Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

ACCIDENT AT DOWLAIS On Saturday morning last. as Benjamin Jones, of 10, North-street, Penydarren, and his sou, Richard Jones, were passing their occupation as colliers at their working-place in the Dowlaia Iron Company's South Tunnel Pit, an outburst of gas occurred, which burnt them both. The injured men were immediately removed to their home and attended to by Dr. Davits, under whose caie they are progressing favourably. n-+-

THE MERTHYR WOMEN'S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Merthyr Women's Liberal Association was held under the presidency* of Mrs. Gwilyrn C. -James at the vestry of Zoar Chapel, on Monday evening last. The Association congratulated Mrs. Margaret Tegwedd Williama and Mrs. Emma Williams upon their return as Guardians. Mrs. Margaret Williams responded to the compliment as also did the Secretary of the association who is the daughter of Mrs. Emma Williams. An interesting paper upon the Local Yeta v. The Gothenburg System was read by Mr. J. Dowen, Gwaelodygarth. The Ilev. J. G. James also addressed the meeting. Miss Pcllie Jenkins informed the meeting that Mr. Alfred Edmonds bad been asked to stand as the Liberal candidate for the Town Ward in the next County Council Election, and moved that the Women's Liberal Association should support him. This was seconded by Mrs. Gwilym James and carried. -+-

THE GRIP OF IRON. Although The Grip of Iron" has been played almost every night for the past ten years, and has visited almost every town in the provinces more than once, the hold it has on the public has not lessened one iota, as was evidenced by the crowded state of the Theatre Royal, Merthyr, on Monday evening. It is a melodrama, brimful of stirring incidents, but the plot is too well known to need recapitulation. Recently, however, a few changes have been made here and there, which have improved the piece," and the company has undergone a change since last it appeared before the South Wales public. Changes such as these often tend to mar a piece, but that can- not be said about the present one. Each character is well sustained, and those old actors who have been a part and parcel of the play since it first became a suc- cess seem to ha\e renewed their vigour. The scenery, too, is better, and the whole affair more complete in details, and consequently more taking than of yore. Mr. Frud Powell, as Smnnonett, the leader 'Nlr. of the notorious Stranglers of Paris, has lost none of his power, and although he has played this part more than 3,500 times, still manages to hold Ins audience in his grasp. Lorenz de Rihas is an accomplished illaiu well able to sustain a difficulty part with ease and grace. Lonstalot the Snuler is as funny as ('\cr, and "Robert do Bolfort," the young lawyer, who is in love with Marie Guerin, has a happy knack of acting in a natural and lifc-liko manner. Paul Banc-bard," the unfortunate convict un- justly condemned, is very well represented by Sfr. Gomer May, while the two detectives, Coueou, of the new school, and Dodot "of the old, whenever they appear create roars of laughter, and as of old arc warmly welcomed by tho audience. Miss Hilda Beverly (" Cora ") is an actress possessed of a power to charm, and at the same time to create for herself that true sympathy she deserve", whilst Miss Florence Nelson as "Marie Guerin" performs her part with becoming grace, and is true to life. Miss Marie Lyons a* .Sophie Blanchard must be ranked asa first-rate artiste, for she seems to enter wholly into the difficult passionate part she is called ")011 to take. Some of the thrilling scenes 111 whicli this young lady appears require a talent of no mean order but Miss Lyons scores in each. To describe tho magnificent scenery would be a difficult task, and to lie appreciated should be seen. Suliict, it to cay that nothing approaching the gorgcovis ball-room has eN ei- been seen in Merthyr. It renect3 great credit upon the scenic artist who, m response to the hearty applause of the audiences, 18 compelled each night to appear UIl, the stage, The whole, play is thrilling and sensational, but at the mmc time delightful, and whoever nnVes an oppor- tunity uf witnessing it may well regret his neglect.

'Co. _& u- SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL. By JOE HAMMEKSMITH. There hao been a storm in this household, a row in the kitchen." Something far more serious than a tempest in a teapot." It was Saturday mom, And quite calm was the skies, And it might be inferred That Ann Jane was likewise But she played it that day upon Joey, That's me, in a way I aespwe. Which we had a small card, one of those halfpenny cards, you know, inflicted on the human race for its sins by the General Post Office. That card was a bolt from the blue. It came into the hand", of Ann Jane, otherwise Mrs. H., and it read thusly Do you mean to say, dear Joe, that you went to Cardiff to the Rosebery meeting without your dear better the illustrious Mrs. H. ever, MATILDA." ¡ I should like to know, Mr. Joe Hammersmith," said the partner of my bosom, who is your Matilda?" I knew that the elements were in a turmoil. When I am called by my full name, with the Mr." put in front of it, I know that the storm signal is up. Ann Jane, my dear," I replied, in a tone that would soothe a roaring lion, calm yourself." Oh yes, it's all very well for you to talk like that. Who is yours ever, Matilda' ? That is what I want to know. Some disreputable hussy, I warrant. There never was a respectable girl with a flash name like that. And I am illustrated,' am I ? How am I illustrated,' I should like to know The tempest raged for some hours. At last it spent its force, and calmness once more reigned supreme over our quiet hearth. I assured Mrs. H. I had no more idea who Matilda was than she herself had. Yes, Mrs. H. accompanied me to Cardiff, worse luck. You should hearhershouting. "O'rMabonage' "Hen wlad fy Nhadau Mabon," "Aberystwitb,Mabon." How she screamed with delight when Lord Rosebery said the Establishment in Wales was doomed 1" I overheard some Merthyr chaps behind us saying to one another, "Sgwilia yina, bachan, dyco Joe Hammersmith a'i wrai» beniw biwr yw hi hefyd v. I never felt so ashamed in all my life. On the way back to the station I found that politics had made a nice muddle of her geography. When we came,to the Cattle she would insist on turning down the High-street, emphatically contend- ing that that was the way to the Tuff Vale terminus. I refused point blank to go with her. And there we stood, looking daggers at one another, and each marvelling at the other's stubborn stupidity. We'd have been there till now, I verily believe, had not my good friend Mr. John Morgan come along, talking polities as fast as ever he could with soue Dowlaia chips. "I'll go and ask John Morgan," said Ann Jane, for I can believe whatever he says." Come along this way, Mrs. Hammersmith," said my friend gallantly, giving his arm to the erring wanderer. 11 We very nearly lost the train. There was only jusi time to shove Mrs. H. into a third smoking full oi Rhondda Radicals, while I managed to squeeze myseli into the next compartment. And so we were parted, like the unfortunate married couples in the work- house. "Mind you come in here at Pontypridd, Joe," were my dear's parting words at Cardiff. At every station she put her head out through the window, and shouted, "Joe, Joe, are you alright, my dear V" The Rhondda Radicals laughed, and I but I will not attempt to describe my feelings. At one etation, Walnut Tree Bridge I think it was, in addition to the usual question about me, she said, 'Ve'e:\ regular smoking concert here, Joe." And some wicked imp of Satan answered and said, "la Mr. Bert The rest of the sentence was not audible by reason of the laughter. I was very glad to see Pontypridd, where I joined the partner of my joys and sorrows. She will noL bear of Mr. D. A. Thomas going to Cardiff. Without him, she says, Merthyr will go to the dogs slap bang. She won't listen to reason. You might as well argue with a tornado. The Cardiff people have no business," she says, "to take D.A. away from Merthyr. They can have anyone else they like. Why don't they give a call to Pritchard- Morgan or Alfred Davios ? If I had known of this at the Rosebery meeting I would have made a speech, and told them Cardiff chaps what I thought of them." She had an impression that Algiers, where Mr. Thomas has gone for a bit of rest, was a place in the neighbourhood of Capcoch. Do you mean to say it's in Africa. Joa ? Africa, where the black men are, where Forward wants to build railways, where poor Randolph Churchill fought with the lions ?' Great was her consternation when I answered Yes." Mr. Thomas, I explained, wanted some quiet place, where Mabon ceases from troubling him, and the Cymru Fyddites are at rest. "1 hope he'll come back safe and sound," she said, and that the lions and hyenas won't eat him up. And when he returns he may be able to solve that problem which vexes the souls of some of our Merthyr folk here whether the savage state is not happier than the civilised one. A very interesting question, that, and a most important one. I e"e the discussion was opened by our good friend, Mr. Taylor. Had we been savages, Mr. laylor would have been known by some other name, as no tailors would have been required. But Mr. D. A. Thomas will be able to tell us all about it when he comes home from Africa." The water-diviuer wbo visited Pontsticill must be a curious and interesting personage. His name is Rothwell, and ho oan say where well-springs are by the effect on his nervous system. He must be, I should think, a teetotaler, otherwise he would not be such an authority on water. As he lives in Cardiff, the police of that town might utilise him as a dis- coverer of shebeens. Mrs. H. was much interested in the account of him given by Hen Lane in last week's Times. She thinks" very highly indeed of Hen Lane," and is only sorry he should be foolish enough not to take unto himself a wife. All clever men ought to be married," she often says. Now let me give my readera something cheerful and comforting to wind up with. Hero it is: "The expenses of the Queen's household during last year amounted to nearly £173,000, and upwards of £ 131,000 went in salaries." 1 hats money well spent, eh? That's a profitable investment, isn't it? Having so much money in this country we do not know what to do with it, is very sensible of us to devote B173,000 of it to maintain a certain household every year. Some day the people of the United Kingdom will gettiredof this kind of thing. They will come to think that spendme £ 173,000 a year on one household "ain't good enough for them." And they will respectfully, but firmly, request the Government to devote that cash to something better and more useful. You and I, dear reader, have to work hard from early morn to dewy eve, to produce that money, and we ought to havo something to say as to how it is spent Households that cost £ 173,000 to keep up for a year, are luxuries we cannot long afford t»--enjoy in this country. More especially so, if said households are as barren and as unproductive of good as the sandhills on the sea-shore. As a rule we pay inoneyj" for value received." W hat value," I should like to know, do we receive foi this £ 173,000 ? Consider what these figures mean. They are not much less in amount than the actual nett tithe received by the Established Clergy in the whole of Wales. The clergy do something in return for the money, but the "household" in question does nothing it produces nothing, adds nothing to the sum total of the wealth of the community. There are some 65,000 people living in the parish of Merthyr; the money spent on the Queen's "household" every year would give give close upon LS to each man, woman, and child, from Dowlais Top to Treharris. Reckoning five to the family, there are 13,000 households in Merthyr, and each of them, sup- posing the £ 173,000 were divided amongst them, would receive a sum of over £ 13. Really this is a matter the nation had better see to. -+-

