal and staunch finaii-ia! aid to the Tri-h Parliamentary Patty. of took place a- follows: -President, Mr. If. C.mg'ilan vice-presidents, Mr. C. Sullivan, and Mr. Matthew- Kiting; treasurer, Mr. P. MorrL- secretary, Mr. J. Morjey. The officers, with Mr. J. Mu honey aud Mr. W. Jones, are also emr-a--er.s for the bra"n-b. Wo make an earnest appeal to all t.;e lri-ih people in Merthyr to join the branch, this h the only way iu which they can »:d the C«;U-H of Home Rule "for Ireland. J. Murlev, secretary, 5, I pi»«r Taff-vtrcet Merthyr. (' 'jn iir.r fiijiij.

--=-=-=- "î BY THE WAY. This is how a prominent member of the A be rd a re Ijiberal Club shows his superiority over a junior member Yonng man, you are only a boy yet." Said an orator at the Merthyr Caledonian Banquet, tarried away by his eloquence,When the Japanese tanie over to Ireland." Another injustice Who's in the pariour T" was asked of an Aberdare Jnaid this week. "Oh," she said, "there are two men, two policemen, and two tailors." Our senior memlier, Mr. D. A. Thomas, addressed 11 special meeting of the Llanelly Chamber of Com- fierce on Friday night last, and dealt chiefly with commercial questions. • Critiois'ng a picture the other evening a young lady, who li ves between Pengarnddu and Penydarren, said that one of the figures looked as if he had a swelled teeth." At the Merthyr Working Men's Btiibdigig Society on Monday night, £ 342 16s. 4 £ d. was takttj^ Although this society has met with phenorne" icee,-s, this rnakps a rceord. >;7 The Manxman," a play about the Isle of Man, will be played in Merthvr next week by the Band- Inan" Company. There is a joke here, which we leave the reader to find out for himself. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice-gentleman, and gentle- rnell," said one of the Teutons at the Caledonian Banquet at Merthyr, and he couldn't understand what the Celt? were laughing at. The first delegate to arrive at the District Lodge Fleeting I.O.G.T., held at the Mission Ilall, Dowlais, nn Thursday was the youngest new Lodge, to wit the ^odge Deputy of the Father Mathew Lifeboat Lodge," Aberaman. the late Rev. Dr. Thomas, formerly editor of the was a distant relation of Mr. D. A. Thomas, P. His son, the Rev. Urijah Thomas, has preached III Market-square Chapel, Merthyr. several times. Mr. Alfred Davies, of Hampstead, is an old friend of tilt, family, and was present at the doctor's funeral. Oil Sunday last a thaw set in, and with it large falls of snow let themselves drop in no gentle fashion from the h'Hisetofw on to the ground. One woman was heard to say in Commercial-place, Aberdare, If that lump fell upon me I should be a dead man by how." A good many Aberdarians were complaining on 'tnday that they could neither walk, sit down, stand III), or lie down. How they managed they could not pplain, but it is a well-known fact that they had h?en cutting stars on the ice on the Park pond pre- vionsly. The Driixovfa, the oldest and best known of the Illany publications issued under the auspices of the amniotic Methodist denomination, is now ninety- 8ix years old. So far is it from showing any signs of penile decay that it is adding eight pages to its size r<)l» January onwards. During the year which has just come to a close, the Calvillifitie Methodists of Wales contributed £ 216,714 9<1. towards the maintenance of their ministry, etc. exceeds the sum contributed during 1893 by •j2,790. Considering the depression in trade, this is ")re tllan ei:edital)le. A: Dowlais minister had prepared a most impressive ^Hiion for deli very next Sunday, but in an hour of ^akness he chose a text from the Book of Chronicles, a ■1,ol"1 £ lady swears she will tell all her friends ■tat the text is taken from our Book of Days Chronicle". John Morgan to Cynicus: If Mr. Glad- ^°ne, through victories at the poll, had a phalanx of v°'thirds of the members of the House of Commons 1;1 favour of Home Rule, and Mr. Chamlierlain should t leu congratulate him, it would be Brumagem with a vengeance, if he was not a