Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

NEW QPERA JJOUSE, MERTHYR. Sole Lessee and Manager. MK. WILL SMITHSON. THE DRAMATIC EVENT OF THE SEASON. SIX NIGHTS ONLY, COMMENCING MONDAY, JAN. 28TH, 1895. Important Engagement of JOHN A. ATKINS' ORIGINAL -No. 1 COMPANY, In the moat Successful Drama of the Age, THE GRIP OF IRON. Tune and Price. as Usual. Plan uf tht) Theatre may be seen and Seats secured at HARRIS & SONS' Studio

MERTHYR. \( Continued from page 5). MAGIC LANTERN.—On Monday evening a. very suc- cessful magic lantern entertainment wan held in Market-square Schoolroom, which had been kindly lent for the occasion by the deacons. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' BALL.—All those who have had invitations to the above ball would con- fer a favour on the committee if they sent replies to the secretary as early as possible. VOLUNTEER INTELLIGENCE.—The London Gazette of Tuesday contains the following:—Third Volunteer Battalion Welsh Regiment, Capt. Bannerman Phillips, Welsh Regiment, to be adjutant, vice Capt. Tristram, whose period of service as adjutant expires, dated the 1st of February next. DISTRIBUTION OF MISSIONARY" PHIZF: BOOKS.—On Sunday the scholars of the Market-square Sunday School, who had won books for collecting towards the London Missionary Soiety, were made the recipients of them. Mr. Cunningham presided, and Miss Bentley distributed the books. Mr. James Williams acted as secretary, and the amount realized was over £ 12. THE CHORAL SOCIETY.—This society, having decided to enter the competition field at the Moun- tain Ash and Llanelly eisteddfodau, rehearsals have been commenced at the Market Hall. Mr. Dan Davies, the conductor, would be glad if all those who sang with the choir at Ferndale would join forthwith. The rehearsals are held on Sundays at 4-30 and Wed- nesdays at 8. MARKET SQCARE MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY— The usual weekly meeting of the above society was held on Monday evening, when Mr. Hooper presided. The subjeet selected for the evening was Town life v. country life." Miss Hurd represented Town life," and Mr. Charles Parsons led off for" Country life." Messrs. H. Davies, J. Hughes, R. Martin, T. Rees, W. Hughes, E. Daniel, W. Hammett, Samuel Jenkins, H. S. Berry, F. Williams, Rev. J. G. James, B.A., and Miss Radnedge also gave voice to their respective sentiments in the matter. Finally the Townspeople obtained the victory by a majority of three votes. SALE OF PROPERTY. — On Wednesday evening Mr. Evan Lewis offered for sale by public auction at the Dynevor Arm-, Georgetown, five lease- hold dwelling-houses Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Proberts- eourt together with the large "pace of ground in front. The houses are let to tenants at monthly rents amounting to JE28 12s. annually and are held for the cerm of 99 years from the 29th September, 1819, at the yearly ground rent of £7 8s. lOd. The lot was sold to Mr. D. E. Williams, Poplar Cottage, Bethesda-street, for JB120. C'YMRU FVDD.—A meeting of the Merthyr branch of the Cyniru Fydd League was held at the Ante- room of the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening, when Councillor David Davies presided. An excellent paper upon "Labour Representation and Payment of Members," which had been written by nl Councillor Thomas Thomas, who was unable to be present, was read by the Rev. John Thomas, Soar, the president of the branch. A lengthy and interesting discussion followed, in which Messrs. John Lloyd, John Evans, D. S. Thomas, and John Bowen took part. The usual votes of thanks brought the meeting to a close.

A TREHARRIS BANKRUPT. At the Merthyr Bankruptcy Court on Wednasday, before Mr. Registrar Lewis, Thos. Watkin Thomas, Thornwood-place, Trehaaris. came up for examina- tion before Mr. W. L. Daniel, the Official Receiver. This debtor alleged the cause of failure to be Losses on bad debts and contracts and keen competition." In this case the debtor, who went away prior to the receiving order being made returned recently, and had filed a statement of his affairs. The receiving order was made on a creditors petition. It appears that he commenced business in February, 1892, with a* capital of £52. The only books he kept were a ledger and a day book, showing accounts with his debtors. His gross liabilities were set down as £1,025 5s. 10d., and they were estimated to produce £ 464 5s. 7d., but the official receiver felt sure that this could never be realised.—Mr. W. W. Meredith appeared for the petitioning creditors. A few days before his petition was filed debtor absconded, and he took with him a sum of L4 2s. 6d. He returned early in December. His liabilities were £ 852, and his assets amounted to £ 393 9s. The official receiver stated that the debtor had greatly over-estimated debts due to him. They all knew Treharris was the worst place for collecting debts in the district. He had sent out 280 applications for the payment of the money due to this man, and had only received JE5. The examina- tion was adjourned. THE MERTHYR G.P.O. STAFF. Last Thursday night the Merthyr Post Office Staff sat down for their annual repast at the Globe Inn, where an excellent table was spread by the hostess, Mrs. |Williams. In addition to the Merthyr staff, about a dozen of their fellow-employees from Dowlais, Troedyrhiw, Aberdare, and Mountain Ash, paid a visit and joined at the feast. After the tables were cleared, Mr. E. Stockwell, clerk, was voted to the chair, and presided over a most enjoyable meeting, which consisted of toasts, recitations, and songs. The following took part:—Messrs. W. E. Docton, D. Mitchell, B. Jones, R. Benjamin, P. Kivilin, W. Dunscombe, Merthyr, E. T. Owen, — Myatt, Aberdare, and N. Barrett, Mountain Ash. A good selection of music was played on the piano by Mr. David Williams, Twynyrodyn. formerly one of the t»taff. lio iiiso very aoly accompanied. The meeting was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. Great praise is due to the friends who arranged this magnificent affair, viz., Messrs. E. Stockwell, chairman of the movement, D. Price, treasurer, and D. Mitchell, the energetic hon. secretary.

SUNDAY TRADING AT MERTHYR. On Monday, at the Mertbyr Police-court, Baptista Berni and Louis Franketti were again summoned under the Refreshment Houses Act, for unlawfully sailing or exposing for sale or consumption, refresh- ments and other articles between the hours of eleven in the night and four in the morning on the 6th of January.) It will be recollected by our readers that a short time back similar proceedings were instituted against the same defendants, but the prosecution fell through, owing to the actions being taken under the wrong Act, the Stipendiary advising the police to institute proceedings under the Refreshment Houses Act. Hence the piesent summonses. Baptista Berni's case was taken first, and he was defended, as before, by Mr. C. Kenshole, Aberdare.— P.C. Jones was the first witness, and he testified that, on the 6th January, he was standing iu High-street, opposite Bemi's shop, in company with P.C. Brew. It was about eight o'clock in the evening. He saw several persons go in and out of the shop. He then visited the shop with P.C. Brew, and found about 30 persons inside partaking of ice cream and ice water. Money was also being passed. He called the attention of the young man behind the counter, and told him he should report the ease.—Cross-exaciined He was not in court on the last occasion, and so he did not know whether Mr. Berni bad a refreshment house- keeper's licence, but knew there was no licetCJ "-to sell wine. He did not know whether he sold fried fish and potatoes.—Inspector Cook said he was in court on the last occasion, and saw the licence produced. Mr. Kens hole then addressed the Bench at length for the defence, and said that after the intimation that their worships had made on the previous occasion, when the same man was summoned for carrying on his trade on the Lord's Day, it was rather difficult for him to hope to address them on behalf of his client. Since that occasion he had gone very carefully into the different Acts of Parliament dealing with the refreshment houses, and he had certainly come to the conclusion that it was impossible for their Worships upon the evidence before them to convict the defen- dant. As their Worships were aware, there had heen no decisions upon that Act of Parliament. If they decided to convict, then ha would respectfully ask their worships to state a ca.se for a higher court. There was no evidence before them to show that this was a refreshment house within the definition of the Act of Parliament. Mr. Kenshole here quoted the 23rd Victoria, Chapter 27, Section 6, and continuing said that they would observe there that all houses, rooms, shops, or buildings kept open for public refreshment, resort, or entertainment, any time between the hours of teninthefveningandfourinthe morning, not being licensed for the sale of intoxicating drinks shall be admitted refreshment houses and forced to take out a liceuce. Any person could keep a refreshment house, though he did not sell during these two hours. Only in that case was it necessary to take out a licence. In this case the sale was made between the hours of 7 and 8, and there was no evidence tu show that it came under the jurisdiction of the Act. He put it to them that there was nothing in the Sunday Closing Act of 1881 to control the refreshment houses in existence before. It was unreasonable to suppose that the legislature intended to close refreshment houses on Sunday. Tf their worships held that they were to close, then it would come to this that no person would be entitled to go to a coffee-house or eatiug-house on a Sunday. It is clear that if no sale takes place at an*- house between those specified hours no licence was required at all. The Sunday Closing Act was clearly intended for the sale of strong drink, and there was no sale of strong drink in this case. On these grounds he submitted to their worships that the defendant could not IK> convicted under the Refresh- ment Houses Act. If they did so he would ask them to state a case, when they might have a decision upon 1 the Act.—Mr. North said he would be quite willing to state a case, but reserved his decision until that day week.—Th« case against Franketti was also adjourned.