POXTSTICILL WATER QUESTION. PARISH v. DISTRICT COUNCILS. At the Vaynor Parish Council on Friday night, Mr. J. Rogers in the chair, Mr. James Parry, Pont- sticill, rose to call attention to the water question at Pontsticill. Since the last meeting he had been rather bamboozled, ho said, by the doings of the Dis- trict Council (laughter), which had stepped in and taken the matter out of the hands of the Parish Council. He had lived at Ponsticill for the last 24 years, and he ought to know something about the matter. Twenty-four years ago the water supply was pure and healthy. But since then a number of pri- vies had been erected in the place, and matter from these worked its way to the water. Dr. Dyke and other scientific authorities declared the water con- tained animal matter, and that it was consequently unfit for human consumption. Attempts had been made to find a spring, but without success. A depu- tation of the inhabitants had waited on the Rural Sanitary Authority, but that body did not take any steps to secure a supply of pure water. Recently a gentleman from Cardiff, named Rothwell, had paid them a visit. Mr. Rothwell was a water-diviner, or water-finder, and he was a most interesting man to be with (laughter). He went round the neighbourhood, and at last he came to a spot where he said there was a spring. He knew that from the effect of the spring on his nerves (laughter), and he said the water was 15 feet deep. Mr. Parry then weut on to deal with the epidemic of diphtheria which bad lately visited the locality. He was of opinion that the epidemic was caused by the filthy water which they had to drink, though Dr. Dyke said the disease had been imported from elsewhere. He should very much like to know how it wa.s that the District Council had taken this matter np when it was already being dealt with by the Parish Council. The1 Chairman thanked Mr. Parry for his very in- teresting statement. He was sure the District Council had no intention or bamboozling anybody on this subject. It was the duty of the District Council to provide water. If it did not do that, then the Parish Council could complain to the County Council, who would compel the District Council to do the work, or do it themselves. This matter was in the hands of the District Council before the Parish Council took it up, it having been transferred to them from the defunct Rural Sanitary Authority. The District Council would, of course," carry it through, and no notice was required to be sent to the I'aiish Council. Mr. Parry But the District Council have no power to enter into any contract without civiug notice thereof to the Parish Council.Mr. W. Meredith Who will have to pay for this improvement? In my opinion the landlords ought to pay for it.—Mr. I. Morris: The work taken in hand by the District. Council is only a continuation of what had already 'i 11 14 v been done. It is not a new w ork, and tho cost is only £ 6 5s., which is too trifling to quarrel about. --Mr, I Parry: The work in all will cost from £35 to £ 40.— The Chairman: That is so. Mr. Parry is quite right, Mr. Morris.—Mr. Price: The District Council have no right to ?pend any money, no matter bow small the sum, without giving notiee to the Parish Council.—Mr. Parry I should think we ought to get the opinion of the Local Government Board on the matter, and I propose that the question be pent up to them.—Rev. W. B. Griffith moved that a com- mittee of seven be appointed to make enquiry into the whole matter, and find out the relative positions of the District and Parish Councils with regard to the water question. Then there was the question of expense. Should the expense be borne by Pontsticill alone, or by the whole district?—Mr. W. Meredith seconded Mr. Griffiths' motion, which was carried with only one dissentient.—The committee elected were: Messrs. Harpur, Parry, Price, W. Edwards, T. Morris, W. Evans, and Rev. W. B. Griffith.-Mr. Parry wanted to know whether the District Council would agree to let the matter remain in abeyance until this committee had presented their report.—The Chairman I am afraid they won't listen to you.- Mr. Parry: Then I may as well sit down (laughter).

MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. In School Board elections the parties are nowadays called Sectarians and Unsectarians. The Unsectarians take their stand on the principle that every school which is supported by public funds should be under public control. They regard it as an injustice that the whole community should be taxed to maintain schools established by sects, in which distinctive sectarian dogmas are taught, and which are entirely controlled by the sects. They hold that the State should provide elementary education for all children without distinction of sect or creed, and that the children of the working classes should be given the most thorough and efficient education possible. The Sectarians think it is a just and a proper thing that their schools should he supported by the com- munity. They already get nearly all their income from public funds, and they ask for still more. The competitions of the Board School bears heavily on them, and, under the false cry of Economy," they seek to diminish the efficiency of the Board Schools. If this is permitted, the children ot the toilers will have to suffer in older that the sectarian schools may not be left too far hehind in the educational race. Speaking generally, the Sectarians, in this district, consist of Churchmen and Catholics, though many of the former are in favour of the State schools system and the Unsectarians are made up of Nonconformists and Lilieral Churchmen.