Home Ruler. •Kilsanos, a tale of the Welsh Mountains," by Charles Wilkins, F.G.S., is now out and already 1ft considerable demand. Sirs. Rose Mary Crawshay I r'tes to the author, I am looking forward for your ok. Highly favourable notice received." We hope notice the book at greater length in a future number. Mr. Wm. Thomas Oak Hill, Aberdare, the general pillager of Wayne's Merthyr Collieries, sat upon the j^J.crdare School Board durin-j the last 18 years of its e> Without going to the expense of an election once. Cow h;cky are some people: But when the District onneil was created he had to fight. He did so and Kotin.. 0 Mr. T. Westlake-Morgan, formerly of Merthyr. and nuw organist of Bangor Cathedral, has been appointed 1? editor of a new Welsh anthem book, which is prepared by the Bishop of Bangor. The book lfe an iiiiportant manual, consisting of a collec- tíon of new anthems and services set to music in the ^i'liaculai', for use in the Welsh Church. pj^erenothing like a vvcll-edncated man for the c^air'nan when you want, fun. Such an or,e th ^ow^a,s l'ie °t',er night, and when some y— J°y* got restless he said, Now, then, be quiet rr i0'Vs- You are down there and we got the pio- tli(l'jUllf! !v 'lpre> so y°" ',e lieisht." But not all t; v|ng s horses nor all the king's men could make smiie that followed lieisht." ■The Merthyr Local Board is dead. May it rest in ,]>{-t:e. It never was a go-ahead body, and left undone iliat, y things it ought to have done. For instance, soon after the first Board was elected in the year 1350, Yvas stated that the first meeting would not be 'eld until the Town Hall was ready. However *,f-y thought better, and met just 1032 times, eventu- ly dying from sheer old age, waiting till the last for ,at blessed Town Hall was ready. People are just llegilluing to ask if the District Council are going to have the same experience. If so," says rur own M>eeiu.l mathematician who has been busy tot- tlno up some figures, the opening ceremony will t<lkf3 place on the 22nd of April, 1927. Just put it down on the office diary and see your reporters attend. We shall want a big report."

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER IX MERTHYR "PATSY GLUE" ARRESTED. A rumour to the effect that a woman had been ^'irdered in the neighltourhood of Caedraw, spread like wildfire through the streets of Merthyr on Wed- nesday morning, and created intense excitement. On at the Police-station, however, our '"epre.scntative was informed that a young fellow, 'tinned Thomas Driscoll, aged about 20 years, had been that morning arrested for the alleged man- slaughter of an old woman named Ellen Connors. Driscoll is a notorious character, and well-known to the. police. He goes by the euphonious sobriquet of Patsy Glue," and is etnployed as a haulier in the South Pit, Abercanaid. The stOry of the tragedy — for tragedy it is—given by the police is something to this effect. A quarrel took place on Christmas Eve at the Cardiff Arms in Caedraw, in which Dri-eoll took a prominent part. He assaulted a man named Sullivan, a relative of the Connors, and who was spending Christmas with them. Mrs. Couuors came on the scene, and" Patsy" turned upon her, assaulting her in a cruel manner, knocking her about the head and inflicting such internal Injuries that the poor woman had to be led home, where she has stayed since in a kind of semi-comatose condition, until, in spite of the efforts of I)r. Ward, she sueeumlied on Wednesday morning. Driscoll was arrested soon after the death occurred, and is now in the cells. It appears that consequent upon the brawl on Christmas Eve. Driscoll was summoned hy the police for being drunk and disorderly, and also for assaulting the police. He was defended by Mr. Beddoe, but convicted and fined. In addition to tha.t a summons, drawn out by Mrs. Terrett, a daughter of the late Mrs. Connors, was pending, on a charge of wounding the poor woman who is now dead; but this now naturally falls through, and he is confronted with the more serious charge