DOWLAIS. UNDERTAKING and all kinds of Carpentering and Joinery Work done. Hearse and Mourning Coaches to order. GEO. J. O'Neill, Frederick's Court, North Street, and Pond Street. Dowlais. 200 Overcoats, 100 Trousers, 100 Waistcoat", 100 Coats, Dresses, Bodices, Children's Clothing, Plated Goods, Accordions, Bibles; cheap. — 24, Church- street, Dowlais. [2674 J. T. DOCTON, SANITARY ENGINEER, Plumber, Hot Water Fitter, Gas Fitter, Electric Bell Fitter, and General House Decorator, etc., 138, High-street, Merthyr. All orders will receive prompt attention. Distance no object. A staff of experienced workmen regularly employed. J.T.D. may be consulted on Sanitary matters, embracing drainage, ventilation, etc. T281 REV. RICHARD JONES.—Any hope of the Rev. Richard Jones's remaining at Dowlais that might have been entertained by the townspeople must now be dispelled. On Monday Mr. Jones wrote to the Bishop of Llandaff to accept the living of Henllys and Bettws, which had been offered him. MINING SuccEss.-Mr. Henry Archibald Allen Phillips, Pant Villas, son of the late Mr. W. H. M. Phillips, quarry manager, received on Wednesday morning a notification from the Home Office inform- ing him that he had been successful in passing an examination as colliery manager and enclosing a first- class certificate of competency duly signed and 6ealed. The examination was held at Newport last September, and the examiners' report was received the following month. SUNDAY CONCERTS.—The third of a series of four sacred concerts, promoted by the Dowlais Philhar- monic Society was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Sunday evening, and although the weather was much better than on either of the two previous Sundays it was by no means favourable to the project. The audience was considerably larger than at either of the two previous concerts. Proceedings were commenced by the singing of Beth sydd i mi yn y byd" by the choir and the audience. At the close of the fine old hymn the programme was gone through in the follow- ing order Chorus, And the glory of the Lord," the Choir song, Calvary," Miss Rosina Beynon recitative and solo, Lend me your aid," Mr. Evan Rees Evans; solo, Ave Maria," Mrs. Katie O'Shea; chorus, Lift up your head," the Choir song, Nazareth," Mr. Harry Evans, A.R.C.O. quartet, God is a spirit," Miss Maggie Watts, Miss Edith M. Jones, Mr. Evan R. Evans, and Mr. Evan Thomas song, There is a green hill far away," Miss Rosina Beynon chorus, Then round about the starry throne," the Choir. The singing of the choir was excellent throughout, and was indeed much better than on either of the two previous Sundays. The accompaniments were play«l by Mr. Harry Evans and Mr. E. T. Davies, the society's regular accompanist. COLLIERS' SICK AND DISABLEMENT FUND.—The committee of management of the above fund held their usual monthly meeting at the Forge Hammer Inn on Friday evening. As it was somewhat late before the president, Mr. David Jones, arrived, Mr. Isaac Lewis was voted to the chair, and there were also present Mr. Richard Thomas and Mr. Abraham Jones, representing the South Tunnel men; Mr. Nathan Thomas, Nantwen; Mr. Thomas Davies, Fochriw No. 2; Messrs. Alfred Williams, William Rogers, and David Thomas, Bedlinog No. 1; and Mr. John Jones, Forge Hammer Inn.—Mr. Thomas Davies reported upon a case which he and another member of the committee had been asked to investi- gate, and his narrative showed that great destitution prevailed in the family of the man who applied for assistance. A gnnt of L4 was unanimously voted. The secretary read several applications which he had received since the last meeting, and the usual course of appointing members of the committee to make the necessary enquiries was followed. Messrs. E. B. O'Neill, James Collins, and David James attended the meeting as a deputation from the Volunteer Band Christy Troupe. They intimated the wish of the troupe to give an entertainment at Dowlais, two thirds of the proceeds of which would he handed over to the Disablement Fund if the committee chose to take the affair up. After a little discussion, it was decided to defer the matter until the next meeting. The secretary pointed out that as there were so many fresh applications for relief, the committee ought to meet at an earlier date in order to dispose of them, aud at the same time to give the representatives of the bandsmen a definite reply. This view was endorsed, and it was agreed that the meeting be held to-day (Friday) evening at the usual time and place, when it is hoped there will be a full attendance. LIBANUS CHAPBL SoIRET.Another of those enjoy- able sociable gatherings which seem to be all the rage in Dowlais just now took place on Thursday afternoon and evening in the school-room adjoining Libanus Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. The soiree was what may be called the aftermath of the eisteddfod held in Libanus Chapel on Christmas Day. Choire from the chapel were successful in the principal con- certs that day, and as the individual share of the prize money, if apportioned, would have been rather small, the total sums were returned, on the under- standing that it would be devoted to the soiree wo are now noticing. But the sums thus received, though by no means to be despised, were not sufficiently large to defray the entire cost of entertaining some 200 people, and as a consequence a nominal charge had to be made. The arrangements for the soiree were carried out by a committee of young people, for whom Mr. T. Stanley Price, Libanus-street, acted as secretary. The tables were laid at five o'clock, and were in charge of the following ladies: —Mrs. D. C. Evans, Francis-street Mrs. Oswald J. Thomas, Morluis- street; Mrs. David Evans, Caeharris Miss Maria Price and Miss R. A. Price, Libanus House; Miss Maggie A. Morgan, Pant: Miss Mary George, Glvndwr-street; Miss Annie Price, Overton-street; and Miss Maggie Price, Alma street. Valuable assistance in other ways was rendered by Mrs. Isaac Davies, Francis-street; Mr. Morgan Morgan (Pegler and Sons), Mr. Morgan Evans, High-street and Mr. D. C. Evans, Central Supply. The last-uamed gentleman was the caterer, and he placed upon the tables an extraordinary variety of foods, all, it is needless to say, of the best quality. From about half-past six o'clock until about eight the schoolroom was uncomfortably crowded, and the assistants found it extremely difficult to move from one point to another. The number of guests was about three times us great as had been expected, but nevertheless Mr. Evans managed to provide adequately for the whole of them. The tables having been removed, and the room having^resumed its normal appearance, the Rev. J. Owen Evans, the newly-appointed pastor at Libanus, was voted to the chair, the schoolroom being crowded. After a brief introductory address by the Chairman, Miss Kate Jones sang very sweetly In the Vale of Llangollt-n," and Mr. D. W. Powell gave Make the best of it." The Misses H. M. and Mary George followed with the old-duet, All's well," of which they gave a capital rendering. The same thing may be said of Mr. Tom Edwards, who sang Yr Eos." Mr. and Mrs. Tom Daniel and Mr. Tom Edwards scored one of the biggest successes of the evening with Gwyn fyd preswylwyr dy dy," all thrf. voices blending admirably. Master J. Vau^han created a good deal of mirth by his recitation of Y tren," and Mr. David Price was in fine form with Hen Wlad y Cymanfoedd." Mr. Henry Jones having given a brief address Miss Hannah Thomas gave an effective recitation of "PebawniynIIais." Mr. Samuel Thomas gave a most interesting account of what might be called the evolution of the tea-party of twenty or more years ago into the present day soiree. Fashions, he said, changed as they all knew, and an old time tea-party would look strange to the young i>eople of to-day. Miss. H. M. George ga\e a splendid interpretation I know that my Redeemer lIveth" it is undoubtedly a loss to the music loving people of Dowlais that they do not hear this young lady sing oftener. Mr. Tom Daniel was very much at home in his quaint rendering of "Yr ben lane and narrowly escaped an encore. Mr. William Richards proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had asisted in making the soiree the conspicuous success it had turned out to be to those who had bad given their services at the entertainment, and to the Rev. Mr. Evans for presiding. Mr. C. Fenwick, in seconding, said that they had all good reason to congratulate themselves ..n the success of the Christmas Eisteddfod, which had been the means of providing that day's soiree. He claimed that the use- fulness of the eisteddfod was amply proved by the excellence of the singing and recitations to which they had listened that evening. The vote was unanimously passed and the rev. chairman havillgbrietly responded the proceedings of a most enjoyable evening were brought to a closc by the singing of one of Sankey's hymns. We had almost omitted to state that the accompaniments were played by Mr. John Jones, the chapel organist. CEFN. SCHOOL CONCERT.