QUAKERS' YARD. A public meeting was held last Friday evening at Libanus Chapel in support of the candidature of Mr. W. M. Evans, Treharris. There was a fair attend- ance. Mr. William Richards, Pentwyn, was voted to the chair, and said he was glad to have the oppor- tunity to say a few words in favour of Mr. Evans, and promised to do all in his power for him. Mr. W. M. Evans then addressed the meeting, and spent some time in ably defending himself against the attacks that had been made in the press against him. He said he was an unsectarian candidate, and pro- mised, if returned, to discharge his duty to the best of his ability. The following gentlemen also addressed the meeting Councillor Prosser, Mr. Joseph Pearce, and Mr. John Williams. The following resolution was carried unanimously :—" That tins meeting approves of the candidature of Mr. W. M. Evans, and promises him every support in order to make it a success.

ASSAULTING COUNTY COURT BAILIFFS. John Simons was charged, at the Alierdare Police- court on Tuesday, with assaulting John Young and John Kinsman, two officers of the County Court. Mr. Kenshole prosecuted on behalf of the High Bailiff of the court, and Mr. J. W. Evans defended. John Young, a County Court bailiff, said that on the 17th inst. he had an order to distrain upon the defen- dant's goods for the amount of £ 117s. 3d. Defendant would not admit them, and when he saw Kinsman coming up he got a pun and threatened to shoot them. They closed in ou him, and in the struggle for the gun ho received several kicks, and his watch chain was broken. Eventually they took him to the police- station. The money was afterwards paid. The defendant was in drink. John Kinsman corroborated. P.S. Evans said that the defendant was brought to the police-titation in a drunken state. Defendant told liim that he had only seized the gun so that they shouIdnottH.keit. Fined £ 1 and costs, or month.

j HOPE MI TT:AT, IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. —This society met, as usual, 0.1 Thursday evening:, when there was a I good attendance of memt>ers. The Rev. D. C. | Kdwards took the- chair. Mr Jesse Taylor read a I paper "That the savage state iF more conducive to 5 happiness than the Hvilized being." A division was taken aud 10 voted iu favour of being savages, and 12 pre/erred their present state. To-night, Mr. John 1 Evans, F.L.S., will read a paper on "Mute Sermons" when all who desire an intellectual treat should be present.

POLICE CorKT. —Monday, before Messrs. W. M. North (sti|K-ndiary\ Thomas Williams, and C. II. James. THE THIRSTY* BRIGADE. —The following joined this brigade Ellen Humphreys, Mary Kiley, David Williams, John Richards John Hopkins, and John Davies. OBSCENE LANGUAGE.—Mary Ann Wheeler was charged with using obscene language. and upon the evidence of I'.C. Henry was fined 2s. 6d. WITHOUT LIGHTS.—John Tavlor was Fuiti- moned for driving a horse and spring cart without lights, at Cardiff-road, Troedyrhiw, and was fined 5s. or 7 days.——Daniel Longhor was summoned for leaving his horse and cab without anybody in charge in Plymouth-street, and fined 10s. and costs. KISINO Sty CASE. —John Davies, Timothy Toomev, and David Henderson, were summoned for being in the Rising Sun on Christmas Day, during illegal hours, and fined 10s. and costs each or 10 days.

MARKET SQUARE CIIATET. ANNUAL TEA. —On Thursday evening, the annual tea in connection with the Market Square Congregational Chapel, was held in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance, and an excellent tea was prov ided. The tables were presided over by the following ladies Mrs. Harris, Mrs-. Gomer Jones, Sirs. Peter Williams, Mrs. Hooper, Mrs. Coleman, and Miss Gearing, and weie ably assisted by several of the ladies of the congregation. After tea. Rev. J. G. James, pastor, took the chair, and gave a general report, and the work of the church and its auxiliaries. Reports were also given hy Mr. H. A. Hooper, conductor of the choir, Mr. Ivor Daniel, minute secretary of the Sun- day School, Mr. Harry Nobes, of the Sunday School branch at Caedraw, Mr. Ernest Daniel, of the Band of Hope, Mr. Strovan, of the Missionary Society, Mr. Henry Davies, of the Young Men's Imuro\ emeut Class, Mr. Hatty, of the Reading Circle, Miss Jessie Clearing and Mr. James Watts, of the Caedraw Mission, aud Mr. Llewellyn Jenkins, of the Christian | Endeavour Society, all showing very encouraging prospects and favourable reports of the work done. The evening was afterwards devoted to games.

¡ Tl>«f. line fui! of clotlw, to perfect'^ SlATLItLLJ-S CXEAJTSELERS been used, that is eaiiir tten The "MrarnvF TIIIF.6'' ie DELIVERED TO Subscribers at and address in Merthyr and Pe*1ais. Country subscribers can ij -.vc thdr copies js-s' eo on Thurslay mrruiil; iu time fur the filA delivery on t n'hy mc ruing.