of manslaughter. A Tim-s reporter, on Wednesday morning, visited the house where the dead body of Mrs. Connors lay. It is situated in a squalid street-No. 19, Upper Taff- street — branching out of Picton-street, and not far from the Lord Napier public-house. The body lay on a table in the front room, and a number of neighbours were in the house sympathising with the sorrowing relatives, and doing what they could to allay the sufferings of the bereaved family. Mr. Connors, the aged husband of the dead woman, had been removed is to a neighlxiurs house, but our reporter was conducted to the house of Mrs. Terrett, a married daughter, who lived next door, and she told him the following story in broken sentences, and a voice which trembled in consequence of the sobs which would, despite all efforts, rise to the surface, and caused tears to trickle down her cheeks Driscoll has had a grudge against our family for some time, and he has often told the neighbours that he would do for some of the Connors. Some time ago the Plymouth Colliery Company decided that no single men or lodgers working in that pit should have coal in the same way as it is supplied to married workmen. Amongst others, the coal which Driscoll used to have was stopped at the colliery, and he blamed my father for it. He has been telling the neighbours for three or four months past that he would hnve his revenge, and that when he got loose about Christmas he would pay out the 1,- Connors. He fut ther said that he had been saving money in order to get his revenge, and alter he had punched it out of them there would be no need for him to go to giol because he would have had plenty of money sived to pay the fine. Well, on Christmas Eve, my brother-in-law, Dan Sullivan, who lives in Swansea, came down for a few days. He went to the Cardiff Arms and met Driscoll. They had a fight, Driscoll struck Sullivan in the mouth, and my brother-in-law struck him back. They came out to the road, and had a regular fight but some people, brought Sullivau home, and my sister Kate, Sullivan's wife, went to the Cardiff Arms to get his clothes. Driscoll saw her and knocked her down. He then kicked her on the head, and pulled her about the street so that she war? greatly discoloured aliout the tarr.^ A neigh- bour came to my mother's house and said, 1' or God'* sake, Mrr. Coiiuors, come. They are killnig your Kate." My mother went down but no sooner did Driscoll see her than, mad with fury, he rushed at her, (aught her by the head, saying A on are here, You grey-headed old cow. He then knocked her down, dragged her up, and kept punching her on thy head. A woman named Mrs. Barry then came on, and pulled a lot of her mother's hair out. Driscoll kept beating her all the time, and when Mrs. Marr shall, another neighbour, came on, mother screamed and said 'Oh, Patsy Glue is killing me.' Mrs. Marshall took her by the arm and led her home, but Driscoll followed them and kept knocking the mother about the bead all the time, until! a crowd collected. My sister, Lizzie Connors, ran for the police, and Driscoll was taken to the lock-up. Mrs. Marshall, Mi-s. Maguire, and Mrs. Griffiths then led mother home, and as soon as she came to the house she fainted. She thought that she had been hadly hurt, and kept squeezing ner head for days, and screaming like mad. 1 think lie must have injured her brain, because there were no murks or blood on her, the onlv mark being a bald patch where the hair had been pulled by Mrs. Barry. Mother did not keep her bed at first, but the pain in her head got so bad that we had to keep her in bed, and she got worse and worse until she died this morning." Such was the plain, unvarnished story of the sorrow-stricken daughter, and from further inquiries made our representative was informed that Mrs. Connors had been all her life a healthy woman, and had never been known to suffer from any ailment until now. She was, moreover, a kind-hearted and excellent neighliour, and was much respected by those who lived in the same street.