—A very successful conceit was held at the Drill Hall on Thursday evening last, by the children of the Cefn Infants' School. The high standard to which they had beeu trained devolves the greatest praise upon their energetic mistress, Miss J. Rinley. The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. E. Evans, rector, and Mrs. Rowland and Miss Mann presided as accompanists. Part was taken in the proceedings by Llinos Glan Taf, Mr. W. Morgan, Air. T. M. Jones, Miss B. Williams, Master G. Bound, Mr. J. S. Davies, Miss B. Lewis, Miss M. Jones, Master S. Jones, and Mr. E. Daniel. The fan drill and dumb bell exercises were done exceed- ingly well, and in good time. NOTES-BY HEN LAXC." Get one wise man in a company, and all are wise," said some ore. And by being the happy possessor of this solitary man the Vaynor Parish Councillors will find themselves, at their next meet- ing, in a queer predicament, and the District Coun- cillors will have earned the reputation of not being endowed with too great an abundance of common etiquette. The four District Councillor-! are undoubtedly men of efficient capacity for business, but their conduct regarding the water supply of Pontsticill, has not been, if lam rightly informed, altogether straightforward. It is, no doubt, within the recollection of our readers, that Councillor James Parry gave notice of motion that he would bring for- ward the question of the urgent necessity of getting a supply of pure water for the village in which he dwells. By so doing Mr. Parry asked for the sympathy of his fellow-members to achieve the one great mission of his public life, and that wa3 to get rid for ever of the fetid waters which have been the breeding of diseases innumerable, and the heralds of divers untimely deaths in the humble homes of Pontsticill. The councillors welcomed the proposal very warmly, and they fondly hoped that, by extending this long- wished-for blessing to their suffering fellow-creatures, they would secure for themselves a good share of immortality. But the Parish Councillors are doomed to dis- appointment. Our gallant District Councillors, getting wind of what was passing in the lower chamber, and knowing that to secure a good water supply for Pontsticill was a certain road to fame, promptly decided that they would settle the whole question before Councillor Parry could get the chance of ventilating the matter before his fellow-members. So the surveyor received his maudate to prepare estimates for trial holes similar to those made some years ago, and the expense of £6 5s. being considered satisfactory the work was ordered to be proceeded with without delay. No one can deny that this whole transaction was quite business-like, but inasmuch as the Parish Councillors had mooted the matter, and that they had the wise man to see what was necessary to be done, would it not be a common act of official etiquette on the part of the upper house to consult with the lower, and to intimate to them their inten- tions ? I fancy I can see the sorry figure Councillor Parry will cut at Friday's meeting, when he finds that hi!i one hobby, the sole object of his political existence, has been ruthlessly snatched away from him, and that his life henceforth would be a blank. I sympathise with him, and I consider that he is justly entitled to an explanation from those who thus pose as his superiors. If these tactics are to be coutinued the Parish Councillors can resign without more ado their services are not required. I hear a good many complaints about the lack of courage, or something akin to it, shown by our Coun- cillors, both Parish and District, in facing the remuneration to be given to their officiate. The matter is adjourned from one meeting to Mother, thereby causing unnecessary suspense to all persons concerned. The public are curious to know how the money of the ratepayers will be invested. I have received the following lettei, and as it touches a point of great importance to Cefn people, I shall give it in the vernacular:—" Anwyl Hen Lane, -Bum yn y gyngherdd a. gynhaliwyd gan blant bach yr ysgol ddyddiol yn y Drill Hall, nos Iau diweddaf, a rhaid i mi addef mai dyna'r He rhyfeddaf y bum ynddo erioed. Nis gwn pa fath fan yw Bedlam, lie y dywedir fod y trigolion yn wallgofiaid ond yn ol y desgrifiad wyf wedi gael o r sefydliad gresynus hwnw, gaHwn dybio fod y dorf oedd yn y Drill Hall nos au yn dyfod yn agos ryfeddol i'r hyn a ddywedir yw Bedlam. Beth yw yr achoa o hyny, nis gwn, ond mae yn drueni meddwl nad yw yn bosibl cael un cwrdd, nad o ba nodwedd, heb fod yno haid o afresymolion yn andwyo yr holl weithrediadau trwy eu hymddygiad g war thus. Y r oedd v plant bach yn canu ac yn actio yn ardderchog nos Iau, ond gofidus yw dweyd fod y faldordd ddisynwyr, gan fagad o fechgyn a rnerched ieuainc, yn ei gwneyd yn anmhosibl i glywed gair. Nid oedd y cwrdd hwn yn eithriad i'r cyrddau eraill a gynhelir yma. Penyd-leoedd y Cefn yw Cyng- herddau. Rhowch air ar y pen hwn.- Y dwyf, &c,, MABT ANN." The Christmas-tree belonging to our Church friends passed off very successfully, but I hear that staunch members of the Nonconformist churches managed some how to qualify themselves for a ticket, and carried off valuable presents. It may be the catholicity of our rector and his friends when religious equality is at our doors that accounts for this generous spirit. Let us hope so. TROEDYRHIW. NEW CLUB.—A meeting was held on Tuesday last at Troedyrhiw to form a Constitutional Club. Mr. Valentine Watson, the agent, attended, and there is every prospect of a club being speedily formed. TREHARRIS. "A MARKER MAN."—Such was the title of the very interesting drama which was played at the Public 1 Hall on Saturday and Monday night last. The build- ing was well-filled, as it generally is, when Maggie Morton's celebrated company pays this place a visit. All those present passed a very enjoyable evening at least, it they did not, it was not the fault of the talented artistes who so ably pourtrayed the startling scenes and thrilling episodes of this stirring, eventful, exciting, and sensational play. MERTHYR VALE. OMISSION.—In our last issue in the report of the concert promoted by Mrs. Rees, we omitted to mention that Mis»s Rosina Beynon, of Cyfarthfa Cottage, Merthyr, sang seyeral of her favourite songs in a very artistic manner. CANTATA.—A successful performance of Root's tuneful cantata, "Plough and Sickle," was given by the Merthyr Vale Philharmonic Society, under the baton of Mr. Herbert Thomas, in the Assembly Rooms, on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The chair was occupied on Monday by Mr. Thomas Williams, and on Tuesday by Mr. William Lewis, M.E. The soloists were Mr. P. J. Parry, Master Mr. R. T. Davies, Parson; Mrs. M. Edwards, Mistress; Miss Ada Williams, Daughter; The Misses E. Lewis, K. Munro, M. L. Jones, Maids; Mr. S. Rees, Reaper; Mr. T. Biddle, Wagoner. The performance was in every respect creditable to its promoters, the care and attention bestowed on the training of the choruses being evident. BRYNMAWR. THK MANXMAN."—Mr. Bandman's first-class com- pany performed The Manxman at the New Market Hall last week. There were not large audiences. LiMRALiSM.—Mr. A. E. Evans, J.P., chairman of the Liberal Hundred, was one of the Breconshire delegates to the Liberal Federation meeting at Car- diff. LOCAL TRADE.—Work at the various collieries in the neighbourhood is not very brisk. The stormy weather has greatly interfered with work, some of the smaller mines being partly flooded. NEW TREDEGAR. HERR PAREEZER'S PRUSSIAN CHOJR.- This renowned choir paid this towna visit last week. Nightly perform- ances were given at the Workman's Hall, and were highly appreciated by those attending same. We might mention that the singing and lantern views were of the highest merit. We cannot speak too highly of the violinist and flautist accompanying them, their playing being admirable. PERSONAL. —We have great pleasure in recording the success of Mr. David Hammond. The gentleman removed from this place some years ago to take up the position of district inspector at Newbridge, Mon., under the Prudential Assurance Society, and this has been followed by his departure to Haverfordwest, he having been promoted to be assistant superintendent under the same society. Before leaving Newbridge, he was made the recipient of a beautiful silver tea service, presented to him by the tradesmen and friends. The agents of the district also presented him with an illuminated address and travelling port- manteau.

MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION TREHARRIS. There are two candidates already in the field at Treharris for the approaching School Board election, and the contest promises to be a warm one, so far as Treharris is concerned. Both candidates have issued their addresses, and Mr. Henry Davies' committee, who was first in the field, appear to be working hard to secure his return. They have already thoroughly canvassed the place, and confidently boast ot a majority of something like two to one. Mr. Evans, who is the other candidate, it may be remembered, represented Treharris on the Merthyr School Board six years ago but he was defeated at the last election, Treharris being left without a representative owing to the fact of there being too many local candidates in the field. Mr. Evans has also formed his committtee, and they too have gone to work, with the result that they are quite as confident of success as Mr. Davies' < jmmittee. Public support and sympathy seems to be pretty equally divided between the two but some are of the opinion that there are hundreds of votes in Treharris that will not be recorded for either of them. Mr. Davies is the county lecturer in mining and geology, or, as be. terms himself in his address, The collier's teacher," and was formerly, for several years, head schoolmaster of the Treharris Schools. Mr. Evans is a grocer, residing at Fox-street, Tre- harris, and has lived at Treharris ever since the colliery started he is a well-educated and intelligent young man, who takes a deep interest in educational matters, and the most serious charge that his oppo- nents have to bring against him is that he is rather too much inclined to carry on public business is a denomi- national manner, and to favour too much those who belong to his own, the Methodist, denomination. There are many working men who seem to think that a candidate who was more directly connected with themselves, and nearer to their own position in life, and, therefore, more in sympathy with their require- ments, would be more likely to get their support than either of those, if it were not for the bogey of expense which prevents them from running a labour can- didate. TREHARRIS MEETING. To the Editor. Sn:, -Your correspondent "Plumper" is wrong when he states in his last week's letter that I have issued my election address. It is simply a. handbill drawn up by an ardent supporter that has been cir- culated. His statements with regard to my salary and increased assistance are equally incorrect. He is olso in error when statinsr that I am thrust- ing myself upon the electors." The facts are these. In my absence committees, with a membership of over sixty working men, have met; a canvass has been made of the district, and it has been found that a very large proportion of the electors are enthusiastic in support of my candidature, although I have not callea or attended a single public meeting, or even been present at a committee. Surely, I cannot do less. Plumper's other statements are untrue. In fact, the only statement bearing the semblance of truth is that I shall advocate a reduction of rate". This I certainly promise, if elected. As a ratepayer, I shall leave no stone unturned to secure the greatest efficiency with economy" in the schools, and no sectarianism or politics" on the Board.—I am, &c., HENRY DAVIE*. THE DOWLAIS SCHOOLS. TO MR. DAVID DAVIES, GLEBELAND. SIR,—At the Caledonian banquet held recently at the Wheateheaf Hotel in this town, Mr. Thomas Jenkins, J.P., Pant, is reported to ha\e said in refer- ence to the expenditure of our School Board :—" That the Dowlais Schools, previous to their being taken over by our present Board, cOPt the Dowlais Iron Company only JB2,000 a year, and got the best results. Now that the School Board had the schools there was only an increase of 80 children, and yet it cost £3,000 a year to maintain the schools, or £1,000 a year more than when the Dowlais Company managed them." Now, sir, as you are one of the oldest members of our School Board, and one of the gentlemen who strongly advocated the taking over the said schools, will you kindlv answer the following questions :—1, Why do the Dowlais Schools cost us £1,000 a year more than when they were managed by the company, results, according to Mr. Jenkins'being equal? 2, had this extra and unnecessary addition to our schools anything to do with our last half-crown rate, and is it likely to occur again T I trust you will kindly give the above questions your serious attention, and rectify them at once, if act correct. We know that many funny things are said by cer- tain gentlemen, but as our School Board election will be in March next, it is of importance that we, as ratepayers, should know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth otherwise we must have a thorough change of our School Boord members, M those charges must not be made, even at a banquet, unchallenged.—Yours, ke., Merthyr. JOHN JONE-7. To the Editor. SIR.—On the present School Board we in Treharris are not directly and immediately represented. Too many candidates ran at the last election, and they were all beaten. It seems to me that the same mistake is about to be repeated again this time. Two candidates are out, Mr. Davies and Mr. Evans. Both are excellent men. But if the two go to the poll they will fail to secure election in all probability. At Merthyr Vale Mr. Gray will, I should say, offer himself once more for election, and he will be generally supported. We in Treharris cannot hope to return more than one member, and it will take us all our time to do that. One of the two candidates ahould withdraw. Which of them, I do not undertake to say. The committees should meet together in a friendly conference, and try and arrive at a satisfactory settlement. Our motto should be, One Treharris candidate."—Yours, &e., TRUE BLUE. To the Editor. SIR,—Allow me through the medium of your valuable paper to protest against the puffing of Mr. Henry Davies in his election address. If we are to believe all that is said of him he is the cream of the world, and far and away the greatest man in the Merthyr district. He actually gave free education to the people" long before the Government did. What a misleading statement How proud of him the Merthyr district ought to be What a picture we have of conscious merit Mr. Davies leads the way, the Government follows in his steps. Credit where credit is due. In future histories it should read as followfc In such and such a year that notable Mr. Davies gave free education to the people." At present the strife lies between Mr. W. N. Evans and Mr. H. Davies. I think Mr. Evans is far more worthy of our support. He has all along been looked upon as a candidate for a seat on the School Board, even since his defeat at the last election. He has never relaxed his efforts to promote the cause of education. Now, Mr. H. Davies, throwing to the winds all thoughts of gratitude, appears on the scene like a pantomime acrobat at the back door. Since he is so forgetful of gratitude let me remind him that about 15 months ago he became a candidate for a seat on the Board of Guardians, and then begged and obtained the help of Mr. Evans, who eventually became chairman of his committee. He was returned unopposed, and assured Mr. Evans he would support, to the best of hie ability his candidature for the School Board. This is how be now supports Mr. Evans, by becoming his opponent. He says in his address that he is now engaged in conducting evening classes for colliers, and colliers taught by him gratuitously hold very high ^-itions. What does he mean by gratuitously? Fur 1 know he receives a salary of ab J250 a year for teaching classes. Many more of u vould do things gratuitously on the same terms, and indeed, considerably less than JB250. I think Mr. Davies is the best paid man in the county considering the work he has to do. He iii employed, I believe, only about eight months in the year, and receives the handsome salary of JB250 per annum for conducting classes for about two hours every evening. Professional men and skilled working men who have to labour all the year round, many long hours each day, would be glad of Mr. Davies' salary. As a Guardian did he open his mouth in the interest of the ratepayers, or did ne protest against the increasing extravagant expenditure of the "County Council and School Board laatyear. Mr. Davies discovered he had too much work to do last year, and obtained help, at the ratepayers expense, Now, it seems, lie hasn't sufficient work to do, and is seeking public honours to fill in his spare time. o I think, Mr. Editor, with many others, it is not becoming for a public servant, paid out of the rates, to hold a position on public bodies. Therefore I appeal to the voters to give their support to Mr. Evans.—Yours, &c., ANOTHER PLUMPER.