TEMPERANCE AT DOWLAIS. ADDRESS BY MR. WILLIAM HARRIS. The members of the recently formed Rechabite Tent gave an entertainment at Beulah English Baptist Chapel, on Thursday evening, Mr. William Harris, United States Yiee-eonsul at Cardiff, pre- sided, and there was a capital attendance, despite the wretched state of the weather.—The Chairman said it was gratifying to aU friend" of temperance to know that during the last three years, three tents of Recha- bites had been opened in Dowlais, and that another was about to be opened at Moriah Schoolroom. But gratifying though the present position of Rechabitism was, he hoped they would do still better, so that ere long there would be. a tent in connection with overy church in the town. Jt was always a good sign to see the young people joining societies of that kind, for the children of to-day had the future in their own hands. Many questions that at present agitated the public mind, and the issue of which seemed doubtful, would bo settled in the easiest way by iho-e who were children to-day. Among the questions they would have to decide would be the great question of public- houses, and if only the children remained faithful to the teachings of the Rechabites, thev would decidu that question in the right way. He was gratified to note the continued progress of the Order of Recha- bites. Temperance advocates knew that its principles were right and would pre vail. He held in his hand the 59th annual report, so that they would see that the Order was comparatively young, being only 59 years of age. The report showed that excellent pro- gress was being made. for during the last year there had been an increase of 7,340 members, the numbers boinsc 120,437 as against 113,097 in the previous year, lu the juvenile tents the progress was equallv marked, the totals haviug been raised from 61,667 to 65,804, or an increase of 4.137, Such progress they would an admit was extremely gratifying, particularly when they remembered that the Rechabites were but one branch of the temperance army. And they were hoping for a still further increase, for they had 'a,.lb. in the ultimate triumph of temperance principles. If they turned to the financial position of the Rechabites, they would find that the progress made was equally satisfactory. Ihe total amount of the funds of the Order was £ 668,000, l>oing an increase for the year of about £ 48,000. Although the teut at Beulah was the youngest in Dowhug, it was, lie was proud to say, the strongest also. It had been said that" R littJo chIld shall lead them," and they who. like himself, had neglected their duty to the cause should he glad that there was a band of little people who were showing them their duty.—The entertainment was commenced bv Mr. Luscombe singing "The little hero." He waf followed by Miss Maggie Jenkins, who sang her favourite song, "Alone ou the raft." This was al! the miscellaneous programme, for after it came a I temperance service of song, entitled "Tho little captain." The narrative first recounts the fall of George Greggs through )); inability to resist tempta- tion, Rud the descent into poverty of his wife and I family. While living in one of the most miserable dens of the city, Jamie Greggs, the little captain," wins the hearts of the rowdy bovs bv his kind and gentle manner, and while his father'is sinking lower and lower he bands the boys together in the Cold '7 Spring olunteers, of which he isunanimouslv chosen captain. The death of little Paul, his baby son, has no effect upon George Greggs, and Jamie, under neglect of ill-health, fades into consumption. His father, in a fit of drunken madness, strikes him to the I ground when he attempts to save his mother from her husband's brutality. Jamie dies, and when tbn I delirium is over, Gregg realises the full horror of what he has done, and the boy by hi* death brings about his father s redemption, which, while living, he could not accomplish. Som- of the incidents woven into the narrative are horriblv repulsive, while others are pathetic to the verge of sadness. The music throughout is extremely pretty, and there is a total absence of padding. The very long list of choruses were sung by the Rechabite Juvenile Choir, led by Mr. W. J. Jenkins, and it is not too much to say that they acquitted themselves with brilliant success. The voices were wonderfully sweet, and the singing was admirable. The enunciation was excellent, and the children had a very heavy task to get through. but they never once flagged. The solos, &c.. were sung by Mrs. W. J. Jenkins, Master Samuel Evans, and Master Freddy Morgan, all of whom acquitted themselves capitally. The narrative was read by Miss Matilda A. Jones, who may be congratulated on having, in great part, contributed to the success of the enter- tainment. Miss Jones is unquestionably one of tbe best readers we have ever heard every word was clearly pronounced, and there was a complete absence of exaggeration, false punctuation, and false emphasis. All the principal events in the career of The Little Captain were illustrated bv limelight views, the lantern being manipulated with their usual skill by the Miases Loveband. A fun* the last scene in tho j narrative had been shown, Mr. W. D. Thomas moved a vote of thanks to the Church at Beulah for giving the use of the chapel for the entertainment, to tho Misses Loveband for their invaluable services with the limelight, and to the chairman. The last-named having briefly responded, the proceedings ended with the singing of the Dismissal" hymn. It should not be omitted that the accompaniments were played bv Miss May Evans, Umon-street. and Master Teddv Evans, East-street. Both did splendid work, and were of material assistance to the choir. I

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THE POINTS AT ISSUE. [BT IANTO GooH). Joe: Well, Dai, the School Board election will be on very soon now. How are you going to vote, bachan ? Dai: There is only one how about it, I should say. Jim What is that ? Dai: Fancy asking such a question The whole matter lies in a nutshell. Jim What is that nutshell, Dai ? Dai: The half-crown rate, of course. I vote for the candidates who will reduce the rate, ta lieth. Jim: Hum. Dai: It is monstrous that there should be a half- crown rate. The old Board must have been spending money like water. Jim: I suppose you think, Dai, that the School Board rate is nalf-a-crown in the pound. Dai: Is there any doubt on that point, Jim ? Jim Very much, I should say. Dai: How is that ? I was in the taproom of the Roaring Lion last night, and everyoody said the rate was nalf-a-crown. Jim All that glitters is not gold, Dai, and every- thing said in a. taproom is not true. Don't you be bamboozled. There are men going about just now telling the most awful crams about the School Board. They not only put things in a wrong light, but actually invent falsehoods wholesale. Shall I give you an instance ? Dai Yes. Jim Well, have you been told that the rate is so high because of the money spent on the new Inter- mediate School at Penydarren ? Dai I have been told 80. Isn't it true ? Jim Not likely. The Intermediate Schools are supported by a county rate, and the School Board has nothing whatever to do with it. Dai: That surprises me, bachan. Jim Will you be surprised to bear that the School Board rate for the half-year is only It. 3d., and not j I Ou flA Dai Bachan, bachan Jim And that the rate for the first half of the year was only 8d., making If. lid. for the year? Dai: But how does the half-crown rate come in, Jim ? That's what I want to know. Jim The half-crown includes several rates. There is the School Board rate, the poor rate, and one or two minor rates. Dai So the School Board rate is Is. lid. for the year, making an average of llAd. per half year ? Jim Quite so. Dai But there is one thing that still puzzles me. In the first half year the rate was only M., and in the second half it jumped up to Is. 3d. That's a big increase, and the Board must have spent a huge lot of money in the second half of the year. How do you explain that, Jim? Jim First of all you should understand quite clearly that there was no increase in the expenditure of the Board during the second half of the year as compared with the first half. Understand also that there was no increase on the whole year as compared with the year before. I can give you the figures from the Triennial Report. In 1894 the exiienaiture was £16,666, and in 1893, £ 16,629. Dai This shows that the rate now ought to be what it was in 1893. Jim Exactly so. You are clear on that point now, aren't you? Dai; Yes. But the increase in the rate still puzzles me, Jim. Here we have a h. 3d. rate this half year. You can't get over that. Jim That puzzles a great many people besides you, Dai. To get an explanation we must go to the overseers. Dai Mercy, mercy. I shan't be able to under- stand anything at all about that matter, Jim, and you might as well leave it alone yes, indeed truth, Jim. Jim But there, are some things yon can easily understand. You know that the School Board do not levy the rates. They simply go to the overseers and say, Wo want so much money by such-and-such a date." Then the overseers work out the figures and levy a rate that will bring in the amount required. The Board of Guardians do the same thing. Dai Yes, that's clear. Jim It is the overseers' business to get in enough money to meet the requirements of the School Board and the Board of Guardians. Sometimes it happens that they levy a rate that is too small, and they fall into arrears with their accounts. That is what hap- pened this half year. They hadn't got sufficient money to give the School Board, and they had to levy a heavier rate to make the deficiency good. Dai I think I see it now. Jim If they had levied a School Board rate of 11-id. the first half of the year, instead of 8d., a rate of lljd. only would have been required this half year, and not Is. 3d. There is no sudden or excep- tional increase in the expenditure of the Board. Dai And the increased rate is to be accounted for by the arrears which the overseers have to wipe off ? Is that it, Jim ? Jim That is it exactly, Dai. I'm glad you take it in so quickly. Dai I don't think the half-crown bogey will frighten me any more. I am not a clever man, but I am clever enough to see that this half-crown business is a dodge made use of by some people to mislead the electors. It won't mislead me. There are other things to be considered, are there not, Jim ? Jim Yes, many other things, Dai, and some of them very important. They are thiugs that we working chaps ought to understand, for they affect the welfare of our children very closely. Dai Gaffer coming, Jim we'll resume the subject some other time.

MERTHYR. The following is a list of probable candidates for the Town Ward — Messrs. C. H. James, J.P., Rev. John Thomas, Zoar, W. L. Daniel, J. M. Berry, J. R. Da vies, and Alfred Edmonds. These have been selected by the Congregationalists, and a further and a final selection will be made a few days hence, when the number will probably be reduced.