TEACHERS ASSOCIATION MEETING (KHYMNEY CENTRE). On Saturday last a well-attended meeting of the Rhymney and Western Valleys Teachers' Associa- tion was held at the Board School, New Tredegar, over which Mr. John Lewis, Bovrd Schools New- town, presided. The report of the secretary (Mr. J. A. Emery) was read, and showed an increase of 19 members, which increase was mainly due to the efforts of the secretary, and for which he was accorded a special vote of thanks. The President reported the result of a visit made by him and the secretary to the Newport Association, reqnesting them to join the other Associations of the county and form a District Union. He was glad to state that they agreed to the proposition. A joint meeting of all the Associations had heen arranged for the 26th inst. at Newport. The officers for the year 1895 were appointed as follows -President, Mr. Thomas Harris, Victoria Schools vice-president. Mr..T. H. Phillips, New Tredegar Schools secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. A. Emery, Beaufort School Benevolent and orphan fund secretary, Mr. Fred Cooper, Beaufort Schools.—Mr. John Lewis, Ebbw Vale Schools, proposed the following resolution: c. That in the opinion of this association the time for considering the question of further financial aid to elementary schools is inopportune, and that the exeeuthc of the National Union of Teachers should concentrate its energies upon securing superannuation for elementaiy teachers, and obtaining for them recognition a; civil fervant .Mr. John Shields, Rhymney, seconded the motion, which was sup|>orted by JUessrs. L, W. Thomas, Pontvgof D. Thomas, Rhymney and Theo. Roberts, Tirphil, and carried unanimously.—On the motion of Mr. T. Harris, Ebbw Vale, seconded by Mr. D. Thomas, Rhymnev. it was agreed to send to the executive of the K.U.T. the following resolution That this Association protests against the substitution of intermittent inspection in lien of the present examination of elementary schools, unless it be granted to all schools at the same time." After the usual votes of thanks to the retiring officers the meeting terminated. -+-

AN ABERTILLERY GAMEKEEPER CHARGED WITH SHOOTING. At the Tredegar Police.cotirt on Tuesday Albeit Andrews, 17, assistant gamekeeper, was charged with shooting and wounding David Robins at Abertillery on the 8th January last. -Coniplainaint stated that he was walking down the mountain on the footpath accompanied by two lurcher dogs, when defendant came up to him and asked him what he was doing there, to which he replied that he was doing nothing. Prisoner replied, and said he knew better than that, and wanted his name and add This complainant refused to give, because he had done nothing wrong. Defendant asked him several times; but he at last told him his name was Harris, and that he lived at Blaina. Defendant said that he knew better than that, and handled him rather roughly, and hit him with the gun. He (the complainant) struggled, and got away. He ran about 2S yards, and turned round and saw defendant pointing the gun at him, shot at him and several shots went through his ear. He fired another shot, which Calldlt him in the back, the shots penetrating- through his overcoat, undercoat, vest, shirt, and undershirt. There were marks of nine shots on his back, which he showed the following day to Sergt. Price. — Mr. Steel, Abertillery, appeared on behalf of the defendant, and asked their worships to remand the case for one week so that the defendant would be represented.—This the Iieach txmsented to, and two bails wore accepted, £ 25 each.

MERTHYR CHAMBER OF TRADE. A council meeting of the above Chamber was held on Tuesday evening at the Bush Hotel. The attend- ance was very meagre, owing doubtless to the unsettled state of the weather. Mr. D. J. Evans presided, and Me^ors F. Davies, H. Bailey, Arthur Daniel, E. P. Biddle, E. W. Harries, W. W. Mere- dith, C. M. Davies, and George Upham (assistant secretary) were also present. THS FREE LIBRARIES ACT. The President said that with regard to Mr. Alfred Edmonds' notice of motion to send a deputation to the District Council asking them to put the Free Libraries Act in force, Mr. Edmonds had spoken to him before the meeting, and explained that he would be unable to be present, and asked that they would postpone the matter until a future date. He himself thought that even if Mr. Edmonds had been present the Council would have had no power to appoint a deputation, and the only thing they could do was to refer it to the Chamlie-.— Mr. Biddle remarked that the matter was so important that it ought to come before the Chamber. —Mr. Henry Bailey said that the Council was a suggestive body, and Mr. A. Daniel said that lie was quite prepared to go on with the lesolution in Mr. Edmonds' absence. If Mr. Edmonds' had been pre- sent he (Mr. Daniel) would have seconded it.—The President said that Mr. Daniel was quite in order in doing so.