THE SUNDAY CLOSING QUESTION. MERTHYR AND ABERDARE OPINION. COUNCILLOR THOS. THOMAS, MERTHYR. In reply to inquiries made by our reporter, Coun- cillor Thomas Thomas said that he didn't think there was more drunkenness in the town on Sundays since the Act came into operation than formerly. He did not think there were many shebeens in Merthyr, but he was told there were many in Dowlais. The only suspicious spot where shebeens were believed to be in Merthyr was the bottom of the town. Although Councillor Thomas opposed the Act at first, he was now of opinion that there was no necessity to repeal it, and he did not think that if the working men were ballotted to-morrow there would be a majority in favour of a repeal. Those who looked after themselves did not want drink on Sundays, but there were a few who travelled from place to place who persisted in breaking the law. Councillor Thomas, proceeding, said that the Act must be doing good, for they could see the effect of it on the public streets on Sundays. There was a lot less drunkenness, and all the Sunday drunkenness now noticeable was concentrated in the side streets, whereas before the passing of the Act it was more scattered and public. Some people seemed to harbour the idea that because drunkenness was concentrated in this fashion there was more of it, but it was a great mistake. As far as the publicans were concerned, the majority of them would not favour the repeal of the Act, because they wanted a day of rest. The people who were to blame were those who kept and frequented shebeens. MR. G. GEORGE, J.P.. ABERDARE. With a view of ascertaining how the Sunday Closing Act worked in Aberdare our representative called on persons who have taken a great interest in it, and watched its working since it came into force. Care was taken that no persons directly affected by the Act should »iv« their opinion. In all cases, whether teetotalers or not, they agreed that so far as Aberdare was concerned the Act had done its work well. Mr. Griffith George, J.P., said I can speak on this matter from experience. I lived in Aberdare for some time before the Act came into force, and there- fore ought to know a little about what it has done. The difference between the streets on a Sunday now to what they were before the passing of the Act is simply marvellous. It was then a common thing to see, in the course of about half a mile, dozens of drunken men early on Sunday morning, and they used to bump up agaiowt respectable people going to chapel and church. It was a disgrace. However, since the Act has come into force, drunkenness has almost entirely disappeared. That clearly demon- strated what good the Act had done. The change was noticeable immediately after it cmie into O[H>ra- tion. What makes the Act of less value in Aberdare than what it might be is the fact that there are drinking clubs open on Sunday. The Liberal Club is not open for"the sale of drink on Sunday, and in eon- sequence it is not patronised to the extent it would be if such was not the case. If these drinking clubs were closed I am sure Aberdare would be almost entirely free from Sunday drunkenness. The cases of publicans bfing tined for permitting Sunday drunken- ness are few and far between. The Act is well observed by publicans so far as Aberdare is concerned. It has undoubtedly done good in Aberdare, and I should be very sorry, very sorry indeed, to see it repealed. The only thing required to be done now is to grapple with these drinking clubs, and the only fault I find in the Act is that it nas not put the clubs on the same footing as public houses. 1 should like to see all clubs licensed and placed under police super- vision in exactly the same manner as the public- houses. As regards the question of preventing the poor working man having his glass of beer, all I have to say is, Why does he not provide for it as he does for all the other necessaries of life If the poor working man wishes to sret drunk on Sunday then I object to it most emphatically. MR. ISHMAEL HARRIS, ABERDARE. Mr. Ishmael Harris said he thought the Sunday Closing Act had been a success in all parts of the country with the exception, perhaps, of Cardiff. Cardiff would compare favourably with any town of its population. He had not lived long enough in Aberdare to pass an opinion as to whether there was less drunkenness in Aberdare now than before the Act was passed, but according to hearsay there was by far less. He would say it had been a great suc- cess. He most decidedly would not like to see it repealed, and to do that would be taking a retrogres- sive step. Referring to the cry of preventing the working man from having his glass of beer on Sunday, Mr. Harris said it was all moonshine. He felt confi- dent that if the working men were appealed to they would be in favour of the Act, at least a large majority. One proof of its success was the strong I opposition that the publicans and brewers offered to the repeal of the Act. There was more beer drunk now than there was before the passing of the Act. He did not agree with granting grocers' licences, because it had been the means of increasing drunken- ness amongst women and in the houses. They had greater facilities for getting drink by that means. He advocated the abolition of grocers' licences. Then again he thought the Sunday drinking clubs had a lot to do with the diunkenness to be seen on a Sun- day at present. He thought these should be some system of registering them, so that they should be under police supervision. He did not agree with putting them on the same footing altogether as public-nouses, but he agreed with preventing the sale of drink on Sunday. It was unfair to the publicans, who had to pay a he;ny license. He believed that apart from the Worldngmen's Club and the Constitu- tional Club there was very little Sunday drinking in Aberdare. MR. D. DAVIES, CANON STREET, ABERDARE. Mr. D. Davies, Canon-street, did not believe that the Act had worked well in Aberdare, and he was not inclined to think that people could be made sober by Acts of Parliament. If they closed the public-houses people would find some means of getting drink. Since the Act had come into force these drinking clubs had been opened. People who could afford it kept what they wanted in the house. He believed it would be better for Alxsrdare if the Act was repealed. Since he had been on the Bench he had found that people went to Hirwain, Merthyr, and Rhigos simply for the sake of getting drink. The amount of drunkenness on a Sunday on the Abernaut-road after the arrival of the last train from Merthyr was euonnous. He believed that it was only fair that the public-houses should be on the same footing as the clubs. He had noticed about two years ago, when the Constitutional Club was opposite his place, no less than 150 persons going into the club in a quarter of an hour. The club was opened at about 7.30 p.m., and the people simply came from chapel or church and went in and had a few drinks. There was no good forcing people to be teetotalers. The very thing they tried to prevent them getting would be the thing they would have by hook or by crook. There was no doubt that under the old rcj>\nc tliiuga were better than they are now. MR. JOHN ROGERS. Mr. John Rogers, the secretary of Messrs. Craw- shay BioCyfai thfa Limited, and the chairman of the Vaynor and Penderyn Rural District Council, said I have not given the matter much considera- tion, but it should be borne in mind that the popula- tion of Merthyr is a staying one. It is not a, floating population like that of Cardiff and Swansea, where sailors and others come to the town and naturally require refreshments on Sundays. I do not believe that our people (meaning the Cyfarthfa workmen) desire to have the Act repealed, for since it has been in operation its effect has been most beneficial to the employers and employed. The former can now depend upon their men coming to work early on Monday morning the same as on other days, whilst the men earn more money and feel more disposed to work. Without going into the pros and cons of the ques- tion, I thoroughly believe that the men do not want the Act repealed, and I am certain that it has a bene- ficial effect all round." INTERESTING REMINISCENCES BY MR. W. L. DANIEL. A Tin*s reporter called upon Mr. W. L. Daniel at his residence on Tuesday evening, and obtained an interview, which is not only instructive and throws much light upon the question, but which also contains matter of the most interesting character. Mr. Daniel has taken an active part in the advocacy of tem- perance principles in Merthyr for the past 30 years, and not only has he proved himself a great reformer. and made himself an authority on temperance matters, but he has for many years occupied some of the most important public positions in the town. He has been an overseer of the poor for about a quarter of a century, a guardian of the poor, and a member of the Local Board of Health for many years. He sat for 15 years on the School Board, and presided over that body for two triennial periods while his name is closely assooiated with the famous South Wales Sun- day Closing Association, for which he acted as secre- tary. It can therefore be seen that if any individual person's opinion is valuable on a question of such magnitude, the views held by Mr. Daniel certainly are. You are aware, of course," said Mr. Daniel, "that the opening of public-houses on the Lord's Day was condemned first of all by the representative bodies of the different denomination! The Wesleyan Conference, for instance, held in Birmingham in July, 1879, passed a strong resolution in favour of Sunday Closing, and the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland in October, 1879, at its meeting in Glasgow passed a similar resolution. Then the Congregational Union of England and Wales, at its meeting held in Cardiff in October, 1879, unanimously passed a reso- lution, proposed by the Rev. W. Emlyn Jones, of Morriston, and seconded by myself, condemning the sale of intoxicants on Sundays. Then, as an outcome of the expression of opinion on the part of the great religious denominations, and probably owing to the expression of public opinion at conferences which had been held in different parts of Wales, a great con- ference was held in the Music Hall, Swansea, on Wednesday, the 19th of November. 