To the Editor. Sin, —la your issue of last week Mr. Henry Da vies has the audacity to dispute my statement with refer- ence to his magnificent income, but he is careful not to state the actual amount he enjoys. Now, sir, although almost incredible, I find from a reliable authority, no less than a county councillor, that Mr. Da vies* salary this year will be nearer JB500 than JB250. Instead of beating about the bush, will Mr. Davies inform us what he actually receives, if I am wrong in my figures? Considering the services he renders, and time employed, this will compare well with the enor- mous salary paid to the clerk of the County Council, which has been so much denounced by the ratepayers. For a long time working men have had to submit to continual reductions in their wages. But our public officials have had rich harvest. What has Mr. Davies done for the ratepayers that ha should come forward to seek their suffrage? The fact that he is offering himself is a proof he does not know what to do with his spare time. Is not this too bad Awaiting Mr. Davies' further reply,—Yours, &e" pLl'MPER. r^'i- Personally. I have liothiug against either Mr. Evans or Mr. Davies. Both of them, I have 110 doubt, would make very good and very useful members of the School Board, and would serve us loyally and faithfully to the best of their ability. But my idea is that Treharris ought to send a bowr$d<- working man ou the Board. To my mind, it i's a* important for us workmen to be represented by one of ourselves on the School Board as on anv other public body. It is important, because the Board Schools are the only means of education within our reach. Wealthy folk send their children to the grammar schools aud the cottages, and it does not matter very much to them whether the lioard Schools are efficient or not. But for our children these schools are the end a~w as the beginning of their education we cannot afford to send them to any other institutions. There- fore it is of the utmost importance that the education siiould lfc the best possible, the most efficient and the most thorough. And therefore the working classes should have a direct voice in the control of the elemeiiLarv schools. Treharris is a town made up entiiely of the working ciasse: and It is not unreasonable toa>k that it should be repiosen.^d on the Board by a genuine working 'tber Mr. Davies nor Mr. E\ans ans wers to tins description, and I would respectfully ask the two to retire from the contest, and give the sons of toil a chance to fight for their rights. If the two present persist in going to the poll, they will both of them, very likely, be defeated. My suggestion, I think, i: the best and nmpleBt way out of tbe difficulty. If a working-man came out ae candidate, he would get the solid supjiort of the voters. What support the present candidates, or either of them will nave is a very doubtful point. The workmen, as far as my experience goes, feel very lukewarm about the whole business. We have two or three men that would make very strong candidates, and who would command the united support of the mass of the electors.—Yours kllly, A SoN OF THE PIT.

To the Editor of the Merikjtr Tim*■?. SrB,—I &hal! deem it a favcur if I may be allowed to make a few observations relative to some state- ments made by your correspondents in your issue of January 24th concerning the two Treharris candi- dates. In your general statemont concerning the position of affairs at Treharris, you state that the most serious charge which the opponents of Sir. W. M. Evans have to bring against bim is "that he is rather too much inclined to carry on public business in a denomi- national manner, and to favour too much those who Ijelong to his own, the Methodist denomination." As this statement may influence many who are not inti- mate with Mr. Evans, and thus prove detrimental to his suceess, I think it but a duty on my part, although of a different denomination to that of Mr. I*, vans', and therefore not biased in his favour, to assure your readers that such an assertion is entirely uncalled for. A few faots may serve to enlighten the filf^etora on thin n,,¡nt. 1- Of the six names attached to the notice convening Mr. Evans' first meeting. I find that one only is a Methodist. At the meeting held at the Treharris Public Hall on Friday, January, 22nd, in support of Mr. Evans' candidature, there was but a very meagre sprinkling of Methodists present the chairman and nearly every one of the speakers belonged to other denominations. These facts may serve to convince your readers that Mr. Evans has not been dipped in the Methodistical tub to the extent indicated in the paragraph referred to. With regard to Mr. Davies' candidature, I nm firmly convinced that he exhibits extreme indiscre- tion in entering the field as a candidate. His duties aa lecturer in mining ought to occupy a foremost posi- tion in his mind but it ia evident that during the next six weeks or so Mr. Davies will be simply steeped in electioneering tactics. Moreover, apart from the claim which the public have upon his time, it is more than possible that a position as member of the Merthyr School Board may tend to create friction between Mr. Davies and his employers, and this is an aspect of the question well worthy of his calm con- sideration. Mr. Davies denial of the statements concerning his salary is in itself most misleading. He is quite right when he asserts that the statements are incorrect, but instead of falling short of £ 250, as one would natur- ally infer from the manner of his denial, am I not correct when I suite that the said salary exceeds £ 250 ? If Mr. Davies wishes to prove himself to be what he calls himself, the colliers' friend," I think he can better do so by using his superabundant energy and time in promoting the welfare of his pupils, tbe sons of the worlrmen in his district, than by dabbling in School Board elections. I trust that before the polling day comes round the electors will have seen that Mr. Evans baa undoub- tedly a far stronger claim upon their support, inas- much as he has proved himself to be, not only an earnest educationist, but one who can keep hit weather-eye open to the interests of those who have to "pay the piper," he being himself an important ratepayer.—Yours, tc.,

To the Editor. SIR, —Allow me to thank your correspondent Plumper for calling attention to the fact that one of the Treharris candidate?, Mr. Henrv Davies, ga\a free education to the children at Treharris long before the Government made tuis law. As a parent I cannot forget how IMr. Davies. who was then master of tbe Treharris School, established scholarships for poor children from the proceeds of his concerts, how the School Board paid him a special vote of thanks for his trouble, and how the local press, both English and Welsh, complimented him upon his energy and fore- sight. Further, one cannot forget how years before the recommendation was in the codes, a library, museum, musical drill, harmonium, &c., were features at his school. The watches given to encourage attendance are also not forgotten. This is the kind of member we require on our Board, one who can see far enough ahead to try and guide and shape codes and laws, and not one who will blindly allow them to pass, then protest against them after expenses have been incurred. Allow me also to remind Mr. W. M. Evans how, at the last election, he promised to support any indepen- dent candidates in future as a condition for soliciting their support at that time. How forgetful of Mr. Evans not to remember such a trifle. He has had his chance, but failed to fulfil his promises, or to reach the expectations when on the Board, and it is, I think, his duty to retire now that other may have an opportunity. To propose votes of thanks he is now specially qualified after his long training, and I would advise him to keep to his excellent work.—Yours truly, PARENT.

To the Editor. Sin,-—I would feci obliged for a small space in your valuable paper to call the attention of your readers to one or two points in connection with our Treharris candidates. First of all we have Mr. W. M. Evans, a young gentleman who was at one time a pupil teacher, but for some reason best known to himself he gave up scholastic work and became a grocer. On one occa- sion a public meeting was held at Treharris to select a candidate for the School Board. The Rev. W. Jonea was "elected by a very large majority, hut Mr. W. M. Evans, notwithstanding this, hecame a candidate, as the Independents voted for him. In threo years the Independent-1, disgusted with the narrow sectarian actions of Mr. Evans, withdrew their support, and he was amongst the unsuccessful. But again he appeals to the same people for their support. On what grounds I cannot tell. Then we have Mr. Henry Davies, a workman's son who has succeeded bv energy and perseverance to come to the foremost rank in the teaching profession. Hii school gained the much-coveted distinction of lieing exempted from examination one year, receiving at the same time the excelbnt merit grant. No greater honour could bo gained for a school. For years he acted as secretary to many of our local insti- tutions, refusing at all times to accept any fee for so doing. His salary, as secretary to the "Library, he handed to the funds of tho Cardiff Infirmary. Although not desirous of public honours, he was returned unopposed to the Board of Guardians, but afterwards retired in favour of a Labour candidate and now, at the express wish of the labouring classes, he has consented to become a candidate tor the Merthyr School Board. This Board was never more in need of experienced practical men at its deliberations, and now, w hilst all sections of the community are crying for a reduction of rates, what can be more desirable than to return one conversant with every detail of educational work to the Board ? I do not wish to say a word against ministers or tradesmen being on the Board, but I really believe that one of the travelling staff of our South Wales University College would be a distinct gain in the direction of efficiency with economy. He refuses to pledge himself to any political lines, but it is hoped that he will, at an early opportunity, publicly express his views on educational questions. Yours, &c., EDCCATIONItST.