—Mr. Daniel then said that he had much pleasure in proposing that this Council recommend to the Chamber the advisability of forming a deputa- tion to wait upon the Urlwn District Council with a view of urging them to put the Act in force as early as possible." The Chamber had, some time ago, passed a resolution to send a deputation (Mr. Upham: A letter). A letter, at any rate, had been sent, pressing upon the old Board to do the same thing, so that they were only following up an action they had previously taktn.—Mr. W. W. Meredith seconded.— Mr. Biddle proposed, as an amendment, that the matter be deferred until a Chaml>er meeting.—The President supported the resolution, and trusted that they would be able to carry out the Act speedily. He was only sorry that Merthyr was behind other towns. The matter ought to have been done years ago. 0 Accommodation ought to have been made in the Public Offices, which were now about to be built.— No seconder was found for Mr. Biddle's amendment, and the motion was declared carried. THECAEnRAwBnincE.—Mr. W. W. Meredith asked what steps the Chamber proposed taking with a view of handing over to the local authority the "urn promised towards defraying the expense of erecting the Caedraw Bridge, and asked further what money had been collected for the purpose. — Mr. D. J. Evans explained that they had visited pretty well all the lower part of High-street, and had received promises to the extent of something like JB70 out of the JB100 required. He did not know what Mr. Francis Davies had done sinee.—Mr. Francis Davies said he had piidsome money into theliank, but as the bridge was now in course of erection he thought they should take steps to collect the promised sub- scriptions. They chould get some help from all the members of the Chamber in collecting the money.— Mr. D. J. Evans: Can you give us a better idea of the position? -Mr. Davies: No; I think you have given it already. We have been promised something like- £ 75. — Mr. E. P. Biddle We have had the promise of a couple of guineas since.—Mr. Davies: We should go into the matter after this week. The holidays prevented our collecting the promised subscriptions, but at the same time I don't think it would bo wise to pay a penny to the local authorities before everything is alright.—Mr. Meredith said he simply wanted to know whether they would be in a position to pay over the money when the bridge was erected. — Mr. Francis Davies observed that the Chamber would certainly redeem its promise. Mr. Biddle remarked that they had about JB12 or JSM in hand, in addition to J620 subscribed by the Chamlier and JB25 promised by Mr. W. Harris. He thought it very important that a committee should meet and deposit the money in the bank as soon as possible. They had pledged themselves, and the sooner the ) money wa' in the bank the better.—Mr. Meredith thought one or two members seemed to have taken the whole responsibility on their own shoulders, and there seemed to be an idea abroad that they were taking all the credit for collecting the money.—Mr. Biddle: We shall be very pleased if Mr. Meredith will share the responsibility.—Mr. D. J. Evans said he felt very glad Mr. Meredith had called attention to the matter. Inasmuch as they had pledged them- selves to pay £ 100 of the cost, they should see without delay that they were in a position to do so. He would suggest that tlu-y should appoint a com- mittee to deal with the matter, and a deputation to call upon the local authority, and hand o\ er the money when the work had been done.—Mr. Biddle seconded, and the motion was agreed to unanimously. TROEDYRHIW COMPLAINS. — Mr. Arthur Daniel called the attention of the Chamber to the fact that the people of Troedyrhiw did not participate in the privilege extended to Merthyr and other places with regard to the late mail, which left for London at nine o'clock. He failed to see how, while Merthyr was connected with this mail, Troedyrhiw should be left out in the cold. He had written to Mr. Charles Wilkins, the Merthyr Postmaster, on the matter, and that gentleman had kindly acknowledged the letter and promised to communicate with tho jiostal authorities in London, and he would like to know if it was in the power of that Chamber to back up the application. At Troedyrhiw they were hound to post I their letters at a quarter past seven.—Mr. Francis Davies That is out of all reason.—Mr. D, J. Evans: It is a very important matter indeed.—Mr. Biddle I would give notice of motion, Mr. Daniel.—Mr. Francis Davies thought Mr. Daniel should include Merthyr Vale and the whole of the valley.—Mr. D. J. Evans pointed out that the question of postal facilities was considered by the Federated Chambers at Dowlais, when the Rhondda Valley and Aberdare people gave voice to their grievances. He did not think it was necessary for Mr. Daniel to give notice of motion, because steps were now being taken in the ( matter, and if this Chamber came to the front the probability was that the whole thing would lie brought on together.—Mr. Arthur Daniel then moved that the secretary, on behalf of the Chamber, should communicate with the postal authorities asking them to connect Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Vale, and the whole of the Taff Valley with the nine o'clock mail to London and elsewhere.—This was seconded by Mr. Francis Davies and carried vr>/i ron.