1879. This was one of the most representative conferences ever held in Walefe. It was constituted of members of Parliament, county and through magis- trate, the clergy, and ether representatives of the various denominations, town councils, boards of guar- diane, school boards, boards of health, and the repre- sentatives of trade and philanthropic societies. Mr. Henry Hussey Vivian (afterwards Baron Swansea) presided, and Mr. John Roberts, M.P. for the Flint Boroughs, attended. In the evening a freat public meeting was held, under the presidency of the late Mr. Henry Richards, M.P., and addresses were delivered by the late Mr. John Roberts, M.P., the late Mr. Dill wyn, M.P., and some of the most pro- minent men of Wales. Both the conference and the public meeting unanimously pronounced in favour of a Sunday Closing Bill for Wales. This was in many respects a most exceptional gathering, and the con- veners represented all shades of public and religious opinions. They were the Rev. John Griffiths, Arch- deacon of Llandaff the Rev. Thomas Thomas, late Principal of the l'ontypool Baptist College Rev. John Morris, Principal of the Brecon Congregational College; Rev. G. Vance Smith, Principal of the Presbyterian College at Carmarthen the Rev. D. Phillips, chairman of the South Wales Cahinistic Methodist Association Rev. D. Evans, chairman of the Wesleyan South Wales District; and the Rev. ,T. W. Rogers, canon of the Roman Catholic Church at Swansea. Then followed the tremendous upheaval throughout the whole of the Principality in favour of the Sunday Closing Bill for Wales. A circular was sent to the different boards by the chairman, treasurer, and secretary of the South Wales Sunday Closing Association formed at Swansea, and I have before mn this (showing a bulky volume) tremendous number of petitions from all parts of the country and from public boards, and which contains hundreds of thousands of names in favour of the Bill. The result was that an Act to prohibit the salejof intoxicating liquors on Sun- day in Wales was passed on the 27th of August, 1881. "Of course, there was a good deal at first in the putting of the Act in motion, owing to an unfortunate slip of the draughtsman. It appears that in Clause 3 of the Act it states This Act shall commence and come into operation with respect to each division or place in Wales on the day next appointed for the general annual licensing meeting for that division or place.' But eventually it was settled, and the Act came into operation throughout the whole of the Principality. Before the passing of the Act the public streets in Merthyr and in Dowlais were, on a Sunday, the scene of great drunkenness. In fact, it was almost dangerous for people to be out on a Sunday nijjht, owing to the annoyance of drunken people in the public streots. The very first Sunday after the Act came into opera- tion, there was an entire absence of that. It is true that repeated attempts were made to evade the Act, and to take advantage of the bona-fidc traveller clause which is contained in the Act, and with regard to the application of the Licensing Act of 1872 and 1874, which provision is embodied in Clause 2 of the Sunday Closing Act, 1881. There was also consider- able trouble experienced in connection with the arrival of those who came by train. But there was almost an entire absence of public drunkenness, and it was remarked by everybody what a marvellous change had taken place. Soon after that, during the early spring and summer of the year after the Act came into force, a lot of brakes used to run to Cwmtaf and elsewhere on Sunday afternoon, in order that people might obtain drink as bono-jidi travellers. And undoubtedly many people who came by train to see their friends, by some means got drink, and occasionally a staggering, drunken man was found in the public streets as people returned home from Sunday Schools. There can be no doubt that the Act has been a marked success, and that many benefits have arisen from the passing of the Act. The Superintendent of Police for this borough would 1*3 able to supply very valuable information as to the decrease of drunkenness on Sunday. So far as shebeens are concerned, I do not think we have been troubled with them in any appreciable extent. Of course the Sunday Closiug Act may be evaded, as all Acts of Parliament are evaded. If it were not that Acts of Parliament were being evaded continually, there would be no need of the Stipen- diary magistrates in this place. But it is manifestly unfair to blame the Sunday Closing Act for the estab- lishment of shebeens. It has always been the proud boast of the Englishman and" elshman that his house is his castle, and as far as drink is concerned in any Welshman's house you cannot very well inter- fere with it, unless you have reason to believe or to suspect that the law is tieing evaded. My opinion is that if shebeens, where they are established, are dealt with vigorously by the police and the magistracy, we should soon hear of the end of shebeening. It appears to me that on this very point hinges the whole thing. If you find an inability or an unwillingness on the part of the authorities to grapple vigorously, and in an uncompromising manner with those who violate the law, there must of necessity be drunkenness. But as far as the Act is concerned, it certainly is uot responsible for it. The great bugbear has always been the bona fide traveller, but as all those acquainted with legislation know, the bona fide traveller has not been created by the Sunday Closing (Wales) Act, but by the Licensing Acts of 1872 and 1874. Why then should the Sunday Closing Act be blamed for the provisions of that Act ? To be consistent, those who blame the Sunday Cloving Act should be prepared to vote for the abolition of the provisions of these Acts, and support the punishment of those who are guilty of keeping shebeens. With regard to, the 4th clause, which provides that nothing in thisAct contained shall preclude the sale at any time a.t a railway station, of intoxicating liquors to persons arriving at or departing from such stations by railway,' ateat care had to be exercised, because there mightJJe an outcry on the part of those who were away frfMn home, and who had to wait for trains at railway stations, against their being pre- cluded from having what they considered reasonable refreshments. Consequently the clause, which, I daresay, has been very much abused, was allowed to remain in the Act. There were suggestions made by me before the Commission at its sittings in Merthyr with regard to the bona fide traveller and other diffi- culties which had cropped up in connection with the working of the Sunday Closing Act, and I am still of the same opinion as I was then. I am satisfied that, so far as Wales is concerned,it would be impossible for any person to successfully contest an election in any division of either North or South Wales, who declared that he was opposed to the Sunday Closing Act." The suggestion which has been made for the taking of a plebiscite needs very careful considera- tion. I contend strongly that not only should the men have the privilege of voting, but that the women also, who suffer so much from the effects of drink and drunkenness, should be permitted to vote as to whether or not the Act should be repealed. And as to the suggestion of partial opening, say for an hour at dinner time and an hour in the evening, I am satisfied that they would not be attended with any good results, but on the contrary, they would be very much abused, and the gratification that would confer to those who have dry and thirsty throats would be far outweighed by the serious inconvenience which it would cause to those who for many years have worked so hard to try to secure 'piiet and peace over the Sabbath." One word as to clubs. Clubs should be placed on the same footing, and carried on in precisely the same manner a j public-houses on Sundays, and with the exception of these who are really living on the pre- mises, I would not on any consideration advocate allowing them to make use of the club for the pur- poses of drinking. In fact, while I would be quite prepared to allow the clubs to be opened for the ordinary purposes of a political or social nature, I should close the bar and prevent any intoxicants being sold or consumed on the premises on Sundays."

Correspondence. NEGLECTED ABERAMAN. 51R.-I am grateful to Amyaedd" for the good advice he gave me in your last issue but. alas we have done too much waiting, and now it in time to be doing, and to let the new council know what we require them to do. Perhaps "Amynedd" is a D.C., and if eo, I shall be pleased if he take* to heart what we have asked for and will kindly put it to practical use.—I am, YOUR ABKRAMAN CORRESPONDENT. DOWLATS MECHANICS. Sill,—Believing you are a person that would not wilfully hurt the feelings of anybody, we, the Dow- lais Mechanics, wish to appeal to you with regard to statements which have been made from time to time by your Dowlais reporter. He seems to have taken it as a hobby to probe into our business, and by so doing is creating ill-feeling between us and our employers. You can believe us when we say that we, as a body, feel strongly about this matter, and [condemn the indiscreet writing of your reporter. We would advise him, if he cannot find better use for his pen than creating animosity between the respected manager and ourselves, he would serve both you and the public by not writing at all. Hoping you will put a stop to his wrong and unfair statements, we are, your? truly, 22nd January, 1895. DOWLAIS MECHANICS. [NOTE.—It would have been well if our correspon- dents had specified or rectified Home of the errors alleged to have been committed by our Dowlais repre- sentative. The columns of the Times are always open to the discussion of matters of public interest. It is possible that our reporter may have received informa- tion which was not absolutely correct; if so, let him be put right. We have no reason to doubt his good faith, and we feel sure there is nothing further from his mind than to create animosity between employer and employed.