HAVE THE QUAKER'S YARD PEOPLE A VOTE. Mr. E. Edwards, J.P, Pcnlan, still persists in the opinion that the inhabitants of this district, which is that part of Llanfabon recently taken over by the Merthyr authorities, will have no vote at the forth- coming election. He says we remain as we were before as regards education, and that oil,, only course is to petition for the establishment of a School Board for the parish of Llanfabon. It would be well if the authorities made a definite statement one way or the other, as this matter at present is in a very perplexed state.

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. Recorded at Brynteg. Approximate height above sea level, 685 feet. I>ate. Direction of Ruin- Thrinioincter Rea'lin-«s. Wind fall. Mux. Min. Wet. I»n\ Jan. 24 W '06 42 32 40 4(5 25 NW -059 40 32 33 34 ,,26 XW -0 35 20 31 31 ,,27 NE -0 32 15 27 27 „ 28 SE -0 32 26 25 26 „ 29 SK -0 31 20 27 27 ,,30 E '0 31 19, 20 20 Total, 0.65.

'T [ BY THE WAY. a "Pindiatt like" is a delicious misprint in a Cardifi £ contemporary for "pendente fc'te," 9 There seems to be wonderful vitality in Aber- t dare. The number of births during the past year wae 1,483, against 764 deaths. This gives a birth rate of 9 35 per 1,000, and a death rate of 18 per 1,000. There was a philosopher at Sir William Hai-court's meeting at Derby. He wanted to know whether a pig waa of more value than an M.P. If depends, we should say, on the M.P. Three designs have been suggested for the Cefn Parish Council seal: a football, a public-house, or a small garden ou Cilsanws. Heu Lane" is to be called in to decide the matter. The "longest" and the "driest" long room in Mertbyr is situated just outside the entrance to the railway station, and it is there you get the best and choicest music. I Two Merthyr journalists were on Monday enrolled members of the Institute of Journalist^, namely, Mr. Alfred Edmonds, of the Exp-rog, and Mr. J. O. I Jones, of the Timea Dr. Pan Jones says in the (kit If I had to live under a landlord give me a lord who had inherited his lands from his father, and not a lord who had bought ¡I land with the money saved when he was in business in Liverpool. It took the Merthyr Guardiarv twenty minutes on Saturday to decide whether a pauper, 84 years of age, should have a 4s. 6d. pair of boots or not. Rome of theyounger Guardians areseriouslyconsidering whether their time would not be bettor occupied at home. A Merthyr youth, fresh home from school, made use of a very long word. His sister challenged him to give the meaning of the said word. A debate ensued. Finally the young man said, "Well, you'd better go and insult the dictionary." Professor Hughes, of Cardiff, has an article in the (itninea aljout Welsh castles. When be has been beaten by Mr. William Jones in Arfon, he is going to write an litticle on Political Castle Building in North Wales." The Vaynor Parish Councillors are in revolt. They are not going to sit on any longer, and want the School Board to provide chairs. The jienholders j supplied also are not quite up to the mark. They may do for the School Board folk, but not for the Coun- cillors. A cot respondent in tbe Lhm denounces the Estab- lished clergy for their stiffness and formality," and for their action in holding aloof from temperance work. All that will be put right, no donbt, when the Church ha £ been disestablished. Why are the churches so sparsely attended on Sunday mornings?" asks II Swyddog Eglwyeigin the Elan, And he gives the reply Because of the effects of drinking on the Saturday nights." No wonder some of the L!an correspondents deplore the alliance between the Church and the public-house. 'Twas at a lecture in Merthyr this very week. A vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer and the chairman. The lecturer said, I am very much obliged to you for being so much obliged to me," and the chairman added, I say ditto to Mr. ——— Brief and to the point. In the Vaynor Parish Council there is one member who docs not understand English, and oue whose knowledge of Welsh is very limited. It ia a kind of continual see-saw competition between the two language". When the English has had a pretty long innings the Welshmen sings out Ticyn o Gymraeg bellach w." Mr. Goodfellow, the excellent collector of the Merthyr District Council, was at the banquet the other night, but be was told that he was not the only good fellow in the room, for the chairman was there. The most national gentleman present, according to Mr. Wills, was Mr. Harp-wv, and he was well strung. At a local church there has lately been a. very funny phenomenon observable in the sounds that the organ is made to give forth. In the middle of prayer, fog signals are sounded, aud in the last hymn it goes galloping along at a tine pace. The cold has evi- dently entered its lungs. We wish it speedy restora- tion to its accustomed vigour. Mrs. Rose Mary Crawehay, who is wintering in Veuice, has just written to Mr. WTilkins, the author of Kilsanos": Your well written book has interested me much." It may be added that the philosopher sketched in the book was one of Mrs. Crawsliay's oldest and most attached friends. Among the Merthyr townsmen who are going to be summonsed for neglecting to clear off the snow from the pavement in front of their houses is (EO the story goes) a police officer well known in the neigh- bourhood. It will not be anything new for him to appear before the be:tka, though in this cane lie will have to play a somewhat different role. In a certain Merthyr debating society held this week a discussion came on concerning baxaar". The question of intoxicants contained iu certain delicacies sold in these bazaars was raised, and one speaker em- phatically declared that there was no brandy put in tripe." He meant trifle. But after all, says our special punster, it is only a trifle. One of the most remarkable incidents at the District Council Banquet was the froid with which one of the guests passed off a joke at his owu expense. He was handed a piece of paper which hore the words, "Please don't eat p^as with your knife or you may cut your tongue." The diner either could not or would not see that the remark referred to him, so lie passed the paper round. Would we could reproduce a block from Pi,-turr Politic*, entitled, "The Choice of King Demos. The King sits on his throne, and two men apj>ear before him, each holding a piece of paper in his hand. On one is written, A peer by the accident of birth," and on the OtiiT, Elected by the votes of the people." The gentleman who holds the latter is the very image of Mr. Alfred Davies. of Hampstead. Mr. Davies is quite as good as a lord any day of the week. Haviug heard that Mr. I). A. Thomas, M.P., had goue to Algiers our own special jokeuiaker rushed into the office and asked, What is the difference between the senior member and the Prodigal Son Of course, we all gav e it up after repeated attempts at a solution of the conundrum, and were told, The Prodigal Son was embraced by his father on his return from a far country, whereas Mr. I). A. Thomas, the Welsh prodigal, went to a far country after receiving the embrace." The editor threw au inkpot after the vanishing joker, and now a bill has been presented from the young man's washerwoman. A few day" ago a very interesting pre.sentation was made to a well-known Welsh journalist Mr. D. Edwards, the manager of the Xottinyhiua Erprces. Mr. Edwards acted as conductor of a literary meeting at Cysegv Chai>el,Llanddeinioleii, thechapel which he attended in his youth, when the pastor, on behalf of the committee, presented him with a beautiful slate picture fnuT", cut from the hearthstone of his old homo at Peurhos. The ohl house, in which Mr. Edwards' deceased father and grandfather had lived, had just)been pulled down, and the hearthstone was utilized in the manner described, unknown to Mr. Edwards himself or any of his relatives resident in the place. At a sale of property the other evening at Mountain Ash, after the usual conditions and pre- liminariea had beeu attended to, the auctioneer, as per rule, invited any one present to ask any questions relative to the sale. A moment or two passed and no one responded. At last a well-known wit enquired if he could trouble the auctioneer with just one ques- tion. The auctioneer, full of smiles, observed, Yes, with pleasure." Then," continued the wit, may I ask the simple question if I can have two pennorth of Irish whiskey ?" Tho nom was convulsed with laughter for several minutes, and on silence being restored the genial man of the hammer said that his friend should have the whiskey, and to show his appreciation of the cratur he would make it three pennyworth. This is what Jerome K. Jerome says in To-Day about what John Bright called the incestuous union between Church and State Christianity, when it is degraded into the tool of a party, has never been anything else than a curse to humanity. In such con- nection it has produced nothing more worthy than the turbulence of Homan mobs, the massacre of St. Bartholomew, the Spanish Inquisition, and the tires of Siuithfield. Christianity has been the blessing it was intended to be ouly when it has confiued itself to its true mission, as plainly laid down by its Founder, and appealed to the inner life of the individual. A Christian State and a State Christianity is a lie in terms. There can be no honest traffic between the two. Mr. T. H. Bailey's banquet was the best of its kind ever given in Merthyr, and no wonder Colonel Lewis described it as the first mayor's banquet. The was in French, and it was a treat to rce a J.P., two pressmen and an ex-pressman, two county councillors, and a labour member trying to find out before th" dinner what were the Ijest dishes. "Tutntues a la bonne Femme' is my illyle," said the Great and Only. And I'll have Tommpd de terre' said another of the company, but when he was told that that meant" the apples of the earth" he changed his mind. One would have this and the other that, and things were getting rather warm when a well-known solicitor's services wero requisitioned. He was a good Frenchman, and soon set them right; but when be mentioned as his favourite dish sturgTon a la Yolga" the party collapsed.