A GENEROUS JUDGE. II is Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, at the Merthyr County Court on Thursday last, refused to make any order against the majority of the working classes summoned before him, because trade had been so bad during the month that the wages of the colliery employees had been considerably reduced. A large numlier of judgment summonses were conse- quently adjourned.

LIBRARY AT ABERCANAID. Your readers will be iaterested to hear (writes a correspondent) that Mr. Bailey is beginning to give effect to some of his election promises. lie intends converting the Old Boys' School, Pentrebach, into it reading room and library. In fact, men have already been set to work to renovate the place, and it is to be hoped that the work will be proceeded with rapidly. _u- _.un-

FIREIRONS AT TROEDYRHIW. At the Merthyr Police-court on Thursday, Richard Hughes, of Troedyrhiw, was indicted on two charges, namely, that of being drunk and disorderly on the previous Monday night, and also with assaulting P.C. Adams. The constable said that he was called to quell a disturbance created by the defendant, who was fighting and when he remonstrated with him, Hughes struck him a violent blow on the head. He fell to the struck him a violent blow on the head. He fell to the ground and Hughes kicked him on the head. Later in the night the officer wis again called to the defen- dant's house, and found him very v iolent. He had a pokp)" in his hand and was trying to smash the furniture, meanwhile threatening to kill hi-, mother. He aimed a blow with the poker at the witness, but f;u!e<] to strike him. A fine of l.b- was inflicted for drunkenness and the defendant was tent to prison for a mouth for as^uiltin^ the policeman.

LIBERALISM THE ENEMY OF THE WORKING CLASSES. Sia,—There is nothing I enjoy more than a bit of an argument, provided it he conducted on fair and cour- teous lines. It matt-er-s not whether I win or lose as long as the deliate is carried on in a manner worthy of gentlemen. Forward's dialectical methods do not come up to this standard. He does not argue like a rational human toeing, to say nothing of courtesy and fairness. He has twisted and distorted my remarks in a most astonishing and outrageous manner. I oen this letter, not so much to reply to Forward," but to I put myself right with yonr reader's and to clear myself of the gross misrepresentations contained in For- ward's letter. 'Disgusted' can conceive" he writes, of its l>eing better for the furtherance of Liberalism for the Government to pension off all the workers at Dowlais than to encroach upon African territory." A more glaring example of wilful and dc-lil)erate misrepresen- I tation of an opponent's re-inarks can hardly he j>os=ible. I said nothing about the furtherance of Liberalism." The argument can be briefly set forth as follows Forward" alleged that the Literals were the enemies of the working men }«ecause they did not pursue such a policy aa would bring orders for rails and sleepeis to the Dowlais Work". In other words the Govern- ment should annex territory in order that the Dowlais people might make rails for the railways that would hare to_be built in those territories. That is "For- ward's position, and I tried to show that that posi- ward's position, and I tried to show that that posi- tion was untenable. I argued that Dowlais was not the hub of the universe, nor the pivot on which the British Empire turned. The Empire could not be run, I maintained, simply and solely in the interest of Dowlais. To that view I firmly adhere. We cannot go on annexing territory for ever. We have annexed a good deal already, about as much &«, if not more than, we can decently manage. Supposing we did annex another big slice of Africa, enough railways would ere long be supplied, and the orders in time would cease. It would then be said that another big slice should be added to our possessions, so that further orders might be received. And soon, until the whole would had been annexed and covered with ra-il- iugs. Then the Dowlais jingos would sigh for another world to send rails and sleepers to. The British Empire cannot be run on thir principle. And when Tory orators tell the Dowlais people that a Conserv a- tive Government will brin? more orders to the Works, they know they are talking that what is not, and that they are simply pondering to the lowest passions of the mob. There is much to lie deplored. But no one expects a Tory orator to be honest. In my letter ] said we could easily conceive a set of circumstance*, in which it would be better for the Gurernment to pension off all the Dowlais workers than to go on spending mittions and million on African annexation. So m-c co,,tld. There are vast tracts of land in Africa which are non-productive, and will any rational being say-that we are to annex those arid wastes simply in order that we may supply them with rtniway!