—EDITOR.] ROAD METALLING. SIR,—The foundation of science is observation, and it has occurred to me by that faculty of observation that it would be advantageous if the persona in charge of the macadamizing of our roads wonld adopt the plan of covering the metal utilised for that purpose with some fine material, such as small metal, or even earth. Maybe the officials I allude to will consider it presumption on my part to suggest such a thing but to prove to you that it will be beneficial to all, I will just give you a sample of the defectiveness of the process of laying stones as they are at present effected. Now, Sir, the broken metal is laid down on the road in a loose condition. Presently a cart and horse come rattling along, and the horses hoofs and [rolling wheels scatter some of the stones, thereby giving labour to the road men to return them to their posi- tion. This proceeding goes on repeatedly, and by and by a tract is made for the horses hoofs and the wheels, while the other still keeps loose. Later all disappear somehow, and leave an uneven road instead of the expected ideal road surface. Now, I hold that it would be economical to the ratepayers and everyone using the roads if my idea is utilised. I do not wish to appear dictatorial, but can prove it a fact that this plan is used by the road mender who overlooks that part of the highway between Hirwain and Penderyn with eminently satisfactory results. But to be more precise respecting the financial economy of such a method. l'irst, it would save the time of tho road men who are constantly clearing and raking the stones. Secondly, it would save the time, as well as the ungainly and dangerous method as used in Cardtff-road, Aberdare, of placing sleepers across pal.t of the road where it has unevenly worn. Thirdly it would relieve the extra strain upon the horse flesh and the extremely vindictive wear upon vehicles which travel our roads. Even, Mr. Editor, if it were only the humanity of the latter it were worth the extra trouble and ex- pense but it will prove to be economical. Hoping our new Council will take this in hand.—Yours, &c., Aberaman. Jonx JONES. P.S.—If the officials are it all disbelieving, I would suggest that a hundred yards or so of road where the traffic is heavy should be utilised as I advocate, and another similar piece macadamised in the usual manner; and the question could be proved, and I infer that less dust and loss of metal would be the result of the adoption of my plan.— LIBERALISM THE ENEMY OF THE WORKING CLASSES. SIR,—The letters of "Disgusted" aud Progres- sive" in your last week's issue show the want of pluck and coinage in fighting the cause of the present waning and discredited Liberalism. Your corres- pondent Disgusted says that the opening up of new territory and land would not help Dowlais or ¡ Cyfarthfa, because there are others likely to compete I and get the orders for rails. Does he wot know, or is it pretended ignorance on his part, that any new trade orders, not perhaps received by the Dowlais or Cyfarthfa Works, but given to other firms in Great Britain, would give increased impetus to the steel and iron trade, which would certainly be felt, and benefit our local works ? What does the Economist" report on the Iron and Steel Trade of 1894 say ? It says the only hope for any expansion in the rail trade is the possibility of some new railways being made in Africa or China, and this is a little uncertain, now that the present Liberal Government is against and stops all progress in Africa. Trade always follows the flag, and foreign flags now exclude British trade by hostile and prohibi- tive tariffs. Compare the Gladstonian Government from 1880 to 1886 and the Unionist Government from 1886 to 1892. You will find that the Unionist Government added 1,642,480 square miles of new fieldw and resources to our countrymen more than the pre- ceding Liberal Government, not taking into account the loss of that rich and promising country of the Transvaal (112,600 square miles), also the Cameroons and Angra, Pequena. (115,000 square miles) handed over to Germany, and part of New Guinea (70,000 square miles). All these losses were due to Liberal aud Radical policy. Instead of us receiving the trade and commerce of these rich countries, it now goes to foreign firms. Our colonies and our possessions are our liest customers and buyers. To no class of the community at home can the maintenance and exten- sion of these be of greater importance than to the I working men. They are always accessible to our manufactured goods, and while we retain the com- mandof thesea.even war will not shut us off from them. The Britain Abroad affords the best field for the energies of Britons here at home, and supplies the best sphere for judicious emigration. The vast population which our being the workshop of the world during the last generation has developed in these islands requires some outlet abroad, and surely it is something that those who leave our shores should remain in the same country as the relatives they have left, and without change of allegiance, work their way to fortune under the old flag. Forward is decidedly right when he says that Liberalism is the enemy of the working classes in every way, and I may put it that they cause five D's Doubt, Disquiet, Dread, Disappointment, and Dis- couragement to investment of capital and enterprise, which is the cause of the present bad state of trade and wages. I trust in the future that both Disgusted" and "Progressive" will kindly treat you, Mr. Editor, with a little more facts, and prove, with courage if they can, that Liberalism is not the enemy of the working classes.—I am, sir, yours, &c., UNIONIST. LIBERALISM THE ENEMY OF THE WORKING CLASSES. SIR,—My opponents still number only three, the same three as before. And, sir, I will as before begin with yourself. Permit me to say, without being in the least offensive, that you come very badly out of the ditch into which your honesty, coupled with your refusal to see good in anyone who is now labelled Liberal" have landed you. You admitted in your comment upon my first letter that our precious Literals had done nothing—I refer now to local matters—and yet you asked the public over and over again to vote for them in-preference to such men as Dan Thomas, Henry Lewis, and Henry Martin. I pointed out the absurdity of your position, and what is your reply ? It is this: That the Liberals had done nothing because the wicked Tories wouldn't let them the Liberals had tried to do many things, but the Tories, had prevented them the Literals had tried to get the Free Libraries Act put in force in Merthyr, but the Tories had prevented them accom- plishing their purpose. Now, sir, as I said in my first letter, you have not been in Merthyr long enough to fully measure up our precious Liberalism rulers, and therefore {you will pardon me for saying it), I feel it to be in no sense in accordance with what I consider fairplay that 1 should claim a victory when I tumble your house of cards. With that remark as a preface, I will go on. Is it not extremely comic to see the apologist for Liberal shortcomings putting the fault upon the Tories in a borough where the last Parlia- mentary vote showed eleven Liberals to two Tories ? Such a contention is a" ridiculous as it is untrue. I say it is untrue, Mr. Editor, and there is not a Liberal from Dowlais Top :o Treharris who can say it is not. The one instance you give of .'successful Tory obstruc- tion is woefully wide of the mark. The free libraries agitation of a dozen years ago was killed by the splendid organisation of the Dowlais people, who cast ;I. vote of ten for the Act, and 509 against it. I am writing from memory, but those figures are within two of the official couit, if indeed they are not abso- lutely correct. Aud now, whom think you was the leader of the Dowlais people in resisting that move- ment? Only Mr. William Morgan, J.P., Pant, who surely M not a wicked Tory. And whom think you was Mr. Morgan's lieutenant? Only Mr. Thomas Evans, who at the recent election descried himself aa determined to fight all the Tories and publicans. Pretty Tories are they not, Mr. Editor, the two lead- ing prophets of Calvinistic Methodism in Dowlais? Do you want further information on this interesting point, air ? If you do, just say the word, and I'll give you the names of some more of the agitators of that time. Now, sit', as I said before, you have shown your honesty by candidly confessing that in the past our precious se't fawr men have done nothing for the people. Why, then, in common fairness to the people whose interests I really believe you have honestly at heart, did you not say to the electors, These men have proved themselves to be a pack of incumpetents; send them to the right-abcut-face, and give others a cltauce." No, you would not do that, because the others were Tories; incompetence might reign supreme, and taxation might go up still higher but what mattered it so long as the Liberals were in power ? Everything must be sacrificed to the Moloch Of Liberalism. And yet have places where the Tories rule supreme beeu such awful examples to us that sooner than have them on our boards we would have so many jackdaws to represent us? Is the condition of Tory Liverpool and Belfast, and of Unionist Birmingham, so much worse than that of Merthyr, that a Unionist candidate for that place must be looked upon as a leper ? Throw off the miserable pre- judice of years, sir, and admit, as you must, that there are not on the whole face of the earth three places better governed than the three towus I hmo named. And why is this ? Simply because the people pick the best men as representatives without troubling about their politics. As to "Disgusted," I must really tell him I have not time to quibble with him life is too short to wrangle over such hair-splitting as is seen in his letter of to-day. If it were not in furtherance of the cause of Liberalism," that the woikinj-ineu of M: Dowlais were to be pensioned, what was it for any- way ? When the Tories are in j>ower trade is brisk enough, and one hears nothing of the parades of the unemployed in London and the big towns. So why talk of pensions? And if you must talk of pension" why give them only to Dowlais men ? What of the tens of thousands of workers all over the country who have been thrown out of employment since this precious travesty of a Government came into office ? Are they to have pensions too? Sir, it is my turn to feel disgusted, when I see presumably rational beings talking of pensioning honest men who have been thrown out of employment by the shilly-shallying policy of the lovel-every -country -except -your own party. So long as we have in office a party that is willing to pander to every set of factionists and anarchists at home, and who basely surrenders to anvone who wishes to apply the lash abroad, so Ion«- will trade be paralysed. Without confidence in the ruling powers, there can be no prosperity, and bitter experience