ESTIMATES are givrn for ill kinds of Prmting—Art!dfS and Memorandums of Association, CondftloTis of taks Postrm, Magazines. Books. Circular?, and c\ en- descrirt'op rf LeWerpress Printing. Call or write to theTl^lliis rKl>Tl>"0 COMTA> V, 0ENY &TK5IW, MSRTHTK.

I J. JEREMIAH, the only agent for Samuel Mason's Prize Bar Fittings and Bar Engines, for Merthyr, Dowlais, Aberdare. Pontypridd, Mountain Ash, Rhondda Valley, Rhymney, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Brynmawr, Blackwood, Ac., &c.—Address, J. Jere- miah, Bar Fitter, Plumber, and Decorator, 36, High- street, Merthyr. and 2, North-street, DoA-Lns. Estimates free distance no object. I) Fresh fish daily from all parts of the coast. D. Price, of Dowlais, begs to inform his numerous friends Hnd patrons that he has commenced business j at No. 54, Gle'w-land-street, Merthyr, and he hopes to be favoured with a share of their patronage. Fresh oysters daily. All kinds of fish in season. Families J waited upon, with bill of fare, every morning. Note I the address 54, Glebeland-street, Mertl j-r. 2575 „ J- F. DOCTON, 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 2^1. per piece. Hundreds of job lots of p;q>er- hangings must be cleared out regardles") of price to I make room for our new stock of paperhanginge. Our I gold paperbauging*, from 9d. per piece, i,- a marvel of cheapness. A staff of experienced workmen regularly I employed. [ADVT. í LORD ROSKBKRI AT CARDIK; —Our readers will he i glad to know that in view of the above visit a large I stock of Rosebery Collars ready for Disestablishment have just arrived, and are now selling at J. W. MORRIS'S, 10, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. Special lines in winter suitings and overcoatings are I)eitig offered at great reductions in order to effect a clearance for our new Spring Goods. Specialities, 3&s. 6d. Overcoats and suits, 38?. 6d. All orders executed on the premises by experienced workmen. Don't forget the Rose'>ery Collars in 4 fold linen, and the address, J. W. MORRIS, 10, Pontmorlais. ¡ Hana: What's this Genuine sale of bats, c-aps, j shirts, ties, collars, gloves, mufflers, umbrellas, etc., 'i 'mi ete., at EDMUNDS', 35, High-street, Merthyr. On ¡ Saturday next and to continue for 14 days. Every article reduced. The fitoek of Gents' Mercerv- of the best manufacture—which is comparatively new, must ¡ be decreased to make room for the latest production I of the British looms. Sale quotation being oftentimes misleading, no enumerations of the various bargains will l>e made, but customers will find a genuine and honest reduction all round. No job lots l>ought for sale purposes. J. EDMrvm, The Hattery and Hosiery, 35, High-street, Merthyr. Hosiery, 35, High-street, Merthyr.

I TEA. —On Thursday a tea was held at Wesley Chapel, under the auspices of the ladies sewing class. There was a large attendance.

SrccKSs. understand that Master Charles Stuart Evans, youngest son of Mr. D. J. Evans, has passed the College of Preceptor* Examination in the second division. Master Evans achieved this success after one term's preparation at Queen's College, Taunton.

SrocESS. are pleased to hear that Mr. David R. Beddoe, F.R.C.S., has been appointed house ¡ surgeon to Guy's Hospital, Loudon. The holder of eruch a position in any of the London Hospitals is regarded by the medical fraternity as one possessed of marked ability.

A DAKGEBOVS SCBSIPEN'CE. —The material has loosened lately at one or two points on the slope outside the pathway over the Newfoundland Tip, and in one place the pathway itself has been encroached upon, BO as to be rendering it dangerous to pedestrians, especially after dark.

COAT. CONTRACT. —The White Star Line contract ) for coal has been secuied by the Cyfarthfa Company, J at a price equal to about 9s. 9d. f.o.b. Cardiff. This is supposed to be an exceptionally poor price for even second class coal, and the lowest price, it is believed, accepted so far.

JHWKA MON. —We understand that the well-known Welsh preacher, bard and lecturer, Hwfa Mdn," will early next month pay a vinit to Merthyr and deliver, at Ynysgau Chapel, one of his popular lectures, the pre ►coeds of which will be devoted towards increasing the building fund of Salem Inde- pendent Chapel.

THE Inos A',I) STKEI. TRADE. certain amount of depression continues to characterise the iron and steel trades, and only one foreign order has been cleared off. There is, authorities say, some expecta- tion of demands in the rail trade by the time the spring opens, and the statement from tin-plate dealers for Bessemer bars is favourable to a marked increase in bar requirements.

TABERKACLK TKMPEEAVCK SOCIETY. —The ordinary meeting of this society was held on Monday evening, 1 when Miss Annie Camming* took the chair, and I there was a large attendance. Speeches were delivered by Rev. D. Price (pastor), Messrs. David Harris, Samuel Morris, Daniel Rees, and it was decided to Samuel Morris, Daniel Rees, and it was decided to hold a magic lantern entertainment on the 17th of I February.