< ? It would he l>etter for the Empire at large to send thousands to Dowlais than expend millions on utterly profitless African deserts. That was mv argu- ment, and I see no reason to modify it in the least. But I am described by Forward as saying it might he better for the furtherance of Liberalism for the Government to pension off all the workers at Dowlais than to encroach on African territory." Bah Once more, Mr. Editor, let me say that I am as loyal as any one can be to the Dowtai" Works. I am toyattoitwiththeioyalty of self-interest, if the ex- pression is permissible. I depend on it, and if it goes to the wall I go too. It will thus lIP seen that I have every reason to desire the continued prosperity of the Works, and to wish it every success in the future. At the same time, I am bound to reiterate the opinion that we cannot place the Works, proud thereof as we are, at the head of the British Empire: nor can we reasonably ask this or any Government to annex terti- tory simply in order that we in Dowlais may flourish. I have said that my business depends on the Works. Suppose the Works ceased to pay, what would be thought of me if I went to Lord Wimborne and asked him to carry on the Works at a loss in order that my business might flourish That is precisely what un- scrupulous Tories are doing on another and a higher plane.—I am. Sir. Ac.. DISGUSTED. SIR,—My friend" Forward" has taken a great deal of trouble to chop logic on unreliable fundamen- tal principles, He wants us to believe that chapel folks vote for a School Board candidate liecause the set fawr dictate to them. No true set fawr will dare rille the roast. The congregation rule in Noncon- formist chapels. Chapel-goers very often vote for Churchmen In local elections. It is the help of the Nonconformist vote that puts Churchmen and Con- servatives on our local Boards but will Churchmen and Tories vote for one Nonconformist ? Oh, no they believe that the best men are on their own side, and voto accordingly. Where does the bigotry come in Forward talks al)otit intelligence, but intel- ligence is not the only qualification which is absolutely necessary to Iffl boasted so much of, because lie thinks that piesent day Liberalism is tantamount to ignorance. In all the world's history progressives, in every phase of life, wdio have touched a prejudice, or interfered with some vested interest which benefits a few at the f-xpens" of many, or struck a blow at some old-established wrong, have had to bear the scorn of would-he sages all the way to victory. On abstract questions the working classes are generally right. Because they do not understand grammar, of course, they are called bigots if they vote for a Literal that cannot learn grammar. I have known some giammarians who had not the least spark of the gentleman about them. Mechanical knowledge, without common sense, is practical ignorance. The world will never be the hotter for us if we trim our! sails to the breeze of public opinion. It is our duty as Liherah to settle the matter. If we are right we must resi't as a rock resists the da^hinsr waye., of a host of baekwardly "forwards," in order to make a pathway on which the present and future generations shall march to higher degrees of wisdom, virtue, and freedom. "forward's" lo* king down so super- cil'ously on Liljeral candidates who are not gram- marians, and those who supjjort them as being bigots, yahoos, and ignoramuses, reminds me of a foppish dandy, who very likely had a grammatical training, who is the creation of the tailor that is measured by the yard, and would tax the critical faculty of a philosopher to know whether he is a female- gentle- man, or a male lady, whose only occupation is to dress and perfume himself, and carry a dainty little cane, and do himself up as if he were a