has taught the men of money and the speculating ones that to a Radical Government thev can look for no assistance. Disgusted's" talk about the time when Africa shall be covered with rails, and about the barren Sahara, is very pretty, but'con- foundedly silly in u. serious discussion. Does he take me for one of the Yahoos, whom he is so fond of, and imagine I have not got intelligence enough to know that even in our own possessions—India for instance -there are still wanting hundreds of thousands of miles of railway, and that with railway facilities, the trade of India would increase, and so would that of England. In Africa have we not, thanks to the trulv British policy of Lord Salisbury, acquired some millions of square miles of territory within recent years ? And is that territory to remain closed to our commerce for ever ? It is this cheese-paring, halting cowardly policy that lets our working-men starve ab home, while there are untold millions of miles of railways awaiting construction in our own dominions without our annexing any more territory. It i* characteristic of present day Liberalism, that it can neither govern at home or abroad it can apologise to Austria, it can surrender to Boers abroad, and to assassins and rebels at home.; it can betray the Swazis in South Africa, and leave the noblest Englishman of the century to be done to death in the Soudan it can rave against the House of Lords and seek to plunder the Church all these things it can do, but it can't find a market for British industry, nor work for thn British unemployed. "0, our Government, our Government, what will they not have to answer for wrote the noble hero when he found himself betrayed in Khartoum, as the result of triumphant Radicalism But the avenging hand was turned aside when the new electors, who as all new electors will, voted for those whohad made them theifnest promises,and taught them to regard all existing institutions as being inimical to their advancement. But education is spreading and education will make even the most servile Briton patriotic again, so that he will lor ever consign to oblivion those who aro the enemies of everything tlta is British. Progressive, my boy, your little game won't do. ou want to lead me from my point into a discussion on mashers, but such a subject has no interest for Too, and your disquisition on that point shall stand over' if you please. In his first letter, Progressive had the usual laudation of the Liberalism that gave the working man his penny newspaper, but when I asked him how many of the Liberals of those days who are still alive, are advocates of the new Liberalism, he I- indiscreetly silent. Liberalism in those day's, Mr Editor, was a British policy it did not go and sing- songs m praise of murderers in its meeting nor bow the knee to Kruger and Joubert in the Transvaal Hence, frnnd Progressive. until you can establish a connection between filters, Harney and the others, and the new Liberalism, I will thank you to be silent about the penny newspaper and the tax on bread. Nom about that famous phrase, yahoos and ignoramuses," once more. My 18-carat friend amidst his sermonising on mashers, contrives to put forward a dishonest plea. He says I find fault with ungrammatical men, as if grammar were the mam thin^ Jind ftrguey that & iujxn injiy much business ability, and yet be unable to write grammati- cally. Xvith the last part of this sentence lcordiallv agree out, sir if I found fault with all the Liberal candidates at the recent elections simply because they could not write with strict grammatical accuracy there would not be a dozen—mark my words, my 18 carat friend—who would pass the scrutiny. My con- tention was, and I repeat it now, and can prove it up to the hilt, that at the last election certain men were brought forward as official Liberal candidates who could not write two sentences in presentable, not to say grammatical, English, and who knew abso- lutely nothing about the duties of the office to which they aspired—men who had no mors intelligence than an Australian aborigine, and no more education than a hedgehog. Is this plain enough for you, my 18-carat friend ? If it is, will you dare tell me and the readers of this journal that such persons were to be preferred to Dan Thomas or Henry Lewis? You cannot be ignorant of the men to whom I refer, and yet remember they were brought out as official Liberal candidates. Will anv one of my opponents defend the selection of such men-' And now, Mr. Editor, I must conclude. I have taken up far more of your space than I had intended, and worse still I have left the principal point of my contention untouched. You will remember I put a proposal to "Disgusted," and the preacher on masherdom and its ways to produce the official statistics of the trade and timuico of this country during the two last administrations, and to explain as best they could the tremendous difference between the two sets of figures. I promised, in the event of their not doing so. to publish tho statistics myself • but after taking up so much of your space this week' I do not feel that I am justified in taking up more I will therefore repeat the proposal to my opponents, and in the event of their not taking it up I will ask Disgusted to split no more hairs, and "Progres- sive" to sermonise less. Let them deal with tho question at issue, and lea, e all extraneous matter on one side. Let them remember, too, that hair splitting and sermonizing will not keep from the public the statistics to which 1 have referred -1 am, &c., January 17th, 1895. FORWARD.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE LADY CHARLOTTE SCHREIBER. The funeral of Lady Charlotte Schreiber took pla^p at Canford Churchyard on i riday afternoon, and wan largely attended by the heads of departments on the Canford Estate and workmen. The arrangement* were kept very private. Consequently, the mourners consisted almost entirely of members of the Guess family. The sons of the dec-cased present were Loid Wimborne, Mr. Merthyr Guest, and Mr. Arthur Guest, and the daughters present were Mrs. Ducane, Mrs. Eliot, Mrs. Ponsonby, and Mrs. Alderson, while there were also in attendance the Marquess of Huntly and the Hon. Ivor Guest. The remains were interred in the newly-consecrated ground, situated about a quarter-of-a-mile from the cemetery, where the remains of the deceased's second husband rest. Th- service was conducted by Canon Alderson, son-in-law assisted by the Revs. Reginald Fawkes, vicar and Clifford Hawkes, curate, Broadstone. The remains were enclosed in a polished elm coffin with blaek furniture. The inscription on the coffin was-" Ladv Charlotte Elizabeth Schreiber, born May 19 1812 died January 15, 1895." Among the wreaths was one from the cabmen of the Langham Shelter. London.

ABERDARE BUTCHERS AND THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE. William Sarvis and Frederick Jenkins, butchers, were summoned at the Aberdare Police-court on Tuesday for committing a breach of the bve-law regu- lating the Aberdare slaughter house hy refusing- to remove the manure snd entrails of beasts killed by them at the slaughter house on the 1st of January — Mr. C Kenshole prosecuted, and Mr. J. D. Thomas defended. -Mt. Thomas objected to the bearing of the case, because the summonses should have been taken out by the District Council of Aberdare. He quoted various sections of the Markets Act in support of his contention.—The objection was not upheld.— Mr. Lawrence, market inspector and toll collector, gave evidence to the effect that Jenkins had killed seven beasts and had refused, when requested, to remove the manure and entrails. Sarvis killed for.r beasts, and refused to remove the entrails of his beasts, because Jenkins had not done so. They made an awful mess there. There was a manure hean r>Vv a by.-Cross-examined: He put a copy of the b/e-kws up on the 31st of December. He would swear that a copy of the bye-laws was posted up on the board in the market. They had not a printed cooy of the Iwe- laws put up in the market.—Mr. Thomas here raised an objection to the summons because there was not a printed copy of the bye-laws in the chief offices of the Market Company, as required by the Act, The objection was not upheld.—Cross-examination cou. tinued He did not complain of the entrails, only the manure. Wheelbarrows were provided for carrying the refuse away.—WiHiam Harries said that he put barrows and brushes in the slaughter-house for the use of the butchers. What tho last witness said about the manure and entrails was perfectly true. He had to clean after the defendants.—Cross-examined One of the defendants asked him to bring a barrow in.- William James, a young boy employed at the slaughter-house, said that he brought the wheel, barrow from outside to Sarvis ai d filled it with manure at his request.—P.S. James said that lie saw the floor of the slaughter-house on the day in question, and it was in a beastly state what with the manure' entrails, &c.— Mr. Kenshole said that the lessee of the market only brought this case on as an example to the other butchers.—The Bench inflicted a fine of 5s. and costs. THE FIRST EWE LAMB (YANKEE). The first lamb of the season was yeaned at Cae- marydwn Farm by a Y ankee ewe, the property of Mr. J. Morris, 11, Cross Thomas-street. Merthyr, on Sunday last. This is the first ewe lamb that lias ever been yeanedm Merthyr or the district by an ewe from Yankeeland. t MR. D. A. TH03IAS\S GROCERS' LICENCES BILL. The following letter appears in the TimesSir, —There has been some idea in the House of Commons that the sympathy of the South Wales trade, both wholesale and retail, is not in favour of Mr. D. A. Thomas's Bill for the suppression of grocers' licences. Nve have great pleasure in saying the itrade are fully nraccord with the provisions of his Bill, and consider the sale of all beer and spirits should be confined to the licensed ictuallers. who arc; the proper people to conduct the same, having to pay largo sums for licences and fitting out suitable premises to accommo- date the public, and they, being under the direct con- trol both of the police and Excise authorities, furnish a sufficient guarantee for the proper conduct of this very difficult business, which is not the case with grocers,—Yours truly, S. A. BRAIN, chairman South Wales Brewers'Association J. M. GERHOLD, chair- man Cardiff Licensed "V ictu allers. The Old Brewery, Cardiff, Jan. 19."

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