YOTF. OF COX!>OLEXCE. Monday evening, at tho Loyal Tydfil Branch of Oddfellows, the following resolution waa submitted by P.G. John Owens: — j "That the most heartfelt sympathy of the members of this lodge bo conveyed to our esteemed and respected Bro. William Fullford on the sad bereave- ment he has been called to sustain on the loss of his daughter, at the early age of 15 years." Bro. John Sbeehan in a few appropriate words seconded, And the resolution was passed in silence.

MARKET SOT A HI: MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. — This society met as usual on Monday evening. Mr. H. A. Houptr, president of the bociety, took the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. The debate fived for the evening was That church bazaar* should be condemned"" Mr. H. S. Berry took an affirmative view, and Mr. Frederick Williams' convictions savoured of the opposite side. A very interesting and amusing discussion ensued, in which a large number of those present participated. Finally the feeling of the meeting was tested, with the result that by a vote of 17 to 10, the motion was rejected.

j LLANDOVERY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS. A. L. Green, of Llandovery School, baa just been awarded J the Llewellyn Scholarship, £ 25 a year, recently given to the school by Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., and T. A. Ilarri-, of the Old College School, Carmarthen, I the Ystrad Scholarship, jElOa year. The following house and foundation scholarships also have 'X-en awarded F. G. Williams, £ 20 S. E..Tones, £ 10 R. K. Green, JBlO A. Mortimer, A. T. Jonc-s, and D. C. Perkins. L8 8s. each D. G. Lloyd, 11. R. Seymour, and J. H. Lloyd, £ 4 4s. each aJl of Llan- dovety School. C. W. Kin^, private pupil of the Rev. T. Thomas, rector of Laugharne, L20 H. A. I Williams, of Christ's Hospital, JS15 H. K. Davies, i of Grove Park School, Wrexham, £15; T. J. Thoma", of the British School, Llandovery. £ 8 8s. E. O. Evans, Cilycwm School, jEt 4s. The Golden Grove Scholarship has not yet been awarded.

the aforementioned cheap popularity, by denounc- ing him up hill and down dale. The remedy is to pasa a resolution that he is to live in some other F»laee, and be done with the business. Councils, ike private employers, should treat those in their employ with consideration and courtesy. Else their service will be shunned by men of high standing in their various callings. They should see to it, of course, that the officials do their duty; but to subject them to the jeers of the multitude is "ot the best way to achieve that end. In another column, a correspondent blames the Merthyr officials for the condition of the streets and the dilapidated state of the pavements. This is sad- dling the wrong horse with a vengeance. The Council, and the Council only, is responsible for the disgraceful condition of our public thorough- f" l-r-ci MR. D. A. THOMAS, our senior member, says he will not leave his native constituency as long as he retains the confidence of the electors. He does hot want to go to Cardiff, and he will not be per- mitted to go unless it be clearly shown that he is the only available man who can save the seat from the clutches of the Western Mail candidate. The elsh element in Cardiff needs developing and strengthening. It would be well if the Liberal Party there could get hold of a candidate of pro- nounced Nationalist convictions, a man who would inspire the Welsh people in the town with the con- suming spirit of patriotism, a man who would touch their hearts to loftier issues and nobler endeavour. The daily press of Cardiff and Swan- sea is materialising South Wales to a very con- siderable extent, and a strong, thorough-going Nationalist M.P. for Cardiff would be able, in a great measure, to stem the torrent of Philistinism. Newspapers that give pages to football, very little space to religion, and scarcely a line to literature, cannot but exercise a most injurious influence on the morals and the minds of the people. The Celts "lust wake up in South Wales, or the country will be Teutonised beyond redemption. And we know what a Teutonised Celt means. Now in Cardiff there is a chance of striking a blow for Nationalism, and if the Cardiff Liberals are wise they will take full advantage of the opportunity. C' .L THK Tories are bringing to us, for our sins, the very rag-tag and bobtail of their party. Some time ago it was Sir Ash mead Bartlett. Now it is another Tory eccentric, Colonel Howard Vincent, a man not understood or appreciated by his age and country. For some years he has been a voice of one crying in the wilderness. No one pays the slightest attention to his preaching. Though a Tory of zeal and loyalty, he might as well speak to the wild winds of heaven as to the great Tory party. They will not listen to him they will have nothing to do with his antediluvian clap-trap. If hia own party disown him, we Liberals can well afford to leave him alone. The politician who should have been born sixty years sooner, and who believes in Protection, is a negligable quantity. The only interesting thing the gallant Colonel said in his Aberdare speech was that he proposed to the lady who became his wife in the London house of Lord Aberdare. That was no doubt a proper occasion to speak of protection." Colonel Lewis, of Merthyr, congratulated the working men for returning capitalist candidates at the recent Sections in this district. We trust the compliment will be duly appreciated. In the report we received of the meeting in question there is no mention in any of the 0 speeches about Disestablishment Tho dogged silence of Tory orators on this, the '9 greatest and most important question of Welsh Politics, is a mystery which no mortal can fathom. The main part of Colonel Howard Vincent's speech Was devoted to the tinplate industry. Did he think he was in Llanclly ? There must have been a Inicf.1Tn. BI'I.LJ.'t:I":O-hn.n llÇ"l.'C.. 1 HE School Board election will be a tierce contest. Catholics and Churchmen (of the narrower school) ^ill be arrayed against the Nonconformists. The real point at issue is the efficiency of the schools. The Sectarians are raising the cry of econoiny," alid trotting out the half-crown" bogoy. But C, their real object is to diminish the efficiency of the board Schools, and drag them down to the very much lower level of the school? of the sects. This is the true aim of the Catholic and the Church party. The half-crown rate is only a pretext, & sham battle-cry to mislead the electors. Are the Nonconformists prepared to fight the battle There 11; a great deal of educative work to be done, as the rciass of the electors need to be taught what the battle is really about. The Sectarians are united, and we trust the Unsectarians will be equally united. Our Treharris friends are making a nice muddle of it, and deliberately throwing away their chance of a representation on the Board. They seem bent on proving that the democratic idea of popular representation is all humbug. NOT STARVING suggests that something should be done to render assistance at this trying season of the year to the starving poor of Merthyr. He thinks a pCllny dinner would be a welcome boon to a great number of our poorer people, and that it *ould be well to provide soup at a cheap rate. We trust that the suggestion will be taken up by the ministers and the churches. If a'start is made the Public would respond generously to an appeal for "tip. Let the matter be taken in hand, and that without a single hour's avoidable delay. AKER.UIA.V is girding up its loins for the fray, and Renting the battle from afar off. A meeting of c ratepayers has been held, where several important local questions came on for discussion. Many a.nd J*arious are the reforms needed, reforms affecting both the quick and the dead. The people want better roads to travel while they still have the breath of life in their nostrils, and a better resting place for their weary bones when their spirits have taken their flight to The undiscovered country, from whose bourn No traveller returns. In other words, they want a public cemetery, and it road to Cwmbach. They will not get cither for some time, and without persistent fighting, if we may judge from the remarks made at their last meeting by the Aberdare councillors. Let every loyal Aberamanitc attend the public meeting next I Monday. Let them be bold and plucky, and take only one thing at a time, _n_+_