shirt, and look down on less privileged men than himself, and address them as an emperor would address a worm. After looking through the most powerful microscope at. such a fop, alas, we would see a very diminutive fragment of humanity. For goodness sake let 11s have the gentleman by the side of intelligence, then we shall hav e difference of opinion without vitriolic madness, in the form of designating opponents as bigots, yahoos, ignoramuses and an eighteen carat Parnellite. Oh what an outcome from such a fertile brain Darwin taught the developement from the lowest form of life to the highest in man, but could not find the missing link in the chain of evolution but we have in "Forward's" letters a development from an intelligent man down to the nicknamer of opponents. Benjamin Franklin advised Thomas Paine not to print his "Age of reason," "for" said he, if men are so bad with the Bible, what would they lie without it ? Just so, if Liberals, who sup- port candidates who are not grammarians, are bigots, ignoramuses, yahoos and eighteen carat I'arneilites, are so inferior with the l^enefits ot Lil)er,ilistit, what would they be without it, and influenced by "forward's" high class Billingsgate! A person who has the uredominanceofdestructivenegs and combativeness with a good intellect, and deficient in cautiousness, conscientiousness, and Idedity; the ywWiwitioiw necessary to pass an examination in billingsgate seminary as M.A., then a certain class could sing the Doxolcgv for having a full fledged con- ferrer of diplomas to opponents. I must thank "Forward" for using an appellation alxmt your humble servant, namely. "Eighteen carat Parnellite but I would not like l-orvvard to be called a nine carat diploma giver," neither would I like to -ay that he has been to school to learn to be a fool. 1 want forward' to know that your humble servant is not so thin-skinned as to get angry with him. as he statts in his letter. I have not a kid glove hand, but I can fight the great battle of life without favour, undaunted by opposition, or spoilt by praise with a fair field aud no farour, with all du? respect to all Conservatives who differ from me in their jtolitical opinions.- I am, Ac., PROGRESSIVE.

THE ttOC-KING-STOXE CHAIRMAN AX1) A LIVING WAGE. A meeting of the, hauliers employed at the Cyfarthfa Collieries was held on Thursday evening last- at the New Inn, under the auspices or the South Wales and Monmouthshire Hauliers' Association. The principal speaker of the evening was Mr. Morgan Thomas, who in the course of a lengthy address "ail that lie stood by himself entirely outside the round table conference which was taking place amongst certain leaders in South Wales. He thought that the best course the hauliers could pursue would be to look carefully after their own business (hear, hear). The employers were not. to blame for the present state of j things, but the men themselves IUllst combine if thev expected to g"t their rights. It was their duty to use every means in their power to secure sufficient vvasre* to enable them to live respectably. Suinc people said that supply and demand should regulate wages, and when there was more of a certain article than was required the price should fall. But this rule was not always adhered to. J-'oi instance, the salary of the Prime Minister of Knghnd was LS.006 a year. There were plenty of men able to take this place, but the abundance of suitable men did nut lower the salary. The <^iieen got a large sum, and although there v ere thousands of women w ho would lie a'Oe to reign over the country, yet that fact did not toffitc re.luce the income of th<> sovereign. There was fiU- more beer in the country than was required, yet 3d. a pint wa- the price everywhere, and there was no sign of this fig'u« being reduced (laugiiterl. He did not wi.-h to be :t I)a\ id Morganite or anything else, but he would poiiil'out that the hauliers were first in the t n: her body b w'«uld |• T-i I o «« the haulier- throw open their d"or-and take in the colliers and other- fappUn—). If they wanted to Ire tier the w.'ges at Cyfarthfa, they umst stay it, the ^sveiatioii fvr a little while. hI regard to the coming termination of the present Sliding-scale lie advised the hauliers not to sign any agreement which they had no hand in making (applause).—The usual vote of thanks con- cluded the proceedings.